Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, Minister of Entrepreneur Development, announced that Malaysia’s first flying car prototype will take its maiden flight this Thursday (21 November 2019) at an undisclosed location (he did mention Subang area, so we’re guessing somewhere near the airport) and he’ll be joining the ride as well. (more…)
There’s a new Michelin Managing Director in town and his name is Tushar Gupta for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. Replacing the highly regarded Pascal Nouvellon (who was promoted to a new global role over at Michelin HQ in France), Mr Gupta will be taking over the role which started back in September 2019. (more…)
Although the model will only appear in showrooms in 2 years’ time, BMW is telling the world about the fourth model in its I sub-brand range – the i4. This will be the first purely electrically-powered model for the premium mid-range with the functionality of a 4-door Gran Coupe and emissions-free mobility.
More importantly, BMW promises to transfer the brand’s characteristic core features to the age of electric mobility, particularly the qualities of the 3-Series. Design-wise, it will be based on the i Vision Dynamics concept car (pictured below) shown in 2017 and sit on the CLAR platform.
The development of the i4 is part of a comprehensive product offensive by the BMW Group in the field of models with electrified drive. The company currently has the biggest range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid models within the competitive field. By 2023, the BMW Group will have 25 models with electrified drive in its program.
Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology
The drive technology of the i4 will set new standards in terms of power density, efficiency and range in locally emissions-free driving. The electric motor, power electronics, charging unit and high-voltage battery are entirely new. Together, they form the BMW eDrive technology of the fifth generation, with which the BMW Group has made further significant advancements in the field of electrified drive.
From 2020 onwards, the fifth- generation BMW eDrive technology will be introduced first in the iX3 and then in the iNEXT and i4. The electric motor developed for the i4 delivers a maximum output of around 390 kW/530 bhp, reaching the level of a V8 engine in current BMW models fitted with a combustion engine. 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is expected to be around 4 seconds, with a top speed of more than 200 km/h.
The fifth generation of BMW eDrive also includes a newly designed high-voltage battery featuring the latest battery cell technology. The design of the high-voltage battery developed for the i4 is characterised by its extremely flat design and optimised energy density. With a weight of some 550 kgs, it has an energy content of around 80 kWh. This gives a claimed range of approximately 600 kms.
Modular, flexible drive and battery storage technology
A flexible vehicle architecture, the flat, low-positioned high-voltage battery and the compact drive technology create a high degree of freedom in realising a model- specific design. The electric drive component, its charging unit and high-voltage battery are all developed and produced in-house by the BMW Group.
This drive system is compatible with all vehicle concepts and will be available for different models in a range of output levels. The highly integrated design of the system allows a significant increase in power density as well as a reduction in weight and manufacturing effort. Production of future-generation electric motors will no longer require materials categorised as rare earths.
The next generation charging unit is characterised by a uniform package suitable for all future vehicle architectures. It can be used in plug-in hybrid models as well as in purely electrically powered vehicles and is designed for a charging capacity of up to 150 kW. This allows the high-voltage battery pack to be charged to around 80% of its full energy content in around 35 minutes. This results in a charging time of around 6 minutes for a range of 100 kms.
Castrol Malaysia has announced the launch of ‘Hari Mekanik Malaysia’, an initiative aimed at recognising and giving thanks to the unsung heroes in our lives; our mechanics. This comes following the success of the ‘Castrol Super Mechanic Contest’ which was held in 2017 and 2018 with the primary aim of giving mechanics a platform to upskill themselves whilst competing amongst each other.
“Mechanics play a significant role in not only restoring vehicle performance but also ensuring the safety of the drivers, riders, passengers and pillions in vehicles. This celebration recognises the contributions by mechanics to the automotive industry in the country,” said Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore.
The campaign, which starts in November 2019 and runs until September 2020, includes a series of events such as roving cars visiting workshops in major cities nationwide. Members of the public will be encouraged to nominate their favourite mechanic via an online nomination process. Nominators, under the car & truck category, would win a 1-year free service equivalent to 4 bottles of 4-litre Castrol MAGNATEC 10W-40 if their nomination produces a winner, whilst nominators under the motorcycle category would win 6 bottles of 1-litre Castrol POWER1 10W-40 if their nomination produces a winner.
Castrol offers an exclusive promo of RM30 off the total bill when the car is serviced at any Castrol Auto Service workshop or RM3 off the total bill when the motorcycle is serviced at any Castrol Bike Point workshops through participation of online activities during the campaign period.
The launch of Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia will be held on March 18 2020, marking its first celebration for the mechanics. From the nominations received, 10 mechanics from the car/truck and the motorcycle categories each would be shortlisted based on 3 rounds of short-listing process.
In the preliminary round, the nominated mechanics will be required to answer a series of online questions designed specifically to test their professionalism, attitude and qualities that would qualify them as an ‘Unsung Hero’. The top 20 nominees with the highest score will be shortlisted for the second round and only 15 individuals from each category will be shortlisted into the final round by an automotive professional body after conducting an evaluation with a set of criteria.
In the final round, members of the public will be called to vote and the top 10 winners each from the car/truck and the motorcycle categories would be presented the coveted ‘Castrol Unsung Heroes’ Award and trophies. Winners in the car/truck category will also be rewarded with an automotive training course to elevate their skills, competencies and abilities at the School of Skills.
“We want to acknowledge the importance of mechanics – the unsung heroes who leave a positive impact in our everyday lives. The key areas requiring attention is longevity and continuity and therefore we want to enhance the profile and empower the mechanics community through this campaign. We hope this will inspire others to contribute to the Malaysian community, as mechanics do every single day,” said Ms Keow.
It was back in September 2019 when Mio, one of the world’s leading brands in dashboard cameras, decided to give their premium range a try here in Malaysia. Introducing their line-up of high-quality dashcams, the Mio MiVue series consists of entry-level products all the way up to their more premium models, the Mio MiVue 7 Series. (more…)
Car companies are in business to be successful and give returns to their shareholders, but they do not forget their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) too. With their financial resources, they can help communities in various ways and that’s one of the ongoing initiatives of Perodua.
“As a People First company and a caring brand, Perodua is always looking for long-term and sustainable ways we can help and contribute to the people,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Recently, representatives of the carmaker revisited Selayang Hospital to contribute medical equipment and distribute goodies to patients and staff of the paediatric ward. Perodua last visited the hospital, located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. in February, when it contributed 3 pulse oximeters (oxygen measurement devices) and 6 portable screens, as well as distributed money packets and gift bags to patients and staff.
“This is our small way of thanking the Selayang Hospital paediatric ward staff for their dedication and efforts in caring for the children, and for all the child patients here, we hope we can make their days a little brighter and their smiles a little wider,” Dato’ Zainal said.
Additional equipment
This time, Perodua contributed to the ward another pulse oximeter and 3 more portable screens, as well as distributed money packets and gift bags containing stationery to around 100 child patients.
The children’s play area was also given a new look after volunteers from Perodua cleaned the area, painted the cabinets, replaced the wallpaper and ceiling, installed a smart TV and new flooring as well as bought some new books and toys.
The refurbished play area features graphics with safety and environmental themes – topics which Perodua is passionate about. It plans to educate the child patients about safety and the environment through various activities in the coming years.
More activities planned
“Our efforts do not stop here – we have lots of activities planned for the children in the coming years, including story-telling, movie screenings, puzzle games and origami. We are also looking at doing a book donation drive to populate the play area’s library,” Dato’ Zainal said.
Visit www.perodua.com.my to know more about the products and services available.
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