It was not that too long ago when Bermaz Motor aka “Mazda Malaysia” invited us for the official launch of their all-new 2019 Mazda CX-8 seven-seater SUV. For the trip up north, they gave members of the media a chance at driving another new offering of theirs in the form of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD, their latest range-topping five-seater SUV masterpiece. (more…)
Since 2016, Casio has had a presence in Formula 1 racing through association with the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 Team. Sharing the focus on precision and technology with the Formula 1 team, Casio has collaborated in the development of high-performance metal chronographs based on the brand concept of ‘Speed and Intelligence’.
Its latest additions to the EDIFICE line – the EQB-1000TR and EFR-S567TR slim-profile chronographs – are now available in Malaysia, with recommended retail prices of RM3,159 and RM1,269, respectively.
Designs inspired by F1 racing cars
Both watches have designs inspired on the Scuderia Toro Rosso STR14 which is competing in the 2019 Formula 1 World Championship. Adopting the racing car’s colour scheme of blue, red and silver, the entire EQB-1000TR and the dial of the EFR-S567TR adopt an eye-catching red stripe motif on a blue background, representing the team colours.
In both models, the entire dial, excluding the bezel and inset dials, is made of carbonfibre. This material, first used in the aerospace industry, offers high strength but is lighter than steel so it is ideal for F1 machines that need to be light.
The dial and case back feature the team logo, and the inset dial in the 9 o’clock position has an image of a bull, the team symbol. The new models are also infused with the worldview of Scuderia Toro Rosso.
Solar-powered with smartphone connectivity
The EQB-1000TR, a slim-profile chronograph equipped with a Tough Solar power system and smartphone connectivity. In addition to accurate time syncing that can be performed by connecting to a smartphone app, the new model has World Time. The user can see the time for two different places, in the main and inset dials, by selecting from approximately 300 cities. This feature is very useful for the Scuderia Toro Rosso drivers and team members who travel around the globe.
The new Last Lap Indicator displays the difference from the previous lap time on the inset dial within a range of minus 5 to plus 1 seconds. The stopwatch function has also been enhanced, and the recorded times can be uploaded to the smartphone app. Since 200 lap times can be saved, measured to 1/1000th of a second, the chronograph helps manage detailed times during a race.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has unveiled their latest-generation Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C earlier today. The expansion of their top range offering come with some very awesome technical marvel that promise greater speeds, agility, and all-round driving nirvana on and off the tracks. (more…)
Development of the highway network in Malaysia began in the 1980s and with the announcement of each new highway project, there was the promise of ‘smooth, jam-free motoring’ between destinations. That was true for a while as the total vehicle population was still not very large. Furthermore, the number of townships and housing estates was also small, so there wasn’t a huge volume of traffic moving daily to the urban centres.
Today, a new highway seems to provide the ‘promise’ for a short while and then congestion starts. It gets worse and worse and sometimes, the highway concessionaire may try solutions like adding lanes. But it is often unsatisfactory, especially for those who pay toll.
The Smartlane initiative
PLUS Malaysia Berhad constantly looks for ways to reduce congestion on its highways and this October 23, it will try out a manual pilot SmartLane initiative to mitigate and evaluate the traffic congestion flow between the Setia Alam exit towards the Shah Alam Toll Plaza in Selangor.
After a period of observation and evaluation, PLUS plans to implement the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and establish an electronic SmartLane, similar to the ones presently applied in the United Kingdom and Holland.
The aim is to optimize the use of the left-most lane to enhance the flow of traffic with the aim of reducing congestion for highway customers who travel between Setia Alam to Shah Alam on the NKVE (New Klang Valley Expressway) during the morning rush hours.
Pilot sector covers 6 kms
This pilot implementation covers the NKVE stretch between Km 3.2 and Km 9.2 on the northbound side towards Petaling Jaya/Subang. It will be activated between 6:30 am and 9:30 am every Monday to Friday. During these morning peak hours, the left-most lane will be opened and used as a temporary additional lane to increase lane capacity and promote smoother traffic flow.
“Our studies have shown that the convergence of traffic as well as climbing areas contributed greatly to the congestion on the NKVE. The SmartLane pilot project is a proactive step towards providing our customers a smoother travel solution,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi. The ITS SmartLane initiative is fully supported and endorsed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), the Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).
He added that various preparations will be in place before the SmartLane starts. These include deploying Police and PLUSRonda officers on-site, installation of directional signages, assigning additional tow trucks at strategic locations and providing an emergency bay at Km 5.6.
“Based on PLUS’ record, 302,000 vehicles ply the NKVE daily, where 22% of them enter the highway simultaneously during the morning rush hour. However, with the implementation of the SmartLane, we expect to reduce the Setia Alam-Shah Alam peak hour crawl by 30% to 40%, barring any incidents such as accidents and vehicle breakdowns. Nevertheless, we have tow trucks on standby to address these incident” he explained.
Implementation in two phases
The implementation of this SmartLane initiative will be carried out in two phases. Phase One will operate manually via road signs placed at the designated stretch. Phase Two, planned to start in the second quarter of 2020, will incorporate full-fledged ITS technology. The ITS system will enable PLUS to manage traffic enforcement and traffic distribution more efficiently. All systems will be managed and monitored through the PLUS Traffic Monitoring Centre at Persada PLUS.
“We do plan to expand the SmartLane initiative to other locations along PLUS highways in the future,” added Encik Zakaria. “In the meantime, we strongly advise highway users to always follow the traffic signages, adhere closely to the speed limit, give way to emergency vehicles and be extra careful when plying the highway.”
Hyundai Motor’s latest Veloster Grappler concept for the 2019 SEMA show in Las Vegas is another of those ideas which take accessorizing to extremes. While it’s not intended to resist zombies like the Santa Fe Zombie Survival Machine of 2013, it nevertheless would be worth having when things get really bad on the planet.
The Grappler concept takes a Veloster and raises the ground clearance, immediately giving it off-road capability especially with sharper approach and departure angles. To protect the underside against rocks and other hard stuff, there are custom front and rear brush guards.
Oversized all-terrain tyres and rally-themed Method Racing wheels yield a menacing demeanour and functional capability, while Borla cat-back exhaust components add a visceral audible resonance. A custom vinyl exterior body wrap features a ghosted Hyundai-themed livery. Finally, a Seibon carbon-fibre bonnet effectively vents excess engine bay heat when things heat up out on the road.
For extra cargo capabilities, a roof-mounted Thule utility basket includes a high-output lighting system from Baja Designs. The utility basket serves as a base mount for the removable solar panel from Goal Zero, powering an all-electric portable power station mounted inside the cabin for remote journeys.
A full host of roof-mounted utility lights – from high-speed desert off-roading high beams to basecamp work lights – provide the right illumination at any time.
Inside the cabin (Hyundai has not released pictures yet), the functional ruggedness theme continues. An integrated roll bar provides occupant protection and facilitates mounting for a full-size spare wheel and tyre. Further outfitting the interior are traction mats, an oversized utility shovel, a Goal Zero portable power station, roadside assistance kit, first aid kit, Napier outdoor dome tent, Scosche Mounts, Goal Zero crush lights and premium Recaro seats finished in a vintage houndstooth check pattern.
If you’re a fan of Bentley vehicles, you would know the existence of the Bentley EXP 100 GT concept vehicle that they unveiled a few months back. In celebrations of the brand’s 100th birthday, the Bentley EXP 100 GT is essentially a present for themselves and by the looks of things, what a grand present to get. (more…)
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