Smartphone maker OnePlus has collaborated with McLaren to produce the very beautiful OnePlus 7T McLaren Edition smartphone. For those looking for a device that’s both beautiful and high performance, you can try to get your hands on one of the McLaren inspired bad boys. (more…)
‘In a state of flux…’ is a term that relates to constant change though not necessarily indecisiveness. Appropriately, a new company in Malaysia has chosen to call itself ‘Flux’ as a way of describing the concept of its business which allows customers to constantly change their vehicles. Flux offers an all-inclusive monthly car subscription service, covering all the benefits of having a dream car without the drawbacks.
To start with, members pay a monthly fee to use a car of their choice without commitment. This means that they don’t have to provide a downpayment nor take a loan that has to be repaid in instalments every month for many years ahead.
Like owning the car yourself
Unlike some other schemes, cars supplied by Flux are like your own, meaning they are parked at your home for as long as your subscription is active. It’s like owning the car, except the financial hassles are omitted. And what’s more interesting is that with the same subscription, customers have access to a range of models which can be requested for use.
The inventory is sourced from reputable automotive groups and retailers in Malaysia. At this time, the Flux collection includes models such as the Honda CR-V, BMW 6-Series, Toyota Yaris, Volvo XC40, Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and the latest Toyota Camry.
Monthly or mileage subscription plans
Once a person has registered to be a member (starting an account costs nothing), he or she can then select a vehicle and a subscription plan which starts at month-to-month for total flexibility or up to 3 years for best value. The subscription plans indicate how long members intend to use the Flux service, not a specific car as they have the privilege to switch throughout their subscription which starts from RM814/month for a Kia Picanto.
Members also choose a mileage package between Lite, Standard and Unlimited with monthly maximum mileages of 1,250 kms, 2,000 kms and cap-less mileage, respectively. The Lite package is offered at no additional charge.
A key benefit of Flux is the freedom to switch cars after a minimum of 1 month of use with just a standard switching fee. Following a switch, members pay the monthly rate for the newly chosen car. Flux says it is the only service able to offer such flexibility at the prices charged.
Maintenance handled by Flux
Flux’s concierge service will help manage all car-related administrative and maintenance matters. This includes yearly document renewals alongside planning and execution of periodic service and repairs. In other words, maintenance of the vehicles is handled by the company throughout the subscription period.
Flux gives assurance that the vehicles, new and pre-owned alike, are independently inspected to determine that each and every one is maintained to the highest standards and free of major accidents and flood damage. The vehicles are, of course, fully insured and for safety and security, should the vehicle be involved in an accident, the installed telematics system will alert emergency services so assistance can be sent to the location.
Flux allows both Malaysians and non-Malaysians to become members. They must have a credit card from a Malaysian financial institution for charges to be made to, a mobile contact number and be above 25 years of age. They would, of course, need to possess a full driving licence and international driving licences are also accepted.
“I founded Flux to challenge the status quo and offer a better alternative to the conventional car loan, here at home in Malaysia. At Flux, we are excited to pioneer a new means to access all the benefits of having a car in your driveway, without the costs. We are proud to challenge the conventions of car ownership, working collaboratively with the leading local automotive groups. Together, we offer you freedom of choice, at unparalleled convenience. In short, Flux is the simpler way to ‘own’ your perfect car,” said Aziz Ayman, Founder & CEO of Flux, which also has former Bank Negara governor, Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, as co-founder.
The finale of the Proton 1 Tank Adventure concluded with one epic conclusion as they travelled from Kelantan all the way to Johor without having to refuel even a single drop. That’s 710km from Kota Bharu to Johor Bahru and each Proton model that entered the drive managed to complete without any major hiccups. (more…)
Although the pace of sales for Toyota’s first fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the Mirai, has not been as fast as for the Prius, which was its first mass-produced hybrid model, the carmaker is pushing ahead with development of FCEVs. It is already in the final stage of development of the next generation of the Mirai and will display a concept model at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show this month. It is expected that the production model will look very much like the concept shown in these pictures.
“We have worked to make a car that customers will want to drive all the time, a car that has an emotional and attractive design and the kind of dynamic and responsive performance that can bring a smile to the driver’s face,” said Yoshikazu Tanaka, Chief Engineer of the first generation Mirai as well as the second generation. “I want customers to say ‘I chose the Mirai because I simply wanted this car, and it just happens to be an FCEV.’ We will continue our development work focusing on that feeling, and we hope that with the new Mirai, we will be a leader in helping to realize a hydrogen energy society.”
Improved in all aspects
The totally re-designed Mirai reflects a major step forward for FCEVs and the potential of a hydrogen society, boasting significantly greater range, improved driving performance, and an elegant, sporty design that offers increased passenger room and comfort. It will be able to accommodate 5 occupants instead of four in the current Mirai.
Launched in 2014, the first-generation of the FCEV proved the global potential of hydrogen to power clean and sustainable mobility, combining a driving range with refuelling time equivalent to conventional vehicles and no emissions but water. Since then, approximately 10,000 units have been sold globally, helping pave the way towards a hydrogen society that will reduce emissions, diversify energy sources, and generate global economic growth.
Scheduled for launch starting in late 2020, initially in Japan, North America and Europe, the second-generation Mirai is said to be much more than an eco-car, marking a new stage for FCEV technology. Improvements in fuel cell system performance and increased hydrogen storage capacity mean the new Mirai will target an increase in driving range.
The car has also been totally redesigned based on Toyota’s premium rear-wheel drive TNGA platform to combine greater agility and driving performance with a sleek and elegant exterior design. It will be presented in a newly developed exterior colour (called Force Blue Multiple Layers), that uses layers of colour to achieve exceptional brightness and depth.
Substantial improvements in driving performance
Engineered from the start to accommodate Toyota’s full range of powertrains, including hydrogen fuel cells, Toyota’s latest modular platform gives the Mirai Concept a higher degree of body rigidity, which contributes to greater agility and responsiveness, and a lower centre of gravity, which makes for nimble, rewarding handling.
Improvements to the fuel cell system go beyond increased range to offer linear, smooth response when pulling away, unity between the driver’s throttle inputs and the car’s acceleration. Handling is light and easy on winding roads, while highway driving produces an exceptional sense of power at all speeds.
Next stage of FCEV Technology
The fully-redesigned fuel cell system, including its fuel cell stack, will deliver substantially improved performance. This includes targeting a 30% increase in driving range over the current generation, thanks to increased hydrogen storage capacity, among other measures.
The Japanese government is promoting hydrogen as the fuel of the future for the country, with next year’s Olympics event serving as a starting point for the move. Its Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI) has set a target of 200,000 fuel cell vehicles on the road by 2025 and up to 800,000 by 2030. As with electrical recharging stations for hybrids, there will need to be a substantial network of hydrogen filling stations throughout the country and METI has set target of 900.
If motorists are responsible and considerate, they would ensure that their tollcards have sufficient value before they travel on highways where toll is collected. With so many places, especially petrol stations, where the Touch’nGo cards can be reloaded, there is no excuse for not doing so. However, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) has found that many have insufficient balance in their tollcards, resulting in them having to reload at the toll plazas and causing traffic congestion at the exit lanes of the toll plazas.
To reduce traffic congestion on all outbound lanes in the Central Region toll plazas, PLUS made the decision to close the Reload Counters since August 1, 2019. This move, over the past 2 months, has seen a significant reduction of up to 48.2% in the number of low-traffic or inadequate balance customers trying to reload at the exit lanes at toll plazas in the Central Region which are located along routes between Seremban and Ipoh Selatan.
5% of motorists waste the time of 95%
On August 1, 2019, the first day, 5% of vehicles had insufficient balance for their tollcards. Although 5% is small, it involves 42,500 vehicles that queue up to reload, creating unnecessary congestion and wasting the time of 95% of other travellers on the highways.
The move to cease offering reload services at the toll plazas is also aimed at ensuring the safety of PLUS personnel as accidents involving heavy vehicles have occurred at toll booths in recent times.
“PLUS would like to thank the customers who have contributed to the 48.2% reduction in congestion at toll plazas in the Central Region by increasing their Touch’nGo card value. PLUS also appreciates the efforts of all Touch’nGo counters and service providers and counters and machines to ensure that Touch’nGo card or value-added kiosks are operating at all times to facilitate transactions,” the company’s statement said.
It added that this progressive initiative is also made possible with the strong support of the Malaysian Highway Authority, the regulator whose main aim is to ensure the safety and comfort of every Malaysian highway-user.
No more reload services in other regions soon
PLUS will continue to cease reload services at its toll plazas in the Southern and Northern Toll Plaza exit lanes soon.
Reload services are available at more than 10,000 locations nationwide such as ATMs, petrol stations, convenience stores, R&R areas and shopping malls.
Japan hosted the Olympics in 1964 (although it also hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972 and 1998) and on that occasion, the country showed off its technological, industrial and economic advances to the world. Notable in the advancements in transportation was the introduction of the Shinkansen or ‘Bullet Train’ which could reach 210 km/h. That speed was achieved in 1964 and today, the sleek trains can reach top speeds of 260 km/h.
At the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, the country will once again showcase advanced transportation technologies, some of which have been specially developed for the event by companies like Toyota Motor Corporation.
Dedicated transport around the event villages
Among the many different types of vehicles Toyota will provide will be specially-designed ‘Tokyo 2020 Version’ e-Palette vehicles to support athlete mobility. Up to 20 such vehicles will provide automated, loop-line transportation in the Olympic and Paralympic villages for athletes and personnel involved in the event. The battery-electric, automated vehicles have been adapted specifically for use during the Games based in part on feedback from athletes about their mobility needs in the past games.
“Olympic and Paralympic athletes work tirelessly to achieve the impossible, and we wanted to provide them with a vehicle specifically designed and calibrated to fit their mobility needs during Tokyo 2020,” said Takahiro Muta, development leader for the unique version of the ‘Tokyo 2020 Version’ e-Palette.
“Throughout the development process, athletes, especially Paralympians, helped us to better understand how we could adapt and upgrade the e-Palette to better meet the need for simple, convenient and comfortable mobility. We are proud to work with them on a vehicle that will not just move athletes physically throughout the Olympic and Paralympic villages, but will also offer them new opportunities to interact with others, share new experiences, and be moved emotionally,” he said.
Developed for autonomous mobility
First announced in 2018, e-Palette is Toyota’s first vehicle developed specifically for autonomous mobility as a service application. It reflects Toyota’s ongoing transition to a mobility company and combines electrification, connected networks, and advanced driving technologies to support new shared mobility businesses and business models.
Measuring 5255 mm long and 2065 mm wide, the Tokyo 2020 Version has been adapted to meet the unique needs of the Olympic and Paralympic villages, featuring large doors and electric ramps to allow groups of athletes, including Paralympians, to board quickly and easily. The 20-person vehicle will be controlled by an automated driving system capable of operating up to 20 km/h at SAE Level 4, supported by an on-board safety operator.
Deploying the e-Palette to support athlete and staff mobility is a key element of Toyota’s program to provide advanced mobility solutions for Tokyo 2020 as the first worldwide mobility partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition, Toyota plans to leverage the knowledge gained from operating e-Palette at Tokyo 2020 to continue developing the vehicle to support future ‘Mobility-as-a-Service’ applications.
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