Home - Piston.my

Piston.my

Latest News

Malaysian motorists can now find out toll charges on Waze

Paying toll to use highways is part of motoring life these days, an added cost to motoring which is supposedly for quicker travel from A to B. There are alternative routes where you don’t have to pay toll but they will be more congested and if time is valuable to you, then paying the toll might be better to avoid jams.

However, toll charges vary on the different highways operated by nine concessionaires and if you are travelling across the Klang Valley using their highways, you will have different charges to pay. If you want to save some money, you could check out the toll charges along your route and compare the rates. But this means visiting a few of the concessionaires’ websites to get the information which is troublesome.

Toll Prices feature added
Now Waze makes it easier for you with the launch of its Toll Prices feature in Malaysia. One of its most requested features, Toll Prices will enable users to view and compare toll prices before or when they are driving along tolled routes. The feature, which is compatible with high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes, is automatically enabled and users will see a Toll tag on the route if it includes a toll road.

The Toll Prices feature will help drivers make better planning decisions by giving them visibility of prices ahead of time, enabling them to compare prices of different routes. At the same time, they can also compare the estimated times of arrival (ETAs) to see if the savings are worth it.

Info through efforts of Waze community
This hyperlocal feature is only possible due to the work of Waze’s volunteer community of over 30,000 monthly active map editors. The 6 volunteers from the Malaysian Waze community who played a part in this latest feature for Waze were Kadyus, Kweeheng, Rickylo103, EpailXi, Izuaniz and Lutfi_bihar. They helped collect and input toll price information, underscoring once again that Waze is truly people-powered and community-driven.

“We are delighted to bring Toll Prices to Malaysia. Thanks to the phenomenal efforts of our volunteer community, we’ve been able to make one of the most requested features on Waze a reality. Until now, Waze was trying to reduce your time spent in traffic – now, we’re also helping our users save as much money as possible by giving them the absolute best choice of routes, based both on ETA and potential costs of tolls along the way. We look forward to continue working with our community to make this feature available in all markets,” said Moriah Royz, Waze Product Manager.

Click here to download the Waze app, if you don’t already have it.

No more TAMBAH NILAI at exit toll plazas on PLUS highways from November 5, 2019

FEATURE – The numberplate system in Switzerland

Switzerland, the land of fine watches and chocolates, has the international code of ‘CH’. Many people have wondered why it is not something like ‘SW’ or ‘SZ’ (which are already taken by Sweden and Swaziland anyway). The answer is that ‘CH’ is the abbreviation of the Latin name for the Swiss Confederation, ‘Confoederatio Helvetica’.

You will also see ‘CH’ at the back of all Swiss vehicles when they go abroad (and on some vehicles in Malaysia that have never left the country). Switzerland has kept to a traditional sticker because (at least for the time being) Swiss numberplates have not integrated the international code. This could change because there is a citizens’ initiative in Switzerland that is aiming to have a referendum to decide on this issue.

A 125-year history
The history of registration numbers in Switzerland goes way back to 1894 when the canton (something like a state) of Basel-Stadt passed a regulation requiring all motorised vehicles to be fitted with a numberplate. The authorities were certainly far-sighted as there can’t have been very many motorised vehicles then since the first car in the world appeared only 9 years earlier. Over time, this regulation was also adopted in other cantons so that, by 1905, it applied throughout Switzerland.

The current system of registration numbers in Switzerland was introduced in 1933, meaning that it has remained unchanged for 86 years. However, in the most populous cantons, the maximum number of possible combinations will soon be reached, so this system may well have to be reformed in the near future.

Reading the numberplates
Swiss registration numbers comprise two initial letters, indicating one of the 26 Swiss cantons, followed by up to 6 digits, which are the serial number. The rear plate also depicts the Swiss coat of arms on the left and the coat of arms of the canton of registration on the right. The front number plate is roughly a third smaller than the rear one and it is always rectangular. The rear plate may be rectangular or square, whichever the owner wishes.

Tied to owner, not vehicle
In the Swiss system, the registration number is not tied to the vehicle but to the owner. This allows it to be used not just for one vehicle but it can be alternated for use on two cars! Registration numbers can also be transferred from parents to their children, treated as family heritage. The older the plate, the lower the number and, as in the UK, for example, the more prestigious it is.

The similarity with the British system does not end there. In Switzerland, retired numberplates are also for sale. However, the individual cantons who determine which ones will be offered for sale. Registration numbers are auctioned, with the most prestigious ones attracting high bids. According to Skoda’s research, the most expensive plate to date is ZG 10, which fetched 233,000 francs (equivalent to about RM988,720) which was auctioned in 2018.

Besides traditional numberplates, there are also special plates on certain types of vehicles, recognisable by their different colour scheme. The letters and digits tend to be black, but the background colour changes. For example, a numberplate with a blue background indicates a construction vehicle or fire-brigade vehicles, while a green background is used for agricultural machinery. Only military plates have non-black letters and digits; they have white lettering on a black background and the number starts with the letter M rather than the canton code.

Proton R3 wins Sepang 1000km again – that’s 3 years in a row!

Team Proton R3 (R3) capped a successful 2019 season yesterday by winning the Sepang 1000km (S1K) race for a third consecutive time. The impressive achievement was led by Mitchell Cheah and Fariqe Hairuman in the latest Proton Iriz which dominated the proceedings in a tough 9-hour race. There was double joy for the team as the 2019 Proton Saga driven by Syafiq Ali and Admi Shahrul crossed the finish line in second place.

Most successful manufacturer in S1K
With a third consecutive and fifth overall S1K victory, Proton has stretched its lead as the most successful manufacturer in the history of the event. It not only reflects on the capabilities of the cars but also the skill, professionalism and teamwork of R3, arguably the leading racing team in Malaysia.

“Being successful in motor racing requires a combination of factors. A manufacturer, for instance, would firstly need the correct models in its range that would be suitable for the job. Even if a suitable model is available, it is difficult to achieve success as the car needs to be developed while the skills of the racing team, from the technicians to the drivers, needs to be finely honed. This requires an investment in time and money and Proton’s success in motorsports is proof our investment in R3, our in-house racing division, is a wise one,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.

Lady drivers impress too
There were three Team Proton R3 entrants for the S1K this year with the third car crewed by an all-female driving team. Nurul Husna and Faye Kusairi were selected from the MSF-R3 Lady Drivers Search that gave aspiring female racers a chance to compete in the S1K race. The lead driver for the team was Leona Chin, Malaysia’s fastest female racer.

A technical issue during qualifying meant the team’s 2019 Proton Saga started the race from 26th on the grid. Despite the early setback, the ladies showed amazing skill and fighting spirit as they carved their way up to seventh overall and first among all lady drivers by the end of the race.

“Our lady drivers performed very well and we are proud of their achievement. By finishing seventh, they have proven their capability to compete in the male dominated arena of motorsports and Proton are proud to have given Malaysian women an opportunity to showcase their talents,” said Dr. Li.

“Win on Sunday, sell on Monday”
The marketing phrase refers to an age-old ethos for car manufacturers who compete in motorsports. By being successful on the track, their products gain an image boost thus helping to improve their performance in the showroom. Additionally, owners also get to feel a sense of pride to be driving a car from the winning brand – especially if it is the same model.

“By winning the S1K for the fifth time in 11 editions, Proton has proven its mastery of the event. A 1,000-km race requires speed as well as reliability and our models have both. What we learn in the heat of competition we then engineer into our products to create better cars. The success of both the 2019 Iriz and 2019 Saga in motorsports helped boost the image of each model and as a result, Iriz sales have increased three-fold while the Saga has achieved over 35,000 bookings since its launch,” Dr. Li revealed.

Want to experience the performance of the latest Proton Iriz and Saga? Visit www.proton.com to locate a showroom near your for a test-drive.

Team Proton R3 takes Malaysian Championship Series title

2020 Hyundai IONIQ gets better electric performance

When Hyundai Motor was developing its IONIQ model, it took a ‘safe’ approach by engineering the car to have multiple powertrain choices. At launch in 2016, it was available with either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or pure electric powertrain. The move would allow the IONIQ to be sold in more different markets depending on the recharging infrastructure available.

It’s now been three years that the IONIQ has been in global markets and an updated version has been released. Apart from the usual cosmetic changes and feature enhancements, the significant change is in the all-electric powertrain’s performance.

Better electric performance
The battery pack now has 36% more energy capacity which enables the car to travel up to 273 kms before it runs out of volts. There’s a standard 7.2-kW on-board charger for Type 2 AC charging; using a 100-kW fast-charging station, the battery can reach 80% charge within 54 minutes. The IONIQ Electric’s e-motor generates 134 ps/295Nm.

The 2020 IONIQ Hybrid and IONIQ PHEV continue to use a 1.6-litre GDI 4-cylinder petrol engine delivering 104 ps/148 Nm. The IONIQ Hybrid’s permanent magnet electric motor can generated 32 kW/169 Nm, powered by a lithium-ion-polymer battery with 1.56 kWh of capacity positioned under the rear seats.

The PHEV’s electric motor generates 45 kW/169 Nm, powered by an 8.9 kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery. Total system output for the IONIQ Hybrid can be up to 139 ps with a maximum of 264 Nm of torque. The IONIQ PHEV offers a higher total system output of 156 ps and 264 Nm of torque. Drivers using the IONIQ PHEV can expect to travel at least 47 kms on just electric power alone with the fully-charged 8.9 kWh battery pack.

A Predictive Energy Management system, which manages charging and discharging of the battery in uphill and downhill situations to maximize battery usage. When a lack of battery state-of-charge is predicted driving uphill, the IONIQ PHEV and Hybrid increase internal-combustion engine operation to charge the battery. When a sufficient battery state-of-charge is reached during downhill driving, e-motor intervention increases to minimize fuel consumption and further energy is simultaneously recovered through regenerative braking.

Taking a cue from its similarly innovative Kona Electric, the latest IONIQ Electric adopts 1-pedal driving capability, allowing the driver to stop the car by simply holding onto the left paddle shift lever with often no need to engage the braking pedal. This maximizes the use of regenerative braking technology. Using Smart Regenerative Braking, the level of energy recuperation is automatically adjusted depending on the road incline and traffic situation in front when coasting.

SmartSense safety
All 2020 IONIQ models sold in North America will be equipped with a comprehensive Hyundai SmartSense technology package. This driver assistance system constantly monitors the environment around the car alerting drivers to potential hazards while on the road. This system includes standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, High Beam Assist and a Drivers Attention Warning. There are also new segment first features like Highway Driving Assist and Lane Following Assist to make long trips less stressful and more comfortable.

Eco-conscious materials
A key characteristic of the IONIQ line is its innovative use of recycled or ecologically-sensitive materials. The interior door covers are made of plastic combined with powdered wood and volcanic stone while providing the same quality appearance of typical materials but reducing weight by 20%. The softer, more natural feel is achieved along with less reliance on oil-based products.

Raw materials extracted from sugar cane are partly applied on the headliner and cargo area. In fact, sugar cane accounts for 25% of the raw materials used. Paint with renewable ingredients extracted from soybean oil is used to achieve lustrous metallic colours on key components.

Currently, only the IONIQ Hybrid is sold in Malaysia and local assembly at the Inokom plant in Kedah keeps its price down. Presumably, the updated version will be available next year as the model sells reasonably well with a price just under RM100,000.

Hyundai Ioniq Receives Full 5-Star Asean NCAP Safety Rating

First Perodua Digital Showroom coming soon!

The first-ever Perodua Digital Showroom is well on its way after Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Arus Jaya Automotive Sdn. Bhd. and Perodua announced their strategic collaboration for the development of Smart Sales and Service yesterday in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. (more…)

Have a different type of Sunday at the Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 Adventure

If you’re in the Desa Tebrau area of Johor Bahru this weekend and want to experience something different, drop by at the Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 Adventure. At this event which is in the Linear Park and presented by Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), members of the public can experience the capabilities of the latest Mitsubishi Triton pick-up.

Member of the public can test-drive the vehicle over a few obstacle courses. For example, the Devil’s Angle has a hill slope which will show how the Hill Descent Control functions on the new Triton.

Another course has muddy terrain, which is specially designed to show off the Super-Select 4WD II system and off-road mode. Last but not least is the Log and Roll course where the suspension and overall cabin comfort can be experienced.

Visitors to the Triton 4×4 Adventure event can also take part in the Mitsubishi Agility Challenge to test the vehicle’s handling. There are prizes to be won for those who can complete obstacle courses featuring slalom, sharp cornering, manoeuvring, and a parking challenge in a tight space within the shortest time. Points will be earned for every completion of challenge and winners can win up to RM700 of cash prizes daily.

Other activities with prizes and rewards are:
♦ Test drive and stand to win an iPhone 11;
♦ Test drive and stand to win Grand Prize of RM888 cash daily;
♦ The first 100 participants to test drive any Mitsubishi model at the event will receive a free Boba Tea drink from The Alley;
♦ Customers who put a booking fee of RM300 for any new Mitsubishi model will receive an exclusive Ralliart tumbler.

Customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure X, Triton VGT AT Premium and Triton VGT MT Premium can choose to either enjoy an interest rate of up to 0.88% (with H-P financing from Maybank or Public Bank), OR cash rebates. These promotions are valid from now until December 31, 2019.

(more…)