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Aston Martin release video showcasing 28 of its most important cars

Aston Martin has published an interesting video showcasing some of the best vehicles of the company’s history to commemorate the transfer of ownership of three super hangers to the sportscar maker in St. Athan, South Wales. At this very location, Aston Martin has opened its second manufacturing plant to deal with its expansion plans.

The Aston Martin Vulcan was the first model to come out of the new site in St. Athan, where production is expected to ramp up to accommodate more vehicle models. This move will allow the redevelopment of its primary manufacturing site into a state-of-the-art facility.

In the video, Aston Martin showcases 28 special cars from its 104-year histroy by allowing some of its better known drivers indulge in some boyish shenanigans with £65 million worth of cars. The drivers include Aston Martin Racing’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) drivers, Darren Turner and Nicki Thiim and Aston Martin’s Chief Engineer, Matt Becker.

Instead of boring you with more details, take a look at the video and bask in beauty and soundsfrom the likes of the A3, DBR1, One-77, A number of Vantages, Rapide S and the Vulcan.

BMW launches 740Le xDrive in Malaysia

BMW has launched a new variant of its ever popular 7-Series model, called the 740Le xDrive. The new vehicle has a sophisticated hybrid propulsion system, intelligent all-wheel-drive technology and a luxurious interior suited for top level execs. The car is part of BMW’s i line of vehicles and is touted as the most advanced modern luxury limousine in Malaysia by the Munich based automaker.

Unveiling the All-New BMW 740Le xDrive, Mr. Han Sang Yun, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “Since its introduction early last year, the BMW 7 Series has already redefined the idea of driving luxury in the premium automotive world, even taking home the much coveted World Luxury Car of the Year 2016. The All-New BMW 7 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology will only set the benchmark even higher, offering to our customers the most cutting edge BMW eDrive technology which we have developed through our expertise with BMW i.”

There are subtle hints that can help you tell the 740Le xDrive apart from other variants, it has eDrive badges on the C-Pillars and BMW i logos on the front side panels. Based on the same wheelbase as its predecessor, the new car is the largest 7-Series in the company’s history and features tech that rival that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Under the bonnet is BMW’s TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre inline four engine which produces 258bhp and 400Nm of torque. The turbocharger has been integrated into the cast-steel exhaust manifold for a more compact and efficient package, which coupled with high precision injection, double-VANOS and advanced Valvetronic technology offer decent performance figures.

Mated to the engine is an 8-speed Steptronic trasnmission, which aids in getting the 7-Series to its top speed of 250km/h. Working with the petrol engine is a synchronous motor that develops 113bhp and 250Nm of torque. Juice to the electric motor comes courtesy of a 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged using any electrical outlet. But, through the use of BMW’s Wawllbox Connect charger, the battery can be fully charged in under 5 hours.

The car has a combined output of 326bhp and 500Nm of torque which allows it to accomplish the 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.3 seconds, which is impressive for a car of its size. But this Bimmer’s party piece is the eDrive system that governs the propulsion system, activating or disengaging either petrol engine electric motor as and when required. When the Auto mode is selected, the engine and motor work together to deliver performance and fuel economy.

The engine is only cranked over once the car’s speed exceeds 80km/h which should help conserve quite a bit of fuel. when Max is selected, the vehicle can be driven in electric only mode, allowing the petrol engine to be shut off completely but awakened when the accelerator pedal is pressed to the floor.

The car’s suspension and driving behaviour can be altered through the use of the Driving Experience Control with five different modes which are Adaptive, Eco, Pro Comport and Sport. But what takes things to the next level is the xDrive all-wheel-drive system that operates proactively and varies power delivery between front and rear axles depending on the requirement at any given time.

Inside, BMW has fitted the Ambient Light design which includes the Welcome Light Carpet feature that illuminates the cabin and provides a sense of occasion for the occupants. The lighting system has three different colours to choose from and the car also comes with panoramic Sky Lounge glass roof which comprise of over 15,000 lighting elements.

Passengers at the rear are able to change the vehicle and entertainment systems through the use of the BMW Touch Command control located in the rear console. There is also a removable 7-inch tablet that allow passengers to change the comfort and entertainment (16-speaker Harman Kadron Surround Sound System) settings by tapping the appropriate commands.

On the safety side, the car comes with front and side airbags, head/curtain airbags for the front and rear seats, a knee airbag for the driver, ISOFIX child seat mountings in the rear, and the Active Protection System – along with other features.

The All-New BMW 740Le xDrive is available in Black Sapphire, Imperial Blue, Mineral White, and Sophisto Grey. Inside, the upholstery is lined with exclusive Nappa leather while the interior trim is finished in Poplar Grain Grey fine-wood.

The new 740Le xDrive is priced at RM853,800 but after factoring in the government incentive for hybrid vehicles, the price is comes down to a more reasonable RM598,800. BMW is offering the car with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. Head on over to the manufacturer’s local website to learn more.

Hyundai Santa Fe makes history by crossing Antarctica

A standard Hyundai Santa Fe has made history by becoming the first passenger vehicle to travel across the continent of Antartica from Union Camp to McMurdo, then turn around and head back. The vehicle was driven by Patrick Bergel who is the grandson of polar explorer, Sir Enest Shackleton. The point of the trip was to commemorate Shackleton’s heroic Trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914-1916.

The grueling expedition has been turned into a short film by the Korean automaker and will be televised for the first time at the Hospital Club in London on 25th April 2017. The modest Patrick Bergel, was reluctant to compare his trip across Antarctica to that made by his grandfather about 100 years ago. But he did mention that it was quite an accomplishment to be the first to make the trip in a wheeled vehicle.

Regarding this feat, Patrick Bergel said, “The journey was incredible and the car was a pleasure to drive. Sometimes it felt less like driving and more like sailing across the snow. It was a proper expedition with a challenge to accomplish that nobody else had done before. It was about endurance not speed – we only averaged only 27km/h.

During the 30-day exhibition, the Santa Fe had to deal with almost 5,800km of icy terrain in treacherous conditions. Besides having to bear the sub-zero temperatures, the vehicle had to make it its own path by driving on the floating ice caps – something that no other wheeled vehicle has done before.

Scott Noh, Head of Overseas Marketing Group, Hyundai Motor Company said, “We were aware of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s story and as a Company felt a resonance with his courage and pioneering spirit. Our film celebrates this spirit and through Patrick, his Great Grandson, completes his dream to cross Antarctica – just a hundred years later. We hope that it showcases Hyundai as brand that that is more than just a means of transportation.”

Despite the unforgiving terrain, the Santa Fe that was used for the trip wasn’t that far off from the 2.2-litre one you can buy from your local Hyundai dealership. The only changes that were made were the fitment of much larger tyres, increasing the fuel tank capacity and converting the vehicles to run on Jet A-1 fuel, which is the only available fuel on the continent.

In order to fit the massive tyres, the Santa Fe’s body had to be raised with new sub-frames, suspension and gears which were fitted inside the wheel hubs to deal with higher forces and to allow the vehicle to turn more slowly to run at the required speeds.

Many were skeptical with the idea of the Santa Fe completing the journey then returning to the starting point, but Bergel and well prepared Santa Fe proved the them wrong and as a result have made it into the record books.

Auditor appointed to oversee rectification of VW’s diesel-gate issue

Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few years, you would know about Volkswagen’s run-in with regulatory authorities in the US regarding its falsified claims of the CO2 emissions from its diesel powered vehicles.

The company fitted a clever cheat device that lowered performance and CO2 emissions when it detected that the vehicle was undergoing emission tests. Once the tests were offer, the system would revert to its original setting which allowed the engine to emit a much higher volume of exhaust gases than claimed to the authorities.

As such, the German automaker has seen the appointment of Larry D. Thomson as the Independent Compliance Monitor and Independent Compliance Auditor under the terms of Volkswagen’s plea agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a separate Consent Decree with the DOJ on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, respectively.

Thompson’s role is to assess, oversee and monitor VW’s compliance in the US with the terms of its settlements for three years which includes measures to further improve the automaker’s compliance, reporting and monitoring mechanism as well as its ethics programme.

“Volkswagen welcomes the appointment of Larry D. Thompson to this new position, and we intend to cooperate fully with his important work. We have taken significant steps to strengthen accountability, enhance transparency and build a better company and we look forward to working closely with Mr. Thompson as we press forward with the biggest change process in Volkswagen’s history,” said Ms. Hiltrud Werner, Board Member of Integrity and Legal Affairs at Volkswagen AG.

Part of Thomson’s job scope is to certify that VW’s compliance programme is able to detect issues like the the diesel issue and prevent it from happening again.

Ford Ranger FX4 introduced to Malaysian market

Ford has introduced a new variant of their ever popular pick-up truck in the Malaysian market, called the Ranger FX4. The vehicle is said to have been inspired by the needs and wants of the enthusiast community and as such features an updated grille and visual graphics.

The FX4 is fitted with an exclusive new front grille with a mesh pattern, matte decal design on the bonnet and blacked-out fog light bezel that add to its menacing appeal. Under the bonnet is the same 2.2-litre Duratorq diesel engine that produces a decent amount of horsepower and torque for a vehicle of its size.

Ford has fitted 18-inch Stark Gray painted wheels and a black sports bar to complement the overall theme of the graphics. On the tailgate, there’s a blacked-out decal that spells out the word RANGER, which contrasts with the vehicle’s body colour.

Inside, the same exterior colour combination has been incorporated into the cabin, The leather seats complement the dark interior and offer a sense of refinement to this off-road vehicle.

Like the rest of the line up, the FX4 features Ford’s SYNC in-car connectivity system as well as safety tech that include Rear Park Assist with reverse camera, Electric Power Assisted Steering, Hill Descent Control, electronic locking rear differential and Electronic Stability Program.

The FX4 comes with the same water wading capabilities as the rest of the variants which is a respectable 800 mm deep and features a ground clearance of 230 mm as well as having the ability tow a payload of of up to 3,500kg.

“Our customers in Malaysia already know the Ranger for its raw capability, advanced technologies and rugged, tough appearance,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “The Ranger FX4 builds on this foundation with a bold new look and premium features that we think they will love.”

Ford’s Ranger FX4 can be had in either Aluminum Metallic or Meteor Grey body colours and is available to order at RM121,888 at any Ford dealership nationwide. Visit the automaker’s local website to learn more about this new variant.

New Kia Rio makes its debut at New York Motorshow

Kia has unveiled the 2018 Rio at the New York Autoshow and the new B-segment car aims to build upon the success of its predecessor. Featuring an all-new design, the new car is aimed at consumers wanting decent fuel efficiency, new tech and advanced safety features in a reasonably priced cheerful car.

A collaborative design effort between three of the automaker’s teams – European, US and Korean design houses, the new Rio has crisper lines and smoother surfaces lending to a more sporty look compared to its predecessor. Taking centre stage is the latest tiger-nose grille and newly designed headlights that stretch toward the fenders. Unlike the previous car, the fog lamp surrounds have been moved outwards and the a lower window line around the cabin have increased visibility somewhat.

The new Rio Sedan is considerably larger than the outgoing one, measuring 4,383mm long and sporting a wheelbase of 2,581mm. The hatchback is 4,064mm long but both variants feature more upright A-pillars than the cars they replace. The all-new platform uses high strength steel for increased durability, safety and torsional stiffness while reducing weight. Through the use of body sealing and bonding adhesives throughout the body construction, Kia says that overall noise, vibration and harshness have been reduced.

The overall silhouette looks simple yet functional with a lower and wider stance providing for a more sporty outlook. The rear, features shorter overhangs and thinner tail lights. The car is fitted with 15-inch wheels but when ordered in EX trim, it features more sporty alloy ones. The entire range comes with redesigned suspension geometry while utilizing a fully-independent MacPherson Strut front and torsion beam rear axle.

Inside, the cabin has been reworked and as such is more more spacious, has an improved instrument panel and fitted with better quality materials. The contours of the dashboard is said to mimic that of the car’s exterior. The centre console has a bi-level tray which provides enough space to store portable devices such as a smartphone and tablets.

Thanks to the larger dimensions, the cabin is more spacious than before which gives rise to better head, leg and shoulder room for occupants. The front seats have been redesigned and as such offer better comfort without compromising on leg space for the rear passenger. The boot space is 388 liters for the Sedan and 493 liters for the hatchback variant.

As for tech, the car has Bluetooth hands-free functionality, a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio and a rear-view camera system. The EX trim car gets a seven-inch floating touchscreen interface, UVO3 voice recognition infotainment system and smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

This new Rio has the same 1.6-litre GDI engine as its predecessor that puts out 130bhp and 161Nm of torque. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, which are available for both sedan and hatchback variants.

On the safety front the car features six airbags, side-impact door beams, Electronic Stability Control, a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)4.

No word yet on when the new Rio will make it into our market but that shouldn’t take long considering the popularity of Kia models in Malaysia.