At today’s daily MKN press briefing, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed that there is NO NEED to scan the MySejahtera app or register when refuelling if motorists do not visit the station’s shop to make payment for fuel. Presumably, the same applies for putting air in tyres. Therefore if they make contactless payments at the pump , they are not committing an offence.
However, if they go to the shop to make payment, use the ATM or buy things, then they have to follow SOP and have their temperature checked and their details recorded of the visit either manually in a log book or via the MySejahtera app using the QR code. The same applies to going to the toilet or surau at the station which would usually be part of the building premises.
Misleading statements
With his statement, it puts an end to the confusion created after a motorist was reported to have been given a summons for not registering while he was pumping petrol. The confusion was further compounded when a senior officer at Bukit Aman insisted that it is required when pumping petrol even if the motorist does not go to the store.
Attempts to seek clarification in the past 24 hours by members of the media saw conflicting answers being given, with the Petroleum Dealers Association saying it was not needed.
If you do not go into the shop or use the toilet or surau, then you are not committing an offence if you do not register your visit.
Some precautions to take
It is a good idea to have your visit registered if you go to a crowded area so that you will be informed if there has been a case. However, at a petrol pump with no one around (but you should wear a facemask anyway), the risk is low of being infected. It is possible that you could pick up germs from the pump nozzle although the stations are supposed to sanitize them frequently. Therefore, you can take precautions of either using paper to hold the pump or ensuring that you throughly clean with hand sanitizer after finishing refuelling. Do not use plastic gloves as these can cause static electricity which is very dangerous and might result in an explosion due to the presence of volatile fumes.
Hyundai has announced that it will introduce more new N and N Line models in the sports, sedan and SUV segments of the US market during 2021 and 2022. This steady flow of new models under the N performance sub-brand will include variants in each major vehicle category, including three purist N models and four N Line models.
The Korean carmaker says it is offering N models in each of these categories so that enthusiasts from every segment can enjoy driving a new N model.
Tucson N Line to be introduced in 2021
The next new model in Europe will be the Tucson N Line and teaser images have been released. As the images show, the Tucson N Line will offer aggressive and distinctive exterior design features, with differentiating interior details. Unique equipment and colour selections are also planned for production models.
The N Line range serves as an entry-level to the N brand. These models more dynamic design features and enhanced driving experience.
Elantra N in camouflage
Up to 7 models currently in N range
The N brand currently consists of variants of the i10, i20, i30 (Hatchback and Fastback), Kona, Elantra, Veloster and Sonata although availability in different regions varies.
“I’m proud of what our talented N brand engineers, designers and product development teams have in store for enthusiast customers. Hyundai is committed to developing exciting, heart-charging N models in varied segments that reflect our passion to indulge enthusiasts. We’re confident that enthusiasts will relish the agility and performance of our new N Line models,” said Olabisi Boyle, Vice-President, Product Planning and Mobility Strategy, Hyundai Motor North America.
UPDATE: According to a report by Free Malaysia Today which contacted the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), there is no need to register with MySejahtera during ‘brief encounters’ such as pumping fuel, unless the motorist enters the store to make payment.
If you’re refuelling your vehicle today, it’s advisable to walk over to the station store to scan the MySejahtera QR code with your mobilephone (or register as per SOP). This could save you RM1,000 in case a policeman comes by and checks and you cannot show that you have registered.
Sounds ridiculous? Motorists around the country think so, especially when this ‘new’ SOP has been announced out of the blue when it was never ever said to be required in the 237 days that the country has been under a Movement Control Order of one level or another.
Never mentioned before
It is not something that the Ministry of Health or the National Security Council (MKN) has mentioned either. In fact, it only came to light in a report in The Maiay Mail, quoting a report in The China Press. The report said that the requirement was confirmed by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director, DCP Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid.
The reason for the requirement which he gave? So that if there were cases of COVID-19 in the area [around the petrol station], the police could carry out contact tracing with the data collected by the app. He explained that if people did not register when they were pumping fuel, the police would be unable to trace them when required. In that case, we may also have to register just going to a postbox to mail a letter (not that many people do that nowadays).
There has already been at least once case, based on the China Press report, where a person was apparently given a summons for not registering while he pumped fuel, and the standard fine is RM1,000.
MKN people not clear either
At this time, it seems there is no clarity in the matter. A reporter at Sin Chew Daily contacted the MKN and got conflicting answers, so it seems that this SOP needs to be clarified quickly as thousands of motorists and motorcyclists refuel daily. Furthermore, the Bukit Aman officer said face masks must be work even when pumping fuel although earlier, another police officer said it is not necessary as the fuel pump is not a crowded area. DCP Datuk Mior, however, classifies it as a public area and therefore a face mask is required – even though the next person may be 10 metres away.
MySejahtera app can be downloaded at the Google and Apple app stores.
If the MKN confirms the police interpretation, then station operators may put the QR codes on the pumps for the convenience of customers. After all, why make them walk all the way to the store – and risk coming in contact with others along the way – just to scan for registration?
Abide by one law, break another
But then comes a second problem: in order to abide by the law on registering, you must break another law! That law concerns use of mobilephones at the pumps, which is forbidden for safety reasons. So you may save yourself RM1,000 but then get nailed for being caught using the phone!
Most Malaysians are well aware of the need to stop the spread of the coronavirus and observe the SOPs which are generally reasonable. However, this one about registering when pumping fuel is illogical and unnecessary and hopefully, we’ll hear from Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob at the daily MKN briefing today that it is a ‘misunderstanding’ (which would save face those who make their own interpretations).
In its debut season in Formula E where it finished third overall in the all-electric single-seater championship, the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team is preparing to put in stronger effort in Season 7.
Opting for continuity
The driver pairing remains unchanged for the second campaign as the team has opted for continuity. Thus Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne will once again be in the cockpits, armed with the experience of Season 6. In the last round, there already demonstrated strong performance on track with a 1-2 finish.
In the coming season, the team expects to face a multitude of new challenges, both on and off the racetrack. Competing against some of the world’s strongest drivers, teams and manufacturers is not only about performance, but also about coordinated teamwork, intelligent energy management and carefully thought-out strategies.
First season of racing for the team saw a 1-2 finish only in the final round.
Evolved Gen2 car
Since the launch of the Gen2 model for the series, the Formula E cars have been even more visually stunning with their unique, futuristic design. This goes for the Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 02 racing car which is an evolution from its predecessor.
Precise, EQ-blue flow lines extend over the entire length of the vehicle. They give the Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 02 more dynamics and highlight the EQ brand with their blue colouring. At the rear, large silver stars form a distinctive Mercedes-Benz pattern, leaving no doubt that it is a Silver Arrow.
The 5.1-metre long racing car produces 250 kW in the maximum power mode for qualifying or when deploying Fanboost. In race mode, the regulations limit output to 200 kW. The car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in approximately 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 280 km/h.
The drivetrain consists of an inverter, motor, gearbox and parts of the rear axle as well as the software used for energy management. In contrast to the standard chassis, these areas may be freely developed by the teams and manufacturers.
DJI, well known for its drones, will supply the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team with latest aerial imagery and creative camera technology to bring racing fans closer to the action on and off the track.
4 rounds first
The new season starts in January 2021 in South America and for now, given the uncertainty of the pandemic situation, the organisers have 4 races scheduled with the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Another set of will be announced in early 2021 following discussions with the FIA.
Aston Martin’s DBX, the first SUV from the British marque, has established a presence in many markets around the world, including Malaysia. While owning an Aston Martin is already something exclusive as the numbers sold are small, there may be some customers who want their Aston Martin to be more exclusive.
For those who require this extra degree of exclusvity, Aston Martin KL offers the Intrepid Aura. This adds a sportier flavour to the SUV with a highly liquid, reflective Yellow Tang body finish, or if your prefer, Ceramic Blue, Stratus White or Lime Essence.
The side window surround is finished in Gloss Black, the dark theme complemented by mirror caps in the same colour with smoked rear lights and black 22-inch sport satin alloy wheels. The Aston Martin Wings and wordmark also have a black chrome finish.
Handcrafted interior with Dark Satin Chrome
The luxurious yet functional cabin comes with a Dark Satin Chrome interior jewellery pack and Metallic Black Caithness Leather upholstery with embroidered Aston Martin Wings logos. The colour of the seat stitching is coordinated with the exterior colour – Electron Yellow, Blue, Chancellor Red or Lime Green.
Overhead is Black Alcantara headlining while Piano Black wood veneers are installed around the cabin, with the Obsidian Black Carpet in the footwells.
Abundance of technology
There is an abundance of technology for driver assistance as well as entertainment. A 10.25-inch TFT screen sits flush in the centre console while a huge 12.3-inch TFT screen provides a wealth of information to the driver while on the move. Apple CarPlay comes as standard, as does a 360-degree camera system and ambient lighting that offers 64 different colours in two zones.
Muscular powertrain
Power for the DBX comes from a muscular 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the same unit found in the DB11 and Vantage. This muscular engine delivers its 550 ps/700 Nm through a 9-speed automatic transmission. It is claimed to be able to reach a top speed of up to 291 km/h after sprinting past 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds.
As would be expected, the drivetrain is an all-wheel drive system, and it is not just for off-road use but also enhances performance on the road. It has active differentials at the centre and rear, the latter being an electronically limited slip differential. This allows the torque to be sent in the precise amount need fore and aft of the vehicle and also across the rear axle.
The SUV comes with adaptive triple volume air suspension, combined with the latest 48V electric anti-roll control system and electronic adaptive dampers. At the touch of a button, the ride height can go up by 45 mm or down by 50 mm, so the DBX can be adapted to a wide range of terrain. The system can be further programmed to aid with ingress, egress and loading requirements on a practical level.
The base price of an officially imported DBX is RM818,000.00 (excluding duties), while the Intrepid Aura version is available from RM958,000.00.
The auto industry’s move towards engines that are smaller in displacement began about 10 years ago as a practical and cost-effective way to reduce fuel consumption as well as emissions. Unlike the older small engines, the modern powerplants did reduce performance or driving pleasure. On the contrary, with modern technology, they could generate as much or even more power and torque than even larger engines.
There are other advantages from this downsizing of engines too. They are more compact, especially if a 3-cylinder configuration is adopted which, in turn, means lower weight that again helps with fuel economy. Not so obvious to most is also the lower engine weight at the front improves the front-rear weight balance of the vehicle so the handling is better.
Joint development with Volvo
Geely took note of the trend over 10 years ago and as part of its forward-looking strategies, it began a joint development project with Volvo to develop a new powertrain family. The project, which would utilise part of the R&D investment of 20.73 billion yuan (RM 13 billion) during the decade, was carried out at Volvo’s R&D centre and the China Euro Vehicle Technology (CEVT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, as well as the Geely Automotive Research Institute in Hangzhou, China.
A ‘Nobel Prize’ winner
One of the engines that was co-developed was the 1.5-litre TGDi engine (1.5TD). The advanced engineering of this new engine as well as the 7DCT transmission won the Geely Holding Group the first prize in the China Automotive Industry Awards for Science and Technology on October 28, 2020.
The highest honour from China’s Society of Automotive Engineers in this year’s China Automotive Industry Awards for Science and Technology.
This highest honour from China’s Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE-China) is the most prestigious and influential technological award for the China automotive industry, considered as the industry’s ‘Nobel Prize’.
The award joins the ‘China Heart’ awards won by Geely for powertrain development earlier. These are the awards given to the Top Ten engines in China each year and are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the auto industry.
Small and compact – but powerful
The 1.5TD engine ticks all the boxes that a modern powertrain must have: powerful performance, lightweight structure, high reliability, good fuel economy and high fuel efficiency. Adopting advanced and innovative technologies, this small, efficient engine can develop up to 177 ps of power with up to 255 Nm of torque.
These are numbers which would be seen for engines with larger displacements but the 1.5TD engine achieves them with just 1477 cc. Helping to boost the output are a low-inertia turbocharger, direct fuel injection and continuous variable timing for both the intake and exhaust valves (Dual VVT).
Engines with three cylinders can be less smooth than the 4-cylinder units. To address consumer concerns about this issue, the engineers worked hard at reducing the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels to that of 4-cylinder engines. No less than 120 NVH optimisation exercises were done as well as the dedicated design of 12 key parts such as counterweighted crankshafts, a vibration damping balancer shaft and dual mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum absorber damper. Additionally, a low noise timing belt, high stiffness oil pan, asymmetric oil pump impeller, and engine compartment and vibration dampener also effectively eliminated perceivable engine vibrations for the occupants.
The 7DCT with a new standard
The 1.5TD is typically paired with Geely’s world-class 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (7DCT). Developed based on Volvo’s high standards, this transmission sets a new standard for transmissions in the industry.
Weighing less than a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission, the 7DCT offers fast and accurate shift response along with high efficiency. It has a maximum efficiency of 97.2% and 0.2 second shift response time. For the driver, the 7DCT provides more enjoyable driving with the advantages of manual and automatic transmissions as there is the option of selecting gears manually too.
An international powertrain
Accepted and recognised at an international level, the 1.5TD engine powers more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide and the 7DCT transmission is estimated to be used in over one million vehicles by the end of 2020.
The 1.5TD + 7DCT powertrain is also found in the latest Proton X50 1.5 TGDi Flagship, endowing it with powerful and responsive driving performance, coupled with fuel efficiency and proven reliability.
Visit any Proton showroom to experience the performance of the 1.5TD + 7DCT. To locate a showroom near you, visit www.proton.com.
