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Sono Motors to start selling Sion solar energy vehicle from 2023, priced from 28,500 euros (about RM132,000)

Most of today’s motor vehicles are powered by engines which run on fossil fuels – petrol, diesel, natural gas – and apart from causing pollution from the exhaust gases that are by-products of combustion, there is also the problem of diminishing fuel supplies. The fuels come from deep underground and were formed millions of years ago from dead plants, dinosaurs and other living creatures. So there is a specific quantity of these fuels underground and while there are varying predictions on how long they will last, the fact is they will eventually be finished.

The auto industry has understood this for a long time and has searched for alternative fuels to use, preferably those which can be renewable. At this time, some approaches using electricity and hydrogen are already in use in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and while they are not necessarily the answers, they are helping to slow down the rate of consumption of fossil fuels so that new technologies can be developed that do not need such fuels.

Sunshine has energy too and technologies have already been developed to collect sunshine and convert to electricity which can be used for various purposes, like water heaters in the home or powering machinery at factories. It used to also be a dream to be able to use solar energy to power cars but the technology has been slow to advance, and it takes a huge amount of conversion to generate enough electricity for such a purpose as propulsion.

Nevertheless, the technology has reached a stage today where it is possible to at least use sunshine for cars though not necessarily directly powering the electric motors. The electricity that is converted from sunshine can go into a storage battery which then provides electricity for the motors to run. There are a number of manufacturers which have already developed prototypes and some are on the verge of commercializing them for sale to the public.

Sono Motors, based in Germany, is one of the companies with a solar energy vehicle (SEV) almost ready to be delivered to customers. In fact, its SEV known as Sion has entered the validation stage this month with over 30 units to undergo real-world testing in Europe and the USA. The company plans to start producing 43,000 cars a year and the total production volume is expected to be 257,000 units over a 7-year period. The former SAAB factory in Sweden will be used as the production facility.

The Sion has been a dream of the Sono Motors founders for at least 10 years, but they only started crowdfunding to implement a project in 2016 and 2017 where they collected over 2 million euros (about RM9.25 million). By January 2021, they presented their first prototype of the Sion with the design that will be used for the production model.

While the design is fairly conventional, key to the technical aspect (as with any electric vehicle) is the battery pack to power the 120 kW electric motor. Sono Motors has opted for a more powerful 54 kWh battery for the Sion which is a lithium iron phosphate type (pictured above) considered to be one of the safest on the market, and also does not use cobalt, nickel and manganese. It is expected to have a lifespan of up to 3,000 cycles, or up to 900,000 kms. The battery can be recharged quickly at outlets of up to 75 kW.

A total range of up to 305 kms is claimed, with additional range provided by the solar panels which is a weekly average of 112 kms (245 kms per week at peak). There are 248 solar cells on the roof which can generate peak power of up to 1.2 kW.

“The growing EV market is generating enormous demand for longer-lasting, more sustainable batteries. This enhanced battery enables Sion drivers to extend the time between charges, whilst reducing the charging time itself. This effectively optimizes the Sion to deliver easy and affordable sustainable mobility for everyone,” said Markus Volmer, Chief Technology Officer at Sono Motors.

The company has also developed its own wall charging station or Wallbox which will be affordably priced. Being bi-directional, it can be used for home charging of the Sion as well as for supplying electricity from the car for use in the home or even to transfer to the local power grid. The Sion is thus a mobile powerplant that can not only reduce costs for home-owners but can also provide power during emergencies when supply is cut.

Older motorists will recall the days when they used to carry out simple maintenance tasks themselves. Today, however, there is less to do and most of the time, maintenance is done at service centres. Sono Motors intends to bring back the ‘DIY culture’ with the Sion to keep running and repair costs as low as possible. Standard replacement parts can be changed by the owner but for work involving high-voltage parts (which can have some risk), owners will be advised to send their car to authorized service centres.

The interior has a simple functional layout like any of today’s hatchbacks. Two tablet-style displays provide information on the car’s operation as well as the infotainment system. A unique design feature on the dashboard is the insertion of Icelandic moss, said to offer certain health benefits. The owner can connect to the car via Apple Carplay or Android Auto, and the Sono app allows remote control of the air-conditioning system or to check the battery status.

If everything goes according to plan, the first customers will get their cars sometime in 2023. To date, the company says over 15,000 orders have been received (along with downpayments) for the car which is to be priced from 28,500 euros (about RM132,000).

F1/Round 2: Preview and Starting Grid for 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Race starts in Jeddah at 8 pm/1 am (Monday) in Malaysia

While the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 caused cancellations and rescheduling of the rounds of Formula 1 World Championship, there have been many other times when certain rounds have not been run in the past. However, they were not due to conflicts or political issues in the host country, with the exception of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix which was cancelled when anti-government protests (inspired by the ‘Arab Spring’) led to concerns about security for the F1 participants.

This year, the conflict in Ukraine has seen the termination – not just cancellation – of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi by Formula 1 as a response to the invasion of Ukraine. Yesterday, the second round of the 2022 championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was also the subject of security and safety concerns after an Aramco oil storage facility just 11 kms from the circuit was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis. However, after much discussion with government agencies and the teams, it was announced that the race would go on as there were sufficient assurances of protection.

“We have received total assurance that the country’s safety is first,” said Formula One CEO, Stefano Domenicali. “So they have in place all the systems to protect this area, the city, the places where we are going. So we feel confident and we have to trust the local authority in that respect.”

“The attacks had targeted economic infrastructure and not civilians. We have the assurance from a high level that this is a secure place, the whole thing will be secure and let’s go on racing,” added FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

This second round of the 2022 championship is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and it is the second time the event is being run at Jeddah where the 6.174-km long Corniche Street Circuit has been created. Like the Bahrain round last weekend, this 50-lap race will be run after sunset with over 600 lights providing illumination (connected by 200,000 metres of cable and fibreoptic lines).

Very fast circuit
The young circuit has proven to be one of F1’s fastest circuits (and it also has the most corners this year). At an average speed of 253.9 km/h, Lewis Hamilton’s pole lap last year is second on the current calendar, behind Monza. It trails the Italian track, Silverstone (pre-2010 layout) and the Osterreichring in the all-time list.

A number of revisions have been made, mainly at improving the sight-lines for the drivers. This has been done by moving the barriers further back. The track at the final Turn 27 has been widened to 12 metres, and that could mean a quicker lap time than last year.

However, as will be the case at every track this year, the redesigned cars for 2022 will require understanding of the new demands. With the walls close and the stakes high, judgment and precision will be key factors for victory.

*Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher was going flat out in the second qualifying session and crashed into the wall at Turn 12. He was conscious when extracted from the car and taken to hospital.*

*Cornering speeds and gears used by the Mercedes-AMG W13 racing cars for the 27 corners of the circuit.*

“The Jeddah circuit marks a completely different challenge compared to the opening Grand Prix in Bahrain due to the diverse track characteristics, both in terms of layout and asphalt. Drivers will also use a softer range of compounds this weekend to cope with the specific demands of the track, which is nearly as quick as Monza. The teams have no experience of these tyres and cars on the circuit, and conditions could be somewhat different from last time in Saudi Arabia just 4 months ago – with the race now being held at a different time of year and a few track modifications in store,” said Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, Mario Isola.

Brembo supplies all teams
The Brembo Group is supplying all the teams with its calipers, the first time since 1975. All 20 cars will have new nickel-plated and machined from billet 6-piston calipers, the maximum number allowed by the regulations. Five of the teams will also use by-wore units to manage rear braking, allowing balancing of braking forces between front and rear wheels.

Brembo engineers have also worked with each team to customize many of the brake systems because each racing car is set up differently. Some teams opt for lighter and less rigid calipers, while others choose stiffer, heavier set-ups; so the weight/stiffness ratio has to be optimized for each brake caliper. In-wheel sensors keep the team’s engineers informed of the disc and caliper temperatures at all times so they and the drivers can regulate and optimize braking performance.

Some of the new regulations have affected brake disc design. Until 2021, discs could be pierced with up to 1,480 holes of 2.5 mm diameter. This year, the requirements allow for between 1,000 and 1,100 holes at the front and around 900 at the back, compared with 1,050 holes previously. The updated rules also impose a new minimum diameter of 3 mm. This means that while disc thickness stays the same, there will be fewer and larger holes, reducing cooling ability.

Perforated brake pads have also been banned this season, so Brembo is offering teams a choice of two alternative configurations. In terms of weight, the 2022 braking system is around 700 gms heavier per wheel, adding almost 3 kgs to the total weight of cars compared to last season.

Changing dominance?
The new era of F1 has already lived up to expectations that the dominance of Mercedes-AMG and Red Bull Racing can be challenged by others, and Ferrari’s victory in the first round showed this. While the reigning champions Mercedes-AMG will be looking to do better than third (and not from the misfortune of others), Red Bull Racing has revealed that the sudden power failures to both its cars in the closing laps was because of a fault in fuel delivery which they do not expect to happen again.

Haas F1 had a surprising performance without Nikita Mazepin around (not that he contributed any points last year) as Kevin Magnussen finished fifth, and Mick Schumacher was just one position short of the top 10 finishers. George Russell also did well in his first official drive with the Mercedes-AMG team (second if you include the stand-in drive last year), while the tenth placing by newcomer Zhou GuanYu was commendable for his very first F1 race.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dubai commissions the Carbon Veil for The Gallery in the Phantom

Unique to the latest Rolls-Royce Phantom is an area of the dashboard called The Gallery. It is a glass enclosure running almost the entire width of fascia and it has been incorporated to house bespoke artistic creations inside the limousine. The owners of the Phantom can insert whatever they wish as part of the personalization of their limousine and Rolls-Royce dealerships also come up with some creative ideas for their customers.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dubai is one of them and it has commissioned the Carbon Veil for the Phantom Gallery. The work of art was designed by the Rolls‑Royce Bespoke Collective in England and realized by artist and sculptor Alastair Gibson, who combined knowledge and expertise gained in Formula 1 to create his carbonfibre masterpieces.

The Carbon Veil took 2 years to create and unlike most automotive applications where just 3 or 4 layers of carbonfibre are used, no fewer than 150 sheets were permeated with resin and compressed to form a single, solid billet for the Carbon Veil. The construction technique is genuinely ground-breaking, with the result being ultra-stylish, contemporary and beautiful.

“It required a huge amount of experimentation to produce the Carbon Veil Gallery. The main challenge in creating the shape was ensuring that the weave of the carbonfibre remained horizontal and parallel throughout. It had to be perfect – because this is a Rolls‑Royce,” said Gibson.

As an original work of art, the Carbon Veil introduces a highly contemporary note to the Phantom’s interior. Its sharp, angular surfaces and the distinctive woven surface are synonymous with innovation, technology and performance. Depending on the customer’s preference, the carbonfibre is finished in either clear or matte lacquer which brings out the weave pattern and protects it from harmful ultraviolet rays. The whole piece is sealed under a single pane of glass.

The Gallery is a space protected behind glass. This space affords the opportunity to introduce sharp and aggressive forms, which are unprecedented for the interior of a motor vehicle. The design of the faceted milled carbonfibre sculpture was originally inspired by the angular, aggressive, stealthy shapes of the 118 WallyPower (a luxury yacht said to cost £14 million).

Each Phantom Gallery is individually assembled in the Clean Room at the factory. Completed in 2020, this medical-grade facility provides a 100% sterile environment where Bespoke items and other delicate components can be produced entirely free of dust and particles.

The gunmetal exterior of the car is bolstered with an iced finish with gunmetal contrast bonnet, while the coachline and waftline are accented in a vivid mandarin orange. At the helm of the bonnet proudly stands the retracting Spirit of Ecstasy crafted from carbonfibre.

Within the interior, the anthracite brightwork provides moments of contrast, along with the colour-keyed rotary controls and leather detailing. The dark tones and light leather flourishes beautifully accent the Veil Gallery upon the Phantom’s fascia. The flawless Black Pack elements on the exterior include an alluring black trim on the windows, the grille and the exhausts.

The very attitude and nature of The Gallery has been extended to the other Bespoke details on both the exterior and interior of the Phantom it resides within. With a highly contemporaneous edge, the limousine exemplifies the spectrum of Bespoke potential, with the Phantom itself as a canvas quite like no other.

Latest information for those planning to drive to Singapore when the border reopens next month

With the border between Malaysia and Singapore due to be opened for free movement between the two countries from April 1, 2022 (that’s next Friday), many may be making plans to drive down. It has been two years since the border was closed off when the COVID-19 pandemic started and apart from shopping, many would also want to go and see relatives and friends.

Apart from the usual immigration requirements, the regulations for driving a vehicle into Singapore have not changed. You still need a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for each vehicle and unlike before when you could drive up to the checkpoint at Tuas or Woodlands, you must now do so prior to arrival and you can only do it online. This is to be done at the OneMotoring, the website of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) which also has all the information required for entry and driving around Singapore. Those who are unable to show the confirmation email from the LTA will be denied entry.

*All applications must be done online now at the Land Transport Authority’s website known as OneMotoring. It also contains information on driving in Singapore and all the charges you have to pay.*

It goes without saying that your vehicle’s roadtax and insurance must be valid, and with regards to insurance, Singapore law requires passenger liability insurance to be included. This is usually an ‘add-on’ option for motorists in Malaysia so you will need to contact your insurance company and ask for the inclusion (which will carry a small charge). If you regularly drive to Singapore, then it would be a good idea to just make it part of your policy renewal each year. Details of insurance and roadtax will have to be provided and kept updated at the LTA website.

VEPs have validity period of 14 days which starts on the date of the vehicle’s entry into Singapore, and thereafter on the date of payment during VEP renewal. To extend your vehicle’s stay in Singapore, you will need to renew your VEP.

VEP fees are waived for the first 10 days in each calendar year and on Saturdays, Sundays and Singapore public holidays, or if you enter Singapore from 5 pm and exit by 2 am the next day. During Singapore’s June and December school holidays, if you enter Singapore from 12 noon and exit by 2 am the next day, you also do not have to pay VEP fees. If VEP fees are applicable, the charge is S$35 a day for cars and $4 a day for motorcycles.

You also need an Autopass card to pay for parking and charges for their Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) scheme. The Autopass card is like our Touch’Ngo card and has a stored value which can be reloaded at convenience stores. It can also be used for purchases at many places.

Unlike before when you would be given an Autopass card (which has a validity of a certain number of years) at the entry point, the LTA now instructs motorists to collect their Autopass card (if they do not have one and have applied for it via the website) on the Johor side. The LTA has a service centre in Johor Bahru at 34, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Susur 1, 80000 Johor Bahru which handles this.

There are certain areas in Singapore which motorists must pay charges to use (ERP) and these charges vary according to the time of the day. The LTA offers two ways to make the electronic payments – either a flat rate for an entire day or rental of a unit like a SmartTAG (which uses the Autopass card. The flat rate option is convenient as nothing needs to be done and no fee (S$5.15/day + refundable deposit of S$124.65) has to be paid for the device. Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will detect your vehicle when you pass under the gantries and the charge will be made which is to be settled when departing. The flat rate allows for any number of passages through ERP areas which is very convenient for those who are not familiar with the roads.

There are charges for using certain roads in Singapore under the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. You have two options to pay the charges – a daily flat rate or renting a device and paying whenever you do enter an ERP zone.

It is important to note that Singapore is very serious about settlement of fines for offences, and they are very efficient at record-keeping (‘don’t play-play‘, as the Phua Chu Kang always advises). So if you committed an offence 2 years ago or are not sure if you have any outstanding fines to pay, you can check at this website. If you have committed an offence, you would normally be stopped before departure (it’s a small country) but if you managed to ‘escape’, the record is still there and if you return with the same vehicle, you will be asked to pay the fine and if you do not, you will be detained until you do.

Be sure that you e-wallet (for RFID) or Touch’NGo card have sufficient balance to cover the toll charges on the highways. You can check the amount of toll you will have to pay on the route you are planning to use at the PLUS website.

In anticipation of a significant increase in the volume of VEP applications, the LTA has been carrying out a system upgrade on its website since March 24 and the expected downtime will be until March 30, 2022. Vehicle owners will be able to access the system from March 31, 2022.

Travellers are advised to plan at least 2 weeks ahead of their intended travel dates to allow sufficient time for VEP application and approval. The LTA says that processing may take a longer during this period so it hopes that those who are only going to Singapore for a holiday can defer their plans so that others who have more important needs can have faster processing.

Naturally, all travellers must also be fully vaccinated and adhere to whatever pandemic-related procedures are in force in Singapore. Full vaccination means having at least 3 doses and if you have not gotten the third booster dose, do so even if you are not going out of the country. After March 31, 2022, the Health Ministry has warned that the status of those who have not had their third booster dose will be downgraded to partially vaccinated which might prevent them from entering certain places.

Have a safe journey and remember, social distancing and facemasks are still required.

Subaru running BRZ prototype in Super Taikyu series to test carbon-neutral fuel

While the European carmakers are thinking of phasing out combustion engines, the Japanese carmakers are still trying to keep them in use for a while longer, not just in hybrid powertrains but also on their own. In order to meet increasingly stringent emission standards – one reason why industry is going the EV route – the carmakers are exploring and testing the use of environment-friendly fuels.

Toyota is testing an engine running on hydrogen (as a fuel, not for a fuel cell) while Mazda has been running a 100% biodiesel made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats. Subaru is the third member of the same group of companies exploring new fuels that can be classified as carbon-neutral.

All three companies have formed an alliance for such R&D work and are running their prototypes in the current ENEOS Super Taikyu Series. Toyota’s prototype is adapted from a Corolla hatchback, while Mazda is using a Demio model. Subaru has chosen its BRZ sportscar for the purpose.

The use of the Super Taikyu series is suitable for development work as it subjects the prototype engines to extreme conditions within a short period. Feedback on engine performance will help the engineers identify issues and work on solutions so that fuel options can be expanded for combustion engines which are also acceptable for a carbon-neutral society.

For developing of the prototype, Subaru has over 100 engineers involved in Team SDA Engineering. The engineers made minimal modification to the BRZ to retain mass production vehicle engineering which is reliable. However, racing regulations require safety equipment and the roll cage is an important item to be installed. The structure of the roll-cage was specially designed so that there would be space for EyeSight stereo camera which is used for the active safety systems.

Related stories:
Mazda uses SKYACTIV-D engine wth next-generation biodiesel

Toyota races in Super Taikyu series with hydrogen-fuelled engine

The carbon-neutral fuel is a synthetic fuel formulated by synthesizing sources such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen and components derived from non-edible biomasses so as to match with Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) for petrol It is seen as one of the measures for achieving carbon neutrality as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is regarded as neutral.

*Mazda’s Demio prototype (above) runs on biodiesel made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats, while Toyota’s prototype (below) has an engine running on hydrogen.*

When all materials are derived from renewable energy and CO₂ emitted during production and transportation process is zero, the fuel can be considered a truly carbon-neutral fuel. However, since there still is CO₂ emission during production and the transportation process, the fuel used at this time is not strictly carbon-neutral. Subaru is aiming to make it 100% carbon neutral in the future.

The livery of the race car features the motif of blue and green flame which respectively symbolize the passion of Subaru engineers and environmental friendliness of carbon-neutral fuel.

Updated 2022 Mazda3, CX-3 and CX-30

Bermaz Motor has announced that the 2022 Mazda3, CX-3 and CX-30 models are now available in Malaysia. All three are imported from Mazda factories in Japan and come with feature upgrades, with a special versions of the Mazda3 and CX-30 also being offered.

Mazda3
The model that was developed from the Kai concept car of 2017 is available with 1.5-litre and 2-litre SKYACTIV engines and sedan as well as liftback bodystyles. For 2022, the models get improved connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto installed. This allows favourite apps from the smartphone to be interfaced with the infotainment system which is managed by an 8.8 touchscreen on the dashboard.

A special version known as the ‘Ignition Edition’ is also available but only for the 2-litre liftback variant. While the rest of the Mazda3 range has a choice of 7 colours, the Ignite Edition is only available in Polymetal Grey. The model also has distinctive gloss black door mirror covers and the 18-inch alloy wheels are finished in metallic black. Inside, the Ignite Edition has exclusive, burgundy-coloured leather upholstery which gives a classy touch.

The Ignite Edition comes with the latest i-Activsense active safety system with driver assistance features such as Front Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert, and Driver Monitoring as well as Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS). For easier manoeuvring, especially in tight parking spaces, there is a 360^oView Monitor to help the driver see the areas on all sides of the car.

The latest Mazda3 prices start from RM138,660 (excluding insurance) and until June 30, 2022, half of the sales tax applicable is exempted by the government.

Mazda CX-3
The CX3 crossover SUV retains the same compact proportions that are ideal for the urban jungle. Under the skin is the SKYACTIV-vehicle Architecture which gives the CX-3 the same jinba-ittai (the unity between ride and horse) character that every Mazda has. It is powered by a 2-litre 154 bhp/206 Nm SKYACTIV-G engine that is mated to a 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission sending power to the front wheels.

Updates for the 2022 model are wireless Apple Carplay along with Android Auto for smartphone connectivity and also a Qi Wireless Charger for compatible smartphones. The infotainment system has an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with a bright clear display. Also added is a 360^oView Monitor to give the driver a better idea of the surroundings. A seatbelt reminder is now installed for all seats, especially useful as rear passengers must also be belted up by law.

Bookings are now accepted with the price starting from RM131,929 (excluding insurance and with 50% sales tax until June 30, 2022). Customers can choose from 6 colours – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Polymetal Gray, Deep Crystal Blue and the new Platinum Quartz Metallic.

Mazda CX-30
The CX-30 has received some updating with connectivity improvements that allow for smartphones to interface with the infotainment system using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 8.8-inch touchscreen functions as a command centre to make various selections and adjustments.

Additionally, there are two ‘Ignite Edition’ variants added with a choice of FWD or AWD. Like the Mazda3 Ignite Edition, they come with black door mirrors (auto-folding) and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior has burgundy-themed upholstery on the seats with black interior trim. Also includes is a 360^oView Monitor which uses the central display.

The CX-30, which has i-Activsense, has scored full marks in Euro NCAP stringent evaluations. In fact, it was one of the models to score the highest-ever rating in the Adult Occupancy Protection assessment. It also performed impressively in the other categories such as Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User (pedestrian safety) and Safety Assist.

The latest CX-30 (High Spec upwards) has a full suite of i-Activsense features and Front Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert with Driver Monitoring and Cruising & Traffic Support are also added for the ‘Ignite Edition’.

There are 7 colour choices for the CX-30 which is priced from RM145,759 (without insurance/50% sales tax until June 30, 2022).

All new Mazda vehicles (except for the BT-50 pick-up truck) come with a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty and during the first 5 years (or 100,000 kms) after registration, owners can enjoy free scheduled maintenance.

For more information, visit www.mazda.com.my.

Ford creates another unit for autonomous vehicle development after forming Ford Blue and Ford Model e

Alan Mulally created ‘One Ford’ during his 8-year term as President & CEO of Ford Motor Company, a strategy that reorganised the company and drove it to profitable growth. Jim Farley, who sits in Mulally’s office today, has his own plan which is called ‘Ford Next’, also a transformative move to restructure the company and leverage on all its experience and resources to be a strong competitor in the new industry environment.

Last month, as part of Ford Next, he announced that Ford would create separate business units for products with combustion engines and products with electric powertrains. The former would be known as Ford Blue and the latter called Ford Model e. The two would be distinct but strategically interdependent businesses. Driving this move is recognition that different approaches, talents and, ultimately, organizations are required to develop different types of vehicles.

A third new development was recently announced to cover autonomous vehicles and new technologies. While the focus is on electrification, autonomous vehicles are nevertheless on the horizon and preparing for them is important. Farley knows that a giant like Ford cannot compete with start-ups that are lean and already focussed on new technologies. So he wants to establish units that can be more agile and responsive and the already existing Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC (established in 2018) will now become part of Ford Next.

Farley believes in having the right people (and type of people) for the job and legacy approaches won’t work today. The engineers who have, for decades, worked on combustion engines may not be right for electric powertrains so having new units allows them to develop their own workforce of the right sort of people. In this way, development work is expected to be faster and ‘traditional’ methods won’t automatically be used.

*There will still be cars like this from Ford with internal combustion engines.*

Unlike Jim Hackett, his predecessor who came from an office furniture company, and unlike Mulally who was an aircraft engineer at Boeing, Farley is a car-guy and has had a log association with Ford (though he started in the auto industry with Toyota). So while the future is electric, he has promised that it’s not over for combustion engine vehicles from Ford anytime soon – and with reduced cost and complexity.

Nevertheless, the focus and investments will be on electric vehicles, both passenger and commercial. In Europe, for example, Ford will have a range of 9 electric models by 2024, with a target of selling more than 600,000 EVs in the region by 2026. This will contribute to the global goal of 2 million+ annual production of EVs by 2026.

*By 2024, Ford will have a wider range of electric passenger vehicles as well as commercial vehicles (below).,*

Like other major carmakers, Ford is also taking steps to ensure supplies of batteries – a crucial item in every EV. It will collaborate with other parties to create one of Europe’s largest commercial vehicle battery production sites in Turkey.

“This is why we have created Ford Model e – allowing us to move at the speed of a start-up to build electric vehicles that delight and offer connected services unique to Ford and that are built with Ford-grade engineering and safety,” said Farley.

Another new unit in Ford Next is Ford Pro which is aimed at commercial customers. In a market crowded with fragmented and consumer-grade products, customers are demanding complete solutions designed to meet the needs of commercial fleet operations. This is where Ford Pro comes in: its role is to help customers who want to transition into electrified vehicles by providing a one-stop shop for fleet operations and investing in key areas of the business. Ford Pro will offer a wide range of charging hardware – from home chargers to large-scale depot charging systems – all backed with integrated installation, software, service and financing.

Knowing that the transition to EVs will not be immediate, Ford Pro makes it easier to manage by providing a single solution for both combustion engine and EV fleet management. According to Ford, commercial customers turnover between 10 -15% of their fleet each year so many will manage a mixed fleet of vehicles for a long time. Ford Pro can therefore help as its customers phase out combustion vehicles and progressively replace them with EVs, supporting with the necessary hardware and services.

Land Rover celebrates 60th anniversary of James Bond movies by entering New Defender in special event

In 1962, Ursula Andress came out of the sea and was greeted by the late Sean Connery acting as James Bond Agent 007 in ‘Dr. No’. Who would have imagined that the movie franchise would continue with another 24 more right up to the 21^st century?

60 years for a movie franchise is certainly a long time and to celebrate the anniversary this year, Land Rover is entering a rally-prepared, liveried Defender 90 in the 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge with Mark Higgins competing in the North Wales leg this weekend.

Higgins is not only a 3-time British Rally Champion but has also been a stunt driver in Bond movies. His driving skills were used in ‘Quantum of Solace’, ‘Skyfall’, ‘Spectre’ and ‘No Time to Die’. He will make his return to rallying with co-driver Claire Williams on March 26

The Defender 90 the duo will use features a trademark black and gold Bond livery. The stealthy looking vehicle, like those in ‘No Time to Die’, also features a special 007 60th logo on its roof and sides.

“The New Defender is a tough and capable vehicle when it leaves the production line and I’ve seen it perform really challenging stunts while on the set of ‘No Time To Die’,” said Higgins. “With the race-ready enhancements made by the Bowler team and with Claire by my side, we are confident we can have a great result.”

The competition-ready Bond Defender is based on a current Defender 90, powered by the P300 Ingenium powertrain. It is equipped with a number of safety modifications, including a full roll-cage, enhanced cooling for the engine and transmission, a sports exhaust and new rear roof spoiler.

Other enhancements include strengthened 18-inch Bowler wheels with all-terrain tyres and a bespoke suspension design with modified subframes, new springs and unique turrets for increased stiffness.

“To celebrate Land Rover’s long-running association with the Bond franchise, our very own special agent will showcase the durability and all-terrain capability of Defender with a nod to its special appearance in ‘No Time To Die’,” said Finbar McFall, Land Rover Brand Director.

Regulated by the Motor Sports Association and operated by Bowler, the 12-team 2022 Bowler Defender Challenge is designed to act as a feeder series for global rally-raid competitions including the annual Dakar rally.

The first time a Land Rover model had a noticeable presence was in ‘Octopussy’ (1983) and it was a Ranger Rover convertible. Thereafter, various models of the 4×4 brand would appear in ‘The Living Daylights’ (Series III/Range Rover), ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ (Range Rover), Casino Royale (Range Rover Sport), ‘Quantum of Solace’ (Range Rover/Defender 90), Skyfall (Defender), ‘Spectre’ (Defender, Range Rover and Discovery Sport).

‘No Time to Die’, the final movie of the Daniel Craig series, saw some spectacular action with the Defenders flying through the air in pursuit of Bond. It was the first movie to have the New Defender which was launched in 2019. Based on the Defender X model in Santorini Black, with darkened skidpans, 20-inch dark finish wheels and professional off-road tyres, they were also the first Defenders to be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new production facility in Slovakia.

The New Defender 110 has been available in Malaysia since last year and Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia recently gave a sneak preview of the Defender 90 which is the shorter version with two less doors. To know more about the Defender or to purchase one, visit www.landrover.com.my.

Honda Civic Hatchback e:HEV Hybrid for Europe – will it come to Malaysia too?

When the latest 11^th generation Civic Hatchback made its global debut from North America last year, it was mentioned that there would be hybrid (which Honda calls e:HEV) as well as combustion engine powertrains. However, the e:HEV powertrain was primarily intended for the European market to meet Honda’s objective for all European mainstream models to have electrified powertrains by 2022.

The Civic Hatchback e:HEV will be available in Europe from the fourth quarter of this year. It will join the Jazz, CR-V and HR-V in the electrified line-up, while the Honda e is a battery electric model (BEV).

While the Jazz, CR-V and HR-V use 1.5-litre petrol engines with their hybrid powertrains, the new Civic Hatchback has a larger 2-litre direct-injection, Atkinson-cycle engine. The total system output is 135 kW (170 ps) and 315 Nm of torque. Honda engineers have introduced several new elements within its architecture to help achieve a thermal efficiency of 41%, one of the highest figures within the automotive industry for a production roadcar engine. This allows the engine to provide better performance as losses through friction are less.

The two compact electric motors, powered by a 72-cell lithium-ion battery, work together to provide the primary propulsion for the car. The engine is controlled by a new, compact Power Control unit which now sits under the bonnet with the rest of the powertrain. Located under the rear seats is the latest version of Honda’s Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) and whilst smaller and lighter, it benefits from an increased energy density. This system delivers a feeling of instant torque and powerful acceleration whilst still offering outstanding efficiency.

While on the move, the advanced powertrain shifts seamlessly between electric, hybrid and engine-only modes. When each mode is used depends on various factors, but the driver does not make the determination. The computer will consider the battery level, load conditions and speed, and choose the optimum mode to run in. It is possible to run a few kilometres on just electric mode, usually when starting a journey.

And while on the move, the battery is constantly recharged (even during braking or coasting) so there should be no ‘range anxiety’ or the need to search for a charging station. In fact, with the presence of the petrol engine, the operation is just like a normal car with a combustion engine and fuel can be added when necessary. However, with the electric motor doing part of the work, the consumption will be quite low (20 kms/litre claimed).

While the driver cannot control the powertrain modes, he or she can select specific programming for economical, sporty, or normal driving characteristics. The Civic Hatchback also has one more mode not seen in all e:HEV models and that is an Individual mode. This allows separate control of the engine, transmission and meter display and will be appreciated by drivers who want to fine-tune their car’s performance. Central to the e:HEV system is the fixed gear transmission which has been designed to minimize mechanical friction and is controlled by the IPU.

As for styling, the overall appearance follows that of the latest Civic generation with a more dramatic roofline that gives a sleek coupe-like profile. Depending on the variant, the front end may have a different grille (like the RS versions in Malaysia). At the rear where the big differences are, with larger side windows and a new small corner window in the C-pillar to enhance rearward visibility,

The roofline flows downwards to a lightweight composite tailgate (a first for the Civic). Developed using new manufacturing technology, the weight has been reduced by 20% compared with the previous Civic, making it easier to open and close.

The overall height of the car has been reduced by 50 mm by moving the hinge mechanism outwards. The design of the rear lights is different from the sedan’s and the third brake light lens spans nearly the entire width of its hatch, visually emphasizing the Hatchback’s wider rear track.

Compared to the 10th-generation Civic Hatchback, the windscreen pillars have been moved back by around 50 mm while the wheelbase is 35 mm longer and the rear track is 13 mm wider. However, the rear overhang is less which reduces the overall length by 124 mm but Honda says rear legroom is better in this new variant.

With the large opening at the back, additional attention was given to body rigidity. The Civic Hatchback’s structure has 19% better torsional rigidity versus the previous generation. The stiffer structure, with an aluminium front subframe, benefits ride, handling and refinement, with reductions in noise, vibration and harshness augmented with the extensive use of structural adhesives, spray-in foam in the pillars, and additional sound deadening in the firewall and under the floor.

The suspension is shared with the Sedan but Honda mentions chassis updates such as new low-drag front brake calipers, and low-friction front and rear wheel bearings to reduce rolling resistance.

While the latest City Sedan and Hatchback RS have e:HEV powertrains, the new Civic Sedan does not. Whether we get the new Civic Hatchback e:HEV depends very much on whether it is offered in Thailand. Sales of the Civic Hatchback have not been good so there may not be interest offer the new generation.

However, since it uses the same platform as the sedan, Honda might be willing to develop a sedan with e:HEV technology for ASEAN where there should be sufficient volume to justify it. According to Maduko Chujo, Managing Director & CEO of Honda Malaysia, the company is looking at the possibility of offering a hybrid powertrain with the Civic later on. One of the challenges for the company is to get the cost down so the pricing can be more attractive to a larger segment of buyers.

Free sunshine helps Proton save up to RM5.85 million on electricity costs

Proton doesn’t have solar-powered cars (yet) but it is making use of sunshine in another way – to power its factory in Tg. Malim, Perak. The initiative is one of the ways the Malaysian carmaker is helping meet the government’s target of becoming a carbon-neutral nation by 2050. The green initiative will reduce CO₂ (carbon dioxide) emissions by 11,536 tonnes a year, helping to address climate-change by lowering the generation of the global-warming gas.

Additionally, generating electricity from solar power also helps Proton save money on its electricity costs. The total amount generated is 12 MWp (MegaWatt peak) which is able to cover up to 25% of the electricity needs of the factory. Which began operations in 2003.

The solar panels are installed over two areas – one area is on the roofs of the manufacturing buildings and the other is a newly constructed covered carpark. The latter has the largest installation of solar panels over a parking lot in Malaysia and covers a land area of 23.4 acres (slightly more than 13 football fields).

There are covered spaces for up to 2,880 vehicles which are stored prior to being sent to Proton outlets for delivery to customers. At this time, the new vehicles spend a very short time there as there is a backlog of orders so completed vehicles are sent off quickly.

While solar panels are generally the same in function and design, those installed over the carpark are ‘bi-facial’ as the underside of the 20,544 panels can also capture sunshine reflected off the roofs of the shiny vehicles. Obviously, it’s not as much as the direct sunshine from above but it is still enough to make it worthwhile to collect and turn into electricity. The total amount of electricity generated from the carpark is 75% of the total generation.

*Besides providing shelter for the new vehicles, the undersides of the solar panels can also capture sunshine reflected from the roofs of the vehicles to convert to electricity.*

For now, there is no storage of electricity generated so if there is an unused amount over a certain period, it is sent to the national power grid, for which Proton will be paid. The total savings in electricity costs are calculated to be up to RM5.85 million and in as far as the cost of investment in this solar power project is concerned, Proton did not actually have to invest directly for the installation. The installation was undertaken by Pekat Group and its associate MFP Solar, and Proton is leasing the installation.

Using solar energy as part of a holistic energy-saving plan formulated by Proton in 2015 with the launch of the Proton Green Wheel and Green Policy. This has 5 phases which started with implementing an Energy Management System in its production plants and head office to collect and measure usage data. Following 2 years of energy data gathering and analysis, the company established energy baselines across its plants and offices which provided an insight into areas to reduce energy consumption.

Phase 2 consisted of Energy Efficiency measures where a number of energy-saving projects were implemented. These ranged from switching to LED lighting and chiller replacement with magnetic chillers, to using a master compressor unit to synchronize the compressed air supply to match real-time demand at each production shop.

This was followed by Phase 3, which focussed on Waste and Water Management. To achieve its aims, Proton implemented a system where recycled water was reused for the compressor cooling tower and to top up water for hydrant water tanks at the Tanjong Malim plant.

Phase 4 is the adoption of renewable energy via the solar energy plant while Phase 5 aims to digitize all the energy data on a cloud server to introduce AI and Big Data Analytics technology to provide the company’s energy managers with energy consumption predictions and prescriptive measures to reduce energy consumption across all plants and office facilities.

Over a 5-year period (2015 – 2020), these initiatives have achieved an energy bill savings of RM20 million or equivalent to 55,000 MWh savings, with over 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ emission reduction.

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