Click here for other news and articles about Mercedes-Benz.
Click here for other news and articles about Mercedes-Benz.
With the debut of the new Lexus IS sports sedan, the premium brand is introducing the ‘Lexus Driving Signature’ that will become the development standard for all future Lexus models. The company explains that the ‘Lexus Driving Signature’ is defined by linear vehicle operation that is faithful to a driver’s intentions, providing seamless transition from braking to steering and acceleration through a corner.
These Lexus dynamic values were achieved by utilising the country road test course at the company’s new technical centre in Shimoyama, Japan, which opened in 2019. The new test course is based on many years of Lexus experience of driving on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, famous for its gruelling driving conditions.
The new test course has been designed to take advantage of the local topography, featuring a change in elevation of about 75 metres, a wide range of curves and a variety of road surfaces. By repeatedly subjecting both vehicle and engineers to daily tests in this severe driving environment, Lexus was able to devise an ever-higher dimension of vehicle performance – with the new IS being the first product to be ‘born’ at the Shimoyama facility.
Reimagined sports sedan concept
The new IS reimagines the sports sedan concept with a low and wide stance, the sleek proportions of a four-door coupe, slimmer headlights and a lower, sharper side character line that combine to express a centre of gravity closer to the ground. This is further emphasised by single-blade rear combination lights sporting an ‘L’ motif and a sharper overall contour created by the character line around the bootlid.
According to Lexus International Chief Designer Kenichi Hirai, the aim for the new IS was to achieve an aggressive design that evokes a sense of driving. “To achieve a high degree of design, Lexus members in product planning, production technology, engineering, and styling combined their various insights and united behind development from an early stage,” he said.
The elaborate and dimensional forms unique to Lexus are made possible by the use of drawing die construction, the latest in high-precision stamping technology that adds a mechanism that slides in tandem with the movement of the stamping press.
Body rigidity is enhanced by reinforcing radiator side supports, increasing the number of front-side-member weld points and optimising structures from the rear-quarter pillars to the sides of the roof, among other areas.
Focus on driving dynamics
Developing the sports sedan, the focus of the engineers’ attention was on driving dynamics and they sought to improve elements such as responsiveness to driver input and the suppression of unnecessary movement in sprung mass. New swing-valve shock absorbers have been employed and are equipped with ultra-low-velocity valves that respond to even minor road irregularities, generating the most appropriate damping force.
The availability of new-design 19-inch tyres improves cornering performance. Hub bolts are used to fasten the wheels, resulting in tight handling and braking due to increased fastening strength and reduced mass. With optional 18-inch wheels (comparative to the previous IS F Sport), the car rides on a 45mm-wider front track and 50mm-wider rear track.
Three powertrains
Besides the IS 300h hybrid powertrain, there is also an advanced 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine available for the IS 300. This now features enhanced adaptive control for the 8-speed automatic transmission. An 8-speed automatic transmission also continues to be available in the 3.5-litre normally aspirated V6-powered IS 350 (powertrain shown below).
New interior themes
Within the new IS are key firsts which include a new form of Lexus decorative expression for part of the door trim. This features a graphic pattern of embossed intersecting lines, new accents in surface treatments and decorative ornamentation.
A 10.3-inch display screen features newly forward-mounted positioning, touch-display functionality and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for the first time in the model.
Lexus Safety System+ evolved
The Lexus Safety System+ suite has also been upgraded with newly added functions to create a safer on-road experience, including the addition or enhancement of Lane Trace Assist which has improved lane recognition performance that aids stability and comfort by automatically reducing vehicle speed to ensure constant g-forces while driving through curves.
The Pre-Collision Safety System has also been expanded to include intersection detection where, during right turns, the system responds to vehicles and to pedestrians crossing the street from the direction toward which the vehicle was travelling before it started to turn.
Ever since the debut of its first generation in 1999, the IS has pursued the fun of driving unique to compact rear-wheel-drive sports sedans. Approximately 1.09 million units of the sports sedan have been delivered over a span of more than 20 years.
To know more about Lexus models available in Malaysia, visit www.lexus.com.my.
In a move to help its customers in these challenging times, Isuzu Malaysia is having Deferred Instalment Campaign where repayment of instalments under a Hire-Purchase (H-P) loan can start three or six months after the vehicle has been delivered.
The Isuzu Deferment Instalment Campaign is the first of its kind in the pick-up segment in Malaysia and will be available to customers purchasing new vehicles until August 31, 2020.
Explaining the objective of this campaign, Isuzu Malaysia’s Chief Operating Officer (Light Commercial Vehicle Division), Masayuki Suzuki, said it is to help Malaysians move forward during this recovery period. “A capable, dependable and frugal vehicle is a valuable asset today and a good pick-up truck makes economic sense be it for individuals or organizations. By providing this moratorium, customers can fortify their earnings by putting their brand new Isuzu D-MAX pick-up trucks to work during the deferment period before needing to worry about loan repayments,” said Mr Suzuki.
Up to 90% margin of financing for 84 months
The campaign, in collaboration with Public Bank Berhad, covers almost every model in the Isuzu D-MAX range. Customers can obtain up to 90% financing margin for a maximum tenure of 84 months and the minimum loan amount to qualify for this campaign is RM20,000.00 (terms and conditions apply).
There’s a wide range of variants in the locally-assembled D-Max range to meet different requirements and budgets. Having been in the market for 15 years, the D-MAX has developed an impressive reputation as one of the toughest and most frugal pick-up trucks in Malaysia. These qualities have been proven in gruelling events such as the annual Borneo Safari off-road expedition as well as long-distance economy challenges driving from Bangkok to Singapore using just one tank of fuel.
Small engine displacement, big on output
The latest D-MAX comes with the advanced 1.9-litre Blue Power engine, the smallest engine capacity in the market thereby enjoying the cheapest roadtax in its segment. Even though it has a small capacity, its performance and fuel efficiency are better than the 2.5-litre engine used previously.
Related: Isuzu Dura Miles Challenge shows fuel efficiency of 1.9-litre Blue Power engine
Recently, a D-MAX with the engine crossed four of the highest peaks in Peninsular Malaysia carrying a tonne of load, covering a distance of 1,145 kms. From its starting point at the assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang, it reached its destination with fuel to spare in the tank.
More information on the D-MAX and the Isuzu Deferred Instalment campaign can be found at www.isuzu.net.my/pickup.
To locate a showroom to view, test-drive or purchase a model, visit www.honda.com.my.
To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.perodua.com.my.
Customers who purchase the Serena S-Hybrid or X-Trail before June 30 2020 will receive a complimentary 1-year FWD Protect Direct Family Takaful protection plan (up to a family of 4; parents and 2 children) with a sum insured of RM100,000. Terms & Conditions apply.
Additionally, 20 lucky winners will also stand a chance to win CUCKOO Healthy Home Appliances worth up to RM128,888 in the ‘Nissan Buy & Win’ contest when they purchase and register any Nissan model by June 30, 2020.
Visit www.nissan.com.my to know more about the models available and locations of showrooms.
Casio’s EDIFICE line of high-performance metal chronographs have long been associated with motorsports and many of their features are specifically designed for those in the fast-paced racing world. This month, the company has released five new additions to the EDIFICE line based on the brand concept of ‘Speed and Intelligence’.
The new ECB-10 models have been developed based on interviews with motorsport racing team members, especially those in the Scuderia Alpha Tauri Formula 1 team which Casio is partnered with. Their feedback is reflected in functions including the Schedule Timer, which is convenient for time management by teams who need to schedule activities down to the minute, and automatic time zone adjustment (over 300 cities with smartphone link), which is useful when traveling to races around the world. The latter does not require the user to press a button or make adjustments manually.
With Bluetooth, the ECB-10 models can be paired with a smartphone, accessing the device’s calendar app. Notifications are provided at the start and end of a scheduled activity. The notifications are automatically adjusted with any schedule change made on the calendar app. This allows the timer to support sudden changes in schedule.
The watch face features an octagonal bezel studded with four screws, evoking a professional power tool used for racing car maintenance. The bold look strongly suggests a mechanical design. The dial is emblazoned with horizontal lines to express the dynamic energy of cars tearing down the straightaway.
The five versions of the ECB-10 range have either black or silver resin casing and strap, as well as stainless steel casings. Prices range from RM789 to RM859 and are available at G-Factory stores and authorized dealer stores around Malaysia.
The rear end breaks out slightly into a controlled drift, the tyres start to squeal. Sven Bohnhorst reacts with lightning speed and countersteers briefly. He keeps his foot on the accelerator, drifting with a smile on his face.
Bohnhorst, a chassis setup engineer at Bugatti, is testing the new Chiron Pur Sport at the limits of its handling dynamics. The aim is to improve the vehicle even further and to tune the chassis, steering and dampers even more precisely.
Aiming for ‘the perfect driving experience’
His starting point is in the area of fine nuances and minute details. These are almost imperceptible individually but will later convey the complete picture of a perfect driving experience to customers. After weeks of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his colleagues were finally able to return to testing the new Chiron Pur Sport on a racetrack.
“The track at Bilster Berg with its very own topographic relief is challenging and demands a high level of concentration. It’s a technical circuit with varying radii, fast and slow sectors and severe elevation changes. A genuine challenge for us chassis developers,” explained Bohnhorst.
The track goes up and down, making the car lighter in some places, and pressing it down into the dips with significant spring compression. These are ideal conditions for fine-tuning the running gear and safety systems. This is where engineers can test and take the Chiron Pur Sport to its limits.
ESC Sport+ driving mode
Particularly suitable for this purpose: the new ESC Sport+ driving mode. Experienced drivers can activate this mode when driving on racetracks. For this first time, this mode allows larger drift angle with much easier controlled drifting – the driver is able to stay on the throttle much longer to control the rear end before the ESC kicks in. This turns the Chiron Pur Sport into an extreme Chiron derivative at the other end of the performance spectrum, a model with very active driving characteristics that is made for cornering.
“The combination of an uncompromisingly sporty and harder chassis set-up, new tyres with a softer rubber compound geared towards lateral dynamics, and the shorter transmission ratio make it possible to manoeuvre the Chiron Pur Sport out of any corner safely and at lightning speed. An incredible feeling at the wheel that makes the adrenalin flow,” said Bohnhorst enthusiastically.
‘A car for those who have petrol in their blood’
The new hyper sportscar is much firmer, dynamic and direct to drive than the Chiron. It generates more grip, understeers less and provides neutral handling even in fast corner combinations. “It’s a car for drivers, for all those who have petrol in their blood. I never want to get out again!” he exclaimed happily.
Even though Bugatti usually tests on longer race circuits like the handling track in Nardo or on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, Bohnhorst feels at home at Bilster Berg which he knows well. “I now know exactly how to drive around the track. Because the Pur Sport offers such confident handling, it is easy to familiarize yourself with the special characteristics of the track,” he explained.
The 8-litre W16-cylinder engine with 1,500 ps/1,600 Nm does not get as much attention during such tests as the engineers are not primarily focused on lap times. Instead, they want the Chiron Pur Sport to handle perfectly even in extreme situations.
“In terms of development, we are close to reaching our goals – the Chiron Pur Sport is very precise and extremely agile to drive, even on such a tight handling course,” added Bohnhorst.
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
