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BMW iX M60 takes BMW M into electric era

For the brands that sell high-performance cars, going electric has added challenges. They need to not only ensure that the electrically-powered cars offer the same sort of performance levels their customers expect from their brand but also new requirements like charging times and range. The latter especially was not so important before as customers are okay with high fuel consumption and can refuel as needed. With an electric car, you cannot ‘refuel’ as easily and at this time, it still takes a while to recharge battery packs (although that time is getting shorter),

For a company like BMW M, which has built up a reputation producing cars with superlative performance, going electric meant that they had also to be able to offer the same kind of performance. Drawing on the BMW Group’s expertise in the field, BMW M also had its own specialized skills to develop electric cars worthy of the M badge.

3.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h
The first BMW M automobile designed for purely electric mobility from the outset – the new iX M60 – should provide reassurance to fans of M. With an output of 455 kW/619 ps and maximum torque of up to 1.015 Nm, it has a claimed standstill to 100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds and can go over 250 km/h but is limited to that top speed. With a fully charged battery pack, factory tests have shown it to be able to travel up to 566 kms.

The 111.5-kWh battery pack can be recharged using a DC fast-charger and add 150 kms of range within 10 minutes. Leave it connected to the charger longer and after 35 minutes, the energy content can be up to 80% from 10%.

The suspension technology of the iX M60 includes a double-wishbone front axle, a 5-link rear axle and electric steering with Servotronic function and variable ratio. In addition, there’s adaptive dual- axle air suspension with electronically-controlled shock absorbers. The dual axle air suspension ensures the optimum vehicle height at any speed, regardless of the load. The air supply to the suspension is regulated individually for each wheel and can thus also compensate for uneven loading.

The damper forces are adaptively controlled with an M-specific characteristic via continuously adjustable valves, which take into account longitudinal and lateral acceleration, road speed and steering angle as well as body and wheel acceleration on the front axle in order to activate the required damper force within a few milliseconds.

BMW IconicSounds Electric
Like all BMW i models, the iX M60 will have BMW IconicSounds Electric with specific characteristics for its M exclusivity. The emotional soundtrack that the occupants will hear was created in a collaboration between film music composer and Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer and BMW Group Creative Director Sound Renzo Vitale.

Even pressing the START/STOP button is acknowledged with an inspiring acoustic signal. While driving, the BMW IconicSounds Electric provide authentic feedback to every movement of the accelerator pedal. The sound of the drive is characterized by a particularly energy-charged sound development. The sound characteristics are based on the setting selected with the Driving Experience Control Switch.

Milestone for BMW M
The debut of the iX M60 marks a milestone in the history of BMW M, 50 years old this year, as it enters the segment of electrified performance cars. Like all recent BMW fully electric models, the architecture is completely new and designed for electric powertrains. So the full benefits are exploited and performance can be optimized. The iX M60’s performance, efficiency and range also benefit from its optimized aerodynamics which give it a Cd of 0.26 (in Sport Mode).

Lightweight construction principles
The vehicle concept of the iX provides an ideal basis for an all-electric SAV with high-performance characteristics. Both the body structure and the design principle as well as suspension set-up are geared towards combining ride comfort with sporty handling characteristics. The aluminium spaceframe concept and the carbonfibre cage with carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof, side and rear sections are an intelligent mix of materials that combines increased rigidity with optimized weight.

The use of CFRP to reduce weight has a long tradition at BMW M. The particularly lightweight high-tech material already achieved great results in combining engine performance and weight in the M3 CSL which was introduced in 2003. In fact, BMW M pioneered the use of CFRP in large-scale automotive production and today uses it in numerous current models as part of the intelligent lightweight construction principle.

The high-voltage battery is located deep down in the underbody, lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity for agile handling as well as balanced axle load distribution. Like the other models, the iX M60 also has an extensive range of driver assistance systems. A new generation of sensors, a new software stack and a powerful computing platform also provide considerable potential for consistently advancing automated driving and parking functions – with level 3 functionality in the medium term.

Future modular system
The iX M60 combines its typical M performance characteristics with the exceptionally advanced technology of the BMW Group’s new future modular system in the areas of automated driving, operation, connectivity and digital services. This creates an experience of premium mobility that is unique in the competitive environment. The completely redeveloped interior architecture also contributes to this, creating an exceptionally generous feeling of space.

This car doesn’t fly but it could replace the budget airline aircraft

Before 2020, flying had become commonplace with low-cost carriers making it possible for almost anyone to fly. For Malaysians, heading off the Penang or the East Coast for the weekend was replaced by quick trips to Phuket in Thailand or Bali in Indonesia. Then COVID-19 attacked the planet and that changed things. People are flying again but it’s no longer the same and with the strict procedures and quarantines in different countries, it is also not enjoyable.

So Car Design Research (CDR — a UK based agency) has come up with the idea of the Budget Airline Car. No, it’s not another flying car but it is aimed at providing alternative to flying, short-haul in particular, by using a large super-efficient low-cost electric car. Such a car might be appealing for people who don’t want to be close to hundreds of others in airports and aircraft cabins, or who want to help save the planet by not using the most environmentally damaging form of transport: the short-haul flight.

Conceived during the lock-down in Britain last year, the Budget Airline Car is a concept for a new type of car design that would produce only 2% of the emissions per passenger compared to a short-haul flight. The core concept was developed closely with CDR design associates Yichen Shu in China and Aditya Jangid in India, both of whom then designed subtly different exterior design themes.

Today, an increasing number of new cars are electrified, full of connected services, with increasing autonomous capabilities. But. in design. they are not so different to cars from 20, even 50, years ago. Almost all still seat the driver and passenger on separate seats up front, and two or three behind, with one separate space at the rear for luggage accessed from outside.

It’s a formula that works, so why change it? Well, there are two big reasons: because the way people live has changed since this design pattern was established 100 years ago; and because new technologies are unlocking the potential for design change. There’s a third and fourth reason to change too: because globally we are facing a climate emergency, and because we are in the midst of a pandemic — both huge imperatives for truly new types of car design.

The CDR team looked at this context of a fast-changing world and saw opportunities for car design. They came up with 6 new car types that would be enabled by new technologies, and that would be part of uniquely pertinent future scenarios. One of these focused on being an alternative to the short-haul flight — the form of transport most at the heart of today’s imperatives to change because it creates an increasingly untenable level of environmental damage. COVID-19 concerns also make being in airport queues and airplane cabins less desirable.

So, the core concept for the Budget Airline Car is for a shared super-efficient car to be offered by budget airlines or hire car brands as an alternative service to short-haul flights. A short-haul flight is defined as a journey of up to 3 hours, or up to 1,100 kms. That’s the flying distance from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok or Jakarta.

The car would seat 6 people in 3 rows and as passengers may not know each other (just as on a flight), each would have a dedicated seat with their cabin baggage securely stored within easy reach. This would have greater privacy and space than afforded by existing cars’ second and third row seats.

This three-seat row layout can be realised within an overall length of 5 metres, despite each seat space being equally large, because of the benefits of compact electric motors. The 2-person wide layout also contributes to a reduced frontal area compared to a car designed to seat three people side-by-side.

The electric powertrain would be developed for long-distance mid-speed cruising, rather than high performance, and the design would prioritise aerodynamics. The length of 5 metres would make the Budget Airline Car as long as a current Volvo XC90, but its 1.8-metre width and 1.5-metre height would give it 20% less frontal area. This, along with a more slippery shape/lower drag coefficient, would make it markedly more aerodynamic and thus more energy-efficient.

Passengers could share the driving, with good driving incentivised by the shared-economy digital platform that they access the service through (akin to eBay, Airbnb, and other shared service platforms). A suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) would aid safety, with fully autonomous drive also becoming available over time.

While the idea may not be as useful in Malaysia, other than going from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok (and places in between), the design would still offer possibilities for domestic travel around the peninsular. The highway network is already quite well developed so journeys can be smooth and quick. Perhaps instead of being positioned in comparison the a ‘budget airline’, the car could be a premium form of transport that is an alternative to a bus or taxi.

New Turkish technology company, Togg, aims to produce a million electric vehicles by 2030

In the 20^th century, becoming a significant player in the auto industry required experience and staying power to withstand the cyclical nature of the industry. From the time of the world’s first car by Karl Benz, hundreds of individuals and companies have come and gone in their attempts to establish themselves, only the fittest and strongest making it through the decades to today.

But in the 21^st century, the game has changed and long experience is not necessarily required. The products are changing and instead of ‘transport’, ‘mobility’ is the catchword today. Numerous start-ups have appeared in the industry in the past 20 years, offering a new generation of vehicles, mostly running on electricity. Though fragmented in one sense, they pose a challenge to the established brands which have resources but are hampered by their size when it comes to charting new courses forward.

The best example of these newcomers is Tesla, just 17 years old and, in 2021, Kantar BrandZ found it to be the most valuable and fastest growing auto brand on the planet, more than trebling its value from 2020. And its co-founder, Elon Musk, became the richest person in the world with a US$278 billion net worth at the end of 2021.

Others are obviously inspired by such success and in Turkey, M. Gurcan Karakas has started a company that is not a traditional automobile manufacturer but will enter the auto industry with differentiated approach as a technology brand focused on mobility. Introducing his 3-year old company, Togg, at CES 2022 this week, Gurcan Karakas said: “The transformation that occurred in the mobilephone industry in response to changing user expectations is occurring in the automotive industry today. More agile, creative, collaborative, user-centric organizations, not necessarily the big and established brands, will be the most successful in the near future. The race in this field is just beginning, and we are in this race. Moreover, we have a significant advantage because we were born into this world.”

Togg aims to serve as the backbone of the Turkish mobility ecosystem with 100% Turkish intellectual and industrial property. It will be Europe’s first non-classical born electric SUV manufacturer when it begins production in Gemlik later this year, rolling out electric and connected next-generation vehicles and a mobility ecosystem to support them. By the end of this decade, the company expects to be producing a million vehicles in 5 different segments.

“By the end of 2022, we will launch our first mass production vehicle,” said Gurkan Karakas. “Our first vehicle in the C-segment, an SUV, will be launched in the first quarter of 2023 following the completion of homologation tests. It will be the first electric SUV produced in continental Europe by a non-traditional manufacturer. A C-segment sedan and a C-segment hatchback will then enter production. With the addition of the B-SUV and C-MPV to the family in the coming years, our product range will be completed with 5 models sharing the same DNA and same platform.”

Referring to its model shown at CES 2022 as a ‘smart device’, the car has a dynamic fastback form that introduces Togg’s styling DNA. The basis of the car’s styling concept is the muscular rear design and the shoulderline that extends from the headlights to the rear, presenting a strong side profile.

Togg’s team sought to retain the company’s Turkish origins while creating a global brand. The car’s illuminated Togg logo is said to represent the unification of Eastern and Western cultures. “The two arrows in the logo design represent the fusion of East and West, forming a gemstone in the center. The duality theme in our logo encourages us to strive for a rational and emotional balance between East and West in both exterior and interior design. Additionally, our logo emphasizes that Togg is a technology company that connects technology and people at the juncture of today and tomorrow through its life-improving mobility solutions,” Gurkan Karakas explained.

Gemlik, the home of Togg located 128 kms south of Istanbul, is a world leader in olive production. By establishing what is claimed to be Europe’s cleanest production facility, Togg aims to ensure that the centuries-old olive trees in the city continue to thrive for thousands of years. This ambition was presented at CES by a real olive tree – with a lifespan of over 1,000 years – planted alongside a 3D-printed olive tree made from recycled plastic, created in 1001 hours.

Volvo will introduce unsupervised motoring in California first

Carmakers wanting to enter the US market have often found that the west coast state of California is a good place to start. It seems that consumers there are receptive to new trends and new cars, so Volvo Cars will introduce its unsupervised autonomous driving feature, Ride Pilot, to customers in the state of California first.

‘Unsupervised’ would mean that Ride Pilot offers the highest level of autonomous motoring where humans do not have to be involved at all. It’s the stuff of science fiction movies and will free up more time for the occupants to do other things. Whether we can call it ‘driving’ any longer is something that will need to be debated.

In tandem with the introduction of Ride Pilot, the company is also setting a new standard for safety, with over-the-air (OTA) software updates in combination with a state-of-the-art sensor set-up. The software is developed by autonomous driving software company Zenseact, together with Volvo Cars’ in-house team of developers, and developers from Luminar, one of its technology partners.

The sensor set-up consists of more than 2 dozen sensors, including Luminar’s cutting-edge Iris LiDAR sensor, which will be tightly integrated with the developed software. Luminar’s LiDAR sensor will complement 5 radars, 8 cameras and 16 ultrasonic sensors in Volvo Cars’ upcoming fully electric SUV. This standard sensor set-up provides excellent vision and perception reliability. Together with continuous, over-the-air software rollouts, the system will ensure full redundancy and enable Volvo Cars to achieve safe autonomous driving with Ride Pilot.

For autonomous motoring to be safe with no supervision by humans, the vehicle will have to be able to scan all round with various sensors to detect other vehicles and hazards. The sensors will include cameras mounted in the windscreen like the ones shown below.

Rigorous testing and verification
While this software-sensor combination, and the safety it enables, will be standard, available from day one on the new SUV and improved over time, Ride Pilot will be made available to customers only once it has gone through Volvo Cars’ rigorous verification and testing protocol. This includes validation of the technology as safe for use on highways in a number of varying conditions. This new flagship for the company will be revealed later this year.

As part of this verification process, Volvo Cars is already testing autonomous driving functionalities on roads in Sweden together with Zenseact, and collecting data across Europe and the USA. By the middle of this year, the company intends to begin testing on roads in California (pending approvals from relevant authorities), where the climate, traffic conditions and regulatory framework provide a favourable environment for the introduction of autonomous driving.

But where and how far autonomous driving will be permitted is not known yet. In some countries where autonomous vehicles are permitted to operate, only limited sections of public roads can be used. On such roads, the surrounding environment is properly prepared to ensure that the imagery systems can correctly function to detect and identify road hazards and signage.

More free time on a journey
The name ‘Ride Pilot’ implies what the driver can expect: when the car is driving on its own, Volvo Cars takes responsibility for the driving, offering the driver comfort and peace of mind. By using Ride Pilot, drivers will be able to free up time while driving, and spend it on secondary activities such as reading, writing, working or socialising. The feature can also help drivers arrive at their destination rested and recharged, by reducing the mental strain that may come with driving, especially in traffic jams or heavy traffic.

Without the need to supervise what the car is doing, the driver will be able to do other things like read or even talk on a phone without breaking any law. Perhaps the occupants could even sleep on the journey – but can it be called ‘driving’ then?

“We are proud to announce the planned US launch of our first truly unsupervised autonomous driving feature, as we look to set a new industry standard for autonomy without compromising safety,” said Mats Moberg, Head of Research and Development at Volvo Cars. “Having Zenseact’s brand-new AD software and Luminar’s LiDAR standard in our new fully electric SUV is a game-changer for Volvo Cars, as well as for automotive safety and autonomous driving.”

Chrysler Airflow Concept begins carmaker’s transformation of range to fully electric by 2028

Although Chrysler, one of the three original American carmakers to survive to this day, has had electrified models for some years. By 2025, it will start selling its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), with plans to change its entire product range to BEVs by 2028. As part of the Stellantis Group, formed only one year ago, the carmaker will serve at the forefront of Stellantis’ transformative, sustainable mobility technology.

The Airflow Concept displayed at CES 2022 in Las Vegas this week provides a preview of what will come. With leading-edge drive-system technology, intuitive AI and connected vehicle technology, the concept car is said to be able to travel 560 – 650 kms on a fully charged battery pack which can be fast-charged.

Reinventing the customer experience
However, the new connected car isn’t simply about moving from point A to point B. It is said to reinvent the customer experience by integrating the STLA Brain platform and STLA SmartCockpit to deliver seamless connectivity for the driver and passengers. The concept creates a connected hub that brings a consumer’s digital lifestyle into the cabin, using advanced technology to create a customized space for each occupant.

“The Chrysler Airflow Concept represents the start of the brand’s journey toward a fully electrified future. It is the result of a thoughtful synthesis of the full arsenal of Stellantis’ connected vehicle technology – inside and out,” said Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer – Stellantis. “The design features a decisively elegant aerodynamic exterior and a modern, sophisticated interior that takes the customer on a new level of digital delight.”

Dynamic design
The sculptural, expressive design of the Airflow Concept envisions the next generation of premium transportation. It delivers a first-class travel experience that balances technological needs within a serene environment. The silent electric ride supports the sleek design aesthetic, with the concept’s dramatic expression completed by an Arctic White body colour that conveys a sense of calm and serenity.

The dynamic design proportion has a low ride height and streamlined, two-tone roof line that achieves an elegant yet athletic profile while also increasing travelling range. A long wheelbase and wide track, along with large 22-inch wheels and tyres, are enhanced visually with Celestial Blue accent colour cladding. The design elements work together to enable a dramatic stance and deliver excellent handling and performance dynamics.

Up front, the Airflow announces its electric aesthetic with the Chrysler wing logo tied into a cross-car grille/light blade illuminated with crystal LED lighting. A crystal LED taillight runs the full width of the vehicle, accentuating the wide stance. The Airflow Concept also features welcome, departure and animated lighting, including a unique aqua that signifies the vehicle is charging. The diffuser shape of the lower rear fascia highlights the aerodynamic, smooth underbody, a key to achieving optimum driving range.

Personalised spaces within
The Airflow Concept is designed as a space to bring people together, both physically and virtually. The interior showcases ideas for giving every passenger a personalized experience that seamlessly connects them with their digital lives, as well as the other passengers. Multi-layered, high-contrast graphics and thoughtful details provide a clean, sophisticated appearance that is safe, easy to use and easy to understand.

Using a menu-based format, screens throughout the interior can be personalized, simplified and grouped based on individuals and interests. Information on the screens can be shared with all passengers by swiping. Customization and personalization are key, whether driving or acting as a co-pilot. Each screen is thus a personalized space to access the digital world via connected entertainment, apps and downloads. Each seat also features a built-in camera, enabling occupants to participate in a group video conference call from the comfort of the Airflow cabin.

Over-the-air (OTA) updates keep Airflow Concept services current and let passengers quickly and easily add new and innovative features. The backbone of the user experience is the new electrical/electronic (E/E) and software architecture, STLA Brain. This architecture is highly flexible, breaking today’s bond between hardware and software generations. It enables software developers to create and update features and services quickly, taking advantage of capabilities built into the cockpit without waiting for a new hardware launch.

The STLA SmartCockpit, demonstrated in the Airflow Concept and built on top of STLA Brain architecture, seamlessly integrates with the digital lives of vehicle occupants to deliver AI-based applications, such as navigation, voice assistance, e-commerce marketplace and payment services.

Level 3 autonomy
Of the powertrain, Chrysler says it will be called STLA AutoDrive, which delivers Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities and will be upgradable via OTA updates. The concept features all-wheel-drive capability and is powered by two 150 kW electric drive motors (EDMs), one in the front and one in the rear. The concept is designed to accommodate larger capacity EDMs, offering the potential for future high-performance applications.

Chinese New Year colours for Nissan X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid

Red and orange are traditionally the colours used for Chinese New Year celebrations as they signify luck, prosperity and happiness. To welcome the new Year of the Water Tiger, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is offering two of its popular Nissan models in the colours.

The X-Trail 2.0L Mid version will come with Monarch Orange, while the Serena S-Hybrid will be available in a distinctive Radiant Red finish with a ‘floating‘ black roof.

Priced from RM139,643 (without insurance and sales tax) the X-Trail Mid version comes with an Aero kit with RM5,000. It is equipped with Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) technologies for safer motoring. These active safety technologies include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and High Beam Assist.

The 5+2-seater SUV is powered by a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine which develops 106 ps/200 Nm, delivered to the front wheels through a 7-speed X-TRONIC CVT. Fuel consumption is claimed to be 13.4 kms/litre so the 60-litre fuel tank should give a range of around 800 kms.

The version of the Serena S-Hybrid with the special Radiant Red colour is the Premium Highway Star, priced from RM140,226 (excluding insurance and sale tax). The 7-seater MPV’s proven 2-litre MR20DD powerplant is highly fuel efficient, with 14.2 kms per litre claimed for fuel consumption. Brisk performance is provided by the output of 150 ps/200 Nm and XTRONIC CVT with Adaptive Shift Control.

Safety and convenience features include a Hands-Free Dual Power Sliding Door, Dual Back Door, 7 USB-Powered Ports, Intelligent Around View Monitor with Intelligent Moving Object Detection, and smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Those who are planning on buying a new vehicle to celebrate Chinese New Year can enjoy a low 1.88% p.a. interest rate for financing of selected Nissan models. This offer period will be on until February 28, 2022, and customers who purchase and register a vehicle can participate and win Lazada Vouchers up to RM50,000.

Additionally, customers who test drive the latest Almera Turbo (shown below) during the campaign period are also eligible to win a RM500 Watsons voucher.

More information is available at any authorised Nissan showroom nationwide. To locate a showroom or find out more, visit www.nissan.com.my or call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at 1800-88-3838.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG: Forget The Rest, This Is The SUV To Have

“So what’s the best car you have ever driven?”

That’s a question every motoring journalist gets asked at least a couple dozen times in his career.

And it’s a dreaded question too, because there is no such thing as ‘the best car’.

Every car has its own special place, and it would be dreadful to label one car as the best car, ever.

But every once in a while we get to drive a car that seems to do everything perfectly.

It doesn’t seem to put a wheel wrong.

It has all the technologies you could want.

All the safety features too.

It has enough space for a family and their dog.

And it is luxurious too.

Those that have a need for speed will find the powertrain to be generous.

While those that want a laid back comfortable drive will find plenty of that too.

I am raving about the new Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG.

It is not a proper fire-breathing AMG but features an AMG bodykit. It is a once in a lifetime SUV that is very nearly the perfect car.

Why very-nearly then? Because at a little under RM480,000, it isn’t exactly affordable for the masses. So there aren’t many people that will be able to experience its greatness.

But considering what you are getting for the price, it is actually a good deal.

The size of the SUV is the first thing that gets you because it is quite a big car.

Then there’s the design. It won’t be too far fetched to say that this SUV is arguably one of the prettiest to ever come out of Stuttgart.

It is definitely better looking than its coupe bodied twin, to my eyes at least.

Step inside and the large size of the GLE is echoed by the spacious cabin. Further echoed by the gargantuan panoramic roof that extends the length of the roof, allowing in a generous amount of light that further accentuates its spaciousness.

Having said that, I did find the driver footwell to be rather tight, especially around the knee area.

I love how massive the dashboard is and yet the switches and buttons were never more than a gentle stretch of the arm away.

And it is the huge 12.3-inch MBUX screen that dominates the dashboard.

The screen on the left is touch enabled and that is where you access your music, navigation and car controls such as air-conditioning and such.

The screen on the right and directly ahead of the driver though is where you get the usuals such as the speedometer and rpm dial, among others.

What’s cool about the current generation Benz’s is that the speedo and rpm dial as well as the ancillary information can all be customised to fit your mood.

There is Sport mode that turns the dials a shade of orange, while Basic simply gives you the necessities like speed and engine rpm.

This is among a host of other info of course like gear position, drive mode, the time and such.

The quality of everything is unlike modern Benz’s either, and that is a good thing.

In fact it reminds me of Benzes from the early 90s, well built, tough, and feels like everything would last a couple of decades.

It is probably the best Mercedes-Benz interior this side of an S-Class.

There are also two protruding hoops on the sides of the centre panel that seem like they came off a Porsche Cayenne.

They look awkward at first, but I later realised they are great armrests on long drives. They are also great to hang on too when the driver feels like wrestling some corners.

The rear seats are electronically adjustable with the controls located on the door panel, just as they are on the front (I love that about Benz’s).

The rear sitting space is spacious and very comfortable and that is putting it lightly.

There are also two hidden seats in the booth area, making the GLE a proper seven-seater.

These seats can be summoned into space or neatly tucked away by a press of a button located in the booth.

Of course, because they are placed in the booth so it is not very comfortable to sit in the third row. But they are perfect for children and vertically-challenged adults.

If you haven’t already realised, there isn’t much to complain about the GLE. I would perhaps have preferred a brighter coloured interior rather than the dark ash wood trimming, but that’s a personal choice.

I also don’t quite like the awkward looking dummy vent on the left of the MBUX screen. Surely the designers could have thought of something better.

But then the 590-watt 13-speaker Burmester sound system makes everything better.

I also love the way the GLE drives.

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engine puts out an impressive 364hp and 500Nm of torque. This is transferred to all-four wheels via a 9-speed gearbox.

Despite its weight, it’s no slouch either. It does the charge to 100km/h in just 5.7-seconds. And that ‘oh-so-sweet’ airmatic suspension system brilliantly disconnects you from bumpy, uneven roads and then reconnects you when you select Sport mode and want to wring the car by its steering wheel.

The GLE 450 AMG seems to have it all. It is ideal for the family man who needs comfort, space and safety and yet does not want to outgrow his inner power loving, corner carving youngster.

Personally, this is the SUV to have at the moment because the alternatives from BMW and Volvo are all hybrids. And we all know how the prices of hybrids tank as soon as the car leaves the showroom.

The GLE 450 AMG though, I personally think that there will be plenty of demand for it in the used car market as well, simply because it is that desirable. Watch the video below to get up close to the GLE 450 AMG!

3 variants of updated Porsche Macan now available for booking in Malaysia, prices start from RM433,154

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has begun selling the updated Porsche Macan with cosmetic changes on the outside, enhancements within and improved powertrains. Prices (excluding insurance) start from RM433,154 for the Macan, RM623,593 for the Macan S, and RM786,232 for the Macan GTS with 2 years warranty coverage and 2 years free scheduled maintenance. The Premium Package is included as standard for the Macan and Macan S.

Redesigned front end
The compact SUV, still in its first generation after 7 years, has a redesigned front end with an inlay in the exterior colour, visually emphasizing the vehicle’s width. New 3D structural elements and dynamic side blades enhance the sporty look. LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System and Sport Design exterior mirrors are now standard on all models. At the back is a striking diffuser with a particularly technical design.

Customers can choose from no less than 14 exterior colours, including the new colours Papaya Metallic and Gentian Blue Metallic; Python Green is exclusively for the Macan GTS. With its Individual Colour and Paint To Sample options, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur can further personalise the Macan.

Futuristic centre console
Inside the latest Macan, there is selected equipment from the 911 Carrera, as well as a futuristic centre console with a high-quality glass look. Intuitive touch-sensitive surfaces, instead of tactile buttons, provide a cleaner appearance while the new operating concept brings a clear and futuristic structure to the cockpit.

A new, shorter selector lever sits in the centre of the functionally organized control module. The analogue clock at the top of the dashboard is now also standard equipment, while many online functions and services are offered as standard. These can be controlled via the 10.9-inch full HD touch display of the Porsche Communication Management or by means of voice commands. The latest Macan also inherits the new multifunction and GT Sport steering wheels from the 911.

The Macan and Macan S with a Premium Package as standard get additional comfort and luxury features such as 14-way electric comfort seats with memory package, Power Steering Plus, Park Assist including reversing camera and surround view, automatic dimming interior and exterior mirrors, and BOSE Surround Sound System.

Redeveloped engine, increased performance
The redeveloped 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine now produces 380 ps, 26 ps more than before. Torque has gone up to 520 Nm, 40 Nm higher than before. The new powerplant improves acceleration to for the 0 to 100 km/h to a claimed 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of up to 259 km/h.

For the flagship Macan GTS, the engine now delivers 440 ps, an increase of 60 ps, while 30 Nm more torque takes the peak figure up to 550 Nm. When fitted with the Sport Chrono package, the claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 4.3 seconds and the top speed is 272 km/h.

At the entry-level, the 2-litre inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine delivers 265 ps/400 Nm; compared to the engine used before, the difference is 13 ps/30 Nm. The higher output improves acceleration time marginally to take the Macan from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.2 seconds and on top a sop speed of 232 km/h.

All the engines have the same 7-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK), with Porsche Traction Management (PTM) delivering power to all four wheels. Specifically tuned to the Macan it is equipped in, PTM enhances driving dynamics, improves driving safety and maximise grip and stability.

A key benefit of PTM is that it works efficiently with all driving dynamics systems and these systems complement each other. The most significant partner system is Porsche Stability Management, which controls power distribution to all four wheels on an even more individual basis using anti-slip regulation and automatic brake differential functions.

Optimised chassis and brakes
The wide suspension bandwidth balances maximum suspension comfort and dynamic sportscar performance. The chassis has been optimized further to allow the Macan to now respond with even more sensitivity and more directly to the driving situation and road conditions, giving the driver even better feedback via the steering wheel.

Roslan Abdullah appointed as Deputy CEO of Proton

Proton has announced the appointment of Roslan Abdullah as its new Deputy Chief Executive Officer, effective from January 1, 2022. Encik Roslan takes over from Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed, who retired from the company at the end of December 2021.

Encik Roslan has been with Proton in other roles such as Vice-President, Sales and Marketing for Proton, and then Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar from June 2020.

A finance & accountancy degree holder from the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom, Encik Roslan has over 3 decades of experience in the automotive sector which included working with suppliers. His management roles have been at Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (MODENAS), and ISUZU HICOM Malaysia, as well as Honda Malaysia, where he was President & Chief Operating Officer.

*Encik Roslan was also in Honda Malaysia as President/COO and was actively involved in the company’s efforts to get owners to replace the defective Takata airbag inflator module in their vehicles.*

“Roslan Abdullah has played a key role in supporting the leadership of Proton and guiding the overall management of the business, particularly by strengthening the sales and marketing functions. I am confident we will be able to form a strong partnership to lead the company to greater heights,” said Dr Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton.

“Proton would also like to place on record our appreciation to Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed for his invaluable contribution and unwavering commitment towards our success. The importance of getting it right in the early days of the partnership with Geely has been critical towards the company’s turnaround thus far and his leadership during this period was invaluable,” Dr. Li added.

Appointed to the role on 1 April 2016, Dato’ Radzaif was instrumental in overseeing the eventual partnership between DRB-HICOM and Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely) and helped steer the company to its current standing in the automotive industry today.

You can have a different colour for your BMW iX every day!

In the 1960s, James Bond’s Aston Martin had changing numberplates and in 2021, BMW’s iX Flow featuring E Ink has changing body colours. But just like the feature on James Bond’s car, don’t expect it to be offered on BMWs anytime soon. It is a demonstration of future technology for a model displayed this week at CES 2022 (the consumer electronics trade show in Las Vegas) to show how digitisation can be used to adapt the exterior of a vehicle to different situations and individual wishes.

The fluid colour changes are made possible by a specially developed body wrap that is tailored precisely to the contours of the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW. When stimulated by electrical signals, the electrophoretic technology brings different colour pigments to the surface, causing the body skin to take on the desired colouration.

More sophisticated personalisation
The use of innovative E Ink technology opens completely new ways of changing the vehicle’s appearance in line with the driver’s aesthetic preferences, the environmental conditions or even functional requirements. The technology thus offers unprecedented potential for personalisation in the area of exterior design and the iX Flow demonstrates this potential to impressive effect.

Already today, the colour chosen for a car is an expression of the driver’s personality. The choice of exterior finishes available for current BMW models covers a wide colour spectrum. In this way, the longing for a wildly expressive, extravagant, or sporty appearance on the outside can be taken into account as well as the desire for an understated, subtle or elegant appearance.

Against this background, the BMW Group is driving the development of the technology so that a new form of personalisation can be experienced both on the outside and in the inside of future production vehicles. Apart from a greater degree of personalisation, a customer will also not have to settle for just one colour – he or she can have many more for different occasions!

“This gives the driver the freedom to express different facets of their personality or even their enjoyment of change outwardly, and to redefine this each time they sit into their car,” said Stella Clarke, Head of Project for the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink. “Similar to fashion or the status ads on social media channels, the vehicle then becomes an expression of different moods and circumstances in daily life.”

Increased efficiency too
A variable exterior colour can also contribute to wellness in the interior and to the efficiency of the vehicle. This is done by taking account of the different abilities of light and dark colours when it comes to reflecting sunlight and the associated absorption of thermal energy. A white surface reflects a lot more sunlight than a black one. By implication, heating of the vehicle and passenger compartment as a result of strong sunlight and high outside temperatures can be reduced by changing the exterior to a light colour. In cooler weather, a dark outer skin will help the vehicle to absorb noticeably more warmth from the sun.

In both cases, selective colour changes can help to cut the amount of cooling and heating required from the vehicle’s air conditioning. This reduces the amount of energy the vehicle electrical system needs and with it also the vehicle’s fuel or electricity consumption. In an all-electric car, changing the colour in line with the weather can therefore also help to increase the range. In the interior, the technology could, for example, prevent the dashboard from heating up too much.

E Ink technology itself is extremely energy efficient (though, at this time, it would be very expensive technology). Unlike displays or projectors, the electrophoretic technology needs absolutely no energy to keep the chosen colour state constant. Current only flows during the short colour changing phase.

Millions of paint capsules
Electrophoretic colouring is based on a technology developed by E Ink that is most well-known from the displays used in eReaders like Kindle. The surface coating of the iX Flow contains many millions of microcapsules, with a diameter equivalent to the thickness of a human hair. Each of these microcapsules contains negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments. Depending on the chosen setting, stimulation by means of an electrical field causes either the white or the black pigments to collect at the surface of the microcapsule, giving the car body the desired shade.

Achieving this effect on a vehicle body involves the application of many precisely fitted ePaper segments. Generative design processes are implemented to ensure the segments reflect the characteristic contours of the vehicle and the resulting variations in light and shadow. The generative design algorithms enable the necessary formability and flexibility required to tailor the ePaper exactly to the design lines of the vehicle.

Laser cutting technologies are used to guarantee high precision in generating each segment. After the segments are applied and the power supply for stimulating the electrical field is connected, the entire body is warmed and sealed to guarantee optimum and uniform colour reproduction during every colour change.

“Digital experiences won’t just be limited to displays [inside the car] in the future. There will be more and more melding of the real and virtual. With the BMW iX Flow, we are bringing the car body to life,” said Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.

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English

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