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The COVID-19 pandemic affected business activity all over the world, impacting sales and delaying projects. But now that the situation is easing, many activities are quickly resuming and some projects that may have been suspended can now proceed. One of them is the local assembly of Protons in Pakistan at the factory which was under construction since March 2019. Recently, the first units of the Saga began to come off the production lines, setting a new milestone for Proton.

The Saga is the first Proton model to be assembled by Al-Haj Automotive, the exclusive distributor of Proton models in Pakistan, at their new greenfield factory in Karachi. The plant, built with an initial investment of US$20 million (about RM83.1 million), will create 2,000 direct employment opportunities in its first three years of operations. It is estimated that a further 20,000 indirect jobs will also be created as a result of the new plant being established.

25,000 units a year
The initial capacity of 25,000 units a year is expected to meet the potential sales volume of the market which was about 128,000 units in 2020 but higher at around 193,000 units the year before the pandemic affected the country. As with the case in Malaysia, local assembly means that the retail prices can be lower due to more favourable taxation, a critical element in Proton’s aim to grow exports in the future.

Speaking during the roll-out ceremony, Hilal Khan Alfridi, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Haj Automotive said: “The successful assembly of the Proton Saga in Pakistan is the culmination of the hard-work and untiring efforts of Proton, the entire Al-Haj team, its suppliers and vendors. Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, we continued to push to build our new assembly plant and as such, we are confident it will set new industry standards and enable us to introduce more products that meet the international quality levels set by Proton.”

X70 assembly to follow
The X70 SUV is to be second model assembled in Pakistan. Launched in December 2020 as an imported CBU model, the X70 met with positive response. Together with the final batch, the total number exported to Pakistan is 602 units. The first locally-assembled units are expected to be available by the end of this year.

The President of Pakistan viewing one of the first locally-assembled Proton cars.

“Despite COVID-19 severely affecting our project timelines in Pakistan, demand for Proton models in the country remains high for both the Proton Saga and Proton X70 attracting a strong following. Al-Haj has received 2,500 orders for the Saga and over 2,000 orders have been placed for the X70, so we wish to thank the customers for their belief in our products and especially their patience and understanding over the delays in receiving their cars,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.

“Now that the final shipment is on the way and local assembly has started for the Saga with the X70 to roll off the production line before the end of the year, we can finally work to catch up to market demand. This will allow Al-Haj Automotive and Proton to establish a strong market presence in the country to benefit future sales growth,” he added.

Final shipment of Proton X70s from Malaysia to Pakistan.

Sharing assembly expertise
With export sales being one of the pillars to achieving its long-term goals, Proton’s commitment to the Pakistan market extends beyond the shipment of CKD packs and consumable parts. It also includes human resources and there are currently 20 Proton staff specialising in various manufacturing related fields stationed in Karachi to assist in assembly operations.

“After 37 years of vehicle assembly experience, Proton has accumulated a wealth of in-house expertise that can be shared with our overseas partner. Having operated in various market conditions, we can quickly adapt to different scenarios, so we hope to be able to play a major role in ensuring the success of the brand in Pakistan,” Encik Roslan said.

MPVs evolved from window vans and were initially simple people-movers. Over the years, some manufacturers have found growing demand for more luxurious versions of such vehicles, with models like the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire being very popular.

To capture a slice of this growing market, Hyundai has also come out with a luxury MPV called the Staria and it is now available in Malaysia through Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM). Available in the 7-seat Premium version, the Staria is priced from RM358,888 (without insurance and with partial sales tax exemption). The price varies depending on the warranty period the customer wants. The base price comes with a 2-year or maximum of 50,000 km warranty. For another RM10,000 more, HSDM will provide a warranty of 5 years or maximum of 300,000 kms, plus 3 years (or maximum of 50,000 kms) free scheduled service.

Unique spaceship design theme
The Staria has a unique appearance which certainly makes it stand out anywhere. While MPVs typically have a cubic form which allows for the most efficient interior space, Hyundai’s designers have given it a design that is said to be like a spaceship. It’s a sleek streamlined form that is said to be like the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon at sunrise when viewed from space.

From any angle, the Staria’s styling draws attention. For instance, the front is embellished with horizontal daytime running lights (DRLs) and a positioning lamp, together running across the width of the vehicle, complemented by a bold, wide radiator grille with a unique pattern.

2021 Hyundai Staria

The same body colour for all frontal parts is used and gives a monolithic look that is modern and even futuristic. To highlight certain elements and give a premium look, brass chrome treatment is applied to the emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors and door handles.

The Staria’s 5253 mm long body  sits on a 3273-mm wheelbase and has a 1997 mm. The beltline is low, allowing the side windows to be large and panoramic, which suggests a spacious interior – which is the case. The cruise ship-inspired interior has an open and unique atmosphere through its innovative design architecture which follows traditional Korean ‘hanok’ architecture.

2021 Hyundai Staria

Premium Relaxation Seats
The sense of spaciousness allows passengers to feel as if the outside scenes are an extension of the vehicle interior. Premium Relaxation Seats are provided in the second row and these have power recline as well as slide along the floor to vary cargo space. A one-touch relaxation mode makes the seats recline automatically to a posture that comfortably disperses the passenger’s weight and improves overall body balance. Even when the seats are reclined by this mode, there is enough room for an adult passenger to sit comfortably in the third row.

The cargo space available varies depending on the arrangement of the seating configurations. While the 7-seat configuration may have reduced cargo volume, the 2 and 3-seater versions which can be optimized for business use have maximum cargo space of almost 5,000 litres.

2021 Hyundai Staria

2021 Hyundai Staria MPV

Futuristic dashboard theme
The futuristic theme of the exterior is also adopted on the dashboard with an advanced 10.25-inch front touchscreen and a button-type electronic shift lever. The digital cluster is located on top of the dashboard while the smart infotainment system includes a display from a wide-angle camera for the driver to view rear passengers.

To have the right atmosphere, there is a 64-colour ambient mood lamp. Its direct and indirect lighting can selectively illuminate the cockpit, console, doors and cargo areas. The premium ambience is enhanced by the Bose sound system which comes standard and is optimised for the large cabin volume.

2021 Hyundai Staria MPV

Turbodiesel with shift-by-wire transmission
HSDM is still one of those companies that offers diesel-powered models and the Staria comes with a familiar 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel with an output of 177 ps/431 Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission operated by a simple electronic shift-by-wire system. With the high-efficiency, air-cooled turbocharger that has an improved compressor and turbine wheel performance, low speed performance is stronger and peak torque is available from 1,500 rpm. HSDM doesn’t mention fuel compatibility although they would have done extensive testing with local biodiesel to ensure there are no issues.

As it can carry up to 7 people, the Staria would need the highest level of vehicle safety. It is equipped with a full suite of Hyundai Smartsense active safety and driving assistance technologies. With its large size, especially the long body, the Blind-spot View Monitor, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist systems would be of very useful.

“Hyundai is expanding its offerings to include more premium vehicles that offer innovative features for a unique in-car experience. The Staria Premium aims to offer unique value propositions for customers seeking a luxurious experience in an MPV,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Retail and Distribution, Sime Darby Motors.

While the Staria is launched today, units are not immediately available. Understandably, given the price, it is new territory for HSDM and remembering the times when they have sold high-priced models, they probably want to avoid having too many stocks in hand waiting to be sold. Customers have to specify what colour they want from the choice of five (white and mostly greyish or silver shades). Then depending on production slots, it could take 3 to 6 months before the vehicle gets to Malaysia for delivery.

2021 Hyundai Staria MPV

When the Bugatti Chiron made its debut at the Geneva International Motorshow in 2016, it was announced that the production run would be limited to 500 units. Just over 4 years after the first deliveries to customers began in March 2017, over 460 units have been built and less than 40 build slots left to be allocated.

The final units being built or scheduled to be built are in Chiron Pur Sport and Chiron Super Sport form only. Joining the Chiron family in 2020, the Chiron Pur Sport built upon the exceptional Chiron foundation to offer customers a truly uncompromising hyper sports car that is optimized for dynamic agility and downforce.

With an entirely new aerodynamic, transmission and weight configuration, the Chiron Pur Sport effortlessly delivers thoroughbred performance. The model has a 50-kg weight reduction and firmer suspension, combined with a 1.90 metre rear wing and close-ratio transmission.

Ultimate Grand Tourisme
The Chiron Super Sport only appeared this year. As the quintessence of luxury and speed, the Chiron Super Sport has been designed to embrace supreme longitudinal speed without compromising luxury and comfort. It is regarded as the ultimate Grand Tourisme and defined by its longtail design, the Super Sport achieves extreme levels of aerodynamic efficiency, enabling the hyper sportscar to reach speeds of up to 440 km/h.

With an upgraded version of the Bugatti 8-litre W16 engine, the Super Sport has 1,600 ps, which is 100 ps more than the standard car. But even with 1,500 ps (and 1,600 Nm), the Chiron redefined the pinnacle of automotive engineering in the 2010s. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.4 seconds, it reached 200 km/ in 6.1 seconds, with the 300 km/h mark achieved in 13.1 seconds.

A world record-setter
As would be expected, Bugatti regularly set new records with the Chiron, solidifying its position in automotive history as one of the all-time greats. Its first production car record was achieved in 2017 when a Chiron went from 0 to 400 km/h to 0 within 41.96 seconds – the fastest time ever reached and officially measured at the time.

Continuing a run of unrelenting success, just 2 years later, the hypercar reached speeds once through to be unreachable by a road car. A near production prototype derivative crossed the 300 mph limit with a speed of 304.773 mph (490.484 km/h).

Related story: The German engine that was born on a Japanese bullet-train

No shortage of customers
Even with the astronomical prices starting from US$3 million (about RM12.5 million), there has never been a shortage of customers from the first day orders were accepted. 18 months from its initial announcement, 300 of the 500 cars had been sold. This sales momentum has continued and despite global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Bugatti has steadily been receiving orders for the Chiron. The USA has taken the most Chirons, contributing significantly to a record-breaking quarter in Q3.

“Our discerning customer base across the world consists of true Bugatti connoisseurs. They are hard-working, self-made individuals who regard owning one or multiple Bugatti masterpieces as the realization of a dream. They understand the devotion behind the pioneering design and engineering of each Chiron model. Their appreciation for the provenance and performance of our hyper sports cars comes from a genuine passion for the brand,” said Hendrik Malinowski, Director of Sales and Operations.

Braking systems in today’s cars are no longer ‘dumb’ systems that perform only as well as the driver’s actions make them perform. Thanks to the integration of electronics and sensors, the operation of brakes is managed more by a computer working at lightning speeds to optimise stopping. The driver’s role is only to apply the pressure on the pedal, signalling the need to decelerate, and even that is now enhanced by features like Brake Assist which boosts braking pressure under certain conditions.

Brembo, a leading manufacturer of braking systems which also supplies to F1 teams, has developed a new pioneering intelligent braking system which uses artificial intelligence (AI) – SENSIFY. This system integrates current Brembo product portfolio of calipers, discs and friction materials with the most advanced software, digital technology and artificial intelligence. The result is a flexible and revolutionary platform that includes software, predictive algorithms and data management to control the brake system digitally.

Brembo Sensify

Braking system becomes ecosystem
With SENSIFY, the braking system is no longer simply a sum of its parts but an ecosystem, where AI  and software play an active role. Data collection is leveraged to improve the driver experience and allows the system to be constantly updated.

“By introducing SENSIFY, Brembo is pushing the boundaries of what is possible with a braking system, opening up entirely new opportunities to drivers to improve their experience on the road and customize brake response to their driving style. SENSIFY gives drivers the peace of mind they are looking for,” said Daniele Schillaci, Brembo’s Chief Executive Officer.

“SENSIFY fully embraces our vision – Turning Energy into Inspiration – and it’s another significant step forward in providing cutting-edge, innovative, intelligent and sustainable solutions to the automotive industry,” he added.

SENSE + SIMPLIFY
SENSIFY comes from the merging of two words: ‘SENSE’, a faculty by which a human perceives an external signal or stimulus, and ‘SIMPLIFY’ which means simplicity in installing at best the product in harmony with the vehicle.

Brembo Sensify

Digital brain manages braking
The system is intuitive, responsive and smooth, providing the driver the expected performance when needed, combined with exceptional control. It has evolved naturally from Brembo’s heritage and know-how, combining the design of the best braking components with the integration of a digital brain and sensors that control each wheel independently. The result is more precise car handling, increased performance to give the driver more confidence.

Thanks to the optimized braking action on each wheel, combined with the absence of drag between pads and discs, emissions are minimized which is an environmental benefit.

SENSIFY also opens up opportunities in car design, offering great flexibility for carmakers and simplifying integration in any platform (electric and combustion engine) – from super sport to city car and, potentially, to the latest commercial vehicles. Brembo will offer it to the industry from the beginning of 2024.

Brembo Sensify

Jaguar Land Rover (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (JLRM), a joint venture between Sime Darby Motors and SISMA Auto since 2014, will consolidate and strengthen Jaguar Land Rover retail business operations making it the sole importer and dealer in Malaysia.

The move will see the acquisition of dealer assets and transfer of staff from both Sime Darby Auto ConneXion and SISMA Auto and the consolidation of its central business operations into the Jaguar and Land Rover Dealership at Ara Damansara, Selangor. This outlet is currently the largest Jaguar Land Rover 4S facility within the South-East Asia region. JLRM, will also be operating its retail operations located in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang.

According to Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia, this is part of its ambitious plan to improve service capabilities and drive long-term growth for the brand. JLRM’s consolidation exercise will put the company in a stronger position to serve its customers, whilst optimising retail and distribution costs, as well as overheads.

“This consolidation will be a positive move towards better operational efficiency with elevated levels of premium services which will help drive long-term growth for the company. These measures will leverage on the company’s vast experience and accumulated knowhow through the decades to strengthen its processes and deliver more value to our customers,” he added.

JLRM expects this consolidation to continue to elevate customer experiences, differentiating it from the mass premium brands. Together with digitalization initiatives, it plans to invest more on technology and will increasingly deploy digitalisation over the next few years to improve its service capacity to deliver top-notch services to its customers.

The joint venture between SISMA Auto and Sime Darby Motors brings together more than 60 years of cumulative experience in the automotive business. Both entities have been credited with outstanding performances by securing top positions in the Retailer of the Year Award 2020/21 title for their superlative service and dedication to customers.

Tuan Syed Ahmad Muzri said customers can expect more luxurious and convenient services from Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia. “Those who wish to join the Jaguar and Land Rover family will find even more value and options, available at the 167,586 sq.ft. Ara Damansara facility which houses both new and approved Jaguar Land Rover pre-owned vehicles under one roof,” he said.

JLRM’s business includes the sale of pre-owned models, and the available stocks can be checked online at the company’s website.

JLRM will continue to invest heavily in training to grow the number of Jaguar Land Rover Master level 4 Technicians and Electric Vehicle Technology Certified Technicians in ensuring owners get the most from their vehicles. Sales and service advisors are also trained according to Jaguar Land Rover standards so that customers will always feel confident and secure as part of their purchase and ownership experiences.

Service Outreach programmes will also be curated to bring coverage to the southern region of Johore Bahru whilst it assumes retail coverage of the Northern region via its outlet in Penang Island.

The New Land Rover Defender was launched in Malaysia this week.
All-electric I-PACE is one of the models that Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia will have in its showrooms.

As for product offerings, there will be new models in the near future from both the Land Rover and Jaguar brands. These include the Jaguar F-Pace SUV, XF Executive Sedan and I-Pace all-electric performance SUV. From Land Rover, there will be the Defender 90 following the recent launch of the New Defender 110 and an all-new Range Rover (to be revealed tomorrow).

For more information on models available in Malaysia and the locations of showrooms to view them, visit www.landrover.com.my or www.jaguar.com.my.

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected but may not show symptoms. However, you can still spread the coronavirus to others near you. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.

GAZOO is a name that has been around since the early 2000s although back then, it was known only in Japan. It was the name of a website that was created and supervised by Akio Toyoda, currently. President of Toyota Motor Corporation. At that time, he had just joined the Board of Directors after having served in various roles at different Toyota subsidiaries and digitisation was accelerating.

From being the name for a website (which still exists today) that served as a hub for virtual shops mainly dealing in the auto business, GAZOO began to appear in motorsports towards the end of the 2000s. Being a racing driver and car enthusiast himself, Akio wanted to generate more excitement for the sport among the young and GAZOO Racing was to expand the role of promoting motorsports beyond that of traditional automakers.

Related article: The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

GR Racing Parts

Today GAZOO Racing is a major part of Toyota which is responsible for motorsports and high-performance products. Its scope has progressively broadened and in countries like Malaysia, GAZOO Racing (GR) has been established as a new performance brand.

Growing name in Malaysia
“GAZOO Racing is a name that has gained tremendous traction in the Malaysian market since we first introduced the brand here in 2017. The brand represents Toyota’s motor racing activities worldwide, and this has translated into a great number of initiatives locally that include the organizing of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival, Vios Challenge one-make race, GAZOO Racing Velocity Esports Championship, the launch of exclusive GR vehicles, the roll-out of the Vios GR-S in Malaysia and establishing the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program for young racing drivers,” said Akio Takeyama, GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer.

Exclusive GR parts
Now GAZOO Racing Malaysia is making available GAZOO Racing (GR) parts and accessories that are exclusively for the GR Yaris, Vios GR-S, Vios and Yaris. “The  availability and sale of GR parts and accessories is a further extension of these initiatives as Toyota steps up its efforts to gain a bigger foothold in Malaysian motorsports,” said Mr. Takeyama.

Exclusive to the limited-edition GR Yaris are 5 styling upgrades –  a GR Front Spoiler with Rear Extension; GR Side Skirts; GR Rear Bumper  Spoiler; GR Sports Muffler and an GR Interior Panel Set (carbonfibre design).

GR Racing Parts

GR Racing Parts

GR Racing Parts

All other parts are available for the Vios GR-S, Vios and Yaris. This, however, excludes the GR start/stop button, GR emblem, GR carpet mat, which already come standard in the Vios GR-S.

Only available at selected outlets
All GR Parts and accessories come with a 1-year warranty and to ensure quality fitment, customers  can have the products installed at the respective GR Garages and GR outlets. The parts can be purchased only at 5 GR Garages and 39 GR outlets (Toyota dealerships that have teams competing in the Vios Challenge racing series).

The five GR Garages nationwide are Fokus Tetap (Shah Alam, Selangor), PCM Klang Motor (Klang,  Selangor), Wing Hin Auto (Balakong, Selangor), Telagamas (Kulim, Kedah) and Mutiara Motorsports  (Masai, Johor). The list of GR outlets can be found at www.toyota.com.my.

GR Racing Parts

GR Racing Parts

UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K., said the availability of GR Parts allows customers to have a higher degree of personalization for their vehicles, especially those who share the passion for  motorsports. “GR is as much about performance as it is about styling, safety and lifestyle, and this is reflected  throughout the introductory list of parts we are making available today,” he said.

“While GR models are a pedigree of their own, the GR brand is not confined to only outright performance. The brand also conveys driving enjoyment and excitement, and this is precisely what  customers can look forward to with the availability of these parts and accessories,” he added.

 

On the same weekend that Formula 1 was having its 17th round of 2021 in Texas and the 2nd round of Vios Challenge Season 4 was being run in Malaysia, the fourth round of the Extreme E series took place in Sardinia, an island adjacent to Italy. Unlike the cars in the other two events, those in Extreme E do not consume any petrol or diesel and emit virtually zero toxic emissions. They are fully electric SUVs and the series is all-new, with a focus on environmental issues as well.

The round in Sardinia –  called the Enel X Island X Prix – was won by Rosberg X Racing (RXR), which made it 3 wins from 4 rounds. This puts the team, owned and managed by former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, in a commanding championship lead.

“It was pretty slippery out there, so it was a bit difficult to judge at first. From that point, it was just trying to manage the risk and I think that is what we did really well. Johan brought it home and again it was just an amazing effort by all of the team. We had a very challenging weekend from our side, but we never gave up and are very happy to be the winners here,” said RXR’s Molly Taylor, who was partnered with Johan Kristoffersson.

Extreme E Rd 4

Consistent in changing conditions
The RXR drivers remained consistent in changing conditions to seal a dramatic victory ahead of ABT CUPRA XE, who secured their best result of the season in second. It was heartbreak, though, for long-time leaders in the Final – SEGI TV Chip Ganassi Racing – after Sara Price’s crash on Lap 2 caused terminal damage and meant she had to stop on track, ensuring the team could only finish as high as fourth on their Finals debut.

That moved JBXE into their third podium finish in succession with third place despite also suffering damage out on the course. Bad luck once again befell X44, the fastest qualifiers, in the final as Sebastien Loeb was forced to stop out on track and retire with broken steering. Loeb was running in second behind SEGI TV’s Kyle LeDuc despite driving with a slow puncture at the time of the stoppage, which meant the team now fall even further behind winners and championship leaders RXR in the standings.

Extreme E Rd 4

Extreme E Rd 4

Wet Final, new challenges
A heavy downpour prior to lights out made for the first ‘wet’ Final of the Extreme E season, providing the 5 finalists with a new challenge to overcome in their bid for victory. X44 was able to take their place in the Final despite suffering heavy damage in the opening Semi-Final of the day. In a sign of the unique camaraderie demonstrated across the Extreme E paddock, X44’s efforts to rebuild their damaged car were boosted by the support of mechanics and engineering teams from the Andretti United Extreme E team. The joint efforts ensure that their ODYSSEY 21 e-SUV WAS ready in time for the Enel X Island X Prix showpiece.

In treacherous conditions, 4 of the 5 teams were able to get off the start line cleanly, although ABT CUPRA XE were left with plenty of work to do after Jutta Kleinschmidt stalled on the grid. It looked like X44 had staged a remarkable comeback to lead into the first corner, but were beaten spectacularly by LeDuc who managed to get in front after using the alternate route.

A spin for Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky put JBXE at the back of the field, while the slow-starting Kleinschmidt quickly made up ground on RXR’s Taylor to battle for third. This soon became a 3-way tussle for second as Loeb began to lose pace as he struggled with a slow puncture, allowing LeDuc to build an impressive lead out in front.

Extreme E Rd 4

Extreme E Rd 4

After Loeb was forced to retire with broken steering, Taylor and Kleinschmidt remained nose-to-tail in their battle for second as they headed towards the Driver Switch zone. As LeDuc exited his car in the zone following a superb opening lap, it appeared the so-far luckless team was about to complete a heroic turnaround and bring home their first Extreme E win. However, they were cruelly denied as Price suffered terminal damage to her car after making contact with a rock out on the course, which ruled them out of contention for victory and meant they could only finish as high as fourth.

This left RXR’s Kristoffersson in the lead and chased by Mattias Ekstrom, who continued on at great speed despite driving without his left-hand door throughout the lap! The ABT CUPRA XE driver was no match for Kristoffersson, though, who kept up the pressure to extend his lead and take RXR’s third win of the campaign and put his team as the firm favourites for championship glory at the final of the season in the in December.

Following the launch of the new BMW iX in Malaysia two months ago, BMW Malaysia today announced the addition of the iX3. The iX3 is available in two versions with rather interesting names – Inspiring and Impressive – with pricing starting from at RM335,800 and RM354,800, respectively, without insurance. The prices include BMW Service & Repair Inclusive – a 5-year Extended Warranty and 6-year service package – as well as the Power Package which comes with the BMW i Wallbox and BMW Standard Charging Cable. Like the iX, the iX3 can be booked now but deliveries will only start in 2022.

2022 BMW iX3 EV

2022 BMW iX3 EV

Both versions have the M Sport package as standard which gives a more expressive appearance to the fully electric SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle). Besides M Sport specific items and High-Gloss Shadowline, the iX3 Inspiring has standard features like LED adaptive headlights with high beam assist and 19-inch alloy rims for the Inspiring version. The Impressive version has the more advanced BMW Laserlight and larger rims, along with a Head-Up Display, Harman Kardon 464W audio system with 16 speakers and the unique BMW IconicSounds Electric.

2022 BMW iX3 EV

2022 BMW iX3 EV

The 210 kW/400 Nm electric motor, located at the rear, is powered by an 80-kWh lithium-ion battery which is claimed to be able to provide a range of up to 461 kms. Like an internal combustion engine, range depends on how you drive and where you drive but even half that number would be sufficient for daily use. The range might be shorter if you constantly go from standstill to 100 km/h in the claimed 6.8 seconds or travel close to the top speed of 180 km/h (electronically limited).

2022 BMW iX3 EV

2022 BMW iX3 EV

When using DC fast charging at rates of up to 150 kW, 80% charge can be obtained within 32 minutes, while AC charging at up to 11 kW will require about 7.5 hours (typically overnight) for a 100% charge. The battery pack has a separate warranty of 8 years or maximum of 160,000 kms.

All the SAVs distributed by BMW Group Malaysia will have Vernasca leather upholstery and sports seats with various choices of colours and stitching as well as interior themes colour matched to the exterior finish. Different authorised dealerships will display different versions so if the one you see at the showroom is now what appeals to you, then you can go to BMW Shop Online to see the other choices available.

2022 BMW iX3 EV

2022 BMW iX3 EV

2022 BMW iX3 EV

2022 BMW iX3 EV

As with all BMWs, the safety systems are advanced with the Driving Assistant Professional suite as standard to help the driver avoid accidents. There’s also a Surround View Display and parking assistance systems to make parking easy and precise. Because an EV runs almost noiselessly, there are regulations in some countries that require some sort of noise to be generated to ensure pedestrians are aware. BMW has installed in its EVs an Audible Pedestrian Protection system which gives off a whining sound at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

2022 BMW iX3 EV

“The arrival of the First-Ever BMW iX3 is made especially significant with these distinct variants that provide our loyal customers and fans of electric mobility in Malaysia the ‘Power of Choice’ – without compromising on power, performance or safety. Alongside our upcoming fleet of new BMW i vehicles, the First-Ever BMW iX3 is set to spur a new generation of Electric Vehicle owners in Malaysia, as the all-electric SAV presents a wealth of possibilities with its all-rounded qualities in innovation and design language to make the Electric Premium Ownership Experience even more enjoyable,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

2022 BMW iX3 EV

As the lights went green, both drivers on the front row got off to good starts and were side by side heading to Turn 1. Neither was willing to back off and in the end, it was Max Verstappen who had to go wide when Lewis Hamilton did not let him pass. But the Dutchman recovered quickly and rejoined alongside team mate Sergio Perez.

The first vehicle contacts occurred when Wiliiams Racing’s Nicholas Latifi bumped into Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll at the start and the Canadian driver spun. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon also got hit by the Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovanazzi, resulting in the Alpine’s front wing being damaged and he had to head to the pits for a replacement. As he rejoined the race, he almost collided with a fast-moving Latifi who had also come in.

There was a lot of jostling for better positions in the first laps, and starting positions quickly changed. Williams Racing’s George Russell was able to move up to 14th from the back, while McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo moved from 7th to 5th after getting past Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

From lap 8 onwards, the switch to hard tyres had started for most cars, except for Valtteri Bottas and the two Aston Martin drivers. Verstappen came in on lap 10, and Hamilton was forced to do likewise next, The Red Bull Racing driver inherited the lead as Hamilton went into the pits and wasted no time opening up the gap which was almost 7 seconds when the Mercedes-AMG driver came out again.

On lap 16, Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauri had suspension problems serious enough that he had to pit. The problem was serious enough that he did not leave and was the first retiree of the USGP.

Bottas had been struggling to improve on his position but did not make much progress until lap 20 when he finally got past AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda to move into 8th – only one position better than what he started at (he had incurred a 5-place penalty on the grid for a sixth engine change).

On lap 22, Alonso got past Giovanazzi but it had occurred off the tracks, and after clarifying with the Race Director that it was not permissible, he had to give back the 11th place he had acquired, while Giovanazzi’s team mate, Kimi Raikkonen, moved further ahead. A lap later, an angry Alonso again has a close encounter with  Giovanazzi and this time it was the reverse as the Alfa Romeo driver was told to give back the place to Alonso,

The Virtual Safety Car appeared on lap 29 for a while as a marshal had to get onto the track to collect some debris left by one of the cars during a minor collision earlier. At that point, Hamilton had closed in to around 3 seconds from the leader with no worries from the next car behind (Perez) who was some 17 seconds away.

On lap 30, Hamilton moved into the lead as Verstappen came in for his second tyre change. As he rejoined, he was just behind his team mate but got past quickly and began closing in on his rival who was trying to open up a gap so that he could safely go for a tyre change. This time, the Mercedes-AMG team might get it right. However, Verstappen was not making things easy by steadily eating away at what started as a 16-second gap.

Hamilton finally came in on lap 37, spent 2.4 seconds in the pits to get another set of hard tyres and when he came out, Verstappen was almost 8 seconds in the lead. Not a big gap and still 19 laps left which meant an interesting fight ahead. The tyres should last but track temperatures were high too and could be an unexpected factor. Further back, Perez and Ferrari’s Charle’s Leclerc were reasonably safe in their 3rd and 4th positions, respectively, with wide gaps between them.

Ocon became the second driver to retire as his team radioed him to return to the pits. They didn’t seem to want to explain why but it was a disappointment as he was running well. Alonso, his team mate, was in 13th and trying to take home at least 1 point from the race for the team. But he too would retire 5 laps from the end with a wing problem.

With 10 laps remaining, Hamilton was 2.5 seconds behind Verstappen, pushing as hard as he could and collecting fastest lap along the way. It appeared that Verstappen was not going as fast as he could have, which may have helped the Mercedes-AMG driver close in.

On the second last lap, Vettel was able to slip into the points-paying 10th as Raikkonen spun off into the gravel.

The last lap provided the American spectators a thrilling dual as the gap was under 2 seconds between the leaders. Hamilton seemed to be pushing very hard and sliding round some corners. It was going to be tight and Verstappen had one last back runner – Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher – to get past. But Verstappen just made it across the finish line with less than a second’s gap from Hamilton to win the USGP for the first time.

After yesterday’s racing in hot and sunny weather, the second racing session of Round 2 of the Vios Challenge at the Sepang International Circuit was run in both wet and dry conditions. But like yesterday, the competition was intense for both the new and existing drivers in the series which is now in its fourth season.

“Looking at all the action on and off the track, it was obvious that everyone in the community has been eager to get back to doing what they do best – racing! The competition was just as intense, if not greater, than it had been before the pandemic and this is precisely the boost of energy we all need to steer out of these challenging times,” said GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsport Officer, Akio Takeyama.

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

“As an event organizer, one of the most demanding aspects of the weekend in these times has not so much been in managing the racing on the track but to ensure that all safeguards are in place and adhered to in order to protect everyone on site from the threat of COVID-19. This remains our number one priority,” he stressed.

The event was closed to the public and spectators in accordance with conditions set by the National Security Council (MKN) pertaining to the organizing of sporting events. However, some 2 million people watched the races online in Malaysia as well as anywhere that was connected to the internet.

SUPER SPORTING CLASS
Unlike Race 1 which was held in blistering hot conditions, Race 2 got underway in the rain with drivers not only having to contend with a slippery track but also poor visibility. Those conditions however, seemed to Favour M7 Japan Project Team’s Syafiq Ali who catapulted himself into the lead from fourth position in the first corner, followed closely by team mate Faidzil Alang.

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

However, all the excitement of Lap 1 was cut short when the Safety Car had to be activated and circulated for 3 laps. During this time, Syafiq led the convoy behind the Safety Car and ahead of Faidzil, followed by Hayden Haikal who started from pole position.

Mark Darwin who was running in fifth behind overall championship leader Tengku Djan Ley eventually spun going into the first corner after the restart, dropping to 12th. The fight at the front of the pack was extremely fierce with Cheah charging aggressively with the hope of making it a double race win. After passing Hayden, his duel with Faidzil for second position lasted for 2 laps before he got past and away. His sights were then set on catching race leader Syafiq who was 2.1 seconds ahead.

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

As conditions worsened, the Safety Car was again called out on lap 10. This erased whatever lead Syafiq had built up. As the rain got heavier, the race was eventually red flagged which meant all racing was suspended. However, the race was able to be resumed minutes later, again under Safety Car conditions, and with 1 lap to go, Syafiq held his ground to take the chequered flag just half a car’s length in front of Cheah, and Faidzil in third position.

SPORTING CLASS
Like the Super Sporting Class race, this race was also run in wet conditions. But the rain was just the ‘x-factor’ Crestmax Motorsport’s Adam Khalid needed to make a huge impact on the race results when he stormed from 15th position on the starting grid to win the 20-lap race.

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

Adam, who finished the race ahead of Aylezo Motorsport’s Mirza Syahmi Mahzan and Eric Yong who came in third, said: “The rain really helped me, and the team did an awesome job to prepare the car… it was just perfect and by the 6th lap, I found myself in the lead. From then on, I just kept my head down and focused on track ahead.”

ROOKIE CLASS
In the Rookie Class, 17-year-old Amer Harris was the highest placed young driver running seventh overall, in the race which shared the grid with the Super Sporting Class racers. Amer took the chequered flag ahead of fellow teenager Mika Hakimi and 14-year-old Putera Adam.

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

The race win was Amer’s second podium finish over the weekend, having completed Race 1 yesterday (Saturday) in third position. Finishing fifth and failing to make it four race wins in a row was Naquib Azlan, followed by Jwan Hii in fifth position.

PROMOTIONAL CLASS
The Promotional Class race was almost a repeat of Race 1’s results with actor Shukri Yahaya once again claiming race victory, his second for the weekend. It was a closely-contested 18-lap race, and he finished 7.1 seconds ahead of TV presenter Nabil Ahmad. In third place was fellow actor Zizan Razak.

Starting from fifth on the grid, Shukri piled on the pressure from the very beginning as he picked off one by one Wany Hasrita, Akio Takeyama, and singers Nabila Razali and Khai Bahar to move into the lead.

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

“I realized that I can be rather impatient in past races and that led to some bad decisions and mistakes on track. Patience is very important in racing. I’ve also been working really hard at improving my driving skills and I made a conscious effort over the last 7 months of break to work on my driving and racecraft on a simulator – that has helped a great deal to prepare me for this weekend,” said Shukri.

With two race victories, both Shukri and Zizan now have a solid chance of taking the overall championship title in the Promotional Class and that is what he is eyeing for. “As a super senior in the class by virtue of this being my fourth season in the Vios Challenge, I owe it to myself and my fans to become champion. I’m definitely going for it!” said Shukri.

Round 3 to be a night race
Round 3 and the season finale of the Vios Challenge will be held on November 20/21, again at the Sepang International Circuit. However, there will be a twist as it will be a night race! At this time, it is not known yet whether conditions will be relaxed to allow spectators to be present. To stay informed, visit the Toyota Malaysia website  at www.toyota.com.my, or the Facebook pages of Toyota Malaysia and Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia.

Vios Challenge Rd 2 2021 2021

 

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