Lexus started off with just sedans – the ES and LS models – and it was only about 7 years after the brand began life that it had its first SUV (the LX). In 1997, it introduced the RX, which started the rest of the premium brands towards offering SUVs as well. And in recent years, Lexus also offers a luxury MPV in some markets as well.
The brand has yet to offer a pick-up and you can’t rule that out since some brands are starting to try luxury versions of such vehicles and see how response is. But the designers obviously look at all kinds of vehicles and one idea they have is a Recreational Off-highway Vehicle, like a luxury ATV.
Referred to a ROV concept, it is intended to provide a luxury lifestyle experience to those wishing to discover the wilderness. The design team developed a vehicle that has Lexus design elements as well as the features of a genuine off-road vehicle – like exposed suspension, protective cage and chunky off-road tyres. The dimensions are 3120 mm in length), 1725 mm in width) and 1800 mm high.
The dark bronze paint is carefully crafted along with a lightweight body that has an interpretation of the iconic Lexus grille. The suspension cover protects functional parts as well as conveying the sense of durability and though a rugged machine, it still has the much-admired Lexus craftsmanship.
An interesting aspect of the ROV concept is that its engine runs on hydrogen, not petrol. Toyota is exploring hydrogen engines as another approach towards carbon-neutrality without giving up on internal combustion engines. Besides the sound of a combustion engine, there is also the responsive rise in torque that comes from the fast combustion speed of hydrogen.
The displacement of the engine is 1 litre and it works just like a petrol engine. There is a high-pressure tank for compressed hydrogen which is delivered precisely by a direct hydrogen injector. Of note is that the hydrogen engine produces close to zero emissions, with a negligible amount of engine oil burned during driving.
Inside, based on the Tazuna interior concept, it has a simple meter that instantly reads the information the driver needs while the driver concentrates on driving. Luxury details include a leather steering wheel and a sculpted shift knob. feature suspension elements that smooth bumps out of the ride. The seats are also upholstered in hard-wearing synthetic leather.
Race starts at 8:30 pm in Jeddah/1:30 am (Monday) in Malaysia
This weekend, for the 21st round of the 2021 championship, Formula 1 goes to Saudi Arabia for the country’s first F1 event at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The circuit, newly created, is a street circuit situated 30 kms outside the historic city of Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. It is the second venue to join the calendar this year, following Qatar a fortnight ago.
While this is the first time an F1 race is being held, Saudi Arabia is no stranger to international top-level motorsports and, in recent years, has hosted rounds of the Formula E series and the Dakar Rally. Saudi Arabia also joins three other countries in the Middle East – Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE – to host F1 rounds.
Second longest circuit
The streets have been specially prepared to meet FIA’s strict standards for a Formula 1 circuit, with 34 tonnes of new asphalt and 550,00 tonnes of cement used. At 6.175 kms, it is the second longest circuit in the 2021 calendar, just 800 metres longer than the circuit at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit will be the fifth track to run a F1 race at night. The total number of lights is estimated at over 600 to achieve lighting levels have to be 1,500 lux, and there is more than 20 kms of electric cabling.
There are 27 turns around the track with one (Turn 13) banked at 12 degrees. That’s three degrees steeper than Indianapolis’ banked corners and 7 degrees less than those at Zandvoort. This will add stress for the drivers who will experience a high g-load (around 4.9 lateral g) as they circulate for 50 laps.
As the track is totally new, the top speed that the cars will reach is not known but simulations put it as 322 km/h, with an average speed as high as 252.8 km/h. On this basis, Jeddah has billed its circuit as the ‘fastest street circuit in the world’.
The waterfront location presents similar challenges to Abu Dhabi, blowing sand onto the track and experiencing wind shifts from daytime to the evening. Because of the long track length, energy management is very difficult, which puts more focus on the performance of the MGU-H and hybrid systems.
Hard work for tyres
The circuit has more corners than any other track on the calendar, which will keep the tyres working hard. As it’s never been used before, drivers can expect a slippery and ‘green’ track at the start of the weekend. “Jeddah is probably the biggest unknown we face all year, as with the track being completed very close to the race. As a result, we can only rely on simulations from F1 and the teams, along with other information we’ve collected, to come up with our nomination of tyres to supply,” said Mario Isola, Head of F1 and Car Racing at Pirelli. “This street circuit looks set to be quite different to anything else, and the high speeds with fast corners will obviously play a big part in the way that the tyres behave.
Blind corners, unforgiving track
Many parts of the circuit are quite narrow and unforgiving, with the walls close to the side of the track. “Blind corners are obviously an issue whenever someone is cooling down and you are on a push lap because of the huge speed difference so we all need to be super focused even when we are not pushing. The track leaves very little margin for mistakes and Charles Leclerc was unfortunate to crash,” said Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
“It is unforgiving; there is no room for any mistakes. The most challenging part is getting into the right rhythm with all the blind corners there are. But as soon as you do, it’s even more exciting to drive,” added Leclerc.
With the exceptionally high speeds, stopping power will be of great importance and the expert at Brembo have classified 2 braking sections as ‘very demanding’ on the brakes; 2 are of ‘medium difficulty’; and the other 3 are ‘light’. The hardest on the brake system is the last corner because the racing cars come to it after braking for the last time on turn 22 (they don’t have to brake in the other 4 corners). As they come onto Turn 27, the cars will be at around 317 km/h when the brakes will need to be used for 2.6 seconds. This is the time needed to slow down to 110 km/h. In the meantime, they cover a distance of 127 metres and the drivers experience 4.3g of deceleration.
Can Verstappen be champion?
Following Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Qatar, Max Verstappen’s lead had been cut to just 8 points. The Red Bull Racing driver still has a chance to take the 2021 title and he must outscore Hamilton by 18 points. This requires the Mercedes-AMG driver to finish 6th or lower. Clocking the fastest lap with its precious point – and holding it till the end – will also be an important factor. If he finishes second with the fastest lap and Hamilton is down in 10th place at the end of the race, then the Dutchman can be confirmed as 2021 champion.
In the Constructors Championship, the gap is narrow – just 5 points – so the drivers of each team will be working hard to collect as many points as possible. Ferrari looks set to take third overall this year, with McLaren in fourth.
Although Perodua has a commitment from chip suppliers till the end of 2021 and has been fairly confident of meeting its planned output, it has still faced issues in the automotive ecosystem which have affected its production. As a result, the company could deliver only 20,299 vehicles in November, which was 27.1% lower than the 27,858 units it reported for the month before – which was also the highest ever sales volume in the company’s history.
This disruption of production obviously affects deliveries and waiting periods get longer. At the same time, orders for the new Myvi which was launched in mid-November have been strong. According to Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, some 14,600 orders had been received for the new and improved model up till December 2.
14,600 orders for the new Myvi were received within the first 2 weeks after launch.
“We wish to apologise for the delay in delivery and thank all our customers for their support and patience, especially in the most challenging year so far,” Dato’ Zainal said. “We are working with the automotive ecosystem to overcome these issues, such as rising COVID-19 cases as well as the semiconductor chip supply shortage. With these countermeasures in place, we see December 2021 as our best month yet,” Dato’ Zainal said.
14.2% lower cumulative volume than 2020
The continued popularity of the Myvi keeps it as the brand’s bestseller and from January and November this year, a total of 42,288 units were delivered nationwide. This represented a share of around 25% of Perodua’s total sales of 167,250 units for the first 11 months of 2021. As an indication of the impact of the long suspension of operations, the total volume was 14.2% lower compared to the 194,980 units registered in the same period last year.
While the company should finish this year at around 200,000+ units, Dato’ Zainal is now focussed on 2022 which he foresees as ‘a year of recovery’. The company is initially setting a target of 240,000 units which would be about 20% more than what is achieved in 2021. As always, Perodua constantly refines its project with new data and will offer a more accurate forecast would at the end of January 2022.
Some issues in the automotive ecosystem disrupted Perodua’s output of vehicles, reducing its output in November.
240,000 units in 2022
“We believe that the worst is behind us in terms of COVID-19 related lockdowns– Insya Allah – and while there are other risks in the market, we foresee the year 2022 as a year of recovery. Based on current information and forecasts, we foresee that we can at least reach the 240,000 registration target next year as the market stabilises and our waiting period will be reduced significantly,” Dato’ Zainal said.
“The 240,000 registration number is important as we want to grow the Malaysian automotive ecosystem. With this growth, we expect to see auto component purchase to be back to around RM6.5 billion for next year,” he explained.
He believes that the demand for vehicles would peak in the first 6 months of 2022 as people will want to benefit of the sales tax exemption incentive by the government (to expire on June 30, 2022) while the second half would see demand slowing.
With the duty-free incentive for fully electric vehicles (EVs) to start next month, there may be many who are wondering if they should switch to such vehicles. While the exemption of all duties and taxes will mean a lower price, don’t expect prices to drop to the same as a Nissan Almera Turbo just because they are duty-free. EV technology is still young and therefore expensive, which is why manufacturers hope governments will help by making them more ‘affordable’.
For those who are thinking of getting one, you can experience ownership for a short while with GoCar’s new GoEV programme. This programme, which requires first signing up as a GoCar member, offers affordable EV access with car-sharing and subscription options. It is available to all fully licensed drivers aged 18 and above.
Nissan LEAF used
The members can select their preferred GoEV Share or GoEV Subs plans which have 25 units of Nissan LEAF fully electric vehicles. The sharing option is currently available only for round-trips (pick-up and return at the same zone) and short-term use – by the hour or by the day. Rates start from RM24.90 per hour or RM249 per day. From now until January 31, 2022, there will be a 25% reduction on rates for all GoEV Share bookings.
The GoEV programme will initially be offered in the Klang Valley where 3 GoEV zones are already in operation. Another seven will be added before this year ends.
“Global warming is at the tipping point and the negative effects of climate change will continue to perpetuate for decades. As a top contributor to greenhouse gases emissions, the transport sector must transition to full electrification, which studies have shown significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of GoCar Malaysia.
EV experience for more Malaysians
“Malaysia still has a long way to go to catch up on EV adoption and infrastructure. However, we believe that through car-sharing and subscription, we can help encourage mass adoption. We are so excited to be bringing affordable EV access to the general public. This way, everyone – not just the privileged few – can experience the EV lifestyle,” he added.
Longer terms also available
Those who want a longer duration to experience what it is like to live with an EV can opt for a 36-month subscription at RM2,299 per month. These rates are inclusive of roadtax, insurance, regular servicing and a wall box home charger to allow more efficient recharging.
To ease any potential range anxiety for car sharing customers, GoCar is also providing complimentary ChargEV cards in each vehicle, which will give users access to almost 300 charging stations nationwide. Charging stations at the GoEV zones are free to use for all GoEV customers.
If you want to know more about the Nissan LEAF or purchase one, visit www.nissan.com.my.
The G90, flagship of Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, has undergone a full model change. This is the model which originally began life as the Hyundai Equus. In 2015, when the Korean carmaker launched its new luxury brand, the Equus became the Genesis G90 (EQ900 in Korea). The model was then facelifted and now enters its second generation.
Athletic Elegance design philosophy
Much of the new design adopts the Genesis design cues that are guided by the brand’s design philosophy of ‘Athletic Elegance’. The frontal presentation consists of a new Crest Grille which has a luxurious look with its Layered Architecture finish. This comprises two G-Matrix patterns layered on top of one another to create a 3-dimensional effect.
Resembling the brand’s emblem, the Two-Line headlamps located on both sides of the grille feature the thinnest such lamp designs by Genesis. Intercrossing the lens of the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) with low beam powered by MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology has made it possible for thin lines of the headlamps.
Clamshell Bonnet
A special design feature is the Clamshell Bonnet, a single panel that combines the bonnet and fenders in order to eliminate panel gaps and create a sleek impression. This sleekness is also embodied in the Guilloche (a decorative technique) pattern-applied emblem, which is nearly 80% thinner than seen on previous emblems.
First generation G90 (2017)
Viewed from the side, the Parabolic Line design can be seen to start from the bonnet and flows along the bottom of the window to the boot in a seamless line. The voluminous body has been further enhanced with the Athletic Power Lines on the fenders around the wheels, projecting power and dynamism.
The DLOs (Day Light Openings) that surround the first and second-row seat windows are designed to harmonize with its thick C-pillars. This offers second-row passengers both an open atmosphere and privacy at the same time, a clear complement to the model’s image as a best-in-class luxury sedan.
The elegant proportions of the wide rear create a strong and well-balanced image. The Two-Line rear combination lamps – key elements of the Genesis design language – are elongated along the boot, with Genesis’ lettering emblem placed concisely between them.
To draw focus to the iconic Genesis design elements on the upper rear part of the car, functional elements, such as the license plate, various sensors, and the reverse lights, have been placed toward the bottom to ensure that the rear offers a clean look.
Long-wheelbase version
Genesis will also offer a long-wheelbase version with more space for the second-row door and C-pillar area. This allows more space for the rear seats. This longer version also comes with an exclusive design for the 20-inch wheels. There are also exclusive front and rear bumper designs with chrome decorations on the rims.
G90 Long Wheelbase version.
“The G90 will redefine the flagship luxury design experience in a unique way only offered by Genesis,” said to Head of Genesis Global Design, SangYup Lee. “The G90 is the ultimate expression of Athletic Elegance that carefully balances dynamic driving and an elegant rear seat experience.”
With the G90, Genesis plans to expand its presence in the luxury sedan market not only in Korea, but across the globe.
Organized by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the Nissan Almera Turbo Fuel Efficiency Charity Drive was unique way to raise funds for charity. Owners of the sedan were invited to submit the best fuel consumption figure they achieved and the total number of kilometres of all the entries would be converted to money for charity at the rate of RM1 per kilometre.
Almera Turbo owners throughout the country participated, trying their best to get the lowest consumption (which was shown on the computerized display) and when the entries were added up, the total distance was 12,841 kms. This meant that RM12,841 would be provided by ETCM which would be donated to few charitable organizations (to be announced soon).
Turbocharged engine of Almera Turbo can achieve fuel consumption up to 49.5 kms/litre.
2.7 times better than official figure
For the record, the lowest consumption achieved (owners had to send a picture of the Drive Computer display) was 49.5 kms/litre – almost 2.7 times the figure officially stated by ETCM (18.4 kms/litre). In fact, the top 10 drivers were able to achieve more than double the official figure.
To reward the efforts of the top 20 drivers (click here for the list of drivers), ETCM will send them an exclusive Nissan GT-R by LEGO while the next best 30 will receive a special edition Nissan Duffle Bag.
Keen to experience the Almera Turbo
If you’re planning on experiencing this fuel efficient, yet powerful (152 Nm of torque) sedan, this would be a good time to do so as ETCM is having a ‘Test Drive & Win’ contest. 50 lucky customers will be rewarded with WATSONS vouchers worth RM500 each when they test drive the Almera Turbo at any authorised Nissan showroom nationwide. Alternatively, they can contact the nearest dealership and have a testcar brought to them.
For a limited period, the Almera Turbo also comes with a free Urban accessories package worth up to RM5,500 while sales tax is exempted, bringing to price down to as low as RM79,906. Two other variants, which also come with the free accessories package, are priced from RM85,715 and RM91,310. Purchasers can enjoy an attractive 1.88% Hire-Purchase interest rate (terms and conditions apply).
Other special offers
Other special offers are for the X-Trail (priced from RM139,643) which comes with an Aero Edition accessories package worth RM5,000, and the Serena S-Hybrid (priced from RM140,226) which comes with 3 years of free maintenance service, parts and labour included.
Nissan Serena S-HYBRID
More information is available at any Nissan showroom or at www.nissan.com.my.
At one point the company is winning races with some of the greatest race cars of our generation with full fledged internal combustion engines.
And at another point, the company is building the most efficient and fun to drive electric cars the world has seen.
It almost seems like the company is caught in a conundrum of sorts. But it is definitely a future proof approach to the current problems faced by manufacturers.
Porsche has not lost sight of its roots either, as this writer found out during the recent Porsche World Road Show that took place at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) recently.
Part of the event included a single lap around SIC with the GT3.
But of course there was a lead car. Porsche Malaysia doesn’t trust local motoring journos to go out on their own after some local publications couldn’t return the Porsches given to them in the same way they received it. Putting it lightly there.
I don’t blame their distrust. I was just happy to get to drive the GT3. One lap or not. Lead car or not.
The Porsche GT3 is the road going race car you want but without the extremities of the GT3RS or the manic attitude of the GT2.
It doesn’t have the roll cage of the RS, or the bullish attitude.
But it still has the eagerness, that front end whose only responsibility is to steer and as such feels like a living, breathing extension of your arms.
This time though, in 992 guise, the GT3 feels like it knows what you are about to do even before you know it yourself.
Perhaps this is telepathic character that has been engineered into the car from decades of racing.
And since the GT3 is essentially a race car for the road that actively participates in various race series around the world, you can think of the 992 GT3 as a moving, roaring archive with the collective knowledge of racing drivers from all around the world.
And the result is one of the greatest driving experience you will ever have.
It is the summary of an engineering marvel of an engine, perfect handling and tyres that will stick to a wall when hot.
But in the 992 GT3, you can add advanced aerodynamics to the mix because it features strategically placed vents and a new, massive rear wing that sucks and pushes the car down in corners.
What this ultimately results in is a car that goes anywhere your nose points without a moment of hesitation.
This wild handling is also assisted by the fact that the GT3 now comes with double-wishbone suspension at the front, or as the Americans put it, a control-arm front suspension.
This suspension is not new technology, the GT3 Cup car has been using it for yonks!
But it is now available in a road going 911 for the first time in 58 years.
The engineers will tell you that the benefits of a double-wishbone suspension is that the entire surface of the tyre is now in contact with the road. Rather than only parts of it reaching the surface.
So when the entire tyre is being used to steer the car, you get super quick reaction time to the tiniest steering input. Making the front end feel like it were on rails.
Then comes the engine.
Based on the same engine that powers the 911 GT3R, 911 Cup and the 911 RSR, the flat-six engine is race proven, a proper race champion that has been slightly modified for road legality.
The 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine puts out 502hp and 470Nm of torque.
It enables the GT3 to accelerate to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds. And it tops out at an amazing 320km/h.
It offers a sound that can only be described as hypnotic, and Porsche made no effort to dampen the sound save for some carpeting that makes the interior a little more comfortable for day to day use.
The race-based engine offers race based technology such as six individual throttle valves per cylinder. The result of this is an engine that responds to every flex of your toe.
The engine is mated to a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox (a six-speed manual is also available).
Shifts are of course mili-second quick. Porsche’s PDK gearbox has been around since 2008 and has been continuously refined over the years for speed, accuracy and durability.
The interior is of course the same as every 992 generation 911.
What I truly like about the new generation 911 is the instrument cluster.
While marque’s like Ferrari have digitised the entire meter panel, Porsche has stayed true to its roots; the rpm dial is still analogue and still sits prominently at the centre of the meter panel.
I appreciate that, and while I understand the advent of digitisation, I am grateful to Porsche for keeping the analogue rpm dial.
GT3’s have always offered an amazing driving experience with an race-derived engine and handling that mimics a race car.
The new 992 GT3 is no different, yet takes it a notch further.
While it is available with the usual massive rear wing and aero wings around the car. The new GT3 is also available in something called the Touring Pack.
The Touring Pack will appeal to the gentleman racers who prefer their GT3 without the functional but potentially an eye sore of a rear wing.
Those who want to leave their racer boy image behind but can’t seem to shake off their love for an engaging drive.
In its place is an electronically adjustable rear wing that neatly tucks back in place and sits flush with the body work when not in use.
While the world embraces new technology with electric cars and some that can even drive themselves. The Porsche GT3 is proof that some things should never change, because no matter how advanced technology becomes, none can replace the driving experience a GT3 offers.
The GT3 is now available in Malaysia with prices starting from RM1.78 million.
In spite of being a challenging year for the auto industry, 2021 will still see Proton staying above the 100,000-unit level for the third year in a row. In fact, even with one month left, the Malaysian carmaker has already reached a cumulative total volume of 100,566 units. This has been achieved with a sales volume of 14,187 units (domestic + export) during November
Another month of growth
With the market on the upswing, Proton too has enjoyed revived interest by car-buyers, with a 6.2% increase over October sales. This would be the third consecutive month of growth. And looking back at a year ago, November 2020 sales were 24.3% lower.
*Volume for 2021 is from January – November.
The market share of the Malaysian market for the month is estimated to be 24.5% and for the 11-month period, the share has grown by 1.9% to an estimated 22.8% at the end of November 2021.
Saga remains bestseller of the brand
The evergreen Saga remained the brand’s bestseller and had its best sales month since December 2020. 5,666 units were sold nationwide, placing it at the top of the A-segment sedan class, a position the company is hopeful it will retain to the end of the year.
The younger X50 also had a record month in November with 4,010 units delivered. That is significantly better than its previous high of 3,839 units set in October. Its bigger brother, the X70, remained in high demand and gained 1,901 new owners in November, also giving it leadership in the C-segment SUV class.
TOP THREE PROTON MODELS IN NOVEMBER
The Exora MPV is still dominant in the C-segment MPV market and saw a fourth consecutive month of growth 434 units sold. There is demand for the other models but, as with many carmakers, Proton has experienced component supply issues for the Iriz and Persona. This has limited their production volumes and only 642 and 1,534 units, respectively, were available for delivery to customers.
Limited by supply, not demand
“November was a good sales month for Proton though overall industry numbers continue to be limited by supply and not low demand. Crossing over the 100,000-unit threshold with a month to go is a high point for us after another year disrupted by COVID-19,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.
“We are humbled by the achievement and are now confident of ending the year with an increase in total sales. This will make Proton the sole national brand to grow sales and market share this year and give us a strong base heading into 2022 as we look to consolidate and improve our ranking both domestically and overseas,” Encik Roslan added.
Switzerland may be a small country – around 340,000 new vehicles sold annually before the pandemic – but it has had one of the major international motorshows, the Geneva Motor Show. It is also home to a number of specialist companies in auto design and engineering. One of them is WayRay which describes itself as a ‘deep-tech’ company and it is the only company capable of designing and manufacturing complex Deep Reality Display technology. It also has expertise in rendering the AR content in real-time around the car using a proprietary True AR Rendering Engine software.
Metaverse device on wheels
It has now applied the advanced technologies to Holograktor, is the first car designed around True AR technology and a new ride-hailing business model. WayRay calls it the very first ‘Metaverse device on Wheels’.
Backed by early investments from companies like Porsche, Hyundai, and Alibaba, WayRay is using the Holograktor car to emerge from its ‘Deep Tech’ automotive supplier status into the world of new mobility models.
“The idea is that you can choose Uber Black, Uber SUV, or Uber Holograktor. And if you choose the Holograktor, your ride will be subsidized by sponsored content, so the price will be much lower,” said WayRay Founder & CEO Vitaly Ponomarev.
Connecting virtual and real worlds
With the seamless connection of the virtual and real worlds, there can be greater safety, comfort, services, and entertainment. The 3-seat Holograktor can either be driven conventionally or by remote control via a 5G and satellite internet connection to a qualified driver. That left the question of what to do with the disengaged steering wheel in the remote mode. WayRay solved it by sliding it forwards and simply fitting it into a groove in the dashboard.
The interior has been designed around a novel 2+1 seating arrangement. The front seats are pushed wide apart to provide all three occupants with a clear view of holographic displays engineered around WayRay’s technology. Its unusual single rear seat ‘throne’ layout was inspired by data showing that more than 80% of Uber trips were for one person only
The entire car was also designed to showcase the holographic technology. Each passenger will have access to several holographic Deep Reality Display HUDs in front and on the side, with each seat fitted with joysticks for gaming and interacting with the content.
The AirKnife system creates a barrier that separates the air between passengers and cleanses the air throughout the cabin. It works together with the air-conditioning system to control the climate, filter the air, and keep passengers safe. That’s something which will be most welcome in these times.
Exterior design
The Holograktor was designed by hypercar designer Sasha Selipanov, Head of Design at RAW Design House and chief designer on the Holograktor project in collaboration with WayRay’s in-house team of designers. Selipanov’s design work includes the Lamborghini Huracan, Genesis Essentia, Bugatti Chiron, and Koenigsegg Gemera. He was trained at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, before being taken in by the Volkswagen Group.
Selipanov came to work on the Holograktor car in an appropriately modern way — via an Instagram message. “I saw a message from Vitaly on Instagram in my Inbox that said: ‘Hey! Would you like to catch up and brainstorm about a potential collaboration? Outside of being obsessed with sportscars, I’m a science geek and a bit of a physics nerd, and the fact that his company was playing around with deep-tech ideas and bringing them to customers around the world was hugely exciting. I thought that as far as non-lap-time-setting cars were concerned, this project was probably as exciting as I was ever going to find!”
At the core of the Holograktor’s design was the challenge of combining the concept car’s enormous interior space with a well-proportioned exterior, all while staying in line with all current and approaching regulations.
“We wanted to create a visual language for WayRay that took Russian constructivism as the base. If you have those early Soviet posters in mind, you can see those brightly coloured geometric shapes of triangles and blocks. Coincidentally, the triangular form is reminiscent of a prism, like the Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” album cover,” explained Selipanov.
It is a light-ray aesthetic that comes with the triangularity and the prism-like effect, which is just perfectly appropriate for a car built to highlight holography. Beyond that, the strong triangular shapes and solid stance are nods to the Russian backgrounds of WayRay’s founder and the designer.
That triangular theme is integrated everywhere, from the 22-inch wheels to the laser headlights and taillights and even to the shrink-wrapped form of the roof itself. While the front doors of the futuristic car open conventionally with a slight upward angle, the rear doors contain an integrated B-pillar and open rearwards and upwards, providing easy access to all 3 seats.
The Shrimp
The boxy shape on the roof of the Holograktor has been nicknamed ‘The Shrimp’ (though why that name was chosen is not explained). The shape makes it clear that the car is very different from any other car on the road and houses the holographic system for the rear passenger.
‘The Shrimp’ in its current location is, in fact, inevitable, as packaging and ergonomics constraints have led the design team to place it on the roof. It needs to be there because it contains an enormous amount of high-end technology, and it has the ideal focal length for the rear-seat passenger.
Even with the holographic system needing less than 3 litres of volume instead of the 20+ litres required by conventional HUDs, it was decided to prioritize the ride-hailing capability over hiding the technology. There is no Shrimp for the front passengers, though, as the True AR technology sits within the dashboard, aiming up at the windscreen, where the Shrimp’s projections aim down from the roof.
With Project MAYBACH, Mercedes-Benz pays tribute to the late Virgil Abloh who passed away recently. Designed as a showcar to inspire the next generation, it is being revealed at the wishes of Abloh’s family.
The artist, architect, creative director, fashion designer and philanthropist, who was also artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, had collaborated with Gordon Wagener, design chief of Mercedes-Benz, for this design study. It interprets Mercedes-Maybach’s luxury identity with a new design language and pushed the boundaries of function, style, and collaborative creativity.
Inspired by the great outdoors and recontextualizing a traditionally urban brand within a distinctly off-road environment, the 2-seater, fully-electric off-road coupe combines huge Gran Turismo proportions (almost 6 metres long), large off-road wheels and distinctive attachments. Under the transparent surface of the showcar’s bonnet are solar cells that increase the imagined range of the Project MAYBACH.
Like Project Gelandewagen in 2020, Project MAYBACH is a design unlike anything that has been developed by Mercedes-Benz, with every element built from scratch. Key for both Abloh and Wagener was a responsible vision of future design. Complete creative freedom – unlimited by production requirements – enabled the design teams to conceptualize what the future of electric travel could look like.
The X-Factor nature of Project MAYBACH results not only from its imposing – almost 6 metres long – and characteristics, but also from its unique contrasts. ; most notably through how naturally authentic Mercedes-Maybach design elements are harmoniously combined with a new Outdoor Adventure design motif.
Project MAYBACH channels Abloh’s passion to challenge the status quo and re-write the rulebook of aspirational design. The power of his work is not only from the product design, but also the exploratory conversations that his work ignited. Whilst the showcar was inspired by how one could explore nature within a uniquely luxury context with Maybach, the Mercedes-Benz teams thank Virgil Abloh for the inspiration to explore every day the power of cross-industry dialogue to imagine a better, more inclusive future.
Project Gelandewagen, another car from Virgil Abloh, which was inspired by the G-Wagen.
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