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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With the public transport system yet to be efficient, reliable and appealing enough to attract more users, Malaysians remain car-dependent, resulting in one of the highest car ownership rates in Southeast Asia. A new survey conducted by the BMW Group in Southeast Asia reveals just how car-dependent Malaysian drivers are, with 85% of respondents indicating that they drive every one to three days – either commuting to and from the office (74%), run daily errands (65%), or travel on the weekends (36%).

Encouragingly, 8 out of 10 of Malaysian drivers also wish to see more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, with the hope of contributing to a more environmentally conscious world – not to mention save on fuel costs. Reduced carbon emissions (72%), cost savings from using electricity instead of petrol (49%) and a more premium experience (40%) are just some of the key benefits cited by drivers who see the merits of electrification of motor vehicles.

Nevertheless, misconceptions on EVs remain and, at this time, more than half of the Malaysian drivers surveyed say that they will still likely choose a petrol vehicle (59%) for their next purchase. Some common concerns raised were the electric range of EVs, the maintenance costs, as well as the difficulty in keeping their EVs charged. Specifically, 33% of respondents believe that EVs can only travel up to 100 kms before requiring a recharge; another 41% expect EVs to be more expensive to service or maintain over a period of 10 years; while 29% believe that charging EVs would be ‘difficult’.

Valid as they are for any prospective EV owner, these are the concerns of yesterday. As exemplified by BMW i’s pioneering progress in electrified mobility over the years, the technology surrounding EVs and the ecosystem developed to support them have come a long way. With the arrival of the latest BMW i fleet, as well as the expansion of the BMW i public charging network, Malaysians can be more confident switching to EVs.

“It is encouraging to see the level of awareness and excitement around sustainable mobility, and that Malaysian drivers see EVs as the gateway to a more premium driving experience. Being the pioneer of electrified mobility in Malaysia and having been in the field since 2015, we have observed how Malaysian drivers are receptive and even enthusiastic about transitioning to EVs but remain concerned about key issues surrounding it – all of which we have been actively working to alleviate,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

He added: “In addition to introducing the best that we have to offer with the latest fleet of vehicles from BMW i, we have also been proactively developing our infrastructure for charging the vehicles. With these initiatives, there is also an opportunity to change the perception of prospective EV owners in Malaysia on the significant advancements made and that an electric future for the passenger vehicle market in Malaysia is closer than they think. In the end, it is about helping Malaysians realise that they now have a greater Power of Choice to adopt a more sustainable way of mobility.”

The latest EVs from BMW i tackle many of the past and current concerns Malaysians have towards adopting EVs. According to the survey, a significant number of them (39%) have the perception that EVs can only travel up to 100 kms before needing to recharge. That’s an out-of-date number and with BMW i models, the maximum range can be as much as 425 kms. With the premise that most Malaysians travel up to 20 km daily at most, recharging would thus be only necessary roughly once every two to three weeks. That range would also make it possible to go from the Klang Valley to Johor Bahru too, without recharging.

Another perception is around the difficulty of charging EVs – with 29% of Malaysians surveyed believing that the process of charging an EV can prove troublesome. However, in many ways, charging a BMW i vehicle would not be disruptive, partly due to its sufficient electric range allowing for less frequent charging. Additionally, a BMW i Wallbox can be installed at home for overnight charging.

2022 BMW iX3 EV

The latest BMW i vehicles are also compatible with DC fast-charging, which BMW Group Malaysia has begun to deploy across its dealership network, public spaces and on the highways, in collaboration with its premium partners. Fast-charging shortens recharging time, so the wait is shorter.

On the misconception that EVs are more expensive to service and maintain – a view held by 41% of survey respondents – EVs actually cost less in this regard, due to having fewer components in the vehicle that require servicing. Components and elements, such as engine oil, sparkplugs and air filters, are absent in an EV.

Aside from this, the woes of battery replacements are also mitigated due to the modular nature of the lithium-ion battery packs at the heart of every electrified BMW. With multiple modules making up the battery pack, the cost of replacement is greatly reduced as owners need to replace only the faulty module, not the entire battery pack.

Further peace of mind is also ensured courtesy of substantial warranty programmes, such as the BMW 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service, and the BMW 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty. In fact, the survey revealed battery warranty as a motivation to adopt EVs for 39% of Malaysian drivers, while good aftersales support makes up 35%.

BMW iX Configurator

Another key motivator is the level of support Malaysians have from the government, as expressed by 45% of respondents. The Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) incentive in the Malaysian automotive policy has encouraged BMW to assemble plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models locally and this year, full duty exemption for EVs is a very welcome development that will narrow the gap in pricing between EVs and traditional vehicles.

“Increased support and confidence from key players in the industry will play a significant role in getting Malaysian drivers comfortable with making the switch over the next few years. As a market leader and pioneer in the Electric Vehicle space, we are committed to delivering innovation that will truly make a change in the Malaysian automotive landscape, while continuing to deliver Sheer Driving Pleasure,” Mr. de Visser said.

Europe has many fine roads and long straight highways that are a joy for drivers and motorcyclists. However, because there are many who don’t motor responsibly, speed limits have to be set and law enforcement authorities constantly upgrade their speed detection and recording devices with new technologies to not only be more effective but also to defeat methods to fool the devices.

Motorists in many countries (even in Malaysia) have long used the tactic of decelerating quickly when approaching a spot known to have a speed trap so that the vehicle will pass by within the speed limit. They may have been going well above the limit but at that point, they become ‘obedient’… and then accelerate off after they pass. This naturally frustrates the cops and to detect this trick, police in Spain and Ireland have come up with devices that can determine the average speed of a vehicle along a specific stretch of highway and also detect sudden braking before the camera.

According to Simon Hancocks at VisorDown, who often attends media rides in Spain, there are different types of fixed and mobile speed cameras, and drones have even been spotted monitoring the mountain roads. Locals and regular riders are aware of many of the locations and will decelerate quickly or brake as they come within range of the cameras.

However, VisorDown has now learnt of a new type of speed camera being tested in some parts of Spain that is able to detect a vehicle suddenly slowing down before it reaches the camera. The system has 2 cameras set a short distance apart and are also used for average speed recording (between 2 designated points). The technology can detect sudden deceleration like braking, and it is believed that it can also catch those who speed up again!

The use of these new devices is part of the effort by the Spanish traffic authorities to cut the accident and death rate on their highways. But Hancock predicts that in time, people will learn to decelerate earlier – out of sight of the cameras – and not get caught. That’s what many do when approaching the AES cameras on our highways which also point in both directions.

Average speed cameras have been in use for many years now in Europe as well as Australia. They were developed when the authorities realized that motorists could be speeding well above the limits along stretches where there were no cameras, slowing down only when they came to a detection spot. Thus, by being able to determine the vehicle’s average speed, it would be possible to know if the driver had gone too fast.

Like the old VASCAR system which required a policeman to visually clock a vehicle passing between two pre-determined points and then getting a calculation by a computer in the car (this was in the 1970s), the average speed camera system works by measuring the amount of time it takes a vehicle to travel between two points and then calculates the average speed. If the average speed is above the speed limit, an offence is deemed to be committed. In NSW, Australia, the basis of the offence being detected is that the average speed being higher than the limit ‘demonstrate a continued intention to speed’.

The two cameras required by the system capture images of vehicles and have Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) capability. They also have infrared illumination to work even at night. Some systems are able to not only determine average speed but also approach speed and departure speed; if all three are above limits, there could be three different fines!

In a perfect world, there would be no need for such devices and no need for speed limits. Motorists would be responsible and sensible enough to drive within their own limits as well as at speeds that are safe for the conditions. However, because there are too many who are not responsible – which is why accident statistics are high – speed limits and other measures have to be taken to prevent loss of lives. So do your part and drive responsibly to help bring the numbers down.

The Maserati Grecale has finally been unveiled after a delay of about three months due to the global chip shortage. As the second SUV in the carmaker’s range, it is positioned below the Levante and take on rivals like the BMW X3 and Porsche Macan.

With an overall length of 4846 mm and width of 2163 mm, the shares the Giorgio platform with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, though this is an updated platform with the additional capability of accommodating a 400V electric powertrain as well. At launch, there will be three engine choices available – two 4-cylinder 48V mild hybrids (300 bhp/330 bhp) and the powerful Nettuno V6 which produces 530 bhp for the Trofeo version.

2022 Maserati Grecale

2022 Maserati Grecale

Like the Levante, the performance of the all-wheel drive Grecale’s can be optimised with drive modes. In fact, while the Levante has 4 modes, the Grecale has one more (for the Trofeo version) besides the Comfort, GT, Sport and Off-Road modes. To complement the drive modes is the Maserati Vehicle Dynamic Control Module system which gives full control of driving dynamics and comfort levels.

Fully electric Grecale Folgore will only be launched in 2023.

Details of the electrified version, Maserati’s first BEV (battery electric vehicle) SUV are not available yet as the model will only be introduced in 2023. For now, it is known that it will have 400V technology for its powertrain. It will be part of the Folgore range, the name referring to the company’s strategy to have a completely electric product range by 2030.

The Grecale’s design uses elements from the MC20 sportscar, with a more ‘vertical’ design language more appropriate for the SUV form that is 1670 mm tall. The body has meandering, visual forms and its technical components are highlighted by the use of carbonfibre. In the rear, the boomerang taillights are inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 GT and fit in with the trapezoidal line, made even more striking by the coupe effect of the profile.

2022 Maserati Grecale

2022 Maserati Grecale

2022 Maserati Grecale

The cabin, riding on a wheelbase of 2901 mm, has 2 rows of seating for 5 persons. Like many of the latest cars, the displays are greatly digitised, certainly more than any Maserati before. Everything is touch-based, giving clean aesthetics and even the traditional Maserati clockface has gone digital for the first time,

2022 Maserati Grecale

2022 Maserati Grecale

2022 Maserati Grecale

2022 Maserati Grecale

The dashboard has a large 12.3-inch display (the largest ever on a Maserati) with a classic cluster for the driver, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen running on Android Automotive software, which gives digital assistant services. There’s a second display for rear passengers as well to have more personalised control of the infotainment system.

2022 Maserati Grecale

For those who expect a luxury model to have superlative audio quality, Maserati has worked with Italian specialist Sonus Faber to provide an immersive 3D sound system. The Sonus faber system comes with a high-frequency amplifier and 14 or 21 speakers with specific functionalities that illustrates Sonus faber’s natural sound thorough the use of natural materials.

Production will start in mid-2022 with first deliveries commencing during the second half of the year. Official pricing has not been revealed although the entry-level Grecale GT is rumoured to start from around £50,000 (about RM280,000) in the UK.

2022 Maserati Grecale

Data for BMW and MINI is only provided by BMW Group Malaysia every three months. Data for Kia, Peugeot and Volkswagen not available at this time. Data for Mercedes-Benz is not available as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia does not wish to reveal their sales data. Source: Malaysian Automotive Association.

You’ve been owning a Ford Ranger for some time, or you’re a new owner who’s just joined the world of trucking… do you want to enjoy your truck to the fullest and do more with it than just being able to carry more durians home? Many truck owners may not be fully aware of  the potential and features of their vehicle which has been built tough and very capable.

For such owners, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford (SDAC-Ford) has a special program called ‘Ford Ranger Getaways‘ where Ranger owners can enjoy the outdoor lifestyle trucks permit, and also learn more about using their vehicle in off-road conditions.

Designed for Ranger/Ranger Raptor owners
There are various packages during the year and coming up on March 26 is a 1-day guided session with trained driving instructors covering tarmac and off-road driving scenarios. Held in the district of Sepang in Selangor, it is designed for Ranger and Ranger Raptor owners.

During the session, they will learn valuable tips and tricks on seating and steering methods. They will also have hands-on experience navigating around an autocross course on tarmac, a 4×4 off-road course and a ‘Baja course’ that will showcase the true prowess of the Ranger Raptor, Ford’s performance truck. And to show the high performance of the Ranger Raptor, the participants will be taken around the Baja course with the instructors at high speed. Baja is a region in Southern California where desert races have been held for a long time.

Ranger owners will go through the same modules as the Ranger Raptor experience except for a dirt cornering and drifting course in place of the Baja course and a drifting hot lap with the instructors. Training on both days will begin at 8:30 am from the Sepang International Circuit. A Certificate of Completion will be presented to all participants at the end of the day.

50% discount + 1 companion
Owners can enjoy 50% discount on this Sepang training experience, and each participant can also bring along a companion for free. Interested owners are encouraged to sign up quickly for this one-of-a-kind experience as only limited slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Thanks to its renowned strength, engineering capabilities, smart technologies and increasingly luxurious cabin and passenger vehicle features, customers are choosing a Ranger not just for work, but also for play and family. With our new brand experiential programme ‘Ford Ranger Getaways’, we aim to provide a platform for owners to uncover the full potential and versatility of their Rangers through a series of handpicked local adventures,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

Ford Ranger Getaways
‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ is the latest offering under the new ‘Live the Ranger Life’ brand positioning that encapsulates the values and persona of the Ranger. The Ford truck, introduced in the late 1990s, changed public perception of trucks and introduced a new lifestyle for Malaysians to enjoy.

Open to all Ranger and Ranger Raptor customers, ‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ covers a multitude of interest categories to cater to Malaysians from all walks of life who want short local adventures, be it on their own, with friends and family or for those who simply want to meet like-minded individuals.

Each getaway has been thoughtfully curated to reflect the diversity of the Ranger lifestyle – from fun city outings and outdoor or off-road excursions to foodie trails and even flying a plane over KLCC.

To book a slot or find out more, visit  shop.sdacford.com.my/getaways. To know more about the Ranger range, visit www.sdac-ford.com.my.

For those who do not like the bother of having to park their cars in a carpark, hotels usually have valets to do the job. But valets may no longer have to do it either as cars will be able to park themselves after the owner has exited. Perhaps the first cars to be able to do so will be from Mercedes-Benz which has developed and begun to demonstrate the capability.

Working with a technology supplier, the German carmaker has developed automated valet parking technology which it calls INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT. The technology is available in the EQS BEV sedan as well as the latest S-Class sold in European markets. In order to enable the car to drive and park itself, it also requires an intelligent infrastructure installed in the parking area.

Mercedes EQ Intelligant Park Pilot

Sensors installed at the building communicate with the car and guide its manoeuvring through the parking area. This will allow the car to operate in highly automated mode and without a driver, and has the possibility of additional capabilities such as automated EV charging, car wash and vehicle servicing or maintenance where vehicles move in and out of service areas on their own

The automated parking process makes use of a smartphone app and the driver has to first position the car in a designated drop-off area. When activated, the sensor system in the carpark checks whether a suitable space is available or was already reserved for the vehicle. If so, the Automated Valet Parking infrastructure confirms the hand-over of the vehicle for the driver in the app, and the car will depart on its own. It will then be guided with the help of the infrastructure to the designated space.

Mercedes EQ Intelligant Park Pilot

Mercedes EQ Intelligant Park Pilot

When the driver requires the car, a request can be sent with the app and the car will be guided to the pick-up area. This will certainly be convenient for owners as it will be unnecessary to walk around the carpark and, for those who may be forgetful, waste time searching for the place where they parked it.

Automated parking technology, which could one day be as common as cruise control, benefits drivers by easing the burden of the parking experience. It may even be possible for carpark operators to cram more cars onto a floor as the spaces can be narrower since there is no need to allow wide gaps for doors to be opened.

Mercedes EQ Intelligant Park Pilot

“Low-speed manoeuvres are part of the holistic opportunity for automated technology,” said Dr. Kay Stepper, Senior Vice-President of automated driving and driver assistance for Bosch in North America. “Automated technology in the specific use case automated valet parking gets consumers comfortable with how automated technology works and how it can benefit them.”

Engineering teams have been working over the past few years to further develop automated valet parking and support specific testing and deployments around the world. The technology was recently demonstrated at a hotel in Los Angeles, California.

“The demonstration at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown showcases how automated valet parking will operate in a working hotel environment where both automated and non-automated vehicles operate alongside pedestrian traffic,” said Dr. Stepper. “This allows us to dive into the dynamics of local deployments with the use of a highly-connected EQS from Mercedes-EQ to demonstrate how automated technology continues to move forward.”

“Our vision is that getting time back is a key component of the luxury experience our customers are looking for. The EQS gives you time back by driving itself in traffic jams on highways, but with INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT, it may also be able to park itself,” added Dr. Philipp Skogstad, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. “INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT is a feature that together with the required infrastructure enables an automated valet service that gives customers even more comfort and relief in everyday life.”

Mercedes EQ Intelligant Park Pilot

Ipoh in the Kinta Valley of Perak was where the first cars in Malaya were imported to and records show that the first owner was Eu Tong Seng, a wealthy businessman who brought in a Mercedes Simplex in 1902. He must have been very interested in the new ‘horseless carriages’ as the Simplex was launched in that same year by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft.

Four years later, in 1906, a company opened up its first branch in Ipoh and this company would become associated with Mercedes-Benz to this day. It was Cycle & Carriage (C&C) and although it was not representing Mercedes-Benz then, it would become one of the first distributors of the German brand in Asia when it was appointed in 1951.

The latest Mercedes-Benz S 580e at the C&C Autohaus in Ipoh. 120 years ago, in 1902, the first car in Ipoh (and Malaya) was also a Mercedes – the Simplex (below).

Ipoh is therefore a special place in C&C’s long history and although that first branch was along Brewster Road (today known as Jalan Sultan Idris Shah), the company’s branch dealing in Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles is now located at Jalan Kuala Kangsar. This is where the company has its fourth Autohaus incorporating the latest Mercedes-Benz Brand Presence. The newly upgraded Autohaus, which was recently officially opened, is part of the Mercedes-Benz network for the Northern region.

Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence
The Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence is a retail strategy which highlights the integration of digital elements into the physical world, with the aim of delivering customer-centric automotive retail experiences for modern-day shoppers. This seamless journey for the customer caters to the multi-channel shopper while addressing the increasing technological complexity of products that  customers are interested in.

Cycle & Carriage Autohaus Ipoh 2022

“As the leading dealership for Mercedes-Benz in Malaysia, Cycle & Carriage is committed to providing our customers exceptional journeys and best-in-class services whether it is during their purchase experience or ownership journey. Today, we are proud to showcase the upgraded Cycle & Carriage Ipoh Autohaus, a key location in our network coverage from north to south of Peninsula Malaysia,” said Thomas Tok, CEO of Cycle & Carriage.

“We want to give Mercedes-Benz customers the assurance that they can access our best services here in Ipoh. We believe that the new retail concept responds to the individual needs of today’s discerning customers, making our products even more accessible to anyone who wants to dive deeper into the world of Mercedes-Benz,” he added.

Cycle & Carriage Autohaus Ipoh 2022

Immersive experience for customers
The modern design of the upgraded Cycle & Carriage Ipoh Autohaus is set against a backdrop of the picturesque limestone cliffs of the city. The facility covers a land area of over 56,000 square feet with ample space for visitors to park their cars. The showroom has been specially designed with ample open space and custom daylight-emitting spotlights to show off the true colours of each model on display. All vehicles are intentionally arranged in the shape of an arc to maximise the visibility of the range available.

Visitors can also immerse themselves in a journey featuring the latest in multimedia tools to gain a thorough understanding of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and their technologies. With the addition of new digital touchpoints, customers can discover the brand while gaining access to the service team for a complete experience of luxury that integrates both the digital and human touch.

Cycle & Carriage Autohaus Ipoh 2022

For individual consultations, there are various seating locations arranged in open, semi-private or private areas for discussions. This includes the Star Lounge, which has a cafe to offer a more refined touch to many services available.

For those who have made a purchase and are taking delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz, there is a special room for the purpose. C&C makes sure that it is treated as a special occasion for the customer to remember and to start or extend the relationship with the company and the brand.

Fully equipped service centre
For aftersales services, the Autohaus has a service centre with trained personnel and is fully equipped with equipment for maintenance, repair, painting and even car detailing services. With 31 service and repair bays (11 of which are for body and paint jobs), the service centre is one of the largest of its type in the area. The health and comfort of the staff are not forgotten as there are high ceilings and large fans for a naturally airy space.

Cycle & Carriage Autohaus Ipoh 2022

Designed with sustainability in mind
The Autohaus is designed with sustainability in mind and is the second C&C Autohaus (after the one in Johor Bahru) to install solar panels that can provide up to 72 kWp of electricity from sunshine. In addition to this free and environment-friendly source of electricity, there are also rainwater-harvesting systems to supply water for general use around the facility.

To know more about Mercedes-Benz products and services or to locate an authorised showroom, visit www.mercedes-benz.com.my.

‘Electrification’ is the probably the most heavily-used word in the auto industry today. Increasingly stringent emission regulations as well as commitments to become carbon-neutral to address climate change have forced carmakers to accelerate development and production of electric vehicles. Ford is even creating a specific business unit just for electric vehicles. The aim is to fully electrify their product lines by the end of the decade and for some, sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines will cease.

In tandem with this trend, there is also a growing industry where old models are being ‘electrified’. Classic models are having ‘heart transplants’ with their original engines being replaced by electric powertrains. It’s a slowly growing industry which will help preserve classic models of special value and allow them to be driven even in the new era of electrification.

We’ve already written about companies like Everrati and Lunaz carrying out such conversions and another British company called Charge Cars is also getting into the business. The company has an experienced engineering team with members who have contributed to various projects for McLaren Automotive, Jaguar Land Rover and F1 racing teams.

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

The original Ford Mustang in 1967.

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

The company has announced its latest ‘restomod’ project to build EVs which is a 499-unit production run of the iconic 1960s Ford Mustang. While some other companies require an existing body and chassis to convert, Charge Cars takes an officially licensed body with the design of the legendary Mustang. The bodyshell (in the fastback style of 1967) is made of composite material but has the necessary engineering to ensure that it is safe and can meet safety requirements for road use.

It’s something like what ACE (a subsidiary of EON) used to do with the TD2000, a model which had the looks of a 1950s MG sportscar but a modern powertrain and chassis. The powertrain was not electric and was a 2-litre petrol engine sourced from Toyota similar to that found in the early RAV4.

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

So Charge Car basically builds a new Mustang with the 1960s design and fits an electric powertrain into it. It gets two electric motors which presumably are installed at the front and rear as all-wheel drive is mentioned, something which the Mustang has never had. The total system output is 500 kW (equivalent to 680 ps) and up to 1,500 Nm, so it should easily get from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) within the claimed 3.9 seconds. The battery pack, which can be fast-charged, has a capacity of 64 kWh which is said to be good for up to 320 kms.

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

Charge Car will personalize the 2-person interior to customers’ requirements and there are various options and accessories to choose from. While the original Mustang had classic meters, the Mustang EV has digital instruments and a tablet-like centre panel which looks like the same idea as in the latest Mustang Mach-E e-SUV.

Each unit, which would be handbuilt, will cost upwards of £350,000 (about RM1.94 million) ex-factory. Orders are now being taken and the first customers will get their cars by the end of this year or early in 2023.

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

2022 Charge Car Ford Mustang EV

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