The War on COVID-19 involves everyone – in fact, it is a global fight – and many companies are helping in various ways. Those with resources like factories have used their manufacturing facilities to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) instead of their usual products. Carmakers, with lots of cars available, have also provided vehicles for use by healthcare personnel to get around and do their important work.
Recently, Perodua provided an Aruz and a Bezza to the Pusat Kuarantin dan Rawatan COVID-19 Berisiko Rendah 2.0 (PKRC) at MAEPS, Serdang in Selangor. The facility is presently used as a quarantine centre for those infected with COVID-19. The cars were provided through Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Malaysia (NADMA) which is responsible for emergency management. They will be used to transport essential items sent by families or friends of those who are in quarantine.
Together with the cars, RM300 per month of petrol vouchers have been provided and the Malaysian carmaker also contributed 5 laptops for NADMA’s use.
Various other forms of support
This support follows many other contributions made to key public institutions nationwide, especially the frontliners. The contributions have been in cash and supplies to help in fighting the pandemic. For example, last month, Perodua contributed an additional RM80,000 worth of medical supplies to Hospital Sungai Buloh, a key medical facility that handles a large number of COVID-19 cases.
Perodua has also supplied face shields, manufactured by an associate company, to various organisations in Malaysia over the past year. The recipients have been schools, clinics, local government offices and councils, and even hawkers at markets in Perodua’s surrounding community.
Perodua was among the companies that made a contribution to the NADMA COVID-19 Fund as the pandemic began in 2020.
East Malaysia not forgotten
While a large proportion of Perodua’s sales are in Peninsular Malaysia, the carmaker does not also forget that the East Malaysian markets have also contribute to its ascent to being the No. 1 brand in the country. And like a good corporate citizen, the company has been giving back to the local community there.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities last year, it provided the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital with a portable flexible videoscope set, while 250 underprivileged paediatric patients received contributions ranging from school supplies to prescription glasses. These contributions were a follow-up from an earlier initiative in 2018 which saw the contribution of two laryngoscope blade sets and 40 bed pillows, and toys for some 250 child patients.
Aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2039, in line with the Reimagine strategy announced last month, Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) aim includes zero tailpipe emissions from its vehicles by 2036. This means that internal combustion engines will no longer be used. Electrical power is the most viable solution for future powertrains as they will have zero emissions, and JLR is developing various prototypes.
Fuel cells, spin-offs from the space program, are being considered by a number of manufacturers, some of whom already have commercialised fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). JLR is also looking to use a hydrogen fuel cell and is developing a prototype FCEV based on the latest Land Rover Defender.
Advantages of hydrogen FCEV
FCEVs, which generate electricity from hydrogen to power an electric motor, are complimentary to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the journey to net zero vehicle emissions. Hydrogen-powered FCEVs provide high energy density and rapid refuelling, and minimal loss of range in low temperatures, making the technology ideal for larger, longer-range vehicles, or those operated in hot or cold environments.
Since 2018, the global number of FCEVs on the road has nearly doubled while hydrogen refuelling stations have increased by more than 20%. By 2030, forecasts predict hydrogen-powered FCEV deployment could top 10 million with 10,000 refuelling stations worldwide.
JLR’s advanced engineering project, known as Project Zeus, is partly funded by the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre, and will allow engineers to understand how a hydrogen powertrain can be optimised to deliver the performance and capability expected by its customers: from range to refuelling, and towing to off-road ability.
The Defender’s platform, which can accommodate combustion engines as well as hybrid powertrains, is also being used for the development of a fuel cell electric vehicle.
The project also has other partners involved such as Delta Motorsport, AVL, Marelli Automotive Systems and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) to research, develop and create the prototype FCEV with testing scheduled to begin this year. The testing, in the UK, will verify key attributes such as off-road capability and fuel consumption.
“We know hydrogen has a role to play in the future powertrain mix across the whole transport industry, and alongside battery electric vehicles, it offers another zero tailpipe emission solution for the specific capabilities and requirements of Jaguar Land Rover’s world class line-up of vehicles. The work done alongside our partners in Project Zeus will help us on our journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039, as we prepare for the next generation of zero tailpipe emissions vehicles,” said Ralph Clague, Head of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Jaguar Land Rover.
A Land Rover factory in the UK.
Producton facilities are carbon neutral
JLR was the first UK automotive manufacturer to have met the internationally recognised PAS 2060 standard for carbon neutrality across its vehicle manufacturing assembly operations and product development sites. In January last year, its facilities completed a second consecutive year being certified as carbon-neutral by the Carbon Trust. Together, these sites represent 77% of JLR’S global vehicle production.
The Carbon Trust re-certification is part of the carmaker’s journey to ‘Destination Zero’, after it was originally achieved two years ahead of a commitment to operate carbon-neutral UK manufacturing by 2020.
With its digital unveiling of the Chiron Super Sport recently, Bugatti continues its development of elegant, comfortable, and ultra high-performance hyper sportscars. The new member of the Chiron family is the essence of what the engineers have learned and developed in recent years to create the ultimate Grand Tourer.
The Chiron Super Sport embodies a part of Bugatti’s broad spectrum of performance – a counterpart to the Chiron Pur Sport, which was made for cornering and lateral agility. It has been designed for speed, adopting a new vehicle design with optimized aerodynamics for the streamlined bodywork. From the front splitter to the rear diffuser, every centimetre of its skin is designed for top speed.
Superlative aerodynamic performance
At speeds over 420 km/h, a vehicle must offer sufficient downforce alongside minimal drag. “Our aim was to give the vehicle a neutral set-up at its top speed while also giving it as streamlined a shape as possible.” explained Frank Heyl, Deputy Design Director at Bugatti. “The uplift forces exerted on the bodywork at 440 km/h are immense. The body of the Chiron Super Sport generates massive downforce to counter this uplift and perfectly balance the forces.”
“The design process was therefore in particular about achieving aerodynamic efficiency,” Heyl continued. “The Chiron Super Sport’s extended rear, which is known as a long tail, gives it new proportions and very distinctive aesthetics.”
For aerodynamic performance, the rear has grown by approximately 25 cm to hold the laminar flow to the bodywork for as long as possible. Bugatti designers also enlarged the diffuser cross-section, pushing the diffuser’s trailing edge higher and thereby reducing the rear’s trailing surface by 44%. As a result, the slipstream and wind resistance generated are significantly reduced – factors which otherwise decelerate the vehicle.
Even from afar, the Chiron Super Sport is unmistakable due to its repositioned tailpipe configuration. To boost the effect of the diffuser and give it more space, Bugatti has shifted the otherwise central exhaust system to the side, with the pipes aligned vertically.
The 9 exhaust air holes on each fender are more than just a nod to the EB 110 Super Sport – they also serve to release the air pressure from the front wheel wells, thereby generating streamlined downforce at the front axle. Additional outlets behind the front wheel arches likewise help to balance out the aerodynamic loads.
For even greater exclusivity, new aluminium wheels in a 5Y-spoke design are available only for the Chiron Super Sport. These new Super Sport wheels are also available in a diamond-cut option. The Chiron Pur Sport’s iconic magnesium wheels, which further reduce the weight of the unsprung mass, are also available as an option.
Greater performance, higher revs
Bugatti thoroughly overhauled the 8.0-litre W16 engine for the Chiron Super Sport, boosting its performance by 100 ps to 1,600 ps. Maximum torque of 1,500 Nm is accessible from between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm, rather than up to 6,000 rpm. The extra engine speed (300 rpm) allows for even greater longitudinal acceleration and an even more emotive driving experience. The overall weight is also lowered by 23 kgs.
With the improved performance created by larger turbochargers with more efficient compressor wheels, the 7-gear dual-clutch transmission at full load and full speed transitions from sixth to seventh gear at 403 km/h. The claimed 0 to 200 km/h is 5.8 seconds and to 300 km/h is 12.1 seconds.
Chassis set-up for top speed
The new chassis has been developed specifically for the Chiron Super Sport’s high speeds and new aerodynamics. The steering systems and dampers create a firmer and more rigid connection to the vehicle from the driving feel, resulting in tighter steering for smoother steering movements. Harder springs stabilize the entire vehicle at top speed, and the engineers additionally also retuned the electronically controlled chassis.
Tyres with 500 km/h speed capability
Newly developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres which have been optimized for top speed offer greater rigidity and smoothness than grip-optimized tyres fitted to the Chiron Pur Sport. What’s more, it is said that these are the only tyres that can consistently be used at up to 500 km/h. This is made possible by reinforced belts that can cope with immense forces – verified on the test bench originally built for the Space Shuttle.
Bugatti will soon begin with the manufacture of the Chiron Super Sport, with only 9 units planned for sale. Delivery of the hyper sportscars, each priced from 3.2 million euros (almost RM16 million) will start in early 2022.
Even after you recover from COVID-19 infection, your quality of life may be affected and you may suffer for a long period after that. Avoid being infected by taking the necessary measures to protect yourself as well as others – and get vaccinated.
While systems like Proton’s GKUI, Ford’s SYNC and the Mercedes-Benz MBUX can intelligently communicate with you and help you with your motoring nowadays, cars have been ‘speaking’ to drivers for a long time. This has been in the form of clicks, beeps, bells or buzzers, with the earliest sound was probably the clicking of the signal lights.
As time went on, other warning sounds were added. For example, if a passenger does not put the seatbelt on, a sound of some sort will provide a reminder. Or when the fuel level gets too low, there will be a warning so the driver will start looking for a petrol station. Japanese cars, from the 1970s, even had a chime that would sound when the speed passed 100 km/h.
In most cars, there is a seatbelt warning light on the instrument panel and usually a sound to remind the occupants that their seatbelt is not on when the vehicle starts moving.
Higher quality warning and reminder sounds
The familiarity of the sounds can be important so that virtually any driver will recognise their meaning. At the same time, they need to be ‘right’ so that the driver will respond in the correct way. While most companies use generic sounds, Nissan has teamed up with experts at the Bandai Namco Group to develop in-car sounds for the latest and future Nissan models such as the Rogue, Pathfinder, Note and Qashqai.
The Bandai Namco Group is the entertainment company that developed videogame classics like Pac-Man and Tekken, and also the Gundam sci-fi military hobby items. Their expertise was called upon to help create a higher quality sound that uses pitch, tempo and tone to get information across. Ultimately, Nissan wants the ‘voice’ of its vehicles to have more personality and character.
Nissan is working with Bandai Namco, the creators of the Gundam characters and toys (and earlier, Pac-Man), to develop better sounds for use in future car models.
“We wanted to make it easier to understand the information in the car and provide an emotional tone so that people feel the Nissan brand,” said Hiroyuki Suzuki, Nissan’s lead engineer for in-car information sound design. “In game development, Bandai Namco’s sound creators develop sounds that simulate players’ intuitive understanding. We collaborated to create sounds that can help drivers have a similar intuitive understanding, in addition to creating sounds that will become synonymous with Nissan’s global models.”
Developing informational sounds
There is psychology involved in the design of informational sounds. And who knows better than the sound designers of videogames? “There are two types of sound in a game: one creates the world view of the story and express how it develops; the other is functional and absolutely vital for playing the game because they give you feedback or warn you of danger,” said Minamo Takahashi, the sound director at Bandai Namco Research Inc.
Latest Nissan Qashqai
Distinctly Nissan and functional
He notes that similar to gaming sounds, vehicle cabin alerts must convey important information without distracting the driver. But despite how realistic videogames have become, Takahashi said there is still a big difference to making sounds that work in the real world. Working with the Nissan team, he developed sounds that are both distinctly Nissan and functional.
“It was a very intense process,” he revealed. “We stayed for days in the studio, had various discussions and went through trial-and-error with Nissan people from the sound engineering, product planning, design, and testing divisions to find out what kind of sound is suitable for the Nissan brand.”
Once the tones were created in line with the brand’s image, the next step was to create variations of the tones according to the urgency and seriousness of the information being conveyed to the driver. As Nissan’s ergonomics test engineer Miwa Nakamura explains: “Research has shown that urgency depends on the frequency of the sound, and that severity depends on the frequency itself. In order to intuitively understand what types of sounds are used, each sound is divided into functional groups and differentiated by tone.”
Besides creating a new signature sound, Nissan engineers also had to consider the devices being used to emit cabin alerts. When they realized that the monotone devices commonly used would not emit the more layered tones that Bandai helped produce, they had to find a solution.
“There is a limit to the expressiveness of those devices, so we developed a new speaker,” said Hato Hiroshi, a Nissan expert of vehicle system design. A new high-quality speaker fits under the dashboard close to the driver and is optimized for the new information soundscape in Nissan cars, making the important warning sounds distinctive from the sound from the audio speakers.
Through the partnership, Nissan engineers were able to get a new perspective from sound creators who make videogames. Meanwhile, the gaming experts enjoyed a new application of sound design.
“When I got in a car and listened to the sound coming out, I felt the same way I felt when first playing a game I worked on,” said Bandai Namco’s Takahashi. “Even if the industry is different, that sense of accomplishment when you reach your goal is the same.”
Throughout the history of the automobile, there have been many iconic models with designs that even today remain special. The Jaguar E-Type is one of them and various companies have restored original units for collectors, if not themselves. There are also companies which build reinterpretations of the famous Jaguar sportscar.
Limited production of a legend
Building the Legend Limited in England is one of them and engineer Neville Swales, its owner, has completed the very first example of the V12-powered Jaguar E-type homage. Beginning in the E-type’s 60th anniversary year – and 50 years since the V12 Series III E-type was introduced – only 24 of these cars will be built. Working with one of the UK’s foremost coachbuilders, each one will be a unique rebody and reinterpretation of Jaguar’s Series III V12 E-type in coupe, roadster or ‘low drag’ racing car form.
Although the first 4 cars in the series are already booked, a total of 6 cars will be delivered each year over the next 4 years. Each one will be hand-crafted to high production standards with advanced modern technology and bespoke interiors, replicating the purity and elegance of the early E-types which enthusiasts feel was lost as the series evolved over the years.
The Jaguar built for Le Mans but never raced
From small beginnings in his workshops in Coventry, Swales creates meticulously engineered and beautiful sports cars. His first were inspired by Jaguar’s 1966 XJ13 prototype – a car originally designed to take on the might of Ford and Ferrari at Le Mans, although the single original example built by Jaguar never got to do that.
The recreated Jaguar XJ13 prototype that was built in 1966 for Le Mans but never raced.
Assisted by surviving members of the original team who created this masterpiece in 1966, Swales’ first recreation of the XJ13 was a finalist in the 2016 International Historic Motoring Awards, where it stood fender to fender against icons such as the 1966 Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 and the 1956 Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-type.
It has since been joined by a very limited number of cars for customers built to the same exacting standard and, aiming to push the boundaries of automotive restoration even further, his journey continues with cars powered by his own unique interpretation of Jaguar’s legendary quad-cam V12 ‘XJ13’ engine – the tera V12.
The tera V12 engine
Also taking inspiration from period offerings from Ferrari, Matra and Lamborghini, the tera V12 is the type of power unit that could have been heard howling down the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans in 1966 and beyond. It was an engine that should have powered Jaguar’s range of sportscars and saloons – if circumstances had allowed.
‘Future-proofed’ V12 engine
Capable of running on the new generation of carbon-neutral ‘green’ fuels, the tera V12 is a beautifully sculptural engine that will be heard for many years into the future, as the world responds to its environmental challenges. Swales’ mission with his latest car is to celebrate the purity of the iconic Series 1 E-type design, combined with the tera V12 engine which is available in 6.1-litre or 6.8-litre form.
All cars are built to the exact specification requested by the owner. Personalisation of a very high degree is possible with a vast range of options, plus bodystyles and detailed finish limited only by their imagination.
The bestselling van in history, with over 12 million units sold worldwide, is the Volkswagen Transporter. While the earliest version which began in 1950 was on a Beetle platform, the model later gained its own ‘T platform’ from the 1990s for a variety of versions including minibuses, pick-ups and campervans.
From T platform to MQB platform
The current generation is the T6 Transporter with its people-mover variant known as the Caravelle. With the new T7 generation, the Transporter will leave the T platform behind in what will be the creation of a new model line named Multivan, while the current T6 is likely to continue as a commercial van for some time.
A trio of vans
The new Multivan (1941 mm wide, 4973 mm long) will ride on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform which should give it more versatility. It will be a less commercially-oriented product and is likely to become a significant MPV model range as well. In fact, Volkswagen has already indicated that the Multivan will be one of three members of a multi-purpose vehicle line-up that will include the T6 Transporter and all-electric ID. Buzz.
The exterior looks of the Multivan adopt the latest design language seen on the new Golf and Polo, and also pays homage to its predecessors, dating back to the 1985 Transporter T3. The front air intakes, painted in the same colour as the vehicle, have been reduced, paying tribute to the heritage of the rear air-cooled engines of the first three generations.
The colour scheme in the press photos goes with the cubic theme of the design which has clean surfaces and large glass panels all round. Also available is a panoramic glass roof with LowE laminated safety glass to reduce incoming thermal radiation by 44%.
PHEV for the first time
Volkswagen has a large number of markets and so its powertrain choices for the Multivan will need to take into consideration the less developed countries which will still want combustion engines. At the same time, for the markets where electrification is moving forward, there is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)variant – the first time in this Volkswagen segment.
The Multivan PHEV will have a 1.4-litre TSI 150 ps petrol engine and an electric motor powered by a 13 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The total system output is 218 ps with instantaneous torque which will provide brisk performance. Volkswagen does not give any numbers yet other that that, with a 6-speed DSG transmission, ‘short, urban trips’ are possible on pure electric power.
The combustion engine powertrains that will be available will be two 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines – 136 ps 1.5 TSI and 204 ps 2.0 TSI – and a 150 ps 4-cylinder turbodiesel. All the engines will deliver their power through a 7-speed DSG to the front wheels.
Semi-autonomous capability
The Multivan will have a lot of new and advanced tech, with more than 34 driver assist systems. Besides the ones that provide autonomous braking, lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, there is also IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist which allows semi-autonomous driving by combining the predictive Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to make long-distance journeys safer and easier. It can be used up to 210 km/h.
Other new systems include Car2X – allowing local communication with other vehicles and the highways infrastructure in order to provide warnings of any danger ahead.
More flexible and spacious within
Inside, the new Volkswagen Multivan is more flexible and spacious than ever, with a new modular, lightweight seating system and innovative table. Seating layouts can be for 2 to 7 persons with removable seats and swivelling features.
The innovative multi-function table has been designed specially for the Multivan. Using the central track, it can be moved between any of the seating rows and also used as a centre console between the front seats. The table, which is completely removable, has adjustable height, three cupholders, and a storage bin.
The maximum cargo capacity with all rear seats removed is up to 4053 litres (depending on variant) with the longer 5173 mm version.
The new Multivan will go on sale later this year and while there will be a righthand drive version, it is hard to say whether it will be imported to Malaysia. The last time the model was sold (as the Caravelle) was in the 1990s when a small volume was assembled locally by Auto Dunia, which was then handling the Volkswagen brand.
Fuel cell technology for use in cars is still something in its infancy and only a few manufacturers have started to offer them commercially and even then, in limited numbers and markets. The Toyota Mirai is one of the fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) already in production, its first generation having been launched in 2014.
The second generation of the Mirai went on sale late last year and is currently available in Japan, North America and some European markets. As would be expected, has more advanced fuel cell technology that improves performance in many areas.
The compact, high-output Fuel Cell stack has smaller and lighter parts, and it has been specially designed for use with the TNGA GA-L platform. The FC stack sets a new record for specific power density at 5.4 kW/litre as maximum power has risen from 114 kW to 128 kW.
More fuel capacity
The new Mirai also has increased fuel capacity (approximately 20%) which extends range. Hydrogen can be pumped in much faster than the fastest recharging time for an electric vehicle which can be up to 25 minutes. Its refuelling time is less than 5 minutes at a 700-bar refuelling station.
Over 1,000 kms travelled
This increased range has enabled the Mirai to break the world record for the distance driven with one fill of hydrogen – over 1,000 kms. The record-breaking run was done in France last month and the car was driven on public roads.
The Mirai can store a total volume of 5.6 kgs of green hydrogen. During the run, the average fuel consumption was 0.55 kg/100 kms, the distance and consumption being certified by an independent authority.
‘Eco-driving’ style used
Toyota does mention that, to achieve the 1,003-km driving distance record, the 4 drivers adopted an ‘eco-driving’ style. However, they did not use any special techniques and everyday drivers can also apply a similar driving style if they want to achieve good fuel economy. Under normal driving conditions, the Mirai has a claimed range of 650 kms with all tanks full.
“It’s an amazing challenge that we achieved with the new Mirai. Internally, it is the mindset of ‘Start your Impossible’, going beyond our own limits, that drives us, and we proved it again,” said Frank Marotte, CEO of Toyota France.
Even after you recover from COVID-19 infection, your quality of life may be affected and you will still suffer for a long period after that. So avoid being infected by taking the necessary measures to protect yourself as well as others – and also get your vaccination.
When the Lexus NX was launched in 2014, it arrived at the right time when SUVs were progressively downsizing as customers preferred more compact models. The RX had been a huge success ever since it was launched in 1997 and pushed the premium luxury makes into offering SUVs as well but new niches below it were growing.
Having proven to have a successful formula, the Lexus designers have not tried to make major changes visually, retaining the looks of the first generation for this new one. However, under all the sheet metal, the engineering is new and as would be expected, the structure and platform utilize the Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), in this case, the GA-K platform. This has similarities to the latest Toyota RAV4 but Lexus engineers would also have added enhancements for the NX.
The new Lexus has increased dimensions all round, with 20 mm more overall length, 20 mm extra width and a wheelbase that is 30 mm longer. Virtually every aspect is said to be new and only about 5% of the entire SUV has parts that can be found in the model it replaces.
GA-K platform
The GA-K architecture and platform gave the engineers a lightweight, highly rigid body with a low centre of gravity that made it easier for them to achieve the superior handling that was a target. The basic performance of the vehicle has been greatly improved, and it has the ‘Lexus Driving Signature’ which is said to achieve a balance between linear steering feel and driving force in an SUV.
4 powertrains, including a PHEV
Depending on the market, there are up to four powertrains with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The 4-cylinder combustion engines have 2.5-litre and 2.4-litre displacements, the latter with a turbocharger. The bigger engine is also part of two hybrid powertrains, one of which is the first plug-in (PHEV) hybrid for Lexus. While the brand has already gone further with an all-electric UX (the smaller SUV), it has so far been offering hybrids rather than PHEVs.
NX 450h PHEV
The NX PHEV is the big news and it comes with the E-FOUR AWD system with constantly variable front-to-rear torque distribution between 100:0 and 20:80 modes. Technical details are not available at this time although it is expected to be the most powerful NX variant that will be designated the NX 450h.
The hybrid versions are unlikely to be promoted strongly in Malaysia as, without any government incentives to offset their high price, they will be expensive. At this time, the government has mentioned having some sort of incentive program but some of its sounds like the one that was used the last time and brought prices of hybrid models down.
PHEV unlikely for Malaysia
So it is likely that Lexus Malaysia will focus on the combustion engine versions, and most likely that 2.4-litre turbocharged one (above) which has a new high-torque Direct Shift 8-speed automatic transmission and and a newly developed electronically-controlled full-time AWD system. There is also an F Sport version which could be the top version offered.
Tazuna Concept
The cabin has a cockpit design based on the Tazuna Concept, an interior concept first introduced in the LF-30 Electrified concept car in 2019. The word ‘tazuna’ is derived from the ‘reins’ used to control horses, and applied to the NX cockpit layout, it aims to give the driver stronger interaction with the vehicle.
The layout of the information system components leading from the Head-Up Display to the metters and to the centre display allows for smoother, less distracted eye movement while driving. In addition, the start button, shift lever, and drive mode select switch are placed around the steering wheel where they can be operated more naturally.
The ratio of the driver and passenger floor is designed to create the optimal space. For the interior colour scheme, a diverse colour line-up is offered, with the newly developed ‘3D Cutting Black’ theme. This is a geometric pattern that gradually becomes denser towards the rear to help enhance the sense of dynamism and advanced technology.
64 colours of interior illumination are used to accentuate the beauty of the interior shapes and materials, colouring the entire cockpit. 14 recommended colors are preset, these expressing the emotions and changes in feelings that occur when looking at beautiful natural phenomena. If a driver desires to freely select other colors, they can choose from 50 other colors in the color palette of the centre display, providing an atmosphere that better aligns with their mood.
Lexus also provides owners with a Digital Key which uses a special application on a compatible smartphone. This can lock, unlock, and start the engine without operating the screen anddDigital keys can be shared between smartphones, making it possible for family and friends to borrow and lend vehicles remotely.
Lexus Safety System+
The new NX has a more advanced Lexus Safety System+ with the existing features and functions enhanced for better and more intelligent performance. For example, the detection range of the millimetre-wave radar and monocular camera are expanded, while an advanced driving support technology provides safe, secure and smooth parking. Additionally, a new function has been added to allow remote parking using a smartphone.
Replacing the latch/unlatch mechanism of the doors with electrical control by switches (e-Latch) makes for smoother and effortless operation. This complements the Safe Exit Assist (SEA) system which is linked to the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) sensor and e-latch system. When exiting the vehicle, the system uses the sensors of the BSM to detect vehicles approaching from behind, including bicycles. If the system determines that there is a possibility of a collision with an open door or an alighting occupant, the indicator in the outer mirror will light up to alert the driver.
In addition, if the driver tries to open the door, the system cancels the door opening in cooperation with the e-latch system. This world-first system notifies the occupants with a buzzer, flashing indicator in the outer mirror, display on the meter, and voice notification.
In many factories, one of the many practices where employees can be involved in improving processes or quality has been the suggestion system, for which they are rewarded if their ideas are adopted.
Honda also has a program called IGNITION which was started in 2017 by Honda R&D Co., Ltd., its research and development subsidiary. This is a business creation program where Honda employees can propose new business ideas and then implement the technologies, ideas or products to help solve societal problems and create new value for people.
Since being initiated, many applications have been received for new business ideas as well as numerous suggestions that fit with Honda’s business activities and are already being pushed internally towards commercialization.
Bringing new ideas to the market
There have also been proposals with added social value that can be implemented more quickly in the form of a start-up instead of being implemented within the Honda organization. In 2020, IGNITION was therefore expanded to include the option of bringing new business ideas to the market by setting up companies.
Ashirase system for visually impaired
The first company to emerge from the IGNITION program in this way is Ashirase Inc., which will develop an in-shoe navigation system to support the visually impaired while walking. The system, also called ‘Ashirase’, uses a smartphone app and 3-dimensional vibration device including a motion sensor, which is attached inside the shoe.
With the concept of ‘navigation which enables safety and a relaxed state of mind for the visually impaired’, Ashriase is being developed as a product which helps the users reach their destinations safely and have a more independent lifestyle.
The IGNITION program was originally for Honda R&D but is now expanded to the entire company for full-time employees in Japan to drive new business ideas. The ideas will not come from engineers but also of employees from other areas such as production, sales and even administration.
Ashirase system uses a smartphone app and 3-dimensional vibration device including a motion sensor, which is attached inside the shoe.
Evaluated from investor’s perspective
IGNITION works with a corporation that, as one of the jurors, evaluates the proposals from the perspective of an investor. In addition, applicants have access to advice and support from the corporation during the assessment process.
The decision on whether to market is made within 6 months and the marketing will be done by Honda itself or through the establishment of a start-up company. In order to preserve the independence of the start-up company, Honda’s equity stake is limited to a maximum of 20%.
“There are many employees at Honda who want to contribute to social development with their technologies and ideas. IGNITION is a program that promotes and develops these ideas and technologies among Honda employees and helps them create new values that contribute to solving societal problems,” explained the Head of the IGNITION Jury and Managing Officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Yasuhide Mizuno (who was a former MD & CEO of Honda Malaysia).
“We are now expanding the program to all employees in Japan and offering them the additional option of starting their own business. The hurdles for starting a business are very high, but we hope that IGNITION will continue to drive the challenging spirit at Honda and enable us to create new products and experiences that go beyond our core business,” said Mr. Mizuno.
Polestar, the company created as a joint venture between Volvo and Geely Holdings, is known for exploring new ways of operating in the car industry. For example, rather than following the decades-old way of selling cars via a network of dealerships, it is connecting directly to the customer with a digital sales model through its website or via an app.
Its latest idea is a first-of-its-kind initiative which allows artists and collectors to trade art for a Polestar 1, a low-volume model which will have production coming to an end later in 2021. It’s not known exactly how many cars have been built at the factory in China although the company did mention, in 2019, that its production run would be 500 cars a year over a 3-year period.
The halo electric performance hybrid has a price of 155,000 euros (about RM777,720) and Polestar will consider all forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, photography, installations and more. It is Polestar’s intention to, after a period of ownership, sell the art, either via the above auction houses or through the dealers that represent the artists. So the items are not going to end up permanently on display at the company’s headquarters or CEO’s office.
“I love the idea of letting artists and collectors buy a Polestar 1 with art – it is such a special car and we wanted to find a unique way of celebrating it before its production reaches an end. It is hand-made, precious and tangible, much like a piece of art,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.
Polestar’s initiative comes amidst a recent art boom with new ways of trading art emerging, from non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to a pair of Kanye West-designed shoes selling for US$1.8 million at a recent auction – as well as auction prices for classic and contemporary art recently soaring.
“Historically, many significant art transactions have taken place outside of what we today associate with the art market,” explained Theodor Dalenson, a leading private art advisor who serves as Polestar’s advisor on this initiative. “Going back several hundred years in time, art trading mainly took place between artists and patrons. Painters like Picasso were known to trade sketches for restaurant meals. Polestar’s initiative is essentially a very natural extension of the tradition of art being used as payment for precious goods.”
Incoming proposals will be reviewed by Dalenson and, if deemed relevant, receive a valuation estimate by the two largest auction houses: Sotheby’s and Philips.
The scheme began on June 10, 2021, and will be on until August 15, 2021 in Europe and North America.
In April 2021, a special edition Polestar 1 (above) was revealed at the Shanghai auto show, featuring a bespoke matte gold exterior paint job with matching brake calipers and black wheels. Inside, colour-matched gold stitching gives the interior an even more unique feel. A maximum of 25 will be built and a handful will be eligible for this initiative.
