English Archives

Piston.my

English

Honda City V-SENSING added to range, priced from RM90,212.36

Even with just two months remaining of a difficult year, Honda Malaysia continues to surprise with new variants being introduced and the latest one to be announced is the City V-SENSING. This is the second variant of the latest City generation, introduced in 2020, to have Honda SENSING after the City RS e:HEV. The new variant is priced at RM90,212.36, without insurance and without sales tax (the exemption has been extended till June 30, 2022).

Honda SENSING + Honda LaneWatch
Honda SENSING, introduced with the CR-V four years ago, is an integrated suite of active safety systems which help the driver to avoid an accident, prevent or reduce the effects of a collision and also generally reduce driving stress. The systems in Honda SENSING are: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

Honda LaneWatch (shown below), a camera-based blindspot system, is also standard for this variant. It uses a small camera on the left door mirror to capture images of the area along the side of the car. The imagery is displayed on the infotainment screen in real-time, providing the driver with a clear view (even at night) of the blind spot so that any approaching vehicle can be spotted.

“Safety is predominantly Honda’s priority and the City has always been the forerunner in offering safety features for both drivers and passengers using advanced technology. We are delighted to introduce this new variant to the Malaysian market, enabling them to now have more options to choose from in the City line-up with a total of 5 variants available,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.

“The City V-SENSING appeals to more targeted audiences such as young families or young working adults who seek for ample performance as well as advanced safety features for their daily commute. It has the most complete advanced safety features in the B-segment with an attractive pricetag that is below RM100,000. We believe this model will continue to receive much recognition for its overall package of class-leading advanced features, space, comfort and unparalleled performance,” she said.

1.5-litre i-VTEC engine
The City V-SENSING has a 1.5-litre DOHC i–VTEC engine – the most powerful in its segment – coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The engine output is 121 ps with maximum torque of 145 Nm, enabling the car to travel up to 18.5 kms per litre or around 750 kms per full tank.

Standard exterior features include LED Headlights and LED Day Running Lights (DRL), LED foglights, LED taillights, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Premium materials inside
As with the other City variants, the interior has premium high-quality textures. The combination leather upholstery for the seats has ivory highlights for a touch of class. The infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity so many of the smartphone apps can also be brought to the dashboard and used from there.

For the driver, who has a 7-inch TFT meter display, there are paddle shifters to use when manual shifting is preferred and the Remote Engine Start allows the engine to be started from outside the car so the air-conditioning can be activated to cool down the cabin first. Rear occupants also enjoy more comfort as there are vents behind the centre console box to bring cool air to them.

“Since we launched the 5th Generation City in October 2020, we have recorded total sales of more than 23,300 units. To date, the City has contributed 34% to Honda Malaysia’s total sales between January and October 2021, making it the best-selling model in Honda Malaysia,” Ms. Chujo added.

For more information on the City V-SENSING or to test-drive Honda models in Malaysia, visit any authorized Honda dealership. The locations can be found at www.honda.com.my or by calling Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020.

New vs Old Honda City: Why current City owners should trade up!

Stellantis takes over Naza Automotive Manufacturing from Groupe PSA

NAZA Automotive Manufacturing, the assembly plant previously set up by the NAZA Group and then taken over by the Groupe PSA has now been acquired by Stellantis, the new company created out of the merger between the French Groupe PSA and the FCA Group in January this year. Stellantis obtained full ownership of the 17-year old plant, located in Gurun, Kedah, at the end of October.

The completed acquisition marks a significant milestone for Stellantis in southeast Asia as it has plans to invest and expand its footprint as part of a localisation strategy. “We have an ambitious growth strategy that will enable us to build on the existing production outputs in Gurun, as well as extend the breadth of brands and models within the Stellantis portfolio built in ASEAN for ASEAN. This is a very exciting proposition,” said Christophe Musy, Stellantis’ Senior Vice-President, ASEAN & General Distributors.

“Stellantis is deeply committed to growing our presence in ASEAN, and taking full ownership and responsibility of the plant in Gurun, Kedah is a very important step towards strengthening our operations, production outputs and workforce in the region,” he added.

*Updated versions of the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 are now rolling out after operations resumed recently. The SUVs are for the Malaysian market as well as for export to neighbouring countries.*

Operations at the plant were suspended for over 2 months as part of the government’s effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and have resumed recently. Assembly of the updated Peugeot 3008 and 5008 have been rolling out at pre-pandemic production rates, with volumes now ramping up for the remainder of 2021.

Both models are supplied to Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and other ASEAN markets. In the near future, the locally-assembled range will be joined by the 2008, Mr. Musy revealed. He added that, in Malaysia, they are now working with their new sold distributor, Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB), which was appointed last December.

*The next Peugeot model to be assembled in Malaysia will be the new 2008.*

“We are focused on our mission to achieve world-class manufacturing in Gurun, to build high-quality, Malaysian-produced vehicles for southeast Asia. We are working closely with our partners to increase plant capacity by almost 40% to meet demand and this, combined with our strong product plan and determination to achieve the highest standards in quality and safety, has set us up for great success in Malaysia,” he said.

Groupe PSA starts Peugeot vehicle exports from Naza Automotive Manufacturing, its production hub for ASEAN

New Honda Civic gets top safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (w/VIDEO)

Honda sets high standards of safety for all its models, and any new model that arrives in the market can usually score maximum or almost maximum points in assessments by various organisations. The latest generation of the Honda Civic is no exception and what’s more impressive is that it is the first Honda model to be assessed under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol.

Under the new protocols formulated by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP), the Civic was rated the full 5 stars with an overall score of 83.47 points. For each category of assessment, the following: 36.59 points out of 40.00 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 18.32 points out of 20.00 for Child Occupant Protection (COP) category, 18.16 points out of 20.00 for Safety Assist Technologies (SAT), and 10.39 points for Motorcyclist Safety (MS) category.

Specifically, for the ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 assessment protocol, Honda has taken a step upwards by equipping the Civic with a new AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) technology for Motorcycles as standard fitment in all its variants. This new technology is able to detect the presence of motorcycle that is located in front of the car and perform automatic emergency braking in the event the driver is unaware of the motorcyclist.

With the larger number of motorcycles on roads in ASEAN and a high rate of accidents involving motorcyclists, Honda has improved its detection system to recognise motorcycles and perform automatic emergency braking if necessary.

Commending Honda for developing the AEB for Motorcycles, MIROS Director-General who is also ASEAN NCAP Secretary-General and Acting Chairman, Hon. Assistant Commissioner (CD) Adjunct Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said: “This is a significant milestone for vehicle safety as we are targeting to reduce the number of fatalities involving motorcyclists. As such, we are proud that vehicle manufacturers are devoting their energy in the next level of vehicle safety. With the launch of the Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, we hope this will be a catalyst for more vehicle manufacturers to follow this footstep to ensure we meet the desired target.”

“Despite the pandemic situation, car manufacturers have strived to ensure the new vehicles that they are producing meet the needed safety requirements under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol. I am pleased that another of Honda’s models has achieved another 5-Star rating, despite the stringent requirement the new protocol has set,” he said when commenting on the results.

He added: “The current COVID-19 pandemic situation has pushed us to be more innovative in our work, and ASEAN NCAP is no exception. We had to fully utilize whatever communication applications currently are available. Due to travelling restrictions, ASEAN NCAP performed an assessment on the new Honda Civic via video conference call.”

*11th generation Honda Civic is on sale in Thailand and progressively being introduced in other ASEAN markets.*

Even with the previous generation, the Civic already had a very high standard of active and passive safety, including the integrated Honda SENSING system. Its AEB systems cover City, Inter-Urban, Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Motorcycle situations, complementing ), Child Presence Detection (CPD) and Pedestrian Protection technology. The model comes with 6 or 4 airbags, depending on the market. There is also a Seatbelt Reminder System for front and rear occupants, and Blind Spot Visualization (BSV) on the passenger side.

The new Civic, which is the 11^th generation of the model, has been launched in Thailand and is progressively being launched in other regional markets. It is likely to be launched in Malaysia in 2022 although Honda Malaysia might start giving the public a preview before the end of this year.

11th generation Honda Civic debuts in Thailand

‘Born to race’ Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is America’s new supercar

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was born in 1963 and was intended for racers as it was fitted with an optional Special Equipment Package intended for racers. Now, 58 years later, the next chapter in the Corvette journey begins with the introduction of the new Corvette Z06 which arrives 2 years after the first production mid-engine Corvette Stingray debuted.

While the Z06 was created to dominate on the track when it debuted in 1963, the Z06 nameplate has also come to symbolize the American supercar. The performance envelope of Z06 builds on the foundation laid by the Stingray, as does Z06’s design language. Expanded material offerings, new interior packages and features unique to Z06 enable owners to customise their car.

Raising the performance bar
“Corvette has always brought a discerning customer to the Chevy family,” said Steve Hill, Vice-President of Chevrolet. “This new Z06 is designed and engineered to set a higher bar with increased levels of craftsmanship, personalization and performance so customers can truly have their own bespoke performance car.”

The Z06 is set apart by its all-new LT6, with 670 bhp – the highest horsepower of any naturally-aspirated V8 in a production car today. An all-new flat-plane crankshaft design allows the driver to spin the engine to 8,600 rpm, accompanied all the way up by a distinctive, rich exhaust tone unlike anything ever heard from a Corvette.

Racing at its core
The sound and appearance of the Z06 take direction from Corvette Racing. The direct knowledge transfer from the track to the street comes from the Z06 chassis based on Corvette Racing’s C8.R since it began competing in 2020. Thanks to a shared chassis, similar engine architecture and exterior proportions, the C8.R has been referred to internally as the ‘Z06 hiding in plain sight’.

Apart from the more dramatic styling, the Z06 is 9.4 cm wider than the Stingray, accommodating massive 345-series rear tyres and allowing more airflow through side air vents. The standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminium ‘spider’ wheels are the largest ever fitted on a production Corvette. Carbonfibre wheels are also available and take away 18.6 kgs.

The all-new 5.5-litre DOHC V8 all-aluminium engine with 623 Nm marks a return to natural aspiration for the track-capable performance model. A version of the LT6 has powered the C8.R race cars since 2019, and the demands of endurance road racing helped engineers refine the engine’s performance and durability. An 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with a shorter 5.56 final drive ratio (compared to the Corvette Stingray) enhances acceleration.

Track-proven performance technologies
The new Z06 retains the SLA-type front and rear suspension design of the Corvette Stingray, but more specifically calibrated for its higher performance capabilities. Magnetic Selective Ride Control 4.0 is standard and can be adjusted for touring comfort or maximum track performance via the Driver Mode Selector. Like the Stingray, the selector tailors more than a dozen features of the Z06 to suit the driver’s preferences. These include Launch Control and adjusting the engagement rate of the electronic limited slip differential.

The Z06 is based on the same robust architecture as the Stingray so it can be offered in as a hardtop convertible. Inside, exclusive features include a carbonfibre-wrapped steering wheel, shift paddles and new carbonfibre interior trim.

“Racing was the reason the Z06 was developed in 1963, and it continues to support development of the road models that make them better on the street and the track,” said Tadge Juechter, Executive Chief Engineer, Corvette. “It also means we’ve tested the Z06 on the best tracks around the world, from Circuit of the Americas here in the USA, to the Nurburgring in Germany.”

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is North American Car of the Year for the third time

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing wins first-ever hypercar championship of World Endurance Championship

The era of the Hypercar category of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) began in May this year with the Spa 6 Hours in Belgium. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing was the first team to enter a car – the GR010 HYBRID – built to the new rules that are aimed at lowering speeds and reduce costs (compared to the previous LMP1 regulations).

At the Bahrain International Circuit this weekend, the team finished 1-2 in very hot and challenging conditions to confirm TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s fourth World Championship in WEC, and its third in succession. The victory also maintained the GR010 HYBRID Hypercar’s 100% winning record in 2021, with one race remaining.

Fighting for Drivers title
The focus will now switch to the Drivers’ title fight in next weekend’s sixth and final race, also at the same circuit. The Le Mans-winning #7 crew moved a significant step closer to retaining the World Championship they won in Bahrain 12 months ago. Their third win of the season extends their advantage over the #8 drivers to 15 points.

The contest between the two GR010 HYBRID crews was intense throughout the event and, when the race got under way, Sebastien Buemi in the #8 held the advantage from pole position. But Mike Conway pursued him throughout the first stint and the pair were separated by less than a second for the opening 45 minutes.

*The Alpine Elf Matmut Endurance Team is one of the three teams to compete in the hypercar category which was introduced this year.*

Pushing tyres to the limit
The cars were closely matched and the lead changed hands several times in the early stages as the momentum swung. Eventually the #7 established itself at the front, suffering slightly less from tyre degradation on a day when all hypercars faced the same issue. “In my stint, it was a case of managing the tyres from the start. There were a lot of unknowns because we have never taken tyres so far into a race before, but it all worked out well,” said Conway.

At half distance, Jose Maria Lopez led by just 10 seconds from Buemi but the battle took a decisive turn after 4 hours when the #8 was delayed during a tyre change and dropped to third. Although Brendon Hartley swiftly overtook an Alpine (also in the hypercar category) to reclaim second, he trailed Kamui Kobayashi by around 40 seconds.

The GR010 HYBRIDs maintained their pace at the front and Kobayashi was at the wheel of the victorious #7 car when it crossed the line after 185 laps. Kazuki Nakajima followed 51.401secs later to complete the one-two. “It was tough race with the heat, but the temperature was a bit better for me at the end of the race. We ran an aggressive set-up to try to maybe get an edge, but it didn’t work out that way,” said Nakajima of this second placing.

Porsche 911 RSR, GR Racing #86, Michael Wainwright (GB), Tom Gamble (GB), Benjamin Barker (GB)

Porsche just 1 point ahead of Ferrari
In the WEC GT Manufacturers’ Championship, Porsche’s grid-to-finish line win by Kevin Estre and Neel Jani puts the German carmaker just 1 point ahead of Ferrari, so the final race is sure to be very tightly contested.

The end of the 6-hour race marks the halfway point in the two rounds to be held in Bahrain. The teams are now beginning preparations for an 8-hour race on Saturday November 6 which ends the 2021 season and will decide the outcome of the Drivers’ World Championship.

Peugeot 9X8 hybrid hypercar to join 2022 World Endurance Championship

Prizes worth up to up to RM20,000 in Petron campaign

As border crossings between states are now permitted, many Malaysians are travelling more out of their towns and cities. They may be going to visit loved ones in another state whom they could not see for a long time, or they may want to have a change of scenery after months of being restricted to their own state or district.

The tourism industry, which was severely impacted by loss of business, is ready to welcome all these travellers and support from Tourism Malaysia is helping to promote domestic tourism. Other companies related to travel are also providing incentives to travel and Petron Malaysia is one of them.

The petroleum company has a 5-month long campaign which offers prizes to those who purchase its fuel (they must be registered with the company’s loyalty program). Each purchase will earn the motorist an entry for lucky draws and if the cumulative purchase amount is RM250 in one month, they will also qualify for the Grand Prize lucky draw.

Grand prize, monthly and weekly winners

Prizes for the promotion, known as ‘Jom Jalan Jalan with Petron’, include holiday packages and cash. Six winners will win the Grand Prize of up to RM20,000 worth of travel packages, cash rewards and fuel. Besides the Grand Prize, there are also RM5,000 worth of prizes for another 10 customers. There are also 100 consolation prizes which will be given out every month, while 1,000 weekly winners will receive RM200 worth of PMiles points each.

The winners will be selected by region – North, East Coast, Central, South, Sabah and Sarawak – to ensure every region has their own winners. The promotion runs from this month until the end of March 2022.

Driving long distances soon? Be sure to check your vehicle first to avoid unnecessary problems

Complete coverage around the vehicle with Honda SENSING 360

Where active safety systems like ABS, traction control and vehicle stability control used to work independently, the new approach over the past 10 years has been to integrate many of the systems, which also share sensors, to increase proactive performance. Many manufacturers have such integrated systems now and they have various names, with Honda calling its system Honda SENSING.

Honda SENSING was developed as part of the company’s long-standing R&D program to realise the global concept of ‘Safety for Everyone’. This aims to have a collision-free society encompassing all the different road-users. While the driver’s responses are still major factors in preventing an accident, Honda SENSING can also take independent action if the driver fails to do so.

The current CR-V was the first model in Malaysia to have Honda SENSING when it was introduced in 2017, Since then, Honda Malaysia has included the system with other models in its range, including the latest City (below).

For example, if sensors detect a vehicle ahead and a collision is likely to occur if the car does not decelerate or the driver does not brake, then the system will activate the brakes to bring the car to a stop before it hits the other car. During cruising at set speeds, the system can also ensure that a safe gap is maintained between vehicles by varying the speed.

With Honda SENSING, first introduced in 2014, motorists have gained an intelligent ‘co-driver’ to help with some of the driving work, making motoring safer and also reducing stress and fatigue. Now Honda has upgraded the system to Honda SENSING 360. This is an omnidirectional safety and driver-assistive system which removes blind spots around the vehicle and contributes to collision avoidance and the reduction of driver burden while driving. Further evolved from the previous system, Honda SENSING 360 features an expanded sensing range not only in the front and rear, but omnidirectionally around the vehicle.

Honda SENSING 360 will be introduced next year in models sold in China, and then offered in other markets in following years. No doubt it will also be available in models in Malaysia in due course, upgrading the Honda SENSING system that was first introduced with the CR-V in 2017.

Honda SENSING 360 2022 — *The upgraded Honda SENSING 360 system has more sensors for greater situation awareness around the vehicle body.*

Honda SENSING 360, as the name indicates, provides 360-degree sensing which means complete coverage all around the vehicles. This is achieved by adding a total of 5 millimetre-wave radar sensors in front and at each corner of the vehicle, in addition to the monocular camera mounted at the top of the windscreen (already used in the present system). With the additional sensors, there is expanded sensing range which covers blind spots around the vehicle.

Advancement of Collision Mitigation Braking System
More advanced than the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) of the current Honda SENSING, the new CMBS has a broader range of detection that is expanded from in front of the vehicle to include all directions around the vehicle. When making a right or left turn at an intersection, if the system detects other vehicles or pedestrians and recognizes the risk of a collision, the CMBS will activate assist the driver in the avoidance and mitigation of a collision with the other vehicle or pedestrian.

Front Cross Traffic Warning
When the vehicle is driving at a low speed or starting from a stop at an, the system notifies the driver of information about vehicles approaching to cross the intersection from the sides and front. Should there be a risk of a collision with the crossing vehicle, the system provides audio warnings and visual warnings on the meter to alert the driver and prompt collision avoidance actions.

Lane Change Collision Mitigation
With multi-lane highways, vehicles move at varying speeds in each lane and there are also occasions when a driver may wish to overtake a slower vehicle. This requires changing lanes to get past and when executing such a manoeuvre, the system can help avoid a collision with a vehicle in the adjacent lane approaching from behind. When the system detects a vehicle approaching from the blind spot behind the vehicle, it provides audio warnings and visual warnings on the meter to alert the driver and also assist steering for collision avoidance.

Active Lane Change Assist
While driving with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and the Lane Keeping Assist System activated and when certain conditions are satisfied on a highway, if the driver activates the turn signal, the system will assist with steering for the lane change.

Cornering Speed Assist
Although ACC is a more intelligent form of cruise control, it was only applicable for straight roads. When a tight corner was encountered, the driver would have to take control and reduce speed to drive around the corner safely. With Honda SENSING 360, the system will adjust vehicle speed accordingly (if ACC is on). Using a front camera, it detects the curvature of the lane before reaching the curve and assists the driver to drive around it smoothly.

Just as systems like ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist have limitations, Honda SENSING 360 also has a limit to the capabilities (eg recognition capability and control capability). Honda reminds drivers of this and that they still need to pay attention and be ready to act accordingly. The day when the driver can be totally uninvolved in the operation of the vehicle is not here yet, but such systems are taking motorists towards it.

Honda SENSING Elite adds more advanced autonomous capabilities to Legend flagship

One woman, one Porsche and a mission across the Antarctic for a humanitarian effort

Renee Brinkerhoff has taken part in rallies on 6 continents, driving her faithful 1956 Porsche 356 A on every type of terrain. It’s gruelling for anyone but even more so when driving a classic 65-year old sportscar. And soon, for an important cause, she will be driving her car through the harsh icy conditions of Antarctica.

After a delay of nearly 2 years, Brinkerhoff, who comes from the USA, is preparing for the final stage of her Project 356 World Rally Tour. This project is both an expedition and a humanitarian effort, and the challenge this December completes the ultimate endeavour by one woman, one car and one global mission to help end child trafficking.

Raising money for a humanitarian cause
Through Valkyries Gives, the philanthropic arm of her racing team, Brinkerhoff has raised close to half a million US dollars, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting victims of trafficking around the world. By its conclusion, Brinkerhoff will have driven close to 32,000 kms over all 7 continents, partaking in endurance rallies such as Peking-to-Paris, the East African Safari Classic Rally and La Carrera Panamericana. For the crossing of the final land mass at the ‘bottom’ of the planet, she will be driving almost 600 kms.

*Renee Brinkerhoff and he daughter in the 2019 Historic East African Safari Rally with the Porsche 356.*

“While we are extremely proud of completing each endurance rally we’ve entered, our true mission has been for our racing efforts to become a worldwide visual that supports our vocal pursuit to end child trafficking,” said Brinkerhoff. “We’ve had a goal to break barriers and set new records and we’re hopeful our Antarctic expedition will do just that.”

Drive expected to start on December 5
The 356 is already on the way to Chile by ship from its workshop in the UK and, upon arrival, will be air-shipped to the Union Glacier in Antarctica. Brinkerhoff and her team will rendezvous in Chile at the end of November and if the weather cooperates, the driving will begin on December 5, with a target of completion before the end of the year.

The journey was pushed from late 2020, and the more than 18 months of planning has also allowed the naturally-aspirated flat six 356 to undergo a complete re-engineering for the treacherous terrain. While the addition of skis and tracks has increased the overall mass of the 356 – an issue because a low weight is key to driving over the ice rather than sinking in – the mass per square inch, or footprint, has been reduced to less than 4% of the standard wheel displacement.

“The ski we’ve created must do 40 – 50% of the work, by compacting and prepping the snow for the track unit to follow over, with the underside blade guiding the direction. This ensures the tracks will not submarine under the light snow,” explained Kieron Bradley, Senior Chassis Design Engineer for the project and a practiced extreme explorer in his own right.

“Success for Renee and her car will come from the thoughtful balance of appropriate technology we’ve added, and the mass reduction implemented,” he added. For stabilisation, the 356 will use a single-arm suspension with coil-over shocks for both the tracks in the rear.

An extra thought that Bradley had to consider was that the skis and tracks must be easily removable so that spiked ice tyres can be refitted with no wheel alignment changes necessary. A pneumatic inflatable jack will be used to make the change.

Accompanied by veteran adventurer
Joining Brinkerhoff for the polar drive will be British explorer Jason de Carteret, who will act as navigator. De Carteret has led more than 50 expeditions, including to both the North and South Pole. Together with Bradley, he has claimed 2 world records for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole travelling in the Thomson Reuters Polar Vehicle (which they designed).

“As often has been the case when taking on new terrain in my 356, I have had no opportunity to test the car,” said Brinkerhoff. “The test will come when we are at Union Glacier and we are very hopeful the new design will prove itself well. As I have been told by Jason and Kieron, there is no terrain on earth like Antarctica and therefore no place where a true test can be taken.”

Toyota reveals details of production bZ4X EV to be launched in mid-2022 (w/VIDEO)

After pioneering the mass production of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in the late 1990s, Toyota is starting its big push into full electrification with a more extensive line-up of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Until now, it has focussed on HEVs although it has had a small range of BEVs but now the carmaker is making the big leap towards larger models and aiming for higher numbers.

The first of the 7-model bZ range (by 2025) was previewed at Auto Shanghai in April this year in the form of the Toyota bZ4X concept. To be made in China and Japan, worldwide sales of the production version of the new BEV is expected to start by the middle of 2022.

Details of the new model, which will be a SUV, released today show that the production model is pretty much like the concept car. This is not surprising as Japanese carmakers have not wasted time and money on making too many fancy concepts to wow people but which never get built. They have instead previewed near-production concept cars as a final step to get last-minute feedback on designs and features.

e-TNGA architecture
The new model, to also be known as the bZ4X, sits on a BEV-dedicated platform (first for Toyota) based on e-TNGA philosophy. TNGA stands for Toyota New Generation Architecture, a flexible architecture used for all of the latest models. The one for the bZ4X has been jointly developed with Subaru Corporation which will also have its own BEV to be called the Solterra.

The platform has the advantages that TNGA provides such as a low centre of gravity and high rigidity, all of which will contribute to better driving dynamics and even good off-road performance since this is to be a SUV.

FWD or AWD
The powertrain is straightforward with one or two motors, the latter for the all-wheel drive version. System output is 150 kW for the front-wheel drive version and 160 kW for the AWD version. The E-axle integrates the electric motor, transaxle and inverter while the Electricity Supply Unit consolidates charging and power distribution functions.

Battery performance and safety
As with all BEVs, the key points that motorists will want to know are the performance of the battery pack. The 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack (made by an affiliated company) is expected to provide a cruising range of about 500 kms’, even in cold regions.

Compatible with high-output chargers worldwide, an 80% charge is said to be possible within 30 minutes. Besides the usual methods of recharging, there is an optional solar panel on the roof that can also convert sunshine to electricity for the battery pack.

It is also targeting a top-class battery capacity retention ratio (90% after 10 years of use or 240,000 kms). More attention has been given to preventing battery failure by strengthening measures to prevent and detect abnormal conditions (eg overheating). There are also new technologies with a multiple monitoring system that ensures safety and security in case of emergency.

Toyota’s subsidiaries have been developing and making batteries for many years and have gained a lot of knowledge. They have now developed a production process that eliminates contamination, which is a cause of abnormal heating. There is also a high-resistance coolant which prevents fire from short circuits even if there is leakage of the battery’s liquid coolant.

Safety is not forgotten and this is new territory for carmakers. While the basic structure has similarities to combustion vehicles, the high-voltage systems require specific protection. To ensure a high degree of battery pack safety, the Toyota Safety Sense active safety package is used and the body structure has been adapted to withstand collision from any direction. The battery pack itself is also designed in a way that contributes to ensuring protective performance in a collision.

Toyota has also developed more proactive initiatives with regard to the end-of-life scenario for battery packs. The company has a Battery 3R – Rebuild, Reuse, Recycle – approach which will ensure a worldwide top-class battery capacity retention ratio. It proactively undertakes battery rebuild (inspection and reassembly) and reuse and promotes initiatives for battery recycling.

RAV4 size but more spacious
The bZ4X has an overall length of 4690 mm and overall width of 1860 mm, which is about the same size as a RAV4 but it is around 100 kgs lighter. Due to the entirely different powertrain and layout of components, the wheelbase is significantly longer than the RAV4’s – 2850 mm versus 2690 mm. This naturally means a more spacious cabin which is also extra wide. Toyota says that the tandem distance is equivalent to that of a sedan like a Camry.

As the pictures show, the cockpit area is futuristic with the meters positioned to be visible through the upper part of the steering wheel. This is the first time a Toyota vehicle has such an arrangement and it is emphasizes ease of viewing by reducing eye movement and enabling a distance point of focus.

This is the second time that Toyota’s interior designers have given more thought to viewing the meters. When the first Prius hybrid was designed, the meter display was located at the centre of the dashboard instead of its traditional place ahead of the steering wheel. This was to improve eye focus (especially for older drivers) by not having a short viewing distance to the meter and a longer one to see the road ahead. Positioning the display further away meant that the driver’s focus would be further away most of the time, reducing changes and improving safety.

2022 Toyota bZ4X EV — *Unique steering wheel will be initially available only on cars sold in China. Other markets will have a conventional circular steering wheel (below) which will be changed progressively.*

The modularized driving controls including a steering column with a wing-shape. The one-motion grip combining steer-by-wire system and uniquely shaped steering wheel will be first offered in cars sold in China and progressively added to those in other markets. Before then, the other markets will have a conventional circular steering wheel.

Different regions, different approaches
Clearly, Toyota intends to quickly move to the forefront of the EV market as it did with hybrid electric vehicles. It has different strategies for different markets and regions, depending on the supply of electricity and the recharging network. For Malaysia, the decision has been made that the first phase of electrification will be to assemble hybrid electric vehicles locally.

While the latest news today of full tax exemption for EVs does make it possible for models like the bZ4X to be sold, it is likely that Toyota’s production and marketing plans for the next few years have already been set. The major markets will already have given big numbers that will probably take most of the output from plants in China and Japan, so a smaller market like Malaysia may have to wait till later. At best, we may a small number of units imported more to gauge market response while UMW Toyota Motor focusses on growing HEV sales for which a RM270 million investment has already been made.

Toyota: “No customer is left behind” in quest for carbon neutrality

‘Live The Ranger Life’ celebrates Ford’s pick-up truck evolution into the modern lifestyle machine that it is today

In the early 1990s, various manufacturers considered what the ‘Asian Car’ should be. With the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) created, there was a need to choose a product which would be suitable for the different markets in the region. While Toyota and Honda decided on a low-cost sedan, Ford chose a pick-up truck which it felt would be a suitable alternative to sedans. And with its long history and experience in making pick-ups, it could certainly come up with a very good world-class product.

The new model was called the Ranger and it was built in Thailand at a brand new US$500 million factory Ford set up to be a production hub. Apart from attractive investment incentives offered by the government, the choice of Thailand was also because it was the second largest pick-up truck market in the world after the USA.

The Ranger would be sold mainly around the region (but also exported worldwide), imported tax-freewith the privileges offered by the AFTA Agreement. Ford had gone further with the development of the new model, making it more like a passenger car in comfort and convenience as well as safety.

*When it appeared in the late 1990s, the Ranger built and shaped the pick-up truck market, introducing Malaysians to a more active lifestyle outdoors and also encouraging them to be more adventurous.*

Leading and shaping the market
In countries like Malaysia, where the regulations were changed to allow private use of trucks, the introduction of the Ranger was timely. In its launch year, the Ranger was only on sale in the last quarter of the year and yet achieved a 21% share. The following year, sales crept up quickly as it became the pick-up that everyone wanted. By the early 2000s, it was the market leader with a share of around 50% of the pick-up segment. The Ranger certainly helped to develop pick-up popularity and started a new segment of ‘lifestyle machines’.

Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), the sole distributor for Ford in Malaysia, has now adopted a new brand positioning – Live the Ranger Life – which celebrates the Ranger’s evolution into the modern lifestyle truck that it is today. The new brand essence encapsulates the values and persona of the Ranger, which has transformed over the years beyond being just a truck for work to one that can be used as an alternative to the car, supporting the lifestyle choices of a diverse range of customers.

“’Live the Ranger Life’ is spot-on in personifying how the Ranger is more than a purely utilitarian workhorse. It is now leading the pack as a versatile and premium truck that is increasingly purchased for lifestyle reasons that people aspire to own. Customers are choosing to purchase a Ranger not just for work, but also for play and family, thanks to its renowned strength, engineering capabilities, smart technologies, luxurious cabin and passenger vehicle features,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

Bringing the brand essence to life
Five core tenets fuel the guiding principles for fully expressing the ‘Live the Ranger Life’ spirit and way of life which was gathered through a global customer survey which was conducted by Ford across its markets:
“We Make Our Own Fun” (fun in driving and in living),
“Up and Over” (tackling challenges),
“Bring Others Along the Journey” (family and friends),
“Can’t Help but Help” (assistance to others), and
“Carve Our Own Path” (being bold and fearless in life).

“These five values reflect the way that Ranger owners and those aspiring to own one go about their lives. They are always open to new experiences. They are fearless in tackling challenges not just on or off road but also in life. They form kinships with each other and enjoy having their own fun adventures. They are also always finding ways to give back the community and support others in need. And in everything they do, they make a point to go over and above,” said Encik Zuhair.

More lifestyle options
To enhance the lifestyle focus, SDAC will soon have a Lifestyle Ford Merchandise store on its e-commerce enabled website. Here, customers can browse for the available merchandise and make their purchases which can be delivered to an address they specify.

Encik Zuhair added that other exciting programmes targeted at the pick-up segment will also announced in the coming months.

If you want to ‘Live the Ranger Life’, visit www.sdacford.com.my to know more about the wide range of Ranger models available and where to experience them.

2021 Ford Rangers get 5-year warranty as standard

@thepistonshow

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

The Mazda CX-60 has just been launched in Malaysia with a price tag of just under RM202,000. It offers a 2.5-litre, naturally-aspirated engine that is also found in the current CX-5. But the new CX-60 is bigger, feels more plush and the details are impressive. In this first impression video, we take you for a walk around the car, show you what you need to know and tell you how the car feels like on the highway as well as on b-roads heading to Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Should you spend your money on this or on something else? We answer that in this video.

#Mazda #MazdaCX60 #MazdaMalaysia #CX60 #MazdaCX60Malaysia #MazdaCX60Review #CX60Review

Mazda CX-60 – First Malaysian Review!

Is the 218 Gran Coupe a real BMW or is it just riding on the BMW badge? It's undeniable that it is a success story for BMW Malaysia, but that doesn't mean it is any good. That just means that there are plenty of people with money that will pay for an entry level BMW. But does that mean the BMW 218 is worth the money? We answer that in this video.

#BMW #BMW218 #BMW218GC #BMWMalaysia #Malaysia #Piston

BWM 218 Gran Coupe: The Bitter Truth!

Earlier this year we brought you a first impression video of the Jetour Dashing. Back then we had some choice words for the car, but then we wanted to spend some quality time with it.

We have finally got our time with the Dashing, and this is our in detailed review of it.

#Jetour #JetourDashing #Dashing #JetourMalaysia #Malaysia

Jetour Dashing In Detail Review – The Good & The Bad!

The new BYD Seal Performance variant has just been launched, and we have driven it! Here’s a quick look before the full review is out.

#BYD #BYDSeal #BYDSealPerformance #BYDMalaysia #BYDCars #Malaysia #PistonMY

New #BYDSeal Performance Quick Review!

In a world of cheap Chinese scooters, the Japanese have been largely overshadowed. But every once in a while, one comes out of Japan that reminds us of what the Japs are capable of. The Honda NSS 250 is one of those bikes. It feels well-built, has all the right ingredients and even has an electronically adjustable windscreen. And the best part? It's a Honda. We tell you everything there is to know about the new Honda NSS 250 scooter.

#Honda #HondaNSS250 #BoonSiewHonda #NSS250 #HondaMalaysia #Malaysia #HondaMotorcycles #HondaBikes

This Honda Scooter Offers Incredible Value In a Well-Built Package

Piston.my

English

Honda City V-SENSING added to range, priced from RM90,212.36

Stellantis takes over Naza Automotive Manufacturing from Groupe PSA

New Honda Civic gets top safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (w/VIDEO)

‘Born to race’ Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is America’s new supercar

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing wins first-ever hypercar championship of World Endurance Championship

Prizes worth up to up to RM20,000 in Petron campaign

Complete coverage around the vehicle with Honda SENSING 360

One woman, one Porsche and a mission across the Antarctic for a humanitarian effort

Toyota reveals details of production bZ4X EV to be launched in mid-2022 (w/VIDEO)

‘Live The Ranger Life’ celebrates Ford’s pick-up truck evolution into the modern lifestyle machine that it is today

Honda City V-SENSING added to range, priced from RM90,212.36

Stellantis takes over Naza Automotive Manufacturing from Groupe PSA

New Honda Civic gets top safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (w/VIDEO)

‘Born to race’ Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is America’s new supercar

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing wins first-ever hypercar championship of World Endurance Championship

Prizes worth up to up to RM20,000 in Petron campaign

Complete coverage around the vehicle with Honda SENSING 360

One woman, one Porsche and a mission across the Antarctic for a humanitarian effort

Toyota reveals details of production bZ4X EV to be launched in mid-2022 (w/VIDEO)

‘Live The Ranger Life’ celebrates Ford’s pick-up truck evolution into the modern lifestyle machine that it is today

Archive

Mercedes-Benz Introduces All-New Electric GLB with More Space, More Tech and Two Powertrain Options

Loke: Physical Driving Licences Soon Come with a Fee, Digital Version Stays Free

Toyota Tacoma H2-Overlander Concept Turns Water Into Adventure

GWM Malaysia Introduces the Refreshed ORA Good Cat Ultra and GT

Chery Malaysia Celebrates Sales Advisors and Marks Milestone in Professional Training

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube