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Round 2 of Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge is on this weekend in Kuala Lumpur!

For Round 2 of the third season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge racing series, the purpose-built circuit is in a unique location – the former Kuala Lumpur airport of the 1950s/1960s which became a RMAF airbase after Subang International Airport was opened. Following the closure of the airbase some years back, the 488-acre site was to be a huge commercial development known as Bandar Malaysia.

While construction works are underway, the 1.99-km long runway offered an opportunity for the organisers of the Toyota GAZOO Racing event to create a racetrack that is 1.7 kms long with exceptionally long straights.

Bandar Malaysia circuit — *Aerial view of the circuit for Round 2 at Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Jalan Sg. Besi over the SMART Tunnel is on the left side of the picture.*

“As a street racing series, one of the most challenging tasks is to find a venue that is not only large enough to accommodate both the racing circuit and festival ground but more importantly, accessible and as close as we can to fans and spectators. These challenges however, also present us with the unique opportunity to explore venues never before used or envisioned as a racing circuit,” said UMW Toyota Motor’s Chief Motorsports Officer, Akio Takeyama. “In the case of Round 2, the former airport is as unique as it gets and the location as central as you can be in Kuala Lumpur.”

Circuit must meet international safety requirements
Construction of the circuit at Bandar Malaysia took approximately 3 weeks. This work involved transporting, positioning and interlocking hundreds of 4-tonne concrete blocks and debris fencing to form the inner and outer parameters of the track. The track must meet FIA (the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) safety specifications.

TGR safety — *Hundreds of 4-tonne concrete blocks must be positioned around the circuit to ensure that spectators are protected if the cars crash against the barriers.*

“Street racing brings out the best in Malaysian racers. The absence of run-off areas makes it extremely unforgiving, more intimidating and even more difficult to master. It requires 110% concentration, focus and precision from the drivers. For spectators, a street race is even more exciting visually as they are able to be closer to the action,” said Mr. Takeyama who has been a participant in the Vios Challenge sine the first season.

In three seasons of the Toyota Vios Challenge series, the race has been held at various stadium and exhibition grounds in Terengganu, Johor, Penang and the Klang Valley, as well as at the Sepang International Circuit.

Emulating street races such as the historic annual Macau Grand Prix, the Toyota Vios Challenge is no less exciting. More importantly, Mr. Takeyama added, it provides drivers with a more challenging race, an even greater level playing field, the excitement on driving on a variety of tracks, and contributes to them honing their technical and driving skills.

Meanwhile, UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K., said the prospect of transforming an airstrip into a full-blown racing track is a manifestation of both Toyota and its GAZOO Racing philosophy of breaking tradition and pushing the boundaries.

“Innovation is not only reflected in the vehicles we produce but it underlines the way we think and do things, and in the case of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival, it means turning the least expected venues into tracks to bring motor-racing closer to the masses,” said Mr. Ravindran.

2 days of close racing
Round 2 of the Toyota Vios Challenge will feature 2 days of racing with three driver categories as usual – Celebrity, Amateur and Professional. 10 local celebrities competing in the Promotional Class include Shawn Lee, Shukri Yahaya, Diana Danielle, Nabil Ahmad, Janna Nick, Khai Bahar, Wany Hasrita, Nabila Razali, Ain Edruce and Syafiq Kyle. Both Shawn and Wany will start with one race win each after winning the opening two races of Season 3 in Kuala Terengganu earlier.

TGR celebrities — *Fans of celebrities get to meet them during breaks between races.*

“Round 2 is going to be a very exciting because we will be competing on a new track. There’s really no way of preparing for it in terms of setting up the car until we get a chance to drive on the track during the official practice session and evaluate the surface condition and overall flow of the circuit. From what I gather so far, it’s going to be quite a fast track,” said Shawn.

Among the big names in Malaysian motorsports driving in both the Sporting and Super Sporting classes for amateur and professional drivers, respectively, include Season 1 and Season 2 Sporting champions Brendan Paul Anthony and Brendon Lim; Season 1 and Season 2 Super Sporting champions Tengku Djan Ley and Boy Wong; and experienced drivers like Kenny Lee, William Ho, Mark Darwin, Kenneth Koh, Sutan Mustafa and Syafiq Ali. The Sporting Class will also feature 15-year-old Hayden Haikal.

A totally new track to learn quickly
For Super Sporting Class driver Kenny Lee, the first practice session is critical to uncover much of the unknown. “I have never had the opportunity to visit Bandar Malaysia in the past and therefore I don’t know what the surface condition is like. The first thing everyone will be looking into is certainly the final track layout and finding the fastest racing line around the track. We’ll also have to carefully look at the surface conditions especially in the braking zones because you never know, some areas can be a bit bumpy, slippery or even dusty,” said Kenny.

Bandar Malaysia — Another aerial view of the circuit which has been laid out on the runway that aircraft used to land on. Note the exceptionally long straights but as every car will have the same performance levels, it will be driver skill and strategy that makes the difference, not power.

Tengku Djan Ley shares the same sentiment, saying drivers will in essence have only about 90 minutes throughout the race weekend to learn the new track. “We have a track walk on Thursday evening and the official practice starts on Friday, so essentially you only have a couple of laps to try and decipher the entire track and obtain enough information that will go into setting up the race car. Those who are able to do this will have an advantage,” he said.

“There’s really not much that can be done to the set-up apart from experimenting with different tyre pressures, suspension settings and alignment combinations, but these small changes do make a big difference on track,” he added.

For race fans and spectators, the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival will offer a variety of activities for all the family. There will be Toyota’s fleet of vehicles (with test drive sessions available), a drift performance by professional Japanese drivers, a concert, beyblade tournament, racing simulators and the display of the all-new Toyota GR Supra.

Entrance is free of charge and the event is from 9 am to 6 pm on this Saturday and Sunday, November 9/10 2019.

Click here for more information about the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge (more…)

Nissan has exoskeleton devices & they’re awesome

Nissan Spain understands that when it comes to its production line, the physical wellbeing of their staff is one of their major priorities. To ensure that they get all the help they need in order to be safe, healthy, and productive, they’ve come up with a revolutionary method; exoskeleton devices. (more…)

F1 (Round 19) – 2019 United States Grand Prix Results and Highlights

*Valtteri Bottas won the race and also had his name embedded in Hollywood’s Walk of Fame*

Next race in Brazil on November 17

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera with manual transmission? Yes, please!

The awesome folks from Porsche have announced that their 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S and 4S Coupe will come with a seven-speed manual transmission at no additional charge for those who love living on the wilder side of life. Starting next year, customers can opt-out the very capable standard eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission. (more…)

Volvo S60 wins ‘Best Executive Car’ award

The latest 2020 Volvo S60 T8 R Design was just launched recently for the Malaysian market and for those who are still doubting whether this beauty is worthy of your ownership, the Volvo S60 has just been crowned as the best executive car at the 2019 Scottish Car of the Year Awards. (more…)

Latest Renault Koleos can now be booked prior to sales launch; prices start at RM179,888

Renault’s flagship D-segment SUV – the Koleos – has been refreshed with a more distinctive exterior styling and enhancements to an interior that is already one of the most spacious and comfortable in its class.

Now available for booking at the showrooms of TC Euro Cars, the latest version of the Koleos will continue to be offered in two variants: a base version and a more extensively equipped Signature version.

This being a midcycle update, the overall dimensions are unchanged (2705 mm for the wheelbase within a total length of 4672 mm) but the revised exterior design gives a more aggressive and muscular look, with Renault’s Pure Vision LED headlamps available on both variants. Customers can choose either a Universal White or Black Metallic exterior finish.

Key enhancements include new front and rear bumpers with full-width chrome detailing, and new alloy wheels (19 inches diameter for the Koleos Signature). Both variants are now equipped with the convenient hands-free power tailgate which is height-adjustable according to individual needs.

Equipped Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the occupants can now interface whatever is on their smartphone with the car’s 8.7-inch R-LINK2 multimedia system.

Power adjustment for seats are standard for both front seats while rear passenger seats have a 2-step adjustable seat configuration for enhanced comfort. An electric panoramic sunroof (Koleos Signature only) adds a premium touch while enhancing cabin ambience.

The Koleos imported to Malaysia is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to an X-Tronic CVT automatic transmission. This efficient and proven engine can produce up to 171 ps/226 Nm while going up to 12.3 kms/litre, according to factory tests.

The new Koleos prices are from RM179,888 for the standard variant and RM189,888 for the Koleos Signature (on-the-road inclusive of SST, without insurance, for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia). Each new unit comes with a 5-year full manufacturer’s warranty with unlimited mileage. Owners also enjoy a free scheduled maintenance service package for the first 5 years or maximum of 100,000 kms.

During the month of November 2019, TCEC is offering up to RM15,000 for trade-ins on top of the vehicle assessment amount. Alternatively, they can choose the Renault Subscription scheme which offers freedom and flexibility of ownership. There’s no commitment to a long-term loan tenure, rigid lock-ins and vehicle depreciation costs are also non-issues.

To locate a showroom or to know more, visit www.renault.com.my .

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Brabham adds Competition Spec variant to BT62 range, priced from RM4 million

To celebrate the return of a Brabham works car to the race track this month, Brabham Automotive is has announced the inclusion of a Competition specification within the Brabham BT62 range. There will be three variants for customers to choose from: Ultimate Track Car; Competition spec; and Road-Compliant Conversion.

Production remains limited to just 70 cars – irrespective of variant – with all cars available in either ‘Celebration’ or ‘Signature’ liveries. All variants including the Competition specification vehicles are available in either left or right-hand drive. Competition specification units are fully upgradeable to either Ultimate Track Car or Road Compliant specifications at any time.

The Competition specification, priced from £750,000 (around RM4 million), is stripped back and ready for racing. It is lighter than the full-specification Ultimate Track version, with a Celebration or bespoke wrap rather than exterior paint and exposed interior carbon with no interior trim. The Competition specification is delivered without a passenger seat or an Initial Spares Pack (although they can be included as optioned extras), both of which are standard with the Ultimate Track version.

Most importantly, the Brabham BT62 Competition spec features all the performance of the Ultimate Track version. It has the same lightweight, FIA-compliant carbon-chromoly safety cell with integrated roll cage.

It retains all the performance of the Brabham 5.4-litre, naturally aspirated V8 engine delivering 700 bhp mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox. Advanced aerodynamics provide an outstanding 1200 kgs of downforce. Completing the performance package are Brabham’s carbon-on-carbon brakes, which, coupled with motorsport ABS and traction control, are said to provide unrivalled on-track stopping power and control.

The BT62 Competition specification also retains Brabham’s centre-locking wheels, pneumatic jacking system, competition-ready gauge display and lightweight, removable, multi-function steering wheel.

The first BT62 Competition deliveries are in early 2020, in time for the northern hemisphere racing season.

F1 (Round 19) – 2019 United States Grand Prix Starting Grid

Race starts in Texas at 1:10 pm Sunday/3:10 am Monday in Malaysia

Proton sales grow 46% in spite of market contracting by 1.3% this year

News from Proton has been good all year long, with upbeat press releases arriving at our mailboxes every month. And as the end of the year approaches, the carmaker reports that its cumulative sales volume (including export deliveries) is almost at 80,000 units (79,833 to be exact) after 10 months. This represents a growth rate of 46% in a market where the Total Industry Volume (TIV) has decreased by 1.3% to date.

Pending official industry data from the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), Proton estimates its market share to be 16%, which is 5.2% higher than the previous year. It has strengthened its hold on second place in the overall sales chart and is confident of maintaining this position to the end of 2019.

While sales of the X70 SUV have contributed to Proton’s upswing – over 24,000 units have been delivered so far – the Saga has also drawn a huge number of customers since being launched in August. Over 28,000 bookings have been received and in October, the new model posted its highest sales figure for over four years. 4,273 units were sold last month and for the first 10 months of the year, the cumulative total is 30,331 units, which is a 26% increase over the previous year.

“We are humbled by the response our products have received from Malaysian car buyers. In the space of just 8 months, we launched our first SUV and updated all our other models, giving Proton the youngest model range for any car brand in Malaysia. The hard work has paid off with increased sales and we are now confident of being able to sell 100,000 units this year, providing us with a solid base to move forward in 2020 and beyond,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer of Proton.

Dr. Li said the company is matching the commitment of its dealers by continuing to invest in training programmes for sales and service staff to ensure the level of service delivered matches the premium image the brand aspires to. “As we grow the number of 3S/4S outlets, we can then deliver an improved brand experience to more Malaysian car buyers. Proton will continue to focus on improving customer service levels as we know it is one of the keys to building long-term brand loyalty,” he added.

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Circontrol starts tapping into growing PHEV/EV market in Malaysia with aftermarket charging stations

With the introduction of more plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in Malaysia in coming years, along with a few all-electric models, it’s clear that there will be a market for recharging facilities. For now, such units are being offered by the companies selling the PHEVs or EVs, usually as part of a package with the purchase of the car.

No company will be allowed to have a monopoly of the sale of such recharging facilities otherwise the powerful Competition Commission will take action. This means that there are opportunities for companies specialising in such products to start offering them in Malaysia.

*Nissan LEAF – one of the EVs available in Malaysia*

One of them is Circontrol, a 22-year old Spanish company which has a range of chargers for private and commercial application. The company has deployed over 55,000 charging points across 60 countries since they’ve started and also work with brands like Nissan, Audi and Volkswagen on providing Original Equipment for their PHEVs and EVs.

For homes, Circontrol offers their Wallbox eHome and Wallbox eNext. Protected by an ABS plastic housing that’s UV-resistant for longevity. The unit re also IP54-protected, meaning they are partially protected from dust and sprays or splashes of water.

Some of their charging stations like the eVolve Smart and eNext Elite can be connected via ethernet port or 3G/GPRS to make management much easier. They have 7.4kw power supply and are priced at RM5,300 (including installation with additional charges if the location is outside the Klang Valley).

For those who need quick charging solutions, there are DC Chargers like the Raption 50 which can ‘refill’ battery packs within half an hour, it is claimed. These Fast Charging stations feature modular power technology and power scalability to keep them cost-effective and relevant to future advances in EV battery technology.

Designed to be installed in both public access environments (urban spaces, shopping centres, hotels, airports, R&R areas, etc) or company properties where vehicles need to be ready to continue their journey, the Raption 50 is designed to meet the most important market demands. With its state-of-the-art modular power technology allows a bigger uptime, increases availability and flexibility. Another key attribute is its sophisticated, slim and robust design that makes Raption 50 and ideal EV charger for any type of location, from stylish urban areas to industrial sites.

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