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Limited edition Jaguar F-PACE with 2-litre 300-ps engine goes on sale in Malaysia

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) has introduced the latest limited edition F-PACE, Jaguar’s best-selling performance SUV, with the 2.0-litre, turbocharged Ingenium petrol engine.

Only 20 units in three variants have been imported, with prices ranging from RM436,420.82 to RM485,433.81 (for private-use registration in Peninsular Malaysia; excluding road tax and insurance).

Lightweight Aluminium Architecture
Like the Lightweight Aluminium Architecture Jaguar developed for its models, the Ingenium 4-cylinder engine has all-aluminium construction to keep weight low. With a twin scroll turbocharger, maximum output is 300 ps at 5500 rpm with 400 Nm of torque available between 1500 and 4500 rpm.

The F-PACE, which has all-wheel drive, has a claimed 0 – 100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds and can reach a top speed of 233 km/h (with 22-inch wheels fitted).

The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission has a pendulum damper in the torque converter that absorbs low frequency vibrations. This enables the engine to run more smoothly at lower speeds.

Advanced chassis technologies
The chassis also has advanced Jaguar proprietary technologies such as Configurable and Adaptive Dynamics. The Configurable Dynamics, standard on the R-Sport variant, allows drivers to choose Normal or Sports settings for the throttle response, gearbox and steering.

Adaptive Dynamics (only available in the top variants) modifies the damper response to match the different conditions and driving style. It analyses acceleration, cornering, throttle and brake pedal activity to optimise the suspension settings for the best vehicle dynamics and comfort.

The three variants offered are the F-PACE Prestige (entry level), R-Sport (Mid-Spec) and R-Sport (Hi-Spec) with 6 colour options. All vehicles distributed by JLRM are compatible with the Malaysian climate, environment and fuel quality as well as meet the Malaysian emission standard. They come with a ‘Jaguar Care’ programme which includes a 5-year warranty, 5 years of free scheduled service and 3 years of roadside assistance.

Click here for other news and articles about Jaguar.

F1 (Round 3): Preview and Starting Grid of the 2020 Formula 1 Aramco Hungarian Grand Prix

Race starts at 3:10 pm in Hungary/9:10 pm in Malaysia

After two weekends at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, the F1 teams travelled 420 kms to the next venue on the calendar, Hungaroring in Hungary. The 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix (which has the official event title of 2020 Formula 1 Aramco Magyar Nagydij) is the third round of the championship.

The authorities are very strict on the conditions of allowing the race to be run. These include staying within the circuit or at their respective hotels and not socialising; breaking the rules can result in a fine of 15,000 euros (about RM73,000) and/or jail time. Both Ferrari drivers were reported to have broken the rules and the team boss has warned them that they cannot be irresponsible and jeopardise the team.

A regular venue
The circuit is a familiar one to the drivers, having been used over the past 34 years. As such, they will be prepared for the hot and dusty environment, more so with the pandemic-related lockdowns further keeping the circuit unused. The air and track temperatures experienced at the Hungarian Grand Prix are typically some of the highest of the season, with an average air temperature of 30°C and average track temperature of 49°C.

The current Hungaroring circuit uses the third layout since 1986 and has 14 turns. Running around a valley, it is twisty and bumpy, giving a ‘street circuit’ feel like that of Monaco. Rain can add to the challenges and it has during practice sessions this week. With the revised 2020 schedule and the circuit’s relentless run of corners, the Hungaroring looks set to be the highest downforce track on the calendar.

Constant cornering
Because of the track’s high-downforce nature, its maximum speed – 318 km/h – is one of the lowest in F1. The cars only spend around 10 seconds going in a straight line during a 4.4-km lap, with the remaining 65 seconds or so spent cornering. As such, the Hungaroring is known for its constant cornering.

Despite the Hungaroring having one of the shortest start/finish straights, the track has the fifth-longest run to Turn 1 from pole position – due to the grid being positioned very close to the exit of the final corner.

The circuit is one of the toughest for brake cooling, in part due to the lack of straights, often made worse by cars being stuck in traffic. Just 65% of the lap distance at the Hungaroring is taken at full throttle, one of the lowest figures in F1.

The average lateral g-force experienced during the course of the lap is one of the highest in F1, due to the grip levels from the new tarmac, long corners, lack of straights and high downforce levels. Drivers report that the kerbs are some of the most severe in F1 for the cars. The spacing, height and speed at which drivers go over kerbs are all important factors. While the kerbs in Hungary are harsh, they are generally taken at slower speeds than in Red Bull Ring.

The track features many long corners, some of which are 180 degrees or more, which impacts the suspension set-up. The majority of corners in Hungary are taken in ‘steady state’, which is where the length of the corner allows the car to settle and stay in a rolled condition for a long period of time. A ‘transient state’ means the opposite and is seen in corners requiring quick changes of direction. For this weekend’s race, ‘steady state’ is more important and the suspension can be tuned to be better suited to this.

A place in F1 history
The 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix was the first race in F1 history to be won by a hybrid car. Back then, using the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) was optional and the opening races were won by cars with conventional engines. However, Mercedes-AMG had developed a hybrid system run by McLaren-Mercedes in 2009. So, when Lewis Hamilton won the event that year, it was the first ever victory for a hybrid Formula 1 car.

Hamilton has won the Hungarian Grand Prix 7 times, making it his joint-most successful track – shared with the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. Commenting on his experience this weekend during practices, Hamilton said: “This is such a great track to drive in the dry, but it’s very tricky in the wet and it felt quite low grip out there. It’s not such a power-dependent circuit. I’m hoping for a tighter pack, it’d be great to see the Renaults doing well, the McLarens are doing a fantastic job, as are the Racing Points, it’s really exciting to see. We also expect Red Bull to be strong, so I anticipate a tough battle with them.”

The championship so far
Valtteri Bottas is in top spot after two rounds with 43 points, 6 points ahead of Hamilton. Lando Norris is in third with 26 points while Charles Leclerc, in spite of the fiasco last Sunday, is in fourth with the 18 points collected for his win in the first round.

As for the Constructors Championship, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team has already built up a 41-point lead ahead of McLaren. BWT Racing Point F1 Team is in fourth and will be closely watched as it tries to pass Red Bull Racing which is 5 points ahead.

New Nissan brand logo for a new era

Logos or emblems are important and established companies pay particular attention to them because they identify the brand. Some logos may be used for decades but eventually evolve as times change – as what has occurred with the Nissan logo. It is a reimagination of the iconic Nissan brand logo for a new chapter, serving as a digital and physical trademark for a new generation of Nissan models.

Company founder Yoshisuke Aikawa followed the motto ‘Shisei tenjitsu o tsuranuku’ (If you have a strong belief, it penetrates even the sun) with Nissan’s logo. While keeping this essence alive, Nissan’s new logo reflects the significant changes in society over the last two decades.

The new logo points to the future and at the same time looks proudly at its rich heritage, at the tradition shaped by innovations, at milestones and successes back. The company name remains in the centre of the logo and thus underlines the recognition value.

Nissan’s 20-year old logo (left) will now be replaced by a new one (right).

The design process
The development of the new logo began in mid-2017 when Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s Senior Vice-President of Global Design, began to study potential changes to Nissan’s logo and brand identity. He set up a design team led by Tsutomu Matsuo, Deputy General Manager of Nissan’s advanced design department, to study everything from a subtle evolution to a complete reinvention. Albaisa offered the keywords ‘thin, light and flexible’, and set Matsuo and his team on their journey.

“Inspiration was drawn from breakthroughs in science, technology and connectivity… how these have brought fundamental changes to our customers,” said Albaisa. “As you can imagine, visions of digitalization started swirling in our heads.”

Over the next two years, the team sketched and plotted several versions, always keeping Aikawa’s directive words in mind: “be passionate, be an innovator, be a challenger.”

The team needed to consider several variables, including an early decision for the logo to be illuminated on upcoming all-electric models. This presented technical challenges, such as gauging the thickness and contour of the logo’s outline to ensure a crisp impression when lit and, of course, compliance with government regulations for illuminated elements on cars. The logo also needed to make a strong impression when not illuminated, such as when it appeared digitally or on paper.

The result after countless sketches and several mock-ups was a logo with a two-dimensional character. It looks more designed than crafted and is therefore flexible enough for different areas of application. The Nissan designers first started three-dimensionally with the illuminated brand emblem before the 2D model was finalized.

Reflecting Nissan’s change
With the redesign, the edgy, industrial look was transformed into a finer, more familiar and digitally friendly model. This change also underlines the Nissan development from a traditional automobile manufacturer to a mobility service provider.

“The new Nissan logo communicates our guiding message, carried over from past iterations: If you have a strong, determined belief, it can even penetrate the sun,” said Matsuo. “At Nissan, this strong belief in the power of achievement has never wavered and can be seen in our pioneering efforts in electrification, driver assistance and digital connectivity. Our logo has to convey all of this in just a glance, to show our commitment to our customers, employees and society.”

Start of a new era
The new logo is introduced this month, both in digital and physical forms. All of Nissan’s electric vehicles will feature an exclusive illuminated logo lit by 20 LEDs (corresponding to the number of years between logo redesigns), a prominent visual reminder that Nissan is driving towards an electrified future. The first model with the new emblem is the all-electric Ariya crossover SUV unveiled recently.

2021 Nissan Ariya — *New all-electric Ariya crossover SUV*

This will be followed by the new logo being incorporated widely, from stationery letterheads and dealership signs to social media and digital advertising. Different versions allow flexibility for different communication needs.

In certain digital and video applications, the logo even becomes ‘alive’, ‘pushing’ itself against various backgrounds and pulsating. The logo thus reflects today’s constantly changing environment and the flexibility required to be exciting, relevant and fascinating stay.

At Nissan dealerships, the new logo will first appear on displays and screens. The conversion of the outdoor signs and the showrooms to the new visual identity of the brand will start in November 2020. The new Nissan logo will be visible on the outside on a simplified slim tablet above the entrance. The characteristic dark gray paint can only be found on the main facade and visible side facades and the signpost is no longer required.

Visit www.nissan.com.my to know more about the Nissan models available in Malaysia.

Volkswagen and Audi modify their logos to create social distancing awareness

The Rolls-Royce of cabin air filtration systems

Anything that Rolls-Royce makes has to be the best possible, in keeping with the brand promise. To most of the world, that obsession often centres around its cars, but it equally applies to many other things like lifestyle accessories and even model cars. It even has a Clean Room at its manufacturing facility with the extremely high standards comparable to microchip manufacturing plants and in pharmaceutical and medical equipment production facilities.

Unprecedented levels of purity
Now, Rolls-Royce engineers have also come out with a cabin filtration technology that is said to live up to the brand image of superlative quality. Aiming to elevate the already high quality of air in their cars to unprecedented levels of purity, they have utilised the latest sensor and filtration technology. The micro environment is said to be the cleanest in any car today , further complementing the sense of oasis created by the design and material substance of its interior environments.

The importance of protecting the occupants in a Rolls-Royce from harmful carbon and pollen particles, as well as viruses and bacterial contaminants, is not something that has come to attention as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2015, all Rolls-Royce cars have been using state-of-the-art air filtration equipment for the cleanest possible environment.

For the new Ghost, which debuts in the fourth quarter of 2020, the new technology incorporates a full suite of hardware and software improvements, collectively known as the Micro Environment Purification System.

Super-fine Nanofleece mesh filter
Highly sensitive Impurity Detection Sensors have been introduced to detect ambient air quality, automatically switching fresh air intakes to Recirculation Mode if unacceptable levels of airborne contaminants are present. This channels all cabin air through a Nanofleece filter which is made of fibre that is a super-fine mesh with gaps of 150 nanometres.

To put this in perspective, a typical human red blood cell is 6,000 to 8,000 nanometres across. This means nearly all ultra-fine particles, viruses and bacteria in the cabin environment can be removed and in less than 2 minutes to provide pure, clean air.

Following the initial implementation of this technology, it will be possible in future for the occupants to remotely pre-condition the micro environment within their Rolls-Royce via an app in preparation for their arrival.

For Rolls-Royce, every product must be perfect – even scale models (w/VIDEO)

Fuel price updates for July 18 to July 24, 2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz C 200 AMG Line

Before Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) started to import AMG-developed and upgraded models, it offered customers variants of popular models with AMG accessories installed. These variants gained an added touch of sportiness and customers benefitted from having genuine accessories for which there was a warranty as well.

The latest of such variants is the Mercedes-Benz C 200 AMG Line. According to Michael Jopp, Vice-President Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the current C-Class has been one of the best sellers in the local Mercedes-Benz range, with more than 20,000 units sold since its introduction in 2014.

“The localised C-Class itself has been well-accepted by our customers. As part of our continuous commitment to the local market, the premium mid-sized limousine model, the C 200 is upgraded with AMG line together with a host of enhancement including an even more dynamic engine, sports suspension, state-of-the-art digital infotainment system and Mercedes me connect. This model will further cater to the individual requirements of our esteemed customers,” he said.

Sportier, expressive character
The exterior appearance of the AMG Line C 200 gains a sporty and expressive character with the new diamond radiator grille integrated with the Mercedes star and pins in chrome, the AMG front apron with sporty air intake and chrome trim element and the AMG diffuser-look rear apron with insert in black. Specially for this new variant are 18-inch AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels.

Under the bonnet is the new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces more power with a maximum output of 204 bhp/300 Nm. With a 9-speed 9G-TRONIC transmission, the claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 7.1 seconds and the car can reach a top speed of 250 km/h.

On the inside, the C 200 AMG Line has ARTICO leather upholstery, galvanised steering wheel gearshift paddles and AMG sports pedals.

Motoring life easier with Mercedes me
The connected service known as Mercedes me available (registration required using the app) makes the lives of owners easier, whether it is unlocking/locking the car, starting the engine remotely, getting customer support or even check their fuel level. Other features of Mercedes me include Mercedes–Benz emergency call system (eCall), remote vehicle diagnostics, pre-entry climate control, predictive navigation, and parked vehicle locator.

Predicting accidents and getting prepared
Besides the usual safety systems, the C 200 AMG Line also has Active Brake Assist, PRE-SAFE and Blind Spot Assist. The Active Brake Assist system helps to minimise the effects of a rear-end collision, while the PRE-SAFE system monitors the situation ahead and take the necessary action if an accident is likely. If an accident is imminent, the system tightens the front seatbelts, adjusts front head restraints and even closes windows if they are open.

There’s also Blind Spot Assist system, an active safety feature which is available in many cars these days. It monitors the areas on the left and right side of the car (towards the rear) which are not visible to the driver. If a vehicle is detected, a red triangle appears in the relevant door mirror. If the driver attempts to make a turn or change lanes – which the system detects by the activation of the signal lights – a warning sound will come on. The system only becomes active from 30 km/h and remains active up to the vehicle’s maximum speed.

The C 200 AMG Line is available at authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide with the price starting from RM251,587.39. This price is with no sales tax (since the model is assembled locally) and should be valid till the end of the year unless MBM has a price adjustment.