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YANGWANG U9X Becomes the World’s Fastest Production Car at 496km/h

BYD’s luxury sub-brand, YANGWANG, has officially rewritten the record books after its latest hypercar, the U9 Xtreme, clocked a staggering 496.22km/h at the ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg circuit in Germany. The run, which took place on 14 September 2025, not only smashed the previous EV record but also overtook the fastest petrol-powered car on record, making it the quickest production vehicle in the world.

The U9 Xtreme, or U9X as it is now officially called, began life as the U9 Track/Special Edition before being refined into a road-going production model. It builds on the foundations of the regular U9 already sold in China, but with significant upgrades that push the limits of what an electric hypercar can do.

Among the highlights is a new 1200V ultra-high-voltage system (up from the U9’s 800V setup), a lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery capable of delivering an extraordinary 30C discharge rate, and four ultra-high-speed motors that spin up to 30,000rpm, generating more than 3,000PS in total. The package is completed with track-focused semi-slick tyres and a recalibrated DiSus-X suspension system, tuned specifically for the brutal forces of high-speed circuit driving.

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Toyota Research Institute Finds Behavioural Science Can Boost EV Charging Habits

The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has revealed new research showing how behavioural science can play a major role in improving electric vehicle (EV) charging habits, ultimately cutting carbon emissions more effectively. The studies, carried out in both the United States and Japan, tested a prototype app called ChargeMinder, designed by TRI’s Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence division.

Instead of relying purely on technology, the research highlighted how subtle behavioural nudges can change the way people interact with their vehicles. In the U.S., plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivers increased their charging frequency by around 10% thanks to targeted interventions.

Meanwhile, in Japan, both PHEV and battery electric vehicle (BEV) users shifted a significant portion of their charging to hours with the highest renewable energy supply — nearly 59% more than before — which translated to about 30 minutes of extra daytime charging per vehicle each day.

Beyond the environmental benefits, the experiments also improved driver satisfaction. In the U.S., PHEV owners reported a 16-point increase in satisfaction levels, with every participant ending up fully satisfied with their vehicles.

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BMW X5 to Arrive with Five Powertrain Choices, Including Hydrogen

BMW is preparing to roll out the latest generation of the X5, and this time it will come with more drivetrain options than ever before. Buyers will be able to choose between battery electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol, diesel, and, for the first time, hydrogen fuel cell. It will make the X5 the first model in the brand’s line-up to feature the full range of propulsion technologies in a single series.

Alongside the car, BMW is also pushing its Hydrogen Mobility at Scale (HyMoS) programme, aimed at expanding hydrogen refuelling networks in large cities. The pilot phase is starting in Germany, before moving into France and later other markets.

The plan was presented in New York by Joachim Post, BMW AG’s Board Member for Development. He explained that hydrogen plays a crucial role in the shift to low-carbon mobility and confirmed that BMW intends to move both the technology and its infrastructure forward.

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Tun Mahathir Shows He’s Driving Strong at 100, Cruising EKVE in Proton e.MAS 7

On Saturday, 20 September, motorists on the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) witnessed a striking sight, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, at 100 years old, confidently behind the wheel of the Proton e.MAS 7. Even as he approaches a century in age, the former Prime Minister looked comfortable and in command of Proton’s first mass-market electric vehicle.

Drivers who recognised him along the highway waved in respect, a small gesture reflecting the enduring admiration many Malaysians hold for him.

For Tun Mahathir, this was more than just a leisurely drive. His connection with Proton runs deep, going back to the 1980s when he spearheaded the national car project as part of his wider vision for Malaysia’s industrialisation.

It was under his leadership that Proton was established in 1983, with the first Saga rolling off the line in 1985. Over the decades, he has often been seen in Proton cars, treating them not as ceremonial symbols but as everyday vehicles. That bond between statesman and carmaker has never really faded.

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Two Generations of Porsche 911 S/T United by Colour and Craft

Two versions of the Porsche 911 S/T, separated by more than fifty years, now share the same garage: the original 1972 race car and the modern reinterpretation from 2024. Both are finished in Light Yellow, paint code 117, a colour that ties their very different stories together.

The first car began life as a 911 2.5 S/T and famously won its GT class at the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans. What happened afterwards is less certain. By the time it was discovered decades later in a barn near San Francisco, it was a wreck. Rust, accident damage, and layers of poor repainting had erased almost all traces of its past.

The last documented race was in May 1975 at Riverdale, with Don Lindley driving. After that, the trail disappeared until 2008, when clues pointed to its survival. In 2013, a Swiss collector travelled to California to recover what was left of the car and entrusted the restoration to Porsche Classic in Stuttgart.

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BHPetrol Lubricants Earn SIRIM Certification, Rollout of Genuine Product Labels Begins

Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn. Bhd. (BHPetrol) has taken a big step forward in strengthening consumer confidence, as its range of lubricants has now been officially certified by SIRIM QAS International. The recognition comes in the form of the SIRIM Genuine Product Licensing Certification, awarded under licenses PG000056 and PG000057.

This certification applies across BHPetrol’s core lubricant lines – SynGard passenger car motor oils, Trans commercial vehicle and diesel engine oils, and Dash motorcycle oils – ensuring that each product meets strict quality, safety, and performance standards. The move also aligns with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living’s enforcement measures, which require all engine oil products sold after 7 October 2025 to carry proper SIRIM certification labels.

With certification in place, BHPetrol will soon begin rolling out official light green SIRIM QR code stickers on all newly manufactured and packaged certified lubricants. For products already in storage, light pink QR code stickers will be distributed to business partners. Through its sales representatives, BHPetrol will help coordinate the distribution of these stickers and provide support to ensure smooth implementation across its dealer network.

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