Home - Piston.my

Piston.my

Latest News

Gulf Oil-themed McLaren Elva to debut at Goodwood SpeedWeek

McLaren Automotive today unveiled the McLaren Elva Gulf Theme by MSO (McLaren Special Operations), a celebration of the renewed relationship between McLaren and the Gulf Oil brand which existed 60 years ago. It’s another example of how designs from McLaren’s racing history are inspiring the brand’s modern-day customers.

The unique McLaren roadster in blue and orange Gulf colours will makes its world debut at Goodwood SpeedWeek, a ‘closed-door’ live broadcast event bringing together the past, present and future of motoring and motorsport at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in the UK.

New partnership with Gulf
McLaren and Gulf recently confirmed a new partnership that renews a historic union between the two brands that originated in the 1960s, a decade when both companies made their first forays into motorsport. Gulf branding appeared on McLaren’s Can-Am, Formula 1 and Indy cars from 1968 to 1973. Two decades later, McLaren F1 GTRs run by customer team GTC carried the famous Gulf livery in global GT racing, including at Le Mans.

Under the new partnership, McLaren Automotive customers will have the opportunity to commission Gulf-liveried cars directly from MSO. These follow cars inspired by the famous livery designed and produced by MSO prior to the renewed relationship being agreed.

Most recently, a McLaren Senna GTR LM paying homage to the #24 McLaren F1 GTR that finished fourth in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans race was completed as one of five MSO-designed customer cars celebrating the McLaren F1’s domination of that race.

“The McLaren Elva Gulf Theme by MSO is a striking celebration of both McLaren’s history in sports car racing and our new partnership with Gulf Oil. McLaren Special Operations is committed to pushing the boundaries of the ‘art of the possible’ and projects like this showcase the increasingly extensive range of personalisation options we can offer customers – in this case, enhancing the authenticity of the livery by incorporating Gulf brand logos into the design,” said Ansar Ali, Managing Director of MSO.

McLaren Ultimate Series
The Elva, which follows the McLaren P1TM, McLaren Senna and Speedtail in McLaren’s Ultimate Series, links McLaren’s heritage to its present and future with a name and style that recalls the McLaren-Elva sports racers of the 1960s. These were among the first sportscars designed and raced by Bruce McLaren and the company he founded, and the new Elva evokes the true spirit of driving enjoyment symbolised by this era.

In line with McLaren’s on-going commitment to super-lightweight engineering, the new Ultimate Series roadster retains the lightweight construction philosophy of its forebear and is at the cutting-edge of automotive technology.

The body design of the screenless, roofless Elva, for example, incorporates an innovative Active Air Management System that creates a virtual canopy over the seamlessly-integrated cockpit. It is powered by an 815 PS/800 Nm 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

Only 149 units
With deliveries of the Elva commencing this year, MSO has already completed the specification of the first cars and is well-advanced in discussions with customers to create further dramatic paintwork and liveries. Just 149 examples of the Ultimate Series roadster will be available to customer order, making it one of the rarest McLarens ever produced.

New 765LT continues the McLaren ‘Longtail’ story

Fuel Price Updates For October 17 – 23, 2020

Renault Megane eVision concept previews new Megane for 2022 (w/VIDEO)

Having been among the early carmakers to start electrifying their product line and since 2010, it has sold more than 300,000 electric vehicles in Europe. Renault continues to look ahead to the future of electric vehicles and mobility.

Revealing the next step in the brand’s broadening electrified vision is the Megane eVision, an innovative concept car based on the new modular CMF-EV (Common Module Family – Electric Vehicle) platform. The production version of the Megane eVision, to go on sale in 2020, will be the first Renault vehicle to make use of the new platform.

Highly variable platform
This new platform was specifically designed by the Alliance and has been rigorously tested over 3 million kilometres in France and Japan. It can accommodate a variety of vehicle bodies – from low saloons to larger SUVs – with different modular batteries can be fitted vertically and horizontally.

What will be consistent across all vehicles sitting on the CMF-EV platform is a flat floor, boosting interior practicality and modularity thanks to the lack of an exhaust system or standard transmission, making room for a more versatile cabin.

It is also modular in length with a wheelbase up to 2.77 metres available, offering engineers a vast scope for vehicles with more powerful batteries and longer driving range. The flexibility of the platform is further demonstrated by the ability to accommodate a second rear engine to provide 4-wheel drive capability.

The engine compartment is also more compact when compared with traditional combustion-engined vehicles, enabling an extended wheelbase with wheels pushed further to the edges of the vehicle. This allows a much roomier cabin environment as well as more design opportunities.

Powertrain and battery
The electric motor is one of the most powerful in the Renault range of any fuel type, delivering 160 kW of power (equivalent to 217 bhp) and 300 Nm of torque, to give a claimed acceleration time from 0 – 100 km/h in under 8 seconds.

Slimline battery packs located beneath the floor of the vehicle give a low centre of gravity. An innovative feature is that they are structural and form an integral part of the car, helping to absorb energy in the event of a side collision. They also have a higher energy density, enabling longer driving range and reduced charging times.

The 60 kWh battery pack thickness can be altered in order to best suit the car, meaning particular models can be designed to be perfectly fit for purpose. For example, a compact vehicle can be truly compact, while remaining highly efficient with increased driving range and improved energy efficiency.

Besides an advanced system for managing battery temperature and one of the thinnest batteries on the market, the Megane eVision also has a new ultra-compact powertrain. An optimised water-cooling Energy Recovery System captures the heat of the engine and battery to heat the passenger compartment without using energy from the battery. This ensures the driving range is not impacted by cold weather, maximising all available energy.

LIVINGTECH technological ecosystem
The interior showcases Renault’s LIVINGTECH technological ecosystem, an intuitive and smart interior environment that focuses on interacting with the passengers and catering to their needs and usage. The space within is comparable to a much larger vehicle in spite of the compact hatchback exterior. A slim and sleek LIVINGSCREEN instrument panel forms part of the interior design that combines design and practicality, with striking touches such as illuminated edges.

The 4.21-metre long Megane eVision has a hatchback design which is a modern interpretation and reinvention of the Megane name. It takes inspiration and details from the MORPHOZ concept car with the large wheels, body height and robust design reminiscent of an SUV.

The floating roof is finished in a unique gold colour gradient that starts from the front windscreen pillar, giving an impression of lightness, accentuating the car’s sleek profile. The highly sculpted bonnet features two air inlets, enhancing the illuminated Renault logo, while the 20-inch alloy wheels are finished in the shape of propeller blades.

Renault MORPHOZ – the car that changes shape according to needs! (w/VIDEO)

Prices of Accessory Packages for new Nissan Almera Turbo announced

For those who are planning to buy the new Nissan Almera Turbo, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), has announced the availability and pricing of Optional Accessory Packages that consist of items customised for the new model.

There are 3 packages, priced from RM400 to RM2,750, and all the items come with a 3-year/100,000 km warranty. Even better, the cost of the package can be included in the H-P loan taken, so you pay for it in instalments as well.

The packages are shown below and include Protection Packages as well:

*Combination leather upholstery with dark grey accents can be specified when ordering the new Almera Turbo.*

Items can also be purchased separately
For those who prefer to buy just some of the items and not take a whole package, ETCM will also sell them separately although there are savings of up to 31% if you take them as a package. The individual items available are shown in the chart below:

The new Almera Turbo, with a small but advanced HR10DET turbocharged engine, is very different from the model it replaces. ETCM believes it can ‘Challenge All Beliefs’ with innovative technologies and features that will be appreciated by today’s buyers.

If you test-drive the new model (at selected Nissan showrooms), you could win one of 15 iPhone SE (128GB) smartphones worth RM2,199 each. To find out which showrooms have an Almera Turbo for viewing and test-drive visit www.almeraturbo.com.my.

First Look at the all-new Nissan Almera Turbo (N18), with brief driving impressions

9th Art of Speed Malaysia date postponed till end of December 2020

With the rising number of COVID-19 cases and now the imposition of CMCO in the Klang Valley for 2 weeks, companies and event organisers are reviewing their activities in the next few months. One of them is Art of Speed Malaysia (AOS) which had an event planned for November 12, 2020 at the 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

With the CMCO in operation, the organisers have decided to postpone the 9th Annual Art of Speed Malaysia event to run from December 30 until January 3, 2021. The venue will remain at the 1Utama Shopping Centre as the AOS people are satisfied that ‘the shopping centre’s proactive actions and readiness to host the event have been exemplary’.

The date for the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Malaysia Virtual Finals will remain unchanged on November 12, 2020 as it is essentially an online event. The jury will consist of judges from Malaysia and the USA and judging will be done LIVE online, with the winner being announced on the same day.

“Throughout this pandemic, we have been working behind the scenes with various parties to ensure our decisions are for the best interest of all involved especially with regards to health and safety. We can only pray that this new wave will soon subside, and we can continue with our plans to support the various communities and industries that contribute so much to the socio economic fabric of Malaysia,” the organisers said.

Malaysia is first stop in Asia for 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour

Proton employee tested positive for COVID-19

Proton reports that one of its employees was tested positive for COVID-19 on October 14, 2020. The employee, who is from the Research & Development Department in Shah Alam, was immediately put under the care of a government facility.

The company, which has been strictly adhering to the protocols issued by the authorities, immediately put into place its mitigation plans to ensure prevention of further spread. Contact tracing was initiated begun and all employees from the respective departments have been asked to stay away from the office and self-quarantine. This is being followed by deep cleansing and a disinfection of the premises and any suspected areas.

Proton states that the employee concerned was not in any way regularly interacting with customers and therefore there is a lower concern about direct exposure to the public.

The company reassures all its customers that it will continue to strictly follow all guidelines and procedures laid out by the authorities as it has been doing from the start of the pandemic. It will continue to monitor the situation closely before deciding on any further course of action, if necessary.

The safety of all Proton staff, customers and Malaysians is of the utmost importance to the company and will be its main priority, it said in a statement issued this afternoon.