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Lexus previews range of vehicles for mobility on the Moon

Carmakers must be very optimistic about continuing their business in the distant future, with Porsche having designed a starship in collaboration with LucasFilms. Now, Lexus has revealed a vehicle for use on the moon, joining an elite group of design industry luminaries selected to contribute a suite of design concept drawings to Document Journal’s prestigious portfolio.

For Document Journal‘s issue No. 15, the art & fashion magazine invited a selection of the culture’s most compelling architects and designers to imagine human life on the moon for The Lunar Design Portfolio. How shall we live? What will it look like? What will we wear? What will we drive?

ED2, the European Advanced Design Studio for Toyota and Lexus dedicated to advanced concept proposals and groundbreaking design, was selected to contribute a lunar mobility concept. Drawing on the just-released LF-30 Future Concept vehicle, the studio created a series of 7 concepts from 5 different designers, all ready to tackle the lunar landscape.

”When Document Journal approached us about the Lunar Design Portfolio, our team was working on the LF-30 Concept, which represents the ‘Lexus Electrified’ futuristic vision for the brand. The design team was already looking beyond near-term production and ahead to how advanced technology will change the way we interact with vehicles,” said Ian Cartabiano, President of ED2.

“The lunar project came at the right time, halfway through the LF-30 development. It gave the team a chance to dream further out, and then apply some of the design language from the LF-30 interior to their lunar proposals,” he added.

Zero Gravity, the concept sketch selected to appear in the print issue of the magazine, is a single rider vehicle that evolves the LF-30’s ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision to incorporate Magnetic Levitation technology. The design reinterprets the signature Lexus spindle grille and uses the motorcycle-style of driving to employ the new concept of Tazuna (which mean ‘reins’ in Japanese): the fundamental human-centered philosophy. Inspired by how a single rein can be used to achieve mutual understanding between horse and rider, the steering control provides active driving enjoyment created by the direct communication between human and machine.

The other proposals are the Lunar Cruiser, a multipurpose vehicle that can provide a smooth ride over rough lunar terrain and the Cosmos, which has a lot of glass for a panoramic view. The Moon Roller is a rotating vehicle while the Moon Racer could be the future Lexus LX for exploring the moon. The Lunar Mission is a transport vehicle to take earthlings to the moon.

Visit www.lexus.com.my to know more about Lexus models you can buy in Malaysia today.

Lexus LF-30 concept shows the electrified future of Toyota’s luxury brand (w/VIDEO)

Latest sketches of Skoda VISION IN concept reveal the design of new compact SUV for India

As part of the INDIA 2.0 project, Skoda Auto, the Czech subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, is leading the activities of the Group brands on the Indian sub-continent. Several cross-brand Skoda and Volkswagen models will be created based on the MQB A0 IN variant of the Modular Transverse Matrix, which the 125-year old carmaker is developing with a focus on India and Indian customers.

The new localised sub-compact platform is being showcased for the first time in the Skoda VISION IN concept model with two design sketches that show the exterior style of the VISION IN. The vehicle, which is approximately 4.26 metres long, have been serving as a study for a new compact SUV model developed especially for the Indian market.

The first design sketch shows the dynamic front which has a wide bonnet with a large Skoda grille incorporating solid ribs shapes the visual impression. The upper, very flat units of the split headlights progress directly to the grille. Beneath is a robustly designed front apron with large side air intakes and a massive front spoiler made of aluminium.

The second sketch illustrates a clearly structured, distinctive rear with sharply contoured, three-dimensional rear lights; an additional horizontal light strip connects the reflectors. Illuminated Skoda lettering is prominently positioned in the centre of the rear; an aluminium diffuser is integrated into the rear apron underneath.

Earlier, the interior was revealed in a sketch which showed a wide dashboard arranged on several levels, echoing the symmetrical contours of the Skoda grille in the centre. The colour orange, which inspires vitality and creativity, is used extensively throughout the interior, for example, on the centre armrest and door panels.

In addition to the large, free-standing central screen and virtual cockpit, a new crystalline element on the instrument panel creates an optical highlight. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel features buttons and knurl wheels following Skoda’s new operating concept. The reduced and clearly structured centre console has a small control lever for gear selection.

Best times to drive to the East Coast this weekend

Ever since the East Coast Expressway (LPT2) was opened in 2015, providing a fast and smooth highway link from the Klang Valley to Kuala Terengganu, many people have found it preferable to drive to the East Coast than use the bus. Prior to the LPT2 being available, the highway link was only up to Karak and the rest of the way was on winding roads which limited speeds and a journey would take many hours.

As a result, traffic volumes have been increasing over the past 4 years and it is common for congestion to occur from the Bentong toll plaza all the way to the toll plaza at Gombak. Naturally, it doesn’t help that the terrain is undulating with slopes causing traffic to slow down further. Fortunately, heavy commercial vehicles will not be allowed to use the highway on January 23rd/24th and 27th/28th.

ANIH Berhad, the concessionaire which maintains the 60-km highway from the Gombak toll plaza to the Bentong toll plaza offers suggestions on the best times to travel during the Chinese New Year period. It notes that the express buses heading to destinations on the East Coast enter the highway during two periods of the day – between 9:30 am and noon and 9:30 pm and midnight. Therefore, motorists are advised not to also start their journeys during these periods.

The chart below shows the suggested times for travel to the East Coast on January 23rd – 25th (Thursday to Saturday), and then if returning on the 26^th or 27^th (Sunday or Monday).

Travelling between midnight and 6 am would be congestion-free but be sure you are up to it and have had sufficient rest to remain awake and alert! If you are drowsy, pull over at a R&R and have a nap rather than struggle to continue. There is the danger of what is known as ‘microsleep’ where you doze off suddenly and you would no longer control the car – and an accident could occur.

Night driving — *You won’t have to endure congestion when travelling after midnight but be sure you are up to it and have had enough rest before starting the journey so you do not become drowsy.*

ANIH Berhad also reminds motorists to ensure that their Touch ‘n Go and RFID e-Wallets have sufficient balance for the toll payable. Reloads can usually be done at the Gombak and Bentong Toll Plaza Customer Service Centres from 7 am – 10 pm but between January 23rd and 27^th, reloads will not be available at the toll plaza booths.

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster GTS 4.0 bring back the Boxer Six – and manual transmission (w/VIDEO)

The beginning of the second quarter of 2020 will see the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster arriving in European showrooms in the new GTS 4.0 form. The new versions of the mid-engine sportscars are powered by a naturally-aspirated 4-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine developing 400 ps/419 Nm of torque. This engine is closely related to the engine used in the 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4 but detuned to produce about 20 ps less (but still more than the old turbocharged 4-cylinder 718 GTS engine).

The new GTS engine revs effortlessly to 7,800 rpm and emits a particularly rich 6-cylinder boxer engine sound via the standard Sports Exhaust System. The 718 GTS 4.0 models adopt the twin tailpipe Sport Exhaust System from the 718 Spyder and 718 Cayman GT4. Its saddle-type design creates space for the contrasting black rear lower fascia, which was specifically designed for the GTS models.

As in the 718 Spyder/718 Cayman GT4, the boxer engine also features adaptive cylinder control that alternately switches off one of the two cylinder banks at low engine loads, direct fuel injection with piezo injectors and a variable intake system to enhance the car’s efficiency which is claimed to be up to 9.2 kms/litre.

Equipped exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission and standard Sport Exhaust System, the 718 GTS 4.0 models can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 293 km/h.

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sport suspension with a 20 mm lower ride height (compared to other 718 Boxster and Cayman models) is standard. Other standard equipment on the 718 GTS 4.0 models includes Porsche Stability Management (PSM) with individually selectable PSM Sport mode, Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts and Porsche Torque Vectoring with a mechanical limited-slip differential.

With the increased power, the brake system has been enhanced compared to the 718 S and previous 718 GTS models. The cross-drilled cast-iron front rotors now measure 350 mm in diameter (up from 330 mm previously) and are equipped with red 6-piston calipers, while the rear rotor size has been increased to 330 mm. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is available as an option.

The 20-inch light-alloy wheels are painted in satin black and fitted with high-performance tyres (235/35ZR20 at the front, 265/35ZR20 at the rear).

As is typical for GTS models, the spoiler lip, the all-black air intake of the Sport Design front fascia and the redesigned lower rear fascia are kept in black, while the front running light lenses and taillights are tinted.

Black Alcantara is the material of choice for the interior, covering the centre sections of the standard Sport Seats Plus as well as the steering wheel rim, centre console, gear lever and door armrests. In the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0, Alcantara also covers the A-pillars and roof lining.

With the optional GTS Interior Package, the tachometer, seatbelts, all decorative stitching including the embroidered GTS emblem in the headrests and the Porsche lettering on the floor mats are kept in either Carmine Red or Chalk. The interior trim for the 718 GTS 4.0 models is dominantly in carbonfibre but other trims are optionally available.

20 years of the Porsche 911 GT3

Tips from PLUS for a less stressful drive on the N-S Highway next week

Another long weekend is coming with the Chinese New Year festival and PLUS Malaysia expects traffic volumes on the highways, especially the North-South Expressway (NSE) to start increasing from Monday, January 20. At least 2 million vehicles are expected to be on the highways daily, and make the return journey on February 2.

With data collected over the years, PLUS has been able to formulate a Travel Time Advisory (TTA) for highway travellers which can help to reduce traffic congestion during this period. Basically, if you are departing from the Klang Valley and going north or south on the NSE, make your start before 9 am.

For travellers who are going to other places in Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, it would be better to start your journey afternoon. This should make the journey less stressful without delays to endure.

For the return trip to the Klang Valley, PLUS suggests starting on the NSE before 9 am. Obviously, there will be traffic joining from various entry points along the 748-km long highway. The 9 am time will help to ensure the traffic flows in stages from all locations towards the Klang Valley.

If your journey is a long one, do take a break along the way. Facilities at the R&R are plentiful with a wide range of food and drink. Or you can also drop by at the petrol stations to pick up snacks and drinks. BHPetrol stations, for example, have hot food available and for the festive period, special offers on many items.

*The BHPetromart convenience stores at BHPetrol stations have a wide variety of items to pick up for a long journey.*

Toll plaza — *Be sure the balance in your TnG card is sufficient to cover toll charges. Don’t cause inconvenience to other motorists by getting stuck at the toll plaza because your card has insufficient balance.*

Needless to say, you should ensure that your tollcard has sufficient balance to cover the toll charges for the entire journey. If you need to reload, there are numerous places along the highway (self-service kiosks at R&R locations and petrol stations) as well as many convenience stores in towns. Don’t create problems for other motorists by not having enough balance and being stuck in the toll plaza.

No more TAMBAH NILAI at exit toll plazas on PLUS highways from November 5, 2019

BMW Group Malaysia’s offers for Chinese New Year

This coming Chinese New Year will start the Year of the Rat, which is also the beginning of a new cycle of the Chinese zodiac. For those who are planning on buying a new car, this could be a good time to join the BMW or MINI family.

BMW Group Malaysia is having Chinese New Year offers which include cash rebates with financing solutions to make it easy to purchase a new BMW or MINI model. The offers are available at all authorised dealerships nationwide.

Deals for BMW
Until March 31, 2020, customers can obtain attractive financing interest of 1.38% for the 530e M Sport, and 1.88% for models including the 330i M Sport, 530i M Sport, 520i Luxury, 740Le xDrive LCI, 630i GT, X1 sDrive20i, X3 xDrive30i Luxury and X3 xDrive30i M Sport.

During the promotion period, new owners of the BMW 330i M Sport will also receive a complimentary BMW Ultimate Protection Programme for one year. It is described as a first-of-its kind insurance plan that covers both the owner and their BMW vehicle. Owners of other models mentioned will also enjoy the same benefit, with the added advantage of a one-year complimentary BMW Comprehensive Insurance.

*BMW ChargeNow card provides easy access to public charging stations in many locations across Malaysia.*

Additionally, those who choose the 530e M Sport or 740Le xDrive LCI and have it registered by March 31, 2020 will receive a complimentary BMW i Wallbox and BMW ChargeNow card. The former will enable recharging of the battery pack to be done at home while the latter will provide easy access to public charging stations in many locations across Malaysia.

If you prefer a MINI
MINI Malaysia’s ‘Springs Into Action’ campaign has festive offers which will be available up to the end of March 2020. These include monthly instalments starting from RM2,388 and cash rebates of between RM8,000 to RM22,000 on selected models.

Additionally, for the first 20 owners of the MINI 3 Door or MINI 5 Door (during the campaign period), there will be an exclusive invitation to the exciting MINI Track Driving Experience. This will enable a new owner to immediately understand why the MINI has been so highly regarded for its go-kart handling.