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In 2013, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the popular Gran Turismo racing simulator, Polyphony Digital invited a number of top carmakers to develop virtual racing cars that could be included in the series. Many companies responded positively and came up with some extraordinary sportscars which were a combination of what’s possible today and what could be possible in future. There were no limitations to the technology and engineering so it was a unique opportunity to go to extremes.

Since 2013 and the launch of the sixth Gran Turismo simulator, over 30 sportscars have appeared from carmakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Toyota, Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda, Hyundai and others. All of them have been known as the Vision Gran Turismo cars.

PS4 Vision Gran Turismo cars
Vision Gran Turismo sportscars from Volkswagen (left) and Aston Martin

This month, Jaguar has also joined the program with its first all-electric virtual sportscar – the Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe. The futuristic EV will be available for players to download in Gran Turismo Sport for the Sony PlayStation 4 from the end of November. Before then, it will first be driven by competitors in the latest round of Sony’s Gran Turismo World Tour event at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show this weekend.

2019 Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe

Inspired by brand’s racing lineage
Jaguar’s Vision GT Coupe has been designed and developed from the ground up taking inspiration from the brand’s racing lineage. The iconic C-type and D-type influence its fearless futuristic design, while Jaguar’s I-TYPE 4 Formula E and I-PACE eTROPHY racing cars provide the technical foundations for its uncompromising racing performance. Jaguar’s team of designers had complete creative freedom to develop the perfect proportions and beautiful surfaces of this virtual Jaguar of the future.

“This project has been completely led by our young designers and represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to create a vehicle steeped in our incredible heritage but pushing the boundaries of future design. The team have done an incredible job in creating something which is clearly identifiable as a Jaguar, inspired – but not constrained – by our iconic past,” said Julian Thomson, Jaguar Design Director.

2019 Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe

The Vision GT Coupe is crafted from experimental lightweight materials, with the light and stiff monocoque made from carbonfibre composites and advanced aluminium alloys. This focused lightweight construction keeps its weight to just 1,400 kgs with near 50:50 weight distribution. Gamers will have 1,020 ps of power and 1,200 Nm of torque, a 0 – 100 km/h time of less than 2 seconds and perfectly balanced handling,

Dream project for designers
Beautiful shapes and purposeful proportions from three key cars in Jaguar’s racing heritage, the C-type, D-type and E-type, have influenced the form and graphics of the Vision GT Coupe. Radical front fenders are reminiscent of the C-type, the epic plan shape is inspired by the ‘Long Nose’ D-type, and the fast and elegant cabin hints at the Lightweight E-type.

The Vision GT Coupe is the first Jaguar to feature the iconic Leaper on the front grille. Elsewhere, the historic references continue with the twin-charging sockets flanking the rear haunches, inspired by Jaguar’s revolutionary 1968 XJ saloon.

2019 Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe

“This was the dream project for a car designer, creating a futuristic sports car for Gran Turismo means our designs and ideas could be truly limitless. It has to excite future generations and most importantly, look and feel unmistakably Jaguar,” explained Oliver Cattell-Ford, Exterior Designer, Jaguar Advanced Design, said.

Immersive interior design
The interior has been designed to fuse Jaguar’s heritage with its contemporary interior philosophy of progressive luxury, purity, driver focus, and stunningly intricate details, all of which are allowed to breathe through the simplicity of the car’s design.

“We’ve really pushed the limit to imagine how a future Jaguar sports car interior could look. The architecture is visually lightweight, simple, and dramatic; featuring advanced and experimental materials and finishes. Sitting in the stunningly considered cockpit and looking out onto the gracefully long bonnet of the Jaguar Vision GT Coupe – a view that is unmistakably Jaguar – the player will be fully immersed in the action,” said Chris Shaw, Interior Designer, Jaguar Advanced Design.

2019 Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe

This selection of inspired details and inventive, innovative flourishes include hologram technology. The car features an on-board artificial intelligence system affectionately named “KITT-E” – a companion that would operate systems, and interface between the driver and machine to enhance the ‘emotional connection’ with the car. This technology can also display other useful information to the driver in a variety of formats, including three dimensional maps, and essential vehicle data.

The cockpit has been crafted to envelope the driver, creating a racing experience reminiscent of Jaguar’s Le Mans-winning D-types. It also features augmented reality digital side glass for enhanced vision either side of the car; the glass being able to highlight danger and obstacles, therefore increasing driver perception. Complementing this, ahead of the driver is a transparent information cluster, displaying three-dimensional information inspired by iconic Smiths gauges, with rearward vision integrated either side in the screen’s simple wrapped design – all in perfect eye-line of the road ahead.

2019 Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe

Pure Jaguar racing experience
A unique soundscape has also been created to immerse the driver in a pure Jaguar racing experience. Led by the team responsible for the Jaguar I-PACE’s soundtrack, the Vision GT Coupe’s distinctive sound was created using brand new recordings of the 1957 Le Mans podium-finishing ‘603’ Long Nose D-type. Its race-spec 3.8 litre XK engine provides a unique layer, manipulated and woven into a futuristic and distinctive electric soundtrack.

2019 Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo Coupe

To offer uncompromising racing performance, albeit virtually, the team called on the same Panasonic Jaguar Racing engineers who lead the design and development of the brand’s I-TYPE 4 Formula E and I-PACE eTROPHY race cars. The car is powered by three powerful, compact motors – one driving both front wheels, the other two driving a rear wheel each – which together produce a combined 1,020 ps and 1,200 Nm. Players will be able to hit a maximum speed of more than 320 km/h but should something go wrong at that extreme speed, well, it’s just a simulation…

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The Ministry of Works has announced that highway users will enjoy toll discounts of between 10% and 30% on 21 highways, while a 10% toll discount will be given at two toll plazas in conjunction with Deepavali. Most highways will provide the discounted rates beginning on October 27, 2019 (Sunday) from 12.00 am to 11:59 pm. The chart below shows the highways and discounts available – for Class 1 vehicles only.

Highway discounts

All highway users are advised to adhere to the travel rules and signage provided when passing through all toll plazas to ensure a smooth and safe journey to the destination. In addition, highway users are also advised to plan their journey in advance by following the Travel Time Advisory Schedule provided by some of the concessionaires.

PLUS, for example, has this chart (below) which shows suggested starting times for those travelling on its North-South Expressway from today until October 29.

Deepavali

PLUS also reminds highway users to reload their Touch‘nGo cards with sufficient value for the entire journey. They can reload at any of the 10,000 reload centres covering ATM machines, R&Rs, petrol stations, malls, self-service kiosks and convenient stores throughout the country. However, they will not be able to reload at PLUS toll plazas from today until October 29, 2019. This is to facilitate smoother traffic flow during the upcoming Deepavali season when high traffic volumes are expected.

Touch'NGo card
Be sure you have enough balance in your tollcard as reload lanes on PLUS highways will be closed. A good idea would be to store RM20 in your MyKad for emergencies so you can enter the highway and find a R&R to reload instead of blocking other vehicles because you cannot go through. To know if your MyKad can be used for Touch’NGo payment, check the back of the card for the logo.

LATAR

The latest traffic information can also be obtained from the TMC Highway Authority Malaysia (LLM) traffic management centre operating 24 hours a day via 1800-88-7752 or @LLMinfotrafik Twitter account or any other highway customer service centre.

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Following the introduction of the four new Q models earlier in the year, Audi has added the all-new Q3 to represent the brand in the hotly-contested compact premium SUV segment. Now in its second generation, the new Q3 offers more roominess and versatility plus a digital operating and display concept and extensive infotainment solutions.

Sportier styling for new generation
The styling has gained sportiness, thanks to the striking Singleframe in octagon design which is divided up by vertical bars, along with the large air inlets. They characterize the masculine front-end with its intensive play of light and shadow. The narrow headlights run inwards with their wedge shape. For Malaysia, the headlights are full LED items, accentuating the dynamic design. The LED rear light clusters also feature dynamic indicators.

2019 Audi Q3 Gen 2

The side view epitomizes the balance of the exterior design with the symmetrical lighting graphics of the headlights and rear lights. The shoulder line formally connects them and, with strong muscles above the wheel wells, ensures an athletic overall impression.

The contours draw their inspiration from Audi’s quattro DNA and make the SUV seem even wider; the colour-contrasting wheel arch trims emphasize the off-road look. Supported by a long roof edge spoiler, which also flanks the rear window at the side, the steeply raked D pillars of the body line also create an appearance of forward thrust.

2019 Audi Q3 Gen 2

Driver-oriented interior
The interior mirrors the design cues of the exterior and also echoes, in various ways, the brand’s full-size models. Taut lines, three-dimensionally styled elements in the architecture harmonize perfectly with the new operating concept. Its central element is the MMI touch display with its high-gloss black glass-look surround. Together with the air conditioning controls underneath, it is tilted 10 degrees toward the driver.

Compared with its predecessor, the new Q3 has grown in virtually all dimensions with adoption of the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. It is 4484 mm long, 1849 mm wide and 1585 mm high (1616 mm with roof antenna). The wheelbase has been stretched by 77 mm, providing additional space for rear occupants who can move their seats fore/aft by 150 mm.

2019 Audi Q3 Gen 2

Their three-way split backrests in the ratio 40:20:40 can be tilted in 7 stages. Depending on the position of the rear seats and backrests, the luggage compartment capacity is between 530 and 1,525 litres. The loading floor can be adjusted in up to 3 levels and the parcel shelf can be stowed underneath the floor if not needed. The powered tailgate, which can be opened and closed with a kicking motion below the bumper, is standard for Malaysia.

Instrument panel fully digitalised
The operating and display concept no longer uses analogue instruments and takes reference from the brand’s top-most models like the A8 and Q8. Fitted as standard in Malaysia is the Audi virtual cockpit plus. The 12.3-inch screen is a further development of the innovative digital display concept that first debuted in the latest Audi TT. It offers more customization possibilities including two further views that the driver can set in the MMI (Multi Media Interface).

2019 Audi Q3 Gen 2

Also standard for the market is the top-of-the-line equipment MMI navigation plus. This features a 10.1-inch touch display in the middle of the dashboard. The intuitive operating concept with its flat menu structure is supplemented by natural-language voice control. It also understands freely structured wording. The ingenious dialog manager asks questions if necessary, allows corrections, offers choices and defers to the speaker when interrupted.

Intelligently connected
The infotainment system in the Q3 takes inspiration from the higher segments in Audi. The navigation system recognizes the driver’s preferences based on previous journeys, allowing it to generate suitable route suggestions. The Audi connect portfolio ideally supplements navigation guidance with traffic information online, the point-of-interest search and information on parking spaces and filling stations appearing directly in the navigation map.

2019 Audi Q3 Gen 2

The Audi smartphone interface links customers’ iOS and Android cellphones and places their Apple Car Play or Android Auto environment on the MMI display.

Agility on and off-road
The Q3 sold in Malaysia has one engine choice – a 1.4 TFSI petrol engine (150 bhp/250 Nm) and a fast-shifting 6-speed S tronic transmission as standard. Claimed 0 – 100 km/h time is 8.9 seconds with a top speed of 207 km/h. Even with the spirited performance, the fuel consumption is claimed to be up to 13.9 kms/litre.

2019 Audi Q3 Gen 2

As with other models, the driver can vary the characteristics of the Q3 depending on the driving situation, road conditions or personal preference using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. Varying profiles adjust the performance from markedly comfortable through to extremely sporty.

Lucky draw for customers in November
The Q3 is priced from RM269,900 (without insurance) and if you buy one (or any other new Audi model from an authorized dealer) November 2 and 10 2019, you will qualify for an exclusive lucky draw with the following prizes – Exclusive Audi Driving Experience in Germany valued at RM40,000 (1st prize); shopping voucher for Audi Genuine Accessories valued at RM5,000 (2ne prize); and a Front Genuine Universal Traffic Recorder valued at RM2,500 (3rd prize).

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More and more car manufacturers are jumping on the EV bandwagon and it comes to as no surprise when one of the OGs of the game decided that they want in and they want to bring the good stuff. With that being said, they’ve released a short teaser of what will be the Ford Mustang-inspired electric SUV! In the famous words of Church Lady (played by Dana Carvey aka “Garth” from Wayne’s World), “Well, isn’t that special?” (more…)

While the many new models and concept cars at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show are still grabbing attention, Volkswagen has had the world premiere of the new Golf – one of the world’s bestselling cars of all time. It is now starting the eighth generation and the carmaker describes it as ‘digitalised, connected, and intuitive to operate’. It is the first Volkswagen to use swarm intelligence from traffic via Car2X, meaning it can warn against hazards on an anticipatory basis.

“Over the course of seven generations, the Golf has impressed more than 35 million customers. The entire automobile industry expects a new Golf to set the standard”, explained Dr. Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG., declaring that, in terms of its technology, the Golf is making the greatest leap forward since its debut.

2020 VW Golf 8

2020 VW Golf 8

Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, added: “This car is completely new. But of course, a Golf always remains a Golf. Because the underlying concept is timeless. This car has defined our brand over decades. The Golf has consistently made new technologies available for everyone.”

It is a fact that the new Golf makes sustainable mobility accessible to many people. What’s more, with this Golf Volkswagen is moving to digitalised, self-explanatory operation. Klaus Bischoff, Head Designer at Volkswagen has this to say: “In a world where complexity is ever-increasing, the new Golf allows the driver to operate the vehicle intuitively. Practically all displays and controls are digital: the new instruments and online infotainment systems meld together into a display landscape featuring touch buttons and touch sliders.”

2020 VW Golf 8

2020 VW Golf 8

2020 VW Golf 8

2020 VW Golf 8

5 hybrid drives
With the new Golf, Volkswagen has started a hybrid offensive, with no less than 5 hybrid drive versions. Its debut also celebrates 48V technology: a belt starter generator, 48V lithium-ion battery pack and the latest generation of efficient TSI engines form a new mild hybrid drive in the eTSI. Tangible benefits – consumption has been cut by up to 10% and the car is said to be extremely agile and comfortable when moving off. There will be three eTSI outputs: 110 ps, 130 ps and 150 ps.

The eighth generation will also be available as two plug-in hybrid drive (PHEV) variants. A new efficiency version generates 204 ps while the very sporty GTE delivers 245 ps. Both Golf PHEV versions will launch with a new 13 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that enables further electrically-powered ranges of approximately 60 kms, and temporarily turns the Golf into a zero-emissions vehicle.

2020 VW Golf 8

Petrol and diesel consumption savings of up to 17%
For markets where conventional powertrains will be more in demand, the drive options for the new Golf also include a petrol (TSI), diesel (TDI) and natural gas drive (TGI); two 4-cylinder petrol engines with 90 ps and 110 ps; two 4-cylinder diesel engines with 115 ps and 150 ps;, and a TGI with 130 ps.

The new TSI variants are claimed to have particularly low consumption values and emissions, thanks to elements including the innovative TSI Miller combustion process. An innovation in the TDI powertrains is twin-dosing technology (two SCR catalytic converters) to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) by up to 80%; in addition, TDI consumption is said to be lowered by up to 17% compared with its predecessor.

2020 VW Golf 8

2020 VW Golf 8

2020 VW Golf 8

Consistently connected, Car2X as standard
The systems have not only been linked to each other, but thanks to an online connectivity unit (OCU), they have also been connected to the world outside the Golf. The standard OCU featuring integrated eSIM links to ‘We Connect’ and ‘We Connect Plus’ online functions and services. The new Golf is also the first Volkswagen to connect with its environment as standard, via Car2X. Signals from the traffic infrastructure and information from other vehicles up to 800 metres away are notified to the driver via a display. The Golf also shares these warnings with other Car2X models. Swarm intelligence is becoming a reality, representing the beginning of a new phase of traffic safety.

2020 VW Golf 8

2020 VW Golf 8

First deliveries from the Wolfsburg factory start in December 2019 with progressive introduction in global markets during 2020. As the UK market will get the righthand drive variants during the first quarter of 2020, it would be possible for Malaysia to also see the new Golf 8 by the second quarter of the year.

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