The Honda/Acura NSX is in its final year of production after having been launched in 2016 as the successor to the world’s first mass-produced car with an all-aluminium monocoque body. Like the first generation, which was produced from 1990 to 2005, the second generation also pushed the boundaries of engineering and sportscar dynamics.
The current NSX, made at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Centre in the USA, was the first supercar to utilize three electric motors. It also introduced a number of industry firsts, including the first production 9-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) for a passenger automobile (and is still the only car having it).
First Type S officially sold outside Japan
As a prelude to the end of production by December 2022, Honda has announced that it will offer a NSX Type S version. Only 350 units will be available, of which 30 are reserved for the Japanese market and 300 for the US market. This is the first time that a Type S version is officially sold outside Japan and the first unit will be displayed at the Monterey Car Week event in California on August 12, 2021.
The NSX Type S is destined to join the ranks of unique and collectable first-generation NSX models. These are models such as the 1999 NSX Zanardi Edition (51 units produced) and JDM variants like the NSX-R (483 units produced between 1992 and 1995), NSX Type S (209 cars built between 1997 and 2001) and NSX Type S-Zero (no more than 30 produced between 1997 and 2001). To date, second-generation NSX sales total more than 4,000 units globally.
Unit No. 1 to be auctioned for charity
The first NSX Type S with VIN #001 will be sold to the highest bidder at a Mecum Auction’s Monterey event in California. All proceeds from the sale of the supercar will benefit charity, including an innovative STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education program for underserved youth nationwide in partnership with the Centre of Science and Industry (COSI).
The event, to be held on August 14, marks the return of the NSX to the auction scene. The first production version of the second-generation 2017 NSX was auctioned for a record US$1.2 million (about RM5.07 million) through the Barrett-Jackson auction house in January 2016.
While the NSX is celebrating its final year of production, Acura will continue to pursue sportscars in the electrified era. “Acura is a performance brand, a company of enthusiasts, and we will continue moving forward, actively investigating what the next generation of sports cars should be in an electrified era,” said Jon Ikeda, Vice-President and Acura Brand Officer.
Acura Type S Concept sets the stage for return of Type S performance variants [w/VIDEO]
Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) is constantly looking for ways to give its customers a better deal and for those who are interested in buying a new Ford Ranger WildTrak or XLT Plus model, there is now free scheduled servicing for the first two years of ownership.
Available for 2021 model year units, the 2-year free servicing package (terms and conditions apply) is available on a first come, first served basis (while stocks last). As with all Ranger models, the WildTrak and XLT Plus are backed by Ford’s new 5-year/160,000 kms manufacturer’s warranty.
“We’re constantly evolving to find ways to deliver more value-add to customers. The 2-year free service offer aims to provide peace of mind for customers, especially in these challenging times,” said Turse Zuhair, MD of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.
“Additionally, virtual consultations with a Ford Ranger Specialist not only ensures customer safety amidst the ongoing pandemic, it also raises the level of personalised experience and convenience that customers are looking for,” he said.
He was referring to the company’s recent enhancement of its customer service with the introduction of the Ford Ranger Specialists. These are dedicated experts on the products who can help new and existing customers to be more familiar with the many vehicle features and benefits. By knowing more about their vehicle, they will be able to get the most out of their Rangers and enjoy using the pick-up truck.
There are two powertrain choices – a 213 ps/500 Nm 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission with the Ranger Wildtrak, and a 180 ps/420 Nm 2-litre Single-Turbo diesel engine with the Ranger XLT Plus.
Besides refinement that is above average for a pick-up truck, the Ranger Wildtrak also comes with very high safety standards. The smart safety technologies include first in-class features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning and Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking. There are also convenience features such as keyless entry with pushstart button and the Easy Lift Tailgate.
For more information, visit www.sdacford.com.my or send a WhatsApp message to +6019 204 1200. A Ford Ranger Specialist will respond to the message and provide assistance and information. Test-drives and viewing at showrooms are not available at this time due to ongoing MCO restrictions.
Proton began exporting cars to the UK in 1988 and at its first display at the British Motor Show in Birmingham that year, the young Malaysian brand won three awards for its Proton Saga. 33 years later, that same model can still win awards in the UK as the winner of the 2021 Hagerty Concours de l’Ordinaire (Festival of the Unexceptional) held recently.
Only remaining one of 201 special units
A 1989 Proton Saga 1.5 was picked by 6 judges as the winner of the seventh edition of the event for car models from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The Saga was one of 201 units of a special edition known as ‘Black Knight’ which was imported and distributed by Proton UK. It is the only one of that special series remaining. Between 1988 and 2001, Proton exported 124,980 cars to the UK which was its largest overseas market.
When the car was put away in a garage in 1993, it had only 3,600 miles (4,186 kms) on the odometer. It appeared in public again in 2017 and the current owner, Jon Coupland, added it to his Proton collection which now numbers three cars. The Saga has since clocked another 9,400 miles (15,134 kms).
Other notable winners this year
The runner-up prize went to Danny Wilson’s Peugeot 106 which was bought for just £500 via Facebook Marketplace. Special mentions went to James Green for his 1989 Nissan Bluebird, Charles Whilems and his 1986 Volkswagen Polo C Formel E, Chris Howells and his 1971 Triumph Toledo and Simon Hucknall for his 1977 Fiat 128. All of these cars impressed the individual judges and warranted their place in the 2021 Unexceptional Hall of Fame.
Speaking at the event, James Mills, Hagerty’s UK Editor, said: “What stood out for me this year was the number of fantastic cars fielded by younger entrants. It’s great to see the next generation of enthusiasts showing a real passion for everyday, ordinary, and unexceptional classics and demonstrates the growing love for this accessible scene. Our Festival started out as a small, cult event but today we saw thousands of visitors make the trip to admire the unsung heroes of the classic car world.”
Besides organising events ‘to keep driving alive for car-lovers and drive positive change in the world’, Hagerty is the world’s largest provider of specialist insurance for enthusiast vehicles and supports keeping car culture alive through youth programs, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA), the RPM Foundation and more.
LOOKING BACK – Remembering the birth of the Proton Saga and what it meant to the nation
Back in 2015, Bentley’s Mulliner division handbuilt a special version of the Mulsanne which was a fine example of the personalisation skills of Mulliner. The distinguished car, known as the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner, was shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and was said to have had a customer. It was an impressive car and a modelmaker in Japan even made 1/18 diecast models of it for sale.
Apparently, an order was placed by the Bentley dealer in the United Arab Emirates for 5 limousines exactly as what was displayed in Geneva. Presumably the dealer was going to sell them but somehow, they remained unsold, unused and of course, never registered. Now those 5 limousines are being offered for sale, with delivery anywhere in the world available as required.
The Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner is an imposing car as it is 1 metre longer than the standard car which is by no means small either. It also has a raised roof to provide an additional 79 mm of headroom in the rear. The result is the longest manufacturer-built limousine in the world, its shape adapted to the length of its wheelbase.
Having already been built, the exterior finishes are Silver Frost over Moroccan Blue, Damson over Black Crystal, Onyx over Candy Red, Rubino Red over Light Gazelle and a single tone Black Sapphire. The stretched body sits on a chassis and suspension that were specially re-engineered by Bentley. Power comes from by Bentley’s iconic 6¾-litre twin turbo V8 engine with 512 ps/1,020 Nm.
The interiors are, of course, unique as well with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. The cabin was designed around the need for 4 passenger seats of equal comfort. Their arrangement, which was inspired by luxury private aviation, includes two rear-facing seats, allowing passengers to talk face-to-face.
Emphasising the truly luxurious travelling experience, a bottle cooler with crystal flutes sits between the front-facing seats, with a beverage cabinet with bespoke crystal tumblers between the rear facing seats. Veneered, folding picnic tables allow the occupants to work comfortably on the move, with iPad docking and charging stations. Bentley craftsmanship is further evidenced by the three handmade dials, which display UK and local time, alongside the exterior temperature.
A custom heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system was designed and built by Bentley Mulliner, specifically for the Mulsanne Grand Limousine. With two discrete zones, it provides each of the four rear passengers control of their own micro-climates, without affecting the experience of their travelling companions.
Among the many additional bespoke digital features, the limousines are equipped with an intercom system for communication with the driver. The interior division between the front seats and the rear features electrochromic ‘smart glass’, the first time this technology has been implemented in a Bentley. At the touch of a button, the entire panel can be switched from transparent to opaque, for complete privacy.
Huawei, a manufacturer well known for its smartphones and portable electronic devices, is teaming up with the GAC Group to develop a smart SUV. While this will be the first jointly developed product, the two companies already have had a strategic cooperation agreement signed in 2017. This is for working together in the fields of intelligent connected electric vehicle technology.
Additionally, in September 2020, the two companies signed an agreement to further deepen cooperation, with a focus on computing and communication architecture in accordance with the development trend towards software-heavy vehicles.
This latest strategic cooperation will see a new generation of intelligent vehicles (likely to be up to 8 models) and digital platforms. The smart SUV, to enter the market by the end of 2023, and multiple other future models will utilize GAC’s GEP.30 chassis platform and Huawei’s CCA (Computing and Communication Architecture), as well as carrying Huawei’s full stack of intelligent vehicle solutions.
Initial development has commenced on the model which will be a medium to large fully electric SUV. The company says it will be ‘futuristic, powerful and efficient, with Level 4 autonomous capability’. The new model will be part of GAC’s entirely electrified line-up of vehicles by 2025.
Over the last few years, GAC has been successful in its vehicle electrification program as well as various areas of new energy technology, essential for the market in China. The GAC Group has established R&D centres around the world and has allocated billions of yuan in funding.
The joint venture between GAC and Huawei is timely as the global market for electric vehicles is growing. Data predicts that the EV global market will expand almost 5 times between 2016 and 2027, an annual increase of 20%.
The GAC Group has a history going back to 1955 but it only began to develop rapidly from the 1990s, as with most of the domestic carmakers in China. It produces passenger as well as commercial vehicles, most of which are adapted from models of foreign partners such as Honda, Fiat, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Toyota/Hino.
