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First details and pictures of all-new Proton X50!

Three years after the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely) took on a 49.9% equity in Proton, the carmaker is about to launch a second brand new model – the X50. Like the X70, it is also a SUV, catering to the most active segment globally.

It is also a model adapted from one which Geely developed and launched in August 2018 – the Binyue (Coolray outside China) – like the X70, which is why Proton can get completely new models into the market in such a short time. Normally, a new model would take a few years to develop but adapting from an existing model means the main time-consuming (and expensive) engineering work has been done already.

However, just as in the case of the X70 (known as the Boyue in China), a Proton version was not merely doing cosmetic changes and putting a different brand badge on. Until Proton launched the X70, there was no righthand drive version of the model anywhere in the world. And that meant additional engineering work which was more than just moving the steering wheel to the right side. Entirely new parts for righthand drive had to be made too, eg a different dashboard, power window switch panel, centre console, etc.

2020 Proton X50 — *New X50 is adapted from the Geely Binyue/Coolray.*

With the urgency to revive Proton and turn it around, the X70 was initially built in China and sent to Malaysia while the factory in Tg. Malim, which started operations almost 20 years ago, was renovated and improved. With that completed, X70 production was shifted to Malaysia and for the X50, Proton can start off right away making the model locally. And, like the X70 too, it will be the first (and for now, only) righthand drive version of the Binyue.

It is only to be expected that lessons learnt from developing the X70 have made the process of developing the X50 faster. For instance, Azlan Othman and his team at Proton DESIGN had to also get used to a new working culture while rushing work on the X70. With the X50, it would be safe to say they were ‘in the groove’ and also had a chance to ‘customize’ the model a bit more.

4 variants, 2 engine outputs
We don’t have the prices yet, but we do know that there will be 4 variants – Standard, Executive, Premium and, appropriately, Flagship. All of them will be powered by a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with turbocharging. However, the engine in the X50 1.5 TGDi Flagship will have a higher output of 177 ps/255 Nm as it has direct injection. The engine in the other three variants will have port injection and produce 150 ps/226 Nm.

All-wheel drive (AWD) may be nice to have but the cost-vs-benefit doesn’t work well in Malaysia and in any case, most customers don’t really care. So all X50 variants have front-wheel drive only, with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. For those who feel AWD gives better grip and stability in the wet, that argument is less relevant with the advanced electronic stability control and traction control systems available today.

More powerful GKUI 19
And talking of electronic systems, the X50 will have a newer generation of the Geely Key User Interface, or GKUI 19. Like computers and smartphones, the processing power of the system becomes greater over time as processors evolve. It also has a graphics processing unit (GPU) which helps in reducing demands on the main processor.

*Latest generation GKUI 19 uses a more powerful quad-core processor for faster performance.*

What this means to the user is more responsiveness – perhaps when ‘Hi Proton’ is said, the computer will spend less time ‘thinking’ before responding. Moving to a new generation gave the system designers a chance to revise and refine the interface, simplifying the menu structure while also offering a cleaner layout. The virtual buttons on the 10.25-inch touchscreen (8 inches for the Standard and Premium variants) are large, as they should be to make selection easier. The larger screen also has a resolution of 1920×720 px.

The navigation system in the X70 has sometimes been deficient and to partially address this, Proton has switched to a different digital mapping service. Whether it proves to be better remains to be seen when we get to test the new car. It would be good if there’s Apple CarPlay or Android Auto so smartphone apps like Waze or Google Maps can be transferred into the screen but the X50, like the X70, does not have them yet. It is, however, possible to interface using a mirroring function called QDLink.

An eSIM is provided for all variants, providing the necessary connectivity to the digital world. With the Premium and Flagship variants, it is also possible to start the engine as well as the air-conditioner without being inside the car. This is done using the Proton Link app which also allows setting the desired cooling temperature.

Idling the engine wastes petrol since the car is not going anywhere. But it is necessary if you want the luxury of having a cool cabin when you get in because the air-conditioner compressor needs to be powered. So the maximum time the engine is allowed to run is 10 minutes, after which it shuts down and so does the air-conditioner. If you do get in when the engine is running, you can also move off immediately so hopefully, the locking system is secure enough otherwise someone passing by can just get in and drive off!

Safety & ADAS
ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Hill-start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Reverse Camera are standard active safety systems across the range. All variants also have a minimum of 4 airbags – front and sides – as well as ISOFIX points at the rear for compatible childseats. The Premium and Flagship variants have additional window curtain airbags and the camera system gives a 360-degree top-down view, as well as a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The X50 Flagship has an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) like the top version of the X70. However, the one in the new model is more advanced and can even operate with Level 2 autonomy. At this level, which is one of 5 levels, the brakes will activate automatically (if the driver does not act) if an accident is predicted as a vehicle or pedestrian are detected in front with the camera and radar.

The cruise control is also adaptive, adjusting the speed to maintain a safe gap and can even drop to standstill and resume moving in accordance with the vehicle ahead. Other ADAS features are keeping the car within a lane, automatically switching from high beam to low beam and a blind spot monitor.

The X50 Flagship can also carry park itself, which should be welcome by those who find difficulty doing so. It’s an amazing system which uses the sensors around the body to position the car and all the driver has to do is work the accelerator pedal. Once this feature become standard in all vehicles, there won’t be a need for parking skill when taking a driving test!

Feature differences of each variant
The list of main differentiating features in each variant are shown below and you get 6 body colours to choose from.

*Panoramic sunroof is standard only with the X50 Flagship. ‘HiProton’ assistant can open it if you make the request to ‘see the sky’.*

In the coming weeks leading to the official launch within a month’s time, we’ll be given more information on other aspects of the X50. As it will be launched within the period when the 10% sales tax is exempted, its price will differ from those registered after December 31, 2020 when the exemption incentive ends. So if you want to save money, order one quickly and it will cost you only RM500 to make a booking which will be accepted from tomorrow (September 16).

Vote for the X50 slogan
While the name has been revealed (not that it was a big secret, except that Proton never really confirmed it), the company is still undecided about the slogan to use for the new model. So, just as with the X70 when the public was invited to vote (for the model name), Proton is again inviting the public to vote for the slogan this time.

There are four slogans: Intelligence that Amazes, Intelligence that Leads, Intelligence that Exceeds, and Intelligence that Lives. We don’t see the page for voting tonight and maybe it will be open when bookings start tomorrow so visit www.proton.com to stay updated if you want to vote.

Winning design of BMW M4 GT4 livery contest on show at Pavilion KL this Wednesday

This Malaysia Day on September 16, BMW Malaysia will showcase a range of M models at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. An exclusive M4 will also be unveiled at the venue and this car will have the design by a 27-year old Malaysian, Chan Wen Bin, who won the global BMW M4 GT4 livery contest. Chan beat many other contestants who had submitted their proposals for the contest which started in early July this year.

While a jury that assessed every entry, votes from the BMW Motorsport community on social media also counted towards determining the winner. Juan Diego Sanchez from Spain and Monholo Oumar from France were in second and third place, respectively.

In addition to the pure aesthetic perspective, the jury also placed a great deal of importance on the link between virtual and real-world motorsport when making their decision. With the motto ‘THE FUSION OF REAL WORLD AND SIM RACING’, the entrants were faced with the task of creating a design whose elegance and beauty comes into full effect not only in the virtual world but also in the real world.

“The black overall colour is always classic and elegant for a high-performance BMW coupe,” said Cao Fei a jury member who designed the 18th BMW Art Car. “The subtle blue and red parts scattered around the car are not only lively and chic, accentuating its sporty and exclusive aesthetics, but the colour combination also reflects the very essence of BMW M series, paying tribute to its history and legacy. This livery is truly timeless.”

Chan’s winning design for the M4 GT4 got him a cash prize of US$3,000. He will also have the satisfaction of knowing it will be seen in a real-world race. At the season finale of the DTM Trophy at Hockenheim in Germany on November 7/8, the winning design will be on one of the M4 GT4 racing cars competing.

The design will also appear on the iRacing sim racing platform. The M4 GT4 has been racing on that platform in the virtual world since June, where it enjoys great popularity.

“I’ve been a fan of BMW since my childhood and always dreamed of achieving something with BMW one day,” said Chan who lives in Semenyih, Selangor. “This livery contest was a fantastic opportunity for me to show my passion for BMW and have my design used by BMW Motorsport. I’m over the moon and am delighted to have won this competition! I can’t wait to see the result in the real world. It’s one of my biggest successes in my career as a designer. Thank you so much BMW.”

*The entry by Spaniard Juan Diego Sanchez which won second place.*

*Third place winner Monholo Oumar from France submitted this proposal.*

How iRacing developed the BMW M4 GT4 for sim racing

First RTD Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre For N-S Expressway Opened

PLUS Malaysia Bhd has established an RTD Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre (Highway Enforcement Unit) as one of the ways to improve safety on its highways. The facility, opened on July 1 this year in collaboration with the Road Transport Department (RTD), is located at the old Jelapang Toll Plaza Supervision Building near Ipoh, Perak.

The control centre, located at KM268, on the North-South Expressway will provide faster access onto the highway to manage traffic incidences and improve safety. It also regulates all Highway Enforcement Unit activities at four major enforcement zones.

Since 2018, PLUS has provided four offices for the Highway Enforcement Unit at R&R Pagoh in Johor, R&R Dengkil in Selangor, and R&R Gunung Semanggol, besides the latest Enforcement Highway Monitoring Centre, in Ipoh.

“PLUS continuously explores new approaches and ideas to improve safety on our highways to help our customers enjoy safer and more convenient travel. Apart from focusing on engineering and education aspects through road safety advocacy programmes, we also look at law enforcement aspects by collaborating with enforcement agencies such as the RTD to improve safety on the highways,” said PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi.

“At the same time, the presence of JPJ enforcement officers on our highway mainline is crucial in addressing issues relating to heavy vehicles such as the use of low-quality rethreaded tyres, overloaded and improperly secured consignment and so on. Based on our data, most of the obstacles found on the highway which consist of tyre fragments, wood, iron scraps or debris and many more originated from heavy vehicles, pose a threat to our customers,” he added.

During the official opening ceremony, PLUS and RTD also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic collaboration involving operations and enforcement to improve safety on the PLUS highway.

According to Dato’ Sri Shaharuddin, RTD’s Director-General, the initiative that has been carried out between PLUS and the RTD is a strategic and smart partnership which is the key to improving the safety and well-being of the people.

“PLUS proves its role as a good ‘Rakan Negara’ in helping RTD to enhance the level of safety and enforcement on the highway. PLUS’ contribution and various initiatives to ensure the safety of its customers have been globally recognized by winning the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in December 2019 and was recently ranked as the number one top performing closed toll highway in terms of safety and comfort by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS),” added Dato’ Sri Shaharuddin.

Click here for other news and articles about PLUS.

Lucid Air to rewrite book on electric cars

Most people would never have heard of Lucid Motors but that’s how the auto industry is these days, with many new players joining it. Lucid, originally known as Atieva and based in California, is one of those start-ups which has focussed on electric vehicles during the 13 years since its founding.

From making EV hardware (batteries and powertrains) for other companies, Lucid has developed its own technology and has embarked on developing and producing its own electric cars. Its first model will be the Lucid Air with up to 4 versions at prices expected to start from US$80,000 (about RM332,000).

“Lucid Motors is driven to make the electric car better, and by doing so, help move the entire industry forward towards accelerated adoption of sustainable mobility. The goal of this relentless approach to developing the world’s most advanced electric vehicle is to benefit all mankind with sustainable, zero emission transportation, and to also attract new customers to the world of EVs,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid Motors.

Using space to create the Air
The Lucid Air is said to be the result of a revolutionary approach to automotive packaging called the Lucid Space Concept. It capitalizes upon the miniaturization of Lucid’s in-house developed EV drivetrain to optimize interior cabin space.

The concept is central to the architecture of the Lucid Electric Advanced Platform (LEAP) upon which the Lucid Air, and forthcoming Lucid vehicles, will be built. It’s a holistic, clean-sheet approach to advanced EV construction, without using existing ‘off the shelf’ solutions so often seen in EVs from legacy automakers.

By simultaneously making smaller yet more powerful electric motors and improving the packaging of the entire electric powertrain, Lucid is able to reclaim that space for passengers and their comfort. This extends the philosophy of hyper-efficiency embedded in the car, from energy to spatial efficiency, to achieve longer range, practicality, higher performance, and luxury.

The Space Concept
The Space Concept also contributes to the subtly different and modern proportions for the Lucid Air, without relying on any traditional automotive design cues, instead delivering a car that can look distinctive on the road.

Lucid designers have also made the Air the world’s most aero-efficient luxury car. Tests in an advanced rolling-road wind tunnel have returned results of a Cd of 0.21. This aspect is particularly important for EVs as wind resistance must be kept to a minimum so as to enable motor output to be used to propel the car.

Advanced lighting
The car’s headlamps employ advanced technology with the revolutionary Micro Lens Array system. This has literally thousands of ‘light channels’ to provide the brightest, most precise and advanced lighting. Digital ‘steering’ of light direction is possible by digitally switching light channels in different directions to give the best spread and coverage.

Lucid will also create special retail and digital experiences for the brand which will be different. These are summed up in the brand tagline of ‘Dream Ahead’, which is also the company’s vision for rejecting the status quo and always pushing the boundaries in EV technology.

Record-breaking performance and range
Initial specifications claimed for the Lucid Air show output of up to 1,080 hp available in a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive architecture. It is claimed to be able to do the quarter-mile (about 400 metres) as quick as 9.9 seconds on a consistent, repeatable basis. To date, no other electric sedan has been able to do a time under 10 seconds, according to the company.

High performance can usually mean less range; at least that is how it has been with internal combustion engines. But for electric cars, advanced technologies are continuously extending the range and up to 832 kms is the claim for the Lucid Air with a full-charged battery pack. The compact 113 kWh extended-range battery pack is developed in-house.

World’s fastest charging EV
When it arrives in the market in 2021, the Lucid Air will be the fastest charging electric vehicle ever offered, with the capability to charge at rates of up to 32 kms per minute when connected to a DC Fast Charging network. For owners charging their car in real-world conditions on the road, that can translate into 480 kms of range within just 20 minutes of charging.

To enter the market sometime next year, the cars will be offered in North America, and some countries in Europe and the Middle East.

Enhanced Premium Package for Porsche Macan

In conjunction with its 10th anniversary, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) is offering Porsche Macan customers a new enhanced Premium Package for the Macan. Available until December 31, 2020, the package has three additional options, worth over RM39,000, that now come as standard.

Extending the standard features list
The complimentary options which enhance comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics are Comfort Access, Park Assist with Surround View and Porsche Active Suspension Management. Other features that are complimentary with the base price of the Macan include Apple CarPlay, BOSE Surround Sound System, Power Steering Plus, 14-way power seats, comfort lighting package and automatic dimming mirrors.

The current model also includes a 3-dimensional LED light panel at the rear and the new fully interconnected Porsche communication management system with a 10.9-inch touchscreen.

The Macan, priced from RM439,351.00 (excluding insurance but with applicable sales tax exemption till the end of this year), is powered by a 2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with maximum output of 252 bhp/370 Nm. With a 7-gear PDK dual-clutch gearbox, the claimed 0 to 100 km/h time is 6.7 seconds with a top speed capability of 225 km/h.

“We are committed to continuously enriching the ownership experience for Porsche customers, and bring fans closer to realising their dreams of owning a Porsche. The introduction of the new enhanced Premium Package for our best-selling model, the Macan, is a great way to introduce more people to the brand, especially given the rising popularity of the Macan and the overall compact SUV segment over the past few years,” said Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of SDAP.

“With the addition of these new features as standard, the Macan is now even more competitively priced as the sportscar in the compact SUV segment, providing pure driving enjoyment with every kilometre behind the wheel,” he added.

Visit Porsche Centre Ara Damansara for more information on new and pre-owned Porsche models.

Reduced Prices for Porsche range in Malaysia

F1 (Round 9): Results And Highlights Of 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix

♦ This was the first race of the season which had spectators watching from the stands. A maximum of 2,880 spectators (including Ferrari Club members who had a special allocation) were permitted into Mugello on each day of the event.

♦ Scuderia Ferrari, celebrating its 1,000^th F1 race, had its two racing cars in the original burgundy colour on the cars of its first race in 1950, and Mick Schumacher drove his father’s 2004 title-winning car on a special lap around Mugello (which is owned by Ferrari).

♦ 15 minutes before the start, Max Verstappen’s car developed a problem. His mechanics fixed it in time for him to start the race. A collision between Pierre Gasly and Kimi Raikkonen had the latter bumping into the Red Bull car and sending it into the gravel at the second turn. End of race for the Dutchman.

♦ Gasly, last Sunday’s winner, also went into the gravel and had to retire, bringing the Safety Car out for the mashalls to clear the debris and cars.

♦ As the Safety Car prepared to enter the pits, another three cars collided on the 7^th lap – Carlos Sainz, Antonio Giovinazzi, Nicholas Latifi and Kevin Magnussen. Track conditions were so bad with broken bits all over the pit straight that the red flags came out. That means the race comes to a stop and the cars must return to the pits and shut down, until allowed to restart.

♦ With the four drivers, plus Gasly and Verstappen, that saw six cars out of the race within the first six laps.

*A multi-car collision in the 6th lap saw red flags coming out, bringing the race to a stop and the car had to remain in the pits.*

♦ From the time the red flags appeared until the cars were released for a restart, some 23 minutes had elapsed. Valtteri Bottas was the lead car in the pack of 13 remaining (Esteban Ocon did not join the restart as the brakes on his car had problems) but by the second turn, Lewis Hamilton shot past him and pulled away.

♦ With a quarter of the race done, Hamilton’s lead from his team mate was around 2 seconds, but Bottas had a strong 9-second lead over Charles Leclerc. Lance Stroll powered by on lap 16 to take third and set his sights on Bottas.

♦ On a day when Ferrari was to be celebrating a milestone, things were certainly disappointing for the tifosi as they saw Sebastian Vettel struggling aong the end-runners and Leclerc also facing difficulties regaining his upper position after his third visit to the pits.

♦ Lap 43 saw Stroll’s race come to an end as he slipped into the gravel, seemingly due to a puncture. For the third time in the day, the Safety Car sped out and red flags appeared to stop the session again.

♦ With 15 laps remaining, only Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari still had both their cars running while the other teams lost one car.

♦ When the race finally restarted, Hamilton managed to stay in the lead while Bottas had to just maintain his pace. Behind him a determined Red Bull,, Alexander Albon, closed in on Daniel Ricciardo, the surviving Renault driver, and got past to a podium position.

♦ Hamilton won again, with Bottas crossing the finish line almost 5 seconds behind. Albon held on to the end, with the reward of his first ever presence on the Formula 1 podium.