McLaren is in the business of making supercars and even though its cars have all along been powered by internal combustion engines, it is now adapting to the age of electrification. And it intends to also produce cars with the same high performance even if they are electrified.
It has been developing a High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) supercar which has entered the final stages of its development and test programmes, which includes running on public roads. It is not a one-off product and will be launched in the first half of 2021, open a new era of electrification for McLaren following the end of production of its Sports Series range.
The Sports Series designation – introduced in 2015 with the launch of the 570S – ceases from the end of this year with the limited-run, GT4-inspired 620R that will be the last model produced.
New carbonfibre structure
The all-new, supercar will be the first McLaren built on a new carbonfibre structure, christened McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA). Optimised for High-Performance Hybrid powertrains and latest-generation driver technologies, the architecture elevates McLaren’s pioneering lightweight chassis technologies to new heights.
Designed, developed and produced in the UK at the state-of-the-art McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC), the all-new flexible structure will underpin the next generation of McLaren hybrid supercars over the coming years.
The High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, which has an all-new V6 internal combustion engine, will sit between the GT and the 720S in the McLaren range.
New kind of McLaren for a new era
“This all-new McLaren supercar is the distillation of everything we have done to date; all that we have learned and achieved,” said Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive. “This is a new kind of McLaren for a new era, an extraordinary driver’s car that offers blistering performance as well as an all-electric range capable of covering most urban journeys. We see this new McLaren as a true ‘next generation’ supercar and cannot wait to show it to customers.”
“For us, light-weighting and high-performance hybrid technology go hand-in-hand to achieve better performance as well as more efficient vehicles,” he explained. “Our expertise in lightweight composites and carbonfibre manufacturing, combined with our experience in cutting-edge battery technologies and high-performance hybrid propulsion systems, makes us ideally placed to deliver uncompromised levels of electrified high-performance driving that until now have simply been unattainable.”
Mclaren 765LT introduced to Malaysian market – Priced at RM1,488,000
With a President who is a racing driver himself, it’s not surprising that Toyota is getting more involved in different forms of motorsport, including the fast-growing digital motor racing or e-motorsports. E-motorsport is one of the key pillars of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) to bring thrill to car enthusiasts and engage those looking to pursue new challenges in the virtual world. Furthermore, the key learnings and real-time experiences gained from the TGR’s motorsport activities remains eminent to the development of Toyota vehicles.
Later this month, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) will bring 15 top e-motorsport players in Asia together for its first virtual motorsport showdown – the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020.
The regional round on October 25 will see three top challengers from each of the five participating countries – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and India – will compete online. The winner will be the regional champion who will then go on to participate in the final of the global GR Supra GT Cup 2020 to be held this December.
The GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020, a one-make race championship in Gran Turismo Sport, began in June 2020 with national-level qualifying races hosted by Toyota affiliates in each of the five participating countries.
In Malaysia, hosted by UMW Toyota Motor, the event was known as the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship and the final round was held last month. The top three finalists were Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira, Mior Muhammad Hafiz and Muhammad Iqbal Ahmad Suji, who will represent Malaysia in the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020.
Commenting on the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA 2020 Regional Round, David Nordstrom, Vice-President of TMAP said: “The GR Supra GT Cup ASIA challenge is all about the power of passion, cars and limitless possibilities and we are excited to engage with the aspiring players in the region. It is a great feeling to race on-line. Indeed, my racing moments on simulator captures some of the exhilaration I have experienced on real racetracks around the world.”
“It’s a feat to have these incredible players competing in the legendary sportscar, THE GR Supra, and we look forward to having fans join us to experience virtual racing with Toyota, by watching the regional finale,” he added.
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has enhanced its Porsche Cayenne offering with a new Premium Package which provides additional options as standard. These include options that enhance performance and also comfort and motoring enjoyment.
On the technical side is air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management for dynamic handling and driving comfort as well as 21-inch RS Spyder wheels. The driver will also be able to get the car into a parking bay more easily with ParkAssist with Surround View.
The powertrain available for the Malaysian market is the 3-litre turbocharged V6 engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. The 340 ps/450 Nm output is delivered to the wheels through an 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission.
Inside, the enhancements now include 4-zone climate control and a BOSE Surround Sound System. The high-powered 710W audio system comes with 14 speakers, including a separate subwoofer, and uses BOSE SoundTrue Enhancement Technology to enhance the quality of sound reproduction.
“There’s nothing quite like a ride in a sportscar, be it for the driver or the passenger, and it’s our goal to share ‘that sportscar feeling’ with more Porsche enthusiasts in Malaysia. The introduction of the new Cayenne Premium Package has enabled us to do that, and we stay committed to finding new ways of bringing fans closer to realising their dreams of owning a Porsche,” said Christopher Hunter, CEO of Sime Darby Auto Performance.
The Cayenne comes with a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as 4 years of free scheduled service and maintenance. SDAP is now accepting orders for the model which has a base price of RM680,000. Deliveries will begin in 2021.
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Sime Darby Auto Performance opens largest 3S Porsche Centre in Asia-Pacific
There was a time when coupes came only with two doors but these days, the same sleek profile can be maintained even with four doors, and the new 218i Gran Coupe M Sport is a fine example of this. The compact model in the 2-Series family was launched today with a pricetag of RM211,367.00 (excluding insurance) and because it is assembled locally, there is full exemption of the 10% sales tax till the end of the year.
The 218i Gran Coupe M Sport has a newly-designed 3-dimensional mesh single-unit kidney grille that is complemented by slim, slanted LED headlights and LED foglights. Its sits low to the road with flared wheelarches and 18-inch M light alloy wheels in double-spoke style 819 M Bicolour within them.
At the rear end are slim wraparound LED taillights connected by a high-gloss black band. The new Gran Coupe also comes equipped with the M Aerodynamics package as a standard, along with the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line.
1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine
Under the bonnet is a transversely-mounted 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine produces 140 bhp/220 Nm. Its small displacement offers the best of both worlds – a claimed 8.7-second acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of 213 km/h, with fuel consumption said to be up to almost 17 kms per litre. A 7-speed Steptronic double-clutch transmission is standard, delivering power to the front wheels.
Drawing on its decades of expertise in driving dynamics, the BMW engineers have ensured that the Gran Coupe offers the sort of performance expected of BMWs. A key contributor is the ARB technology (near-actuator wheel slip limitation) which allows significantly faster and more sensitive control interventions, while minimising understeer usually experienced with FWD vehicles.
The ARB technology features a slip control system positioned directly in the engine control unit which results in shorter signal paths, with reduced engine output as soon as there is a threat of wheel slip on the front wheels.
Modern sporty cockpit
In keeping with the exterior appearance, the cockpit is sportily themed and appointed. There’s a multifunction M leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport seats with Leather Dakota upholstery, and two-zone automatic air conditioning system. Illuminated trim finishers in Illuminated Boston and LED light sources via the Lights Package enhance cabin ambience.
BMW Live Cockpit Plus is composed of an analogue speedometer and tachometer which provides the driver with clear and immediate awareness of road speed and engine speed. The other operating information is displayed on a 5.1-inch, 4:3 portrait-format screen which displays information such as the status of the driver assistance systems and navigation instructions. This is complemented by an 8.8-inch touchscreen control display which can also be managed by the iDrive controller.
The compact dimensions of the Gran Coupe limit boot volume and a maximum of 430 litres is available (but 40 litres more than the 2-Series Coupe). Long items can be stowed if the rear backrests are folded down.
BMW Driving Assistants
The Gran Coupe has three assistance systems – Driving Assistant, Parking Assistant and Reversing Assistant. The Driving Assistant includes Lane Change Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning at the rear, Rear Collision Warning, and Speed Limit Assist. It also includes Lane Departure Warning with active steering intervention, as well as the Forward Collision Warning with brake intervention function. The Parking Assistant and Reversing Assistant are standard, along with the Active Park Distance Control and a lateral parking aid.
There are five colour choices – Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Snapper Rock Blue, Storm Bay, and Melbourne Red – but the interior is only available in black Leather Dakota upholstery with blue and black highlights.
As with other new BMWs sold through authorised dealers, the 218i Gran Coupe M Sport comes with BMW Group Malaysia’s Premium Ownership benefits such as a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme, Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card and BMW Service Online.
Jaguar’s XE, one of the older models in the range, soldiers on in 2020 with updates to the powertrain that include a diesel powertrain with Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology. This is the first time that the Ingenium diesel range has MHEV technology, providing increased performance and better fuel efficiency while reducing toxic exhaust emission levels.
The 2-litre 4-cylinder engine has a selection of advanced features for added refinement and performance, including variable vane geometry turbocharger technology. At low engine speeds, the turbocharger vanes rotate to narrow the opening between them, increasing exhaust gas velocity and boosting pressure, which provides rapid torque response and enhanced acceleration. At high engine speeds, the vanes open, ensuring maximum exhaust gas flow to deliver peak power while maintaining optimum efficiency.
The engine now features steel pistons, with the higher strength material allowing for a more compact, lower friction design as well as increased capability to withstand higher peak pressures. Their stronger construction enables more intricate and thorough integration of cooling channels for improved thermal management.
At the same time, the thermal expansion rate is closer to that of the iron cylinder liners for improved clearance control, both enhancing cooling and reducing friction for better efficiency. The new 2,500 bar piezo common-rail injection system delivers even finer control of fuel delivered into the cylinders.
Belt-integrated Starter Generator
The MHEV system uses a Belt-integrated Starter Generator situated in the engine bay to harvest energy usually lost when slowing and braking, which is then stored in a 48V lithium-ion battery pack located beneath the rear end. It is able to redeploy the stored energy to assist the engine when accelerating away while also delivering a more refined and responsive stop/start system.
With 204 ps/430 Nm generated by the new turbodiesel MHEV engine, the rear-wheel drive XE is claimed to have a 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds, while fuel consumption is extended to 23.2 kms/litre.
For those who prefer a petrol engine, Jaguar still offers the 250 ps and 300 ps Ingenium engines with the latest engine technologies. These include a twin scroll turbocharger and Continuous Variable Valve Lift. The 300 ps variant comes with all-wheel drive and has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds.
Change in infotainment system
The Touch Pro Duo infotainment system has been replaced by the Pivi Pro system. This comes with a 12.3-inch HD Interactive Driver Display with enhanced graphics and a configurable layout. Working in conjunction with the latest Head-up Display technology, XE gives drivers all the information they need without distraction.
The intuitive new infotainment system has Apple CarPlay as standard and allows customers to connect two phones simultaneously via Bluetooth. Android Auto and Baidu CarLife are also available, depending on market applicability.
Pivi Pro connectivity is provided by embedded dual-sim capability, with two LTE modems enabling the system to carry out multiple functions at the same time, such as streaming media and downloading updates over the air, without compromising performance. This level of connectivity also ensures minimal interruptions caused by coverage blackspots as it roams across network providers for the strongest signal.
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