The world of pickup trucks in the US market is so diverse, we get jealous every time they released a new model or variant. This is even more so when Ram Truck unveiled the new Ram 1500 Limited Black Edition in Texas earlier this week.
The launch was held together with the unveiling of the Ram Heavy Duty Big Horn and Laramie Night Editions but our attention was all on the Ram 1500 Limited Black Edition just because of its super badass look. (more…)
Looking for the ultimate premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV)? BMW Malaysia has introduced the latest BMW X3 xDrive30i with M Sport Package that has been said by many to have one of the best striking design languages and class-leading driving dynamics. (more…)
The automotive world is going through its biggest phase into the world of electrification and Bentley has announced their pioneer hybrid model, the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid. The first true plug-in hybrid model in the luxury SUV sector is now on sale in Europe which offers a huge enhancement for their most efficient model yet. (more…)
The world of hypercars is getting more and more awesome by the day with more companies releasing super limited and very powerful editions that only the elite of elites can buy. Take for example the RM8 million Rimac C_Two which comes with a 1,888hp. With that amount of power, you can theoretically propel the car to a top speed of 415km/h! (more…)
‘Electrification’ has been a buzzword in the auto industry over the past few years as carmakers have announced plans for the next decade. Tightening emission regulations have forced them to accelerate solutions which largely use electrification of powertrains, either as hybrids or as fully electric.
Volvo Cars was one of the early companies to make progress in its electrification program, introducing its first model with a hybrid powertrain 7 years ago (in a V60 model). Since then, it has focussed on electrified models while developing a fully electric powertrain which will be unveiled next month.
New model will highlight safety leadership
This all-new powertrain will be used in the XC40 SUV (to be called the XC40 Recharge) and while the company is not talking about the powertrain at this time, it is highlighting the safety of the car’s design and engineering. Despite a fresh set of challenges presented by the absence of an internal combustion engine, Volvo once again lives up to its well known reputation for safety leadership.
“Regardless of what drives a car forward, be it an electric motor or combustion engine, a Volvo must be safe,” said Malin Ekholm, Head of Safety at Volvo Cars. “The fully electric XC40 will be one of the safest cars we have ever built.”
While building on the superior safety standards of the original XC40, the safety engineers had to completely redesign and reinforce the frontal structure to deal with the absence of an engine, meet Volvo Cars’ high safety requirements and help protect the occupants as well as in any other Volvo.
“The fundamentals around safety are the same for this car as for any other Volvo. People are inside, and the car needs to be designed to be safe for them,” said Ekholm.
Structural redesign
To help keep passengers safe and the battery intact in the event of a collision, there is a new and unique safety structure for passengers and battery alike in the XC40. The battery is protected by a safety cage which consists of a frame of extruded aluminium and is embedded in the middle of the car’s body structure, creating a built-in crumple zone around the battery. The battery’s placement in the floor of the car also has the benefit of lowering the centre of gravity of the car, for better protection against roll-overs.
Meanwhile, the car’s body structure has not just been reinforced in the front but also at the rear. Here, the electric powertrain has been integrated in the body structure to realise a better distribution of collision forces away from the cabin and reduce the strain on people inside the car.
New Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
In terms of active safety systems, the XC40 Recharge also introduces new technology. It is the first Volvo model equipped with a new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensor platform with software developed by Zenuity, the joint venture company owned by Volvo Cars and Veoneer.
The new ADAS platform is a modern, scalable active safety system that consists of an array of radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. Because of its scalable nature it can easily be developed further and lays the foundation for the future introduction of autonomous drive technology.
The XC40 Recharge is part of the ongoing plan to have 50% of Volvo Cars’ sales volume to be fully electric by 2025.
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The latest 2019 Porsche Macan was just launched a few months back, followed by the more powerful Porsche Macan S variant during the first-ever Porsche Sportscar Together Day held at the Sepang International Circuit just last month.
For months, we’ve been following the progress of Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) and their ever-growing range of delicious Porsche vehicles here in Malaysia. Noticing our interest, SDAP decided to let us have a go at the Porsche Macan. We took that opportunity straight away and had it to ourselves for the whole day.
With that being said, here are the five things we absolutely adore about the 2019 Porsche Macan. (more…)
