Goodyear continues to gain increasing preference in the motorsports world as it is chosen as Official Tyre Supplier. Following its appointment by the FIA as tyre-supplier for the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) and British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), the international governing body has now also made Goodyear the official tyre supplier to the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) category of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and European Le Mans Series (ELMS).
A multi-season contract between the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the FIA World Endurance Championship and Goodyear was agreed following ACO’s decision to appoint a single tyre supplier for this highly competitive Le Mans Prototype class.
The contract, to supply all the WEC teams in the LMP2 class, begins with the 8-round 2020/2021 season which starts at Silverstone in September, before continuing across four continents around the world. its climax will be the 24 hours of Le Mans in June 2021, a race which Goodyear-equipped cars have won outright on 14 occasions.
“Goodyear has a long and remarkable history in motorsport. In addition to our unbeaten record in Formula One with 368 Grand Prix wins, we have 14 overall wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This partnership allows us to showcase our technology, durability and performance in the most famous endurance race in the world. We are proud to have been chosen for this challenge,” said Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Consumer EMEA at Goodyear.
The LMP2 official tyre partnership with ELMS, the world’s leading continental endurance racing series, will begin in April 2021. In ELMS, the LMP2 category is the top tier of a multi-class championship that races at six of Europe’s top circuits.
The partnership means that all LMP2 entrants in the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans, including cars from outside of WEC and ELMS, will benefit from the latest developments in Goodyear Racing tyres. In addition, Goodyear will also increase its brand visibility on and off the track to support its launch of the latest range of Eagle F1 SuperSport tyres, featuring motorsport-derived technology.
TC Euro Cars (TCEC) has scored a first in the local auto industry with its move to e-commerce. The company, which represents Renault in Malaysia, has launched the new Renault E-Store on its website at www.renault.com.my .
Adding on from never having to visit a physical showroom with the Renault 3-hour test drive offering via GoCar, customers can now enjoy ultimate convenience and a hassle-free way to buy or take a subscription plan for a Renault. This fully digital process eliminates the time-consuming and tedious process that car-buyers have had to go through for decades.
Now, with the Renault E-Store, they can shop from the comfort of their home or office – just as they do shopping for other good online which is a growing trend nowadays. They don’t have to feel pressured by over-attentive salespersons and they can learn more about the model they are interested in at their convenience. They can also arrange for a test-drive and TCEC says that the process extends right to delivery of the registered vehicle.
To celebrate the launch of the new Renault E-Store, TCEC is extending a ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ offer to the first 50 customers who make their purchase online. Each of these early bird online customers will receive a free 6-month subscription (transferable among family members) for the Captur crossover.
Besides the Captur, the Koleos and Megane R.S. are also available for purchase at the Renault E-Store.
“We are proud to be an e-commerce first automotive brand. With the new Renault E-Store and more new offerings to come, we believe that we are leading the charge in digitalising the customer journey and, at the same time, disrupting the industry,” said Nicholas Tan, Chairman of TCEC.
The upgraded 2020 Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire models will be in Toyota showrooms in Malaysia soon and pre-launch orders are now being accepted. UMW Toyota Motor, the importer and distributor of the vehicles from Japan, is pricing the latest premium MPV models from RM383,000 for the Vellfire (one variant) and RM465,000 for the Alphard (two variants).
The latest Alphard and Vellfire have been upgraded with advanced systems being added in two areas – Safety and Connectivity. This is in line with UMWT’s 360-T New Brand Experience Strategy that emphasizes Safe-T and Connectivi-T.
The new or enhanced systems are Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), Parking Support Brake System, 9-inch AVX Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-Ready Connectivity, Front & Rear Digital Video Recorder, Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
TSS is a suite of advanced systems that provide driver assistance to avoid accidents or reduce their severity if they occur. These include Pre-collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control – All Speed. The latter is more advanced than normal cruise control systems as it can vary the cruising speed when necessary for safety.
With Parking Support Brake System added in the 2020 models, drivers have the support of an intelligent parking system to detect objects in the surrounding areas of the vehicle during the parking process. Should any object be detected, the brakes will be automatically applied and the engine power cut back so that collisions can be avoided. Even if a collision does occur, the early action of the system can reduce damage.
Alphard dashboardInterior of Vellfire
Besides the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) that enables the driver to view all round the vehicle, the front and rear DVRs constantly record the views ahead and behind. Apart from recording the scenery on a holiday journey, in the event of an incident and dispute, the recordings would be useful evidence for the vehicle owner.
The Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) for the Vellfire and Alphard is a connectivity feature that uses GPS/GSM to track the location of the car at all times. This can aid recovery by the police if the vehicle is stolen. VTS can also monitor and record vehicle speeds and other operating conditions that the vehicle has been subjected to, with data sent by email to a designated user.
No design changes are mentioned to the two models for the new model year but there are 4 exterior colours to choose from – Luxury White Pearl CS GF (only for Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge and Alphard 3.5L); Burning Black CS GF (only for Vellfire 2.5L); and White Pearl C, Graphite Metallic and Black (available for both Alphard and Vellfire).
Vellfire headlightsThe Alphard has a 3.5-litre V6 engine while the Vellfire uses a 2.5-litre engine.
As with all other models imported by UMWT, owners of the Vellfire and Alphard will enjoy a full factory warranty, with availability of genuine replacement parts when required. Aftersales support is also assured with personnel trained to service the models using the necessary special tools and equipment.
Customers can locate the nearest showroom by visiting toyota.com.my or calling the Toyota freephone line 1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
Of the 11,567 units of BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad (motorcycle) vehicles that BMW Group Malaysia delivered last year, 3,148 were electrified models with all-electric or hybrid powertrains. These joined the total of over 17,000 electrified vehicles delivered by the company since 2015.
On a global scale, a total of 145,815 electrified BMW and MINI vehicles were delivered worldwide in 2019, contributing to half a million such vehicle vehicles delivered to date.
2019 also marked the third consecutive year BMW Group Malaysia expanded the infrastructure for electromobility in the country, having introduced 18 new BMW i Charging Facilities across Malaysia. This brings the number to over 30, set up within 3 years.
Sales by brand
The BMW brand saw 9,300 new owners in Malaysia last year, with more than a quarter (2,514 units) having chosen the 3-Series. Another key contributor in 2019 was the 5-Series, with over 2,000 units delivered nationwide.
The X Family recorded total sales of 3,985 units and the X3 sold in the largest volume (1,354 unit), followed closely by the X1 (1,331 units). The electrified X5 xDrive40e accounted for 24% (975) of total deliveries, making it the third bestselling BMW X model in 2019.
MINI delivered 1,142 vehicles last year, with the Countryman version accounting for more than half the number (685 units). Worldwide, MINI brand deliveries totalled 346,639 units in 2019.
Exports from Malaysia
Having made big investments in its production facilities at the Inokom plant in Kedah, BMW has also exported some of the production. Including engines, to other ASEAN markets. It has been exporting the 5-Series to the Philippines and is also preparing to export other models in future, including the 7-Series. Vehicles imported to other ASEAN markets can enjoy duty-exemption under the provisions of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement, enabling distributors to sell them at more attractive price levels.
The 5-Series assembled at the BMW facility in Kedah, as well as engines also produced there, are exported to neighbouring countries and enjoy duty-free importation under the AFTA agreement.
Financial services
With a range of flexible financing plans, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia also achieved a strong business portfolio, having financed half of the new BMW and MINI vehicles delivered last year. Its Easy Drive financing solution provides flexibility as well as affordability to customers.
After cumulative sales of more than 3 million units since 2002, Kia’s Sorento SUV will enter its fourth generation this year with the world premiere of the model at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show early next month.
The Korean carmaker’s flagship global SUV will be the latest addition to the brand’s reinvigorated SUV line-up. The new model also marks the first-time adoption of hybrid power in the Sorento range.
The first vehicle based on Kia’s new-generation midsize SUV platform, the Sorento is said to raise standards in its segment for practicality, offering space on a par with larger vehicles.
Kia aims to outdo competitors in the global SUV market by applying a range of innovations to the new Sorento. These include advanced driver assistance systems and progressive connectivity and infotainment features.
Three generations of the Sorento have been produced since 2002.
The Megane has been one of Renault’s more successful models, with 7 million units sold globally since 1995. Over 4 generations, it has come to be a full range and, like the Volkswagen Golf with its GTI, has had a powerful variant in the R.S. line.
For 2020, the range includes a first for Renault in the compact segment – a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It uses technologies developed by the Alliance and the Renault Engineering Department and benefits from the electric-vehicle expertise acquired by Groupe Renault over the last 10 years, as well as its experience in Formula 1 racing.
The New Megane’s exterior design has gained sculpted and more dynamic lines in keeping with the Renault brand identity to offer even more character and sophistication. Its headlights now feature LED Pure Vision technology said to improve and increase the headlamp beam by nearly 30%, offering greater visibility, safety and driving comfort.
The headlamps, tail lights and fog lights are now all LED. The contour lines of the new rear lights have been raised to display a new trim design and the indicators have become dynamic. The New Megane also features a new, more sophisticated lower panel while the design of the wings is more pronounced, and they also feature door-handle lighting.
The revamped and modernised driver’s ‘techno cockpit’ has a new 9.3-inch screen for the multimedia system and a 10.2-inch screen for the dashboard. The 9.3-inch screen provides a display area twice the size of the 7-inch version. This vertical tablet fits perfectly into the dashboard and gives the passenger compartment a very modern look. The Renault EASY LINK multimedia system, inspired by smartphone codes and uses, aims to be more ergonomic, functional and user-friendly.
Renault’s Multi-Sense technology can change the characteristics to one of several different. The driver can choose settings that adjust the engine mapping, steering, ambient lighting and configuration of the digital display that replaces the dials to offer a personalised driving experience
Powertrains
Renault will continue to offer petrol and diesel engines since there will still be demand in many markets outside Europe where internal combustion engines may be preferred. The petrol engine displacement will be the Alliance 1.3 TCe which can be offered in outputs ranging from 115 bhp to 160 bhp. At the end of the year, the New Megane will also be available with the Alliance 1.0 TCe engine with a manual transmission.
The latest Megane Diesel will use a 1.5-litre Blue dCi engine adapted to new anti-pollution standards. Customers have the option of choosing the 95 bhp eco version with a 6-speed manual transmission or the 115 bhp version with a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission.
2020 Renault Megane E-TECH Plug-in, estate version.
The highlight is of course the new E-TECH Plug-in hybrid powertrain which combines with a 4-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and uses an innovative multi-mode clutch-less gearbox transmission which optimises gearshifting.
The design draws on the experience of the Renault F1 Team, which shared its energy-management expertise (energy recovered during deceleration and braking is used to recharge the battery outside charging cycles) to enable the New Megane to operate with maximum energy efficiency. It is paired with a braking system developed by Renault’s electric vehicle experts.
The battery pack has an energy capacity of 9.8 kWh (400V) battery which can enable the New Megane to run on full-electric mode for up to 50 kms and up to a top speed of 85 mph (135 km/h), it is claimed.
New driver assistance systems
The New Megane’s driver-assistance systems include the Highway & Traffic Jam Companion, a Level 2 autonomous system that provides comfort and peace of mind while driving. Level 2 autonomous capability has adaptive cruise control (which can vary the speed to maintain a safe gap as well as operate from standstill) and lane-centering or lane-keeping control. It’s available in many cars today and can make driving easier but the driver still needs to pay attention to what is happening.
The New Megane R.S.
The high-performance New Megane R.S. adopts a range centred on the Sport chassis and the same single 300 bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine as the TROPHY version. Torque has been increased by 30 Nm to 420 Nm on EDC transmission models and 400 Nm on manual transmission models. The exhaust system now includes a mechanical valve to adjust the ‘soundtrack’.
The hallmark features of the Megane R.S are still present, including the 4CONTROL frame for maximum agility in sharp turns and stability in fast curves, and a new R.S. Monitor (optional) which displays many car settings in real time, such as acceleration, braking, steering-wheel angle, 4CONTROL system operation, temperatures and pressures, etc.
The New Megane R.S. TROPHY, a benchmark for ultra-high-performance hatchbacks, is designed for racing. It stands out for its now-exclusive Cup frame; compared with the New Megane R.S.’s Sport chassis, the chassis Cup features a mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential which improves cornering control and driveability when exiting corners. Its shock absorbers and suspension springs have been retuned for increases of 25% and 30% respectively, and the anti-roll bar has a 10% higher setting than on Megane R.S.
