The race promoters hoped that the situation will change later on and a new date on the 2021 calendar can be scheduled. This development means that there will again be two races in Austria, like last year. The first will be the Styrian Grand Prix on June 27, and the second will be the Austrian Grand Prix on July 4. Both races will be run at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
This weekend will see the fifth round run in Monaco, which was forced to cancel last year due to worsening COVID-19 pandemic conditions. It was one of 7 races on the 22-round calendar which had to be cancelled.
The war on COVID-19 has not ended and our dedicated frontliners continue the fight to protect us and save those who are infected. The hospitals continue to need medical supplies, a large portion of which has to be disposed daily as they are part of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) personnel must wear. At the same time, the hospitals also require other equipment for patients who may be undergoing intensive care or recovering.
Support for war on COVID-19
Perodua has always been supporting key public institutions nationwide in various ways, more so in the past year when it made major contributions in cash and supplies to help in fighting the pandemic. Recently, the Malaysian carmaker contributed an additional RM80,000 worth of medical supplies to Hospital Sungai Buloh, a key medical facility that handles a large number of COVID-19 cases.
The medical supplies included 5,000 face shields, wheelchairs equipped with safety belts, commode chairs, transfer boards, bed railings, rehabilitation chairs, walking frames, walking sticks and a therapy tilt table.
35,000 faceshields donated nationwide
The face shields, manufactured by an associate company of Perodua, were also contributed to various organisations in Malaysia over the past year. The latest contribution brings the total number to 35,000 pieces. Recipients of the face shields have been schools, clinics, local government offices and councils, and even hawkers at markets in Perodua’s surrounding community.
“We will continue to communicate with key public institutions to see where Perodua may contribute strategically in supporting the nation. We thank and salute our brave men and women who work tirelessly to serve us all,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
To know more about Perodua’s CSR activities, visit www.perodua.com.my .
Opel, a brand more familiar to older Malaysians, has brought back the iconic Manta as a one-off all-electric special to celebrate the coupe’s 50th anniversary. Called the Manta GSe ElektroMOD, it reflects the growing trend of transforming classic cars like into so-called ‘RestoMods’ with modern components and powertrains.
Change of ‘heart’
The first electric RestoMod by Opel (once a GM subsidiary and now part of the Stellantis Group), the Manta GSe has an electric powertrain with an output of 108 kW (147 ps) and 225 Nm of torque. It uses the original 4-speed gearbox, allowing drivers to manually change gears, or alternatively, engage the fourth gear and drive automatically.
With a 31-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Manta GSe has a claimed range of around 200 kms, with regenerative braking to improve range. Full recharging with a 9-kW onboard charger can be completed in just under 4 hours.
Design elements from Vauxhall
The Manta GSe also uses some of the latest design elements from Vauxhall, the British brand that is also part of the Stellantis Group. These include the brand’s Vizor-styled front end with Pixel technology allowing it to issue messages, such as ‘I am on a zero e-mission’, followed by the silhouette of a manta ray gliding over the Pixel-Vizor.
The front end also features LED daylight running lights, while the iconic circular rear lights come with a striking three-dimensional LED design. The yellow paintwork is contrasted by the signature black bonnet, with the wheel arches housing specially designed 17-inch Ronal alloy wheels with 195/40 tyres at the front, and 205/40 tyres at the rear.
Digital tech inside
As expected of a modern RestoMod, the interior features the latest digital technology. The classic round instruments have been replaced by a Pure Panel, with two driver-oriented 12-inch and 10-inch digital displays. The sound system has also been modernised with a new unit that has connectivity which was not available in the 1970s.
The sports seats come with a yellow centre line and have a modern structure for improved comfort and support. The steering wheel has a classic 3-spoke design (no airbag as this is only a showcar) and features a yellow marker in the 12 o’clock position for an added sporty touch.
Surfaces in the cockpit and door panels are matt grey, matching the neo-classic’s other yellow and black coloured elements. The ceiling of the passenger compartment is lined with fine Alcantara and completes the stylish ambience.
Lim Tayar, a member of the CKL Group, an automotive services group, has launched the Lim Tayar Family (LTF) licensing programme for the aftermarket industry. The programme enables tyre retailers and car workshop owners to upgrade their business for growth and profitability. With the LTF programme, tyre retailers as well as car workshop owners will be able to get the expertise and support to drive and manage their business from Lim Tayar, which has been in the tyre servicing business in Malaysia since 1985.
Alternative to legacy dealership model
According to Clement Lim, Joint Managing Director of CKL Group, the pandemic which started last year has brought to light the struggles of the dealership model in Malaysia. “Hence, we have specially curated this programme to offer assistance to these owners who are looking for a better option than the legacy dealership model. This programme will also cater to those who wish to upgrade their business under the umbrella of a trusted and reputable vehicle servicing chain store,” he explained.
“Lim Tayar is one of the largest one-stop car service chains in Malaysia. Together with our sister company, School of Skills which offers technical vocational training, we are confident we will be able to help our partners to build up the skills of their current workforce and also to mitigate the skilled manpower shortage faced by the industry,” he added.
35 years of experience
Under the programme, the licensed workshops or tyre retailers will have the support of a Lim Tayar which has been acquired over 35 years of experience in the industry. Other benefits include inventory support like tyres, engine oil, spare parts, batteries, marketing, as well as a comprehensive business operations solution, which includes a point-of-sale system, a fixed price list and a ready-to-move in business premise located at a strategic location.
The LTF Programme will offer similar benefits as that of a franchise. However, the partner workshops will also have the flexibility to offer additional services or other areas of expertise, apart from what Lim Tayar has to offer. There will also be a flexible financing plan for the programme, which includes an installment plan for the licensing fee as well.
Complementing Lim Tayar’s network
The licensing programme will also result in an expansion of Lim Tayar’s services and network nationwide. Currently, the CKL Group owns 18 Lim Tayar outlets in the Klang Valley and one outlet in Seremban. “With this nationwide expansion, we will be able to offer the same experience through our licensed partners to our customers all over the country,” Mr. Lim said.
Gulf Oil was one of the original ‘Seven Sisters’, the biggest oil companies in the world which dominated the industry up till the mid-1970s. Like many companies in the oil industry, Gulf Oil used motorsports as one of its marketing tools, sponsoring Ford and McLaren in major international races like the Le Mans 24 Hours.
It ceased to exist after the mid-1980s but various spin-off businesses continued in various fields. One of those companies, known as Gulf Oil International, signed a multi-year multi-year strategic partnership with McLaren in July 2020 which will see the name and iconic colours on the British sportscars as well as business associations in other areas.
Various partnership activities
For example, Gulf is now the preferred lubricant supplier to McLaren Automotive, with all cars filled with Gulf Oil and fuel optimised for its high-performance engines. Gulf branding will also be displayed at McLaren Automotive’s PURE customer events that take place around the world, at retailers and on team kit.
In addition, a small and exclusive number of customers will be given the option to have their car hand-painted by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the firm’s bespoke division, in Gulf colours which echo the famous F1 GTR Le Mans car that raced in the 1990s. In October last year, an Elva Gulf Theme by MSO was unveiled during the Goodwood SpeedWeek in England.
MSO project
This month, MSO reveals a bespoke 720S in the iconic Gulf racing colours, the hand-painted livery having taken 20 days to complete. Having trialled several iterations to create the perfect finish from McLaren Automotive paint technology partner AkzoNobel’s exhaustive pallet of premium automotive paint hues.
In addition to the iconic racing blue and orange colours, MSO has echoed the Gulf solid orange colour on the brake calipers, with the bespoke interior of this 720S featuring matching blue and orange stitching with Gulf logos embroidered on the headrests and painted on the sills.
The famous McLaren steering wheel incorporates a centre band to match the exterior stripe in Gulf solid orange and Gulf solid dark blue on the visual carbon fibre spokes. Matching key shells are also provided to the customer.
Technical specs similar to other 720S models
Technically, the 720S remains the benchmark supercar with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing up to 720 ps/770 Nm to give a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds and an unrestricted maximum speed of 341 km/h.
Its carbonfibre Monocage II contributes to a class-leading lightest dry weight of 1,283 kgs, while Proactive Chassis Control II suspension and active aerodynamics provide the outstanding performance on both road and track.
The 720S is the culmination of a joint project between MSO and Gulf to ensure a perfectly colour-matched range of paints in metallic and solid finishes that capture both of their unique identities. “McLaren Automotive has firmly established itself as the pioneering supercar company within just 10 years, but the McLaren brand has a remarkable history before this and it is always great to see customers embracing famous liveries on modern McLaren supercars,” said Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive.
“The 720S in Gulf colours celebrates two high-performance brands who draw on a deep automotive and racing history that have embarked on a new strategic partnership to excite customers and fans around the world. This project is a showcase of MSO’s capabilities and echoes the recent full restoration of the McLaren F1 GTR 25R, a car raced in the 1990s. The 720S in such an evocative livery and interior finish, created in close association with Gulf, which perfectly shows the potential for our customers to work with MSO’s skilled team to personalise their McLaren,” he said.
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
