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Honda to Unveil Global EV Series and Concept Car at CES 2024

Honda is set to make a significant splash at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2024, as it takes a stride toward its goal of introducing 30 new electric vehicles (EVs) globally by 2030. The automaker aims to achieve a sales volume of 2 million EVs and has set an ambitious target of 100 per cent zero-emission cars in North America by 2040, encompassing both battery-electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles.

As part of this endeavour, Honda plans to debut a new global EV series at CES 2024, showcasing its commitment to a sustainable automotive future. The manufacturer will host a booth at the event, complemented by a dedicated website, to present the global EV series models and highlight key technologies symbolising Honda’s transformative journey.

Accompanying the announcement, Honda released a teaser image offering a glimpse of what appears to be an electric concept car poised for its debut at CES 2024. The image reveals a squared-off front end with a low profile, sloping at a steep angle. While much of the vehicle remains concealed, a pixelated wheel design emerges from the shadows, hinting at a futuristic and innovative design.

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Shell Malaysia Introduces Shell Cafe: The Ultimate One-Stop Centre

Shell Malaysia announces the official inauguration of Shell Café, introducing an immersive aromatic journey for consumers. Savour its signature farm-to-cup coffees and indulge in an extended, tempting array of delectable food options. This marks a significant milestone in Shell’s commitment to providing a rewarding experience for their customers.

Positioned as the preferred destination, Shell Café promises an integrated and customer-centric experience, offering not only fresh and appealing food and beverages but also a welcoming space for patrons to fulfil their refuelling requirements seamlessly while on the move.

Setting Shell Cafe apart is its unique coffee blend made from Arabica and Liberica beans, sourced and crafted in Malaysia. The rare Liberica beans, comprising less than 2% of global coffee production, promise a distinctive flavour, ensuring every cup of Shell Café coffee is worth stopping for.

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Advocating Stricter Penalties and Measures to Address Road Rage

In the wake of a recent case involving a fatal road incident, criminologist Datuk P. Sundramoorthy of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Policy Research has called for more stringent penalties for road bullies to act as a deterrent and safeguard the well-being of motorists.

As reported by The Star, Sundramoorthy emphasised that imposing severe punishments would send a clear message to potential offenders that violence on the roads would not be tolerated. He referenced the case of IT employee Yew Wei Liang, 45, who received a 16-year prison sentence for causing the death of Syed Muhammad Danial Syed Shakir. While acknowledging the court’s decision, Sundramoorthy expressed the belief that a more robust sentence would be appropriate, given the loss of a human life over a seemingly simple road mishap.

“Road rage cases are becoming rampant,” Sundramoorthy stated. “Although not many result in death, we should not take them lightly. Motorists deserve peace of mind, knowing they can drive safely without fearing road bullies.”

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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport ’57 One of One’: Homage To The Type 57 SC Atlantic

Bugatti commemorates 90 years of the Type 57 SC Atlantic with a bespoke creation, the Chiron Super Sport ’57 One of One.’ Crafted in collaboration with a passionate Bugatti enthusiast, this unique masterpiece pays homage to the iconic design of the Type 57 SC Atlantic, a timeless creation by Jean Bugatti. The customer’s lifelong love for the classic model and a visit to the Mullin Automotive Museum served as the catalyst for this exceptional project.

The journey began when the customer’s husband surprised her for her 70th birthday with a personal invitation from Bugatti to configure her own Chiron Super Sport. Drawing inspiration from the Type 57 SC Atlantic she first encountered 20 years ago, the customer and Jascha Straub, Lead Designer Sur Mesure at Bugatti, embarked on a co-creation journey to bring the ’57 One of One’ to life.

The exterior of the Chiron Super Sport pays homage to the Type 57 SC Atlantic’s striking silver-tinted blue hue, meticulously recreated to capture the essence of the original.

The interior of the ’57 One of One’ is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring the iconic ‘Dancing Elephant’ sculpture of Rembrandt Bugatti is delicately embroidered on the headrests, symbolising the customer’s passion for animals.

Jascha Straub, Lead Designer Sur Mesure at Bugatti, highlighted the customer’s active engagement and enthusiasm throughout the design process, stating, “Her perspective, rooted in a profound respect for Bugatti’s heritage, and driven by a desire to craft an authentic homage, guided us in creating a vehicle that stands at the intersection of history and innovative engineering.”

Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director at Bugatti Automobiles, expressed pride in the project, stating, “A creation like the ’57 One Of One’ is the perfect match for our Sur Mesure offer, bringing a passionate customer with bold ideas together with our endlessly creative and talented design and engineering teams.”

The ’57 One of One’ is not only a tribute to the iconic Type 57 SC Atlantic but also a testament to Bugatti’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and engineering. As a symbol of authentic homage, this bespoke Chiron Super Sport reflects the intersection of history and innovation, honouring the legacy of Jean Bugatti’s original masterpiece.

The Lamborghini Revuelto ‘Opera Unica’ Is A One-Off Work Of Art

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, Automobili Lamborghini unveils a unique work of art, the Revuelto ‘Opera Unica,’ presented during Art Basel Miami Beach 2023. This one-of-a-kind creation is a highly customised version of the Revuelto, Lamborghini’s first V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High-Performance Electrified Vehicle), and is a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and artistic expression.

The Revuelto, launched earlier this year, represents a new paradigm in performance, sportiness, and driving pleasure with its innovative design, maximum-efficiency aerodynamics, and a new carbon frame concept. Boasting 1,001hp, the Revuelto excels in agility and effectiveness both on the road and track.

The ‘Opera Unica’ takes the celebration further with a hand-painted exterior that seamlessly transitions from Viola Pasifae to Nero Helene. The brushstroke details incorporate warm and cool colours, requiring 76 hours of development and testing and a total of 435 hours for execution. A subtle 60th-anniversary logo adorns the car’s bonnet, adding a touch of commemoration to the artistic creation.

The interior of the ‘Opera Unica’ is equally distinctive, featuring an asymmetric design with a play of colours. The two-tone leather interior in Nero Ade and Viola Acutus is complemented by embroidered seat backrests, door inserts, and headliners adorned with the 60th-anniversary logo. Even the start and stop cover reflects the shaded brushstroke colors, creating a cohesive and artistic space within the vehicle.

The Revuelto ‘Opera Unica’ is a captivating blend of automotive engineering and artistic expression, embodying Lamborghini’s legacy of pushing boundaries and setting new standards in both performance and design.

Closer to home, the Revuelto was launched here back in September of this year with prices starting from RM2.5 million without taxes.

Toyota To Revive Fourth-Generation Mid-Engine MR2?

Toyota, renowned for its iconic JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) offerings, is gearing up to revive one of its classics—the MR2. The compact, mid-engine sports car, often dubbed the “poor man’s Ferrari,” last rolled off the production line in 2007 after three generations. Now, after nearly 20 years, Toyota is set to bring back the MR2 with the fourth-generation model scheduled to debut in 2025.

Toyota’s strategy for sports cars typically involves collaborations, and the upcoming MR2 is no exception. The Japanese automaker is expected to team up with another company to deliver an eagerly anticipated mid-engine model. While details on the partnership remain undisclosed, enthusiasts are bracing for some epic fan service in the tradition of JDM icons.

Interestingly, Toyota’s recent FT-Se Concept, an electric vehicle, appears well-suited in size and packaging for a mid-engine sports car. While the drivetrain type for the production version is yet to be confirmed, the FT-Se Concept raises speculation about the new MR2 potentially embracing electric power.

Another potential platform for the new MR2 could be based on the GR Yaris, known for its sporty prowess. Reports suggest that the prototype currently undergoing testing borrows heavily from the GRMN Yaris, featuring a turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine. This hints at a high-performance, limited-production model with an estimated price tag of around 10 million yen (RM317,974).

Despite the expected high cost, the allure of the revived MR2 lies not only in its performance but also in its limited production, reminiscent of the exclusivity seen in the GRMN Yaris. As Toyota enthusiasts eagerly await the official debut in 2025, the revival of the MR2 promises to add another chapter to the legacy of Japanese sports cars.