It’s been a busy year for Honda Malaysia, having started with the launch of the new Honda Civic and then the HR-V, two popular models that presently have long waiting lists. And to end the year, the company has launched an additional variant for the Civic in the form of the Civic e:HEV Hybrid today.
This is no surprise, of course, as it was already announced a month ago and Honda Malaysia even allowed us to get the first drive impressions at the Sepang circuit. We were able to show you what the car looks like and the only things that were not known then were the interior (under embargo) and of greater interest to the public, the price.
So first off, here’s the price: RM166,500 (without insurance) for the single RS version and this is around RM15,800 more than the Civic RS with just a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. So, by virtue of its price, the Civic e:HEV would be the flagship of the range which includes the 1.5V and 1.5E versions. Malaysia is one of only three countries in the world to have the e:HEV version of the Civic Sedan, the others being Thailand and China.
The Honda Accord is of special significance in the American market, being not only the brand’s first model manufactured there in 1982 but also the first foreign model to become the bestselling car in America in 1989. Since then, it has been among the top sellers in the country which used to be the largest car market in the world before China displaced it.
With its success and popularity over 5 decades, it’s not surprising that the 11th generation also makes its debut in America, as has been the tradition for some time. With this new generation. Honda is furthering its electrification strategy and expects the hybrid versions of the new Accord to account for at least 50% of sales of the model.
Mercedes-AMG is the first car manufacturer to run a production hypercar on Nurburgring Nordschleife – and it has also set official records there to become the absolute fastest road-legal car on the circuit.
The record-breaking drives were set on October 28 in conditions that did not look suited to set sizzling times. But it was on the last attempt of the day, as conditions improved, that racing driver and AMG brand ambassador Maro Engel clocked his best lap time to set the new official record of 6:35.183 minutes. Engel’s run was just in time as about a minute after completion, it was the official closure time for the track.
Although Toyota began selling the first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that have an electric motor working with a petrol engine, Honda also brought HEVs into the market around the same time. In fact, in Malaysia, Honda was the first to actually market HEVs when it offered the Civic Hybrid in 2004, priced at RM118,888. Back then, hybrids were still a novelty rather than something which drew people due to being new technology.
Over the years, Honda Malaysia continued to promote HEVs, offering the technology in some models and then being the first brand to assemble a HEV locally – the Jazz Hybrid – in 2012. Incentives provided by the government during that period were intended to promote HEVs so that more people would buy the environment-friendly cars. In fact, the incentives created the unusual situation whereby a HEV variant cost less than the variants with just petrol engines – in every other market, HEVs would cost more than their conventional engine equivalents due to the additional cost of the technology.
Although sales of HEVs have not been rocketing upwards, they have been steadily increasing and the technology has also matured and is more efficient, while costs have lowered. Since the days of the first Insight, it has been Honda’s aim to find ways to lower the costs of its hybrid technology – which it markets as e:HEV now – so that more people can afford to buy HEVs.
When the latest 11th generation Honda Civic was launched in January, we asked Honda Malaysia about the possibility of a hybrid version also being available. At that time, it was already known that the latest generation did have a hybrid variant (which Honda refers to as e:HEV) that was to be sold in Europe with a hatchback bodystyle. Honda Malaysia said they ‘would consider it’ as a future addition then…
10 months later, the Civic e:HEV is about to be launched and it’s clear that the company must have already been working on it and not just ‘considering it’ because it takes time to plan for local assembly at the Melaka plant. And now that the launch will take place soon, Honda Malaysia has offered us a chance to get first impressions of the new model.
Our drive took place at the Sepang International Circuit with the same condition that we can tell you about the exterior and the driving impressions and the e:HEV technology, but not what the interior is like (for now).
Although its vehicles are very fuel-efficient, Perodua will also be starting on an electrification journey with hybrid powertrains. This will begin with a fleet of 300 Daihatsu Rocky Hybrids that have been imported for the purpose of testing in local conditions. The Rocky is the Daihatsu equivalent of the Perodua Ativa, while Toyota’s version is called the Raize.
Rather than conducting the testing itself (which it will also do), the carmaker will be offering the model to interested customers under a subscription program. The customers who will be offered the chance to participate will be existing customers who have booked an Ativa but have not received it.
5-year program Under the program, they will pay an upfront fee of RM2,150 and a monthly fee of RM500. The costs relating to insurance coverage, roadtax and scheduled maintenance will be covered by Perodua. The period of subscription will last for 5 years and customers will be required to allows tracking of their vehicle movements (using a GPS device) so that data on their driving and usage can be collected.
They will also have to provide feedback regularly and report on any technical issues they face. Within a year, the data from 300 SUVs should provide Perodua with a lot of information on the running conditions of the hybrid powertrain which they can use in developing their future powertrain for a later model. Whether it will be for the Ativa or another model remains to be seen.
The e-SMART HYBRID system Daihatsu has worked on hybrid powertrains for a long time, with the first prototype shown as far back as 1981. The latest hybrid powertrain in the Rocky Hybrid is an e-SMART HYBRID which has the capability of running purely on electric power. It uses a 1.2-litre engine and a transaxle specially developed for hybrid electric vehicles.
The transaxle, which efficiently transmits the motor output to the wheels, consists of a motor generator that drives and generates power, a speed reduction mechanism, and a differential mechanism. The two motors are optimally arranged to achieve compactness so that they can be installed in compact vehicles.
The Rocky HYBRID also has a Smart Pedal (S-PDL) which can adjust the vehicle’s speed just by stepping on or releasing the accelerator pedal. When using the S-PDL, the amount of regeneration increases due to the reduced deceleration caused by the brake pedal, contributing to improved fuel efficiency.
Second time having CBU vehicles This would be the second time that Perodua is importing completely built-up (CBU) Daihatsu vehicles. Back in 2008, the company brought in a batch of Daihatsu Terios SUVs from Indonesia. These were to be badged as the Perodua Nautica, the successor to the Kembara. However, the plan was scrapped after a year and Perodua did not have a SUV until the Aruz was introduced in 2019.
The Crown is one of Toyota’s oldest models, having made its initial debut in 1955 as the company’s first mass produced passenger vehicle. It has remained in the line-up to this day, elevating to flagship status during the 67 years. However, times have changed and Toyota feels the Crown has become unable to fully meet the diversifying needs of its customers, and its role as a flagship model has also become less significant.
This has led to a complete rethink for the new generation which sees 4 different models that will carry the nameplate. In addition to a new Crossover, there will be a Sport as a new addition. There will still be a Sedan, of course, and this will continue with a formal design (although the pictures show something very advanced), and a Stationwagon/Estate which is now more of a functional SUV.
Due to the diverse range, Toyota won’t be launching all the versions together and, as a reflection of the current market preference, it will start with the Crossover. This model will go on sale from the fourth quarter of this year and will be offered in around 40 countries, Malaysia being a possibility. The eventual annual production is expected to reach 200,000 units.
Incidentally, the Crown was assembled in Malaysia at one time back in the early 1980s but large limousine-type Japanese cars were not favoured then so the model was discontinued. Times have changed, of course, and while the German brands still command the premium segment, Lexus has shown that the Japanese can also offer comparably premium products. So it’s likely that the new Crown will eventually appear in Malaysia as a complement to the Alphard.
The Crown Crossover
At this time, Toyota is only providing details of the Crossover so that’s what we’ll look at. As the term suggests, the bodystyle is a ‘crossover’ from a sedan to a SUV (‘the fusing a sedan and an SUV’ as Toyota puts it) and is a popular approach these days. The design has a coupe-like silhouette for a sporty image, while the elevated body satisfies the SUV side.
The lighting units at the front and rear connected from left to right in a single straight line, emphasising width visually. The side view shows surface variation without relying on character lines, creating a clean but sophisticated appearance. The overall length is 4930 mm, with a width of 1840 mm, on a wheelbase of 2850 mm. That’s larger than a Lexus RX and around the same length as a BMW X6.
The new Crown also uses TNGA, the versatile platform with Toyota’s New Generation Architecture. This has been adapted for use (TNGA-K) in the new model and provides a lightweight and well-balanced body with high rigidity. As with all SUVs and crossovers, the hip point is high for ease of entry and exit which is prioritised. This has been helped by having large-diameter wheels that raise the floor level. Additional space is provided above the head and to the front and rear for a more comfortable cabin.
The 2-row interior is typically Toyota with a lot of attention to visual and physical comfort. Horizontally integrating the display and operating equipment creates a functional layout that can be operated intuitively from any seat. The wrap-around form from the instrument panel to the doors also gives a sense of security.
As befits a flagship model, much attention has been given to every interior element, with the use of an understated and welcoming material known as WARM STEEL. The finishing of the seats, designed to be ‘first class’, helps a space with a sense of quality and richness.
While other carmakers may use the opportunity to go fully electric, Toyota remains cautious in how it moves into the electric era and still strongly believes hybrid electric vehicle technology is a practical solution for now. Thus the new Crown will come with two hybrid powertrains – 2.5-litre Series Parallel Hybrid System and 2.4-litre Turbo Hybrid System.
The 2.4-litre Turbo Hybrid System combines an inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with strong torque (550 Nm/350 ps) even at low RPM with the latest eAxle electric powertrain. The rear wheel eAxle uses a high output water-cooled electric motor combined with the engine to directly transmit force to all four wheels.
Electrical power will be supplied by a newly-developed bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery pack, a first for Toyota.
The Toyota Safety Sense suite is an upgraded one with advanced and improved functions. The range of situations it can respond to has been expanded even further, giving the driver more peace of mind to enjoy motoring.
Also available will be Toyota Teammate, a suite of driver-assistance technologies. Advanced Drive support during traffic congestion), and Advanced Park. The latter can automatically park and exit from a parking space in a variety of situations and can be operated remotely as well.
“The Crown has long served as the flagship of the Toyota brand. This flagship has represented Japanese success and pride, bringing together Japan’s world-class technology and skilled workforce. The new Crown is full of these underlying strengths,” said Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, at the presentation of the new model today.
Following its recently launched Continental GT S and GT S Convertible, Bentley has now added the new Flying Spur S to complete its new driver-focused S range. This is the first time that Bentley’s historic ‘S’ badge has been applied to a product with a hybrid powertrain, and is another step towards Beyond100, Bentley’s vision of the future and sustainable pathway forwards.
Suited to those who are city-based or environmentally-focused, the smaller 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine works with an advanced electric motor. Total system output is 544 ps/750 Nm which can send the Flying Spur S from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.1 seconds. With a fully charged battery pack, it can travel up to 41 kms on just electricity.
The Bentley S range.
The Flying Spur Hybrid S (whilst in Sport mode) features ingenious sound enhancements in the engine bay that match the more sporting character of the car for the driver while maintaining low sound levels in the rear cabin.
Besides the hybrid powertrain, there is also a second choice for customers who are not particularly concerned about fuel prices. This is Bentley’s 4-litre V8 engine developing 550 ps/770 Nm. This can send the car from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 4 seconds, and on to a top speed of almost 320 km/h.
Purposeful, understated exterior
The black brightware of the Flying Spur S models creates an athletic and understated look, whatever the chosen exterior finish. With the absence of bright polished metal highlights, the eye is ‘encouraged’ to take in the vehicle’s form and perceive it as lower and wider – the essence of a sporting Bentley.
The effect is complemented by gloss black lower bumper grilles, dark tinted headlamps and rear lights, black quad tailpipe finishers and distinctive S badging on the front fenders. The grille is black gloss with vertical vanes and black gloss surround. Only the winged Bentley badge and lettering on the bootlid stand out with their bright chrome finish.
Performance focussed interior
Customers can choose from a variety of performance-focused two-tone colour splits, handcrafted in Bentley’s leather shop using a combination of smooth hide and soft-napped Dinamica. This suede-like material is used for the heated steering wheel, gearlever, seat cushions and seat backrests while leather hide is employed on the seat bolsters, door pads, along the instrument panel and around the console.
The S design seats are fluted, with quilting available as an option, and the ‘S’ emblem is embroidered on the headrest of each seat. Driver instrumentation takes its inspiration from motorsport chronometers, with the same graphics as the Continental GT Speed. There are also finishing touches that include a metal S signature badge on the fascia and illuminated Bentley treadplates with the ‘S’ device replacing the Bentley Motors Ltd plaque.
Nissan started participating in the Safari Rally in 1963 and in 1966, a Bluebird entered by the team became the first Japanese car to win its class in the gruelling event. Other victories followed and by 1970, Nissan finally took top honours, winning all three prizes – overall (with a Datsun 1600 SSS), class and team. In 1971, a Datsun 240Z won to give the brand its second consecutive overall victory in the rally.
The original Datsun 240Z which won the Safari Rally.
From concept sketch to one-off model
Paying tribute to the successes in the legendary rally half a century later is the Nissan JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute. The special model has now moved to become a fully operational one-off vehicle following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the original concept images. Its unveiling previews the European introduction of the JUKE Hybrid soon.
“The JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute represents our optimism and daring mindset. We are currently preparing an exciting new chapter of JUKE history in advance of the introduction of the new JUKE Hybrid in the summer. It will offer the excitement and agility customers would expect of our iconic crossover, with both improved performance and efficiency. The JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute takes its playful character to a new level. “Speaking about the decision to bring the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute to life,” said Coralie Musy, Vice-President, Brand and Customer Experience of Nissan’s AMIEO region.
Advanced hybrid powertrain
The JUKE Hybrid powertrain consists of a new generation Nissan internal combustion engine specifically developed for working in a hybrid powertrain application. It produces 69 kW (94 ps) and 148 Nm of torque.
The main electric motor produces 36 kW (49 ps) with 205 Nm of torque, while there is a 15 kW contribution from a high voltage starter/generator, all of which is fed by a 1.2 kWh water-cooled battery. The net result is a powertrain providing 25% more power than the current petrol engine option, with a claimed fuel consumption reduction of approximately 40% in the urban cycle.
Smart automatic gearbox
Also carried over from the production version of the JUKE is an advanced low friction multi-modal gearbox that provides optimal use of the propulsive power, whether electric, petrol engine, or both. To reduce friction, this motorsport-inspired gearbox uses dog clutches instead of conventional synchroniser rings to shift the 4 ICE (internal combustion engine) gears and 2 EV (electric vehicle) gears.
Additionally, to reduce friction, this gearbox does not use a clutch. All vehicle starts are 100% electric, and the 2 EV motors are used in combination to synchronise the gears, delivering smooth, connected and responsive acceleration.
The gearbox is controlled by an advanced algorithm, managing the shift points, battery regeneration, as well as the advanced series-parallel architecture. The powertrain can seamlessly navigate through different hybridisation combinations (series, parallel, series-parallel) according to acceleration and power requirements and without any driver input.
Rally-inspired modifications
Like the Gripz concept car that was displayed at the 2015 Frankfurt Motorshow, the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute takes its design cues from the iconic 240Z that competed so successfully in the desert rally over 50 years ago.
The most obvious modification are the enlarged wheelarches to accommodate the tailor-made off-road tyres, while the additional lights mounted on the bonnet and roof echo those of the 1970s era.
Similarly, the black of the bonnet and enlarged black wheels are a visual homage to the 1971 rallycar. To further provide period accuracy are vintage sponsor logos and the number 11, while the additional reinforced plates under the front and rear valances offer protection to the vehicle’s underside. Reinforced and long-travel suspension has been fitted all-round, while the tyres are 265/70 R16.
Inside, the cabin has been modified with the fitment of a tubular cage to stiffen the bodyshell and to offer protection in the case of an incident at speed in the challenging desert environment. The rear seats have been removed to provide space for spare wheels and 4-point harnesses have been added to secure the driver and navigator safely in their racing seats.
Other modifications to the interior include the fitment of a competition fire extinguisher, an intercom system with a pair of headphones (though the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute would be much quieter than the rallycar), the fitment of Alcantara trim on the steering wheel, and a hydraulic handbrake with a high-reach handle.
As part of the Juke Hybrid Rally Tribute project and in line with exploring rallying while being as eco-conscious as possible, the powertrain uses liquids and biofuels provided by Shell, Nissan’s partner for the 1971 East African Rally.
Less than a year after the Range Rover started its fifth generation, its brother – the Range Rover Sport – also moves into a new generation. Having been born only in 2005, this model enters only its third generation. Moving further along with electrification of the range, it comes with a choice of three powertrains – mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and combustion engine. In a couple of years, there will also be a fully electric version available.
As with every Land Rover, all the familiar styling elements are present, thanks to the ‘guardian’ of Land Rover’s design DNA, Gerry McGovern. Since the 1980s, he’s led design teams at the British company and for the new Range Rover Sport, the exterior has the recognizable profile with taut surfacing accentuated by stealth-like detailing and muscular proportions.
Sportier image than Range Rover
Where the Range Rover presents itself as a more formal vehicle in keeping with its flagship status, the Sport gets the sporty touch with short overhangs, an assertive front-end and steeply raked glazing at the front and back.
Like the latest Range Rover, the Sport, has Digital LED lighting units which create a distinctive Daytime Running Light (DRL) signature. These are the slimmest ever units fitted to a Land Rover. At the rear, uninterrupted LED light graphics introduce surface LED technology to a production vehicle for the first time, providing a crisp and contemporary look at night.
A characteristic shoulder line runs the length of the vehicle, accentuated by new lower fender details and the longest spoiler ever fitted to a Range Rover. The clean lines of the exterior are enhanced by flush glazing and door handles, contributing to an impressively low Cd of 0.29.
Advanced chassis technologies
The Sport introduces more advanced chassis technologies, along with the flexible mixed-metal architecture (MLA-Flex). The engineers had a comprehensive dynamic toolkit to govern the new SUV’s integrated chassis control system while also raising torsional stiffness by 35% to achieve the most engaging and dynamically capable driving experience.
Advanced features include the new Dynamic Response Pro (DRP) which works together with the latest generation Dynamic Air Suspension (DAS) that has switchable-volume air springs for the first time. DRP provides ultimate roll control via a 48V electronic active roll control system, capable of applying up to 1,400 Nm of torque across each axle.
DAS, which is standard across the range, interfaces with the intelligent system to enhance the bandwidth of the suspension. This works by varying the pressure within the chambers (higher pressure provides stiffer damping) to deliver traditional Range Rover comfort with the dynamic handling expected from the Sport. To optimize responses, the vehicle monitors the road ahead using eHorizon navigation data to pre-emptively prime for upcoming bends.
Driving off-road, especially on rough terrain, requires a degree of expertise and as the leader in 4×4 technology, Land Rover has worked to reduce the demands on the driver. When it introduced systems like Hill Descent Control in the 1990s, even inexperienced drivers could go down a slippery slope almost like a pro as a computer managed the speed and power. 4×4 instructors felt their jobs would no longer be needed before long.
More advanced assistance systems
In more recent times, the company developed the Terrain Response system which has different settings that the driver can choose to suit terrain conditions. In the Sport, an improved second generation of the system makes its debut along with a new Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control specially designed for use on tricky terrain. An evolution of All-Terrain Progress Control, Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control allows the driver to set the desired speed and comfort level, from a choice of 4 settings, over rough surfaces.
Powertrains
Before the fully electric Sport comes in 2024, customers can choose from two extended range Electric Hybrids, 6-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines using mild-hybrid technology, and an all-new V8 Twin Turbo. It’s likely that the electrified powertrains will sell in bigger numbers in Europe while the all new V8 Twin Turbo would find more customers in North America and the Middle East.
The new P510e Electric Hybrid incorporates 3-litre 6-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a powerful 105 kW electric motor and 38.2 kWh battery, producing a total system output of 510 ps. A 100-km range on only electricity is claimed. At the other end of the spectrum, the V8 Twin Turbo produces 530 ps, launching the Sport from standstill to reach 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds (with Dynamic Launch engaged). All the models are fitted with the trusty 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.
Sustainable materials
Within the Sport is the luxurious ambience that would be expected from any Range Rover. In keeping with environmental considerations, sustainable materials are used but still retaining the premium look and feel.
The Alexa-enabled Pivi Pro infotainment system with its curved floating touchscreen provides intuitive control of the vehicle systems. The high resolution 13.1-inch touchscreen has an interface that is easy to use and haptic feedback reduces the need for the driver to keep looking at what is being touched.
Of the many new features, the next-generation Cabin Air Purification Pro deserves highlighting. Clearly developed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a cleaner and safer cabin environment, Land Rover says it can significantly reduce odours, bacteria and allergens – including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is done by a PM2.5 filtration system with nanoe TM X technology. There is also an advanced CO2 Management function which can purify the cabin or while driving to help increase alertness and enhance wellbeing.
Next generation Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) not only makes for a quitter journey but also allows greater enjoyment of the Meridian Signature Sound System. ANC operates at its best when the vehicle is in the Dynamic driving mode. Microphones and accelerometers inside each wheel arch constantly monitor the sounds passing into the vehicle, while digital processors calculate the level of noise-cancelling sound required to filter this from the cabin – much like a pair of high-end headphones.
For more information on Land Rover and Range Rover models in Malaysia, visit www.landrover.com.my.
