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Linde’s Hydrogen-Powered Mobility Technology To Support Zero-Emission Vehicles In Malaysia

Vehicles in Malaysia will one day be powered by a cleaner fuel alternative; hydrogen, an element found in water. Towards this end, Linde Malaysia, a member of The Linde Group, is gearing up to share its expertise in fuelling solutions to help power Malaysia’s automotive industry with zero-emission hydrogen technology.

“The world’s challenges associated with global warming (caused by CO2 emissions) pose a fundamental threat to the future of our planet. Linde sees hydrogen as an integral part of our renewable energy future in addressing this challenge. With over 25 years of research and development in hydrogen fuelling technologies, Linde has invested significantly at the global level in the future market for hydrogen. There are strong indicators that the market is receptive towards alternative fuels and energy with alternative mobility becoming more prevalent, particularly in Asia,” explained Linde South Asia and ASEAN Regional Managing Director, Rob Hughes.

(Seated, second from left) Linde South Asia & ASEAN Regional Managing Director, Rob Hughes, and (seated, third from left) Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Group Chief Executive Officer, Sharbini Suhaili, during the signing of the Memoradum Of Understanding between Linde and SEB to explore the potential of hydrogen

Malaysia is an attractive place for Linde to invest further, tapping into its richwater resource for the production, storage and supply of hydrogen and other industrial gasses. This is partly due to its abundant water resource, receiving an average of 2500 to 5080 millimetres of rainfall annually. “Technology, innovation and an inventive spirit have been at the core of Linde from the very beginning, making us the technology leader for end-to-end sustainable hydrogen solutions. Linde is no stranger to the automotive industry as we deliver hydrogen fuelling solutions for cars, buses and even forklift trucks. We intend to grow the commercialisation of hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles and boost our efforts with our partners to create infrastructures that enable greater adoption of hydrogen-electric mobility. Linde has seen success with this model across Europe and is now extending its focus here in Southeast Asia,” said Hughes.

More about the technology…

Hydrogen is categorised as a clean fuel, releasing water vapour when converted into fuel. Hydrogen is produced through natural gas steam reforming or the electrolysis of water. Its carbon-neutral nature means vehicles powered by hydrogen have zero-emissions, a solution that directly helps mitigate climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen is the most commonly occurring element in nature, which means it is renewable.

Hydrogen-powered cars are equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell and an electric motor. Inside the fuel cell of the car, the hydrogen reacts with oxygen drawn in from the ambient air. Hydrogen molecules separate and create electricity to power the electric motor, and water. The automotive industry stands to benefit from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) because they help reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions which greatly mitigates climate change.

This further supports the nation’s aspirations to reduce carbon emissions as demonstrated by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology, Science And Climate Change’s (Mestecc) recent announcement to introduce an Energy Efficiency Bill in 2019 to help Malaysia cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 in compliance with the Paris climate accord.

Hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles have a short refuelling time of only three minutes and the ability to cover 500 to 600 km. This makes hydrogen-powered vehicles comparable to conventional vehicles. The water vapour from the exhaust of a hydrogen-powered vehicle is clean to the point that it is drinkable, demonstrating its zero emissions feature.

Solidifying its commitment to the Malaysian market, Linde will be providing its technological expertise across the hydrogen value chain to Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), following the construction of the latter’s pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station, the first of its kind in the state of Sarawak and Southeast Asia. Linde also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential of hydrogen and how it can be potentially applied into other aspects together with SEB. The move demonstrates interest in clean fuel alternatives for a more sustainable automotive industry in Malaysia.

To date, Linde has equipped around 150 fuelling stations globally with innovative hydrogen refuelling technology. Linde is actively involved in collaborative partnerships to jointly develop new solutions for hydrogen as a fuel. It is a member of the ‘Hydrogen Council,’ the first global initiative of its kind, launched in January 2017, with the goal of positioning hydrogen among the key solutions of the energy transition to help meet climate goals. The council is made up of 13 CEOs and Chairpersons from various industries and energy companies including Daimler, Royal Dutch Shell, The Linde Group, Alstom, Honda, Hyundai, Kawasaki and Toyota among others.

BIKES: Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Unleashes New Ninja 250 Priced At RM23,071! [+Video]

When the 2008 Ninja 250R was introduced it was the only model of its kind, offering top-class Ninja styling in a fun and friendly package. It resonated with both new and experienced riders, launching a worldwide movement. In the ten years since its release, the number of full-fairing rivals has increased exponentially, making this one of the most hotly contested categories in the market. How hot? This hot…

Kawasaki has now introduced a new sport model into this highly competitive arena. Clad in completely new Ninja styling, the new Ninja 250 delivers greater performance than its predecessor care of all-new engine and chassis that are more powerful and significantly lighter. Here’s how it compares to its predecessor…

But like the Ninja 250 that came before it, this new Ninja model possesses a lot more than just higher performance than its predecessor.

The new model takes the winning formula that drove the success of the Ninja 250R and its successors, and amplifies it. Not only does the Ninja 250 offer stunning, high-quality looks, its stronger engine performance, light, predictable handling and relaxed, sporty riding position make it both fun and easy to ride. This duality – the ability to offer excitement and ease of riding to wide range of customers – is sure to make the new Ninja 250 a fan favourite once again.

NEW ENGINE: HIGH PERFORMANCE & HIGH CONTROLLABILITY

The Ninja 250’s all-new 249 cm³ engine delivers a balance of performance and controllability. The new engine offers increased performance at all rpm compared to its predecessor, with good power feeling. Smooth, predictable response contributes to an easy-to-control engine character. Thanks to its efficient design, the compact, lightweight engine has a size on par with 250cc engines.

Powerful, Rider-Friendly Parallel Twin
Displacing 249 cm³, the new engine delivers significantly increased performance compared to its predecessor: 28.5 kW^†2 for the new Ninja 250 (+5 kW vs the 2017 Ninja 250). The higher performance can largely be credited to the new downdraft intake, which is accompanied by a larger airbox offering increased intake efficiency. The increased performance is complemented by a rider-friendly character; the smooth response and abundant low-end torque facilitate throttle control for new and experienced riders alike.

Compact, Lightweight & Efficient
Designing the engine from scratch allowed the engine layout to be optimised for size, weight and efficiency. The new unit is comparable in size to that of the 2013-2017 Ninja 250. Numerous weight reduction efforts keep weight to a minimum – despite a larger displacement (in the case of the Ninja 400). A clean design trimmed of any unnecessary items, and a revamped layout enable a slim engine and a cooling system with minimised external piping.

New Assist & Slipper Clutch
More compact clutch (ø139 mm >> ø125 mm) with less rigid operating plates offers a 20% lighter lever pull. Complementing the extremely light feel at the lever, the new clutch has a wider engagement range, facilitating control.

New Radiator Fan Cover
A cover for the radiator fan directs engine heat away from the rider, contributing to rider comfort. With the new design (patent pending), hot air is now mostly routed out to the sides (through holes in the fairing).

NEW CHASSIS: LIGHTWEIGHT, STABLE & MANOEUVRABLE

Offering considerable weight savings compared to its predecessor, the new chassis delivers a balance of stability and light, easy manoeuvrability. Its slim design facilitates both control and ease of riding, making the Ninja 250 an easy choice for both new and experienced riders.

Lightweight Trellis Frame
The Ninja 250 features a trellis frame similar in design to that of the Ninja H2. Kawasaki’s advanced dynamic rigidity analysis was used to ensure optimum rigidity with light weight. The engine is rigid-mounted and used as a stressed member. The new frame design contributes significantly to the bike’s low curb mass.

Swingarm Mounting Plate
Like the Ninja H2, the new Ninja 250 features a Swingarm Mounting Plate. Allowing the swingarm to be affixed to the rear of the engine contributes to stability and helps with weight savings by eliminating the need for heavy frame cross-members.

Light, Predictable Handling
With both the engine and frame being new, engine placement could also be optimised. The new chassis has a supersport-style short-wheelbase/long-swingarm design, complemented by a steep caster angle that delivers light, natural handling. The bike’s light weight also contributes to the easy handling and facilitates manoeuvring when off the bike.

Significantly Lower Weight
The lightweight design of the new engine and frame, plus extensive efforts to minimise weight result in a curb mass of only 164 kg for both the Ninja 250 (8 kg lighter than its predecessor) – weight on par with single-cylinder models.

More Rigid Front Fork
More rigid ø41 mm telescopic fork delivers better suspension action. The front wheel feels really planted, direction changes are made easily (even when the bike is fairly upright – handy when navigating traffic jams), and overall the suspension offers the plushness of a larger displacement bike.

Largest Brake Disc in Class
Measuring ø310 mm (the same disc size used on the Ninja ZX-14R), the Ninja 250’s semi-floating front disc offers sure stopping power. A rigid new front brake master cylinder helps eliminate ineffective (idle) stroke, contributing to controllability, while carefully selected brake hose dimensions and material contribute to brake touch. ABS models feature the latest ABS unit from Nissin, the most compact and lightweight available.

Relaxed, Sporty Riding Position
Relaxed rider triangle accommodates a wide range of rider sizes and riding situations. Compared to some other models (whose somewhat extreme riding position compromises comfort), the elevated handle position and slightly foot-forward footpeg position put the rider in a position to control the bike while also offering rider comfort.

Easy Reach to the Ground
While seat height is 785 mm (when radial tyres are fitted), the slim design of both the seat (30 mm narrower) and the rear of the engine gives riders an unobstructed line for their feet to reach the ground.

Superb Ride Comfort & Excellent Wind Protection
Low vibration and seats with thick cushioning and low-rebound urethane contribute to superb ride comfort. The Ninja 250’s larger-volume bodywork also offers great wind protection, further contributing to ride comfort.

ENGINE : SHARP NEW NINJA STYLING: HIGH-CLASS & FUTURISTIC

Head-turning looks have always been a forte of Ninja models, regardless of displacement. The new Ninja 250 boasts futuristic new Ninja styling inspired by the mighty Ninja H2. The large-volume bodywork attracts attention, and gives the impression of a larger machine. This impression is reinforced by the high-class design and superb fit and finish, which are comparable to bikes from a larger-displacement class.

Flagship-Inspired Styling Elements
Influence from the Ninja H2 is evident in the chin-spoilers below the front cowl and in the design of the tail cowl.

Twin LED Headlamps
In addition to contributing to the Ninja 250’s sharper looks, slim LED headlamps (each featuring low and high beams, as well as a LED position lamp) are highly visible and offer significantly increased brightness.

High-Grade Cockpit
The Ninja 250 is equipped with the same instrument cluster as the Ninja 650, contributing to the high-grade feel of the tidy cockpit. The sophisticated instrument design features a large analogue tachometer flanked by warning lamps on one side, and a gear position indicator and multi-function LCD screen on the other.

BIKES: Kawasaki Z900RS Reviewed! Why It’s The Best Modern Retro Out There Now [+Videos]

When all you don’t like about a bike are its awkwardly long-in-stalk mirrors, you just know you’re in a heap of trouble… and boy was I ever. You see, not too long ago I owned a Kawasaki Zephyr 750 (below), and it was one of the best bikes I’d ever owned up till that point in time…

Surprisingly though, Kawasaki themselves seem to have forgotten about the Zephyr, (then) available in both 750cc and 1100cc guise, the latter being one of the first modern production bikes to feature twin-spark technology – eight plugs in all, two per cylinder. Instead they harked all the way back to the 70’s when the Z1 (below) first made its debut…

Fond memories of my Zephyr came rushing back as the launch and subsequent media test ride of the Z900RS ensued, and while I’ve never owned a Z1, I can honestly say, the Z900RS is most definitely the spiritual successor to the Zephyr. It made me feel 18 again… here’s the official video from Kawasaki.

Here’s the thing, the idea of a ‘modern retro’ like this Z900RS is nothing new, just about every bike-maker out there has at least one of these models that harks back to a bygone age of motorcycling, and while every internal component may be new and improved, design and styling wise, they’re supposed to remind everyone of what’s fondly remembered as the golden-age of motorcycling. And that’s EXACTLY what the Z900RS does. It’ll make you wanna watch “On Any Sunday” all over again. You can’t call yourself a biker if you’ve never heard of that classic docu-movie…

My initial ride impression can be found here, but recently I managed to get the bike all to myself for a few blissful days, and having put an additional 250+km on its odometer, my initial impression of the bike has definitely changed; I like it even more now.

Okay, well, you already know how I feel about those mirrors, and to be honest, I would opt for the ‘high-seat’ option (apparently available in Europe) since that one may have a bit more much-needed padding, especially for long distance rides. Speaking of which, if the latter is your cuppa tea, the Z900RS will not let you down in that department either.

Power wise, granted, on paper it may only boast 111Ps & 98.5Nm of torque, but with 948cc (which begs the question why they didn’t just badge it a Z950RS) dual-overhead cams, 16-valves and a 10,000rpm redline, the Z900RS is by no means a slouch. It may have the same engine as its sibling the Z900, but this RS (Retro Sport) has been re-tuned to offer a lot more low-end torque.

So ferocious is this low-end torque, that during the initial convoy media ride, the Z900RS was able to keep up with a Kawasaki GTR1400 during hard acceleration from a standstill. This didn’t just surprise me, but the ride Marshal on the GTR1400 was left wide-eyed as well. It’s a very short first gear for instant acceleration, eventually ending with a very tall sixth gear for cruising.

A word of caution though, the Z900RS’s throttle is incredibly sensitive. Just a twitch sends the revs into the upper ends of the counter, and thus getting used to this instant power delivery at the end of a hair-trigger is a must. Some will find filtering in traffic a bit dicey because of this. Let’s put it this way, if you’re filtering around traffic and suddenly have to sneeze, come to a complete stop first before letting it rip. Trust me on this, lest ending up a boot- or hood-ornament was your ride-objective that day.

In terms of specs and safety, the Z900RS comes standard with ABS, Kawasaki’s famed 3-mode KTRC traction-control system, 41mm inverted front forks, slipper clutch, and Kawasaki’s first fully-tuned exhaust note, which ‘audibly’ takes you back to the aforementioned golden-age of biking, if its looks weren’t enough to do that in the first place. (For the FULL specifications and features download this: 2018-Z900RS)

I can’t remember a recent time where I had so much fun on a test bike, really. The Z900RS is pretty-much the perfect all-rounder bike in my honest opinion, and being a modern retro is just a bonus. For the duration I had it, I was always thinking of places I’d love to ride this bike to if I had more time with it, and that’s how you know if a bike is going to be a genuine pleasure to own; when it inspires you to go riding just for the hell of it.

Well as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with that, here are my final parting words upon returning the Z900RS to KMSB… I’m already missing this bike… a lot! Anyone have RM69,900 just lying around not doing anything? – Chris Wee.

STOP THE PRESS! Check out the Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe Racer Conversion!

Kawasaki Z900RS Photo Gallery…

Specs…

Engine: 948cc, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valves, liquid-cooled

Max Power: 111Ps @ 8,500rpm

Max Torque: 98.5Nm @ 6,500rpm

Top Speed: more than enough!

BIKES: First Impression – 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS! Modern Retros Just Got A Whole Lot Cooler! [+Video]

Modern Retros. They are undoubtedly the coolest things on two-wheels in the biking world, and yes I’m biased…

Do you remember the Kawasaki Zephyr 750 above? I said I’m biased earlier because I actually owned one of those Zephyrs many moons ago, and when I learned of the new Z900RS, my immediate reaction was that Kawasaki were reviving the Zephyr.

But they weren’t. Not a single mention of it was made during the course of the launch recently, in fact, the only retro reference made was to the above Z1, the original sportbike from Kawasaki in the early 70’s, and the first production bike capable of 200kmh+ top speed.

This pristine example above is in the country and is on display at Gasket Alley by the way. But back to the Z900RS. We recently had a short ride of the bike thanks to Kawasaki Motors Malaysia, and folks, despite it being just an hours’ ride, this thing is absolutely incredible.

First off, apart from the single mono-shock in the rear (both the Z1 and Zephyr had twin-tube rear shockers) the Z900RS (RS = Retro Sport) looks like an amazing throwback to the bikes of the 70’s, right down to the ‘fin-tail’ rear cowl, fins on the engine, double-walled exhaust headers (that won’t tarnish no matter how hard you ride), round front headlight (full LED) and typical upright riding position.

As it was just a short first-impression, I had to max out every kilometer, and the first test was acceleration, right of the parking lot, and yeah, not too smart seeing how the tyres were still cold, but hey, I was riding the ‘spiritual’ successor to my old Zephyr, I was excited, and that’s putting it mildly.

Despite having the same engine as the current Z900, the RS has been tuned and its gear rations altered for better low-end and roll-on acceleration, and damn, does it show. Acceleration is phenomenal for a 948cc 4-pot, and even in 6th gear, there is still a lot of acceleration left, so downshift if you want to hear that exhaust “tuned” for a more retro sound, but there’s no need to.

Stability and composure are the other aspects that make the Z900RS a bona-fide joy to ride, be it a short hop or a long haul. Yes, the seat could use a bit more padding, but the riding position (above) is absolutely spot-on, even for my 6’2″ frame.

Roll-on acceleration is also incredible, and I think I surprised the marshal on a Kawa GT-R1400, when I was able to keep up with him during hard acceleration. Of course ABS & KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control with 2 ride modes) also helps a lot in the background. Here’s a video on how KTRC works:

In typical Kawasaki fashion, stopping the bike only requires a 2-finger pull of the right lever, which brings the bike to a safe, sure-footed stop. There are 2 models to choose from, price below, and both are identical, one is just a sporting a retro paint job and a bit more bling, more importantly, both models have ABS and KTRC.

The Z900RS is the kind of bike that is perfect for anyone thinking of getting back into the biking world after a long hiatus, and anyone graduating from a 600cc who really doesn’t want a supersport. Honestly, I would have gladly ridden this bike for a lot longer, it has that allure of being an ‘all-day ride’ kinda bike, and that’s exactly what I plan to do when I get the bike all to myself in the near future. Care to join me? – Chris Wee.

Specs that matter:

Engine: 948cc, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valves, liquid-cooled

Max Power: 111Ps @ 8,500rpm

Max Torque: 98.5Nm @ 6,500rpm

Kawasaki Z900RS Photo Gallery…

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Launches New Z900RS! [+Videos]

It’s here! The latest and coolest retro-sport motorcycle has just hit town in the form of the all-new Kawasaki Z900RS (Retro Sport), launched by Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd at a gala dinner event to celebrate CNY recently.

Looking very much like the successor to the Kawa Zephyr 750 & 1100, the Z900 pays homage to the bike that pushed Kawasaki into the limelight in the 70’s, the legendary Z1. Here’s the promo video…

Priced at RM67,900 for the standard Matte Green and RM69,900 for the Special Two-tone Edition (below), the Z900RS is CBU from Kawasaki Japan.

The Z900 features Kawasaki’s first-ever ‘tuned exhaust note’. “While Kawasaki in-line four cylinder engines have been historically known for their great-sounding exhausts, this is the first time that Kawasaki has used sound research to craft the model’s ideal exhaust note. Sound tuning on the Z900RS‘s engine was focused on the initial roar to life, idling, and low-speed riding where the rider is best able to enjoy the exhaust’s deep growl” – Kawasaki.

Here’s the launch video:

For the FULL details on the Z900RS, click this: 2018-Z900RS

For the official press release, click here: 2018 KAWASAKI Z900RS PRESS

Kawasaki Z900RS Photo Gallery…

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kawasaki

Linde’s Hydrogen-Powered Mobility Technology To Support Zero-Emission Vehicles In Malaysia

BIKES: Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Unleashes New Ninja 250 Priced At RM23,071! [+Video]

BIKES: Kawasaki Z900RS Reviewed! Why It’s The Best Modern Retro Out There Now [+Videos]

BIKES: First Impression – 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS! Modern Retros Just Got A Whole Lot Cooler! [+Video]

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Launches New Z900RS! [+Videos]

Kawasaki Road Safety Campaign organised at Sungai Besi Toll Plaza

Linde’s Hydrogen-Powered Mobility Technology To Support Zero-Emission Vehicles In Malaysia

BIKES: Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Unleashes New Ninja 250 Priced At RM23,071! [+Video]

BIKES: Kawasaki Z900RS Reviewed! Why It’s The Best Modern Retro Out There Now [+Videos]

BIKES: First Impression – 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS! Modern Retros Just Got A Whole Lot Cooler! [+Video]

Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Launches New Z900RS! [+Videos]

Kawasaki Road Safety Campaign organised at Sungai Besi Toll Plaza

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