limited edition Archives

THE 8 X JEFF KOONS – most elaborately designed vehicle in all of BMW’s history

Jeff Koons, an American artist, and BMW have had many years of association, going back 12 years to the time when Koons created the 17^th BMW Art Car. Since that time, he wanted to create a special edition of a BMW model as a personal project and finally, he got his wish with THE 8 X JEFF KOONS.

Only 99 units of this exclusive edition based on the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe will be available. Describe, as a ‘rolling sculpture’ by Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, it is the most elaborately designed vehicle in all of BMW’s history.

11 different exterior colours
The expressive and striking design combines 11 different exterior colours, ranging from blue to silver as well as from yellow to black. The multi-coloured interior uses high-end materials, fine leather and the cupholder lid includes edition badging and the artist’s signature. The seats are made up of the striking red and blue which reflects the colours of superheroes from the comic book universe as well as those of the company’s high-performance unit, BMW M.

Overall, the energetic and powerful design includes both elements of pop art as well as geometric patterns paying homage to the sporty 8-Series Gran Coupe’s intricate contours and shape. The exploding lines of colour at the rear, in turn, are their own unmediated homage to the artist’s 2010 BMW Art Car, while the ‘POP!’ on each side as well as the vapour thrust imagery symbolize the power and speed, according to the artist.

Over 200 hours of manual work
Over 200 hours of manual work were spent by highly specialized professionals at two BMW Group plants on the exterior paintwork alone, where the colour samples were often applied with magnifying glasses. Dozens of engineers and designers were involved and Koons had many days of discussions on design options with the BMW employees involved.

“I was thinking very intensely about it: What is the essence of the 8-Series Gran Coupe? What is the essence of power? How to create something that exemplifies all the energy of the BMW 8 Series that is also able to touch upon the human element?” he said.

The original 850i was the first model of the 8-Series launched in 1990 and was celebrated as creating a new perspective of progress in advanced motoring, appealing to the connoisseur who acknowledges elegance and performance as the ultimate blend of perfection. THE 8 X JEFF KOONS also continues this tradition.

*The original 8-Series launched in 1990.*

The artist’s dream car realised
“My edition of the BMW 8-Series is my dream car! It is very special to me and I’ve wanted to create a special edition BMW for a long time. It is sporty and flashy as well as minimalist and conceptual. I can’t wait to drive it and ride in it, and I hope that people will enjoy the Gran Coupe just as much as I do,” said Koons.

“On the car, the lines are getting bigger on their journey from the bonnet towards the boot, creating a sense of forward movement just as the ‘POP!’ and the vapour thrust design elements do. The blue colour resembles the vastness of space and I like the idea of the car being a global car. What matters is how we relate to each other and our awareness of everything we are surrounded by. For the driver and all passengers, there is a heightened state of pleasure. This is what my car has to offer,” he explained.

Each car will come with a large-format certificate signed by the artist which, in addition to Zipse’s signature, also contains the individual Vehicle Identification Number. The artist also designed the dust jacket of the Driver’s Manual, while the signature of the artist is set into the cupholder panel in the Bavarian blue from the BMW logo.

Following its world premiere in Los Angeles this month, THE 8 X JEFF KOONS will be presented at numerous art fairs and events in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Initially, the car will be on display for the general public in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Plaza before one car from the series, signed on the tailgate by Jeff Koons, will be auctioned off at Christie’s in New York on April 4. All proceeds from the highest bid will go to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), a non-profit NGO which Koons has been personally involved with for over 2 decades.

This BMW M3 GT2 was aesthetically reworked by the US artist Jeff Koons and in 2010, it was unveiled as the 17th model in the BMW Art Cars series. The car bears the racing number 79 – a tribute to the BMW M1 body work-over presented by Andy Warhol in 1979. The striking colours of Koons’ Art Car exude a boisterous sense of power, motion and energy. As with Warhol’s M1, Koons’ BMW also participated in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

BMW Art Cars now available for viewing from anywhere in the world and with AR too

Another chance to own the limited edition BMW X5 xDrive 45e with M Performance Parts

Exclusivity is always desired, especially in the upper end of the car market and this was evident last year when Auto Bavaria offered a limited edition of BMW X5 xDrive 45e with M Performance Parts. Only 30 units were available, assembled at the BMW facility within the Inokom plant in Kedah, and all found owners within a week.

Only 22 units available this time
The response to that limited edition encouraged Auto Bavaria to place an order for a second batch but this time, only 22 units are available. “We are now able to once again offer our esteem customers a second opportunity to own this extremely premium vehicle. Auto Bavaria brand has become synonymous with top-notch quality for both sales and service, which is why we are the preferred BMW dealership,” said Vi Thim Juan, Managing Director of Auto Bavaria.

Each Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV), priced from RM480,000 (excluding insurance) comes with M Performance parts which not only give sportier looks but actually improve aerodynamics.

Specifically, the parts (which are worth RM36,500) are a gloss black front grille, carbonfibre housings for the door mirrors and Star Spoke 748M 20-inch light alloy wheels. Each tyre is linked to the Tyre Pressure monitoring system which will alert the driver if the pressure is abnormal.

Complimentary gifts worth RM22,000
This time round, those who buy the X5 also get complimentary gifts worth RM22,000. These are a luxury suitcase, BMW umbrella, BMW Leather Care Set with UV protection, BMW Brake Pad & Brake Disc Voucher, and STTOKE Classic Insulated Ceramic Reusable Cup.

Bestselling SAV of the range
The X5 is the bestselling model of BMW’s SAV range worldwide. It was the company’s first SAV and the current generation is the fourth one since 1999. Powering the X5 xDrive45e M Sport is a 3-litre 6-cylinder engine with BMW eDrive technology. With a combined maximum output of 394 bhp/600 Nm, the SAV is claimed to have a top speed of 235 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h capability of 5.6 seconds.

Running with just the electric motor, the claimed range can be up to 77 kms on a fully charged lithium-ion battery pack, with a maximum speed of 135 km/h. With the hybrid powertrain optimizing fuel efficiency, the fuel consumption is said to be up to 40 kms/litre.

All X5s have all-wheel drive which is provided by BMW’s proven xDrive system. Power delivery first goes through an 8-speed Steptronic transmission with enhanced shift dynamics and then to all four wheels with torque distribution according to grip and surface conditions.

If you missed the opportunity to get on last May, you now have a second chance but you should hurry to an Auto Bavaria showroom quickly.

New variants for locally-assembled BMW X3 and X4

RML Short Wheelbase with Ferrari V12 ready to go into production

You’ve probably not heard about the UK-based RML Group but this family-owned company is an ‘engineering powerhouse’ (as described by Autocar UK) which provides specialised services to many carmakers. It develops high-performance derivatives and also builds prototypes, showcars as well as restores historic road and racing cars. It’s also produced racing cars since 1958 and involved in many successful teams.

RML typically does work for others but just over 3 years ago, they decided that a car was needed to showcase the quality and breadth of their work in the automotive industry. “For many people, RML is synonymous with motorsport success at the very highest level but over the last 2 decades, it has diversified considerably, undertaking many complex projects outside of the competition arena,” said Michael Mallock, RML’s CEO.

RML’s own product
“Much of its core design, engineering and manufacturing work within the automotive sector is now as a ‘white label’ partner to prestige OEMs (carmakers) around the world, and this work is quite rightly confidential. But our vehicle could wear the RML badge, and also benefit from the vast experience our in-house team has gained producing some of the industry’s most advanced engineering solutions for other companies. And that ‘vehicle’ has now materialised: the RML Short Wheelbase is complete and production will start imminently,” he explained.

Inspired by the Ferrari 250 SWB, the RML Short Wheelbase is a 2-seat, high-performance GT, the design of its lightweight, carbon-composite body paying homage to the driving purity of supercars from the past, while offering 21^st-century comfort and convenience. Classic features like its stacked rear lights, exposed fuel filler, chip-cutter front grille and vents appearing behind each wheel and on the bonnet have all been carefully reimagined.

2022 RML Short Wheelbase — *The RML Short Wheelbase is inspired by the Ferrari 250 SWB of the 1960s (below).*

Classic Ferrari V12 engine
Under the long bonnet is a 5.5-litre V12 engine, and it’s one of the all-time great high-performance engines from Ferrari. Developing 479 bhp/568 Nm. 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) time, it gives the car a claimed 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) time of 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 290 km/h. The V12 engine power goes to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox and transaxle which incorporates a limited-slip differential.

An engine like the Ferrari V12 should not only be seen but also heard, and the RML team developed an all-new exhaust system from the manifold to its quad tailpipes (apart from the catalyst) to achieve this. Acoustically sonorous, but meeting all current noise regulations, the system also had to be free-flowing enough not to impede the engine’s original performance.

With a target to emulate the exhaust note of a classic V12 road-racer, RML’s engineering team started by making recordings of the original Ferrari engine from inside and outside the car at various speeds and loads, from idle to full-throttle acceleration. The engine was also put on a dynamometer, and data from both tests was built into a computer-simulated model that could be adapted to suit the new noise requirements of the Short Wheelbase.

Classic ambience, 21^st century comfort
With such performance, the Short Wheelbase should be capable of crossing great distances with a degree of comfort and convenience that wouldn’t have been dreamt of 60 years ago. That convenience has extended to a cabin with an interior design in the classic style, yet with modern technology discreetly integrated throughout.

It has also been packaged to be able to accommodate tall occupants. “Very early on, we built a buck that could accept a broad range of human sizes,” recalls Bowen. “We actually built it around RML’s shortest employee, and tallest one – our CEO Michael Mallock wearing a race helmet, in fact! This effectively set the roof-line, and all other dimensions flowed from there,” revealed RML’s Head of Design, Jonathan Bowen.

No plastic
“We had a ‘no-plastic’ mantra when we started designing the interior,” added Bowen. “It would have been easy to save tens of thousands of pounds buying off-the-shelf dials and controls, but they would not have met our high standards. Therefore, every switch, button and clock you see in the Short Wheelbase is bespoke, and developed in-house.”

The conical dials across the dashboard are inspired by high-end watchmaking, and everything else that can be seen or touched is either machined aluminium, glass or leather. And despite the Short Wheelbase cabin’s classic design, a compact high-performance air-conditioning unit has been developed which drew on the company’s experience with component engineering for other carmakers.

The unique infotainment system incorporates everything you’d expect from a high-end modern car, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and mobilephone connectivity. The system can be hidden completely, appearing from the central gear tunnel when it’s needed. “To make sure that happened every time, we put it through a 10-thousand cycle test and it passed with flying colours!” said Bowen.

Production run of 30 units
Priced from £1.35 million (about RM7.7 million), each car from the proposed run of 30 units will take around 6 months to complete, with the capability of up to 6 builds in process at any one time to meet the already strong demand from across the world. Around 70% of sales will be for export, with the majority expected to be in North America.

250 SWB Revival – legendary Sixties Ferrari modernised

Limited edition Casio EDIFICE watch features NISMO’s ace number 23

Fans of NISMO, the Nissan division which produces high-performance models and is also responsible for the brand’s motorsports activities, will want this Casio EQS-930NIS on their wrist or as part of their collection. It’s the latest model in Casio’s EDIFICE range of high-performance metal watches and is a special limited edition which was created in collaboration with NISMO.

Like all EDIFICE watches, the concept of ‘Speed and Intelligence’ is the basis for the design of the EQS-930NIS watch. The face and body design captures the spirit of NISMO and motorsports, with the brand colours – red and black – featured prominently. The inset dials, bezel sides, and buttons are accented in red against a black base.

In addition, the inset dial at the 10 o’clock position recreates the colour gradation that appears on a sports car’s titanium tail pipe when the exhaust heat and the temperature difference between car parts cause the titanium to turn bluish. The surface of the urethane band has been processed to resemble tyre tread after an intense race.

Why NISMO likes No. 23
The traditional Nissan and NISMO ace number, ’23’, is engraved on the bezel at the 23-minute mark, as well as on the case back. ‘23’ (or ‘two-three’) when said in Japanese is ‘ni’ and ‘san’, so it is chosen for NISMO racing cars and has certainly brought them good luck on several occasions. The NISMO logo can also be seen on the bezel, band loop, and case back.

Solar-powered
The 52-mm diameter EQS-930NIS is solar-powered and when fully charged, it can last about 5 months until movement stops. The wearer will be aware of the remaining charge as there is a battery level indicator on the face. Like other EDIFICE watches, it is water-resistant (down to 100 metres) and has a stopwatch which will be useful for those watching races.

There’s no indication of how limited the number of watches will be, nor the price and if it will be available outside Japan.

Limited edition Citizen Eco-Drive watches inspired by new Nissan Z

Limited edition Citizen Eco-Drive watches inspired by new Nissan Z

Nissan Motor and Citizen, the watch company, both have long heritage starting from the 1930s. In the nine decades they have been in existence, they have introduced many iconic products in their respective markets.

Citizen’s line of sports watches are well known with a reputation for high quality and technology. Likewise, Nissan has produced many sportscars and one of the most famous is the Z which made its debut in 1969. The original Datsun 240Z was one of the first Japanese models to show that Japan could also make sportscars and not just econocars. It certainly added another side to the Datsun brand (Nissan was not used as a brand name then) and drew enthusiasts to it.

Limited edition, 1,700 pieces
50 years later, the seventh generation of the Z has been launched and its iconic design has been modernised. To celebrate this much-anticipated return of the sportscar, Citizen has collaborated with Nissan to create a pair of limited edition watches in its Eco-Drive range. Only 1,700 watches will be available with a recommended price of US$2,495 (around RM10,400) in the US market.

The watches feature accents in the striking new Seiran Blue or Ikazuchi Yellow, both colours available with the new Z. The colours stand in bold contrast to the matte black on the centre of the dial that evokes the sense of smooth new asphalt on a highway.

The black of the dial is accented by silver hands and indexes to create a cool, understated look, while a red second hand is inspired by the redline on a tachometer. The watches each have a ‘Z’ mark on the crown and NISSAN logo on the case back.

Super Titanium casing and bracelet
The case is made of Super Titanium as is the bracelet. The proprietary space-age material is 5 times more scratch-resistant and 40% lighter than stainless steel. Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal is used to offer impact and shatter resistance, with anti-reflective coating to make it easy to view in all lighting conditions.

1 second loss in 1,000 years
Like other Citizen Eco-Drive watches, there is solar-powered quartz chronograph movement. Powered by any light source, there is no need to replace watch batteries. Atomic Timekeeping Technology with Synchronized Time Adjustment is available in 26 Time Zones, and the 1/20 second Chronograph measures up to 60 minutes. It is claimed that if you use the watch for 1,000 years, you would lose 1 second at most…

All-new 7th generation Nissan Z revealed! (w/VIDEO)

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing offers the GRMN Yaris as a hotter hatch but only in 500 units

A few car companies have CEOs or Presidents who are ‘car guys’ and who even go racing sometimes but none probably is as passionate about motorsports as Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation. Since becoming President in 2009, the grandson of the company’s founder has been transforming the world’s leading automaker to meet the challenges of the 21^st century.

Perhaps having started driving in the era of the Japanese auto industry when there were affordable sportscars, Toyoda also came to be a car enthusiast, notwithstanding the fact that his family owned the No.1 carmaker in Japan. And being of the younger generation, he had greater exposure out of Japan where he also had a chance to go racing (although he wanted to be a taxi driver at one time), which he enjoyed greatly to the extent that he created a nickname to use when racing – ‘Morizo Kinoshita’ – in the 2009 Nurburgring 24 -Hour race. Perhaps he wanted to avoid undue attention, being who he is, or maybe he didn’t want his parents to know…

Besides racing and being directly involved in product development, especially of the high-performance GR models, Akio Toyoda has also tried to attract more of the younger generation to have an interest in cars.

When he became President, Toyoda started off promising that Toyota would make cars ‘Fun to Drive, Again’, reviving a tagline used in the 1980s. He gave TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) greater responsibility to not only manage Toyota and Lexus motorsports activities but also to develop products for the new GR high-performance brand.

Since then, enthusiasts around the world have been treated to a number of impressive sportscars and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing itself has also risen in prominence. Notable models like the GR Supra and GR Yaris have made big news wherever they have been launched and today, at the at Tokyo Auto Salon 2022, TGR has unveiled another mouth-watering hot hatch – the GRMN Yaris.

The ‘MN’ in ‘GRMN’ stands for ‘Meister of Nurburgring’, which is a way of paying tribute to TGR’s test drivers who have developed the products on the legendary German circuit. These would include Hiromu Naruse, the company’s chief test driver and head of GAZOO Racing who died in a crash in Germany in 2010. Naruse was Toyoda’s mentor in racing and whom Toyoda was asked to replace as ‘Master Driver’ of Toyota and Lexus.

2020 Toyota GR Yaris — *The GR Yaris has been sold in Malaysia as well and like in other countries, the limited number of units found customers very quickly.*

Since its launch in September 2020, the GR Yaris has been involved in various motorsports such as the Super Taikyu Series where the Toyota President himself (65 years old this year) got behind the wheel as Morizo and participated with ROOKIE Racing, and the Japanese Rally Championship, where it won the season championship.

Having been closely involved in the development of the GR Yaris, Toyoda wanted to ‘deliver cars to customers that evolve quickly and can be tailored to individuals in the field of motorsports’. Using lessons learned from motorsports activities, the body rigidity of the GR Yaris has been enhanced. The number of spot welds has increased compared to the GR Yaris, and body rigidity has been further enhanced by applying longer structural adhesive.

The GRMN Yaris is also wider by 10 mm, this increase said to be for improving aerodynamics, while the height has been lowered by 10 mm for a lower centre of gravity. In addition to the lightweight high-rigidity carbonfibre (twill weave CFRP) used for the bonnet, roof, and rear spoiler, removing the rear seats to make it a two-person car has achieved weight reduction of approximately 20 kgs.

The engineers also installed a mechanical LSD, a close-ratio gear transmission, and a low final gear set, which has been improved through repeated ‘breaking and fixing’. Issues under extreme use conditions were identified through driver feedback and quickly resolved. Thus the GR Yaris has evolved into a car that can be driven faster, with improved braking force, grip, cornering and following performance to give the driver more confidence pushing it hard.

Power to all 4 wheels will still come from the 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder unit already used in the GR Yaris but with higher output. As it is, the G16E-GTS engine produces 261 bhp/360 Nm, making it the world’s most powerful 3-cylinder engine and the lightest and smallest 1.6-litre turbo unit currently in production.

Only 500 units of the GRMN Yaris will be available with sales in mid-2022, only at GR Garages around Japan. Customers will be able to specify a Circuit or Rally package to suit their requirements. Each customer will get a Personalisation program that provides individually tailored customization conducted by analyzing driving data. Steering control, engine control, and drive distribution, hardware including shock absorber damping force, spring rate and aerodynamic components will then be optimized for the best performance with the specific driver.

Expecting the 500 units to be snapped up quickly, TGR is having a lottery for those who are interesting in booking the GRMN Yaris. The basic GRMN Yaris will cost 7,317,000 yen (about RM269,000) while the Circuit package will add another 1,150,000 yen (about RM42,300) and the Rally package will cost an extra 1,061,764 yen (about RM39,000).

The story behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and why it was created

First unit of Morgan Plus 8 GTR completed

With an output of 375 bhp from its BMW-sourced 4.8-litre V8 (N62) engine, the Morgan Plus 8 GTR is the most powerful car in the company’s history. Only 9 cars will be built – all having customers waiting – and following the first unit which has been completed today, the rest will be finished by the first quarter of 2022.

Each customer has worked closely with Morgan’s design team to commission their own bespoke example. The 9 cars are built in varying configurations of transmission and drive side according to customer requirements, with 5 to be exported from the factory in England. Pricing has not been revealed although it is not expected to be more than £250,000 (about RM1.39 million).

The first Plus 8 GTR is finished in a striking Yas Marina Blue, similar to the original design sketches which pay homage to prominent nineties Plus 8 racing car ‘Big Blue’. The Plus 8 GTR explores design themes such as the high shoulder line, not seen on a traditional Morgan body for decades. Its 5-spoke centre-lock wheels are reminiscent of Morgan’s 1990s Plus 8 racing cars, framed perfectly by subtly re-sculpted wheel arches.

*The ‘Big Blue’ racing car of the 1990s.*

Further design elements include a revised rear end, front wings, and front splitter, all of which are hand crafted using aluminium. Fitment of a hard top with cockpit vent completes the race-inspired aesthetic.

The interior features new door cards to fit with the high door tops, bespoke GTR dials and the option of carbonfibre racing seats and harnesses. Unique graphics feature throughout and each GTR is fitted with a plaque denoting its number in the build sequence.

The Plus 8 GTR project has only been possible due to the recent availability of a number of Plus 8 rolling chassis. Performance upgrades include a new engine tune and cannon-style twin-exit sports exhausts. These enhancements improve throttle response and increase the power output over the previous production Plus 8.

One design inspiration was the Plus 8 race car that competed in the GT series throughout the late 1990s, more commonly known as ‘Big Blue’. This car served as the testbed for Morgan’s first bonded-aluminium chassis, which would go on to underpin the Aero 8 and ‘Aero-chassis’ Plus 8 models. It seemed fitting, following the more recent launch of Morgan’s CX-Generation bonded-aluminium platform, to use this opportunity to pay tribute to the car that pioneered Morgan’s use of aluminium structures.

“We are excited to release the first images of the Plus 8 GTR following the design sketches published earlier this year. The Plus 8 GTR represents an opportunity for Morgan to celebrate the V8 engine once again, something we did not expect to do since finishing the Plus 8 and Aero 8 models in 2018. Striking design, the finest craftsmanship, and an exhilarating sports car to drive, the Plus 8 GTR is the perfect swansong to the Morgan V8. We have been delighted to work alongside customers from around the world during the design and build process, and we look forward to sharing the final examples over the coming month,” said Steve Morris, Chairman & CEO of Morgan Motor Company.

The Plus 8 GTR is the second Morgan special project of the year, following the Plus Four CX-T. Whilst different in their function and appearance, both models demonstrate the flexibility of the Morgan brand and, as with every Morgan, each Plus 8 GTR is handcrafted using traditional coachbuilding techniques.

Morgan reveals Plus Four CX-T for off-road adventures

Special edition of Ford Ranger Wildtrak with exclusive features available in limited numbers

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a well-equipped, value-for-money version of the popular pick-up truck sold by Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC), Now, there’s an even better Wildtrak and only a limited number of units have been imported from the factory in Thailand.

Known as the Ranger WildTrak Sport, this special edition is priced from RM158,388 (excluding insurance, Peninsular Malaysia private registration). Each new unit is backed by Ford’s manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or 160,000 kms (whichever comes first). Customers will also get an 18-month free service package if they purchase the vehicle before December 31, 2021.

Exclusive features inside and outside
As a special edition, the Ranger Wildtrak Sport has exclusive features on the exterior as well as inside the double cab. On the outside, the two available colours of Saber and Absolute Black identify the Wildtrak Sport. The dominant grille area has a new design while the door mirrors are finished in Ebony Black. The door handles and rear lift handle also follow the black theme, and likewise for the alloy wheels which are 18 inches in diameter.

The passenger car-like cabin gets illuminated front scuff plates with a logo and the seats have embossed leather upholstery, along with the steering wheel which has stitching.

Same technical specifications
The technical aspects are the same as the regular Ranger Wildtrak so under the bonnet is the proven 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The output of 213 ps/500 Nm means the vehicle can go anywhere easily, especially with its robust and capable 4×4 system.

Besides its performance, the Ranger WildTrak Sport also has smart safety technologies that make it safer when driving. Active safety systems include Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning and Assist. Airbags are installed on the front and sides of the cabin to provide additional protection during collisions.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak Sport 2021 — *Test-drives are also available at the event in 1Utama as well as at showrooms of authorised Ford dealerships nationwide.*

“As the country transitions to normalcy, we see the introduction of our New Ford Ranger WildTrak Sport Special Edition timely, being a perfect addition to our already renowned Ranger portfolio where customers use it for work, family or play,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

Take part in the challenge
The Ranger Wildtrak Sport Special Edition is being introduced to the public at Ford’s first ‘new normal’ roadshow from today until December 12 at the Ground Floor of the Luxe Wing in the 1Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Activities will be broadcast from the event daily so those who cannot be there can still ‘participate’ and stand a chance to win Ford exclusive merchandise. The broadcast is on Facebook Live on Ford Malaysia’s Facebook page.

The public can also participate in the #FORDeverysecondcount social challenge to win Ford exclusive merchandise. This challenge aims to inspire people by asking them to make a montage of 1-second footages expressing the type of life they want to live from now on as we progress towards normalcy, and to include the #FORDeverysecondcount and #fordmalaysia hashtags.

Special offers
Normally, special offers are only available to those who visit events, but authorised Ford dealerships nationwide will also be giving the same offers as the roadshow during the 5-day period. Customers who buy the Ranger WildTrak Sport during this period stand a chance to win with a local Getaway package.

To know more about the Ranger WildTrak Sport and other versions available, WhatsApp Chat a Ford Ranger Specialist or visit www.sdacford.com.my.

‘Live The Ranger Life’ celebrates Ford’s pick-up truck evolution into the modern lifestyle machine that it is today

Special Edition of Honda HR-V available, priced at RM105,363.85

Honda Malaysia today announced the availability of a limited number of Honda HR-V Special Edition models with enhanced safety features. The limited edition SE version comes with Blind Spot Detection (BSD) to detect and alert the driver of vehicles or motorcyclists coming up in the blind spot behind and along the sides.

While Honda has installed the camera-based LaneWatch blindspot system in many models, the BSD for the HR-V SE is a simpler system using proximity sensors in the bodywork. When another vehicle is detected, the driver will be alerted so that he or she will not make a turn or change lanes and cause an accident.

Other active safety features
Additional safety features using the same sensors in the bodywork include Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which monitors the traffic situation on either side as the vehicle is reversing out of a parking bay. This is especially useful as the driver often cannot see the road on either side because the view is blocked by other vehicles. RCTA sends out signals on both sides from the bumper sensors and if a vehicle is approaching, the driver will receive a warning and can then stop the vehicle’s movement.

The sensors that are used for BSD are also used for the Door Opening Warning system, a feature that has appeared in recent years. It may not be a very common accident but people still do open doors without checking behind and can cause an accident. If the sensors pick up an approaching object – like a cyclist – the occupant will be warned just before opening the door.

There is also Lane Change Assist (LCA) which will make it safer for the driver when intending to move into another lane. This should not be mistaken for the Lane Keeping Assist which is one of the technologies in the Honda SENSING driver assistance suite. From what we can gather, LCA is an extension of BSD and helps the driver change lanes when it is safe to do so.

Extra equipment
Apart from the enhancements in safety, the HR-V SE doesn’t have any other technical differences from the 1.8-litre versions. However, a Digital Video Recorder (more commonly referred to as a dashcam), boot tray and boot organiser are included in the HR-V SE. The price of RM105,363.95 excludes insurance and sales tax (until the end of 2021) and includes a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as free labour services (terms and conditions apply).

Visit www.honda.com.my or any authorised Honda showroom in Malaysia for more information.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

First 8 units of fastest ever Bugatti ready to be delivered to customers

The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ first made headlines back in 2019 when a prototype blasted through the seemingly unbreakable 300 mph (480 km/h) barrier. Its officially recorded speed was 304.773 mph (490.484 km/h), setting a new world record.

The achievement was followed the announcement, to mark the 110th anniversary of the French marque, that 30 units of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ would be built. Thus began the 2-year development and testing program which had to be extensive given the ultra high performance of the car.

With speeds of up to 440 km/h, an abundance of power would be needed. This is provided by a modified version of Bugatti’s iconic 8-litre W16 engine that produces up to 1,600 ps – 100 ps more than the Chiron. To boosting the performance, the engineers developed a new thermal management system for the engine and gearbox, ensuring all vital components remain cool even when traveling at the top speed. Software refinements to the engine, gearbox, powertrain and turbochargers have all been necessary additions to the Chiron Super Sport 300+ as well.

Optimised to slip through the air
Visually and technically distinct from the Chiron, the Chiron Super Sport 300+’s capacity for speed is defined by its aerodynamically optimized body, enabling it to pass through the air with complete stability beyond 420 km/h. Most notably, the Longtail rear end – extending the body by 25 cm – allows the laminar flow to pass over the body for a longer period of time, therefore significantly reducing aerodynamic stall by more than 40%.

Air curtains adorning the sportscar’s front corners disperse excess air pressure towards the car’s sides. Simultaneously, air outlets at the wheelarches and behind the front wheels guide excess pressure away from each wheelarch, reducing drag by also producing a small amount of negative lift.

The streamlined bodywork is crafted using exposed jet-black carbonfibre, complemented by a Jet Orange racing stripe running through the centre of the car. The lightweight material continues to flow through into the car’s engine cover, and even the windscreen wiper.

Subtle touches including the Bugatti ‘Macaron’ logo made of genuine silver and black enamel add to the sense of exclusivity and rarity. Extremely light and strong magnesium alloy wheels are finished in a bespoke colour named ‘Nocturne’.

First 8 of 30 units
Now the two years have passed and production has also been completed for the first 8 highly exclusive vehicles which are now ready for delivery (the other 22 units also have owners waiting). Each car has a price starting from 3.5 million euros (about RM17 million) before all the customisation is included.

“It is the fastest hyper sportscar Bugatti has ever made, and is a true testament to the engineering passion, technical expertise and relentless pursuit of performance our brand is synonymous with. We are excited to deliver the first eight units of this record-setting pioneer to our customers, and for them to experience the sheer sensation of speed behind the wheel,” said Christophe Piochon, Managing Director of Production and Logistics.

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