Stellantis, syarikat automotif multinasional, telah memfailkan paten bagi satu inovasi baharu dalam pembangunan tayar yang lebih mesra alam dengan menggunakan kulit telur sebagai bahan utama. Langkah ini merupakan sebahagian daripada usaha syarikat untuk mengurangkan kesan alam sekitar dalam industri automotif dengan menggantikan bahan tradisional seperti karbon hitam dan silika dengan kalsium oksida (CaO) yang diekstrak daripada kulit telur.
Penggunaan Kulit Telur dalam Pembuatan Tayar
Paten yang difailkan pada pertengahan 2023 dan diterbitkan oleh Pejabat Paten dan Tanda Dagangan Amerika Syarikat pada 23 Januari 2024 ini memperincikan rancangan Stellantis untuk menggunakan kalsium oksida daripada kulit telur sebagai agen gandingan dalam penghasilan tayar. Pendekatan ini bukan sahaja mengurangkan sisa buangan tetapi juga mengurangkan kebergantungan terhadap bahan berasaskan petroleum, sekali gus menyokong inisiatif ekonomi kitaran.
Kulit telur ayam mengandungi lebih daripada 90% kalsium karbonat, yang boleh diproses pada suhu tinggi bagi menghasilkan kalsium oksida. Menurut Stellantis, bahan ini dapat meningkatkan rintangan tayar terhadap geseran, meningkatkan daya cengkaman dalam keadaan jalan basah serta mengurangkan rintangan guling sehingga 20%. Tambahan pula, inovasi ini berpotensi meningkatkan kecekapan bahan api kenderaan sehingga 3% berbanding tayar konvensional yang menggunakan karbon hitam.
Faedah Alam Sekitar dan Prestasi Tayar
Industri automotif berdepan cabaran dalam menangani pencemaran daripada tayar konvensional yang terdiri daripada getah sintetik dan asli, di mana karbon hitam digunakan sebagai bahan utama untuk meningkatkan ketahanan dan perlindungan UV. Walau bagaimanapun, penghasilan karbon hitam dikaitkan dengan pelepasan gas rumah hijau dan pencemaran udara. Kajian juga menunjukkan bahawa zarah yang dihasilkan akibat pemakaian tayar boleh menjadi sumber utama mikroplastik dalam lautan dan sistem perairan.
Stellantis, the multinational automotive giant, has filed a patent for an innovative and eco-friendly tyre compound that incorporates discarded eggshells. This groundbreaking development aims to replace traditional fillers like carbon black and silica with calcium oxide (CaO) extracted from eggshells, potentially improving both environmental sustainability and tyre performance.
A New Use for Eggshells
The patent, initially submitted in mid-2023 and published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on January 23, 2024, details Stellantis’ plan to use calcium oxide derived from eggshells as a coupling agent in tyre production. This approach could significantly reduce waste by repurposing bio-waste while also minimising reliance on chemical-based materials.
Hen eggshells, which are over 90% calcium carbonate, can be transformed into calcium oxide through high-temperature processing. According to Stellantis, this innovative material could enhance a tyre’s rolling resistance, improve grip in wet conditions, and increase fuel efficiency by approximately 3%, while reducing rolling resistance by 20% compared to conventional tyres containing carbon black.
Stellantis kini sedang mengorak langkah besar dalam pembangunan bateri litium-sulfur (Li-S), yang berpotensi mengurangkan kos sebanyak 50%, mempercepatkan kelajuan pengecasan sebanyak 50%, dan mengurangkan berat dengan ketara. Jika berjaya dikomersialkan menjelang 2030, teknologi ini boleh mengubah landskap kenderaan elektrik secara menyeluruh.
Mengapa Litium-Sulfur Mampu Mengubah Industri EV?
Stellantis membangunkan bateri Li-S dengan kerjasama Zeta Energy, sebuah syarikat berpangkalan di Texas yang telah mengkaji teknologi ini sejak 2014. Keunggulan utama bateri ini terletak pada ketumpatan tenaga gravimetrik—iaitu jumlah tenaga yang disimpan dalam setiap unit berat bateri. Ini bermakna bateri lebih ringan tetapi masih mampu menyimpan tenaga yang besar, menjadikannya lebih cekap untuk kenderaan elektrik generasi baharu.
Perbandingan dengan Bateri EV Sedia Ada
Kebanyakan kenderaan elektrik hari ini menggunakan bateri litium-ion, dengan dua jenis utama:
Nikel-Mangan-Kobalt (NMC) – Ketumpatan tenaga tinggi, tetapi menggunakan bahan mahal dan tidak mesra alam.
Litium-Besi-Fosfat (LFP) – Lebih selamat, tahan lebih lama, dan kos lebih rendah, tetapi mempunyai ketumpatan tenaga yang lebih rendah.
The automotive industry frequently sees claims of revolutionary advancements in EV battery technology, but Stellantis appears to have made a significant breakthrough. The company is developing lithium-sulphur (Li-S) batteries that promise to cut costs by half, improve rapid-charging speeds by 50%, and significantly reduce weight. Stellantis aims to integrate this technology into its vehicles by 2030.
The Li-S batteries are being developed in partnership with Texas-based Zeta Energy, a company that has been working on this technology since its founding in 2014. The key advantage of lithium sulphur lies in its gravimetric energy density—the amount of energy stored per unit of weight—which is crucial for improving EV efficiency.
A Game-Changer for EV Batteries
Currently, most EVs use lithium-ion batteries, with two dominant chemistries: nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP).
NMC batteries offer higher energy density but rely on expensive and environmentally sensitive materials.
LFP batteries are safer, longer-lasting, and more affordable but have lower energy density.
Lithium-sulphur technology has the potential to deliver the best of both worlds—high energy density and cost-effectiveness—while eliminating the need for nickel, manganese, cobalt, and graphite, making it a more sustainable solution.
It would be cliché to start an article about Peugeot by mentioning its past. Plenty has been written already, and many already know that the brand has been in Malaysia for a while, and if its current form is any indication, Peugeot is here to stay.
We shall not mention anything about its past distributors and dealers either, nor shall we talk about the issues owners have had with spare parts in the past. Plenty has been said about that as well and there are plenty of articles on those topics on google.
Peugeot is now official represented in Malaysia via the Stellantis Group, which is the brand owner, custodian and manufacturer of Peugeot cars, not only in Malaysia but globally as well.
That basically means that Peugeot and its fans have never been in a better place.
Heading the charge for the refreshed Peugeot brand in Malaysia is a trio of variants for the 408 model – the entry-level Allure which is priced at RM146,055, after that is the Premium and that is priced at RM166,055 and then comes the GT, priced at RM196,055.
We have driven the Premium and were already quite impressed by it, and later we drove the GT and because the Premium already ticks all the boxes, we were wondering if the GT truly is worth RM30,000 more.
So that is what we want to explore in this article.
Who are its competitors?
Being a c-segment contender, the 408 goes up against the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis, Mazda 3 sedan and even the Proton S70, because Proton insists to position the S70 in the same, ultra competitive segment as the brands mentioned above.
The 408GT, which is the topic of this article, is the most expensive in the segment. The top spec variant of the hugely popular Honda Civic for example costs just RM167,900, a full RM28,155 cheaper.
Mazdas are known to be quite expensive in Malaysia as well, but even the most expensive 3 sedan is priced at RM165,000. The top of the line Corolla Altis on the other hand costs RM147,800.
So you really have to love the 408 GT to be able to justify buying it over some of its competitors.
Why pick the GT over the cheaper variants?
It is difficult to justify spending RM30,000 more for a variant that has somewhat the same body style, same engine and largely the same interior. But once you start diving into the details and spending time poking and prodding around the interior of the GT, you will start notice something’s that stand out and hopefully be able to help you justify the price premium to your significant other.
But before we dive inside, let us take a moment to talk about what the exterior has to offer.
The two biggest distinguishing factors from the outside are firstly the 20-inch Monolithe wheels which look fantastic to say the least, but may will set you back a pretty penny when it comes time to replace the tyres. Just for the record, the other variants roll on 18-inch wheels.
And then there is the body work, particularly the grille. The Allure and Premium variants sport chrome grilles, but the GT gets a swanky one that is painted in body colour and gracefully merges into the bodywork of the car.
On top of that, the GT also gets matrix LED headlamps with a 3D LED tail lamp. Talking about the tail, the GT too unfortunately comes with a bulbous rear bumper that is finished in untreated plastic and is quite an eye sore. To this writer’s eyes at least.
And the other problem with untreated plastic besides being unsightly, is that scratches will tend to stick out and are difficult to repair.
Now we move inside
The interior of the 408 was one of its biggest attractions when the car was first launched. Marred only by the weirdly shaped steering feel that feels good in your hands but hinders the view of the instrument cluster ahead.
You could obviously adjust the seat, but you end up sitting too low or too high. Why Peugeot has insisted on continuing with the oblong shaped steering wheel for the past decade when there have been plenty of complaints is beyond us. May they see the light with the next model.
The dash is minimalistic yet high tech, and the software does taking some getting used to but it is not overly complicated. The instrumentation for the GT is almsot the same as its siblings; a 10-inch instrument cluster but the GT gets a 3D quartz version and a 10-inch infotainment screen.
However, the GT also gets configurable i-Toggle controls that is set just under the infotainment screen. This lets you program shortcuts to key controls such as air-conditioning controls, camera setting, seat controls and others. It is a clever method of giving you quick access without having to navigate layers of menu.
The one thing that we particularly like about the 408 are the seats, and that is something that we have raved about in our review of the Premium variant as well. The GT also gets those brilliant seats, but they come wrapped in premium Nappa leather instead. And the GT also benefits from electronic seats for passenger and driver, which also come with memory and massage function. That is what the RM30,000 premium gets you.
Topping off the interior is a fantastic 10-speaker Focal sound system, while the cheaper 408’s make do with a regular six-speaker system.
In terms of spaciousness though, taller passengers will find themselves more comfortable in the front seat than at the back. And that is putting it simply.
So how does it drive?
They say that you must always listen to your elders, and if there is one thing that I have heard my elders tell me repeatedly is that Peugeot’s always drive well. And they still do.
The suspension is brilliant, and we salute how Peugeot has managed to find the perfect balance of comfort and control.
On the highways, the 408 absorbs and isolates the road from the cabin. In the corners, the suspension keeps the car settled with minimal body roll, giving the driver the confidence needed to keep the car steady and centered in its lane, particularly when navigating high speed corners.
The engine is the same across all variants – the PureTech 1.6-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine makes 218PS and 300Nm of torque across the range. All that power is channeled to the front through a smooth-shifting eight-speed transmission.
The powerplant is efficient and yet powerful as well. The turbo lag can be noticeable at times but switching it to Sport mode solves that, so if you are the type that like to carve across corners when the mood arises, you will like how the car handles and delivers its power.
So, is it worth RM30,000 more?
The real question here is, if you can afford it, then why not? The GT has a lot of nice tech and toys that hopefully the next owner of the car will appreciate as well.
This writer loves a good sound system, and an interior wrapped in Nappa, so yes that is one thing good about the interior.
Having electronic seats all around is also a great thing and adds a touch of premiumness to a car positioned to take on the Civic and Corolla Altis.
But RM30,000 is understandably a lot of money, but as we said – why not?
In a bid to comply with the European Union’s stringent emissions targets for 2025, several major car manufacturers have joined forces with Tesla. The collaboration aims to pool emissions credits, leveraging Tesla’s clean-energy surplus to offset shortfalls and dodge significant fines.
Under the EU’s regulations, overall fleet emissions must fall from 106.6 grams of CO₂ per kilometre to 93.6 grams this year. Each automaker has specific targets to meet based on their fleet composition. To address the challenge, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Stellantis, Subaru, and Leapmotor have formed a “Superpool” with Tesla. Together, these brands represent 33% of the vehicle market and 30% of the EV market in Europe.
Tesla’s Role and the Financial Stakes
Tesla, the global leader in emissions credit trading, plays a critical role in this strategy. The pooling agreement narrows the group’s emissions gap to within 4 grams of the target, according to Will Roberts, Automotive Research Lead at Rho Motion.
Electric SUVs have rapidly become a cornerstone of the automotive industry’s shift toward sustainable mobility. Combining the practicality and versatility of traditional SUVs with the eco-friendly benefits of electric powertrains, these vehicles offer a compelling option for modern drivers.
With advancements in battery technology, enhanced driving ranges, and innovative features, electric SUVs blend performance, comfort, and environmental responsibility.
The EV market in Malaysia is mostly dominated by big and popular Chinese brands such as Chery, BYD, GWM and more. However, there are a few underrated brands that people seem not to notice. One of them is Leapmotor.
Leapmotor, established in 2015 in Hangzhou, China, is a rapidly growing EV manufacturer focused on delivering innovative and accessible electric mobility solutions. The company was founded with a vision to create smart, high-quality, and affordable EVs that cater to diverse market needs. Leapmotor specialises in the design and production of electric cars and emphasises integrating cutting-edge technologies such as intelligent driving systems, advanced connectivity, and efficient powertrains.
The brand’s lineup includes a range of EVs from compact cars to SUVs, targeting urban commuters and families alike. Leapmotor’s proprietary technologies, such as in-house developed batteries and smart cockpit systems, position it as a serious contender in the competitive EV market. The company has also embraced sustainability, striving to reduce carbon emissions across its production and product lifecycles.
This writer is not particularly interested in EVs, but as the saying goes “you never know unless you try” has played a major role in my life. So I was given the opportunity by Stellantis, the parent company of Leapmotor, to try out their electric SUV, the Leapmotor C10.
Mature Looks
When you first look at the C10, you will notice that it does not look like any of the other Chinese brands. The C10 looks simple and mature. No sophisticated bumpers or weird designs, no unnecessary parts that make it look cheap, just simple and elegant.
It features fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, dual rear fog lamps and not to mention the rear illuminating lightbar which I am a fan of. Some even say there are hints of a Porsche Macan around the rear.
The C10 rides on 20-inch Trident aluminium wheels which suit the whole aesthetics of the car and give it a sportier look with 245/45 Dunlop e.Sport Maxx tyres.
Spacious and Comfortable Interior
Step inside and you will see what we mean by comfort and space. This writer has a big build, so interior space is crucial when testing cars. Despite how big they look from the outside, we have sat in SUVs that are not that spacious. However, I can confidently say that the C10 is big people friendly.
The driver’s and front passenger seating is spacious with ample amount of leg room and for the rear passengers, you could fit at least three regular “nasi kandar, tambah nasi” eaters.
Comfort is omnipresent throughout the SUV from soft-touch instrument panels to leather front and rear armrests, heated and ventilated front seats and the rear seats can be adjusted, which is what allowed me to sleep like a baby during our long drive to Pahang.
To enhance this in-car experience, the C10 comes equipped with rhythmic ambient lighting, wireless charging, 12 high-quality speakers and a 14.6-inch control touch screen.
The Big Screen
Now, every car has its flaws and one common flaw in most cars nowadays is the lack of physical buttons and controls for simple things such as adjusting the air-conditioning. Everything is controlled via the big infotainment screen that you get at the centre. Yes, it’s futuristic and very modern but it is also a hassle at the same time.
The C10 comes with concealed air vents, which means you will not be able to adjust the vents by adjusting them using a traditional knob. You will have to go through the centre screen to do so. This can be fairly frustrating for the driver because you have to take your eyes off the road.
Many other functions can be accessed through the screen as well, but we did not have enough time to learn the car and mess around with all the other settings. This is a learning curve and there are plenty of “oh it does that” moments, so be prepared to spend a couple of days, or weeks to get to know the intricacies of the car.
Another flaw of the C10 is that it does not come equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Yes, you read that right. So for navigation, you have to use the in-built one and it also comes with a Spotify application. To use this, you will need internet access which can be done if you purchase a sim card or use your mobile hotspot.
Maserati-Tuned
Tyres play a huge role when it comes to a vehicle’s handling performance but many people overlook the fact that the driving dynamics of the car play a major role too. So how did the C10 perform? We were actually surprised at how well the grip and handling were. We tackled the hills of Genting with no issues whatsoever. This is possible because the driving dynamics have been tuned and optimised by Maserati.
It simply did not feel like we were in an SUV. It was agile and smooth, and we could barely feel the turns because of how well the SUV manoeuvred. Given the fact that this is a family SUV, it was not built for speed so this rear-wheel-drive SUV can do 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds and the top speed is around 173km/h. The best part is that even at this speed, the cabin is quiet because of how good the NVH levels are.
The 69.9kWh Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery offers a range of up to 424km (WLTP), and the C10 can charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes using a DC fast charging. The single motor configuration produces 218PS and 320Nm of torque which is more than enough to drive this 1,980kg SUV.
We found the power to weight to be balanced, because of how our fellow Malaysians drive and ride, we had to do some quick manoeuvres to avoid hitting them and the steering response was sharp enough to pull off these quick stunts without losing control.
What is that beeping sound?
Safety systems are a crucial part of a vehicle and the question people ask nowadays is “Got ADAS ah?”
Well, safety is paramount in the Leapmotor C10, which comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of seven airbags and Level 2 ADAS (Leap Pilot). This includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and many other advanced driver assistance features that are too long to be listed here.
The thing is, there are too many functions for us to remember so we had to learn them on the go. Every now and then there will be a different beeping sound and we will be like “That one is new, what is that beeping sound?” So we experimented with most of the functions and decided to turn some off because of how sensitive they were. In order to turn certain safety features off, you will need to put the car in park, otherwise, the system will not allow you to do so.
We were even shown a demonstration of how effective the Autonomous Emergency Braking is and we can safely say that it is one of the best ones out there.
Is this the SUV for you?
If you are a fan of EVs then yes. With everything the car offers, it is only priced at RM159,000! That pricing and how much the SUV has to offer is considered a steal. Stellantis told us that they want to offer a D-segment SUV with a C-segment price so that people can afford luxury, comfort, space and performance all in one. We can say that the C10 delivered what it was designed for.
The Leapmotor C10 is available in four colours: Glazed Green, Pearly White, Canopy Grey, and Tundra Grey. Interior options include Criollo Brown (exclusive to Glazed Green) and Midnight Aurora.
It comes with a six-year or 150,000km warranty, and an eight-year or 160,00 km Battery warranty, whichever comes first.
Specifications Motor: Single-electric motor Power: 218PS Torque: 320Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h): 7.5 seconds Top speed: 173km/h Price (As tested): RM159,000
We like: Mature looks, spacious interior and handling We don’t like: No Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Stellantis is going through a tough time after CEO Carlos Tavares suddenly stepped down. Despite this, the company has confirmed that a new Fiat 500 will arrive in 2032. However, the current electric Fiat 500e sales have been slow, leading to production pauses.
Keeping the Fiat 500 in Turin
The Fiat 500, a popular city car in Europe, will continue to be made at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, beyond 2030. Stellantis’ European Chief, Jean-Philippe Imparato, says this decision ensures the plant stays busy and important to the company. In November 2025, a new hybrid version of the Fiat 500, called the Fiat 500 Ibrida, will be introduced to give buyers more choices.
Stellantis telah memperkenalkan platform STLA Frame, sebuah casis modular revolusioner yang direka untuk menyokong generasi baharu SUV besar, trak pikap, dan kenderaan komersial ringan. Platform ini mencerminkan visi Stellantis untuk mobiliti mampan dengan sokongan untuk kenderaan elektrik (EV), hibrid plug-in (PHEV), dan kuasa hidrogen.
Spesifikasi Utama STLA Frame
Reka Bentuk Bingkai Tangga:
Ciri utama ialah bahagian tengah yang diperluas untuk menempatkan pek bateri EV.
Kuali perut penuh direka untuk mengurangkan seretan aerodinamik, meningkatkan kecekapan tenaga.
Keupayaan Bateri dan Pengecasan:
Kapasiti Bateri: Dari 159 kWh hingga lebih 200 kWh.
Seni Bina 800 Volt (EV): Menyokong pengecasan berkelajuan tinggi sehingga 350 kW, memberikan tambahan jarak 160 km dalam hanya 10 minit.
Stellantis has unveiled the specifications for its STLA Frame platform, a modular chassis designed to support a new generation of full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, and light commercial vehicles, many of which will be electric. This platform will also accommodate plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hydrogen-powered vehicles, further reinforcing Stellantis’ commitment to versatile and sustainable mobility. It is one of four modular platforms in Stellantis’ lineup, alongside STLA Small, STLA Medium, and STLA Large, each designed for flexibility and upgradability in components such as battery chemistry, electric motors, and software.
The STLA Frame platform features a ladder-type frame chassis, with a widened central section to house the battery pack for electric models. A full-length belly pan reduces aerodynamic drag, maximising efficiency. Battery sizes will range from 159 kWh to over 200 kWh, supporting 800-volt architecture for high-speed charging up to 350 kW, adding 160km of range in just 10 minutes under optimal conditions. Series PHEVs will use a 400-volt system, capable of charging at up to 175 kW.
2025 Ram 1500 REV
Performance-wise, the platform supports up to 804km of range in EV mode and 1,110km in series PHEV mode. It offers impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,350kg and a payload capacity of 1,224kg, surpassing the performance of some current Ram light-duty models. The platform is designed for off-road enthusiasts, able to ford up to 24 inches of water and accommodate tyres up to 33 inches in diameter, with ground clearance ranging from 6.6 to 10.3 inches. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations are supported, with the most powerful electric motors delivering 335hp, enabling some models to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds.
