Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles here in Malaysia, has announced that the latest updated 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF is now available, and it comes with a host of enhancements that elevates its overall comfort, convenience, as well as power delivery. (more…)
The latest and ultra-cool NIO ES6 Night Explorer Limited Edition was launched just a few days ago as a cross-platform partnership between the company and Razer, one of the biggest gaming brands on the planet.
Making its official debut at the Razer booth at 2019 ChinaJoy exhibition, the high-performance all-electric SUV comes with a huge dose of Razer goodness and what’s even more exclusive is that there will only be 88 units available for sale. (more…)
The Hyundai Motor Group has launched its first car with a solar roof charging system. It is one of three types of solar roof charging systems the carmaker is developing. This technology will provide vehicles with additional electrical power that can increase fuel efficiency and driving range in hybrids.
The system debuts on the New Sonata Hybrid which is the first mid-sized hybrid sedan in the Korean market with fuel consumption officially rated at over 20 kms/litre. To date, other models in the same segment have achieved 18 kms/litre at best.
The new model also equipped with the world’s first Active Shift Control technology as well as a Smartstream G2.0 GDi HEV engine and 6-speed hybrid transmission. Hyundai’s new model also supports a ‘Digital Key’ function via a dedicated smartphone app.
“Solar roof technology is a good example of how Hyundai Motor is moving towards becoming a clean mobility provider. The technology allows our customers to actively tackle emissions issue,” said Heui Won Yang, Senior Vice-President and head of Body Tech Unit of Hyundai Motor Group.
Adding an extra 1,300 kms annually
The solar roof charging system includes a structure of silicon solar panels that are mounted on the car’s roof. Being able to charge even while driving, the solar roof system can charge 30% to 60% of the battery per day. With 6 hours of daily charging (which can take place while the vehicle is parked), it is expected to increase vehicle travel distance by an extra 1,300 kms annually.
The system is composed of a solar panel and a controller. Electricity is produced when solar energy activates the solar panel’s surface, which converts this energy by using photons of light from the sun. This creates the electron-hole pairs in silicon cells, which generate solar electricity. The electricity from this process is converted to the standard voltage by the controller, then stored in the battery.
Hyundai Motor took not only efficiency but also design into account while developing the charging system. While the solar roof system currently plays a supporting role, it opens up perspectives for vehicles that no longer need fossil fuel to operate, ie pure electric vehicles.
The New Sonata Hybrid has just gone on sale in Korea and will also be available in North America. However, the company says it has no plans to offer it in other markets in the immediate future.
Click here to read other news about Hyundai Motor on PISTON.MY
♦ As expected, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen had a thrilling battle throughout the 70-lap race. A tactical decision by the Mercedes-AMG team gave Hamilton a tyre advantage which allowed him to pass Verstappen in the final 3 laps and take the chequered flag. This year’s win is Hamilton’s seventh in the Hungarian GP.
♦ Although he was on the podium with Hamilton and Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel was not happy with the fact that he had finished over 1 minute behind the winner.
♦ Valtteri Bottas had a bad day; after having dropped to last when he had to pit to replace a damaged nose, he had to work very hard to move back up and managed 8th place by the end of the race, one lap behind his team mate.
♦ McLaren has been improving steadily and collected points in each of the last 5 rounds. Carlos Sainz Jr now has a total of 58 points, 5 points behind Red Bull Racing’s Pierre Gasly so expect him to push harder and also extend the team’s lead over Toro Rosso.
♦ With 250 points after 12 races and 9 remaining on the calendar, it looks like Lewis Hamilton can look forward to another title.
Next rounds:
Belgian Grand Prix – September 1
Italian Grand Prix – September 8
Singapore Grand Prix – September 22
Russian Grand Prix – September 29
In conjunction with the upcoming 62nd year of our country’s independence, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is offering more savings for your next booking in the form of the RM1,000 Volkswagen Merdeka Voucher.
Applicable to all VW models available here in Malaysia, the voucher offers more rebates for booking made until the end of the month of August on top of the current ongoing promotion. The current promotion already offer savings up to RM15,000 and with the added Merdeka voucher, VW owners will indeed get more for less. (more…)
“I love this car. It’s more successful than the artwork,” was the opinion of Andy Warhol after his sweeping brush strokes had transformed the BMW M1. It took him less than half an hour to create the fourth exhibit in the BMW Art Car Collection which was beginning to capture attention globally. That was 40 years ago.
In 2019, enthusiasm for the mid-engined sportscar originally designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro remains. Already world-famous at that time, the US icon of Pop Art shared the same passion with many automobile fans of that bygone era. And the fascination of the unique special created by Warhol has indeed increased.
Highlight of the BMW Art Car Collection
Many fans regard his Art Car as the highlight of the entire collection which now numbers 19. It’s therefore hardly surprising that Munich-based automobile photographer Stephan Bauer spontaneously opted for the model when he was selecting his dream subject on four wheels.
Last year, Bauer emerged as the victor in the Social Media Contest ‘Shootout 2018’ organised by BMW Group Classic. He was given the opportunity for an exclusive photo shoot with BMW Art Car Number Four. His series of images to mark the 40th birthday of the M1 provide a completely new perspective on one of the most legendary vehicles from the history of BMW.
A completely new perspective
Against the backdrop of an old factory building in Cologne, Bauer choreographed a spectacular contrast between the brightly coloured Art Car and the dull grey of the abandoned industrial structure. At a subsequent outdoor session, laser lights shrouded the BMW in a positively mystical atmosphere. In both settings, the Art Car kept emerging from a completely new perspective – and always to perfection.
40 years ago, the cameras had hardly been set up when Warhol had already finished painting the bodywork in all the colours of the rainbow. As the artist explained later, his speed was a reflection of the statement made by his work of art: “I attempted to show speed as a visual image. When an automobile is really travelling fast, all the lines and colours are transformed into a blur.”
Click here for other BMW news and articles on PISTON.MY.
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
