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Ferrari Competizioni GT Club – Three Decades Of Racing Ferrari GTs Return To The Track

Presented to clients at the Ferrari Finali Mondiali and unveiled to the public at the Birmingham’s Autosport International event last week, the new Competizioni GT Club will allow owners of Ferrari GT racing cars built over the last three decades to compete at events organised directly by Maranello.

Reflecting the philosophies underpinning the F1 Clienti and the XX Programmes, the Competizioni GT Club will organise events at some of the world’s most evocative circuits, complete with a range of exclusive services to enrich the experience. Technical assistance will be available at each track, while official professional Ferrari GT competition drivers, who compete in the world’s leading championships throughout the year, will be on hand to advise clients on getting the best possible performance from their cars.

The 12 models that qualify for membership of the Competizioni GT Club range from the 1989 F40 Competizione to the 488 GTE and GT3 currently available to racing clients. Aside from the basic club membership package, which includes personalised clothing, a set of tyres for every round and a gala event, other special services are also available, not least car transportation, personalised logistics and exclusive one-to-one sessions with professional drivers.

Mugello will host the first event on April 9th and 10th. This will be followed by Indianapolis, where the cars will race on the track used for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Fuji in Japan and then Vallelunga just outside Rome. The Competizioni GT Club will also participate in the 2019 Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Mugello between October 22nd and 27th.

PSA: Weekly Fuel Prices 26th Jan To 1st Feb 2019 – Status Quo For Petrol, Diesel Up!

It’s that time of the week again folks, the weekly petrol price announcement. Well the good news is that after a hike last week, it’s status quo for Petrol, however, Diesel will be up by 1 sen.

As such, here’s the price of fuel for the following week, 26th Jan to 1st Feb 2019.

RON 95 – RM1.98 per litre (no change)
RON 97 – RM2.28 per litre (no change)
Diesel – RM2.18 per litre (+ 1 sen)

Prices will be in effect from 12.01am 26th Jan to midnight on 1st Feb.

Porsche Wet Mode: High Driving Stability Even In The Rain [+Video]

The eighth generation of the Porsche 911 is not just more powerful than its predecessor, but is also more comfortable and safer. With Porsche Wet Mode, the sports car offers even better handling on wet roads – a world first introduced exclusively for the 911. The innovative assistance system includes a function for detecting significant wet road conditions and a corresponding vehicle setup for increased driving stability on wet road surfaces.

How Porsche Wet Mode works
“Wet Mode was developed to provide the driver with consistent support in wet conditions. It does not restrict the maximum power of the engine or limit the top speed, and should therefore also not be used as insurance for driving too fast in very wet conditions. Instead, it should be seen as an assistance system in the truest sense,” says August Achleitner, who has been head of the model series for many years. Porsche Wet Mode can automatically detect a wet road and warn the driver about the risk of aquaplaning. For this purpose, acoustic sensors in the front wheel housing detect swirled-up spray water. This makes it fundamentally different from windscreen wiper rain sensors, which only react optically to water droplets on the windscreen independently of the road conditions. This is because there may still be standing water on the road even when a rain shower has passed. Here’s the video on how it works…

If the system detects a wet road surface, the response behaviour of the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and Porsche Traction Management (PTM) systems is preconditioned. Both systems then intervene earlier and more sensitively than before. In addition, a warning is shown on the display on the right next to the rev counter. This informs the driver of detected wetness and recommends that the driver switch manually to Wet Mode. The corresponding function can either be activated in the new button bar above the centre console, or is integrated in the mode switch on the steering wheel with the optional Sport Chrono Package.

If Wet driving mode is activated, the PSM, PTM, adaptive aerodynamics, optional Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) Plus and drive responsiveness are all adapted to guarantee maximum driving stability. From 90 km/h, the variable rear spoiler is extended to performance position, the cooling air flaps open, the accelerator pedal characteristic is flatter, and the PSM Off function or Sport mode can no longer be activated. The torque build-up of the engine is smoother, and the shift strategy of the new eight-speed PDK transmission is automatically adapted to this. On the 911 Carrera 4S all-wheel-drive model, more drive power is transferred to the front axle than in normal mode in order to reinforce the stabilisation effect. Reduced locking ratios of the electronically controlled rear differential lock are also part of the 911 setup for wet conditions.

The effect for the driver is clearly noticeable: the 911 offers more confident handling, while the precisely matched interventions are particularly effective in the event of sudden changes in direction, spontaneous power requests or on changing road surfaces with different coefficients of friction. The electronic copilot does not just offer benefits in the wet. Wet Mode can also be activated manually on snow-covered roads with reduced grip in order to increased driving stability.

The eighth generation of the new 911 was presented in Los Angeles at the end of November 2018. The turbocharged flat-six engine of the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S now produces 331 kW (450 PS). This corresponds to an increase of 22 kW (30 PS) compared with the previous model. Both 911 models beat the four-second mark for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: the rear-wheel-drive Coupé needs 3.7 seconds and the 911 Carrera 4S with all-wheel drive just 3.6 seconds. This makes both cars 0.4 seconds faster than the previous model in each case.

911 Carrera S: Fuel consumption combined 8.9 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 205 g/km;
911 Carrera 4S: Fuel consumption combined 9.0 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 206 g/km;
911 Carrera S Cabriolet: Fuel consumption combined 9.1 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 208 g/km;
911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet: Fuel consumption combined 9.0 l/100 km, CO2 emissions combined 207 g/km

The consumption and CO2 emissions values were calculated using the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). The NEDC values derived from this must continue to be specified for the time being. These values cannot be compared to the values calculated based on the NEDC measuring procedure used up to now.

Further information on the official fuel consumption and official, specific CO2 emissions of new passenger cars is available in the “Guidelines on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new passenger cars” [Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen], which are available free of charge from all sales outlets and from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT).

Motor Image Subaru Announces Lubricant Partnership With MOTUL & Addresses Steering Defects Issue

Motor Image – the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles across nine territories in Asia – and French owned lubricant specialist Motul – have jointly announced their partnership to develop and supply a line of exclusive lubricant products for Subaru vehicles in the region. Motor Image will be the first vehicle distributor that Motul is partnering globally and the deal will currently over eight territories – Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Under the deal, Motul will supply the specially developed and formulated oils for Motor Image distributorship and dealerships in the region. These oils, developed in Japan, will be used in all of its aftersales and service centres. Customers will have access to premium quality lubricants, such as 100 per cent synthetic engine oils, at competitive prices, giving customers a superior aftersales service, available only at Motor Image’s facilities and dealerships. The licensing and partnership deal, valued at USD5 million per annum to start, signifies both companies’ interest in the growing Asian region for the automotive sector. The two-year deal, with the option to extend, is expected to increase 10 per cent in value yearly.

“Subaru has been closely linked with Motul since its motorsports racing days, and Motul is closely associated with the STI brand. At Motor Image we have had an over 10-year relationship. Motul specially formulated lubricants for Subaru cars, taking into account the weather and other conditions, when we took part in the Asia Pacific Rally Championships. We are happy to partner Motul again, to re-establish a long-term relationship to provide the best quality products for our Subaru customers,” said Mr Glenn Tan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Tan Chong International Limited.

“Motorsports is part of Motul’s DNA, and Motul has been closely linked with Subaru and the STI brand since the Subaru World Rally Team competed in the World Rally Championship (WRC) back in the 1980s. Today, Motul is very pleased to be collaborating with Motor Image to provide an exclusive line-up of lubricant products and customer experience for its Subaru customers. We believe this regional collaboration will further strengthen its partnership with Subaru beyond just Motorsports,” said Mr Masaki Shimizu, Chairman, Motul of Japan KK.

The first of the exclusive Subaru lubricant product line-up to be launched, from January 2019, include Subaru Engine Oils by Motul – the 0W20 and the 5W30. These 100 per cent synthetic oils have been specially researched and developed in Japan, and licensed for retail exclusively at Subaru outlets. Both companies will also be working on marketing the lubricant products and merchandise from the partnership as part of Motor Image’s plans to enhance the customer experience journey for Subaru customers across the region. Plans include co-branded space and exclusive merchandise at Subaru outlets.

The Subaru Engine Oils by Motul are available across Subaru service centres in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan now, and subsequently in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam by March 2019.

MOTOR IMAGE STATEMENT ON GLOBAL POWER STEERING DEFECTS

Motor Image Group customers not affected by power steering defects

Singapore, 24 January 2019 – Motor Image Group (MIG), distributor of Subaru vehicles in nine markets across Asia, today announced that its customers are not affected by the power steering defect announced by Subaru Corporation. None of the affected production has been delivered to MIG customers.

The Japanese automaker said on Wednesday that it had suspended production at production facilities in Japan from 16 January 2019 and will likely resume production and shipments as early as 28 January 2019. This was due to defects affecting the power steering in three vehicle models, the Forester, the XV and the Impreza. The affected vehicles were manufactured between late December 2018 and 16 January 2019.

MIG puts customer safety and satisfaction as its utmost priority. Across all its operations, only 3 markets, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore have shipments due of affected vehicles. A total of only 120 cars from the affected batch are due in these markets and none of these have been delivered to customers.

During this interim period, as MIG continues to roll out the new 5^th Generation Subaru Forester across the region, it will continue to take bookings from customers, though customers may have to wait for longer than usual for delivery. This is due to the temporary halt in production from Japan, whilst we wait further advice from Subaru Corporation of rectified shipments from them.

Motor Image is committed to the highest safety standards and quality driving experience for all its customers and is in constant contact with Subaru Corporation for any further updates.

All-New Toyota Vios Officially Launched! Prices Start At RM77k, Built At Toyota’s Newest Manufacturing Plant In Malaysia [+Videos]

Following the preview of the All-New Toyota Vios at the KL International Motor Show 2018 in November last year, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, announced its official introduction and delivery to its customers recently.

“Since the first model was launched in 2003, we have sold almost half a million Vios, making it the most popular in its segment. Over the years, we have set the standard for this vehicle segment and I am pleased to announce that this new model, the third generation Vios will continue to set the standards for many years to come,” said Mr. Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. In case you’re wondering how much the new Vios costs, check out the official price list below:

As you know Piston.my previously covered the Media Drive of the new Vios here, (<–link) with 2 videos, and below is yet another video we produced during the drive…

“We were also very pleased to have been able to give the public a preview of the All-New Toyota Vios during the KL International Motor Show 2018. We are extremely happy and appreciative of the overwhelming response that we have received from the public. This is indeed an encouragement for us to continue to produce ever-better cars for our customers in Malaysia, especially with the support shown to us by our fellow Malaysians,” he added.

With this latest update, the Vios receives not just refreshing new looks but also many improvements and features which make it more enjoyable and safer to drive. All variants have been rated the maximum five stars by ASEAN NCAP and come with seven SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control and Hill-start Assist Control.

Check out our final say of the new Vios in the video below…

Notable changes inside the car are the redesigned dashboard and instrument panel, new seat upholstery and cushioning, redesigned centre console box, addition of USB charging ports and a cabin lamp for rear occupants, improved/added storage spaces and a fully automatic air-conditioning system for all variants. The drive will also be more pleasant as noise and vibrations are lower with the use of improved insulation materials and measures. For the Vios 1.5 G, there are now paddle shifters and 16-inch alloy rims as a standard accessory. This top-of-the-line variant also gets an Optitron meter with colour Multi Information Display and DVD-AVX infotainment system with USB mirroring.

Other standard features include leather upholstery, electrochromic rear-view mirror and a Drive Mode switch. Safety is further enhanced with a Blind Spot Monitor, Panoramic View Monitor, Front Digital Video Recorder and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, features were previously only available on the larger Toyota models. Available for viewing and test-drives at Toyota showrooms nationwide from today, the All-New Vios comes with a 5-year warranty (unlimited mileage). Every new Vios owner also gets a free 24-SEVEN Road Assist membership for the first year. This provides peace of mind to customers who can receive roadside assistance with just a call, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

The All-New Vios is the first model to roll out from UMW Toyota Motor’s new manufacturing facility at Kawasan Perindustrian Bukit Raja, Klang, Selangor. One of the most modern, most advanced and most efficient Toyota plants in the world, it is built in line with the Malaysian government’s direction of new vehicle production in the country.

“UMW Toyota Motor foresees the auto industry in the country having bigger potential in the future. As such, the company has invested approximately RM 2 billion in this new high-tech and highly efficient manufacturing plant. It is the company’s vision for the plant to be able to produce more advanced energy-efficient vehicles with high technology and high value in coming years to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers in the future,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

“This is the future of Toyota production in Malaysia,” Mr. Takeyama added. “The plant is highly automated to ensure high quality vehicles are produced with better efficiency. Many local engineers and technicians were sent to Japan to undergo production training to upgrade their skills to perform at their best at the new plant.”

For more information, members of the public can visit toyota.com.my or any authorised Toyota dealership throughout Malaysia.

BIKES: Keep It Clean For A Worry-Free Ride With Techron® Concentrate Plus For Motorcycles!

Providing a clean solution for motorcycle riders who desire the benefits of Techron® Concentrate Plus in a convenient small pack, Chevron Malaysia Limited, which markets the Caltex® brand, has launched the Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycles, a fuel system cleaner for motorcycles. This premium fuel additive made for motorcycles is the newest addition to the Techron® family, with two predecessors Techron® Concentrate Plus for gasoline engines and the Techron® Diesel Concentrate launched back in 2014 and March 2018 respectively.

The Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycles deep cleans the gasoline fuel system in one tankful using the ground-breaking Precision Clean™ technology. This fuel additive works at molecular levels to soften the deposits found in critical parts of the motorcycle fuel system and suspend them in fuel. These deposits are then carried through to the combustion chamber to be burnt and ejected in the exhaust.

Backed with 30 years of research and development, one 75ml bottle of advanced fuel additive can help restore lost engine power, maximise fuel economy, protect against corrosion, reduce harmful emissions and rough idle, deposits control and engine protection and clean the entire fuel system.

Sheryl Law, Marketing Manager AP at Chevron Lubricants said, “Caltex® is constantly at the forefront of innovation, rising up to the challenge to deliver top-notch quality products for engine protection. Driving performance and fuel economy are compromised when grimy deposits build up in an engine’s fuel system. With the latest addition to Caltex’s Techron® family, Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycles, riders can be rest assured that their motorcycle engines are fully protected.”

Restore your engine performance in three (3) simple steps!

Pull over to your nearest Caltex service station and get yourself a Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycle (be sure your gas tank is near empty at this point!).
Pour the entire (75ml) content of ONE bottle of Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycle into the empty tank.
Fill up your tank with your favourite petrol until it’s full. The cleaning starts as you ride away!

“Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycles was developed specifically for motorcyclists who seek the need to clean deposits in the motorcycle fuel system which was built over time as a result of using low quality fuels. With Techron’s high-performance fuel, we are giving motorcyclists the opportunity to have a cleaner and worry-free ride,” added Law.

Rider Tips: For best results, use Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycles every 3,000 km. Start cleaning by simply pouring the entire bottle into a near empty fuel tank and top up with up to 6 litres of gasoline fuel.

For a worry-free ride, get the 75ml Techron® Concentrate Plus for Motorcycles at the nearest Caltex station near you or participating motorcycle workshops for only RM9.90 per bottle.

For more information on the premium fuel additive, Caltex^® and its products, please visit www.caltex.com/my or https://www.facebook.com/Caltex.Malaysia/.

Piston.my

Latest News

Ferrari Competizioni GT Club – Three Decades Of Racing Ferrari GTs Return To The Track

PSA: Weekly Fuel Prices 26th Jan To 1st Feb 2019 – Status Quo For Petrol, Diesel Up!

Porsche Wet Mode: High Driving Stability Even In The Rain [+Video]

Motor Image Subaru Announces Lubricant Partnership With MOTUL & Addresses Steering Defects Issue

MOTOR IMAGE STATEMENT ON GLOBAL POWER STEERING DEFECTS

All-New Toyota Vios Officially Launched! Prices Start At RM77k, Built At Toyota’s Newest Manufacturing Plant In Malaysia [+Videos]

BIKES: Keep It Clean For A Worry-Free Ride With Techron® Concentrate Plus For Motorcycles!

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