Source: Monthly sales reports compiled by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). The Total Industry Volumes shown for the month may be incomplete as some companies are unwilling to provide their sales data.
♦ New vehicle sales in the first month of the year were 32,829 units, 51% lower than for December 2020, and 24% lower than the same month in 2020.
♦ The decline was due to a few factors, among them the surge in purchases in December by those who did not want to miss out on the sales tax exemption. It was originally set to expire on December 31, 2020 but at the last moment, the government decided to allow an extension until June 30, 2021.
♦ The large number of sales in December would have exhausted the order bank for the following month on the one hand, and companies also ran low on stocks due to the high demand at the end of the year. For a change, some customers did not choose to defer their delivery date to the new year.
♦ Difficulties in deliveries due to dealers being unable to get stocks also kept the Total Industry Volume (TIV) down. The disruption caused by the ongoing MCO affected some suppliers of parts or systems and without just one item, a car cannot be completed at the assembly plant.
♦ January sales were also impacted by the restrictions of the MCO which limited travel distance to 10 kms from home. However, many companies have established and publicised their ‘online showrooms’ which can at least enable buyers to start the purchase process. Some companies also offer to bring vehicle over for test-drives and even deliver newly registered vehicles to the doorstep using a dedicated transport service.
♦ Sales of new commercial vehicles were higher in January 2021 compared to a year earlier. Almost 4,000 vehicles (including pick-up trucks) were delivered whereas, in January 2020, 3,532 units were delivered.
♦ The MAA expects February sales to be even lower, given the short month and the ongoing MCO which affects businesses in various ways.
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Hyundai Motorsport is electrifying its activities in 2021 by entering the inaugural all-electric touring car championship PURE ETCR which will commence later this year. PURE ETCR will set the benchmark for electric racing around the world and for Hyundai, being involved marks the latest step in the company’s quest to make motorsport greener.
Hyundai Motorsport’s entry in PURE ETCR will be its new all-electric high-performance touring car, the Veloster N ETCR. The racing car has been developed at its headquarters in Germany. Like the i30 N TCR and i20 N Rally2, it is based on a highly-modified version of another Hyundai N car, the North American Veloster N model.
Development program since 2019
Testing on the Veloster N ETCR began with a prototype design as far back as September 2019. Although 2020 saw restrictions in movements and activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hyundai Motorsport team continued its work throughout the year.
The zero-emission, rear-wheel drive touring car with mid-mounted motors is designed specifically for ETCR regulations. Equipped with a 798V battery pack from Williams Advanced Engineering located in the floor of the car and a double-wishbone rear suspension, the chassis is radically different from any previous Hyundai Motorsport project.
The Veloster N ETCR’s powertrain uses 4 motors – two per wheel – which are connected to a single gear ratio gearbox. Total peak power output is 500 kW (equivalent to 680 ps) with a continuous power flow of up to 300 kW available during racing.
Hyundai’s motorsport heritage
Despite being a relatively fresh player in motorsports, Hyundai has been steadily increasing its presence after 8 years. Its initial focus was on the World Rally Championship (WRC), which it developed the i20 WRC for. After 5 successful seasons, the team won the WRC the first time in 2019. This feat was successfully repeated last year, as Hyundai strengthened its reputation in global motorsport. After a successful foray into WRC, Hyundai Motorsport entered the world of circuit racing in 2018 with the i30 N TCR.
While competing in the WRC and TCR with models based on road-going cars, Hyundai constantly tests new technologies on the track, in the extreme conditions of racing. This approach has a direct impact on the company’s future N production models through knowledge transfer. For example, the company’s latest racetrack-capable hot hatch, the all-new i20 N, is directly influenced by the i20 WRC car.
Hydrogen generator for recharging cars
Alongside its electrification strategy, Hyundai has also used its leadership in fuel cell technology to develop its hydrogen generator. This generator will be able to charge electric cars through converting green hydrogen into charging power.
Hyundai Hydrogen Generator (right) will supply electricity for racing car.
For Hyundai, motorsport is a field in which the company can experiment with new technologies, which can then inform the development of its production cars. Knowledge transfer between Hyundai Motorsport and the Hyundai N brand has proved fruitful so far, with success in both the WRC and TCR championships as well as well-received road cars like the all-new i20 N.
“Hyundai is undertaking huge efforts to develop sustainable mobility for a better world, and motorsport is not exempt from this goal. That’s why we are very excited to have the opportunity to build on our WRC and TCR success as part of the upcoming PURE ETCR,” said Andrea Adamo, Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal. “With our holistic approach, we are able to significantly reduce emissions in motorsport while ensuring the spectacular sport we know and love remains fun, for drivers and fans alike.”
He added that electric racing represents the perfect opportunity for Hyundai to combine both environmental sustainability and motorsport. “In the future, electric racing is set to become one of the core pillars of Hyundai Motorsport. ETCR showcases how future-oriented technologies and cleaner racing can be combined,” Adamao said.
The Nissan Qashqai (the name is derived from that of a community in Iran) has a history going back to 2006 and has been sold under a few names in different parts of the world. It has however been largely associated with the European market and is made in Nissan’s UK plant, so it’s not surprising that the new third generation has its debut in Europe.
As a top-selling vehicle for Nissan in the European market, the Qashqai is the latest to be introduced under the Nissan NEXT transformation plan, which prioritizes sustainable growth and profitability across the company’s global operations. It will go on sale in a number of markets from mid-2021
Striking, elegant exterior design
As with just about every Nissan model since 2015, the new Qashqai has the V-Motion grille which was introduced in the Sport Sedan Concept of 2014. It has become part of the global design language of the brand and integrates well in the latest style of the Qashqai.
The body. With a ‘floating roof’ has a more purposeful stance, with prominent shoulder lines, while the wheelbase has been extended by 20 mm. The LED headlamps are slimmer and sharper, and employ technology that adapts the shape of the beam according to the road conditions and the presence of other road-users. The design of the rear lights creates a 3-D effect, generating a unique visual signature for the model.
The Qashqai is the first model in Europe to use the Alliance CMF-C platform with an entirely new automotive structure and technology architecture. In terms of construction, the body-in-white makes use of more lightweight material, advanced stamping processes and welding techniques to increase strength and reduce weight. For the first time, the rear hatchback door is now made of a composite material, which saves 2.6 kgs. Other advanced manufacturing techniques result in weight savings of 60 kgs while raising structural rigidity by 41%.
With the new CMF-C platform, the Qashqai gets an updated Macpherson strut set-up at the front and rear. The rear suspension features a torsion beam equipped for 2-wheel drive models and a multi-link configuration for all-wheel drive models with 20-inch wheels.
Elevated interior ambience
Connected, comfortable and commanding are the strong features of the cabin and Nissan claims that the Qashqai sets ‘a new segment standard for an elevated feel and enhanced usability’. It has new premium materials and new white ambient lighting which creates a premium and harmonious experience inside the vehicle.
Smart features to make motoring easier include an advanced infotainment system with connected services, in-car wifi for up to 7 devices and NissanConnect Services, which is a dedicated app to control and monitor the vehicle.
A new high-definition, fully electronic 12.3-inch TFT multi-information screen offers a choice of configurable layouts to display navigation, entertainment, traffic or vehicle information, controlled from a new tactile dial switch on the steering wheel. The TFT’s digital background has a Japanese Kiriko cut glass motif that references Nissan’s Japanese DNA.
A new 10.8-inch Head-Up Display (HUD) projects key navigation, driver assistance and road information onto the windscreen within the driver’s line of vision, allowing drivers to maintain their focus on the road for more comfort and confidence at the wheel.
There’s also a high resolution 9-inch NissanConnect display screen for navigation, entertainment and viewing vehicle settings. This can be interfaced using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa home-to-car compatibility are also available.
e-POWER comes to Europe
The Qashqai will be offered with a 12-volt mild hybrid system comprising a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine and a lithium-ion battery pack. The system enables energy regenerated during deceleration to be used while driving to contribute to both fuel economy and CO2 emissions reduction.
The new model also introduces Nissan’s e‑POWER drive system to Europe in a second variant. To meet the typical needs of European consumers and their daily drive, the e-POWER system has been significantly upgraded for the new Qashqai with the adoption of Nissan’s world-first variable compression ratio petrol engine as the dedicated electricity generating unit. The result is a compact, high-output electrified system that, thanks also to the high combustion efficiency of the engine, delivers more efficiency.
PROPilot driver assist system
Besides the array of safety features and tech that offer driver support in a wider array of circumstances, the Qashqai also has ProPILOT with Navi-link to help reduce fatigue and stress. The system, which has the same intuitive controls as ProPILOT, uses navigation data to smoothly assist with driving, especially with sharp cornering and off-ramp exiting. It can provide assistance with acceleration and braking within a single lane on a highway.
While Mercedes-Benz Malaysia declined to release their total sales numbers (for 2020), BMW Group Malaysia has done so, announcing that they delivered 11,016 vehicles from across the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad ranges. With this number, BMW Group Malaysia lays claim to leadership in the premium automotive segment nationwide as their products accounted for over 52% of the segment.
2020 was a challenging year for every industry and it was not just local but global. During the year, BMW Group Malaysia kept up its activities and introduced no less than 25 model variants from the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands. Over 87% of the vehicles sold were assembled locally at the plant in Kedah.
Four of those models were electrified, an area that the company claims leadership in. Over 2,200 units of electrified vehicles nationwide, mainly the hybrid variants of the BMW 5-Series and BMW 7-Series models.
Local and global success
The success of the company in Malaysia mirrored BMW Group’s performance globally with over 2,300,000 units delivered during the year. Over 190,000 were electrified vehicles from the BMW and MINI brands, an increase of over 30% in deliveries of such vehicles from the year before.
In Malaysia, the BMW brand gained 8,903 new owners in 2020, leading the overall premium segment in Malaysia by over 47%. The best-performing model was the 3-Series with over 2,500 units delivered, followed by the 5-Series with over 1,600 units delivered.
The BMW X Family of Sports Activity Vehicles contributed to over 39% of total deliveries, which numbered over 3,200 units. The X1 proved to be very popular with over 1,000 SAVs being registered.
MINI Malaysia recorded almost 1,000 sales, taking more than 5% segment share of the Malaysian premium segment. The 987 units delivered were led by the MINI Countryman model, with over 47% of the total number being the Cooper S Countryman version.
Towards greater electrification
Malaysia has a fast-evolving mindset towards electrified vehicles and BMW is in a dominat position to drive this change. In 2020, it recorded over 2,200 deliveries of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles which included the locally-assembled BMW 330e M Sport as well as the All-Electric MINI.
BMW Group Malaysia also worked with NGOs during the year to deliver food and basic essential grocery to needy families, refugees, and migrant communities in the Klang Valley during the period when movements were restricted.
In light of the travel restrictions and social distancing measures implemented in March last year (and which continue in 2021), BMW Group Malaysia quickly adapted to the changing times by also digitalising many existing touchpoints and services to enhance the premium ownership experience for customers in Malaysia. This was underlined by the introduction of the BMW Shop Online and the MINI eShop, alongside BMW Engage and BMW i-Renewal – expediting essential parts of the premium mobility experience to keep the process as seamless as possible.
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The Perodua D55L SUV (likely to be just the codename for now) was ready for launch earlier but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Malaysian carmaker delayed its launch. Now the time is right for it to enter the market and bookings are accepted from today at all authorised Perodua showrooms nationwide.
Spiritual successor of Kembara
Adapted from the latest Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize, the spiritual successor of the Kembara is said to be the most advanced Perodua yet. It will be available in three variants – X, H and AV – at prices estimated to range from RM62,500 and RM73,400 (excluding insurance). As the model should be in the market before June 30, 2021 when the sales tax exemption is set to expire, customers will also get the money-saving benefit.
“The Perodua D55L is the first model under the Perodua Smart Build blueprint, spearheading breakthroughs for Perodua in style, safety, technology, equipment levels and value,” Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.
The new Perodua D55L is known to be adapted from the latest Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize.
Autonomous motoring for all variants
The claim of being the most advanced Perodua comes from being the model of the brand’s model to offer Level 2 Autonomous motoring. The second of 5 levels in the industry-accepted standards established by the SAE (the American Society of Automotive Engineers), Level 2 allows automatic operation of certain driving functions. These can be related to cruising, steering and braking, but the driver must still monitor the road ahead and take action if necessary.
In the D55L, Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) – standard in all variants – will allow higher operating speeds than the current version and is capable of detecting 2-wheeled vehicles. Also available will be Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, while the top AV variant has Lane Keep Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control.
That’s certainly a lot of advanced technology which would never have been expected from an entry-level brand like Perodua. “True to our aim to continually bring more and more advanced technology to the masses, the Perodua D55L AV is Malaysia’s most affordable Level 2 Autonomous vehicle, bringing state-of-the-art safety and convenience to a wider audience,” said Dato’ Zainal.
First Perodua with turbo engine and CVT
The D55L will also be Perodua’s first turbocharged vehicle, in line with the global trend of using forced induction while downsizing engine displacements. Perodua has not mentioned the engine size although it is likely to be a 1-litre 3-cylinder unit similar to that of the latest Rocky. Additionally, it will be the first Perodua to use a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which will help it achieve fuel consumption claimed to be up to 18.9 kms/litre.
Other features include LED headlamps (standard across the range), while H and AV variants get Adaptive Driving Beams, a 7-inch TFT multi-info display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with voice command capability.
Built and painted at Perodua’s factory, the X and H variants are available in Glittering Silver, Granite Grey and Cobalt Blue, with the H variant also available in Pearl Diamond White and Pearl Delima Red. The last three colours are new for Perodua. The top AV can be had in Glittering Silver, Granite Grey, Pearl Diamond White, Pearl Delima Red, or the last two colours with a black roof. A 5-year or maximum of 150,000 kms warranty is offered with every new vehicle.
Porsche goes racing to bring back technology that transfers into production models and with the new 911 GT3, this is very clearly evident. The seventh edition of the sportscar, developed in close collaboration with Porsche Motorsport, transfers pure racing technology into the model that customers can buy.
Example: the double wishbone front axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with swan neck rear wing and striking diffuser originate from the successful 911 RSR GT racing car 911 RSR. Likewise, the 510 ps 4-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine is based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R, tried and tested in endurance racing.
Faster than before
The distinctive strength of the 911 GT3 lies in the sum of its characteristics. With a top speed of 320 km/h (318 km/h with PDK), it is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. With a 6-speed manual transmission, it has a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds.
Sophisticated aerodynamics
The sophisticated aerodynamics benefit from the experiences gained from racing and generate significantly more downforce without noticeably affecting the drag coefficient. In the performance position, the manually set wing and diffuser elements significantly increase the aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds. This is, however, reserved strictly for circuit use.
Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional technical features, the weight of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. With a manual gearbox, it weighs 1,418 kgs (slightly heavier with the PDK). The weight-savings come from a front bonnet made of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), lightweight glass windows, optimised brake discs and forged light-alloy wheels, along with the cover for the rear seat compartment. The lightweight sports exhaust system also reduces the weight by no less than 10 kgs.
Race-oriented instrumentation
The cockpit is in line with the current model generation. A new feature is the track screen; at the touch of a button, it reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central tachometer, which reaches up to 10,000 rpm, to information such as tyre pressure indicator, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature – essential when driving on the circuit. It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the tachometer and a shift light derived from Porsche Motorsport.
Customers who desire more customised equipment can refer to Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s range which includes the new 911 GT3. It is supplemented by GT 3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbonfibre.
As exclusive as the 911 GT3 itself is the individual chronograph that Porsche Design offers exclusively to those who buy the sportscar. Like its motorised role model, it boasts a dynamic design, consistent performance and high-quality workmanship. Its housing reflects its Motorsport genes. Just like the connecting rods of the GT3 engine, it consists of robust, lightweight titanium. The coloured ring of the dial can be customised in the paint colours of the 911 GT3.
Bookings by Malaysian customers for the new 911 GT3 are now accepted by Sime Darby Auto Performance. For more details, click here.
The Honda HR-V (also known as Vezel in Japan and some other markets) was a hit the moment it arrived in showrooms. As always, Honda somehow got it right first time and in just about every market it was launched – including Malaysia – waiting lists quickly built up.
But no matter how good a product is, there comes a time when competitors have new offerings which start to draw customers away. It’s then time to do a model change and that time has come for the HR-V 5 years after the first generation was launched. Actually, to some, it is considered the second generation because there was a HR-V back in the late 1990s, but that was really a different model concept.
Preview of HR-V prior to its Malaysian launch in 2015 attracted a lot of attention.
Hybrid e:HEV powertrain
This time round, the new HR-V gets Honda’s advanced e:HEV hybrid powertrain as standard in most markets. This powertrain is a 2-motor hybrid powertrain which first appeared in the latest Jazz. Unlike the earlier hybrid systems Honda had, the e:HEV powertrain uses on electric motor as a generator and the other as a propulsion motor.
Specific details of the powertrain for the new HR-V are still not available. While it may be an improved version from that in the Jazz, it still has a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine and the system output would probably be around 200 ps.
Cleaner appearance
Honda’s designers have maintained the coupe-inspired profile for the crossover SUV. They aimed for ‘seamless, clean, modern design’ but some may find the overall appearance rather bland compared to the current model. But with car designs, time can sometimes change perceptions and as one designer (not from Honda) once said: “If the design of a new car is a great hit right away, we may have a problem as it can also age quickly”.
Interior space has also been a strong point of the HR-V, and with this new generation, exceptional spaciousness is claimed. Intelligent packaging of the hybrid powertrain and its components, which include the battery pack, has liberated more usable space in the cabin.
Thanks to Honda’s compact, integrated powertrain technology and centre fuel tank layout, the new HR-V also retains the Magic Seats that more versatility than conventional folding seats.
Premium SUV feel
As with the exterior, the interior has a premium SUV feel, but with contemporary fabrics and soft-touch materials. The modern minimalist aesthetic, which is initiated by the horizontal sweep of the instrument panel, is the result of an uncluttered interior and dashboard, with each element carefully positioned to contribute to the sense of space.
The feeling of airiness and space is elevated by a new air diffusion system that creates a curtain of fresh air beside and above passengers, flowing from unique L-shaped vents positioned in the top corners of the dashboard.
The first market that will get the new HR-V will be Japan, from April, with export markets around Asia possibly getting it by mid-year. European markets will have the model in showrooms towards the end of the year. As for Malaysia, a year-end debut might be possible if the supply chain is not disrupted as the model is assembled locally at Honda’s own plant in Melaka.
Prefer the current HR-V? Visit www.honda.com.my to locate an authorised dealer to buy one.
Last year, Proton created a special edition of the Saga to commemorate the 35th anniversary Malaysia’s first national car. Only 1,100 units of the Saga Anniversary Edition were available – and every single one was taken up within just 5 days.
Now, the Malaysian carmaker is offering more choices with its latest Special Editions, all of which follow the black theme of the Saga Anniversary Edition. The models are the Persona and Exora as well as the Iriz and Saga. The Persona and Exora are Black Editions while the Iriz and Saga are R3 Limited Editions. R3 (Race, Rally & Research) is the performance arm of Proton which has been developing competition models and participated in international rallies as well as circuit events with many successes.
The prices of the Special Editions and units available are as follow:
Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition (2,000 units): RM42,300
Proton Iriz R3 Limited Edition (500 units): RM52,900
Proton Persona Black Edition (500 units): RM54,700
Proton Exora Black Edition (500 units): RM67,800
These prices are for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia and do not include insurance. Sales tax is also not included but will be added if the purchase is made after June 30, 2021 when the exemption is set to expire. However, it is likely that all units will be sold out by then as there will be many who will certainly want to own one of these limited production editions that can be collectors’ items in future.
“By launching four Special Edition models today, Proton is giving its customers more choices. These are products manufactured in Malaysia targeted to Malaysian car buyers and are reminders that Proton is and always will be a ‘full-service’ car manufacturer with the ability to design, develop and build our own cars from a clean sheet of paper,” said Roslan Abdullah, CEO of Proton Edar.
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PROTON SAGA R3 LIMITED EDITION
The Saga R3 Limited Edition has similarities to the earlier Anniversary Edition with its overall black finish and black elements with yellow striping for highlights. The door mirror covers are in yellow, which seems rather jarring and some might prefer if they were also black.
Unlike the Anniversary edition, this R3 Limited Edition has a strong association with R3 through the decals around the bodywork. The alloy wheels have an ‘open’ design and are 15 inches in diameter, wrapped with tyres of 185/55 size.
In the cabin, the black theme is to be expected as well with seat upholstery in leatherette that has ‘R3 Limited Edition’ stitched on the upper section of the front seat backrests. Like the exterior, yellow striping is used on various styling elements on the dashboard and other trim panels, as well as the carpets.
This being a Special Edition, Proton has made sure it is also equipped to the highest level and owners get items like switches on the steering wheel, a touchscreen display for the infotainment system which also shows the imagery from the reverse camera.
Though it has R3 in its name, the car does not have any special performance enhancements to add speed or give stronger acceleration. The engine is the same 1.3-litre unit as other Sagas and the good thing is that it uses a 4-speed torque converter unit that gives more pleasurable motoring than the CVT used before.
PROTON IRIZ R3 LIMITED EDITION
The Iriz R3 Limited Edition takes the same approach as the Saga R3 Limited Edition with the dominant black bodywork and certain elements highlighted in yellow. It does get an injection of sportiness – visually – with the R3 bodykit as standard, 16-inch wheels and of course, the requisite R3 decals.
Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre engine while inside, the cabin too has the same black and yellow theme. It’s what you would expect of a Special Edition where the manufacturer gives cosmetic enhancements but skirts anything which would require engineering time and money. That would be necessary to raise the performance levels but given the volume, it won’t be justified. Better to just let R3 do some business selling performance parts and providing their tuning expertise to owners.
PROTON PERSONA BLACK EDITION
The Persona is a pretty popular sedan in the B-segment so there are many on the road. For those who want their Persona to stand out, Proton offers the Black Edition to just 500 people. The bold black appearance will already draw attention and to highlight styling elements, gold striping is applied. It’s an approach that strengthens the car’s presence in a subtle way.
Inside too, areas like the centre console between the seats, trim panels, vents and certain knobs gets the gold treatment. The front seats have leather-like upholstery but do not have any special stitching. Still, the all-black ambience is something which has its own appeal.
The Persona infotainment system has ‘intelligence’ and responds to the ‘Hi Proton’ command. It’s not as sophisticated as what you get in the X70 (where you can have the windows opened just by asking) and is limited to managing music and navigation, and getting weather forecasts.
The powertrain is the proven 1.6 litre unit with VVT and a CVT to get the 107 ps/150 Nm to the front wheels.
PROTON EXORA BLACK EDITION
The Exora MPV is now 11 years old and is still popular among those who need a people-mover. While it is somewhat old, it is also a proven MPV and whatever bugs there were would have been ironed out already.
The Black Edition gets the same sort of treatment as the other models with the Quartz Black finish being the body colour, and gold accent lines flowing around. Already big, the black effect gives the MPV a stronger image like a SWAT vehicle. The black treatment is also used throughout the cabin and gold striping added in certain areas. Incidentally, Proton did offer black as a colour choice in the years prior to 2017.
The Exora is powered by a 1.6-litre CAMPRO CFE engine with turbocharging which boosts output to 140 ps/205 Nm. Power goes to the front wheels through a CVT.
Like the Persona, the Exora was also upgraded with the GKUI developed by Geely when the Chinese carmaker came into the picture. This is an intelligent interface which is activated by the words ‘Hi Proton’, allowing the driver to manage certain functions without having to reach for knobs or switches or touch the screen (though there is also a touchscreen).
As with all new Protons sold today, the Special Editions come with a Basic Warranty of 5 years or the first 150,000 kms. Bookings are accepted at all authorised Proton outlets from today and to locate one, visit www.proton.com.
Sportscar makers – as well as every other carmaker – know that the future is electric and they cannot waste any more time just doing R&D but actually get products out on the roads for sale. Nevertheless, the process of R&D still has to continue to advance technologies as well as develop new ones.
Motorsports offer a good testbed for R&D as extreme conditions are encountered, for which solutions to problems have to be found quickly with the competitive environment. The learnings gained by the engineers can be brought back and use for production cars.
Lotus appears to be doing just that with the E-R9, a dramatic new design study for a next-generation pure electric endurance racer that could be on the starting grid of circuits around the world for the 2030 racing season.
‘E-R’ stands for Endurance Racer, while ‘9’ is the car’s competition number carefully chosen in tribute to Lotus’ racing past. It was in a Lotus Mark IX that the race team made its debut appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours, with company founder Colin Chapman among the drivers competing. The year was 1955, meaning the E-R9 race car concept – if raced in 2030 – would be in celebration of the Mark IX’s 75th anniversary.
Technology showcase
The E-R9 has been developed by Lotus Engineering and is intended to serve as a technology showcase of Lotus philosophy, capability and innovative spirit in the fields of advanced electrified powertrains and aerodynamics. It was developed by the engineering team that included Louis Kerr, principal platform engineer on the Lotus Evija pure electric hypercar as well as technical director, GT, Geely Group Motorsports International.
Visually, it was brought to life by the Lotus Design team, led by Russell Carr, Design Director for Lotus. Finished in striking black and gold – a clear nod to Lotus’ pioneering motorsport heritage that led to 13 Formula 1 championship titles – the EV features a sleek fighter jet-style canopy centrally mounted in a delta-wing upper body.
‘Morphing’ body panels
Chief among the car’s aero innovations are its ‘morphing’ body panels. Located across the delta-wing profile, this adaptability – where active surfaces can change their shape and attitude to the air flow either at the press of a button by the driver or automatically according to performance sensor inputs – would deliver minimum drag on the straights and maximum downforce in the corners.
Vertical control surfaces at the rear would generate aerodynamic forces to help the car change direction, without the limitations of grip at the tyre contact patch. The result is a racer that’s partly driven like a car and partly flown like a fighter jet.
Lotus Evija electric hypercar
Technology from Evija
The E-R9 has an advanced electric drivetrain powering each wheel independently, a system enhanced with torque-vectoring. It builds on technology already integrated on the Evija though, for the E-R9, the system would be fully adjustable by the driver on the move.
“Battery energy density and power density are developing significantly year on year. Before 2030, we’ll have mixed cell chemistry batteries that give the best of both worlds, as well as the ability to ‘hot-swap’ batteries during pitstops,” predicts Kerr.
The Electric Drive Unit (EDU) test cell is an all-new facility at Lotus Engineering. It allows engineers to test EV powertrains including the motor, gearbox and supporting electronics. Lotus software can communicate with the motor control system and load the powertrain as if it were in a vehicle, to test, develop and validate its performance.
