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. 50 years later, the seventh generation has now been revealed and retains the authenticity of a pure sportscar like the original.
The all-new Nissan Z – no more numbers that relate to engine size – was presented to the world online from New York, the same city where the 240Z made its world debut in October 1969. “When we introduced the Z in 1969, the Z was a revolution. Since then, for more than 50 years, Nissan has brought style, speed, reliability and so much more to millions of enthusiasts around the world,” said Ashwani Gupta, Representative Executive Officer and COO of Nissan.
Design shows lineage
As with the previous six generations, the new Z retains the same long-nose/short rear deck profile that was inspired by the classic British sportscars and also housed an in-line six. With the design theme for the exterior being ‘tradition with modern technology’, the designers looked to past generations to develop the fresh, sleek exterior design with an appearance that communicates respect to its lineage. “Ultimately, we created a Z that travels between the decades while being completely modern,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Global Head of Design at Nissan.
While maintaining the silhouette that pays homage to the first generation, the designers utilized the latest technologies to streamline the design, and incorporated LED lighting to give dimension without unnecessary elements. The LED headlights have two half-circles that take their inspiration from the Japan market-only 240ZG of the 1970s. Incidentally, for the original 240Z sold in America, the plastic covers for the headlights were not permitted due to regulations at that time.
The link to the original Z is most striking when viewing the new Z from the side. The roofline flows from the nose to the squared-off rear to create the distinctive familiar profile , whose rear edge was slightly lower than the front fender height giving the Z its unique posture. The signature transition from the rear quarter glass to the low-slung position of the rear tail adds to the effect.
The door handles are a flush-mounted design, and the rear hatch design is ultra-thin, yet with increased rigidity over the previous 370Z design. In the rear, the blister fenders smoothly direct flow air past the horizontal rear panel. The rear combination lamps incorporate modern technology into the design reminiscent of the Z32 300ZX (sold between 1990 and 1996), including new 3D signature LED taillights. The Z Performance grade also comes with a rear spoiler.
Only one engine choice
The early Z cars had straight six engines but V6 engines were used from 1984 when the 300ZX was launched, and the model has continued to use such engines to this day. The new Z gets the latest version of the V6 twin turbo engine (VR30DDT) but now with a 3-litre displacement instead of the 3.7 litres of the generation it replaces. There is, however, a significant boost in power output over the previous engine as this one produced up to 405 ps at 6,400 rpm and 475 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 5,600 rpm.
To increase output and to deliver sharp response, small-diameter turbochargers are used, as well as a turbo speed sensor to ensure the capabilities of the turbos are fully utilized (maximum spooling speed). The twin turbos balance power output and response time, while the use of an electronic variable valve timing (e-VVT) intake valve system ensures optimum response, constantly adjusting the intake valve timing to achieve excellent response and fuel efficiency in a variety of driving scenes.
6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic
Many of those who bought a 280ZX, introduced in the late 1970s, probably got it with a 5-speed manual transmission. For those who were lazy to shift, Nissan offered a 3-speed automatic transmission (yes… 3 speeds!). Transmission technologies have advanced over 4 decades and with the new Z, the driver gets a standard, 6-speed manual transmission. The close-ratio transmission includes an EXEDY high-performance clutch. In a first for a rear-wheel drive Nissan vehicle, Z Performance versions equipped with a manual transmission include an advanced launch assist control system that helps deliver smooth acceleration from a stopped position. There is also a carbonfibre composite driveshaft, with SynchroRev Match added to Performance versions.
You can also get an automatic transmission and this also has the launch control system. It’s a 9-speeder with a wide spread of gear ratios. Aluminium paddle shifters are standard, with unique paddle shifters, the same design as found on the GT-R (for Performance versions).
The engineering team tuned the chassis, cooling, suspension and steering to give the driver predictable and responsive handling. This required a multi-prong approach, especially for high-speed driving and cornering. Enhanced body rigidity, an electronic power steering with rack assist and a strong mechanical feel, and wider front tyres help increase maximum cornering g-forces up to 13%. The dampers use a new monotube shock absorber design with a larger diameter than the 370Z, resulting in an approximately 20% reduction in damping force to help minimize impact shock over uneven surfaces, enhance road-following performance and improve handling stability.
The front double-wishbone aluminium suspension features new geometry, including increased caster angle, improving straight line stability. A 2-point front strut tower brace is standard and the rear independent multi-link aluminium suspension has also been reconfigured with new settings.
Needless to say, disc brakes are fitted to all four wheels and all have ventilated rotors. Larger sport brakes with red-painted calipers are standard on Performance versions, while the Z Sport version rides on dark-painted 18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels with Yokohama ADVAN Sport high performance tyres. The Z Performance version has 19-inch RAYS super lightweight forged aluminium alloy wheels wrapped with Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres.
Modern tech with a vintage touch
Sportscars like the Z have always had cabins designed to fit the occupants like a glove. The new Z will be no exception, and seamlessly blends modern technology with vintage Z touches. The centre stack takes inspiration from other generations before it, with three analogue pod gauges over the middle section to give that classic appearance. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen audio display to function as a command centre with numerous functions and interfacing with smartphones.
Ideal sportscar cabin
The interior design team also sought advice from professional motorsports racers to give the Z an ideal sportscar cabin. This can be seen in the instrumentation, with all vital information found in the 12.3-inch customizable digital meter display and arranged to help the driver grasp it at a glance. One example: the redline shift point is set at the 12 o’clock position.
The meter display is customizable in three modes. NORMAL mode offers a sporty feel with the centre area for navigation, audio and vehicle information. ENHANCED mode positions the tachometer and speedometer at the edges of the display, giving more space in the centre for a larger navigation map and information to be displayed. SPORT mode prioritizes the tachometer in the centre with a shift-up light at the top in the driver’s field of view. This mode also shows a boost gauge or g- meter, depending on what the driver prefers.
The design of the seats utilizes know-how from the GT-R’s development to enhance body support and grip. An expanded use of suede on the seatback suppresses initial lateral shake on the body, creating more comfortable drives, as well as reducing body movement when the vehicle is being cornered with ‘great enthusiasm’.
The early Z cars were pretty bare by today’s standards but then again, drivers probably didn’t care much about convenience features too. For today’s Z, times have changed and a wide range of convenience features comes as standard equipment. These include a Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Start, intelligent cruise control, automatic temperature control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rearview Monitor, 12V power sockets, USB points (Type-C as well) and front and rear sonar sensors for parking guidance. Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement enhances listening pleasure from the audio system.
Proto Spec special edition
Nissan will offer a special edition which celebrates the distinctive Z Proto introduced in 2020. To be known as the Proto Spec, this will be limited to 240 units in the USA. It will have yellow-coloured brake calipers with the Z logo, bronze-coloured 19-inch RAYS wheels, exclusive shift lever knob (manual transmission only), exclusive Proto Spec leather-covered seats with yellow accents, exclusive Proto Spec suede + cloth door trim with yellow stitching and special Proto Spec interior stitching.
Pricing for the new sportscar is not announced yet but is expected to be around US$40,000 (about RM170,000) and the first units will be delivered to customers during the first quarter of 2022. You can expect that NISMO is already hard at work preparing high-performance versions.
Visit www.nissan.com.my to know more about Nissan vehicles in Malaysia
Electronic music has been around for some 50 years and with the arrival of the computer age, digital music began to spread widely. Now Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car brand, has teamed up with a robotics engineer and musician, Moritz Simon Geist, to create a whole new type of music for the digital age.
Challenging conventions
“The car industry is traditionally a closed one. We believe in looking outside of the sector and are intrigued by people and companies that go their own way,” said Head of Brand and Marketing at Polestar, Asa Borg. “Polestar aims to challenge the conventions of the automotive industry; Moritz aims to challenge the way we perceive sound and make music – a like mind with a different and interesting perspective.”
Moritz has made a name for himself by building robots that create music from unlikely sources, and now the Polestar 2 is such a source. Robots made from parts of the car, as well as samples of both audible car sounds and the electrical systems inside the car are used.
Robots collect sound samples
Moritz first built robots from parts of the car. Each robot extracted a sound sample using the various elements inside that component, either from a physical noise or from the system’s changing electromagnetic field.
The samples were used to create beats which Moritz wove into an original composition, playing the car like an instrument. The package of sound samples has also been made available on Polestar.com so that anyone can play with the beats online and create their own soundtrack from the sounds of Polestar 2, allowing fans to explore the car in a new, creative way.
Available for listening online
Many of the sounds that created the song are specific to the nature of electric cars. With a premium Harman Kardon audio system and significantly lower levels of noise and vibration compared to traditional cars, the Polestar 2 is a perfect audio listening booth. But you don’t need a Polestar 2 to listen as the composition has been released online. It is available for streaming here at no charge.
“In my work, I am genuinely interested in finding new ways to combine state-of-the-art technological tools with art and music. For me, art is a sand-box experiment for testing out and bringing new perspectives to technological novelties, before they are adapted by a broader audience. This can be AI-algorithms, robotics – or electric vehicles, which are playing an increasing role in our transition to a more sustainable future,” said Moritz.
Polestar enjoys the explorative concept of unexpected collaborations with kindred spirits in different fields. Polestar seeks groundbreakers, culture-changers and challengers – people who are reshaping society and pushing boundaries within art, tech and innovation. Moritz added an emotional element to an otherwise sterile area of the car.
“We’re used to listening to music in cars. Thanks to Moritz and his squad of robots, we can now listen to cars in music,” concluded Borg.
Porsche has been one of the regular names at the classic 24 Hours of Le Mans, with outright victories from as far back as 1970. And even though the top-level involvement ceased after 2017, Porsche cars have still been strong contenders in the event. It will be no different when the 2021 event is run this weekend and with two 911 RSRs, Porsche hopes to lay the foundation for yet another title win in France. This marks the second time that the latest generation 911 RSR tackles the world’s greatest endurance race.
So far in this season’s World Endurance Championship (WEC), the factory squad has secured two class wins from three races. A total of twelve 911 RSRs will tackle the GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes at the 89th edition of the world’s fastest endurance race. With 19 overall victories and 108 class wins to its credit, Porsche is by far the most successful manufacturer at Le Mans.
“We contested Le Mans for the first time last year with the Porsche 911 RSR-19 and we struggled a bit against the fierce competition in the GTE-Pro class,” recalled Pascal Zurlinden, Director Factory Motorsport. “I’m positive we’ll be significantly more competitive this year. We’ve gathered a huge amount of data and experience with our works team and our customer squads, who get the chance this year to field the latest version of the nine-eleven in the WEC. These insights help us find the perfect setup. We also performed strongly on the high-speed track at Monza. Our success there gave us an extra boost for Le Mans.”
The legendary 24-hour race
The event on the 13.626-km circuit is extremely popular with motor racing fans and is the highlight on the WEC calendar. Located to the south of the city of 150,000 inhabitants, it consists mainly of public roads. Normally, hundreds of trucks and cars drive over the legendary Mulsanne straight every day on their way from Le Mans to Tours. Treacherous ruts present special challenges, especially in the rain.
Contrary to the original plan, which included a mid-June date for the long-distance classic, the 89th running of the Le Mans 24-hour race is being run in August this year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike last year, up to 50,000 fans can watch the action live alongside the racetrack.
“I’m convinced that we’ll be much more competitive this year,” says Alexander Stehlig, Head of Operations FIA WEC. “In the meantime, we’ve gathered considerably more experience with the car, and the successes at Spa and Monza have been hugely encouraging. There’s no better incentive for us than a win on the high-speed circuit in Italy. What’s important at the 24-hour race is to maintain contact with the leading pack at all times so that we’re in a position at the end to fight for victory. This means that we have to attack right from the start. I think this a promising recipe for success.”
Due to the length of the Le Mans race, double the usual points are awarded compared to a conventional 6-hour WEC race. As such, the race has often proven to be decisive in terms of the WEC Manufacturer and Driver standings. Moreover, the highlight of the year also features a special qualifying modality: in the Pro class, only the 6 fastest cars from the 1-hour qualification session are permitted to take part in the so-called Hyperpole which determines the best grid positions for the race.
Porsche GT Team drivers
The regular WEC drivers Gianmaria Bruni from Italy and Richard Lietz from Austria join forces with Frenchman Frederic Makowiecki in the cockpit of the No. 91 Porsche 911 RSR. The Frenchman, who contested this year’s 8hour race in Portugal, brings a wealth of experience with him. Makowiecki has contested the Le Mans no less than 10 times – for the last 4 years sharing driving duties in the factory-run vehicle with Bruni and Lietz. In the No. 92 sister car, Frenchman Kevin Estre and Neel Jani from Switzerland will be supported by Michael Christensen. The trio used the WEC race in Portimao in June to get in sync with each other. Estre and Jani currently lead the Drivers’ championship after scoring 2 class wins from three races. In the Manufacturers’ classification, Porsche ranks second just seven points behind the leader, Ferrari.
The customer teams
A total of 8 of the latest generation 911 RSRs contest the GTE-Am category, in which amateur drivers with a Bronze or Silver FIA status share a car with professionals.
Porsche’s two customer teams will also tackle the race with the 911 RSR in the GTE-Pro class – a category that is usually the domain of factory teams. WeatherTech Racing puts its trust in Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium, Earl Bamber from New Zealand and the American amateur driver Cooper MacNeil. Sharing the cockpit of the identical vehicle campaigned by HubAuto Racing from Taiwan are Maxime Martin from Belgium, Alvaro Parente from Portugal and Dries Vanthoor. The Belgian is the younger brother of Porsche works driver Laurens Vanthoor.
Fighting COVID-19 requires everyone’s support and efforts, in whatever way possible. The private sector, which has many different resources available, can provide much-needed support in various ways and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has provided essential items needed by our hardworking frontliners.
Financial contributions
The company has donated RM20,000 to Mercy Malaysia to purchase 400 units of Tyvek Protective Personal Equipment for frontliners. Additionally, it purchased RM43,000 worth of items needed for a COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) in Hulu Langat. Financial contributions will assist the health workers further in conducting extensive screening on possible virus carriers, contract tracing, isolating the infected, and dispensing care to those who need it.
Other initiatives include contributing essential items such as tents, tables, and chairs, portable air-conditioning units, queue barriers, and heavy-duty wires. At the CAC, COVID-19 patients are assessed before they are sent to hospitals, quarantine at treatment centres, or ordered to undergo quarantine at home. The CAC which MMM is assisting can accommodate up to 400 patients a day.
Three vehicles for public outreach vaccination program.
MMM has also loaned 3 Mitsubishi vehicles which were distributed to CACs in Stadium Melawati, Stadium Jugra, and Klinik Kesihatan Gombak Setia in the Klang Valley. The vehicles – one Triton pick-up truck and two Outlander 7-seater SUVs – be used by frontliners to commute to vaccination centres for the public outreach vaccination program.
“Although our core business is producing cars, we are committed to doing our part in ensuring the country and our customers are kept safe. The recent increase in cases and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant emotional stress among the country’s frontliners, particularly healthcare workers in Malaysia,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia.
“We will continue to communicate closely with key NGOs and public institutions to see how Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia can continue to contribute. This pandemic is one of the most challenging times we have faced as a nation and thus we must step up and breach the support needed especially now where COVID-19 infections are at their highest. We thank our brave frontliners who worked tirelessly for us all,” he added.
Visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my to know more about the Triton and Outlander.
With 13 drivers in contention heading into the 2021 Berlin E-Prix, which was Round 15 of the seventh season of Formula E run between 2020 and 2021, the scene was set for a frenetic finale. Four of the drivers had a chance at the title so qualifying performance was closely watched.
Conditions varied throughout Group Qualifying, making it anybody’s game. Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans soared to Super Pole from Group 1, then produced another strong lap despite ‘rising tensions’ as the championship picture became a little clearer. Jake Dennis (BMW i Andretti Motorsport) was left best of the rest of those right at the sharp end in the battle for the Drivers’ crown but found himself outside of the Super Pole cut-off.
The Brit took a workable ninth, ahead of current standings leader Nyck de Vries (Mercedes-EQ) on 13th and Edo Mortara at 11th, with reigning champion Antonio Felix da Costa (DS TECHEETAH) down in 15th on the starting grid. Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler), who missed out on Super Pole by only 0.120 seconds, qualified 17th.
Vandoorne’s lap was clean and clinical, with the Belgian happy to recover from some procedural mistakes in qualifying. Rowland joined the Belgian on the front row, just ahead of Evans, while Mahindra Racing’s Alex Sims produced a storming lap, steering his M7Electro to fourth with an ultra-precise lap.
The final race
Right off the line, there was drama and heartbreak as Evans – perhaps the favourite given his strong qualifying performance – and that the rest of the contenders sat outside the top 10 – failed to get away. The pack behind was forced into avoiding action but Mortara couldn’t swerve clear of the stricken Jaguar and a violent crash saw the pair out of the running but unhurt.
That left Jake Dennis (BMW i Andretti Motorsport) – now seventh – seemingly in prime position with standings leader de Vries (Mercedes-EQ) down the order. Even before the field had made the first corner after a spell under the red flag while that start line accident was cleared, another title contender as the Brit locked up into Turn 1 and hit the wall.
The pendulum swung again, with de Vries sitting pretty and Mercedes-EQ looking strong to take Teams’ honours with Vandoorne leading the pack away. Through the first round of ATTACK MODE activations, Nato made it count and flew clear having passed Vandoorne on Lap 10 – the Belgian’s late deployment of the 35 kW boost leaving him shuffled down the top six.
The scrap for points was tough, and Mercedes’ haul, with de Vries also in the points and on the way to eighth, was enough to seal the Teams’ title as it stood. A 3-wide clash with the Porsches heading into the closing stages almost saw both de Vries and Vandoorne in contact but the pair steered clear, avoiding the sort of controversy we have been seeing in F1.
Nato leapt away and left the rest to it, despite an interruption via a second appearance for the MINI Electric Pacesetter as Antonio Felix da Costa was squeezed by Lucas di Grassi at the hairpin – confirming beyond doubt that the Portuguese would have to relinquish his crown. The Venturi racer drove on to a composed victory, with Rowland picking his way through to second while Vandoorne came home third.
Andre Lotterer crossed the finish line fourth ahead of Mahindra Racing’s Alex Sims, Pascal Wehrlein and a resurgent Sam Bird who has fought from 22nd to seventh doing his valiant best for Jaguar’s World Championship chances.
With that, de Vries take home the first Formula E Drivers’ World Championship – this being the first one because the all-electric series has now been given World Championship status by the FIA. Combined with teammate Vandoorne’s podium, that also meant Mercedes-EQ sealed the Teams’ World Championship ahead of Jaguar Racing and DS TECHEETAH.
Last season for Mercedes, Audi and BMW
While it was already announced that Audi would stop involvement in Formula E at the end of this season, there was also news that the Mercedes-EQ team would not continue into the Gen3 era. The team has had only two seasons in Formula E but apparently, the big bosses in Stuttgart have made the decision. Also ending direct factory involvement after this season is BMW which had entered with Andretti Motorsport. However, BMW’s powertrain will continue to be used by the team in its Gen3 racing car in the next season.
As expected, new vehicle sales in July 2021 were way down, though not as rock-bottom as June when the Total Industry Volume (TIV) was under 2,000 units. As in June, the continued closure of showrooms meant that no sales could be conducted and even if they could, registering the vehicles would not be possible. However, July’s TIV was 270% or 5,465 units higher as showrooms could operate in Sabah and Sarawak so sales were possible there and accounted for the higher numbers.
Minimal bookings from online channels
According to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), which has been compiling data since the 1960s, members reported that bookings via online channels were minimal. These ‘virtual showrooms’ started to appear over the past year as stricter SOPs were in force and there was also concern that customers might not be comfortable coming to showrooms. Customers can make bookings and make payments via online transfers to at least start the process. However, there are still the other things like loan applications which still need some personal interaction.
The cumulative TIV after 7 months reached 256,215 units this year, which was about 10% higher than for the same period in 2020 – and this has been with 2 months of virtually no sales. With sales resuming from mid-August, there will be a backlog to clear plus new orders so the TIV by year-end might still be higher than for 2020.
3-digit production figures
On the production side, the assembly plants have had to suspend operations too and the output fell to three digits in June but rose again in July. The disruption has been challenging for the plants which very much prefer consistent assembly. The shortage of microchips is also slowing output and as the end of the year nears, pressure will be on to deliver as many vehicles as possible because car companies are using the sales tax exemption as a selling point. It expires at the end of this year so many will want to make sure they can enjoy those savings.
Will sales pick up again?
Looking ahead, the MAA expects August sales to be better although there are only two weeks to the end of the month for sales. Furthermore, given the current situation in the country, not only with the pandemic but also the political situation, consumer sentiment may be cautious, and people will be reluctant to spend a lot.
According to MAA President, Datuk Aishah Ahmad, total losses for the local auto industry for the months of June and July have been estimated to be more than RM14 billion. “This is just only from sales of vehicles in the domestic market. Our members also lost much in terms of revenue from exports of vehicles and components, and sales of spare parts locally. All in all, these losses had been very substantial and unprecedented”, she said.
If you saw the 2019 movie ‘Ford vs Ferrari’, you will know that in the 1960s, Ford entered the Le Mans 24-Hour races and won, the only American racing car to win the classic endurance event. Now, as a tribute to the Ford GT prototype that was used to develop the racing cars, Ford is introducing a Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition.
6th Heritage Edition model
The limited-edition mid-engine supercar comes as the model enters its the final year of production. It is the sixth in the ultra limited production series related to the Le Mans cars. Many of the cars have the Gulf paint scheme that was distinctive in that era of motorsport.
This latest Heritage Edition is based on the 1964 Ford GT prototype that debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 1964. It has Wimbledon White paint with Antimatter Blue graphics, including an over-the-roof triple racing stripe. Exposed carbonfibre components are prominent, including 20-inch Antimatter Blue-painted carbonfibre wheels, a touch unique to Ford GT, as well as an exposed carbonfibre front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers and rear diffuser finished in gloss. Brembo brake calipers lacquered in silver with black graphics, plus black lug nuts further modernize the aesthetic.
Carbonfibre all over
Carbonfibre is also used around the cabin, for the door sills, lower A-pillars and console, along with matte registers, and Lightspeed Blue Alcantara-wrapped seats featuring silver stitching. The instrument panel is wrapped in Ebony leather and Lightspeed Blue Alcantara, while pillars and headliner are wrapped in Ebony Alcantara. Antimatter Blue appliques on the instrument panel, door register bezels and seat X-brace are coordinated with the unique wheels. The steering wheel is finished in Ebony Alcantara with black stitching, while dual-clutch paddle shifters are clear and polished.
The narrow-profile canopy reduces frontal area and caps a purposeful interior that provides state-of-the-art technology to ensure control, comfort and safety. The 2-seat cockpit is accessed by upward-swinging doors, and features driver and passenger seats integrated directly into the carbonfibre passenger cell.
This configuration significantly reduces seating hardware and weight, and provides a consistent and direct sensory connection to the chassis. The fixed seating is combined with adjustable pedals and steering column to accommodate a very wide range of driver heights.
An F1-style steering wheel integrates all necessary driver controls, creating a stalkless steering column that allows uncluttered access to the transmission paddle-shift controls. A fully digital and configurable instrument cluster provides a wealth of driver-focused data. The display is configurable for multiple driving environments and different driving modes.
700 ps EcoBoost engine
The engine behind the cockpit is a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged Ford EcoBoost V6 with a power output of up to 700 ps and around 750 Nm of torque. The Powershift transmission is a dual-clutch unit made by Getrag. Ford’s high-performance division, Ford Performance, has been directly involved in the car’s development.
The current Ford GT is actually the second time Ford has built such a model. The first one was produced between 2005 and 2006 to celebrate the company’s centenary, with 4,038 units built. The second generation was introduced at the end of 2016 and production was planned to be 250 units a year until 2022. It is built at the factory of Canadian-based Multimatic, a specialist manufacturer.
Visit www.sdacford.com.my to know more about Ford models in Malaysia
From tomorrow, Monday August 16, 2021, a greater degree of normalcy returns to Malaysia as the government will allow a number of activities to resume. Announcing this long-awaited development, the Prime Minister said that the vaccination programme has covered a significant portion of the population already and there was also a decline evident in the number of serious cases of COVID-19 infection, hence the removal of restrictions which have been in place since the beginning of June 2021.
Of interest to the auto industry which has been facing growing challenges as it could not carry out normal business is permission to operate showrooms and distribution centres again. Additionally, manufacturing activities are also allowed to resume, subject to certain conditions. This means that, for the auto industry, things can return to normal but with observance of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that we should all be familiar with by now.
Orders waiting to be fulfilled
While service centres have been allowed to operate so as to provide essential services to motorists, the closure of showrooms has prevented visits by customers who may be shopping for a new car, as well as deliveries of new vehicles. However, while the showrooms have been closed, many companies have been able to get bookings via their virtual showrooms online during the past two months. Now they will be rushing to complete those orders and deliver the new vehicles to customers.
However, stocks may not be readily available as the suspension of assembly operations for two months has meant that there have been no new vehicles coming from the plants. The government is allowing plants to resume their operations with workforce levels dependent on the percentage of workers already vaccinated. Those which have had more than 80% of their workers vaccinated are allowed to operate at full capacity, again with adherence to SOPs.
MITI has helped to organize the vaccination programme for workers in the manufacturing sector with PIKAS (Program Imunisasi Industri COVID-19 Kerjasama Awam-Swasta), the public-private sector partnership immunisation program. This has been important, particularly in the Klang Valley where many of the country’s economic and industrial facilities are located.
Accessory shops, carwash centres reopen
For those who require accessories, such stores can now open for business while carwash centres are also allowed to operate again. And if your hair has gotten rather long, the good news is that barbers (as well as hairdressers and beauty palours) can also resume their business. Also include in the list are shops which sell electrical items, household items, jewelry furniture, sportswear and fashion and accessory centres.
MITI has also made it a condition that employees who work in their offices must take biweekly RTK antigen tests approved by the Health Ministry. While many companies will continue with the work-from-home routine to avoid the additional costs of such frequent testing, those in the manufacturing sector won’t be able to avoid the expenditure which can be quite substantial.
Only for those fully vaccinated
An important condition is that those who visit all these places must be already fully vaccinated. Full vaccination means 2 doses of Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Sinovac vaccines, with the second dose received no less than 14 days ago. For those who the Johnson & Johnson or CanSino vaccines, a single dose is considered enough but must have been received not less than 28 days ago. If you have not been vaccinated or do not meet these conditions, or you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, DO NOT go to any public places and remain at home. If your symptoms are serious, seek medical help immediately.
The number of new cases daily has been over 20,000 since August 11 but hopefully, as vaccination of a larger proportion of the population is completed, spread of infections can be reduced. According to a report, there are signs that the most serious cases are getting a bit less now although hospitals are still overloaded. Precautions are still necessary (don’t think vaccination makes you immune to the coronavirus) and facemasks should be used in public places with social distancing observed. If everyone can do their part and protect themselves and each other, perhaps we can return to the sort of life we have before 2020.
The Countach was undoubtedly a legendary Lamborghini model and an early entrant in the supercar era. On its 50th anniversary, the carmaker has unveiled a successor – the Countach LPI 800-4 – as a futuristic limited edition recreated for the 21st century. It imagines how the iconic Countach (pronounced ‘coon-tach’) of the 1970s and 1980s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade.
The distinctive silhouette with the essential line running from front to rear, sharp angles and lines and idiosyncratic wedge shape, innovated modern super sports design as well as future Lamborghini models. The LPI 800-4 uses those characteristic lines of the original Countach’s five models over nearly 20 years, with the final outline being pure and uncluttered.
Giving the LPI 800-4 a distinctive Countach face, inspiration was taken from the Quattrovalvole edition with its long, low rectangular grille and headlights, as well as in the wheelarches with their hexagonal theme. The sharp inclination of the greenhouse adopts the straight lines redolent of the original Countach, adjoining the powerful, clean front-to-rear line.
There is no fixed rear wing outside the pure lines, and the airscoops are integrated fluidly in the strong shoulders of the car, embellished with the distinctive Countach slatted ‘gills’. The iconic and aerodynamically powerful NACA air intakes cut into the side and doors of the LPI 800-4 while the distinctive Periscopio lines running through the roof to the rear of the car, particularly distinctive if viewed from above, appear to float towards the rear of the car.
The rear is immediately recognizable from its distinctive inverted wedge shape, with the rear bumper featuring a lower, sleeker line, and the ‘hexagonita’ design shaping the 3-unit rear light clusters. The LPI 800-4 sports the quad tailpipes of the Countach family, connected within the carbonfibre rear diffuser.
The V12 engine of the Countach is as legendary as the design. Mounted at the rear together with its forward-cabin layout, the original Countach featured side-mounted radiators from Formula 1 cars, plus a forward-facing gearbox and tubular spaceframe technology.
The familiar 6.5-litre V12 engine is part of the hybrid powertrain that includes a 48V electric motor (e-motor) to generate up to 803 ps/720 Nm. The e-motor is powered by a supercapacitor providing 3 times more power compared to a lithium-ion battery of the same weight. This enables the 4-wheel drive supercar to rocket from standing still to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, after which it will pass 200 km/h in another 5.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 355 km/h, it is claimed.
The monocoque chassis and all the body panels are in carbonfibre, provide the optimum lightweight solution as well as exceptional torsional stiffness. With a dry weight of 1,595 kgs, the weight-to-power ratio is 195 kg/ps.
Visible exterior carbonfibre features are available in the front splitter, around the front window and wing mirrors, engine bonnet cover air intakes and rocker panel and it is always present in specific interior details. Moveable air vents produced by the state-of-the-art 3D printing technology, and a photocromatic roof – changing from solid to transparent at the push of a button – act as a reminder that this car, despite its historic inspiration, is a future automotive screensaver for the 21st century.
The LPI 800-4 unveiled in California this week is in Bianco Siderale, a finish containing a hint of pearlescent blue and reminiscent of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s own Countach LP 400 S, complete with red and black leather heritage interior.
The interior also takes design cues from the original Countach within the context of a modern car. The classic and luxurious leather features geometric stitching on the specially designed comfort seats and dashboard, sporting a square motif referencing the bold style and optimism of 1970s design and technology. Access for driver and passenger is, of course, via the infamous scissor doors, first introduced on the Countach and that have become a Lamborghini V12 signature.
“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” said Automobili Lamborghini President & CEO, Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams’. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand.”
Lamborghini will build 112 units, the number taken from the ‘LP 112’ internal project name used during the original car’s development. Pricing is not known though that is not something potential customers will need to know right away. Those who do book one will get their car during the first quarter of 2022.
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