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Handmade eccentric Mad Max-like truck driven by Jay Leno

Jay Leno, the former Tonight’s Show host, has one of the most comprehensive collection of the world’s most coveted vehicles from the infancy of the automotive era right up to the present day onwa. Name a vehicle that has left a mark on this world in any way or form, and there would probably be an example of it in Jay’s garage.

His Youtube channel titled Jay Leno’s Garage regularly publishes car reviews and other videos that showcases the various other vehicles that he has in his collection as well as those that his guests bring on his show.

This particular episode will be most intriguing to those who are fans of movie cars as well as those that border on the eccentric. Several of the ones featured on this episode, especially the replica of the first generation batmobile and an authentic one from the Batman Returns movie will resonate with DC Comics fanboys everywhere.

That said, their uniqueness, pale in comparison to the weird artistic contraption that was dreamed up by an Henry Chang, engineer turned artist. Realizing that the world of computer programming wasn’t as fulfilling as he would have liked, Henry Chang now a designer/musician, has built a one-of-a-kind automobile that looks more at home in a Mad Max movie than on regular city streets.

Watch the video of Jay Leno and fellow comedian Jeff Dunham ride on this giant handmade, monster truck. Let us know what you think of the vehicle in the comments below.

Top Gear exhibit opens in the UK

Chris Harris, one of the current Top Gear presenters, launched the World of Top Gear exhibit at Beaulieu. The exhibit showcases the more memorable vehicles that were featured on the famous automotive programme in its 40 year history.

Regarding the launch, Chris Harris said, “It’s very exciting, seeing all these incredible cars in one place. It’s a privilege to have a home for all of the weird Frankenstein creations that we have on the show.”

The display is open to the general public over there in the UK and is meant to reflect the recent changes to the BBC’s Top Gear. That said, the new look includes homage to the past, with a heritage corridor timeline paying tribute to the show’s 40-year history.

It all began with Angela Rippon as the first presenter, but back then, it wasn’t the show we know today. In fact, it wasn’t till the early 2000s that Top Gear starting growing in popularity. And we all have Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May to thank for making the automotive show, a global phenomenon.

Visitors to the exhibit will get to see the Panda limousine, which Jeremy used to ferry a celebrity about in one of the trio’s famous challenges on the show. Then there’s the infamous Reliant Robin that was converted into a space shuttle, which the boys used to demonstrate to the world’s space agencies, that space travel isn’t that complicated. They had an impressive launch, but everything went south soon after.

Other notable mentions include the Caravan Airship, red Lotus Excel Motorhome complete with its rocket-shaped roof-mounted sleeping compartment, Porsche 944 Turbo ambulance, indestructible Toyota Hilux and double-decker racing cars.

There’s also memorabilia from Top Gear on show throughout the display, including the Jaguar steering wheel from The India Special and door panels from the Hindustan Ambassador, which raced to victory over all other taxis in one of the most entertaining races that we’ve ever seen.

To complement the launch of the exhibit, there will be a demonstration by Harris to entertain the crowd and remind us all that the shenanigans that comes with the programme is alive and well even though Clarkson, Hammond and May have moved on to another show.

Jeep’s new Rubicon Recon is the the toughest of the lot

Jeep’s new Wrangler 4×4 family, which was launched at the recent Geneva Motor Show, has grown larger with the introduction of the Rubicon Recon, which is said to offer better capabilities and is able to take on much tougher off-road terrain.

What sets it apart from other varaints is the addtion of a stronger front axle, heavy-duty cast rear differential covers, ‘off-road’ stylying, 18-inch low gloss Granite Crystal painted aluminium wheels, dual-vented power dome hood with a black-silhouette “Rubicon” decal featuring red accent lettering on both sides. There’s also a trail rated logo with red accents, a black fuel filler door, and a black hard spare tyre cover.

As for the inside, there’s a black and red themed upholstery, which is rather unique for a Jeep. Red accent stitching contrasts the standard black leather heated seats with a “Rubicon” embroidered logo.

Other subtle hints that tell the Rubion Recon apart from the rest of the line-up include, Black vinyl-wrapped front door armrest and console lid with black stitching, red accent netting on front door pockets and the centre console, unique leather-wrapped steering wheel and red accent colored seat belts.

Under the hood of the Rubicon Recon is a 3.6-litre V6 engine that produces 284bhp and is mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Buyers will be able to choose between having a two or four-door body configuration as well as three different exterior colours, which are Gobi, Bright White, and Granite Crystal.

This particular Jeep is on sale in the UK right now but we do hope the options trickle down into what we are currently being offered. The aesthetics and off-road capabilities will definitely be appealing to the more adventurous Malaysian car buyers.

Honda Malaysia launches new CR-V

Honda Malaysia has launched their latest addition to their ever-growing fleet of premium vehicles in the Malaysian market but instead of just any model with a few updates, they’ve raised the bar to greater heights with the 2017 Honda CR-V. The fifth generation CR-V has been completely reengineered from the ground up to give the best driving experience coupled with the most state-of-the-art vehicle technology.

Following the recent launch of the all-new Honda Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD and the Civic 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC, the new CR-V has the best of both worlds when it comes to power as well as futuristic vehicle capabilities.

According to Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Katsuto Hayashi, he said “To set a higher benchmark in the segment and exceed customers’ expectations, Honda Malaysia has shifted to focus more on Advanced Technology starting with the introduction of the 1.5L VTEC Turbocharged Civic and New Jazz Sport Hybrid i-DCD”

“We are very excited to show you the 5th Generation All-New CR-V that is equipped with three key Advanced Technologies, the ‘1.5L VTEC Turbocharged Engine’, ‘Honda SENSING’ and advanced features such as ‘Programmable Power Tailgate’”.

“We believe this focus transition will lead us to make ‘Tomorrow’s Dream, Today’s Reality’. We are also proud to note that Malaysia is the first country in ASEAN that is introducing Honda SENSING, the Next Generation Advanced Safety Technology in the All-New CR-V.”

With a rapid decline on of the CR-V segment here in Malaysia from 2013 until early 2017, the new CR-V is said to be Honda’s ultimate game-changer to take over the market share in the vehicle class. The ever growing demand of SUVs in the market that’s able to provide high levels of safety to the occupants, impressive fuel efficiency and pure driving enjoyment, the new CR-V offers all of these plus much, much more.

In terms of design, the exterior of the new CR-V showcases Honda’s fundamental ideas on modern functional dynamic facade combined with their signature specifications like the Daytime Running Lights and turn signals which you will notice in the car’s front advanced full LED headlights as well as the rear lights. This gives the latest generation CR-V a much bolder and tougher appearance without being too aggressive or tacky.

The interior has gone through a major makeover according to Honda’s “Man Maximum, Machine Minimum’ design principle. The sporty yet spacious interior allows for greater driving experience as well as a heighten sense of comfort for all occupants especially for those seated in the rear seats where the new CR-V now offers an extra 90mm of luxurious legroom.

A more dynamic and modern styling design concept has been embedded into essence of the CR-V where all the high-tech goods are available for everyone to enjoy. Features like the 7-inch Advanced Display Audio that is compatible to both Android and Apple compatible with seamless smart connectivity and entertainment.

For all-round creature comforts, the CR-V comes with Dual-Zone Air-Conditioning to ensure all occupants are comfortable according to each individual’s preferences. Seeing how there would usually be more than one occupant apart from the driver, rear USB ports have been installed to allow easy charging of any of your mobile devices. There are also the comfortable combi leather seats with an eight-way power seat for the driver and a four-way for the front passenger for maximum posture position with a lot of comfort thrown into the package.

Going to the back, the new Programmable Power Tailgate (available on the 1.5TC-P 2WD variant only) gives a boost of convenience to future CR-V owners where they can easily control and adjust the opening height with a simple push of a button. This is the first time Honda is offering such a feature in the vehicle line up and best of all, it comes with a ‘Stop and Hold Programmable Height’ function without giving any hassle to the users.

Do also take note on the boot space where when the second row seats are folded flat, you’ll get a whopping 1,084 litres of storage space. The new CR-V is able to provide such space as there’s now an extra 250mm of space compared to the previous generation.

Take a peek under that front bonnet and you’ll get a very pleasant surprise. In total, there are a four different variants available ranging from the lowest 2.0-litre 2WD up to the awesome 1.5-litre turbocharged Premium 2WD. The two variants sitting right in the middle are the 1.5-litre turbocharged 2WD and 1.5-litre turbocharged 4WD.

All the engines have been developed under Honda’s Earth Dream Technology and with the first ever CR-V to be paired with the latest 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine, it can produce a whopping 190hp at 6,500rpm and 243Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. Even the 2.0-litre is able to churn out 151hp and 189Nm of torque.

Earlier in the article, we also mentioned that the new CR-V comes with Honda’s SENSING™ which is Honda’s latest driving technology that’s probably be the ultimate driving aid system ever to be put in any production vehicle. The Honda SENSING™ comes with a few specifications such as Driving Cruising Aid (Adaptive Cruise Control and Low-Speed Follow), Frontal Collision Deterrence (Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking System) and Side Collision Deterrence (Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation and Lane Keep Assist System).

In the name of safety, the all-new CR-V also comes with six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Agile Handling Assist, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, Electronic Brake Distribution, Anti-Lock Braking System and a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera available in the top variant.

The all new CR-V is priced from RM142,400 to RM167,700 (basic prices with GST) and is available in five different colours; Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Obsidian Blue Pearl and the brand new Dark Olive Metallic.

To add more functionality to the CR-V, future owners can opt for a number of different accessory packages that ranges from RM1,900 to RM5,900. All new Honda CR-V comes with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Together with the launch of the brand new CR-V, Honda Malaysia also introduced their brand new line-up of merchandise centred on the “Challenging Spirit” value as their design core of inspiration. The new merchandise line-up includes t-shirts, polo shirts, sweaters, backpacks, water bottles and many more. The entire collection will be available at all 91 showrooms at the end of August 2017.

Sepp Iran

At 79-years-old, Smith drives Formula One car

Most people, when approaching their senior years, tend to choose a more mellow lifestyle. Rosemary Smith, the 79 year old former rally driver, chose to do the exact opposite. She has always had the dream of driving a Formula One car sometime on her lifetime.

And as part of Renault Sport Formula One Team’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, the team at Renault UK obliged and wanted to help make Smith’s dream come true. She would pilot the team’s contemporary F1 car around the Circuit Paul Ricard in France and compare notes with Renault’s driver, Jolyon Palmer.

A seamstress by trade, earlier on, Smith had her own dress shop business. And only stumbled upon the world of rallying by accident when a client invited her to navigate one of the rallies. Having tasted the adrenaline-packed action that the sport offered, the Dublin-born Smith was hooked, which lead her to participate a lot more in the sport.

Smith did exceptionally well, winning trophies for various rallies despite a number of disqualifications and people sabotaging her success along the way, due to the fact that she was a woman in a male dominated sport. However, that didn’t deter her as she racked up, win after win.

One notable victory was the one at the Tulip Rally in 1965, where her achievement was not only noticed by the Motorsport world but Hollywood as well with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton sending her a huge bouquet and congratulatory letter.

After years of competing and winning at the highest level in the world rallying, Smith set up her own driving school using Renault Clios and for the past two decades has campaigned for young driver education to be introduced in schools across the country.

She only decided to have a go at F1, which is the pinnacle of motor racing, after being encouraged and persuaded by long-term friend and navigator, Pauline Gullick. But after this experience, we doubt that the world of rallying will be able to match this visceral level of raw action.

Speaking of the experience Rosemary said, “Driving an 800bhp car is something I, like many other racers, have always dreamed of but I didn’t think I’d ever have the opportunity to do it, so when the team at Renault UK contacted me I jumped at the chance. It was definitely very different to the rally cars I’m used to but was an amazing experience.”

Check out this video below to understand her side of the story:

John Lennon’s Phantom V heads for London exhibit

This rather eccentric looking Rolls-Royce Phantom V once owned by the greatest musicians of his area, John Lennon, will be travelling from Canada to London for an exhibition. Dubbed The Great Eight Phantoms, the event will take place at Bonhams international flagship saleroom and galleries in New Bond Street, London from 29th July to 2nd August.

On June 3rd 1965, The leader of the Beatles took ownership of the Phantom V, that was originally painted Valentine Black. According to the singer, he had aspirations of becoming an eccentric millionaire and believed that the car would take him a step closer to making that dream a reality. Later, he had the Rolls-Royce customized in true rockstar style.

The rear seat was converted to a double bed, a television, telephone and refrigerator were installed, along with a ‘floating’ record player and a custom sound system (which included an external loud hailer).

As for its ‘psychedelic’ yellow paint job, the car received it upon request by Lennon to Surrey coach-builders as a means to commemorate the release of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. The freshly-painted Phantom was unveiled days before the worldwide release of Sgt. Pepper’s on 1 June and it seemed part of the overall concept of the album.

The paint scheme, reflected the cover of the well-known album but with closer inspection, you will notice that the random swirl decal, isn’t that random after all. It’s a floral Romany scroll design, as used on gypsy caravans and canal barges, with a zodiac symbol on the roof.

The car was used regularly by Lennon till 1969, this is including the time when he picked up his MBE with the rest of the band in 1965. He had it shipped to the US in 1970 when he moved it there but loaned the car out to ferry other rock stars around.

These entertainers included The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and The Moody Blues. In 1977, after a period in storage, it was donated by billionaire Jim Pattison to the current owner, Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Extensive Ferrari exhibit to be shown in London

For all the Ferrari fans around the world, this article will be of interest to you. The Design Museum in London has announced that will be showcasing a major exhibition called Ferrari:Under the Skin. It’s purpose is to portray the legacy and history of one of the most respected names in motoring.

The show is a collaboration with Ferrari as the automaker celebrates its 70 year anniversary. According to the organisers, it will provide unique insights into the world of Ferrari and on it’s rarely seen material.
There will also be early design models, drawings, letters, memorabilia as well as some of the most famous racing and road-going Ferraris ever made. The exhibition will also present Ferrari’s racing heritage, the ongoing quest for innovation as well as the glamour of its well-known clientele.

There will also be some rarely seen personal memorabilia and other material of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Italian automaker. Also on display will be his early cars, wind tunnel models as well as those hand-sculpted from both clay and wood.

Andrew Nahum, curator of Ferrari: Under the Skin, said, “Ferrari’s story has been one of the great adventures of the industrial age. Ferrari uses the subtle and often unseen techniques of automobile design but with the utmost care and precision and the exhibition provides an insight into the history and practice of the whole private world of automotive design.”

A forerunner to the exhibition is currently on show at the Museo Ferrari in Maranello. But if you are only interested in the real thing, then you will be happy to know that the Ferrari: Under the Skin exhibition will run from 15 November 2017 to 15 April 2018.

Till then, check out this extensive image collection to know what exactly will be on display.

New Audi A8 features artificial intelligence

Audi’s new A8 has been revealed and though it retains the signature design elements of its predessor, with every incremental upgrade, the German automaker makes certain adjustments to rejuvenate the design to a certain degree. And this time, the front end features a wide, upright single-frame grille that is complemented by fludic and muscular bodywork giving the car a sporty yet elegant look.

From the side, the steep curvature of the front end blends well with the gently inclined rear quarter for a sleek silhouette. The sophisticated HD LED headlights with Audi laser lighting are impressive additions that are complemented by the DRL LED light-strips and OLED lighting tech for the rear.

Available as either the A8 or A8L, with the later being the long wheelbase version and 13 centimeters longer than the former. Overall, both feature lightweight construction and quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. That is complemented by the all-wheel-drive steering system that allow for better control and turning radius.

Inside, the vehicle features the usual luxurious upholstery as well as electric seats that warm the soles of your feet (A8L). The extensive use of high quality materials is evident throughout the cabin, including the centre stack where the 10.1-inch touchscreen (MMI) infotainment system resides. Auxiliary functions can be controlled through another touch interface located on the centre tunnel console, including accessing air-conditioning and other comfort related options.

Audi touts that the glass display system, is very responsive and behaves in a very elegant manor. The combination of acoustic and tactile feedback that it offers as well as common touch gestures makes for a pleasant and user-friendly experience.

As advanced as these systems are, the new A8’s crowing achievement is its reliance on artifical intelligence both for autonomous driving and the manipulation of its active suspension setup. Thanks to a slew of radar sensors, image cameras as well as other sensors that include the ultrasound ones, the A8 is able to drive and navigate through traffic jams and slow moving traffic of up 60km/h.

It’s able to do so on roads and highways where a physical barrier separates the carriageways. The system can be activated by pressing the AI button on the centre console. When activated, the driver can take his/her hands off the steering wheel and relax while watching content on the TV.

Audi’s AI remote parking and remote garage pilot systems give the car the ability to steer in and out of parking spaces or a garage. The best part of this, the driver doesn’t have to be in the car while this is being done. He/she only needs to tell the car to do so by using he myAudi app on their smartphone.

Then there’s the active suspension, that depending on driving conditions, is able to raise ad lower each individual wheel via electric actuators. by doing so, it will be able to alter the suspension setup from a firmer sporty one, all the way to a soft and supple configuration. The reaction time of this particular AI system is said to be lightning quick should it sense an impending lateral collision, which will help reduce the severity of the accident and injuries to the occupants.

The system requires a great deal of energy to function, which is why the A8 uses a 48-Volt electrical system. Depending on region, there will be a number of engines on offer, which include 3.0 TDI, 3.0 TFSI, 4.0 TDI and 4.0 TFSI as well as the top of the line 6.0-litre W12 powerplant. When equipped with a mild-hybrid platform the A8 is able to switch off its engine at certain times to save fuel as well as recover energy of up to 12kW when the conditions suit it.

The new Audi A8 and A8L are being built at Audi’s Neckarsulm site and will appear in the German market in late 2017. We will let you know when it eventually reaches our shores in the not so distant future.

Princess Diana’s Audi to be sold at auction

Princess Diana ‘s 1994 Audi Cabriolet will go under the hammer at Coys auction at Blenheim Palace on the 15th of July. This is only fitting considering that the location was also the birthplace of Winston Churchill and is also considered a World Heritage site.

This particular Audi is expected to sell between RM 193,288 to RM 220,900 due to the fact that the car was previously driven by, arguably, one of the most influential female figures of the 1990s. It was loaned to Princess Diana for personal use by Dovercourt Audi of St Johns Wood and is now up for sale just a few days after another Audi, also used by her, went under the hammer.

The car is still registered as L541 GJD and has been storage for many years. In 2004, the car was purchased by the current owner and used as a daily driver to ferry the family around until 2009. Once he discovered the importance and significance of the Audi, the car was promptly kept away in storage, to preserve it until it was put up for sale.

It was been featured in several media images showing the Princess stepping in and out of the car with the number plate clearly visible. Despite the Audi’s relative importance, it will probably be overshadowed by the likes of the 1926 Bugatti Type 37 that will also go under the hammer during the auction. It is said that the car might fetch RM 2,209,000 to RM 3,313,500 because it is considered as one of three Type 37s supplied in 1926 to Bugatti agent and world speed record holder Malcolm Campbell.

How well both cars do remains to be seen. So, stay tuned and we will let you know later on, how much these cherished vehicles are sold for at the auction.

London Taxi Company gets name change and new car

The famous London Taxi Company, the very same one that used the iconic Austin black cabs to shuttle passengers in and around the city, has been renamed to LEVC. The move is said to be part of the company’s transformation under parent company, Geely.

The name change was done to help position the company as more of an international entity, that is poised to serve the needs and wants of customers all over the world. The Chinese automotive giant has pumped in RM1.8 billion worth of investments with a goal of turning LEVC into the urban commercial vehicle provider of choice around the world. And to bolster this claim, the company also unveiled a new fully-electric London taxi, called the TX.

The car features styling that is a mix-and-match of the old and contemporary styling that has resulted in a rather bizarre looking black cab. It seems as though certain design elements and trim pieces were taken from that of contemporary generation Volvos, is is especially evident when it comes to the interior.

The TX is powered by eCity technology that comprises of advanced battery electric powertrain that is aided by a small petrol powered generator. Working in tandem, the system provides the TX with a range of 644km including more than 113km on pure electric power.

Speaking of the latest addition and changes to the company, Chris Gubbey, CEO, LEVC said, “The launch of LEVC marks Britain’s leadership as a first mover in creating the world’s only dedicated electric vehicle company for the urban commercial market. Drawing on the best of British design and engineering as well as technical expertise from our sister company Volvo, our products will help transform city living.”

The company says that the TX will be launched in London later this year because LEVC is still finalizing the quality and testing methods to evaluate the car’s readiness to function around the world. So far, the car has been taken to the Arizona desert to endure torturous heat under the desert sun as well as freezing temperatures in the Arctic Circle, the other extreme to the scorching Arizona weather.

All of this is being done to prove that no matter where the TX is driven, irrespective of weather conditions, it will function as it should. LEVC’s first international order of 225 vehicles has come from RMC in the Netherlands, which is one of the country’s largest taxi operators.

London is one of the pioneers in setting out tough emission standards to reduce taxi and van emissions. This has spurred the adoption of electric vehicles by commercial transportation operators in the city.

Eventually, this will be common practice around the world as governments take steps to reduce the impact they have on the environment.