American racing icon Michael Andretti has taken a significant step forward in his ambitious endeavour to establish a Formula One team. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) confirmed on Monday that Andretti has successfully met all the required criteria to expand the premier motorsports series to 11 teams.
This FIA approval, while pivotal, does not guarantee a two-car team for Andretti. His team, Andretti Global, in partnership with Cadillac, must now demonstrate their commercial value to F1 rights holder Liberty Media and existing teams. The existing teams, though not having a vote on expanding the grid, have voiced strong opposition to expanding the 20-car grid.
This initiative marks a significant chapter in Andretti’s three-year pursuit to resurrect the revered Andretti name in Formula One. Michael’s father, Mario Andretti, famously won the F1 championship in 1978, and Michael himself participated in 13 races during the 1993 season.
Porsche unveiled a spectacular creation at the Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca in California during the Rennsport Reunion 7 event. Alongside the 911 GT3 R Rennsport, the automaker introduced a special and ultra-exclusive 718 Cayman GT4 RS in collaboration with TAG Heuer. This unique road car is a tribute to the iconic 550 Coupe that competed in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana.
Named the “Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS TAG Heuer x Porsche – Legends of Panamericana,” only two of these track-focused masterpieces will ever be crafted. The design pays homage to the legendary race cars with “152” and “154” racing numbers on the doors and roofs, reminiscent of the historic race cars. The cars are painted in the striking Le Mans Silver Metallic, accented with body-coloured highlights.
Honda Malaysia has been on a roll this year. The company has been busy shifting its products around; discontinuing some, introducing new ones and enhancing existing ones.
Many questioned their decision to stop offering the popular BRV earlier this year. But with the introduction and current success of the WRV, Honda Malaysia proved that was the right decision and is now laughing all the way to the bank.
Before that though, the Honda HRV received an all-new model update, and that too has seen the company posting healthy sales figures. But that is not exactly unexpected since the new HRV does undoubtedly check all the boxes of a B-Segment SUV. In fact, even the previous HRV was a success already, and Honda has hit the nail once again with the new HRV.
Of course, the hybrid offers better fuel economy and more features, but there are still those who are skeptical about hybrid powertrains, including this writer. So for those of us who are yet to take the plunge into hybrids, the V spec is the best HRV to buy. Let us explain.
From the outside, the HRV V-Spec looks similar to the rest of the line up, but it is distinguished from the top spec model by the piano black front grille, 18-inch wheels which it shares with the RS, sequential turn signals, chrome exhausts, and some interior features.
The design is probably its biggest allure, with hardly a bad angle to be found. It is visually bigger than the previous generation HRV, and it shares the same door handle placement with the previous model – at the edge of the door frame rather than on the door panel itself.
Besides that, there’s almost nothing that connects old and new besides the name. And that continues inside as well.
But before we begin raving about it, let’s first begin with what could be better. Interior space for one can be tight for a family of four or five, especially those that are broad around the shoulders, as this writer found out when his father, mother, wife, sat in the HRV with a baby chair locked in to the ISOFIX mounts. Never has the HRV felt so cramped.
The booth may be good, but it is not exactly great and only has 335 litres of storage space. There is a solution to that though, but before getting to that, it is worth pointing out that the booth space does not get a tonneau cover but instead gets an odd panel that is installed onto the booth lid. It does however do what it is supposed to do and ensures passersby do not get a peek inside the booth.
As for the booth space, the HRV comes with something called Ultra Seats. This lets the rear bench seats fold up or down individually to create more storage space for tall or long items. It is rather ingenious and needs to be seen in person to be believed.
We also thought that the interior can be quite noisy at high speed but is fine at urban pace. There is also no Blind Spot Monitoring system while cheaper cars like the Myvi has it. This can be quite handy especially in urban conditions where motorcyclists tend to linger in blind spots.
But it does have the Honda Lane Watch system that utilizes a camera placed under the left wing mirror. It works when you turn on the left indicator and projects the image onto the eight-inch infotainment screen. This lets you know if there is a vehicle on the left and lets you make safer turns. But besides only being available on the left side of the car, it also takes us to the next point which we think could be better – the camera resolution.
When the Lane Watch system is in use the image displayed on the infotainment screen is blurry and grainy. It is fine during the day but could be better. It gets worse at night when you can’t tell the difference between a motorcycle and a car with one headlight. But you can expect this to be fixed with future models.
Besides that, there is nothing else to complain about. The HRV is one of those cars that performs exactly as you expect it to and offers a fuss free day to day motoring experience.
Even from a driving perspective, the HRV is an easy car to live with. There are those who say that the handling of the HRV feels a little sloppy since it is quite light with a kerb weight of just 1,393kg. But after a few high-speed bouts, getting stuck in traffic and experiencing just about everything that a car has to do on a daily basis, there really is nothing out of the norm as far as handling is concerned.
The steering feels light and gets heavier if you select Sport mode from the drive mode selector. Throttle response is good with the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine responding to every request with zero turbo lag. With 133PS and 240Nm of torque, the HRV has decent acceleration thanks to its lightweight body and tops out at 200km/h. For reference’s sake, the Toyota Corolla Cross has a top speed of 185km/h.
One of the features that we really like though is the ‘Low-Speed Follow’ function. It is essentially adaptive cruise control with a stop and go function. When activated, the car will adapt its speed according to the set speed and to the traffic conditions. It will also stop the car when the front car stops and move again when traffic starts to flow. However, if traffic is at a standstill for more than a few seconds, you only need to gently nudge the accelerator to activate the system again. This is brilliant in heavy traffic.
Priced at RM135,900, the Honda HRV V spec is one of those cars that simply can’t put a wheel wrong, and the fact that it comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty just sweetens the deal.
In a significant milestone, Indonesia is all set to launch Southeast Asia’s inaugural high-speed railway on October 2nd. Named “Whoosh,” this Chinese-manufactured bullet train will revolutionise travel between Jakarta and the prominent city of Bandung on the island of Java, promising to significantly reduce travel time.
The brainchild of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, the “Whoosh” high-speed train is designed to swiftly transport over 600 passengers between Jakarta and Bandung in an astonishing 45 minute journey. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has applauded the project for its potential to provide a fast and efficient mode of transportation between the two cities on Java, the country’s most densely populated island. President Widodo is expected to inaugurate the project on Monday, marking a pivotal moment for the nation.
Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi confirmed the launch date, mentioning the unavailability of the President on October 1st, making October 2nd the chosen inauguration day. Capable of reaching impressive speeds of up to 350km/h, the project has come to fruition through a collaboration between Chinese and Indonesian entities, representing a colossal investment exceeding US$7 billion.
Initially anticipated to cost less than US$5 billion and be completed by 2019, unforeseen delays arising from construction challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the escalating costs. The project was executed by PT KCIC, a consortium comprising four Indonesian state companies and China Railway International from Beijing.
To bolster connectivity, the KCJB stations will seamlessly integrate with various transportation modes, including the Greater Jakarta LRT, feeder train services, the Greater Bandung Commuter Line, bus rapid transit, shuttles, and taxis, enhancing overall accessibility and making the high-speed train an integral component of the country’s transport infrastructure.
In a recent incident in Shah Alam, Selangor, an e-hailing ride took an unexpected turn when a passenger decided to exit a moving vehicle, raising concerns and prompting a police investigation. However, the case has now been classified as “No Further Action” after it was revealed that the incident occurred due to a misunderstanding.
According to Malay Mail, Shah Alam’s police chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim, shared that the 31-year-old female passenger, employed as a waitress for a catering company in Denai Alam, had booked an e-hailing ride on September 27 at 9:30 am. She boarded the vehicle at the Glenmarie LRT station, aiming to reach her workplace.
During the trip, the passenger, seated in the rear, requested a cash payment from the 26-year-old e-hailing driver. The driver, who was later identified to have a hearing impairment, did not respond to the request, which caused concern for the passenger. She observed the driver frequently glancing at her through the rear-view mirror.
London, renowned as the nation’s epicentre for high-end automobiles, is facing a growing concern as a recent surge in thefts targeting supercars has placed owners on edge. In recent weeks, criminals armed with sophisticated methods have been specifically targeting Ferraris, prompting a city-wide frenzy to secure these prized possessions.
For the past decade, London has been a sought-after summer destination for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, who transport their private supercar collections to the city for leisure. However, over the last three months, a notable escalation in high-value vehicle thefts is posing a threat to supercar ownership in London, as reported by Windrush Car Storage, a discreet sanctuary offering top-tier security for exclusive vehicles.
During a fateful Saturday at the end of May, Windrush was inundated with phone calls from anxious owners seeking secure locations for their cherished vehicles, responding to a flurry of reports on stolen Ferraris across the city. Among the stolen vehicles were high-value models like the 812 Superfast, 488, and Pista.
Alastair Main, the general manager of Windrush, highlighted the urgency and distress exhibited by owners, especially those with Italian luxury brands, as they hurried to safeguard their vehicles from the rising theft wave. He noted that social media posts from owners, urging the public to be on the lookout and even offering rewards, triggered a surge in vehicles being brought into their secure facility.
In a recent incident near the Puchong Prima LRT station, an unsettling occurrence has brought to light a significant concern regarding the liability for damages sustained by parked vehicles within a car park.
As reported by The Sun Daily, Ms. Preshila Karunagaran, a 27-year-old motorist and front desk receptionist at a Kuala Lumpur hotel, shared her distressing experience when her relatively new vehicle fell victim to a hit-and-run situation while parked at a nearby car park.
Expressing her frustration, Ms. Karunagaran emphasised her trust in the safety of the car park for her two-month-old car. “It’s disheartening, especially considering that I parked my two-month-old car in the car park on the assumption that it would be safe. I feel violated knowing that someone hit my car and ran away,” she shared.
The inconvenience escalated as Ms. Karunagaran had to manage the repair process and associated expenses after the incident. She approached a car park attendant for assistance but was dismayed to learn that the CCTV in the vicinity was non-functional and the attendant was unaware of the incident. Despite filing a police report, the lack of evidence made it difficult for law enforcement to take immediate action.
Ms. Karunagaran voiced her displeasure at having to bear the financial burden resulting from someone else’s actions. She contemplated filing a claim with her insurance company but was deterred by the protracted processing time. Ultimately, she had to personally cover the repair costs, amounting to RM4,859, including windscreen replacements and tyre repairs.
Tailgating, the act of driving too closely behind another vehicle, is a hazardous and irresponsible behaviour with numerous negative consequences. Many consider most tailgaters as bullies, as they often create discomfort and insecurity while driving. The issue isn’t about the car model but rather the driver’s behaviour. While fingers are being pointed at certain brands when it comes to tailgating, it’s important to remember that a bully is a bully, regardless of the model they drive.
In 2015, Penang JPJ director Datuk Hassan Yaakob advised drivers to capture a photo of tailgaters, including the visible vehicle number plate, for potential action by authorities. However, this approach may not have been effective. Recently, a statement from Prolintas on a social media platform revealed that bullies like tailgaters could face fines of up to RM1,000 or imprisonment for up to three months.
Sikap pemandu yang sengaja mengekor rapat di belakang kenderaan menyebabkan ketidakselesaaan pengguna lebuh raya lain. Pembuli sebegini boleh didenda sehingga RM1,000 atau penjara maksimum tiga bulan! #PROLINTASprihatinpic.twitter.com/0GIMFYDDNi
Enforcing this regulation poses challenges. Taking a photo of a tailgater while driving is inherently unsafe. While rearview dashcams are available, not everyone can afford them. Therefore, only those with dashcams can file reports using captured footage. Concerned citizens who witness tailgating incidents can also submit reports with evidence via the MyJPJ application.
Unfortunately, MyJPJ’s efficiency in handling such complaints has been questioned. Users have reported delays and a lack of transparency in the process. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of reporting tailgating incidents through official channels.
So, can we effectively stop tailgaters? Well, it ultimately depends on the driver’s mindset.
Given the dissatisfaction with MyJPJ’s response, some may resort to sharing footage on social media platforms to raise awareness about tailgating issues. However, changing the behaviour of tailgaters remains a complex challenge.
In the realm of autonomous and electric vehicles, the Apple Car, a project that has seen its fair share of twists and turns, stands out as a technological and automotive marvel in the making. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what we know so far about Apple’s ambitious foray into the automotive industry.
Project Titan: The Genesis
Originating in 2014, “Project Titan” marked the inception of Apple’s ambitious venture into the automobile domain. Initially focusing on a fully autonomous electric vehicle, the project has undergone numerous transformations over the years, ranging from shelving plans to reviving and scaling down the vision.
In a bold endeavour, renowned tuner ABT Sportsline has set its sights on Lamborghini, unveiling its latest creation – the ABT Urus Scatenato, aptly named for its promise of unleashed, raging performance. Limited to a mere 99 units, this exclusive offering marries power and exclusivity in a breathtaking display of automotive prowess.
Taking its expertise from enhancing VW Group vehicles, ABT begins its transformation with the performance-oriented Lamborghini Urus, adding a remarkable boost of power and subtle design refinements. The base model Urus Performante already boasts an impressive 666hp from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine. However, ABT’s Power R technology elevates this figure to an astonishing 810hp, a remarkable addition of 144hp.
