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Automatic transmissions and electric vehicles are dominating now but Aston Martin has stood firm in upholding the art of the manual gearbox. Marking their 110th anniversary in a remarkable fashion, the esteemed automaker introduced the Valour—a limited-edition, V12-powered supercar that pays homage to its rich heritage while embracing the manual transmission.

The Valour is more than a farewell to the manual gearbox; it’s a resounding affirmation of Aston Martin’s commitment to preserving a distinctive driving experience. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s creative genius, revealed that the Valour drew inspiration from the extraordinary success of the one-off Victor. Originally designed for a single customer, the Victor impressed audiences at Hampton Court and secured the esteemed Future Classic award. The Victor’s triumph sparked public interest, prompting numerous inquiries and inspiring Aston Martin to contemplate crafting more vehicles in the spirit of the manual transmission.

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Effective October 2nd, the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) issued notices prohibiting homeowners or neighbours from parking public vehicles in front of their respective houses.

According to BuletinTV3, the Mayor of MBPG states that anyone who does so can be subject to action under Section 48(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), Section 49(1)(g) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), Minor Offenses 3(n) of the Minor Offenses (Pasir Gudang Municipal Council) 2011, and Orders 17(1) and 17(2) of the Road Traffic Orders (Parking provisions) of the Pasir Gudang Local Authority 2011.

Immediate compound action can be imposed under the minor offences law under the Local Government Act (MBPG) 2010, amounting to RM500, and under the road, drainage, and building minor offences law, with a maximum rate of RM2,000.

It is understood that MBPG took this stern action following an increase in reports from homeowners claiming that neighbours often parked vehicles in front of their houses, causing disharmony among the residents.

Toyota, renowned as the global mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), has unveiled its forward-thinking mobility concept for the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Promoting Inclusivity and Sustainability

Toyota’s philosophy of “Ever Better Mobility for All” emphasizes that freedom of movement is fundamental for a diverse and inclusive society. The company is on a trajectory to evolve into a mobility-centric entity, dedicated to reducing mobility barriers for individuals, regardless of their physical abilities. Paris 2024, hosting a vast array of athletes, staff, and volunteers, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when striving for a more inclusive society.

Toyota Mirai

In partnership with the IOC, IPC, and the Paris Organising Committee of Olympic and Paralympic Games, Toyota is focused on making Paris 2024 the epitome of inclusive and sustainable mobility. The initiative commences by ensuring sustainable and safe mobility options for athletes and their families, staff, volunteers, and spectators.

C+walkT
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A peculiar incident took place in the Trnava region of Slovakia involving a brown hunting dog seemingly operating a Skoda Kamiq. The incident was initially observed through footage captured by a speed camera, causing confusion and amusement among law enforcement officers.

Shortly after this footage was recorded, a police patrol intercepted the Skoda Kamiq in the village of Sterusy for exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h. The car owner, a 31-year-old male, claimed that his dog had unexpectedly leapt onto his lap, attempting to explain the unusual circumstance. However, the video evidence contradicted this explanation.

Following a thorough review of the evidence, the police officers determined the car owner to be at fault for breaching traffic regulations. The man was subsequently fined, although the specific violation, either speeding or failure to properly secure the pet within the moving vehicle, remains unclear.

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The issue of e-hailing drivers working for private airport transfer companies or taking on offline jobs has been an ongoing concern in Malaysia.

According to The Star, many e-hailing drivers facing a lack of available jobs on e-hailing platforms have turned to offering their services to ferry customers for private companies, especially for airport transfers.

This situation has resulted in customers frequently being denied the more affordable option of using e-hailing rides from places like KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). Instead, passengers are compelled to opt for private transportation services. However, using these services is seen as risky since e-hailing drivers and their passengers may not be covered by insurance in such cases.

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The 2024 Porsche 911 S/T is a high-performance sports car starting at a base price of $291,650 (around RM1.3 million), making it one of the most expensive models in the 911 lineup. However, with options and customisation, the price can reach close to $375,000 (around RM1.7 million). Porsche is implementing a unique ownership arrangement for this model in the United States.

Due to the high demand and interest in the 911 S/T, Porsche will require buyers in the U.S. to adhere to an agreed minimum retention period of one year. In practice, this means that buyers will initially lease the car for this period before full ownership is transferred. This approach is aimed at discouraging speculators who may try to buy the car and quickly flip it for a profit.

The 2024 Porsche 911 S/T is positioned as a potential future collectible. It is the lightest member of the 911 family and is powered by a 518hp flat-six engine borrowed from the 911 GT3 RS. Additionally, each of the 1,963 planned examples comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, catering to driving enthusiasts.

While the high price tag may be a barrier for many, the 911 S/T offers a unique combination of performance, exclusivity, and collectibility, which may justify its cost for passionate Porsche enthusiasts.

The next-generation Suzuki Swift has been revealed as a concept, offering a glimpse of what the production model may look like when it officially launches in 2024. While it’s officially labelled a concept, it appears virtually production-ready, with an evolutionary design compared to the current model.

The concept features a similar overall shape to the current Swift but incorporates some subtle design changes. Notably, there’s a prominent crease running along the side of the vehicle, just above the door handles. The door handles are situated below the beltline at the rear of the car, rather than in the C-pillar like the current model. This side crease flows into the headlights and aligns with the hood line.

The grille appears slightly smaller and rounder than the current model, and the concept car sports a black contrast roof. While Suzuki has been known for adventurous designs in recent years, such as the retro-styled Ignis and Jimny, the new Swift seems to take a more evolutionary approach in terms of design.

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In a distressing incident of road rage at an undisclosed location, a visibly strong man was caught on camera assaulting a p-hailing driver at a roadside curb. The attacker, described as burly, was seen aggressively hitting the p-hailing driver, who was still wearing his helmet.

As reported by NST, Several bystanders believed to be fellow p-hailing riders, attempted to intervene and halt the altercation. Despite their efforts, the assailant continued his assault, even kicking the p-hailing driver’s blue motorcycle. The victim, visibly emotional, was forced into the middle of the road during the attack.

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In a recent legal case, a petrol station proprietor was fined RM100,000 by the Sessions Court for allowing the sale of diesel in barrels, a violation of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974.

According to The Star, Abdul Wahab Jaafar, the joint owner of KA Surijaya Enterprise gas station, faced charges for failing to comply with the Control of Supplies Act by selling diesel in barrels to Yau Poh Trading Sdn Bhd. The diesel was loaded onto two lorries, each carrying 1,140 litres and 1,080 litres, respectively.

He was charged under Section 22(1) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961, which stipulates a maximum fine of RM1 million or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

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At the recent Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren made waves in the motorsport world by announcing a significant development role for Ryo Hirakawa, a successful Toyota factory driver known for his 24 Hours of Le Mans triumph in 2022. This move has deepened the collaboration between McLaren and Toyota, fuelling speculation about Toyota’s potential reentry into Formula 1.

McLaren and Toyota have a longstanding relationship, primarily revolving around wind tunnel access in Cologne. While McLaren now operates its wind tunnel in Woking, they are strengthening their ties through Hirakawa’s career development.

At 29 years old, Hirakawa is not in the typical age bracket for Formula 1 prospects. However, he will have the opportunity to use McLaren’s simulator next year and even test their 2021 car—an unusual chance usually reserved for prospective F1 race drivers.

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