Audi’s future of electric is now further expanded with the launch of their second e-tron model line-up in the form of the 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback. Combining a dynamic SUV coupe with Audi’s signature electrification, the new Audi e-tron Sportback promises great clean range together with state-of-the-art features. (more…)
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has launched the updated 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage and Attrage models with updated stylings and features for the Thailand market. The facelifted compact models are said to be launched in other markets in stages where they offer a much sharper and dynamic design cue with a touch of elegance for the interiors. (more…)
Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has announced that there will be no summonses issued for the first six months of 2020 for those who fail to apply the use of child car seats when travelling with children.
The ruling has been directed to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to ensure that fellow road users have ample time to adapt to the new ruling which will begin in January 2020. Authorities will, however, issue warnings and reminders to install the child car seats for their safety. (more…)
With positive response to the concept model of a convertible version of the Lexus LC 500 shown at the North American International Auto Show in January this year, Lexus decided to go ahead and make a production version. 10 months later, the new LC 500 Convertible has its global debut at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. Sales will commence in selected markets from mid-2020.
Unveiled in stunning Morphic Blue – to be produced as a 300-unit limited-edition from launch – the LC 500 convertible artfully harnesses the coupe’s sleek contours and sleek proportions while further leveraging the LC design. Incidentally, this is only the third production convertible in the 30-year history of the brand.
The compact roof design allows the bootlid of the convertible to be lifted and widened to further emphasise the low and broad stance, while retaining the coupe’s flowing roofline and strong aerodynamic performance.
High-quality fabric roof design
Excellent packaging ensures the LC 500 convertible body is just 10 mm longer (4.76 metres) and 5 mm taller than the coupe, with a retained 4-seat capacity and near-identical luggage space. Carefully selected roof fabric ensures optimal tension and no wrinkling, without the supporting frame visible through the fabric.
The roof design is enhanced by Lexus’ signature attention to detail, confirming excellent thermal properties, superb refinement and effortless retraction in just 15 seconds while travelling at up to 50 km/h. The automatic folding mechanism stores the roof under an integrated tonneau cover when lowered, melding elegantly with the LC’s beltline that kicks up at the end of the doors to provide a tight and clean wrap-around appearance.
The beautifully crafted and indulgently specified interior is enhanced by exclusive door handles and ‘L’ embossed headrests with neck heaters inside the LC 500 convertible – supporting the leading comfort and luxury that is the Lexus DNA.
Focus on aerodynamics and quietness
A focus on aerodynamics around the beltline and rear mold design creates a space to feel the excitement of open-air driving without hindering conversation in the car. In combination with a transparent polycarbonate wind deflector, wind flow inside the car is suppressed and impressive quietness achieved, it is claimed. Likewise, the audio system can adapt its performance to deliver the best sound quality depending on whether the roof is open or closed.
In colder climates, the Lexus Climate Concierge will maintain a comfortable environment within the seating area, taking into consideration whether the top is up or down. The appropriate adjustments will be made to the air conditioning, seat heaters, neck heaters and even steering wheel heater.
Active Noise Control (ANC), combined with sound insulation and absorption techniques, supresses unwanted noises and unpleasant frequencies while emphasising the soundtrack of the 477 ps/540 Nm Lexus 5-litre V8 petrol engine (with a DirectShift-10 automatic transmission). A sound generator transmits sensual engine intake sound through the dash panel, while an exhaust valve further enhances the sound of the high output.
Rigidity level equal to coupe
A newly designed body structure also achieves a rigidity level equal to the coupe. For maximum strength and reduced weight, the front bow structure of the roof frame is produced in magnesium alloy. A strategically placed and shaped rear suspension tower brace is composed of lightweight die-cast aluminium to minimise added weight, and a Performance Damper is adopted for high-quality ride comfort.
Exploiting the advantages of the GA-L front-and-rear multi-link rear-wheel drive platform, the LC 500 convertible features new Active Cornering Assist and active roll-bar technologies to further enhance the driving experience. A 52:48 weight distribution also shifts slightly rearward compared with the coupe.
Karma Automotive has unveiled its latest rendition of the ultimate PHEV in the form of the 2020 Karma Revero GTS at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show. We’ve written about the Karma Revero GT and how you could still buy it with Bitcoin, but the GTS is what most car enthusiasts are yearning for any manufacturer to produce; a performance version. (more…)
Although most people only came to know about the rotary engine in the 1970s, Felix Wankel, who developed it, had received a patent in Germany as far back as 1929 and produced a working prototype at NSU (which would later become part of Audi) in 1957. The rotary engine was uniquely different from the reciprocating internal combustion engine and had besides its compactness and low weight, it also generated a high power output from a smaller displacement.
The engine was of great interest to many carmakers and at least 12 – including even Rolls-Royce – took licences to develop their own versions. However, apart from Mazda, which persevered to make it commercially viable and produced a number of models with rotary engines, the other companies eventually gave up work on it as they could not find solutions to its drawbacks.
Mercedes-Benz was interested
At Mercedes-Benz, the rotary engine certainly generated much interest. The company’s R&D department worked on it during the early 1960s, with a prototype SLX sportscar proposed using the engine. Even though the power and smoothness were attractions, fuel consumption and emissions were high and by 1976, Mercedes-Benz decided to end its rotary engine work.
However, during the development period, the company decided to use the rotary engine as a highlight of a futuristic super sportscar – the C 111. The designation had started off as ‘C 101’ but Peugeot was known to be very protective of its model numbering system which had a ‘0’ in the middle of the 3 digits (eg 304, 505, etc) and Mercedes-Benz decided to avoid any issues with the French carmaker by changing to ‘C-111’. In fact, it is believed that Peugeot had even approached Mazda to get it to change the designation of its 808 model in the 1970s but the request was probably not entertained.
Debut of the C 111
It was displayed at the 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show as an experimental vehicle with only 12 units produced. Wealthy customers imagined the C 111 to be a successor to the legendary 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ of 1954 and even sent blank cheques to factory to try to get one!
The C 111 was a fascinating mid-engine sportscar which allowed the engineers to explore the performance of the rotary engine. The first one used in 1969 had a 3-rotor design with a chamber volume of 3 times 600 cc which could produce 280 bhp. After further development, the second version of the C 111 presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1970 featured a 4-rotor engine with 4 times 600 cc and 350 bhp.
Running technology platform
Alongside the rotary engine, other technologies were tested in the C 111 like bodywork made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic and joining techniques such as adhesive bonding and riveting. This technological look into the future was underlined by the visionary design of the wedge-shaped super sportscar.
The iconic character of the C 111 was also reinforced by the unusual paint finish in metallic orange. The designation ‘Weissherbst’ derived from wine-making referred to the glowing orange/rosé colour of these popular wines. The vehicle displayed in Frankfurt was the first C 111 in this spectacular paint finish. The other vehicles in the first series, which were used as demonstration vehicles during the show, were still in a white paint finish, but were later likewise repainted in ‘Weissherbst’.
The rotary engine was not only visionary in concept but also delivered performance that was outstanding in its time. The first version of the C 111 reached a top speed of 260 km/h, and the second one even managed 300 km/h.
‘Second career’ as a record-breaker
In 1976, the C 111 appeared again as a record-breaking car with conventional reciprocating engines. Two versions with 5-cylinder turbodiesel engines were built, as well as the C 111-IV with a V8 petrol engine in 1979. On the high-speed track in Nardo, Italy, the C 111s established numerous new records, one of them the circuit world record with 403.978 km/h by the C 111-IV on May 5, 1979.
In 2014, the specialists at Mercedes-Benz Classic restored one of these dream sportscars from their collection to drivable condition. To preserve the few still available rotary engines for the future, they installed an M 116 3.5-litre V8 engine. This engine had already been installed in a C 111 for comparative and test purposes in 1970.
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To provide current and potential owners with an experience of the latest MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, Auto Bavaria recently organised ‘The Auto Bavaria MINI Ride’. The by-invitation only event enabled its participants the unique experience of stage cycling with the support of the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, very much like at an international multiple stage bicycle race.
The MINI Ride event began at dawn with participants meeting at Auto Bavaria showrooms across the Klang Valley and beginning their journey driving the new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid with their personal bicycles mounted on top. They headed to the start location of the ride at Plaza Batai in the Damansara Heights area of Kuala Lumpur, gaining personal impressions of the car.
To provide the riders the proper energy and hydration needed for the maximum elevation climb from Plaza Batai towards TTDI Park, the MINI Ride participants were treated to fruits, juices and energy bars at start starting point. Led by a pacer, they then rode to a maximum elevation of 137 metres in between the route from Plaza Batai to TTDI and a 1-km MINI sprint challenge stop at TTDI park before cycling back down to the Yellow Brick Road cafe for brunch.
Then it was back into the Countryman Plug-In Hybrid for the drive back to an Auto Bavaria showroom where they received more insights on its features and capabilities. For those who have active lifestyle, especially cyclists, the user-friendliness in mounting and carrying bikes as well as having the ability to provide the cargo space to carry all the necessary gear for the day out were appreciated.
As a plug-in hybrid, the car has a powertrain with an electric motor as well as a petrol engine. The lithium-ion battery pack can be recharged at home using the 240V household socket or a dedicated electric car charging point. With a fully charged battery pack, the claimed electric-only driving range can be up to 42 kms, with a total mixed driving range of up to 500 kms on a full tank of fuel. The advantage of a hybrid over an all-electric vehicle is that you can still run on the petrol engine if the battery pack cannot be recharged so there doesn’t need to be ‘range anxiety’.
In 2018, Malaysia was the first country in Southeast Asia to locally assemble the MINI Countryman at the BMW assembly facility in Kedah. Following its successful launch and in line with BMW Group Malaysia’s strategy for electromobility, the company then introduced the Plug-In Hybrid variant which is priced at RM268,888 (excluding insurance).
Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, Minister of Entrepreneur Development, announced that Malaysia’s first flying car prototype will take its maiden flight this Thursday (21 November 2019) at an undisclosed location (he did mention Subang area, so we’re guessing somewhere near the airport) and he’ll be joining the ride as well. (more…)
There’s a new Michelin Managing Director in town and his name is Tushar Gupta for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. Replacing the highly regarded Pascal Nouvellon (who was promoted to a new global role over at Michelin HQ in France), Mr Gupta will be taking over the role which started back in September 2019. (more…)
Although the model will only appear in showrooms in 2 years’ time, BMW is telling the world about the fourth model in its I sub-brand range – the i4. This will be the first purely electrically-powered model for the premium mid-range with the functionality of a 4-door Gran Coupe and emissions-free mobility.
More importantly, BMW promises to transfer the brand’s characteristic core features to the age of electric mobility, particularly the qualities of the 3-Series. Design-wise, it will be based on the i Vision Dynamics concept car (pictured below) shown in 2017 and sit on the CLAR platform.
The development of the i4 is part of a comprehensive product offensive by the BMW Group in the field of models with electrified drive. The company currently has the biggest range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid models within the competitive field. By 2023, the BMW Group will have 25 models with electrified drive in its program.
Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology
The drive technology of the i4 will set new standards in terms of power density, efficiency and range in locally emissions-free driving. The electric motor, power electronics, charging unit and high-voltage battery are entirely new. Together, they form the BMW eDrive technology of the fifth generation, with which the BMW Group has made further significant advancements in the field of electrified drive.
From 2020 onwards, the fifth- generation BMW eDrive technology will be introduced first in the iX3 and then in the iNEXT and i4. The electric motor developed for the i4 delivers a maximum output of around 390 kW/530 bhp, reaching the level of a V8 engine in current BMW models fitted with a combustion engine. 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is expected to be around 4 seconds, with a top speed of more than 200 km/h.
The fifth generation of BMW eDrive also includes a newly designed high-voltage battery featuring the latest battery cell technology. The design of the high-voltage battery developed for the i4 is characterised by its extremely flat design and optimised energy density. With a weight of some 550 kgs, it has an energy content of around 80 kWh. This gives a claimed range of approximately 600 kms.
Modular, flexible drive and battery storage technology
A flexible vehicle architecture, the flat, low-positioned high-voltage battery and the compact drive technology create a high degree of freedom in realising a model- specific design. The electric drive component, its charging unit and high-voltage battery are all developed and produced in-house by the BMW Group.
This drive system is compatible with all vehicle concepts and will be available for different models in a range of output levels. The highly integrated design of the system allows a significant increase in power density as well as a reduction in weight and manufacturing effort. Production of future-generation electric motors will no longer require materials categorised as rare earths.
The next generation charging unit is characterised by a uniform package suitable for all future vehicle architectures. It can be used in plug-in hybrid models as well as in purely electrically powered vehicles and is designed for a charging capacity of up to 150 kW. This allows the high-voltage battery pack to be charged to around 80% of its full energy content in around 35 minutes. This results in a charging time of around 6 minutes for a range of 100 kms.
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