The underwhelming performance of the Supra in the market is particularly surprising given that Toyota’s overall U.S. sales for 2023 saw a notable increase of 6.6%, reaching a total of 2,248,477 units. The U.S. market for the Supra witnessed a mere 2,652 units sold, down from 4,952 units in 2022.
Despite Toyota’s introduction of a manual transmission to the Supra, there was also a corresponding hike in prices as the model transitioned to the 2024 model year.
In a significant triumph for MG, a brand that is making a strong comeback into our market soon, the MG4 Electric secured the Fully Charged award for the best electric vehicle (EV) under €40,000 (RM200k) last Friday night at the RAI in Amsterdam. The award ceremony, part of the Fully Charged LIVE Europe event, witnessed thousands of electric vehicle enthusiasts casting their votes in various categories.
The MG4 Electric emerged victorious in its category, surpassing eight other nominees, including the Dacia Spring Electric 65 Extreme, Fiat 500e Hatchback 42kW, Jeep Avenger Electric, and Volvo EX30 Single Motor. This accolade further solidifies the MG4 Electric’s success among EV drivers.
Since its launch in 2022, the MG4 Electric has achieved remarkable success, with over 62,000 sales in Europe, making it one of MG’s best-selling models in the region, particularly in the Netherlands. The recent award adds to the EV’s achievements, which include receiving five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test and contributing to a sales record for MG.
The Fully Charged AWARDS, designed as ‘Consumer Choice’ awards for clean energy and electric vehicles, made their debut this year during the Fully Charged LIVE Europe event. The event, powered by green technology pioneer myenergi, gathered leaders and pioneers from the electrification sector to celebrate the ongoing transition to electric vehicles, renewables, and smart homes.
Nominees for the awards were selected through a comprehensive survey of the Fully Charged SHOW audience. A panel of 15 energy and transport experts then finalised the candidates before the winners were chosen in each of the 15 categories. MG claimed the title of the best EV under €40,000 (RM200k) for the MG4 Electric model.
The Standard Range base SE comes with a 50.8kWh battery, offering 350km of range, 168bhp, and 249Nm ft of torque, all for a starting price of £26,995 (RM160k). The two big battery versions include the SE Long Range and Trophy Long Range.
For an additional £2,500 (RM14k), the SE Long Range provides a 61.7kWh battery, extending the WLTP range to 452km. It boasts 201bhp and the same torque figure, but due to the battery’s weight, it’s slightly slower to 100km/h (7.9 seconds compared to 7.7 seconds).
The Trophy model is distinguished by additional equipment and body styling, featuring a doubled-up rear spoiler. It offers slightly less range than the SE Long Range at 434km, attributed to the drag from the distinctive spoiler and the weight of extra kit.
Akio Toyoda, the head of Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, has once again expressed scepticism about a complete transition to exclusively electric vehicles (EVs). While promoting a potential role for hydrogen and biofuels, Toyoda emphasized the need for more diversity in future automotive fuels.
“Frankly, (electric vehicles) are not the only way to achieve the world’s carbon neutrality goals,” remarked Mr. Toyoda, who believes there is a silent majority of consumers and carmakers who share these doubts but are hesitant to voice them due to the prevailing trend in favour of EVs.
Speaking at the unveiling of a battery-electric Hilux ute in Thailand, Toyoda stressed his preference for exploring multiple options, including emission-free synthetic fuels and hydrogen. He sees hydrogen as a promising technology for the future, alongside battery electric vehicles.
“Let me correctly explain Toyota’s position. I would like you to think of Toyota as a department store offering every available powertrain,” Toyoda stated. He argued that customer preferences are diverse, ranging from EV owners to those without access to charging facilities and limiting options to a single product would diminish the overall value of the automotive market.
While Toyota has been a pioneer in hybrid technology with models like the Prius and the Mirai, which run on hydrogen fuel cells, the company recently introduced its first battery-electric model, the bZ4X, in 2022.
Toyoda also defended Toyota’s commitment to electrification, outlining the company’s goal to achieve sales of 3.5 million electric vehicles by 2030. He underscored Toyota’s global reach and vision of providing mobility for all, stating, “Our philosophy is that we want to leave no one behind.”
Expressing skepticism about the timelines set for the full electrification of the automotive industry, Toyoda urged a realistic approach considering societal readiness and infrastructure development. He emphasised that the transition to electric vehicles might take longer than portrayed by the media and drew parallels with the delayed realisation of fully autonomous cars.
In a landscape dominated by the push towards EVs, Toyota, under Toyoda’s leadership, continues to champion a diversified approach to fuel technologies, maintaining a commitment to various options beyond electric vehicles.
In a bold departure from conventional electric vehicle (EV) technology, Rimac, the renowned supercar manufacturer, is spearheading a groundbreaking exploration into the untapped potential of harnessing electricity from liquid fuels. Founder Mate Rimac is at the forefront of this paradigm shift, envisioning a future where electric drivetrains draw power from unconventional sources like diesel.
Rimac’s avant-garde strategy hinges on the application of nanotubes to superheat a variety of liquid fuels, heralding a new era in electricity generation that could potentially replace traditional batteries in EV drivetrains. Preliminary projections for this revolutionary method point towards an anticipated efficiency of 80%, a notable leap from the 30% average associated with internal combustion engines. Beyond efficiency gains, the technology stands to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, aligning with global initiatives to combat climate change.
The transformative impact of Rimac’s technology extends beyond its environmental implications, promising to redefine the design and performance benchmarks of sports cars. By eliminating the need for heavy batteries, Rimac’s approach brings substantial benefits in terms of weight and packaging, facilitating a more streamlined and efficient design. Founder Mate Rimac envisions this technology as a transformative element for sports cars, poised to elevate performance standards while seamlessly aligning with sustainability goals.
Despite the recent triumph of Rimac’s flagship model, the Nevera EV, which secured a Guinness World Record for the fastest reverse speed, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to pushing the boundaries of EV technology.
Rimac’s foray into harnessing electricity from liquid fuels not only showcases their commitment to innovation but also sets the stage for a paradigm shift in the EV industry. As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, Rimac stands as a trailblazer, redefining what is possible in the realm of electric mobility.
In the aftermath of the New Year’s Day earthquake that struck Japan’s western coast, Toyota Motor announced its decision to restart operations at its Japanese vehicle plants on Monday. However, the company has stipulated that a separate determination will be made concerning operations from January 15, considering the ongoing aftershocks and the impact on suppliers.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, left a devastating impact on Japan’s western regions, particularly the Noto peninsula, resulting in over 100 confirmed fatalities and more than 200 people still missing. As the affected areas grapple with the aftermath, Toyota aims to cautiously resume its operations while prioritising the safety and well-being of its employees and stakeholders.
Toyota President Koji Sato addressed the challenges faced by the company, stating that they are actively working to understand the intricate supply chain situation. Notably, suppliers Aisin and Sumitomo Electric suffered damage from the earthquake, contributing to the complexities in the manufacturing landscape.
In a humorous turn of events, Tesla has transformed a memorable 2019 mishap into a unique accessory for its Cybertruck owners. During the initial unveiling of the Cybertruck, Tesla’s Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, attempted to showcase the vehicle’s shatterproof windows by throwing a metal ball at them. To everyone’s surprise, the supposedly unbreakable windows cracked.
Elon Musk’s reaction at the time, “Well, maybe that was a little too hard,” quickly became a viral moment. Now, Tesla has decided to embrace the incident by offering an exclusive “broken glass” sticker specifically designed for the Cybertruck’s rear driver-side window, where the real-life cracks occurred.
Priced at $55 (RM256), the sticker serves as a lighthearted nod to the infamous window demonstration gone awry. Despite its seemingly steep price, the sticker has quickly sold out, with Tesla not disclosing the exact quantity made available.
The Cybertruck, known for its unconventional design and robust features, has become a symbol of Tesla’s innovation. The window sticker, showcasing the cracked glass pattern, is positioned on the rear side window, ensuring it doesn’t obstruct the driver’s view for safety reasons.
During the recent Cybertruck delivery event, von Holzhausen recreated the infamous window test, this time with a seemingly gentler throw that did not result in any cracks. While the sticker is undoubtedly a playful addition to the Cybertruck accessory lineup, it’s just one of many items available on Tesla’s official website.
Aside from the broken glass sticker, Cybertruck owners can choose from a range of accessories, including a tailgate ramp, cargo rails, and a $3,000 (RM13,963) tent designed to seamlessly integrate with the truck bed. Prices for the Cybertruck itself start at approximately $61,000 (RM283,924) for the two-wheel-drive version and extend to over $100,000 (RM465,450) for the high-performance four-wheel-drive variant dubbed the Cyberbeast. Tesla continues to leverage the Cybertruck’s unique characteristics, turning even unexpected events into opportunities for creativity and engagement with its community of owners and enthusiasts.
QuantumScape, a leading developer of solid-state batteries, has achieved significant success in recent testing conducted by Volkswagen’s PowerCo labs. The prototype of QuantumScape’s solid-state battery underwent an impressive 1,000 charging cycles, retaining over 95% of its initial energy capacity. This outstanding performance is equivalent to an electric vehicle covering more than 482,803km without experiencing any noticeable degradation in range.
The solid-state battery technology developed by QuantumScape is considered revolutionary due to its potential to offer longer ranges, shorter charging times, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The company’s target for the prototype was 800 cycles with 80% energy retention, and the actual results have far surpassed this goal.
The rigorous testing carried out by Volkswagen’s PowerCo labs is a crucial step in validating the performance potential of QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium metal batteries. The prototype cell used in the tests has the same number of layers and follows the same proprietary cell format as QuantumScape’s first production-intent battery cell, known as the QSE-5.
Chery has officially launched its Fengyun A8 plug-in hybrid sedan in China. Priced between 119,900 to 149,900 yuan (approximately RM78k to RM97k), the Fengyun A8 is part of Chery’s new energy vehicle series. Positioned as a compact sedan, it offers consumers four model options.
Key features of the Chery Fengyun A8 include a large trapezoidal grille connected to the headlights in the front and an upturned tail design above the trunk at the rear that has a resemblance to the Audi A8. The interior boasts a 12.3-inch instrument panel, a 12.3-inch central control screen, and a four-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel. The cockpit is powered by Chery’s Lion 5.0 operating system, with high-end models equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip.
Powering the Chery Fengyun A8 is Chery’s Kunpeng Super Performance Electric Hybrid C-DM system, comprising a fifth-generation ACTECO 1.5TGDI hybrid engine and a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The total power output is 355hp and 530Nm of torque, with an acceleration time from 0 to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The car’s 18.3 kWh lithium battery pack provides a pure electric cruising range of 127km (CLTC) and a total range of over 1,400km (WLTC). The fast-charging capability allows the battery to be fully charged from 30% to 80% in 19 minutes, while slow charging takes at least three hours.
The lineup comes standard with navigation, OTA updates, Bluetooth, remote control through the app, and karaoke functions. Both CarPlay and HiCar are supported. The advanced driving assistance system, available only in high-end models, includes features such as front and rear collision warning, automatic emergency braking, full-speed range adaptive cruise control, and lane merge assist.
Amidst power outages caused by storms and flash flooding on 25th December 2023 in Australia, an electric vehicle (EV) owner on the Gold Coast utilised her car’s emergency power system to run her 11-year-old son’s life-saving dialysis machine.
Kristy Holmes, a resident of the Gold Coast, utilised her BYD electric car, equipped with a “vehicle to load” system, allowing the EV to function as an emergency power source for various devices.
The unexpected blackout prompted Holmes to initially assist her neighbours by connecting their refrigerators to her EV. However, as the power outage persisted, she realised that her BYD Atto 3, purchased in February, could potentially power her 11-year-old son Levi’s life-saving dialysis machine. Taking a decisive step, Holmes successfully ran the dialysis machine off the car’s power, ensuring that Levi, who is on the verge of joining a transplant list, received critical treatment despite the adverse weather conditions.
New images of China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, have been unveiled, showcasing next-generation launch tracks capable of catapulting a wider range of aircraft from its deck. First unveiled in June 2022, the domestically designed and built Fujian is yet to undergo its first sea trials.
The Fujian surpasses its predecessors, the Shandong commissioned in 2019 and the Liaoning, acquired from Ukraine in 1998, in terms of size and technological advancements. Images broadcasted on state television depict the Fujian being towed by a smaller vessel, revealing all three tracks of its electromagnetic catapult system on the deck.’
While sea trials are pending, the carrier has undergone various tests, including mooring tests. In November, the Fujian initiated launch tests for its electromagnetic catapult system, distinguishing it as the only carrier, besides the US Ford-class carriers, equipped with the latest Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS).
China’s version of EMALS enhances its capability to launch a broader spectrum of aircraft compared to its predecessors, Shandong and Liaoning. Additionally, it is touted to be more reliable and energy-efficient, marking a significant milestone in China’s military modernisation efforts.
President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on increased combat-readiness and technological advancements aligns with the trajectory of modernising the Chinese military, with the Fujian showcasing its commitment to achieving these goals. The unveiling comes amid heightened tensions, with some speculating potential military actions concerning Taiwan, particularly ahead of the 100th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027. The carrier’s advanced features and capabilities underscore China’s commitment to strengthening its naval prowess on the global stage.
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