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F1: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to make statement with black cars and racing suits

When Formula One returns to racing this weekend in Austria, it will do so in a world that has changed profoundly since the teams last gathered in Melbourne in early March for what was to have been the opening round of the 2020 championship (it was cancelled).

The COVID-19 pandemic and various tough actions taken by almost all countries saw movements restricted, and all motorsports were suspended. While that impacted racing teams, the manufacturers they represent as well as the sponsors greatly, there has also been another development which has become an almost global social issue.

Discrimination is not acceptable
In the past five weeks, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has shone a searching light on how much we need new measures and actions in the fight against racism. In sports especially, discrimination of any form is not acceptable. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team has spent the past weeks listening to the perspectives of its team members, to learn and to reflect on the team as it is today and how they want it to be in the future.

“It’s so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity. I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change,” said Lewis Hamilton, who is the first and still the only black driver in F1. “When I spoke to Toto [Wolff] about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united.”

*Lewis Hamilton is the first and still the only black driver in F1. He says he has personally experienced racism so this initiative by his team matters a lot to him personally.*

Looking inwards at itself, the team could see that there is a lack of diversity: just 3% of its workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only 12% are women. “ This lack of diversity shows that we need to find new approaches to attract talent from many areas of society we do not currently reach. We know that our team will be stronger if we can attract talents from the broadest possible pool and we are committed to achieving this through positive action,” said Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

For the 2020 season, the team has therefore chosen to race in an all-black base livery as a public pledge to improve the diversity of the team. It is a clear statement of the team’s stand against racism and all forms of discrimination. The call to ‘End Racism’ will feature on the halo of both cars, and the united F1 initiative #WeRaceAsOne will be featured on the mirrors of the W11 racing car.

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Racing Team W11 — *The racing cars will be predominantly in black, a change from the light colour sheme they started off with at the beginning of the year (below).*

Diversity and Inclusion programme
“Before the end of this season, we will announce a Diversity and Inclusion programme that will include but not be limited to: continuing to listen to and raise the awareness of our team members; forensic analysis of our recruitment and development processes; collaboration with the sport’s key stakeholders to improve accessibility to our sport; and targeted education initiatives to encourage and support talented people from under-represented backgrounds who aspire to reach F1,” Wolff explained.

“We know that it will take time to build the right strategy, and consistent effort and investment year on year, and decade on decade, to make a measurable difference; our commitment to doing this is irreversible,” he declared.

At the highest levels of Daimler AG, which funds the team, there is also full support for its actions being taken. Markus Schaefer, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, Responsible for Group Research and Non-Executive Chairman of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team said: “In recent weeks, events around the world have reinforced the importance of continuing to fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. At Mercedes, we know that the strength of our organisation lies in the diversity of our people, and we are proud to be able to use one of our most prominent global platforms to signal our commitment to this fundamental principle of our society and our business.”

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team — *Just 3% of the team’s workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only 12% are women. That’s going to change.*

Speaking up for respect and equality
Expanding on the subject, Wolff said: “Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief at Mercedes. But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn’t enough if we remain silent. We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport.”

“We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, nor from the progress we must still make; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action. We intend to find and attract the very best talents from the broadest possible range of backgrounds, and to create credible pathways for them to reach our sport, in order to build a stronger and more diverse team in the future. I would also like to use this opportunity to thank our parent company Mercedes-Benz and our family of team partners who have supported and encouraged this initiative,” he said.

Drivers will use their high profile
At the heart of the team’s commitment to fighting racism and discrimination are its high-profile drivers, and most prominently 6-time world champion Hamilton. He recently announced the formation of the Hamilton Commission, a research partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering dedicated to exploring how motorsport can be used to engage more young people from black backgrounds with STEM subjects and ultimately employ them at Mercedes teams or in other engineering sectors. He and his partner, Valtteri Bottas, will race in black overalls for the 2020 season, with helmet designs adapted as well.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes Board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business. We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change,” he said.

The Waze app has become better – update yours today!

It seems that during the ‘downtime’ when movements were restricted in Malaysia and many other countries, the people at Waze spent the time updating and improving the popular app. Now that people are back on the roads motoring and commuting, they have a new version with a refreshed brand identity and new features.

According to Waze, the latest brand refresh ‘reinforces inclusivity and connection into every journey on the road, empowering each user to share how they are feeling with the Waze community’.

Waze was founded on the simple idea that by working together, the community could help make motoring better. When a Wazer hits a pothole and reports it, or when one of Waze’s volunteer Map Editors adds toll prices to the map, the shared community of drivers all benefit – encouraging more people to participate and help make the road a less lonely place.

For example, in Malaysia, the community of Map Editor volunteers is helping to collect and input toll price information on Waze – enabling users to view and compare the prices while driving along tolled routes.

Moods feature evolved
The Moods feature has been evolved, providing more clarity and hilarity than ever. Whether it’s Happy, Wild , Zombified, or anything in-between, there’s a Mood for everyone to express how they feel in traffic, in all the different moments on their journey, and make people smile, even when there might not be much to smile about. The evolved feature is said to enable better self-expression.

Beyond Moods, a new bold colour palette reflects the joy and uniqueness of users, with a new visual language based on roads and maps. This will be seen in multiple places, including the Waze website, emails, and social channels.

Enhanced graphics
‘Block by block’ is a graphic system inspired by maps and city streets. It uses an assortment of simple, geometric shapes to provide bold, branded graphics, divide compositions, and organize information. And much like Waze itself, it does all of that while creating some playful pit-stops along the way.

“Waze is home to the world’s largest community of drivers, and we’ve always used the power of our people to transform the road into a happier, more humane place,” said Jake Shaw, Waze Head of Creative. “This brand refresh encapsulates that unique Waze experience visually, with a new grid format based on our map, new Moods to capture the infinite array of emotions we all feel while driving and a lively colour palette that celebrates the joy that we always try to bring to the road, and the magic of our community and the way we work together for better.”

“As a crowdsourced app, Waze is incredibly vibrant and dynamic,“ added Kelvin Sim, Country Lead of Waze Malaysia “We wanted to build a strong, flexible visual identity that would support the brand and its users while allowing them to authentically express themselves and have fun. Waze is about working together to make the smoothest drive possible, but also observing and sharing the world around you.”

Yes, Waze MOTORCYCLE and CAR modes can give you two different routes.

Toyota widens reach with Flagship Stores on Lazada and Shopee

Online shopping has been growing in popularity over the past few years and with the COVID-19 pandemic, its growth has accelerated. These days, you can get almost anything online and now, the list includes Toyota vehicles.

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has opened online stores at two of Malaysia’s e-commerce platforms – Lazada and Shopee – to reach further. Being online, the Toyota Malaysia Flagship Stores are open 24/7 so they can be visited at any time of the day, making it convenient for shoppers.

“As online shopping is now part of daily life, UMW Toyota Motor is also establishing a presence on the popular ecommerce platforms of Lazada Malaysia and Shopee with the Toyota Flagship Stores. We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to buy Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, especially if they are looking for great money-saving deals. This follows the earlier introduction of the Toyota Online Showroom which was very well received,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

Online-only special deals
From time to time, car-buyers will find special deals on selected Toyota models, with booking fees as low as RM250. And just like purchasing other goods online, payment can be made the same way, ie by credit card or electronic fund transfers from banks. Chat support is also available at the online stores (Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm) for customers who may have queries.

*One of the deals currently offered at the Toyota Flagship Store.*

Currently, there’s a special promotion for the Fortuner SUV (limited stocks) worth RM22,760 and it comes with 5 years of free scheduled maintenance (terms and conditions apply). There are other exclusive deals for the Innova, Harrier and Hilux (limited stocks) as well. The deals are available only for online bookings at the Toyota Flagship Stores on both Lazmall and Shopee Mall.

“Online sales of new cars have been gaining popularity in other countries and are more appreciated with the current situation whereby consumers may be reluctant to go to showrooms due to health concerns. We therefore offer online channels through the popular e-commerce platforms as well as our own Toyota Online Showroom so they can be fully informed and then make the purchase conveniently,” added Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

Revised Toyota Pricelist after Sales Tax Exemption

The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan has arrived in Malaysia

‘Black’ is mentioned a lot in the news these days and it’s become controversial in the social and political context. But not all black subjects are controversial and the Black Badge family of cars from Rolls-Royce are desirable products for those an emerging generation of super-luxury consumer.

Launched in 2016, the Black Badge cars for a permanent Bespoke range that, in the words of Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, ‘reflects the desires of a distinct group of Rolls-Royce clients: men and women who take risks, break rules and build success on their own terms’.

Appealing to new, younger generation of customers
Since being launched, demand for the Black Badge offering has been growing as the bold theme attracts new – and younger – customers to the marque. It appeals to the new generation of customers – or ‘clients’ as Rolls-Royce refers to them – who would consider the ‘silver badge’ Rolls-Royce too conventional and traditional. The approach is not new to Rolls-Royce as there have been offerings in the past which inverted the ‘silver badge’ to black as a means of creating uniqueness (apparently there was even a ‘red badge’ tried out at one time).

This ‘alter ego’ is codified by the mathematical symbol that represents a potential infinity, placed discreetly within the motor car’s interior. This marking, known also as the lemniscate, was applied to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s record-breaking Rolls-Royce-powered Blue Bird K3 hydroplane, denoting that it belonged to an insurance class reserved for boats with unlimited and therefore infinite engine power. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars selected this hallmark for its Black Badge cars to reflect its own unrelenting pursuit of power.

Full Black Badge range
Rolls-Royce debuted the Black Badge range with the Wraith and Ghost in 2016, followed by the Dawn in 2017. Today, the family is completed for the first time in Malaysia with the introduction of the Black Badge Cullinan by Rolls-Royce Kuala Lumpur (RRKL). It is rare for a distributor to have the full range but RRKL does, perhaps a reflection of its notable presence in the Rolls-Royce global network.

Introducing the Black Badge Cullinan SUV this afternoon, Anas Zawawi Khalid, Executive Director for Quill Motorcars Sdn Bhd, which operates RRKL, said: “We are seeing a distinct change in the Super-luxury arena within Malaysia. Increasingly, we are welcoming younger, adventurous Rolls-Royce customers alongside our more established clientele. We have refreshed our Black Badge range for 2020 and have already seen strong interest from customers who are looking for something very contemporary and bold.”

The Cullinan, which is the first SUV from Rolls-Royce, has been in the market for two years now. It may have been late into the luxury SUV market but then again, a SUV bearing the Spirit of Ecstasy on the bonnet has to be the best in every aspect – including off-road capability – so that would have taken the engineers a while to achieve. The end result is a vehicle that is ‘Effortless, Everywhere’ as the company describes the true ‘Rolls-Royce of SUVs’.

It doesn’t have to be black…
Black is, of course, the dominant theme of the Black Badge Cullinan and while most customers will choose this colour, Rolls-Royce also offers no less than other 44,000 colours to choose from. And if the colour cannot be found, the customer can provide a sample of a colour desired and it will be developed for his or her car.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan — *If you prefer, you can also have your Black Badge Cullinan in white – or any of the 44,000 colour choices available.*

Multiple layers of paint and lacquer are meticulously applied and hand-polished 10 times, the most comprehensive surface finish process ever applied to a solid paint colour. The depth and intensity of Black Badge Cullinan’s coachwork serves as the perfect canvas upon which to throw a contrasting hand-painted Coachline into stark relief.

Exclusive core elements
Core elements are in black or black chrome, including the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot (including its mounting plate). The ‘Double R’ badge on the front, flanks and aft invert to become silver-on-black, while chrome surfaces such as the front grille surround, side frame finishers, boot handle, boot trim, lower air inlet finisher and exhaust pipes are darkened. While they appear black, the vertical grille bars remain polished, reflecting the blackened surfaces that surround them to add a frisson of movement that hints at the motor car’s dynamic intent.

The overall effect artfully simplifies and enlarges SUV’s exterior design graphics, further dramatized by all-new 22-inch forged alloy wheels, reserved exclusively for Black Badge Cullinan.

The gloss black and polished design also creates the perfect stage for the marque’s first ever coloured brake caliper finished in high gloss red paint.

Incidentally, many of the core items on a Black Badge model are exclusive. They are not offered by as Bespoke items so customers cannot personalise their car to be like a Black Badge. If they want a Black Badge model, they have to buy the whole car but they can personalise it as much as they want too.

‘Amplified’ V12 engine
The Black Badge Cullinan isn’t just about the dark aesthetics. The boldness of the theme is supported by ‘amplification’ of the 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. It was deemed unnecessary to make changes to the ample internal capacity but tuning adjustments have generated an extra 29 ps for a total output of 600 ps. The sense of a single, infinite gear has also been enhanced with the addition of a further 50 Nm of torque, bringing the total to a 900 Nm.

There’s also an entirely new exhaust system, announcing the vehicle’s arrival with a deep, authoritative basso profundo. It’s not the sort of sound that will disturb the neighbour’s baby but it will signal the presence of the Black Badge Cullinan.

The drivetrain, ZF 8-speed gear box and both front and rear steered axles work collaboratively to adjust the levels of engagement depending on throttle and steering inputs. Changes to suspension components and settings add to the suite of dynamic technologies that ensure an appropriate balance between dynamism and refinement.

To bolster confidence, the braking bite point has been raised and pedal travel decreased. Redesigned brake disc ventilation also allows consistency in these changes while braking at elevated temperatures.

Whatever the customer wants…
It is unlikely that any two Black Badge Cullinans will have similarly equipped interiors. Apart from a near-infinitely configurable interior colour palette, just about anything a customer wants to install can be done provided it does not compromise safety. For those who prefer to leave it to the professionals, the Colour and Trim designers have created a bold new leather colour, Forge Yellow, to offer as part of the brand’s curated collection.

One increasingly popular feature is the Starlight Headliner and its presence in Black Badge Cullinan intensifies the cabin’s ambience by casting a low light over the whole cabin. Presented in fine Black leather, handwoven with 1,344 fibre-optic lights in the ceiling, it can show the sky at night with 8 brilliant white shooting stars that dart at random around the ceiling. Or the customer can specify a personal design and the tiny lights can be arranged to show it.

A person who is ready to buy a Rolls-Royce is unlikely to be overly concerned about its price but for those who are interested to know, the price of a Cullinan in Malaysia at the time of its launch in January 2019 started at RM1.8 million (without tax). A Black Badge version would be considerably more although the present exemption of 5% of Sales Tax has also brought it down. According to Encik Anas, the Sales Tax exemption – which has obviously meant significant savings for a buyer – has encouraged more people to ‘come through the door’ and discuss a purchase.

The customers, he revealed, are as young as in the early 30s, while the global average is in the 40s. In any case, Rolls-Royce is seeing its clientele becoming younger and has therefore responded with offerings like the Black Badge range.

2020 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Family — *The full Black Badge family, available in Malaysia.*

“This remarkable motor car is creating tremendous amounts of interest amongst younger, affluent customers who are new to Rolls-Royce but who value adventure and freedom of travel without compromise,” he said, adding that RRKL is seeing an increasing number of customers from East Malaysia. As for aftersales support, RRKL has been progressively enhancing its service centre and its practices and services are optimised.

The Starlight Headliner – Bringing the starry sky inside a Rolls-Royce

Latest Autohaus with Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence has opened in the northern region of Malaysia.

A new Mercedes-Benz Autohaus incorporating the latest Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence has opened in the northern region of Malaysia. It is the first facility to showcase the German brand’s concept which is said to centre on the customer.

Operated by Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C), which originally brought Mercedes-Benz to Malaysia, the Autohaus is located in Alor Setar, Kedah, C&C has had a presence in the northern region for close to a decade, during which time it has built up a base of customers and fans of the brand.

The Autohaus is supported by a team of dedicated Star Assistants, Sales Executives, Product Experts and After-sales technicians with an in-depth understanding of its northern region customers’ needs. Needless to say, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also provides additional support whenever needed.

Raising benchmarks
“Our mission to deliver ‘Exceptional Journeys’ throughout the customer journey is a continuous effort. We are embracing digital advancements to raise the benchmark of premium automotive retail and customer experience, while retaining the personal and human aspect that our customers have grown to love. In line with this commitment, we remain invested in our sites, systems and people and the Cycle & Carriage Alor Setar Autohaus is a testament to this,” said C&C CEO, Wilfrid Foo.

Congratulating the C&C team on the opening of the new Autohaus, Dr Claus Weidner, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said: “The reintroduction of the Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Alor Setar reflects our continuous effort in providing an upgraded retail experience for our northern region customers while retaining the Mercedes-Benz personality. We have merged automotive, technology, and luxury, as seen in our cars, making the retail experience just as gratifying as the drive.”

New architectural concept
All retail elements of the Cycle & Carriage Alor Setar Autohaus are considered and modernised with the Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence; from the welcome area, sales and service to delivery, supported collectively by a personalised approach and digital elements.

The architectural layout and the way media are used are designed with fundamental processes in mind. It allows the architecture, media and processes to be regarded as components of an integrated element to optimise customer experience and stage vehicle display. They work together to enable a dealership experience characterised by a high-quality visitor environment, lightings to set the ambience in the showroom, smooth processes and a contemporary consultancy concept.

Spatial boundaries within the building are kept to a minimum to deliberately create an open-space feeling. A largely transparent building façade creates a flowing transition between the interior and exterior areas.

Strong focus on the customer
The entire showroom area is dedicated exclusively for customer service orientation without permanent workstations in the showroom. Leisure facilities for families at the hospitality cafe are available if they are waiting for their vehicles to be serviced.

At the waiting area, various seating arrangements are available, be it semi-public or a private area which can be selected flexibly for individual consultations in accordance with the preference of the customer. Salespersons and Product Experts will be on hand to offer information and other assistance.

The concept is modular in design and is oriented to the needs of customers and prospects. The flexibility and variability of the brand’s individual elements allow a high degree of spatial applications and formats. The result is a consistent application of the recognisable Mercedes-Benz Corporate Identity and Corporate Design. Furthermore, the new concept enables individual consultation and sales processes with a standardised global brand presence.

“We understand the value of establishing trust by first understanding the specific and personal needs of every customer who walks into a Cycle & Carriage dealership. Matching these needs promptly with the right channels, products or solutions is key and we are here to walk with customers through the entire process, as they begin their Exceptional Journey with us,” Mr. Foo explained.

“With the upgrades, Cycle & Carriage continues to ensure our presence delivers excellence to customers throughout our network across Malaysia, delivering on our promise of ‘Exceptional Journeys’,” Foo said, adding that the Johor Bharu Autohaus and Ipoh Autohaus will also be upgraded by the end of this year.

New Mercedes-Benz Pricelist with Sales Tax Exemption

Covid-19 — Fighting COVID-19 is our joint responsibility. Protect yourself and others: make these 6 simple precautions your new habits.

Mercedes-AMG finalising electric turbocharger for production model

Electrification is the big thing in the auto industry today. Manufacturers are racing to develop and offer electrically-powered vehicles as well as hybrids with electric power. Even high-performance brands like Mercedes-AMG are ‘electrifying’ in various ways to combines high efficiency with additional driving dynamics.

To implement this combination to optimum effect, the developers in Mercedes-AMG are working intensively on innovative technologies which will see the next vehicle generation use an electric exhaust gas turbocharger.

Of course, with its active involvement in motorsports, Mercedes-AMG can draw on the solutions and technologies from its racing cars. The electric exhaust gas turbocharger is in its final stages of development and will soon be installed in a production model.

Mercedes-AMG is working with Garrett Motion and the engineers have resolved the conflicting goals between a small, fast-reacting turbocharger which achieves relatively low peak performance and a large turbocharger with a high peak performance but which, on the other hand, can suffer from turbo lag.

The highlight of this innovative turbocharging system is a slim electric motor, measuring about 4 cm, which is integrated directly on the charger shaft between the turbine wheel on the exhaust side and the compressor wheel on the fresh air side. This electronically-controlled electric motor drives the compressor wheel before this accepts the exhaust gas flow.

The electrification of the turbocharger significantly improves immediate response from idle speed and across the entire engine speed range. The so-called turbo lag – the delayed response of a conventional turbocharger – is eliminated by the electric motor. The result is that the combustion engine responds even more spontaneously to accelerator pedal input, and the entire driving feel is significantly more dynamic and agile.

In addition, electrification of the turbocharger enables higher torque at low engine speeds, which also enhances agility and optimises acceleration capability from a standstill. Even when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator or applies the brakes, the technology of the electric turbocharger is able to maintain the boost pressure at all times, so that a continuous direct response is guaranteed.

The turbocharger can spin up to 170,000 rpm, which enables a very high rate of airflow. It can be operated via a 48-volt on-board electrical system. The turbocharger, electric motor and power electronics are connected to the combustion engine’s cooling circuit to create an optimum temperature environment at all times.

*Having long experience in F1 racing, Mercedes-AMG can draw on a lot of technologies and solutions developed for racing cars to transfer to production models.*

“We have clearly defined our goals for an electrified future. In order to reach them, we are relying on discrete and highly innovative components as well as assemblies. With this move we are strategically supplementing our modular technology and tailoring it to our performance requirements. In a first step this includes the electrified turbocharger – an example of the transfer of Formula 1 technology to the road, something with which we will take turbocharged combustion engines to a previously unattainable level of agility,” explained Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG.

Trio of new models for the Mercedes-AMG Compact Class

Updated Volkswagen Arteon range includes Shooting Brake variant

The Volkswagen Arteon, successor to the CC model, has received an extensive update for its new model year as well as gained a second bodystyle variant in the form of the Arteon Shooting Brake. For readers not familiar with a ‘shooting brake’, it’s actually an old term from the days of horse carriages which were used to carry equipment during hunting sessions. It evolved into the stationwagon but a ‘shooting brake’ is usually more sporty looking.

Volkswagen’s new entry in the shooting brake segment indicates that this segment still has potential in spite of the continued growth in demand for SUVs. There are people who want the extra load-carrying capability but not the tallness and bulkiness of a SUV (although many of today’s crossover SUVs are almost like cars anyway).

The Arteon is Volkswagen’s Gran Turismo — marrying the sleek design of a premium coupe to the space of a midsize sedan. With the Shooting Brake, the difference starts from the B-pillar rearwards. Instead of the coupe-shaped rear end, the roof and window lines are extended towards the rear on the Shooting Brake and end in the new roof spoiler.

At the top, the window line runs parallel to the roof. However, at the bottom, the lines move upwards towards the D-pillars, thus making the window area at the rear narrower and more striking. All elements together form the sporty rear profile typical for a Shooting Brake.

Sharper looks
The latest Arteon has a more a refined front end with sharpened design elements. The long, wide bonnet stretches across the entire front profile to the wheelarches to form the shoulder section. At the front, it reaches far down into the grille, emphasizing the ample width of the car with its crossbars. Aerodynamically, it’s pretty efficient with a Cd of 0.265.

The Arteon can also be configured with an illuminated grille, which was not available before. On certain versions, new LED daytime running lights (DRLs) connect to form a central light bar in the grille, surrounding the new Volkswagen logo and using light as the new chrome. Consequently, the Arteon has been given a new and unmistakable daytime and night-time lighting signature.

The lower section of the front profile, the front apron, has also been modified. Up to now, this area featured four chrome bars. These have now been transformed into three significantly more striking chrome bars.

There are some differences depending on the trim grade. For example, some versions may have two additional, separate air intake openings in front of the front wheels while the R-Line features one larger, continuous, bottom air intake above the front spoiler that is surrounded by a C-shaped section on the outside in front of the front wheels.

Volkswagen Arteon R-Line — *2-litre turbocharged TSI engine*

Powertrain choices include hybrid
Depending on the market, the Arteon will have at least four powertrain choices – a powerful 2-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engine, 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine, 2-litre turbodiesel or a plug-in hybrid. 4Motion all-wheel drive is also available for some variants. The flagship Arteon has R-Performance Torque Vectoring which distributes torque variably both between the axles and also between the rear wheels depending on the driving situation.

Volkswagen Arteon eHYBRID Elegance — *Plug-in hybrid powertrain*

Different interior functionality
The two variants differ in functionality inside, with the Shooting Brake having more versatility. With the unique design of its roof section, the Shooting Brake offers more headroom at both the front and rear. As standard, the rear seat backrest can be folded asymmetrically in both variants.

Behind the Shooting Brake’s rear seat bench is a luggage compartment capacity of up to 565 litres when loaded up to the backrest and luggage compartment cover. Loading the vehicle up to the front seat backrests increases the loading capacity to 1,632 litres (fastback: 1,557 litres). In both cases, the load space has a maximum length of 2.09 metres (up to the front seats).

Interior redesigned for refinement
The updated Arteon gets a redesigned cockpit with further refinement. At the topmost level of the dashboard, new leatherette surfaces stand out by having been refined are more pronounced with decorative seams to visually build a bridge to Volkswagen’s luxury SUV, the Touareg. On the second level, new aluminium decor is installed, with midrange versions having translucent aluminium decor and 30-colour ambient lighting. The air outlets, stretching up to the third dash panel level, are fully integrated here.

Like the new Golf, the Arteon has the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit. This allows the driver to configure the instrument display on the 10.25-inch display. The driver can quickly and easily switch between three basic layouts using a View button on the multifunction steering wheel.

Volkswagen is also offering a newly developed, high-end sound system made by audio specialists harman/kardon for the very first time. It has been specifically geared towards the Arteon product line. The system uses a 700W, 16-channel Ethernet amplifier to power a total of 12 high-performance loudspeakers.

The range of technical innovations involves powertrains as well as further IQ.DRIVE assist systems. The Travel Assist system, an option, enables partly automated driving within a speed range from 0 km/h to 210 km/h (within the system limits). An integral part of Travel Assist is the ACC with predictive speed control. The adaptive cruise control reacts to speed limits, towns, bends, roundabouts and junctions with corresponding speed adaptation.

In combination with the Travel Assist system, the steering wheel rim additionally features touch-sensitive surfaces which, once the system has been activated, detect whether the driver has at least one hand on the steering wheel for safety reasons.

Launch in Malaysia still pending
The Arteon was expected to be in Malaysian showrooms last year as bookings were being accepted in July. A unit was shown at various dealerships between July and October, with the price then quoted as RM290,000 upwards. However, it’s now been a year and we have yet to see the model.

Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about models available in Malaysia.

Volkswagen Store opens for online business on Shopee

Financial services programme to support 1,900 used car dealers

MyTukar, a used car trading platform in Malaysia has teamed up with Supply Chain Financing and P2P platform, CapBay, to offer an integrated financing programme for used car dealers. Known as the MyTukar Dynamic Dealership Programme, it is a dealership financial services programme which can provide hassle-free financing for dealerships in Malaysia, with total financing of up to RM300 million.

CapBay has strong technological expertise in executing end-to-end digitization and automation of financing processes. This enables the online car bidding platform to effectively drive its Dealer Management System. In turn, MyTukar can support used car dealers with a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

“We are pleased to introduce MyTukar Dynamic Dealership Programme, our new dealership financial services to support our 1,900 nationwide authorised dealers with a convenient and integrated purchasing experience. We believe that this programme will further strengthen our dealership ecosystem while supporting our authorised dealers’ used car business through this challenging time,” said Fong Hon Sum, CEO of MyTukar.com Malaysia.

He added: “Our priority at this point of time is to support our authorised dealers in reducing financial impact and business risks. Through MyTukar.com, we aim to simplify the process of selling pre-owned cars through digitalisation and to serve our customers with better transparency through an efficient online Car Selling platform.”

One-stop solution for financing
The MyTukar Dynamic Dealership Programme is a comprehensive financial services facility that provides authorised dealers with an effective and convenient ‘one-stop-solution’ to operate and grow their dealership business.

Mr. Fong, who has experience in the used car business, explained that with the addition of CapBay’s broad range of financial facilities to the programme, authorised dealers will receive a RM100,000 pre-approved revolving credit line to purchase cars from MyTukar’s platform. “Up to RM500,000 revolving facilities for inventory management, trade financing, and working capital is available. This enables MyTukar’s authorised dealerships to better manage their cash flow by giving a higher margin of finance for all drawdowns,” he said.

Speed up recovery of used car market
On CapBay’s part, their motivation through this initiative is to help kickstart and speed up the recovery of the used vehicle market. “We are delighted that our financial solutions are able to offer support within minutes to pre-approved car dealers who are facing cashflow pressure through these uncertain times and also present them with an opportunity to grow their dealership,” said Ang Xing Xian, co-founder of CapBay.

The revolving facilities enable MyTukar’s authorised dealers to procure vehicles and list them on the company’s online car bidding platform to fetch a higher price for their inventories. The new programme offers hassle-free financing within seconds to further complement the car purchasing experience on the platform. Dealers can pay for the financing margin balance using this facility. In other words, authorised dealers can receive short-term financing without cash outlay for purchases and free up cash flow for other investments or business opportunities.

Pearl Capsule gives Lamborghini Urus buyers additional colour choices

110 years ago, if you wanted to buy the popular Ford Model T, you had a choice of just one colour – black. Henry Ford decided to offer only one colour, largely because he wanted to maximize economies of scale by buying the biggest volume of paint so costs would be lower. Black was also quick-drying which appealed to him because he wanted to accelerate production.

Today, however, apart from limited edition models, a single colour would not go down well with customers who like freedom to choose. Still, there is a limit to colour choices for mass-produced models because the paint shop can only cater to a certain number of colours at one time. And of course, volume is again a consideration but definitely, there’s more than one colour to choose from!

More exclusive colour choices
Because Lamborghini sells cars which are expensive and exclusive, it is willing to meet almost any demand by customers when it comes to colours. Its dedicated paint shop which opened in 2019 incorporates benchmarking Artificial Intelligence applications alongside combined craftsmanship and technologies, extending the potential and volume for exclusive color choices.

As well as the new pearl colours in yellow, orange and green, reflecting the customer demand for sporty and vibrant exteriors, it has now come out with a new design edition, Pearl Capsule, for ‘new adventures in colour’ for the Urus Super SUV.

First exclusive customization option
This first exclusive customization option for the Urus is created by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design department. The assertive two-tone exterior finish embraces Lamborghini’s traditional high-gloss 4-layer pearl colours of Giallo Inti, Arancio Borealis and Verde Mantis in combination with high-gloss black roof, rear diffuser, spoiler lip and other details. The sporty matt grey tailpipes are complemented by 23-inch high-gloss black rims with body colour accent.

The interior trim is based on a unique 2-tone color combination, featuring the hexagon-shaped upholstery stitching Q-Citura with logo embroidery on the seat, plus carbonfibre and black anodized aluminium details. Available exclusively on the Pearl Capsule, the optional fully-electric seat features airy perforated Alcantara for exceptional comfort.

The Urus Pearl Capsule for the Urus offers an extended range of colors and features following the first full year of Urus production in 2019. With more than 8,300 SUVs delivered worldwide since its launch, the most popular colour options have been elegant hues of greys, closely followed by Lamborghini’s trademark yellow.

Enhancements for coming model year
Alongside enhanced standard and optional equipment, including the most comprehensive ADAS equipment in its segment, Urus owners will now be able to match their personality even more. They can choose from an updated standard colour palette and a continuously-expanding range of special colours, as well as further interior customization offered by Lamborghini Ad Personam.

“The Lamborghini Urus has attracted an extremely diverse clientele since its launch, with exceptionally varied lifestyles,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman & CEO, Stefano Domenicali. “Nearly 80% of those customers – of whom around 10% are women – are new to the Lamborghini brand, enjoying the versatility of their Urus whether for business, family outings or of course, leisure time. The colours preferred by owners has varied enormously, with a strong mix of more understated choices as well as traditional sporty Lamborghini colors.

“The next step for the Urus, appealing to a broad client base looking to continue their adventures everywhere from the city to the sand dunes, from the countryside to ski resorts, is to extend our Super SUV’s features and customizability. Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program and Lamborghini colors are an integral aspect of our brand. The new options allow Urus owners to choose exteriors and interiors reflecting their personality, lifestyle, and their chosen adventures in the Urus,” he explained.

Besides more colours choices, the coming model year of the Urus will offer the richest level of standard equipment in terms of technology, safety and ADAS. Notable product improvements include an exclusive new key design and updated optional Parking Assistance Package, including state-of-the-art Intelligent Park Assist. This system allows the car to park itself by managing steering, throttle and brake for automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, at just the push of a button. Optional equipment includes a new premium Sensonum sound system, featuring a 730W amplifier and 17 speakers.

Lamborghini Huracan EVO Rear-Wheel Drive – for the purists

How the bonnet of the new Range Rover Evoque is made ‘invisible’

In the automotive world, advances in technology are continuous. R&D keeps pushing towards the edge of the envelope in all aspects of car design to provide motorists with a better, safer and more enjoyable drive. However, it takes time for some new technologies to reach the consumer because they need to be thoroughly tested, especially in different and extreme conditions, to ensure that they are reliable and durable for the many years that a vehicle will be in use.

One example of the development of a technology advancement is the ClearSight Ground View in the latest Range Rover Evoque launched in Malaysia recently. This technology, known as the ‘Transparent Bonnet’, was first shown to the public as a feature on the Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept at the 2014 New York Auto Show. It was among the pioneering technologies from Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced research division.

2014 Discovery Vision Concept — *The Discovery Vision Concept displayed in 2014 gave a preview of technologies that Land Rover and Jaguar were developing.*

The idea behind the ClearSight Ground View was to make the bonnet ‘invisible’ so that the driver would see the ground ahead – certainly something useful in off-road driving. At that time, it seemed like just ‘concept car stuff’… something fantastic to wow the visitors with but perhaps not really possible to commercialise.

Original Transparent Bonnet image — *The original concept had image projected on the windscreen like a Head-Up Display but this approach was probably too expensive.*

But Land Rover was actually going to offer such a technology in its vehicles, starting with the Range Rover Evoque. It would be a world-first technology that would make driving over difficult terrain safer. Tree stumps, rocks, potholes and other hazards on the ground ahead under the vehicle would be visible so avoiding action could be taken earlier.

How it works
ClearSight Ground View uses cameras in the front grille and on the door mirrors for real-time imagery of the ground ahead. The coverage by the cameras is1 80 degrees forward at speeds up to 30 km/h.

A computer program creates a virtual representation of the terrain ahead, an augmented view of reality to help the driver tackle anything from the toughest off-road route to the tight confines of an urban car park.

The original concept of the Transparent Bonnet had the image projected onto the windscreen ahead of the driver, the same way as a Head-Up Display is projected. However, that would be a more expensive approach so to moderate costs, the image is shown on the large centre Touchscreen.

For better situational awareness
ClearSight Ground View is complemented by the 360° Surround Camera and ClearSight Rearview Mirror to greatly expand the driver’s situation awareness of what’s around the vehicle. The 360° Surround Camera gives a digitally created image from directly above the vehicle using four tiny cameras around the vehicle body The images are stitched together by a computer program to create the view that is like what might be seen from a drone hovering a few metres above.

ClearSight Rearview Mirror is a more versatile rearview mirror which incorporates HD imagery. In normal use, it operates like a conventional rearview mirror, providing a clear and dazzle-free view of the back of the vehicle. When required, a flip of a switch on the underside changes its view to that of a digital image from a camera in the rear door with a wider field of vision.

Most rearview camera systems mounted on the rear door often use a fish-eye lens to get the widest possible coverage. However, in many cases, the image is distorted which can make judging distances difficult.

The ClearSight Rearview Mirror image has a proportional and undistorted view and besides being also capable in low light conditions, its brightness can also be adjusted. Furthermore, by displaying a rear-facing camera feed onto the mirror, the driver’s view remains unrestricted by passengers or large items in the back.

2020 Range Rover Evoque launched with two variants, priced from RM426,828

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