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Renault to offer hot hatch with four wheel steering

Renault has announced that its all-new Megane Renault Sport will feature four-wheel-steering, a first for the hot hatch segment. Called the 4CONTROL four-wheel-steer technology, this system should enable the car to offer drivers enhanced agility, cornering performance and steering precision.

The rear wheels assist in steering through the use of an electromagnetic actuator mounted on the rear axle. This entire system has been calibrated to increase the limits of what the car is capable of which will probably result in better agility, cornering stability and higher speeds.

Buyers will have the option of choosing between having the car with a Sport or Cup chassis. The former will offer drivers a blend of performance and ride comfort characteristics, which is a better comprise for more practical use. The latter, has been engineered to deliver the best on track performance possible, resulting track focused resposiveness and feedback.

When launched, the new Megane Renault Sport with four-wheel-steering will offer better responsiveness especially during hard cornering, putting lesser cars at a disadvantage. How well this system does in real life, remains to be seen. But we are sure Ford and Volkswagen won’t take this news lying down.

Ferrari’s V8 engine wins International Engine of the Year in 3.0-4.0L Category

Ferrari’s venerable 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, the very same that powers the 488GTB, 488 Spider has been named International Engine of the Year in the 3.0 to 4.0-litre category. It is also the same engine, albiet with a slightly smaller displacement, that can be found in the Italian Automaker’s California T and GTC4Lusso T models.

Speaking of Ferrari’s latest honour, Tony Robinson, founder of the International Engine of the Year Awards, said, “This is only the second time in the history of the IEOTYA that such a powerful performance engine has taken the overall honours two years consecutively and won the most coveted, outright IEOTYA title. The Ferrari V8 is all about amazing power delivery, precision, driveability and a wonderful soundtrack, too.”

The automaker has dominated the award’s above 4.0-litre and Performance Engine Categories for the past six years. And this year, Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated 6.3-litre V12 engine, the very same unit that powers the F12berlinetta and F12tdf, received the Above 4-litre award for the second year in succession and third in total.

Having said that, the V12 engine is the most special of the lot for Ferrari. That’s because this was the original configuration that the company started its legacy with, exactly 70 years ago in 1947. It’s hailed to this day as the quintessential powerplant of the brand and through constant development, will continue to power the crème de la crème of performance cars that bear the Prancing Horse badge.

Since delving into the forced-induction game in recent years, Ferrari has managed to create turbo engines that offer little to no turbo lag resulting in exceptional levels of linear power delivery. These masterpieces that Maranello has been producing, are of some of the most technologically advanced engineering marvels of the modern world.

Peugeot’s 1.2L PureTech wins International Engine of the Year

Peugeot’s little 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine has won this year’s International Engine of the Year award for the 1.0 to 1.4-litre category. The winners of these awards are chosen by an international panel of journalists who decide on the appropriate winner based on a set criteria.

This is the third year in a row that Peugeot has won it, which is a testament to the quality and reliability of it’s powerplant. Over 850,000 units of this particular engine have found their way into Peugeot vehicles around the world.

Demand for the engine seems to be growing by the day, and to compensate for it, the French automaker is planning on increasing the number of facilities that are able to manufacture them. It has been stated that if the current trend is maintained, annual production of the 1.2-litre PureTech engine should reach 1 million units by 2019.

Peugeot’s PureTech 1.2-litre engine is a 3 cylinder unit that comes with either a 110bhp or 130bhp power rating and is being utilised in about 90 different models in 70 countries.

Speaking of the award, Christian Chapelle, Vice-President, Powertrain and Chassis Engineering, PSA Group, said, “Receiving this award confirms the exceptional quality and performance of our petrol engines. We are continuing to optimize our internal combustion engines to make them more efficient and ever more environmentally friendly, thereby better addressing the challenges of energy transition.”

Before the end of 2017, Peugeot plans on updating their award winning engine with the following features to boost efficiency, performance and fuel consumption:

introduction of a petrol particulate filter to reduce emissions particles by more than 75%
optimisation of efficiency, due to the combustion cycle evolution and a 250bar fuel injection pressure;
reduction in mechanical friction and introduction of a new turbocharger
making the engine more compact to optimise body aerodynamics

Here in Malaysia, the newly launched Peugeot 208 PureTech is powered by the same award winning engine that we have mentioned in this article. If you would like to know more about it, visit the automaker’s local website.

Proton Iriz wrecked on motorcycle lane of Federal Highway

Our sister site, BikesRepublic.com published an article where it was reported that a Proton Iriz owner had ventured into the motorcycle lane of the Federal Highway and ended up in a bit of a pickle near the Mid-Valley-Puchong section.

We aren’t too sure whether this was an honest mistake or a deliberate attempt by the driver to bypass the infamous daily Federal Highway bumper to bumper crawl. And it’s still unclear what exactly transpired that led to the car ending up wedged between a drain and the adjacent parapet.

It’s possible that the car may have lost traction, veered of the road and ended up with its left tyres in the ditch. Or it could have been equally likely that, the car wound up there due to the driver’s lapse in judgement whilst attempting to maneuver past the bollards.

Either way, this wouldn’t be the first time that a four-wheeled vehicle has entered an area that is essentially designated for two-wheelers. Such a move is usually attempted by errant drivers who try to ‘cut queue’ or beat the traffic jam completely in an attempt to shave significant time off their daily commute.

Though this might come as news to many car drivers, the motorcyclist lanes on the Federal Highway are considered unsafe by many road users due to the many hazards along the way, which include flooding, poor visibility and road surfaces that have degraded to an unsafe level. Many motorcyclists and media outlets have been quite vocal about this, and we hope that the authorities take appropriate measures to ensure that steps are taken to improve the road conditions there.

As the Raya holiday season approaches, we here at Piston urge our readers to exercise caution while on the road. Leave the shenanigans of speeding and racing for the racetrack and instead, drive within the speed limit at all times. For more tips on how to prepare your vehicle for the journey home, click here.

Honda donates $1,000,000 to Nationwide Childen’s Hospital

Honda has announced that it will be giving the Nationwide Children’s hospital in the USA, a $ 1 million (RM 4,288,650) gift package to establish the Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement, which is designed to enhance pediatric mobility. It’s the first of its kind and will provide spine motion analysis, sports performance programs and injury prevention in addition the comprehensive gait analysis.

The state-of the-art facility will feature instrumentation, including advanced video recording techniques and 3D motion analysis cameras, force platforms and electromyography. This will make the automaker a leader in prosthetic and wheelchair development, allowing it to complete its mission of improving the mobility of all children.

Honda’s center will aid in seeking and promoting innovative ways to manage patients with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury and neuromuscular disease, congenital anomalies and amputations, and any condition which may limit mobility.

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in children, accounting for nearly 10,000 new cases annually. Another 1,500 babies are born with spina bifida each year and 1,500 children are admitted to hospitals with spinal cord injuries. Apart from this, nearly 3 million cases related to sports injuries are reported by pediatric emergency departments in hospitals around the US.

“At Honda, we consider ourselves a mobility company, and we want our products and our philanthropy to focus on the joy and freedom people have when they have mobility,” said Tom Shoupe, senior vice president of Honda of America, Mfg. “Whether motorcycles, automobiles, marine engines, aircraft, or assistive robotics, we have a long tradition of providing mobility products and so it was a natural fit to work with Nationwide Children’s on a center that would work to expand physical mobility for patients.”

Through the use of the facility, more opportunities will be made available for research within pediatric sports medicine, injury prevention and surgical rehabilitation. As additional opportunities are identified, it broadens Nationwide Children’s approach to multidisciplinary research and care.

Honda and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital have had a longstanding partnership dating back more than 30 years. And just recently, the Japanese automaker pledged $750,000 (RM 3,216,488) for the construction of “Determination Way” Nationwide Children’s custom-designed simulated community. This will provide a real-world environment where rehabilitation patients can learn how to manage daily living activities.

Kia Stonic to to challenge leaders of Europe’s crossover segment

Kia’s answer to the compact crossover segment leaders, is the Stonic, which is said to be an important model for the Korean manufacturer in Europe. That’s because this particular crossover segment accounts for 1.1 million vehicle sales in Europe alone, each year and that figure is predicted to balloon to more than double that by 2020.

The Stonic features relatively sharp styling and contours that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The signature Tiger nose grille is present but less prominent than those found on other model and features a minimalist look that adds detail to the entire assembly. The long swept LED headlights are a decent addition and lend a touch of class to the entire look of the front end.

The side profile blends the width of an SUV with the compact lines of a modern day hatchback, giving the Stonic a sleek sporty look that’s almost car-like. At the rear, it features a design reminiscent of the Hyundai i30. The curvature of the tail lamps and tailgate provide the vehicle with a broad and masculine look.

The Stonic’s design is a collaborative effort between Kia’s design houses in Europe and Korea, which the company says, allowed the body to incorporate sharp horizontal feature lines with softer sculpted surfaces. Built on a strong and lightweight platform, the Stonic is made from advanced high strength steel, which accounts for 51 percent of the body’s total material.

Speaking of the latest addition to the family, Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, said, “The Kia Stonic will be one of the most compelling new cars in this rapidly-expanding class, backed by Kia’s unique warranty, and the brand’s reputation for reliability, quality and contemporary design. As the segment expands, the Stonic looks set to become one of our best-selling cars.”

Typical of a modern day Kia, the interior is well laid out and features an infotainment system that is said to be user-friendly and convenient to operate on top of being compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Powering the new crossover will be a range of lightweight, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines that will be paired to a manual transmission. The lack of an automatic option is rather surprising but Kia believes this combination will offer maximum driver engagement and efficiency. The engine options are a turbocharged 1.0-litre T-GDI, 1.25-litre and 1.4-litre naturally aspirated MPI petrol engines as well as a 1.6-litre diesel one to complete the range.

Kia has tuned the steering and suspension setup to match the taste of European buyers and comes with a slew of safety tech, which include Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). Specific functions of VSM include Torque Vectoring by Braking, Straight Line Stability, and Cornering Brake Control.

Buyers can choose from a selection of Kia’s DRiVE WISE Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which are Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition and Forward Collision Alert, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning System. Thanks to a new fusion camera system, Stonic also offers High Beam Assist and Driver Attention Warning.

Apart from that, the Stonic’s ‘Targa’-style roof and two tonne paint scheme will provide potential buyers with several different colour combinations to choose from, 20 to be exact with a choice of five distinctive colours for the roof. Buyers in Europe can expect it to go on sale sometime in the next few months with Kia’s unbelievable 161,000km warranty package.

Honda reveals sketch of 10th generation Accord

Honda has released a concept sketch of its upcoming 10th generation Accord. Based on what we can see, the new car should have a more muscular and sporty stance compared to the previous generation, which is a very good thing. Though the overall design language doesn’t detract much from that of its predecessor, the changes provide the silhouette more depth and the curvature of the front-end give the car a menacing look.

The all new 2018 Honda Accord will make its global debut in Detroit on July 14 and the Japanese automaker boasts that it will be the most ‘fun-to-drive, premium looking and dramatically styled Accord ever made’. Earlier in the month, it was revealed that Honda would be offering the car with two new direct-injection turbo engines that would be paired with either the new Honda-developed 10-speed automatic transmission, CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission. The hybrid variant should feature the company’s next generation two-motor hybrid powertain technology.

Honda says that it will reveal full details regarding the performance of these powertrains as well as the new design and technology at the launch event, state side. North America is an important market for the Japanese company because for the past four years, it has seen the Accord top the sales charts in the midsize sedan segment. And in the first five months of 2017, it has held the title of segment leader in sales and is the best-selling passenger car overall after the new Honda Civic.

Expect more details regarding the car very soon as Honda prepares to reveal the highly anticipated 10th generation Honda Accord for the global market next month.

New Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special to debut at Goodwood

The new Subaru WRX STI Type RA NBR Special will make its debut at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed and will then be belted up Goodwood’s famous Hill Climb as is customary for vehicles featured at the event.

The RA designation in the nameplate stands for “Record Attempt”, which is a name given to various Subaru performance models. It was first used in 1989 for a competition version of the Subaru Legacy that was successful at breaking the FIA World Speed Endurance Record by clocking about 100,00 km in 18 days and set a top speed record of 222 km/h.

As a means to commemorate the launch of the new car, a race prepared version of its namesake, will attempt a Nürburgring speed record soon after its runs up the Goodwood Hill Climb in the Time Attack Open class with rally and stunt driver Mark Higgins, at the wheel.

In case you didn’t know, Higgins attempted a remarkable and incredibly dangerous feat of setting a new lap record at the Isle of Man. He meandered his Subaru WRX STI down the St Moritz’s Olympic Bobsled to complete a respectable run, which eventually lead to him setting the lap record at the Isle of Mann TT in 2016.

The Japanese automaker has been known for producing some of the most remarkable 4-door performance cars the world has seen thanks to lessons learnt on the rallying stage. It’s attempt at the Nürburgring should be taken seriously because Subaru isn’t known to attempting something, halfheartedly.

Jaguar Land Rover team up with Gorillaz to recruit new talent

Jaguar Land Rover has teamed up with Gorillaz to recruit the next generation of electronics and software engineering talent through the introduction of a code-breaking challenge found in the Gorillaz app.

The best performers within the app will be fast-tracked through the recruitment process, allowing Jaguar Land Rover’s fill the vacant positions by employing deserving bright new talents over the course of next year.

This is a major departure from conventional way that automakers use to discover and hire talent that they require. This path will allow the company to tackle the engineering skills gap, and inspire and attract a diverse range of talent and new thinking.

Once launched, the App displays a 360-degree environment of the band’s home garage, where a several iconic vehicles from Gorillaz’s past can be seen. Applicants can interact with the app in two stages. The first, is meant to educate them on the benefits of electric vehicles, how to assemble the Jaguar I-PACE Concept 1 and have an in depth look at the first all-electric Jaguar five-seater sports car. It will even be able to inform these applicants about these vehicles’ performance, battery technology, space, charging and range.

The second part is considered more demanding of the stages. It focuses on code cracking in the Alternate Reality Game format (ARG). The challenge here is for applicants to go through a series of code breaking puzzles that will test their curiosity, persistence, lateral thinking and problem solving skills. These are the very same attributes that Jaguar Land Rover feel is essential for all new generation of software and engineering talent to possess in order to be worthy for a place at the company.

“As the automotive industry transforms over the next decade, fuelled by software innovation, we have to attract the best talent and that requires a radical rethink of how we recruit,” said Alex Heslop, Head of Electrical Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover. “Here, we’ve found an engaging way to recruit a diverse talent pool in software systems, cyber systems, app development and graphics performance. It will be the first of its kind.”

This project is said to follow the Jaguar Land Rover STEM initiative with Gorillaz in 2016 where the founding members and female guitarist, Noodle, became the Jaguar Formula E Racing Ambassador. And as such, Jaguar Land Rover hopes that this might aid the change in the perception many young minds have toward the IT profession and help close the skills gap in the field.

The Jaguar I-TYPE, which is the Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s all-electric Formula E racecar, also makes appearance in the Gorillaz app. It will be located in the garage with a poster of Noodle with the car. Users can click on this poster and it will allow them to vote for the @JaguarRacing team drivers to gain a power boost during their next race or to follow the @JaguarRacing Twitter channel.

Despite this new revolutionary method of recruiting new talent, Jaguar Land Rover is still accepting traditional application methods but it hopes that more will choose to use the app instead, break codes and solve problems. This in turn, will help them fast-track their way into a position at the company.

Mercedes-Benz picks up two awards

Mercedes-Benz has won two awards at the inaugural Auto Trader New Car Awards. The first award was for the “Best car for Long Distances”, which was picked up by the C-Class and the second, was for the E-Class by winning the ‘Best Car for Families’ award.

Unlike most motoring related awards, the Auto Trader one is a bit different. Winners aren’t chosen by a panel of judges, instead, decisions are based on the opinion of 10,000 consumers who have bought, driven and lived with these vehicles – they provide unbiased and valued insight of the ownership experience.

Krishan Bodhani, Head of smart and Product Management, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: “It’s a huge honour for us to win two awards at the first ever Auto Trader awards, especially as the votes are cast by customers.”

Currently, the E-Class line-up is as diverse as it has ever been thanks to the recent addition of the E-Class Cabriolet and E-Class All-Terrain as well as several petrol and diesel engines to the line up. How well Mercedes-Benz does this year remains to be seen. But if they keep churning out cars like the current E-Class, 2017 should be a good year for them.