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Unique features for Rolls-Royce Cullinan owners to enjoy their outdoor adventures

Even the wealthiest people will enjoy a drive into the countryside where they can have a picnic and enjoy the fresh air and natural environment. For Rolls-Royce owners, until recent times, this would have meant using a vehicle other than their Rolls-Royce (perhaps a Range Rover) which could comfortably go off-road. With the addition of the Cullinan to the range in 2018, they no longer need to use another brand as they can now enjoy ‘Effortless, Everywhere’ motoring with the SUV.

In addition to conveying its occupants to their destination with the same comfort and serenity as, say a Ghost or Phantom, the Cullinan offers two unique Bespoke features to ensure that, on arrival, they are equipped with everything required for their outing.

Designed as an original feature
The first is the Recreation Module, a motorised drawer cassette designed to fit securely and invisibly into the luggage compartment floor of the Cullinan. The idea for such a feature was originally included in the development of the model, the first SUV in Rolls-Royce history. While the Recreation Module adds to the Cullinan’s versatility and individuality, it does so without compromising the car’s spacious 2245 mm loading length and boot capacity of up to 1930 litres.

At the touch of a button, the Recreation Module slides open to reveal equipment, accessories and other items which can be personally selected by the owner. Whatever shape and size, the Bespoke department will create an individually tailored container for the item. The Recreation Module can be trimmed to match or contrast with the car’s interior and exterior colourway according to the owner’s preference.

Modular approach for different purposes

The Recreation Module provides up to 48 litres of space and the entire assembly can be removed and stored separately. The modular approach means that the owner can have different modules for specific hobbies and applications. For example, one Recreation Modules could accommodate guns for shooting, while another could be filled with equipment to fly a drone. A third could be all the necessary gear for a weekend of fishing.

One example was a personalised Urban Photography Recreation Module for use by photographer Mark Riccioni who, in 2019, was commissioned by the company to create a series of innovative and subversive images featuring Black Badge Cullinan, under the cover of darkness, among the distinctive automotive subcultures of Greater Los Angeles.

To support the project, a module was developed incorporating specialist equipment including a DJI drone, 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro and 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro for image capture and editing on location. The Bespoke Collective of Designers, Engineers and Craftspeople also found room for his noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses and outerwear.

Hosting Service for picnics
The second feature is a permanent Bespoke feature for the Cullinan named the Hosting Service. This marries design, craftsmanship and engineering to offer a range of accessories to create the perfect beverage while enjoying beautiful vistas. Suited to hosting up to 8 adults, the Hosting Service comes complete with glassware and the utensils for creating a fresh cocktail or gin and tonic.

Elegant highball glasses are adorned with discreet Rolls-Royce monograms whilst wooden chopping boards are made of the highest quality American walnut. Additionally, space is provisioned for a light snack service.

A Viewing Suite
As well as the Recreation Module, the rear compartment can accommodate another Bespoke feature which is unique to the Cullinan. It offers seating looking rearwards which, in other SUVs, would be on the fold-down tailgate or boot floor. Rolls-Royce, however, provides a Viewing Suite with two seats. With the tailgate open, a touch of a button deploys the rear-facing seats sociably arranged on either side of a retractable cocktail table.

The price of a Cullinan, which has a 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 engine, starts from RM1.5 million (excluding taxes) but it is unlikely that anyone pays that amount. Virtually every owner would specify some degree of personalisation and items like the Recreation Module and Viewing Suite would add to the final price.

Black Badge Cullinan – The King of the Night completes the Rolls-Royce Black Badge family

Save money when you switch to the pick-up truck life this month

The modern pick-up truck is a different vehicle from what it used to be. Before the Ford Ranger appeared in the late 1990s, pick-ups were pretty much workhorses and comfort was not a strong point. They were intended for use in rough conditions and mainly for business purposes.

Ford changed that image and usage norm when it introduced the Ranger which offered more comfort, a passenger car-like interior and even stylish looks – without losing that rugged ‘Ford Built Tough’ capability.

Many people found it easy to use a Ranger, and decided that it could serve as their daily drive instead of a passenger car. It was ideal as a multi-role lifestyle vehicle, just as useful for sending the kids to school as well as going off-road to explore the countryside on weekends.

If you’re keen on making the switch too, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has special offers this month that will save you money. They’re offering up to RM7,000 savings for the Ranger Wildtrak, and up to RM8,000 savings for the more performance-oriented Ranger Raptor. These are for the 2020 models imported from Thailand and between 2020 and 2021, no major changes have been made so they are just as good and up to date.

Besides the comfort, the Rangers come with a high level of protection. The Ranger WildTrak has an extensive array of smart safety technologies including first in-class features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning.

It also comes with the first and only in-class Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking system – definitely a useful feature considering the length of the vehicle. Not only does the system help to find the right size parking space but it also automatically steers itself into the bay. All the driver has to do is control the power and there’s even a rearview camera to show what’s behind.

The Ranger Raptor remains as the first and only factory-built high-speed performance pick-up truck in Malaysia. It has been developed by Ford Performance and all the extra items on the vehicle are factory-fitted, not aftermarket installations.

Its race-bred suspension uses Fox Racing Shox that have extra-long travel for those who want to try ‘flying’ (literally) over the ground. The advanced Terrain Management System is like a ‘computerised co-driver’ which has various modes to suit different surface conditions and optimise stability and traction.

There’s even a Baja Mode, the name referring to a region in California where desert races are run. Ford engineers have taken experience from engineering vehicles for such races and in this mode, the Raptor can rocket over rough terrain at high speeds with stability and more linear power delivery.

The Ranger Raptor is powered by a 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with 213 ps/500 Nm (compatible with B7 and B10 diesel grades) Power flows to four wheels through Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission and a robust transfer case which provides a second set of ratios that are very low for tougher conditions.

“As models at the top of their class, the Ranger Raptor and Ranger WildTrak are the epitome of lifestyle pick-up trucks that are gaining in appeal to discerning customers and pick-up enthusiasts in Malaysia. With these special deals, we hope to offer customers more savings this festive season,” said Turse Zuhair, Head of Sales at Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

Find out more about the Ranger models by visiting www.sdacford.com.my where you can also check the locations of authorised Ford dealerships. You can also send a WhatsApp message to the Ford Digital Salesperson at +60 19-204 1200 to get information and immediate answers to queries.

Ford Ranger wins International Pick-up Award 2020

Yamaha offers newly developed 350 kW/476 ps electric motor for hyper-EV models (w/VIDEO)

Yamaha Motor has completed development of an electric motor which it claims reaches the industry’s highest class in output density. This unit, which can be used in hyper-EV models to provide exceptionally high performance, is available for ordering for commissioned prototype development from this month. This would be useful for companies which are not established car companies with technical and financial resources for R&D but require a well engineered powertrain.

Maximum output up to 350 kW/476 ps
Since 2020, Yamaha Motor has been accepting commissions for developing prototype electric motors (35 – 200 kW/48 ps – 272 ps) for automobiles and other mobility applications. However, the company has also newly developed a unit boasting a maximum output in the 350 kW/476 ps class (operating voltage of 800V) intended for installation and use in hyper-EVs and other high-output applications.

The main feature of this newly developed electric motor is its compact construction that treats the mechanical and electrical components as a single entity, integrating the gear and inverter into one unit. It was also developed in anticipation of installation and use of multiple units on a single vehicle.

Broad scope of prototype development
Regarding commissioned prototype development, Yamaha will leverage its production technology and know-how in the casting, machining and assembly fields that give the company the flexibility to adapt to the needs of motorcycles and its numerous other products, its prototyping equipment and facilities and more in order to develop prototype motors tailoring to the specific requirements of clients in a short period.

Involved in high-performance Toyota engines
To many, Yamaha may be well known for its motorcycles although it has business units involved in various power units. It also has long experience in high-performance engines and helped Toyota develop and built the DOHC 6-cylinder engine in the 2000GT in 1967. The company was also involved in the development and manufacture of various Toyota twincam engines, among them to 2T-G and 4A-GE used n models like the Corolla Levin/AE86 and MR2. The V10 in the Lexus LFA was also developed with assistance from Yamaha.

*1.6-litre Toyota 4A-GE engine used in the Corolla Levin AE86 (above) and V10 engine in the Lexus LFA (below) were developed with Yamaha’s expertise.*

Ford too commissioned the Japanese company to make a 3-litre DOHC V6 for its Taurus SHO model and it is known that the 4.4-litre V8 in the Volvo S80 and XC90 was developed with expertise from Yamaha too.

FEATURE – The German engine that was born on a Japanese bullet-train

Singapore is first export market for Perodua Aruz

*Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.*

Singapore is the first export market for the Perodua Aruz, joining the Myvi and the Bezza in the island republic. Imported and sold by Perocom Auto Pte, Ltd., Perodua’s distributor since 1997, the Aruz is priced at S$92,999 (equivalent to RM286,409), inclusive of Goods and Services Tax and a Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

First Perodua 7-seater in Singapore
As the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in Singapore (the Alza has not been sold there), the Aruz offers three rows of seats and the second and third rows can be folded and set in various configurations. This will provide extra flexibility in carrying cargo and people.

Standard equipment for the version exported to Singapore (Aruz X) includes LED headlamps, 17-inch 2-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry and pushbutton engine start, and an infotainment system with a touchscreen which also doubles up as a display for the rearview camera.

As in Malaysia, the Aruz sold in Singapore has an all-aluminium 4-cylinder engine with a 1.5-litre displacement and Dual VVT-i in the 16-valve cylinder head. With Eco Idle and a 4-speed electronic automatic transmission, the fuel consumption is claimed to be up to 15.6 kms/litre.

5 stars from ASEAN NCAP
The Aruz has been evaluated by ASEAN NCAP and was rated at the maximum of 5 stars. Vehicle Stability Control, 6 airbags and ISOFIX points are among the safety features. [Click here for ASEAN NCAP’s full report]

“The arrival of the Aruz in Singapore marks the first 7-seater offered by Perodua in the island nation,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. “With nearly 58,000 units sold in Malaysia since its debut in 2019, the Perodua Aruz was Malaysia’s best-selling SUV overall in 2019 and 2020. We are looking forward to sharing the Aruz’s space, safety, versatility, durability, practicality and fuel efficiency with our southern neighbours.”

Perocom Auto also imports the Myvi and Bezza and previously sold models such as the Kancil, Kembara, Kelisa, Viva, Axia and earlier generations of the Myvi.

Perodua’s export markets
Besides Singapore, Perodua also exports to Brunei, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Fiji. Its vehicles are also exported to Indonesia where they are sold under the Daihatsu brand and the model name of Sirion. This is significant as it means that the Japanese carmaker considers Malaysian-made quality as being of a standard high enough to put its own badge on the car.

*The Myvi made in Malaysia is sold as a Daihatsu Sirion in Indonesia.*

To know more about the Aruz and other Perodua models in Malaysia, visit www.perodua.com.my.

Perodua aims for 9% increase in sales volume to 240,000 units in 2021

Futuristic looking Hyundai Staria goes on sale in Korea

Hyundai Motor’s futuristic looking MPV, the Staria, has gone on sale in Korea with exports to other markets starting in the second half of this year. While the rest of the world will regard it as a MPV, the Korean carmaker refers to it as ‘a model for its future Purpose-Built Vehicles’ which furthers Hyundai Motor’s transformation as a Smart Mobility Solution Provider.

The overall design has a monolithic form running from front to rear. The designers are said to have been inspired by the curve of light that illuminates the Earth’s horizon at sunrise when viewed from space.

It has very clean surfaces and at the front is a bold, wide radiator grille with a unique pattern. It is embellished with horizontal daytime running lights (DRLs) and a positioning lamp, together running across the width of the vehicle, complemented by a Its clean silhouette is further accented by a pair of low-set headlamps.

An interesting approach is the use of the same body colour for all frontal parts to maximize the vehicle’s modern and pure style. One variant will feature tinted brass chrome treatment, applied to the Hyundai emblem, grille, headlamp bezels, front and rear bumpers, wheels, side mirrors and door handles to emphasize the vehicle’s premium and modern look.

Inspired by Korean architecture
Lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows improve overall visibility and create a feeling of openness for the occupants This sense of spaciousness — inspired by traditional Korean ‘hanok’ architecture — allows passengers to feel as if the outside scenes are an extension of the vehicle interior.

The design theme carries over to the rear, where a wide window is framed by elongated vertical tail lamps. On the STARIA Premium versions, there’s Hyundai’s unique Parametric Pixel lamp design and garnish on top. The rear bumper is lowered for easy loading and unloading of cargo.

Diesel engine still available
Though there is often talk of the diesel engine fading away, Hyundai Motor appears to believe it is still desired in some markets and include a 2.2-litre diesel engine as one of the two powertrain choice, the other being a Smartstream G6DIII 3.5-litre MPI petrol engine.

The diesel engine can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Smartstream engine will be available only with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Both powertrains have low noise, vibration, and harshness for comfortable motoring.

Depending on the market, the Staria will be available with seating for 2 to 11 persons and will have variants that come with upgraded features and exclusive finishes for a more luxurious look and feel.

Innovative space utilization
The innovative interior space utilization is made possible by the MPV’s 3273-mm wheelbase with an overall length of 5253 mm and width of 1997 mm. Its overall height of 1990 mm is optimized for passengers to conveniently enter and exit the vehicle and is high enough for an average school-aged child to stand upright and move with ease. The cargo space availability varies depending on how the seating configurations are arranged, with maximum cargo space of up to almost 5,000 litres available.

‘Inside-out’ design methodology
‘Inside-out’ design methodology was used to provide interior spaciousness and usability. The layout is simple with cruise ship-inspired design architecture. The driver’s seat has a futuristic high-tech look with an advanced 10.25-inch front display screen, touch-based centre fascia and a button-type electronic shift lever. The digital cluster is located on top of the dashboard, providing an unobstructed view for the driver.

The 7-seat Premium variant comes with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and also have sliding capabilities for easy reach or to maximize cargo space. With the 9-seater, individual seats in the second row can swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row for discussions while on the move.

Additional variations to come
“We are thrilled to introduce Staria which represents our latest effort to spearhead the evolution of mobility, and to address emerging lifestyle needs as we adapt to new ways of living,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice-President and Global Chief Marketing Officer. “Staria is a step forward in connecting us more closely with our environments so that we can get more out of our everyday lives and do more for ourselves in transit.”

He added that, moving forward, Hyundai plans to launch Special Vehicle line-ups of the Staria such as limousines, ambulances and campers. In addition, eco-friendly variants are also in the pipeline for future introduction.

2021 Hyundai IONIQ 5 – first model of new IONIQ EV brand

Karamjit Singh Confirms Rallying Comeback With Cisco Racing Team!

It was a momentous day for Malaysian motorsport today as local rally legend Karamjit Singh announced his return to active racing.

Karamjit was in the news recently when a local news site reported about the difficulty he faced off the dirt road. Sponsorship dried up and even the local rally championship winded up, and soon after, Covid decimated the world, and any remaining dream of rallying.

The local daily report, which was written by Frankie D’Cruz for Free Malaysia Today , was strongly titled – “Where’s the respect for rally superstar Karamjit Singh?” (click here to read the article), and was equally hard hitting.

The article highlighted the sad state of local motorsport athletes, and the seemingly failure of powers to be of their recognition of putting the country on the world map.

Particularly painful was a report that was carried by multiple media platforms about Karamjit having to turn to e-hailing to make ends meet. This was despite the Youth and Sports Ministry verbally informing Karamjit that he would receive RM5,000 a month for being a world champion. This was back in 2005.

A lot of promises had been made, but none were delivered.

Ultimately what got Karamjit back behind the wheel of a race car, and more determined than ever to succeed, is a local private security company – Cisco.

After reading about Karam’s story in the FMT article last December, Cisco Managing Director Rabin Nijhar (above, left) decided to reach out to Karamjit. What started as a simple job offer quickly evolved into a dream to restore Karamjit’s position as Malaysian Rally Champion, and Cisco Racing was born.

This also means that Karamjit would return to rallying for the first time since 2018, and will partner his long time navigator Jagdev Singh for the first time since Jagdev put away his navigation charts in 2015.

“ After 2020, I was looking for an exciting opportunity when I came across Karam’s story, and we at Cisco were in a unique position to help. As we come out of the Covid Pandemic, Malaysia needs a comeback story to rally behind, and I believe that Karamjit Singh is that story. We are excited to bring Malaysia together to support a true national icon,” said Rabin about how the idea was first mooted.

In a press release distributed by Cisco, Karamjit was quoted as saying, “ I’m very passionate about rallying, it’s been my job for nearly thirty years. I’ve been driving professionally since 1988, it was only up until recently that I’ve had trouble finding sponsors but the fact is, I can’t live without rallying. It is my passion and I just want to rally as much as I can and I am really looking forward to this event and getting back into the groove. I’ve missed rallying so much. ”

And Jagdev said, “ I am absolutely thrilled to get back into the car with Karam and must thank Cisco for giving us the opportunity to get back into competition. Karam and I go back a long way and we first partnered back in 1997, representing Proton and Malaysia in the Asia Pacific Rally of China. Since then we have done many rallies together both locally and internationally, winning nearly every event we entered. I’m certainly looking forward to the first event in June and will put in 100% towards securing a win for us on our return! ”

Cisco and Karamjit Singh are eager to hit the track in the upcoming Malaysian National Rally Championship due to be held on the 26th and 27th of June this year in Sepang.

In an exclusive private interview after the launch, we asked Karam what the difference was between the Karamjit of today and that of 10 years ago. His answer was a simple, “I am faster now than I was then”. Watch the exclusive interview at our Youtube channel, and don’t forget to subscribe to get notified every time we upload a new video about the local motoring scene.

2021 Porsche Turbo now available from Sime Darby Auto Performance

For more than 4 decades, the Porsche Turbo has been the top of the company’s range, offering superlative performance and optimum driving dynamics. The latest generation 911 Turbo S is now officially available from Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), priced from RM2,235,463 (with 50% exemption of sales tax until June 30, 2021).

New 6-cylinder boxer engine
The latest model has a new 3.8-litre 6-cylinder boxer engine with two VTG turbochargers, and delivers 650 ps/800 Nm. Based on the 911 Carrera engine generation, it features a completely redesigned air-cooling system; new, larger turbochargers in a symmetrical layout with electrically adjustable wastegate flaps, as well as the use of piezo injectors, which have significantly improved the vehicle’s characteristics with regard to responsiveness, power, torque, emissions and revving ability.

With 8 gears in the PDK optimised for the turbocharged engine, the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time is said to be two-tenths of seconds quicker than before but the top speed is still 330 km/h. Thanks to the enhanced Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system, the transfer case can distribute significantly more torque, with up to 500 Nm being transferred to the front wheels.

Modified track widths, further developed aerodynamics and new mixed-sized tyres contribute to the agility and sportiness of the new 911 Turbo S. The track is now 42 mm wider at the front axle and 10 mm wider at the rear axle.

The body dimensions have also been increased significantly in line with the enhanced driving dynamics, with an added 45 mm above the front axle (1840 mm) and an increase of 20 mm in overall width above the rear axle (1900 mm).

Adaptive aerodynamics
Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) adapts the aerodynamic characteristics even more precisely to the driving situation, speed and selected driving mode. This resolves the age-old aerodynamic configuration dilemma: the contradiction between a low drag coefficient for maximum speed and low consumption, and high downforce for better driving dynamics.

The comprehensive expansion of PAA makes it possible to achieve a much larger spread between the aerodynamic configurations for optimum driving dynamics and minimum drag. The adaptive aerodynamics now include controlled cooling air flaps at the front and a larger rear wing for even more downforce.

The active cooling flaps, together with the variable front spoiler lip as well as the larger extending and tilting rear wing which delivers 15% more downforce, offers 3 active aerodynamic components, depending on the speed and driving mode. In the newly available Eco configuration, the rear wing is retracted over a large speed range so that the vehicle can be driven with minimum drag.

Wet Mode
Also new is a ‘Wet mode’ which enhances driving stability in wet conditions. The extended but not yet tilted rear wing combined with the completely retracted front spoiler lip shifts the aerodynamic balance towards the rear axle when the Wet mode is activated. This results in a higher rear-end and driving stability for greater safety on wet road surfaces.

In the event of full braking at high speed, the new airbrake function will be activated automatically. The front spoiler and rear wing are moved to the Performance position for higher drag and increased downforce to reduce the braking distance and improve driving stability during braking.

For the first time, the 911 Turbo S is factory-fitted with mixed tyres in two different sizes: 20-inch tyres with unique 255/35 dimensions at the front, and 21-inch 315/30 tyres at the rear.

High quality sporty finish
The interior has a high-quality and sporty finish. Standard equipment includes a full leather interior and carbonfibre trim in combination with Light Silver accents. The 18-way adjustable sports seats have stitching that pays homage to the first 911 Turbo (type 930). High quality graphic elements and logos in the instrument cluster complete the characteristic Turbo S features.

The centre screen of the PCM is now 10.9 inches and can be operated quickly without distraction, thanks to its new layout with significantly reduced number of controls. Other features on board are the GT sports steering wheel, the Sport Chrono package with newly integrated Porsche Track Precision app and BOSE Surround Sound system.

“The Porsche Turbo designation is synonymous with outstanding performance, even when it was first introduced. The forefather of all Turbos (the 930 generation) was indeed a technical revolution in car production and has been improved time and time again. This is even more so with the new 911 Turbo S. While it performs at the level of a supercar, the daily driveability remains outstanding. It is this flexibility to react to different situations that makes the 911 Turbo S a personal favourite of mine. Combining unprecedented power, driving dynamics and comfort with efficiency builds a bridge from tradition to innovation with this new generation,” said Christopher Hunter, CEO of Sime Darby Auto Performance.

For more information on the new 911 Turbo S or other Porsche models available in Malaysia, contact one of these authorised Porsche Centres: Porsche Centre Ara Damansara | Porsche Centre Sungai Besi | Porsche Centre Penang | Porsche Centre Johor Bahru.

Shell and Porsche team up to provide first cross-border high-performance charging network in Southeast Asia

Final three winners of Honda ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition vehicles receive their prizes

Honda Malaysia today concluded its ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign celebrating the achievement of 1 million vehicles sales with the presentation of the final three ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition models to the lucky winners. The presentation ceremony was done together with the brand partners for the campaign – CUCKOO, Shopee and Watsons.

“Thanks to the excellent leadership of my predecessors, the strong commitment of our Honda associates and dealers as well as the support from the Malaysian government has led Honda Malaysia to achieve many remarkable milestones. Today, I am very privileged to be here celebrating this outstanding achievement with all of you and presenting the final three ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition models to the lucky winners from our brand partners,” said Madoka Chujo, Honda Malaysia’s new Managing Director & CEO.

The three exclusive models
The three exclusive Honda models were the BR-V, HR-V and latest City and the winners were Mohd Aisamuddin bin Mohd Azilah, Muhammed Faisal Adnan and Megawati binti Affendi, respectively.

Additionally, Ahmad Sirwan Bin Mat Tuselim who was the customer who made the 1 millionth vehicle purchase – a Civic – was presented with a token of appreciation worth more than RM8,000 from Honda Malaysia together with the three brand partners.

*Ahmad Sirwan bin Mat Tuselim (centre) , the 1-millionth customer, with Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo (right) and President & COO, Sarly Adle Sarkum (left).*

Exclusive features inside and outside
Four other models – the Civic, CR-V, Accord and Jazz – were presented to winners earlier at a Grand Finale held at the Bukit Jalil Stadium outside Kuala Lumpur. Each of the models had exclusive features such as a Dual Tone Exterior, Front Fascia with Red Highlights, Sporty Red Line Side Mirrors, Black Painted Alloy Wheels with Red Highlights and ‘1 Million Dreams’ Signature Emblems on both front fenders of the cars.

Inside the Special Edition models were ‘1 Million Dreams’ Embossed Leather Headrests on the front seats as well as a Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel with Red Stitching and Centre Mark. Each winner also received a ‘1 Million Dreams’ Special Edition Leather Key Pouch.

The ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign, which included a number of activities, started on February 25, 2021 and submission of entries closed on March 24. Members of the public were invited to participate in the activities to obtain entry forms and those who had registered on the Honda Touch app got 5x more entries. Besides requesting for a test-drive at any authorised Honda dealership, there were 5 other ways for them to obtain entries. According to the company, over 155,600 entries received in just one month.

To know more about Honda products and services in Malaysia or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit www.honda.com.my.

Honda stays at No.1 position in Non-National segment for 6th year

RM570 million Sime Darby Motors City officially opened at Ara Damansara in Selangor

Making the purchase and ownership of cars as convenient as possible is important to retain customers so they continue with the brand the next time they replace or get an additional car. For many companies, providing convenience has been through making retail outlets 3S – offering sales, service and spare parts. In this way, they are a one-stop centre for all the customer’s needs, from the time of purchase through owning the vehicle.

Sime Darby Motors has gone further by not only having 3S outlets but also clustering them at one site so that customers can choose from a wider range of models from different brands without having to go to different locations. The site is the new Sime Darby Motors City located in the township of Ara Damansara within the Klang Valley, near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (formerly Subang International Airport) which is claimed to be the largest automotive complex in Southeast Asia.

It is the realisation of an idea which has been considered for at least the past 30 years, perhaps gaining more relevance as the number of brands increased from the early ones such as Ford and BMW to now include Porsche, Hyundai, Jaguar, MINI, Motorrad (BMW motorcycles), Land Rover and Volvo. Though operational for over a year now, the official opening of Sime Darby Motors City has taken place only today due to COVID-19 pandemic and Movement Control Orders which restricted public events.

6 showrooms plus pre-owned business unit
The complex of 6 flagship showrooms and service centres is built on 8.6 acres of Sime Darby land adjacent to the highway to the airport. The built-up area is considerable – 1.3 million square feet – with up to 8 levels, some of which are for the service centres. It has a Green Building Index (GBI) certified facility built with sustainability in mind and incorporates technologies to cultivate a paperless organisational culture.

There is also an indoor facility with space for almost 100 vehicles that are managed by the Sime Darby Auto Selection unit dealing with pre-owned vehicles. Sime Darby Motors City also has mobility collaborations with SOCAR (a car-sharing network) and myTukar (an online used car trading platform).

*Auto Bavaria has this special area for handover of new vehicles to customers.*

First automotive facility with IoT
Each showroom has its own identity in keeping with the brand image, and aftersales services are provided with the highest standards, both in terms of equipment and personnel. Sime Darby Motors City is Malaysia’s first automotive facility that deploys Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, enabling improved service capacity, and supporting the company’s growth by accelerating efficiencies to deliver world-class services to its customers.

“As one of the key players in the automotive industry, Sime Darby Motors has always been committed to pursuing excellence as we strive to provide world-class services to our customers. The launch of Sime Darby Motors City is a testament to this steadfast commitment,” said Andrew Basham, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors.

At the heart of the facility’s digital infrastructure is its Vehicle Tracking Management system which utilises a camera-based parking guide and customisable signages to ensure a higher level of guidance, security and convenience for the customer. It also allows for quicker collection of vehicles upon completion of service. Internally, the facility’s digitalised infrastructure communicates the status of each vehicle in real-time, ensuring greater efficiencies are achieved.

IoT-powered Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras have also been installed as part of a contactless self-check-in system, enabling customers’ appointment data to be accessed, upon their arrival. Concurrently, a service advisor will be alerted and automatically assigned to the customer, allowing for a seamless experience. The deployment of these technologies will be rolled out progressively throughout Sime Darby Motors City.

*Customers visiting showrooms and service centres can relax and have snacks and drinks or even do work in comfortable surroundings.*

RM570 million was spent on building Sime Darby Motors City so it is not a project that may be replicated in other parts of the country. “We have no plans for another similarly sized complex but we could explore other approaches in future,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail and Distribution for Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors.

Future-ready for EV era
With an eye on the future of the business, Sime Darby Motors City is future-ready as the automotive industry continues to evolve towards EV. It is equipped with specialised EV-certified technicians and designated areas for EV charging, storage and repairs, which are currently available at Auto Bavaria, Auto Hyundai, Auto Performance and Swedish Auto, all of which have brands that offer electrified models.

Sime Darby Auto Performance, which represents the Porsche brand, has installed Malaysia’s first fast Direct Current (DC) high-performance charger, operational since September 2020, within its Porsche Centre. Capable of delivering a maximum of 175 kW, it is able to provide a nearly full charge within 36 minutes, which is at least 8 times faster than the fastest Alternating Current (AC) charger available at 22 kW.

Grand Launch Weekend
This weekend (April 16 – 18) will be a good time to visit Sime Darby Motors City as there will be a ‘Grand Launch Weekend’ event with attractive deals at all the showrooms. However, it is recommended that those going there contact the showroom they wish to visit so that an appointment can be made. This is to adhere to the government’s COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures on crowd control and physical distancing.

New Bentley Flying Spur V8 arrives in Malaysia, priced from RM839,000

At the uppermost end of the car market, ‘best’ is rather subjective and those who spend a million ringgit and more would consider that what they have purchased is ‘the best’. Nevertheless, each carmaker in that sector would present its car as being the best and Bentley declares its Flying Spur as ‘the best luxury sedan in the world’.

The Flying Spur is now available through the officially importers for Malaysia, Bentley Kuala Lumpur, and is available in both 4-seat or 5-seat configurations. The basic price starts from RM839,000 excluding taxes and registration, and a typical customer would obviously pay a higher price.

Driver-centric experience
While most Bentley customers in Malaysia are likely to be chauffeur-driven, the company’s research shows that an increasing number of its customers prefer to drive the car themselves. In fact, global research (including two customer clinics in America and China) indicated that over 40% of customers travel with rear seat passengers at least once a week.

For this reason, Bentley’s engineers focussed on offering a more driver-centric experience, with a class-leading portfolio of intelligent and intuitive equipment and technology tailored to the driver and also the passengers.

V8 that can become an I4
Under the bonnet is Bentley’s 4.0-litre, twin turbocharged V8 engine, an alternative choice to the iconic W12 unit. With turbocharging, it produces 550 ps/770 Nm with responsiveness and a top speed claimed to be 318 km/h.

When the driver is not blasting along at high speeds, the engine can save fuel by literally halving its displacement and running on 4 cylinders. It does this by shutting down one bank of cylinders under light-load conditions, when torque demand is below 235 Nm and the engine speed is below 3000 rpm.

The transition from V8 to what is essentially an inline four is imperceptible to the occupants and can be executed within 20 milliseconds (a tenth of the time it takes to blink). The result is savings of up to 16% in fuel consumption, allowing a longer range and less stops to refuel if driving very long distances.

Advanced chassis
The latest Flying Spur has powertrain and chassis advancements; Adaptive Air Suspension, Torque Vectoring by Brake, Drive Dynamics Control, and Electric Steering, all of which are standard features. The technically advanced, adaptive chassis can feature Bentley’s pioneering 48V electric active anti-roll control system (Bentley Dynamic Ride) and Electronic All-Wheel Steering are available as options.

Recognisable as a Bentley
The bold exterior design is new and modern but still recognisable as a Bentley. It has increased road presence and stronger, more muscular lines that sweep the full length of the car. Compared to the second generation, the latest one has a wheelbase that is 130 mm longer, benefitting interior space and comfort.

For the Flying Spur V8, there are seven Bentley paint finishes to choose from and for those who want even more exclusivity, there is an extended range of over 60 colours, including Mulliner and personal commission.

Cabin with fine materials and craftsmanship
The interior has comfortable, spacious seats available in 5 hide colours, with Bentley’s ‘Wing’ theme across the lower console and fascia. Sweeping horizontal veneer flows across the dashboard and into the doors, emphasising the spacious width of the cabin. Besides Crown Cut Walnut as standard, there are 7 other veneers to choose from, plus a High Gloss Carbonfibre technical finish.

The industry-first Bentley Rotating Display is also available on the new Flying Spur V8. When the engine start button is pressed, the veneer section in the middle of the dashboard rotates to reveal a 12.3-inch touchscreen, displaying three, customisable digital tiles. The second side of the display reveals three elegant analogue dials showing outside temperature, a compass and a chronometer. A complete digital detox can be selected on the third side, to simply enjoy the seamless wood veneer fascia continuing around the cabin.

Needless to say, the range of equipment is extensive and can be supplemented with options like Rear Seat Entertainment tablets, Naim for Bentley audio system and even the luxury of an onboard 2-bottle drinks cooler. A completely new design means that the cooler is packaged into a much smaller space than the previous generation of the Flying Spur, resulting in less intrusion into the 420-litre boot space.

Only electric power for Bentley vehicles by the end of this decade

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