Castrol is bringing back its annual Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia for 2021 and as in 2019, the event honours mechanics throughout Malaysia, being the only one of its kind in the country. Castrol is honouring mechanics’ dedication to the automotive service profession throughout March 2021 through a fully virtual experience with social media activations, giveaways and advertising.
These experiences aim to increase awareness for mechanics’ importance to Malaysian society and how they keep the economy moving though trying times of the pandemic. The campaign features a social media contest and is themed ‘Beat of Mechanics’.
Social media users who participate will be required to demonstrate their talent for dance moves by making a short video of their own, based on the #beatofmechanics music and predefined choreography displayed in the video coupled with their own creativity. The short video must also feature a vehicle, as a tribute to mechanics.
Through this celebratory contest, Castrol aims to promote appreciation of the work and contribution of mechanics behind the scenes, as well as highlight the brand’s continuous commitment to bringing new and engaging experiences for the community.
Over the past 12 months, vehicles such as ambulances, police cars, logistic trucks and delivery vehicles have been heavily depended on by essential services to support Malaysians staying at home – contributing to the country’s recovery from the pandemic. Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia aims to recognise mechanics across the country who continue to perform vehicle maintenance and repairs as equal contributors to our nation.
“We are immensely pleased to be able to celebrate so many inspiring Malaysian mechanics that have gone the extra mile through these challenging times. We at Castrol believe that mechanics display the unwavering spirit of Malaysians. Their unyielding passion, commitment and dedication they continue to demonstrate is evident in how patients, goods, and workers continue to arrive at their destination safely.” said Castrol Malaysia & Singapore Marketing Director, Keow Mei-Shan.
“We know people are turning to social media more than ever to stay in touch with family and friends, and the fully virtual campaign will make it easy for them to share their support and appreciation for our mechanics” she added.
Among the seven Special Edition models that Honda Malaysia has prepared to celebrate passing the 1 million vehicle milestone for locally-assembled vehicles from its plant in Melaka, the Accord is one of the older model lines. In fact, like the Civic, the model has been assembled in Malaysia since the first generation, and it has contributed significantly to enhancing the brand image as well as volume growth over the years.
Just one lucky customer will be the owner of the money-cannot-buy Accord Special Edition offered in the ‘1 Million Dreams’ campaign that is now on. It ends on March 24, 2021 and there are 6 ways which the public can obtain entries for submission to be in the running for one of the seven exclusive models.
Like the other Special Edition models, the Accord Special Edition comes with exclusive features on the exterior – a Dual-Tone finish (with black roof), red highlight line on the black grille, red highlight line on the door mirrors, red highlights on the 18-inch alloy wheels with a black finish and of course, the ‘1 Million Dreams’ emblem.
Inside the executive sedan, the leather upholstered front seats have an embossed ‘1 Million Dreams’ signature as well as a plaque on the dashboard. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and has sporty red stitching as well as a red mark at the 12 o’clock position, a visual indicator often found on sportscars to keep the driver aware of where the wheels are pointing.
The Accord Special Edition has the trim and equipment level of the flagship variant, the Accord 1.5 TC-P which has a retail price of around RM188,000. Although earlier generations had larger engines – up to 3.5 litres – today’s Accord uses an a small powerplant which has been developed in line with the industry’s downsizing trends. With Earth Dreams technology and turbocharging, the 4-cylinder DOHC VTEC engine can produce up to 201 ps of power, with 268 Nm of torque coming in from as low as 1,600 rpm. While the top speed is at 190 km/h, fuel consumption can be up to almost 16 kms per litre (factory testing) with a CVT.
Besides having all the features that make it suitable as an executive sedan, the Accord Special Edition also has many safety systems to protect the occupants. Top of the list is Honda SENSING, an integrated suite of active safety systems that help the driver to avoid accidents. In some cases, the systems may act autonomously, activating Automatic Emergency Braking to prevent a collision, if the driver does not take appropriate action in time.
There are also systems that provide monitoring, eg the Driver Attention Monitor which will detect if the driver is drowsy by the way the car is being controlled. There is also a monitor for tyre pressures and the driver will be alerted if there is sudden deflation.
A small camera on the left door mirror provided a real-time view along that side of the car, acting as a blindspot monitor called Honda LaneWatch. The view is displayed on the screen on the dashboard, appearing whenever the left signal is activated. In all lighting condition, the driver will be able to spot other vehicles nearby, avoiding a potential accident.
The Accord Special Edition also comes with a Multi-View Camera System which provides 360-degree coverage. The driver is able to see the ground situation on all sides of the car, a great help when parking in a tight spot.
Each owner of a Special Edition model will also receive this exclusive Honda Leather Pouch.
The lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month.
Visit any authorized Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
The Accord was the second global model to be assembled in Malaysia, initially at Oriental Assemblers in Johor. The first generation, available in hatchback and sedan bodystyles, was assembled from the late 1970s. Like the Civic, the hatchback was eventually discontinued as sales were low. The seventh generation was the first one to be assembled at Honda Malaysia’s own plant in Melaka from 2004. In its time, the Accord has had a leadership position among executive sedans, contributing to Honda’s strong presence in the market.
Car interiors have changed a lot from when drivers really did store gloves in the glove compartment, as the metal and wooden steering wheels of early vehicles got ice cold in winter. Believe it or not, house windows were used in cars initially – and only offered as an extra. And while windscreens could be opened in the early years, they became sealed when air-conditioning appeared.
As motoring became a leisure activity, cupholders became popular, especially in America. And automatic cigarette lighters were added at some point to provide convenience to the occupants, instead of having to strike a match.
Then came things like radios for entertainment on the road. Post-war dashboards were influenced by the space race, with more dials, switches and gauges, as technology became increasingly a key part of people’s lives. The advent of video games and the use of hand-held gaming controls influenced steering wheel design, with buttons placed within easy reach of the driver’s thumbs.
The evolution of the interior is ongoing as times change and usage requirements have changed as this video shows.
More but ‘less’
While the trend in recent decades was towards ‘more’ in the car interior to provide more ‘convenience’ – more buttons, more gadgets, more features, more elements – Ford is taking a reductive approach, using human-centric design to declutter the interior and create a holistic space.
Reductive design is intended to provide drivers with a more comfortable and simpler environment. In the case of the Mustang Mach-E, this includes a large, centralised touchscreen that consolidates many of the in-car controls in one place.
“When we think about how cars have changed, we think of what they look like from the outside, but it is from the inside that drivers and passengers see them most of the time,” said Amko Leenarts, Director, Design, Ford of Europe. “It’s been an incredible journey to the dynamic, holistic interior of the Mustang Mach-E, which does more with less while putting all the important controls within easy reach. And we will continue to take this approach with future vehicles, by listening to our customers and designing interiors that best suit their needs.”
Entirely new approach
To step inside the Mustang Mach-E is to encounter an interior unlike any Ford vehicle that came before it. The all-new design is the culmination of refining the things that customers want – spaciousness, technology and a perception of ‘warmth’. It is claimed to be a benchmark on the road towards electrification.
The smooth dashboard with integrated speaker is the latest iteration in an ongoing sear ch to make driving and travelling as enjoyable an experience as possible. For example, wireless charging pads and a digital owner’s manual do away with the need for cables and paper
The driver’s ‘cockpit’ continues to evolve, as shown by these two pictures of the Ford Ranger’s interior in 2003 (above) and in 2021 (below).
“New electrified vehicles with flat floors from front to back provide more spaciousness and offer designers a blank canvas on which to create interiors that place people at the centre of the design,” Leenarts said.
Understanding future needs
To better understand the younger generation of digital natives and anticipate future trends, Ford embarked last year on a unique project: co-creating a virtual gaming race car in collaboration with gamers. Almost a quarter-of-a-million esports fans took part in online polls to help determine the appearance of our extreme Team Fordzilla P1 race car – inside and out.
With greater connectivity and telematics, dashboards will have less physical switchgear and controls, and more touchscreens to manage every function, along with voice command and control.
“The P1 race car was all about streamlining the features down to the gaming essentials, such as speed, race position and lap time. Together with the toned down colour palette, this reduces distraction so the driver can focus on the race. We can also apply a minimalist approach to designing the interiors of the future, where what goes in is what customers want the most,” said Robert Engelmann, interior designer, Ford of Europe.
Visit www.sdacford.com.my to find out more about the advanced interior design of the Ford Ranger.
Since its establishment in 2000, Honda Malaysia’s position in Malaysia has constantly grown, with volumes and market share increasing year after year. In 2003, it began assembly operations at its own plant in Melaka, with the firm commitment to use as much local content to meet the government’s expectations of the local industry.
New models were added each year and today, Malaysians have a wide variety of models, all assembled locally, enabling their pricing to be attractive. The popularity of Honda vehicles has never been higher with the brand maintaining its leading position in the non-national category.
This year, the cumulative volume of vehicles assembled at the Melaka plant and sold throughout the country passed the 1 million mark, 18 years after the first vehicle rolled rolled out. To commemorate this significant milestone, Honda Malaysia is having the ‘1 Million Dreams Campaign’ this month to show its appreciation to customers for their support in this achievement.
During the campaign period, which will run until March 24, 2021, the company will be having various activities and will also be giving away 7 vehicles to lucky customers. These are Special Editions with very exclusive features – money cannot buy – on each of them. The Special Editions are of each of the current locally assembled models – the BR-V, Jazz, City, HR-V, Civic, Accord and CR-V.
The exclusive features on the exterior are a Dual-Tone finish (with black roof), red highlight line on the black grille, red highlight line on the door mirrors, red highlights on wheels with a black finish and of course, the ‘1 Million Dreams’ emblem.
Inside, the leather upholstered front seats have an embossed ‘1 Million Dreams’ signature as well as a plaque on the dashboard. The steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and has sporty red stitching as well as a red mark at the 12 o’clock position, a visual indicator often found on sportscars to keep the driver aware of where the wheels are pointing.
Each owner of a Special Edition model will also receive this exclusive Honda Leather Pouch.
Other than the cosmetic exclusive features, the technical aspects of the cars are similar to the top variants of each model. In the case of the Civic Special Edition, this would be the 1.5 TC-P with a turbocharged 4-cylinder VTEC engine. This 1.5-litre engine, developed with Earth Dreams Technology, produces 173 ps with 220 Nm of torque, more than the 1.8-litre i-VTEC engine available in another Civic variant.
With a CVT delivering power smoothly and efficiently to the front wheels, the Civic is capable of a top speed of 200 km/h after getting to 100 km/h within 8.2 seconds from taking off. Stopping power from high speeds is assured with disc brakes on all four wheels, the front ones being ventilated for fade-free performance.
The Civic comes with an extensive list of convenience features that include keyless entry with pushstart button for starting/stopping the engine, paddle shifters, cruise control, and 8-way adjustment for the driver’s seat. The engine can also be started from a distance, allowing the air-conditioner to be activated to cool down the interior before getting in.
Advanced engineering is used to protect the passengers in the event of an accident. Besides the G-CON collision safety body technology designed to withstand collisions with vehicles of other sizes, the Civic also has Honda SENSING to help the driver avoid accidents. Honda SENSING has been introduced in recent years, bringing an integrated suite of active systems for drive assistance. These include Automatic Emergency Braking which activates if the driver doesn’t take the appropriate action if a collision might occur.
Besides the rearview camera which shows different angles, the Civic also comes with Honda LaneWatch, an innovative feature which functions as a Blind Spot monitor for the left side of the car. Instead of just a sensor and warning light or icon, the system gives the driver a real-time image of the area along the side of the car (when the left signal is activated). The image, captured by a small camera on the door mirror, is displayed on the monitor in the middle of the dashboard. This reduces the amount of turning that the driver’s head must make and the image also gives a better idea of what sort of hazard might be in the blind spot.
While the Civic Special Edition cannot be purchased, there are three variants of the Civic available for those who want to own this model. Priced from around RM114,000 – RM140,000, they come with a choice of two engines.
As for the Civic Special Edition, there are 6 ways (shown on the chart below) for you to become the owner of the exclusive model. Basically, you get a number of entries for certain Honda-related activities and obviously, the more entries you can get and submit, the greater your chances of winning. If you are Honda Touch (a smartphone app) user, you get 5x bonus entries so it’s worthwhile to download the app.
The lucky winners will be announced at a Grand Finale scheduled to be held by the end of this month.
Visit any authorised Honda dealership nationwide to participate. Locations of dealerships can be found at www.honda.com.my.
Although Honda began assembly in Malaysia in the early 1970s with the N360 model, it was the Civic that was the first global model assembled locally towards the end of the same decade, initially at the Oriental Assemblers plant in Johor. The Civic Sedan which joined the hatchback in the 1980s, quickly became a popular model and eventually, Honda Malaysia ceased producing the hatchback locally. When Honda Malaysia set up its own plant, the Civic Sedan was added to the line and in 2007, it had the honour of being the 100,000th vehicle (below) to roll out from the plant in Melaka.
Following its announcement of the project 7 months ago, Jaguar Classic has completed its first matched pair of E-type 60 Collection cars, revealing full specifications for the 12 expertly restored and sympathetically uprated units of the 3.8-litre E-type model.
The two cars have been unveiled in time for the 60th anniversary of the iconic British sportscar which made its world debut in Switzerland on March 15, 1961. Public reaction to the single coupe available for test drives was so strong that Jaguar rushed a second E-type, a roadster, from Coventry to Geneva overnight.
Six decades later, the E-type 60 Collection pays tribute to these two legendary cars: the Opalescent Gunmetal Grey coupe ‘9600 HP’, driven ‘flat out’ by Bob Berry for the launch itself, and the British Racing Green roadster ’77 RW’, driven by Norman Dewis who was told to ‘drop everything’ to get to Geneva the next day, hence the pairing of cars in the project.
Jaguar is offering the E-type 60 Collection cars only in pairs (one coupe and one roadster) are finished in exclusive Flat Out Grey and Drop Everything Green paint colours, respectively. These colour formulations are inspired by the original 1961 colours and won’t be used on any other Jaguar.
The cars also feature a range of unique E-type 60 design, subtle enhancements for improved usability and driveability including a manual gearbox and enhanced cooling. However, they also have modern technology with the Jaguar Classic Infotainment System that includes satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.
“Sixty years after its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, the talented team at Jaguar Classic are releasing the ultimate birthday present to the E-type: The E-type 60 Collection. The attention to detail demonstrates how this project has been a labour of love for our designers, engineers, craftspeople and partners. Exquisite detailing combined with enhanced usability ensure these E-types will be coveted and enjoyed for decades to come by their discerning owners, starting with a once-in-a-lifetime Coventry to Geneva pilgrimage for our six customers and their guests in summer 2022,” said Dan Pink, Director of Jaguar Classic.
March 1961: The two original E-Types in Geneva ready for test-drives. The coupe (behind) had been driven overnight from England to Switzerland to provide an additional car as interest was great and test-drives were requested by many people.
Restored and refined by the experts at Jaguar Classic in Coventry, the E-type 60 Collection cars combine flawless quality and exceptional engineering know-how. The most significant mechanical upgrade is a specially-developed 5-speed manual gearbox which features synchromesh on all ratios, helical cut gears and a reinforced cast aluminium casing for enhanced reliability and greater durability as well as closer gear ratios and smoother changes.
The 265 bhp 3.8-litre 6-cylinder XK engine benefits from an authentic 1961-style alloy radiator, with electric cooling fan and electronic ignition for everyday usability, as well as a polished stainless steel exhaust system. This new exhaust system is dimensionally identical to the standard mild steel system but produces a slightly deeper tone and offers greater longevity.
The highlight of the visual enhancements is a unique piece of metal engraving created by a prominent artist and world-leading engraver, King Nerd. On the stainless steel centre consoles of each of the 12 cars is a bespoke etching showing the drive routes from Coventry to Geneva of those original cars. Each piece of art takes more than 100 hours to create by hand, in consultation with the owner.
The etching in the coupe version includes the words, ‘I thought you’d never get here’, recalling the reaction of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons to Bob’s arrival just minutes before the unveiling. For the six Suede Green leather-trimmed roadsters, the engraving tracks the route taken to Switzerland, with a sketch of the car and another Lyons’ quote – this time his instructions to Norman: ‘Drop everything and bring the open top E-type over.’
In addition to the centre console, the bonnet badge, clock face within the tachometer, fuel cap and chassis plate are all finished with a commemorative E-type 60 logo created by Jaguar Design, featuring the years ‘1961-2021’. A light beech-rimmed steering wheel, as fitted to 1961 cars, features a 24-carat gold horn push.
Every car is also supplied with a tailor-made E-type 60 car cover, tool roll and jack storage bags to complete the enhancements and exemplify the attention to the original details lavished on each vehicle. [Click here to read more about the original Jaguar toolkit]
Next year, the 6 customers and their guests will take part in the ultimate E-type pilgrimage: a Coventry-to-Geneva drive experience with their cars to create their own E-type memories along the iconic Alpine passes. Hopefully, the pandemic will have eased by then and intercontinental travel is permitted.
Back in the early 1980s, Honda launched a small hatchback called the City (the original one, not the popular model sold today) and an ‘accessory’ which owners could get with it was a Motocompo motorbike. This was a tiny two-wheel weighing about 45 kgs, and it was designed to fit into the boot of the City with its handlebar and footpegs folded to form a rectangular package.
That Honda came out with such an idea was hardly surprising since the company was the world leader in motorcycles and had all sorts of two-wheelers and other type of motorised vehicles. While the car is just another model in Honda’s history, the Motocompo is fondly remembered and has a certain cult status to it in some countries.
The idea of carrying a motorcycle in the car was to provide mobility for ‘the last mile’ in a journey. The driver could park the car at a fringe carpark at the edge of the city and then ride the motorcycle in, an approach which would be ideal for places with traffic-restricted zones like London and Singapore.
Now Polestar is also revisiting such a concept of mobility using a simple 3-wheeler with a project named Re:Move. The group behind the project saw the need to reimagine last-mile deliveries and how goods are transported within cities as the world looks to reduce reliance on combustion engines. Re:Move strives to become a catalyst for change, inspiring new thinking around electric mobility.
Viable and functional reality
Designer Konstantin Grcic designed Re:Move to be a dynamic, three-wheeled urban ‘sled’, though it is not intended to be carried in a car but could be in a van. A team of e-mobility innovators and material engineers collaborated remotely to make his vision a viable and functional reality. Compact and mobile enough for most bike lanes, but big enough to handle a 275-kg payload, Re:Move defines a new vehicle category. Built with fully recyclable and low carbon aluminium, it will handle deliveries in a cleaner, quieter and kinder way.
“Weight is critical for e-mobility performance, and aluminium offers light weight, high strength and recyclability,” said Jonas Bjuhr, MD of Hydro in Sweden. “As we now see reductions of emissions in the use phase of cars, the next big task for car manufacturers will be to reduce emissions in the production of the vehicles”.
To overcome the complex engineering challenges of realizing his design, Grcic worked with the Hydro engineering team, Polestar’s design engineering lead at the company’s UK R&D facility. A working version of Re:Move will be unveiled sometime during the fourth quarter of this year but the story behind its development thus far will be presented at the SXSW (South by South West) Conference & Festival in Texas next week.
Also involved in the Re:Move project is CAKE, a Swedish company specialising in electric motorcycles. They provide their expertise in drivetrain and battery technology with a view that such a project, involving peak competence, truly accelerates the journey towards zero emissions.
Beginning of a journey
“This is only the beginning,” declared Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar which is owned by Volvo Cars and recognised as a vehicle manufacturer in its own right. “The electric drivetrain is only the first step; then we have to look at the whole supply chain and what materials we design with. This is so much more exciting than the last 20 years when designers were just making things pretty.”
Commenting on the design of the Re:Move, Grcic said: “The horizontal platform and the vertical shield is something you don’t see in vehicle design. This is how you’d build a table or a shelf. I think the simplicity and directness… the pragmatism… is nice. Good design has always been sustainable, because it’s lasting. Things that have a long lifecycle are sustainable.”
“The Re:Move project is an amazing example of what you can achieve when you bring together the right collaborators and they get behind a good, clear idea. There is just a real energy and sense of purpose in play. The engineering and material challenges are actually quite complex but at every turn, solutions have been found. Konstantin has responded to that and the design of Re:Move has rapidly evolved, becoming more compelling and dynamic,” said Nick Compton, contributing editor of Wallpaper (a British design publication), which commissioned the project.
Canoo Inc., the American company which is working with the Hyundai Motor Group to develop a new electric vehicle (EV) platform, has also been working on its on purpose-built EVs with a proprietary and highly versatile platform architecture. The result of its efforts has been revealed in the unveiling of a fully-electric pick-up truck which will go into production for first deliveries beginning in 2023. By then, it won’t be the only electric pick-up as a few other companies have also said they will start delivering their EVs then.
The pick-up truck is the third vehicle that will be based on the company’s proprietary multi-purpose platform architecture, enabling the accelerated development timeline. While traditional EV platforms have power units, shock towers and mechanical steering columns that take up space within the vehicle, Canoo’s EV platform functionally integrates all the critical components of an electric powertrain to be as flat and efficient as possible.
Prototype Canoo EV platform which was run in desert conditions.
By incorporating steer-by-wire and other space-saving technologies, the thin platform, with no need for an engine compartment, allows a flatbed size comparable to America’s best-selling pick-up truck (the Ford F-Series) on a smaller footprint. This makes the vehicle easier to manoeuvre and more convenient to drive and park in any terrain.
“We are so passionate about building vehicles that can change people’s lives,” said Tony Aquila, Executive Chairman of Canoo. “Our pick-up truck is as strong as the toughest trucks out there and is designed to be exponentially more productive. This truck works for you. We made accessories for people who use trucks – on the job, weekends, adventure.”
Unique features
Canoo’s pick-up truck has several unique features to help customers do more with their vehicles. Among them is a pull-handle bed extension that can extend the standard 6-foot ((1.83 metres) bed to a fully enclosed 8 feet (2.44 metres), allowing big items plywood sheets to easily fit inside. The payload is rated at up to 816 kgs.
The pull-handle bed extension also helps with loading and unloading the truck. When the bed is extended, a second layer of tailgate doors can be swiveled out. The bed-extension also houses a secondary lamp, containing all tail lamp functions, so the truck can be driven while the bed space is maximized. The extension also serves as a license plate holder.
Cargo Storage
To maximise utility, there’s a fold-down worktable with electrical outlets. The table is extendable to allow a large work surface on the go, in addition to providing an area to put on gear before heading out exploring. Tools and other equipment can be stored in a cargo storage area at the front.
Both sides of the vehicle house built-in flip down tables in two expandable depths. Integrated in the side panels of the truck bed, each table can serve as a workbench with multi-functional power sources in close proximity.
On the side of the vehicle, there is a hidden step to allow quick and easy access to the truck bed. Underneath this step is a flexible storage area for items such as a first-aid kit, cooler for snacks and drinks, lockable laptop storage and more. This space-efficient feature is only possible due to Canoo’s ultra-flat platform.
Modular bed
The truck bed is modular, thanks to Canoo’s space divider system designed to keep items separate and secure. The bed wall also incorporates modular wheel chocks to secure bikes and configurable tie-downs for ladders, large equipment and other materials.
The pick-up truck can double as a mobile powerplant too. Electrical power can be supplied all day for tools and devices, ideal for situations like natural disasters where power generating infrastructure might be non-functioning. The draw of electricity is said to have around 10% impact on vehicle range.
The third brake light can double as an overhead light to illuminate the cargo bed at night. There’s also perimeter lighting on all sides of the bed wall for added visibility around the vehicle.
Customers can add roof racks which are in variable sizes for extra cargo storage when needed. The roof rack is easily accessible from the flatbed or via the sidestep. Alternatively, Canoo has a variety of camper shells to fit onto the bed for covered and enclosed accommodations while travelling around.
Powertrain configurations
The truck’s powertrain can generate pp to 600 hp/746 Nm torque with two electric motors. The battery pack is claimed to be able to currently provide a range of 320+ kms although this is likely to change as battery technology continues to advance.
How big is it?
In standard form, the pick-up truck is 4677 mm long, which makes it shorter than a Ford Ranger (double cab) which has a length of 5426 mm. However, when the bed is extended, the overall length will be similar. So if the extended bed is not needed, the truck is about the same length as a Honda Civic, which would make it convenient to drive around in urban conditions.
While it is not as wide as a Ford Ranger Raptor, it is a bit wider than the average Japanese pick-up truck with an overall width of 1980 mm (bodywork). It sits on a wheelbase of 2850 mm and the roof of the cab is at 1920 mm with 18-inch wheels.
Canoo has already developed an electric delivery van using the same platform.
In the more advanced markets, businesses have become established online for many years and their e-commerce processes have advanced greatly. Malaysia has also been going along the same path towards digitisation but the pace accelerated in the past year with the pandemic making physical interactions less advisable. This has meant that the traditional processes whereby customers visit showrooms when they are shopping for new cars has had to change, and the industry has quickly made the transition to online showrooms.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is among the companies that has ‘opened shop’ online and its first online showroom is designed to provide a digitally enhanced experience for customers to do research on various models available, and then to make a purchase if they wish to do so.
The physical authorised dealerships still exist but customers now have the convenient option of conducting most of the car-buying processes online at the Mitsubishi Online Showroom.
In developing the Mitsubishi Online Showroom, MMM looked for ways to improve the customer’s purchasing journey by examining the various stages from the time there is interest in the product to the completion of the purchasing process. The Mitsubishi online showroom has narrowed-down the fundamental processes from the traditional one to a digital car-purchasing journey, leveraging on technology enhancement.
“In the past year, we’ve seen an unpredictable level of change, because of the new normal and the need to maintain social distancing. The launch of Mitsubishi Online Showroom is a strong example of MMM’s commitment to deliver a more human-centric experience by encompassing a holistic approach across three key organizational pillars: people, process and technology,” said Tomoyuki Shinnishi, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.
“We have always believed in creating a walk-through experience and this Online Showroom is an extension from getting to know the product, test-drive at customer’s convenience, and communication with the dealer to finalize the purchase journey. We want to offer our customers a safe purchase of their Mitsubishi model without the need of leaving their home,” he said.
360’ Virtual Showroom
One of the features of the Mitsubishi Online Showroom is the 360-degree views available of each model’s exterior and interior. Thanks to today’s advanced software, it is possible to zoom in and out for a closer look at details and learn about the many features in Mitsubishi vehicles.
Each of the Mitsubishi models on display has a clickable interactive button to instantly show more information and its key features. Besides the 360-degree views, there are also static images in a gallery with different angles and environments.
Test Drive 2U
The TEST DRIVE 2U online service was actually launched in May 2020 and it allows customers to experience a Mitsubishi model without having to visit the showroom. Customers who require a test-drive can now submit their request via the Online Showroom as well. It takes just a few simple steps and an authorized Mitsubishi dealer will be notified who will bring the selected model car to the customer’s preferred location.
Booking Assist
With so much information available online, many customers get a lot of insights into the model they are keen to buy and want to make a booking. However, concerns about the coronavirus understandably may make them hesitant to go to the showroom. If so, they can still book a vehicle online by submitting a booking request form on the Online Showroom’s website. Thereafter, the authorised dealer will contact the customer to assist further with the booking process and other matters such as loan and insurance application. With email and electronic banking, most documents and payments can be done without having to physically meet.
Trade-in Assist
MMM collaborates with MyTukar, an online used car marketplace in Malaysia, to offer a special trade-in promotion for Mitsubishi customers who wish to trade-in their vehicle via the Mitsubishi Online Showroom.
Customer can submit a trade-in assist form online and then select the option to request for the vehicle inspection, handover, transfer of ownership and collection of the sold vehicle to be done at any of the customer’s preferred locations.
MITSUBISHI CONNECT
MMM has also introduced the MITSUBISHI CONNECT mobile application as an extension of aftersales service through a digital platform. The mobile app has a range of vehicle-related digital services, giving Mitsubishi owners the convenience of scheduling a service appointment with their preferred MMM service centres, keep track of vehicle maintenance history, and get reminders for their next car service.
For more information on Mitsubishi Motors vehicles and services in Malaysia, visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my.
On this day of March 12 in 1952, Daimler-Benz AG sent out preliminary technical information and a picture of the new Mercedes-Benz 300 SL sportscar undergoing testing on a public road. It was the first public appearance of the new racing sportscar and drew a great deal of interest.
Exactly 69 years later, Mercedes-AMG has sent out another press release – electronically this time rather than by postal mail – of a SL undergoing testing. This is the eighth generation of the model line and while the SL300 of the 1950s was tested along an autobahn which permitted very high speeds, the testing of this 21st century successor takes place away from public eyes at a closed course in Sweden.
The testing follows extensive development work on the Roadster, configured as a 2+2-seater, which took place in digital form. However, a certain amount of real-world development driving with prototypes is still essential. For instance, the final tuning of the fully variable all-wheel drive system 4MATIC+, which will now be offered for the first time in the SL as well, is being undertaken in snowy regions.
The redesigned fabric roof has also to be tested and prove itself able to meet the brand’s demanding conditions in the climate near the Arctic Circle. The handling dynamics of this iconic Roadster will also be undergoing final refinement, but this will be done on the north loop of the Nurburgring circuit (amongst other places). It is there, on the most challenging racing circuit in the world, the specialists from Mercedes-AMG will make sure the new SL, due for launch later this year, confirms its sporting roots.
Different variants of the Roadster will progressively be available, branded exclusively under the Mercedes-AMG name.
On March 12, 1952 (a Wednesday), Daimler-Benz revealed the 300 SL (W 194) for the first time. The media was able to see it on a stretch of autobahn near Stuttgart. Only a few weeks later, the brand began its participation in international motorsport with that sportscar. In 5 races the car entered, it had 4 victories. Responding to calls for a production version of the highly successful racing, Mercedes-Benz launched the 300 SL Coupe in 1954 in New York, and the SL line began.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), the sole distributor of Hyundai vehicles, has announced that it will be launching two SUVs during 2021. One is the large-sized Palisade while the other is an updated version of the compact Kona model which was introduced in the Malaysian market last October.
The Palisade, which is 4980 mm long, is Hyundai’s flagship SUV with accommodation for up to 7 people on three rows of seats. Those who do not require the third row will find a generous extra volume of space available in the back with the row folded down.
Note: Images shown are of US version. The Palisade sold in Malaysia may have differences in features.
The version of the Palisade imported will have an Atkinson-cycle 3.8-litre V6 with dual CVVT in the cylinder head and direct fuel-injection This petrol engine has around 291 bhp of power with up to 355 Nm of torque.
Aviation-inspired features
Taking inspiration from aviation technology, the Palisade’s features include a Head-Up Display (HUD) that projects operating information onto the windscreen in front of the driver. The display is generated as a reflection of a full-colour TFT LCD panel inside the top of the dashboard. The displayed information is said to be visible in all lighting conditions, even our bright tropical sunshine.
An industry-first is the innovative diffusers design for the ceiling vents. This provides a focused, partially-diffused or fully-diffused stream of air to the rear passengers. It reduces airflow noise and is draft-free while giving more uniform distribution of air as well as being able to direct cool air in specific areas.
Pricing for the Palisade is not known yet although it will be fairly high. The last time HSDM sold a model with a big engine was the 3.8-litre Genesis about 6 years ago and that cost almost RM400,000. The tax structure hasn’t changed and the only savings you could get would be on sales tax (and that too would only be until June 30, 2021).
Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.Note: Images of Kona are of the European version and the one sold in Malaysia be have some differences.
New engine for Kona
As for the 2021 Kona, the new Smartstream G2.0 petrol engine with 149 ps/180 Nm will be introduced. The 4-cylinder engine is mated to a CVT transmission which delivers power to the front wheels; all-wheel drive will still not be available.
Updates for the 2021 model include a more refined front fascia design, new 17-inch and 18-inch wheels, an enhanced SmartSense state-of-the-art safety package and a remote starting function. The new console area of the cabin now has a horizontal layout while the air vents and speakers also get new rings with aluminium finish.
Also included in the new version is upgraded ambient lighting technology that illuminates the cupholder and foot lamps on the front passenger and driver side. New interior colour options, materials and trims are also to be expected.
The Koan is presently priced between RM116,000 and RM144,000, and it’s likely that the 2021 model will be around the same range. There are currently two engines, one being a 1.6-litre Gamma turbo and the other is the old Nu engine which will be replaced.
The Palisade and updated Kona will be followed by other new models during the year, hinted Low Yuan Lung, HSDM’s Managing Director. “Other new models are also in the pipeline and bound to excite the market,” he said.
