Air quality inside the car’s cabin never used to be an issue; after all, windows used to be down much of the time so fresh air could flow in and out. As air-conditioners became more common, windows stayed shut most of the time and this is when the air quality inside could become unhealthy. Fresh air ventilation modes have been available to allow outside air to enter, but many may not use it as it also means bringing in smells.
While smells and dust are unpleasant, the more serious issue in these times of COVID-19 is the need to ensure that the cabin air is hygienically clean. After all, we spend long periods inside the car and we obviously breathe constantly. Ensuring good air quality with maximum possible removal of germs is therefore a requirement today.
Proton, like many other carmakers, quickly began to look into how filtration systems could be enhanced to not just remove dust and other particles but also germs. Working with Geely, which has also been developing air filtration systems that can effectively remove germs from cabin air, Proton has developed cabin filters for its entire range of cars, including the latest X50.
The difference between Proton’s filters and most others – which typically trap dust and pollen – is that its filters have N95 capability. This means that they can remove 95% of particles and contaminants that are larger than 0.3µm (microns) and 98% of PM2.5 dust particulates. Removing PM2.5 particles is particularly important for respiratory health. PM2.5 particles are very tiny – about 3% the diameter of human hair – so it requires a very fine filter to stop them from entering the cabin. Apart from effectively filtering smoke particulates, dust and bacteria; the N95 filter can provide an allergy-free environment by reducing allergens from pets, aphids and pollen.
The P-IAPS in the X70
More interesting is the P-IAPS which is a superior air filtration system in the Proton X70. P-IAPS stands for PROTON Intelligent Air Purification System (P-IAPS) and it combines the benefits of an air purifier system and an N95 Cabin Filter. The IAPS uses a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter that removes up to 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns while its activated carbon removes odours, formaldehyde and adsorbs and purifies smoke particulates.
Additionally, there is an ioniser which discharges negative ions to cleanse the air by ‘deactivating’ the viruses. The ionised air is often said to be like mountain air which is usually fresh and of course, clean.
N95 filter also available as replacement
The N95 Cabin Filter is now a standard item in all new Protons so the occupants are assured of clean, healthy air all the time. For those who already have the Saga, Persona, Iriz and Exora, it is also possible to replace the existing filters with N95 filters available at any authorised Proton service centre. It’s worth the extra investment, especially in these times when we must take greater precautions to protect ourselves from viruses in the air.
For more information on Proton’s products, services and accessories, visit www.proton.com.
Toyota, although a leading vehicle manufacturer, also gives attention to mobility and city planning challenges and issues. After all, its products are related in various ways, and helping to create a better environment for all is important.
This is being done through the Toyota Mobility foundation (TMF) which last year launched the CATCH – City Architecture for Tomorrow CHallenge – program involving Kuala Lumpur. Despite the continuing impact of COVID-19, the CATCH program progressed through the application stage in May, receiving over 90 entries from 20+ countries.
The Semi-Finalist stage concluded in last month, and with support and insights from strategic and data partners, the Semi-Finalists obtained an understanding of Kuala Lumpur’s mobility issues for their Proof of Concept (PoC) development over a 6-week period. An esteemed panel of 8 judges from various fields of expertise such as government, sustainable mobility, venture capital, technology, and industry virtually assessed the 16 Semi-Finalists.
TMF identified 6 teams as Finalists rather than five teams as originally planned. The following six teams are deemed to be best suited to CATCH’s problem statement and the five assessment criteria of creativity, feasibility, sustainability, desirability and technicality. These teams will be asked to further develop their MVPs and, at this stage, each will receive a grant of US$125,000 of financial support to drive testing and implementation of intelligent data-driven, connected solutions, aimed at a more efficient, innovative, secure and sustainable city of Kuala Lumpur.
“CATCH was designed to grasp groundbreaking innovations, and we were impressed by the ideas of 16 strong Semi Finalists who showcased new data driven mobility and city planning focused solutions. Though it was very difficult to narrow down the selection, as Toyota Mobility Foundation, we are very excited about the six Finalists and what they can deliver in the Minimum Viable Product stage to improve the quality of life of the residents of Kuala Lumpur,” said Pras Ganesh, Director of Programs of TMF.
TMF will continue to work together with strategic partners including DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall), the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and its data partners – Prasarana, MapIT, and Grab – to support the finalists until the selection of a final winner in April-May 2021. This support includes the financial grant by TMF and incubation and mentorship provided by experts and judges supporting this CATCH program.
“Kuala Lumpur City Hall is looking forward to a practical and workable solution to be implemented to ease congestion and disperse traffic more effectively,” said Yu Chuan Hock, DBKL’s Director of Urban Transportation.
TMF hopes to utilize the insights gained through this challenge to solve mobility issues in other regions and countries in the future.
The Toyota Mobility Foundation was established in August 2014 to support the development of a more mobile society. The Foundation aims to support strong and equitable mobility systems. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise in technology, safety, and the environment, working in partnership with universities, government, non-profit organizations, research institutions and other organizations to address mobility issues around the world.
“There’s no replacement for displacement’ used to be the belief in the auto world, especially among enthusiasts as well as those who sold or used commercial vehicles. Back in the days before turbocharging was widely used, getting more power from an engine meant making it bigger. A larger displacement allowed more air and more fuel in the combustion chamber, generating more power upon combustion.
That approach remained for decades, especially in America where fuel was cheap and drivers liked lots of power and torque. For the commercial vehicle sector, big engines were a must (and still are), for the high output needed to haul heavy loads. The higher compression ratios possible, resulting in higher pressures, produce more torque. And the more torque available, the better when it comes to carrying and moving heavy loads.
However, since the beginning of this century, environmental concerns have required manufacturers to address issues of fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. For petrol engines, downsizing has been a popular approach, coupled with technologies like direct injection and turbocharging which have even boosted output while making engines smaller (in displacement as well as size) and lighter.
For diesel engines, the initial solution was the introduction of commonrail fuel delivery system along with more advanced turbocharging. However, displacement remained big as there was still the matter of ‘no replacement for displacement’. While commonrail systems have raised outputs and made diesel engines more refined, large displacements have still be maintained which needed to be addressed.
Drawing on its very long experience specializing in diesel engines and developing them, Isuzu Motors naturally took on the challenge of developing a new generation of engines that would be in tune with the demands of the 21st century. Having developed a very wide range of engines with displacements of even more than 15 litres, Isuzu’s engineers had the knowledge and skills for the mission.
While the need to downsize the engines in the bigger commercial vehicles was not so urgent, there was a need to do so for the smaller range of engines used in pick-up trucks like the popular D-MAX. With pick-ups becoming increasingly used as an alternative to passenger cars for daily transportation, customers wanted more economical and efficient engines but still with the useful characteristics of the conventional turbodiesel engines.
The optimum size for today
Besides Isuzu’s original analytical technology of diesel combustion, extensive research and simulations identified 1.9 litres as the optimum size for the 4-cylinder configuration common in pick-up trucks. This was the starting point for the all-new engine which would come to be designated ‘RZ4E’. Three clear objectives were pursued: a) Best-in-Class fuel consumption; b) High reliability for long life; and c) Low noise levels. Straightforward objectives but challenging to meet and the engineers drew on new technologies to achieve them.
Downsizing the displacement would immediately result in lower weight, which is always a goal of engineers. Reducing internal friction – by as much as 37% – was also an important objective as less friction can improve power output. Computer-aided design of the pistons and combustion chambers also improved efficiency.
Along with optimised structural engineering and the use of better materials, the overall result was an engine that was not only more efficient but also surpassed the performance levels of bigger engines.
Less displacement but more output!
Compared to the 2.5-litre engine of the 4J series popularly used in the D-MAX before, the new RZ4E engine produces 110 kW of power at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque between 1,800 rpm and 2,600 rpm. These represent increases of 10% in power and 9.4% in torque – with a displacement that is 14% less. Notably, the improvement has not taken away the desirable characteristic of a diesel engine which is its flat torque curve.
Reliability is an important thing for Isuzu and is one of the reasons why its pick-up trucks are popular. Those who are in the commercial vehicle sector appreciate reliability and durability as they cannot afford to have a vehicle in the workshop frequently for repairs. The same also generally applies to any vehicle owner as everyone wants to enjoy using their vehicle as much as possible, and to keep cost of ownership low.
More reliable and durable
To improve the reliability aspects, the engineers installed Hydraulic Lash Adjusters (HLA) which automatically ensure that the valve lifters are always correctly adjusted. Likewise, the use of a serpentine belt also keeps the fanbelt correctly tensioned at all times. Incidentally, the timing chain is of steel for a long service life, another strong point of Isuzu engines.
Having a more advanced engine with higher output and higher efficiency would be wasted if that extra output could not be utilized fully. To ensure this, the engineers also developed a better transmission system with a new 6-speed manual transmission as well. The aim was to provide smoother and stronger takeoffs, especially on slopes, and this led to the development of the Vehicle Launch Assist Control. Basically, this feature manages engine output, raising torque levels at the time when the vehicle is starting off. The final gear ratio has also been revised to improve driveability and acceleration.
Tuned for Malaysian conditions
Isuzu sells its vehicles all over the world and different countries and regions have different regulations as well as fuel. To ensure that customers would be able to enjoy the maximum benefits of the new RZ4E engine, extensive testing is conducted before launch.
In the case of the Malaysian market, much of the testing focused on performance in high altitude areas and tuning the engine to run optimally on the lower quality fuel which today is Euro 2 B20 biodiesel. The studies led to the installation of a pre-fuel filter to ensure fuel cleanliness.
The attention to ensuring that the engine could meet all the conditions of the Malaysian market ensured that it could be introduced with confidence. Isuzu Malaysia would lead the market in bringing an innovative engine to Malaysian customers as no other manufacturer has offered a downsized turbodiesel engine with no compromise in performance and capabilities.
Certainly, it destroys the perception that there is ‘no replacement for displacement’! And where fuel efficiency is concerned, the D-MAX with the RZ4E engine is the first pick-up truck in Malaysia to qualify as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV).
Proven in the Isuzu Dura Challenge
The 2020 Isuzu Dura Challenge proved the engineering supremacy of the new RZ4E ‘Blue Power’ engine. Isuzu Malaysia loaded a 1.9-litre D-MAX to its maximum permissible capacity of a ton and took it over some of the highest accessible hills along the Titiwangsa Mountain Range in Peninsular Malaysia.
In total, the vehicle clocked over 1,000 kms, with two bars of fuel still remaining in the tank. More significantly, the D-MAX with the Blue Power turbodiesel engine never had any difficulty in the high altitudes, even with such a heavy load on board.
Since its launch, the superiority of the Isuzu engine has been recognized by awards such as the Carlist ‘Diesel Engine of the Year (2019 & 2020)’ and it would certainly have been influential in the D-MAX being selected as ‘Pick-up Truck of the Year 2020′ (DSF).
The best way to experience this is to take a test-drive of the latest Isuzu D-MAX, available at any authorized Isuzu dealership nationwide. To locate a dealership, visit www.isuzu.net.my.
McLaren Racing is considering participation in the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship for Season 9 which will take place in 2022/2023. This is when the championship’s Gen3 era begins, meaning that McLaren Racing will be invest only in a brand new Gen3 platform, rather than spend unnecessarily on development at the present time.
The Gen3 racing cars will be used from the 2022/23 season, bringing performance and efficiency advances including more powerful, lighter cars and faster charging as well as a set of technical and financial controls aimed at reinforcing the business case for Formula E’s ecosystem of teams and manufacturers.
McLaren Racing’s interest in Formula E is a validation of the series as the pinnacle of electric racing, both as a proving ground for the top racing teams in the world and as a test-bed for the next generation of electric vehicles.
McLaren has a long history in motor racing, including F1, and is now considering all-electric racing in the 21st century.
Exclusive Gen2 battery supplier
McLaren Racing is one of the most successful operations in motorsport, enjoying a rich history of success in Formula 1 as well as IndyCar and Le Mans. McLaren Applied is Formula E’s exclusive Gen2 battery supplier under a 4-season contract which concludes at the end of the 2021/22 season, after which McLaren Racing will evaluate the potential to deepen its involvement as a one of the 12 competitors in the championship which began in 2014.
“We’ve been closely observing Formula E for some time and monitoring the series’ progress and future direction. The opportunity to take an option on an entry and the completion of the McLaren Applied supplier contract with the FIA at the end of Gen2, gives us the necessary time to decide if Formula E is right for McLaren as a future competition platform,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing.
To know more about promotions at BHPetrol stations, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.
In its first 6 seasons, Formula E crowned 5 different champions and celebrated 17 winners in 69 races. With more automotive manufacturers on the grid than any other motorsport, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is not only one of the most compelling racing series on the planet but also an unparalleled proving ground for race-to-road electric vehicle and sustainable mobility technologies.
Formula E Accelerate esports championship
This year, there will also be the Formula E Accelerate esports championship. Over 6 events, 24 rising stars from the world of motorsport and esports will compete against one another in a simulated racing experience using rFactor2 software. Blending the real and virtual worlds, each competitor will score Formula E Accelerate points for a real-life Formula E team. Everyone who participates in all 6 races will receive a share of a minimum prize pool of €100,000 (about RM493,000) with the overall winner earning a test drive in a Formula E Gen2 car.
There will be two additional virtual races, each featuring 12 real-life Formula E drivers, one per racing team, during Round 4 and the Grand Final of Formula E Accelerate. Points from these races will be added to the overall team standings. The first round starts on January 28 and the championship will run up till March 25 this year.
During major construction of infrastructure projects around the country, some of the work may cross highways and this may require adjustment to traffic movements for safety and reduction of inconvenience. This is the case on the North-South Expressway (also referred to as KL-Seremban Highway) between Sungai Besi Toll Plaza and the UPM Interchange in Selangor where the MRT Project is underway.
To facilitate the construction of a pedestrian overhead bridge, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is staggering contra-flow along the affected sector with temporary bound closure betweenKM307 and KM309.
This will be for 8 days from Monday, January 25 until Tuesday, February 2, 2021, from 10 pm until 5 am daily. However, the closures will be implemented in stages where only one bound closure will be implemented at one time.
All highway users are strongly advised to plan their journey using the PLUS App and check the latest traffic conditions via CCTV feeds or use the SOS button in the app to request for help from PLUSRonda team, if required. Do follow all the traffic signs and directions for personnel.
The age of the car key – to unlock the doors and start the engine – is almost past. Today, almost all new cars sold have keyless entry and many have a button to start the engine, even the lower-priced ones. Not having to fumble with a key is a great convenience which anyone would appreciate.
Now, even that is set to change as the industry looks at using the smartphone to store a ‘digital key’. According to Strategic Analytics, a global market research institution, the number of vehicles with a digital key in the global market will increase by 360% from 6.3 million units in 2020 to 28.9 million units in 2025. BMW has already begun offering such a feature using Apple’s iPhone and it is not only to unlock doors but can also be used to start the engine.
BMW already offers a digital key using a smartphone (Apple iPhone only).
Available to the industry
The feature is likely to soon spread to other carmakers as Korea’s LG Innotek has succeeded in developing a digital car key module which can be offered to other companies. The module is a communication component that is installed in a car and allows wireless data transmission between a car and a smartphone.
As the car sharing and rental services have grown recently, the demand for a digital car key module has increased every year. But the existing digital car key modules have had low location detection precision and concerns for low security as they were prone to hacking, etc. LG Innotek’s module is said to detect the smartphone location 5 times more precisely than existing modules and provides enhanced security. The module’s error range between the actual smartphone’s location and the recognition location has been reduced from 50 cm to under 10 cm.
For example, if an existing car key module detects that a smartphone is located between 4.7 metres and 5.2 metres from the module when the phone is actually 5 metres away, LG Innotek’s module can detect that the smartphone is located between 4.9 metres and 5 metres, which is a fairly good accuracy.
Increased security
The digital car key module developed by LG Innotek uses the ultra-wideband technology (instead of Bluetooth low energy technology), which is a wireless LAN communication technology, and a proprietary algorithm, improving the location detection precision. In addition, the module has increased the security by applying a proprietary hacking prevention technology.
The key for opening car doors and starting the engine will soon be a relic of the past.
The more precisely the module detects the location of a smartphone, the more diverse and more convenient functions can be implemented, eg unlocking the driver’s door in advance or even starting the engine automatically. The smartphone must be inside the car to drive it, reducing the risk of car theft.
Easier sharing of digital key
Users can lend the digital key to another person or allow only specific functions, such as opening or closing of the boot, using a smartphone app. In addition, it can provide a driver with personalized driving environment. When several people use the same car, the module can recognize the smartphone location and set the driver’s seat or door mirrors automatically for the corresponding driver. The smartphone can also provide an overview of vehicle conditions, such as driving distance, fuel efficiency, tyre pressure, etc.
Digital Car Key Module developed by LG Innotek.
The digital car key module is compact and slim -similar to the size of a single clip – thanks to the ultra-precision high integration technology. It contains around 60 components including an RF (radio frequency) element and power block element. With its compact size, it can be freely installed anywhere inside and outside the vehicle.
The module complies with the latest standards of the Car Connectivity Consortium, a global digital key standardization organization, allowing it to be used regardless of country and vehicle type. With this component, LG Innotek plans to actively make inroads into the market for next-generation communication components. The company is actively running promotions targeting global manufacturers of vehicles and vehicle components in the US, Japan, and Europe as well as in Korea with the aim of mass-producing the product later this year.
The next generation of the Mitsubishi Outlander is under final tuning and testing with its global debut to take place on February 17, 2021. Engineers at Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) are putting the SUV through its paces in severe weather and road conditions.
This will be the fourth generation of the Outlander, which MMC traces back to the Airtrek of 2001. While the Airtrek was sold in Malaysia earlier when USF was handling Mitsubishi SUVs, the Outlander was not and it was only with the third generation that the model was offered in the market by Mitsubishi Motors malaysia. Initially, it was imported in CBU (completely built-up) form and a year after launch, in 2017, local assembly began at the Tan Chong assembly plant in Kuala Lumpur.
Super-All Wheel Control system
With the fourth generation, MMC will introduce its latest Super-All Wheel Control system. The system advances the company’s pioneering all-wheel drive technology which has been developed with experience in years of competition in the tough Dakar rallies.
Preliminary information indicates that the new Outlander will be bigger and has been developed with the product concept of ‘I-Fu-Do-Do’, which means ‘authentic and majestic’.
The Outlander has been available with different powertrains, including a hybrid one which has been popular in Europe. With electrification being the trend in the industry, the new model should also continue with this powertrain in its line-up.
New Drive Mode
“We took everything we know about on and off-road driving from the rally experiences to apply the latest Super-All Wheel Control technology in our newly developed platform. We also specifically developed a new drive mode selector to provide confident driving at all times and in all weather conditions,” said Kentaro Honda, segment chief vehicle engineer (lead engineer) for the new SUV that will be a flagship model.
The current third generation has been assembled in Malaysia since 2017.
To know more about promotions at BHPetrol stations, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.
Cruise, a company specialising in autonomous vehicle technology, and General Motors have entered a long-term strategic relationship with Microsoft to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. The companies will bring together their software and hardware engineering skills, cloud computing capabilities, manufacturing know-how and partner ecosystem to transform transportation to create a safer, cleaner and more accessible world for everyone.
To unlock the potential of cloud computing for self-driving vehicles, Cruise will leverage Azure, Microsoft’s cloud and edge computing platform, to commercialize its unique autonomous vehicle solutions at scale. Microsoft, as Cruise’s preferred cloud provider, will also tap into Cruise’s deep industry expertise to enhance its customer-driven product innovation and serve transportation companies across the globe through continued investment in Azure.
Cruise test vehicles are adapted from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.
Accelerating digitization initiatives
In addition, GM will work with Microsoft as its preferred public cloud provider to accelerate its digitization initiatives, including collaboration, storage, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. GM will explore opportunities with Microsoft to streamline operations across digital supply chains, foster productivity and bring new mobility services to customers faster.
Cruise will also send its self-driving vehicles to Japan and start development for testing this year as part of Honda’s new mobility business. This is a collaborative venture with Cruise and GM on self-driving vehicles for its autonomous vehicle mobility service (MaaS) business in Japan,
Cruise Origin
Autonomous vehicle mobility service
In due course, Honda aims to launch its MaaS business using the Cruise Origin, a vehicle the three companies are jointly developing exclusively for autonomous vehicle mobility service businesses. Honda Mobility Solutions Co., Ltd., will be the operator of the business in Japan.
“This collaboration with Cruise will enable the creation of new value for mobility and people’s daily lives, which we strive for under Honda’s 2030 Vision of serving people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life’s potential. Through active collaboration with partners who share the same interests and aspirations, Honda will continue to accelerate the realization of our autonomous vehicle MaaS business in Japan,” said Takahiro Hachigo, President & Representative Director of Honda Motor.
“Cruise’s mission to provide safer, cleaner and more accessible transportation is not limited to the USA. These are major changes that are needed almost everywhere in the world, and this is a small, but symbolic step with Honda on our global journey,” added Dan Ammann, CEO of Cruise.
Cruise was established in 2013 and has fully integrated manufacturing resources at scale, building all-electric, zero-emission, self-driving vehicles, especially for dense urban settings.
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team got off to a great start for the 2021 motorsport season with victory in the Rallye Monte-Carlo. Besides a 1-2 finish, Sebastien Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia also won the legendary event for a record eighth time. The victory was also the 50th for Ogier and Ingrassia in the FIA World Rally Championship, becoming only the second competitors recording such an achievement.
This is the first time that the team has won the WRC’s most prestigious event with its Toyota Yaris WRC, having made the podium every year since its debut in 2017. It is only the fourth Rallye Monte-Carlo win in Toyota’s history, the first time being in 1991.
The event lived up to its reputation as the most demanding event on the WRC calendar with special challenges for this year’s edition. To start with, the route was different and a modified schedule to follow coronavirus restrictions in France meant that some stages took place in the darkness before dawn.
Then WRC teams also had to get to grips with tyres from the new sole supplier, Pirelli. This year, conditions were very wet with snow and ice, making tyre choice even more critical to the outcome.
The Toyota team led the rally from the third stage early on Friday morning, with each of its three entries all taking turns in the lead over the course of the rally’s longest day. On his home event, Ogier claimed the lead back with a storming stage win on Saturday’s first test. He took a 13-second advantage over Evans into the final day, when he won three of the four stages – including the rally-ending Power Stage – to begin the defence of his title in the perfect way.
With second place Evans also makes a strong start to his championship campaign, while Rovanpera begins his second season having fought for the podium on such a demanding event. Tyre damage on Sunday’s first stage contributed to Rovanpera missing out on the top three, but he did finish with the second fastest time in the Power Stage.
With Evans third quickest, the team locked out the top three positions on the Power Stage, which from this season also gives bonus points towards the manufacturers’ championship. This, combined with the 1-2 finish in the rally, means the team takes maximum points from the opening round.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program driver Takamoto Katsuta also made it four Yaris WRC drivers in the top six as he completed Rallye Monte-Carlo for the second year in a row and scored his best WRC result so far in sixth place.
Arctic Rally Finland (February 26-28) is a new addition to the WRC calendar for 2021, taking the place of the cancelled Rally Sweden as the year’s only pure winter event. The rally will be based in Rovaniemi – capital of Finland’s northernmost region (and also the ‘home’ of Santa Claus) – with stages to take place inside the Arctic Circle on roads with a good covering of snow and ice.
