Mercedes-Benz has Mercedes-AMG, BMW has BMW M and now Peugeot has also created its own high-performance division known as PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED. Coinciding with the launch of this new division, the carmaker is announcing its return to the World Endurance Championship in the Le Mans Hypercar category from 2022, although that has already been known earlier.
Roots in Peugeot Sport
PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED is probably an evolution of the Peugeot Sport division within the original Peugeot PSA Citroen group. It was established in 1981 as a motorsports division and gained fame when it developed and ran the Group B Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 in the 1984 World Rally Championship. Since then, Peugeot Sport has been involved in F1 and WEC as well.
Two new models
Now, as PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED, the division appears to also be given an additional role in developing high-performance versions of Peugeot models for a more business-orientated approach. The first of these is the latest 508 with AWD and plug-in hybrid electric technology to enter the new era in which the kilowatt is king.
The new 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED will be available in Fastback and Stationwagon bodystyles. The signature of this new family, with three Kryptonite claws, refers to the new identity for Peugeot Sport, to the light signatures of the production models, and draws inspiration from the brand’s heritage with rear lights inspired by the 504 Coupe.
The new 508 PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED is the most powerful production car ever built by Peugeot for sale. The powertrain produces 360 bhp/520 Nm, thanks to the combination of internal combustion engine and two electrical motors (one at the front and the other at the rear). Claimed 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is 5.2 seconds, with a top speed beyond 250 km/h but electronically limited to that speed.
The driver can select from 5 driving modes to suit conditions and preference: 100% electric driving; Comfort; Hybrid; Sport and 4WD. Recharging can be done within 7 hours at home or within 2 hours using a dedicated 7 kW wallbox charging point.
Optimised for high performance
The engineers have made changes to the 508 to optimise the high-performance version for sportier dynamics. The adjustments to its chassis include a specially-tuned steering set-up. The front and rear tracks are wider and there’s variable 3-mode shock absorption. 380 mm diameter front brake discs and fixed 4-piston calipers are installed behind 20-inch alloy wheels running on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The driving position has also been lowered.
PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED has drawn on expertise gained during the development of the 3008 SUV HYBRID/HYBRID4 and 508 HYBRID, as well as experience from competing with hybrid powertrains.
Peugeot to return to endurance racing in 2022 with hypercar (w/VIDEO)
Over the next few weeks, you may come across BMW vehicles with uniquely designed artwork on their exteriors moving around the streets of Kuala Lumpur. The ‘camouflage’ is artwork designed by local businesses, volunteer groups and NGOs Komuniti Tukang Jahit, Changgih Designs, INKAA, and Kanoe who have been driving dynamic initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia.
“COVID-19 challenges many of us to be out of our elements, but we at BMW also saw many individuals and businesses who have pivoted to thrive in such challenging times. We are inspired by them. Collaborating with emerging local businesses, we want to highlight their individual dynamic independent spirit, their sheer determination and resilience – all of which have allowed them to rise above the adversity and challenges ahead of us,” said Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications of BMW Group Malaysia.
Komuniti Tukang Jahit is a social enterprise that empowers the B40 women community consisting of single women, single mothers, the OKU group, and stay-at- home mothers. They provide certified upskill training and job opportunities for home-based tailors to earn a sustainable income through sewing orders.
Changgih Designs was founded by Joanna Moss and Bethany Dawson, two new, passionate mothers from Sabah who wanted to create crafts for their children. They were then inspired to help mothers from villages with vocational training and job opportunities. Today, the social enterprise blends the heritage of Borneo with contemporary fashion in a collection of hand-stitched handbags, wallets, scarves, accessories, masks, and wearable art made by artisans in villages across Sabah.
INKAA is a collaborative effort with grassroots organisations and artisans in Malaysia. They create beautiful products, while promoting more understanding and communication between individuals and the people they work with. It is a brand that honours artisans and preserves heritage. INKAA sources traditional batik textiles hand-made by three artisans in Terengganu, creating unique fabric designs where no two pieces are the same.
Kanoe is a homegrown brand that sets out to promote better living throughout their design and production process, ensuring that everyone involved from the beginning to the end of the process benefits from it. Kanoe’s garments are made from natural fibre and are designed in-house. The business also works with local businesses, artisans, and communities in need to promote handmade work, a healthy working environment, and fair wage.
Look out for the BMW vehicles with the unique designs around KL and stay tuned to BMW Malaysia’s Facebook or Instagram to win exclusively designed BMW merchandise.
A new way to find out more about ‘The Boss’ with BMW Malaysia’s AR Experience
The Ferrari showroom in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, has undergone renovation which brings its appearance in accordance with the Italian brand’s latest Corporate Identity (CI) design. A total of RM3.5 million was spent for the renovation and refurbishment of the showroom which has been at the location since 2009. It is among the first few in Southeast Asia to incorporate the new CI.
‘Exclusive club’ for customers and owners
The showroom has two floors, covering a total of 11,900 sq ft, and can accommodate up to 7 cars. On the ground floor is the main display area which showcases the latest Ferrari models available for the Malaysian market. A customer lounge, finely furnished and equipped with a coffee bar, provides customers with a luxurious space that has a community feel and a sense of being at an exclusive club.
The Configuration Room
In the Configuration Room is a broad selection of materials and options as well as the exclusive ‘atelier’ panels which rotate and allow for the room to be closed off when discerning customers would prefer to design their Ferrari with peace and privacy. The experience provided is said to be comparable to that offered to Ferrari customers at the factory in Italy.
Also located on the ground floor is a brand experience video wall and a private consultation room. For those taking delivery of their car, a delivery area has been thoughtfully designed for owners to celebrate the occasion.
Ferrari Approved
The first floor is partially dedicated to Ferrari Approved, the brand’s pre-owned certification programme. The pre-owned models go through a meticulous 190-step check and are prepared to ensure that their new owners receive a Ferrari in world-class condition.
A Heritage Wall and library offer a glimpse into Ferrari’s history, legacy and the brand’s evolution into the automotive powerhouse that it is today. Last year, Ferrari claimed the title of the world’s strongest brand, according to the Brand Finance Global 500 report. Its strength was determined through a review of marketing investment, stakeholder equity, and business performance.
Ferrari Classiche Academy lets you experience driving supercars before the electronic age
Prices for the updated Toyota Hilux to be launched soon have been announced by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) today. In the new line-up, there are five variants to choose from, with the new Double Cab 2.8 Rogue as the flagship.
There are two turbodiesel engine choices – 2.8 litres and 2.4 litres – and also automatic and manual transmissions. The Hilux Single Cab is still offered for those who use the vehicle mainly for heavy-duty business purposes. A warranty of 5 years (or maximum of 150,000 kms after original registration) is provided.
Assembled in Malaysia, the new Hilux range comes with a choice of seven exterior colours. These are Bronze Mica Metallic (a new colour), Crimson Spark Red Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, Phantom Brown Metallic, Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic and Super White II. The Hilux Single Cab is available only in a Solid White colour.
As mentioned in an earlier report, the new Hilux has changes to styling, updates of features inside, and improvements in performance. Although the current 8th generation has achieved the maximum 5-star rating from ASEAN NCAP, it continues to be improved in safety aspects with the inclusion of the Toyota Safety Sense system (Hilux 2.8 Rogue only).
Toyota Service Savers & Insurance Packages
For those intending to purchase new Toyota vehicles, UMWT also recommends the Toyota Service Savers & Insurance Packages. With the Toyota Service Savers package, there can be saving of up to 13% during servicing and discounts of up to 20% for selected items and parts replacement. Available for the period of 5 years or 3 years, the cost of the package can be included in the financing scheme as part of the vehicle purchase cost.
The Toyota Insurance Package offers benefits which can allow an owner to regain use of his or her vehicle as quickly as possible after an accident. If not exceeding RM20,000, the claim can usually be approved within 24 hours, enabling repair work to commence quickly. There’s also no betterment charges or Excess Clause and the insurance companies will pay the entire amount of the claim.
Visit www.toyota.com.my for more information on the new Hilux and other products and services in Malaysia.
Improved Toyota Hilux to be launched soon, and you can book now
Lynk & Co, the global premium brand created in the Geely Auto Group, clearly has its eyes on the future and the future is going to be all about electric vehicles (EVs). Its ideas for the future therefore focus on pure electric vehicles and Geely Holding has even developed Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) for this.
Pure electric architecture for all
SEA is a pure electric architecture that will be used as the basis for all new EVs within the Geely Holding Group portfolio. It is the world’s first open-source electric vehicle architecture, and ‘open-source’ means that other third-party vehicle manufacturers will be able to use it for their own EV development. In this way, EVs can more quickly grow in numbers and enable manufacturers to reach efficient economies of scale for production costs to start dropping.
It’s like the architecture for the first Personal Computer (PC) that IBM developed in the early 1980s. This was open-source architecture that was freely available to everyone and very quickly, the availability of the PC from numerous companies led to it becoming the dominant system in what had been an industry fragmented by many different architectures and operating systems.
Next production model previewed
The Zero Concept model that Lynk & Co will display at the coming Beijing Auto Show will be the first model to be based on the SEA architecture. It will be the basis for a new model to go into production next year and also enter the market before the end of 2021.
The Zero Concept was designed in Lynk & Co’s Gothenburg design studio in Sweden. It is the second concept car from the brand after the CCC Concept Car which was unveiled in 2016. It set the design direction for the Lynk & Co brand as it grew from one model, the 01, to encompassing 5 different variants – SUV, crossover, coupe SUV and sedan.
The Zero Concept is an extension of the original CCC Concept in its execution, utilizing Lynk & Co’s unique design language that has a clear expression. Clear graphical lines push boundaries and work to highlight the technological aspects of the Zero Concept’s design language.
“The dedication that went into the Zero Concept was incredible, and the result has been first class design with state-of-the-art technologies that allow for a zero-emission future. We have encompassed passion, performance and pure electrification into the Zero Concept,” said Peter Horbury, Senior Vice-President of Geely Design.
Positioned as performance touring coupe
The SEA architecture has given the designers the possibility to create a vehicle with perfect proportions with low overhangs both front and rear, with a wheelbase that is just under 3000 mm. Its dynamic sporting profile positions the Concept Zero as a technology-orientated performance touring coupe.
Sustainability has been placed at the forefront of the Zero Concept with the use of high-tech sustainable materials being used throughout the design strategy that will further enhance the production variants zero emission credentials.
Drivers can expect the range of the production model to be in excess of 700 kms with a fully charged battery pack, according to Lynk & Co. Like many EVs, it will also off brisk and zippy performance with a claimed 0 to 100 km/h time of under 4 seconds.
About Lynk & Co
Although the brand is already 4 years old, it is still not well known globally as much of its marketing focus has been in China. The company was formed as a joint venture between the Geely Auto Group and the Volvo Car Group as ‘a challenge to the established automotive industry with an offering that meets the needs and requirements of a new generation of globally connected consumer’.
It developed a new business model, an open API, personalized services, sharing possibilities and the first dedicated app store for cars.
Since entering the market with the 01 SUV in 2018, Lynk & Co has sold over 300,000 cars. The tech-laden SUV is built on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that was co-developed between the Geely Auto Group and Volvo Cars.
The brand has planned a roll-out of products in the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France and Spain towards the end of this year, with the North American market to follow.
Before developing the new Ghost, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars consulted its customers extensively to ensure that they would provide exactly the sort of limousine the new generation of buyers expect and would want to own. One of the expectations was for a chauffeur-driven ‘business tool’ during the week to be able to transform into a serenely comfortable and dynamic self-driven saloon for the weekend.
The new Ghost Extended is the answer, offering enhanced rear seating space with no compromise to driving dynamics. It is 170 mm longer than the standard Ghost and the wheelbase has been stretched by the same length to 3465 mm. All the extra space available goes to the rear to create more legroom than any 4-seat sedan.
Engineered, not cut
Unlike some other limousines which gain their extra length by a crude cutting and welding approach (usually done by independent customisation companies), the Ghost Extended’s bodywork is originally engineered as an extended model. Beam-melted metal components are welded to the body-in-white, while parts made by multi-jet fusion and selective laser sintering are individually fitted.
Customer centricity has informed every step of the development process, which led to the Ghost’s minimalist design. The designers worked to cloak the extra length by only extending the rear door and body around the rear door apertures, preserving the lines of the car.
A suite of enhancements to the rear of the cabin reflects Ghost Extended’s flexibility. For the first time, a reclining Serenity Seat can be specified, offering a new dimension of rear seat comfort akin to a business jet cabin environment.
The rear cabin can also alter its environment, transitioning from business to leisure. For celebrating another contract signed or a birthday, there’s a champagne fridge provided between the rear seats. Designed with the advice of a Master Sommelier, the refrigerator operates two cooling modes, chilling to 6 degrees and 11 degrees C., The optimum serving temperatures of non-vintage champagne is around 6 degrees and vintage champagnes is around 11 degrees.
Technology without distraction
Rolls-Royce claims the Ghost is the most technologically advanced car it has ever created for sale. However, technological functions have been deployed with care to reflect customer demand for a serene environment, free from unnecessary distractions. Standard in all Ghosts is the new Micro-Environment Purification System which was described in an earlier article.
[Click here to read more about the technologies in the new Ghost]
A suite of technologies enhances the driving experience in urban and country settings, as well as ensures safe motoring. This includes laser headlights with more than 600 metres of illuminated range and key safety enhancements such as a 7×3 high definition head-up display, vision assist with day and night-time wildlife and pedestrian warning, alertness assistant, active cruise control, collision warning, cross traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning.
A 4-camera imaging system creates a panoramic view with all round-visibility and there’s also a helicopter view (which Rolls-Royce was the first in the world to offer many years ago) to help with parking. However, the owner can also use the self-parking capability and have the car positioned precisely with little personal effort needed.
When UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) started the Toyota Vios Challenge One-Make series, one of the aims was to bring new blood into the racing scene, especially at grassroots level. Now, after three successful seasons, the company is introducing the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program. This is aimed at identifying and nurturing young Malaysian racing talent transitioning from karting and sim-racing to saloon car racing.
“One of the principal achievements of the Toyota Vios Challenge has been its ability to not only attract young racers but giving them an equal opportunity to excel competing alongside more experienced racers,” said Akio Takeyama, GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer, and Deputy Chairman of UMWT.
Young newcomers joining racing series
“In three seasons of the Toyota Vios Challenge, we have noticed a stream of young drivers making their way into the series. Affordability and cost of participation has certainly played a significant part in this but its one-make race format has also provided young drivers as well as newcomers with a fair and level playing field in terms of racing as they compete against more experienced drivers. This and the combination of having to drive in a super competitive environment has resulted in an accelerated learning curve,” said Mr. Takeyama, who also participates in the series.
“The success of the series in nurturing young talent could not have been better validated than with the crowning of 16-year-old Hayden Haikal as the Sporting Class champion in Season 3 with another teenage driver, 18-year-old Bradley Benedict Anthony clinching second place overall in what was only his first year of saloon car racing, both of whom were karters making the transition up to saloon car racing,” he said.
Mr. Takeyama said the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program underlined Toyota’s continued investment and commitment towards the development of Malaysian motorsports.
Transition from sim racing and karting
The programme, for those between the ages of 14 and 20, has identified 6 young racers, based on their karting and sim-racing accomplishments, overall performance and level of commitment. They will be coached before being provided with the opportunity to compete in Season 4 of the Toyota Vios Challenge series.
They are sim racers Mika Hakimi (17) and Naquib Azlan (20), and karters Amer Harris (17), Jwan Hii (18), Putera Adam (14) and Troy Eimann (16).
The racers will undergo intensive training both on and off the track under the close guidance of instructors at the GAZOO Racing School beginning this month. They must satisfy a number of criteria before being certified competent to race. As with all racing drivers, they must also fulfil all conditions for the issuance of a national competition license (for circuit racing) by Malaysia’s motorsports-governing body, the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
Toyota’s growing presence in motorsports
GAZOO Racing and Toyota’s growing presence in Malaysian motorsports has collaboratively helped to develop both the sport and brand as more dynamic, vibrant, emotive and exhilarating entities.
“The commitment from the onset had been to establish an even bigger footprint in Malaysian motorsports and to be in the position to give Malaysian motorsports a further boost. In 3 seasons, we have been able to make an impactful difference by establishing a series that ran on purpose-built street tracks instead of at traditional racing circuits. That successfully attracted not only first-time competitors but also amateur and professional racers to the series. With Season 4, we intend to take this one step further by providing young racers with a gateway into the higher levels of motor racing,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
Season 3 of Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship to run throughout September
After going through the COVID-19 pandemic (which has not ended yet), the road ahead for businesses is going to be a challenging one. Virtually all companies have been impacted in various ways, some even having to cease operations. Those that are continuing their business have to optimise financial resources and review their expenses.
For companies which require a fleet of vehicles, there are issues of not just the long-term loan or lease but also maintenance and repair costs. The aim would be to minimise impact on cashflow and also reduce operating costs.
All-inclusive subscription fee
Flux, a 2-year old mobility provider, offers a solution it calls the ‘Flux Business Class’. This is an all-inclusive monthly car subscription service, with the added benefit of being able to enjoy additional tax savings on Flux expenses.
Companies can subscribe to a fleet of cars for just a year or up to three years, so if things don’t go so well, they are not tied to a long-term loan to be repaid or a lease of a few years. Insurance premiums, roadtax, maintenance and wear and tear parts replacement are included in a single monthly price.
Besides not having interest fees, no downpayment is required either. So all the company really has to pay for in monthly operating expenses are fuel purchases, parking charges – and traffic offence fines, of course.
Approved tax deduction
Being an off-balance sheet expense, it is possible to claim a greater amount back as an approved tax deduction compared with capitalising cars as assets. Flux will refresh the fleet so tax deductibility can be enjoyed throughout the subscription tenure.
The company will never be without a car even when it is being serviced or repaired for a longer period than expected. Flux Business Class benefits include a courtesy car so customers stay mobile.
Customers can choose from a wide range of new and pre-owned models from Japanese, European, Korean and Malaysian brands. SUVs, MPVs and pick-up trucks are also available, and subscriptions start from RM1,805.
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
