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GM working on hydrogen-powered modular transport vehicle

General Motors is currently working on a new heavy transport vehicle that is able to cope with the toughest obstacles caused by natural disasters, complex logistics environments and global conflicts. Called the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure or SURUS, this vehicle is designed to carry its payload silently to the intended destination.

Adapted for military use, SURUS is built upon a flexible fuel cell electric platform and is endowed with autonomous technology. It uses GM’s newest Hydrotec fuel cell system and truck chassis components. As a result, the truck has a high-performance and zero-emission propulsion system unlike those used by current gen electric trucks.

The objective of building such a vehicle is to minimize the logistical burden in tough situations and reduce human exposure to surrounding dangers. GM believes that such a vehicle offers a wide variety of benefits that include quiet and odor-free operation, off-road mobility, field configuration, instantaneous high torque and quick refueling times.

Since this is a fuel cell vehicle, it generates water as a byproduct, which in some cases,is safely for consumption or used for other purposes. Since it outputs electrical energy, that same power can be used to power nearby electrical equipment, which may come in handy when carrying out rescue operations or top secret military missions.

“SURUS redefines fuel cell electric technology for both highway and off-road environments,” said Charlie Freese, executive director of GM Global Fuel Cell Business. “General Motors is committed to bringing new high-performance, zero-emission systems to solve complex challenges for a variety of customers.”

Unlike a number of other mainstream automakers, General Motors believes that Fuel cell technology represents a key piece of it’s zero emission strategy. This technology can be scaled to benefit large vehicles with equally heavy payload requirements and operate over longer distances than battery powered EVs.

SURUS’s platform features:

Two advanced electric drive units
Four-wheel steering
Lithium-ion battery system
Gen 2 fuel cell system
Hydrogen storage system capable of more than 400 miles of range
Advanced propulsion power electronics
GM truck chassis components
An advanced, industry-leading suspension

SURUS will be able to navigate with decent agility through challenging terrain and be able to coordinate with other such vehicles while in a convoy configuration. This could reduce the manpower that is required to safely execute some military missions. Adding to that, SURUS has a low heat signature and quiet operation that helps reduce detection and other risks when in enemy territory.

General Motors plans to adapt SURUS’s tech for use with utility trucks, mobile and emergency backup power generation, cargo delivery systems, commercial freight transportation, as well as light and medium duty trucks to replace the current Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 that is in service with the US military.

Volvo records global surge in demand for its vehicles

The once ailing Swedish automaker is doing quite well in 2017 by announcing impressive sales figures compared to the same period last year. This September alone, Volvo managed to sell 53,674 cars, which is a 11.2% increase compared to the same month last year.

Until the end of September, the company has managed to sell 413,472 vehicles this year alone,which is a steady 9% climb compared to last year’s figures. Volvo has partly attributed this rise in demand to customers interest in its new 90 series vehicles and its newly launched XC60 SUV.

Speaking for the UK market, Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said, “These impressive figures show that we are well on track for another record year of sales for Volvo. They are a result of the desirability of our cars, and of all the hard work from everyone at Volvo Car and the dealer network.”

Volvo’s largest market, China, recorded an exceptionally good 29.8% sales growth this September compared to the same month last year with 11,544 cars sold. In Asia pacific, sales were up 23.7% in September compared to the same period in 2017, which is said to to be the strongest growth for the brand.

The Swedish automaker says that the Chinese assembled XC60, S60L and S90 models contributed quite a bit to the surge in demand in that particular market. This is understandable considering that its latest crop of vehicles are equipped with the company’s latest tech and incredibly beautiful design language.

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In the US, Volvo reported that it achieved a 40.7% increase year-on-year sales for the month of September due to strong demand for the XC90, S90 sedan and XC60. For other regions in the Americas as a whole, demand grew by 36.3% for the month of September.

Since Geely’s acquisition of Volvo, the Swedish marque has been able to turn things around. Thanks to an influx of cash from the Chinese automotive giant, it has managed to throw more capital investment into new technology and vehicles that are able to rival offerings from the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

That said, Volvo aren’t done yet, because it has plans of electriying its upcoming models while gradually phasing out its fully fossil fuel-dependent ones by 2019.

Koenigsegg Agera RS beats Bugatti Chiron’s record

The Buggati Chiron, built to be the pinnacle of hypercar performance, has held the 0-400-0 record, since it was announced at the recent Frankfurt Motorshow. The feat is accomplished by accelerating from 0-400km/h and then back to 0km/h in the shortest amount of time -the Chiron has done it faster than any other car in the world.

Until 1st October, the Chiron has held that record with a blistering time of 41.96 seconds. The man behind the wheel was former F1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya. Powering the monster is an 8-litre W16 quad-turbo engine that produces 1,479bhp and an incredible 1,600Nm of torque.

As powerful as that may sound, it wasn’t enough to keep Koenigsegg’s monster at bay. The Agera RS bested the Chiron’s time by achieving the 0-400-0 feat in a mere 36.44 seconds, about 5 seconds faster than the Bugatti.

The Car was driven by Niklas Lilija and the recorded run was completed on an airfield runway in Vandel, Denmark. That said, Koenigsegg fans’ celebrations may appear to be short lived as the incredible run was discredited, and won’t qualify as an official record.

The reason for this is, the Koenigsegg Agera RS that was used to accomplish the run wasn’t a road legal production car but was a modified vehicle and as such, may not be allowed to be on public roads. The Bugatti on the other hand, is completely road legal and if one had deep enough pockets, he/she would be able to walk into a Bugatti dealership and purchase an it.

That said, this does not negate the fact that the Agera RS is a much faster car than the Chiron. And it won’t be long before Koenigsegg find a way to make the Chiron-killer, legitimately road-legal. Till then, enjoy the picture galley we have put together.

Police approved Ford Interceptors are ready for duty

Two of Ford’s latest law enforcement vehicles, the 2019 Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan and the 2018 Ford F-150 Police Responder have completed their testing phase. Michigan State Police confirmed that Ford is first to offer law enforcement agencies a pursuit-rated hybrid police car and full-size pickup truck.

Due to the high level of crime these days, Police forces have to be equipped with vehicles that can take on any kind of situation. From local patrolling to on-road pursuit to off-road capability, law enforcement agencies in the US have said they need a wide variety of pursuit-rated vehicles.

Pursuit ratings are determined by individual manufacturers who equip thier vehicles to comply with relevant criteria. They then hand them over to a third party to validate the claims. As for the two police vehicles from Ford, they we put through some ‘strenuous’ exercises to ensure that they will hold up to the demands of Michigan’s finest.

Each of them was subjected to a grueling 32-lap pursuit simulation at Grattan Raceway. These simulated tests are designed to assess each vehicle’s overall durability, including powertrain, suspension, brake and tyre systems.

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“Our new Fusion-based Police Responder Hybrid Sedan is quicker than our legendary V8-powered Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, while offering fuel efficiency that’s estimated to be double that,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager.

“Plus, our new F-150 Police Responder offers police customers both on-road pursuit and off-road capability,” he added.

Based on the latest results, the Ford Police Responder Hybrid Sedan is significantly faster than its predecessor, the Crown Victoria and bests at at fuel consumption figures too. Like the F-150 Responder, the sedan makes use of a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine that allows it accelerate to 100km/h in under 6 seconds.

This same powerplant is used to power all three pursuit vehicles from Ford, which include the standard Police interceptor sedan. It also holds the record for the fastest overall lap around the course and also for having the faster average lap.

Law enforcement agencies have an entire fleet of vehicles at their disposal, naturally once they decide to upgrade, they want replacement vehicles that are faster, more efficient and are friendlier to the environment. This is why many are turning to hybrid technology in the hopes that it will offer the best of both worlds.

Rolls-Royce stolen under owner’s nose

vehicles are more than just a mode of transportation, to many, its an extension of thier personalities, allowing them a place to feel comfortable and secure, a social tool that can be enjoyed with friends and family as well as an office on wheels.

As such, sometimes many value their vehicles far more than they would like to believe. And should one be unfortunate enough to have his/hers stolen, at that moment, it may seem like the end of the world.

That is exactly what it seemed like for a businessman in the UK who had his Rolls-Royce Phantom stolen while he was in the garden. The thieves managed to break into his home, steal his car keys, and make a getaway undetected.

Fortunately for the owner, his £110,000 (RM611,281) car was fitted with the TRACKER system. It is an award-winning stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) technology that enables law enforcement and security personal to track down stolen vehicles.

Working together with law enforcement, the system was able to locate the Rolls-Royce in question, and in less than two hours, which is a feat in itself. Unlike a number of other such systems systems, this SVR one can locate stolen vehicles anywhere, even when they are hidden in a garage or a shipping container.

“I thought my car was gone for good. I can’t believe the thieves were bold enough to break in, in broad daylight. Thankfully, it was discovered at a supermarket car park in Leicester in less than two hours, which is a great result and demonstrates the importance of TRACKER’s unique relationship with police forces across the UK,” said the unnamed owner.

According to statistics released by the company, in 2016, the most expensive car that it recovered in the UK was a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG worth £120,000 (RM666,851). But the reality is, luxury/expensive cars account for less than 1% of stolen vehicles that it had recovered.

In fact, the majority of the vehicles reported stolen by the company, are regular run-of-the-mill hatchbacks, sedans and MPVs. This means that car thieves are not brand biased or look to hijack extremely valuable sports cars, rather they prefer to target the ones that are most convenient for them.

As such, it is important that we exercise caution when choosing where we park our vehicles and how we secure them. Regardless of how sophisticated your car alarm is, it won’t be able to do you any favours if a thief is able to exploit its vulnerabilities, disarm it and driveway with your prized possession.

Mitsubishi records best September in 10 years

Mitsubishi has reported that last month, was its best September sales month in the past 10 years for North America. The company stated that it managed to sell 8,430 vehicles in September, which is a 17.2% increase during the same month in 2016.

It’s relatively new Outlander help bolster these sales figures by selling 2,896 units, which is a 50.4% increase compared to last year. Combined CUV sales for Mitsubishi climbed 34.3% over last year with total CUV sales of 6,035.

So far, the Japanese automaker has managed to sell 79,195 vehicles this year, which is a 6.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This means that after a rough couple of years due to stiff competition and a number of other issues, have caused the Mitsubishi to loose ground to its rivals.

That however may soon change as the company gears up for the launch of the e-Evolution and a number of other offerings that will be of interest to the general public. That said, we shall have to wait and see how well things pan out for the brand.

New Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid combines performance with fuel efficiency

Land Rover has introduced a Plug-in Hybrid vehicle to its Range Rover Sport line-up. Unlike the regular Range Rover, the Sport features better performance credentials that are able to rival that of some sports cars.

The addition of an electrified RR Sport is an interesting move by the British automaker considering the magnitude of the decision and how it would resonate with purists and off-roading enthusiasts.

This proves that the automaker is fervent of the idea of electric mobility and achieving its goal of offering electrified options for each model by 2020. That said, what Land Rover has created here is far from something that resembles your accountant’s Prius.

On the outside at least, there’s very little evidence to suggest that the hybrid Range Rover Sport as any different from the base model. It’s only with a keen eye that one is able to notice the disparities between the two.

The electrified variant features a tweaked design that includes Matrix Pixel LED headlights integrated with a redesigned grille. This is complemented by a new bumper with a more aggressive profile. The socket for the charger is hidden away under the Land Rover badge located on the new grille – a subtle but tasteful touch to this unassumingly complex vehicle.

Unlike the top of the line Sport, which features a V8 engine that puts out 575bhp, the electrified one makes do with an Ingenium 2.0-litre four-cylinder that produces 300bhp. It’s aided by an 85kW electric motor, which brings the total output to 404bhp.

This Range Rover can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, which is far slower than the 4.3 seconds it takes the top of the line model SVR to accomplish the same feat. That said, the Sport Plug-in Hybrid isn’t aimed at performance enthusiasts, rather its for connoisseurs who are conscious of their carbon footprint and the effects of global warming.

Thanks to a 13.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the vehicle is able to travel on pure electric power alone for 51km. Nevertheless, it will offer a whole host of other benefits that includes savings in fuel costs.

Through the use of the Parallel Hybrid mode, the vehicle is able to offer the best mix of petrol and electric power to optimize fuel efficiency and battery charge. It can work with the navigation system to ensure that you get to your destination with enough power while conserving fuel.

Despite the addition of a hybrid system, through clever engineering, Land Rover has managed to tuck the battery, motor and charging unit neatly with other components to allow for the same cabin and luggage space as the regular petrol version.

The Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid may not be the flagship of the range, but it will certainly have its share of fans around the world.

Nissan has big plans for its electrified future

Nissan is going to be quite busy within the next several years according to its ‘Four Pillars’ plan that was revealed in Norway. This quartet signifies the company’s focus on the launch of new electric vehicles, additional infrastructure investment, battery charging and home storage advances as well as a revolutionary way of offering free power to EV owners.

The new Leaf has already gone into production and is expected to hit markets such as the UK, very soon. There will be a special variant for Europe called the 2.ZERO, which will have unique fittings that set it apart from the base car. In general, the Leaf will offer a range of 378km per charge, ProPILOT driver assist and autonomous parking systems.

Nissan will also be update its e-NV200 electric van that offers 280km range on a single charge, which is a 60% improvement over its predecessor. Despite the increase in performance, the vehicle’s battery size and weight has remained the same as the one in its predecessor – an impressive feat because storage space and payload capacity remains unchanged.

Working with the EV fast charging standard called CHAdeMO, Nissan plans on expanding its outdoor charging network by 20% over the next 18 months. As it stands, the company already has an extensive network of charging stations that includes over 4600 quick chargers. Now, it plans on installing a further 100 chargers over the course of the next 18 months.

The third area where Nissan plans on making an impact is with improvements to its range of home and office charging units with the introduction of its double speed 7kW charger and 22kW fast charger. the 7kW one is able to charge a Nissan EV to 100% charge in 5.5 hours which is about 70% faster than before.

Its 22kW charger on the other hand, which is mostly targeted at fleet and business owners, can accomplish the same feat in just 2 hours. This super-fast charger can also be purchased by the general public who want a quicker charging experience.

Supplementing this is Nissan’s smart energy storage system for EV owners that will charge connected vehicles when needed and depending on electricity tariffs. This offers customers greater control over the costs incurred for charging their EVs.

Last but not least, through its new bi-directional charging system, Nissan hopes to offer ‘free-power’ to its customers. This system allows Nissan EVs to draw power from the grid when needed and ‘sell back’ this power when the vehicle is sitting idle in a driveway. This helps offset the daily costs of charging such a vehicle.

Though not groundbreaking, Nissan’s latest steps will help shape the way we see electric mobility. Such systems are already at play in places like Denmark but it should catch on in places like the UK where the infrastructure is already available to support the future of electric mobility.

Hyundai unveil monstrous Sante Fe for SEMA

Hyundai has released a teaser image of a highly modified version of its ever popular Santa Fe, called the The Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Concept that will be on display at SEMA 2017. The vehicle has been kitted out with some high performance upgrades which include massive oversize tyres.

“The Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Concept was specifically designed to withstand the extraordinary demands of Moab off-road terrain,” said Nic Ashby, Rockstar Marketing. “Leveraging the outstanding Santa Fe Sport platform and powertrain, we definitely pushed its capabilities to new limits to conquer the pinnacle of challenges at Moab.”

Though the vehicle sports a similar overall look compared to its base model sibling, this Moab edition features a modified off-road suspension kit to accommodate the massive tyres and superior ground clearance.

There’s also an array of lighting equipment fitted to the front bumper guard as well as on the vehicle’s roof to help with visibility especially during excursions at night. The bodywork features a subtle grayed camouflage-like paint scheme that blends well with the theme of the vehicle.

The following is the extensive list of modifications that have been carried out on the Rockstar liveried Sante Fe:

R1 Concepts, 6-piston front and 4-piston rear big brake kit
KING, Coil-over Suspension and 2.5” Internal Bypass shocks with reservoirs
KMC 17-inch Machete off-road bead-lock wheels
Mickey Thompson 35×12.50R17 Baja MTZ off-road tires
HID Projectors OEM upgraded headlights and taillights
Mishimoto Intercooler, Downpipe, Rockstar Energy Catch Can, Coolant Overflow Reservoir
Yukon Gear and Axle Drive train Accessories
AEM Intake
KICKER audio sound system
Roadwire custom leather interior
Odyssey battery Dry Cell
Rockstar Performance Garage Skid plates, Bumpers with Warn® winch & Factor 55 Link
Rockstar Performance Garage Custom roof rack with Bulldog LED lighting
Heatshield for heat protection
MagnaFlow exhaust
Scosche Magic Mounts, Bluetooth Speakers and Lifestyle Accessories
Nitrous Express wet system
Bulletliner Bedliner protection
Casacadia Tents
Tintman, Thermal Heat protection
Powertank Portable Tank for refilling tires on the trail

This mean Hyundai will be on display at this year’s SEMA show for attendees to view and admire. The SEMA or Specialty Equipment Market Association show, is a trade exhibition in the US, that brings together aftermarket manufacturers, original equipment suppliers (OEM), specialty equipment distributors, installers, retailers and restoration specialists under one roof.

It also serves as a platform for the aforementioned entities to showcase their finest work and network with other companies or customers to increase their brand presence and grow their businesses.

It’s the ‘go to’ destination for anything that relates to aftermarket parts or modifications of the automotive industry. And this year, Hyundai will put on display, a vehicle that will certainly turn a lot of heads.

Jaguar helps former Olympian enter Guinness Book of World Records

Jaguar’s XF Sportbrake has enabled former British Olympic Skier Graham Bell to set a new Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest Towed Speed on Skies’. The task was a daunting one because Bell would have to battle the -28 degrees Celsius temperature at high speed at Jaguar Land Rover’s Revi Test Centre in the Arctic Circle.

Attempting this wasn’t an easy feat considering the relative dangers involved with high speed skiing. But the task was made easier thanks to the XF Sportbrake’s Adaptive Surface Response (AdSR) and All Surface Progress Control.

These systems oversee the power delivery of the car’s all-wheel-drive system and ensure that the XF remains planted and well within the control of the driver. Maintaining stability at high-speeds is something that is extremely important in a situation such as this.

As a result, not only did Bell break the previous record of just under 113 km/h, but managed did so by a huge margin. He was able to clock a time of 188 km/h which is about 76 km/h faster than the previous record. This is a testament to the capabilities of Jaguar’s AWD system, which kept the former Olympic skier out of harms way.

Speaking of the feat, Jeremy Hicks, Jaguar Land Rover UK MD, said, “The XF Sportbrake’s superb traction, handling and high speed stability made it the perfect choice for this speed record attempt.”

“We’re extremely proud to have supported Graham in this incredible world-beating achievement – it’s this kind of trail-blazing activity that really tests our cars to their limits,” he later added.

This adds to the list achievements of the Jaguar XF family, which includes being ranked the “Large and Luxury Car” in the JD Power Survey. The latest crop of Jaguars are leaps and bounds better than their predecessors and evidently, many are taking notice of topic.