Customers who purchase the Serena S-Hybrid or X-Trail before June 30 2020 will receive a complimentary 1-year FWD Protect Direct Family Takaful protection plan (up to a family of 4; parents and 2 children) with a sum insured of RM100,000. Terms & Conditions apply.
Additionally, 20 lucky winners will also stand a chance to win CUCKOO Healthy Home Appliances worth up to RM128,888 in the ‘Nissan Buy & Win’ contest when they purchase and register any Nissan model by June 30, 2020.
Visit www.nissan.com.my to know more about the models available and locations of showrooms.
Casio’s EDIFICE line of high-performance metal chronographs have long been associated with motorsports and many of their features are specifically designed for those in the fast-paced racing world. This month, the company has released five new additions to the EDIFICE line based on the brand concept of ‘Speed and Intelligence’.
The new ECB-10 models have been developed based on interviews with motorsport racing team members, especially those in the Scuderia Alpha Tauri Formula 1 team which Casio is partnered with. Their feedback is reflected in functions including the Schedule Timer, which is convenient for time management by teams who need to schedule activities down to the minute, and automatic time zone adjustment (over 300 cities with smartphone link), which is useful when traveling to races around the world. The latter does not require the user to press a button or make adjustments manually.
With Bluetooth, the ECB-10 models can be paired with a smartphone, accessing the device’s calendar app. Notifications are provided at the start and end of a scheduled activity. The notifications are automatically adjusted with any schedule change made on the calendar app. This allows the timer to support sudden changes in schedule.
The watch face features an octagonal bezel studded with four screws, evoking a professional power tool used for racing car maintenance. The bold look strongly suggests a mechanical design. The dial is emblazoned with horizontal lines to express the dynamic energy of cars tearing down the straightaway.
The five versions of the ECB-10 range have either black or silver resin casing and strap, as well as stainless steel casings. Prices range from RM789 to RM859 and are available at G-Factory stores and authorized dealer stores around Malaysia.
The rear end breaks out slightly into a controlled drift, the tyres start to squeal. Sven Bohnhorst reacts with lightning speed and countersteers briefly. He keeps his foot on the accelerator, drifting with a smile on his face.
Bohnhorst, a chassis setup engineer at Bugatti, is testing the new Chiron Pur Sport at the limits of its handling dynamics. The aim is to improve the vehicle even further and to tune the chassis, steering and dampers even more precisely.
Aiming for ‘the perfect driving experience’
His starting point is in the area of fine nuances and minute details. These are almost imperceptible individually but will later convey the complete picture of a perfect driving experience to customers. After weeks of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his colleagues were finally able to return to testing the new Chiron Pur Sport on a racetrack.
“The track at Bilster Berg with its very own topographic relief is challenging and demands a high level of concentration. It’s a technical circuit with varying radii, fast and slow sectors and severe elevation changes. A genuine challenge for us chassis developers,” explained Bohnhorst.
The track goes up and down, making the car lighter in some places, and pressing it down into the dips with significant spring compression. These are ideal conditions for fine-tuning the running gear and safety systems. This is where engineers can test and take the Chiron Pur Sport to its limits.
ESC Sport+ driving mode
Particularly suitable for this purpose: the new ESC Sport+ driving mode. Experienced drivers can activate this mode when driving on racetracks. For this first time, this mode allows larger drift angle with much easier controlled drifting – the driver is able to stay on the throttle much longer to control the rear end before the ESC kicks in. This turns the Chiron Pur Sport into an extreme Chiron derivative at the other end of the performance spectrum, a model with very active driving characteristics that is made for cornering.
“The combination of an uncompromisingly sporty and harder chassis set-up, new tyres with a softer rubber compound geared towards lateral dynamics, and the shorter transmission ratio make it possible to manoeuvre the Chiron Pur Sport out of any corner safely and at lightning speed. An incredible feeling at the wheel that makes the adrenalin flow,” said Bohnhorst enthusiastically.
‘A car for those who have petrol in their blood’
The new hyper sportscar is much firmer, dynamic and direct to drive than the Chiron. It generates more grip, understeers less and provides neutral handling even in fast corner combinations. “It’s a car for drivers, for all those who have petrol in their blood. I never want to get out again!” he exclaimed happily.
Even though Bugatti usually tests on longer race circuits like the handling track in Nardo or on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, Bohnhorst feels at home at Bilster Berg which he knows well. “I now know exactly how to drive around the track. Because the Pur Sport offers such confident handling, it is easy to familiarize yourself with the special characteristics of the track,” he explained.
The 8-litre W16-cylinder engine with 1,500 ps/1,600 Nm does not get as much attention during such tests as the engineers are not primarily focused on lap times. Instead, they want the Chiron Pur Sport to handle perfectly even in extreme situations.
“In terms of development, we are close to reaching our goals – the Chiron Pur Sport is very precise and extremely agile to drive, even on such a tight handling course,” added Bohnhorst.
Things are certainly picking up in the car industry as increasing activity is evident. New models that may have been delayed are now appearing in showrooms to revitalise interest among car-buyers.
The latest is from Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) which has just launched the UNITED range. Consisting of the Passat and Tiguan, the limited edition range celebrates ‘the strength of unity, a trait deeply embedded in the Volkswagen brand’.
Volkswagen Original Accessories added
Two new unique items from Volkswagen Original Accessories are introduced with the UNITED models: dynamic wheel hub caps with a self-levelling logo that stays upright while the car is in motion, and LED door lights that project the Volkswagen logo when the front doors are opened (Passat only).
The Passat UNITED is priced at RM193,856 and comes with accessories worth a total of RM12,000. Additional accessories include aluminium sports pedals and side scuff plates, new 19-inch Verona alloy wheels, VW Tint and the UNITED emblem.
Priced at RM166,108, The Tiguan UNITED has a front sports bumper, rear spoiler, chrome boot garnish, load lip protector, chrome exhaust tip, VW tint and the UNITED emblem, all worth RM4,000.
VPCM Managing Director Erik Winter explained that the UNITED range is introduced as a symbol of solidarity rooted within the brand. “While there is a connection between our UNITED range and Volkswagen’s involvement in football, the significance of the name and what it represents could not be more relevant today, with the challenges we are facing. Additionally, a core principle of the Volkswagen brand is #wenotme, which emphasises on unity and togetherness,” he said.
Save RM1,000 this weekend
This weekend, authorised Volkswagen dealerships are hosting a virtual Raya Open House on their respective social media channels. They are offering an additional RM1,000 rebate on any Volkswagen models booked during the weekend online.
Additional deals
An additional deal for the Tiguan offers the first 6 months of H-P instalments covered by Volkswagen if the SUV is registered by June 30, 2020. The Passat also comes with free insurance coverage for the first year. There is also the free home delivery service for customers within a 20-km radius of the dealership.
Visit www.volkswagen.com.my for more information or to locate a showroom in Malaysia.
For many years now, acceptance of credit cards and debit cards at petrol station pumps has made it unnecessary to go to the office to make payment before refuelling. Now, in this age of reducing contact and close interaction to prevent spread of the coronavirus, such a convenience is even more important. As such, the government has urged businesses to shift to contactless and cashless transactions.
In support of this call, Shell Malaysia is encouraging greater use of cashless payments at its stations. As an incentive, from June 15 until July 26 2020, customers who opt for cashless payment methods at Shell stations nationwide will also receive “Ganjaran Ekstra” through cashback and fuel rebates.
“Cashless payment is another way to lessen the risk of exposure,” said Shairan Huzani Husain, MD of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd. “At Shell, we want to ease the worries of Malaysians through cashless payment options such as debit cards and e-wallet payment options at Shell stations nationwide. Cashless payment users will also be enjoying rewards when they fuel up at Shell.”
“We understand that Malaysians are worried and are now making lifestyle changes to fit into the ‘new normal’. We strive to do what we can for Malaysia during these trying times by providing an experience that is ’senang, mudah dan selamat’, coupled with extra rewards for all our customers. We will continue to do our best in ensuring the safety and comfort of Malaysians who visit our stations, especially during this time, as we strive to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
Debit card and two eWallets accepted
Customers who use debit cards and e-wallets to purchase fuels or Shell Select items at Shell stations during the campaign period will receive extra cashback and fuel rebates. Applicable cards are the Visa Debit Card while Touch’nGo and Boost eWallets are accepted.
Those using the Visa Debit Card must register their first transaction to qualify for rewards. A minimum of 3 eligible transactions of RM40 and above with the same Visa debit card is required to qualify customers to stand a chance to win RM12 Shell Fuel e-vouchers. An eligible transaction consists of a single receipt with a minimum spend amount of RM40 at any Shell Station.
For those using the Touch’nGo or Boost eWallet, the RM4 cashback reward is offered for a purchase of RM40 and above in a single receipt at the Shell Station. Only one cashback per eWallet account will be given throughout the promotion period.
The cashback for Touch’nGo users is limited to the first 374,640 transactions (limit to first 13,380 transactions per day) between June 15 and July 12, 2020. For Boost eWallet, the rewards are limited to the first 150,000 transactions only between July 13 and July 26, 2020.
The prices will be effective from June 15, 2020 and the government is providing exemption until December 31, 2020. Only the Captur will have 100% exemption of Sales Tax as it is assembled locally.
On top of the Sales Tax savings, TC Euro Cars is continuing with the online exclusive offers available through the Renault E-Store in the form of 6-month instalment waivers with savings ranging from RM6,600 for the Captur to RM17,000 for the Megane R.S.
Customers who trade-in their vehicles will enjoy further rewards of up to RM8,400. Additionally, Captur and Koleos customers also get a free 5-year (or maximum of 100,000 kms) service package worth RM6,278 and RM7,837, respectively.