English Archives

The fastest Lamborghini is now available as a LEGO Technic model (w/VIDEO)

Continuing with their partnership, Automobili Lamborghini and the LEGO Group have now come out with the LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sian FKP 37. In 1:8 scale, the powerful hybrid Sian FKP 37 comes in 3,696 pieces to be assembled into a car that is over 13 cm high, 260 cm long and 25 cm wide. The vivid lime-green colour and elegant golden rims of the LEGO Technic replica are available as colour and trim on the real Sian.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019, the Sian’s futuristic features are authentically recreated in the model, including a replica of the V12 engine. There’s also a moveable rear spoiler, front and rear suspension; and steering powered by a wheel complete with the Automobili Lamborghini badge.

The model also has scissor doors which open to reveal the intricately recreated cockpit. There’s even a fully-functioning 8-speed sequential gearbox controlled by a movable paddle gearshift. Owners can open the front bonnet of their LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sian to find a Lamborghini overnight bag, together with a unique serial number that unlocks special content.

They can also scan a QR code in the building instructions to access an exclusive series of videocasts by Automobili Lamborghini and LEGO experts, exploring the inspiration behind the design of the original car and the LEGO Technic model. The LEGO Technic model comes in a unique box inspired by the iconic lines, signature headlight silhouette and eye-catching colour of the Sian.

“The LEGO brick is an icon in the same way as a Lamborghini super sportscar,” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “They both embody the pursuit of design perfection through constant research and development, create different emotions with every interaction, and are valued by generations.”

“The LEGO bricks provide builders of all ages with endless possibilities for creation. This outstanding replica of the Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 from the LEGO Group presents a brilliant new building experience for both super sportscar fans and LEGO enthusiasts and Lamborghini is privileged to share this opportunity with the LEGO Group,” he added.

Commenting on the visionary design, Niels. B. Christiansen, LEGO Group CEO, said: “This new model truly encapsulates the pursuit of excellence embedded in the DNA of both Automobili Lamborghini and the LEGO Group. Both the 1:8 model and the reveal itself are feats of engineering innovation, pulled off by incredibly talented teams from across our two businesses. The LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 is a true testament that with LEGO Technic, you can build anything your heart desires. I can’t wait to build this authentic replica of this futuristic super sportscar for real.”

LEGO stores and LEGO.COM will be offering the LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 from next month, with many retailers globally having them on shelves from August 2020.

Sian – Lamborghini’s first production hybrid super sportscar

Tan Chong assembly plant gets RM108 million bill for excise duties from Customs

According to a filing with Bursa Malaysia made yesterday, Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd (TCMA) has received a bill of demand from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RCMD) for RM180,105,596.86. The company announcement mentioned that the amount was related to excise duty for the period between November 2016 and October 2019.

The reason for this demand is not revealed and TCMA says it does not admit to any liability on the demands made by the RMCD. The company said it will seek advice on the matter.

Our friends at WapCar speculate that this could have something to do with the incentives provided under the Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) program, which is one possibility. If it was non-compliance with the EEV requirements for getting incentives, that would have been quite straightforward and the incentives would not have been approved in the first place.

However, since the early days of the National Automotive Policy (NAP), officials have said that interested parties should meet for discussions with MITI so as to get ‘customised incentives’. The policy presents only a broad overview but the specifics are not stated. This has caused discomfort among some industry players who feel that the same requirements and incentives should be applied to all and not customised for some.

In Thailand, the EcoCar program had a condition that the carmaker must produce 100,000 vehicles annually by the 5^th to 8^th year of production of the model. One carmaker could not meet the target due to poor sales of its model and would have had to return the amount of tax exempted. It then re-negotiated with the government to undertake an alternative plan which was acceptable.

Ford’s smart technology can sanitize police vehicles within 15 minutes

In pre-pandemic times, policemen in vehicles transporting people to hospitals or police stations have had the risk of picking up diseases from their passengers. But that was a reasonable risk in their line of duty. Today though, the COVID-19 coronavirus is a threat so serious that personnel who have to interact with people known to be infected must wear personal protection equipment. However, policemen have no way of knowing if a person they arrest or help is infected and the best they can do to protect themselves is to wear a mask and gloves.

“Law enforcement officers are being dispatched as emergency responders in some cases where ambulances may not be available,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “During one trip, officers may be transporting a coronavirus patient to a hospital, while another trip may involve an occupant who may be asymptomatic (showing no signs of being infected).”

A Ford engineering team had already initiated a project in late March to look for ways to decontaminate vehicles and around that time, the New York City Police Department also alerted Ford to its need for a more efficient disinfecting process as the pandemic grew in intensity.

One approach they considered was using heat. Ongoing research suggests that the coronavirus cannot tolerate very high temperatures and can be deactivated. Ford worked with The Ohio State University to determine the temperature range and time needed.

Hotter than Death Valley
The solution: Bake the vehicle’s interior until viruses inside are inactivated. Using the Ford Police Interceptor Utility’s own hybrid powertrain and climate control systems, a software solution enables vehicles to elevate passenger compartment temperatures beyond 56 degrees C. (132.8 degrees F) – hotter than Death Valley on its hottest day – for 15 minutes, long enough to help disinfect vehicle touchpoints.

The software warms up the engine to an elevated level, and both heat and fan settings operate on high. The software automatically monitors interior temperatures until the entire passenger compartment hits the optimal level, then that extreme temperature is maintained for 15 minutes.

Operational trials with vehicles owned by some police departments indicated that the high temperature could reduce the viral concentration inside the vehicle by more than 99%. This heated process can be used by law enforcement regularly to help sanitize vehicles when officers are not inside.

Greater coverage
When used in conjunction with sanitization guidelines approved by US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, flooding the passenger compartment with elevated air temperature can help reach areas that may be missed by manual disinfecting procedures. Heat has the ability to seep into crevices and hard-to-reach areas, helping reduce the impact of human error in applying chemical disinfectants.

“Officers can now use this self-cleaning mode as an extra layer of protection inside the vehicle in areas where manual cleaning is prone to be overlooked,” said Tyler. “This virus is an invisible enemy and we are proud to provide a solution to help the law enforcement community fight it.”

There are multiple ways to monitor progress of the heating. Hazard lights and taillights will flash in a pre-set pattern to notify when the process has begun, then will change at the end to signal completion. The vehicle’s instrument cluster will also indicate progress. A cool-down process brings the temperature down from its highest points.

This example of Ford’s smart vehicle technology can be installed in Police Interceptor Utility vehicles that were supplied between 2012 and 2019. The police departments with their own service centres can install the software using their own diagnostic service tools or dealers can do the job.

Ford Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid — *Ford Police Interceptor Utility has a hybrid powertrain*

“First responders are on the front lines protecting all of us. They are exposed to the virus and are in dire need of protective measures,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford Chief Product Development and Purchasing Officer. “We looked at what’s in our arsenal and how we could step up to help. In this case, we’ve turned the vehicle’s powertrain and heat control systems into a virus neutralizer.”

To locate a dealership to test-drive or buy Ford vehicles in Malaysia, visit www.sdacford.com.my.

How motorists can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19

All-new Volkswagen Nivus to create new segment in Brazil

Brazil, though far from the major centres of the auto industry, is still an important location for some carmakers’ product development activities. The diversity of demographics, terrain and economy provides a rich environment to develop new models, especially for emerging markets.

Pandemic nothwithstanding, Volkswagen is planning the brand’s largest product campaign in South America this year. There will be at least 20 new product launches. One of them will be unveiled tomorrow and it is to be called the Nivus. It is expected to create a new segment in the Brazilian market where it will be sold initially.

Volkswagen Anchieta plant — The Anchieta plant in Brazil began operations in 1959 and was the first Volkswagen factory outsider Germany. Modernised over the years, it has produced a variety of models for the South American market and will be producing the new Nivus.

The vehicle is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB) and will be built at the Anchieta plant using cutting-edge production processes. The new vehicle will also be available in Argentina later this year. Other South American markets will follow in 2021.

With an innovative design that combines SUV elements and coupe lines, it will be amongst the largest models within the small vehicle segment with a luggage compartment capacity of 415 litres. As a Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV), the Nivus offers ample vehicle interior space with an elevated seating position.

In the longer term, the Nivus will also go beyond the South American continent and become an international model for the German carmaker. Using the MQB platform means that it will be readily adaptable for production in other markets as well.

Volkswagen MQB — Introduced about 8 years ago, the MQB platform which the Nivus will ride on was developed as a flexible platform. It can be used for a wide range of model types cars from superminis class to midsized SUVs.

VW Saveiro — *Historically, Volkswagen has developed some models specially for the Brazilian market, like the Saveiro.*

The company has invested some €1.8 billion (about RM8.6 billion) in Brazil up to 2020 and under an organizational realignment made 3 years ago, the region has been given significantly greater independence in product development. Consequently, local management now has much more extensive decision-making flexibility, along with greater entrepreneurial responsibility.

Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about products available in Malaysia and where to experience them.

Volkswagen Tiguan has crossed 6-million mark and remains VW’s bestseller

Mitsubishi’s eK X and eK Wagon kei cars score highest ratings in JNCAP tests

Like other carmakers, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) aims to provide mobility with zero traffic accidents. In pursuit of this goal, it is fully committed to developing and implementing active and passive safety technologies and protection, even with its small kei-class cars.

Demonstrating its efforts in this aspect are the scores achieved by the eK X and eK Wagon in the latest assessments by the Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP). Both models have been awarded the highest rating with the highest ‘ASV+++’ rating. ‘ASV’ refers to ‘Advanced Safety Vehicle’, as defined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The top rating was in preventive safety performance and the maximum 5-star rating in collision safety performance.

Driver assistance tech
The eK X and eK Wagon come equipped with driver assistance technology which encompasses preventive safety measures to support the drivers in avoiding collisions, or mitigate the collision damage.

These include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) which alerts the driver with a warning buzzer and information screen display when the vehicle is about to stray from its lane, while Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) assists the driver in moving the vehicle back to its lane.

The Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication installed in both kei cars prevents sudden acceleration by unintentional operation of shift lever or pedal. A Multi Around Monitor gives the driver a good view of the surroundings when parking so that hazards or small children can be spotted.

In addition, the built-in Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) autonomous emergency braking system which detects pedestrians and vehicles ahead, and Automatic High Beam (AHB) which switches between high beam and low beam automatically contribute to safer motoring.

RISE bodywork
The eK X and eK Wagon, which are structurally similar, have high levels of collision safety performance built in, thanks to the company’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) bodywork. It combines collision energy absorbing front body design with a deformation-resistant passenger compartment, as well as 6 SRS airbags for frontal and side protection.

The kei cars are designed to further improve the pedestrian safety with an energy-absorbing in the bonnet to protect the head area of pedestrians. A structure inside the bumper is specially designed to reduce injuries to the legs of pedestrians in the event of a collision.

It may seem like the safety systems are nothing new but the important point is that they are now being offered in kei-class cars, which are the smallest and cheapest in the market. Historically, such cars were equipped in a basic manner but with consumers expecting better protection, manufacturers have to make them safer as well.

Car of the Year winners
Launched into the Japanese market in March last year, the eK X and eK Wagon were winners in the Car of the Year Japan 2019-2020 in Small Mobility category. Additionally, the models were also selected as the RJC Car of the Year 2020.

MI-TECH concept shows how future Mitsubishi SUVs could be like

First look at the new updated BMW 5-Series

First introduced in 1972, with worldwide sales of the current generation reaching 600,000 units since 2016.

Sales launch of new updated 5-Series in Europe from July 2020.

Newly designed BMW kidney grille with slimmer LED headlights. Adaptive LED Matrix technology and BMW Laserlight also available.

Three-dimensional sculpted rear lights, all variants now have trapezoidal exhaust tailpipe finishers.

Light-alloy wheels in 18 to 20-inch sizes; 20-inch BMW Individual Air Performance Wheels available as an option for the first time.

Dashboard now has optional 12.3-inch Control Display (10.25-inch Control Display now standard). Seventh generation iDrive system.

Sensatec perforated trim variant for the seat surfaces and High-Gloss Black for controls on centre console.

Introduction of new 48V mild hybrid technology for all 4 and 6-cylinder engines; 48V starter-generator with 8 kW/11 bhp power spike to both lighten the combustion engine’s workload and boost power.

Further developed BMW TwinPower Turbo technology in 4 and 6-cylinder petrol engines with optimised petrol injection. All diesel engines now with two-stage turbocharging.

Optional Integral Active Steering offers greater assistance in low-speed manoeuvring, new version of chassis system now also available for plug-in hybrid models.

New driver assistance systems and extended functions. Optional Driving Assistant Professional now includes Active Navigation with the help of the Lane Change Assistant, automatic formation of emergency lane and junction warning (now with city braking) functions. 3D visualisation of the surrounding area shows traffic situations and possible interventions by the driver assistance systems in the instrument cluster.

New BMW Drive Recorder records up to 40 seconds of video footage from points around the vehicle.

BMW Operating System 7 opens up a host of potential new applications and connectivity options, as well as extended personalisation.

VARIANTS AVAILABLE (depending on market)

BMW 530e Sedan (BMW 530e xDrive Sedan)
4-cylinder petrol engine, plug-in hybrid. 1998 cc, 184 bhp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm, 300 Nm at 1,350 – 4,000 rpm. Combined system output: 292 bhp/420 Nm,8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive)

BMW 530e Touring (BMW 530e xDrive Touring)
4-cylinder petrol engine, plug-in hybrid. 1998 cc, 184 bhp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm, 300 Nm at 1,350 – 4,000 rpm. Combined system output: 292 bhp/420 Nm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive)

BMW 545e xDrive Sedan
6-cylinder in-line petrol engine, plug-in hybrid system. 2998 cc, 210 kW/286 hp at 5,000 – 6,000 rpm, 450 Nm at 1,500 – 3 500 rpm. Combined system output: 394 hp/600 Nm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, BMW xDrive.

BMW 520i Sedan
4-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid technology. 1998 cc, 184 bhp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm, 290 Nm at 1,350 – 4 250 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission

BMW 520i Touring
4-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid technology. 1998 cc, 184 bhp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm, 290 Nm at 1,350 – 4 250 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission

BMW 530i Sedan (BMW 530i xDrive Sedan)
4-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid technology. 1998 cc, 252 bhp at 5,200 – 6,500 rpm, 350 Nm at 1,450 – 4,800 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive)

BMW 530i Touring (BMW 530i xDrive Touring)
4-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid technology. 1998 cc, 252 bhp at 5,200 – 6,500 rpm, 350 Nm at 1,450 – 4,800 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission (BMW xDrive)

BMW 540i Sedan (BMW 540i xDrive Sedan)
6-cylinder in-line petrol engine with mild hybrid technology. 2998 cc, 333 bhp at 5,500 – 6,250 rpm, 450 Nm at 1,600 – 4,800 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission (BMW xDrive)

BMW 540i xDrive Touring
6-cylinder in-line petrol engine with mild hybrid technology, 2998 cc, 333 bhp at 5,500 – 6,250 rpm, 450 Nm at 1,600 – 4,800 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission (BMW xDrive)

BMW M550i xDrive Sedan
V8 petrol engine. 4395 cc, 530 bhp at 5,500 – 6,000 rpm, 750 Nm at 1 800 – 4 600 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, BMW xDrive.

BMW 520d Sedan (BMW 520d xDrive Sedan)
4-cylinder diesel engine with mild hybrid technology. 1995 cc, 190 bhp at 4,000 rpm, 400 Nm at 1,750 – 2,500 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive).

BMW 520d Touring (BMW 520d xDrive Touring)
4-cylinder diesel engine with mild hybrid technology. 1995 cc, 190 bhp at 4,000 rpm, 400 Nm at 1,750 – 2,500 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive).

BMW 530d Sedan (BMW 530d xDrive Sedan)
6-cylinder in-line diesel engine with mild hybrid technology. 2993 cc, 286 bhp at 4,000 rpm, 650 Nm at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive).

BMW 530d Touring (BMW 530d xDrive Touring)
6-cylinder in-line diesel engine with mild hybrid technology. 2993 cc, 286 bhp at 4,000 rpm, 650 Nm at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive).

BMW 540d xDrive Sedan
6-cylinder in-line diesel engine with mild hybrid technology. 2993 cc, 340 bhp at 4,000 rpm, 700 Nm at 1,750 – 2,250 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive).

BMW 540d xDrive Touring
6-cylinder in-line diesel engine with mild hybrid technology. 2993 cc, 340 bhp at 4,000 rpm, 700 Nm at 1,750 – 2,250 rpm, 8-speed Steptronic transmission, (BMW xDrive).

Click here for other news and articles about BMW.

Formula E: Nissan e.dams team scores first ever win in esports version

The global pandemic may have impacted motorsports by preventing events from being run, mainly because of valid concerns about transmission of the coronavirus. While real-world racing has been on hold, esports have quickly grown online and even the works teams of carmakers have joined in.

For Nissan, which was the first Japanese carmaker to enter the all-electric single-seater Formula E, series, its driver in the Nissan e.dams team, Oliver Rowland, recently took the team’s maiden victory in round 5 of the ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge.

Racing in what has been described as ‘the best race in the esports series so far’, Rowland (pictured above) showed strong pace from the outset, qualifying in P3 on the Berlin circuit, having had just one day’s practice along with the rest of the grid on the newly created virtual Tempelhof track.

He got away cleanly at the start, key to sim racing success, and immediately settled into an exciting battle with the lead group of three drivers. On lap 7, from third position, Rowland made an inch-perfect move into a hairpin bend to overtake two cars at once and claim the lead. He maintained the lead to the finish, fending off constant pressure from behind.

First virtual win
The stylish overtake and team’s first virtual win pay tribute to “Go Nissan Day”, celebrated each year in May. Sebastien Buemi qualified in P11 and crossed the finish line in 12th position.

The new online racing series represents Formula E, the first real-world zero emission racing series, as the height of zero emission competition in the virtual world. This aligns with Nissan’s goal of zero emissions and zero fatalities, an important pillar of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand’s vision for changing how cars are driven, powered and connected into society.

The ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge raises funds for UNICEF’s global coronavirus appeal, helping keep children safe, healthy, and learning in the face of the pandemic.

CMCO: Restriction on number of occupants in vehicles will no longer apply from tomorrow

It’s been almost 70 days that Malaysia has had the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has restricted movements besides other activities nationwide. In the earliest days, the conditions were very strict and while it was permitted to travel out of the home for the purpose of buying food or essential items, or seeking medical attention, only one person was allowed in the vehicle (except in emergency cases).

The concern then was about the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and the measure was necessary to stop transmission. Roadblocks were set up to check on vehicles and many people got into trouble for not following that order. It presented some problems for some families where the wife – who usually did the shopping – might not know how to drive so husbands had to learn how to find things at supermarkets!

By the end of April, the conditions were relaxed a bit (although a 10-km limit was set for the distance of travel), and two persons were allowed in the vehicle. They had to be family members and living in the same household. This made sense since they were already staying together.

Within a short time, up to 4 persons were allowed to travel together in the vehicle and again, the condition was that they must be family members living in the same household. For taxis, however, the number of passengers was still restricted to two persons.

With things improving – as evident by declining numbers – the government began easing restrictions and even allowing businesses to resume operations. Today, it has been announced that the 4-people-per-vehicle ruling will be removed with effect from tomorrow (Wednesday May 27). Vehicles can now carry as many as permitted so those with MPVs can now take the whole family out. Yes, that condition remains – they must all be family members from the same household.

CMCO is still on

Many people don’t realize that the MCO – now Conditional Movement Control Order or CMCO – is still active. Though life seems ‘normal’, people are still required to remain at home unless they must go to work or do essential shopping. Cruising around town to ‘makan angin’ is actually not permitted and gatherings are also forbidden.

For this reason, the authorities were very firm on the conditions for the Hari Raya holiday period. Apart from prohibiting interstate travel, which meant no ‘balik kampung’ journeys. Visits were only allowed on the first day of Hari Raya and the traditional Open House was discouraged. For those who had to have it, they could only have up to 20 people in their home at any one time – and that number was dependent on the size of the home because of social distancing requirements.

No more ‘turn around’ only at roadblocks; police will issue summonses for not obeying CMCO regulation

UMW Toyota Motor’s Hari Raya videos to lift spirits of Malaysians

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is here again but for this year, the celebrations will be somewhat different due to the continuation of the Movement Control Order (MCO). UMW Toyota Motor understands that many will be disappointed that they are unable to celebrate together with their loved ones in their hometowns.

To lift the spirits of Malaysians, the company prepared three videos, each with its own unique approach and theme, which was shared on its various social media channels.

“Drawing on Toyota’s own past experiences of difficult and challenging times, I believe that the human spirit is resilient and we will come out stronger. In the short term, things may be tough but at the end, there will be greater strength and confidence from having endured the challenges,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

In the first video posted, Malaysians were invited by the company to submit captures of themselves, observing Ramadan in their own way, while adhering to the MCO requirements to stay at home. These homemade videos were then strung together into a more complete film depicting real-life scenarios and experiences of Ramadan being observed under the unique circumstances.

For the Raya videos, there are two different themes. The first one shows a family coming to terms with the current situation, and accepting that it is a necessary sacrifice to make. For the second Raya video, which was shared on May 25, Toyota GAZOO Racing’s celebrity racers sing a Raya classic, “Senandung Hari Raya Untukmu”, to add sparkle to the celebratory mood, even while observing the MCO.

The first Raya video was produced by working with a real family who actually shot the scenes themselves. The father operated the camera and lighting with the family members as the talent, and their house as the main location.

Adhering to the MCO Standard Operating Procedures, production of all three videos had minimal crew present and even the director gave guidance via video calls. Social distancing was observed during filming with the exception of the family scenes since they depicted people living in the same house.

“The ultimate message of the videos is to stay strong and to continue our journey in the face of hardship. Similarly, Toyota is staying resilient by adapting to the current situation. With its e-showroom, virtual test drives, augmented reality app, and more, Toyota is making sure the public can still get its products and services while caring for the public’s safety,” said Ravindran K. President of UMW Toyota Motor.

“We realise this year’s festival will be different and while many are unable to be together, we hope that Malaysians will still be able to celebrate in a meaningful way at home. On behalf of UMW Toyota Motor, we wish all our Toyota owners, customers and business associates Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!” he said. “And to all Malaysians, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and may you find peace and happiness.”

Click here for other news and articles about Toyota.

The room where you can hear the air circulating in your lungs

All types of sounds can be heard around us. Even if they are not man-made (like from cars or parties), there is still the sound of the wind or the rustle of leaves. For almost total quietness, you need to go to Chile’s Atacama Desert or Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina where the only sounds you can hear are the flapping of penguins’ wings and the ice sheets cracking.

Total quietness is hard to achieve in urban environments and it is only inside specially-designed facilities called anechoic chambers that extreme silence is possible. In the Guinness records list, an anechoic chamber owned by Microsoft in America has sound measurements down to s -20.16 decibels. The sound made by air molecules bumping off each other measures -24 decibels.

Car manufacturers also have anechoic chambers as they need the quietness to make their vehicles quieter. The SEAT Technical Centre in Martorell, Spain has such a facility, specifically designed to measure the sounds and noises made by a car with the utmost precision and without any interference.

The ‘temple of silence’
An anechoic chamber is designed with a system called ‘Box in box’ and as the name indicates, it features several layers of concrete and steel that isolate it from the exterior. The inside has cladding material that absorbs 95% of sound waves to prevent echoes and reverberations. People who have been in such chambers say they can sometimes hear the blood flowing through their veins or the air circulating in their lungs.

From the engine or the turning wheels to the door closing, the ventilation system and when a seat reclines, noises will emanate. The list of noises made by a car is endless, and they are all analysed in the chamber.

Creating harmony in noises
“On one hand, we measure the level of unpleasantness of the noises and check that they are reduced to a minimum; on the other, we make sure that the noises we do want to hear, the ones that refer to the operation of the vehicle, are perfectly defined. Finally, we work on making them harmonious,” explained Ignacio Zabala, Head of the Acoustics department at SEAT.

Engineers and technicians pay close attention to the engine and the exhaust system, as they give a car its ‘voice’. Many of the sounds made by a car convey information – like the unmistakeable clicking of the turn signal indicators, which let us know without checking that they are blinking. But not only do the engine and exhaust noises inform us of when to shift gears or the speed of acceleration, they also give an insight into the character of a model.

“We all know what the roar of a sporty engine sounds like, and that’s why we verify that it conveys what we want it to in the anechoic chamber” said Zabala.

Hertz, decibels and psychoacoustics
Inside the room, specialists perform recordings with different highly sensitive microphones. One is binaural and features a torso with ear-level microphones to obtain representative recordings of what occupants hear. They place it in different positions to verify that each sound analysed is heard as it should be from any angle.

Several analysis tools are used and the most basic include volume or spectral distribution, to other more technical parameters such as the field of psychoacoustics, or the subjective perception of sound.

“It’s no use having a car that is fully insulated from the exterior if the ventilation system sounds too loud. That’s why it’s important to reduce noise and define sounds to achieve a harmonious balance among them,” he explained further. He added that that the goal is that the vehicle occupants feel as comfortable as possible, because ‘acoustics have a direct impact on comfort and are determining factors in the perception of vehicle quality’.

Piston.my

English

The fastest Lamborghini is now available as a LEGO Technic model (w/VIDEO)

Tan Chong assembly plant gets RM108 million bill for excise duties from Customs

Ford’s smart technology can sanitize police vehicles within 15 minutes

All-new Volkswagen Nivus to create new segment in Brazil

Mitsubishi’s eK X and eK Wagon kei cars score highest ratings in JNCAP tests

First look at the new updated BMW 5-Series

Formula E: Nissan e.dams team scores first ever win in esports version

CMCO: Restriction on number of occupants in vehicles will no longer apply from tomorrow

UMW Toyota Motor’s Hari Raya videos to lift spirits of Malaysians

The room where you can hear the air circulating in your lungs

The fastest Lamborghini is now available as a LEGO Technic model (w/VIDEO)

Tan Chong assembly plant gets RM108 million bill for excise duties from Customs

Ford’s smart technology can sanitize police vehicles within 15 minutes

All-new Volkswagen Nivus to create new segment in Brazil

Mitsubishi’s eK X and eK Wagon kei cars score highest ratings in JNCAP tests

First look at the new updated BMW 5-Series

Formula E: Nissan e.dams team scores first ever win in esports version

CMCO: Restriction on number of occupants in vehicles will no longer apply from tomorrow

UMW Toyota Motor’s Hari Raya videos to lift spirits of Malaysians

The room where you can hear the air circulating in your lungs

Archive

2025 BMW M5: Most Powerful, Advanced and Heaviest M5 Yet

Xpeng Inc and Volkswagen AG Strengthen Collaboration on EV Solutions in China

smart Partners with Sennheiser for New In-Car Audio Experience – Beats Replaced

PRO-NET Enhances Proton e.MAS Reach With More Dealership Opportunities

2025 Geely Emgrand Launched in China with Minor Updates

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

The Piston Show