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Volvo S60 T8 now assembled locally, still priced at RM295,888

In view of the Conditional Movement Control Order limiting gatherings, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) today launched the locally-assembled (CKD) version of the Volvo S60 T8 online. This is essentially a follow-up from the earlier launch in October last year of the CBU (imported completely built-up) model which is now in its third generation.

The model is assembled at Volvo’s own plant in Shah Alam, Selangor, the first vehicle assembly plant in Malaysia. Rather surprisingly, even though the car is assembled locally, the price of RM295,888 (without insurance) is not lower than that of the CBU model (which was said to be ‘under-priced). Normally, the CKD model can be cheaper due to the different taxation rate applied which favours locally-assembled vehicles and the car companies pass on the savings to customers.

For exterior colour choices are available (one less than the CBU model) – Fusion Red (Metallic), Onyx Black (Metallic), Pebble Grey (Metallic) and Crystal White (Pearl). This is one less than what was available with the CBU model, the missing colour being Metallic Birch. A 5-year warranty comes with the car while service intervals are set at 20,000 kms.

The 2020 S60 T8 is pretty much the same as the CBU model, specs-wise, and as assured by VCM, the quality is also similarly high. After all, the plant has also been a regional hub for the Swedish carmaker for some time. It has received investments to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities, including laser welding equipment.

The S60 rides on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform which is used across the current Volvo range. Being modular in concept, SPA allows the engineers to develop a variety of models on the same platform, which saves R&D costs. In the case of the S60 T8, the powertrain is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) which consists of a 2-litre twin-charged (turbocharger + supercharger) 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor.

The latter is powered by an 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and total system output is 407 bhp/640 Nm, with maximum torque available from 1,200 rpm. Engine power goes to the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission by Aisin while the rear wheels are powered by the electric drive so the S60 has all-wheel drive.

The output numbers suggest brisk performance and indeed, this Volvo has a claimed 0 – 100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h (probably limited). However, because of the PHEV capability, it also uses less fuel and Volvo claims 50 kms/litre which is really quite amazing when you consider the performance. With a 60-litre fuel tank, that means the S60 should be good for 3,000 kms before going empty!

Like other PHEVs, the S60 T8 can run on just the electric motor alone and in this zero emissions mode, it should be able to travel up to 49 kms. Depending on the charging outlet available, recharging the battery pack to full takes around 3 hours.

For the Malaysian market, VCM includes R-Design styling features and accessories to give a sportier image to the S60. The looks are more aggressive with black-out treatment for various elements and dual tailpipes. Like all the latest Volvos, the distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ graphic in the headlights provides instant identification.

The cabin has the typical Scandinavian ambience that Volvo is noted for although the interior colour theme is not light-coloured but dark. The contoured seats are wrapped in exclusive Charcoal Fine Nappa Leather with Open Grid Textile upholstery. The Digital Instrument Cluster with 12.3-inch TFT Adaptive Digital Display is complemented by a Head-Up Display (HUD) which shows important running information on the windscreen ahead of the steering wheel.

An immersive 14-speaker audio system powered by Harman Kardon is part of the Sensus Connect infotainment system. This system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so smartphones can be easily linked.

An additional feature for the CKD model is the handsfree operation to open the bootlid. This is a nice feature to have and once you have a car with it, you don’t want to not have it in the next car.

Volvo has been a leader in safety and its Intellisafe suite of integrated high-tech systems is adopted in the S60. This includes City Safety with Autobrake technology, which assists the driver in avoiding potential collisions and is the only system in the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. In a world-first for the mid-size sedan segment. City Safety now also engages auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions.

Volvo S60 safety — *The S60 has Volvo’s Intellisafe suite of driver-assistance systems*.

The Pilot Assist system – which supports the driver with steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130 km/h – has been upgraded with improved cornering performance. There’s also Run-off Road Mitigation, Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other driver assistance systems, now including Park Assist to make positioning the car in a parking bay much easier.

Click here for other news and articles about Volvo.

Winners of Toyota Vios Challenge Season 3 confirmed after decision to conclude series after 3 rounds

The COVID-19 pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia brought many activities to a standstill and this including the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge which had been scheduled for the weekend of April 17 – 19 at the Sepang International Circuit. As the government indicated that public activities and gatherings should not be held till at least the end of the year, the organizers, UMW Toyota Motor have had no choice but to conclude the season after three of the four rounds were run.

Season 3 champions
With this decision, the three champions of Season 3 are Tengku Djan Ley Tengku Mahaleel as overall champion of the Super Sporting class for professional drivers; Hayden Haikal takes the crown for winning the Sporting class for amateur drivers; and musician and TV personality Shawn Lee topped the list of celebrity racers in the Promotional class.

This is Tengku Djan’s second title after being champion in the first season of the Toyota Vios Challenge. He took a break from racing to assume responsibility as Team Manager in Season 2. Driving for Team 23 Motors, Tengku Djan finished the third season 11 points ahead of runner-up Mark Darwin of Laser Motor Racing, with Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang a further 14 points behind.

“The season has been nothing short of intense from start to finish. Competing in a one-make series where you are essentially limited to only your driving skills, there’s only so much you can do in the company of so many experienced and talented elite drivers on the grid and I am fortunate enough to have finished every race consistently in the points,” said Tengku Djan, who won two of the season’s six races.

He added: “The Toyota Vios Challenge has been an incredibly rewarding series for drivers as much as it is a tough proving ground because not only are you driving on a street circuit which requires you to be extremely precise, but everyone competes on a level playing field by driving identical race machines. It builds character, confidence, accelerates a driver’s learning curve and teaches drivers to become more technical and tactical by making minute changes to the car’s set-up with the hope of gaining some advantage.”

16-year-old Hayden Haikal, the youngest ever individual to win a race in the Toyota Vios Challenge, joined the series in Season 2 and at 15 then, was the youngest rookie driver to compete in the series as he transitioned from karting to saloon car racing. Not only was the teenager forced into a steep learning curve (having to learn how to manually change gears and to assimilate himself with the dynamics of a saloon car), but he unexpectedly improved and excelled with every race. Hayden’s track record in Season 3 included two race victories for S&D Motorsports, allowing him to end his campaign ahead of another teenage driver, Bradley Benedict Anthony (Dream Chaser team) who was 12 points behind.

Looking back on his two seasons, he added that his participation in the series was timely given his move from karting and that the Toyota Vios Challenge not only provided a level playing field for first time racers, but was also cost effective. “In the end, the series addressed what mattered most to my parents and I and that was to enhance my racing skills and it wasn’t about how much money one can afford to spend on the cars we compete in,” said Hayden.

Toyota Vios Challenge Season 3 celebrities — *The celebrity racers in Season 3 included Akio Takeyama (third from right), Chief Motorsports Officer of Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia and also Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.*

Meanwhile, also claiming his second overall championship win in the Promotional class, Shawn Lee clearly demonstrated a more composed and confident drive throughout the season. Lee had been crowned Promotional class champion in season 1 and was promoted to race the following season in the more competitive Sporting class. Returning to the Promotional class in Season 3, he drove to three race wins and clearly emerged as the most dominant driver on the grid. Finishing second overall was actor Shukri Yahaya, 15 points adrift, while in third was TV personality Nabil Ahmad.

Season 3 of the street racing series had started off in Kuala Terengganu last September before moving to Bandar Malaysia (the old TUDM airbase in Kuala Lumpur) in November, and Batu Kawan in Penang in February this year.

“It is certainly not the most ideal way to conclude what has traditionally been a closely-contested championship. Like the previous two seasons, the Toyota Vios Challenge is unique in that as a one-make series, emphasis has always been on a level playing field, driving skills and experience which ultimately resulted in no clear winner emerging until the very last race. Season 3 had again demonstrated this spirit of competition, but inevitably the final race must yield to an even greater agenda which is to place national interest and public safety ahead of all other matters,” said Akio Takeyama, Chief Motorsports Officer of Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia.

Mr. Takeyama, who is also Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor, said the final results were made after careful deliberation in adherence to and consistent with all provisions underlined by the technical and sporting regulations of the championship, and in discussion with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM), Malaysia’s governing body for motorsports. The decision was also consistent with the best practices of other international motorsports events.

Looking ahead
Moving forward, Mr. Takeyama revealed that the company is currently in the advanced stages of preparing for an even more exciting fourth season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge.

“Season 4 will be an entirely different experience, offering racers, teams and participating dealers not only an enhanced racing format but also prize and reward structure. Without revealing too much too soon, I would also like to announce that the Toyota Gazoo Racing spirit will extend beyond the Toyota Vios Challenge and provide racers with additional racing programs to compete in. Another element we are closely looking into is talent development and expansion of TGR e-Racing.”

Toyota eSports — *The TGR program of activities in Malaysia will give more attention to eSports.*

Summing up the season, President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran K. said that the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and Toyota Vios Challenge has grown from strength to strength to fulfill the company’s three key objectives: to bring motorsports and Toyota’s racing spirit to the masses; to elevate Malaysian motorsports by introducing the concept of racing on street circuits; and successfully demonstrating the performance, reliability and durability of its vehicle to perform under extreme conditions.

“It has been a monumental task, but one that has been well worth the effort and an initiative we intend on pursuing further. I would like to convey our highest appreciation to all the participating teams, drivers, dealers, fans, spectators, sponsors and officials who have been instrumental in making this Series a success,” said Mr. Ravindran.

“Our decision to venture into motorsports was with the intent of injecting greater excitement into Malaysian motor-racing and in three season, we have not only successfully established a one-make series offering a greater level playing field and is much more affordable and accessible to the masses, but also contributed to the development of new, young and talented drivers.”

Vios Challenge delivers masterclass racing in Penang

Volkswagen’s ‘Buckle Up’ campaign educates children on importance of road and car safety

In these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of messages to the public focus on social distancing and personal hygiene to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. However, traffic accidents still happen and road and car safety are still important.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has not forgotten this and is taking an initiative to educate the younger generation on the importance of road and car safety. The company has created the ‘Buckle Up’ animation series on YouTube for children.

Targeting children 3 – 7 years old
Part of the brand’s social responsibility here in Malaysia, the entertaining series brings online the much-loved Volkswagen mascot, a familiar face and adored by children at roadshows and events. Specifically targeting children aged between 3 to 7 years old, the content is communicated in a fun and entertaining way and covers topics such as how to cross the road, understanding traffic lights and the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

“As a responsible brand, we are socially accountable to our stakeholders and the public – at the same time not forgetting the little ones. It is never too early for us to teach children how to keep safe, and we believe that in the long run, this will help them develop the right attitude and behaviour on the road. Of course, with children being more internet-savvy, the perfect avenue to communicate this is online” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM.

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research reported that road accidents are the fourth common cause of death in Malaysia, and more than 1,500 children under the age of 10 died in road accidents from 2007 to 2017. Last year, Malaysia had the third highest fatality rate from road accidents in Asia, behind Thailand and Vietnam.

A follow-up campaign
Volkswagen first launched the ‘Buckle Up’ campaign in 2015 and partnered with the Association of Registered Child Care Providers Malaysia or PPBM to educate the general public on the importance of child passenger safety through training modules across 280 childcare centres nationwide.

Since then, Volkswagen has constantly communicated child safety through training modules to dealers at the Volkswagen Academy in Selangor, to customers and owners via dealership events, and on social media platforms.

The Volkswagen ‘Buckle Up’ campaign series is available on Volkswagen’s YouTube channel here. Parents are encouraged to subscribe to receive the latest updates and notifications when new episodes are added.

Volkswagen and Tarik Jeans collaborate to save the Malayan Tapir

How one car dealership is adapting its business to the ‘new normal’

Like most businesses around Malaysia, Atiara Johan Sdn Bhd had to suspend all operations from March 18, 2020 in accordance to the government’s Movement Control Order (MCO). The Proton dealership in Puchong, Selangor, was faced with an unusual business challenge where business could not be conducted for many weeks.

“The biggest challenge will be the temporary closure of the showroom and service centre which affects the overall performance for this year. However, I strongly believe that with the excellent products and services provided by Proton, and the strong team we have, we will be able to recover soon,” says Judith Yam, Managing Director of Atiara Johan.

Atiara Johan Proton dealership — *Judith Yam (front left) and her team at Atiara Johan Sdn Bhd.*

“Although we were unable to operate during the MCO period, it gave me sufficient amount of time to revise and improvise the sales and marketing strategies. For our sales advisors, they have been utilising social media as one of the platforms to expand their prospects. As for our service team, they have been managing and rescheduling customers’ service appointments and keeping them up to date,” she said.

“We prioritise the well-being of our employees, therefore we stay connected with our employees by communicating frequently through video conferences and messaging apps to make sure everyone is doing well,” Judith revealed.

Judith and her team conduct video conferences frequently to discuss business strategies and formulate marketing ideas. “We are prepared to get the business moving when the MCO is lifted later. The recovery on sales is still very much dependent on the condition of the market. Nevertheless, we will proceed with our revitalisation plan to expand our sales coverage and to attract potential customers by utilising online platforms,” she added.

Staying in touch with customers
Since the implementation of the MCO, Atiara Johan has been communicating with customers via online platforms and messaging apps, as well as keeping their Facebook page updated at all times. “Our customers are able to get the latest information from our Facebook page and we have been communicating with our customers for after sales service and updates on product information via messaging apps.

Develop a recovery plan
The chain reaction caused by the pandemic is clearly painful for many individuals and businesses. The majority of the businesses are facing the challenge of temporary closure that has led to revenue loss. Thus, Judith advises all business owners to develop a recovery plan and standard operating procedure for future reference.

“It is important to be always prepared, so we need to have a contingency plan in case of unexpected events,” she advised.

Like all Malaysians, Judith and her team are grateful to all frontliners who sacrifice their personal safety to safeguard the country and community. She also hopes all Malaysians will cooperate and obey the MCO regulations until our country is clear from COVID-19.

Click here for other news and articles about Proton.

TC Euro Cars offers a Renault Subscription 1-month Trial Plan for RM996

Hesitant about making a long-term commitment on a car purchase? It’s understandable in these challenging times and uncertainty about the future. But if you do need to have a car, TC Euro Cars (TCEC) is offering a new Renault Subscription 1-Month Trial Plan for RM996.

“The impact of the Movement Control Order and COVID-19 will continue for some time and we at TCEC are mindful that keeping costs manageable and staying safe will remain top priorities for many Malaysians,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of TC Euro Cars.

“The new Renault Subscription 1-Month Trial Plan is a great option for those wanting shorter-term plans of less than one year but more than the one week offered through our 7-day trial plan, “Mr. Wong explained.

For a limited time, customers can save 35% more with the new trial plan and bookings made before May 18, 2020 will be ready before the Hari Raya period. The 1-Month Trial Plan expands on available Renault Subscription offerings and offers pre-owned Capturs that are no more than 2 years old and have passed thorough inspection to meet Renault’s quality and safety standards.

Interested customers do not need to pay a booking fee or security deposit and only make an up-front payment of RM996. The fee is inclusive of roadtax, insurance, regular servicing and unlimited mileage. For additional safety, all customers within the Klang Valley can also request for free door-to-door delivery.

More importantly, those who choose the Trial Plan can choose to utilise their subscription in 4 one-week blocks according to their needs, which makes it more convenient and affordable than taking the Renault Subscription 7-Day Trial Plan multiple times.

Thorough sanitisation and disinfection
TCEC has also launched the Renault Sanitisation Campaign for existing owners who service their vehicles at the Renault 4S Centre in Petaling Jaya. The campaign offers a complimentary sanitisation package with two additional top-up options.

The complimentary package covers sanitisation of high-touch contact points, fogging of the cabin and air-conditioner evaporator as well as disinfection to kill bacteria in the air and surfaces.

For an additional RM168, customers will benefit from further disinfection with fogging that penetrates deeper into the air-conditioner evaporator as well as 99% COVID-19 elimination. The second top-up option under the Renault Sanitisation Campaign offers additional odour elimination for RM228. From now until June 30, 2020, customers can enjoy a 20% introductory discount offer on either package (to be redeemed within 3 months from the purchase date).

Renault Sanitisation Ozone Treatment — *Ozone fogging is used during the sanitisation process.*

“This campaign is in line with the government’s call for a ‘new normal’ where sanitisation and disinfection is now paramount in keeping ourselves safe from COVID-19. With this Sanitisation Campaign, Renault customers can rest assured that their health and safety is protected when they send their vehicles in for servicing,” said Mr. Wong.

TC Euro Cars enhances sales and aftersales offers for Renault customers

Racing in F1 helped Honda develop advanced hybrid technology

Carmakers may spend a lot of money on racing activities but in many cases, such activities also support R&D for the company to develop new technologies for future models. Honda has been on such company and even in the 1960s, before it was established as a serious carmaker, it was already in Formula 1, the first Japanese company to do so.

Honda’s founder believed that the experience of working in a racing team was invaluable for the engineers. They had to find solutions to problems very quickly and in the high-pressured environment of motorsports. The benefits were understood, and Honda made sure that it remained active in motorsports, with many technologies flowing to production models.

Honda in F1 — *In the 1960s, Honda was the first Japanese manufacturer to race in F1 and its engineers benefitted from the experience of working in the high-pressured environment.*

The latest Jazz is an example of advanced Honda hybrid innovation transferring from the racetrack to the road. Using engineering expertise from its motorsport team, Honda is drawing knowledge from its Formula 1 Hybrid Power Unit (PU) programme to improve the energy efficiency of the brand’s e:HEV hybrid system.

The latest Honda Formula 1 Hybrid Power Unit, named RA620H, uses a highly efficient 1600 cc 6-cylinder internal combustion engine, combined with an Energy Recovery System. The advanced hybrid electrical systems ingeniously recycle energy produced by the brakes and exhaust gases to generate extra boost power for acceleration and to reduce turbo lag.

Last season, Honda’s Hybrid Power Unit helped its partner teams, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso (now known as Scuderia AlphaTauri), achieve a total of 3 race wins and 6 podium places.

Honda e-HEV Hybrid — *Honda’s partner teams in F1 are Scuderia AlphaTauri (formerly Scuderia Toro Rosso) and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.*

During races, Honda Formula 1 engineers are constantly assessing and changing the ratio of energy recovered and deployed by the hybrid system to deliver optimum performance. The expertise they have developed in running hybrid power units at optimum efficiency and power output inspires Honda’s range of advanced e:HEV powertrains in its passenger cars.

The beneficiary of this technology is the Jazz. Its e:HEV hybrid system recycles energy and harnesses it to charge the battery and support engine output, for strong performance, seamless switching between drive modes and maximum efficiency.

“During a Formula 1 race weekend, teams have to manage very carefully how much fuel they use to comply with the sport’s regulations. In a race, we can divide the total fuel allowance over the number of laps, but there are going to be situations where a team might wish to use more fuel in order to get higher performance and in other parts of the race they will want to save fuel for later, while behind a safety car for example,” explained Yasuaki Asaki, Head of PU Development.

“In a race, the communication between the race engineer and the driver is key to achieving that best balance. However, in our road-going e:HEV hybrids, we apply our expertise to ensure the Powertrain control units deliver the best possible power to efficiency ratio for the driver, in any required driving mode,” he said.

The e:HEV system (shown above) is newly developed for Jazz consists of two compact, powerful electric motors connected to a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine; a lithium-ion battery; and an innovative fixed-gear transmission via an intelligent power control unit.

To deliver a rewarding driving experience and exceptional efficiency, the e:HEV hybrid set-up seamlessly selects from three interchangeable drive modes:

EV Drive: the lithium-ion battery supplies power to the electric propulsion motor directly.

Hybrid Drive: the engine supplies power to the electric generator motor, which in turn supplies it to the electric propulsion motor.

Engine Drive: the petrol engine is connected directly to the wheels via a lock-up clutch and drive force is transmitted directly from engine to the wheels.

In most urban driving situations, optimum efficiency is achieved through seamless transitions between EV Drive and Hybrid Drive. At highway speeds, Engine Drive is used, supplemented by an on-demand peak power ‘boost’ from the electric propulsion motor for fast acceleration. In Hybrid Drive, excess power from the petrol engine can also be diverted to recharge the battery via the generator motor. EV Drive is also engaged when the car is decelerating, harvesting energy through regenerative braking to recharge the battery.

Rather than using a conventional transmission, the Jazz is equipped with a newly-developed Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) with a single fixed-gear ratio to create a direct connection between moving components. This transfers torque with a linear feel during acceleration across all drive modes.

Honda Origins – the manga version of Honda’s history

Nissan Kicks with e-POWER technology makes global debut in Thailand (w/VIDEO)

Although the Nissan Kicks, inspired by the streets of Brazil, has been around since 2016, it has not been available in ASEAN. To make up for that, the carmaker has launched the e-POWER version and it’s actually a world debut which took place in Thailand. The model is built at the Nissan factory in the country as well.

The Kicks e-POWER, as the ‘e’ suggests, uses an electrified powertrain. The technology used in e-POWER has been proven in Japan where it has been available for the past few years. The compact hybrid powertrain uses an EM57 electric motor, generator and inverter that generates electricity from its 1.2 litre DOHC 12-valve 3-cylinder petrol engine. Electricity is stored in a 1.57 kWh lithium-ion battery pack

The e-POWER system can generate a maximum power output of 95 kW/129 ps, with up to 250 Nm of torque. Unique to e-POWER technology, when extra acceleration is required or when climbing a steep hill, the electric motor receives power from both the battery and the engine to enhance its performance. During deceleration, the engine stops running, and regenerative power is used to charge the battery until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, wasting no energy generated from deceleration.

The driving experience is also enhanced by intelligent accelerator technology. Its one-pedal technology (also found in the latest LEAF EV) allows drivers to launch, accelerate, decelerate, or stop the car by using only the accelerator pedal. By using only one pedal, tasks such as judging the distance between cars, decelerating, and stopping when going downhill or stopping for traffic lights are greatly simplified.

The driver can choose from 4 driving modes: Normal, S, Eco and EV. In Normal, the car produces strong acceleration off the line and stopping power (lifting off the acceleration pedal) that is claimed to be on par with the braking of its conventional petrol-powered counterparts. In S, the car accelerates quicker with enhanced stopping power. Eco is the fuel-saving mode which is regulated by battery power. EV mode uses stored battery electric power only, allowing a quiet drive experience without the petrol engine operating.

The Kick features 14 best-in-class Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies. These include Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Intelligent Rear View Mirror.

Inside the Kicks
Inside, the passenger cabin features high-quality design and refinement, including the modern and simple ‘Gliding Wing’ instrument panel design that is dominated by a centrally-mounted 7-inch full-colour display housing a comprehensive infotainment system.

Intelligent Integration elements are powered by Nissan Connect, a multi-infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen Colour Display Audio. It keeps customers ahead of the curve by bringing infotainment, navigation, safety and security under a single platform with a seamless connection via smartphone (Apple CarPlay for iOS).

“The launch of the all-new Nissan Kicks e-POWER in Thailand represents the disruptive and innovative DNA of Nissan that we continue to bring to the region,” said Yutaka Sanada, MC Chairman and Regional Senior Vice-President, Nissan Asia & Oceania. “This is an exciting day for Nissan and Thailand, as a key global production and export hub for Nissan and regional leader driving the company’s vision for electrification of mobility.”

In Thailand, the price range for the four versions start from 889,000 baht and goes up to 1,049,000 baht (RM120,650 – RM142,360). The battery pack is designed to last for up to 10 years and the electric system for up to 5 years. This is complemented by a factory warranty of 3 years or maximum of 100,000 kms.

Coming to Malaysia?
Last year, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) did some promotion of EVs and also launched the second-generation LEAF EV as well as the X-Trail Hybrid. With the Almera already long in the market, it would seem like a good idea to replace it with the Kicks. However, whether the e-POWER variant will be offered or just with a conventional powertrain remains to be seen. Typically, ETCM is tight-lipped about new models although it has mentioned that this new model will be offered in future.

Visit www.nissan.com.my to know more about the LEAF and X-Trail Hybrid.

Volkswagen teams up with Fender and Panasonic to develop superlative sound systems

Motorists spend a lot of time in their vehicles, commuting to work or heading out of the city on road trips. On such journeys, especially if alone, entertainment is from the audio system, either with music from radio stations or from their personal devices. If they are used to high-quality sound from their systems at home, then they would also appreciate the same quality when listening to their favourite tunes while on the road.

For this reason, many carmakers give extra attention to audio systems and try to provide the best possible with reproduction that is close to what can be enjoyed with home systems. Over the past 9 years, Volkswagen has worked with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and Panasonic to bring music to life on the road with the Fender Premium Audio System to provide the highest level of in-car performance.

Fender, founded in Southern California, is a specialist company which makes some of the best musical instruments, amps and gear. It has established a worldwide influence that extends from the studio to the stage – and beyond. Nearly 7 decades since founder Leo Fender built his first electric guitar, Fender’s reach transcends instruments and accessories, encompassing a range of innovative digital experiences that make add ‘superlative’ to sound systems for Volkswagens.

Panasonic has worked with Fender on the sound systems for the German carmaker, with a team of engineers and music experts having spent hundreds of hours refining the optimal spatial performance, dynamics and frequency balance for a variety of musical genres, from classical to blues to pop.

The team’s goal is that the driver (or whoever’s in charge of the music) won’t need to tune further unless they are looking for a specific sound element. “We want to make sure we can strike a balance that’s really going to sound great for any genre you can throw at it,” said Dave Ernst, Senior Acoustics Engineer at Panasonic.

Fender VW Panasonic — *Engineers tuning the Fender Premium Audio in a Volkswagen.*

The Panasonic and Fender teams work closely to uphold the sound and ‘emotion of a live performance’ that makes the guitar brand so renowned, tailored to the specific Volkswagen model. They select the optimal speaker and amplifier components and fit them for the interior, managing the design trade-offs such as component dimensions, weight, and performance.

Advanced digital signal processing technology is used to reduce peaks and dips in frequency responses, account for asymmetry within the vehicle and manage sound that may reflect off areas like the windshield and door panels.

Fender Audio system — *Speaker placement is optimised for each model depending on the cabin environment and size.*

“We spend weeks listening to the system with different genres at different volumes in different settings,” said Ernst. A bass guitarist himself, he pays special attention to the role of the guitar when tuning the system. “We have to make sure we’re enhancing the character of the guitar without sounding too harsh. It’s about finding the right balance of energy.”

Following that, the team spends extensive time on the road, making sure roadway noises do not ruin the sound once the vehicle’s in motion. “That’s where you want to make sure you have enough bass that it really still sounds as good as possible,” he said.

Once it is complete, Ernst brings in musical artists to listen to their own work inside a Volkswagen. “That’s the most rewarding thing,” Ernst said. “These musicians have heard their music played back to them a hundred times, but not quite like this. I love watching them react to hearing their work.”

Volkswagen Atlas — *Fender audio systems are offered by Volkswagen in certain markets like North America.*

Most artists do not expect such a high calibre of sound from inside a vehicle. But as Ernst notes, most drivers listen to music, podcasts or audiobooks during their commutes or on occasional road trips, so it’s logical to put such emphasis on sound for this space.

Despite the many months spent engineering, Ernst says the process is more of an art than a science. “It’s a feeling,” he explained. “It’s when you get in a Volkswagen and think, ‘I could listen to music in this car for hours.’ That’s when you know you have made a quality system.”

Visit www.volkswagen.com.my to know more about Volkswagen models in Malaysia.

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

Update on fuel prices – May 16 to May 22, 2020

Lamborghini launches its first collector’s digital stamp

Everything is going digital these days and collecting stamps seems to be following the trend. Lamborghini, together with Bitstamps, is launching a digital stamp via an App designed to create and collect digital stamps. Each stamp is a ‘single’ digital object: its history and uniqueness are guaranteed by Blockchain technology. The stamp can be purchased, collected, or resold exactly like a paper stamp.

First Lamborghini digital stamp
The first collaboration is dedicated to the Huracan EVO RWD Spyder, a new model Lamborghini unveiled at the beginning of this month, following the company’s reopening after the COVID-19 shutdown. The Huracan EVO RWD Spyder stamp is available from today by downloading the Bitstamps App, and will be issued in a limited and numbered edition of 20,000 pieces.

The stamp is part of a themed series dedicated to the history of the Italian sportscar maker. Over 20 of its most iconic cars will form the Automobili Lamborghini Collection.

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder — *The recently-launched Huracan EVO RWD Spyder is the first model to be used for the digital stamp collection.*

Within their collection album, Lamborghini fans will be able to admire their stamps, check the progress of their collection and the stamps not yet acquired, decide whether to give them as a gift by sending them with an e-card, or resell them on the Marketplace that will open in the next few months.

About Bitstamps
Working for a long time in the philatelic field, it was not difficult for Nicola Archilli, the CEO of Bitstamps, to notice how the trade in stamps evolved from negotiations in niches to specialized stores, to auction houses and subsequently to web sales. Specialized platforms now have millions of specimens on offer and the market is very dynamic, even if not referred to the rarest and most expensive specimens.

In the digital collectibles sector, there are innumerable types of products offered ranging from clothes for virtual dolls to plots of land where you can build digital cities, but what made him think a lot and land with confidence on the digital stamp was the choice of the largest producer American baseball players card.

In April 2012, the company came out with a new app through which it is possible to buy the digital cards of baseball players. This diversification of the product has led the company, which still continues to print paper cards, to double its turnover by dividing it more or less equally in the two sectors. The new product was a success without going to the detriment of the paper ‘competitor’ and allowed a strong expansion

The Bitstamps App can be downloaded at Google Play and Apple App stores.

Lamborghini debuts Huracan EVO RWD Spyder using Augmented Reality

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