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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

Safe practices implemented at all authorised Honda dealerships for customers’ peace of mind

All authorised Honda dealerships throughout Malaysia are now fully operational with regards to both showrooms and service centres. Earlier, only service centres had been permitted to resume operations but under the less restrictive Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), the full range of services can now be provided. However, areas such as children’s play area and cafes will remain closed.

Adhering to the Health Ministry’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), all dealerships will conduct temperature screening for customers and require the use of hand sanitizers (to be available at the facilities). Individuals recording temperature of 37.5 degrees C. and above or are exhibiting symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath will be advised to leave the premises to immediately seek medical attention.

The customer flow at all dealerships has been arranged to have only one entrance and one exit for a more effective check-and-control measure. High traffic or frequently used areas such as the door handles and washrooms are sanitized and disinfected on a regular basis every day. Upon entrance into the showroom, face masks will be provided to the customers. Both customers and Honda sales advisors are required to wear face masks before engaging in any discussion.

All display cars in the Honda dealerships will be cleaned using certified sanitisers regularly every day. Sales advisors are required to adhere to the recommended social distance of 1 metre from customers during the explanation on the exterior of the Honda models. During the demonstration and explanation of interior features of the car, the sales advisors will sit in the rear seat to maintain social distancing at all times.

The same practices will apply during test-drives, with gloves also being provided for use by customers, with the vehicles being sanitized before and after each test drive session, with particular attention to the areas and accessories that are frequently touched. Honda Malaysia encourages the use of contactless payments using electronic transfers.

With regards to hand-over of new vehicles to customers, Honda Malaysia says that in view of the current situation, customers are advised to limit the number of people present to ONE person to avoid having a large crowd in the showroom.

As reported earlier, customers requiring aftersales services must make an appointment first. The number of customers present at any one time for vehicle service in the dealership is limited at minimum capacity.

For those concerned about their vehicle warranties, the company has made special considerations in view of the restrictions caused by the MCO. Warranties which expired between March 18 and May 12, 2020 are extended until June 11, 2020. Scheduled servicing which was required between March 18 and May 12, 2020 can be done before July 11, 2020.

“Even as our dealers commence operations in full, we will continue to emphasise customers and associates’ safety by practising social distancing as well as following the safety practices and guidelines. We have implemented strict precautions for everyone’s wellbeing,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.

“Honda Malaysia emphasises that the company is monitoring the development of the situation in the nation closely and working hard to ensure a safe environment in all its operations including dealerships to provide customers with peace of mind when visiting a Honda dealership,” he added.

Honda Malaysia and SOCAR offer cars for use by frontliners

AWD variant added to Mazda CX-30 range in Malaysia

In recent years, as the popularity of SUVs (especially the smaller ones) increased, many importers have focussed more on variants with only 2WD. These are usually cheaper, and customers don’t really care about whether two or all four wheels are powered. They’re more interested in the high seating position and perhaps the ground clearance, as well as interior utility.

However, there are also those who feel that 4WD or All-Wheel Drive (AWD) should be present in SUVs, just like they were in earlier years. Never mind that they might not actually go off-road, the presence of AWD added a degree of stability and grip, especially on wet roads.

When Bermaz Auto introduced the Mazda CX-30 at the beginning of this year, it offered only FWD versions with either SKYACTIV petrol or turbodiesel engines. Now, the range will include an AWD variant which is priced at RM176,059 (Peninsular Malaysia price, without insurance) for those who must have all four wheels powered.

The price is RM12,000 more than the high grade CX-30 which has the same 2-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol engine. This is not surprising since the i-ACTIV AWD system, which is quite sophisticated, adds cost, apart from the fact that the CX-30 is imported from Japan as a CBU (completely built-up) model.

The features and specs are the same as the CX-30 High Grade and you have a choice of 8 exterior colours – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Jet Black, Deep Crystal Blue, Sonic Silver, Snowflake White Pearl, Titanium Flash and Polymetal Gray Metallic.

How Mazda i-ACTIV works
The AWD systems in today’s SUVs vary in sophistication and for Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD system, the engineers redesigned the system’s hardware and software, taking a proactive approach to controlling drive to all four wheels,

A fully-autonomous AWD system, i-ACTIV AWD constantly monitors surface conditions in real-time, watching for tiny variations in wheel speed that a driver would never notice. Proactively controlling the distribution of torque, which can range from full front-drive through to full 4-wheel-drive, the system not only provides solid and predictable handling for all-road performance, it makes driving on poor road surfaces more efficient by all but eliminating wasteful tyre-slippage.

Using a wide range of sensors to ‘paint’ a highly accurate picture of the overall driving scene, including road conditions and the driver’s intentions, i-ACTIV continuously calculates and adjusts the amount of torque sent to the rear wheels.

The perfect amount of torque is calculated and transferred to the rear wheels instantaneously (as and when needed). This is done by the AWD coupling unit which sends the appropriate drive force to the rear wheels. The system minimizes torque to the rear wheels when on dry road surfaces with good traction. The result is secure take-off, acceleration, cornering and braking, without the tyres slipping in any direction.

The sensors monitor for rain by watching the wipers and the external temperature gauge. The system can also measure how slippery the road surface is by comparing steering torque with the amount of current running through the electric power steering and the gradient of any slope by the degree of acceleration. In addition, the system precisely measures the speed of all four wheels and detects warning signs that indicate the wheels may be in danger of slipping. Along with engine driving force (applied to the front wheels), this is used to understand the driving conditions.

The i-Activ AWD system also has an Off-road Traction Assist system. The system works by distributing the driving force to the tyres that are in contact with the road surface to maximize traction performance.

Additionally, a Torque Control System that allows a lag-free, near-instantaneous response. In order to help the rear-wheel drive unit respond more quickly, the Torque Control System transfers a very small amount of torque to the rear even in front-wheel drive mode. This is known as ‘stand-by torque’ and it helps the system make a smooth and instantaneous transition to AWD drive mode when the command is received to send torque to the rear wheels.

Proven SKYACTIV-G powertrain
As for the powertrain, this uses the proven SKYACTIV-G Direct Injection petrol engine. For the CX-30, the displacement is 1998 cc with a maximum output of 162 ps/213 Nm. Mazda engineers have been able to raise the compression ratio of 13:1 to enhance output without knocking issues even when using RON95 petrol.

Only a SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission is available but using paddle shifters, the driver can also manually select any of the 6 forward speeds if preferred. While the driver can get sportier performance with a SPORT mode, the AWD system operates entirely on its own with no need for driver involvement.

Extras for the base version
With the latest shipment of CX-30 2.0G version, Bermaz Auto has included a couple of new features – Mazda Advanced Keyless entry and Walk-Away Lock – for added convenience. Though priced at RM145,759 or RM18,300 less than the High Grade version, this version still has a very comprehensive list of equipment and features that justify the price. And as we noted during a test-drive, the CX-30 also has high quality in every aspect which gives a very premium image.

Visit www.mazda.com.my to know more about the CX-30 and other Mazda models in Malaysia.

First driving impressions: All-New Mazda CX-30

The phenomenal aerodynamics of the Lotus Evija hypercar explained

Aerodynamics are one of the crucial elements in achieving high performance. Designers and engineers spend thousands of hours running simulations and then testing prototypes in wind tunnels to get the air to flow optimally around the bodywork.

This is the work of Richard Hill as chief aerodynamicist at Lotus Cars, where he has been for more than 30 years. Drawing on his experience and knowledge, the highly experienced senior engineer guided this critical element of the Evija all-electric hypercar to give phenomenal downforce. When asked how the Evija compares to regular sportscars, he replied: “It’s like comparing a fighter jet to a child’s kite.’’

The overall philosophy behind the Evija’s aerodynamics is about keeping the airflow low and flat at the front and guiding it through the body to emerge high at the rear. Put simply, it transforms the whole car into an inverted wing to produce that all-important dynamic downforce.

“Most cars have to punch a hole in the air, to get through using brute force, but the Evija is unique because of its porosity. The car literally ‘breathes’ the air. The front acts like a mouth; it ingests the air, sucks every kilogram of value from it – in this case, the downforce – then exhales it through that dramatic rear end,” explained Hill.

And what role does that deep front splitter play? According to Hill, it’s designed in three sections: the larger central area provides air to cool the battery pack – which is mid-mounted behind the two seats – while the air channelled through the two smaller outer sections cools the front e-axle.

“The splitter minimises the amount of air allowed under the vehicle, thus reducing drag and lift on the underbody. It also provides something for the difference in pressure between the upper and lower splitter surfaces to push down on, so generating downforce.,” he said.

Venturi tunnels through the rear quarters are part of the porosity. They feed the wake rearward to help cut drag. “Think of it this way – without them, the Evija would be like a parachute but with them, it’s a butterfly net, and they make the car unique in the hypercar world,” the engineer explained.

To have active aerodynamics, the Evija’s rear wing elevates from its resting position flush to the upper bodywork. It’s deployed into ‘clean’ air above the car, creating further downforce at the rear wheels. The car also has an F1-style Drag Reduction System (DRS), which is a horizontal plane mounted centrally at the rear, and deploying it make the car faster.

Lotus pioneered the full carbonfibre chassis in Formula 1, and the Evija is the first Lotus road car to use that technology. The chassis a single piece of moulded carbonfibre for exceptional strength, rigidity and safety. The underside is sculpted to force the airflow through the rear diffuser and into the Evija’s wake, causing an ‘upwash’ and the car’s phenomenal level of downforce.

The Evija is set to be the world’s lightest EV hypercar but weight does not actually affect aerodynamic performance. Hill said that the car’s weight has no effect on overall aerodynamics. However, the lighter the car, the larger the percentage of overall grip is achieved through downforce and the lower the inertia of the car to change direction.

Richard Hill’s full title is Chief Engineer of Aerodynamics and Thermal Management, and he has worked at the company’s Hethel HQ since 1986. His role involves collaborating with the exterior designers of all new Lotus vehicles, from the early concept phase of a programme through to testing pre-production prototypes.

Lotus Evija Revealed! Facts & Figures + Video of the world’s most powerful series production road car

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English

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

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

Racing in F1 helped Honda develop advanced hybrid technology

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

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

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

Lamborghini launches its first collector’s digital stamp

AWD variant added to Mazda CX-30 range in Malaysia

The phenomenal aerodynamics of the Lotus Evija hypercar explained

All-New Nissan KICKS e-POWER Launched from RM113,800

Dinamikjaya Motors Unveils the All-New Kia Sportage 2024 in Malaysia – Estimated Starting Price of RM150k

Bermaz Motor Unveils the All-New Mazda CX-60 SUV at KLIMS 2024

Mazda Unveils CX-5 MS Limited Edition at KLIMS 2024

Bermaz Motor Unveils the All-New Mazda CX-80 at KLIMS 2024

BMW’s Automated Driving In-Plant System Moves Closer to Full Implementation

Mercedes Envisions Revolutionary Mid-Mounted Brakes for Electric Vehicles

Volkswagen Faces Challenges Amid Revamp of EV Lineup and Strategy Shift

Stellantis Unveils STLA Frame Platform for Future SUVs and Trucks

Mazda Prepares to Revive EV Ambitions with New SUV in 2027

Archive

CATL Says That Elon Musk Does Not Know How to Make a Battery

Penang JPJ Issues 35 Summonses in Special Operation Targeting Long-Distance Bus Drivers

Proton Champions Sedan Sales In Malaysia

Porsche Worth RM3 Million Seized by Customs for Exceeding Duty-Free Island Stay Period

Harman Kardon Launches Enchant Series Soundbars and Flow Car Audio Systems with Premium Features

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