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Next-level Performance And Capability With The Next-Gen Ford Ranger

Different people will buy a pick-up truck for different reasons but some basic expectations will be good performance, refinement and economical operation. With the next-gen Ford Ranger, these expectations are met in the best way with powertrains for work, family and play.

Two 4-cylinder 2-litre turbodiesel engines are available with the next-gen Ranger – the Single-Turbo and the Bi-Turbo, both well proven and updated as well as compatible with biodiesel.

The Bi-Turbo engine has a clever bypass system that determines the optimum operating mode. Depending on the conditions, the turbochargers can operate in series (at lower engine speeds for enhanced torque and responsiveness) or the smaller turbocharger can be bypassed to allow the larger turbocharger to push more air into the combustion chambers.

The Single Turbo offers 170 ps at 3,500 rpm, with 405 Nm of torque available between from 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. With the more powerful Bi-Turbo, there’s up to 210 ps of power at 3,750 rpm and an impressive 500 Nm of torque generated between 1,750 and 2,000 rpm.

Two 4-wheel drive systems
To get all that power to the ground, the next-gen Ranger comes with a choice of two types of 4-wheel drive systems. There’s a conventional ‘part-time’ system with a 2-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case offering 2H, 4H and 4L modes. Also available is an on-demand 4-wheel drive system (2H, 4A, 4H, and 4L) which allows the truck to be driven in 4-wheel drive on high-traction surfaces like highways via its 4A (automatic) mode. The system intelligently distributes power between the front and rear axles for optimum performance in all on-road conditions.

For additional stability in slippery or rough terrain, the next-gen Ranger continues to be offered with rear differential lock (Ranger WildTrak and XLT Plus). This lock creates a connection between the left and right rear wheels so they rotate at the same speed, helping to get out of a difficult situation off-road. Activation of the rear differential lock is easily done on the SYNC screen in the cabin.

Selectable Drive Modes
Making greater use of the computing power on board the next-gen Ranger, there are up to 6 drive modes (depending on the variant) which can make driving over difficult terrain easier. For example, the Slippery mode is for on-road surfaces while the Mud/Ruts and Sand mode is for use off-road.

As in the Ranger Raptor before, the drive modes alter various operating parameters to optimise performance in specific conditions. These cover gearchanges, throttle response, traction and stability controls and the brake system.

In addition to the selectable drive modes, the next-gen Ranger has a special off-road screen on the SYNC4A infotainment system. At the press of a button, the display appears and driveline and diff lock settings, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles, as well as a front camera view with predictive overlay guidelines. With such information, the driver can travel more confidently over challenging terrain.

Tough and protected
Going off-road can be punishing for any vehicle with all sorts of obstacles and hazards. This has been kept in mind by the engineers who have designed various protective underbody shields for the next-gen Ranger. These shields protect the steering, sump, transmission and transfer case – critical components that cannot be damaged.

The shields are made from pressed and folded laser-cut steel. The mounting bolts are recessed so they won’t get damaged but can still be easily removed at the service centre. Because the shields are bolted directly to the chassis, they also to the structural integrity of the vehicle.

Small changes, big benefits
Although virtually similar in overall size as the previous Ranger, the next-gen Ranger has 50 mm increases in the tracks and wheelbase. These may seem like small changes but they improve stability on as well as off the road.

Drivers will find that they can take on steep slopes more easily with the improved front approach angle increased to 30 degrees (from 28.5 degrees) in the, Likewise, the rear departure angle has also increased by 2 degrees to 23 degrees.

For those worried about climate change bringing more floods, owning the next-gen Ranger could be one way of preparing for such conditions. With a maximum water wading depth of 800 mm (travelling at 7 km/h), the next-gen Ranger will be able to get across many flooded areas easily.

Taking more load
Widening the track also allows the designers to widen the cargo bed and offer a more versatile load space. The rear dampers were also moved outboard of the springs which makes for a more controlled ride whether the vehicle is carrying a lot or empty. Depending on the variant and market, the payload capacity is up to 1,000 kgs (1 tonne).

If more stowage space is needed, the next-gen Ranger’s roof can also take up loads of up to 350 kgs static and 85 kgs dynamic. Ford dealers have a range of versatile cargo management solutions to meet different customer needs. These range from adjustable cleats on each side to tray-mounted tie-downs and styled box rails. There are also tailgate clamp pockets and box capping with 6 structural mounting points for after-market accessories.

See the Next-Gen Ranger in East Malaysia
The next-gen Ranger will be in showrooms in coming months but before it has its official showroom launch, it will be on display in East Malaysia. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) will hold previews at Vivacity Megamall in Kuching, on September 7 – 11, and at Suria Sabah Shopping Centre in Kota Kinabalu on October 5 – 9, 2022.

These events will enable you to learn more about the next-gen Ranger (and also book one). If you would like to attend either of these two events, sign up here for an exclusive invitation. Alternatively, you can visit www.sdacford.com.my for more information about the next-gen Ranger, or follow the Ford Malaysia Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channels.

Significant Increases In Toyota and Lexus Deliveries In August

As supply improves, the car companies are able to deliver more vehicles to waiting customers and many have seen significant increases each month. These include UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), which reported a total of 9,091 units comprising 8,961 units of Toyota vehicles and 130 units of Lexus vehicles. The total volume was 37% higher than what was achieved in July (6,637 units).

Cumulative deliveries for the first 8 months of the year reached 61,639 units (Toyota and Lexus combined), 62% higher than for the same period in 2021 when the cumulative volume was 38,085 units.

The company is looking forward to even better numbers in coming months as it will soon launch the new Toyota Veloz MPV. Since bookings opened in June, some 5,200 orders have been collected for the 7-seater MPV which will take over from the Avanza.

(more…)

Kia EV9 Going Through Final Phase Of Testing Before 2023 Launch

Before finally appearing in showrooms and being delivered to customers, one of the final stages in the development of a new model is extensive testing in all kinds of conditions representative of the real world. The testing will identify areas that need to be improved or changed and also validate many operating parameters.

Every manufacturer has a similar process and at Kia, the new EV9 is going through this final phase. As the model designation indicates, this is an electric vehicle (EV) and will be the second dedicated EV from the Korean carmaker after the EV6. Its launch date is set for the first quarter of 2023 so there’s about 6 months left to complete testing.

(more…)

Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar To Enter 6-Hour WEC Race At Fuji Speedway This Weekend

After making its competitive debut in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the new Peugeot 9X8 at the Monza round in Italy two months ago, the Team Peugeot TotalEnergies is in Japan this week for a second 6-hour showdown. Two units of the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) will race at the Fuji Speedway this weekend to collect more information in racing conditions.

Commenting on the first race in Italy, Peugeot Sport Technical Director Olivier Jansonnie, said: “We needed that first race. We had achieved as much as we could in testing so, in order to ramp up our preparations and development, it was time to pitch ourselves directly against our opposition in a true race-weekend environment.”

Encouraged by the potential of a car whose homologation is now fixed (meaning that any further modifications will be strictly limited and regulated), the two driving crews were able to acclimatise to racing in traffic and compare the 9X8 to the championship’s other hypercars.

“We collected a great deal of information about the car and team. We also ran into a few problems that we hadn’t previously encountered in testing, some of which we were able to rectify on-site, others that we have been continuing to work on since Monza. This is a tried-and-tested process in motorsport,” Jansonnie explained.

“At this early stage, it should be noted that we are concentrating more on reliability and performance than on refining race strategies. That is perfectly normal for such a new project, up against rivals with – in some cases – more than 10 years of experience in the sport. We are all fiercely competitive here at Team Peugeot TotalEnergies and we recognise that both the car and team have scope for significant improvement, but we have yet to come across any issues that we cannot resolve, so that’s very positive,” he said.

Disappointed that the team was not able to take full advantage of the 10-minute qualifying session in Italy to properly demonstrate the 9X8’s potential, Jansonnie has since gone into even greater detail with his team in order to optimise its work on the car with the clock ticking down. It focused particularly hard on this aspect during two private tests carried out between Monza and Fuji.

“In Japan, we will be discovering the circuit for the first time, so we need to make sure we maximise every on-track session from Friday morning through to Sunday afternoon,” he stressed.

Preparing for Fuji’s challenges
The 6 Hours of Fuji – Round 5 of the 2022 WEC – poses an altogether different challenge to Monza in a number of ways. Jansonnie and his team realise this, particularly as it is held halfway around the world. “For long-haul events like this, we need to adapt our procedures because we do not have the same regular facilities at our disposal – like motorhomes and trucks – as we do when we race in Europe,” he said.

The circuit and region’s unpredictable weather – with heavy and prolonged downpours likely – represent further unknowns for the team, although not for the whole team. Its drivers like Jean-Eric Vergne and Gustavo Menezes have raced at Fuji in the past, while Loic Duval and James Rossiter spent a part of their career based in Japan. The benefits of that experience will complement the data already acquired by the crews and their engineers from their work in the 9X8 simulator as they endeavour to prepare as well as possible for the unique demands of this iconic Japanese track.

*The 4.563-km Fuji Speedway where the fifth round of the 2022 World Endurance Championship will be held. It was opened in December 1965 and has been owned by Toyota Motor Corporation since 2000.*

“Monza could have gone better for us, but that was entirely to be expected at such an early stage of an ambitious project like this. Our car [#93] ran into problems in the race that led to our retirement. During the run that I completed in free practice, though, we were close to the Toyota in terms of pure pace, which proves that we are in the right ballpark with this non-conventional car. I’m completely convinced about that. Our first race was another significant milestone on this exciting journey and now, for Fuji, the goalposts shift again. But that’s what keeps the adrenalin flowing!” said Vergne who will share the racing car with Paul di Resta and Mikkel Jensen.

New era in endurance racing
The 9X8 starts a new era for Peugeot in endurance racing, the motorsport category where it was previously victorious with the 905 and 908 in the 1990s and in 2009. Conforming to the regulations that govern the ACO and FIA’s new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) category, the 4 wheel-drive racing prototype has a 2.6-litre bi-turbo V6 engine powering the rear wheels and a 200 kW electric motor driving the front wheels.

The racing car, without a rear wing, measures 4.995 metres in length, has a width of 2 metres and is just 1.145 metres tall. With lots of lightweight materials in its bodywork, it weighs 1,030 kgs and its tank holds up to 90 litres of TotalEnergies’ 100% renewable Excellium Racing 100 fuel.

The completion of vital development and testing phases, necessary to achieving reliability and performance for the 9X8, led to its competitive debut being delayed until after the 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours. Its first entry in the WEC was thus at the 6 Hours of Monza on July 10 and this weekend, it will be at the Fuji Speedway.

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TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 – Porsche Edition

Most people have their smartphones with them all the time, and as these devices show the time and date, the watch may seem unnecessary. Nevertheless, it still has a place in our lives and sales still continue. Now Porsche owners will also find more reason to wear watch – specifically the new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 – Porsche Edition.

This is a new luxury connected timepiece that does more than just show the time and other information usually found on the more sophisticated (and expensive) watches. It has Wear OS which can show information from Porsche vehicles on its face, turning it into a more useful accessory.

The watch follows the launch of the TAG Heuer x Porsche Carrera Chronograph, which celebrated the two companies’ rich history of motor racing heritage and the launch of their global partnership in 2021.

Both the physical watch and the software have design features used in the all-electric Taycan, which evokes the car’s exterior. The watch face was inspired by printed circuit boards and racing circuits, offering an animated visual effect which connects Porsche’s models and TAG Heuer watches with a feeling of technology and speed.

Car-related design
The design of the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 – Porsche Edition has numerous features inspired by the frozen blue lacquered Taycan electric sportscar. For example, the large 45 mm case in black titanium is highlighted with details in the distinctive metallic shade seen on the car. The case is sandblasted black titanium, giving the watch a light, sporty feel and the black ceramic polished bezel has a dedicated scale going from zero to 400, referencing a Porsche car’s speed, which can be used to read functions relating to the car or to display metrics like heart rate.

The ceramic bezel of the watch gives it the feel of a traditional high-end timepiece. The crown has a large diameter, and stands out from the watch, so there’s lots of room for a finger to access the crown, making it easy to access apps on the go.

The pushers have a mechanical feel, highlighting TAG Heuer’s 162 years of heritage in making high-end mechanical watches. Running a customised version of Google’s Wear OS system, the watch offers a range of exclusive timers and sport and wellness apps which highlight TAG Heuer’s expertise in sports timing, including motorsports.

Connection to the car
Owners of specific Porsche models will be able to connect their watch to their vehicle. When connected, they will see information displayed in ‘complications’ on the watch face. At the time of launch this week, there are four complications available.

The first shows how much energy is left in the car’s battery pack and works with both fully electric as well as hybrid models. The second shows ‘car autonomy’ information, displaying how many kilometres remain before the battery pack or fuel tank are empty.

The third is a shortcut to the Wear OS My Porsche app which enables users to control their vehicle heating and air conditioning. The last complication shows the total mileage driven. To activate these features, users need to have Porsche ID, Porsche Connect Subscription and the My Porsche app on the watch and phone.

*The Taycan electric sportscar is one of the models that can be connected to the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 – Porsche Edition.*

Porsche and TAG Heuer
Although Porsche and TAG Heuer a strategic partnership in February last year, the two companies have been associated various times for over 50 years. Similarities of heritage can be traced all the way back to the entrepreneurs of the companies whose visions changed their chosen fields forever. Edouard Heuer was responsible for the first manufactured chronograph and Ferdinand Porsche constructed a new electric wheel hub motor. Both these accomplishments earned medals at World Fairs held in Paris 11 years apart.

The true cornerstones of today’s partnership, however, are descendants of the brands’ founders. In 1963, the first Heuer Carrera chronograph was introduced, designed to let drivers tell the time at a glance in the heat of action. Jack Heuer, the great-grandson of the founder, was also responsible for the Heuer Monaco, the first square-faced, water-resistant automatic chronograph watch. Its name evoked the Monaco Grand Prix as well as the renowned Monte Carlo Rally which Porsche won in from 1968 to 1970 with its 911 model.

With its sale to the TAG Group, Heuer became TAG Heuer in the mid-1980s. At this time, Porsche and TAG Heuer jointly developed and produced the TAG Turbo Engine that enabled the McLaren team to win three consecutive F1 world titles.

*The Porsche 99X used in the all-electric single-seater Formula E World Championship.*

In 1999, the relationship between Porsche and TAG Heuer grew even stronger – from the Porsche Carrera Cup and Supercup competitions, followed by the Endurance World Championship and more was yet to come. Porsche created its own Formula E team with TAG Heuer as title and timing partner in 2019.

Porsche has long distinguished itself in endurance events and together with TAG Heuer, its GT Team has competed in the World Endurance Championship. In addition to physical competitions, TAG Heuer also engages in virtual racing by supporting the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup. More recently, both companies have partnered in Formula E, the all-electric single-seater world championship.

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Fuel Price Updates For September 8 – September 14, 2022

Fuel prices after midnight today will see RON97 petrol reduced by 10 a litre to RM4.20, with other grades remaining unchanged.

FUEL-SAVING TIPS

Slow and steady: You don’t have to drive at a crawl to save fuel but if you just drive more frequently at 80/90 km/h instead of 100/110 km/h, you could save 10 to 15% in fuel. Keeping a steady speed rather than ‘pumping‘ the pedal will also save on fuel.

Right tyre pressures: Under-inflated tyres will cause more rolling resistance (not to mention faster wear) which will worsen fuel consumption. Be sure they are inflated to the minimum recommended by the manufacturer and a bit more might also be better.

Service the engine regularly: Engine parts wear out or get dirty over time and reduce the operating efficiency of the engine. Regular servicing ensures that adjustments are set correctly and periodically, parts like filters or sparkplugs need to be replaced.

Plan trips: If you have different places to go on a single journey, spend a few minutes to think about the route so that you avoid congested areas. You may have to travel a few extra kilometres using a less congested route but you will actually use less fuel because the car won’t be stuck in a jam burning fuel going nowhere. Plus you will probably be less stressed out when you reach your destination.

Switch off the engine more: Many motorists do not fully realize that the engine is burning fuel every second it is running. They will keep the engine running for long periods while waiting for someone to buy things or waiting for their children to come out from school. This is very wasteful and running the air-conditioner at the same time wastes more fuel. Switch off the engine when you are going to be stationary for more than 5 minutes and you’ll find your fuel consumption improving.

Don’t carry unnecessary weight: The less weight your car has to move, the less hard the engine has to work. So whatever you do not need to keep in the boot should be taken out. This includes those golfbags.

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