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Drinking water is good for you and many take water bottles with them in their car or bag when they go out. However, where the empty bottle ends up is not always certain. Those who care for the environment will make sure they dispose of the plastic bottle in the right place, like a rubbish bin if not a recycling centre. Many though will just throw it by the roadside without a thought and if not collected, it will remain there for the next 450 – 1,000 years, depending on the type of plastic used.

In coastal areas, the bottle may wash into a drain and then into the sea where it joins other rubbish – and more plastic bottles – that float around. Sea creatures are at risk and in areas such as the Pacific gyre, there is a floating mass of plastic bigger than the size of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean!

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Carmakers undertake recycling activities
It’s a big challenge getting mankind to stop such pollution so car companies like Ford are helping by using recycled plastic bottles for auto parts. Ford’s use of recycled plastics dates back to the 1990s. In the past decade, aerodynamics has driven the need for underbody shields, and the use of plastics in vehicle parts is used globally and has grown exponentially. Ford uses about 1.2 billion recycled plastic bottles per year – about 300 bottles per vehicle on average.

Underbody shield
Underbody shields made of recycled plastics from empty bottles are installed in Ford vehicles

One area where the plastic bottles are used is the underbody shield of the car. “The underbody shield is a large part, and for a part that big, if we use solid plastic it would likely weigh 3 times as much,” said Thomas Sweder, a design engineer at Ford Motor Company. “We look for the best materials to work with to make our parts, and in this case, we are also creating many environmental benefits.”

Ideal material
Due to its light weight, recycled plastic is ideal for the manufacture of underbody shields, engine under shield, and front and rear wheel arch liners that can help improve vehicle aerodynamics, which impacts fuel efficiency.

Undershield
An underbody shield

Here’s how it works: when plastic bottles are thrown into a recycling bin, they are collected with thousands of others, and shredded into small pieces. That’s typically sold to suppliers who turn it into a fibre, by melting the bottle and extruding it. Those fibres are mixed together with other various types of fibre in a textile process and used to make a sheet of material – which is then used to make the automotive parts.

“Ford is among the leaders when it comes to using materials such as this, and we do it because it makes sense technically and economically as much as it makes sense for the environment,” Sweder said. “This material is very well suited for the parts we’re making with it and is extremely functional.”

camping
Ford trucks enable you to explore and camp in our jungles but remember to leave nothing behind when you come out. Help to preserve the environment you enjoyed so the next generation can also enjoy it.

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The folks from BMW Malaysia has unveiled their latest addition into the locally assembled premium selection in the form of the new BMW 330i M Sport. Priced at RM288,800 (OTR without insurance), the new seventh-generation model is assembled at their facility located in Kulim, Kedah. Simply put, the new 330i is lighter, faster, and designed with better aerodynamics than ever before. (more…)

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The Proton 1 Tank Adventure is back for its second year running and to kick things off, the first opening preliminary round took place over the Malaysia Day weekend where 30 cars took part in a 650km adventure from Proton’s Centre of Excellence (COE) to Johor Bahru AND back! (more…)

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Geely Auto’s global flagship SUV, the Bo Yue, has already drawn over 750,000 users in China alone since its launch in 2016. It has also found great success in Malaysia as the X70 sold by Proton which is Geely’s affiliate.

In Russia, the Geely brand is also growing fast and has the Bo Yue as its flagship SUV – but sold with the name of Atlas. As in Malaysia, the SUV is presented as a smart SUV with Yandex Auto functionality. This gives new intelligent mobility experience to Russian speaking markets through a smart cockpit system jointly developed by Geely’s strategically invested technology company, ECARX and Russian internet giant, Yandex.

Proton X70
The Geely Bo Yue is sold as a Proton X70 in Malaysia where it has been very successful. Drivers activate the intelligent digital voice assistant by saying ‘Hi Proton’.

Produced in Geely Auto’s plant in Minsk for the Russian and Belarus market, the model’s interface has been specially developed for Russian-speaking users based on the GKUI Geely Smart Ecosystem. The GKUI was developed by ECARX and first launched on the Geely Bo Yue in China. It is now installed in over 22 Geely Auto vehicles. In the newly formed partnership, Yandex is responsible for software development and application localization with ECARX providing the platform.

Geely Atlas

Geely Atlas

‘Hi Alice’
To meet the demands of Russia users for localized digital services, ECARX has modified the GKUI in the locally produced Atlas with Yandex Auto and Russian digital voice assistant ‘Alice’ (in the Malaysia X70, the command is ‘Hi Proton‘). Users can utilize the intelligent voice assistant for navigation, search, and entertainment needs as well as control more functions of the Atlas in Russian.

Through the partnership, the two sides will be able to give full play to ECARX’s experience in intelligent connectivity and Yandex’s Russian digital services infrastructure. The strategic cooperation with Yandex marks the beginning of ECARX’s entry into the European market.

GKUI 19

With the addition of the new dedicated E-series chips, the updated GKUI19 adds greater AI capabilities to the system. In the latest platform, the GKUI cloud has been upgraded to an AI cloud, GKUI mobile phone inspired desktop has been upgraded to a smart desktop which utilizes AI to intuitively configure itself depending on the user’s needs, GKUI One-ID has been upgraded to all-round ID with support for different application ecosystems from GKUI’s eco-partners, and GKUI ecosystem has been upgraded with a developer platform allowing greater integration across the internet. GKUI is now able to connect seamlessly with Xiaomi smart devices, Baidu smart devices, JD.com smart devices and other smart devices allowing users to control their home or office appliances from their car.

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It was a very good weekend for Citroën as their C3 WRC teams consisting of Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia and Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm achieved a magnificent one-two finish at the Rally Turkey. The results obtained over the weekend also means that the French manufacturer and team are back in the running for the drivers’ and co-drivers’ world titles. (more…)

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The much-loved Volkswagen Beetle ceased production twice – the first time in 2003 after a 39-year run and the second time in July this year. With the second event, Volkswagen made it clear that the model line will not have a successor.

However, as with any model that is so iconic, fading into history is not going to happen easily. Even with the first and original generation, there are many units preserved by collectors which will be around for decades to come.

Electrifying the Beetle
And even at Volkswagen, a subsidiary known as Volkswagen Group Components has come up with a holistic concept for the electrification of the historic model. The conversion exclusively uses new parts they have mutually agreed on from the mass production of Volkswagen Group Components. The electric drive, the 1-speed gearbox and the battery system are based on the new VW e-up!. The conversion of the historic Beetle is being carried out by the specialist company eClassics.

The e-Beetle

The e-Beetle
Unlike the original model, there is no engine in the rear compartment of the e-Beetle.

“The electrified Beetle combines the charm of our classic car with the mobility of the future. Innovative e-components from Volkswagen Group Components are under the bonnet – we work with them to electrify historically important vehicles, in what is an emotional process,” explained Thomas Schmall, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group Components. “We are also providing Beetle owners with a professional conversion solution, using production parts of the highest quality.”

New VW e-up! as technical basis
The technical basis for the conversion is provided by tested production parts from Volkswagen’s new e-up! These are manufactured at Volkswagen Group Components production sites. The components work together in the e-Beetle as an electric drive that reaches performance peaks of 60 kW/82 ps. The lithium-ion battery pack is built into the underbody and consists of up to 14 modules, each with a capacity of 2.6 kWh, cumulatively delivering energy of up to 36.8 kWh.

The electric drive of the e-Beetle

The e-Beetle
Under the rear tail light unit on the right side is the port for recharging the battery pack.

The higher performance and the increased weight due to the extent of electrification require the adaptation and reinforcement of the chassis and the brakes. Despite the new total weight of 1,280 kgs, the e-Beetle accelerates to 50 km/h in just under 4 seconds and to 80 km in just over 8 seconds.

The range of the e-Beetle, which reaches top speeds of up to 150 km/h, is 200 kms – a comfortable distance for a relaxing day out in a classic car with a ‘new heart’. In the event that the e-Beetle runs out of electricity during the trip, fast charging is possible via a combined charging system. As a result, the e-Beetle can store enough energy for a journey of over 150 kms after recharging for around an hour. That would be about the time spent at a cafe along the way.

The e-Beetle

Concept can be transferred
Based on this concept, the subsequent electrification of other historic vehicles will also be possible. We are already working together to prepare the platform for the Bus. An e-Porsche 356 could also be pursued in the future,” Mr. Schmall hinted. The use of the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) is also being considered. This creates additional opportunities regarding performance and range.

About Volkswagen Group Components
As an entrepreneurially independent business unit under the umbrella of Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group Components is responsible for the development and production of strategic components for the Group’s vehicle-producing brands. 80,000 employees work in over 60 plants at 47 production sites worldwide in five business areas – Engine and Foundry, Gearbox and Electric Drive, Chassis, Seats and Electric Mobility. They develop and manufacture vehicle components, shape future topics such as charging infrastructure and battery recycling – and thus make a decisive contribution to the value of the Volkswagen Group, its brands and products.

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