So we received these photos, and just in case you haven’t seen them, this is what could be the the new Proton SUV set to debut in October this year. What do you think?
Not too shabby eh? From what we’ve heard, the new Proton SUV will have “CR-V size and specs but a HR-V price”, which means its introductory level variant will be priced below RM100,000. We shall have to wait and see!
Vehicles in Malaysia will one day be powered by a cleaner fuel alternative; hydrogen, an element found in water. Towards this end, Linde Malaysia, a member of The Linde Group, is gearing up to share its expertise in fuelling solutions to help power Malaysia’s automotive industry with zero-emission hydrogen technology.
“The world’s challenges associated with global warming (caused by CO2 emissions) pose a fundamental threat to the future of our planet. Linde sees hydrogen as an integral part of our renewable energy future in addressing this challenge. With over 25 years of research and development in hydrogen fuelling technologies, Linde has invested significantly at the global level in the future market for hydrogen. There are strong indicators that the market is receptive towards alternative fuels and energy with alternative mobility becoming more prevalent, particularly in Asia,” explained Linde South Asia and ASEAN Regional Managing Director, Rob Hughes.
Malaysia is an attractive place for Linde to invest further, tapping into its richwater resource for the production, storage and supply of hydrogen and other industrial gasses. This is partly due to its abundant water resource, receiving an average of 2500 to 5080 millimetres of rainfall annually. “Technology, innovation and an inventive spirit have been at the core of Linde from the very beginning, making us the technology leader for end-to-end sustainable hydrogen solutions. Linde is no stranger to the automotive industry as we deliver hydrogen fuelling solutions for cars, buses and even forklift trucks. We intend to grow the commercialisation of hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles and boost our efforts with our partners to create infrastructures that enable greater adoption of hydrogen-electric mobility. Linde has seen success with this model across Europe and is now extending its focus here in Southeast Asia,” said Hughes.
More about the technology…
Hydrogen is categorised as a clean fuel, releasing water vapour when converted into fuel. Hydrogen is produced through natural gas steam reforming or the electrolysis of water. Its carbon-neutral nature means vehicles powered by hydrogen have zero-emissions, a solution that directly helps mitigate climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen is the most commonly occurring element in nature, which means it is renewable.
Hydrogen-powered cars are equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell and an electric motor. Inside the fuel cell of the car, the hydrogen reacts with oxygen drawn in from the ambient air. Hydrogen molecules separate and create electricity to power the electric motor, and water. The automotive industry stands to benefit from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) because they help reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions which greatly mitigates climate change.
This further supports the nation’s aspirations to reduce carbon emissions as demonstrated by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology, Science And Climate Change’s (Mestecc) recent announcement to introduce an Energy Efficiency Bill in 2019 to help Malaysia cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 in compliance with the Paris climate accord.
Hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles have a short refuelling time of only three minutes and the ability to cover 500 to 600 km. This makes hydrogen-powered vehicles comparable to conventional vehicles. The water vapour from the exhaust of a hydrogen-powered vehicle is clean to the point that it is drinkable, demonstrating its zero emissions feature.
Solidifying its commitment to the Malaysian market, Linde will be providing its technological expertise across the hydrogen value chain to Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), following the construction of the latter’s pilot hydrogen production plant and refuelling station, the first of its kind in the state of Sarawak and Southeast Asia. Linde also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential of hydrogen and how it can be potentially applied into other aspects together with SEB. The move demonstrates interest in clean fuel alternatives for a more sustainable automotive industry in Malaysia.
To date, Linde has equipped around 150 fuelling stations globally with innovative hydrogen refuelling technology. Linde is actively involved in collaborative partnerships to jointly develop new solutions for hydrogen as a fuel. It is a member of the ‘Hydrogen Council,’ the first global initiative of its kind, launched in January 2017, with the goal of positioning hydrogen among the key solutions of the energy transition to help meet climate goals. The council is made up of 13 CEOs and Chairpersons from various industries and energy companies including Daimler, Royal Dutch Shell, The Linde Group, Alstom, Honda, Hyundai, Kawasaki and Toyota among others.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV), authorised distributor of FUSO trucks in Malaysia, together with authorised FUSO dealer, Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, officially delivered 24 FUSO trucks to Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd, the only and largest privately-owned oil refinery plant in Malaysia.
“As a long-time trusted partner of the nation’s haulage and logistics industry, MBM CV is pleased to continue our on-going pledge to the Malaysian market. Our commitment in providing trucks of the highest quality, while offering reliability and economic efficiency is of the utmost importance to us and to our customers. We are absolutely pleased that Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd has placed their confidence in our highly reliable and economical commercial vehicles and extensive service network. It is a trust that we greatly value and appreciate deeply,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, Commercial Vehicles, Mr Albert Yee.
A FUSO customer since 2011, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s recently purchased fleet of 24 FUSO light-duty trucks comprise primarily of the FE71PB and FE83PG series. The FE71PB series is commonly used for short distance distribution and inter-state logistic transportation while the FE83PG series is suitable for unpaved or rougher terrain. MBM CV’s authorised FUSO dealer, Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, will provide extensive aftersales support and vehicle maintenance for Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s FUSO fleet which travel routinely to its branch offices nationwide.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the latest five FUSO trucks, Vista Wheels Sdn Bhd, Managing Director, Mr Book Lim Guan, said, “In the haulage industry, we understand that customers require vehicles that are safe, durable and perform well under pressure. Peace-of-mind is what customer’s look for, and together with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles, we are proud to deliver the highest level of quality and service to Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd.
Established in 2008, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd’s primary business is to provide an integrated solution of waste management and recycling used engine and other mineral oils for companies. A member of the EXSIM Group Of Companies, Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is currently on an aggressive expansion drive, with plans to open their 12th factory in Labuan this year. Todate, FUSO trucks make up 90% of the company’s 61 units of the commercial vehicle fleet. Pentas Flora Sdn Bhd is set to further expand its fleet by year end.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) baru sahaja mengumumkan penglibatan terbaharu mereka di dalam dunia sukan elektronik atau ‘Esports’ dengan penganjuran kejohanan Toyota Velocity Esports. Penglibatan UMW Toyota dalam dunia sukan elektronik merupakan pembabitan pertama dari syarikat pengeluaran kenderaan di Malaysia. (more…)
Codenamed G29, the new roadster has been developed in a joint project with Toyota, although the two models to emerge from the shared process – the Z4 and the Japanese firm’s Supra – will be substantially different. BMW’s offering will be a convertible only; the Toyota will be sold as a coupe.
The car’s looks and proportions stick pretty closely to those previewed on a concept that was revealed at the same American event last year. There’s a particularly short overhang at the front end, and a visible decrease in wheelbase compared with the outgoing Z4. Here’s another video of its premiere…
The images also confirm that this Z4 has a folding fabric roof (it opens in around 10 seconds), eschewing the aluminium hard-top of the outgoing generation on grounds of complexity, cost and weight. The new car’s total kerb weight is said to be around 50kg lighter than its predecessor’s.
The model unveiled in Pebble Beach is the Z4 M40i First Edition, described by BMW as “a taster of the forthcoming on-road debut of the new roadster”. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, producing 340bhp – enough to take the new drop-top from 0-100kmh in 4.6 seconds.
BMW is being coy on releasing many technical details – they’re being held back until late September – but the firm has confirmed that M40i edition has electronically controlled dampers, upgraded M Sport brakes and an M Sport differential. It also says the Z4 will have a 50:50 weight distribution.
The line-up of powertrains is likely to include a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, possibly in a couple of states of tune, along with at least one more version of the straight six. We’d expected a plug-in hybrid version to follow later in the car’s life, too – and there could even be a fully focused M version of the car, because BMW hopes a more involving dynamic experience will allow the Z4 to grab some sales from the Porsche 718 Boxster.
The cabin shows a further evolution of BMW’s cockpit layout, with a newly designed fully digital instrument panel, and a ‘fared-in’ infotainment system that’s clearly angled towards the driver. The usual iDrive rotary controller is mounted on the centre tunnel beside the controller for what is likely to be an eight-speed automatic transmission. A manual gearbox is likely to be offered too, Auto Express understands, but only with selected engines.
The Z4 is due on sale in the UK next spring. There’s no word on pricing or specs, but we’d expect the range to start with 2.0-litre models at around £30,000, rising to around £48,000 for the M40i seen here.
Ed’s note: Nice one BMW, however, I think it looks a little too much like something Fiat came up with in 2015, the 124 Spider… anyway, please revive the Z8 next! – Chris Wee.
BMW Z4 Photo Gallery (all images courtesy of AutoExpressUK)
The Prancing Horse’s new Special Series model, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, has been unveiled during the world-famous Concours d’Elegance® at Pebble Beach in California. The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is the 50th drop-top model from the Prancing Horse and a premiere in the US was a natural choice given that, ever since the 1950s, North American clients have always been keen connoisseurs of high-performance convertibles.
The new car sets a new benchmark for Ferrari for spider performance with an unprecedented weight-power ratio of 1.92 kg/cv. A result made possible by the adoption of the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever, which was recently named Best Engine in the world for the third consecutive year at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards. The 3902cc twin-turbo V8 unleashes 720cv and combines that power with increasing torque at all engine speeds for continuous and unending acceleration all the way to the red line. The unique engine sound is now even more riveting thanks to the open-top configuration.
The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider represents the natural development of the defining design of the coupé version. The Ferrari designers’ primary objective was to maintain unaltered the perfect marriage of aerodynamic efficiency, purity of form and racing spirit. This concept is underlined by the characteristic central livery which runs the whole length of the car, expanding towards the rear where it finishes at the end of the rear wing next to the spoiler. This continual expansion of the stripe recalls the movement of the airflow and exalts the lines of the car.
The philosophy that imposed an uncompromising choice of materials for the bodywork is also revisited in the interior solutions, with weight being saved by the use of lightweight, pared-back components. As well as the generous use of carbon-fibre and Alcantara® throughout, the carpets have been replaced by patterned aluminium foot plates and the driver’s-side door handle is now a simple strap.
In terms of engineering, the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is directly derived from the 488 Pista which encapsulates all the racing experience gathered on world’s circuits with the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE. As a result, the new Spider offers the highest level yet of technological transfer from the track to a road-legal drop-top car. The vehicle dynamics honed for this Special Series 8-cylinder convertible deliver a seamless combination of razor-sharp acceleration, braking efficiency, lightning-fast gear shifting, precision steering, grip, stability and superb handling. The result? A completely captivating and unprecedented driving experience. This was achieved thanks partly to the new lateral dynamics control system, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), which makes on-the-limit driving more intuitive, controllable and predictable.
The car features new diamond-finish 20” alloy wheels with a novel 10-spoke star-effect interpretation of Ferrari’s traditional mid-rear engine berlinetta-style rims. Also available are the optional one-piece carbon-fibre wheels which offer a 20% weight reduction over the standard forged alloys.
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