The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team is the third of the F1 teams to show its new racing car which will be used in the 2022 championship The car retains the overall green bodywork with new sponsor’s logos all over. The sponsors this year include Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil and gas company which is one of the largest companies in the world.
Designated the AMR22, it is totally new to meet the significant changes in technical regulations for the sport. These include aerodynamic aspects – which are expected to allow for more overtaking – as well as a switch to larger 18-inch tyres that give a new look. However, as the new regulations will be around a while, the design of the car will continue to evolve and might even have changes when the first round starts.
The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team will continue to have 4-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll (whose father is Executive Chairman of the company) as its drivers.
Aston Martin returned to F1 racing only last year and after a difficult season, finishing seventh in the world championship. But it is no stranger to GP racing as Aston Martins raced in the top-level category 100 years ago, starting with the 1922 French Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel in the AMR21 during the 2021 season which the team finished overall seventh in the world championship.
Aston Martin says that data from the 2021 season demonstrates that the global platform of Formula 1 is heightening brand desirability and product familiarity for Aston Martin as the sport enjoys growing popularity worldwide. Its website traffic increased by 15% when there were races on, compared to non-race Sundays. This increased to 25% on weekends where the company supplied the Vantage and DBX as Official F1 Safety & Medical Cars.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “The return of Aston Martin to Formula One has been a monumental moment for the brand, with transformative impact for our performance credentials and global awareness. Through the race team and our status as the Official Safety and Medical Car of Formula One, we have been able to showcase our product and test new technologies on the world’s greatest circuits.”
Official testing will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit over 3 days on March 10-12. The first round of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship season will also be at the same circuit on March 20.
Remember the Nissan Almera Turbo Fuel Efficiency Charity Drive which Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) ran last year? It was a campaign that invited owners of the latest Nissan Almera Turbo to submit their very best fuel consumption achieved with the car. ETCM would then convert the total number of kilometres of all the submissions into money for charity at the rate of RM1 per kilometre.
Almera Turbo owners throughout the country participated, trying their best to get the lowest consumption (which was shown on the instrument panel’s computerized display) and when the entries were added up, the total distance was 12,841 kms. This meant that RM12,841 would be provided by ETCM which would be donated to few charitable organizations.
The company, among the oldest Malaysian car companies, decided that the money should go towards helping vulnerable communities affected by the recent devastating floods. Tens of thousands of Malaysians suffered losses in various degrees and had their livelihoods and well-being impacted.
The campaign’s accumulated amount of RM12,841 would be used for post-flood recovery efforts, including buying of necessities, food, personal hygiene items as well as cleaning and repairing housing areas damaged by severe flooding.
RM20,000 donated
A total of RM20,000 was donated to help alleviate the burden of the flood victims. Of the proceeds, RM10,000 was channelled to Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah while Rumah SVP Klang and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Klang Utama Caring Home each received RM5,000.
Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah in Puchong is a charitable children’s home which houses orphans and children of low-income families. The home currently houses 65 boys and girls aged between 3 – 16 years old.
Ruman SVP Klang houses abandoned, underprivileged and children of single parents. It cares for 11 boys under the age of 12 years old. Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Klang Utama Caring Home houses 43 orphans with ages up to 24 years old.
“The floods almost submerged our house completely. It happened so quickly and we could hardly save anything. Everything was destroyed in a split second. Children’s safety is always our top priority and I am grateful that the children are all safe. On behalf of the children, we are so thankful for the heart-warming support given by ETCM during these difficult times; it definitely will ease our daily burdens,” said Pusat Jagaan Baitul Hidayah’s caretaker Puan Saadiah.
“There are so many heart-breaking stories on the struggle that Malaysians are going through. We are deeply saddened to see floodwaters submerge houses and cars and hope our gestures will help to relieve the burden of those affected during this difficult time,” said Daniel Ho, Group CEO of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad.
Nissan Flood Relief Assistance programme
ETCM, together with Tan Chong Ekspres Auto Servis Sdn. Bhd., also have the Nissan Flood Relief Assistance programme that offers 20% discount on parts and labour charges, a special upholstery restoration prices and an Easy Payment Plan up to 12 months on total bill. This is to help alleviate the financial burden for Nissan owners whose vehicles were damaged by the floods.
As part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, ETCM has also loaned 6 vehicles to NGOs and MITI. 5 of them are the Navara 4WD, while the remaining one is a Serena MPV. The vehicles will be used to support the flood relief efforts and the vaccination programme.
Racing cars are expensive machines, and Formula 1 racing cars are very expensive machines. That’s why each team has only a few cars built so team managers dread accidents during races that damage the cars. But you can own a Formula 1 cars for just RM799.90 – although you won’t be able to drive it or sit in it. Still, it will look good in your home or office.
The racing car is the McLaren Formula 1 Race Car by LEGO Technic and it’s been developed in close collaboration between engineering experts from the LEGO Group and McLaren Racing. Just like its real-life counterpart, this LEGO model is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of engineering excellence and packed with functionality.
2021 livery, 2022 looks
While the model has the team’s distinctive 2021 season livery, it gives fans a glimpse of what they might expect from McLaren Racing’s new F1 season model in 2022, which will see big technical changes in the regulations.
The LEGO Technic version is fully modeled on the life-size version featuring a V6 engine with moving pistons, steering activated from the cockpit, suspension and even a differential lock! Although LEGO Technic has many high-performance cars in its range (like the Senna GTR), the McLaren Formula 1 Race Car is the first Formula 1 car.
1,432 pieces to assemble
Like every LEGO Technic model, this one will provide many hours of enjoyment (actually, LEGO says it can be done in about 2 hours) being assembled. There are 1,432 pieces and when completed, the car is over 13 cm high, 65 cm long and 27 cm wide. It also comes with stickers of the various sponsors supporting the team.
McLaren Racing’s F1 drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris delighted to see their racing car reproduced by LEGO Technic.
“We are excited to unveil the unique LEGO Technic model of our McLaren F1 car, a fun and engaging product that celebrates our 2021 season livery while giving fans a hands-on interpretation of the new 2022 F1 car design. This has been made possible by an agile collaboration with the LEGO Group team, who have truly embraced the spirit of our brave and bold approach to design. The final product looks fantastic, and we cannot wait to make this available to our fans,” said James Key, Executive Director, Technical, McLaren Racing.
The LEGO Technic McLaren Formula 1 Race Car will be available from March 1, 2022, at LEGO Certified Stores, on-line retailers and other major retailers and department stores in Malaysia.
The McLaren racing cars in action during the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship.
With its low volumes, Alfa Romeo has struggled for many years and relied on the loyalty of the alfisti to keep it around. Heritage can only go so far in modern business, but Alfa Romeo has usually survived to continue its business. Now under the Stellantis Group, it will have some more breathing space with access to considerable shared resources that will allow one new model to be launched every year during this decade.
It’s been a while since we saw a really new model from Alfa Romeo and the new Tonale is something that has taken almost 3 years to go into production. A concept was shown at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show with a plan to put it in showrooms in a few years. By the time Stellantis came into the picture, the development would have been too far ahead to stop or change, so in 2022, it has its global debut although many markets may only get it in 2023.
The Tonale has compact dimensions which means it will do battle in the most competitive area of the SUV segment. While said to remain true to its DNA of Italian sportiness, it also marks the metamorphosis of the brand as it starts a new era of connectivity and electrification.
2019 Alfa Romeo Tonale Concept
Concept car inspiration
Much of the design draws on the concept car shown in Geneva which contained many classic Alfa Romeo stylistic features, reinterpreted in the name of modernity. The sides are notable for their extended curve below the waistrail, known as the ‘GT Line’, which runs from the rear to the headlights, giving definition to the car’s body and its profile. In terms of the modelling, its full volumes and sensuality are reminiscent of models such as the 8C Competizione.
At the front, the new floating ‘Scudetto’ shield is no longer a part of the bumper but a distinctive element on its own. The lower part includes two main side air intakes which together with the shield create what is known as the ‘Trilobo’.
The eye-catching ‘3+3’ headlights are inspired by the SZ Zagato and the Proteo concept car. These lights adopt a new full-LED adaptive matrix and provide daylight, dynamic turn signals and a ‘welcome and goodbye’ feature. They also have adaptive capabilities to maximize illumination without dazzling other drivers, with a third module automatically activated when turning corners to expand the lighting laterally.
At the rear too, the light units are strong elements that for a visual signature for the Tonale. The roundness and, now classic, fold in the lower centerline shape of the rear window characterizes the SUV’s upper rear volume in a sporty yet elegant way evoking iconic cars like the 8C Competizione where the daylight opening, the edges of the side windows and the top of the rear window meet.
The ‘teledial’ alloy wheels that were received positive feedback when shown on the concept car have also been adopted on the production model. This is the reworking of the perforated telephone dial theme, the result of an evolution that began in the 1960s with the 33 Stradale. Over time, the perforations have gradually been increased in size and becoming more closely related to needs for brake cooling, lightness and resistance.
Driver-centric cabin
As would be expected, this is an SUV but the racing heritage of Alfa Romeo is not ignored. Everything is driver-centric, with the diagonal tunnel, slightly undulating dashboards and instruments facing the driver. The characteristic elements of the new model include the telescopic instrument panel, with its clear Alfa Romeo stylistic matrix, and the compact steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles.
The new D.N.A. driving mode selector, slim central air conditioning vents and external turbine shaped vents, the central tunnel and handles are embellished with a diamond texture inspired by precision mechanical processing with laser engraving. The dashboard also includes an insert with a backlight effect so when the panel is off, a graphic appears. The same 3D features can be seen in the seat fabrics, from the basic versions all the way to the gradient effect with contrasting background colour.
Powertrain choices
Depending on the market, electrified powertrains or combustion engines (or both) will be offered. The front-wheel drive hybrid powertrain has a new 4-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine with a Variable-Geometry Turbocharger, and a 48V 15-kW electric motor. Besides two output levels – 130 ps and 160 ps – there’s also a 275 ps plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Q4 version with all-wheel drive that will have a claimed electric range of up to 80 kms.
The new 7-speed TCT dual-clutch transmission enables start-up and travel in only electric mode at low speeds and when parking and cruising, subject to battery levels. A full battery recharge is said to take 2.5 hours when using a 7.4kW fast charger.
Some markets will still be able to get good old powertrains with just combustion engines. There will be Tonale variants with a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as well as a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine.
The driving dynamics of Alfa Romeos have always been much appreciated and respected, and even with an SUV, these cannot be compromised. One element that contributed to ensuring this is the optimally balanced weight distribution between the two axles. This required special management of mass and materials, which was done both by working on the car’s layout and by placing all the heavier components as centrally as possible.
The Tonale has an Integrated Brake System (IBS), an innovative electromechanical system that combines stability control with conventional servo brakes. Said to be an industry first, the integration between electronics and mechanics, significant weight optimization, optimal feeling and the total absence of pedal vibrations can guarantee the system instantaneous brake response. The fixed calipers are from Brembo, with four pistons and self-ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear.
The Dual Stage Valve electronic suspension provides a choice between performance and comfort. Developed in conjunction with Alfa Romeo’s long-standing technology partner Marelli, the electronic shock absorbers feature a special electro-actuated valve within the shock absorber that provides independent damping curves for 2 modes (Comfort and Sport).
New ADAS systems
The Tonale is equipped with new Alfa Romeo Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for Level 2 autonomous driving, which means that the vehicle can automatically handle acceleration, braking and staying within a lane while maintaining driving safety. However, the driver still needs to be alert and involved, though to a lesser degree which can reduce fatigue on long journeys.
In the event that the driver loses concentration or even falls asleep, there are features like Autonomous Emergency Braking which will activate the brakes if the driver does not react to alerts. The Drowsy Driver Detection system constantly analyses the vehicle’s movements to detect any characteristics which indicate driver fatigue. Once a certain threshold has been exceeded, the system emits beeps and/or visual warnings, recommending the driver stop for a break.
Connectivity with Amazon
Connectivity in a car today is more than just being able to connect a smartphone to the infotainment system. It now encompasses being able to connect to the rest of the world and a major new feature in the Tonale is the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Where it is available, Secure Delivery Service can set the vehicle as the place to deliver Amazon packages. The doors can be unlocked, and the courier can leave them inside the vehicle. Updates on vehicle status can also be received at home so it will be possible to know the battery charge level and other information. Alexa can also be used to search for nearby restaurants or even adjust lights or heating connected to the home automation system.
NFT for a car
In a world exclusive, the Tonale debuts non-fungible token (NFT) technology. Alfa Romeo is the first automaker to link a car with an NFT digital certificate. The technology is based on the ‘blockchain card’ concept, a confidential and non-modifiable record of the main stages in the life of an individual vehicle. Upon the customer’s consent, the NFT will record vehicle data, generating a certificate that can be used as a guarantee of the car’s overall status, with a positive impact on its residual value. On the pre-owned car market, NFT certification represents an additional source of credibility for owners or dealers to count on.
Without the barriers at toll plazas, traffic flow can be faster and smoother. However, toll concessionaires have to put the barriers to make sure that motorists do not just drive through without paying toll. Won’t they be committing an offence, you may ask? Well, apparently, there is actually no law concerning non-payment of toll and whenever someone does not pay, the toll concessionaire has to go after them and if necessary, take legal action to recover the money.
The barrier at the end of each lane at toll plazas is there to ensure motorists pay their toll as there is no legal framework at this time making non-payment an offence.
In one publicised case, PLUS had filed a suit against a logistic company named Berjasa Logistics Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Sin Kung Logistics (KL) Sdn Bhd) to recover unpaid toll fares involving 19 vehicles found to be registered to the company and driven by its employees for a number of years. The unpaid amounts totalled RM518,369.27 and in July 2017, the logistic company was considered by the High Court as well as Court of Appeal to be liable for its employees’ failure to pay toll charges. An additional RM100,000 in costs was also included in the judgement.
But it’s a tedious process and due to certain limitations and data privacy laws, getting information on motorists is not easy. In some cases now, it is possible to get the information which is recorded by toll payment companies like Touch’nGo when motorists register their details for an e-wallet account.
So before the dream of having Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF) at toll plazas can be realised in future, something needs to be done to protect the interests of the toll concessionaires otherwise motorists will just drive through. This is understood by the Ministry of Works which is looking into the matter and will explore ways to enact laws or amend existing ones to make non-payment of toll an offence.
This means that with the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that will be installed at every toll plaza, the toll concessionaire can have a record of the vehicle which did not pay toll, and notify the relevant authorities to take action, just like a speeding offence.
Cameras with Automatic Number Plate Recognition software will record every vehicle passing through so that those who don’t pay toll can be identified.
It’s strange that after so many years of having tolled highways (the very first was at Slim River in 1966), there has never been a law covering this matter. In other countries, it is certainly an offence so people make sure they pay their toll.
In fact, it is so strict in Singapore (where they have had MLFF for years) that there was one case where the owner of a car on top of a trailer received a summons for not paying the road-pricing charge when it passed under the gantry into a zone with Electronic Road Pricing. The car had problems and was being sent to the workshop and the owner had removed the tollcard from the unit (like our SmartTAG). So as the trailer passed underneath, it was detected that the car did not ‘pay’ toll and so an offence was committed!
But here’s something which should also be considered: how will it be determined that the motorist was deliberately not paying toll? What if the system is faulty – and we have seen how flawed it can be over the past month – and the car goes through but the RFID signal is not detected? Is the motorist expected to check that toll has been paid – which can be dangerous while driving – and if that is the case, then there is no point removing the barrier.
The authorities will therefore also have to make provisions in the law for such situations otherwise innocent motorists will be charged for offences they did not deliberately commit. Given the inconsistency of the RFID system in detecting the tags on vehicles (at least the SmartTAG is not as problematic any longer), the toll concessionaires will have to ensure that they can have 100% functionality. If there is a failure, it is their loss (of toll) so they would need to work hard to keep their system operating properly.
MLFF is targeted to be introduced in 2025, by which time the government expects that RFID will fully replace the current manual Touch’nGo card and SmartTAG systems. The Works Ministry has also told toll concessionaires that there needs to be various payment options available to highway users although the focus would be on linking e-wallets to RFID tags.
However, we feel that there should remain at least one lane for cash payments for ‘emergencies’ where motorists who are not regular highway users may not have RFID tags on their vehicles. With only one lane, there might be a long queue but so be it; those who do not want to wait a long time will then have to get a RFID tag for the convenience of zooming through to continue their journey.
