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StreetDrone unveil platform for developing autonomous transporation

Owning an electric car has become trendy over the past few years. These are environmentally conscious car buyers who are looking for vehicles that are able to help them fulfill their daily activities but are considerably green and don’t leave a massive carbon footprint.

Now however, there is an overflowing interest in autonomous vehicles. Contemporary cars and SUVs that are able to traverse city streets unaided by a human driver, maneuver past obstacles, slow down and speed up as well as anticipate an impending emergency situation and apply brakes where necessary -all on its own.

These systems are expensive to develop and deploy. That is why only more established vehicle manufacturers with huge budgets, are able delve into the murky waters of autonomous transportation of the future. Now, thanks to a company named StreetDrone, any manufacturer, big or small, has access to such technology.

StreetDrone, a UK based company, has teamed up with Renault to develop an autonomous vehicles that is affordable enough for small automotive firms to use as a platform for developing autonomous technology. The base car is a Renault Twizy EV, and with it, the company fits their latest hardware to govern the movements of the car. The OS that runs on the hardware is the company’s StreetDrone OS which allows the car to talk to connected and autonomous software.The finished vehicle is called the StreetDrone One.

Developers, can develop coding that can can be installed in this vehicle, to test and improve new autonomous functionality. This will provide small firms the head start they need in their R&D programmes aimed at developing sustainable future autonomous transport.

Mark Preston, CEO of StreetDrone says “We know that the greatest innovations in self-driving technology need to come from a wide-base of companies and developers, not from the privileged few that are wealthy enough to be able to test innovation in the real world. StreetDrone ONE means that everyone can become a part of the autonomous revolution.”

If the programme does become a success, it would mean that companies like Apple, Google and Intel, no longer have the advantage of their bank accounts to develop the best autonomous vehicles for the average car buyer. That’s good news for us consumers because this would mean that in the not so distant future, we will have a variety of vehicle manufacturers that are able to provide cutting edge technology for the autonomous transportation market.

Perodua posts records sales for 2017

This year is shaping up to be a great one for Malaysia’s second largest local automaker. Perodua has recorded decent sales figures this quarter by registering nearly 50,300 vehicles so far which is an increase of 6.5% compared with last year’s 47,200 units. The company now commands a 35.9% market share with a total of 140,000 vehicle being sold so far this year.

In March alone, Perodua sold 19,500 vehicles compared with 17,300 vehicles it sold last March, which is a 13% increase. The company attributes its sales success this year to the launch of the face-lifted Axia and a number of aggressive sales promotions for various Perodua models.

“On our after sales business, with both service intakes and parts and accessories sales seen growth in the first quarter. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect sustained growth in our after sales business,” Perodua President & CEO Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh said.

The Malaysian automaker’s parts and accessories division has also posted a rise in revenue. It said that revenue rose to a notable 5% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year by raking in RM65 million. It’s body and paint business on the other hand, saw a much higher increase in revenue at 17% compared to the same period last year. This has led to the automaker’s CEO acknowledging that the decision to delve into the body repair and paint business 7 years ago, was a savvy business decision on the part of Perodua.

In the first three months of this year, Perodua has produced 49,218 vehicles which is slightly higher than that recorded last year with 48,300 vehicle rolling of the production line. The slight increase was said to be due to the high-demand for the automaker’s B-segment sedan, the Perodua Bezza and the face-lifted Axia.

Things weren’t all rosy for Perodua though, it recorded a decrease in exported vehicles for the first quarter of 2017 with 941 vehicles shipped to six countries compared to 1,600 vehicles in 2016. Despite this, Perodua’s CEO is still confident that the company will hit the 5,000 units export mark in 2017, which was the same target set last year.

“We aim to steadily grow our regional reach as we further improve our operations to become globally competitive. Overall, we are cautiously optimistic of achieving our sales target of 202,000 units for the year. We also foresee that despite the challenges in the automotive industry, there will be modest growth for the industry this year,” said Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.

Despite the current economic situation, Perodua has defied the odds by posting better and better sales each year. It has launched a number of value added vehicles recently, which have enticed many Malaysian car buyers to flock to Perodua dealerships around the country.

Audi E-Tron Sportback Concept revealed

At the ongoing Shanghai Motorshow, Audi has unveiled its design study, the all-electric E-Tron Sportback Concept. Sporting futuristic design elements, this vehicle provides a glimpse into what the actual car might look like when it hits the road next year.

This vehicle measures 4,900mm long, 1,980mm wide and 1,530mm high. It has a wheelbase of 2,930mm and according to Audi is positioned in the C segment which is close to the Audi A7. The front end features an octogonal single frame grille with a wide horizontal cut but unlike conventional models, it forgoes the large opening at the front due to the fact that electric motors require far less cooling than petrol engines.

The edges of the central surface are drawn back which help channel airflow. The sharp creases, angular headlights and blacked-out grille provide for a futuristic yet menacing stance.

The contours are angular yet simple and provide the vehicle with a coupe-like look. The wing mirrors have been replaced with cameras that provide a better field of view and almost eliminating blind spots that come with conventional mirrors. The LED lighting features digital matrix projectors that help illuminate the road ahead during the day or night. Below the DRLs are 250 LEDs that display engaging graphics and communicate signs while on the move.

Inside, the E-Tron features a signature white Audi interior with a digital instrument cluster and switchgear that wouldn’t look our of place on a commercial airliner. Unlike conventional Audis, this one has two rear seats instead of the stretched three seat set up. The dash up front features a sports steering wheel that resembles that of the R8 but overall, has a very minimalistic look as opposed to its competitors that feel very busy and complicated.

The E-Tron also has 23-inch wheels that feature a 6-spoke design and add to the sporty look but also give the car a wider track. But Audi may choose drop the rim size for the production version in the name of power conservation later on.

Since this is an all-electric vehicle, it features three motors, one on the front axle and two on the rear one. Working in tandem they provide it with an-all-wheel-drive system. Power is rated at 320kW (429bhp) which increases to 370kW (496bhp) when in boost mode. The 0-100km/h sprint is accomplished in 4.5 seconds, which isn’t supercar quick but impressive considering this Audi’s dimensions. Juice is supplied via a 95kWh lithium-ion battery pack that also provides the vehicle with a range of 450km.

The liquid cooled Lithium-ion battery pack is positioned between the front and rear axles and placed below the passenger compartment. Due to this, the vehicle has a lower centre of gravity and a balanced axle load distribution of 52:48 (front/rear). The battery can be charged by the Combined Charging System which accepts Alternating or Direct Current (AC or DC) charging outlets.

Regarding the reveal, Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said, “Our Audi e‑tron will be starting out in 2018 – the first electric car in its competitive field that is fit for everyday use. With a range of over 450km and the special electric driving experience, we will make this sporty SUV the must-have product of the next decade. Following close on its heels, in 2019, comes the production version of the Audi e‑tron Sportback – an emotional coupe version that is thrillingly identifiable as an electric car at the very first glance.”

Though it has been labeled as a design study, the production ready car is slated for launch in 2018, which means several elements will be carried over from the concept vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan unveiled at Shanghai

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled what maybe its future A-Class, at the ongoing Shanghai Motorshow. Dubbed the Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan, the car forgoes the German automaker’s current design language for one that features more elegant and curvy contours.

“Our Concept A Sedan shows, that the time of creases is over”, say Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG. “With its perfect proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines, it is the next milestone of Sensual Purity and has the potential to introduce a new design era.”

The Concept A Sedan measures 4570mm long, 1870mm wide and 1462mm high and features proportions that are similar in some ways to the current CLA but graced with a whole new front end. Unlike the current car, the concept has a prominent ‘Panamericana’ grille that is tilted towards the front and features vertical chrome inserts with the iconic star dominating the front. The bonnet is a little flatter and features two dome like structures that add to the muscular appearance. The door handles sit flush with the body which should aid aero efficiency.

The headlamps are sleeker than the ones on the current generation cars as it starts from each end of the grille and tappers off towards the wheel arches reminiscent of the GT Gran Turismo. The car’s grid structure in the headlamps are coated with UV paint and exposed to ultraviolet light. As such, the headlamps “glow” in different colours, depending on the light medium – the daytime running lamps, for instance, are white. This same lighting technology is also used for the rear. The large lower air inlet has a diamond grid structure and trim strip finished in dark chrome.

Things are pretty neat at the rear end too, as Mercedes-Benz has chosen a more subtle approach for the design. Similar to the current CLA, the lights take on sharp prominent contours that end toward the number plate. The rear bumper’s diffuser-look lower part is trimmed in black and has a chrome trim strip and the exhaust deflectors are finished in dark chrome.

The side windows are large and darkened to improve privacy while the large panoramic glass roof provides an airy feeling to the entire cabin. The wheel arches are wide and less pronounced to accommodate the 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels. The design features a swept blade look that have structures surfaces between the spokes.

The Current A-Class is very important to the automaker as it accounts for a substantial chunk of its yearly revenue. It has sold more than two million compact vehicles to date and with the introduction of this new radical design language, Mercedes-Benz is hoping to bolster its impressive sales figures even further. As of now, models that make up MB’s compact car line-up are the A and B-Class, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake as well as the GLA, which is its SUV crossover.

Whether or not This new design language is incorporated into the next A-Class remains to be seen but if it does, we won’t complain.

Infiniti QX50 to debut at Shanghai Motorshow

Infiniti’s QX50 Concept will make its debut at the on going Shanghai Motorshow. The next-generation premium crossover is said to offer futuristic design elements that complement the modern drivetrain very well.

The company stated that the QX50 will be the first vehicle in the world to have an engine that can adjust its variable compression ratio while on the move. This Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) engine will have the ability to adjust to the needs of drivers as and when power or fuel efficiency is favoured.

Infiniti also says that the QX50 will feature autonomous drive support technologies that will allow the vehicle to operate unaided. Besides the tech, the company has designed it in such a way that the interior and exterior designs complement each other very well and lend to a muscular silhouette. It’s space-centric cabin will have decent levels of comfort while offering modern and elegant levels of craftsmanship.

“INFINITI is pleased to debut an SUV concept in the world’s fastest growing segment, here in the world’s largest market,” said Roland Krueger, president of INFINITI Motor Company. “The QX50 production vehicles will feature advanced autonomous drive capability and will be the first vehicle in the world to be powered by an engine that can adjust variable compression ratio on the fly.”

Infiniti says that its goal is to produce a vehicle that looks muscular yet elegant, has futuristic autonomous technologies but ultimately, offer high levels of driver engagement – a must for those looking for something more than just a mode of transportation.

Automaker previews new ownership and sharing services

LYNK & Co a newly formed car company has previewed two new models at the ongoing Shanghai Motorshow. Unlike most automakers, this company will offer its cars with a lifetime warranty and free data traffic for connectivity.

Speaking of the offer, Alain Visser, Senior Vice President of LYNK & CO, said: “Now with two cars in the LYNK & CO family, just five months in to our company’s life, the promises we made of having a range of vehicles ready, high quality, unrivaled technology and connectivity as standard, and a unique brand identity, are being proven. On top of this we now add a lifetime warranty on every car, and free data traffic for connectivity, to further underline our determination to challenge the traditional business model of the car industry.”

The company is looking to streamline the task of shopping and purchasing a car. it will offer online sales and home delivery services and a subscription model as well. They are planning to make it as simple as picking what you like from a smartphone app. Taking this approach a step further, LYNK & Co will also feature a a car sharing function where owners will be able to rent out their vehicles.

The automaker will have transparent fixed pricing to make purchasing and renting a whole lot easier. The exact details on how this will actually work is rather scarce at the moment, but should make for an interesting take on the ride sharing services concept.

This service is slated for launch in China this year and with it, the company hopes to bring a unique connected mobility experience with the option to share your car, all in a simple yet complete user experience. On April 19th, at the motorshow, the company will showcase a production ready version of the 01 car and a concept version of its 03 model as well. The exact details will be revealed by Peter Horbury, Excecutive Vice President Design at Geely Auto Group, which leads us to believe that LYNK & Co may actually have Chinese backing with their new business approach.