Proton sales have been steadily rising as the company ramped up production after overcoming its parts shortage issues. The Malaysian carmaker reports that for the month of May, its sales totalled 9,792 units (inclusive of export sales), which was 10.8% higher than the month before, and 3.7% more than the volume in May 2021.
The brand retains its position overall No.2 in domestic market sales and with the May volume accounting for an estimated market share of 19.6%, the market share after 5 months is estimated to be up to 17.1%.
“The increase in sales for Proton in May is a direct result of the company boosting its production volume to catch up to market demand. As with the rest of the automotive industry, we are continuing to try and secure sufficient parts supply to clear our backlog of orders. While that is happening, Proton would like to express its gratitude to customers who have supported us in bearing with the long waiting period,” said Roslan Abdullah, Deputy CEO of the company.
Proton X50 dominates
The little brother of the X70 has been in great demand since being and continues to dominate the SUV segment of the market. 2,779 units were registered nationwide in May, and Proton believes that it is the leader for B-segment SUVs as well as the overall leader for the SUV market.
The company also states that the X70 and Exora continue to lead their respective segments with sales of 692 units and 387 units, respectively.
As for the Saga, the company’s perennial bestseller, 3,996 units were delivered in May, which the company said placed it in second position for A-segment sedans. The continuing popularity of the model comes as it switched from the previous version to the 2022 models which was launched on May 12. Over 12,000 bookings have been received for the new model which has improved features, safety and quality in a refreshed design.
Overseas sales
The Saga has also been doing very well in export markets. The export volume for the first 5 months of this year now stands at 1,482 units, an increase of 71% compared to the previous year. Export sales for May were reported to be 513 units, an increase of 12.5% compared to previous month while the cumulative total is 2,086 units is an increase of 47% compared to the same period in 2021.
After the first 5 months of this year, Pakistan has emerged as the biggest export market with 1,350 units, followed by Egypt and Brunei with 172 and 158 units. respectively.
Today’s videogames present extremely realistic imagery that can sometimes be mistaken for actual cars, planes or many other subjects in the real world. The great computer processing power available today has made photorealistic visualisation technology possible and it is used on many industries.
Volvo Cars is also turning to such technology to develop the user experience in its vehicles. For its next generation of electric cars, it is collaborating with Epic Games, an American videogame and software developer, to bring Epic’s Unreal Engine game engine into upcoming Volvo cars. This technology will provide unparalleled high-quality graphics inside the cabin.
Epic Games is probably best known for ‘Fortnite’, one of the world’s largest games. The Unreal Engine is widely considered to be the most advanced real-time 3D creation tool and is used in various industries beyond games. Volvo Cars will use it for developing digital interfaces inside its cars and rendering real-time graphics in the car.
For development of Human-Machine Interface
The Swedish carmaker is the first European carmaker to use the Unreal Engine for development of the Human Machine Interface (HMI). More specifically, it will initially focus on the Driver Information Module (DIM), one of the displays inside the cabin that provide the driver with relevant information and infotainment features.
In the next generation of Volvo cars, customers will encounter impressive, high-quality graphics on those displays. Much sharper renderings, richer colours and brand new 3D animations are only the first steps as Volvo Cars developers continue to push the graphic envelope.
“To offer our customers the best possible user experience and contribute to a safe and personal drive, we need rich, immersive and responsive visualisation inside our cars,” said Henrik Green, Chief Product Officer at Volvo Cars. “Running Unreal Engine in our cars enables this and makes it even more enjoyable to spend time inside a Volvo.”
New standard of graphics
By coupling the Unreal Engine with the high-performance computing power of the third generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms, the next generation of Volvo cars will set a new standard in graphics and infotainment system performance. As a result, Volvo Cars’ next generation infotainment system will be more than twice as fast as its predecessor, while graphics generation and processing inside the cabin will be up to 10 times faster.
“When you bring interactive, high-resolution graphics running in real-time into the car, you open the door to a vast range of new ways to inform and entertain everyone inside,” said Heiko Wenczel, Epic Games’ Director of Automotive and HMI for Unreal Engine. “Volvo Cars’ deeply talented design and product development teams have grasped this opportunity to do something fresh that will keep evolving with exciting new features that take advantage of the capabilities of Unreal Engine.”
Future flagship to have new graphics
The first car to contain the new graphics is the new, all-electric flagship model that Volvo Cars will reveal later this year. That model is the first of a new generation of all-electric Volvo cars as it aims to only sell cars powered only by electricity by 2030.
Further into the future, the company sees additional opportunities for Unreal Engine to advance other areas of technology within new models as the carmaker’s developers continue to explore new applications for this and other software-driven technology platforms while always keeping safety front of mind.
The aim is to develop half of all the software inside its cars in-house by mid-decade and it is therefore recruiting extensively within software development. By joining the company, coding talent has numerous opportunities to work on exciting and ground-breaking new in-car applications and platforms.
At last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, Polestar showed off an experimental specially modified Polestar 2 with impressive performance. However, the company said that it was just a one-off which they would not be turning into a production model. Nevertheless, enthusiasts loved it and there was a lot of interest expressed in buying one if it was made available.
“We had a great reaction and the response made it clear – we should create a version like that for production,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s CEO. He had proposed the project last year to push the boundaries of the performance fastback’s design and performance potential.
The experimental Polestar 2 at Goodwood in 2021 (above), and the production version (below) that will be offered to 270 customers.
Only 270 units
And here it is – a special edition called the Polestar 2 BST edition 270. The ‘270’ indicates the number of units that will be offered, exclusively for Europe, North America and China (so they will all be in lefthand drive).
The tuning-based Polestar Engineered product leverages on decades of tuning experience to create the brand’s most dynamic electric driver’s car yet. The production car includes mechanical modifications along with key design enhancements that place it above standard Polestar 2 models.
Increased output
The two electric motors and 78 kWh battery pack have been enhanced for a maximum power output of 350 kW (476 ps) and 680 Nm of torque, along with heightened responsiveness to go with the sportier dynamics.
Chassis modifications include lowered ride height (by 25 mm), specially developed and unique Ohlins 2-way adjustable dampers with auxiliary adjustment chambers mounted under the bonnet, a front strut bar, 20% stiffer springs and unique new black 21-inch alloy. The tyres fitted are 245/35R21 Pirelli P Zero, developed specifically for the car which retains the standard 4-piston Brembo brakes.
Styling enhancements
The limited-edition model has a more substantial expression, thanks to fully-painted bumpers and side skirts. A matte black body stripe is available as an option, as well as a full-body Battleship Gray satin wrap. Th side mirrors are finished in glossy black while the signature ‘Swedish gold’ details remain, including on the brake calipers, damper elements, valve caps and seatbelts.
Each unit will be priced around US$77,000 (about RM338,000) and production is planned to begin in mid-2022, with deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of the year.
The Vios Challenge one-make race originally started as the highlight of The Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival where, besides the racing, there were also other activities for all the family, including an opportunity to experience the latest Toyota models. Unfortunately, the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the event could not be held with public attendance, and the Vios Challenge was also restricted only to participants.
Now with the restrictions lifted, it is possible for events such as the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival to be held again and ‘The People’s Race’, as UMW Toyota Motor refers to it, will be on during the weekend of June 25/26 at the Sepang International Circuit. The 2-day weekend festival (entrance is free) will be bigger than ever before with lots of activities, including concerts, for the family and of course, food and drink when visitors get hungry or hot.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Those who wish to attend must first register at the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia website to gain access at the Sepang International Circuit. Click here to go to the website.
The Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival has lots of activities for all the family and a chance to meet celebrities, as these pictures of past events show.
“We are so excited to be able to welcome back the people to the Festival and Round 2 of the Vios Challenge. There are a myriad of activities lined up suited for everyone, from families looking to spend their weekend to racing fans and enthusiasts. Welcome back!” said UMW Toyota Motor’s President Ravindran K.
“This is and has always been a ‘Festival for the People’, never mind that they may not be outright racing fans. It’s a platform for Toyota to give back and to celebrate the people, thanking them for their continued support of the brand. This is also a great opportunity to bring back festivities and activities for the people after 2 years of being hunkered down against the pandemic. As for racing, the Vios Challenge continues to provide an affordable entry into competitive and level playing field racing with its one-make format and the many classes for young drivers, amateurs, professionals and even local celebrities,” he added.
Currently into its fifth season/year, the Vios Challenge has become well known for its wheel-to-wheel action because all the Toyota Vios racing cars are prepared identically with the same performance levels. Therefore it is all about driver skill, experience and strategy rather than just who has the more powerful car. It is the most lucrative motorsports event in the country, with more than a half a million ringgit in prize money offered.
Season 5 of the Vios Challenge has 3 rounds with a total of 6 races; Round 1 was run recently and Round 3 to be held in September. In 4 seasons of the Vios Challenge so far, more than 8 million spectators and online viewers have followed the races, and social media reach has exceeded 19 million, making it one of the most viewed domestic motor-racing events.
Besides young drivers, amateurs and professionals taking part, there are also local celebrities who have a category of their own to race in. For this season, the Season 4 champion and actor Shukri Yahaya is among them along with last year’s runner-up and actor Zizan Razak. Other celebrities include television host Nabil Ahmad, actress Janna Nick, singers Wany Hasrita, Nabila Razali and Khai Bahar, TV personality Ahirine Ahiruddin, and actress and presenter Ain Edruce who returns to the Vios Challenge from a sabbatical after welcoming her first born child.
The celebrities will also be performing live over the weekend. In addition, there will be a special concert featuring Malaysian rock band Bunkface on Saturday and, for the first time ever, staging an international act, will be Indonesian singer Judika on Sunday. Fans of the celebrities will also have an opportunity to meet their favourites and get autographs.
And for those who have yet to experience the Sepang International Circuit, a special All-Wheel Fest offers those with non-motorized vehicles (bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, long boards, pushbikes, push scooters, etc) to take a spin around the 2.7-km track that has been host to Formula 1 races in the past. There will also be a Zumba session for fitness aficionados.
At the specially built street circuits in various parts of the country, spectators have been able to be close to the racing action.
It has always been Toyota’s objective from the onset to contribute to and bring about greater excitement in Malaysian motorsports. “The Vios Challenge continues to evolve every year since we started the series in 2017. We established and until today, retain the format of a one-make series to make it affordable and accessible for those who want to compete,” said Mr. Ravindran.
“To attract more new and young drivers to drive at a competitive level, we have even invested in the GAZOO Racing Young Driver Development Program to enable those between the ages of 15 and 20 to transition into saloon car racing from karting or simulator racing, and we have even introduced a Rookie Class for young drivers in the Vios Challenge race,” he added.
Toyota GAZOO Racing’s focus on attracting young talent has since paid off handsomely when a 15-year-old became overall champion in the Sporting Class for amateurs in Season 3. An expert in simulator racing a simulator who was a graduate of the Young Driver Development Program and champion in the Rookie Class is becoming one of the most competitive drivers not only in the Vios Challenge as well as other local racing series. Other graduates of the program are also currently among the leading contenders in other local racing series.
Second batch of students at the GR Young Talent Development Program sharpening their skills on simulators.
For those who are unable to race but still want to be intimately involved in the Vios Challenge, there is the GAZOO Racing Dream Team TGR Fantasy Game. This is a racing platform where players sign up and compete against each other by creating their very own TGR Dream Team of racers they think will perform best throughout the season. Participants will have to select 3 drivers from each of the 4 classes of racing, and their team will accumulate or lose points based on the real racing results throughout the 3 rounds in Season 5. The player with the most number of points will be declared the winner at the end of the season for a chance to win attractive prizes.
“This is what we mean by the People’s Race – it is not only intended to change the dynamics in the local motor racing, but it is also a Festival to celebrate the people and hopefully entice them to learn, understand and appreciate motorsports as we do with traditional sporting events such as soccer and badminton,” Mr. Ravindran said.
Starting its third model generation since being introduced in 2009, the BMW X1 range includes a battery electric (BEV) variant for the first time – the iX1. Other electrified models of the range have plug-in hybrid powertrains and there are also petrol and diesel engine choices.
The new iX1 xDrive30 is the BMW Group’s first premium compact model based on a flexible vehicle architecture to feature an all-electric drive system. It has one electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear to power all four wheels and deliver xDrive performance. Total system output is 313 ps with up to 494 Nm of torque.
Interaction between the two motors is enhanced by a unique drive torque control which is interlinked with the DSC and the AWD-specific version of the near-actuator wheel slip limitation function.
5th generation BME eDrive technology
The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology uses a 64.7 kWh high-voltage battery pack positioned flat within the vehicle’s underbody. The battery’s high energy density and the drive system’s efficiency achieve combined power consumption of 18.4 – 17.3kWh per 100 kms and can cover a driving range claimed to be up to 438 kms.
Combined Charging Unit
The Combined Charging Unit in the iX1 enables single and 3-phase AC charging up to 11 kW, optionally increased to 22 kW. This allows the battery to be fully recharged from empty in 6.5 hours as standard, or 3 hours 45 minutes as an option. DC recharging at up to 130 kW is claimed to raise the energy level from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes, or increase range by 120 kms in 10 minutes.
An optimised cooling strategy for DC charging improves the durability of the battery. Alternating phases of full and partial cooling power are used to prevent cell temperatures dropping too low during fast charging, shortening charging times and reducing ageing.
BMW IconicSounds Electric
As with other BMW BEV models, there’s BMW IconicSounds Electric which treats drivers to soundscapes developed as part of a collaboration between the BMW Group and 2-time Academy Award-winning film score composer, Hans Zimmer. The character of the sound alters according to the vehicle setting. A drive sound emitted externally at low speeds helps to protect pedestrians by making them aware that the car is approaching.
Larger dimensions
The surface treatment, lines and exterior design details of the iX1 display its Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) identity more clearly than before. Distinctive design features include the stretched silhouette, almost square wheel arch contours and the signature BMW X model styling of the front and rear ends. When viewed from the rear, the slim tailgate window, horizontal lines, striking LED lights and flared wheel arches produce the typical SAV look.
At the centre of the new front end design stands the large, almost square BMW kidney grille, its contouring highlighted by the three-dimensional chrome surround. The grille bars are finished in Black high-gloss as standard. In the outer areas of the lower air intake, large chrome strips accentuate the classy design of the front end.
The X1 bodyshell is larger than its predecessor – by 53 mm in length to 4500mm, 24 mm in width to 1845 mm and 44 mm in height to 1642mm. The wheelbase of 2692 mm is 22 mm longer than before, while track widths have increased by 31 mm at the front and rear.
More space, optimised comfort
With the enlarged body, there are more generous amounts of space. Key features include the slender instrument panel, a stage for the BMW Curved Display, and a ‘floating’ armrest with integral controls. The raised seating position also provides the commanding view which is one of the reasons why many people like SAVs. The newly developed seats offer optimised comfort over long distances and extended functionality, with their prominent bolsters and adjustability of seat angle and depth.
The BMW Curved Display is framed by solid-looking trim pieces which extend out to the doors. Four interior trim variants, including the new open-pore fine eucalyptus wood and Aluminium Hexacube for the M Sport model, allow owners to individualise the design.
With a glass surface measuring around one square metre, the panoramic glass sunroof floods the interior of the iX1 with light and can also allow fresh air in. The roller blind cover for the glass roof now has a multi-layer design and is also electrically operated.
The fore-and-aft adjustment of the rear seat bench and triple-split backrest provides variability in the cabin configuration. The rear seat can be moved forward up to 13 cm, allowing boot capacity to expand from 540 litres to 1,600 litres.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM), a 2-time winner of the Jaguar Land Rover Retailer of the Year (Asia Pacific) Award, recently upgraded its showroom at Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor. And the flagship showroom now has two extra ‘staff’ too – Robot Assistants!
Personalisation studio
The upgrading reflects JLRM’s ongoing strategy to reimagine the future by providing modern luxury to customers. As part of this journey forward, the Ara Damansara showroom offers bespoke capabilities with its personalisation studio. This includes a full-colour palette along with trim and upholstery materials for customers to touch and feel, as well as a detailed configurator which allows for customised specification of special-order vehicles.
Customers will be able to configure their vehicles in line with their preferred specifications, and have it visually simulated on a 75-inch screen based on the colour and specifications selected.
The introduction of the two Robot Assistants demonstrates JLRM’s efforts to embrace customer-facing autonomous service. The robots are part of a collaboration between JLRM and Secure Robotics, a leading provider of modern technologies in Malaysia.
Equipped with wireless internet connectivity, laser radar sensors, GPS and voice, facial and image recognition, the robots provide a novel experience for customers as well as allowing for better human resource management for the company.
The showroom has two Robot Assistants to welcome and help visitors. They are pictured with [from left] Kelvin Chuah, Head of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia; and Dato’ Alby Chong, Group Chairman, Secure Group.“As part of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia’s digital transformation, the introduction of the robot marks the next step in raising the bar for customer experiences. Furthermore, as Malaysia transitions into the endemic stage, the robot also allows for customer interaction with a reduced risk of transmission. There are wide applications for technologically-driven autonomous services such as this and we look forward to exploring this further,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.
“In line with our strategy to reimagine the future, we strive to offer modern luxury through unique customer experiences. The partnership with Secure Robotics provides the opportunity to leverage on advanced technology. We are piloting the robots at our Ara Damansara showroom and aim to continue this collaborative journey to expand our capabilities and further elevate the automotive experience for our customers,” added Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia.
Customers can personalise their vehicle with the bespoke services available at the showroom.
Enhancing the experience for visitors
Alongside the enhancement of services and elevated personalisation infrastructure for vehicles, JLRM is also currently developing a digital refreshment order management programme. Customers will be able to review menus and place orders through a digital platform at a designated dining area.
With these technologies in place, JLRM expects to further improve the customer experience for both purchasing and ownership at the showroom which is presently the largest Jaguar Land Rover facility in Southeast Asia.
For more information or directions to the showroom at Sime Darby Motors City (or other showrooms in Malaysia, visit www.jaguar.com.my or www.landrover.com.my.
