Lamborghinis are not a common sight (well, perhaps in some Middle Eastern countries) and it is a rare sight to see many gathered at one spot. But the Lamborghini Owners Malaysia (LOM) club managed to assemble up to 112 of the supercars at a carpark near the KLCC to set a national record. It beat the record of 77 units that had been set in May 2013 at the same location.
For their effort, LOM received a certificate confirming the new record which will now be listed in the Malaysia Book of Records.
“This milestone in our club’s history also marks our ode to the legendary Lamborghini brand, which celebrates beauty and performance, infused by an indomitable spirit,” said Roslan Rosdi, President of LOM.
The record-breaking gathering was not only joined by existing members of LOM but also Lamborghini owners who are keen to be part of the expanding club. The biggest challenge for the attempt was getting all owners, many of whom are busy businessmen, to take time to join the event. “Our members however are more than happy to gather for a good cause,” said Dato’ Rakesh Sachdev, LOM Organising Committee Chairperson.
The models assembled ranged from vintage and rare Lamborghinis such as the Gallardo Malaysia Limited Edition (of which only 20 were ever produced) and Murcielago, along with more modern ones like the Huracan Spyder, Aventador SVJ and Urus SUV.
Following the celebration at the carpark adjacent to the Mandarin Oriental hotel, a convoy of over 100 Lamborghinis left at about 1 pm to head for Bukit Tinggi. It was, unofficially, the longest single line of Lamborghinis in a convoy. On the hilltop resort, the owners and other guests enjoyed the Bulls Ball and a one-night stay at the La Chateau Spa & Wellness Resort.
Race starts at 3 pm in Azerbaijan/7 pm in Malaysia
After the tight and twisty streets of Monaco in the previous round of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship, the teams again face the challenge of any urban circuit. It’s the Baku City Circuit for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Round 8 of the championship, which has been a venue every year since 2016 except in 2020 when the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Like Monaco, Baku is also along a coast, in this case by the Caspian Sea. Its Old Town has twists and turns and the close barriers of a regular street circuit, which is one type of challenge for the drivers. Then there are also long and wide open boulevards which feed into a number of 90˚ corners, offering many overtaking opportunities.
The cornering speeds and gears used by the drivers of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS racing car at the Baku City Circuit.
The length of the high-speed straight, however, pushes teams towards a low-downforce set-up, potentially making the streets of the Old Town section even more treacherous. Setting up a racing car for Baku is therefore a tricky task. Teams will look for a compromise in the setup, similar to Spa-Francorchamps, where reducing drag without losing too much downforce is a key consideration.
The tarmac on the Baku City Circuit is very smooth, and some sections of it are re-laid annually to completely cover the old town’s cobblestones. Furthermore, the tight confines of the buildings around the circuit mean that there are alternate areas of light and shade, varying the track temperature quite a bit around the lap.
Getting tyres up to temperature can be tough due to the very low average steer angle, which results in very little energy being put into the tyres. Teams have to rely more on the heat from braking to keep tyres warm since not as much energy is generated in the corners as at other circuits.
For this round, Pirelli has brought the three softest tyres in its range. This is the same selection as was made for the same event last year, but the compounds and constructions are completely new for 2022.
“Until Jeddah came along, Baku was the fastest street circuit of the year. But the demands of this city track are still relatively low, as none of the corners take a huge amount of energy out of the tyres due to the low levels of abrasion and contained lateral loads – which means that we can have the same nomination as Monaco,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s Motorsport Director.
Since the track is 6 kms long with 10 braking sections, the brakes are used for 20.5 seconds per lap: this may sound a lot but is only 20% of the entire race compared with 21% of the Monaco GP and 22% of the Singapore GP.
In the Drivers’ Championship, third place in Monaco means Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has a 9-point lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who finished fourth in the last round. Victory in Monaco has put Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s team mate, just 6 points behind Leclerc. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull, with 235 points, now lead Ferrari by 36 points.
Since the first race (as the European GP) in 2016, Mercedes-AMG has won 3 times, making it the most successful team in Baku. Red Bull is next with two wins. No driver has managed a repeat win in Baku and last year’s winner, Sergio Perez, will certainly be aiming to go to the top of the podium again.
There are 6 levels (include level 0) of autonomous driving technology established by the US Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and currently, many vehicles are able to offer up to Level 2 but the driver must still give attention. Beyond Level 2, the requirement for the driver to be ready to take over control when necessary becomes less. By level 5, the vehicle can operate entirely on its own and the driver can even read a book or watch TV while moving.
For the higher levels to be introduced requires that other elements of the environment around the vehicle must also be ready. For instance, signage must be clear so that the cameras can capture important information and road markings must also be well defined for the vehicle to travel in a precise position.
For this reason, even though there are some vehicles already able to operate at level 4 where driver control is not needed, they can only do so within a limited area of a city or highway. As such, they are currently being used for vehicle-sharing purposes where the public can use them as autonomous transport around the city.
The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is one of the companies that has a vehicle ready to operate with level 4 technology and it will be running a pilot service in the Gangnam area of Seoul, South Korea’s capital city. Called the RoboRide car-hailing service, IONIQ 5 battery electric vehicles (BEV) fitted with the necessary equipment will be used. The pilot RoboRide will be the first car-hailing service with autonomous driving vehicles to operate in Gangnam, one of the most congested areas in metropolitan Seoul.
For the pilot service, the Group has obtained a temporary autonomous driving operation permit from the authorities. It will collaborate with Jin Mobility, a Korean startup operating the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered car-hailing mobility platform ‘i.M.’. Jin Mobility will be in charge of operating the two IONIQ 5 RoboRide units on its i.M application.
HMG also plans to expand the pilot service, while further developing autonomous driving technology with consideration for various conditions, such as driving stability.
“At Hyundai Motor Group, we are developing level 4 autonomous driving technology based on the internally developed Advanced Driving Support System, whose functionally and safety are verified through mass production and successful commercial launch,” said Woongjun Jang, Senior Vice-President and Head of the Autonomous Driving Centre of HMG. “We expect this RoboRide pilot service will be an important inflection point that will enable us to internalize autonomous driving technology.”
Through this pilot PROGRAM, HMG expects to collect valuable autonomous driving data and plans to further develop the level 4 autonomous driving technology to navigate safely and flexibly in complicated urban environments. To prepare for such a complicated driving environment, HMG has also worked with Seoul Metropolitan Government to establish a system that can connect traffic signals with autonomous vehicles.
In addition, an in-house developed remote vehicle assist system will be provided to ensure safety. The system monitors autonomous driving status, vehicle and route, and supports the trip with remote assist functions, such as changing the lane under circumstances where autonomous driving is not feasible. Based on the level 4 autonomous driving technology, a RoboRide vehicle will perceive, make decisions, and control its own driving status, while its safety driver will only intervene under limited conditions.
The RoboRide pilot service will operate from 10 am to 4 pm, Mondays to Fridays, to minimize any possible inconveniences on the road. Up to 3 passengers can be on a ride, and there will be a ‘safety driver’ present in the vehicle as well to respond to any emergencies.
Besides RoboRide, the company has also been conducting a test operation of its RoboShuttle service since August last year. The demand-responsive, high-occupancy vehicle service, powered by autonomous driving and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, operates along a 6.1-km route in Korea’s Sejong Smart City.
RoboShuttle service which has been operating since August 2021.
The pilot operation is conducted using a H350 van equipped with autonomous driving technology. This technology has a range of Level 4-comparable core technologies and is developed in-house by the Autonomous Driving Centre. Based on its self-driving capabilities, the vehicle is designed to perceive its surroundings, make decisions, and control itself while driving on the road, requiring minimal intervention from a safety driver.
While the 911 is today a successful model in Porsche’s range, there was a time in the 1970s when it seemed that it should be retired. Sales began to show decline when the decade started and there was a need for the company to launch an all-new model more oriented towards a grand tourer concept.
A project team came up with a proposal that was truly a clean sheet design, unlike the 911 which could trace its roots all the way back to the Volkswagen Beetle. The new design, which would become the 928, would be Porsche’s first production model with a V8 engine (also its first 8-cylinder engine) and it would also be its only coupe having a V8 engine installed ahead of the driver.
Original 928
The model went on sale in 1977 and would remain in product for the next 18 years. It evolved during the period to become more powerful, with engine displacements that reached 5.4 litres. Just over 61,000 units were sold worldwide between 1977 and 1995 and then Porsche decided to discontinue the model. Economic reasons were given for this move which could well have been partly due to the fact that the 928 did not share parts with other models. Instead, the 911 got a new lease of life and more attention, propelling it to greater prominence in Porsche’s identity.
It is still a sought-after model today and well-kept examples can fetch good prices. Now there is also a way to own a brand new 928 as French company Nardone Automotive is building its own interpretation of the sportscar.
The company’s founder, Thierry Nardone, has long had a passion for the Porsches with a transaxle – which was a feature of the 928. He admired the car for its elegance and timeless style and decided that he would bring it back.
Over the past 3 years, Nardone and his team along with various specialists, has been developing the 928 as a ‘restomod’. The platform is that of a 928 S4 and onto it is placed new bodywork composed entirely of composite materials. The original 928 was one of the early cars to use aluminium on a number of body panels for weight reduction.
The headlights of the Nardone 928 have been modernised but still pop up when needed, just like the original ones (shown in the inset).
While it is recognisable as a 928, there are also certain elements that Nardone has altered. One of these is the headlights which, on the original car, were teardrop-shaped units that flipped up about 45 degrees when in use. The Nardone car also has pop-up headlights but they are LED units with better illuminating power. The rear lights have also been restyled with a full-width light bar.
There were various wheel options for the 928 though the common one was 16 inches with a ‘manhole’ sort of design. Nardone fits newly designed forged 18-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres that are surely a lot better than whatever the original car came with.
The engine is the same V8 with a modern ECU and tuned to deliver up to 400 bhp. That’s about 50 bhp more than the most powerful production 928 sold. The engine is mated to an original 5-speed manual gearbox which has been modified to a 6-speeder. A limited-slip differential is also added.
The chassis setup has a redesigned front and rear axle and spindle, active controlled electronic suspension, increased brakes and adaptive electric power steering.
The interior has been completely revised and raises the level of luxury with Foglizzo leather and Alcantara. The infotainment area incorporates the Porsche Classic Management system (PCCM) combined with a high-end audio system and Apple CarPlay.
While Nardone has not indicated how much the car will cost, it is known that the production number will be small. It will be taking orders during the next year and a half and then start building cars for delivery in 2024.
In 2023, endurance racing will begin a new chapter when the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) prototypes start racing for the first time. This new era will start off officially with the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The event is usually held on the last weekend of January or first weekend of February as part of Speedweeks.
To date, carmakers that have confirmed their participation with LMDh racing cars are Acura, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Alpine and Lamborghini. To that list can be added Cadillac, which may seem unusual as most people don’t associate the American luxury carmaker with motorsports.
However, Cadillac does go racing and some recent achievements include winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2021, 2018 and 2017; winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona 4 times in a row (2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017); and winning the Michelin North American Endurance Cup 4 times (2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017).
The carmaker’s LMDh car is referred to as the Project GTP Hypercar. It is a third-generation prototype racing car from the American brand. In 2023, Cadillac will contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Cadillac will be competing again on the world racing stage, and we are all thrilled to return to Le Mans after 20 years,” said Global Cadillac Vice-President Rory Harvey. “By competing in both the 2023 IMSA and WEC championships, Cadillac Racing has the opportunity to demonstrate its capability, craftsmanship and technology.”
Co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and Dallara, the Project GTP Hypercar incorporates key brand design characteristics. Elements of the brand’s heritage such as vertical lighting and floating blades are present throughout and connect the Project GTP Hypercar to the future of Cadillac.
“The Project GTP Hypercar is a unique convergence of form and function and showcases Cadillac’s future performance aesthetic,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “We have plenty more to come, from the upcoming race car to amazing production vehicles.”
“Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honour,” added Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM Sportscar Racing Program Manager. “The entire team is excited to continue building Cadillac’s racing legacy by competing against the very best internationally and in the world’s toughest race.”
The new racing car will begin on-track testing in the near future. It will be powered by an all-new 5.5-litre DOHC V-8 engine that will be paired to the LMDh common hybrid system. The hybrid system will be composed of systems and components supplied by Bosch, Williams Advanced Engineering and Xtrac. Bosch will supply the motor generator unit (40 kW), while the battery system and control electronics from Williams will go on from below the chassis. The total system output will be limited to 500 kW.
Bosch, Williams Advanced Engineering and Xtrac will supply the systems and components for the common hybrid powertrain used by the LMDh racing cars.
The P1359 gearbox (pictured above) developed by XTrac has a 7-speed transverse arrangement with an integrated motor-generator unit (MGU) driving into the gearbox through an optimised geartrain. The gearbox uses Xtrac’s proven P1254 integrated valve actuator gearchange system. It houses full form ground and Xtrem polished gears and shafts in a magnesium RZ5 casing, which is a structural part of the car taking all of the loads from the rear suspension and rear impact structure, rear wing, and safety wheel tethers.
The gearbox also includes a limited-slip plate differential with an externally gas-charged pre-load and a semi-dry-sump oil system. Integral to the gearbox is a 3-litre engine oil catch tank which simplifies the powertrain installation, and the whole package including the MGU drive, but not including the MGU itself, weighs 78 kgs.
Das WeltAuto is a website where those who are looking for a used Volkswagen vehicle in Malaysia can go to and check out the available models. Launched in September 2019, it is Volkswagen’s global used car program which offers certified used cars for sale.
“What makes Das WeltAuto different from other used car channels is that you can expect the same exceptional level of service as a new car purchase experience from a dealer you can trust, with experienced sales staff who will provide the best advice and maximum transparency. All this from a brand you can rely on – and most importantly, a product you can trust,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM).
To improve the user experience, the website has been refreshed and now presents a more minimalist look. The interface has also been revamped and various new features have been introduced to provide convenience.
Most notably, owners can sell their Volkswagen to authorised dealerships through the ‘Sell Your Car’ function. This completes the Das WeltAuto ecosystem as it now provides both the purchase and sale of certified used Volkswagen cars within the same platform.
The process for ‘Sell Your Car’ is simple as owners only need to submit their vehicle’s details via the website. A preferred dealership will then arrange for a free inspection either at home or on-site before a competitive offer is made. Attractive trade-up support is offered if the owner wants to purchase a new Volkswagen from the dealership.
Another feature is the ‘Nearly New Cars’ section that lists certified cars with less than 12,000 kms mileage and are within a year of the original registration date. These might be company-owned vehicles that have been used as demonstrators and can often be a great deal for buyers as they are almost as good as new.
Das WeltAuto follows Volkswagen’s global know-how, standards and processes so customers are assured of the same level of meticulousness for the used cars as if they were purchasing a brand-new one. All vehicles are accepted for trade-in and will undergo a strict and thorough 133-point check by Volkswagen Technicians.
Peace of mind is also guaranteed as all Das WeltAuto vehicles are fitted with genuine parts (where necessary); are accident-free and flood-free; and come with complete proof of scheduled services at authorised Volkswagen service centres. Purchasers also get a 1-year extended warranty and 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance.
