[UPDATED] Max Verstappen is on pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix tomorrow, after an incident with Lando Norris was investigated and the Stewards decided to give him only a reprimand rather than any penalty which would affect his qualifying position.
If the Formula 1 teams were looking forward to a more comfortable environment after hot and humid F1 round in Singapore, they have been drenched again at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan where Round 18 of the Formula 1 World Championship is being held this weekend. But at least it’s cooler (low 20s compared to Singapore’s 30s) and certainly less humid (57% in Japan, 88% in Singapore).
Like Singapore, the Japanese Grand Prix could not be run during the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So instead of being the 38th Japanese F1 GP, it is the 36th time since 1976. Other than 2007 and 2008 when the Japanese event was held at the Fuji Raceway, the Suzuka International Racing Course (owned by Honda) has been the venue since 1987.
It’s not often that the auto industry gets what it asks for during Budget time but for Budget 2023, the Finance Ministry has at least given one more year (to the end of 2024) for the full duty exemption on battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Last year, the exemption period announced was only for 2022 and 2023, with an extension until the end of 2025 for those models which are assembled locally.
It’s not as long as what the car companies wish for but it’s probably better than nothing. The point is that while a number of companies are now importing BEVs, the sales numbers are not exactly big even if the vehicles are ‘affordable’. The prices of BEVs are still high, even without any tax imposed, and proper ones (we’re not talking about the cheap 2-seater minis from China) are still in the region of RM150,000.
Honda has revealed the exterior and interior styling of its Prologue battery-electric vehicle (BEV) that will go on sale in North America in 2024. The model, with a SUV bodystyle, is one of the two BEVs which the Japanese carmaker will co-develop with GM.
GM will supply its flexible global BEV platform powered by its proprietary Ultium batteries, and also build the BEVs at its plants in North America. The second model is planned for launch in 2027, by which time the companies will be looking at the start of ‘global production of millions of BEVs.
Minsoon has been one of the longest authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers in Malaysia, having begun its association with the German brand as far back as 1968. Just as the brand has evolved and moved upwards, so too has Minsoon and the new Minsoon Star Autohaus in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, reflects this.
Officially opened today, the dealership’s new location at Seremban 2 has closer proximity to the existing and potential affluent residents of the town as well as those in new townships in the area. Additionally, the Autohaus is situated close to the North-South Expressway, so it is also easily accessible by Mercedes-Benz owners who may be passing by.
Just two months after introducing the all-new Next Generation Ford Ranger, and just two weeks after introducing the all-new Ford Everest, Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has officially taken the wraps off the all-new Next Generation Ford Ranger Raptor.
The all-new Ranger Raptor is one of the most highly anticipated new trucks to be launched in recent times. Hailed as the ultimate performance variant of the all-new Ford Ranger, the new Raptor is said to be built to dominate the wilderness, master the mountains and rule everywhere in between.
What’s new with the engine?
At the heart of the new Raptor lays a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre Ecoboost V6 petrol powered engine. Mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic gearbox, the new powertrain produces a monumental 397PS at 5,650rpm and 583Nm of torque at just 3,500rpm.
The engine is not only a powerhouse in every sense of the word, but is also a technological wonder. It is built using a compacted graphite-iron cylinder block and is said to be 75% stronger and up to 75% stiffer than the iron used in traditional engine castings.
The engine also features some motorsport derived technologies such as a new “race-bred” anti-lag system which keeps the twin-turbos spooling for up to three seconds after the drivers lets go of the throttle. This is to ensure there is absolutely no turbo lag and power is delivered instantaneously when the driver demands for it.
The suspension and shock absorbers are the most advanced ever!
As for the chassis and suspension, Ford’s engineers didn’t hold back. The shock absorbers and suspension have been completely redesigned for strength and weight enhancement. The upper and lower control arms have been strengthened and lightened. The suspension offers long travel at the front and back and a Watt’s link rear end offer better control to the driver across extreme terrains and at high speed.
Also managing suspension duties are two-pairs of FOX shocks. The new shocks are said to be the most sophisticated ever on a Ranger Raptor, and feature a 2.5-inch Live Valve Internal Bypass technology to enhance ride comfort and handling. Not only that but the shocks are also filled with Teflon-infused oil that reduces friction by as astounding 50% compared to the FOX shocks on the previous Raptor. The shocks also feature predictive technology that utilises cutting-edge position-sensitive damping capability that can predict suspension movement based on driving style, and the terrain.
And if you are wondering, Ford didn’t forget about bottoming-out in case of high-speed jumps. To protect against that, the shocks come with FOX Bottom-Out Control that provides maximum damping force in the last 25% of shock travel. Similarly, the shocks can also automatically stiffen the rear dampers to prevent the Raptor from squatting under hard acceleration.
The chassis too is said to be upgraded with a series of new mounts and reinforcements for body elements such as the C-pillar, the cargo bed and also offer unique frames for the jounce bumper, shock tower and rear shock bracket. All of this has been designed to help the all-new Raptor cope with punishing off-road conditions, and to keep up with the masses of power.
Filled with electronic goodies …
The all-new Raptor comes with a 4×4 electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) system that has been upgraded. This is not new technology, but the system in the Raptor offers an all-new electronically controlled on-demand two-speed transfer case with four settings – 2WD, 4WD Auto, 4WD High and 4WD Low. The system also further adds a front locking differential to complement the rear locking differential for ultimate control on demanding terrains.
Complementing that is a new updated Terrain Management System that offers seven selectable drive modes. In addition to the ‘Baja’ (pronounced as Baha), that is configured for high-speed off-roading. The other modes available are Normal, Sport, Slippery for on-road driving and Rock Crawl, Sand and Mud/Ruts.
Each mode adjusts multiple elements in the Raptor from engine and gear shifts, ABS sensitivity and calibration, traction and stability controls, exhaust valve actuation, steering and throttle response, and even changes the design of the instrument cluster depending on the mode selected.
Sounds great!
The new Raptor stays true to the motorsport theme with an all-new class-exclusive active exhaust system that amplifies engine performance but also changes the engine sound according to the selected mode. Available in four modes – Quiet, Normal, Sport and Baha – Ford says that the all-new Raptor can either purr or roar at the press of a button.
What about the design and interior features?
A Raptor can never be a Raptor without some wild aesthetics, and the all-new Raptor stays true to that with massive flared arches that enhance the width of the car. And in case the competition does not know what smoked them, bold F-O-R-D lettering and a bumper that is separated from the grille will remind them.
The 17-inch alloy wheels come wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain KO2 tyres really accentuate the muscular appearance of the Raptor while functional vents, aero features, a rear bumper that angles upwards showing its its 265mm ground clearance, LED lights all around and Ford Performance scuff plates and new cast aluminium side steps enhance the toughness of the Raptor.
The design carries on with the with C-Clamp Matrix LED headlights with dynamic bending lights first seen in the Ranger Wildtrak.
The interior design stays true to the off-road performance and high-energy nature of the exterior. The cabin features new jet fighter sports leather seats that are not only supportive during high speed cornering, but are also electronically adjustable in 10 different ways. The front passenger too gets powered seats.
The interior offers Code Orange accents, leather sports steering wheel with cast magnesium paddle shifters, leather gear know with an e-shifter and amber ambient lighting.
As for entertainment besides the masses of power already available for driving entertainment, the all-new Raptor also comes with a fully-digital cabin with a new high-resolution 12.4-inch TFT cluster display and a 12-inch centre touchscreen loaded with Ford’s SYNC 4 entertainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a Bang & Olufsen sound system with eight-speakers. There are also four USB charging ports, a wireless Qi charger and a 360-degree camera.
As for safety features, the all-new Raptor is fitted with a whole suite of active and advanced driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and lane centring, emergency stop signal, blind sport infotainment system (BLIS) and high beam assist, reverse brake assist, evasive steer assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Topping off the safety tech are seven airbags around the driver, front passenger, sides, curtains and driver’s knee.
As for the price, SDAC shocked the local market by announcing the new Ford Ranger Raptor will cost just RM259,888, which is an absolute bargain considering the features you are getting.
Perodua’s deliveries in the third quarter of 2022 increased as the automotive supply chain continues to improve and more vehicles can be completed. The Malaysian carmaker delivered a total of 69,011 units nationwide, an increase of 5% compared to the volume for the second quarter of the year.
Commenting on the improvement, Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, said: “The increase in registration in this quarter shows that most of the major issues within the automotive supply chain have normalised. It is now time to further improve on production as we need to reduce the waiting period for our valued customers.,”
