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Find out how to unleash the full capabilities of your Ford Ranger/Ranger Raptor

You’ve been owning a Ford Ranger for some time, or you’re a new owner who’s just joined the world of trucking… do you want to enjoy your truck to the fullest and do more with it than just being able to carry more durians home? Many truck owners may not be fully aware of the potential and features of their vehicle which has been built tough and very capable.

For such owners, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford (SDAC-Ford) has a special program called ‘Ford Ranger Getaways‘ where Ranger owners can enjoy the outdoor lifestyle trucks permit, and also learn more about using their vehicle in off-road conditions.

Designed for Ranger/Ranger Raptor owners
There are various packages during the year and coming up on March 26 is a 1-day guided session with trained driving instructors covering tarmac and off-road driving scenarios. Held in the district of Sepang in Selangor, it is designed for Ranger and Ranger Raptor owners.

During the session, they will learn valuable tips and tricks on seating and steering methods. They will also have hands-on experience navigating around an autocross course on tarmac, a 4×4 off-road course and a ‘Baja course’ that will showcase the true prowess of the Ranger Raptor, Ford’s performance truck. And to show the high performance of the Ranger Raptor, the participants will be taken around the Baja course with the instructors at high speed. Baja is a region in Southern California where desert races have been held for a long time.

Ranger owners will go through the same modules as the Ranger Raptor experience except for a dirt cornering and drifting course in place of the Baja course and a drifting hot lap with the instructors. Training on both days will begin at 8:30 am from the Sepang International Circuit. A Certificate of Completion will be presented to all participants at the end of the day.

50% discount + 1 companion
Owners can enjoy 50% discount on this Sepang training experience, and each participant can also bring along a companion for free. Interested owners are encouraged to sign up quickly for this one-of-a-kind experience as only limited slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Thanks to its renowned strength, engineering capabilities, smart technologies and increasingly luxurious cabin and passenger vehicle features, customers are choosing a Ranger not just for work, but also for play and family. With our new brand experiential programme ‘Ford Ranger Getaways’, we aim to provide a platform for owners to uncover the full potential and versatility of their Rangers through a series of handpicked local adventures,” said Turse Zuhair, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion-Ford.

Ford Ranger Getaways
‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ is the latest offering under the new ‘Live the Ranger Life’ brand positioning that encapsulates the values and persona of the Ranger. The Ford truck, introduced in the late 1990s, changed public perception of trucks and introduced a new lifestyle for Malaysians to enjoy.

Open to all Ranger and Ranger Raptor customers, ‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ covers a multitude of interest categories to cater to Malaysians from all walks of life who want short local adventures, be it on their own, with friends and family or for those who simply want to meet like-minded individuals.

Each getaway has been thoughtfully curated to reflect the diversity of the Ranger lifestyle – from fun city outings and outdoor or off-road excursions to foodie trails and even flying a plane over KLCC.

To book a slot or find out more, visit shop.sdacford.com.my/getaways. To know more about the Ranger range, visit www.sdac-ford.com.my.

‘Ford Ranger Getaways’ by SDAC-Ford provide owners with ways to enjoy their truck to the fullest

Intelligent Park Pilot – the next step in self-parking car technology (w/VIDEO)

For those who do not like the bother of having to park their cars in a carpark, hotels usually have valets to do the job. But valets may no longer have to do it either as cars will be able to park themselves after the owner has exited. Perhaps the first cars to be able to do so will be from Mercedes-Benz which has developed and begun to demonstrate the capability.

Working with a technology supplier, the German carmaker has developed automated valet parking technology which it calls INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT. The technology is available in the EQS BEV sedan as well as the latest S-Class sold in European markets. In order to enable the car to drive and park itself, it also requires an intelligent infrastructure installed in the parking area.

Sensors installed at the building communicate with the car and guide its manoeuvring through the parking area. This will allow the car to operate in highly automated mode and without a driver, and has the possibility of additional capabilities such as automated EV charging, car wash and vehicle servicing or maintenance where vehicles move in and out of service areas on their own

The automated parking process makes use of a smartphone app and the driver has to first position the car in a designated drop-off area. When activated, the sensor system in the carpark checks whether a suitable space is available or was already reserved for the vehicle. If so, the Automated Valet Parking infrastructure confirms the hand-over of the vehicle for the driver in the app, and the car will depart on its own. It will then be guided with the help of the infrastructure to the designated space.

When the driver requires the car, a request can be sent with the app and the car will be guided to the pick-up area. This will certainly be convenient for owners as it will be unnecessary to walk around the carpark and, for those who may be forgetful, waste time searching for the place where they parked it.

Automated parking technology, which could one day be as common as cruise control, benefits drivers by easing the burden of the parking experience. It may even be possible for carpark operators to cram more cars onto a floor as the spaces can be narrower since there is no need to allow wide gaps for doors to be opened.

“Low-speed manoeuvres are part of the holistic opportunity for automated technology,” said Dr. Kay Stepper, Senior Vice-President of automated driving and driver assistance for Bosch in North America. “Automated technology in the specific use case automated valet parking gets consumers comfortable with how automated technology works and how it can benefit them.”

Engineering teams have been working over the past few years to further develop automated valet parking and support specific testing and deployments around the world. The technology was recently demonstrated at a hotel in Los Angeles, California.

“The demonstration at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown showcases how automated valet parking will operate in a working hotel environment where both automated and non-automated vehicles operate alongside pedestrian traffic,” said Dr. Stepper. “This allows us to dive into the dynamics of local deployments with the use of a highly-connected EQS from Mercedes-EQ to demonstrate how automated technology continues to move forward.”

“Our vision is that getting time back is a key component of the luxury experience our customers are looking for. The EQS gives you time back by driving itself in traffic jams on highways, but with INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT, it may also be able to park itself,” added Dr. Philipp Skogstad, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. “INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT is a feature that together with the required infrastructure enables an automated valet service that gives customers even more comfort and relief in everyday life.”

Long-term Development Cooperation for Automated Driving between Daimler-AG and BMW Group

C&C Autohaus in Ipoh upgraded with latest Mercedes-Benz Brand Presence

Ipoh in the Kinta Valley of Perak was where the first cars in Malaya were imported to and records show that the first owner was Eu Tong Seng, a wealthy businessman who brought in a Mercedes Simplex in 1902. He must have been very interested in the new ‘horseless carriages’ as the Simplex was launched in that same year by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft.

Four years later, in 1906, a company opened up its first branch in Ipoh and this company would become associated with Mercedes-Benz to this day. It was Cycle & Carriage (C&C) and although it was not representing Mercedes-Benz then, it would become one of the first distributors of the German brand in Asia when it was appointed in 1951.

*The latest Mercedes-Benz S 580e at the C&C Autohaus in Ipoh. 120 years ago, in 1902, the first car in Ipoh (and Malaya) was also a Mercedes – the Simplex (below).*

Ipoh is therefore a special place in C&C’s long history and although that first branch was along Brewster Road (today known as Jalan Sultan Idris Shah), the company’s branch dealing in Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles is now located at Jalan Kuala Kangsar. This is where the company has its fourth Autohaus incorporating the latest Mercedes-Benz Brand Presence. The newly upgraded Autohaus, which was recently officially opened, is part of the Mercedes-Benz network for the Northern region.

Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence
The Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence is a retail strategy which highlights the integration of digital elements into the physical world, with the aim of delivering customer-centric automotive retail experiences for modern-day shoppers. This seamless journey for the customer caters to the multi-channel shopper while addressing the increasing technological complexity of products that customers are interested in.

“As the leading dealership for Mercedes-Benz in Malaysia, Cycle & Carriage is committed to providing our customers exceptional journeys and best-in-class services whether it is during their purchase experience or ownership journey. Today, we are proud to showcase the upgraded Cycle & Carriage Ipoh Autohaus, a key location in our network coverage from north to south of Peninsula Malaysia,” said Thomas Tok, CEO of Cycle & Carriage.

“We want to give Mercedes-Benz customers the assurance that they can access our best services here in Ipoh. We believe that the new retail concept responds to the individual needs of today’s discerning customers, making our products even more accessible to anyone who wants to dive deeper into the world of Mercedes-Benz,” he added.

Immersive experience for customers
The modern design of the upgraded Cycle & Carriage Ipoh Autohaus is set against a backdrop of the picturesque limestone cliffs of the city. The facility covers a land area of over 56,000 square feet with ample space for visitors to park their cars. The showroom has been specially designed with ample open space and custom daylight-emitting spotlights to show off the true colours of each model on display. All vehicles are intentionally arranged in the shape of an arc to maximise the visibility of the range available.

Visitors can also immerse themselves in a journey featuring the latest in multimedia tools to gain a thorough understanding of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and their technologies. With the addition of new digital touchpoints, customers can discover the brand while gaining access to the service team for a complete experience of luxury that integrates both the digital and human touch.

For individual consultations, there are various seating locations arranged in open, semi-private or private areas for discussions. This includes the Star Lounge, which has a cafe to offer a more refined touch to many services available.

For those who have made a purchase and are taking delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz, there is a special room for the purpose. C&C makes sure that it is treated as a special occasion for the customer to remember and to start or extend the relationship with the company and the brand.

Fully equipped service centre
For aftersales services, the Autohaus has a service centre with trained personnel and is fully equipped with equipment for maintenance, repair, painting and even car detailing services. With 31 service and repair bays (11 of which are for body and paint jobs), the service centre is one of the largest of its type in the area. The health and comfort of the staff are not forgotten as there are high ceilings and large fans for a naturally airy space.

Designed with sustainability in mind
The Autohaus is designed with sustainability in mind and is the second C&C Autohaus (after the one in Johor Bahru) to install solar panels that can provide up to 72 kWp of electricity from sunshine. In addition to this free and environment-friendly source of electricity, there are also rainwater-harvesting systems to supply water for general use around the facility.

To know more about Mercedes-Benz products and services or to locate an authorised showroom, visit www.mercedes-benz.com.my.

First Mercedes-Benz Original Tyres & Rims Boutique in Malaysia

The Electric Mustang by Charge

‘Electrification’ is the probably the most heavily-used word in the auto industry today. Increasingly stringent emission regulations as well as commitments to become carbon-neutral to address climate change have forced carmakers to accelerate development and production of electric vehicles. Ford is even creating a specific business unit just for electric vehicles. The aim is to fully electrify their product lines by the end of the decade and for some, sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines will cease.

In tandem with this trend, there is also a growing industry where old models are being ‘electrified’. Classic models are having ‘heart transplants’ with their original engines being replaced by electric powertrains. It’s a slowly growing industry which will help preserve classic models of special value and allow them to be driven even in the new era of electrification.

We’ve already written about companies like Everrati and Lunaz carrying out such conversions and another British company called Charge Cars is also getting into the business. The company has an experienced engineering team with members who have contributed to various projects for McLaren Automotive, Jaguar Land Rover and F1 racing teams.

The company has announced its latest ‘restomod’ project to build EVs which is a 499-unit production run of the iconic 1960s Ford Mustang. While some other companies require an existing body and chassis to convert, Charge Cars takes an officially licensed body with the design of the legendary Mustang. The bodyshell (in the fastback style of 1967) is made of composite material but has the necessary engineering to ensure that it is safe and can meet safety requirements for road use.

It’s something like what ACE (a subsidiary of EON) used to do with the TD2000, a model which had the looks of a 1950s MG sportscar but a modern powertrain and chassis. The powertrain was not electric and was a 2-litre petrol engine sourced from Toyota similar to that found in the early RAV4.

So Charge Car basically builds a new Mustang with the 1960s design and fits an electric powertrain into it. It gets two electric motors which presumably are installed at the front and rear as all-wheel drive is mentioned, something which the Mustang has never had. The total system output is 500 kW (equivalent to 680 ps) and up to 1,500 Nm, so it should easily get from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) within the claimed 3.9 seconds. The battery pack, which can be fast-charged, has a capacity of 64 kWh which is said to be good for up to 320 kms.

Charge Car will personalize the 2-person interior to customers’ requirements and there are various options and accessories to choose from. While the original Mustang had classic meters, the Mustang EV has digital instruments and a tablet-like centre panel which looks like the same idea as in the latest Mustang Mach-E e-SUV.

Each unit, which would be handbuilt, will cost upwards of £350,000 (about RM1.94 million) ex-factory. Orders are now being taken and the first customers will get their cars by the end of this year or early in 2023.

All-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E debuts in Los Angeles, priced from around RM183,000

The Alpine A4810 Project by IED

Alpine, a brand within the Renault Group, has many talented designers who regularly come out with new models. The designers have a deep understanding of the DNA and traditional characteristics of the brand that was founded in 1955. Occasionally, Alpine also looks outside the company for new ideas and collaborating with IED (Istituto Europeo di Design), the well known design school in Italy, they have been presented with a supercar concept by 28 Masters students studying Transportation Design. The student-led project came up with a hydrogen-powered, 2-seater supercar, based on a brief from the Alpine design team.

High performance, low environmental impact
Alpine challenged the students to design a ‘super berlinette’ for 2035. The supercar was to be a high-performing vehicle both in terms of performance and environmental impact. After the brief was given last year, students worked individually to come up with their own interpretation and present it to the brand.

Alpine then selected a combination of the two main ideas. Based on the two selected proposals, the young designers created the ‘A4810 Project by IED’. During the design phase, the students sought to combine vision and innovation, without losing sight of the traditional roots of the Alpine brand.

Berlinetta of the future
The A4810 Project by IED explores the experimental combination of the shape of a berlinette with a hydrogen powertrain. While the engine and fuel tanks are built like those on a typical hypercar, the subtraction process is proof of strong innovation. The design alternates between empty and full spaces, giving the vehicle a lightweight look and aerodynamic features inspired by Formula 1 models.

The A4810, which provides a glimpse into the future supercars, embraces next-generation technologies while and is also environmentally friendly. It enables Alpine to broaden its horizons to new generations of designers and drivers, and raise awareness of the innovative project presented by talented students.

The French spirit has been skillfully preserved; while avoiding the pitfalls of unnecessary formal elements, the young designers focussed on the overlapping layers and sculptural aspects of the car’s silhouette. The bi-tone colours, matte black, and carbonfibre highlights create a bold contrast with each part of the car, making them stand out according to their function – aerodynamic, mechanical, or merely formal.

Multinational team of students
The team of students from European countries as well as the USA, India, Taiwan, China, Mali and the Dominican Republic used digital tools for their design work. By incorporating hydrogen power supply, it means that they developed a full-fledged concept that is almost ready to take to the roads of a much more sustainable future – without atmosphere-damaging emissions.

Furthermore, they chose a name that conveyed the brand’s legacy. In fact, ‘4810’ is the height (in metres) of the Mont Blanc – the highest and most emblematic peak in the Alps that sits at the border between Italy and France, like a bridge connecting IED and Alpine. The brand, Alpine, is named after the very same mountains and evokes the joy of driving along their winding roads.

“Collaboration with IED and its students has been a great experience. It was a ‘filter’ for us to see the brand through the eyes of the younger generation, but it was also an opportunity to share our passion and know-how, and give them sound advice for a successful career in automotive design,” said Antony Villain, Alpine Design Director.

F1/Round 1: Highlights and Provisional Results of 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix

The first race of the new Formula 1 season started as the sun disappeared and the lights came on around the Bahrain International Circuit in the Sakhir Desert. Unusually, there was no car with the Mercedes star at the front row, and it was a red Ferrari with Charles Leclerc in it occupying pole position. Alongside Leclerc was Max Verstappen, the World Champion, and his arch-rival was further back in the fifth spot – ironically alongside his former team mater, Valtteri Bottas who is now in Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN.

As the lights went green for the first time in the 2022 season, Leclerc used his position to sprint forward ahead of Verstappen as the rest of the pack followed. While Hamilton managed to move up a couple of positions, his old buddy Bottas lost ground and fell further back before Turn 2.

The two Haas drivers were not having an easy time getting into the ‘groove’ as Kevin Magnussen locked up his tyres and Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, who had fallen down to seventh (due to a poor start), got past him, while Mick Schumacher had an ‘incident’ with BWT Alpine’s Esteban Ocon which got the attention of the Stewards. The latter was given a 5-second penalty but both cars were able to remain in the race.

By the time the first tenth of the 57-lap race had passed, Leclerc and Verstappen were steadily pulling away from the rest, separated from each other by about 2 seconds. Third place was being contested by three drivers – Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Hamilton and Perez, while Geroge Russell was pushing hard to get closer to his new team mate in the Mercedes-AMG team.

On lap 8, it appeared than McLaren’s Lando Norris was pushed wide by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (which also caused Daniel Ricciardo to have to go wide) and after the Stewards looked into the incident, it was decided that no action or penalty was necessary.

By lap 13, Verstappen and Hamilton were frustrated with quickly diminishing grip from their tyres as degradation was faster than expected. Hamilton chose to come in for a change to Hards. When he rejoined, he was down to 11th and then 12th when the Alfa Romeo of newcomer Zhou sped past him – but he was ahead of the 7-time World Champion only briefly.

Other drivers began to come in after that, with Leclerc – still leading – coming in on lap 16 together with Perez. However, where the Ferrari driver switched to Softs, Perez got Mediums. Leclerc’s departure from the track was short and quick and he kept his lead position but with less than a second’s separation from Verstappen as he rejoined.

Once Hamilton got his tyres warmed up, he began to move up but it was a long way to the leaders who were about 18 seconds away. He made it up to fifth and then there was a 5-second gap to Perez which was going to need a lot of effort to close. Russell was next in line but 7 seconds behind and steadily working his way forward, mindful of Magnussen pursuing.

On lap 19, Verstappen made a strong effort going into Turn 1 but miscalculated and locked up, not making t pass the Ferrari. In the process, he flat-spotted his tyres and had to back off a bit to let the brakes cool down as well. While he was doing that, the other Ferrari driver, Sainz, was moving closer but had to watch out for the other Red Bull as well.

As the race reached the halway point about 50 minutes after the start, Hamilton came into the pits to switch to Mediums. As he rejoined, he slotted between Pierre Gasly and Ocon to take eighth place. The other drivers who had also come in a second time to change tyres were Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda.

Verstappen came in on lap 31 and Ferrari brought Leclerc in right after that. The pitstops dropped the Dutchman to fourth and Leclerc to third, while Sainz inherited the lead with Perez about 3 seconds behind.

On lap 34, Sainz and Perez departed from the race to get their tyres changed and Leclerc got back his lead, with Verstappen 2 seconds behind and told by his team that he could go all out.

By lap 38, the frontrunners were encountering the slower cars and Sainz had a scare as he passed Alexander Albon and the Williams driver almost collided with him. Actually, the Thai driver was not up to speed as he had just come out from the pit lane. However, no contact occurred and the Ferrari managed to quickly speed away.

The two McLarens were way down the field (almost at the end), unable to move up and Lando Norris tried to do with just one stop but couldn’t, while Ricciardo was having problems with his radio. Tsunoda was trying his best to keep his tenth place as Alonso kept trying to take it from him.

Magnussen was showing that Haas should never have dropped him and given his place to Nikita Mazepin who didn’t do anything positive for the team in 2021. On his first race back with the team, he was able to move into a secure seventh by 15 laps from the end, almost certain to collect points that Haas never saw at all last year.

On lap 46, as Verstappen was reporting steering problems, Gasly’s car suddenly caught fire and he quickly pulled to the side and managed to get out safely. The Safety Car was quickly sent out to lead the racing cars and Leclerc took the opportunity to get into the pits, switch to Softs and have fresh tyres to fight better in the remaining 11 laps. As he sped back to take his place, he almost rammed into the Safety Car! Unhappy that the Mercedes-AMG was not going fast enough, Leclrc complained to his team, hoping they would pass on the message that it must go quicker and not cause him a ‘big disadvantage’.

The Safety Car came in on lap 50 and Leclerc was ready to slingshot away from the Red Bull which was just behind. However, Verstappen could not focus too much on the car ahead as he had another Ferrari in his mirrors as well. Perez and Hamilton were also jostling for fourth and perhaps in desperation, Hamilton almost collided with the other car.

Verstappen’s race ended suddenly as he pulled into the pits on lap 55 and the last conversation heard over the radio was something about the battery, which his engineer said was not the problem. He had been having steering problems but was not informed what exactly was the fault.

The departure of Verstappen left the way open for Sainz to close in on his team mate and give Ferrari not just its first win since September 2019 but also a 1-2 finish. Perez also began having loss of power and before he could get around Turn 1, his car spun and the other cars had to avoid it. For Hamilton, at least the sudden retirement of the Rd Bulls allowed him to get onto the podium, while Russell finished just behind in fourth. That’s racing… it isn’t decided till the finish line is crossed by someone.