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Sono Motors to start selling Sion solar energy vehicle from 2023, priced from 28,500 euros (about RM132,000)

Most of today’s motor vehicles are powered by engines which run on fossil fuels – petrol, diesel, natural gas – and apart from causing pollution from the exhaust gases that are by-products of combustion, there is also the problem of diminishing fuel supplies. The fuels come from deep underground and were formed millions of years ago from dead plants, dinosaurs and other living creatures. So there is a specific quantity of these fuels underground and while there are varying predictions on how long they will last, the fact is they will eventually be finished.

The auto industry has understood this for a long time and has searched for alternative fuels to use, preferably those which can be renewable. At this time, some approaches using electricity and hydrogen are already in use in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and while they are not necessarily the answers, they are helping to slow down the rate of consumption of fossil fuels so that new technologies can be developed that do not need such fuels.

Sunshine has energy too and technologies have already been developed to collect sunshine and convert to electricity which can be used for various purposes, like water heaters in the home or powering machinery at factories. It used to also be a dream to be able to use solar energy to power cars but the technology has been slow to advance, and it takes a huge amount of conversion to generate enough electricity for such a purpose as propulsion.

Nevertheless, the technology has reached a stage today where it is possible to at least use sunshine for cars though not necessarily directly powering the electric motors. The electricity that is converted from sunshine can go into a storage battery which then provides electricity for the motors to run. There are a number of manufacturers which have already developed prototypes and some are on the verge of commercializing them for sale to the public.

Sono Motors, based in Germany, is one of the companies with a solar energy vehicle (SEV) almost ready to be delivered to customers. In fact, its SEV known as Sion has entered the validation stage this month with over 30 units to undergo real-world testing in Europe and the USA. The company plans to start producing 43,000 cars a year and the total production volume is expected to be 257,000 units over a 7-year period. The former SAAB factory in Sweden will be used as the production facility.

The Sion has been a dream of the Sono Motors founders for at least 10 years, but they only started crowdfunding to implement a project in 2016 and 2017 where they collected over 2 million euros (about RM9.25 million). By January 2021, they presented their first prototype of the Sion with the design that will be used for the production model.

While the design is fairly conventional, key to the technical aspect (as with any electric vehicle) is the battery pack to power the 120 kW electric motor. Sono Motors has opted for a more powerful 54 kWh battery for the Sion which is a lithium iron phosphate type (pictured above) considered to be one of the safest on the market, and also does not use cobalt, nickel and manganese. It is expected to have a lifespan of up to 3,000 cycles, or up to 900,000 kms. The battery can be recharged quickly at outlets of up to 75 kW.

A total range of up to 305 kms is claimed, with additional range provided by the solar panels which is a weekly average of 112 kms (245 kms per week at peak). There are 248 solar cells on the roof which can generate peak power of up to 1.2 kW.

“The growing EV market is generating enormous demand for longer-lasting, more sustainable batteries. This enhanced battery enables Sion drivers to extend the time between charges, whilst reducing the charging time itself. This effectively optimizes the Sion to deliver easy and affordable sustainable mobility for everyone,” said Markus Volmer, Chief Technology Officer at Sono Motors.

The company has also developed its own wall charging station or Wallbox which will be affordably priced. Being bi-directional, it can be used for home charging of the Sion as well as for supplying electricity from the car for use in the home or even to transfer to the local power grid. The Sion is thus a mobile powerplant that can not only reduce costs for home-owners but can also provide power during emergencies when supply is cut.

Older motorists will recall the days when they used to carry out simple maintenance tasks themselves. Today, however, there is less to do and most of the time, maintenance is done at service centres. Sono Motors intends to bring back the ‘DIY culture’ with the Sion to keep running and repair costs as low as possible. Standard replacement parts can be changed by the owner but for work involving high-voltage parts (which can have some risk), owners will be advised to send their car to authorized service centres.

The interior has a simple functional layout like any of today’s hatchbacks. Two tablet-style displays provide information on the car’s operation as well as the infotainment system. A unique design feature on the dashboard is the insertion of Icelandic moss, said to offer certain health benefits. The owner can connect to the car via Apple Carplay or Android Auto, and the Sono app allows remote control of the air-conditioning system or to check the battery status.

If everything goes according to plan, the first customers will get their cars sometime in 2023. To date, the company says over 15,000 orders have been received (along with downpayments) for the car which is to be priced from 28,500 euros (about RM132,000).

Free sunshine helps Proton save up to RM5.85 million on electricity costs

F1/Round 2: Preview and Starting Grid for 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Race starts in Jeddah at 8 pm/1 am (Monday) in Malaysia

While the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 caused cancellations and rescheduling of the rounds of Formula 1 World Championship, there have been many other times when certain rounds have not been run in the past. However, they were not due to conflicts or political issues in the host country, with the exception of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix which was cancelled when anti-government protests (inspired by the ‘Arab Spring’) led to concerns about security for the F1 participants.

This year, the conflict in Ukraine has seen the termination – not just cancellation – of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi by Formula 1 as a response to the invasion of Ukraine. Yesterday, the second round of the 2022 championship in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was also the subject of security and safety concerns after an Aramco oil storage facility just 11 kms from the circuit was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis. However, after much discussion with government agencies and the teams, it was announced that the race would go on as there were sufficient assurances of protection.

“We have received total assurance that the country’s safety is first,” said Formula One CEO, Stefano Domenicali. “So they have in place all the systems to protect this area, the city, the places where we are going. So we feel confident and we have to trust the local authority in that respect.”

“The attacks had targeted economic infrastructure and not civilians. We have the assurance from a high level that this is a secure place, the whole thing will be secure and let’s go on racing,” added FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

This second round of the 2022 championship is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and it is the second time the event is being run at Jeddah where the 6.174-km long Corniche Street Circuit has been created. Like the Bahrain round last weekend, this 50-lap race will be run after sunset with over 600 lights providing illumination (connected by 200,000 metres of cable and fibreoptic lines).

Very fast circuit
The young circuit has proven to be one of F1’s fastest circuits (and it also has the most corners this year). At an average speed of 253.9 km/h, Lewis Hamilton’s pole lap last year is second on the current calendar, behind Monza. It trails the Italian track, Silverstone (pre-2010 layout) and the Osterreichring in the all-time list.

A number of revisions have been made, mainly at improving the sight-lines for the drivers. This has been done by moving the barriers further back. The track at the final Turn 27 has been widened to 12 metres, and that could mean a quicker lap time than last year.

However, as will be the case at every track this year, the redesigned cars for 2022 will require understanding of the new demands. With the walls close and the stakes high, judgment and precision will be key factors for victory.

*Haas F1’s Mick Schumacher was going flat out in the second qualifying session and crashed into the wall at Turn 12. He was conscious when extracted from the car and taken to hospital.*

*Cornering speeds and gears used by the Mercedes-AMG W13 racing cars for the 27 corners of the circuit.*

“The Jeddah circuit marks a completely different challenge compared to the opening Grand Prix in Bahrain due to the diverse track characteristics, both in terms of layout and asphalt. Drivers will also use a softer range of compounds this weekend to cope with the specific demands of the track, which is nearly as quick as Monza. The teams have no experience of these tyres and cars on the circuit, and conditions could be somewhat different from last time in Saudi Arabia just 4 months ago – with the race now being held at a different time of year and a few track modifications in store,” said Pirelli’s Motorsport Director, Mario Isola.

Brembo supplies all teams
The Brembo Group is supplying all the teams with its calipers, the first time since 1975. All 20 cars will have new nickel-plated and machined from billet 6-piston calipers, the maximum number allowed by the regulations. Five of the teams will also use by-wore units to manage rear braking, allowing balancing of braking forces between front and rear wheels.

Brembo engineers have also worked with each team to customize many of the brake systems because each racing car is set up differently. Some teams opt for lighter and less rigid calipers, while others choose stiffer, heavier set-ups; so the weight/stiffness ratio has to be optimized for each brake caliper. In-wheel sensors keep the team’s engineers informed of the disc and caliper temperatures at all times so they and the drivers can regulate and optimize braking performance.

Some of the new regulations have affected brake disc design. Until 2021, discs could be pierced with up to 1,480 holes of 2.5 mm diameter. This year, the requirements allow for between 1,000 and 1,100 holes at the front and around 900 at the back, compared with 1,050 holes previously. The updated rules also impose a new minimum diameter of 3 mm. This means that while disc thickness stays the same, there will be fewer and larger holes, reducing cooling ability.

Perforated brake pads have also been banned this season, so Brembo is offering teams a choice of two alternative configurations. In terms of weight, the 2022 braking system is around 700 gms heavier per wheel, adding almost 3 kgs to the total weight of cars compared to last season.

Changing dominance?
The new era of F1 has already lived up to expectations that the dominance of Mercedes-AMG and Red Bull Racing can be challenged by others, and Ferrari’s victory in the first round showed this. While the reigning champions Mercedes-AMG will be looking to do better than third (and not from the misfortune of others), Red Bull Racing has revealed that the sudden power failures to both its cars in the closing laps was because of a fault in fuel delivery which they do not expect to happen again.

Haas F1 had a surprising performance without Nikita Mazepin around (not that he contributed any points last year) as Kevin Magnussen finished fifth, and Mick Schumacher was just one position short of the top 10 finishers. George Russell also did well in his first official drive with the Mercedes-AMG team (second if you include the stand-in drive last year), while the tenth placing by newcomer Zhou GuanYu was commendable for his very first F1 race.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dubai commissions the Carbon Veil for The Gallery in the Phantom

Unique to the latest Rolls-Royce Phantom is an area of the dashboard called The Gallery. It is a glass enclosure running almost the entire width of fascia and it has been incorporated to house bespoke artistic creations inside the limousine. The owners of the Phantom can insert whatever they wish as part of the personalization of their limousine and Rolls-Royce dealerships also come up with some creative ideas for their customers.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dubai is one of them and it has commissioned the Carbon Veil for the Phantom Gallery. The work of art was designed by the Rolls‑Royce Bespoke Collective in England and realized by artist and sculptor Alastair Gibson, who combined knowledge and expertise gained in Formula 1 to create his carbonfibre masterpieces.

The Carbon Veil took 2 years to create and unlike most automotive applications where just 3 or 4 layers of carbonfibre are used, no fewer than 150 sheets were permeated with resin and compressed to form a single, solid billet for the Carbon Veil. The construction technique is genuinely ground-breaking, with the result being ultra-stylish, contemporary and beautiful.

“It required a huge amount of experimentation to produce the Carbon Veil Gallery. The main challenge in creating the shape was ensuring that the weave of the carbonfibre remained horizontal and parallel throughout. It had to be perfect – because this is a Rolls‑Royce,” said Gibson.

As an original work of art, the Carbon Veil introduces a highly contemporary note to the Phantom’s interior. Its sharp, angular surfaces and the distinctive woven surface are synonymous with innovation, technology and performance. Depending on the customer’s preference, the carbonfibre is finished in either clear or matte lacquer which brings out the weave pattern and protects it from harmful ultraviolet rays. The whole piece is sealed under a single pane of glass.

The Gallery is a space protected behind glass. This space affords the opportunity to introduce sharp and aggressive forms, which are unprecedented for the interior of a motor vehicle. The design of the faceted milled carbonfibre sculpture was originally inspired by the angular, aggressive, stealthy shapes of the 118 WallyPower (a luxury yacht said to cost £14 million).

Each Phantom Gallery is individually assembled in the Clean Room at the factory. Completed in 2020, this medical-grade facility provides a 100% sterile environment where Bespoke items and other delicate components can be produced entirely free of dust and particles.

The gunmetal exterior of the car is bolstered with an iced finish with gunmetal contrast bonnet, while the coachline and waftline are accented in a vivid mandarin orange. At the helm of the bonnet proudly stands the retracting Spirit of Ecstasy crafted from carbonfibre.

Within the interior, the anthracite brightwork provides moments of contrast, along with the colour-keyed rotary controls and leather detailing. The dark tones and light leather flourishes beautifully accent the Veil Gallery upon the Phantom’s fascia. The flawless Black Pack elements on the exterior include an alluring black trim on the windows, the grille and the exhausts.

The very attitude and nature of The Gallery has been extended to the other Bespoke details on both the exterior and interior of the Phantom it resides within. With a highly contemporaneous edge, the limousine exemplifies the spectrum of Bespoke potential, with the Phantom itself as a canvas quite like no other.

Latest information for those planning to drive to Singapore when the border reopens next month

With the border between Malaysia and Singapore due to be opened for free movement between the two countries from April 1, 2022 (that’s next Friday), many may be making plans to drive down. It has been two years since the border was closed off when the COVID-19 pandemic started and apart from shopping, many would also want to go and see relatives and friends.

Apart from the usual immigration requirements, the regulations for driving a vehicle into Singapore have not changed. You still need a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for each vehicle and unlike before when you could drive up to the checkpoint at Tuas or Woodlands, you must now do so prior to arrival and you can only do it online. This is to be done at the OneMotoring, the website of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) which also has all the information required for entry and driving around Singapore. Those who are unable to show the confirmation email from the LTA will be denied entry.

*All applications must be done online now at the Land Transport Authority’s website known as OneMotoring. It also contains information on driving in Singapore and all the charges you have to pay.*

It goes without saying that your vehicle’s roadtax and insurance must be valid, and with regards to insurance, Singapore law requires passenger liability insurance to be included. This is usually an ‘add-on’ option for motorists in Malaysia so you will need to contact your insurance company and ask for the inclusion (which will carry a small charge). If you regularly drive to Singapore, then it would be a good idea to just make it part of your policy renewal each year. Details of insurance and roadtax will have to be provided and kept updated at the LTA website.

VEPs have validity period of 14 days which starts on the date of the vehicle’s entry into Singapore, and thereafter on the date of payment during VEP renewal. To extend your vehicle’s stay in Singapore, you will need to renew your VEP.

VEP fees are waived for the first 10 days in each calendar year and on Saturdays, Sundays and Singapore public holidays, or if you enter Singapore from 5 pm and exit by 2 am the next day. During Singapore’s June and December school holidays, if you enter Singapore from 12 noon and exit by 2 am the next day, you also do not have to pay VEP fees. If VEP fees are applicable, the charge is S$35 a day for cars and $4 a day for motorcycles.

You also need an Autopass card to pay for parking and charges for their Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) scheme. The Autopass card is like our Touch’Ngo card and has a stored value which can be reloaded at convenience stores. It can also be used for purchases at many places.

Unlike before when you would be given an Autopass card (which has a validity of a certain number of years) at the entry point, the LTA now instructs motorists to collect their Autopass card (if they do not have one and have applied for it via the website) on the Johor side. The LTA has a service centre in Johor Bahru at 34, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak Susur 1, 80000 Johor Bahru which handles this.

There are certain areas in Singapore which motorists must pay charges to use (ERP) and these charges vary according to the time of the day. The LTA offers two ways to make the electronic payments – either a flat rate for an entire day or rental of a unit like a SmartTAG (which uses the Autopass card. The flat rate option is convenient as nothing needs to be done and no fee (S$5.15/day + refundable deposit of S$124.65) has to be paid for the device. Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will detect your vehicle when you pass under the gantries and the charge will be made which is to be settled when departing. The flat rate allows for any number of passages through ERP areas which is very convenient for those who are not familiar with the roads.

There are charges for using certain roads in Singapore under the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. You have two options to pay the charges – a daily flat rate or renting a device and paying whenever you do enter an ERP zone.

It is important to note that Singapore is very serious about settlement of fines for offences, and they are very efficient at record-keeping (‘don’t play-play‘, as the Phua Chu Kang always advises). So if you committed an offence 2 years ago or are not sure if you have any outstanding fines to pay, you can check at this website. If you have committed an offence, you would normally be stopped before departure (it’s a small country) but if you managed to ‘escape’, the record is still there and if you return with the same vehicle, you will be asked to pay the fine and if you do not, you will be detained until you do.

Be sure that you e-wallet (for RFID) or Touch’NGo card have sufficient balance to cover the toll charges on the highways. You can check the amount of toll you will have to pay on the route you are planning to use at the PLUS website.

In anticipation of a significant increase in the volume of VEP applications, the LTA has been carrying out a system upgrade on its website since March 24 and the expected downtime will be until March 30, 2022. Vehicle owners will be able to access the system from March 31, 2022.

Travellers are advised to plan at least 2 weeks ahead of their intended travel dates to allow sufficient time for VEP application and approval. The LTA says that processing may take a longer during this period so it hopes that those who are only going to Singapore for a holiday can defer their plans so that others who have more important needs can have faster processing.

Naturally, all travellers must also be fully vaccinated and adhere to whatever pandemic-related procedures are in force in Singapore. Full vaccination means having at least 3 doses and if you have not gotten the third booster dose, do so even if you are not going out of the country. After March 31, 2022, the Health Ministry has warned that the status of those who have not had their third booster dose will be downgraded to partially vaccinated which might prevent them from entering certain places.

Have a safe journey and remember, social distancing and facemasks are still required.

Subaru running BRZ prototype in Super Taikyu series to test carbon-neutral fuel

While the European carmakers are thinking of phasing out combustion engines, the Japanese carmakers are still trying to keep them in use for a while longer, not just in hybrid powertrains but also on their own. In order to meet increasingly stringent emission standards – one reason why industry is going the EV route – the carmakers are exploring and testing the use of environment-friendly fuels.

Toyota is testing an engine running on hydrogen (as a fuel, not for a fuel cell) while Mazda has been running a 100% biodiesel made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats. Subaru is the third member of the same group of companies exploring new fuels that can be classified as carbon-neutral.

All three companies have formed an alliance for such R&D work and are running their prototypes in the current ENEOS Super Taikyu Series. Toyota’s prototype is adapted from a Corolla hatchback, while Mazda is using a Demio model. Subaru has chosen its BRZ sportscar for the purpose.

The use of the Super Taikyu series is suitable for development work as it subjects the prototype engines to extreme conditions within a short period. Feedback on engine performance will help the engineers identify issues and work on solutions so that fuel options can be expanded for combustion engines which are also acceptable for a carbon-neutral society.

For developing of the prototype, Subaru has over 100 engineers involved in Team SDA Engineering. The engineers made minimal modification to the BRZ to retain mass production vehicle engineering which is reliable. However, racing regulations require safety equipment and the roll cage is an important item to be installed. The structure of the roll-cage was specially designed so that there would be space for EyeSight stereo camera which is used for the active safety systems.

Related stories:
Mazda uses SKYACTIV-D engine wth next-generation biodiesel

Toyota races in Super Taikyu series with hydrogen-fuelled engine

The carbon-neutral fuel is a synthetic fuel formulated by synthesizing sources such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen and components derived from non-edible biomasses so as to match with Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) for petrol It is seen as one of the measures for achieving carbon neutrality as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is regarded as neutral.

*Mazda’s Demio prototype (above) runs on biodiesel made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats, while Toyota’s prototype (below) has an engine running on hydrogen.*

When all materials are derived from renewable energy and CO₂ emitted during production and transportation process is zero, the fuel can be considered a truly carbon-neutral fuel. However, since there still is CO₂ emission during production and the transportation process, the fuel used at this time is not strictly carbon-neutral. Subaru is aiming to make it 100% carbon neutral in the future.

The livery of the race car features the motif of blue and green flame which respectively symbolize the passion of Subaru engineers and environmental friendliness of carbon-neutral fuel.

Hyundai Motor Group aims to take lead in technology for future hydrogen society

Updated 2022 Mazda3, CX-3 and CX-30

Bermaz Motor has announced that the 2022 Mazda3, CX-3 and CX-30 models are now available in Malaysia. All three are imported from Mazda factories in Japan and come with feature upgrades, with a special versions of the Mazda3 and CX-30 also being offered.

Mazda3
The model that was developed from the Kai concept car of 2017 is available with 1.5-litre and 2-litre SKYACTIV engines and sedan as well as liftback bodystyles. For 2022, the models get improved connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto installed. This allows favourite apps from the smartphone to be interfaced with the infotainment system which is managed by an 8.8 touchscreen on the dashboard.

A special version known as the ‘Ignition Edition’ is also available but only for the 2-litre liftback variant. While the rest of the Mazda3 range has a choice of 7 colours, the Ignite Edition is only available in Polymetal Grey. The model also has distinctive gloss black door mirror covers and the 18-inch alloy wheels are finished in metallic black. Inside, the Ignite Edition has exclusive, burgundy-coloured leather upholstery which gives a classy touch.

The Ignite Edition comes with the latest i-Activsense active safety system with driver assistance features such as Front Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert, and Driver Monitoring as well as Cruising & Traffic Support (CTS). For easier manoeuvring, especially in tight parking spaces, there is a 360^oView Monitor to help the driver see the areas on all sides of the car.

The latest Mazda3 prices start from RM138,660 (excluding insurance) and until June 30, 2022, half of the sales tax applicable is exempted by the government.

Mazda CX-3
The CX3 crossover SUV retains the same compact proportions that are ideal for the urban jungle. Under the skin is the SKYACTIV-vehicle Architecture which gives the CX-3 the same jinba-ittai (the unity between ride and horse) character that every Mazda has. It is powered by a 2-litre 154 bhp/206 Nm SKYACTIV-G engine that is mated to a 6-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission sending power to the front wheels.

Updates for the 2022 model are wireless Apple Carplay along with Android Auto for smartphone connectivity and also a Qi Wireless Charger for compatible smartphones. The infotainment system has an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen with a bright clear display. Also added is a 360^oView Monitor to give the driver a better idea of the surroundings. A seatbelt reminder is now installed for all seats, especially useful as rear passengers must also be belted up by law.

Bookings are now accepted with the price starting from RM131,929 (excluding insurance and with 50% sales tax until June 30, 2022). Customers can choose from 6 colours – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Polymetal Gray, Deep Crystal Blue and the new Platinum Quartz Metallic.

Mazda CX-30
The CX-30 has received some updating with connectivity improvements that allow for smartphones to interface with the infotainment system using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 8.8-inch touchscreen functions as a command centre to make various selections and adjustments.

Additionally, there are two ‘Ignite Edition’ variants added with a choice of FWD or AWD. Like the Mazda3 Ignite Edition, they come with black door mirrors (auto-folding) and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior has burgundy-themed upholstery on the seats with black interior trim. Also includes is a 360^oView Monitor which uses the central display.

The CX-30, which has i-Activsense, has scored full marks in Euro NCAP stringent evaluations. In fact, it was one of the models to score the highest-ever rating in the Adult Occupancy Protection assessment. It also performed impressively in the other categories such as Child Occupant Protection, Vulnerable Road User (pedestrian safety) and Safety Assist.

The latest CX-30 (High Spec upwards) has a full suite of i-Activsense features and Front Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert with Driver Monitoring and Cruising & Traffic Support are also added for the ‘Ignite Edition’.

There are 7 colour choices for the CX-30 which is priced from RM145,759 (without insurance/50% sales tax until June 30, 2022).

All new Mazda vehicles (except for the BT-50 pick-up truck) come with a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty and during the first 5 years (or 100,000 kms) after registration, owners can enjoy free scheduled maintenance.

For more information, visit www.mazda.com.my.