For the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship, Ferrari will enter the F1-75, it’s 68^th F1 car which has been unveiled on the 75^th anniversary of the Italian company’s founding. To mark this anniversary is a celebratory logo and the Italian flag, which has been a long-time feature on Ferrari’s F1 cars.

Finished in a brand new shade of red, its appearance was developed by the Ferrari Style Centre. Like other F1 cars for this new season, the F1-75 has a completely new look as a result of the significantly new technical regulations being introduced this year.

The design phase was tackled with an innovative, unconventional approach. Among the elements that stand out are the lower nose, and the bodywork where particular attention has been paid to the packaging of the Power Unit and its ancillary parts in order to achieve the best possible aerodynamic performance. This year also marks the return of ground effect after a 40-year absence, while the Pirelli tyres have increased in size to 18 inches (also a regulation change).

The team has the same pairing of drivers – Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr – with Antonio Giovinazzi and Mick Schumacher as reserve drivers.

“Our race team is gearing up for the longest season ever and possibly for one of the most surprising seasons of the last decade. Different regulations, different cars, 23 races. It’s going to be an incredible challenge for all of us. Last year, we had a good scrap for third place in the Constructors’ Championship and, as a team, we made significant progress. The coming season might hold some surprises….,” said Laurent Mekies, Racing Director – Head of Track Area.

“At the first race in Bahrain, there could be very little difference in performance terms between the teams, but then over the course of the year, we could see some teams and drivers make great progress. We will definitely have to manage our energy well, in order to stay fully focussed all year long. We can count on our fantastic team spirit and our desire to test ourselves against the strongest opponents. In our favour, we have the incredible talent and dedication of Charles and Carlos, who have worked hard all winter with the engineers to develop the car in the right direction,” he said.

Commenting on the technical changes in the car, Enrico Cardile – Head of Chassis Area, agreed that the rule changes in 2022 are undoubtedly the most radical of the last 40 years. “We approached it with an open mind and seized the opportunity of the rule changes to go in many different directions, bucking the trends of recent years. This open-mindedness has extended to the development of the suspension: the new rules have imposed a general rethink, with the aim of giving us the flexibility to manage a brand-new car concept and tyres with different properties to those used up until now. In short, so many variables came into play, making it a challenging and exciting exercise. Aerodynamics was definitely our number one priority,” he said.

After a difficult year in 2021, Honda Malaysia will make a big push in 2022 with a target of 80,000 units, a 50% increase over the volume last year. This is based on the forecast of 600,000 units which the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) announced last month and would give the brand a 13.3% market share (10.4% in 2021).

The target has been set taking into consideration the global microchip shortage that is causing disruptions in vehicle assembly. However, the company also expects the introduction of two new models during the year to help boost the numbers.

The company has maintained its No.1 position in Non-National Passenger Vehicle Segment for 8 consecutive years since 2014. The Central region was the largest contributor to the total sales in 2021 with more than 25,000 units sold, followed by Southern region and Northern region with more than 9,800 and 9,100 units, respectively. Model-wise, the City, HR-V and CR-V were the best-selling models, contributing 36%, 21% and 14%, respectively to the total volume.

“We started 2022 on the back of the strong momentum gained from the launch of the All-New City Hatchback in December 2021. This model raised the benchmark in B-hatchback segment, offering advanced technology, namely e:HEV, Honda SENSING and Honda CONNECT. This excellent start to the year continued with the launch of the All-New Civic last month. We set a new benchmark for the C-segment by offering VTEC Turbocharged and Honda SENSING as standard features for all variants. The model’s exceptional interior and exterior further complemented the All-New Civic’s overall package, making it stand apart in the C-segment,” said Madoka Chujo, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, at a media event this evening.

Having introduced Honda’s e:HEV hybrid technology with the new City, Honda Malaysia plans to further popularise this technology among Malaysians. It is available with the new City Hatchback as well and as hinted by Ms Chujo during the new Civic launch, there is also a possibility that we might see an e:HEV version of the model (it is available in Europe). One strategy that Honda Malaysia will be using will be to make such hybrid models more affordable.

In addition to the new model launches (likely to be the new BR-V and HR-V which have already been launched in neighbouring countries), Honda Malaysia will introduce the Honda Certified Used Car business, a new business activity that will provide another option for customers to become Honda owners.

While the company’s network of authorised dealerships nationwide already offer sales and aftersales services of a high standard, the company will continue to enhance the after-sales services experience by expanding its mobile service. This additional option for servicing the vehicle is expected to add convenience and satisfaction for Honda owners. They can make an appointment via the HondaTouch application and Honda Malaysia mobile teams will come to their home or any location they provide to service their vehicle.

To locate a showroom to view or test-drive Honda vehicles in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.

While 2021 ended on a high note with the highest Total Industry Volume (TIV) of the year, the new year started with a significant drop in new vehicle deliveries due to low stocks as a result of the plants being unable to complete vehicles. This was due to the floods in certain parts of the Klang Valley which has a large concentration of parts suppliers whose factories were flooded, causing supply chain disruptions.

The TIV for January 2022 was 40,581 units, 38% lower than the volume of new vehicles delivered during December 2021 (65,184 units). It was, however, 22% higher than the TIV for January 2021.

Year-end promotions and the ongoing sales tax exemption also saw many buyers taking their vehicles in December, so the spill-over to January was lower than usual.

The companies were also unable to register new electric vehicles for their customers due to a problem at the JPJ which prevented the registration process from being completed as roadtax does not need to be paid from January 1. Presumably, the people who developed the system never expected that one day, the government would exempt certain vehicles from roadtax so no provision was made.

It is only recently that the Transport Minister finally announced that the matter was resolved and EVs can now be registered. The exemption is given until the end of 2025 and applies only to fully electric vehicles (including fuel cell electric vehicles), not hybrids.

As per the announcement during the Budget 2022 presentation last year, all EVs will be exempted from import and excise taxes for BEVs this year and in 2023, and those which are assembled in Malaysia will continue to have this full exemption until 2025.

The MAA expects the February TIV to be at the January level as it is a short working month due to the Chinese New Year holidays, besides having only 28 days.

Assemblers also expect to be able to complete only limited numbers of vehicles due to some suppliers still recovering from the floods, as well as the global shortage of microchips. All it takes is just one part not to be available and the vehicle cannot be completed and therefore cannot leave the plant.

2021 new vehicles sales passed 500,000 mark but still 4% down from year before

Since 2019, the Mercedes-EQ family of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has been growing steadily and by the end of this year, it will probably meet its original target of 10 models by the end of 2022. Over at Mercedes-AMG, a similar push is being made in electrification and so far, one model has been introduced – the EQS sedan last September. Now comes a pair of new sedans – the EQE 43 4MATIC and EQE 53 4MATIC+ – which are the high-performance versions of the EQE.

The new sedans also sit on the same EVA2 platform although the company is now developing its own platform for BEVs which will be used towards the end of the decade. In the meantime, it will adapt the Mercedes-EQ models in the usual AMG way in the areas of drive, suspension, brakes, sound, exterior and interior design, and equipment.

Dual-motor powertrains
Both the new Mercedes-AMG models have dual electric motors, one on each of the axles to provide fully variable all-wheel drive. The AMG-tuned motors are characterised by an optimal balance of power increase, efficiency and noise comfort.

For higher performance, the motors of the EQE 53 4MATIC+ have adapted windings and laminations, higher currents and a specific inverter. This enables higher engine speeds and greater power generation during acceleration and at top speed. The electric motor on the rear axle is particularly powerful with its 6-phase design, based on two windings with three phases each.

Electric motors generate a lot of heat too so cooling is just as important as with a combustion engine. The AMG engineers have developed a highly resilient thermal concept which allows repeated acceleration manoeuvres with consistently high performance. The sophisticated design has a ‘water lance’ in the shaft of the rotor to cools it.

Other AMG-developed elements in the cooling circuit include special ribs on the stator and the needle-shaped pin-fin structure on the inverter, which is made of high-performance ceramics. In addition, there is the transmission oil heat exchanger where the oil is pre-heated during cold starts to increase efficiency.

Up to 687 ps/1000 Nm
Power outputs vary from 350 kW (476 ps) in the EQE 43 4MATIC to 505 kW (687 ps) in the EQE 53 4MATIC+. Maximum torque ranges from 858 to 1000 Nm. AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, besides changing the handling and ride characteristics, also varies power outputs between 50% and 100%. Actually, the 505 kW output for the EQE 53 4MATIC+ is 110% of the rated output and is available only when using the RACE START with boost function (in the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package).

The maximum drive power can be called up in the Sport+ drive program, or in all drive programs via kick-down. In the other drive programs (except Sport+), the maximum power is adjusted to increase efficiency and reduce consumption.

New-generation battery
The new Mercedes-AMG models are equipped with a powerful 328V high-performance drive battery pack manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology. It has a usable energy content of 90.6 kWh and the battery management system in the EQE 53 is tuned specifically for AMG. Updates for the battery management system can be installed over-the-air for continuous improvements over the life cycle.

Another advantage of the new battery generation is the short charging times. The energy storage system can charge with up to 170 kW at fast charging stations with direct current. In this case, electricity for 180 kms (WLTP) can be recharged in 15 minutes, it is claimed.

The AMG sound
One area which enthusiast drivers feel will disappear will be the emotive sounds from combustion engines, which is an important part of the AMG driving experience. Well, this will still be available from AMG BEVs although it will be artificially created. A sound system creates a unique sound with the help of special speakers, a bass actuator and a sound generator. Known as the AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE, the tonality and intensity of the sounds generated are tuned to the driving character or the driver’s wishes, both inside and out. There are ‘Authentic’ and ‘Performance’ programs with three variations each.

In other respects, the two sedans have AMG-specific equipment that provides sportier differentiation from the Mercedes-EQ EQE. The black panel grille is flanked by DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps that feature a specific AMG projection when opening and closing the vehicle. In addition, there are air diffusers on the left and right in high-gloss black for the AIR CURTAIN effect. Various other aerodynamic measures improve the driving dynamics and efficiency, reducing rear lift without significantly changing drag.

Likewise, the interior has the typical AMG features that give a sporty ambience. These include AMG seats with individual graphics and special seat covers in ARTICO man-made leather with MICROCUT microfibre and red decorative topstitching. AMG’s own Performance steering wheel has a twin-spoke design with a flattened bottom. Buttons and switches on the steering wheel can also operate the optional Hyperscreen which has more than 15 information and setting options.

MBUX (the intelligent Mercedes-Benz infotainment system) offers a range of additional AMG functions that emphasise the performance character. This is particularly true of the distinctive displays in the instrument cluster, as well as the multimedia display and the Head-Up Display.

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