Soon, thousands of Malaysians will be travelling across the country as they head to their hometowns to reconnect with relatives and friends during Hari Raya festivities and the school holidays. Others will be taking a holiday break to once again enjoy the freedom of being able to go further than the state boundaries after two years of restrictions.
Whatever the reason for travel, Shell is offering Malaysian motorists the chance to refuel and enjoy their favourite snacks on-the-go with the ‘Ekstra KM Belanja’ campaign. This campaign enables customers to use their Kilometres (KM) with Shell fuels as a ‘currency’ to buy items at any Shell SELECT, deli2go or Shell Lubricants store.
The more they fuel at a Shell outlet, the more KM they will be rewarded with. As an added bonus, 40 lucky customers will be rewarded with one year worth of free fuel from Shell.
“I am very much anticipating the upcoming festive period and I believe many Malaysians are too. We imagine many would be travelling back to their hometowns after missing out from celebrating with their families and relatives for the past 2 years,” said Seow Lee Ming, General Manager, Mobility Malaysia and Singapore.
“Shell will continue to accompany Malaysians wherever they choose to travel this Hari Raya season, giving them extra value on their journey. Now our customers ‘Ekstra KM’ can be used to purchase their travelling necessities when on the road, adding on that extra joy to their holiday journey. Wishing Everyone a safe journey this coming holidays, Selamat Hari Raya!” she said.
The campaign period runs from May 1 until June 30, 2022 and during this period, customers can pay for Shell SELECT and deli2go snacks using their KM as ‘currency’. All they have to do is pump RM40 worth of Shell FuelSave 95, or collect 390KM with Shell V-Power or Shell V-Power Racing. Once they scan the QR code and upload photos of receipts to the Shell ‘Ekstra KM Belanja’ microsite, they can start redeeming Shell SELECT offers instantly. The redemption period lasts until July 10, 2022.
Customers can choose from a wide array of offers including favourites such as Maggi Hot Cup, Nescafe, fresh pastries, and many more roadtrip essentials available from Shell SELECT, deli2go, and Shell lubricants outlets. In addition, they can use their KM to redeem items from deli2go’s new range of hot and fresh food for those who prefer a more wholesome meal at their pit stops, come this May.
Australia is one of the countries which recognizes a Malaysian driving licence and allows Malaysian drivers to drive or ride vehicles there without requiring them to take any local tests and obtain a driving licence. This privilege is, however, only for short-term visitors like tourists and those who stay longer (eg students or who are working) would have to get a driving licence for the state they are in.
Alternatively, an International Driving Permit (IDP) can also be used, and this document issued by the JPJ is also recognized in most countries. Having an IDP can sometimes be easier as a Malaysian driving licence might not be readily recognized.
A 26-year old Malaysian woman who has been living in the Australian state of New South Wales must have thought that she could get away showing a fake driving licence when stopped by the police for exceeding the speed limit. She may have assumed that the police would not be able to check on the authenticity of the licence as it was from another country, and at most she would get fined for the speeding offence with her Honda Accord.
The fake Malaysian driving licence and the car (below) driven by the Malaysian woman which was stopped for exceeding the speed limit by 13 km/h. Both images from NSW Traffic & Highway Patrol Command.
However, for some reason, the police decided to check the licence (which shows qualification for both Full B and D classes) more closely and in this age of internet connectivity, they could immediately visit the website of the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ) which has information on such matters. According to the NSW Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, there were inconsistencies found in the licence she presented which led to her being interrogated further.
During the interview by the police, the woman revealed that she had asked someone to make the licence. And in an effort to try to minimize her offence, she then showed a Learner Driver’s License for New South Wales. This instead got her charged with another 3 offences for: a) not being accompanied by licensed driver/police officer or tester; b) not displaying ‘L’ plates as required; and c) exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km/h. She had been travelling at 113 km/h zone with a speed limit of 100 km/h.
The Australian police are very strict about their traffic laws and breaking speed limits is considered a serious offence.
Following her admission of the licence being fake, the police contacted Interpol in Malaysia and received confirmation that the licence she had was a fake. This meant she committed the offence of ‘possessing a false document to influence exercise public duty’, for which she has been convicted at a local court recently.
As ‘normalcy’ returns to our lives, motorsports activities are picking up and organisers are working hard on plans for events in coming months. UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has already prepared for this, having made the plans last year to have a broader range of events instead of just the Vios Challenge One-Make series that has been run since 2007.
Two additional races
In 2022, in addition to the Vios Challenge (which has completed two rounds), GAZOO Racing and UMWT will run the Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup. These will offer another 5 races this year to make it 11 races in total.
The Vios Sprint Cup is run independently of the Vios Challenge, and will feature 2 rounds within the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS), with each round having 2 races. The event will also retain the format of a one-make series as in the Vios Challenge, to ensure a level playing field where the emphasis will be on racecraft, driving skills and experience, not engine power.
Round 1 of the Vios Sprint Cup will be held on May 20 – 22 at the Sepang International Circuit, followed by Round 2 in July at the same venue. The season finale Vios Enduro Cup will coincide with prestigious Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race (S1K) in November.
2 drivers per car
A total of 26 cars will line up on the grid for the Vios Sprint Cup with each car consisting of two drivers. To make things interesting and to level the playing field even more, the pairing of drivers must be made up of the combination of professionals, amateurs, celebrities and rookies as per the Vios Challenge classes for Super Sporting (professionals), Sporting (amateurs), Promotional (celebrities) and Rookies (young and new drivers).
The race weekend will consist of two 1-hour races. Race 1 of the Vios Sprint Cup on Saturday will see both drivers driving in two separate qualifying sessions, and the faster driver required to start the 1-hour race before making a mandatory pitstop for a driver change.
In Race 2 on Sunday, the slower driver of the pair will start the 1-hour race and again required to make a mandatory pit stop for a driver change. Race 2 will also be started as a reverse grid order based on the results of Race 1.
RM10,000 for the champs
The overall champion in each of the two races stand to win RM10,000 cash, followed by RM8,000 for the first runner up, RM6,000 to the third place winner, and RM4,000 and RM2,000 for the fourth and fifth place winners respectively. In total, the Vios Sprint Cup offers prize monies amounting to RM60,000 per round.
The Vios Enduro Cup in November will see Toyota drivers competing over 1000 km in the race that is expected to take 9 hours covering 181 laps of the Sepang International Circuit.
“The objective is to expand on our existing racing activities in the Vios Challenge. With the Vios Sprint Cup and the Vios Enduro Cup, it will mean an additional 5 races on top of the 6 races already lined up for the Vios Challenge. This will provide even more racing and rewards for participating drivers, teams and dealers and at the same time underline UMW Toyota Motor’s commitment to contribute to a more vibrant motorsports eco-system in Malaysia,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.
Those who wish to register their participation or know more about the Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup can contact Janet, the Race Management representative from Wing Hin Motorsports at 016-367 3300. Other information on
Lexus began its electrification journey back in 2005 with the RX400h hybrid, followed by hybrid variants of other models as well as the CT-200h, which was only available with a hybrid powertrain. Today, with the world premiere of the new RZ 450e, Toyota’s luxury brand begins a new era of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and the Lexus Electrified vision.
As the brand’s first BEV built on a dedicated platform, the RZ heralds the transition of Lexus into a BEV-centred brand. Besides a brand new design, it also offers advanced electrification technologies developed over many years of hybrid vehicle development.
New visual identity for BEVs
The exterior design presents a new visual identity as the familiar spindle grille is replaced by a minimalist BEV Spindle Body which focuses on aerodynamic efficiencies, optimized proportions, and style, versus serving the cooling and exhaust needs of an internal combustion engine. The rear features the spelled-out LEXUS logo as part of a clean and simple horizontal design that highlights the wider rear track while above is a distinct roof spoiler.
The interior is likewise minimalist, with an airy and luxurious environment that Lexus has long been known for, along with high-quality craftsmanship. Based on the tazuna concept, the cabin advances the human-centred philosophy of Lexus by welcoming occupants with intuitive controls oriented around the driver, ensuring maximum concentration on driving.
New steering wheel design
The application of shift-by-wire has resulted in a Lexus-first dial shift knob mounted on the centre console. More eye-catching will be the compact yoke-like steering wheel which is said to greatly reduce the driver’s workload by eliminating the need for hand-over-hand operation (eg in u-turns and parking). It also enabled the designers to lower placement of the instrument panel for better forward vision.
The RZ’s long wheelbase of 2850 mm within an overall body length of 4805 mm provides spacious rear-seat accommodation. An electronic ‘e-latch’ system is used to operate the doors while highly efficient Lexus-first electric radiant heaters, combined with a heat-pump system, ensure passenger ambient comfort. Three types of seat materials are used, including Ultrasuede, a refined material that uses 30% bio-based sustainable materials.
Overhead, some variants have a panoramic roof which is designed with heat shielding, thermal insulation and 99% UV protection. The glass also has a Lexus-first dimming function which, without a physical curtain, can instantly block light according to the needs of the occupants.
Different challenges for quietness
Quietness has been a hallmark of Lexus models since the very first one and besides generous use of high quality insulation, the engineers have also looked for the sources of noise and eliminated them. With the RZ powered by electric motors, new challenges were presented to the engineers who had to create a balance between sound generation and a very quiet interior space.
The underfloor battery functions as a sound barrier, the bonnet perimeter is sealed to eliminate noise caused by turbulent airflow. and acoustic glass suppresses other unwanted sounds. Additionally, the engineers have tuned sound frequencies to the vehicle’s speed and sound levels during dynamic actions such as acceleration.
New RZ 450e uses the e-TNGA platform specifically developed for BEVs.
Lexus Driving Signature
Regardless of the type of powertrain, the Lexus Driving Signature of impressive fundamental acceleration, steering and braking performance must be present. The electric powertrain system uses a front and rear e-axle, each equipped with a high-torque electric motor, transaxle and inverter in a compact unit. As each motor (front: 150 kW, rear: 80 kW) is directly connected to the wheels by a single driveshaft, power transmission is instantaneous.
The new DIRECT4 system takes the Lexus Driving Signature to an even higher level. It uses acceleration, cornering-speed and steering-angle information to automatically adjust front-rear torque delivery and braking force to all four wheels. The system uses a front-to-rear drive-force ratio between 60:40 and 40:60 for minimum vehicle pitch.
When the steering wheel is turned, drive force is biased to the front wheels between 50 and 75% for nimble response and excellent steering feel. When exiting a corner, torque distribution to the rear wheels is increased to between 50 and 80%, ensuring ample traction while controlling vehicle pitch.
Steer-by-wire
A Lexus-first steer-by-wire system contributes to enhanced vehicle manoeuvrability while blocking out unnecessary vibrations from the tyres and brakes. Optimum steering-gear ratios provide nimble and agile performance on winding roads and high-speed stability on highways.
Long experience in battery technology
Toyota’s experience in developing ever better hybrid electric technology has also included advancing battery technology. Some of the advanced technologies are the high-capacity 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery packs, Lexus-first silicon carbide elements in the inverters and the incorporation of low-loss technologies to deliver an estimated single-charge cruising range of 450 kms.
Battery-control technology ensures a world-class battery capacity retention rate claimed to be at least 90% after 10 years. Contributing to the long life with even higher battery capacity is a timer charging function that avoids over-charging.
100% BEVs globally by 2035
Pricing has not been announced yet but exports of the RZ 450e, which will be made in Japan, will begin during the fourth quarter of 2022. In the years following till the end of the decade, Lexus will introduce entirely new BEVs covering every segment. By 2035, the brand expects to be selling only BEVs globally and fully contribute to the Toyota Group’s objective of carbon neutrality.
Perhaps our climate is not the best for open-top motoring but in other places in the world, conditions are perfect for driving around with the top down and there’s enough demand for convertibles that manufacturers still offer them. The Ferrari 296 GTS is the latest convertible to join the list, offering those who want a topless version of Ferrari’s mid-rear-engined PHEV a factory-built model.
Ferrari 296 GTB
As explained before with the report on the 296 GTB, the engine is a new V6 unit and the first 6-cylinder engine installed on a road-going spider from Ferrari. While it’s not Ferrari’s first V6 (the first one was in the 1957 Dino 156 F2), it does usher in a new V6 era for the company. Total system output from the 2992 cc turbocharged engine is 830 ps/740 Nm, of which 165 ps comes from the electric motor.
This is the first ever Ferrari spider with a rear-wheel drive-only PHEV architecture in which the engine is integrated with a rear-mounted electric motor. This is derived from Ferrari Formula 1 racing cars and communication between the motor and engine is via the Transition Manager Actuator which allows them to run together efficiently and optimally.
Although the 296 GTS is about 70 kgs more than the 296 GTB, the performance claims are pretty much the same – 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h, while the range from the 7.45 kwh battery is said to be good for 25 kms running on electricity alone.
As with the SF90 Stradale, customers who require more extreme power and performance, especially if they are going to be on the track, can take the Assetto Fiorano package which includes lightweight features and aero modifications.
From a chassis perspective, at 2600 mm, the wheelbase is 50 mm shorter than previous Ferrari mid-rear-engined berlinettas to the benefit of the car’s dynamic agility. The 296 GTB’s chassis was redesigned and optimised for the 296 GTS to improve torsional rigidity and bending stiffness compared to previous spider applications. This was achieved to the tune of 50% in the case of the former and 8% in the case of the latter.
The styling of the 296 GTS has kept the clean and sophisticated lines of the 296 GTB. There was, of course, a clear focus on minimising the impact of any modifications on the exterior bodywork, always a challenge for a convertible variant. With the RHT stowed, the sleek silhouette remains very similar to that of the 296 GTB.
The need to stow the RHT (Retractable Hard Top) inside the engine compartment required the creation of a new tonneau cover design. While on the 296 GTB, the engine bay is completely horizontal and dominated by two flying buttresses in a nod to the 250 Le Mans, the 296 GTS’s tail is absolutely unique.
296 GTS with Assetto Fiorano package.
As is the case with the 296 GTB, a dominant feature of the car’s architecture is the signature ‘aero bridge’. The overall effect is of an extremely compact cabin effortlessly integrated with the wings and flanks. The buttress theme is further enhanced by contrasting sculpted extensions that frame the engine cover screen and integrate the novel fuel filler and battery charge covers, avoiding architectural disharmony.
The lightweight RHT takes 14 seconds to retract or deploy at speeds of up to 45km/h. The separation line between the car’s body and the roof is above the B post. As a result, the folding roof splits into two sections that fold flush over the front of the engine, thus maintaining the engine bay’s thermal dissipation characteristics and the balance of the overall design. This also allowed the designers to introduce a window in the rear section of the engine cover through which the new V6 is clearly visible.
The 296 GTS has several radical and innovative solutions with regard to aerodynamics which have turned the active aero paradigm, introduced from the 458 Speciale onwards, on its head. The car has an active device used not to manage drag but to generate extra downforce. The LaFerrari-inspired active spoiler integrated into the rear bumper allows the 296 GTS to generate a high level of rear downforce when required (up to 360 kgs at 250 km/h with the Assetto Fiorano package).
The aero development work done on the 296 GTS means that even in low-drag configuration the car can deliver more downforce than previous applications. In high-downforce configuration, there is an additional 100 kgs in downforce, thanks to the active spoiler.
The rear diffuser has a very clean, linear design with a central channel that makes it possible to modify the direction in which the airflow sucked along the underbody is released into the car’s wake. This contains the vertical expansion of the car’s wake and thus drag.
Turbulence in the cockpit area is something which convertibles cannot escape but thanks to modern solutions, this can be effectively reduced to make things comfortable for the occupants. For the 296 GTS, the geometry of the trim behind the headrests is optimised to channel as much of the air as possible towards the tonneau cover to reduce the amount of flow recirculating inside the cabin. Aerodynamic flaps have been integrated into the rear trim structure to reduce buffeting and increase comfort in open-top driving.
As with the 296 GTB, the 296 GTS’s cockpit was developed around the new concept of an entirely digital interface. From a formal perspective, when the engine is off, the onboard instruments go black for a minimalist look. Exclusive Italian leather trim to the seats and trim is further enhanced by the noble technical materials used on the functional components.
Ferrari has not announced how much the 296 GTS will cost, but it would certainly cost more than the 296 GTB which, in Malaysia, is priced from RM1.228 million.
