At last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in England, Polestar showed off an experimental specially modified Polestar 2 with impressive performance. However, the company said that it was just a one-off which they would not be turning into a production model. Nevertheless, enthusiasts loved it and there was a lot of interest expressed in buying one if it was made available.
“We had a great reaction and the response made it clear – we should create a version like that for production,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s CEO. He had proposed the project last year to push the boundaries of the performance fastback’s design and performance potential.
The experimental Polestar 2 at Goodwood in 2021 (above), and the production version (below) that will be offered to 270 customers.
Only 270 units
And here it is – a special edition called the Polestar 2 BST edition 270. The ‘270’ indicates the number of units that will be offered, exclusively for Europe, North America and China (so they will all be in lefthand drive).
The tuning-based Polestar Engineered product leverages on decades of tuning experience to create the brand’s most dynamic electric driver’s car yet. The production car includes mechanical modifications along with key design enhancements that place it above standard Polestar 2 models.
Increased output
The two electric motors and 78 kWh battery pack have been enhanced for a maximum power output of 350 kW (476 ps) and 680 Nm of torque, along with heightened responsiveness to go with the sportier dynamics.
Chassis modifications include lowered ride height (by 25 mm), specially developed and unique Ohlins 2-way adjustable dampers with auxiliary adjustment chambers mounted under the bonnet, a front strut bar, 20% stiffer springs and unique new black 21-inch alloy. The tyres fitted are 245/35R21 Pirelli P Zero, developed specifically for the car which retains the standard 4-piston Brembo brakes.
Styling enhancements
The limited-edition model has a more substantial expression, thanks to fully-painted bumpers and side skirts. A matte black body stripe is available as an option, as well as a full-body Battleship Gray satin wrap. Th side mirrors are finished in glossy black while the signature ‘Swedish gold’ details remain, including on the brake calipers, damper elements, valve caps and seatbelts.
Each unit will be priced around US$77,000 (about RM338,000) and production is planned to begin in mid-2022, with deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of the year.
The Vios Challenge one-make race originally started as the highlight of The Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival where, besides the racing, there were also other activities for all the family, including an opportunity to experience the latest Toyota models. Unfortunately, the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that the event could not be held with public attendance, and the Vios Challenge was also restricted only to participants.
Now with the restrictions lifted, it is possible for events such as the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival to be held again and ‘The People’s Race’, as UMW Toyota Motor refers to it, will be on during the weekend of June 25/26 at the Sepang International Circuit. The 2-day weekend festival (entrance is free) will be bigger than ever before with lots of activities, including concerts, for the family and of course, food and drink when visitors get hungry or hot.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Those who wish to attend must first register at the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia website to gain access at the Sepang International Circuit. Click here to go to the website.
The Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival has lots of activities for all the family and a chance to meet celebrities, as these pictures of past events show.
“We are so excited to be able to welcome back the people to the Festival and Round 2 of the Vios Challenge. There are a myriad of activities lined up suited for everyone, from families looking to spend their weekend to racing fans and enthusiasts. Welcome back!” said UMW Toyota Motor’s President Ravindran K.
“This is and has always been a ‘Festival for the People’, never mind that they may not be outright racing fans. It’s a platform for Toyota to give back and to celebrate the people, thanking them for their continued support of the brand. This is also a great opportunity to bring back festivities and activities for the people after 2 years of being hunkered down against the pandemic. As for racing, the Vios Challenge continues to provide an affordable entry into competitive and level playing field racing with its one-make format and the many classes for young drivers, amateurs, professionals and even local celebrities,” he added.
Currently into its fifth season/year, the Vios Challenge has become well known for its wheel-to-wheel action because all the Toyota Vios racing cars are prepared identically with the same performance levels. Therefore it is all about driver skill, experience and strategy rather than just who has the more powerful car. It is the most lucrative motorsports event in the country, with more than a half a million ringgit in prize money offered.
Season 5 of the Vios Challenge has 3 rounds with a total of 6 races; Round 1 was run recently and Round 3 to be held in September. In 4 seasons of the Vios Challenge so far, more than 8 million spectators and online viewers have followed the races, and social media reach has exceeded 19 million, making it one of the most viewed domestic motor-racing events.
Besides young drivers, amateurs and professionals taking part, there are also local celebrities who have a category of their own to race in. For this season, the Season 4 champion and actor Shukri Yahaya is among them along with last year’s runner-up and actor Zizan Razak. Other celebrities include television host Nabil Ahmad, actress Janna Nick, singers Wany Hasrita, Nabila Razali and Khai Bahar, TV personality Ahirine Ahiruddin, and actress and presenter Ain Edruce who returns to the Vios Challenge from a sabbatical after welcoming her first born child.
The celebrities will also be performing live over the weekend. In addition, there will be a special concert featuring Malaysian rock band Bunkface on Saturday and, for the first time ever, staging an international act, will be Indonesian singer Judika on Sunday. Fans of the celebrities will also have an opportunity to meet their favourites and get autographs.
And for those who have yet to experience the Sepang International Circuit, a special All-Wheel Fest offers those with non-motorized vehicles (bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, long boards, pushbikes, push scooters, etc) to take a spin around the 2.7-km track that has been host to Formula 1 races in the past. There will also be a Zumba session for fitness aficionados.
At the specially built street circuits in various parts of the country, spectators have been able to be close to the racing action.
It has always been Toyota’s objective from the onset to contribute to and bring about greater excitement in Malaysian motorsports. “The Vios Challenge continues to evolve every year since we started the series in 2017. We established and until today, retain the format of a one-make series to make it affordable and accessible for those who want to compete,” said Mr. Ravindran.
“To attract more new and young drivers to drive at a competitive level, we have even invested in the GAZOO Racing Young Driver Development Program to enable those between the ages of 15 and 20 to transition into saloon car racing from karting or simulator racing, and we have even introduced a Rookie Class for young drivers in the Vios Challenge race,” he added.
Toyota GAZOO Racing’s focus on attracting young talent has since paid off handsomely when a 15-year-old became overall champion in the Sporting Class for amateurs in Season 3. An expert in simulator racing a simulator who was a graduate of the Young Driver Development Program and champion in the Rookie Class is becoming one of the most competitive drivers not only in the Vios Challenge as well as other local racing series. Other graduates of the program are also currently among the leading contenders in other local racing series.
Second batch of students at the GR Young Talent Development Program sharpening their skills on simulators.
For those who are unable to race but still want to be intimately involved in the Vios Challenge, there is the GAZOO Racing Dream Team TGR Fantasy Game. This is a racing platform where players sign up and compete against each other by creating their very own TGR Dream Team of racers they think will perform best throughout the season. Participants will have to select 3 drivers from each of the 4 classes of racing, and their team will accumulate or lose points based on the real racing results throughout the 3 rounds in Season 5. The player with the most number of points will be declared the winner at the end of the season for a chance to win attractive prizes.
“This is what we mean by the People’s Race – it is not only intended to change the dynamics in the local motor racing, but it is also a Festival to celebrate the people and hopefully entice them to learn, understand and appreciate motorsports as we do with traditional sporting events such as soccer and badminton,” Mr. Ravindran said.
Starting its third model generation since being introduced in 2009, the BMW X1 range includes a battery electric (BEV) variant for the first time – the iX1. Other electrified models of the range have plug-in hybrid powertrains and there are also petrol and diesel engine choices.
The new iX1 xDrive30 is the BMW Group’s first premium compact model based on a flexible vehicle architecture to feature an all-electric drive system. It has one electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear to power all four wheels and deliver xDrive performance. Total system output is 313 ps with up to 494 Nm of torque.
Interaction between the two motors is enhanced by a unique drive torque control which is interlinked with the DSC and the AWD-specific version of the near-actuator wheel slip limitation function.
5th generation BME eDrive technology
The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology uses a 64.7 kWh high-voltage battery pack positioned flat within the vehicle’s underbody. The battery’s high energy density and the drive system’s efficiency achieve combined power consumption of 18.4 – 17.3kWh per 100 kms and can cover a driving range claimed to be up to 438 kms.
Combined Charging Unit
The Combined Charging Unit in the iX1 enables single and 3-phase AC charging up to 11 kW, optionally increased to 22 kW. This allows the battery to be fully recharged from empty in 6.5 hours as standard, or 3 hours 45 minutes as an option. DC recharging at up to 130 kW is claimed to raise the energy level from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes, or increase range by 120 kms in 10 minutes.
An optimised cooling strategy for DC charging improves the durability of the battery. Alternating phases of full and partial cooling power are used to prevent cell temperatures dropping too low during fast charging, shortening charging times and reducing ageing.
BMW IconicSounds Electric
As with other BMW BEV models, there’s BMW IconicSounds Electric which treats drivers to soundscapes developed as part of a collaboration between the BMW Group and 2-time Academy Award-winning film score composer, Hans Zimmer. The character of the sound alters according to the vehicle setting. A drive sound emitted externally at low speeds helps to protect pedestrians by making them aware that the car is approaching.
Larger dimensions
The surface treatment, lines and exterior design details of the iX1 display its Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) identity more clearly than before. Distinctive design features include the stretched silhouette, almost square wheel arch contours and the signature BMW X model styling of the front and rear ends. When viewed from the rear, the slim tailgate window, horizontal lines, striking LED lights and flared wheel arches produce the typical SAV look.
At the centre of the new front end design stands the large, almost square BMW kidney grille, its contouring highlighted by the three-dimensional chrome surround. The grille bars are finished in Black high-gloss as standard. In the outer areas of the lower air intake, large chrome strips accentuate the classy design of the front end.
The X1 bodyshell is larger than its predecessor – by 53 mm in length to 4500mm, 24 mm in width to 1845 mm and 44 mm in height to 1642mm. The wheelbase of 2692 mm is 22 mm longer than before, while track widths have increased by 31 mm at the front and rear.
More space, optimised comfort
With the enlarged body, there are more generous amounts of space. Key features include the slender instrument panel, a stage for the BMW Curved Display, and a ‘floating’ armrest with integral controls. The raised seating position also provides the commanding view which is one of the reasons why many people like SAVs. The newly developed seats offer optimised comfort over long distances and extended functionality, with their prominent bolsters and adjustability of seat angle and depth.
The BMW Curved Display is framed by solid-looking trim pieces which extend out to the doors. Four interior trim variants, including the new open-pore fine eucalyptus wood and Aluminium Hexacube for the M Sport model, allow owners to individualise the design.
With a glass surface measuring around one square metre, the panoramic glass sunroof floods the interior of the iX1 with light and can also allow fresh air in. The roller blind cover for the glass roof now has a multi-layer design and is also electrically operated.
The fore-and-aft adjustment of the rear seat bench and triple-split backrest provides variability in the cabin configuration. The rear seat can be moved forward up to 13 cm, allowing boot capacity to expand from 540 litres to 1,600 litres.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM), a 2-time winner of the Jaguar Land Rover Retailer of the Year (Asia Pacific) Award, recently upgraded its showroom at Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor. And the flagship showroom now has two extra ‘staff’ too – Robot Assistants!
Personalisation studio
The upgrading reflects JLRM’s ongoing strategy to reimagine the future by providing modern luxury to customers. As part of this journey forward, the Ara Damansara showroom offers bespoke capabilities with its personalisation studio. This includes a full-colour palette along with trim and upholstery materials for customers to touch and feel, as well as a detailed configurator which allows for customised specification of special-order vehicles.
Customers will be able to configure their vehicles in line with their preferred specifications, and have it visually simulated on a 75-inch screen based on the colour and specifications selected.
The introduction of the two Robot Assistants demonstrates JLRM’s efforts to embrace customer-facing autonomous service. The robots are part of a collaboration between JLRM and Secure Robotics, a leading provider of modern technologies in Malaysia.
Equipped with wireless internet connectivity, laser radar sensors, GPS and voice, facial and image recognition, the robots provide a novel experience for customers as well as allowing for better human resource management for the company.
The showroom has two Robot Assistants to welcome and help visitors. They are pictured with [from left] Kelvin Chuah, Head of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia; and Dato’ Alby Chong, Group Chairman, Secure Group.“As part of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia’s digital transformation, the introduction of the robot marks the next step in raising the bar for customer experiences. Furthermore, as Malaysia transitions into the endemic stage, the robot also allows for customer interaction with a reduced risk of transmission. There are wide applications for technologically-driven autonomous services such as this and we look forward to exploring this further,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.
“In line with our strategy to reimagine the future, we strive to offer modern luxury through unique customer experiences. The partnership with Secure Robotics provides the opportunity to leverage on advanced technology. We are piloting the robots at our Ara Damansara showroom and aim to continue this collaborative journey to expand our capabilities and further elevate the automotive experience for our customers,” added Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia.
Customers can personalise their vehicle with the bespoke services available at the showroom.
Enhancing the experience for visitors
Alongside the enhancement of services and elevated personalisation infrastructure for vehicles, JLRM is also currently developing a digital refreshment order management programme. Customers will be able to review menus and place orders through a digital platform at a designated dining area.
With these technologies in place, JLRM expects to further improve the customer experience for both purchasing and ownership at the showroom which is presently the largest Jaguar Land Rover facility in Southeast Asia.
For more information or directions to the showroom at Sime Darby Motors City (or other showrooms in Malaysia, visit www.jaguar.com.my or www.landrover.com.my.
Buick is one of the companies in the General Motors group and when you think of General Motors and any of its brands, the images that come to mind would be of the huge ‘aircraft carrier-sized’ cars typical of American models. That, however, is an outdated perception as the American manufacturers began downsizing from the 1980s and their range today has models that are mostly the size of cars of different segments in the rest of the world.
With concept cars, the American carmakers have also shown many for decades, often very futuristic. When the first jet planes came out, the designers became obsessed with tailfins and jet engines, shaping cars with such features. These days, the concept cars are still futuristic but have more realistic designs rather than being like they came from the Star Wars era way in the future.
The latest concept car from Buick is the Wildcat EV concept which shows the design direction the brand will take as it transitions to an all-electric future. The new design language will be used for future production models and transform the products to reflect the new era.
“The Wildcat EV concept represents the real design future for the brand,” said Sharon Gauci, Executive Director, Global Buick and GMC Design. “Buick has always been forward looking and this expression is a glimpse of where we’re going, and the optimism we have for the limitless possibilities of an electric future.”
New frontal expression
The Wildcat EV concept also introduces a new, expressive face for Buick, distinguished by a bold, forward-leaning front-end appearance that features a low-mounted, trapezoidal grille. Sharp, high-mounted and horizontal check mark-shaped lighting flanks the vehicle, while the outer edges of the grille house primary lighting. The lighting elements are configured to create a unique welcome choreography when the driver approaches.
The bodystyle is that of a 2+2 coupe with a powerful, expressive presence and a laid-back proportion complemented by a low, wide stance. The windscreen wraps around and flows into the side glass, which tapers dramatically with the fast roofline to accentuate the aggressive profile.
Exterior design highlights
The sides have distinctive semi-swing doors and the unique aluminium trim appears to flow seamlessly into the interior seat structures. Micro-LED lighting technology and thin-beam projector lenses are used in the front lighting units, while blade-style taillights are embedded in the roof’s sail panels to echo the front lighting signature.
“The more you look at the Wildcat EV concept, the more the details reveal themselves,” said Bob Boniface, Director, Global Buick Design. “Its timeless proportions acknowledge the brand’s rich design legacy, while our latest technology moves you forward.”
Modernity and warmth
Inside, the Wildcat EV concept’s cabin has an inviting inner glow with new technologies integrated throughout. “It’s a space intended to strike an emotional chord,” said Therese Pinazzo, Buick Exterior and Interior Design Manager. “It is defined by simple, graceful forms that convey balance, harmony and a feeling of warmth.”
The 2+2 configuration, delineated by a prominent console that extends from the base of the instrument panel to the rear seating area, uses unique graphic and colour contrasts to create the perception of visually floating elements intended to accentuate the cabin’s lightweight feel and spaciousness.
Colour plays an important role in the warmth and comfort the interior conveys. Legato Green flows through the cabin and is accented with brushed or polished aluminium trim. Lively orange elements, including the seatbelts, also add visual distinction.
Additional interior design elements include cockpit-style seats with cantilevered headrests that appear to be floating, and a lightweight, flat-bottom steering wheel. When it comes to technology integration and infotainment interaction, a sweeping touchscreen is the access point on the instrument panel, along with a complementing screen on the console.
The Wildcat EV concept is built to be a platform for futuristic features such as artificial intelligence, biometrics and aromatherapy. The vehicle is designed to detect an elevation in driver heart rate and automatically adjust vehicle settings to calm them down. For example, when Zen Mode is activated, it will dim the cabin lights, disperse calming aromatherapy scents and activate massaging seats.
Everything about the concept is intended to convey what’s possible — in design, technology and the transformative experience of EV mobility. “We are on the cusp of true change, and this concept is a tangible vision of it,” said Gauci. “It inaugurates the next chapter in Buick’s design heritage, as we make the crucial transition to our all-electric future.”
A concept legacy
The Wildcat name is not new to Buick: for nearly 70 years, the name has been used for various concept models that push the boundaries of design and technology. The very first Wildcat concept car was introduced in 1953 and it previewed next-generation Buick design. The Wildcat II and Wildcat III concepts followed in 1954 and 1955, respectively, and in 1985, the Wildcat concept that debuted was a futuristically styled, mid-engine and AWD supercar developed to showcase new engine technologies.
First Wildcat concept car in 1953 (above) and the 1985 Wildcat (below) which was conceived as a supercar.
You can’t drive a Formula 1 car on public roads as its designed for racetracks and even though drivers have survived horrendous crashes at high speeds, there are other aspects that do not meet safety regulations as well as general vehicle construction requirements in most countries.
However, Mercedes-AMG now offers a something close to a F1 car that can be used on the road. It’s the long-awaited Mercedes-AMG ONE which we have been waiting 5 years for. Now, on the 55th anniversary of the high-performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, the hypercar is ready to go into production and the first of 275 customers will get their car before Christmas. The price – from £2.2 million (about RM12.15 million), which is still considerably ‘cheaper’ than Lewis Hamilton’s racing car.
“With the Mercedes-AMG ONE, we have more than pushed the envelope. The immense technical challenges of making a modern Formula 1 powertrain suitable for everyday road use have undoubtedly pushed us to our limits. Over the duration of the development period, many may have thought that the project would be impossible to implement. Nevertheless, the teams in Affalterbach (home of Mercedes-AMG) and the UK never gave up and believed in themselves. I have the highest respect for all those involved and am proud of this team achievement,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“To put such a hypercar on wheels is certainly unique. This applies to us as Mercedes-AMG not only from a technical point of view, but also in terms of the close exchange with our loyal customers. Together with us, they have gone through ups but also downs in the course of development. They were an integral part of Project One from the very beginning and can now look forward to the highly exclusive and unique Mercedes-AMG ONE, which has now also been able to clear the next hurdle and passed all ECE certification tests,” he said.
F1 technology for the road
The E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive of the Mercedes-AMG ONE comes directly from Formula 1 and has been developed in close cooperation with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in England. It is a highly integrated and intelligently networked unit comprising one hybrid, turbocharged combustion engine with 4 electric motors.
The 1.6-litre V6 hybrid petrol engine with electrically assisted single-turbocharging has similar technology to the current power unit in the F1 racing cars. The engine, mounted in mid-engine position in front of the rear axle, revs up to 11,000 rpm. To achieve high engine speeds, the mechanical valve springs have been replaced by pneumatic valve springs. However, for longer durability and the use of commercial fuel, it has been set to stay below the F1 rev limit.
The powerful hybrid powertrain of the Mercedes-AMG ONE has the same technology as the powertrain in the current racing cars of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (below).
Mercedes-AMG’s fastest production car
The hybrid powertrain can produce 1,049 bhp but the maximum torque generated cannot be provided as the drivetrain is too complex, according to Mercedes-AMG. With a top speed of 352 km/h, this will be the brand’s fastest production car and it will be able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.9 seconds. Depending on the amount of energy in the battery pack, up to 18 kms of driving on just electricity is said to be possible.
The high-performance lithium-ion battery pack and energy storage system is a special Mercedes-AMG development. Its technology has already proven itself in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s racing cars. Two of the electric motors allow the braking energy to be optimally used for recuperation – up to 80% under everyday driving conditions. This energy is stored in the battery and is available for a longer electric range or for more drive performance.
The driver can select from 6 drive programs – from pure electric to racetrack mode. The modes not only alter the powertrain programming but also the active aerodynamics and chassis systems. There is also an Individual mode that allows the driver to personalize the settings.
The Mercedes-AMG ONE has a lightweight and high‑strength carbonfibre monocoque, the technology of which originates from Formula 1. The chassis is an aluminium construction at the front and rear, each with 5 links and 2 adjustable suspension struts. There is adaptive damping adjustment which can be adapted via the drive programs.
Exclusively designed wheels
A new development is the 10-spoke forged aluminium wheel with centre lock, exclusive to the Mercedes-AMG ONE. This has a radial carbonfibre partial cover with an aerodynamically sophisticated shape. It improves the aerodynamic efficiency of the hypercar by enhancing the flow around the wheel.
Also special are the optional 9-spoke magnesium forged wheels designed exclusively for the Mercedes-AMG ONE. In addition to the centre-lock technology, they feature a patented bionic design to maximize lightweight construction and rigidity. The aerodynamically designed carbonfibre partial cover is a good example of the combination of low weight, optimized brake cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. At the same time, 9 air vanes per wheel ensure active ventilation of the wheel arch and thus improved heat dissipation from the brakes.
The active, hydraulically controlled aerodynamics increase downforce on the front and rear axles and also improve aerodynamic efficiency. Depending on the driver’s preference and the selected drive program, 3 different aerodynamic setups are available.
Function in every detail
The interior design concept follows function on the racetrack and every detail has a function. ‘No styling’ is the design consequence resulting from the requirements for this driving machine. The design is a synthesis of sculptural form language and uncompromising racing design. In the bold minimalism of the monocoque interior, the reduced components are emphasized and showcased in terms of design and function.
The ergonomically contoured interior has room for two occupants on racing seats. The centre tunnel is also a functional part of the carbonfibre support structure. It blends fully into the seat sculpture and follows the principle of minimalism with its gently rising contour.
The slim wing profile of the instrument panel appears light as if floating. As a functional structural component, it also stiffens the monocoque of the hypercar. The two high-resolution, free-standing 10-inch displays with individual Mercedes-AMG ONE graphics are finished with high-quality real-metal parts and adapted to the instrument panel.
In the radically designed race steering wheel, operating and functional elements are combined with original racing car components to ensure safe operation in extreme driving situations. The ‘shift light’ is displayed at the top of the steering wheel rim, as is usual in racing cars. The steering wheel, which is flattened at the top and bottom and has an integrated airbag. It includes motorsport trim elements whereby the two integrated AMG steering wheel buttons can be used to activate various functions without having to take the hands off the wheel.
The Mercedes-AMG developers have also thought about suitability for everyday use and further ease of operation. The user interface is integrated as an autonomous concept. The most important information is displayed on the road in the line of vision above the steering wheel, so that the driver is not distracted. To ensure optimal rearward visibility despite the vertical wing on the rear, the interior mirror is replaced by a screen. It shows real-time footage from a MirrorCam integrated into the rear.
While the quality of all materials will be of the same superior standard as other Mercedes-AMG models, customers also have extensive options for very personal individualization if the already exclusive nature of the hypercar is still inadequate.
