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Mazda introduces its first PHEV – the CX-60

Mazda’s SUV range (discounting the Mazda Tribute which was jointly developed with Ford’s first Escape) started off with single-digit numbers – CX-3, CX-5, CX-7 and CX-9 (the CX-30 being an exception) – and last year, the carmaker announced that its new generation of SUVs would have double-digit designations. And these would be more premium, in line with Mazda’s aspirations to move further upmarket.

We were told that from 2021 to 2024, there will be no less than 5 new SUV models and their designations were even revealed: CX-50, CX-60, CX-70 and CX-90. The CX-50, not intended as an immediate replacement for the CX-5, appeared last November and is intended primarily for the North American market where it is now being built as well.

Now comes the CX-60 which is Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and aimed largely at Europe. It’s not the company’s first hybrid as there has been a Mazda3 with a SKYACTIV HEV engine sold in Japan for many years. That hybrid drew on Toyota’s hybrid technology and with the association deepening in recent times, it is likely that this new PHEV may have been developed with some of Toyota’s long experience.

Most powerful Mazda production model to date
The PHEV powertrain has a SKYACTIV 2.5-litre petrol engine and a 100 kW electric motor powered by a 17.8 kWh high-capacity battery pack. With an output of 327 ps/500 Nm, it is the most powerful powertrain Mazda has offered in a production vehicle for sale to the public. Claimed 0 to 100 km/h performance is 5.8 seconds, with a range of up to 68 kms on just electricity in city driving conditions.

A new 8-speed automatic transmission and Mazda’s i-Activ All-Wheel Drive system delivers power to all four wheels, with Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offering 5 different drive modes. Recharging is said to be within 4 hours using an ordinary power outlet.

Later, the CX-60 will also be available with two new engines for the PHEV powertrain – a new generation straight-six 3-litre e-SKYACTIV X petrol unit and a 3.3-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel. Together with the new engines and 48V technology, Mazda will also introduce a RWD version of the SUV. A bigger 3-row model, the CX-80, will be added to the range within the next two years.

Typically high standard of vehicle dynamics

With its emphasis on jinba-ittai (the unity between a horse and its rider) for all its models. It would be surprising to find the CX-60 also having impressive vehicle dynamics. Compatible with the CX-60’s longitudinal front-engine rear-wheel drive mechanical layout, Mazda’s SKYACTIV Scalable Architecture is matched to high bodyshell rigidity and a double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension set-up.

Additionally, the CX-60 also has Mazda’s Kinetic Posture Control technology which further stabilises vehicle posture when cornering by braking the inside rear wheel to mitigate roll and the draw the car body downwards, while positioning the high-voltage battery between the front and rear axles and as low as possible, further helps the CX-60’s centre of gravity and stability. This is probably an evolution of the G-Vectoring Control (GVC) chassis technologies developed some years back and used in many models today.

KODO design maintained
The appearance of the CX-60 seems to have a bit of the CX-5, which is not unusual since the KODO design language is still being used. The grille has the familiar shape seen on other Mazdas but differs in detailing, while the body surfacing is masterfully done to exploit the flow of light across the body.

Besides design, Mazdas has always given craftsmanship a top priority in its products and for the CX-60, the very highest standards of craftmanship combined with new technologies and human-centric ergonomics to deliver a premium interior rooted in Japanese heritage.

The elegant, premium quality interior design introduces the ideas of Kaichou – an element of disruption which mixes different materials and textures. With the flagship Takumi version, materials such as maple wood, nappa leather combine with uniquely worked Japanese textiles and chrome details, and Musubu – the art of binding which was the inspiration for a specially detailed instrument panel stitching.

The treatment of the maple wood trim reflects the Japanese aesthetic of Hacho – asymmetrical balance, or intentional unevenness. The woven fabrics’ diverse patterns and yarns respond sensitively to changes in light, and a Japanese stitching technique called Kakenui creates ‘hanging stitching’ seams with spaces between the trim fabrics revealing a glimpse of the material beneath.

An innovative feature for some variants is the Mazda Driver Personalisation System> This can recognise the occupant of the driver’s seat via facial recognition and automatically make adjustments – seat position, steering wheel, mirrors, Head-up Display, even the sound and climate control settings – to fit their physique as well as their personal preferences. Whether this is a practical approach remains to be seen as there are some people who have unusual ways of sitting!

How will Mazda’s CX range evolve?
How the Mazda range will look by the end of the decade can’t be determined yet. The company has often said that it wants to move upmarket and has progressively given its products a noticeably more premium image. Having the new double-digit range of more premium models sold together with the existing single-digit models may be a way to see whether they can move into – and stay – in the upper level of the market.

But for sure, they will eventually rationalise their range one way or another because, as one senior executive explained some years ago, Mazda is not very big and its volumes do not allow it to have too much variety. It has been careful to choose models and segments to compete in, avoiding fragmentation that is inefficient. And it has done that well so far…

Visit www.mazda.com.my to know more about Mazda models available in Malaysia

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The 2022 Official F1 Safety Car and Medical Car from Mercedes-AMG

As in 2021, the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship will have Official F1 Safety and Medical Cars from two brands – Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin. The cars will be used during different rounds and for the first round on March 18, it will be the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series for the Safety Car and GT 63 S 4MATIC+ Medical Car. It will be the first time that the estate model (previously the C 63 S AMG Estate) is not used since Mercedes-AMG began supplying F1 Official Cars in 1996.

“Recent years have seen Mercedes-AMG celebrate a huge number of amazing successes in the FIA Formula One World Championship. Eight constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles in the last 8 years speak emphatically for themselves. Added to that is the extensive and widespread transfer of technology and image from this greatest of all motorsport stages and our series-production vehicles. Motorsport means so much to us, as does the best possible level of safety. There was absolutely no question that, after more than 25 years, we would extend our commitment as the provider of the safety car and medical car – with two absolutely outstanding vehicles from our line-up,” said Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH.

As in 2021, the Official F1 Safety Car and Official F1 Medical Car will have distinctive red paintwork. The striking colour is a match not only for Mercedes‑AMG but also for CrowdStrike (a cybersecurity company), which continues their sponsorship of the Official F1 Safety Car.

Extensive equipment for F1 job
From a technical standpoint, both cars are almost entirely standard. However, they have extensive equipment specific to their respective jobs on the track. The most noticeable feature of the Official F1 Safety Car is the absence of the usual light bar on the roof, which would have interfered with the carefully refined aerodynamic balance of the AMG GT Black Series.

Instead, development engineers at Mercedes-AMG came up with something completely new. At the front, the obligatory signalling has been incorporated into the upper area of the windscreen, while the rearward-facing lights have been elegantly integrated into the rear spoiler. All signalling functions are delivered via fast-reacting and energy-efficient LED lights.

At the front, three small orange light modules and one large green module are positioned on each side of the AMG logo, level with the sun visors. In the main upper blade of the rear spoiler are 13 orange lights – 3 on the outer edges on either side that shine steadily, and 7 more lights in the centre that flash when required. There are also 4 wider, green LED modules.

Two tiny video cameras are installed into the spoiler strut on the right-hand side and their images displayed inside the car. One camera serves as an electronic rearview mirror for the co-driver (small monitor in the headliner to the right of the conventional rearview mirror), while the other transmits a live TV stream. As a service for the spectators in the stands, there is also a light module in each of the rear side windows which displays ‘SC’ (for Safety Car) in orange when the car is in action.

The rear number plate is also illuminated in either orange or green in synch with the safety lights. Likewise, the headlights and rear lights have an important role to play in the signalling. Whenever the safety car is on the track, their rapid flashing draws even more attention.

AMG Track Package
The interior of the Safety Car is the same as that of the standard AMG GT Black Series with the optional Track Package including roll-over protection. The lightweight roll cage made from bolted tubular titanium consists of a main frame, a belt-fixture brace, two rear braces and a diagonal cross at the rear. The system increases the already excellent vehicle stiffness even further and thus has a positive influence on vehicle performance. It also improves passive safety.

The only new features are the 6-point safety harnesses stipulated by the FIA and two tablets in the centre console and instrument panel in front of the passenger seat. They enable the co-driver to monitor the situation on the track. Displayed on the left tablet in the centre console is the international TV signal, while the right monitor can be switched between the animated representation showing the current position of the racing cars on the track or the current lap times.

Same telemetry systems as F1 cars
Further additional FIA-specific systems are also installed and are identical to those in every F1 racing car. They include the transponder system for time-keeping, the high-resolution GPS and the telemetry. Likewise integrated is the ‘marshalling system’ which uses three coloured LEDs in the instrument binnacle and in front of the co-driver to show the flag signals for the respective section of the track. In addition to that, there is the ‘medical warning light’: in the event of an accident on the track that exceeds a critical g-force threshold, the LEDs flash several times. This provides the crew in the Safety Car with an additional warning to prepare for action.

Developed for demanding service
High cornering speeds, dynamic sprints and fast lap times – the FIA sets a demanding job profile for the Safety Car. The bottom line is that it must be able to lead the racing cars safely around the track in extreme situations (often in rain). The Safety Car cannot drive too slowly either as that could lead to the tyres and brakes of the racing cars cooling down too much and cause their engines to overheat. If necessary, the Safety Car can reach up to 325 km/h.

The AMG GT Black Series has all the necessary credentials for the tough job with its V8 biturbo dry-sump engine which produces 730 ps. No other road-legal AMG model is currently closer to motorsport than this. That includes the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission to the twin-pipe exhaust system made from thin-gauge stainless steel with a titanium silencer.

The suspension specialists have engineered a set-up in combination with the Pirelli P Zero tyres that offers the best possible solution for all racetracks and weather conditions. The standard-fit AMG ceramic high-performance composite brakes are exactly the same as those in the regular AMG GT Black Series. The same applies to the finely tuned aerodynamics with a large front skirt, additional flaps, a bigger front splitter and the vertical tear-off edge on the rear skirt. Together with the two‑blade rear wing with an additional, electronically controlled flap, the aerodynamics provide the AMG GT Black Series with optimum downforce and balance.

The new Official F1 Medical Car
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ makes its Formula 1 debut as the second official car – taking over from its predecessor, the C 63 S AMG Estate. With an equally important role, it is on standby for rapid emergency response and is crewed by up to 3 medics, including the FIA’s Medical Rescue Coordinator, Dr. Ian Roberts. Occupying the back seats are either one or two local medics who come from a specialist clinic close to the racetrack.

The medical car follows the racing cars as they take off at the start and around the track during the first lap. This is because the cars are particularly densely packed in this critical phase of the race. In the event of an incident, this ensures the doctors can reach the accident site as quickly as possible and immediately start administering first aid. During the race, the Medical Car will be on standby in the pitlane alongside the Safety Car.

To make sure no time is lost in the event of an emergency, the new Medical Car has maximum performance capabilities. Its 4-litre V8 biturbo engine delivers 639 ps and can accelerate the 4-door coupe from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, with a top speed up to 315 km/h. Unlike the C 63 S which had only rear-wheel drive, the new Medical Car has fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive which guarantees optimum traction, especially in wet and slippery conditions.

In terms of appearance, the medical car differs from the standard production car largely due to the distinctive FIA and F1 logos and the light bar on the roof. It is mounted on a carbonfibre scoop designed to offer the lowest possible wind resistance. At the same time, it optimizes the airflow towards the fixed rear wing.

Inside the spacious boot is the full set of emergency equipment, including defibrillator, breathing apparatus, rescue cutter and two handheld fire extinguishers. When the rear lid is open, additional flashing lights signal a warning to the racing cars if they are still circulating on the track behind the Safety Car.

All F1 racing drivers wear special gloves equipped with sensors in the pinkie finger to monitor their vital signs. In an emergency, the paramedics in the Medical Car can receive information in real-time on one of the screens telling them the current pulse rate or blood-oxygen level of the casualty. This enables them to coordinate effective and targeted first-response measures.

Aston Martin provides F1 Safety and Medical Cars again for 12 races in 2022

UMW Toyota Motor reports continuing strong sales in February

UMW Toyota Motor continues to post strong sales with the month of February having seen deliveries of 6,366 Toyota vehicles and 66 Lexus vehicles for a total of 6,432 units. As in January, the number was higher than for the same month in 2021, with a jump of 27% in total sales volume.

The company is optimistic about its 2022 performance being able to keep it in the top position of the non-national sector. It has already launched an updated Camry model which has a new engine and is counting on its hybrid electric vehicle technology in the Corolla Cross Hybrid to gain greater popularity among Malaysians.

*Latest Camry 2.5V with the new Dynamic Force engine (above) and the hybrid powertrain in the Corolla Cross Hybrid (below).*

For the month of March, there’s a special promotion for the Yaris and Vios models (E & G variants) which has value-added benefits worth RM4,000. Additionally, with all models (except the Hilux), there are still savings on sales tax which is expected until June 30, 2022. As both the Yaris and Vios are assembled locally, the exemption is 100% and the savings amount to more than RM2,000.

Besides new models planned for launch in later months, the company also continues to develop and grow its sales and aftersales network. Recently, it opened a new 2S outlet with Body & Paint services in Skudai, Johor to serve the growing number of customers in the southern state. The outlet is operated in partnership with Super Evergreen (Nusajaya) Sdn Bhd and joins UMW Toyota Motor’s extensive network of authorised facilities around the country.

*A new Toyota dealership has opened in Johor to provide Body & Paint aftersales services, including accident repairs and painting.*

“We truly appreciate the support our customers have given towards the Toyota brand and are optimistic about the continuous growth of the Malaysian automotive sector. As we continue to innovate and bring mobility products offering the absolute best technology and safety that enhances lifestyles, we trust that Malaysians will continue to choose Toyota as their preferred road companion,” said Ravindran K, President of UMW Toyota Motor.

While busy with sales, UMW Toyota Motor also carried out other activities last month. An initiative to give back to the community saw the contribution of RM140,000 to the National Cancer Society Malaysia which will help with the purchase of a new Digital Doppler Ultrasound Machine to provide better treatment to cancer patients.

The company also picked winners of the 15th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest who will travel to Japan and represent Malaysia in the World Contest. The contest, which has been running since 2004, draws entrants from many countries and invites them to show their idea of the future of mobility by drawing their dream car.

*The Vios Challenge one-make series will have its fifth season with a total of 6 races during the year.*

There’s also a full motorsports program planned for this year, starting with the first round of the Vios Challenge/TGR Festival on March 18 at the Sepang International Circuit. This will be the fifth season of the popular one-make series and will consist of a total of 6 races. Additionally, there will also be the online equivalent – the GR Velocity E-sports championship – also in its fifth season. It is billed as one of the most lucrative local online racing series in the country, attracting close to 1,000 participants with more than 1 million online spectators.

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Reimagining the world’s first sportscar for the 21st century and beyond

At motorshows and other exhibitions, carmakers often display concept cars which have advanced designs that suggest what cars will look like in future. They have various bodystyles, suggesting that there will still be variety, and sportscars are popular subjects for futuristic design studies.

The carmakers’ studios have numerous designs for the future but sometimes they also go outside the company to get ideas which may be of value. For instance, Hispano Suiza has worked with students of the ‘Istituto Europeo di Design’ (IED) in Turin, Italy to develop a creative project linked to the 120th anniversary of the brand, which will be celebrated in 2024.

The third-year students of IED Turin Triennial Course in Transportation Design, thanks to their knowledge and imagination, have risen up to the challenge of reinterpreting the Hispano Suiza Alfonso XIII, built about 100 years ago, and adapting it to the near future.

*The Spanish King in the Hispano Suiza sportscar which was named after him.*

World’s first sportscar

The model, also known as the Type 45, was produced between 1911 and 1920 and is considered the first sportscar in automotive history. It was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII of Spain himself, who was passionate about cars and also the brand. His brief was simple: he wanted a sporty and agile model.

The 2-seater Hispano Suiza met his expectations. With its 3616 cc 4-cylinder engine and 60 ps that powered the rear wheels, it was able to reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h, certainly quite a high speed at that time. 500 units were produced up till 1920 and the King allowed his name to be used for the model. Not surprisingly, some of the cars were also used in races and were victorious.

What would the car look like today?

With the car’s significance, and following the collaboration agreement with the IED in Turin, Hispano Suiza invited the students of the Triennial Course in Transportation Design to reinterpret the Alfonso XIII. The students were asked to explore and design the exterior, interior and describe the user experience of the Alfonso XIII of the future, using the technology currently available, as well as their imagination.

Francesc Arenas, Design Director of Hispano Suiza, has worked closely with the students involved in recent months, advising them, applying his invaluable know-how and experience in collaboration with the IED in Turin.

“I am extremely proud to collaborate with the IED of Turin and to be able to offer the necessary tools to its students so that they let their imagination fly. Innovation and passion for design are key elements in the history, present and future of Hispano Suiza. For me and for everyone in the Hispano Suiza team, being able to advise, work and inspire these new talents has been a stimulating and very rewarding experience,” said Arenas.

“The implementation phases of the project represent, for the students, the moment to be free to express their creativity and the skills acquired during the technical, instrumental and theoretical classes,” explained Michele Albera, Coordinator of the IED Turin Triennial Transport Design Course. “The collaboration with Hispano Suiza has allowed the students to face the demands of a legendary automotive brand, pioneer of excellence in the automotive sector, and the needs of an international market, bringing out their personality and passion.”