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Sime Darby Motors/SpareXHub offer up to 90% discount for selected genuine Ford and Hyundai spare parts

Sime Darby Motors and e-Commerce partner SpareXHub is having a 10-day long clearance sale with discounts up to 90% on selected aged genuine Ford and Hyundai vehicle spare parts. The virtual sale is taking place online at www.sparexhub.com until June 10, 2021.

“Our partnership with SpareXHub acts as a vehicle for Sime Darby Motors to provide our loyal customers access to over 3,000 Hyundai and 4,000 Ford genuine aged spare parts, ranging from service items such as filters and sensors, to body parts, such as bumpers and windscreens,” said Alan Scott Gascoyne, Head of Aftersales, Malaysia Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors.

“Sime Darby Motors has embarked on the digital transformation journey in many aspects of our business and is integrating digital retail options into our existing operations. This hybrid initiative with SpareXHub helps us meet the needs of online customers and aftermarket players to purchase selected genuine aged spare parts,” added Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail and Distribution for Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors.

Mr. Gan added that aftersales is an important part of the company’s business, and this initiative will allow customers to continue to maintain their vehicles with the manufacturer’s recommended genuine spare parts even after the warranty period has expired. “Additionally, customers can continue to enjoy the performance, comfort and safety aspects of their vehicle without compromise due to parts pricing,” Mr. Gan said.

*Get genuine rear suspension parts for less money.*

About SpareX Hub
SpareXHub is a trusted e-commerce platform for discounted, genuine auto spare parts. With more than 100+ years of combined experience, the team can curate and pick the right spare parts for customers seamlessly. Using the B2B2C approach, SpareXHub is ready to cater to the needs of automotive stockists, independent workshops and even individual vehicle owners. There is no compromise on quality as all the parts are 100% genuine and original, ideal for those vehicles that have finished their warranty period.

For more information on product and pricing and to take advantage of this grand clearance sale, visit www.sparexhub.com or leave a message on SpareXHub’s website or Facebook page.

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.

All-electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning revealed

It’s not surprising that Ford will start selling an electrically-powered truck from early 2022, the new version of the F-150 range which is to be called the Lightning. After all, it’s been making pick-up trucks since 1917 and over more than 100 years of making such vehicles, it has built up vast experience. Now, it is using all that experience plus new EV technology to continue the journey forward.

“For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future,” said Bill Ford, Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company. “F-Series is America’s best-selling truck for 44 years, the backbone of work across the country, and a trusted icon for generations of customers. Now we are revolutionizing it for a new generation.”

The F-150 Lightning is one of the outcomes from the company’s more than US$22 billion global electric vehicle plan to lead electrification in areas of strength. Other fully electrified models developed in recent times have been the Mustang and Transit.

Pricing for the new electric truck will start from US$39,974 (about RM165,550) before any incentives (in the USA) and can rise to US$52,974 (about RM220,000) in versions equipped with the extensive range of features, technology and accessories.

Most aerodynamic F-150
The F-150 Lightning is the most aerodynamic F-150 ever developed. While it started from the current F-150, it has improvements like newly shaped running boards, a sculpted bonnet to reduce drag, and grilles that replace air intake holes with a smoother, textured surface. Even more functional design delivers optional enhanced 360-degree Zone Lighting, which can light up a specific zone or the entire area around the vehicle.

The electric platform unlocks new capabilities as well – such as being a mobile power generation that can supply electricity to power an entire home. Besides providing electrical power when camping, it can also be valuable when in disaster-struck area where emergency power supplies are needed. The added advantage is that the F-150 Lightning will also have the capability to travel through all kinds of terrain, just like other Ford trucks.

The powertrain has dual in-board motors expected to generate the equivalent of 563 hp with up to 1,050 Nm of torque available from almost standstill. That’s more torque than any F-150 have ever offered and will give a claimed 0 – 60 mph (96 km/h) time in the mid 4-second range.

Two battery pack choices
There will be two choices of next-generation lithium-ion battery packs for the F-150 Lightning: a standard-range pack targeting 370 kms and an extended-range pack 480 kms. As with other EVs, charging time depends on the type of charging equipment used. Ford is the only automaker to offer an 80A charge station as standard equipment, allowing owners to recharge easily at home. This system takes advantage of the only dual onboard charging system on an electric truck in the industry for even faster home charging.

With this approach, the F-150 Lightning adds an average range of about 50 kms per charging hour, fully charging an extended-range pack from 15% to 100% in about 8 hours. With a 150-kW DC fast-charger, up to 87 kms of range can be available in 10 minutes and from 15% to 80% will take about 41 minutes, it is claimed.

Considering the sort of conditions that the aluminium-bodied F-150 Lightning will be used in, ‘Built Ford Tough’ has never been more important as the battery pack cannot be damaged. Rugged underbody protection keeps it safe, with metal skid plates shielding both the battery pack and inboard motors from. The battery pack itself is secured inside waterproof casing surrounded by crash-absorption protection and has been tested at temperatures as extreme as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Huge front storage area
Just as front-wheel drive with transverse engine orientation liberated space that could be allocated to the cabin, the electric powertrain allows for a versatile, high-tech mega power dedicated storage space that’s secure, lockable and easily accessible by a powered open and close system. This spacious area under the bonnet will have 400 litres of volume and can take 180 kgs of payload. It is water-resistant and has 4 electrical outlets, 2 USB chargers and a drainable floor that can double as a food and beverage container. With 2.4 kW of power, there’s enough capability to plug in power tools, TVs, laptops, speakers, crockpots and more.

Talking of payload, a feature called Onboard Scales uses the front boot space sensors to estimate payload and tell customers how much they’re hauling. And since payload can impact range, Onboard Scales is integrated with Intelligent Range to help ensure an accurate estimate.

Smart and connected
Like the Ranger, the F-150 Lightning is packed with intelligent features, combining advanced digital technologies with proven engineering know-how. As part of the optional Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, BlueCruise allows for true hands-free driving on more than 160,000 kms of pre-qualified divided highways in North America, – with more Hands-Free Blue Zones to come in the future.

Owners will find that, like their smartphone, the software running certain systems can be updated without going to the service centre. Ford Power-Up software updates will come over the air and improve performance, update existing features or even add all-new functions and capabilities. The majority of updates will be completed in under 2 minutes and whenever the owner chooses.

SYNC gets more advanced
Making its truck debut on F-150 Lightning is SYNC 4A – the latest version of Ford’s interface supported by a 15.5-inch touchscreen and designed to adapt to driver behaviour. SYNC 4A employs natural voice control, cloud-connected navigation and wireless access to favourite services with connectivity that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

“It really is the smartest F-150 we’ve ever made,” said Darren Palmer, General Manager, Battery Electric Vehicles, Ford Motor Company. “F-150 Lightning offers an immersive touchscreen, giving our customers all the info they want in an instant – a real-time view of where they’re going, what they’re hauling or how much real-world range they’ve got banked. And with Ford Power-Up software updates, the experience is only going to get better.”

Ford to unveil all-electric F-150 Lightning pick-up truck next week

*Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.*

The Ford F-Series pick-up truck has been America’s best-selling vehicle since the 1970s, and though it is hardly seen outside North America, it has also been among the bestselling vehicles in the world due to the sheer numbers with over 1 million sold in 2018.

The success of the F-Series can be attributed to many decades of experience in making such vehicles. As far back as 1917, Henry Ford produced the Model TT which would be the first pick-up truck although it was essentially a Model T with a truck bed attached behind.

*1917 Model TT was the granddaddy of today’s Ford pick-up trucks like the F-Series and Ranger.*

‘Serious capable, purpose-built tool’
Just over a hundred years later, as the electric era dawns, Ford will offer a fully-electric F-Series model which it says ‘will be a seriously capable, purpose-built tool for serious truck customers. Besides new technology, the electric F-150 Lightning (as it will be known) will also be able to serve as a mobile power generator. It will be able to supply electricity at campsites or construction sites, or even disaster-struck areas.

Prototypes have been undergoing tens of thousands of hours of torture testing and targeting millions of kilometres of driving – simulated, laboratory and real-world. The dual electric motor powertrain will deliver more horsepower and torque than any F-150 available today, which means faster acceleration than what F-Series owners have been used to.

Lower operating and running costs
F-Series truck powertrains typically have large displacements – even the smallest has been 2.7 litres – and that has obviously meant high fuel consumption. With the F-150 Lighting which offers higher performance, including strong towing capability, there will be no such consumption penalty at all. Furthermore, Ford claims that it will have the lowest expected lifetime total cost of operation among F-Series trucks with less maintenance than a typical petrol engine.

“Every so often, a new vehicle comes along that disrupts the status quo and changes the game… Model T, Mustang, Prius, Model 3. Now comes the F-150 Lightning,” said Ford President & CEO, Jim Farley. “America’s favourite vehicle for nearly half a century is going digital and fully electric. F-150 Lightning can power your home during an outage; it’s even quicker than the original F-150 Lightning performance truck; and it will constantly improve through over-the-air updates.”

The new F-150 Lightning will be unveiled at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn on the night of May 19 (morning of May 20 in Malaysia) and the event will be broadcast live online.

An earlier Ford pick-up EV
While the F-150 Lightning is a significant new development, it is not Ford’s first electric pick-up. Back in the late 1990s, when the company had brief burst of EV activity, it engineered a Ranger to be powered by electric motors. The battery packs were initially heavy lead-acid types and then switched to nickel-metal hydride, and factory testing showed that a range of up to 132 kms was possible.

*Between 1998 and 2002, Ford produced a Ranger EV which was leased for fleet customers.*

The Ranger EV was produced between 1998 and 2002 and was leased instead of sold. As interest in EVs faded, Ford didn’t make plans to follow up on the Ranger EV and instead focussed on developing EcoBoost technology for combustion engines.

To know more about today’s Ranger, visit www.sdacford.com.my.

Headlights on Future Ford vehicles will be able to predict conditions ahead for greater effectiveness (w/VIDEO)

The built-in headlights in every car today have been around for about 100 years and over the decades, the lighting systems have evolved to make the illumination stronger, giving a better view of the road or ground ahead. From making headlights more powerful, the engineers have also been making them operate ‘intelligently so that optimum illumination is achieved with changing conditions.

Driving in the dark can be stressful, especially on unfamiliar, winding roads. Ford is therefore working on a new technology to increase comfort and safety when driving after sunset. The company has already done pioneering work in the camera-based recognition of traffic signs and lane markings to optimize headlights in order to better illuminate streets in the dark, especially at intersections.

Now, engineers from Ford Research and Advanced Engineering Europe are testing technology that uses real-time location data to effectively show the car the way to go. The predictive ‘smart’ headlight system directs beams into upcoming corners – even before drivers may have seen them, illuminating hazards and other road-users more quickly and effectively.

How it works
The prototype advanced lighting system uses GPS location data, advanced technologies and highly accurate street geometry information to accurately identify turns in the road ahead. An algorithm calculates the trajectory and speed of the vehicle to proactively adjust the direction of its headlights, providing optimal light coverage of bends, junctions – and even hazards lurking around the corner.

If the vehicle encounters a stretch of road where location data is not available, the system will work alongside camera and steering‑based dynamic headlight-bending technologies to continue to intelligently light the road until the location data improves.

Researchers have made extensive use of ‘digital twin’ simulation that recreates the physical world in a virtual environment. The simulator accurately calculates how light falls and reflects in the real world, enabling researchers to better visualise and optimise the technology for drivers. The Ford researchers used a simulation that reproduces the real world in a virtual environment. The simulation environment calculates the correct reflection of the headlights as in the real world, so that the researchers can visualize the lighting technology realistically and optimize it in terms of traffic safety.

“The predictive lighting technology we are now developing could one day make driving in the dark so easy that the driver basically just has to follow his headlights,” said Michael Koherr, Lighting Research Engineer, Ford of Europe. “This new map and location-based system is the next step in our search for how we can make driving at night as easy as it is during the day.”

Road Edge Detection – available today
The advanced lighting technology will complement another new technology that Ford has developed which can be especially useful on rural roads at night – Road Edge Detection. Roads in rural areas can be tricky as they may not only lack proper lane markings but also give way to open land, muddy ditches and sheer drops.

Ford’s new technology can help make rural driving easier as Road Edge Detection scans the road ahead and can gently steer the vehicle back on track when needed. Designed for use at speeds of 70 – 110 km/h, Road Edge Detection relies on a camera located below the rearview mirror to monitor road edges 50 metres in front of the vehicle and 7 metres to the side.

How it works
Where a paved road becomes a soft side, gravel hard shoulder or grass, the system provides gentle steering support as required to prevent the vehicle from drifting off the carriageway. The system features an advanced algorithm that determines when there are clear structural changes from the road to the area beside the road. It can also provide steering support on marked roads when the lane marking is obscured or hidden by snow, leaves or rain.

If the driver is still close to the edge following initial steering support, the system vibrates the steering wheel, to prompt the driver to steer. At night, the system uses the illumination from the headlights and functions as effectively as during the day.

While predictive lighting technology is still under development, Road Edge Detection is already available in Europe on certain models and will be offered in more models in future the way advanced safety systems like Pre-Collision Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking have been progressively included in almost all models.

To experience Ford’s safety technologies, ask any authorised Ford dealer for a test-drive. To locate a dealership in Malaysia, visit www.sdacford.com.my.

Save money when you switch to the pick-up truck life this month

The modern pick-up truck is a different vehicle from what it used to be. Before the Ford Ranger appeared in the late 1990s, pick-ups were pretty much workhorses and comfort was not a strong point. They were intended for use in rough conditions and mainly for business purposes.

Ford changed that image and usage norm when it introduced the Ranger which offered more comfort, a passenger car-like interior and even stylish looks – without losing that rugged ‘Ford Built Tough’ capability.

Many people found it easy to use a Ranger, and decided that it could serve as their daily drive instead of a passenger car. It was ideal as a multi-role lifestyle vehicle, just as useful for sending the kids to school as well as going off-road to explore the countryside on weekends.

If you’re keen on making the switch too, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has special offers this month that will save you money. They’re offering up to RM7,000 savings for the Ranger Wildtrak, and up to RM8,000 savings for the more performance-oriented Ranger Raptor. These are for the 2020 models imported from Thailand and between 2020 and 2021, no major changes have been made so they are just as good and up to date.

Besides the comfort, the Rangers come with a high level of protection. The Ranger WildTrak has an extensive array of smart safety technologies including first in-class features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning.

It also comes with the first and only in-class Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking system – definitely a useful feature considering the length of the vehicle. Not only does the system help to find the right size parking space but it also automatically steers itself into the bay. All the driver has to do is control the power and there’s even a rearview camera to show what’s behind.

The Ranger Raptor remains as the first and only factory-built high-speed performance pick-up truck in Malaysia. It has been developed by Ford Performance and all the extra items on the vehicle are factory-fitted, not aftermarket installations.

Its race-bred suspension uses Fox Racing Shox that have extra-long travel for those who want to try ‘flying’ (literally) over the ground. The advanced Terrain Management System is like a ‘computerised co-driver’ which has various modes to suit different surface conditions and optimise stability and traction.

There’s even a Baja Mode, the name referring to a region in California where desert races are run. Ford engineers have taken experience from engineering vehicles for such races and in this mode, the Raptor can rocket over rough terrain at high speeds with stability and more linear power delivery.

The Ranger Raptor is powered by a 2-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine with 213 ps/500 Nm (compatible with B7 and B10 diesel grades) Power flows to four wheels through Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission and a robust transfer case which provides a second set of ratios that are very low for tougher conditions.

“As models at the top of their class, the Ranger Raptor and Ranger WildTrak are the epitome of lifestyle pick-up trucks that are gaining in appeal to discerning customers and pick-up enthusiasts in Malaysia. With these special deals, we hope to offer customers more savings this festive season,” said Turse Zuhair, Head of Sales at Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

Find out more about the Ranger models by visiting www.sdacford.com.my where you can also check the locations of authorised Ford dealerships. You can also send a WhatsApp message to the Ford Digital Salesperson at +60 19-204 1200 to get information and immediate answers to queries.

RM570 million Sime Darby Motors City officially opened at Ara Damansara in Selangor

Making the purchase and ownership of cars as convenient as possible is important to retain customers so they continue with the brand the next time they replace or get an additional car. For many companies, providing convenience has been through making retail outlets 3S – offering sales, service and spare parts. In this way, they are a one-stop centre for all the customer’s needs, from the time of purchase through owning the vehicle.

Sime Darby Motors has gone further by not only having 3S outlets but also clustering them at one site so that customers can choose from a wider range of models from different brands without having to go to different locations. The site is the new Sime Darby Motors City located in the township of Ara Damansara within the Klang Valley, near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (formerly Subang International Airport) which is claimed to be the largest automotive complex in Southeast Asia.

It is the realisation of an idea which has been considered for at least the past 30 years, perhaps gaining more relevance as the number of brands increased from the early ones such as Ford and BMW to now include Porsche, Hyundai, Jaguar, MINI, Motorrad (BMW motorcycles), Land Rover and Volvo. Though operational for over a year now, the official opening of Sime Darby Motors City has taken place only today due to COVID-19 pandemic and Movement Control Orders which restricted public events.

6 showrooms plus pre-owned business unit
The complex of 6 flagship showrooms and service centres is built on 8.6 acres of Sime Darby land adjacent to the highway to the airport. The built-up area is considerable – 1.3 million square feet – with up to 8 levels, some of which are for the service centres. It has a Green Building Index (GBI) certified facility built with sustainability in mind and incorporates technologies to cultivate a paperless organisational culture.

There is also an indoor facility with space for almost 100 vehicles that are managed by the Sime Darby Auto Selection unit dealing with pre-owned vehicles. Sime Darby Motors City also has mobility collaborations with SOCAR (a car-sharing network) and myTukar (an online used car trading platform).

*Auto Bavaria has this special area for handover of new vehicles to customers.*

First automotive facility with IoT
Each showroom has its own identity in keeping with the brand image, and aftersales services are provided with the highest standards, both in terms of equipment and personnel. Sime Darby Motors City is Malaysia’s first automotive facility that deploys Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, enabling improved service capacity, and supporting the company’s growth by accelerating efficiencies to deliver world-class services to its customers.

“As one of the key players in the automotive industry, Sime Darby Motors has always been committed to pursuing excellence as we strive to provide world-class services to our customers. The launch of Sime Darby Motors City is a testament to this steadfast commitment,” said Andrew Basham, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors.

At the heart of the facility’s digital infrastructure is its Vehicle Tracking Management system which utilises a camera-based parking guide and customisable signages to ensure a higher level of guidance, security and convenience for the customer. It also allows for quicker collection of vehicles upon completion of service. Internally, the facility’s digitalised infrastructure communicates the status of each vehicle in real-time, ensuring greater efficiencies are achieved.

IoT-powered Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras have also been installed as part of a contactless self-check-in system, enabling customers’ appointment data to be accessed, upon their arrival. Concurrently, a service advisor will be alerted and automatically assigned to the customer, allowing for a seamless experience. The deployment of these technologies will be rolled out progressively throughout Sime Darby Motors City.

*Customers visiting showrooms and service centres can relax and have snacks and drinks or even do work in comfortable surroundings.*

RM570 million was spent on building Sime Darby Motors City so it is not a project that may be replicated in other parts of the country. “We have no plans for another similarly sized complex but we could explore other approaches in future,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail and Distribution for Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors.

Future-ready for EV era
With an eye on the future of the business, Sime Darby Motors City is future-ready as the automotive industry continues to evolve towards EV. It is equipped with specialised EV-certified technicians and designated areas for EV charging, storage and repairs, which are currently available at Auto Bavaria, Auto Hyundai, Auto Performance and Swedish Auto, all of which have brands that offer electrified models.

Sime Darby Auto Performance, which represents the Porsche brand, has installed Malaysia’s first fast Direct Current (DC) high-performance charger, operational since September 2020, within its Porsche Centre. Capable of delivering a maximum of 175 kW, it is able to provide a nearly full charge within 36 minutes, which is at least 8 times faster than the fastest Alternating Current (AC) charger available at 22 kW.

Grand Launch Weekend
This weekend (April 16 – 18) will be a good time to visit Sime Darby Motors City as there will be a ‘Grand Launch Weekend’ event with attractive deals at all the showrooms. However, it is recommended that those going there contact the showroom they wish to visit so that an appointment can be made. This is to adhere to the government’s COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures on crowd control and physical distancing.

Money-saving offers and rewards at SDAC Ford dealers nationwide

With the Hari Raya festive period in the coming months, there may be additional expenditures to prepare for the celebration. To help save for that, Sime Darby Auto ConneXion (SDAC) has a service promotion which will help Ford owners save money so they have more to spend for their celebrations.

From now until May 31, 2021, the company is offering savings when customers book a service during this period, they can benefit from savings of up to 20% on selected parts and engine oil. Further savings of 20% are also available on brake and timing belt packages, up to 20% discount on a lubricant package, plus 10% discount for labour charges for the packages mentioned (terms and conditions apply).

“We always aim to deliver value-added benefits and services to our customers. Through this service promotion, we hope to offer customers savings during this festive period to keep them and their vehicles safe and at optimum condition as they go about their daily lives,” said Turse Zuhair, Head of Sales at Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.

Other rewards too
For added peace-of-mind, Ford vehicles will receive a free 27-point vehicle inspection conducted by Ford-certified technicians to ensure their vehicles are in tip-top condition. While there may be a restriction on long-distance travel at this time, it is still a good idea to have the vehicle checked periodically so any issues can be identified early and addressed before they worsen (and cost more to fix!).

Additionally, each customer who spends more than RM350 in a single receipt will receive an exclusive Ford travel mug and all customers bringing their vehicles for servicing will also receive free green packets (subject to stock availability).

Genuine Ford Parts with warranty
As the sold distributor of Ford in Malaysia, SDAC will always ensure that only Genuine or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are used when servicing at any of the 39 authorised Ford service centres nationwide.

With Genuine Ford Parts, customers can be certain of the highest standards of quality, fit and finish as the parts are designed for specific Ford vehicles to ensure superior performance. When purchased at the service centre, they are also covered by a warranty for a period of 12 months or 20,000 kms (whichever occurs first), excluding wear and tear parts.

An easy way to book a service appointment
For the convenience of owners, a service appointment can be booked online via the Ford website at anytime, from anywhere. All you need is a smartphone or other device with an internet connection. The e-Service Appointment is available for 7 authorised Ford Service Centres – Ford Ara Damansara, Ford Petaling Jaya 2, Ford Juru, Ford Butterworth, Ford Kuching, Ford Kota Kinabalu and Ford Tawau.

Response to the request for an appointment will be prompt and the owner will immediately know the available vehicle service time slots at the chosen dealership as well as select and confirm their preferred schedule, up to one month in advance. To make an e-Service Appointment booking, click here.

Alternatively, customers can call an authorised Ford Service Centre directly or contact the Customer Care Hotline at 1300 38 3181.

SDAC adheres to the government’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all its outlets to combat COVID-19 pandemic. Customers are required to follow the requirements such as MySejahtera registration, temperature scanning and social distancing for the safety of everyone. While arranging an appointment in advance is better, the owners can still make use of the comfortable customer lounges if they are waiting for their vehicle, and enjoy a nasi lemak or drink too.

The changing view of the driver (w/VIDEO)

Car interiors have changed a lot from when drivers really did store gloves in the glove compartment, as the metal and wooden steering wheels of early vehicles got ice cold in winter. Believe it or not, house windows were used in cars initially – and only offered as an extra. And while windscreens could be opened in the early years, they became sealed when air-conditioning appeared.

As motoring became a leisure activity, cupholders became popular, especially in America. And automatic cigarette lighters were added at some point to provide convenience to the occupants, instead of having to strike a match.

Then came things like radios for entertainment on the road. Post-war dashboards were influenced by the space race, with more dials, switches and gauges, as technology became increasingly a key part of people’s lives. The advent of video games and the use of hand-held gaming controls influenced steering wheel design, with buttons placed within easy reach of the driver’s thumbs.

The evolution of the interior is ongoing as times change and usage requirements have changed as this video shows.

More but ‘less’
While the trend in recent decades was towards ‘more’ in the car interior to provide more ‘convenience’ – more buttons, more gadgets, more features, more elements – Ford is taking a reductive approach, using human-centric design to declutter the interior and create a holistic space.

Reductive design is intended to provide drivers with a more comfortable and simpler environment. In the case of the Mustang Mach-E, this includes a large, centralised touchscreen that consolidates many of the in-car controls in one place.

“When we think about how cars have changed, we think of what they look like from the outside, but it is from the inside that drivers and passengers see them most of the time,” said Amko Leenarts, Director, Design, Ford of Europe. “It’s been an incredible journey to the dynamic, holistic interior of the Mustang Mach-E, which does more with less while putting all the important controls within easy reach. And we will continue to take this approach with future vehicles, by listening to our customers and designing interiors that best suit their needs.”

Entirely new approach
To step inside the Mustang Mach-E is to encounter an interior unlike any Ford vehicle that came before it. The all-new design is the culmination of refining the things that customers want – spaciousness, technology and a perception of ‘warmth’. It is claimed to be a benchmark on the road towards electrification.

The smooth dashboard with integrated speaker is the latest iteration in an ongoing sear ch to make driving and travelling as enjoyable an experience as possible. For example, wireless charging pads and a digital owner’s manual do away with the need for cables and paper

*The driver’s ‘cockpit’ continues to evolve, as shown by these two pictures of the Ford Ranger’s interior in 2003 (above) and in 2021 (below).*

“New electrified vehicles with flat floors from front to back provide more spaciousness and offer designers a blank canvas on which to create interiors that place people at the centre of the design,” Leenarts said.

Understanding future needs
To better understand the younger generation of digital natives and anticipate future trends, Ford embarked last year on a unique project: co-creating a virtual gaming race car in collaboration with gamers. Almost a quarter-of-a-million esports fans took part in online polls to help determine the appearance of our extreme Team Fordzilla P1 race car – inside and out.

*With greater connectivity and telematics, dashboards will have less physical switchgear and controls, and more touchscreens to manage every function, along with voice command and control.*

“The P1 race car was all about streamlining the features down to the gaming essentials, such as speed, race position and lap time. Together with the toned down colour palette, this reduces distraction so the driver can focus on the race. We can also apply a minimalist approach to designing the interiors of the future, where what goes in is what customers want the most,” said Robert Engelmann, interior designer, Ford of Europe.

Visit www.sdacford.com.my to find out more about the advanced interior design of the Ford Ranger.

New Ford Ranger Raptor X Special Edition Redefines The Pick-Up Truck

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Ford Bronco 4600 leads all-new outdoor brand of Built Wild 4x4s

When Ford brought back the Bronco SUV, it created many new marketing opportunities for the product. Ford Performance also had some ideas and one of them which has been revealed is the Bronco 4600 race vehicle. Representing the all-new outdoor brand of Built Wild 4x4s, the Bronco 4600 demonstrates how the latest Bronco can be prepped by customers for off-road racing, especially in the ULTRA4 series.

2021 Ford Bronco and 1965 Ford Bronco — *The modern Bronco launched in 2020 and the original which was introduced in 1965*

Built Wild off-road racing
With the first-generation Bronco having won the 1969 Baja 1000 race outright, the modern Bronco 4600 builds on a winning tradition. This starts with a Bronco 2-door SUV with stock powertrain running on a competition-tuned High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) System.

Testing of the Bronco 4600 begins later this month, with the race vehicles going on to run this year in the ULTRA4 alongside factory-backed Bronco 4400 series race vehicles. The model uses a 2021 Bronco 2-door with a Sasquatch Package, and is powered by a race-tested production 2.7-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 powertrain with SelectShift 10-speed automatic and second-generation T-6 chassis.

It serves as a test bed for a growing list of Ford Licensed Accessories and Ford Performance parts alongside the independent performance aftermarket. Taking learnings from the Bronco R Race Prototype that ran the 2019 and 2020 Baja 1000, the Bronco 4600’s competition-tuned high-performance off-road stability suspension features Fox coil-over shocks with remote reservoirs and Fox pneumatic bump stops at all four corners.

It also features Wilwood Engineering brakes and 35-inch BFGoodrich mud-terrain T/A KM3 tyres mounted to Method Race Wheels 202 Forged Beadlock wheels.

Inspired ‘war paint’
All the Bronco 4600 race vehicles will feature a new livery leveraging factory 2021 Bronco colours – Race Red, Oxford White and Velocity Blue. The front design takes inspiration from the 1969 Baja 1000-winning Bronco, with matte black bonnet, plus white upper and red lower body lines that transitions into a more modern Bronco design scheme extending rearward.

“Our new ‘war paint’ scheme tells the Bronco race story – up front is chapter one that traces back to the victorious 1969 Bronco, then, as you travel along the side, the lines get more diagonal, more futuristic, signaling the future of the brand,” said Scott Guan, Bronco designer. Like the Bronco R Race Prototype and Bronco Sport Rebelle Rally SUVs, the Bronco 4600’s “R” in the grille is distinctly red.

Continuing the Bronco heritage

“Innovating the off-road landscape and competing with Bronco’s higher-speed off-road abilities have always been at the core of Bronco brand’s heritage,” added Dave Rivers, Ford SUV Marketing Manager.

“Our new Bronco 4600 racers underscore our motorsports heritage and how the all-new 2021 Bronco can be tuned from the showroom floor to compete in the gruelling ULTRA4 stock class series,” he said.

The Bronco is now available in Malaysia but Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has the powerful, very rugged, very capable Ranger Raptor. Visit www.sdacford.com.my to know more.

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