The BMW X5 xDrive45e Plug-in-Hybrid will have sustainable tyres from August of this year. BMW Group is introducing tyres made with certified sustainable natural rubber and rayon, a wood-based material, used to strengthen the tyres. The initial source of the 22-inch tyres will be Pirelli.

The new 22-inch P ZERO ∗ tyre was the world’s first tyre to receive the coveted FSC label. Pirelli adapted its US plant in Rome, Georgia, to produce tyres using FSC-certified natural rubber and rayon. The star ∗ in the name indicates that the new tyre meets the BMW Group’s performance requirements, including particularly low rolling resistance and noise level.

Certification of the rubber plantations and the supply chain for natural rubber and rayon will be in accordance with the strict standards of the independent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Natural rubber is the basic material for many products such as boots and mattresses. About six million small farmers worldwide are responsible for over 80% of the world’s natural rubber cultivation. In the so-called rubber belt across the tropical regions, they run farms of between one and two hectares in size under a wide variety of different conditions. Agreeing uniform social and environmental growing conditions with these millions of small individual farms was therefore a major challenge.

By far the largest share of natural rubber grown worldwide goes into tyre production. Natural rubber’s high elasticity and sturdiness currently make it irreplaceable for tyre production.

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Michelin is targeting zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. The tyre manufacturer has signed a letter of commitment with Neoline, a French shipowner on the Canada-France line to transport its tyres on sailing cargo ships from Halifax, Canada to Saint-Nazaire – Montoir de Bretagne in France. The shipping company also serve the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, as well as Baltimore, USA.

Neoline transports good using 136-meter-long cargo ships with 4200-metre square sails. The main propulsion is wind energy, resulting in low carbon dioxide emissions from their shipping services. This will contribute to Michelin’s objective of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from logistics by 15 per cent in absolute terms between 2018 and 2030. Neoline’s solution is open to all shippers, not just Michelin, and will cut down carbon dioxide emissions related to transatlantic maritime freight transport by 90 per cent.

Neoline plans to inaugurate its transatlantic line with its first operating vessel in 2023. With the arrival of a second vessel, scheduled a year later, Neoline will take on at least 50 per cent of the group’s containers transported on this line.

Neoline was founded in 2015 by a group of maritime professionals committed to ecologically responsible maritime transport. Neoline’s ambition is to become the first shipowner oriented towards energy sobriety, relying on main propulsion under sail. The Sogestran Group, and its subsidiary Cie Maritime Nantaise, joined Neoline in 2020.

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Taiwan is one of the largest manufacturers of scooters in the world. The market was worth over USD 3.5 billion in 2019. The Taiwanese motorcycle industry recently held 2020 Taiwan Excellence Scooter Industry online. The event was organised by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), MOEA, Taiwan, R.O.C., and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

At the event, four companies, Aeon Motor, Giant Protech, A Man Power Transmission and Motive Power Industry demonstrated their products.

Aeon Motor
Aeon Motor presented the “Ai-1 Sport ABS”, an electric scooter designed with a double front-loaded space and a linked braking system to provide riders greater convenience and safety. The scooter also comes equipped with AI smart assistance, making the motorcycle more user-friendly. With its Swap & Go system, the batteries can be exchanged in just 6 seconds.

Giant Protech
Producer of the patented Two-Piece Forged Wheel, a new concept in the scooter industry. Designed via 3D modelling and simulation, the wheels are made with aerospace grade aluminium. The wheels are lightweight yet strong. The rim and the star hub of the wheels are securely connected with titanium bolts to improve handling performance, increasing dynamics, corner response and acceleration.

A Man Power Transmission 
A Man Power Transmission’s High-Density Plasma Ceramic Coating Technology (HDPCCT) effectively avoids hydrogen embrittlement and pollution caused by traditional electroplating methods. HDPCCT is able to improve durability and produce more vivid colours. It is also able to improve anti-rust resistance by 50% and anti-scratch and worn resistance by 200%.

Motive Power Industry
The Tigra 200 scooter is designed to offer the best solutions for scooter riders. Motive Power is the first brand in Taiwan to implement DOHC engine in small scooters. The scooters also come equipped with forging pistons to enhance durability and burning efficiency. The Tigra 200 undergoes many different tests to ensure robustness and rider safety. In addition, there is an enhanced Bosch ABS braking system.

In addition, Taiwan Excellence also launched the “Smart Transportation Virtual Pavilion”. The site shares 55 award-winning Taiwan Excellence products from 27 leading companies, which helps global buyers to familiarise themselves with Taiwanese auto vehicles’ products and solutions. More information is at https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/en/smart_transportation for more information.
Watch the full presentation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufQM4AE_tbc

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The BMW Group has been a strong proponent of electric cars and supported research into electromobility and advancing battery technology in the automotive industry. The following information is from BMW Group Malaysia and sets out the brand’s philosophy on electric vehicles and what the automaker is doing to realise their beliefs.

“The BMW Group has always believed that the future is electric. This conviction echoes here as well at BMW Group Malaysia. Since 2015, we have been committed to shaping the future of mobility for the country. In doing so, we have delivered on technology and laid the foundation to progress electrified mobility in Malaysia. Beyond introducing new electrified vehicles and building a functioning ecosystem for electromobility to thrive in, owners can also be rest assured that the BMW Group continuously innovates so that the heart of electromobility – which lies in our high-voltage batteries – serves to sustain a viable future with a seamless ownership experience,” said Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

“Moving forward, sustainability does not have to weigh heavily on our shoulders. Joy can still be found every step of the way, be it in our design or technology, in the drive or the ownership experience – Joy can be electrified so our future is safeguarded. This year, BMW will be focusing not only on introducing more new electrified vehicles, but also electromobility development as a whole with Joy.Electrified by i. This campaign will tackle a range of sustainability topics from building infrastructures to innovating new and clean technologies in Malaysia,” Hoelzl added.

The success of electromobility is heavily reliant on optimal battery technology as it not only determines the vehicle’s operating range but its driving characteristics as a whole. The BMW i models and BMW Hybrid with eDrive Technology vehicles are excellent examples of these high-voltage batteries at work, showcasing the ingenuity of its design from the beginning to the end.

Innovation for Seamless, Peace-of-Mind Ownership Experience.

A key concern for electrified vehicle ownership is the repair and replacement of the battery cells. The BMW high-voltage battery presents solutions to concerns around repair and maintenance by developing their batteries where single modules are replaceable.

Sitting at the heart of every electrified BMW vehicle is a lithium-ion battery pack that houses multiple modules (depending on the model of the vehicle) and within each module, multiple cells as well – all intricately connected yet easily replaceable.

The high-voltage battery pack in the BMW 530e M Sport, for example, is made up of six cell modules. As a result, if only one of the modules is needed to be replaced, owners need not replace the entire battery pack. Instead, they can simply change that one cell module at a cost of RM 5,000 per cell. While there is a cost involved for the maintenance of the battery cells, BMW Group Malaysia offers a comprehensive warranty coverage of 6 years / 100,000km* for the batteries in its vehicles to provide a peace of mind ownership experience.

The battery pack is also built to be lightweight for efficient power usage while still capable of housing a great deal of power. The BMW 530e M Sport offers a maximum output of 83kW – the highest in its segment, enabling a maximum speed of 120km/h in full electric driving. Moreover, these high-voltage batteries can be quickly recharged, powering the BMW 530e M Sport in under three hours with the BMW i Wallbox for an all-electric range of 40 kilometres.

While owners of electrified BMW vehicles are guaranteed a comprehensive coverage warranty of 6 years / 100,000km* from BMW Group Malaysia, these high-voltage batteries are built to last the entire lifetime of the vehicle – underlining the key factor in the development of every electrified BMW vehicle: sustainability. Electrification has always been the future for the BMW Group and designing for the long run has never been more imperative.

Sustainable, through and through.

The BMW i belief of systemic sustainability also means accounting for the end of the high-voltage battery’s life cycle. When the lithium-ion batteries are no longer suitable for use in a vehicle due to wear and tear from high performance requirements, they can still be useful in stationary operations such as those in second life projects such as the energy storage facilities. The batteries can be combined to form a storage unit that is used as a buffer or backup storage for power from local energy sources such as solar and wind installations.

The advancements in the electric vehicle segment are not new to the BMW Group, having been a pioneer and leader in electrified mobility since 1981 when the premium automaker first began research and development of an electric vehicle with Asea Brown Boveri – a well-known supplier in the electric power industry. Today, the BMW Group upholds the pioneering legacy of in the electric vehicle industry and brings forth a cleaner long-term solution to mobility. Ultimately, sustainability and responsibility are the only ways to safeguard the future and the future is now.

In Malaysia, the high-voltage battery technology is featured in the plug-in hybrid variants of the BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, the full electric BMW i3s as well as the MINI Plug-In Hybrid. For more information on electrified BMW and MINI vehicles, visit BMW Malaysia’s website or MINI Malaysia’s website.

Looking for a BMW? Take a look and find yours from 100s of pre-owned BMWs at https://www.motortrader.com.my/cars/BMW

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We have reached peak SUV where literally almost every carmaker on this planet would have at least one to offer in their model lineup. And with Ferrari being the exception, the closest thing to a Ferrari SUV is the Maserati Levante Trofeo with its twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 engine built by Ferrari. Although the 580 hp and 730 Nm of torque sound plenty, there are people out there who want a little more. So, this is where Novitec come into the picture as they have pumped that figure up to 624 hp and 820 Nm of torque.

Besides the power hike, Novitec also offers the Esteso widebody kit to house large 22-inch wheels. With the kit, the overall width of the Levante is increased up to 2.09 metres, to be exact, 10 cm and 12 cm at the front and rear respectively. The entire kit consists of eight pieces and some of them are available in bare carbon fibre. These include the hood scoop and rear spoiler to add the Maserati SUV’s presence even more.

As for the wheels, the Novitec Esteso 22-inch alloys wheels feature a centre-lock look and Y-shaped spokes. The wheels come with a choice of finishes in matte black or glossy black with polished surfaces. And they’re wrapped in 295/30 R 22 at the front and 335/25 R 22 tyres on the rear axle. The ride height has been lowered by 25 millimetres to complete the stance.

To go with the look, Novitec also offers engine upgrades to all variants be it petrol or diesel models. As for the range-topping Levante Trofeo, the 624 hp and 820 Nm upgrade allows the SUV to leap from nought to a hundred in 3.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 309 km/h, slightly more than the Bentley Bentayga Speed’s 308 km/h.

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Harnessing the power of the internet and smart devices, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has launched the eShowroom, an online showroom for Malaysians wanting to purchase a Volkswagen. The online showroom is a response to the Government’s Movement Control Order where all Volkswagen dealerships nationwide are closed in efforts to reduce the risk of the COVID-19 infection to its customers and staff.

With the concept of bringing a ‘dealership’ right to the customer’s fingertip, the Volkswagen eShowroom offers special online deals to car buyers who have had to put their Volkswagen purchase on hold. Additionally, these exclusive deals are also available on its flagship store on Lazada.

The safety of our customers and employees are our top priority and it is crucial that we each play our part in overcoming this global pandemic. The Volkswagen eShowroom was created to offer our customers an alternative solution for those still interested in purchasing a Volkswagen during this Movement Control Order, with attractive deals which we believe will ease the purchasing process for our customers.

Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM

For the month of April, the Volkswagen eShowroom and official flagship store on Lazada offers additional savings and greater deals on the models as listed below:

Note: The savings listed are for cars booked from the 1^st to 30^th April. A booking fee of 1% of the total recommended retail price is required when a purchase is made on Lazada.

To take advantage of the savings, customers just need to visit the Volkswagen eShowroom and follow four simple steps:

• Step 1: Browse deals and select your preferred model.
• Step 2: Fill in the online reservation form.
• Step 3: Select your preferred Volkswagen dealership and submit the form.
• Step 4: Wait for a verification call from the Volkswagen Customer Care personnel.

Similarly, on Lazada, customers just need to visit the Volkswagen flagship store and follow these simple steps:

• Step 1: Browse deals and click ‘buy now’ on your preferred model.
• Step 2: Make a payment of 1% booking fee to secure the deal.
• Step 3: Receive an order confirmation via email from Lazada.
• Step 4: A Volkswagen Customer Care personnel will contact you for verification and for your preferred dealership selection

Once the verification process is complete, the customer’s preferred dealership will be in touch to finalise the booking. Registration and delivery of the vehicle will take place once the MCO period is over.

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The automotive industry is changing at a rapid pace. The majority that are spearheading the efforts are looking to include renewable energy sources such as Electric and Hydrogen as well as the wider adoption of animal-free materials in the interior.

Likewise, tyre companies are following suit by refining tyre construction to suit future applications. Goodyear, on the other hand, is looking way beyond the present towards the decades to come. Goodyear has introduced its reCharge self-regenerating concept tyre which can adapt itself to meet individual mobility needs.

Basically, the Goodyear reCharge concept includes a number of innovative features built around three pillars:

Personalised

• At the core of the reCharge concept is a reloadable and biodegradable tread compound that can be recharged with individual capsules. Filled with a customised liquid compound allows the tread to regenerate and the tyre to adapt over time to climatic circumstances, road conditions, or simply how drivers want to travel. Employing artificial intelligence a driver profile can be created for tailored customisation of the liquid compound to suit each driver.

Sustainable

• Goodyear says that the compound itself would be made from biological material and would be reinforced with fibres inspired by one of the toughest natural materials in the world – spider silk. This would make it both extremely durable and 100 per cent biodegradable.

Hassle-Free

• In addition to radically simplifying the process of replacing the tyres with rechargeable capsules, the tread would be supported by a light-weight, non-pneumatic frame and tall-and-narrow shape. This is a thin, robust low-maintenance construction will eliminate the need for pressure maintenance or downtime related to punctures.

“Goodyear wants the tyre to be an even more powerful contributor to answering consumers’ specific mobility needs. It was with that ambition that we set out to create a concept tyre primed for the future of personalised and convenient electric mobility.”

Mike Rytokoski, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Goodyear Europe

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Although many car manufacturers have begun making and selling electric vehicles (EV), the adoption of these cars is still a challenge faced by customers due to the apparent lack of infrastructure to support the vehicles that run on electrons, especially for people living outside the northern and western parts of the world.

BMW Group is very much aware of this and as part of the company’s “Power of Choice” strategy, which customer-centricity and flexibility are needed to help its customers to make the seamless jump into EVs. This approach also includes careful consideration of different market and customer requirements.

We are convinced that various alternative powertrain systems will exist alongside one another in future, as there is no single solution that addresses the full spectrum of customers’ mobility requirements worldwide. The hydrogen fuel cell technology could quite feasibly become the fourth pillar of our powertrain portfolio in the long term. The upper-end models in our extremely popular X family would make particularly suitable candidates here.

Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Research and Development

This is why BMW Group reckons that hydrogen fuel cell technology could quite feasibly become the fourth pillar of its powertrain portfolio in the long term. And the larger X family of SUVs would be likely candidates to adopt the new drivetrain technology. And besides working together on the Toyota GR Supra and the BMW Z4, BMW Group has been working with Toyota Motor Corporation on fuel cell tech since 2013.

However, BMW Group says that it is still early days as fuel cell technology still lacks the right framework and have yet to be produced in sufficient quantities at a competitive price. And in the short term, hydrogen will be useful primarily in applications cannot be directly electrified, such as long-distance heavy-duty transportation.

For now, the company is pressing on with its development with hydrogen fuel cell technology, which the company has been developing and tinkering with since the 1970s.

The BMW Group is already bringing battery electric vehicles and will soon be offering a wide range of electrified vehicles to its customers. BMW Group says that a total of 25 models is slated for launch by 2023, including at least twelve models will be driven by an all-electric powertrain.

And one of those cars could be powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain in the BMW i Hydrogen Next – the hydrogen-powered version of the i Next all-electric flagship SUV prototype. The fuel-cell system generates 125kW of electric energy simply through chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen taken from the ambient air and emits nothing but water vapour.

The electric converter then adapts to the voltage level required by the electric drivetrain and battery, which also takes in power from regenerative braking. The concept car also accommodates a pair of 700 bar hydrogen storage tanks which hold six kilograms of hydrogen. Refuelling will only take three to four minutes. And the fifth-generation eDrive unit is set to make debut in the BMW iX3 is also fully integrated into the BMW i Hydrogen Next.

BMW Group says that the system output of the hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain stands at 369 bhp. The hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain will be tested in a small series based on the current BMW X5 in 2022 and will be introduced to the market at the earliest in 2025.

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Aston’s homemade new engine features a hot-vee design and will be paired with an electric drivetrain.

The post Aston Martin unveils new in-house twin-turbo V6 engine appeared first on Autocar Malaysia Singapore.

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