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Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, Senior General Manager Group Strategic Communications (2nd from right) and K N Radhakrishnan Director and CEO TVS Motor Company (3rd from right) with the PETRONAS TVS Racing Team riders.

PETRONAS has announced that it has signed an agreement with TVS Motor Company to be the title partner of TVS Racing, India’s first factory racing team.

TVS ApacheTVS Motor Company is a motorcycle manufacturer based in Chennai. It is part of the TVS Group which is involved in the automotive and textile industries. The team is now rebranded as PETRONAS TVS Racing Team, with the outfit sporting a new livery as part of this alliance starting this season.

TVS Racing is a pioneer, helping to promote motorsports in India since 1982 and has been integral in growing the racing performance culture. It has done so by creating multiple riding platforms for young enthusiasts to explore race performance in a fun and safe environment. This partnership with PETRONAS will give a boost to further grow the popularity of racing in India.

Petronas_Sprinta_Range_LubricantIn this partnership, PETRONAS will be supplying its high-performance engine oil, PETRONAS Sprinta, to the team which will participate in road-racing, supercross, and rally formats of racing. This will include the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (INMRC), Indian National Supercross Championship (INSC), and Indian National Rally Championship (INRC).

The partnership is also complemented by a strategic business alliance with PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) to develop a co-branded oil i.e. PETRONAS TVS TRU4 RacePro. This lubricant will be available for consumers in the high street market across India in May 2022.

“PETRONAS continues to make headway across the value chain in India. Amongst the examples of significant portfolio enhancements include supplying LPG through IndianOil PETRONAS Pvt. Ltd. (IPPL), provision of rooftop solar panels via AmPlus Energy and today, we seal a stronger partnership with one of India’s most respected OEM, TVS Motor Company, with the PETRONAS TVS Racing Team launch. PETRONAS lubricants have a solid track record in global motorsport events, and we are proud to support TVS Racing’s ambitions,” commented Datuk Sazali Hamzah, Executive Vice President and CEO Downstream, PETRONAS.

Petronas_TVS Racing_Sprinta_Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz_KN RadhakrishnanDatin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, Senior General Manager, Group Strategic Communications PETRONAS said, “Through our involvement in global motorsports events, PETRONAS has been able to continuously innovate our Fluid Technology Solutions offering for track and road, and we are proud to partner and extend our expertise to the TVS Racing Team. We are highly motivated by this project. It gives us another platform to test our capabilities and create awareness about the PETRONAS brand and philosophy to motorsport fans in India, a strategic market for our business.”

“The PETRONAS TVS Tru4 Race Pro engine oil is formulated with the same premium additive technology as the one used by the PETRONAS-TVS Racing team. This is so that TVS consumers can experience the same superior performance in their bikes,” said Mr Giuseppe Pedretti, Regional Managing Director, PETRONAS Lubricants International.

Meanwhile Mr KN Radhakrishnan, CEO TVS Motor Company said, “We are delighted to have PETRONAS as our partner for TVS Racing.  PETRONAS comes with many progressive technological solutions, backed by significant wins in prominent racing events.  I am confident that PETRONAS’ global expertise and solid presence in motorsports combined with TVS Racing’s four decades of strong racing heritage will take us to greater heights.”

TVS Racing has been pivotal in engineering the TVS Apache series through the company’s “Track to Road” strategy. The brand has redefined the sports segment by focusing on race performance, making it a highly desirable product for sports enthusiasts. This has resulted in TVS Apache becoming the fastest growing brand in the >150cc segment. TVS Racing is also the pioneer of the One Make Championship in the country, the first Indian manufacturer to introduce the series in India.

Mr Meghashyam L Dighole, Vice President, New Product Development, TVS Motor Company: “TVS Racing has been a prominent force in Indian motorsports for over 4 decades.  We are immensely committed to motor racing in the country and have been continuously working towards growing the interest and enthusiasm for the sport here.  Our partnership with PETRONAS is a testimony of this, and it gives me immense pleasure to announce the renaming of the TVS Racing Team to PETRONAS TVS Racing Team.

 

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) celebrated its a milestone as it hands over the first batch of the all-electric IONIQ 5 to 11 buyers.

Hyundai IONIQ 5_Wheel“This marks the second all-electric vehicle introduced by HSDM to the Malaysian market. As the mobility landscape continues to see greater adoption of EV vehicles in Malaysia, we are pleased to expand our EV line-up with world-class high-quality affordable offerings, supporting the nation’s transition towards a low carbon mobility future,” commented Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail and Distribution of Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) has garnered overwhelming response globally, winning 6 trophies at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2021 in the United Kingdom, including the coveted ‘Car of the Year’ award.

Recently, 11 buyers were presented the keys to their IONIQ 5 at HSDM’s Ara Damansara showroom. The IONIQ 5 is sold here in 3 variants i.e. Lite, Plus, and Max, with main differences in driving range, power output and trim, to suit different needs and budgets. The Lite and Plus variants are 2-Wheel Drive (2WD) with power sent to the rear axle, and come with a 58 kWh battery pack. The range-topping Max meanwhile, has All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and a larger 72.6 kWh battery pack. The driving range is claimed at 380 km for Lite and Plus variants, and 480 km for Max. Top speed is tagged at 185 km/h.

Additionally, there is a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature that can supply up to 3.6 kW to power external 240-volt appliances, as well as Hyundai’s SmartSense driving assistance features.

Yinson GreenTech_ChargEV_EV Charger BoxIn addition to receiving their new vehicles, the first 11 IONIQ 5 customers were also given a complimentary 1-year membership with chargEV sponsored by Yinson GreenTech. chargEV is a provider of electric vehicle charging solutions in Malaysia and has over 400 charging stations nationwide.

“Redefining the electric mobility lifestyle, the IONIQ 5 sets a new benchmark with its global acclaim for combining sustainability with a powerful performance. Testament to this, since the launch in Malaysia in March 2022, we have recorded close to 300 bookings. This indeed reflects the highly positive reception for this innovative sustainable vehicle, and we will continue to strive to meet customer demand,” said Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 LiteThe Hyundai IONIQ 5 starts from RM199,888 (on-the-road without insurance – fully exempted from import and excise duties, sales tax as well as road tax as per Budget 2022). It has a 2-year (or 50,000 km) vehicle warranty while the battery pack is covered for 8 years (or 160,000 km). You can also opt to purchase extended warranty and service packages for RM10,000. This will upgrade the vehicle warranty to 5 years (100,000 km) and service maintenance to 3 years (50,000 km). The battery warranty will remain unchanged.

You can visit Hyundai Cl!ck to Buy (www.hyundai.com.my/clicktobuy/) or any Hyundai authorised showroom. For more information, contact Hyundai’s Customer Careline (1300-13-2000) or visit www.hyundai.com.my.

You will be seeing a number of new Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric on the roads; in fact, I had seen one last Saturday in PJ. This is because earlier on Saturday (23 April), Volvo Car Malaysia delivered the first batch of this battery-electric compact crossover to its Malaysian buyers.

A total of 65 owners nationwide has taken delivery of their unit of the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, marking a significant milestone as Volvo Car Malaysia moves into an all-electric future. This is in line with Volvo Cars’ global ambition to have 50% of vehicle sales contributed by its pure electric line-up by 2025; to be a fully electric car company by 2030; and to be a climate-neutral company by 2040.

To-date, Volvo Car Malaysia has taken in over 300 orders for the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. The company has set a goal of delivering a total of 100 units of this crossover to their respective owners by the end of this month.

Launched in Malaysia in mid-March, the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric comes at a hassle-free price* of RM262,459.75. This model is assembled in the Volvo plant in Shah Alam, Selangor, making Volvo the first premium car brand in the country to assemble EVs locally. Volvo Car Malaysia also has plans to export locally assembled EVs to other ASEAN countries.Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric_Rear

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is based on the XC40 compact premium crossover built on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform. This compact EV features a fully electric all-wheel-drive powertrain with a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a driving range of up to 418 km** on a single charge. Each axle is driven by a dedicated electric motor drive that provides a combined 402 hp and 660 Nm of torque. This allows the XC40 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The battery can take a maximum of 11 kW via AC (alternating current) charging with a Type 2 connector. Charging time to get from empty to full is about 7.5 hours. However, DC (direct current) charging is the faster option and requires a different connector. With DC charging, the battery needs just over half an hour to get to 80% SoC (state of charge) from empty. The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric also uses Google services and Google Assistant in its user interface for a more convenient and hands-free driving experience.

The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is available in 5 colour options i.e. Black Stone, Crystal White Pearl, Denim Blue, Glacier Silver and Sage Green. You can submit an order request online in the company’s official website (www.volvocars.com/my).

* Hassle-free price is Volvo Car Malaysia’s recommended retail price for the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric and includes the convenience of a charging cable, service package, 5 years vehicle warranty, 8 years HV battery warranty and 5 years roadside assistance. Volvo Car Malaysia does not determine the retail price between customers and authorised Volvo Dealer. The actual drive away price that a customer pays for the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will be agreed by the customer with the selected Authorised Volvo Dealer and set out in the vehicle sale agreement between the customer and the selected Authorised Volvo Dealer.

The first mass-production EV by Mazda has been shown off by Bermaz Motor, the sole distributor of Mazda in Malaysia. The Mazda MX-30 is also the first electric vehicle introduced to the Bermaz Auto group stable. The Mazda MX-30 is based on the brand’s CX-30 compact crossover and made its debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.Mazda MX-30_EV

The introduction of this model is part of Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 vision of achieving carbon neutrality through the development of new technologies and new products with some form of electrification. Incidentally, the MX-30 also received the 2020 Red Dot Design award for product design, alongside the CX-30.

The development of the Mazda MX-30 targets EV buyers who don’t want to sacrifice driving pleasure, keeping in line with the brand’s Jinba-Ittai and Zoom Zoom principles. The “Human Modern” styling of the MX-30 represents an exploration of a more modern aesthetic which focuses on the futuristic values and lifestyles. “This new approach has resulted in an original design that embodies the expansion of Kodo’s expressive range,” explained Youichi Matsuda, the Mazda MX-30 Chief Designer. “The exterior is uncompromisingly simple to emphasise its beauty as a solid mass, and the cabin design – with its framed top and freestyle doors – embodies an image of lightness while proactively incorporating sustainability as an element for the interior materials. As we begin an era of great change, we want the Mazda MX-30 to show people that our cars can still deliver pure joy of driving.” Mazda MX-30_Red

The MX-30 is built on a wheelbase of 2,655 mm, with a body measuring 4,395 mm long, 1,795 mm wide, 1,555 mm tall. The MX-30’s styling creates a friendly appearance, while the cabin has a sense of oneness, flowing from the top of A pillar to the rear end. Besides the coupe-like roofline and 2-tone colour scheme, the other standout feature of the MX-30’s exterior is the “freestyle” doors similar to that of the RX-8 which allows easier egress and ingress for the rear passengers.

Other exterior highlights include adaptive LED headlamps, circular LED tail lights, and 18″ alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the interior is designed to give occupants a sense of “bathing in openness,” with its floating console. The interior also uses eco-friendly materials such as vegan leather, fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles, and environmentally-sourced cork on the floating center console that provides a unique storage area.

Mazda MX-30_Charging Port_CableLike every other Mazda, the MX-30 promises a very natural and responsive driving feel; it is also equipped with the enhanced e-G-Vectoring Control (GVC) Plus system. The all-electric MX-30 is powered by an e-SkyActiv motor that produces 143 hp and 271 Nm of torque that is channeled to the front wheels by a 1-speed EV transmission. Power is stored in a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which gives an approximate driving range of 199 km. There is always that compromise to be made with regards to driving range, vehicle weight, charging time as well as battery cost. The more you add in, the more it will cost you. Mazda’s concept for the MX-30 is for it to be an urban runner rather than a grand tourer. Thus in the Malaysian context, this would be suitable for drivers who rarely deviate from a habitual route or destination e.g. the daily office commutes, as well as school and market runs. A typical round trip on a work day is about 30 km and the battery would give you about 6 days’ worth of driving, in theory.

The 35.5 kWh battery can be charged via AC (Type 2) or the rapid DC (CCS2) charger. A 40 kW CCS2 charger can charge it from empty to 80% in only 36 minutes. But on the other end of the spectrum, using a Type 2 cable via a home 3-pin plug point would take about 12 hours to get from 0% – 100% SoC (State-of-Charge) at 3 kW. However, a 6.6 kW AC wallbox charger can shorten that time to 5 hours. Thus, a wallbox packaged with the vehicle would make it the most practical and convenient option as it allows you to plug in at the end of the day and have it charge overnight.

In certain markets, there is a mild hybrid version available, with a 2.0L E-SkyActiv-G engine paired with an Integrated Starter Motor and 24V lithium-ion battery, producing 153 hp and 200 Nm. As the government has incentives available for EVs, it only makes sense to take advantage of that.

Following this preview, we can expect the Mazda MX-30 should be available very soon.

Leading automotive lubricant company, Castrol, celebrates another milestone as its Castrol Auto Service (CAS) marks its 20th anniversary this year. Its celebration will be commemorated with exclusive gifts to its loyal customers.

Castrol EDGE_5W-40_4L_Engine OilAs a token of gratitude for supporting CAS through the years, the Castrol anniversary promotion offers loyal customers limited premium. From 15 April to 14 May 2022, customers who purchase any Castrol EDGE 4L product from a participating CAS outlet will receive a complimentary CAS 20 years X English Premier League (EPL) inverted umbrella (while stocks last). Castrol EDGE is a fully synthetic engine oil developed to provide maximum engine protection and performance.

CAS has been serving and thriving in Malaysia since the conception of the first 3 CAS workshops nationwide in 2002. Various milestones were achieved along the way, including the opening of its 100th outlet in 2008, the establishment of CAS in East Malaysia in 2010, celebrating its 300th outlet in 2013, the launching of Castrol Certified Branded Workshop (CBWS) in 2016, and the grand milestone of the 500th outlet in 2021. Today, CAS has over 500 outlets providing professional, efficient, and comprehensive auto servicing for vehicles nationwide.

With their extensive length of service across the Malaysian automotive industry, CAS dealers have proven their expertise, knowledge, and prowess; with 60% among CAS workshops having been in operation for more than 5 years, and 30% serving customers for a decade. Additionally, the CAS dealer network is vast throughout the country, with notable presence in key regions of the Klang Valley and Johor Bahru.

In the last 20 years, CAS has outperformed its peers with a variety of programmes organised for its mechanics and customers, such asthe CAS Service & Win campaign, and the Castrol Cars Super Mechanic Contest which is an avenue for CAS professionals to showcase their skills and abilities to vehicle owners. The relationship between Castrol and dealers are also enhanced through such events as the annual CAS Forum & Appreciation Dinner, that share and discuss marketing campaigns, future improvements, and business developments.Castrol Auto Service_KitaCare

Additionally, CAS outlets have been active participants of the long-running Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia (HMM) campaign since 2019. This campaign continues to raise awareness to the public to appreciate the mechanic community, who are an essential part of the society and its welfare. This year, Castrol HMM partnered with EPL for a merrier celebration on a larger scale. CAS is part of the ongoing Castrol KitaCare, an initiative launched during the pandemic to provide a safe solution to car maintenance, enhanced convenience for customers to service their cars with a reduced waiting period in a safe and hygienic environment.Castrol Auto Service_Motorist App

Castrol also introduced the Castrol Loyalty Program since 2004. The program was migrated onto a digital platform in 2012 to inspire new customer loyalty through digital communication via the Castrol Motorist app, which was recently upgraded to allow customers to enjoy more rewards and greater convenience with various built-in features. Through the enhanced app, you can earn and redeem Castrol products with Castrol Points at all participating CAS workshops, getting notifications for their next car service, latest events updates and promotions.

Castrol_Keow Mei-Shan“Castrol is extremely proud of the CAS journey in the past two decades. CAS now has over 500 outlets, a long way from our humble start of only 3 outlets in 2002 – and on the right track to launching more CAS outlets in the future. We are grateful to have our mechanics alongside us celebrating Castrol Malaysia’s milestones and progress. We are committed to bringing in more initiatives and efforts to support our dealers,” said Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore.

“Our customers are a big part of our journey, and we’d like to thank them for being with us throughout the years. With plans to further expand our CAS network, we look forward to witnessing the community grow to become more comprehensive and close-knit so we are able to continuously provide an overall great experience to our customers,” she concluded.

To find out more about Castrol and its products, visit www.castrol.com/my

Shell_FuelSave 95_Ekstra KM Belanja CampaignShell is rewarding Malaysians the chance to refuel and enjoy their favourite snacks on-the-go with the ‘Ekstra KM Belanja’ campaign.

‘Ekstra KM Belanja’ is the first campaign that enables you to use your mileage (KM) with Shell fuels as currency to buy items at any Shell SELECT, deli2go or Shell Lubricants store. The more you fuel at any Shell station, they more you KM you will be rewarded with. As an added bonus, 40 lucky customers will be rewarded with 1 year’s worth of free fuel from Shell.

“I am very much anticipating the upcoming festive period and I believe many Malaysians are too. We imagine many would be travelling back to their hometowns after missing out from celebrating with their families and relatives for the past two years. Shell will continue to accompany Malaysians wherever they choose to travel this Hari Raya season, giving them extra value on their journey. Now our customers ‘Ekstra KM’ can be used to purchase their travelling necessities when on the road, adding on that extra joy to their holiday journey. Wishing Everyone a safe journey this coming holidays, Selamat Hari Raya!” said Seow Lee Ming, General Manager, Mobility Malaysia and Singapore.202428673-004 Shell KM to RM - Poster FA01_OL_A2 420x594 Lub BM

This campaign will run from 1 May until 30 June 2022, and will enable you to pay for an array of tasty snacks, hot pastries and delightful beverages with your KM as currency.

To pay for Shell SELECT and deli2go snacks using your KM, you will need to:

  1. Pump RM40 worth of Shell FuelSave 95, or collect 390KM with Shell V-Power or Shell V-Power Racing
  2. Scan the QR code and upload photos of receipts to the Shell ‘Ekstra KM Belanja’ microsite to start redeeming Shell SELECT offers instantly.

The redemption period lasts until 10 July 2022. You can choose from a wide array of offers, including the favourites such as Maggi Hot Cup, Nescafe, fresh pastries, and many other road trip essentials from Shell SELECT, deli2go, and Shell lubricants.

Shell Select_Convenience Store_Shell Station_Deli2GoAdditionally, you can use your KM to redeem items from deli2go’s new range of hot and fresh food if you prefer a more wholesome meal during pit stops. The new range of items will launch in May, in time for the holiday travels.

For more information, please visit: www.ekstrakmbelanja.com or https://www.shell.com.my/motorists/promotions/ekstrakmbelanja.html

 

A total of 185 graduates of the Bermaz Apprenticeship Program recently celebrated their graduation on 20 April 2022. Upon graduation, all of them are currently employed under Bermaz Auto Berhad and will be assigned to service centres for the 3 automotive brands of the Bermaz Auto group i.e. Mazda, Peugeot and Kia.

The 185 graduates are from 3 different technical training programs: 68 from the Mazda Apprenticeship Program (MAP), 60 from the Mazda Mechanic Program (MPP) and 57 from the Body & Paint Program (BPP).

Bermaz Auto Berhad has also increased and upgraded the technical equipment as well as the facilities in the BAuto Training School to meet the needs of aftersales for new-generation vehicles. The aim is to equip the workforce with the know-how to handle Next-Generation vehicles such as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) & Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).

The new BAuto Training School will provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs to fit the requirements of all the 3 vehicle brands operated under BAuto (Mazda, Peugeot & Kia). The vocational programs include BAuto Body & Paint (BABP) and BAuto Mechanics’ Program (BAMP). These vocational programs are certified by Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK) and Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) UK, one of the Accreditation Centre on Motor Vehicle Mechanic Training providers. Bermaz Automotive_Training School

Additionally, BAuto has introduced the BAuto Mechatronics Program (BMP) which is a new program that focuses on educating the students in electronic and electric vehicle (EV) technologies.

BAuto Training School_EV_ChargerThe state-of-the-art training school includes a wide range of facilities such as the new E-learning & Computer Lab, Advanced E-lab, EV Learning Centre, Learning Management System (LMS), and 22 kW AC chargers for electric vehicle training purposes. Its comprehensive facilities are designed to nurture the next generation of local talent while ensuring that the local workforce can support and meet the service quality requirements at all the service centres operated by the group. Furthermore, students who graduate from the BAuto Training School are guaranteed with an opportunity to be employed as professional technicians in Bermaz’s aftersales network.

Bermaz Auto_Dato Sri Ben Yeoh_Chairman“The objective of the Bermaz Automotive technical and vocational academy is to give our young school graduates the opportunity to embark on a career in the automotive industry. This academy is also a platform for continuous training and development of our skilled human resource. To upskill them to meet the demands of the next generation vehicles which focuses on green and clean technology, autonomous safety features and better connectivity. Our programs will be structured to encourage continuous learning,” said the Executive Chairman of Bermaz Auto Berhad, Dato Sri Ben Yeoh.

Bermaz believes in creating a sustainable future for the youth by inspiring them to unlock their potential in the automotive industry and enhancing their lives with invaluable knowledge and practical skills. Individuals who possess the attractive combination of passion, ambition and drive to pursue a career in the after-sales sector can submit their resume to bts6@bermaz.com.my.

 

Lee Motors Autohaus in Alor Setar, Kedah has been recognised as Dealer of the Year 2021 by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM). In the recent Dealer Awards 2021 ceremony, awards were given out to honour the support given by dealers to the Volkswagen brand in Malaysia as well as to celebrate the accomplishments of its dealerships.Volkswagen Alor Setar Team_Eugene Lee, Managing Director_Lee Motors Autohaus (centre)

The dealerships were judged and scored based on the dealer’s achievements and efforts in sales, aftersales, marketing, customer satisfaction, and manpower qualification.

Lee Motors Autohaus (a.k.a. Volkswagen Alor Setar) was the star of 2021 as it bagged awards in 2 of 4 categories. It won the coveted Dealer of the Year title as well as Best Dealer for Category B. The Lee Motors team had consistently surpass expectations by going above and beyond in its sales and aftersales initiatives. Lee Motors stood out with its creative and well-executed campaigns, its solid sales performance, attentive and top-notch service, as well as excellent customer satisfaction (CEM) results.

The list of winners are:

  • Dealer of the Year : Lee Motors Autohaus (Volkswagen Alor Setar)
  • Category A : F.A. Wagen (Volkswagen Glenmarie)
  • Category B : Lee Motors Autohaus (Volkswagen Alor Setar)
  • Das WeltAuto : PHS Autohaus (Volkswagen Puchong)

Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM, expressed his appreciation towards the support and hard work of Volkswagen dealers in 2021. “The bar has been raised, and this year’s winners truly deserved the accolades. We have achieved so much together – beyond offering our products to the market, we have further enhanced the ownership experience with our Volkswagen Cares initiatives, as evident in the Car.Advisor ratings given by customers. I look forward to even higher levels of excellence from our dealers in 2022.”

Das WeltAuto_Volkswagen_Certified Used Car ProgrammeDas WeltAuto (DWA) is a new award that was introduced for fiscal year 2021. DWA dealers are measured based on the performance of pre-owned vehicle activities, as well as adherence to standards and processes. VPCM launched DWA in 2019 to provide customers with the option to purchase certified pre-owned vehicles with confidence and peace of mind. The programme is currently available in 9 Volkswagen dealerships nationwide.

The awards were presented by Erik Winter, Managing Director; Deenan Nadar, Aftersales Director; and Lee Wen Hsiang, Head of Sales & Das WeltAuto.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed an exclusive Phantom in UAE. Created by the Bespoke Collective division which is a team of specialist designers, engineers and craftspeople at Goodwood, this one-of-a-kind Phantom Astrum is to be delivered to a customer in Abu Dhabi.Rolls-Royce Phantom Astrum_Bespoke_Side

The car’s centrepiece is the specially-commissioned Sapphire Astrum Gallery designed and made by leading British contemporary silversmith and jeweller Richard Fox. Fox had also worked on the trophy for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Displayed behind a single pane of glass running the full width of the fascia, the artwork portrays a starburst of solid silver spears radiating from a brilliant-cut diamond set in platinum. Each spear is polished and soldered in place by hand, and tipped with a pear-cut sapphire. The stones are encased in Bleu de Nuit, a rich sapphire lacquer that reflects and intensifies their magnificent colours. The backing is made using the guilloché technique, in which a highly precise, intricate repeating pattern is engraved into the surface using a special lathe.

“Astrum has an immediate impression of weightless suspension, almost as though gravity does not exist in this Gallery piece. The central diamond, encased in platinum, is like a star, floating in the depths of space – with a starburst of solid silver spears. The spears also give an incredible sense of movement and focus, in the way that they radiate from the central brilliant-cut diamond,” said Richard Fox, Jewellery Specialist and Founder of Fox Silver.

To complement the Gallery, the dashboard clock has a sterling silver surround decorated with a guilloché pattern, with a matching Sapphire Blue lacquer overlay giving depth and iridescence to the clockface.

Meanwhile, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Sapphire Astrum exterior is finished in a sophisticated Milori Sapphire with a hand-painted Tan coachline, and body-coloured wheel centres with a single Tan pinstripe.

“The Gallery is a feature unique to Phantom where owners can display a commissioned work of art that captures their individual tastes, interests and character – the ultimate expression of luxury and personalisation available in a motor car. Created exclusively for Abu Dhabi, the Phantom Sapphire Astrum is a spectacular example of just what is possible: we are delighted to share this magnificent cosmic vista with our clients, and trust it will inspire their own creative visions,” commented César Habib, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East and Africa.

With the Vios Challenge now in its 5th season and enjoying a steady following, GAZOO Racing and UMW Toyota Motor have decided to expand activities to grow local motorsports further. The introduction of the Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup this year will offer an additional 5 races this season to make it 11 races for Toyota.Toyota GAZOO Racing_Vios Challenge_Promotional Class_2022

The Vios Sprint Cup will be run independently of the Vios Challenge. It will feature 2 rounds within the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) with each round offering 2 races. The Vios Sprint Cup will also retain the format of a one-make series just like the Vios Challenge to ensure a level playing field where the emphasis will be on race craft, driving skills and experience.

The 1st round of the Vios Sprint Cup is scheduled for 20 – 22 May 2022 at the Sepang International Circuit. Round 2 will be at the same venue later in July. Meanwhile, the season finale Vios Enduro Cup will coincide with prestigious Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race (S1K) in November.

A total of 26 cars will line up on the grid for the Vios Sprint Cup. Each car will have 2 drivers. To make things interesting and to level the playing field even more, the pairing of drivers must be made up of the combination of professionals, amateurs, celebrities and rookies as per the Vios Challenge classes for Super Sporting (professionals), Sporting (amateurs), Promotional (celebrities) and Rookies (young and new drivers). The race weekend will consist of 2 1-hour races.

Race 1 of the Vios Sprint Cup on Saturday will see both drivers driving in 2 separate qualifying sessions, and the faster driver will be required to start the 1-hour race before making a mandatory pit stop for a driver change.

In Race 2 on Sunday, the slower driver of the pair will start the 1-hour race and again required to make a mandatory pit stop for a driver change. Race 2 will also start in a reverse grid order based on the results of Race 1.

The overall champion in each of the 2 races stand to win RM10,000 cash. This is followed by RM8,000 for the first runner-up, RM6,000 to the 3rd place winner, and RM4,000 and RM2,000 for 4th and 5th place respectively. In total, the Vios Sprint Cup offers prize monies of RM60,000 per round.

Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Challenge_Sepang“The objective is to expand on our existing racing activities in the Vios Challenge. With the Vios Sprint Cup and the Vios Enduro Cup, it will mean an additional 5 races on top of the 6 races already lined up for the Vios Challenge. This will provide even more racing and rewards for participating drivers, teams and dealers and at the same time underline UMW Toyota Motor’s commitment to contribute to a more vibrant motorsports eco-system in Malaysia,” said UMW Toyota Motor President Ravindran K.

The Vios Enduro Cup in November will see Toyota drivers competing over 1000 km in the race that is expected to take 9 hours and cover 181 laps of the Sepang International Circuit. Racers who wish to register their participation or to enquire about the Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup can get in touch with the Race Management representative, Ms Janet from Wing Hin Motorsports (016-367 3300).

For more information, kindly visit www.toyota.com.my.

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