SUNDAY STAR, 10 JUNE 2018
Motoring
Getting ready to journey home
WE Malaysians love our balik
kampung drives. The thought of
escaping the urban environment
to visit the small, quaint towns we
grew up in is every Malaysian’s
favourite holiday tradition,
especially when it is to the sound
of Sudirman’s Hari Raya
songs blaring from the car
speakers.
There is a certain sense of
romance and homeliness as the
scenery outside the window
changes from concrete buildings
to the lush greenery of the
Malaysian countryside. However,
this perfect scene could crumble
to pieces if you do not make
sufficient preparations before
setting off on your holiday drive.
Here are some tips to smoothen
your journey home:
l Make sure the car is ready –
The first thing you should have on
your list is to check your car’s
roadworthiness. An easy way to
do so is to get a routine
maintenance service.
If your car is less than 1,500km
from its next service, it is a good
idea to get it done. That way, you
know that your car has fresh oil
running in the engine, and don’t
have to scramble for a service
appointment once you return.
Take this time to get your tyres
checked as well. Your tyres are
the only things that anchor your
car to the road, so it is essential to
ensure that they are in top
condition.
A quick wheel alignment and
tyre rotation will suffice for most
cars. However, if your tyres’ thread
depth is running low, it is advisable
to change them. Rain on highways
and receding thread depth do not
go hand-in-hand.
While you are at it, take note of
your battery’s lifespan. A simple
check using a battery tester will tell
you how much longer it will last.
Most service centres have
qualified technicians who can help
you. If your battery is expiring
soon, get it replaced before shops
close for the festivities.
l Contingency plans – You
should have some essentials with
you before leaving for the holiday.
An emergency toolkit comprising a
jack and tools to change a tyre will
definitely come in handy in the
event of a puncture.
Be sure to also have your safety
bolt onboard, or you will end up
forking out duit raya to the roadside
assistance team.
However, the tools are useless if
your spare tyre is not in working
condition. Make sure your spare
tyre is puncture-free and fully
inflated before driving off.
Balik kampung drives could take
a while, what with most of the
country moving in droves from
cities to the outskirts, so it could be
dark by the time you reach your
destination.
Check that you have a reflective
triangle and a couple of torch lights
in the car. In the event of a
breakdown, having these tools is
a lot better than looking for
branches to divert traffic around
your car.
l Choose the familiar path –
Knowing your way is half the
battle won. It is your hometown,
so you don’t need instructions
from your smartphone navigation
application, right?
Some people may feel
comfortable driving off without
knowing what lies ahead, but one
can never predict traffic hazards
one may encounter along the way.
Roadworks or lane closures due to
accidents could leave you stranded
with the car running low on fuel
and no service station in sight.
Even if the road seems clear,
leave your navigation application
running or listen to traffic updates
on the radio so you know what to
expect.
For people who are fasting, make
sure to schedule your drive
appropriately so you may have a
comfortable dinner with your
family when it is time to break fast.
However, keep some snacks in the
car in case you get stuck and have
to break fast on the road.
It is also essential that your route
has plenty of rest stops along the
way. The lack of toilets may not be
too much of a hassle for men, but
do keep the ladies in mind.
l Fortune favours the
prepared – A balik kampung drive
will take you over highways and
country roads. With the high
volume of traffic, one can never be
too prepared for emergency
situations.
As citizens of a new Malaysia,
let’s not resort to being onlookers
in the event of an accident. Be the
one to respond to those who need
help on the road and do your
part in assisting them.
Always have emergency
contact numbers for services
such as highway roadside
assistance, insurance assistance
and emergency medical services
with you.
It may not be helpful to you
but it could make a huge
difference for those without. It is
also a good idea to have a first-
aid kit in the car for minor
emergencies.
By following these simple
tips, you and your family will
have a pleasant drive back home
this Hari Raya. Remember to
stay safe on the road and
make it a fun journey,
because you will
have to do it all
over again
next year.
2 Motoring
WITH a stiffer front crossmember,
enhanced coil and damper, the Subaru
Forester offers a more comfortable ride
with agile handling across urban and off-
road terrains.
Noise from inside and outside the cabin
has been reduced through improved
soundproofing and increased window
thickness.
Staying true to the roots of an all-terrain
vehicle, the continuously variable
transmission (CVT) continues to
complement the Forester’s performance.
Its CVT smoothly and consistently delivers
power no matter the terrain, making it ideal
for adventurous customers who want to
take their car off
the beaten
track.
A smooth, safe drive
The Forester 2.0i and 2.0i-P variants
feature Subaru’s renowned two-litre FB20
horizontally opposed boxer engine that
produces a maximum power of 150Ps at
6,200rpm and 198Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.
The four-cylinder, 16-valve engine delivers
better fuel efficiency of 7.9L/100km
(combined) that is achieved through a long
stroke engine coupled with a lightweight
engine block.
The 2.0XT variant produces a maximum
power of 241Ps at 5,600rpm and a
peak torque output of
350Nm between
2,400rpm and
3,600rpm, thanks
to an FA20
direct-
injection
turbocharged boxer engine that returns a
fuel efficiency reading of 8.5L/100km
(combined).
Upgraded features and
innovations
All three Forester variants feature
Subaru’s unique hexagon front grille,
C-shaped tail lights with matching
headlamps and a fan-style wheel design with
17-inch rims.
The face-lifted 2.0i-P and 2.0XT Forester
variants boast LED headlamps with C-shaped
daytime running lights while the 2.0i variant
features halogen headlamps and a new
bumper design.
The interior now offers a more upmarket
look and feel with a refreshed cabin design,
stylish TFT LCD, premium head unit and
redesigned steering wheel.
The premium feel is further enhanced in
the 2.0i-P and 2.0XT variants with features
such as automatic wipers and
headlamps, power rear gate, power-
adjustable driver’s seat with
memory function and power-
adjustable passenger seat, smart
entry and push-start, dual-zone
automatic air-conditioning, SI
Drive, high-grade multifunction
display and unique Personal
Identification Number (PIN) code
access.
The PIN code access feature
allows drivers to access their
Subaru Forester without a key fob,
which can be safely and securely left in
the car.
The top-of-the-range Subaru Forester
2.0XT has even more luxurious features such
as a sunroof, premium audio system with
Harman Kardon speakers and 18-inch rims.
SUNDAY STAR, 10 JUNE 2018
Comprehensive all-round safety
A highlight of the Subaru Forester is its
X-MODE, which ensures optimised control of
the vehicle via functions such as hill descent
control (HDC), enhanced all-wheel drive
(AWD) system and enhanced vehicle
dynamics control.
X-MODE comes standard across all three
variants. When on X-MODE, the on-board
computer coordinates the throttle,
transmission, brakes and symmetrical AWD
for a safe drive through difficult terrain.
Additionally, the combination of X-MODE
with Subaru’s symmetrical AWD can help
the Forester get out of muddy situations
should one or more wheels get stuck.
Steering-responsive headlamps have been
fitted on the 2.0i-P and 2.0XT variants,
allowing the headlamp beams to move with
the direction of the steering wheel,
maximising driver visibility and safety.
Additional standard safety features for all
variants include seven airbags, an anti-lock
braking system with electronic brakeforce
distribution and brake assist, engine
immobiliser, brake override, safety pedal
system and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Improvements on passive safety include
side door reinforcement beams and a ring-
shaped reinforcement frame around which
the Subaru Forester is constructed.
Made of high-tensile steel, the reinforced
frame is designed to shield and protect
occupants by directing impact around the
passenger compartment rather than through
it.
Able to withstand the weight of the
1.5-tonne Forester, the reinforced frame
provides additional passenger safety in the
event of a rollover.
n For more information, visit www.subaru-
global.com
SUNDAY STAR, 10 JUNE 2018
Mobilising
business growth
THE traditional automotive
industry’s business of selling
vehicles to individuals will soon
have to make way for pay-per-use
services such as Uber and Grab.
The ride-sharing trend is
growing stronger especially in
developed countries and cities
where the cost of car ownership is
becoming ridiculously high.
Seeing the trend, Renault, Nissan
and Mitsubishi have confirmed
that the automotive alliance will
invest in mobility start-ups
amounting to as much as US$1bil
(RM3.9bil) over the next five years.
The three companies, headed by
Carlos Ghosn (pic) as chief
executive officer, believe that
whatever they have been doing is
not enough, despite being the
world’s largest automotive group
in terms of sales.
Last year, the alliance sold 10.6
million passenger and light
commercial vehicles, outselling
Volkswagen Group and Toyota that
recorded 10.53 million and 10.2
million units respectively.
With a high ambition of
doubling annual synergies to
€10bil (RM46.6bil) by 2022 and
selling more than 14 million
vehicles annually, the Renault-
Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance
understands that it must
implement new strategies to
survive in the businesses.
Another investment will be to
fund Ionic Materials, an American
company that develops cobalt-free
Motoring 3
BEFORE setting up his own design
firm, Chris Bangle rose to fame as
the chief of design at BMW, and his Versatility
on the road
vast experience has now allowed
him to leave a mark in China.
Instead of coming out with one of
his famous flame-inspired designs,
his new designs are rather boxy
and, quite literally, electric.
Renault and Nissan China Hi-Tech Group
Corporation (CHTC) enlisted Bangle Space (Redspace). Redspace is 11 the steering wheel tilts up, so you
will each fund 40% of to create a prototype for an electric inches (27.9cm) longer, 10 inches can transform this car into a
vehicle. This prototype is aimed at (25.4cm) narrower, eight inches customisable cubicle, perfect for
the Alliance Ventures affluent Chinese professionals (20.3cm) taller and has a creating a small workspace.
while Mitsubishi will looking for a fourth space outside
their homes, offices and social
wheelbase 17 inches (43.2cm)
shorter than its expected
There are also solar panels
on the roof to convert energy
foot the remaining haunts. competitor – the Smart Fortwo. to power internal functions
It is to be a car that maximises While the Fortwo only seats such as the air filtration system,
cost. the time spent inside the car, two, Redspace can seat four while thus leaving a smaller footprint.
including when it is parked or in in motion and up to five when The Redspace is powered by
traffic. parked. The driver’s seat swivels electric motors and can reach
Hence, Bangle came up with and a maximum speed of
solid battery materials that can be the Revolutionary Electric 120kph (China’s
used in electric vehicles (EVs). Dream highway speed
Last September, the alliance limit).
announced that it would launch 12 No technical
new EVs by 2022, all with an specifications
extended range and more have been released
affordable batteries. since its debut at
Renault and Nissan will each the Los Angeles Auto
fund 40% of the Alliance Ventures Show last year, but it
while Mitsubishi being a Bangle design
will foot the is expected to be
remaining enough to
cost. generate
The Alliance interest.
Ventures will
have offices in
Yokohama,
Silicon Valley,
Beijing
and
Paris.
4 Motoring
Redefining luxury and uniqueness
EVERYONE needs a place to
unwind and relax after a stressful
day at work, be it their home, the
gym or a quiet café. For some
people, there is no better place to
enjoy peace and privacy than
behind the wheel of their daily
drive.
This statement holds
particularly true for many
Malaysians who spend countless
hours in traffic congestion as they
make their way to and from
work.
When forced to be in a
car for so long, why not find
solace in a vehicle that boasts
quality craftsmanship and
prestige?
No other automotive
manufacturer exudes
quality refinement
much like DS Automobiles.
With premium materials such as
aluminium door bars, metal gear
knob and bucketloads of leather
inside the cabin, the DS 5 is the
epitome of good taste and a true
symbol of opulence and success.
On the centre console, a wide
seven-inch touchscreen provides
the driver with convenient access
to various controls and functions
including the audio and navigation,
while also displaying a clear view
of obstacles via the reverse
camera.
Drivers need not fret about
missing important calls as the DS 5
supports both Apple and Android
platforms with Apple CarPlay and
MirrorLink technology.
Besides the touchscreen
interface, the colour head-up
display is an innovative feature
that projects essential driving
information on a transparent
panel directly in the driver’s line
of vision.
The DS 5 offers more than just
superior trim and finishing. It is,
after all, well loved the world over
as a car that perfectly balances
luxury and performance.
Paired to a powerful 1.6-litre
engine is the latest-generation
EAT6 six-speed automatic gearbox
that delivers 40% faster gear shifts
and a wider gear ratio range
for quicker pick-up performance.
This translates to a smooth,
dynamic and agile driving
experience that is sure to put a
smile on the driver’s face.
The DS 5 is not short of safety
features. The distinct DS LED
Vision headlamps combine LED
and Xenon technology for better
lighting while the LED fog lamps
follow the direction of the
steering wheel, allowing the
driver to have better vision
around corners in the dark.
In addition, the DS 5 has six
airbags, a low tyre pressure
detector to alert the driver of any
loss of pressure in the tyres, and
side mirrors with a blind spot
monitoring system to warn of
oncoming vehicles that are in the
driver’s blind spot.
SUNDAY STAR, 10 JUNE 2018
Last but certainly not least, this
French engineering marvel is
stunning to behold. Onlookers will
no doubt be captivated by the
dominating front grille, jewel-
inspired headlamps, sleek lines all
around and attractive twin
tailpipes.
Now with zero-rated GST, you
can defy conventions and drive
away with the New DS 5 for
RM173,000.
Find out what it means to be
inspired by the spirit of avant-
garde and visit a DS showroom
before the sales and services tax is
implemented.
n For more information, visit
www.dsautomobiles.com.my