While this might look a lot like the Toyota Concept-i from 2017, you’re actually looking at an updated version of said concept called the LQ Concept, which will be put on display at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.
This time, the LQ follows the development theme of “Learn, Grow, Love,” with the onboard Yui artificial intelligence (AI) geared towards building a relationship between vehicle and driver by learning from and responding to individual preferences and needs.
With Yui, the AI can engage with the driver using interactive voice communications, and adjust various features such in-seat functions designed to increase alertness or reduce stress, interior illumination, air-conditioning, fragrances as well as play music based on the driving environment and supply information on topics of interest to the driver.
To support these functions, Toyota partnered with various companies like JTB, AWA and NTT DoCoMo, and the company aims to further expand Yui’s implementation through integration with other products such as smartphones.
“In the past, our love for cars was built on their ability to take us to distant places and enable our adventures. Advanced technology gives us the power to match customer lifestyles with new opportunities for excitement and engagement. With the LQ, we are proud to propose a vehicle that can deliver a personalised experience, meet each driver’s unique mobility needs, and build an even stronger bond between car and driver,” said LQ development leader Daisuke Ido.
The LQ is also equipped with SAE Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, and features an automated valet parking system jointly develop with Panasonic. The latter uses multiple cameras, sonar and radar, 2D road mapping, cameras installed in the parking lot and a control centre to allow the vehicle to automatically drive between a drop-off point and an assigned parking space in nearby parking lot.
Other technologies present include an augmented reality head-up display that allows lane warnings, road signs, and route guidance to be displayed in a three-dimensional and manner over the scenery seen through the windshield.
Design-wise, the LQ doesn’t differ much from the Concept-i, although the interior now comes with new human machine interface functions. The roof and floor mats have embedded lighting displays with different colors to indicate whether the car is in automated or manual driving mode, and lights up different foot wells to indicate which passenger Yui is addressing.
The dashboard and meters also use organic LEDs (OLEDs) for a more seamless look and provides better visibility for the driver. Meanwhile, the exterior application of a catalyst coating that decomposes ozone into oxygen on the radiator fan, which is capable of purifying about 60% of ozone contained in 1,000 liters of air over the course of an hour drive.
There’ also the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) in the headlamps, with one million tiny embedded mirrors projecting complex figures on the road ahead. This allows the LQ to communicate information such as road surface conditions to people inside and outside the vehicle.
Toyota’s LQ Concept measures 4,530 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, 1,480 mm tall, and has a 2,700 mm wheelbase. It weighs 1,680 kg, and is propelled by a fully electric powertrain, which provides an EV cruising range of approximately 300 km.
Aside from being on show at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the LQ will also be used for the “Toyota Yui Project Tours 2020,” a public test-drive event scheduled to run from June to September 2020.
PLUS has been in the news a fair bit lately. There have been much talk about the government considering the sale of the highway operator that holds the concession of the North South Highway, among other tolled roads, and in last Friday’s 2020 Budget tabling, finance minister Lim Guan Eng announced that PLUS will offer a minimum reduction of average toll charges by 18% from 2020.
Now it looks like both are connected. The Sun reports Lim as saying that companies who wish to acquire the PLUS must fulfil two conditions before they can proceed, and the first condition is to fulfil the minimum 18% average toll reduction that was announced. The second criteria is to make sure that it is fiscally positive.
“It must not increase the government’s debt burden and also not increase the government’s debt servicing charges,” he said at a press conference after the Budget 2020 briefing to elected representatives on Saturday.
The 18% drop requirement shouldn’t be a problem, based on what we’ve heard from bidders so far. MEX Highway operator Maju Holdings is touting a reduction of between 25% to 36% in its proposal to the government, for instance, while RRJ Capital – a Malaysian-led, Hong Kong-based private equity firm – has proposed 20% lower toll in exchange for a 20-year extension to the concession period after it ends in 2038.
Earlier this month, prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the Pakatan Harapan government is ready to review bids to purchase PLUS. It came shortly after Khazanah Nasional MD Datuk Shahril Riza Ridzuan’s statement on October 5, in which he said Malaysia’s largest highway operator was not for sale.
“Any bid by anyone will be reviewed by the government, [and] if it complies with our needs, we will entertain their request,” the PM declared. Asked if sales of income generating assets such as PLUS would affect the nation’s coffers, Tun M said “we have a committee to look into debt and repayment issues. It (the committee) will make any proposal to reduce the country’s debt.”
Beyond electrification and autonomous driving, urban air mobility looks to be the next big ticket item automakers are intent on exploring, with more signaling their intent to head down that path.
Movement on this front has been gaining traction in recent months – in Japan, NEC unveiled a flying car prototype, while Chinese carmaker Geely announced that it was investing in Volocopter, a privately-owned German aircraft manufacturer.
Now, word is that Porsche is working towards a similar direction. The automaker has signed a memorandum of understanding with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to explore the premium urban air mobility market and the extension of urban traffic into airspace.
Aside from creating an international team to address various aspects of urban air mobility, including analysis of the market potential for premium vehicles and possible use cases, the two companies – together with Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences – are developing a concept for a fully electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle. Engineers from both companies, as well as Porsche subsidiaries Porsche Engineering Services and Studio F.A. Porsche, are set to implement and test a prototype.
Detlev von Platen, member of the executive board for sales and marketing at Porsche, said that the move falls in line with the automaker’s belief that air mobility will be a potential key market segment of the future, and it’s looking at getting in to the premium segment.
“Porsche is looking to enhance its scope as a sports car manufacturer by becoming a leading brand for premium mobility. In the longer term, this could mean moving into the third dimension of travel,” he said.
According to a study carried out last year by Porsche Consulting, the urban air mobility market is forecasted to pick up speed after 2025. The study also indicates that such solutions will transport passengers more quickly and efficiently than current conventional means of terrestrial transport, at a lower cost and with greater flexibility.
The ministry of domestic trade and consumer affairs (KPDNHEP) is hoping to implement the petrol subsidy programme (PSP) for recipients of the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) – or B40 – as well as those in the middle income M40 category simultaneously from January next year.
At last week’s Budget 2020 tabling, it was revealed that there would be another category for the PSP, with a “Kad95” being issued to those whose household income are below RM4,000, but are not eligible for BSH for various reasons (thus categorised as M40). At the time, finance minister Lim Guan Eng said the Kad95 system would be implemented progressively in the first quarter of 2020.
“Following the announcement of the PSP on Monday, the ministry received a lot of feedback from the people, and among the most popular feedback was the call to include those in the M40 group as eligible to receive petrol subsidies,“ said domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a report by The Sun Daily.
According to Saifudin, KPDNHEP will hold discussions with the ministry of finance (MOF), Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Tenaga Nasional to obtain data on eligible recipients and to refine the required mechanisms.
“From the Budget 2020 presentation, the government has allocated RM2.2 billion for the targeted PSP scheme which will benefit about eight million motorists and by excluding 2.9 million recipients from the B40 group, about five million eligible drivers will be identified including those from the M40 group,” he said.
For everyone else not covered by the PSP, there will be no subsidies, and they will be subject to fuel prices that will be floated next year. Based on the finance ministry’s latest Automatic Price Mechanism (APM) calculations (for the period of October 12-18), RON 95 petrol would be priced at RM2.37 per litre without the current RM2.08 price cap in place. As a recap, here are the main points of the PSP:
The subsidy will only be given to car/motorcycle owners, and is limited to one vehicle per recipient. If a person owns a car and a motorbike, then he/she will receive the higher subsidy, which is for the car. The car or motorcycle must be registered under the recipient’s name.
The subsidy rate will be capped at RM30 a month for car owners, and RM12 a month for motorcycle owners.
The government will reimburse the subsidy once every four months, so car owners will receive RM120 and motorcycle owners will receive RM48 every four months. The payment method will see cash being directly credited into the recipient’s registered bank account. The first payment is scheduled for April 2020.
The household income of the recipient must not be more than RM4,000 per month.
To qualify, a recipient can only own a maximum of two cars and two motorcycles at any one time in his/her household. See the info-graphic panel above for a clearer picture of what vehicle combination qualifies and what doesn’t.
For cars, the pre-requisite is that the engine displacement must be:
– 1,600 cc or below
– or above 1,600 cc, but only for cars that are 10 years old and above
For motorcycles, the pre-requisite is that the engine displacement must be:
– 150 cc and below
– or above 150 cc, but only for motorcycles that are seven years old and above
According to transport minister Anthony Loke, enforcement will be done gradually and e-hailing drivers need not worry that the authorities will mount a big operation against them. “We have started enforcement and like I said a few days ago, we are taking a gradual approach, we will still give them room long as they have registered for their PSV examination or are taking steps to fulfill the requirements,” he explained.
“We have no problems giving them a leeway because there might be some processes that will take time to complete. So, it does not mean that the authorities will conduct checks from car to car and detain the drivers,” he said.
Last week, road transport department (JPJ) enforcement director Khairul Anwar Bachok said that the department will take firm action against e-hailing drivers who did not meet the stipulated rules and regulations once enforcement had begun.
Under the new regulations, vehicles used for e-hailing services will require a PSV licence for the driver, passenger insurance, an e-hailing sticker and e-hailing vehicle permit (eVP) from the land public transport agency (APAD).
Loke has since clarified that it will not be compulsory for e-hailing drivers to have a physical copy of the eVP. He said that the eVP number will be listed in the MySIKAP system, and drivers need not worry if they do not have the print-outs with them during the enforcement period.
In a media statement, Malaysia Airports (MAB) has designated new e-hailing service pickup points for passengers arriving at KLIA and KLIA2. These are Door 3 and 4, Level 1 of Main Terminal Building (MTB) at KLIA and at Door 5, Level 1 of the Transportation Hub at KLIA2, effective October 12.
E-hailing service drivers could previously pick up passengers from outside the arrival areas of the respective airports. “To implement this new initiative smoothly, we are providing facilities to both e-hailing drivers and their passengers such as an incoming control system, comfortable seating for the waiting areas and signage for easy navigation at the new designated pick-up points. By doing so, we hope that both passengers and the e-hailing community at KUL will enjoy a pleasant experience,” said MAB group chief executive officer Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin.
E-hailing services drivers can use a complimentary waiting area at the Landside Operations office located five minutes away from the terminals while access to the pickup lanes requires the use of Touch ‘n’ Go cards with a minimum value of RM20 or pay-wave cards such as credit or debit cards. A RM10 penalty will be imposed on drivers waiting for more than five minutes in the pickup lane with an additional RM10 penalty for a further five minutes.
It’s starting to sound like a broken record now, but Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has once again taken to Twitter to say that its upcoming all-electric pick-up truck is on track for a November launch.
When asked on Twitter if Musk still plans on revealing the pick-up in November, the South African billionaire simply said “no change.” As of now, details of the pick-up is still kept under wraps, but prices are tipped to start at under US$50,000 (RM209k), with Musk saying that it will outperform the industry’s best-selling vehicle, the Ford F series.
He even went as far as to claim that the pick-up will look pretty sci-fi, outperform the Ford F-150 in terms of truck-like functionalities, and be a better sports car than a standard Porsche 911. It doesn’t make sense, but the Tesla pick-up is set to get a dual-motor all-wheel drive system as standard with adjustable suspension.
Other features include power outlets for heavy-duty, 240-volt tools, as well as a large battery pack that offers up to 805 km of driving range, if not more. Lastly, Musk said that the pick-up would have a 300,000-pound (136,078 kg) towing capacity, which again, does not make sense.
Those aside, it seems like the Tesla pick-up is happening for real. Musk did say that he was dying to the pick-up for a long time and has had the core design and engineering elements in his mind for almost five years. So, who here wants one?
After eight long years, Isuzu has finally pulled the covers off the all-new third-generation D-Max. The pick-up truck has been completely overhauled with not only a revised exterior and interior design, but also overhauled mechanicals underneath the skin.
Developed under the concept Efficient and Robust, the new D-Max is said to deliver reduced fuel consumption and improved safety, whilst still being versatile enough to suit different needs and conditions. The most popular high-riding double cab model measures 5,265 mm long, 1,870 mm wide and 1,790 mm tall, making it 30 mm shorter, 10 mm wider and five millimetres lower; its 3,125 mm wheelbase is 30 mm longer.
On the outside, the D-Max is much more aggressive next to its predecessor, the design dominated by a massive Audi-style grille that stretches the full height of the front end. It continues to feature two fang-like chrome bars along the top edge, flanked by slimmer headlights that are available with bi-LED technology, equipped with U-shaped LED daytime running lights; the indicators and fog lights are stacked below them. This is only for the range-topping models; other variants get a smaller grille and a more conventional bumper.
The more wedge-shaped side profile is said to be more aerodynamic, having been tested at the wind tunnels of Japan Railways’ (JR) Railway Technical Research Institute. Further improving efficiency is a large underbody shield that reduces turbulence underneath the truck. Aesthetically, the new D-Max gets smoother wheel arch bulges and a strong shoulder line that visually links the cab to the bed.
Moving to the rear, you’ll find twin-barrel tail lights with clear lenses and LED edge lighting for a more distinctive design, while the rear bumper of higher-end models is now integrated into the bed for a sleeker, more streamlined look. The top 18-inch alloy wheel option is new too, and it also looks more aerodynamically efficient compared to past designs.
The changes are even more apparent inside. Gone is the rather unimaginative dashboard of the outgoing model – where the only distinctive cue was the circular climate controls – in favour of a modern angular design more in keeping with buyers’ tastes. Perceived quality has been improved with the use of embossed and textured materials, including what appears to be a stitched soft-touch upper dashboard
Front and centre is a hexagonal centre stack, within which buyers will now be able to specify a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The speaker count has also risen to a maximum of eight, and the centre console is now taller and wider to envelop the driver and front passenger. Of course, a simpler and sturdier cabin remains available for commercial versions.
The electrical architecture has been upgraded to prepare for future connected, autonomous, shared, and electrified (CASE) technologies, although the D-Max still isn’t even available with autonomous emergency braking. It is, however, offered with more seat belt reminders and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert for the first time, and as before you still get up to six airbags and stability control.
Better yet, the upgraded electronics allow for all sorts of new features, including walk-away automatic locking, remote engine start, welcome and follow-me-home lighting, voice control and dual-zone automatic climate control (with rear vents). You can also get the truck with auto lights and wipers, and the latter even get integrated washers for uninterrupted visibility – just like Mercedes-Benz’s Magic Vision Control!
Other new measures improve the D-Max’s comfort and ergonomics, which weren’t exactly the old car’s strong suits. These include tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, as well as front seats with standard whiplash protection, low-rebound MDI polyurethane cushions to reduce fatigue on long journeys, and optional eight-way power adjustment for the driver. The double cab’s rear seats have also been redesigned to improve ride comfort, while the B-pillars have been moved forward to ease entry and egress for those at the back.
The new D-Max rides on a new Isuzu Dynamic Drive Platform, and while it still utilises body-on-frame construction, the ladder frame itself has seen a great number of improvements. The company has expanded the cross section, optimised the locations of the crossmembers and increased impact absorption, making the frame not only lighter, but stiffer and safer than before. The standard body mount has also been substituted for a shear mount to improve driving stability and reduce noise and vibration levels.
Meanwhile, the body sees a greater proportion of high-tensile steels being used, with application of those rated higher than 390 MPa – some as much as 980 MPa – increased from 30% to 46%. This has increased rigidity by 20% and reinforced the roof area, while keeping weight low. The improved packaging has also enabled Isuzu to lengthen the bed on all cab variants.
The suspension has also been comprehensively revamped. The front double wishbones get higher upper link mounts to improve stability, while the rear leaf springs have been manufactured using a process called warm stress shot peening to make it more durable, yet with better flexibility for a more comfortable ride. A wider rear track and a reduced mounting angle for the dampers also aid stability.
Elsewhere, the steering unit has been retuned to require less effort to turn the wheel, and the ratio has also been adjusted to presumably make the D-Max feel a trite more agile. The steering angle has also been increased to improve handling, and the turning radius has been reduced as a result. The brake discs are also larger, now measuring 320 mm and clamped by two-piston callipers at the front. The front wheel hub bearings are now integrated into a unit bearing, making them maintenance free.
Power comes from the same 1.9 litre and 3.0 litre four-cylinder turbodiesels, the former having just been introduced in Malaysia. The smaller, newer RZ4E-TC engine remains unchanged and makes an identical 150 PS at 3,600 rpm and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,600 rpm, but it gets optimised gear ratios and control systems for improved acceleration.
It’s the larger 3.0 litre mill – rechristened the 4JJ3-TCX – that has received the lion’s share of updates, incorporating some of the learnings from the 1.9 litre. These include a reshaped combustion chamber, higher-pressure injectors, a diamond-like carbon coating on the piston pins, an electronic variable geometry turbocharger and a double-scissor timing gear, amongst others. All-in-all, it now makes 190 PS and 450 Nm – increases of 13 PS and 70 Nm over the old 4JJ1-TCX.
To improve weight distribution, the engine has been moved slightly behind the front axle, resulting in what Isuzu rather cutely calls a “semi-midship” layout. The automatic and manual transmissions now feature six speeds across both engines, with the manual getting a pull-ring gearlever to engage reverse. The 1.9 litre’s auto also gets a smaller torque converter and a wide-angle damper integrated into the lockup clutch to improve fuel efficiency and response.
Four-wheel drive models get a number of additional improvements, including a one-piece aluminium propshaft to deliver a significant weight saving, as well as an electromagnetic rear differential lock. This makes it quicker to switch between two- and four-wheel drive and between high and low ratios. Water wading depth has also been increased, now sitting at a massive 800 mm.
The new Isuzu D-Max will go on sale in Thailand on October 19, offered in a wide range of commercial and consumer variants split across single cab, extended cab and double cab body styles. Prices range from 510,000 baht (RM70,200) to 1,164,000 baht (RM160,300).
The goodies continued to flow out during the tabling of the Malaysia Budget 2020, with the national road and public transport also receiving some allocations. Finance minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the government will dole out a total of RM1 billion for the upgrading of rural roads in Malaysia, including RM326 million for Sabah and RM224 million for Sarawak.
He also confirmed that the government remains committed to completing the Pan-Borneo Highway, but the ongoing cost rationalisation has so far managed to relieve RM1.2 billion from the project cost. This, said Lim, has allowed for the planning of more projects to spur economic growth, including a 165 km Trans-Borneo Highway to connect Sabah and Sarawak to Eastern Kalimantan.
Elsewhere, the federal government has also set aside RM4.85 billion of funds from the Malaysia Road Record Information System (MARRIS) for all state governments to maintain and upgrade roads, which was not allowed under existing guidelines. Each state is able to upgrade roads, slopes, bridges and drains utilising up to 15% or RM20 million of those funds, whichever is lower.
Meanwhile, to reduce congestion on the Johor Causeway and Second Link, the government will invest RM85 million to improve vehicle and traffic flow through the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ). This will include the opening of an additional 50 counters for motorcyclists, as well as the streamlining of immigration and PLUS counters.
Another RM50 million will be used to maintain and upgrade the roads to Port Klang, as part of efforts to turn it into a regional maritime centre and cargo logistics hub. The transport ministry will also conduct feasibility studies on the Serendah-Port Klang Rail Bypass for cargo shipments and the Klang Logistics Corridor highway connecting Northport and Westport for commercial vehicles, both expected to cost RM8.3 billion.
As for public transport, the government plans to spend RM450 million to purchase up to 500 electric buses of various sizes, which will be used in selected cities. It will also allocate RM146 million to subsidise bus operators for last-mile transportation in rural and urban areas.
Last but not least, the Rapid Transit System (RTS) between Johor Bahru and Singapore will indeed proceed, in order to further reduce causeway congestion. The government is also proud of its initiative to introduce My50 and My100 monthly travel passes providing unlimited rail and bus travel, which Lim said has benefitted more than 120,000 users so far.
Before today, those who are not in the Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) net assumed that they will not be eligible for any form of fuel subsidy when Peninsular Malaysia fuel prices are floated gradually in January 2020. However, there was some good news announced by finance minister Lim Guan Eng this afternoon.
Now, there will be another category for the petrol subsidy programme (PSP). A “Kad95” fuel subsidy card for those whose household income are below RM4,000, but are not eligible for BSH for various reasons. Ownership of a Kad 95 will enable one to enjoy fuel subsidy of 30 sen per litre, limited to 100 litres per month for cars and 40 litres per month for motorcycles.
Max this out and you’ll reach a cap of RM30 for cars and RM12 per month for motorcycles, which is the same amount BSH recipients get, although the latter group gets the amount banked in automatically to their accounts every four months (first payment in April 2020).
The Kad95 system will be implemented progressively in the first quarter of 2020, Lim said. More details, such as how to obtain the card, would surely be announced closer to next year. To recap, here are the main points of the PSP:
The subsidy will only be given to car/motorcycle owners, and is limited to one vehicle per recipient. If a person owns a car and a motorbike, then he/she will receive the higher subsidy, which is for the car. The car or motorcycle must be registered under the recipient’s name.
The subsidy rate will be capped at RM30 a month for car owners, and RM12 a month for motorcycle owners.
The government will reimburse the subsidy once every four months, so car owners will receive RM120 and motorcycle owners will receive RM48 every four months. The payment method will see cash being directly credited into the recipient’s registered bank account. The first payment is scheduled for April 2020.
The household income of the recipient must not be more than RM4,000 per month.
To qualify, a recipient can only own a maximum of two cars and two motorcycles at any one time in his/her household. See the info-graphic panel above for a clearer picture of what vehicle combination qualifies and what doesn’t.
For cars, the pre-requisite is that the engine displacement must be:
– 1,600 cc or below
– or above 1,600 cc, but only for cars that are 10 years old and above
For motorcycles, the pre-requisite is that the engine displacement must be:
– 150 cc and below
– or above 150 cc, but only for motorcycles that are seven years old and above
For the rest of us not covered by the PSP, fuel prices will floated next year, gradually, so be prepared. Based on the finance ministry’s Automatic Price Mechanism (APM) calculations, RON 95 petrol would be priced at RM2.37 per litre for the coming week without the current RM2.08 price cap in place.
