29/06/2025

theSunday Special XV ON SUNDAY JUNE 29, 2025

Driving slow kills too

VW celebrates GTI legacy with Edition 50

And this difference in speed forces the faster drivers to slam on the brakes, and while the more experienced drivers will know to leave space between cars, the least expe rienced or distracted drivers may not respond as they should. This increases the chances of rear-ending or even causing a pile-up. This sometimes happens on Malaysian highways, and we often read about five to six cars that are involved in an accident. While the authorities can manage speed demons by handing out hefty fines, placing speed cameras along dangerous routes and such, managing slower drivers is tougher. And they pose just as much as a risk as fast drivers, particularly on the highway. Drivers in Germany, particularly on the unrestricted part of the autobahn, under stand this risk and the slower drivers almost always stick to the slow lane and will indicate if they need to overtake. In Malaysia, we can only hope to have that kind of courtesy on the road. Whether it is common sense or just driv ing etiquette is debatable, but the point is, if you are going to be driving on the highway, the difference in speed between the slow and fast cars must be reduced. While you can use tech and throw the entire book at speedsters, the only way to make slow drivers understand the dangers is through proper education. Of course, you can also argue that older cars and trucks shouldn’t be on the highway, but have you ever seen a car or a truck being turned away at the toll gate? Me neither. Our toll gates do not even have space for cars or trucks that do not meet requirements to turn around. The only way is for them to reverse. Can you imagine that happening at the Karak toll plaza? It would be utter chaos. Fist fights will break out. So how do we fix it? This is going to take years, but it all starts in schools and in driving schools. Want to make our roads safer? Get the Ministry of Education onboard on the idea and start teaching road safety in school. Then revamp the driving school syllabus as well. A lot of work needs to be done to make our roads safer, and it needs to start by planting the seeds of safety from a very young age.

I am sure you have experienced this sce nario. Imagine driving down the north south expressway at the specified speed limit, minding your own business and listening to the radio and think ing about your next meal or just talking to your co-passengers. Suddenly in the dis

VOLKSWAGEN has marked half a cen tury of GTI heritage with the launch of the Golf GTI Edition 50, the most pow erful and track-focused iteration of the legendary hot hatch to date. Developed with precision engineer ing and motorsport pedigree, this anni versary model promises to deliver uncompromised performance both on the road and the racetrack. At the heart of the Edition 50 lies a reworked 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, derived from the Golf GTI Clubsport. Volkswagen’s engine team has pushed its performance envelope even further, increasing output to 325PS and 420Nm of torque. These figures significantly surpass the standard Golf GTI’s 265PS and 370Nm, and even outstrip the Clubsport’s 300PS and 400Nm, cementing the Edition 50’s position as the pinnacle of the GTI lineup. To harness this additional power, the chassis has undergone extensive tuning. The model features a MacPherson front axle and a four-link rear suspen sion setup, and sits 15mm lower than the standard GTI. A further 5mm drop is offered with the optional Performance Package, which introduces stiffer springs, increas ing the natural frequency at both axles by approximately 20%. This upgrade enhances body control, sharpens handling, and reduces roll and pitch, resulting in a much more con nected driving experience. The Performance Package also equips the car with 235-sized Bridgestone Potenza Race semi-slick tyres, newly developed for this applica tion. These are mounted on 19-inch

range, supported by an AC onboard charger of 22kW for convenient overnight charging. For quicker top-ups, 100 kilometres of range can be restored in just nine minutes. Practicality meets Italian artistry in the Grecale’s interior, which offers 535 litres of luggage space and a meticulously crafted envi ronment tailored to modern lifestyles. Starting at RM588,000, the SUV stands as a testament to Maserati’s ability to merge elec tric performance with daily versatility. The name “Folgoroe,” meaning lightning in Italian, encapsulates Maserati’s forward-look ing ethos – a symbol of power, energy, and progress. forged Warmenau wheels, each weigh ing just 8kg – around 3kg lighter than the standard rims. The tyres themselves are 1.1kg lighter apiece, providing superior grip while reducing rotational mass. Inside, the Edition 50 continues the GTI’s tradition of blending sportiness with refinement. The cabin features check-patterned sports seats trimmed with Racing Green highlights and synthetic velour, accented by red seat belts. A newly designed multifunction leather sports steering wheel, bearing the GTI 50 insignia and integrated with shift paddles for the seven-speed DSG, serves as the tactile link between driver and machine. The car’s distinctive styling extends to the exterior. GTI 50 badges appear on the roof spoiler and interior mirror housings, while black-painted mirror caps, black tailpipe trims, and a black roof create a striking contrast. A side stripe running along the lower body panels, fading from black to Tornado Red, reinforces the car’s aggressive presence. Buyers can choose from five paint finishes, including Pure White, Moonstone Grey, and Grenadilla Black Metallic. Two colours are exclusive to the anniversary edition: Dark Moss Green Metallic and Tornado Red – the latter a nod to Volkswagen’s GTI legacy, having adorned high-performance models since the mid-1980s, including the Golf II GTI 16V and Golf VII GTI TCR. The Golf GTI Edition 50 stands as a bold celebration of the nameplate’s 50 year journey – refined, powerful, and engineered with the spirit of the race track.

WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLON

MASERATI has officially ushered in a new chapter of automotive innovation in Malaysia, introducing its first all-electric models, the GranTurismo Folgore and Grecale Folgore. These new additions not only signal the brand’s commitment to electrification but also mark Maserati as the first Italian luxury manufacturer to fully embrace electric mobil ity. The GranTurismo Folgore represents a striking blend of performance and poise, embodying the elegance of a traditional grand tourer reimagined for the future. Powered by three radial electric tance, a barrage of red lights pop up like red ruby’s scattered across the road. This sends a jolt. In response, you slam on the brakes, and you notice the cars behind you start slowing down rapidly as well. Everyone manages to slow down in time and suddenly you are stuck in a crawl. “Maybe it is an accident,” someone in the car says. “It could be roadworks,” you respond. After about 10 minutes of crawling along, the road opens up again. “What was all that about?”, you wonder to yourself. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what is known as the phantom traffic jam. It is caused by no apparent reason, but nothing happens without reason. Cause and effect is one of the laws of the universe. And though there are many causes for the mysterious phantom traffic jam, one of them is slow drivers. Speeding gets a lot of attention. And rightfully so because speeding can truly kill. Speeding does not only risk the driver and his/her passengers’ safety, but also innocent others as well. But driving slowly on the highway is dan gerous too. Imagine if a group of 10 cars are driving along on the double highway at 110kph. This group is well withing the legal speed limit and they do not pose a danger to anyone. But suddenly, this group comes across a car that is travelling between 70 to 80kph. The difference in speed will mean that the faster cars approach the slower car very quickly.

Maserati electrifies Malaysia … with debuts of GranTurismo and Grecale Folgore

formance, bringing a fresh definition to the grand touring experience. The Grecale Folgore, Maserati’s all-electric SUV, offers a different expression of the brand’s electric vision – designed for both urban commuting and adventurous getaways. Equipped with two motors generating a total of 549hp, the Grecale accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 220kph. A 105 kWh battery delivers up to 500 kilometres of

Inside, the GranTurismo Folgore delivers a refined and contemporary experience, with a minimalist interior designed around intuitive technology and tactile luxury. Despite its sleek silhouette, it offers 270 litres of boot space, ensuring everyday practi cality. Priced from RM998,800, the model com bines timeless Italian design with cutting-edge p e r -

motors, it produces a formida ble 750hp, enabling the coupe to sprint from zero to 100kph in a mere 2.7 sec onds and reach a top speed of 325kph. At the heart of this per

With the launch of these fully electric models, Maserati Malaysia redefines what it means to drive a luxury Italian vehicle in the elec tric age. The GranTurismo Folgore and Grecale Folgore are now available for viewing at authorised Maserati showrooms nationwide, offering Malaysians a firsthand glimpse into the brand’s electri

formance lies a 92.5kWh bat tery pack, with 83kWh usable capacity, offering a WLTP-cer tified range of up to 450km. Thanks to its advanced 800-volt electrical system, the vehicle can regain 100 kilometres of range in just five minutes, while a charge from 20% to 80% takes only 18 minutes.

fied future.