01/03/2026

theSunday Special XV ON SUNDAY MAR 1, 2026

Watch out for untrained trainers THERE are a few ways to become a better motorcycle rider; get out and ride more as nothing beats experience, read books and watch vid eos on the do’s and don’ts of riding, and attend classes beyond those that you took to obtain a license. The statistics on Malaysian

motorcycle accidents paint a grim picture, and let’s face it, there are some that ride with a death wish. We have all seen them beating traffic lights, darting through traffic and not using the motorcycle lane when it clearly would have been the safer option. But there are some experts that take it a step further by saying that motor cycles are contributing to the increment in traffic. Would these so-called experts pre fer them all to be in cars instead? Because we all know that our public transport infra structure does not reach every nook and cranny of Kuala Lumpur. And there is still that last mile problem that is yet to be solved. If you did not already know, Malaysia has a serious last mile problem. This refers to the point between a train or bus station to one’s home. For now, the only solution to that is a feeder bus, van, per sonal mobility scooters, or motorcycles. Our transport network faces a number of problems, but blaming traffic woes on motorcycles is not going to solve anything. However, what we can try to solve is the statistics involving motor cycle accidents. There have been many motorcycle riding clinics that have popped up over the years. And I applaud that. Brands such as Ducati and Harley-Davidson have their own riding clinics for those who buy their bikes. These brands even have communities where some selected riders are trained so that the knowledge can trickle down to members of the community and new rid ers. Harley-Davidson used to have something called “Skilled Rider Training” which was developed by safety marshals of a certain club. This has since been picked up and used at a regional level. I am not sure what hap pened to the local chapters that used to provide training

or if credit to the original members of the club that coined the term was even given. But the fact remains that proper training was given, and those trainers were properly trained. Now though, there are several new riding clinics that have popped up where unqualified trainers are pro viding training to new riders. That would be fine if it were advise given for free, but these so-called trainers are charging a fee to gullible new riders. I question the qualifica tions of these trainers because people’s lives are at stake. Motorcycles are dan gerous and proper training by qualified trainers is impor tant. Would you go to a school, college or university that hires unqualified teachers and professors then charges you a fee to study there? I doubt it. Some of these instructors attend training at some level then graduate and begin providing training for a fee. For motorcycle classes, there is a big difference in graduating as a student and graduating as a trainer. That’s why teachers need to attend training as well. That is also why there are hundreds of motorcycle rid ing schools around the world that provide courses for rid ers and trainers, because there is a difference in what they learn. So, if you are thinking of learning how to ride a motor cycle, especially a high-pow ered motorcycle, make sure you learn from the correct person or school. Ask for accreditation, and remember, just because someone has been riding for a while, is able to ride fast, get their knee down and can pop a wheelie, does not mean he is a good trainer to learn from. He or she may not be a trainer at all. WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLON

Beauty & a beast New 2026 RS5 packs 630PS and is first Phev for Audi’s performance division

WITH great power comes greater torque-vectoring tech to handle the weight, such is the case with the all-new 2026 Audi RS5 that is a remnant of its now scrapped plan to distinguish internal combustion and EV models with odd and even designations. Nonetheless, the new mid-sized performance model will arrive in wagon and fastback body styles. Sticking with the current RS4 powertrain com prising a twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6, the RS5 matches it with a 22kWh battery pack, and a 174PS electric motor mounted on the transmission to achieve the quoted figures. The crazy Audi engineers increased fuel injector pressure and paired them with new variable geometry turbos that are water-cooled to reduce intake temperatures, resulting in improved response. All in, it adds up to 39PS for a total of 510PS from the petrol engine alone, that coupled with the V6 churns out a total of 630PS, a massive 166PS jump. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic that again links to the Quattro all-wheel drive for a supercar century sprint of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 285kph, the latter reduced negligibly. Standard stopping power comes from 420mm steel front discs and 400mm rears but for a ridicu lous amount of money, you may upgrade to carbon ceramics all-round for a 30kg saving in unsprung weight. One of the chief complaints with the previous RS4 was the understeer issue. The addition of an

electric motor introduces a Dynamic Torque Control system that comprises an electromechani cal torque vectoring rear differential. On paper, it might not seem like a breakthrough, but it is effectively a limited-slip differential with an 11PS motor capable of transferring 2,000Nm of torque between the wheels in fractions of a second. Part of the drivetrain package includes a new locking centre differential that can transfer 100% of drive to the rear wheels via the “RS Torque Rear” drive mode, transforming the RS5 into a drift-ready machine. Lately, the RS models have taken on a more aggressive appearance. This is not lost with the RS5 and translates into a lower and wider stance than the standard A5, sitting on 20–21-inch alloy wheels. Audi are determined to differentiate the RS mod els and here, they have overhauled the front end. This comprises an expansive black mask grille that also maximises cooling for the V6 with the previ ously teased front DRLs and taillights sporting dis tinctive chequered-flag graphics. One of the challenges with a Phev model is bal ancing the performance between the petrol engine and electric motor. To do so here, Audi has fitted a pair of huge in-board exhaust pipes. The new RS5 will join the BMW M3 Touring and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance Estate. It might not be a hark back to the glory days of killer performance wagons, but we will always have a place in our hearts for something like the RS5.