Kawasaki Introduces Electrodes, Electric Bikes for Children

 After releasing three new products, Kawasaki Motor Indonesia (KMI) also introduced Electrode. The electric bicycle is designed for children aged 3 to 8 years. Its form is like a push bike or balance bike that we usually know. It's just that he is equipped with a battery and a driving motor. When sold in Indonesia, this unit is priced at Rp. 20 million.

Head of Sales & Promotion of PT Kawasaki Motor Indonesia (KMI) Michael C. Tanadhi said that Kawasaki always tries to commit to developing new technology. "With the presence of a new product consisting of two motorcycles and the latest Kawasaki electric bicycle, we are ready to provide pleasure and enjoyment for motorcycle and electric bicycle users of all ages," said Michael in an official statement, Thursday (9/6).

This Japanese motorcycle manufacturer seems to want to try new things in offering products. They also enliven the era of electrification in the country which is being echoed by the Government. The first step started from showing off the Kawasaki Electrode electric bike. This vehicle was born to provide the first experience for children to drive.

Michael explained that Kawasaki's first electric bicycle was equipped with a 250 watt electric motor with a lithium-ion battery. The lithium-ion battery in the vehicle can be used for 2.5 hours in a fully charged state. Meanwhile, for recharging it takes 2.5 hours to be full. The battery is housed in an aluminum case, which keeps it away from dirt, dust and rocks and protects it from potential damage from falls or harsh use by children.

Although built and designed for children, this tiny electric bike is claimed to be fun to ride and easy to control. The appearance of the electrodes is painted in bright Lime Green or Green according to Kawasaki's identity. The graphics themselves are inspired by their flagship motocross model.

In addition, the tires used are off-road models so that they are very suitable for adventures on rough terrain. This vehicle is suitable for attracting children's interest in off-road activities with motorbikes in the future.

The weight of the Kawasaki Electrode electric bicycle itself is said to be quite light at 14.5 kg. This electric bicycle has three speed modes that can be selected according to the wishes of the rider. The three modes are Low (max 8km per hour), Medium (max 12km per hour), and High (max 21km per hour). On the LCD screen the mode selector requires a passcode from the parent so you can monitor how much power is being used.

Then mentioned this vehicle has a low center of gravity. So parents don't worry too much about safety. The small body also makes the Kawasaki Electrode easy and compact to carry anywhere. KMI claims that the electric bicycle will fit in the back seat or trunk of a car.

KMI plans to market the Kawasaki Electrode at a price of Rp. 20 million. However, it is not certain when they will commercialize it in Indonesia

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Take a peek at the complete specifications of the Suzuki All New Ertiga Hybrid

 PT Suzuki Indomobil Sales (SIS) has just introduced the latest All New Ertiga Hybrid, Friday (10/6/2022). The launch moment which was held in the atrium of Mal Kelapa Gading 3 showed various changes from Suzuki's most popular low MPV for the public

In total, there are 17 changes that are presented to the latest All New Ertiga Hybrid. Suzuki hopes this update will provide a comfortable driving experience for their consumers.

We've done our first impression and first drive on TheOfficialOto's YouTube page. Please visit and provide comments regarding the All New Ertiga Hybrid update. Now the discussion in this paper is more about data on paper regarding interesting changes to this new Suzuki product.

The first is a matter of dimensions. The All New Ertiga Hybrid offers a length of 4,395 mm, a width of 1,735 mm, a height of 1,690 mm with a wheelbase of 2,740 mm. The new Ertiga offers a turning radius of 5.2 meters with a ground clearance of 180 mm.

The color choices are quite diverse. The Ertiga Hybrid SS variant offers a choice of Pearl Snow White, Prime Cool Black and Metallic Magma Gray colors. In addition to offering the three SS colors, the Ertiga Hybrid GX variant also includes Metallic Silky Silver, Pearl Brave Khaki, Pearl Burgundy Red and the new color New Mellow Deep Red.

The biggest update is in the engine sector. The All New Ertiga Hybrid uses a K15B engine combined with an integrated starter generator (ISG) and lithium ion battery. The ISG functions as a motor and generator that captures and stores electrical energy into the battery. This electrical energy will keep the electrical components of the car on and when the car is in a stopped position, the auto start feature is active so as to make fuel consumption more efficient.

On paper, the 1462 cc 16 valve 4 cylinder engine produces 104.7 ps of power at 6,000 rpm. The torque production is 138 Nm at 4,400 rpm. This engine is mated to a choice of five-speed manual and AT automatic transmissions. This engine power is channeled to the front wheels.

In addition to the engine with the latest hybrid technology, the refreshments obtained on the Suzuki Ertiga this time include a new front grille design on the GX variant, the auto retractable outside mirror feature in the GX and SS variants, as well as a new black model rim in the SS variant. Other additions include a new antenna design, a backdoor garnish design, a hybrid badge on the back, a new mellow deep red color, a new MID design, and a gray interior color as a refresher. There are still new ornaments, namely charcoal for the GX and carbon fiber for the SS, new colors are also given to the seats with black for the GX and red stitching for the SS variant.

The All New Ertiga Hybrid also still carries air conditioning with auto climate features with heating, rear camera, halogen projector with DRL, armrests in the second row, luggage and spacious cabin offers, engine push start stop, one touch folding 2nd row and ventilated cup holders.

Updates on the comfort and safety side include the presence of a cruise control gear shift indicator feature, autolight with guide me light, an electric stability program feature and a hill hold control feature. These features complement the previously available features, namely dual SRS airbags, ABS + EBD, ISOFIX, and the HEARTECT platform.

Regarding price, Suzuki offers the All New Ertiga Hybrid starting from Rp. 270.3 million for the GX-MT, Rp. 281.3 million for the GX-AT and also the SS-MT and finally Rp. 292.3 million for the SS-AT as the top variant. Suzuki also still offers non-hybrid models with conventional engines in the GA and GL variants. For the price, the GA MT variant is priced at IDR 224.1 million, the GL MT at IDR 244.5 million, and the GL AT at IDR 255.1 million.

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Hyundai Stops Production of Ioniq Electric Cars!

 Hyundai decided to stop production of the Ioniq this year. Quoted from the official Hyundai Europe page, Hyundai revealed that it will stop the pioneer electric vehicle model from their factory in Ulsan, South Korea starting July 2022.

The Ioniq EV models that will be discontinued include hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. This means that the Hyundai Ioniq electric car sold in Indonesia also comes from the Ulsan factory in South Korea.

Make no mistake, the Hyundai Ioniq that was discontinued is not the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Indonesia itself has become the production base for the new Ioniq 5 electric vehicle model. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Ioniq in question is an electric-powered sedan that came first.

The Hyundai Ioniq itself has long been known as an environmentally friendly vehicle model from Hyundai. This decision is said not to be made in a short time. Hyundai has been planning to stop production of the Ioniq for a long time.

Hyundai said the changing automotive market had forced the Ioniq to stop producing. Especially for Europe, Hyundai is developing the right product. Ioniq itself has sold more than 135,000 units in the European market since its introduction in 2016 and has met the company's business targets.

Currently, dealers in Europe and America are still offering Ioniq until the stock runs out. But running out of stock makes this decision in itself impact on potential customers in some countries that no longer find Ioniq model offerings.

Ioniq is a Hyundai model that takes the basis of the i-oniq concept which debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show ago. The design is the hallmark of modern Hyundai vehicles, which present a fluidic design.

The Ioniq is also a historic model for Hyundai after successfully applying autonomous features through tests on the streets of Las Vegas. In 2017 this technology was demonstrated at the Geneva Motor Show. Using LiDAR technology, this safety feature is made as simple as possible to become a Smart Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist feature that can now be felt on modern Hyundai models.

Hyundai calls the Ioniq product a stepping stone for the electric vehicle industry. An era that ended well for the advancement of eco-friendly transportation and developing the Hyundai EV market as it is today.

The possibility of stopping Ioniq's production will have an impact on the Indonesian market in the next few months. Currently, the Ioniq EV is still offered on the official Hyundai Indonesia website. There are two variants, namely Prime with a price tag of Rp. 682 million and Signature at a price of Rp. 723 million.

Some time ago, the COO of PT Hyundai Motor Indonesia (HMID), Makmur, revealed that his party was still offering the Ioniq EV together with the Kona EV with CBU (Complete Built-Up) status in Indonesia. The volume also includes a little. Until April 2022, records from Gaikindo (Indonesian Automotive Industry Association) show that only 26 units of the Ioniq EV have been sold.

The Hyundai Ioniq EV uses a permanent magnet sychronous motor with a lithium ion polymer type battery with a capacity of 38.3 kWh, 319.4V power and 113 kW power output. Ioniq has a mileage of 373 kilometers with power channeled through a 2WD single speed reduction gear transmission.

Its ability on paper has a maximum speed of 165 kilometers per hour, power of 136 ps and torque of up to 295 Nm. Acceleration from rest to 100 km per hour in 10.2 seconds for normal mode and 9.9 seconds for sport mode.

 

 

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Mini Electric Launches in Indonesia, What Are the Specifications?

 The list of choices for electric cars in Indonesia on Wednesday (8/6/2022) is increasing. Mini Indonesia plans to present an eco-friendly version of the legendary Mini in the country.

The invitation was quite blunt. Nothing is hidden. Mini Electric will be present at the Atrium, PIK Avenua, North Jakarta. According to the letter in the invitation, it is said that this is "the first fully electric vehicle from this legendary British brand that will combine an iconic design and also the excitement of driving typical Mini, of course also emission-free".

Quite interesting because from the appearance, there is no change in the design. The iconic Mini model has been retained but now with a quiet drive.

On paper, if there are no changes, the Mini Electric uses a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 93.2 Ah and has a power of 28.9 kWh. This battery has a range of up to 223 to 233 kilometers.

Mini provides a charging system with several types. For example, for a home charger with home electricity, charging can be done for 12 hours. Charging with the wallbox will take about 3 hours. The AC charging system at the SPKLU (General Electric Vehicle Charging Station) can cut it to 2 hours and for DC fast charging it can take around 36 minutes.

On paper, the power generated from the motor is at 184 horsepower. Torque is quite large which is about 270 Nm. Claims to accelerate from rest to 100 kilometers per hour can be made in 7.3 seconds. Its top speed is at 150 kilometers per hour.

Its dimensions, because it uses the same design, are not much different from the Mini with an internal combustion engine. It measures 3,845 mm in length, 1,928 mm in width and 1,432 mm in height. The luggage volume is 211 liters to 731 liters.

The Mini Electric or commonly known as the Mini Cooper SE was first present in 2019. Previously this production version was based on the concept that was presented at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. Like other Minis, the Mini Electric was produced at the Mini factory in Oxford together with its brother who uses conventional engines.

Regarding the price, looking at the list in the UK, the Mini Electric is sold from £29,500, or around Rp. 530 million. If it's true that the price offered is already at that number, of course Mini Electric will be dealing directly with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is the latest EV model in Indonesia some time ago.

Of course, Mini fans who are often out of the box and want to look unique will not waste the presence of this product. We will know more details in a few moments during the launch of the Mini Electric in Indonesia.

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Test Drive: Invite the Honda HR-V RS Turbo to Dance at the Mandalika Circuit

 For the first time the Honda HR-V is available in the RS variant. This type not only looks more sporty, but is also equipped with a more capable performance package.

Honda HR-V RS is equipped with a 1.5 turbo engine. The engine is the same as that used by the Honda CR-V, Civic and Accord, only the output produced is not the same. Even so, the power of 177 PS @ 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 240 Nm @ 6,600 rpm is not a performance record that can be underestimated.

So when the opportunity came to try out the maximum performance of this car at the Mandalika circuit yesterday (23/5), I didn't waste it. All aspects of performance are seriously tested on the race track.

First I tried the acceleration ability. Interestingly, Honda has prepared the previous generation HR-V for comparison. The old version uses a naturally aspirated 1.8 liter engine. Its power is only 139 PS 6,500 rpm with a peak torque of 169 Nm.

Just from looking at the very significant difference in specifications, you can already imagine the difference on the track. Sure enough, the 240 Nm of torque from the latest HR-V turbo engine promises a much more optimal acceleration.

The Honda Civic RS guided me to dance on the Mandalika circuit. Alvin Bahar racer who became the instructor. The first round was an introduction to the 4.31 km circuit which has 17 corners.

The second round, already memorized the racing line and braking points. The third round just tortured its performance to the maximum.

If you have or even frequent track days at the Sentul circuit, it is guaranteed that the Mandalika circuit will provide even more fun. Because it not only presents beautiful natural scenery, but the layout is quite challenging.

Lucky Honda HR-V with the best performance package that became my dancing partner. But apart from the powerful turbo engine, I was honestly surprised by the quality of the suspension dings. The latest generation of Honda HR-V has a driving stability quality that is much more sporty than before. Why?

So, when you turn right at corner 2 and immediately bend left at corner 3, the symptoms of body roll are minimal. The car feels so gripped on the asphalt that the movement of the car body is not difficult to control.

Even when I went too fast and missed the braking point at corners 10 and 13, the car did understeer, but just adjust the speed and the steering wheel is easily corrected back on track.

Steering movement feels linear and accurate. Braking also works perfectly. Measured steering movement and promising braking give you the confidence to drive the new HR-V crazier than ever.

In essence, this car is not so difficult to tame. So it doesn't take long to have fun on the Mandalika circuit. Improved performance from a more powerful turbo engine and a sporty driving character successfully make the latest generation Honda HR-V RS more fun to drive.

So how does it feel to drive when used on the highway? My group and I who took part in the Media Test Drive of the Honda HR-V went to Bali (24/5). We were loaned a unit of Honda HR-V SE with a 1.5 liter non-turbo petrol engine and released it to explore the features of this car around the island of Bali. So wait for the review in the next article!

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Comparison of Daihatsu New Sirion vs Honda Brio RS, Who is the Most Interesting?

PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) officially introduced the New Sirion, Thursday (2/6/2022). The city car update is present in design, features and other comfort aspects.

As a city car, Sirion directly faces its rivals in Indonesia. One of them is the Honda Brio RS. Both of them offer a city car design that is favored by young people with a variety of additional features in it.

So what if the two were compared? we try to show the data on paper of the two products that just got this update. Let's see together.

Price

we start from the bid price of these two models. The New Sirion is now offered with a choice of two variants with one choice of D-CVT transmission. The 1.3 X variant is priced at IDR 227.6 million and the 1.3 R variant is priced at IDR 236.8 million. Both are on the road in DKI Jakarta.

Honda Brio RS comes with more diverse variants. There is an RS with a manual transmission at a price of IDR 216.1 million, an RS with a CVT transmission at IDR 226.1 million. The latest is the Brio RS Urbanite Edition variant which is also offered with a choice of manual transmission at IDR 225.9 million and CVT transmission at IDR 235.9 million. 

Regarding the price, the two models are slightly different. Of course the consideration comes from the discussion that we will reveal next.

Exterior Design

The external update on the Sirion comes from the front and rear bumpers, a more stylish headlamp and the rear-view mirror which now uses black. The headlamp has auto on, leveling adjuster and follow me home features. In addition, the Sirion has used a rear spoiler with high mount stop lamps, side stone guards and 15-inch alloy wheels and 185/55 R 15 tires. The appearance of the Sirion is now more energetic, in accordance with its target market.

In terms of dimensions, the Sirion offers a length of 3,895 mm, a width of 1,735 mm and a height of 1,525 mm with a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. The new Sirion offers a ground distance of 150 mm with a minimum turning radius of 5.1 meters. There are five color options available, namely lava red metallic, electric blue metallic, granite gray metallic, icy white solid and glittering silver metallic.

 Switch to Honda Brio RS. Sporty style is more emphasized in this Honda city car. A touch of black dominates some of the exterior such as the grille, and the mirror housing. Regarding lighting, the Brio RS already uses LED technology both at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Especially for the Urbanite variant, which just got a refresh last April, there is a large tailgate wing spoiler, 15-inch matte black alloy wheels with 185/55 R15 tires. There are still black door handles, front under spoiler, black side under spoiler and rear under spoiler with a diffuser on the back.

In terms of dimensions, the Brio RS offers a length of 3,815 mm, a width of 1,680 mm and a height of 1,485 mm with a wheelbase of 2,405 mm. Color options available include crystal black pearl, taffeta white, modern steel metallic, lunar metallic. Especially for the Urbanite variant, the phoenix color is pearl two tone, carnival yellow two tone, and new colors are taffeta white two tone and crystal black pearl.

From the dimensions, the Sirion offers a slightly longer size than the Brio RS. The dimensions of the two also have differences for people with certain city car tastes.

Interior Comfort Offer

As the newest product, the changes to the interior of the New Sirion are quite promising. The dashboard is still dominated by black with a touch of silver in the middle area. There is a new design on the steering wheel and a new stitching pattern on the fabric seats. The meter cluster is now equipped with a 4.2-inch TFT screen that contains various information about the vehicle. This steering wheel is added with a tilt steering feature for comfort settings.

In the middle area there are digital AC settings, front USB power outlets, seat power outlet drivers, seat height adjuster drivers and the presence of the engine start stop button. The head unit now offers direct connectivity with the driver's cellphone including mirroring. This head unit is also a place to see the rear camera which is equipped with a parking sensor. Not to forget, in the latest Sirion cabin, there are various places for storage in both the first and second rows and the presence of air purifier technology as standard in the top variant.

Regarding cabin flexibility, the latest Sirion also offers a fairly spacious luggage storage space. There is a seat arrangement to maximize storage space in the cabin with the second row seats fully folding. 

Moving on to Brio RS. A sporty touch is present on the black dashboard with orange details in some parts. Included in the meter cluster that comes with a MID screen with a variety of information. This orange detail can also be found on the fabric seat stitching which is equipped with an adjustable headrest. The steering wheel comes with an audio steering switch, tilt steering capability, Digital AC settings, and auto door lock by speed and power door mirrors.

The head unit comes with a 6.2-inch touch screen that is capable of connecting a smartphone with Bluetooth. The entertainment experience is better with the presence of a tweeter speaker. The carrying capacity of the Brio RS can also be increased by folding the second row of seats. Do not forget the various storage areas present in the first and second rows of the Brio RS for comfort while driving.

Performance and Features

The New Sirion's power offer comes from the 1 NR-VE DOHC Dual VVT-i 1,329 cc engine. This engine produces 95 PS of power at 6,000 rpm and 119 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. The transmission uses Daihatsu's D-CVT which is claimed to be more fuel efficient and provides a responsive driving experience.

Regarding features, the New Sirion gets additional comfort from the idle stop system which temporarily turns off engine performance when the vehicle stops. There is still a hill start assist to prevent the car from turning back when on an incline. The safety side comes from the airbags in the front and side of the first row, and now comes with ABS and EBD braking features as well as vehicle stability and traction control for driving stability.

Other mechanical systems, the new Sirion uses electric power steering, disc brakes at the front, drum brakes at the rear. The suspension uses Mac Pherson Struts with coil springs and stabilizer at the front and torsion beam with coil springs and stabilizer at the rear.

Moving on to Brio RS. In terms of performance, the Brio RS uses a 1.2L SOHC i-VTEC + DBW 1,199 cc engine. This engine produces 90 PS of power at 6,000 rpm and 110 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. Transmission options are CVT with Earth Dreams technology and a five-speed manual.

Security comes from the use of the G-CON + ACE frame, dual front airbags, and the ABS EBD braking feature that is present in all variants. Brio RS already uses electric power steering and the presence of an ECO indicator to show how to drive fuel-efficiently in real time. There are still seatbelt reminders, seatbelt pretensioners, parking sensors, keyless entry, immobilizer, and an alarm system as standard.

Regarding other technical information, the Brio RS uses Mac Pherson strut front suspension at the front, H-Shape Torsion beam at the rear. Braking ability comes from the disc at the front and the drum at the rear.

Conclusion

The comparison above shows the advantages of each product in its segment. City cars with engines of 1,200 cc to 1,300 cc are mostly inhabited by niche products because this market is the residence of LCGC products.

For those who want a premium touch for a city car, they can glance at the latest Sirion which offers a powerful engine and complete safety features. For those who want a city car that looks sporty in the style of modification, the Brio RS Urbanite is very difficult not to glance at.

But the choice comes back to the respective funds provided. At a price of IDR 250 million and below, both are attractive choices thanks to the various advantages offered.

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Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition and GR Corolla RZ, the Most Sporty Variants

 Toyota has just introduced the Gazoo Racing (GR) Corolla RZ and GR Corolla Morizo Edition models. The Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition is an exclusive variant. While the GR Corolla RZ is a new trim.

The GR Corolla Morizo Edition model arrives in the United States. This car is the top trim that prioritizes the impression of driving, aka the sportiest of the GR Corolla models. This model was also developed directly by the President of Toyota Motor Corp., Akio Toyoda. Toyoda often races under the alias, Morizo. This is the reason why this model uses the name.

So what distinguishes the two models for these two different automotive markets? We're not going to talk too much about the GR Corolla RZ because it's actually a refinement of the existing model.

In terms of dimensions, the GR Corolla RZ and Morizo share the same size. It is 4,410 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,480 mm high. The height of the Toyota GR Corolla Morizo is slightly lower, at 1,475 mm. This car offers a wheelbase of 2,640 mm and weighs 1,470 kg (RZ) and 1,440 kg (Morizo Edition).

There is a significant difference in the Morizo Edition. Now the weight of the vehicle is reduced, engine torque is enlarged and the transmission is made more optimal. The sensation of speed in the corners is also made more perfect by the use of a monotube shock absorber and sport performance tires. These tires are 10 mm wider than the standard model to improve stability and braking performance.

The GR Corolla Morizo only provides two seats which makes it a pure sports car. The rear row is made empty which makes the vehicle weight reduced by 30 kg. Although strangely the shape of the four-door vehicle was maintained and Toyota replaced the second row with the addition of a frame-reinforcing structure.

Regarding the engine, the GR Corolla uses a 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo engine coded G16E-GTS. For the RZ its power reaches 304 ps at 6,500 rpm and 370 Nm of torque at 3,000 to 5,550 rpm.

Morizo's power is the same as that of the RZ. But the torque is increased from 370 Nm to 400 Nm. This also makes the acceleration increase with available power at medium engine speed. This machine uses a six-speed manual transmission iMT. The transmission is made denser, especially in low gears to improve performance and driving sensation. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via the GR Four 4WD System, electronic multi plate clutch 4WD technology with three driving modes.

Both cars use the same technology. At the front uses an 18-inch aluminum ventilated disc with 4 calipers, while at the rear uses a 16-inch disc with two calipers.

Toyota also makes the rigidity of the vehicle body increase. This is done by adding 3.3 meters of adhesive material and strengthening the vehicle body. The interior uses a semi-bucket seat that will support the body comfortably while driving. This includes entering corners where the driver feels the great traction of the G-Force. Coloring the inside using black. Luxurious ultrasuede material is present for comfort on the sides of the steering wheel and center console.

Toyota only provides one exclusive color for this Morizo model, namely Matte Steel. In addition, consumers will also get Morizo's signature on the windshield to mark a special model developed directly by Toyota bosses. Other markers for the Morizo Edition are 18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels with ornamentation on the Toyota GR logo hub and the use of 245/40 R18 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

There is no information about the price of this GR Corolla model. But Toyota plans to start marketing it in the fall of this year. Especially for the Morizo edition, the units will be made limited and consumers who want it must enter the lottery to be able to take home this sporty GR Corolla.

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