Poorly conceived policy leading to messy implementaion

[Volvobrick]

LTA to test power of new Cat A cars before their sale

By Christopher Tan Senior Transport Correspondent

BY OCTOBER, the engine power of new Category A cars will have to be tested vigorously before they can be sold here.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said these models will be put on a chassis dynamometer - a "treadmill" for cars - to determine how much power they produce.

It will also review technical data supplied by importers and dealers through "independent checks with overseas counterparts" and other resources.

The move comes after a new new certificate of entitlement (COE) classification was introduced in February. Besides a 1,600cc cap on engine size, cars in COE Category A must not produce more than 130bhp or 97kW.

This was meant to level the playing field for sellers of mass-market cars, who in recent years have been edged out of Category A by luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

However, as soon as the new criterion was implemented, dealers of premium models began introducing cars with 122bhp to maintain their share of the Category A market.

Sources say this is why the LTA is taking steps to ensure cars actually produce the power declared by their manufacturers.

Due to the extra procedures, "motor dealers can expect a longer approval period", the LTA told The Straits Times, which understands it will now take up to four months to approve a car - up from four weeks previously.

It is the first time the authority has shed light on a backlog of new cars at its inspection centre in Sin Ming Drive.

There had been speculation by traders - some of whom have had cars stuck for seven months - that the LTA was planning further changes to the COE system.

The authority told motor traders of the new procedures at a meeting yesterday. Many were not thrilled.

Mr Ron Lim, general manager of Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said: "Together with the time it takes for cars to arrive here, it will take six months to launch a new car. Singapore has always been among the first to launch new models. With this, it's going to be very different."

Mr Nicholas Wong, general manager of Honda agent Kah Motor, said: "The COE quota period is now shorter at three months. So if it takes four months before we can launch a car, how do we do our planning?"

A trader who did not wish to be named said: "We told them that they should not use a power cap in the first place. But they didn't listen. Now, they're throwing the problem back to us."

 

 

Edited June 28, 2014 by Volvobrick

[F355]

LTA can buy dynamometers , test and test all the cars AD bring in , all can comply wan lah . AD so stupid meh ;detune only mah.

 

Question is how to check buyers who can easily chip up their cars beyond 130 bhp after they bought. Put dynamometers in all vehicle inspection centres ? Even if they were to implement that , new cars are not inspected in the first three years ; plus it is also easy to detune a car prior to inspection.

 

So many feedbacks were given to LTA that power cap is not a practical way to classify COE ; myself has also taken part in the survey and said no ; but somehow these scholars just refused to listen.

 

Plus there is no significant difference between Cat A and B COEs after the power cap implementation ; and all diam diam silent on this matter.

 

Self pwn and epic fail .

[Throttle2]

Yawn .....anything new?

[Myxilplix]

Chassis dyno? Really? Don't they know that dyno results mean diddly-squat?

 

Then they gonna get whp. So how are they going to determine the % to factor in for drivetrain losses to work out crank hp, with different drivetrains and transmissions?

 

Naohia with correction factors, any number also can be massaged.

 

Really epic fail.

[Jellandross]

Another LTA scholar's epic bright idea. Spending more money and work to double check for some results that we already know. in the first place. ADs will not be so dumb and waste money to import cars with falsely declared specs. But then again, maybe some shady PIs will. But this new process is like using a tank to shoot down a few house flies.

[Fastfive1]

Looks like this c.u.n-t is getting what he wants.

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/blog/12/entry-3390-the-aftermath-of-coe-changes/

Edited June 28, 2014 by Fastfive1

[Hydrocarbon]

So many feedbacks were given to LTA that power cap is not a practical way to classify COE ; myself has also taken part in the survey and said no ; but somehow these scholars just refused to listen.

Wa lau, you got earn more than the scholars or not? If not, no dignity, they wouldn't listen to you one.. Haha, kidding, I have nothing against you..

 

Chassis dyno? Really? Don't they know that dyno results mean diddly-squat?

 

Then they gonna get whp. So how are they going to determine the % to factor in for drivetrain losses to work out crank hp, with different drivetrains and transmissions?

 

Naohia with correction factors, any number also can be massaged.

 

Really epic fail.

 

Scholars mah, they will find a way to fark things up worse than before and find a solution to their screw ups to justify their existence.

[Vhtfhwlego]

The question, BHP cap is BHP at crank or wheels?

Car manufactures state BHP at crank most of the time right and dyno is on wheels right?

 

In order to boost sales, during engine test of the new model, car manufactures will often use the best grade of petrol, best environment to claim the optimum BHP achievable by the engine.

 

Just like 0-100km test, we will never (or very hard) to match the timing given by manufactures.

 

BHP is not a fix component which air, petrol, engine oil and age (w&t) can cause differences during the test.

If component cannot be fix while COE charged at achievable results, actually is became a conspiracy theory once again how we got milked out.

[Kangadrool]

Best is still cat by physical size. Sounds like I am playing old record.

[Voodooman]

GE coming, less new models, less competition for Cat A COE, weaker COE prices. Huat ah!

[Hamburger]

Looks like this c.u.n-t is getting what he wants.

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/blog/12/entry-3390-the-aftermath-of-coe-changes/

 

really buan tahan this kind of people, trying to be too clever as if scare others dont know.

[Baal]

- Most car makers base it at the crank to dish out nice numbers.

- Using dyno, means power at the wheel.

- can artificially suppress whp by using +2/3 sizes, semi or even mineral oil. Use basic/budget s/plugs.

- there will also be diff in whp between AT & MT.

 

My impression all this while of is that they meant crank.

So if what they meant by 130 is 130whp, then it likely means those 140hp/1.6 GDI NA cars with higher comp would qualify. Eg, SSS & Elantra 1.6 GDI. Bearing in mind that these models have Torque >160nm, its going blur the lines with Cat B cars, esp the 1.8L. Wish & Stream at 140ps/170nm at the crank ? So it means that the Cruze 1.4 Turbo with 138hp/200nm is king (assumimg its at the crank).

- No mentioned of addressing Torque since TD is catching on? Since they so insist on basing it on engine performance.

- Agree with Kangadrool that size is relevant iin Sin. Since Sin has grossly limited land space. Afterall, isnt housing prices based on psf due to similar constraints?

 

Since most manufacturers measure by crank (factor that measuring whp is so muddy), why create more trouble. Or is it job creation?

 

Since cars is categorized at traveling 1st class & is a luxury regardless, I would say omv + physical size (we are sin) is argueably the best.

[Soya]

C'mon, let's be fair. Waddaya expect from a populist, hare-brained scheme to begin wif?........

 

 

 

 

[Eyke]

C'mon, let's be fair. Waddaya expect from a populist, hare-brained scheme to begin wif?........

sorry, it is only hare-brained, not popular

[Watwheels]

I'm guessing they are going to add an additional torque cap on top of the 130bhp cap. This will draw a clearer line on categorizing the cars based on power output. Hp alone can't really determines a car's power output.

Edited June 28, 2014 by Watwheels

[Benarsenal]

Seriously, WTF.

 

This country is really going down the shitter. There appears to be a lot of mistrust going on, between Govt and people.

 

Every single policy they have implemented seems to be because they do not trust us at all. Cannot withdraw CPF. Cannot drink alcohol. Now also want to restrict what car we buy.

 

You guys should know what to do at the next election...

Edited June 28, 2014 by Benarsenal

[Civic101]

Whatever changes scholars at LTA make, the objective is to keep the COE high!

[Alheych]

I thought the title of the thread was the headline of Chris Tan's article.

 

But the article is damning enough for LTA anyway. The changes are clearly not working.