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Hydrogen Cars: Pros, Cons, & Everything You Need to Know

By

Devan S

When talking about electric vehicles (EV) we rarely think of hydrogen fuel cell cars. After all, the market is dominated by battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid vehicles. While hydrogen cars are seen as just as environmentally friendly as a regular BEV, they somehow flew under the radar of manufacturers and consumers.

So why don’t hydrogen cars get more love and will we ever adopt hydrogen cars in Malaysia? Let’s find out below.

Table of Contents

How Do Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars Work?

How Is Hydrogen Gas Produced?

Main Components of Hydrogen Cars

Advantages of Hydrogen Cars

Disadvantages of Hydrogen Cars

Top Hydrogen Cars

Will Hydrogen Cars Replace Battery Electric Cars?

How Do Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars Work?

Hydrogen fuel cell cars are a type of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) as they use hydrogen fuel cells to power their electric motors. They are largely similar to a BEV except that they run on a different power source.

In a hydrogen car, compressed hydrogen gas from the gas tank is sent to the fuel cell stack where the gas goes through reverse electrolysis and combines with oxygen from the atmosphere. This process produces electrical energy and clean water. The electrical energy is then sent to the motor which drives the wheels and moves the car. The water, on the other hand, is sent to the exhaust pipe where it’s expelled from the car.

Image source: Hyundai

What Happens in the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Stack

The structure of the fuel cell is similar to a battery. The hydrogen enters the anode where it comes in contact with a catalyst, which is usually platinum. This catalyst promotes the separation of hydrogen atoms into a hydrogen ion and an electron.

The hydrogen then passes through an electrolyte membrane to reach the cathode while the electron travels through the circuit, producing electricity to power the motor. At the end of the circuit, the electrons combine with the hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water as a byproduct.

How Is Hydrogen Gas Produced?

Hydrogen gas doesn’t naturally exist in the environment. Therefore, it needs to be produced with man-made methods. The two most common hydrogen production methods are steam-methane reforming and electrolysis.

Steam-Methane Reforming

This is the most commonly used method to produce hydrogen as it is low-cost and easy to do at scale. In steam-methane reforming, pressurized, high-temperature steam (700 to 980 degrees Celsius) reacts with methane in the presence of a catalyst to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and a small amount of carbon dioxide.

The methane used in this process mostly comes from fossil fuel natural gas, and only a small amount of it comes from biogas or renewable natural gas. Since this process produces greenhouse gasses, it’s also not environmentally friendly.

Read More:

Everything You need to know about Hybrid Cars

Electrolysis

This process uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. You probably remember this experiment from your high school science class. The only components required in this process are water, electricity, and a catalyst. However, that doesn’t mean this method is environmentally friendly as most electrolysis processes still use energy from coal plants. To get a truly “green” hydrogen production method, hydrolysis needs to be done with renewable energy.

How a hydrogen car is powered [Image source: BMW]

Main Components of a Hydrogen Car

Battery pack:
 Similar to full EVs, hydrogen cars have a lithium-ion battery pack that stores electricity to power the motor. However, it typically contains fewer lithium-ion cells and a lower voltage than a BEV battery pack since most of the power comes from the hydrogen fuel cell. This battery pack can be recharged via regenerative braking or with excess electricity from the fuel cell.

Hydrogen fuel tank:
 This tank stores hydrogen gas in a highly pressurized environment until it’s needed by the fuel cell. Passenger hydrogen cars typically hold around 5kg of hydrogen gas in their tanks.

Fuel Cell Stack:
 This is where hydrogen and oxygen gases are used to generate electricity. The fuel cell contains membrane electrodes where reverse electrolysis occurs, which combines hydrogen and oxygen, producing electricity and water as a byproduct.

Fuel tank neck:
 This is the receptacle where you pump hydrogen gas from a gas station into. Unlike in a traditional petrol car, the hydrogen gas pump nozzle needs to stay locked onto the fuel tank neck while refueling as you’re dealing with pressurized gas.

Electric motor:
 It uses power from the fuel cell and battery pack to drive the vehicle’s wheels. The motor in a hydrogen car works very much the same way as one in a BEV or hybrid car.

Thermal cooling system:
Similar to a cooling system in a BEV, it cools the fuel cell, electric motor, power control unit, and other components, maintaining an optimal operating temperature for all the components.

Power control unit:
 It manages the flow of electrical energy provided by the fuel cell and battery pack to control the speed and torque of the car.

DC/DC converter:
 It converts the high voltage DC power from the lithium-ion battery pack and fuel cell to low-voltage DC power to recharge the auxiliary battery and power other vehicle electronics.

Exhaust pipe:
 After the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen produces electricity and water, the water is expelled from the vehicle via the exhaust pipe.

Read More:

Do Engine Oil Treatment & Fuel Additives Really Work?

Advantages of Hydrogen Cars

Long Driving Range

The most attractive advantage of hydrogen cars is their longer range when compared to BEVs. Hydrogen cars can generally travel around 600km before needing refueling while the average EV can only travel between 300 to 400km before needing to be recharged.

Produces Zero Emissions

A hydrogen car produces no greenhouse gases. Instead, it only produces water as a byproduct which either gets expelled out of the car as you drive or gets stored in a tank that you can empty yourself.

Quick Refueling

Refueling a hydrogen car is similar to a traditional car. All you need to do is drive up to a hydrogen gas station, connect the hose to your car, and wait for your tank to fill up. This only takes around five minutes compared to recharging a BEV which can take up to a few hours.

Image source: Toyota

Hydrogen Fuel Cells are Lightweight

A hydrogen car fuel cell is generally more lightweight than a lithium-ion battery pack. It also occupies less space and has a greater energy storage density. Because of this, many experts and companies consider hydrogen to be a better option for commercial vehicles, especially large, long-haul trucks.

A fully battery-powered commercial truck would require a large number of battery packs making it significantly heavier than diesel trucks. Hydrogen fuel cells can provide clean energy without bumping up the weight of these trucks.

Disadvantages of Hydrogen Cars

Prices are Expensive

At the moment, hydrogen cars are still very expensive, especially compared to most ICE cars. For instance, the Toyota Mirai costs around $50,000 in the USA while the Toyota Corolla starts at only $20,000. Additionally, refueling hydrogen cars is also costly with a kilogram of hydrogen gas costing on average $15 (RM68) at the pump. With the Mirai being able to travel around 600km on 5.6kg of hydrogen, that means that you would need RM380 worth of hydrogen to drive that distance.

Limited Refueling Stations

There are very limited hydrogen refueling stations even in markets where hydrogen cars are sold. Therefore, hydrogen car owners may find it difficult to refuel their cars. As of 2022, the USA has only 107 hydrogen refueling stations while Japan has 166 stations.

Safety Concerns over Hydrogen Tanks

Many people are still concerned about the safety of storing this highly flammable gas in their cars. However, all hydrogen cars have to satisfy strict safety requirements to ensure that accidents do not happen. Manufacturers such as
Toyota
 pack their hydrogen tanks with advanced safety features including using a tough carbon fiber-reinforced plastic layer to hold the gas in.

There are also failsafes to ensure the hydrogen is safely released into the atmosphere if, for example, the fuel cell overheats or if the car is involved in an accident.

Environmental Impact of Hydrogen Production

While hydrogen cars are clean, the bulk of the hydrogen used globally is produced from natural gas with processes that result in greenhouse gases. That said, many governments and energy companies are finding ways to produce green hydrogen using sustainable methods including extracting it from water (electrolysis) using renewable energy.

In fact, even Malaysia is in on the action as
Sarawak is set to be a green hydrogen production and export hub
. Some of the hydrogen will even be used to power autonomous rapid transit vehicles in the state.

Read More:
5 Habits That Are Actually Damaging Your Car’s Transmission

Top Hydrogen Cars

Although hydrogen fuel cell technology hasn’t been widely used in passenger cars, there have been quite a number of hydrogen vehicles produced over the years. Here are vehicles that are either available or in development.

Toyota Mirai

The
Toyota
 Mirai was first manufactured in 2014 and is arguably the most well-known hydrogen car in the world. It’s mainly sold in Japan, the USA, Canada, and some parts of Europe. The Mirai has a 142.2L Toyota Fuel Cell System with a 170kW electric power output. This power is delivered to the electric motor which produces 182PS of power and 406.7Nm of torque giving the Mirai a century sprint of 0 to 100 km/h time of 9.2 seconds.

It also has three hydrogen fuel tanks, with a total capacity of 5.6kg giving it a maximum range of 646km on a full charge. While these figures look impressive, the Mirai is priced starting from $49,500 (RM225,398) in the USA, making it too expensive for most consumers.

Hyundai Nexo

The
Hyundai
 Nexo is a hydrogen fuel cell SUV first introduced in 2018 and is currently available in South Korea, the USA, the UK, and Australia. It has 163.2PS of power and 395Nm of torque making it a very capable vehicle. Its driving range varies from 569km to 611km depending on the variant you choose. Considering that the Nexo has a curb weight of around 1,700kg, its range is impressive indeed. The price of the Hyundai Nexo starts at $59,435 (RM270,577) in the USA.

Renault Master Van H2-Tech

Renault has a sizeable selection of light electric commercial vehicles and started producing hydrogen commercial vans in 2019. At the World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition 2022, they introduced the Renault Master Van H2-Tech which adds a hydrogen drivetrain to their existing battery-powered Master ZE van.

The Master Van H2-Tech has the same 33kWh battery and 76PS electric motor as its battery-powered cousin, with the addition of a 30kW fuel cell and four 1.5kg hydrogen tanks. The new van boasts a range of up to 500km compared to less than 160km in the Master ZE. The hydrogen drivetrain is placed on the van’s roof, which allows for a low loading height for cargo of up to 12 cubic meters in volume.

Hyperion XP-1

The Hyperion XP-1 is a hypercar 10 years in the making, and yes, it’s powered by hydrogen. Not much technical information is available on the XP-1 other than that it has a lightweight titanium carbon monocoque frame, a compact high-capacity hydrogen storage system using space flight technology, and an all-wheel drive powertrain. It boasts a 1,600km driving range on a single charge, a century sprint time of 2.2 seconds, and a top speed of 354 km/h.

The XP-1’s main advantages over battery electric performance cars are its low-weight hydrogen drivetrain. It has a curb weight of only 1,274kg, less than a McLaren 720s’ 1,467kg. For comparison, Tesla’s flagship Model S Plaid weighs 2,160kg with around 500kg of that being its battery pack, while only having a range of 640km. The XP-1 is scheduled to go into production in 2022 or 2023 and shows a promising future for hydrogen cars.

Hyundai N Vision 74

The
Hyundai
 N Vision 74 is an experimental hydrogen sports car, also referred to as a rolling lab by Hyundai. It uses both hydrogen and a 62.4kWh battery pack to power its dual electric traction motor. Both motors are fitted on the rear axle and together, they produce 670PS of power and 900Nm of torque.

Hyundai’s mission with the N Vision 74 is to develop a hydrogen performance car with an optimized cooling system that ensures performance in heavy track use. To achieve this, they use individual cooling systems for each fuel cell stack, battery, and power electric module. Performance-wise, this hydrogen car can reach speeds of over 250 km/h and travel over 600km on a single charge.

Will Hydrogen Cars Replace Battery Electric Cars?

While hydrogen-powered cars show some potential in being a viable option for us, hydrogen cars and gas refueling are still prohibitively expensive for most consumers. Due to the rapid advancements in the BEV sector, BEVs are also years ahead of their hydrogen counterparts.

That said, several companies such as
Toyota
 and
Hyundai
 along with hydrogen manufacturers and governments are paving the way to improve hydrogen technology. At least for now, the advantages of hydrogen work better for larger commercial vehicles compared to passenger cars. This means that hydrogen FCEVs can exist alongside BEVs albeit in different vehicle segments.

Plus, most countries, including Malaysia, already have some level of EV recharging infrastructure. That’s why it’s unlikely that we’ll see hydrogen passenger cars here any time soon. That being said, we don’t know what the future holds, so never say never!


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Hyundai Elantra 2019 facelift review – Is this redesign better?

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Written by Carsome Editorial

The Hyundai Elantra currently on sale is an improved version of
the sixth-generation model
. The current facelifted model has been significantly improved with new looks and features, so much so it is often mistaken as an all-new Elantra. The revamped model is available as a single 2.0 Executive variant in Malaysia, effectively downsizing the offerings on sale.

Pre-facelift Sixth Generation Hyundai Elantra

Style

We don’t blame you if you find it hard to spot the similarities with the pre-facelift model. Hyundai decided to redesign the C-segment sedan without traces of the predecessor. Angular lines anchor the new looks throughout – triangular headlights, fog lights, and taillights that supplement the new hood, front fascia and fenders, grille, trunk and rear fascia. The result of the modern styling comes with an overall length increase of 70 mm to a total of 4,620 mm.

On the inside, the cabin largely remains the same, apart from a refresh to the driver instrument cluster design, a new multifunctional steering wheel with control buttons and a new center climate control layout that joins the leather seats and soft-touch dashboard.

Features

As standard, the Elantra does come with a Smart Key with push start, rear air conditioning vents, a rear-view camera, manual head lamp leveling, Hyundai’s Smart Trunk and the 7-inch touchscreen unit with USB, Bluetooth, voice recognition and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety

The new Elantra comes with six airbags as standard, as is the passive safety list that includes ABS, ESC, Downhill Brake Control, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Management and Hill Start Assist Control. However, what often is unspoken is that the vehicle structure has been built with 53% of advanced high-strength steel, giving it a stiffer torsional rigidity and 25.3% greater bending strength.

Driving experience

The 2.0-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine outputs 150 hp and 192 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine is mated to Hyundai’s 6-speed automatic transmission with power going to the front wheels. Hyundai has tuned the ride and handling to lean more towards comfort and is a carryover in mechanics from the pre-facelift. At speeds, there is a slight body roll during a turn in, but when kept with the momentum of going through bends, the Elantra manages to keep its composure together. The 2.0 engine and transmission deliver more than adequate power when you put your foot down.

The choice of Eco, Normal, Sport and Smart driving modes are a standard affair apart from the latter. Smart mode essentially switches to the most suitable driving mode based on the driver’s input, while Sport is more hesitant to upshift. When it comes to sedans within this segment, the Elantra drives better than most.

Buy?

The new Elantra is a reliable vehicle for someone who likes the new design and the standard features that come with the single variant on sale. However, at its current price of
RM109,888
 on-the-road without insurance, the Elantra faces fierce competition with other more feature-filled vehicles. These include the Honda Civic 1.8, Proton X70 Executive, and even the brand’s own Ioniq Hybrid. The Ioniq HEV Plus variant while priced at RM115,888 is a RM6,000 premium on top of the Elantra. For the price, it comes with a host of active safety features, including Lane Keeping Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control to warrant the price difference. What we feel the Elantra needs to entice the crowd better is the addition of more equipment and more power previously available in the 1.6 Turbo variant.

Read below for more stories!

Are you interested in a 7-seater car in Malaysia? The all-new
Hyundai Santa Fe
 is the premium 7-seater SUV you need!

Are you looking for a practical sedan?
Toyota’s all-new Corolla

looks excellent and deserves a closer look.

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Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review – A Hybrid Redefined

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Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review - A Hybrid Redefined

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carsomeadministrator

The first thing you must know about the Hyundai Ioniq is that in November 2016, it scored a full five stars on the Euro NCAP safety rating system. While that might not mean much to some, the Euro NCAP safety rating system is essentially more comprehensive in the passive and active safety categories, in comparison to others including those from the United States, Australian and ASEAN region. The reason for the full five stars also boils down to the standard equipment of robust crash avoidance technology which is one of the main highlights the Ioniq Hybrid offers. How then does the Ioniq fare in comfort and performance, and should you even consider the Ioniq Hybrid as your next vehicle? Read on to find out.

Design

The Ioniq’s futuristic design was the main concentration for the brand’s designers when styling the vehicle. The fluid shape and clean lines emphasise the aerodynamic properties of the Ioniq, and with exterior panels that are designed to flex (which improve aerodynamics further), the Ioniq’s drag coefficient figure is an impressive 0.24 Cd. This places it on par with the current generation Toyota Prius.

On the front, the Ioniq’s C-shaped LED lamps join the LED daytime running lights at the base of the bumper. Focus on the centre and the sensors for the vehicle is housed in the emblem right in the middle of the brand’s signature hexagonal grille. The grille itself is functional with an integrated active air flap for better aerodynamics.

Here the interior blue character trim is present in all vehicle exterior colours.

Just like the sleek exterior, the interior also captures the futuristic appeal with simple and functional lines that separate the Ioniq from the brand’s range of models. For the local market, the blue character line present throughout the cabin – steering wheel, seat piping and air con vents truly provides some personality to the Hybrid name.

The boot is spacious with 750-litres of luggage space.

Engineering

By balancing body weight and structural rigidity, the brand’s engineers looked at the combination of aluminium and ultra-high strength steel at various areas. The focus on weight reduction was one of the concerns that arose during the development of the Ioniq. And so aluminium was used in the hood and tailgate which reduces the weight by 12.4 kg compared to conventional steel, and also the cargo screen cover – which cut its weight by a quarter compared to those in Hyundai’s other models.

One of the strengths of the Ioniq also lies in its lower centre of gravity. With the vehicle’s hybrid battery positioned just under the rear passenger seat, the combination with the multi-link rear suspension provides a better ride and off-road traction. In fact, the centre of gravity height is lower to that of the current Mk 7 Golf GTi.

Safety & Technology

What makes the Ioniq Hybrid stand out from literally other vehicles in its class is the availability of active and passive safety features for the price point. Granted that the full on list of features are available on the higher HEV Plus variant, the features on offer are the Blind Spot Detection, Lane Keeping Assist and Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Smart Cruise Control Systems, all of which provide additional safety on top the standard 7-Airbags, ABS, BA, HAC, ESC and VSM.

Performance & Driving Impression

To start with figures, the Ioniq’s 1.6-litre GDI engine uses the Atkinson cycle and is rated at 104 hp with 147 Nm of torque and is then assisted with an additional electric motor with 43 hp and 170 Nm. Combined, the output produces 139 hp at 265 Nm. But best of all though, all this is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission that’s silky smooth and as Hyundai’s reasoning, makes the Ioniq fun to drive.

We couldn’t agree more. In regular driving, the Ioniq does everything an Eco car is supposed to, with quite a bit of pedal travel to get it up to speed. From a standstill, you do realise the electric motor doing the get-go and is seamless enough that the integration with the combustion engine goes unnoticed. But push it harder and activate Sport mode, and the Ioniq surprisingly does the opposite.

Despite driving quite aggressively, the Ioniq is leaps above in handling for a Hybrid vehicle.

Instantly it changes the characteristics of the driving. The revs pull for longer and throttle becomes easier to push forward. What we expected with the inclusion of the DCT gearbox was a faster shift up and down, but the time it takes on driver input and shift engagement seemed a little slow. But when putting this into everyday usability, it makes more sense that Hyundai slowed things down to accommodate gearbox durability in the long run. What we wished for though, was the inclusion of paddle shifters. Stopping power is quite commendable with the brakes biting hard when needed, but does feel a little spongy. We believe it is due to the brake energy recuperation in the unit.

How does it ride? A lot stiffer than we expected, but not too much. Due to the placement of the Hybrid battery and the lengths the brand went through to make the Ioniq quick to drive, just note that it is leaps beyond what we expected a car of this class and purpose to perform at slaloms and corners.

Verdict

This car has stunned everyone in the industry and we truly didn’t expect this as well. Read reviews everywhere and you have journalists and those who have driven the Ioniq to say that it is one of the most interesting cars that Hyundai Malaysia has sold locally. Yes there may be thoughts that “it’s a hybrid” or “it has a DCT gearbox”. But rest assured that the company has gone to lengths to test the transmission in various road conditions globally including – high speed at the German Autobahn, heavy traffic in Seoul, long distance cruising in the USA, high temperatures in the Middle East, cold conditions in Eastern Europe and high humidity and rough roads in China.

What do we really think? With the HEV priced at RM100,328 and the HEV Plus at RM110,828 without insurance, the Ioniq Hybrid is a no brainer for a ridiculously feature packed vehicle at a price point that just smashes everything else.

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Hyundai is testing Level 4 Autonomous Driving in the Ioniq

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Written by Carsome Editorial

With the continuous development of autonomous driving technology, the concept of the vehicle is changing. Where cars were once simply a means of transportation, they will ultimately become personal living spaces, customised to meet the customer’s needs and individualised to fulfil our desires.

Though still in its early stages, self-driving technology is becoming increasingly common, and could radically transform the way we get from A to B. Autonomous driving will transform the look and feel of our vehicles and make journey far more convenient.

Customers’ mindsets are continuously changing and switching their focus to the sharing economy, as well as hassle-free mobility solutions. The automotive industry must therefore adapt accordingly. Brands like Hyundai are not meant to be simply car manufacturers, but should also transition into service providers who provide holistic solutions to what individual customers need.

The Autonomous Ioniq

The Hyundai IONIQ is already a world-first, as it offers drivers a choice of three electrified powertrains in one bodytype. Now, Hyundai is using it to test Level 4 autonomous driving technologies on European roads. Different cars are capable of various levels of self-driving on a scale of 0-5:

Level 0
 – All major systems are controlled by humans.

Level 1
 – Certain systems, for example cruise control or automatic breaking, can be controlled by the car.

Level 2
 – At least two simultaneous automated functions such as acceleration and steering are offered by the vehicle. However, humans are required to ensure safe operation.

Level 3
 – The car is able to manage safety functions under certain conditions, but the driver is expected to take over when alerted.

Level 4
 – The car is fully autonomous in some driving scenarios, though not all. This level can be referred to as highly automated.

Level 5
 – The car is completely autonomous in every situation.

Autonomous driving technology offers even more benefits to drivers when it is integrated with the needed infrastructure. Intelligent traffic lights, for example, can communicate with autonomous cars. This has the potential to make roads safer and ease congestion.

The goal of the Autonomous Ioniq research vehicle is to keep self-driving systems as simple as possible. This has been accomplished by using the production car’s Smart Cruise Control’s forward-facing radar, blind-spot detection radars in the corners of the vehicle and Lane Keeping Assist camera, which are integrated with LiDAR technology.

Hyundai is one of the few companies who have already started development of Level 4 autonomous driving in the C-segment. In coming years, Hyundai Motor Group will further invest to accelerate their development.

Already now the company cooperates with Aurora. This move will strengthen the strategic partnership formed between the companies in 2018, under which Hyundai, Kia and Aurora have been collaborating on self-driving technologies on Hyundai’s flagship fuel cell vehicle, Nexo. With the new investment, the companies have agreed to expand research to a wide range of models and to build an optimal platform for Hyundai and Kia’s autonomous vehicles.

“With the Level 4 Autonomous Ioniq research vehicle, we are already thinking one step ahead by looking at how the car industry, technology and infrastructure have to change in order to be fit for future mobility. Hyundai will continue to invest in autonomous driving technologies to speed up their development,” says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, VP Marketing & Product at Hyundai Motor Europe.

Click here
 for our review and impressions of the Hyundai Ioniq in Malaysia!

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Hyundai Santa Fe (TM) review – For The Family & The Open Road

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Hyundai Santa Fe (TM) review - For The Family & The Open...

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Written by Carsome Editorial

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors launched the all-new Santa Fe in May this year. The local line-up comes in a 2.4-litre petrol and 2.2-diesel engines with two variants of Executive and Premium. Visually, the exterior design is bold, athletic and has a wide stance. The front showcases Hyundai’s signature cascading grille and is complemented by the composite light – a mix of functional lamps at the front which includes LED DRLs, headlights and foglights. Look at the brand’s current SUVs – Kona, Nexo and Palisade, and the design language connects.

Move to the side and the sleek roof line and bold side character line runs from the headlights to the taillights to form a fluid design. The rear lights are LED brake units and sport a 3D graphical look (akin to the navigational deflector on a Star Trek Enterprise ship). Separate from this is the reverse, signal and fog lights integrated in the rear bumper.

The model we reviewed is the 2.4-litre Theta II MPi Premium variant. It outputs 170 hp and 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and is mated to a six-speed automatic, with power going to the front wheels. Unfortunately the local petrol units do not come with Hyundai’s variable AWD (HTRAC) system. The AWD system is only reserved for the diesel variants locally.

Inside, the Santa Fe is truly special. Hyundai has brought the latest generation to another level when it comes to refinement. For the front driver and passenger, the dashboard design has been sculpted to provide a dual cockpit layout.

The layered style wraps the door trim and upper dashboard together before it opens up to the central unit that connects the air vents, driver cluster and steering wheel. Premium materials of leather cover these parts while the pillar, sun visor and roof trims are wrapped in a stylish grey deluxe cloth.

For the unit tested, the one-tone black interior is garnished in a tactile metallic pattern trim. For owners, there’s a choice of a Black or Burgundy interior (optional extra) for the Premium variants.

When it comes to the feature list, there’s plenty to go by. The 7-inch infotainment unit has AUX, USB, Bluetooth with Voice Recognition and is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are two 12W power sockets (one at the front console, and one in the luggage area), four USB A ports (two in the front, and two in the second row) and a Qi charger at the centre front cubby. As for comfort and driver assistance, there’s dual-zone air conditioning, auto lights and wipers, cruise control and the convenience of a one touch access to the third-row seats. The third-row passengers also have access to the button on the second row seat shoulder.

Side seat controls for the front passenger seat make it easy for the second row to adjust more leg room.

As for leg room on the second and third row, it can be comfortable for the two at the rear most with some allowance in the middle. We say that it is certainly better than other seven-seaters in the market.

Hyundai’s Smart Trunk feature is enabled here as well, and when locked, only requires the key to be nearby the trunk area for auto access.

Luggage space of 547-litres with 3rd row folded opens up to 1,625-litres with the 2nd row down.

Buttons at the trunk make it easy to collapse the second row seats.

The local spec cars also do get a good amount of standard safety – Six-airbags together with ESC, ABS, Downhill Brake Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Brake Assist Systems, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Management. The Premium variants add on Rear Occupant Alert, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Warning. What we think would be a great addition to this has to be the Safe Exit Assist for the rear doors, and of course autonomous emergency braking.

What’s it like to drive? Comfortable. The petrol variant has enough power for the standard day-to-day commute and even with a full passenger load of seven. The ride is nice is pliable without being too soft, and translates well inside the cabin.

Manoeuvring the Santa Fe is impressively sharp, allowing for almost anyone to place it well. This is thanks to the light steering and overall set up. Nonetheless, the latest generation has grown from its predecessor (80 mm longer, 10 mm wider and 65 mm longer wheelbase), and is undoubtedly a larger car. The bulk of it comes when you realise it takes up over the length and almost a full width of a standard parking lot. Yet with the driving aids of all round sensors and reverse camera, parking shouldn’t be too much of a daunting task.

How do we conclude? The new Santa Fe has been certainly a good experience for us. We can’t believe the lengths Hyundai has taken to insert that premium feel, but it has worked in leaps. The price of
RM 189,888
 for the Premium petrol puts this alongside other SUVs in the range, but very few are full fledged seven-seaters. Go ahead, check it out and take it for a drive. We’re quite certain you’d be amazed too.

Looking for a premium SUV?
Click here
 to find out why Volvo’s XC60 T8 Inscription Plus is the best featured SUV you can buy today!

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Icons of the 1900s – Bugatti Type 35

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Icons of the 1900s - Bugatti Type 35

Icons of the 1900s – Bugatti Type 35

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carsomeadministrator

The name Bugatti today associates itself by having a string of recognising records and awards for their modern sports cars the Veyron and Chiron. From having the Guinness World Record for the fastest street-legal production car in the world for the Veyron Super Sport to the recent fastest 0-400-0 km/h run of 41.96 seconds for the Chiron, it seems that Bugatti (now under the ownership of Volkswagen AG) has got quite a knack for building record breaking speed machines.

Look back the years and you wouldn’t be wrong, the youngest son of Carlo Bugatti, Ettore was drawn to mechanical arts at an early age, winning a gold medal at the 1901 Milan trade fair for his car design. Through time, work and opportunity, Ettore soon made a name for himself when he designed a 1400cc 4-cylinder car and displayed it at the 1910 Paris Automobile Show, it was this time that the name Bugatti soon came into the world stage.

The 1930 Bugatti Type 35 B/T.
Credit: The Revs Institute

After World War I, Ettore continued to build and race cars. Through various events and wins, Bugatti soon made a name as a manufacturer of racing cars for private entrants.

It was not until 1924, that a design and manufacture of a car that would break records unlike any other would take shape of the Type 35. From 1927 to 1931, the Blue cars from Bugatti dominated the racing scene. Their fine workmanship and ability to be a racing model competitively provided an added appeal.

Credit: Giphy

The Type 35 featured a stunning streamlined teardrop-shaped bodyshell. It was also a commercial success as Bugatti then sold the Grand Prix model to prosperous privateers, laying the foundation for Molsheim’s Golden Age or otherwise known as ‘the golden age of Ettore’s creations’. It had to be said however, that the Bugatti Type 35 was the only car from the period that could be driven on both public roads and racetracks.

11th March 1933: Racing driver R L Bowes in his Type 35B Bugatti car during the Weybridge Senior Mountain Handicap race at Brooklands in Surrey which Bowes won the race with an average speed of 114.5 km/h.
Credit: J A Hampton/ Getty Images

The Type 35 was the most successful of the Bugatti racing models. It was so phenomenally successful that it won over 1,000 races in its time – part of which was the Targa Florio for five consecutive years, from 1925 through 1929.

View from the driver’s cockpit.
Credit: Sports Car Digest

If Ettore Bugatti had designed only one car, the Type 35B would be enough to make him utterly immortal. The car he designed would have been engraved into the local folklore and it would have its own glorified sculpture.

Historical Models

Bugatti Type 35T GP.
Credit: MotoBurg

For 1926, Bugatti introduced a special model for the Targa Florio race. Called the “Type 35T”, it shared the 2.3 L with a longer 100 mm stroke. The engine was an SOHC three-valve design and produced 60 hp. It is the same engine used in the Type 40. The Type 35B had 138 hp and a total of 45 examples were made. A British racing green Type 35B driven by William Grover-Williams also triumphed and won the 1929 French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

Credit: Classic Driver

The eight-cylinder Type 35 introduced in 1924, is the most aesthetically satisfying racing car ever made. It represented the high point of Bugatti’s production, as it came at a time when his factory’s meticulous craftsmanship and hand assembly could produce a significantly superior performance. Bugatti later sought to keep up with the industrialised output of his rivals, and the cars leaned towards a larger build. Yet, the lightness, poise and accuracy of the Type 35B were never to be recaptured ever since.

The Pur Sang Bugatti Type 35 Replica

Credit: Drew Phillips

As fewer than 100 examples of the Type 35 were made, they are rare and expensive classics only sold through auctions today. Just last year, a 1925 Type 35 Grand Prix sold at an auction for $2.6-million. But as rare as these record breaking machines are, there is a company today that hand-builds Type 35 replicas right down to a tee, and they are known as Pur Sang.

Known in the old days of equestrian circles as a genuine thoroughbred, Pur Sang is the name of the Argentinian company that builds these replicas today. Costing $250,000 Pur Sang Bugattis are a bargain compared to their predecessors.

“The first supercar ever conceived was the Type 35 Bugatti. Ettore Bugatti was Elon Musk times 10.” – John Bothwell, Director at Pur Sang.

Credit: Drew Phillips

Credit: Drew Phillips

Credit: Drew Phillips

For the batch of Pur Sang Bugatti Type 35 Replicas, the four-speed manual gearbox is the same exact ones from the 1920s. The wheels are fairly new and modern as to adjust to the road tarmac and conditions of today’s era. All the parts for the Type 35 Replicas are handmade, using traditional methods by craftsmen in Argentina. It is here that the 100 workers go into the groundwork of producing a built-to-order car within two months. Grounds include a design studio, engineering, a body shop, a spare part division and a paint shop. They manufacture about 20 to 30 cars each year.

Chris Harris of Top Gear taking the Pur Sang Bugatti Type 35 for a spin:

This may be the original Grand Prix Champion of the world.
Credit: Grand Prix History

While some would heartily say that this is the most beautiful racing car of all time, we’d prefer to remember it as a racing heritage that has continued its legacy even with the brand of cars that wear that proud red badge today.

The Ford Model T was one that revolutionized the automobile industry and moved away from traditional horse carriages.
Click here
 for more!

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Icons Of The 1900s – Ford Model T

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Icons Of The 1900s - Ford Model T

Icons Of The 1900s – Ford Model T

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carsomeadministrator

The automobile today has been long regarded as the measure of human progress. It is in this progress that distances now are counted in minutes instead of kilometres. But how did we get here? From the early 1800s of Francois Isaac de Rivas’ vehicle to the petrol and diesel engines of Nikolaus Otto and Rudolf Diesel, the automobile has seen iterations from Karl Benz’ production vehicle to Ransom E. Olds’ modern assembly line. Yet without the accessibility and mass production of Henry Ford’s Model T, we wouldn’t have the automotive industry with over a billion different vehicles on roads.

Who started the Ford Model T?

Henry Ford with the first car he built, and the 10 millionth Model T.
Credit: Ford

Henry Ford (1863 – 1947) was an intuitive engineer from Detroit who acquired a deep understanding of manufacturing techniques. Before the Model T, cars were a rarity on the road and was reserved as a luxury item for the affluent. In 1908, the Ford Model T cost $825 or $18,000 in today’s dollars, which began as one of the early cars in mankind’s history.

Made for the ordinary people

Model T assembled at Highland Park Plant.
Credit: Ford

With determination and hard work, Ford produced the 10 millionth Model T by 1924.
Credit: Ford

1926 Ford Model T assembly line.

Credit: History.com

The car had 22 hp, four-cylinder engine and was pioneered by French race-car makers. Weighed just 544 kilograms, it could go as fast as 64 km per hour running simply on gasoline. There when oil prices dipped in early 20
th
 century, Ford kept prices low by building just one model.

Credit: History.com

Ford developed a system of interchangeable parts that reduced waste, and made it easy for unskilled workers to assemble the Ford models that started a chain for the Ford Model T. Henry Ford introduced the moving-chassis assembly line in 1913, cutting the 12 hour time to build a full vehicle to a mere 2 hours and 30 minutes. It started a revolution, where workers built motors and transmissions on rope-and-pulley powered conveyor belts that carries the chassis, body parts, little bits and pieces that hasten the entire manufacturing process.

Thanks to the speed of manufacturing, in 1925, the cost of a Model T could be had for just under $300.

What the Americans wanted

By the 1920s, many Americans weren’t just interested in a durable, well-made car. They wanted something different; something that they could be proud of. Americans wanted optimal speed, luxury and most of all, a simple car that could transport them to their intended destination. This changed the use of horse and carriage to motorised transportation.

Credit: Giphy

The flexible, well-sprung Model T was most at home when driven in the unmade rural roads and most city roads of the time.

Driving the Ford Model T

The Model T is the first vehicle that provided the base for motorised transport application at its infancy. Considering that over 15 million Model T’s were made, driving the Model T with its three pedals, solitary hand brake and throttle lever in the modern day would be truly complex. Imagine that the center pedal would engage the reverse gear, with the right pedal; the brake.

Credit: Ford

On application, stepping on the pedal all the way to the left, move the throttle lever to “give it the gas” and gently move the floor lever forward. Once it’s moving, move the right lever up, let off the left pedal to give it more gas to shift into high.

Worldwide Admiration for Fordism

Henry Ford, the man who defined and transformed the middle class of America.
Credit: Ford

The assembly lines that Ford put in place included things such as timing employees with stopwatches, shaping up their overall punctuality and accuracy at work. Then in 1913, Ford had to employ over 40,000 new hires just to reclaim 13,000 workers back on the job. In order to reduce his employee’s turnover rate, Ford decided to pay his employees more just so they wouldn’t quit. It was a plan that did not seem to make any sense at that very moment, but it certainly helped in keeping productivity up and beyond the expectations of Henry Ford.

Thousands of job seekers descended upon the Highland Park Ford plant after Henry Ford announced his $5 per day wage
.
Credit: Ford

The Model T had a great significance as a symbol and advertisement for Ford’s production-line techniques and became a phenomenon worldwide. Thus, the eighteenth-century Scottish philosopher Adam Ferguson wrote, ‘Mechanical arts succeed best under a total suppression of sentiment and reason’. Ford and his methods impressed both Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin which may have given inspiration for the birth of Volkswagen in later years.

Volkswagen has been around for decades and took pride too in building cars for the people.
Click here
 to read about the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI.

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Icons of the 1930s – Tatra T87

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Icons of the 1930s - Tatra T87

Icons of the 1930s – Tatra T87

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carsomeadministrator

    You would probably be wondering what a Tatra is, and why it is in focus for this edition of the Icons series. However, a look at the T87's shape, and you could have an idea why.

    Although mostly unknown, Tatra ranks among one of the oldest automobile manufacturers in the world, with its story beginning as far back as 1897. It was in Koprivnice in Moravia (today known as Czech Republic) that the company was started by Hans Ledwinka in 1930.

    Through cooperation with various figures including Paul Jaray, who worked at Luftschiffbau Zeppelin and had experience with the aerodynamic design of airships, the T87 was actually the successor to the T77.

Credit: Giełda klasyków

Credit:

Giełda klasyków

    Together with design engineer Erich Ubelacker, they decided that properly streamlined bodywork would be the important part of technical development. Ledwinka was a genius for a man of his time, excelling in automotive design and introduced the modern day standard items such as four-wheel brakes and independent suspension, way before many others.

How Did Tatra Began?

Credit: RM Sothebys

Before taking the route to become a carmaker, Tatra built carriages and wagons for decades – its foundations in 1850. Thanks to its history, it is the world’s third oldest carmaker after Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot. In 1999, the company stopped production of passenger cars and went into manufacturing trucks, which they still do today.

Design Concept

Credit: Hemmings Daily

Credit: Hemmings Daily

The production of the T87 began in 1936 and reached new heights as it was basically a simpler and more affordable model. Its shorter wheelbase of 124-inches and Bauhaus-style seating inside provided comfortable seating for six too.

The T77 and T87 are considered to be one the first vehicles to be developed in a wind tunnel. The result is a minimisation of air resistance, maximisation of speed and a reduction of fuel consumption.

Aircraft-Like Engine

Credit: Hemmings Daily

The engine is basically a small aircraft engine. In the 1930s, Ledwinka began working with his son Erich Ubelacker to build Tatra sedans with air-cooled, rear-mounted V8 engines. Powering the T87 is a 2.9 litre air-cooled overhead cam V8 that produces 85 hp, which is mechanically alike the aircraft and Zeppelin engine.

Credit: Hemmings Daily

In realizing Paul Jaray’s idea (the Hungarian designer of the Graf Zeppelin to construct the Type T77), a rear engine was needed in which Ledwinka liked because it made for an unusual and quiet front interior, dispensed with the propeller shaft between the front engine and rear wheels. Low floor, with greater leg space, fewer power losses and higher efficiency. The early 850cc Tatra with rear engine had a close resemblance to the first prototypes for The KdF-Wagen, Volkswagen.

Drivetrain

As Jay Leno wrote on
Popular Mechanics
 of the high-mileage cruiser of the ‘30s, he felt that his "T87 was mechanically different from any other automobile he has ever owned. A rigid tubular-backbone chassis, two crown-wheel gears (one on each rear-axle shaft that pivots around a pair of differential spur gears). To equalize weight distribution, two spare tyres are placed in the front. Besides, since the engine and gearbox are at the rear, the 87 is still heavy on the tail-end and tends to spin easily."

Watch Jay Leno go for a spin in his
 1938 Tatra T87

…together with a Lamborghini Miura.

Credit: Dark Roasted Blend

Due to the enormous pressure from Hitler to develop the KdF-Wagen in a short period and on a budget, it was clear that the original VW Beetle was heavily inspired by Tatra, using several of its patents. Just before World War 2, the company had a many legal claims against VW. However before a settlement was completed by Ferdinand Porsche, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia and gained control over the Tatra factory.

Driving It

"Driving a Tatra produces the uneasy exhilaration which may be got from shampooing a lion.”
 – Gordon Wilkins

Post-War Vehicle

Hans Ledwinka alongside the Tatra T87 that he designed and constructed.

Credit: Sextant Blog

During the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia, Hans Ledwinka was imprisoned for six years, then later sent back to Austria. In the midst of that, Ferdinand Porsche's prewar KdF-Wagen evolved into the Volkswagen Type 1 which is the Beetle as we know it today.

The opening image is copyright of RM Auctions.

If you can't stop admiring classic cars,
click here
 for a throwback of the legendary Bugatti Type 35!

We know it's awesome to own a classic car. Yet, if you plan to sell your car with us today, feel free to fill up the form below!

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Icons of the 1940s – Citroën 2CV

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Icons of the 1940s – Citroën 2CV

Icons of the 1940s – Citroën 2CV

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carsomeadministrator

    It is said that the beginnings of the Citroen 2CV was thanks to the brand's head, Pierre-Jules Boulanger in the 1930s when he thought of an idea to help French farmers with a motorised mode of transport. Under the direction of Boulanger to design an 'umbrella on wheels', the brief also meant that he wanted a vehicle that could carry a basket of eggs across a ploughed field without any breakage.

Credit:
Top Gear

Credit:
Modern Farmer

    Development of the car began in 1935 and was planned for launch at the 1939 Salon de l'Automobile. But due to the unexpected rise of World War II, the project was put on hold until its official unveiling at the 1948 Paris Salon. Nicknamed the 'Tin Croissant' in the US and
La Deuche
 in France, the 2CV went on to become an icon unlike any other.

The Citroen 2CV is revealed to the public for the first time at the 1948 Paris Car show. Credit:
The Globe and Mail

    The 2CV is legendary not only because of its design and purpose, but also one that became the platform for Michelin to introduce its first commercialised radial tyre. While original 2CVs came with an air-cooled 375cc two-cylinder engine, the 9 hp could even hit over 60 km/h. Later upgrades boosted power to 14 hp and by the 1970s, had a 602cc engine with 33 hp.

    Thanks to the clever design of the suspension, the basis of it allowed the car to be driven as spiritedly and cornered sharply that it was also impossible to roll a 2CV, due the narrow front tyres and long-travel suspension.

Credit:
dreamaticl.com

Credit:
 Top Gear

    It was a car that is as basic as could be. So much so that even one slogan dubbed it as a "reliable workhorse", thanks to the lack of retractable headlights, cigar lighter, fan belt and even wind-up windows. In just five years, the factory in Lavallois was producing over 1,500 cars a week, where production continued through the years. Only in 1991 that the last 2CV was made, ending its 43 year production and a whopping 3.8-million cars made.

Chris Harris Citroen 2CV Walkaround

Also, The Citroen 2CV Challenge by Top Gear

Credit:
Classic and Performance Car

    Through the years, special editions, export models, four-wheel drive variants and non-factory conversions and modifications has turned the Citroën 2CV into a car that is talked about and seen even on todays roads. Yet despite the car's position in being a slow vehicle, 24-hour endurance races for 2CVs were held in Great Britain until a few years back.

For more of classic icons, do check out the Italian-made Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint!
Click this article
!

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Gear Up For The Best 11.11 Sales

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Gear Up For The Best 11.11 Sales

Gear Up For The Best 11.11 Sales

By

Haziq Asyraf

We are slowly inching towards the end of the year, and for the month of November, that only means one thing, the long awaited 11.11 sale!  If you thought these double digits are only a nice date to get married in, then you thought wrong, because 11.11 is also the date that is celebrated globally as one of the biggest shopping festivals ever! Think of it as an Asian Black Friday Sale.

Giphy source:
GoBear

Initially started in China, this sale was a day to celebrate those who are single. It might seem like an odd celebration, but for us, this date is a great opportunity for us to treat ourselves and our loved ones. You never know what you might score at a slashed deal!

So, knock yourself out! This is the one day that you can shop, judgement free. To make things easier for you, we’ve listed down some of the sites with the best deals other than the Big Three – Shopee, Zalora and Lazada. Make sure to read till the end for a special kind of surprise!

Hermo – Double 11 Campaign

Are you an avid fan of k-beauty? Do you keep up with the 10-step k-beauty skincare routine? Then you would be tremendously happy to know that Malaysia leading online shop for all things Korean beauty and skincare needs is also having a massive sale during their 11.11 Sale.

Hermo
 is known for their genuine beauty and skincare products, both local and international brands. You wouldn’t want to miss out on their sale that is running from the 4
th
 till the 12
th
 of November 2020.

Up to 70% off on discounts

40% off global/Korean products

Get RM20 off when you spend over RM150 – for Gold and Platinum members

Extra 10% off for new arrivals with no minimum spend – D11NEW20

Find sales daily from brands like Nivea to Laneige

Althea – 11.11 Deabak

With Covid-19 on the loose, you might not be able to make your yearly trip to South Korea to stock up on your Korean beauty product.

But fret not, because
Althea
 is here to save you with their 11.11 Deabak Sale which is currently on till the 11
th
 of November 2020.

10% off storewide, with no minimum spend – 1111DAEBAK

Free “Innisfree’s Black Tea Youth Enhancing” sample with every order (while stock lasts)

Photobook – 11.11 Sale

If you miss travelling like we do and don’t know what to do now with the CMCO, why not print out your memorable travel photos into a nice photobook, an album, or a frame?

 At
Photobook
, they want you to remember your photos physically because seeing them through your phone might not spark as much joy. So from the 1
st
 to the 11
th
 of November, they are having a sale that you wouldn’t want to miss.

Up to 60% off storewide from accessories to printing

Various additional upgraded discounts – 1111DEAL

BloomThis – 11.11 Sale

Do you know, when it comes to flowers, you don’t have to wait for someone else to get it for you because you can always get it yourself which makes it even more special? It’s a gift from you to you!

Or if you want, you can always get a beautiful bouquet of flowers for your loved one just to remind them how much you appreciate and love them. Whatever you reason might be to get a bouquet, make sure to get them during
BloomThis
’s 11.11 sale which is from the 2
nd
 till the 15
th
 of November 2020.

11% off selected flowers and gifts

2x rewards points

Free same-day delivery to KL and Selangor

Dyson – 11.11 Specials

Dyson
 have recently taken over the world with their vacuum cleaners, hair dryers and their hair straightening devices.

 Not only are these products aesthetically pleasing, but they work amazing, just as they are advertised which does not come as a surprise on the recent hike in popularity among many Malaysians. So, if you are in the field for a new Dyson device, you should totally take advantage of their 11.11 Specials that are currently running till the 11
th
 of November 2020.

Up to 29% savings

Selected purchases come with free gifts

Receive an RM150 voucher off when you checkout on 11 November

Carsome – 11.11 Sales

Lastly, the most awaited, the most worthy 11.11 sale definitely goes to
Carsome
. For those who want to buy themselves a car, you should totally check out Carsome 11.11 Sales, the best sale you have been waiting for.

Carsome is the platform that buys and sells used cars. Our cars are checked by certified inspectors and go through 175 inspection points before they are sold out which only proves that our used cars are Carsome Certified Quality Cars. But why a used car you might ask? This
article
 explains it all! You would not want to miss out this sale from the 1
st
 till the 30
th
 of November 2020.

Discount of up to RM 3000 off

Carsome Certified Quality Cars

Different models on sale eg: Nissan X-Trail, Honda Civic, Maxda CX-3, Toyota Camry, etc.

 You should also check out Carsome’s sale on Lazada and Shopee where you can get our RM 500 voucher for only RM 99, for one day only, on the 11th of November 2020. If this is not a steal price, we don’t know what is anymore.

Haziq Asyraf
A self-proclaimed foodie and gamer whose passion for food and games has recently extended to cars.


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Ada Aksesori Kereta Ni, Travel Dengan Anak Kecil Jadi Mudah!

By

Ahmad Azwadie Azman

Memandu ke mana-mana bersama anak kecil, terutamanya dalam perjalanan yang jauh boleh jadi sangat memenatkan! Anak kecil ini seperti yang kita tahu, tak reti nak duduk diam dan perlukan ruang untuk bermain. Mereka juga akan cepat berasa bosan jika berada terlalu lama dalam kereta.

Selain itu, anak kecil juga memerlukan penjagaan yang rapi supaya mereka kekal selesa dan tenang sepanjang perjalanan. Untuk memudahkan urusan ibu ayah di luar sana, ada beberapa gajet yang dijual untuk memudahkan urusan anda menjaga anak kecil dalam pemanduan yang panjang.

Daripada bidai tingkap sehinggalah kepada tandas mudah alih, semua gajet dan aksesori ini boleh menjadikan perjalanan bersama si kecil lebih selamat dan juga selesa!

Artikel berkaitan:
10 Barang Penting yang WAJIB Beli untuk Kereta Baharu Anda

1. Bidai Tingkap

Di Malaysia, kita semua takkan boleh lari daripada cuaca panas yang boleh mencapai sehingga 35°C pada musim kering. Cuaca panas ini juga akan datang dengan sinaran cahaya matahari yang boleh menyebabkan silau.

Sumber: Nigel Marston Motosport

Silau ini boleh mengganggu anak kecil terutama ketika ia hendak tidur di dalam kereta. Jadi, untuk menjadikan suasana kereta lebih sesuai ketika waktu tidur, anda boleh pasang bidai tingkap untuk menghalang cahaya matahari mengganggu anak kecil anda ketika tidur

Anda boleh beli bidai untuk tingkap kereta anda
DI SINI
.

2. Tandas Mudah Alih

Mungkin anda ada anak kecil yang sedang belajar untuk menggunakan tandas tanpa bergantung kepada lampin lagi. Tetapi, ini boleh menyukarkan ibu ayah jika mereka terpaksa menghadaoi perjalanan jauh dan anak mereka masih perlu menggunakan tandas untuk buang air besar. Yalah, mereka tak boleh bertahan lama-lama.

Kalau anak anda memerlukan tandas walaupun dalam perjalanan jauh, anda boleh mendapatkan tandas mudah alih ini.

Sumber: MomJunction

Betapa mudahnya kalau anda ada tandas mudah alih ini, semasa kereta sedang bergerak pun anak anda boleh selesaikan ‘urusannya’. Tak perlu lagi cari kawasan Rehat dan Rawat (RnR). Apabila dah selesai, simpan sisa buangan dengan kemas dan buang di perhentian seterusnya.

Cuma anda kena ingat, tandas ini cuma untuk anak kecil ya. Bukannya untuk kegunaan ibu ayah.

Untuk anak anda buang air besar dengan mudah, anda boleh beli
DI SINI
.

3. Pelapik Kerusi Kanak-kanak

Tempat duduk kanak-kanak boleh menyelamatkan nyawa anak kecil jika terjadinya kemalangan. Tetapi, kerusi kanak-kanak ini boleh menyebabkan kerosakan pada kerusi kereta jika ia dipasang untuk jangka masa yang panjang.

Untuk memastikan anak anda boleh kekal selamat sepanjang perjalanan dan pada masa yang sama, kerusi kereta anda juga tidak rosak, anda boleh mendapatkan pelapik tempat duduk kanak-kanak ini.

Sumber: Ubuy Malaysia

Dengan ini, anda tak perlu lagi risau kerusi yang rosak selepas memasang tempat duduk kanak-kanak di kereta anda! Anak selamat, duit pun jimat!

Jaga kerusi kerusi kereta anda dengan membeli pelapik kerusi kanak-kanak
DI SINI
.

4. Penyusun Belakang Kerusi

Mengembara dengan anak kecil tak sah kalau tak bawa banyak barang. Seperti botol susu, botol air panas, bekas susu, mainan, snek, tisu basah, air mineral, kain pengelap, dan macam-macam lagilah!

Kebiasaannya, mak-mak akan letakkan semua barang ini dalam satu beg. Apabila ada barang yang nak digunakan, barulah dikeluarkan. Tapi, dah keluarkan daripada beg, biasanya ia akan dicampak saja ke atas kerusi kereta.

Ini sangat berbahaya kerana barangan seperti botol boleh bergolek sehingga ke kerusi pemandu dan menghalang pedal kereta. Jadi, apa yang anda perlukan ialah penyusun belakang kerusi (
back seat organiser
).

Sumber: Ubuy Malaysia

Mudahnya aksesori ini, ibu ayah boleh letakkan macam-macam barang tanpa risau yang ia akan menyebabkan sepah di dalam kereta. Barang-barang yang diletakkan juga akan lebih mudah untuk dicapai.

Pastikan kereta anda kekal kemas dengan membeli penyusun belakang kerusi
DI SINI
.

5. Pemanas Botol Susu

Kalau anak anda masih lagi menyusu terutamanya susu badan, menyediakan susu semasa dalam perjalanan jauh adalah sangat susah dan renyah. Anda kena simpan air panas, kena tunggu air suam, dan kemudian barulah boleh digunakan untuk memanaskan susu.

Untuk siapa yang tak tahu, susu ibu sangat sensitif dengan suhu yang tinggi dan tak boleh dipanaskan terus pada suhu yang tinggi.

Jadi, untuk memudahkan kerja anda, anda boleh mendapatkan pemanas botol susu. Ia akan memudahkan kerja anda. Susu boleh dipanaskan pada suhu yang optimum tanpa merosakkan susu anak anda.

Pastikan susu anak anda kekal panas dengan pemanas botol susu yang boleh dibeli
DI SINI
.

6. Pelapik Tali Keledar

Anak kecil sepatutnya diajar daripada mula untuk memakai tali keledar bagi kekal selamat sepanjang berada di dalam kereta. Tetapi kadang-kadang memakai tali keledar ini juga boleh menyebabkan anak-anak ini berasa tidak selesa. Tali keledar ini mempunyai sisi tepi yang tajam yang boleh merengsakan kulit kanak-kanak yang lembut.

Sumber: Walmart.ca

Untuk pastikan anak anda kekal patuh pada peraturan jalan raya tetapi pada masa yang mereka kekal selesa, pelapik tali keledar ada sesuatu yang anda mesti dapatkan. Pelapik ini akan menghalang sisi tali keledar yang kasar daripada merengsakan kulit anak anda. Anak anda juga boleh menikmati perjalanan dengan lebih selesa dan selamat!

Lindungi kulit anak anda daripada terluka dengan dapatkan pelapik tali keledar
DI SINI
.

Artikel berkaitan:
Cara Menggunakan First Aid Kit Yang Ramai Tak Tahu!

7. Beg Kencing Pakai Buang

Anak anda dah merengek nak kencing tapi perhentian seterusnya jauh lagi! Kalau dalam situasi ini, berhenti tepi jalan mungkin penyelesaian yang ada tapi sebenarnya berhenti di tepi jalan sangat berbahaya lagi-lagi pada waktu malam.

Jadi, sangat bagus kalau anda boleh dapatkan dan simpan beg kencing pakai buang ini! Yang mudahnya, anak anda boleh kencing tanpa perlu berhenti di mana-mana. Selepas digunakan, anda boleh simpan kemas-kemas untuk dibuang di perhentian seterusnya.

Sumber: Lazada

Paling menarik, beg ini juga dijual bagi versi orang dewasa. Maknanya, ibu ayah juga boleh menggunakan beg kencing pakai buang ini! Tapi hanya untuk buang air kecil saja.

Perjalanan akan lebih selesa dengan beg kencing yang boleh dibeli
DI SINI
.

8. Tong Sampah

Mengembara dengan anak kecil, anda jangan terkejut dengan sampah yang mereka buat! Pembungkus makanan, tisu basah, lampin pakai buang, dan macam-macam lagi sampah yang akan ada semasa perjalanan panjang ini.

Sumber: Shopee

Jadi, sangat bmemudahkan anda dengan adanya tong sampah kecil supaya semua sampah ini dibuang di tempat sepatutnya. Barulah kereta anda bersih tanpa sebarang sampah. Perjalanan pun akan jadi lebih selesa dan kereta anda akan kekal kemas!

Kereta anda kekal bersih dengan tong sampah mini, boleh beli
DI SINI
.

9. Pendakap Tablet dan Telefon

Untuk memastikan anak anda tidak bosan sepanjang perjalanan panjang, ada mak ayah membawa gajet seperti tablet atau telefon pintar. Pelbagai hiburan boleh dimainkan sepanjang perjalanan supaya anak-anak anda tidak berasa bosan dan tidak merengek.

Tetapi, lama-kelamaan anak anda akan penat kerana terpaksa memegang gajet terlalu lama hingga menyebabkan tangan kecil mereka lenguh.

Sumber: Alibaba

Penyelesaiannya? Pendakap tablet. Pendakap ini dipasang pada leher kerusi supaya anak-anak anda tak perlu memegang tablet atau telefon dan mereka boleh menikmati rancangan yang mereka sukai.

Tak nak anak berasa bosan sepanjang perjalanan? Beli
DI SINI
.

Artikel berkaitan:
4 Jenama Dashcam Terbaik di Malaysia & Cara Untuk Pilih Yang Sesuai Untuk Anda

10. Bantal Leher Untuk Kanak-kanak

Kadang-kadang, suatu perjalanan itu akan mengambil masa yang lama hingga penumpang akan tertidur dalam kereta. Tidur di dalam kereta memang syahdu tapi yang tak seronoknya – anda akan sakit leher apabila bangun daripada tidur.

Sumber: Carousell

Kalau anda yang dewasa pun akan jadi tak selesa, apatah lagi kanak-kanak yang tertidur dalam perjalanan, bukan? Jadi, untuk memastikan tidur dalam perjalanan yang selesa tanpa sakit leher, anda boleh dapatkan bantal leher untuk kanak-kanak ini.

Dapatkannya
DI SINI
.

Kalau anda nak perjalanan jauh anda tenang, tanpa rengekan dan pergaduhan, gajet dan aksesori ini anda kena beli dan dapatkan. Tak salah berbelanja demi kemudahan dan kesenangan anda nanti.

Semoga perjalanan anda lebih selesa dan selamat dengan tips ini.

Tags
aksesori
anak kecil
anak kecil menangis
anak kecil meragam
anak menangis
gajet kereta
Shopee

Ahmad Azwadie Azman


Icons of the 1940s – Ferrari 125 S

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Icons of the 1940s - Ferrari 125 S

Icons of the 1940s – Ferrari 125 S

By

carsomeadministrator

    The vehicle above marks the beginning of the world's most popular sports car manufacturer. Going by the model designation of the 125 S, it is Ferrari's first road car. Just a look at its shape and it is certain that the 125 S featured a very unique design and came with a naturally aspirated V-12 engine.

Credit:
Cumbrian Car Nut

Credit:
Cumbrian Car Nut

    The 125 S had a unique design compared to other sports cars of the late 1940s. Designed by Giuseppe Busso and built by Giuseppe Peiretti, the 125 S did not have the conventional mesh grille seen on other race cars, instead a square intake with horizontal slats. From the front, the three smaller vents apart from the main grille dominate the look.

Credit:
fitmycar

    What was most interesting of the 125 S was its one solitary conventional door, on the passenger’s side. For the driver, the partition in the metal panel allowed the individual to jump inside.

Credit:
Cumbrian Car Nut

    Despite the 125 S' 1.5-litre V12 producing around 120 hp at 6800 rpm. It had a manufacture claimed top speed of 209 km/h. It also had a five-speed manual transmission to match the high revving engine with power going to the rear. The 125 S had front and rear hydraulic drum brakes, that were 95 inches long and weighed at 650 kilograms. Not only that, it featured a tubular steel chassis, double wishbone suspension, and transverse leaf springs.

Credit:
Top Speed

    Although The 125 S was not a particularly eye catching vehicle, its purpose was to kick-start Ferrari as a full-fledged manufacturer and it did exactly that. The first full-track debut of the 125 S came at the Piacenza Circuit, where it famously led the race but had to retire due to a fuel pump problem. The car recovered impressively over the following four months, winning six of its 13 races on the track.

Credit:
fitmycar

    While the 125 S only had two in existence and was made for racing, the 159 S that followed also faced a similar lifespan, with only one that was rebuilt as a 166 Corsa Spyder. Today that Corsa Spyder with its reconstruction and original body has the rights to be the fourth Ferrari ever constructed.

The Ferrari is a dream – people dream of owning this special vehicle and for most people it will remain a dream apart for those lucky few.  -Enzo Ferrari

Credit:
The PitcrewOnline

    Till this day, the Scuderia Ferrari racing team remains a dominant force in the Formula One Grand Prix and with such a strong heritage, it will always be marque of legends.

Check out Ferrari's latest modern baby GT, the
Ferrari Portofino
.

Sell your car through Carsome as we connect you to over 800 dealers nationwide!

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Icons of the 1950s – Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint

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Icons of the 1950s - Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint

By

carsomeadministrator

    Not many would credit Alfa Romeo's Giulietta as one of the forerunners for Gran Turismo styled cars, but to those that do know, this icon is a rather special one for the Italian company. Alfa's Giulietta Sprint is a sports car produced by the brand from 1954 to 1965, where throughout the years produced saloon, coupe, spider and estate versions.

    The final design of the car is a Franco Scaglione signature who was at Bertone, the 2-door coupe with a front mounted engine that transmits power through the rear wheels. The first Giulietta in the Sprint coupe form was introduced at the 1954 Turin Motor Show. There was one thing Alfa didn't expect, it's popularity.

The Giulietta Sprint coupe's first appearance at the 1954 Turin Motor Show.  Credit:
Petrolicious

    The sporty Giulietta Sprint was originally made as a teaser in preparation for the Giulietta saloon that was to be launched the next year. This meant that only 12 of the original Sprint units were registered in 1954 because they were completely unique builds.

Credit:
Petrolicious

    Because of the successful reception of the Giulietta Sprint at the Motor Show, Alfa received more than 700 orders alone at the event. This was a complete surprise (and a definite success), because the price of the Giulietta Sprint at the time was more than 1.7-million lire. Considering a television set cost 180,000 lire at the time, the Sprint was a luxury.

    Thanks to Bertone's attractive design that came with the Giulietta, the body shop also gained popularity. To meet demands, Bertone opened a new plant on the outskirts of Turin in 1960, turning his shop into an industry.

Credit:
Classic Driver

Credit:
Classic Driver

Credit:
Classic Driver

    The car's proportions – 3,980 mm in length, 1,540 mm in width and 1,320 mm in height, the Giulietta Sprint’s profile made it look like it was born and built to race. It’s only decorative detail was a chrome strip on the door. Other than that, the Spartan steel dashboard included the speedometer, mileometer, trip and rev counter, pressure, oil temperature, fuel level and water temperature gauges.

    Underneath, the 1290 cc engine with an output of 65 hp at 6,000 rpm allowed the Sprint to acheive a top speed of 165 km/h, making it the fastest car in its category.

1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce.

Credit:
Classic Driver

1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce.

Credit:
Classic Driver

    Just two years after the debut of the Sprint, Alfa once again changed winds with the Sprint Veloce. Aesthetically similar but with minor revisions in the later years, the Veloce was lighter and had a more powerful engine. The 1.3-litre unit was increased to 80 hp at 6,500 rpm with a higher compression ratio, new valve gear with different camshaft timing and new single intake manifolds.

The Alfa Romeo Twin Cam straight-four 1290 cc engine.
           Credit:
Classic Driver

Driving the Giulietta Sprint

    Although the Giulietta has had immense popularity, the short history of the model was further updated in 1962 when the brand changed its name and updated the engine to launch the Giulia Sprint. This was introduced with a 1.6-litre engine developing 92 hp at 6,200 rpm with a top speed of 172 km/h.

Credit:
Petrolicious

Credit:
Petrolicious

    More power with the same beauty of the Giulietta albeit updates, the differences were a new design for the bonnet, side turn signals and brake drums. Inside the facia was new as well, with new temperature and air adjustment controls, updated seats and steering wheel as well.

Credit:
Sports Car Digest

    Today, the Giulietta Sprint remains a popular classic collector car. With great restored examples selling for under £28,000 just a couple years ago, there is no wonder that till today, more than 70 per cent of Sprints are still driven regularly today. Having sold over 40,000 units and stayed in production for 13 years, the Sprint is the beginnings of an icon, one which prompted a remark from Bertone himself, "If Alfa Romeo had known that so many Giulietta Sprints were to be built, it certainly would not have commissioned me, but would have built them in its own works at Portello.'

For a taste of Ferrari's past,
check out the Ferrari 125 S
 which is the beginning of the legendary Ferrari company as we know it today.

Interested to sell your car? Fill up the form below!

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How to Take Care of Your Car & Why You Should

By

Haziq Asyraf

When you own a car, you will be spending a considerable amount of time driving it around and when you take good care of your car, it will take good care of you in return.

Not only that, but your car is also an asset that you can put on the market and convert to cash. In order to maintain a good resale value for your car in the future, it’s important to take care of your car regularly.

Here are some tips that will help you take care of your car and why you should do it.

Tips to Take Care of Your Car

Follow Maintenance Schedule

The easiest way to take care of your car is by following the maintenance schedule that has been set by the manufacturer. This serves as a regular health check-up for your car, and since it’s done by trained technicians, it helps you avoid potentially costly repairs and extend the life of your car by making sure it runs smoothly.

Be sure to keep the maintenance records and receipts as it will help you keep track of what has been changed and what needs to be changed. These will also help prove that your car has been well taken care of when the time comes to sell.

Check Oil & Other Fluids

Your car depends on several oils and fluids such as engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid in order to run properly. These oils and fluids need to be checked on a regular basis to keep an eye out for any leaks that will cause damage to your engine.

If there is leakage, identifying the color of the leaking liquid when you report it to the service center, or your mechanic, will help determine where it is coming from. This also will help speed up the repair process.

Wash Your Car Frequently

This may seem trivial but keeping your car clean is very important. Your car’s exterior is exposed to the sun’s heat, heavy rain, dusty winds, and bird droppings frequently. This will result in damage to your car’s body and paint, which will reduce the value of your car drastically.

Regularly washing your car helps prevent corrosion on the body and preserves the paint as well. For improved protection, get your car waxed regularly as well and it will make a difference when the time comes to sell your car.

Take Care of Your Tires

Since tires are the main component that connects your car to the ground, it’s important to check on them frequently.
Check the pressure of your tires at regular intervals and try to keep their pressure according to the levels recommended by the manufacturer.

It’s also important to rotate your tires to extend their life since tires will wear down differently depending on the car, speed, as well as the road it is used on.
Driving around with worn-out and underinflated tires are dangerous and will compromise your safety while traveling.

Check on Your Lights

After driving your car for a while, you might notice that some of your lights may have gotten dull or they might not be working at all. Proper working lights for your car are crucial to ensure your safety by making you visible to other drivers on the road while driving.

If you have a faulty bulb, notify the service center or your mechanic to get it fixed. For dull lights, cleaning the lenses or replacing dim bulbs should keep it functional. But be sure to use proper bulbs so you don’t blind other drivers on the road.

Read:

Thinking of Selling Your Car? Here Are 17.5 Things to Improve Your Car’s Value

Reasons to Maintain Your Car

Slow Down the Depreciation Rate

The more you use your car, the more it will depreciate in value. Regularly maintaining your car helps to secure a higher resale value when you want to sell it in the future.

Following the recommended maintenance schedule ensures the car is cared for and is in good working condition, while it also provides you with a pleasant driving experience.

When the time comes to sell your car, being able to prove that the car has been well maintained allows you to obtain a better price for it.

Reduce Repair Costs

Unexpected repairs can be expensive but with regular checkups, they can be avoided. Routine car maintenance allows you to spot and fix any minor issues before they turn into major problems that might cost you thousands to repair.

Following the maintenance schedule ensures your car stays in optimum condition and it also costs considerably less than a major repair. Don’t forget to keep the maintenance records as well since it will help retain the resale value of your car.

Maintain Vehicle Safety

The main reason to take care of your car regularly is to ensure your car is safe to drive. With regular maintenance, it ensures that all the parts of your car are working well and are in proper condition at all times.

You and your family will be spending a substantial amount of time in your car, so a well-maintained car is important to allow you to drive with peace of mind, either for a short trip or a long journey.

Read:
How Your Neglect Affects Your Car’s Resale Value

Sell to Carsome for the Best Price Offer

Selling your car for the first time can lead to many headaches associated with the long-winded process. This is why selling through Carsome is extremely convenient because you can sell in 24 hours, and you can get paid in one hour*. What’s more is that we will handle all the tedious paperwork for you.

So, how do you sell your car to Carsome?

Book an inspection:
To start the process, just book an inspection online at
carsome.my/sell-car
. A Carsome representative will call you to confirm your details and schedule your inspection at your nearest Inspection Center.

Attend your inspection appointment:
 Our skilled inspectors will conduct a thorough 175-point inspection on your car before offering you a price.

Get an on the spot offer or go for live bidding:
 After inspection, we will offer a price for your car on the spot, or you can opt to put your car up for live bidding where our dealers nationwide will bid for your car, where you may get up to 20 percent* more than market value.

So, are you ready to sell your car? Get the best deal for your car and make it Carsome today!

Read:
How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off When Buying or Selling a Car

*Terms and conditions apply


Thinking of Selling Your Car? Here Are 17.5 Things to Improve Your Car’s Value

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Thinking of Selling Your Car? Here Are 17.5 Things to Improve Your...

By

Haziq Asyraf

After cruising around with your car for a couple of years, it might be time to upgrade your ride or you just want to sell off your car for some cash.

You may think your current vehicle has been kept in a good condition and you’re hoping to get a decent amount from it to finance a new car. But this may not be the case.

Generally, the value of a new car depreciates nearly 20 percent after its first year. After a few years, you might end up with a car that has lost up to half of its original value. Before you sell your car, it’s important to consider what can be done to increase your car’s resale value. Here are 17.5 things that you can do to improve your car’s resale value.

1. Buy a Car with Good Resale Value

Taking good care of your car’s resale value begins even before you own a car. To guarantee a good resale value, you should buy a model or brand that retains its value.

It’s best to look for a reputable brand that is popular, reliable, has great features, as well as has easy access to service centers.

Some models that are known to hold their resale value very well in Malaysia include the Perodua Myvi, Honda Civic, and Toyota Vios.

Read:
 Cars in Malaysia that hold the Highest Resale Value after 5 years

2. Pick a Car with Proper Safety Features

Since owning a car is a lifelong investment, it’s best to choose a car that comes with proper safety features. This will help you stay safe when driving while retaining the resale value of your car in the future!

Imagine that in the future, the government requires all cars being sold to have anti-lock braking systems (ABS) or seat belts reminders equipped. The absence of such systems would cause the price of your car to drop significantly in the future.

This also works to add appeal to your vehicle when the time comes to sell. For example, if your car is equipped with a reverse camera, parking sensors as well as a blind-spot warning system, it will attract a higher price compared to other cars without these systems.

Some must-have safety systems include Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) to name a few.

Read:
 Modern Safety Features You Should Have in Your New Car

3. Opt for a Longer Warranty

People hardly think about the warranty when it comes to selling a used car but it’s actually an important bargaining chip.

If you can extend the warranty of your current car, it’s a great idea to take up the offer, especially if it is guaranteed to cover major components such as the engine and transmission.

The extension will provide you and the future owner of your vehicle peace of mind when it comes to unexpected breakdowns.

4. Go for Plain Colors

Is your car covered in funky colors and striking graphics? While you might consider your car as a unique piece of art, not everyone will share the same idea as you. After all, art is subjective.

Vehicles in bright colors like red, purple, or yellow usually have a lower resale value since these colors tend to be quite difficult to take care of. Under Malaysia’s hot and humid weather, it won’t take long for the colors to fade.

Vehicles in basic colors such as white, black, and silver are known to hold their resale value well since they’re easy to maintain and clean. Plus, they hide scratches well too.

5. Drive Safely

One of the best ways to maintain the resale value of your car is to drive it carefully and efficiently. Aggressive driving puts a lot of stress on your car, which in turn speeds up the wear and tear of the car’s components.

Proper driving habits keep the car in good working condition. This can also reduce the amount of maintenance on components like the brakes and tires in the long run.

On top of that, safe driving helps to prevent an accident from happening. A major accident will drastically reduce the value of your car, especially frame damage is involved.

This will make it even more difficult to sell your car in the future since it will show up in your vehicle history report.

6. Keep the Mileage Low

Another important factor that helps maintain your car’s value is low mileage. A high mileage indicates a car has been through a lot of wear and tear.

Even in mint condition, once your car’s mileage exceeds 100,000 kilometers, the resale value will drop considerably. If you’re thinking about selling your vehicle, it’s best to do it around the 80,000 to 90,000 kilometer mark.

An average Malaysian driver covers 28,188 kilometers in a year. Next time when a long-distance trip comes to mind, you might want to reconsider driving your car to avoid any unnecessary mileage as well as wear and tear.

7. Regular Maintenance

The next best way to preserve the resale value of your car is by getting under the hood regularly. Also, it’s one of the easiest things to do on this list.

All you need to do is follow the manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance and ensure that it is done at authorized service centers.

Taking proper care of your car will help avoid unnecessary repairs and save you money in the long run. Moreover, buyers are more than willing to offer extra money for a car with a well-maintained history.

8. Park Properly

Malaysia’s weather is hot, humid, and unpredictable. The same can be said about Malaysian parking lots as well. When it comes to parking, you have to watch where you park and what you park next to.

Try to park under the shade to protect the paint from fading under the sun. But stay away from trees since you can end up with leaves and bird droppings on your car.

Try to park in a lot with a good amount of space for your car. Also, try to stay away from parking next to big or bulky vehicles since these can result in scratches and bumps on your car.

9. Modify Moderately

Modifying your car with aftermarket parts seems fun, but only if you can find a buyer that appreciates your work.

Giant rims, turbo kits, or high-end stereos may lower the resale value of your car in the future, especially if these parts cause problems with the car.

If you really want to spruce up your car, try accessories that add value and are useful in the long run such as a modern infotainment system, proper window tints, or leather seats.

Adding too many customizations will cause future buyers to look the other way so try to keep it as close to stock as possible.

10. Keep the Exterior Squeaky Clean, Always

A clean-looking car is a valuable car. If you’re going to sell your car, potential buyers will judge the exterior first and whatever price they offer will be based on how clean the exterior looks.

A proper wash once every month will do wonders for your car in the long run. If you can afford to pay for some extra care, apply a coating like ceramic nano coating on your car too.

Regular washing and coating will help to preserve the color of your car, remove blemishes, and prevent fading as well.

11. Keep the Interior Clean Too

Aside from the exterior, it’s just as important to keep the interior of your car clean. A well-kept interior will appeal to buyers more.

Bad odors can stick to the car interior like invisible glue. Habits like smoking and carrying pungent food in the car can lead to hard-to-remove, stubborn odors.

Stains and crumbs are also a major deal-breaker for car buyers too. Eating in the car is never a good idea, usually resulting in messy stains and worse, roach or ant infestation.

Regularly vacuuming the interior will help keep everything clean, while using proper cleaners will maintain the look of interior plastics as well as leather. Investing in air fresheners will also do wonders for your car.

Read:
Tips on Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Car’s Cabin

12. Check Those Warning Lights

If there is any particular symbol that lights up on your car’s dashboard, you should check them immediately since it indicates an issue with your car.

Ignoring warning lights can lead to more problems in the future and this gives future buyers an opportunity to decrease their offer to purchase the car.

A simple trip to the service center can solve the underlying issue highlighted by the warning light.

Read:
A Guide to Car Warning Lights and Indicators

13. Replace Damaged Components

If you discover any damaged components on your car, it’s best to replace them no matter how minor. They could be the reason you end up with a price that is lower.

It could be a faulty power window, dim headlights, a cracked rim, a knob that doesn’t turn, or maybe even a missing nut on the wheels. Dealing with these issues when they occur could help you save money from a major repair and improve the car’s resale value.

14. Take Care of the Rims & Tires

Tires and rims are critical items that should be paid attention to since car buyers will pay a lot of attention to them. If they look old and worn-out, it gives the impression that the car is not properly maintained and has been through heavy usage.

Be sure to clean and shine them properly so they look like new before you decide to sell your car. If there’s any damage, it’s best to replace them.

Read:

What You Need to Know about Car Tires

15. Fix All Dents & Scratches

After years of driving your car around, you will inevitably accumulate dents and scratches all over the car. Dents and scratches, no matter how small, will make your car seem unappealing to buyers.

If left alone, these small flaws could lead to major damage like rust. You can easily avoid putting off potential buyers by sending your car to an auto body shop to fix the unsightly dents and buff out scratches.

16. Send Your Car for Detailing

Before meeting your potential buyer, it’s best to send your car for proper detailing. Buyers will be more attracted to a car that looks clean and showroom shiny.

On top of that, when the car looks its best, it also tells the buyer that your car has been properly maintained. This will give them more confidence in their decision to purchase the car.

17. Prepare Proper Documentations

A proper business deal can only happen with the proper documentation. These papers will help convince your potential buyer that the car is legally owned by you and all the maintenance it went through did indeed happen.

Keeping an organized file containing the registration papers, vehicle grant, ownership history, service invoices, service logbook, etc. can be used as a bargaining chip.

Read:
Lost Your Grant? Here are 3 Ways You Can Replace It

17.5. Sell to Carsome with a Fast 175-Point Inspection

Now, are you ready to sell your car? Well, Carsome has introduced a new way of selling used cars, which essentially makes it much easier to get a proper valuation for your car. Here’s how it works.

How to Sell Your Car With Carsome

Selling your used car

through Carsome is extremely convenient and you can also expect to get a higher resale value (especially if you opt for live bidding) compared to selling your car the traditional way. You just have to go through these easy steps and we will take care of the rest for you.

Appointment
b
ooking:
 To make sure you get a market value offer, you will need to book a free inspection online. Just schedule your appointment online at
 carsome.my/sell-car
. A Carsome representative will call you to confirm your details and schedule your inspection at your nearest center.

Professional
i
nspection:
 Attend your scheduled inspection and our skilled inspectors will conduct a 175-point inspection on your car before offering you a price.

Get an offer
:
 After inspection, we will offer a price for your car on the spot, or you can opt to put your car up for live bidding where our dealers nationwide will bid for your car – you may get up to 20 percent* more than market value.

Hassle-free
p
rocess:
Once you accept a price, we will handle all the paperwork and you can expect to be paid in one hour*.

Read:
 5 of Carsome’s 175 Inspection Points You Should Know

So, if you are ready to sell your car with Carsome, we’re ready to help. Go on, book your
inspection appointment
now!

*Terms and Conditions apply.

Haziq Asyraf
A self-proclaimed foodie and gamer whose passion for food and games has recently extended to cars.


Inject some eXcitement. Isuzu’s D-Max X-Series Stands Out From The Crowd

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Inject some eXcitement. Isuzu's D-Max X-Series Stands Out From The Crowd

By

Carsome Author

Isuzu Malaysia has launched the limited edition D-MAX X-Series, a pick-up that appeals to those looking for an urban sports concept truck. The X-Series in available in variants of 2.5 and 3.0-litre turbodiesels and is limited to just 210 units nationwide.

What’s new?

Key exterior upgrades of the X-Series is an athletic front-skirting with a dual-tone of red highlights. At the back, the rear skirting includes aero sports bar to accentuate the urban appeal. The grey and red bonnet and tailgate stripes on both white and black exterior colours are the differentiators of the X-Series. Additional identifiers are the red Isuzu badges at the front grille and tailgate.

There is a new welcome light which comes as a standard feature when unlocking the X-Series. A spotlight will be projected onto the ground. Not only that, there are also extended standard accessories including 360° Around View Monitor (AWM) system, built-in Touch ‘n Go card reader with audible balance warning and honeycomb quilted leather seats. The AWM system is a new feature that makes use of four exterior cameras in order to provide a bird’s eye view that’s most convenient when parking.

Inside the cabin, noticable changes at dusk is the red colour LED interior accent light and LED illuminator rocker plate. It provides a premium feel for both the driver and passengers as the light will toggle automatically as the door is unlocked and opened. It also improves visibility inside the cabin in dark conditions.

In terms of infotainment, there is an 8-inch touchscreen which includes DVD, GPS navigation and Smart Mirroring, plus eight speakers. Included also is the smart climate-control system that handles temperature and ventilation for the vehicle. Also, the passive entry start system (PESS) keys allows you to make full use of the hands-free entry and start system.

For many, Isuzu’s VGS turbodiesel is one that gives excellent torque and performance with good consumption. Under the hood, the 2.5-litre variant makes 134 hp and 320 Nm of torque from 1,800 – 2,800 rpm. The 3.0 litre V-Cross X-Series produces 175 hp and 380 Nm of torque from 1,800 – 2,800 rpm. Both variants come with 5-Speed Automatic with sequential shift. The engines come with the brand’s i-Grip (Isuzu Gravity Response Intelligent Platform), the system improves ride handling, stabilization and control.

When it comes to safety, the D-Max has dual airbags for both the driver and front passenger. There is also Anti-lock brake system (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Hill-Start Assist (HSA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TCS).

The new limited edition Isuzu D-Max X-Series will be in Isuzu’s Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia showrooms starting the first week of August. The X-Series 2.5L AT is priced at
RM 119,539
 and
RM 126,338
 for the 3.0 L AT on the road without insurance (both prices stated are for Peninsula Malaysia only). Colours available for both are Silky Pearl White and Stallion Black Metallic.

Check out other variants of the Isuzu D-Max and Z-Prestige by
clicking here
!

Interested in the new limited edition of the Isuzu D-Max X-Series? Trade in your old car with us!

Carsome Author