Nature is healing as Toyota Avanza takes back title of Indonesia’s best-selling car of 2021

All is well for Toyota, with 3 models ranked in the top 5
Former best-selling champ, Honda Brio, slips to number 7
RWD Avanza still a hit despite all-new FWD model introduced

Amidst all the chaos that is the year 2020, over in Indonesia, the Toyota Avanza’s title as the country’s best-selling car was snatched away by the humble Honda Brio. But some form of normalcy returns in 2021 as the 7-seater takes back its crown from the lil’ Honda.

Though that title isn’t really sealed as there’s still a month to go in the year, according to the latest sales data published by the Association of Indonesia Automotive Industries (GAIKINDO), the Toyota Avanza sits at the top spot pretty comfortably with 56,127 units sold between January-November 2021.


Consumer Reports on most reliable cars: Mazda SUVs, Toyota hybrids, Lexus top

USA’s Consumer Reports' latest survey of over 300,000 car owners pretty much confirms what we all already know, that Japanese cars are the most reliable, while German ones, despite their image of offering superior engineering, often don’t work as well, despite their marketing claims.

Ranked on a 100-point scale, Lexus is the most reliable car brand, followed by Mazda and Toyota. Honda is ranked 6th, Subaru 7th, Nissan 9th, while Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis finished 11th,19th, and 25th respectively.


Priced from RM 578k, 2023 Lotus Eletre EV launched in Malaysia with up to 905 PS

Lotus Cars Malaysia has just launched the British sports carmaker’s first-ever SUV, the fully-electric high-performance SUV, the 2023 Lotus Eletre. Malaysia is also the hyper-SUV’s first market in Asia outside of China.

  The name is pronounced "Eletra"

The hyper-SUV is fully-imported (CBU) from Geely Group’s Wuhan plant in China and is offered in 3 variants:

Lotus Eletre – From RM 578,000
Lotus Eletre S – From RM 648,000
Lotus Eletre R – From RM 798,000


Patriotism is why Japan’s car industry progressed? Utter rubbish, here’s why

Patriotism, like religion, can be used both ways - a uniting force to achieve a greater good, or a convenient tool to elevate empty tin pots into positions of power.
Germany for example, hates talking about patriotism or even nationalism, because that was the platform abused by Hitler to come to power, suspending the Weimar Constitution under the pretext of defending the supremacy of the German race.
Instead of patriotism, German schools teach children to be loyal to shared German values rather than loyalty to the country and it makes a clear distinction between the two.


After clipping Alibaba, China sends subtle warning to CATL, questions sustainability of EV battery manufacturing boom

China has raised concerned on overcapacity as domestic EV battery manufacturers continue to expand amidst a slowing EV market.
According to a statement published by the official Xinhua news agency last Tuesday, President Xi Jinping expressed that he is “both pleased and concerned” about CATL’s position as the world’s No.1 EV battery manufacturer.
"Emerging industries must do a good job in planning, figuring out how big the market is and where the risks are," said Xi on the sidelines of China’s annual session of parliament, according to national news agency Xinhua.


Cycle & Carriage kicks off vaccination programme for all employees

Cycle & Carriage, authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer in Malaysia, announced its effort to support the national vaccination initiative by offering Covid-19 vaccinations to employees across all its branches nationwide.
This action outlines Cycle & Carriage's commitment to protecting the health, safety and well-being of its employees, customers, and communities that it serves.


Spied! Hyundai’s first pick-up truck testing on the road

Talk of Hyundai’s first ever pick-up truck, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, started since 2015 when the brand displayed the concept pick-up at the Detroit Motor Show. Hyundai has already tested the truck in snow previously, now photos of the truck being subjected to road tests have surfaced.

What we know so far: the Santa Cruz was built on the Hyundai Tucson platform with an extended wheelbase hence why the pick-up’s codename NX4 OB is similar to the Tucson, NX4. This puts the Santa Cruz in the same segment as monocoque chassis trucks like the Honda Ridgeline and not in the Toyota Hilux segment that are built on a ladder frame chassis.


Buying a new Honda? Find the best deals and test drive your favourite model at Pavilion Bukit Jalil this weekend

The Honda booth at the WapCar Auto Show in Pavilion Bukit Jalil is one of the most popular attractions at the event.
Despite having to contend with a slew of newly launched / previewed models like the 2022 Mazda CX-8 (now with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine), CKD 7-seater Kia Carnival, Kia EV6, CKD Mercedes-AMG A35 and GLA 35 – all making the first public debut at the event, Honda’s line-up remains the common man’s favourite.


Rear-mounted spare tyres were once common on SUVs, what happened to them?

Cast your mind back 30 years ago when SUVs like the Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Terrano, Perodua Kembara, and Isuzu Trooper were everywhere, they had one thing in common – a very recognizable rear-mounted spare tyre. Even the first two generations of the Honda CR-V offered a rear-mounted spare tyre, which was discontinued upon the release of the third-generation model.

Fast forward to modern-day SUVs and you would notice that the rear-mounted spare wheel, a feature that once defined an SUV, is becoming far less popular. What happened to the rear-mounted spare tyre that was once everywhere?


Forget Maybach, this RM 584k (excl local tax) Genesis G90 Limo is the Sultan of Johor’s choice

While it’s not a secret that the Sultan of Johor, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, owns a fair share of tasteful cars, we did not expect his taste to stretch so far as to include a Genesis G90 Limousine in his garage.
In case you don’t already know, Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury arm, and we believe that the brand doesn’t get the credit that it deserves. Not only have it been said to produce cars as luxurious as a Maybach, but it has also stolen the crown as the among the safest cars ever produced.


The Honda Jazz Final Edition gets a cool Sonic Grey Pearl colour as it waves goodbye to Thais

Though the Honda City Hatchback has been attracting the attention of Thai buyers ever since it was launched in late-2020, the model that it replaced is still on sale. That’s right, the Honda Jazz is still being sold by Honda Thailand and this Final Edition is essentially the last update given to a fairly popular hatchback.

The City Hatchback in Sonic Grey Pearl, want this for Malaysia?

Limited to only 1,500 units, the Jazz Final Edition comes with a very cool Sonic Grey Pearl colour paintjob that is also offered on the Civic Type R and the City Hatchback in Thailand.
Also read: Honda City Hatchback borrows colour from FK8 Civic Type R, and we want it for 2021


BMW X5 Crash on NKVE: From driving machine to flying machine

By now you've would've seen the video of an accident involving a BMW X5 on the North Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE). In the dashcam video, you can clearly see from the driver's point-of-view, that traffic ahead was braking - easily 200 metres ahead - due to an earlier accident. There were also blue warning lights from a Police patrol bike on the left and a man furiously waving his flashlight on the right.

As far as warning signs go, there was ample warning. Still, the driver of the BMW X5 managed to crash into the cars from the earlier accident, at considerable speed. Which begs the question, how? And, could it have been avoided?

Speculation about drink-driving, smartphone usage aside, it is my belief that the driver of the X5 got his/her line of vision all wrong. The driver was definitely looking at just the vehicles directly in front of him/her, instead of looking further ahead.


8 charged in second saga of Penang's war of the tow trucks, TBC in March

Last month we reported that a fight broke out between 20 tow truck drivers in Penang over who gets first dibs to tow several cars involved in an accident first. In the second saga of the tow truck war, eight tow truck runners were charged at the magistrate court yesterday (10-February-2022).
Tan Cheng Hooi, 50, Dharanidharan Y Asokkumar, 30, Lee Soon Aun, 36, Surendren Subramaniam, 27, Lekkeswaran Nanthakumar, 27, Zhafar Megat Zabil, 22, Faiez Ahmad, 21, and Khoo Boo Aik, 47, were charged with rioting.


Owner Review: The Underdog of JDM Modern Classic: My story of Toyota Celica ZZT231!

** This article is published on WapCar Community, representing the opinion of users. Click the link below to enter the community for car enthusiasts in Malaysia
https://forum.wapcar.my/

Basic Information


CKD Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Omoda 5 to start production in June 2023 - deal with Malaysian partner signed

Chery is on track to make its return to Malaysia by the second half of 2023. The brand will be re-launched here with two SUV models – the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and Chery Omoda 5. Both models will be locally assembled (CKD), so prices are expected to be competitive against equivalent Toyota, Honda, and Mazda models.
The identity of the Malaysian assembly partner has not been revealed but Chery has previously said that the plant will have a 30,000 units per year capacity.
Also read: Chery confirms 30k units/year CKD plant, launching in July 2023, Malaysia to be 3rd largest RHD market


Finally, a date: Chery Omoda 5, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro set for Malaysian launch on 6-July 2023

Chery Malaysia is set to organise its brand launch in Malaysia on 6-July 2023, at the same time introducing two of their SUVs: the Chery Omoda 5 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro.

This comes after roughly one and a half years since we first heard of the brand's early proclaimation of their re-entry here, after which the creation of a social media community and preview drive for the media followed.


Mazda CX-80 to replace CX-8 in Japan by end-2023

  Left inset photo is the Mazda CX-90; could have clues to the CX-80's looks

The sun begins to set on the 2023 Mazda CX-8, as Creative 311 reports the model will be discontinued "around August", citing dealer-shared information.
Hence, the 7-seater blank space will be filled by the 2023 Mazda CX-80; a similar three-row SUV that's positioned higher up as the brand's flagship model.
This model is earmarked to make its global debut later this year, possibly at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 that runs from 26-October to 5-November 2023.
How would this affect Malaysia?

  The CX-60 made its ASEAN debut in the Philippines

It's likely that the same situation could happen in Malaysia, however there's not been any official word pertaining that in the meantime. However, comments shared by a Bermaz Motor spokesperson when asked about the Mazda CX-60 sheds some light.


Geely Group sold 200k electrified vehicles in 2020

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH) has sold over 200,000 electrified vehicles in 2020. This also means that nearly one in ten vehicles sold by the group last year were of pure electric or hybrid powertrains.
Also read: Despite 2.1 mil units sold, Geely group sales drop 3.6% in 2020
This figure includes sales from brands such as Geometry, Lynk & Co, and Polestar, aside from Geely Auto and Volvo Cars.


Owner review：eXpansion of my family life, my story of 2021 Mitsubishi Xpander

** This article is published on WapCar Community, represent the opinion of users. Click the link below to enter the community for car enthusiasts in Malaysia
https://forum.wapcar.my/

Basic information about my car:

2021 Mitsubishi Xpander


Can the 2021 Toyota Yaris Play finally beat the City Hatchback's coolness?

Earlier this month, we ran a story about how the 2021 Honda City Hatchback may have already beaten the 2021 Toyota Yaris in terms of sheer coolness. Now, Toyota Motor Thailand fires back with this spunky Yaris Play variant.
A burst of colour

L to R: Yaris Ativ and Yaris

Much like its Toyota Yaris Ativ (Vios for us Malaysians) stablemate that also gets its own Play variant, the Yaris Play gets the same gloss black upper front grille and rear spoiler.

Like the Ativ, subtler gray, black, white, and silver colourways are available

But there's one difference - the Yaris can be specified with a black roof, lending a rather nice contrast to the Ice Pink Metallic body colour.


Hyundai overtakes Toyota to become Vietnam’s best-selling brand in Jan-May 2021

Korean cars receive little to no love in Malaysia but in Vietnam, it is a different story as the most beloved ‘lambang H’ isn’t Japanese. According to the latest data, Hyundai overtook Toyota to become Vietnam’s best-selling car brand in the first five months of 2021.

Based on the data provided by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), Hyundai sold 24,420 units in the country in the January-May period. Meanwhile, Toyota is placed not far behind with 24,112 units sold in the same period.


Ratings: 2021 Honda City RS e:HEV - Meet the new boss of B-segment sedans

The Honda City RS e:HEV is the range-topping variant that sits above the Honda City 1.5L E, S, and V.  As always, we'll put it through our very own WapCar Rating system to break things down for you.

Let's see where it stands in the B-segment saloon category, against the Nissan Almera, Toyota Vios, and Proton Persona.


Federal Auto Volvo invites you to test drive the all-electric Volvo C40 Recharge this festive season

The Swedish carmaker is making a push towards full electric and sustainability, having announced that they will produce only electric vehicles by 2030. Federal Auto Cars echoes the same sentiments and is encouraging customers to try out the newly launched all-electric Volvo C40 at any of their dealerships.

For this weekend (17-18 December) only, customers who have completed their test drives for a Volvo C40 at any Federal Auto Cars outlet will be entitled to an exclusive merchandise, while those who book a Volvo C40 will get a complimentary customised Touch ‘n Go NFC card.


Mitsubishi ups Indonesia investment, Xpander Hybrid and Outlander PHEV coming soon

Following a recent announcement by Toyota, fellow Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors has also announced that they are committed to investing in Indonesia.
Also Read: Indonesia set to receive 10 new EVs from Toyota, including Innova Hybrid
According to CNN Indonesia, Mitsubishi will be investing IDR 11.2 trillion (~RM 3.2 billion) until 2025. Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang told CNN Indonesia that the money will be used to increase Mitsubishi’s Cikarang manufacturing plant capacity from 220,000 to 250,000 units.


New Kia Store concept in Korea looks fit to be a Lexus showroom

With the introduction of a new logo and slogan this year, it is only a matter of time before Kia rolls out a new store design concept to reflect its new brand identity and strategy. Sure enough, the company unveiled its new showroom concept over the weekend which is now known as ‘Kia Stores’.
The Kia Store model was inspired by Kia’s new ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The philosophy is described to embrace opposing concepts and combine them in an integrated design.


Wanna be seen in something different? Here are 5 cars that can help you

The majority of us tend to take car buying decision rationally. We look at price, overall value proposition, after sales service, brand reputation, or even resale value.
After all, buying a car is most often the second biggest purchase in life after buying a house. So it is only natural to avoid risks and play it “safe”.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia teases the GLC, 320 PS/700 Nm PHEV as a final hurrah?

Now this is a mystery from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, which has released a teaser on its social media channels with a picture of what looks like the current-generation (X253) Mercedes-Benz GLC.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (@mercedesbenzmalaysia)

It would be interesting to see what Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has in store, considering that the X253 Mercedes-Benz GLC is at the end of its lifecycle (the X254 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC has already made its debut). Perhaps a final send-off before the all-new model arrives.


2020 Proton X70 CKD - Which colour looks best?

As part of the new locally-assembled (CKD) Proton X70 line-up, the company has introduced a new grey colour.

The new colour is called Space Grey.


Review: Daihatsu Rocky Japan aka Perodua D55L, what does the Japanese media think of it?

The Perodua D55L was recently spotted in Putrajaya right outside the Road Transport Department's office, hinting its imminent arrival.
What we know about the Perodua D55L is that it's based on the Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize twin, sharing the DNGA platform.


Mitsubishi Triton finishes 1st in maiden Asia Cross Country Rally 2022

Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, competing in specially prepared Mitsubishi Triton pickups have finished first place overall at the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) 2022, in its first-ever outing at the event.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart, which receives technical support from Mitsubishi Motors, picked up top honours in the AXCR 2022, which took place between 21-26 November 2022 across Thailand and Cambodia, spanning a total distance of 1,524 km, including 637 km of timed special stages (SS).


SST cut extension a boon for CKD 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE, 3 more launches next

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is in a strong position to capitalize on the sales and services tax (SST) cut extension.
Originally meant to expire on 30-June 2021, barely a month after the price deducted, locally-assembled (CKD) 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 was launched, the extension until 31-December 2021 will allow MBM to fulfill more of the orders collected.


Suzuki to return to Malaysia, which models are coming?

With rumours circulating that Suzuki could be returning to Malaysia under the Naza Group of Companies, let’s take a closer look at what models could be introduced here.
Models that could sell well
Suzuki Swift

Quirky new looks

Our number one pick is the Suzuki Swift – a fun-to-drive and well-engineered hatchback that is currently in its third iteration.

Clean rear end

Globally, Suzuki offers the Swift with a wide range of powertrain options, including a naturally-aspirated unit, turbocharged unit, and a hybrid.


Review: 2019 Honda Jazz facelift, king of practicality (still)

(2019 Honda Jazz V-variant Prices & Specs | Gallery)

Think B-segment hatches and the 2019 Honda Jazz facelift will immediately come to mind as the most popular choice.


Oil filter leaks: Perodua studying alternative solutions to resolve issue as quickly as possible

  Photo for illustration purposes only

Speaking to media at the sidelines of Perodua's booth at the Malaysia Autoshow yesterday, the company's Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad said that the company are trying all alternatives to solve the recent leaking oil filter issue plaguing certain models as quickly as possible.
To recap, certain models – the Aruz, and the current crop of DNGA-based cars namely the Ativa, Alza, and Axia – have been affected by leaky oil filters, as evident by plenty of owners' comments on social media.

  An example of a customer highlight on Facebook

"The existing vendors must make improvements within certain period of time, which we're monitoring based on the improvements shown so far," he explained before adding that there's been a downtrend of warranty claims for oil filter-related problems since February 2023.
"This means that once we've replaced the oil filters, there's no problem," Datuk Zainal continued.


FAQ: Definitive guide about the all-new 2020 Honda City before its Malaysian launch!

Suffice to say, after Honda Malaysia’s multiple teasers and one very, very daring ad, Malaysians are pretty hopped up on news of the all-new 2020 Honda City.
Don't confuse yourself any further - here's the definitive guide of all you should know thus far about the upcoming B-segment warrior!


To be assembled in Singapore, RWD Hyundai Ioniq 5 makes world debut with solar roof

The Ioniq 5 has finally made its world debut! This is the first model under Hyundai’s newly formed dedicated electric vehicle (EV) brand, Ioniq, and is the first production model to be built on Hyundai’s new E-GMP architecture dedicated to underpin all Hyundai Motor Group’s (including Kia) future battery EV (BEV) models.
Also read: The Singapore-assembled Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be rear-wheel drive


Only 1,921 vehicle sales recorded during lockdown in June 2021

Despite the lockdown with showrooms being closed since the 1-June, The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) reported a sales figure of 1,921 vehicles for the month of June 2021.

The sales figure may be surprising considering that automotive production facilities and showrooms are not allowed to operate in Phase 1 and 2 of the National Recovery Plan. But MAA said that these were spill-over registrations from end of May 2021.


2024 Toyota GR86 gets ADAS for MT and Performance Pack - Brembo brakes, Sachs dampers

Toyota USA has announced updates for the 2024 Toyota GR86. One of the highlights is the GR86 Trueno Edition, featuring a nostalgic two-tone design in Halo and black or Track bRed and black colour options, limited to 860 units for the US market.

The GR86 Trueno Edition boasts a black wrapped hood, Trueno Edition side panel graphic, and black painted duckbill spoiler, complementing the Halo or Track bRed body colour.


Proton X70, the C-segment SUV priced at RM 99,800 - 123,800

The Proton X70 is priced at RM 99,800 - 123,800 and comes in four variants, offering a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.


The 2020 Proton X50 is smarter and safer than a BMW X1 with all that tech

Today’s the media preview of the 2020 Proton X50 and while most of you are probably anticipating the price and how it drives, let’s not forget one of the X50’s key selling points, its safety features.
Speaking to the media, Lead Engineer, En. Muhammad Zulfadzli Che Mustafar, has shared the safety features of the X50. From the looks of it, the crossover definitely has an impressive array of safety features that puts even the BMW X1 to shame.


Watch out baddies, PRDM’s K9 units to roll with new Toyota Hilux

The Royal Malaysian Police’s (PDRM) esteemed K9 unit will be taking delivery of a new batch of Toyota Hilux models to replace their current ageing fleet.
The following set of pictures are posted on the 麻坡大件事 Facebook group.

Credit: DS Cheah, 麻坡大件事（全新版）Facebook group

From the photos, the Hilux models delivered are of the previous Black Edition variant. The latest Rogue model that’s currently on sale spots a different Bi-LED headlamps.


All-new 2020 Nissan Sylphy debuts in USA, Malaysia launch next?

Nissan has taken the covers off the all-new 2020 Nissan Sylphy for the North American market, where the model is known as the Sentra. The model will make its public debut later this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The model will go on sale in the US early next year, making it the second major market after China to launch the Sylphy/Sentra.


Lexus to launch new entry model, Yaris Cross-based 2023 Lexus LBX to succeed CT 200h

The decade-old Lexus CT 200h has long been discontinued in Malaysia but it’s still on sale in Japan. The hybrid-only Toyota Prius-based entry model Lexus is expected to be discontinued by the end of this year, which begs the next question – what will replace it?
According to Japanese publication Mag-X, the Lexus CT 200h will not have a direct successor, but its role as an entry point into the Lexus family will be replaced by a new, Toyota Yaris Cross-based SUV.

Long gone from Malaysia, it's still on sale in Japan, but not for much longer

Said model is rumoured to wear the Lexus LBX nameplate (short for Lexus B-Crossover?). Like the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Lexus LBX will ride on the B-segment TNGA-B platform.


2020 Honda City, Perodua Aruz, Proton X50 - which is safer? The answer might surprise you

If you have been following our page, you would know that the Proton X50 has been awarded a maximum 5-star rating by ASEAN NCAP. As the Proton X50 is structurally similar to the Geely Binyue donor car, one can say that this is the first right-hand drive crash test for the Geely Binyue.

However if you study the ASEAN NCAP’s test report in detail, you will realize that the Proton X50’s scores is actually lower than the Perodua Aruz and 2020 Honda City – 86.54 points for the Honda City, 86.49 points for the Aruz, versus 84.26 points for the X50.


Video: Trailer carrying 6 Honda Civics catches fire, 5 cars completely burnt

A trailer carrying six Honda Civics caught fire along the North-South Highway yesterday (6-September-2022). Videos and photos of the incident have since gone viral on various social media platforms.
According to a Harian Metro report, the trailer was on its way to Penang when it caught fire at around 5.20 pm. Fortunately, the driver was able to disengage the cab, so the damage only affected the rear of the trailer.


Fuel Price Live Updates 1- to 7-Sept 2022 - All prices unchanged

Happy Merdeka, and for this week all grades of petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged. Fuel prices for the week of 1- to 7-Sept 2022 are as follows:

Fuel Price Live Updates 1-7 Sept 2022

Type
Price/litre

RON 95
RM 2.05

RON 97
RM 4.30

RON 100
RM 4.80

VPR
RM 5.70

Diesel EURO 5 B10
RM 2.15

Diesel EURO 5 B7
RM 2.35

These fuel prices will take effect from midnight tonight until Wednesday, September 7 2022, when fuel prices for the following week will be announced.
Follow fuel price live updates: Petrol Price Malaysia


Mitsubishi Triton pulls ahead of Toyota Hilux in four Malaysia states


Malaysia’s rollout of B20 biodiesel has been delayed indefinitely

The earlier announced nationwide rollout of B20 biodiesel for Malaysia’s land transport sector has been delayed indefinitely, confirms the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) in its letter dated 25-May, sent to oil companies and other stakeholders in the land transport sector.
The previous target announced in November 2020 was for B20 to be rolled out in Sabah starting 1-June 2021, and Peninsular Malaysia starting 1-December 2021. Sarawak has already rolled out B20 in September 2020.

B20 biodiesel was announced in February 2020 by the then Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok

MPIC did not give a specific date or time frame on when the rollout of B20 will be pushed back to, explaining that the delay is in-line with the government’s focus on reducing inter-district / inter-state travel in this Covid-19 pandemic.


There's now a 4-year waiting period for FL5 Honda Civic Type R in Japan, orders paused

Outstanding orders in Japan have swelled past 20,000
Current state of parts supply chain and logistics mean only 400 cars can be produced each month
Orders temporarily suspended

We’ve previously reported that Honda dealers in Japan are no longer accepting orders for the FL5 generation Honda Civic Type R, but those actions are initiated by the dealers themselves, given their very limited allocation and orders that keep coming in.
Now, Honda Motor in Japan has made an official announcement informing customers there that it is suspending orders for the Civic Type R to allow the company to concentrate on fulfilling existing orders. However the company stressed that the suspension is only temporary.
Honda says due to effects of new Covid-19 infections, chronic shortage of semiconductor parts, unstable supply of parts and logistics, it’s difficult to give a reliable forecast on production numbers.


Peugeot 5008 SUV Plus Is Now Even More Luxurious, 2 variants from RM 166,888

7-seater SUV is also now pricer
1.6-litre turbo petrol with 167 PS & 240 Nm
Powered tailgate & panoramic sunroof for 5008 Allure

Launched alongside the Peugeot 3008 SUV is the locally assembled Peugeot 5008 SUV – essentially a 7-seater version of the 3008. Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia has also introduced an entry-level variant with prices now starting from RM 166,888 for the Peugeot 5008 Active SUV Plus.
As for the range-topping Peugeot 5008 Allure SUV Plus, have gone up by RM 7,000 despite being assembled at Naza Auto Manufacturing plant in Gurun. The upside is that the company has added more features to the 5008.
Riding on the same EMP2 platform like the 3008, the 5008 also features the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder THP petrol engine that develops 167 PS and 240 Nm of torque. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint takes 8.9 seconds while top speed is registered at 205 km/h.


Spied: Uncovered all-new 2022 Toyota Veloz shows its 2-tone paint, launch imminent

We’re getting ever closer to the launch of the all-new Toyota Veloz, as the Perodua Alza's sister model was spotted uncovered on a transporter in Malaysia. In case you missed it, the Veloz will replace the Toyota Avanza.
From the photos uploaded by Facebook user Khairul Asraf, the units on the trailer sport a dual-tone finish. Malaysia might be the first market to debut the dual-tone finish for the Veloz.


Spied: 2023 Toyota Alphard / Vellfire already in Thailand. Possible launch in Malaysia by end-2023?

  Toyota Alphard / Vellfire makes landfall in Thailand. Image

Less than a week after the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire celebrated their global debut, disguised units of these popular MPVs have already been spotted in neighbouring Thailand.
Scooped pictures picked up by Headlightmag show a 2023 Alphard / Vellfire being unloaded from a trailer before being driven away.
Also read: All-new 2023 Toyota Alphard makes global debut; TNGA, parks remotely via app!

Image

Though it is hard to make out which of the two models has been spotted, recent reports in Thailand suggest that both the Alphard and Vellfire will be launched as early as July or August 2023.


The missing link – The forgotten second-gen Honda City

The Honda City is often remembered as either the tall-boy Bulldog from the 1980s or the ones many Malaysians fondly remembered that grew from a humble car to a torque-kicking revolution.

But following the infamous first-gen turbocharged City that also produced this ear-catching jingle, its follow-up was seen as a step back from the first-gen.


Honda HR-V RS, now available in classy Dark Brown leather interior.

Black-coloured interior too dull for you? Fret not, Honda Malaysia today announced a new interior colour addition to the Honda HR-V RS – a classy dark brown leather. If you've been eyeing a HR-V RS for some time, you can now choose between the new classy dark brown leather interior or the existing stylish black leather interior. This new interior colour is a no-cost option.


Someone received delivery of their 'Mini' EV X2, but it’s left-hand drive

Remember the Mini EV X2 that previously went viral? Police even prompted the possibility of a scam when a website started selling the car for RM 13,800.
Images of the Mini EV X2 in Malaysia was posted on a blog shop selling Chinese beauty product's Facebook page. The post was accompanied with captions that denounce the claims of a scam or fake and the owner of their shop have already received their order.


Pattaya aims to replace its Corolla taxis with little Chinese EVs in 2022

Thailand is spearheading its electric vehicle (EV) initiative to not just car companies but municipalities too. Soon, your next trip to the coastal city of Pattaya might see you travelling around in an EV.

The Pattaya City Municipality is preparing to purchase EVs for its public transport system under its Neo Pattaya project. The project aims to turn the popular tourist hotspot into an economy hub in the eastern part of the Kingdom while conserving its natural environment.


Spied: Perodua D55L base car spotted in Indonesia - Malaysia introduction soon?

Photo credit: Autonetmagz

The upcoming Perodua D55L (it hasn’t got a proper name yet) is based on Japan's best-selling Toyota Raize/Daihatsu Rocky duo. It's another much-awaited model, and here's your first look at its base car testing on Indonesian streets last weekend.

Photo credit: Autonetmagz

In Indonesia, this B-segment SUV will most likely be manufactured and sold by Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM).

Note the similarity of tail lamp design, window and antenna shape.

In an earlier story, we gathered that pre-production of the D55L in Malaysia should commence in mid-September, with mass production beginning sometime in December. If this timeline is still followed, the model’s debut is estimated to take place in January 2021.

Render credit: The Ajerul.

Hinted to get a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine paired to a CVT, it’ll also be the first Perodua to be underpinned by the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform.


UMWT recalls 10,350 units of Toyota and Lexus models for potentially faulty fuel pump

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia, announced a Special Service Campaign (SSC) to replace the fuel pump on certain units of Toyota and Lexus models. This SSC is an expansion of earlier campaign.
Based on the information received from Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), there are 9,500 new units of Toyota (Alphard, Vellfire, Camry, Corolla, Fortuner, Innova, C-HR and Harrier) and 850 new units of Lexus (ES250, GS200t, GS350, IS200t, LC500, LS500, LX570, NX300, RX300 and RX350) models manufactured from July 2017 to July 2019 and distributed by UMWT involved in this campaign. Model not listed here are not affected by this campaign.


KL PDRM is holding a Best Roadblock Award! Jalan Duta roadblock wins Round 1

No, this is not a joke. April was 2 months ago anyway. The Kuala Lumpur Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is really running a Best Op Covid-19 roadblock campaign.
City police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim told The Star that the campaign is evaluated according to the effectiveness of these roadblocks following several criteria. The criteria include operation, knowledge of duties, and cleanliness.


Thailand targets 30% EV and hybrid production by 2030

The Thailand government has not announced any bans on ICE vehicles. Instead, it has set a target for EVs. Bangkok Post reports that the Thailand government aims for EVs to account for 30% of the national production by 2030.
The “EV” term used by the Thai Board of Investment includes Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Plug-In Hybrid Electrci Vehicle (PHEV), and Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV). The 30% target will include cars, motorbikes, and buses.
At present, EVs in Thailand are enjoying a three-year tax holiday and battery electric vehicle manufacturers are benefitting from an 8-year corporate income tax waiver.


After Nio and Tesla, Nissan USA also affected by Bosch’s supply disruption in Malaysia

The disruption in Bosch’s supplier factory in Muar is bigger than initially thought. Initially, we reported that it has affected multiple car manufacturers, including Tesla and Nio, but now it seems even Nissan USA is impacted.

Nissan's Smyrna plant pictured

According to The Detroit News, Nissan’s factory in Smyrna, Tennessee will be forced to temporarily close for two weeks, due to a shortage of semiconductor. Nissan ran out of its semiconductor supply last week due to a Covid-19 outbreak in a factory in Malaysia.
Also Read: Bosch: Disruption in supply from Malaysia affecting Nio and Tesla


Renault’s Megane R.S 280 Cup lapped Sepang in 2.83 minutes!

Renault Malaysia celebrates the return of the Renault Megane R.S. 280 Cup with a special night time track day at the Sepang International Circuit.
A total of 30 Renault Sport owners participated in the Renault Sport Track Day.


Perodua averts supply issues; August 2022 best month yet with sales up 42%, 28k units produced

Strike while your supply chains are good, or so the adage goes, and Perodua took it to heart in August 2022, recording a healthy sales figure of 26,039 units in that month. It's almost a 42% growth from the 18,346 units delivered in July 2022.

Leading the sales pack is the Perodua Bezza with 6,808 units, followed closely by the 6,252 units of the Perodua Myvi, and 4,857 deliveries of the Perodua Axia.


You can cross border to Thailand and Singapore soon, but not on 1-March

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) has revealed they are also expecting the country's borders to reopen very soon. However, it may not necessarily be 1-March-2022.
MoTAC minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri told the press that the opening of the country border will be carried out in stages. The first focus will be given to neighbouring countries and other Asian countries.


Another new highway mooted; KL Node expected to ease congestion on MRR2 and Jalan Kuching

Image for illustration purposes

The Works Ministry is mulling the construction of a new highway that will plug the missing link between the eastern and north traffic corridors of the Klang Valley. The highway will be known as the Kuala Lumpur Northern Dispersal Expressway (KL Node).
According to a report by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), KL Node is expected to ease congestion on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) and also provide much-needed relief to Jalan Kuching. Both highways mentioned are well known for their heavy congestion.
FMT describes the new highway as the final link of the KL Outer Ring Road system. The highway is expected to connect the KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar) and East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE).


Owner Review: Responsive engine and solid handling - My 2011 Proton Inspira 2.0P

** This article is published on WapCar Community. Click the link below to enter the community for car enthusiasts in Malaysia
https://www.wapcar.my/forum

Basic information
2011 Proton Inspira 2.0P


8,484 accidents involve unlicenced teen drivers and motorcyclists, PDRM calls for stern action against parents

Between 2018 to March 2022, the police recorded a total of 8,484 accidents that involved unlicenced teen drivers and motorcyclists. Out of that number 2,617 cases resulted in either fatal accidents or serious injuries. The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is now calling for stern actions to be taken against guardians.
According to a report by The Star, PDRM quoted a recent case where a parent was charged under the Child Act 2001 for his child’s involvement in mat lajak activities as a success.

Image by The Star

Since then, the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) reported the number of underage driving and riding cases in Selangor dropped by 50 percent because parents feared the jail sentence and hefty fines.


As EV adoption rises, Korea calls for enhanced fire safety guidelines and failure analysis to determine cause of battery fire

Earlier this month, the Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA) organised a symposium on the topic of "Expanding Electric Vehicle Supply and Ensuring Safety" at the Jeju International Convention Center.
The event featured the active involvement of experts from various sectors of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, who delivered presentations, participated in panel discussions, and engaged in Q&A sessions.


What is Airmatic suspension on the Mercedes-Benz C300?

If you’re car shopping in the RM 300k range, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is likely to show up under your radar. Perhaps you’ve already been to the showroom, and one of the features highlighted by the salesperson was the Airmatic suspension. But what makes it a USP of the Mercedes-Benz C300?
Airmatic Suspension is Mercedes-Benz’s term for their air suspension. Compared to traditional strut suspension, there are no coil springs or shock absorbers on air suspension systems. Instead, it uses bags made of rubber and polyurethane filled with air. These are essentially air bags hence the name air suspension.


Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal

Having had the misfortune of spending time with a car equipped with a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission (let's call it the 4AT moving forward), I have decided to campaign to outlaw sale of cars that comes with this type of transmission, not just in Malaysia but the entire world.

2019 Proton Saga 4AT: One step forward, two steps back?

Do I really hate the 4AT that much? Of course not, I just want to see it at the bottom of a scrapheap, dying a death that should've came years ago. Here, let me impartially and objectively outline why the 4-speed automatic transmission needs to go, pronto.
It’s 2021

First encounter with a 4AT, 28 years ago

When I first sat in a car with a 4-speed automatic, it was 1993 (the car itself, was made in 1987). If you do the math, that was 28 years ago (blimey I am old). The 4AT is the transmission equivalent of a bloody cockroach. It's ever-present, and hardly in a good way.


Gazoo Racing Toyota Vios Challenge heats up with Sprint and Enduro races, later this year

With two races already completed and another four to go in the Gazoo Racing Toyota Vios Challenge, Gazoo Racing and UMW Toyota Motor is stepping into high gear with the introduction of the Vios Sprint Cup and Vios Enduro Cup which will offer another five races this year to make it 11 races for Toyota in 2022.
The Vios Sprint Cup is run independently of the Vios Challenge, and will feature two rounds within the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) with each round offering two races.


Check out this Subaru Forester tackle a flood in Setia Alam while a pair of Hilux watch

Last weekend saw torrential downpours around the Klang Valley with flash floods affecting some parts of the city. That created some trouble for many drivers but not this Subaru Forester.

In a video taken by Motion Beyond, a Subaru dealer based in Setia Alam, we see the current-gen Forester attempting to cross a flooded road near Setia Alam. At the start of the video, a few cars dare not go through the flooded path including a couple of Toyota Hilux trucks.
Also read: 900 mm wading depth! Top 5 best cars for driving through floods in Malaysia


Carlist's CarTell Time Attack: Free pit access for spectators, check out Porsches, BMW M, Mercedes-AMG and Civic Type Rs

Photo credit: SyazOne Motorsport Media

If the smell of high-octane fuel and loud cars are your thing, lock 4-September down in your calendar, as the Carlist CarTell Time Attack will commence on that weekend, from 8pm till midnight.

There will be a number of high-performance sports cars and super cars attending, including Porsche 911 GT2 RS, 911 GT3 RS, Ferrari 488, McLaren 720S, Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, as well as a number of Honda Civic Type Rs.

Photo credit: SyazOne Motorsport Media

If you want to participate, be quick as driver’s registration is almost full. In any case, spectators can enter for free and visit the pits.


PDRM busts clone car syndicates involving used car dealer and insurance companies

A syndicate specialising in cloning cars by tampering the chassis number and forging documents was recently busted by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). In the process, 19 vehicles, including luxury cars amounting to a total of RM 3.5 million, were confiscated.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin said in a press conference at the KL police headquarters that PDRM first received a tip of the syndicate back on February 2 when KL CID raided a used car dealership in Cheras.


All-new Malaysia-bound 2022 Lexus NX earns highest rating in US IIHS crash tests

With the all-new 2022 Lexus NX being spotted in Malaysia, it’s only a matter of time before the upscale Harrier-based SUV is launched here. It’s currently on sale in Singapore and Indonesia but while we wait for announcements by Lexus Malaysia, the second-generation model has been awarded the highest safety rating in the United States.

Both the Lexus NX and NX Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) received the Top Safety Pick+ awards from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).


All-new 2020 Honda City (GN-series) - about RM 3.7k to service over 5 years/100k km

It's here - well, at least the S, E and V, pure-petrol variants of the all-new 2020 Honda City for now.
The world-premiering RS still has a way to go, and will only be introduced in January 2021.
In case you missed it...
The new City was launched yesterday, and these are what's different between variants.


Sabah to build world's biggest copper foil plant for EV batteries

SK Nexilis, a South Korean copper foil producer for electric vehicles (EV) under SK Group, will be building its first overseas plant in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The company will invest a total of RM 2.3 billion on the plant with an aimed annual production capacity of 44,000 tons, Business Korea reports that it is the world's biggest copper foil plant.
Construction of the plant is expected to start in the first half of 2021 with commercial operation expected to start in 2023.


Review: 2021 Honda City RS e:HEV – Hybrid perfomance for the common man

In 1984, Honda began a new development program codenamed the New Concept Engine (NCE). The targets were simple: create a 1.6-litre engine with a specific output of 100 hp/litre.
Nearly five years of development led to what we know today as the ‘B16A’ 1.6-litre VTEC engine first offered in the 1989 Honda Integra. A performance car for the common man.


More expensive than the Alphard, here's all you need to know about the Toyota GranAce

A couple of days ago we posted photos of a Toyota GranAce on the streets of Malaysia and many readers were curious to as what the GranAce really is.

After all, seeing how uncommon the Toyota GranAce is in Malaysia, it definitely turns more heads than the Alphard and Vellfire duo.


Video: Indonesia President Jokowi’s convoy gives way to ambulance, watch and learn VIPs

While Malaysian VIPs are seen stopping ambulances in the name of the safety for the ambulances, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo’s, or better known as Jokowi, massive convoy of cars was seen in a viral video giving way to an ambulance to pass through first.
This isn’t the first time a video of the president’s convoy making way for emergency vehicles went viral. From what we understand, videos like these are deliberately made viral to make an example for both Indonesians and neighbouring less developed countries like Papua New Guinea.
Also read: Video: Ambulance forced to make way for Menteri’s Vellfire; Who should have priority?


In Dubai, learner drivers use a Bentley Bentayga to get their driving licenses

New drivers in Dubai are facing the same trouble as some of us after graduating from driving school: our cars are a little too powerful and big for us. Well for Dubai’s case, the cars are way more powerful than their standard Nissan Sunny (Nissan Almera) learner car. This is why this driving school in Emirates is offering lessons in cars like a Bentley Bentayga.
The Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) knows this as the platinum driving course. The course offers lessons in one of the institute’s fleet of luxury cars that includes a Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, Mercedes-Benz G-wagon, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
They even have a Tesla Model X on offer. There is also a ‘smaller’ upgrade course, instead of a Nissan Sunny, learners can choose to upgrade to a Nissan Patrol or a MINI Cooper. The MINI is primarily aimed at women FYI.


All-new Geely Boyue L launched in China; price up by 22 percent, too expensive to be next Proton X70?

3 engine options; 1.5T, 2.0T, Hi.F 1.5T hybrid
Price up by around 25 percent from previous generation
AEB works up to 80 km/h

The all-new 2023 Geely Boyue L is now officially on sale in China. Prices for the new SUV range from CNY 125,700 (~RM 82,000) to CNY 170,700 (~RM 112,000).
The Geely Boyue L is the successor of the outgoing Geely Boyue which is more popularly known to us as the Proton X70.


New Peugeot flagship 3S centre opens its doors in Glenmarie; First centre under Bermaz

Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn. Bhd. (BAASB) has officially opened its first Peugeot flagship 3S Centre in Glenmarie. The new 3S facility adopts the new Peugeot brand identity and features a full-fledged facility entailing sales, service and spare parts.
Being a part of the Bermaz Automotive group, Bermaz Auto Alliance is embarking on providing the best ownership experience for its customers with this new facility.


Truck driver who sideswiped another car gets rewarded with free plane tickets for honesty

They say “honesty is the best policy” and it couldn’t be truer when it comes to this incident in Singapore where a truck driver was rewarded for owing up to side-swiping another person’s car. Not only was he rewarded with plane tickets to bring his family over, but many other chain brands also joined in with dishing out rewards.

The note says: Driver Wang Yao Wen, I've accidentally hit your car. I'm so sorry, this is my contact number


The 2023 (992) Porsche 911 GT3 RS has so much aero that it should be a wind god

As with any new iteration of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the GT division makes us wonder how much further they can push the game forwards in terms of outright lap times. Now it even has F1-style drag reduction system (DRS), foreshadowing its entry perhaps?

Anyway, let’s talk about the basics. The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS still has a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine that’s good for 525 PS/465 Nm. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission gets a shorter final drive ratio than the ‘regular’ GT3 to account for the larger wheels and aero bits.


Over 8k bookings for 2021 Perodua Ativa, 3-month waiting list for 2-tone colour

Since its introduction in early-March, the 2021 Perodua Ativa has proven to be a very popular model.

To-date, Perodua has collected more 8,000 bookings for its latest SUV, with slightly more than 70% opting for the range-topping 1.0 AV variant. The mid-spec 1.0 H variant made up more than 20% of the bookings, while the remaining opted for the entry-level 1.0 X variant.


After taxis, Seoul government aims to convert delivery riders and courier trucks to EVs

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has pledged to convert all delivery motorbikes and courier diesel trucks to electric vehicles (EV) by 2025. The government will sign an agreement with various companies on 29-November-2021 to kickstart the process.
In the agreement, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korean Ministry of Environment will provide subsidies for EV purchases and the building of charging infrastructures for the companies.


Police officers suspended for sexually harassing women at roadblocks

Bukit Aman has suspended 2 police officers after allegations of sexual harassment at roadblocks has surfaced on social media last Saturday.
The entire country except Sarawak is currently observing the Movement Control Order so police officers, along with the help of the military and JPJ officers have been on duty at roadblocks or otherwise known as Sekatan Jalan Raya (SJR).


Gov to cut 100% sales tax for CKD cars and 50% for CBU cars, cheap enough?

In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced a number of measures to help boost Malaysia’s economy, including the automotive sector.

In an effort to boost new car sales, the Prime Minister has announced that there will be a 100 percent sales tax exemption when purchasing a new locally-assembled (CKD) car and 50 percent sales tax exemption with an imported car (CBU), beginning from 15th June to 31st December 2020.


This Daihatsu Hijet is transformed from pasar malam truck to kawaii camper!

Have you imagined just leaving the city and… Wait, that’s not appropriate in times of MCO. So, let’s change the subject real quick to this Daihatsu Hijet camper truck. Some fans may recognise the Hijet name from those pasar malam vans but did you know that this nameplate turned 60?

  The very first Daihatsu Hijet

Yup, the first Hijet was introduced in 1960 as Daihatsu’s first four-wheeled vehicle following the three-wheeled Midget. Needless to say, it went on to be very successful and is still sold in Japan.

  The current tenth-gen Hijet

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Hijet, Daihatsu introduced this cute, happy little camper called the Hijet Jumbo Camper Ver. and as the name suggests, it is based on the Hijet Jumbo, a larger 1.3-litre variant of the 660 cc Hijet kei-truck.


All-new 2023 Lexus RX 350 debuts in Malaysia, from RM 468,888, 2.4L turbo, 279 PS and 430 Nm

Roughly 11 months after making its global debut, Lexus Malaysia has debuted the all-new 2023 Lexus RX here.
For the Malaysian market, only one variant of the Lexus RX will be offered – the RX 350. This sole variant is priced from RM 468,888 (on-the-road, without insurance) and the model is imported (CBU) from Japan.
Power for the 2023 Lexus RX comes from a turbocharged 2.4-litre T24A-FTS 4-cylinder petrol engine that does 279 PS and 430 Nm. The engine is mated to an 8-speed Direct Shift-8AT automatic transmission.


In Brief: Ford Ranger, combining the best of utilitarian and refinement

(Model | Gallery)
The Ford Ranger is a 4x4 pickup truck that made a global debut back in 2015. This updated Ranger Wildtrak that you see here was introduced back in October 2018. Changes include a new 2.0-litre bi-turbo engine, a new 10-speed (yes, 10-speed) automatic transmission, and Ford’s range of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).


RM 383k! Singapore launches all-new 2022 Honda Civic FE before Malaysia

The all-new 2022 Honda Civic (FE) has just been launched in Singapore through a virtual event. It's the model's second ASEAN destination after its regional debut in Thailand just a week ago, and prices start from SGD 122,999 (~RM 383k).
New 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo

LED DRLs present, but no LED headlights. Only halogen projectors

Like its suffix denotes, the sole 1.5 LX variant of the Singaporean-spec Civic is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder VTEC turbo mill, paired to a CVT.


Video: More than just cute looks, here's why the Ora Good Cat is important for Malaysia's EV industry

The little Ora Good Cat. Pretty interesting character, this. It burst into Malaysia's electric vehicle (EV) scene with its sparkly cute looks, a not-quite-bad spec sheet, and prices that were relatively more attainable: RM 139,800 and RM 169,800.

Performance and range figures seem good for the money, with both variants of the Good Cat driven by a 143 PS/210 Nm electric motor. Range is either 400 km or 500 km, depending on variant and their battery size – 48 kWh and 63 kWH, respectively.


Inspired by the Mazda MX-5 and Toyota – How the Porsche Boxster saved Porsche

If popular motoring culture has taught us anything, is that it sucks being known as the “entry-level” model. The Viva will be more pariah than a prince to the Myvi. Likewise, it is the same for the Porsche Boxster, or as everyone likes to call it – the “car for those who can’t afford a 911”.
Yet, despite the undying love shown by Porsche for the 911, the Boxster plays a bigger part in the company’s history than many fans would care to admit.


From RM 1.1 mil, this 2022 Aston Martin DBX The One Edition is literally the only one in Malaysia

Do you wish your Aston Martin DBX to be so exclusive, it’s the only one of its kind in Malaysia? Well, then if you have RM 1.1 million lying around, you can get this special one-of-a-kind Aston Martin DBX aptly named The One Edition.

That “One” doesn’t only refer to its singular unit in the entire country but rather the special paintjob that is covering this James Bond of SUVs. The Concours Blue paintjob is an elegant, beautiful metallic silver blue that creates a wonderful sight to behold.


Case of a stolen Honda Civic police car might turn into a kidnapping investigation

Previously, we reported that 3 suspects were able to successfully steal a Honda Civic 1.8S police patrol vehicle (MPV) from the Seberang Perai Utara district HQ. Now Sinar Harian has reported more details that not only are all 3 suspects tested positive for drugs but it might also turn into a kidnapping case.
As you know, on Saturday 2 brothers, aged 28 and 32, posed as policemen from the information technology resources unit to gain access to the Civic MPV under the pretext of inspecting the dashcam. According to a source, one brother even managed to get his hands on the car key during that time.


Penang ferry service to continue on! Ministry of Finance to the rescue

A few days ago, the Penang Port Commission announced that they will be ending the iconic Penang ferry service entirely by 2022 much to the dismay of many. But the Ministry of Finance announced today that they will lend a helping hand to rescue the service.

Finance Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, declared earlier today at the Dewan Rakyat that: “The government will impose a condition on Penang Port to carry on the iconic and heritage ferry service.”


Vin Diesel’s favourite FF car is not the Dodge Charger. No joke

You would think that after 9 movies and 20 years in cinemas, Vin Diesel’s favourite car from the Fast & Furious series would keep changing. But that’s not the case as Diesel recently revealed that his favourite car is one from the first instalment. And it’s not the iconic Dodge Charger.
YouTuber Supercar Blondie recently caught up with the Fast and Furious franchise star amid Fast 9 promotions to ask him about his favourite car from the movies.


A closer look at the new Nissan Serena e-Power that we are not getting

In Malaysia, the Nissan Serena is offered exclusively with the 2.0-litre S-Hybrid (Nissan’s term for mild hybrids) engine. In Japan, Nissan also offers another hybrid option for the Serena, the e-Power variant.

The e-Power unit uses a 1.2-litre three cylinder engine, sounds tiny for a such a large car but that’s the whole point. While the Serena S-Hybrid relies mostly on the 2.0-litre petrol engine, aided by 2.6 PS electric motor, the Serena e-Power’s priority is the opposite. It uses a much more powerful 136 PS motor, with the tiny 1.2-litre engine running only as a generator to keep the high voltage battery charged.


No all-new Toyota Camry, current XV70 generation to soldier on with updates

An all-new generation of the Toyota Camry could be off the cards for now, as the current XV70 generation is expected to soldier on for longer after receiving updates.
Japanese website Mag-X recently reported that the lifespan of the current-generation Camry XV70 will be extended after receiving a Major Minor Change, or MMC in short.
Also read: 2022 Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord - If it's good enough for the PM, which is best for you?


Mercedes-Benz tweeted a tease for the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA

Mercedes-Benz is counting down the minutes to the world premier of the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA with a teaser video on the brand’s official Twitter account.
A teaser sketch of the facelift GLA, released a few days ago shows that the compact SUV will feature even more rounded edges than the pre-facelift.
The rounded edges prove that the all-new GLA is staying true to Mercedes’s wish to create a greater point of difference from the larger cars and the compact car range.


Scoop: Coupe-SUV version of Subaru XV to make world debut in December 2021!

Remember the Subaru Viziv Concept? It was first unveiled in 2019, and now sources say that it'll make its world debut as a production car sometime in December 2021.
The render above by Japanese media gives an artist impression of how the car could look like. Judging by the render, we can expect the production vehicle (dubbed 'Adrenaline' for now) to keep the concept's 'coupe-SUV' form, but expect further design tweaks as the car heads to production.

The Viziv Concept.

Sources also report that the upcoming model will likely ride on the Subaru Global Platform (SGP) modular architecture, besides being powered by either a 2.0-litre e-Boxer petrol-electric hybrid mill (150 PS/196 Nm) or a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine (177 PS/300 Nm).


Chery to begin CKD operations in Malaysia in Q2 2023, no CBU models for customers

Chery is making its Malaysian comeback very soon and it aims to launch its first two models, the Chery Omoda 5 and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro by the middle of 2023. These models will also be locally-assembled (CKD) in Malaysia right from the get-go.

At a dinner event with the media, Vice President of Chery International and President for the ASEAN market, Shawn Xu, did not reveal any further information on where the plant is located nor who the local partners are. He has stated that CKD production is only for the domestic Malaysian markets, for now.


Watch: The new 2020 Toyota Fortuner in action

After the introduction of the new 2020 Toyota Fortuner facelift, Toyota Motors Thailand just dropped a 30-second long video of its newest SUV.
Similar to the recent Hilux model, it shares the same revised 2.8-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, now delivering 204 PS and 500 Nm, delivering 27 PS and 50 Nm more.
For the top-of-the-line Legender variant, it gets a new grille along with a new front bumper, side steps, rear bumper, front/tail-lights, and 20-inch wheels.


2020 Proton X50: about RM 4.3k to service over 5 years/100k km, plus other costs

The Proton X50 has set tongues wagging since the first spyshots emerged many moons ago, and with its rather competitive price, people have been clamouring to get their names in the order books.

There's a 6-month waiting list right now.

Still, buying a car is more than just affording the instalments, so let's explore the maintenance costs for this new B-segment SUV.
Proton X50 roundup


Pros and Cons: Lexus LM 350 - A dressed up Alphard? Hardly

If you've been looking to buy a Lexus LM 350, we've established that you are someone who probably doesn't know your bank account balance (you know, if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it). And let's face it, if you're prepared to fork out money for a Lexus LM, you're not gonna care that it costs twice the money of an Alphard.

What you probably will care about is, perhaps what's the car like? Well, that is why you're here, prospective Lexus LM 350 owner, to find out the pros and cons of this car, right? Perfect, let's dive in then.


2021 Proton X70 MC1 Facelift: August launch possible with new 1.5T from X50

If you're shopping for a Proton X70, you may want to fast track your purchase, as a recent report from Chinese portal Automachi claimed that Proton will be unveiling a minor change (MC) Proton X70 Facelift in August.

As part of this update, the source mentioned that Proton will be replacing the turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine with a downsized turbocharged 1.5-litre TGDI three-cylinder unit – the very same unit that powers the Proton X50 Flagship. Lesser variants of the Proton X50 receive a turbocharged 1.5 MPI engine (150 PS / 226 Nm).


Proton constructing regional parts centre in Kuching to support East Malaysia sales increase

Proton is in the midst of building a new Regional Parts Centre (RPC) in Kuching, Sarawak, to cater to the growing demands of its increasing customer base in East Malaysia, especially following the introduction of the X-series SUV models.
The 28,000 sq ft facility has more than three times the storage capacity of its predecessor and will function as a parts distribution centre for aftersales parts and components for both Sabah and Sarawak.


MG HS outsells the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 in Thailand

The best-selling C-segment SUV in Thailand for the month of June is the 2019 MG HS, outselling the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 according to a report by Headlightmag.

While the MG HS topped the Honda CR-V in sales, it's worth noting that the pre-facelift CR-V was sold out in Thailand. And the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the launch and deliveries of the 2020 Honda CR-V facelift.


9 November - 15 November fuel price update: RON 97 up 1 Sen

While the rain keeps falling down on us, the price of RON 97 will see a rise in the coming week.
Starting tomorrow, from 9 November to 15 November, the fuel prices are:

RON 95 - RM 2.08 per litre (unchanged)
RON 97 - RM 2.57 per litre (up 1 sen)
Euro 2M Diesel - RM 2.18 per litre (unchanged)
Euro 5 Diesel - RM 2.28 per litre (unchanged)

The price of RON 97 petrol is adjusted weekly, while prices of RON 95 petrol, Euro 2M diesel, and Euro 5 diesel are capped at their respective prices until further notice.


Watch: Man deploys cleaver knife to threaten another man after rear-end incident

Over the past few days, residents in Serdang were both amused and horrified over a viral video showing a man wielding a large cleaver knife and threatening another man in a parking lot.
It is believed that the Proton Saga owner had rear-ended the Toyota Unser driven by the man holding the cleaver knife after he was rear-ended by a Mitsubishi Triton in turn. The argument got heated when the man started grabbing the Saga owner by the neck and raising the cleaver.
Fortunately, the argument ended with no injuries after drivers of other vehicles wanting to pass through started honking.


Confirmed! TNGA-based 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix to get hybrid power, tasty 2.0L Dynamic Force too?

One by one the rumours around the upcoming 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix sheds, and through Toyota Indonesia's latest teaser we can now confirm that the MPV will feature a hybrid powertrain.
But hang on to your down payments as the only tease this time is the telltale 'Hybrid' badge along the fender, and not much else of the entire car. Last time we ran a story like this, we showcased a bit of the front, so will the rear be the next?


Price increase for Volvo PHEVs in Malaysia? New prices to be announced on 1-May 2022

Volvo Car Malaysia has just announced that it will be introducing the newly improved Recharge plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in their Recharge T8 models soon along with some price adjustments which will be announced on 1-May 2022.
In Malaysia, the Recharge T8 PHEV models include the 60 Series (Volvo S60, Volvo V60, Volvo XC60) and the 90 Series (Volvo S90, Volvo XC90).


Review: All-new 2019 Toyota Corolla Altis is here to battle the Civic

Toyota Corolla Altis | Gallery
The Corolla is Toyota's most storied nameplate. So steeped is its heritage that by the late ‘90s, the Corolla name had become too successful for its own good. The name had become a drag because younger buyers associated the name too much with their father's car. Thus explains the introduction of the "Altis" suffix.
Irrespective of what it's called, the Corolla (Altis) has always stood for quality, dependability, and reliability. Toyota folks like to call it QDR.


Remember that Changan Eado EV that was spotted in Malaysia? Here's a quick run-down on this RM 90k EV

Last week, photos of a Changan Eado EV460 on Malaysian streets raised an eyebrow or two. For a country with only a handful of EVs, the sight of the Eado EV460 has gotten people talking.
For those who are still in the dark, here's a brief run-down on what you need to know about this EV.
First, what is the Changan Eado EV460?


It's Vietnam's Myvi - 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander, crowned as No.1 selling car

The Mitsubishi Xpander just hit a record in Vietnam, being crowned as the No.1 car overall.
In less than two months since the 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander facelift was released in Vietnam, it has sold 2,771 units in July according to Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA) statistics.
With this result, not only the Mitsubishi Xpander remains the best-selling MPV but it’s also the best-selling vehicle of the same month.


Google updates Android Auto, but biggest bug still remains

Google recently released a new update for Android Auto that includes a number of fixes.
Despite that, the most crucial feature of Android Auto remains broken – Google Assistant.


Over 3,700 bookings collected for 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander in Malaysia

The 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander is off to a strong start, having secured over 3,700 bookings since the order books were opened on 22-Oct.
Its order books is full enough to keep the MMC Manufacturing Malaysia – the Malaysian-Japanese joint venture company responsible for the Xpander’s production in Pekan (located within DRB-Hicom's manufacturing plant) – busy until year-end.


2022 BMW X7 facelift revealed; Split headlights, iX-inspired interior

New face with glowing front grille
BMW iX-inspired interior
New mild-hybrid powertrains with more power

This is not a render. You’re looking at official images of the new 2022 BMW X7 facelift, now with a reworked front fascia, updated interior, and new mild-hybrid powertrains.

Split headlight units are making their debut in the new 2022 BMW X7 facelift. The horizontal LED light elements set higher up in the front-end house the position light, daytime driving lights and turn signal indicators. The units located below them are for the low-beam and high-beam headlights, with adaptive matrix LEDs.


Hyundai i10 replacement model could be an EV, RM 90k in Europe starting price possible

Third-generation Hyundai i10 pictured

Hyundai's entry-level EV could supersede the i10
Circa EUR 20,000 price point targeted
Hyundai is planning for another 11 more EVs by 2030

Hyundai’s formidable entry-level model, the Hyundai i10, is set to be replaced by a small electric vehicle (EV), according to a recent report by Automotive News Europe.

Third-generation Hyundai i10 pictured

According to Hyundai Motor Europe’s marketing chief Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Hyundai is currently developing a battery-powered, entry-level car. While he stopped short on specifics, it is possible that the entry-level EV could be based on the Hyundai i10, the company’s smallest car.

In view of ever-tightening emissions regulations in Europe, car makers are scrambling to develop pocket-sized EVs, with a target starting price of EUR 20,000 (~RM 90k). That said, Hyundai’s entry-level EV could take some time before it reaches European dealerships.


New Toyota Yaris facelift launched in Thailand; ADAS, automatic LED Headlights

Behold the new 2020 Toyota Yaris facelift! Like the newly-introduced Toyota Yaris Ativ sedan, aka the Toyota Vios in Malaysia, Toyota Motor Thailand has upgraded the new Toyota Yaris with Toyota Safety Sense, updated exterior stylings and a sportier interior as well as Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Cosmetically, the new Toyota Yaris is sharper than the outgoing generation with narrower squinty automatic LED headlamps paired with stylish LED DRLs. Toyota has also updated the Yaris’ grille with a black mesh pattern instead.


JPJ offers up to 70 percent discount on summonses, from 13 April to 13 June

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is offering up to 70 percent discount on 3.5 million compoundable summonses that are still active.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said, "The discount offer will be valid for two months starting April 13 till June 13."


China-only Toyota bZ3 EV sedan to be 30 percent cheaper than Tesla Model 3

Automotive News reports that the China-only Toyota bZ3 EV sedan will go into production and begin its sales by end of this year.

The Toyota bZ3 is said to be co-developed with BYD and uses the company’s signature blade batteries. The batteries are said to be slimmer than traditional lithium-ion battery, by about as much as half, to boost interior space.


You can now subscribe to a Subaru BRZ or a Subaru WRX on GoCar Subs

What are the biggest factors that are holding you back from purchasing that dream Subaru BRZ or the Subaru WRX? If it’s long-term loans and depreciation costs then here’s a solution to your concerns. GoCar Subs has introduced a new Sports category to their subscription programme so Subaru lovers in Malaysia have an alternative solution for consideration.

For a start, the new category offers 2 popular sports models – the 203 PS Subaru BRZ with a top speed of 210 km/h and century sprint of 8.2 seconds and the 268 PS Subaru WRX, which delivers a top speed of 240 km/h to achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.


China's Toyota Alphard fighter, Hongqi HQ9 is here to shake up the market

Behold the Hongqi HQ9, China’s ultimate luxury brand, Hongqi’s, first-ever 7-seater MPV set to rival the likes of the Toyota Alphard. The MPV stands out amongst a sea of new MPVs as the HQ9 is not an electric vehicle (EV) but one powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE).

When you look at the HQ9, the first word that comes to mind is ‘fast’. Hongqi has managed to make the car look like it’s in motion thanks to the smart use of shoulder lines and unique features like the chrome inserts in the D-pillar.


Video: Strong Proton Iriz held up well after being hit by Audi A5 on KESAS, miraculously no injuries

Just because you have a powerful machine in your hands, it doesn’t mean that the highway is a race circuit. One Audi A5 driver learned it the hard way on the night of 11-January 2023.

According to a viral Facebook post, at around 9.45 pm, a Proton Iriz driven by the daughter of a Facebook user, FP MI Sales, was violently rammed in the rear by the speeding coupe on the KESAS highway near Awan Besar.


Subaru Forester SK 2019 Review

Subaru is one of the most popular Japanese car brands. It enjoys a good reputation in the industry with its horizontal opposed-engine and left-right symmetrical four-wheel drive system. As a low-key and pragmatic representative, some of subaru's product highlights often need to be more in-depth experience to find. We bring you the report of the new generation (5th generation) forester after the in-depth experience.

If only from the appearance of the interior design changes, it does not seem to meet the standards of the replacement model, after all, and the old model has too many similarities. But most of the details have been redesigned. Compared to the old model, it has fuller front lines and thicker mid-mesh grille. Headlights use more angular edges to enhance sharpness. The fog lamp area has been added with more eye-catching chrome decorative parts, which increase the sense of movement to a greater extent.


Spied! The Hyundai compact MPV spotted testing on the road

We previously reported the upcoming compact MPV, the Hyundai Custo, in China. Now the MPV has been spotted again, but this time testing on the streets of Korea.

It looks like the new MPV will share the same brake lights as the new Tucson and Santa Fe that were spied testing earlier this year. From the front, it suggests that the MPV will also share the new Hyundai Santa Fe’s Thor hammer/ Keris DRLs.


347 accidents involving e-hailing riders recorded from Jan to July 2021

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) revealed that a total of 347 accidents involving e-hailing riders were recorded nationwide in the first seven months of 2021. 48 of these cases resulted in the death of the rider.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) deputy director Datuk Mohd Nadzri Hussain noted to the media that the number of cases recorded in 2021 far exceeds the numbers recorded in the same period of 2020.


Toyota Raize overtakes Corolla as Japan’s No.1 selling new car

Japan’s best-selling car is no longer the Toyota Corolla, but the Toyota Raize. Since it went on sale in Japan last November, the Raize has been climbing up the sales charts.
In the first six months of 2020, the Toyota Raize was sold 58,942 times over, surpassing the Toyota Corolla’s 57,235 units and Honda Fit (Jazz)’s 50,029 units.


2021 BMW iX is an X5-sized EV with 600 km range, 500 PS, and a massive grille that it doesn't need

Yesterday saw the reveal of BMW’s latest electric car – the 2021 BMW iX. Following the trajectory of the BMW i4 concept, G80 M3, and G82 M4, the iX sports an unmissable kidney grille upfront. Whether beautiful or not, it certainly gives a visual impact.
Referred to as an SAV, The BMW iX is comparable with the BMW X5 in length and width, and is almost the same height as the BMW X6. The wheelbase of the iX is 3,000 mm
Let’s look at the stats:


2021 Honda City reclaims top spot as India's best-selling sedan as Vios exits market

The 2021 Honda City has once again topped Indian sales in September, outselling its immediate rivals by a wide margin.
According to GaadiWaadi.com, the 3,348 units of the Honda City were delivered in September, far outpacing immediate rivals such as the Suzuki Ciaz (981 units), Hyundai Verna (879 units) and Skoda Rapid (473 units).

The Suzuki Ciaz sits a distant second from the Honda City

The City even outsold its cheaper sibling, the Honda Amaze which managed 2,063 units in September.


UMW Toyota projects 9% YTD sales increase despite April dip, credits new models for growth

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is optimistic about its long-term growth and is confident in its overall performance. Despite a modest 3% decrease in month-over-month sales in April 2022, UMWT is projecting a positive increase of 9% in year-to-date sales registered for April 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

In April 2023, UMWT sold a total of 6,681 Toyota and 86 Lexus new vehicles and is on track to achieving its mid-year sales target, even with the shorter operating month. Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver strong year-on-year growth.


2020 Toyota Corolla Cross debuts, coming to Malaysia – 1.8L Hybrid, full ADAS

The first-ever Toyota Corolla Cross has made its global debut in Thailand. All preliminary speculations of Toyota’s latest C-segment SUV have all turned out to be correct, except for its price. More on that later.

Toyota has confirmed that the Corolla Cross is built on the Toyota Corolla Altis’ (and C-HR’s) TNGA-C platform, but with a different rear suspension. While the Corolla Altis/C-HR uses a more complex double wishbone setup for superior ride and handling, the Corolla Cross uses a simpler, more space efficient torsion beam setup.


Priced from RM 92k, new 2021 Nissan Navara NP300 (D23) is ready to truck up the competition

A little over a couple of weeks ago, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), gave the media a preview of the new, updated imported from Thailand (CBU) 2021 Nissan Navara NP300 (D23). Its tough looks certainly bring back the return of the Mother Trucker name to Nissan's pick-up in Malaysia.

2021 Nissan Navara Facelift prices

Variant
Price

2.5L Single Cab Manual
RM 91,900

2.5L SE Manual
RM 110,900

2.5L SE Auto
RM 116,900

2.5L V Auto
RM 125,500

2.5L VL Auto
RM 137,900

2.5L Pro-4X Auto
RM 142,200

With 6 variants offered, prices range from RM 91,900 for the Single Cab variant to RM 142,200 for the range-topping Pro-4X. The prices listed are on-the-road inclusive of SST, without insurance.

**Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is only offered on the VL

Obviously, what has been enhanced on the Navara is its look. The biggest change on this facelift is the signature V-Motion front fascia. Depending on the variant, you could get chrome or black trims.


Video: Chasing a FD2R in the Proton Saga R3 racecar on Sepang!

We joined Proton R3 race team to catch up on their latest activities and were treated to a taxi ride in their newly built Proton Saga R3 racecar that is based on the new facelifted 2019 Proton Saga.
According to the engineers, the Saga was already a very competitive platform to begin with. This accelerated the development process and allowed the team to focus on fine-tuning the car’s settings.


680 PS, 900 Nm Maxus Mifa EV MPV will go on sale in China later this year, exports possible

Concept car shown

Back at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show in April, SAIC Motor’s subsidiary, Maxus, brought out the Maxus Mifa concept car – a seven-seater electric MPV with a claimed range of 600 km.

But the Mifa may not be a concept car for long, as Maxus has said that the Mifa will be entering series production later this year, with exports in the pipeline.

Production version teased, note the different side mirror

The sole teaser photo posted by Maxus shows a silhouette very similar to the concept car, including its dual-tone black roof and slim LED headlight. The only difference, at least from this teaser photo, is the side mirrors, which look to be a regular-type, as opposed to the concept car’s slim units.


Behold the Bodo Chronus, legit the car's name is Bodo

This tiny Perodua Axia size/ Proton Iriz lookalike car is an electric vehicle  (EV) made by a company from China named Bodo. It has a top speed of 69 km/h and it is trying to establish itself in Europe.
Jokes aside, Bodo is read in Chinese as “bao dao” that directly translates into “precious island”. The full name of the company is Wuxi Bodo Electric Vehicle Inc. So, no, the company is not trying to name themselves “bodoh” in an effort to humour us.


Counting down to interstate travel; DG announces travel ban lift in few days

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has announced that the government will be lifting the interstate travel ban in a few days.
In his tweet, Noor Hisham did not state when exactly the travel restriction will be lifted but we estimate that it should be another four or five more days, maybe less if the country reaches 90 percent vaccination rate among adults.

In next couple of days interstate travel restriction will be lifted. It’s important to take all precautions like wearing a mask, washing yr hands & physical distancing even for those vaccinated

In keeping yr loved ones & family safe, please do periodic saliva RTK Ag self-testing window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/22557728108/MY_Article_Middle_leaderboard_pc', [
  728,
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], 'div-gpt-ad-1670926945518-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.enableServices(); });  googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1670926945518-0'); });
— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) October 6, 2021

The government had earlier announced that the interstate travel ban would be lifted when 90 percent of the adult population are fully vaccinated.
As of 6-October-2021, the adult vaccination rate has reached 88.8 percent. Based on the numbers of the past few days, we should be able to reach 90 percent in at least four days.

Noor Hisham also took the opportunity to remind travellers to always adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) like wearing a mask and observing physical distancing, even for those who are vaccinated.
He also encourages the public to do periodic RTK AG self-testing to keep their loved ones and family safe.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also echoes the sentiment. He said that as the nation is transitioning into endemicity, it would depend on personal responsibility and behaviour in ensuring a safe opening.


This Mercedes has a BMW heart: Sacrilege or genius?

Since time immemorial, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been at each other’s throats, vying for supremacy on the racetrack and showrooms. But, what if, just for once, they put their competitive differences aside and brought their engineering know-how to create a car together?

BMW's M88 engine, featuring individual throttle bodies

Well, left-field German tuners Hartge (think Alpina, Brabus, and the likes) made that a reality in 1988 by shoehorning a BMW M88 straight-six engine into a Mercedes W124 chassis, and named it the F1 (curiously unrelated to the sport itself). Yes, the same M88 engine that powered BMW’s first supercar, the M1 and also saw duty on the E24 M635 CSi (you know, the M6 before it was called the M6) and the E28 M5. As far as engine conversions go, this is by far the most unlikely one we’ve ever come across.


Never mind the Ativa, this raised-up Daihatsu Rocky e:Smart Hybrid is what you need for floods

Two distinctive Rocky e:Smart versions to be showcased
Premium Version gets contrast blue highlights
Crossfield Version is ready to tackle the wilderness

At the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, which is set to happen from 14- to 16-January, Daihatsu will be showcasing two modified examples of the Daihatsu Rocky e:Smart Hybrid.

The first is called the Rocky Premium Version, which gets a slick silver paintjob with contrasting blue highlights. The blue paint is applied to various parts of the exterior, including the front fog light housing, body cladding, side mirrors, and roof. According to Daihatsu, the Rocky Premium Version is supposed to be a “cool premium compact SUV that suits the city”.


KPDNHEP's Internet Explorer finally loads and they've discovered that people are scalping TnG NFC cards online

It would appear that the enforcement division at the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry (KPDNHEP) are still using Internet Explorer as the lagging browser has finally loaded at their office and they’ve discovered that certain parties are scalping the Touch ‘n Go (TnG) Enhanced NFC Card online at exorbitant prices.
A report by Bernama states that the ministry will be taking action against those parties reselling the cards for a profit online. The cards officially went on sale in April this year and are officially priced at RM 10. You are supposedly able to buy them via the TnG e-wallet app or at selected petrol stations but supply has been almost non-existent.


7 photos of the 2022 MG HS PHEV facelift; 67 km electric range, first launch outside China

While the 2022 MG ZS EV facelift stood in the limelight at the 2022 Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS), sitting alongside it and enjoying a quieter launch is the 2022 MG HS Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) facelift. Priced from THB 1,299,000 (~RM 164,000), the new MG HS PHEV features a new look to match its family.
Although MG Thailand calls this a ‘minor change’ there is nothing minor with the changes in looks for the MG HS. Gone is the chrome sunken grille and in its place is a more stylish black grille known as the Digital Burning Grille design.


Closer Look: 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander - bigger than the BR-V and Aruz!

We've seen it on our roads, and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has confirmed its imminent launch - so let's take a closer look at what we can expect from the 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander, courtesy of our sister site Autofun.co.th.
Ready up Perodua Aruz/Toyota Rush and Honda BR-V, you'll have a new competitor.
Exterior design:

The Mitsubishi Xpander is certainly a looker and definitely stands out from the masses. It bears the same pronounced front fascia as on the Mitsubishi Triton.


Owner review:  The budding motorsports trainer car, the poorman AE86 Corolla, My 1982 Toyota Corolla KE70

** This article is published on WapCar Community, representing the opinion of users. Click the link below to enter the community for car enthusiasts in Malaysia
https://forum.wapcar.my/

Basic information of my car:
1982 Toyota Corolla KE70


Replacing the CR-V in Japan, hybrid Honda ZR-V preferred over turbo

As Japan says sayonara to the poor-selling Honda CR-V, its replacement, the Civic-based Honda ZR-V has been gaining quite a lot of attention among buyers in the land of the rising sun.

Pre-orders for the ZR-V began on 8-September 2022 while prices are expected to be announced on 17-November 2022. According to Honda Japan’s website, deliveries for the Civic-based crossover will begin in the second quarter of 2023.


Should you buy the Volkswagen Golf now or wait for the all-new model?

The Volkswagen Golf, in its current 7th generation form, may be a couple of years old, but it is still quite a capable alternative.
With options such as the Ford Focus and Volvo V40 bowing out of our market, leaving the Volkswagen Golf as the only European C-segment hatchback available on sale.


At RM 28k, a used 2nd-gen Nissan X-Trail is an underrated gem

If you’re looking for a used, spacious, no-frills SUV for your daily runabouts for under RM 40k, you might be looking at the third-generation Honda CR-V. But here’s an option that most might have overlooked, which is an even more refined car – a second-generation Nissan X-Trail (T31).


FMCO Day 4: Azmin explains why many companies still yet to receive operation approval

It is Day 4 of the total lockdown during the Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0, or as the media is calling it, Full MCO (FMCO). However it seems that many companies who have applied to continue operation during the 14-day lockdown has yet to receive their permits. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has finally addressed the slow rate of approval.
According to the International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, MITI is not the only ministry dishing out approvals, although companies register themselves via MITI’s Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) 3.0.


Volvo Car Malaysia extends its factory warranty for free

Volvo Car Malaysia has revised its warranty programme to a factory five-years/unlimited mileage for all privately owned Volvo cars registered from 1 January 2021 onwards. This comes after the announcement of the hybrid battery warranty extension.

In previous years, Volvo car owners were entitled to the standard three-year/100,000km factory warranty with a combined two-years/20,000km Extended Warranty Programme (EWP) provided by an external insurance partner.


RFID sticker holders are now on sale on Shopee. Purchase at your own risk!

We’re used to seeing these atas acrylic road tax holders with suction cups, now, a few sellers on Shopee are selling smaller versions of these acrylic holders specifically created for RFID tags!
Just like our current road tax stickers, the adhesive glue used on the RFID tags leave heavy residue on the surface and is very hard to remove. This has been the bane of the existence for many second-hand car owners as their beloved new-old cars come with an RFID sticker mark.


Proton says the Saga outsold the Perodua Bezza, but did it really?

The updated Proton Saga is now the best-selling model in the A-segment class. According to Proton, the Proton Saga had broken the 4,000 unit sales per month barrier for three consecutive months, bringing its cumulative sales for 2019 to 34,422 units.
The number represents a 32 percent year-on-year growth.


Spied: Bigger wheels on 2021 Proton Iriz and Persona - improved looks for both cars?

Proton is not making any bones about testing the upcoming Proton Persona and Proton Iriz facelifts - we've seen them touring around Malaysia many times, and now we have info that they'll be getting bigger wheels.

A closer look at the multi-spoke wheels. Seems promising!

Last year, both cars were spotted rolling on new wheels and courtesy of our friends at Funtasticko, we've learnt that they're 16-inch units. That's a small size bump from the current 15-inch wheels both cars come with.

Is this the upcoming Proton Iriz 'R3 Edition?'

The wheels are just small part of the facelift exercise. Recall that the pair will drop their not-very-punchy CVTs for a torque-converter 4-speed automatic transmission, in addition to introducing new variants of the duo - one of which is highly touted to be the 'Iriz Active'.


Leaked: 2021 Peugeot 3008 facelift - Honda CR-V competitor to get sharper looks!

Rumoured to appear sometime in September to October 2020, images of the facelifted 2021 Peugeot 3008 have leaked online - looking sharper than ever.

Photo credit: Creative311.com

Through this post on Forum-Peugeot.com, it seems that the 3008 has a more aggressive front fascia compared to the outgoing version.


New Peugeot 3008 facelift debuts with 520 Nm, double the torque of Honda City RS

Peugeot has just introduced the new Peugeot 3008 facelift, featuring a redesigned front end, new Full LED rear lights, and new body colours. A new "Black Pack” paskage is now available alongside options like the “Active Pack”, and “GT Pack”.
Powertrain Highlights
The updated 3008 is available with a gasoline powertrain (3 variants), diesel powertrain (2 variants), and hybrid powertrain (2 variants).
Petroleum Gasoline variants:


Bad case of pedal misoperation! Perodua Myvi crashed into supermarket, injuring one

A senior citizen crashed his Perodua Myvi into the Tesco supermarket in Puchong yesterday. A fast-food employee was injured in the process.

According to the police, the 64-year-old driver had just completed his shopping and was about to leave the supermarket when he stepped on the wrong pedal.


Volvo's take on an electric Alphard; EV MPV to launch later this year, based on Geely's SEA platform

  Spy picture and render by SugarDesign

The battery-electric (BEV) MPV space is one of China's fastest growing segments, Volvo's newest entrant in the competition is bound to spice things up a bit as evidenced in this spot by a Weibo user in China.

The family genealogy between this as-yet-unnamed Volvo EV MPV is clear; the headlights are reminiscent to the EX30/EX90's in shape and details. Going further up the family tree, notice the general body shape and lines around the window are similar to the Zeekr 009, produced by Geely.


2022 Mazda CX-60 officially debuts – PHEV AWD for Europe, 6-cyl RWD to launch later

New 8-speed AT
AWD is biased towards rear wheels
6-cyl RWD variants to be introduced later

Mazda is fully banking on SUVs with the launch of its first Large Product Group model, the 2022 Mazda CX-60. Sitting above the CX-5 in Mazda’s profitable SUV line-up, the CX-60 is meant for the European and Japanese market though this global debut is pertaining to the former.

The biggest news out of Mazda’s Large Product Group range might be the use of rear-wheel-drive (RWD) underpinnings that are combined with a range of inline-6 engines. For now, though, the CX-60 that is unveiled for Europe comes with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system and Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup that primarily drives the rear wheels.


New 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line open for booking in Malaysia, est RM210k

Today, Volkswagen Malaysia launched the 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line alongside the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line. At an estimated price of RM 210,000, the Passat R-line is now available for booking. The locally-assembled Volkswagen Passat R-Line is rivalled by other D-segment saloons like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Price
The R-line variant is a step above the Elegance Variant.
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI R-line – est RM210,000 (Price excluding SST to be confirmed)


All-new Nissan 400Z teased, new 405 PS Z-car will tango with the Supra

Nissan has just dropped a teaser video that confirms the imminent arrival of the next-generation Z-car.

Expected to be called Nissan 400Z, the upcoming Z-car will supersede the ageing 370Z, which has been on sale since 2008.


Toyota Indonesia introduces all-new Corolla Altis - hybrid variant debuts

PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), the official importer and distributor of Toyota vehicles in Indonesia has introduced the all-new twelfth-generation Corolla Altis.
For the Indonesian market, three variants of the all-new Corolla Altis are available, namely:

Corolla Altis 1.8G (IDR 468,200,000)
Corolla Altis 1.8V (IDR 489,300,000)
Corolla Altis Hybrid (IDR 566,300,000)

Power is derived from a 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that does 140 PS at 6,400 rpm and 172 Nm at 4,000 rpm. A CVT-type automatic sends power to the front wheels.


Geely brushes off pandemic to post 19% global sales growth for H1 2021

Geely Automobile Holdings Limited has announced its total sales volume for the H1 of 2021. Total sales volume in the first half of 2021 was 630,237 units.
This is an increase of approximately 19% from the same period last year, achieving 41% of the Group’s full year sales volume target of 1,530,000 units in 2021.

Geely Binyue aka Proton X50

For the month of June 2021, Geely sold 100,163 units, which includes sales of Lynk & Co vehicles. Compared to the same time period in 2020, this represents a 9% drop. However, compared to the month of May 2021, it is a 4% increase.


Mitsubishi's upcoming HR-V rival could look 80% similar to XFC Concept, debuting in August 2023

Whether it could be called the ASX or be given an entirely new name, Mitsubishi Motors will be debuting its upcoming B-segment SUV at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) in August 2023.

The Three Diamonds’ answer to the likes of the Honda HR-V, Proton X50, and Toyota Yaris Cross has been previewed in the form of the Mitsubishi XFC Concept which made its unveiling at the 2022 Vietnam Motor Show. However, it seems likely that the production version of the upcoming SUV will bear a lot of resemblance to the concept.


Review: Ora Good Cat – Affordable Porsche EV look-alike? Here’s what the Thai media says

While Malaysian debut of the Ora Good Cat is uncertain, Thailand will be launching the EV soon and our colleague, Pisan, over at AutoFun has had a go at it.
Exterior – Retro-yet-futuristic look

The Ora Good Cat attributes its good looks to former Porsche designer Emanuel Derta, which explains the Porsche-inspired look and feel of the overall car. Pisan from AutoFun adores the retro yet futuristic design.


Updated Mazda 6 range now on sale, priced from RM 173,659

Now with G-Vectoring Control Plus
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard
Available as a sedan or wagon

Bermaz Motor, the official distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia has introduced the updated Mazda 6 in Malaysia. Specifications have been improved (upgraded infotainment and GVC Plus) but prices have also gone up by quite a bit, no doubt due to the weakening Ringgit (the 6 is imported from Japan).

The new prices are:


The first-ever steering wheel was invented by Mercedes-Benz for racing

The very first automobile in the world made by Carl Benz in 1886 didn’t even have a steering wheel, it was just a lever. It wasn’t until nearly a decade later the steering wheel came about. So let’s rewind and take a step back into the history of steering wheels in Mercedes-Benz, before it was even named as such.

In 1886, the aforementioned first car in the world was only equipped with a simple steering lever because at the time, carriage drivers were used to pulling right or left to direct the horses.


Batu Tiga was once Malaysia's motor racing playground, what the heck happened?

2003 was the year that saw the end of an era in Malaysia. No, it wasn’t the “father of modern Malaysia” stepping down (for the first time), the third year of the new millennium saw the legendary Batu Tiga Circuit in Shah Alam demolished to make way for a new suburban housing project called D’Kayangan.

The Batu Tiga Circuit in the glory days (top) and its final days (bottom)

It’s a sad and depressing end for a circuit that was considered Malaysia’s home of motor racing. The demolition of the Batu Tiga Circuit was akin to destroying a sacred monument.
Though the Sepang Circuit is a work of technical and technological achievement, it loses out the grassroots authenticity of the 3.5-km long circuit located close to the heart of KL.


Millennials say car culture is for old people, who is to be blamed?

If you are reading this, it is safe to assume that you have some level of interest in cars. What about cars that made you interested in them? When and how did you started liking cars?
For me, it was when a silver E24 BMW M635CSi pulled up next to my dad’s Proton Saga. I was 5 years old but I still vividly remembered everything.