2020 MINI Convertible Sidewalk Edition launched in Malaysia, 20 units only!

MINI Malaysia follows up the highly anticipated launch of their MINI Convertible with a special Sidewalk Edition. The new 2020 MINI Convertible Sidewalk Edition features a more stylish colour scheme and uniquely designed equipment specifically for the special edition. The Sidewalk is limited to 20 units only.

The Sidewalk Edition is easily distinguishable from the standard MINI Convertible. Not only is the car finished in an exclusive Deep Laguna colour scheme, it is also topped off with a MINI Yours Soft-top Sidewalk that features the “Sidewalk” pattern interwoven in Titanium Grey.


Spied: 2021 BMW 330 Li spotted on a trailer, are they Malaysia- or Thailand-bound?

Just a few days after BMW Group Thailand launched the Malaysian-assembled (CKD) long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series (codenamed G28) in the Kingdom, we received photos of a car transporter that’s filled with BMW 330 Li. Where could they be heading?

Photo credit: flygosh_official

While the trailer appears to be on a Malaysian highway and the trailer is running on Malaysian plates, there is no way to confirm their final destination. We think that these are heading to our neighbours up north but the Malaysian launch is still imminent.

Thai-spec 330 Li M Sport shown

In the Kingdom, the long-wheelbase BMW 3 Series is only available with a single variant, the BMW 330 Li M Sport, and is priced at THB 2,899,000. As mentioned earlier, the Thai-spec 330 Li is assembled at BMW Group Malaysia’s assembly facility in Kulim.


Cycle & Carriage Bintang has opened its doors to its Alor Setar Autohaus

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C) and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s (MBM) has opened its doors to the Cycle & Carriage Autohaus in Alor Setar.


Owner Review: Every kilometre travelled is worth it - My 2013 Peugeot 2008 1.6 eHDi

** 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://www.wapcar.my/forum

Basic information
2013 Peugeot 2008 1.6 eHDi


Limited to 1,000 cars worldwide, the last Kia Stinger says 'annyeonghi gaseyo' with the Tribute Edition

The Kia Stinger is an underrated sports sedan designed to compete against the established Germans for a fraction of the price. Despite praises from the media, the Kia sports sedan stung in sales and 6 years after it was introduced, the Korean carmaker decided to drop the model.

In a bittersweet send-off, Kia decided to offer 1,000 units of the final run of the sports sedan with the Tribute Edition. Out of those 1,000 units planned worldwide, 440 units will be sold in the United States and are offered with a choice of the exclusive Steel Matte Grey or Ascot Green exterior colours.


Austrian chipmaker to open factory in Malaysia

AT&S, also known as AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG, a manufacturer of high-end printed circuit boards (PCB) and substrates for semiconductors will be setting up a production plant in Malaysia. The factory will be the first in South East Asia for the company.
The facility will be built at Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah. The facility involves a proposed total investment of RM 8.5 billion and will create 5,000 job opportunities in Malaysia is expected when the facility is online.


Mitsubishi overtakes Nissan to break into Top 5 ranking in Malaysia - Xpander and Triton pulling strong

Mitsubishi Xpander leads Honda BR-V
Mitsubishi Triton leads Isuzu D-Max
Sales up 91 percent

The Big-3 Japanese car brands in Malaysia is no longer Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. As of the end of 2021, it’s now Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) ended 2021 with 17,489 vehicles sold. That’s almost double its performance in 2020, when MMM shifted just 9,163 units.


Euro 2020’s star player is this small VW ID.4 R/C car named Tiny

During the opening match of Euro 2020 (held in 2021), viewers and fans were greeted to an interesting sight just before the game begins. Before Italy and Turkey kicked off, a Volkswagen ID.4 R/C car rolled onto the pitch carrying the official match ball as the referee picks it up.

Mind you, this wasn’t some pitch invasion of some sort but rather an ingenious way for a carmaker to promote itself at one of the world’s most-watched football tournaments.


You should sit down for this, because the next-gen C63 might be a 4-cylinder

Yes, you read that correctly. The next generation C63 will reportedly drop the traditional AMG V8 for an in-line 4. And that’s not all, it will also be all-wheel drive.

Bye-bye V8?

Before you get your pitchforks out to storm Affalterbach, this is reported by Autocar so it isn’t official yet. But we wouldn’t want to get your hopes up because what was mentioned does make sense, unfortunately.
The biggest factor contributing to the change would be the ever-increasing efforts to reduce emissions. That's just how it is now.


Kia to use Seltos-based MPV to fight Suzuki Ertiga

Kia Motors is planning to re-enter the compact MPV market come 2021. The Indian media reported that Kia has recently given the green light for their compact MPV project to proceed. The compact MPV will likely be built on the Kia Seltos platform and will go up against the Suzuki Ertiga in India.
News of a compact MPV project from Kia broke in February. The compact MPV will fit between the Kia Seltos SUV and the Kia Carnival MPV that are already on sale in India.
As mentioned, the MPV will likely be built on the same platform as the Kia Seltos, but will reportedly be a complete redesign from the ground up.


Sarawak drives lead of hydrogen cars; receives 5 units of Toyota Mirai FCEV from UMWT

UMW Toyota Motor today handed over four units of Toyota Mirai to SEDC Energy, and together, handed over one unit of the Toyota Mirai to the Premier of Sarawak, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.

This marks yet another step towards delivering 'Mobility for All' and producing ‘Happiness for All’ underpinned by Toyota’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and Sarawak’s Green Mobility and Green Energy Initiatives.


New vs Old – 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak facelift vs pre-facelift

Yesterday, Ford debuted the 2021 Ford Ranger Wildtrak facelift in Thailand and it looks, well the same doesn’t it?
The Ranger will be competing against the recently updated Toyota Hilux, the facelifted Nissan Navara, and the all-new Mazda BT-50 when it comes to Malaysia in 2021.


New vs Old: 2021 G30 BMW 530i LCI – Changes where it matters

BMW Malaysia launched the new 2021 G30 BMW 530i facelift (LCI) in Malaysia a couple of days ago. The model is locally-assembled (CKD) at BMW’s Kulim plant.
Two variants are available at launch, namely the 530e and the 530i, but we’re focusing on the latter. The 530i is the current range-topping variant in BMW Malaysia's 5 Series line-up.


No longer a speculation, Toyota bZ4X confirmed to launch in Malaysia in 2023

UMW Toyota Motor has formally confirmed that ‘several units’ of the fully electric Toyota bZ4X are already in Malaysia, and that the model will be launched very soon in 2023.
This was confirmed by President K. Ravindran at a media event today evening.
The battery EV bZ4X will complement the company’s Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid in achieving the brand’s carbon neutrality ambitions for this region.


Inter-state travelled allowed for certain fully-vaccinated groups from 10-August onwards

From 10-August-2021 onwards, certain groups of fully-vaccinated Malaysians that have observed their 14 days inoculation period will be allowed to travel inter-state.
The groups allowed to travel across state borders include long-distance couples as well as parents who have children (aged below 18) that are studying in different states.


Honda WR-V's Stellar Diamond Pearl colour could be introduced on upcoming City facelift

The new Stellar Diamond Pearl introduced for the first time on the 2023 Honda WR-V won’t be exclusive to the WR-V alone.
As opposed to certain model highlight colours which are model specific, the Stellar Diamond Pearl could be offered on more upcoming Honda models, depending on customer demand.
Also read: Here to battle the Ativa, 2023 Honda WR-V launched in Malaysia; priced from RM 90 k, 1.5 NA, Sensing


Kia’s switch from Naza to Bermaz might not bring much change, here’s why

Although yet to be announced officially, Kia’s impending departure from Naza Kia Malaysia is an open secret.
The public don't have a lot of nice things to say about Naza Kia Malaysia’s handling of the Korean marque, and many netizens have expressed hopes that the Korean marque is in for a better future under Bermaz, but are they being overly optimistic?


Owner Review: The Malaysian all-rounder - My 2020 Perodua Myvi 1.5H

** 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://www.wapcar.my/forum

Basic information about my car:
Perodua Myvi 1.5H, White, 2020


Looking for a used, dependable SUV? The 4th-gen Honda CR-V should be your prime choice

If there’s an SUV that has dominated the Malaysian market, it’s the Honda CR-V. It just ticks so many boxes for so many buyers. Comfort? Check. Practicality? Check. Reliability? Check.
Now that a used fourth-generation Honda CR-V has become more attainable – a quick search will reveal average prices of around RM 60k - 70k – it might be worth considering if you’re looking for more space than what new cars at that price range can offer.


Yet another Honda Civic Type R sold for nearly half a million Ringgit. What gives?

I bet to the outside world, us car people look like a bunch of loons. We ogle over what people think are just tools to go places, and sometimes, those tools look like normal Honda Civics but cost a lot. Almost RM 400,000 a lot.


Spied: Possibly your first look at the right-hand drive (RHD) Proton X90!

After months of looking at the Proton X90’s exterior spyshots as it wanders around our streets, we now have a very real, clearer picture of the SUV's cabin and closer details.

CW Awei's tip in a Facebook group, shows the X90’s interior boasting a nice brushed metal/black interior finish. Not too many details are visible from this one picture, but at least there's a good view of the flat-bottomed steering wheel and leather seats.


Spied: D92A 2022 Toyota Vios is a baby Camry with a 1.5L 3-cylinder NA hybrid variant of the GR Yaris' engine

Here it is, a first glimpse of the upcoming, 2022 Toyota Vios, currently under development by Daihatsu, referred to internally as project D92A.
Yes, the all-new generation Toyota Vios is a Daihatsu (and Perodua)-developed product. Under the Toyota Motor group’s new structure, a new Toyota-Daihatsu internal company called Emerging Market Car Company (EMCC) will be responsible developing of compact cars for emerging markets.

Structure of EMCC. TDEM refers to Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing

Under EMCC, Daihatsu (which also includes Perodua) will be responsible for product development for emerging-market compact cars, which will include:


Owner Review: The heritage hot hatch - My Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk. 7

** This article is the personal experience of a 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mark 7 owner and does not necessarily reflect the views of WapCar.
Facebook: Suhanesh Chandra


2020 Proton Saga Anniversary Edition launched in Malaysia - only 1,100 units, from RM 39,300

In conjunction with the Proton Saga turning 35 years old, Proton has just introduced the 2020 Proton Saga Anniversary Edition in Malaysia. The new Saga Anniversary Edition will be limited to just 1,100 units.
The 2020 Saga Anniversary Edition is priced from RM 39,300 (0% SST), same as the Saga 1.3 Premium it is based on. With SST in place, the Saga Anniversary Edition is priced from RM 39,800.


Watch the 2021 Perodua Ativa (D55L) launch at 8pm tonight

As reported earlier, today is the day that everyone has been waiting for – Perodua will be launching the 2021 Perodua Ativa (D55L) virtually at 8pm tonight.
Update: The Perodua Ativa has been launched. Details here.


Tesla Model S Plaid unveiled: 1,100 PS, 0-100 in less than 2 seconds

During the Battery Day, Elon Musk has unveiled the Tesla Model S Plaid - basically the Tesla Model S on steroids. The presentation took place in front of a crowd of Tesla enthusiasts with their Tesla cars, very much like a drive-in cinema.
*Photographs of Tesla Model S at the Nürburgring Nordschleife: Automotive Mike


2022 Ora Good Cat sales put on hold in Thailand and it's all Putin's fault

Thailand buyers seem to be very accepting of the 2022 Ora Good Cat with it netting over 10,000 bookings in just a week. The cool electric cat car is poised to snatch the best-selling EV title in the Kingdom in 2022 from the MG ZS EV but it seems to hit a snag thanks to a selfish war happening thousands of kilometres away.

Ora’s parent company, Great Wall Motors (GWM) Thailand has announced on its website that it will be pausing further reservations for the Good Cat indefinitely starting today (20-April).


Indonesia starts work on SEA’s first EV battery manufacturing plant – cuts reliance on commodity exports

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo officiated a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the construction of South East Asia’s first electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant.
Operated by PT HKML Indonesia, the company is joint venture between South Korea’s LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor Group with PT Industri Baretai Indonesia (Indonesia Battery Industry, IBC).

President Jokowi, father of Indonesia's electric vehicle industry?

The plant will be operational by 2024, with an initial production capacity of up to 10 GWh per year.


Starting price for G20 2023 BMW 3 Series LCI has increased by RM 26k!

As expected, there are significant increase in prices of the new 2023 BMW 3 Series (LCI). Where the previous model started from RM 257,800 for the entry 320i variant, inclusive of 5-year warranty and service package, the new 320i now starts from RM 283,800.
This follows an earlier announcement by BMW Group Malaysia saying that there will be an increase in prices of its 2023 models, due to global inflation and increase in manufacturing cost.


Electric Kia CV to be first to wear new logo, 2021 Kia Seltos to follow

Following the announcement of its new brand logo, Kia today confirmed at an online media Q&A session with the international press that the first model to wear the new Kia logo will be an electric crossover, which is still currently under development with the codename CV.

The electric crossover was previewed in 2019 as the Imagine by Kia concept. The production version of the car will make its global debut within the first quarter of this year.


Volkswagen Passat R-Line to be launched later in Malaysia


VW teases 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan facelift

The current Volkswagen Tiguan has been on sale here since 2017, and it desperately needs a facelift, particularly in the safety department if it wants to fight the likes of Proton X70 and Honda CR-V. Details on the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan are sparse, but Volkswagen has released the teaser image sketch above, showing an entirely new front end that has the vibe of the recently launched 2020 Volkswagen Passat.

The current Volkswagen Tiguan on sale in Malaysia.

The facelifted front end is consistent with the leaked spy shot of the facelifted Volkswagen Tiguan we posted before, and it looks like its ready to be revealed. It won’t come soon to Malaysia of course, but when it does expect the Tiguan to give it's rival a good fight.


Car workshops have to list mechanic details and parts origin starting now

Under a new ruling by the Government, workshops will have to display the names of mechanics and their qualifications, as well as spare part origins from now on.
In an effort to provide customers with more transparency and confidence when choosing workshops, the ruling was meted out by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living as part of the Consumer Protection (Workshops Information Disclosure) Regulations 2022, effective 1-July 2023.
Also read: Higher maintenance cost looms in Malaysia as prices of car parts hike up to 60%


3k units of the 2021 Perodua Ativa (D55L) to be delivered every month

The 2021 Perodua Ativa is here and for those who has placed a booking can collect their cars as soon as today.
Since opening bookings on 19-February, Perodua has received roughly 5,000 bookings for their new SUV.


CMCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya to extend another 2 more weeks

The National Security Council (MKN) announced today that they have decided to extend the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya by another 2 more weeks. With the new extension, the reinstated CMCO will end on 9 November 2020.
CMCO was reinstated in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya on 14 October 2020 following the rise in Covid-19 numbers in this region.
Even though CMCO was reinstated, MKN still observed new clusters forming in these states, one of which is the Auto Cluster involving employees from Proton’s Centre of Excellence HQ.


2022 Honda Civic FE gets over 3,500 bookings in Thailand in one month

The Honda Civic FE is off to a flying start in Thailand after the company announced the new model has received over 3,500 bookings in just the first month of sales.
Honda Thailand expects the new Civic FE to repeat the success of the predecessor Civic FC, by again becoming the best seller in its class. Thailand was the first market in this region to receive the Civic FE, which, like in Malaysia, competes with the Toyota Corolla Altis and Mazda 3.


The RM 218K Electric MINI Cooper SE is sold out in Malaysia!

Following its success in Australia (100 units sold out), the 25 units of the MINI Cooper SE have been sold out in Malaysia. Launched in Malaysia less than a month ago, the electric MINI was only available in the three-door option.
The MINI Cooper SE’s price tag of RM 218,380 is lower than what we expected it to be. The attractive price could be the reason for its success in Malaysia. The BMW i3s is priced much higher than that.
Being an electric car, the road tax of MINI is charged by the amount of power output. With 184 PS, a total of RM 724 is charged for the MINI’s road tax.


Insurance body: Windscreen replacement for cars with ADAS costs 4x more, improper calibration post-repair a concern

A survey by USA’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that about half of cars equipped with advance driving aids systems (ADAS) features that for whatever reason, required repairs, no longer work properly after repairs were made.
ADAS is a generic term for an umbrella of driver assistance features like frontal collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, or blind spot monitoring.
“Most of the more than 3,000 owners we contacted said they had never needed to have their crash avoidance features repaired, but for the minority of owners who did, the problems weren’t always resolved easily,” said IIHS Senior Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, who designed the survey. “Many had issues with the technology afterward, and some said they had to have the same feature repaired more than once. Still, the vast majority said they would buy a vehicle equipped with the technology again and most were satisfied with the out-of-pocket cost.”


2021 Geneva International Motor Show cancelled!

Bad news for the motor show lovers, as the Federal Council of the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) has decided to cancel the 2021 stage as well.
The decision is made following the Committee and the Foundation Board held a survey with the GIMS exhibitors. A majority of their exhibitors have stated that they would probably not be participating in the 2021 edition should there be one held.
The automotive sector is currently going through a difficult phase as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As so, they would need time to recover from the effects and would forgo participating in the 2021 GIMS should there be one.


Yet to arrive in Malaysia, 2022 Hyundai Palisade facelift spied in Korea!

The Hyundai Palisade is a gargantuan SUV that directly challenges the Mazda CX-9 and is currently available in Indonesia and Singapore. Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has also hinted that the flagship SUV is due to arrive in Malaysia soon.

While the model arrived in Southeast Asia pretty recently, it has been on sale in other markets like the U.S.A. and South Korea since 2018. Hence, Hyundai will be giving the Palisade a mid-cycle refresh by 2022.


The all-new 2020 Nissan Almera’s engine has something lifted from the R35 GT-R!

Mirror Bore Coating Technology – fancy name, but this is the feature that unites both the recently-introduced all-new 2020 Nissan Almera and the legendary Nissan GT-R.
Now, before we get into technicalities, let’s recap what does the all-new Nissan Almera bring to the table.


2021 Suzuki Jimny spotted at Naza, launch in Malaysia imminent

It looks like Naza Eastern Motor, the new distributor of Suzuki models in Malaysia, is gearing up to launch the 2021 Suzuki Jimny in Malaysia real soon.

As seen in these photos, this Jungle Green example of the Jimny is seen parked beside the 2021 Suzuki Swift Sport – the latter was launched in Malaysia earlier this year.


A new car with Android Auto from just RM50k? Here's the list of the cheapest cars with it

It is no surprise that I am a strong believer of Android Auto – it encompasses everything you could possibly ask for in an infotainment system, including voice command, navigation, and music streaming.
There's no need to fawn over the Proton X70's voice command, which we have to add, doesn't come with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. With Android Auto, you use voice control to read/reply WhatsApp messages and enter a destination to Google Maps or Waze, as well as selecting your playlist on Spotify using a simple, fast, safe for driving controls.
For the longest time, Android Auto has been exclusive to top-tier marques, such as Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Not many sub-RM100k cars offered this feature, until now.


Spied! 2021 Nissan Magnite production car testing on road

The upcoming Nissan Magnite Concept was just unveiled last week, but the production car is already spotted testing on the roads of India. From the picture, it looks like the production 2021 Nissan Magnite is very close to the concept in looks.
Nissan’s smallest SUV will bear the most resemblance with the bigger 2020 Nissan Kicks. The Magnite shares the same sweptback headlamps and a large octagonal grille finished with chrome trim.
As seen on the concept, the production Magnite also features a sculpted bonnet, add the sculpted bonnet with the sweptback headlamps and you get a decidedly Samurai looking front-end.


Malaysia-bound 2021 Honda City Hatchback - All your questions answered

Unveiled back in Thailand in November, the 2021 Honda City Hatchback is Honda’s answer to the popular Toyota Yaris.

Based on the GN-series City, the City Hatchback will supersede the ageing, but uber practical Jazz in this region.


Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X called to escort Covid-19 vaccines in Malaysia

The important news over the weekend was the arrival of the first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Malaysia. But we’re more interested that the vaccine was escorted by 2 angry looking Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X police cars.
It has been a while since the Royal Malaysian Police’s (PDRM) Evo X has appeared on the news, the model has been flying under the radar for years.


Chery plans to build 30k cars in Malaysia for local and export markets; new models to bump demand

Following the launch of its two hotly anticipated models – the Chery Tiggo 8 and Omoda 5 – Chery Malaysia reaffirmed its larger overarching plan of building up to 30k vehicles in a year for both Malaysia and other export markets.
However, admittedly, Chery Malaysia says this will still take time.
Also read: Priced from RM 109k, CKD Chery Omoda 5 launched in Malaysia: 2 variants, 1.5 turbo, full ADAS


Rendered: 2020 Perodua D55L imagined with the Bezza’s front-end

Rendering guru, The Ajerul, has rendered the upcoming 2020 Perodua D55L with a twist, giving the new B-segment SUV the Bezza’s front-end.

The front-end of this D55L gets a front-end that is largely inspired by the Bezza, including the front bumper and front fog light surrounds. The headlights are lifted off the Toyota Raize/Daihatsu Rocky, flanking a new front grille.


Honda Malaysia and SoCar provides 50 Honda Citys for frontliners

Honda Malaysia has collaborated with SoCar to provide 50 units of Honda City for Honda customers working at the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.
Frontliners (who are also Honda owners) who are unable to access their vehicles during this period will be able to use these Honda Citys for 1 month as a temporary mobility solution for them to carry out their duties.


Perodua announces March 2022 sales; all but confirms D27A Perodua Alza's launch

Lest we forget, Perodua is associated with Toyota under the UMW Group’s automotive division. That translates into a stellar few months for the group as sales for both brands surged ahead. More importantly, a statement by the group addressing this also let the cat out of the bag that Perodua will be launching some new models this year, one of which will surely be the new Alza.
The group on a whole delivered 35,246 units in March 2022, a 48 percent bump up than the 23,853 units sold in February 2022.


March 2022 vehicle sales are 62.5 percent higher than month before, exceeds target for Q1

sales growth by 62.5 percent over February 2022
exceeds Q1 target, on track to meet TIV of 600,000 units
April 2022 sales expected to drop due to chip and component shortage

It appears that vehicle sales in the country for the first quarter of 2022 may have been running an extremely laggy turbo with sales climbing extremely slowly before full boost kicked in for the month of March 2022 that saw sales grow by a massive 62.5 percent of the preceding month.
The total number of sales for March 2022 clocks in at 73,222 units against the 43,722 units sold in February 2022 as well as 12.8 percent higher over the corresponding period in 2021.
Also Read: Vehicle sales in Feb 2022 has begun to show signs of recovery, 8 percent higher than Jan


After Volvo, Renault to cap their cars to 180 km/h, including Renault Sport models

Speedo photo credit: L'argus

Roughly one year ago, Volvo announced their intention to limit their cars to 180 km/h and was met with mixed response across the board. Some lauded the move, others less so.
But now, it seems like the next manufacturer to follow that move is Renault.

During a recent general meeting, Renault’s CEO Luca de Meo recently announced that future Renault models will be capped to 180 km/h, regardless of model.


To calm the angry public, LLM to speak to PLUS and TnG to reduce price of RFID stickers

In a report by Free Malaysia Today (FMT), the Malaysian Highway Authority (Lembaga Lebuh Raya Malaysia, LLM) plans to discuss the price reduction of RFID tags with PLUS as well as Touch ‘n Go. A source told FMT the government was looking to calm the displeased public.

Currently, the price of an RFID sticker stands at RM 35, which cannot be installed inside the car. Instead, it is placed on either the external side of the windscreen or headlamps. The source said to FMT, “The problem is wear-and-tear. They can be damaged after several car washes.”


Tan Chong signs MoU with China’s GAC, entry to Malaysia and Vietnam under study

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s GAC Motor to evaluate the possibility of TCMH distributing GAC vehicles in Malaysia and Vietnam, said the company in a filing Bursa Malaysia made on Tuesday.

GAC GA8

This comes two month after an earlier MoU announcement by TCMH with yet another Chinese company SAIC GM Wuling, which is already active in Indonesia.

GAC GA8

The MoU with Wuling will expire on 31-December 2020 and with no follow-up announcement, the deal has most likely fallen through.


Honda to be fully EV by 2040, goodbye VTEC and Type R

The future for Honda is electric, as the Tokyo-based company has committed to go fully-electric by 2040.

Yes, by 2040, it is “goodbye, combustion engines” for Honda. The same move will also mark the end of VTEC and the Type R as you know it.


2022 Daihatsu Sirion facelift launched in Indonesia, Myvi twin gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The 2022 Daihatsu Sirion facelift is marketed as the ‘real perfection’ and with this one feature not available in its Malaysian twin, we might have to agree with that. Despite having fewer safety features and only the smaller engine being offered, having Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard makes it superior to our Perodua Myvi.

Fully imported (CBU) from Malaysia, the Sirion is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.3-litre 1NR-VE DOHC DVVT-i (95 PS/119 Nm) paired to a D-CVT gearbox across two variants:


Kia Niro EV in Malaysia - No plans for CKD, or HEV and PHEV variants

Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto, held a Q&A session at the launch of the 2023 Kia Niro EV to address inquiries from the media, and one of the questions was whether there were any plans to locally assemble (CKD) the Kia Niro EV at the Inokom Plant in Kulim, Kedah.
The response from the company was: "Currently, there are no plans to assemble the Kia Niro EV at Inokom Plant."


Japan celebrates Mazda 6's 20th anniversary with limited-edition model, gets unique red colour

Surprising as it may sound, but the venerable Mazda 6 is now 20 years old, spread across three generations.

The first Mazda 6, codenamed GG1, made its debut in 2002 under Ford’s stewardship. It offered a range of Mazda MZR engines, including a stonking 2.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder turbo that does 272 PS and 380 Nm, fitted exclusively to the Mazdaspeed 6.


2022 Proton X70 facelift (MC) ups local content to 70%, thanks to locally-assembled 1.5L engine

At the sidelines of the 2022 Proton X70 facelift (MC1), we've learnt that the update also increases the percentage of local content in the car - now standing at 70 percent.
This is a substantial increase over the 45 percent of the initial CKD model that was first launched in 2020.


Mercedes A-Class vs BMW 2 Series GC: Which is a genuine entrance to luxury?

Why do people aspire to own a Mercedes-Benz, or a BMW? As a kid, I always marvelled when I saw a household with a Mercedes or BMW in the garage.
When I asked my dad, why he bought a W201 Mercedes 190E, he told me, Mercedeses represented premium luxury, advanced engineering and peerless build quality. The 190E was, at that time, the entry point for Mercedes ownership.

The E30 BMW 3 Series, the marque's ownership entry point

BMW is no stranger to this concept as well, its 3 Series lineage being the entry point for anyone aspiring to get a slice of premium Bavarian engineering.


Geely confirms next gen 2022 Geely Boyue, to use Volvo XC40’s CMA platform

Chinese market Geely Boyue Pro shown

First launched in China in 2016, the Geely Boyue, which is better known to Malaysians as the Proton X70, is now in the fifth year of its model life.
A replacement is due soon, at least for China. During a presentation to Geely investors in November, Geely Automobile Holdings Limited shared that it will be announcing at least 4 new models in 2021, among them the second generation Geely Boyue that’s based on the new CMA platform.

When will the second generation Geely Boyue be launched?


All-new 2020 Honda City debuts in Thailand, 1.0 Turbo meets RS

After months of speculation and spyshots, Honda Thailand has launched the fifth generation, all-new 2020 Honda City.
For the Thailand market, there will be four variants - the range topping RS variant will now join the usual S, V, and SV variants. Prices in Thailand range from:

City S: THB 579,500
City V: THB 609,000
City SV: THB 665,000
City RS: THB 739,000


Smart #3 leaked in China, the electric coupe-SUV that will likely arrive in Malaysia

You’re looking at the second model from Smart under the Mercedes-Benz and Geely joint venture, the Smart #3 (pronounced hashtag three?).

According to documents from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT, think of it as China’s equivalent of JPJ, though MIIT publishes vehicle homologation data for soon-to-launched models), the Smart #3 measures 4,400 mm long, 1,844 mm wide, and 1,556 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,785 mm.


2022 W206 Mercedes-Benz C200 vs G20 BMW 320i: Which compact executive to pick?

The W206 C-Class is here to battle the BMW 320i
The CKD 320i is almost RM 40k cheaper than the CBU C200
Which is your pick?

With the introduction of the all-new 2022 W206 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the compact executive battle heats up as the G20 BMW 3 Series has to defend its title.
For the purpose of this comparo, we will pit both entry-level variants against each other. On the three-pointed star side is the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C200, while on the Bavarian camp is the 2022 BMW 320i.
Price – The BMW 320i has a clear price advantage


Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V dominate Thai compact SUV sales in Jan-Feb 2022, which is No. 1?

Both the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V easily dominated sales in the compact SUV/crossover category in Thailand with a combined total of 6,722 units sold in January and February 2022 according to data compiled by Autolife Thailand.

That equates to a combined market share of 56.8 percent and based on monthly sales, it’s clearly a fight to the top between the two crossovers. It was the HR-V that took the crown in January with 1,993 units sold while in February, the Corolla Cross snatched the top spot with 1,559 units.


Review: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance - Better to drive than the Camry?

If you're reading this, it probably means you're still open to the idea of D-segment sedans like the Volkswagen Passat and the world isn't taken over by SUVs. Yet. In that case, the driving enthusiasts among us would like to extend our appreciation for keeping sedans relevant.
But anyway, the Volkswagen Passat. It received a nip and tuck earlier this year and the 1.8 TSI variants have been dropped, now with only one variant available – the Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance.


Weak Ringgit driving car prices up? Here’s how Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is managing it

The Malaysian Ringgit has been one of the weakest currencies in Asia. In the last 10 years, the Ringgit has lost more than 20 percent against leading regional currencies like the Singapore Dollar and Thai Baht.
Against the US Dollar, the Ringgit has dropped by about 40 percent since 2012.

It takes 40 percent more Ringgit to buy 1 US Dollar, compared to 10 years ago

Regardless of whether a car is imported (CBU) or locally-assembled (CKD), the automotive supply chain is exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange.


Temporary closure of the KL-Karak Expressway tonight for ECRL work

There will be a closure of the Kuala Lumpur - Karak (KLK) Expressway tonight for 30 minutes starting at 11pm between the markers of 55.35km to 55.85km. The move is to facilitate the construction of a tunnel in Genting for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
Anih Berhad; the concessionaire of the KLK and the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (ECE1), announced in a statement shared by FMT that closure will affect both directions to avoid any incidents due to the movement of heavy machinery.
Furthermore, after 11.30pm, only the left lanes of both directions will be reopened to traffic, meaning single lane flow for both directions. They expect all lanes in both directions to be fully operational at 5am tomorrow.


These are BMW's best selling models for H1 2022 - EV contribution at 6 percent

BMW ended the first half of 2022 with 1,016,228 units delivered worldwide, excluding BMW Motorrad motorcycles, MINI and Rolls-Royce.
The figure however, is down 13.7 percent from the same 6-month period last year due to shortage in semiconductor parts and additional supply chain disruptions caused by the Ukraine-Russia war, as well as China’s zero Covid policy lockdowns.
The company now has 20 models on sale, including 4 fully electric i Series models.


Watch: Let Indonesia’s top drivers demonstrate Hatch Culture in a Honda City Hatchback

Fitra Eri and Avila Bahar show how fun the City Hatchback is.
City Hatchback to replace Jazz in having its own OMR.

Take a look at the Honda City Hatchback and chances are you might like its sportier looks than the model it replaced, the Honda Jazz. But if you need some more convincing in its sporty pedigree, then we have a couple of racing drivers to prove the City Hatchback’s sportiness.

Honda Indonesia’s official YouTube channel uploaded a video over the weekend that showed two of the country’s best racing talents, Fitra Eri and Avila Bahar, hooning around a track in a pair of Honda City Hatchbacks.


Is the Honda BR-V an SUV or an MPV?

The Honda BR-V is an entry-level, three-row seat, seven-seater vehicle. With a ground clearance of 201 mm, it rides 3 mm higher than even a Honda CR-V (even when fitted with all-wheel drive). At the same time, it’s only has front-wheel drive, with an elongated rear half that looks more like an MPV than an SUV.
So what is the Honda BR-V? Is it an MPV or an SUV? The simple answer is that it’s an SUV.


Buying a used car? The tyres can tell you a lot about how the car was mantained

There's an old adage that goes – you can tell a lot about a man from the shoes he wears – but did you know, it’s pretty much the same when buying a used car?
If you know what to look out for, the tyres of a car can tell you a lot about how it has been used and maintained – so you know if you're really getting a good deal. Here are some of the most important signs you need to know about.
Tyre health


Proton confirms Smart #3 will be launched in Malaysia, Smart #1 on track for Q4 2023 launch

Proton has confirmed that its subsidiary Pro-Net will be launching the Smart #3 after China and Europe.
The Smart #3 is the second model to be launched by the newly established Geely-Mercedes-Benz joint venture, which has since been re-launched as a battery EV-only brand.
Compared to the Smart #1, the Smart #3 is a larger SUV that’s about the size of a Toyota Corolla Cross.


After A-Class Sedan, Mercedes-Benz to cut C-Class and E-Class wagons, CLA Shooting Brake

No more Mercedes-Benz wagons after 2030
Current generation S206 C-Class Estate and next-gen 2022 E-Class wagon (S214) to be the last
Sales of wagons have been falling in all key markets

Enthusiasts rave about wagons, but few outside of Europe actually buy one, and for a lot of car manufacturers, the business case for wagons is becoming less and less sustainable. German publication Automobilwoche has learned that Mercedes-Benz will drop all wagons from its line-up by 2030.

The recently launched W206 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the next generation W214 E-Class however, will be the last Mercedes-Benz sedans to be sold with a wagon variant (S214), before terminating by 2030.


2020 Proton X70 CKD launched - Up in features, down in price, from RM 94k

The wait is over. The 2020 Proton X70, now rolling off the Tanjung Malim plant, is officially launched and prices start from RM 94,800 to RM 122,800.

There are 4 variants for the locally assembled 2020 Proton X70 CKD: Standard, Executive, Premium and Premium X.


New MINI Clubman: Answers to frequently asked questions

As you probably already know, MINI Malaysia recently introduced the facelifte 2019 MINI Clubman to our shores. We already know of the changes that MINI has made to the car but here’s an even in depth look!

How much is it?
The new 2019 MINI Clubman has an asking price of RM 298,888. This is a massive price hike compared to the outgoing version that had a price tag of RM 262,888.


Leaked! Proton Persona MC2 facelift and Proton Iriz Active revealed days before launch

We are only days away from the official launch of the facelifted Proton Persona, Proton Iriz, as well as the all-new Proton Iriz Active, but photos of the Persona and the Iriz Active sans any camouflage have already surfaced online.

Previously we’ve confirmed that the Proton Persona will come in the Proton X70’s Space Grey, now we can see the Persona in its new colour as well as the new Infinite Weave grille similar to Proton X50 in all its glory.


First look at the Chery Omoda 5 in Malaysia, the HR-V and X50's more stylish and powerful rival

Less than 6 months since the Chery Omoda 5 went on sale in China, the new B-segment SUV has now landed in Malaysia.
In China, the Chery Omoda 5 is priced between RMB 92,900 (~RM 60k) to RMB 126,900 (~RM 82k), undercutting the Honda XR-V 1.5 NA there (sold here as the Honda HR-V, priced between RMB 132,900 to RMB 152,900) by 20 to 43 percent, depending on variant.


Used Proton Satria GTi, Malaysia's first hot hatch from RM 25k. Expensive to repair?

As far as Proton models go, it's safe to say that the Satria GTi is one that many will look back with much pride and fondness. People who owned one regret selling it, people who didn't, wanted one. It really was a high watermark for Proton and enthusiasts alike.
For those not fortunate enough to have owned one of these, now is not too late. You can still find used examples of the Satria GTi today. Admit it, you still want one today. Here's what you need to know.
Which variant is the best Satria GTi?


All-new 2023 Lexus RX debuts with first-ever turbo hybrid system

RX 500h is the first Lexus to offer a turbocharged hybrid powertrain
Length is unchanged from before, but wheelbase has been lengthened
All-new RX also debuts a new design language for Lexus

Shortly after its announcement back in May, Lexus has debuted the all-new 2023 Lexus RX. Like its smaller sibling, the Lexus NX, the fifth-generation RX is now based on the TNGA architecture, specifically the TNGA-K variant.

Exterior – Modernized, but still unmistakably RX


Enough with the facelifts, the Proton Persona needs an all-new model

The Proton Persona just had its second facelift (known as MC2) that was launched last week. Being a 5-year-old model, it’s approaching the end of its lifecycle by conventional carmaker standard.

Despite the continuous updates in exterior styling, the Proton Persona has an inherently disproportionate design that no amount of facelifts can fix. After all, it’s based on the Proton Iriz and it has to conform its limitations.


All in one app! GoCar EV users can now book a ChargeEV spot via same mobile app

GoCar Malaysia, a leading on-demand mobility-as-a-service platform, today announced a collaboration with Green EV Charge – a joint venture company between Yinson Green Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd and GreenTech Malaysia Alliances Sdn Bhd.
The goal of the collaboration is to enhance EV charging convenience across the country by integrating the ChargEV mobile platform with GoCar’s mobile app.


Owner Review: The Starter Pack, My 2021 Proton Saga 1.3 Standard AT

Basic information about my car:
PROTON SAGA 1.3 Standard AT 2021


After 7 years, Toyota Alphard and Vellfire removed from UMWT site, signs of new gen 2023 model coming?

Surprising as it may sound, but UMW Toyota Motor, the official distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia has quietly removed the Toyota Alphard from its website. The Alphard's sibling mode, the Vellfire has also been axed.

UMWT began offering local specifications version of the Toyota Alphard since 2014 with the AH20-generation model. Subsequently in 2016, UMWT launched the then-new AH30-generation Alphard and Vellfire duo.


SST-free prices ending in less than 2 months – which Japanese brand can deliver before June?

Come June and the SST-free car prices will come to an end. SST-free car prices were first mooted in mid-2020 as a way to increase car sales during the Covid-19 pandemic.
With less than 2 months left, let’s take a closer and see which brands can deliver their cars to customers on time.
To get a clearer picture, we visited various car showrooms and spoke to sales people on the ground.


FMCO won’t be so messy if Malaysia thinks like Toyota, here’s why

While the Malaysian government works as if it’s feeling its way in the dark in implementing the latest FMCO Lockdown, Toyota is forecasting a 14 percent increase in profit for financial year 2021, as if the global shortage of semiconductor chips is not happening.
What has our government’s messy FMCO lockdown’s implementation got to do with Toyota? Quite a lot actually, more on that later.

Summary of Toyota's financial results for FY2021. If there is a chip supply crisis, Toyota didn't get the memo

Nearly every one of Toyota’s rivals, including Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group and Germany’s Volkswagen Group are struggling to keep their plants running. They have even called on their respective governments to intervene and to use diplomatic channels to secure supplies from chip foundries, most of which are located in Taiwan.


G02 2021 BMW X4 facelift (LCI) unveiled - When you fancy a sleeker X3

Alongside the 2021 BMW X3 LCI, BMW has also revealed the new 2021 BMW X4 facelift (LCI). It sports updated exterior and interior, plus electrified powertrains as standard.

2021 BMW X4 Facelift Exterior
The front kidney grille is slightly larger than before and is now a single piece unit. It features mesh inserts to differentiate the X4 from the X3.


Daimler confirms engine partnership with Geely, to include Proton and Volvo Cars

Daimler AG and Geely Holding Group made a joint announcement late yesterday confirming earlier reports that both companies are collaborating to develop hybrid powertrain for next generation hybrid vehicles.
The resulting powertrains could be used by Mercedes-Benz and all Geely Holding Group’s portfolio of brands, including Volvo Cars.


Over 100k Proton Sagas sold in 30 months, outsold Bezza for Nov 2021

Despite the country coming to a standstill multiple times in the past two years, Proton has still managed to deliver 100,999 units of the Proton Saga since its launch back in August 2019.

Proton has been celebrating milestone after milestone. At one point, Proton was reportedly receiving 500 bookings daily for the updated A-segment sedan.


Hyundai to replace Ioniq 5’s E-GMP platform with IMA by 2025, for 50% higher range, 40% lower cost

The biggest difference between the Japanese and the Koreans is speed of execution, and related to that – their openness to drop something that they have invested a lot of money in to, if the benefits are obvious.
If Japanese business culture is defined by kaizen (continuous improvement), then Korean business culture is defined by pali pali (faster, faster). There's not much deep thought or philosophy behind Korean industries. It's all about trying to beat the Japanese by being better and faster than them, while staying ahead of the Chinese.


Toyota Corolla Cross, how big is it vs Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR?

Finally, the 2020 Toyota Corolla Cross has made its global debut in Thailand. As we covered in detail, the specs on this new Toyota crossover are surely impressive.
UMW Toyota Motor has hinted that it will bring the Corolla Cross over to Malaysia. But what does this mean for Toyota’s crossover line-up in Malaysia, especially with the C-HR which shares the same TNGA-C platform as the Corolla Cross?


Fuel Price Live Updates 8- to 14-Sept 2022 - RON 97 down 10 sen, RM 4.20/litre

Fuel prices for the week of 8- to 14-Sept 2022 are as follows:

Fuel Price Live Updates 8-14 Sept 2022

Type
Price/litre

RON 95
RM 2.05

RON 97
RM 4.20 (-RM 0.10)

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, 14-September 2022, when fuel prices for the following week will be announced.
Follow fuel price live updates: Petrol Price Malaysia


After the Hongguang Mini EV, Wuling introduces the Nano EV featuring Zootopia's Nick and Judy!

Wuling wants to replicate the explosive success in China they had with the Hongguang Mini EV with the launch of the all-new Wuling Nano EV at the Tianjin Motor Show. For now, the Nano EV is a special edition electric vehicle (EV) featuring the characters, Nick and Judy, from the popular Disney animated movie, Zootopia.
Like the Mini EV, the Nano EV is a full-electric two-seater that has a range of 305 km and has a top speed of 100 km/h. Size-wise, although no official numbers were released, Chinese websites are claiming that the new EV is smaller than even the Mini EV.


10 new Toyota EVs heading to Indonesia by 2025, plus USD 2b investment

Joining the likes of Hyundai, Tesla, and CATL, Toyota has also showed tremendous interest in Indonesia’s abundant reserve of nickel. Jakarta Globe reports that Toyota plans to introduce 10 electric vehicles in Indonesia by 2025.
Nickel is crucial in the production of lithium-ion batteries.
Yoichi Miyazaki, Toyota's chief executive officer for Asia Region, said in a virtual meeting with the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Tuesday,


11 - 17 March Fuel Price Update: RON 97 up, all others unchanged

RON 97 prices see a 5 sen increase, while everything else remains unchanged.
The fuel prices from 11-17 March 2021 will be as follows:

RON 95 – RM 2.05/litre
RON 97 – RM 2.40/litre (+0.05)
Diesel Euro 2M – RM 2.15/litre
Diesel Euro 5 – RM 2.25/litre


All-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R rendered to rage your need for speed dreams

Last Friday, we revealed a rendering of what the next-generation 2022 11th-gen Honda Civic could look like in sedan form. Honestly, it does resemble a little bit of the Honda Accord especially in retaining the consistent family-look across the Honda line-up.

This time though, the team at the Civic XI forum has fired up their Photoshop skills to come up with a render of what the all-new 2023 Civic Type R could potentially look like.


2020 Mitsubishi Xpander open for booking in Malaysia: Nov launch, bigger than BR-V and Aruz!

We have another much-awaited car to talk about this week as the locally-assembled (CKD) in Pekan 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander is now open for booking in Malaysia. Due to be officially launched in November, only one variant of the B-segment SUV is offered and prices aren't revealed yet.

Only one variant to choose


RHD 2023 Proton S50 spied, could it be Proton's most powerful sedan with X50's 1.5 turbo?

We'd like reiterate that there's no official mention of the name 'Proton S50'; it is just one of the names trademarked by the manufacturer along with 'X90'. Leaving the mystery of names aside, its arrival on Malaysian shores inches closer, as exemplified by this right-hand drive (RHD) test unit.

Still about as masked as the last time we saw it, this new set of photos by The Ajerul affords us a better look at the cabin. Good news then as this particular car is RHD – just like the X90 from yesterday's article – which is a telltale sign that the car is in the latter stages of development.


In China, 640 EVs caught fire in the first quarter of 2022, up 32 percent

Although electric vehicles (EV) are heralded as the future of mobility, however, it seems that EV manufacturers has yet to get a handle on the issue of battery catching fire. It is barely summer in China, the biggest EV market in the world, and yet there are already plenty of reports of EVs catching fire.
In March, a XPeng G3 caught fire and burnt down to its skeleton in Shenzhen, while another EV, an Aiways U5, caught fire in a charging station in Chengdu.


Video: Proving the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza's real-world fuel consumption, 0-100 km/h speed, and more!

As we say in our reviews, sheer numbers tell only one half of a car's story. The other half is how these numbers translate to the real world, and therein's the content behind our latest video featuring the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza (D27A).

What's to say about Perodua's latest launch we've already said in previous reviews, so this time, Gregory will do the hard work of proving Perodua's numbers right...or wrong.


The Toyota Sera - The flyest-looking Toyota ever

The Japanese Bubble Era of the late eighties and early nineties was a wonderful time to be around as a car fan. That period saw Japan’s automotive industry exploded into an era filled with technological and design masterpieces. The soaring asset prices and strong Japanese yen caused Japanese automakers like Nissan, Toyota and Honda to be more daring by launching legendary icons like the R32 Skyline GT-R and the Honda NSX as well as luxury brands like Lexus and Infiniti.

Rawrrrr...

At the same time, most of these cars were made exclusively for the Japanese market, so while some models showcased performance and technological prowess, there were also some very interesting cars produced during that era.


Almost all Perodua cars sold out for 2020, sales target of 210,000 units achievable

2020 has been a roller coaster ride for car sales with the biggest dip taking place in April. Even Perodua, the manufacturer of ubiquitous econoboxes took a plunge with only 57 units sold back then.
However, with the SST exemption in place, a spike in demand was observed. The highest number of sales by Perodua was recorded in October with 26,852 cars registered.

Perodua sales number by month in 2020

January
17,481

February
18,895

March
8,601

April
57

May
7,886

June
21,250

July
23,203

August
22,604

September
25,035

October
26,852

November
23,119

The second highest sales figure was recorded in September with 25,035 units sold. It was the highest ever recorded sales in 26 years but was soon exceeded by the following month. Almost 200,000 cars have been sold by Perodua in 2020.


Used Peugeot 308 (T7) for RM 20,000; Save cost on the car for the repairs?

Peugeots, unfortunately, are plagued by bad reputation. Low resale value being one of the worst rep it has, but these French babies are actually very comfortable and fun cars to drive. Probably the most popular model from Peugeot in Malaysia is the Peugeot 308, which is now on sale in the used car market for RM 20,000. Should you buy one?

Standard Peugeot 308 4-door

For this used car guide, we will focus on the Peugeot 308 T7 generation. The 308 is classified as a C-segment hatchback, but Nasim, the distributor for Peugeot back then, also offered the 308 in various body styles.

Peugeot 308 CC; a rare convertible

The most common form is its 4-door hatchback format with 2 variants - 1.6-litre naturally aspirated VTi and 1.6-litre Turbo. It was also offered in a 2-door version known as the GT and a convertible known as the CC.


Video: BMW 3 Series caught driving dangerously, but comments are distracted by something else

In a new video uploaded on popular dashcam Facebook group, DashCam Owners Malaysia, a white BMW 3 Series was seen cutting through traffic dangerously. However, the comments are distracted by the slow-moving cars on the right lane rather than the BMW’s reckless driving.
The incident is believed to have taken place in Bukit Tengah, Penang. From the short snippet, it seems like cars on the right lane were moving slower than the cars on the left lane.

While it is common knowledge and a lesson in driving schools that the right lane is for overtaking, it is still a common occurrence to see cars on the right lane going slower than the left lane.


What MCO? Toyota registers 120% sales growth for May 2021

Despite the Movement Control Order MCO that has been implemented since last year, UMWT (UMW Toyota) has posted more than double year-on-year growth in sales in May 2021, from May 2020. This was achieved in the face of a global semiconductor shortage that affected all carmakers, on top of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also read: FMCO won’t be so messy if Malaysia thinks like Toyota, here’s why


2021 BMW 430i Coupé (G22) launched in Malaysia, priced from RM 406k

This is it - BMW's huge new grille trend has finally reached Malaysia with today's launch of the all-new 2021 BMW (G22) 430i M Sport Coupé. Prices for the fully-imported (CBU) sports car starts from RM 405,600 sans extended warranty and service package.

In case you haven't heard, BMW's prior 5-year warranty and service package is now optional. Should you pick this option, then the 430i M Sport will be priced from RM 418,800 for you.


Pakistan launching Proton Saga this month with smaller engine, manual and 4AT options

The Proton Saga is set to be launched in the Pakistani market soon. According to a source, CBU units of the Saga have arrived in the country. A cross check with the Proton Pakistan website reveals that the Saga is indeed listed, albeit without a price yet.
Also read: Closer Look: 2021 Proton Saga R3 Limited Edition - still worthy of the R3 badge?


Poor JNCAP scores for Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize’s AEB’s pedestrian detection

The Daihatsu Rocky and its identical twin brother the Toyota Raize have been given a maximum 5-star rating for crash safety protection by the Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP).
It scored a reasonably good 85.7 points out of the maximum 100 points, which nudges it just slightly above the minimum 82 points required for a 5-star rating.


The Citroen Xantia was a French spaceship that was attainable to Malaysians

Let me first put up a little disclaimer up front, I have a soft spot for Citroens and am disappointed to see its presence not being continued in Malaysia. While its long-time partner, Peugeot, got its distribution rights taken over by Bermaz, the brand with double chevrons was orphaned.

Charming to some, too weird to others, the C3 Aircross' handbrake

It’s easy to see why the brand couldn’t really make it in Malaysia with its quirky French design being a little too odd for most Malaysians’ tastes. The C3 Aircross for one, looked practical but it also has some odd features like the weird handbrake design.
Also read: Review: Citroen C3 Aircross - Do you dare to go French?


BYD to enter Malaysia via Sime Darby Motors, Atto 3 and e6 confirmed to launch

  BYD Atto 3

A month of BYD’s announcement that it will be launching locally-assembled (CKD) EV models in Thailand, the Chinese EV-maker has now confirmed that it will be launching in Malaysia, with Sime Darby Motors (SDM) as its distributor.
BYD has inked a distribution agreement with SDM today, marking BYD’s entry into Malaysia.
Eagle Zhao, who also represents BYD Motor Indonesia, will be the Managing Director of BYD Malaysia Sdn Bhd.


How to convert your Proton X70 back into a Geely!

By now, the Proton X70 probably needs no introduction –  it's based on China's Geely Boyue and apart from the grille and rear tailgate garnish, there's very little difference between original Chinese donor car and the local Proton-badged equivalaent.
But, if you feel the need to differentiate your Proton X70 from the rest, we’ve got the perfect solution for you.
We’ve gathered a list of parts that allow you to convert your Proton X70 back into the Geely Boyue.


Buying used cars: 5 signs a car has been in an accident

A knight in shining armor is a man who has never had his metal truly tested. Likewise, a pristine looking car is a car that hasn’t been driven much. While the former may be an inspirational phrase, the latter is a sign of a good used car.
When shopping for a used car, it is normal to see dings, scratches, or the occasional putty. Small damages are good for bargaining, but a used car with major damage is much better avoided. Whether or not to go on with the purchase is entirely up to you. This entry only serves to point things out.
The question is, how do we check for damage on a used car?


Kia has more than 10 SUVs on sale! Here's a quick overview

Kia Corporation has been having a very active year so far. Not only have they been busy pushing the introduction and new concept across the world but they have also been giving their entire SUV line-up a major shake-up.
While the brand is hugely popular in the overseas market, sales in Malaysia can only be described as lacklustre despite its following of loyal fans. But now that Kia has a new distributor, things might be looking up.


Rumoured Perodua B-segment SUV to be sold as a Toyota model in Indonesia

Rendering by Theophilus Chin

Rumour has it that Perodua will be launching a B-segment SUV in 2023 to rival the Proton X50. Our friends at funtasticko reported that the rumoured model will be sold as a Toyota in Indonesia.

Rendering by Theophilus Chin

As is the nature of rumours, details are entirely speculative. The new Perodua B-segment SUV is said to be based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) in the variation of DNGA-B, which also underpins the 2022 Daihatsu Xenia and 2022 Toyota Avanza/Veloz.
It is also said to be larger than the Perodua Ativa in all dimensions but shorter in length than the Perodua Aruz.
Also read: All-new 2022 Toyota Avanza debuts: Now DNGA, TSS, RM 60k to RM 85k, Malaysia launch next year?


Why revive RalliArt when there is no Lancer Evolution? This is Mitsubishi's answer

Earlier in May 2021, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that it will be reviving its dormant RalliArt brand, as part of the company’s move to shore up the so-called ‘Mitsubishi Motor-ness’ identity for its products.

“We have decided to relaunch the Ralliart brand for customers in Mitsubishi Motors brand who want to add to Mitsubishi Motors-ness even more,” said Takao Kato, Mitsubishi CEO, during the company’s annual earnings call in May.


UMWT officially opens order books for 2023 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire in Malaysia, est. pricing at RM 538k and RM 438k

Malaysians love their Toyota Alphards and Vellfires. From MLM bros to businessmen and even regular families, these luxurious MPVs are everywhere in the country. Today, UMW Toyota Motor has officially begun taking orders for the all-new AH40 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire.
Estimated pricing for the Toyota Alphard is RM 538,000 while the Toyota Vellfire will be priced at RM 438,000.


Mercedes-AMGs assemble - 448 units gathered at Sepang sets a new Malaysian record

The earlier rain settles into a light drizzle, the air is damp and fizzing with the smell of fuel. A procession of cars that took nearly one hour to get on the main straight of the Sepang F1 circuit has led to this moment.
Standing almost dead centre of the pack, Mercedes-AMGs stretch as far as the eye can see up and down the road. As the marshalls start counting the number of cars, the final tally stops at a whopping 448 units.


This Honda dealer is now on Lazada

You can now purchase your favourite Honda TEI merchandise online as Honda Ban Lee Heng Seremban has opened their official online store on Lazada.
The dealer’s Lazada store not only made accessing the Honda merchandise easier, but it also gives us a clearer look at what is on offer. Like the picture of the collapsible water bottle, did you know that it collapses like that?


Honda City is so popular for three points

The price starts at only RM70k plus, is Honda City suitable for home use? Netizens believe that: 1.5L power is abundant, space is great! Let's talk about the point that Honda City is worth buying!

No.1 engine
Honda has always been praised for its engines, and the engine of the Honda City can be said to have the same level of advanced Earth Dreams technology!


Get a peek at the interior of the new 2024 Mitsubishi Triton

With the new 2024 Mitsubishi Triton set for a global debut in Thailand on 26 July 2023, prototypes are being actively tested under heavy camo but one of the shots released does give us a clear look at the new cabin design.
Nonetheless, the prototype pictured here doesn’t quite have the complete interior and dashboard in place as many cabin elements were ripped out for weight savings and the installation of a roll-cage.
Also Read: Spied: All-new 2023 Mitsubishi Triton spotted in Thailand - Launching very soon?


BMW Malaysia's DC fast chargers now part of ChargEV; official prices up to RM 1.80 per minute

Charging rates based on output
Up to RM 1.80 per minute for 180 kW charger
Currently 13 DC fast chargers at BMW dealerships

BMW Group Malaysia has announced the official pricing structure for all BMW i Charging facilities across the country in a move that aims to provide fair access to the infrastructure nationwide.
Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “With an official pricing structure in place, we are taking the next step in the ever-maturing EV ecosystem in Malaysia, by endeavouring to provide fair and adequate access to these facilities for all EV users in Malaysia – regardless of make and model, as electrification remains a shared responsibility amongst automakers in solving climate change.”


Honda Malaysia welcomes first woman MD and CEO - Madoka Chujo

Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. welcomed its first woman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Miss Madoka Chujo. Miss Chujo will succeed outgoing CEO Mr. Toichi Ishiyama starting from 1 April 2021.
Miss Chujo has been part of the Honda family since 1997. Over the 23 years she has been with the company, she has held various roles in Japan, China, Spain and Canada. Her expertise and experience are in the area of Sales Strategy during her various stints.

Mr. Toichi Ishiyama (right)

Prior to her new role in Malaysia, Miss Chujo was the Vice President of Honda Canada Inc. She ascended to the role back in 2019 where she played a major role in the company’s Sales and Marketing division.


Carmakers don't know how to tune suspension properly nowadays

Recently, I was ranting about how new cars are becoming increasingly uncomfortable. However, it seems unfair to only attribute one component of the car - which, in the aforementioned article, was wheel size - to a car having a bone-jarring ride. A car's ride and handling are chiefly determined by two things, wheel size and also suspension tuning.

Photo credit: F Tuned Racing Suspension

Today's question is very simple, have carmakers lost the art of suspension tuning? Think about it, when did you last sat in a new car and felt the ride was a comfortable one? So, what has changed in the intervening years? Why can't carmakers (the majority, anyway) get it right?
Is suppleness not desirable anymore?

Mercedes W124 E-Class, master of wafting

Brands like Mercedes used to be the shining beacon for a magic carpet ride. Not anymore. I once got behind the wheel of a friend's W176-generation Mercedes-Benz A250 AMG Sport, and that was the last time I drove it. It rode so harshly that I refused to drive it ever again. The owner himself also ended up changing his factory dampers to something more pliant. The less said about the W205 C200's ride comfort, the better.


Lotus Evija makes 0-300 km/h in just 9 seconds, fastest accelerating car ever?

The Lotus Evija is the company’s first-ever electric hypercar. Power is derived from four motors that does 2,000 PS and 1,700 Nm, allowing the hypercar to hit 300 km/h in just 9 seconds, quicker than a Bugatti Chiron!
As you know, no matter how many hypercars were introduced in the world, none can come close to competing with the Bugatti Chiron’s numbers. The Chiron maintains its position as the fastest car in the world but it seems the Lotus Evija has peeped out the Chiron’s acceleration time.


How is this possible? Proton X50 is cheaper than tax-free Honda HR-V

As all Malaysians know, taxes weigh very heavily in pushing car prices up in our country. The government relies on the car industry to fill up over RM 10 billion worth of taxes annually.

Free-trade agreements aside, the only way to go around this is to assemble the cars locally, but this only allows a manufacturer to skip the 30 percent import duty. The elephant in the room is excise duty, which ranges between 75 percent to 105 percent depending on engine capacity and body type.


This Toyota hybrid clocked over 1.6 million km until a hurricane stopped its progress

Mark Miller runs an asphalt paving business in Florida, USA. For someone who makes a living by building roads, Miller knows the saying “Where there is a road, there is a Toyota.”
His 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the first car he bought new, and it has been is daily workhorse since.
Miller has clocked over 1.6 million km (1 million miles) in it, believing that his trusty Toyota hybrid could continue racking up even more kilometres until Hurricane Ian hit his home in September 2022, destroying it when flood waters came gushing into his neighbourhood.


2022 VW Tiguan Allspace, now with 3 variants - Here's a breakdown of the differences

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just announced the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Life variant that slots in below the Elegance variant, making it the most affordable in the line-up.
Currently, VPCM offers three variants of the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace – Life, Elegance, and R-Line, priced at RM 173,590, RM 180,590, and RM 226,073 respectively. Here’s a brief walkthrough of the spec differences between all three variants.


A Ford Ranger EV is coming, not ruled out for Malaysia - current T6.2 generation platform future-proofed

New T6.2 ladder-frame chassis has been enlarged, enough to accomodate high voltage traction battery and motors, with 'future-proof' electrical architecture
Battery EV truck positioned below F-150 Lightning has already been confirmed
Global Alliance partner VW has expressed possibility of an electric Amarok, a sister-car of the Ranger

An all-electric Ford Ranger EV is all but confirmed, as Ford aims to keep its lead in pick-up trucks even as the world transitions into electrified vehicles.
The latest T6.2 generation Ford Ranger launched earlier today rides on a new, updated ladder-frame chassis. The engine bay has been made bigger, thanks to use of hydro-formed front-end structure that allows space to be created without compromising cabin space.
Ford says these mechanical changes, along with a new electrical architecture that supports electric gear shifter (shift-by-wire) and electric parking brake, plus a new infotainment that accepts software updates, will future-proof the Ford Ranger.


Tired of reading about Proton X70? Here are 5 cars that might be more suitable for you

The new locally-assembled (CKD) Proton X70 has many great things going for it. Prices have been lowered, there are more features, and the engine has been updated to deliver better driving performance, paired to a new, more fuel efficient transmission.

All Proton X70 variants are now front-wheel drive. No more all-wheel drive variants

You can read a summary of what’s new with the Proton X70 CKD here. Being a popular new car, there’s also a lot of hype surrounding the new Proton X70 CKD’s launch. That hype might give the impression that it’s a perfect car but it is not because there is no such thing as a perfect car for everyone.


FAQ: Everything you need to know on the 2020 Proton X50

After endless spy shots, some photoshopped interiors, and a teaser on Merdeka Day, the wait is finally over as the all-new 2020 Proton X50 is officially unveiled.

It is one of the hottest new car launches of 2020 and Proton’s long-awaited smaller sibling to the successful X70. But before we get down to business, here’s the definitive guide to get yourself updated with the Proton X50.


FAQ: All you need to know about the all-new 2020 Honda City (GN-series)!

Arguably the hottest B-segment sedan this year, the all-new 2020 GN-series Honda City is here! As usual, here's a list of your most burning questions, answered.
What is the price of the all new 2020 Honda City?
Prices will be revised upwards after 31-Dec 2020 with the resumption of SST.

2020 Honda City prices

Variant
Price (RM), no SST
Price (RM), with SST

S
74,191
76,800

E
81,664
84,800

V
86,561
89,800

RS
TBC in Jan 2021

When will the RS variant be available
The Honda City RS will be available in Malaysia from January 2021.


Sales suspended in Japan but not in Malaysia - 3 simple reasons why Perodua Ativa is not affected by Daihatsu's wrongdoing

Previous UN R95 (side-impact with movable barrier) issue with Toyota Vios and Perodua Axia is already cleared, sales has resumed in Thailand after brief suspension, no impact to Malaysia
Sales of Daihatsu Rocky hybrid / Toyota Raize hybrid suspended in Japan following issues with UN R135 certification for pole side-impact
UN certification for the Perodua Ativa remain intact, Malaysians want to know why

On 19-May, Daihatsu admitted that it had improperly conducted a mandatory safety certification for hybrid variants of the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize. Specifically, it relates to the United Nations Regulations No. 135 (UN R135) concerning pole side-impact testing.
The UN standard required tests to be conducted on both sides of the car. Daihatsu however, had submitted the left passenger’s side data as result for the right driver’s side.
Sales and deliveries of the Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid and Toyota Raize Hybrid were suspended immediately in Japan.


JPJ takes action to ease congestion; Enforces heavy vehicle ban on roads during peak hours

Due to the heavy traffic in the Endemic Era, the authorities have been forced to take action to help reduce congestion. The Road Transport Department (JPJ) released a statement reminding road users that vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tons are not allowed on the road at peak hours, especially in the Klang Valley.
To be specific, the times when these heavy vehicles are not allowed on roads are as follows:

6.30 am to 9.30 am
4.30 pm to 7.30 pm


Proton X50 spied again! Clearest front-end shots yet!

We’ve seen plenty of spy shots of the highly anticipated 2020 Proton X50 but most of the photos were taken of the car’s rear-end. We've even spied the car right next to the Proton X70 as well. Here’s another spotting of the X50 but with the clearest front-end photo ever.
From the photo, we can see that the X50’s daytime running lights (DRL) will be different from the bigger Proton X70’s shape. Instead of a stop inverted L, the X50’s lights will surround the bottom part of the headlights instead.
We can also clearly see the signature Proton Infinite Weave grille will be surrounded by a chrome strip, similar to the Proton Persona and X70. Perhaps it is the tape they use to cover the grille or it is just the gloomy cast of the weather today that gave the grille a piano black finish.


Priced from RM 286k, the G01 2021 BMW X3 20i is cheaper than a GLC 200, but would you buy one?

Alongside the long-wheelbase BMW 330 Li M Sport, BMW Malaysia has also launched the BMW X3 sDrive20i – a new variant of the BMW X3 lineup. It’s locally-assembled (CKD) and priced at RM 286,674 (OTR without insurance, with SST discount and extended warranty + service package).

The BMW X3 sDrive20i is powered by a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 184 PS at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 300 Nm at 1,350 – 4,000 rpm.


Used Honda Freed for under RM 50k – Sliding-door 7-seater for Alza money, how much to maintain and repair?

Cheapest used sliding-door MPV on sale.
Proven powertrain shared with Honda City; low maintenance.
Excellent practicality and accesibility for elderly passengers.

First launched in 2010, the Honda Freed was billed as an affordable seven-seater MPV with sliding-doors for easier access, that was compact enough to drive around town.
The fully-imported Honda Freed was a charming alternative to buying a recond MPV (likely a Toyota Estima or Wish).
At launch, the Freed was priced at just under RM 113k, approximately RM 30k more than the entry-level Jazz and City in period.


Malaysia-spec 2021 Hyundai Elantra to get 1.6L 123 PS engine and CVT, first for Korea

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is bound to reach Malaysia. A teaser was dropped by Hyundai Malaysia some time ago, and another one has been dropped to confirm that it will feature Hyundai’s new CVT-type transmission, the Hyundai IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission).

The Hyundai Elantra is called the Hyundai Avante in South Korea and Singapore.

Hyundai’s IVT aims to simulate the driving experience of a car with sequential gears. 8 virtual gears are incorporated to avoid the typical CVT experience. Different from typical CVTs, a chain belt is used instead of a metallic belt.

Hyundai IVT gearbox. A chain belt is used instead of a metallic belt.

The chain belt’s main selling point is that it uses the belt tension to adjust the pulley diameter, thus eliminating instances of slippage and improving efficiency in power delivery.


Adaptive LED headlights on the Perodua Ativa (D55L); cheapest new car to offer this feature!

With the launch happening sooner than later, Perodua has just opened bookings for the highly-anticipated 2021 Perodua D55L.

While full specifications of the Perodua D55L remains under wraps, Perodua did tease us with the highlights of the D55L, including its brand-new ASA 3.0 ADAS suite that encompasses features never seen before on a Perodua, such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP).


All-new 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback to launch in Japan on 3-Sep, price equals to RM 123k

Honda has announced that the 11th-generation 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback (codenamed FL) will go on sale in Japan on 3-September. Two trims will be available – LX and EX – priced at JPY 3.19 million (around RM 123k) and JPY 3.54 million (around RM 136k) respectively.

Unlike the previous FC-generation Honda Civic, the all-new 2022 Honda Civic is offered only as a hatchback in Japan, following the discontinuation of the sedan.


Tan Chong to host ASEAN debut of 2023 Nissan X-Trail (T33) in Singapore

The T33 generation 2023 Nissan X-Trail will make its Southeast Asian regional debut at this weekend’s Singapore Motor Show.
Singapore distributor Tan Chong Motor Sales will be the first Nissan distributor in the region to launch the latest T33 generation X-Trail.


Lynk & Co 06 debuts, can our Proton X50 look as sexy as this?

Lynk & Co has officially presented their latest compact SUV, the Lynk & Co 06. It’s their smallest SUV to date and it looks very good!
The 06 is built on the B-Segment Modular Architecture (BMA) platform shared with the Proton X50, Geely Binyue and Geely ICON. In terms of dimensions, the 06 is slightly larger than the Binyue (X50) with a longer wheelbase of 2,640 mm (+40 mm than the Binyue).


Intoxicated Perodua Myvi driver leads PDRM on a deadly chase around Penang

Residents in George Town, Penang, were rudely woken up by the sound of sirens and gunshots on Tuesday morning (15-June-2021) as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) was led on a deadly car chase. The suspect is believed to be high on drugs and killed a pedestrian during his attempt to shake off the police.
According to news reports, 2 police officers patrolling around the Datuk Keramat area first came across the suspect in his silver Perodua Myvi at around 6.40 am on Tuesday.


Launching in Malaysia: BYD Atto 3, prices and specs, will rival Kona EV

It has been confirmed that Sime Darby Motors will be launching two BYD models in Malaysia, the BYD Atto 3 and BYD e6, the guide for the latter can be found here.
Now, what is the BYD Atto 3?

The BYD Atto 3 is an all-electric crossover/SUV that’s roughly the size of a Nissan Leaf or Mazda CX-30, slightly larger than the Honda HR-V or Proton X50 but smaller than the Honda CR-V. It measures 4,455 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, 1,615 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,720 mm.


Owner Review:  Daily workhorse with super low mainteance, My 2006 Myvi Ezi

** 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:
Myvi Ezi


Ratings: 2019 Mazda CX-8 2.2D High - A 6-seater SUV with negligible weaknesses

This week, we're diving into the 2019 Mazda CX-8 2.2D High and scrutinise it through the WapCar’s Ratings test. The Mazda CX-8 is a 7-seater SUV that competes against the Toyota Fortuner, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

2019 Mazda CX-8 2.2D High: Driving Performance – 35/50, effortless and linear

2019 Mazda CX-8 2.2D High - Facts and Figures

Engine
2.2-litre turbodiesel 4-cylinder

Transmission
6-speed automatic transmission

Power
188 PS @ 4,500 rpm

Torque
450 Nm @ 2,000 rpm

Weight
1,924 kg

0-100 km/h
9.5 seconds

100-0 km/h
40.3 metres

The 2.2-litre Skyactiv D engine is impressively flexible in its power band by diesel standards. It pulls in a linear fashion all the way to its redline without running out of puff.


Volkswagen offers rebates on the hottest hatchbacks in town

The Merdeka celebration is not over for Volkswagen fans, as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is now giving exclusive RM 2,000 rebates on the two hottest performance hatches in town, the Golf GTI and Golf R.

The iconic Golf GTI features a new 2.0 TSI turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed wet clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG), with output being an impressive 230 PS with 350 Nm of torque. Apart from its unmistakable honeycomb trimmings, the Golf GTI comes with GTI ‘Vienna’ perforated leather seats, 18” Milton Keynes alloy wheels, 12.3” Active Info Display, 8” Discover Media with App-Connect, LED headlights with Dynamic Cornering Lights, LED taillights with Dynamic Indicators. The driving experience is further enhanced with Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) and driving mode selection.


Stellantis to build CKD Jeep models in Malaysia at Gurun plant, export to Thailand soon

CKD Jeep models to be produced at Gurun plant
New distributor in Thailand to import CKD Jeep models from Malaysia
Jeep Gladiator, a pick-up version of Wrangler, to rival Ford Ranger

Stellantis, the new combined company of PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel) and FCA (Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, among others) is expected to begin the next phase of its expansion in South East Asia with local assembly (CKD) of Jeep models at its Gurun plant in Malaysia.

Image: TNP Jeep Car

The company has yet to make a formal announcement on the matter but sources familiar with the matter told WapCar.my that Stellantis is expected announce a new Jeep distributor for Thailand, which will import new Jeep models built at Stellantis’ plant in Gurun, Kedah.
We also understand that the former PSA Group’s Asia Pacific head office in Petaling Jaya has since took on additional roles post-merger with FCA, and the new Stellantis team working there have been busy raising their headcount.


Review: For X50 money, the 2022 GAC GS3 certainly asks a lot from Malaysians, but can it justify?

Not too many cars these days are truly bottom barrel, in spite of whatever netizens clack away on their keyboards daily. We've come a long way from cars just purely built to transport – you know those types – but does the 2022 GAC GS3 belong in that category?

Overview: GAC GS3 Premium

Price
RM 105,800 (OTR with SST, variant as tested)

Segment
B-segment SUV

Engine
1.5-litre NA 4-cyl

Transmission
6-speed AT

Power
114 PS @ 6,000 rpm

Torque
150 Nm @ 4,500 rpm

Origin
CBU, China

A Chery nor Geely this isn't, we'll say as much. Perhaps it does have something good behind its non-threatening face, but it takes some digging...


Video: All-new 2022 Honda HR-V spied testing along MRR2

Just yesterday, we reported that the all-new 2022 Honda HR-V was spotted testing on Malaysian roads, now more photos have surfaced online and they come accompanied with videos as well.

Posted on the Proton X50 Community Malaysia Facebook group, the camo-covered HR-V was seen prowling around the MRR2 and even going through a toll.


6 steps to set up your own racing simulator for less than RM 1k

Have you always wanted to try driving around the Sepang International Circuit but you've never had the car to do so? Or you've reached the highest level in your usual video games and you're now on the look out for something more challenging? Or you're just plain bored because of the lockdown with travel restrictions still in place?

Here's our BM Editor Zamil trying to get the full experience!

If you answered yes to one of these questions, then why not try simulator racing? You can either hire someone to set up the sim rig for you or you can choose to do it yourself. If you would rather do it yourself then here's a 6-step guide to help you get started.

David Perel, Blancpain GT 2017 Champion

To start with, you will need these 6 items:


Perodua ends 2021 with 190k vehicles sold, Myvi remains King with nearly 50k units

Despite Perodua posting better sales in December with 22,940 units sold, translating to an 13% increase from November (20,299 units), the second “national” carmaker failed to reach its target for 2021, due to several external factors that were beyond its control

Throughout the year, Perodua only managed to sell 190,291 vehicles which were below its target of 200,000 units. Surprisingly, sales in 2020 were much better with 220,154 units sold, 13.6% more than in 2020 Part 2 2021.


Nissan Kicks e-Power is set to launch on the 15th May in Thailand, teaser video included


It’s 2019 And The Updated Perodua Axia E Still Doesn’t Come With ABS!

Updated 2019 Perodua Axia now open for booking
Base Axia E 1.0 (MT) doesn’t come with ABS
Top-spec gets Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and ASA 2.0

Perodua recently announced that the public can now place a booking for the updated 2019 Perodua Axia with 6 different variants available. Prices have gone up slightly across the board to reflect the host of newly added improvements and features in the little hatchback.
One welcome addition is the newly added ESC for GXtra variants and up. This leaves the Alza the only model in Perodua’s line up to not be offered with ESC. Even more impressive is that the range-topping Axia AV (short for Advance) variant now comes with ASA 2.0 advanced driver assistance system that bundles Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control.
However, this makes the lack of ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) on the entry-level Axia E 1.0 (MT) even more glaring. In this day and age, basic active safety features such as ABS should not be a luxury. Even the facelifted Proton Saga now gets ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) fitted as standard across all variants.
While Perodua expects the Axia E to take up a small amount of the sales volume (mostly driving schools), we believe that ABS with EBD (and to a certain extent ESC) should not be an option for new cars no matter how affordable it is.


Hyundai extends Mid-Year Service Campaign until end August for EMCO folks who missed it

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) is extending its Mid-Year Service Campaign to 31 August 2021. The extension was made to cater to customers who were previously locked down under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).
“Some of our customers have missed out on the campaign privileges due to the lockdown as they could not travel beyond 10km from where they live and could not send in their car for service. Therefore, we are extending the campaign period so that more can benefit from it,” said Mr Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director of HSDM.


23 to 29-Dec 2021 Fuel Price Update: RON 97 down 1 sen, RON 95 and diesel remain

Fuel prices for the third week of December (23- to 29-Dec 2021) will be as follows:

RON95 – RM 2.05/litre (RM 0.00)
RON97 – RM 2.99/litre (-RM 0.01)
Diesel Euro 5 B10/B20 – RM 2.15/litre (RM 0.00)
Diesel Euro 5 B7 – RM 2.25/litre (RM 0.00)


Save up to RM 18,000 with ETCM’s RMCO deals

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the distributor of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia has announced the updated prices for their models.
Apart from sales tax exemption, ETCM is further adding their Remarkable Car Offers (RMCO) discounts, allowing owners to save up to RM 15,437.


GWM's chairman wins China's most respectable award for auto industry captains; from simple cars to 1 million exports in 35 years

On May 2023, Jack Wei, Chairman of Great Wall Motor (GWM), was awarded the prestigious "Rao Bin Medal of China Automobile Industry" by the China Society of Automotive Engineers at this year's edition of the Congress of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles Technology (CICV 2023).

  GWM made only 355 cars back in 1987, this CC130 is one of them. CC stands for ChangCheng, or Great Wall Photo credit: chinacarhistory.com

The award recognises stalwarts and entrepreneurs within the greater Chinese automotive industry, and is sponsored by the Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers. It is named after Rao Bin, an important founder of the Chinese auto industry, and known as the father of the Chinese automotive industry.
In the case of Wei, he was lauded for his innovation and continued growth of GWM in the past 32 years he's been at the helm.


B-segment sedan resale values: City and Vios lead, but Almera is worse than Vento?

If there's any word that can cause car buyers to think triple before signing the dotted line, it's depreciation. Sorry to say but this is just as certain as the sky is blue - the value of the car you drive drops over time.

Before it was the Vento, it was called the Polo Sedan

Stalwarts of the B-segment sedan scene - the Toyota Vios, Honda City, and Nissan Almera - are often said to be 'safe' choices when it comes to resale value. But how far is that true? Let's compare them, and we'll throw in the Volkswagen Vento into the mix as well.
Data Collection


Close to half of Malaysia's TIV - Perodua targets 314k unit sales and 44.5% market share for 2023

2023 sales target of 314,000 units, up 11.3 percent from 2021
2023 production target of 330,000 units, which is 103% of the available capacity
Perodua forecasts Malaysia’s TIV to be at 705,000 units, higher than MAA’s 650,000 units

Buoyed by strong demand for budget-friendly cars that the general public can trust, Perodua saw its best-ever sales in 2022 with 282,019 cars sold and along the way, became the 4th largest automotive brand in ASEAN's Top 5 biggest markets. This year, Perodua is targeting an even higher 314,000 units, up 11.3 percent from the year before.
Perodua is currently sitting on over 220,000 outstanding orders, which the company is racing against time to fulfil. Out of these, around 15,000 of the 220,000 orders were made during the Penjana zero-SST period, which has a vehicle registration cut-off date by March 2023. Some of these orders won’t be fulfilled before the cut-off date but Perodua has said that for such cases, it absorb the SST cost.
Also read: Perodua: 220k backlog orders remain but will absorb SST for orders made before 30-June 2022


Indonesians love the 2023 Toyota Innova Zenix Hybrid, accounts 82% of sales so far

The third generation of the Toyota Innova made its long-awaited debut in Indonesia a month ago. While longtime fans might be missing the traditional rear-wheel drive (RWD) set-up of its predecessors, many regular Indo buyers seem to have accepted the transition.

According to Anton Jimmi Suwandy, Marketing Director of Toyota Astra Motor, 4,000 units of the Innova Zenix have been booked. Offered with either petrol or hybrid variants, it is the latter that turned out to be the most popular in Indonesia.


Pros and Cons: Very practical, but the 2021 Toyota Innova 2.0X needs more power

Since you're reading this article, chances are that you're considering the newly-facelifted, locally-assembled (CKD) 2021 Toyota Innova as your next car to fit your growing needs.

Here with us in 2.0X guise (RM 129,677, on-the-road sans insurance and SST, valid until 30-June 2021), it's the range topper in a line-up that consists of two other variants - the 2.0G and 2.0E. The key difference between them is that the 2.0X is a six-seater with two captain seats in the middle, while the other variants seat seven.


4AT vs CVT: Two steps forward, one step back?

Another update is upon the Proton Persona and Proton Iriz. The two were spotted testing with camouflage, which suggests cosmetic updates, and we had a peek into the 2021 Proton Persona’s interior.

Floating infotainment screen aside, one of the speculations is the change from CVT to a 4-speed automatic (4AT). This has sparked conversations amongst readers. Some are all for it, some against it.


Will Geely make a 2-cylinder engine next? This is CEVT powertrain boss’ answer

At a recent virtual meeting with Dr. Håkan Sandquist, director of powertrain strategy at the Geely-Volvo Car jointly owned powertrain specialist CEVT AB, we posed a question to the person who lead the development of the Proton X50’s three-cylinder 1.5 TGDi and 1.5 MPI, will Geely go smaller than 3-cylinders?
Beyond the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder, Geely also has a 1.0-litre three-cylinder for the Chinese and European market. So how small is too small?

Fiat's TwinAir 2-cylinder engine was a commercial flop

The simple answer is that 2-cylinder engines are unlikely, but it cannot be ruled out, especially if the plan is for it to be used as a small generator to recharge an electric vehicle.


Spied: India's Toyota Belta is a rebadged Ciaz, to replace Vios

In a lot of market segments, Toyota is the undisputed sales champion. There are, however, exceptions to this rule as Toyota India found out with the Toyota Yaris (Vios to you and me).

India-spec Toyota Yaris pictured

Sales of the Toyota Yaris in India has been lacklustre since the model was launched there in 2018, with rival models like the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, and Suzuki Ciaz often outselling the Yaris.
Also Read: 2021 Honda City reclaims top spot as India's best-selling sedan as Vios exits market


VW owners in China facing clogged particulate filter problem because they don’t drive fast enough

Volkswagen owners in China are reporting clogged gasoline particulate filter (GPF) which results in high fuel consumption and loss in performance.
GPF is found in cars with Euro 6 compliant emission standard which is not applicable to us in Malaysia.
This issue is affecting owners who are operating their vehicles equipped with GPF in colder climates.


Owner review: The rare and forgotten gem, My Proton Persona 1.6 Standard MT 2019

Basic information about my car:
Proton Persona 1.6 Standard MT 2019


Review: 2019 Nissan X-Trail 2.0L MID, lots of love for the middle child

(Model | Gallery)

Overview
The Nissan X-Trail is Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM) best-selling SUV and the company recently introduced the new 2019 facelifted version. Packed with improved refinement, technologies and safety features, the X-Trail finally looks convincing to customers in the showroom.


Get 12% off storewide when you shop with Trapo at WapCar Auto Show this weekend

The WapCar Auto Show is now in full swing, while cars stood in their glory inviting guests to explore, Trapo is also inviting visitors to enjoy a spot of shopping and fun at their booth.

Over the weekend, Trapo is giving all customers at their booth 12 percent off all products. Visitors are welcome to get up close and feel their famed hygiene car mats and decide which set of Trapo Hygiene car mats best suit their needs.


MINI Vision Urbanaut - This is how cars of the future will look like

Last year, MINI revealed their interpretation of how the future of mobility will look like through renders. Now, they have built an actual physical model that will be showcased at the DLD Summer conference in Munich on 1st July.

When cars are expected to be fully electrified and autonomous driving takes over, this is how they envision the future to look like. “At MINI we see it as our responsibility to preserve and develop the unique characteristics of our brand over the upcoming years and those further ahead,” explains Bernd Körber, Head of MINI.


Leaked! Patent images of the Toyota Yaris facelift

Images of a black and white patent filing of a hatchback that looks like the Toyota Yaris has surfaced on the internet. The images are leaked from a patent image submission to the National Institute of Industrial Properties of Argentina.

According to Funtastiko, the images were leaked by Brazilian news site Parabrisas. The patent images are said to be of the Toyota Yaris facelift that will be launched in 2021.


Watch the upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz EQG take a 360-degree spin like a tank

Mercedes-Benz’s all-electric EQ line-up showcases the German marque’s future in EVs. That expansion will also see an electric version of its boxy SUV classic, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class which is expected to be launched in 2024.

The Gelandewagen is built like a tank (except in Australia’s desert) and those armoured crawlers aren’t known for being environmentally friendly or friendly even. For Mercedes-Benz though, turning the G-Class into an electric SUV ensures that the classic remains while being future-proof.


Fuel Price Live Updates 15- to 21-Sept 2022: RON 97 drops 5 sen to RM 4.15/litre, RON 95/diesel remains

Fuel prices for the week of 15- to 21-Sept 2022 are as follows:

Fuel Price Live Updates 15-21 Sept 2022

Type
Price/litre

RON 95
RM 2.05

RON 97
RM 4.15 (-RM 0.05)

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, 15-September 2022, when fuel prices for the following week will be announced.
Follow fuel price live updates: Petrol Price Malaysia


A newer, more powerful Toyota GR Supra is coming to Malaysia

UMW Toyota Motor just released a teaser video of the Toyota GR Supra, hinting that there might be a power hike. In the 10-second video, there is a stopwatch counting that ends in 4.10 seconds, with the caption, "Every second counts."

You can watch the video below.


French cars: Trusted as taxis in Africa, but Malaysians say reliability is terrible

Like consumers in many parts of the world, many Malaysians will agree that French Renault and Peugeot cars have poorer quality than a German Volkswagen, but all three are less reliable than a Japanese Toyota.
But here’s the contradiction – old Peugeots and Renaults are the vehicle of choice for North African taxi drivers, who cover a lot of miles on unpaved African roads, often overloaded.

50 year old Peugeot 404s are still running in North Africa. Image: Mémoire DeCitér

From Ethopia to Morocco to Senegal to Burkina Faso and many other countries you will struggle to locate on the map, the most popular taxis there are 40-year old Peugeot 504s and Renault 4s.


Toyota's still the apex predator of global auto sales with almost 14 percent of the market

Toyota continues world domination with just shy of 14 percent of new vehicle sales globally, up by 0.7 percent compared with the corresponding period in 2021, according to data compiled by JATO Dynamics, an automotive market research company.
Of course, it was 2 of their most popular nameplates leading the way in the form of the RAV-4 and Corolla, registering 247,781 and 243,820 units respectively.
A distant second was the Volkswagen Group with a global share of 10.7 percent, a worrying drop from its 2021 share of 12.4 percent. This falls down squarely due to other manufacturers making solid inroads in the Chinese market, causing Volkswagen Group to lose ground there. Previously, the Chinese market was a strong contributor to the group’s overall sales.