Facts & Figures: 2022 Kia Carnival officially launched in Malaysia – one variant, RM196k

Bermaz Motor under the
Dinamikjaya Motors
 arm has now officially launched the 2022 Kia Carnival here in Malaysia, following a
preview event
 last year. As previously reported, the all-new Kia Carnival will be offered in a sole 11-seater variant, priced at
RM196,341
.

EXTERIOR
Kia calls the Carnival a “Grand Utility Vehicle”, which, as the name suggests, means its styling is significantly inspired by SUVs. These include the reworked proportions with a longer bonnet, sculpted front and rear bumpers with metallic trims, bold wheel arches, and even an “island roof” design with blacked-out A- and B- pillars plus a stylised chrome fin C-pillar.
As standard, the exterior of the 2022 Kia Carnival in Malaysia comes with the following items:
Automatic LED projector headlights with integrated LED daytime-running lights
Bulb-type combination tail lights
18-inch Y-spoke two-tone alloy wheels
Rain-sensing wipers
Dual smart powered sliding doors
Smart powered tailgate
Roof rails
Exterior colour choices: Astra Blue, Silky Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Panthera Metal, Flare Red
PERFORMANCE
The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival is powered by a refreshed 2.2 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine.
Engine: 2,151 cc, Smartstream D2.2 four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
Driveline: Front engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 199 hp @ 3,800 rpm
Max torque: 440 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,750 rpm
Top speed: 190 km/h
Rated fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100km (NEDC)
INTERIOR
As mentioned above, the all-new 2022 Kia Carnival will only be offered in a sole 11-seater variant here in Malaysia in a 2-3-3-3 configuration. The smaller centre seats in row two and three can be folded away forming an aisle to access the fourth-row seats, while the last row of seats can be completely folded away into the cargo floor when not in use.
For the Malaysian market, the all-new Kia Carnival comes with the following as standard:
Analogue instrument cluster with 4.2-inch TFT multi-info display
12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
Wireless charger
Seven USB ports
Rotary electronic gear-selector knob with electronic parking brake
Three-zone automatic air-conditioning (dual-zone front, single-zone rear), with four roof-mounted air vents for the rear
Eight-way powered seats for front passengers, plus two-way lumbar adjustment and memory function for driver
Leatherette upholstery
Manual sunshade for rear side windows
SAFETY
In terms of safety, the all-new Kia Carnival here in Malaysia currently does not get any sort of advanced driver assistance features.
Seven airbags, including driver knee-bags
ABS with EBD and Brake Assist
Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control
Hill-start Assist Control and Auto Hold
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear-cross traffic alert
PRICING
The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival in Malaysia is priced at
RM196,341
 on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the SST exemptions. The car is currently being fully-imported from South Korea, although the company says that CKD operations will start sometime this year.
Also included in the price is a five-year/100,000 km warranty, as well as a five-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance programme.
GALLERY


Carro celebrates its 5th anniversary with 500% YOY revenue growth in September

The ongoing health pandemic has changed the way we all think about car buying, which resulted in a significant growth in online automotive marketplaces – such as Carro.
Having just celebrated its fifth anniversary, the Singapore-based car marketplace recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue in the month of September, equivalent to over 500% year-on-year growth.
The end-to-end car purchase service was launched in 2015 in an effort to bring more trust and transparency to car purchasing. To date, the company has retailed “thousands of cars”, and recently also launched a contactless service, where buyers can complete the transaction and have their new cars delivered to their homes – all while complying with social-distancing practices.
Carro also launched its own
car subscription service
 in Singapore last year, and recently recorded over two million in monthly active users on its platform overall.
Carro Chief Financial Officer, Ernest Chew said, “Covid-19 has pushed the envelope for innovation in the auto market; the current economic slowdown means customers are looking for value-for-money cars but are also concerned about their safety.
“We expect more customers in the region will seek digital purchasing solutions. Hence, we will continue to leverage technology to make car ownership safer, efficient and delightful.”
In its five years of history, the company has also made significant inroads into regional expansion, including a USD30 million investment into the Malaysian online car bidding platform,
MyTukar
. To continue its regional expansion plans, Carro recently secured new backings from investors such as Mitsubishi Corporation and MS&AD Ventures.


JPJ starts “VW” car registration, buy now for your brand new Volkswagen!

Ah, for some of you Volkswagen loyalists, this piece of news has been a long time coming. The Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia (JPJ) has finally started the VW car registration series.
Volkswagen Passenger Car Malaysia also leapt at the opportunity to remind existing customers about their
Trade-In programme
 for the
Jetta
 and
Passat B8
, which will only last until 31 March 2017. The all-new Volkswagen Tiguan is also open for booking, with early bird discounts ending 30 April 2017.
Currently, the
locally assembled Volkswagen Polo
 is heavily discounted for a limited time only, carrying an attractive price of just RM69,888.


Porsche Taycan halves AC charging time with new optional upgrade – approx. RM8k

A new official upgrade is now available for the
Porsche Taycan
 to halve the AC charging time to 4.8 hours from the original 9.5 hours. Essentially a
19.2-kW
 onboard charger (OBC) upgrade (from the original 11 kW), the package retails at $1,850.15 (approx.
RM8,179.51
) and requires an estimated 12 hours of labour for installation.
The part number for the AC charger installation kit is ‘9J1.044.900.31’ and it fits all Taycan variants. It reduces the AC charging time (from 0 to 100%) for the ‘standard battery’ Porsche Taycan (79.2 kWh battery) to
4.8 hours
 from
9.5 hours
. As for the ‘Performance Battery Plus’ versions of the Taycan (93.4 kWh battery), the AC charging time from 0 to 100% is reduced to
5.3 hours
 from the original
10.5 hours
.
Porsche says the Porsche Service Centres will be able to install the kit for you with an estimated 12-hour installation time. For new and potential customers of the Porsche Taycan, they can get their cars fitted with the 19.2-kW OBC by simply selecting the ‘KB4’ option in the configurator.
To take full advantage of the new 19.2-kW OBC upgrade, Porsche Taycan owners can purchase a new 19.2-kW home wallbox charger (part number ‘HCHH0LAA’) that is now available on the Porsche Shop. Equipped on the wallbox is a 5-inch touchscreen and WiFi connectivity for software updates. The charger must be hard-wired directly to a 100-amp circuit by a professional electrician for best performance. It can also be connected to lower-capacity circuits as the unit is adjustable.
RELATED:
Porsche has just made its 100,000th Taycan, three years after start of production
The Porsche Taycan was launched in Malaysia in September 2020 in the 4S, Turbo, and Turbo S version with the RWD version joining the lineup in 2021. The Cross Turismo version was launched in Malaysia in 2022. The Taycan is currently the only EV from the brand with the
all-electric Macan
 soon to debut.
RELATED:
EV tax-free in 2022 – Porsche Taycan in Malaysia now from RM508k!


Elon Musk joked about Tesla’s bankruptcy on April Fool’s day

This year’s April Fool’s day not only showed that
car manufacturers know how to have some fun
, but they’re also creative with their sense of humour as most major brands including McLaren, Lexus and even Skoda, was in on the fun.
One person however, did not get the memo on how to prank. Tesla’s Elon Musk, one of the most brilliant minds of the 21st century (not so after 1st April 2018) actually took to Twitter to “announce” of Tesla’s bankruptcy.
Tesla Goes Bankrupt
Palo Alto, California, April 1, 2018 — Despite intense efforts to raise money, including a last-ditch mass sale of Easter Eggs, we are sad to report that Tesla has gone completely and totally bankrupt. So bankrupt, you can't believe it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
April 1, 2018
Musk later on posted another Tweet of him
 leaning by a Tesla with the word “Bankwupt”
 written on a torn up Tesla cardboard. This follows after a test driver was killed while testing a Model X on autopilot just a couple days ago – talk about bad timing.
Needless to say, the company’s investors were not pleased and the company’s shares fell sharply. It seems like choppy seas ahead for Tesla with plenty for Musk to work on, aside from his humour. Along with the recent (and second) fatal autopilot test, Tesla is also in hot water over mounting debts and production delays.


All-electric Porsche Mission E sedan slated for production, to debut in 2020!

It’s no secret that Porsche is building an all-electric model dubbed the
Porsche Mission E
. Earlier, Porsche has confirmed that the Mission E will hit production floors and in a recent report by
AutoCar UK
, we may see the first production model as soon as 2019 with deliveries starting 2020.
The Mission E is Porsche’s first ever all-electric sports car and will take the shape of a four-door saloon, presumably to capitalise the success of the Tesla Model S. The four-seater is said to pack
600 hp
, capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just
3.5 seconds
. Getting to 200 km/h apparently takes less than
 12 seconds
.
All that grunt is courtesy of a cutting-edge electric drive system that deploys power to all four wheels. If the all-electric
Cayman e-volution case study
 is any indication, a
PDK double-clutch
 box’ may be tasked with the power transfer. Porsche claims the Mission E will have a driving range of
500 km
 on a single charge. Although at the rate battery technology is progressing, we have reason to believe that the final product will boast close to double that figure.
The all-electric sports car is rumoured to be priced between the
Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
 (£81,141) and
Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
 (£137,140) but will be positioned as the brand’s “four-door sports car” as opposed to the “four-door luxury car” Panamera.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Honda Civic hatchback to be launched in Japan next month – from RM123k

Honda has announced that the
all-new Civic
 will go on sale in Japan starting September 3, but unlike previous years, the 11th-generation model will only be available in
Hatchback guise
 in the country; the
sedan variant
 of the Honda Civic is being discontinued in Japan.
The all-new Honda Civic will be offered in two variants – LX and EX, with prices starting at
3,190,000 yen (~RM123k)
 and
3,539,800 yen (~RM137k)
 respectively. Additionally, a hybrid e:HEV variant, alongside the hot Type R model, will be introduced later in 2022.
Both variants of the Honda Civic Hatchback in Japan will be powered by the same 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged

four-cylinder engine with
182 hp
 and
240 Nm
, with the same gearbox selection of either a continuously variable transmission (seven virtual gears) or six-speed manual.
There’s already a tune for the all-new Honda Civic, with gains of up to 30 hp and 60 Nm! Check it out here.
No changes in the mechanical department, so the only differences between the two variants are in terms of equipment and trims.
Both variants of the Honda Civic in Japan get 18-inch wheels (with different designs and finishes) and LED headlights, but the more expensive EX variant also gets LED fog lamps, as well as active cornering lights and an adaptive driving beam system on top of the standard look.
Inside, only the EX variant gets the fancier 10.2-inch infotainment display and 12-speaker BOSE surround sound system. However, the Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance feature is standard across both variants, including features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-go function, and lane keeping assist.
Check out Honda’s new interior design language, called “Simplicity and Something”!
Honda’s in-house accessory arm, Modulo, has already “levelled up” the Civic Hatchback with a new body kit. Check it out here!
Closer to home, the all-new Honda Civic is scheduled for its regional debut in Thailand tomorrow. Based on the
teasers
 published by Honda Thailand, it seems like the Land of Smiles will be receiving the sedan variant at launch.
With the launch in Thailand, we’re expecting the model to launch here in Malaysia very soon too – though
Covid-19 uncertainties
 could have caused some delay in schedule. Nevertheless, keep your eyes peeled as we bring you the latest info as soon as we get them!


Kia releases teaser images of EV6, new designation for electric cars

As part of Kia Corporation’s brand transition, the company is using a simple prefix of ‘EV’ for their new dedicated battery electric vehicles (EV). This new naming will debut on the upcoming EV6, Kia’s first dedicated EV that is due to be globally launched at the end of this month.
The EV6 will be built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform
(E-GMP)
 that is also shared with larger affiliate Hyundai Motor, such as the recently launched
Ioniq 5
.
“EV6 is the embodiment of both our brand purpose, ‘Movement that inspires’, and our new design philosophy. It has been designed to inspire every journey by offering an instinctive and natural experience that improves the daily lives of our customers, and provide user ownership that is simple, intuitive and integrated.” said Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Centre, Karim Habib.
The EV6 is expected to have some serious performance, based on last month’s presentation at the 2021 CEO Investor Day. Kia said their first dedicated EV, codenamed
C
V
, will be defined by three key figures of 5,4 and 3 – a useable range of 500 kilometres, a 100 km-range in just 4 minutes of charging and a
0-100 km/h
 sprint time of
3.0 seconds
. This makes the EV6 in a different league compared to the Ioniq 5.
The new EV6 takes the shape of a large crossover, with a distinct roof spoiler mark the start of the raked rear windscreen. The tail lamps cuts deep into the side of the vehicle, while also integrated to the deck lid like a duck tail.
The illumination of the tail lamps in the new Kia EV6 brings back memories of the ‘boomerang’ lamps on the
Maserati
 3200 GT from the late 90s.
All of Kia’s new dedicated EVs will start with the prefix ‘EV’ which makes it easy for consumers to understand which of Kia’s products are fully electric. This is followed by a number that corresponds to the car’s position in the line-up.
Kia aims to launch as many as seven dedicated EVs by 2026, comprising of three passenger and four recreational vehicle models with the product offence to begin from 2023.


The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is simply a jaw-dropping piece of sculpture!

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has just lifted the veil on the jaw-dropping DBS Superleggera – the marque’s new flagship supercar.
Underneath the carbon fibre front hood is a 5.2-litre quad cam twin-turbo V12 making
725 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque with power going only to the rear wheels via a carbon fibre drive shaft and an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Name
 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Engine
5.2-litre Quad cam twin-turbo V12
Transmission
8-speed ZF automatic
Max Power
725 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
900 Nm @ 1,800-5,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
3.4 seconds; 340 km/h
Price
From RM1.2 million (before duties and options)
With all that power, 0 to 100 km/h is done in just
3.4 seconds
, onward to a spellbinding top speed of 340 km/h. A meatier mid-range also means 80-160 km/h is done in just four seconds.
The body of the car is a nothing short of a piece of sculpture, penned to be as aerodynamic as possible. The massive front grille for example, has been designed to channel air from every angle into the engine compartment.
Even the C-pillars have been designed for air to flow through the rear bonnet and out through the rear spoiler. As a result, the DBS Superleggera is able to generate up to
 180kg of downforce
 at full speed – that’s like having a superbike resting on the car’s rear end – for maximum traction.
Behind those 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres are 6-pot caliper brakes in the front, supported by a 4-pot pair at the back. The surface of the Brembo carbon ceramic discs have been engineered to eliminate the squeaks associated with carbon ceramic discs before they warm up.
The DBS Superleggera sits on an Adaptive Damping System that works hand in hand with the Super GT’s drive modes – GT, Sport and Sport Plus. Surrounding the dampers are double wishbones in the front and a multi-link setup at the back.
Inside, the DBS Superleggera gets treated to a flat-bottom steering wheel, a mix of Caithless leather and Alcantara, Aston Martin’s Premium Audio System, DBS-embroided sports seats, a 360-degree camera and an 8-inch LCD display.
The DBS Superleggera’s comprehensive list of safety systems and driver aids include Dynamic Torque Vectoring, Positive Torque Control, Traction Control and Dynamic Stability Control.
The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera starts
from RM1.205 million
 before duties and options.
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren’s first series-production hybrid supercar will launch in 2021

Despite all the uncertainty surrounding McLaren right now – the cash-strapped company recently
put its iconic headquarters on sale
 – it seems like the Gaydon-based supercar maker’s first
series-production
 hybrid supercar is still on track for launch in the first half of 2021.
While it still doesn’t have a name yet, or at least not officially, the company says that its upcoming “High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) supercar” has now entered final stages of testing which includes running on public roads.
McLaren remains tight lipped on the specifications of the upcoming hybrid supercar, though we do know that hybrid powertrain will feature a brand-new V6 engine and an unspecified number of electric motors, promising to deliver “astonishing levels of performance and a uniquely intense driver experience”, while also providing a “medium-range” pure EV driving mode.
No performance figures were divulged, but McLaren says that it will sit between the

McLaren GT
 and the
720S
 – the latter from the Super Series – which gives us a pretty good idea of where it stands. The hybrid model will most likely replace the existing
570S

with a
new series designation
; the Sports Series will cease at the end of the year after the end of production of the
620R
.
The hybrid supercar will also be the first model to be built upon the
McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA)
, the company’s latest carbon fibre tub that is designed and built completely inhouse in the McLaren Composites Technologies Centre (MCTC) in Sheffield, England.
Built using the latest processes and techniques for added rigidity, the MCLA platform is designed specifically to offset the weight penalty from the lithium-ion battery packs of an electrified powertrain, and will underpin the brand’s next generation of hybrid supercars coming to the market over the years.
“This all-new McLaren supercar is the distillation of everything we have done to date; all that we have learned and achieved,” commented McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt. “We see this new McLaren as a true ‘next generation’ supercar and cannot wait to show it to customers.”
As for looks, we can still see the prominent McLaren touches on the heavily camouflaged prototype, which to us looks quite a lot like the 570S. However, it does have a few subtle differences of its own, such as the headlights that are set deeper in the housing, a front fascia with quite a bit less grille, and the twin exhausts that shoot right out the back.


Here’s your first (official) look at the next-gen 2022 Honda CR-V

The sixth-generation 2022 Honda CR-V is due to make its global debut in the coming months. Ahead of its reveal, however, the Japanese carmaker has now published a couple of teaser photos showing off the new model’s “rugged and sophisticated design”.
Well… except that we’ve already seen the car in full thanks to a
recent leak
 from the Chinese Government’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website. Awkward.
At least, the new teaser image does give us a closer look at the car’s design elements in more detail, including the headlights with a slim eyebrow-style daytime-running light, separated from the rest of the lighting fixture by a slim trim element that extends from the top of the grille.
The headlights and the mesh grille together form the marque’s latest iteration of the “Solid Wing Face” design language, first seen on the
 all-new Honda HR-V
. The grille surround here is also finished in gloss black, but we presume that it’ll be variant specific, with this exact unit probably being a range-topping variant for the North American market.
Here’s a rough Photoshop composite image, showing what the next-gen Honda CR-V could look like!
The stylish bumper here should also be reserved for the specific variant, as the unit shown in the previous leak lacks the trapezoidal air intake trim, finished here in silver.
As for the rear, the taillights still feature the same L-shaped design as the
 current-gen CR-V
, but now sports a thinner light signature and a less-pronounced protrusion at the bottom corner, with the design as a whole reminding us a little of the
Volvo XC60
.
The soft lighting signature on the horizontal section gets broken up into three L-shaped elements, and the entire fixture is also now slimmer and more angular, giving the rear fascia a little bit of extra aggression.
Composited image.
In addition to the new looks, the short press release says revealed that the all-new 2022 Honda CR-V will have a “more advanced hybrid system” that delivers a “sporty driving experience and more capability”.
Rumours online suggest that the C-segment SUV could borrow the new
e:HEV hybrid powertrain from the Civic
, with a 2.0 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine and a pair of electric motors (one driving the wheels) to offer a total of
184 hp
 and
315 Nm
 of torque.
More information on the all-new next-gen Honda CR-V should be revealed shortly, ahead of its launch sometime in 2022. But for now, do you at least like how it looks? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!


Mercedes-AMG to continue making V8 engines beyond 2030 if demand is strong

The trend of vehicle electrification has prompted some manufacturers to declare an all-electric future for their model line-up. This is not the case with
Mercedes-Benz
 though, or at least its high-performance subsidiary,
Mercedes-AMG
. Mercedes-Benz Vice President for Vehicle Development, Joerg Bartels told
CarSales Australia
 that there is still room in the future product plan for the Mercedes-AMG V8 engine beyond 2030.
The global product boss acknowledges that EVs will revolutionise the performance car segment. But even with that, he believes there is still not enough reason to axe the V8 engine.
Talking to the Australian publication, he said, “In the end, it has to fulfil our overall CO
2
 strategy, and we have a clear path on that one: being CO
2
 neutral at the end of the ’30s, by 2039. And from 2030 we just want to be pure electric.”
“But if there’s still a customer demand (for petrol V8s) in some regions, and it’s still part of our offering, why should we stop it?” he adds.
RELATED:
Bugatti says no to EVs and SUVs for at least another ten years
Mercedes-Benz has announced its ‘Ambition 2030’ strategy which implies an all-electric line-up by 2030. But this is only for regions “where market conditions allow it”. This means high-value performance petrol-powered vehicles could live on beyond 2030.
Commenting on the demand for high-performance combustion engines, Mr. Bartels said, “But some customers will still demand six or eight cylinders … You can find technical solutions for every request and every regulation, but sometimes it’s combined with higher costs and the customer are not always willing to pay for it.”
On the matter of synthetic fuels to achieve carbon neutrality (like the ones currently being tested by
Porsche
 and
Toyota
) the product boss questions the overall effectiveness. He says, “We have looked into it, of course. But in an energetic way, it doesn’t really make sense. How many kilograms of CO
2
 do you produce to generate the synthetic fuels?
The main goal for brands and regions now is to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are not the only way to achieve this and some even question the effectiveness of EVs themselves. In achieving the two goals, emission regulations have become much tighter over the years.
RELATED:
Porsche says its synthetic fuel could make combustion engines as clean as EVs
On the increasingly strict regulations, Joerg Bartels said, “When we talk about European regulations it’s probably going to be hard from the middle of the 2020s from that point on (to justify combustion engine development), maybe. But the final regulations for EU7 are not yet out.”
Although Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG are committed to a carbon-neutral future, there is high promise of the Mercedes-AMG V8 engine to be continuously produced beyond 2030, should the demand allow it.


Images of Zeekr 001 revealed, was masquerading as a Lynk & Co Zero

Geely’s recently announced
fully-electric premium brand
 has just released images of its first product- the Zeekr 001. The vehicle sure looks familiar as it was initially introduced as a
Lynk & Co Zero Concept
 back in September.
The four-door fastback will be offering soft-closing (power) doors with frameless windows. The dashboard is more conservative compared to its latest and largest Geely
Xing Yue L
 sibling, with just a small driver’s display and a larger-than-average central display.
The first iteration of the group’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (
SEA
) platform sees the attachment of a motor on each axle, with a combined system output of
544 hp
 and
768 Nm
 of torque. While not announced yet, the Zeekr 001 was sighted to have stopped the time on the stopwatch at just
3.8 seconds
 during its century dash sprint exercises.
Air suspension will meanwhile take care of the handling and riding comfort. As for the driving range, the development team targeted a value of
over 700 kilometre
s (under the more optimistic NEDC cycle) and equipped with the latest advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
More information on the Zeekr 001 will be available at its official launch later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show 2021.


Team Malaysia wins big at the Mercedes-Benz Regional Service Excellence Awards

Mercedes-Benz South East Asia II, the regional office that oversees the operations of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Brunei, recently held a Service Excellence Awards ceremony honouring its partner network.
The Regional Service Excellence Award Ceremony is an occasion for Mercedes-Benz in the region to highlight the importance of its aftersales business in addition to honouring and celebrating the commitment of its dealer partners and employees in the region who have done their utmost to uphold and enhance the Mercedes-Benz ownership experience.
Read our review on the latest Mercedes-Benz E 200
here
.
Now in its second year, winning dealerships are announced for this highly prestigious award that is dedicated to customer satisfaction, aimed to motivate retail service personnel who have a direct impact on Mercedes-Benz’ customer’s ownership experience.
Entry to the Mercedes-Benz experience just got more accessible with the new prices of the A200 and GLA 200. More here!
Nine Malaysians
 were awarded the Top Service Advisor Award, the largest quantity among the six nations in Mercedes-Benz South East Asia II. A total of 32 awards were presented at the night ceremony, and the coveted Top Dealer Award went to:
Champion – Hap Seng Star (Bukit Tinggi)
1st Runner Up – Hap Seng Star (Iskandar)
2nd Runner Up (tie) – Cycle & Carriage Bintang (Northern) – Alor Setar
2nd Runner Up (tie) – Hap Seng Star (Kota Kinabalu)
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Georgetown meanwhile were honoured with the Most Improved Dealer Award.
Cycle & Carriage Virtual Showroom brings the new Mercedes brand presence online. Visit it here!
“At Mercedes-Benz, we are driven to delight our customers. Our commitment is towards and focused on providing the best customer experience throughout their journey with us. Driven to Delight is not just a phrase. It is a path, a promise, a belief, a commitment. We are committed to making and keeping our customers happy by offering them an experience beyond their expectations,” expressed Mercedes-Benz South East Asia II, Vice President of Customer Services, Mr
Edmin Naidoo
.
The Regional Service Excellence Award programme is also tasked to continuously raise the bar and standards of service excellence where performance evaluations are done on both a regional and global scale.


South Korea stops all sales of car brands under Volkswagen Group

The government of South Korea has pulled the plugs on the sale of all brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, affecting up to 80 models all because of the dieselgate scandal. This includes carmakers such as Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche and of course Volkswagen themselves.
In 2015, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
detected irregularities in the emissions of VW AG’s diesel engines. The diesel engines were found to emit up to
40 times
 of the approved nitrogen oxide pollutants (known to cause acid rain) in the US. This led to a massive probe into VW and the EPA found that several diesel powered cars are fitted with a “defeat device” which allowed the cars to cheat emission tests. The discovery cost Volkswagen billions in damages, fines and recall campaigns.
Even petrol-powered models are banned
In South Korea, the Ministry of Environment has revoked more than 200,000 vehicle certifications (equivalent to our Approved Permit), which accounts to roughly 67 percent of the total number of Volkswagen AG vehicles sold since 2007. On top of that, VW AG is also slapped with a Korean ₩17.8bil fine (approximately RM64.5mil) of which is compounded against the 2015 ₩14bil (approximately RM50.7mil) fine.


Facts & Figures: 2022 Proton Saga facelift launched in Malaysia – from RM34,400

The third-generation
Saga
 has definitely been around for a while, so to keep up with the modern ages, Proton has now given the entry-level sedan a second facelift update in 2022, with the addition of a handful of new, modern features.
Offered in four variants, including a new range-topping Premium S, the 2022 Proton Saga facelift is now priced
from RM34,400
 for the entry-level Manual AT variant.
EXTERIOR
Despite being technically a facelift, the 2022 Proton Saga still retains most – if not all – of the old exterior styling touches, save for a few minor tweaks. These include:
Blacked-out “Infinite Weave” grille
New Proton roundel emblem
Red “Ethereal Bow” trim
New 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels (1.3 Premium AT and up)
New external boot release button (1.3 Premium S only)
Black rear number-plate trim with Proton script
Blacked-out side wing mirrors, auto-fold function (1.3 Premium S only)
The 2022 Proton Saga facelift also saw the introduction of a new range-topping Premium S variant, which comes with an additional exterior body kit, consisting of a front bumper skirt and side skirts; the rear remains untouched.
PERFORMANCE
The mechanicals underneath the bonnet remains unchanged on the 2022 facelift, with all variants of the new Proton Saga receiving the same 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine as before.
Engine : 1,332 cc, naturally-aspirated inline-four, petrol
Transmission: 5-speed Manual, 4-speed Automatic
Driveline: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 95 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Max torque: 120 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
INTERIOR
The cabin of the 2022 Proton Saga facelift has been slightly spruced up in terms of design, alongside an update in its equipment list – most noticeably, the new keyless-entry system on the range–topping Premium S variant.
Redesigned centre-stack
Red trimming on air vents surround, steering wheel, instrument cluster
New Proton roundel emblem on steering wheel
New air-conditioning control panel
New interior lighting with automatic dimming
N95 cabin filter
New graphics for the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (Premium and up)
New semi-leatherette seats (Premium S variant)
Leatherette steering wheel (Premium S variant)
Keyless-entry and push-start button (Premium S variant)
SAFETY
The electronic stability control (ESC), traction control (TC), and hill-hold assist (HHA) system is now being offered to the 1.3 Standard AT variant, moving down a rung on the variant tree.
Aside from that, however, the rest of the safety equipment offering is unchanged on the Proton Saga, which means there are unfortunately no advanced driver assistance features just yet, including autonomous emergency braking that is now available on its chief rival, the
Perodua Bezza
.
PRICING
The 2022 Proton Saga facelift variants are priced as follows:
1.3 Standard MT – RM34,400
1.3 Standard AT – RM38,300
1.3 Premium AT – RM41,300
1.3 Premium S AT – RM44,300
The pricing information above is on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemption that is valid until the end of June 2022. Also included in the price is a five-year/150,000 km warranty, alongside three free labour services.
GALLERY


All-new Subaru Forester with EyeSight now in Malaysia, starting from RM139,788!

The all-new Subaru Forester is now in Malaysia with three variants available –
RM139,788
 for the 2.0i-L,
RM149,788
 for the 2.0i-S and
RM159,788
 for the 2.0i-S EyeSight.
On the outside, the most significant change on the Forester is perhaps the rear tail lights that’s shaped to reflect the movement of the pistons in a Boxer engine.
As for the front, changes include a redesigned front bumper and more aggressive headlamps that’s highlighted by sharper LED DRLs. More impressively, the Forester’s ground clearance is as much as a pick-up truck at 220mm, with a 30mm increase in wheelbase – contributing to a 33mm increase in rear legroom.
Carrying on with the exterior, the new Forester gets a powered tailgate with memory function while the arches are filled with 18-inch wheels on the highest spec Forester and 17-inch in the others. True to Subaru’s off-road nature, the Forester also gets headlamps washers across the board.
The all-new Subaru Forester is built on the new Subaru Global Platform with more responsive steering, 40% improved crash absorption, 50% less body roll with a quieter and more stable ride.
Also a large contributor to the Forester’s superb handling are the double wishbone suspension setup at the back; to complement the MacPherson struts at the front.
Under the hood rests a 2.0-litre Boxer engine with
156 hp
 and
196 Nm
 paired to a 7-speed Lineartronic CVT.
Aside from the EyeSight system that operates through two stereo cameras, the new Forester also gets other driver aids such as Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection, Hill Descent Control, Active Torque Vectoring and the X-Mode features that allows the car to adapt to various off-road driving conditions.
Inside, features like 8-way power adjustable seats for both driver and passenger, 8-inch touchscreen display, auto headlamps and wipers, auto hold, dual zone air condition, electronic parking brake, cruise control, paddle shifters are available across the board.
In the highest grade model, the Forester is equipped with a Side View Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, heated door mirrors and Blind Spot Monitor. Safety wise, the Forester comes with seven airbags for all three models.
IMAGE GALLERY


New ProPILOT 2.0 driver assistance system offers “hands-off driving”

The new system, the ProPILOT 2.0, works hand-in-hand with the vehicle’s navigation system to help guide the car according to a pre-selected route and is set to debut in the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline.
For the first time, the system also allows “hands-off driving” while cruising in a single lane. However, the hands-off feature is not available in tunnels where GPS signals cannot be established.
Only when the car enters the highway, the new system’s navigated driving becomes available.
When activated the system can assist the driver when driving on a multi-lane highway until it reaches the highway exit. Aside from tunnels, the system also wouldn’t work on highways that have two-way traffic, on winding roads, at the toll gates or merging lanes.
When the vehicle approaches a split road, or when there’s an opportunity to overtake a slower vehicle, the system evaluates the overtaking maneuver using the navigation system along with 360-degree sensing.
Audio and visual guidance is then given to the driver, who is compelled to put both hands on the steering wheel and confirm the maneuver at a push of a button.
Once the driver pushes the button, the vehicle will smoothly move into the passing lane. When the overtaking maneuver is completed, the system will request confirmation from the driver to bring the vehicle back into the original lane.
Similarly, when approaching the exit of a highway, audio and visual guidance will notify the driver that “navigated driving” is about to end. Once the vehicle arrives at the highway exit, navigated driving is disengaged for the driver to regain full control.
When in hands-off driving mode, a driver monitoring system on the instrument panel consistently checks if the driver’s attention is on the road.
The vehicles uses a combination of cameras, radars, sonars, GPS and 3D high-definition map data to provide 360-degree, real time information of the vehicle’s precise location on the road and its surroundings.


KLIMS18: The only problem with the Lexus UX is that weird Olive paintjob

Lexus Malaysia has displayed their latest compact crossover, the
Lexus UX
 here at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). The luxury carmaker’s first ever compact crossover was first shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and here we have in the metal, a left-hand drive UX.
Riding on the brand’s Global Architecture – Compact (GA-C) platform that boasts strong body rigidity with a low centre of gravity – lowest in the compact luxury crossover segment – offers the young and hip individuals a crossover with dynamic handling characteristics akin to that of a sporty coupe.
Design wise, the UX is as bold as it can get, with the Spindle grille dominating the front fascia, flanked with slim LED headlamps. Looking from the side you’ll notice a hunch in the bodywork at the C-pillars that not only helps airflow but gives off a visual impact of a sports coupe.
The rear is quite an interesting design with a unique taillamp that runs across the tailgate. The taillamp also doubles as a rear spoiler to provide the car with additional downforce at high speeds.

The variant on display is the UX 200 which features a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired to a Lexus Direct Shift CVT to churn out
169 hp
 to drive the front wheels. The innovative transmission uses a mechanical 1
st
 gear to provide spirited acceleration from a standstill and once it’s on the move, the CVT then assumes the role to provide the UX a refined commute and impressive fuel economy.
The UX also features a host of Lexus Safety System+ which includes Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies such as Pre-collision System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS) among others.
Lexus Malaysia did not announce whether the Lexus UX will be made available for Malaysian buyers but since they showcased the car in all its glory, it is safe to assume that there is a high chance the UX will be here to challenge the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus UX Previewed at KLIMS


This Shell fuel station is the “greenest” in the country!

That’s because the
Mint Hotel Shell station
 along the KL-Seremban highway has been integrated with energy-efficient and renewable energy innovations such as the
 Photo Voltaic solar rooftop system
 that’s capable of generating over 90,000 kWh of electricity – enough to power some 300 households per month!
The electricity from solar power will also reduce the fuel station’s carbon emissions by over 62 tonnes per annum and that’s equivalent to saving 1,118 trees, according to Shell.
That’s not all; in reducing the fuel stations water usage, a rainwater harvesting system collects and stores rainwater. This saves the station approximate 167,000 gallons of water per year – the same amount required to supply 24 households with water for a month.
 Green Building Index (GBI) Accreditation Panel, Chairman, Ar. Serina Hijjas, and Shell Malaysia Trading and Shell Timur, Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain or more famously known as “Pak Cik Shell”.
The Mint Hotel Shell station has another trick up its sleeves. It can also convert food wastes into fertiliser! The station collects up to 30 kg of food waste a day, and converts them into 6 kg of fertiliser for the station’s potted plants.
Other low carbon emission innovations include energy-efficient air conditioners and chillers, recycling facilities, and a smart LED lighting system at the forecourt.
Shell’s
 first-ever standalone deli
 at the Abdullah Hukum LRT.
As such, the Mint Hotel Shell station is the
first petrol station in the country
 to be awarded the Provisional Gold Standard by
Green Building Index (GBI)
.
In January 2021, Shell reached another milestone in lowering carbon emissions by installing solar panels at 100 of its petrol stations in Malaysia. Together with Cleantech Solar, Shell has installed solar panels at another 51 stations as of May.
These 151 solar-powered Shell stations can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4,448 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to planting 79,185 trees.
Currently, Shell has three GBI-certified sites while five other stations are being assessed for GBI certification. Shell aims to have a total of 300 solar-powered and 40 GBI-certified sites by 2021.
Shell also recently announced that together with Porsche Asia Pacific, they’ll be implementing
Southeast Asia’s first cross-border high performance charging network
 with 12 charge points at six Shell stations located along Malaysia’s North-South Highway.


Hyundai i30 hatchback launched in Malaysia, priced at RM128k & RM133k [+Video]

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) today officiated its new 3S Centre in Cheras and brought along a new hatchback to town, the all-new Hyundai i30. First previewed at Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013, the new generation i30 is officially launched in Malaysia. Available in Executive and Sport variants that share the same 1.8-litre MPi engine.
Quick Facts
Name
Hyundai i30
Segment
C-Segment Hatchback
Engine
1,797cc MPI with DVVT
Max Power
148 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
178 Nm @ 4,700 rpm
Price
i40 1.8 Executive   RM127,888
i30 1.8 Sport           RM132,888

The Hyundai i30 is the Korean automaker’s best selling model in Europe, with a total of
1.5 million
 units sold worldwide since the introduction of the first generation in 2007. This this second generation i30 was designed and developed at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Germany which features the signature
fluidic sculpture
 design.
Price List

Exterior

As compared to the previous model, the new i30, is longer by 20mm (4,300mm), wider by 5mm (1,78mm) and lower by 10mm (1,470mm). Mr. Lau Yit Mun, Managing Director of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors said the new i30 appeals to Malaysians who like sleek designs with a touch of luxury. That is true and Hyundai has been able to hit the sweet spots with the Elantra and the fairly new i40. Speaking of which, from the front look of the new i30, it does look like the
i40
.

The family trait hexagonal grille together with its headlight design is unmistakably a Hyundai. The fluidic sculpture design gives it a strong and athletic character. The headlights however, does not come with xenon headlights, instead they are halogens. But you do get the attention to detail inside the headlamps. The rear of the five-door does have its own character as a hot hatch.
Interior

The cabin design is familiarly Hyundai, stylish and elegant with the blue lighting ambiance. The meter cluster is illuminated and well sculpted. After looking at the meter display, you’ll start to realize the seats are in fabric instead of leather. Center console is nicely done with all buttons and dials laid out on its symmetrical design.

The new i30 wheelbase is at 2,650 mm, making it more spacious than the outgoing i30 and it is one of the longest wheelbase in the C-segment, so you do get quite a bit of legroom. Boot space has been increased as well with about 10% more than the first generation’s to 378 litres.
Rear seats are foldable with the 60:40 configuration for a bigger boot. It comes with a twin-panel panoramic sunroof, with a carefully thought of wind deflector to avoid  excessive wind from blowing in. Smart key system with engine Start/Stop button come standard as well.
Performance

Powered by a
1.8-litre MPi
 engine with Dual-Continuous Variable Valve Timing (DVVT)  and paired with  Hyundai’s in-house
 6-speed
 automatic gearbox, it produces
148 horsepower
 and
175 Nm
 of torque.
Driver can choose the steering wheel feel via the Flex Steer System that allows three different modes, Comfot, Normal and Sport. In terms of
safety
, it is equipped with Electronic Stability Programme (EPS), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and Emergency Stop Signal. As for airbags, there are
six airbags
 for front, side and curtain.
What else…

The Hyundai i30 1.8L is available in two variants. The i30 Executive is priced at
RM127,888
 and the i30 Sport priced at
RM132,888
. Hyundai Sime Darby Motor now offers its new passenger vehicles, including this i30 with a
5-year or 300,000km
 extended warranty. Available in seven colours, Black Bean, Brilliant Red, Coffee Bean, Creamy White, Dazzling Blue, Hyper Silver and Sleek Silver.
Hyundai’s 25th
3S Centre
 (Mawanis Sdn Bhd) launched today is the biggest 3S centre so far. Located in
Cheras
, the centre offers pick-up and delivery service,
free
 labour serive on Wednesdays, complimentary car wash upon service and self-sufficient customer lounge.
Mawanis
 has over 30 years of experience in automobile industry and has invested a total of
RM6 million
 to set up the 3S centre.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Here’s an Aston Martin DB5 (kinda) that you might actually be able to afford

Aston Martin recently announced that they are
remaking the DB5
 as part of its Continuation series. But unless you have a direct line of contact to the guys at Gaydon, chances are that you’ll not be able to get your hands on one of those, even if you have a lot of money – as they’re only making 25 of that.
So what should you do if you really want to feel like James Bond, and have quite a bit (read: a lot) of money to spare? Thanks to a collaboration between The Little Car Company and Aston Martin, you can now get your hands on an all-new DB5… well, a smaller one at least.
It’s called the DB5 Junior, and it is a
two-thirds scale replica
 of the original

Aston Martin DB5
. According to the press release, the two companies spent 15 months to recreate the DB5 down to the smallest detail, based on Aston Martin’s reference 3D scan of the original car to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
So how small is small, exactly? The DB5 Junior measures in at around 3 metres long and 1.1 metres wide, which the company says can easily accommodate one adult and one child side by side, “to allow different generations to share the love of driving”.
It’s built on an aluminium honeycomb chassis paired with a composite body, providing it a “very rigid” platform while weighing only 270 kg. Powering the DB5 junior is a “torque-laden” electric motor that’s capable of delivering up to
5 kW (6.7 hp)
 to the rear wheel. A removable battery pack is stored under the bonnet, giving the DB5 Junior a driving range of 16-32 km.
Want more power? Stepping up to the DB5 Vantage Junior (just like the original DB5 and DB5 Vantage) will net you a carbon fibre body and a higher-performance powertrain that’s capable of making
10 kW (13.4 hp)
, with the power sent to the rear wheels via a
limited slip differential
 – yes, you read that right.
The regular DB5 Junior can propel you up to a top speed of
48.2 km/h
, while top speed of the Vantage is still at an “unconfirmed level”. Fortunately, there are ventilated disc brakes on all four corners complemented by regenerative braking, as well as a “rally-style” hydraulic handbrake to slow you down, or you know, kick your rear out into a slide.
Aside from the powertrain, everything else is made to be as accurate as possible to the original car, just sized down by a third. These include the steering wheel, dashboard dials, aluminium pedals, working lightings, and even a working suspension set-up!
The car is also finished in the iconic Silver Birch as standard, though buyers are invited to customise their DB5 Juniors into any of the colours in Aston Martin’s contemporary palette. The cars will also come with a range of optional accessories including suitcases, additional batteries, covers, toolkits and custom number plates.
Only 1,059 units
of these will ever be built – the same exact number of Aston Martin DB5s to ever roll out of the factory. Existing owners of the original cars will also be given first refusal to match the chassis number of the Junior cars to their own full-sized ones.
For kids of all ages.
Want one of these? The DB5 Junior starts at
GBP35,000 (~RM193,137)
 while the DB5 Vantage Junior starts at
GBP45,000 (~RM248,319)
. They’re not cheap (for context, a brand-new Honda Civic Type-R is priced around GBP34,000), but just look at it this way way, they’re less than two-thirds the price for one of those DB5 Continuations (GBP2.75 million)…
Each purchase of the DB5 Junior cars will automatically enroll you into the prestigious Aston Martin Owners Club, and three copies of of the exact specifications of your car will be created to be kept at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters, Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell (where the original DB5s were built), and The Little Car Company’s headquarters.
New owners of the DB5 Junior cars will also receive complimentary membership to The Little Car Club which allows them to take part in exclusive track day events, where “they, their children and grandchildren can drive their DB5 Juniors on the most prestigious racetracks”. How cool is that?!
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Jetta ALLSTAR launched in Malaysia, yours for just RM109,990

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has added yet another locally assembled car to the ALLSTAR line up, this time it’s the facelifted Jetta. Like the Polo and Vento, the new Jetta ALLSTAR gets RM3,000 worth of upgrades inside and out for RM1,000 premium over the Jetta Trendline’s RM108,990 asking price.
Launched here at the inaugural Volkswagen Fest, the Jetta ALLSTAR gets additional accessories including rear trunk spoiler, ‘ALLSTAR’ emblems, scuff plates and carpet mats as well as aluminium sports pedals.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volkswagen Jetta ALLSTAR 1.4 TSI
Engine
1,395cc; inline-4 turbo with BlueMotion technology
Transmission
7-speed DSG
Max Power
148 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,500 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.6 seconds; 220 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM109,990
Elsewhere, the Jetta ALLSTAR soldiers on with halogen headlamps, front and rear fog lamps, twin exhaust tailpipes, LED for rear license plates, heated side mirrors, heat insulated windows and 16-inch ‘Sedona’ alloy wheels wrapped in 205/55 section rubbers.
Inside, it gets the same leather wrapped multifunctional steering wheel, fabric seats, RCD 220 head unit with six speakers, rear air vents and single-zone automatic climate control.

No changes under the hood either, retaining the 1.4-litre single turbocharged TSI petrol engine capable of delivering
148 hp
 and
250 Nm
. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. Skeptics may be shy away from the DSG but our time with Century sprint time takes
8.6 seconds
 and on full whack, it will hit
220 km/h
. Official fuel economy figures are rated at
5.0L/100 km
.
As standard the Jetta ALLSTAR comes with six airbags, ABS with brake assist, ESC, hill-hold control, brake pad wear monitor, ISOFIX mounting points and Volkswagen Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS).
Customers can choose from four exterior shades – Candy White, Platinum Grey, Reflex Silver and Deep Black. Like all Volkswagen cars, the Jetta ALLSTAR comes with a 5-Year manufacturer’s warranty and 5-years roadside assistance.
IMAGE GALLERY


Snag up irresistable BMW & MINI deals at the Premium Selection Fair 2019

BMW Malaysia will be holding their Premium Selection Fair with an exclusive selection of certified BMW Premium Selection vehicles from the 13th to 15th of September 2019.
This event will be the largest pre-owned vehicle fair by BMW Group Malaysia yet; featuring vehicles such as the BMW X5, BMW 3 Series and BMW 7 Series along with MINI models as well as motorcycles from the BMW Motorrad portfolio.
BMW Malaysia also announced that the new BMW Premium Selection official website is a platform that facilitates buy-and-sell activities for new and current BMW and MINI owners. If a BMW and MINI vehicle is not meticulously maintained, it will not achieve the BMW Premium Selection status.
Through the BMW Premium Selection official website, owners of the BMW Premium Selection vehicles can also enjoy peace of mind ownership with the included minimum 12 months BMW Premium Selection Warranty or MINI Used Car Next Warranty, as well as access to BMW roadside assistance.
All BMW Premium Selection vehicles undergo rigorous BPS 360-degree Technical and Optical Checks, and comes with an approved service history and genuine car parts.
Additionally owners are also entitled for BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia’s wide range of financing solutions.
Existing owners of BMW looking to trade-in their vehicles can also make use of the benefits provided by BMW Premium Selection, including specialised appraisals, hassle-free transactions and a transparent used car valuation.
Interested? Register your attendance now at the
Official BMW Premium Selection website
 to receive a complimentary one-year BMW and MINI Comprehensive Motor Insurance! You can also browse through over 500 units of pre-owned BMW and MINI vehicles, where all models featured will be available for test drive on the day of the event.


The new Mazda 3 Sedan is pricy but is it worth it?

The C-Segment sedan
market in Malaysia is now more competitive than ever with consumers demanding
for even more style and tech. Both attributes are what defines the all-new
Mazda 3 Sedan.
With Mazda’s global
move of going upmarket as well as our unfavourable duties and tax structure on
fully imported cars (Mazda 3 will be CBU Japan), prices have shot up
considerably compared to the outgoing model. With a price range of RM139,620 to
RM160,059, many would go “I can buy a CX-5 for that money”. But what exactly
are you getting from the fourth-generation Mazda 3?

QUICK FACTS
Name
Mazda 3 1.5L SkyActiv-G Sedan
Mazda 3 2.0L SkyActiv-G High Sedan
Mazda 3 2.0L SkyActiv-G High Plus Sedan
Engine
1,496cc; naturally aspirated 4-cylinder
1,998cc; naturally aspirated 4-cylinder
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
118 hp @ 6,000 rpm
162 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
153 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
213 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM139,620
RM150,059
RM160,059
Although the Mazda 3 is offered in both Sedan and
Hatchback
 body styles, the two are styled with a unique flavour. The Mazda 3 Hatchback is an emotive object being based off the Mazda Kai Concept while the Sedan features a more
executive
look that takes after the Mazda 6.
Differentiating cues
on the two cars, other than the body style, include the lower intakes on the
front bumper, grille design and finish (sedan in chrome, hatchback in dark
chrome), chrome window lining position (sedan upper half, hatchback lower half)
and rear door fixtures.
LED headlamps and taillamps are standard across the range but the LED signature illumination is reserved for the High Plus variant while lower range models settle for halogen units. The entry-level 1.5 model settles for manual door lock and 16-inch alloys wrapped in 205/60 profile rubbers while the High Plus gets the Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry system (available on High) and upsized 18-inch alloy wrapped in 215/45 profile tyres.
Mazda has evolved the
cabin architecture further to give a greater sense of
Jinba Ittai
 (horse
& rider as one) to the driver. In plain English, it means a more
driver-focused cabin. The driver’s area now has a single-seater vibe with the
air vents and driver dashboard encapsulating the instrument cluster and
steering wheel.
The MZD Connect
infotainment system has an entirely new, vibrant and more intuitive interface
with a larger display screen that measures 8.8-inches. To minimise driver
distractions, the infotainment screen is no longer touch sensitive and has been
moved further away from the driver to improve outward visibility. The display
is also now angled towards the driver as opposed to a straight layout from
before.
Standard equipment on the new Mazda 3 is generous and extensive. All variants get the new instrument cluster with a 7.0-inch coloured multi-info display at the centre flanked with analogue dials on either side, coloured heads-up display, 8.8-inch MZD Connect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 8 speakers, push start button, auto-dimming rearview mirror and carpeted floor mats.
On the 1.5-litre and
2.0-litre High variant, the seats are finished in fabric (manual adjustment)
and the multifunctional steering wheel does not come with paddle shifters.
You’d also get a manual climate control toggle.
Stepping up to the
High Plus variant and the cabin is noticeably more premium, furnished with
leather seats, 10-way powered driver’s seat with memory function, dual-zone
automatic climate control, rear air vents (High variant included) and a powered
sunroof.
Engine options are an interesting topic on the new Mazda 3 with the entry-level variant powered by the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder SkyActiv-G petrol engine pushing out the same figures on the Mazda 2,
118 hp
 and
153 Nm
 of torque. The 2.0-litre also naturally aspirated four-pot SkyActiv-G option is carried over from before, developing
 162 hp
 and
213 Nm
.
One strong criticism from netizens is the use of torsion beam at the rear axle as opposed to a multi-link setup of its predecessor. Naturally, torsion beam doesn’t sound too convincing to buyers especially at this price point, but Mazda has assured that with the improved SkyActive chassis architecture and advancements in torsion beam technology, this is the ideal set up for what the consumers and engineers are chasing after.
On the safety front,
all variants come with 7 airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, G-Vectoring
Control Plus (GVC+), speed sensing auto lock (finally!), electronic parking
brake with auto hold and Hill Launch Assist.
The High Plus variant is the first Japanese C-segment sedan to come with the full suite of Advanced Driving Assistance System,
Mazda’s i-Activsense
. It bundles Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Smart Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Assist, Adaptive Front Lighting System and High Beam Control.
Six colour options
will be available for the Mazda 3 Sedan – Soul Red Crystal, Machine Grey, Jet
Black, Deep Crystal Blue, Sonic Silver and Snowflake White Pearl. Every purchase
comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and 5-Years Free Scheduled
Service.
IMAGE GALLERY
All-New Mazda 3 Sedan Launched in Malaysia


Chery Omoda 3 revealed in China – stylish compact SUV to rival the Perodua Ativa?

Photos of an all-new
Chery
 compact crossover, dubbed the Omoda 3, have surfaced online over in China courtesy of
Autohome.cn
. According to the Chinese automotive portal, the pre-production model pictured here will eventually become the global export version of the Tiggo 3X and Tiggo 2 Pro.
As the name suggests, the new compact crossover will come in a segment lower than the
Chery Omo
da 5
. Ditto its size, which will be more comparable to (but still larger than) the
Perodua Ativa
, rather than the
Proton X50
, if its dimensions are unchanged from the Tiggo 3X.
Just like its elder brother, the Chery Omoda 3 stands out against its peers thanks to its unique styling treatment on the outside. The standout feature, we think, are the daytime-running lights that flank the grille, thanks to its chequerboard light signature that help to visually extend the front grille.
There are also many quirky design elements all around the outside, such as the orange accents on the side skirts, fender claddings, roof rails, and wing mirrors. Its pre-production status is obvious, though – the bronze C-pillar ornament still reads Tiggo instead of Omoda.
RELATED:
 ‘All new’ Chery Tiggo 8 Pro revealed – to launch in Malaysia June 2023, PHEV variant by year-end
With Chery positioning the
Omoda brand for the younger crowd
, the interior of the Omoda 3 here is also styled to impress, most notably its three-tone interior. It’s all hard plastic, sure, but at least it’s got some unique shapes all around the dashboard to elevate the ambience of the cabin, and separate itself from the more budget-oriented rivals.
Interior equipment highlights include a large infotainment display atop the dashboard, likely the same size as the one in the Omoda 5, a digital instrument cluster, as well as unique red ambient lighting elements on the dashboard ornament.
No official powertrain details are available just yet since it’s still in pre-production form, but we can expect a similar powertrain offering as the Tiggo 3X in China, which gets a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine making
116 hp
 and
143 Nm
 of torque, paired to a CVT gearbox to drive the front wheels.
Chery is planning a
grand return to Malaysia
 this year starting June, when they’ll be launching the
 Tiggo 8 Pro
and Omoda 5. Would you like to see the Omoda 3 make its way into Malaysia too, as a rival against the Perodua Ativa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
ALSO READ:
 Chery Malaysia appoints Inokom as local assembly partner – CKD production for Tiggo 8 Pro, Omoda 5 to begin in June
[Images:
 Autohome.com.cn
]
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Nissan fights range anxiety with 458km-capable LEAF e+

While range anxiety, in the absence of a ready charging network, remains an obstacle in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, advancement in battery technology is chiselling away at that fear, slowly but surely.
Launched in late 2017, the second-generation fully-electric LEAF debuted with a 40kWH battery pack that allowed it to travel up 322km per full charge (based on the new WLTC Japan cycle, or 400km previously communicated based on JC08 cycle). The new LEAF e+ you see here now has a 62kWh capacity (approximately 40% more) courtesy of a new battery pack that features a higher number of cells (288 against 192) with increased energy density (+25%), thus allowing for a range of up to 458km (WLTC Japan) or 385km, if Europe’s stricter WLTP combined cycle is applied.
There are now 288 cells in the LEAF e+ battery pack, up from 192; capacity has increased from 40kWh to 62kWh, allowing for a range of up to 458km per full charge (WLTC Japan cycle).
Despite carrying significantly more lithium-ion cells, the battery pack of the LEAF e+ is almost the same size as the standard LEAF’s with only a negligible increment of 5mm in vehicle height, even though the vehicle’s interior dimensions and packaging remains the same.
Interior packaging of the e+ is unchanged, just 5mm taller externally, not that anyone would notice.
So, not only do you get more range in the e+, Nissan has also taken the opportunity to update the powertrain which is now good for 218hp and 340Nm, as opposed to 150hp and 320Nm of the ‘regular’ LEAF. Nissan did not divulge the idle to 100km/h benchmark time, but only revealed that the LEAF e+ is 13% faster when accelerating from 80km/h to 120km/h compared to the standard variant.
For local context, the distance by highway between Kuala Lumpur and Alor Setar in Kedah is 438km.


The tiny Hyundai i20 N will still scare off the big boys with its raspy exhaust note!

Ahead of its full reveal in the coming weeks, Hyundai has now revealed the first teaser for the all-new i20 N supermini hot hatch, its latest full-blown high-performance model, not to be mistaken for the
i20 N Line
 which was also unveiled not too long ago.
The all-new i20 N is the latest and smallest model to join the N-Performance line-up, which includes its bigger siblings such as the
i30 N
 and
i30 Fastback N
, as well as the
Veloster N
.
Although still based on the same Sensuous Sportiness design language from the original
Hyundai i20
, the full N model is visually much more aggressive when compared to the all-show-and-no-go N Line model. It seems to have also drawn some inspiration from the i20 WRC rally car, evident by the larger air intake required to sufficiently cool the bigger engine and brakes.
At the side, bespoke 18-inch wheels with a matte grey finish and N-branded brake callipers, along with unique side sills underline its sporty silhouette. Completing the overall look is a distinctive rear spoiler which enhances its aerodynamic prowess.
Just like its elder brothers, the all-new i20 N’s will also be available in the Performance Blue livery – exclusive to Hyundai N models – with Phantom Black roof for an optional two-tone style, as well as red exterior accents to further shout “I’m a race car!”
While Hyundai only said that the i20 N will come with a turbocharged engine in the official press release, some European publications were given the opportunity to test drive a pre-production prototype unit, which revealed the juicy mechanical bits underneath the hood.
 https://player.vimeo.com/video/465778640
The Korean carmaker’s latest
Polo GTI
 rival is set to be powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged mill, good for
204 hp
 and
275 Nm
 of torque. It will be paired exclusively to a
six-speed manual transmission
, with a respectable 0-100 km/h of around
6.7 seconds
.
While we patiently await for more information on Hyundai’s latest supermini hot hatch, here’s an audio clip of the throaty exhaust note from the i20 N, complete with pops and crackles to help alleviate some of the excitement.


2019 Acura RDX debuts with a new Android-based Touchpad

Acura has just debuted the 2019 RDX prototype – an evolution to the enduring top-seller with five consecutive years of record sales in North America – now equipped with a cutting-edge “True Touchpad Interface”.
It’s fitted with a 2.0-litre DOHC VTEC turbo engine manufactured in the same factory that’s building the NSX’s twin-turbo engine. The powerplant is mated to a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission as the 2019 RDX features the return of Acura Super-Handling All Wheel Drive, a new Adaptive Damper System and an NSX-inspired Integrated Dynamic System with four driving modes – Sport, Sport +, Comfort and Snow.
The most notable highlight of this new introduction has to be the all-new
True Touchpad Interface
. It features an Android-based operating system projected onto a 10.2-inch full HD display on the centre console – designed to be in the line of sight of the driver and an interactive heads-up display unit.
Unlike conventional touchscreens and remote interfaces that causes inconvenience to the driver, the RDX’s touchpad is mapped precisely, one-to-one, with finger movements reflected exactly on the display. It is the world’s first application of absolute positioning in the driving environment.
“Absolute positioning transforms the touchpad experience, making it personal, intuitive and particularly well-suited for premium, driver-centric, performance machines,” said senior engineer of user interface research, Ross Miller. “It’s also designed to be adopted quickly and easily, as drivers become acclimated and comfortable in minutes.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Audi A4 turns 25: More than 7.5 million units produced

Some 25 years ago, the first Audi A4 rolled off the assembly
line at Ingolstadt, Germany. Since then, more than 7.5 million units have been
produced across the globe, in both saloon and wagon (Avant as Audi would prefer)
body styles.
With 344,586 units sold in 2018, the A4 remains as Audi’s most popular model, with approximately every fifth vehicle delivered worldwide coming from the A4 series. The Audi A4 broke new grounds when it went into production in 1994 as the successor to the Audi 80, winning over customers with its elegance, sportiness and comfort.
Happy Birthday, Audi A4.
The model promptly became a bestseller in its first full
year of production in 1995, when more than 272,052 units were produced. Demand
for the fifth-generation Audi A4 continues to be strong, driven by customers in
China, the United States and home country Germany. For example, the most popular
Audi model in China is the long‑wheelbase A4, which is produced
especially for the Chinese market.
Since the launch of the fourth A4 generation in 2007, Audi’s two main plants in Germany – Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm – have shared production. Audi also manufactures the A4 in Asia for local consumption; namely in Changchun, China and Aurangabad, India.


Suzuki Malaysia provides relief for flood victims, gives 50% discount on lubricants

In light of the recent wet spell that has caused severe flooding affecting about nine states on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Suzuki Malaysia Automobile (SMA), among many other car manufacturers, have decided to lend the flood victims a helping hand by – you guessed it – offering discounts when repairing their cars damaged by the flood.
SMA, through their ‘Lend a Hand’ campaign that runs from 15 January to 28 February, will provide their customers in the affected regions with a dedicated service campaign, such as
50 percent discount
 on lubricants (engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant),
30 percent

less
 on genuine spare parts and
20 percent off
 on labour or service charges.
Managing Director
 of Suzuki Malaysia Automobile, Mr Keiichi Suzuki said, “We urge our customers who have been affected by the flood to get their Suzuki vehicles to the nearest service centre as soon as possible so that we may ensure their quick and safe return to the road.
“We have great compassion for those who are experiencing such distress due to the flooding and hope to provide some relief to our customers in the form of discounted car servicing,” he added.
Those whose Suzuki vehicles have been affected may call Suzuki’s toll free hotline at
1-300-88-6699
 to locate your nearest Suzuki dealer. The dealers will then assess and verify the authenticity of the damages before any repairing work is carried out.


Video: Mercedes-Benz S580e PHEV launched in Malaysia, 5 Things

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the all-new S-Class in Malaysia where it will be available here in a single variant – the
S580e
 plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Unfortunately, its price tag was not available at the time of launch but when asked, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia expects it to cost more than the previous S560e, which retailed for around RM650k.

Key features on the exterior include 19-inch wheels, air suspension, soft close doors, and Mercedes-Benz’s new Digital Light. The new lighting system uses 1.3 million micro-mirrors to reflect and direct more than 2.6 million individual light beams onto the road. In some countries, it can even project icons onto the road surface.
Inside, it’s a buffet of new tech and offerings. You get a completely new dashboard design, new air-con vents, “hands-free” sunroof controls, calf massager, wireless headset, blindspot indicators by the door panel, illuminated seat belt buckles and a whole lot more!
Performance comes from a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine, paired to an electric motor. Together, they produce 510 hp and 750 Nm. The powertrain also includes a 9-speed automatic transmission.
More details about the new S580e
here
!
GALLERY


Someone tell Hyundai they accidentally released the Tucson concept as the actual 2020 car

Hyundai has officially unveiled the all-new 2020 Tucson SUV today, and it looks like
nothing we’ve seen before
. Remember the Vision T concept Hyundai shown-off at the 2019 LA Auto Show? Well, it seems like the Korean carmaker has taken the otherworldly design concept and put it straight into production.
The exterior of the all-new Tucson carries what Hyundai designers call the “Parametric Dynamic” concept, which uses lines, faces, and angles to create a “kinetic jewel” surface. Evident right at the face, the daytime-running lights are integrated right into the triangular jewel-like grille design, making it invisible when turned off.
The exaggerated parametric character lines on the side, first seen on the

Elantra
, is also present here, with the shoulder line stretching all the way from the front squared-off wheel arch, connecting to the full-width taillights.
Echoing the design of the front lights, the 2020 Hyundai Tucson’s new taillights also contain half-hidden triangular shapes that are only visible when lit. The rear wiper blade is also tucked neatly underneath the rear spoiler when not in use, maintaining the clean futuristic shape of the SUV. The jewel-like design is also mirrored on the rear bumper pattern.
The cabin is just as futuristic as its exterior, thought a whole lot more minimalistic. The entire dashboard is split into two halves, with an unbroken line enveloping the two front passengers starting from the doors, much like the
Ferrari Roma
.
The infotainment display is now integrated directly into the centre console – 10.25-inch for the range-topping variant while the lower-end models get an eight-inch display. Sticking to the whole minimalist/futuristic theme, the climate control panel underneath it is also void of any physical controls, with everything relegated to touch panels.
The instrument gauge cluster is also fully digitalised with no hood covering the top – much like the
newer Mercedes-Benz models
 – to blend in better with the overall minimalist look of the cabin.
Three powertrain options are available on the 2020 Hyundai Tucson at launch, including petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The internal-combustion petrol model is powered by the 2.5-liter SmartStream four-cylinder mill, which is good for
190 hp
 and
247 Nm
 of torque.
The electrified models rely on a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-pot engine to make a combined system output of
230 hp
. The engine itself produces 265 Nm of torque, while the electric drivetrain tacks on another 350 Nm. Although combined system output will definitely be lower than the sum of the two, it should still be plenty enough for some fun.
The internal-combustion model gets an eight-speed automatic as standard, but hybrid variants are paired to a continuously-variable transmission. Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system is also present here on the all-new Tucson, with new additional driving modes to drive through mud, sand, and snow, in addition to the usual Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport modes.
As for safety, the Tucson is equipped with Hyundai’s latest SmartSense suite, including features such as forward collision-avoidance assists with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic high beam, blind-spot collision avoidance and warning with view monitors, highway driving assist, driver attention warning, reverse collision avoidance assist with rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and a Remote Park Assist where you can let your car pull in and out of spaces without sitting in the driver’s seat.
Available in both a long- and short-wheelbase version, though both five seaters, the 2020 Hyundai Tucson will go on sale in Korea this month, while the U.S. and other markets will be getting it starting from the first half of 2021. A slightly more performance-oriented N-Line version will also be making its appearance sometime in the future.


This innovative new material by Nissan will make its cabins quieter

If there’s one thing that annoys us more than a lousy car to drive, is the lack of refinement in it. Nissan’s vehicles of the future may not have such a problem as the company has developed a new innovative sound insulation material called the
acoustic meta-material
.
It only weighs a quarter of what is required to provide the same level of cabin insulation and could soon replace the heavy rubber boards currently used by car manufacturers to reduce cabin noise.
The old….
and the new.
The recipe is simple. The material is made of a lattice structure and covered with a thin plastic film. When the noise hits the material, it bounces back – reducing the noise that penetrates the material.
The material is especially aimed at reducing road noise in the cabin of
Nissan’s electric vehicles
. Without engine noise, electric vehicles may be quieter on the inside but it also makes road noise more obvious.
It’ll also help make future electric vehicles lighter; improving its driving performance and electric mileage.

“We plan to use acoustic meta-material in a wide range of applications; not only in luxury cars and electric vehicles but also in vehicles where the use of heavy sound insulation materials has been limited,” said Nissan’s advance material engineer, Susumu Miura.
The new acoustic meta-material is currently under development for commercialisation but that’s not all.
It was recently awarded “Best of What’s New Award” in the automotive category by Popular Science. Established in 1872, Popular Science is one of the U.S.’s oldest and most trusted brands, reporting on groundbreaking innovations and discoveries.
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Ford shuts down Australian production plant after 91 years, 600 lose their jobs

In case you’re wondering, the blue Ford you see above is the
Ford Falcon
. This Australia made and designed Falcon is a full-sized sedan that’s built in Ford’s facility in Broadmeadows, Australia. It also Ford’s final car produced in the factory, signifying the end of the Blue Oval’s domestic manufacturing in Down Under.
In this unfortunate exercise, about 600 employees lost their job after the closure. However, its engineers and designers were sparred from the axe after being relocated to their R&D centre. This blue Falcon will be the last ever unit after 56 years and with over 3.5 million units sold. However, it will not be sold but be kept by Ford as a memento to remind themselves of the journey.
Its arch rival, the Holden Commodore, doesn’t fare any better. Holden, a subsidiary of General Motors, will shut its plant by end of 2017. Holden just rolled out of the last of the locally assembled Holden Cruze hatchback in Adelaide, the same day that last blue Ford Falcon left the factory. Toyota also plans to close shop (Altona plant) sometime next year.
From now on, Ford Australia will be importing cars from Thailand. The reason for the plant’s closure is evidently caused by the dwindling of sales and increasing production cost. Ford is not the only sufferer of this phenomenon.
This grim reality serves many other markets, especially our own automotive industry, as a reminder of what could potentially happen if they become complacent. Perhaps it was too late for the Blue Oval to realise that they should have sold the Falcon and Commodore beyond the borders of Down Under, eh?


Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport now available in Thailand, only with 122 hp hybrid

The Toyota GR Sport offence continues with the availability of the sporty variant in the Toyota Corolla Cross line-up in Thailand. Unlike the variant that made its debut in
Taiwan
, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport is only available with the 1.8-litre hybrid system.
Since its introduction of the line-up in
2017
, the product enhancement by Toyota GR company under the GR Sport label is quite consistent across all models- exterior colours of white, black and red, sportier bumper designs, black interior and GR emblems. If possible, the coil springs and dampers get stiffened together with a new rim design.
In Thailand, the Corolla Cross GR Sport is the fourth Toyota GR Sport model, after the Toyota
Fortuner
 and
Hilux
 models. Due to the success of the Toyota Corolla Altis sedan at the Nurburgring endurance race, it has its
celebratory model

on top of the GR Sport variant!
On the exterior, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport gets a unique front bumper, with a sportier black-painted two-tier grille opening, mesh pattern and repositioned fog light. At the rear, the red taillamps now adopt a smoked lens finishing, a sporty-looking upgrade but not as cool as the all-new
Honda HR-V RS e:HEV

that spans the full width of the tailgate.
The wheel size is still 18 inches and wrapped with 225/50R18 tyres, but the rim design looks to be taken from the
European Toyota Corolla GR Sport
.

The coil springs and shock absorbers ratings have been adjusted to deliver less body roll, better body control as well as a sportier ride without sacrificing comfort levels.
Review: Toyota Vios GR Sport that has its dynamism tuned in Malaysia!
Unpainted wheel arches, as well as silver-finished lower ‘underguards’, are kept to instil the SUV image, unlike the hot-hatch-look on the
Hyundai Kona N Line
. Apart from White Pearl with black upper half, which is also the most expensive in the range, customers can also select the Red Mica-black two-tone combination or completely black.
Toyota Motor Thailand is only offering the Corollas Cross GR Sport with the 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain as that is what the market wants. The company said since the model’s launch in the middle of 2020, 85% of sales of the Corolla Cross are hybrid models, even though the
regular 1.8-litre engine
 variant is priced the lowest at under 1 million Thai Baht.
No changes have been made to the self-charging hybrid powertrain that continues to deliver
122 hp
 and return fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 km under the older NEDC / R101 test cycle.
Inside, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport gets the GR treatment of the brand emblem being stuck on the front headrests, floor carpets and start-stop button. The dashboard trim has been replaced with piano black finishing and silver stitching used on the steering wheel and leather seat.
Similar to the update for the soon-to-be-available
locally-assembled Corolla Cross 1.8
 models, the GR Sport model also gets the all-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) which slows the vehicle to a complete stop, then increase back to the preset speed level when conditions allow.
The little Toyota Yaris Cross looks too soft for some. These modifications surely make it look like a Dakar or club rally challenger!
Pricing wise, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport starts from
THB1,249,000
 (approx. RM155.8k) for models in all-black, or a THB50,000 premium over the Corolla Cross Safety Package, non-GR Sport variant.
The two-tone Red Mica-black paintwork is an additional THB10,000 more, while the White Pearl-black topping the Corolla Cross range in Thailand is priced at THB1,264,000.
GALLERY


Perodua: No recalls for Perodua Axia despite Daihatsu safety scandal, deliveries unaffected

Owners of the new
2023
Perodua Axia
 may have had a little scare over the recent long weekend with Daihatsu admitting to “procedural irregularities” in its safety testing. Also affecting the Toyota Vios (Yaris Ativ) and Agya, apparently some modifications were made to the driver door to improve performance in the side impact testing.
Commenting on the issue,
Perodua
 President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “Perodua engaged Daihatsu Co Ltd to carry out safety testing for the new Perodua Axia in Japan, which was witnessed by relevant authorities and agencies for their respective assessment. As we receive news of this “procedural irregularity” by Daihatsu, we immediately contacted these bodies to determine if the safety standard of the Perodua Axia was compromised.”
“We were assured that despite the revelation by Daihatsu, the UN-R95 certification given to the Perodua Axia is intact. This means that the Perodua Axia is safe for driving and no recall will be issued nor will Perodua stop delivery of this new model to our valued customers. We apologise for any distress caused to our customers on this matter and we wish to assure that the safety information and specification of all our models are verified by professional bodies.”
“We will continue to monitor this situation and will update the public on this matter as it develops. We place our customers safety and comfort above all else and we will continue to do so as part of our practice of Going Beyond of what is expected.”
RELATED:
UMWT – No recalls for Toyota Vios amidst Daihatsu safety scandal, no compromise to quality
Just to recap, owners of the new Perodua Axia 2023 will not have to worry about any recalls. Deliveries of the all-new Perodua Axia will also carry on as usual.
Daihatsu’s announcement regarding the issue came about on April 28 and since then, Toyota Chairman of the Board, Akio Toyoda has released his official statement regarding the matter. He said, “Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.’s wrongdoing is a matter that concerns safety, which is the most important aspect of vehicles. We consider this an absolutely unacceptable act that betrays the trust of our customers. We would like to sincerely apologize to our customers around the world and all related parties for the inconvenience and concern this has caused.”
RELATED:
Perodua ‘Auto Rahmah’ package launched – 30% parts and labour discount for Axia, Bezza


Kia Stinger lands in Malaysia, 2.0L & 3.3L V6 priced from RM239k

Shortly after teasing the Kia Stinger on social media, Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM) has officially launched the brand’s halo Grand Tourer here in Malaysia. Lucky for us, Malaysian customers have the option for the road-tax friendly 2.0-litre four-cylinder or the adrenaline-pumping 3.3-litre V6.
First previewed at the
2017 Malaysia Auto Show
, the Stinger sits at the very top of the Korean carmaker’s product line-up. The fully imported Stinger has the performance credentials to rival the likes of
Mercedes-AMG C 43, strengthened with a
much more attractive price tag of RM239k for the entry-level 2.0-litre GT-Line and RM309k for the range-topping 3.3-litre V6.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Kia Stinger 2.0L GT-Line
Kia Stinger GT 3.3L V6
Engine
1,998cc; 4-cylinder turbo
3,342cc; twin-turbo V6
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
255 hp
365 hp
Max Torque
353 Nm @ 1,400 – 4,000 rpm
510 Nm @ 1,300 – 4,500 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
6.0 seconds
4.9 seconds; 269 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM239,888
RM309,888
Visually, both Stinger variants are armed to the teeth with LED projector headlamps, LED combination headlamps, dark chrome finish for the front grille, side mirror caps, quad exhaust outlet and 18-inch alloy wheels. The only differentiating trims on the more expensive GT are the upsized 19-inch alloys and red Brembo brake calipers.

Inside, the Stinger is as good as it gets with leather upholstery, 7.0-inch LCD supervision instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, electronic parking brake, 12-way powered front seats with memory function for driver seats, heated and ventilated front seats, 8.0-inch infotainment system and 700W 15-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.
Stepping up to the GT variant, you’ll find an additional multi-info gauge (G-Force, oil temperature, etc), Premium Nappa leather upholstery, heads-up display, 16-way powered driver seats and GT embroidery on the seat headrest.
NKM has introduced two engine options for the Stinger – the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and the 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6. The four-cylinder packs
255 hp
 and
353 Nm
 while the six-cylinder has
365 hp
 and
510 Nm
 of twist. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission to send drive exclusively to the rear wheels.
Even if you opt for the smaller capacity engine, the Stinger GT-Line will still sprint to the 100 km/h mark in 6.0 seconds flat. Of course, if speed is what you seek, the twin-turbocharged V6 can propel the Stinger GT to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds – just 0.2 seconds deficit from the Mercedes-AMG C 43.
NKM did not compromise on safety equipment for its flagship model with seven airbags, Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control (DTVC), limited-slip differential, launch control, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), ABS, Hill-start assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), 360-degree surround view camera, blind spot monitor as well as front and rear parking sensors.
There are four exterior colours to choose from, HiChroma Red, Deep Chroma Blue, Panthera Metal and Aurora Black. The top-spec GT gets an exclusive red interior while the GT-Line gets a single-tone black theme.
IMAGE GALLERY
Kia Stinger GT 3.3L V6


Isuzu D-Max covers 1,809km from Bangkok to Singapore in less than one full tank!

Four
Isuzu D-Maxes
 made an incredibly frugal journey from Bangkok, Thailand to Singapore with less than one full tank (76 litres) of diesel. That’s a total of
1,809 kilometers
 of tarmac, and this achievement eclipses their previous record in 2011 of 1,600km from Bangkok to Melaka. This trip proves that the D-Max is capable of sipping just
4.2 litres of diesel per 100km
 travelled, which further translates to
RM0.09 per kilometer
!
The four – a pair of 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre D-Maxes with both manual and automatic transmissions including a 4×4 drivetrain all completed the journey under stringent observations of an Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) officer, who later verified and confirmed that the trucks were bone stock with no aftermarket modifications.
This Dura-Miles challenge saw the pickups braved through heat and rain, and air conditioning was not tempered throughout the drive. Isuzu Malaysia’s Senior Manager of Product Planning and Brand, Mr Wan Zaqi Zacary said, “The basic yet sophisticated design of the Isuzu D-MAX is a major contributor to its success. Isuzu engineers put very heavy emphasis on the D-Max’s aerodynamics, and tests include the use of a
bullet train wind tunnel
 to develop the current shape of the D-MAX,” said Zaqi.
If this news excites you, then keep watching this space because Isuzu will be launching the
MU-X
 – a seven-seater SUV that’s based on the D-Max.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Continental Tyre Malaysia introduces two innovatively engineered Dunlop wet tyres

Continental Tyre PJ Malaysia Sdn Bhd has just launched two of their latest Malaysian-designed tyres – the
Dunlop Formula D05
 and
Dunlop SP Sport J5
. The tyres have been meticulously engineered to deliver superior grip performance in wet conditions, and they both make for a combined total of
45 rubbers
 of varying profiles.
One of the two tyres launched, as mentioned earlier, is the SP Sport J5. Offered in sizes ranging from
12 to 15 inches
 with up to
17 series profiles
(refer to table below), its grooves, sipes and tie-bar design is engineered to disperse water as quickly as possible. Its made of
full silica compound
 and Continental claims that it gives
better rolling resistance
,
reduces noise
 and
improves handling
 in both wet and dry conditions compared to the model its replacing.
155/70 R12
185/65 R14
205/65 R15
185/60 R15
175/50 R15
175/70 R13
175/65 R15
165/60 R13
195/60 R15
185/70 R14
185/65 R15
165/60 R14
205/60 R15
175/65 R14
195/65 R15
185/60 R14
165/55 R14

The other model – Dunlop Formula D05 is catered for wheels of larger diameter, from
15 to 18 inches
 and is offered in
28 articles
 (refer to table below). It’s technically engineered the same way as the Sport J5 tyre, but its grooves and overall look is entirely different. Its better looks aside, the D05 features an Edge-Effect design which reduces the possibility of aquaplaning by maximising rubber-to-road contact.
205/40 R17
215/45 R18
225/50 R17
205/55 R17
225/40 ZR18
225/45 R17
225/50 ZR18
215/55 R17
235/40 ZR18
225/45 ZR18
235/50 R18
225/55 R17
245/40 R18
195/50 R15
185/55 R15
235/55 R18
205/45 R16
195/50 R16
185/55 R16
195/60 R16
205/45 R17
205/50 R16
195/55 R15
215/60 R16
215/45 R17
215/50 R17
205/55 R16
215/60 R17

Because it’s designed in Malaysia for Malaysians, both these Dunlop tyres come with a truly innovative feature to help its customers monitor tyre wear. As you can see from the picture below, the tyres come stamped with several ‘rain or shine’ icons as its
Tyre Wear Indicator
 (TWI) on the outer tread. This eliminates the conventional method of inserting a coin to measure the grooves’ depth.
It works exactly like how it sounds. The tread depth when it’s brand new measures at
8mm thick
, but when it reduces down to 3 mm, the ‘rain’ icon will disappear, indicating the need for a replacement should you be driving under wet conditions. However, performance in dry conditions continues until the tread wears down to 1.6 mm – that’s when you should really get your tyres replaced. Do keep in mind that these tyres are said to last up to
60,000 km
, so be sure to periodically check on the TWI.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
Dunlop SP Sport J5

Dunlop Formula D05


FLUX subscription service adds Proton X70 to its fleet

FLUX, the multi-brand car subscription service provider has now added a fleet of brand new Proton X70 SUVs to its inventory where the first SUV by Proton can now be had from just
RM1,975 per month
. The
Premium variant X70’s
 are available in Snow White, Jet Grey and Space Grey colours.
Users can subscribe to the Proton X70 for a month or up to three years and just for this Merdeka month, the reservation fee of RM75 for the X70 will be waived.
The X70 is also available on Flux’s Subscribe to Own service where users can opt to purchase the car at the end of a 36-month subscription at a
Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) of RM80,888
.
The new
Subscribe to Own service
 allows users to initially subscribe to a new or pre-owned vehicle from the Flux collection. At the end of your subscription, subscribers will have the
option to purchase the car
.
In addition, Flux provides a concierge that delivers a door-to-door service and handles all administrative and maintenance matters on the user’s behalf. Now if that sounds interesting to you,
check out Flux’s inventory of vehicles here
!


Toyota Japan offers GR Yaris “Morizo Selection” via subscription!

In line with their aim to “provide cars that evolve with the driver”, Toyota Motor Corporation and
KINTO
, a car subscription service provider, is now offering the GR Yaris “Morizo Selection” via subscription.
Morizo
 is a pseudonym used by Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation, every time he gets behind the wheel.
The special edition GR Yaris comes with some distinct features including a Morizo print on the windshield, ROOKIE Racing’s colour scheme on the seats, coil springs and shock absorbers.
Over 130 units of the Toyota GR Yaris were allocated for Malaysia and they’re all sold out. Read about it here!
ROOKIE Racing’s colours can also be seen on the lightweight 18-inch BBS wheels and door switch panels. These Morizo Select models will be available either in White, Red or Black.
In case you’re wondering, ROOKIE Racing is a private team made up of weekend racers and professional drivers. Even Akio Toyoda has raced under the team before in the Super Taikyu Series – a top-tier endurance race series in Japan.
They also work closely with Toyota by providing feedback in relation to vehicle development.
Watch us thrash the Toyota GR Yaris, while chasing a GR Supra on the Sepang Circuit here!
Here’s the coolest part. Even after the cars have been delivered to their customers, constant
 over-the-air performance and software

updates
 will be made to the car, allowing it to work more intuitively with the driver. These changes are individual to every driver and car, made based on driving data and driver feedback!
The subscription starts from 54,340 yen (approx. RM2,031) on a 3-year contract.
This is how the Toyota GR Yaris is supposed to be driven. It’s a must-watch!