Facts & Figures: 2020 991 Porsche 911 Speedster launched in Malaysia, from RM2.7 million

Sime Darby Auto Performance, official distributors of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia has launched the 991 generation Porsche 911 Speedster –
a model that marks the end of the 991 generation model
 where Porsche has sold over 233,000 units of. This makes the 991 generation the best-selling Porsche 911 ever.
The 911 Speedster, where
a unit was donated to an auction to fund the Covid-19 battle
, pays tribute to the Porsche 356 1500 Speedster; featuring a lightweight tonneau cover instead of a convertible top.
While it may look like just another 911 with an open top and “double bubble streamliners” as Porsche calls it, there are significant tweaks to the exterior of the car. The “double bubble streamliners” for starters is made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic which also serves as rollover protection.
It’s also been given a wider profile inspired by the Carrera 4 Convertible, a more inclined windscreen and shortened side window frames. That’s not all; not only is it built on a GT3 chassis, it’s also benefits from a GT3 engine.
PERFORMANCE
Engine: 4.0-litre 6-cylinder naturally-aspirated boxer engine
Transmission: 6-speed manual with Auto Blip (or in other words “computerised heel and toe”)
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive with rear-wheel steer
Suspension: Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Horsepower: 510 hp @ 8,400 rpm
Torque: 470 Nm @ 6,250 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 4 seconds
Top Speed: 310 km/h
Complementing the 6-speed manual transmission is a mechanical rear locking differential. The 911 Speedster also comes with the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system while the suspension has been set up to lower the car by 25 mm.
EXTERIOR
20-inch forged Speedster alloy wheels with centre locks
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake
Carbon fibre bonnet
Sport Design side mirrors
Unlike the
911 Speedster concept we saw last year
, the local Speedster does not come with a 50’s-inspired fuel cap on the front bonnet, the super cool Talbot design side mirrors or even the Fuchs designs wheels. Disappointing.
Weight saving measures are also applied on the inside of the car with carbon fibre bucket seats and lightweight door panels. To keep you reminded of what a special car it is, Speedster logos can be seen everywhere – on the rev counter, head rests, and on the carbon door sills.
Wedged between the seats is a “70 Years of Porsche” badge that’s finished in gold – a milestone the Speedster was built to commemorate – along with the serial number of the car. In total, Porsche
will only build 1,948 units of the 911 Speedster
, with prices starting from
RM2.7 million
 a pop.
GALLERY
Porsche 911 Speedster
Porsche 911 Speedster Concept


Volkswagen reveals the XL Sport, powered by a 1.2-litre V2 Ducati engine

Last year Volkswagen launched the
XL1
, an ultra economical and super-slippery plug-in hybrid car that sips 0.9 l of fuel per 100 km. Today at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen revealed the
XL Sport
 that’s capable to reach a
 top speed
 of
270 km/h
, powered by the
world’s most powerful two-cylinder engine
. Blasphemy? Sort of.
The two-cylinder engine in the XL Sport is actually taken off a
Ducati 1199 Superleggera
, a
1,199 cc DOHC V2
 that produces
197 hp
 and
134 Nm
 of torque, and screams all the way to
11,000 rpm
. The original XL1 is also powered by a two-cylinder engine, but a diesel unit generating 47 hp and 120 Nm of torque.
The XL Sport can accelerate from
0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds
 using a
7-speed DSG
 that drives the rear wheels. The lightweight wheels have grown wider and larger compared to the ones on the XL1. They’re made out of
 forged magnesium
, measuring 18-inches in diameter and wearing
205/40 R18
 tyres at the front and
265/35 R18
 tyres at the rear. Braking is provided by
 ceramic discs
 on all four corners.
The lightweight chassis has been redesigned, using double wishbone front and rear axles but with pull rod dampers at the front and push rod dampers at the rear. Clothing the chassis is a carbon-reinforced polymer (CFRP) body that’s manufactured using the Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process.

The basic design still resembles the XL1 and retains the dramatic
wing doors
, but the XL Sport has been given an extra dose of attitude. The face gets an extended chin along with air curtains at the side of the
LED headlamps
. The side sills are wider, bridging the broad front wheel arches that also houses the
e-Mirror
 (digital outside mirrors) and the extended rear wheel arches with air inlets and air outlets for optimum air flow and for cooling the engine.

The back gets an
extendable rear spoiler
, and the rear hatch has louvres that opens or closes depending to the cooling requirements of the engine. The rear hatch opens to reveal the engine bay and 107 litres of luggage space.
Aerodynamically, the XL Sport’s
Cd value
 have increased to
0.258
 from 0.189 on the XL1. This is due to the longer and wider dimensions which is now at
4,291 mm lon
g with
2,424 mm wheelbase
,
1,1847 mm wide
, and
 1,152 mm tall
. For comparison, the XL1 is 3,888 mm long with 2,224 mm wheelbase, 1,664 mm wide, and 1,153 mm tall.
The interior also received a makeover featuring red highlights to the black and grey colour scheme. Aluminium bits are used for the
shift paddles
 on the steering wheel, while the
digital instrument panel
 displays individual lap time as well. Furthermore, if you notice the gearknob is made out of wood, perhaps to rekindle the spirit of the old racing cars such as the Lotus 25 and Porsche 917.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz confirms compatibility of its diesel cars with B10 biodiesel

Earlier in June, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (PMIC) announced that B10 biodiesel
will be available in October
, however several car manufacturers like BMW, Toyota, Isuzu and Mercedes-Benz have all came forward saying that the blended fuel will not be compatible with their diesel models.
In a surprising turn of events, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) announced earlier today that their current fleet of diesel cars are indeed
compatible with B10 biodiesel
. This compatibility is strictly confined to cars that are officially distributed by MBM, and parallel imported Mercs aren’t given this peace of mind.
CEO and President of MBM, Roland Folger said, “After initially stating that the B10 biodiesel blend required further consideration, we are now pleased to inform our customers that the B10 biodesel is suitable for all diesel vehicles sold by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.”
Folger explained that the company has carefully evaluated the influence of B10 biodiesel in their current diesel vehicles and found that the cars ran smoothly and safely without showing premature component wear. The service interval for diesel models is also kept at 12,000 km. That said, the compatibility is only for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, whereas the Fuso truck range remains incompatible.
The B10 Biodiesel has a
10 percent blend of palm based methyl ester
 and 90 percent petroleum diesel. Production of the biodiesel will create over
30,000 new jobs
 in Sarawak and will see an increase in domestic consumption of palm oil by 1.2 million tonnes annually.


Video: Perodua Aruz 7-seater SUV, Things You Need To Know

Perodua’s line up of cars seem more complete now with the introduction of a new 7-seater SUV into the mix, the
Perodua Aruz
, and here are the things you need to know about the first new car launch of 2019.
The Aruz represents an
“act of continuous dynamic motion that signifies progress”
and will be available in two variants –
1.5 X at RM 72,900
 and the
1.5 AV at RM 77,900
 – attached with a 5-year/150,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).
At the heart of the Aruz is a 1.5-litre 2NR-VE engine, the same unit you’d find in the new
Perodua Myvi
 and the Aruz’s stepbrother, the
Toyota Rush
, but makes slightly less power with
105 hp
 and
136 Nm
 of torque. The Dual VVT-i unit is paired to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Like the Perodua Myvi and the Toyota Rush, the new Aruz is also equipped with the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) that comes with Pre-Collision Warning (between 4 km/h to 100 km/h) and Pre-Collision Braking (4 km/h to 80 km/h) with pedestrian detection (4 km/h to 50 km/h), front departure alert and pedal misoperation control. It’s an upgraded version from the ASA 1.0 system you get in the new Toyota Rush, as
shown in our video
.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Perodua Aruz X

 Perodua Aruz AV


Dealers impressed with Geely Research Institute, excited with Proton’s future

Selected Proton dealers in Malaysia were treated to an on-site visit at the Geely Research Institute (GRI) in Hangzhou Bay, China to witness and experience the state-of-the-art research facility of Proton’s new partner, Geely.
The GRI is Geely’s flagship research and development centre which opened its doors in May 2017. The facility spans over 67 acres of land and houses nearly 7,000 full-time engineers to work on five key technologies covering safety, internet connectivity, engine, interior environment and driver aids.
The money can’t buy visit opened the dealer’s eyes to the exciting possibilities awaiting in the future after witnessing the scope of technology and research being done by Geely.
Munauwir Mohd Khir, from Edaran Saga Sdn Bhd said, “From what I gather after the visit to the GRI, we could see that Geely takes into account every single detail. From planning to execution, careful thoughts are being put in place to ensure a smooth process. Everything is done in a controlled manner and the processes are in order, from testing to the final product. I also observed that they follow stringent rules and regulations, so this is very good”.
Munauwir Mohd Khir from Edaran Saga Sdn Bhd
For others like, Mohd Nazrin Mohamad Fozi, of Rahman Brothers Automotive Sdn Bhd, the visit to the GRI more than lived up to his expectations. He explained, “I enjoyed the visit to the GRI. It showcased Geely’s technological capabilities and the future of automobiles. I can imagine if these technologies, like advanced safety and other state-of-the-art features are incorporated into Proton cars, we will definitely be at the leading edge of automobiles in Malaysia, and beyond. The future is really exciting looking at the partnership with Geely.”
Hazree Hashim of Vitalic Sdn Bhd commenting on his visit: “After this visit, I believe I see more clearly now the developments that are on-going in Geely and how Proton could eventually benefit in the long term. From the working culture to the plant, there is a proper system and flow, to doing things. Production is in control and everything looks orderly. I am delighted to say that I am proud to be a part of the troupe who has visited the GRI”.
Hazree Hashim of Vitalic Sdn Bhd
These dealer visits hope to convince more Proton dealers to upgrade their existing outlets to 3S or 4S centres in anticipation of the new Proton SUV as well as future models to spawn from the Proton-Geely partnership. The new 3S and 4S centres will feature a new corporate image that prioritises premium customer service.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Hazree Hashim of Vitalic Sdn Bhd

 Munauwir Mohd Khir from Edaran Saga Sdn Bhd

 Mohd Nazrin Mohamad Fozi of Rahman Brothers Automotive Sdn Bhd


Toyota Mirai covers up to 502 km on a full tank of hydrogen, does 3.5L/100km

The hydrogen propelled
Toyota Mirai
 has set a record in its zero-emissions segment by being the first Fuel Cell Vehicle to cover a total distance of 502 km – a distance more than any other cars like it on the market, for now.
The feat is further substantiated with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fuel economy rating, stating and confirming that the Mirai is the
only zero emissions electric vehicle
 on the market capable of exceeding 300 miles (approximately 482.8 km) on one fill while consuming the petrol equivalent of
3.5 litres per 100 km
.
The Mirai was
launched in mid December 2014
 and is the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. It uses Toyota’s most advanced TFCS technology which comprises an FC Stack, FC Boost Converter and two highly pressurised hydrogen fuel tanks. Both tanks are made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and
holds up to 122.4 litres of hydrogen
 at 700 bars.
Electricity is generated through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, which in turn powers the car. Its byproduct?
Water vapour
. It also comes with a large-capacity (60 kWh) power supply system that is capable of producing a maximum output of 9kW that could
power your house
 in the event of a power outage.
CEO of Toyota North America, Jim Lentz said, “Toyota realised in the early 90s that electrification was key to the future of the automobile. Just as Prius introduced
hybrid-electric vehicles
 to millions of customers nearly 20 years ago, Mirai is now poised to usher in a new era of efficient, hydrogen transportation.”
Toyota aims to sell about 400 units of this four-seater saloon by the end of this year, with plans to introduce it in limited numbers to the UK and several other selected European markets. It is sold in Japan for an estimated RM210k.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Toyota Mirai, Fuel Cell Vehicle


Bosch donates batteries and windscreen wipers to government hospitals

In support of our front liners working tirelessly throughout the ongoing
Covid-19 pandemic
, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia (Bosch AA) has donated several aftermarket parts to local government hospitals to ensure that the ambulances are in great working order as part of its ‘Safer Cars, Safer Roads’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The aftermarket parts include new maintenance-free vehicle batteries, cabin batteries used to power up important medical equipment on board, as well as Aerotwin Retrofit wipers that will be especially helpful during the current rainy season.
Bosch AA Malaysia Marketing Manager, Dillion Goh said, “Ambulances are a vital need for both patients and hospitals. Bosch felt it was crucial to deliver peace of mind to drivers and medical workers so that their mission to save lives will not be interrupted by unwanted situations such as a breakdown.
“We are truly humbled by the dedication of the medical community over the past few months, and would like to show them our support so they are able to count on us when it comes to vehicle maintenance and road safety,” added Goh. Bosch pledges to continue supporting government hospitals to help ensure the safety and well-being of medical workers and patients remain a top priority on our shared roads.
The ‘Safer Cars, Safer Roads’ CSR initiative is part of Bosch AA’s wider
‘Drive for Life’ car and road safety campaign
. The campaign aims to raise awareness on basic automotive knowledge and the importance of proactive vehicle maintenance using quality car parts.


Throwback Thursday: Volkswagen quits motorsports, here are some of their most successful race cars

After 50 years of motorsport exploits in various arenas including the World Rally Championship and the Dakar Rally, Volkswagen Motorsport is no more.
The company will instead channel its focus and resources into electric mobility with the 169-strong workforce of the defunct division absorbed into Volkswagen AG.
To that end, let’s look at some of the most recognisable and successful Volkswagen race cars in the recent decade.
Polo R WRC – World Rally Championship
2013
2015
The car that spent 952 days in a row at the top of the WRC rankings and along the way, made Sebastien Ogier only the 3rd driver in WRC history to be crowned World Rally Champion four years in a row. Together with the French driver, the Polo recorded 37 WRC victories and four consecutive WRC championships.
Concidentally, all four championships won between 2013 to 2016 were wrapped up with a win, and a race to spare.
Race Touareg – Dakar Rally
Race Touareg 2
Race Touareg 3
Between 2009 and 2011, Volkswagen’s Race Touareg was the one to beat in the Dakar Rally, as it won three consecutive championships. In 2011, the Race Touareg 3 piloted by former WRC champion Carlos Sainz, clinched 12 out of 13 stage victories, covering a total distance of 9,600 km along the way.
In the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Volkswagen were so dominant with the Race Touareg that their drivers occupied the entire podium with a 1-2-3 finish.
Golf GTI TCR – TCR International
Beginning with the 2016 season, the Golf GTI TCR by Volkswagen Motorsport offered a production-derived customer sport vehicle for ambitious drivers and teams committed on global and national levels in the fast-growing TCR touring car category.
The car went on to score two TCR International titles in the 2016 and 2017 season.
Polo R Supercar – Rallycross World Championship
The 570 hp Polo R won three Rallycross World Championship titles in 2017, 2018, and 2020. The 2017 and 2018 titles were both won by Johan Kristoffersson with absolute dominance. In 2018, the title was wrapped up with two races to go, while the team scored a total of 17 wins out of 22 races in two seasons.
Fully-electric ID.R.
The ID.R racing car holds five international records, including the overall record at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed
, Pikes Peak (USA), the
electric record for the Nürburgring
, and the
 Tianmen Mountain in China
.


Naza Kia Malaysia donates all-new Kia Sorento to PDRM, worth RM156k

The generous folks at Kia Malaysia have done it again, after
handing over brand new units of the Kia Sportage to our gold medallist Paralympians
. This time, the beneficiary of a brand new
Kia Sorento
 is Polis Di Raja Malaysia (PDRM).
Group CEO of Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, Mr. SM Nasarudin Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin said, “We hope this gesture will further assist the men in blue, and we thank them for their sacrifices and contribution to our nation. This also provides the opportunity for the Police Force to experience the Sorento’s uncompromising safety features, performance, handling and overall drivability.”
The unit donated was of the entry level variant, a 2.2-litre turbodiesel producing
197 hp
 and
441 Nm
 of torque. It is all-wheel driven and has a
six-speed automatic transmission
.


Naza Italia is now certified by Ferrari to care for your classic prancing horse

Of Ferrari’s influence in 20 markets worldwide, 48 official dealers have been nominated as “Ferrari Classiche (classical in Italian) Authorised Workshop”, known as “Officina” (workshop in Italian). This acknowledgement authorises the dealer to implement the Ferrari Classiche certification process and ensure the correct maintenance and repairs of Ferrari’s over 20 years old.
Finally, some professional lovin’ for your classic Ferrari then and
Naza Italia
, among all, has been nominated as a Ferrari Classiche Authorised workshop. Each Classiche Officina will be supported by the Ferrari Classiche department straight out of the Ferrari factory in Maranello.
In return, each Ferrari Classiche Officina must commit to maintaining a dedicated workshop ramp and a trained classic Ferrari technician exclusively for the maintenance, repair and certification applications of old Ferraris.
A Ferrari Classiche Officina offers highly qualified services, ensuring the vehicle’s value through the Ferrari Classiche Certification process – to maintain the valuable technical expertise of the Ferrari brand and the customer’s investment in their classic Ferrari and its certification.
Where there is a need for reconstruction of major parts or components – necessary for the Ferrari Classiche Certification – such works will be carried out at the Ferrari factory.


Hyundai’s latest RM20e electric race car prototype is actually a Rimac underneath

Hyundai has unveiled the RM20e, its fifth model in a long line of mid-engined rear-wheel-driven racing prototypes which started with the RM14 (RM stands for Racing Midship) in 2014. But unlike the previous iterations, the RM20e is fully electric – hence the ‘e’ – thanks to a helping hand from
Rimac Automobili
.
Yes, it might look like just another souped up Veloster (a hallmark of all RM prototypes), but don’t be fooled by its appearance, because everything underneath is pretty much all-new. Instead of a turbocharged inline-four engine, the RM20e is powered by a 800V electrical system, driving the single mid-mounted electric motor to produce
804 hp
 and
960 Nm
 of torque.

Unlike a more “traditional” electric powertrain which mounts the motor directly on the axles, Hyundai says that the mid-mounted electric motor on the RM20e helps distributes weight more evenly, which helps with the traction of the prototype race car. As a result, 0-100 km/h is achieved in
under three seconds
, 0-200 km/h in
9.88 seconds
, and onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
.
Electric juice comes from a 60 kWh battery built with fast-charging capability and liquid-flooded battery module technology. Meanwhile, power from the electric motor is sent to the wheels via a single reduction gear ratio with straight-cut gears.
Just like the previous RM prototypes, the Hyundai RM20e will most likely never see the production lines. Instead, they’re meant to be the company’s N Performance Division’s rolling labs, where it was engineers can extract valuable data and learnings to be applied in the brand’s future N models.
The use of a electric powertrain on the latest RM prototype also “clearly signals future electrified brand aspirations for Hyundai’s performance N brand, moving N into the prestigious genre of supercar-level performance,” says Hyundai Motor Group executive vice president and head of product, Thomas Schemera.
Interestingly, Hyundai also says that its partnership with Rimac –
which is set to acquire Bugatti
 – will also involve hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems, which means we could be seeing a hydrogen fuel cell-powered race car prototype on the RM21.
The RM20e is the first fruit from the partnership between the Hyundai Group and Rimac. Announced last May, the partnership will see Hyundai and Kia invest EUR64 million and EUR16 million respectively in the Croatian boutique electric hypercar maker.


Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC launched in Malaysia – Locally-assembled EV, RM649k

Approximately eight months after the EQS’ entry into our market, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has now unveiled the new EQS 500 4MATIC variant for the fully-electric sedan, which will be superseding the
existing EQS 450+
 as the sole offering here on our shores.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC will be fully assembled in the company’s production plant in Pekan, Pahang, as the marque’s first EV to be locally assembled here in Malaysia.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC starts from
RM648,888
, on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of the government’s EV tax exemption, making it RM50k cheaper than the outgoing model.
In contrast to the outgoing 450+ variant, the new Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC boasts a dual electric motor set-up – one on each axle – with a total output of
330 kW (449 hp)
 and
828 Nm
 of torque. Those figures translate to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds, and a top speed limited at 210 km/h.
The motors are paired to the same battery pack as before, but software tweaks have raised its usable energy content from 107.9 kWh up to now
 108.4 kWh
. Despite that, the switch to two motors instead of one has resulted in a lower – but still impressive – range of 696 km based on the WLTP test cycle.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Sedan launched in Malaysia, fully-electric E-Class from RM420k
To charge, an 11 kW on-board AC charger lets you top up the battery from 10-100% in roughly 10 hours. Alternatively, DC fast charging is also supported at up to 200 kW, and a charge from 20-80% takes approximately 31 minutes.
Thanks to its unique “One-Bow” silhouette, the Mercedes-Benz EQS is the most aerodynamic vehicle currently in production, with a drag coefficient of 0.20 Cd. The electric power consumption is rated at 21.3 – 17.6 kWh/100km.
In terms of specifications, the new CKD Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC loses out on the AMG body kit that the 450+ had, instead replaced with the less aggressive-looking Electric Art line exterior kit. The wheels have also been downsized from 21-inch to a set of 20-inch five-spoke light alloy wheels.
Aside from these visual differences, however, the rest of the EQS’ kit remains unchanged from before. The
Digital Light
 matrix headlights are still standard equipment here, and on the inside, the new Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC also comes as standard with the
MBUX Hyperscreen
, which combines three individual displays under a single pane of glass spanning across the entire dashboard.
Gallery: Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe – plug-in hybrid SUV, RM404k
Safety kit on the Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC is also unchanged from before, with the Driving Assistance Plus Package coming as standard. The suite of advanced driver assistance features includes adaptive cruise control with automatic stop-go functionality, active lane keeping assist, active steering assist, lane departure prevention, autonomous emergency braking, and evasive manouevre support.
Thanks to the always-on cellular connectivity of the car, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC will receive over-the-air software updates over time, and you’ll also be able to monitor the vehicle’s interior remotely when parked through the Mercedes me app, as part of the Urban Guard vehicle protection suite.
The locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC will be available from mid-March onwards, at a price of
RM648,888
. Included in the price is a standard four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, and a 10-year/250,000 km warranty for its EV battery.


Land Rover introduces new Discovery Sport HSE Dynamic Lux flavour at Frankfurt

Hardly a couple of fortnights have passed since Jaguar Land Rover introduced the
all-new Discovery Sport
here on our shores. And now, following in the steps of its older siblings such as the Range Rover Sport and the SVR variant, the Disco Sport is now available kitted out with the HSE Dynamic Lux pack.
Think of this new version as a Sports version of the Disco Sport, hence the naming criterion. The Disco Sport HSE Dynamic Lux features a number of exterior enhancements, including
Narvik Black
 exterior detailing, body-coloured
mouldings
, door claddings and
20-inch Gloss Black
 wheels. Combining all these gives this new model a powerful and striking impression.

That being said, don’t let the Sports trimming fool you into believing that the Disco is incapable of handling the beaten path when the going gets rough. The competence of the Disco is heightened by the introduction of
All Terrain Progress Control
 (ATPC) for the
2016
 model. ATPC is an advanced system that enables drivers to
 set
 and
maintain
 a
 steady speed
 in
off-road conditions
. The system also features a “
Launch
” function which allows you
pull away
 when driving under
 low-traction surfaces
 conditions.
Another interesting bit of tech that the Landy packs is
Active Driveline
 – an intelligent system that can
 switch
 between
 two- and four-wheel drive
 as conditions dictate, combining both real-world fuel-saving benefits of two-wheel-drive with the all-terrain capability of four-wheel-drive. This system also
improves handling
 and
 driving feel
 while on tarmac roads.

The Evoque previously featured an interesting
damper
 system that was filled with a
 fluid
 that contains
metal shavings
 which can
alter
 the
stiffness
 of the suspension down to the
millisecond
 when a
magnetic field
 is applied to it. The system is dubbed
Adaptive Dynamics with MagneRide
 here in the Discovery Sport HSE Dynamic Lux. The system works by changing the
 viscosity
 of the
fluid
 in the damper, thus making the suspension
stiffer
or
 softer
.
Adaptive Dynamics
 introduces a driver-selectable
Dynamic
 mode on the
Terrain Response system
which increases
 throttle
,
gearbox
and
 differential

response
, along with suspension and steering firmness for additional driver feel. The system tries to give as much feel and control as possible
back to the driver
.
At the time of launch, Land Rover has said that the new Disco Sport HSE Dynamic Lux will only be made available with a
TD4
 oil burning
Automatic
 variant. We would really like to see this new funky version of the Disco being introduced locally. Time will tell, we suppose.
IMAGE GALLERY

Discovery Sport Launch Gallery


TMS2019: Toyota says cars of the future will be like “race horses”

At the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota opted for a very different approach with their displays. Not one “soon-to-be-launched” concept was displayed at their booth, but for good reason.
While the likes of the
stunning new Mirai FCEV
 still made its appearance,
Toyota placed more emphasis on mobility for the considerable future
, as opposed to the next couple years.

Take the e-Palette for example that’s scheduled for debut at next year’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games. As a major sponsor for one of the biggest sporting events on Earth, it’s one of Toyota’s innovative solutions to ferry Olympians and Paralympians around the Olympic village.
Designed with a long 4,000 mm wheelbase and distinctive cube shape, the e-Pallete is
capable of accommodating up to four wheel chairs along with seven standing passengers
. Discounting the wheelchairs, the e-Pallete is capable of accommodating 20 passengers.

Wanna know Toyota’s vision of the future? You need to watch this!
Although accompanied by an operator that can assume control anytime, the e-Pallete is equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, a 150 km driving range with a top speed of 20 km/h.
“In the future, the e-Palette will be able to be an office, a shop, or even a hotel. It will be able to become various kinds of services and it will go to people,” said Toyota Motor Corporation, President, Akio Toyoda.

Watch how the headlamps “communicate” with pedestrians.
Citing that there’s no need for concern that cars will end up not being owned, Toyoda instead claimed that “shared mobility will lead to people to own cars that are more personal”.
Following this, Toyoda sparked the idea that in the future,
 everyone’s garages will be occupied by only sports cars
 as he pointed to the e-Racer.

The future we can’t wait to live in!
“Wanting to go faster and further are universal human desires. The birth of the automobile led to 15 million horses being replaced by cars in the United States. Yet, we have racehorses,” said Toyoda.
“Horses can communicate with people and their hearts,” he added.
Point is, when cars replaced horses, people still rode them for fun and races. With vehicles like the e-Pallete, acting as white goods and replacing the need for day-to-day driving with artificial intelligence and autonomous capabilities, Toyoda believes that cars of the future can still be fun.
Referring to the exciting e-Racer whose specifications still remain unknown Toyoda said such vehicles can solely focus on being fun; allowing drivers to better enjoy the journey from A to B.
IMAGE GALLERY
Toyota e-Racer
Toyota e-Palette


Kuching-born Anehajit Kaur takes her first step to become an F1 engineer

Last week, candidates of 2017 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) received their results and Anehajit Kaur, 18, with her stellar results of 8 A’s, have decided to enrol for Diploma in Motorsport Technology at
Naza College of Technology
. Marking her first step to achieve her dreams of being a Formula One race engineer.
“Ever since I was younger, I’ve always been intrigued by the thrilling sounds that F1 race cars make as they speed around the race track and watching F1 races on TV gave me so much excitement. One day, I decided that instead of just watching them on TV, I wanted to be a part of the team behind the beautiful yet powerful and precise race cars,” said Anehajit.
During her two and a half years study, Anehajit will be exposed to knowledge pertaining to repair, service and modify vehicles to enhance performance. Upon graduation, she will be qualified to pursue a career in motorsports or choose to further her studies.
Dr Jagdeep Jassel, CEO, Naza College of Technology and Business said: “F1 is no longer just a “man’s world” as more females are taking up an interest in the world of motorsports. Here at Naza College of Technology, we welcome all students with a drive in the automotive industry to help them achieve their dreams.”


2016 Skoda Kodiaq unmasked, the perfect SUV we’ll never get

Skoda, a Czechoslovakian brand has become a darling to the Volkswagen Group (VAG) since 1991 and has produced many good quality cars. The latest model to be revealed now is a rather handsome SUV called the Kodiaq.
Named after a large brown Alaskan bear, Skoda’s new seven-seater SUV will take on the likes of
Kia Sorento
 and
Toyota Fortuner
. Based on Volkswagen’s largest MQB platform, it is 4,700mm long, 1,882mm wide and 1,676mm tall. Skoda cars are known for its large interior space and the Kodiaq continues this trend. For starters, the wheelbase measures at 2,791mm, about 91mm longer than its Korean rivals!

Boot space is quite possibly the best in class with
 720 litres
 when the third row seats are stowed. But when both second and third row seats are folded, cargo volume expands to a whopping
 2,065 litres
! Wheel sizes start from 17-inch, but the range topper gets 18-inch wheels.
Powertrain options include three petrol engines (a VW-derived 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre turbos) and two oil burners with two states of tunes. A choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed dual clutch transmissions can be specced, as well as 2WD or all-wheel drive. A hotter bi-turbo diesel is also in the pipeline.
The list of driver assistance system in the Kodiaq is pretty lengthy, beginning with Area View, Manoeuvre Assist and Tow Assist. City Emergency Brake, which is Skoda’s version of autonomous braking system, is included as standard. Buyers can opt for the Emergency Assist function which helps bring the car to a stop in the event of, well, an emergency.
The Kodiaq is packed with so much tech, it’ll require a separate article to go into detail of each. Fun fact – Skodas are generally cheaper than Volkswagens, and we would love for the Kodiaq (one of the most value for money SUVs in Europe today) to be introduced in Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY


What do you think is the most popular car among English Premier League players?

You’d think with all the millions they make of kicking a ball with some other men that they would only transport themselves in nothing short of a luxury suite on four wheels, made of cash.
But no, it seems like a sizable number of English Premier League (EPL) players have a taste for sensibility, too. The most popular car among these footballers is the
Range Rover Evoque
. Suprised?
According to data compiled over two years by finance provider JBL Capital, a financial institution which counts on Premiership footballers as some of their clients, the Evoque takes top spot followed by none other than the fearsome Lamborghini Aventador, in a list of top 10 cars purchased on finance.
The studied showed why EPL players opt for finance when buying cars rather than paying in full – prefering financial flexibility and opting to spend larger sums of money on property investments instead.
While the money men has provided us with some amusement, you shouldn’t get carried away over this confusing fact just yet. The rest of the list reassures the reality we all know of, that these obscenely rich individuals do splurge on the finest wheels their British Sterling Pounds can buy.
One could just assume these footballers have the Evoque as a sensible means of daily commuting or actually as “shuttle cars” within their mansions. The rest of the list, as mentioned, is clogged with luxurious wheels, supercars, and made-to-order stuff from high-end tuning companies such as:
Range Rover Evoque
Lamborghini Aventador
Mercedes-Benz Onyx G6 GLE Coupe
Bentley Continental GT
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Lamborghini Huracan
Jeep Wrangler Kahn Sahara
Porsche 911 GTS
Bentley Bentayga
McLaren 675LT Spider
Source: JBL Capital


2016 Honda Accord Facelift arrives in Malaysia, priced from RM145k

When the Honda Accord facelift made its debut sometime last year for the
US market
, it was dubbed to be the most high-tech Accord ever. Closer to home, the facelifted Accord showed itself at the
Bangkok Motor Show earlier this year
.
Honda Malaysia has teased the facelifted D-segment sedan for a few months during their Honda roadshow, and
booking for the car began on 1 August 2016
. Today, Honda has officially launched the flagship model, available in the same three variants as before.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda Accord 2.0 VTi
Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L
Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L
Engine
1,997cc naturally aspirated four cylinder SOHC i-VTEC
2,356cc naturally aspirated four cylinder DOHC i-VTEC with Honda Earth Dreams Technology
Transmission
5-speed automatic
Max Power
153 hp @ 6,500 rpm
173 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Max Torque
190 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
225 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM144,800
RM153,800
RM172,800
EXTERIOR
The refreshed Honda accord now wears Honda’s wing-like grille at the front to bring the Accord closer to its other siblings. The front bumper is also redesigned to house the new full LED headlamps and LED fog lamps (which is standard across all variants). The car’s rear end now features a reshaped bumper to give it a more prominent stance, whereas the tail lamps are also of LED combination with new graphics. An additional chrome trim runs along the rear bumper, giving the car a more premium look.

Standard on the 2.0-litre models are 17-inch whirlwind-design two tone alloys wrapped in 225/50 Goodyear Excellence tyres. The 2.4-litre gets 18-inch dual tone alloys wrapped in 235/45 sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 3.
INTERIOR
On the inside, the cabin is a breath of fresh air. Gone are the plastic trims that haunts the pre-facelift Accord’s dash and door panels. In its place, a more premium gloss black and wood grain trims take the Accord up a notch in luxuriousness.
With the facelift, Honda Malaysia has introduced a range of standard features to give added value to their customers.

New to the Accord (regardless of variant) is a
7-inch Advanced Display Audio
 with
 i-MID Integrated Display
 for the multimedia system. The infotainment system comes with Apple
CarPlay
 and
Android Auto
 which grants more functionalities and has mirroring function. Essential apps such as Google Maps and Spotify can all be controlled via the car’s touchscreen display. At the moment, only Apple CarPlay is available in the Accord while Android Auto will only be introduced once Google makes it available in Malaysia.
The i-MID that sits on top of the infotainment system displays essential driving information such as driving range, fuel consumption and audio info. Besides that, the meter cluster is also updated with a new outline pattern and font to make it easier to read.
Standard equipment across the board are keyless entry with push start, dual zone climate control with rear air vents and Active Noise Control (ANC).
Opt for the 2.0 VTi-L or the 2.4 VTi-L and you’ll get additional equipment such as auto wiper, auto dimming rear view mirror (available as an option on the 2.0 VTi), leather seats (fabric on the 2.0 VTi), eight-way powered driver seat with lumbar support, four-way powered passenger seats, rear passenger door sun blinds and a multi-angle rear view camera.
The range topping 2.4 VTi-L adds, paddle shifters, active cornering lights, premium sound system with subwoofer and a powered rear sun binds.
PERFORMANCE
The powertrain is carried over from the pre-facelift Accord. Therefore, the 2.0-litre four cylinder SOHC i-VTEC and five-speed automatic pair that produces
153 hp
 and
190 Nm
 of torque powers the 2.0 variants.
The 2.4 Accord is powered by Honda’s 2.4-litre Earth Dreams Technology four cylinder DOHC i-VTEC mated to the same five-speed auto to produce
 173 hp
 and
225 Nm
 of torque.
SAFETY
As Honda’s flagship model, safety equipment is not compromised. Standard across
all variants
 are six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS with EBD, hill start assist, front and rear parking sensors as well as emergency stop signal that activates the hazard lights under emergency braking.
Like the pre-facelift model, the 2.0 and 2.4 VTi-L comes with Honda Lane Watch that displays live feed of the left side of the car onto the i-MID. The footage is transmitted via a camera on the side mirrors.
As before, the Lane Watch is only available for the left side of the car simply because when the driver wants to switch lane, he or she will look to the left. The i-MID is conveniently within the line of vision of the driver.
WHAT ELSE?
Buyers can now choose from five different colours for the Accord, three of which are brand new: White Orchid Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic and Obsidian Blue Pearl – the Blue is exclusive only to the Accord. Two existing colours from before, the Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl will also be offered.
On top of that, a range of optional genuine Honda accessories are available to spice up the Accord even further. Buyers can opt for the package that offers good savings or have them
a la carte
.
A 5-Year unlimited warranty is offered with every purchase of the facelifted Accord. Besides that, the service intervals have been optimised to every 10,000km for greater convenience to customers. The current number one non-national brand targets to deliver 500 units of the facelifted Accord to customers every month.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda Accord 2.4L VTi-L

Honda Accord 2.0L VTi-L

Honda Accord 2.0L VTi


Mercedes-Benz C 180 Avantgarde & C 300 AMG arrives in Malaysia

Two additional locally assembled variants have now joined the Mercedes-Benz C-Class family in Malaysia, one as the entry-level C 180 Avantgarde and the other, a range topping (not counting the
C 63 S
) C 300 AMG Line.
Now, instead of the C 200 Avantgarde, your first three-pointed star purchase may just be the C 180 Avantgarde, the latter priced a full RM20,000 cheaper at
RM228,888.00
. It may be cheaper, but the kit remains impressive to say the least. The C 180 comes furnished with Avantgarde styling which comprise of
17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels
(shod with 225/50 series run-flat tyres), twin exhaust pipes and full LED high performance headlamps.

Keyless-Go also comes as standard, as are the
leather upholstery
 (Artico synthetic leather), interior ambient lighting, electric roller blind for the rear windscreen and rear door sun blinds. Multimedia playback and several in-car systems are managed via the head unit in the centre dash (Audio 20 with CD player, comes with built-in Garmin MAP Pilot), and operation is done through the touchpad.
The biggest difference between the C 180 and C 200 is the engine; the former is powered by a
turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder
 engine making
156 hp
 at 5,300 rpm and a respectable
250 Nm
 of torque from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels by a
seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic
 transmission, which helps yield numbers like the
8.5-second
 0 to 100km/h sprint time,
5.4 litres per 100km
 (fuel consumption) and
223km/h
 top speed.
Note: The variant here is of the C 250, but the C 300 AMG gets this exact exterior styling
Next up is the C 300 AMG; a
RM307,888.00
 offering that sits above the C 250 AMG Line (which costs RM20k less, by the way). As its name suggests, it gets AMG body styling,
19-inch multispoke AMG wheels
 (225/40 front, 225/35 rear) and sports suspension which lowers ride height by 15mm. Sports exhaust is a standard fitment here, as are the
full LED intelligent headlamps with high beam assist
, electric panoramic sliding sunroof and tyre pressure monitoring system.

And because it’s a range topper, you get a 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system (590 watts), leather seats, illuminated door sill panels, black open-pore ash wood trim, Air-Balance cabin fragrance package (like the one in the S-Class), rear view camera and Active Parking Assist.
The 300 in the C 300 doesn’t represent the engine capacity, though. Instead, the
turbocharged 2.0-litre lump
 soldiers on, but it’s tuned to make
245 hp
 and
 370 Nm
 of torque, or about 34 hp and 20 Nm more than the C 250 AMG. Transmission is the same
7G-Tronic
 box, but the C 300 is quicker off the line, dusting the century sprint in just
 5.9 seconds
 before reaching its electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
Refer to the table below for the updated C-Class offering from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia:
Mercedes-Benz W205 C-Class
C 180 Avantgarde
C 200 Avantgarde
C 200 Exclusive
C 250 AMG
C 300 AMG
Engine
1,595cc; inline-4 turbo
1,991cc; turbocharged inline-4 cylinder, DOHC
Transmission
7G-Tronic Automatic
Max Power
156 hp @ 5,300 rpm
184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
245 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
300 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
370 Nm @ 1,300 – 4,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.5 seconds; 223 km/h
7.3 seconds; 235 km/h
6.6 seconds; 250 km/h
5.9 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (without insurance)
RM228,888
RM248,888
RM252,888
RM287,888
RM307,888
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz C 180 Avantgarde

Mercedes-Benz C 300 AMG


This is what a RM 100 million Ferrari crash looks like – we shed a few tears too

It’s never a pleasant experience watching cars getting crashed; even more so if its a classic, worst if it’s a classic Ferrari. The Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the most expensive cars in the world if not THE most expensive with previous auction prices fetching almost 50 million US dollars.
Enter the
250 GTO/64
. At just a few million less, it may not be as expensive as the 250 GTO being the later generation and all but it’s still one of the rarest classic Ferrari’s out there with
only three ever built
 in 1964; hence the GTO/64 moniker.
At the recent Goodwood Revival festival, the one and possibly only venue to catch a glimpse of precious, old classics pitting against each other, an incident that was unfathomable as the 250 GTO/64’s price tag took place; it was crashed. Driven by one Andy Newell, the precious piece of handmade Italian machinery was made to swerve to avoid crashing into the rear end of another precious Ferrari 250 LM as you’d see in the video.
This cause the 250 GTO/64 to slam into the tyre wall and suffer unspeakable damages on its rear end. By the way, it’s not Andy Newell’s personal car. These cars are usually loaned out to motoring journalist, personalities and race car drivers to push to the limits – for these cars to once again be driven like they were made to.
Here’s another angle of the painful crash…


New Mercedes-AMG A 45 coming to Malaysia in 2019

At the
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) 2018 Performance Briefing
, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of MBM, Mark Raine took the opportunity to tease their upcoming model launch in 2019 and it is none other than the yet-to-be-unveiled
Mercedes-AMG A 45
.
How do we know that Raine was referring to the A 45 in particular and not the
A 35
? That’s because he played this exact video:
In the trailer video, the next-gen A 45 is hinted to feature more aggressive aero, quad exhaust pipes and a supposedly Drift Mode that allows the car to slide around in corners. Power is expected to be from a stroked, hand-assembled M133 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
potentially breaching the 400 hp mark
. The A 35, on the other hand, utilises a tuned-up M260 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol with
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
.
No word on the official launch date nor the pricing strategy for the new hot hatch however we believe that there will be a slight bump in the price tag from the previous-gen model’s RM350k. The bigger question here is, will we see the baby A 35 be available here in Malaysia?
IMAGE GALLERY
New Mercedes-AMG A 45 Teaser


Ford’s 3.5L V6 EcoBoost now makes 700 hp in the track-only Ford GT Mk II

Ford and Multimatic, the assemblers of the Ford GT, has just revealed a track-only version of their flagship supercar at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed (FoS). Called the Ford GT Mk II, its lighter, more focused than ever and packs even more punch from the EcoBoost engine.
Limited to only 45 vehicles, each unit starts from US$1.2 million before options. That is a fair bit of money for something you can’t take to the grocery store but what you do get is an unrestricted
700 hp
 out from the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine.

With significantly
higher engine output (50 hp more than the standard Ford GT), the engineers gave
the GT Mk II an aggressive aerodynamic makeover with longer front splitters, exposed
rear diffuser, new fender louvres and fixed dual-element rear wing.
It now sits on a set of race-proven five-way adjustable DSSV shock absorbers that further lowers the ride height to improve handling and aerodynamic efficiency.
The new parts collectively gives the car 400% more downforce than the standard road car while the Michelin Pilot Sport racing tyres enables the GT Mk II to pull more than 2 g of lateral grip.
The nose lift function, drive mode selector, active rear spoiler and interior trims from the road car have been stripped to give the GT Mk II over 90 kg of weight savings.
The interior has also been stripped down even further now leaving just a Sparco racing seat with six-point harness – passenger seats are a no-cost option, full MoTeC data logging system, roll cage and a racing steering wheel.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ford GT Mk II at 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed


Lamborghini Revuelto unveiled – Hybrid V12 Aventador successor, 0-100km/h in 2.5 secs

Lamborghini

has finally unveiled the
Lamborghini Revuelto
, the successor to the
Aventador
. It is the brand’s first plug-in hybrid, and it is powered by a V12 engine and three electric motors. According to the Lamborghini CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, the Revuelto “is a milestone in the history of Lamborghini, and an important pillar in our [Lamborghini’s] Direzione Cor Tauri electrification strategy”.
Though the powertrain is its main highlight, let us first take a gander at the Lamborghini Revuelto’s design. The front end strikes an uncanny resemblance to the Lamborghini Sián, and rightfully so as the Sián was the brand’s first hybrid high-performance model, albeit with a mild hybrid (MHEV) powertrain. The Revuelto is a Plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV).
Lamborghini says that the Revuelto’s styling links back to all of the brand’s previous V12-powered models. Like its V12 predecessors, the Revuelto sports scissor doors just to live up to the craziness of it all. Traces of the Countach, Diablo, and Murcielago are evident in the Revuelto. Wheel sizes can either be 20 inches in front and 21 inches at the rear or 21 inches in front and 22 inches at the rear. The Revuelto comes with a set of Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres.
Lamborghini Head of Design, Mitja Borkert said, “The Revuelto is adrenaline made visible. The design of the new Lamborghini Revuelto opens a fascinating door towards the future of our unique design language. From first sight, Revuelto is an intriguing next-generation Lamborghini V12, with all lines embracing the monocoque and celebrating a free view towards the V12 HPEV powertrain. The unique and recognizable Y-shape light signature is significant in this new era of our most iconic flagship car.”
RELATED:
Lamborghini unveils new hybrid system – V12, tri-motor, over 1000hp
Powering the Lamborghini Revuelto is the PHEV V12 system that has been teased previously. The PHEV system consists of a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, two axial flux electric motors for each front wheel, and a third electric motor for the rear wheels. The system outputs a combined power figure of
1,015 hp
 (metric). As for torque, the V12 engine itself produces
725 Nm
 at 6,750 rpm. Each front axial flux electric motor provides
350 Nm
. Paired with an 8-speed DCT, the drive system launches the Revuelto from 0 to 100 km/h in only
2.5 seconds
.
The Revuelto can be driven in all-wheel drive mode even with pure electric power only. It can also be front-wheel drive (FWD) only with the two front axial flux motors. The Revuelto has 13 driving modes including the new electric 4WD mode mentioned earlier. Hybrid driving modes include Recharge, Hybrid and Performance, to be combined with the Città (City), Strada, Sport and Corsa modes.
RELATED:
The Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is the first, but also the last of its kind – 1,499 units only
Inside, the Lamborghini Revuelto is equipped with a completely new Human Machine Interface (HMI) system consisting of three displays: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 8.4-inch central display, and in addition a 9.1-inch display. The system has a fresh look and feel, with 3D graphics, animations, widgets and styling.
The new Revuelto infotainment system offers new functions that allow personalization and customization to create an authentic, immersive Lamborghini experience. Using a two-finger swipe, owners can move infotainment content either to the instrument cluster or to the passenger display. Using a similar gesture, the owner can memorize favorite features, so they are just a touch away.
RELATED:
Lamborghini unveils new base-spec Urus S – same 666 hp as the Performante
GALLERY


Perodua Bezza dominates sales in Sri Lanka as best-selling sub-1.0L sedan

Since it was made available to the Sri Lankan market two years ago, the Perodua Bezza has gone on to become the island nation’s best-selling sub-1.0-litre sedan.
Priced at Rs3.69 million (approx. RM86,200), the Bezza has led the sub-1.0-litre category in terms of new vehicle sales, in the first seven months of 2019. Since its local launch in June 2017, Perodua have sold 1,500 units of the Bezza to date.
A sort of
Axia “mini crossover” edition
 is due to be launched soon.
This makes the Bezza one of the fastest-selling Peroduas in Sri Lanka, together with the Axia where some 3,000 units have been sold since 2015. Sri Lanka is Perodua’s biggest overseas market, where local distributor, Unimo Enterprises, have sold over 15,000 units since 1997.
Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “Perodua will continue to support its overseas distributors as the company looks to expand in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“Buyers love the Perodua Bezza and Axia for their compactness, practicality, quality, reliability, durability and fuel efficiency. Both are also surprisingly roomy for their size,” said Unimo Enterprises, CEO and Executive Director, Mr. Mahesh Gunathilake.
This year, Perodua aims to export 3,270 cars – a considerable 50% increase from last year’s 2,184 units. To date, over 80,000 Perodua vehicles have been sold outside Malaysia.


Jaguar confirms its return to motorsports, joins Formula E [+Video]

Jaguar has announced its return to motorsport after a sabbatical for almost a decade. The British manufacturer has confirmed long-term plans to participate in open-wheel racing as a works team, this time in the much-hyped Formula E Championship.
Jaguar Land Rover’s Group Engineering Director, Nick Rogers said, “Electric vehicles will absolutely play a role in Jaguar Land Rover’s future product portfolio and Formula E will give us a unique opportunity to further our development of electrification technologies.
This is made possible courtesy of the successful negotiation between Jaguar Land Rover and technical partners Williams Advanced Engineering. The team will participate in the 2016-2017 season of Formula E. Jaguar became the latest string of car manufacturers to join Formula E following DS Citroen and Renault, with Volvo showing keen interest as well.
Jaguar’s last serious venture with motor racing was in Formula One via Jaguar Racing from 2000-2004. After five unsuccessful seasons, Red Bull bought over the team, which subsequently became
Red Bull Racing
.
Jaguar had electric car aspirations after they toyed with the idea of hybrid electric cars via the
C-X75
 concept car back in 2011. The C-X75 was powered by four electric motors on each wheel, producing a total output of 778 hp. Sadly, the unfavourable economic conditions forced Jaguar to scrap the C-X75. Just recently, the C-X75 made an appearance in James Bond’s latest flick, Spectre.
As Formula E promises innovation among teams in the future seasons, it remains to be seen how Jaguar will be taking this opportunity to develop future sports cars based on hybrid electric technology. It looks like BMW i8 will finally meet its long-awaited match. Or will it barge into super/hypercar territory? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, don’t miss the Tron-inspired video from Jaguar!


2023 Kia Sorento facelift unveiled – New front fascia, modernised interior, fingerprint scanner

While we may have just witnessed the launch of the
wildly-redesigned all-new Hyundai Santa Fe
, it’s unfortunately not quite time yet for its mechanically-related sibling, the
Kia Sorento
. It’ll instead be getting a mid-lifecycle update, and
Kia
 has now released the first photos of the new 2023 Sorento for your viewing pleasure.
The front fascia of the facelifted 2023 Kia Sorento is where it’ll catch most people’s attention, as the changes here are rather significant, to say the least. Most notably are the new T-shaped headlights that take inspiration from the Kia EV9, with its daytime-running lights (DRLs) protruding into the grille itself. The Kia logo has now been moved onto the bonnet just above the shutline, while the lower air intake has also been redesigned for a cleaner and more modern look.
On the side, the Kia Sorento’s profile has largely remained the same, albeit with newly designed alloy wheels. As for the back, Kia has given the facelifted 2023 Sorento a new set of taillights, with the two vertical elements now conjoined at the top. The reverse lights are now located even lower than before, and are now pretty much stuck right at the bottom of the rear bumper, beneath the silver skid plate-like element.
The interior of the new 2023 Kia Sorento facelift might seem untouched at first glance, but it’s also been given a visual revamp with a focus on minimalist aesthetics. Unfortunately, that means replacing the unique split air vents from before with simpler and more matured-looking ones, and even completely removing the triangular motif on the centre stack.
As a result of the reworked centre stack, the old-school air conditioning controls are now replaced with a slim touch-activated panel, as seen on the
EV6
, while the myriad of buttons that surrounded the pre-facelift model’s infotainment screen seems to also have been removed, and is now substituted by a larger 12.3-inch panoramic curved screen. Boo.
RELATED:
2023 Kia Sorento 2.2D 6-Seater review – Handsome, but is it for your family?
Moving further down, the centre console now houses a rotary shifter, taking the place of the traditional gear knob in the outgoing model. Interestingly, the car even comes with a fingerprint scanner, which can be used as an authentication method for scenarios such as starting the car or when making payments.
As for now, no technical details or specifications regarding the Kia Sorento facelift have been announced just yet. For context, the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe that was just revealed last week is fitted with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, together with all-wheel drive.
Closer to home, the current 2023 Kia Sorento is offered in either 2.5-litre petrol or 2.2-litre Diesel engine options, and is available in both AWD or 2WD configurations, in six- or seven-seater options.
Prices start from
RM211,498
 for the entry-level 2.5L petrol seven-seater 2WD variant, and top out at
RM255,229
 for the 2.2D diesel six-seater AWD variant. For more details, do check out our
gallery article
 and
video review
 of the car.
RELATED:
Gallery: 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia, from RM211k – Is the diesel worth it?
GALLERY


Toyota promises to keep making GR sports cars under new CEO

Toyota
 is traditionally known for their reliability, but in the past few years, they’ve also become an enthusiast’s best friend, bringing out exciting sports cars such as the
 GR Supra
,
GR86
,
GR Yaris
, and
GR Corolla
. The exciting turnaround for Toyota was thanks to its outgoing President and CEO, Akio Toyoda, who proclaimed “no more boring cars” back in 2017, kickstarting the inception of the
Gazoo Racing
 brand.
When news first broke that Toyoda is
 stepping aside from the role
, enthusiasts around the globe were understandably worried – “Does that mean the end of GR?” As it turns out, there’s no need for despair – incoming CEO Koji Sato has confirmed that the GR brand will indeed still be around under his leadership.
And it’s not just that; Sato also hinted that the company could be speeding up development of new GR Sports cars, joking that his predecessor – whose official job titles in Toyota also included “Master Driver” – will now have more time to develop them.
“The Gazoo brand will be acknowledged for the future – and maybe we can even speed it up. Our Master Driver was also president of the company at the same time as he had a steering wheel in his hand for Gazoo. Now he is only chairman, maybe he will have a lot more time to develop cars for them?” Sato said in his first UK interview since taking the job.
RELATED:
Akio Toyoda steps down as Toyota CEO – Here are some of his ‘greatest hits’
While the company hasn’t revealed its future plans for the Gazoo Racing brand, one of the possibilities that Sato might be hinting at could be the GR-ified
Toyota bZ4X
, as Toyota has previously said that it’s considering a sportier version of the electric crossover.
The company has also previously shown-off a
 compact, two-seater electric sports car concept
 with the GR emblem, which – if made into a production model – could rival the likes of the
 upcoming Porsche 718 EV
. Exciting times ahead for the Gazoo Racing brand, and there’s no need to worry.
ALSO READ:
Toyota GR Supra now with 6-speed manual in Malaysia, from RM645k


Bermaz Auto to introduce full range of Peugeot SUVs, Kia EV6

Bermaz Auto Berhad took over the Malaysian distributorships of Peugeot in December 2020, followed by
Kia in April this year
. Both marques were relinquished by Naza Group amid a soft automotive market in the country which was made worse by the coronavirus pandemic.
For the Peugeot brand,
Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB)
 is planning an SUV offence with the introduction of the
all-new 2008
 with the
facelifted 3008
 and 5008 models by December. The larger, facelifted models will continue to be locally assembled in Gurun, Kedah.
The plant, which has Groupe PSA’s involvements, currently exports the Peugeot 3008 to Thailand and the Philippines. The smaller Peugeot 2008, which is also reported to be locally-assembled, made its (second generation) global debut in 2019 and is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with outputs of up to
155 hp.
In the report by Maybank Investment bank shared with investors, the range of new Kia models will be more diversified. As mentioned earlier,
three models have already been planned for local assembly
 by the new joint-venture company called Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, including the
Kia Seltos
 and
Carnival
, with the third model now revealed as the new Kia Sportage.
The
new Kia Sportage
 was just unveiled for the South Korean market early this month, available with a petrol engine and a hybrid powertrain planned for introduction at a later date. As such, expect local assembly for this new model to only commence in 2022.
Bermaz Auto is also planning to introduce electrified and EV models from the range of automakers it manages. If the proposed EV policy by the government is favourable, expect the
Kia EV6
 and
Mazda MX-30
 to be launched in due course.
The EV models will have subscription-based plans to address durability and residual values that are the biggest sticking points in EV ownership. Bermaz Auto has also identified private operators to be involved with on the charging infrastructure to ensure customers get the best out of their EVs.
The Kia EV6 is marketed as a premium product- the entry model with 228 hp and 500 km of range is priced from GBP40,895 (RM238,000), while the Mazda MX-30 is priced from GBP26,045, similar to a
Nissan Leaf
.
Watch the Kia EV6 GT take on a group of supercars in this drag race!

The Kia Niro Hybrid, slightly larger than a Proton X50, comes with a 130 hp full-hybrid powertrain and returns 4 litres/100 km of fuel consumption is also targeted for introduction by Dinamikjaya Motors, the new distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia. A
Niro EV
 model with 204 hp and 450 km range is also available.
Bermaz Auto, together with their respective joint-venture companies, remains committed to turning around the Peugeot and Kia brands by addressing the legacy issues.


New Polestar Engineered variant teased for Volvo 60-series T8 models, S60 first

We are days away from the official debut of the third-generation Volvo S60 and now the Swedish premium car maker has teased the range-topping variant of its forthcoming sedan, the Volvo S60 T8 TwinEngine Polestar Engineered.
This will be the first time a Polestar-tuned Volvo that will be offered as part of the product variant line up. The Polestar Engineered is
positioned above the R-Design
 versions and features all the performance-enhancing bits from Polestar.
There is a catch however, the Polestar Engineered variant will be offered exclusively with the T8 TwinEngine plug-in hybrid powertrain option, highlighting
Volvo and Polestar’s commitment for electrified vehicles
.
President and CEO at Volvo Cars, Håkan Samuelsson said: “Electric cars are our future. Today starts a new era of Volvo electrified models enhanced by Polestar’s performance engineering prowess. This strategy is firmly grounded in our shared belief in an electric future for the car industry.”

You can discern a Polestar Engineered variant through its
golden-painted Brembo brake calipers
 – the new hallmark colour for Polestar Engineered components – Polestar emblems, black chrome exhaust pipes, adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers and strut bars as well as gold seatbelts inside.
Under the hood, Polestar has bumped the output of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin charged T8 plug-in hybrid mill from
 400 hp
 and
640 Nm
 to
415 hp
 and
670 Nm
 of twist. The eight-speed automatic transmission has also been recalibrated to suit the increased output. Naturally, fuel consumption and emission figures were not compromised.
Volvo has also expressed that the Polestar Engineered will be available for other
60 series T8 TwinEngine models
 like the
V60
 and
XC60
 – the latter is available on sale right here in Malaysia. However, don’t get your hopes high for it to make its way here as Volvo has said that Polestar Engineered models will only be available in “limited numbers”.
Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Volvo Cars, Henrik Green commenting on the new model variant: “The new S60 T8 Polestar Engineered is an electrified car that does what you want it to. All components have been fine-tuned to work together, delivering a responsive and exciting driver’s car.”
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo S60 T8 Polestar Engineered Teaser


Audi has a new painting method to spray two colours on its cars simultaneously

Audi is expanding its spectrum of painting methods to include “overspray-free painting” where it would allow specific surfaces of a car’s body to be painted in a different colour – all in one spraying process.
To spray a contrasting colour, employees previously had to mask off the relevant parts of the car body and then paint it separately with a second spray process.
With the new method, a robot-controlled high precision instrument would measure the spaces between the roof and the side-panel frame before each car is painted.
The black paint is then applied directly to the car’s body in individual strips with
accuracy down to the millimeter
. The paint is also
applied with sharp borders and without any spray mist
 hence the name overspray-free.
This new method which is undergoing tests at Audi’s plant in Ingolstadt will not only save time and money but also the environment. On one hand, no more masking materials are needed; on the other hand, less paint is required. Audi plans to put the innovative process into series production already next year.


Review: Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E, the leaner and meaner Viking

We take the Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E for a drive. 2-litre 4-cylinder engine, 8-speed auto Geartronic transmission, 245hp, 350Nm. It’s a leaner and meaner Viking.
These days, the purchase of an SUV makes perfect sense for the urbanites alike. It carries the space of a sedan with additional cargo space, and a ground clearance high enough to traverse the more rugged terrains that we might come across. When all is said and done, these SUVs never climbed a kerb, let alone driven off road but that didn’t stop people from snapping them up away from the showrooms.
As far as premium SUVs come into picture, they are probably seen as a lifestyle image even though some are properly engineered to be capable to take on the dirty stuff. Volvo’s famous SUV has always been the XC90, the full size all-wheel drive SUV that will take seven on board. It was a huge success for Volvo prompting them to replicate that success in a smaller package, consequently the XC60 was born.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E
Segment
Premium Compact SUV
Engine
1,969 cc 4-Cylinder Turbo
Transmission
8-speed Auto Geartronic
Max Power
245 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,800 rpm
Price
RM 288,888.00
 (OTR without insurance)
The original XC60 officially went on sale in 2008 as the younger and more stylish sibling to the XC90. With a range of petrol and diesel engines driving either the front or all four wheels, it offers versatility to the Volvo buyers who doesn’t need the extra space of the XC90. After five years in the market, Volvo engineers gave it an update not only to the outside, but under the skin as well.
The star of the update is the more powerful and more efficient new
Drive-E
 powertrain that replaces the old Ford-derived units.
Introduced here in June 2014
, the XC60 range consists of the
turbocharged T5
, and the
turbocharged and supercharged T6
. Both are powered by the new
2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E petrol
 engine driving the front wheels via the
 eight-speed Geartronic
 auto.

The Twilight Bronze XC60 we have here is the less powerful T5 variant, but it still dishes out a healthy dose of
245 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Wrapped in a chic and curvy body, will that be enough to take on the rivals in the premium compact SUV segment? Let’s find out!
EXTERIOR
The rejuvenated XC60 now sports a less fussy headlights arrangement where the LED strips have been migrated down to the bumper. This allows for a broader grille to be fitted which makes the XC60 appear to be wider than before. While the previous XC60’s face might look like it was trying too hard, the new one is much more understated yet classy.

By using radar-based sensors for the
Blind Spot Information System
 (BLIS), the side mirrors are now free from the bulky cameras. The strong rising shoulder line side profile is retained, and the back still looks the same with those sexy and curvy LED-infused taillights. Down below is a pair of foglamps and a pair of oval tailpipes hiding deep inside the chrome trapezoidal finishers.

Ditching the black plastic trim around the vehicle makes the the XC60 look more urban-inclined, which suits it better since it’s no longer an all-wheel drive vehicle. The bumper skid plates and side running boards are optional items, however they do add a bit of zest to the vehicle.
Standard XC60 T5 runs on 17-inch wheels with the exception of our test unit that rolls on the optional
20-inch
Candor
 wheels
 which undoubtedly gives it more presence on the road albeit not without compromise to the ride quality.
INTERIOR
The interior from the pre-facelifted XC60 has been largely carried forward to this XC60. Solidly built and stylish as it may be, it’s beginning to look dated especially the floating dash that’s crammed with buttons. The
Sensus Connect
 system is pretty clunky to use and not as intuitive as you would expect, but it’s not short of features such as
DVD
 and
MP3
 playback,
Bluetooth
 phone pairing, and even
GPS navigation
.

Behind the steering wheel sprouts a pair of
shift paddles
, and the optional
Adaptive Digital Display
 looks too cool for you to leave it out of the options list. Both front seats are electrically-operated and the driver’s seat has memory function. They have sufficient side bolsters although the flat seat base won’t hold your buttocks as effectively as the backrest does to the back of your torso.

There’s plenty of space for three at the back, however elbow room can get pretty tight. The rear bench
split and fold 40/20/40
 and each of the two outer seats incorporate a
built-in two-stage seat booster
 for little kids, while the middle backrest folds down to reveal a twin cupholders and a lidded compartment. The boot will swallow
532 litres
 worth of cargo which is big enough for the occasional trips to IKEA, facilitated by the low boot sill for painless loading and unloading of items.

Elsewhere in the cabin there’s a deep lockable glovebox, well-sized door pockets, and a large cubby under the front armrest. Despite that, the placement of the twin illuminated cupholders in the high center tunnel is a bit awkward because when they are occupied, the drinks might get in the way of your left arm the moment you want to operate the gearlever.

Safety has always been a major subject for Volvo, so it’s not surprising that the XC60 is stuffed with
airbags
 at the front, side, and even inside some of the door pillars. What’s more, its occupants are protected by the
Side Impact Protection System
 (SIPS),
Whiplash Protection System
 (WHIPS), and
Roll Over Protection System
 (ROPS). All that resulted the XC60 to bag itself the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award
 recently.
PERFORMANCE
Under the sculpted bonnet beats a new heart. The new four-cylinder Drive-E still displaces 2.0-litres, but the new engine gains
5 more horses
 and
30 Nm more torque
 compared to the outgoing turbocharged four in the previous XC60 T5.
With
245 hp
 and
350 Nm
 on tap, the XC60 spins its front wheels from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
7.2 seconds
 and all the way to the
top speed
 of
210 km/h
.
Not only the new Drive-E is more powerful, it’s also more economical with
 start/stop function
 equipped as standard. Besides that, the pairing with the new
eight-speed Geartronic
 helps to further improve the
fuel consumption
, which is now rated at
6.9 l/100 km
.
THE DRIVE
With the massive wheels and the turning radius of an oil tanker, truck drivers will feel at home in the XC60. For non-truck drivers it means that maneuvering in tight parking areas can be daunting sometimes, but they will get used to it eventually. Even though it has
front and rear sensors
, the inclusion of a reverse camera would be greatly appreciated on a vehicle with a rather limited view backwards.
However, once on the move the XC60 feels surprisingly nimble, like a smaller car than it actually is; enabling you to quickly gain confidence in handling it like a normal hatchback. Although the ride can get rather lumpy on the dilapidated roads of KL with the optional 20-inch wheels. Terrible temporary roadworks and small crevasses get amplified to the cabin, so unless the roads where you’re staying are smooth as glass, you might want to uncheck those handsome
Candor
 wheels option.
On the dry twisty roads the
255/45 R20 Pirelli Scorpion Zero Assimetrico
 provides optimum grip alongside
torque vectoring
 that brakes the inside wheels to minimise understeer. Enthusiastic drivers will find the steering carries a nice heft to it, never mind it’s not particularly direct in feel.
Don’t get too carried away though, torque steer is still present at times, therefore do treat the throttle pedal with care especially in the wet. If driven vigorously be prepared to be thrown around on flat seat base, but at least the helm is chunky enough for you to hold on to your dear life. The Aisin-sourced eight-speeder is neither the smoothest nor the quickest gearbox out there, making the shift paddles most likely to be left untouched for most of the time.
As you settle to a cruise on the highway with the speedometer indicating north of 110 km/h mark, the engine is not even spinning at 2,000 rpm. There are still noticeable wind and tyre noise, nevertheless the cabin is generally hushed from the outside hullabaloo. The torquey Drive-E unit makes overtaking slower traffic effortless, it doesn’t really need to be revved hard as the torque is readily available from a lowly 1,500 rpm.
Similar to the other modern four-cylinder engines the Drive-E sounds like a diesel at idle, but give it the beans and it’ll emit a rather muted but sporty timbre with a hint of turbo chirp as you short-shift your way up the eight available ratios. At the end of the day, the fuel consumption varies depending on your right foot, but throughout the period this writer did a combined 7.3 l/100 km.
IS IT FOR YOU?
Not unlike the other premium compact SUV in the market, the XC60 is a capable SUV to suit multiple needs of an urban dweller. The engine is punchy enough for a quick burst in and out of traffic and on the highways it’s able to show those pesky B-segment wannabes a good clean pair of heels too.
To choose the XC60 over the rivals however, is most likely due to the attractive price tag and the brand appreciation. If you’re sold on the looks alone, do remember that our test unit is fitted to the brim with the
Viking package
 that will set you back more than 25 grand, so we suggest you to head to the nearest Volvo showroom to check out how the base XC60 looks like before deciding.
COMPARISONS
As mentioned, against the German rivals the XC60 is the cheapest here, but then again our test car here is loaded with the optional extras pushing the price to well above RM 300,000. The
BMW X3 xDrive20i
 is the most expensive at RM 325,800.00 despite being locally-assembled like the XC60. On the other hand, the fully-imported
Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro
 is RM900 cheaper than the BMW.
Standard equipment are more or less the same, leather seats, auto climate control, auto lights and wipers, multiple airbags, and all sorts of acronyms to represent the safety systems fitted.
All three employs the same formula of a
turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox
. Power is distributed to the
 all-wheel drive system
 except in the XC60 where it only drives the front wheels. While the XC60 may not have all-wheel drive traction as the other two, the benefit from that is it sips less fuel than the two Germans.
Apart from the better fuel consumption, the
XC60
 is the most powerful of the bunch with
245 hp
. The
Q5
 is close behind with
 225 hp
, while the
X3
 is trailing behind with just
184 hp
. The X3 is also 80 Nm short on torque, compared to the Audi and Volvo with 350 Nm.
Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E
BMW X3 xDrive 20i
Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol
4-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol
4-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol
Displacement
cc
1,969
1,997
1,984
Max Power
hp/rpm
245/5,500
184/5,000-6,250
225/4,500-6,250
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
350/1,500-4,800
270/1,250-4,500
350/1,500-4,500
STEERING
Type
Electrical power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
8-speed Geartronic
8-speed Automatic
8-speed Tiptronic
SUSPENSION
Type
MacPherson struts / Multilink
MacPherson struts / Multilink
MacPherson struts / Multilink
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Ventilated disc
Solid disc
Solid disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
235/65 R17
245/50 R18
235/60 R18
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,644
4,657
4,629
Overall Width
mm
1,891
1,881
1,898
Overall Height
mm
1,713
1,678
1,655
Wheelbase
mm
2,774
2,810
2,807
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,794
1,810
1,850
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
523
550
540
FUEL
Tank Capacity
70 litres
67 litres
75 litres
Consumption
6.7 L/100 km
7.2 L/100 km
7.9 L/100 km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
210
210
222
0 – 100km/h
sec
7.2
8.2
7.1
PRICE
RM
288,888.00
325,800.00
324,900.00

WILL I BUY IT?
The XC60 T5 is an interesting package and a great alternative to a premium compact executive sedan. Being a front-wheel drive SUV doesn’t bother me that much even though it’s always good to have all-wheel drive for extra assurance in worse conditions. But this particular XC60 won’t be my pick, especially when fitted with those 20-inch wheels. Instead I’d plump that extra dough on the T6 and leave the understated look as it is.
IMAGE GALLERY


Maserati Levante gets new entry-level 3.0L V6 with 350 hp

Maserati has just announced a new engine option for the MY19 Maserati Levante range. The premium SUV can now be had with a 3.0-litre litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine and is positioned as the entry-level variant.
With
350 hp
 on tap, the all-wheel-drive Levante will sprint to 100 km/h from rest in
6.0 seconds
, 0.8 seconds slower than the
430 hp

Levante S
. Top speed is limited to
250 km/h
. Maserati said that despite being the entry-level petrol engine, the Levante still retains the signature aural character and performance.
Making its global debut at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Levante range has also been updated with new options such as Adaptive Full LED Matrix headlamps, Integrated Vehicle Control as well as 11 colour options.
Mike Biscoe, General Manager, Maserati GB commented: “We are pleased to be able to now offer the
350 hp
 petrol engine on the Maserati Levante, which in addition to the
 430 hp
 petrol engine we introduced last year and the
275 hp
 diesel we offered at launch, provide a much greater choice to our UK customers. The introduction of the more cost-effective, entry-level petrol engine is a result of the demand in the market and we expect it to sell extremely well.”
Local distributor, Naza Italia has both the Maserati Levante Diesel and Levante S on sale from RM788k.
IMAGE GALLERY
Maserati Levante GrandSport

Maserati Levante S


Video: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 200 & E 300 facelift, 5 Things

Last month, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduced the new facelift E-Class in the form of the
 E 200 Avantgarde
 and the
E 300 AMG

Line
.
The E 200 Avantgarde variant gets a new hexagonal grille with a touch of the Panamericana grille while the E 300 AMG Line gets a trapezoid-shaped grille with the more traditional chrome pins. 18-inch wheels are fitted onto the E 200, with the more powerful E 300 sporting 18-inch wheels.
It goes without saying that the E 300 AMG Line looks a lot more aggressive with sportier front and rear bumpers compared to the clean and elegant look of the E 200.

Despite having the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired a 9G Tronic 9-speed automatic gearbox, the E 200 produces
197 hp
and
320 Nm
, while the more powerful E 300 delivers a solid
258 hp
and
350 Nm
. The E 200 is still no slouch, as 0 to 100 km/h takes just 7.4 seconds while the E 300 will match a hot hatch in just 6.2 seconds.
Inside, the E 300 AMG Line stands out with a lot more equipment such as the new funky steering wheel, wireless charging, a panoramic roof, a Burmester sound system and the Mercedes Emergency Call System.
Prices start from
RM326,943
 for the E 200 while the E 300 goes for
RM375,432
. Click here for more details on what’s new in the
E 200
 and
E 300
.


PDRM to use Toyota Corolla for patrol duties, 425 units pending final approval

The
all-new Toyota Corolla
 is set to be selected as the new patrol vehicle for the Royal Malaysia Police, or PDRM, with a prototype unit of the modified vehicle showcased by Go Auto to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.
Go Auto, the fleet provider for the Toyota Corolla, said today that it has received a letter of intent from the Home Ministry to supply
425 units
 of mobile patrol vehicles (MPV), to replace the aging Proton Wira and Proton Waja in stages.
The fleet will come with five years of free service, and each unit will be customised with additional police-specific accessories. These include the Integrated Light Sound System, Fleet Management System, as well as the Very High Frequency radio set.
The preparation of this police-spec Corolla prototype is an early step to ensure immediate approval and swift delivery, according to Go Auto. At the moment, the company is currently
awaiting for final decision
 by the Ministry of Finance on the supply.
The
first 100 units
 of the new MPV is scheduled to be
delivered in less than two months
, where PDRM will be able to utilise the fleet in the days leading up to the
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 forum
, which will be hosted in Kuala Lumpur.
Go Auto Group Executive Director, Dato’ SM Azli SM Nasimuddin said, “This is the second time Go Auto has been awarded with a tender. Before this, we successfully delivered 200 units of four-wheel-drive (4WD) to RMP last year, which was earlier than the expected timeframe.
“We are actively bidding in open government and private tenders as it is part of our business diversification,” he added. “Our main focus is ‘Special Vehicle’.”


2016 Mazda CX-9: 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G Turbo detailed [+Video]

Mazda’s flagship model, the
recently-unveiled 2016 Mazda CX-9
 has yet to make it to production, but some journalists in the United States (where 80 percent of CX-9s are projected to be sold),
The Fast Lane Car (TFL4K)
 in this case, have been given the privilege to go up close and personal with the one and only prototype of the CX-9.
In this video, TFL4K host Nathan Adlen interviewed Mazda’s Vehicle Development Engineer Dave Coleman who explicitly detailed the technical aspects of the CX-9, most notably on its
turbocharged 2.5-litre direct injection
 four-cylinder Skyactiv-G engine. According to Coleman, the CX-9 will make between
225 hp
 to
250 hp
 (official figure is 227 hp at 5,000 rpm) depending on the fuel grade, but to the car it’s only a matter of ECU adaptation.
What’s more significant here, as pointed out by Coleman, is the engineering challenge to provide torque delivery that’s almost as linear as a larger naturally aspirated engine like the older CX-9’s 3.7-litre Cyclone V6. Now, although the new turbocharged engine makes less horsepower than the V6 of old (270 hp V6; 227 hp Skyactiv), the former boasts better torque figures at
420 Nm
 (which peaks at 2,000 rpm) compared to the Cyclone’s 366 Nm.
More emphasis is put on torque than horsepower this time, but the justification is such that the CX-9 is exactly the kind of car you drive everyday, from home to work and the occasional road trip with the family. With that in mind, Mazda specifically tuned the engine to provide linear but powerful acceleration from the low end of the rev range.
The older CX-9 had an Aisin-made gearbox, but this Skyactiv model, needless to say, comes with Mazda’s own Skyactiv-Drive transmission – a
six-speed torque converter
 gearbox. Coleman too elaborated on the new gearbox and how it prevents the
rubber band effect
 (otherwise known as slippage) normally associated with torque converters. Drive is sent to all four wheels.
Inside Mazda’s 7-seater flagship model is quite an exquisite thing to behold. The seats are wrapped in Nappa leather and are perforated for heating or cooling purposes. We can now confirm that the 7-inch MZD Connect display (can be operated via touchscreen or the rotary dials and button just below the gear lever) doesn’t retract, so it will permanently sit atop the dashboard.

Another feature we’ve come to appreciate is the wood veneer surrounding the centre console. It’s made of
real open pore rosewood
, handcrafted by a Japanese guitar maker who was the only guy capable of conceiving such masterful carpentry.
If you’ve got a little over 10 minutes to spare and are interested to know all there is to know about the new Mazda CX-9, then we promise you this video won’t be a letdown. Now, just how likely is the idea of a turbocharged Mazda6?
IMAGE GALLERY

中文版：
AutoRepublic.my


Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival Season 6 kicks off with fiery Round 1 in Sepang

The
Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival
, with its signature GR Vios Challenge races, is returning for a sixth season. This year, the Toyota GR Festival’s Vios Challenge calendar will consist of three double-header rounds (for a total of six races) scheduled in February, June, and September, with a grid made up of many fresh and young faces gunning for glory – for a share of the RM1 million prize pool.
In addition to the three rounds, the GR Festival series will also tie in with the Malaysia Championship Series with the GR Vios Sprint Cup, consisting of two rounds (four races) in May and June. Meanwhile, the season finale for the Toyota GR Festival will be held as part of the prestigious
Sepang 1000km (S1K)
race in November, with the third running of the GR Vios Enduro Cup.
In the one-make GR Vios Challenge, racing will again be divided into four classes: the Promotional Class for local celebrities, the Super Sporting Class for elite and professional drivers; the Sporting Class for amateur and gentlemen drivers, and the Rookie Class for young drivers from the marque’s own young talent development programme.
A total of more than 40 drivers will form the grid for Season 6 of the GR Vios Challenge. Among them are teenage driver Hayden Haikal, returning for his sixth straight season to defend the Super Sporting Class title which he won last year. He will represent Axle Sports in a two car entry alongside Naquib Azlan, who won last year’s Sporting Class.
The ‘Prince of Drift’ Tengku Djan Ley will also be returning for Season 6 with Prima Pearl TD Racing in the Super Sporting Class, in a pursuit of his fourth Class title alongside teammate Mitchell Cheah.
The highlight for this year is arguably in the Sporting Class, as it will feature an expanded grid of 18 contenders, featuring a large number of young drivers including Nabil Azlan – who was the Rookie Class champion for Season 5 – driving for Axle Sports, Abdul Miqail for 23 Motors, Crestmax Motorsports’ Bradley Benedict Anthony, Distinctive Model’s Aaron Haikal, Muhammad Amirul Haikal representing Super Evergreen Motorsports, and Muhammad Alif Shawqi with Todak Wheelstar Motorsport.
As for the Promotional Class, half of the grid will be made up by new faces, including professional ten pin bowler and drama actress Syaidatul Afifah; actor, TV Host and radio presenter Imran Aqil; actor and host Ezzrin Loy; actor, host, and television personality Hefsy Sahad; and actress and model Reen Rahim.
The newbies will be joined by class veterans including actor Shukri Yahaya, who will be defending his championship title this year; actor Zizan Razak; actress and television personality Ahirine Ahirudin, and television personality Ain Edruce.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota GR86 launched in Malaysia – 6MT and 6AT options, from RM295k
Round one of the Toyota GR Festival has already kicked off last weekend at the Sepang International Circuit, and as usual, it was packed with action and drama from start to end across all four classes. Race incidents and post-race penalties meant may not have been a challenge for certain racers, but for some others – particularly a group of young drivers – it was the start to the season that they’ve always dreamed off, with back-to-back visits to the podium across the two days.
In the Super Sporting class, Prima Pearl TD Racing’s Mitchell Cheah redeemed himself with a dominating race from start to finish in Race 2 thanks to the reverse grid format in which placed him at the front of the grid, especially after a 10-second post-race penalty in Race 1 stripped him of a race win.
He finished 0.4 seconds ahead of Laser Motor Racing’s Putera Adam, although a post-race penalty dropped Putera down to fifth place. Defending Super Sporting Class champion Hayden Haikal was then promoted to second in Race 2, while Cheah’s teammate Tengku Djan Ley was promoted into the third spot.
In the Sporting Class meanwhile, Race 2’s safety car incident in lap three jumble up the standings, and resulted in a mad dash across the finish line between Crestmax Motorsport’s Bradley Benedict Anthony and Season 5 Rookie Class Champion and Race 1 winner Nabil Azlan, with a photo finish of 0.7 seconds between the two.
They are joined on the podium by 17-year-old Abdul Miqail, whose second-place finish in Race 1 was taken away after a 30-second penalty handed to him after the race.
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As for the Rookie Class, 16-year-old Ariff Azmi clinched victory in Race 2 ahead of Nazmir Azlan and Iman Danish in third position. Iman Danish and Nazmir Azlan were also repeat podium finishers across the weekend, with the pair finishing first and third respectively in Race 1.
Rounding up the action for the weekend was the Promotional class, which – as many predicted – was still a “Zizan-Shukri Show”, as the two actors duelled their way to yet another photo finish. Zizan Razak won both races ahead of Shukri Yahaya, with just a 0.27 and 0.3 seconds gap in Race 1 and Race 2 respectively.
Joining them was newcomer Ezzrin Loy, who successfully secured two podium finishes in only two races under his belt, finishing third in both races.
Over the two race days,
UMW Toyota
 said that over 3.5 million viewers tuned in live online to witness the action. The GR Vios Challenge will continue with Round 2 from 2-4 June 2023, which will also be held at the Sepang International Circuit.


Audi SQ2 shown ahead of Paris Motor Show, 2.0L TFSI with 300 hp & 400 Nm

Audi will be presenting the all-new Audi SQ2 for the first time at the upcoming 2018 Paris Motor Show. The SQ2 will be the top of the line variant of the compact SUV and follows the same recipe as its other hot siblings like the SQ5.
At the heart of the SQ2 is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI mill that has been boosted to
300 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of twist. The seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox and Quattro all-wheel-drive allows the baby SUV to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
 4.8 seconds
; only 0.4 seconds slower than the
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45
. Top speed on the Audi is capped at
250 km/h
.
To go with the extra output, Audi has fitted the SQ2 with an S sport suspension that lowers the ride height by 20 mm, recalibrated the steering ratio and fitted large brake kit that measures 340 mm in diameter up front and 310 mm at the rear. The brake callipers can be painted in red rather than black as an option.
In terms of exterior design, the top of the line Q2 gets eight vertical slats on the Singleframe grille, quad exhaust outlets, more aggressive bumpers, long roof edge spoiler and new diffuser inserts. Audi and Audi Sport offer up to 10-wheel designs measuring 18- or 19-inch in diameter.
The Audi SQ2 will make its global debut in October while deliveries will commence in early 2019.


The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge’s paint job weighs 45 kg just by itself

The
Black Badge series
 is one of Rolls-Royce’s most unique, and perhaps, most important offering to date, with more than 27% of all Rolls sold globally being a Black Badge model. So with the introduction of the
second-generation Ghost
 last year, Rolls-Royce has now – of course – given it the same stealthy treatment.
Despite its name, the Ghost Black Badge can actually be specified in any of the 44,000 colours in Rolls-Royce’s palette, or any custom hue that you can imagine. But most of its customers, as expected, chose to instead go for the model-specific black paint.
Dubbed as the “motor car industry’s darkest black”, the hue consists of a whopping 45 kg of paint, which is atomised and applied to an electrostatically charged body before being oven dried. The Ghost Black Badge then gets two layers of clear coat, before being hand-polished by a team of four craftsman for the signature high-gloss piano finish.
The second-generation Rolls-Royce Ghost is now available in Malaysia. Check it out here!
The entire painstaking painting process takes up to five hours, and allows for an intensity “simply unattainable elsewhere in the automotive industry”. To contrast the intense black, customers can also opt for a high-contrast hand-painted Coachline to give it a “black and neon” aesthetic.
Unique on the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge is also a unique dark finish on the Spirit of Ecstasy ornament and Pantheon Grille, thanks to a special chroming process that results in a final thickness of just one micrometre – around one hundredth of the width of a human hair.
Completing the all-black exterior look is a set of bespoke 21-inch wheels, constructed from 44 layers of carbon fibre to give it a unique look and extra strength, and finished with a lightly tinted lacquer to protect the finish – but still allow clients to observe the complexity of the wheels’ unique carbon fibre construction.
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Inside, the Black Badge Ghost comes with bespoke trim pieces handmade from Bolivar veneer, layered with “technical fibre”, resin-coated carbon, and contrasting metal-coated threads laid in a diamond pattern to give it a three-dimensional effect.
There’s also the darkened air vents thanks to a physical vapour deposition process, but most noteworthy of all is the illuminated Black Badge infinity symbol on the dashboard, surrounded by 850 stars that are only visible at night, a perfect complement to the hallmark Starlight Headliner.
Like the exterior, the inside of the Ghost Black Badge can also be specified in any colour combinations that you like. Rolls-Royce says that, however, its customers do tend to stick with a darker motif, with brighter hues used solely to give it some more “pop”.
The car here that Rolls-Royce has customised to show off its new Black Badge Ghost model shows it off particularly well, with the main leather upholstery in black, accented by teal panels and trims pieces, and matched with teal brake calipers on the outside too.
New fully-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre will be launched in 2023! Learn more here.
Beyond just aesthetic updates though, the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge also comes with a number of mechanical tweaks to make it slightly more engaging to drive. The air suspensions have been tweaked to reduce body roll while cornering, and the 6.75-litre V12 engine also now makes 600 hp and 900 Nm of torque (up 29 hp and 50 Nm) to make the car feel a little lighter on its feet.
Exclusive to the Black Badge model is also the Low Mode button on the gearshift lever, which essentially unlocks the Ghost’s sports mode, resulting in 50% quicker gear shifts on the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. To be clear, it will never be a sports sedan, but at least it’ll still be pretty quick – even with its massive weight.
The Black Badge treatment will be offered on both the standard and long wheelbase version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and is now available for commission starting at GBP249,500 (approx. RM1.4 million) plus taxes.
GALLERY