2017 Nissan X Trail facelift launched in Japan, from RM86k to RM121k

Right after the
 launch
in Europe, Japan became the next country to receive the facelifted Nissan X-Trail. It’s the second model after the
Serena
 MPV to be equipped with
ProPilot
autonomous driver assist technology.
As per our previous report, the facelifted X-Trail gets the new “V-Motion” grille, revised headlamps and tail lamps with new graphics. Japan bound X-Trails also get “foot sensing” tailgate, which opens the boot by waving your foot below the bumper.

It’s only available with a
2.0-litre MR20DD direct-injected petrol
 engine that’s mated to a
 seven-speed XTRONIC CVT
–

carryovers from its
predecessor
. The engine makes
144 hp
 and
200 Nm
 of torque. Just as before, the X-Trail is available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
There’s a
hybrid variant
 offered (paired to the same 2.0L engine) and that benefits from an automatic grille shutter to reduce drag. It has an eye opening fuel consumption rating of
 20.8 km/L
 when tested in JC08 mode
*2
regulations. Third-row seating is offered for the petrol variant only.
The 2017 Nissan X-Trail in Japan begins at
2,197,800 yen (approximately RM86k)
 for the 2.0S base 2WD petrol variant and goes up to
 3,098,520 yen (approximately RM121k)
 for the range topper 4WD hybrid variant. The ProPilot and automatic boot features are restricted for the 2.0X model for both petrol and hybrid variants.
Expect the new
X-Trail
 to land in Malaysia sometime next year.
IMAGE GALLERY


Aston Martin’s first ever SUV, the DBX, looks simply stunning!

History has been re-created over and over again the past couple years. Super and ultra luxurious car makers have defied all conventions and opinions to introduce SUVs in their fleet in light of the current craze.
Porsche started it with the Cayenne; Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini were no exceptions to this – with the
 Cullinan
 and
Urus
 – and now Aston Martin is taking a swing at it with the all-new DBX.
The first SUV in Aston Martin’s 106 year history, which will be built in Wales, is the result of testing and development that began in 2015.
The new DBX is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 used in the
DB11
 and
Vantage
, with
550 hp
 and
700 Nm
. It’s got an active exhaust system to accompany its 0 to 100 km/h run, which is done in just 4.5 seconds. Top speed is rated at over 290 km/h.
The new DBX uses a 9-speed torque converter automatic to send power to all four wheels – with the aid of an active central differential and electronic limited slip differential.
Aston Martin says that together with the steering system, the DBX can deliver sports car-like response while offering the driver a strong sense of control.
Based on the pictures, the level of opulence is clear in the new DBX with full grain leather, exquisite wood and metal trims. The headliner and electric roof blind can be upholstered in Alcantara – an industry first.
As for the class-leading spaciousness for front and rear occupants, Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur recently invited us for an exclusive preview of the new SUV.
Most of us, measuring 170-180 cm tall were pleasantly surprised how much head and leg room there was in the back seat; with 632-litre of boot space further back.
The lap of luxury is not just limited to space and the touch. Aston Martin says its adaptive air suspension with an electric anti-roll system, which can raise the DBX’s height by 45 mm or lower it by 50 mm, not only offers supreme comfort but reduced roll.
Visually-enticing as it is with frameless windows and a glass B-pillar, the DBX’s aerodynamic qualities also play a key part in passenger comfort because as one of only a few companies using computational aeroacoustics technology, Aston Martin’s engineers have been able to keep cabin noise to a minimum at speed.
Interestingly, not only was the DBX developed with feedback from private focus groups worldwide and Aston Martin’s dealerships, input from the company’s Female Advisory Board was also considered in areas like the arm rest, glovebox design and the car’s control systems.
It’s clear Aston Martin is casting its net far and wide with the new DBX – an SUV we believe would unlikely be shunned by many.
The all-new Aston Martin DBX comes with a recommended retail price of £158,000 (approx RM848k) with deliveries set to begin in Q2 of 2020.
In Malaysia, the DBX is available for booking from a starting price of
RM 798,000.00
 (excluding duties). For more information, visit the
Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur
 showroom for greater detail on the new DBX or contact them at +60 (3) 2163 1196.
IMAGE GALLERY


Sime Darby Motors appoints 14 new BYD dealers across Malaysia

Sime Darby Motors
, the sole distributor of
BYD
 vehicles in Malaysia has now appointed 14 new BYD dealers across the nation. Combined with Sime Darby Beyond Auto, this makes a total of 21 BYD dealership outlets in Malaysia.
The appointment of the dealer partners was commemorated during a group dealer signing ceremony at the BYD Headquarters located in Shenzhen, China. Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors Retail & Distribution Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, signed the agreement with each of the dealer owners. The ceremony was witnessed by Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, Eagle Zhao, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, and the BYD team.
BYD dealers now include Sisma Auto (KL), Millennium Autobeyond, Lee Motors, Wing Hin Venture, Be Drive Auto Sdn Bhd, Sing Kwung Motors, Hong Thai Motor Trading, Iroll EV, Macinda EV, EV Supreme, Regas EV Auto, Regas EV Sabah, and Denver Auto.
Having made the trip, the new dealer partners also had the opportunity to take of tour of BYD’s headquarters. At the company’s headquarters, the dealer partners were shown its R&D capabilities and its dynamic range of cutting-edge innovative products.
RELATED:
BYD Dolphin launched in Singapore & Thailand – EV hatchback coming to Malaysian soon
Sime Darby Motors Retail & Distribution Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Macau Managing Director, Jeffrey Gan said, “This announcement marks another milestone as it has only been six months since we launched BYD in Malaysia and today, we have 21 dealership locations lined up to meet rising EV demand. This indeed demonstrates our confidence of EV prospects in Malaysia’s automotive industry while ensuring that we are well-equipped to serve the market.”
BYD Malaysia Managing Director, Eagle Zhao said, “This agreement between Sime Darby Motors and BYD is yet another step forward in the automotive green revolution and is indicative of the changing dynamics of the industry. As the partnership progresses, we expect to provide further technological advancements and consumer experience, driving the industry towards a greener, more efficient, and more sustainable future.”
RELATED:
BYD supersedes Tesla in sales, becomes best-selling EV brand in Singapore


Gallery: Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+, from RM 482k – 421 hp, 500 Nm

Among the few choices of hot hatches in Malaysia is the
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+
. Launched in the middle of 2020, it is sold alongside the coupe Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+. Other compact AMGs in Malaysia are of the ‘35’ series. Only sold the A 45 S, the compact AMG now fetches a price of
RM 481,888
.
Powered by Mercedes-AMG’s most powerful four-cylinder engine, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ launches from 0 to 100 km/h in just
3.9 seconds
. That “most powerful-AMG-4-banger engine” is the M139 which is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that makes
421 hp
 @ 6,750 rpm and
500 Nm
 @ 5,000 to 5,250 rpm. Paired with an 8-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), the powertrain provides a top speed of 270 km/h.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S in M’sia now without Edition 1, CLA 45 S gets head-up display
In the driving dynamics department, the AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ is equipped with AMG Torque Control system in the rear differential. Consisting of two electronically controlled multi-disc clutches, the system not only variably distributes power between the front and rear wheels, but also between the rear right wheel and rear left wheel.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Edition 1 launched in Malaysia
Under the ‘Race’ driving settings of the A 45 S, there is a ‘Drift Mode’ in case you’re in the mood for some sideways action. In Drift Mode, the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) will be deactivated and the transmission will be set to “manual”.
Distinguishing the A 45 S MATIC+ from its non-AMG siblings is the AMG Aerodynamics Package which includes a rear spoiler, a front splitter, and a rear diffuser. Unmissable at the front end is the Panamerica grille. It also sits on a set of massive 19-inch five twin-spoke light alloy wheels that add to the overall aggressive look of the car. At the front, the AMG A 45 S gets 6-piston brakes and red brake callipers.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG continues 55-year celebration with more special edition models for A 45, CLA 45
As for colour options, the choices include Polar White, Sun Yellow, Digital White, Iridium Silver, Cosmos Black, Rosé Gold, Mountain Grey, and Denim Blue. There are two optional colours, namely the MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red Metallic which costs an additional RM3,000 and the MANUFAKTUR Mountain Grey Magno which costs an extra RM9,000. The unit you see in these pictures is in Cosmos Black.
On the inside, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S provides AMG Performance seats, AMG Performance steering wheel with Dinamica fibre, and AMG illuminated door sills. There are also electric adjustable front seats with memory function and AMG floor mats.
As for the infotainment unit, the AMG A45 S is equipped with its launch year version of MBUX with the respective-year navigation services system. There is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a Burmester surround sound system. Standard on the A 45 S is the AMG Track Pace system that can display 80 vehicle-specific parameters such as acceleration and lap times and more using GPS.
In the safety department, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ provides blind spot assist, active brake assist, active lane keeping assist, and active parking assist with Parktronic. It also comes with the Parking Package with 360° cameras.
GALLERY


US versions of the McLaren Elva to come with windscreens

When McLaren unveiled the
Elva
 supercar, it wasn’t only incredibly stunning but just as rare as it is one of the very few cars that came without a windscreen.
All that has changed as McLaren has just issued images of the first Elva that is fitted with a full-sized windscreen. The company said the front windscreen is required to meet regulations in certain states in the USA as well as for customers who prefer the presence of the physical screen.
McLaren says the windscreen, which is a permanent fixture, affords greater protection from the elements but it does not in any way reduce the levels of excitement as the supercar will still have no side windows, roof, and rear windscreen.
Thanks to the usage of carbon fibre, the windscreen and all its accompanying driver features such as electronically synchronised rain-sensing wipers, washer jets and sun visors, as well as heated glass, weigh just 20 kg
.
 The world’s first
Active Air Management System
 (AAMS) originally developed to deflect wind away from the occupants is thus deleted as it serves no benefit in the windscreen car.
McLaren Elva (Windscreen)
McLaren Elva, Gulf Racing livery
The Elva is McLaren’s latest Ultimate Series supercar with a bespoke carbon fibre chassis and body; making it the lightest road car ever from McLaren Automotive. The name Elva stems from customer versions of race cars designed by the late founder Bruce McLaren – the McLaren-Elva M1A of the 1960s.
It’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with
815 hp
 and
800 Nm
. 0 to 100 km/h takes approximately
2.8 seconds
 in either windscreen configuration, while 0 to 200 km/h is done in under seven seconds.
After all the
back-and-forth on production numbers
, McLaren concluded that
only 149 units
 of the supercar priced from
GBP1.4 million
 will be built. In that case, the windscreen-version Elva will be one of the rarest McLaren ever.
Other examples of windscreen-less supercar are the
Ferrari Monza
 SP1 and SP2 that pay tribute to the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM and the
Aston Martin V12 Speedster
. Meanwhile, just yesterday, a Dutchman finally took possession of his specially-commissioned Mercedes AMG GT R Roadster’s
with a removed windscreen
 and replaced it with a central beam – making it look like a giant pair of flip-flops.
GALLERY


Revamped Das WeltAuto website now lets you sell your old Volkswagen online

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today unveiled its updated
Das WeltAuto
 website, bearing a new refreshed design, alongside various added new features to provide more convenience to its customers who are in the market for a used Volkswagen.
The key update to the Das WeltAuto website, however, is the new ‘Sell Your Car’ function – which, as the name suggests, now lets owners sell their Volkswagen to authorised dealerships.
VPCM has designed the process for selling your car through the website to be as simple and straightforward as possible. Owners only need to submit their car details via the website, and their preferred dealership will then be in contact to arrange for a free inspection either at home or on-site before making a “competitive offer”.
Aside from selling, customers can also opt to trade-in their vehicles online for one of the latest models on sale.
RELATED: All Volkswagen dealerships in Malaysia have attained 3S and 4S status
The revamped Das WeltAuto website also adds a new ‘Nearly New Cars’ section, which lists certified pre-owned cars with less than 12,000 km mileage on the clock, and are within a year of its registration date.
No matter nearly-new or used, however, all cars listed or sold on the Das WeltAuto platform will undergo the same strict 133-point check conducted and verified by Volkswagen Technicians.
All Das WeltAuto cars are fitted with genuine parts, and are guaranteed to be accident- and flood-free, with proof of service at authorised Volkswagen service centres. For extra peace of mind, they are also offered with a one-year extended warranty programme, alongside 12 months roadside assistance.
The Das WeltAuto programme is now available at 10 Volkswagen dealerships nationwide: Volkswagen Puchong, Volkswagen Tebrau, Volkswagen Skudai, Volkswagen Gombak, Volkswagen Juru, Volkswagen Alor Setar, Volkswagen Seremban, Volkswagen Glenmarie, Volkswagen Ipoh, and Volkswagen Melaka.


2023 Honda CR-V transformed into 800 hp hybrid track weapon

What you’re looking at is called the Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer. But while it may look like just a souped-up version of the
sixth-gen CR-V
, underneath the friendly family SUV’s body panels is anything but.
That’s because there’s actually a full-blown race car underneath – and Honda isn’t even trying to hide it. It’s built on a tube frame chassis, but with the CR-V’s steel body tacked onto the upper half. The rest of it, however, is all carbon fibre – including the massive flared fenders, front splitters, butterfly front doors, and the giant rear wing.
Other motorsport-related parts include its front suspension and Brembo brakes that borrowed from the latest Honda NSX GT3 racer; the rear set-up meanwhile comes from the current Dallara Indycar single-seater race car. There’s also a McLaren Applied TAG 400i Engine Control Unit, alongside an racecar-spec XTrac six-speed sequential transmission.
But the highlight here is, of course, the fire-breathing engine underneath the rear clamshell cover, featuring a 2.2-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine and a supercapacitor-based hybrid system (like the
Lamborghini Sian
) for a total system output of 800 hp.
READ MORE:
All-new 2022 Honda CR-V debuts with sharper looks, improved hybrid powertrain
The powertrain is a preview of what the company will be using in its upcoming 2024 Indycar entry. With further development of the engine to its final 2.4-litre displacement, it’s expected to make upwards of 900 hp.
More importantly, though, the V6 engine in the CR-V Hybrid Racer – affectionately known as the “The Beast” – is also tuned to run on Shell’s 100% renewable fuels, as it’s designed to be a “rolling laboratory” for its further development of electrified technologies and renewable fuel systems.
Both of these technologies will soon become increasingly important, not only in terms of motorsports, but also for the mass production vehicles. Europe is already
 set to ban internal combustion engines beginning 2035
, with the sole exception being those powered by 100% carbon-neutral fuels.
Honda says it has no plans to bring the CR-V Hybrid Racer to actual racing events… but if the right opportunity presents itself, we don’t think Honda is one to shy away from challenges.
For now though, The Beast will be making its rounds at the Indycar races this year as a unique technological showpiece, starting on 3 March at the season opener at St Petersburg, Florida.
GALLERY


2016 Porsche Panamera unveiled, makes the old one look dull [+Video]

The new Porsche
Panamera
 has arrived in its second-generation guise. The luxury sports saloon has been “redeveloped and realigned down to the last detail”, posing a serious threat to established rivals such as the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
,
BMW 7-Series
, and VAG’s own outgoing
Audi A8
.
To begin with, there are three variants available at launch: the
4S
,
4S Diesel
 and the range-topper
Turbo
. The new model is based on the updated Modular Standard Architecture (MSB) platform, and it’s now lighter than before. Dimension wise, the new Panamera is
35mm longer
,
5mm wider
 and
5mm taller
 than the old model.
Wheelbase
 is also a
30mm longer
, which is good news for those who are seeking for more space on the inside. In case if you’re wondering, the
boot space
 is now at
 495 litres
, an increase of 41 litres.
The front remains similar to its predecessor with its familiar long bonnet. As
reported last week
, the front fascia receives some update on the new intakes and grille. The rear meanwhile receives the biggest makeover with a curved roofline that makes the new Panamera more appealing than the model it replaces.
Completing the back is a set of
quad exhaust
 and a
bigger rear wing
 that looks like it was taken from a sci-fi film when it’s deployed. The front and back lights receive newly designed
LED lights
, and we think the rear lights on this just ups the whole look and feel of the Panamera.
Inside, the it gets an all-new dashboard layout and new interior trim. This includes the
Porsche Advanced Cockpit
, a
12.3-inch touch-sensitive screen
 housed in the center console. The traditional physical buttons have also been reduced to make way for touch sensitive buttons.

New to the Panamera are two new petrol engines: a
 2.9-litre turbocharged V6
 and a
4.0-litre twin turbo V8
. The
Panamera 4S
 receives the 2.9-litre engine that outputs
434 hp
 at 5,650 rpm and
550 Nm
 of torque between 1,750 rpm and 5,500 rpm. The 4S equipped with the optional
Sport Chrono pack
 can hit 100 km/h from nought in
 4.2 seconds
 and runs to a top speed of
288 km/h.
Move over to the
Panamera Turbo
 and the
4.0-litre V8
 lump under the bonnet develops
542 hp
 at 5,750 rpm and
 770 Nm
 of torque between 1,960 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The Panamera Turbo can run a century sprint in
3.8 seconds
 (0.2 seconds faster with the optional Sport Chrono pack) and achieves a
top speed
 of
304 km/h
.
The oil burner isn’t that far off when it comes to performance. Its
4.0-litre V8
 unit banks
416 hp
 and
850 Nm
 of torque, allowing
0-100km/h
 sprint in
4.3 seconds
 and a
top speed
 of
283 km/h
. Given such performance, fuel consumption is rated at a combined
6.7 litres per 100 km
 with average CO2 emissions of 176 g/km. All variants receive the all-new
eight-speed PDK transmission
that channels the drive to all four wheels.
As per its predecessor, Porsche’s
Dynamic Chassis Control
,
adaptive air suspension
 and
torque vectoring
 will be available in this Panamera. Also, Porsche’s
rear-wheel steering
 will be introduced for the first time in this Panamera.
Porsche’s super saloon will be in showrooms by autumn. Pricing wise, it begins with the
4S
 at
£88,700
 (approx
RM480,000
 based on today’s conversion rates), the
4S Diesel
 at
£91,788
 (approx
RM496,365.00
) and the
Turbo
 can be had for
£113,075
 (approx
RM611,480.00
). In the near future, rear-wheel drive variants, V6 diesel engine,
plug-in hybrid
, and the more powerful
GTS
 are among the future badges that will be introduced.
Meanwhile, the new
Panamera Turbo
 just
broke the new track record
 for the
fastest production saloon
 in the
Nurburgring Nordschleife
, lapping the
Green Hell
 in
7 minutes and 38 seconds
.
VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY


See if Renault Subscription is for you with the new seven-day trial package

If you’ve been meaning to try out the
Renault Captur
, or wondered how the subscription model is like, TC Euro Cars is now giving you the opportunity to do so via the seven-day
Renault Subscription
 Trial Package.
The trial costs an
 upfront payment of RM399
, which works out to be RM57 per day. The Trial Package
does not come with any mileage cap
, so you will be able to fully evaluate the car without range restrictions.
After the seven-day trial, you will have the option to continue your subscription in either the Fixed or Switch plans if you wish to continue driving the Captur.
As a recap, the
Fixed Plan
 is a more structured plan with tenure periods from
 one to three years
. For the Captur, the Fixed Plan is priced at RM1,299 if you choose the two-year subscription period, and RM1,499 for a one-year subscription.
The Fixed Plan includes a
20,000 km mileage cap
 per year, with an option to add-on 10,000 km at RM200 a month. The subscription price includes all regular service, road tax and insurance costs.
As for the Switch Plan, you will have the option of either a Base or Prime subscription, both for the period of one year. The Base plan, priced at RM1,999 per month, includes two month of Renault Family access (usage of the Koleos or Megane R.S.).
The Prime Switch Plan nets you four months of Renault Family access, but is priced higher at RM2,199 per month. The Switch Plan does not come with a mileage cap, and the price includes road tax, insurance, regular servicing, and wear and tear replacement parts for the Captur.
CEO of TC Euro Cars, Wong Hoe Mun said, “This new Subscription Trial Package aims to offer customers a longer test drive duration so they can fully experience the car. At the same time, it allows them to experience the ease and convenience of the Renault Subscription programme.”
Currently in its pilot phase, the Renault Subscription Trial Package will only be available in central Klang Valley. At the time of writing, the only pick-up and return location is at
Renault Petaling Jaya
.
For those considering the Renault Subscription Trial Package, you can register your interest via the
 recently-launched
 Renault
E-Store
, or call
1800-18-8663
.
Customers will need to submit a copy of their IC or Passport, along with driver’s license and credit card details. The trial package is only available to Malaysians or residents with a valid driver’s license.


UMW Toyota launches official online stores on Lazada and Shopee, exclusive deals on 2019 models

UMW Toyota Motor has just strengthened its online presence with the launch of its own official e-commerce stores, the Toyota Malaysia Flagship Stores today. The new online stores are available on both
Lazada
 and
Shopee
, where special deals on selected Toyota models will be on offer.
UMW Toyota President, Ravindran K. said, “As online shopping is now part of daily life, UMW Toyota Motor is also establishing a presence on the popular ecommerce platforms of Lazada Malaysia and Shopee with the Toyota [Malaysia] Flagship Stores.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to buy Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, especially if they are looking for great money-saving deals,” Ravindran added.
Toyota models on the new online stores are offered with
booking fees as low as RM250
. The booking fees are payable via regular electronic payment methods including cards and online transfer, just like how you would purchase other goods online.
After payment of the booking fee, a Toyota sales advisor from the nearest authorised dealership will be in contact to sort out the rest of the transaction. For any other queries, customers can also make use of the live chat function on either platform, available Monday to Friday, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Limited-time special deals will be offered exclusively on these online stores from time to time. As of writing of this coverage, UMW Toyota is currently offering savings on several models manufactured in 2019 –
Toyota Harrier,

Fortuner, Innova,
 and
Hilux
 – with
savings of up to RM22,760
, in addition to a
five-year free service package
.


McLaren Elva now capped at 249 units to increase exclusivity, apparently

According to McLaren, 399 is just too many, apparently. In an interview with
Australian Financial Review
, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt said that the production quota of the
roofless Elva roadster
 has been cut down to just 249 units to enhance the rarity of the car.
“The feedback from our customers is that they think the car should be more exclusive than that, so we’ve capped it at 249,” Said Flewitt, explaining the 38% cut in production quantity.
The logic makes sense, on the surface at least. Other cars of the same genre rarely see past the 300 units mark – Ferrari will only make 250 units each for the
SP1 and SP2
, while the
Aston Martin V12 speedster
 is limited to 88 units, and the
Bentley Bacalar
, 12.
However, things may not be as simple as it seems. Speaking to
Autocar
,
 insider sources
 suggest that the true reason for the cut in production numbers is due to McLaren severely overestimating demand for a model like the Elva.
The McLaren Elva is the latest addition to the brand’s cream-of-the-crop Ultimate Series. Designed to deliver the “purest driving experience”, the Elva does away all the unnecessary parts, including the roof and windscreen, making it the lightest road-going car McLaren has ever made.
To keep the occupants comfy inside and not ruin their hair, McLaren even designed what it calls the world’s first
Active Air Management System
, essentially “bending” air to create a virtual canopy above your head.
Under the metal is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, producing
815 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque. McLaren claims that the Elva does the century sprint in “under three seconds”, and 0-200 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
We’re guessing the Elva is still available for order at your
 nearest McLaren showroom,
 provided you have the cash to do so of course – the Elva is priced at
1.4 million GBP
, approximately equivalent to a whopping RM7.5 million, before our local taxes and duties.


The Bentley EXP 100 GT: The future of grand touring will read your mind

According to Bentley’s crystal ball, when its Bentley EXP 100 GT concept is realised in 2035, the vehicle will be centred on artificial intelligence that listens in, anticipates and serves up what occupants want. It will also be fully electric and autonomous, but will still roll on tyres and wheels (no flying cars here).
Circular headlights, those haunches and that grille can only mean a Bentley.
Conceived as a concept showpiece to celebrate Bentley’s 100
th
 year in existence, you could say that the EXP 100 GT is conceivably a peek into what a Continental GT coupe could look like in 16 years’ time, and it is grand, sleek and luxurious, yet recognisably Bentley with circular headlights and its R-Type Continental-inspired rear haunch, but with really long scissor doors that open upwards to stand at three metres tall!

Bentley believes that by 2035, energy density of batteries would have increased by five times, this would allow the EXP 100 GT to travel up to 700 km on a full charge, based on a carbon fibre cum aluminium structure weighing no more than 1,900 kg (the current Continental GT W12 is around 2,200 kg). We will miss the W12, but the EXP 100 GT’s Traction Drive four-motor electric powertrain will offer over 1,000 hp and 1,500 Nm, enough to get the EXP 100 GT from idle to 100km/h in less than 2.5 seconds, and to a top speed of 300km/h. Maybe we won’t miss combustion engines after all.
Please measure the clearance to the ceiling before alighting the EXP 100 GT.
But the EXP 100 GT is much more than just being luxurious and decadent, it’s also conscientious and sustainable through the clever use of materials such as exterior paint made from recycled rice husks, 100% organic leather-like textile from wine making and British Farmed Wool carpets and embroidered cotton interior surfaces.
Occupants can self-drive or lounge in the highly configurable, bespoke hand-made cabin, allowing the Bentley Personal Assistant to ‘curate personal driving experiences’ with interactions via gestures and touch. The ‘brain’ of the car revolves around an illuminated Cumbria Crystal control centre that’s entirely handcrafted, in England of course.


BMW 330e plug-in hybrid to arrive end August, priced from RM240k!

Just what good will come when Mercedes-Benz and BMW trade punches? Once in a while, you get a knockout blow like the tax-exempted
Mercedes-Benz S400L Hybrid
, then the
BMW X5 xDrive40e M Sport
. This time,
as per reported by our peers at
Carlist.my
, BMW Malaysia is set to introduce the 330e plug-in hybrid, and will cost anywhere between RM240k to RM260k.
A brief summary of the spec sheet shows that it will be powered by a
2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine
, paired to a electric motor situated between the engine and the
eight-speed automatic
 transmission. The combined output produces about
 248 hp
 and
 420 Nm
 of torque, sending drive to the
rear wheels
. It sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds, and boasts a full electric range of 22.5km.

At RM240k, the 330e is
nearly RM60k cheaper
 than the comparable 330i M Sport (252 hp, 350 Nm), and is positioned just above the 320i Sport (184 hp, 290 Nm) which retails for RM231,800. In comparison, the two Mercedes-Benz C200 variants hover between the RM250k mark, while the more powerful C250 commands a RM288k asking price. Make no mistake, the 330e really gives great value.
Slated for market introduction by the end of August, the 330e, like the rest of the 3-Series, will be locally assembled. If this isn’t going to take the market by storm, we don’t know what will. Another
A6 Hybrid
 repeat, anyone?
IMAGE GALLERY


China’s Didi D1 is a fully-electric car made exclusively for e-hailing

China’s ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing has unveiled the D1, the world’s first EV built specifically for the purpose of
ride hailing
. Co-developed with BYD – one of the world’s largest EV manufacturer, the cutesy green EV will be rolled out as a pilot programme in Changsha, China, before being gradually expanded to serve more customers across the country.
While technical specifications are scarce,
 automotive journalist Greg Kable reports
 that the Didi D1 is powered by an electric motor, capable of a
100 kW (134 hp)
 output. Electrons come from BYD’s blade lithium ion batteries built in the firm’s Chongqing factory to provide up to
 418 km
 of range based on the NEDC test cycle.
Much like a
Tesla Model 3
, most of the features on board are controlled via a central touchscreen display – which Didi calls “Didi Smart Driver” – while a small LCD display lies behind the steering wheel specifically for the speedometer display.
The Didi Smart Driver system ties in directly with Didi’s ride hailing service, which takes care of driver verification using facial recognition, pick-up and drop-off, payments, as well as customer service. Drivers can interact with the system either via the screen itself, on-board voice assistant, or the Didi-specific smart steering wheel.
The Didi D1 even comes with touch screen at the back of the front seats – one on each headrests – for passengers to access navigation and other information. An outward facing multi-coloured light on the dashboard also helps customers identify their rides, based on the corresponding colour on their app.
Other features that make it particularly suitable for ride-hailing purposes include an extra-comfy driver seat for extended usage, extra legroom at the rear, as well as sliding rear doors for the passenger compartment, preventing riders from accidentally hitting other passengers or cyclists.
The Didi D1 will also come with a level-two assisted driving system, which includes features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, as well as pedestrian collision warning. The driver monitoring system ensures the driver’s hands are on the wheel, and their eyes focused on the road.
The D1 has been in development by the two companies for over two years. Didi says that it has integrated “the needs of hundreds of millions of users” into the design of D1 by leveraging its data analytics and user feedback from its existing userbase. Didi currently has 550 million registered passengers and 31 million drivers, delivering as much as 60 million trips per day.
During the product launch event, Didi also says that the company aims to have one million autonomous Didi vehicles on the road by 2025, and in 2030, removing the driver compartment altogether in their cars.


All-new Audi A3 Sportback: Don’t fix what’s not broken

With the
Geneva Motor Show cancelled
, Audi has taken to the web to unveil its all-new Audi A3 in Sportback form.
The fourth-generation Audi A3 Sportback remains faithful to its
 tried and tested design
, making it instantly recognisable on first glance. Even the footprint of the all-new A3 is nearly identical to its predecessor – only
3 cm wider
 than before.
Up front, the all-new A3 gains a wider Singleframe grille along with large sporty air inlets on both sides. Flanking the grille is the matrix LED headlights, along with a new
digital daytime running light
, made up of 15 individual LED to create special light signatures for the Audi A3.
The two ends of the car is joined by a large shoulder line from the headlights to the rear lights, while the surface right below it is curved inward – Audi’s latest design element to put a stronger emphasis on the wheel arches.
Just like the
Volkswagen Golf 8
, Audi has reserved the more significant changes to the interior of the all-new A3. Armed with a new dashboard architecture, the Audi A3 features a large
10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display
, angled slightly towards the driver, along with a
12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit
 instrument cluster.
A significant number of physical controls have been removed from the A3, including the rotary MMI control dial for the instrument cluster – control is relegated to the touchscreen. Fortunately, the climate control is still controlled by a physical control panel right underneath the infotainment display.
Other new design features in the interior include aluminium or carbon inlays on the dashboard, angular “door openers”, as well as a new shifter. If you opt for the automatic transmission, the Audi A3 now comes with a compact selector lever instead of a full gear stalk.
The seats upholstery on the all-new Audi A3 are made of recycled PET plastic bottles, adorned with contrasting stitching.
The fourth-generation Audi A3 will be available with three engine options at launch – a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine (TFSI) with
150 hp
, and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel mill (TDI) in either
116 hp
 or
150 hp
 form.
At launch, all engine options are only paired with a
front-wheel drive
 setup, with power transmitted via a
six-speed manual
or a
seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission
.
Audi says that other drivetrain options, including electrified drive systems and quattro all-wheel drive will be made available “shortly after market launch”.
Built on the
MQB-II
 modular architecture, Audi has promised the all-new A3 to be the
most dynamic handling yet
. A
four-link rear axle
 is standard for the higher-powered 150 hp engine options, which Audi says is “sporty and balanced”. An
optional adaptive damper control
 lowers the body by 10 mm, while providing the ability to adjust damper settings on the fly.
Alternatively, buyers can also opt for the
sport suspension
 – standard in the S line A3 – featuring a tauter tuning on the suspension and dampers, paired with a lower ride height (15 mm lower than standard) for more agile handling characteristics.
On the safety front, the fourth-generation Audi A3 comes standard with Audi pre sense front (front collision prevention), swerve assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise assist.
As an option, the A3 can also be equipped with lane change assist and exit warnings, as well as cross-traffic and park assist systems.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lotus Malaysia launches Elise SE and Exige S Auto, priced from RM255k & RM428k

The maker of the legendary lightweight sports car and track weapon has taken the wraps off two of its latest offerings, the
Elise Great Britain edition and Exige S Automatic
 – the former launched in tandem with the British High Commission of Malaysia.
This featherweight sports car which tips the scale at a mere
 924 kg
 will be made in limited numbers, so exclusivity is assured in this respect. The
Union Jack decals
 on the side intakes helps makes the
 Great Britain Special Edition
 stand out from the standard Elise model.
The Elise in which the Great Britian edition was built upon
Powering this limited edition is a
1.8-litre four cylinder, DOHC Dual VVT-i
 block that’s helped along with a charge-cooled
Magnuson Twin-Vortices series supercharger
 that gives the Elise the
schnell
needed to get from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.6 seconds
 and onto a top speed of
234 km/h
.
Firing
217 bhp and 250 Nm
 of torque to the rear wheels is a job tasked to a
six-speed manual
 transmission and a Bosch-sourced
Electronic Differential Lock
 (EDL). The weight savings really manifests itself here with a power-to-weight ratio of
240 hp per tonne
.
What if however, you want something a little bigger, much more powerful and want a place to rest your left foot? Lotus Cars Malaysia has just the right toy for you – the new
Exige S Automatic
, which as the name suggests, comes with a
 six-speed automatic
 cog-box and a
couple of paddle shifters
 behind the steering wheel.

Driving the gearbox is a Toyota sourced
3.5-litre DOHC V6
 with a
 Harrop’s Twin Vortices
, roots-type
supercharger
 to deliver a bang to the tune of
345 hp
at 7,000 rpm and
 400 Nm
 at 4,500 rpm. Those numbers mean that the Exige S is able to complete the century sprint in
3.9 seconds
 and tops out at
261 km/h
 (for the coupe and 233 km/h for the roadster). It comes equipped with a Lotus developed
 electronic throttle control
 system.
The Elise GREAT Britain is available in silver, yellow and white metallic colours while the Exige S is possible in a range of metallic and premium licks of paint. The Elise Great Britain and Exige S will set your cheque books back from
RM254,888
and
 RM427,777
 respectively.
Potential buyers should head down to Lotus Cars Malaysia located along Jalan Damansara to book a test drive and get a feel of these low-slung pocket rockets.
IMAGE GALLERY


Bentley is introducing 15 “new” heritage colours from its archives, including one from the 1930s!

Bentley’s
 design department is turning 70 this year, and as part of the celebrations, the team has combed through their decades-old archives to look for unique and historic colours that they can recreate for the modern day.
In total, the team found 15 “new” colours from its historical documents, some dating back to the 1930s! And the best part is that they all can now be ordered by their customers today, including this sweet Sage Green colour that they’ve applied onto their press fleet’s
Flying Spur V8
.
Sage Green, Bentley Flying Spur V8
The light pastel-like green hue originated somewhere during the 1950s, and when paired to the Blackline specification on the Bentley Flying Spur which essentially blacks out most of its exterior trims, provides a unique high-contrast look that’s hard to not like.
To complement the new Sage Green hue, Bentley has specified the new Flying Spur V8 press car’s interior with a mix of Cumbrian Green and Portland, alongside a carbon fibre technical finish to highlight its modern interior design.
The Bentley Flying Spur is also now available as a hybrid model! Check it out here.
Dove Grey,
Bentley Continental GT Convertible
Other colours that they’ve now “revived” as part of the birthday project include Dove Grey, one of Bentley’s longest-standing colours which dates back to the Derby-era Bentleys of the 1930s, as well as Claret, a two-tone colour that was created specifically for use on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Bentley – which was itself inspired by the Royal Claret colour that’s used on all Royal Bentleys since the 1940s!
There’s also Old English White from the 1950s, which is a solid white finish that Bentley says “lends a timeless air to any car”. Meanwhile on the other end of the spectrum is Oxford Blue, “one of the darkest blues in the palette”, which was first created in the 1960s and then re-launched as part of the Diamond Series in 1998.
Bentley partnered up with Akrapovič to create a new titanium exhaust for the Continental GT Speed. Learn more here.
These colours are now part of Bentley’s Mulliner and Extended colour palettes. If you’re looking for more personalisation, there’s also the Mulliner personal commissioning service, which offers even more historical colours for you to curate your own heritage-inspired paint job.
All of the paints at Bentley’s HQ in Crewe are applied by hand spraying expertise, complemented by the latest robotic technology to deliver the “best possible finish” on each car that rolls off its assembly line.
GALLERY


BMW Group Malaysia sets new record in PHEV sales in Q1 of 2018

BMW Group Electrified has charted worldwide vehicle sales totaling 36,692 units in the first quarter of 2018, a growth of 41.7% over the same period last year.
Combined sales of BMW i, BMW iPerformance and MINI electric vehicles by the first quarter have brought the total number of electrified BMW Group cars sold to
over 250,000
 and we are well on track to deliver on our stated
target to sell over 140,000 electrified vehicles
 this year,” said Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG.
The new
MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid
 launched in April.
BMW Group Malaysia
 contributed to this immense success as PHEV deliveries now
account for 52.7% of its total vehicle deliveries
 in the country.
In Q1 of 2018 alone, BMW Group Malaysia introduced two new plug-in hybrid vehicles; the
all-new BMW 530e Sport
 in January, the first-ever BMW 5 Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology and the fifth BMW iPerformance model in Malaysia along with the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, the first Plug-In Hybrid vehicle variant for the MINI brand.
Find out
what GC Mah thinks of the 530e
 on his drive to Salzburg, Austria
In paving the way for more to make the switch to PHEV vehicles, BMW Malaysia has also installed new BMW i Charging Stations at
WEIL Hotel in Ipoh
, Holiday Inn and The Equatorial in Malacca and CityONE Megamall, Kuching.
There’s also a growing network of more than 270 charging facilities nationwide by ChargEV to cater to BMW iPerformance and MINI electric vehicles.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches new Asbenz Stern Autohaus in Kuantan

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) and dealer partner, Asbenz Stern Sdn Bhd (Asbenz Stern), has launched the Mercedes-Benz Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus in Kuantan, Pahang.
The Mercedes-Benz Asbenz Stern Kuantan offers sales, service and spare parts (3S) in its Autohaus and Service Centre for a comprehensive end-to-end customer experience – supported by six sales and 12 Customer Services qualified and trained personnel.
The Service Centre is equipped with 10 work bays and an inspection bay; allowing the Autohause to service up to approximately 250 vehicles per month. The centre also can accommodate seven Mercedes-Benz vehicles for customer’s viewing.
“It gives us great pride to extend our reach and presence to the East Coast, giving us the opportunity to deliver the Asbenz brand of service and hospitality to customers in Kuantan and across the East Coast. Asbenz now stands proud as a multi-location authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer from our beginnings in Sungai Petani with Asbenz Motors to this milestone now, Asbenz Stern in Kuantan. We are ready to demonstrate ‘Nothing but the Best’ in our commitment to our customers, in line with the Mercedes-Benz brand promises of Best Products and the Best Customer Experience,” said Asbenz Motors Sdn Bhd, Managing Director, Goh Chuan Kiong.
The Asbenz Stern Autohaus is designed with the distinguished Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) Autohaus concept and the latest Mercedes-Benz Corporate Identity (CI). It’s also equipped with the interactive IShowroom feature where customers will have the freedom to explore and learn more about the latest Mercedes-Benz products and promotions at the swipe of a finger.
Asbenz Motors Sdn Bhd’s partnership with Mercedes Benz began in May 2004 with its first Mercedes-Benz authorised Autohaus offering Sales and Customer Services in Sungai Petani, Kedah. To date, approximately RM 5 million has been invested by MBM and Asbenz Stern in the development of this Kuantan Autohaus and Service Centre.
The Mercedes-Benz Asbenz Stern Kuantan Autohaus launch further expand’s the German marque’s presence along the East Coast comprising Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. Overall, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia retains the largest premium network coverage in Malaysia with 34 Autohaus’ nationwide.
The Mercedes-Benz Asbenz Stern Kuantan Service Centre is located at Lot 16606, Batu 3 Industrial Area, Jalan Gambang, 25150 Kuantan, Pahang, Tel: 09-517 1155, Fax: 09517 2255, 24 Hrs Breakdown Service: 017-816 5515


BMW M3 and M4 Competition now available for booking in Malaysia – est. from RM665k!

Following the teasers
 over the weekend on BMW Malaysia’s social media channels, the company has now announced that the all-new
BMW M3
 and
M4 Coupe
– both in Competition form – are now available for booking through the
BMW Shop Online
 platform until the 31st of December 2020.
Pricing for the base BMW M3 Competition starts at
RM664,800
, while the BMW M4 Competition is priced at
 RM684,800
 – both are estimated prices on the road, without insurance. BMW Malaysia is also offering an Innovation Package with additional kit for both models.
The package, which usually costs RM75,000 for the BMW M3 Competition, will be offered at a discounted rate of RM58,000 for the pre-booking period until December 31, which essentially brings the price of the specced-out model from RM739,800 down to
RM722,800
.
As for the BMW M4 Competition, the package will be discounted from RM76,000 to RM56,000, bringing the price of the fully-specified car down to
RM740,800
 until the end of the year.
The Innovation Package consists of both functional and aesthetic parts to kit out the cars, including the Laserlight headlights, head-up display, glass roof, Connected Package, Parking Assistant with Reversing Assist, as well as the Driving Assistant package which includes forward collision warning with brake intervention, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, as well as rear cross-traffic warning and rear collision prevention.
Other items included in the extra-cost package include a Harman Kardon surround sound system, tyre pressure monitoring system, alongside exclusive trim finishers on the interior. Interestingly, the Innovation Package on the M3 Competition includes a set of staggered 19/20-inch M forged double-spoke wheels in style 825 M, but the M4 does not get the same treatment.
As expected, the new M duos slated for Malaysia will come in Competition form, both packing a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, uprated to make
510 hp
 and
650 Nm
 of torque. For those curious, the numbers are approximately 60 hp and 100 Nm higher than the outgoing Competition models, and 50 Nm higher than the
BMW X3 M
 and
X4 M Competition
 which are both equipped with the same powertrain.
The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission (no manual option on the Competition models), with power sent to the rear wheels for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of
3.9 seconds
, onward to an electronically-limited top speed of
290 km/h
.
Globally, the BMW M3 and M4 Competition will be offered for the first time ever with an xDrive all-wheel drive system – though, these will only be available from next year onwards. It is unclear at the point of writing if these models will be brought in to Malaysia, but as always, we’ll be keeping an eye out for it.
The all-new BMW M3 Competition and M4 Competition Coupe is now available for pre-booking on BMW Malaysia’s Shop Online, available
here
, with a booking fee of RM5,000. For those who are still unhappy with the controversial grille, perhaps
pick one of these up
 when you put down your order!
GALLERY
BMW M3 Competition
BMW M4 Competition Coupe


Honda Civic Type R Concept officially hits Geneva Motor Show [+Video]

The Honda Civic Type R Concept finally arrives at the Geneva Motor Show with much fanfare. Yes you heard it right. The official press release still says Type R Concept, but we know there is already a full working prototype running around Nordschleife a few months back. A full production version is expected to debut in Europe in 2015.
The four door ultra hot hatch signals a new direction for Honda in terms of styling and engineering department. It’s power output is not a secret anymore, with at least 280PS and comes in the form of
VTEC Turbo
, harnessed from Honda’s
Earth Dreams
 family of technological know how. And above all, the engine conforms to the strict
Euro 6
 emission standards!

The Civic Type R Concept’s funky and fiery looks is not just for show but deemed necessary and functional as well. The spoiler for instance provides additional downforce. Enlarged upper and lower front grille on its bonnet allow additional flow of air to cool the high power engine. The front and rear fender have been widened considerably to accommodate
20-inch
 tires. All in all, this translates to a very fast, fun and grippy FWD.
All this technological advancement and know how is made possible through various feedback gathered from Honda’s WTCC 2013 experience. Let’s hope in 2015, Honda won’t stray too far away from the concept shown at Geneva!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Next-gen Volkswagen Touareg concept to debut in Beijing Motor Show

The second-generation Volkswagen Touareg has been around since 2011, so it’s safe to say that Volkswagen is working hard to get the next generation Touareg out in the coming years. But first, the Germans decided to throw some teaser of its concept which hints  that a new Touareg is in the loom.
So what’s new with the third-generation Touareg? To start, it’ll be powered by a
plug-in hybrid powertrain
 that generates
381 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque, which is nearly the power of a turbocharged V6 that powers its predecessor. It takes only
6.0 seconds
 to hit from 100km/h from standstill, and has a modest top speed of
222km/h
. Via electric power alone it can cover 50km of tarmac, and has a claimed combined fuel efficiency of
3.0 litres per 100km
.
This modern Touareg will feature an LED strip at the front, and more interestingly, the back will see a new LED arrangement which is inspired from the arcade games from the 1980s. Inside the Touareg will also see a heavily improved cabin, featuring lots of digitisation via screens, including a curved glass screen in the centre dash. In other words, the word “boring” won’t be associated with this new SUV.
Look out more on this new SUV from Wolfsburg when the concept hits Beijing Motor show by the end of April.
IMAGE GALLERY


The new Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is a (nearly) 700 hp family car

Shortly after unveiling the
 facelifted Panamera
back in August, Porsche has now followed up with three new variants in the line-up, headlined by the model’s new flagship, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
The new range-topping variant packs an improved 576 hp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, paired to a 136 hp electric motor to generate a combined system output of
699 hp
 and
870 Nm
 – making it the most powerful Panamera variant, and second most powerful Porsche currently in existence.
Curiously though, thanks to its heavier weight, the Turbo S E-Hybrid’s 0-100 km/h time is actually slower than its non-electrified twin by 0.1 seconds, completing the sprint in
3.2 seconds
 – still 0.2 seconds faster than its predecessor. Top speed is now
315 km/h
, 5 km/h faster than before.
Driving dynamics on the range-topping Turbo S E-Hybrid is helped by the standard-fit PDCC Sport electric roll stabilisation, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, rear-axle steering, as well as PCCB ceramic composite brakes.
Lime green brake callipers are somehow supposed to mean electric.
Also introduced is the new 4 E-Hybrid variant, which is the brand’s new entry point to the electrified Panamera line-up. Underneath the hood is a twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, producing a combined output of
461 hp
. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid does 0-100 km/h in
 4.4 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
 280 km/h
.
The trio of electrified super sedans – including the Turbo E-Hybrid launched in August – all come with a new larger 17.9 kWh battery pack, which translates to an all-electric range of 50 km on the Turbo S E-Hybrid, and 56 km on the 4 E-Hybrid – all based on the WLTP EAER City test cycle.
All three new hybrid variants can (
and should
) be charged at home, either by using a regular domestic outlet or the Porsche Mobile Charger for a faster 7.2 kW charging capacity. The E-Hybrid variants can also be charged at public charging points using a Mode 3 cable.
Additionally, all three hybrid Panamera variants can also be specified in either fastback sedan, Executive long wheelbase, and Sport Turismo shooting brake body styles.
Aside from the new plug-in hybrid variants, Porsche also rounded-up the Panamera line-up with the new Panamera 4S, powered by an uprated 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that develops 449 hp. Performance wise, the new Panamera 4S completes the century sprint in 4.1 seconds (0.1 seconds faster), and similarly the top speed has also been increased by 6 km/h to 295 km/h.
As for styling, the Panamera 4S is equipped with the Sport Design front end with a twin-line daytime-running lights design to differentiate itself from the electrified 4S E-Hybrid. The top-of-the-line Turbo S E-Hybrid meanwhile gets a “dual C-shaped” DRL set-up to exaggerate its larger side air intakes, as seen on the ICE-only Turbo S.
GALLERY


Alfa Romeo Stelvio joins the luxury SUV segment [+Video]

Alfa Romeo
 has unveiled its first ever SUV model via the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Named after an Italian mountain pass, the SUV was unveiled for the first time at the ongoing Los Angeles Motor Show in its legendary “four-leaf clover” Quadrifoglio guise.
The
Giulia
-based crossover will mark a new offensive of new Alfas in the coming years. To begin, it has a seductive exterior that will surely sell if aesthetic is the only deciding factor. The Stelvio borrows heavily from the Giulia Quadrifoglio as seen with its headlamps, front grille, and air intakes. Even on the inside, the Stelvio’s driver-focused panel is just like the sedan equivalent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IVqE_M8orA

Under the bonnet of this red example lies a
2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
engine making
510 hp
, while a
280 hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol
 engine is available as an option. Regardless which mill is selected, they are all paired with ZF’s
eight-speed automatic
 transmission. The slushbox is said to be capable of making lightning-quick gear changes  in just
150 milliseconds
 in Race mode.

For this Quadrifoglio, it receives Alfa’s
Q4 all-wheel drive technology
 and
torque vectoring
 technology. In normal driving condition the wheels are driven at the back, but the Q4 system will channel the torque as much as 50% to the front wheels when traction is required. The usage of torque vectoring will allow the rear wheels to receive optimum torque individually via the two clutches in the rear axle.
While there are no official numbers to show how fast the Stelvio is, Alfa claims this car is a direct competitor to the
Porsche Macan Turbo
 and the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GLC 63. On that note, if FCA is looking to resurrect the Alfa brand in Malaysia, the Stelvio could be the ideal car that will appeal to the SUV-loving Malaysians.
IMAGE GALLERY


Malaysia is the first country in the region to launch the Ferrari F8 Tributo

Naza Italia, the official distributor of Ferrari vehicles in Malaysia has just officially launched the
Ferrari F8 Tributo
, just one month after it made its global debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show in March.
The
488GTB
 replacement is equipped with Fiorano’s most powerful series production V8 engine packing
720 hp
and
770 Nm
of torque. The 3.9-litre displacement engine is paired to a 7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission to drive the rear wheels. Century sprint takes
2.9 seconds
 with an acclaimed top speed of
340 km/h
.
QUICK FACTS
 Name

Ferrari F8 Tributo
 Engine
 3,902cc; twin-turbo
V8
 Transmission
 7-speed dual
clutch
 Max Power
 720 hp @ 8,000
rpm
 Max Torque
 770 Nm @ 3,250
rpm
 0 – 100 km/h; Top
Speed
 2.9 seconds;
340 km/h
 Price (Before
duties & options)
 RM1,068,000
That is
40 hp
and
10 Nm
more than the model it replaces, and weight is also down by 40 kgs compared to the 488GTB. With all the lightweight options ticked, the F8 Tributo tips the scale at 1,330 kg.
The extra performance is
kept in check with a series of aerodynamic improvements such as new front
S-Duct – similar to the 488 Pista, smaller LED headlamps to accommodate the new
brake cooling intake as well as a completely reworked rear profile with new
rear engine cover, brake duct and side intakes.
Overall, the car now
boasts 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency along with latest Side Slip
Angle Control (ver. 6.1) and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE+).
Inside, the cabin
features a smaller diameter steering wheel with new controls, redesigned dashboard,
door panels and tunnel, round air vents as well as a new 7.0-inch passenger
touchscreen display.
Malaysia is fortunate enough to be the first country in South East Asia to introduce the Ferrari F8 Tirbuto priced at RM1,068,000 before duties and customisation options.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ferrari F8 Tributo Launched in Malaysia


Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SV, the fastest production Lambo ever [+Video]

Lamborghini
 has released their latest bull into the wild, named the
Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce
 (SV). Having treated their bull with a stricter carbon fibre diet, the SV is
50 kg lighter
 than its non-SV sibling. Not only that, the SV is more powerful to match its meaner looks.
The SV’s exterior has been pumped up by the fitment of additional wings and scoops resulting
170 percent higher downforce
 over the standard Aventador. The back is an aerodynamicist’s wet dream, with an aggressive diffuser, and a sculpted bumper that rises up to be the base of the huge rear wing.
The SV is equipped with a set of
lightweight forged rims
 measuring 20-inches at the front and 21-inches at the back, wrapped with
Pirelli P Zero Corsa
 as standard. The
Carbon Ceramic Brakes
 hiding behind those multi-spoke wheels are standard as well.
As the
“750-4”
 name suggests, the
6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12
 powerhouse now generates
750 hp
 at 8,400 rpm and
690 Nm
 of torque at 5,500 rpm. The power increase is mainly due to the
new lightweight exhaust system
 fitted to the SV.
Coupled to a
7-speed ISR transmission
, the SV clocks a
0 to 100 km/h
 time of
2.8 seconds
, while the
top speed
 is said to be
more than 350 km/h
.
The name also hints at the number of driven wheels. The
 all-wheel drive
 system utilises a
fourth-generation Haldex coupling system
 to distribute torque between front and rear, while the
pushrod suspension system
 incorporates
adaptive Magneto Rheological Suspension
 (MRS) for a more dynamic driving experience.
Further enhancing the driving experience is the pared-back cockpit that features Lamborghini’s innovative
 Carbon Skin® material
 and a pair of newly-developed sports seats. The instrument cluster receives new graphics too, and it even includes G-force indicator.
Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce will go on sale in Europe in late spring 2015, carrying a base price tag of
€327,190
(approximately RM1.33 mil).
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Golf R Mk7 now in Malaysia with 290hp, price from RM246k

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) has finally brought in the latest Golf R variant to Malaysia. Two

variants will be made available, which are the 3-door basic model and the pricier 5 door model. The 3-door model will be marketed as a basic Golf R, while the 5 door model will include the
Tech Pack
 as standard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8TV3icsETo
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volkswagen Golf R

Segment
C-Segment Hatchback
Engine
1,984cc 4-cylinder TSI engine
Transmission
6-speed DSG gearbox
Max Power
280hp @ 5700-6200 rpm (290hp 5-door with Tech Pack)
Max Torque
380Nm @ 1750-5600 rpm
Price
RM245,888 (RM285,888 5-door with Tech Pack)

Exterior

Keeping to the R tradition, the Mk7 R has a more aggressive face over the GTI. Sharper features throughout the front and the rear differentiates it from the regular Golf model. The Golf R is also with
quad exhaust pipes
, smoked LED tail lights, adaptive bi-xenon front headlights with DRLs.

The vanilla Golf R rims are 18″ in size, wrapped with
225/40 BridgeStone Potenzas,
 while the 5-door model gets 19″ rims, wrapped in
 235/35 BridgeStone Potenzas
. Both variants have the same rim design called “
Cadiz
“.
Interior

The pricier 5-door variant gets the
Tech Pack
as standard, and adds extra toys like a 12-way electrially adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, 8″ TFT Touchscreen display with navigation,
Dynamic Chassis Control
, ECO Function,
Vienna leather seats
 and a panoramic sunroof. Of course, the best part is the Tech Pack also adds another 10 more horses.

Unlike the Golf GTI’s red themed interior, the Golf R has a cooler looking blue theme instead like blue needles for the meters. Other than that, the R has a flat bottomed leather steering wheel and carbon fibre like trim. The Golf R also gets a R leather gear knob and R badged seats.
Performance
 Engine wise, both variants are powered by a newly designed 2.0TSI engine producing
280hp
 (290hp with Tech Pack) and
380Nm
of torque. Power is transferred to the wheels via a
6-speed DSG gearbox
. The Golf R is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in
 5 seconds
. When driven flat out, the Golf R will top out at
250km/h
.
Also new is Volkswagen’s
4Motion AWD system
, which is already in its 5th generation. The 4Motion system is capable of splitting torque between front and rear wheels from 10:90 and 90:10. Another addition to the Golf R is the XDS+ differentials up front and behind. The GTI only had the XDS+ diffs up front.
Safety
 Safety wise, the Golf R scored a full 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test. Other than the strong structure, the Golf R keeps the driver and occupants safe with
7 airbags
, ABS, EBD, Stability Control and ISOFIX mount. The passenger’s airbag can also be manually disabled, when the need arises.
What else…
 Price starts from
RM245,888
for the 3-door variant, while the Tech Pack equipped 5-door variant tops out at
RM285,888.
Prices quoted here are without insurance. Like all Volkswagen models, the Golf R also benefits from VGM’s 5-year warranty coverage.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia to accelerate digital transition to improve customer experience

The pandemic and its lockdowns have no doubt changed the way we live in more ways than one. Most, if not all, classes are now conducted online, we rely on Grab to provide dinner and even fishmongers are getting into e-commerce.
The dramatic change in circumstances has also affected the way the automotive industry works; everything from sales to after-sales, manufacturing, customer service, and at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the company is looking to ride on the situation and accelerate its digital offense.
Business as usual – the
new Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde
.
Speaking to the
new President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 (MBM), Sagree Sardien, and
Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and SEA
, Michael Jopp, the new CEO relished the current situation and sees it as an opportunity instead to start focussing on different ways to approach various aspects of the business.
“The introduction of digital initiatives will be the fundamental gamechanger for the future, on how we interact and transact with our customers. We want to be able to offer end-to-end digital services, which not only includes vehicles sales but also digital after-sales services,” she said.
By 2025, Mercedes-Benz aims for 25% of its cars globally to be sold online per year; that’s 1 out of 4 Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold. A tall order but there are already steps being taken locally towards that direction.
In January this year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched its first
virtual showroom
 to showcase brand new and certified pre-owned vehicles online.
The new virtual showroom will not only allow vehicles to view vehicles up close without stepping out of their homes but also check on stock availability based on their area, request quotes and research financing options.
Cycle & Carriage’s Virtual Showroom brings the new Mercedes brand presence online. Check it out here!
“Customers want speed and convenience and the lockdown has allowed us to focus on these aspects of digitalisation for a complete peace of mind,” she added.
MMB’s digital offense may have spiked in the last 18 months due to the pandemic, like most car brands in Malaysia, but it is unlikely that it will be forgotten beyond the pandemic.
“The Virtual Showroom looks different now from when it was launched as we have to keep evolving to meet our customer’s needs. There is a wider range of cars listed in the Virtual Showroom, with more details and additional features provided. Recently, we also added the “online chat” function to the Virtual Showroom,” said Jopp.
“The end goal is to make a complete online car-buying experience possible. In the future, there will be further improvements made to enhance customer experience,” he added.
Jopp also highlighted the company’s attention towards customer service by adding that most requests submitted via the Virtual Showroom are contacted by sales representatives within an hour.
CEO Sardien said the company’s accelerated digital efforts are not just for the lockdowns but will extend beyond the pandemic.
“The way we market our cars will change in the future. There will be various aspects of the business that will transition to digital. It has to happen; we have to become more efficient, effective, and more customer-centric,” CEO Sardien said.
In light of the digital transition, CEO Sardien assured that face-to-face, personal customer experience, and a seamless car-buying experience are still important to the company and that’s where its sales executives and dealerships still have a huge role to play in “online to offline” situations.
“We are not merely digitalising our operations but rather using digital as a complementary element to better serve our customers.”


Video: Lexus LS 500 now in Malaysia, Things You Need To Know

Lexus Malaysia has just introduced the all-new
Lexus LS limousine in Malaysia
. It rides on an all-new platform, new design language as well as new powertrain options. Here are Things You Need To Know about the Lexus LS range:
A total of three variants are on offer – LS 500 Luxury, LS 500 Executive and LS 500h Executive – all fully imported from Japan. The LS 500 range is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 putting out
415 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The hybrid variant gets a 3.5-litre V6 Multi Stage Hybrid with a combined output of
354 hp
. Note that they are all rear-wheel driven.
Prices for the LS 500 Luxury starts from RM799,000 stretching to RM1.4 million for the LS 500h Executive. There is also an option for the
Kiriko
 glassware and Hand-pleated Upholstery for RM98,000.
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus LS 500 Executive


Ford and McDonald’s team up to turn coffee waste into car parts

If you’re like us, your consumption of coffee is probably quite significantly above average. We don’t blame you, coffee is heckin’ delicious. But did you know that coffee generates quite a large amount of waste – and we’re not just talking about those single-use plastic coffee cups.
During the roasting process, a layer of dry skin – called chaff – is removed and usually discarded as waste. However, Ford wants to turn the skin into car parts, and have teamed up with McDonald’s to turn their coffee waste into Ford car components.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEwWgnJl6m4
Here’s how it works: The chaff is heated up to high temperatures under low oxygen, then mixed with plastic and additives to turn it into pellets. These pellets are then formed into various shapes as required.
Ford says that the chaff composite meets the quality specifications for parts such as headlamp housings and other interior and under hood components. The resulting components are also about 20% lighter, and require 25% less energy to mold.
Ford Senior technical leader, Debbie Mielewski, said that the material is “even better than what we currently use” in the video above. “No compromises, it’s better,” she added.
This is not the first time Ford has experimented with bio-based materials and agricultural by-products either. The American carmaker was the first to use soybean-based foam for seats and headliners back in 2007, and has since used wheat straw, recycled cotton, rice hull, tomato skin, captured CO2, and even recycled currency for various car components.
Thanks Ford and McDonald’s, for making our addiction a little better for the environment. Time for another refill..


Meet the Veyron’s successor, the 1,500hp & 1,600 Nm Bugatti Chiron

Just shortly
after the Veyron chapter ended
, Bugatti went on to tease us with its successor, then touted to pack about 1,500 hp and 1,500 Nm of torque. Well, that’s quite the underestimation. Say hello to another record smashing machine – the Bugatti Chiron.
Named after the company’s legendary race driver, the Chiron developed from a new carbon fibre monocoque structure. Despite being as stiff as an LMP1 race car, the Chiron weighs close to 2,000 kilograms!

At its heart nestles the same
 8.0-litre W16 engine
, but it gets four larger turbochargers (one on each bank) to ram as much as
60,000 litres of air per minute
. With the assistance of a lightweight carbon fibre intake tube, lighter crankshaft, dual-stage turbocharging and a titanium exhaust system, the Chiron is capable of liberating a colossal
 1,500 hp at 6,700rpm
 with a ludicrous
 1,600 Nm of torque
! For comparison purposes, the Veyron had about 1,000 hp and 1,250 Nm of torque.
To compliment the Zeus-imbued engine, a gearbox with the strength of Hercules is required. Hence, Buggati fitted a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox – they claim it’s the largest, highest-performance clutch used on a passenger car – that sends all the twisting force to all four wheels.
You must be itching to know just how mad quick this Chiron is, aren’t you? Well, the new Bug sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in
under 2.5 seconds
; 0 to 200 km/h in less than 6.5 seconds and 0 to 298 km/h in under 13.6 seconds. Its top speed? An unbelievable,
tyre-shredding 418 km/h
 – outperforming the Veyron by 11 km/h.

Braking power is available courtesy of carbon-ceramic brakes, while the integrated air-brakes at the back increases the Chiron’s drag coefficient from a slick 0.35 at top speed to 0.59.
New to the Chiron is the
electro-mechanical steering system
, which allows drivers to choose drive modes.  Bugatti thinks monikers such as “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Race” are boring, hence, they cheekily rename the driving modes as
Lift, Auto, Autobahn, Handling
 and
Top Speed.
The system proactively adjusts ride height, shock damping, steering feel, four-wheel drive system and active aids depending on modes selected.

The lift mode increases the Chiron’s height, crucial in manoeuvring over dreadful speed bumps. Auto mode needs no explanation; Autobahn mode optimises high-speed cruising whereas Handling Mode sharpens the car’s suspension. Now, the Chiron can only achieve its top speed when drive mode is flicked into Top Speed. This is activated via a special “speed key” only.
Just
500 units
 of the Chiron will ever be made – 50 more than the Veyron, and every unit will be built in Bugatti’s headquarters in Mosheim, France. It has a starting price of
2.4 million Euros (approx RM11 million)
, and production is expected to be scheduled across a period of eight years or 60 units per year.
As a parting advice to some 500 lucky rich customers of the Chiron, we highly hope that these customers will do Bugatti’s finest engineers some justice by driving this car instead of keeping it as a showpiece. That said, we have a funny feeling that Malaysia will see at least two Chirons along the way.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ferrari 296 GTB is 2022’s best-looking production car, according to Car Design Award

It’s not just our opinion any more – the
Ferrari 296 GTB
 is now officially ‘certified’ as the best-looking production car in 2022, scooping up the win in the Production Car category in the prestigious Car Design Award, which was launched in 1984 by Italian magazine
Auto&Design
.
The prize-giving ceremony took place on 12 June at the ADI Design Museum, as part of Milan Design Week.
According to the Car Design Award’s website, the accolade is presented to “projects that have made a significant contribution to the development of car design.” Winners are chosen by an expert jury of 11 journalists from leading international motoring publications, including
Auto&Design
 itself.
As for why the 296 GTB won the award, the jury said: “Creating a form this beautiful and organic whilst still complying with all current regulations and giving the car an incredibly high level of technology and performance, is a truly impressive feat.
“The legendary sports prototype racers of the 1960s have informed the Ferrari 296 GTB’s design and the end result is a superb, contemporary interpretation of a classic design language.”
The Ferrari 296 GTB is Maranello’s first entry into its new electrified era, and it’s perhaps a good thing it looks so dang good, since keyboard warriors can’t bring themselves to hate it. The 296 GTB takes the form of a two-seater berlinetta, with a hybrid V6 engine behind the driver to make
830 hp
 and
740 Nm
 of torque exclusively to the rear wheels.
Other winners of the 2022 Car Design Award included the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV, which took home the grand prize in the Concept Cars category. The award for the Brand Design Language category, meanwhile, went to Volvo’s high-performance EV arm,
Polestar
.
The Ferrari 296 GTB is now available here in Malaysia. For the full facts and figures breakdown of the hybrid Prancing Horse, click here.


Fiat Chrysler to join BMW Group, Intel and Mobileye – Level 5 autonomous vehicles expected

A new member has joined the already formidable coalition between BMW Group, tech giants Mobileye and Intel in the development of an autonomous car platform – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) as reported by
AutocarUK.
Autocar UK also stated that FCA will aim to have a hand in current R&D efforts for an all-new platform that will seek to offer up to level five autonomy. The platform is being produced to be scalable, offering level three autonomy in ‘entry level’ variants for specific scenarios like highway driving. Level five autonomy will see cars controlling themselves in all scenarios.
Also reported was that the platform which will be shared by BMW Group and FCA models, will benefit from the software and hardware provided by Intel and Mobileye – presumably with one playing the brains (Intel) and the other playing the eyes (Mobileye) in the equation.
The piece by Autocar also claimed that a fleet of 40 autonomous vehicles will hit the streets before the end of 2017 for testing, where the same would be added to the 100 vehicles that’s currently deployed by both the tech giants.
Due in 2021, BMW’s autonomous model, the iNext, will offer level 3.5 autonomy utilising an all-electric drivetrain capable of
over 500 km
 in driving range.
Souce:
Autocar UK


Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.2L SD4 now in Malaysia, priced at RM450k

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) has finally introduced the diesel-powered Land Rover Discovery Sport, nearly a year since the
petrol-powered Disco Sport
 made its Malaysian debut. At RM450k, the diesel variant is a full RM30k more than its petrol sibling, and that doesn’t include road tax, registration and insurance.
Equipment levels mirror the 2.0L Si4, but the only difference here lies under the hood – a
2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
 producing
188 hp
 and
 420 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a
nine-speed automatic
 transmission. Standard features here include Hill Descent Control, Terrain Response System, seven airbags, Roll Stability Control and Hill Start Assist.
Every purchase of the Discovery Sport 2.2L SD4 comes packaged with a
5-Year or 150,000km
 warranty, including a 5-Year or 80,000km free scheduled maintenance and 3-Year roadside assist, whichever comes first. Those interested in the 5+2 seater SUV can either opt for a 12-month free instalment plan or a cash rebate.
IMAGE GALLERY
Land Rover Discovery Sport


Formula 1 teams want the 2021 rule change postponed due to coronavirus

The 2021 Formula 1 season is set to be an exciting one, with a
whole set of new rules
 that promises prettier cars, closer racing, and a more even playing field due to the spending cap.
However, as the
current Formula 1 season is in jeopardy
due to the worsening COVID-19 situation, Formula 1 teams are looking to push the scheduled major rule change to 2022, according to a report by
Motorsport.
In a telephone conference this week, team bosses called for the current rules to be continued for one more year, as well as a freeze on the development of key components such as gearbox and chassis.
Nine out of ten teams
 reportedly agreed to the proposal in principle, while Ferrari requested for more time to consider.
The proposal is a direct result of the uncertainty of the F1 calendar this year, with the Melbourne and
Shanghai
 races already cancelled. The cancellation directly impacts the financials of the team, as each race – except Monaco – pays a host fee to each team.
As the teams have already spent a large amount on the development of the 2020 car, team bosses would obviously hope to see that their cars to have a longer working life.
McLaren’s 2020 challenger, the
 MCL35
With the originally scheduled 22-race season now shortened, and the number of races left is unclear as of this time, the only solution is to stretch the season out to the next year.
The teams will hold a second telephone conference today with Formula 1 bosses Chase Carey and Ross Brawn, along with FIA president Jean Todt to decide if the plan will be feasible moving forward. Ultimately, it will be up to the FIA to make the call on any changes to the regulations.


Ford Ranger leads Malaysian sales in July with 699 units shifted

Ford has had an interesting start to the second half of the fiscal year with encouraging sales figures and market demand for its local offerings. As the heading suggests, the Ranger pick-up truck is at the fore and leading the charge.
Managing Director of Ford Malaysia, David Western said, “We’re pleased that more and more Malaysians are being attracted by our class-leading Ranger.” Strong demand has been recorded for the Ranger with
 699 units
 shifted, while year-to-date sales of the Ranger have jumped
 22 percent to 5,520 units
.
The recently unveiled
Ford Ranger Wildtrak facelift
That being said, the Fiesta and EcoSport denominations have been performing comparatively well in terms of sales figures for the month ending July. Sales of the
Fiesta
 model has risen up to
12 percent
 over the previous month to
119 units
. Demand for the Fiesta is driven by both its
1.5-litre Ti-VCT
 and the
 1.0-litre EcoBoost
 variants.
The
EcoSport
 however has been picking up sales traction in July with
over 100 units
 flying of the shelf at local Ford dealerships. Speaking of dealerships, Ford has plans in the works to invigorate and bolster the appeal of its showrooms toward aspiring potential owners and exciting upcoming models such as the iconic
Mustang
.


The new 7-seater Peugeot 5008 gets additional kit, from RM166,888

Aside from introducing the new 3008 with updated driver aids, Peugeot Malaysia also took to stage the new and improved 5008 7-seater SUV. The 5008 Active goes for
 RM166,888
while the higher spec Allure goes for
RM179,888
.
Like the 3008 SUV Allure Plus, it also gets additional driver aids like Speed Limit Information, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitor and Driver Attention Alert.
Underneath the hood of the 5008 is the same 1.6-litre twin-scroll Turbo High Pressure Engine with
167 hp
and
 240 Nm
. The engine is similarly paired to a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. 0 to 100 km/h still take 8.9 seconds with top speed rated at 205 km/h.
It also gets added features like a panoramic roof and hands-free tailgate to add to the LED lighting fixtures in the front which includes the turn indicators as well.
Standard items include 18-inch Detroit alloy rims, automatic headlights, automatic folding side mirrors with heater and a 180-degree reverse camera.
The 7-seater also gets the same Black Claudio leather upholstery that’s seen in the updated 3008. Specifically for the 5008 Allure Plus model are features such as 8-way power adjustable seats with memory function, auto dimming rear view mirror, LED mood lighting and while the 3008 may be added with one-touch folding rear seats, they’re standard in the 5008.
The 5008 shares the same on-board equipment as the 3008 such as the 12.3-inch instrument cluster display and 8-inch touchscreen display.
Safety wise, the 5008 gets six airbags, Hill Descent Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Stability Program among others. As for colour selections, the 5008 is available in Emerald Crystal, Amazonite Gray, Nera Black, Pearl White and Aster Grey.
IMAGE GALLERY


UMW Toyota’s Deputy Chairman to race a Toyota Vios in Sepang 1,000 km this weekend

From board room to race track, UMW Toyota Motor’s Deputy Chairman and Toyota Gazoo Racing’s (TGR) Chief Motorsports Officer and TGR Vios Challenge racer, Akio Takeyama, will be competing in this weekend’s Sepang 1,000 km endurance race with a Toyota Vios under Team Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia (Car No.39).
The team will be fielding two race cars prepared by Wing Hin Motorsports and competing in the Premier MTC class for modified production cars below 1,600cc. The Vios’ will be powered by TRD race-prepped engines, built in Wing Hin’s own facility in Balakong.
Wing Hin Motorsports Principal Simon Loh is confident the cars will be among the front runners again this year after an impressive showing and podium finish in 2018.
“With the valuable data collected from last year’s event, the new parts we have secured through our collaboration with TRD and the immense experience of former Toyota Gazoo Racing development driver Akira Iida who will drive for us this year, I believe that we have the package to be competitive once again this year,” said Loh.
Known for his exploits in the Japanese Touring Car scene and having finished the 24-hour Le Mans six times, Akira Iida has been instrumental for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the Japan GT Series.
He was played a key role in developing the Toyota 86 for Toyota Motor Corporation’s President Akio Toyoda and his son Daisuke Toyoda to race in the 24-hour Super Endurance Race in Fuji Speedway earlier this year.
For this S1K endurance race, Iida will be sharing the driving duties in the Team Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia-liveried Vios with Takeyama and Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge regular William Ho while the second car racing under Team Wing Hin Motorsports banner will feature Boy Wong and Dannies Ng.
The approximately 8-hour Sepang 1,000 km race has been the crown jewel of the Malaysian circuit racing calendar with a starting grid of some 70 cars based on production models available in Malaysia.
Participants are expected to lap the Sepang International Circuit over 180 times once the race begins around noon on the 23rd of November 2019.


Leona Chin wins two races at the season opening Sepang MCS 2021

The return of the Malaysia Championship Series 2021 at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) certainly brought delight to plenty of touring car fans with constant racing action in all four races which was broadcasted live on the circuit’s Facebook page.
In the Malaysia Touring Car (MTC) category, local motorsport darling and guest co-host at
Autobuzz.my
,
Leona Chin
 drove to victory in Race 1 and Race 4. The final race of the day also saw Leona sharing the podium with two other lady racers- Nurul Husna and Natasha Seatter from Niza Racing who were also racing with a Suzuki Swift. It was also the ladies second podium after two days of racing.
The
doubleheader
 schedule was quite a challenge to the teams, with the crew from Tedco Racing managing to repair Leona’s Dynapac-liveried Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6 in time for Race 4 after suffering a broken suspension due to contact with 23 Motor’s Honda Jazz in the earlier race.
“Well, today was a tough race. We were fixing the car from yesterday’s incident to this morning, and we had to fix the car again today (Race 3). We managed to make the car ready and push as hard as we can to get to the podium that we are aiming for. For the next round, I will push harder!” expressed Leona.
In Race 1, what seem to be a straightforward drive to victory for the pair of Alif Hamdan and Lai Wee Sing and their Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo was met with a mechanical issue in the last five minutes of the hour-long race.
Cruising at close to a pace that is 20% slower than the usual, the pair of Hamdan and Lai managed to bring their Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo to finish fifth overall in Race 1. They remain unchallenged in their Touring Production category as the sole competitor, which saw them winning the next three races.
Although only four entrants, the Stock Production 1 category with a field of FD2 Honda Civic Type Rs saw constant battles in all four races. Race 1 and Race 4 saw Shazull Hisham and Mohd Syahrizan from Empire M Racing team taking the winners trophy, while Race 2 and 3 see Ken Urata and RWorks taking the top step of the podium.
Finally, the Stock Production 2 (SP2) category with the largest field of cars with 10 entrants promised plenty of racing action as the majority of the cars are closely matched in both performance and driver skills. At every race, viewers were treated by quality racing and racecraft from the pair of Hayden Haikal/Adam Khalid, Mitchell Cheah/Ady Rahimy, Imran Wafi/Nijay Ayyad and Putera Adam.
Round 1 saw Mitchell Cheah and Ady Rahimy, both drivers from the Sepang Talent Development Programme, took commanding race wins (Race 1 and 2) in thier black 23 Motor’s Honda Jazz, while Round 2 saw the fortune favouring the pair of Hayden Haikal and Adam Khalid (Race 3 and 4) in their yellow and white BHPetrol Honda Jazz.
Apart from Putera Adam, young racer Ameer Harris is also taking part in MCS 2021, who both are graduates from
Gazoo Racing Young Talent
 Development Programme.
The Malaysia Championship Series 2021 will continue with Round 3 and 4 from December 14 th to 16th. The racing action is not taking such a long break though as the
Sepang 1,000 km
 race is scheduled for
November 27th to 29th
, which sees plenty of names and machinery from the MTC and SP2 categories. The race, lasting eight hours, will be broadcast live on SIC’s
Facebook
 page.
Main image credit: Facebook/
owenleejunhui
 –
Photo specialist at Sepang Circuit
GALLERY


BFGoodrich Advantage Touring launched in Malaysia – 13 to 20 inches for all vehicle types

BFGoodrich
, a Michelin tyre subsidiary, has just updated its on-road tyre offering with the launch of the new Advantage Touring tyres here in Malaysia. Replacing the Advantage T/A Drive, the new tyres are designed for a wide range of vehicle fitments ranging from sedans and SUVs to pick-up trucks, with a total of 67 sizes on offer ranging from 13- to 20-inches.
The company says that the new BFGoodrich Advantage Touring tyres are designed with value for money in mind, offering buyers a quieter ride, stable handling and braking, as well as greater fuel efficiency.
Key features of the BFGoodrich Advantage Touring include a new simplified asymmetric tread design, which is computer-optimised to reduce road noise in the cabin. The tread design – which are inspired by the brand’s road racing tyres – also promises improved aesthetics, and more importantly, better handling and braking stability in all conditions thanks to the rigid tread blocks and shoulder.
The deep grooves and large tread blocks help improve braking performance particularly in the wet, while the full-depth features also assures that the same performance is maintained throughout the tyre’s life.
RELATED: BFGoodrich launches Trail-Terrain T/A tyres for SUVs and pickups
Elsewhere, the BFGoodrich Advantage Touring also comes with the “interlocking band technology” that is designed to reduce friction and heat, resulting in better fuel consumption. The contact patch of the tyres is also said to be specifically designed for markets with “severe heat conditions”, such as Malaysia.
The new BFGoodrich Advantage Touring is now available at authorised dealerships across Malaysia. Each tyre also comes with a six-year manufacturer’s warranty, offering buyers extra peace of mind.
No pricing information has been provided, but more information on the new BFGoodrich Advantage Touring tyres can be found on the company’s website, linked
here
.


Volvo EVs can now be purchased online – RM7k wallbox voucher included

Following the launch of
Volvo Car Malaysia
’s ‘Online Sales’ platform, Volvo Customers can now browse and purchase Volvo’s pure electric line-up online. Previously only possible for the
C40 Recharge
, the online sales platform now includes the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric as well.
With the ‘Online Sales’ platform, customers’ Volvo buying experience will be seamless with several key features:
Customers are now able to deal directly with Volvo Car Malaysia through this ‘Online Sales’ platform;
The platform allows customers to purchase their desired Volvo cars through secure payment methods;
Through the platform, interested customers will also have visibility on current available stock and price visibility for better clarity; and
The platform provides customers with a secure and hassle-free experience when ordering a Volvo car.
Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director, Charles Frump said, “Since the introduction of our ‘Online Sales’ platform, our customers’ journey to owning a Volvo has dramatically improved through transparency and stock availability of our cars. As of today, we are offering our full pure electric line-up on the platform and will look to integrate a broader range of Volvo car models into the platform soon.”
The platform’s update also signifies Volvo Car Malaysia’s intent of solidifying its position as the leading mover in the e-luxury segment and further providing its customers with the outstanding Swedish luxury experience from the comfort of their own homes. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric and the Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric are now available via the e-commerce platform that enables customers to make bookings and payments directly to Volvo Car Malaysia on the company’s official website.
RELATED:
Volvo now supports Waze navigation, no phone connection required
From
May 1
 to
June 30
, Volvo Car Malaysia is also announcing a series of promotions for all car models. Customers who register their Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric and Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric during this period will be entitled to receive a complimentary
RM7,000
 wallbox voucher and a complimentary first-year Volvo Car Insurance.
RELATED:
Volvo EX90 production delayed till 2024 – Needs more time for development


Mercedes could be merging AMG, Maybach, and G-Class into a single “luxury” group

In an effort to streamline marketing costs and boost sales and productivity, Mercedes-Benz’s parent company Daimler is reportedly looking to merge the Mercedes-AMG, Maybach, and G-Wagen sub-brands into a new business group – and the announcement could be made as early as September at the Munich auto show.
According to
Automotive News Europe
, although the three sub-brands have different target buyers, Daimler’s CEO Ola Kallenius believes they could work better in a single management body as they are all focused on the upper echelon of vehicles and high-margin sales. AMG’s current boss, Philipp Schiemer, is expected to lead the group.
“Strengthening the sub-brands is an important pillar in the Mercedes-Benz strategy,” a Daimler spokesperson told
Automotive News Europe
‘s sister publication,
 Automobilwoche
. “Currently, we are in the process of designing it and evaluating the potential in the various areas.”
And while nothing is confirmed just yet, the spokesperson did say that they will “not only maintain the independence, strong identities and evolved corporate cultures of the individual brands, but also further expand and sharpen them.”
The Mercedes-AMG G 63 S is so unique that we just had to include it in our 2019 best driver’s car round-up. Check out the video here!
It is still unclear what form of formal corporate structure the new group will take, although sources told
Automobile News Europe
 that there are currently no plans to spin it off.
This restructuring plan comes during a period of change for Mercedes-Benz. AMG is on the verge of introducing its first electrified performance models (both
plug-in hybrid
 and full
EVs
), while the Maybach brand is also looking to reinvent itself with two new models – the
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
 and
GLS
 – to better compete against the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
Check out Mercedes-AMG’s electrification plans here.
Meanwhile, word on the grapevine is that the G-Wagen will also moving towards the fully-electric route, likely to be dubbed the EQG.
Despite the restructuring process, though, the new luxury group is unlikely to affect product development in any way that might impact consumers – at least not from the get go. We’d imagine that this will strictly be a business decision for now, but who knows what the future might hold.


Audi catching up on SUV race, still trails behind Mercedes-Benz and BMW

“The most interesting segment in the automotive industry at present has three letters: SUV. No other type of car has higher growth figures.” That was a statement issued by Audi AG on the back of their latest efforts in ramping up SUV production.
Currently, the Volkswagen subsidiary has four SUVs in its stable: the
Q2
,
Q3
,
Q5
 and
Q7
. BMW has five, while Mercedes-Benz has seven. The next SUV to be crowned with the four rings will be the flagship
Q8
 (pictured above) that’s set to make its global debut next year. In 2019, Audi will introduce the Q4 compact crossover.
In 2016, Audi sold 622,000 units of SUVs, the bulk of which are of the Q5 with 278,968 units. The
second generation Audi Q5
 has yet to make its regional debut, but Audi Malaysia has hinted at a tentative launch date at the final quarter of this year.
That means there will be at least two new SUVs to expect from Audi this year, with the Q2 being the first to arrive sometime in the next three months.


Williams Racing F1 team sold to US private investment firm

Its a new chapter in Williams Racing’s history as the
Formula 1
 team announced today that it has been acquired by Dorilton Capital, a private investment firm based in the United States.
The sale of the team comes after the storied racing team announced the commencement of a strategic review back in May, which included the search of a new buyer. Despite new ownership, the F1 team will continue to operate under the Williams brand, and has no plans to relocate from the team’s traditional home in Grove.
Founded by Sir Frank Williams in 1977, Williams is one of the most successful racing teams in the history of Formula 1, with 114 race wins, nine constructors’ championships, and seven drivers’ championships in its trophy cabinet. However, the family-owned team has fell down the pecking order in recent years, ending the 2019 season in last place.
The new deal, which received “unanimous support” from the Williams board of directors – including Sir Frank Williams, will seek to capitalise on the
rule changes
 planned for the sport in 2022, especially since the team has just signed the Concorde agreement alongside the 9 other teams currently competing, which lays out how the sport will be governed and prize money distributed for the next five years.
Commenting on the acquisition, Williams Racing deputy team principal Claire Williams said, “When we started [the strategic review], we wanted to find a partner who shared the same passion and values, who recognised the team’s potential and who could unlock its power. In Dorilton we know we have found exactly that. People who understand the sport and what it takes to be successful. People who respect the team’s legacy and will do everything to ensure it succeeds in the future.
“As a family we have always put our team first. Making the team successful again and protecting our people has been at the heart of this process from start. This may be the end of an era for Williams as a family owned team, but we know it is in good hands. The sale ensures the team’s survival but most importantly will provide a path to success.”
The press statement further reads: “Dorilton recognises and appreciates the importance of respecting and retaining Williams’ heritage and culture and is committed to maintaining its identity.”
Dorilton Chairman Matthew Savage added, “We believe we are the ideal partner for the company due to our flexible and patient investment style, which will allow the team to focus on its objective of returning to the front of the grid.
“We look forward to working with the Williams team in carrying out a detailed review of the business to determine in which areas new investment should be directed.”
[Images:
Formula 1
]