3 things we like (and don’t) about the 2022 Perodua Alza!

The
all-new 2022 Perodua Alza
 has truly won the hearts of Malaysians with its incredible value, with
over 51,000 bookings collected
 in just two months. Although, with only roughly 8,000 units of those delivered so far, a majority of its customers have still yet to get a hands-on experience with the car – at least not for long.
Many of a car’s quirks (and annoyances) will only show up after an extended period, when the car is used according to your lifestyle habits. And since Perodua was kind enough to loan us the all-new Alza for a whole week, we figured we’d share a few things we noticed during our time with it, to hopefully help you make a more informed buying decision!
Like – Confident ride and handling
Now built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, the all-new Perodua Alza actually drives surprisingly well, and is pretty much unlike any other Perodua models of yore. It shares a similar ride characteristic as the
Ativa
, which means it can feel slightly firmer, especially for those who have previously owned a Perodua model.
However, the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza improves upon the Ativa with better body control, particularly when going through speed humps where the car “sits down” in a mature and elegant manner, almost like a luxury European car three times its price. The fact that it’s also relatively quiet even at highway speeds is just the cherry on top.
Like – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity
Screens are the new “in” thing these days, and it seems like carmakers are trying to one-up each other by offering larger and larger infotainment displays than their competition – but big screens are practically useless if you still have to use your phone for Google Maps or Waze. Yes, we’re looking at you, Proton.
In a first for Perodua, the all-new 2022 Alza now offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity straight from the factory, the former available as a software update to be installed at your next service appointment for existing owners. It’s still a wired connection, mind you, but the mere addition of the feature makes the Alza significantly easier to live with day-to-day. And for music fans, you’d be pleased to know that the speakers are surprisingly decent-sounding too.
RELATED:
Apple CarPlay now available on 2022 Perodua Alza – Updates provided at Perodua SC
Like – Centre armrest for second-row seats
The 2022 Perodua Alza
can
 carry seven passengers, but for those with a smaller family, the smaller centre seats in the second row can actually be folded down to act as an armrest, making it a lot more comfortable to sit in, especially for longer journeys.
And as an added bonus, because it’s using the entire seat back as an armrest rather than just a small cutout, the extra aperture in the middle also make the third-row seats feel quite a bit more airy.
Dislike – Lack of cubby spaces on the centre console
We’re not sure if it’s to maintain the “clean” modern appearance of the interior or an oversight during the design process, but the centre console does feel like a step backwards in terms of functionality as there are zero cubby spaces to be found.
Granted, you can keep some smaller items in the storage “pot” beside the steering wheel and the small pockets below the centre console. But in daily use, we found them to be barely sufficient, and there’s also no space to keep your mobile phones, especially when they’re connected by wire to the infotainment display.
To make matters worse, the entire surface of the centre console is also finished in a gloss-black material, which means they’ll be caked with fingerprints and scratches over time.
Touch buttons on the side, compared to on-screen shortcut buttons.
Dislike – Small touch buttons on infotainment display
While we do really like the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity feature on the new nine-inch infotainment display, the control buttons are unfortunately touch sensitive, and are made incredibly small with barely any spacing between.
That means it’s nearly impossible to tap on the buttons without taking your eyes off the road while driving. And with the frankly embarrassing road surface conditions here in Malaysia, good luck trying to not mis-click when you’re adjusting the volume on the move.
RELATED:
Touchscreen/touch-sensitive controls for air-con: Looks modern but how effective are they?
Dislike – Overly-eager throttle response
The throttle response on the all-new Perodua Alza 2022 is tuned to almost “leap” off the line at any throttle input, which could make the car feel a lot more powerful than it actually is. However, on the flip side, it also makes it incredibly difficult to drive the Alza smoothly in stop-go traffic.
To be fair, this issue isn’t specific to the Alza, or even to Perodua models; several Toyota models we’ve tested throughout the years also exhibit the same behaviour. But still, it does get annoying quickly with the frequent traffic jams we encounter on a daily basis, and it becomes especially apparent when it’s on a family-focused MPV like the Alza.
These are just some of the things that stood out to us during our week with the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza. For a more detailed walkthrough, do check out
GC Mah’s full review here.
Do you agree with our points, or are we just being nitpicky? Let us know in the comments section below!


BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport officially in Malaysia, be the first to own the first X2

BMW Group Malaysia today introduced the first-ever BMW X2, the latest edition to the brand’s Sports Activity Coupes inventory, that promises uncompromised driving pleasure with a balance between sporty driving dynamics and efficiency.
Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The BMW X models have long made its mark in Malaysia. Last year alone, we delivered over 4,200 BMW X Series vehicles, equating to 39.6% of BMW’s deliveries of 10,618 vehicles. Today, we’re proud to expand our BMW X portfolio here in Malaysia with the first-ever BMW X2.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW X2 sDrive20i M Sport
Engine
2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission
7-speed Steptronic Sport dual-clutch transmission
Max Power
192 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
280 Nm @ 1,350 – 4,600 rpm
0 – 100 km/h ; Top Speed
7.7 seconds, 227 km/h
Price
RM 320,800 (OTR without Insurance)
The all-new BMW X2, available only in the X2 sDrive20i M Sport variant, is powered by a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine enforced with a twin-scroll turbocharger with Valvetronic, Double VANOS and High Precision Injection. With output rated at
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque, the X2 goes from 0 to 100km/h in just
7.7 seconds
, onwards to
227 km/h
. This X2 is fitted with a 7-speed Steptronic Sport double-clutch transmission, with power sent to the front wheels.
A Driving Experience Control Switch features
three driving modes
 – Comfort, ECO PRO and Sport. The Performance Control system is capable of dictating engine speed and brake interventions during cornering.
Noticeably, the X2’s body features short overhangs and is the first modern BMW to feature a new grille design and will pave the way for future models. Instead of widening from the top to bottom, the old design is now turned upside down. LED headlights and fog lights are standard with daytime running lights in a 3D icon design.

The aggressive front end is testament to the M Aerodynamics package that also includes wheel arch trims and claddings on the doors. The BMW emblem on the C-pillar maybe be new to most, but it actually serves as a tribute to BMW’s heritage vehicles such as the ultra-desirable 3200CS and 3.0 CSL.
The body’s aesthetics is further groomed with a M rear spoiler, roof rails in Aluminium Satinated, 19-inch M light alloy wheels on run-flat tyres and twin tailpipes finished in high gloss chrome. The X2 sDrive20i sits lower by 10mm with a M Sport Suspension.
On the inside, the X2 offers best-in-class cabin space. Dakota leather upholstery takes centre stage while the roof is glazed with BMW Individual’s anthracite headlining. Elsewhere, the spacious cabin is occupied with a M leather steering wheel, electric-powered sports seats for the driver and front passenger, a full colour head-up display, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with split view, 4 speakers and 2 woofers.
The back seat offers 40:20:40 split folding functionality which will extend boot space from 470-litres to 1,355-litres – accessible through an automatic tailgate. There will be six different colours for the LED ambient lighting – Orange, Lilac, Mint, Bronze, Blue and White – to tailor the interior’s mood to your liking.

Safety wise, the X2 sDrive20i M Sport comes with seven airbags, ISOFIX, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Parking maneuvers will be safeguarded by a rear view camera, Park Assistant and Park Distance Control (PDC).
The first-ever BMW X2 comes in Galvanic Gold Metallic, Misano Blue Metallic and Sunset Orange Metallic with contrasting Black and Grey seams. With the Black Sapphire Metallic model, the X2 can be had with a Magma Red interior with contrasting Grey seams.
The first ever X2 will come with BMW Group Malaysia’s 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, Free Scheduled Service Programme and BMW Tyre Warranty. The X2 can be acquired through the BMW Full Circle Programme with a monthly installment from RM 4,498 with a 20% downpayment on a four-year tenure and with 20,000 km mileage cap per year.
IMAGE GALLERY


2015 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire revealed, bigger grille and more tech [+Video]

Toyota Motor Corporation
 (TMC) has unveiled the new
Alphard
 and
Vellfire
 in Japan, with new tech that goes underneath the boxy silhouette. Being their flagship minivans (“mini” is an understatement), they offer the ultimate luxury on wheels that would put a few European limos to shame.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Alphard / Vellfire 2.5
Toyota Alphard / Vellfire 3.5
Toyota Alphard / Vellfire 2.5 Hybrid
Engine
2,493 cc 4-cylinder
3,456 cc V6
2,493 cc 4-cylinder + electric motors
Transmission
7-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic and Super CVT-i
6 -speed Sequential Shiftmatic with 6 Super ECT
6-speed Sequential Shiftmatic
Max Power
180 hp @ 6,000 rpm
276 hp @ 6,200 rpm
150 hp @ 5,700 rpm (194 hp combined)
Max Torque
235 Nm @ 4,100 rpm
344 Nm @ 4,700 rpm
205 Nm @ 4,400 – 4,800 rpm

EXTERIOR
Looking like a mean pair of robot twins out of a
Manga
, both the Alphard and Vellfire share the same boxy body but with their own individual faces. Toyota says that the Alphard exterior emphasizes luxury, while the Vellfire exterior emphasizes boldness. Either one, both should have no problems scaring little kids with their over-sized chrome grille.

Even in their basic guise, both of them wear a more prominent nose than before. On the Alphard the grille stretches all the way down to the bumper, while the Vellfire dons a unique horizontal multi-bar grille with split headlamps up front.

Some surfacing work has been done on the side to add a bit of depth to the otherwise flat side profile, and there’s a floating B-pillar as seen on the
Citroen DS3
.
A strip of chrome runs on top of the side windows from the B-pillar rearwards to the integrated rear spoiler. In the typical Japanese style, the styling customisation with the optional styling packages are endless, you can add more chrome and LEDs to your heart’s content and the TRD styling package offers up to six chrome-tipped rectangular tailpipes. Yes, six.
INTERIOR
The
Smart Entry & Push Start System
 with the new
Welcome Power Slide Door & Reservation Lock
 function is really smart, it can detect the a person and automatically open the sliding door without any physical contact at all. That certainly beats waving your foot at the back bumper to open the boot!
Alphard

The interior can be specified with either seven or eight seats, depending on which variant. Opt for the seven-seat variant and you’ll get two individual thrones on the second row as opposed to the normal bench if you choose the eight-seat variant. The third row seats can be folded up against the side for more cargo area, and the front passenger seat called the “
super-long-slide passenger seat
” (seriously) can even slide all the way back to the second row to create a legroom fit for Shaquille O’Neal.
Vellfire

Toyota claimed that the 1,400 mm interior height is maintained from the predecessor so head room shouldn’t be an issue here. Below the third row seat sliding mechanism is a lidded 148 liter cargo space, which is said to be the world’s first under floor storage with such capacity.
Creature comforts aplenty inside, buyers can specify with
leather upholstery
,
 JBL premium sound system
, pop-down
12.1-inch screen
 for the rear passengers, and ambient LED roof lighting with up to 16 colour variations so you can create your own party inside the vehicle.
PERFORMANCE
The Alphard and Vellfire can be had in three engine options: a
2.5-litre
, a
3.5-litre V6
, or a
2.5-litre Hybrid
. The
2.5-litre
 engine develops
180 hp
 and
235 Nm
 of torque, while the
3.5-litre V6
 produces
 276 hp
 and
344 Nm
 of torque. In the
Hybrid
, the
2.5-litre
 internal combustion engine delivers
150 hp
 and
205 Nm
 of torque, but there’s the additional
105 kW
 electric motor at the front and another
50 kW
 electric motor at the back. Combined together they deliver a
total of 194 hp
.
The
2.5-litre
 is mated to a
seven-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic and Super CVT-i
 with optional Stop/Start System, the
2.5-litre Hybrid
 is paired with a
six-speed Sequential Shiftmatic and E-Four
 (electric four-wheel drive system), and the
3.5-litre V6
 uses a
 six-speed Sequential Shiftmatic with 6 Super ECT
.
SAFETY
Piloting a huge vehicle can be quite challenging, but the Alphard and Vellfire feature a
Panoramic View Monitor
, allowing the driver to see what’s going on around the vehicle.
Intelligent Parking Assist
 will take care of the parking tasks, and it can even reverse-park into a parking bay.
The Alphard and Vellfire can be fitted with the
 Intelligent Clearance Sonar
. It utilises eight sensors and helps to avoid low-speed collision against walls or objects. There’s also the
Pre-collision System
 that uses millimeter wave radar to detect vehicles and obstacles ahead that works with the automatic pre-collision brake assist and pre-collision brakes to prevent an imminent crash.
WHAT ELSE
Both the Alphard and Vellfire are now sale in Japan with prices starting from
¥ 3,197,782
 for the
 2.5-litre X
 variant, all the way up to
¥ 7,036,691
 for the
2.5-litre Hybrid Executive Lounge
 variant. TMC is targeting a monthly sales of 3,000 units for the Alphard, and 4,000 units for the Vellfire.
Here in Malaysia, we have the
Alphard
 officially brought in from Japan by UMW Toyota Motor and it retails from RM 338,000. While there’s no doubting that we’ll be seeing the new Alphard and Vellfire pretty soon on Malaysian roads brought in by the grey importers, will UMW Toyota Motor bring them officially as well? Only time will tell.
[divider]
VIDEO GALLERY
Alphard
Vellfire
 [divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
Alphard

Vellfire


Someone actually stuffed a V8 into the front of a DeLorean

The cult classic 80s Sci-Fi movie
Back to the Future
 made the DeLorean DMC-12 looked cool, thanks to its time-travelling capabilities and angry-sounding V8 engine. But what many people – or at least the general movie-going crowd – don’t know is that the V8 sound is actually just movie magic; the actual DeLorean only had a V6, and a very anaemic one at that.
So in an attempt to make things right in the world, a man named Alexandre Claudin decided to fit an actual Chevrolet LS V8 under the bonnet of his own DeLorean. And when we say bonnet, we actually mean the
front
 bonnet.

If the name sounds familiar to you, that’s because you’ve probably seen him featured in the Netflix car stunt show,
 Hyperdrive
. As a professional drifter, the mid-engine layout of the DeLorean is never going to fly for him, which is why he decided to fit the engine into the front of the car for a more traditional FR layout.
Check out the student-built electric DeLorean that can drift on its own!
As you’d imagine, moving the powertrain to the front obviously necessitated extensive fabrication works. The entire chassis of the sideways-loving V8 DeLorean is basically custom-made from scratch, featuring a tube frame underneath the standard body, plus custom suspension components.
The interior of the V8 DriftLorean is also completely custom and kept as close to the movie as possible (aside from the roll cage), so yes, there’s a “flux capacitor” nestled behind the seats. And of course, the iconic gullwing doors are retained here, because it can’t legally be called a DeLorean without them – we didn’t make the rules.
ItalDesign recently published a teaser of a reimagined DeLorean – Is it making a comeback soon?
You can check out the entire build log from start to finish in Claudin’s Instagram profile, linked
 here
. Be forewarned though, the page contains lots of gratuitous carporn-worthy photographs – so depending on who you are as a person, you might want to only view it in private.
While Mr. Fusion won’t be breaking through the space-time continuum in this thing, Claudin’s creation might actually be the first DeLorean to actually reach 88 mph, so at least it’s still a somewhat accurate recreation, I guess.


Shell Lubricants introduces SHARE rewards programme for engine oil

Shell Lubricants Malaysia has just kicked off their Shell Helix Ultra ‘Drive On’ campaign as part of a global brand campaign to celebrate and inspire the passion for driving. The ultimate aim of the ‘Drive On’ campaign is to inspire drivers to overcome daily challenges and keep their passion for driving alive.
Shell Lubricants Executive Director – Southeast Asia & Oceania, Mr Troy Chapman said, “With the Shell Helix Ultra ‘Drive On’ campaign, we are showing drivers in Malaysia just how our fully synthetic motor oil enables their passion for driving. Whether they drive for the roar of the engine, or for the freedom of the open road, Shell Helix Ultra is designed to protect car engines from the barriers that can hinder performance so that drivers can have the most enjoyable journey possible,”
Mr. Troy Chapman, Shell Lubricants Executive Director – SEA & Oceania
“With Shell Helix Ultra, which is made from natural gas, drivers have the assurance that every oil change comes with cutting-edge technology that delivers unmatched protection for the ultimate engine performance,” he added.
In conjunction with the launch of the ‘Drive On’ campaign, Shell also introduced its
Shell Advantage and Rewards (SHARE)
 loyalty programme. Malaysia is also the first country in the world to introduce SHARE programme.
Motorist who purchase either a
Shell Helix Ultra
 with PurePlus Technology
,
High Mileage
, HX7 or HX5, can hop onto Shell Malaysia’s website to register for the SHARE programme. Upon registration, users will receive a storewide Lazada voucher,
buy 3-free-1 offer for Shell Helix Ultra engine oil
, oil change reminders as well as seasonal promotions.
To qualify for the
buy 3-free-1 offer
 on Shell Helix Ultra engine oil, end-users will have to register their unique code found on every new bottle of Shell Helix Ultra engine oil (purchased from participating workshops and
Shell Lazada online store
) onto SHARE and by the third bottle, Shell Lubricants Malaysia will reward you will a free bottle of Shell Helix Ultra engine oil (valid for six months).
Besides attractive rewards, users can also keep track of their
12-Years Shell Helix Engine Warranty (SHEW)
 as well as receive SMS/email reminders of their next oil change on SHARE. For more information of the SHARE programme, do log on to the
SHARE official webpage
.


All-new 2022 Honda CR-V debuts with sharper looks, improved hybrid powertrain

The
all-new 2022 Honda CR-V
 has just been unveiled in the United States, with the C-segment SUV scheduled to go on sale in the coming months to rival the
Toyota RAV4
.
Styling wise, the all-new Honda CR-V has been completely redesigned from the ground up, ditching the previous bulbous appearance for a sharper and – according to the carmaker – more rugged look.
Honda says the all-new 2022 CR-V’s design takes inspiration from the Honda Ridgeline and Passport Trailsport, and even though it’s heavily related to the
 US-market HR-V
, it actually shares more visual similarities with the
global HR-V model
, with highlights being the tall and flat front fascia, as well as the wide hexagonal front grille flanked by slim LED headlight fixtures.
The all-new Honda CR-V has grown in size, particularly in length (+69 mm) and width (+10 mm) for a more “premium” proportion and broader stance on the road. The increase in size is most noticeable when viewed from the sides, where you’ll notice the longer bonnet thanks to the repositioned A-pillars, as well as the prominent beltline that accentuates its length.
The wheelbase has also been stretched by over 40 mm to now measuring 2,700 mm, with the extra room between the wheels contributing to the extra space inside the cabin.
Inside is where its relationship with the
Civic
 is most apparent, with the entire dashboard essentially taken wholesale from the sedan, including the three-spoke steering wheel, full-width honeycomb mesh air vents, as well as the freestanding touchscreen infotainment display measuring seven- or nine-inches depending on variant.
The all-new Honda CR-V does however get a unique and larger centre console, afforded by its larger overall size. It’s not as vertical as the outgoing model, but the wider footprint allows for the drive-mode selector and electronic parking brake to be moved up alongside the gear lever, clearing up more space for the storage cubbies and cup holders.
Standard kit on the all-new 2022 Honda CR-V include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity (wireless on range-topping variants), a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, 10 airbags, as well as an improved Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance suite with new functions such as Traffic Jam Assist and Low-Speed Braking Control.
RELATED: The all-new 2022 Honda Civic Type R is finally coming on July 21
In the US, the all-new CR-V makes its debut with a 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged inline-four engine that makes
193 hp
 and
 243 Nm
 of torque. While output figures are unchanged from before, Honda says that the engine is upgraded to now offer better refinement and improved emissions. As before, it’s paired to a CVT gearbox, which also gets tweaks to reduce noise and vibration.
The e:HEV hybrid powertrain will join the line-up at a later date, consisting of a 2.0 litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and e-CVT gearbox offers up to
 207 hp
 and
335 Nm
. Horsepower figures have indeed dropped when compared to its outgoing model (215 hp), but the torquier electric motor (+20 Nm) now gives the CR-V a tow rating of up to 454 kg.
The Real Time AWD system can be optioned on all variants, with the system now able to send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels for better traction in slippery conditions. For better driveability, Honda also says that the CR-V’s chassis has been stiffened by up to 15%, while the steering rack has also been tweaked to offer improved feel and accuracy.


Toyota Yaris Cross launched in Indonesia – DNGA, petrol and hybrid, Perodua D66B SUV twin?

Having unveiled just last month, the
Toyota Yaris Cross
 is now officially launched in the Indonesian market. Just in case you don’t know, this is the Yaris Cross for the ASEAN market and is a completely different model than the
TNGA-based Yaris Cross
 in markets like Japan and Europe.
A total of three variants are offered for the Toyota Yaris Cross in Indonesia – two petrol variants and one hybrid variant. This consists of the G Type variant, which prices start from
IDR351 million
 (approx
RM108,760
), the S Type variant, which is priced at
IDR407.7 million
 (approx
RM126,329
), and the top-spec S HV hybrid variant, which retails at
IDR440.6 million
 (approx
RM136,564
).
G variant
S variant with GR Parts Aero Package
On the outside, the Indonesian-spec Yaris Cross comes standard with LED headlamps and front fog lamps. The S variant adds an electric power boot with a kick sensor. Wheels-wise, the G variant is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, while both the S and S HV variants get larger 18-inch alloy wheels.
Toyota
’s
 distributor in Indonesia – PT Toyota-Astra Motor is also offering a GR Parts Aero Package for both the S and S HV hybrid variants. This package includes a front grille garnish, a rear bumper garnish, as well as a rear ducktail spoiler.
The G variant on the other hand gets a dahscam as an extra with this package. Additional optional accessories such as a cargo net and an air purifier are also available for the S and S HV variants.
RELATED:
Leaked: Next-gen Toyota Alphard & Vellfire – The new VIP-mobile?
Dimensions-wise, the Toyota Yaris Cross in Indonesia measures
4,310 mm
 long,
1,770 mm
 wide, and
1,615 mm
 tall, and is underpinned by a
2,620 mm
 long wheelbase. This makes the B-segment SUV just slightly smaller than the
Proton X50
 and
Honda HR-V
, and larger than the A-segment
Toyota Raize
/
Perodua Ativa
. Suspension-wise the Indonesian Toyota Yaris Cross is fitted with MacPherson Struts at the front, and Torsion Beam at the back.
Powering both the G and S variants is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated (NA) 4-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a CVT. The G variant is the only trim that comes with a 5-speed manual option. With power sent to the front wheels only, this setup churns out
105 hp
 and
138 Nm
.
Digital instrument cluster of the S HV hybrid variant
The S HV variant, which is the sole hybrid option, is powered by a 1.5-litre NA 4-cylinder engine, paired with a CVT under the hood, producing
105 hp
 and
138 Nm
. With power also sent to the front wheels only, the engine is mated with a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor which produces
79 hp
 and
141 Nm
.
One interesting difference between the petrol-powered and hybrid variants is the fuel tank capacity. The petrol-powered G and S variants come with a 42-litre fuel tank, while the S HV hybrid variant is fitted with a smaller 36-litre fuel tank to accommodate the hybrid battery.
RELATED:
Toyota Raize sales suspended, another Daihatsu safety scandal appears
Moving inside, the Indonesian-spec Yaris Cross, standard features you get with the entry-level G variant include fabric upholstery, a seven-inch digital instrumental cluster, and a nine-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Moving up to the mid-range S variant, you get upgrades such as leather upholstery, a powered driver’s seat, paddle shifters, and automatic air-conditioning.
A 10.1-inch infotainment display, three selectable drive modes (Eco, Normal, and Power), and a built-in dashcam are also among the kits that come with the S variant as standard. The S HV variant tops the line with premium features such as a panoramic sunroof with a powered sunshade, a wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, as well as hybrid-specific features like the hybrid energy flow displays for the infotainment system. All variants also come with electronic parking brake with Auto Hold function and telescopic steering wheel adjustments as standard.
In the safety department, standard safety equipment that comes with all variants of the Indonesian-spec Toyota Yaris Cross includes front and rear parking sensors, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Moving up to the S variant, you get a panoramic view monitor, as well as the Toyota Safety Sense package, which consists of Lane Keeping Control (LKC), Lane Departure Warning and Prevention (LDW & LDP), Front Departure Alert (FDA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Pre-Collision Warning (PCW) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Automatic High Beam.
The launch of the Toyota Yaris Cross in Indonesia is a significant one, to say the least. This is because it has been rumoured as the model that the upcoming Perodua B-segment SUV (codenamed the D66B) will be based on. If the upcoming B-segment Perodua SUV becomes a reality, it will sit above the A-segment Ativa and will compete with the likes of the Proton X50, Honda HR-V, and the
Chery Omoda 5
 which will be coming to Malaysia.
What do you think of the Toyota Yaris Cross? Are you looking forward to the upcoming Perodua D66B SUV? Let us know in the comments below!
RELATED:

Daihatsu safety scandal: Toyota Raize passes in-house re-test of UN-R135, authorities to confirm
GALLERY
S HV variant with GR Parts Aero Package
S variant with GR Parts Aero Package
G variant


We need this Ford Edge ST for some variety in our local SUV market

Ford has introduced the all-new Edge ST, the brand’s first SUV to be tuned by Ford Performance – building on its best ever SUV sales year in the US.
The Edge ST will feature the most powerful V6 engine in its class- a specially-tuned 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine pushing out
335 hp
 and
515 Nm
 of torque – mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, delivering power to all four wheels.
The Edge ST features a new front and rear end, with a wide mesh grille ahead for optimal cooling, deep side skirts and dual exhaust outlets. Full LED headlamps and LED fog lamps are standard along with a redesigned hood imparts a wider, more planted stance. Elevating its exterior’s presence even more are a set of 21-inch wheels beneath the arches.
On the inside, features a 12-speaker B&O PLAY audio system by HARMAN specially for the Edge. Standard equipment also includes the FordPass Connect, with a Wi-Fi hotspot that gives internet access to up to 10 devices. Using the FordPass app, owners can also use their smartphone to start, lock and unlock and to locate their vehicle.
Other creature comforts include voice command, Enhanced Active Park Assist, 180-degree front/rear cameras and ultrasonic sensors.
Being performance-oriented, the Edge ST does not seem to lack on the safety front either with features such as Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Post-Collision Braking, Evasive Steering Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping Alert, Lane-Keeping Assist, Auto High Beams and Hill-Start Assist.
IMAGE GALLERY


Check out how the new Ferrari F8 Tributo sounds wailing on track

Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, the F
errari F8 Tributo
 is the Prancing Horse’s replacement for the aging 488 GTB.
Sitting in the middle is a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with
720 hp
 and
770 Nm
 of torque, 50 hp and 10 Nm more than the car it replaces.

0 to 100 km/h is decimated in just 2.9 seconds, as quick as the
911 GT2 RS
 –
the most powerful 911 to date
 – while 0 to 200 km/h happens within 7.8 seconds before it reaches its top speed of 340 km/h.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW thinks you don’t need more than 600 km of range on an EV

One of the most common “problems” people like to mention against
electric vehicles
 is their (lack of) driving range – also commonly known as “range anxiety”. It’s a fair criticism, but still usually an unfounded concern, as most EVs these days have more than enough juice to last you an entire day of driving.
That still won’t stop people from saying “I won’t buy an EV until I can drive one for more than X km on a single charge”, But BMW doesn’t think that it’s their problem to solve. In fact, when speaking to Australian publication
WhichCar
, BMW i4 product boss David Ferrufino said that they won’t be developing EVs with 1,000 kilometres of range.
“One thousand kilometres of range is not a target we have with our fully-electric cars,” Ferrufino told the publication a media conference this week. “We are aiming for 600 kilometres [of range] for our fully-electric cars, and 100 kilometres with our plug-in hybrids in everyday driving.”
Ferrufino added that the driving range on their EVs will also depend on which segment they’re designed for. For instance, he said that the
BMW i3
 doesn’t need 600 km of range, but the same number would be a “very customer-friendly solution” for larger cars like the
BMW iX
 and
i4
.
The Lucid Air is now the EV range king, with an EPA-rated 837 km electric driving range! Read more here.
To BMW, the most effective way to improve an EV’s effective driving range is not by stacking more and more batteries into the car, but by increasing the availability of high-speed charging networks globally.
“We not only have the advancements in battery technology, we also have the public charging network – which is growing rapidly. Going cross-country in Europe from Norway to Italy is already a joyful experience when you do it in an electric car,” Ferrufino said.
On top of that, DC quick charging will also get better over time, making it quicker to “refuel” on a road trip. On that note, the BMW i4 offers a 590 km driving range (per WLTP) from a single charge, and can be topped up from 10 to 80% in 31 minutes using a 200kW DC fast charger.
Which means, theoretically, you’ll be able to go for an over 1,000 km journey with just a short half an hour break in between driving.
Audi is proposing an EV charging station that looks like a first-class lounge! Check it out here.
Mercedes-EQS
In a way, we do see what Ferrufino is saying; even for ICE-powered cars, how many out there can actually drive for more than 1,000 km on a single tank of fuel? The only difference is that petrol stations are widely available, and fast DC electric chargers are still not – at least in most parts of the world.
As a result, many EV manufacturers – especially those out of China – are trying to compensate in part by adding more batteries into the car, which also adds more weight, thus making them less energy efficient overall.
But is it too early for BMW to cap their EV range at 600 km? Well, that’s hard to say, but one thing’s for sure – more electric chargers will be better for everyone.


Next-gen Mercedes-Benz A-Class interior teased, more space and higher tech

The Mercedes-Benz
W176 A-Class
 has been around for a good part of five years now and Mercedes-Benz has eagerly shown us how the interior of the next-generation compact hatch will look like in this series of official photos.
The interior of the next-generation A-Class will be nothing short of revolutionary, combining styling and technology from its larger siblings. Aimed at capturing a younger group of audience, the new car will be as
youthful as ever
 before but at the same time offering greater practicality and grown-up than its predecessors.
Starting with cabin space, the interior now offers better all-round visibility and more space. Here are some key figures compared to the W176 A-Class:
Key interior dimensions in mm
W176 A-Class
Next-gen A-Class
Difference
Elbow room, front
1,422
1,457
+35
Elbow room, 2nd seat row
1,410
1,446
+36
Shoulder room, 1st seat row
1,391
1,400
+9
Shoulder room, 2nd seat row
1,350
1,372
+22
Maximum headroom, front
1,017
1,024
+7
Maximum headroom, rear
952
960
+8
Boot Space (litres)
341
370
+29
The new A-Class will offer more space in every aspect than the outgoing model, suggesting that the car has grown in size as well. Aside from that, storage capacity has improved significantly as well with the centre cup holder now able to accommodate 500 ml bottles, front door pockets can now fit 1.5-litre bottles or A4-sized magazines and the rear door panel can also fit 1-litre bottles.

The interior architecture and display systems of the new A-Class will set a new benchmark in the segment. Like the
E-Class
, the new A-Class will get the wide-screen cockpit as standard, available in three configurations: two 7-inch, one 7 and one 10.25-inch or two 10.25-inch displays. The centre console has been decluttered leaving only a single stripe of climate control rocker switches.
Similar to the
E-Class Coupe
 and the
upcoming CLS
, the new A-Class will also feature turbine design air vents. Other new items include the multifunctional steering wheel design (taken from the S-Class facelift), ring-shaped door handle and Command system touchpad. Other options for the new A-Class include 64-colour ambient lighting (12-colour as standard).
A total of three front seat option are available ranging from sporty AMG to a Multicontour Seat package. Like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a range of premium interior finishes like open-pore wood are available.
When the next-gen A-Class makes its global debut, expect the interior find its way to its other compact car range like the
CLA
 and
GLA
. There is also an
A-Class sedan
 concept that we should look forward to.
IMAGE GALLERY


Google’s autonomous cars are far from convincing, for now

With more manufacturers and tech companies joining the fray in building autonomous or self-driving cars, petrol heads are getting increasingly worried that the future will render the cars of today obsolete. However, Google’s latest experiment on autonomous driving technology ended less than favourably.
The Internet search engine giant revealed that, during the course of two months and after 679,000km clocked, test drivers (humans) had to retake the wheel of 13 times in autonomous cars to avoid accidents. A total of 272 recorded technical issues were reported as well, although there aren’t any exact figures as to how many pants these drivers had to change during the course of that test.
Out of the 272 issues, 69 disengagements were due to safety concerns, with 56 of those account for real-life situations. Despite that, Google remains adamant that these numbers aren’t entirely representative of actual safety, saying “the 56 events would very likely not have resulted in a real-world contact if the test driver had not taken control”.
Nevertheless, the folks at Google still have their heads held high, stating that such setbacks provide vital data in ensuring that all possible real-life scenarios are accounted for. Reliability of its autonomous cars has also improved over the years and the company will clock more mileage for further tests in both real-life and computer simulations. Google’s fleet of autonomous test vehicles consists of the
Lexus RX450h
 and
Koala EV
 car (pictured above).
It’ll take a few more years before you and I can sit back and relax in our cars on our daily journey from Point A to Point B. However, with Google’s proven expertise in technology, we’ll never know how quickly autonomous driving could be a thing. Should someone start counting the days these crooked driving schools have left before Google starts bagging their piece of the pie?


Meet the only man who knows how Ayrton Senna’s helmet is painted

Mention the name Ayrton Senna and a few things would come to mind – triple Formula 1 World Champion, impeccable overtaking maneuvers in wet racing conditions and that yellow helmet with blue and green stripes.
In his earlier karting days, Senna was seen wearing helmets with plain yellow, white or green backgrounds. It wasn’t until the 1980 Karting World Championship, that the enduring helmet design made its debut with the then 20-year old Senna.
Senna would go on to adopt the colours inspired by the Brazilian flag until his demise in 1994 at the San Marino Grand Prix in Italy.
Despite the iconic colours, the helmet’s design and colours originated from a more humble figure. It was designed by Sid Mosca, owner of Sid Special Paint, which specialised in designing and painting racing helmets for the last 45 years for the likes of Emerson Fittipaldi and Nelson Piquet – whom were both Formula 1 Champions themselves.
Today, the owner of the paint shop is Alan Sidney Mosca, son of Sid Mosca, who had developed a remarkable friendship with the legendary motorsport figure and still paints replica Senna helmets for Senna loyalists.
“When I first met Ayrton, I must have been 16 years old and he was about 14. I’m very proud to continue painting his helmets, mostly for the Ayrton Senna Institute as it’s a way to contribute to Ayrton’s legacy and to keep his memories alive,” he said.
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: All-new Perodua Myvi, 1.3 X & 1.5L detailed, from RM44k

Malaysia’s favourite national compact hatch has made a grand comeback in the shape of the
third-generation Perodua Myvi
. It has a completely new design and exceptional safety features, basically bigger and better than ever before.
We’ve detailed the all-new Myvi spec-by-spec in our
launch report here
. Some of the key highlights include two engine options across
five variants
 – 1.3 Standard G (MT), 1.3 Standard G, 1.3 Premium X, 1.5 High and 1.5 Advance. Except for the 1.3 Standard G that comes with a five-speed manual, the rest are equipped with a four-speed automatic (E-AT).
QUICK FACTS
Name
Perodua Myvi 1.3 Standard G (MT)
Perodua Myvi 1.3 Standard G (AT)
Perodua Myvi 1.3 Premium X (AT)
Perodua Myvi 1.5 High (AT)
Perodua Myvi 1.5 Advance (AT)
Engine
1.3-litre 4-cylinder Dual VVT-i
1.5-litre 4-cylinder Dual VVT-i
Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Max Power
94 hp @ 6,000 rpm
101 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
121 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
136 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM44,300
RM46,300
RM48,300
RM51,800
RM55,300
Motivation comes from a 1.3-litre 1NR-VE Dual VVT-i with
94 hp
 and
121 Nm
 and a 1.5-litre 2NR-VE Dual VVT-i with
101 hp
 and
136 Nm
. In the 1.3 Premium X and above, it gets the Eco Idle system (idle start/stop) to further improve fuel consumption.
Visually, the Myvi looks nothing like before thanks to a new upper body design penned completely by local designers and engineers at Perodua. As standard,
all variants
 get LED reflector headlamps, LED combination taillamps, 14-inch alloys and acoustic windshield. The higher end
1.5-litre variants
 get additional skirting, two-tone bumpers, a rear spoiler and 15-inch alloys.
On
all variants
, you’ll find four-speakers, fabric seats, keyless entry/start, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, an anti-snatch hook, a built-in toll reader (1.5 only) and a USB charging port on driver seat (1.3 Premium X and above). Exclusive to the
range-topping 1.5 Advance
 are leather seats, a touchscreen infotainment system with Smart Link (for Android) and reverse camera.

On to safety where the new Myvi leapfrogs its competition – local and international alike, four-airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Emergency Stop Signal and ISOFIX mounting points are
standard on all variants
. Stepping up to the 1.5 variants, it adds two additional airbags and Hill Start Assist. Only the range-topping 1.5 Advance gets the
Advanced Safety Assist (ASA)
 and solar & security window film.
The new Perodua Myvi is impressive in every way, shape and form, with prices starting from just RM44k to RM55k. If you are still undecided whether to add this to your stable, don’t forget to check out our
first impression of the all-new Myvi
. For now, enjoy the pictorial gallery of the new Perodua Myvi.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua Myvi 1.5 Advance (AT)

Perodua Myvi 1.5 High (AT)

Perodua Myvi 1.3 Premium X (AT)


2016 Audi R8 Spyder debuts, 610hp V10 Plus variant to follow

The second-generation
Audi R8
 has just received a convertible version with the unveiling of the R8 Spyder V10 at the New York Motor Show. This topless variant is basically identical to the coupe, apart from the canvas roof.
Just like its predecessor, this new R8 Spyder utilises the fabric roof design which weighs 44kg. It folds mechanically in 20 seconds and can operate at speeds of up to 50km/h. The R8 Spyder weighs also weighs 113kg lighter than before – now at
1,612kg
, thanks to more liberal use of carbon-fibre within the ‘spaceframe’ body.
However, it still is heavier than the coupe by a margin; 125kg to be exact. For those who don’t seem to mind much, the convertible experience should well make up for the weight gain. Torsional rigidity on the other hand, has been improved by as much as 50 percent over the old model.
Nothing much has changed on the mechanical side of things, though. It retains the same naturally aspirated
5.2-litre V10 engine
 that pushes
540 hp
 and
540 Nm
 of torque. A more powerful V10 Plus variant is somewhere in the pipeline, and that variant makes 610 hp and 560 Nm of torque. The
S-Tronic dual clutch gearbo
x is also retained, so it sprints from nought to 100km/h in
3.6 seconds
. It’s ever so slightly slower at the top end – just under 2km/h down from the coupe’s 318km/h top speed.
Inside, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit is also available in the R8 Spyder. The second-generation Audi R8 will be arriving in Malaysia sometime this year, so stay tuned!
IMAGE GALLERY


Get more Ong with Mitsubishi as CNY promotion extends until end of February

If you’ve unfortunately missed out on Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)’s
Chinese New Year promotions
, don’t fret, because it has now been extended to the
end of February
!
The same deals from the Chinese New Year Promotions still apply, which includes low interest rates for selected Triton variants, cash rebates, as well as free maintenance vouchers.
As a recap, here’s what on offer, starting with the
Triton pick-up truck
. From now until the end of February 2020, customers who book and register a new Mitsubishi Triton in the VGT Adventure X, VGT AT Premium, and VGT MT Premium variants can choose to enjoy either a
0.88% interest rate
 for hire purchase via
Maybank or Public Bank
,
or cash rebates
 from RM6,000 to RM9,000.
The other variants, including the
 limited-edition Triton Knight
, VGT AT, VGT MT and
Triton Quest
 are also eligible to enjoy cash rebates ranging from
RM2,000 to RM8,000
. For a full breakdown, refer to the table below:
On top of all on-going promotions,
existing Mitsubishi and pick-up owners
 who purchase selected Triton variants will also be entitled to
RM3,000
 and
RM2,000 cash rebates
 respectively.
All variants of the Mitsubishi Triton comes with a
five-year/200,000 km warranty
, with the sole exception of the Triton Quest which comes with a
five-year/100,000 km warranty
.
Aside from the Triton, the
Mitsubishi Outlander
 2.0-litre (
RM137,888
) also gets
RM4,000
 in cash rebate, plus a
two-year free maintenance
 voucher; the Outlander 2.4-litre (
RM152,888
) gets a
 RM2,000
 cash rebate and
 two-year free maintenance
 voucher.
Lastly, the
 Mitsubishi ASX compact SUV
 4WD (
RM133,336
) and 2WD (
RM118,866
) come with cash rebates of
RM12,000
 and
RM8,000
 respectively.
Both the Outlander and ASX come with a
five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
the
Mitsubishi Triton Knight
During the promotional period, eight lucky customers who service their car at any authorised Mitsubishi service outlets are also entitled to win a g
old coin worth RM888
, when they spend a minimum of RM688 during their visit. Other service promotions include:
instant e-voucher worth up to RM48 when you spend a minimum of RM488
free exclusive cutlery set when you spend a minimum of RM388


Drivers take their eyes off the road 7% of the time, said Peugeot

According to a new eye-tracking research conducted by Peugeot, drivers take their eyes off the road for over 3 kilometres in a one hour journey at 48 km/h through urban traffic.
Peugeot studied multiple drivers wearing special glasses, that specifically maps where the retina is looking every 0.05 seconds, to analyse exactly where their eyes looked whilst driving a selection of compact SUV models.
Peugeot conducted the study to highlight its innovative
 i-Cockpit system
 which consists of a smaller steering wheel and a raised instrument panel to promote less eye movement during driving.
In the
 Peugeot 3008
, where 278,000 units have been sold since 2016, the
driver’s concentration on the road improved from 93% to 95%
. This is due to the speedometer being positioned in the line of sight of the driver, which also meant that drivers in the 3008 were able to
check their speed three times more often
 than in other SUVs.


Volvo C40 Recharge: Is the fixed sunroof suitable for Malaysian weather?

As Malaysians, one of our most favourite features on a car would be the sunroof. Some of us love it so much that we even go the extent of installing ‘aftermarket’ ones on brand new cars. Taking things a step further, the newly launched
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric
 features a fixed panoramic sunroof which can neither be closed, nor does it have an electro-chromatic function. Is it a good idea for a car that will be driven in our hot tropical climate?
While it may sound perfect for driving around in the cool weather of Europe, one might doubt just how practical a fixed panoramic sunroof is in Malaysia. And there’s a legit reason to doubt it since car cabins can get really hot when parked outside on a hot day. Yours truly also had a similar doubt, but after trying the car out for a few weeks, I have to say that it actually isn’t that bad. Allow me to share my experience.
The fixed sunroof is perfect for enjoying a cold rainy day. But how would it fair on a hot Malaysian afternoon?
Firstly, the glass for the fixed panoramic sunroof is a laminated & tinted glass which means it already reduces incoming light, heat, and ultraviolet radiation. You can see in the pictures here that the glass on the roof is darker than the glass for the windows.
Admittedly, after being parked outside on a hot Malaysian afternoon, the glass roof does get hot. And although it isn’t scalding hot from the inside, it is hot enough for you to not want to keep your hands on it. However, the cabin actually feels bearable on immediate entry and there’s not much difference in terms of how hot the cabin feels when you compare it to a car without a sunroof.
RELATED:
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric launched in Malaysia, from RM289k
It’s also a good thing that the C40 isn’t adorned with many aluminium trims (like some cars) which can be scalding hot when left in the same situation. So, the fixed panoramic sunroof doesn’t actually cause a ‘hot cabin’ problem, but, it does come with some little things that may annoy you. What could they be?
Well, the first little annoyance would be glare and this will be an issue if you’re a passenger wishing recline your seat as you get chauffeured around. Yes, the glass is tinted, but a sharp glare could wake you up should you choose to have a some shut eye with the seats reclined.
ALSO WATCH:
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric, from RM289k – 5 Things
The second little thing that annoyed me was that if there were bird (or bat) droppings on the car, they would be difficult to ignore from inside the car. The C40’s glass roof doesn’t have an electrochromatic function and it doesn’t have a shade that you could pull out. It’s a shame as the C40’s premium cabin has a calm and relaxing mood, but it can be ruined by something small like this.
Little nuances aside, the C40’s glass roof counters the sloping roofline’s claustrophobic effect very well. It is also refreshing to see a new approach on a car’s interior that simplifies rather than complicates things. And these little annoyances can be reduced by simply adding a dark layer of tint to the glass roof.
RELATED:
Volvo Car Malaysia broke its own sales record again with 3,194 units delivered in 2022


Fuel prices remain unchanged: RON 95 and diesel at RM1.95, RON 97 at RM2.25

Despite many rumours regarding the increment of petrol prices in
May
, an official statement issued by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism ministry revealed that prices for RON 95, RON 97 and diesel will retain the same figures as they did in March and April.
RON 97 will still be sold at
RM2.25 per litre
 with GST
This means
RON 95
 and
diesel
 will still be sold at
RM1.95 per litre
, whereas
RON 97
 will continue being sold at
RM2.25
 per litre. Several news portal reported that RON 95 will see an increase of RM0.20, bringing it to RM2.15 per litre. Well, those speculations can be put to rest now.
We’ve seen fuel prices fluctuate for the past four months; from RM1.91 (RON 95) in January to RM1.70 in February, then back up to RM1.95 for the months of March, April and May. With our fuel subsidies removed and global crude oil prices steadily on the rise, it’s difficult to say if prices will remain unchanged come June. As of press time, WTI crude oil is priced at
USD58.58 per barrel
.


JPJ offering 70% discount on compoundable summonses, April 13 to June 13

In conjunction with the
Road Transport Department’s (JPJ)
 75-year anniversary, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong announced that the JPJ will be offering a 70% discount on compoundable summonses (i.e. not those that have been moved to a court hearing).
“The discount offer will be valid for two months starting April 13 till June 13,” he told reporters at JPJ’s 75th anniversary celebrations yesterday, noting that the discount would benefit motorists who have been blacklisted by the department due to unsettled summonses.
“For example, with the discount, a motorist will only have to pay RM45 to settle a RM150 summons. This will allow the individual’s name to taken off the JPJ blacklist,” he said. Drivers who have been blacklisted by JPJ will not be able to renew their road tax or driving licences.
According to the department’s
Facebook post
, the discount will be valid for summonses issued under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334), and Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715), inclusive of those already blacklisted, as mentioned above.
The discount is also offered to summonses that are still active and their compound period still valid, provided that the summons is paid within the aforementioned offer period.
Payment of JPJ summonses can be made at any JPJ offices or branches, as well as at any UTC, JPJ kiosks, or via the JPJ online portal online.
Similarly, the Malaysia Royal Police (PDRM) is also currently offering a 50% discount on summonses, paid through its new MyBayar Saman web portal and mobile app. The offer is valid until April 15, this Thursday.


Post SST: Volkswagen Malaysia reduce prices for CKD models

Following the implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST), Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced its revised price list for all CKD and CBU models effective 1 September 2018.
Locally assembled models (CKD) are now cheaper by 1.5 to 2.6 per cent compared to the previous list price with 6 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) applied. However, fully imported models see a slight increase of RM3,400 to RM8,400.
Managing Director of VPCM, Erik Winter said, “In line with the Government’s initiative, we are very pleased that the new tax structure has allowed us to be more competitive with our prices. With the new tax structure, the reduction of Volkswagen prices ranges from 1.5% (for the Tiguan Comfortline) to 2.6% (for the Vento Highline) compared against the previous tax structure with GST. We believe that the new prices, as well as our recently-introduced
Price Protection Scheme
 makes owning a Volkswagen even more attractive to Malaysians.”
“As for aftersales service, the prices are determined by the service tax rate, and customers can download the revised service pricing guide on the Volkswagen website.” he added.
All new Volkswagen models purchased through authorised dealers nationwide comes with 3-Years free scheduled maintenance, 5-Years manufacturer’s warranty and 5-Years roadside assistance.


UMW Toyota announces Gazoo Racing Young Talent Development Programme

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has launched the Gazoo Racing Young Talent Development Program aimed at uncovering and nurturing young Malaysian racing talent between the ages of 14 and 20 who are transitioning from karting and
sim-racing
 to saloon car racing.
The programme has scouted and drafted six young racers (based on their karting and sim-racing accomplishments, overall performance and level of commitment) to be coached before being provided with the opportunity to
compete in Season 4
 of the Toyota Vios Challenge series.
From left: Putera Adam, Amer Harris, Jwan Hii, Naquib Azlan, Mika Hakimi and Troy Eimann.
The fortunate six include sim racers Mika Hakimi, 17 years old and Naquib Azlan, 20 years old, go-kart racers Amer Harris, 17 years old, Jwan Hii, 18 years old, Putera Adam, 14 years old, and Troy Eimann, 16 years old.
“One of the principal achievements of the Toyota Vios Challenge has been its ability to not only attract young racers but giving them an equal opportunity to excel when competing alongside more experienced racers,” said Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer, Akio Takeyama.
“In
three seasons of the Toyota Vios Challenge
, we have noticed a stream of young drivers making their way into the race series. Affordability and cost of participation have certainly played a significant part in this but its one-make race format has also provided young drivers as well as newcomers with a fair and level playing field in terms of racing as they compete against more experienced drivers. This and the combination of having to drive in a super competitive environment has resulted in an accelerated learning curve,” he added.
The success of the series in nurturing young talent has been validated after 16-year-old Hayden Haikal was crowned the Sporting Class Champion in Season 3 with another teenage driver, 18-year-old Bradley Benedict Anthony clinching 2nd place overall in what was only his first year of saloon car racing. Both were go-kart racers before making the transition up to saloon car racing.
Racers drafted into this programme will undergo intensive training both on and off the track under the close guidance of instructors at the Gazoo Racing School beginning this month. They must meet a number of criterias before being certified competent to race. The racers must also fulfill all conditions to acquire a national competition license (circuit racing) from Malaysia’s motor-racing governing body, the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
GALLERY


Mazda CX-8 bookings exceed 7,000 units in Japan, 6-seater most popular

If you are not aware, the flagship
three-row SUV Mazda CX-9
 is not available in the company’s home market. To fill in the void, Mazda has introduced a
CX-8 exclusively for Japan
 and three months since its official debut, the three-row SUV has been a massive hit with Japanese buyers.
Mazda has collected more than
7,362 orders
 from 14 September to 10 December, exceeding their expected monthly target of 1,200 units. The majority (43 percent) of customers went for the high grade “L Package” which is available exclusively in a
six-seater configuration
 (2-2-2). As for colour options, 33 percent opted for Machine Grey Metallic while Soul Red Crystal accounts for 13 percent of the total bookings.
The most popular range-topping “L Package” is furnished with premium grade materials such as Nappa leather upholstery with real wood trim, large console box in the second-row seats, Bose sound system and many more.

The CX-8 is available in either six or seven-seater configurations with one turbodiesel powertrain option. The 2.2-litre SkyActiv-D turbodiesel is paired to a six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic to deliver
187 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque. Customers can also choose between two- or four-wheel drive layout.
Locally, Bermaz Motor has just officially introduced the
Mazda CX-9
 for the Malaysian market priced from RM281k for the 2WD variant. Unlike the CX-8, Malaysians will get a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine and the sole seven-seater option.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volvo to start local manufacturing in India, hopes to double market share by 2020

Volvo Cars has just announced that they will begin local assembly operations in India sometime this year. The facility is jointly used by Volvo Group that manufacture truck, bus and construction equipment and is located near Bangalore in southern India. All resources will be focussed on producing vehicles based on the SPA architecture.
The first Volvo model to be assembled is the XC90, with additional models to follow at a later stage. The Swedish carmaker hopes to capture a portion of the country’s fast-expanding appetite for premium cars, and is in line with the Indian government’s initiative to promote their manufacturing sector.
Perhaps the V90 will be next in line?
Volvo currently has a five percent market share in India and plans to double this figure by 2020. In the first four months of 2017, Volvo saw a 35 percent increase in sales compared to the same period last year.


Honda Elevate makes global debut in India – compact SUV to spawn EV model by 2026

Honda
 has unveiled an all-new crossover in India, marking the marque’s re-entry into the nation’s SUV market after the discontinuation of the
 CR-V
and
HR-V
. Dubbed the ‘Elevate’, the new compact crossover will enter the crowded B-segment SUV market in India, competing against the likes of the
Hyundai Creta
,
Kia Seltos
, as well as the Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Pricing for the new compact crossover has yet to be announced, but estimates are placing it around the 1.05 million rupees mark (approx. RM59k), placing it right in line with its other rivals in the segment.
The all-new Honda Elevate looks like a shrunken down
 sixth-gen CR-V
 with design elements borrowed from the
 WR-V
, and – oddly – a hint of the
Perodua Ativa
 as well – particularly on the flat front fascia and triangular fog light housings on the front bumper.
It measures in a little larger than the Hyundai Creta and HR-V that we have here, but a significantly longer wheelbase (2,650 mm) means that the Honda Elevate should boast superior interior space over its rivals. The official spec sheet states a boot space of 458 litres, compared to the 416L of the Creta.
RELATED:
Hyundai Creta vs Kona – which Korean B-segment SUV should you choose?
Detailed equipment appointment will only be available at a later date, but they’ll include the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, seven=inch digital instrument cluster,
Honda Connect telematics
, two-tone 17-inch wheels, sunroof, reverse camera, and the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance features.
Underneath the bonnet is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine making
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
, similar to what powers the
Honda City
 and
City Hatchback
. Drive is sent to the front wheels via either a CVT gearbox or a six-speed manual.
A hybrid powertrain will also be offered later, using the same 1.5-litre e:HEV mill as found in the
City RS e:HEV
. Within the next three years, Honda also plans to introduce a fully-electric BEV model for the Elevate in India.
Honda says that the Elevate is a global model, with India set to serve as an important export hub for the new model to other parts of the world. Would you be interested in yet another compact crossover here in our Malaysian market, perhaps in fully-electric form? Let us know in the comments below!
READ MORE:
Honda BR-V discontinued in Malaysia, to be replaced by all-new WR-V


The Ford Focus ST Edition comes with factory-equipped adjustable coilovers!

Even though the
Ford Focus RS is now dead
, at least the big blue oval isn’t side lining fans of its Ford Performance sub-brand. Well, in the UK at least, because the Brits still get to enjoy their
 Focus STs
 (which already has more than enough performance), and for this year’s update, the new Focus ST Edition even gets an upgraded adjustable suspension right from the factory!
The two-way adjustable coilovers are supplied by KW Automotive, which were then tuned by Ford Performance on the Nurburging. The suspension features twin-tube stainless steel damper housings, powder-coated in the signature Ford Performance blue colour, and drops the ride height by 10 mm, along with a “more than 50%” increase in spring rates compared to the standard ST.
The ride height can be further dropped by up to 20 mm, and the drivers can also individually adjust the 12 jounce and 16 rebound settings to their own likings.
If that all sounds like a foreign language to you, don’t worry – Ford has also prepared a technical document with recommended settings for different driving conditions (including a special Nurburgring Nordschleife setting) to help you extract every last drop of performance from the hot hatch.
The Ford Focus ST is so good, that even the UK Police trusts them for hot pursuits! Read more about it here.
Complementing the new suspensions is a new set of black-painted multispoke 19-inch wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, which – aside from looking cool – helps reduce unsprung weight on each corner by 10%.
The Ford Focus ST Edition also comes with an eLSD, which utilises a set of hydraulic clutches to distribute up to 100% of the available torque to the wheel with most traction. Other performance upgrades include a new improvedsteering knuckle design, and performance brakes with discs measuring 330 mm at the front, and 302 mm at the rear.
Looks wise, the ST Edition stands out from the regular variants with an exclusive coat of the Azura Blue hue, which debuted in last year’s Fiesta ST Edition, paired to a blacked-out grille, bumper inserts, wing mirrors, roof, rear spoiler, and diffuser. The ST badges also get special treatment here, edged with a black surround.
Inside, the ST-branded Recaro leather/suede sports seats get unique blue cross stitching – an accent that’s also repeated on the leather steering wheel, gear lever gaiter, centre console knee pads, and floor mats. Last but not least, the engine start button is now finished in a red colour with matching ST badges, setting the mood every time the driver starts the car.
The new Ford Focus ST is as tech-laden as it is fast. Learn more about it here.
There are no changes under the bonnet of the ST Edition; the 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine still makes the same
280 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front axle via a six-speed manual gearbox – the ST Edition is not available with the seven-speed DCT.
Performance wise, the Ford Focus ST reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in
 5.7 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
.
GALLERY


Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition comes with goodies pre-installed

It’s an exciting week for pick-up truck fans, as Sime Darby Auto Connexion Ford has joined Mitsubishi (with the
Triton Knight
) in introducing their own Malaysia exclusive limited-run version, the Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition.
The special edition pick-up is fitted with some additional kit over the
standard Ranger XLT 2.2L
. Exterior wise, the Special Edition gets new
fender flares, a functional cargo bed cover
, and
 geometrical decals
.
On the inside, SDAC Ford has given the Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition an upgraded
nine-inch infotainment display
, up from the standard 4.2-inch of the regular Ranger XLT AT.
From the looks of it, the new head unit will be Android based; Ford says that the new system supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay, as well as mobile applications such as Waze and Spotify.
Otherwise, the Special Edition remains unchanged from the regular Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L AT. Under the hood is Ford’s Duratorq 2.2L turbodiesel that outputs
 160 hp
 and a peak torque of
 385 Nm
. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
You still get a plethora of standard equipment and safety features from the XLT 2.2L AT, such as rain-sensing wipers, Hill Descent Control, Hill Launch Assist, Emergency Brake Assist, Rollover Mitigation, Trailer Sway Control, and Adaptive Load Control.
The Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition retails for
RM120,888
 (on the road, without insurance), which is RM4,000 on top of the standard XLT 2.2L AT. The new Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition also comes with a three-year/100,000 km warranty.
The Ford Ranger XLT 2.2L Special Edition will be available in either
Absolute Black
 or
Arctic White
 exterior colours, and will be on display in Ford showrooms starting from the third week of December.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: All-new Porsche 911 Turbo S now here in Malaysia – RM2.2 mil

Sime Darby Auto Performance, the sole distributor for Porsche here in Malaysia, is kicking off 2021 with the launch of a new model – the
all-new 992-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S
, a year after the model’s global launch.
The new pocket rocket is priced at
RM2,235,463
 on the road, without insurance, before options, and inclusive of the SST exemptions.
PERFORMANCE
The new top-of-the-line
“standard” Porsche 911
 has seen an immense improvement in the performance department, largely contributed by the new engine underneath the bonnet.
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six boxer engine, petrol
Transmission: 8-speed PDK gearbox
Drivetrain: Rear engine, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 650 hp @ 6,750 rpm
Torque: 800 Nm @ 2,500 to 4,000 rpm
0-100 km/h: 2.7 seconds
Top speed: 330 km/h
Among the new kit fitted onto the engine are the new larger VTG turbochargers with electrically adjustable wastegate flaps and piezo injectors, which have supposedly “significantly improved the vehicle’s characteristics” in terms of responsiveness, power, torque, emissions, and also “revving ability”.
There’s also a new intake system to feed more cool air into the engine; even the gearbox also gets a “turbo-specific” tuning, working together with the new engines to shorten the century sprint time by 0.2 seconds compared to its predecessor. Getting all the way to 200 km/h from a standstill is even more impressive, shaving off a full second off from its predecessor at 8.9 seconds.
Other performance bits include the latest-generation Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with faster-acting adaptive dampers, and an improved Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel drive system that can now send up to 500 Nm of torque to the front wheels. Customers can also opt for the sport chassis option, which lowers the ride height by 20 mm.
EXTERIOR
Now in the 992 generation, the all-new 911 Turbo S is now significantly wider than its predecessor – 45 mm at the front, and 20 mm at the rear. This is complemented by its wider track on both axles, at an increase of 42 mm and 10 mm front and rear respectively.
While it still maintains the unmistakeable widebody 911 look, Porsche says that they’ve focused the development on the exterior to further enhance its aerodynamic performances.
Specifically, the new Turbo S comes with the new Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) adaptive aerodynamics system, consisting of electronically-controlled air flaps in the front and a large rear wing at the back – the latter providing up to 15% more downforce.
The PAA system comes with three aerodynamic modes – Eco, which retracts the rear wing over a larger speed range to minimise drag; Wet, which retracts the front spoiler lips to shift the aerodynamic balance towards the rear to help with traction in greasy situations; and a full braking mode, where both the rear wing and front spoiler are moved to the Performance position to act as an airbrake.
Other standard exterior features on the all-new Porsche 911 Turbo S include:
Matrix LED headlights
Mixed tyre sizes: 20-inch front (255/35), 21-inch rear (315/30)
Rectangular tailpipes in high-gloss black
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, with 6-piston front calipers
INTERIOR
Inside, the Turbo S looks fairly identical to the other 992-generation Porsche 911s. Standard features include:
10.9-inch central PCM touchscreen infotainment display
Analogue/digital instrument cluster with Turbo S-specific features
GT sports steering wheel
Sport Chrono package with newly-integrated Porsche Track Precision app
18-way adjustable sports seats
Full leather interior with Type 930 homage stitching on front seats
Carbon trim, Light Silver accents
Bose surround sound system
PRICING
The all-new Porsche 911 Turbo S here in Malaysia is priced from
RM2,235,463
 on the road, without insurance, before options, and inclusive of the SST exemptions which will be valid until the 30th of June 2021.
GALLERY


Mazda is inviting you and your CX-5 to an Advance Driving programme

Bermaz Motor’s MazdaSports Academy will be hosting yet another Advance Driving ownership experience programme following the success of the first edition held in June.
This time, the programme at MAEPS, Serdang will be
 opened to Mazda CX-5 owners
 on the 13th and 14th of October 2018. A fee of RM 80 will be charge for participation, which comes inclusive of a goodie bag.
Mazda developed the CX-5 to be an SUV that delivers driving pleasure, true to the Jinba-Ittai spirit, and can be enjoyed not just by the driver but everyone else on-board.
The ownership programme is limited to thirty Mazda owners per day. Those who wish to join may do so by registering their
 interests via
Mazda Malaysia’s Facebook page.


2017 Peugeot 208 facelift launched in Malaysia, 1.2L turbo, 1,190km range!

We are no strangers to the facelifted Peugeot 208 PureTech, after a public preview in Penang and a
media preview
 in December last year. Now, Peugeot Malaysia has finally launched the brand’s B-Segment hatchback contender.
Unlike the pre-facelift model, the new 208 PureTech only comes in one variant – a five-door hatch. It gets a number of cosmetic enhancements inside and out, a new powertrain with a new price tag of RM89k.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Peugeot 208 PureTech
Engine
1,199cc; turbocharged 3-cylinder
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
110 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
205 Nm @ 1,500 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM87,245.17
EXTERIOR
Visually, much of the 208’s original looks have been retained with subtle tweaks to spice things up. At the front, it gets a revised bumper and grille with repositioned fog lamps. Headlamps are still halogen projector units with LED daytime running lights. Noticeably, the 208 gets a generous amount of chrome treatment around the front grille, fog lamp housing and side mirror caps.
At the back, the car now features LED tail lamps with the brand’s signature lion claw graphics and a discreet PureTech badge. The 208 rides on new
16-inch alloys
 wrapped in 195/55 profile Michelin Energy Saver tyres.

INTERIOR
Inside, the changes are much subtler. Like on the pre-facelift model, it features the
 i-Cockpit concept
. As such, you get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system connected to a
six-speaker Arkamys 3D audio sound system
, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather wrapped multifunctional steering wheel and fabric upholstery.
The only differences are the carbon-fibre like weave on the dashboard, new seat design and a new leather material on the steering wheel. Other standard features include automatic headlamps and wipers.

PERFORMANCE
Peugeot has finally retired the dated 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder VTi and four-speed slush box in favour of a
1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder PureTech
 engine mated to an Aisin sourced
six-speed automatic transmission
 with quickshift technology. Power outputs for this PureTech mill is rated at
 110 hp
 and
205 Nm
 with max torque kicking in from a low 1,500 rpm.
Peugeot claims that with PureTech auto start/stop technology, this 1.2-litre forced induction unit is able return
4.5 litres per 100 km
. Theoretically, it’s able to cover
 1,190 km
 of distance before needing a fuel stop.
SAFETY
The 208 PureTech comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, BA, ESC, Anti-Skid Regulation (ASR), hill-start assist and ISOFIX mounting points as standard. This gives the Peugeot 208 a full 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
WHAT ELSE?
The 208 can be had in six exterior shades – Digital White, Virtual Blue, Nera Black, Atomic Orange, Rouge Red and Aluminium. It also comes with a 5-Year or 120,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty programme, together with a 3-Year complimentary 24-hour Peugeot Roadside Assistance, access to Peugeot Lounge at Subang Airport and Peugeot Privilege membership. First 100 adopters of the 208 will also receive a 3-Year service package.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW Concept XM’s grille is not only massive but electrified too

BMW M has just posted a frontal shot of a large SUV and accompanied with the caption BMW Concept XM on its social media pages.
The concept X Series Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV, BMW speak for their SUVs) also seem to have not only its tiny DRLs turned on, but also the kidney grilles illuminated, as well as a pair of lighting units on the leading edge of the roof. Zooming in and increasing some contrast of the image and you can see a ‘///M’ emblem on the kidney grille, a norm on all BMW M vehicles.
BMW say the Concept XM (yes, it’s ‘déjà vu’ as the
Mitsubishi XM Concept

existed a few years earlier) is the most expressive statement in almost 50 years of BMW M, wearing a new front design of the brand. It certainly looks like an aggressive manifestation of the current
BMW iX
 and
BMW M3 and M4
 look, with the BMW emblem placed in between the voluminous, separated kidney grilles.
Electrification will also assist with the super high performance of this concept model, something that Mercedes-AMG has introduced with the
AMG GT 4-door 63 S E Performance
 plug-in hybrid that has a combined output of 843 hp and 1,470 Nm of torque.
2020 BMW X5 M Competition and BMW X6 M Competition
Based on earlier reports, BMW is scheduled to introduce the Concept XM on November 29th, ahead of the Art Basel show prestigious art show in Miami Beach, USA.

The BMW Concept XM could be a brand and communication exercise before the official introduction of the sporty BMW X8 M that is based on the
three-row BMW X7
. A rendering of the production vehicle can be found
here
.
Currently, all the BMW SAVs from X3 to X7 models plus their respective
M variants
 are made in BMW Plant Spartanburg, USA, so it is only fitting for BMW M and BMW USA to unveil new performance SUV that is made in their home turf.


Jaguar sneaks a peek at the new F-Pace ahead of its Frankfurt debut

The highly anticipated Jaguar F-Pace is just days away from its big debut at Frankfurt International Motor Show that’s set to take place next week. Upon seeing these pictures, albeit heavily camouflaged, we were psyched to see Jaguar’s next big thing – possibly a model that will further solidify the brand’s 80 years’ of English excellence.
The F-Pace will be the
 fourth
 all-new product from Jaguar this year and the
third
 to be based on Jaguar’s all-new
 Lightweight Aluminium Architecture
 which includes the likes of the
 XJ
 and
XE
 models. The F-Pace is slated to contend head-to-head with other offerings from top marques such as BMW’s X4, Porsche Macan S, Audi SQ5 and Mercedes-Benz’s GLA 45 AMG.
As we’ve seen
previously
, Jaguar has gone to great lengths to test and ensure the
car
,
materials
 and its
build quality
 will all be capable of withstanding some of the
harshest environments
 mother nature can dish out. The Jag will be built at the brand’s Solihull factory in the West-Midlands of the UK.
Joining the F-Pace on the Frankfurt stage will be the 2016
XJ
,
all-new
XF
,
XE
 and
F-Type

– an event where the SUV will bask under the limelight for the world to see. Initial prices are said to be pegged around the £30,000 to £55,000 mark (that’s approximately
RM178k
to
 RM326k
) in the UK when it goes on sale next year. Expect to pay a premium when it reaches here, though!
IMAGE GALLERY


The Lotus Type 134 is a Macan EV rival – Expected 75k units sold per year

Back in
2021
,
Lotus
 previewed its
future lineup
 of EV models that it plans to launch starting from
2022
 all the way to
2026
. Among the models teased was the Type 132, which eventually became the
Eletre
 hyper SUV. And now, the carmaker itself has just shared some juicy details about its potential rival to the upcoming
Porsche Macan EV
 – the Type 134, which is expected to be the brand’s volume seller, selling around 75,000 units each year by 2028, which is half of the firm’s annual sales, reported
Autocar
.
The Type 134 is essentially an electric SUV that will be positioned under the recently launched Lotus Eletre and will serve as an entry point to the British sports carmaker’s revamped line-up. Sized smaller than its bigger brother the Eletre, the Type 134 is set to compete against major rivals like the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.
Lotus Eletre
Lotus described the entry-level model as an SUV “engineered to look, feel, and drive like a Lotus”. The Type 134 is also said to share technology with the Lotus Eletre hyper SUV and the upcoming Type 133.
Lotus Commercial Vice-President, Mike Johnstone said, “A lot of effort has gone into ensuring the future cars that we introduce to the market handle in a way that you would expect a Lotus to handle. Take Eletre: the attributes team have been involved in its development, people who understand what a Lotus should feel like and drive”
RELATED:
2023 Lotus Eletre launched in Malaysia, from RM578k – up to 905hp, 985Nm
From left to right: Lotus Evija, Lotus Type 132/Eletre, Lotus Type 133, Lotus Type 134 and Lotus Type 135
The Geely-owned company has yet to share firm details about the car. But according to Johnstone, the Type 134 will be utilising a different platform which is speculated to be a variant of the Electric Premium Architecture (EPA) designed for smaller models.
Johnstone also said that the Type 134 will be under five metres long and will most likely be sized similarly to the
Polestar 4
. This makes it a rival to the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.
RELATED:
The upcoming Porsche Macan Electric will have 1,000 Nm of torque
Porsche Macan EV prototype
Because of the Type 134’s more affordable positioning, as well as its smaller size, it will also as a result feature smaller battery options, compared to the Lotus Eletre. But as with the Eletre, one can expect the compact SUV to have a strong focus on aerodynamics, featuring the brand’s aerodynamic ‘porosity’ design. As a byproduct, this also improves the car’s performance.
Johnstone insisted on ensuring the Type 134 will maintain the brand’s core philosophy of performance and driving dynamics throughout the compact SUV’s development. “It isn’t just an electrified SUV with a Lotus badge on it: it’s been engineered from the beginning to look, feel and drive like a Lotus,” he said. According to the company’s plans, the Type 134 electric SUV is also scheduled to be launched after the brand’s Type 133 all-electric sedan.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 Lotus Eletre, 905hp electric Hyper-SUV from RM578k – 5 Things


This is the new Renault Clio’s interior, like what you see?

Renault will be presenting
their all-new fifth-generation Renault Clio soon but before the new hatchback gets
presented in full, the French carmaker has given us a taste of how the cabin of
the new Clio will look like.
The new Clio will sit
on a new CMF-B platform shared between the Renault- Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
It will be the first Renault model to feature the E-Tech hybrid powertrain developed
by Renault and the compact city car will come equipped with advanced driver
assistance systems.
Inside, the new Clio
features the ‘Smart Cockpit’ cabin architecture that boasts a compact design that
frees up space to integrate more in-car technologies. At the heart of the “Smart
Cockpit” is two large digital screens – 9.3-inch portrait layout touchscreen infotainment
system and a 10-inch (7.0-inch standard fitment) TFT instrument cluster.
Renault also claims that the cabin of the new Clio is generously furnished with high-quality soft-touch materials that are unique to the segment, quite a bold claim. There will be no less than eight interior design schemes available that combines different colour and upholstery materials to suit the customer’s tastes.
 Other notable options you can find in the
cabin of the new Renault Clio includes Qi wireless charging tray, automatic
climate control with digital display, new multifunctional steering wheel,
eight-colour ambient lighting and an electronic parking brake.


Volkswagen Passat R-Line to make Malaysian debut soon

During the media presentation of the
 new Volkswagen logo
 earlier today, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) Managing Director, Erik Winter announced that the Passat R-Line will be launched in the country shortly.
Aside from a single image in the presentation and the announcement itself, not much information was provided for the kitted-up Passat. Winter later revealed that the sportier Passat will inherit the same 2.0-litre engine turbocharged engine from the
Passat Elegance

we reviewed recently
, generating
190 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque.
The Passat R-Line will feature the same 2.0-litre TSI engine as the
Elegance
.
The new seven-speed wet-clutch DSG transmission will also most likely make its way into the R-Line, together with the new engine. It is unclear if the local-spec R-Line will feature the Volkswagen Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), adaptive dampers, or the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, all of which are available in the R-Line variant in other regions, but we wouldn’t keep our hopes up.
Appearance wise, the VW Passat R-Line styling package will include a more aggressively-styled front bumper and rear bumper. According to the single image, we can also expect the R-Line to sit on larger wheels. The
Passat Elegance
 sits on 18-inch “Liverpool” wheels, so we can expect the sportier brother to size-up to 19-inch alloys.
Although announced together with the new VW logo, it is unlikely that we will see the modernised logo on the Passat R-Line, as it is based on the same car currently being built locally. The new logo will have to wait for the
Golf 8
.
Inside, the 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with the 11.7-inch digital instrument cluster, will likely be carried over from the Elegance variant. Other interior amenities should remain pretty similar, including the 12-way power adjustable leather seats and three-zone climate control.
Safety wise, the Passat Elegance comes equipped with Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitoring System, though unfortunately misses out on the advanced driver assistance technologies. The R-Line, which should become the new top-of-the-range variant, could possibly feature these systems as an added distinction between the variants.
The Volkswagen
Arteon R-Line
.
Aside from the Passat R-Line, Winter also revealed that the much-awaited
Arteon R-Line
 will also be making its Malaysian launch soon, after
debuting at the VW Fest last year
.
What are the features you hope to see on the upcoming Volkswagen Passat R-Line? Let us know in the comments below!


The new BMW 8-series Convertible is an absolute eye candy!

BMW AG has unveiled the new BMW 8-series Convertible and it’s just breathtakingly beautiful – such a soothing sight for sore eyes.
At launch, there are two variants available – the 850i xDrive and the 840d xDrive. The former gets a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, paired to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox that’s good for
530 hp
 and whopping
750 Nm
 of torque.
0 to 100 km/h is dusted in just 3.9 seconds before it hits the annoying top speed limiter at just 250 km/h.
In the 840d xDrive, 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six diesel engine paired similarly to the 8-speed gearbox with 320 hp and 680 Nm of torque. This one’s more than a second slower than the 850i to a 100 km/h at 5.2 seconds, but with a similar top speed.

The 4.8-metre long convertible’s multi-layered roof has been designed for absolute lightness, sound insulation and can be opened or closed within 15 seconds at the touch of a button. The roof, which can be had in silver, can be opened with the car travelling up to 50 km/h.
The BMW 8 Series Convertible is fitted as standard with rear wheel steering and Adaptive M suspension including electronically-controlled dampers. Moving outwards, both are equipped with four-piston caliper at the front with single-piston units at the back.
In the M850i xDrive gets 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in Frozen Cerium Grey, with an 18-inch set for the 840d xDrive. The tyres used have been specially developed for the BMW 8 Series models.
Inside, the BMW M850i xDrive Convertible gets the M leather steering wheel as standard along with multi-function seats featuring extra adjustment options, increased lateral support and even better comfort characteristics.
A Harman Kardon Surround Sound System with 12 speakers is standard, with the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System as an optional upgrade. The seats also come with coolers and neck warmers integrated into the driver and front passenger head restraints.
Another feature unique to the BMW 8 series convertible is the rollover protection system. This is activated automatically the moment the car senses the risk of a rollover. The system comprises two high-strength aluminium rollover bars fitted out of sight behind the rear head restraints.
In the event of a rollover, the pre-tensioned rollover bars are extended by a pyrotechnic charge within seconds to form a survival space for the occupants.
The worldwide market launch of the new BMW 8 Series Convertible will begin in March 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mitsubishi launches Max Certified pre-owned programme in Malaysia – 1 year powertrain warranty

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
 today officially launched Max Certified, its new certified pre-owned cars programme for customers to purchase used Mitsubishi vehicles from its dealers nationwide, as well as trade in their existing Mitsubishi vehicles for a brand-new model.
For the used cars on sale through Max Certified, MMM says that every vehicle on sale has gone through a comprehensive 150-point inspection by a professional Mitsubishi specialist, ensuring that only genuine parts are used, and are all free from major accidents and flood damage.
The cars under the programme are all aged seven years old and below, with a maximum mileage of 180,000 km at the time of trade-in. They all come with a complete service record from MMM’s authorised service centres, and for even more peace of mind,all cars under the programme also comes with a 12-month warranty that covers the repair and replacement of the engine, transmission, steering, and electrical components due to mechanical breakdowns.
Customers who buy a vehicle under Max Certified will also receive a RM500 service e-voucher for periodic maintenance, redeemable at all authorised MMM service centres.
RELATED:
MMM unveils newly upgraded Mitsubishi 4S Centre in Johor Bahru
“In addition to strengthening the Mitsubishi brand within the used car sector and building the residual values of Mitsubishi vehicles, Max Certified aims to improve customer retention and repurchase another Mitsubishi model,” said MMM Chief Executive Officer, Shinya Ikeda.
“Through the Max Certified programme, we want to deliver a more holistic approach. While MMM continues to work towards introducing new models for Malaysians, we also hope to offer those who are interested in purchasing a used Mitsubishi car a more accessible and trustworthy platform.”
For more information on Max Certified, visit MMM’s website,
linked here
.
READ MORE:
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia sold 24,315 cars in FY2022, up 27% from previous year


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, Premium Compact SUV of Malaysia – #COM2018

The Mercedes-Benz GLA was voted as the
Premium Compact SUV of Malaysia
 at the inaugural 2018 Cars of Malaysia (COM) awards and we brought along the most exciting model in the GLA range, the
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC
 on the
COM nationwide tour
. However, even if you don’t opt for the full-blown AMG model, the
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC
 also has plenty to offer.
The GLA 250 wears the AMG exterior package as standard which adds a sporty touch to the compact SUV. The Night Package that adds black accents to the front lower apron, side mirror caps, roof rails, side skirt and rear diffuser inserts contrast against the paintwork for an added dose of athleticism.

If you’re wondering why the AMG five-spoke lightweight alloy wheels don’t fill up the wheel arches that’s because the GLA 250 comes with the
Comfort Suspension
 which raises the ride height by
20 mm
. The added benefit is it filters undulations much better than the GLA 45 and have the ability to take on some light off-roading.
While the cabin design is from an older era of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, that doesn’t mean it is not a nice place to be in. You still get plenty of bells and whistles such as powered front seats with memory function, 8.0-inch Media Display with Apple CarPay and Android Auto Connectivity, Artico leather with Dinamica microfibre upholstery with red contrast stitching and a powered tailgate.

The AMG interior package adds illuminated “AMG” door sills, AMG floor mats and AMG Sports Seats that adds a sporty flair to the cabin.
Like the GLA 45, the GLA 250 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and comes with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system – of course, that’s where the similarities end.

The GLA 250’s 2.0-litre blown mill commands
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
, allowing it to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in
6.6 seconds
 and will register a top speed of
 230 km/h
. The 4MATIC system adds a layer of surefootedness during slippery conditions and gives the GLA 250 better dynamics around the bends.
Judging publications of the 2018 Cars of Malaysia Awards scored the GLA 250 positively in the areas of price proposition, ride comfort and handling. The full breakdown of the scoring mechanism can be found
here
.

The GLA 250 offers style, practicality and performance in a compact package. It handles city driving remarkably well thanks to the Comfort Suspension and the increased ride height gives you a better forward view. But if you feel like taking the car out in a more dynamic fashion, its 211 hp and agile handling characteristic can still put a smile on your face.
All in all, the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC is still an attractive package for those shopping for a Premium Compact SUV. While some may raise an eyebrow on its RM274,888 (OTR without insurance) price tag, do remember this is a fully imported model from Germany.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC, Premium Compact SUV of Malaysia


114-year-old Rolls-Royce unveils new brand identity designed to feel younger

Conforming to recent industry trends, Rolls-Royce today unveiled its new brand identity, featuring a redesigned logo and a new Spirit of Ecstasy illustration that’ll be more prominently featured throughout the brand’s new identity.
But the rebranding doesn’t just stop there – there’s also a new colour, and
Rolls-Royce
 now even calls itself a “House of Luxury” instead of just makers of some of the finest luxury vehicles on the planet. What on earth does that even mean? Well, let’s dive right in…
Rolls-Royce says that the purpose of the new brand identity was to resonate itself with its new younger buyer demographic, a direction that the luxury marque has embarked since the launch of the Black Badge family in 2016. In recent years, the average Rolls-Royce clientele’s age is now down to 43.
Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös explains: “As the marque’s digital presence increases, there has never been a more important time for the visual language of the company to reflect our standing as the leading luxury brand in the world.
“We have embarked on a fascinating journey of modernising our brand identity to echo those changes seen in our portfolio, our client demographic, their lifestyle and the luxury world that surrounds them.”
Starting with the Spirit of Ecstasy; the iconic “Flying Lady” mascot will remain unchanged on its cars. However, the 3D winged sculpture has also been turned into a two dimensional illustration, pointing towards the right, which supposedly means “boldly facing the future.”
The new illustration will be used prominently throughout Rolls-Royce’s new brand identity – especially online, such as on its Instagram page profile as shown here. There’s even a Spirit of Ecstasy Expression, which transforms the iconic figurine into a super cool wireframe art piece. The expression can be applied to all sorts of surfaces, from projection to embroidery, printing to engraving, and will be applied in its physical establishments as well as in digital form.
You might have noticed the elaborate use of a deep purple colour on all of these images. Dubbed Purple Spirit, the new colour is chosen to signify wealth and power – as seen in mythology, art, piety and royalty, according to Rolls-Royce.
The dark purple colour is complemented by a rose gold colour, which apparently adds elegance and grace, though it’ll only be used on printed materials.
 As for the logo, the “Badge of Honour” will also remain as it is on its “precious creations born at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex” (which means their cars, by the way), but a new standalone double-‘R’ monogram logo – without the Rolls-Royce wordings and bounding boxes – will be used on
everything else
.
The brand’s word mark have also been tweaked, with the new design based on old typography uncovered from the marque’s old archives from the 1930’s. The ‘Motor Cars’ words have been reduced in size, reverting the emphasis back to Rolls-Royce and its wider influence outside of just automotive.
The luxury car maker even chose a new typeface – called Riviera Nights – for all of its written communication to depict “luxury” and its “connection with the marque’s rich history”, without being overtly decorative.
As for the whole “House of Luxury” thing, here’s what Marina Willer, lead designer of the rebranding project, has to say: “What soon became apparent is that Rolls-Royce has evolved from being regarded as an automotive manufacturer into a leading light in the world of luxury. It was essential for us to ensure that the brand’s new identity reflected this shift. We needed to present Rolls-Royce in a forward-facing, fresh and relevant way – speaking to new audiences while respecting the company’s loyal clients.
“I do not come from an automotive background. This vantage point provided me with the opportunity to observe Rolls-Royce as a manufacturer of luxury products. My ambition was to celebrate the luxuriousness of the brand while providing it with the means to visually communicate with Rolls-Royce’s younger, increasingly diversified audiences,” she added.
Aside from all the designer speak mumbo jumbo that doesn’t really mean anything to regular people like us, we think that Rolls-Royce has actually done a really good job in its rebranding exercise – despite its simplicity. Does it really help appease the younger crowd though? You be the judge.
IMAGE GALLERY