All-new Hyundai Elantra in Malaysia to come with 123 hp 1.6L NA engine, IVT transmission

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors has teased the
all-new Hyundai Elantra
 once again on its
Facebook page
, this time revealing the engine and transmission combination that will be used in the upcoming C-segment sedan.
According to the attached press release, the
Hyundai Elantra slated for Malaysia
 will be equipped with a 1.6-litre SmartStream G1.6 MPi naturally-aspirated engine, which is good for
123 hp
 and
154 Nm
 of torque.
The petrol mill will be paired to Hyundai’s new
Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)
 gearbox, which is essentially a CVT with eight virtual gears, but is driven by a chain belt instead of regular push belt. Hyundai says that the change not only improves response and “reproduces the manual transmission’s shifting pattern”, but also reduces engine power loss (5-8%), at the same time improving fuel economy (4.2%).
Compared to the
outgoing model
 which packs a 2.0-litre Nu MPI engine, power output has actually gone down by 29 hp and 38 Nm. The all-new Hyundai Elantra’s engine output figures are also slightly on the low side when compared to its segment rivals, such as the
Toyota Corolla
 (139 hp, 172 Nm) and
Honda Civic
 (1.8S: 141 hp, 174 Nm; 1.5TC: 173 hp, 220 Nm).
It remains to be seen if the 2.0-litre SmartStream engine will also make its way onto our local unit. Paired to the same IVT transmission, the 2.0-litre Hyundai Elantra makes 159 hp and 191 Nm of torque.
How good does the sportier Hyundai Elantra N Line look?
We are wish-casting at this point, but if HSDM is intending to replace the much-beloved but sadly discontinued
Hyundai Elantra Sport
, the Hyundai Elantra N Line, which features a turbocharged version of the same 1.6-litre SmartStream engine with
201 hp
 and
264 Nm
 under the hood, will be a perfect candidate – and will blow almost all of its competitors out of the water. Better yet – it is also available in a six-speed manual transmission!
There are still many details left in the dark for our local Hyundai Elantra, which will only be revealed nearer to the launch date – stay tuned as we bring you the latest developments.


Carlos Sainz: Ferrari and Shell work together like no other team in Formula 1

The 2022
Formula 1
 season is just about to wrap up, with both the Championships already won by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. For
Ferrari
, even though they did not manage to clinch the title this year, it was still a huge step forward for the team in terms of performance, which they remain hopeful will continue for a bigger championship challenge next year.
But winning an F1 championship takes more than just a fast car. It takes the right strategy calls, some luck, and for Ferrari – the right partner in
Shell
. Most Formula 1 fans know of the iconic relationship between Shell and Ferrari, which dates back all the way to the 1920s. What you might not have realised, however, is that Shell is much more than just a sponsor to Scuderia Ferrari.
As partners, Shell also develops and supply the fuel and oil that the cars use on track. But how big of a role does a partner like Shell actually play in a Formula 1 car’s performance? We caught up with the two
Scuderia Ferrari
drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, before the Singapore GP to find out.
The full transcript of the roundtable interview is below:
How does it feel like coming back to Singapore after three years?
Charles
: It feels good! Singapore is one of my favourite tracks; my favourite tracks in general are city tracks, so Baku, Monaco, and Singapore, and we were missing Singapore for three years, so it’s good to be back. It’s a bit less warm than three years ago, I feel, which is also quite good for us in the car [laughs]. I’m looking forward to getting back on track tomorrow.
Each race has its own set of challenges. Beyond practice and training, do either of you have a personal ritual before any race?
Carlos
: Well I think we all have a bit of a routine, you know, [whether we] call it a ritual, routine, or plan that we go through. For me, it consists of a 10-minute warm-up, 5-minute mobility [stretches], and depending on the race, I go into the ice bath.
Normally when the race has an ambient temperature of about 25 degrees [Celsius] or higher, that’s when I do the ice bath, where I feel like it gives me a bit more of a fresher body, fresher mind for the race; lower core temperature.
There is an incredible amount of engineering that goes into the development of F1 cars. But aside from the cars, how closely does Shell work with Scuderia Ferrari to formulate the perfect blend of fuel?
Charles
: Very close. We are always in direct contact with Shell, and even throughout the weekend with our engineers. The whole weekend, there are always exchanges on what we need and want, and then Shell will try to modify [the formulation] a little bit. And then obviously the bigger development where you go from one year to another, which the engineers will ask us exactly what we want, and Shell is always here to help and assist us in getting the performance that we need.
This year was a big change, we got more ethanol in the fuel – 10% – which is a big change for Formula 1. And thanks to Shell, we managed to keep the same amount of performance, whereas most of the other teams have lost a bit of performance. So yeah, it’s a good step forward.
Can you give us an insight into how similar the Shell V-Power race fuel that powers your Scuderia Ferrari F1 car is to the Shell V-Power road fuel that customers can buy at a Shell station?
Carlos
: It is probably something that nobody knows, or nobody expects, because it’s quite incredible that Shell Racing fuel for F1 contains 99% the same types of compounds as the fuel offered at Shell stations. For me, knowing that, I have no doubt now every time I am at home I make sure that I only use Shell.
ALSO READ:
Shell launches Bluetooth-controlled car collection, available from RM30
Photo: Ferrari
What is your personal opinion on the shift to more advanced sustainable fuels in F1? Does having Shell as Innovation Partners, who specialise in lower carbon fuel research and development, give you and the team confidence knowing that you can keep performing through new regulation changes whilst trying to decarbonise the sport?
Charles
: I think it’s obviously extremely important, because the whole world is going towards more sustainability, and I think we are a big part of it, and we need to be a big part of it. Formula 1 has always been a pioneer on new technologies, and I think this is the perfect example.
Thanks to Shell, we get to work together on – obviously in Formula 1 – performance, but also the sustainability project that is coming into play in the sport. There’s been the first step in that direction already, but in the future there will be much bigger steps, and I’m really looking forward to trying that.
RELATED:
You can now use Touch ‘n Go RFID to refuel at 88 Shell stations in Malaysia – No phones required!
What do you think Shell and Scuderia Ferrari does differently to ensure the long-term partnership continues?
Carlos
: I think we have a synergy, and we work together like no other team does in Formula 1. It’s not only about the sponsorship, it’s about partnership and how you can work together to extract the maximum performance of the car.
For us, for example, we have two people from Shell at the racetrack, in a special laboratory that they bring to every race to take samples of the oil and fuel that we use in every session and run – doesn’t matter if it’s one of five laps. The Shell engineers will take the fuel to sample and analyse it, to make sure that the fuel and oil is at the right level to give us more performance and reliability, which gives us – I think – an edge over the competition.
Almost all professional drivers aspire to be signed by Scuderia Ferrari in F1 – what does it mean to you to be a Scuderia Ferrari Driver?
Charles
: It means everything. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamt of one day being a Formula 1 driver, but most specifically a Formula 1 Ferrari driver. It’s just something that every driver wants in their career, and we are extremely lucky to both be in that situation.
Driving for Ferrari, it feels incredible when, wherever we go, we have so much support [from the fans], but we also feel the responsibility of trying to bring Ferrari back to the absolute top. It’s been a big, big step forward from last year to this year in terms of performance, and I really hope that we’ll continue in that direction, and hopefully have a world championship very soon.


The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is as much a statement piece as it is a car

What do you do if you can’t be seen seated in a car that’s not entirely made for yourself? You enlist the expertise of the world’s oldest coachbuilder with almost 500 years of experience and heritage, of course.
Introducing the Bentley Bacalar, Bentley’s ultra-rare coachbuilt luxury statement piece. The name Bacalar comes from Laguna Bacalar in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, a lake renowned for its breath-taking natural beauty.
Perhaps more important than the car itself, the Bacalar is also an effort to kick start Mulliner’s return to coachbuilding, instead of just being
another trim level
 in a Bentley car, albeit a very high-end one.
Each model of the Bacalar will be
handcrafted in Bentley Mulliner’s workshop in Crewe
, according to each individual customer’s personal tastes, therefore guaranteeing the rarity and exclusivity of each example.
The Bacalar is specifically sculpted and designed, inspired by the Centenary celebration concept piece –
the EXP 100 GT
 – and does not share any single body panel with another Bentley. The only re-used component is the door handle from a Continental GT, only because it houses the keyless entry system.
To become the most exquisite car, you’ll of course have to use the most extraordinary materials. But fear not, as Bentley Mulliner has prepared a collection of only the finest sustainable materials on earth, from the rice husk ash-infused paint, to natural British wool, and 5,000-year old Riverwood sourced from the ancient Fenlands of East Anglia.
Though, there is just one problem, and it’s the fact that the Bacalar
 does not have a roof
. No, not even those manually-attached fabric cover. According to Bentley, that’s to mimic the genuine roofless barchetta sports car design of old.
Powering the Bacalar is the familiar six-litre W12 TSI engine, but now uprated to an output of
659 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque. The Bacalar will also be equipped with an
active all-wheel drive system
, where power is sent to the rear wheels as much as possible for “optimum efficiency and dynamic performance”.
The Bacalar is reportedly priced at
USD2 million
 apiece. If you are thinking of getting your hands on one of these though, unfortunately there will only be
12 examples ever made
, with all of them already allocated to buyers worldwide.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4 unveiled, the first hybrid raging bull [+Video]

Automobili Lamborghini
 has officially unveiled their secret car at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, and it’s not a four-seater. It’s not even a concept, as Lamborghini prefers to call it as a “
technology demonstrator
” to showcase their
plug-in hybrid
 powertrain that’s basically production-ready.
In a move to cut down CO2 emissions, Lamborghini has chosen the hybrid path instead of force inducting their existing engines. According to Lamborghini the
Asterion
 name is from the
mythical Minotaur
, a play on the creature’s part man part bull “hybrid” characteristics.
The Asterion is powered by a
5.2-litre V10
 from the
Huracan
 that’s good for
610 hp
 and
560 Nm
 of torque. Sitting in a
full carbon fibre monocoque
, the V10 gets additional boost from an
electric motor incorporating an integrated starter motor and generator
 (ISG), and another
two electric motors
 at the
front axle
. Driver can choose from
three driving modes
,
Zero
 for full electric; I for
Ibrido
 (hybrid); and T for
Termico
 (thermal) power.
As the
LP 910-4
 denomination suggested, the combined power is
910 hp
 driving
all four wheels
. The
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
 allows a
0 to 100 km/h
 time in
3.0 seconds
, while the
top speed
 is claimed to be at
320 km/h
.
The Asterion can also be a
front-wheel drive
 car, in
full-electric mode
 the two electric motors only power the front wheels for
up to 125 km/h
 or with a
range of 50 km
. The hybrid technology weighs 250 kg and allows for a combined
fuel consumption
 of
4.12 l/100 km
.
Lamborghini designed the Asterion as a “hyper cruiser” instead of a full-on sports car. The nose is noticeably taller, and the headlights have hexagonal motifs instead of the Y pattern used on the Huracan and Aventador. The side profile that was previewed in the
earlier teaser image
 shows a window line that’s a nod to the Miura, and a sharp side intakes to cool the powerplant located behind.
At the back, a trio of hexagonal glass panels allow a view to the hybrid technology underneath, while the Veneno-inpired taillights float in between a gap of air outlet. Down below a black diffuser finishes off the rear bumper, complete with quad hexagonal tailpipes.
The doors open conventionally, revealing a clean design interior. Finished in Bianco Celaeno (ivory) and Marrone Attis (brown) leather, the interior focuses on delivering comfort and every day usability with the two seats positioned higher than usual in a Lamborghini. The main controls are grouped in a portable tablet that sits in the middle of the cabin.
The Asterion certainly looks production-ready, but it’s just a showcase of the capabilities of Lamborghini own expertise to adapt with the latest technology. “Lamborghini is always looking ahead, investing in new technologies and setting new benchmarks, delivering the unexpected,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


New 991.2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS arrives in Malaysia

For those of you eager to catch a glimpse of the 312 km/h top speed “race car for the road and occasionally the track”, the 991.2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will be on display in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur till 14th October 2018.
Armed with a 4.0-litre high-revving naturally-aspirated engine, a 7-speed PDK transmission and a
9,000 rpm rev limit
, the
new GT3 RS makes well over 500 hp
 (
20 hp increase
), it’s only 0.4 seconds behind the
GT2 RS
 from 0 to 100 km/h with a time of 3.2 seconds; the GT2 RS does it in a blinding 2.8 seconds.
Despite a 200-hp deficit from the GT2 RS, flat-six screamer can still lap the Nurburgring in under seven seconds at 6:56.4. To put things in perspective, the new GT3 RS is a whopping
24 seconds quicker
 than the model it replaces
!
Since you’re already splurging, Porsche has made the Weissach package available for additional weight savings with carbon components for the chassis, interior and exterior. All in all, it helps the GT3 RS shed approximately 17 kg of unwanted body fat.

Exisitingly, the GT3 RS is already equipped with the Clubsport package where equipment list includes an anti-roll bar, a fire extinguisher, battery cut-off switch and a six-point hairness for the carbon fibre full bucket seats.
The retail base price for the new 911 GT3 RS starts from
RM 2,230,000
 excluding insurance and includes a 4-year warranty. Sime Darby Auto Performance, official distributor of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia will also be displaying the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo at the same venue.
IMAGE GALLERY


First Drive: Perodua Myvi 1.3 & 1.5, rebirth of an icon

The Perodua Myvi needs no introduction – with more than
one million of the compact hatchback on the road
, there is a high chance you have driven, sat in, heck, even owned one yourself. You’ll either love them or hate them but you can’t deny that the Myvi has become an automotive icon in Malaysia.
I had the privilege to have owned a first-generation Myvi 1.3 SE as my first car so allow me to reminiscence my time with it. It offered everything I could ever ask for and more – spacious interior, ample performance and most importantly fuss-free ownership. Admittedly, I had some gripes with the car but for its price, it’s fair game.
With the
second-generation Myvi
, blessed with stylish design and modern interior, it was a clear case of the best made better. Come the all-new third-generation Myvi, Perodua has managed to equip it with features that put most foreign brands to shame and manages it at a fair price point. It’s bigger and better than ever before but the question is, by how much?
Way before the official launch of the car, the media were invited by Perodua to sample the all-new Myvi on their home-ground test track. A little disclaimer before we dive into the drive, the units we sampled were pre-production units but Perodua claims that the cars are very accurate representations of what customers will receive. Other than the pre-production interior trims, the test units get all the features and mechanics of the actual product.

I had a go in both the 1.3- and 1.5-litre variants and even had a chance to try out
Pre-Collision Warning
 and
Pre-Collision Braking
 of the Advanced Safety Assist system – this is what I’ve gathered in my short stint with the all-new Myvi.
Refined powertrain with ample performance
Under the bonnet you’ll find updated powertrains on both variants – a 1NR-VE 1.3-litre four-cylinder with Dual VVT-i making
94 hp
 and
121 Nm
 (4 hp and 4 Nm) and 2NR-VE 1.5-litre four-cylinder Dual VVT-i with
101 hp
 and
136 Nm
. Both engines are paired to a four-speed automatic (E-AT) while the 1.3 Standard G can be had with a five-speed manual.
Off the line, both powertrains feel almost identical while the larger mill provides that extra urgency to climb the revs. Gearshifts are smooth and crisp as expected, with
newfound responsiveness
. Mash the throttle and the transmission is eager to knock down a gear or two, giving you all of its available twisting force.
The 1.3-litre mill will get you up to the national speed limit in brisk fashion. After all, it only has to pull
less than 1 tonne of mass
. Sustaining high speeds requires a little more from the 1.3-litre hence should your everyday commute cover more highways, the 1.5-litre would offer better performance and refinement at high speeds.
Driving dynamics on par with international rivals
Perodua has gone to great lengths to improve the overall driving dynamics of the new Myvi. Although the new Myvi’s platform is based on the outgoing Myvi’s platform, Perodua and Daihatsu have thoroughly reworked the chassis resulting in overall improvement of up to
70

per cent
. The new chassis now boasts
2.5 times more high-tensile steel
, additional bracing and reinforcement resulting in increased overall body rigidity.
At the high-speed section of the test course with average speeds of
80 to 100 km/h
, the Myvi remained sure-footed around the bends with minimal body flex. Steering feel was positive with the front wheels turn progressively in relation to your steering input. On the 1.5-litre variants with larger alloys and lower profile tyres (15-inch; 185/55), it gives you greater confidence to carry more speed into the corners although the 1.3-litres with 14-inch alloys are more than capable of carrying
ridiculous

speeds
.
Of course, the new Myvi is no
Mazda2
 or
Volkswagen Polo
 but it still offers reasonable driving excitement with high-levels of safety margin. First-time owners and current owners will be very pleased with the level of performance the new Myvi can offer.
Impressive cabin insulation
At speeds, the Myvi was impressively muted. Wind noise was noticeably lower compared to its predecessors and the engine notes no longer creep into the cabin, significantly improving overall driving comfort. Perodua claims that they have benchmarked the new Myvi to not only Japanese makes but also European models and there is no doubting that statement in the area of cabin refinement.
All these improvements are thanks to the more aerodynamic design, with a drag
 coefficient of 0.296 Cd
 over the outgoing model’s 0.306 Cd as well as the inclusion of an acoustic windshield on all models. For the record, all these improvements were noticeably felt on the pre-production model, if anything, the production model will be even more refined especially with the GearUp comfort package that adds insulation materials to the hood and door.
The Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) is not foolproof
While the new Myvi made headlines with its impressive suite of safety features especially the Advanced Safety Assist (only on 1.5 Advance), it is not a system that you should count on every single time. To recap, the ASA bundles Pre-Collision Warning (PCW), Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Front Departure Alert (FDA) and Pedal Misoperation Control (PMC).
We sampled the PCW and PCB in an instrumented demonstration and got to know the assist system a little better. For starters, PCW and PCB are operable at speeds of
below 30 km/h
, essentially city speeds. Using a stereo camera, the system detects large objects upfront and sends an audible warning to the driver when an imminent collision is detected. Should there be no input from the driver, the car automatically engages the brakes to bring the car to a
complete stop
.
However, engineers from Daihatsu and Perodua who were present at the test emphasised that drivers should not rely on the system and must maintain their concentration when on the road. The reason being PCB will only operate
three times per engine start
 – meaning if the system brings you to a complete stop on three occasions per journey, it will not bring the car to a complete stop the fourth time and so on. The only way for PCB to operate again is to restart the engine thus resetting the counter to three again.
When asked why such a limitation, the engineers explained that this is to prevent drivers from overly relying on ASA when driving. After all, it’s called Advanced Safety
Assist
 for a good reason. Then again, who could argue that Perodua is shortchanging its customers when
all variants
 of the Myvi comes with four airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control and Emergency Stop Signal? The more expensive 1.5-litre variants further adds two extra airbags (to a total of six), hill-start assist and front parking sensors.
Overall, the all-new Perodua Myvi is an immensely impressive package, offering unprecedented value and safety features. It drives well, is as capable as other big names and most importantly does not break the bank to own one. While our time with the all-new Myvi was short and does not paint a complete picture of the car, we are confident that the Myvi will blow your socks off and is definitely worth your visit to the showroom.
The new Myvi will no doubt play a vital part in maintaining Perodua’s position as the number one national carmaker as well as stir up the competition from not only Proton, but other foreign brands as well.
IMAGE GALLERY


The all-new Renault Captur just demands a second look!

You may have read recently that Renault Malaysia revealed an updated version of the current generation Captur with
more power and features
 but what you’re about to see will rile your senses.
With 85% new parts and a new platform, the new Captur may sport the same silhouette but the finer details such as the head and tail lamps have been completely revised and I reckon it’ll probably be the sleekest, most good looking crossover by the time it’s available in Malaysia.
The headlamp design takes after the Koleos while the tail lights, if you look closely, vaguely resembles that of the Corolla Sport – possibly the most appealing aspect of the new Captur’s exterior.
Despite the same essence in design, the new Captur is now 11 cm longer, extending boot space to 81 litres as compared to before for a new total of 536 litres.
The old dashboard design. *yuck*
Drastic change has also taken place inside the interior – thank god! Let’s face it, as vibrant and fresh as Renault tried to portray the current Captur to be, it’s really just a sub-par interior glorified by glossy surfaces which looks like a crime scene under black light with every surface littered with finger prints.
In the new Captur, the revised dashboard design housing a digital instrument cluster, the new centre console with the largest-in-segment 9.3-inch touchscreen and gear lever just works – no doubt a huge improvement in aesthetics.
The new dashboard design.
Another interesting addition to the new car is the Fresh Air Speaker feature which is essentially a compact subwoofer that transmits bass into the cabin via a duct system. It’s built into the right hand corner of the boot without compromising space.
Apart from the improved insulation of the engine compartment which Renault says reduces up to 2dB of noice at speeds of up to 130 km/h, rear knee room has also increased by 17 mm by making the rear section of the front seats hollow.
Crucially, driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control and lane change assist is now available with up to Level 2 autonomous driving. The system will alert the driver if the steering is left untouched for 13 seconds although it remains to be seen whether such features will be offered for our local models.
They’re complemented by an active emergency braking feature, blind spot warning, 360-degree camera, rear cross traffic alert system, and an Easy Park Assist feature.
The new Captur will come with a plug-in hybrid powertrain where a 1.6-litre engine is combined with a pair of electric motors. There are two diesel options available along with three petrol-powered models.
There’s a
TCe 100
 with 100 hp and 160 Nm from a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine and a
TCe 130

GPF
 with 130 hp and 240 Nm from a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine. The two variants are paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
At the top of the range is a
TCe 155 GPF
 variant with 155 hp and 270 Nm from the same 1.3-litre engine as the TCe 130 but that said, TCe 155 will only be available with a 7-speed dual clutch.
Locally, Renault has experienced a strong momentum in sales for the current generation Captur due to its irresistible pricing, funky fresh design and assuring warranties offered by TC Euro Cars.
If the same approach is taken, without a change in consumer sentiment, expect this new Captur to flood our streets when it arrives.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Peugeot 3008 SUV now comes with even more driver aids

Nasim Sdn Bhd has just launched the new Peugeot 3008 SUV and like before there’ll be two variants available with the Allure Plus sitting at the top of the food chain. Prices start from
RM150,888
 for the standard Active Plus while the Allure goes for
RM163,888
.
The spec sheet revealed a largely similar car; powered by the 1.6-litre twin-scroll Turbo High Pressure Engine with
167 hp
and
 240 Nm
. The engine is similarly paired to a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. 0 to 100 km/h still take 8.9 seconds with top speed rated at 205 km/h.

The biggest change in the new 3008, specifically available for the Allure Plus includes the addition of the Speed Limit Information, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitor and Driver Attention Alert.
In the Allure Plus model, variant specific items include LED headlight, fog lights, sequential turn indicators, front and rear parking sensor, panoramic roof and hands-free tailgate.
Other (notable) standard items offered across both models are the 18-inch Los Angeles rims which remain unchanged from before, automatic headlights, automatic folding side mirrors and a 180-degree reverse camera.
Inside, the biggest change to the cabin is new Black Claudio leather upholstery that’s exclusively for the Allure Plus model, along with LED cabin mood lighting, one-touch folding rear seats, 8-way power adjustable seats with memory function and an auto dimming rear view mirror.
You still get the same 12.3-inch instrument cluster display, complemented with an 8-inch touchscreen display that offers Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Mirrorlink connectivity.
Safety wise, the 3008 gets six airbags, Hill Descent Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Stability Program among others. As for colour selections, the 3008 is available in Pearl White, Nera Black, Aster Grey, Metallic Copper and Amazonite Grey.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ford GT is officially quicker than the McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 458 Speciale!

When Ford Performance unveiled the iconic
Ford GT successor
 to the world two years ago, the company rather vaguely revealed that it’s capable of producing some 600 hp or more. Surely those are thrilling figures, back in the day that is, considering that the
McLaren 675LT
,
Ferrari 488 GTB
 and Lamborghini Huracan all boast horsepower figures closer to the 700-pony mark.
With
waiting list extending beyond 2018
, Ford has decided to unveil the performance figures for the Ford GT. It’s motivated by a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6, and the magic numbers are
647 hp
 and
746 Nm
, just slightly below the Ferrari’s
661 hp
 and McLaren’s
666 hp.
While these figures are far from class leading, Ford’s heritage and experience in Le Mans 24 Hours are not to be overlooked, especially after their historic win at the
2016 Le Mans 24 Hours LM GTE Pro
 category with this second generation Ford GT.
The good folks at Ford Performance pitched the production model against its two closest rivals around Calabogie Motorsports Park in Canada, and the results are indeed surprising. Below are the laptimes:
Ford GT: 2:09.8
McLaren 675LT: 2:10.8
Ferrari 458 Speciale
: 2:12.9
Thanks to a dry weight of 1,361 kg and an engine that delivers 90 percent of its peak torque from 3,500 rpm as well as active dynamic systems, the Ford GT is able to lap the 5.05 km track faster than the two track monster. However, the question remains: just how long will it be able to hold its ground?


Takata Airbag Inflator Recall in Malaysia: Why & How to get it replaced for Free [+Video]

By now everyone should be aware of the Takata airbag inflator recall in Malaysia. This should not be taken lightly as there was another fatality involving a Takata airbag in Malaysia recently.
As reported in
The Star
, a woman driver was killed when the driver’s airbag was deployed. The victim was fatally wounded from an item protruding from the centre of the steering wheel. The car is a fourth-generation black
Honda City
 manufactured between
 2003-2005
, it was involved in a minor collision with a Mercedes-Benz. According to Honda Malaysia, that particular model was part of a recall on May 21, 2015, which involves replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s airbag.
This is the fourth fatal accident in Malaysia caused by a faulty airbag inflator manufactured by the scandal-hit
Takata Corp
. Coincidentally, all four fatal incidents involve the
ASEAN second-generation Honda City
. Up to today, there are
15 confirmed fatalities
 worldwide.
AutoBuzz.my urges you to take this recall seriously. We’ve prepared a one-stop guide on what you need to know/do about the Takata Airbag recall issue.
BACKGROUND
Takata Corporation is a Japanese supplier of vehicle safety equipment that supplies airbags to Japanese, European and American marques. Airbag inflators require propellant to deploy the airbag in an event of a crash.
The propellant contains
ammonium nitrate
 that ignites upon a collision, which would inflate the airbag. However, this chemical in Takata airbags has started to destabalize, causing the inflator to rupture, shooting metal fragments into occupants.
It was reported that Honda and Takata knew about this issue in 2004 but failed to notify America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The massive recalls from manufacturers began in 2013 and up to this point, over
40 million vehicles
 has been recalled worldwide.
Takata blamed the propellant chemicals, which were mishandled and improperly stored during the assembly of the inflators, causing metal airbag inflators to deploy improperly in the event of a crash. The shrapnel-shooting inflator  will cause serious or fatal wounds to the body, head, and neck. The issue is more apparent in humid climate, which explains the three fatal cases occurred in Malaysia.
Watch the following video to understand the current airbag inflator recall situation in the US.
THE AFFECTED CARS
We focus on the cars sold in Malaysia.
Honda
,
Toyota
,
Nissan
, Mazda, and Mitsubishi have announced their recalls on the airbag inflator issue. Here are the affected models:
Honda
Model
Year Model
Accord
2003 – 2011
City
2003 – 2012
Civic
2003 – 2011
Civic Hybrid
2007 – 2011
CR-V
2002 – 2011
Freed
2009 – 2011
Insight
2011 – 2012
Jazz
2004 – 2012
Odyssey
2004 – 2008
Stream
2004 – 2012
Toyota
Model
Year Model
Vios
2007 – 2008
Corolla Altis
2007 – 2008
Yaris
2007 – 2008
Nissan
Model
Year Model
X-Trail
2002 – 2007
Teana
2004
Liberty
2003
Mazda
Model
Year Model
BT-50
2006 – 2011
Mazda 6
2003 – 2007
Mitsubishi
Model
Year Model
Triton (3.2L, 2.5L, VGT 2.5L)
2006 – 2014
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
To begin, get your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
 ready. This can be found via the car’s chassis plate, or your vehicle registration card.
Being the marque with the highest number of recalls in Malaysia, Honda has prepared adequate replacements of inflators for both driver and passenger airbags. Also, owners can
visit their website
 to check if their Honda vehicle is affected.
At the same time, here are the hotline numbers and URLs  of the service centres. They will advise on the remedial actions needed if your vehicle is part of the recall
.
Honda – 1800-88-2020 (
link
)
Toyota – 1800-8-869682 (
link
)
Nissan – 1800-88-3838 (
link
)
Mazda – 03-7627 8999 (
link
)
Mitsubishi – 1800-18-6611 (
link
)
Please take immediate actions if your vehicle is affected. The rectification cost will be
fully covered by the manufacturer
 and it only takes up a fraction of your time to change the component. Do not be part of the statistics, think of your loved ones.
UPDATE
: 1. The fatality figures and the total confirmed cases have been updated.
 2. (29/06/2016) Our friends from
PanduLaju
 have confirmed no Suzuki cars were involved in this recall. Instead, we have updated it with Mazda. Thanks for the tips!


Toyota’s retrolicious Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary Special Edition is the coolest birthday gift ever

Toyota is celebrating the
Land Cruiser
‘s 70th anniversary with a new limited-edition model, based on the classic 70 Series off-roader. And while there may be some debate on whether the Land Cruiser is actually 70-year-old, what’s absolutely undeniable is just how on-brand and cool the retro-inspired visual tweaks look.
Available in either a single-cab, double-cab, or wagon variants, the special-edition Land Cruiser can be painted in a selection of 70s exterior hues, include French Vanilla, Merlot Red, or Sandy Taupe. In line with the retro theme, the special edition model also comes with a variant-specific grille with the “TOYOTA” script instead of the usual, oval logo plastered in front.
Other exterior touches include tinted headlight lenses, blacked-out front bumper and fender flares, chrome-plated wing mirrors, LED front fog lights and daytime-running lights, as well as a set of dark grey 16-inch alloys. Marking it out further from the standard Toyota Land Cruiser models are the Heritage badge above the front fender, and of course, a ’70th Anniversary’ emblem round the back.
For the more “modern” folks, perhaps check out the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser that even comes with a sporty GR edition!
While the changes to the exterior can be likened to a retro re-styling exercise, the interior of the 70th anniversary Special Edition Toyota Land Cruiser is more of a quality of life update, with a number of new premium options that were not previously offered on the 70 Series model.
These include a “premium black upholstery” with black leather-accented trim on the steering wheel and gear shifter, an imitation wood trim on the dashboard, silver accents, and a newly-designed centre console with two additional USB ports and a pair of cupholders. Finishing off the look is, of course, edition-specific logos and badges on the dashboard and centre console.
In Japan meanwhile, Toyota is celebrating the Land Cruiser’s 70-year anniversary with a special edition Prado. Check it out here.
Only 600 units of the 70-year-anniversary special edition Toyota Land Cruiser will be built, split between 320 double-cabs, 200 single-cabs, and 80 wagons, all of them destined for Australia. No matter which variant you choose though, they’re all powered by the same 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine with
202 hp
 and
430 Nm
, paired to a five-speed manual gearbox.


The BMW iX configurator is now live in Malaysia, Design Suite interior at RM21k

Officially launched just over a month ago,
the BMW iX
 fully electric SUV has created quite a buzz due to its price level as well as availability so soon after its global introduction. In just five days, BMW Malaysia was proud to announce that their dealers have managed to collect
64 bookings
 of the futuristic-looking and zero-emission BMW SAV.
Similar to the
BMW M3 and M4 Competition
 models, BMW Malaysia is now opening up the online configurator for customers to customise their BMW iX to suit their preferences. The
configurator
 will allow customers who are pre-booking, or have previously booked, the BMW iX xDrive40 variants before October 12th, to enjoy add-on packages of their choosing.
Both the BMW iX xDrive 40 regular and xDrive 40 Sport can add the vital Power package (RM4,600) that includes the BMW i Wallbox (Generation 3, Type 2) and BMW i Public Charging cable. At 11 kW of AC power delivery, the i Wallbox will take up to 7 hours and 15 mins to fully charge the iX’s battery pack.
As the fully electric vehicle accelerates and glides along in near silence, synthesised sound has been pumped back into the cabin for a more emotive driving experience. Composed together with Academy Award-winner, Hans Zimmer, the BMW
IconicSounds Electric
 package is paired with blue seat belts and the package is priced at RM3,020.
Apart from the Sport package (blue brake calipers, sport design bumpers, darkened tail lamps) and larger 22-inch wheels, the xDrive 40 Sport also includes the Driving Assistant Professional, BMW LaserLight system and the Luxury package that consists of the Panorama Sky Lounge, Headliner Anthracite and a 18-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System as standard.
The range-topping Bowers & Wilkins sound system has actual jewellery in them! Find out how they function as speakers here.

The BMW iX xDrive 40 variant can also tick these options, but it would be an additional RM64,930 in total, pushing the price to RM487,620, well above the Sport variants price of RM472,630.
Nonetheless, the option is available for customers who are choosing the iX xDrive40 variant to simply select just any of the packages they so desire, such as just the Luxury Package (RM33,490) or Technology Package (RM15,700).
As for special exterior and interior colours, both variants can be had with the Aventurine Red Metallic or the Storm Bay Metallic paint from the BMW Individual catalogue for an additional RM7,540.
Lastly, the Interior Design Suite Castanea and Interior Design Suite Amido feature exclusive olive leaf tanned natural leather in two exclusive colours that feature on the instrument panel, door trim panels, centre console and seats. Metal accents in Gold Bronze, along with the elaborate quilting seams also support this elegant impression. Both options are priced at RM21,110 individually.
Under the xDrive 40 guise, performance figures are as follow: dual-motor electric AWD setup for a combined output of
326 hp
 and
630 Nm
 of torque, 0 to 100 km/h sprint in
6.1 seconds
, top speed of 200 km/h and a driving range of up to
425 km
 (WLTP) from the 76.6 kWh battery pack.
BMW Malaysia is currently listing a price of
RM422,690
 for the iX xDrive 40 and
RM472,630
 for the iX xDrive 40 Sport variant. Extending the standard warranty coverage from two to five years with unlimited mileage is RM16,170 extra.
Selecting everything available on the menu pushes the BMW iX xDrive40 Sport to
RM525,070
, amazingly, still lower than an entry-level
Porsche Taycan RWD
.
GALLERY


Gentari partners with Lotus for green mobility infrastructure deployment

Clean energy solutions provider
Gentari Sdn Bhd
 via its wholly-owned subsidiary Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd, partners with
Lotus Cars Malaysia (LCM)
 and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU aims to explore collaborations in green mobility infrastructure deployment.
The MoU signing held during the launch of the Lotus Eletre here today, saw Gentari represented by its Chief Green Mobility Officer, Shah Yang Razalli, while Lotus Cars Malaysia – the sole franchise holder of Lotus vehicles in Malaysia, was represented by its General Manager, Tengku Ezan Ley.
Covering a period of two years, the MoU will see Gentari partnering with LCM to explore collaborations in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at LCM’s facilities, as well as public areas, including EV charging packages for Lotus EV owners.
“At Gentari, we are working with like-minded partners across all segments of transportation in driving towards sustainable mobility. Today, we are partnering with Lotus Cars Malaysia to make it easier for drivers of its high-performance cars to also reduce their carbon footprint with every kilometre travelled,” said Gentari’s Chief Green Mobility Officer, Shah Yang Razalli.
“This collaboration will allow us to better support our Lotus EV customers starting with the all-electric
Eletre Hyper-SUV
. Enhancing connectivity to Gentari’s fast-growing EV charging network will help increase convenience for our customers so they can effectively plan their trips and reduce range anxiety,” added Lotus Cars Malaysia General Manager, Tengku Ezan Ley.
RELATED:
2023 Lotus Eletre launched in Malaysia, from RM578k – up to 905hp, 985Nm
Since its introduction in June 2022, Gentari has deployed more than 150 charging points across 35 locations in Malaysia and over 160 charging points in India through its affiliated entities.
With a mission to be Asia Pacific’s preferred green mobility solutions provider, Gentari aims to capture a 10% market share (circa 25,000 charging points based on current estimates) across key markets in Asia Pacific by 2030. In the mid-term, Gentari aims to install 9,000 public charging points by 2026, with an anchored presence in Malaysia and India.
RELATED:
BMW Malaysia with Millenium Welt and Matrix Concepts launches new charging station in Seremban


86 years on, Mazda Motor Corporation has now built 50 million vehicles in Japan

Mazda Motor Corporation recently held a commemorative ceremony at its Hofu Plant in Yamaguchi prefecture, to celebrate a production milestone in Japan of 50 million units, since the brand produced its first three-wheeled truck in October 1931.
“Mazda began making cars 86 years ago and now we’ve reached 50 million units of production in Japan. Even making one million cars a year, it would take 50 years to reach this milestone, showing just how long Mazda’s history is,” said President and CEO Masamichi Kogai at the ceremony.
Find out how you can be
eligible for 15% off Mazda parts
 here!
Mazda’s journey as an automaker is one that began in 1931, when it started producing three-wheeled trucks in Hiroshima. In 1960, it went on to penetrate the passenger car market with the
 R360 Coupe micro-mini
.
Mixed production lines capable of producing
 different models on a single line
 multiple models to be manufactured at low volumes, a breakthrough in the traditional trade-off between product variety and competitiveness and volume efficiency.
Mazda aims to sell 1,660,000 cars this year and plans to establish a global production framework capable of manufacturing two million units annually by fiscal year ending March 2024.


Trapo and DK-Schweizer launches new car seat covers – PVC, synthetic leather, semi Nappa, from RM1,299

Trapo Malaysia, together with OEM automotive upholstery provider DK-Schweizer, has launched a range of ‘SnapFit’ customised car seat overs. The customised seat covers were developed for vehicles with fabric seats, to elevate the cabin feel.
There are three different types of seat covers available – PVC starting from
RM1,299
, Synthetic leather starting from
RM1,699
 and semi-Nappa leather starting from
RM2,099
. These car seat covers will be sold exclusively in
Trapo Hubs nationwide
.
At the Trapo Hubs, customers can also check out Trapo’s range of products including Oxtra wipers, Oxtra anti-bacterial car sprays, Trapo microfibre towels, coating solutions, along with a range of 70Mai dashcams.
RELATED:
Get your 70mai dashcams professionally installed at Trapo Hubs!
Unlike most seat covers you see in the market, these are model-specific seat covers. There are several pre-designed covers available for most vehicles, but should you feel the need to customise your seat design (with different stitching, material, and design), DK-Schweizer can offer such services at additional costs.
Also unlike conventional seat covers, the range of premium seat covers is
compatible with seat airbags
 and does not obstruct them from deploying. Extra consideration was taken during the development of the car seat cover to ensure that the seat airbag can deploy as intended in an accident.
WATCH:
Lexus RX custom interior makeover by DK SCHWEIZER!
Installation takes just an hour
, but if you opt to customise the design of the car seat cover, it’ll take several days to complete before fitment can be done. As for warranty, the PVC and Synthetic leather seat covers come with a
1-year warranty
 while the semi-Nappa leather seat covers come with a
3-year warranty
.
For the entire month of April, those who purchase the SnapFit car seat covers will receive a 15% discount and those who opt to buy the seat covers along with Trapo’s car mats, will receive a 20% discount. If you’re looking for a more premium interior for your vehicle, with seat covers made of premium materials and are compatible with car seat airbags, check them out at
Trapo Hubs nationwide
!
RELATED:
Check out Trapo’s range of anti-bacterial car mats with up to 10x more durability!
GALLERY


F90 BMW M5 will be coming to Malaysia, 7 colours to choose from!

BMW Malaysia has taken to social media to announce that the F90 BMW M5 will be making its way to our shores to rival against
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s E 63 S
. The holy grail of 5 Series’ will join BMW Malaysia’s line up of M cars – the
M2
 and
M4
.
Other than the
 seven colour options
 available which include Singapore Grey Metallic, Marina Bay Blue, Bluestone Metallic, Alpine White, Snapper Rocks Blue, Black Sapphire and Donington Grey, the company did not reveal further information such as launch date or price tag.
The F90 M5 is powered by a heavily revised 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 churning out
600 hp
 and
750 Nm
 of twisting force, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The party trick here is the
M xDrive all-wheel-drive system
 that comes with a rear-biased set-up as standard and three driving modes – 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD – the latter allows the M5 to be purely rear-wheel driven with “
no control systems to hold it back”
meaning, sideways action!
The century sprint is done and dusted in
3.4 seconds
, on par with the E 63 S but top speed (with M Driver’s Package option) is 5 km/h higher than the three-pointed star at
305 km/h
. As standard, the M5 comes with M compound brakes with blue-painted six-piston calipers at the front and single-piston items at the rear, also blue-painted. There is the option for the M Carbon Ceramic brake kit that sheds
23 kg
 of weight with the calipers painted exclusively in gold.

Separating the M5’s cabin to a standard
G30
 are the M-Specific digital instrument cluster, iDrive system, Heads-Up Display, gear lever, M Sport seats, red start button and red-painted M1 and M2 buttons (allow the driver to instantly select from two individual setups for the M5).
If the E 63 S’ price tag is of any indication, the F90 BMW M5 when it arrives should be priced close to the
million-ringgit
 mark. BMW Malaysia, if you’re reading this, any chance the
M5 First Edition painted in Frozen Dark Red
 will be coming to Malaysia too?
IMAGE GALLERY


Lexus reveals the LC 500 Inspiration – limited to 100 units

Lexus USA has just introduced the limited-run LC 500 Inspiration Series that features a bespoke low profile rear wing complete with winglets.
While it might look like Lexus just placed a carbon fibre (CFRP) rear wing onto the trunk lid, the actual research and development took a lot more effort. Lessons on maximizing aerodynamics efficiencies learnt from a
partnership between Air Race pilot Yoshihide Muroya and Lexus
 engineers were inspirations and key to the project.
The rear wing, measuring
almost six feet

in length
 not only droops downwards to the rear fenders, but also begins “catching air” sooner with the swoop-forward design.
Viewed from the side, the leading edge of the rear wing is actually next to the front-edge of the tail lamps. The downturned winglets help smooth out the turbulence generated from airflow along the side of the car. As such, Lexus says these
winglets contribute to quicker yaw response and better stability
.
Lexus is planning to sell
just 100 units of the LC 500 Inspiration

Series
. All examples will be painted with
Dark Obsidian black
. The roof is meanwhile left in its unpainted CFRP-origin to match the beautifully crafted rear wing.
Black forged rims 21 inches
 in diameter will fill the wheel arches.
Inside,
black Alcantara
 covers the key touchpoints- the steering wheel, shift lever, centre console area and the two doors. Saddle tan meanwhile is used to create a contrasting, elegant ambience and can be found on the seatbelts, sitting surfaces and strategic highlights around the cabin.
The LC 500 Inspiration Series maintains the muscular powertrain of a
5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine
with outputs of
471 hp
 and
540 Nm of torque
. 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is dispatched in 4.4 seconds. Lexus has increased the traction and handling performance of this limited-edition LC 500 with the fitment a
Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD)
 in the rear axle.
The tuning of the suspension has been left untouched but the
performance rod with damper
that curbs micro-vibrations on the chassis is fitted as standard.
Lexus USA says deliveries to the 100 buyers will only commence this winter. No price has been indicated but expect to
surpass US$100,000
 given its exclusivity.

The LC 500 Inspiration Series was introduced earlier in Japan (under its localized name of LC 500 Aviation) and all 70 units were snapped up within two weeks.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, Lexus recently
launched the gorgeous soft top LC 500 Convertible
. More information can be
found here
.
GALLERY


Is the BMW Vision Next 100 Concept the “Ultimate Self-Driving Machine”? [+ Video]

What better way to celebrate the present than to showcase your vision for the future? This year, BMW turns 100 and wasted no time with the unveiling of the Vision Next 100 concept car. Just like any concept cars, the Vision Next 100 features outrageous design, interiors from a sci-fi movie and a BMW first – autonomous driving.
The Vision Next 100 is a wonder of the imagination; large wheels, wing doors, copper scheme and quad thin front lights to complement the signature kidney grille. The concept also features the “
Alive Geometry
” philosophy, a concept where 800 or so moving luminous triangles flex the bodywork while the car is in motion. The triangles also appear in the dashboard, sending driver’s aids such as warnings or advising the ideal driving line.
The car also features two driving modes:
Boost
and
 Ease
, both of which are assisted by an onboard intelligent assistant known as the Companion. The Boost mode lets the driver control the car just like any other normal car of today. But in Ease mode, full autonomy kicks in, and the interior morphs into a lounge where the driver can just sit back and enjoy the rest of the journey.
Through this concept, BMW displays new construction and design techniques, as well as an emphasis on enhanced human-machine interaction methods that is set to appear in future Bimmer. BMW is not shying away from autonomous driving technology – a technology many other corporations (car and non-car) are striving to perfect.
The Vision Next 100 is truly a thing of the future, so distant that it makes the mouth-watering BMW i8 look relatively old. If autonomous driving is the future, then what will become of the “Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline? Ultimate Self-Driving Machine?
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2022 Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI launched in Malaysia – RM211k

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia has launched the all-new Mk8 Golf GTI, priced from RM211,689. The
Golf 1.4TSI R-Line
 is open for booking, priced between RM155k to RM165k.
The all-new Golf GTI is assembled locally in Pekan, Pahang, marking the first time the GTI is assembled outside of Germany and China.

PERFORMANCE
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Max Power: 245 hp
Max Torque: 370 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 6.4 seconds
On the outside, the Golf GTI comes with full LED lighting front and back and differs (visually) from R Line with a red strip on the front grille, larger 18-inch wheels, and dual single-exit exhaust tips.
EXTERIOR
18-inch “Richmond” wheels
Full LED lighting front and back
Dual single-exit exhaust tips
Honeycombe front bumper
Red ‘GTI’ light strip on front grille
As you can tell from the pictures, most of the buttons in the cabin have been eliminated and are now replaced with icons with haptic-touch feedback. Only buttons like the hazard light, and those around the gear lever are physical buttons. Even the buttons on the car’s remote key have been replaced.
The Mk8 Golf GTI is available in five different colours – Kings Red, Atlantic Blue, Moonstone Grey, Deep Black, and Oryx White.
INTERIOR
10.2-inch Digital Cockpit
10-inch infotainment display with seven speaker
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
30-colour ambient lighting
3-zone air conditioning system
Unlike the Golf R Line’s fabric upholstery, the Golf GTI comes with 3-tone leather seats. Boot space of the Golf GTI is rated at 374-litres.
For safety, the Golf GTI comes with six airbags but interestingly, isn’t equipped with any driver aids, not even autonomous emergency braking.
GALLERY


Proton sales jumped 35.5% in May 2023 as automotive industry rebounds

Proton
 has just published its sales report for May 2023, which saw a total of
 13,268 units sold
, inclusive of domestic and export sales. The figure translates to a growth of 40.9% over
April 2023
, or a year-on-year improvement of 35.5% over the same period last year.
The positive May figures also marks a turnaround for the second quarter of 2023, after a slow start in April due to the festive period downtimes, plus the ending of
 deliveries of tax-free cars in March
. The uptick is also mirrored throughout the entire automotive sector in the country, where total industry volume (TIV) rose by 32.2% last month.
With the May figures included, Proton’s year-to-date sales figure stands at 62,970 units, representing a year-on-year increase of 38.9%. The figure is also the highest overall in the Malaysian automotives sales table, translating to a market share of 20.9% for the year (21.5% for May).
ALSO READ:
Proton Exora to cease production by end of 2023 – New MPV coming soon?
Leading the sales for the national carmaker was once again the
Proton Saga
, with 5,819 units sold in May. While the figure only places it in second place for A-segment sedans in the country this month, the Proton Saga ended the month with 27,214 units sold thus far this year, representing an impressive 51% increase over the same period last year.
On the SUV side of things, the
Proton X50
 continues to dominate the charts with 2,801 units sold last month, making it the best-selling B-segment SUV, and the best-selling SUV overall in the country.
Launched earlier last month
, the
Proton X90
 also saw a total of 257 units sold in just three weeks, placing it second in the D-segment SUV market according to the national carmaker.
Proton’s positive momentum in May is further helped by its export volume, which also saw its best month thus far in 2023, with 217 units sold across all markets. The national carmaker also made its official entry into Mozambique last month, its 12th export market. Sales in Mozambique will kick off with the
 Proton X70
 and X50 SUVs.
“May was memorable for Proton not just in terms of sales achievement but also because we launched the Proton X90 and celebrated our 40th anniversary in the same month. We are humbled by the numbers posted and a 40% increase in sales is a just reward for our efforts, but there are still seven months left in 2023 and the company is hungry for more,” said Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah.
“The company will also have more new product launches and introduce updates to our existing range while making our debut in the EV market via our subsidiary, Pro-Net so there are a lot of activities on the horizon for the rest of 2023,” he added.
READ MORE:
Proton commits to launching at least one New Energy Vehicle (NEV) per year


Hyundai offering up to 25% off on selected parts at service centres

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has announced a mid-year service campaign for all customers. On this note, those holding a Hyundai Loyalty Card will receive additional discounts.
Starting from the
1st of June until the 31st of

July 2021
, customers at any Hyundai authorised service centre can now enjoy 15% off on selected parts and 10% off on labour charges.
Hyundai Loyalty Card holders however get additional privileges such as 25% off on selected parts and 15% off on labour charges. These parts include gaskets, oil filters, spark plugs and more.
Hyundai is stopping new engine development, to kill 50% of ICE line-up, report claims.
The Hyundai Loyalty Card is automatically given to new owners of Hyundai vehicles. Membership privileges include monthly promotions, such as 20% off on KLIMA Fresh and BlueChem products for April to May.
Check out the latest Hyundai Elantra Executive – entry level Elantra at RM19k less!
There are also birthday discounts on aftersales services, discounts on Hyundai merchandise and higher trade-in value when they purchase another new Hyundai vehicle.
Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors introduces new step-up financing plan – up to nine-year tenure! Check it out here!
Existing Hyundai customers can register for the complimentary Hyundai Loyalty Card at any authorised Hyundai service centre nationwide and check for promotional updates via
Hyundai’s official website
.


DS Automobiles launches three new models, from funky hatchbacks to Formula E racer

This year’s Frankfurt International motor show has seen its share of world’s firsts. From
topless Ferraris
 and Lamborghinis to the fuel sipping Prius; and now this, the Parisian-born French car maker
DS Automobiles
. The brand is a breakaway company of Citroen as the more eagle-eyed readers would’ve spotted the DS badge on the outgoing DS5 currently on sale here.
The company displayed three models on the stands at Frankfurt’s International Motor Show and one of them is a Formula E car that’s built to race under the Virgin Racing colours. The ‘E’ denotes the racer’s green edge and instead of a screaming small-block V6 motor, there are a couple of electric drivers and a power pack so dense and powerful that it could
charge an iPhone every day for 13 years
. Not bad for a fully-electric single-seat racer.

First up is the
DS4
 and the
DS4 Crossback
 which in essence is a
rebadged
 offering from Citroen albeit with a slightly redesigned front end that we
reviewed
 not too long ago. The brand’s designers took a leaf out of the Numero 9 concept car and applied it to the front end which now bears the company’s signature grille design dubbed ‘
DS Wings
‘ which is coupled to the new
 DS LED Vision
 headlamps to square off the look.
It comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a premium compact runabout including a low-emissions
210 hp
 mill to propel you along. Apart from that the DS4 and Crossback’s stereo comes equipped with
CarPlay
 by Apple Inc. that’s compatible with newer iPhones. Refined interior design starts with the
Nappa leather upholstery
 and the option of ‘watch strap’ semi
aniline
 leather seats, which is exclusive to the DS brand.
On the other hand, the DS 4 Crossback is aimed at customers looking for an ‘urban and extra-urban adventure’. This new ‘crossover’ pens
bold
 styling features including
black
 wheel arch
trims
, a differentiated front end and rear
spoiler
 finished in black with grey roof bars. Its status is further underlined by its black door mirrors, door sills and carpet mats and a ride height that is
30mm

higher
 than the hatchback version.
Last but not least is the one they call
DSV-01
 – no its not the model of their office printer but rather the brand’s own single-seat,
electric powered
 Formula racer. It will be competing in the
 Formula E World Chmapionship
 under the
Virgin Racing
 team colours.
 Yves Matton
 helms its motorsport division called
DS Performance
, who helped develop the
electric motor
 and
gearbox
 for the DSV-01. They also designed its
 cooling system
 and
rear suspension
. The
engine management system
 though was designed in partnership with
Magneti Marelli
, a famed Italian company that’s by no means a stranger to the automotive scene.
IMAGE GALLERY


Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep, when driving!

GEM Motoring Assist, a road safety and breakdown recovery organisation in the UK is encouraging drivers to get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel. A message we have all tried to preach all the time, yet fallen on deaf ears especially with long-haul drivers!
Research in the United States alone showed that between
15 – 35% of fatal crashes
 involved tired drivers and worryingly enough, 4% of Americans have fallen asleep behind the wheel in data collected in previous months. New figures acquired from Ireland also suggest that fatigue makes up
20% of driver deaths
.
GEM, road safety officer, Neil Worth says: “Being a safer driver means being physically and mentally prepared to drive. If we all got the amount of sleep we need, there would be fewer crashes, fewer near-crashes and fewer road rage incidents. Well-rested drivers are much more likely to remain alert and in better moods; they see hazards developing earlier and they can react quicker to it.
He also added, “On the other hand, fatigue among drivers is one of our greatest public health threats. Work pressures can keep many people awake at night, yet the same pressures require them to be up and out early in the morning, in control of a heavy machine that’s travelling at high speed and capable of doing enormous damage.
“Depriving someone of sleep makes them
moody and irrational
. That’s why many road rage incidents in the morning rush hour are likely to relate to people who simply didn’t get a good night’s sleep.”
Here are some pointers from GEM to be a disciplined and prudent driver on the road and
less of a douchebag
:
Give yourself a good night’s sleep – preferably every night and certainly before you need to make a road journey
Shortage of sleep of just a couple of hours makes you easily irritated and increases the likelihood of taking irrational risks
Taking a short nap where possible
Don’t begin a long journey if you’re already tired.
Stop as soon as it’s safe if you’re tired or sleepy. Resting and drinking some coffee offers a possible short-term fix.
The only proper cure for sleepiness is good sleep.
Video Credit:
www.motoringassist.com/fatigue
Image Credit:
 CabSnoozer


Five sub-RM30k manual hatchbacks that are cheap-ish but very cheerful

…..and the best part is, you can still attain loans for these and monthly repayments wouldn’t exactly render you homeless.
The other day I was thinking; aside from tying the knot with a bank for a Perodua Axia one of the cheapest brand new cars you can buy in Malaysia (without insurance), what are the other cheap and cheerful options for a 20-odd year old to consider, should he (or even she) actually enjoy driving and not see it as merely an act of getting from A to B.
Turns out, rather plentiful and here’s five of my picks you might have overlooked.
Ford Fiesta 1.4 LX
Introduced in small numbers in 2012, the Fiesta 1.4 could be the most overlooked manual hatchback in the market.
Despite being the base model Fiesta, it isn’t exactly bare either with ABS, EBD, 7 airbags and even ISOFIX available. And if we knew Ford any better, you can rest assured about the Fiesta’s ergonomic cockpit and exciting driving dynamics.
As it does not share too many parts with the more common 1.6 models, availability of replacement parts could be a problem.
Price: RM20,000 – RM26,000
Kia Picanto 1.2
As a (more expensive) alternative to the
Perodua Myvi
 and
Proton Iriz
, the perky 87 hp Picanto’s refinement is unlike any other in its segment. With better build quality than its cheaper rivals and nimbleness in the way it drives, the Picanto is a steal if not a bargain.
Before you take that plunge, do look into the cost of replacing the wear and tear bits. Word is that it can be quite pricey. Then again, good things are never cheap.
Price: RM28,000 and above
Proton Iriz 1.3
Like the Kia Picanto, the chassis in the
1.3-litre Iriz
 almost beggars belief of how rigid and compentent it can be. At this price point, nothing comes remotely close to the Iriz in terms of agility.
Even the way the gears feel when you engage them stimulates excitement; can’t
imagine what the new one would feel like
!
Price: RM20,000 – RM35,000
Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6
By far my most favourite option, the Swift Sport is possibly the cheapest path to a proper hot hatch experience.
With looks to charm, 125 hp and a redline of well over 7,000 rpm, the Swift Sport is quite the force to reckon with in the right hands, when the roads get narrow and twisty.
Price: RM30,000 – RM35,000
Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI
Ok, I lied. This last one isn’t a manual but for its asking price, the Polo TSI offers by far the most value for your money in terms of performance, practicality and most importantly, fun.
That said, as the 1.2 TSI was plagued with reliability issues in its earlier days, especially with its gearbox, it could be a real test of your patience and spending power – things you’ll really need to have as an owner.
Alternatively, there’s the
 1.6-litre model
that’s even cheaper – with prices starting from just over RM20,000.
Price: RM20,000 – RM35,000 (depending on 1.2 or 1.6)
*Prices stated were aggregated from search results on Mudah.my. This article is not the definitive buying guide but are merely suggestions for the eager, bold and those with considerable cash reserves.


This Shelby GT500 is the most powerful street legal Ford Mustang ever

Nearly 50 years after Carroll Shelby introduced the first-generation Shelby GT500 that went on to take a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finish at the 1967 Le Mans, Ford has now honoured the legendary figure with the most powerful and advanced Mustang ever.
Its hand-built 5.2-litre supercharged V8 delivers over 700 hp; extracted from high-flow aluminum cylinder heads, larger forged connecting rods, improved lubrication and cooling passages.
Power is delivered through a TREMEC 7-speed dual-clutch transmission which can shift smoothly in less than 100 milliseconds, before being transferred to a carbon fibre driveshaft which reduces unsprung weight.
To harness the power more efficiently, Ford has entrusted a set of custom Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres to do the job. Stopping power is taken care of by Brembo 6-pot calipers with two-piece rotors in between – the largest front brake discs ever applied on an American sports coupe.
Shelby GT500 also comes with revised suspension geometry with the active MagnaRide suspension, a new electronic power steering unit and lighter coil springs in the front and rear.
A “Handling Package” includes adjustable strut top mounts and spoiler with Gurney flap. For the hardcore, there’s a Carbon Fiber Track Package that features exposed 20-inch carbon fiber wheels wrapped with custom Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, an adjustable exposed carbon fiber GT4 track wing and splitter wickers with integrated dive plane. The rear seat is also removed to reduce weight.
“With a double front grille opening and 50 percent more cooling pack airflow versus the Shelby GT350, along with the most advanced aero components and downforce we’ve ever offered, every millimeter of Shelby GT500’s fastback design is aimed at improving performance,” said Melvin Betancourt, Ford design manager.
Inside, the GT500 features an exposed carbon fiber instrument panel, housing a 12-inch full-color LCD instrument cluster, Recaro bucket seats and a custom-tuned 12-speaker B&O Play sound system, controlled via an 8-inch SYNC 3 touch screen.
IMAGE  GALLERY


Bentley mixes opulence with sportiness on the new Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline

Following the launch of the
Continental GT Mulliner Blackline last year
, Bentley has now also brought the dark side over to the Flying Spur Mulliner. With the new addition, all Mulliner models are now offered with the blacked-out trim package – which is surprisingly popular among its buyers, with an uptake of nearly 20%.
Just like the GT, the new Blackline Specification for the Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner swaps out just about every exterior chrome trim for something with a gloss black finish, including the window trim, mirror caps, lower grille, and headlight trims.
Although, in contrast to the
Rolls-Royce Black Badge
, the trims here don’t completely black out everything – the black fender vents, grille, and even the special 22-inch wheels all still have sparkly chrome accents, while the iconic hood ornament also gets sparkly crystal wing fillers as accents.
RELATED:
The new Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner is for when “luxury” just isn’t enough
While the exterior gets a spattering of black paint, the inside still remains completely unchanged from the existing model, which for a Bentley (and a Mulliner at that), means a heavy dose of its “diamond-in-diamond” quilted leather upholstery, alongside brushed aluminium and chrome trims as accent.
Bentley’s coachbuilder arm will essentially let you customise the car to your heart’s content, but to make it a little bit easier, they’ve also specially prepared eight individually curated three-colour palettes for the interior, including a “bolder” option called Flare, which combines Beluga leather on the dashboard, door trims, and headliner, with a rich red Hotspur leather for the seats, then further contrasted with linin micro-piping embroidery.
ALSO READ:
“Driver-focused” Bentley Flying Spur S looks sinister, but gets no extra power
Similarly, the mechanicals underneath the bonnet is also unchanged. The Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline is also offered with the same
3.0-litre V6 hybrid
,
4.0-litre V8
, or 6.0-litre W12 powertrains
, with the latter making a whopping
626 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of twist.
Aside from the Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline Specification, Bentley will also be introducing an
all-new halo model
 called the Batur at the Monterey Car Week this weekend. The Batur will still not be electric, but it will supposedly show off the marque’s new design language for its future EVs.
GALLERY


Mitsubishi Triton gets a new look in Malaysia, VGT GS priced at RM108k [+Video]

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) launched the facelifted Mitsubishi Triton today at One Utama shopping mall that features cosmetic upgrades mainly to the front of the pick-up. All variants get the new look – Triton 2.5 MT STD, Triton 2.5 AT, Triton 2.5 MT and the top range Triton VGT GS – except for Triton Lite. Prices are between RM82,185.70 to RM107,809.60.
Quick Prices

Triton 2.5 MT STD :

RM82,185.70

Triton 2.5 MT :

RM90,377.80

Triton 2.5 AT :

RM95,247.80

Triton VGT GS :
RM107,809.60
Check out our video coverage on the launch event highlights.
The most powerful pick-up in its class, the Triton VGT GS gets the most goodies as compared the the rest of the models. It now comes with power sunroof, power sliding rear vent window, security window tint, automatic climate control, leather seats, and a 6.1-inch touch screen audio panel with reverse camera. Standard upgrades across all variants are mainly the Pajero Sport front grille, new front bumper and projector headlights.
The engines in the VGT GS remains as the 2.5-litre engine with Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT), that produces 178 PS and 350 Nm of torque. Whereas the rest of the models is still powered by the same 2.5-litre engine, with 136 PS and 314 Nm of torque.
The Triton VGT GS is fitted with Hybrid Limited Slip Differential (LSD) that works along side with the ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) to provide better off-road experience. All Triton comes with Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body. Its strong frame construction and aerodynamic body design offers solid handling, good stability and traction.
Among all the Triton models, the VGT GS is  the most ‘luxurious’ in terms of its interior. The leather seats are very welcoming for a pick-up truck. Plus the center console design with the handsome dials for the climate control and the 6.1-inch touch screen panel, you wouldn’t think you are in a truck. In addition to that, the VGT GS is fully imported.
Since its introduction eight years ago, MMM has sold 46,000 units of Mitsubishi Triton in Malaysia. In 2013, the Triton sales figure was at 7,000 units out of the total sales of 13,000 units.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe F36 launched in Malaysia, price from RM390k

A third derivative of the 4 Series range has been launched by
BMW Group Malaysia
, the
4 Series Gran Coupe
. Unlike the ‘normal’ 2-door 4 Series Coupe, the 4 Series Gran Coupe follows its larger 6 Series Gran Coupe format, which is a
4-door coupe
 bodystyle. Currently there’s only the
428i
 offered here in Malaysia, which retails at RM389,800.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
Segment
C-segment 4 Door Coupe
Engine
1,997cc In-line 4, BMW TwinPower Turbo
Max Power
245hp @ 5,000-6,500 rpm
Max Torque
350Nm @ 1,250–4,800 rpm
Price
RM 389,800 (Sport Line) RM 418,800 (M Sport)

With the introduction of the new 4 Series range with the F32 Coupe and the F33 Convertible, the F36 Gran Coupe is busting another niche segment. The 4 Series Gran Coupe is the answer to those who wants exclusivity of a coupe, but with the practicality of a sedan.
Confusingly enough even though the F36 4 Series Gran Coupe is one up from the F34 3 Series Gran Turismo, it is actually smaller than the 3 Series Gran Turismo.
EXTERIOR
From the front it looks exactly like the 4 Series Coupe, until you move alongside the car you will see there’s something not quite right with this 4 Series because of the additional two doors at the back. From the side it looks longer than the 4 Series Coupe but amazingly the 4 Series Gran Coupe shares the same body measurements with the 4 Series Coupe, except that it’s just 12mm taller.

Measuring at
4,638mm
 long,
1,825mm
 wide, and
1,389mm
 high, the 4 Series Gran Coupe shares the same wheelbase at
2,810mm
 long. In keeping with the Coupe theme, the 4 Series Gran Coupe retains the frameless windows on all four doors.
The 428i Gran Coupe comes in the
Sport Line
 guise, but there’s also the
M Sport package
 option. Both run on
18-inch
 alloys but the design are different and M Sport’s rear wheels are an inch wider. M Sport also comes with sportier front and rear bumpers, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, and chromed tailpipes instead of black on the Sport Line.
INTERIOR
The interior feels luxurious yet sporty with aluminium trim and Dakota leather upholstery. You can choose from Black with Red highlights, Oyster with Black highlights, and Coral Red with Black highlights in the Sport Line, and Black with Black highlights, Ivory White with Black highlights, and Coral Red with Black highlights in the M Sport.

The sports steering wheel comes with shift paddles (M Sport gets a different design and chunkier wheel), while almost everything else is controlled by the
iDrive
 control system with
Touch Controller
. The 8.8 inch main screen also displays the map courtesy of Navigation system Professional.
Drivers will be glad that they will be able to choose from Comfort, ECO PRO, Sport, or Sport+ from the
Driving Experience Control
. Other creature comforts include full powered front seats, auto lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, and two-zone climate control with air vents for rear passengers.
The back is not as cramped as one would assume, especially with the roofline that has been extended by 112mm giving the rear occupants adequate head room. BMW refers to the rear seat layout as a 2+1, rightfully so as it’s more cocooning to be in the back of the 4 Series Gran Coupe than the F30 3 Series Sedan. A
205W
 sound system with
nine speakers
 offered as standard, but M sport gets a
600W Harman Kardon
 surround sound system with
16 speakers
.
There’s a sensor below the rear bumper to detect foot movement to open up or close the boot. The bootspace is generous at
480 litres
 and can be increased up to 1,300 litres when the
60/40-split rear seats
 are folded down. ISOFIX mounts can be found at the rear seats as well. Additionally, there’s also a
sunroof
option on the M Sport.
A number of airbags reside in the cabin of the 4 Series Gran Coupe. This include
front airbags
 for the driver and front passenger,
side airbags
 in the front seats, and
curtain airbags
.
Dynamic Stability Control
 (DSC) is standard, along with
ABS
,
Cornering Brake Control
 (CBC), and
Dynamic Traction Control
 (DTC).
PERFORMANCE
The widely-used
2.0 litre four cylinder
 BMW TwinPower Turbo engine powers the 428i Gran Coupe. The turbocharged powerplant generates
245hp
 and
350Nm
 of torque with the claimed fuel consumption of
6.4 litre per 100km
.
Paired with an
8-speed Steptronic
 transmission, the 428i Gran Coupe accelerates from
0 to 100km/h
 in
6.1 seconds
 and all the way to
250km/h top speed
. An
anticipatory gearshift strategy
 is also featured, where the gearshifts are pre-planned to match the road layout ahead based on the data from the navigation system.
WHAT ELSE?
Buyers can choose from five exterior colours namely Alpine White, Melbourne Red, Glacier Silver, Mineral Grey, and Jatoba Metallic. Another two colours Carbon Black and Estoril Blue are only offered exclusively on the M Sport. The
428i Gran Coupe Sport Line
 is priced at
 RM389,800
 (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI) ) while additional
RM29,000
 buys you the
M Sport package
.
Also introduced at Ciao Restorante are BMW Motorrad’s first Thai assembled bikes, the new
BMW F 800 R (RM63,800)
 and
BMW F 800 GS (from RM73,900)
. The new BMW F 800 R and the new BMW F 800 GS come with
a special service program
which includes free lubricant service of up to
 2 years or 40,000km, whichever comes first
. All BMW Motorrad bikes also offer a two year international warranty with unlimited mileage.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Kia Stonic unveiled, wants a piece of the Honda HR-V’s success

The latest to join the lucrative but increasingly competitive compact crossover segment is Kia. The all-new
Kia Stonic
 aims to capture the market with its youthful outlook and an attractive warranty package (in the UK, for now).
At first glance, the Kia Stonic looks like the current
Kia Rio hatchback
 with higher ground clearance. The signature “Tiger-nose” grille aside, the Stonic prides itself with its
‘targa’-style roof
 and two-tone paint finish. Customisation is plenty here; the roof can be had with five distinctive colours while there’s up to 20 two-tone colour combinations available.

Inside, the dashboard looks similar to the one in the Rio, with the Stonic featuring contrasting lines in the trimmings. Boot space is rated at 352 litres and will include a two-step boot floor. Kia claims that the Stonic will offer “class-leading shoulder room and generous leg- and head-room.”
Four choices of engines are offered, starting with the
1.0-litre turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDI)
 engine shared with the new Rio that outputs
 118 hp
 and
172 Nm
 of torque. The naturally aspirated units are the 1.25-litre (83 hp/122 Nm) and 1.4-litre (98hp/132 Nm) four-cylinder MPI petrol mill as well as a 1.6-litre diesel engine. All models are front-wheel drive and currently offered with a manual transmission.
Safety is a strong point in the Stonic thanks to Kia’s
 DRiVE WISE Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
 (ADAS). The suite includes autonomous braking, blind spot detection,  forward collision alert and lane departure warning.
Sales will begin by October and will be backed by a class-leading seven-year manufacturer warranty, although pricing is yet to be revealed. Given the popularity of compact crossovers and SUVs in Malaysia, expect Naza Kia Malaysia to introduce the Stonic by 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY


Get a FREE engine rejuvenation for your car at Shell’s Love My Ride Festival!

First, Shell Malaysia gave 10,000 of their lucky customers over RM2 million worth of
free fuel
. This time around, they are going one-up by offering a full tank of V-Power on top of their fully synthetic Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology (worth RM600) to 500 lucky participants – for free!
Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd is organising a two-day festival known as the
 Love My Ride Festival
 and will be held at MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur. The event is set to take place on 13 and 14 June, and participants will be part of a
historic attempt
 by Shell Malaysia to etch this feat into the
Malaysian Book of Records
 for the most number of cars in a lubricant changing event.
At the event, your car’s current
engine oil
 will be
completely drained
 and then refilled with Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology, a
fully synthetic engine oil
 with an ultra-clean oil base
produced from natural gas
. Now imagine combining that with the brand’s
V-Power
.
There’s absolutely no catch to qualify for the
free
 engine oil change and fuel. If you truly love your ride and want to be part of this event, simply logon to
www.lovemyride.com.my
 and submit your details. Registration closes on 1st of June, (Monday).
Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology is tried and trusted by some of the world’s leading engine makers and has such received
OEM approvals
 from Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes, VW, Ford, Honda, GM, Chrysler, Hyundai and the new partnership with BMW.


Malaysia-bound Ora Lightning Cat at Auto Shanghai 2023, up to 705km range

While you may have already seen the
Ora Good Cat
 in Malaysia, there is another electric cat that will soon reach our shores. It is the Ora Lightning Cat, a Panamera-like electric saloon from the Chinese carmaker. According to our sources close to the matter, the Ora Lightning Cat’s indicative price is below RM200,000. Lucky for us, we had a chance to have closer look at it at
Auto Shanghai 2023
.
It is hard to ignore the Panamera resemblance of the Ora Lightning Cat. Like the Ora Good Cat, it employs a retro-futuristic styling with its circular headlights and overall roundish features. The brand refers to the Lightning Cat as a “Super streamline pure electric coupe”.
As for dimensions, the Lightning Cat measures 4,871 mm long, 1,862 mm wide, and 1,500 mm tall. Its wheelbase is 2,870 mm long. For reference, it is about the size of a
Honda Accord
. There are four colour options for the Lightning Cat, namely ‘Tourmaline Grey’, ‘Smoked Amethyst’, ‘White Jade’, and ‘Ice Powder Diamond’.
Powertrain-wise, there are two options for the Lightning Cat for its several variants. There is a single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) powertrain option and a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) option as well. The single-motor FWD version makes 150 kW (
204 hp
metric) and
340 Nm
. The dual-motor AWD version makes a total output of 300 kW (
408 hp
 metric) and
680 Nm
. Both motors in the dual-motor version are identical.
RELATED:
Tengku Zafrul receives Ora Good Cat for long term test drive – MITI to study EV usage pattern
Storing power in the Lightning Cat is either a Lithium iron phosphate battery or a ternary lithium battery. Battery capacity is reportedly 84 kWh and this provides a range of up to
705 km
 (CLTC) for the “Long Battery Life” variant. Other variants of the Lightning Cat have arrange of
555 km
(Deluxe and Premium) or
600 km
 (AWD High Performance). As for charging, only the DC charging time is detailed, which is under 30 minutes to reach 80% from 30%.
RELATED:
GWM Malaysia begins deliveries of Ora Good Cat in style
Inside, the Ora Lighting Cat features a floating 12.3-inch screen infotainment system and a ‘triple-gauge’ 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster. The inclined centre console of the Lightning Cat somewhat emulates that of a supercar. The interior can be had in either brown, black, or a blue/gray combination.
As for safety, the Ora Lightning Cat is equipped with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian/bicycle safety assist, intersection assist, smart dodge, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also gets the Ora-Pilot 3.0 Intelligent Assisted Driving system. The Ora Lightning Cat will soon enter the Malaysian market.
RELATED:
GWM Malaysia collects over 100 bookings for Ora Good Cat EV in just three days
GALLERY


All-new Volkswagen Polo scores full 5-Star EURO NCAP rating! [+Video]

Volkswagen’s most compact hatchback, the
sixth-generation Polo
 has just been awarded maximum 5-Star safety rating at the Euro NCAP Crash Test. Thanks to a suite of advanced driver assistance systems – standard on all variants, new platform architecture and overall body rigidity, the Polo sets a new benchmark for safety in its segment.
In the “Adult Occupants” segment, the Polo scored an impressive
96
per cent (of a maximum 100 per cent). The examiners were particularly impressed by its side impact rating noting that “the protection of all critical body areas is good, and the Polo attained maximum points”. This is an impressive feat because despite its compact design, the Polo manages to
retain its overall structure remarkably well
. Jump to the
 1:20
 mark and see for yourself.
Another notable mention is the “Child Occupant” segment where the Polo scored 85 per cent – the highest score ever awarded for a supermini. Elsewhere, it scored 76 per cent for Pedestrian Protection and 59 per cent for Safety Assist.
As standard, the Polo is equipped with six airbags, ESC, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Front Assist area monitoring system with City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring. Yes, even on the cheapest model.
We should be expecting the all-new Volkswagen Polo to arrive our shores in due course to replace the outgoing model. Heres hoping that when the car lands in Malaysia, it gets the same equipment as its European counterpart.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will launch an all-electric truck. Yes, an e-truck.

At the handover ceremony of the 300th FUSO truck from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles (MBM CV) to Biforst Logistics, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise Biforst Logistics’ commitment to purchase the first electric-powered truck, the FUSO eCanter when it is available in Malaysia.
This move to introduce the country’s first electric truck is a significant step for MBM CV’s commitment to support the nation’s efforts of becoming an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) hub and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Through the MoU signing, Biforst Logistics will be the first adopter of the eCanter truck in Malaysia.
First premiered at the 2016 IAA Commercial Vehicles Show, the eCanter truck is powered by a 248 hp and 380 Nm electric motor that drives the rear axle via a single-speed transmission. Customers can select the battery pack combination of between three to six sets of 14 kWh individual batteries. As a benchmark, a 70 kWh battery pack is able to deliver a driving range of more than 100 km. Charging from empty to 80 percent battery capacity only takes one hour with a quick charging station.
With its zero-emission drive, the eCanter poses a great alternative to diesel powered trucks and through Daimler’s year-long fleet test, the eCanter have sown around €1,000 (RM4.7k) of savings per 10,000 km compared to the diesel version.
Kudos to MBM CV for their move to introduce an eco-friendly alternative in the transportation sector and Biforst Logistics for adopting the first electric-powered truck in Malaysia. With the increased uptake of Euro 5 diesel and now the introduction of all-electric trucks, seems like our beloved country is on the right track to reduce carbon footprint.


MINI Countryman Hybrid the star for 2021 CNY promotion

MINI Malaysia has kick-started its build-up to the CNY festive period through exclusive deals on the MINI Countryman SE Hybrid.
Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The new year brings a host of new opportunities, and we are pleased to place the MINI Countryman SE at the forefront of our latest programme. As we move into 2021, the new MINI Countryman SE programme underlines our continued commitment towards accelerating the adoption of electromobility in Malaysia – especially while the SST exemption is still in place.”
The CNY promotion entitles all new customers of the MINI Countryman SE to interest rates from as low as 0% (based on Straight Line Financing), monthly instalment plans from RM2,678 and an extended 8-year/160,000-kilometre (whichever comes first) warranty coverage on the hybrid battery.
Buyers who
customized their aftersales package
 to include the 4-Year MINI Service and Repair Inclusive (MSRI) Programme are also entitled to an extra complimentary year of the programme, making it 4+1 years of free services in total in total.
The CNY promotion is currently available from now until
31st March 2021
. With the movement control order now in place, communication with a preferred MINI dealer via electronic means can be done

here
.
A quick recap on the MINI Countryman SE. The plug-in hybrid Countryman’s front wheels are driven by the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission while the rear axle is powered by an electric motor. It produces a total output of 224 hp

and 385 Nm of torque, the highest in the MINI model range.
This unique electric all-wheel drive set up propels the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds. A fully-charged battery meanwhile is able to offer an all-electric range of up to 42 kilometres.
The MINI Countryman SE is priced from
RM247,948.73
 on-the-road before insurance and other options.


Video: Isuzu D-MAX X Series, Things You Need To Know

Isuzu Malaysia has just added two new variants of the Isuzu D-Max to their local line up, the X-Series. Unveiled at the Drive Autofair 2018, let Eu Jin take you on a closer look at the limited edition Isuzu D-Max X-Series:
Additions to the X-Serie pick up trucks are mostly cosmetics with convenient features such as 360-degree Around View Monitor and a built-in Smart Tag reader. It retains the same engine options available on the D-Max – a 2.5-litre turbodiesel with
136 hp
/
320 Nm
 and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel with
177 hp
/
380 Nm
. Both mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
The new D-Max variants with its added
macho-ness
and attractive price tag of RM118k and RM124k, it certainly adds some much-needed flair to the aging pick up truck. If the X-Series speaks to you, be sure to snap one up before Isuzu Malaysia is done with the limited production.


BMW Group Malaysia honours partners at Dealer Awards Night 2022

BMW Group Malaysia
 recently held its annual Dealer Awards Night 2022 at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, which saw over 200 representatives and individuals from across the nation’s BMW network to celebrate their outstanding achievements.
A total of 23 authorised BMW, MINI, BMW Motorrad, and BMW Premium Selection dealerships from across the country were acknowledged for their exceptional service standards in various categories.
Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said in his speech, “In the last year, each and every one of our associates have dedicated precious time and effort, coupled with their outstanding skills and years of experience to deliver excellence to all our customers in Malaysia.
“It is an honour for us at BMW Group Malaysia to have such a dedicated network of dealers who not only demonstrate what it means to be Number One in the Premium Automotive Segment, but have also consistently raised the bar in customer service within the local automotive industry, making the hallmark BMW Premium Ownership Experience the standard for aftersales service in the country.”
Aside from performance awards, the company also presented several BMW High Voltage Expert Certifications to individuals who have undergone stringent training in specialising on electric vehicle batteries and BMW i vehicles.
RELATED: BMW Malaysia grooming ‘High Voltage Experts’ in preparation for EV future
The award winners of the night include:
BMW Dealer Award 2022
Open category
Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur – Wai Kit Peng
Auto Bavaria Ara Damansara – Supiyati binti Ahmad
Millenium Welt Kuantan – Tuan Mohd Shafik bin Tuan Shamsuri
Technical category
Tian Siang Premium Auto Butterworth – Thamotharan a/l Pannirselvan
Regas Premium Auto – Rodi Ajang Anthony
Quill Automobiles – Ahmad Idris bin Md Derus
Customer Service Officer category
Regas Premium Sabah – Shim Kuan Guan
Lee Motors Auto Care – Noor Haslina binti Jahaya
Millenium Welt Batu Pahat – Tan Qi Herng
Head of Parts category
Lee Motor Auto Care – Pea Fong Fong
Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru – Bijamin Anak Changgan
Head of Aftersales category
Quill Automobiles – Liew Sun Hoong
Auto Bavaria Penang – Mohd Azlan Aladin
Auto Bavaria Ara Damansara – Anthony David
BMW Motorrad Dealer Award 2022
BMW Motorrad Technicians category
Auto Bavaria Ara Damansara – Mohd Hanafi Abdul Ghapar
Chear Motorrad – Muhammad Farkhan
BMW Motorrad Service Advisor category
EL Chong Motor – Mohamad Sopian
Auto Bavaria Penang – Tee Kean Chu
BMW Motorrad Aftersales Manager category
Regas Premium Auto – Nicholas Yo
Millenium Welt Kuantan – Eugene Francis
BMW Motorrad Service Advisor category
Auto Bavaria Penang – Gary Saw Kooi Hong
EL Chong Motor – Wee Wei Ping
BMW Motorrad Sales Manager category
Auto Bavaria Penang – Wong Loke Win
Regas Premium Sabah – Theresa Tan
MINI Issigonis Club Award 2022
MINI Top Sales Advisor award
Auto Bavaria Penang – Cally Chan Li Beng (Cooper)
Millenium Welt Seremban – Eliz Wong Yoon Hiung (Cooper)
Wheelcorp Premium – Farizz Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak (Cooper S)
Wheelcorp Premium – Alan Yu Kok Yeong (Cooper S)
Auto Bavaria Damansara – Belinda Ong Gaik Choo (MINI JCW)
Auto Bavaria Damansara – Lee Sok Yee (MINI JCW)
MINI Top Sales Manager award
Auto Bavaria Penang – Wong Kim Kooi (Cooper)
Wheelcorp Premium – Michael John (Cooper S)
Auto Bavaria Ara Damansara – Victor Tan Wei Teck (MINI JCW)
MINI Top Dealership award
Auto Bavaria Penang – Wong Loke Win (Cooper)
Wheelcorp Premium – Jayden Liew (Cooper S)
Ingress Auto Bangsar – Azwan Yahaya (MINI JCW)
In addition to the dealership awards, a range of other accolades were also given out during the event for individual accomplishments in various categories, ranging from BMW Financial Services to Premium Selection.
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More details of 2017 Ford Fiesta revealed, 4 variants and more turbo mills!

Just a few days after the launch of the 2017
Ford Fiesta
, the Blue Oval finally released the drool-worthy details we’ve been waiting for.
The seventh-generation Fiesta is 71mm longer and 12mm wider than the old model, and it has an
increased wheelbase of 4mm
. The extra wheelbase length doubles as a means to accommodate the bigger wheels and also to increase legroom for rear passengers.

It is now available in four trims, surprisingly beginning with the Titanium (pictured above). Previously offered as the supermini’s most exclusive trim, the new Fiesta’s more upmarket approach means it’s time for the Titanium trim to take the backseat. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does bear a more mature look among the four.

The sportier Fiesta is now offered as the ST-Line, which now sports a mesh grille design, clearly inspired from the Focus RS. The ST-Line is said to receive a sportier chassis setup to better cater driving enthusiasts.

New to the table is the Vignale trim, as seen with the white example above. It’s got a groovy chromed grille, 18-inch 8-spoke alloys, premium interior finishing and quilted leather seats.

Last but not least is the brand new Active trim – a first for the model. As the name suggests, it has increased ride height, roof bars and black plastic claddings around the car. All Fiestas can be had in either three or five-door configurations, except the Active which can only come as the latter.
On the safety front, the new Fiesta now comes with Ford’s
Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection
 to prevent frontal collision. It is also the first supermini in Europe to offer
Cross Traffic Alert
. Also included are Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, Blind Spot Information System and Lane Keeping Aid. As you see here, some of the goodies are inherited from the ongoing
Focus
.
Now, the powertrains. The Blue Oval’s
1.0-litre EcoBoost
 will soldier on, and it’s available in three states of tunes –
98 hp, 120 hp
, and
 138 hp
, and it is also the first three-potter in the world to feature
 cylinder deactivation
. There’s also a 1.1-litre naturally aspirated three-potter making 69 hp or 84 hp to choose from.
Also a first for the Fiesta is the inclusion of a
1.5-litre TDCi
engine, producing either 85 hp or 120 hp. Transmission choice is either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.  All Fiestas here have active aero grille and Auto-Start-Stop to better conserve fuel.
So, what do you think of the new Fiesta? We personally love the way it looks and can’t wait for it to arrive on our shores. When, you ask? Perhaps sometime in 2017, hopefully not in 2018.
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