McLaren MSO X delivered to customers in the US, inspired by 570S GT4 race car

McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the personalisation arm of McLaren Automotive has just delivered 10 bespoke
570S
 to McLaren Newport Beach, the largest McLaren retailer in the U.S. Its unique design was inspired to emulate the
McLaren 570S GT4 race car
 and will be named MSO X (X referring to the 10 cars that were built).
Commissioned by McLaren Newport Beach, MSO X’s external design mirrors the GT4 race car very closely featuring a pylon-mounted fixed rear wing that adds close to 100 kg of downforce, functional carbon fibre roof snorkel, front dive planes, MSO Titanium Super Sports Exhaust and GT4-style bonnet. Additionally, the MSO X cars all have liveries inspired by the legendary F1 GTR endurance race cars of the mid-1990s.

The luxurious interior of the 570S has been completely stripped out for a track-oriented, minimalist set up. Inside you’ll find exposed carbon fibre, carbon shell bucket seats with
six-point racing harnesses
 (in addition to regular three-point belts), fire extinguisher and centre tunnel storage bin delete. Keeping in mind that this is still a road car, creature comfort items were retained such as parking sensors, rearview cameras, vehicle lift, air conditioning and
McLaren Track Telemetry
.
McLaren Automotive Executive Director, Global Sales and Marketing Jolyon Nash said, “The MSO X collection is the perfect example of the rich vein of bespoke service offered by McLaren Special Operations. Customers come to us with their thoughts and ideas and MSO works with them to set boundaries within which they can then let their imaginations run wild.”
All 10 McLaren MSO X have been delivered to their new owners at a special McLaren customer event near Las Vegas. The entire process from initial design to deliveries took just eight months as McLaren Newport Beach Dealer Principal, Pietro Frigerio, explains: “The aim of this project was to have a serious track car that could still be driven on the road and this finished project screams ‘race car’ to the casual onlooker. To have the MSO X project go from renderings at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last July to the 10 magnificent supercars that we handed over to our excited clients today is nothing short of amazing.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Subaru Impreza edges Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as Japan’s Most Iconic Rally Hero!

McLaren vs Ferrari. Ford Mustang vs Chevrolet Camaro. Ford Falcon vs Holden Commodore. Those automotive greatest rivalries probably couldn’t match the magnitude of these two closely fought super sedans from the land of the rising sun – Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza.
Although both cars are no longer competing in the current World Rally stage, they fought again in an
online poll
 conducted by Europe’s biggest annual Japanese Car Show, the
JapFest
 which will be held late this month in Silverstone, UK.
During the tightly contested poll, the Impreza emerged as the winner, narrowly beating its rival by a paper-thin margin. The Impreza received
50.95%
 of the total votes, compared to the Lancer’s
49.05%
. This signifies the rivalry between these two rally heroes is still strong to this day, even though this particular battle was determined via the click of the mouse button.
The poll was done in conjunction of the JapFest event where car clubs from both camps are invited to set the fastest time on the Silverstone Handling Course.
Currently, the
Subaru Impreza
 still remains in production while the Mitsubishi Lancer
had met its demise
. With supermini hatchbacks are the main foray in world rallying, the days of all-wheel drive sedans powered by 2.0-litre turbocharged engines are nothing but a distance memory.
[source:
JapFest UK
]


Toyota jumps three positions to clinch top spot in 2019 J.D. Power SSI Ranking

Marketing information services firm J.D. Power has just released their 2019 Sales Satisfactory Index (SSI) study for Malaysia, which measures the overall customer satisfaction on their new vehicle purchase experience in the mass market segment.
Among the eight brands ranked in this year’s study,
 Toyota took the top spot
 with 835 points, a significant increase from
fourth place last year
 with 791 points. Mitsubishi ranks second with 831 points, while Nissan dropped to third place with 810 points.
Honda dropped one position to take fourth with 801 points, while local carmaker Perodua rounds up the top five with 798 points.
Although there were position shuffles within the rankings, the top-5 brands have mostly experienced an increase in their scores, as reflected in the mass market average of 800 points – 16 points up from the previous year.
The study is based on responses from 2,045 new vehicle purchases between July 2018 and July 2019. The
 scores were determined through six factors
– dealer sales consultant, dealership facility, delivery process, paperwork completion, working out the deal, and dealership website.
In the 17th edition of the SSI study, J.D. Power also revealed that SUV buyers account for 20% of new vehicle buyers in 2019, even though the average transaction price of SUVs is 2.6 times higher than smaller cars.
The study also found that SUV buyers generally have a higher satisfaction as compared to small car buyers (806 points compared to 794 points).

J.D. Power, Country Manager for Malaysia, E-Ling Cheah said, “SUV buyers cited vehicle styling, performance, technology and safety features for their choice.
“Furthermore, manufacturers have introduced more affordable SUVs, bringing them within reach of more buyers,” she added.


Bridgestone to replace damaged tyres under hazard warranty programme

Potholes – not only do they cause damage to tyres, but the subsequent
impact is usually more severe, which is on our wallets. The folks at Bridgestone
Tyre Sales (Malaysia) must have felt our pain, so they are now offering the Bridgestone
Hazard Warranty Programme (HWP).
Here’s how it works; effective 1
st
 April 2019, all Bridgestone branded passenger car, MPV, SUV, 4×4 (H/T, H/P & H/L) tyres measuring 17-inch and above (distributed by Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) and purchased from participating Bridgestone dealers in Peninsular Malaysia will be covered by the hazard warranty.
Not sure if rubber ducks count as hazard, but if they damage your Bridgestone tyres within 6 months of purchase, you are covered.
If any of the aforementioned tyres are damaged by
road hazards
 (which include potholes, accidental kerbing, punctures, etc.) Bridgestone will replace the damaged tyre for free under the HWP, which covers new tyres over a period of six months from the date of invoice.
“Bridgestone Hazard Warranty Programme is a value-added programme aside from the existing Bridgestone standard tyre warranty. HWP provides 1-for-1 tyre replacement at no charge for tyre damage that is beyond repair caused by road hazards.” said Mr. Yuichiro Shirai, the Managing Director of Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia).
Do note that All-Terrain (A/T) and Mud-Terrain (M/T) tyres are excluded from HWP as they usually operate in the roughest of environments and are susceptible to damage. If you had new Bridgestone rubber fitted to your car recently, the
warranty programme can be registered online
, but it must done within 14 days of the date of invoice.


Video: Maserati MC20 3.0 now in Malaysia from RM1.078 million, 5 Things

Maserati Malaysia has announced the arrival of the
Maserati MC20
and here’s what you need to know about it!
The MC20 name stands for ‘Maserati Corse’ while the 20 denotes the year 2020 – when it was first introduced. The new supercar is an evolution of the MC12 supercar from 2004 that marked Maserati’s return to racing after 37 years. With the new MC20, Maserati will once again return to the world of racing.

The new MC20 represents a new era of supercars for the company not just in terms of design but also marks the return of Maserati making its own engine – called the Nettuno – for the first time in 20 years.
The MC20 is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 630 hp and 730 Nm to drive the rear wheels alone; allowing it to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 8.8 seconds before hitting a 325 km/h top speed.
Built around a carbon fibre monocoque, the MC20 weighs less than 1,500 – lighter than a BMW 320i. Brakes are from Brembo, with 6-pot calipers in the front but that’s not even the coolest bit. Flush door handles and the butterfly-style doors aside, the MC20 also features a Trident logo on its glass engine cover.
As for the interior, what do you think? Check it out in the video!


BMW ALPINA B5 Bi-Turbo is the fastest-accelerating ALPINA ever built

The dust from the recent introduction of the new
F90 BMW M5
 have not settled yet and there is yet another new 5-series to drool over. And if you remember, almost immediately after the unveiling, BMW followed up with a
First Edition
 that’s limited to only 400 units which featured Frozen Dark red paint. So what’s this about then?
Based on the G30 5-series, the B5 ALPINA comes with a 4.4-litre V8 Bi-turbo engine featuring Valvetronic variable valve timing and high-pressure direct fuel injection. As a result, it delivers
608 hp
 with
800 Nm
 of torque, good for a 0 to 100 km/h time of just
3.5 seconds
 – making it the fastest accelerating car ALPINA has ever produced. All that torque is contained by an 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC, to keep that speedometer running to a top speed of
330 km/h
.

For the first time, the B5 ALPINA comes with all-wheel drive as standard, based on the BMW xDrive system featuring an ALPINA-specific torque distribution system. Driving dynamics is also supplemented by electronically-adjustable dampers and the active rear-wheel steering system (Integral Active Steering), also a first for the B5 ALPINA.
On the outside, the B5 Alpina gets lightweight 20-inch ALPINA CLASSIC forged wheels with Pirelli tyres specifically tailored for the B5 Alpina, an ALPINA sports exhaust system, integrated air flat control system beneath the kidney grille that closes when necessary to reduce drag. The front spoiler features the new, free-floating ALPINA lettering that allows engineers to integrate additional air inlets into the front apron and to the intercooler.
On the inside, it’s unmistakably ALPINA with subtle touches of elegance. Draped in high-end Nappa leather, standard equipment includes BMW’s latest navigation system and infotainment system together with 4-Zone Auto Climate Control. Other highlights include a handcrafted ALPINA sports steering wrapped in Lavalina leather with blue/green stitching.
The interior comes with several trim options extending to the ALPINA Piano Lacquer or classic ALPINA Luxury Wood Myrtle, and a new ALPINA Luxury Wood Walnut Nature – whose rough cut surface is warm and modern at the same time. The full-coloured LED digital instrument panel is another interesting party piece. In Comfort mode it offers a classic look;  with a blue background, red needles and clearly displayed figures. In Sport mode, the display changes to a dynamic appearance with green drag indicators.
In Australia, where prices were recently announced, the BMW ALPINA B5 Bi-turbo goes for AUD 239,900 (
approx RM 787,000
).
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda Sales Carnival: Mazda2 Sport debuts, more than RM300k in prizes and vouchers to be won

Mazda Malaysia will play host to the Mazda Sales Carnival over this weekend (24 and 25 October) which will see ample deals and vouchers up to RM300,000 up for grabs. The event will take place at the company’s headquarters in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.
Those planning to purchase a new ride below the RM100,000 mark can look forward to see the new Mazda2 Sport. It’s basically a
regular Mazda2 Skyactiv
, but you get a
 sporty bodykit
 comprised of a front lip, side skirts, rear spoiler (hatchback gets skid plate, sedan gets an add-on rear bodykit), rear boot tray and a larger diameter stainless steel exhaust pipe. The whole list of accessories
costs nearly RM2,600
 but will be
 given for free
 to customers who purchase the Mazda2 during the limited-time offer.

And because it’s a carnival, there will be lots of exciting games, fun activities and refreshments for all to enjoy. There’s also
more than RM300,000 worth of prizes
 and bonanza vouchers to be won, and new Mazda owners will be entitled to receive car accessories and vouchers amounting to no more than RM10,000!
If for any reason you feel like the Mazda2 isn’t your cup of tea and want something that’s easier on the wallet, feel free to look to their
Anshin
 or pre-owned selection. Prices for these well-maintained cars start from RM65,000 upwards. All Mazda Anshin cars are fully inspected and certified, and they even come with free maintenance and warranty!
Amidst
devaluing Ringgit
 and
hike in toll rates
, perhaps the one thing to take your mind off the financial strain is Mazda’s
3-year factory warranty
 and
free scheduled maintenance
(that means you don’t have to pay a single sen for servicing) up till 60,000km.
Keen to find out all about the fully imported Mazda2? We’ve got just the right materials for you to get well acquainted with our favourite B-Segment car thus far. You could either read our
comprehensive review
 or watch our
video review
 before you sign up for the test drive this coming weekend. In any case, the Mazda Mega Sales Carnival is one you shouldn’t miss.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mazda2 1.5L Skyactiv-G Hatchback / Sedan
Segment
B-Segment
Engine
1,496cc; inline-4 cyl SkyActiv-G, DOHC
Transmission
6-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic
Max Power
114 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
148 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM87,956.00
IMAGE GALLERY
Mazda2 Skyactiv-G 1.5L Sport

Mazda2 Skyactiv-G 1.5L Sedan


Double podiums for Leona Chin in Clio Cup China Series, Round 2 Korea!

And she’s done it again! Malaysian girl drifter and race car driver
Leona Chin
 had a proper good weekend in round 2 of the Clio Cup China Series in Korea International Circuit when she bagged two first-runner up finishes.
In fact, Leona improved compared to her first race weekend in
Zhuhai
 where in Korea, she gave series leader, Kenneth Lim, a run for his money. Leona started both races behind pole seater Kenneth, and kept the momentum going to secure her second place finish. In the second race, Leona overtook Kenneth during the start and lead the race for five laps before conceding the lead. Nevertheless, the young Malaysian kept her composure to finish second again.
“I pushed myself hard today knowing there’s a good chance of winning. Kenneth is always a tough competitor so I am happy to have improved from third (in Zhuhai leg) to second in Korea. For sure I will aim for the top spot again in the next race in Buriram, Thailand,” said Leona during the post-race interview.
Her solid performance means she now has enough points to be in the top three driver’s standings, right behind leader Kenneth. The Renault Clio with bright pink Team WebTVAsia decals will return on the weekend of 11-12 June for round three in Thailand. Surely, victory awaits for the young and bubbly Leona. Keep it up, girl!


Walk-in road tax and driving licence renewal now allowed at Pos Malaysia, JPJ

After previously announcing that road tax and driver’s licence renewal can be done by appointment only, Pos Malaysia announced that it has resumed walk-in services beginning today, the 6th of September.
As written on their
website
, Pos Malaysia said customers with existing licence or road tax renewal service appointments may continue with their appointments at their preferred date, time and location or just walk into any one of our post offices to carry out their renewal.
JPJ drive-in counters begin – assures sufficient stocks of road tax and licence renewals…find out more about it here!
Customers are encouraged to use the “Outlet Finder” or the Pos Malaysia app to find the nearest post office.
Walk-ins are also allowed at the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) as of today, like Pos Malaysia, with no appointments needed. JPJ also specifically highlighted that only those who have been fully vaccinated are allowed to enter.
Alternatively, the public can also opt for other platforms such as MyEG or mySikap JPJ to renew their driver’s licence and road tax.
For now, the deadline to renew the expired driving documents have been extended. The new deadline is now the
31st of December 2021
, extended from 31st of September.
Those who are unable to renew their driver’s licence or road tax for any reason should at least have an insurance cover note in the vehicle for verification purposes, especially at roadblocks.


Prices for Nissan cars go up, Almera now costs nearly RM5,000 more

After nearly six months since
Edaran Tan Chong Malaysia (ETCM) broke news of a price hike
 for Nissan cars, the time has finally come for the sole distributor to act upon it. Only four locally assembled models are affected –
Almera
, X Gear, Grand Livina and
Teana
.
Prices are up between
2.8 to 6.7 percent
 depending on the models, and this comes into effect beginning 1 April 2016. Below is the new pricing for the said cars:
According to ETCM, the pricing revision is mainly due to the weak Ringgit which has severely impacted the company’s overall operational costs. To reduce some of this impact, ETCM has implemented cost rationalisation measures and optimised all operations across the supply chain.
Executive Director of ETCM, Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng said, “Due to prolonged unfavourable foreign exchange and higher operating costs, only the four selected models will have a price increase. With this, we have done our best in adjusting the price as minimal as possible.”
For the time being, prices for the
X-Trail
, Serena S-Hybrid,
NP300 Navara
 and NV200 remain unchanged.


The Porsche Cayenne just got even better with another free Premium Package upgrade

The Porsche Cayenne received a
Premium Package update back in January last year
, which added several niceties to the already well-equipped luxury SUV. And as if that still wasn’t enough, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) today introduced another “enhanced” Premium Package for the Porsche Cayenne, with even more new standard equipment at
no added cost
.
The new Premium Package for the Porsche Cayenne adds a new air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) for improved driving dynamics, alongside the 21-inch RS Spyder wheels for improved road handling, Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), ParkAssist with Surround View, as well as the Comfort Access electronic tailgate with foot sensor for added convenience.
The new upgrades supplements the existing Premium Package, which included 14-way power seats including memory function for the driver and passenger seats, four-zone air automatic climate control, automatic dimming mirrors, electric sun blinds, ambient lighting and a BOSE Surround Sound System, among others.
Otherwise, no changes have been made to the Cayenne,
launched in Malaysia
 back in 2018. This includes the powertrain, which is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine that delivers
340 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque, propelling the full-sized luxury SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.2 seconds
.
As mentioned above, the enhanced Premium Package comes at no additional cost for the base Porsche Cayenne, which now starts at
RM680,000
. Included in the price is a four-year warranty and free service maintenance programme. SDAP has now begun taking pre-orders for the newly enhanced Porsche Cayenne, with deliveries slated to begin in 2021.
In related news, SDAP also recently launched its latest Porsche showroom in Ara Damansara, taking the crown of the
largest Porsche outlet in the Asia Pacific region
. At the launch, the company also took the opportunity to introduce it’s first fully-electric model, the
Porsche Taycan
, here in Malaysia.
GALLERY


Ever wished for a car museum in Malaysia? JPM Museo is now open to public

If you’re a petrolhead living in Malaysia, chances are you wish there was a sanctuary of sorts for four-wheeled vehicles (perhaps even two-wheeled ones). Unlike some countries, we aren’t quite blessed to have full-blown museums dedicated to cars. Now, we’re in for quite a treat as JPM Museo, a private car collection, is now open to public.
Before we go on, we must first establish that yes, Malaysia does have a National Automobile Museum in Sepang and some of us may even consider the
Proton
 Centre of Excellence to be quite the sanctuary for petrolheads. However, the National Automobile Museum is a rather brief tour and the Proton Centre of Excellence isn’t exactly treated like a museum.
As for what JPM Museo is, “Museo” is just the Italian word for Museum. And JPM is the brainchild of Malaysian Tycoon Mr. Chin Jit Pyng where the “JPM” acronym is basically the result of combining the names of his sons. This is perhaps the most proper car museum in Malaysia for now.
Lucky for us, we were invited to have a look at the private collection, and after being given a tour, we could say that it is a pretty comprehensive display. The cars on display range from historic cars like the Benz Patent-MotorWagen to supercars like the Lamborghini Diablo, and even movie-star cars like the
Aston Martin
 V8 Vantage. We’d love to share with you the entire collection put on display, but then we’d be spoiling things for you. You’re better off checking it out yourself.
Mostly air-conditioned, you can really take your time to appreciate the cars on display in this private collection. Pretty much all ground is covered including cars from Japan, Europe, and America.
With cars coming from various eras too, you will be able to appreciate the evolution of the passenger vehicle, seeing things like manually-cranked engines, transverse leaf spring setups, and even kerosene headlamps. It really makes you appreciate how far things have come in terms of personal mobility. And in case the four-wheelers aren’t enough for you, JPM Museo even has a decent collection of motorbikes for you to see.
Even restoration works take place at the facility.
Looking for something automotive-related to do on the weekends? You might want to check out
JPM Museo
 in Kota Damansara. You can pre-purchase JPM’s limited edition set of merchandise on
jpmlamoda.com

to be entitled to the exclusive JPM Museo tour. After purchasing the limited set, you may RSVP for your slot.


Sales Tax Exemption: Proton releases updated price list, X70 from RM89,900!

As the
Sales Tax Exemption
 for CKD and CBU cars came into effect today and will go on till the 31st of December 2020, Proton has released an updated price list for its cars; lo and behold, you can now drive home an X70 for less than RM90k!
The
X70 Standard 2WD
 sees a RM4,900 price reduction, now at RM89,900 while the high spec X70 Premium X 2WD gets a whopping “discount” of RM7000; now with a new price tag of RM115,800.
The X70 is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine making
174 hp
 and
300 Nm
 and they’re all paired to a new
7-speed dual clutch transmission
 – the most notable difference in the
locally-assembled model launched in February this year
 which
we drove to Kuantan for a review
. The X70 was also featured in our
Mega SUV Shootout
 alongside the Honda CR-V,
Mazda CX-5
,
Peugeot 3008
 and the Nissan X-Trail.
Proton also recently introduce the
Intelligent Air Purification System (P-IAPS)
 as standard equipment on the 2020 CKD Proton X70 to complement its existing Air Purifier System.
Find out about the
2020 X70’s new N95 cabin filter
 here!
The new N95 Cabin Filter is capable of removing 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns and can also remove 98% of PM2.5 dust particles. As such, it’s an effective “barrier” against smoke particulates, dust, bacteria and other pollutants for both fresh and recirculated air in the cabin.
Those who received their X70 before the announcement can opt to have the new filter fitted for
RM79 excluding labour charges
. As for that, a quick poke-around revealed that it shouldn’t cost you more than RM100. As of 18th May to the 18th of August 2020, Proton will be offering a
15% discount on the new filter
.


Toyota Vios facelift launched in Malaysia, priced from RM76k, ESC now standard!

Toyota Vios, UMW Toyota Motor’s bread and butter model, their best-selling model for the past 13 years is under tremendous pressure in recent years. Facing competition not only from better equipped cars in the A-segment such as the recently launched
Perodua Bezza
 and
Proton Saga
, B-segment rivals with strong unique selling points and even some C-segment sedans that undercuts the price tag of the Vios. UMW needs to up their game to keep the Vios relevant.
Unveiled in the
2016 Bangkok Motor Show
, the Land of Smiles first received the facelifted Toyota Vios. Though calling it a facelift would be an understatement because besides aesthetics upgrades, the Vios is given a new engine, new transmission and – a first for the Vios –
Traction Control (TC)
 and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
. Fast forward to today, UMW Toyota has finally launched the improved Toyota Vios facelift.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo
Toyota Vios 1.5 GX
Toyota Vios 1.5 G
Toyota Vios 1.5 E
Toyota Vios 1.5 J CVT
Toyota Vios 1.5 J MT
Engine
1,496cc; inline-4 DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Transmission
CVT with 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic
5-speed Manual
Max Power
106 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
140 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM96,400
RM92,800
RM89,800
RM83,900
RM79,800
RM76,500
EXTERIOR
This new facelifted Vios when placed next to the
outgoing model
 can make a challenging game of spot the difference. Changes to the car are subtle but impactful. All variants come with LED daytime running lights that are mounted on the front bumper, door visors, rear fog lamps and keyless entry.
Starting from the top of the line TRD Sportivo, it gets an aggressive TRD Sportivo aero kit for the front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper and a trunk spoiler lip. There are also smoked projector headlamps, black front grille, front fog lamps and power folding wing mirrors with integrated turn signal. The TRD Vios also comes with an acoustic windshield glass.

The GX is a new variant in the Vios line-up, slotting in between the TRD and G variant. UMW expressed that this new variant offers buyers a sporty yet elegant alternative from the TRD and G variant. The GX gets a more stylish design five-piece aero kit instead along with a dark chrome front grille, otherwise the exterior mirrors the TRD variant.
Moving down to the G variant, the biggest difference is the omission of the aero kit, dark chrome front grille and smoked projector headlamps. It gets clear projector headlamps and a chrome finish front grille.
The E variant settles for a pair of manual levelling halogen reflector headlamps, body coloured front grille and regular windshield instead of acoustic glass. Lastly, the J variants mirrors the E variant but loses out on front fog lamps.
All variants ride on
15-inch alloys
 in different designs wrapped in 185/60 profile Continental ContiComfortContact CC5 rubbers.
INTERIOR
Inside, the Vios remains visually similar except for some minor feature updates. All variants now come with keyless start button, black interior theme as well as illuminated front foot wells. All but the J manual variant come with an Eco drive indicator.
The TRD gets leather combination seats with TRD Sportivo embroidery while the GX and G get the same seats, although the former is finished in black and saddle tan as opposed to the all-black upholstery of the latter (minus the embroidery).

New to the Vios range is a 6.8-inch touchscreen DVD head unit with reverse camera for the TRD to E variant. The base models get a simpler 2-DIN head unit as standard. TRD to G models get six-speakers while the rest gets four instead.
PERFROMANCE
As Toyota’s new tagline for the Vios –
New Heart. New Beat.
 – suggests, the Vios is powered by a new
1.5-litre four-cylinder
 now with
Dual VVT-i
 technology finally retiring the old 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine.
Despite it being new engine, power and torque actually went down. The new 2NR-FE engine is now rated for
106 hp
 and
140 Nm
, down from the previous
107 hp
 and
141 Nm
 figures. Power is sent to the front wheels via a Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with seven-speed sports sequential shiftmatic.
Despite the lower output, the new heart is more efficient in getting up to speeds and boasts
18 percent better fuel economy
 compared to the old powertrain. No official fuel consumption figures were quoted, but it’s good enough to earn the locally assembled sedan the EEV incentives. Thanks to that, the Vios is now cheaper between RM1,400 to RM3,600.
Thanks to the CVT, the new powertrain does not suffer from shift shocks. In other words, a dip in torque when a conventional torque converter shifts into a higher gear. This in turn keeps the torque curve flat and consistent allowing for smoother and quicker accelerations.
Speaking to Sean, the Product Planner Manager for the Toyota Vios, he expressed that the CVT is optimised for low speed efficiency and bursts of acceleration. During low speeds, the rev is maintained down low to maximise efficiency and comfort. On the other hand, should the driver require sudden accelerations with a heavy throttle, the CVT immediately puts itself into the highest rev range for maximum power. The reasoning behind this tuning is to improve NVH levels by keeping the engine at a low rpm, effectively reducing CVT whine yet able to deliver strong accelerations when needed.
SAFETY
UMW has done a great job in significantly improving the safety levels on the facelifted Vios by fitting
ESC with TC
 as
standard on all variants
. Besides that, ABS with EBD, BA, three-point seatbelt for all three rear passengers and ISOFiX mounting points also come as standard. Unfortunately, airbag count remains at two.
WHAT ELSE?
The Vios can be had in six different exterior shades – Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black that are carried over from the previous Vios with Crimson Spark Red Metallic and Super White II as new additions. The White Pearl CS is a new exclusive colour for the TRD Sportivo.
Customers have the option to upgrade their infotainment system to a 7-inch full-colour touchscreen DVD head unit or swap their 2-DIN head unit for the 6.8-inch touchscreen DVD head unit with reverse camera. UMW Toyota also offers an aero kit, Toyota Essential Solar Film and Toyota Premium Security & Solar Film as cost options for the Vios 1.5E and 1.5J.
Customers who purchase the facelifted Vios before 31 December 2016 will receive a complimentary 5-Year basic service package on top of the 5-Year unlimited mileage warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
TOYOTA VIOS 1.5 GX

TOYOTA VIOS 1.5 TRD SPORTIVO


The Toyota Corolla Cross, too, gets the GR Sport treatment in Taiwan

Following the slew of new GR Sport models launched in both
Thailand
 and
Indonesia
, Toyota Taiwan is keeping up with the momentum by also giving the
Corolla Cross
 a similar treatment.
Toyota Taiwan says that the Corolla Cross GR Sport was designed to celebrate the success that the compact crossover has found on the island, selling nearly 40,000 units in just the short 10 months since it made its local debut.
Anyway, like the other GR Sport editions, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport here also features several significant exterior changes to give it a more aggressive look.
These include a new blacked-out mesh grille with an additional black horizontal trim behind the Toyota emblem, a unique variant-exclusive front bumper, plus prominent skidplate-like trim elements all around the bottom of the car.
Toyota has unveiled a whole range of GR-branded models in Indonesia, including for the Rush and Avanza! Check it out here.
Wrapping up the exterior styling updates are the two-tone paint job consisting of a blacked-out roof and wing mirrors, smoked tail lights, plus – of course – the GR Sport emblem on the tailgate.
Updates on the inside are a little more muted, with the only visible changes being a new GR graphic on the infotainment display, a GR Sport start button, and the GR logo embossed onto the headrests of the front seats.
However, staying true to the GR Sport brand, the changes here aren’t just skin deep. The Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport in Taiwan also gets a “professionally tuned” sports suspension system, which is said to greatly reduce roll and improve handling and stability of the crossover.
Additionally, there’s also additional aluminium alloy bracing on the underbody to increase torsional rigidity, alongside a “sports-tuned” electronic steering assist system that supposedly helps increase feedback through the steering wheel.
The Toyota Hilux GR Sport is essentially a RWD sports car in a pick-up body! Learn more about it here.
Customers will get to choose between two powertrain options for the Corolla Cross GR Sport – a pure-ICE version featuring the same 140 hp 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated engine as ours here in Malaysia, or a hybrid setup that pairs a 1.8-litre engine with a single electric motor for a total system output of 122 hp.
Pricing wise, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport starts at NTD875,000 (approx. RM131k) for the petrol variant, moving up to NTD945,000 (approx. RM142k) for the hybrid.
Even the all-new Land Cruiser was also given the GR Sport treatment. Check it out in more detail here.
The Hybrid here is of course the range-topping variant, although the standard equipment is fairly standard across both variants, including the
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
 suite, seven airbags, around-view monitor, and 18-inch alloys.
Upgrading to the Hybrid does however net you the Bi-LED projector headlights, along with a larger seven-inch multi-info display in the instrument cluster, as opposed to the 4.2-inch unit on the petrol variant.
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All-new Jeep Compass lands in UK, 1.4L petrol & 1.6L diesel, coming to Malaysia?

Unveiled late last year, the second-generation Jeep Compass has finally arrived on UK shores and will go on sale in early 2018. The compact SUV combines off-road capabilities with an array of active driver assist systems packaged in a distinctive and contemporary Jeep design.
The UK-bound Compass will be available in
 four configurations
: Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk, each varying in interior trims and features. The new Compass gets a new look with a seven-slot front grille, LED headlamps, Gloss Black roof, LED taillamps and trapezoidal wheel arches. Alloy wheel options range from 16-inch up to 19-inch in size and Jeep promises regardless of wheel option, they all provide superb traction in all road conditions.

Inside, the Compass boasts premium finishing and high-tech cabin with LED digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment Uconnect system, Selec-Terrain controls, electronic parking brake and integrated USB charging ports in the centre console. The Uconnect system comes in 5.0-inch or 8.4-inch in size and the latter features capacitive touch, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as voice command system.
In the UK, the Compass range is powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines. The petrol line up consists of a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged MultiAir2 Turbo in
two different states of

tune
:
 140 hp
/
230 Nm
 or
170 hp
/
250 Nm
. Both engines are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel MultiJet II comes in two states of tune:
120 hp
/
320 Nm
 and
140 hp
/
350 Nm
. Both outputs are paired exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox. Sitting at the top of the diesel range is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel MultiJet II paired to a nine-speed automatic with
170 hp
.
Safety wise, the Compass comes equipped with Forward Collision Warning-Plus, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, Automated Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and six-airbags. All these entitles the Compass the full 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Locally,
DRB-Hicom
 have the outgoing Compass on sale for RM249k, making it the most affordable Jeep model in Malaysia.
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This JCB tractor just set a new record with a 160km/h top speed!

Can you even imagine doing such a thing? Often times, driving past one on the road, I can’t help but wonder what these guys go through; driving in an exposed cockpit doing 40-50 km/h.
Of course, such a special feat requires a special kind of human and in this case, the record was set by none other than daredevil, Guy Martin; well known for his exploits in the extremely dangerous and life-risking Isle of Man race.

The tractor, worked on by the those behind the Williams F1 Team, develops
1,000 hp
 and an incredible
2,500 Nm
 of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual ZF transmission that replaced the tractor’s original CVT gearbox.
With such immense power from a 7.2-litre 6-cylinder diesel engine, the tractor
recorded a top speed of 166.7 km/h
; smashing the previous record (140 km/h) set by Top Gear in 2018.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdStKFvmcbM
JCB is no stranger to such achievements, with
previous attempts achieving 117 km/h in the JCB GT backhoe
 – sealing a place in the Guinness World Records.
In 2006, JCB set a new diesel land speed record with the DieselMax streamliner when it reached 563 km/h at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA, using two JCB DieselMax engines. To this day, the record has yet to be broken.


Servicing your Volkswagen just got that much more affordable

From 1 June 2018, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Malaysia is officially zero-rated and Malaysians will get to enjoy a
three-month tax-free holiday
 before the Sales and Services Tax (SST) is reinstated.
Since then, we have seen car prices
dropped by some margin
 and now Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has released its latest Service Pricing Guide for all its models (old and new) with zero-rated GST.
The Service Pricing Guide is available for download on VPCM’s
official website
 that breaks down the estimated cost to maintain your Volkswagen vehicle for the first
8 years or 120,000 km
. While the price reduction may not seem substantial, savings are still savings.
Service Pricing Guide for the
Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI
VPCM Managing Director, Erik Winter said: “Our commitment to our customers extends to our efforts in maintaining a strong level of transparency when it comes to owning a Volkswagen car, hence the availability of the service pricing guide.” He also encouraged owners to take advantage of the tax-free holiday to pamper their VWs with a service from an authorised VW service centre.
Earlier in the year, VPCM has enhanced its ownership experience for customers with a
3-Years or 45,000 km Free Scheduled Service
 Programme that supplements the on-going 5-Years warranty and 5-Years Roadside Assistance.


Porsche’s most extreme 911 GT3 RS: 4.0L 500 hp beast storms into Geneva [+Video]

Let’s just begin by saying that no motor show is truly complete without one sports car from Porsche. Having said that, the German carmaker has just had their global premier of the most extreme road-going 911 to date, the
911 GT3 RS
, at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show.
Having launched the 911 GT3 RS, this particular model sits at the very top of the 911 model range, above the
911 GT3
. Before we go down to the details, Porsche proudly claims that their latest iteration of the RS blurs the line between a full blown race car and a road-legal sports car. It’s not an easy task, considering the stringent safety regulations needed for homologation. They’ve done that, so now, it’s onto the RS.
EXTERIOR
Telling the RS apart is like differentiating night and day, because as racey as other 911s go, this tops the charts with the addition of several
RS-specific aerodynamic parts
. At the front, the RS gets a specially designed front lip and a carbon fibre rear spoiler that puts the Subaru STI’s to shame. The
roof
 is made of
magnesium
 here, a Porsche’s first, and features
two sleek grooves
 to improve aerodynamics.
The RS appeal is further reinforced by more ducts and vents found all over the body. The vents on top of the front wheels functions by adding downforce to the front axle, keeping it sucked onto the ground at all times, improving grip. To top it off, the RS sits on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch at the rear.
INTERIOR
Inside, the RS looks just like its
RM1.23 mil

GT3
 stablemate, but features several enhancements to go with its street-legal racecar status. New here are the Alcantara clad
race bucket seats
 made of carbon fibre, just like the 918 Spyder’s. There’s also the optional
Sport Chrono Package
 which gives you Porsche’s Track Precision smartphone app. This app allows you to upload your driving data to your phone and measure parameters such as vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, deceleration and directional acceleration.
Also new to the centre console is the
Pit Speed button
. It functions by limiting the RS’ speed as you enter the pit lane – an entirely new feature that wasn’t offered in the previous GT3 RS. The guys at Porsche weren’t joking when they said this GT3 RS blurs the line between sports cars and race cars.
PERFORMANCE
So what does the title ‘most extreme Porsche 911 to date’ entail here? For starters, it uses the GT3’s direct injected 3.8-litre flat six engine that has been enlarged to displace 4.0-litres. Power output is rated at a 911’s best –
500 hp
 and
458 Nm
 of torque – up from the GT3’s 3.8-litre that makes a respectable 475 hp at 8,250 rpm and 440 Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm. As a result, the RS sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and covers the quarter-mile run in 11.2 seconds.
The maths don’t just end there, because the key to making this GT3 RS the most extreme 911 to date is
weight reduction
. Porsche is no stranger to motorsports. The RS benefits from the Stuttgart-based sports car maker’s breadth of motorsport expertise, and its weight saving formula begins with the aforementioned full-magnesium roof. Other large bodyparts like the engine and luggage compartment panels are made of carbon fibre. This makes the RS a good 10 kg lighter than the GT3.
The 911 GT3 RS was premiered alongside the
Cayman GT4
 at Geneva
The GT3 RS is open for booking now and will find its way to American soil in July this year. It carries a starting price tag of USD175,900 (about RM648,000), and judging by the
911 GT3
‘s reception here, there is a possibility that the RS will complete the 911 range here. The question is, how much will it cost?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY

VIDEO GALLERY


The new BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe is here to rattle your senses!

BMW said the Concept M8 Gran Coupe illustrates the meaning behind the letter M – which stands for “more”, more of everything. Looking at the car, they clearly did not skimp on flair and flamboyance.
“The BMW 8 Series will take over as the new flagship model of the BMW line-up and, as such, combines unsurpassed sportiness and elegance,” says Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, Adrian van Hooydonk. “The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe offers a look ahead to the most exotic and alluring variant of the new BMW 8 Series.”
https://assets.autobuzz.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/07115145/PF0005891_264.mp4
In the words of BMW M and BMW i’s Vice President of Design, “It’s built to stir things up and move you emotionally; it’s meant for those looking for something special within the brand, for those who want to stand out from the crowd.”
Sure to make traffic come to a standstill, we’re really drawn to that assertive, “in your face” expression of the front end. The headlights have been positioned slightly higher than the radiator grille with gold-coloured surrounds to project a lower stance.

With lighting technology inspired by the M8 GTE endurance race car embedded into the headlights, the broaden stance of the front end is complemented with gapping air intakes made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).
The Concept M8 Gran Coupe features a long wheelbase, long bonnet, flowing roofline and a short tail that together, bonds elegantly to create a sporty coupe silhouette. Its flared arches will surely not go unnoticed but in embracing the BMW M spirit, the M8 Gran Coupe also has a roof made from CFRP.
The rear end of the Concept M8 Gran Coupe, without a doubt, latches on to the imposing nature of the front. The protruding rear spoiler simply demands for attention in this ensemble, alongside the slim sculpted rear lights with black gloss covers.
Clearly, BMW has paid a lot of attention to aerodynamics in this M8 – seen with the gapping grilles on each side of the rear bumper and a prominent diffuser. The car is finished off with a Salève Vert paint finish which can appear from green to greyish blue depending on lighting.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota to build a Targa-top Supra called the Sport Top

Toyota USA is looking to push the envelope again at this year’s SEMA show with a Targa-top
Supra
 dubbed the
Sport Top
, following last year’s
Heritage Edition build
 for the same event.
Based on the sketches, the A90 GR Supra Sport Top should mimic the same Supra used by Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in the final scenes of the first ever The Fast and the Furious blockbuster.

The Sport Top will feature a 2-piece removable roof which could be popped open with the car’s remote. Once removed, it can be stored away in the Supra’s boot.
That’s not all, the Supra Sport Top’s body structure would need to be significantly strengthened due to the lack rigidity when the roof is removed. Completing the Targa look are side skirts, an aggressive rear diffuser and a rear spoiler seen on last year’s Heritage Edition.
“We will need to build way more structure into the bottom of the car because it won’t have the roof to contain it as a box”, said the Supra’s Sport Top project’s Team Manager.
“It’s our goal to do something more and more crazy every single year. We do these extra mile things that make it really cool”, he added.
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KL City Grand Prix gets green light, will see up to 30 cars racing around KLCC next year

Race fans, rejoice! The much anticipated
Kuala Lumpur City Grand Prix
officially gets the green light, as announced yesterday during the press event held at Mandarin Oriental KL.
The race, which will feature some odd
20 to 30 cars
– including the
Lamborghini Huracan
 – racing at the heart of the city doing speeds in excess of
200 km/h
! And we thought speeding in town was never possible.
Set to be held from
7 to 9 August
 next year, the three-day (over the weekend) GP will see an
11-turn
,
3.2km anti-clockwise circuit
 that flags off from
KLCC
 through
Jalan P. Ramlee
, into
Jalan Ampang
,
Jalan Sultan Ismail
,
Jalan Pinang
 and back to
KLCC
 for the chequered flag.
The City GP series is expected to witness
five to seven racing series
, which will also feature the
Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Cup
,
Formula Masters
 and
Volkswagen Scirocco Celebrity Challenge
. While it is unconfirmed, we did spot footages of a major GT series playing on TV screens at the venue, but no words were spoken with regards to that. Looks like we’ll just have to wait for the official announcement, then.

To bring all this into fruition, event organiser
GT Global Race (M) Sdn Bhd
 will collaborate with
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur
 (DBKL
)
, which will grant exclusive rights to organise the KL City Grand Prix for the next six years, up to 2020. To quote GT Global Race Chairman,
YAM Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Tuanku Jaafar
, “With less than 10 months to go, we are fully geared and well throttled to take off on this journey to make the KL City Grand Prix a truly memorable experience.”
Partner
Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM)
 will assist in the organisation of the race as well as helping to attain homologation from the
FIA
, which according to
President & CEO Mr M Arrasu
, will be expected sometime
March
 next year, while the design and development of the city track will be jointly undertaken by UK-based
Apex Circuit Design Ltd
 and Australian-based
KBR Project Management
.
I for one, am hoping this will be as exciting and as prestigious as the
Macau GP
. Who’s with me?
[divider]
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Is £6 mil too much to ask for this Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation?

The Aston Marin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation is the rebirth of a 1960 icon and you can only purchase in a pair with the DBS GT Zagato as part of the
DBZ Centenary Collection
. It doesn’t come cheap either with the company asking £6 million for the two cars and only 19 pairs will ever be made.
But for the avid Aston
Martin collectors, this DB4 GT Zagato Continuation is right up there in the
must haves. The first car will make its public debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
2019 at Aston Martin’s VIP hospitality facility, seeking an audience with the brand’s
most exclusive customers.
The DB4 GT Zagato Continuation
is built at Aston Martin’s Heritage Division headquarters in Newport Pagnell,
Buckinghamshire and each car takes 4,500 manhours to put together. Finished in
the bright Rosso Maja exterior shade, the car is matched to the original paint that
was supplied by Max Meyer & ICI in the 1960’s.
Obsidian Black leather is used for the interior trimmings while the Borrani silver painted wheels, Continuation specification instrumentation and interior equipment such as a full FIA-approved roll cage are standard items.

Motivation comes from a 4.7-litre naturally aspirated straight-six petrol engine producing over
390 hp
. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission and a limited slip differential.
The DBZ Centenary Collection was made to celebrate Aston Martin and Zagato’s 60 years of creative partnership and first customers deliveries will commence in Q3 of 2019 while the DBS GT Zagato – which has yet to been revealed – is scheduled for deliveries in late 2020.
IMAGE GALLERY
Aston Marin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation in Rosso Maja


Eateries, petrol stations may soon be allowed to operate until midnight regardless of NRP phase

Eateries, petrol stations, and convenience stores may soon be allowed to operate from
6 am until midnight
daily, regardless of the National Recovery Plan (NRP or PPN) phase of their respective localities.
Senior Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said this was agreed to at today’s Covid-19 Quartet Ministers meeting, reports
The Vibes
. However, the plan still needs to be approved by the Special Committee on Pandemic Management, which is set to meet tomorrow for a decision.
“We will discuss and recommend these to the prime minister tomorrow before an announcement is made after the committee meeting,” Hishammuddin told a press conference in Parliament today.
The majority of these businesses can only currently operate until 10 pm daily, aside from those located in states currently in NRP Phase Three.
Here’s everything you need to know about travel restrictions during the National Recovery Plan!
The Senior Minister also said that a proposal was mulled by the government to allow the reopening of stadiums to the public for sporting events such as football. However, the proposal is still in the “discussion stage”, and will be discussed in more detail tomorrow.
10-km limit removed for the fully vaccinated in Phase 1 NRP states, full vehicle capacity allowed. Learn more here.
In seperate news, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Nancy Shukri said today that the government today also agreed to to include Genting Highlands, Tioman Island, and Melaka as part of the government’s tourism travel bubble initiative (which currently only involves Langkawi).
She said that the government is in the midst of finalising the SOPs, and the destinations have been given two weeks to prepare for its reopening – tentatively scheduled for October 1.


Video: G20 BMW 330e M Sport PHEV plug-in hybrid, 5 Things

BMW Malaysia
 has gone full swing with its 3 series range in Malaysia. The line-up is now made up of the 320i M Sport, 330i M Sport, the M340i xDrive and now this, the
330e M Sport PHEV
 priced at
RM264,613
.
Right off the bat, the 330e M Sport will have
252 hp
and
420 Nm
 to play with, and is good for a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds. However, if you activate the XtraBoost feature, you’d momentarily have 292 hp at your disposal!
This makes the 330e M Sport the second most powerful 3 series available in Malaysia behind the newly launched
M340i xDrive
 with 387 hp and 500 Nm! The petrol-powered
330i M Sport
 makes 258 hp and 400 Nm, while the
 320i M Sport
 makes 184 hp and 300 Nm.

Accompanying the M Sport body kit similar to the one seen in the locally-assembled 330i M Sport, is the adaptive M Suspension and M Sport brakes. The 330e M Sport even comes with a hands-free powered tailgate.
Inside, the M Sport package brings about sportier seats, M specific pedals, M leather steering wheel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen display supported by the latest BMW Operating System 7. Apple CarPlay will be available but on a subscription basis. Come on, BMW.

Long before the 330e M Sport arrived in Malaysia, we were sent to Munich, Germany for a test drive of the same car. Suffice to say, it was as refined as a 3 series can be, it drives really well despite its additional weight, with noticeably more refinement when transitioning between the electric motor and petrol-powered engine.
Following the Sales Tax Exemption announcement, for the latest price list of BMW vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.


Fire engulfs Tesla Model S in Shanghai, should you be worried about EVs?

Self-combusting items caught on camera tend to hog headlines, especially when it involves a car, more so when it’s a Tesla. As far as we can gather, no one was injured when this Tesla Model S caught fire in a basement parking lot in Shanghai last Sunday evening, though we can’t say the same for the cars parked alongside it.
 https://twitter.com/ShanghaiJayin/status/1119997229530406913
According to a news report quoting the owner, the Model S was a 2015 P85 variant with 60,000 km on the clock and that it had been parked (it wasn’t being charged) and was sitting idle for an hour when it caught fire dramatically. Tesla has since sent a team to investigate the cause.
Tesla Model 3 drawing huge interest at the Shanghai motor show.
While such imagery casts a shadow over electric vehicles, it must be pointed out that vehicle fires happen on daily basis around the world, whether they are conventionally powered or otherwise.
Alternative energy sources pose new challenges to carmakers, but at least the reactive nature of lithium ion batteries (when damaged or not working as intended) is a known quantity. Remember the Samsung Note 7? Whichever the case, we are pretty sure that Tesla and the Chinese authorities are going to figure this one out.


Mercedes-Benz announced the W222 S 600 Guard, a vault on wheels

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a new armoured member in their S-Class family, the
S 600 Guard
. It is the first vehicle to be certified with the level of
resistance class VR9
 which is rated as the
Highest-Protection vehicle
, so the S 600 Guard should be able to withstand rifle fire from military weapons. Mercedes-Benz claims that the S 600 Guard also meets the requirements of Explosive Resistant Vehicles 2010 (ERV2010) and the Federal Office of Criminal Investigation.
Looking (almost) indistinguishable from any normal S-Class, the S 600 Guard is designed as such to be as discreet as possible. Potential customers are instead will be more concerned on how the S 600 Guard can protect the occupants inside.
The base structure has been reinforced for additional strength, and the cavities between the body structure and the outer skin have been integrated with protective components of special steel. For the first time, almost the entire underbody of the S 600 Guard is covered with innovative underbody armouring for protection against explosive devices. Splinter protection is provided with the use of special aramide and PE components while to further ensure the amount of protection, there’s an intelligent overlapping systems between the panels. There’s also splinter protection from the all the windows on the S 600 Guard, as the glass used are coated with polycarbonate on the inside.

The interior of the S 600 Guard remains the same as the normal S-Class. It comes with everything the normal S-Class has, which contains the heated rear seats with massage function, PRE-SAFE® belt tensioners and beltbags, Business telephony, and interior air fragrancing with air filtering and ionisation. Customers are able to configure their S 600 Guard as either a full 5-seater or a 4-seater with optional all-round opaque roller blinds for maximum privacy.

Additionally on the S 600 Guard there are controls in the center console for the technology accommodated in the boot, such as the fresh air supply and emergency start battery in case of emergency, and even buttons to listen or talk to the outside world since the car is very thickly armoured. Speaking about the boot, there’s a fire extinguisher fitted in the 350-litre boot.
To cope with the additional equipments fitted, the S 600 Guard is powered by
6.0-litre V12 biturbo
 powerplant with
 530 hp
 and
 830 Nm
 of torque, and the V12 engine is paired with the
7G-TRONIC transmission
 for the first time in the S 600 Guard. The
top speed
 is limited to
 210 km/h
 which is possibly due to the increased heft. Although Mercedes-Benz didn’t mention about the
0-100 km/h
 sprint time, they merely quoted “
impressive acceleration
” from the 7-speed gearbox.
AIRMATIC air suspension comes as standard on the S 600 Guard. To cope with the increased weight of the vehicle, the suspension components have been recalibrated, the front air springs are reinforced, and the rear axle comes with additional steel springs. In the braking department, larger discs are fitted all-round and the front brakes are armed with 6-pot calipers. Meanwhile Michelin PAX run-flat tyres are fitted as standard and they can even travel up to 30 km when they are damaged.
Other driving assistance systems offered on the S 600 Guard includes DISTRONIC PLUS with Stop&Go Pilot, BAS PLUS Brake, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian recognition and ESP®, and Night View Assist Plus. No specific price has been announced, but expect to pay a premium over the standard S 600, considering the comprehensive protection the S 600 Guard has to offer.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Another finger-licking prospect by Honda, now with an electric sports car

The announcements just seem to keep coming and get more exciting. Just a couple days ago, Honda Malaysia made the declaration we’ve all been waiting for – the new FK8 Civic Type are will be
coming to Malaysia with bookings to open in Oct
.
This follows after the overwhelming responses from the Frankfurt Motor Show on the unveiling of the super cute
Honda Urban EV
 concept where a road-going model will due for production before the end of the decade.
And now, Honda has just announced that it will be unveiling an all-new sports car to go with the
new, lap time breaking Civic Type R
 and thrilling
hybrid NSX
. The
electric sports car
, will be on showcase at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the month.
Not a single hint or description has been released although, if recent reports are true, it should be built on the same EV platform for the upcoming Urban EV that caught our attention with its petite but perky figure with a front grille and tailgate that can display battery charging status, driving advises and even interactive messages.
If the Urban EV’s interior looks like this, imagine what the Sport EV’s would look like!
The Honda Sports EV Concept will feature a striking silhouette, friendly front end and supple body designs. Combining EV performance and AI technology in a compact shell, it is said to be developed with an aim to deliver a feeling of joy and provoke an emotional connection with the car and road.


2023 Toyota bZ3 photos leaked – ‘EV Corolla’ to debut soon?

Leaked images of the all-electric 2023 Toyota bZ3 have surfaced on the internet. Similar in dimension to the
Toyota Corolla
, the bZ3 has not changed much from the Toyota bZ SDN concept that debuted in December 2021.
On China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)’s website, photos of the Toyota bZ3 show two left-hand-drive units (black and white). Unlike the
bZ4x
, the Toyota bZ3 features flush door handles, which make it more aerodynamic. It also features aero caps, shown in two different patterns in the leaked images.
Photo:
miit.gov.cn
CarNewsChina
 reports that the bZ3 will use BYD’s ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate batteries. Last year,
Toyota
 and
BYD
 joined forces to create BYD Toyota EV Technology. Together, they established a research and development centre in Shenzen. The ‘Blade’ batteries are said to be about half the thickness of a traditional lithium-ion battery, boosting passenger space. No information on the battery capacity is known yet.
A peek at the inside of the Toyota bZ3 reveals a rotary style gear selector, a floating screen infotainment unit, a flat-bottom and top steering wheel, and a tan leather interior. The position of the meter cluster requires the driver to look over the steering wheel, instead of through it.
RELATED:
Toyota bZ4X SUV detailed, 218 hp and up to 500 km range
Photo:
miit.gov.cn
The Toyota bZ3 is expected to make its official debut at the Guangzhou motorshow in November this year. It will be Toyota’s second EV in the bZ series after the Toyota bZ4x. As for Malaysia, registration of interest has been open for the all-electric
Lexus RZ
, which is Lexus’s version of the Toyota bZ4x.
Photo:
miit.gov.cn


Volkswagen stops taking orders for the Golf GTE in UK, citing production bottleneck issues

Although the Volkswagen Golf is the
most popular model of its class in Europe
, it is not all a bed of roses for the seventh-generation hatchback. Volkswagen UK has just stopped taking orders for the
Golf GTE plug-in hybrid
, citing production bottlenecks that have caused “unreasonable” waiting times for the Golf GTE.
According to
AutoCar UK
, the bottlenecks in the production line were not pinned down to a supply issue or a fault in production, hence the only solution for Volkswagen to avoid excessively long waiting times for the Golf GTE was to suspend orders for the model. However, the Passat GTE – which shares the same powertrain combo as the Golf remains available to order.
A Volkswagen statement reads: “Due to bottlenecks in production and in order to not impose unreasonable waiting times on our customers for new car orders, temporarily the Golf GTE cannot be ordered. We will inform you as soon as this model is available to order again.” While the Golf is one of the best-selling cars in the UK, the GTE is the slowest-selling variant of the lot.
Although a locally assembled Golf GTE with its 1.4-litre plug-in hybrid motor that returns 1.4 litres per 100 km would be
an extremely compelling package for Malaysians
, there are
two main reasons why Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) are unable to bring it into our local market
. And judging from the situation in UK, perhaps it’s a good thing
they didn’t
.


You’ll never guess what is powering this Aston Martin Cygnet

Whenever we hear the word V8, our instinct is to picture a supercar or even a hypercar. But Aston Martin is going to break that for you by sticking their 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine into their Aston Martin Cygnet compact hatchback.
The V8 powered Cygnet was commissioned by a single customer who sought after the ultimate city car. Built by Q by Aston Martin, the Cygnet has
435 hp
 and
490 Nm
 of torque at its mercy, all sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint takes just
4.3 seconds
 and it will do speeds of
273 km/h
 on V-Max.

Clamping down the V8 powered city car are 380mm discs clamped by six-piston monoblock calipers at the front and 330mm discs gripped by four-piston monoblock calipers at the rear. The calipers are painted in yellow to contrast the Buckinghamshire Green paintjob.
On the outside, the Cygnet still retains its iconic shape with significantly flared extensions to cover the 19-inch five-spoke diamond-turned wheels. At the rear, the V8 Cygnet is distinguished by its central twin exhaust pipes and diffuser trim.
4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8
Inside, the Cygnet has a motorsport-inspired theme with a roll cage, fixed Recaro bucket seats with four-point harness, Alcantara steering wheel, carbon fibre dashboard, FIA compliant fire extinguisher and even carbon door cards. But Q has kindly left the air-conditioning the sake of passenger comfort.
IMAGE GALLERY

 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8


Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and others team up to keep the combustion engines alive

After a string of good results with accelerated progress on the hydrogen-fueled prototype racing car, Toyota is taking the next leap in what looks to be the biggest deviation yet in the automotive landscape.
Toyota, together with Mazda, Subaru, Kawasaki and Yamaha are jointly announcing their corporation to work together on the development of hydrogen technology as well as other greener fueling options to be used with internal combustion engines. Rather than just zero local emissions as promoted by new individual EVs, Toyota and the group believes carbon neutrality can still be achieved with new fuels running on combustion engines.
Toyota, Mazda and Subaru will continue to use motorsports as a research and development platform to evaluate and test laboratory-created carbon-neutral fuels. Both the new
Toyota GR86
 and
Subaru BRZ
 will be powered by carbon-neutral synthetic fuel derived from biomass, while Mazda’s 1.5-litre Skyactiv-D engine in the smaller Mazda 2 hatchback will race with 100% biomass-derived biodiesel.
The current
Toyota Corolla Sport
 hydrogen racing car will continue to participate in national endurance races to further accelerate the development and validation of technologies associated with hydrogen fuel being used in an internal combustion engine.
Kawasaki and Yamaha meanwhile will focus on the development of hydrogen engines for motorcycles and other vehicles, particularly in the logistics industry. The group will also study and improve the efficiency of the movement of hydrogen fuel, as the tanks are heavy and have pressure limits.
Formula 1 also feels that changing our fuel source to meet carbon neutrality is the better method. The pinnacle of motor racing has some plans lined up. More here.
Honda
 is absent from this so-called ‘Team Japan’, as the company has announced its targets to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and activities by 2050, with every single motorised device made by the company to be powered by electricity from 2040.
At last week’s COP26 climate conference by the UN, Toyota together with Volkswagen, Nissan and Hyundai
did not
 sign their pledge to transition to sales of 100% zero-emission new cars and vans by 2035 in leading markets and globally by 2040.
Toyota has earlier strongly expressed that switching just to fully electric propulsion is
too early
 at this stage of acceptance and options for consumers, and instead to continue with a wide range of existing hybrid engines and newer fuel cell technologies to achieve carbon neutrality.


Ferrari Roma Spider: La Nuova Dolce Vita reaches final form with new soft top convertible

When Ferrari
 unveiled the Roma back in 2019
, the Maranello-based supercar maker gave it the tag line “la nuova Dolce Vita”, or “the new sweet life” in English. Think driving through the windy roads with the magnificent Italian Alps as backdrop – and yet, half of the view is covered by the car’s (admittedly very attractive) sloping roof.
No, what you want is a convertible grand tourer, where you can soak in not just the beautiful surroundings and fresh air, but also the growl of the Ferrari V8. Luckily, the Ferrari Roma Spider is now here for you to do just that.
Uniquely, the Ferrari Roma Spider here utilises a fabric roof instead of a hard-top like most of the marque’s recent convertible models. In fact, it’s the first front-engined Prancing Horse with a soft top since the 365 GTS4 from 1969.
The soft top can be erected or stowed away in just 13.5 seconds at speeds up to 60 km/h, and is made out of a special multi-layer fabric that’s said to offer “acoustic comfort on a par with retractable hard tops”. A wind deflector is integrated into the rear bench’s backrests, and can be deployed with just a touch of a button – but only when you have no rear passengers on board.
Thanks to the roof now being chopped off, Maranello had to add several reinforcements to the rear of the chassis in order to ensure it still drives like a Ferrari. Still, with all that plus a whole folding roof mechanism, the Roma Spider only weighs 84 kg more than its coupe counterpart.
To accommodate the new roof, the section directly behind the rear seats have been redesigned with a body-colour band that runs across the base of the roof, dividing the carbon fibre active spoiler from the roof and rear screen in the form of a “seamlessly integrated tonneau cover”.
RELATED:
Naza Italia and Ferrari part ways, partnership to conclude in April 2023
The active rear spoiler also had to be redesigned and recalibrated for roofless driving, with three positions that increases in downforce the faster you drive. Fortunately, the rest of the Roma’s sultry body lines are mostly unchanged, including its signature long bonnet and low-slung, shark-like front fascia.
Also unchanged is its cabin design, which mirrors basically the coupe’s interior in its entirety, including the 8.4-inch portrait infotainment display in the middle sandwiched between two separate cockpit-like areas for the front passenger.
The all-new Ferrari Roma Spider is powered by the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, making
620 hp
 and
760 Nm
. Power is sent to the rear wheels exclusively via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Not that you’d really care in a topless grand tourer, but the Spider here does the century sprint in
3.4 seconds
, onward to a top speed of over
320 km/h
 – identical to that of its coupe counterpart.
Pricing for the Ferrari Roma Spider is not announced yet, but expect it to come at a premium over its regular coupe counterpart – the regular Ferrari Roma is
priced from RM968,000 here in Malaysia
, before options, duties, taxes, and insurance.
ALSO READ:
The new Ferrari Roma is just majesty on wheels
GALLERY


UMW Toyota celebrates 20 years of Toyota Eco Youth, prize money now doubled

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), the distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia, has announced the 10 finalists for the latest edition of the Toyota Eco Youth Program.
The Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) Program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is the automaker’s annual program to cultivate environmental awareness and encourage respect for the environment among youth in secondary schools. The long-running program celebrates its 20th year this year.
The latest edition, which kicked off in November 2020, is a fully online platform under the theme “Reimagining Mobility” attracted
282 teams
 from 177 schools, the highest ever participation recorded. This is an achievement itself, given that school sessions were irregular with the ongoing pandemic.
SMK Chung Hwa Miri, Sarawak
SMK Majakir, Sabah
In late December, 16 shortlisted teams have been formulating their proposals which were posted on social media channels for the public to view. Additionally, each team developed a podcast episode presented on Spotify.
Addressing the issue of waste and recycling were popular themes for the proposals. Showcasing impressive capability for innovation and advanced technology, many schools put forward ideas for digital smart tools, supported by carefully built prototypes.
“As always, we are highly impressed by the quality of the projects and the innovative ideas proposed. It is never easy for our judges to choose the best as everyone is a winner in their own way,” said President of UMWT, Ravindran K..
This year, UMWT has doubled the prize money pool to
RM64,000
 to further reward ingenuity amongst the youth. The winning team/school takes home a cool RM20,000, 1st runner-up with RM15,000 and third place rewarded with RM10,000. Teachers also get rewarded with RM3,000 under the
Most Supportive Teacher
 category.
SMK Taman Rinting, Johor
Maktab Tentera Diraja, KL
“Toyota Motor Corporation and UMW Toyota Motor are proud to be playing a part in cultivating environment consciousness and innovative thinking for the young generation. This year, we are pleased to share our vision for mobility with these students. It is assuring to know that the next generation will be ready to face new challenges that arise as we all strive to make our planet a more mobile and inclusive place for everyone,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMWT.
The final judging phase in April saw the
top 10 finalists
 being chosen and will proceed to make their respective ‘pitches’ through live presentations on 29th May 2021. They are:
SMK Kubang Kerian, Kelantan
SMK Air Putih, Pahang
SMAP Labu, Negeri Sembilan
SMK Taman Rinting 2, Johor
SMK Convent Bukit Nanas, KL
Maktab Tentera Diraja (MTD), KL
SMJK Katholik, Selangor
SMK Majakir, Sabah
SMK Chung Hwa Miri, Sarawak
SMK Mutiara, Labuan
GALLERY


Facelifted Ford Ranger Wildtrak makes global debut, now bolder and better

Ford has globally unveiled the refreshed Ranger Wildtrak model, and the key lies in the word Wildtrak, bearing an exterior package that resonates the rugged attitude that it exudes. We’ve already seen the
facelifted Ranger
 that was launched at the Bangkok Motor Show back in March this year.
EXTERIOR
The new Wildtrak boasts quite an array of new tech that are not typical of its segment. It is also offered with a gutsy
3.2-litre oil burner
 that promises to live up to the Blue Oval Company’s fun-to-drive ethos. As compared to its base-model sibling, the Wildtrak’s grille is now finished in
liquid metallic grey
 instead of chrome, giving it a more imposing stance. The same colour accent extends to the door handles, side mirrors, side air vents, bed rails as well as the tail lamps.
Further differentiating the flagship from the regular Rangers are the new set of 18-inch wheels, rectangular front fog lamps, a unique sports hoop and bold Wildtrak graphics. Ford claims that the variant’s signature orange colour has been slightly tweaked to ‘help it stand out from the crowd’.
INTERIOR
The cabin layout remains largely the same, save for the obvious use of its signature orange colour on the seats. The driver’s side is eight-way power adjustable and incorporates the said orange colour stitching with a two-tone upholstery.
The sports truck is also equipped with a dual-TFT instrument cluster display and an
eight-inch touchscreen LCD
 featuring SYNC2 voice-activated tech that’s housed in a soft-touch dashboard. This also comes with orange stitching that echos the upholstery fascia. A handy 240-volt power socket is also included.
PERFORMANCE
Powering this rugged pick-up is a
five-cylinder 3.2-litre Duratorq
 TDCi diesel engine which makes
197 hp
 and 420 Nm of torque that comes with an uprated
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
 system to improve fuel efficiency by up to 18 percent. Power is then sent onto the tarmac on all fours (or two should you fancy such) via a
six-speed automatic
gearbox.
The Wildtrak has a towing capacity thanks to the aforementioned powertrain of an incredible 3,500kg. It also gets an upgraded suspension and its ride is now tuned for better handling and comfort. Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) is entrusted with duty of steering which promises to have more feel at varying speeds.
SAFETY
As is the trend of modern European cars, it is loaded with tech and drivers aid. That being said, it is uncommon to find such systems on a truck. The list reads as such:
Lane Keeping Alert
,
Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control
 and
 Front and Rear Park Assist.
Keeping the truck in check under stressful driving is the ESC or Electronic Stability Control program that works in tandem with the
Adaptive Load Control
. Together they adjust the ESC system based on vehicle load or tow.
Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
 provides additional pressure to the brake system in an emergency to increase the braking force when you stomp on the middle pedal. If you find yourself on a slope,
Hill Launch Assist
, will help you start off from an incline, whether in forward or reverse. This tech is complemented with
Hill Descent Control
to suit all driving conditions.
WHAT ELSE?
The Ranger Wildtrak comes in its signature paint scheme called Pride Orange (they are rather proud of it). Should that tint of tangerine not tickle your fancy, the Wildtrak can be had in Cool White.
IMAGE GALLERY


Shelby made the fastest-ever Mustang even faster with the Signature Edition package

The Ford Mustang Shelby
GT350
 and
GT500
 are incredible cars – The latter is so powerful that Ford even makes its buyers
take driving lessons
 so you don’t end up in a ditch during your joy rides. Despite having the name though, true fans will tell you that these are not actually true Shelby cars.
You see, for a car to be a true Shelby, it will have to be part of the Shelby American Registry, a database that documents every single Shelby-built vehicle since the very first Shelby sports car in 1962. To have your Mustang officially certified, you’ll need these – the Shelby Signature Edition packages.
The biggest upgrade comes in the form of power for the GT500SE (for Signature Edition), which raises the output of the 5.2-litre turbocharged V8 engine up to
“800+” hp
(up from 760 hp), thanks to a new pulley and additional coolers.
Alongside the improved engine, the GT500SE also gains a lowered track-focused springs with a more aggressive suspension tuning, new wheels, and a carbon fibre hood that reduces the weight by about 14 kg.
Of course, there are visual upgrades too in the form of Shelby and Signature Edition badges, stripes, as well as a souped-up interior. For even more fanfare, you can also get an optional wide-body kit for the Mustang.
The Signature Edition is available on the GT350 and the R variant too, though admitted it sounds quite a bit tamer compared to the GT500SE. Made to celebrate 55 years of collaboration between the two companies, the GT350SE gets a more aggressive handling package, reworked interior, racing stripes, special wheels with performance tires, as well as several “functional styling elements”.
The package is designed for the 2020 Mustang GT350 and GT350R, though Shelby will gladly still install the kit on the older models from 2015-2019 – only without the anniversary badges. Just like the GT500SE, your car will also be entered into the Shelby American Registry.
For the ultimate Shelby fans, the company is also introducing a “First 15” incentive for customers who order their Signature Edition cars before 14th August. Benefits include a Shelby party in Las Vegas with a one-night stay at the D Las Vegas Hotel, an autographed photo of their cars at the Shelby factory, a First 15 exclusive serial number, Shelby gear, along with other perks.
Shelby will only build 100 units of each car every year, and they’re priced at
USD29,995
(MYR125,820) and
USD9,995
 (MYR41926) for the GT500 and GT350 respectively – and that’s not accounting for the actual price you’ll have to pay for the base car ITSELF plus transportation to the Shelby factory.
Each purchase of the SE packages will also include a donation to the Carroll Shelby Foundation, which provides medical assistance for those in need – including children, as well as educational opportunities and training programmes for youngsters interested in the Automotive sector.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500SE
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350SE


Perodua Ativa variant comparison: What do you get in the X, H, and AV variants?

During all launch events, the highlight of the new vehicle is the flagship variants with all the bells and whistles. For the Perodua Ativa, at just RM71,200, one can get adaptive cruise control and lane -keeping features that is capable of Level 2 autonomous driving!
What if your budget does not allow you to spend so much, or perhaps, these fancy technologies are not what you want, as your main usage of the car is only in slow urban areas and only 15 minutes on the expressway.
We will thus look into each
Perodua Ativa
 variant to simplify your purchase and also understand where the extra payment goes to.
Engine and transmission
All Perodua Ativa variants (X, H and AV) use the same turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine paired with a Dual-mode CVT. Peak outputs are
98 hp
 and
140 Nm
 of torque available from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm.
In all variants, there is a Power mode located on the steering wheel to increase
the response
 of the powertrain. Perodua says there is no need for RON97 fuel for the turbocharged engine, as
RON95
 is the minimum requirement.
The shift lever also has a manual mode, allowing the driver to manually cycle through seven steps (or speeds) for better engine braking or simply to have some control of the engine revolution. Drive is channelled only to the front wheels on this compact SUV.
Idling start-stop technology is also used to increase fuel economy. The rated fuel consumption on all variants is 18.9 km/l or 5.3 l/100km. Based on the existing RON95 price of RM2.05 per litre, the fuel cost translates to
10.85 sen
 per kilometre.
Exterior
Perodua has simplified identification of the exterior of the Ativa range. The wheels are the easiest identifier for the base X variant.
All variants have black finishing on the A-pillar (windscreen), side mirrors and central B-pillar. All Ativa models receive the same design of the grille, bumpers, shark fin antenna and the LED headlamps are also standard, with the H and AV variants getting additional features.
From here on is the detailed listing of each variant and its respective features
Perodua Ativa X – From RM61,500
Exterior
16-inch silver-painted wheels, 205/65 R16 tyres, with a full-sized spare tyre
Unpainted, resin finish on the lower section of the bumpers
Rear drum brakes, hand-lever parking brake
Body-coloured door handles
Smart handsfree entry (lock/unlock) on front doors plus tailgate
LED headlamps, manual levelliser, automatic high beam, bulb-type signal lamp
LED tail and brake lamps
Rear spoiler
Shark fin antenna
Manual folding side mirrors with turn signals
Colours : Cobalt Blue, Granite Grey and Glittering Silver
Interior
All-black interior, unpainted sections
Tilt-adjusting steering wheel column
Unwrapped basic steering wheel, only Power-mode switch
Fabric seats
Conventional instrument cluster with physical meters and LCD multi-info display
Conventional audio with FM tuner, USB and Bluetooth, 4 speakers, two USB charging ports
Push start/stop button
Manual air-conditioning with push-button switches
Storage spaces on all four doors, a centre console tray and side pockets
Driver’s armrest with console box
40:60 split-folding rear seats, flat-folding
Dual-level luggage deck board
Safety
5-star rating in ASEAN NCAP
Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) – Pre-collision warning, Pre-collision braking, Pedal Misoperation control, Front departure alert, Land departure warning, Lane departure prevention
VSC, TRC, Hill Hold Assist, ABS, EBD, BA, Emergency Stop Signal
6 airbags
ISOFIX with top tether
Fasten seatbelt reminder for rear occupants
Rear parking sensors

Perodua Ativa H – From RM66,100
For RM4,600 more over the basic X, the Ativa H looks better with the larger 17-inch dual-tone alloy rims. The H variant gets silver treatment on the lower portion of the bumpers (mimic underguards found on larger SUVs) with LED foglamps fitted upfront.

When in use, the turn signals have
sequential lighting
, like the Toyota Harrier and Alphard.
The Ativa H gets these extra features over the X:
Exterior
Silver highlights on the lower portion of bumpers
LED headlamps with sequential turn signal lights
LED foglamps
Adaptive Driving Beam- more advanced than high beam as it selectively turns off individual lighting elements to avoid glaring the oncoming traffic as well as ahead
17-inch dual-tone alloy rims, 205/60 R17 tyres, with a full-sized spare tyre
Automatic folding door mirrors
Additional exterior colours: Pearl Delima Red and Pearl Diamond White (RM 500 additional)
Interior
Silver painted air-conditioning vents and front door grip handles
7-inch TFT full colour digital multi-information display
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with control switches
9-inch touchscreen infotainment with Smart Link for Android and voice recognition system, HDMI port
USB (2) charger for rear occupants
Safety
Rear parking sensors
Reverse camera
As you can see, the additional RM4,600 is good value, making the Ativa more presentable each time you are in the driver’s seat driving it with the nicer-looking interior.
We would also like to take this opportunity to further explain the features of the infotainment with
Smart Link
 for Android. Similar to the system found in the Perodua Aruz and Myvi, only Android smartphones can connect with the infotainment, as the Perodua Smart Link app is only available in Google Play.
One of the key features of the Smart Link connection is the usage of Google Maps or Waze in the Navigation function. The voice recognition function, with a dedicated switch on the steering wheel, is the
Google Assistant
, which can be used to operate navigation, telephone and music while in motion.
The main weakness of the Smart Link connection is that the smartphone’s display must be always kept on. Being a mirroring technology, Smart Link also does not allow control of the navigation on the infotainment display but only from the smartphone.
Perodua Ativa AV – From RM 71,200
We finally arrive at the Ativa AV, the range-topping. Paint selection makes the Ativa AV have three different pricing, as full pearlescent red or white paint is RM500 extra, while pearlescent with black roof is another RM300 extra, bringing the price to RM72,000.
For the exterior, the only markings of the AV model that is without the black roof is the chrome door handles, of course, the AV grade marking at the tailgate.
Here are the features you get for topping-up an extra RM5,100 over the Ativa H:
Exterior
Chrome door handles
Interior
Chrome inner door handles
Two-tone leather seat, black with red highlights
Chrome trim on shift knob
Front footwell illumination
Additional tweeter speakers, total of six speakers
Red-coloured console side pocket
Solar and security window tinting film
Integrated digital video recorder (DVR)
Safety
Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
Lane keep control (LKC)
Blindspot monitor (BSM)
Rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA)
The bulk of the additional RM5,100 goes to the Advanced Driving Assists Systems (ADAS) which makes the Ativa AV capable of
Level 2 autonomous driving (AD)
.
Bear in mind that, for Level 2 AD to function, the ACC and LKC must operate at speeds above 60 km/h. As such, if your journey is around the neighbourhood, sending the kids to school and running errands plus does not have long stints of speeds 60 km/h and above, your driving pattern might never use the Level 2 AD function.
The Ativa H has all the modern safety features (ASA) plus the beautiful, customisable 7-inch full-colour multi-information display. The exterior is also more handsome thanks to the dual-tone alloy wheels and the silver highlights on the bumpers.
As such, the Ativa H could be the best value for the urban dweller.
GALLERY
PERODUA ATIVA X
PERODUA ATIVA AV

OFFICIAL IMAGES
PERODUA ATIVA AV PREVIEW EVENT


Fuel prices in Malaysia: the ups and downs

The former Barisan National Government, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, implemented various policies that had directly and indirectly impacted the automotive landscape of Malaysia.
The most significant policy change under the former government is the removal of petrol subsidies in December 2014 amidst the rising global oil prices (throughout 2014) and an attempt to reduce the government’s fiscal deficit. In 2014, RON95 was hovering at RM2.10 per litre, RON97 averaged at RM2.70 while diesel prices were capped at RM2.00/litre. The huge price discrepancy between the two grades of petrol was attributed to the subsidiary on RON95 provided by the government.

 Fuel Price in Malaysia Jan 2014 to March 2015

 Weekly Fuel Price in Malaysia March 2017 to May 2018
After the subsidies were withdrawn by the government, global oil prices plummeted to under USD50 per barrel throughout 2015 to 2016. As such then government had to revise the monthly price revision to a weekly affair (starting March 2017) to better reflect the fuel prices.
As Malaysians have elected a new government in the 14
th
 General Elections, part of Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto is to reintroduce petrol subsidies and stabilise the fuel prices. Yesterday (Wednesday, May 16) during a press conference, our new Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that “present state will stay and if it’s not enough, the government will subsidise”, marking the eight consecutive week where fuel prices have remained unchanged.
Presently
, RON95 is priced at RM2.20/litre, RON97 at RM2.47/litre, diesel Euro 2M at RM2.18/litre while diesel Euro 5M is priced at RM2.28/litre. It remains to be seen how the Pakatan Harapan government will implement the fuel subsidies, but they have promised to deliver the plan within their first 100 days in office.
Global oil prices
 have steadily recovered over the past 12 months, peaking at USD71 per barrel in May 2018 from just under USD50 per barrel in May last year.


KLIMS18: This is the most aggressively-styled Toyota Camry ever

If the pictures don’t do the all-new Toyota Camry any justice, you might want to come on over to the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show to check it out yourself.
The all-new 8th-generation Toyota Camry will only be available in one variant –
2.5V priced at RM 189,900
 – and will be a fully imported model from Thailand, with 5-years unlimited mileage warranty.
The new car is powered by the carried-over 2AR-FE 2.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine that’s good for
184 hp
 and
235 Nm
 of torque. The engine is paired with a 6-speed Super ECT transmission with optimised gear ratios for smoother acceleration.
Overall, the car which is by far the most aggressively-styled Camry, is wider, longer and sits lower with a longer wheelbase. On the outside, you get 18-inch alloy wheels, the first time it’s been offered on a Camry as the previous model only offered up to 17-inch wheels.

Five colours are available; they include Red Mica, Platinum White Pearl Mica, Silver Metallic, Graphite Metallic and Burning Black.
Suspension wise, the rear multi-link setup has been replaced with double wishbones which means this thing will go through corners with the composure of a certain “beer promoter” involved in a recent controversial incident.
A full range of LED lighting is offered in the front – automatic bi-LED projectors, LED turn signals, LED daytime running lights, fog lamps and tail lights. At the back you get dual exhaust tips – both of which are functional, if you’re wondering.
Inside the fully-redesigned interior is a new dashboard layout, (super comfortable) leather seats with a particularly smooth surface, 8-way powered seats with memory function (only for the driver), a dashcam, an 8-inch touchscreen display, 9-speaker JBL sound system, a 7-inch multi-info display and a 10-inch colour head-up display.

What’s more interesting is the switch by the front passenger seat, that allows the rear passenger to recline and push the front passenger seat forward should more legroom be needed. Toyota is really pushing for the new Camry to be considered as a chauffeur-driven car, aside from being a premium family sedan.
Safety wise, the new Camry is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance system which includes Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam and a Pre-collision system.
This adds to the seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Hill-start Assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
IMAGE GALLERY


3 things you’d want to know about Goodyear’s new tyres for the SUV segment

So Goodyear has launched it’s latest tyre in Thailand recently to cater to the luxury SUV segment; its called the EfficientGrip Performance SUV, and for good reason.
Following the launch of the all-rounded
 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
 tyres, the new Efficient Grip focuses on the SUV market which has shown no signs of slowing down with annual growth rates of 26% from 2012 to 2017 in the Asia Pacific region. Promising to deliver a quieter driving experience with maximised comfort and sublime wet braking performance, here’s 3 things you should know about the new EfficientGrip Performance SUV before you’re next SUV tyre change:
It’s QuietTred Technology helps minimise that humming noise
The annoying tyre noise you hear from within the vehicle’s cabin comes from the release of air trapped in the thread patterns as the tyres are rolling on the road. The QuietTred technology minimises this with an increased number of pitches with optimised distribution, coupled with closed grooves and shoulder design – this reduced noise generation, creating a quieter ride.
It’s improved footprint shape and pressure distribution also results in lesser vibrations and improved tyre longevity.
It maximises comfort with FlexContact technology
Designed with FlexContact, the tyres come with a shock absorbing cushion layer compound with increased insulation of the tyre structure. It’s also equipped with an innovative hexagonal bead shape to enhance rim contact – with the aim to reduce tyre vibrations for a more comfortable ride.
Equipped with cutting edge technology for superior wet performance
The new EfficientGrip comes with optimised microstructures with the application of new innovative polymers within the high-performance cap compound for improved grip on wet conditions. Wider and reinforced shoulder blocks with wider centerline sipes offers increased contact area during braking, allowing the car to stop faster and safer.
Available sizes
The EfficientGrip Performance SUV tyres will be available for 17-inch to 20-inch rim diameters in the Malaysian market with 20 different sizes offered. Consumers can purchase the EfficientGrip Performance SUV tires at Goodyear Autocare or Servitekar outlets, as well as authorized Goodyear dealers nationwide from October 2017 onwards.


Find out who won in this “Battle of the Bricks”!

It’s called that for good reason as both are some of the biggest SUVs you can buy. While both make about the same power, check out how weight plays its part in a drag race.
Both weigh in excess of two tonnes – the F15 X5M at around
2,385 kg
 while the G63 weighs some 300 kg more at a whopping
2,645 kg
.

That’s a huge disadvantage to make up for even though the AMG G63, with its 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8, makes about
563 hp
 and
760Nm
.
The BMW on the other hand makes
567 hp
 and
750 Nm
 from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. (all specifications including weight published are as per video)
Here’s
 what we thought about the latest AMG G63
.
Even though the G63 had the better start in both runs; even jumping the gun on the second run, the X5M was not going to just sit still and watch the AMG gallop into the horizon.
It’s a deja vu of the pick-up truck drag race we did recently, when the most powerful truck, the Nissan Navarra, among others including the D-Max, Hilux, and Ranger, lost outright to the Mitsubishi Triton.

If you’ve been following our videos on YouTube, you would’ve also seen our video of the
Toyota Supra
 going against the
BMW M2 Competition
.
That was another surprising race as both weighed the same but the M2 Competition was far superior in terms of torque figures.


2022 BMW M850i xDrive Coupé MY Edition launched – RM1.1 million

BMW Malaysia

has unveiled the 2022
BMW M850i xDrive Coupé
 MY edition
 for the Malaysian market. Essentially being the G15 facelift that made its world debut earlier this year, the Malaysian edition of the M850i xDrive Coupé fetches a price of
RM 1,102,800
.
Still powered by the same N63 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 engine, the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé produces a maximum power output of
530 hp
 @ 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of
750 Nm
 @ 1,800-4,600 rpm. With the V8 paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and with power sent to all wheels, the M850i xDrive Coupé completes the century sprint in
3.9 seconds
.
At the front, the revised BMW M850i xDrive Coupé features the “Iconic Glow” LED lighting on the kidney grille. The LED lighting provides a waterfall-like illumination that cascades down the grille slats. One could say that
the 8 Series’ facelift is a literal glow up
.
Also seen on the exterior are M exterior mirrors and signature M emblem on the kidney grille, which is courtesy of the inclusive M Performance Package. Perched on the boot lid is an M rear spoiler. Accentuating the coupé’s looks are the M high-gloss Shadowline and M Lights Shadowline.
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The BMW M850i xDrive Coupé MY Edition sits on a set of 20-inch double-spoke Style M light alloy wheels. Behind the alloy wheels are a set of M Sport brakes finished in high-gloss black.
In the cabin, the M850i xDrive Coupé MY Edition features a 12.3-inch touchscreen head unit and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Both driver and front passenger get M Sport seats (with active ventilation), and the interior is upholstered in BMW Individual’s Merino Leather. Upholstery colour options include Black, Cognac, Ivory White, Night Blue, Tartufo, and Fiona Red.
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LHD unit shown
Setting the ambience in the cabin is a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System. An added convenience in the M850i xDrive Coupé is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone integration.
Advanced safety features of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé MY edition includes Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Change Warning (LCW), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Rear Cross Traffic Warning (RCTW), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), and Emergency Stop Assistant. Also equipped on the M850i xDrive Coupé MY Edition is BMW’s Parking Assistant Plus.
Included in the RM1,102,800 price of the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé MY Edition is a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty with a free scheduled service programme. With the Straight Line Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the New BMW M850i xDrive MY Edition can be owned with a monthly installment plan starting from RM 12,797.
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GALLERY