McLaren kicks start its electrified future with the 680 hp Artura plug-in hybrid

Forget about the multi-million dollar limited-edition McLaren specials for a moment, because this here is perhaps the brand’s most important model, since the MP4-12C. The McLaren Artura is Woking’s
first series-production hybrid vehicle
, which will help usher in a whole new era of electrified motoring for the company.

With the all-new Artura, McLaren has ditched the somewhat-confusing number-based naming scheme in favour of actual names. Also gone is the 3.8-litre V8 engine that has almost become synonymous to the brand, replaced by an all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 hybridised power unit.
On its own, the petrol-powered engine generates an easy-to-remember 585 hp and 585 Nm of torque, but the electric bits – consisting of a 7.4 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor housed within the new eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox – raises the output up to a total of
680 hp
 and
 720 Nm
 of torque.
Now normally, a car of this nature will usually add a tonne of weight, but thanks to specific weight-saving efforts throughout the entire car (the entire hybrid powertrain weighs just 80 kg more than the old V8), the Artura weighs just 1,498 kg at the kerb – or 27 kg more than a 720S.
Without the extra weight to lug around, the McLaren Artura reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in just
3.0 seconds
, onward to 300 km/h in an impressive 21.5 seconds, and all the way up to an electrically-limited top speed of 330 km/h.
The electric motor provides “torque infill” at lower speeds and during gear changes for an instantaneous throttle response, but if you’re just cruising around at city speeds (up to 130 km/h), the battery pack is sufficient for a fully-electric range of 30 km.
Also contributing to the Artura’s feather weight is the new
McLaren Carbon-Fibre Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) chassis
, weighing just 82 kg by itself, alongside the “shrink-wrapped” body panels made from a combination of carbon fibre and Superformed aluminium.
To go along with the new powertrain and carbon fibre tub, the Artura – for the first time ever on a McLaren road-legal model – is also fitted with an electronically-controlled rear limited-slip differential (E-diff), where the driver can control the slip angle during a drift via the Variable Drift Control settings.
The rear suspension is new, too, now a five-link wishbone set-up that further reduces unsprung mass. However, the power steering rack is still the same electro-hydraulic system, which, McLaren insists, best delivers the “immediacy, on-centre feel and detailed feedback” for the driver over the electric systems used by most rivals.
As with all other McLaren models, access to the cabin is done through the dihedral doors, which have been reengineered on the Artura to open closer to the body. Inside, you’ll find a vertically-oriented eight-inch infotainment display alongside a digital instrument cluster running McLaren’s new MIS II software, promising a “smartphone level of responsiveness”, while over-the-air updates will be able to enhance the functionalities of various systems, including the optional advance driver assistance suite.
With the Artura, McLaren has essentially jettisoned its existing Sports and Super Series classifications. In its place is a new “supercars” segment, putting it squarely in between the
McLaren GT
 and
720S
.
“Every drop of McLaren’s experience and expertise has been poured into the Artura. Our all-new, High-Performance Hybrid delivers all of the performance, driver engagement and dynamic excellence for which McLaren is renowned, with the additional benefit of EV driving capability,” said McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt.
“The introduction of the Artura is a landmark moment – for McLaren, for our customers who will appreciate and enjoy this car on every emotional and rational level, and for the supercar world.”
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Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI e PHEV is almost as quick as an SQ5!

The Audi has just unveiled
its next-generation plug-in hybrids with the Audi Q5 55 TFSI e PHEV spearheading
the new line up. The Q5 PHEV offers the efficiency and environmental benefits
of an electrified vehicle without the anxiety of relying solely on a charging
point.
Up front rests a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI with 252 hp and 370 Nm combined with an electric motor with a peak output of 105 kW (143 hp) and 350 Nm. This gives the Q5 55 TFSI e a system rated output of
367 hp
 and
500 Nm
 the latter peaking at 1,250 rpm.
With the 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes
5.3 seconds
 – only 0.3 seconds off the
700 Nm SQ5
 – while top speed is registered at
238 km/h
.
The 14.1 kWh lithium ion
battery pack is located under the luggage compartment and takes 6 hours to be
fully charged when plugged into a 220V household outlet. On a full charge, the Q5
PHEV cover over 41 km on pure electric at a top speed of 135 km/h – which is
sufficient for the average daily commute.
Besides the slightly compromised boot space, the additional charging port on the rear three-quarter panel, hybrid-specific MMI displays and subtle TFSI e badging, the Q5 PHEV gets the identical kit as a standard S-Line model.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi Q5 55 TFSI e PHEV in Turbo Blue


Honda Civic Type R FL5 sets new Nurburgring FWD record – 7:44.881

The
2023 Honda Civic Type R FL5
 hot hatch has just set a new front-wheel drive car track record around the legendary 20.8 km
Nurburgring Nordschleife
 in Germany, with a new lap record time of
7 minutes 44.881 seconds
.
This new record didn’t only demonstrate the Japanese hot hatch’s improved dynamic performance compared to its predecessors but also proved itself
0.508 seconds
 quicker than the
Renault Megane RS Trophy R
, the previous 20.8 km Nurburgring Nordschleife record holder.
Fitted with the Japanese hot hatch were the
Michelin
 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect tyres. This contributed to the 2023 Civic Type R’s enhanced on-track performance and also provided the car with improved dry grip as well as better balanced handling. This track tyre was developed using the knowledge Michelin’s team garnered when developing the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, which is the tyre factory fitted with the Type R FL5.
Civic Type R FL5 development leader, Hideki Kakinuma said, “Under the concept of ‘Ultimate SPORT 2.0,’ we developed the all-new Civic Type R with the spirit of ‘going beyond our past achievements’ and strived for the ultimate FWD sports car by refining the ‘essential value’ and ’emotional appeal’ unique only to our Type R models.”
“Six years after the lap record was set by the previous-generation Civic Type R (FK8), we reached this new dimension as a result of all of the passions we poured in and all the advancements we made for this Type R model. Finally, our wish to share this title with all Type R fans all around the world came true,” Mr Kakinuma added.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG One reclaims Nürburgring throne – 8 seconds faster than 911 GT2 RS!
Besides the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the Civic Type R FL5 is also the lap record holder at the renowned Suzuka racetrack. The Civic Type R FL5 has yet to be brought into Malaysia. But looking at the one launched in our neighbour country, Thailand, the Japanese hot hatch is retailing for an eye-watering THB 3,990,000 (approximately
RM 515k
).
If you really want to add a Japanese hot hatch to your garage, don’t worry, as we have the Type R’s closest rival, the
Toyota GR Corolla
 up for grabs at
RM 335,000
 here in Malaysia.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 Toyota GR Corolla 1.6L Turbo 6-speed MT, RM355k – 5 Things


Polestar AWD optimisation is going to make Volvos even more fun to drive

There is a Polestar tuning package for almost every Volvo vehicle out there that offers sharper throttle response, quicker gear changes and increased engine output. Now, Volvo Cars have just introduced a new Polestar-developed software upgrade that promises a more dynamic driving experience on all-wheel drive (AWD) Volvos.
The optimisation software increases the amount and frequency of torque being sent to the rear wheels giving the car sharper turn-ins, better control and engagement in a corner and improved traction when pulling away. All these give the driver a more dynamic and engaging driving experience.
Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Volvo Cars, Henrik Green said, “We are always fine-tuning the driving experience of Volvo cars, and this upgrade makes the all-wheel-drive both smoother and more dynamic.”
The Polestar AWD optimisation software is engaged when the car is in Dynamic drive mode or when Electronic Stability Control is disabled. This software is available for all petrol and diesel variants of the Volvo 90 series, 60 series and XC40 that are equipped with AWD. Plug-in hybrid models are not included in the optimisation programme as the T6 Twin Engine and T8 Twin Engine already features a rear-biased AWD.


Here’s what the Hennessey Venom F5’s full 1,817 hp sounds like

Hennessey, the American tuning house-turned-hypercar maker, is aiming to break the 500 km/h
production car top-speed record
 with its
 Venom F5
. Now one year after it’s officially unveiled, the company has finally shown off the hypercar in its full power ‘F5 mode’, and it’s glorious.
The Hennessey Venom F5 has been undergoing testing for some time now, but it was previously limited to just 888 hp. With the F5 mode now unlocked, it’s now able to go full send and unveil all of its
1817 hp
 from the 6.6-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.

Hennessey says that they’re currently testing the car’s stability “beyond 250 mph (402 km/h)”, and while it’s still a ways off the production car speed record target, the car already sounds incredible.
If you’re wondering, the name ‘F5’ comes from the Fujita hurricane strength scale – with F5 being the highest and strongest rating. While it might be a little cliché to say the engine sounds like a storm setting in, the car really does actually sound like that especially in the fly-by shot.
RELATED: Oops – the SSC Tuatara world record top speed run video might be faked
Spittin’ fireballs. Screenshot: Hennessey Performance/YouTube
Aside from the horsepower output, the Hennessey Venom F5’s torque figure is also at an eye-watering
1,617 Nm
. And when you pair that to the car’s weight of just
1,360 kg
 and a drag coefficient of around 0.39 Cd, the Venom F5’s incredible speed won’t surprise you at all.
But of course, this is again just a teaser to the Venom F5’s eventual world record attempt, which Hennessey said will be held at NASA’s Florida runway “in the coming months”. We can’t wait to see what this absolute monster of an engineering masterpiece can do.
And if you want one, well, sorry – it’s already sold out.
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Shell Malaysia is giving away child car seats to 138 lucky customers

Shell Malaysia has announced that it is holding a contest to give away
 138 child car seats
 at selected Shell petrol stations to promote child safety on the road. Shell says that the contest is a part of their initiative to support the enforcement of
mandatory use of child car seats
.
The contest, which started last month, will run until the
12th of April 2020
, at
136 Shell stations
 in the
Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan
 region. As of now, 70 lucky winners have already won their child car seats,
worth RM507
, however Shell says that there are still car seats up for grabs.
In order to participate in the contest, customers will have to spend a minimum of
RM40 in a single receipt
 at participating Shell stations, then
submit your details via a contest form
 at the station. Up to 17 lucky winners will be announced each week until the 12th of April.
Shell says that the contest aims to educate and promote the use of a proper child car seat, or Child Restraint System (CRS). Shell Malaysia Trading and Shell Timur Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain said, “This is a gesture from some of our stations to promote the use of child car seats. Often, many parents do not know how important it is to have suitable Child Restraint Systems.
“By rewarding customers with child car seats, we hope we can educate parents to protect their children when travelling on the road,” he added.
The Ministry of Transport has passed a policy that mandates the use of CRS starting from January this year. The government has adopted the
 ECE R44
 and
UN R129
 standards, which all child car seats on sale locally are
required to comply to
.


Hap Seng Star (Balakong) named 2017 Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Dealer of the Year

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently held the Dealer of the Year awards aimed at recognising the efforts of its vast network of 33 dedicated dealerships nationwide.
Six awards were conferred – Best Performance in Financial Services, Best Performance in Business Excellence, Best Performance in After-Sales, Best Performance in Sales, Best Performance in Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) and Customer Loyalty Index (CLI).
The most prestigious award, the
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Dealer of the Year 2017
, was presented to Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd Balakong dealership. It achieved the overall highest scores in all aspects of sales, after-sales, customer satisfaction index, customer loyalty index, business excellence and financial services.
The other winners are as follow:
Best Performance in Sales
Asbenz Motors Sdn Bhd
Best Performance in After-Sales
Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd (Johor Bahru)
Best Performance in Business Excellence
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Kinrara)
Best Performance in Financial Services
Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (Jalan Ipoh)
Best Performance in Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) and Customer Loyalty Index (CLI)
Cycle & Carriage Bintang (Northern) Sdn Bhd (Juru & Bukit Tengah)
The cockpit of the
new A-Class
. Malaysia’s next best seller?
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner said, “As the leading premium automotive brand in Malaysia, we have been setting the benchmark in defining automotive excellence – especially in crafting a unique and unrivalled customer experience. To this end, we are continuously enhancing customer touchpoints, and currently offer the largest network coverage in the premium segment.”


Sales Tax Exemption: Sime Darby Auto Performance updates price list for Porsche models

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has released the updated price list for Porsche Malaysia models, in reflection of the government’s announcement for the
exemption of sales tax in private vehicles
, as part of the country’s post-COVID-19 short term economy recovery plan.
The new Porsche Malaysia price list, which has gone into effect since Monday the 15th of June, will be valid until the end of the year. The revised Porsche price list sees a reduction in price ranging from 2.7% to 3.9%, with savings of up to RM47,609.
The price listed above are all base prices for each model, before options, road tax, and insurance. The
911 Carrera 4S
 that was included in our
2019 AutoBuzz.my Best (Driver’s) Cars
 received the largest reduction in price, coming in at 3.9% (RM47,609).
The entry-level
Porsche 718 Boxster
 now starts at RM486,727, which is 2.7% or RM13,273 lower than before; the hard-top
718 Cayman
 sees a reduction of 3.2% (RM17,410), now priced from RM522,590.
The ubiquitous
Cayenne
 is now up to 3.5% (RM32,685) cheaper than before, depending on the selected variant. As for the
Porsche Macan
, the higher-specification
Macan S
 sees a reduction of 3.6% (RM22,271).
As an added bonus, bookings made from now up till the 30th of June will be entitled to an additional one-year warranty extension, and up to additional two-years free insurance, depending on the Porsche model.
Alongside the updated Porsche Malaysia price list, SDAP is also introducing an extension to the Porsche 360 Financing+ for the
Macan SUV.
 The plan offers a maximum financing of up to 90%, for a financing tenure starting from 12 months up to 60 months.
With the Porsche 360 Financing+ plan, the Macan can be yours starting at just RM6,300 a month (based on a 5-year loan tenure and 90% financed value), which Porsche says is up to 30% lower than conventional financing.
The new financing plan is now applicable until the 31st of December 2020.
For more updates on the latest updated car prices from the other brands in Malaysia after Sales Tax Exemption, do check out our round-up
here
.


Enhanced Subaru BRZ teased ahead of July 23 debut – New performance package?

Subaru
 America has just announced that it will be introducing a “sharper” and “more focused”
Subaru BRZ
. The said BRZ will be making its debut on
July 23
 this year at Subiefest California, a Subaru enthusiast festival organised by the company itself.
However, it is unsure if this “sharper” and “more focused” BRZ will be a special edition model, an optional package, or a whole new permanent variant. What’s known is that the teaser shows the “BRZ” wording stamped into the headlights is now coloured in red.
Prior to this, the BRZ’s
Toyota
 twin – the
GR86
 received the Upgraded Performance Package which comes with ZF Sachs Dampers and Brembo brakes with red four-piston front callipers and two-piston rear callipers. Available for the US and Canadian markets only, this package was included as standard with the limited edition
Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition
. Will the Subaru BRZ receive something similar to this? We will just have to wait and see.
Powering the current Subaru BRZ is a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated boxer engine that produces a total of
237 hp
 and
250 Nm
. The mill is paired to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels only.
RELATED:
Subaru EyeSight now available for manual transmission, to debut on the BRZ this fall
Sprinting from 0-100 km/h takes
6.8 seconds
 with the BRZ. As for its top speed, the 6-speed automatic variant allows you to travel up to
216 km/h
, while the manual variant can go 10 km/h faster, at
226 km/h
. However, safety should always be a priority, therefore we would advise everyone to drive safely.
In the safety department, both the manual and automatic variants come with seven airbags, hill start assist (HSA), blind spot monitor (BSM), and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA). As for the Subaru EyeSight ADAS suite, you will have to opt for the automatic variant.
The safety suite comes with active cruise control (ACC), front vehicle departure alert, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for both front and rear, as well as false start suppression control. Speaking of the Subaru EyeSight, Subaru Japan announced last month that it will make its
EyeSight ADAS suite available for its manual transmission models
, starting with the BRZ this fall.
Closer to home, the Subaru BRZ is up for grabs from
RM229,245
 (on-the-road, without insurance) onwards for the manual variant. The automatic variant, on the other hand, is available from
RM239,245
 onwards.
RELATED:
Special edition Toyota GR86, Supra, and GR Corolla debut – in celebration of their legacy


Design studio reimagines the Lamborghini Countach for the 21st century

To some people, the Lamborghini Countach is an object of pure lust – especially the original concept that was shown off in the 1971 Geneva motor show, with its clean lines unobstructed by the various aerodynamic appendages.
Some argue that it still looks futuristic 50 years later, and while we agree that most of it held up to the test of time, certain elements of the design certainly looks a little dated in the world filled with low profile tyres and fancy LED lights.
While we continue to wait for a possible fifty-year anniversary hommage to the original Countach, design house Arc Design beat Lamborghini to the punch by introducing their own design concept, called simply the Countach 50 Omaggio that’s inspired by Marcello Gandini’s original creation, just freshened-up for the modern times.
The Bugatti Centodieci is a hommage to the original EB 110, and it looks like it came from another planet! Check it out here.
Most of the iconic styling elements of the original Lamborghini Countach concept have been retained on the 50 Omaggio, including the iconic wedge shape, single-slit front air intakes, and the squared headlights – but all updated with modern design touches befitting of the 21st century.
The true party piece of the hommage model though, is round the back, where you’ll find the third brake lights integrated directly into the engine cover glass pane, as well as active cooling and aerodynamic devices in the form of pop-up side air intakes and rear wing that only emerge when needed to retain the clean lines of the concept car.
The tail lights – with slim LED light strips bisecting the mesh back – even acts as air vents to channel hot air away from the V12 engine underneath the car!
Take a trip down memory lane with the history of the Countach’s predecessor, the Lamborghini Diablo.
ARC Design says that the Countach 50 Omaggio is based on the Aventador, so in theory, it’s a lot bigger than its source of inspiration. Based on the design renders, it certainly looks a lot wider and planted than the original Countach concept.
It’s truly amazing to see how a 50-year-old design can still look so fresh with just a few tweaks – just goes to show how ahead of the curve Lamborghini was when they unveiled the original Countach, with a design as timeless as this.
The Urus is now Lamborghini’s most-produced, fastest-selling model to date. Learn more about it here.
Of course, this is still just a render by a passionate designer, so it’ll probably never make it into production. Let’s just hope that the higher-ups at Sant’Agata will be equally inspired by the Countach 50 Omaggio and actually make a hommage model themselves. But for now, enjoy the gallery below.
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Subaru EyeSight now available for manual transmission, to debut on the BRZ this fall

Subaru
 has announced that it is developing its EyeSight advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) for its manual transmission (MT) vehicles. The new EyeSight system will first be introduced on the Japanese-spec manual
Subaru BRZ
 sports cars, which will be debuting in Japan this fall.
The newly developed EyeSight suite for Subaru MT vehicles is based on the existing system already in use on the automatic variants, and as such it mirrors most of the functionalities of the latter, including pre-collision braking (PCB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane departure and sway warning (LDW), lead vehicle start alert, and rear sonar warning.
The new features will join the existing blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on the manual Subaru BRZ.
The EyeSight stereo camera system on the
Subaru XV GT Edition
Unlike many other ADAS suites on the market today, Subaru’s EyeSight system uses only a stereo camera set-up to provide driver assistance functionalities.
In addition to giving its customers extra peace of mind while driving, Subaru says that the new EyeSight system is also now “combined with control tailored to the driving and operating characteristics of MT vehicles”, allowing the system to operate in a wide range of real-world situations while not discounting on driving enjoyment.
Closer to home, the EyeSight system is available on all of Subaru’s new vehicles. This includes the
Subaru BRZ
,
Subaru XV,

Subaru Forester
,
Subaru Outback
,
Subaru WRX sedan
, as well as the
Subaru WRX wagon
.
According to Subaru data, the Japanese carmaker has delivered more than 5.5 million cars equipped with the EyeSight system globally since its debut in 2008. Subaru aims to achieve zero fatal road accidents by 2030.
RELATED:
2023 Subaru Forester facelift launched in Malaysia, 4 variants, same 2.0L Boxer – from RM174k


Facts and Figures: Fully electric Porsche Taycan launched in Malaysia

As promised before, the Porsche Taycan has made its way here in Malaysia. A total of three variants will be available – the Taycan Turbo S, the Taycan Turbo and the
Taycan 4S
. Prices start from RM725k for the
Taycan 4S
, RM 999k for the
Taycan Turbo
 and RM1.195 million for the
Taycan Turbo S
.
To put things in perspective, the base model Panamera retails at RM860k but with a whole lot less power. That’s cause the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo is powered by not one but two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear axle, making the cars all-wheel drive.

The Taycan Turbo S makes 625 hp (761 hp with Overboost) with 1050 Nm, while the Taycan Turbo pushes out 680 hp with 850 Nm. The Turbo S gets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds, quicker than the naturally-aspirated V12 Ferrari Superfast while the Taycan Turbo will the same in 3.2 seconds. Launch Control is available throughout the Taycan range.
The Turbo S serves up 412 km of driving range while the Turbo model musters more, up to 450 km. Top speed on both all-wheel drive models is 260 km/h.
As for the Taycan 4S, it makes 530 hp and 640 Nm for a 0 to 100 km/h time of four seconds however top speed is 10 km/h less than its more powerful Turbo siblings. Electric range is rated at up to 407 km but with the Performance Battery Plus, the Taycan 4S will make 571 hp and 650 Nm of torque. Electric range will also be extended to 463 km.
Power is delivered through a 2-speed transmission fitted on the rear axle. The first gear gives the Taycan even more acceleration from a standing start, while second gear with a long gear ratio ensures high efficiency and equally high power reserves. This also applies while the Taycan is travelling at high speeds.
In just over five minutes, the battery can be recharged using direct current (DC) from the high-power charging network for a range of up to 100 kilometres.
The Taycan Turbo S comes with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes as standard, along with carbon exterior trims such as the door sills, sideskirts and rear diffuser. These would be optional in the Taycan Turbo and Taycan 4S.
In the Turbo and Turbo S Taycans, brakes are 10-pot calipers in the front and 4-pot at the back, while the Taycan 4S’ stopping power comes from 6-pot calipers in the front and a 4-pot pair at the back.
LED Matrix Headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus) are equipped as standard for the Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo, while the Taycan 4S comes with LED Headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus). Wheels sizes are 19-inch for the 4S with 20- and 21-inch options for the Turbo and Turbo S.
As the Taycan is fully electric without engines occupying the front, or back for that matter, there are two luggage compartments available. The front section offers 81 litres while the rear can gobble up 366 litres of cargo.
Inside, the curved digital instrument cluster and infotainment displays features a specific user interface designed specifically for the Taycan. The usual physical controls such as switches and buttons have been significantly reduced.
For the first time ever, Porsche is offering an entirely leather-free interior for the Taycan. Instead, the interior is made largely of innovative recycled materials.
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Maybe it’s time to consider an Audi TT 2.0 TFSI after a RM16k price slash

It’s strange that we’re not seeing too many of the Audi TT, once a staple fixture on our roads but now with the 0% GST in place effective 1st June 2018, it’s time to pump those numbers.
With more than RM 16,000 in price reduction, perhaps higher if you play your cards right, the
Audi TT 2.0 TFSI
 offers the most affordable solution to a two-door German sportscar, with the nearest alternative placed RM 40,000 away – in the form of a Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe (price stated with 6% GST)
If a coupe is not your cup of tea, you might want to
look into the CBU Audi A4’s we’ve sampled before
 – both the 1.4- and 2.0-litre variants. Supremely comfortable, competent and pleasant on the eyes – inside and out – I’d say they’re more than just a worthy alternative for those who want to stand out from being seen in just another BMW 3-series.
There will also be a 6% reduction on the prices of the various packages (Tech Pack, S Line etc) that can be specified for the vehicles. All official Audi vehicles are
fully manufactured and assembled in Europe
 and come with a 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty.


Geely wants you to give their new Bin Yue an English name

Geely’s latest project, codenamed SX11, was
shown in its full glory
 earlier and the company has since taken to social media to reveal its official name for the Chinese market – Geely Bin Yue (缤越). Geely is also reaching out to the world to give the Bin Yue an English name.
The name Bin Yue is a combination of the brand’s larger sibling
Bo Yue
 and
Bin Rui
 – “Bin” for models sitting on the new B-Segment Modular Architecture (BMA) platform and “Yue” for vehicles with an SUV body style. Quite a systematic and clever naming logic if you ask me.
To recap, the Bin Yue is targeted at the younger (or young at heart) crowd with a stylish and sporty design. The cabin also boasts best in class technologies with floating widescreen infotainment system, LCD instrument cluster, electronic gear selector, electronic parking brake and a panoramic sunroof.
Powering the Bin Yue is a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol mill
co-developed with Volvo
, packing
177 hp
 and
 255 Nm
 of torque. The new engine is enough to send the SUV sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
7.9 seconds
, a figure Geely claims betters even the premium marque.
The BMA platform is known for its modularity to help Geely Auto as a Group to achieve
better economies of scale in manufacturing and development
. It is still a little far-fetched to think about it, but a B-Segment Proton SUV based on the BMA platform does sound good…
IMAGE GALLERY

 SX11 vs Q3

 SX11 vs GLA


BMW Group Malaysia adds Millennium Welt as newest dealer for BMW Motorrad

Millennium Welt has become BMW Group Malaysia’s newest representative for the BMW Motorrad brand in Kuantan and also the East Coast Region of Peninsular Malaysia.
“The East Coast with its great windy roads down the coast is perfect for motorcycle riding but more importantly, the area delivers over 50 motorcycles annually and has the potential to grow steadily year on year,” said
Head of BMW Motorrad Malaysia, Mr. Owen Riley.
Millennium Welt has a proven track record representing the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands in Seremban as well as a representative of the BMW brand in Batu Pahat and Kuantan.
At the BMW Group Malaysia’s 8
th
 Dealer Awards ceremony held earlier this year, Millennium Welt took home 13 awards, including the BMW Excellence Club Award.
Managing Director of Millennium Welt Group of Companies,
Mr. Bryan Wong said, “As the official dealership for the BMW brand in Kuantan since 2016, we have built solid credibility with our customers in Pahang and its surrounding areas. Riding on this momentum, we believe the addition of BMW Motorrad to our portfolio of premium vehicles will translate into a higher number of deliveries in the area.”
Millennium Welt Kuantan now offers a wider range of products and services consisting of BMW and BMW Motorrad models, as well as MINI Service
and is located at 32, Jalan Teluk Sisek, 25000 Kuantan, Pahang.


Toyota storms SEMA 2015 with 8 meter long, 8-door ‘Tundrasine’ pickup

Over the past couple of days, we’ve gotten a small taste of the the magic taking place at SEMA in Vegas with
Mazda’s gorgeous MX-5 concept duo
. Toyota North America it seems, wanted to make a sterling impression on this year’s swarm of visitors with the company’s full size pickup truck native to the North American market – the Tundra, but this
ain’t
 no ordinary Tundra.
Toyota must’ve thought it to the whimsical to bring a stretched out Tundra, dubbed the “
Tundrasine
” which is a shade over
26
 feet long (8 meters) and has
 eight-doors
. Sounds like a teenager’s prom-night dream come true, really. Sadly, it’s the only one in existence. Now to give you an idea of how just how big this gargantuan pickup is, you could snugly park a
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 in the space between its axles – that’s over
20 feet
 long! Toyota showed SEMA that they really do have a witty sense of humour.
                                                                            Pic credit: Car & Driver
Powering this
sense-of-humour
that some struggle to call a limousine is a
5.7-litre V8
 block producing
 381 hp
. We’d reckon that amount would be sufficient for the run-of-mill Tundra which doesn’t tip the scales over at
4-tonnes
, which this does. Toyota says there aren’t any changes done to its
4×4
 system – now that’s a really, really long drive shaft extension.
Toyota didn’t just bring this rather unceremoniously stock (for SEMA atleast) stretch Tundra but also a couple of
 jacked-up monster trucks
 for good balance. After all, it is the largest specialty equipment trade show in the world. Ordinary is a word these folks omitted from their vocabulary.


More new parts for A80 Toyota Supra, now reproduced by GR Heritage Parts!

Toyota has added more spare parts for the A70 (1986-1993) and A80 (1993-2002) Supra models under the
GR Heritage Parts project
.
New additions to the A70 Supra heritage parts list that is set to be on sale from July and August this year are clutch master cylinder, brake hoses, side protection mouldings and front suspension lower arm bush.
The orange Supra from the original Fast and Furious movie just got sold for RM…million. Find out how much here!
Toyota is also reproducing the air-conditioning control knobs just for the A70 Toyota Supra.
As for the A80 Toyota Supra, the front bumper is the latest addition to the rather limited range of reproduced exterior parts that includes the headlamps and door handles. An original Toyota Genuine Part
oxygen sensor
 has also been added to the list.
The GR Heritage Parts project was officially introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon and the catalogue has quite a long list of mechanical parts for the A70 Supra and the Toyota 2000GT.
Watch Nissan Nismo professionally rebuild and restore a R32 Skyline GT-R model
The catalogue of reproduced parts can be viewed
here
 and is available to the owners in North America, Europe and other overseas countries. Toyota will gradually make reproduced parts available for purchase at Toyota dealers, the same way as normal genuine parts.


Volkswagen Tarok Concept shown, next-generation pick-up with 1.4L TSI

Volkswagen has just presented its new pick up truck concept here at the 2018 São Paulo International Motor Show. The Volkswagen Tarok Concept will be the base of the brand’s next-generation pick-up truck, replacing the Amarok in the near future.
Measuring at five-metres long, the Tarok Concept features a design concept that combines the styling elements of an urban SUV with off-road ruggedness. Like with all modern Volkswagen concepts, the Tarok features extensive light bars on the front and rear end which will no doubt be watered down when it hits production floors.

One core design feature of the new pick-up truck is its variable loading area concept which allows the rear seats to be folded down allowing the cargo bay to be extended by another 655 mm to transport even longer items. When the rear seats are in place, the carbo bay still measures 1,206 mm in length.
Volkswagen is bringing its digital-centric cabin design language currently available in its passenger cars to the pick-up truck segment. The Tarok Concept dons a digital instrument cluster with a glass-covered Infotainment system that controls all the major functions of the vehicle.
The Tarok Concept will be available with a 1.4-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol with
150 hp
 paired to a six-speed automatic as well as a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI turbodiesel also delivering
150 hp
. A permanent 4MOTION all-wheel system is standard on all production series Tarok Concept.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Malaysia still eager to introduce GTE (plug-in hybrid) models

Remember that episode a little over two years back when Volkswagen Group Malaysia
previewed three electrified cars, the e-Up!, Passat GTE (B8) and Golf GTE
? That particular stunt generated tremendous hype, but plans came to a grinding halt following several PR disasters that took place after.
Thankfully, someone’s willing to pick up the baton and complete the race. Under the new stewardship of Porsche Holding Salzburg (PHS) – officially known here as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia, it seems that there is still hope for those interested in owning a locally assembled plug-in hybrid Volkswagen.
Will we get the
VW Tiguan GTE
 one day? Quite possibly, really…
Although the affirmation comes without specifying models nor revealing a detailed roadmap, VPCM’s Managing Director, Erik Winter said, “The company’s focus this year is not so much on sales volume. That is without a doubt one of our main objectives, but the priority this time around is to rebuild the brand image.”
Behind closed doors, VPCM, together with Deenan Nadar (new Aftersales Director) and all authorised distributors are working full steam to revamp customer ownership experience.


The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire gold special editions are for the flashy businessmen

The
Toyota Alphard and Vellfire
are sometimes affectionately known as the “
taukey
 car”, a playful jibe at the owner demographic. There’s nothing to be ashamed of – in this price range, the Alphard and Vellfire provides almost unmatched comfort at the rear seats, and in the right configuration (i.e. Executive Lounge), luxury.
For those reasons, the twins have almost become a default purchase for business owners, and weirdly, frequently in white. If perhaps you’re a bit of an eccentric boss and want a bit of pizzazz to go with your class, Toyota has just the right answer for you, in Japan at least – the
Alphard S “Type Gold
” and
Vellfire Z-Golden Eyes
.
Based on the S specification, the Alphard S “Type Gold” gains an exclusive gold emblem positioned front and centre of the grille. All chrome accents on the car has also been replaced with a Black smoked-metallic shade, which includes new grille slats, bonnet and bumper trim pieces, fog light housing, and rear door garnishes.
As for the Vellfire Z-Golden Eyes, the Z-specification car gains a gold-trimmed tri-LED headlights, gold-coloured front grille, and gold taillight garnishes. The horizontal slats on the lower front apron is now finished in jet black.
Inside, both cars get a new Ultrasuede perforated upholstery, four-spoke steering wheel and dashboard trims in “Metalwood”, and a blacked-out pillar and roof lining.
Both the Alphard and Vellfire Gold special editions also get a gold-plated key fob, and a smart entry power-sliding door – so the “
taukey
” will never need to touch the door handles again.
IMAGE GALLERY


Subaru WRX STI S208 unveiled at Tokyo, 2.0L 325hp/432Nm, 6-spd manual only

Subaru has unveiled the limited edition WRX STI S208 in full here at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. As
reported earlier
, the high-performance sedan is limited to 450 units only, among those, 350 units are NBR Challenge Package that comes with additional carbon bits to commemorate Subaru’s involvement in the 24 Hours Nürburgring race.
Under the hood, Subaru has given the standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged boxer engine a slight bump in power to
325 hp
 and
432 Nm
 of torque, red lining at
7,200 rpm
. Drive is sent to all-four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Unique upgrades to the S208 include a quicker steering ratio of 11:1, flexible front tower bar, STI Bilstein suspension with variable damping force, 19-inch BBS forged aluminium wheels and 18-inch Brembo brakes all round. In its standard trim, the S208 comes with a dry carbon lip spoiler, more aggressive bumpers, STI-specific Recaro bucket seats and dedicated sports meter. The S208 is available in two exterior shades: WR Blue Pearl and Crystal White Pearl.
The NBR Challenge Package adds an exposed dry carbon roof, black wheel finish and the option for a large carbon rear wing. Customers can also choose to have their S208
NBR Challenge Package
 to be finished in Cool Grey Khaki paintjob.

Prices for the WRX STI S208 starts from ¥5.8 million to ¥6.58 million if you want the large carbon rear wing.
IMAGE GALLERY


The all-new Honda Civic sedan fully unveiled in USA, more powerful with 180 hp

American Honda Motor Co. has fully unveiled the all-new Civic sedan model in USA, after premiering the “
prototype
” design in November and a handout of a
single image
 of the vehicle two weeks ago.
Nearly everything shown in the “prototype” form has been carried over into the production version of the Honda Civic, now in its
11th-generation
. In our opinion, the exterior design has significantly dialled back the “boy racer” image for a more mature and upmarket presentation, almost “European”. Unverified images with markings denoting the
Chinese market
 also share the same exterior design.
The front character lines have “soften” with more rounded headlamps and bumper profile while maintaining the solid wing grille design. No changes to the width which is 1,800 mm. Lengthwise, however, sees a gain of 26 mm with the
wheelbase
 an even larger
increment of 36 mm
 (2,736 mm).
The overall height remains at 1,416 mm. Based on the data available, the all-new Honda Civic sedan for the North American market is up to
69 kg heavier
 than the outgoing model, with the heaviest variant weighing 1,396 kg.
The kink on the C-pillar that first appeared on the 10th-generation
Honda Accord
 also made its way onto the all-new Civic, tying the two models together in appearance. Tyre and rim sizes are also maintained from the previous generation, measuring 16 inches for the base LX 2.0 variant, 17 inches for the EX Turbo and 18 inches for both the Sport 2.0 and Touring Turbo variants.
The rear portion looks more conventional with the taillamps now in a more traditional placement and the lighting units (not
BMW-inspired
 unlike the smaller
City
) extend deeper into the bootlid. Unfortunately, the rear bumper of the “prototype” with exhaust outlets cut-out did not make it into production, with the dual-exhaust tips of the turbo-variant pointing downwards.
At the unveiling, only two engine choices are available for the USA market. American Honda Motor Co. continue to offer the
2.0-litre
 naturally aspirated engine with outputs of
158 hp
 and
187 Nm
 of torque and an improved 1.5-litre turbocharged engine.
The turbocharged engine now proudly carries the
VTEC
 name, as the exhaust camshaft is now fitted with the variable valve timing and lift control technology. Thanks to the
exhaust-side VTEC
 system plus improved plumbing, the turbocharged engine now delivers
180 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
240 Nm
 of torque, an increase of 6 hp and 20 Nm respectively.
While the peak torque is 20 Nm higher, the spread is shorter, with 240 Nm available from 1,800 rpm to
4,500 rpm
. In the current Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo, the 220 Nm is sustained to 5,500 rpm.
Honda has also paid a lot more attention to the CVT-type transmission with improvements focusing on drivability. The transmission has been programmed to provide
early downshifts
 during braking and features revised
Step-Shift
 programming that simulates physical gear changes under hard acceleration for a more familiar and enjoyable driving experience.
Selection of driving modes (Normal, Eco and
Sport
) is now available and performed via a toggle switch. The feature is however limited to the higher variants of each engine (Sport 2.0 and Touring Turbo) model which also features 18-inch wheels.
American Honda Motor Co. also promises that the all-new Honda Civic sedan will drive better and more comfortable for the occupants. The suspension and steering upgrades result in a smoother, more linear and more precise feel in turns while reduction in friction and improved bushings are key to reducing harsh road shocks.
Inside, a more mature theme is also replicated. Under a
new design
 language called “
simplicity and something
,” it has an uncomplicated, low and flat dashboard, free-standing infotainment display and fully digital driver’s display with the horizontal mesh vents being the highlight.
This striking
metal honeycomb mesh
 accent stretches from door to door across the dashboard. It serves both form and function, creating a dramatic visual dividing line between the information display and the air-conditioning controls, while the intricate flow-through design
conceals the air vents
 that would otherwise mar the uncluttered and harmonious look of the dash.
In the highest Touring variant, the driver has a
10.2-inch
 high-definition (HD) display, a first for a Honda Civic. This large display will be paired with a
9-inch
 HD infotainment display that has enhanced features such as Smart Shortcuts.
A 12-speaker
Bose premium sound
 system is also specifically designed with this top-of-the-range infotainment system.
Lower variants will have a smaller 7.0-inch driver’s display paired with a similar-sized infotainment display. Front occupants also benefit from a
new front seat
 design. Using Honda’s Body Stabilizing Seat approach, the new-generation seat frame firmly holds the body, enhancing comfort on long drives.
Honda’s
Sensing
 system has been further improved with better processing power plus the usage of
a single camera
 system as opposed to the radar-and-camera set up in the current generation. The new camera-based system improves on existing functionality, such as
more natural
 brake application and quicker reactions when using Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Drivers will also appreciate a more linear and natural steering action when the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) is activated. With the addition of eight sonar sensors, the Civic, for the first time, features
Low-Speed Braking Control
, and front and rear false-start prevention.
The company that passionately believed in their
LaneWatch
 camera-based blind-spot detection system (passenger corner only) has finally joined the global bandwagon and provide a dual-corner blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert in the all-new Honda Civic.
Following the reveal of the Canadian-made Civic sedan, Honda said the all-new Civic hatchback will be next to take centre stage in a few months after, which for the first time will be made in Indiana, USA.
GALLERY


Bentley Bentayga First Edition debuts, only 608 units exclusively designed for VIP customers

We all know the the Bentley Bentayga for obvious reasons. It’s ridiculously big, fast and expensive and there’s no two ways about it. This luxurious SUV made its
global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show
 earlier in September, and shares the same underpinning (PL71) as that of the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg.
Now, Bentley is debuting the Bentayga First Edition to a group of handpicked customers at an exclusive event that will take place at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles.
Only 608 units
 of the First Edition variant will ever be made for the global market.
Features unique to the Bentley Bentayga First Edition include Union Jack badging, illuminated tread plates and a set of
five-spoke 22-inch
 two-tone black painted and polished wheels. To highlight the exclusivity of this variant, just ten exterior colours will be offered.
Inside, the leather seats will feature an intricately embroidered pattern with contrast stitching, to which Bentley calls ‘Diamond on Diamond quilt’. The cabin also gets bespoke ambient lighting, Union Jack fascia badging and other fine trimmings finished in wood, metal and leather. Bentley claims that the First Edition’s cabin will set new standards in automotive design, however the pictures alone won’t do it justice.

The number 608 also represents the Bentayga’s metric power output of 608 PS or
 600 hp
. This is achieved with an all-new turbocharged W12 engine that makes a mind numbing
900 Nm
 of torque, effectively earning itself the
World’s Most Powerful and Fastest SUV
 title. It has a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of just
 4.1 seconds
 and a top speed of
 301 km/h
 – enough to outrun some supercars despite weighing
3,250kg
! It’s also
11.9 percent more fuel efficient
 than the W12 engine of old, this time equipped with the ability to deactivate up to six cylinders depending on engine load. Only one transmission is offered – an eight-speed automatic.
Bentley Motor’s Board Member for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Kevin Rose said “With the First Edition, we have created the ultimate expression of the Bentley Bentayga’s spirit. It is equipped with an array of striking features that celebrate both the pioneering nature of the Bentayga and its unique abilities.”
Additionally, each of the 608 customers will receive a unique Breitling watch to complement their brand new luxury SUV. This
Breitling Bentley Bentayga Edition

wristwatch
 features three bespoke-made high-performance special edition chronographs; the Emergency with an integrated dual frequency personal locator beacon, Cockpit B50 with an electronic multifunction calibre and the automatic Chronomat 38 that’s designed to complement the lady’s wrist.
And if that’s not luxurious enough for your taste, these three models share several signature features; an officially chronometer-certified Breitling movement, an original and powerful design with an all-black case; a black mother-of-pearl dial; bronzetoned hands matching the livery of the first Bentayga presented to the public; and a rubber strap matching certain key interior elements.
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua sold 97,400 cars in 1H2016, Bezza bookings exceed 10k!

It looks like 2016 will be a strong year for Perodua as the company registered 97,400 sales from just three models during the first half of the year. It’s impressive but not surprising, because the number excludes sales from the newly launched
Perodua Bezza
.
Out of the 97,400 units sold, the largest chunk goes to the
Axia
 model with 51,100 units sold, followed by 28,100 units of the
Myvi
 and 18,150 units of the Alza. Surely, sales of the three models (especially the Axia) will see a decrease in the next six months following the introduction of the Bezza.
Picture credit: Motorme.my
Despite MAA’s revised TIV projection (down to 580,000 from 670,000 for 2016), Perodua shows no signs of slowing down by maintaining their annual sales target of 216,000 units. To do that, Perodua has to sell 118,600 cars for the remaining six months of the year, a feat made slightly more possible with the Bezza’s introduction.
Speaking about Perodua’s latest darling, since the Bezza’s official unveiling a week ago, Perodua has collected over
10,115 bookings
 as of 26 July, with 500 units delivered to their respective new homes.
Elsewhere, Perodua records a 5 percent growth in both its aftersales and parts department, although production numbers dropped slightly compared to the same period in 2015.


Car dashboards of the 1980s had some wonderfully weird designs

Due to regulations and market preferences, most cars sold to the general public these days have very predictable and conservative (read: boring) dashboard designs. But that hasn’t always been the case, especially during the 1980s.
We’re not sure if it’s the sci-fi movies such as Back to the Future or the advent of digital displays, but many cars from the 1980s had experimental dashboard designs that are quirky and frankly very cool. Here are just some that we managed to aggregate online.
Image: dave_7/
flickr
Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2
The Lagonda was actually launched at the 1976 London Motor Show, making it the first production car to use a
digital instrument panel
. However, deliveries of the Lagonda did not start until late 1979 for one reason – it was really, really difficult to get the digital display to work properly.
So much so that Aston Martin actually outsourced the job to another company. Due to the complexity and lack of reliability of the LED displays in the Series 2, Aston Martin switched to a cathode-ray tube display for the instrument cluster of the Series 3 which unfortunately proved to be even less reliable.
Images: Official brochure via
archiviostoricocitroen
Citroen BX Digit
Citroen is arguably the king of oddball designs, and the 1982 Citroen BX is no different – both inside and out. The BX stood out with its lack of steering column stalks as all controls are mounted on two protruding panels flanking the instrument cluster, allowing the driver to access the controls while both hands remain on the steering wheel.
However, what truly caught our attention was the 3,000 unit limited-run Digit variant, featuring a completely-digital instrument display which looks
super cool at night
.
Image: Official brochure via
oldcarbrochures
Chevrolet Corvette (C4)
Launched in 1982, the C4 Corvette featured a completely new design language compared to its predecessor. Just like the exterior styling, the interior architecture has also been completely revised, featuring the same square-ish motif.
The C4 Corvette featured a digital instrument cluster with three main display panels for speed, engine speed, along with temperature and fuel information. Due to the resemblance in looks to the Atari games of the early days, the dashboard on the Corvette was also affectionately called the “Atari Dash”.
Image:
japanesenostalgiccar
Subaru XT
The experimental dashboard designs were not limited to the Western world either. The 1985 Subaru XT, also called Alcyone in Japan featured an interior with several aircraft-inspired design elements, such as the lighting, wipers and climate controls mounted on two extruding “pods”, along with a joystick gear knob with a thumb trigger button.
The XT also featured a digital instrument panel, which moves together with the steering wheel column during adjustments. While we’re on the topic, how cool is that asymmetrical steering wheel design?
Fiat Panda
While the other cars on this list featured some truly extravagant interior designs, the Fiat Panda Mk. 1, launched in 1980, went for a minimalist, yet functional styling true to its original purpose – an inexpensive, easily maintained, robustly simple, utilitarian vehicle.
Everything in the spartan interior is restricted to the two rectangular boxes right above the steering wheel column, including the climate and lighting controls. As for the rest of the empty space? Cover it with matching fabric, of course.


Kia Motors to introduce its first 48V diesel mild-hybrid powertrain

It’s called the “EcoDynamics+” powertrain and it aims to reduce CO2 emissions and offer cleaner diesel engines by supplementing acceleration with electric power from an additional 48-volt battery.
As the first new technology under Kia’s powertrain electrification strategy, the 48V mild-hybrid powertain will also serve to extend an engine’s “off time” using a new Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator unit.
The EcoDynamics+ diesel mild-hybrid powertrain features a compact 0.46 kWh 48-volt lithium-ion battery and a new Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator (MHSG) that switches between two modes; motor and generator.
In ‘generator’ mode, the system harvests kinetic energy from the vehicle during deceleration and braking and uses the power to recharge the batteries.
In ‘motor’ mode the battery is discharged under acceleration, providing additional torque to the engine for a slight boost in performance under hard acceleration. Under deceleration, or when driving downhill or towards a junction, the MHSG switches to ‘generator’ mode, recuperating energy from the crankshaft to recharge the battery on-the-go.
The
2.0L Kia Sportage AWD Turbodiesel
 introduced in Malaysia last year.
The compact nature of the system means it can be easily applied into existing vehicles. Depending on the vehicle, the 48V battery will be located beneath the boot floor, minimising the impact on vehicle practicality, with no plug-in recharging required.
The Kia Sportage will be the first model to offer the new EcoDynamics+ diesel mild-hybrid powertrain later in 2018, followed by the new 3rd-generation Kia Ceed. Kia plans to launch 16 advanced powertrain vehicles by 2025, including five new hybrids, five plug-in hybrids, five battery-electric vehicles and in 2020, a new fuel-cell electric vehicle.
Kia’s EcoDynamics+ diesel mild-hybrid powertrain is compatible with both manual and automatic transmissions, and could be adapted for front-, rear- and all-wheel drivetrain layouts. The powertrain will also be adapted for use in gasoline engines.


Lotus confirms four new EV models by 2026 – 2 SUVs, built in new China HQ!

We already know that Lotus is going all-in on EVs, since the British marque already confirmed that the
Emira
 will be its
last pure internal combustion engine model
. But now, we finally get to hear what those plans are, and let’s just say that they’re
big
 – with four new Lotus EV model planned for the next five years, including two electric SUVs.
Type 132 EV SUV
The EV frenzy will kick off with the much-rumoured E-segment SUV next year, codenamed Type 132. This will be followed by the Type 133 E-segment four-door coupe in 2023. A smaller D-segment SUV codenamed Type 134 will make its debut in 2025, and finally one year later in 2026, an all-new electric sports car, codenamed Type 135.
Lotus’ last pure ICE model is powered by the world’s most powerful production 4-cylinder engine, courtesy of Mercedes-AMG. Check out the Lotus Emira in more detail here!
Type 133 EV four-door coupe
Lotus calls the first three (Type 132, 133, and 134) “premium lifestyle vehicles”, and they’ll be built upon the brand’s new premium architecture called “Evolution” – one of the four new vehicle platforms announced earlier this year.
The premium architecture supports wheelbases ranging from 2,889 mm to 3,100 mm (and could be expanded in the future), which means it’ll fit cars ranging from C+ to E segments – SUVs included. The platform will use batteries ranging from 92-120 kWh, and will be compatible with 800V high-speed charging. Lotus says that cars developed on this platform will be capable of a 0-100 km/h acceleration in under three seconds.
The Radford Type 62/2 is a retro tribute to one of Lotus’ all-time great race cars. Check it out here!
Type 134 EV SUV and Type 135 EV sports car
As for the Type 135, the new EV sports car will be built on the E-Sports architecture, jointly developed with Alpine. Not much has been said on the platform at the moment, but the company previously said that it’ll be “flexible and modular”, and will have the same weight targets as their latest ICE sports cars.
While the low-volume hypercars such as the
all-new Evija
 will still be built in the company’s hometown in Hethel, UK, the three new premium models announced today will be built at the company’s upcoming factory in Wuhan, China that’s due to begin operations later this year.
Constructed at a cost of eight billion Chinese Yuan (approx RM5.1B), the Wuhan plant will serve as the company’s new “centre of excellence” for its premium lifestyle models, with an acreage of over 1 million square-metres, and has the capability to produce up to 150,000 vehicles a year.
In case you missed it: Lotus Karz has brought Lotus “back to Malaysia”!
The new plant includes a new test track with 16 corners, designed to accommodate vehicles driving at speeds of up to 230 km/h, and features intelligent systems where the test vehicles can be transported into workshops using autonomous driving technology without any human intervention.
The new site at Wuhan, China will also serve as the headquarters for Lotus Technology, a new division of Group Lotus co-funded by Chinese EV maker
 Nio
 and Zhejiang Geely Group that focuses on the development of EV technology, and integrating them into a new generation of lifestyle products.
“This is an important day in the transformation of the Lotus business and brand,” said Group Lotus CEO, Feng Qingfeng. “Lotus Technology will accelerate the innovation which has always been at the heart of the business.
“Together, the China and UK teams will empower our journey towards an expanded, intelligent and electric future, achieving the ambitions and goals that have been in the making for 73 years of the Lotus brand.”
Lotus Cars Managing Director, Matt Windle added: “Transforming Lotus from a UK sports car company to a truly global performance car company has always been at the core of Vision80. The launch of Lotus Technology is a major milestone on the road to making that a reality, while adhering to the unwavering Lotus principles of pure performance, efficiency, motorsport success and, above all, being ‘For the Drivers’.”


Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport launched in Japan, from RM297k

After a
global debut in Dubai
, Toyota has officially launched the all-new Land Cruiser LC 300 in its home country. There are up to five variants, separated over five- or seven-seater and powered by either new-generation petrol or diesel turbocharged V6 engines.
The variant that springs a surprise to the line-up of this new generation Land Cruiser is none other than the GR Sport model, which is also the range-topping variant. This is the first body-on-frame SUV to wear the GR Sport emblem and the company says it is refined and developed at the Dakar Rally.
Toyota first entered the Land Cruiser in the Dakar Rally back in 1995 and has continued to participate in every edition via the team from Toyota Auto Body. Winning the 2020 Dakar Rally made it the Land Cruiser’s seventh consecutive victory in its class of Production Division.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 on the way to a class win at the 2020 Dakar Rally
Experience and feedback from the rally drivers were used for the vehicle development of the new Land Cruiser GR Sport, which Toyota plans to then bring it to the Dakar Rally in 2023.
Similar to the GR Sport treatment found on the Toyota C-HR and even our
local Toyota Vios GR Sport
, the Land Cruiser GR Sport features specific bumpers, radiator grille and dark-coloured wheels. Black is used quite liberally, such as on the side mirrors, door handles, side skirts and wheel arches as well as emblems. Similar to the
Toyota GR Yaris
, colours are limited, with gray metallic joining the palette of white, black and dark red mica.
Customers can choose to have diesel or petrol power in their Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport. Both the new engines are twin-turbocharged V6 units, with the 3.5-litre petrol developing
415 hp
 at 5,200 rpm and
650 Nm
 of torque. The diesel mill displacing 3.3 litres meanwhile generates
309 hp
 at 4,000 rpm and
700 Nm
 of torque. Both engines are paired with a new
10-speed automatic transmission
 and four-wheel drive.
The new Toyota Land Cruiser comes with a twin-turbo V6 with over 400 hp! Watch an onboard acceleration video here!
In Japan, seating capacity is also tied to the type of engine, where the diesel variant only has five seats, but the petrol variant has seven seats.
Meanwhile, what sets the Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport apart from the regular variants is the fitment of the world’s-first Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System or E-KDSS active stabilisation system.
E-KDSS automatically and electronically control the front and rear stabiliser bar independently, where hydraulic fluid is used to keep the body level on smooth roads while extending suspension stroke during off-road. The E-KDSS works in tandem with the new linear solenoid-type adaptive variable suspension (AVS) that also offers a Sport S+ setting for more spirited driving.
Power is spread to all four wheels and up to six drive modes can be selected via the Multi Terrain Select. For even better traction on the most challenging terrain, the Land Cruiser GR Sport is also fitted with front and rear electronic locking differential locks. All the various drivetrain modes have been sub-group into three main categories, significantly reducing the number of buttons and knobs as well as ease-of-use for the driver.
The new Land Cruiser also features a hydraulic power steering system with an electric steering actuator designed to withstand harsh environments whilst delivering Lane Tracing Assist as well as a crisper steering feel.
Inside, the consistent treatment of the GR Sport package continues with the steering wheel emblem and front seat headrest emblems. Customers have two choices of seat upholstery colours- black or a two-tone black and dark red. Making a Toyota debut is the engine
start switch with fingerprint
 authentication.
A fingerprint sensor replaces the start-stop button on the dashboard. Drivers are still required to carry the smart key into the vehicle.
Toyota in Japan is filtering genuine new Land Cruiser buyers via non-resale agreement. Learn more about this practice here.
The Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport is the range-topping variant in the new LC 300 series for Japan. The petrol variant is listed at JPY7.7 million (approx. RM297k), while the diesel variant is JPY8.0 million (approx. RM308k), both prices JPY400,000 dearer than the ZX variant. The entry-level GX grade starts at a more affordable JPY5.1 million (approx . RM197k).
At this price level, it is similar to a high-spec Lexus RX 450h but still cheaper than a
Land Rover Defender 110
 with a 3.0L MHEV D300 Ingenium diesel engine.
GALLERY
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser (300 Series)


Volkswagen Golf GTE facelift price reduced, 1.7L/100 km! Coming to M’sia?

Not too long ago, Volkswagen revealed a
facelift for the entire Golf range
 including the hottest
Golf R
 and the zero emissions
e-Golf
, all except the Golf GTE. Volkswagen has unveiled the specifications for UK models and the plug-in hybrid Golf gets more tech at a reduced price.
At launch, the GTE will be available in two variants – the entry level GTE and GTE Advance. Both variants are powered by a 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine with
148 hp
 coupled with a
101 hp
 electric motor to deliver a combined output of
201 hp
. Transmission of choice is a six-speed (wet clutch) DSG transmission. Despite the eco-friendly nature of the car, the GTE is no slouch as it is capable of sprinting from zero to 100 km/h in just
7.6 seconds
 before maxing out at
222 km/h
.
An 8.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is tasked to supply juice for the electric motor. Getting to full charge from empty takes 3.45 hours from a domestic power outlet or 2.15 hours from a dedicated charging station. It boasts an all-electric range of
50 km
 with a top speed of
130 km/h
. As a result, the GTE’s fuel consumption is rated at an astonishing
1.7L/100km
 for the GTE and 1.8L/100km for the GTE Advance. Four selectable driving modes are available with a push of a button – E-Mode, GTE mode, Battery Charge and Hybrid.
Exterior wise, both variants get new LED headlamps, full LED tail lamps, revised front bumper and a blue lining that runs across the front grille into the headlamps housing. The GTE Advance adds on 18-inch “Marseille” alloys while the entry variant rides on 17-inch “Rio de Janeiro” alloys.

Inside, both share the 12.3-inch Active Info Display and Volkswagen Car-Net App Connect while the GTE Advance gets additional luxuries such as Discover Navigation system, heated seats (Winter Pack), tinted windows, a front centre armrest and exterior e-sound.
On the safety front, the GTE gets the full range of driver’s assistance including Traffic Jam Assist, Pedestrian Monitoring for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Trailer Assist and Emergency Assist. This allows the GTE for semi-autonomous driving of
up to 60 km/h
.
The Golf GTE is priced at £30,635 (RM170k) for the GTE and and £32,135 (RM178k) for the GTE Advance. That’s about £3,420 (RM19k) reduction in price! We know for a fact that Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has every intention to introduce the
GTE models here in Malaysia
, which makes this super frugal Golf a rather interesting proposition.
Would you want one?
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen GTE Advance MK7 Facelift


Rest in peace Mazda MPS, you will be missed

You know the feeling where, you’ve known about something for a while, but choose to ignore it in hopes that it’ll never actually come true? Well, unfortunately for most of us this time, it’s time to face the truth. Mazda MPS is well and truly dead, and the world is now a significantly worse place, especially for the automotive enthusiasts.
MPS, or Mazdaspeed as it is known in North America, is Mazda’s sub-brand for performance-oriented vehicles – think
BMW’s M
,
Mercedes-Benz’s AMG
, and more recently
Hyundai’s N
. While MPS never made it big here in Malaysia, the performance-oriented nameplate still holds a special place in our hearts especially when models such as the Mazda 3 MPS has become sort of a cult icon in recent years.
With such a huge fan base, why did Mazda decide to kill off the MPS sub-brand, then? The reason, according to a spokesperson speaking to
CNET
, was because the carmaker as a whole has shifted towards a more upmarket image.
“Mazda is focused on becoming more mature and upscale,” the spokesperson said. “It is our priority to continue to evolve the next generation of SkyActiv technologies. As part of this evolution, we are refining and applying our turbocharged engines to more models to provide better, stronger performance with engaging driving dynamics.”
The demise of the Mazda MPS brand has been an open secret for a while now. But while the name is no more, that doesn’t mean that Mazda will also be abandoning performance-oriented vehicles once and for all. In fact, it was only recently that Mazda unveiled the
 Mazda3 Turbo
, equipped with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering
228 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque.
Mazda has also recently shown-off its new inline-six engine, currently in development to be used on the next-generation
Mazda6
, which is said to be capable of more than 350 hp of output. So yes, while the MPS brand is dead, its spirit will still live on. Rest in peace.


GWM’s Tank 300 coming soon to Malaysia – Still want that Jimny?

Following the launch of the Ora Good Cat in Malaysia,
Great Wall Motors (GWM) Malaysia
 will soon bring the Tank 300 into the country. Looking like a smaller version of the Bronco, the Tank 300 is confirmed to launch in Malaysia according to a representative from GWM.
Tank, like Ora, is a brand owned by GWM. Models under the Tank brand include the Tank 300 and
Tank 500
. The former looks like a small Ford Bronco, while the latter looks like a small GMC Yukon. According to the company’s website, Tank is a high-end SUV brand by GWM that is “committed to leading SUV brands worldwide”.
Powering the Tank 300 is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine (E20CB) that makes 167 kW (
227 hp
 metric) at 5,500 rpm and
387 Nm
 at 1,800-3,600 rpm. The turbocharged petrol engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an electronic part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD) system.
For off-road capabilities, the Tank 300, in its range-topping version gets a central electronic differential lock, a front electronic differential lock, and a rear electronic differential lock. The is also a low-speed transfer case to help you handle off-road terrains.
Like other off-roading vehicles, the Tank 300 is built on a ladder frame. The front suspension is a double-wishbone setup while the rear suspension is a multi-link setup. As standard, the Tank 300 comes with 17-inch wheels, covering ventilated disc brakes on all four corners.
RELATED:
New Tank 500 is China’s answer to the Toyota Land Cruiser
Inside, the Tank 300 is equipped with a twin 12.3-inch display, one dedicated as the central head unit and the other dedicated as the digital instrument cluster. The car comes with its own 3D GPS navigation system and a speech recognition system.
Luxuries in the Tank 300 include power adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger, seat ventilation, and a driver seat waist massager. The Tank 300 also gets a sunroof, ambient lighting, and an off-road dining table.
With its retro looks, the Tank 300 looks like a fun little off-roader. Tough and cute, just like the famous
Suzuki Jimny
. Set to launch in Malaysia, will the Tank 300 give the Jimny a run for its money?
RELATED:
GWM Malaysia to launch 9 cars in 3 years, CKD to start in 2023


Formula E: Lucas Di Grassi triumphs at Putrajaya ePrix, now leads driver’s standings

Lucas DiGrassi emerged victorious in round two of the Formula E 2015/2016 season in what appears to be the toughest race in Formula E history. The high attrition rate due to track degradation and various mechanical gremlins haunted drivers in this 2.56km street track in Putrajaya. Last year’s winner Sam Bird emerged in second place while Formula E rookie, Robin Frijns, rounded up the podium finishers in third place.
Prior the race, the Renault-powered e.dams ruled qualifying with Sebastian Buemi securing his second consecutive pole position. Venturi’s Stephane Sarrazin who had qualified in second, was forced to start in the pitlane due an electrical issue. On lap one, chaos emerged at the first corner involving drivers Jacques Villeneuve, Nick Heidfeld, and Jean-Eric Vergne. The Frenchman emerged the biggest loser with a damaged front-right section, sending him into retirement.

The safety car was triggered in lap five, courtesy from a collision caused by Oliver Turvey. Despite that, Buemi managed to hold the lead and things were all favouring the Beijing ePrix winner. However, disaster struck Buemi on lap 15 when his car came to a halt, presumably due to a software glitch. The Renault e.dams team subsequently scrambled Buemi into the pits, ending an otherwise home-run of a race.
Teammate Nicholas Prost was also forced to pit early due to temperature issues, a clear drawback of the hot and sulking heat Malaysian heat which caused both Renault drivers some really valuable championship points. Prost took the lead after Buena’s unfortunate incident, but both Renault e.dams drivers were forced to conserve battery power until the end of the 33 lap race. That spells opportunity for Lucas Di Grassi, and the Brazilian easily overtook the hapless French on lap 24. Eventually, both Renault e.dams drivers fell behind the field.

The drama did not end there as Felix da Costa’s Aguri car repeatedly shut down, each time diminishing his podium chances in the process. Meanwhile, Di Grassi was challenged by the Dragon Racing duo – Loic Duval and Jerome D’Ambrosio. Malaysia’s notorious heat caused both of team Dragon’s cars to suffer in the process. Duval lost control due to lack of road traction and ran into the wall just three laps before completing the race, followed by D’Ambrosio who suffered the same fate on the final lap.
With that, Sam Bird, who started 14th on the grid, drove a trouble-free race to inherit second place. Andretti’s Robin Frijns had battled a severely bent steering after his car brushed against the sidewall – an incident which took place three laps before the chequered flag was waved. The young Dutch’s perseverance paid off and he finished in third place. Stephane Sarrazin finished the race in fourth, followed by Bruno Senna and Antonio Felix da Costa, who had earlier encountered electronic issues in his Aguri. Last year’s Formula E champion Nelson Piquet Jr on the other hand, settled for an eighth place finish.
All was not well for the Trulli squad after the team failed mandatory scrutiny a day before race day. This means the Italian squad have missed two consecutive races in this season. Di Grassi’s victory moves him up the championship standings with 43 points, and following behind the leader is Sebastian Buemi with 35 points. The next race will see the Formula E contingent travel to Uruguay for the Punta del Este ePrix in December.
Overall, Putrajaya never fails to deliver excitement and drama just like last year’s edition – a delight to both race organisers and fans. However, much has yet to be done to increase the number of visitors at the stands. Perhaps roping in a Malaysian driver (Jazeman Jaafar maybe?) and employing a more aggressive marketing tactic should spice things up a little. Also, this has to be done as soon as possible as more cities are keen to host the increasingly popular Formula E Series.
Below are the current driver and team standings:
Driver standings after round 2
Team standings after round 2
IMAGE GALLERY


This video of the Ford Mustang BULLITT will make your ears “wet”

In yet another edition of Ford’s epic
“Europe’s Greatest Driving Roads”
 series, the
Ford Mustang BULLIT
 gets taken out for a thrashing around the arduous “Mountain Road” – raced on by daredevils with bikes during the Isle of Man TT Festival.
The series has seen the Ford GT dash across the idyllic Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway while a Fiesta ST zips around the virtually empty Via Campocatino in Italy.
“Imagine German autobahns, then add hills and twists, and shrink it to a single carriageway with incredible views, and what you have are these utterly fantastic, and dramatic, roads. The Mountain Road feels – and is – an utterly dramatic place to drive. It’s epic, and quite unlike anywhere else,” said British motoring journalist, Steve Sutcliffe of AutoExpress, who was behind the wheel of the BULLITT.
“The mountain itself is said to be unique as the only place from which you can see all four countries that make up the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,” he added.
IMAGE GALLERY


The McLaren Artura hybrid supercar has landed in Malaysia – RM1.05 mil before tax

Here it is, at long last. More than a year after its global debut, the
McLaren Artura
 has now finally made its way onto our shores, bringing McLaren’s first-ever series-production hybrid supercar here into Malaysia.
The new model hopes to help the company usher in a whole new era of electrified motoring, and according to the press release, “leading the transformation among the supercar motoring in Malaysia” in line with the government’s push towards the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
EXTERIOR
The Artura is the first model in the firm’s line-up to be built on the
all-new McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA)
, which has been designed specifically for the hybrid powertrains, and is built in-house at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MTCT).
The MCLA chassis weighs just 82 kg by itself, while the body panels – made out of superformed aluminium and carbon fibre – are then “shrink-wrapped” onto the chassis, giving it a pure and functional look, or what McLaren calls a “form follows function” design philosophy.
As you could’ve imagined by now, lightweighting is one of the McLaren Artura’s main goals, and they’ve most definitely knocked it out of the park. Parked by the kerb, the entire car weighs just 1,498 kg – or just 27 kg more than a
720S
.
In terms of exterior design, the Artura still gets all of McLaren’s signature design touches, including the ‘Hammerhead’ line in front that runs horizontally from the nose and extends into the deeply inset logo-shaped headlights, the cab-forward silhouette, steeply raked windscreen, and the flying buttresses at the rear.
Don’t for a moment think that they’re just for aesthetic value, however, as they are all designed with specific aerodynamic and/or cooling purposes; the hammerhead line, for example, helps to split the airflow down into the eHVAC system and over the bonnet, while vents hidden beneath the flying buttresses at the rear help keep the car’s transmission cool.
The Artura comes as standard with staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear cast alloy wheels as standard, but the optional flow-formed or forged options help trim unsprung weight even further by 10 kg.
PERFORMANCE
A large part of the Artura’s lighweightness actually comes from – believe it or not – the engine itself. Despite it being a hybrid power unit, with a 7.4 kWh battery pack, the entire powertrain weighs just 290 kg, or only 80 kg more than the old McLaren V8.
Powertrain – 3.0-litre, 120°-angle twin-turbo hot V6 petrol engine, E-motor on rear axle
Transmission – 8-speed dual-clutch transmission
Driveline – Rear-mid engine, rear-wheel drive
Max horsepower (engine) – 585 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Max torque (engine) – 585 Nm @ 2,200 – 7,000 rpm
Max horsepower (motor) – 95 hp
Max torque – 225 Nm
Total system output – 680 hp, 720 Nm
0-100 km/h – 3.0 seconds
0-200 km/h – 8.3 seconds
Top speed – 330 km/h
Thanks to the Artura’s minimal weight, the new hybrid supercar boasts a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 488 hp/tonne at its lightest dry weight. And on top of that, it’s also billed as McLaren’s most fuel-efficient car ever produced, with a rated fuel consumption of under 5.6 l/100 km.
The electric system is mostly used for “torque infill”, making up for the turbo lag from the engine to ensure a sharp throttle response at any engine speed. However, on its own, it can also be driven at up to 130 km/h, provided you don’t exceed its measly 30 km electric range.
An electrically controlled differential is employed on the rear axle to control torque split between the wheels, while allowing for flashier features such as Variable Drift Control. Meanwhile, the McLaren Artura also comes as standard with the firm’s Proactive Damping Control II that reads the road ahead using sensors to adjust the supercar’s damping settings on the fly.
INTERIOR
The Artura carries on McLaren’s typical minimalist design guidelines inside the cabin, with most of the secondary vehicle functions (aside from driving, that is) stuffed into the vertically-mounted eight-inch infotainment system that is also slightly angled towards the driver for better usability.
The infotainment system also comes with the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity support, alongside other telemetry data that will prove useful on the track.
As you’d notice from the infotainment display placement, the design of the cabin is very much centred around the driver. To that end, the digital instrument cluster is mounted directly onto the steering column to ensure visibility at any seating position, and the entire steering wheel is devoid of any control buttons so the driver can focus on driving.
The McLaren Artura comes as standard with the Clubsport seats, which are developed from those found in the
Senna
, and can also be optioned with a harness bar and six-point harnesses if track driving is more your jam. For those who rather do long-distance GT-style journeys, though, there’s also an optional Comfort seat with 10-way adjustability and heating functions – although you’ll have to add 9.5 kg to the weighing scale.
OPTIONS, OPTIONS, OPTIONS
The Artura is the first McLaren car to offer advanced driver assistance systems, with the list of features including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go functionality and roadsign recognition, Lane Departure Warning, as well as High-Beam assist.
Also available is a Technology Pack, which includes the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, the aforementioned ADAS suite, and a 360-degree Park Assist, while the Practicality Pack adds a front axle lift system to aid clearing bumps, eight parking sensors, and power-folding heated wing mirrors.
Of course, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will also be on hand if you want more customisations beyond what’s offered from the brochure – just make sure your wallet is able to keep up.
PRICING
The McLaren Artura hybrid supercar is now available to order in Malaysia via McLaren Kuala Lumpur, with a starting price of
RM1,050,000
 before taxes and any options. A five-year vehicle warranty, six-year battery warranty, as well as a 10-year body warranty are also included in the list price.
GALLERY


ASEAN’s Toyota Yaris Cross debuts in Indonesia – could this be the next Perodua SUV?

Toyota
 has unveiled the all-new
Yaris Cross
 in Indonesia, and if the name sounds familiar to you, that’s because you’re thinking of the
other Yaris Cross
 for the Europe and Japan markets. Confusingly, despite the two cars sharing the same name, they are really nothing alike.
For starters, the ASEAN-specific 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross will be built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) instead of TNGA. It’s also bigger than Europe’s car, measuring 4,310 mm long with a wheelbase of 2,620 mm, 1,770 mm wide, and 1,615 mm tall – or roughly identical to the
Honda HR-V
.
The ASEAN 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross builds upon a familiar family look, with many of its design touches inherited from its elder brother, the
Corolla Cross
. The angular wheel wells and C-pillar styling reminds us of the
RAV4
, and the sharp taillights design is also somewhat reminiscent of the outgoing
first-generation Lexus NX
.
Inside, you’ll find a new sculpted dashboard with the centre control stack tilted towards the driver. At the very top, a freestanding 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display is paired to the Perodua-standard semi-digital instrument cluster. Other highlights here also include a panoramic sunroof, powered driver’s seat, (proper) ambient lighting, and the Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance suite.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota Vios launched in Malaysia, from RM90k – EPB, wireless CarPlay, Android Auto
The 2023 Toyota Yaris Cross debuts with two powertrain options in Indonesia. On the low end is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated option, essentially sharing the same powertrain with the
latest Vios
, serving
106 hp
and
138 Nm
.
More interesting, though, is the Yaris Cross HEV, featuring a hybrid 1.5-litre powertrain underneath its bonnet. Essentially a hybrid version of the
Myvi’s
 engine, the 91 hp/121 Nm 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder mill is paired to an electric motor that makes 80 hp and 141 Nm – though total combined figures are not disclosed just yet.
Both engines are paired to a CVT gearbox to drive the front wheels.
It’s still early days for the new compact crossover, so more information will only be available closer to the model’s official launch. Rumour has it, however, that the model will also eventually morph into a
Perodua
 model, codenamed D66B – so there’s quite a lot riding on the line here for Malaysians!
Of course, there’s no official word from Perodua just yet, but if the rumours are indeed true, then the new Yaris Cross-based model will sit above the
Ativa
 in the local carmaker’s model line-up, going head-to-head against the
Proton X50
.
GALLERY


New Volvo XC90 R-Design: First few pictures released

Here we have the first few images of Volvo’s new XC90 R Design, an SUV which
Volvo
 Cars claim to be aimed at buyers who are looking for a head-turner that radiates sportiness and dynamism. The release of the R-Design follows the Swedish carmaker’s recent release of the 1,927 individually numbered First Edition
XC90
 which were exclusively sold online, and were snapped up in 47 hours.

The exterior includes a number of distinctive details, such as the imposing new grille, front skirting, silk metal window surround, integrated dual exhausts, integrated silver roof rails and matte silver side mirror covers. This XC90 sits on the 20-inch R-Design alloy wheels. Underneath the bonnet of this car lies some of
Volvo’s Drive-E powertrain
, offering up to
400 hp
 and a
completely new chassis
.

Inside
 this XC90 you get paddle shifters, contoured sports seats and wrapped in perforated leather, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob are all finished with special R-Design details. It doesn’t end there, too. The R-Design touches also extend to the sports seats, pedals, floor mats and illuminated tread plates. The driver also gets an exclusive R-Design leather key remote control.
The eight-inch touch screen panel in the centre and a 12.3-inch fully graphical driver display remain as standard features in the R-Design XC90, but now features a unique R-Design theme. Fancy yourself a Porsche Cayenne beating Volvo?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: Isuzu D-Max 3.0 X-Terrain 4×4 pick-up “Interior Test”!

This is going to be a pick-up review video unlike any other! Not only are we featuring a pick-up that’s unlike any other from before, but we’re also leaving it to our guests in the video, to comment on the interior quality and ride comfort of the Isuzu D-Max 3.0 X-Terrain instead!

The model in question is the
3.0 X-Terrain variant
, the most expensive D-Max you can get, starting from
RM141,938
. For that, you get plenty – a striking new exterior, a completely new and modernised interior with brown leather seats, wider rear seats, soft touching padding at all the vital touchpoints and not to mention a huge infotainment display, along with many more safety features.
Instead of the usual format where we tell you how the cabin feels, we got guests to do so instead but there’s a twist. Think of it as car reviewing meets
Taboo
; where our host Dom will try to get the guests to mention specific words, such as Premium and Comfortable, to describe their experience in the D-Max without actually mentioning those specific words.
Sounds fun right? Wait till you actually watch the video!
RELATED:
Old vs New: A detailed look at the changes in the all-new Isuzu D-Max
Isuzu D-Max launched in Malaysia – 5 factors that make it more SUV than a pick-up
Performance Comparison: Isuzu D-Max vs Toyota Hilux vs Mitsubishi Triton


Futuristic all-new Hyundai Staria makes ASEAN debut in Thailand!

After close to 15 years of dependable service, Hyundai has finally introduced the replacement to the Starex multi-seat window van, called the Staria. With the launch in Thailand, the model also made its official debut in ASEAN.
Hyundai certainly thought out of the box when penned the styling for the Staria, as the new model looks futuristic even with a high percentage of “glass house” or windows. The front is devoid of any chunky headlamps or complex grille patterns.
A horizontal strip of LED lighting functions as DRL, while the simple headlamp with LED technology is housed in rectangular clusters at the corner of the bumper. The styling is unlike anything else from Hyundai, Kia or even European and Japanese designs.
Hyundai Brazil has a ‘doggo’ as a professional consultant! Check out how ‘doggo’ sells a car!
Viewed from the side, only the dual-tone wheels stand out, as the body is smooth and simple in styling. At the Thailand launch, two variants are available and the higher-end SEL variant has “Parametric Pixel” LED taillamp technology, larger 18-inch wheels as well a power-closing tailgate.
Inside, the configuration allows up to seating for 11, including a half-sized jumpseat in between the driver and front passenger. The second and fourth-row seats are a bench for three, while the third row is a pair of captain seats, perhaps for ease of access to the fourth row. All seats have a three-point seatbelt.
Powered-sliding doors are standard on both variants, together with retractable sun blinds which are mightily useful for the extra-large windows. The dashboard is used to separate the features between the two variants, with the SEL gaining a full-colour 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, special trim pattern, wireless charger for smartphone and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
The driver’s seat is also powered in the higher-end SEL variant. Other standard interior features include automatic air-conditioning both front and back, seven USB charging ports and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
In terms of Hyundai SmartSense ADAS features, the SEL also comes with all the bells and whistles, such as Forward Collision Avoidance Assist-Junction Turning (FCA-JT), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Smart Cruise Control, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance (BSCA) and Safe Exit Assist (SEA).
One might think the Staria continue to use the same underpinnings as the previous generation due to its size and capabilities. Hyundai has thoroughly re-engineered the Staria, with the
turbodiesel engine now driving the front wheels
 and the rear suspension featuring an independent multi-link arrangement.
Hyundai Sime Darby is offering an Extended Warranty Programme for older models such as the Starex. More info here!
Under the bonnet lies a modern CRDi turbodiesel unit displacing 2.2-litres. Outputs are
177 hp
 and
431 Nm
 of torque, a lower state of tune than in
the Santa Fe
. They both share the same 8-speed automatic transmission though and thanks to the new steering wheel design, the Staria also gets shift paddles to manually select the desired gear ratio.
The new Hyundai Staria in Thailand is priced at
THB1,729,000 (RM222k)
 for the S variant and
THB1,999,000 (RM256k)
 for the SEL variant.
Based on social media postings, Indonesia is next in line to officially launch the Hyundai Staria. Closer to home, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors Malaysia is preparing the launch of the large premium
Hyundai Palisade
 SUV.
GALLERY


EV tax-free in 2022: Porsche Taycan in Malaysia now from RM508k!

In response to the Malaysian government’s initiative to
 exempt fully electric vehicles (EV) from tax and duties from 2022
, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has now announced a revised tax-free pricing for the Taycan here in Malaysia.
The revised price list for the Porsche Taycan in Malaysia is as follows:
Porsche Taycan
 – RM508,000 (-RM76k)
Cross Turismo
 – RM555,000 (-RM90k)
Porsche Taycan 4S – RM595,000 (-RM105k)
Cross Turismo – RM617,000 (-RM112k)
Porsche Taycan GTS
 – RM708,000
Porsche Taycan Turbo – RM793,000 (-RM224k)
Cross Turismo – RM798,000 (-RM171k)
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
 – RM934,000 (-RM218k)
Thanks to the tax exemptions, the entire Porsche Taycan range now slips under the RM1 million mark here in Malaysia. The most significant saving can be found on the Taycan Turbo, which saw a reduction in price of just over RM224k compared to when the model was
 first announced here in Malaysia
.
As part of the 2022 updates, all purchases of a Porsche Taycan – regardless of variant – will also now come equipped with the Premium package, which adds on extra features as standard such as a four-zone automatic climate control system, passenger screen, ParkAssist with 360-degree surround view monitor, as well as a 22 kW onboard AC charger (up from 11 kW) and the Mobile Charger Connect charging system.
The Porsche Taycan comes with a four-year factory warranty with free scheduled service package, alongside an eight-year battery warranty. Taycan owners will also receive a complimentary three-year Platinum membership for the
 Shell Recharge network
, offering up to 50% savings when using the DC fast chargers.
The first High Performance Charging station in the network, offering up to 180 kW of DC fast charging, is
now operational in Tangkak, Johor
.
According to the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA), all EVs (both CBU and CKD models) will be exempted from import tax, road tax, and excise duties from 1st January 2022 until 31st December 2023. However, a sales tax of 10% will still apply for imported EVs – although it’s currently capped at 5% until 30th June 2022, due to the
ongoing Pemerkasa+ stimulus package
.
Locally-assembled EVs will enjoy their tax-exempted status until the end of 2025.


Renault’s new 1.3-litre engine borrows technology from the Nissan GT-R

Renault has presented one of the first few outcomes of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance – a new 1.3-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine co-developed with Daimler. The Scenic and Grand Scenic will be the first to receive them followed by other Renault models from 2018.
“Our new petrol engine embodies all the expertise of Groupe Renault’s engineers, the Alliance and our partner Daimler. It meets the quality standards of both the Alliance and Daimler, with more than
40,000 hours of testing
,” said Alliance Global VP – Powertrain & Electric Vehicles, Philippe Brunet.
From left: The previous Grand Scenic and Scenic
The new engine comes in three power levels – the Energy TCe 160 engine offers a maximum torque of
270Nm
 with the EDC gearbox from as low as 1,750 rpm up to 3,700 rpm. The Energy TCe 140 engine produces around
240 Nm
 of torque from 1,500 rpm to 3,500 rpm.
The Energy TCe 115 on the other hand, available only in manual transmission can produce
220 Nm
 of torque from 1,500 rpm.
 The new engine incorporates several Alliance-developed innovations including
Bore Spray Coating
, a cylinder coating technology taken over from the Nissan GT-R, for reduced friction and improved heat dissipation.
In addition,
Dual Variable Timing Camshaft
 is also introduced – for more torque at low revs, delivered more consistently across the revs.


Honda Everus VE-1 is a China-only all-electric HR-V, 0-50km/h in 5 seconds

Honda and its manufacturing partner in China, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has just unveiled their first ever battery powered vehicle for the Chinese market, the Honda Everus VE-1.
Honda has just unveiled its first ever battery powered vehicle here at the 2018 Guangzhou International Motor Show, the Honda Everus VE-1. Based on the HR-V (Vezel in China), the all-electric SUV will be sold exclusively in China.
Manufactured with Honda’s Chinese partner, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), the VE-1 is juiced by a 53.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that drives the electric motor on the front axle. This gives the VE-1 a maximum output of
120 kW
 (163 hp) and
280 Nm
 of twist as well as a pure electric driving range of
340 km
 – roughly the same numbers as the world’s best-selling electric vehicle.
Accelerating from 0 to 50 km/h takes
5 seconds flat
 and top speed is rated at
140 km/h
. The company claims that the battery pack can be fully charged in nine hours or 55 minutes when plugged into a fast charging terminal.

As a result of the complicated electric driving components replacing a standard combustion engine, the VE-1 weighs some
400 kgs
 more than a standard HR-V. Other than that, the electric powered SUV is virtually identical to a standard,
pre-facelift HR-V
. The only notable difference is a revised front fascia that houses the charging port, vertical LED daytime running light bars and a sealed front intake.
Other equipment you’ll find on the VR-1 includes LED headlamps and taillamps, dual-tone paintwork, black 17-inch alloys, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, six airbags, ABS, ESC and electronic parking brake. Curiously, Honda Sensing Advanced Driver Assistance system is not available on the VR-1.
Now for the price, the VE-1 carries a recommended retail price of RMB225,800 (RM136k). However, thanks to the Chinese Government’s approved incentive, the showroom list price is at RMB170,800 (RM103k).
Production of the Honda Everus VE-1 is scheduled to begin in December 2018 with customer deliveries to begin in 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda Everus VE-1 in China