Mercedes-Benz GLE & GLE Coupe launched in Malaysia, priced from RM487k-RM699k

Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) are all the rage right now. Gone are the days it used to be looked down as a soccer mom’s runabout. These days, they are the prime choice for everyone who wants to be noticed. Mercedes caught on quick to the idea and
unleashed a whole range of premium SUVs
 onto us, thus completing the company’s product lineup and are ready to take on its German (and Scandinavian) rivals for a slice of the luxury SUV segment here in Malaysia.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 (MBM) is offering a couple of jungle-juice and oil burning variants for the models on sale here. Starting with the
GLE 250d 4Matic
 followed up by the
 GLE 400 4Matic
. The GLE Coupe (
spied in mid-December 2015
) on the other hand, is available in either
GLE 400
 or
GLE 450 AMG
 guises. In Land Rover lingo, the GLE is a Range Rover Vogue while the GLE Coupe is the Range Rover Sport. Apart from the unorthodox analogy, both these models and their variants make up the bulk of the offering from MBM.
QUICK FACTS
Name
GLE 250d 4Matic
GLE 400 4Matic
GLE Coupe 400 4Matic
GLE Coupe 450 AMG 4Matic
Engine
4-cyl inline Diesel Direct Injection Turbo
Twin-Turbo V6 Petrol
Twin-Turbo V6 Petrol
Twin-Turbo V6 Petrol
Transmission
9G-Tronic 9-Speed Automatic
7G-Tronic 7-Speed Automatic
9G-Tronic 9-Speed Automatic
Max Power
204 hp
333 hp
333 hp
367 hp
Max Torque
500 Nm
480 Nm
480 Nm
520 Nm
0-100 / Top Speed (km/h)
8.6s / 212 km/h
6.1s / 247 km/h
5.9s / 247 km/h
5.7s / 250 km/h
Price
RM468,888
RM568,888
RM630,888
RM699,888
EXTERIOR
Let’s start with the GLE. For starters, not much has changed since its ‘predecessor’ with the exception of the front end that has gotten a bit of a facelift to bring it in line with Merc’s new design language. The GLE sports a new dual
Twin Blade radiator grille
, AMG-type bumpers, headlamps with the brand’s new ‘eyebrow’ DRL design, flared wings and a new bonnet with a couple of power domes moulded onto it. It’s a combination of these minor tweaks that gives the GLE a rather bold and
masculine
 stance.

Merc also slapped the GLE with a huge set of wheels that further echoes the front end’s demeanour. Even on the base model GLE 250d,
20-inch
 wheels come fitted as standard while the range topper comes with
21-inch
 5-spoke alloy wheels wrapped with chunky
Pirelli
 rubbers.
MBM has finally brought in its
BMW X6
 competitor. And just like its Bavarian rival, the GLE Coupe is no longer in the category of SUVs, but rather a
Sports Utility Coupe
 (Bimmer calls theirs a Sports Activity Vehicle). But as far as looks go, it’s pretty hard to pull the GLE away from its Coupe sibling. The GLE Coupe comes with a host of AMG-line trimmings such as the single-blade radiator grille. It’s when you make your way around the back of the GLE Coupe, that you’ll be able to pull the twin siblings apart.

First thing you’ll notice aside from the huge
22-inch
 wheels (yes, 22-inch) shod with
325mm
 broad Pirelli’s is that the GLE Coupe has a pretty large rear end. But few features do work in tandem with that styling decision such as the embedded exhaust tips with chrome finishers, the very coupe-like tail lamp design with a bit chrome trim bridging them both and thevertical gills on each side of the fender gives the GLE Coupe a living persona.
INTERIOR
Interestingly while the GLC’s interior is remarkably reminiscent to the W205 C-Class, this new GLE bears not much resemblance to the newly debuted
W213 E-Class
. Obviously when it comes to selecting your preferred interior, you’d be spoilt for choice with the wide range of different hide colour choices and trim options. And especially for the sporty minded customers, the
AMG carbon-fibre trim
 is up for grabs. The inside of a Merc, no matter the model, is always the business end of the Three-Pointed Star.

Having said that, both the GLE and the Coupe share fairly similar interior layouts with one another, but everything else can be specified via the
options
 list. Did we mention the racy
 flat-bottomed
 steering wheel in the Coupe? They also came with Merc’s new
COMMAND
 Infotainment controller with a touchpad ergonomically placed for ease of use. The Command is displayed via an
 8-inch
 TFT display housed in the centre dash.
While the GLC gets a
590-watt Burmester
 sound system, the range topping GLE 450 AMG Coupé features the
Harman Kardon Logic 7
 Surround Sound system for the sake of the discerning audiophile. But what if a game of
golf
 was more your thing? Good news, for the GLE is able to pack up to
three
 fully loaded golf bags in the trunk.
PERFORMANCE
Gone are the days that diesel-powered cars used to be gutless, smoke choking rattlers that plagued cars. These days though, ”the-fuel-of-satan” is the way forward and unsurprisingly, Merc stuck the GLE 250d with a
 2.1-litre
 inline four that cranks out a respectable
204 hp
. The surprising bit is that it makes a shade over
500Nm
 of torque which is thanks to the magic of modern turbocharging.
Both the GLE 400 and the GLE 400 Coupe share the same mill which is a glorious twin turbo V6 that churns out
333 hp
 at 5,250rpm with
480 Nm
 of torque to boot. That figure means that the GLE will do the century sprint in
6.1
 seconds while the coupe is quicker by
 0.3
 seconds. The reason for the time difference on these seemingly identical cars lies in the
transmission
. The GLE still uses the
7G-Tronic
 box while the Coupe is mated to a
nine-speeder
, although both cars max out at
247 km/h
.
The range topping GLE 450 AMG Coupe on the other hand, uses the same lump as its V6-powered siblings but in this state of tune, Merc’s engineers has managed to squeeze out an additional 34 horses which brings it to a grand total of
367 hp
. Torque figures have also risen to
520Nm
 which is steadily available from as low as 1,800 rpm. It’ll do the sprint in just
 5.7 seconds
 and if you keep your right foot mashed to the carpets, the speedo will tick just shy of
250km/h
.
All models come with the
4Matic
 moniker and what that means essentially is that these Mercs are paired up to a specifically tuned
all-wheel-drive system
 that’s been tailored to each model. For example the range topper is more inclined toward a
rear bias
 for a more engaging drive feel. Alternatively, drivers can always switch between
four drive modes
 via the rotary controller on the centre console.
SAFETY
Autonomy
 is something that the Three-Pointed Star has had its eye on for a while now. Tesla may have started the trend but Mercedes seems to be on a quest to perfect it. While that remains a discussion for another day, the GLE and the GLE Coupe comes with your usual barrage of safety acronyms such as ABS, ESP, BAS, EBD and TCS – just to name a few.
Collision Prevention Assist Plus is one of the new assistance systems on offer. The Driving Assistance package Plus includes
DISTRONIC PLUS
 with Steering Assist and Stop & Go Pilot as well as
PRE-SAFE

Brake
 with pedestrian protection which will pre-charge the brake servo in anticipation of an emergency braking manoeuvre.
BAS PLUS
 with Cross-Traffic Assist,
Active Blind Spot Assist
, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE  PLUS are available in the GLE 400. The Parking package with
360°
 camera and Active Parking Assist with
PARKTRONIC
 guarantees problem-free manoeuvring in and out of tight parking spaces.
WHAT ELSE?
MBM is offering its customers an easier option to owning one of these premium SUV’s by means of the
Agility Financing scheme
. In simple English basically, you can expect
lower
 monthly instalments and a number of
flexible
 end-of-agreement
options
 whereby customers have full control over the decision to either extend their agreement by refinancing its
guareenteed future value
, to pay off the remainder and take full ownership of the car or simply return the car. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Fret not, the GLE and GLE Coupe is up for viewing at your nearest authorised Mercedes-Benz dealerships today and if you’re in Kuala Lumpur, be sure to drop by the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (
KLPAC
) in Sentul for a fun-filled weekend with the brand’s complete range of Premium SUVs!
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe


Lamborghini Huracan more successful than predecessor, the Gallardo

In just five years of production, Lamborghini announced that the 14,022nd
Huracan
 has rolled off the assembly line. To put things in perspective, it took Lamborghini 10 years (between 2003-2013) to sell that many Gallardos.
That’s also more than 3,000 units of the Huracan produced in just over a year as
Lamborghini just announced the production of the 11,000th Huracan in August last year
.
In the first six months of 2019 alone (1st January to 30th June) Automobili Lamborghini has delivered a total of 4,553 cars – an
96% increase
 compared to the same period last year.
The Huracan accounted for 1,211 units while the Aventador, the V12 brand icon headed by the SVJ model which
 set a new lap record in Nurburgring last year
, maintained its high sales volume, with 649 units delivered to customers.

The commemorative model with chassis number 14,022, a Huracán EVO coupé in Grigio Titans (grey), is destined for the Korean market.
Lamborghini isn’t doing too badly either with the sale of its “passenger car”, the Urus,
with reports of an increase in female buyers
.
The momentum is unlikely to stall as
Lamborghini recently added the new Sian
 to its line-up, named after a Bolognese dialect which means ‘
flash or lightning
‘.
The new Sian is powered by a 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 making
819 hp
 and is capable of darting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota GR Yaris’ engine being developed to run with hydrogen as fuel

This an interesting piece of news. Toyota is developing a new internal combustion engine, replacing petrol with hydrogen as fuel.
The candidate chosen for the development of this new engine is the
1.6-litre three-cylinder
 turbocharged unit found in the beloved
Toyota GR Yaris
.
The fuel delivery system, and of course the obvious fuel injectors will be modified to use compressed hydrogen. Toyota further adds that the combustion of hydrogen gases
emits zero CO2
, one of the many solutions that can achieve carbon neutrality as outlined by Toyota.
Combustion in hydrogen engines occurs at a
faster rate
 than in petrol engines, resulting in a characteristic of good responsiveness.
The modified three-cylinder engine and fuel system will be tested continuously and at full pace in a
24-hour Super Taikyu
 endurance race. A specially modified
Toyota Corolla Sport
, perhaps due to its larger cabin space, under the
Rookie Racing
 banner will be fitted with the above-mentioned Toyota GR Yaris engine and all the hydrogen fuel hardware.
Example of pressurised hydrogen storage tanks in the Toyota Mirai.
As for the hydrogen fuel, it is being produced at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture. While aiming to expand hydrogen infrastructure by promoting hydrogen use, Toyota intends to continue advancing efforts for economic recovery and revitalisation of the Tohoku region together with all parties concerned.
By further refining its hydrogen-engine technologies through harsh environments of motorsports, Toyota intends to aim for the realisation of an even better hydrogen-based society. Toyota currently offers the
Mirai
 hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) that uses hydrogen gas and ambient air as “fuel” to generate electricity which then drives the electric motors.
On a related note, Porsche is doing developing
synthetic fuels
 to be used in their existing engines, with the technology looking to be as clean as electric vehicles in terms of carbon emissions.


Mitsubishi expands footprint in Malaysia with new 3S centres in Alor Setar and Langkawi

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
, together with its dealer partner JM Auto Gallery (Alor Star), recently opened the doors to its newly-relocated 3S centre in Alor Setar, Kedah, as well as a brand-new 3S outlet in Langkawi. The new outlets have brought Mitsubishi’s representation in Malaysia up to 58 outlets, including 48 3S Centres and seven 4S Centres.
Both 3S centres are built to the latest Mitsubishi Motors brand identity, spanning 10,000 and 2,300 sq ft in Alor Setar and Langkawi respectively – the former making it the largest Mitsubishi Motors showroom in the Northern region.
Mitsubishi 3S Centre in Langkawi
The new 3S centres both features modern amenities for its customers, including a comfortable customer lounge with Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as a kids corner. Being the largest outlet in the Northern region, the Alor Setar outlet also boasts eight service bays in its fully-equipped service centre.
“JM Auto Gallery (Alor Star) is no stranger to the Mitsubishi Motors family and has been business partners with MMM for the past 14 years,” said MMM Chief Executive Officer, Shinya Ikeda. “We are happy to see that the dealership is confident with MMM’s business growth and the commitment to upgrade its showroom facilities, and also for the opening of a new outlet in Langkawi to serve customers better.”
RELATED:
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia sold 24,017 vehicles in 2022, Triton hits 100k milestone
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation recently announced a new mid-term business plan, dubbed “Challenge 2025”, with a commitment to focus its efforts in developing its ASEAN markets, including Malaysia. The opening of new outlets is a part of the company’s growth plans, which has already seen positive results – the company saw a
 37.3% year-on-year increase
 in sales last year.
The Alor Setar showroom is located at
 Lot 10201B, Kampung Batin Mergong, Mukim Mergong, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah
, while the outlet in Langkawi is at
No. 68, Pusat Perniagaan Kelana Mas Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
. Both outlets are open from Monday to Sunday, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.


Shell station along Penang Road gets a beautiful makeover, 100 years of service!

Shell Malaysia has unveiled the new look of Shell Penang Road to commemorate one of its oldest stations that has been serving Penangites and the wider community, for generations since the 1920s. With ambitions to preserve Penang’s living heritage whilst maintaining an important connection to the past, Shell’s innovative restoration of its station represents the rich history and modern advancement.
Located at the corner of Jalan Penang and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah in Georgetown, Shell Penang Road is proud of its enriching journey in serving the community through thick and thin, as exemplified by the station surviving World War II and witnessing Malaysia’s independence. Thanks to its location within the Buffer Zone of the Penang Heritage zone, an area popular with tourists for its rich historical context, Shell Penang Road is listed under the Penang Heritage directory, reflecting its significance as an important cultural landmark.
Shell is collaborating with Penang Global Tourism to elevate Shell Penang Road as a tourist landmark. The station can be found via a Google Map link
here
.
“Shell Penang Road has been a part of Penang’s colourful history and heritage for 100 years, and I am pleased that Shell continues to preserve the heritage of this station while innovating to cater to all of its customers’ needs. I hope that this latest addition to the Penang Heritage zone will encourage Malaysians to visit Penang and support local tourism and businesses,” said YB Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang State Executive Councillor.
RELATED: Down south, Shell is offering a futuristic customer experience with the 180 kW High-Performance EV charger
While Shell strives to commemorate Penang’s beautiful colonial architecture as reflected in the station’s new look, it also embraces modernity with its sleek interior. The station, open from 6 A.M to 12 A.M. daily, offers modern comforts such as a clean rest stop for motorists and delicious local snacks as well as Shell V-Power 97, the
fuel-sa
ving

FuelSave 95
 as well as Diesel Euro 5.
“As we evolve to meet our customers’ dynamic demands and needs, it is important to remember our roots and hold on to our core values.  Shell Penang Road stands as a testament of Penang and Shell’s history in Malaysia, reflecting how far we have come together. This station truly reflects Shell’s commitment to continue providing the best for the communities that we operate in.” said Shell Mobility Malaysia and Singapore, General Manager, Seow Lee Ming.
RELATED: Did you know? Shell is trialling fuel payment via Touch n’ Go’s RFID system. More here.
To commemorate the launch, Shell Malaysia is offering BonusLink members a limited-edition Shell Heritage Jute Bag that is exclusively available at Shell Penang Road and redeemable with 1,200 BonusLink points.
Customers who sign up to be a BonusLink member at Shell Penang Road will be able to purchase the bag for
RM15
, while stocks last. Customers can sign up for BonusLink easily at any Shell station nationwide, or they can register by downloading the BLINK app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.


ASEAN newcomer Hyundai Creta shares new face with facelift Tucson

Here comes news of another SUV making its ASEAN debut – the 2021 Hyundai Creta compact SUV. No, this is not a renamed Hyundai Tucson for the region, but yes, the 2021 Hyundai Creta is literally facelifted with the front fascia of the latest
Hyundai Tucson
! The model made its world premiere at the ongoing Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2021 (GIIAS)
The Hyundai Creta is rather foreign to us here in Malaysia, as it was never offered by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM). However, its cousin from the smaller affiliate, the
Kia Seltos
, shares plenty with this compact SUV measuring 4.3 m by 1.79 m.
Locally, these dimensions put the Hyundai Creta similar in size with the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and the
segment leader
, the Proton X50.
Having the stylistic front design of the Hyundai Tucson on the new Creta certainly makes it stand out from the crowd. Similar to the larger SUV, the facelifted Creta features a Parametric Jewel Pattern grille with the DRLs hidden within the grille.
2020 Hyundai Creta
Main lighting units are in halogen or LED technology housed at the corners of the front bumper. Hyundai Motors Indonesia has also included a set of bodykit for the range-topping Prime variant, creating a two-tone silver-and-red effect at the lower extremities of the new Creta. The facelift is completed with a new design on the two-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels.
The awesome face of the Hyundai Tucson is also on the US-only Santa Fe pick-up! Check it out here!
Inside, the facelifted Hyundai Creta is fitted with many standard items, such as an electric parking brake, rear air conditioning vents, rear USB charging ports, armrests and a full-featured eight-inch central infotainment display with touchscreen control and wireless smartphone integration. Hyundai Motors Indonesia’s Bluelink smart telematics feature is however only available in all except the base Active variant.
As always, the range-topping Prime variant gets all the niceties such as panoramic sunroof, shift paddles, enhanced personal lighting and the full suite of Hyundai SmartSense ADAS that adds High Beam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Powering the Hyundai Creta is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with outputs of
115 hp
 and
144 Nm
, lower than its key rival. As always with the Indonesian market, a six-speed manual transmission is offered alongside a regular CVT transmission.
With so much technology and features, the new Hyundai Creta comes at a higher price level, with the range-topping Prime variant closed to
IDR400 million
 (approx. RM116k), albeit still lower than the Honda HR-V 1.8 Prestige at IDR 409 million.
The entry-variant Hyundai Creta Active 6 M/T meanwhile can be had from
IDR279 million
 (approx. RM82k), undercutting the Honda HR-V 1.5 M/T by circa IDR15 million (RM4.4k).
GALLERY


Caltex’s new Euro4M RON97 now available at all stations, and here’s all you need to know

American-based oil and gas energy conglomerate Chevron Malaysia Limited, which markets the Caltex brand domestically, recently conducted a small workshop with the media on basic product knowledge of their new Euro4M Premium 97 with Techron fuel. The said fuel will be made available at all Caltex stations effective
1st September 2015
, costing RM2.35 per litre.
The sale of
 Euro4M fuel
 comes after the government’s implementation of the mandate issued, and Caltex is one of the few who to make the switch from sulphur-ridden
Euro2M
 grade fuel. The new fuel comes with
lower benzene
 and
sulphur
 contents. Not only that, but there is a marked reduction in Reid Vapour Pressure (
RVP
) observed.
Senior Product Engineering Specialist, Greg Engeler
Senior Product Engineering Specialist Asia Pacific,
Greg Engeler
 spoke in vivid detail on the already-available
Euro4M RON97 with Techron
. He pointed out that previous fuels on offer contained high amounts of sulphur (or
500 ppm
 to be exact) as opposed to the
50 ppm
 (parts per million) in the new
 Euro4M fuel
.
Benzene
 levels have
dropped
 from 5 percent to 3.5 percent as well. Now, what all this means is, with the introduction of higher quality fuel, our beloved cars will be
 smoother to drive
. The fuel also acts as a cleansing agent to remove all residual
carbon deposits
 from the
intake manifold
all the way to the
valves
 and
piston head
. “That’s Techron’s secret,” said Greg. “It gets a hold of carbon buildup and
flushes
 it right out the exhaust.”
Besides that, the better fuel grade is also beneficial to the environment. It has less sulphur and benzene content whilst having a slightly higher octane rating. This ensures that gasoline engines will and can run its best, as they are only as good as the fuel that powers them.
Higher detergency fuels
 enable accurate and precise fuel delivery to the combustion process, and with Caltex’s new Euro4M RON97 fuel, it helps meet
performance
,
emissions
 and
consumption
 figures as well.
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua targets 247,800 sales in 2022 – 37.5% increase from last year

Perodua
 announced at a media conference today that it is setting its sights on
247,800
 sales in 2022, after a tumultuous 2021 that saw its
overall sales figure dip by 13.6%
. The target represents a 37.5% increase over the 190,291 units delivered in 2021, and also a 12.6% jump over
2020’s figure
(220,163).
With that forecast, the national carmaker is also expecting its market share to climb to 40.6% this year (from 37.5%), against an internal projected total industry volume (TIV) of 610,000 units. Perodua says that its internal projection is also higher than the 600,000 units forecasted by Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).

According to Perodua’s president and CEO Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad, their optimistic outlook stems from the assurances by the government as the measures of containing the
Covid-19 pandemic
 is showing success, and that another lockdown would not happen.
RELATED: Perodua offers assistance to flood-affected customers
He also said that the sales tax exemption initiative is still an excellent incentive for customers to purchase new cars, and its orders book for new vehicles are “still quite healthy”. Since its launch in November last year, the company has already delivered 7,055 units of the
new Myvi
, with booking numbers reaching 31,154 orders.
“With the guarantee that the production will go uninterrupted, will mean that we could fulfil the outstanding orders in a timely manner,” Datuk Zainal added.
Aside from sales, Perodua is also targetting to produce 265,900 vehicles in 2022, which is 37.5% higher compared to 2021 (193.400) and 20.3% higher than 2020’s figures (220,968).
“The increase in production would result in the increase in locally-sourced automotive parts by 41.5% to RM7.5 billion as compared with the RM5.3 billion purchased in 2021. This recovery would help the industry heal faster as the demand for vehicles is still strong,” he said.


Order the all-new Lexus ES250 now with Lexus Safety System+ from RM299k!

Since its
preview at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS)
, Lexus Malaysia has announced that they are now accepting orders for the seventh-generation Lexus ES sedan ahead of its official market debut.
The pricing strategy of the ES took us by surprise because despite being fully imported from Japan, the ES is priced on par with its locally assembled German rivals at RM299,888 for the
 ES250 Premium
 and RM322,888 for the range topping
ES250 Luxury
.

QUICK FACTS
Name
Lexus ES250 Premium
Lexus ES250 Luxury
Engine
2.5-litre naturally aspirated VVT-i
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
206 hp
Max Torque
247 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
9.1 seconds; 210 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM299,888
RM332,888
The ES is offered with one powertrain option, the updated 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder VVT-i petrol engine paired to a new 8-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. With
206 hp
 and
247 Nm
 on tap, the ES250 will take a leisure
9.1 seconds
 to go from 0 to 100 km/h onwards to a top speed of
210 km/h
.
Without disclosing the
full specification sheet, the company has announced that the top-of-the-line ES250
Luxury will be equipped with Bi-Beam LED headlamps, 10-way powered front seat,
powered reclining rear seats, 3-zone climate control, a heads-up display, a
12.3-inch Electro Multi-vision Display in the centre console and a panoramic
view monitor (360-degree camera).
Lexus Safety System+
(LSS+) that was introduced in the updated NX range is also available on the ES250,
bundling Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Pre-Collision
System (PCS) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with Stop and Go Function
while the Adaptive High Beam System (AHS) is only available on the Luxury trim.
There are seven exterior
shades to choose from along with two interior colour choices. Every purchase of
the Lexus ES250 comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus ES 250 Previewed at KLIMS


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia donates Triton pick-up to help the Orang Asli

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has donated a Triton pick-up truck to Dignity Farm School, a one-stop community learning for the underprivileged urban residents in Bentong, Pahang.
The pick-up was handed over by MMM CEO, Tomoyuki Shinnishi, and will be used for the farm’s daily operations. The 4×4 will also be used to transport Orang Asli to schools.
At these schools, they are given transformative youth education programmes including agriculture and skills development.
“In line with the Malaysian government’s efforts to reopen schools soon with tightened and updated standard operating procedures (SOPs), we wanted to relook into how we can help the underprivileged and indigenous community in terms of education and health,” said Shinnishi.

“We are happy to work with the Dignity Farm School, a place where skills and knowledge are connected and taught from a wellspring of sources and experiences, combining practical skills and theory in a farm setting. This in return will also prepare the underprivileged children in the future to enter an agricultural and tourism workforce requiring both innovation and manpower,” Shinnishi added.
Video: Book a Mitsubishi Triton online and get a FREE jacket from The North Face!
MMM’s new Home Delivery Service.
Recently, MMM also
loaned an Outlander and Triton
 to NGO Mercy Malaysia to transport frontliners to vaccination centres. The company also
contributed a Triton
 to NGO INSAF Malaysia to distribute food to old folks and orphanages. Earlier this year, MMM also donated
 RM35,000 and laptops
 to various charitable organisations.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia now delivers your brand new car to you…read about it here!
GALLERY


Toyota C-HR to make its debut race at the Nurburgring 24 Hours!

It’s a known fact that car manufacturers indulge into motorsports to develop their products. Ferrari and McLaren developed their supercars through their exploits in Formula One for decades, while Audi developed the famous quattro all-wheel drive system during their rallying prime. Now, Toyota is looking to develop its compact crossover by racing in this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours!
The Nurburgring 24 Hours is perhaps the world’s toughest endurance race where all cars are tested to its limits at neck-breaking speeds within the confines of the Green Hell. That’s an ideal place for Toyota’s racing arm, Gazoo Racing, to test their HR-V and CX-3 fighter. The car will join the likes of
Lexus RC and RC F
 as well in this endurance race. This year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours race will take place from 26 to 29 May 2016.
The C-HR compact crossover was unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show and will reappear again at Geneva this March. In fact, this is not the first time we’ve witnessed an unorthodox entry by Toyota; in 2011 the team fielded a CT200 hybrid in the Nurburgring 24 race too. Also, compact crossovers have already been involving in motorsports, in the form of endurance rallying like Dakar. This year’s Dakar rally saw the Mini Countryman duke out against the Peugeot 2008, where the latter took this year’s honours.
In the end, it’s only a matter of time before a compact crossover “crosses the finish line first”, be it on tarmac or asphalt. World Touring Crossover Championship, anyone?


Malaysia’s premier touring car race starts today at Sepang, free entrance to the grandstand!

Great news for fans of live motorsports as Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will be welcoming fans back to the grandstand for the start of the Malaysia Championship Series (MCS) 2021.
The much-awaited premier touring car race event will be held in a double-header format- with two rounds to be held over the three days of racing. MCS is a multi-category series, allowing motorsport teams and drivers will varying budget levels and experience to participate in a controlled and sanctioned atmosphere.
 Watch the MCS 2021 trailer
here
!
Chief Executive Officer of SIC, Azhan Shafriman Hanif said,” After a long break, we are thrilled to be hosting the Malaysia Championship Series with a double-header format. With the recent SOP relaxation in Phase 4, fans can opt to watch the race live at the main grandstand. However, we should be mindful of the SOP – facemask should be worn at all times and maintain social distance.”
Headlining the MCS 2021 is the Touring Production (TP) for production cars with 2.0-litre engine capacity where the FD2 Honda Civic Type-R is a piece of favoured machinery by many teams. The new Honda Civic Turbo (FC1) from R Engineering HMRT also continues to campaign this year after winning last year’s Merdeka Race 2020.
Malaysia Touring Car (M Production or MTC) is catered to modified production cars with an engine displacing up to 1,600 cc. In the MTC category, our regular commuters such as
Proton Iriz
 and
Honda Jazz
 are raced by factory teams such as Proton R3 and Honda Malaysia Racing Team. Expect plenty of action as the hot hatchbacks battle it out.
Next, come the recently added Stock Production 1 (SP1) and Stock Production 2 (SP2) for vehicles with engine capacities of 2,000 cc and 1,600 cc respectively. Similar to MTC, the SP2 category features many familiar hatchbacks such as the Proton Satria Neo and Suzuki Swift as well as the
Toyota Vios Challenge
 machines from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival as they meet all the necessary technical and safety regulations.
For MCS 2021, the sporting regulation has been slightly amended. Instead of using ballast weights to reduce the chances of drivers dominating, an additional pit stop time of between 8 to 15 seconds is being applied. Podium cars (top 3) in Race 1 will have additional time added to the compulsory pit stop window of at least three minutes.
The main championship ballast remains, with the top three championship leaders after Round 1 (Race 1 and 2) requiring fitment of championship ballast for Race 3 and 4 in Round 2. Yokohama will continue to be the official tyre partner with BHPetrol as the official fuel partner for MCS 2021.
Fans of live motorsports can savour the noise engines and smell of burnt rubber as free entrance to the main grandstand is allowed for those that have been fully vaccinated. Facemasks must be worn at all times following the SOPs set by the government.
SIC will also be broadcasting the MCS 2021 Round 1 and 2 live from their Facebook page (link
here
). Key events from the three days of racing are as follows:
10th November
4:30 P.M. to 5:20 P.M.: Qualifying, 20 minutes each for the large capacity and small capacity categories
 11th November
10:30 A.M. Race 1, Round 1
3:30 P.M. Race 2, Round 1
 12th November
11:15 A.M. Race 3, Round 2
4:15 P.M. Race 4, Round 2
The championship continues with Round 3 and 4 scheduled to be on December 14th to 16th.
Note: Images are taken from Sepang Inte
r
national Circuit Social Media pages.


Nissan to stop development of most internal combustion engines, report claims

Nissan has become the latest major carmaker to cease development for its internal combustion engines (ICE) according to a report by
Nikkei Asia
, making it the first Japanese marque to do so.
The report claims that Nissan has already stopped the development of brand-new petrol engines for Europe, and will soon do the same for China and Japan, making US the sole market for which all-new engines are designed – mainly for pickup trucks.
The Japanese carmaker will instead
 focus its efforts on electric vehicles
, alongside its alliance members Renault and Mitsubishi. Development of combustion engines for hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains will still continue, however,
Nikkei Asia
 reports.
Existing ICEs will also continue to be improved upon according to the report, with no factory closures or job cuts planned. Over time, personnel involved in ICE development and production will be slowly relocated to EV motors, hybrid engines, and “other divisions”.
RELATED: All-new Nissan Z unveiled – 405 hp, 475 Nm from a twin-turbo engine!
The move comes as lawmakers worldwide continue to tighten vehicle emissions restrictions and regulations in an attempt to promote the shift towards EVs. Particularly in Europe, Nissan determined that the new EURO 7 emissions standards, set to go into effect in 2025, will raise the cost of developing internal combustion engines to unsustainable levels.
How Nissan’s reported decision to cease engine development will affect its Alliance partners remains to be seen, as many of the engines are also shared across the brands – who have not announced their own end dates for engine development either.
What we do know is that the
all-new Nissan Z
 will most likely be the last pure-ICE sports car from the Japanese carmaker. Rest in power, mighty V6 – you’ll be dearly missed.


2022 Mazda MX-30 updated with faster charging, still has only 200 km of range

The
Mazda MX-30
 electric crossover has just been given a mild update in Europe for the 2022 model year, and when we say mild, we really do mean
mild
.
That’s because the biggest change on the 2022 Mazda MX-30 is it’s charging speed. Three-phase AC charging is now supported at up to
11 kW
 on the updated fully-electric crossover, up from 6.6 kW previously, while DC fast charging support has also been upped to
50 kW
 from 40 kW.
With the faster DC fast charging support, Mazda says that the new 2022 MX-30 can now charge from 10-80% in just 26 minutes, or 10 minutes faster than before.
Oddly enough, the electric crossover has already been quoted in their press releases with a 50 kW fast charging support when it was officially launched in Europe and the United States previously, but with the same (slower) 36-minute charging time.
Either there’s been some miscommunication between departments within Mazda, or the MX-30 was silently revised internally with a slightly slower charger; the unit that was
brought into Malaysia in April for a preview
 was quoted with a 40 kW DC fast charging support, but with the same 36-minute charging time.
We don’t really know what’s happening here, but it’s just…
weird
 to say the least. Anyway, we digress.
RELATED: Mazda will unveil a rotary engine-powered range-extender EV in 2022
Other updates on the 2022 Mazda MX-30 include a revised drivetrain sound that’s supposed to help the driver “subconsciously recognise the amount of torque being generated by the power unit”. The company also says that the frequency has been optimised to sound more in tune with other car noises, such as wind or road noise.
The battery is still the same 35.5 kWh unit, so you won’t be getting any more range from a single charge (currently rated at 200 km based on the WLTP cycle), but at least you won’t have to wait as long as before to fully charge it. For a longer range, you’ll probably have to wait for the rotary-engined range-extender model, which has been
 confirmed to go on sale later this year
.
As we briefly mentioned above, the fully-electric Mazda MX-30 has already been previewed here in Malaysia, and is slated to go on sale later this year. Not much information has been revealed just yet, but Bermaz Motor says that the fully-electric crossover will be priced under the RM200k mark.


The updated Audi R8 looks insanely aggresive, now faster and more powerful

Audi has revealed the updated R8 Coupe and Spyder with performance and suspension upgrades, along with rather extensive cosmetic changes and is set hit dealerships in Europe by early 2019.
Promising to deliver instant response, lightning fast revs and a unique sound, the naturally-aspirated V10 engine has been positioned even lower for even lower of gravity.
In the engine compartment, the air filter is situated under a new, three-part cover – available in a choice of plastic or carbon fibre.
Steering response and feedback have been enhanced with modifications on the suspension to provide improved stability and precision. Three additional drive modes have been added – Dry, Wet and Snow.
19-inch wheels are standard with optional ultralight 20-inch five-V design wheels.
With the enhanced Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) system, braking distance from 100 km/h to 0 has been reduced by 1.5 metres, 200 km/h to 0 by up to five metres.
Audi is also offering ceramic brake discs as an option along with the front stabiliser that’s made from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and aluminum, shedding around two kilograms.
Check out that new diffuser!
The single biggest change though, has to be the R8’s aesthetics. It wears a more radical but still distinguishable new look with a new front splitter and singleframe radiator grille that is now wider and flatter.
“The new Audi R8 is now even more powerful and faster. With around 50% shared parts with the R8 LMS GT3 and even 60% with the R8 LMS GT4, no other automobile is so close to motor racing as the R8”, said Technical Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, Oliver Hoffmann.
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Decorated Lamborghini CEO leaves to join Audi quattro GmbH

In what’s supposed to be a round of musical chairs in the automotive industry, Lamborghini’s charismatic president and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, will be joining Audi’s quattro GmbH division. Replacing the vacated spot in Lamborghini is a true blue Italian by the name of Stefano Domenicali, former chief of Ferrari F1 team.
Domenicali led the Ferrari F1 team from 2008 to 2014 and once held a post in Audi in late 2014. He was also a sporting director for the team in 1998, where two years later Michael Schumacher began the Prancing Horse’s domination in the pinnacle of motorsports.
Winkelmann and of course, our very own GC Mah
Winkelmann has been with Automobili Lamborghini since 2005, and since then we’ve seen him launch the Huracan, Avendator and the Urus SUV. At the same time, he was spotted in Kuala Lumpur during the
Super Trofeo
 round in Malaysia. Who knows, his role in Audi may just spawn more high-performing models to be offered alongside the R8. Hey, we can all dream, right?
Our best wishes go out to both Winkelmann and Domenicali on their new career paths!


Shell Recharge HPC network now fully operational in Malaysia – 6 DC chargers along North-South highway

First announced in
 March last year
, the Shell Recharge High-Performance Charging (HPC) network, set-up in collaboration between Shell Malaysia and Porsche Asia Pacific, has now been completed in Malaysia.
With six DC fast charging stations in Malaysia, plus further extensions into Singapore and Thailand, the Shell HPC network is now the longest cross-country high-performance charging infrastructure EV network in Southeast Asia.
The six stations are strategically placed along the North-South Expressway (NSE), with less than 200 km between one another to prevent EV range anxiety. These stations are located at
Shell Hentian Tangkak Lay-By (South Bound)
, Pagoh Rest Area (North Bound), RTC Simpang Pulai (North Bound), Tapah RSA NSE (South Bound), Seremban R&R NSE (North Bound), and Seremban R&R NSE (South Bound).
RELATED:
Shell and Porsche announce cross-country 180 kW charging network, six stations in M’sia
Each station is equipped with a 180 kW DC fast charger, with two CCS Type 2 charging connectors that allow for a single vehicle to be charged at up to 180 kW, or two vehicles to charge simultaneously at up to 90 kW each. However, the stations are currently only operating with one single bay to maximise charging speeds, due to the time-based payment structure via the ParkEasy app.
Three payment tiers are currently offered; the base pay-per-use tier will cost RM4 per minute, while the Gold and Platinum (exclusively for Porsche) memberships offers a significantly cheaper per-minute rate, alongside a one-hour reservation period instead of the 10-minutes booking period for the free pay-per-use tier. A full breakdown on the charging costs can be found on Shell’s website, linked
here
.
At a recent media drive event for the new Shell Recharge HPC network, Shell Malaysia Head of Brand and Customer Experience, Bryan Gee also revealed that the company is currently looking into implementing a pay-by-use payment scheme based on per-kWh electricity consumed, which will free up the second bay to be used concurrently. However, a timeline for this plan was not shared.
ALSO READ:
Shell installs solar panels at 216 petrol stations
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SpyBuzz: Undisguised Renault Megane RS leaked onto the internet

Seems like the world can’t hold back its passion for the
fourth-generation Renault Megane RS
 after Renault Sport F1 race driver,
Nico Hülkenberg took it around Circuit de Monaco
 during the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. The hot-hatch was leaked onto
Facebook
 before its global debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor show.
Much like the
leaked patent filings
, the Megane RS spots a slightly more aggressive look compared to the regular version as one can tell from the additional chrome bits, chequered flag fog lamps and sleeker intakes. At the side, it appears to ride on the same wheel design as seen on its first public appearance with an additional air curtain presumably for aerodynamic functions.
The clearest image of the car is the rear end where it gets a central mounted exhaust outlet like its predecessor, new bumper with air curtains as well as a large diffuser. Elsewhere, it would seem that the hot RS version would look not much different than the regular model.
Based on the limited information at hand, we know that there will be two variants of the Megane RS – street friendly
Sport
 and track focused
Cup
. Four-wheel steering (4Control system) will also debut on the car. Renault has also
confirmed that a six-speed transmission
 and a six-speed EDC dual clutch automatic will be available as an option.
We loved every moment being behind the wheel of the outgoing
Renault Megane RS 265 Sport
 and was one of the
best cars we’ve driven in 2016
. Knowing that Renault Sport are even more involved in this model, we have our eyes peeled for September.
IMAGE GALLERY


Overwhelming demand for GR Yaris in Australia, Toyota stops taking orders

In case you’ve lost track of time, it’s been nearly two years since the
 Toyota GR Yaris was first revealed
. Fast forward to 2021 and having driven the car on the Sepang Circuit, there’s zero doubt of its ability. The hot hatch has effortlessly lived up to all the hype it had generated on paper and online.
In Malaysia, the
127 units
 which were allocated for our market were snapped up within months if not weeks following its launch. It was introduced here with the Performance Pack, priced at
RM299,000
.
The
Performance Pack
 includes Torsen mechanical limited-slip differentials in the front and back, 18-inch BBS wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, retuned dampers, retuned power steering, and red GR brake calipers for some added flair.

It seems there’s a similar frenzy in Australia as well, where the first
1,000 units were snapped up within a week
. To date, approximately 1700 units of the turbocharged 3-cylinder hatchback have been delivered to customers in Australia.
Watch the Toyota GR Yaris being driven the way it’s supposed to on a really narrow road!
Toyota GR Yaris ‘Rallye Edition’.
Yet, demand for the hot hatchback is still strong according to Toyota Australia with the company releasing a statement saying that it is
trying to secure as many units as possible
.
Find out what the Toyota GR Yaris ‘Rallye Edition’ in Australia is all about!
GR Yaris with Tom’s bodykit. Read about it
here
.
For now however, Toyota Australia announced that it has to
stop taking orders temporarily from the 1st of July
. The company will announce on a later date when order books reopen – such is the demand.
Toyota Australia also said it will continue to negotiate and secure further supply of the GR Yaris in due course.
Find out in detail about the Toyota GR Yaris in Malaysia here!


Volkswagen I.D. R at Goodwood: The new record that nearly wasn’t

Not content with just smashing the all-time Pikes Peak record last month, the Volkswagen I.D. R race car made its way to the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed and proceeded to set a new record for electric vehicles on the infamous hill climb competition along a treacherous 1.86km route lined with trees, stone walls and hay bales.
The I.D. R is powered by twin motors with an output of 670hp and 670Nm; weighs less than 1,100kg.
Romain Dumas, who also piloted the I.D R up Pikes Peak, completed the Goodwood Hillclimb in 43.86 seconds, beating not only the rest of the field but also the EV record by a comfortable 3.48 seconds. But it would’ve turned out so differently if Dumas hadn’t pulled off what must be the mother of all saves during a practice run prior to the record attempt, under the watchful eyes of 200,000 spectators and Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess.
“Goodwood is an absolutely fantastic event and I am more than happy that we won in front of such a great crowd of motorsport enthusiasts,” said the 40-year-old Dumas after his record-breaking drive. “The hill climb track is short but often dirty and therefore you should definitely not underestimate it,’ the Frenchman added. So true.
While the all-wheel drive Volkswagen I.D. R now holds the honour of being the fastest EV at Goodwood (and the third quickest ever), the fastest run ever up the hill is still held by Nick Heidfeld who stopped the clock at 41.6 seconds in a McLaren Mercedes MP4/13 Formula 1 racer back in 1999, the V10-powered car which Mika Hakkinen raced to the 1998 drivers’ crown.


Lexus just unveiled the new UX wearing Nike Air Force 1 “shoes”

In celebrating the launch of the first ever, all-new Lexus UX, the company has fitted the car with custom tyres inspired by designer John Elliot and the Nike Air Force 1 shoe.
Revealed at the New York Fashion Week after-party recently, the collaboration features an all-white UX with custom tyre details inspired by Elliott’s design of the shoe.
The tyre features white on white layers, double-stitched leather and a stepped metal air valve that resembles Elliot’s stacked metal lace tip.
The
 Lexus UX made its world debut early
 last year at the Geneva Motor Show with UX200 with
168 hp
 and the UX250h with a combined
176 hp
, paired with Lexus’ Direct Shift CVT.
Lexus Malaysia also displayed the new UX at the
 2018 KLIMS
, in the form of the
UX200
. The car also featured a host of Lexus Safety System+ which includes Pre-collision System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS) among others.
IMAGE GALLERY


Here’s a closer look at the Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift, like what you see?

Mercedes-Benz’s bestselling model, the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has just gotten a
facelift earlier this year
. Aside from minor nip and tuck on its aesthetics, the three-pointed star has also introduced extensive upgrades in the technology side of things. Let’s take a closer look at the C-Class facelift before it is officially introduced here in Malaysia.
Starting with the looks, the C-Class now gets a new headlamp and taillamp design (sedan only) that is much more minimalistic than before. But the top of the range variant will receive the Multibeam LED headlamps for the first time. The Multibeam uses 84 individual LEDs for forward illumination and is certainly something we look forward to on the Malaysian spec sheet.

Other less apparent changes on the exterior are the more angular bumper piece with a silver strip garnish, diamond radiator grille for AMG Line (previously available on
C 43
 & C-Class Coupes) as well as new alloy wheel design.
Stepping inside and the changes become more apparent. New items include the 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display (optional), new steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls, 10.25-inch Command Online Infotainment screen (optional) with Linguatronic voice control. The latter first debut on the
W177 A-Class
 and allows you to say “humanised” commands to control various functions in-car functions.

Powertrain options remain as per before, but the
C 200
 that we are all familiar with is now a mild-hybrid petrol powertrain. It pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with
184 hp
/
280 Nm
 to a 48V onboard network and
EQ Boost
 to give it additional
14 hp
. EQ Boost, as the name suggests, provides additional boost when the turbocharger is building up boost, giving the car quicker shift times and reduced turbo lag.
The mild-hybrid system is paired to a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission and is capable of sending the C 200 to 100 km/h from standstill in
7.7 seconds
 onwards to a top speed of
239 km/h
. Other powertrain options include the
C 180
 with
156 hp
/
250 Nm
 from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo,
C 300
 with
190 hp
/
370 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo and
C 400
 with
333 hp
/
480 Nm
 from a 3.0-litre V6 turbo mill – all mated to the 9G-Tronic transmission.
The C-Class gets a big bump in driver assistance systems now with the inclusion of extended Active Brake Assist as a standard feature. The autonomous emergency braking system can mitigate rear-end collisions with vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Other optional kit includes Active Distance Distronic, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Steering Assist as well as Evasive Steering Assist. All these give the C-Class semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
It is only a matter of time before the Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift arrives on our shores and it would not be too far of a stretch to say it will go on sale in Malaysia by the end of 2018. What do you think dear readers, what are the features you would want Mercedes-Benz Malaysia to include them in the spec-sheet?
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz C 200 Sedan Facelift

Mercedes-Benz C 400 4MATIC Coupe Facelift

Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet Facelift

Mercedes-Benz C 220d Estate Facelift


Here’s your first glimpse of the Range Rover Sport SVR in the new James Bond film

Set for release in cinemas from the 30th of September onwards, the latest James Bond film ‘No Time To Die’ will feature the Range Rover Sport SVR in a chase sequence and the company is eager for you to see it beforehand.
The scene was led by Oscar-winning special effects and action vehicles supervisor Chris Corbould, who was quick to praise the ability of the enormous Range Rover.
“They’re the perfect car for what we’re doing – high-speed driving, throwing around corners,” said Chris.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aWxFMshOM4
In case you’re wondering if Range Rover has modified the SVRs just for the shoot, the company was quick to highlight that the SVRs feature the same suspension as the production models.
Range Rover waves goodbye to the Sport SVR with a swanky new “Ultimate” edition. Read about it here!
The two units you see in the film are finished in Eiger Grey and fitted with 22-inch wheels and the Carbon Pack. The optional package includes items like front fender vents, lower bumper intakes, front grille, and side mirrors finished in gloss carbon fibre.
“We shoot everything for real so we’ve pushed it to the absolute maximum and the pursuit promises to be one of the memorable set-piece moments of the film,” said the stunt coordinator Lee Morrison.
The Sport SVR is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8, with 575 hp and a whopping 700 Nm. That’s enough for it to up and go form 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. It also has a top speed of 283 km/h, making it the fastest Land Rover ever.
No Time To Die, Daniel Craig’s final film as James Bond, will also feature a Range Rover Classic alongside three Defenders and a Series III Land Rover.
Those keen on purchasing the exact Range Rover Sport SVR seen in the film, click here!


This GR Sport Toyota Corolla will make you drool!

The new
12th generation Toyota Corolla launched in Malaysia
October last yea
r
 is without contest the
best-looking Corolla
 in the line up’s history but for the European market, Toyota has added a little more spice with some GR Sport touches and my oh my!
Before you get too excited, let’s come back to Earth for a bit. All the GR Sport touches are mainly focuses on aesthetics so for the exterior, the chrome pieces on the Corolla’s body have been replaced with piano black trims.
They includes those on the front grille, window surrounds and beneath the doors. The same treatment has also been applied to the C-shaped trims on the front bumper, giving the Corolla a much angrier look.
Then there’s the black roof and black strip across the boot but what really got our attention are those optional 18-inch wheels. It’s day and night compared to the 10-spoke 17-inch set we get in Malaysia and frankly, the former suits the 12th generation Corolla’s aggressive looks much better.
You get a GR Sport badge at the back but the one on the door sill is an even nicer touch – classier if we may. The cabin also gets visibly more sporty seats compared to our local models, with white and red stitching, in line with the Toyota Gazoo Racing colours.
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Mercedes-Benz is the most innovative premium car brand, says German research house

According to a study by the
Center of Automotive Management
 (CAM) – an independent scientific institute for empirical automotive and mobility research as well as for strategic advice at the University of Applied Sciences of Business ( FHDW ) based in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, Mercedes-Benz is the leading premium brand for innovations over the period of 2016 to 2019.
CAM analysed the automotive innovations of
31 premium brands
 and Mercedes-Benz proved to be the most innovative, with around
180 new features
 in series production. These innovations included assistance systems such as the anti-theft warning system, the intuitive and intelligent multimedia system MBUX and ENERGIZING comfort control.
Mercedes-Benz first presented the MBUX multimedia system at the 2018 CES show. The name of this infotainment system denotes the emphasis and precedence on user experience (UX), with a key feature of MBUX being its ability to learn via artificial intelligence.
MBUX is thus customisable and adapts to the user, and creates an emotional link between vehicle, driver and passengers. Other complementary functions include the high-resolution Widescreen Cockpit with touch operation, navigation display with augmented reality technology plus intelligent voice control with speech recognition, activated by saying “Hey Mercedes”. Over-the-air updates are also possible.
In Malaysia, selected models now come with the latest
Mercedes me connect (Mmc)
remote access services, namely the
newly facelifted GLC
 and A-Class range fitted with the latest version of the MBUX hardware; other Mercedes-Benz models sold here will also be updated over time. By installing the
Mercedes me app
 (available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store), users can access a host of information and features of their vehicle via their smartphone, including vehicle maintenance management, accident recovery, remote engine start, vehicle diagnostics, etc.


The Cannonball Run Lamborghini Countach is now officially “historic”

Most car enthusiasts would have most definitely heard about the Cannonball – an illegal, not-so-secret cross-country race that involves driving specially-prepped cars at high-speed from New York to Los Angeles.
The challenge is still alive and well today, with the most recent record was set only in 2020, with a 25 hours and 39 minutes run using a modified
 Audi S6
 – that means an average speed throughout the entire run of 180 km/h, by the way. You can learn more about the run at VNWiki’s YouTube video
here
.
So yes, it’s already a well-known thing among the enthusiast, but arguably, the reason that it’s so popular today is because of the 1981 film “The Cannonball Run” that truly brought the covert activity to the attention of the masses. And today, the Lamborghini Countach that was used in the film has been officially added to the US National Historic Vehicle Register.
The Lamborghini Countach LP 400 S, with chassis number 1121112 and a black and mustard yellow interior, is just car number 30 to be considered of “national importance for the United States”, joining an illustrious ensemble that includes a Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, the oldest known jeep in the world, the first Indianapolis 500 winner, and the 15-millionth Ford Model T.
Lamborghini has brought the Countach nameplate back with a modern-day recreation of the poster car. Check it out here!
And the car is kept in an immaculate condition, just like how it was on the film, having had just two owners in the last 40 years. It was delivered new to Lamborghini’s distributor in Rome, and immediately exported to the United States where it was sold to its owner in Florida.
The owner, being a friend of the film’s director Hal Needham, loaned the car to him for filming purposes where the Countach was modified for the movie with the addition of a front spoiler, twin spotlights, three antennas and 12(!) exhaust pipes. And as they say, the rest is history – quite literally this time.
The coolest part of this whole ordeal is that, as part of the National Historic Vehicle Register, the Countach #1121112, will be fully 3D-scanned, with all of its information and documentations preserved in the US’ Library of Congress – quite a feat for a car in a comedy film.
To celebrate the occasion, the car is also being displayed this week inside a glass case on the National Mall in Washington D.C.. But for the rest of us to see, we’ve also included the full intro of the Cannonball Run film featuring the Countach in question, for posterity’s sake of sorts.

It’s perhaps just a coincidence that the movie car is being added to the register on the 50th anniversary of the original Countach, but something tells us that we’re not quite done yet with Lamborghini’s celebrations, seeing that they’ve been
teasing the car on its social media pages
. Keep your eyes peeled.
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2019 Facelifted Proton Saga now comes with a 4-speed AT, from RM32,800

Finally, it’s time for
Malaysia’s best-selling sedan to receive the magic touch. Lo and behold, the
2019 facelifted Proton Saga, the latest member of the Proton’s current line up
to be refreshed with an updated exterior, new features as well as a new 4-speed
automatic transmission.
Like all the models launched in 2019, the Saga is now cheaper across the board with three variants available. The Saga 1.3 Standard (MT) is priced at RM32,800 while the automatic is priced at RM35,800. Lastly, the range-topping Saga 1.3 Premium goes for RM39,800. Prices quoted are all OTR without insurance.

QUICK FACTS
Name
Proton Saga 1.3 Standard (MT)
Proton Saga 1.3 Standard (AT)
Proton Saga 1.3 Premium (AT)
Engine
1,332cc; naturally aspirated 4-cylinder VVT
Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Max Power
95 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Max Torque
120 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM32,800
RM35,800
RM39,800
On the outside, the refreshed Saga gains new visual cues as the Iriz and Persona. For starters it now gets an Infinite Weave front grille, new front bumper with jewel-like LED daytime running lights (Premium variant only), 15-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 185/55 profile rubbers (Standard variant gets 14-inch items with 185/60 profile tyres), new rear bumper, integrated rear spoiler as well as PROTON inscription across the rear trunk.
Inside, the 2019 Saga features
a new fabric upholstery for the seats, new centre console panel, sun visors
with ticket holder, new instrument cluster with LCD multi-info display as well
as remote trunk release across all variants.
Going with the Standard
(AT) and Premium, it adds on a new headliner with foldable assist grip, LED map
lights as well as 2 USB charging ports. However, only the top of the range
Premium variant gets the new 7.0-inch floating touchscreen infotainment with
smartphone connectivity, reverse camera, four speakers (Standard gets two) and steering
wheel audio switches.
Unfortunately, the Saga’s
fancy new floating infotainment screen does not support GKUI voice command nor
online connectivity. You won’t be able to wow your friends with the “Hi Proton”
function in the Saga.
Under the hood rests the same 1.3-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder VVT engine developing
95 hp
and
120 Nm
of torque paired to either an automatic or 5-speed manual option.
Purists
 will be glad to know that Proton has ditched the Punch-sourced CVT for a Hyundai-sourced 4-speed torque converter. The new gearbox also comes with a new layout P-R-N-D-S instead of P-R-N-D-3-2 layout on older Sagas.
Safety wise, the Saga
gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, rear parking sensors and ISOFIX mounting
points. Only on the 1.3 Premium variant features Electronic Stability Control, Hill
Hold Assist and Front Parking Sensors.
There are five exterior
colours to choose from – Snow White, Armour Silver, Jet Grey, Rosewood Maroon
and Ruby Red. Every purchase also comes with a 5-Years/150,000 km Warranty and
3 times Free Labour Service.
IMAGE GALLERY
2019 Facelifted Proton Saga 1.3 Premium


The All-new Audi A3 Sedan is the better looking and smarter brother

Following the launch of the new all-new
A3 Sportback
 last month, Audi has finally introduced the fourth-generation A3 in four-door sedan form.
Unsurprisingly, the new Audi A3 Sedan looks almost identical to the Sportback version, except with a boot tacked-on. That means that compared to its
predecessor
, the design changes are also mostly evolutionary – which isn’t a bad thing in this case.
There are a few subtle differences between the two though (other than the body style), such as the lower character line which now extends rearwards towards the bumper, emphasising the length of the Sedan while also giving it a more elegant look. The integrated boot lip spoiler gives the A3 Sedan an athletic appearance without looking like a boy racer.
Thanks to the higher rear end and large diffuser, the all-new Audi A3 sedan is
more aerodynamic than before
, with a Cd of 0.25 – 0.04 better than its predecessor. The aerodynamic is further helped by the electronically-controlled louvre behind the Singleframe grille – which regulates the cooling air flow based on requirement.
The all-new Audi A3 Sedan has grown slightly in all dimensions compared to its predecessor, but most notably in length which is
increased by 40 mm
 – also making it 150 mm longer than the Sportback. Wheelbase is unchanged, which means interior space is largely unchanged, though Audi says that the headroom is increased by 2 cm in front thanks to a lower seat placement, along with a little more elbow room.
The interior architecture is also ported directly from the Sportback too, featuring a driver-focused dashboard with minimal buttons and knobs. As standard, the Audi A3 Sedan comes with a
10.1-inch central infotainment display
, angled slightly towards the driver.
Running on the latest Modular Infotainment Platform 3, Audi promises processing speeds of up to 10 times faster than before. As expected, connectivity options are aplenty, including LTE cellular and Car-to-X services.
The infotainment display is paired to a
10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
 as standard, but can be upgraded to the
12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus
 model, which includes better functionality and more modular display layouts. A head-up display can also be specified.
At launch, the Audi A3 Sedan will be offered in three powertrain options. On the petrol side, the 35 TFSI variant gets a
1.5-litre four cylinder engine
, generating
150 hp
 and
200 Nm
 of torque. The engine can be paired to a new six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission.
With the dual-clutch transmission, the powertrain will also feature a
 48-volt mild hybrid system
. Audi says that the electric motor can supply
up to 50 Nm of torque
 during acceleration just from recuperated energy.
Although acceleration times are unchanged with the added 48V system (both versions have a century sprint time of 8.4 seconds), Audi says that it reduces consumption by up to
0.4 l/100km
 in everyday driving.
As for the oil-burners, the Audi A3 Sedan can also be had with a
2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel engine
, which makes
150 hp
and
360 Nm
 of torque. The diesel powerplant is paired to the same seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission, which utilises a new shift-by-wire technology.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Nissan NP300 Navara coming to Malaysia in November!

Nissan’s all-new,
12th generation Nissan NP300 Navara
 will be storming to Malaysian shores as early as next month. This follows after the pickup truck’s introduction to other markets like Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and most recently Europe at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. With more than 14 million units sold over the course of 80 years, the Navara is certainly one of Nissan’s bread and butter models.
Under the hood of the new Navara is Nissan’s improved version of the
2.5-litre diesel engine
 (codename YD25) making a good
 187 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque from just 2,000 rpm. It appears that we won’t be getting the
twin-turbocharged 2.3-litre dCi engine
 after all, then. It’s paired to a first-in-class
seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode
or a six-speed manual gearbox, and it’s available in either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. It’s also the first Japanese pickup fitted with a
multi-link type rear suspension
 for a more SUV-like handling and comfort.
Edaran Tan Chong Malaysia (ETCM) has hinted that the Malaysian-bound NP300 will get
full LED headlights
 with the distinctive
 boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights
, including the boldly chromed “V-motion” grille, whereas the rear will settle for a new spoiler. Other noteworthy features include Nissan’s highly rated
Zero Gravity Inspired Seats
 (possibly the most comfortable pickup yet) and
dual zone air-conditioning
 with rear air vents.
More details of the interior will come as we inch closer to the launch date, but Nissan claims that the cabin is nearly as practical as that of a car, which to us is quite a significant statement to make. On the flip side, the Navara boasts having a
towing capacity of 3,500kg
, with the rear bed capable of hauling nearly 1,000kg of goods.

ETCM made no mention of its official arrival as yet, but trust us to bring you the latest development of the NP300 Navara. While we eagerly anticipate its arrival, Nissan’s latest pickup will be
touring the country
 beginning next week, so be sure to catch it in person!
Date
Region
Venue
15 – 18 Oct
Eastern
Kota Bharu Mall
21 – 25 Oct
Central
1 Utama Shoping Mall
6 – 8 Nov
Southern
Batu Pahat Mall
10 – 15 Nov
Northern
Aeon Station 18
12 – 15 Nov
Central
ASEAN Auto Show
12 – 15 Nov
Northern
Sunway Carnival Mall
15 – 21 Nov
Eastern
Tesco Kota Bharu
18 – 22 Nov
Central
IOI City Mall
20 – 22 Nov
Sabah
Imago Kota Kinabalu
20 – 22 Nov
Sarawak
City One Kuching
20 – 22 Nov
Southern
Mydin Seremban
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Video: Volvo S60 T8 PHEV R-Design Review

It’s good to be back with our review videos and we kick off the post MCO life with this – the recent talk of the town – the S60 T8 PHEV R-Design. Since we had the car, Volvo Car Malaysia has gone on to
 introduce a locally-assembled equivalent at the same RM296k price tag
.
It’s by far the most powerful S60 Volvo has ever built thus far; with the T8 variant churning out a whopping total of
407 hp
 and
 604 Nm
from it’s 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged engine which powers the front wheels while an electric motor powering the rear two.

It may not offer the same excitement that a supercar of equivalent power would, but as you’d see in the video, it’s got quite a bit of poke for a 2-tonne machine. In fact, square the S60 up with the likes of
BMW’s M2 Competition or Toyota’s Supra
 and it could just spring a surprise!
In the video we also discussed what the S60 T8 is like compared to the BMW’s 3 series and Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class in terms of its aesthetics, “wow factor” and driving feel. We also discussed whether customers who can afford to pay RM300k for a car would prefer an SUV, like the Mercedes-Benz GLC or the BMW X3, and if sedans in this segment and price point are still relevant.
When you’re done, have a look at this
comparison between the Mercedes-Benz C300, BMW 330i against the S60 T8
 for more perspectives!
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MINI Clubman ‘Jermyn Edition’ pays tribute to fashion street in London

Singapore welcomed a special edition MINI Clubman recently, the
Clubman Jermyn Edition
, named after an iconic street in London known for refined menswear.
Head of MINI Asia, Kidd Yam said, “The MINI Clubman is without a doubt the suavest model of the marque. When conceptualising this special edition, we found ourselves drawn to Jermyn Street in London, where some of the most important names in menswear began.
“Today, Jermyn Street is widely considered the spiritual home for refined British menswear and therefore the Jermyn Edition is for those who value refinement, possess savoir-faire, and seek to live their lives with authenticity and passion.”
The Clubman Jermyn Edition is only available in three exterior colours – Enigmatic Black, Pepper White, and Rooftop Grey.
In case you haven’t noticed, there is only one racing stripe on the front bonnet of the Jermyn Edition, as opposed to the usual two. The Herringbone decal as MINI calls it, is only available in Melting Silver or Matte Black.
Facts & Figures: Facelift MINI John Cooper Works Countryman launched, from RM375,493. More about it here!
Other exclusive items on the exterior include an emblem with a Herringbone background, on the C-pillar. The front door sill plates have the same Herringbone design etched into them and upon opening the doors, the ‘Jermyn Edition’ letters are illuminated.
The Jermyn also gets the MINI Yours optional 18-inch dual-tone wheels and the Union Jack graphics on the tail lights like most MINIs today. The interior is wrapped in MINI Yours Leather Lounge upholstery, with more Jermyn emblems on the dashboard ahead.
Under the hood of the Clubman Jermyn Edition is 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 178 hp and 280 Nm, allowing the car to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The engine is paired to a 7-speed gearbox.
Watch the MINI JCW Clubman race against the Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC and the FK8 Honda Civic Type R on KLIA’s runway!
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Lamborghini Huracan Performante debuts, 5.2L V10, Aventador SV slayer

Lamborghini has proudly revealed its latest lightweight supercar, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante. Just last week, the
Huracan Performante
 became the fastest production car to lap the Nürburgring, and it was a good 3 seconds ahead of the Aventador SV!
With a time of 6 minutes and 52.01 seconds, there are a few good reasons how it managed such a blistering feat. First, the Huracan Performante weighs just 1,382kg, approximately
40kg
 lighter than the standard version. Its newfound aerodynamic kit, comprised of a huge rear spoiler, new front bumper and rear diffuser, are all made from lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium construction.

It also benefits from active aerodynamics seductively called
Aerodinamica

Lamborghini Attiva
. The flaps actively vary its angle at all speeds to optimise downforce and stability.
The naturally-aspirated V10 has been given a power bump, with final outputs reading at
640 hp
 and
 600 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, which is the same as the standard
Huracan LP 610
. The century sprint takes just
 2.9 seconds
, with a top speed of
325km/h
.
Complementing the added power is a set of stiffer suspension and new 20-inch wheels wrapped with Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubbers. The grippier Pirelli Trofeo R (a street-legal racing tyres) which was used during the Nürburgring record run can be had as an option. Stopping power comes from ventilated and cross-drilled carbon ceramic discs for all four corners, with six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston callipers at the rear.
As expected with track special machines, the interior is draped with carbon fibre and Alcantara trimmings. The same digital cockpit is retained, however all else can be individually personalised to each customer’s tastes through the Lamborghini “Ad Personam” Program.
The 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante has a starting price of
 £210,000
 (approximately
RM1.14 million
), making it the most expensive Huracan available for public purchase to date. That’s a lot of performance for not a whole lot of money, because the slower
Porsche 918
 (around the Green Hell that is) costs three times more!
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New 8-seater Land Rover Defender 130 now much longer – accommodates 3 adults in the 3rd row

If you think the current lineup of Land Rover Defender already huge, brace yourself because it’s about to get even bigger. Land Rover has just unveiled the new Defender 130, starting from £73,895 (approx. RM408k) which is essentially an extended version of the
 Defender 110
 that now allows for an occupancy of up to eight people.
This is made possible by a 340mm extended rear overhang that significantly enhances the interior space; allowing for a 2+3+3 seating arrangement that houses three adults comfortably in the 3rd row.
Not only has there been another row of seats but additional creature comforts have been added to enhance the ride quality of the passengers as well.
The Defender 130 exclusively comes with 4-zone climate control to accommodate the 3rd-row passengers as well as large rear windows, a panoramic sunroof paired with a 2nd sunroof, additional USB ports, and storage compartments.
A new and larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro curved touchscreen now dominates the central infotainment centre where drivers can personalise the three-panel layout to their desires.
Another new feature making its first appearance in the Defender 130 is the Cabin Air Purification Plus. The Defender 130 comes standard with nanoe™ X technology that reduces allergens and pathogens, as well as odors and potential viruses.
To ensure the best possible air quality for passengers, the Defender 130 also comes with C02 management and PM 2.5 Cabin Air Filtration that monitors interior and exterior air for constant adjustments.
The Defender 130 will be integrated with Land Rover’s new innovative navigation system called ‘what3words’ that has the ability to navigate every part of the world precisely. This is made possible by breaking the world down into 57 million 3m x 3m squares. Each of these squares is then given a unique and easy-to-remember three-word address.
There will be four different specifications for the Defender 130 consisting of the SE, HSE, X-Dynamic, and X, as well as a separate First Edition (that is based on the HSE specification).
A new interior trim material also makes its first appearance in the Defender 130 named ‘Natural Light Oak engineered wood veneer’ that is said to make a fine pair with the Oyster Perforated Windsor seats. Vintage Tan perforated leather seats are available across all Defender 130 ranges, while robust fabric with a dual-tone finish is available in X-Dynamic variants.
Mechanically, the Defender 130 is fitted with Land Rover’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) system, an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, and Electronic Air Suspension as standard on Land Rover’s monocoque D7x Architecture.
The iAWD system optimises on-road efficiency and off-road capabilities by managing the powertrain and its power distribution between the front and rear axles separately.
The Defender 130 comes with four different engine options:
Petrol:
o   P300 – 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 300hp, 470Nm torque, 0-100km/h in 8 seconds
o   P400 – 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 400hp, 550Nm torque 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds
Diesel:
o   D250 – 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 250hp, 600Nm torque 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds
o   D300 – 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 300hp, 650Nm torque 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds
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Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe is here, priced from RM1.1m

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is at it again, with not one but three AMG models launched together at the Sepang International Circuit. One of them is this one, the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe.
 While the name is shared with the two-door
Mercedes-AMG GT
, the
GT 4-door Coupe
 has a lot in common with the W213 E-Class. It’s not just a stretched GT Coupe because the GT 4-door Coupe rides on the
 MRA platform
 which also underpins the
C257 CLS
.

QUICK FACTS
Mercedes-AMG GT 43 4MATIC+
Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4MATIC+
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+
 Engine
3.0-litre Biturbo inline-6 + EQ Boost ISG
3.0-litre Biturbo inline-6 + EQ Boost ISG
4.0-litre Biturbo V8
 Tranmission
9-speed AMG Speedshift TCT
9-speed AMG Speedshift TCT
9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT
 Max Power
367 hp @ 5,500 – 6,100 rpm
435 hp @ 5,500 – 6,100 rpm
639 hp @ 5,500 – 6,500 rpm
 Max Torque
500 Nm @ 1,800 – 4,500 rpm
520 Nm @ 1,800 – 5,800 rpm
900 Nm @ 2,500 – 4,500 rpm
 0 to 100 km/h; Top Speed
4.9 seconds; 270 km/h
4.5 seconds; 285 km/h
3.8 seconds; 270 km/h
 Price (OTR without Insurance)
 RM 1,098,888
 RM 1,298,888
 RM 1,798,888
You’ll get to choose from three flavours:
GT 43 4MATIC+
,
GT 53 4MATIC+
, and the big daddy
GT 63 S 4MATIC+
. The GT 43 and the GT 53 variants use the same
3.0-litre biturbo inline-six
 with
EQ Boost
 integrated starter-generator (ISG) that develops
367 hp
 and
500 Nm
 in the former, or
435 hp
 and
520 Nm
 in the latter.
The
GT 63 S
 gets a
4.0-litre biturbo V8
 under its bonnet, delivering
639 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque. All variants
 drive all four wheels
 and uses the
AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G
 transmission, except that the GT 63 S used the
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G
 9-speed transmission with a wet clutch.
It’s no surprise that the GT 63 S is the quickest off the line as it sprints to 100 km/h from standstill in just
3.2 seconds
. The GT 43 and the GT 53 take 4.9 seconds and 4.5 seconds respectively, while the top speed is rated at 270 km/h for the GT 43, 285 km/h for the GT 53, and
315 km/h
 for the GT 63 S.
The cabin is almost similar to the C257 CLS, but there’s a bespoke center console featuring
colour display buttons
 to adjust the driving modes. In terms of equipment the GT 4-door Coupe gets
 AMG Track Pace
 as standard, which records driving data that can be viewed from the on-board Comand system. There’s also
Drive Pilot
 semi autonomous driving assistance to help you with the more mundane driving situation.
 Prices start from
RM 1,098,888
 for the GT 43 4MATIC+,
RM 1,298,888
 for the GT 53 4MATIC+, and
RM 1,798,888
 for the GT 63 S 4MATIC+. The
AMG Aerodynamics Package
,
AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package
, and the
AMG Performance Exhaust System
 are among the few items fitted as standard on the range-topping GT 63 S, and there are various paint colours and finishes as well as wheel designs to choose from.


All-new Kia Rio now on sale in Malaysia, RM79,888, but still comes with a four-speed gearbox…

Here comes yet another B-segment player, one that’s generously equipped with nifty features like sunroof, six airbags and all, but on the flip side comes with the previous 1.4-litre engine and four-speed gearbox.
Its footprint is just marginally larger than the Rio it replaces, and boot space is also increased with the rear bench featuring a 60:40 split folding. There’s no magic seats like that in the Jazz, but what the Rio lacks it makes up for with style – lots of it.

The front gets halogen projector headlamps with U-shaped LED DRLs, projector fog lamps, sleek Tiger Nose grille, rear spoiler, rear combination LED lamps (with rear fog lamps) and 17-inch alloys wrapped with 205/45 tyres. There’s also keyless entry with push-start button as well as rear parking sensors.
The cabin has been extensively redesigned and is distinctly Kia. It’s a tad more premium in feel than most cars in the price bracket, with items such as arched dashboard, all-black fabric upholstery, sporty leather wrapped three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, single-zone automatic climate control with cluster ioniser and a 5.0-inch floating LCD colour head unit.

It comes with the sole 1.4-litre Kappa MPI engine that’s good for
99 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
133 Nm
 of torque at 4,000 rpm. This is paired to the antiquated but rather reliable
four-speed automatic
, driving the front wheels.
On the safety front, you get six airbags, ABS, ESC, Hill-start Assist Control and an Isofix child anchor. The Kia Rio carries a sticker price of
RM79,888
 (OTR before insurance) and comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. There are four colours to choose from: Signal Red, Clear White, Silky Silver and Smoke Blue.
IMAGE GALLERY


The new Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition will only be on sale for a year

Built by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, the Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition – the highest range Velar you can buy – will only be available in the market for a year for a touch of exclusivity.
With a 5.0-litre supercharged V8, the
550 hp
 winner of the
World Car Design of the Year in 2018
 will do 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 274 km/h.
To cope with that level of performance, the brakes and suspension too have been upgraded; with revised Continuously Variable Dampers and 4-pot caliper brakes in the front, tucked behind the 21-inch lightweight wheels.
The new Dynamic Edition Velar features a new front bumper with larger air intakes, a new grille and a reworked rear bumper to accommodate the quad exhaust tips.
The Dynamic Edition’s Variable Active Exhaust System optimises the V8 engine’s rumble and is 7.1 kg lighter than the standard system.
Aerodynamic enhancements include a transmission tunnel undertray, allowing the Velar to cut through air more efficiently. Improvements on the undercarriage also extends to the upgraded anti-roll bars for reduced body roll.
Inside, the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition is treated exclusively to Windsor leather upholstery, 20-way adjustable heated/cooled seats with massage function and a bespoke SVAutobiography Dynamic start-up screen.
All in all, engineers at Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations spent 63,900 hours fine-tuning the Range Rover Velar’s ride, handling and responsiveness.
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22.12.16 V1
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Smart #1 undergoes 20,000km test ahead of Malaysia launch

It is no secret that the
Smart #1

will soon be launched in Malaysia. Ahead of its public debut set to happen very soon,
Smart Malaysia

has revealed that the Smart #1 has undergone some serious testing (20,000 km of it) to ensure that it is fit for the Malaysian market. After its first public appearance set to happen soon, the Smart #1 is set to be officially launched in Malaysia in Q4 2023.
Also ahead of its first public appearance, the Smart #1 has been previewed privately to member of the media and potential customers. The private gave participants the opportunity to experience the Smart #1 which included a test drive on a closed circuit. Participants not only learned the full details of the Smart #1, but also shared their feedback on the electric car.
Smart Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Zhang Qiang said, “By bringing people together, especially the EV enthusiasts, and sharing knowledge, we hope to increase awareness and enable participants to explore our product firsthand by providing an opportunity to get up close and personal with smart #1.’’
Smart Malaysia has yet to confirm the variants to be offered for the Malaysian market. Globally, the Smart #1 is available in its Pro+, Premium, Pulse, and Brabus variants. The former two are rear-wheel drive (RWD) and the latter two are all-wheel drive (AWD) models.
RELATED:
Spied – Smart #1 Brabus in Malaysia – 428hp, 543Nm, 400km range
Smart Malaysia has also revealed that the Smart #1 is undergoing extensive testing ahead of its public appearance and launch. This includes a 20,000 km adaptive test to evaluate the vehicle’s performance, reliability, and safety in real-world conditions with a particular focus on adapting to the weather and road conditions in Malaysia. Even the head unit of the Smart #1 is being rigorously tested with multiple test cases.
Zhang Qiang adds, “In addition, we conducted local integration and display head function tests, which included 12,000 test cases and conditions. And on the service side, we have successfully developed our after-sales network and online system. Over the past 6 months, we have extensively tested the service functions to ensure a smooth experience for end users.”
RELATED:
5 new Smart dealerships appointed across Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia expansion in 2024
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Mercedes-Benz recalls 3 million diesel cars for emissions software tweak

Uh oh, looks like Mercedes-Benz is also not spared from the whole dieselgate saga. Daimler AG has issued a voluntary recall for over 3 million diesel cars in Europe for a software update. This will improve emissions for Euro5 and Euro6 class cars.
The recall involves vehicles sold between 2008 and 2016 and is expected to cost the company
220 million Euros (approximately RM1.08 billion)
. It will take roughly an hour for each car and will come at no cost to customers.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said: “The public debate about diesel engines is creating uncertainty – especially for our customers. We have therefore decided on additional measures to reassure drivers of diesel cars and to strengthen confidence in diesel technology”.


Here’s the new big brother of the E-Class range – the CKD E300 AMG Line

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia unveiled today the future replacement of the
E350e plug-in hybrid
, the new CKD E300 AMG Line to lead the locally-assembled E-Class pack that includes the E200 Avantgarde, E250 Avantgarde and E250 Exclusive.
“As with all Mercedes-Benz E-Class’, the E300 AMG Line is proudly assembled locally and comes with an exceptional range of class-leading features for the discerning customer. It is the natural choice to top the elegant E-Class family, with sporty appeal from the tasteful visual enhancements of the AMG Line interior and exterior,” said Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Mark Raine.
(Left) VP of Sales and Marketing, Mark Raine, with the President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Dr Claus Weidner.
The CKD E300 AMG Line with
 245 hp
 and
370 Nm
 (0 to 100 km/h 6.2 seconds) is estimated to cost
RM 388,888
, around RM70,000 less than
its CBU counterpart launched early last year
.
That said, the equipment list on the 9-speed CKD E300 AMG Line isn’t shabby either – it’s anything but. Instead of the 19-inch AMG twin five-spoke wheels on the CBU model, the CKD model now gets a 20-inch set.
Despite being a CKD unit, it inherits prominent features from the CBU unit such as the panoramic roof, Multibeam LED headlights and hands-free boot access.
Inside, it isn’t any different either – rendering the CBU option a completely pointless one. Audio stimulation still comes from the 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system, with a widescreen cockpit featuring dual 12.3-inch displays, heads-up display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Parking Pilot, paddle shifters, 360-degree camera and Nappa leather seats among the notable premium cabin features carried over.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Yaris Ativ sales suspended in Thailand, Vios unaffected in Malaysia – Here’s why

While sales of the
Toyota Vios
 in Malaysia have been unaffected by the “procedural irregularities” by Daihatsu, sales of the
Toyota Yaris Ativ
 (the Vios equivalent) in Thailand have been suspended for the time being. The suspension is due to the Thai government’s requirement that the Yaris Ativ/Vios Must be authorized by the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI).
If this is your first time hearing about this matter, Daihatsu Motor Corporation recently admitted to a “procedural irregularity” where the driver door of the Yaris Ativ/Vios, and the
Axia
/Agya were modified for improvements in the side impact test. The admission was made on April 28, 2023, and since then, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has been quick to address the issue.
Thailand is perhaps the country most affected by this safety scandal by Daihatsu. On the matter, Toyota CEO of the Asia region, Masahiko Maeda said believes that the procedural irregularity may have been caused by immense pressure at the development side. He said, “If development had been carried out under appropriate conditions, this kind of problem would of course not have happened.”
“I think the fact that it still happened, means there was some kind of pressure at the development site,” he adds, stating that the vehicle’s relatively large size may have posed a challenge to Daihatsu, which specializes in the production of small cars.
RELATED:
No recalls for Toyota Vios amidst Daihatsu safety “procedural irregularity”
UN-R95 – Lateral Collision
As for Malaysia, sales of the Toyota Vios remain as usual with no need for recalls. This is because the Toyota Vios/Yaris Ativ still complies with the UN-R95 regulation for lateral collision. The sales suspension in Thailand is due to the decision of the Thai government. Once certified by the Thai government, sales of the Toyota Yaris Ativ will resume.
For the Malaysian market, UMW Toyota Motor President, Datuk Ravindran K. assures that the Vios is safe to use. In
a recent press release
, he said, “For customers who have booked their All-New Toyota Vios or are interested in purchasing it, we would like to assure you that the All-New Toyota Vios model complies with all safety regulations and there is no compromise to the quality of the vehicles.”
Subsequent testing has validated that the vehicle meets the UN-R95 certification and there is no need for the Toyota Vios to be recalled as sales of the vehicle continue without disruption.
“We sincerely apologise for any distress caused to our customers and we wish to assure everyone of the safety and quality of our vehicles. Our commitment to our customers’ safety has always been and remains our topmost in our priority”, he added.
Besides the Toyota Vios/Yaris Ativ, the Perodua Axia/Toyota Agya has also been affected by the Daihatsu safety scandal. Like the Vios in Malaysia, Perodua ensures that no recalls are needed for the Perodua Axia.
RELATED:
No recalls for Perodua Axia despite Daihatsu safety scandal, deliveries unaffected


Not only taking our jobs, ChatGPT is now in Mercedes-Benz’s voice control system

ChatGPT is now available in certain
Mercedes-Benz
 cars through an optional beta testing programme in the United States. Yes, the popular artificial intelligence language processing tool will now be used for Mercedes-Benz’s voice control system for over 900,000 vehicles equipped with the MBUX infotainment system. The beta testing programme begins today,
June 16, 2023
.
Customers who wish to participate in the programme may do so through the Mercedes Me app or simply say “Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta programme” through their car’s voice command system. The rollout will happen over the air so customers can do it from wherever they wish.
With ChatGPT added to the voice command system, the MBUX Hey Mercedes voice command system will become even more intuitive. As Mercedes-Benz says, “While most voice assistants are limited to predefined tasks and responses, Chat GPT leverages a large language model to greatly improve natural language understanding and expand the topics to which it can respond.”
Only a beta testing programme for now, the use of ChatGPT in the MBUX voice command will soon enable you to have conversations with your car’s voice command system. It is expected that the implementation will allow the voice command system to provide you with a more comprehensive answer to questions regarding a destination or even a new dinner recipe.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz one-ups Tesla, launches L3 autonomous driving in California
Of course, the use of ChatGPT for the Mercedes-Benz voice command system is enabled through a collaboration with Microsoft. As for concerns regarding data privacy, Mercedes-Benz retains complete control over the IT processes in the background. The voice command data collected is stored in the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, where it is anonymized and analysed.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chief Technology Officer, Markus Schäfer said, “The integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft in our controlled cloud environment is a milestone on our way to making our cars the centre of our customers’ digital lives. Our beta programme boosts the existing Hey Mercedes functions such as navigation queries, weather requests and others with the capabilities of ChatGPT. This way, we aim to support conversations with natural dialogues and follow-up questions. Our customers can always rely on us to ensure the best possible protection of their data privacy. Everything is under one big goal: Redefining the relationship with your Mercedes.”
What are your thought on ChatGPT being integrated into Mercedes-Benz cars?
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g


BMW Motorrad Day 2014: Action packed event with 5 new BMW bikes! [+Video]

The biggest BMW Motorrad gathering in Malaysia happened at the first ever BMW Motorrad Day 2014, at Palace of Justice, Putrajaya. Organized by BMW Motorrad Malaysia, it is also the largest BMW Motorrad event in the country.
More than a thousand BMW Motorrad Club members, BMW motorcycles owners and enthusiasts were treated with car and bike stunts, and five new motorcycles launches.
BMW Group Malaysia CEO, Dr. Gerhard Pils welcomed the crowd, including riders from Singapore and Thailand. Followed by a speech from BMW Motorrad head of region Asia, Pacific, Middle East, China and South Africa, Florian Renndorfer.
The highlight of the day was the launch of five new models namely the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, K 1600 GTL Exclusive, R 1200 RT and of course the BMW R nineT and S 1000 R, which had a media launch the day before. There to introduce these new wheels was Product Manager of BMW Motorrad, Ulrich Ast.
The other attraction was stunt demonstrations by a MINI Cooper S Coupe, driven by our very own
Ivan Khong
, National Gymkhana Champion.

Also, BMW Motorrad France stunt rider Jimmy Quétel, better known as
Big Jim
, tamed the BMW F 800 R and the new BMW S 1000 R. The French stunt rider wowed the crowd with his amazing agility and skills, handling the huge BMW motorcycles and performing stunts with extraordinary showmanship.

Big Jim’s close-up stunts with fans.

Autograph and photo session with Big Jim!

For more images from the event, check out our
Video and Image Gallery
 below. Before that, here are the images, prices and technical information on all five new BMW Motorcycles.
BMW R nineT (RM 115,000)

BMW S 1000 R (RM 95,800)

BMW R 1200 RT (RM 129,000)

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure (RM  135,000)

BMW K 1600 GTL Exclusive (RM 188,888)

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VIDEO GALLERY
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IMAGE GALLERY