Subaru shows off its limited edition 2019 WRX and WRX STI “Series.Gray”

Following the launch of the WRX STI Final Edition in the UK, Subaru of America revealed the 2019 WRX and WRX STI “Series.Gray” at the 2018 Subaru Tecnica International Boxerfast last weekend, the largest Subaru festival in the Mid-Atlantic area.
The “Series.Gray” will be on a limited production run of just 750 WRXs and 250 WRX STIs.
The Subaru WRX.
Priced at USD 32,595 (RM 129k), the WRX is available exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Cool Gray Khaki paint is paired with 18-inch alloy wheels in black finish.Elsewhere its equipment list includes Ultrasuede-trimmed Recaro seats, 8-way powered driver’s seat, JURID front brake pads and moonroof delete.
The limited production WRX STI Series.Gray offers the same exterior colour scheme but is instead matched with 19-inch alloy wheels that shields the silver Brembo brake calipers with black STI logo.
The WRX STI Series.Gray sits on Bilstein STI sport-tuned suspension featuring Bilstein dampers for the inverted-strut front suspension and double wishbone rear suspension.
Priced at USD 39,695 (RM 157k), its interior is draped in black Ultrasuede and leather upholstery, along with a pair of Recaro seats with 8-way powered seats.
IMAGE GALLERY


Shell expands zero-fee TNG top-up locations, now include NKVE, ELITE and ECE

Shell today announced that the Touch ‘n Go (TNG) top-up fee is now waived at all petrol stations along the
PLUS Expressways (NKVE and ELITE)
, and the
East-Coast Expressway (ECE)
. The announcement follows its previous initiative to waive the TNG top-up charges at
 27 petrol stations along the North-South Expressway (NSE)
.
The fee waiver is in line with Shell’s effort to help reduce Malaysians’ living expenditures. The expansion in the number of zero-fee TNG top-up locations also includes
25 other Shell petrol stations
 nationwide.
Shell Malaysia Trading and Shell Timur Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain, said “Shell understands the challenge Malaysians face against the rising cost of living.
“Hopefully, forgoing the Touch ‘n Go top-up charges at all stations along NSE, NKVE, ELITE, ECE, and other Shell stations will give our customers one less worry when travelling or fueling up at Shell during long journeys,” she adds.
According to the official Touch ‘n Go website, There are over 11,000 TNG reload points nationwide. However, other than the approximately 500 selected locations, topping up your TNG card usually incurs a
RM0.50 top-up fee
.
The full list of Shell petrol stations participating in the top-up fee waiver programme can be found
 here
.


This video of an electric Volkswagen on a hillclimb will reshuffle your brains

As you’ve known, Volkswagen has literally driven E-mobility to the top with the fully-electric ID.R on Tianmen Mountain recently.
The man behind the wheel, Romain Dumas, ascended the 10.9 km road in just 7:38.585 – managing short bursts of 230 km/h through short straights and narrow tunnels –
breaking all records before him
.
If that’s hard to imagine, you might wanna wrap your head around this incredible feat with this quick 7-minute video.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVJpr41zENY&feature=youtu.be
The route up ‘Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road’ was a real challenge for the 680 hp ID.R – powered by two electric motors – with 99 hairpins and 164 braking manoeuvres.
The ID.R now holds the all-time record on Pikes Peak and at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed
, as well as the electric lap record on the
Nürburgring-Nordschleife
 and now the fastest time on Tianmen Mountain in China.


Mazda cars sold in Malaysia unaffected by potential parking brake failure

Mazda US has just issued a recall involving 227,814 units of the Mazda3 and Mazda6 over the possibility of a parking brake failure. We reached out to Bermaz Motor (official Mazda distributor in Malaysia) and are pleased to say that Malaysian models are not affected at all.
According to
National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA)
, the parking brake on the affected models have defective seals at the rear brake calliper protective boot which can result in water and debris entering the actuator shaft. This will cause corrosion over time and potentially cause the shaft to be stuck in the brake calliper body.
In extreme cases, the defected part will
decrease the parking brake force
 or to cause brake drag (brakes are engaged even when pedals are not applied) while driving. This poses a safety risk as the
vehicle may move by itself
 if parked on a slope, even if the parking brake is engaged.
The models affected by the recall are Mazda6 assembled in Hofu Plant, Japan between 2014 to 2015 and Mazda3 manufactured between 2014 to 2016 at Mazda’s Mexico plant. Only those equipped with the lever-type manual handbrake are affected.
All owners are currently in the process of being notified for repair works, with charges fully borne by Mazda US.
Once again, vehicles sold in Malaysia are
not affected
 by the parking brake recall but certain models are involved in the Takata airbag recall. Full list of the affected vehicles can be found
here
.


Proton aims for top spot in Sales Satisfaction and Customer Service Index

At the
half-yearly sales report announcement
, Proton also highlighted to the media of its intention to achieve top spot on the Malaysia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) and Customer Service Index (CSI) by the end of 2019.
In the
J.D. Power 2018 Malaysia SSI (Mass Market) Study
, Proton scored 782 points on a 1,000-point scale, slightly under the industry average of 784 points but ahead of non-national brands like Mazda (781), Volkswagen (779) and arch-rival Perodua (774). Nissan was the best performer in 2018 with 812 points.

Setia Gemilang Auto Sdn Bhd
, Proton’s first 4S Centre in Malaysia
The score was
tabulated using six factors – in order of importance – dealer sales consultant,
dealership facility, delivery process, working out the deal, paperwork completion
and dealership website.
As for the CSI, J.D. Power ranked Proton below average with a
final score of 739 in 2018
. The industry average was 754 points. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia topped the CSI ranking with a final score of 814 points.
J.D. Power 2018 Malaysia
CSI (Mass Market) Study measured overall satisfaction among vehicle owners
based on five factors (in order of importance): service quality (25%); vehicle
pick-up (21%); service initiation (20%); service facility (17%); and service
advisor (16%).
In an effort to
improve their scores, Proton is rapidly upgrading their showrooms to 3S/4S status.
As of end June, Proton has 91 3S/4S centre nationwide, the most of any
automotive brand in Malaysia and that number will continue to grow throughout 2019.
Proton’s
after sales improvement initiatives
 are in motion
CEO of Proton, Dr Li
Chunrong said: “Our strategy to grow our presence by increasing the number of
3S/4S outlets in our network is to ensure we deliver a premium brand experience
to as many of our customers as possible. Our network development team is
working hard to also raise our service levels and hopefully these improvements
will have a positive impact on our SSI and CSI scores.”


Honda e Type R is not happening, says project lead

After months of radio silence since the
leaked images
 of a potential electric hot hatch, Honda has finally put the rumours to rest at the Frankfurt motor show 2019.
Project leader for the Honda e Kohei Hitomi, said, “A performance version, like Type R, as we have on different models, I don’t see this as
 the way to go with the Honda e
.”
He added, “For some segments, it might be the right choice and Type R is a way to express Honda’s capability as a sporty brand but for Honda e, we want to provide a new dimension of values for our customers.”
Honda instead is choosing to focus on features such as artificial intelligence (AI) and connectivity. The Honda e will offer natural voice recognition, digital key, and a mobile application to remotely control the car, among other features which are appealing to the urban crowd, cementing their design choices since the car was still in concept form – the Honda Urban EV Concept.
Although none of these features are brand-new in the car world, Honda believes that they have made an attractive product with the Honda e. Honda’s connectivity boss, Mirai Aki said, “While individually nothing is an industry first, nobody has put it all together in this package like we have.”
Honda Sports EV Concept
We might not be getting the performance focused Honda e Type R, but Honda is still looking at producing an electrified sports car, reaffirmed at Tokyo Motor Show 2017 with the announcement of the
Honda Sports EV Concept
. All hope’s not lost!


Does the Hyundai Elantra Turbo make more sense now after a RM7,000 discount?

Albert Biermann, the long-time head honcho of BMW’s M division, whose switch to Hyundai has spawned a
Golf GTI
 competitor,
the i30N
, sure hopes that you’d believe so.
The former BMW guru who now spearheads Hyundai’s performance subdivision,
ironically called the N Division
, has seen his i30N praised and lauded by foreign journalists but over here, we’ve only been caressed by the “Biermann touch” in the form of a Hyundai Elantra Turbo.
Price list for all Hyundai models starting 1st June 2018.
If you’ve followed Hyundai’s developments from the early 2000’s, the Elantra name would not be one to raise hairs or even induce the slightest bit of excitement. While the current 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated model still needs a kick in the rear end to feel alive, the Elantra Turbo on the other hand, has been
 a heck of a surprise package
.
Have you read about our
 first impressions of the Elantra Turbo
 from our trip to PD?
And now at just a whisker
over RM 120,000
 after the 0% GST effect, it’s a more compelling package for a performance sedan; capable of replicating the image that Biermann’s former company has built for the BMW 3-series – but even cheaper, if we’re not over-exaggerating.


The Aston Martin DB11 V8 is now on sale in Malaysia

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has just unveiled the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 version of the acclaimed Aston Martin DB11 – complementing the existing 5.2-litre twin turbo V12 model.
Paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the V8 DB11 produces
503 hp
 and
675 Nm
 of torque; allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a blinding four seconds. Top speed is capped at 301 km/h.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Aston Martin DB11 V8
Engine
4.0-litre Quadcam 32-valve twin turbo V8
Transmission
8-speed Automatic
Max Power
503 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
675 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
4 seconds; 301 km/h
Price (OTR without Insurance)
 RM 1.8 million before options
The V8-engined DB11 was also created to make the most complete and sophisticated car Aston Martin has ever made, more accessible to customers around the world, while still blessed with the exceptional performance and memorable character that sets Aston Martin apart from the rest.
Behind the wheel of the V8 DB11, you’re aided by performance-enhancing systems such as the Adaptive Damping System, Positive Torque Control and Torque Vectoring.

On the Silver Fox exterior, the V8 DB11 is blessed with 20-inch 10-spoke wheels under the arches along with a deployable spoiler with Aston Martin’s AeroBlade system. Another standout feature to the V8 DB11’s body is the one-piece clamshell bonnet with a curlicue aero feature in the front wing.
Inside, the DB11 is lined with Light Ash open pore trims, to go with an Obsidian Black full leather interior. Entertainment is catered by an 8-inch LCD screen, tied to a 400w Aston Martin Sound System.
Also announced was the new home of the Aston Martin Service Centre by Wearnes Quest, in Malaysia. Located in Lingui Industrial Park, Sungai Buloh, the new service centre boasts a fully air-conditioned, 4,000 square feet facility which includes 3 work-bays and 1 diagnostic bay.
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan Sky to Scoop e-NV200 is the coolest van in town

Everyone loves ice cream, so you can’t possibly go wrong with an ice cream van that tip toes into your neighbourhood and churns out soft serve all day long, all the while emitting zero emission.
This will work in Malaysia, just substitute with rojak and cendol!
Say hello to the Nissan Sky to Scoop e-NV200, a collaboration between Nissan and Mackie’s of Scotland – an ice cream producer with a dairy farm powered by renewable wind and solar energy.

The jolly prototype is based on the e-NV200 panel van; an all-electric version of the popular NV200 sold here, and fitted with Nissan’s ROAM portable power pack which uses lithium-ion cells recovered from early first-generation Nissan electric vehicles.
Say goodbye to diesel generators.
The ROAM power pack not only provides ample power to run the refrigeration and ice cream equipment, but it also receives charge via solar panels mounted on the roof of the van – a working model of Nissan’s Electric Ecosystem combining a zero-emission drivetrain, second-life battery storage and renewable solar energy generation. The Roam portable unit is expected to go on sale later this year in selected markets.
Portable battery pack can be charged by roof-mounted solar panels.
Unveiled back in 2014, the e-NV200 was updated last year with a higher capacity 40kWh battery pack which allows it to travel up to 200 km on a full charge, according to WLTP’s combine cycle (300 km on city cycle). The e-NC200 can be topped via a rapid charger, wallbox or a domestic power socket. We think the Nissan Sky to Scoop e-NV200 will be a hit in Malaysia because ice-cold cendol minus the fumes and din from diesel generators at your local pasar malam is so much more pleasant.


Toyota’s driver assistance system is now called T-Mate

Toyota has launched the Toyota T-Mate, a new umbrella name for all its safety and advanced driver assistance system.
The new T-Mate combines Toyota Safety Sense features with other active driving and parking assistance systems to not only make driving safer, but also to protect all vehicle occupants as well as other road users.

The introduction of T-Mate also coincides with the latest generation of Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) features which have been updated and improved.
The
Pre-Collision System
 is now offering Acceleration Suppression at low speed and Intersection Cut-In Traffic Assist for the first time, along with the improved Oncoming Traffic detection and Intersection Turn Assist.

Additionally, new Toyota Safety Sense features such as
Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS)
and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. The latter allows new functions to be added to existing systems and cars.
Toyota’s other driver assistance features include
Ad
aptive Cruise Control
,
 Lane Trace Assist,

Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Auto

Brake
,
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
,

Automatic High Beam
, and
Road Sign Assist
.
“Toyota T-Mate will be introduced with a marketing campaign featuring an empathetic character in a group of friends, who always comes to the rescue in tricky situations. She’s smart, quick-thinking and always there. Just like T-Mate,” as mentioned in the press release.
Watch as we test the full range of Toyota Safety Sense features in the all-new RAV4!


First Drive: Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI, an impressionable tale of competence

I remember the first time I laid sight on the
new Volkswagen Tiguan
 when it broke cover in 2015 and thought to myself: “Now that’s what I call a proper looking SUV.” It made the original Tiguan look like a helpless wuss, and admittedly I was struck with a slightly overwhelming sense of desire.
In selected markets, up to four trims of the Tiguan can be had: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and R-Line. The one that got me hooked was the R-Line because it had 20-inch wheels, full-coloured bodykit and oozed masculinity.
There. I wasn’t lying.
Back at home, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will only be introducing the mid-ranged duo, the Comfortline and Highline. Both share the sole
1.4-litre TSI
 engine producing
148 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. The good news is that the Tiguan is locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang, which means there’s a chance we can get our hands on the
plug-in hybrid Tiguan GTE
 or even the
7-seater Tiguan Allspace
 in the future!
Now, Volkswagen is the first of many carmakers poised to launch their next best SUV, such as the
Honda CR-V
 and
Mazda CX-5
. And as far as being early is concerned, VPCM certainly has the upper hand. But are they all cut out for the race, though? After spending two days with the Tiguan Highline, here’s my best take on the promising new SUV.
It’s exceptionally spacious and comfortable
All five occupants including the driver would feel adequately snug in the Tiguan. It may not look the part from the outside, but Volkswagen did a terrific job masking the cavernous cabin with a sleek-cut body. There’s plenty of room for rear passengers to stretch their legs, and I’d go as far as to say that legroom is just as good as the
Honda Accord
, if not a tad better.
In fact, the entire rear bench slides by a hair, and the backrests recline as well!

The chassis is another MQB derivative, bestowing additional length to the wheelbase and width. It also sits significantly lower than most SUVs in its class, granting effortless egress and ingress. If you like your SUV to ride high, this one won’t cut it for you. But on the bright side, your 70- or 80-year old parents will face no difficulties getting in and out of the car.
Seats are plush but not too punishing for the spine on extended drives – just nice. The Comfortline gets fabric upholstery with interesting quilted-esque stitching, whereas the Highline comes with leather seats. There’s no intricacy in the design of the leather seats, but what’s worse is the inconsistent finishing between the seams. This may just be an isolated incident and could vary between cars, so VPCM, if you’re reading this, you’ve got some suppliers to grill.
High quality, high tech cabin
To give credit where its due, Volkswagen is uncompromising when it comes to interior build quality. Those impressed by Mazda cars will find the Tiguan more reassuring in nearly all aspect, with the flip side being the rather boring design. But if you’re new to the Volkswagen family, there’s really not much to fault with.

Stowage spaces are aplenty; door cards are sufficiently large to accommodate a variety of items. I’ve tried chucking an iPhone 6S Plus, 600ml water bottle, Smart Tag and a wallet with some room to spare. There’s also a pair of flexi cubbies in the centre tunnel, aft of which is a sizeable armrest to keep the cabin as neat as humanly possible.
Standard features include keyless entry and push-start button, cruise control, electronic parking brake, electronic tailgate release, heated seats and tri-zone climate control. Unfortunately, there are no air vents in the B pillars for rear passengers, except for the duo in the middle. Fan speed for the rear air vents are dependent on the front, though.
Is the 1.4 TSI good enough?
More than good enough for most people, actually. With 148 hp, the Tiguan is not big on power, but it makes do with a healthy 250 Nm of torque. We will only be getting the front-wheel drive version for the time being, and delivering all that grunt up front is a six-speed dual clutch transmission (more famously known as DSG).

The turbocharged engine is identical to that of the Golf 1.4 TSI, but here it’s more eager to perform and feels sprightlier thanks to appropriately clever gearing ratios. Flick it into sports mode and you might even get some wheel spin from the get go. As an urban runabout, the Tiguan will meet most expectations. The car feels light on its feet, which makes weaving through traffic a little less daunting for first timers.
Where it starts showing signs of lethargy is on the freeway, especially past 160 km/h. Few cars of this output point (that includes most naturally aspirated 2.0L engines) can exhibit the desired degree of athletic competence. As is the case for the Tiguan, the 1.4L motor struggles to build speed past this limit. It can if you insist, just don’t expect seat-strapping accelerations.
What’s the ride quality like?
It’s sturdy without being overly harsh on the rebounds, but it’s still no match for the impeccable damping of the Hyundai Tucson. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a trade off, because the Tiguan is far more pliant and composed at highway speeds. Damping varies very slightly between the Comfortline (17-inch wheels) and the Highline (18-inch wheels), if not barely discernible at all.

A brief head-to-head driving comparison with the Mazda CX-5 2.0 GL and Nissan X-Trail proves that the Tiguan is indeed the better all-rounder, emerging triumphant in almost all instrumented tests. The biggest contributing factor here is weight: the 1.4-litre TSI engine weighs far lesser. Couple that to Volkswagen’s breadth of knowledge in vehicular dynamics and you have yourself a true contender for the class crown.
Is this car for you?
In all fairness, the Tiguan is an excellent product. It’s quiet, refined, comfortable, sufficiently powerful and is jam-packed with features that altogether punch way above its weight. If it sounds like I can’t recommend it enough, that’s because I struggle to find faults with the car.

The Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI will soon be joined by the crowd favourite Honda CR-V, one which we believe will also come with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Until then, the Tiguan is probably the best bet for the money.
But if you ask me for an honest opinion, I’m just bummed we won’t be getting the R-Line, because that’s unequivocally my pick of the lot.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche bags yet another Nurburgring record, this time with the upcoming performance Cayenne

Remember the new balls-to-the-walls Cayenne that
 Porsche teased earlier
? Well, the company is not quite ready to unveil the full car just yet, but they do have something to show for it, and that is a new Nurburgring lap record.
In the hands of Porsche’s test driver Lars Kern, who was also part of the development team for the new car, the “new performance model of the Cayenne series” lapped the 20.832 kilometres Nurburgring Nordschleife track in just
7:38.925 minutes
, making it the new king of the ‘SUV, off-road vehicle, van, pick-up’ category.
For context, that’s more than three seconds faster than the
previous record holder (Audi RS Q8)
, and just about 11 seconds behind the
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-Door Coupe
 that’s competing in a completely different category!

For the safety of the driver, the record-breaking Cayenne was equipped with a racing seat and roll cage. But aside from that, the car is basically stock and identical to the series production car – including the specially-developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres that will be fitted as standard. The record-breaking run, as well as the car configuration, is verified by a notary public that was present at the track.
Speaking about the car after the record-breaking Nurburgring run, Kern said: “Over the first few metres of the Nordschleife in this Cayenne, you’re tempted to turn around to make sure that you’re really sitting in a spacious SUV. Its high steering precision and stoically stable rear axle gave me a lot of confidence in the Hatzenbach section.”
He added that direction changes are fast and direct, with no tendency to understeer – even in the trickiest and most technical stretch of the track, nothing that it is a “real driver’s car” that’s easy to control.
“The wheels normally leave the ground at both the Pflanzgarten I and II crests but these sections felt smooth and quiet in this Cayenne. There is a lot of wheel travel, and the body stays solid and controlled,” Kern added.
He also commented on the car’s powertrain, which “delivers power in every situation as well as perfect gear changes”. No technical details have been confirmed just yet, but earlier reports from foreign publications said that it’ll feature a tweaked twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine that supposedly makes
 640 hp
 and
850 Nm
. The output figures on the on-board video telemetry also closely matches this.
Porsche says that the new “performance” Cayenne model is developed specifically for “maximum longitudinal and lateral dynamics”, while remaining a true all-rounder vehicle, providing the usual high-degree of driving comfort and everyday utility. No launch date has been announced just yet, but Porsche says that the car will “celebrate its world premiere shortly”.
GALLERY


VPCM’s Arteon Art Car auction raised RM133k for breast cancer awareness!

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) together with Wei-Ling Gallery have successfully raised
RM133,200
 from their recent auction of the Arteon Art Car collection. All proceeds from the auction will be channeled to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA), with a minimum token of appreciation presented to each artist for their contribution.
The auction marked the culmination of the collaboration between VPCM and Wei-Ling Gallery, aimed to celebrate the launch of the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line. The collaboration featured works of 13 Malaysian artists, each designing a one-of-a-kind art sculpture out of an Arteon die-cast model.
Speaking at the auction, VPCM Managing Director Erik Winter said, “It was truly heartening to see art and Arteon come together at the auction, and to witness how much the bidders recognised the value of owning such collectible art pieces. What more, was that their enthusiasm stemmed from their desire to contribute to charity, in this case, breast cancer awareness and support.”
Founder and Gallery Director Lim Wei-Ling added, “We are honoured to have partnered with Volkswagen to realise the Arteon art car project in Malaysia and are so pleased this collaboration has resulted in such a successful outcome. I am grateful to the 13 Malaysian artists who dedicated time and thought to the creation of the art cars to aid a worthy cause.”
The Arteon Art Car project was an extension to Wei-Ling Gallery’s recent “
[email protected]
 Turning Points” exhibition, which curated thought-provoking art pieces that showed the 13 artists’ pasts through different philosophical, technical and aesthetic approaches.
The
Volkswagen Arteon R-Line was launched in Malaysia
 back in September this year. Taking the top spot in VPCM’s model line-up, the sporty four-door coupe is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine, good for
190 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front axle via an seven-speed DSG gearbox.
The Volkswagen Arteon R-Line is priced at
RM221,065
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions. Following the announcement of the sales tax exemptions in place until the end of the year, for the full updated price list of Volkswagen models in Malaysia, click
here
.
GALLERY


Video: All-new Nissan Leaf, 5 Things

Is it time to finally consider an EV? It all depends on what you want out of a car. With the
second-generation Nissan Leaf
, there’s
60% more range
 than before, so you now get
more than 300 km per full charge
, and that will suffice for many drivers on the road, especially if your daily travels are within the confines of the city.
But beyond just range, there are many attributes of an electric car which makes it compelling. Imagine never having to visit a petrol station ever again, imagine
coasting in near silence
 like in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, imagine
out-accelerating
 just about every car (or motorbike) at the traffic lights…at least up to 60 km/h.

While the Leaf is unconventional in the way it is powered, it offers all the usual trappings of a ‘regular’ C-segment hatchback. There are no compromises in packaging; headroom and legroom are ample, and the boot even measures
435 litres
, more than most hatchbacks with similar dimensions. And we think it looks far more fetching than its predecessor.
The
best-selling EV in the world
 has been improved. The electric motor driving the front wheels now offers
150 hp and 320 Nm, good for a 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds
, with an electronically governed top speed of 155 km/h.
There are also more safety features, including
autonomous emergency braking
, but the technological
tour de force
 has to be the
 ‘e-Pedal’
 function which encourages one-pedal operation while reclaiming energy without diluting the fun that comes with driving an EV.
Price? RM 188,888.


Ford Malaysia offers up to RM12k cash rebates on selected models this Raya

Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the official distributor and importer of Ford is offering cash rebates for the Fiesta, Focus and EcoSport models in anticipation of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
Ford, in a bid to promote ownership of its eco-friendly range of cars, is offering up to
RM12,000 cash rebates
 for the
Fiesta
. The
Focus
and
EcoSport
 models get up to
RM10k
 and
RM8k
 respectively.  However, should you opt for a hire purchase agreement, Ford is offering a
zero percent interest rate
for up to five years.
Also, Ford is offering all its existing customers a
free 27-point vehicle health check
 by Ford’s qualified technicians to ensure a safer journey back home this festive season. Selected Ford models will also be eligible for
discounts of 10 percent on parts and labour
 charges for the
brakes and timing belt packages
.
On the other hand, should customers go with
‘The Works Fuel Saver Package’
, they can enjoy a
15 percent
 discount on
Motorcraft
 and
Castrol engine oils and oil filters
, followed by a
10 percent discount on labour
.


Lamborghini confirms the return of its former poster boy, the Countach!

Lamborghini has announced that the Countach name will be making a comeback, with a recent post on
 Instagram
 and
Twitter
with different teasers.
While the image of Instagram offers some sense of the new car’s silhouette, the message on Twitter can’t be any clearer. The 20-odd second (abstract) video does not reveal much either aside from Lamborghini’s poster boy making a return after 30 years since the last car rolled off the production line in 1990.
Lamborghini’s coolest vehicle is not a car, but this 4,000 hp super-yacht…check it out here!
Timing-wise, it couldn’t be more perfect as Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Countach this year. It made its first-eve appearance when Lamborghini debuted the Countach LP500 in Yellow, at the Geneva motor show on the 11th of March 1971.
The Aventador Ultimae is a celebration of Lamborghini’s V12 era. Find out what’s special in the last-ever Aventador!
From 1974 to 1990, Lamborghini made 1,999 units of the Countach through five different model series as it went on to become a poster boy for supercars in the subsequent decades.
And as Lamborghini highlighted, the Countach did not just change the supercar game but also paved the way (design wise) for all the new models that came after it like the Diablo and Murcielago, for example.
 https://twitter.com/Lamborghini/status/1424762948292169734
“It’s the epitome of the DNA in all Lamborghini design, the tradition of the stylistic language from the origins to the present day,” said Lamborghini, Head of Design, Mitja Borkert.
For now, info is scarce but we know that it’ll be
powered by a V12 engine
 according to Lamborghini’s
recent announcement
which specifically states that two new V12 models will be introduced in 2021.
The modern day Countach…
…reimagined by
Arc Design
The new Countach is set to usher in a new era of electrification for Lamborghini. Recently, the company announced a
“three-phase road map”
 to electrification costing 1.5 billion Euros (approx.RM7.4 billion).
By 2024, its entire line-up of supercars will be electrified, followed by its first fully electric supercar by 2030. At the moment, the company is in the first phase, which pays tribute to the brand’s history and iconic products from the past and present.
Arc Design reimagines the Lamborghini Countach in the 21st century. Check out how cool it looks!


This McLaren 720S Velocity by MSO costs nearly twice the car’s price!

It didn’t take long for McLaren’s customisation division – McLaren Special Operations (MSO) – to work their magic on the newly launched
McLaren 720S
, the brand’s second-generation Super Series. So here it is, a bespoke 720S by MSO finished in a unique “Velocity” theme.
“The MSO mission is to fulfil customer desire for exclusivity in their choice of McLaren,” explained Ansar Ali, MSO’s Managing Director. To truly give weight to those words, the sub-brand has produced this “Velocity” 720S. “Velocity” is a
 two-tone paintjob
 with the upper half of the body panels finished in Nerello Red while the lower and rear section of the car is painted Volcano Red.
Complementing the unique pearlescent hues of red are the metallic bronze five twin-spoke lightweight alloy wheels measuring 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear. This 720S “Velocity” gets all the carbon fibre exterior bits including the red carbon fibre bonnet. The Rear Deck Vent, Service Cover, rear aero bridge are all finished in gloss carbon fibre while the Full Length Sill Cover gets a satin carbon fibre finish.
Inside, the cabin gets the full MSO treatment. The upholstery is now Carbon Black Alcantara with Harissa Red leather contrast stitching to match with the “Velocity” exterior theme.

How much for all these you ask? A cool £335,000 (RM1.81 mil), that means this car is fitted with
£126,400 (RM685k)
 worth of options! Guess that’s one way to ensure that you have a truly special car.
IMAGE GALLERY


The BMW X7 xDrive40i may be the most imposing SUV on our roads, RM888,800

Launched alongside the
BMW 740Le xDrive LCI
 is the first-ever BMW X7, a 7-seater with the luxury of a 7 Series.
The X7 sits on the brand’s CLAR platform just like other new-generation BMW models. Unlike the G11 7 Series, however, the X7 doesn’t come with the Carbon Core chassis reinforcement technology. In that sense, the X7 closer related to the X5 than the 7 Series, at least under the skin.
QUICK FACTS
 Name

BMW X7 xDrive40i
 Engine
 2,998cc; turbocharged in-line 6
 Transmission
 8-speed automatic transmission
 Max Power
 340 hp @ 5,500 – 6,500 rpm
 Max Torque
 450 Nm @ 1,500 – 5,200 rpm
 0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
 6.1 seconds; 245 km/h
 Price (OTR without insurance)
 RM888,800
The visual impact of
the X7 is as prominent as the 7 Series thanks to the large Kidney Grille and ultra
slim headlamp housings. Quite an in your face design but at least you mistaken
this for an X5.
Standard equipment for
the Malaysian market includes Design Pure Excellence exterior trim, BMW laser
light headlamps, 21-inch style 753 Bicolour light alloy wheels, soft close
doors, aluminium running board, roof rails and powered split tailgate.
Inside, the X7 is
furnished with Vernasca leather upholstery, high-gloss fine-wood trim, Glass
gear selector, 5-zone automatic climate control, panoramic glass roof Sky Lounge,
BMW Live Cockpit Professional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, BMW
Navigation system Professional 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, BMW Intelligent
Personal Assistant voice command, 464W 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound
system and Rear Seat Entertainment Professional with two 10.2-inch touchscreen
monitors.
The X7 in the xDrive40i guise is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine pushing out
340 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint takes
6.1 seconds
 while top speed is rated at
245 km/h
. An 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission, xDrive all-wheel-drive and air suspension are standard items.
With the
Driving Assistant Professional
, the X7 comes equipped with Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Lane Change Warning, Lane Keeping Assistant, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Lane Change Assistant and front collision braking which allows the X7 to drive semi-autonomously when conditions allow.
The BMW X7 xDrive40i is
offered in seven colours – Mineral White, Black Sapphire, Artic Grey, Sophisto
Grey, Phytonic Blue, Terra Brown and Vermont Bronze. Buyers can also specify their
X7 in either as a 7- or 6-seater. The latter being a 2:2:2 seating configuration.
Availability of the X7
starts from September 2019 onwards and every purchase comes with a 5-Years
Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service, 2-Years Tyre Warranty
Programme, BMW Roadside Assistance and BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence


Toyota C-HR appears on Toyota Malaysia website – 1.8L, CVT; 4WD a possibility?

Shortly after its
public debut
 two months ago, the long awaited Toyota C-HR has finally went live on UMW Toyota Malaysia’s
official website
 along with some key specifications! We now know that it’s going to be powered by the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), “full range” of safety features and six colour options.
Curiously, the web URL has “
4wd
” in it, hinting that it may actually be all-wheel driven! What remains unclear now is whether or not UMW will introduce the 1.8-litre hybrid. On the safety front, our C-HR will come with
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
 that should be bundled with Blind Spot Monitoring. Further details of Toyota Safety Sense still remain a corporate secret.

On the outside, you can expect no less than
six exterior shades
 – White Pearl CS, Metal Stream Metallic, Attitude Black while Red Mica, Radiant Green Metallic and Blue Metallic will come with a
blacked out roof
. UMW has also equipped the C-HR with side mirror puddle light, follow-me-home headlamps and a “luxurious interior”.
Order books for the C-HR are not opened just yet, so you have to hold on to your cheque books for now. There’s no word on pricing for now, but if it were to be
fully imported, it will cost upwards of RM170k
. Nevertheless, stay tuned for the latest updates on the hottest crossover to come!
IMAGE GALLERY


Why the R35 Nissan GT-R will live beyond 2020

While it has become a norm for carmakers to replace their mainstream passenger car offerings with something new within five to seven years, it’s not so simple when it comes to slow-selling sports cars. Even Toyota, the world’s most profitable mainstream car brand, took nearly two decades before the fifth generation Supra appeared, even then it’s a joint venture, with partner BMW engineering the majority of the hardware.
R35 GT-R is a living, evolving modern classic.
It’s easy to scoff at Nissan for keeping with the R35-generation GT-R for 13 years running. But with traditional carmakers having to keep their noses above water while navigating the tricky but resource-consuming transition to electrification, and in the case of Nissan, having to manage a boardroom distraction as well, you can understand why replacing the R35 isn’t high on the list of priorities.
Mr. GT-R Hiroshi Tamura hints of more iterations of the R35.
Like it or not, Nissan massaging and tweaking the GT-R to remain relevant beyond 2020 is probably as good as it’ll get for fans of the Godzilla. After hopes were raised by the Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo and Italdesign’s GT-R50 (which turned out to be bespoke limited run GT-R), Nissan has remained rather muted on a future successor. In fact, chief product specialist of the GT-R, Hiroshi Tamura was
non-committal
 on a R35 successor and mooted having more iterations of the current car during the 2020 GT-R NISMO’s unveiling in Germany.
2020 GT-R NISMO inherits turbos from the GT3 race cars.
For the fans of the GT-R NISMO, model year 2020 enhancements bring new quicker-spooling turbochargers from the GT3 race cars, revised lightweight titanium exhausts with hand-burnished tips, new gearbox calibration for more aggressive shifts. The work done on the body has been extensive to pare down weight (a GT-R bugbear) with a new carbon fibre roof, NACA ducts on the hood and of course, those louvres on the front fenders that increases downforce by (7 kgf) and also help funnel heat away from the engine bay.
Latest GT-R NISMO sports the biggest rotors among Japanese performance cars.
The optimisation of the exterior body panels resulted in savings of 10.5 kg, along with 20 kg reduction from other parts of the 2020 car means the GT-R NISMO is 30 kg lighter in total. There’s also a new Brembo brake system with the biggest carbon ceramic rotors fitted to a Japanese performance car while the suspension has also been recalibrated for better lateral stability and ride quality. Power rating is maintained at 600 hp and 652 Nm from the VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6, though an actual dyno may tell a different story.
So 13 years on, do you still want a R35 GT-R as much as when it showed up in 2007?


2016 BMW G12 7-Series launched in Malaysia, priced from RM699k

Mercedes-Benz, this one is out to get you. The all-new
sixth-generation BMW 7-Series unveiled in June 2015
 has finally landed in Malaysia, and it’s available in two trims – a 2.0-litre (yes, that wasn’t a typo) 730Li and a 3.0-litre 740Li.
It’s kitted to the brim, complete with BMW’s latest suite of technologies and finest choice of materials. To kick things off, let’s begin with the key fob. Dubbed the BMW Display Key, it’s the world’s first (in the luxury segment) key fob that displays various data such as fuel level, distance to empty, central locking system, windows and glass roof, service prompts, time of day and activate air conditioning/ventilation system within the vehicle –
ALL done remotely
!
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 7-Series 730Li
BMW 7-Series 740Li
Engine
1,998cc; inline-4 cylinder turbo
2,988cc; inline-6 cylinder turbo
Transmission
8-speed ZF automatic with Steptronic
Max Power
258 hp @ 5,000 – 6,500 rpm
326 hp @ 5,500 – 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,550 – 4,400 rpm
450 Nm @ 1,380 – 5,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
250 km/h; 6.3 seconds
250 km/h; 5.6 seconds
Price
RM698,800
RM888,800
In putting that aside, the new 7-Series (codename G11/12) is stretched by 19mm in overall length (now 5,238mm long), effectively making it the
largest-series produced car BMW has ever built
 in its history. The width, height and wheelbase remain largely the same, although the existing chassis has been completely replaced by a new Carbon Core tub, just like the
BMW i8
. That said, although the 7-Series’ chassis is built almost out of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP; a class-first), the use of aluminium, high-strength steel and magnesium have all been incorporated to give the G12 its core BMW DNA.
EXTERIOR
From the front, both the 730Li and 740Li get full LED headlamps, but the higher-specced limo gets BMW Laser headlights as standard, identifiable by a central blue-tinted horizontal bar. The laser headlights can fire its
beam up to 600 metres
 in high-beam mode, nearly twice the range of modern LED headlights. Another active feature at the front is the kidney grille which can shut and open to either improve aerodynamics or supply cool air when required.

As for the wheels, both variants sit on
19-inch wheels
 as standard. The only thing different between the two is design, while the front wheels get shod with 245/45 series and the rear, 275/40 series tyres. The rear portion of this brand new limo is a sight to behold, and makes the already handsome fifth-generation model look dated. A long piece of chrome trim runs the length of the car’s rump, further complemented by the LED tail lamps and squared off by the dual exhausts.
INTERIOR
Now, the G12’s interior is nothing short of luxurious, and is home to an array of even more impressive bells and whistles. Features offered as standard on both cars are the high-resolution digital instrument cluster, and in the centre dash rests a
10.25-inch anti-dazzle touchscreen display
 which can also be operated by the standard iDrive controls. For the first time in a BMW vehicle, there is a
3D infrared camera
 built into the dashboard which
picks up gesture controls
. We’re not kidding. By simply waving your hands or twirling your fingers, you can change audio volume or answer and refuse phone calls.

During the entire process of stepping into the car, you can enjoy the class-first
Welcome Carpet Light
 that illuminates the ground so you know you won’t step on gunk that will stain the carpet of your car. It has six different colours, all of which are dimmable and can be operated via the iDrive system. As for the seats themselves (they’re really, really plush), three leather colour options can be selected – Black, Beige and Cognac.
If you’re seated at the back, you’ll have full access to the car’s entertainment system via a huge tablet built to the back of the front-seat head restraint. Controls are operated through an ejectable 7-inch Samsung-made tablet housed within the rear armrest/centre console. There’s a
four-zone air conditioning system
 fitted as standard, with air vents built into the lower side of the B-pillars.
One more thing – the dual-pane panoramic sunroof (retractable also via the controls in the rear bench) called the Sky Lounge comes with LED-based lighting system made of 15,000 lighting elements built into the pano glass itself. So, during the day the cabin will be filled with daylight, and at night you’ll be treated to a fancy lighting system.
PERFORMANCE
Two engines come with the Malaysian 7-Series, one being a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder lump and the other is an inline-six 3.0-litre engine, also turbocharged with BMW TwinPower Technology. The smaller engine isn’t quite shabby though, making
258 hp
 and
 400 Nm
 of torque, allowing it to sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in a respectable
6.3 seconds
.
Opt for the 740Li and a
326 hp/450 Nm
 straight-sixer will gladly do any chauffeur duties. It shares the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as the 730Li that powers the rear wheels, but here it manages the century sprint in
5.6 seconds
. Both variants, if floored, can reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The 730Li sips about
5.8 litres of fuel per 100km
 travelled, and the 740Li covers the same length of tarmac with 6.6 litres of petrol.
SAFETY
On the safety side of things, the 7-Series gets BMW Driving Assistant Plus that comes with steering and directional control assistant, Lane Departure Warning Assistant with active side collision protection (functions by continuously detecting vehicles in neighbouring lanes), rear collision prevention and cross-traffic warning built at the front. The good news is, all these safety systems work at speeds up to 210 km/h.
Just like the
F48 X1
 and F30 LCI, the G12 7-Series comes with the latest BMW ConnectedDrive with Intelligent Emergency Call that can automatically call for help in the event of an accident. The BMW Call Centre will act as the “personal assistant” on the road, and through Remote Services, you can transform your smartphone into a remote control for the vehicle via BMW’s MY Remote app.
WHAT ELSE?
The BMW G12 7-Series is fully imported and pricing starts from
RM699k
 for the 730Li and
RM889k
 for the 740Li. But here’s the good news. Because BMW is turning 100 this year, both variants will be offered at a celebratory price at RM100k less, meaning the 730Li will go for RM599k and the 740Li at RM789k (both without insurance). Talk about value, eh?
Five exterior colours are offered as standard, but each variant benefits from its own exclusive colour. The 730Li can be finished in Imperial Blue and the 740Li in Jatoba, a brown shade. Every purchase of the 7-Series comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty package, including BMW’s Free Scheduled Service Program and BMW Tyre Warranty Program.
IMAGE GALLERY


Yes please, we’ll have an Audi RS5 Sportback in that Sonoma Green

Audi Sport has introduced a new Sportback model for the first time in the Audi RS 5’s history with the head of Audi Sport claiming that, “The new Audi RS 5 Sportback is a true international car – we expect it to conquer all markets.”
Power comes from a 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo engine that’s good for
444 hp
,
600 Nm
 and a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is clocked at 280 km/h, although we wouldn’t doubt that a simple tune would help the RS 5 see the 300 km/h mark effortlessly.
Handling and distributing all that power is the task of an 8-speed tiptronic transmission and Audi’s infamous quattro permanent all wheel drive. The standard RS sports suspension makes the RS 5 sit lower than the S5 Sportback while optional extras include the RS Sport Suspension Plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering.
Space should not be an issue whether you’re parking the RS 5 or seated in it, with its long wheelbase and short overhangs. That said, the wheel arches have been extended sideways by 1.5 cm – giving the RS 5 a wider, more aggressive stance. The standard RS exhaust system should announce your arrival before on-lookers get drawn to those slick 19-inch wheels.
Unbelievably, the honeycomb pattern you see on the standard RS sport seats are optional. That said, even with the strongest case of amnesia, you wouldn’t forget what a special car you’re in with RS emblems scattered all over the place – steering wheel, door sills and lever selector.
In manual mode, there’s also a shift light that’ll alert you to get on the next gear in case you get distracted with how fast you’re going.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-AMG GT63S beats Porsche Panamera Turbo S’ short-lived Nurburgring record

When Porsche launched its latest
 Panamera Turbo S
 last August, the sports car maker gleefully claimed the title for
the quickest executive car around the Nurburgring Nordschleife
, posting a time of 7:29.81 around the 20.83 km track. Little did they know, the title would be quickly
reclaimed
 by the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S in less than three months.

Armed with the 2021 model-year
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4Matic+
, AMG development engineer Demian Schaffert managed to set an official lap time of
7:27.8
, beating the German rival by just over two seconds. The time is “officially measured and notary-certified”, and will be reflected on Nurburgring’s homepage as part of its
official leaderboard
 started in 2019.
According to Mercedes, the new record is set by a “completely standard” GT 63 S, which is a requirement for the official Nurburgring times. A notary will be present at the attempt to monitor the timekeeping (with a standardised timing gear placement), as well as inspect and approve the vehicles and tyres before the run.
The record-breaking Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4Matic+ is powered by the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 underneath the hood, which pumps out
639 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox and a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system for a 0-100 km/h time of just
3.2 seconds
, and a top speed of
315 km/h
.
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4Matic+ used in the attempt is also fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tyres and the aerodynamics pack, both available to order as optional extras from the factory.
Following the record-breaking lap, Schaffert said “Even though I’ve been accompanying our GT 63 through its development for several years now, it’s always impressive to see the wide spread we have been able to achieve with this exclusive vehicle.
“On the one hand, the four-door coupé is comfortable and equipped with many intelligent safety features for everyday driving, and on the other hand it offers this extremely high level of driving dynamics and precision, which we have now been able to demonstrate once again on the demanding Nordschleife.”
Aside from the official record, Mercedes-Benz also released an “unofficial” timing of 7:23.009 around the 20.6 km variant of the track, which excludes the T13 straight. The 20.6 km variant is used “traditionally” by car manufacturers before Nurburgring’s official lap in 2019 came about, which means you’ll be able to stack up the GT 63 S’ performance against older runs, too – and what do you know, the GT 63 S also beats out the Panamera Turbo S 20.6 km run by about two seconds.
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 launched in Malaysia, priced from RM889k

Mercedes-Benz owners truly have it all. Want a premium compact car? You have the
A-Class
. Need it to be taller, and you have yourself the
GLA
. This recipe is replicated with the
C-class
and
GLC
 as well as the
E-class
 and
GLE
.
In Malaysia, the S-class is the only saloon without a taller twin, but that is all set to change as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has just launched their flagship SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 4MATIC. This ultimately completes their Premium SUV range.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 4MATIC
Engine
2,996cc; twinturbo V6
Transmission
9G-TRONIC, 9-speed automatic
Max Power
333 hp @ 5,250 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
480 Nm @ 1,600 – 4,000 rpm
0-100 km/h; Top Speed
6.6 seconds; 240 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM888,888
EXTERIOR
Standing at 5,130mm in length, 1,934mm in width and 1,850mm in height, the seven-people carrier is brimming with road presence to say the least. As standard, the GLS 400 wears the AMG Line exterior which gives a sportier front and rear bumper, side step plates, side body painted flaps and a 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels.

At the front, the GLS comes with an aggressive front end, courtesy of the AMG twin-louvre grille finished with a central three-pointed star emblem. The sophisticated LED Intelligent Light System adds a touch of luxury to the large SUV. Not forgetting the pair of air inlets on the hood that give away the car’s powerhouse under the hood.
At the rear, the GLS is finished with a generous amount of chrome, from the bar across the tailgate, loading bay as well as the dual exhaust tips.
INTERIOR
Inside, the GLS is deserving of being dubbed as the S-class of SUVs, as the car is filled with premium materials. As standard, the GLS features a three-spoke Nappa leather wrapped multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, coloured instrument panel, 8-inch COMAND Online infotainment system with touchpad, among others.

Optional equipment for the GLS is as extensive as a full-sized SUV can be. For example, if you’re concerned about air quality of your cabin, there is an optional ionisation system. If the Nappa leather on the steering wheel is not to your taste, you can swap them out for a wood and leather combination steering wheel.
There is an optional EXCLUSIVE design and equipment line that provides five distinctive interior colour combination (all finished in genuine leather) to choose from– black, ginger beige with espresso brown, saddle brown with black, crystal grey with black and ginger beige with black.
For added refinement and luxury, customers can also opt for the designo Exclusive package that wraps the seats in designo Nappa leather with a diamond quilting design. For a sportier impression, there is an AMG Line interior that specs the GLS with Nappa leather sports seats, black Nappa leather three-spoke steering wheel, chequered flag design on the instrument dials and brushed stainless steel sports pedals.
PERFORMANCE
Powering this humongous beast is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that dishes out
333 hp
 and
480 Nm
 of torque. Power is permanently sent to all four-wheels via a nine-speed G-TRONIC automatic. This is enough to propel the GLS from nought to 100km/h in
6.6 seconds
 before hitting a top speed of
240 km/h
. Despite the large displacement and performance figures, Mercedes claims that the GLS boasts a fuel economy figure of 9.4L/100km.
For uncompromising comfort and off-road capabilities, MBM has decided to equip the GLS 400 with AIRMATIC air suspension to provide the best of both worlds. The SUV’s dynamics can be tweaked via the DYNAMIC SELECT system where drivers can select between five driving modes – comfort, slippery, sport, individual and off-road.
The DYNAMIC SELECT system adapts the transmission and AIRMATIC settings to suit the driver’s needs. Additionally, customers can opt for an optional active roll stabilisation ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM that adds on active anti-roll bars at the front and rear axles to reduce body roll during corners.
WHAT ELSE?
Should the 333 hp GLS 400 fall short of your expectations, MBM also has the 449 hp GLS 500 and the 577 hp GLS 63 on offer. These variants however, require special arrangements. As with all Mercedes-Benz cars, the GLS 400 comes packaged with a 4-Year unlimited mileage warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY

Official Photos (by Aaron Lee)


Weekly round-up: Stories you may have missed this week! (4 – 8 Oct.)

Congratulations, you – that’s the first full week of October done and dusted, so give yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done.
Now that
Covid-19 restrictions are slowly being lifted
, many of us have now left the work-from-home lifestyle behind. So if you’ve been swamped with work in the office and can’t keep up with the latest news developments any more, there’s no need to worry – here’s a round-up of this week’s biggest stories that you may have missed!
Yes, the BMW M3 is indeed PDRM’s new steed
The biggest story this week happened on Thursday morning, when social media and instant messaging apps were set abuzz by photos of what seemed like a new police-liveried BMW M3 Competition. Confusion soon followed, as BMW Malaysia claimed that the cars are only to be used as movie props, but the body wrap shop’s owner insists that it’s an actual police car, sending the internet into a tailspin.
Fortunately, the whole ordeal was soon cleared up thanks to new photos that were published online, showing the cars alongside actual uniformed cops from the Selangor police’s Escort Guard division (
Cawangan Pengawal Pengiring
).
Mazda to introduce a wave of SUVs with new naming scheme, six cylinders, and wider bodies
It’s the start of a new era for Mazda, as they’ve just announced a brand-new line-up of (at least) five SUVs that will pave their wave towards full electrification… eventually.
Out of the five that’s already announced, only the CX-50 will be based on another model (rumoured to be the Toyota Corolla Cross). The other four will all be all-new models based on Mazda’s new large product platform, featuring inline-six engines, RWD, and mild-hybrid technology.
The Toyota Corolla is the last car we’d expect to get a “Nürburgring Package”
Toyota Thailand may have just introduced the world’s slowest “Nürburgring edition” model, as they are now offering a “Nürburgring Package” for the Toyota Corolla sedan. Yes, you read that right.
Designed to celebrate Toyota Gazoo Racing Thailand’s successes in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race, the package is being offered as a no-cost option to buyers of selected variants, and includes a racecar-inspired body kit, lowering springs, and a new throttle control box – but no actual increase in power output.
The all-new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is here to prove that MPVs are still cool
Pretty much the entire world is moving towards SUVs, but BMW is still not quite done with traditional, old-school MPVs just yet. Well, traditional to a point. Introducing the all-new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, with a bold new look that’s shouting “I’m not just for soccer moms”.
Interestingly, the 2 Series Active Tourer will be the first fossil fuel-powered model in BMW’s line-up to feature the marque’s latest iDrive 8 software stack for its infotainment system, one-upping many of its elder and more expensive siblings! BMW clearly isn’t mucking about with this one.
Video: Proton X50 vs Proton X70 drag race on KLIA runway
We can’t end the week without mentioning our latest drag race video now, can we? Joining us on the KLIA runway this time are the two new Proton darlings, the X50 and X70. Some people say the younger one’s always a little better at everything, but others say the elder will have more experience. But which of these brothers is the fastest one in a drag race? Well, watch on to find out!


Nissan GT-R no longer the king of drag races?

I know what you guys are like; it’s a Monday and while some of you are still recovering from your food coma, some are probably monitoring the clock like a hawk, waiting for 6pm to arrive for you to call it a day.
So here’s what I’m recommending to kill some time – watching the former king of drag races get slaughtered by a mid-engined hybrid sportscar in a drag race between the
Nissan GT-R
 and the
Honda NSX
.
The Honda NSX plays home to a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a combined output of
 581 hp
 and more than
600 Nm
 of torque. On the other hand, the latest GT-R with its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 churns out somewhere in the region of
 562 hp
 with almost the same amount of torque.
The result is a 0-400 metre run in just
10.8 seconds
 for the Honda NSX and a
11.2 second
 time for the
Nissan GT-R
. Time for Nissan to conceive a new monster? About time, don’t you think?
Credit:
carwow


Akio Toyoda steps down as Toyota CEO – Here are some of his ‘greatest hits’

Toyota
 CEO and grandson of the company’s founder, Akio Toyoda will step down as CEO of the company on 1 April to make way for Koji Sato, his successor who is currently the president of
Lexus
 and
Gazoo Racing
. Starting April this year, Akio Toyoda will become chairman of the board of directors of the company.
Mr. Toyoda has served as CEO for almost 14 years and during his tenure, unleashed several memorable icons. While he isn’t entirely stepping away from the company, let us have a look at some of the iconic cars that emerged when he was the big man.
Toyota GT86 & GR86
Possibly the best starter car for motorsport enthusiasts, the first-generation
Toyota GT86
 made its world debut in 2012 and underpinned both the Subaru BR-Z and Scion FR-S. It was an affordable rear-wheel-drive modern car that was also available with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Power wasn’t exactly the GT86’s strongest suite as the FA-20 boxer engine only made
207 hp
 (metric) @7,000 rpm and
212 Nm
 @ 6,400- 6,800 rpm. However, it is one of the best cars out there if you want to learn about car control and is an alternative to the Mazda MX-5.
In April last year, the all-new Toyota GR86 made its world debut and
will soon be officially available in Malaysia
, if UMW Toyota follows through with its announcement from last year. The all-new GR86 makes
235 hp
 (metric) and
250 Nm
.
RELATED:
Toyota confirms GR Corolla, GR86, Manual Supra to launch in Malaysia “very soon”
Toyota GR Supra
Besides the 86, Toyota also revived its flagship icon, the
Toyota Supra
, now in its fifth generation. Already an icon itself, movies from “The Fast and the Furious” franchise cemented the fourth generation supra as one of the most popular cars among young car enthusiasts back in the day.
The revival of the Supra happened almost 20 years after the fourth generation ended, and continues to be an icon for car enthusiasts despite the flak that it received due to its BMW association. In its most powerful form, 5th-gen Supra is powered by a 3.0-litre inline-6 turbocharged engine that makes
340 hp
(metric) and
500 Nm
. Only available with an eight-speed automatic transmission upon its world debut,
a 6-speed manual version was introduced in April 2022
, and that will soon be officially available in Malaysia.
RELATED:
Enthusiasts rejoice – 2022 Toyota GR Supra now offered with six-speed manual
Toyota GR Corolla
Also joining the manual GR Supra and all-new GR86 in their Malaysian debut is the Toyota GR Corolla. Powered by a beefed-up GR Yaris-sourced G16E-GTS engine, the GR Corolla makes
304 hp
 (metric) and
370 Nm
.
Power is sent to all wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission.
The GR Corolla made its ASEAN debut in December last year
 with Thailand being the first country to welcome it. Only 9 units are available in Thailand (for now), and production of the GR Corolla for the global market this year is limited to 2,000 units only.
RELATED:
Limited-edition Toyota GR Corolla ‘Morizon Edition’ could be more exclusive than the GR Yaris!
Toyota GR Yaris
Who would have thought that a Toyota Yaris could be a poster car for car enthusiasts? Usually remembered as a docile compact hatchback, the GR division developed the GR Yaris as a rally car first, before actually turning it into a production car.
Powered by a 3-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, the tiny GR Yaris capable of producing
261 hp
 (metric) and
360 Nm
. Paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, it has a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of
5.5 seconds
 and a limited top speed of
230 km/h
.
RELATED:
Toyota GR Yaris gets Kinto factory tune in Japan, extra 20 Nm of torque and personalised performance!
One must also remember that part of Toyota is the Lexus brand, which is its luxury division. Even here, Mr. Akio Toyoda has left some memorable icons. Some to name are the Lexus LFA and the Lexus LC 500.
Lexus LFA
When it debuted in 2011, the
Lexus LFA
 was the spiritual successor to the Supra and was one of the most expensive Japanese road cars ever built. While it was too expensive and didn’t quite succeed as a halo car, the V10-powered LFA is iconic for the simple fact that it is Lexus’ only supercar made to date.
ALSO WATCH:
Chase away those Monday Blues with ‘a ride’ in a screaming Lexus LFA V10!
Lexus LC 500
A 5.0-litre V8 engine and a RWD drivetrain is something you’d expect to find in an American muscle car, not a luxurious Japanese grand tourer. However, that is what the Lexus LC 500 is. The naturally aspirated V8 engine makes
470 hp
 and
540 Nm
 and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This launches the LC500 from 0 to 100 km/h in just
4.7 seconds
. Fetching a RM 1.37 million starting price in Malaysia, the LC 500 is available as both a coupe and a convertible. Coincidentally, the Lexus LC 500 is the brainchild of Koji Sato, making it the perfect car to end the list, signifying the passing of the baton from Akio Toyoda.
ALSO WATCH:
Lexus LC 500 Convertible, 5 Things
While some car companies have committed to an electric-only future, Toyota under the leadership of Akio Toyoda believes in multipath solution towards sustainability. Hence, the company has been working on electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell cars, and hydrogen-fueled engines. It remains to be seen if the stance will remain under the new leadership.


Stay clear of the emergency lane at all costs, warns JPJ [+Video]

Two days ago on Monday, an emergency respondent personnel (Facebook username Mohd Azul) uploaded a video onto his personal Facebook account of his ordeal when trying to get to an accident scene on the Elite Highway. At the time of writing, the video had 810k views and 12,770 shares.
In the video
, we can clearly see inconsiderate motorists hogging the emergency lane and making poor road safety judgements that saw precious time being wasted when the ambulance was rushing to the accident scene.
We can’t stress enough that the emergency lane is meant for emergencies only. According to the Road Transport Department (JPJ), motorists who use the emergency lane other than the following: stalled vehicles, police duty, rescue works and ambulances, are all chargeable under the Road Transport Act 1987.
As seen in the video, there were moments where these ignorant motorists (presumably frantic by then) tried to force their way out of the emergency lane, only to realise that their efforts were futile. As the ambulance got closer to the scene,
keh-poh
 onlookers took their sweet time ‘documenting’ the accident, causing further unnecessary delay.
During this Raya festive season, when you come to a crawl on the freeway, please make the better call and stay clear of the emergency lane, please. For all you know, someone’s life might depend on it. Be safe, be patient and be considerate when sharing the highway.
We at
 AutoBuzz.my
 would like to wish all our Muslim readers a Selamat Hari Raya.


The interior of the all-new Kia K5 is as alluring as its exterior

The all-new Kia K5 was the talk of the town when
first images
 were revealed last month. Kia has now revealed some additional information for the fifth-generation Kia K5 (or Optima outside of South Korea).
We’ve all seen the breathtaking exterior of the Kia K5 in quite some detail, but the Interior of the D-segment fastback is equally as beautiful.
The dashboard now has a stepped design, with a wood effect trim (or metallic, depending on variant) across the entire bottom step. The trim extends onto the door cards to form a cohesive wrap-around line.
Standing on top of the dashboard is now a new
10.25-inch
 touchscreen infotainment system, joined directly to a
12.3-inch
 digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system features voice recognition capable of controlling various vehicle functions.
The gear lever has also been removed on certain gearbox options, replaced by a shift-by-wire rotary dial gear selector.
Other interior options include an ambient light system, 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, 8.0-inch heads-up display, and various leather and cloth upholstery.
Unsurprisingly, the K5 will be available with the
1.6-litre turbocharged Smartstream engine
 that is
shared with Hyundai
. The engine pushes out
180 hp
 and
265 Nm
 of torque, and features Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology that optimises between torque output and fuel efficiency.
Depending on market, there will also be a 2.0-litre MPI engine (152 hp, 192 Nm), 2.0-litre engine with CVVL technology (160 hp, 196 Nm), and a 2.5-litre GDi engine (194 hp, 246 Nm).
The
 performance K5 GT variant
 gets a significant bump in power, with a new 2.5-litre T-GDi engine providing
 290 hp
 and
422 Nm
 of torque. Paired with Kia’s new eight-speed wet double-clutch transmission, the K5 GT does 0-to-100 km/h in
6.6 seconds
.
All other engines will be paired to either a six- or eight-speed automatic transmissions, although Kia has not revealed specific pairings. For the first time, the Kia K5 will also be available in
all-wheel drive
 set-up, in addition the usual front-wheel drive.
As with previous generations of the K5, hybrid powertrain options will also be available, but no details are available as of yet.
The all-new Kia K5 is packed to the brim with advanced safety features. Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on the K5 includes Forward Collision-avoidance Assist, Blind-spot View Monitor with Surround View Monitor and Blind-spot Collision-avoid Assist, Smart Cruise Control or Navigation-based SCC, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and Highway Driving Assist.
The Remote Smart Parking Assist function allows drivers to move the cars autonomously out of a front-and-back parking space remotely with their key fob – perfect for tight parking spaces and the sometimes questionable Malaysian parking skills.
IMAGE GALLERY


The 2019 Lexus NX is a steal for those considering a RM300k SUV!

It’s a very fair world we live in – what we gain, we’ll always lose something in return. So when Lexus announced that their new 2019 NX now starts from a lower asking price at RM313,888, with added safety features and a hands-free boot, I asked what’s missing.
Turns out, nothing too significant – the premium Mark Levinson sound system, a panoramic sunroof and wireless touch pad; frivolous items if you ask me.
With the updated model, Lexus Malaysia has omitted the NX300h model with the NX300 Urban, NX300 Premium and NX300 F Sport the only available models.
All three are powered by a 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder with
235 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque paired to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, powering all four wheels via the Dynamic Torque Control AWD. 0 to 100 km/h takes just 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h.
The highlight of the new Lexus NX has to be the addition of the Lexus Safety System on all variants. The system includes Pre-Collision System with Brake Collision Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, Active Cornering Assist and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
While all three models are equipped with eight airbags, the Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert is only available for the Premium model.
Also new to the car is the Adaptive High Beam system for the three LED projector headlamps, along with the addition of the dynamic indicator that utilises 16 LEDS to project a mesmerising visual.
As for the other features and equipment, the NX comes with LED fog lights with cornering function, powered steering adjustment, 18-inch alloys, a Lexus Premium Audio system with eight speakers while notable distinctions in the Premium model includes electronically-reclined rear seats, ventilation for the front seats and a hands-free tail gate.
The fully imported Lexus NX starts from
RM313,888
 for the Urban variant,
RM333,888
 for the Premium variant and
RM349,888
 for the F Sport model. All three models come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY


The new Peugeot 508 SW will also get frameless doors, would you want one?

Peugeot has just unveiled the estate version of its latest
Peugeot 508
. Like the sedan, the Peugeot 508 SW also gets an all-new sleek design, frameless doors and the latest-generation i-Cockpit cabin design language.
Set for global debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October, the new 508 SW follows the radical design of the sedan – low roof, dynamic body shape and flowing lines. Exterior highlights include full LED headlamps, vertical opalescent LED daytime running lights, mesh front grille and Lion Claw LED taillamps.
Measuring at 4.78m long and 1.42m in length, the 508 SW naturally can swallow more cargo with
530 litres
 hidden behind the hands-free powered tailgate, 43 litres more than its sedan twin. Fold the rear seats down and you’ll get a total load capacity of
1,780 litres
.
With the new-generation Peugeot i-Cockpit design, occupants in the 508 SW will be greeted with LCD instrument cluster, 10-speaker FOCAL hi-fi system, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Lane Keeping Assist and a Night Vision system.

Powertrain options for the 508 SW include two petrol and four diesel options, all mated to either a new eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual. Peugeot has also hinted that a plug-in hybrid petrol engine with an all-electric range of 50 km will join the variant line up in the second half 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY


This RM100 million Rolls-Royce is literally a luxury yacht on four-wheels!

For starters, there’s the name – it’s actually called the Boat Tail – but it’s not something Rolls-Royce plucked out of thin air. In fact the name was used in custom coachbuilt Rolls-Royce from the early 1920s and 1930s.
And after a
4-year collaboration
 with three clients, not only has Rolls-Royce repeated history but extended its legacy as one of the masters of coachbuilding.
When asked about the design direction of the 5.8 metre long Boat Tail, the three clients shared a single request, “Show us something we’ve never seen before”.
Judging by the outcome, we’re pretty sure they got exactly what they had wished for – the unexpected.
Rolls-Royce said the process was no different from building a yacht. Vast sheets of metal were transformed into that Boat Tail shape, with refinement work done by hand, without the pressure of time.
Have you heard of the

ultra-rare Rolls-Royce Wraith Eagle VII? There’s only one in Malaysia, click
here
 to check it out!
Unsurprisingly, the clients’ fascination with the Boat Tail design was sparked by one from their very own private collection, a fully-restored 1932 Rolls-Royce Boat Tail.
Here comes the really crazy stuff; the glove box comes storage for a
Montblanc pen
 from the owner’s collection – one of their many passions.
The dials on the instrument panel is decorated using a technique called Guilloche, similar to those used by watchmakers and fine jewellers.
Also collectors of luxury watches, unique
BOVET 1822 timepieces
 were also specially created for the owners of the Boat Tail but it’s not just another custom luxury watch.
Two reversible timepieces were created, one for the lady and one for the gentleman, either to be worn on the wrist or placed on the dashboard or centre console as a clock for the interior.
The two-sided timepieces required Rolls-Royce and BOVET 1822 to work side by side over three years to develop the Amadeo convertible system, the most complex task to date.
“The result is an accomplishment never before realised in either industry,” said Rolls-Royce.
As for the pièce de résistance of the Boat Tail, a press of a button and the “deck” (not rear bonnet) opens like the movement of a butterfly. The complex movement was inspired by cantilever concepts explored by
renowned architect Santiago Calatrava
.
Inside lies a chest that is filled to the brim with exquisite cutlery made by
Christofle
 in Paris on one side and beverages (aperitifs) on the other, for an al fresco dining experience.
A double refrigerator houses the client’s favourite vintages of
Armand de Brignac champagne
. The stools which were designed by Rolls-Royce and executed by
Italian furniture maker Promemoria
 can be stowed away discreetly.
Now you must be wondering, how much does something like that cost? How do you even put a price, not just to the insane levels of customisation, but the time and dedication required to achieve such a creation?
Well, regardless, Rolls-Royce did not specifically reveal the price of the Boat Tail but it’s been reported by Autocar UK to cost somewhere around £20 million pounds!
Have a seat, take a deep breath and just enjoy these pictures.
GALLERY


JPJ and Puspakom to reopen July 1st, limited services and by-appointment only

In line with the announcement by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, on the reopening of various government counter services beginning the 1st of July, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) Malaysia has
issued a statement
 regarding the operations of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Puspakom.
MOT reiterates that agencies under their purview will reopen counter services subject to 50% staff capacity, off-line services (cannot be done online), and by-appointment-only.
Walk-ins are strictly prohibited
.
To schedule an appointment at your nearest JPJ office, visit their Facebook page
here
.
For the JPJ, the counters will transact and offer the services except those that can be done online through the mySikap public portal or JPJ’s strategic partners that offer the department’s services. Currently,
mySikap
 offers renewal of road tax (LKM), renewal of driving licence, application of driving licence, approval of accident-repaired vehicles and payment of summons among its listed 38 transactions.
Of that 38 in total, 11 transactions with higher security profile (eID Advance) that requires specific registration will still need one to physically be at the JPJ office for mySikap account registration and obtain a reference number.
Relaxation of road tax renewals extended to September, valid insurance still a must. Read more here.
Click
here
 to see what is listed in mySikap transactions that JPJ is said to not proceed at its offices. The self-service kiosk, located at its offices at certain UTCs however will still operate as usual however it also requires a scheduled appointment.
As for Puspakom, the directive is similar with appointments to be made through Puspakom’s
website
 and customer service hotline with their staff operating at 50% capacity.


Facts & Figures: Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic AMG Line launched in Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today introduced the
 third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLS
 SUV here on our shores. Available in Malaysia only in the 450 4Matic AMG Line variant currently, the Mercedes-Benz GLS will go head-to-head against the
BMW X7

and
Lexus LX
.
Launched alongside the
GLE 450 Coupe
 and
AMG GLE 53 Coupe
, the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic AMG Line is priced at
RM899,888
 on the road, without insurance. The price is inclusive of the 10% sales and service tax, as the car is only expected to arrive on our shores in 2021.
EXTERIOR
The big daddy Mercedes-Benz SUV’s is styled along the philosophy of “modern luxury with the character of an off-roader”, featuring chrome plated skid plates, muscular rear haunches, and aluminium-look running boards to suggest its performance.
One of the bigger changes on the third-generation GLS is it’s size, particularly lengthwise which has now grown to a whopping 5,207 mm (+77 mm), with most of the added length going to the wheelbase (+60 mm), giving the seven-seater SUV a more balanced proportion.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS in Malaysia is fitted with the AMG Line exterior package, which includes the following exterior highlights:
Multibeam LED headlights with 112 LEDs per side
LED taillights
AMG Line front bumper with “bone-shaped” air-inlet grille design
AMG Line rear bumper with chrome trim strip surrounding twin exhaust finishers
22-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels
Aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs
Electric panoramic sliding sunroof
Power-closing doors
PERFORMANCE
Matching its powerful stature is the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six mild hybrid engine underneath the hood, with performance hinted by the two powerdomes on the bonnet.
Engine: M256 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six with EQ Boost mild hybrid technology
Transmission: 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic
Drivetrain: 4Matic all-wheel drive
Suspension: AirMatic air suspensions with Adaptive Damping System Plus
Max horsepower: 367 hp (22 hp EQ Boost)
Max torque: 500 Nm (250 Nm EQ Boost)
0-100 km/h: 6.2 seconds
Top speed: 246 km/h
INTERIOR
Being the “S-Class among the SUVs”, the GLS is suitably luxurious inside, with a dashboard design that is reminiscent of the
smaller GLE
. Interior highlights of the Mercedes-Benz GLS in Malaysia include:
Dual 12.3-inch displays with Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX)
Dual 11.6-inch MBUX rear-seat entertainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Mercedes me telematics and connected services
Wireless charging pad
Burmester surround sound system
Two wireless headset for rear-seat entertainment
Thermotronic four-zone climate control
Powered front-seats with memory function and 4-way lumbar support
Powered double sunblinds for the rear doors
Easy-Entry electronically-adjusted second-row seats, easier ingress and egress for third-row passengers
The interior is finished in the Exclusive interior package, which includes high-gloss anthracite lime wood trims, Artico man-made leather dashboard, and a Nappa leather steering wheel.
With all the rear seats folded down – where there are dedicated buttons in the boot that will do it for you electronically – the Mercedes-Benz GLS boasts a cargo space of 2,400 litres. The air suspension can also be lowered by 50 mm with the buttons to make the load floor more accessible, helpful when loading heavy items into the boot.
SAFETY
In terms of safety, the Malaysian-specification GLS 450 4Matic is equipped with the following:
Mercedes-Benz Pre-Safe collision prevention system
Active Parking Assist with Parktronic
360-degree around-view camera
Exit warning
Magic Vision Control wipers
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Mercedes-Benz Driving Assistance Package including adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and active brake assist with cross-traffic support
GALLERY


The official trailer for the new Ford vs Ferrari movie is making us really excited

It’s been awhile since we last saw a movie featuring an epic motorsport duel with the last memorable one being Rush, a biopic on the rivalry of James Hunt and the
recently deceased, Niki Lauda
.
With Matt Damon playing Carroll Shelby, the man Ford entrusted to beat Ferrari at Le Mans and renowned method actor Christian Bale, playing Ken Miles, the man behind the wheel of the Ford GT, this is one film you do not want to miss.

In brief, it all started when Ford was looking to acquire Ferrari back in the early 60’s but negotiations collapsed because the deal meant that Enzo Ferrari would lose his absolute authority on the race team.
Due to be released in November, it seems (from the trailer at least) that not only will it be a mechanical feast but will also shed light on the emotional hurdles and struggles of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles in their efforts to challenge Ferrari.


JPJ, APAD offers 70% discounts on summonses this August

In conjunction with the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong announced through his social media channel that the road transport department (JPJ) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD, previously known as SPAD) will be offering 70% discounts on all summonses for the entire month of August.
The discounts will be applicable for all compoundable summonses issued by the JPJ and APAD under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334) and Land Public Transport Act 2010(Act 715).
These acts cover offenses such as unroadworthy vehicles, driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as the
AWAS (or better known as AES) cameras
, with compounds ranging from RM40 to RM300. Police-issued summonses are not eligible for this discount campaign.
Image: Facebook/
Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia
The offer will also be extended to road users who have previously been blacklisted by the JPJ, although these individuals will have to go to a JPJ office for a documentation process before the payment can be made.
Otherwise, payments can be made at all JPJ offices as well as other online channels including the mySikap JPJ portal, Kiosk JPJ, as well as JPJ Mobile.
[Header Image:
Facebook/Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia
]


Do you know the difference between a White and Yellow Zebra Crossing?

You stare blankly at the opposite side of the road, waiting for the traffic lights to turn before you can cross the zebra crossing. You come across another one, this time without traffic lights to signal you to cross. You waited patiently until traffic is clear, before dashing across.
You’ve probably used the zebra crossings like the above. Yet, it would have slipped your mind that you just came across two completely different coloured zebra crossings, a yellow and a white. Both serve the same purpose, yet slightly different and now you know.
White Zebra Crossing
When we conjure up an image of a zebra crossing, chances are we’d picture a black and white. The function of a white zebra crossing is to let drivers know that they
must stop and give way
 to pedestrians who are crossing it.
Unfortunately, that is easier said than done. You’d notice that most white zebra crossings have no traffic lights accompanying it, which can make crossing them a challenge.
A study done by MIROS
 showed that 74% of drivers do not give way to pedestrians at zebra crossings especially in the absence of traffic signal.
Therefore, it will be up to the pedestrian to when it’s safe to cross. However, once a pedestrian is already crossing a white zebra crossing, drivers must stop to give pedestrians the right of way.
Yellow Zebra Crossing
The yellow zebra crossing is a little different. These crossings are usually accompanied by traffic lights and are usually placed in areas with high traffic density, making it hard to cross the road. Unlike the black and white zebra crossing, pedestrians and motorists will have to abide by the traffic signals. According to the
Malaysian Public Works Department
, there is no ‘first come first serve’ basis at this crossing.
It goes without saying that the road is a dangerous place, while zebra crossings help pedestrians cross the road safely, safety should not be taken for granted and pedestrians must be vigilant when crossing the road. As for drivers,
we highly urge that you slow down when coming up to a zebra crossing
 regardless if it’s white or yellow.
Know someone who could use this bit of information? Share this with them. Did we miss out something? Share with us in the comments below!


Check out the newly-launched Toyota Yaris in detail with our walkaround video!

The car that took centre stage at the 2019 Malaysia Auto Show, the all-new Toyota Yaris, has been officially launched by UMW Toyota Motor with three variants available.
There is the high spec G variant, priced at
RM83,888
, E variant at
RM76,888
 and the base model J at
RM70,888
.

The Yaris comes in five different colours – Super White, Red Mica Metallic, Attitude Black, Silver Metallic and the vibrant Citrus Mica Metallic.
Powering the Yaris is the same engine you’ll find in the Vios – a 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i with
107 hp
 and
140 Nm
 of torque – paired to a 7-speed CVT transmission.
As for the exterior of the E and G variants, the Yaris comes with projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, 16-inch wheels and LED tail lights.
As for the base model J variant, it gets 15-inch wheels, reflector headlamps, and bulb-type rear tail lights.
Inside, the Yaris comes with a 6.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display linked to six speakers, an Optitron meter with TFT display, fabric seats, for the auto air conditioning (for G variant only), Panoramic View Monitor with 360-degree view and dual USB ports. The G variant also gets an electrochromic rear view mirror.
As for the E and J variants, the Yaris is equipped with an instrument cluster with the more conventional backlit illumination.
What you’d want to know is that the Yaris boasts the best-in-class Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) and cabin space. Sound insulation has been improved around the engine compartment, transmission while the engine mountings have been designed to reduced further vibration.
Safety wise, the Yaris comes with seven airbags, Hill-Start Assist, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control.
With the E and G variants, the Yaris is further equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Also provided with these two models is a front Digital Video Recorder dashcam that offers Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning features.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Range Rover Evoque to be launched in Malaysia on 26th of June!

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia
 announced that the new Range Rover Evoque will be launched in Malaysia this coming 26th of June 2020. The virtual launch will take place on its
Facebook page
at 11 am.
For starters, the new Range Rover Evoque in Malaysia will come with a 2.0-litre petrol-powered turbocharged Ingenium engine paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Aside from looking like a
baby Velar
, the new Evoque is also laden with technology. It’s the first Land Rover to feature
Smart Settings
, an artificial intelligence system that can learn and adapt to its driver’s preference.
The new Evoque will also get the
Clear Sight Technology
 which includes ClearSight Rear View Mirror and ClearSight Ground View.
ClearSight Rear View
 turns the side mirrors into a high-definition screen using a camera positioned on top of the car. The display provides a 50-degree field of vision and superior visibility in low light.

ClearSight Ground View
 on the other hand allows the driver to see what’s happneing under the engine. This is achieved by projecting a 180-degree view of the ground onto the car’s infotainment display.
Onboard, the new Evoque features the Land Rover InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. It consists of two 10-inch high-definition glass touchscreens and a 12.3-inch display on the instrument cluster. At the back, the Evoque’s boot is rated at 591 litres, expandable to 1,383 litres with the second row seats folded.
Details on pricing and variants will be announced at the virtual launch.Those interested can
receive updates on the launch and details of the car here
.
The new Range Rover Evoque in Malaysia will come with a 5-year/150,000km warranty, 5-year/65,000km service package and 3-years Roadside Assistance.


Happy Birthday Schuey: Michael Schumacher turns 45, still in coma

Michael Schumacher is still in a induced coma since the
skiing accident in the French Alps
 on Sunday. After going through a second brain surgery, he is reported to be in stable condition but not out of danger. Michael Schumacher turns 45 today.
Over two hundred fans from the Italian and French Scuderia Ferrari Clubs turned up at Grenoble Hospital where Schumacher is being treated, to pay a special tribute on his birthday. The fans who traveled for hours presented the Ferrari Heart in the hospital car park to represent the strength and support of the millions of fans from around the world to Schumacher as he fights the hardest challenge of his life.
Even though the German driver officially retired from his F1 career with Mercedes, Scuderia Ferrari where he spent most of his time winning has been very supportive and was the one urging Scuderia Ferrari Clubs from across Europe to honour the F1 legend. He won 72 Grand Prix races between 1996 and 2006 with Scuderia Ferrari.
During the incident at the French Alps, Schumacher had stopped to help a friend’s daughter who had fallen on the slopes before he hit a rock and catapulted in the air, falling head down on another rock. Due to the massive impact, the helmet he was wearing broke into three. The doctors said, “Without a helmet, he wouldn’t be here now”. Schumacher suffers from cerebral hemorrhage due to the severe head trauma and is forced to put in artificial coma to stabilize his condition.
Friends and fans around the world have tweeted and posted well wishes to the F1 legend. This is when journalists would want to have the first hand news about Schuey’s condition, even to an extent of pretending to be a priest. According to Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm,
“There have been several interesting incidents here at the hospital. There apparently was a person dressed-up as a priest, who tried to get near Michael.” She added,
“I am asking everyone to let the doctors work and leave the family spend peaceful time with Michael.”
After the journalist was caught, he was escorted off the premises and wasn’t identified. To whoever that was, “DUDE, have a little RESPECT.”
Happy Birthday Schuey, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Get well soon. Forza Michael!


NISMO brings back the legendary RB26 Skyline engine into production

At the tail end of 2017, Nissan introduced the NISMO heritage programme that would
allow owners of the R32 Skyline to purchase new and original replacements parts
 from them.
A year on, they went on to expand the range of
replacement parts for the R33 and R34
 as well.
In their latest announcement, not only are there additional replacement parts for the RB26 engine, NISMO will now also offer the legendary engine itself for sale.
The new parts include the engine block, cylinder head, fuel pump assembly, muffler assembly and the original engine harness. Body parts such as the roof and rear 3/4 panel (for the R32) will also be sold.
The
block of the RB26
, that’s capable of making over 1,000 hp as some videos on YouTube would show, will set you back 170,000 yen (approx. RM6,200).
The cylinder head, on the other hand, is priced at 187,000 yen (approx. RM6,800) for the R32 and 425,000 yen (approx. RM15,600) for the R33 and R34.
IMAGE GALLERY


GoCar and Shell to provide free car usage, petrol to medical front liners

In an effort to support our local medical front liners in their war against the
 COVID-19 pandemic
, GoCar Malaysia and Shell Malaysia are joining forces to help make their daily commute easier.
Starting now until the 14th of April (when the MCO is scheduled to end), GoCar is offering 200 Nissan Almera located at 127 Shell petrol stations across Peninsular Malaysia free of charge to the medical workers, while Shell will be topping up with a complimentary petrol e-voucher.
healthcare personnel can register via
GoCar’s website
 for verification. The initiative covers healthcare frontliners including doctors, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and administrative staff.
Once registered, registrants will receive a GoCar promo code worth RM483 – sufficient for seven consecutive days of booking, followed by a RM30 Shell Fuel e-voucher, both delivered via email on a first-come first-serve basis.
GoCar Malaysia CEO, Alan Cheah said, “At GoCar, we strive to act fast to give back to the community in any way possible, now more than ever.
“As our frontliners continue working tirelessly for us, we are doing our part to keep them safe by helping them travel in isolation in GoCars with Shell supporting the necessary petrol needed,” he added.
Cheah also assures that all GoCar vehicles are sanitised regularly for the safety of all GoCar members. The company is also placing and replenishing anti-bacterial wet tissues in each car for the convenience of all users.
Shell Malaysia Managing Director, Shairan Huzaini Husain said, “We are all striving to do what we can to heed the nation’s call to flatten the COVID-19 curve, and Shell is undertaking this initiative to ensure our nation’s health frontliners are able to go well in their journeys to the battleground of this pandemic.”
Shell recently concluded its
nationwide donation drive with BonusLink
, while continuously contributing care packages to the front liners. The petroleum company is now working to provide face masks to Shell Fleet Card customers and commercial truckers.