Interior designers, here’s your chance to design an EcoWorld home while driving the Volvo XC60 T8!

Volvo Car Malaysia has just announced the 2020 Volvo Car & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge organised in collaboration with
duduk
 – a new brand by Eco World Development Group Berhad (EcoWorld) and lifestyle publishing house Aurizn.
Started off in 2018, the
2020 Volvo Car & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge
 once again calls upon interior design firms around the country to submit their most creative spatial designs.
The winning design from 2018. Think you can do better?
The concept behind the Volvo Car & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge is to adopt the Scandinavian philosophy of human-centric design – applying functionality and sustainability – to bring out the natural and organic beauty of a product.
Six winners will be selected this year and each will be rewarded with usage of the Volvo XC60 T8 for six months and contracts to furnish actual units of
duduk
 by EcoWorld projects in Eco Ardence and Eco Sanctuary. These units will then be sold to end users. In total, the six contracts are worth a combined value of RM 4 million across both developments, which will be available for sale to the general public.
Design by a finalist from 2018.
“EcoWorld is delighted to join hands with Volvo Car Malaysia and Aurizn to run this meaningful Design Challenge that truly benefits all parties. Not only are we providing a platform for design firms to showcase their capabilities, but by offering actual contracts of high value to six winning firms, we are also contributing back to the value chain as a small effort to help rebound our economy post Covid-19,” said EcoWorld, Divisional General Manager, Ho Kwee Hong.
Submission period of this challenge is between the 14th of May to 10th of June 2020. All Malaysian-based design firms are invited to submit their entries by sending in the best existing designs from their portfolio. Method of submission is by posting their designs on Facebook and Instagram, and adding the @dudukmy, @aurizn, and @volvocarmalaysia tags in their posts. Firms are also required to
email supporting company documents to Aurizn for verification
.
“On the 18th of June 2020, we will be announcing twelve finalists. These finalists will then have about one month to design and furnish, within a given budget, an actual
duduk
 unit by EcoWorld. Out of these twelve finalists, the six best designs will be selected, and they will be given that budget to realise the layout that they created in units that will be sold to actual customers,” said Aurizn founder and Editor-in-Chief, Bobby Ang.
Submission for the finalists’ design closes on 17 July, after which the designs will be published online and open for a two-week voting period from the 22nd of July to 4th of August, followed by an announcement of the winners on 15 August 2020. In keeping with ongoing health guidelines on social distancing, the entire submission and judging process of the challenge will be solely conducted online.
The selection process of the six winners would be done through a process that combines the outcome of an online vote with feedback from a panel of judges comprising of representatives from Volvo Car Malaysia, EcoWorld, and Aurizn.
By yet another 2018 finalist.
“This Scandinavian philosophy of prioritizing function and elegance is seen in the design of every Volvo Car model. We feel that the essence of this approach is applicable in the design process of many other things in our lives, including our homes,” said Volvo Car Malaysia, Managing Director, Nalin Jain as he explained the considerations involved in the judging process.
“The other aspect in Scandinavian design philosophy is the importance placed on efficiency and sustainability. These philosophies have guided the engineering and design of all Volvo cars and we are eager to see our local designers inject these flavours into Malaysian homes to make sustainable and eco-friendly living a way of our life,” he continued.
Nalin further explained that, “Volvo Cars have always placed a high priority on environmental sustainability and also the well-being of people. Through the Volvo Car & Aurizn EcoDesign Challenge, we are pleased to have this opportunity to promote sustainable home designs, whilst at the same time provide working opportunities for interior design firms amidst this challenging economic climate.”


It costs a lot of money to crash on the Nurburgring Nordschleife

The Nurburgring Nordschleife has been nicknamed “The Green Hell” by Jackie Stewart, thanks to its 20.8 km of demanding twists and turns. The difficult nature of the track is the reason why many car manufacturers choose to
test their cars there
, but as you may know, the Nordschleife is also
open to public traffic
 on most days.
However, the true cost of driving there is way more than just the 30 Euros you pay to enter. Even the best makes mistakes – just take a look on YouTube, and if you’re planning to drive on the Green Hell, it’s probably a good idea to factor in this part of the equation too.
If you’re wondering how much it’ll cost you to crash your car on the Nurburgring,
Car Throttle
 has helpfully created a little
animation video
 to give you an idea of what you’re expected to pay when you’ve had a little too much fun.

Firstly, there’ll be the cost of fixing the crash barriers along the track, which costs 60.69 Euros per metre to replace (if they’re just mildly scratched, they can be fixed at 17.59 Euros). If any of the barrier supports are damaged, that’ll be 79 Euros each. Oh, and you’ll have to pay 150 Euros just to get the repairmen out to fix the barriers.
Depending on the severity of your crash, a safety car might be required while they clear up the debris around the crash zone, and get you out to safety. That’ll be 82 Euros per 30 minutes of their precious time. And don’t forget the standard 19% Value-Added Tax in Germany to your total bill.
Yes, you can even drive a
Tuk Tuk on the Nurburgring
 – as long as it’s road legal.
Perhaps fortunately at this point, the rumour that there’s an automatic fee applied to every cash for shutting down the track is false. It all depends on the situation, and usually takes more than just one isolated crash to shut down the entire track.
By Car Throttle’s estimates, you’ll be paying approximately
3,000 Euros (RM14,171)
for a medium to severe crash on the ‘Ring. And that’s before transporting your car to get it fixed – if it’s even worth it at this point.
As much as we hate to say it, we all think that we’re better drivers than we really are. Perhaps it’s best if we keep our Nurburgring dreams to just watching
on-board videos
 done by professional racing drivers.


These hand-finished retro-inspired “art toy cars” can cost up to RM35,000!

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for your petrolhead spouse, these art toy cars as they’re called could be it. You can thank us later.
They’re called
Playforever
 and according to their statement in the “ABOUT” section of their website, they call themselves the “Creators and connoisseurs of art toys that are built to last a lifetime” and we don’t doubt it at all.
Their range of “toys” is expansive and expensive, to say the least. They range from classic Porsche-inspired designs, Formula 1 cars inspired from the 20s, 70s, and 80s, muscle cars and planes even!
Here’s where it gets interesting – how much they cost. These art toy cars are not your average
Tomica
 or Hotwheels diecast toys. In terms of the details, they may not be as accurate and intricate but instead, they’ve gone for a cleaner, more minimalist design without compromising the identity of the toy.
According to their site, it’s safe for 1-year olds and above, but would you let your kids mess with toys that costs this much? These are for those who haven’t outgrown the idea of having toys but more importantly, for those with overgrown wallets.
These toy cars start from around £20 pounds (approx. RM108) to about £50 pounds (approx. RM272) depending on which design you go for but what caught our attention were the ones from their “
CNC Program
“.
The limited-edition Modena Grand Prix.
Priced at £6,500.
Take the limited-edition Modena Grand Prix for example. It’s the most expensive in Playforever’s range, at
£6,500 pounds (approx RM35,000)
. They’re CNC-machined from a solid block of ABS material before being sanded and polished by hand. They’re then finished with the highest grade of automotive paint with glossy UV coating.
The trims on the other hand have been cut from a solid block of metal also using a CNC machine. They’re then sanded to remove any residual marks and “polished to diamond standard” according to their site. These trims are also left untreated and will evolve over time. The wheels are made of solid rubber using a slow casting process.
Alternatively, there’s the “more affordable” Grand Walnut Roadster for £2,000 pounds.
And the result – whether you’re 1 of 50-years old – are objects of abject desire. They even have a variety of toy cars which are CNC-machined out of a solid block of walnut wood, which will set you back £695 pounds (approximately RM3,700).
These aren’t for kids. These are the kinda stuff you’d want to have in your bachelor pad/home, paraded to guests, used as conversation pieces, but more essentially, to appease that overgrown child in you for anything fancy on four wheels.
GALLERY


BMW M4 GTS Concept revealed at Pebble Beach, features water injection tech!

Many moons have come and gone since the motoring legend hailing from Munich took the wraps off the
new BMW M4
. And such is the rich heritage of building track-prepped versions of its outgoing Motorsport-inspired 3-Series. Since BMW has segregated the range, the BMW M3 coupe will from now on be known as the M4, though the one you see here is the most extreme iteration of it yet – the M4 GTS Concept.
BMW has a interesting habit of building its conceptual track monsters. This time around, the boffins from Bimmer’s
“Go Faster”
 division have come up with the GTS which is based on the outgoing F82 BMW M4. Aside from the bonkers paint schemes, lurking under the engine is something altogether astonishing.

It is widely accepted and agreed upon that
water
 has no place in the combustion chamber, but Bimmer disagrees – naturally. They’ve come up with an innovation that seems to
defy
 conventional understanding. But hey, isn’t that the point of science and innovation?
This concept was
first introduced
 on a test subject in the form of the
2015 BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car
. The M Division kitted the
M4’s 431 hp inline-six
 lump with a
water injection system
. Water injection makes it possible to
raise
 the
upper performance limits
, which have otherwise been
thermally restricted
. Putting power figures aside, it optimises efficiency with benefits in
full-load consumption
 and
exhaust emissions
. Hurrah!
Before you call out Witchcraft, water injection works on the principal of
extracting heat
 by spraying a
very fine mist
 into the
intake manifolds plenum
. When the water vaporises, the
intake air cools
 significantly. As a result, the final
compression temperature
 in the combustion chamber
reduces
, enabling the turbocharged engine to use
higher boost numbers
 and an
earlier injection timing
.
The beauty of this technology ensures an increase in power and torque, whilst
reducing the thermal stress
 on performance components. This water injection system also enhances the
 stability and durability
 of the engine, therefore allowing the M4 GTS Concept to bring technology directly from the race track to the road. Brilliant.
That’s enough talk on water injection and time to take a step back and appreciate the curves and lines of this fine specimen. The concept car is finished in
 Frozen Dark Grey Metallic
 with accents of
Acid Orange
 splashed over the
 wheels
 and front
splitter
. Speaking of wheels, the Concept GTS sits on
265/35 R19
 at the front and
285/30 R20 Michelin Sport Cup 2
 at the rear.
As the name and heritage suggest, the GTS moniker is synonymous with power but also an
adherance
 to being
lightweight
. Generous lashings of
carbon composites
 are used extensively to
 lower
 the
curb weight
 and
centre of gravity
, making it a proper track muncher. Aside from that, the car remains unchanged, aesthetically speaking apart from the
OLED tail lamps
.
The Concept M4 GTS was unveiled at the revered
 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
 in California last weekend where it stunned all who gazed at its presence. The M4 GTS Concept will make it to production soon, so more on that to come.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Porsche 911 Turbo S now goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds!

Once again, the men of Stuttgart have not only set a new benchmark, but built a new yardstick with their latest creation.
As
we’ve experienced in New Zealand
, the new
992
–
generation Porsche 911
 which was
 globally unveiled in November 2018
 is nothing short of an engineering marvel – upholding the 911’s repertoire as one of the most usable everyday sports.
Now, there’s even more power to go with the practicality with the new
Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe and Cabriolet
 and the figures are insane.

650 hp and 800 Nm from a new 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six, and with a “Turbo-specific” 8-speed PDK gearbox, Porsche says it’s good for a 0 to 100 km/h time of just
2.7 seconds
. You can’t even spell Porsche as quick!
It’s also a full second quicker from 0 to 200 km/h than its predecessor at 8.9 seconds. Not only has it got an extra 70 hp and 50 Nm from before, top speed has also seen a spike to 330 km/h. These figures have been contributed by a new air intake system and larger turbos, to name a few.
The 992-generation broke conventions when it offered wide body styles even for the 911 Carrera S when it was reserved traditionally for the Carrera 4S and Turbo models. With the new Turbo S, the body is even wider both in the front and back – by up to 45mm.
Air flaps at the front bumper aids cooling and aerodynamics while a larger, retractable rear wing adds even more downforce.
For the first time ever, the Turbo S features mixed sized wheels – 20-inch in the front and 21-inch at the rear.
Like on the previous 911 Turbo S, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, rear-axle steering and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, now with
10-piston front calipers
, are standard. The front brake rotors have increased in size from 410 mm on the previous model to 420 mm.
Inside, a newly designed two-tone interior will be available by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur as an option. The 18-way adjustable sports seats feature stitching that pays homage to the first 911 Turbo (Type 930).
The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe will be priced at $203,500 (approx. RM851k before taxes), while the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet will retail for $216,300 (approx. RM904k before taxes).
IMAGE GALLERY


Next-gen Subaru Impreza teased, debuting in two weeks

Subaru is set to unveil the all-new Impreza at the upcoming New York Motor Show. It will be available in two body styles – saloon and hatchback. What we have here is a teaser image of the new car, revealing just the front-left side of the Impreza.
The picture suggests that the Impreza’s headlights could follow the same design found on the
facelifted XV
. Nothing much has been revealed at this point of time, apart from the
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
 system and their new suite of award-winning safety tech. The new Impreza should follow the concept (pictured below) which was previewed at the Los Angeles Motor Show last year.
The new Impreza is among the first models to be part of the
 Subaru Global Platform
, and next to receive the treatment is the next-generation XV. The new model is set to be more driver-focused thanks to its more rigid chassis, reduced body roll and a lower center of gravity. The inclusion of all-wheel drive should refresh the memories of go-fast Subarus on rally grounds.
In
Malaysia
, the Impreza is sold as the “
WRX
 “moniker by Motor Image, with two variants offered: the
WRX (RM237,190.80)
and
 WRX STI (RM278,720.50)
. Do read what we think of the WRX STI on our review
here
!


Four Volvos earn Top Safety Pick+ Awards by IIHS: S60, V60, S80 and XC60

Volvo Cars is long and famously known for their unrelenting pursuit in vehicle safety technology. This time around, it becomes the only European brand with
four models
 on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ list.
2015 Volvo V60

To qualify for the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Awards, vehicles must meet a benchmark criteria which requires no driver intervention in its ability to slow down or stop, all to prevent a crash from taking place.
One of Volvo’s best performing and most impressive crash avoidance technology is the
City Safety
 feature which is now standard in all new Volvos. The
City Safety
 feature is Volvo’s low-speed collision avoidance system, and helps Volvo drivers avoid low-speed or city collisions by applying automated brake force.
Vice President of the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) Matthew Moore, who is also the director of the study said, “Consistent with prior results, this study shows that forward collision systems are
working
.
“That is good news because an increasing number of vehicles have these features. These features are
preventing common
,
everyday crashes
 caused by inattentive drivers or drivers who don’t react quickly enough to emergency situations.”
2015 Volvo S60
The report by IIHS also stated that insurance claims of S60 owners amounted to 16 percent less compared to other
midsize luxury cars
. The XC70 and all-new XC90 however, have not been launched in time to participate in the study.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo S60

Volvo V60

Volvo S80

Volvo XC60


Watch the Evoque climb a massive speed bump, while others are left confused

Range Rovers, despite being a premium SUV, housing the finest of materials and latest of technologies, have always been known to be just as competent off-road as it is on the tarmac.
Land Rover decided to emphasise this even more with a publicity stunt taking place in what appears to be on the streets of London. The enormous speed bump bemused drivers and passerbys alike while a plucky Ford Fiesta even attempted to scale what is easily a four to five feet high speed bump.
Notice how even a BMW X3 owner claimed that he wasn’t convinced that his SUV was as good a 4×4. An Evoque then comes along and methodically ascends and descends from the speed bump, to the bewilderment of on-lookers.
On this side of the planet, it just seems like we’re seeing lesser of the Evoque on the road from say three years ago – having been Jaguar Land Rover’s best seller in 2015. Locally, the Evoque is offered with one engine option only, the
Si4 2.0-litre turbocharged model we reviewed
 producing
238 hp
 and
340 Nm
 of torque – delivered through a 9-speed transmission.


Next-gen MINI Cooper Electric specs revealed – up to 400km range, 214hp

BMW
 has unveiled some specifications of the next-generation
MINI Cooper Electric
. Having its spy shots surfaced on the internet in late 2022 and
earlier this year
, the new all-electric three-door hatchback features a new grille and a new rear-end design with simpler bodylines.
Geared towards electric driving fun, which is how the company is describing the new car, the next-generation MINI Cooper Electric will be coming in two variants. The variants are namely the MINI Cooper E and the MINI Cooper SE. Until now, BMW has yet to unveil a five-door variant.
Power-wise, the Cooper E is capable of producing
181 hp
. The Cooper SE on the other hand is capable of producing slightly more, which is around
214 hp
. Installed on the floor of the MINI Cooper Electric is a lithium-ion battery. This is done for optimum road holding and weight distribution, while also increasing the vehicle’s stability and agility, according to BMW.
The Cooper E has a battery capacity of
40.7 kWh
, while the Cooper SE has a battery capacity of
54.2 kWh
. Both are capable of carrying you as far as an estimated
400 km
 (WLTP). Although the battery has been upsized for the SE, so has the power output. This is much better than the current generation MINI Cooper Electric which only has around 232 km of WLTP range.
Together with the MINI Countryman, the next generation MINI Cooper Electric will be produced at the BMW Group Plant in Leipzig from November 2023. The company has also teased that the MINI Aceman will be joining and completing the new MINI family from 2024 onwards.
RELATED:
Spied: Next-gen MINI Cooper electric seen undisguised
Closer to home,
BMW Group Malaysia
 has given the MINI Electric an update for the year 2023 earlier this year. This update gave the car equipment such as a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and a new Nanuq White body colour.
The company also revealed the MINI Electric Resolute Edition at
Malaysia Auto Show 2023
 (held from
May 4
 to
7
,
2023
 at MAEPS Serdang). Limited to 90 units only, added goodies include new body colours, new colour trims for the headlamps, front grille and tail lights, as well as new seat pattern designs.
RELATED:
MINI Electric Resolute Edition now available with new exterior colours, from RM205k
GALLERY


BMW Full Circle Recharged programme lets you own a 330e from RM2,918 a month

BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia today introduced the BMW Full Circle Recharged and MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer; two new financing programmes for BMW’s iPerformance range and the new MINI Cooper S Countryman Sport. The new financing options are available from today until 31 August 2018.
Under the new BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign, you can drive home a
BMW 330e M Sport
 from RM2,918 monthly;
530e Sport
 from RM 3,908 monthly;
740Le xDrive
 from RM 6,668 monthly and the
X5 xDrive40e M Sport
 from RM 4,718 monthly.
Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Financial Services in Malaysia, Tobias Eismann said, “To support the high market demand of our hybrid vehicles, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia is pleased to announce the BMW Full Circle Recharged campaign – an exclusive ownership programme developed specifically for the BMW iPerformance model range.”
Every successful application under the BMW Full Circle Recharged programme will also receive a complimentary Fitbit Charge 2 and a limited edition HoriznStudios BMW Board Case.
The MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer programme, on the other hand, is available exclusively for the recently launched
Cooper S Countryman Sports
. Customers who opt for this financing option will be able to drive home the sporty SUV from RM2,698 per month. Successful applicants will also receive a MINI Urban Essential set consisting of a Nanopresso to craft daily coffee on the go and a Fitbit Charge 2.
Like all new BMW and MINI models, both BMW Full Circle Recharged and the MINI Full Circle Urban Explorer campaigns are entitled to the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership experience: BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service, BMW 2-Year/24 Month Tyre Warranty Programme for its Run Flat Tyres, BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App, MINI 4-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service as well as BMW and MINI Service Online.


Rolls-Royce has created a more villainous version of the Wraith and Dawn

The Bespoke Collective division of Rolls-Royce calls the darker iteration of the Black Badge Wraith and Dawn, the Adamas. Inspired by the name which translates to “untameable” or “invincible”, the limited collection celebrates the darker side of contemporary craftsmanship.
Only
 40 Black Badge Wraiths
 and
30 Black Badge Dawns
 will be made – standing out with Rolls-Royce’s signature “Spirit of Ecstacy” made, for the first time in history, from machined carbon fibre.
The iconic figure is engineered from
294 layers of aerospace grade carbon fibre
, which took 68 hours to produce using a complex weave technique.
Inside, the clock that rests on the dashboard is encrusted with
88 laboratory-grown black diamonds
. Its starlight headliner for the first time incorporates graded shading.
In the Wraith Adamas, 1,340 individual fibre optic lights are configured to form the molecular structure of
carbon transforming into diamond
, presenting a motif reminiscent of a powerful spine running through the cabin.
Getting on and off the Adamas’, occupants will be treated to a powerful reminder from the illuminated tread plate reading either ‘Black Badge Wraith Adamas – One of Forty’ or ‘Black Badge Dawn Adamas – One of Thirty’.
That’s a lot of words to squeeze into a tread plate, innit?


BMW Malaysia promotes the use of child seats with subsidies, only RM99 each

We at
AutoBuzz.my
are
strong advocates for the use of child seats and are in full support of the Government’s
move of enforcing mandatory use of child seats by 2020. However, we too understand
that not every family has the luxury to splurge on a child seat hence, we very
much welcome organisations making child seats more accessible to families.
BMW Malaysia in its
fifth edition of the BMW Safety 360° Programme, has partnered with Childline
Foundation – a non-profit organisation focused on the awareness and education of
child safety and protection – to introduce the “From Day One” campaign.
Childline Foundation’s passenger safety consultants giving a workshop to new parents
“From Day One” is aimed
at promoting the importance of child seats from the day newborns leave the
hospital. To kickstart the campaign, the first six babies born on Father’s Day
at Hospital Putrajaya received a Chicco KeyFit 30 infant child seat with the
support of Chicco Malaysia.
New parents were also
given a workshop on the best child safety practices from Childline Foundation
covering topics on the right criteria for choosing a child car seat, proper
methods for installation, as well as the lifecycle of a child car seat.

In the next phase of “From Day One” campaign, BMW Malaysia and Safe ‘n Sound, a distributor of child seats and baby gear will introduce a subsidy programme for 150 units of snskidz Ace infant carrier car seats at RM100 each (retail price: RM199). The rear-facing infant carrier car seat can be used from birth to 13 kg and carries the ECE R44-04 certification. The subsidised child seats are available at five government hospitals in Klang Valley which will be named soon.
Managing Director of
BMW Group Malaysia, Harald Hoelzl said: “We will continue promoting the need
for child car seats by offering subsidies alongside Safe ‘n Sound to help make
child car seats more accessible. However, it is not enough that parents use
child car seats. It is equally important that they understand the proper ways
of choosing and installing the child car seats to ensure the utmost safety of
their children.”
Head of Corporate
Communications of BMW Group Malaysia, Sashi Ambi added: “As we continue to advocate
child safety values with the BMW Safety 360° Programme, we would like to urge
other partners to take part in this movement to make child car seats a norm –
whether by raising greater awareness on the topic through education, making
child car seats more accessible, or reaching out to Childline to be a part of
the programme. We hope to see an increase in its usage as enforcement comes
into effect. After all, the safety of our children on the road begins with the correct
use of child car seats.”


Ride a Tesla Model S with Grab (MyTeksi) from 14 to 16 Oct 2016!

If you’ve always wanted to experience a Tesla, now is your chance. Grab, the ride sharing app formerly known as MyTeksi, is collaborating with GreenTech to offer its customers the opportunity to ride in a
Tesla Model S
.
From today till 16 October 2016, 10am to 6pm, Grab users can book a ride in a Tesla Model S via a special Tesla Model S icon in the app. Due to the exclusivity of the campaign, passengers are only allowed a
maximum travel distance of 5km
 each ride. However, a total of
three passengers
 are allowed for each ride.
A
fixed fare
 of RM15 is quoted for the 5km ride and payments can only be made via debit or credit cards. The availability of the locations is as below:
Date
Location
14 October 2016 (Friday)
Jalan Raja Chulan / Jalan Ampang / Jalan Tun Abdul Razak
15 October 2016 (Saturday)
Mont Kiara / Sri Hartamas / Bangsar
16 October 2016 (Sunday)
Bandar Utama / TTDI  / Mutiara Damansara
If the thought of experiencing maximum torque acceleration from
standstill
– all from an electric motor – excites you, then download the Grab app from the
App Store
 or
Google Playstore
 and book a ride now! For further information on terms and conditions, do head on over to Grab’s
website
.


Aston Martin unveils its first in-house designed engine since 1968

Aston Martin has a history of sourcing its engine from various other carmakers, including Mercedes-AMG since its partnership with Daimler in 2013. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that as engine development is costly, and doing so might hamper the development budget for the rest of the car, especially for a relatively small outfit like Aston Martin.
In fact, Aston Martin’s last in-house developed engine dates all the way back to 1968. However, that is all about to change as the Gaydon-based sportscar maker has just unveiled it’s new
 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine
, codenamed TM01 – a nod to one of the marquee’s most important engineer of the 50s and 60s, Tadek Marek.
The TM01 engine will be used to power a
whole series of mid-engined Aston Martin sports cars
, including the forthcoming
Valhalla
, where it will make its official debut.
The 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 unit has been built with
electrification
 in mind from the onset. Although no power figures were announced, Aston Martin says that the new range of hybrid systems built with the TM01 will make it the
most powerful in the brand’s range
 when on sale.

Aston Martin says that the TM01 has adopted many key learnings from the
Valkyrie project
, the brand’s first mid-engined hypercar. These include the
‘hot V’ architecture
, where the turbocharger is placed in between the pistons, reducing the size and weight of the unit – TM01 weighs
less than 200 kg
.
The new engine will also feature a
dry sump system
, providing the engine the lowest-possible centre of gravity possible when placed directly behind the driver. The system also ensures that the engine stays well lubricated during hard cornering.
Aston Martin President and Group Ceo, Andy Palmer said, “Investing in your own powertrains is a tall order, but our team have risen to the challenge. Moving forward, this power unit will be integral to a lot of what we do and the first signs of what this engine will achieve are incredibly promising.”


The new Brembo Greentive brake discs have a mirror finish, but not just to look good

Brembo has unveiled Greentive, its latest brake discs that come with a mirror-like finish on its surface. Aside from exuding “elegance and personality” according to Brembo, the mirror-like finish actually has performance benefits.
The new Brembo Greentive (which is a portmanteau of ‘green’ and ‘distinctive’) discs feature a new layer of coating on its ring surface, using something called High-Velocity-Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) technology that actually reduces environmental impact.

The tungsten carbide coating gives the brake discs higher strength and a high melting point, which reduces wear on the discs, and results in a longer life cycle for the rotors. The smoother surface also reduces brake dusts, keeping your shiny wheels cleaner for longer.
The new coating is also significantly more resistant to corrosion, which is particularly useful for
electric cars
, as their physical braking equipment is used less thanks to regenerative braking on the electric motors. According to the Brembo’s own introduction video, the new Greentive brake discs is supposedly
designed to last 150,000 km
.
The snazzy shiny surface is accentuated by the Brembo logo, which doubles as a wear indicator to let you know when it’s time to replace the rotors – not like you’ll be doing that often anyway. The new Greentive disc brakes are available in all Brembo brake disc styles, including solid, Lightweight, Dual Cast and two-piece floating discs.
Aside from the Greentive brake discs, Brembo also announced the new Enesys (Energy Saving System) brake spring technology, designed to diminish the brake residual torque.
By ensuring that the brake pads return to their initial position as soon as the brake pedal is released, the Enesys brake springs limits brake pad and disc wear, reduce emissions, while also guaranteeing an overall increase in performance of a vehicle by reducing the contact between the brake pads and discs when the brakes are not in use.


Geely plans for aggressive expansion of Lotus with RM7 billion investment

A few months ago, Geely had expressed ambitions for Lotus to someday be on the
same playing field as the likes of Ferrari and Porsche
. That ambition could soon be realised sooner than later.
Despite announcing that future Lotus’ could
utilise shared powertrains from other Geely-owned brands
 like Volvo and Polestar, Geely is not about to skimp on the cash flow as it now plans to invest more than RM 7 billion to honour its ambitions.
The Evora 410 Sport featured in the
AutoBuzz.my Best Cars of 2017 video
.
The funds will be used to acquire a larger stake in Lotus, expand its production operations and increase headcount for engineers by the hundreds – possibly the most aggressive move by Geely shortly after
replacing speed freak and former CEO, Jean-Marc Gales
 with
one of their own
.
This commitment also signals that Lotus is well on its way with the introduction of an all-new SUV,
reportedly due beyond the year 2020
.


Nissan relives the old school cool with the Z Proto

We love old cars – just took a look at the
AutoBuzz.my
 office parking space and you’ll see. But to many people, owning an ancient relic isn’t always the most practical or the most financially logical thing to do. With the next Nissan Z car though – in prototype form at least, hence the name Z Proto – you get to have the best of the old school cool without the headaches that comes with it.
After a long slow-drip process that started
back in May this year
, Nissan has now finally unveiled the
Z Proto
 in full. As expected, the exterior of the Z Proto is deliciously retro-inspired, all the way down to the paintjob – sporting a bright yellow pearlescent paint, as a tribute to a popular paint scheme on both the first-generation 240Z and 300ZX.
But it’s not just looking back at the past, no. Nissan design chief Alfonso Albaisa said that the Z Proto was the result of “countless studies and sketches” as they researched each generation of the Z cars and what made them a success, and ultimately decided that “the Z Proto should travel between the decades, including the future,” making it a sort of retro-futuristic mix that we think works quite well here.
The “heritage-inspired” design cues start with the overall silhouette of the Z Proto, including the shape of the hood, roofline, fender height, and even how the rear quarter glass transitions into the tailgate. Up front, the teardrop-shaped LED headlights are also unmistakably Z, and the two half-circles and glass dome design also hark back to the Japan market-only 240ZG of the 70s.
Further down, there’s an upright grille that Nissan says is similar in dimensions to the recent 370Z and 350Z models, but the grille fins are inspired by older models in the Z’s history.
Over at the rear of the Z Proto, the taillights are also clearly inspired by the 300ZX, but “reinterpreted for the modern world” according to Nissan. The rounded-rectangle light signature mimics the grille fins in front, and is set within a black rectangular section that runs across the entire width of the car – again, inspired by the 300ZX.
Finishing the look on the outside are the lightweight carbon fibre side skirts, front lower lip, and the discreet valance spoiler. The Z Proto rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, and large twin tailpipe exits are moulded into the single-piece rear bumper.
The retro touch continues inside, as seen with the trio of analogue gauges on top of the dashboard, along with the deep-dish steering wheel which Nissan says allows the driver quick access controls without losing its vintage aesthetic.
But the Yokohama-based carmaker says that the Z Proto isn’t all about the looks. The company sought advice from professional motorsports legends to give the Z Proto an “ideal sports car cabin, both for road and track”, and that’s why it’s also equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, displaying all vital information arranged in an easy-to-view manner, such as the redline shift point at the 12 o-clock position.
Yellow accents that mirror the exterior paintjob are found throughout the cabin, and the seats also feature a special accent piping and layered seat material to create depth. Despite the “Proto” in the name, the cabin actually looks close to production-ready status, and even has USB type-C charging ports and cup holders already moulded into the centre console. We wouldn’t be surprised if the entire cabin is ported straight into the production Z car.
Now, we still don’t know the exact engine that will be powering the Z Proto and by extension the next Z car, but Nissan says that under the hood is an “enhanced V6 twin-turbocharged engine”, and will be paired to a good ol’ six-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic gearbox.
We are used to seeing increased engine capacity in every generation of the Z cars, as denoted by the numbers in their names – 3.5-litre V6 on the 350Z, and a 3.7-litre V6 on the 370Z. However, recent rumours suggests that the next Z car, purportedly called the 400Z, will not be seeing a four-litre engine. Instead, it’ll inherit the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine as seen on several Infiniti models, with power output around the tune of 400 hp and 500 Nm, where the model will get its name from.
Despite the obligatory power bump, Z Proto’s chief product specialist Hiroshi Tamura says the Z is more than just output figures, but “about balance of power and agility”. Final development is underway to “synchronize the power with the grace and control that has defined the Z for the past 50 years”. Production is tipped to begin sometime in 2022, with deliveries starting in 2023.
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New Toyota Camry facelift updated with mild styling tweaks and improved safety suite

Three years after the
international debut
 of the
XV70 Camry
, Toyota has now unveiled the first facelift for the eight-generation D-segment sedan with a minor revision to the exterior and interior, and an upgraded safety suite.
The standard LE variants in the United States, which will most likely make its way to our region, gains a slightly redesigned front fascia, which includes a reshaped lower grille with a more defined air intake area, along with a slightly tweaked upper grille that’s now wider around the Toyota badge.
Meanwhile, the XSE “Sport” variants, which are not available in the ASEAN region, gets a new front-end with a much more aggressive design, featuring larger “air inlets” at the side, along with a more prominent front splitter.
New 17- and 18-inch wheels round up the updated exterior; the rear-end of the Toyota Camry remains untouched in the facelift exercise.
Inside, the facelifted Camry gets a slightly reworked dashboard layout. The infotainment display swapped places with the air conditioning vents, now placed at the top of the centre stack with a new floating design.
The system itself has also been updated to support Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, along with internet connectivity for other connected services and over-the-air updates. Depending on variant selected, the infotainment display is either seven- or nine-inches in size.
Interior trims also gain new materials across the board, finished in either linear dark, wood inlay, or patterned metal depending on the selected variant.
The updated Toyota Camry will be the first model in the line-up to feature the new Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5+ advanced driver assistance suite, which now adds bicycle detection (daytime only) and intersection support to the Pre-Collision System.
The existing pedestrian detection feature now also works in low-light conditions. There is also a new emergency steering assist function to help stabilise the driver’s emergency inputs when swerving to avoid a collision.
The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system has also been updated, which now features an overtaking function to automatically speed up the vehicle when the turn indicators are switched on in preparation of the lane change-overtake manoeuvre.
Other features in the TSS 2.5+ suite include Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beam, Road Sign Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Blind Spot Monitor.
In the US, the powertrain options in the updated Camry remains unchanged from before: A 2.5-litre Dynamic Force naturally aspirated four-cylinder mill with 203 hp and 250 Nm, a 3.5-litre V6 with 301 hp and 362 Nm, as well as a hybrid powertrain utilising the same 2.5-litre engine paired to a 118 hp electric motor for a combined system output of 208 hp.
All petrol-only variants are fitted with an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox, while the hybrid variants get an e-CVT gearbox. The 2.5-litre model will also be available in all-wheel drive configuration.
IMAGE GALLERY


2015 Infiniti QX30 Crossover debuts in Los Angeles Motor Show

Every auto manufacturer is joining the lucrative crossover wagon, so as Infiniti with the upcoming
QX30
. Infiniti markets the QX30 in the
premium compact segment
, and it’s not short of competitors as the QX30 will face rivals such as Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 and Audi Q3. The 2015 Infiniti QX30 also made its debut in both Los Angeles and Guangzhou motor shows simultaneously.
Based on the
Q30 hatchback,
 the QX30 is Infiniti’s interpretation of giving its hatchback model a higher road clearance and all-wheel drive. These two attributes will translate into a crossover, hoping to attract a good number of young and new-to-Infiniti buyers.

At the launch, Infiniti’s President Roland Krueger commented, “The QX30 active crossover is joining our new premium compact family at the right time and will broaden our offer to new customers around the world. With our recent sales successes and record growth, the current product offensive will further strengthen Infiniti’s global market position.”
No confirmed details on the technical specs yet, but it’s expected to be powered by the similar
 2.0-litre 208bhp turbocharged engine
 with
 seven-speed dual clutch transmission
 that propels the Q30. Its all-wheel drivetrain is capable to distribute close to 50 percent of the engine’s power and torque to the rear axle to maintain traction in various conditions. Other goodies for the QX30 include
 Intelligent Cruise Control, InTouch infotainment system
 &
Infiniti Voice Recognition
.

The QX30 is slated to arrive in showrooms in selected markets by mid-2016. It’s unclear as yet whether the model will arrive on our shores, but with the market leaning towards premium vehicles as such, things certainly do look hopeful.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ministry of Transport to review road tax structure, but won’t lower fees – Anthony Loke

Road tax getting a little too expensive to swallow? Sorry, it’s not going to be getting cheaper anytime soon. According to Anthony Loke, road tax fees are one of the government’s biggest source of income, generating roughly RM3 billion per year, so any decision to lower it will only bring “negative impact” to the country.
With that being said, the government
is
 considering to review the structure of the road tax fees,
New Strait Times
reports.
“There is a need to conduct a comprehensive review on the road tax structure, but it must be understood that road tax is one of the biggest revenues for the government,” Anthony Loke said during his ministry’s winding-up speech on the royal address at the Parliament yesterday.
“Currently, it generates almost RM3 billion. So far, there is no decision to lower it [road tax]. Any decision that could decrease the country’s revenue, such as lowering the road tax fees, would only create a negative impact,” he added.
RELATED:
 Still confused about the road tax situation? Anthony Loke answers your questions
Road tax sticker for the
BYD Atto 3
.
Additionally, the ministry is also looking to conduct a comprehensive study on the road tax structure for
electric vehicles
 (EV). “There should be a comprehensive study on the structure of fees, so it is aligned with our policies,” Loke said.
“In our efforts to encourage the use of EVs, there should be incentives from various aspects such as competitive road tax fees, and facilities such as charging stations,” he added.
Currently, fully-electric vehicles in Malaysia are completely exempt from road tax until the 31 December 2025. After which, the road tax for EVs will be calculated by the motor’s output, besides the usual body style classifications – where SUVs (or Jeep according to official language) are a little cheaper.


VW Golf GTI Mk8 promises even better handling with new Vehicle Dynamics Manager

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is always associated with
great handling and terrific performance
 for its price point. Apart from making advancements in material science, thermodynamics as well as better suspension geometry, high-performance computer processors have also aided to bring the new Golf GTIs driving dynamics to a whole new level.
Volkswagen says the eight-generation Golf GTI is
the most digital variant of all time
, with the entire electronic architecture created from scratch. While it is easy to see the results in the high-quality Digital Cockpit Pro and Discover Media infotainment display, the technological improvements also extend to the chassis.
Central to the fully computer-controlled chassis is the
new

Vehicle Dynamics Manager
, a driving dynamics control system. It integrates the electronic stability control (ESC) with the electronic differential locks (XDS and VAQ) and the continuously adaptive suspension control (DCC).
Thanks to the advanced processors of the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, the activation of a new
electronically-controlled front locking differential (VAQ)
 ensures a more precise torque split between the left and right wheels.
Together, the Vehicle Dynamics Manager and VAQ results in reduced understeer and better acceleration without any loss of traction.
VAQ module acts like an electronically controlled torque split device between the left and right wheels.
First appeared in the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance as well as GTI TCR models, the new-generation VAQ is now fully integrated into the ESC and DCC control system through the Vehicle Dynamics Manager.
The electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch has a variable degree of intervention depending on the drive modes selected, allowing for more precise torque distribution between the left and right wheels depending on steering angle and suspension compression.
The required damping is calculated for each wheel and adjusted at the four dampers within fractions of a second.
Apart from a new configuration of the suspension arms and the use of lighter aluminium, the shock absorbers now features the updated continuously adaptive suspension control (DCC). Taking into account steering, braking and acceleration data, the required damping force is
calculated 200 times a second
 for each wheel and adjusted at the four dampers almost instantaneously.
A personal mode is also available, allowing the driver to set his or her specific damping level to be softer than the Comfort mode, or harder than the Sport mode.
The Golf GTI Clubsport is ready for the Nurburgring at a touch of a button. Read about it here!
All that highly intelligent electronic processing and well-aligned suspension members then transfers
245 hp
 and
370 Nm
 to the road via large Bridgestone Potenza S005 tyres in 235/45R19 91Y size.
So, has the immense integration of the electronic systems dull the subjective driving feel of the new Golf GTI? Reviewers from the UK say the new car is “tauter, pointier, more direct and move lively to drive” and “entertaining but doesn’t have the final element of precision.”
With our immediate neighbour, Singapore, just recently launched the
new Golf and Golf GTI
, perhaps the wait for us here in Malaysia shouldn’t be too long, perhaps within Q4 2021.
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Mazda is ‘easy to do business with’, skyrockets in franchise rankings

Mazda once again defied conventions by being among the top manufacturers to work with in the UK. According to the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), the small-volume Japanese carmaker offers great value and is easy to do business with.
Also, the NFDA rated Mazda’s franchise value at 8.0, up from 7.6 in the previous year, far exceeding the industry average of 6.5 (out of 10). Now with a slew of new, high tech and suave styling cars, overall satisfaction among Mazda dealerships shot ahead of the kerb, faring much better than most manufacturers.
In the UK, the Mazda brand is represented by 130 strong dealership whom collectively sold 46,000 new cars, outpacing industry growth and achieving a market share of 1.73 percent.
It seems that with Mazda, the good news just keep on coming.


Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC unleashed – now shares the same engine as the AMG A45

You’ve seen what the all-new C-Class looks like but now, there’s a new AMG C43 4MATIC revealed by Mercedes-AMG. The biggest change, aside from how it looks, lies in the engine.
Unlike the 3-litre V6 engine used in the model before, the new C43 4MATIC is now powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine similar to the one powering the
 A 45 S
. The engine produces 408 hp and 500 Nm, slightly less than the 421 hp and 500 Nm in the A 45 S.
The 2.0-litre engine in the C 43 is also the first car in the world to adopt an electric exhaust gas turbocharger. A tiny electric motor is used to spin the turbocharger, offering better acceleration across the revs.
The new engine is paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox, to drive all four wheels. 0 to 100 km/h is done in 4.6 seconds, with top speed limited to 250 km/h. With the AMG Driver’s package, the top speed can be increased to 265 km/h.
The C 43 is equipped with adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steer, 4-pot brakes in the front, along with double wishbone suspension at the front and rear. Various drive modes such as Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Individual are available through the AMG Dynamic Select system.
C 43
C 200
C 300
Unlike the front grille of the C 200 and C 300, the C 43 sports the signature Panamericana front grille, a body kit similar to the C300, along with twin tailpipes unlike the dual single-exit ones in the C 200 and C 300. The standard wheels measure 18-inches in size.
The cabin looks very much like the standard C-Class; with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch central infotainment display. The AMG Performance steering wheel is very much like the one found in the standard C 300, although the one in the C 43 is wrapped with mixed material. At the centre of it all are the massive AMG seats, which we hope wouldn’t be as stiff as the ones in the current A 45, and A 35 AMG.
Let’s see when it gets here!
GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Limousine | Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert: 9,1-8,7 l/100 km | CO₂-Emissionen kombiniert: 206-196 g/km*. Exterieur: Opalithweiß; Interieur: schwarz mit roten Nähten.;Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert: 9,1-8,7 l/100 km | CO₂-Emissionen kombiniert: 206-196 g/km* Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Sedan | fuel consumption combined: 9,1-8,7 l/100 km | CO₂-emissions combined: 206-196 g/km*. Exterior: opalite white; interior: black with red stitching;Fuel consumption combined: 9,1-8,7 l/100 km | CO₂-emissions combined: 206-196 g/km*


Proton X70 selected as part of APEC 2020 official vehicle fleet

Proton X70
 has been selected as one of the official cars for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 meetings, MyAPEC2020. The best-selling C-segment SUV will be used to ferry delegates during the year-long forum.
MYAPEC2020 will see officials from 21 APEC economies visit Malaysia as committees and working groups to deliberate various issues towards regional economic integration.
Discussions will focus on liberalisation of trade and investment, as well as topics such as digitalisation, human resource development efforts, and women empowerment.
Proton CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong, said “Proton is proud to support Malaysia in hosting the APEC 2020. With its intelligent features, comfortable ride, refined interior and five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating, we believe the Proton X70 is perfect for showcasing how cooperation between nations via forums such as APEC can help uplift each other, and thus raise the capabilities of entire industries and supporting ecosystems.
“During the year-long programme, PROTON will also maintain the fleet through its industry-leading network of 120 3S/4S outlets that will be in operation by the end of 2019,” added Dr. Li.
The X70 is national carmaker Proton’s first SUV. Based on the Boyue from stakeholder Geely, Proton has implemented several bespoke touches such as the Ethereal Bow grille and Infinite Weave pattern to localise the car for our market.
Under the hood is a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing
184 hp
 and
285 Nm
 of torque. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission for a century sprint time of
10.5 seconds
 (on the 2WD models).
IMAGE GALLERY


This Porsche 919 Hybrid was faster than Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One car

In giving the Le-Mans winning Porsche 919 Hybrid the send off it deserves, Porsche recently unleashed it at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, to realise its true, unrestricted potentional, to devastating effect.
With the 4WD 919 Hybrid, Porsche won the Le Mans 24-Hours three times in a row, from 2015 to 2017, as well as the world champion titles (driver and manufacturer) in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) during the same years.
Technical restrictions from the FIA for the Class 1 LeMans prototypes meant competition was close between Porsche, Audi and Toyota but Porsche never knew what the 2017 championship-winning 919 Hybrid, when unchained, could really do until now.
The result was a new lap record of 1:41.770 minutes around the seven kilometre circuit,
0.7 seconds faster than Lewis Hamilton’s time
 in a Mercedes W07 Hybrid F1 car, set in August 2017 – a time that secured him pole position for that year’s Belgian Grand Prix.
The 919 Hybrid also achieved a staggering top speed of
359 km/h
 in the hands of Porsche works driver, Neel Jani.
“The 919 Evo is definitely the fastest car I ever drove. The speed on which everything happens on a single lap with the 919 Evo is that fast that the demand on reaction speed is very different to what I was used to in the WEC”, said Jani.
He added, “We are not only faster than the F1 pole from 2017. Today’s lap was twelve seconds faster compared to our WEC pole position from last year!”
Several aerodynamic modifications were made while the entire powertrain remained untouched. A larger front diffuser was used to balance the larger rear wing along with aerodynamic adjustments in the undercarriage with fixed height side skirts.
Other enhancements to the 919 Hybrid included a four-wheel brake-by-wire system, while its power steering was adapted for the higher loads. It also featured stronger suspension wishbones (front and rear).
Compared to a race-prepped car, the record-breaking 919 Hybrid saw a reduction of 39 kilograms in weight to
just

849 kilograms
 – about the weight of a Lotus Elise.
Everything from the air-conditioning to windscreen wipers, sensors, lighting system and even the pneumatic jack was removed to produce the record lap. Even Michelin, Porsche’s long-time tyre partner was in on the action – developing new tyre compounds for more grip without compromising safety – for a car with more downforce than a Formula 1 car.
Without restrictions to engine performance, the 919 Hybrid’s 2.0-litre turbocharged V4 engine made
720 hp
, up from 500 while its electric motor made
440 hp
, up from 400.
The record lap at Spa was part of the 919’s Tribute Tour. Next up, the legendary Nordschleife before the start of the 24-Hours Nürburgring race on May 12.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton achieves 36% sales growth, only top-5 brand with double digit gains

Continuing their upward trajectory in sales growth, Proton has registered a total of 9,127 units of vehicle in August. Over a period of contracting Total Industry Value (TIV), Proton has managed to achieve a 17.6% share in August and and 15.3% overall market share for year thus far, becoming the only top-5 brand to achieve a double digit sales growth of 36%, year on year.
According to Proton’s estimates, they are well on track to surpass their 2018 overall sales figure of 64,744 units before the end of September, with total sales figure already standing at 61,396 units at the end of August.
Bookings for the recently released 2019 Proton Saga has also exceeded 10,000 units, where over 1,000 units came from their online booking platform where customers can book a unit for just RM9.99. Due to its popularity, Proton has decided to extend online booking till the 17th of September.

Check out what’s new with the 2019 Proton Saga
here
!
Proton’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Li Chunrong said “Proton is thankful for the response our customers have given to our range of offerings. The Company has posted the best sales growth for any top-5 brand this year and although Malaysia’s TIV has shrunk by 5.8%, our 36% growth in sales shows we are on the right track. With initiatives like the opening of additional 3S/4S outlets and improvements to customer service and product quality set to continue this year, we are confident of being able to close-out 2019 strongly,”
Dr. Li Chunrong also added that bookings for the 2019 Proton Saga has exceeded that of the Proton X70, and customers are particularly attracted to the revised styling, upgraded components and the new touchscreen infotainment system offered by the updated 2019 Proton Saga.


All-new Hyundai Kona unveiled with Robocop looks, 4 powertrains, LED light bars

Hyundai

has just unveiled the exterior and a bit of the interior design of the upcoming all-new
Hyundai Kona
. With an exterior design that is more in sync with the likes of the
Staria
 and Stargazer, the all-new Hyundai Kona will be offered with 4 different powertrains from internal combustion engine (ICE), Hybrid Electric (EV), full electric (EV), and a sporty N Line powertrain.
You might remember the Hyundai Kona electric as the first ‘affordable’ electric vehicle in Malaysia. It has now been dethroned by the
Ora Good Cat
 and has also welcomed the
BYD Atto 3
 as its rival in Malaysia. In our country, the current-generation Kona is offered as an EV and an ICE vehicle.
The all-new Hyundai Kona is larger than its predecessor, being 150 mm longer and 25 mm wider. Its wheelbase is also longer by 60 mm. Although the all-new Kona is offered with EV and ICE powertrains, Hyundai says that the Kona was developed first as an EV and later adapted for ICE and HEV powertrains. This is the opposite of its predecessor which started out as an ICE vehicle.
Overall, the all-new Hyundai Kona gets a more futuristic look and a more angular styling compared to its predecessor. The front end and rear end both get the light bar design that has a familial look with the Staria and Stargazer.
RELATED:
3 things living with an EV in Malaysia has taught us
ICE/HEV all-new Hyundai Kona
In the ‘teaser’ images released by Hyundai, we can already see the facial distinctions between the variants. The Kona Electric, as it should be, doesn’t have a front grille and still has its charging port perched off-centre on the front end. Like the current generation, the claddings on the Kona Electric are painted with body colour.
The ICE & HEV Kona is shown with a pair of front vents which are highlighted by an aluminium-like trim. The claddings seem to have grown much larger than the current generation’s and it gives the all-new Kona a much tougher appearance.
RELATED:
Hyundai Kona N Line – Arguably the most complete and futuristic crossover in Malaysia
L-R: ICE/HEV Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Kona N Line
As for the Kona N Line, it is shown with a black aggressive grille with an “N Line” badge slapped on. The gaping holes of the N Line’s grille hint at an ICE or HEV powertrain. Like the Kona Electric, its claddings are also painted in body colour. From the pictures shown, it seems the Kona N Line is the only version to get a black roof (and pillars) and black side mirrors.
RELATED:
Hyundai Ioniq 5 shows it can power an entire hotel via V2L tech
Inside, one difference in the all-new Kona is the relocated gear shifter. Previously located on the centre console, the shifter is now a column shifter that is placed behind the steering wheel. This frees up space in the centre console. The infotainment unit and digital instrument cluster are now combined on a single ‘floating module’. Each screen is 12.3 inches in size.
In Malaysia, the current-generation Hyundai Kona starts at a price of RM124,188 for the 2.0-L base model. The base-model Kona Electric e-lite starts at a price of RM156,538. More details on the all-new Hyundai Kona will be released in the coming months.
RELATED:
Hyundai Ioniq 6 scores 5-star Euro NCAP rating – safer than EV6, Ioniq 5


Max Verstappen becomes youngest Formula One victor in history

At 16 years old, where the majority are eagerly obtaining their driver’s license, young racing sensation Max Verstappen has already signed a deal with Red Bull to drive for its sister’s team, Torro Rosso. Now at the tender age of 18 years, 7 months and 16 days old, this Dutch wunderkind has just won his first Formula One race in Spain, becoming the sports’ youngest race winner.
The young Verstappen is the son of former F1 driver, Jos Verstappen and as a teenager, he’s had an impressive record in junior motorsports. That didn’t take long for the Austrian energy drink company to secure his “special” skills. Just this week, the young Dutch, in his second season in F1, was promoted to drive for the main Red Bull Racing team. He replaces Danni Kvyat who was demoted to Verstappen’s former team in this week’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Photograph by Travis Chang
The moment the young Dutch crossed the finished line in the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, not only he is officially F1’s youngest winner ever but also the first ever Dutch to win an F1 race. This is also Red Bull Racing’s first F1 victory since 2014.  The win came as a shock following a disastrous outing for the dominating Mercedes team when both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg collided in the first lap. This achievement is no less incredible for Verstappen, who made his debut in a Red Bull F1 car at the Spanish GP.
Our heartfelt congratulations go out to this young lad who not only rewrote the record books in Formula One, but will certainly become a potential World Champion in the near future. Seriously, at that age, what were you doing back then?


Stanford students prove that autonomous electric cars don’t have to be boring

“If you’re going to build an autonomous electric drift car, why not do it in some style.” Those are the words of Jonathan Goh, MARTY’s project lead, nodding to the line from cult classic film
Back to the Future
.
Jonathan Goh, a recent engineering PhD graduate from Stanford, has led a team in Stanford’s Dynamic Design Lab to build MARTY (which stands for Multiple Actuator Research Test bed for Yaw control), a electric-converted autonomous
 DeLorean
 for one single purpose – to shred tyres.

Okay, so that’s not exactly true. Mechanical engineering professor and lab director Chris Gerdes said, “We’re trying to develop automated vehicles that can handle emergency maneuvers or slippery surfaces like ice or snow.
“We’d like to develop automated vehicles that can use all of the friction between the tire and the road to get the car out of harm’s way. We want the car to be able to avoid any accident that’s avoidable within the laws of physics,” Gerdes added.
Sounds like the perfect excuse to build a totally awesome autonomous drift-machine, Mr Gerdes. We kid. The ability to counter tricky situations such as an oversteer require a lot of experience and training, and as Goh rightly says it, “most drivers just aren’t very good at handling the car when it becomes this unstable.”
If we are to trust our cars to do the driving in the future, it’ll be important for our cars understand how to handle these low-grip situations too, on top of the general danger mitigation on the road that major tech companies are trialling on the roads nowadays.

Either way, MARTY is still an insane feat, and even seasoned drifters such as Fredric Aasbo, 2015 Formula Drift World Champion, were impressed by the work done by Goh and his team.
“It’s really impressive how snappy the car can make those transitions and also how precise it could be,” said Aasbo, “Because that’s the trick as a driver. That’s what we’re all trying to figure out.”


There’s nothing better than seeing all 7 generations of Porsche 911 Turbo drag race each other

Happy New Year, friends. It’s been a tough year with everything that’s going on, worsened by the ongoing
Covid-19
 health pandemic. But that doesn’t mean that we still can’t send the year off with a bang – and that’s exactly what Porsche did in their latest video, by racing all seven generations of the
911 Turbo
 against each other.

The drag race took place at the Porsche Experience Centre at the Hockenheimring in Germany. You don’t need to be a genius to guess which of these seven cars won the drag race, but looking for a winner in this epic line-up is completely missing the mark.
Instead, we should all just sit back, and enjoy looking at seven beautiful Porsche 911 Turbos going full blast in the hands of some of the most successful Porsche works drivers, including the likes of Mark Webber and Olaf Manthey.
And for the cherry on top, rally legend and Porsche test driver Walter Röhrl was also on-site to walk us through his thoughts on every single generation of the Porsche 911 Turbo. There’s quite literally no one better suited for the job than him, who has had hands-on experience with every single one of these cars, and even helped develop a few. Here’s what he has to say about them all:
The 930 generation
“The forefather of all Turbos was a technical revolution in car production. The first variant with 260 hp and a four-speed gearbox was still very sharp as regards its power development, but that made it a fantastic challenge for skilled drivers.
“The visual styling of the 930 was also a dream: the flared wings in combination with the Fuchs wheels, not to mention the large rear spoiler. I fulfilled a very personal dream in 1979 when, within four years of the market launch, I bought my own, first, 911 Turbo.”
The 964 generation
“The successor then still had a displacement of 3.3 litres, like the last variants of the 930 models. It was still extremely beautiful; the wide wings at the sides with the high headlights and the powerful rear wing. Like the 964, the new models also offered significantly improved driving safety with ABS and power steering.
“However, the engines of the first variants were slightly outdated. It was not a great step forward in terms of longitudinal dynamics compared with the predecessors, which is why the earlier models are among the less popular variants today. That changed fundamentally with the Turbo 3.6, however. With a completely newly designed engine and a power output of 360 hp, it remains one of my dream cars to this day.”
The 993 generation
“The next great step forward: all-wheel drive. I believe that I somehow played a not insignificant part in this after I said that ‘a car without all-wheel drive is a stopgap solution.’ Early on during development I said that it wasn’t possible to make a car with 408 hp without all-wheel drive.
“After many tests, we then decided on the new viscous clutch with variable power distribution to the front instead of the old principle with fixed distribution. Particularly in combination with the new Weissach rear axle and the harmonious power development of the biturbo engine, the 993 Turbo is simply fantastic to drive and can hardly be beaten when it comes to driving dynamics.”
The 996 generation
“The next development milestone came with the new generation: water cooling. The car was technically outstanding. Even the Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes (PCCB) from motorsports were now available as standard. The 996 was far and away the best Turbo there had ever been up to this point, but the visual appearance of the new car was not very popular; many people complained about the ‘fried-egg’ headlights. That is completely unjustified in my opinion.
“For me, the 996 Turbo is perhaps the insider tip, especially when seen from today’s perspective: it’s still a very fast sports car that is completely suitable for everyday driving at a reasonable price – though I would personally prefer a manual transmission. The Tiptronic automatic gearbox that was introduced for the first time in a Turbo with the 996 significantly blunted the power output of 420 hp.”
The 997 generation
“The 997 generation above all represented a step forward into modern times in terms of the visual styling. Even today the car has hardly aged – it continues to embody the aesthetics of a modern Porsche. On the technical side, the then magical limit of 500 hp was reached with the 997.2 Turbo, and the PDK dual-clutch transmission was introduced for the first time.
“As a result, the car was wonderful. Even today I still cannot find anything negative to say, and I always enjoy sitting behind the wheel of a 997 Turbo. There is a marvellously analogue feeling to the set-up of the steering, running gear and brakes.”
The 991 generation
“The even wider wings are almost reminiscent of the wings on the original Turbos. And there is also the refined power distribution of the all-wheel drive, the introduction of rear axle steering and, naturally, the even higher power output: the
991 Turbo
 models set such a high standard in terms of driving dynamics that it is hard to believe that it’s possible to improve anything here. The responsiveness, balance and unbridled power of the engines – it’s just incredible.”
The 992 generation
“I will be quite honest here: I simply could not imagine how it would be possible to further enhance the experience offered by the previous generation. But when I drive the
992 Turbo
 today in Hockenheim, it is quite incredible. It has improved once more in so many dimensions that it leaves me almost speechless.
“The 992 Turbo drives at the level of a super sports car, but you can put anyone behind the wheel without having to be afraid. There is no oversteer or understeer. It is just unbelievably fast. I take my hat off to the Development department, because this vehicle’s many different talents were simply inconceivable a few years ago.”
GALLERY


NISMO built an electric race car based on the Nissan Leaf

Nissan has unveiled the all-new Nissan Leaf NISMO RC at the 2018 NISMO Festival at Fuji International Speedway. If you are wondering why Nissan would showcase a
Leaf
at a high-octane event, that’s because the electric hatchback has been thoroughly redeveloped into a purpose-built race car.
Built and developed by Nissan’s racing arm, NISMO, the only ethos shared between a standard Leaf and this race car is its all-electric drivetrain and its moniker. The track-ready Leaf gains a full carbon fibre racing monocoque which allowed the engineers to shed some 200 kgs to a final figure of 1,220 kg.
This weight savings is significant because NISMO has fitted the race car with a dual motor set up – one on each axle. Power is now up to
240 kW (326 hp)
 and
640 Nm
, allowing the Leaf NISMO RC to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.4 seconds
. Its all-wheel-drive system gives the car remarkable agility around the corners thanks to independent torque vectoring to each axle.
The exterior styling is nothing like what you see on a regular leaf. The roofline has been significantly lowered, measuring only 1,212 mm from roof to road – more than 300 mm less than the road going model. NISMO has taken design inspiration from the Nissan Formula E race car with its silver and black paint scheme, fixed windows and an adjustable rear wing.

Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci, Nissan’s global head of marketing, sales and electric vehicles said: “The all-new LEAF NISMO RC shows how we’re setting our sights even higher when it comes to raw power and performance – making electric vehicles even more exciting for customers. It’s our most thrilling expression yet of the philosophy of Nissan Intelligent Mobility.”
IMAGE GALLERY
Nissan Leaf NISMO RC


Honda Malaysia recalls 1,527 units of City, City HB, HR-V, and BR-V for precautionary safety measure

Honda Malaysia
 has announced a product recall involving the
Honda City
,
City Hatchback
,
HR-V
, and
BR-V
, in a precautionary safety measure. The recall exercise will involve 1,527 vehicles in total, and is broken down as follows:
Situation
Model
Model Year
Units Affected
A
City
2021
1,068
City Hatchback
2022
B
HR-V
2020
343
BR-V
2021
116
The recalls are for the following situations:
A: Inspection of the nut torque on the Alternating Current Generator (ACG)
This recall is a precautionary safety measure to inspect the nut tightening on the ACG terminal of the engine harness. This may cause poor contact terminal and battery malfunction which may lead to engine halt while driving or unable to start the engine after the car stops.
The models affected are 1,068 units of (City 2021 Year Model) and City Hatchback (2022 Year Model).
B: Inspection of the bolt earth grounding tightness
This recall is a precautionary safety measure to inspect the tightening of bolt earth grounding that may lead to a loose wire harness. This may cause poor contact terminal and may result in engine halt while driving or unable to start the engine after the car stops.
The models affected are 343 units of HR-V (2020 Year Model) and 116 units of BR-V (2021 Year Model).
The company clarifies that all current production and selling models are not affected in this product recall, and no incidences of crashes or injuries caused by the issues above have been reported in Malaysia as of today.
All affected customers will be informed via notification letters, which will include further details on the product recall. Honda Malaysia urges all affected customers to contact any Honda authorised dealerships to make an appointment upon receipt of the notification letter to have their vehicles checked and repaired if required.
Customers can also contact Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at
1-800-88-2020
 for further information and check on their vehicle status for the recall. The inspection, repair, and replacement of any affected parts are free of charge, with all related costs to be borne by Honda Malaysia.


Iveco makes a comeback, partners Federal Auto for a long term business relationship

Iveco, short for
I
ndustrial
Ve
hicles
Co
rporation is an industrial vehicle manufacturing company based in Turin, Italy, and produces a range of
light
,
medium
 and
heavy
 commercial vehicles. This includes quarry or construction site trucks, buses and some special vehicles for firefighting use, off-road, military and civil defence. You may have seen some Ivecos running around town, and that’s because the
Ministry of Health
 has a total of
400 Iveco ambulances
that are still actively running about.
The company is helmed by
CNH Industrial Group
 and is no stranger to Thailand’s commercial vehicle industry. They are however, officially back in Malaysia and formed a partnership with
Federal Auto Holdings Berhad
 (F.A Trucks), their official and exclusive distributor.
Five key products
 have been introduced by the duo, and they are:
Daily
 light commercial vehicle and 2015 International Van of the Year,
Trakker
 off-road truck,
Eurocargo
 medium truck,
682
 lorry and last but not least, their 2013 Truck of the Year, the
Stralis
. The five commercial vehicles are offered in a combined total of 14 variants, with more models slated for market introduction later in the year. One key prospect would be
buses
.

Iveco’s
New Daily
 van is expected to be the brand’s best seller here, and is offered in three guises – panel van, window van and chassis cab. The
2015 International Van of the Year
 has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3.5 tonnes, whereas the Chassis cab model (shorter wheelbase) has a GVW of 5 tonnes. They are both powered by Iveco’s
3.0-litre

F1C turbodiesel
 engine that makes
146 hp
 at 3,500 rpm and
350 Nm
 of torque at 1,500 rpm. This
rear wheel drive
 van gets a
six-speed manual
 transmission and has a load volume of
10.8 cubic metres
. Pricing for the Daily starts
from RM106,700
.
Next, we’ve got the
682
 heavy-duty truck. Customers can choose to have either the on-road or off-road models, and both can be had in two trims, making for a total of four. The on-road version can be had in a
4×2
 (gross commercial weight of 43 tonnes) or the
6×4
(GCW 60 tonnes) axle configurations, whereas the off-road truck is available in a
6×4
 (GVW 33 tonnes) or the
8×4
 (GVW 41 tonnes).
Iveco 682 heavy-duty truck (on-road version), price starts from
RM244,000
Two engines are available here, either the
Cursor 9
 or
Cursor 13
. The former is the
8.7-litre inline-six
 with three power outputs –
290 hp/1,140 Nm
,
340 hp/1,300 Nm
 and
380 hp/1,500 Nm
, while the latter is a
12.8-litre inline-six
 oil burner with two power ratings –
430 hp/2,100 Nm
 and
480 hp/2,200 Nm
. Both engines are Euro3 compliant and transmission choice is a
nine-speed synchromesh
 for the Cursor 9 and a
12-speed synchromesh
 gearbox for the Cursor 13.
One step up in terms of price bracket is the
Eurocargo
 medium truck, which starts from
RM280,000
. The Eurocargo lineup is the
most extensive
 with regards to its offering, and with
eight variants
 to choose from, as Iveco puts it, there’s surely a Eurocargo cut out for every job out there. The variants are differentiated by its Gross Vehicle Weight, from
9 to 18 tonnes
.
Powering the Eurocargo is a sole Tector 6 engine. That’s the Euro3 compliant
5.9-litre inline-six diesel
but with four power outputs from
180 hp
 to
280 hp
. Torque figures range from
570 Nm
 to
930 Nm
. Transmission choices range from a
six-speed
 or
nine-speed

ZF manual
 gearbox, or a
five-speed Allison automatic
 torque converter (for the 18-tonne only).
One-up again in terms of price bracket is the
Stralis
, a heavy commercial vehicle that was crowned the 2013 Truck of the Year. The on-road truck carries a starting price of
RM342,000
, and has a GCW of
up to 44 tonnes
, depending on the variant of your choice.
Three variants
 are available here, differentiated also by its axle configuration;
4×2
,
6×2
 and
6×4
.
The Stralis is primarily designed for long distance heavy haulage, so for those in the industry, this may just be your pick of the lot. Available only with Iveco’s Euro3 compliant
Cursor 10
 engine, the oil burning motor displaces
10.3-litres
 with six-inline cylinders. It makes
430 hp
 and
1,900 Nm
 of torque, and transmission choice is the single
12-speed automatic
.
Lastly, we have the
Trakker
; Iveco’s high performance and robust truck that’s designed to operate in extreme off-road conditions such as
construction
 or
mining industries
. It has proven its reliability at
Dakar
 and has a starting price of
RM408,500
. As of now, only the
6×4 tractor
 model is being offered, and it has a GCW of up to 60 tonnes.
In charge of all the tugging is the Cursor 13 motor, a
12.8-litre inline-six diesel
engine that is good for
420 hp
 and
1,900 Nm
 of torque. It’s also a Euro3 engine, and transmission choices range from a
16-speed ZF Ecosplit manual
 transmission with
servo-shift system
 or the
Eurotronic automatic
 transmission.
During the launch, Iveco’s regional brand leader Mr Michele Lombardi said, “Malaysia is an important market with a dynamic automotive sector. We are entering this competitive market with a full line of
14 models
, and together with Federal Auto we are confident that discerning fleet and transport operators and business owners in Malaysia will appreciate the proven quality, durability, reliability and most importantly, the cost-efficiency of Iveco products.”
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua hails Govt’s Keluarga Malaysia RM1,000 voucher initiative

Perodua welcomed the government’s
Keluarga Malaysia discount voucher initiative
, and said in a statement that the company is accepting the RM1,000 flood-aid vouchers as a form of payment at all service centres nationwide.
“We thank the government for their swift and generous act in helping flood victims in their time of need and Perodua welcome this new initiative as it further strengthens our efforts to help fellow Malaysians,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“This voucher initiative, along with other financial assistance under the Malaysian Family Aid programme will go a long way in helping everyday Malaysians to quickly recover,” he added.
The company’s Perodua Flood Assist Programme, launched on 19 December 2021, has already helped a number of owners whose vehicles were damaged by the recent devastating floods.
“As of 10 January 2022, a total of 1,987 Perodua vehicles have been towed to Perodua 200 service centres located across Malaysia for evaluation and so far 323 unit have been repaired,” Dato’ Zainal said.
The company has also turned its Shah Alam service centre into a dedicated flood repair hub to repair and restore Perodua vehicles that have been damaged by the flood waters.
“Our immediate goal is to repair the flood damaged vehicles as quickly as possible as we understand that our customers truly need their Perodua vehicle for their day-to-day needs,” he added.
The Perodua Flood Assist Programme offers a 50% discount for standard parts, alongside free labour for all parts replacement and repair, as well as free 24-hour towing service via Perodua’s assist hotline,
1800-88-5555
.
Customers can use the RM1,000 Automotive Discount Voucher to claim against the repair of water-damaged private vehicle, or towards the replacement of a vehicle deemed to be a total loss. A direct deduction will be made from the total cost of repairs or from the cost of replacing new vehicles through invoices that will be issued by
service centres and authorised distributors
.


Can the new Kia K9 challenge the top dogs of luxury saloons?

After
numerous

teasers
 of the all-new Kia K9 (also known as K900 in other markets), Kia Motors has officially revealed their flagship sedan in its home country. Set to make its world debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, the new car will be manufactured in Korea and will go on sale in selected markets from Q2 of 2018.
A product of close collaboration between Kia’s global design headquarters in Namyang, Korea and U.S. design studio in Irvine, California, the team adopted a “Gravity of Prestige” design concept which resulted in the imposing and strong character of the K9. The new ‘Quadric Pattern’ front grille features
176 individual jewel-like cells
, a design cue that Kia says exudes energy being released from the centre. The new grille will trickle down to other future models, replacing the familiar ‘Tiger Nose’ grille.
The wheelbase of the new model has stretched by 60 mm to 3,105 mm while key measurements read 5,120 mm in length, 1,915 mm in width and 1,490 mm in height. To give it a strong footprint, designers have shaped the car with shorter front and rear overhangs, pushing the wheels further out from the centre of the car.
Key elements of the exterior include the new ‘Duplex’ LED headlamps featuring an inner lens (in addition to the main beams) to create a progressive lighting profile. Generous chrome touches have been applied throughout the car to add visual depth to the smooth lines of the K9; even the tail lights housing come with chrome touches. Speaking of the taillamps, doesn’t it remind you of a certain flying B?
A total of seven exterior shades are available for the K9: Aurora Black Pearl Pantara Metal, Deep Chroma Blue, Lake Stone, Marsala, Snow White Pearl and Silky Silver; combined with four interior themes – Black, Dark Brown, two-tone Beige and Sienna Brown Special.
Inside, the cabin is crafted with a “Confident Richness” design concept; an elegant interior that gently wraps the occupants with premium materials. Firstly, the cabin has gone through a major UI change. The existing 91 switches have been integrated and arranged into 73 individual switches, significantly de-cluttering the cabin.
The 12.3-inch HMI screen is integrated into the smooth dashboard, controlled by a rotary dial placed next to the gear selector. Inspired by the simplicity of fine watch designs, the K9’s dashboard houses a
Maurice Lacroix
 analogue clock designed specifically for the luxury sedan.
Co-developed with Pantone Colour Research Institute, the global authority on colour, the ambient lighting features seven colour themes – Blue Flight, Peaceful Forest, Dream Purple, Aurora Violet, Orange Delight, Golden Insight, and Refreshing Ocean – which lights up 16 areas of the cabin.
Other cabin details include premium real wood trims, leather seats with contrast stitching, a Lexicon premium sound system, chrome-plated bezels, automatic driver’s seat comfort control, a LCD instrument cluster and wireless charging port.
A total of three petrol engines are available for the K9 – a 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated V6 with
315 hp
/
397 Nm
, a 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 with
365 hp
/
510 Nm
 and a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 pumping out
419 hp
/
520 Nm
. An eight-speed automatic is standard across the board, sending power to all four wheels.
Kia has set ‘Reliable Comfort’ as one of their development goals, ensuring that the K9 not only delivers dynamic capabilities but also superb ride quality and quietness. As such the engineers have classified road conditions into
1,024 characteristics
 and tailored the ESP, powertrain and adaptive dampers settings accordingly to provide the highest levels of comfort in most (if not all) driving conditions.
Safety wise, the K9 is as good as it gets – nine airbags, navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Blind-spot View Monitor, Rear Cross-traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Safe Exit Assist (SEA).
Prices for the Kia K9 starts from ₩54.9 million (RM200k) to ₩93.8 million (RM343k). Local distributor, Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM) aspires to elevate the brand perception of the Korean make with the introduction of high-specification models as well as the yet-to-come
Stinger GT
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Planning to own an EV in Malaysia? Make sure to install these apps first

Owning an
electric vehicle (EV)
 here in Malaysia is not as simple as it may seem, at least for now. Not only does it require you to adjust to the “charging disciplines”, owning an EV here also pretty much requires you to install an array of apps on your mobile phone to ensure smooth and uninterrupted journeys.
These apps are needed to either locate or activate charging stations. Like the various e-wallet apps in existence, there are also various apps for EV charging. But unlike the e-wallets, these here are not always interoperable – which means you’ll need to have all of them on your phone to get access to the various charging networks available here in Malaysia.
PlugShare mobile app
1. PlugShare
PlugShare, as its name implies, is an app for you to share information on charging points. Should you wish, you could even share your home charger with the public. There are no payment gateways on PlugShare, but you do have the option to “check-in” and “check-out” to inform others that you are occupying a charging station.
PlugShare is good for “free” chargers with no payment apps (like the one in ABB Sunway). Free chargers are becoming less common, but PlugShare remains a necessary app to have, as all chargers are listed regardless of the service provider. Users can also add check-in reviews and photo updates on charging stations.
chargEV mobile app, RFID card, and non-tethered charging station
2. chargEV
chargEV is the product of Malaysia Green Tech Corporation (MGTC) which now has over 300 charging stations nationwide. Examples of its chargers are the non-tethered (no included cables) ones you see at Petronas stations. chargEV’s newer chargers are equipped with tethered cables.
By default, chargEV chargers are activated with an RFID card. Initially, the platform requires a paying subscription in order to access the chargers, but chargEV has now enabled a pay-per-use basis for non-subscribers. In Malaysia, most new EVs come with a free chargEV subscription that lasts for about a year.
RELATED:
3 things living with an EV in Malaysia has taught us
JomCharge mobile app
3. JomCharge
JomCharge is the charging network run by EV charging specialist, EVC Sdn Bhd. Some very useful DC fast chargers are accessible via the app. For example, the 50-kW DC Fast Charger (DCFC) at the Caltex in the Bukit Gantang lay-by is excellent for Northbound trips.
Back in May 2022,
JomCharge and Setel joined forces
 to allow Setel payments at a few JomCharge charging points. By default, JomCharge payments are made via credit card. Among chargers listed in JomCharge are those provided by Gentari, a Petronas entity.
Setel EV chargers are displayed in the app’s map
4. Setel
As mentioned earlier, Setel also provides a payment service for EV charging in Malaysia. At the moment of writing, you can use Setel to pay at 20 EV charging stations in Malaysia. Acting solely as a payment service provider, the chargers listed on the Setel App are not exclusive to Setel – Payment can also be made via credit card.
GO TO-U allows you to book chargers in advance
5. GO TO-U
GO TO-U is an app managed by TNBX, a subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Most chargers listed on the GO TO-U app are either provided by Sime Darby Motors or TNBX.
The interesting thing about the GO TO-U app is that you can book the charging station ahead of time. There are a good number of DC fast chargers listed on GO TO-U, with charging rates of up to 90 kW.
ParkEasy uses a credit system that can be topped up via credit card and online banking
6. ParkEasy
ParkEasy is a parking app that happens to have some parking bays with EV chargers. The charging is a little bit more expensive as Parkeasy essentially provides exclusive parking spots. Examples of its charging bays can be seen in Sunway Pyramid. They are the kind of parking spots with bollards that fold down once activation is done via mobile app.
Payment is made via topping up the credits in your ParkEasy account. This can be done via credit card or online banking. Another example of a ParkEasy charging bay is
the DCFC at Shell Tangkak
. Shell has its own EV charging network called Shell Recharge, but since Shell acquired 50% of Pixelbyte (the company behind ParkEasy), Shell DC Fast chargers in Malaysia are accessed via the ParkEasy app.
RELATED:
Shell and Porsche launches first 180 kW EV charger in Johor
ABRP shows your estimated SOC at significant charging points and includes charging time to estimate your ETA
7. A Better Route Planner (ABRP)
Like PlugShare, ABRP lists all charging stations regardless of the service provider. There is no payment gateway in the app, but as its name suggests, the app helps to plan your routes better.
Upon starting the app, it will require you to input the make and model of your EV. In case you have to make a journey, simply key in your start and end point and input the state of charge (SOC) of your car’s battery. ABRP will then generate your estimated time of arrival (ETA) and even include estimated charging times and estimated SOC at significant points of your journey.
It certainly is quite a number of apps to install on your mobile phone just to be able to drive your EV around Malaysia. If you’d like to give the EV experience a try, you could always try renting one before fully committing to a purchase.