All-new Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance ditches V8 for 2.0L hybrid- 680 hp, 1,020 Nm

In pursuit of cleaner emissions,
Mercedes-Benz

has finally unveiled the new four-cylinder
Mercedes-AMG C63
 S E Performance
. Yes, the
AMG C63 S

has bid farewell to the V8 engine and now gets assistance from a hybrid system. Interesting times indeed.
Let us first address the powertrain. With half the number of cylinders, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance now makes a total maximum power output of
680 hp
 and a maximum torque of
1,020 Nm
 (Its V8 predecessor made 510 hp/700 Nm). Transmitting power to the wheels is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT–9G transmission. The electric drive battery only has a capacity of
6.1 kWh
 with an almost useless all-electric driving range of
13 km
, but that’s not the point of the hybrid system. Its main purpose is to boost the C63 S’s performance.
In case you’re a V8 fan, be assured that
Mercedes-AMG will continue to make its iconic V8 engine beyond 2030
, should there be enough demand for it. You just have to buy one (in other AMG models) to make sure they keep making them.
The hybrid powertrain provides a fully variable all-wheel drive (AWD) system that launches the car from 0-100 km/h in
3.4 seconds
and even comes with “Drift” mode. The turbocharged engine (476 hp/545 Nm) powers the front wheels while the two-speed electric motor (204 hp/320 Nm) powers the rear wheels.
An interesting technology on the 2.0-litre engine is the electric exhaust gas turbocharger (the turbo’s electric assistance spools the turbocharger before the exhaust gas flow takes over). The electric motor is part of an electric drive unit (EDU) that also consists of a two-speed gearbox and a limited-slip differential (LSD).
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG to continue making V8 engines beyond 2030 if demand is strong
A total of eight AMG drive programs are provided on the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance:
“Electric”
“Comfort”
“Battery Hold”
“Sport”
“Sport+”
“Race”
“Slippery”
“Individual”
Standard on the C63 S E Performance is the AMG RIDE CONTROL steel-spring suspension with an Adaptive Damping System. With this, the damping at each individual wheel is continuously adjusted to the current demand – always considering the preselected suspension level, the driving style, and the road surface condition. “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+” modes each adjust the C63 S’s damping characteristic differently.
RELATED:
AMG turns 55 with Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55 – RM2.8M, 5 units only
The C63 S E performance is also available as a wagon
Also equipped on the C63 S E Performance is an all-wheel steering system with a maximum steering angle of 2.5°. At higher speeds, the maximum steering angle is set to 0.7°. We hope all this tech mentioned above has managed to compensate for the omission of the V8 engine.
Now, onto the looks. On the outside, the front end of the C63 S E Performance is 50 mm longer than the normal C Class to accommodate the larger hybrid powertrain. The front fenders have been changed, but the rear fenders have been left untouched. Overall, both the sedan and estate version of the C63 S E Performance are 83 mm longer than their ‘normal’ counterparts and have a 10mm longer wheelbase. The front track has been widened, resulting in a 76mm increase in overall front width.
RELATED:
Locally-assembled Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC sedan now with new features!
Notable features on the outside include a slim air outlet on the bonnet, an AMG badge on the hood replacing the Mercedes star (an AMG first), an AMG-specific grille, side skirts, and a large rear diffuser. Completing the look of the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance are 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. Exclusive for the C63 S is the graphite grey magno matt paint finish.
Optional items on the C63 E Performance include 20-inch wheels, the AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre packages (I and II), the AMG Night packages (I and II), and the AMG Aerodynamics Package.
RELATED:
Locally-assembled Mercedes-AMG GLA35 launched in Malaysia from RM345k
Inside, the AMG C63 S E Performance gets AMG Sports seats with special upholstery layout and a distinctive stitching pattern. There are also many individual choices available for the interior. The completely redesigned second-generation AMG Performance seat is available as an option. Standard interior equipment include the AMG Performance steering wheel and the MBUX multimedia system.
With F1 know-how, boosted performance, and a bucketload of technology, perhaps the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance could justify ditching the good old V8 engine.
GALLERY


Experience driving purity with the Caterham 7, now in Malaysia!

Karrus Automotive
 is giving driving enthusiasts a reason to celebrate by announcing the arrival of the Caterham 7 – now available in Malaysia – in the form of the
310S
, the
420R
,

and the
620S
.
The
310S
is powered by a 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine with
154 hp
 and
168 Nm
, paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Its performance figures may not seem like much, but with the car weighing just 540 kg, 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is rated at 204 km/h.
The 310
With the Sport pack, the 310S comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, upgraded brake master cylinder, and a MOMO steering wheel.
As for the
420R
, it gets a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine that’s good for
 212 hp
 and
203 Nm
. With the extra power, the 560 kg 420R will give the
Mercedes-AMG A45
 and
BMW M3
 a good run for their money; taking just 3.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Top speed is rated at 219 km/h.
The 420
Like the 310S, the 420R also gets a 5-speed manual with the addition of a limited-slip differential and lightweight flywheel. Notable features include a carbon fibre dashboard, composite race seats with a 4-point harness, “Race-pack” front ventilated discs with 4-pot calipers, a suede MOMO steering with quick release, and a track day roll bar.
Lastly, there’s the
 620S
, the most powerful of all the Caterham 7s. Its 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine, paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox has been supercharged to produce
314 hp
 and
297 Nm
.
Despite weighing the most at 610 kg, the 620S will keep up with the likes of
Ferrari’s 812 Superfast
 from a standstill as 0 to 100 km/h takes just 2.8 seconds, onward to a top speed of 249 km/h.
The 620
With all that performance, the 620S gets a race developed cooling system, limited-slip differential, front aerofoil wishbones, and rear anti-roll bars. Unlike the 310S and 420R, which comes with side-exit exhausts, the one on the 620S extends all the way to the rear.
Standard equipment includes a 4-point harness, 4-pot front calipers, a carbon fibre dashboard and carbon interior panels. Prices start from
RM462k
 for the 310S,
RM568k
 for the 420R and
RM688k
for the 620S.
Karrus Automotive
 is located at 43, Jalan Astaka U8/84A, Bukit Jelutong. Shah Alam. Operation hours are between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. For more info, they can be contacted at 012-317 6606.


Here’s your first look at the Ferrari Purosangue SUV

Ferrari’s first SUV isn’t much of a secret any more, as they’ve already
confirmed its existence more than four years ago
 back in 2017. Since then though, it was basically radio silence from the supercar maker, and every mule or prototype spotted outside were covered in acres of heavy cladding and camouflage, making it impossible for us to even catch a glimpse of the car. That is, until today.
Instagram user and proficient leaker Wilco Blok has somehow got his hands on a set of photos of what is purportedly the Ferrari Purosangue, giving us our first look at the highly-anticipated and controversial SUV from the Prancing Horse.
Image:
Wilcoblok/Instagram
As previously suggested, the Ferrari Purosangue does bear a pretty significant resemblance to the
GTC4Lusso
 in terms of design and proportions, especially round the back. The headlights and taillights, however, are clearly taken from the
SF90 Stradale
.
We’re not quite sure why they didn’t go with the design of the
Ferrari 296 GTB
 headlights, seeing that that’s their latest design language, but we digress.
Other notable features that we can see include a chunky gloss black cladding around the wheel arches, and a pretty busy-looking front bumper with a large mesh grille in the centre. Fortunately, the rear fascia does look quite a lot cleaner, with just the conventional diffuser elements and quad tail pipes.
RELATED: Ferrari is supposedly building “a range of electric SUVs” after Purosangue
Image:
Wilcoblok/Instagram
We’re still not quite sure yet what’s underneath the bonnet of the upcoming Purosangue SUV, but the leading rumour right now seems to point at the hybrid powertrain from the Ferrari 296 GTB, with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 and an electric motor making a total of 830 hp and 740 Nm of torque.
The SF90 Stradale’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is also another possibility, although it would almost certainly be without the hypercar’s three electric motors, as we can’t see Ferrari canibalising its own flagship by putting 1,000 hp in a SUV. Nevertheless, the V8 is still plently punch on its own, making 780 hp and 800 Nm of torque.
There’s also been rumours that the Purosangue could get Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 from the 812 Superfast for its range-topping variant. Sounds enticing, but we’ll have to wait and see if it actually comes true…


CKD Porsche Cayenne now open for pre-orders – RM550k, deliveries start March 2022

Following the announcement earlier this year that Porsche will be
locally assembling its cars here in Kulim, Kedah
, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has now confirmed that the first model under its CKD initiative will be the
Porsche Cayenne
 – and its order books are now open.
Pricing wise, the locally-assembled Porsche Cayenne starts at
RM550,000
 inclusive of taxes and duties, but excludes insurance, and of course, options. The asking price also takes into account the full SST exemption thanks to its new CKD status, which puts it RM115,000 lower than the previous CBU unit.
In terms of standard equipment, the new CKD Porsche Cayenne has been specified with a wide range of items that were previously optional on the CBU models. These include:
LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
21-inch RS Spyder design wheels
14-way power-adjustable comfort seats with memory function
Bose Surround Sound System
Four-zone climate control
Porsche Communication Management system
12-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay connectivity
Park Assist with front, rear and surround views
Porsche Advanced Cockpit
Sports steering wheel
RELATED: Porsche to locally assemble CKD cars in Malaysia by 2022
If that’s still not fancy enough for you, the CKD Porsche Cayenne can also be specified with an optional Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Package (RM58,000), which adds the SportsDesign exterior styling package (unique front apron, more pronounced wheel arch extensions, and dark-tinted exterior lighting elements), a body colour-matching key fob, and a sports exhaust system.
Other options also include the Carbon Interior Package which – as the name suggests – lines the interior trims with carbon fibre, a range of 22-inch wheels, and other random bits and bobs of accessories like a luggage net, boot liner, and all-weather floor mats. Still want more? How does a RM38,888 Porsche Design timepiece sound?
Colour wise, the CKD Cayenne will be offered in three exterior colour choices – Carrara White Metallic, Jet Black Metallic, and Quartzite Grey Metallic – as well as two interior leather combos – Black, and Black-Bordeaux Red.
The oily bits underneath the bonnet meanwhile remain unchanged, which in this base Cayenne model, sees a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine that serves up
340 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque. The engine is paired to a Tiptronic S eight-speed automatic gearbox to send power to all four wheels, thanks to an active all-wheel drive system.
RELATED: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo launched in Malaysia, from RM645k
“Since its inception, the Cayenne has evolved to become a customer favourite with Malaysian Porsche fans. It has always held special place in the Porsche family, and we are delighted today to enable countless new possibilities with the Cayenne,” said SDAP Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Hunter.
The new CKD Porsche Cayenne is now available for pre-order via the new dedicated website, linked
here
, and to mark the debut of this ordering platform for Porsche customers in Malaysia, the first 50 orders placed online will also receive a complimentary Porsche Driver’s Selection voucher worth RM 911.
GALLERY


Mazda RX-VISION awarded Most Beautiful Concept title

Last year at the Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda wowed everyone with their latest rotary-powered concept, the
Mazda RX-Vision
. The Hiroshima-based carmaker’s newest sports car subsequently went on public display at the recently concluded Festival Automobile International held in Paris last weekend.
The RX-Vision is Mazda’s latest expression of their KODO: Soul of Motion design philosophy, and takes the look of this front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car to a whole new level. It was nominated alongside several other impressive concept cars such as the
Porsche Mission E
, Bentley Exp10 Speed 6 and Peugeot Fractal.

If you’re new to the term ‘rotary-powered’, that’s because the engine isn’t as common as you would think, and it’s headed the way of the dodo due to terrible fuel economy and emissions. That is, until now. The RX-Vision, together with the rotary engine (coined as
Skyactiv-R
, also known as the Wankel engine) is set to make a comeback by 2020, and it shouldn’t serve as a surprise if the engineers at Hiroshima are having sleepless nights in their efforts to produce the next-generation, butter-smooth rotary engine.
With the way things are going, we’re certainly in for a pleasant surprise.


Nissan’s EV test car is a hint at the future

In an effort to develop improved advance technologies for future electric vehicles, Nissan has revealed an all-wheel-control test car as a testament of their research and development.
The vehicle, based on the
Nissan Leaf e+
, features an advanced all-wheel drive system powered by a pair of high-power motors on the front and rear axles.
The twin-motor electric powertrain generates
304 hp
 (227 kilowatts) and
680 Nm
 of torque. Combined with ultra-high-precision motor control, Nissan claims that the test car is able to offer a highly responsive and smooth acceleration.
Nissan also says that the precision motor control module helps with the ride comfort of the EV. By utilising controlled regenerative motor braking on the front and rear axles, the test car is able to reduce unpleasant forces during braking, especially in a city environment.
Handling has also been enhanced by Nissan’s new all-wheel drive system. Along with managing the torque allocation between the front and rear axles, the test car can also apply brake control independently at each wheel to maximize the cornering force generated by each tyre.
The improved traction on all four wheels also results in increased driver confidence across a broad range of road conditions, be it road, snow or gravel.
Despite being a test car, Nissan has fitted the research EV with overfenders and rally-style wheels to “create excitement for the new era of Nissan EV technology”.
On the inside, the test car features a 12.3-inch display mounted at the centre of the dashboard, displaying real-time information of the vehicle control technology to the driver.
Nissan aims to make the new all-wheel-drive technology a key component of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision of how vehicles are driven, powered and integrated into society.
Nissan’s senior vice president of research and advanced engineering, Takao Asami said that Nissan will launch a next-generation EV based on the new technology soon.
“The new electric-drive four-wheel-control technology now being developed integrates Nissan’s electric propulsion and 4WD control technologies with our chassis control technology to achieve a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance, on par with the latest sports cars,” he added.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Volvo XC60 enters production 90 years after their first model, the OV4

On 14th of April 1927 the Volvo ÖV4 rolled out of the production line in Sweden. 90 years later, the first batch of the highly-anticipated Volvo XC60 begins its production in Gothenburg, Sweden. What started as an offshoot from a ball bearing maker is now the only remaining mass-production car company from Sweden.
A Swedish abbreviation for “
Open Carriage 4 cylinders
“, the ÖV4 was a dinky open-top car that sits on a wooden frame made of ash tree and beech, powered by a
1.9-litre 4-cylinder
 engine. The engine generates about 28 hp and it’s paired to a
3-speed manual transmission
 to drive the rear wheels.
Fast forward to the year 2017, the base
XC60 D4
 with its 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel churns out more than six times the horsepower count and the only wood used are for the inlays inside the cabin. Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars says “Volvo is very proud of its history. The past 90 years have been exciting, but the 10 years left until the 100-year anniversary may come to be more exciting as industry focus shifts to autonomous driving, electrification and connectivity.”
Volvo UK
recently launched the XC60
 for the UK market, and the Malaysian launch is said to be in
late this year or early next year
. In the mean time, you can build your
dream XC60
 using
Volvo’s online configurator
. We specced our XC60 T8 R-Design in Passion Red with 22-inch 10 Open Spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels.
IMAGE GALLERY
1927 Volvo ÖV4

2017 Volvo XC60


The Mercedes-AMG A 35 sedan packs a punch, may be coming to Malaysia

Mercedes-AMG will fiddle with any car that bears the three-pointed star badge, from the
tiny A-Class
 all the way up to the
Gelandewagen
. Their latest work, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan.
Like the
A 35 hatch
, the sedan features a tuned-up version of the M260 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder found in the
A 250 variant
. With a sprinkle of AMG dust, power is now up from
224 hp
 to
306 hp
 while peak torque is up to
400 Nm
.
With the 7-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, the A 35 Sedan can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.8 seconds
 onwards to a governed
250 km/h
 top speed.
Subtle touches separate the A 35 from a regular AMG Line variant. Keen observers will notice the twin louvres diamond radiator grille, additional flicks on the side intakes, AMG branded brake calipers, “Turbo 4MATIC” badge on the front fenders and the 19-inch 5-twin spoke AMG alloys.

Differences around the
rear is a little more obvious with the additional rear spoiler as well as the
reprofiled bumpers to house the round shape twin exhaust outlets.
The cabin is identical to the A 35 hatchback with AMG specific widescreen cockpit with three AMG display styles, new-generation AMG performance steering wheel, additional buttons to alter the ESP programme, manual transmission mode and Adaptive Damping system as well as the AMG Track Pace data logger that records track times, acceleration and deceleration values.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan


Toyota Yaris gets SUV-inspired styling with new X-Urban trim in Thailand – 30 mm lift!

It seems like people just can’t get enough of the jacked up SUV looks; at the launch of the Thai 2021
Toyota Vios
 (Yaris Ativ) and
Yaris
 last Friday, Toyota Thailand also unveiled a new ‘X-Urban’ trim for the Yaris hatchback, equipped with a lifted suspension kit to give it a crossover-like appearance.
Aside from the raised suspension set-up, which gives the hatchback an
additional 30 mm of height
, the X-Urban trim also comes with a “Sport Crossover style” body kit, consisting of new front and rear bumper extensions with chunky bashplate-like styling elements, along with black plastic wheel arch claddings and side skirts.
The Toyota Yaris X-Urban is also equipped with a set of two-toned 16-inch alloy wheels, up from 15-inch units on the standard Yaris models.
The Toyota Yaris facelift was launched in Malaysia last December, featuring a redesigned front fascia! Check it out here.
Inside, the Toyota Yaris X-Urban gets a unique two-tone Terra Rossa red and black synthetic leather upholstery, contrasted by grey cross stitching on the seats, centre console armrest, and steering wheel. Everything else, though, is unchanged from the standard Toyota Yaris models in Thailand.
The X-Urban trim is only available on the Sport and Sport Premium variants of the Toyota Yaris in Thailand, at an extra cost of 44,600 baht (approx. RM5,580).
The Sport Premium variant adds several additional niceties to the SUV-fied hatchback, including LED front fog lights, automatic wipers, a 4.2-inch multi-info display on the instrument cluster, front and rear digital video recorder (dashcam), and extra safety standard equipment in the form of autonomous emergency braking and lane-departure alert.
UMW Toyota Motor has announced a RM270m investment to locally-assemble hybrid vehicles. Read more here.
Powering the Toyota Yaris X-Urban is the same unchanged 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, providing a maximum power output of
92 hp
 and
 109 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a Super CVT-i automatic gearbox.
Colour choices for the SUV-fied Toyota Yaris include Platinum White Pearl, Red Mica Metallic, and Grey Metallic – all with a glossy black roof.
GALLERY


Isuzu MU-X launched in Malaysia, 7-seater SUV is priced from RM152k to RM165k

There’s a new SUV in town, this time from a brand that’s making a comeback to the scene it once dominated with the Trooper in the late 90s. As you can tell, the
MU-X
, short for Multi-Utility-X, is a seven-seater SUV built based on the D-Max, but it’s tuned to provide the best combination of on- and off-road performance.
The MU-X first broke its cover in 2013 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and it shares the same ladder frame chassis as the outgoing D-Max. The duo launched today will be powered by the familiar
2.5-litre VGS
 engine, although the more powerful 3.0-litre turbodiesel is only being offered in Thailand. Whether or not that will make its way here remains to be seen.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Isuzu MU-X 4×2
Isuzu MU-X 4×4
Engine
 2,499cc; DOHC commonrail diesel with Variable Geometry Turbo
Transmission
5-speed automatic with Sequential Shift
Max Power
134 hp @ 3,400 rpm
Max Torque
320 Nm @ 1,800 to 2,800 rpm
Price with GST and insurance
RM151,944.56
RM164,969.84
It comes with hydraulic shocks and rides on independent double wishbones with coil springs and a stabiliser bar at the front, whereas the rear gets a multilink suspension with coil springs instead of the D-Max’s elliptical leaf springs. Isuzu says this gives passengers better comfort without compromising the car’s off-road capabilities.
EXTERIOR
There’s no denying that the MU-X bears great resemblance to the D-Max. But there are telling visuals differentiating the two, namely the fog lamps placement and lower grille. Like the D-Max, this people carrier also gets halogen projector headlights, although the 4×4 benefits from a pair of LED daytime running lights built into the fog lamp binnacle. It also gets an additional rear spoiler and fancier exhaust tip.
Other features include chromed side mirrors with signal indicators, 16-inch wheels on the 4×2 and 17-inch on the 4×4. The smaller wheel get wrapped with
245/70

R16
 whereas the larger wheels get wrapped with
255/65 R17
 rubbers. No keyless entry or push-start features here, though.
INTERIOR
Step inside the MU-X and you’ll realise that the finishing differs from the truck it’s based on. Here, although broadly similar, features a two-tone black and silver finish. Standard on both 4×2 and 4×4 are leather seats, including a 6-way electric powered driver-only seats. When heat becomes unbearable, sitting anywhere in the MU-X will be a breeze because there are separate air vents for the second, even the third row seats. There’s a standalone condenser and blower speed as well.

The base 4×2 variant gets manual air conditioning, whereas the 4×4 gets a single-zone auto air conditioning. The latter also features a rear DVD monitor and a Blaupunkt touchscreen multimedia head unit (Android powered) that mirrors your phone. It’s also WiFi, USB, Bluetooth enabled, and will feed visuals from the reverse camera. GPS navigation comes with the unit, too. Both variants get six-speakers as standard.
Now, we already know that this SUV accommodates seven. However, the second and third row seats are very flexible and there are up to seven, if not more ways you can adjust luggage space by adjusting rear seats. Make no mistake, the MU-X has one cavernous cabin; so big in fact, there are 12 cup holders to be found all around the cabin.
PERFORMANCE
There’s not much unfamiliarity in this department. The MU-X gets the D-Max sourced 4JK1-TCX
2.5-litre inline-four
 cylinder diesel with Variable Valve Geometry Turbo (VGS) technology that makes a respectable
134 hp
 at 3,400 rpm and
320 Nm
 of torque from 1,800 to 2,800 rpm. Transmission choice is a
five-speed automatic
 with
manual shift mode
.
To refresh your memory, the engine is the same unit powering our D-Max, and is capable of covering over
1,800 km on a single tank of fuel
 as proven by Isuzu themselves. That said, the fuel tank’s size in the MU-X is smaller by 11 litres at 65 litres.
In the 4×4 variant, you get Isuzu’s 4WD Terrain Command system built just next to the parking brake lever. Drivers can choose between 2H or 4H at speeds up to 100 km/h, but when desired and needed, a complete stop is required before switching it into 4L prior to some serious off-roading.
SAFETY
The safety kit includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control and Isofix mount for the second row seats. The 4×2 gets two reverse sensors at the back, while the 4×4 gets four. User convenience feature includes cruise control and is only fitted to the 4×4 variant. This kit is topped off with just two SRS airbags.

WHAT ELSE?
The MU-X is given an introductory price of
RM151,944.56
 and
RM164,969.84
 for the 4×2 and 4×4 respectively. Both prices are OTR with insurance and GST inclusive. Like the D-Max, it comes with a
3-year or 100,000km warranty
programme, whichever occurs first. There are four colours to choose from – Titanium Silver, Cosmic Black, Splash White and their signature colour Uluru Brown.
IMAGE GALLERY
Isuzu MU-X Official Launch

Isuzu MU-X Preview


New fully electric 7-seater Mercedes-Benz EQB to be made in China

Mercedes-Benz has launched the new EQB fully-electric 7-seater SUV at the Shanghai Motor Show in China. It’s the 3rd compact SUV from Mercedes-Benz’s EQ division following the introduction of the
EQA
and EQS.
“China is not only the most important passenger car sales region for us, it is also the world’s leading market for electric cars”, said a board member of Daimler AG.
In China, the new EQB has been launched as the
EQB 350 4MATIC
 with a 66.5 kWh battery and an output of 292 hp. Electric driving range is rated at 419 km. Charging takes
just 30 minutes
 to attain up to 80% charge using a direct current (DC) charger.
In Europe, customers will have the choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive variants with a minimum of 270 hp.
Compared to the
GLB models
 with internal combustion engines, the EQB is 50 mm longer and slightly taller but in terms of width and wheelbase, the EQB shares the same dimensions as the GLB models.
That being said, the GLB can accommodate
passengers up to 168 cm
 in the 3rd row but in the EQB, it can only take up to 165 cm. The 3rd row seats are standard in the Mercedes-Benz EQB for the China market but are optional everywhere else around the world.
EQB
GLB
In terms of boot space, the fully-electric EQB offers up to 100-litres more space than its internal combustion engine siblings; 1805-litres (EQB) vs 1710 litres in the 5-seater models and 1710-litres (EQB) vs 1680-litres in the 7-seater models.
Production of the EQB will commence this year at two manufacturing facilities; the Hungarian Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét for the global market and at the German-Chinese joint venture BBAC in Beijing for the local market.
GALLERY


Kia to debut new Sorento at Geneva, celebrates EU sales record for 2019

The all-new Kia Sorento SUV will be making its world
premiere at the 90
th
 edition of the Geneva motor show in early
March.
The fourth-generation Sorento will become the newest model in Kia’s updated SUV line-up and is based on the
new-generation midsize SUV

platform
offering more space, a hybrid powertrain option, advanced driver assistance systems and expanded connectivity via a new infotainment system.
More than
three million Sorento SUVs have been sold
 worldwide since the nameplate’s launch in 2002. The preview images released by Kia shows a chiselled iteration of ‘tiger nose’ grille, a distinctive window line and large, vertical tail-lamps. Kia has also retained an upright profile for the Sorento, no doubt with practicality in mind.
The new Ceed is Kia’s best-selling model in Europe.
Kia has also recently announced an
annual sales volume of more than half a million cars in the European continent
 for the first time, or 502,845 units sold in 2019, representing an increase of 1.7% — the Korean brand’s 11th consecutive year of growth, and an all-time-high market share of 3.2% across the EU.

Sales were driven by the introduction of the
new Ceed model
 and its variants, the popular
Sportage SUV
 and the
affable Picanto supermini
, while the increased uptake of electrified models also contributed to Kia’s overall tally.


Could these be the new side mirrors on future BMWs?

The humble side mirror has not seen much new technology over the years, even up to the latest
Mercedes-Benz EQS
 or the
Nio ET7
. They are still large physical plastic pieces housing large simple mirrors plus the accompanying side parking cameras and turn signals.
In 2018, two carmakers offered new side mirror technology through the virtual mirror system. Both Audi and Lexus offered the technology in the
e-tron
 and
ES sedan
 respectively, but the feature has stagnated at just those two models.
The fully electric
Honda e
The side mirror on the Honda e
Displays are projected on a screen at the side of the dashboard.
Released in late 2019, the
Honda e
 is the latest vehicle to feature virtual side mirrors.
BMW
 has returned to fine-tune this technology, with sightings of the company filing a patent with the European Patent Office on such a system.
Back in 2016, BMW showcased the
‘i8 Mirrorless’
 technology which removed the large conventional side mirrors and instead provided live feed into the digital
rear-view mirror
.
BMW i8 Mirrorless concept from 2016
According to the discovery picked up by fan site
i4talk.com
 and further elaborated by
theDrive
, the new design of the virtual side mirror ditches the display projected in the digital rear-view mirror or even smaller screens at the base of the dashboard, now advancing to technology similar to current
head-up displays
.
In the patent filing, BMW is said to be using a semi-transparent side window to help with the projection of the live feed. The pair of virtual images are strategically placed outside of the vehicle, between 0.5 m to 2.0 m from the driver’s eye, just like head-up display systems.
Images from the patent filed by BMW

AG
The projection, which is said to originate from inside the dashboard, is designed to be visible at the location of the conventional side mirrors for familiarity and minimal relearning.
Current virtual mirror system by Lexus, Audi and Sony:
Lexus ES has the least graceful placement of the screens
Audi integrates the screen into the door panels
Sony Vision-S beautifully blends the screens into the dashboard, similar to Honda e
So, what happens if the driver or passenger winds the window down? The information in the patent states that ‘at least that part of the side window is fixed, connected to a vehicle door’.
Apart from better aerodynamics and reduction of wind noise, virtual side mirrors also allow engineers to feed more information, such as blind-spot monitoring as well as increase the field of vision. At parking speeds, the image can also automatically display a ‘kerb view’ to better provide information around the tyres.
Being a video feed, the processor can also adjust the brightness and contrast according to lighting conditions as well as not severely affected by rain droplets.
The recently launched fully-electric
BMW i4
 and iX models are still mounted with conventional side mirrors, even though they have the new Curved Display and BMW Operating System 8. Perhaps this technology will appear in the new-generation BMW 7 Series, or i7?
Meanwhile, Audi seems to be introducing their virtual mirror system in the next-generation Audi A6, as the
A6 e-tron concept
 vehicle is fitted with a pair of these slim attachments and the styling of the dashboard integrates with two corner displays.


The Honda Jazz trades cute for sportiness with new Modulo X edition in Japan

The
all-new Honda Jazz
 (or fit in certain markets) has always been seen as a bit too cutesy, so much so that it’s probably one of the reasons why the model isn’t even planned for launch here in Malaysia. Well, that is until you see the new Honda Jazz Modulo X edition – to say we’re jealous is an understatement.
Developed in-house by Honda Access, the Japanese carmaker’s genuine accessories arm, the Modulo X kit gave the Honda Jazz a completely new exterior look, trading cute for outright sportiness.
The main reason, we think, is that the Modulo X-kitted Jazz now gets a proper honeycomb grille up front, instead of the odd, bulgy metal nose. It’s science, really, because the bigger the grille, the sportier the car is –
 just ask BMW
.
All kidding aside, the sportier Honda Jazz also gets a dedicated more aggressive new front bumper with a wider lower air intake and larger housings for the fog lamps, new tailgate spoiler, as well as a new rear bumper with diffuser-like elements. They all feature black accents, to go along with the blacked-out wing mirrors, door trims, tailgate handle, and the optional blacked-out roof.
These items are not merely for aesthetic purposes only, although they do look really, really good. Honda says that they also help improve the Jazz’s “effective aerodynamics”, which basically means aerodynamic effects at regular daily speeds.
Complementing the improved aerodynamics are a set of new dampers, which are presumably firmer to improve its handling chops, alongside new motorsports-inspired 16-inch lightweight aluminium wheels on all four corners.
On the inside, the Honda Jazz Modulo X is suited up in a Bordeaux red and black outfit, paired to a special darker accent trim on the dashboard. The front seats are even wrapped in leather and Alcantara for a sportier feel, replete with “Modulo X” stitching on the back rests.
Stunning, right? Unfortunately, the Honda Jazz Modulo X will only be available in Japan, specifically for the
 e:HEV
variant. It’s priced at 2,866,600YEN (~RM108k), and will be available in either Platinum White Pearl, Midnight Blue Beam Metallic, or Crystal Black Pearl.
GALLERY


Head-to-head: BMW 218i Gran Coupe vs Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan, compared!

The entry-level European car segment here in Malaysia is heating up once again with the recent introduction of the
locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan
.
With the reduced pricing as part of the CKD exercise, we can now finally pit the two German rivals’ entry-level models here in Malaysia – the Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan and the
BMW 218i Gran Coupe
 – against each other in a proper head-to-head battle, to see which one of these compact models is a better buy!
PERFORMANCE
BMW 218i Gran Coupe
Mercedes-Benz A 200
1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder
Engine
1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Transmission
 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
140 hp @ 4,600 rpm
Max horsepower
163 hp @ 5,500 rpm
220 Nm @ 1,480 rpm
Max torque
250 Nm @ 1,620 rpm
8.7 seconds
0-100 km/h
8.1 seconds
213 km/h
Top speed
230 km/h
Based on numbers, the Mercedes-Benz A 200 is without a doubt the better car here in the engine department. The 1.3-litre turbocharged four-banger that was co-developed with Renault makes 23 hp and 30 Nm more than its rival, giving it a faster 0-100 km/h time (-0.6 seconds) and top speed (+17 km/h), and arguably also sounds better than the BMW’s three-pot mill.
It’s also interesting to note that despite its more efficiency-focused three-pot engine, the 218i Gran Coupe still uses more fuel (on paper) than the Mercedes – 5.9 litres/100 km compared to the A200’s 5.6 litres/100 km when tested via the NEDC test cycle. Less powerful and less efficient (on paper, again) – not a good look for the BMW.
But for some people, the powertrain is just one part of the equation. The other part being the elusive “driving feel”, and that’s where the BMW 218i Gran Coupe really starts to shine.
Equipped as standard with a set of passive M Sport suspensions (and multi-link set-up at the rear), the BMW 218i certainly offers more thrills per buck than the Mercedes. And despite bucking BMW’s
modus operandi
and going front-wheel drive, the 218i still somehow behaves almost like a rear-wheel-driven model when coming out of corners. The “most powerful letter in the world” is not just for show, after all.
It does, however, come at a cost. The firmer suspension does mean a more jaunty and harsher ride on your daily commute, especially when pitted right up against the Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan’s comfort-oriented set-up. Pick your poison, I guess.
The Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan comes with a more subdued Progressive Line exterior kit.
STYLE
The looks of a car is always the hardest to compare, because as they say, looks are subjective (for the most part). But to us, we find that the Mercedes-Benz A 200 sedan looks significantly more proportionate than the 218i – or perhaps we’re just not used to the “Gran Coupe” treatment on such a compact car.
To be fair, the BMW 218i’s most direct competitor is the CLA and not the A-Class sedan – but even then, we think that the CLA looks a lot sleeker than the Gran Coupe. That’s all moot, though, since the CLA is not officially available here in Malaysia (aside from the
AMG CLA 45 S
).
You can even equip your BMW 218i Gran Coupe with real carbon fibre “M Performance” parts…
With all that being said, though, the 218i Gran Coupe might actually be more welcomed by its target demographic of young successful people. The M Sport exterior kit does help add a lot more aggression to the Gran Coupe, especially when it’s parked right next to the A 200 Sedan with its more subdued Progressive Line kit. And of course, the frameless doors design is just the cherry on top.
Size wise, the Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan is bigger than the 218i Gran Coupe in almost every dimension, except for width (by 4 mm). The BMW does edge out a little in terms of its boot space, offering 10 more litres of cargo space than the Merc. It’s still nothing to shout about at 430 litres, though – other B-segment sedans like the Honda City already offer upwards of 500 litres.
As for equipment appointments, both cars are pretty similarly specced – both get fully LED head and tail lights, alongside 18-inch wheels, so it’s still up to your personal preference in design at the end of the day.
The A-Class Sedan’s cabin is arguably one of the best-looking modern interior in recent times.
INTERIOR
Just like the exterior, a car’s interior design is once again a question of personal preference. Some may like BMW’s classic utilitarian and clean look, while others may prefer Mercedes-Benz’s futuristic styling efforts on the A-Class.
Despite that, there are quite significant equipment differences between the two cars here – with the Mercedes taking the upper hand. The A 200 Sedan gets a much larger touchscreen infotainment display (10.25-inch vs 8-inch on the BMW), and its MBUX software is also significantly more modern than the 218i’s iDrive 6.0 – and you still have to pay for Apple CarPlay on the latter!
The Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan also gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster display, although it can be argued that the analogue unit on the BMW might prove to be more functional (just less flashy), especially with the glare on the A-Class Sedan’s unsheltered displays on sunny days.
Clean and utilitarian – that’s how you know it’s a real BMW.
As part of the localisation efforts for the A-Class Sedan, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has removed the 64-colour ambient lighting system on the entry-level A 200 variant (but adds dual-zone climate control with rear air vents), so the BMW 218i Gran Coupe does claw back some points here, if that’s something you fancy.
Space wise, both of these cars offer similar room for the rear passengers in terms of knee room and legroom, but the significantly raked roofline of the BMW (thanks to its “coupe” status) does rob off a little of its headroom – a small price to pay for style?
SAFETY
Where the BMW loses in terms of interior appointments, it wins back with its safety kit. That’s because the 218i Gran Coupe is equipped with pretty much the full suite of BMW’s advanced driver assistance systems, which includes features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane change assist, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, as well as a Parking and Reversing Assistant.
The Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan meanwhile comes with a leaner set of safety systems, only including features such as autonomous emergency braking, Pre-Safe pre-collision system, parking assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. It’s pretty rare in our market for a BMW to be better equipped than a Mercedes-Benz in this department, so this was a surprise – but a welcome one.
PRICING
The Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan Progressive Line is priced at
RM210,903
 and comes with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty, while the BMW 218i Gran Coupe comes in at
RM211,367
 with a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programme. Both prices are on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the full SST exemptions that have been recently extended until the end of June 2022.
Where it gets slightly more interesting, though, is that you can actually
opt-out of the five-year warranty package
 on the BMW, bringing the price down to
RM199,177
with only a two-year unlimited mileage warranty. So if you want to save a quick penny in the short term, the 218i Gran Coupe might be the way to go.
So between this two German compact sedans, which should you pick? As always, it comes down to what you as a driver want in a car. Value driving? Then the BMW 218i Gran Coupe might be the better choice. But if you’re just looking for the latest tech and flashiest designs, then the Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan might be the one. Although let’s be honest, the choice between these two cars will boil down to which logo you ultimately prefer…
GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz A 200 Sedan Progressive Line
BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport


All-new Mazda CX-50 is an outdoors-friendly compact SUV with AWD as standard

Mazda announced earlier this year its plans to introduce a
whole swathe of new SUVs
 over the next few years, and the first one of the bunch has just been unveiled. It’s called the CX-50, and Mazda says it’s positioned to slot in between the
CX-30
 and
CX-5
.
And well, it certainly does look that way – with a body roughly the size and proportions of the CX-5, complemented by design elements from the smaller CX-30 such as the chunky plastic fender claddings.
Other new design touches include a gloss black wraparound trim around the front grille that even surrounds the new headlights, and to fit its off-road credentials, the CX-50 also gets significantly flared wheel arches and massive rear haunches, and even sporty matte black decals on the bonnet – for the launch car at least.
Mazda also noted that the rear doors on the new CX-50 were given particularly wide openings to make it easier to step on the door sills for access to the roof rack.
RELATED: Mazda to introduce a wave of SUVs with new naming scheme, six cylinders, and wider bodies
Inside, the Mazda CX-50’s cabin is fairly reminiscent of other Mazda models with a minimal and classy dashboard. Although, there’s the unique vertical air vents around the instrument cluster for perhaps a touch of added ruggedness.
Mazda is still keeping most of the CX-50’s mechanical details under wraps. But at launch, the new compact SUV will be offered with a couple of familiar engines from the Japanese carmaker’s stable, including the naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre petrol and SkyActiv-G 2.5T turbocharged variant that can both be found on the
current CX-5
. A hybrid variant will be introduced at a later date.
Based on the CX-5’s specification sheet, the naturally-aspirated mill will be good for
192 hp
 and
257 Nm
, while the turbocharged unit brings it up to
228 hp
 and
420 Nm
. Both engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox as usual, but uniquely on the CX-50, all-wheel-drive will be standard on all models to make this the stand-out off-road capable option compared to other Mazda models.
Befitting to its off-road nature, there’s also a drive mode selector with an Off-Road Mode in addition to just Normal and Sport, which perks up the G-Vectoring system and locks the differentials of the all-wheel drive system to make traversing rougher terrains that much easier.
RELATED: New 2022 Mazda CX-5 unveiled, facelifted with new lights and coloured claddings
The all-new Mazda CX-50 will be the first vehicle to be manufactured at the new joint Mazda and Toyota factory in Alabama, US. It’s slated to go on sale next Spring, but unfortunately will most likely remain as a US-exclusive for the foreseeable future.
GALLERY


The Ferrari 812 Superfast has arrived in Malaysia – anyone with RM 1.57 million to spare?

Having watched countless videos of the Ferrari F12 on YouTube, two of which have stood out to unforgettable effect. Both were presented by Chris Harris, formerly under the Chris Harris On Cars channel and the sheer superiority highlighted had left such excitement and lasting impressions that it always beckons the question, can Ferrari top this bonkers excuse of a car?
Well, you just have to remind yourself; this is after all a company whose founder, Enzo Ferrari, once famously quoted, “Aerodynamics is for those who can’t build engines”.

Mr. Ferrari probably wouldn’t be rolling in his grave seeing as the company had tapped vastly into the aerodynamics realm; in fact if there was any way to communicate the launch of this new 812 Superfast into the after life, Enzo would probably rise from the ashes to personally applaud the company’s new feat.
Firstly, the figures; and they’re huge. Up from 6.2-litres in the F12, the 812 Superfast’s V12 engine has been stroked to 6.5-litre alongside an improvement in the intake system. As a result, the naturally-aspirated engine squeezes out
800 hp
 at 8,500 rpm with
718 Nm
 of torque at 7,000 rpm before it hits the rev limiter at an ear-splitting 8,900 rpm, creating an automotive symphony that even got our very own GC Mah all giddy when he got to have
a taste of the 812 Superfast in Ferrari’s Fiorano test track
.
0 – 100 km/h is claimed to be completed in
2.9 seconds
 (with Launch Control) with 200 km/h exceeded in just 7.9 seconds before maxing out at a top speed of
340 km/h
. With Brembo Carbon Ceramic brakes fitted in the front and back, the 812 is just as Superfast at deceleration as it is off the line. It is claimed to get from 100 km/h to standstill in just
32 metres
. Those 398mm rotors in the front and 360mm at the back hides behind a set of 20-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zeros.
Power is processed by a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox which now offers 30% faster upshifts and 40% faster downshifts. The new 812 Superfast features a new electronic four-wheel steering system that is slightly rear-biased to eradicate understeer and dramatically improve turn-in responses.

The 1630 kg Superfast also comes with a new electronic differential and Ferrari’s fifth generation side slip control system – where together, creates what Ferrari refers to as a “Virtual Short Wheelbase System” which can be engaged or disengaged with the signature mannetino switch on the steering wheel.
Also new to the 812 Superfast is the electronic power steering with variable torque assistance. Aerodynamic enhancements include passive flaps in the front bumper that opens when speeds exceed 200 km/h to channel through the underbody diffuser. This also includes huge scoops on the side alongside an active electronic wing to manage the airflow across the Superfast’s body.
A new colour has been applied for the new 812 Superfast – the Rosso Settantanni, in commemorating the company’s 70th anniversary. The 812 Superfast starts at a base price of
RM 1,578,800
 excluding tax and options.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ferrari partners with ex-Apple designer Jony Ive to work on… stuff

The
Ferrari
 and Pininfarina partnership is perhaps one of the most famous tie-up in the automotive sphere, spawning some of the most memorable sports cars we’ve ever seen. But now that automotive technology has moved on, car designs, too, needs to move away from its past – and who better to head up that task than perhaps the most influential industrial designer of our times, Sir Jony Ive?
Ferrari and its parent company, Exor, has announced a new “long term, multi-year collaboration” with LoveFrom, the design firm headed by the former Apple designer and Marc Newsom. But before you get all excited, we think it’s our duty to tell you that… we have absolutely no idea what’s going to come out of this partnership.
The Ferrari Portofino M has just been launched in Malaysia! Check it out here.
The press release is – as usual – brief on specifics, but it does say that the first “expression” of the collaboration will “bring together Ferrari’s legendary performance and excellence, with LoveFrom’s unrivalled experience and creativity that has defined extraordinary world changing products”. Which, really, could mean anything from lifestyle products (like
Porsche Design-branded items
) to actual cars – pretty wishy-washy.
The next line from the copy does read “beyond the collaboration with Ferrari, LoveFrom will explore a range of creative projects with Exor in the business of luxury”, so hopefully that means that the actual Ferrari part of the deal will actually involve designing cars – but we won’t know until something is actually unveiled in the future.
In case you didn’t know, Exor is also involved in a couple of big name luxury fashion brands, including the French shoe and bag maker Christian Louboutin. And with Ferrari recently embracing fashion with the launch of its own clothing line (and hosting a runway show in its factory…), it won’t be wild to assume that the LoveFrom partnership will be just that.
Still, we really do hope that this has something to do with that Ferrari EV that’s
coming out in 2025
…
The jaw-dropping Ferrari 296 GTB is the start of team Maranello’s new V6 hybrid era. Check it out here!
Commenting on the new partnership, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann said, “Soon after LoveFrom was founded we began to talk with Jony and Marc about opportunities to combine their world-renowned creativity with ours, in complementary and incremental ways. Ferrari represents a first, exciting chance to do great things together as we build our future.”
Marc Newson and Sir Jony Ive added: “We are thrilled to be embarking on such an important, long term collaboration with Ferrari and more broadly Exor. As Ferrari owners and collectors, we could not be more excited about collaborating with this extraordinary company and in particular with the design team expertly led by Flavio Manzoni.
“We see some uniquely exciting opportunities working together which we believe will yield important and valuable work.”
As part of the tie-up, Ive will also be joining Exor’s Partners Council. This annual forum draws on the experience, expertise, and insights of a group of highly successful Exor friends and partners, to share ideas and explore potential business opportunities.


Spied: Next-gen MINI Cooper electric seen undisguised

Photos of an undisguised next-generation
MINI Cooper
 have surfaced on the internet, allegedly spotted during a shoot in the USA. Based on the lack of exhaust tailpipes, it seems the spotted model is the all-electric version of the car.
First spied in late 2021 in China, the new MINI Cooper was seen sporting a new grille that seems to be inspired by wrestler Hulk Hogan’s mustache. Now seen in blue, the mustache inspiration seems a little less obvious. The new MINI Cooper also shows a radical new rear-end design, with angular taillights that look like the eye holes from Peter Parker’s superhero costume.
Photo:
AutoExpress.co.uk
The next-gen MINI Cooper now looks much cleaner thanks to the removal of the all-around claddings and simple body lines. Still looking adorable as a MINI should, credit is due to the original ‘new MINI’ which was designed by Frank Stephenson. The next-gen MINI Cooper that you see here is essentially an evolution from that revamped design.
In its upcoming iteration, the all-electric MINI Cooper will be built in China, hence explaining why its first spy images emerged from there. Reportedly, it will be built on a platform that has been jointly developed between BMW and Great Wall.
RELATED:
Fully-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible launched – 999 units, 201km range, 0-100km/h 8.2 seconds
Photo:
AutoExpress.co.uk
AutoExpress reports that the next-generation MINI Cooper will still be available in internal combustion engine (ICE) versions, and production will continue at BMW’s Oxford plant. Both ICE and electric versions will share a similar design theme.
Currently, BMW has teased the
upcoming all-electric MINI Countryman
 that is set to join MINI’s electric lineup. The upcoming MINI Countryman will be the first “Made in Germany” MINI and is set to arrive this year.
In Malaysia, the MINI electric has been updated for the year 2023. The recent update has equipped the car with a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, and a new Nanuq White body colour.
RELATED:
2023 MINI Electric updated in Malaysia – panoramic sunroof, heated seats, new colour, RM193k
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Hyundai reportedly shut down combustion engine development centre

While many carmakers have made verbal commitments to transition towards full electric,
Hyundai
 might have just taken a giant, tangible leap forward towards electrification by ending its development efforts on internal combustion engines.
Or at least, that is according to
Business Korea
 and
The Korea Economic Daily
, who both reported the closure of Hyundai Motor Group’s engine development department at the company’s Namyang Research Institute.
Unnamed industry sources have told
The Korea Economic Daily
 that Hyundai’s new R&D chief Chung-Kook Park allegedly sent an email to its employees, stating: “Our own engine development is a great achievement, but we must change the system to create future innovation based on the great asset from the past.”
Business Korea
 adds that the carmaker’s powertrain group was subsequently reorganised into an electrification development team post shut-down, and that a battery development centre was also established in order to focus on “securing battery technology”.
RELATED: Hyundai Kona Electric now launched in Malaysia – from RM150k
The company also reportedly consolidated several of its R&D departments to further expedite its EV development schedules, including the merging of Project Management and Integrated Product Development teams for each vehicle level to oversee all aspects ranging from design to mass production,
 Business Korea
 wrote.
Hyundai has not provided any official communications yet regarding the alleged shutdown, but it does coincide with a major upper-level management reshuffle within the Korean company.
Albert Biermann recently announced his retirement as the company’s R&D head, and now assumes the role of technical advisor for the Hyundai Motor Group. Meanwhile, design head Peter Schreyer is also moving to a new advisory role – both vacated positions now filled by South Korean executives Chung-Kook Park and SangYup Lee respectively.


Video: 2019 MINI JCW Countryman, 5 Things

Looking for a MINI? Want the MINI to carry five and some cargo? Need a MINI to do both the above and still breathe down the neck of a Volkswagen Golf R?
There’s this; the 2019 facelift MINI JCW Countryman with over 75 hp and 100 Nm more than the model it replaces. Is that even necessary, you ask? We ask, “why not”.

Aside from a few cosmetic upgrades, the new JCW Countryman does come with substantial mechanical upgrades. It’s got larger brakes, air suspension and a whole lot of modern amenities that a MINI owner would find essential.
As for the rest, we’ll leave you to find out in the video.
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Honda Civic Type R debuts, 6-speed manual, 315 hp & 400 Nm!

Much to the delight of all Honda loyalists, Honda Motor Company has pulled the veils off the hottest Honda Civic Type R to date. It packs
the same 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine from before
, but produces a bit more power this time around.
The four-cylinder engine is blown to produce
315 hp
 (up by 9 hp) and
400 Nm
 of torque (same as before) while being paired to the sole
six-speed manual
 transmission which now features a unique rev-match control system. Drive is sent to the front wheels. Additionally, throttle response and drivability are both better than before.

Based on the
Civic hatchback
, it’s lighter overall and comes with a more rigid shell compared to its predecessor. Torsional rigidity is up by 38 percent, whereas the front Macpherson strut suspension features a new geometry to minimise torque steer and maximise sporty handling. The rear axle benefits from a brand new set of independent multi-link suspension, and all four corners now use unique high rigidity suspension arms.
There’s three drive modes now: Comfort, Sport and R+, each incrementally alter the threshold of throttle mapping, steering force, gear shift feeling and adaptive dampers. And let’s not forget the massive aerodynamic upgrades this guy has over the standard Civic. All aero bits, such as the underbody tray, front air curtains, rear wing and vortex generator have been improved to give the Civic Type R the best-in-class balance between lift and drag. This translates to better high speed stability.
The all-new Civic Type R will be made at Honda’s production facility in Swindon, UK, where it will then be exported to selected markets, with Japan and US among the lucky few. Will it ever come to Malaysia, though? Fat chance, but we can always count on our friendly parallel importers to ship a few in. For a hefty sum, of course.
IMAGE GALLERY


The China-only Mercedes-Benz C-Class L is the only C-Class in the world with a standing star logo!

The people of China has a serious “thing” for long-wheelbase models. Even just from Mercedes-Benz, there are already the
A-Class L
, E-Class L, and GLC L from their latest model line-up. Now at the Auto Shanghai 2021 motor show, Mercedes-Benz has taken the covers off yet another China-exclusive long-wheelbase version model, in the form of the new C-Class L.
Built by Beijing Benz, the joint venture company between BAIC Motor and Daimler, the new long-wheelbase variant boasts an 89 mm-longer wheelbase, which stretches the overall length of the car to be 131 mm longer than the
regular C-Class
, coming in at 4,882 mm.
Similar to the BMW 330Li that was
just launched here in Malaysia
 not too long ago, the new C-Class L doesn’t stand out too much from its “regular” brethen – even the longer rear doors don’t look out of place, unless you’re comparing the two side-by-side.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class L…
…versus the regular C-Class. Barely any differences!
To mark it out as the LWB variant, Mercedes-Benz has added a stylised “L” badge onto the C-pillar, and of course the ‘L’ denomination at the back of the variant badge.
Based on the images provided by Mercedes-Benz, the C-Class L will be available with two exterior styling packages over in China – one being the AMG Line trim with the now-iconic diamond pin grille and sportier bumpers, and the other bearing a more “classic” Mercedes-Benz look complete with the standing hood logo ornament that’s
not even available on the regular C-Class globally
!
Moving inside, the interior architecture is again, largely similar to the standard global Mercedes-Benz C-Class models. Most notably, there’s still the large 11.9-inch portrait-styled touchscreen infotainment system – similar to that first introduced on the
all-new S-Class
 – running the latest-generation MBUX software.
However, this being a LWB variant, the main party is obviously at the back seats. In addition to the extra legroom afforded by the longer wheelbase, Mercedes-Benz also fitted the new LWB C-Class with the more luxurious pillow-style headrests, as well as a larger armrest with a “particularly spacious stowage compartment”, USB ports, and cupholders.
According to the short press release, the new LWB Mercedes-Benz C-Class also gets softer comfort-oriented suspension, and enhanced noise insulation compared to the regular C-Class to ensure an even quieter ride.
Based on reports from local publications on the Weibo micro-blogging site, the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class LWB will be offered with either a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (48 V mild-hybrid variants available), or a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill – presumably carrying the C 260 L badging in the press photos.
Output figures range from 170 hp to 204 hp, with a nine-speed automatic transmission standard on all variants.
GALLERY


2015 Lexus IS launched in Malaysia with new 2.0-litre turbo, prices start from RM298k

Lexus Malaysia has officially unveiled the latest version of their compact sedan, the IS. Two years since its Malaysian debut, the Lexus IS range has been
revised with the introduction of a new engine
 that’s more relevant in today’s market outside of North America.
The
new engine
 for the IS is the
turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 in the
IS 200t
, and at the same time the IS 250 with its
2.5-litre V6 has been discontinued
 to make way for the smaller yet more powerful engine. The
IS 300h
 remains the range-topper, with no changes on the
hybrid
 drivetrain under the hood.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Lexus IS 200t Premium
Lexus IS 200t Luxury
Lexus IS 200t F Sport
Lexus IS 300h
Engine
1,998 cc inline-4 twin-scroll turbo
1,998 cc inline-4 twin-scroll turbo
1,998 cc inline-4 twin-scroll turbo
2,494 cc inline-4, 650 V electric motor
Transmission
8-speed Sports Direct Shift automatic
8-speed Sports Direct Shift automatic
8-speed Sports Direct Shift automatic
Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
Max Power
241hp @ 5,800 rpm
241hp @ 5,800 rpm
241hp @ 5,800 rpm
178 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 105 kW (electric motor), 220 hp (combined)
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,650-4,400 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,650-4,400 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,650-4,400 rpm
221 Nm @ 4,200-5,400 rpm, 300 Nm (electric motor)
0 – 100 km/h
7.0 seconds
7.0 seconds
7.0 seconds
8.2 seconds
Top Speed
230 km/h
230 km/h
230 km/h
200 km/h
Price (w/o insurance)
RM 298,000
RM 350,000
RM 385,000
RM 452,000
EXTERIOR
The sharp lines on the IS still looks as fresh when it was introduced a few years back, therefore Lexus has kept everything intact in terms of the design. As before, the
IS 300h
 comes only in a
 single spec
, and the
IS 200t
 follows the outgoing IS 250, which means it’s available in
Premium
,
Luxury
 or
F Sport
 trims.
All Lexus IS models get
LED DRLs
 and
LED front foglamps
 as standard, but only the
IS 300h
 gets the
full-LED headlamps
 as opposed to the
Xenon headlamps
 on the
IS 200t
. Every IS variant bar the IS 200t F Sport gets the
spindle grille
 with horizontal slats, whereas the F Sport feature a wiremesh insert to go along with the unique
F Sport front bumper
.

The wheels are not only different in design on each model, they differ in size as well. The
IS 200t Premium
 and
IS 300h
 are running on
17-inch alloys
 wrapped in
225/45 R17 tyres
 (runflats for the latter), while
IS 200t Luxury
 and
IS 200t F Sport
 are fitted with
18-inch staggered alloy wheels
 wrapped in
225/40 R18 tyres at the front
 and
255/35 R18 tyres at the rear
.
At the tail end,
LED tail lamps
 are standard feature, together with
dual exhaust tips
 on each side. Even so, the tailpipes are hidden underneath the diffuser on the IS 300h.
Reverse camera
 is available on all models except the IS 200t Premium, though.
INTERIOR
Nothing is changed on the inside either, you will still get the lovely “
LFA-inspired
” cockpit with the horizontal dashboard bar and a sloping center console, but every variant is trimmed differently from each other.

The instrument cluster for instance – as seen in the
IS 200t F Sport
 – uses the super-cool LFA-style
F Sport meter
 with configurable display and performance-oriented theme. In the IS 300h it’s almost similar to the IS 200t Premium and the IS 200t Luxury, but it gets the rev-counter replaced with an
Eco dial
.
No matter which variant you choose, the cabin is sumptuously equipped. There’s
leather upholstery
, powered steering column adjuster,
powered front seats
, dual-zone climate control, and
7-inch screen
 for the infotainment system with
Bluetooth connectivity
.
However, the IS 200t Premium misses out on the
navigation system
, Remote Touch Controller,
driver’s memory seat
, and powered rear sunshade. The
15-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround System
 is available exclusively on the IS 300h and the IS 200t F Sport, while the latter also adds
aluminium pedals
 as well as dimpled genuine leather covering the steering wheel and the gear lever.
PERFORMANCE
The major update is the powerplant in the
IS 200t
, where it shares the same
2.0-litre longitudinally mounted four-cylinder turbo
 that debuted in the
NX 200t
. Mated to an
eight-speed Sports Direct Shift automatic
 transmission driving the rear wheels, the
241 hp
 and
350 Nm
 engine is capable of sending the IS 200t from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
7.0 seconds
 and onto a
top speed
 of
230 km/h
. Those who want a sportier ride can opt for the
IS 200t F Sport
; it throws in
adaptive suspension
 which includes additional
Sport +
 on the
Drive Mode Select
 on top of Sport, Normal, and Eco.
The
IS 300h
 still utilises the
Lexus Hybrid Drive System
 consisting of a
2,494cc four-cylinder petrol engine
 producing
178 hp
 and
221 Nm
that’s assisted with an
electric motor
 juiced by a dense
Nickel-metal Hydride
 (Ni-MH) battery pack. Although the electric motor alone generates
105 kW
 (or 140 hp equivalent) and
300 Nm
 of toque, their
combined output
 is rated at
220 hp
.
The IS 300h sprints slower than the IS 200t, but then again the IS 300h is geared towards economy rather than performance, and it even has an additional
Eco mode
 on the Drive Mode Select. Using an
Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
 (E-CVT), the IS 300h gets from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
8.2 seconds
, and the top speed is lower than the turbocharged variants by 30 km/h, at 200 km/h. The hybrid’s
fuel consumption
 is better at
4.3 litres per 100 km
, compared to
7.0 litres per 100 km
 manage by the IS 200t.
SAFETY
Up to
10 airbags
 (yes, 10 airbags as standard) can be found in the cabin, and the IS is equipped with the usual host of safety kit including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Traction Control (TRC), Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC), and
Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management
 (VDIM). Additionally,
Blind Spot Monitor & Rear Cross Traffic Alert
 (BSM & RCTA) is offered on all trims except the IS 200t Premium.

WHAT ELSE?
The
prices have gone up
 slightly for all models in the latest IS range. It starts with the
IS 200t Premium
 at
RM 298,000
, followed by
IS 200t Luxury
 at
RM 350,000
. The sporty
IS 200t F Sport
 is priced at a hefty
RM 385,000
, while the sole hybrid model
IS 300h
 retails at
RM 452,000
. Every model is covered by a
3-year or 100,000 km warranty
, whichever comes first. Furthermore, the IS 300h gets an
8-year hybrid battery assurance programme
 thrown in as well.
IMAGE GALLERY


GWM Malaysia to launch 9 cars in 3 years, CKD to start in 2023

At the launch of the all-electric Ora Good Cat,
Great Wall Motor (GWM) Malaysia
 announced that it will be launching nine cars in the next three years. The company has also announced that it will begin local assembly (CKD) operations in 2023.
In a presentation by GWM President, Elliot Zhang, a slide highlighted “Car”, “SUV”, and “Pickup”, teasing the future models by the brand. Possible models that could be launched soon include the
Haval H6
,
Haval Jolion
, and the GWM Pao pickup truck.
The same slide also reads “To be xEV Leader in Malaysia”, which means most of, or all the upcoming GWM models will be electrified. “xEV” is an umbrella term for all electrified (MHEV, PHEV, etc.) and fully-electric vehicles.
As for GWM Malaysia’s CKD plans, EV assembly will take place, but not soon as more preparation will be needed for EV assembly. The company will likely assemble its SUVs and its pickup trucks first. Local assembly will take place in the company’s Gurun facility and will be run in partnership with
Go Auto
.
RELATED:
Ora Good Cat launched as the cheapest EV in Malaysia currently – from RM140k
In Thailand, the Haval H6 is available as a mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The MHEV version is available in two variants – the “Pro” costs 1,149,000 Baht (approx. RM144,669) and the “Ultra” costs 1,249,000 Baht (approx. RM157,260).
The MHEV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo hybrid system that makes a combined output of
243 hp
 (metric) and
530 Nm
. The MHEV Haval H6 utilises a
1.69-kWh
 battery.
ALSO WATCH:
Ora Good Cat – The cheapest EV with 500km range, maybe
Haval H6 hybrid
Positioned above the MHEV Haval H6 is the PHEV version which fetches a price of 1,699,000 Baht (approx. RM214,139). THE PHEV Haval H6 with its 1.5-litre turbo hybrid system makes a combined output of
326 hp
 and
530 Nm
. With a
34-kWH
 battery pack, Haval claims the H6 has a pure electric range of up to
201 km
.
Cheaper and smaller than the Haval H6 is the Haval Jolion which is priced between 879,000 Baht (approx. RM110,787) and 999,000 Baht (approx. RM125,912). The MHEV Haval Jolion has a 1.5-litre turbo hybrid system that makes
243 hp
 (metric) and
530 Nm
. A possible truck from GWM is the GWM Pao which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that makes 163 hp (metric) and 400 Nm.
RELATED:
Great Wall Motor officially returns to Malaysia, Ora Good Cat EV previewed ahead of launch
Among the dealers for GWM Malaysia are Go Auto Sales Sdn Bhd, CS Euro Auto Sdn Bhd, and Superhub Auto Sdn Bhd. At the recent Malaysia Motor Expo,
over 100 bookings were placed for the Ora Good Cat
.
RELATED:
GWM Malaysia collects over 100 bookings for Ora Good Cat EV in just three days


Aston Martin KL presents bespoke DBX SUV in Arden Green, from RM1 million

Aston Martin has launched yet another model with a bespoke exterior finish; this time the
Aston Martin DBX
 in Arden Green. The colour is inspired by Aston Martin’s racing heritage.
While Green has always been a signature colour for Aston Martin and other British sports car makers, the DBX adopts a lighter hue with a hint of grey-green.
Complementing the unique exterior finish is the traditional tan leather interior. The DBX in Arden Green has also been specified with a sports exhaust for deeper and more aggressive exhaust notes.
First-ever Aston Martin Vantage with optional Vaned front grille has arrived in Malaysia. Check it out here!
To bring out the grey-green colour even more, the DBX is fitted with smoked taillights, and gloss black trims on the exterior. On the inside, the interior trims are part of the dark satin chrome jewellery package.
The Aston Martin DBX starts from RM818,000 while the bespoke DBX in Arden Green is priced from
RM1,072,000
, excluding taxes and duties.
Aston Martin becomes official sponsor and partner of Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club! More in detail here!

GALLERY


Next-gen Ford Ranger is so advanced that plant in Thailand gets USD900 million investment!

Thailand is undoubted the land of pick-ups, thanks to incentives for domestic consumption, as well as exports. Every month, pick-up trucks have sales of circa 30,000 units, taking up some 60% of the monthly Total Industry Volume (TIV) in Thailand.
With the pick-up segment expanding to cover more and more sophisticated customers, the vehicle itself also gets more advanced technologies and the accompanying construction method. The recently revealed
all-new Ford Ranger
 has been loaded with more features and to ensure quality and production efficiency, Ford Motor Company is modernising the wholly-owned Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FMT) and joint-venture AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) plants.
ScanBox
An investment value of
USD900 million
 (approx. RM3.8 billion), the largest single investment in Ford’s 25-year history in Thailand, sees the plants receiving plenty of new vehicle manufacturing equipment, processes as well as training. One such addition to Ford Thailand’s production arsenal is the ScanBox- a surface scanning machine that accurately measures the whole vehicle by five times during assembly to increase efficiency in problem-solving for better quality control.
Electric cars are the new norm in China, as such, Ford will be manufacturing the Mustang Mach-E there!
The plant will also see an addition of 356 state-of-the-art robots at the body shop and paint shop, bringing the level of automation at FTM and AAT from 34% to 80% and 69%, respectively. More importantly, local Thais will also be employed with the addition of the second shift at FTM, adding up to 1,250 incremental jobs and thus increasing the workforce to over 9,000 employees with their products exported to over 180 markets around the world.
Selangor’s Sime Darby Motor City houses the largest Ford showroom in Malaysia! More about the facility here!
The USD900 million investment also forms part of more than USD400 million (approx. RM1.7 billion) invested in the supply chain network to localise and enhance the quality of vehicle parts and design-related tools, creating approximately 250 incremental jobs.
Market launch of the latest Ford Ranger, dubbed the smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger yet, is scheduled for the middle of 2022, with the all-new three-row Everest SUV at a supposedly later date.


Toyota Altis 1.8G introduced to replace Altis 2.0G, priced at RM120k

UMW Toyota Motor has announced the arrival of the
Toyota Altis 1.8G
, a model that will
effectively replace
 the Altis 2.0G variant. The 1.8G (RM119,900) is a good RM3,000 cheaper than the 2.0G, but costs RM4,000 more than the base 1.8E ( RM115,900) variant.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8G
Segment
C-Segment
Engine
1,798cc; inline 4-cylinder, DOHC and Dual VVT-i
Max Power
139 hp @ 6,400 rpm
Max Torque
173 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price
RM119,900 (OTR without insurance)

EXTERIOR
Changes on the outside are minimal but definitely noticeable. For one, the door handles are now finished in chrome. The Altis 1.8G also gets
keyless entry
,
push-start ignition
 (the 2.0G had traditional key-in ignition) and auto on/off halogen-powered headlights.
INTERIOR
Inside, the 1.8G gets black combination leather upholstery and an upgraded
‘Optitron’
instrument panel, much like the ones in some of Lexus’ cars. Cupholders between the front seats are now illuminated, as is the front foot well. The head unit here is exactly like the one found in the range topping 2.0V variant, which is the 2-DIN,
7-inch touch screen
 with built in
DVD player
 and
rear view camera
. Compatible smartphones can be paired to this head unit, which also reads SD card and performs voice commands.
PERFORMANCE
In place of the 2.0-litre engine is the familiar
1.8-litre
, inline four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine that makes
139 hp
 and
173 Nm
 of torque. The engine is paired to the same Super CVT-i with seven-speed Sports Sequential Shift (essentially a CVT ‘box) which drives the front wheels. No paddle shifters to tinker with here, unfortunately.
WHAT ELSE?
Toyota also announced that their base Altis 1.8E
 will get
 some of the
added convenience
 found in the 1.8G, like the keyless entry and push-start ignition, illuminated cupholders and front foot well, chrome-finished exterior door handles and auto on/off halogen headlights. And then you ask, is it worth the additional RM4,000 to get the 1.8G? Well, if you could
do without
 the touchscreen head unit and leather seats, I guess the 1.8E will suffice.
The Altis 1.8G comes with a three-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty programme. Read our review of the
Toyota Altis 2.0V
 to find out how it fared and its
launch
earlier this year.
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VIDEO GALLERY
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IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Golf facelift unveiled, new looks, new features and new tech!

Since the inception of the Volkswagen Golf MK1 back in 1974, the small family hatchback has gone on to be the most important model for the brand. With a cheeky design and everyday usability, the Golf was in a class on its own.
Almost 42-years later, the Golf is now in its seventh life cycle and is built on the same recipe: a handsome car with great usability. Except, competition today is much more vicious compared to the good old days. To keep it ahead of the game, the Golf MK7 received a major update for the year 2017. It’s now more economical, more powerful and more technologically advanced than ever.
EXTERIOR
The updated Golf also gets several aesthetic upgrades, starting from the new LED headlamps with redesigned LED daytime running lights. The Golf GTI maintains the signature red lining that extends into the headlamps while the GTE gets blue accents. From next year onwards, LED headlamps will replace all existing xenon headlamps. A redesigned front and rear bumper rejuvenates the aesthetics of the Golf. The tail lamps now feature full LED (redesigned of course) and the top of the range even gets dynamic indicators, like that on the
Audi A4
 and
Audi A6
.

INTERIOR
Moving to the inside, the infotainment screen has been upgraded to either a 6.5-inch coloured touchscreen, 8.0-inch “Composition Media”, 8.0-inch “Discover Media” (navigation) or 9.2-inch “Discover Pro” with gesture control. With the “Discover Pro” system equipped, drivers can operate the infotainment system via gestures. Opt for the Volkswagen Car-Net package and you will get a host of internet services like Security & Service and Guide & Inform.
With the intention to introduce a full digital cockpit, the Golf now features Volkswagen Group’s 12.3-inch Active Info Display in place of the conventional instrument cluster. Similar to the on found on the
Passat B8
, the Active Info Display is a full LCD screen that displays essential driving aids with high detail. The display also projects navigation and multimedia info for added convenience.
Other subtler touches in the interior are new decorative patterns on the trim pieces as well as new seat covers.
PERFORMANCE
The Golf is now powered by an enhanced EA211 TSI engine, dubbed the 1.5 TSI EVO. The 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces
148 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque from 1,500 rpm. It also features the Group’s Active Cylinder Management (ACT) technology which shuts down the middle two cylinders during light throttle load. As such, the 1.5 TSI EVO Golf will return 4.9 litres per 100 km.
If you fancy something a little more frugal, there is a 1.5 TSI EVO with BlueMotion technology that returns 4.6 litres per 100km, although power outputs are slightly lower at
129 hp
 and
200 Nm
– the latter peaking from 1,400 rpm. Both units come with coasting function that disengages the engine completely when the driver lifts off the accelerator.
Stepping into the hotter Golf GTI, the 2.0-litre TSI engine was given a little rub to dish out
227 hp
, up by 9 hp from before. Opt for the Performance Pack, the same engine will push out additional 14 hp, bringing the total output to
241 hp
.
As for transmission options, a newly developed seven-speed DSG dual clutch automatic that is more efficient will gradually replace the existing six-speed DSG dual clutch automatic.
SAFETY
When the MK7 Golf was introduced, the compact hatchback features an arsenal of safety systems such as ABS, ESC, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System, Lane Assist, Blind Spot Sensor, Rear Traffic Alert, Park Assist 3.0, Driver Alert System, reverse  camera (Rear View), traffic sign recognition, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and trailer stabilisation.
To that, Volkswagen has taken the liberty to add Traffic Jam Assist, the new Pedestrian Monitoring for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Trailer Assist, and Emergency Assist. With these active city driving assists, the car is capable of semi-autonomous driving during traffic jams.
Utilising the radars and sensors from the Traffic Jam Assists, Lane Assists and Adaptive Cruise Control, the Golf is able to drive safely in start-stop traffic, making commuting in traffic a much more pleasant experience.
WHAT ELSE?
With the extensive upgrades the Golf receives, the term
update
is a huge understatement for the Golf MK7 facelift. One thing is for sure, this will surely keep the Golf more relevant for the years to come. Now, has anyone seen the Golf R?
Locally, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) imports the Golf as a
CBU unit
. With deliveries to the UK scheduled to begin next year, we may very well be catching this on our roads very soon. If VPCM decides to CKD this car, well, let’s just say it’s time to save up.
IMAGE GALLERY


Prices for BMW & MINI slashed after zero-rated GST, effective 1 June 2018

BMW Group Malaysia has announced that prices for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad vehicles will be revised to be zero-rated Goods and Services Tax (GST) until further notice from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia.
All models, CKD and CBU included, will have their prices slashed by at least RM8,600. The pricier fully imported models get the biggest price cut. For example, the
BMW M2 Coupe
 now retails for RM30k less while the
i8
 is
cheaper
by some RM69k.

 MINI RRP after zero-rated GST

 BMW RRP after zero-rated GST
Shoppers looking for a MINI will be delighted to know that they will save up to
RM19k
 on selected models which otherwise would have contributed to GST charges.
Even the recently introduced locally assembled
Countryman Plug-in Hybrid
 is now priced at RM241,420.19, a savings of RM14k as compared to when the 6 percent GST was imposed. Prices quoted are for Personal Registration excluding Insurance.


Video: 2019 A90 Toyota Supra review

There’s nothing we can tell you about the
new A90 Toyota Supra
 that you don’t know already know. More so, after this video.
But there is something you may never know, and it’s exactly what GC Mah and the AutoBuzz.my team has had the privilege to experience – the r
elentless nature of the new Supra’s acceleration
 and the
sound that accompanies the ferocity
 – something even our guest A80 owners approve.

And in the personal opinion of some of us, the more you drive it, the more it actually sounds like the old Supra, especially in the higher revs and in between gear changes.

In case you’re not convinced, here’s another less refined, off the cuff, first impression video of the Supra and all its straight-six glory in the hands of another one of AutoBuzz.my’s baboons.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes’ DAS is the talk of the town at F1 pre-season testing

The news that Mercedes-AMG may developed a ‘killer app’ on their
W10
race car captured the headlines on second day of pre-season testing at
Barcelona
– a
steering system
 that
alters the toe angle
of the front wheels, and it may well prove to be legal.
Technical director Allison claims FIA is aware of DAS.
In fact,
Mercedes technical director James Allison
 even conceded that the team had a name for it –
DAS
, or
Dual Axis Steering
, and that the team isn’t too concerned about its legality as FIA is aware of it. You can be sure that rivals will be ready to launch a legal challenge if Mercedes decimates the field in the season-opening race in Melbourne.

DAS works by
changing the toe angle of the front wheels
 which are typically fixed (with a degree of toe out), but as witnessed on Hamilton’s in-car footage, the driver can now
pull back on the steering
 on the straights to straighten up the wheels which has the effect of
evening out the contact area
 of the tyre in relation to the tarmac, which could conceivably help
warm the tyres faster
 or even benefit
aerodynamic efficiency
.
“We had an interesting day activating the DAS system for the first time and we are on a voyage of discovery with the drivers to learn about the system and see what it can bring us for the season ahead,” said Allison. Whether Mercedes will use the system at Melbourne is anyone’s guess.
Teams finding
‘loopholes’
within the complex technical regulations of Formula 1 aren’t exactly new, the
blown diffuser
 of the
Brawn GP
team practically earned them the drivers and constructors title in
2009
, while McLaren’s drag-reducing
F-duct contraption
 also stole a march on the field in 2010. Both inventions were eventually outlawed by the FIA.


There’s a seven-seater luxury MPV behind the Trumpchi M8’s massive grille

We thought we’ve seen it all with the
Lexus LM
, but apparently we were wrong. This is GAC’s all-new Trumpchi M8, and it has – without a shadow of a doubt – the largest grille we’ve ever seen on a production car.
Making its debut at the recent 2022 Guangzhou Auto Show, the second-generation seven-seater luxury MPV will be offered in two guises: a hybrid and a petrol version. But before that, we’ll have to talk about the looks.
We can already hear BMW in the distance shouting “we told you so”, but bling is indeed king over in China. The entire car is designed around a ‘star diamond shadow (translated)’ theme, with the main star of the show being the imposing front grille that looks like it’ll devour everything that comes into its path.
Dubbed the “sky-dominating wings 2.0”, the humongous grille is made up of 10 vertical chrome bars, sculpted similarly to Lexus’ spindle grille to illustrate “the peak momentum of a lion leaping Mount Everest and smashing the sky”. The Chinese certainly aren’t lacking imagination.
RELATED:
GAC GS3 compact SUV now in Malaysia from RM88,800
The grille is accompanied by the fang-like headlights, with intricate details for the vertical daytime-running lights portion inset deep into the fascia to give the entire front end a super aggressive appearance. The same inverted L-shaped motif is also mirrored on the full-width tail lights, while the rest of the exterior is also adorned in copious amounts of chrome for the ultimate “look-at-me” factor.
In terms of size, the all-new Trumpchi M8 measures 5,212 mm long, 1,893 mm wide, and 1,823 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,070 mm, making it slightly bigger than the
Alphard
 (and Lexus LM), but smaller than the
Kia Carnival
 and
Hyundai Staria
.
The Trumpchi M8 is also obviously luxurious on the inside, which is the main appeal of a boss-tier MPV like this anyway. In the range-topping variant, the M8 gets a 2-2-3 seating layout with two “Qingyun” powered captain seats in the second row, which supposedly feels like sitting on clouds, and even gets integrated Yamaha Masters speakers in the headrest.
GAC says the interior design is crafted after the natural landscapes in Lingnan, China, while the seats themselves take inspiration from the Chinese opera houses. To that end, the seats can also be optioned in a unique red, black, and gold finish for added extravagance.
As for the cockpit, the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, paired to a massive 14.6-inch infotainment display that takes up the entire centre stack on the dashboard. Being a chauffeur doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on luxuries, too – the gear lever comprises an illuminated crystal sphere with 160 facets, which also syncs with the rest of the car’s ambient system.
The petrol-powered GAC Trumpchi M8 gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill underneath the bonnet, reportedly making
255 hp
and
400 Nm
 of torque, while the hybrid system gets an Atkinson cycle variant of the same engine, alongside a Toyota-sourced hybrid system to make a combined output of around the
260 hp
mark – the Chinese carmaker hasn’t provided detailed specifications.
Pricing for the GAC Trumpchi M8 will be revealed when the MPV goes on sale in China later this year. Now that
 GAC Motor has officially made its Malaysian debut
, will you look to the Chinese kingpin-mobile when you’re shopping for a luxury MPV? Let us know in the comments below!


MCO 2.0: Two passengers per vehicle, 10 km travel limits lifted

The two-passenger-per-vehicle limit, which has been in place ever since the
second iteration of the Movement Control Order (MCO)
 came into effect on January 13, 2021, has been lifted effective immediately today.
This change in the standard operating procedure was announced by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his briefing last night. “We are no longer capping the number of passengers in a car so long as it
follows the capacity of a vehicle
,” he said.
Similarly, the 10 km travel limit has also been lifted nationwide, however
inter-district and inter-state travel without prior approval is still prohibited
. Road blocks will still be set up at state borders, and at the discretion of the police, to enforce the new ruling.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri explained that the travel restrictions are less relevant now that many economic sectors have since been allowed to reopen.
In addition to the relaxation of travel restrictions, the government has also lifted the two-per-table seating limit for dine-in customers at restaurants. Seating limit at restaurants is now subject to the size of the table, with one-metre physical distancing between patrons as well as between tables.
The current MCO, which was supposed to end today, has since been extended yet again for another two weeks (until March 4) for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, and Penang. All other states, except Perlis and Sarawak, will be placed under Recovery (RMCO) and Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) respectively.
Sarawak is the only state under CMCO currently. The restriction began on February 15, and is scheduled to end on March 1.
As always, all of us must do our part to help get the pandemic under control as soon as possible. Please do stay home, stay safe, and only head out when absolutely necessary. Hanging out with friends can still wait.


Renault unveils the Megane GT at the Malaysia Auto Show, 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds

At long last, the striking Renault Megane GT has reached our shores and can be previewed at the on-going Malaysia Autoshow from 9th-12th November 2017 at MAEPS, Serdang.
Affixed with a 1.6-litre turbocharged Energy TCe 205 petrol engine, it makes
205 hp
 and
 280 Nm
 of torque, delivering power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch EDC automatic transmission. 0 to 100 km/h takes just
7.1 seconds
 with a fuel consumption rating of
 6L/100 km
.

The Megane GT features a bespoke chassis by Renault Sport and is the first vehicle in its segment to employ the
4CONTROL system
 with four-wheel steering. The 4CONTROL system controls the alignment of the rear wheels, providing exceptional driving and steering response.
The new Megane GT also incorporates new technologies by Renault Sport, mainly the Multi-Change Down for rapid downshifting and Launch Control for a more effective getaway off the line.

The outside features a distinctive lighting signature both at the front and rear together with a large, upright diamond logo and a broad grille. The front also houses the Pure Vision full LED headlamps with daytime running lights while at the rear, the LED lights are permanently illuminated to a stunning effect.
Thanks to new Edge Light technology, it provides a slender 3D brush stroke effect in a deep red appearance. A set of 17-inch alloy wheels alongside twin chrome-plated tailpipes that echo the style of the twin air scoops at the front, completes the exterior of the new Megane GT.
Inside, the dashboard houses a 7-inch colour TFT display, together with a 7-inch R-LINK 2 touchscreen. The R-LINK 2 display also provides access to the MULTI-SENSE system for access to
four different driving modes
 – Sport, Neutral, Comfort, Perso with customisable interior lighting.
An Arkamys 3D sound system with 8 speakers take centre stage on the entertainment front while creature comforts provided as standard include keyless entry/start,an auto lock function, automatic wipers, reverse camera, cruise control with speed limiter and Idle Start Stop.

There is also an R.S. Drive button, which activates the Sport Mode for spirited drives. The leather-trimmed steering is provided with aluminium paddle shifters to complement the segment-leading “haute couture” seats constructed with dual density foam to envelope passengers with optimum comfort and ample support.
Safety wise, ABS with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), ESP with Traction Control, Hill Start Assist and a total of 6 airbags (driver and front passenger, driver and front passenger chest-level, front and rear head level curtain airbags) comes as standard.
The new Megane GT can be viewed at the Malaysia Autoshow 2017 and will also be on display at selected Renault showrooms in the following weeks.
IMAGE GALLERY


Goodyear is back in the UUHP game, homologated for Porsche 911 GT2 and GT3 RS

Goodyear now has Michelin squarely in its crosshairs with the new UUHP (for Ultra Ultra High Performance) Eagle F1 SuperSport range comprising the SuperSport, SuperSport R and SuperSport RS, with the latter being homologated for the fearsome Porsche 911 GT2 RS and GT3 RS.
With 700 hp and 750 Nm driving just the rear wheels, and with peak torque arriving at a low 2,500rpm, it was always going to be a challenge to meet the demands of the Porsche GT2 RS – one of the fastest road legal car ever to lap Nürburgring.
To that end, racing compound with very stiff tread blocks and a reduced depth were deployed in the SuperSport RS. The elements combined to maximise resistance to g-forces while minimising movement of the tread pattern under high cornering loads.
Meanwhile, the tyre construction utilises a profile which increases the size of the contact patch in combination with Aramid winding to keep the load distribution constant in varying conditions, this is complemented by a massive outer shoulder to withstand lateral forces in extreme cornering, something likely to be encountered in a 911 bearing GT2 and GT3 emblems.
The homologation of the SuperSport RS means that Porsche
will be retailing N0-marked Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport RS tyres through its
dealer network to owners ‘seeking performance and steering precision in dry
conditions’.


Mitsubishi Xpander leads MMM to top-three non-national car brand in Malaysia; 19,217 cars sold in FY21

Despite still being affected by the aftershocks of the pandemic,
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
 saw a significant rise in sales in its 2021 financial year (FY21), with a total of
19,217 vehicles delivered
 to new customers from April 2021 to March 2022.
The figure represents a 66% increase from the previous financial year, which the company says it achieved despite the total industry volume (TIV) shrinking by 6.7% during the period. The company also said that the sales figure helped propel it “comfortably [into] the top three spots” of the non-national automotive category.
Leading the charge for Mitsubishi’s success is the
Xpander
, which continues to dominate the non-national MPV segment here in Malaysia. Over the course of FY21, the company delivered a total of 9,065 Xpanders to new owners, accounting for 47.2% of its overall sales.
The
Triton pick-up truck
 also maintained a solid market share of close to 21.4%, with 9,420 units sold during FY21. The amount also translates to a 24% increase over the same period last financial year.
GALLERY: Possibly the most “gaya” Mitsubishi Xpander in Malaysia
“In general, the past two years have been tough on the automotive industry, not only with the rising cases of Omicron but floods that affected the Klang Valley and East Coast region, as well as parts or chips shortage,” said MMM Chief Executive Officer, Shinya Ikeda. “There were many hurdles for the industry to overcome, thus for our sales performance to grow is a significant triumph for us.”
“We take this chance to thank the Malaysian government for initiating and extending the SST exemption these last couple of years. With this, our customers could enjoy extra savings while it also gives us the time to fulfil all booking orders made,” added Ikeda.
RELATED: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia now delivers your brand new car to you!
Ikeda also added that the company is aware of the high demand from their customers to purchase a Mitsubishi before the end of the SST exemption period, currently scheduled for June 30, 2022.
“We are continuing our best efforts to meet the booking numbers, and we have already increased our production capacity while maintaining a high level of product quality. Our customers are the ones that put us here, thus providing them with utmost convenience and confidence towards the brand is our utmost priority,” he said.