Love travelling? Win a holiday when you spend at a Shell station

According to travel technology experts Expedia, Malaysians command a top five global ranking based on the number of flights taken but are also the most cost-conscious travellers in Asia. Well, looks like Shell Malaysia read the Expedia study and is now offering a chance for Malaysians to win various holiday packages to Italy, Korea or New Zealand.
Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading said, “Customers are our priority here at Shell and we aim to make life’s journeys better for all. We recognise Malaysians’ love for gaining new experiences through travelling and from that, we derived the Win a Trip with Shell contest as a way for us to turn everyday journeys into a memorable and rewarding experience that our customers can look forward to this new year.”
The first winner of the ‘Win a Trip with Shell’ contest landed himself a dream holiday to New Zealand.
To take part, all you need to do is spend a minimum of RM40 at Shell retail stations across the country to be eligible; it can be on fuels, lubricants or items sold in Shell Select and Kedai premises, excluding tobacco products, E-Pay and Touch N Go purchases. Thereafter, pick a destination and submit the completed contest form along with receipt of purchase.
The contest runs from 17
th
 December 2018 till 31
st
 March 2019, with winners (plus a travelling companion of their choice) to be selected every week. At the launch of the ‘Win a Trip with Shell’ campaign, Wan Muhammad Fathi Bin Wan Nik Kamal was announced as the first winner of the contest, he won a four-night, six-day holiday package for two to New Zealand. What are you waiting for?


Frankfurt 2015: Porsche debuts Mission E concept, packs 600hp and recharges in 15 mins!

The time has come for all the shiny new concepts and models to take centre stage. Representing the greener part of Stuttgart is Porsche, with a rather interesting concept dubbed Mission E, and it looks absolutely glorious.
The
Mission E
 is Porsche’s first
all-electric
 powered four-seat sports car in the brand’s history. It looks very unmistakably a Porsche, with hints of all its
greatest hits
 manifested here. The engineers have pushed the boat out to sea as well with a train-load of
cutting-edge technology
 that might just find itself to a dealership near you in the near future.
Powering this concept visionary interestingly enough is technology already in use in the
Porsche 919 Hybrid
 race car that championed this year’s 24 hours at
Le Mans
. The culmination of two
permanently-excited synchronous motors
 (PSM) produce over
 600 hp
 (440kW) and will propel the Mission E from standstill to 100 km/h in less than
3.5 seconds
 and onto 200 km/h in under
 12 seconds
.
Power is distributed to
all four wheels
 with
Porsche Torque Vectoring
, which automatically
distributes torque
 to individual wheels for
 better traction
 and
driving feel
. It will also prove to be a great platform for motorsport racing, it seems. At the heart of it all is an
 800-Volt drive system
, which is
 unheard
 of for a car at least. Because of the
high-discharge density
 of the batteries and motor, it can deliver
 multiple full whack
 accelerations at
short intervals,
 a technology that’s also unheard of in electric vehicles.
With that much juice to spare, Porsche has claimed a range of around
500km
on a single charge. Pretty impressive for a four-door four seater
Panamera-esque
 car. But at the end of the day, bear in mind that it’s a Porsche, which translates to
every-day usability
. Here’s the best part; via the
800-volt port
, the battery can be charged to approximately
80 percent
 of its capacity in around
 15 minutes
 – a record time for electric vehicles. That should give you a range of
400 km
. Astonishing, to say the least.
This is possible thanks to the innovative “
Porsche Turbo Charging
” system. As an alternative, the Mission E can be connected to a conventional
400-volt quick-charging
 station, or it can be replenished at home in the garage via an
inductive charging system
 that’s as easy as
parking
 over a
 coil
 embedded in the
floor
 of the garage from which the energy is transferred without cables to a
coil
 on the car’s
 underbody
. If it works for our mobile phones, why not future EVs, right?
The Mission E is a
 lightweight
 concept with an
optimal weight distribution
 and a
low centre of gravity
. The battery pack is mounted in the car’s underbody, based on the latest
lithium-ion
 technology, it runs the whole length between the
front
 and
rear axles
. This distributes its weight to the two drive axles uniformly, resulting in exceptionally
good balance
, Porsche claims.
The interior is probably a closer interpretation of sci-fi blockbuster,
Minority Report
 where you are tracked via a camera at all times. But it’s more than that, because the camera isn’t actually recording you, but it
tracks
your
 eyes
 to identify which instrument you’re focusing on. The entire dashboard is chock full of new ideas. The free-standing instrument cluster shows
five
 round instruments – they can be recognised as being Porsche, but they are displayed virtually in
 OLED
 technology for a more organic feel.
In terms of design, well that’s needless to say at this point. But glare closely at the pictures and you’ll immediately come across
familiar lines
 and shapes that has served as an inspirational composition for the Mission E concept. The sweeping roof line is clearly lent over from the iconic 911. The rear-end has a whiff too of the Panamera.
We’re convinced for sure that Porsche has the right idea and are headed in the right direction with this electrified sports saloon of tomorrow. This shows the marque’s unwavering commitment to just that cause. Meanwhile, in support of going green, Porsche recently revealed their

new 911 Carrera
 range as a stepping stone forward, featuring turbocharged technology for the first time in the base model.
IMAGE GALLERY


The battery warranty of the Nissan Leaf covers more than just faults

Ever wondered why the battery charge on your smartphone does last as long as when it was new? The phenomenon is referred to in different technical jargons depending on the industry, but it essentially means
a loss in the amount of charge
 a battery is able to retain over time.
Lithium-ion batteries are appreciated for their
high energy density
,
relative low weight
 and
fast charging capability
 compared to past generation technologies such as nickel metal hydride and nickel cadmium. But like all rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion cells are susceptible to
chemical aging
 over repeated charging cycles. The effect of which is a
loss in battery capacity
 – imagine a fuel tank that
shrinks in size
 ever so slightly over time.
Note the 12 outer bars on the battery gauge which shows available capacity in the first generation Nissan Leaf.
It’s a little-known fact, but Nissan became the first EV manufacturer in the world to offer a warranty on battery capacity loss back in 2013 (for selected markets). The warranty came about after some Leaf owners in North America experienced higher than usual battery capacity loss over the initial years ownership.
 Maximum battery capacity (12 bars) as shown on the new Leaf’s digital gauge.
Less than 9-bar condition will trigger the 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
For the second-generation Nissan Leaf sold in Malaysia, its
40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
 is covered by an
 8-year or 160,000km warranty
 not only for faults, but also
any capacity loss exceeding 33%,
 which is equivalent to an indicated level of
less than 9 bars
 (out of a total of 12 segments) as shown on the
battery capacity gauge
 on the vehicle’s Multi Information Display.

Now, if only smartphone manufacturers offer warranty for
battery capacity loss.


Thailand’s new Ford Ranger FX4 Max is almost like a baby Ranger Raptor

There’s a new variant for the Ford Ranger in Thailand, called the FX4 Max, and unlike most “special-edition” variants – including a very similarly-named
Ranger FX4
 – that we’re used to seeing, this one comes with more than just skin-deep styling changes.
The most noticeable mechanical change on the Ranger FX4 Max is its engine. While the previous FX4 special-edition gets the same 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder turbocharged diesel as seen on the
Ranger XLT
, the FX4 Max is instead equipped with the
2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel mill
, the same one seen on the Ranger WildTrak and
 Raptor
.
The bi-turbo engine makes
213 hp
and
500 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox, making the powertrain essentially identical to the Ranger Raptor – all that’s missing is the Raptor-exclusive Terrain Management System. Now you see why we call this the Raptor ‘Lite’?
Other mechanical add-ons include the Fox monotube dampers on all-four corners – while not the same as the Racing Shox found on the Ranger Raptor, the new suspension set-up features increased suspension travel and a taller overall ride height, improving the Ranger FX4 Max’s off-road performance.
Further improvements to its off-road capabilities come in the form of the upgraded BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, wrapping around the new 17-inch alloys. All in, the Ford Ranger FX4 Max boasts a ground clearance of 256 mm – 20 mm more than the regular XLT variant – and an 26 mm wider track width for more stability especially off the beaten path.
As for looks, the Ford Ranger FX4 Max stands out from the other Ranger variants with its Raptor-inspired “FORD” script grille. Other standard equipment on the FX4 Max include a matte black sports roll bar, a tubular side step, and front and rear wheel arch claddings – all of which are finished in a Bolder Grey colour, alongside the door handles, wing mirror housings, wheels, and bumpers.
Inside, the FX4 Max variant-exclusive touches include the Alcantara upholstery with carbon-fibre-like trims and “FX4 MAX” embroideries, as well as a bank of six auxiliary power switches on top of the dashboard. These switches work in conjunction with the 250A alternator, allowing owners to connect external appliances such as winches or LED light bars without messy cabling runs.
The Ford Ranger FX4 Max is available in Thailand for
THB1,189,000
 (~RM159k), approximately THB500k less than the Ranger Raptor.
Closer to home, Sime Darby Auto Connexion has recently unveiled the
special edition Ford Ranger Raptor X here in Malaysia
, with a fresh new coat of True Red paint, and several additional niceties.
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2018 Toyota Vios with 7 airbags gets 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating [+Video]

Recently, ASEAN NCAP released the crash safety rating of the all-new
Perodua Myvi which was awarded full 5-Star safety rating
 based on the new protocol for 2017-2020. Another popular model which was subjected to the same assessment and fared equally well is the Toyota Vios.
But it’s not quite the Vios we all know and love. The 5-Star safety rating applies only to Thailand (known as
Yaris Ativ
 locally), Singapore, Laos and Cambodia only where all variants of the Vios comes equipped with
seven-airbags
, Electronically Stability Control (ESC), ABS and ISOFIX mounting points as standard.
The 5-Star Vios scored an impressive overall score of 81.63 with the breakdown as below:
Adult Occupant Protection: 44.70 points (of 50 points)
Child Occupant Protection: 21.66 points (of 25 points)
Safety Assist: 15.28 points (of 25 points)
The 5-Star safety rating is also applicable to the Yaris Ativ which is exclusive to the Thai-market. The only difference between the Vios and Yaris Ativ is the smaller 1.2-litre engine fitted to the latter in order to comply with Thailand’s eco-car policy.
Unfortunately,
Malaysian-spec Toyota Vios
 does not share the same high-flying rating as our Vios comes with mere dual-airbags. Fortunately thanks to the update introduced earlier in the year, UMW Toyota has fitted
ESC as standard across the range
.


Hyundai released teaser images of Bayon, an all-new B-segment crossover

Hyundai Motor has released several images of its all-new B-segment crossover, the Bayon. We may have some reservations with that name but there’s no denying how futuristic this thing looks (from what’s revealed, at least).
Like the new
Elantra
 and
Sonata
 launched in Malaysia recently, the company has confirmed that Bayon will be the latest model to incorporate its Sensuous Sportiness design language.
The black strip between the slim daytime running lights is actually an air duct to channel air towards the engine bay. The Hyundai Bayon’s headlamps on the other hand have been positioned on the front bumper, just like the
new Hyundai Kona in Malaysia
.
Along with the arrow-shaped tail lights that resemble those on the Lexus UX crossover, the front and rear of the all-new Bayon has been design to make the B-segment look wider.
As for the rest of the car, more will be revealed in the coming weeks with the crossover expected to be fully revealed by the first half of this year.


The Ducati Superleggera V4 costs RM888k, and the only one currently in M’sia has already been sold

Ducati
 Malaysia today unveiled the Superleggera V4 – the “most exclusive Ducati ever produced” – here on our shores, bearing a price tag of
RM888,000
. Ducati is only ever building 500 units of the Superleggera V4, and the first and currently the only one here in Malaysia has already been sold.
This unit that you’re seeing here with the ID number 210/500 was delivered today to Datuk Nazir Hussin Akhtar Husin at the Ducati Flagship showroom in Petaling Jaya. Aside from this brand-new Superleggera, he also already has a Ducati Panigale V4 R, as well as a 1199 Panigale V4 S in his collection.
‘Superleggera’ means ‘Super Light’ in Italian, and as you can expect, the new Superleggera V4 once again pushes the technical envelope all in the name of saving a few (important) kilograms. In fact, the Superleggera V4 is the only street-legal motorcycle in the world to have its entire load-bearing structure (frame, subframe, swingarm, and wheels) made out of carbon fibre composite material, which helped save 6.7 kg!
With all the incredible weight-saving measures in place, including extensive use of carbon fibre, titanium, and machined aluminium parts, the Ducati Superleggera V4 weighs just 159 kg dry, 16 kg less than the Panigale V4, and translates to a power-to-weight ratio of
1.41 hp/kg
 – which is supposedly a record-breaking figure for a road legal sports bike, according to Ducati.
The Superleggera V4 can also be fitted with the Racing kit, which boosts engine output to 234 hp, while dropping its dry weight further to 152.2 kg, therefore raising its power/weight ratio to
 1.54 hp/kg
.
Other equipment included that pretty much makes this the most-extreme road-legal sports bike ever are the lightened Ohlins suspension system with pressurised fork, a Brembo brake system, as well as new electronics wizardries including “EVO 2 strategies” for the traction control system and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS), which allows riders to shift up and down without using the clutch.
Exclusive to the Superleggera V4 is also a special engine calibration for the Akrapovic racing exhaust, which gives riders access to a track-only “RaceGP” display mode, which Ducati says is a direct offshoot of the instrument panel on their MotoGP contender.
 GALLERY


The new Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner is for when “luxury” just isn’t enough

The “regular”
Bentley Flying Spur
 is already one of the plushiest car money can (realistically) buy. But when that is still not enough, Bentley has just unveiled an even posher Flying Spur Mulliner for the lucky 1-percenters.
Claimed to offer the “the ultimate in four-door luxury”, the Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner is now the luxury carmaker’s most expensive series-production model to date. Anything more, and you’ll have to ask the
Mulliner coachbuilding department
 to specifically make one for you.
So what makes this Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner special? On the outside, the top-of-the-range edition gets several Mulliner-exclusive touches including the unique “double diamond” front grille and chrome lower intakes, matching wing vents, satin silver-painted wing mirror caps, and an electrically deployed and illuminated Bentley Flying B ornament.
The Mulliner also has a unique set of 22-inch grey Mulliner wheels, replete with self-levelling wheel caps that remain upright as the wheels rotate, plus “jewel” fuel and oil caps. Rather mild by Mulliner’s standards, but still enough to help the car stand out without being gaudy.
Bentley also made a limited-run Odyssean Edition to celebrate the launch of the Flying Spur Hybrid. Check it out here!
Inside, though, is where things get a little more flashy. Buyers can choose from eight different hand-picked three-colour combinations, all with the same attention to detail and flair you’d expect from a Bentley.
The one you see here in the photos is called Ascot, with imperial blue leather on the dashboard, doors, and headlining, a light tan hue called “Camel” on the seats, and white serving as the accent colour on the micro-piping, embroidery and accent lines.
The Mulliner Driving Specification is fitted as standard on the range-topping Flying Spur trim, which brings with it Bentley’s iconic diamond-in-diamond seat quilting, and three-dimensional leather details on the doors.
And to demonstrate what we mean by “Bentley’s attention to detail”, each of the diamonds are made up of exactly 712 individual stitches! According to Bentley, the embroidery process itself took 18 months to develop, but the results are, we think, well worth it.
If you’re looking for something a little more special, take a look at this five-unit-only coach-built stretched Bentley Mulsanne limousine!
Wrapping up the interior are the brushed silver Mulliner Breitling clock, illuminated Mulliner sill plates, extra deep-pile Mulliner overmats, plus unique Mulliner-exclusive electrically-operated veneer and leather picnic tables for the rear passengers that deploy at just a push of a button.
Last but definitely not least, each customer will receive their cars with a unique Mulliner-branded handcrafted presentation box, which matches the exact three-colour combination of their car’s cabin. The keys themselves are also similarly colour-matched with leather.
The Mulliner variant will be offered with any of the existing Bentley Flying Spur’s powertrain options, which means you can choose between a
4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
,
6.0-litre W12
, or the
recently-launched 3.0-litre V6 hybrid
.
Pricing wise, well – as they say, if you have to ask…
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Geely wants Lotus to compete with Ferrari and Porsche again

Having
 taken over one of the most notable names in the British sportscar game
, Geely not only wants to
restore Lotus to its former glory
 but also scale new heights by introducing brand new sportscars while penetrating the SUV game.
Working on tapping into the increasingly lucrative SUV segment, a vital exercise if Lotus wants to see any profit at all, Geely could possibly look into utilising the
new Volvo XC40’s platform
. The XC40 is built on the Compact Modular Architecture that’s capable of supporting high performance applications – it’s probably safe to expect the potential
Lotus SUV
 to come with potent powertrains.
The
Lotus Elise 260 Cup
 – the lightest, most powerful Elise to date
Aside from SUV-manufacturing aspirations, Geely’s boss had also highlighted the desire to restore the Lotus brand where it would challenge (as it were before in its heyday) the likes of Porsche and Ferrari once again.
While Lotus’ have also been a notch lower in terms of price point than the Italian and German powerhouses, they’ve never been too far in terms of driving dynamics and pleasure. A Porsche or Ferrari beater at a fraction of the asking price of say a Ferrari 488 GTB or a Porsche 911 GT3 RS could just set the Lotus brand alight again.
Source:
Autocar


All-new Ford Focus unveiled, sharper looks with minimalistic interior

Ford has officially pulled off the wraps to the fourth-generation Ford Focus with the accompanying tagline “The Most Innovative, Spacious, Connected and Fun-To-Drive Focus Ever”. The all-new Focus is available in three body styles hatchback, sedan and estate, all of which will go on sale in Europe and China later in the year.
Underneath the skin is Ford’s new C2 platform that promises enhanced crash safety performance, more interior space and weight savings of up to
88 kg
. The designers have adopted a human-centric design philosophy resulting in a sleek and athletic design while maintaining class-leading aerodynamic efficiency of
0.273 cd
.

Up front, you’ll find Ford’s latest illustration of the hexagonal grille as well as full LED headlamps that we can’t help to think they have drawn inspiration from a certain carmaker based in Gothenburg. The taillamps are now positioned further away from each other to create a wider stance for the car.
Four distinct trim lines
 are available for the new Focus – Titanium, Active, ST-Line and Vignale, all differentiated by their body kit design. Notably, the ST-Line wears the most aggressive look with a functional roof spoiler, aerodynamic rear diffuser as well as signature ST-Line lower wing elements directing air to the air-curtain inlets.
Ford Focus ST-Line
On ST-Line models, ride height is lowered by
10 mm
 in combination with unique springs, dampers and stabiliser bars for a more dynamic driving performance while the Focus Active gets
30 mm
 increased ride height compared to a standard car to suit the cars go anywhere attitude.
Inside, the cabin is a breath of fresh air with a decidedly more minimalistic design. Sitting on the centre dash is an 8.0-inch SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system with touchscreen and gesture control support. The new system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Automatic versions of the Focus will now get a
Rotary Gear Shift Dial
 instead of a traditional gear lever to free up additional space on the centre console.

Speaking of space, the car’s longer wheelbase and flat floor contribute to a best-in-class knee clearance of 81 mm and shoulder room has increased by some 60 mm as compared to the outgoing Focus.
The all-new Focus is available with four engine options -two petrol and two diesels, all paired to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic, the latter is a first for the Focus. Starting with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost, it is offered in three states of tune
84 hp
,
 99 hp
 and
123 hp
 while the larger capacity 1.5-litre, also three-cylinder EcoBoost, serves up
148 hp
 or
180 hp
.
A Focus Estate for you?
Both EcoBoost petrol engines feature Ford’s cylinder deactivation system which automatically stops one of the engine’s cylinders under low engine load or coasting. When on-demand propulsion is needed, the cylinder is reactivated in
14 milliseconds
 – 20 times faster than a blink of an eye – to ensure refinement and performance is not compromised.
Diesel offering is made up of a 1.5-litre EcoBlue turbodiesel that delivers
 94 hp
 or
118 hp
 – both deliver
300 Nm
 of twist – as well as a 2.0‑litre EcoBlue turbodiesel that makes
148 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque.
Ford has equipped the Focus with Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition, Lane-Centring, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Evasive Steering Assist, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert and Post-Collision Braking; anticipating a 5-Star Euro NCAP Crash Safety Rating.
IMAGE GALLERY


This lady bought her Toyota AE86 in 1983 and has been driving it since

You and I, we’ve all come across stories like these before – they’re not uncommon. Yet, it never fails to strum out inner feels every time we encounter something like this.
In a time where we’re labelled as a “throw-away society”, influenced by our consumerism and over consumption of things, we’re so thoughtless about getting rid of the things that are old, out of fashion or perhaps even mildly out of date.
This lady has a lesson or two we can all learn from.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Amanda Nulty (@amandaae86)
This heart-warming encounter was shared by Instagram user
@amandaae86
 after met possibly one of the oldest owners of the Toyota AE86 named Marie.
Marie has owned the car since it was bought brand new in 1983 and have been driving it daily ever since. She also knew it would be the only car she’ll have after purchasing it – such it the unexplainable magic of the 86.
She’s even gone on extremely long road trips – driving across Nullarbor in South Australia, through the 1,660 km Eyre Highway – the first National Highway in Australia.
She also added that she’s only left it to one mechanic to maintain the car throughout her entire ownership, using original Toyota parts only. In those 35 years, it had only broken down on her once; adding that she even cried when the car was put on the tow truck.


Mercedes-Benz named world’s most valuable luxury car brand again, sixth year in a row

It’s that time of the year when US brand consultancy Interbrand publishes their annual
“Best Global Brands” study
, and – surprise, surprise – Mercedes-Benz has once again been ranked as the world’s most valuable luxury car brand, for the
sixth year in a row
.
The Three-pointed Star’s brand value has grown by 3% from 2020 to now USD50.9 billion. However, its overall ranking remains at eight, making it the only German brand to make it into the top 10. Mercedes-Benz’s closest rival,
BMW
, drops to 12th place (from 11th) with a 5% growth in brand value (USD41.6 billion).
Just like last year, Mercedes-Benz isn’t actually the most valuable carmaker
overall
– that title goes to
Toyota
, who retains seventh place with a 5% growth in brand value (USD54.1 billion). That’s why you’ll only see Mercedes-Benz ever talk about itself as the most valuable
luxury
 carmaker.
Read our review of the Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde here!
The most surprising addition to the top 20 most valuable brand is
Tesla
, who climbed a whopping 26 positions to 14th this year, thanks to a 184% increase in brand value to USD36.3 billion.
Other luxury carmakers that made the Top 100 include
Audi
 at 46th place (down two places from last year),
Porsche
 (58th, down three),
Ferrari
 (76th, up three),
Mini
 (96th, down one), and
Land Rover
 (98th, down five).
“Our continued ranking in the top ten and the increased brand value are successes that we at team Mercedes-Benz are very proud of. This result validates our strategic direction yet again – as a company but also in terms of our brand positioning,” said Mercedes-Benz VP of Communications and Marketing, Bettina Fetzer.
“Across all our brands, Mercedes-Benz is transitioning from a traditional understanding of luxury to a modern interpretation that emphasises aspects such as approachability, innovation and individuality, that establishes an awareness of a world of new possibilities and that inspires enthusiasm for sustainable mobility.”
Mercedes-Benz has stopped development of PHEV powertrains to focus solely on EVs. Learn more here.
Interbrand has been conducting its “Best Global Brands” study since 1999, and is often regarded as one of the most competitive benchmarks and indicators used by company CEOs to gauge the company’s performance.
The ranking system is based on three primary criteria: “The financial performance of the brand’s products or services”, “The role of the brand in the purchasing decision-making process”, and “The strength of the brand when it comes to securing future returns for the company”.
More information on the study and the full Top 100 list can be found on Interbrand’s website
here
.


Lotus Emira V6 First Edition confirmed with 405 hp, starts from RM435k in the UK

Lotus has confirmed the technical specifications and thus the price of the
all-new Emira
 First Edition, with the sportscar tagged at a starting price of
GBP75,995
 (approx. RM435k). Production of the sportscar will only start from the Spring of 2022.
The big-bore Toyota 2GR-FE 3.5-litre V6 engine now develops
405 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque (automatic transmissions see an increase of 10 Nm), with boosting pressure added by an Edelbrock 1740 supercharger. Preliminary benchmark century sprint time is
4.3 seconds
 for the six-speed manual and 4.2 seconds for the six-speed conventional automatic.
Even with just relatively modest amounts of peak outputs, the all-new Lotus Emira is expected to hit a top speed of 290 km/h. For the Emira V6 First Edition variant, customers are initially offered a choice of six colours with more to be added later in 2022.
Lotus is also campaigning the Emira in the GT4 category as soon as next year! 400 hp and under 1,300 kg! More information here.
Exterior details include full LED lighting, titanium exhaust finisher, power-folding door mirrors and Lower Black Pack that applies gloss black to the aerodynamic pieces up front, side sills and the rear diffuser.
There are three types of finishing available for the 20-inch forged alloy wheels and customers can also select different brake caliper colours plus a choice of either Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres with the Sports package.
A Touring package is also available to make the Lotus Emira more of a grand tourer, with the suspension set up softer for a more comfortable ride.
For the interior, there are seven colour choices with key touchpoints finished in satin chrome. Other features include a 12-way adjustable power seat with memory function, premium audio system from British brand KEF, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and a multi-function steering wheel. Visit the configurator
here
 for the example of the interior themes.
Apart from new cars and designs, Lotus is also revamping the look and feel of their sales centre. Check out how awesome the first looks, here!

For the drivers who prefer a lightweight four-cylinder behind their backs, be prepared to wait late until 2022, as Lotus is only planning to introduce the First Edition with the Mercedes-AMG sourced
four-cylinder powertrain
 from autumn of 2022. As for the much talked about variant with an entry price of under GBP60,000 (RM344k), production is only scheduled to begin in 2023.
At this rate, not one but two
fully electric Lotus
 models manufactured in
China
 are scheduled to reach dealerships sooner than the “mass-market” all-new Emira, given the competitive and rapid pace of Chinese auto manufacturing.
Either pricing puts the Lotus Emira above the Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 (from GBP65k) and 718 Cayman T (300 hp, from GBP52.5k).
GALLERY


Polestar 2 set for global premiere, Tesla Model 3 rival

After releasing a
teaser image on the brand’s official Twitter account, Polestar is ready to unveil
the Polestar 2 in all its glory on 27 February 2019. The car will proceed to
make its first public appearance at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show
happening in March.
Details of Polestar’s second car is scarce, but we know that unlike the Polestar 1 high-performance hybrid coupe, the Polestar 2 will be a four-door compact electric saloon that aims squarely at the
Tesla Model 3
.
Reports have quoted that the Polestar 2 will command over
400 hp
 with over
450 km
 of driving range. If Polestar were to take the fight to Tesla, their new electric vehicle will have to beat or at least match the Model 3’s sub 6 seconds century sprint time and over 200 km/h top speed.
The Polestar 2 will be
built in Chengdu, China
 at the company’s dedicated production facility alongside the Volvo manufacturing plant.


Nissan to canvas for sales leads online during MCO period

The Covid-19 pandemic is changing the way brick-and-mortar businesses function, with many companies relying on a heavier online presence to canvas for sales leads as potential customers stay home.
While the Movement Control Order (MCO) prohibits car showrooms from operating, it does not preclude sales leads from being generated online, with a view to facilitate registrations and deliveries progressively after the MCO is lifted.
As such, Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s Nissan website has been enhanced with a new ‘
Online Showroom
’ feature which enables potential customers to
submit online enquiries
 or
requests for vehicle booking
 in a few simple steps. Once submitted, a Nissan sales representative would be in contact
within 24 hours
. Give it try if you’ve been eyeing a Nissan vehicle before MCO was imposed.


KLIMS18: Perodua X-Concept, hinting at the future of Peordua SUVs?

Taking centre stage at Perodua’s booth at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) is the Perodua X-Concept. A compact SUV concept car that hints at the second national carmaker’s vision of connected and tech-laden automobiles.
Some of the highlights of the X-Concept include the LED illuminated front grille that houses the Perodua logo, Y-Shaped LED headlamps and taillamps as well as a sharply sculptured body. While the front end is a novelty for Perodua, the lower rear section reminiscence of the brand’s current line up of hatchback, in particular, the Myvi, with its pronounced rear bumper.

The sharp edges from the C-pillar onwards is a refreshing take of Perodua’s current boxy vehicle design that is present from the Bezza sedan all the way up to the Alza MPV. If this is what Perodua designers are plotting, then the company has come a long way (in terms of vehicle design) from rebadging Daihatsu cars.
Not much has been revealed for the interior but it showcases a futuristic dashboard layout that incorporates an LCD instrument cluster, a 12.9-inch portrait-styled central touchscreen and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. It seems that technologically advance and minimalism is the theme for the cabin design.
Perodua did not disclose its future plans with the X-Concept but based on the company’s track record of turning concept cars into reality, we might very well see Perodua venturing into the SUV space in the near future.
“In keeping with KLIMS18’s Beyond Mobility theme, the Perodua X-Concept is much more than just a vehicle in the accepted sense. It is the manifestation of Perodua’s vision of the future, a vision where cars are lifestyle statements first, means of transport second, and bristling with connected technology,” said Perodua President and CEO, Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua X-Concept at KLIMS


Gallery: New Mitsubishi Xpander previewed in Malaysia, to be locally-assembled in Pekan

Shortly after announcing that the Mitsubishi Xpander will be making its way onto our shores, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has now set up a roadshow at the Mid Valley Megamall to preview the seven-seater crossover for the first time in our country.
The Mitsubishi Xpander,
first introduced in Indonesia back in 2017
, will be making its debut in Malaysia in the latest facelifted form, which was unveiled earlier this year. Cosmetic upgrades include a slightly reworked Dynamic Shield front grille, LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and sharkfin radio antenna at the rear.
Looking at the car at the preview, we also noticed that the Malaysian-specification Mitsubishi Xpander will be equipped with a
360-degree around view monitor
, which should be quite useful for a bulky seven-seater like this. However, whether this will be a standard feature across all variants remains to be seen.
The teaser preview utilises an automatically pulley system to raise and lower a cloth cover, effectively showing only the bottom half of the Mitsubishi Xpander. Though for a brief few moments, we did manage to glimpse into the interior of the seven-seater crossover, where we can see that the Malaysian specification features black upholstery as opposed to beige seats in the Indonesian model.
Based on the teaser videos published by MMM on their social media channels, the Malaysian Xpander will also feature Apple CarPlay connectivity on the central infotainment display.
As for what’s underneath the hood, we expect to see the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, as seen in the Indonesian models, to make its way here as well. The engine produces
105 hp
 and
141 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.
Aside from the teaser preview, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has also announced that the Xpander will be
locally-assembled in Malaysia
 in the company’s new production facility in Pekan, Pahang. Prior to this, the company’s two locally-assembled models – the ASX and Outlander – were both built in the Tan Chong Assembly Plant in Segambut.
MMM Chief Executive Officer Tomoyuki Shinnishi also said that the Xpander has been localised to meet the demands of Malaysian customers. “It will be priced competitively to cater for families and adventure-seekers who are looking for a more comfortable and practical seven-seater to make their journeys a more pleasant one,” he added.
The new plant in Pekan features an all-new body welding workshop, 360-degree ED-coating and robotic spray system to ensure full coverage of corrosive prevention coating and consistent paint finishing, as well as an all-new tester line to check for all safety functions including the Active Stability Control (ASC) system before the car reaches its final assembly line.
The Mitsubishi Xpander will be on display at the East Atrium of Mid Valley Megamall, from
today until the 13th of September
, from 10 am until 10 pm daily. Customers can register their interest at the roadshow, with the order books expected to open “soon”.
If you’re interested to learn more about the Mitsubishi Xpander, be sure to check out our
 full review
 of the seven-seater crossover, featuring our friend Fitra Eri of Oto Driver from Indonesia!
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All-new Perodua Alza to be introduced by end of 2021?

We’ve been hearing rumours about a
Perodua Alza
 replacement model for a long time now, seeing that the MPV is now 12-years-old. While nothing concrete has really surfaced just yet, a new statement from Perodua parts supplier Sapura Industrial Berhad (SIB) might have just given us the first inkling of the model’s launch timeline.
“We are currently in the development phase of parts awarded for the Alza replacement model (D27A) expected to be launched by
end 2021
,” SIB said in its 2021 annual report. “We have also been awarded the supply of Case Differential Assembly by Akashi Kikai Industry Malaysia, a Tier-1 vendor for Perodua’s transmission module, forecasted for mass production in December 2021.”
Perodua DN Multisix concept, first shown off alongside the DN Trec at the 2017 Tokyo motor show.
Now, to be clear, the statement is no guarantee that we’ll actually see the new model by this year – it could just be an initial target timeline given by Perodua to its supplier, and don’t forget how the Covid-19 pandemic and
semiconductor chip shortages
 have affected vehicle production worldwide.
We won’t bet on it, but given Perodua’s track record in keeping to its launch timeline, it’s more than likely a possibility that’ll we’ll see it this year, with deliveries beginning next year – we’ll just have to wait and see.
Not much information is currently available on the D27A Perodua Alza replacement just yet, but it’s likely that the model will be based on the DN Multisix concept shown off at the 2017 Tokyo motor show, displayed next to the DN Trec which evolved into the
Daihatsu Rocky
/
Perodua Ativa
 that we all know.
We also won’t be surprised to see the DNGA platform being used for the all-new D27A model, as the modular platform was designed to be easily shared across multiple models, as Perodua themselves also said in the media slides at the launch of the Ativa.
The upcoming Perodua Alza probably will look nothing like this inside, but it’s still nice to dream!
More info on the all-new Perodua Alza replacement model will come in due time, as we edge ever closer to the launch. What are your wish lists for the new model? Let us know in the comments section below!
GALLERY


Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition now in Malaysia, RM978k before taxes

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur
 has launched the
Aston Martin Vantage
 F1 Edition
 in Malaysia. Before taxes, duties, and other options, the range-topping Vantage model costs a total of
RM978,000
. Essentially a replica of the F1 safety car, the Vantage F1 Edition is available in both coupe and roadster versions.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your motor insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
As the most track-focused production Vantage to date, the Vantage F1 Edition is also the most powerful. Housing a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine under the hood, the Vantage F1 Edition makes
535 hp
(metric) and
635 Nm
 of torque. Paired with the V8 engine is an 8-speed automatic transmission with an optimised torque cut during upshifts that reduces shift times and increases the feeling of directness and precision.
On the chassis, the Vantage F1 Edition has received underbody modifications that increase the front structural stiffness, subsequently improving steering feel and response. The dampers have a wider bandwidth, improving vertical body control.
At the rear, the spring rate has been increased, together with the lateral stiffness. This helps to sharpen turn-in, increase traction, and ensure that the tail-end is tuned to complement the front-end’s rate of response. The steering wheel has also been tuned to allow feedback from the road to be transmitted more clearly.
As the point of contact with the road, the wheels and tyres have also been optimised. The Vantage F1 Edition gets 21-inch wheels, 1 inch bigger than the ‘regular’ Vantage. It also gets a set of Pirelli P Zero tyres that have been specially developed for the F1 Edition.
RELATED:
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster is here for your maximum listening pleasure
Besides being the most powerful version of the Vantage (and with substantial chassis improvement), the Vantage F1 Edition also benefits from aerodynamic improvements. Like the F1 safety car version of the Vantage, this production model is equipped with a comprehensive aero kit.
The aerodynamic features comprise a full-width front splitter, front dive planes, underbody turning vanes, and a new rear wing. The rear diffuser remains unchanged but remains a core feature in the delivery of the aerodynamic performance working in tandem with the new aerodynamic features.
RELATED:
2022 Aston Martin DBX 707 launched in Malaysia from RM1.1 million
Designed to deliver positive front and rear downforce (totalling up to 200kg more downforce than the Vantage at top speed), the aerodynamics of the Vantage optimises the overall balance of the car. Further distinguishing the Vantage F1 Edition from its other counterparts is a standard vaned grille, 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre exterior detailing, unique graphics, quad exhausts, and newly designed Satin Black 21” alloy wheels.
Complementing the aerodynamic sculpture of the Vantage F1 Edition are limited, yet distinctive colour palettes and trim options, including one that celebrates the brand’s return to Formula 1. Body colours for the Vantage F1 Edition are available in both Satin or Gloss finish. The car can also be had in Jet Black and Lunar White. All colour options will be complemented by a Solid Matte Dark Grey racing graphic.
Inside, the Vantage F1 Edition features new Obsidian Black Leather and Phantom Grey Alcantara upholstery and trim, with a choice of Lime Green, Obsidian Black, Titanium Grey or Spicy Red contrast stripe and stitching.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Aston Martin DBX 707 4.0L V8 twin-turbo, from RM1.1mil
GALLERY


Buy one, win another: Ford Ranger Raptor winner in raptures

Some people have all the luck. Take for instance Shahrul Iman bin Sulaiman of Pahang winning a new Ford Ranger Raptor after purchasing a new Ford Ranger XLT Plus recently. It doesn’t hurt to dream once a while, for Shahrul Iman, his came true.
“Winning the Ranger Raptor was something unexpected and is definitely the biggest win in my life. Thank you Sime Darby Auto ConneXion and Ford – I can definitely drive home in style this Raya,” said Shahrul. With 210 hp and 500 Nm spread over a 10-speed automatic and with 6 different driving modes at his disposal, Shahrul has more than style in his pocket – he has the
baddest pick-up truck
 currently being sold in the country.

The ‘Buy a New Ranger. Win a Ranger Raptor’ contest was held from October 2018 till January 2019 in conjunction with the launch of the new and updated Ford Ranger range. Customers who purchased any new Ranger over the stipulated period were eligible to win the Ranger Raptor. Congratulations to Shahrul and for the rest (of us) who did not win, we wish you the ‘best of luck’ in future contests featuring prizes of cars.


BMW 5 Series and i5 “First edition” unveiled for Japan – 300 units only

Not long after the unveiling of the all-new
BMW 5 Series
, there is already a “Special Edition” for the car, albeit only in Japan. In the land of the rising sun, the BMW 5 Series “First Edition” and the i5 “First Edition” can now be ordered. The 5 Series “First Edition” is based on the BMW 523i M Sport while the BMW i5 “First Edition” is based on the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport.
Upon its unveiling, the all-new BMW 5 series was made available in several guises including the 520i, 520d, 520d xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 xDrive. There are 200 units of the 523i “First Edition” and 100 units of the i5 eDrive40 “First Edition” available for Japan. In total, there are 300 units of the “First Edition” BMW 5 Series in Japan.
BMW customers in Japan who would like to order the “First Edition” can do so online through the BMW online store. Delivery is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2023. Differentiating the “First Edition” BMW 5 series (both the 523i and i5 eDrive40) from the ‘regular’ all-new BMW 5 Series are several features.
RELATED:
All-new 2023 BMW 5 Series unveiled, embarks on new era with fully-electric i5
Standard features on the 300 units of the “First Edition” include:
Mineral White or Black Sapphire exterior colour
Adaptive Suspension
Integrated active steering (front and rear wheel integrated control steering system)
Parking Assist Professional
Driving Assist Professional (with Hands-off Assist during highway congestion)
BMW curved display (12.3-inch multi-display instrument panel & 14.9-inch wide control display [with touch panel function])
BMW head-up display
BMW drive recorder
Interior camera
Alarm system
Adaptive LED headlight
Kidney Grille: BMW Iconic Glow
Sun protection glass
Panoramic glass sunroof
Ambient Light/BMW Interaction Bar
crafted crystal finish
Travel & Comfort System
4-zone automatic air conditioner
Comfort access
BMW Digital Key Plus
RELATED:
BMW i7 eDrive50 unveiled – New entry-level variant, up to 611km of range
BMW 523i “First Edition” for Japan
Standard features on the 523i “First Edition” include:
M Alcantara/Veganza Combination (Black)
20-inch M light alloy wheels star spoke styling 938M bicolor (jet black)
Sports seat (driver’s seat/passenger seat)
Harman/Kardon HiFi speaker system
BMW i5 eDrive40 “First Edition” for Japan
Standard features on the i5 eDrive40 “First Edition” include:
BMW Individual Extended Merino Leather (Black/Atlas Gray)
21-inch BMW Individual Aerodynamic Wheels 954I Bi-Color (Jet Black)
Active ventilation seat (driver’s seat/passenger seat)
Electrically adjustable comfort seats (driver’s seat/passenger’s seat)
Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System Alarm System
With the all-new BMW 5 Series and the i5 unveiled (even with a special “First Edition” for Japan), it will eventually make its way to Malaysia. Registration of Interest (ROI) is already open for the all-new 5 Series on BMW Malaysia’s official website.
RELATED:
BMW brings back the clown shoe with new Concept Touring Coupe


European Civic Type R to be sold in homeland, Japan [+Video]

Honda Motor Company’s new CEO, Takahiro Hachigo in his inaugural speech earlier today announced that the new
Civic Type R
, built in Britian, will be destined for Japanese customers as early as September this year.
This news follows the brand’s recent
£200 million
 (nearly RM1.2 billion at press time) investment of its UK-based plant (HUM or Honda UK Manufacturing), making it the global production hub for the next generation Civic five-door model. The
first Civic Type R
 just rolled of the production line last week, signalling at the beginning of its mass production.

HUM’s Managing Director, Soichiro Takizawa said, “The new Civic Type R is a significant model for Honda, representing our racing spirit and demonstrating our commitment to innovation and passion. Here at HUM, we are extremely proud to be the
only manufacturer of the Civic Type R in the world
. Our high standards have earned us this privilege and this is testament to the continued commitment of our associates.”
The Civic Type R is a beastly hatch with a brand new
turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC
 engine, one that makes
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. It’s mated to a
six-speed manual
 gearbox driving the
front wheels
 – a recipe that
shreds the Green Hell in 7:50.63 seconds
. Just how fast is that around the ring, you ask? Well, that’s over a second quicker than the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4!


Boom! Daigo Saito’s 2JZ powered A90 Toyota Supra bursts into flames

Japanese pro drifter and former D1 Grand Prix Champion Daigo Saito is the first known man to transplant (and race!) the famed 2JZ straight-six engine into the body of a brand-new A90 Toyota Supra. The completed car participated in the Monster Energy presents D1GP All Star Shoot-out in Odaiba, Japan but unfortunately, things did not go all that well for Saito and the Supra.
Midway through a drift, a ball of flame burst from the engine bay which led us to believe that the Supra suffered an engine blow. Fortunately, this being a race car, safety measures (emergency kill switch, ignition cut off, fire extinguisher) are in check to keep the driver safe.
Fortunately, Saito came
out unscathed but did not elaborate on the incident at the time of writing. The
2JZ straight-six engine was done up by HKS and stroked to 3.3-litres in capacity
(originally 3.0-litre) with forged internals and boosted to 800 hp. The team
put together the build in a mere and impressive 42 days which includes the Pandem
widebody kit, rear wing, wheels, brakes and set up.
Despite the car going up in flames, it does not discredit the work from the engineers and development team, allowing Saito to absolutely murder the drift course – when the car was running of course…
#D1GP

#スープラ
 解禁
pic.twitter.com/VMx1sv3H0L
— Car Media REVOLT-IS（レヴォルティス） (@revoltis)
March 23, 2019


Ferrari unveils yet another custom one-off project – the P80/C

You might confuse this new P80/C for the
Ferrari SP38
 we shared last year, due to the “helmet visor-like” front windscreen, but the similarities between these two one-off projects end there.
Working closely with the one-off project’s customer, the objective was to design and develop a car that was inspired by the Ferrari 330 P3/P4 and the Ferrari Dino 206 of the 1960s.
With
more than four years
 spent on the development of the P80/C beginning in 2015, it is the longest build process for any Ferrari one-off to date.
Built purely to be a track car, the P80/C was developed using the Ferrari 488 GT3 platform – with a longer wheelbase over the standard 488 GTB – which offered Ferrari more creative freedom with the car’s design.
As it is solely for track use, designers have been able to discard whatever they felt were unnecessary. The headlights for example, have been completely eliminated, replaced with slits used as air intakes.
The P80/C’s exterior is made entirely from carbon-fibre, which is left bare wherever the parts have a purely technical function, while the main bodywork is painted in a bright red colour called Rosso Vero – a colour chosen by the client himself.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Maserati MC20 is the brand’s most important car in modern times

Maserati has unveiled the MC20, its first supercar in over 15 years, through a live digital launch event today. The new supercar will spearhead the brand’s revival in a “new phase” of the Italian brand’s history, dubbed Maserati New Era, including a return to performance-oriented cars and its racing roots.
“We are setting the cornerstone for building the future of
Maserati
,” said COO Davide Grasso during the launch event in Modena, Italy. “The MC20 is the embodiment of our values, the first of its kind 100% made in Modena. MC20 is the model that starts our new era.”
Instead of relying on
Ferrari
 (previously its sister brand under the FCA umbrella) to provide the powertrain, The MC20 – which stands for
Maserati Corse
 and the year 2020 – will be powered by an engine built completely in-house, the first in over 20 years.
Named Nettuno (or Neptune, after the Roman god which inspired the brand’s Trident logo), the three-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine is rated to make
630 hp
 and
730 Nm
 of torque. Built with an F1-inspired pre-combustion chamber and a dual-spark plug configuration, the mid-mounted engine is paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to propel the MC20 from 0-100 km/h in less than
2.9 seconds
, onward to a top speed of over
325 km/h
.
Maserati also quotes a braking distance of just 33 metres to decelerate from 100 km/h to a standstill. Stopping power is provided by 380 mm discs in front and 350 mm at the rear, paired to six- and four-piston Brembo brake calipers respectively.
The unique powertrain is just one part of the equation to the MC20’s overall performance. Built on a carbon-fibre monocoque tub, the new supercar weighs less than 1,500 kg, equating to a weight-to-horsepower ratio of just 2.33 kg/hp.
The bodyshell is also heavily developed using advanced computer-assisted fluid dynamics engineering and over 2,000 man hours in the wind tunnel. As a result, the sleek design manages a drag coefficient of just 0.38 Cd, and devoid of any unsightly extra appendages for aerodynamic purposes, aside from a discreet rear spoiler.
Maserati says that the design of the car is also heavily guided by the brand’s historic identity, and we can definitely see a hint of the iconic MC12 in the front fascia, particularly the pointed snout, wide and low grille, and the vented bonnet in front.
For a touch of flamboyance, the MC20 is fitted with butterfly doors, which Maserati says enhances ergonomics and eases ingress and egress, along with the brand’s trident design sculpted into the glass engine cover. Otherwise, the exterior of the supercar is decidedly minimal.
The minimalistic direction continues inside the cabin, where the dashboard design was made specifically to put the driver in the spotlight, and “nothing must distract them from the sporting driving experience”.
There are two 10-inch screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and another for the Maserati Touch Control infotainment system and the various vehicle settings. The carbon fibre centre console is also simplified with only minimal controls for drive modes selection (GT, Wet, Sport, Corsa and ESC Off), infotainment, power windows, manual and reverse gear for the transmission, and a wireless charger for your mobile phone.
All other controls are relegated to the alcantara-wrapped carbon fibre steering wheel, which itself also only has the minimum-requirement of hardware buttons – engine start/stop button on the left, and launch control on the right – aside from multimedia and cruise control buttons of course.
Aside from the two-seater coupe variant, Maserati has also confirmed that the MC20 will be available in a convertible form at a later date, as well as a full-electric version, in line with the brand’s latest direction to have an electrified variant for every model.
The MC20 will be built at Maserati’s historic Viale Ciro Menotti plant, where the
 GranTurismo and GranCabrio
 models were previously assembled. Order books are now open, with production slated to begin before the end of this year.
GALLERY


Ferrari celebrates its 70th Anniversary by showing off the LaFerrari Aperta!

It was truly a privilege to witness, in the flesh, and even sit in and touch one of only 209 units available on the face of this planet.
This rare specimen I’m referring to is Ferrari’s limited-production
LaFerrari Aperta
, a special series model produced to mark Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary, which was displayed this morning in a press conference held at Slate @ The Row.
In conjunction with the milestone, Naza Italia, the sole official importer and distributor of Ferrari in Malaysia today bestowed upon the media a more than generous preview of a Ferrari you’d most likely not see on the road. The celebrations would also include a series of exclusive events in Penang this weekend. The itinerary includes a grand rally of Ferraris from Kuala Lumpur to Penang’s Unesco site – promising to be the largest of its kind held in Malaysia.
“We are truly honoured to be part of Ferrari’s global celebrations and it gives us great pleasure to be able to pay tribute to Cavallino Rampante history with some of the most devoted Ferrari owners in the nation”, said NAZA World Group Executive Chairman, Datuk Wira Hj. SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin.

On arrival in Penang, the participating Ferraristi’s would be at Jalan Padang Kota Lama nearby the Penang City Hall to form a “majestic feature” – a spectacle that would surely excite both the owners and spectators. A gala dinner will also be held in Fort Cornwallis for the esteemed Ferrari owners to celebrate as members of the Ferrari family where the same LaFerrari Aperta would be on display.
The local celebration is only one of 70 events taking place in 60 countries across the globe with the theme, “Driven by Emotion” as it culminates in Maranello on the 9th and 10th of September 2017.
The LaFerrari Aperta, a special series model is a limited edition spider version of the LaFerrari supercar, is dedicated to the most loyal of Ferrari customers. A special website (
www.ferrari70.com
) has been created to reflect the celebrations as they unfold throughout the year as well as to introduce the pivotal moments and individuals in the company’s history.
Be sure to log on to
http://www.facebook.com/ferrarimalaysia.nazaitalia
 or follow
@ferrari.malaysia
 on Instagram for the latest updates of Ferrari and NAZA Italia.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
IMAGE GALLERY


Special edition Toyota GR86, Supra, and GR Corolla debut – in celebration of their legacy

Good news to all
Toyota
 GR fans, as Toyota has just released special editions of its GR models. This special edition GR cars include the
Toyota GR86
 Trueno Edition
,
Toyota GR Supra
 45th Anniversary Edition
, and the
Toyota GR Corolla
 Circuit Edition
.
Let’s start with the main head-turner, the GR86 Trueno Edition. Toyota has released this special edition GR86 to celebrate the 40th year anniversary as well as pay tribute to the original AE86 or Toyota Corolla Sport GT-S liftback, or Sprinter Trueno as it is called in its home country, Japan.
Like the iconic AE86, which has been made famous partly thanks to the Japanese anime series – Initial D, the Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition is available in a two-tone look. Customers can choose between the Halo (white) and black, or Track bRed and black combinations.
The special edition sports car also comes with its hood wrapped in black, together with a black Trueno Edition side panel graphic, and a black painted duckbill spoiler paired with either Halo or Track bRed. There are also Trueno Edition badges on the front bumper lip and rear decklid, just like the original Sprinter Trueno. The special edition GR86 sits on a set of 18-inch wheels.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 Toyota GR86 now in Malaysia – back-to-basics sports car, from RM295k
Under the hood of the Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition is the same 2.4-litre 4-cylinder Boxer engine found on the regular variant. Paired with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, it produces
228 hp
 and
249 Nm
.
What Toyota has added to the GR86 Trueno Edition is the Upgraded Performance Package with ZF Sachs Dampers and Brembo Brakes. This will also be available as an upgrade package for 2024 GR86 models and will be available as a retrofit for any GR86 from the 2022 or 2023 model years. However, 18-inch wheels are required to clear the brakes.
Inside, the Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition is fitted with Ultrasuede sport seats wrapped in red leather and is complemented by a red-stitched shift boot. There are also the Trueno Edition logoed shift knob and all-weather floor and trunk mats. Just in case people forget that your GR86 ain’t ordinary, Toyota has also added a serial number badge on the driver’s side dash.
Safety-wise, Toyota has equipped the manual transmission models with its Active Safety Suite as standard. The system uses a stereo camera to monitor the road ahead and includes features like Pre-Collision Braking (PCB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Sway Warning, Lead Vehicle Start Alert and High Beam Assist. This system was previously available on automatic transmission-equipped models.
Only 860 units of the Toyota GR86 Truneo Edition will be produced for the US market. Coming in winter this year, Toyota will also be releasing prices for the GR86 Trueno Edition and the full 2024 GR86 lineup later this year. The Canadian market will also be getting 50 units of the limited edition sports car, available exclusively in the manual transmission option.
RELATED:
Toyota GR Supra now with 6-speed manual in Malaysia, from RM645k
Besides the GR86, Toyota has also built a special edition version for its other iconic model, the
Supra
. Named the Toyota GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition, it is clear that the Japanese company is making this a tribute to the legacy of the legendary Supra that was originally released back in 1979 as the Celica Supra.
Built on the 3.0-litre Premium Grade of the US-spec GR Supra, the 45th Anniversary Edition is offered in either deep orange Mikan Blast (“mikan” means orange in Japanese), much like the
Plasma Orange 100 Edition
 released in Japan over a month ago, or Absolute Zero (white) colour options.
The special edition Supra sports a manually adjustable rear spoiler which has an adjustment screw that allows owners to change its angle and influence the amount of downforce being applied to the rear wheels. At the sides, there is a black side panel graphic with a cutout Supra logo, along with 19-inch matte-black wheels, black GR brake callipers, and a black Supra side graphic.
Performance-wise, the Toyota GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition is pretty much similar to its regular version, sporting the same B58 6-cylinder 3.0-litre turbocharged engine that is found on all 3.0-litre Supra models. Paired with either a 6-speed manual or paddle-shifted 8-speed automatic transmission, the sports car outputs around
382 hp
 and
499 Nm
.
Just like the special edition GR86, the GR Supra 45th Anniversary Edition’s availability is limited. With 900 units only offered for the US market, production is split evenly between the Mikan Blast and Absolute Zero colours. The Canadian market on the other hand will be getting the limited edition GR Supra in the form of the Plasma Orange colour, with only 45 units available.
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2023 Toyota GR Corolla 1.6L Turbo 6-speed MT, RM355k – 5 Things
Last but not least is the Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition, which is available in either the Blue Flame or Ice Cap (white) colour options. The hot hatch sports a series of cosmetic additions, which includes the GR sport mesh gloss-black front grille with functional brake ducts, and LED headlights.
There are also the forged carbon fibre roof, large rear spoiler, as well as black exterior accents, together with black side rocker graphics that run up to the stamped GR-Four logo. Like the “regular” GR Corolla, Toyota has kept the hot hatch’s vented bulge hood for the Circuit Edition model. The GR Corolla Circuit Edition sits on a set of black forged aluminium 18-inch BBS wheels, which are similar to the lighter-weight wheels equipped on the 2023 Morizo Edition.
Performance enhancements Toyota has given to the Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition include chassis and duct enhancements for added stability, aero updates like the addition of aluminium sheets to the front and rear bumpers, and a change in duct shape to the front bumper airflow outlet. Mounting bolt changes have also been done to the steering gear, rear suspension, and battery ground.
Hop inside the Circuit Edition GR Corolla, you will find equipment such as the Brin Naub Suede and synthetic leather-trimmed sport seats with blue accents, a unique blue striped GR shift knob, and blue accent stitchings. There is also the JBL Premium audio system. The Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition will also be available in the US this coming winter, but the Japanese carmaker has yet to announce how many units of the special edition hot hatch they will be producing.
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Here’s your first look at the 2021 BMW X3 facelift, completely undisguised

They say nothing escapes the internet, and the statement once again rang true. While BMW is trying their best to keep the 2021 BMW X3 and iX3 facelift under wraps until their scheduled launch sometime in June, the necessary homologation process in China means that a set of photos of the cars had to be published on the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website – and just as expected, savvy netizens immediately picked up on it, giving us a completely undisguised first look at the upcoming SUVs.
The Life Cycle Impulse for the
BMW X3
 kept most of the SUV’s original silhouette intact, but changes to its styling elements does freshen its looks up quite considerably.
Up front, the kidney grille looks to be now marginally larger and more angular. Just like the iX3 that was
launched last year
, they are also now conjoined in the middle, where you’ll find the front camera for the surround view monitor. Flanking the new grille are the headlights, which are also slightly slimmer and more angular than before.
Over at the rear, the tail lights receive a new three-dimensional treatment, with a new light signature that somewhat reminds us of the
previously leaked 2 Series coupe
. Slightly below it, BMW has also given the new X3 facelift a set of faux air vents, though we’d rather have ours without.
Both models shown here are of the M Sport offering, which means they both get a more elaborate bumper designs. Up front, the central lower intake are shaped in a rather busy hexagonal design, flanked by two L-shaped air curtains on each corner. Meanwhile at the rear, the bumper now gets an integrated diffuser-like panel, paired to larger trapezoidal tailpipe exits (none for the iX3, obviously).
No photos of the interior were published just yet, but from what we can see, there seems to now be a larger free-standing centre touchscreen display, possibly featuring BMW’s
latest eight-generation iDrive software
. Otherwise, we’d expect the rest of the dashboard architecture to remain unchanged.
There were also no mention of its powertrain options, but we expect to see the same range of four- and six-cylinder options as before. Given that the iX3 was launched just a year ago, we’re also convinced that this is merely an aesthetic update exercise. We’ll have to wait until the official launch to learn more, but for now, what do you think of the 2021 BMW X3 facelift?
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Jaguar I-Pace officially debuts, can it stop the Tesla Model X’s reign?

Jaguar has officially revealed its first all-electric SUV, the
Jaguar I-Pace
. Slotting below the
F-Pace
, the compact EV is set to win the hearts of customers through its zero tailpipe emissions, everyday practicality and sleek coupe-like silhouette.
Inspired by the C-X75, the I-Pace shares the similar design cues with the Jaguar supercar – low bonnet, aerodynamic roof design and curved windscreen. Every curve and body lines work in harmony to help the I-Pace slice through the air as efficiently as possible, resulting in a drag coefficient of just 0.29 Cd. Other drag reduction measures include Active Vanes (electronically controlled flaps), flush door handles and optional air suspension that lowers the ride height by
 10 mm
 at speeds above 105 km/h.

Without an internal combustion engine, Jaguar was able to package more interior space for the compact SUV that is comparable to large SUVs. For example, the boot space is rated at
656 litres
, a touch more than the larger F-Pace’s 650 litres. Technological highlights on the I-Pace include Touch Pro Duo infotainments system, Vibrant HD displays, haptic rotary controllers, over-the-air software updates, built-in 4G Wi-Fi hotspot and Ask Alexa – Amazon powered AI helper.
Other options include fine-grain Windsor leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, interior trims finished in deep piano black, satin wood grain or polished aluminium, performance seats and upholstery colour theme.

The I-Pace features a dual-motor set up – one on each axle – giving it all-wheel drive capabilities. The two electric motors give a combined output of
394 hp
 and
 696 Nm
of twisting force, enough to launch the I-Pace from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.8 seconds
.
The bespoke EV aluminium architecture that holds the 90-kWh lithium-ion battery packs between the axles helps the I-Pace to achieve 50:50 weight distribution and low centre of gravity. The inherently balanced chassis is coupled with double wishbone front and Integral Link rear axle with (optional) air suspension and configurable Adaptive Dynamics to give the all-electric SUV agile handling properties.
Jaguar also promises that a full charge will give the I-Pace
 480 km
 of driving range before needing a recharge. Plugged into a standard home wall box (7 kW) can achieve 80 percent charge in 10 hours. When using a DC 100 kW charging station, however, the I-Pace that is compatible with
rapid charging
 will charge the battery from 0 to 80 percent in just 45 minutes or additional 100 km range for every 15 minutes.
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Meet Singapore’s first ever luxury hypercar, the Dendrobium, over 1,000 hp!

If you’ve ever come across the name
Vanda Electrics
, you should know now that the Singaporean tech giant is expanding their field of interests into the world of hypercar-dom.
It’s called the Dendrobium – Vanda Electrics Dendrobium. The name’s a mouthful and it’s odd-sounding at the same time, but it’s a pride thing because Dendrobium is a species of orchid native to Singapore. The hypercar will strictly be all-electric, with power coming from either three or four electric motors making for a combined output in excess of 1,000 horsepower.
This Dendrobium of a thing is no slouch by any measure. It is jointly developed with Williams Advanced Engineering, whose expertise in producing low-volume, high performing electric cars appealed greatly to Vanda Electrics. Apparently, the Dendrobium can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
2.6 seconds
 and has a minimum top speed of
320 km/h
!
Two gearboxes will be commissioned for duty. The front axle will get a single-speed box with differential, while the rear will get a multi-speed gearbox and a differential as well. Both differentials will be of the conventional mechanical type, instead of software-based motor torque vectoring.

The pictures you see here are actually the working prototype of the hypercar. Its ideal weight would be 1,750kg, and getting there requires extensive use of carbon fibre. The monocoque is made of a rigid composite, the door panels out of carbon fibre and the brake discs are of carbon ceramic. A pair of 20-inch alloy wheels take the front axle while the rears get 21-inch hoops. All four are wrapped in high performance Michelin tyres.
If Tony Stark were to lay his eyes on the cabin, he would want this to be his next ride. There’s no rear view mirror, no rear windscreen and no side mirrors. In place of all those are high-res cameras. The bright red sports seats are wrapped in leather from
Bridge of Weir
, an exquisite Scottish leather company, which sources top quality hides from the best heritage breeds. The tannery is also state-of-the-art and produces the lowest amount of carbon – the perfect combo for Vanda Electrics’ zero emissions halo car.
But you know what else is most surprising? Vanda Electrics said early sketches of this electric hypercar dates back way into the 90s, but it took them this long to realise it because the design was “way ahead of its time”. They also needed the technology to catch up.
If the Dendrobium makes it to production, the first unit to hit the roads would be in 2020. To think this is all coming from our neighbouring country…
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Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept named as the Best Concept Vehicle at Detroit

It’s a shame that the
Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept
 won’t be making its way straight to the production floors because it was just named as the “Best Concept Vehicle” and “Best Designed Interior” by EyesOn Design at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
The EyesOn Design Awards are the officially-sanctioned awards for the NAIAS and has picked the Q Inspiration Concept as one of the best-looking concept cars at the auto show. Infiniti’s latest concept showcases the brand’s vision for innovative VC-Turbo powertrain, next-level autonomous driving technologies and a unique human-centric interior.
The cabin takes on a minimalistic approach with floating touch screens to minimise the interior clutter. There is also a “meditation-regeneration mode” whereby the screen helps the passengers meditate to relieve stress. The interior is also trimmed in ultra-luxurious materials such as “Kabazakura wood” and
Nishijin-ori
.
For greater comfort and maximum interior space, the Q Inspiration Concept features a floating center console, thin-frame Zero-Gravity seat and pillarless rear-hinged doors. It is no wonder the judges took a liking for the Q Inspiration Concept’s interior.
While the Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept will not be going into production per se, it will steer the brand’s future designs when the company rolls out its
next-generation of electrified vehicles
.
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