Review: 2016 Mazda CX-5 2.5L facelift, is petrol still as D-esirable?

The
Mazda CX-5 facelift
 made its debut in February this year with a significant upgrade in equipment for the 2.5-litre variant, which was previously offered in as either fully-imported (CBU) or locally-assembled (CKD).
Now there’s only the CKD CX-5 but many of the features once available solely in the fully-imported version have been added to the updated model with the price slashed by around RM10,000. The nine-speaker Bose system and sunroof have been omitted but taking the cost savings into account, the loss shouldn’t be too much of a hardship.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mazda CX-5 2.5L  (2WD)
Mazda CX-5 2.5L (AWD)
Engine
2,488cc; DOHC, direct injection
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
185 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 3,250 rpm
Price (OTR with GST & Insurance)
RM159,415.90
RM171,219.05
EXTERIOR
Despite being built with weight reduction as a priority, its muscular slab-like bodywork and high shoulder-line makes it look bold and powerful, more so now with the new slatted grille.

The rest of the changes to the exterior has primarily been to the lamps to improve illumination and visibility. The auto levelling headlights have been upgraded from bi-xenon to LED while the light combination in the LED tail lamps have been reworked and now have a concentric lamp configuration. There are also new LED foglights and the rims have grown to 19-inches, giving the SUV a more athletic side profile.
INTERIOR
The CX-5 looked solid and well-built inside. The doors closed with a beefy “clonk”. The CX-5’s all-black cabin isn’t luxurious but it’s practical and has a tastefully premium air: leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, soft touch plastics, and burnished metal highlights. There’s a German-feel to it which comes from the MZD Connect system. Conveniences like infotainment, now with GPS installed as standard, Bluetooth, and car settings are accessed on a scroller by the gear selector and displayed on the seven-inch touchscreen monitor in the middle of the dashboard.

Getting comfortable in the driver’s seat was straightforward as the electrically powered seat and steering column had multiple angles of adjustment for just the right height, reach and line-of-sight. The instrument panel was uncluttered but there was a lot of driving information available by scrolling through the menu. Good for drivers who like to know what’s going on with their performance.
The CX-5 is an SUV the driver would enjoy more than the rear seat passengers who may find the cabin tight because of the limited leg room and the feeling of a low seating position created by the high door sills. The lack of rear air vents, unexpected in a vehicle of this size, adds to the impression although the output from the four vents in front made a reasonable effort to keep air well circulated without excessive blower noise.
PERFORMANCE
There were no changes to the engine specs but Sport mode has been added, a toggle switch by the the gear lever. Although there was no discernible stiffening in suspension set-up – but then again, the CX-5 wasn’t prone to lolling on corners in the first place – the gearbox and engine reactions altered immediately, making it even easier to get past other cars or climb steep slopes. Staying in third and fourth gear longer provided push but also meant the usually well muted engine became noticeably louder and consumption was also higher.
Fortunately, Sport was not something the CX-5 needed often. In normal mode, which I preferred during the test drive, it was quick and responsiveness in everyday traffic conditions, giving polished yet lively driving experience without draining the petrol tank prematurely.
THE DRIVE
The CX-5 was a lot more European in its drive and handling than expected from its right hand-side indicator. Pottering round the Klang Valley, the AWD skimmed over poorly-tarred town roads and cornered with the firm suspension and limited body roll of a Continental saloon yet the ride was comfortably cushioned for passengers, despite the 19-inch rims.
On the highway at high speed, there was no body shake or rattle to throw off the handling of the car. The car felt light but because the steering retained its accuracy over speed changes, it maintained a feeling of tight control while cornering.
The CX-5’s i-Activ four wheel drive is an always-on, on-demand system that only activates if the sensors detect a loss of traction at any one of the wheels. There was no indicator to show when the car was operating in two-wheel or four-wheel drive mode and it didn’t make its presence felt but that is not to say that it wasn’t triggered or how frequently: road conditions are scanned 200 times a second with split second reacts.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If masculine looks and a stiffer suspension are a priority then the CX-5 is certainly worth keeping in mind. Of the SUVs in its class, it has the most rugged lines and also drives and handles more sportily than its rivals in a segment which is primarily about family comfort. Safety specs are reasonably high with passive features like ISOFIX for the child seats and six airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and traction control all there so there’s family welfare factored into the sporty style.
COMPARISONS
This is a segment full of worthy four-wheel drive competitors but there’s no outright “winner” because with each one, there are a few plus and minuses. It comes down to what one can live with or is an absolute deal-breaker. The Honda CR-V has the most generous rear legroom and the through floor from not having a driveshaft hump, makes it a lot easier for back seat passengers to get in and out of the car. Long items can also be laid across the floor flat. Both the
Nissan X-Trail
 and
Honda CR-V
 have rear air vents.
Despite having a longer wheelbase, the CX-5 is more compact inside with the least legroom and the smallest cargo space of the three, just 403 litres compared to 589 litres in the CR-V and 550 litres in the X-Trail. However, the 40:20:40 split folding configuration of the CX-5 is the most versatile when more boot space is needed. The X-Trail is the only one of the trio to offer third row seats, complete with three-point seat belts, which is very helpful if occasionally there are more than five in the car. The CR-V’s folding seats can be operated justing just one hand.
The seven-seater Nissan X-Trail proves to be one of the more popular SUVs in town
The CR-V has the most car-like driving dynamics. Both the CR-V and CX-5 have electronically-controlled 4WD, unlike the the X-Trail which has a low gear transfer case so it is a proper off-roader.
For safety equipment, Honda’s Land Watch gives it an edge over the two. The Nissan has an excellent 360-degree camera which offers a better field of vision than the standard rear view cameras in the Honda and the Mazda.
Mazda CX-5 2.5L AWD
Honda CR-V 2.4 i-VTEC
Nissan X-Trail 2.4 AWD
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder petrol naturally-aspirated
4-cylinder petrol naturally-aspirated
4-cylinder petrol naturally-aspirated
Displacement
cc
2488
2354
2488
Max Power
hp/rpm
185/5700
187/7000
169/6000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
250/3250
222/4400
233/4000
STEERING
Type
Electric Power-Steering
Electric Power-Steering
Electric Power-Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
7-speed, CVT
SUSPENSION
Type
MacPherson struts/ Multi-link
MacPherson Strut/Double Wishbone
MacPherson struts/ Multi-link
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Solid disc
Solid disc
Ventilated disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
225/55 R19
225/60 R18
225/65 R17
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
4555
4590
4650
Overall Width
mm
1840
1820
1820
Overall Height
mm
1670
1685
1715
Wheelbase
mm
2700
2620
2705
Max Kerb weight
kg
1611
1560
1612
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
403
589
550
FUEL
Tank Capacity
L
58
58
60
Consumption
8.5L/100km
8.3L/100km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
190
0-100km/h
sec
9.7
10.7
PRICE (without insurance
RM
171,219.05
RM167,620.08
RM165,800
WOULD I BUY IT?
Security is an important aspect when driving and the lack of auto-lock was a source of concern. The location and design of the lock made it difficult to tell if the doors were locked or not, especially as when unlocked, it was not just the driver’s door but all the doors. This may be a small point with most drivers but this is a make-or-break element for me.
Matthew’s take: The CX-5’s 2.5-litre motor is butter smooth and is effortlessly linear. Between the two, I’d pick the 2WD variant for two reasons: it weighs 62kg less (which saves slightly more fuel), and I don’t do a lot of off-roading to justify the need for a four-wheel drive system. The facelift doesn’t just breathe new life into the ageing model, it imbues the SUV with a more distinct identity and better road presence as well. There’s not a lot to lose if you choose the CX-5 over its rivals, but the question becomes, would you drop the 2.5-litre variant for the torquier
2.2L Skyactiv-D
?
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai Motor Group buys Boston Dynamics, maker of vaguely creepy robots

Hyundai Motor Group
has purchased a major controlling stake of robot maker Boston Dynamics from SoftBank, the companies announced on Saturday. The deal valued Boston Dynamics at USD1.1 billion (~MYR4.5b), with Hyundai taking approximately 80% stake in the company, while its previous owner, SoftBank, retains approximately 20%.
Hyundai says that the investment in Boston Dynamics is in line with its strategy to transform into a “Smart Mobility Solution Provider”. The Korean carmaker says that this investment will help its development of its autonomous driving technologies, as well as service, smart factories, and logistics automation.
Boston Dynamics started life in 1992 as an off-shoot from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Over the years, the company has risen to internet fame due to its vaguely creepy humanoid robots and its demonstration videos on YouTube, which led netizens to believe that they will one day become sentient and eventually spawn a real life “Skynet” (from the movie Terminator) to hit back at humans for our “abuse”.
We’ve attached a video of said “abuse” for your entertainment purposes:

More recently the company’s robot dog, Spot, has also inspired dystopian science-fiction TV series Black Mirror to create an episode featuring an evil killer robot dog, which further fuelled the narrative. Fortunately, Boston Dynamics’ Spot seems to be a lot tamer than the sci-fi rendition (for now…), and does have a lovable side, evident in the video below where it dances along to Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk.
Spot is now commercially available to purchase, with hundreds of robots already sold deployed in a variety of industries, such as power utilities, construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and mining.

In the announcement, Hyundai also said that it wants to build humanoid robots eventually, specifically for “specialised services” such as caregiving hospital patients.
The Korean carmaker has long been involved in robotics and automation, with recent announcements cementing Hyundai’s commitment to the investment of up to USD1.4 billion in the field by 2025. Last year, Hyundai unveiled a
robotic exoskeleton suit
 for its factory workers to assist in physically-straining overhead tasks.


Modellista has made a 4 seater Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, because they can

The
Toyota Alphard
 and
Vellfire
 Executive Lounge are proper luxury people carriers with lounge-like comfort. However, Modellista, Toyota and Lexus’ customisation arm decided that this pair of MPVs only needs to seat four for the proper first-class cabin experience.
It gets a new name too –
Alphard and Vellfire Royal Lounge
, and full emphasis were given to the
taukes
 at the rear. First up, the third-row seats have been removed completely to accommodate new full-length
Exclusive VIP seat
. The individual captain seats have been moved rearwards and bolted into the floor, meaning it loses the sliding function, but up to
600 mm
 of leg room is guaranteed.
The Exclusive VIP seats are finished in genuine Nappa leather no less and gets massage, heating and ventilation function along with a design akin to a first-class seat in a world-class airline. You get a centralised control touch panel for your seat adjustments, retractable tray table, cup holders, centre console and a full-length leg rest.
As for keeping all your business secrets safe from your driver and bodyguard, Modellista has installed a full-sized partition with the front passengers. The partition houses a 24-inch liquid crystal display theatre connected to a 17-speaker JBL Hi-Fi system, a shoe storage and mini bar. All it needs is a butler!

The interior trim can be finished in either glossy Rosewood or light-coloured Bamboo contrasted against a Black or White upholstery theme. Other thoughtful design elements include the repositioned roof mounted climate control which is positioned closer to the rear seats for easier access, illuminated hand polished analogue clock, and a coat hanger in the boot.
IMAGE GALLERY


You can now travel with more than three passengers, according to capacity of your car

Starting from today, Malaysians will be allowed to travel according to the standard capacity of their cars. This was announced by senior minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his daily

Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO)
 briefings yesterday, as reported by
The Star
.
“If the vehicle has a capacity of four passengers, then it’s one driver plus three passengers. For multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), there can be one driver and six passengers, given there’s a capacity for seven passengers,” said Ismail Sabri.
The change was made in reflection of the amendments made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act, which was gazetted by the Government on the same day.
The new rule supersedes the
previous limit of four persons in a car
, announced earlier this month, although Ismail Sabri was quick to reiterate that the previous
conditions of travel
 still remains the same –
interstate travels are still prohibited
. As before, all passengers in the car must also be
from the same household
.
“Drivers must adhere to the capacity of their respective vehicles as set by the
Road Transport Act 1987 – Act 333
,” explains Ismail Sabri. The new ruling should be in effect until the 9th of June, when the CMCO is scheduled to conclude.


Would you take this Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake over the coupe?

Taking centre stage at
the Mercedes-Benz stand in Geneva is the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting
Brake, combining sensual design with practicality.
Compared to its
predecessor, the new CLA Shooting Brake is longer and wider than before at
4,688 mm in length (+48 mm), 1,830 mm in width (+53 mm) and 1,442 mm in height
(-2 mm). Wheelbase has also grown by 30 mm to 2,729 mm which frees up additional
cabin space and boot space (now rated at 505 litres).
The CLA is a good-looking
car, spotting the brand’s latest sensual purity design language and fortunately,
the theme has continued to the Shooting Brake. Compared to the Coupe, the
Shooting Brake gets a higher window line from the B-Pillar onwards but tapers
off sharply around the C-pillars.
With a bubble butt
around the rear, aerodynamics has suffered a tiny bit, with a drag coefficient
of 0.26 compared to the Coupe’s 0.23 figure.
The cabin is taken lock
stock and barrel from the new-generation compact cars – widescreen cockpit with
Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), 64-colour ambient lighting, Energizing
Comfort Control among others.
At launch, the CLA Shooting
Brake is available as a sole CLA 250 variant powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged
four-cylinder with 225 hp and 350 Nm of twist paired to a 7G-DCT dual clutch
transmission.
Certain markets can
also option the CLA Shooting Brake with advanced driver assistance system from
the S-Class such as Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steer Assist, Active
Lane Change Assist and Active Park Assist with PARKTRONIC.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake


Audi RS3 arrives in UK shores, also in Saloon form

As the saying goes, two is better than one; and the Audi RS3 is about to touch down in the UK in familiar five-door Sportback form but now in Saloon as well! The Sportback to be priced from £44,300 (RM 250,672) and Saloon from £45,250 (RM 255,947).
The 2.5 TFSI engine, the most powerful five-cylinder engine ever to empower a series production Audi is 26 kg lighter than before. But unlike before, it now produces close as makes no different almost 400 hp and 480 Nm of torque with a formidable zero to 100 km/h time of just 4.1 seconds before topping out at 280 km/h.

Converting all that power to large numbers on the speedometer is a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that works in tandem with the infamous quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. Characteristics of the steering, engine, exhaust notes and power delivery are all be determined through the Audi drive select.
The underpinnings of the car consist of MacPherson strut front and four-link rear suspension, wheel-selective torque control and RS-specific Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC), which together further solidifies the sound handling prowess established by previous RS3’s. Anchoring the car’s performance is the task of carbon ceramic discs clamped with eight-piston caliper.
The Sportback models come with 19-inch ‘five-arm rotor‘ design alloy wheels, while the newly introduced Saloons feature a 19-inch ‘five-arm blade’ design. Aesthetics is also enhanced with the unmistakable RS-specific honeycomb single frame design grille with matt aluminium outlines, deepen side skirts and rear spoilers that vary in both the Sportback and Saloon variants.

Options will be available for the Standard LED headlights to be upgraded to more sophisticated matrix LED units. Inside, you get heated RS-embossed and contrast-stitched front sport seats finished in black Fine Nappa leather and the leather and Alcantara flat-bottomed RS sport steering wheel.
Its Audi Virtual Cockpit provides provides additional RS-specific screens giving driver-focused detail such as tyre pressure, torque and g-forces in the 12.3-inch high resolution display and also the seven-inch colour monitor. Tech wise, present is the MMI Navigation Plus, Audi Smartphone Interface with Android and iOS connectivity and Audi Connect Infotainment module, which comes with a three year subscription for the various online services.
Other tech included in the new RS3 is the Audi phone box that connects itself to the car’s aerial for optimal reception and a Bang & Olufsen sound system producing a mighty 705 watts of power via 14 speakers. The RS3’s Driver Assistance Pack comes with features that assist lane changes, staying within a given lane, help avoid frontal collisions and even pedestrian accidents. However the highlight of the package is the traffic jam assist where the car briefly takes over not only in acceleration and braking but also steers in slow-moving traffic of up to 60 km/h.
Optional upgrades for the RS3 includes a bass-heavy RS Sport exhaust system, RS sport suspension with Audi Magnetic Ride and the Super Sport seats upholstered in Fine Nappa leather. For further touches of distinction, the RS Design Pack adds contrasting red stitching for the armrests, black Alcantara trimmings for the knee pads, red accents in the air vents and red edging for the seatbelts and black floor mats with RS insignias.
For drivers seeking the most intense RS experience, a bass-heavy RS sport exhaust system and RS sport suspension with Audi Magnetic Ride are available as options, and are also under the control of Audi drive select, As an option, front Super Sport Seats also upholstered in Fine Nappa leather are available to hold occupants even more firmly, but no less comfortably, in place on the winding roads that are the natural habitat for the RS 3. To differentiate the high performance flagships further still, customers can also choose an RS Design Pack that adds contrasting
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Honda Accord updated in Thailand with Honda Sensing across all variants

The
Honda Accord
 has just been refreshed over in Thailand, two and a half years since its local debut in the country, with a major update to its equipment list. Specifically, all three variants of the 10th-generation Honda Accord in Thailand will now come equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance features.
Range-topping Honda Accord e:HEV Tech
The Honda Sensing suite works via a combination of radar and front-facing camera, and includes features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, road and lane departure mitigation system, as well as auto high-beam, standard across all variants.
The range-topping e:HEV Tech variant meanwhile adds on rear cross-traffic monitoring system, 360-degree surround view camera, and the Honda Smart Parking Assist System, with support for both parallel and reverse parking.
The all-new Honda Accord was launched here in Malaysia just February of last year. Read more ab out it here.
Other updates to the 2021 Honda Accord in Thailand include the new global e:HEV branding on both of the hybrid variants, replacing the previous i-MMD nameplate. However, the actual oily bits remain unchanged from last year.
The entry-level EL variant is powered by a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine, the same unit as the one in our Malaysian Accord, although with a lower power out put at 190 hp and 243 Nm of torque. The four-banger mill is paired to a CVT gearbox delivering drive to the front wheels.
Entry-level Honda Accord EL
The two higher-end variants – the e:HEV EL+ and e:HEV Tech – meanwhile get a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 2.0-litre inline-four engine, and a pair of electric motors for an overall output of 215 hp.
The system works similarly to the i-MMD system that’s found on the Honda City RS here in Malaysia, where the car is mostly powered by the electric drive motor. The engine only drives the wheels during high-speed cruising, where a lock-up clutch links the two parts together to enhance efficiency.
Find out how Honda’s e:HEV hybrid system works – and how it relates to their F1 engines!
Malaysian model shown.
Aside than these changes, the new Honda Accord is essentially identical to the outgoing models; despite being updated for the 2021 model year, the Honda Accord in Thailand still wears the same exterior as the previous model, instead of the facelifted Accord that was introduced in the United States late last year (with a slightly reworked front fascia).
The 2021 Honda Accord in Thailand is priced starting at 1.5 milion Baht (~RM191k) for the entry level EL variant, jumping up to 1.8 million Baht (~RM229k) for the range-topping e:HEV Tech – unchanged from before.
Honda Accord vs Volkswagen Passat – Is it time to go continental? Check out our comparison here.


Porsche will let you decide how comfortable your seats should be

Porsche is offering its customers a chance to experience what driver-specific seats such as the personalised units in race cars.
The central section of the seat or rather, the seat and backrest cushions, can be partly produced by a 3D-printer. In the future, customers will be able to choose between three levels of firmness levels – hard, medium, soft – for the comfort layer.
“With the 3D-printed bodyform full-bucket seat, we’re once again giving series-production customers the opportunity to experience technology carried over from motorsports,” said Porsche AG, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development, Michael Steiner.
In addition to an ergonomic fit similar to that found in motorsports, this seat also delivers a unique design, lower weight, improved comfort and passive climate control.
The outer skin of the concept seat, based on lightweight bucket seats from Porsche, is made from “Racetex” and features a specific perforation pattern for climate control.
The seats will be rolled out initially for the driver in the
911
and
718
 models from as early as May this year.
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Proton to return in Indonesia and Thailand, aims 10k units global exports

With its new SUVs, local car maker
Proton
 has managed to increase its exports by 79.1% in 2022 with a total of 5,406 cars exported globally. During an event with local media recently, Proton shared that it sets a
10,000 unit
 interim breakthrough target for its exports. The company also aims to return to Indonesia and Thailand, and expand its increase its export markets.
From 2018 to 2022, Proton has shown a 290% export growth with the numbers being at 1,388 units in 2018 and in nine countries. Those nine countries were Brunei, Egypt, Fiji, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritius, Pakistan, UAE, and Zimbabwe.
In 2022 Proton exports were available in 14 countries, namely Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei, Egypt, Iraq Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Proton is aiming to increase this number to 17, by returning to Thailand, Indonesia, and possibly Fiji. For Thailand and Indonesia, Proton will use new subsidiaries to handle the respective markets.
As for assembly operations, Proton currently has four assembly plants, located in Pakistan, Kenya, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. A new assembly production will be the assembly plant in Egypt. In the nearest future, Proton will be focusing on the Pakistan and South African markets – the former being Proton’s largest export market with over 2,600 units in 2022, and the latter being the company’s second-largest export market.
RELATED:
Proton ends 2022 with 141,432 cars sold, highest ever since 2013
Proton aims to increase its export markets and this includes Thailand and Indonesia
Proton’s most popular export model, is the
Proton Saga
, simply replicating its dominance in the domestic market. 2,408 units of the Proton Saga were globally exported in 2022, showing a 31% increase from the previous year. Following behind the Saga, the 1,708 units of the
X70

and 1,117 units of the
X50
 were exported globally. The X70 showed a 101% growth while the X50 showed a 277% growth.
In last year’s sales report, Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah said, “Growth in PROTON’s export markets remains vital to the company. We are now halfway through our ten-year business plan and export sales will need to account for a growing percentage of our volume for the company to achieve its goals. With new models being added and growth from our current offerings in 2023, we are confident of hitting even bigger numbers this year.”
RELATED:
Proton sends 1000th car to South Africa – 5,028 global exports as of Nov 2022


Spybuzz: All-new Mercedes-Benz GLS leaked ahead of debut, S-Class based SUV is new flagship model

First things first. What is a GLS? Most of you will be asking at this juncture and rightly so. About a year ago, Mercedes-Benz announced that a
new and more transparent nomenclature
 of their SUV and crossover range, with one of the most profound changes being the renaming of the iconic ML moniker to GLE.
Interestingly, BMW has also hopped on board with the new
4-Series
 – one that was previously known to the world as the 3-Series Coupe. Similarly, the
 1-Series Coupe
 is as we all know, goes by the name of
2-Series
. Whatever it is these giants have for
rebadging
 the range, we’ll never know – speaking objectively of course. Maybe that’s moving with the time.
The pictures we see here are the actual images that’s been scanned off a brochure that was then leaked out to French-based forum
World Scoop
 which revealed the GLS in all its glory. It must be said that whoever that
scanned
 these images did an amazing job of capturing all the right angles of this heavily reworked
replacement
 of the gargantuan
GL
 model without giving too much away – or maybe that boat might have set sail.
It’s fairly clear, judging from the pictures at least that the GLS carries over a multitude of styling cues and design elements over from its stablemates such as that prominent pair of
LED head-lights
,
grille
 and
fenders
; all of which point towards the outgoing
 S-Class
. The tail-end certainly does speak toward that fact especially the lower extremity of the bumper. No shots of the interior has yet to surface but it is slated to be a hybrid design of the GL and S-Class all mashed up together in matrimony.
On the technical side however, there’s a whole bunch diesel and petrol powertrains carried over from the GL that will most probably get worked over to enhance
efficiency
 and
improve
 emissions. One example is the
GLS 350 BlueTEC
 trim that gets a
3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
 engine making
255 hp
 and
 620 Nm
 of torque, whereas the petrol powered equivalent
GLS 400 CGI
 should mirror the figures produced by the outgoing
S400
 S-Class. On the other end of the spectrum, the red-hot
GLS 63 AMG
 is slated to retain the GL’s
6.2-litre V8
.
There’s also been rumours that an
ultra-exclusive Mercedes-Maybach
 version is in the works to give the
Bentley Bentayga
 a run for it money. The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS is expected to be unveiled at next month’s 2015
Los Angeles Auto Show
 and will shed more light and details on this
flagship SUV
.
IMAGE GALLERY


See how the BMW X5 fits in your driveway with the new AR experience

To help customers experience the
all-new BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport
 in a time where social distancing measures are being practiced worldwide, BMW Malaysia today unveiled its first augmented reality (AR) web app for a “real time, real life” experience of “The Boss” without stepping foot into a BMW dealership.
The AR experience presents a “virtually realistic” 3D model of the all-new BMW X5 xDrive45e M Sport that users can place at any location through the camera viewfinder of their mobile phones. Users can also resize and rotate the car to further fine tune the placement, letting you “park” the car properly in your driveway to see how it looks in front of your house!
Once you’re happy with the placement, tapping the lock button on the top right will then bring up the floating information bubbles around the car, where users can then tap on to learn more about key features of the car.
Additionally, you can also switch between the four exterior colours available on the new X5 PHEV – Phytonic Blue, Black Sapphire, Mineral White, and Artic Grey – to see which fits the best with your other cars at home. Unfortunately though, the 3D model does not include the interior of the vehicle.
As it is built on web-based technologies, the new AR experience allows users to discover the new BMW X5 without the need to download a specific mobile application. To experience the new interactive AR feature, all you need to do is visit the dedicated webpage, available
here
, on your mobile phone.
The all-new BMW X5 xDrive45e featured in the AR experience was launched locally last month as a follow up to the brand’s hugely-popular PHEV X5 variant introduced back in 2016. Available in a single M Sport variant, the latest version of ‘The Boss’ is priced at RM440,745 on the road without insurance, and with sales tax exemptions applied.
Underneath the hood of the hybrid SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle, BMW speak for SUV) is a 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six engine, paired to an electric motor for a combined output of
394 hp
 and
 600 Nm
of torque. The engine is paired to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
Performance wise, the new X5 xDrive45e completes the century sprint in just
5.6 seconds
, a whole 1.3 seconds faster than its predecessor. With a battery that is now nearly three times the capacity from before, The hybrid X5 boasts an electric-only range of
 77 km
.
For the latest revised price list for BMW models in Malaysia, click
here
.


Mercedes-Benz C 200 facelift to get 1.5L mild-hybrid turbo, coming to Malaysia?

Mercedes-Benz has just released full details of their
W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class facelift
 at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. New reveals include a 1.5-litre turbocharged mild hybrid for the C 200, power bump for the C 43 4MATIC, new displays and many more.
Starting with the biggest shocker, the C 200 will now be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that outputs
184 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque. The petrol combustion engine is supported by EQ Boost technology mild hybrid system. The 48-volt onboard network gives the engine additional
14 hp
, filling up the torque gap when the turbocharger is building up boost pressure.
Century sprint is now achieved in
 7.7 seconds
 (0.5 seconds slower than the previous 2.0-litre mill) onwards to a top speed of
239 km/h
. Besides faster shift times and more linear power delivery, EQ Boost technology also promises a smoother start/stop function thanks to the belt-driven starter/alternator. It remains to be seen if Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will introduce this new mild hybrid turbocharged powertrain to the locally assembled C-Class line up.
Moving up, the C 220 d now features a new OM654 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine paired to a nine-speed G-Tronic gearbox delivering
194 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. It will launch the C-Class from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.9 seconds
.
The range-topping model for now, before Mercedes-AMG release the 63 version, is the
C 43 4MATIC
. The 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 is now boosted to produce
 390

hp
, up 23 hp while peak torque remains unchanged at
520 Nm
. Key performance figures are the same as before: 0 – 100 km/h in
4.7 seconds
, top speed electronically limited to
250 km/h
.
At launch, the C 200 is available with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive with 45:55 front to rear split for better traction and stability. The C 43 gets a rear biased (31:69 front to rear split) AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive set up as standard.
As mentioned in an earlier article, the C-Class facelift comes with a few nips and tuck to the exterior – new headlamp and taillamp design, new bumpers, Multibeam LED headlamps with Ultra Range high beam as well as diamond radiator grille for AMG line.
Inside, the cabin now comes with a new steering wheel, new trims, Energizing comfort control and additional colour themes. As standard, the C-Class will be equipped with a dual analogue instrument cluster with a centre 5.5-inch colour display, similar to the
pre-facelift model
.
Customers can upgrade to a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster in combination with a 16:9 format 10.25-inch central display for the infotainment – sorry, no Widescreen Cockpit like the
E-Class
 for you. Standard-spec cars come with a free-standing 7.0-inch display like before.
As for safety, the on-board camera and radar systems are now improved for wider range and higher accuracy, giving a more intuitive experience when operating the Active Distance Control Distronic and Active Steering Assist functions. The C-Class also uses onboard navigation data to support the assistance function, allowing the car to be driven semi-autonomously.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift AMG Line Sedan

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift Exclusive Line Wagon


New Lexus IS 500 F Sport with 472 hp to challenge Mercedes-Benz and BMW?

Lexus has introduced the F Sport Performance Line and the IS 500 is the first model to debut the new series of more powerful Lexus models.
The IS 500 is not the replacement for the revered and brand changing IS F sedan that ended production in 2014. Lexus USA, when replying to enthusiast website
LexusNews
, said that the new F Sport Performance Line is positioned in between the fully-fledged F model like the
GS F
 and cosmetic-focused F Sport variants.
As such, the IS 500 F Sport Performance is more skewed towards being a regular IS with F Sport treatment featuring a larger V8 engine rather than an IS F build that had wider tracks, stickier tyres, downforce-inducing aerodynamics, multi-piston brakes and bucket seats.
The IS 500 F Sport comes with the high performance ‘2UR-GSE’ 5.0-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine, churning out
472 hp
 and
535 Nm
 of torque. Lexus has not reduced the power output for being an F Sport model as these are the same figures found on the
Lexus RC F Track Edition
!
Power is channelled to the existing 8-speed automatic transmission and registers a 0 to 96 km/h (0 to 60 mph) sprint time of
4.5 seconds
.
The large intake system of the V8 engine means a new bonnet is required. With that, the new bonnet is raised by nearly two inches, with a distinctive bulge. A familiar-looking quad exhaust system ensures all the best noises and aesthetics too.
A boot lid spoiler and window surround in black plus F Sport badging separates the Lexus IS 500 from the regular IS models.
The brakes have been upgraded compared to the IS 350 V6, with the ventilated brake discs gaining an inch to measure 14.0 inches up front and 12.7 inches at the rear.

Handling duties are shouldered by the adaptive suspension and a Torsen Limited Slip Differential (LSD). A Yamaha performance damper is also placed across the rear of the vehicle to reduce dynamic structural distortion.
Lexus says the 19-inch rims from Enkei are also lighter compared to the IS 350 V6, with a total of six pounds (2.7 kg) shaved off per vehicle. Overall, the Lexus IS 500 is just
65 kg
 heavier than the six-cylinder IS, tipping the scales at 1,765 kg (3,891 pounds).
Inside, the interior only received an upgrade to the digital multi-information display with an exclusive IS 500 start-up animation. The seats, steering wheel, foot pedals and trim inserts are all unchanged F Sport items.
The Lexus IS 500 F Sport is exclusive for the North American market only and it is no surprise given they are the largest market for the brand. Looking at the performance figures and minor technical upgrades, Lexus USA is surely targeting the bridging high-performance sedans such as the
BMW M340i xDrive
 and
Mercedes-AMG C43
 with this IS 500 F Sport Performance model.
BMW M said their sales performance in 2020 were
strongly boosted by sales
 of the M Performance variants.
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STI Subiefest 2020 breaks Guinness World Records for largest parade of Subaru vehicles

Due to the ongoing health pandemic, this year’s Subaru Tecnica International (STI) Subiefest was quite a bit different than the previous iterations to ensure social distancing. Instead of the usual gathering of Subarus and like-minded enthusiasts, Subaru of America organised a charity drive for this year’s Subiefest, which managed to break the Guinness World Record title for the largest parade of Subaru cars!
In total,
1,751 Subaru vehicles
 took part in the attempt, which smashed the previous record in 2015 (549 vehicles) by more than three times. So what does a 1,751 car parade look like? According to Subaru, the traffic jam spanned over a distance of
3.2 km
 (2 miles).
The Guinness World Record attempt was not just for bragging rights either – instead of selling entry tickets to Subiefest this year, each participant of the charity drive instead made a donation to the Feeding America, a charity to end hunger.
In total, the participants’ generous donations raised a total of 241,800 meals, which will be matched by Subaru of America to bring the total number of donated meals up to 500,000. The meals will be delivered by Feeding America to two local food banks in the vicinity in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Subaru of America Senior Vice President of Marketing, Alan Bethke said, “In these trying times we all search for stability in our daily lives. We hope that through this donation to Feeding America, we can provide the comfort and stability of a meal for people who struggle with hunger in America. We must all stay safe but remember to help others where we can.”
Aside from the Guinness World Record attempt, participants were also offered an
exclusive preview of the upcoming Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 twins
, albeit covered in heavy camouflage and placed behind a thin veil. However, images of the car that made it online pretty much confirmed what we’ve seen before, and all that we’re waiting for now is just the powertrain – which we’ll know about more very soon.
 GALLERY


Mini Countryman Park Lane edition now in Malaysia, priced at RM253,888

The Chinese (including yours truly and many folks at AutoBuzz) are fans of the prosperous number eight. Although this example is not to celebrate Malaysia’s upcoming long festive holiday, instead this is to pay tribute to one street in London – Park Lane. With that, enter the new Mini Countryman Park Lane edition, an 88-unit only edition named after Mini’s famous showroom.
Based on the standard
Countryman
 compact crossover, it’s powered by a
1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine
 producing
 190 hp
 with
240 Nm
 of torque with an
overboost function capability
 up to 260 Nm. The 0-100km/h sprint is achieved in
 7.8 secs
 with a top speed of
212 km/h
 while scores an average fuel consumption of
7.5 litres per 100 km
.

For those who have played the UK’s version of Monopoly will know that Park Lane is the second most expensive property in London (after Mayfair), hence the word “premium” best describes this limited edition Countryman. The Countryman suits up with the ALL4 bodykit in shades of Earl Grey while the roof and exterior mirror caps are covered with Oak Red. Also sported are Oak Red stripes on the bonnet, tailgate and lower side section.
The emblem “
Park Lane
” is also generously used on the side of the car, including the cockpit surface; both of which add some air of exclusivity to its name. This Countryman will be equipped with a set of 18-inch alloys finished in Turbo Fan Dark Grey design.
On the inside, there is a 6.5-inch high-resolution colour LCD screen that incorporates the new MINI Connected app which has apps that work like a smartphone’s. Among the apps available are the MINI Streetwise navigation system, Force Meter that displays accelerating forces, MINI Calendar and MINI Vital Statistics. Other added goodies on the inside including Ambient Lighting package, built-in active carbon filter and so on.
The car is priced at
RM253,888.00
 without insurance, and comes with the latest
 MINI 4-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service
 programme. This is also the third model to receive the Park Lane treatment following the other two models in 1987 and 2005. With the number ‘8’ being liberally used here by way of its pricing and unit availability, will this be the ideal car to drive home during this coming Chinese New Year?
IMAGE GALLERY


Tengku Djan dominates Malaysian Championship Series with 190hp Proton Iriz R3!

Last weekend, the Ferrari Challenge contingent whizzed around the Sepang Circuit at literal break-neck speeds. Proton too, was present there that weekend. The R3 team to be specific. And at the wheel was our country’s very own Prince of Drift, better known to most as Tengku Djan Ley who piloted the Iriz R3 to victory.
Prior to
Sunday’s win
, we had the chance to meet the team and their machines hiding within the pit garage. Amidst his hectic schedule,
Tengku Djan
 spared a moment to elaborate more on the development and progress of the
Iriz R3
 project and quickly briefed us on what makes the new Iriz R3 tick.
Proton R3’s patriarch and technical director kept a hawk’s-eye view on the Iriz’s development. Here are some facts and figures on the Iriz R3. It’s running a
1,599cc four-pot
 Campro CFE engine with a
turbo-delete
. The engine block is
race-prepped
 with all the racing goodies but is done so while adhering to Malaysian Touring Car (
MTC
) regulations. It makes
190 hp
 at a smudge under the redline and makes a broadly
similar torque
 figure as well.
Power is shot to the
front wheels
 via an MTC regulated
five-speed ‘dog-leg’
 gearbox. Expect no fancy interiors, there is just the bare essentials like a
roll cage
,
racing seat
, switch board and – you guessed it, a steering wheel. The boot now houses a
60-litre
 endurance racing fuel tank.
Alcon
 lends it hand here with a set of
cross-drilled ventilated discs
 on all fours at a maximum diametre of
305mm
.

Weight plays a crucial part in adhering to MTC regulations, which states that all cars are to tip the scales at
 under a tonne
. Easy for the
Iriz
, but same couldn’t be said for its bigger siblings, the
Preve
 and
Suprima S
 models whose diet was much more severe. By the book, the cars are mandated to use the
factory steel skin
 on the outside. Tengku Djan said the Iriz was a
much simpler out-of-the-box project
 as compared

to the Preve and Suprima, both of which took about eight months to fine tune.
Speaking with regards to the Sepang 1,000km Endurance Race (
S1K
), Tengku Djan was
excited
 about how the car performed here at the Malaysian Championship Series (
MCS
). And of the tyres, Djan said he
had no complaints
 at all for the medium compound
Hankook
-sponsored rubbers. “The tyres allowed us to have
quicker pit-stops
 and
better consistency
 on track”, said Djan. However, his preference would be hard compound tyres if he were to race in S1K.

Tengku Djan also spoke on the possibility of using
turbocharged CFE Campro engines
 for the next season, but took a step back by saying that the team isn’t fully prepared as yet. With Djan spearheading the chassis development of the cars, all he needs is a
powerful and reliable drivetrain
 to dominate the race. Time will tell, we reckon.
The team will take part in the S1K race later in the year, but doubts are in the air if defending champion Tengku Djan will be the person behind the wheel. This year, another prominent homegrown racing series, Merdeka Millennium Race (MMER), will not see Proton’s R3 division gunning the tracks – a series which only runs the GT3 class at present. Djan jokingly said that he would love to drive a
Ferrari Challenge
 car for the MMER, though.
That said, we at
Autobuzz.my
 would like to wish
Tengku Djan Ley
,
Fariqe Hairuman
,
James Veerapen
 and
Syafiq Ali
 the best of luck in the upcoming S1K endurance race, and congratulations on their podium finish at last weekend’s race.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Aygo X city car to become brand’s sixth SUV in Europe

Remember the striking little red and black
Toyota Aygo X Prologue
 concept car shown earlier this year? Toyota Europe has confirmed the production model Aygo X (pronounced cross) will begin from November this year.
The transition of the Toyota Aygo X from a compact hatchback to a crossover / SUV means this will be the sixth of such body type offered in Europe. The company recently added the
Toyota Yaris Cross
 which is already a very compact crossover / SUV roughly the size of a Perodua Ativa. For reference, the second-generation Toyota Aygo is even shorter than our Perodua Axia!
Other SUVs offered in Europe are the RAV4, C-HR, Land Cruiser and the Highlander. With Toyota calling it an urban crossover, expect the new Toyota Aygo X to have decent ground clearance and not just a crossover bodykit such as the
Perodua Axia Style
 as well as the
Proton Iriz Active
.
Similar to the new Toyota Yaris for
Europe
 and Japan, the new Toyota Aygo X will be built on the TNGA GA-B platform. Wholly-developed locally in Europe by themselves, the Toyota Agyo X project team studied the current and future life in urban and suburban environments to produce a compact crossover unique to the A-segment.
In ASEAN, we have the Toyota Yaris X-Urban trim. Toyota Thailand went as far as fitting taller springs and dampers! More about the jacked-up Yaris here.
The Toyota Aygo, classified as a city car by the locals, has been proven to be a success in Europe thanks to its youthful and fun character. The previous two generations of the Aygo model were a joint-project with
Citroen
 and Peugeot, and since the formation of
Stellantis
 with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, PSA Group is ending the project with Toyota and instead base their next-generation city cars off the platform of a
Fiat 500
.
Similar to the current generation, the new Aygo X continues to be manufactured at the Toyota Kolin facility in the Czech Republic, a plant that also produces the Toyota Yaris and PSA Group’s pair of Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 city cars.
With the continued strong demand for crossover body types around the world, could we be expecting more from Kia through a new Picanto Cross? Or a new Citroen C1 Aircross and Peugeot 1008?
With the strong demand for crossovers and SUVs in USA, it is a delight to hear Acura is making the sporty Integra a five-door fastback model. Take a look at the sketch here.

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Toyota Aygo X Prologue concept car


Volvo Cars global sales up 14.1% for Q1 2018, strong demand for XC60 & XC90

Volvo Cars, the Swedish premium car maker recorded a global year-on-year sales increase of 14.1 per cent for the first quarter of 2018. More notably, all main markets saw a jump in sales of 5.7 to 49 percent compared with the same period last year.
China remains the single largest market with 23.3 per cent increase in sales to 28,768 cars compared to the previous year following the continued strong demand for the locally produced
XC60
 and
S90
 models. The US market also recorded a successful first quarter with sales volume up by 49 per cent thanks to the introduction of the new XC60 as well as the continued demand for the XC90 SUV.
In Europe, Volvo sold 79,512 cars in Q1 2018 (up 5.7 percent) thanks to the strong demand for the new XC60 and 90 Series models. The new XC40 also saw a successful market launch with deliveries started in February 2018.
Collectively, including other markets, Volvo shifted 147,407 cars (+14.1%) in Q1 2018 compared to Q1 2017. The XC60, which was crowned as
2018 World Car of the Year
, was the best-selling model followed closely by the XC90 and V40 range.

 Volvo V40 Cross Country

 Volvo V40
Back at home, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has officially introduced the Volvo XC60 (CBU) in January and GC Mah has dissected whether
is this car for you
. Order books for the
locally assembled XC60
 are now open with three variants to choose from T5, T8 Inscription and T8 Inscription Plus.


BMW Malaysia with Millenium Welt and Matrix Concepts launches new charging station in Seremban

BMW Malaysia together with Millenium Welt and Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad (MCHB) has launched its first charging facility featuring MINI’s latest brand identity in Bandar Sri Sendayan. This will provide greater access to charging infrastructure to develop townships in the area.
Featuring an 11 kWh Wallbox powered by ChargeEV, the new charging facility is located at the main entrance parking of d’ Tempat Country Club, PT 12653, Jalan Pusat Dagangan Sendayan 1, Bandar Sri Sendayan, 71950 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. It’s open to the public daily from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, with a standard rate of RM5 for every 20 minutes of use.
The new charging facility is also part of BMW Group Malaysia’s strategy to develop the infrastructure needed for EV charging. Over 670 charging facilities have been made available by BMW Group Malaysia, with a further 360 charging facilities provided through partnerships with ChargEV and Yinson Greentech, 150 facilities with Gentari and 65 with JomCharge.
RELATED:
2023 BMW M340i xDrive facelift from RM391k – 392hp, 500 Nm, new M Sport Pro variant
“To date, we at Millennium Welt have already delivered over 140 electrified BMW and MINI vehicles, and we hope that with better access to charging facilities in the area, customers will have greater confidence in the shift to electromobility,” said Millenium Welt, Managing Director, Bryan Wong.
“The installation of the MINI Charging Facility here at d’Tempat Country Club – which has also received the Gold Green Building Index Certification, is part of our larger vision to promote sustainable transportation and reduce carbon footprint. Our goal is to foster a more sustainable future for ourselves and our future generations,” Matrix Concepts Group, Carmen Loo.
RELATED:
BMW XM previewed in Malaysia – first-ever plug-in hybrid M car, RM1.4m


Audi Q2 2.0 TFSI now gets quattro, 187 hp, 0-100 km/h in 6.5 secs!

Previously when the
Audi Q2 went on sale in UK
, the company’s quattro all-wheel drive system was available exclusively for the 148 hp 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel. Aiming to broaden the compact SUV’s appeal, Audi has since added a petrol-powered Q2 equipped with quattro AWD.
The new variant gets a 2.0-litre TFSI engine producing
187 hp
, the highest power output currently available in a Q2. A seven-speed S Tronic double clutch gearbox is employed to send drive to all four corners. With quattro, the Q2 takes off 0 to 100 km/h in
6.5 seconds
, making it the fastest sprinting Q2 to date. Top speed is limited to
227 km/h
.
Q stands for quattro
Like the rest of the Audi range, the Q2 2.0 TFSI quattro is available with
 S Line
trim which adds LED headlamps, LED interior lighting, unique bumper designs, 18-inch alloy wheels, Titanium Grey C-pillar blades and sport seats with S Line embroidery.
At launch, the Q2 quattro variant is available with an
 Edition #1 package
 (on top of S Line, pictured in yellow) which gets exclusive items such as 19-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, Quantum Grey paint colour, black styling pack, Manhattan Grey finish on the bumpers, wheel arches, side skirts and bumper inserts as well as Brilliant Black C-Pillar blades with four-rings logo.
Inside the Edition #1, it gets sport seats in Granite Grey fine Nappa leather with Amaretto brown contrast stitching, multi-coloured LED interior pack and brown contrast stitching on the floor mats. In UK, the Q2 2.0 TFSI quattro retails from £31,760 (RM177k) to £36,750 (RM205k).
Previously, Audi Malaysia hinted that the
Q2 will hit our shores in the first half of 2017
, but seeing that we’re fast approaching the end of third quarter, no one knows for sure when the
MINI Countryman
 rival will go on sale here. Perhaps Audi Malaysia was patiently waiting for this high output quattro, we hope…
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Goodyear’s new concept tyres can generate oxygen through photosynthesis

Goodyear has introduced its latest tyre concept at the on-going 2018 Geneva Motor Show with “live plants” growing in them – possibly giving the term “tyre maintenance” a whole new meaning.
It’s called the
Oxygene
 and get this, it has
moss growing within the sidewall
 of the tyres. Also, the tyre’s tread design can absorb and circulate moisture and water from the road surface to allow photosynthesis to take place and therefore releasing oxygen into the air.
In application, Goodyear claims that in a city like Paris, with over 2.5 million vehicles, this would mean generating 3,000 tons of oxygen and absorbing more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
The Oxygene’s tyre design is supposedly able to improve wet grip as well, with water absorbed through the tread rather than being dispersed like on normal tyres.
 It’s also able to harvest energy generated during photosynthesis to power its embedded electronics which include a customisable light strip in the tyre’s sidewall that switches colours – warning both road users and pedestrians of the car’s upcoming maneuvers, such as lane changes or braking.
While it’s established that the moss will be “watered”, question now is, who’s going to trim them?
IMAGE GALLERY


Watch this Ford Edge ST completely destroy the Focus and Fiesta ST

It’s clear that Ford Performance isn’t holding back from blowing its own horns with the
Edge ST
, an SUV we’ll never see on this side of the planet.
What’s also clear is the immense gap it leaves behind, in a drag race between the Focus ST and
197 hp Fiesta ST
 along with the fact that it wasn’t pitted against its competitors but instead, was chosen to ridicule its less powerful siblings.
With
 358 hp
 and a whopping
 515 Nm
 of torque from a “most powerful in class” 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, an 8-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive, it just annihilated the hatchbacks despite all the excess fat.
Locally, if you wanted a Ford SUV that produces that much power, your only option is the oversized and not-as-good-looking Ford Everest that costs more than RM 200,000. Even then, it wouldn’t have the straight line speed of the Edge ST.


Lexus’ V6 and V8 engines feature motorsport-derived technology

Lexus V6 and V8 engines adopt motorsport-derived technology to ensure high performance is met with extended durability, minimum noise and vibration.
Rather than using just two bolts to secure the crankshaft in the engine block like in most conventional engines, all V-configuration engines by Lexus adopts four bolts instead. These four bolts are made using high-tensile heat-treated steel.
Two more bolts are “cross-bolted” through the sides of the block into each bearing cap to resist lateral vibrations and add stiffness to the engine assembly.
Each bolt is also engineered to stretch a precise amount as the bolt is tightened, ensuring consistent, repeatable clamping forces.
The four-bolt application were originally employed by race engine builders to help standard production engine blocks resist the higher forces of combustion in higher compression race engines.
“As a result, owners experience the outright performance expected of a Lexus as well as the most durable engine. In addition, by reducing or eliminating potential noise and vibration at the source, these design features deliver the smooth, quiet ride that has become a Lexus hallmark,” Lexus Australia CEO, Scott Thompson said.


Perodua continues support for health services, donates equipment worth RM85k to Sarawak Hospital

In continuing its support to public hospitals, in line with the government’s mission to improve the quality of health services in Malaysia,
Perodua
 recently donated medical diagnostic equipment worth RM84,450 to the Sarawak General Hospital.
The contribution consisted of seven Vital Sign Monitors, which is a diagnostic equipment used to monitor body temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure. Aside from medical equipments, the company also surprised some of the hospital’s paediatric ward patients and staff with hampers.
“We thank the staff of the Sarawak General Hospital for their service to the community, we hope our contribution will further benefit the people of Kuching and Sarawak,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“As part of our Corporate Responsibility initiative, we are always looking for opportunities to provide the best assistance to strengthen the country’s health system. As such, we are in constant communication with Ministry of Health and other relevant parties to continue our initiatives.
“This is one of our ways to thank the government and Malaysians, especially our customers, who have given us their trust and support over the years,” he added.
To date, Perodua has donated medical and health equipment to a number of public hospitals in Malaysia, including
Hospital Sungai Buloh
, Hospital Selayang, Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas,
Hospital Shah Alam
, Hospital Kuala Kubu Bharu, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Hospital Ampang, Hospital Putrajaya, as well as several community clinics within Hulu Selangor.
The company also contributed over 35,000 units of self-made face shields to various organisations since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.


Toyota and Mazda join forces to build new factory in US, launching new EVs by 2019

Once of the 45
th
 President of the United States was sworn in; his administration has been encouraging manufacturers to set up operation on American soil in hopes of creating more jobs in the country.
Ford is a strong supporter of this movement and have begun
investing into local productions
. Now it seems that Toyota and Mazda are responding to the newly elected President’s trade policy by setting up a manufacturing plant in the US through a
joint venture (JV)
 according to
Nikkei
. Both companies will pool their expertise in production technologies to reduce the investment burden.

The JV will see Toyota acquiring a five percent stake in Mazda and both parties the will invest in a major factory with an annual capacity of
300,000 vehicles
. The plant will produce
primarily SUVs
 due to the high popularity of said vehicles in US. However, both automakers will continue to sell the cars they make through their respective channels.
Besides that, the JV will also see Toyota and Mazda work together and develop core
 electric vehicle technologies
. Toyota is looking to launch a fully electric vehicle by 2020 while Mazda’s is expected to hit the market in 2019. However, design and actual production of the vehicles will be an independent affair. More information of the newly formed JV will be released in due course.
Source:
Nikkei


Tesla Model 3 receives 325,000 orders, and it’s going up still!

Last week, Tesla Motors unveiled the much-anticipated
Model 3
 electric car (EV), one which we believe created or emulated the “Apple Hype”. About seven days later, the order books for the Model 3 stands at a mind-blowing 325,000; proving that everyone, including your relatives, colleagues, and even your neighbourhood barber, would want one parked in their garage.
The Model 3 is billed as Tesla’s most affordable model and will become the company’s cash cow with
$14 billion
 sales (approx RM55 billion at current rates) generated for this $35,000 EV (approx RM140,000). Amazingly, the company has already raised $325 million without advertisements or through paid endorsements.
Numbers wise, 117,000 orders were placed prior to the launch, with 276,000 additional orders received three days after its unveiling. That said, it’ll be a really long wait if you want to get your hands on one because the first Model 3 will only be rolled out of the factory latest by end 2017. However, the good news is the $1,000 booking deposit is refundable for those whose patience fall short of Yoda’s.
In anticipation of the growing demand, Tesla is pushing the envelope in preparing the infrastructure to support its EVs. This includes pumping 500,000 batteries a year from its upcoming “Gigafactory” and adding more Tesla Superchargers across the globe.
Meanwhile, automotive commentators are raising doubt on Tesla Motors’ capabilities of delivering the Model 3 on time due to the company’s recent problems with the Model X’s production. Should Tesla Motors pull through, not only will they become a true game changer for the motoring industry (after Ford introduced the Model-T, of course), but also generates quite the excitement for transportation technology as a whole.


Mazda reveals the MX-5 “R-Sport” – limited to 150 units

In case you’re not aware, the MX-5 name has been in existence for over 40 years now and to celebrate this, Mazda UK has revealed the R-Sport special edition which will be limited to 150 units.
It comes with a Polymetal Grey metallic exterior colour which is usually a cost-option and is complemented with a grey soft-top hood although we’re not convinced with the colour scheme to be honest.
Rounding up the exterior are black side mirror caps and 16-inch RAYS gunmetal alloys – the latter being the single most appealing item in the car.
Step in and you’d be greeted with burgundy Nappa leather seats and treated to features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and heated seats. The R-Sport is priced at £27,700 (approx. RM150k) and is now open for online booking.
The R-Sport is powered with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine with
132 hp
 and
152 Nm
, paired to a 6-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels.
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Fusion TIFF File


Mazda CX-30 is a bigger and sexier CX-3, well, kind of

The
all-new Mazda 3
 is arguably one of the prettier cars we’ve seen in recent years and now, the company has taken that design language and penned a new compact crossover, the Mazda CX-30.
Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS), the CX-30 is not a concept car (although it does look like one) and is scheduled to roll out to global markets later in the year. It is an all-new model in Mazda’s new-generation line up of cars and slots in-between the current
CX-3
 and
CX-5
.
It rides on the same platform as the Mazda 3 and measures 4,395 mm in length, 1,795 mm in width, 1,540 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,655 mm. Dimensions of the CX-30 are closer to the CX-3 than it is to the CX-5.
Mazda promises that
the CX-30 has a user-friendly packaging that can comfortably seat four adults on
long journeys – a task that the CX-3 couldn’t really manage. The SkyActiv-Vehicle
Architecture have also been enhanced for better sense of
 Jinba Ittai
 (horse and rider as one).
Technical details of
the new CX-30 is scarce but Mazda claims that it will be available with the
latest range of SkyActiv engines including the yet-to-be-launched SkyActiv-X petrol
engine.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mazda CX-30 Debuts at Geneva


Watch Mark Webber go full throttle in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The combination of
Mark Webber and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS
 was so quick that even the camera crew couldn’t keep up with the pair on the Nurburgring Grand Prix circuit.
The former 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship winner with Porsche has taken up the ambassador’s role with the brand since retiring from competitive driving and has appeared in countless videos alongside the
 all-electric Porsche Mission E
 and the
911 GT2 RS with Maria Sharapova
 on board!
The 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine in the 911 GT3 RS is based on the same powerplant from the 911 GT3 (991.2) but has been recalibrated to deliver
513 hp
, 20 hp more than the model it replaces with a 9,000 rpm redline. The flat-six is paired with a 7-speed PDK transmission with 0 to 100 km/h taking just 3.2 seconds.


If only the Honda HR-V Sport 1.5L VTEC Turbo is sold here in Malaysia…

Honda Europe has just introduced a sportier variant of the Honda HR-V for the European market, powered by a VTEC turbo engine, uprated chassis and suspension as well as bespoke design features.
The new Honda HR-V Sport packs a 1.5-litre VTEC turbo four-cylinder petrol engine pushing out
182 hp
 and a maximum torque of
240 Nm
. You’ll only get the
240 Nm
 guise if you opt for the six-speed manual but the optional CVT will have a lower torque figure of
220 Nm
 – similar to the
Honda Civic FC
 sold in Malaysia.
Key performance figures were not quoted but expect the HR-V Sport to complete the century dash a lot faster than the
HR-V 1.8L’s (CVT)
 10.1 seconds. After all the turbo mill is pushing 42 hp and 48 Nm more than the naturally aspirated mill.
To complement the increased output, Honda has introduced a Performance Damper Technology that keeps body roll in check, variable ratio electric power steering wheel (similar to the
VGR system on our local spec HR-V RS
) as well as
Agile Handling Assist

(AHA)
 technology that applies brake-based torque vectoring on the inside wheels mid-corner for better turn in – similar set up found on the
Civic Type R
.
Elsewhere the HR-V Sport gains a high-gloss black chrome Honda Solid Wing Face grille, slim front splitters, more aggressive rear bumpers, black finish on the body kit, dual exhaust pipes, 18-inch alloys and sportier seats with red interior trim accents.
Closer to home, the sportiest HR-V money can buy is the
Honda HR-V RS
 (RS for Road Sailing) that comes with a Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering system, larger alloys and stickier rubbers. Other than that it soldiers on with the same 1.8-litre naturally aspirated SOHC i-VTEC mill and CVT like the rest of the HR-V range.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda HR-V Sport for Europe

Honda HR-V RS Preview in Malaysia


All-new Land Rover Defender seen undergoing tests in Malaysia

When pictures like these start being shared around in Malaysia, you know a launch is coming and in the case of the Land Rover Defender, it’s only a matter of time after these heavily camouflaged pair was seen in Subang Jaya earlier today.
The all-new Land Rover Defender gets down and dirty filming the new James Bond movie..check out the video here!
According to information uploaded on
Land Rover Malaysia’s website
 recently, there will be five different variants – standard, S, SE, HSE, X – powered by two different powertrains.
Both body styles – two and four doors – are available according to the website although the images we’re shown were of 4-door units.

The
 P300
 models get a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, with 300 hp and 400 Nm while the
P400 MHEV
 gets a more powerful 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine, assisted by a mild hybrid system, to produce a whopping 400 hp and 550 Nm.
Defender Trophy Edition
Check it out here!
The range-topping X variants are only available with the P400 MHEV. Both engines are paired to an 8-speed automatic, with all-wheel drive capabilities.
Find out more about the all-new Land Rover Defender in detail through the official brochure here!


SEAT gets RM16 bil injection, to showcase all-new SUV by 1H 2016

SEAT (pronounced
say-aat
) is a brand that us Malaysians hardly ever hear when it comes to cars. But over in continental Europe, it’s a household name to the likes of our local favourite – the Myvi. The Spanish brand now belongs to the mighty Volkswagen conglomerate of companies.
On the occasion of SEAT Technical Centre’s 40th anniversary, Executive Committee President, Jürgen Stackmann announced during the visit to the company’s facility in Martorell that the company will be spending
3.3 billion euros
 (approximately
RM16.01 billion
) in the next
four years
 in expanding the company.

The whale of a sum is ear marked for
 research and development
 of new
 technology
 into new products,
equipment
 and
site expansion
. Room to grow, one might say. This
cash injection
 is the
biggest
 in the company’s
history
 thus far, which will see
two brand new models
 emerge in the
next four years
. SEAT aims to spend on innovation to ensure
competitiveness
 and
employment
, thus securing the
future
 of the
 brand
 .
The first model of SEAT’s offensive to reach the showrooms during the
first half
 of 2016 will be a
compact SUV
, the brand’s
 first incursion
 into this segment. At this juncture, one would be parsing on the question on why this is such a big deal. Consider this. SEAT is one of the
main pillars
 in the Spanish automotive industry. To that note, SEAT contributes
10 percent
 to the country’s
GDP
.
Over the course of these last 40 years, the SEAT Technical Centre has become the main local and national
driver
 of industry and serves as a
 catalyst
 of technological development among
businesses
,
institutions
,
 universities
 and
suppliers
 to the company all over
Spain
. Today, it occupies an extension of
200,000 square metres
 and by the end of the year will employ
1,000 engineers
, after the addition of
100 new employees
 who have been recruited recently.
IMAGE GALLERY


PHS Automotive partners with Moon Power – 22kW AC, 180kW DC chargers installed at Audi Centres

At the launch of the e-tron range in Malaysia today,
PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM)
, the official distributor of Audi in Malaysia announced that it has partnered with Moon Power, a European energy solutions provider. The partnership serves to further support charging solutions for e-tron owners in Malaysia, and Moon Power chargers have been installed at Audi centres in Glenmarie, Setia Alam, and Juru.
To prepare for the launch, all three Audi Centres in Glenmarie, Setia Alam, and Juru have been fitted with Moon Power EV chargers. All three centres are now equipped with three
22-kW
 AC chargers and one
180-kW
 DC charger each. As for accessibility, the EV chargers at these centres are only open to Audi e-tron owners.
Moon Power is a subsidiary of Porsche Holdings Salzburg and its entry into Malaysia is its first venture outside of Europe. Audi e-tron customers in Malaysia will be given the added option of purchasing Moon Power wallbox chargers beginning September 2023. The Moon Power wallbox chargers are available in 11 kW and 22 kW configurations.
The Audi e-tron range in Malaysia currently consists of the
Q8 e-tron

(SUV and Sportback) and the e-tron GT. While the Q8 e-tron can only charge at a maximum rate of 170 kW with DC charging, the
e-tron GT
 can actually charge at a whopping rate of 270 kW thanks to its 800V architecture. For the time being, the Moon Power chargers at the Audi centre can only do 180kW charging. A more powerful charger may soon be available at Audi centres to make full use of the e-tron GT’s 800V architecture.
RELATED:
2023 Audi Q8 e-tron launched in Malaysia, from RM398k – up to 487km range, up to 408hp & 664Nm


Video: BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport in Malaysia, 5 Things To Know

If the
BMW X3
 doesn’t quite satisfy your taste for a sporty looking SUV and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is a tad too dated for you, enter the all-new
G02 BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport
 and here are things you need to know about it.

Like the G05 BMW X5, the new X4 is also dressed in the full M Sport trim but gets a more modest B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pushing out
252 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint takes
 6.3 seconds
 and top speed is registered at
240 km/h
. A ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive comes as standard here.
Priced at RM380,000 (OTR without insurance), the X4 comes with all the bells and whistles inside and out but unfortunately misses out on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems like AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping aid and the likes. But aside from that, GC Mah’s first impressions of the X4 xDrive30i M Sport of it being a sporty driving SUV should be enough to point buyers to its way.

IMAGE GALLERY
G02

BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport Launched in Malaysia


The new Porsche 911 GT3 launched in Malaysia – PDK or manual?

The facelifted Porsche 911 GT3 has arrived in Malaysia and now you get the option of changing gears yourself, at no additional cost, although as standard, the 991.2 GT3 will come with a 7-speed double clutch PDK transmission.
With the quick-shifting PDK transmission, 0 to 100 km/h will take a brisk
 3.4 seconds
, much like the
RM 1 million Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 launched recently while with the 6-speed manual, still a breeze within
3.9 seconds
.

Power comes from the 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six, up from 3.8-litre, taken from the outgoing 911 GT3 RS. Output has increased to 500 hp with 460 Nm of torque and they’re all sent to the rear wheels only. The manual variant’s top speed of
320 km/h
 pips the PDK’s by just 2 km/h.
Stopping power is provided by 6-pot calipers in the front and a 4-pot pair at the back, clamping on 380mm crossed-drilled rotors. Hiding the brake system are 20-inch rims wrapped in Michellin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
The 991.2 GT3 sits 25mm close to the ground in compared to a standard issue 911 Carrera S and features active rear-axle steering, with an aim to improve the agility of the car. It’s dynamic engine mounts and rear differential lock is another contributing factor to the GT3’s supreme handling.
Its lightweight front end and front spoiler have been optimised for an even better airflow. Aerodynamic enhancements also extend to the rear with with exhaust air openings and evidently in the rear diffuser.
Inside, the GT sports steering comes from a 918 Spyder in an interior that features Porsche’s Sports Seats Plus with enhanced rib support where its height and backrests are electronically-adjustable.
As it is just two-seater by default, the rear seat pans are covered, occupied primarily by the roll-cage which takes centre stage in a driver-focused interior.

On-board features include the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), Connect Plus alongside Apple Car Play and a BOSE surround sound system.
Elsewhere, keeping the GT3 planted with optimum traction are Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus).
Retail price of the new facelifted 911 GT3 begins from
RM 1.7 million
 excluding insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY


NextEV NIO EP9 is the fastest electric car in the world! [+Video]

A week after its mysterious
teaser
, NextEV’s electric hypercar has finally been unveiled in London. The car, known as the NIO EP9, has already proven its worth in the electric vehicle (EV) genre. It just set a new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in in 7 minutes 05.12 seconds, making it the fastest EV on planet earth!
The NIO EP9 is two-seater hypercar with carbon cockpit and aero-driven chassis. It’s equipped with
four electric motors
, each with its own gearbox. This complex setup generates a total output of 1-MegaWatt of power, which translates to a colossal
1,360 hp
! The EP9 can sprint from nought to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds, while 0-200 km/h takes 7.1 seconds. Top speed is clocked at
 313 km/h
.

The EP9 claims to utilise an
interchangeable battery system
, where a single charge (45 minutes to reach full capacity) enables it to travel up to
427 kilometres
. EVs are usually penalised by its battery weight and on this example it’s no different, it weights 635 kg. This brings the EP9 to a total weight of
1,735 kg
, which is 200 kg more a McLaren P1. Still, that didn’t deter the EP9 to clock an amazing lap time at the Ring as seen in the video.
Exclusivity of this electric hypercar is ensured, as they will only produce
six units
 of the EP9, and all of them are reserved to the six founding investors of the company. No pricing was revealed, but each unit costs approximately $1.2 million to build. NextEV meanwhile will use this car to promote its latest EV sub-brand,
NIO
. The NIO brand will see its first mass production EV to be ready in its native market in China somewhere in 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY


MINI Seven Edition launched in Malaysia, RM254k, limited to 30 units!

MINI Malaysia is offering the exclusive first design model of the MINI 5 Door, called the MINI Seven Edition. Created as a tribute to the original Austin Seven introduced in 1959, only 30 examples of the MINI Seven Edition will be made available in Malaysia.
Unique to the
MINI Seven Edition
 is the MINI Yours colour
Lapisluxury Blue
 with contrasting roof, mirror caps and bonnet stripes finished in
Melting Silver
. On each side there is a special “Seven” scuttle, and the Seven Edition rides on
twin spoke 17-inch alloys
 finished in Spectre Grey.
More distinct Seven Edition touches can be found inside, where the front occupants get greeted with MINI Seven door sills. The seats are upholstered in
fabric and leather combination
 with
Diamond Malt Brown
 pattern, while the steering is wrapped in “
Walknappa
” leather with waxed aluminium braided thread stitching. There’s also a small union jack seal on the steering wheel, and a MINI Seven badging on the Centre Instrument Ring.
Standard equipment on the MINI Seven Edition include
Comfort Access
 keyless entry,
8.8-inch
 high-res Navigation System Professional, MINI Controller with handwriting recognition,
12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
 and a
Snap In Adapter
 for mobile phone which also connects to the car’s antenna.
Under the bonnet, the
Cooper S
 powertrain is left untouched. It’s a
turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 delivering
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque, paired to a
six-speed automatic
. We tested the
5 Door Cooper S
 awhile back and it was a fun little thing!
As mentioned, there’s
only 30 units available
 so you better be quick if you’re interested in getting one. The MINI Seven Edition retails at
RM253,888
 without insurance, and it comes with the
MINI 4 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty
 with Free Scheduled Service.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton has made it that much easier for you to own their cars

Coming into effect on 1st June 2018, car buyers will be enjoying a tax holiday with substantial savings on car prices and but those opting for a Proton will be given “extra privileges”.
Despite the 0% GST only due for implementation next month, Proton buyers can enjoy lower post GST pricing with immediate effect. All Proton customers will be offered the choice between an
instant cash rebate for cars registered from 16 May to 31 May
 or
service vouchers equivalent in value
 between the current and new price of the car, effective June.

Proton is also making it easier for potential customers to own their cars. The current
Kosong-Kosong promotion
 means buyers of the Proton Iriz (Executive and Premium variant), Proton Ertiga (all variants) and Proton Exora (all variants) who sign up with Hong Leong Bank will receive
 0% financing for the first year
.
Customers who prefer to buy a Proton Saga or Persona will receive
free 3-months
installment
 if they finance their new car via Proton Commerce.
Proton dealers wowed at a Lynk & Co outlet store
 in China.
The 0% GST offer also extends to services at all authorised Proton service centres where a 6% discount (for labour and periodical maintenance parts only) are being offered to all owners who send in their cars for periodical maintenance.


Fully electric Mitsubishi Airtrek previewed in China

Two months ago in April, Mitsubishi revealed images of the all-new, fully-electric Airtrek but they didn’t tell much aside from how the front and back looks like.
They’ve now given a clearer picture (literally) of how the whole exterior would look like. The images were found on Reddit, in what seems like leaked pictures from a recent Mitsubishi-related conference in China.
Check out our comparison video between the Mitsubishi Xpander and the Honda BR-V here!
The Mitsubishi
The Aion V
The Airtrek EV will be
jointly developed with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC)
 in China, under GAC Mitsubishi Motors. The China-only Airtrek EV is said to be
based on the Chinese company’s existing EV crossover
, the Aion V.
“The all-new Airtrek is based on the concept of an “e-cruising SUV” founded on three keywords; “Electric, Expanding (expanding life’s pleasures with a car) and Expressive (expressing the uniqueness of Mitsubishi).”
Starting with the exterior, it’s easy to spot Mitsubishi’s signature design language, with the Dynamic Shield face plastered over the entire front of the Airtrek. The front looks to be mostly covered – typical of an EV – for better airflow and aerodynamics.
This is the most expensive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution ever sold. Read about it here!
The Airtrek may be based on GAC’s electric crossover but it’s hard to ignore the influence of the Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance in the exterior design. Look closely and you’d realise how much the headlamps resemble the new Nissan Pathfinder, Rouge and even X-Trail.
X-Trail
Rouge
Previous gen Lexus NX
The individual headlamp projectors are also reminiscent of Toyota and Lexus vehicles such as the NX and RX, and the facelift Vios and Yaris. The same can’t be said about the tail lights; Mitsubishi completely went the other way with – compared to Nissan’s.
Unlike the first couple of images, we even get to see the interior now.
The Mitsubishi Airtrek
The GAC Aion V
A few areas stood out to us including the fully digital instrument cluster, the huge infotainment display (likely 10-inch and above) and the plush seat design. The centre console with a floating effect, and storage below, is a nice touch too!
Visibility and cabin ambience should be great with quarter panels by the A-pillar to see out of and plenty of natural light from the panoramic roof respectively.
As for performance, nothing has been revealed although it shouldn’t be too different from the Aion V. The Aion V is powered by a single electric motor, driving the front wheels with
184 hp
 and
 350 Nm
.
That’s more power than your standard
G20 BMW 320i
. Electric range is rated between 400 km to 600 km depending on the variants.
“Designed exclusively for the Chinese market, the all-new AIRTREK will be launched by the end of this year as the fourth model of Mitsubishi’s lineup in China,” Mitsubishi said.
Watch Mitsubishi’s epic promo video where the Triton makes the Shah Alam stadium its playground!
Source:
Reddit


PJ Police to utilise FRU personnel at roadblocks

The Petaling Jaya District Police will be getting assistance from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) to assist in manning the roadblocks during the MCO, according to a report by
Bernama
.
District Police chief ACP Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said today that
80 FRU officers
 have been deployed at the various roadblocks in the district. This news follows the announcement of
five new road blocks in the district
, which came into effect midnight today.
“We have deployed our maximum strength of 930 officers and personnel. With two more roadblocks set up in the district, raising the total number to nine, we need the additional strength in terms of the FRU officers and personnel,” said Nik Ezanee.
Nik Ezanee also revealed that a proposal for mobile posts stationing foot patrols in certain locations is under study.
In case you missed it, those caught flouting the Movement Control Order will be slapped with a
RM1,000 fine
; offenders will be given two weeks to settle the fines, or face trial in court.
The PJ Police chief said that
nine individuals
 have already been given a RM1,000 fine yesterday alone, for breaching the MCO rules with
poor excuses
.
If you do have the necessity to head out for daily essentials, remember to bring along
your utility bill
. Also, keep your travels within 10 km from home.
[Image source:
PJ District Police
]


2016 Kia Optima Sportswagon goes on sale in the UK

Ever since Peter Schreyer took the wheel as chief designer for Hyundai-Kia, the brand has been churning out some stunning, stylish vehicles, the Optima included. Knowing well that in Europe, two-thirds of D-segment sales are of the wagon body, Kia jumped on the bandwagon and introduced the Europe-only Optima Sportswagon.
After revealing pictures of the D-segment wagon early this year
, the Optima Sportswagon is now officially on sale in the UK.
On the outside, the wagon is based on the
fourth generation Euro-spec Optima sedan
. Therefore, it shares the same dimensions; 4,855mm in length and 1,860mm in width. However, the Sportswagon is slightly taller than the sedan at 1,470mm (5mm taller) due to the added roof rails. Although with the same length, Kia has managed to expand the rear boot space from 510 litres to 552 litres. With the rear seats folded, 1,686 litres of cargo space becomes available.
In the UK, the Sportswagon is offered in three different variants. Namely
Optima Sportswagon 2
,
3
 and
GT-Line S
. A hotter
GT version
 will sit on the top of the line-up when it hits the showroom floors early 2017. A quick glance at the spec sheet, the car comes with ample kit to match even more upmarket car makers.

Even for the base Sportswagon 2, it comes with a seven-inch touch screen satellite navigation infotainment,
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
, reverse camera, leather wrapped multifunctional steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control with ioniser, cruise control, two-way powered seats for the driver, tyre pressure monitoring, and
electronic parking brake
 as standard. Standard safety equipment includes ABS, EBD, BA, ESC, VSM, hill-start assist and six airbags. The base trim is distinguished by its 17-inch alloys, body-coloured door handles and wing mirrors as well as projector headlamps with LED DRLs.
Moving up the range, the Sportswagon 3 trim ups the infotainment screen to eight-inches, adds eight-way powered memory seats with heated functions, premium vision instrument cluster and a
490-watt eight-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system
. The mid-spec wagon comes with 18-inch alloys, chrome and body colour door handles, LED front fog lamps and LED rear combination taillights. Additionally, lane keep assist and speed limit warning is thrown in the mix.

Sitting at the top of the range before the GT-version finds its way to the line-up, is the GT-Line S which adds even more premium goodies to the already loaded wagon. Additional creature comforts include a wireless charging tray, ventilated front seats, heated rear outer seats, LED ambient lighting,
360-degree around view monitor
, parking assist, blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist,
autonomous braking
,
powered boot
 and electronic panoramic sunroof. The GT-Line S can be differentiated with its different 18-inch alloys and LED headlamps and a leather upholstery interior.
Powering the wagon is a sole 1.7-litre CRDI turbodiesel that produces
141 hp
 and
340 Nm
 of torque mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission that is standard on the top variant and an option for the mid-spec variant. Opt for the manual and expect to get a return of
4.4 litres
 per 100km while the slightly thirstier DCT will return
4.6 litres
 per 100km.
In the UK, the Optima Sports wagon retails from £22,295 (approximately RM117k based on today’s exchange rate) all the way up to £30,595 (approximately RM162k) depending on trim levels. Seems that Kia UK adopts a similar pricing strategy as Naza Kia Malaysia by offering a whole lot of kit for not a whole lot of money.
Estate body styles has received a lukewarm response here in Malaysia where SUVs and crossovers are getting the lion’s share of attention. It will be challenging to sway Malaysian buyers to getting an estate car because, why would you spend more for a
sedan
with extra space when you can get a cheaper SUV with raised ride height and more space? Guess the chances of us catching this stylish wagon on Malaysian soil is close to nil. We’re keeping our fingers crossed, though.
IMAGE GALLERY
Kia Optima Sportswagon GT Line

Kia Optima Sportswagon CRDi


Mercedes-AMG GT Concept seen testing, to get 4.0L V8 hybrid with over 800 hp?

Remember the
Mercedes-AMG GT Concept
 that was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS)? The company has just teased images of the four-door coupe undergoing road tests on the public road ahead of its official world premiere at the upcoming 2018 GIMS.
The heavily camouflaged coupe appears to follow much of its design cue from the concept car. Notable cues include the Panamericana grille, slim LED headlamps and door-mounted wing mirrors. Around the back, one can spot slim LED taillamp graphics similar to the AMG GT coupe, adaptive spoiler and quad exhaust outlets.
According to AMG, the grand tourer is said to feature an electrified version of the M178 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that is capable of propelling the car from 0 to 100 km/h in
under 3 seconds
. A new, fully variable
AMG Performance 4MATIC+
 all-wheel drive system is tasked to keep the car planted to the tarmac.
The GT Concept will also be the second AMG model to bear the “EQ Power+” designation, after the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One race car. If a
statement by CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, Tobias Moers
 holds true, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain, in its final development stages is capable of generating up to 600 kW which roughly translates to
805 hp
.
The Mercedes-AMG GT Concept will be presented in full come March at the 2018 GIMS and will spearhead AMG’s future goals – to produce more high-performance hybrid drive systems.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG GT Concept Teased

Mercedes-AMG GT Concept Car


2021 Toyota Fortuner now open for booking in Malaysia – variant-exclusive looks for 2.8L turbodiesel

Alongside the
updated Innova
, UMW Toyota has now also begun taking orders for the new 2021 Toyota Fortuner here in Malaysia. The 2021 facelift model will be offered in three variants – a 2.7 SRZ AT 4X4 priced at
RM172,244
, a 2.8 VRZ AT 4X4 priced at
RM203,183
, and a 2.4 AT 4×4 that will be only be made available in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
These prices are on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions, which has been
extended until the 31st of June 2021
.
As the name suggests, the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ variant will feature the new 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder mill featured in the new
Toyota Hilux
 range. As such, the power output figure is identical to the pick-up truck at
204 hp
 and
500 Nm
, while all the new technical revisions including the increased fuel pressure and improved pre-EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) cooling system has also been brought over onto the Fortuner.
The 2.8 VRZ variant also comes with the
Variable Flow Control (VFC) power steering system
 that was first introduced in the updated Toyota Hilux. The VFC system adjusts the torque usage of the power steering pump according to the speed of the vehicle, thus changing the steering assistance. The 2021 Fortuner also gains a new Sport mode which enhances the responsiveness of the steering.
Meanwhile, the 2.7 SRZ variant continues to be powered by the same 2.7 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol mill as the outgoing model, which makes
166 hp
 and
245 Nm
. The 2.4 AT 4X4 variant also continues to be powered by the same 2.4-litre turbodiesel unit from the outgoing model line-up, which makes
148 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque.
All variants are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission mated to a part-time 4X4 system, though the 2.7 SRZ and 2.8 VRZ gains an additional
automatic limited slip differential (LSD)
, which uses the brakes to stop any one of the rear wheels from spinning, increasing traction in the most difficult terrains.
Aside from the new powertrain, the other big-ticket item on the 2021 Toyota Fortuner update is the addition of the
Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite
 of advanced driver assistance systems. Exclusive to the 2.8 VRZ variant, the TSS include Pre collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Yaw Assist Function.
These systems are identical to that found on the new Toyota Hilux Rogue; the PCS works from speeds of 10 km/h up to 180 km/h, while the DRCC is available from 30 km/h and above. The Yaw Assist Function works as a lane departure prevention system, using the brakes on the inner wheels to steer the vehicle back to the lane.
Styling changes on the 2.7 SRZ variants are identical to those seen on the
Thai-specification Toyota Fortuner
. These include a new grille design flanked by redesigned bi-beam LED headlights with matching daytime-running lights, new bumpers, and a redesigned tail lamp cluster with a new light signature.
The 2.8 VRZ (pictured here) meanwhile, gains a completely new front fascia, as per the ‘Legender’ variant over at the land of smiles. Variant-exclusive touches for the range-topping 2021 Toyota Fortuner include a split grille design with a large gaping lower intake, sharper fog lamp housings, sharper headlights with a segmented daytime-running light signature, aerodynamic side mouldings, and a new rear bumper.
For further distinction, the roof, A-pillars, wing mirrors, and roof-mounted rear spoiler are finished in black on the 2.8 VRZ, though both the 2.8 VRZ and 2.7 SRZ will ride on newly-designed 18-inch wheels.
As for the interior, the dashboard design is pretty much entirely carried over from the outgoing Toyota Fortuner – the only obvious change inside is the new colours and designs for the seat upholstery and trimmings. On the 2.7 SRZ variant, the instrument cluster has been mildly redesigned, while the multi-info display has also been updated to provide more useful information to the driver.
Standard interior equipment across the range include automatic air-conditioning with rear vents, LED interior lamps, ambient lighting system, electrochromic rear-view mirror, and UMW Toyota’s Vehicle Telematics System (VTS).
The 2021 Toyota Fortuner is available in six exterior colours: Bronze Mica Metallic, Super White II, Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica and Phantom Brown Metallic. On the 2.8 VRZ variant, the first two on the list are exclusively available with a black roof, which costs an additional RM1,500.
Each purchase of the new Toyota Fortuner will include a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. The 2021 Toyota Fortuner facelift is now available for booking at all authorised UMW Toyota Motor dealerships across Malaysia, and will be available in “early 2021”.
GALLERY


Honda HR-V, Proton X50 rival Chery Omoda 5 SUV goes on sale in China – Malaysia next!

The Omada 5, the first model sold under Chery’s new Omoda product series has officially gone on sale in China. So far, the internal combustion version of the Omoda 5 has been confirmed for Malaysia and will rival the likes of the Proton X50, Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross. Malaysia is set to become the first country outside of China to welcome the crossover.
Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., Deputy General Manager and General Manager of Marketing, Jia Yaquan highlighted that the Omoda 5 has been designed with the youth in mind, and through its technology-rich features, aims to project a new, more vibrant Chery product to global consumers.
The Omoda 5 is fitted with a 1.6 TGDI engine paired to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, delivering 197 hp and 290 Nm to drive the front wheels. 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.8 seconds but that’s not all, as it comes with four different driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport and Super Sport. Interestingly, in Super Sport mode, both driver and occupants would be treated to a “professionally-tuned simulated soundtrack”, complemented with the ambient lighting turning yellow.
Inside, the Omoda 5 is fitted with dual 12.3-inch displays that incorporate the instrument cluster and infotainment system, much like the current batch of Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles. Audio entertainment is provided by a Sony sound system and together with a 64-colour ‘rhythmic’ ambient lighting system, offers an immersive audio-visual entertainment.
Recently, Chery Malaysia had also taken to Facebook to gauge the public’s interest in the Omoda 5 EV, with questions on what the public thinks about the SUV’s interior and exterior. Let them know what you think
here
!
GALLERY