The Kia Telluride is the Korean car maker’s very own BMW X7

Ok, that may be a little far-fetched because the new BMW X7 is suppose to set a new benchmark in luxury – as least on BMW’s terms – but in terms of sheer size, presence and the ability to turn heads, I think it’s a very close second; in a Korean sort of way.
Designed and soon to be assembled in America, the proportions of the car (inside and out) just tells you that it’s catered to those with non-Asian physiques. The largest Kia ever and the first to be exclusive for the US market, is capable of accommodating up to eight passengers, with go-anywhere capabilities.
The source of this “freedom to roam” is a 3.8-litre V6 engine with 291 hp and 355 Nm of torque to power the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. All-wheel drive capabilities are optional.
As attractive as the proportions are, I’m actually wondering if Kia scooped over a few designers from Cadillac’s drawing room because this thing, especially the front end with it’s tall, vertical headlamps and an oversized grille, looks rather similar to the 2019 Cadillac Escalade.
Either they’re trying to convert these traditional car buyers with a safe design that they’ve grown accustomed to, or it’s just the only way Americans know how to design cars. Take a look at the Hyundai Palisade and you’ll get what I mean.
Inside the Telluride, and I still can’t get over that name, is a myriad of modern day tech required by citizens of a developed nation. Aside from the “Kia Drive Wise” suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems which includes the Forward Collision Warning, High Beam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist, features we’ve all grown to expect in a modern luxury vehicle, there are also items like the 10-speaker 603-watt Harman Kardon sound system with two USB ports on each row.
There’s also this feature called the Quiet Mode where engaged, the system will reduce audio output in second and third row so the audio selection of the front occupants are only heard in that row.
IMAGE GALLERY

 2020 Telluride


SISMA Auto opens doors to first Volvo showroom in KL city centre

SISMA Auto, Volvo Car Malaysia’s (VCM)
newly appointed authorised dealer
 has just officially opened the doors to its city centre showroom located at Menara Worldwide, Kuala Lumpur – giving a touch of Swedish luxury to Kuala Lumpur’s “Golden Triangle”.
Strategically located in the centre of Kuala Lumpur’s premier residential and high-end shopping outlets, the new showroom’s is of  Scandinavian-inspired design to create a luxurious retail environment, also known as Volvo Retail Experience (VRE).

Aside from marveling over the six Volvo models on display, customers can also immerse themselves in the VRE through a cosy café area and specification area where they can comfortably spec their brand-new Volvo to their heart’s desire.
Existing and future owners can also access SISMA Auto’s Concierge Service that offers vehicle pick-up and drop-off at their preferred location (within Klang Valley), saving precious time and hassle to make a trip to the dealership for service or maintenance works.
SISMA Auto Managing Director, Syed Khalil Syed Ibrahim
In conjunction with the opening of the new showroom, customers who purchase any new Volvo model from SISMA Auto would stand a chance to win an all expense paid trip to Sweden for two.
SISMA Auto Managing Director, Syed Khalil Syed Ibrahim said, “We are very proud to be associated with Volvo, a brand that is clearly on the ascend after releasing an amazing range of new models from the XC90 to the new S90 T8 Twin Engine. With this new showroom, we hope to bring the Volvo experience closer to those who live or work in the city.”
IMAGE GALLERY

 Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Lennart Stegland

 SISMA Auto Managing Director, Syed Khalil Syed Ibrahim


All-new Mazda3 to arrive this month, CBU expected but how much?

July is shaping up to be quite an exciting month with key model launches, and one of them is expected to be the new generation Mazda3. We’ve covered
this model extensively
, but its final specification and price elude us.
Arriving soon, just two months after its Japan debut.
The grapevine is indicating that unlike previously, the fourth-generation model will be fully imported from Japan, so expect the inevitable price hike. Globally, the Mazda3 is available in two body-styles (sedan and hatch or fastback) and chances are high that there would be at least two different variants given that it was previously offered as such in CKD form.
Sedan or fastback: which body-style do you prefer?
But don’t expect the
much-touted lean-burn, spark compression SkyActiv-X
engine to be available just yet as Mazda is only introducing this costly new powerplant in its home market in October 2019, so we will likely see the 155 hp and 199 Nm SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder with six-speed auto, and possibly even a 115 hp and 150 Nm 1.5-litre option for price competitiveness.
Expect lots of premium touches as Mazda aims to move upmarket.
Considering that the Mazda3 will be CBU, how much of a price
hike is acceptable to you? In the meantime, set a reminder for 17
th
 July 2019.


The Laffite G-Tec X-Road is a supercar that likes to get dirty

Remember the
Zarooq Motors Sandracer GT500
? Well, the proposed one-make desert dune race series didn’t happen, and the Zarooq Motors brand vanished into oblivion.
Bruno Laffite, former operations director of the now-defunct Zarooq Motors, took it upon himself to make sure that the off-road supercar dream does not die, setting up the Laffite Supercars company to continue working on the Sandracer.
A little more than two years later, Laffite has now shown off his evolved dune buggy – the Laffite G-Tec X-Road. Yes, it’s a really long name, but there’s a reason to it.
The rolling chassis of the X-Road is developed by G-Tec, a company founded by Philippe Gautheron – renowned race engineer with more than 20 years of experience in various different racing disciplines.
The 6.2-litre V8 engine mounted mid-ship makes
470 hp
 as standard, but opting for the turbocharger brings the figure up to
720 hp
. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed sequential or a six-speed ‘box with paddle shifters.
The exterior styling is pretty much identical to its predecessor, but Laffite has now given us a look at the interior of the off-road supercar. You’d imagine that an off-road vehicle wouldn’t require luxury, but the leather and carbon-fibre interior of the X-Road proves that you can get dirty in style.
As a whole, the X-Road weighs in at just
1,300 kg
. Top speed is limited to
230 km/h
 – the
17-inch suspension travel
 will probably be useful when you’re flying through rough terrains at that speed.
There’s a tonne of customisability here, because all
30 units
 will be built to order at the Laffite factory, based in Los Angeles. If you’re interested, you can even order one with a full electric drivetrain. Though, be prepared to shell out the cash, as the X-Road starts at
USD465,000
 (approximately RM1.9 million), with the electric version starting at
USD545,000
 (approx RM2.2 million).
IMAGE GALLERY


2015 Subaru WRX STI unveiled at 2014 NAIAS [+Videos]

We have seen the 2015 Subaru WRX STI posing in its legendary blue bodypaint and gold wheels in
some leaked images
. Now the all-new Subaru WRX STI has been officially unveiled at the recent 2014 North America International Auto Show at Detroit, US. So, no surprise from this AWD STI.
Quick Facts:
2.5-liter Horizontally-Opposed turbo engine
Max output 305 hp, Max torque 393 Nm
6-speed manual ONLY
Sedan ONLY
This new WRX STI looks too similar with the new Subaru WRX except for the trickery from in-house tuning company Subaru Tecnica International (STI). The standard WRX dropped the 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine for a newer 2.0-liter that produces 268hp. The new WRX STI however continues with the 2.5-liter Boxer powerplant with maximum output of 305 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 393 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
If you would like everyone to know you are driving a STI even from miles away, you can start queuing for the STI Launch Edition which is limited to 1,000 units only. It comes with the legendary WR Blue paint, gold BBS 18-inch forged alloy wheels, huge rear wing, unique interior trim and a short-throw shift kit. That’s a proper WRX STI for sure.
The 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine is mated only to a manly shift stick transmission. Automatic gearbox option will not be available for the STI unlike the standard WRX. No complaints there. The 6-speed manual transmission on this new STI has a sportier shift feel as compared to the current manual gearbox, as the gears now lock solidly in place at every gear change.
It is also said to performance better than before on the road thanks to its Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential version of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.It allows you to select center differential control characteristics according to road conditions and driver’s preferences, to enhance torque transfer performance.
By the way, this 2015 WRX STI only comes in sedan, no hatchback this time.
[divider]
VIDEO GALLERY
http://youtu.be/_-Unb3awDrg
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


KLIMS18: It’s irresistible to take a second look at the striking new Mitsubishi Triton!

Fresh from its
global unveiling in Bangkok, Thailand
 recently, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has announced that the updated pick-up will be launched early next year, with five different variants available.
The pick-up, which will be imported from Thailand as a CBU unit, will be available for viewing at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show. Prices have been set to begin
 from RM 100k to RM 140k
 for the Peninsula Malaysia region.
While it may only be a facelift, changes to the new Triton have been vast. Not only does it sport a new, more aggressive exterior, it has also been enhanced mechanically, with new overall dimensions.
As you can tell, the Triton has been given a completely new face, sporting Mitsubishi Motor’s new Dynamic Shield design language, with slimmer headlamps positioned
700 mm off the ground
 so they wouldn’t be submerged and malfunction in extreme weather conditions.
Its taillights are also of a completely new design, with
four colours
 available – Sterling Silver, Black Mica, White Diamond and Graphite Grey Metallic.
Power still comes from the same 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel engine with Variable Valve Timing and Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) with
181 hp
 and
430 Nm
 but is now paired to a new, smoother 6-speed transmission as opposed to the previous 5-speed unit.
Unlike the old Triton, which has already proven that pick-ups can be refine, larger rear dampers have been adopted on the new model for even better damping. The Triton’s brakes have also been upgraded, with larger calipers and brake discs at the front.
As for size, the new Triton is 10mm longer, from 5,280mm to 5,290mm and is 15kg lighter compared to the current model, with the highest spec (at global launch) weighing 1,815 kg compared to the current VGT Athlete model we have locally.
The new Triton is now also available with a whole list of driver assistance systems, possibly only for the higher spec models, that includes orward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Blind Spot Warning, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
It also comes with the Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS) which essentially ensures that you’d never reverse or drive into a wall/car by accident. It’s also equipped Hill Descent Control and a “Multi-Around Monitor” that displays a 360-degree view of the car.
In conjunction with the imminent arrival of the new Triton, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia authorised dealers will be taking
pre-launch bookings
from now. The first 1,000 to book and register a new Triton will receive a limited edition THULE luggage bag worth RM 2,000.
If you need help deciding, head on over to any of these locations where the new Triton will be on display from 7th of December 2018 to 20th of January 2019.
Region
Date
Location
Time
Peninsula Malaysia
7 – 9 December
My Town, KL
10am to 10pm
17-23 December
IOI Mall, Puchong
10am to 10pm
10-13 January
Aman Central Mall
10am to 10pm
23-27 January
IOI City Mall
10am to 10pm
East Malaysia
11-13 January
Karamunsing Mall
10am to 10pm
11-13 January
Imperial Permaisuri Mall
10am to 10pm
18-20 January
The Spring Shopping Mall
10am to 10pm
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW 6 Series M Sport Limited Edition launched, limited units only!

The third-generation BMW 6 Series has yet to be replaced. While we wait in anticipation, BMW went on to introduce a new limited edition variant for the 6 Series, called the M Sport Limited Edition.
Available only for the coupe, convertible, and gran coupe variants, the M Sport gets the striking Sonic Speed Blue paint and 20-inch M lightweight alloy wheels. The exterior gets mirror caps with carbon fibre finishing, whereas the cabin gets upholstered in two-tone Merino leather. Other additions include carbon fibre trimmings and illuminated doorsills with “M Sport Limited Edition” inscribed.
No upgrades have been made under the hood. As a refresher, the 6 Series can be had with three engines – two gasoline and one diesel. Petrol variants include a 320 hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine and a 450 hp naturally aspirated V8, while the straight-six turbodiesel lump packs 313 hp. All engines are paired with the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.
We don’t know for sure if the BMW 6 Series M Sport Limited Edition will make it to Malaysia. BMW Malaysia is currently offering the
F06 6 Series Gran Coupe
 which starts at
RM788,800.00
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua Myvi, Axia and Bezza are Malaysia’s best-selling cars in 2020

Not long after Proton flexed its sales muscles,
Perodua
 has responded with a button-popping, spinach-fueled flex of their own. And yet again, it’s the
Perodua Myvi
 that comes to the rescue.
Proton may have sold over 13,000 units last month
, but Perodua’s figures are nearly twice that – at 23,203 units – in July 2020. Not only was sales better than in June 2020 by 9.2% but Perodua has now offloaded 97,373 units from January to July 2020.
Perodua estimates the company’s market share in July to stand at 40% and its Year-to-date (YTD) market share at 42%. These immensely positive sales figures have been spurred by the Myvi, Axia and Bezza with 29,313, 28,107 and 25,416 units sold in this disaster-plagued year. This makes the three vehicles the best-selling cars in Malaysia this year.
“The Perodua Myvi, Malaysia’s best-selling vehicle every year since 2006, has recently been upgraded with the latest Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 suite of driver assistance safety systems. It remains one of the most affordable cars with advanced safety features in the country,” said Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
According to Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) estimates, a total industry volume (TIV) of at least 500,000 units is needed this year to ensure the continued survival of the automotive eco-system. All of Perodua’s current models have over 90% local content and with its economies of scale, service parts are affordable and readily available, giving its valued customers total peace of mind.


Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4MATIC Coupé launched, all yours for RM424k

If you find the
GLC
’s styling a tad too reserved and the better looking
GLE Coupé
 falls outside of your budget, perhaps the all new, GLC 250 4MATIC Coupé checks all the feel good boxes on your list. Good news, because the GLC Coupé is now on sale!
Unveiled just a couple months back in March 2016, the
GLC Coupé
 is essentially a much more stylish GLC, perfect for individuals who want to stand out among the thousands of units of GLCs currently out on the streets of Malaysia. How much more do you need to fork out for that extra style, you ask? About RM95k more than a regular GLC.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 4MATIC Coupé
Engine
1,991cc; in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged
Transmission
9G-TRONIC, 9-speed automatic
Max Power
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
0-100 km/h; Top Speed
7.3 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM423,888
When the GLC and GLC Coupé are parked next to each other, immediately the coupé appears noticeably sleeker from the B-pillars onward. The coupé-like appearance is further accentuated by the sloping roofline that stretches all the way to the tailgate. Surely it is bound to turn more than a few extra heads.

Other than the sloping roofline, the GLC Coupe is largely identical to the regular GLC. It wears an AMG Exterior Line with 20-inch AMG wheels. Little tell-tale signs that separates the two include the AMG diamond front grille, LED Intelligent Light System and the Night Package that blacks out the front lip and wing mirrors.
Inside, the interior is a carbon copy of the
locally assembled GLC
. New features to debut along with the coupé are hands-free access and active parking assist with PARKTRONIC. For audiophiles, there is a
Burmester surround sound system
 option for an additional RM5,000.

Under the hood, the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is employed to push out
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
 to all four-wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint time is achieved in
7.3 seconds
 all the way to a top speed of
250 km/h
 while consuming 7.3 litres of fuel for every 100km.
WHAT ELSE?
Every purchase of the fully imported GLC Coupé comes covered with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty. With Mercedes-Benz Agility Financing package, customers can own the GLC 250 4MATIC Coupé from as low as RM4,688 a month!
So folks, what do you think of this
BMW X4
 rival? How about checking out our
in-depth review
of the regular GLC 250 4MATIC, after all it’s essentially the same car, only with extra hot sauce.
IMAGE GALLERY


Round 4 of Toyota GR Festival, MSF Round 1 to be held as closed-door events

In an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced today that the fourth round of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival will be hosted as a
closed-door event
.
The racing event scheduled for
18th and 19th April 2020
 at the
Sepang International Circuit
 will still go ahead as planned, albeit without spectators.
On the event days, only essential essential crew members, racers and race teams are allowed to be within the compound. UMWT will also be conducting
 mandatory health screenings
 for all participants prior to entering the race premise.
UMW Toyota Motor Chief Motorsports Officer, Akio Takeyama said in the release, “We trust that our fans appreciate the current situation. All the races will still be published live on
Toyota’s Facebook
 and
YouTube
accounts and we invite everyone to cheer on their favourite racers and celebrities by tuning in to the live shows”.
Separately, Malaysia Speed Festival (MSF) has also released a statement today announcing that its
MSF Round 1 event
, scheduled for
15 March
, will also be held as a closed-door event.
 The grandstand will be
closed to the public
, and only race teams, accredited media and essential personnel will be allowed into the paddock – after signing a
medical declaration notice
.
Globally, most top-level sporting events have been cancelled in view of the public health and wellbeing. The season-opener for the 2020 Formula 1 season in Melbourne, which was scheduled to kick-off this weekend,
has also been cancelled
 – hours before the start of the first practice session.


We surprise Uber riders with a Lotus Evora 400, but first, a PRANK [+Video]

Remember the Uber Surprise we carried out last year with a
purple McLaren MP4-12C
? Well, we were at it again, but this time with the latest
Lotus Evora 400
, but that’s not even the best part.
The team from
AutoBuzz.my
 and
Uber Malaysia
 got together again to deliver a surprise for Uber riders within the Klang Valley! It was April Fools’ day and we thought, what better way to surprise these guys by doing things a little… differently?
Unlike the McLaren episode, the Uber riders this time knew full well that our host
GC Mah
 would be arriving in a
 400 horsepower
 British sports car. But before getting there, we sent local comedian
Andrew Netto
 to drop the bomb. What arrived before the eyes of these Uber riders was something  beyond their wildest dreams. To avoid spoiling it for you guys, the best we can do is to tell you to expect something very Malaysian.

Keen on watching the video yet? If so, click on the video below to find out how we pranked these Uber riders on April Fools’ day! Be sure to watch till the end of the video for a
bonus
 scene and to get the special
promo code
 for your first ride with Uber!
Special thanks to
Lotus Cars Malaysia
 for loaning us the gorgeous Evora 400!


2022 Toyota Veloz launched in Malaysia – Alza’s premium twin brother, RM95k

Exactly two months after the
Perodua Alza made its debut
,
UMW Toyota Motor
 has now officially launched the Veloz here in Malaysia. Available in one single variant, the
2022 Toyota Veloz
 in Malaysia is priced at
RM95,000
 on-the-road and without insurance, making it nearly RM20,000 dearer than the range-topping Alza.
TOYOTA VELOZ EXTERIOR
You do get quite a bit for that extra dough, however, starting with the Veloz’s unique front end design, characterised by the narrower hexagonal front grille, sharper LED headlights, taller fog light housings, and a lot more chrome all around the outside.
Round the back, the Veloz also gets a unique full-width tail lights treatment, while the taller ride height (190 mm vs 160 mm for the Alza), larger 17-inch alloy wheels (Alza only goes up to 16 inches), and low profile roof rack (up to 75 kg load) gives it a more SUV-like appearance.
ALSO READ:
RM20k more than the Alza, what’s extra on the Toyota Veloz?
TOYOTA VELOZ INTERIOR
Despite the identical dashboard architecture on the interior, the premium feel of the Toyota Veloz is immediately noticeable thanks to the additional soft touch paddings on the dashboard. The white-and-black two-tone colour scheme is also standard on the Toyota Veloz, as is the “blueish” ambient lighting system and semi-leather upholstery.
The nine-inch central infotainment display, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, and electronic parking brake are shared with the Alza, although the Veloz does get an additional automatic air-conditioning system, telescopic steering wheel adjustment, as well as a Qi wireless charging tray on the centre console.
Other standard interior features include:
Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Rear air recirculation blowers
3 USB charging ports (USB A)
Forward-facing dashcam (rear optional)
360-degree surround view monitor
PERFORMANCE
The Toyota Veloz shares the same powertrain as the Perodua Alza, consisting of a 2NR-VE 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, making
105 hp
and
138 Nm
, and a D-CVT gearbox. Unlike its predecessor, the all-new Toyota Veloz now sends its drive to the front wheels.
Drivers can switch between three drive modes from the steering-wheel buttons; PWR (power) mode helps improve the car’s acceleration and responsiveness, while ECO aids in fuel-saving. NORMAL mode meanwhile offers a balance of economy and performance, according to Toyota.
ALSO READ:
3 things we like (and don’t) about the 2022 Perodua Alza!
TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE
The 2022 Toyota Veloz in Malaysia will come equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance features, which includes the following features:
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Adaptive cruise control
Lane keep control and lane departure prevention
Blind-spot monitor
Rear-cross traffic alert
Front departure alert
Adaptive driving beam
Also included as standard is the Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) which allows the owner to keep track of their vehicle’s location at all times via a mobile app. Should the vehicle be stolen, customers can also contact a Command Centre via the app to locate the vehicle via GPS signals, and inform the relevant authorities who can retrieve the vehicle.
TOYOTA VELOZ PRICING IN MALAYSIA
As mentioned above, the all-new 2022 Toyota Veloz in Malaysia is priced starting at
RM95,000
on the road, without insurance. It will be available in five exterior colour options, including White, Metallic Bluish Black, Red Metallic, Silver Metallic (with Black Roof), and Blue Metallic (with Black Roof) – the latter two bearing an extra charge.
Also included in the price is a
five-year/unlimited mileage warranty
, as well as the 24SEVEN Road Assist which includes complimentary assistance in case of accidents, as well as free minor on-the-spot repairs, and towing up to RM400 in value each time.
TOYOTA VELOZ GALLERY


If you’re itching for a new car, you might want to wait for the new Mazda 3

So apparently some foreign media outlet decided that it would be alright to tease the world with some savoury images of the all-new Mazda 3 ahead of its
global debut at the 2018 LA Auto Show
 happening real soon, so here it is.
As you can tell from the images, the actual car
does not differ much from the concept
. So far, not much has been revealed about the car except that Mazda will be adopting its new
SkyActiv-X
 spark-controlled compression ignition engines. Watch
how it works here
!
It’s like watching a very exciting snippet of what’s to come in the upcoming season of your favourite TV show, it’s just so exciting!
What’s even more exciting is how the Mazda 3 looks even just standing still; if this isn’t the pinnacle of Mazda’s Kodo Design that projects Soul in Motion, I don’t know what will.
Those curves, the head and tail light designs, the flow of the body’s curves; it’s just like gazing into the eyes of a charming lady standing across the street – the new Mazda 3 is just full of fizz.
If you’ve just saved up a healthy pool of cash for a new car, I’d hold it back for now if I were you, and wait till the Mazda 3 arrives in Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton ends 2022 with 141,432 cars sold, highest ever since 2013

Local carmaker
Proton
 closed its books in 2022 with a total of
141,432 cars
 sold globally. It is the fourth consecutive year of sales growth for the company with total sales increasing by 23.3% from 2021. It is also the highest sales number for Proton since 2013, and Proton is confident of achieving more growth in 2023.
In terms of exports, Proton saw a
79.1%
 year-on-year growth in 2022 with
5,406 units
 exported. 2022 was the year
Proton returned to South Africa
 after 10 years. It was also the year when Proton began to assemble the Proton X70 in Pakistan.
In December 2022 alone, Proton sold
14,750 cars
 globally with the
Proton Saga
 topping the charts with
5,913 units
 sold. Following behind the Saga was the
Proton X50
 with
3,764 units
 sold, the
Persona
 with
2,322 units
 sold, the
X70
 with
1,787 units
, the
Iriz
 with
526 units
, and the
Exora
 with
438 units
.
As for yearly sales, the Proton Saga still leads the chart with
55,878 units
. It is followed by the X50 with
40,681 units
, the X70 with
18,533 units
, the Persona with
16,537 units
, the Iriz with
5,708 units
, and the Exora with
4,275 units
.
RELATED:
Proton sends 1000th car to South Africa – 5,028 global exports as of Nov 2022
Proton estimates a market share of 19.6% in Malaysia with an estimated Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 720,000 units. Three Proton models end the year as segment leaders, namely the X50, X70, and Exora.
Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah said, “2022 was a year of achievements and missed opportunities for Proton. The effect of the floods at the end of 2021 spilled over into the first quarter of the year and ensured we began 2022 on the back foot as we collaborated with our vendors to restore parts supply.”
“Thankfully, the volume was made up over the next three quarters, but we are confident we could have achieved more and posted even better numbers if not for the disrupted start to the year. Still, Proton now has sales growth for a fourth consecutive year, and we are proud of being the only automotive company in Malaysia to achieve that from 2019 to 2022.”
RELATED:
Proton sends 16 staff to China for NEV Training, to finalise Smart #1 specs
Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah
“Looking ahead towards 2023, Proton is confident of achieving more growth as we add to our range of offerings with our new model launches this year. However, we expect TIV to recede from the record volume in 2022 as deliveries for orders placed during the sales tax exemption period will be fulfilled by the end of March. Interest rates are also expected to increase again this year so it will be tough for the automotive industry to continue an upwards trajectory.”
The company says that it is now halfway through its ten-year business plan and will work to grow its export figures. Proton is confident of hitting even bigger numbers in 2023 with new models to be added to its lineup.
RELATED:
Proton has made its 10,000th 1.5L TGDi engine, 7 months after production began


Aston Martin Vantage and DBX confirmed as Safety/Medical car again for new 2022 Formula 1 season

Aston Martin’s finest will once again be seen marshalling a pack of Formula 1 cars for the new 2022 Formula 1 season. At the front, the
Aston Martin Vantage

will serve as the Safety Car while the
DBX SUV
 will play the Medical Car role.
The pair will only support 12 of this season’s races, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix in Albert Park, Melbourne from the 8th to the 10th of April 2022. In total, there are 23 races announced for the 2022 season.
This season Safety and Medical cars will wear the new 2022 Aston Martin Racing Green similar to the AMR 22 Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 cars. Last year’s Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car inspired the
 Vantage F1 Edition
; the fastest, most track-focused Vantage to date.
The AMR 22 Formula 1 car.
Driven by the FIA’s appointed driver, Bernd Mayländer, the Vantage Safety Car has been developed purely for its role by the engineering team at Aston Martin’s Headquarters in Gaydon, UK, in collaboration with the FIA. The Vantage Safety Car also benefits from Aston Martin’s experience in GT racing including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
On the outside, there are side-mounted radio antennas, an LED rear number plate and a custom, roof-mounted LED light-bar, developed by Aston Martin. Inside, both driver and passenger can access the FIA’s Marshalling System, which displays lights corresponding to the warning flags. The car is also covered with cameras inside and out, to provide live TV footage.
As for the DBX Medical Car, Aston Martin said having the SUV deployed on the best race circuits in the world provides invaluable data for the vehicle dynamics experts at Aston Martin. Information gathered during race weekends has led the company to conceive the new
 DBX 707
, the world’s fastest luxury SUV.
The Medical Car carries a vast range of equipment, from fire extinguishers to a defibrillator along with a large medical kit bag. Like the Vantage, the DBX has been fitted with FIA-approved racing seats, a 6-point safety harness, the marshalling system and even TV screens so the doctor can see exactly what is happening in the race while he’s on standby inside the vehicle.
The 2022 Formula 1 season starts in Bahrain, from the 18th to the 20th of March.
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Little known Lucid Air EV has the furthest range of 837 km and 933 hp!

Lucid Air has been
bold in announcing
 that one of the key features in their vehicles is the extra-long travelling range, as much as 830 km on a single charge. The US EPA that performs fuel consumption tests for all new vehicles has finally certified that the Lucid Air is the longest-range electric vehicle (EV) the agency has ever rated with a range of
837 km
 (520 miles).
Out of the six high-performance variants tested by the EPA, the minimum range is 726 km that was achieved by the
1,111 hp
 Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance fitted with 21-inch wheels. The aptly named Lucid Air Dream Edition Range with
933 hp
 delivers 63 km less than the 837-km rating when equipped with wheel sizes two inches larger to 21 inches.
Check out how the yoke steering in the Tesla Model S Plaid helped set a Nurburgring record lap time!
The Lucid Air Grand Touring with “just”
800 hp
 meanwhile delivers between 754 km to 830 km of range and as such, all high-performance Lucid Air models travel further than EV poster child, Tesla Motor, with the Model S Long Range Plus rated to deliver 652 km.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic Ocean, the recently-launched Mercedes-Benz’ EQS sedan has a variant configured to deliver up to
770 km
 of range under the WLTP standard.
Lucid recently completed a real-world first drive with
Motortrend.com
 featuring a pair of Dream Edition Range cars to support the official EPA range ratings. A journalist from
Motortrend.com
 and Lucid’s CEO drove separate cars on a 660-km journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco at highway speeds and then across the San Francisco Bay to Lucid’s global headquarters, all without stopping to charge and with plenty of range remaining on each vehicle.
This Mercedes-Benz EV targets a range of 1,000 km! Unfortunately, it could just be a concept study.
Lucid Motors’ CEO, Peter Rawlinson, said the achievement is a strong testament to the company’s in-house EV technology that consists of a 900-volt architecture, proprietary battery architecture, miniaturised drive units and not an oversized battery pack. Lucid Motors has its battery cells manufactured by LG Chem.
Apart from going further, Lucid Motors’ technology also allows ultra-fast charging with a 20-minute charge time replenishing a range of 482 km (300 miles). As for straight-line performance, the 1,111 hp luxury sedan completes the “zero to 60” (0 to 96 km/h) in just
2.5 seconds
 and reach the ‘quarter mile’ (0 to 400 metres) in under 10 seconds.
Thanks to software tuning, the 2022 Porsche Taycan can travel further under real-world driving. Read more about it here!

The record for the
fastest accelerating EV
 is the Rimac Nevera, completing the ‘quarter mile’ in just
8.58 seconds
 with nearly double the energy output.
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Bell & Ross previews exclusive BR03-94 RS17 timepiece, 500 units only!

It’s been exactly one year since Bell & Ross began their partnership journey with Renault Sport Formula One. To commemorate the occasion, the French-design Swiss-made watchmaker previewed the new
BR03-94 RS17
, which will actually be part of a trilogy launching at BaselWorld this year.
Design is evidently inspired by the Renault Sport Formula One car. It’s encased in a
42mm matte black ceramic frame
 capable of withstanding shock and constant vibration in the world of motor racing. The dial receives a sporty carbon fibre finish that’s embellished with metal applique Superluminova®-filled numerals.

The face is protected by sapphire crystal coated in layers of anti-reflective coating. Chronograph info features yellow anodised aluminium, which is the same iconic colour used by Renault since they first debuted in Formula One. It’s water resistant up to 100 metres and comes with oven-black rubber mixed with ultra-resilient black synthetic fabric.
The prestigious world of motor sport shares many similarities with aviation, which happens to be Bell & Ross’ first love. In both fields, engineers seek extreme performance, speed and mechanical accuracy. Production of the BR03-94 RS17 is limited to just 500 units, and will be unveiled alongside two other commemorative specials.
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Ford exits Japan and Indonesia markets, cites lack of profitability

Ford, the car manufacturer that pioneered mainstream car manufacturing, has announced their exit from the Japanese and Indonesian markets. This means the end of the line for the company’s dealerships and sales and imports of both Ford and Lincoln vehicles in these nations.
In the land of the rising sun, Ford sold a mere 5,000 cars, or 1.5 percent market share, from 52 dealerships. That’s unsurprising given the fact car sales from non-domestic marques struggle to keep up with the myriad of Japanese makes. Ford, who set foot in Japan in 1974, sold the Fiesta, Focus, Mustang, Ecosport, Kuga and Explorer SUVs while its premium segment was handled by Lincoln Navigator and MKX SUV.
In Indonesia, Ford struggled to compete with established Japanese players where brands like Toyota, Daihatsu and Suzuki have become household names in South East Asia’s most populous nation.
Ford began its Indonesian operations in 2002 by importing cars to its 44 franchised dealerships. Last year, they cumulatively sold only 6,000 vehicles – that’s 0.6 percent market share of Indonesia’s new car sales. However, the brand will continue to operate until 2017 before a third party will handle the brand’s warranty and repair responsibilities.
A Ford spokesman was quoted as saying there was no “reasonable path to profitability” for the company’s operation in both countries.
In Malaysia, Ford is fortunately in good hands, selling 12,130 (1.8 percent market share) vehicles in 2015, of which 9,264 are commercial vehicles. While Ford rounds up in eight place, the majority of the company’s sales is contributed by the
Ranger pickup
, while just 2,866 of their passenger cars found new homes.
Ford’s diverse passenger car lineup is comprised of the Fiesta,
Focus
,
Mondeo
, S-Max, Kuga and
Ecosport
 with the latest EcoBoost powertrains (Focus facelift with EcoBoost to arrive later this year) did little to gain traction in the Malaysian market. But as the Ranger’s bold aesthetic continues to attract buyers, the Blue Oval’s position in Malaysia will less than likely to suffer the same fate in Japan and Indonesia.


Infiniti QX50 Concept to debut at Detroit, takes on Audi Q5

Infiniti is wasting no time at the start of 2017 by revealing to the world the first trio of pictures of their second-generation QX50 crossover. The Detroit debutant will succeed the decade-old model which is currently on sale in Malaysia from RM310k to RM380k.
The new QX50 will come with a host of semi-autonomous driving technologies such as Active Lane Control, drive-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering (a world’s first –
debuted on the Q50
) and Predictive Forward Collision Warning. It doesn’t sound like much because these exact features are found in the
Hyundai Ioniq
.
What’s truly unique to the Infiniti is the adoption of the world’s first, production-ready VC-Turbo (Variable Compression) technology. This insanely high tech feature works exactly as it sounds: by varying compression ratios anywhere from 8:1 to 14:1.
Achieving this alone is a technological milestone, because for the first time, the pistons within the engine (in this case, a
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
) can seamlessly raise or lower their reach. A 14:1 compression ratio in a turbocharged engine is pretty much unheard of, and as a general rule of thumb, the higher the compression, the more complete a droplet of fuel is burnt.
The engine produces healthy numbers as well –
268 hp
 and
390 Nm
 of torque. It’ll retire the old 3.7-litre V6 engine (320 hp), among many other big bore V6 powertrains.
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BMW 1 Series and 3 Series price reduced thanks to customised EEV

Good news, folks. BMW Group Malaysia has announced that the facelifted (Life Cycle Impulse or LCI)
1 Series
 and
3 Series
 models have received a price reduction of up to 8 percent. This comes after the company lobbied with the Government for a customised EEV incentive.
Models included in the price revision are the BMW 118i, BMW 120i M Sport, BMW 318i Luxury, BMW 320i Sport Line and BMW 330i M Sport. Below is the list for the said models:

Like all other BMWs, every purchase comes with
5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty
 and
Free Scheduled Service Program
 as well as
BMW Tyre Warranty Programme
.


Toyota displays a 600 hp R-Tuned C-HR at SEMA

For those of you anticipating the arrival of your new Toyota C-HR, maybe this will be offer some inspiration if you’re already planning for aftermarket upgrades – the R-Tuned Toyota C-HR.
Unlike the ones coming to Malaysia, with a 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated Dual VVTi unit mated to a Continuously-Variable Transmission, the R-Tuned C-HR comes with a 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE more commonly found in a Toyota Camry. The engine, which has been strengthened internally and turbocharged is capable of over
600 hp
.

The
C-HR’s stock CVT gearbox
 has been swapped for a conventional 5-speed manual transmission that drives the front wheels except the front axle is now equipped with a limited-slip differential. Not only focused on speed, its brakes are provided for by Brembo with 4-pot calipers in the front, working in tandem with motorsports dampers.
Helping to put that enormous power down are super wide Toyo Proxes RR tyres while an air dam, side ducts, an adjustable front splitter and the large rear wing helps bury the car to the ground when speeds surpass the triple digit mark.
Fancy a Coupe High-Rider that can possibly outrun a supercar twice perhaps three times its price tag? You know what to do.
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Dodge Challenger Hellcat outruns the police and a news helicopter

Running away from the cops is never a good idea; in fact it should never be an idea but if you’re mad enough to apply yourself in the real world, just like you would in Grand Theft Auto, make sure you succeed.
And that’s exactly what the driver of a stolen
Dodge Challenger Hellcat
 did. With well over 700 hp, the Hellcat led the authorities to a wild goose chase that
lasted more than an hour
 – weaving through traffic at speeds in excess of 100 mph (160 km/h).

In fact, at one point, it even outran the news helicopter which was in pursuit at top speed; relying solely on its telescopic lens to maintain visual contact of the car.
Unsurprisingly, because of its massive 6.2-litre supercharged V8, the Hellcat eventually ran out of luck and also petrol – forcing its 25-year old driver to pull over the side of the highway and proceed on foot. The police eventually caught on where he was sentenced to three years in prison.


Check out this guy’s Mini Cooper with a Hayabusa engine – it sounds mental!

While the idea of fitting a motorcycle engine into a car may not be new, its sights and sounds isn’t exactly something most of us are familiar with.
Weighing a mere 1000 lbs (453 kg), the 1983 Mini Cooper has been bestowed with the kind of power that its original engineers may never have imagined it could handle.
With around
 250 hp
, power is delivered through a sequential gearbox – without even a rev counter to know when to shift gears, using only a shift light! Performance aside, aesthetically, it’s something of a show-stopper too.
Visibly lower than your average classic Mini, it’s also been extensively “remodeled” with flared arches to house larger wheels and fatter tires. It’s only got a 30-litre tank and while that sounds like your average fuel tank size, it’s not exactly frugal when driven hard despite the lightweight.
Credit:
1320video


Perodua posts healthy June sales figure with 21K units sold, cites positive PENJANA effect

Following the government’s announcement of the
Sales Tax Exemptions
 that is now in effect starting from 15th June 2020 until the end of the year, Perodua has now published its sales data for the month of June with an estimated
21,250 cars sold
 – a reflection of the positive result from the Short-Term Economy Recovery Plan, PENJANA.
The June sales data represents the highest monthly sales figure achieved by Perodua so far this year, while also being nearly triple the figure from
May
.
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “The government’s sales tax exemption move has had many benefits. Buyers can enjoy reduced vehicle prices – in
Perodua’s case, 3%-6% less
 – until end-2020.
“The sizeable volume increase we’ve had as a result of that allows us to help the supplier and dealer ecosystem in this time of need,” he added. Perodua said to have purchased nearly RM500 million worth of local components in June alone.
Perodua managed to move 8,601 units in March before the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into effect on the 18th, halting the carmaker’s operations entirely for nearly two months. Since the official restart of its operations on 19 May, Perodua managed to sell
7,886 cars
 before the end of the month.
Accounting for the June sales figure, Perodua’s year-to-date (YTD) sales total now stands at approximately 74,000 units.
“Our operations are now at full capacity and maximum overtime. We are working very hard to ensure our customers receive their cars as quickly as possible with no compromise on safety and quality,” Dato’ Zainal Abidin added.
He added that selected Perodua service centres, including Body & Paint (B&P) hubs, now have
extended operating hours
 to service more customers whose cars are overdue for service due to the MCO. “Customers looking to service their vehicles are invited to secure an appointment with their service centre of choice.”
“We are immensely grateful to be able to bounce back with such energy in just under two months since we restarted operations nationwide. Our outlook is positive and we hope this momentum will continue and help the industry grow,” he added.


Honda dealerships nationwide resume full operations

Following the
resumption of service at its service centres
, Honda Malaysia today announced that all outlets in its dealership network are now back in full operations starting 13 May.
The company reassures that preventive hygiene measures have been put in place and strictly enforced at all of its dealerships nationwide, in addition to the measures announced previously for its service centres. The new standard operating procedures are implemented in accordance to the guidelines announced by the Ministry of Health.
Individuals entering the premises will be subjected to
temperature screening
, and are required to utilise the hand sanitisers placed at the entrances. Anyone recording a temperature of 37.5 degrees celcius, or are exhibiting symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath will be advised to leave the premises to immediately seek medical attention.
The customer flow at all Honda dealerships have also been restructured to have a single entry and exit point, to facilitate in the check-and-control measures. High traffic areas and common touchpoints – including showroom vehicles – will be s
anitised and disinfected on a daily basis
.
All sales advisors and customers are
required to wear face masks
 before engaging in any discussions – the face masks will be provided to customers at the entrance. Sales advisors will practice
social distancing
 of at least 1 metre at all times. During demonstrations and explanation of interior features, the sales advisors will sit in the back seat to maintain social distancing.
For test drives, customers will be required to
utilise gloves
 in addition to the face masks – both of which to be provided by the sales advisor. The sales advisor will also sit in the back seats at all times during the test drive to practice social distancing. All test drive vehicles are sanitised before and after each test drive.
During this period, Honda encourages its customers to utilise
contactless payment methods
 or online banking to minimise contact.
Honda Insurance Plan renewals can also now be completed online, making it more convenient and safer at the same time.
As for new car deliveries, Honda Malaysia will be placing a
guest limit of one person
 during the car delivery occasion to prevent crowding in the showroom. All new cars will also be sanitised thoroughly before delivery.
Other general hygiene measures include placement of hand sanitisers at all key locations throughout the premise, and ensuring good air ventilation by opening windows and doors every 30 to 60 minutes. Kids Zone and cafes at Honda dealerships will be closed temporarily during this period.
As
announced previously
, customers requiring servicing for their vehicles will have to
 make a prior appointment
 before their visit. This is done to limit the number of customers at the service centres to a minimum at any given time. All customer vehicles will be collected via a
 contactless drop-off mechanism
, with all discussions conducted over telephone.
For customers with vehicle warranties affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO), Honda Malaysia will be extending the vehicle warranties expiring during the MCO period (18 March to 12 May) to
11 June 2020
.
As for vehicles with service due dates within the MCO period, customers will be required to carry out their scheduled maintenance
before 11 July 2020
 to ensure the validity of their warranty.


The world’s fastest camera car is a Lamborghini HuraCAM

I know what you’re thinking; what about the
thirsty Bugatti Chiron
 used to
chase down another Chiron
 in its record-breaking 0 to 400 km/h to 0 run?

A record that didn’t last long
 by the way.
Difference is, that chase car was just a one-time thing. This
Lamborghini Huracan
 LP 610-4 that costs
RM 2.1 million in Malaysia
 on the other hand, is a full-time production car. It’s not the first time the
LP610-4
 was used for purposes other than leisure; they were
used by Italian policemen
 too.
The production house behind this idea built the HuraCam to capture footages at actual (high) speeds as a normal arm car, carrying over 1,000 kilograms on its roof, would flip doing 100 km/h through a bend.
Seen filming a Ferrari FF on an undisclosed track, the production house claims that with the HuraCam, viewers will be able to witness action shots of cars like they’ve never seen before as they’re not sped up like most are.


The new Subaru Forester looks very promising and it is coming to Malaysia

Taking centre stage of the Subaru stand at the 2018 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is the all-new fifth-generation Subaru Forester. The new SUV boasts a new platform, advanced driver assists technologies and an enhanced 2.5-lite Boxer engine.
The new Forester has grown considerably compared to the previous car, now measuring at 4,625 mm in length, 1,815 mm in width, 1,730 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,670 mm. It also sits on
Subaru Global Platform
 that underpins the
XV
 and
Impreza
. The new platform promises best-in-class collision safety and hazard avoidance along with responsive handling characteristics.

Visually the Forester follows the brand’s “Dynamic x Solid” design philosophy common to all Subaru models. It now features a sleeker profile with sharp and purposeful elements such as the horizontal front grille, LED headlamps with boomerang shaped LED headlamps, chrome surrounds on foglamps and a more dynamic taillamp design.
The designers have optimised the shape of the pillars to reduce blind spot and give superior outward visibility to the driver. The rear doors and C-pillar have been reshaped for larger opening angle and opening area for better ingress and egress. It also boasts a maximum trunk opening width of 1,300 mm for greater loading capacity.

The interior was laid out with
Comfort in Motion
 philosophy in mind, the instrument panel and console have been combined for a relaxing and user-friendly experience for the occupants. Notable features include a new climate control interface, 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, USB charging points for front and rear passengers and three separate pockets in the seat backs for more storage space.
The new model adopts a heavily revised 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated Boxer engine taken from the previous model. It now features Direct Injection technology and has
90 percent new components
 for improved output and fuel efficiency. The new FB25 boxer engine is rated at
182 hp
 and
238 Nm
 of torque, paired to a new Lineartronic CVT with seven virtual ratios.
Like all Subaru models, the Forester gets the famed
Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
 system for maximum traction on all surfaces. The X-Mode that controls engine, transmission, and brakes on slippery surfaces and in poor driving conditions has been calibrated for even better drivability in adverse conditions.
Placing safety as is main priority, the new Forester gets seven airbags and
Subaru EyeSight driver assist system
 as standard with new innovations such as Reverse Automatic Braking (prevents a collision when in reverse), Rear Vehicle Detection, Steering Responsive Headlights, High-beam assist and Driver Monitoring System that alerts the driver when it detects signs of distraction or drowsiness.

US will be the first market outside of Japan to receive the all-new Subaru Forester with deliveries starting in Q4 of 2018. Closer to home, Motor Image Malaysia, the sole distributor of Subaru vehicles in the country has hinted to the media at the
regional debut of the Outback facelift
 that we may receive the Forester as early as 2019, pending localisation and government approvals.
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2016 Kia Cerato facelift unveiled, goes on sale in Korea

The Kia Cerato has just received a facelift in its home market in Korea. Known as the K3, the current generation of Kia’s C-segment car has been in the market since 2013.
As expected, the facelifted Cerato gets some nip and tuck on the aesthetic department. At the front, a
new and longer headlights
 and
updated ‘tiger-nose’ grille
 design are among the new updates sported. Lower down, we can see subtle changes on the front air intakes and fog lights.

At the back, changes are even subtler where the tail lights now feature an in-built, thinner LED strip. The changes on the inside are minimal at best, with the steering wheel, instrument cluster display graphics and console received little changes that nitpicky buyers won’t probably realise.
Powertrain options remain the same, though. The
1.6-litre Gamma GDI four-cylinder engine
offered for the domestic market makes the same amount of power as before, but has been tweaked to provide better fuel efficiency.
The Kia Cerato saloon was launched in Malaysia in mid-2013 with two engine options offered: 1.6 and 2.0. While the 2.0 Nu MPI is new, it retains the 1.6 Gamma II MPI engine from the predecessor, the Kia Forte. Expect NazaKia to launch the facelift – fingers crossed with an updated 1.6 direct-injection engine sometime next year.
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Summernats Malaysia 2014, bringing the heat from Down Under

Over the Merdeka weekend, we had the pleasure of attending
Summernats Malaysia 2014
 at the Sepang International Circuit. A weekend with a mixture of hot machinery, burning rubber and sweet, loud trumpets blaring away till kingdom come. Add in some race queens to the mix and you’ll get a car geek’s ultimate dream come true.
What is Summernats?
What it is, is an annual car festival that started in Canberra, Australia in 1988. Created by Chic Henry, Summer Nationals (Summernats) is Australia’s biggest auto event that is held over a period of 4 days. It features insanely modded hotrods and utes, vintage automobiles, beautifully airbrushed machines, parades, burnout competition as well as a dyno challenge. Oh and not forgetting the Miss Summernats pageant.
To many Malaysians, Summernats is a mystery as this is the first one held here. So it is a pleasant surprise when we were invited to sample what it is all about. The event also happen to coincide with the 12-hour Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race, so all the more reason for us to attend.

So for our local chapter, the event is packed with activities ranging from a gymkhana event organised by UltraRacing, an auto fair, car and bike test drive demo, safety campaign demos, competitions for car & bike mods, custom paint jobs, a bazaar and the list goes on.
What really attracted us were the cars on exhibition. Cars like the modern wonders that are the Lotuses, Mercedes SLS AMG supercar, as well as the McLaren 650s and MP4-12C hanging out in the paddock car park.

The main highlights were the rare classics that were graciously loaned by private collectors, like the pair of VW Karmann Ghia, the legendary Shelby AC Cobra, the beautiful Eleanor Shelby Mustang GT500, a flaming Lamborghini Countach, a DMC DeLorean all the way to the exquisite Ford GT40 and the Porsche 917 & 919 Hybrid LeMans racers.

Excuse us while we attempt to clean up the drool from the carpet floor.
We have to admit that we missed quite a few of the other events. Not because they were not exciting, rather, we couldn’t possibly keep up. One thing we were fortunate to catch though, this gorgeous 1912 Ford Model T being reverse parked.
Noteworthy
 Hordes of patriots gathered at the track on the wee hours of Merdeka Day itself, attempts were made for entries into the Malaysian Book of Records. The categories attempted were the
Biggest Summernats Car Gathering
,
Biggest Summernats Bike Gathering
 as well as
Biggest Merdeka Summernats Bicycle Gathering
. On top of all that, many signed up for the
11.08km Merdeka Run
 that covered 2 full laps around the circuit.
Enjoy the pictures while we recuperate from the heat.
[divider]
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Porsche’s Top 5 series is back and here’s their most thrilling GT cars!

It’s simply perfect timing; now that most of us are working from home (again), there is no content too much to consume.
Porsche
 probably agrees and is now back with yet another episode of their Top 5 series. Like the previous editions, this one focuses on yet another selection of purpose-built Porsches – their GT cars – that have gone on to make a name for themselves in their own respects.
As an appetiser, we have the Porsche
718 Cayman GT4
; which was introduced in Malaysia recently. It’s got 420 hp and 420 Nm from a 4.0-ltre naturally-aspirated flat-six, that’s paired to a slick 6-speed manual transmission.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvLlcVCmvFw
As for the rest, their selected from a range of Porsches spanning 70 years – from the early 2000 models to one from the 1960s – a time when a GT car meant it was a road legal racing sports cars. You wouldn’t be able to guess which Porsche was ranked first but you’d surely be surprised how much something like that is worth in the market in the present day. A quick search online showed that a pristine version of it, commands up to RM700k!
That’s not all. At the end of the video, Porsche even teased what’s coming in the next video; a GT car that made waves when it was sold between the early to mid 2000s.
In other news, aside from launching the 718 Cayman GT4, Porsche Malaysia also introduced the
718 Spyder
 with a price tag starting from RM970,000 before you start ticking the options list and before the duties kick in.
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Porsche 718 Cayman GT4
Porsche 718 Spyder


Sorry Honda, Toyota is Malaysia’s best-selling non-national brand in 2022 with 100k sold

Honda Malaysia
announced yesterday
 that it’s the best-selling non-national passenger car brand in the nation with 80,200 units sold last year. But just one day later,
UMW Toyota Motor
 has rebutted with its own claim for the best-selling non-national car brand in Malaysia in 2022, with
100,042 units
 sold.
Confused? Well, here’s the thing – they can both be true. Honda claimed itself to be the best-selling non-national
passenger car
 brand, because they don’t sell commercial vehicles such as pick-ups like
Toyota
 does. So if you take away the 27,198 units of
Hilux
 sold, Toyota’s passenger cars managed only 72,844 units sold last year, putting them in second place behind Honda.
Carmakers will do anything to make their numbers look good, and this is another case of being ‘technically correct’, despite coming off as a little disingenuous – especially with more and more people buying pick-ups as lifestyle vehicles these days. Anyway, we digress.
Together with
Lexus
, UMW Toyota Motor managed to deliver 101,035 vehicles in 2022, representing a 40% increase over the previous year despite the challenging market conditions as well as supply chain issues that has plagued the automotive industry globally.
Aside from the Hilux in the pick-up truck segment, the
Toyota Corolla Cross
 (C-segment SUV), Hiace (One-ton Van), and
Fortuner
(Light Duty Wagon) also posted strong sales across the year to claim the crown in their segments, with 17,208, 390, and 3,432 units sold respectively.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Toyota Camry 2.5V Review – uncle car no more?
Commenting on the sales report, UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K. said, “We are delighted to have been able to put smiles and deliver happiness to so many of our customers across the nation, and thank each and every one of them for their support.
“I also wish to express our appreciation to all our staff, dealers and business partners who overcame a challenging year. Together, we will continue to keep our customers happy and ensure that quality and service will always remain at the highest levels.”
READ MORE:
Toyota Camry price increased by RM10k in Malaysia for 2023, Corolla up RM4k
The company’s Customer Service Operations also surpassed 1.25 million vehicles last year, which it says is “a nod to the exceptional level of after sales service that UMW Toyota Motor is known for”.
Moving forward, the company will be unveiling a new Agency Retail Model in 2023, giving Toyota and Lexus customers a “hassle and worry-free vehicle purchasing experience” with a new sales process through premier agents and fair and transparent pricing.
“We understand the many frustrations and pain-points of purchasing a new vehicle and have re-designed a sales process that is driven to be more customer centric. Our customers will no longer have to haggle or shop around for the ‘best price’. The vehicle purchase process will become easy and more welcoming”, Ravindran K. added.
ALSO READ:
Toyota to launch new hybrid model in 2023 – Innova Zenix or all-new Vios?


Ferrari GTC4 Lusso revealed ahead of Geneva, replaces the FF

Remember the Ferrari FF? It was an unorthodox looking all-wheel drive Ferrari Gran Tourer for the practical minded. First introduced in 2011, it now receives not just a fresh new face but also a new name as well – the GTC4 Lusso.
Among the new aesthetics improvement in this facelift include a new front grille with integrated air intakes, new air vents on the rear wing, a different rear spoiler and a new diffuser. All these reduce the car’s drag coefficient compared to its predecessor.

The GTC4 Lusso retains the
6.2-litre V12 engine
, but here Ferrari boosted its power from 651 hp before to
680 hp
 with close to
700 Nm
 of torque at its disposal. The tried and tested
 seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission
 is retained as well. The improved performance and new aero kit now means that the GTC4 will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, about 0.3 seconds quicker than the FF. Top speed meanwhile, remains at
333km/h
.
New to this facelift is the
4RM-S
 system, a new
all-wheel drive system with four-wheel steering
. The GTC4 Lusso also receives Ferrari’s
Slip Side Control
,
electronic differential
 and the Prancing Horse’s patented
magnetic dampers
. Ferrari claims the new system will improve the car’s traction by effortlessly handling the car’s massive torque on tricky surfaces.
Inside, the driver receives a redesigned

steering wheel that’s smaller than before. This is to accommodate the new compact airbag, and to the centre dash rests a new 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The new Ferrari is set to grace at the display of Geneva Motor Show this coming March. Back in 2011, Naza Italia introduced the FF in Malaysia for a cool RM2.8million. Expect the GTC4 Lusso to arrive on Malaysian shores later this year, if not sometime in 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY

中文版：
AutoRepublic.my


Range Rover Velar P250 2.0L turbo confirmed for Malaysia, 21-inch alloys

It is no secret that Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLR) is bringing the
Range Rover Velar to Malaysia
 whereby the company has confirmed that the premium SUV will make its debut sometime in April 2018 and will be positioned above the
Range Rover Evoque
. Now, JLR has announced initial specification details of the soon-to-be-launched Velar.
Malaysia bound Velars will be of the P250
variant,
 powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged Ingenium engine that puts out
247 hp
 and
365 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled to all four wheels via an eight-speed ZF sourced automatic, propelling the Velar P250 from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.7 seconds
 onwards to a top speed of
216 km/h
.

If you ever decide to take your Velar off the beaten track, you’ll be pleased to know that the car is equipped with the brand’s famed all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics and
Terrain Response 2
 off-road system to get you out of sticky situations.
JLR has also confirmed that the Velar will be dressed in slim full LED headlamps,
flush deployable door handles
 and 21-inch alloys with four design options. Inside, the Velar sports
Touch Pro Duo system
 that combines two 10.0-inch touchscreen display to from the centre console, Navigation Pro System, Virtual Instrument TFI Display, Surround Camera, Powered Gesture Tailgate and Head-Up Display among others.
Full specifications of the Land Rover Velar and its pricing details will be announced at the official launch happening in April 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY


2022 Lexus UX update finally ditches the god-awful Remote Touch infotainment system

Four years since its global debut, Lexus has now given the
UX compact crossover
 a refresh for 2022, with upgrades in several areas ranging from safety equipment to handling improvements. But despite all that, there’s really only one thing that we care about – the horrific Remote Touch infotainment system has finally been replaced by something a little more usable.
Okay, fine, we’re joking – but the reality is not too far from that.
The central infotainment display now comes in either 8- or 12.3-inch sizes, depending on variant. But no matter which size your configuration comes with, they both now run on the marque’s latest fully-touchscreen operating system, with an interface mostly like that of the
all-new NX
 that was just
recently launched here in Malaysia
.
As one would expect in 2022, the new infotainment system comes with the all of the latest connectivity and “smart” features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a “Hey Lexus!” digital voice assistant, personalised user profiles, and over-the-air software (OTA) updates – the latter means that more features and services can be added over time.
With the new touchscreen system, the dashboard and centre console on the 2022 Lexus UX has also been slightly reorganised. The space beside the gear lever (where the horrid touchpad used to live) is now replaced with a control panel for seat heating and ventilation, while the disc player underneath the climate control panel has also been removed.
Two new USB-C ports have also been added to the front of the centre console, while the wireless charging space has now been extended (thanks to the removal of the CD player), and is also now illuminated.
Review: Lexus UX 200 Luxury – Dressed to impress
Other technology enhancements include a new digital key feature that allows the driver to unlock and start the car remotely via a connected smartphone app, as well as an updated panoramic surround view monitor with a new “under-body transparent display” function, much like Land Rover’s Clearsight Ground View system.
The Lexus Safety System+ suite of advanced driver assistance features have also been updated on the 2022 Lexus UX, with improvements to the autonomous emergency braking system, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), as well as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).
New additions to the system include a new curve speed-control function, which automatically decelerates the UX in advance according to the curvature of the approaching bend when the DRCC system is active. Emergency Steering Assist, which “assists steering within the vehicle’s lane as cued by the driver”, is also now available, alongside the Emergency Driving Stop System, which automatically and gently stops the vehicle if the driver is unresponsive for a certain period of time when using LTA.
Aside from these changes, though, the rest of the updates are mostly underneath the skin – quite literally. The 2022 Lexus UX has been updated with 20 new spot welding points to the chassis to improve its body rigidity, while the electric power steering, dampers, shocks, and other components have also been retuned to help with steering response and handling capabilities.
The range-topping F Sport variant also comes with adaptive variable suspension (AVS) and Yamaha-developed performance dampers at the rear to sweeten the UX’s handling and ride comfort even further.
ALSO READ: Five note-worthy features we discovered in the Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD
As for looks, well, it really hasn’t changed all that much, or at all. The aforementioned F Sport variant gains a more aggressive front bumper with larger corner inlets, a new mesh design for the grille, as well as a slightly reworked rear bumper, but that’s pretty much it.
In the mechanical department, the Lexus UX will retain the same offerings from before, with the UX 200 (most likely) retaining the same 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine making
170 hp
 and
205 Nm
, paired to a Direct-Shift CVT gearbox to send power to the front wheels.
There’s also the UX 250h, which gets a 2.0-litre hybrid unit for a total system output of
184 hp
. The latter will be the only powertrain offered in the US, where it’ll be sold as the UXh.
GALLERY


Facelifted Volkswagen Amarok gets new 3.0L V6, still absent in Malaysia

There was a time when the Volkswagen Amarok was nearly introduced to our market, but that news is old and gone now. What you’re seeing here are pictures of facelifted Amarok, and new to the pickup are the regular mid-life revisions and a bigger 3.0-litre engine.
This Europe-only Amarok (called the Amarok Aventura) gets a reworked front fascia, most notably the new headlights featuring LED DRLs and bi-xenon projectors. It rides on 20-inch wheels, behind which rests a pair of 17-inch brake discs for the front axle and 16-inch discs at the rear. Reverse camera, Park Distance Control and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System all come as standard.
The range topping Amarok will be powered by a new
3.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel V6
 that can be had in three states of tunes:
161 hp
,
201 hp
 and
221 hp
. All engines are Euro6 compliant, and it can churn as much as
550 Nm of torque
 (that’s 130 Nm more than the 2.0-litre TDI engine) to either the rear wheels or all four wheels.
A choice of an eight-speed automatic gearbox or a manual transmission can be had. Volkswagen claims that the 3.0-litre Amarok will consume just
7.9 litres of fuel per 100km
, which equates to 199 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled. Volkswagen Group Malaysia, please bring this in!
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz GLB SUV interior teased for Shanghai debut

Mercedes-Benz is set
to reveal its new Mercedes-Benz GLB at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show after hinting
the reveal of its new SUV on its social media page.
Slotting between the
GLA
 and
GLC
, the GLB will be positioned as a more rugged and roomier SUV compared to the GLA but still a little smaller than the GLC. When launched, it will rival against the likes of
Audi Q3
,
BMW X1
 and
Volvo XC40
 while the GLA will compete against more compact models like the
Q2
 and
MINI Countryman
.
New GLB slots between the GLA & GLC
In the teaser image, the sketch shows Mercedes new-generation interior design language seen in the
W177 A-Class
 and
B-Class
. Widescreen cockpit, turbine-style air vents and minimalistic centre console are to be expected while items such as Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), 64-colour ambient lighting, sunroof and premium audio system will be some of the options available.
Powertrain options should
ditto the current-generation A-Class with petrol and diesel options ranging
from 1.33- to 2.0-litre in capacity. Word is that Mercedes-AMG are already working
on a 35 and/or 45 variant for the GLB.


Guess Malaysians are not a fan of the Honda HR-V RS’ Ivory White interior

The recently
introduced Honda HR-V RS will now come with a full black interior following customers
feedback for a more
sensible
 interior
theme. Honda Malaysia says all the Ivory White parts will be replaced by black items.
Retail price remains unchanged at RM124,800, on-the-road without insurance but what’s new is the black treatment for the centre console, front panel, leather seats and door panel lining.
 Equipment list reads the same as well which includes 18-inch dual tone alloys, RS-specific black body kit, reverse camera, 8-way powered driver seat, Honda LaneWatch camera, paddle shifters, 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist and Hill Start Assist.
Under the hood, you’ll find the same 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine and CVT combo with
142 hp
 and
172 Nm
 driving the front wheels. The Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering system – which we adore – is still here.
The HR-V is available in
5 exterior shades – Passion Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver
Metallic, Ruse Black Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.


25 years of the BMW 8 Series, Munich’s flagship battle cruiser

A quarter century ago, the Bavaria’s motormeisters headed out toward GT country when they rolled out the BMW 8 Series in 1989. The project, code named E31, was originally penned in 1986 by legendary designer Klaus Kapitza, at a cost of over RM3 billion.
In September 1989, BMW showed the world just what their idea of a Grand Tourer was, dismissing the notion that the 6 Series was the company’s flagship coupe to munch the miles down the
deutch autobahn
with a capped top speed of
250 km/h
. For that matter, the 8 Series was the second car in Germany’s post-war history to feature a
 V12
 engine after the
E32 750iL
.

It’s been 25 years now, and as such, owners from 8 Series clubs across Europe came together at the BMW plant in Dingolfin to celebrate the occasion. Nearly
260
 prime examples of the breed were parked outside BMW’s museum for a rather special photoshoot.
The 8 Series came in a few variants, but at its heart, it came with two choices of engines. One could specify either an
M60, 280 hp 4.0-litre V8
 in the
840Ci
 or the range topping
300 hp M70 5.0-litre
 mill powering the
850i
 when it debuted at the end of the 80s. That engine made
 450 Nm
 of torque and did the century sprint in a mere
6.8 seconds
. Throughout its lifecycle, there has been numerous upgrades carried out on the engine, gearbox and other components.
The
840Ci
 had a transplant in the mid of 1995 to the
4.4-litre M62 V8
 engine that produced more torque and delivered better fuel economy, however power figures remained largely unchanged. A year before that, BMW shoved the
5.4-litre M73 V12
 engine into the newly named
850Ci
 which produced
322 hp
.
Around the time, BMW toyed with the idea of an
M-Sport version
 of the 8 Series that could go against Ferraris. Speculation arose as to the development of such a beast, but BMW squashed the idea simply because there was no market for the
M8
. But just before doing so, the
S70/1
 engine from the
McLaren F1
 was fitted into all but one example, with a projected output of 550 hp. The engine even came with experimental multi-valve cylinder head technology – highly advanced for its time. The car was kept under lock and key until it was shown at a convention in
 California in 2012
.

The
BMW 850CSi
 therefore was crafted in place of the M8 model. It featured an
S70 engine
 that made
381 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of twist while displacing
5.6-litres
. The sprint time was wrapped up in
under 6.0 seconds
. In keeping with the sporting heritage, the 850CSi came
mated exclusively
 to a
 six-speed stick shifter
. It was also fitted with BMW’s Electronic Damper Control which made it a symbiosis of power and comfort. BMW had, at this point in time, perfected the Gran Tourer recipe.
In the mid 90s, British artist, David Hockney used an 8 Series to breathe life into one of his artistic visions in conjuction with the BMW Art Cars series. When production ended in
1999
, approximately

30,621 examples of the BMW 8 Series were produced with a handful of them being lavishly
hand-built
 in South Africa. Fans of the 8 Series often look to the BMW i8 as a modern day reincarnation of the legendary Munich-born GT car. But as history goes, the 8-er will always hold that special place among enthusiasts. And oh, did we mention that there are a few here in town?
IMAGE GALLERY


New ‘EV Corolla’ Toyota bZ3 unveiled with 600+ km range, for China only

After the
bZ4x
, the second addition to Toyota’s electric bZ family is the new
Toyota bZ3
 sedan which has just been unveiled. Developed in collaboration with
BYD
 and FAW Toyota, it is a
Corolla
-sized sedan with more than 600 km of electric range.
So far, Toyota has provided the dimensions, drag coefficient, and battery type of the Toyota bZ3. The battery capacity has not been listed, but the bZ3 is claimed to have a maximum cruising range of more than
 600 km
 (CLTC). The electrification system is a combination of BYD’s lithium-ion LFP battery using lithium iron phosphate and Toyota’s extensive electrification technologies.
Toyota says that the battery structure, cooling, control, and safety monitoring systems were all newly designed for this car. Although the battery capacity has not been specified, Toyota aims to reduce battery degradation, with the development goal of ensuring 90% capacity even after ten years.
Like the bZ4x, the Toyota bZ3 uses the e-TNGA vehicle platform. The platform is claimed to achieve more pleasant driving, including more responsive performance, with a low centre of gravity and excellent handling stability.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota bZ3 photos leaked – ‘EV Corolla’ to debut soon?
The bZ3 measures 4,725 mm long, 1,835 mm wide, 1,475 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,880 mm, which makes it a slightly scaled-up
Toyota Corolla
. Looks-wise, the bZ3 adopts the familial ‘hammerhead shark’ front end styling that was first shown on the bZ4x.
Toyota bZ3
Toyota Corolla Altis
Length
4,725 mm
4,630 mm
Width
1,835 mm
1,780 mm
Height
1,475 mm
1,435 mm
Wheelbase
2,880 mm
2,700 mm
Inside, the Toyota bZ3 features a ‘Digital Island’ system that integrates a large vertical centre display with a tray-type console. The interior is built with a ‘Familial Lounge’ concept that is based on the idea that cars provide a space to enjoy time with family and friends, rather than just being a means of transportation. As for ergonomics, the driving position is configured to minimize muscle strain and reduce fatigue over long distances.
RELATED:
2022 Toyota Veloz launched in Malaysia – Alza’s premium twin brother, RM95k
No official rear shots have been shared, but here are
leaked image of the Toyota bZ3
No official rear shots have been shared, but here are
leaked image of the Toyota bZ3
Unveiled for the Chinese market only for the time being, the bZ3 is the second model in Toyota’s electric bZ series. Toyota is planning to introduce more bZ models soon and has also teased an upcoming bZ together with the unveiling of the bZ3. As for Malaysia, Toyota has yet to introduce any fully electric cars but has installed several EV chargers at its headquarters.


Now Aston Martin wants to break Porsche’s Nurburgring record

Red Bull F1 Racing team boss Christian Horner claims that
Aston Martin’s forthcoming Valkyrie hypercar
 can be as fast as any race car in the world and said that it’s capable of beating
Porsche’s new lap record at the Nurburging
.
In case you haven’t heard, last week Porsche fielded its World Endurance Championship (WEC) winning 919 Hybrid Evo which was de-restricted to deliver over
1,100 hp
, powering the race car that weighs merely 849 kg.
It’s going to be a tall order for the Valkyrie, which Horner claims could perform
better on the Nurburgring than Red Bull’s Formula 1 car
 but on paper at least, the hypercar’s specification does seem to stand up against Porsche’s full-fledged race car.
Aston Martin’s new hypercar, which the company claims to weigh just 1,000 kg is backed with an identical
1,100 hp
, delivered from a 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12. The Valkyrie is said to cost an estimate 2.5 million pounds (approx. RM10 million) where only 150 road cars and 50 track cars will be built and is said to debut by 2020.


Mercedes-AMG GT S arrives in Malaysia, priced from RM1.15 million [+Video]

The
Mercedes-AMG GT S
 and GT S Edition 1 is officially here and was fittingly introduced at the Sepang International Circuit by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM).
This highly anticipated “Porsche 911 slayer” is the second model to be completely developed in-house by Mercedes-AMG after the SLS – its spiritual successor, so to speak. The Grand Tourer boasts a
weight distribution of 47:53
 and has a kerb weight of
1,540 kg
, thanks in part to its aluminium space frame, engine and transmission positioning.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-AMG GT S
Mercedes-AMG GT S Edition 1
Engine
3,982cc; twin-turbo V8 (M178)
Transmission
7-speed dual clutch auto (Getrag)
Max Power
510 hp @ 6,250 rpm
Max Torque
650 Nm @ 1,750 – 4,750 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
3.8 seconds; 310 km/h
Price (OTR with GST, w/o insurance)
RM1,150,000
RM1,200,000
EXTERIOR
At first glace, the AMG GT bears significant resemblance to the SLS; it has a long sloping bonnet and a stubby rear end – both hallmark design cues of the SLS. However, gone are the gull-wing doors from the SLS, as the AMG GT employs conventional doors. This not-so-cool-anymore configuration saves additional weight by removing the mechanical bits from the roof. Hey, give and take, right?

The AMG GT measures 4,546mm in overall length, 1,939mm wide, 1,288mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,630mm. Pop the boot and you’ll find
350 litres of boot space
 – that’s just 30 litres less than a Mk7 Golf’s luggage capacity!
Mercedes-AMG GT S @ Sepang F1 track! #Mercedes #AMG #AMG #GTS
A video posted by AutoBuzz.my (@autobuzzmy) on
Jun 24, 2015 at 2:33am PDT
All purchase of the two-seater sports car comes with 19-inch tyres at the front and 20-inch at the rear. The front tyres are profiled at 265/35 R19 whereas the fatter rear tyres are of the 295/30 R20 series. Track width up front measures at 1,680mm and the rear at 1,651mm.
INTERIOR
Step inside the GT S and you’ll immediately realise just how close to the ground it sits. At the centre of it is a console that houses all the essentials, such as the familiar touch-sensitive COMAND controller, stubby transmission lever and AMG Drive Unit controls on each side. Notice that there’s four buttons on each side? That’s supposedly a design translated (or inspired) by the V8 unit.

Completing the interior kit is the free-standing screen and flat-bottomed steering wheel with aluminium paddle shifters.
PERFORMANCE
 At the heart of the GT S is a handbuilt,
longitudinally mounted 4.0-litre twin turbo V8
 (codename M178) that makes 510 hp and 650 Nm of torque. To allow for a more compact packaging, the engine features
dry sump lubrication
 with both turbos mounted inside the V of the engine. The GT, which isn’t introduced here, shares the same engine but is less powerful, making 456 hp and 600 Nm of torque.
#Mercedes #AMG #GTS on Sepang F1 Circuit Main Straight!
 A video posted by AutoBuzz.my (@autobuzzmy) on
Jun 24, 2015 at 2:39am PDT
The car’s
47:53 weight distribution
 is courtesy of the front mid-engine layout with a rear transaxle which receives the engine’s full grunt via a
carbon fibre driveshaft
 channeled from the much improved
seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox
 made by Getrag. The superseded SLS also used the same gearbox, but it wasn’t as refined and had a slower shift time.

Suspension wise, both the front and rear axles have a
double wishbone setup
, but the rear unit is completely new whereas the front is taken straight off the SLS. Best of all, the steering rack is hydraulic. Where the GT gets a mechanical rear-axle locking differential, the GT S is fitted with an electronically locking diff that’s integrated into the transmission housing. It’s very simply, faster and more sensitive than the GT’s mechanical diff and improves overall traction and increases cornering speeds.
Also fitted as standard in the GT S is the electronically controlled damping (or AMG Ride Control Sports Suspension) that grants three stages of AMG driving dynamics – Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. Exclusive to the GT S is the
optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package
which includes dynamic engine and transmission mounts that continuously adjusts the mounts’ stiffness according to driving conditions. This package also includes a stiffer suspension tuning, a more negative front wheel camber, a
Race and
Manual “M” mode
.
SAFETY
Standard safety equipment in the AMG GT includes front, side, window, and knee
 airbags
, the familiar Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Adaptive Braking and Attention Assist, Parktronic, rear view camera, Pre-Safe system and individual tyre pressure monitoring system. Optional extras include Lane Tracking with Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.
WHAT ELSE?
As the saying goes, early bird catches the worm. First buyers of the AMG GT S can choose to go with the
Edition 1 series
, like the one seen here. That gives you
black aerodynamic package
 – larger front splitter, front wheel arch flics, black side sill panels and a fixed rear spoiler. You also get carbon fibre roof, additional gloss black exterior trims and black tail pipes. This
RM50,000 option
 swaps out the original wheels for the very one you see here, but the sizes remain the same – 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear.
It doesn’t stop there. The Edition 1 package gives you what Mercedes calls the
Interior Black Diamond package
. Here, you get Nappa interior leather with red stitching, performance bucket seats, DINAMICA microfibre-wrapped steering wheel with a 12-o’clock marking and chromed steering bezel with the Edition 1 lettering.
Listen to #Mercedes #AMG #GTS #V8 revs
A video posted by AutoBuzz.my (@autobuzzmy) on
Jun 24, 2015 at 3:07am PDT
Pricing starts (the keyword here is
starts
) from
RM1,150,000
 for the GT S and
RM1,200,000
 for the GT S Edition 1. Since
every unit is made to order
, it’s entirely up to you to customise the AMG GT however you see fit. Just to give you an idea, even its signature yellow paint is a RM70,000 option. So really, the sky’s the limit. Just don’t try to outdo the Arabians when you’re at it.
IMAGE GALLERY


First batch of the new Toyota Supra sold out within minutes in Australia!

The naysayers and haters may have had their word out on the Internet about the
new Supra
 but reality has been singing a different tune with Toyota getting the last laugh.
Toyota Australia has just announced that they’ve sold out the first 100 units of the all-new A90 Supra allocated to the market within seven minutes!

With the immensely encouraging response, they’ve been able to secure 50 additional units and in total, were all sold out within 22 minutes of the first online sales of its kind.
80% of the orders were for the high-grade GTS models priced at approx. RM273k, fitted with the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six with
340 hp
 and
500 Nm
. There are two different grades available in Australia – GT and GTS.
Locally, UMW Toyota Motor has revealed that the latest gem in Toyota’s crown
would arrive in Malaysia by the end of the year
, with prices rumoured to be in the region of half a million Ringgit.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW Group Malaysia and NGOs offer support to B40 families

While most of us have been home over the past weeks due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), BMW Group Malaysia along with other NGOs namely Tenaganita, Refuge for Refugees, Liga Rakyat Demokratik and Dapur Jalanan KL has had their hands tied.
Together they delivered more than 5,800 food and essential grocery packs to refugees, migrant and B40 families in the Klang Valley area. BMW Group Malaysia’s dealers, Quill Automobiles and Ingress Auto, were responsible for providing the logistics in the form of 10 BMW vehicles to support the delivery process.
Among the basic necessities supplied were rice, eggs, flour, cooking oil and canned food which were delivered to families even during the Movement Control Order (MCO) duration across 460 locations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
To maintain the safety and hygiene of the volunteers, they were required to put on gloves, masks and use hand sanitisers while the beneficiaries were given hand sanitisers to disinfect before and after receiving the supplies.
“In the spirit of #KitaJagaKita, we at BMW Group Malaysia are very humbled to be part of this mission with Tenaganita, Refuge for the Refugees, Liga Rakyat Demokratik and Dapur Jalanan KL to provide aid to the underpriviliged during this challenging time. We are just grateful to be able to help out and be part of the volunteers who continue to actively assist families who are affected by the MCO. They are an inspiration to us and as a nation, it is crucial for all of us to lend a helping hand to those in need, now more than ever,” said BMW Group Malaysia, Head of Corporate Communications, Sashi Ambi.
For those who are keen to contribute financially, cash donations can be made to Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Pelarian (CIMB: 8000499285). When doing so, kindly note the donations as ‘MCO Grocery Aid’.
GALLERY


MCO 2.0: 7 Route closures in Petaling Jaya, Damansara, 4 in Klang Utara

With the second Movement Control Order (MCO) period is now fully in effect until the 26th of January with seven red-zone states in Malaysia now placed under the full MCO ruling, several routes have now been closed by the police to restrict movement of the residents in these areas.
Image: Facebook/
Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya
In Petaling Jaya and Damansara, District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Nik Ezanee Mohd. Faisal has announced that
seven routes have now been closed to all vehicles
. These routes are:
Jalan 4/56, Gasing Indah, Petaling Jaya
Jalan Persiaran Mahogani, Kota Damansara
Jalan Persiaran Jati, Kota Damansara
Jalan Persiaran Sungai Buloh, Kota Damansara
Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) exit to Mutiara Damansara/Damansara Perdana
Damansara toll entrance to Bayu Puteri near Tropicana, Damansara
Traffic light intersection at PJU 8/1, Damansara Perdana
Image: Facebook/
Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya
Meanwhile in Klang,
four routes will also
 be shut beginning today for two weeks, said District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Nurulhuda Mohd. Salleh. These are:
Musaeddin Bridge (Jalan Batu Tiga Lama)
Raja Nala Bridge (Jalan Tanjung Syawal)
KM3.5 Jalan Shapadu Lama
KM3.7 Jalan Shapadu Lama to Rantau Panjang
Image: Facebook/
Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya
Additionally, road blocks – particularly at highway entry points – have also been set-up throughout the country to restrict inter-state and inter-district travels. According to Selangor Acting Police Chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed, a total of 120 have been set-up across the state. Meanwhile, Penang Police Chief Comm. Datuk Sahabudin Abdul Manan announced that 44 road blocks will be in effect in the state throughout the MCO period.
For those still required to travel to work, you are allowed to do so with a valid letter of permission from your employer – provided that the business is listed as an
essential business
. Commercial vehicles operators are also not required to obtain an endorsement letter from the Ministry of Transport during this MCO period; a valid permission letter from the employer is sufficient, and a special lane at the road blocks will be open for these vehicles.
For the rest of us, we strongly advise everyone to do our part and please stay at home in our fight against the
Covid-19 pandemic
. If inter-state or inter-destrict travel is necessary, a police-approved travel permit will be required – these can be downloaded from
here
.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador has also
 announced a grace period
 until
Friday, Jan 15
 for those stranded outstation to return home, provided that a
valid reason
 is provided. After the grace period, a travel permit will be strictly required.


Hyundai introduces appreciation programme for frontline workers – goodies worth RM7.9k!

As a mark of appreciation to the frontline workers who have worked tirelessly ever since the
Covid-19
pandemic broke out, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has come up with a new Hyundai Frontliners Appreciation Programme to show their gratitude to these national heroes.
The appreciation programme comes with special rebates on new Hyundai models, grocery shopping vouchers, and other goodies, totalling to a total value of RM7,900 – should they choose to purchase a new Hyundai model, of course.
In addition, just like all new Hyundai purchases starting April this year, those who sign up through the frontline workers appreciation programme will also receive a
Hyundai Loyalty Card
, which entitles them to rebates on selected parts and labour charges, as well as exclusive monthly promotions.
The programme is eligible for all front liners including government healthcare workers, firefighters, uniformed law enforcement officers, as well as public school teachers.
HSDM’s mid-year service promotion campaign has been extended until the end of August. Check it out here!
“Day in and day out, our healthcare and public sector frontliners have shown their courage and resilience as they battle the pandemic,” said HSDM Managing Director, Low Yuan Lung. “Our huge gratitude goes out to them for their selfless work, which is instrumental in fighting the deadly virus. We stand in solidarity with these heroes and believe that we will get through this together.”
“Their indomitable spirit and resilience during this difficult time is an inspiration to all of us. We hope this programme will provide some relief. Apart from making Hyundai cars more affordable for them, we will also be giving out grocery vouchers as our token of appreciation for all their hard work, dedication and sacrifice,” he added.
Hyundai recently unveiled the Kona 1.6 Turbo and Kona N-Line here in Malaysia. Learn more about them here!
All Hyundai models come with a three-year/50,000 km free service programme, and a five-year/300,000 km warranty. With the recently-introduced
Hyundai Step-Up Financing
, monthly repayments start as low as RM958 for a Hyundai Kona, based on a nine-year tenure with a 10% down payment.
Interested parties can find out more about the programme at any of Hyundai’s showroom, or contact Hyundai’s customer care line at
1300-13-2000
 or via its website, linked
here
.


Will the Polestar 2 sedan be better than a Tesla Model 3?

At the turn of the new calendar year, Polestar has just teased its first all-electric car, the Polestar 2 on its social media account. The four-door compact electric saloon will be a direct competitor to the
Tesla Model 3
.
While the
Polestar 1
 spots a high-performance hybrid powertrain, the Polestar 2 will be a battery-powered electric vehicle (EV). Details of the powertrain are scarce at the moment, but reports have quoted the Polestar 2 to pack over
400 hp
 and offer over
450 km
 of driving range. An all-wheel-drive layout is to be expected but more details will be revealed when the car is ready for launch.
Polestar’s first car, Polestar 1 Hybrid
Knowing that the Polestar 2 has its eyes set on the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar’s ethos of being a high-performance EV brand, we can expect performance figures that are close to the Model 3’s. Think sub 6 seconds century sprint time and over 200 km/h top speed. This purpose-built Polestar 2 will also mean that ergonomics (cabin space and luggage space) will be already well thought out.
The company has previously announced that the Polestar 2 will go into production in 2019 and is Volvo Car Group’s first pure EV. The car will be built in
Chengdu, China
 alongside Volvo’s facility. Further down the line, Polestar plans to build an SUV that bears the name Polestar 3.


All-new Hyundai Elantra on sale in M’sia, 1.6L Turbo, from RM116k to RM131k!

Hyundai Malaysia finally introduced the
sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra
 and it’s immediately available in three variants – 2.0 Executive, 2.0 Dynamic and 1.6 T-GDI Sport.
They are priced at RM116,388, RM120,588 and RM131,488 respectively, with each purchase packaged together with a 5-year or 300,000km warranty as well as free service up to 50,000km. The 2.0-litre engine produces
151 hp
 and
 192 Nm
 of torque and is paired to a six-speed conventional automatic.
QUICK FACTS
Variant
Hyundai Elantra 2.0 MPI Executive
Hyundai Elantra 2.0 MPI Dynamic
Hyundai Elantra 1.6 T-GDI Sport
Engine
2.0L multi-point injection, DOHC
1.6L turbo gasoline direct injection, DOHC
Transmission
6-speed automatic
7-speed dual clutch auto
Max Power
151 hp @ 6,200 rpm
201 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
192 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
265 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
Price
RM116,388
RM120,588
RM131,488
At the top of the range is the Elantra Sport, belting no less than
201 hp
 and
265 Nm
 of torque from a turbocharged
1.6-litre direct injected engine
. It’s also the only Elantra to come with a
seven-speed dual clutch auto
 (manufactured by Hyundai) and HID headlamps. Both 2.0-litre variants settle for halogen projectors.
As with most modern Hyundai cars, much attention has been paid to aerodynamics. The Elantra features air curtain and full underbody cover to yield a best-in-class drag coefficient of 0.27.
For those interested, the all-new Elantra is available for viewing and test drive at your nearest authorised Hyundai showroom.
IMAGE GALLERY
Hyundai Elantra 1.6 T-GDI Sport

Hyundai Elantra 2.0 MPI (Executive & Dynamic)