The all-new Range Rover Sport is exactly what the name says it is

Car names can come in all shapes and forms, but not often do they tell you exactly what it is. The all-new third-generation
 Range Rover Sport
, however, is refreshingly blunt; it’s exactly what the name says it is – a sportier version of the Range Rover.
Just like the
 fifth-gen Range Rover
, the design of the all-new Sport is more evolution than revolution. But as they say – if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, right? The designers at JLR has definitely done a bang-up job in bringing the tried-and-true design up to modern standards, yet still maintaining the signature look and stature one would expect from a Range Rover Sport.
From the front, the all-new car is instantly recognisable as a Range Rover thanks to its tall and flat face. However, to mark it out as the “sportier” model, the Range Rover Sport here gets a slimmer headlight and grille combo, very much in the style of the
Velar
 and
Evoque
, alongside a more aggressive lower bumper and air intakes design.
But more importantly here – at least to the car’s chief exterior designer Dominic Najafi – is its coupe-like roofline that “accelerates” down to the rear, which couples to the wraparound belt line and the floor that kicks up towards the rear, to give the car a sportier and more streamlined stance.
The twin shark fin antennas on top is a weird choice, though, given their focus on minimalism.
Over at the rear, the numberplate has been moved down to the bumper to give the fascia a much cleaner surface than before. The new slim taillights design also tie in to the minimalist ethos, with a single
heckblende
 black plastic trim joining the two slim LED taillights together.
The rear styling is specifically designed to not have anything stand out in particular. According to Najafi, this is a “very modern approach”, and it certainly gives the Range Rover Sport a unique layered look, especially in this two-tone red-and-black exterior colour pairing. No fake vents or exhaust tips here either, and the wheels can also be optioned up to 23 inches in diameter.
RELATED: Range Rover waves goodbye to the Sport SVR with a swanky new “Ultimate” edition
The third-generation Sport’s interior is clearly derived from the full-fat Range Rover model, but the company says that it’s been revised for a more driver-focused design. The seats have been lowered by 20 mm to give it the trademark “Range Rover Command Driving Position”, while the centre stack, including the 13.1-inch Privi Pro touchscreen infotainment display, has also been given a steeper angle for better usability and a sleeker look.
Speaking of usability, the all-new Range Rover Sport here is blessed with
actual physical dials
 for the climate control panel, which means there’s no need to fumble through the infotainment system just to change the temperature settings. There are still touch-sensitive buttons for the other ancillary controls, but we’ll take what we can get here.
Other interior appointments on the third-generation Range Rover Sport include a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster, standard Amazon Alexa integration for voice commands, 22-way adjustable seats with massage function, an optional 29-speaker 1,450W Meridian Signature Sound System with active noise-cancelling system in the headrests, and soft-closing doors.
As usual in any other Range Rover models, you can also expect the highest quality materials for the upholstery inside, with options including three different types of leather, and Ultrafabrics™ premium textiles – the latter also available on the dashboard and door detailing.
ALSO READ: All-new 2020 Range Rover Evoque now available in Malaysia
The new Range Rover Sport is available with a wide range of powertrains, ranging from the usual petrol and diesel to plug-in hybrid engines. JLR says that a fully-electric model is also on the cards, however it’ll only make its debut in 2024.
At the very top of the pyramid (for now) is the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine with
530 hp
 on tap, which translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of
4.5 seconds
, which is then followed by two plug-in hybrid models available in either the
 510 hp
 (and
750 Nm
) P510e or
440 hp
 P440e configuration.
Both plug-in hybrids are powered by the same 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine paired to a 38.2 kWh battery pack. They complete the century sprint in
5.4
and
5.8 seconds
 respectively, and can both deliver an EV range of 113 km.
Completing the powertrain line-up for now is a range of 48V mild-hybrid options, which uses either a
400 hp
P400 inline-six petrol engine, or the D300 and D350 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel powerplants, making – as the name suggests –
300 hp
 and
350 hp
 respectively.
No matter which variant you choose, the Range rover Sport will come with all-wheel drive as standard, alongside an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
JLR has also confirmed that an even sportier
Range Rover Sport SVR
is in the works, but no other information has been divulged just yet.
To complement all that grunt, the Range Rover Sport also comes as standard with the 48V Dynamic Response Pro electronic active roll control system, capable of delivering up to 1,400 Nm of torque across each axle to offer “new levels of body control and cornering composure”.
The active roll control system works hand-in-hand with the latest-generation Dynamic Air Suspension, which introduces switchable-volume air springs for the first time. The suspension works by varying the pressure within the chambers to deliver the “traditional Range Rover comfort”, while still providing the dynamic handling capabilities that is expected from the Sport.
To make spirited driving even more engaging, the car also monitors the road ahead using navigation data to prepare for upcoming bends, with the Active Twin Valve Dampers continuously adjusted at up to 500 times a second based on other external factors to deliver “the most precise and composed driving dynamics of any Range Rover Sport”, or so says the company.
The new MLA-Flex mixed-metal chassis, which is also used by the Range Rover, also contributes to the dynamism of the Sport, thanks to a 35% increase in torsional stiffness over the outgoing model. And to top it all off, the Range Rover Sport is also now offered with the optional all-wheel steering (up to 7.3 degrees out of phase with the front wheels), brake torque vectoring, and electronic active differential.
For those who fancy going off-road in the Range Rover Sport for some reason, the new model now comes with JLR’s latest Terrain Response 2 system, which introduces the brand’s new adaptive off-road cruise control system. Drivers can select one of four settings, and the system will then adjust the speed accordingly so they can focus on steering the vehicle.
Over in the UK, the all-new third-generation Range Rover Sport starts from GBP79,125 (approx. RM428k) for the 300 hp diesel model, climbing to roughly GBP115,000 (approx. RM620k) for the range-topping V8 model.
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2022 Hyundai Palisade facelift unveiled with sharper looks and new tech

Hyundai has just unveiled the new 2022 Palisade facelift at this year’s New York International Auto Show, bringing along a refreshed exterior and reworked kit list, just four months after the pre-facelift model was
introduced here in Malaysia
.
Most of the styling changes of the new 2022
Hyundai Palisade
 are on its front fascia, featuring a new and wider “Cascading grille” design that takes up almost the entire width of the front, just below the bonnet shut line.
The “parametric shield” chrome outline of the grille creates an illusion at the top that gives it a
Mitsubishi Triton-esque look
, but unlike the Tucson, the grille here doesn’t actually have any lighting elements at all; the daytime-running lights on the new Hyundai Palisade are actually vertically-aligned, running from just beside the grille elements at the top, down to the main headlight housings lower on the bumper.
There’s also the usual tweaks to the bumpers, both front and rear, with the latter featuring a new narrow strip across that houses the reflectors and reverse lights, alongside new square tailpipe exits. Otherwise, the rest of the exterior remains unchanged from before, save for the new wheel designs, with sizes of up to 20 inches in diameter.
Facts & Figures: Hyundai Palisade 7/8 seater launched in Malaysia, from RM328,888
The 2022 Hyundai Palisade facelift also received a pretty significant makeover on the inside, headlined by a tweaked dashboard layout, and a new steering wheel design similar to that of the
Elantra
.
While the overall looks remain similar, Hyundai has given the new three-row SUV a slim air vent strip design that spans nearly the entire width of the dashboard to “add a sense of spaciousness”. Also new on the Palisade are the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and the larger 12-inch infotainment display sitting atop the dashboard, featuring the marque’s latest BlueLink telematics system.
The more minor changes include a new coat of black paint on the button bank right underneath the centre air vents, new ambient lighting, upgraded USB-C ports, a more powerful wireless charging pad (up to 15W), and the company’s Digital Key 2 Touch system that’s compatible with both iPhone and Android.
The seats have also been upgraded across all three rows – the driver now gets an Ergo Motion set-up that Hyundai says provides better comfort and reduce fatigue during long drives; second-row passengers now get a wing-out headrests and seat ventilation, while those in the third row can also now enjoy the seat heating function, which is apparently a first for Hyundai.
ALSO READ: Hyundai IONIQ 5 wins big at the 2022 World Car Awards!
On the safety front, rear side-impact airbags are now included as standard equipment on the new Palisade, while advanced driver assist features such as the navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, highway driving assist, reverse collision assist, and remote parking are also available as option.
In an effort to keep up with competition from other brands particularly in the US, Hyundai is also now offering the 2022 Palisade in an XRT variant that comes with darkened trims and off-road-style trims, including blacked-out wheels, grille, and roof rails, alongside “skid plate design elements” on the bumpers.
Despite the fiercer looks, however, the powertrain underneath the bonnet remains unchanged from before, and is the same 3.8-litre petrol V6 engine across the entire range. Power output is rated at
 291 hp
 and
355 Nm
, and is paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a choice of two- or HTRAC all-wheel drive.
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The Lexus IS 500 F Sport Launch Edition looks like a real menace!

Following the launch of the
IS 500 F SPORT Performance
last month, Lexus has unveiled the limited edition
IS 500 F SPORT Performance Launch Edition

where only 500 units will be available, exclusively to the US market.
Performance figures remain unchanged with
 472 hp
and
535 Nm
from a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8. The exclusivity, however, lies with numerous interior and exterior trims which will only be available in the Launch Edition.
On the outside, the Launch Edition comes with 19-inch forged alloy BBS wheels which are
optional items
 from the IS F Sport Dynamic Handling Package. They’re also around 2 kg lighter than the standard 19-inch wheels in the IS F Sport. As for the paintwork, the Incognito colour is an all-new colour for the Lexus line up.
Inside, the Performance Edition comes with Ultrasuede upholstery, along with silver ash wood finishing on the steering wheel. Just to make the Launch Edition a little more special, each of the 500 units come with a
serialised badge
.
Even the instrument cluster comes with a “Launch Edition start up animation” that’s different from the standard IS 500!
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2022 LEXUS IS 500 F SPORT


2015 Audi R8 unveiled, quattro V10 power with up to 610 hp [+Video]

Audi finally taken the sheets off the second generation
R8
, revealing a more angular styling than the outgoing car. This all new Audi R8 will have its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
At first sight it might look like a facelift, but you can tell it’s the new R8 by the prominent honeycomb Singleframe grille and those piercing
LED headlamps
.
Laser lights
 are optional, and if you choose that you’ll get the “
dynamic turn signals
” for the front head lamps as well.
The
 side blades
 are now split into two levels, giving the new R8 a longer appearance than before. But same as before you can have the side blades in contrasting colour or you can even have it in glossy carbon.
The back is flatter, featuring
LED taillights
 on top of the side vents, an
aggressive diffuser
 under the bumper, and not forgetting those
trapezoidal tailpipes
 that plays the
tune of the engine
.
In case if you’re wondering what kind of tune they’re going to play, under that transparent engine cover lies a
naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10
 with two different output figures. On the “base”
R8 V10
 it churns out
540 hp
 and
 540 Nm
 of torque. On the
R8 V10 plus
, it develops
610 hp
 and
560 Nm
 of torque.
Mated to a
 7-speed S tronic
 (sorry, no manual this time) and
quattro all-wheel drive system
, acceleration time from
 0 to 100 km/h
 is
3.5 seconds
 for the
R8 V10
 and
3.2 seconds
 for the
 R8 V10 plus
, while the
 top speed
 is
 323 km/h
 for the former and
330 km/h
 for the latter.
The V10 features
 Cylinder On Demand
 (COD) to shut off one of the two cylinder banks when necessary, helping to achieve the average
fuel consumption
 of
11.8 l/100 km
 for the R8 V10 and
12.4 l/100 km
 for the R8 V10 plus.
The interior showcases the new
multifunction plus steering wheel
 with groups of controls, and the
Audi virtual cockpit
 behind it. The virtual cockpit utilises a wide
 12.3-inch screen
 that displays all sorts of information you could possibly imagine; from the vehicle speed and all the way to the detailed 3D map for navigation.
Since all the information is now shown in the virtual cockpit, the center console is now free from any screen. Filling the void is a trio of controls for the air conditioning.
In Europe, the new R8 is set to go on sale this summer, carrying a price tag of
€
 165,000
 for the R8 V10, and
€
187,400
 for the R8 V10 plus. But before that, it will debut at the
 Geneva Motor Show
 next week together with the
Prologue Avant
 concept.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is the new standard in lavishness

If you’re of a certain high net worth and luxury SUVs are your thing, then you’re about to get even more spoilt for choice. Mercedes-Maybach has just made your selection even more difficult with the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury concept.
Unveiled at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show and aimed largely at China’s elite, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury combines the DNA of a SUV and a saloon car.
The Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is conceived as an electric car with four compact permanent-magnet synchronous motors thus making it
all-wheel drive.
Output is rated at
750 hp
while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
And you do notice it – it looks like a limousine on stilts. Onto the finer details, the front radiator grille has been designed with fine vertical bars
 to mimic a pinstripe suit
; as seen in the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 revealed recently.
The concept model rides on
24-inch “turbine look” wheels
 and is fitted with
electrically-extending door handles
. What stands out the most are its
 split folding rear windscreen
 – reminiscent of the classic Volkswagen Beetle.
Inside, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach Ultimate Luxury is draped in crystal white nappa leather, finished in rose gold diamond stitching. The mix of Western and Eastern influence can be seen with the use of
ebony “Magic Wood”
 – a traditional material for Chinese furniture.
You see the purpose of this car now?
IMAGE GALLE


Don’t you just love the colour scheme of this new Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition?

When it comes to supercars, there aren’t many which are as iconic as the Nissan GT-R and in commemorating its motoring and commercial success, along with a cult-like following, Nissan has introduced a 50th Anniversary Edition.
The 50th Anniversary Edition with
565 hp/633 Nm
 will not be easily mistaken for the more conventional models as it dons the Wangan Blue and Pearl White liveries from the Japan GP series that the original GT-R was built to dominate in.
In the engine bay are new turbochargers, new exhaust manifold with optimised flange attachment points and new titanium mufflers. The GT-R’s 6-speed dual clutch gearbox have also been refined for both road and track use with more aggressive downshifts.
The GT-R is also expected to have more linear steering response with increased precision while further tuning of the electronically-controlled suspension offers better cornering stability and a smoother ride.
With all the power upgrades, the Nissan GT-R offers even more security on the braking front with a new brake booster to increase initial braking response.
Inside the 50th Anniversary Edition is a special gray interior colour scheme, a special edition steering wheel, shift knob, seat embossing and Alcantra upholstery on the headlining and sunvisor to name a few.
Also, check out the
new Nissan GT-R Nismo
!
Alongside the 50th Anniversary Edition, Nissan also introduced a Track Edition GT-R with
600 hp
, thanks to turbochargers adopted from the GT-R GT3 race car, along with options for a carbon fibre roof and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes.
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua delivered 28,000 Myvis to date, 60k bookings since launch

It seems that Perodua have their hands tied trying to keep up with deliveries of their new baby, the
fourth-generation Perodua Myvi
. Since its official debut in November 2017, the company has collected 60,000 orders for the new hatchback and has since fulfilled 28,000 of those orders.
Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin said: “We thank our customers and the Malaysian public for their strong support of the Myvi, and we will continue to improve the delivery time for our valued customers,”
Despite the colossal number, Perodua maintains that customers who place their bookings for the new Myvi today will most likely receive their cars in time for the Raya holidays in June.
With 28,000 new Myvis on the streets and plenty more to come, Perodua also sees a healthy demand for its other models, delivering 5,000
Axias
, 3,700
Bezzas
 and 1,900
Alza
 in the month of February. Perodua delivered 6,500 Myvis in the same month, making up a total of 17,100 units.
Year-on-year, Perodua’s sales have grown by
 13.1 percent
 from 30,800 to 34,800. The national carmaker targets to sell 209,000 cars in 2018 – 2 percent increase from 2017.


Maserati teases topless GranCabrio, to get EV ‘Folgore’ version

Following the debut of the new GranTurismo,
Maserati
 has now released images of the Maserati GranCabrio, albeit underneath some camouflage. The Italian marque is now taking the prototype cabriolet to the streets of Modena for the initial stages of development testing.
Maserati says the GranCabrio and the
GranTurismo

are its first cars to adopt a 100% electric solution. Unveiled earlier this month, the hard-top GranTurismo is offered with three powertrain options – two choices of V6 engines and one all-electric choice dubbed the ‘Folgore’ with three electric motors. The same options will be available for the GranCabrio.
With the aim of becoming a fully-electric brand by 2030, Maserati has already introduced the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore and the
Maserati Grecale
 Folgore
. The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore will be the third member of the brand’s electric lineup.
The electric GranCabrio Folgore will have a tri-motor setup with two electric motors in the rear and one for the front axle. Each motor is capable of 300 kW (408 hp), and when combined, provides a system output of 560 kW (
761 hp
) and
1,350 Nm
. The GranTursimo is capable of a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration time, and the GranCabrio’s figures shouldn’t deviate too far.
RELATED:
All-new 2022 Maserati GranTurismo: same-same, but also completely different
Power is drawn from a
92.5-kW
h battery pack that provides an electric driving range of over
402 km
. Mirroring the GranTurismo Folgore, the GranCabrio Folgore should support
270-kW
 DC fast charging which can regain 100 km of range in just 5 minutes. Underpinning the Folgore’s electric system is an 800-V architecture.
Petrol powertrain choices comprise two different 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engines. Like the GranTurismo engine options, one makes
486 hp
 and
600 Nm
 and the other makes
557 hp
 and
650 N
m. Both V6 engines are paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
The GranCabrio is expected to launch in 2023, the prototype models are undergoing intensive testing (on the road, on the track, and in various usage conditions), aimed at gathering essential data for optimal final tuning.
RELATED:
Maserati now offers a 10-year powertrain warranty to prove their cars are reliable
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All AES summons cancelled, now go get yourself a new set of rims!

Great news! If you’ve had something you want to spend on – whether it’s for your car or your better half – now’s the time to loosen that purse strings!
That’s cause the Ministry of Transport has just announced that all AES summons prior to this announcement are now
CANCELLED
!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=Zq2lxPnEfOU
More than 3.1 million AES summons have been issued and with each summon costing
RM150 eac
h, the Government is forgoing a total of RM435 million with this move.
Minister of Transport Anthony Loke said that it’s a
one-off gesture
 by the government but warned that in the future, there will be no such cancellations nor discounts for summons accrued under the ruling of the current government.
From
1st of September 2018
onwards, all AES summons will have to be paid. For now, you can now go get those new rims and bodykit you’ve been holding back on.
Credit:
KiniTV


Hyundai is really flexing its muscles with the all-new i30 Fastback N

They’re really not mucking about with their performance cars. Since Albert Biermann, former head of BMW’s M division, came into power at Hyundai’s N division, they’ve produced purposed-built sportscars with the i30N hatchback and the Veloster N.
Heck, even their Elantra Sport, a model we have locally, was brilliant to drive!
Now they’ve developed a new fibre of muscle to flex with the extremely alluring all-new i30 Fastback N. Who would’ve thought the words “extremely” and “alluring” would be said consecutively in the same sentence, about a Hyundai?
Before, if you wanted or even mildly thought about performance with regards to Hyundai, your only option would’ve been the Coupe, the Veloster or if you’re in the States, the over-300 hp Genesis Coupe.
Performance without compromise – the Fastback comes with a 450-litre boot, expandable to 1,351-litres.
Despite the horsepower deficit, the all-new i30 Fastback N should still run rings around latter. With the i30N hatchback, Hyundai experienced a completely unexpected success story – 3,000 units sold in first half of 2018 while 100 units of its First Edition was sold out in Germany within 48 hours!
This one should help spike their sales charts like the heartbeat of an expecting father. Under the hood rests a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed manual delivering
250 hp
 and
353 Nm
 to the front wheels while a Performance Package bumps horsepower figures to
275 hp
 with torque  output remaining the same.

An overboost function however, activated when reaching maximum torque, squeezes out a little more torque with a total of
378 Nm
. 0 to 100 km/h takes just 6.4 seconds (250 hp), and just 6.1 seconds in the 275 hp version. Top speed is claimed to be 250 km/h.
Would you have ever thought that a Hyundai would ever posses Golf GTI-beating performance? They’ve even developed a sense of wittiness too – calling their drive selector the “N Grin Control” system with five different drive modes – Eco, Normal, Sport, N and N Custom.

Inside,you get to select between two different types of infotainment system; operated through an 8-inch touchscreen display. Both offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The specific N mode screen menu also offers customisable settings for the engine, Rev matching, exhaust sound and Performance Package settings.
The all-new i30 Fastback N features Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driving assistance technologies that includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist and Intelligent Speed Limit Warning.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ferrari Purosangue SUV confirmed with first official teaser

In what might be the world’s worst kept secret, Ferrari has now confirmed the existence of the
Purosangue
 with the release of the controversial model’s first teaser photo, giving us our first (official) look at the Prancing Horse’s first-ever SUV.
If you’re wondering, ‘Purosangue’ means ‘thoroughbred’ in Italian. The accompanying announcement alongside the teaser photos also tries to further home in the point by saying: “A car whose bloodline can be traced back through our 75-year history of innovation, evolution and uncompromising performance. Stand by for a genuine game changer.”
The photo doesn’t give away much, at least we now know that the
previous leak
 was pretty much bang on. There’s the SF90-inspired headlights, and the massive gaping lower air intake does bear a passing resemblance to the
GTC4Lusso
.
Aside from the two Ferrari logos, that’s about all we can see from the sole teaser photo. But based on the leaks, we do know that the lower air intake area will look quite busy, with additional black trims to match the claddings on the wheel arches.
RELATED: Here’s your first look at the Ferrari Purosangue SUV
The Purosangue will ride on a modified version of
Ferrari Roma
‘s modular front-engine platform, and since it’s a proper SUV, it’ll also feature more ground clearance than you’ll ever see on any Ferrari, plus all-wheel drive and potentially a height-adjustable suspension set-up.
As for powertrain, most rumours are pointing towards an electrified V6, as seen on the
Ferrari 296 GTB
, that makes up to 830 hp and 740 Nm of torque. There were also rumours of a non-electrified 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the
SF90 Stradale
, and even a V12 engine from the
812 GTS
, although the latter two will probably depend on the ever-tightening emissions regulations worldwide.
No further details have been provided, but we do know that we won’t have to wait too much longer, as Ferrari will be officially unveiling the car sometime later this year. Sit tight!


Here’s some interesting facts on each of the 8 Ferrari die-cast models by Shell

Shell Malaysia has just reintroduced the limited edition Ferrari die cast collection last week and with the first pair already sold out, Shell will be introducing two more new models every two weeks until mid August.

So far, Shell has already revealed four models – the 488 Spider, the 365 GTB4 and as of yesterday, the 250 Testa Rossa and the 430 Scuderia. Just to spice things up a little in anticipation of the rest and what you’ve missed out, here are some interesting facts on each model that you may not know.
Ferrari 488 Spider
The 488 Spider is only the 8th V8 Spider Ferrari has ever built with the first being the 308 GTS from 1977. It’s the first Spider to be introduced and initially offered in Blue with more traditional colours offered later on.
Its top can be retracted in just 14 seconds, faster than any V8 Ferrari from before.
Ferrari 365 GTB4
The 365 GTB4 was unofficially called the Daytona by the media as a tribute to Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours with the 330P4 race car.
The Daytona was the last 12-cylinder Ferrari model announced before Fiat took over.
Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
The name Testa Rossa means “red head” in Italian, a nickname given to the car due to its bright red rocker covers. Just over 30 units were ever built with the most recent one sold for USD39.8 million in according to reports.
Ferrari 430 Scuderia
The great Michael Schumacher was famously known for having a big part to play in the development of the 430 Scuderia and was at hand to unveil the car at its premier.
The 430 Scuderia was equipped with the new F1-Superfast2 software management system which meant gear changes could be as quick as 60 milliseconds. On average, it takes 300-400 milliseconds to blink an eye.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Possibly the most expensive Ferrari ever, a
pristine Series 1 model was sold for an insane RM277 million
 at an auction last year.
It’s said that because the 250 GTOs were all handbuilt, no two panels such as the doors are the same.
Ferrari 288 GTO
When it was first introduced back in the early 1980s, it was fitted with the most powerful production engine Ferrari ever made.
Initial plan was to build 200 units for homologation to allow Ferrari to race in the Group B circuit series but the championship never took and Maranello ended up making 272 units to meet customer demands.
Ferrari F50
With only 349 units ever built, the F50 was unveiled as a tribute model for Ferrari’s 50th anniversary and was literally a Formula 1 car for the road. The F50’s 4.7-litre V12 engine was derived from the one used in the 1989 F1-89 Formula One race car.
With 520 hp and 471 Nm from a naturally-aspirated engine, the car did not come with ABS, power assisted brakes and even power steering.
Ferrari SF71H
The SP71H was the 64th single-seater race car Ferrari ever made to compete in Formula 1 and by regulation, was among the fitsfeatured the highly-debated “Halo” for the first time, meant to offer better protection for the drivers.
Ferrari fans and collectors can acquire these limited edition models at
RM15.90
 with every purchase of RM30 of Shell fuels in a single receipt.
Those interested in the trailer that can accommodate all eight models can either purchase it at
RM99.90
 or a 4L bottle of Shell Helix Ultra and get it for free!


Honda celebrates Melaka State Development Corporation’s Golden Jubilee with a City RS e:HEV

In conjunction with the
50th-anniversary
 celebration of Melaka State Development Corporation (PKNM), Honda Malaysia, in collaboration with SOCAR Mobility, have presented Invest Melaka Berhad (IMB) with the all-new
Honda City RS e:HEV
.
The Honda City RS e:HEV is locally assembled at the Pegoh plant in Alor Gajah, Melaka. The plant with an annual production capacity of 100,000 units also assembles the
Jazz
,
Civic
,
BR-V
, HR-V, CR-V and
Accord
 models, as well as
over 10,000 units
 of hybrid vehicles.
The ceremony was graced by Chief Minister of Melaka YAB Datuk Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Sulaiman bin Md Ali together with the Melaka Secretary of State and Melaka State Executive Council Members.
The Honda City RS e:HEV was presented by Mr Sarly Adle Sarkum, President and Chief Operating Officer of Honda Malaysia to Tuan Haji Ramli Bin Mohd Ali, CEO of Invest Melaka Berhad at a ceremony held in Menara MITC, Melaka.
Commenting on the handover, Mr Sarly said, “On behalf of Honda Malaysia, we are delighted to be a part of the celebration by Invest Melaka Berhad and to be able to contribute to the development of our local automotive industry. Honda began operations at Pegoh Plant in Melaka over
 17 years ago
 and currently has two production lines with a production capacity of up to 100,000 units of vehicles per year.
All seven models here are made in Pegoh, Melaka
“We are committed to the Malaysian market and the growth of the automotive industry here. We would like to thank the Malaysian Government, the State Government of Melaka, Invest Melaka Berhad and all our valued customers for their continuous trust which enables Honda to be the company that society wants to exist,” said Mr Sarly.
Honda Malaysia also recently celebrated their remarkable milestone of
one-millionth sales
 unit and the company will continue to be committed to
giving back
 to
all Malaysians
 through various initiatives such as the Dealer Donation Drive and the
“Be Kind with BR-V”
 donation campaign.

Powering the City RS e:HEV is a completely different powertrain from the 1.5 S, E and V variants. The hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that generates 98 hp and 127 Nm, paired with an electric motor that primarily drives the car. The engine will be used as a generator or supplementing extra power when needed, such as overtaking. The electric motor makes
109 hp
 and
253 Nm
, hence the catchy
pre-launch videos
 shown last year.
Claimed performance figures are
0 to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds
 whilst delivering an ultra-low fuel consumption of just
3.6 l/100 km
.
Specific aesthetic items that make the RS stand out from the rest of the City variants include exclusive lower front grille, rear bumper with diffuser plus gloss black treatment on the front grille, side mirrors, boot spoiler and 16-inch wheels. The interior gets Ultrasuede-covered seats with red stitching all-round.
The City RS e:HEV, being the flagship variant in the line-up, also feature the
Honda Sensing
 suite of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Outstanding features include the
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
,
Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
 and Automatic Brake Hold via the electric parking brake.
The Honda City RS e:HEV is the first model amongst Honda’s line-up to be furnished with the
Honda Connect
 technology which utilises telematics technology, providing an advanced and integrated 24-hour communications system.
It also functions to ensure safety, security and convenience to Honda car owners. Key functions in Honda Connect include vehicle diagnostics, remote applications, security applications, vehicle tracking and support services – all of which are aimed at easing the owner’s accessibility to their vehicle and its information whenever and wherever.
The Honda City RS e:HEV is priced from
RM105,950.45
 with is inclusive of a
5-year/unlimited
 mileage warranty plus an
8-year/unlimited mileage
 hybrid battery warranty.
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Video: Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 ‘Ultimae’ launched in Malaysia, 5 Things

Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur has launched the
new Aventador Ultimae LP 780-4
 – the last of its kind – at their new showroom in Glenmarie.
There are only 600 units of the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae available worldwide – 350 coupes and 250 roadsters – and they’re all sold out. In Malaysia, the Coupe starts from RM1.88 million while the Roadster starts from RM1.98 million. Both prices are excluding options and duties.
As the final version of the Aventador, the Ultimae comes with all the right stuff to position it as the ultimate version. Obviously, it comes with more power; 780 hp and 720 Nm to be exact. That more than 40 hp extra compared to the Aventador S and even without a rear wing, the Aventador Ultimae is as aerodynamic as the track-focussed Aventador SVJ.
The Ultimae in the pictures come with a grey-on-grey exterior colour theme, just like the global launch unit. Its front splitter and ‘teeth’ as Lamborghini calls it, are finished in Matte Red. The wheels are 20-inch in size, paired with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. Beneath them are ceramic brakes, capable of stopping the car from 100 km/h to 0 in just 30 metres. Being the ultimate also means, the Ultimae is lighter than the Aventadors before it; more specifically 25 kg lighter than the Aventador S.
The coolest bit has to be the A-pillar section where a plaque displays the serial number 001 of 350/250 – in reference to the units available for the Coupe and Roadster body styles.
For more images of the Aventador Ultimate in Malaysia, click
here
!


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia records massive growth in Q1 2017, 21 car launches to come!

After a high-flying year in 2016, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is continuing the momentum into the first quarter of 2017. In Q1 alone, MBM shifted 2,945 vehicles, charting a double-digit growth of 11 percent compared to the same period last year.
MBM remains the leading premium marque in Malaysia with a 2.3 percent market share in the premium passenger cars segment. Let’s take a look at the breakdown:
W205 C-Class CKD
 – 1,083 units
W212 E-Class CBU
 – 610 units
W222 S-Class CKD
 – 127 units
X205 GLC
 – 491 units
GLE & GLE Coupe
 – 103 units
S-Coupe,
C-Coupe
,
CLS
, E-Coupe &
AMG GT S
 – 93 units
A-Class
, B-Class,
GLA
 &
CLA
 – 434 units
V-Class
 – 4 units
L to R: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) Vice President, After Sales, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Heinrich Schromm; President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner; and Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Mark Raine
The GLC marked a
306 percent growth
 compared to Q1 2016 while the Dream Cars range saw a
365 percent growth
 compared to the same period last year. Commenting on the remarkable Q1 2017 results, MBM explained that this is led by its diverse product portfolio, premium after-sales support and peace of mind financing solutions from Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM).
“We are in the business of cars and people. Being the pioneer and foremost innovator in the automotive business, our success is driven by our cutting-edge technology and commitment of placing customers at the centre of our activities. Our best practices have enabled us to immerse customers in a 360° Mercedes-Benz experience that encompasses both the Best Products and the Best Customer Experience,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner.
Moving forward, MBM has plans to launch two new models, one facelift, 14 new variants and four special edition models in 2017, starting with the
A-Class Urban Hunting Edition
,
E-Class CKD
 and
E 350 e plug-in hybrid
.


Volkswagen’s Mobile Charging Robot is now a reality, and it’s incredibly adorable

Almost exactly one year ago to the day, Volkswagen introduced a
mobile charging robot concept
 designed to take away any human interaction in public electric car charging. Today, the concept is now a reality, and the best part is that it’s super adorable.
Designed specifically for restricted parking areas where shoehorning in a charging facility is cumbersome and sometimes impossible, the fully autonomous mobile charging robot will be an efficient way to create a charging network in places like underground car parks where the entire charging process is completed without any human intervention, without the need for a specialised parking spot.

The Volkswagen mobile charging robot can be summoned via a mobile application, or through the car’s own Car-to-X communication. Once activated, the robot will then drag along a mobile energy storage unit (i.e. a large battery), or “battery wagon” to the car. The entire charging process – from opening the charging flap to plugging in the charging cable – happens autonomously, with the robot communicating directly with the car itself to facilitate the process.
Once connected, the battery wagon is then left beside the car, while the robot moves away to repeat the process again with another vehicle requiring charging services. Once charging is complete, the robot then drops by to collect the depleted battery wagon, bringing it back to its home base to charge up for future usage.
The robots are equipped with an array of cameras, laser scanners, and ultrasonic sensors to help it autonomously navigate safely to the vehicle requiring charging. That’s impressive and all, but did we mention how cute the robot is? Not only does it have completely unnecessary digital eyes, the mobile charging robot even makes sci-fi robot noises – just for the fun of it!
No information was provided on the robot’s charging capacity this time round, but Volkswagen said previously that each battery wagon contains 25kWh of charge, and is capable of fast charging up to 50kW.
“A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is and remains a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” said Volkswagen Group Components CEO Thomas Schmall.
The lack of widespread charging facilities is undoubtedly the biggest shortfall of electric vehicles currently. With innovative solutions such as the mobile charging robot, Volkswagen hopes that it will be able to spur the uptake in EVs in the coming years.
“Setting up an efficient charging infrastructure for the future is a central task that challenges the entire sector. We are developing solutions to help avoid costly stand-alone measures. The mobile charging robot and our flexible quick-charging station are just two of these solutions,” Schmall adds.


Ora Good Cat now available in Pistachio Green, with quirky ‘paw’ design

Since
Great Wall Motor (GWM)
 launched the
Ora Good Cat
 in Malaysia in November 2022, it has gained quite an amount of attention across the country. Just when you think the car has received enough attention, the Chinese carmaker has just dressed its feline car in a new colour – Pistachio Green. Only available with the 500 Ultra variant, its price tag remains the same at
RM169,800
.
The Ora Good Cat in its new Pistachio Green ‘dress’ was being showcased at GWM’s roadshow at the Sunway Velocity Mall, on
May 19
,
2023
. Besides its new colour on the outside, what’s different about the Pistachio Green Ora Good Cat from its regular counterparts?
To start, its interior is finished with a sea of Pistachio Green colours. This includes the steering wheel, dashboard, seats, door panels, and armrests. The door panel and the upper part of the front seats are finished in checkered green patterns as well. The aircon vents are painted orange as well. Just in case the Ora Good Cat’s feline identity isn’t obvious enough, GWM’s designers have added a cat paw element on the armrest as well, a design element available with the Pistachio Green Ora Good Cat.
Just in case you didn’t know, the Ora Good Cat is GWM’s fully electric hatchback. Sitting on a
2,560 mm
 wheelbase, the Good Cat is about as big as the
Proton X50
. Don’t let its size fool you, it is bigger than it looks in pictures.
RELATED:
Malaysia-bound Ora Lightning Cat at Auto Shanghai 2023, up to 705km range
Both the 400 Pro and 500 Ultra variants of the Ora Good Cat are powered by a front-mounted electric motor, giving them
143 hp
 (metric) and
210 Nm
 of torque. Thanks to a
47.8 kWh
 and
63.1 kWh
 battery pack, the Ora Good Cat 400 Pro and 500 Ultra variants are capable of travelling, just as their names suggest, as far as
400 km
 (NEDC) and
500 km
 (NEDC) respectfully. Therefore do expect WLTP range figures to be lower.
Charging the Ora Good Cat 400 Pro using a
6.6 kW AC
 charger takes
8 hours
 to go from empty to full, while the 500 Ultra takes
10 hours
. Using a
60 kW DC
charging on the other hand will take the 400 Pro from 0 to 80% in
46 minutes
, while the 500 Ultra will require
60 minutes
 to go from 0 to 80% as well.
In regards to safety, the Ora Good Cat is packed standard with a series of safety systems. This includes SAE Level 2 autonomous driving system, front collision warning (FCW), lane keeping assist (LKA) and lane centring assist, “wisdom dodge” system, tyre monitoring system (TMS), and more.
Choosing the 500 Ultra variant will get you extra safety features such as a ‘full-auto’ intelligent parking system, auto-reversing assistance, emergency lane keeping (ELK), door-opening warning rear collision warning, and more.
RELATED:
Haval Jolion previewed in Malaysia – Hybrid B-segment SUV to launch in 2023
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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s new RM74 million HQ looks the bomb

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s (MBM) has just officiated the launch of their new headquarters – Wisma Mercedes-Benz- in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, Selangor. The industrial facility is six storeys high and has a collective area of 118,000 sq ft, but wait till you see, in pictures, what it really looks like behind the impressive all-glass façade.
MBM has invested over RM70 million to the facility (leased from Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd) by consolidating their Training Academy – a vital division to the company that was previously separate. In fact, the Training Academy occupies more area than the operations offices (65,000 sq ft versus 53,000 sq ft). This goes to show the company’s priority in
grooming the country’s next best automotive talent
.

Every apprentice is groomed according to Daimler AG’s Global Training standards, which upon completion will be granted a promising career up the Mercedes-Benz corporate ladder. The building was also accredited as the first green industrial building in Subang Jaya and was awarded a Gold Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). All lighting sources within the building are LEDs, with ample green floras draping along each facet of the building.
But why? To those puzzled, this move is evidence that Malaysia is an important market for the Mercedes-Benz brand. As the country’s leading premium automaker, MBM’s President and CEO, Dr. Claus Weidner said, “Our current position indicates the trust customers have in our vehicles and service quality. This purpose built facility will enable us to consistently provide high levels of service, expertise and reliability to satisfy our customers who expect the highest standards of excellence.”
Here’s a little fun fact to close: of the total volume of cars Mercedes-Benz have sold to date, 35 percent accounts for their hybrid cars. That’s significantly higher than most, if not all markets in Europe, according to Dr. Weidner.
If you or your adolescent child are interested in being part of the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Modern Apprenticeship, simply
visit this gateway
 to a brighter future.
IMAGE GALLERY


Bentley Continental GT3 race car, sheds 1 tonne of weight & gets crazy aero!

Bentley Motorsport has unveiled its latest-generation Continental GT3 racecar for its upcoming 2018 motorsport season. Based on the
third-generation Continental GT road car
 that made its global debut recently, the new GT3 racecar aims to take home the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup titles.
Tipping the scale at just under
1,300 kg
, the second-generation racecar sheds almost one tonne of weight from the road car (third-gen Bentley Continental GT: 2,244 kg). Thanks to its aluminium body structure, Bentley Motorsport has done away with every feature possible that adds unnecessary mass to the car’s overall weight. A new exterior design with carbon fibre front splitter, rear wing and body panels gives the racecar improved downforce for maximum attack on track.

Bentley Motorsport left no stone unturned with the new car as every component and systems have been reworked for improved performance. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 lump now gets a redesigned dry sump as well as new intake and exhaust system for improved durability and performance on track. Power is now rated at
557 hp
, sent to the rear axles via a
six-speed sequential gearbox
. It also gets new suspension and braking systems for the new racing season.
The Bentley Continental GT3 racecar has started its six-month test programme in UK, France and Portugal before making its official debut in the next racing calendar. Upcoming tests include full 24-hour endurance race simulations.
IMAGE GALLERY


First Drive: BMW F40 M135i xDrive in Johannesburg, South Africa

For 15 years, the 1 Series hatchback had stayed true to BMW’s penchant for producing cars on a rear-wheel drive platform. However, according to the head of the 1 Series project, most of its owners can’t tell whether their car is front- or rear-wheel drive.
Now in its third generation, the arrival of the
F40 1 Series hatchback
 has irked self-proclaimed purists because it sits on a
front-wheel drive platform
 and to make things worse, the new 1 Series doesn’t have a 6-cylinder option – oh dear.
Nevertheless BMW is adamant that the switch to front-wheel drive would make the 1 Series hatchback a more competitive car among its rivals, especially when it comes to all-round packaging. It makes for a stronger business case too, as the FAAR platform will spawn a few
small BMW
s and MINIs as well.
The old
F20 1 Series
 may have a longer wheelbase than the new F40 1 Series, but thanks to the front-wheel drive layout, the new car liberates
more interior space
 particularly behind the front seats.
Overall the F40 is slightly shorter than its predecessor but it’s wider and taller – offering a more practical and ultimately usable cabin than before.
Rear passengers benefit the most out of the bigger cabin, and even the rear door apertures are larger than before for easy ingress and egress.
Boot space
 is up by 20 litres at
380 litres
, which is bigger than the
W177 A-Class hatchback
 and matches the
Mk7.5 Golf
.
This time around the range-topping 1 Series is the
M135i xDrive
, and it’s powered by a
2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbo
 generating
306 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque.
Power is sent to the front wheels most of the time via an
8-speed automatic

transmission
 but the
xDrive system
 can distribute the power to the rear axle by
up to 50 percent
.
To ensure optimum agility the M135i is equipped with a torque sensing
limited slip differential
, BMW Performance Control (yaw moment distribution), and ARB technology (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation). All these tech is said to manage wheel slip and improve traction in various conditions.
With the aforementioned promise, we were very keen to find out how this little Bimmer would cope on twisty tarmac but such roads were hard to come by in Johannesburg.
For what we experienced at least, the steering was sharp and free from any excessive artificial assistance, and leaving it in Sport mode won’t make it any more cumbersome than it is in Comfort.
The straight roads and smooth highways of
Joburg
 didn’t bother the chassis much; it had a predictably firm ride and was surprisingly relaxed at high-speed cruising.
The punchy turbocharged four banger was effortless and revs sweetly to the redline, although the 8-speed auto’s reaction is not as quick if compared to its counterparts twin clutch offerings.
Some testers did note that torque steer is still evident despite all the mechanical and electronic wizardry, but there’s no doubting its straight line performance. Official century sprint time from 0 to 100 km/h was
4.8 seconds
, while its top speed is limited to
250 km/h
.
Apart from the soundtrack provided by the
Active Sound Design (ASD)
system which amplifies and channels the engine growl into the cabin, it did not disrupt the M135i xDrive’s “inner peace”. The same can’t be said from the outside as it never hesitates to belch out a few burps to make its presence felt.
And then there’s that kidney grille. Well, upon seeing the new 1 Series in the metal for the first time, the sight of the kidney grille was rather unsettling to say the least. Thankfully the rest of the car looked pleasant and attractive but the side profile is a big departure from its sleeker predecessors.
We’ll get used to it…eventually
Apart from the grille, the M135i xDrive had just the right amount of aggressiveness with its sharp headlights and a racy rear end. The
M Sport
 kit looked tasteful, and flashes of matte grey trims as well as the “raindrops” grille inserts are unique to this variant only. Although the optional
19-inch wheels
 are not really necessary, it’s a nice complement to the whole M Sport vibe.
As far as first impressions go, the new 1 Series is no longer a unique proposition but at the same time it’s a
better all-rounder
 than the car it replaces.
While the previous M140i never officially made it to Malaysia, the new M135i xDrive should appeal to a wider audience with its more road tax-friendly 2.0-litre engine and practical interior.
Those who are in the market for a
Volkswagen Golf R
 or the Mercedes-AMG A 35 may want to consider this Bavarian option, should BMW Malaysia see fit to introduce it.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche Malaysia opens flagship centre along Sungai Besi [+Video]

Official importer of Porsche Malaysia, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has just recently opened its doors in Sungai Besi to aspiring owners of the brand. This 34,703 square feet showroom and service centre recently commemorated the launch of the
911 Targa 4S
 and Cayenne GTS models.
Everyone was also given a sneak peek at the ultra rare future-of-the-supercar
918 Spyder.
 Porsche is touting this as the first centre in Malaysia that is up to par with their international corporate structure design philosophy.

This
RM16 million
 facility located along Jalan Sungai Besi is home to 10 different brilliantly polished examples that customers maybe get acquainted with. It also features nine service bays,
Porsche Approved Pre-Owned
 Car Centre on the first-floor and a never-before-seen in Malaysia
Carrera Lounge
 for customers to relax while their cars are getting worked on by
Porsche-certified technicians
.
The German marque has also incorporated a 2-car
 handover room
 for customers to take delivery of their cars, a dedicated “shop-in-shop”
retail outlet
 for Porsche’s merchandise in which a wide selection of items ranging from
clothing to accessories
 are available. A couple of spacious, comfy
dialogue rooms
 take care of the hassle free
after-sale service
 for its new and existing clients.
IMAGE GALLERY


UMW Toyota introduces new special term financing for graduates – Up to 100% financed

UMW Toyota, in collaboration with Maybank Islamic, has unveiled a new special term financing designed specifically for graduates. The new financing package is applicable on purchases of a new
Toyota Vios
,
Yaris
, or
Avanza
, limited to Peninsular Malaysia.
Dubbed the
Murabahah Vehicle Term Financing-i (MVTF-i)
, the new special term financing package is designed in accordance to the Murabahah principle, and acts as an additional option to the Al Ijarah Thumma Al-Bai (AITAB) Islamic Hire-Purchase.
The combined amount financed with the new MVTF-i package can be
up to 100%
 with takaful contribution of Takaful bundling, and includes other costs such as legal fees and stamp duty.
The offer is available for graduates (degree-holders) aged between
21- and 30-years old
, and are
currently employed for more than six months
 (or parents as guarantors). Applicants must have a
monthly income of more than RM3,000
, although those earning above RM2,000 can still apply provided their parents (as guarantors) have a household income of RM5,000 or more.
UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K. said, “At UMW Toyota Motor, we are always looking for the best ways to work with our business partners for our customers to own a brand new Toyota vehicle.
“With this new financing package, graduates will be able to acquire a Toyota Vios, Yaris or Avanza as the financing package helps to make the down payment more affordable. The support we offer will also make the ownership experience enjoyable for many years to come.”

All three eligible models come as standard with a five-year unlimited mileage Manufacturer’s Warranty. Additionally, customers can also benefit from free 24SEVEN Road Assist breakdown and emergency service assistance if insurance coverage is also purchased from UMW Toyota’s authorised dealers.


Naza Italia showcases revamped Ferrari Petaling Jaya showroom

Alongside the launch of the
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
 last Friday, Naza Italia, the sole importer and distributor for Ferrari in Malaysia, has also taken the opportunity to unveil its new showroom in Petaling Jaya. Refurbished with a total investment of around RM3.5 million, the Petaling Jaya showroom is among the first outlet in the South East Asia region to carry the brand’s new corporate identity (CI).
Naza Automotive Group CEO, Dato’ Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan said, “The newly renovated showroom makes each visit a truly immersive experience, enabling the public to have a taste of ‘la dolce vita’, as known by Ferrari owners across the globe. Every detail in this beautifully designed space is an ode to this iconic brand’s automotive elegance and the exclusive lifestyle that complements it.”
Built to a size of 11,900 sq. ft., the new Ferrari Petaling Jaya showroom can display seven cars at any given time across its two floors. The latest Ferrari models are displayed in the ground floor in the main display area, alongside a dedicated customer lounge equipped with a coffee bar, designed to give customers the impression of a “exclusive club” and not just the average car dealership.
On the other side of the ground floor area is the configuration room, which Naza Italia says mirrors the customisation experience offered at the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, Italy. It is decked out with a broad selection of materials and options including samples of fabric, paint, leather and livery, while the ‘atelier’ doors can be rotated to allow for the room to be closed off for customers who prefer more privacy.
Other amenities on the ground floor include a brand experience video wall, a private consultation room, as well as a delivery area that has
been thoughtfully designed for new Ferrari owners and their loved ones to celebrate the occasion of being handed the keys to their new Prancing Horse.
Meanwhile, the first floor of the new Petaling Jaya showroom is partially dedicated to Ferrari Approved, the brand’s pre-owned certification programme. Each of these certified pre-owned vehicles on display have been subjected to a meticulous 190-step check and prepared to ensure that they are in “world-class” condition.
Dato’ Nik Hamdam added: “Throughout the years, we have actively invested in our commitment to developing and nurturing relationships with our customers. This elegantly renovated showroom enables us to build upon those customer connections whilst also offering them a
sense of community in a space where they may gather with others who share their passion for the Prancing Horse.”
The Ferrari Petaling Jaya showroom is situated at 3, Jalan 51A/221, Seksyen 51A, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, adjacent to the nation’s only authorised service centre for Ferrari. This location has been the main hub for Ferrari in Malaysia since 2009.
The showroom is open from 9 am to 6 pm on Mondays to Fridays, 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, while Sundays and public holidays will be on appointment basis only.
GALLERY


Lexus LC Coupe coming to Malaysia in Q2 2017!

Lexus Malaysia has
subtly teased that their flagship coupe
,
the LC
, will be landing on our shores this year. The company also went as far as to say that it will arrive here in the second quarter this year!
Positioned as the brand’s halo model (bar the discontinued LFA supercar), the Super GT will feature engineering and design innovations that will steer the Lexus brand onto a whole new level. It’s the first Lexus model to sit on the brand new “Global Architecture – Luxury” platform, gets a 10-speed automatic gearbox, Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) with steel and aluminium mixture, new multi-link suspension design and Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System.

Based on the postings on the website, both the LC 500 and LC 500h may make their grand appearance here. The LC 500 packs a massive
 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8
 that revs all the way up to 7,300 rpm. When mated to the Aisin sourced 10-speed automatic transmission, the V8 produces
471 hp
 and
540 Nm
 of torque driving the rear wheels. Century sprit is done and dusted in
4.5 seconds
.
For the environmentally conscious, the LC 500h, with its
Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System
, would be your pick. Marrying a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 to an electric motor, the hybrid system churns out
354 hp
. Here comes the interesting part: the transmission is a pair of electronically controlled CVT and a four-speed automatic where the latter is mounted to the electric motor.
We wrote in detail the mechanical wonder of this transmission
, so be sure to read that. The hybrid LC is no slouch either, boasting a
sub five seconds century sprint time
.
The LC is set to go up against the likes of the
Porsche 911
 and
Mercedes-AMG GT
. Having said that, pricing may very well be in those leagues as well. Nonetheless, we are very much looking forward to the launch of this stunning car!
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus LC 500

Lexus LC 500h


Renault Rafale unveiled – Fastback SUV shows brand’s new design language

Renault
 has been in the process of restrategizing its model line-up, particularly its C-segment SUVs. But while it was doing that, the French carmaker has decided to make its next move, by unveiling a completely new SUV – the Renault Rafale.
Named after a racing plane developed back in 1934, the Rafale features the company’s new design language, which is reflected in the Rafale’s front grille design. The Rafale also features the brand’s new matrix LED light signature, which can be found on the recently facelifted 2024 Renault Clio.
Renault brand’s VP Design. Gilles Vidal said, “The All-new Rafale is a powerful illustration of the Renault brand’s new design language. It is in keeping with its DNA through generous curves, treated with great precision, combined with lines of tension and technical details that bring character and sophistication to the whole. With its unprecedented style, quality craftsmanship and proportions, the All-new Renault Rafale asserts its power and personality on the road.”
Renault says that the Rafale is born and bred for driving pleasure, and has fitted the new SUV with its E-Tech hybrid setup, totalling an output of
200 hp
. A newly developed plug-in hybrid setup is also said to be coming to the Rafale at a later date. This setup will give out a higher output of
300 hp
 and will feature Renault’s all-wheel drive system, updated rear-wheel steering, as well as model-specific chassis tuning.
RELATED:
2023 Renault Zoe launched in Malaysia, from RM165k – 395km range, 22kW AC charging
Renault brand CEO, Fabrice Cambolive said, “The All-new Renault Rafale is central in the Renaulution, symbolises our move upmarket and shows that we belong in every customer segment. With its captivating coupe-SUV design crafted for intense experiences, it provides unprecedented driving pleasure with its hybrid powertrains and a standard-setting chassis brimming with passion and know-how from Renault engineers.”
Inside, the Renault Rafale comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, together with a 12-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The infotainment system runs on Android Automotive 12 and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
RELATED:
Renault and Geely form new engine company – to supply Proton, Nissan, Mitsubishi


Video: Range Rover Velar P250 R-Dynamic SUV review

It’s not hard to see why the Range Rover Velar won the World Car Design Award in 2018 – it’s not easy to fault how it looks from every angle.
The one thing we missed most about the Velar, is the way it rides and how it makes you feel within the opulent confinements of the cabin.

There’s just an air of superiority that its cheaper rivals, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3, just aren’t capable of offering. That alone we think, justifies the Velar’s price tag that’s almost twice as much as its BMW and Mercedes-Benz counterparts.
And then there’s the way it drives. Despite only having a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with
247 hp
 and
365 Nm
 to haul its heft – not once did the Velar feel inadequate or inferior when the roads opened up or when tackling pesky tailgaters on our roads.
As for the rest, we’ll leave it to you to find out in this video. Have we mentioned how good the Velar looks?
IMAGE GALLERY


Renault Captur CKD now on sale in Malaysia, same spec, cheaper at RM109k!

The
Renault Captur
 was first introduced to the Malaysian market back in 2015 for RM123k, which later
became cheaper at RM117k
 in early 2016.
Now, TC Euro Cars (TCEC), distributor of Renault vehicles in Malaysia has just launched the locally assembled Renault Captur and thanks to local assembly and EEV incentives, the Captur is now cheaper at RM109k and gets the same kit as the CBU examples.
As before, the Captur is available in one flavour. It packs a 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces
118 hp
 and
190 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to the front-wheels via a six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission. The Captur is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
10.9 seconds
 before maxing out at
192 km/h
. Renault claims the Captur is able to return
5.4 litres per 100 km
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Renault Captur TCe 120 EDC
Engine
1,197cc; 4-cylinder Turbo Sequential MPI
Transmission
6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch automatic
Max Power
118 hp @ 4,900 rpm
Max Torque
190 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
10.9 seconds; 192 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM109,000
Perhaps the most unique part of the Captur is its unique dual-tone paint scheme. The same four exterior shades are available, including a new Flame Red, Arizona Orange and Ivory (white), whereas the Ivory roof is exclusive to the Pacific Blue colour. Other exterior features include automatic halogen projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, front and rear fog lamps, keyless entry and 17-inch black diamond-cut alloys wrapped in 205/55 profile tyres.

Inside, you get fabric upholstery, multifunctional steering wheel, 7-inch MediaNav infotainment system with
reverse camera
 and navigation, keyless start, automatic climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, sliding rear bench and
removable seat covers
. Maximum boot space for the Captur is rated at
445 litres
 with the rear seats in the most forward position. Even so, this crossover is still able to take 377 litres of cargo.
Standard safety features include four airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). The Captur qualifies for a full 5 Stars Euro NCAP crash safety rating.

All purchases of the Captur will come with
5-Years unlimited mileage warranty
. Customers can also purchase
optional maintenance package
 – 3-Years Maintenance package (worth RM4,212) for RM3,400, 5-Years Maintenance package (worth RM6,552) for RM5,200. Other optional accessories including leather seats (RM3,800), trunk tray (RM200) and window tinting (from RM1,049 to RM4,436) can be had separately.
Early adopters of the Captur CKD will also receive a
RM11k rebate
. We’ve sampled the Renault Captur and found it to be the
underdog of the segment
. With prices undercutting most of its Japanese and European rivals, is it enough to ‘Captur’ your heart?
IMAGE GALLERY


Carpit: Your one-stop app for convenient tyre servicing

With over 20 million active mobile users and 71 percent internet penetration rate in Malaysia, it’s only natural that we do the bulk of our shopping online. Even for car tyres.
Well, what if we told you there’s a new smartphone app that allows you to change your car tyres without leaving the comfort of your own home? Enter Carpit, the first of its kind user-friendly app that offers end-to-end service for all things related to tyre servicing.

Carpit Malaysia founders (and brothers) Tai Qisheng and Tai Qiyao said the app is designed to suit the busy lifestyle of modern commuters both new and old. With just a few simple taps, anyone can get their car tyres serviced or replaced, sometimes without even needing to leave home or work! Carpit features an ever-expanding database of car model profiles with their respective tyre sizes.
In terms of accountability, the Tai brothers is proud that Carpit provides full warranty coverage against any damage for all customers’ vehicles, which includes scams or unexpected charges. Prices that you see on the app are transparent and would require a one-time transaction, which means customers will not be subjected to “hidden” costs.
Much like other e-commerce platforms, dealer legitimacy is earned through your reviews and ratings. As of now, over 237 trusted dealers throughout the country are available on Carpit. There’s also an in-built feature that keeps track of all your tyre service records and even provide reminders for your next tyre service. You will also be notified when a dealer runs a promotional campaign!
The Carpit app is officially available on both Android and iOS platforms, but remains as an open beta phase for the time being. In conjunction with the launch, Carpit announced their partnership with Leona Chin as brand ambassador with hopes of encouraging more Malaysians to pick up the habit of reducing road accidents directly associated with poor tyre maintenance.
IMAGE GALLERY

Screenshot of Carpit App


The UX 300e is the first ever EV from Lexus, does 400 km per charge

The news of Lexus’ first ever fully electric model should be hogging automotive headlines. After all, Toyota and Lexus are the
original proponents of electrification
 with their mass-produced hybrid models but the transition to BEVs been slow relative to other automotive brands.
Nonetheless, Lexus has finally taken the leap in the shape of the
UX 300e compact crossover
, and here are the key stats you’ll need to know. The UX 300e sits on the
TNGA-C platform
 which also underpins models such as the
Toyota Prius
,
C-HR
 and
Corolla
. Externally, one would need to squint to tell the difference between the all-electric UX 300e and other
UX variants
 powered by internal combustion engines or hybrid systems, emblems and badges aside.
On paper, the UX 300e has a
taller roof
(by 5 mm)

and
sits 20 mm closer to ground
 compared to a UX 250h, this is due to having to accommodate the high voltage lithium-ion battery pack on the floor of the vehicle, a typical occurrence for EVs. Speaking of which, the battery capacity of the UX 300e is
54.3 kWh
, good for a
400 km
travelling range based on the
NEDC
cycle, which is more than respectable. Expect WLTP figures to be 15% to 20% lower.
The battery pack powers an electric motor house over the front axle (driving the front wheels) rated at
204 hp and 300 Nm
, let’s just say the UX 300e won’t trouble any Tesla in straight line performance, maybe not even the Nissan Leaf, but it’ll definitely outpoint them in build quality, refinement and premium appointments.
The UX 300e also comes with
steering-mounted shift paddles
 which allows the driver to
modulate the level of battery regeneration
 on the fly. Replenishing its depleted battery pack via
6.6 kW normal charging
requires
7 hours
, or
only 50 minutes
 if you can get your hands
on a 50kW quick charger
. The Lexus UX 300e will go on sale in China and Europe in 2020, and home market Japan in 2021.
Lexus UX 300e gallery


Volvo Car Malaysia sold almost 2,000 units, surpassing the year before

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) Managing Director Nalin Jain was delighted to announce that sales in 2020 was
1,950

units
, surpassing last year by 67 units. This figure is
a new record
 since the establishment of the company.
In a simple
online broadcast
 earlier today, he also briefly mentioned that Volvo car sales in December 2020 was 30% better than the same month in the previous year.
Globally, Volvo Cars sold 661,713 cars (pending confirmation) in 2020, a decline of 6.2 per cent compared to 2019. Growth however was still seen in China and the USA.
With regards to what is in the pipeline for 2021, Mr. Jain said the company will further
invest in digital transformation,
with the aim to continuously improve the customer experience at all touchpoints. As for the introduction of
new products
,
he declined to elaborate
.
“We will continue to push for digital transformation to build a strong digital system to support our customer’s journey seamlessly – from the beginning of the buying process to owning a Volvo and the after-sales care that they need, while upholding our promise of professional service, leading safety technology and a caring mindset in everything we do,” he emphasized.
Recapping on key milestones in 2020, VCM kept themselves busy throughout the disruptive 2020. In terms of dealership network, the company added two new sales and service centres:
the Sime Darby Swedish Auto
 in Ara Damansara and the
Sebangga Mitsinbo Volvo
 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The addition of these two 3S centres brings the total Volvo dealerships in Malaysia to 14.
Internally, the company also officiated the opening of a
new regional training centre
 in Petaling Jaya at the beginning of 2020.

VCM also introduced the
locally-assembled Volvo S60 T8 R-Design
 in May, immediately after the end of the MCO.
The
‘SELEKT’ certified used car program
 which includes a 1-year maintenance package together with 12-month warranty coverage was introduced a month later.
Recently, existing owners were also treated to terrific news, as hybrid battery
warranty coverage on all PHEV models
 sold since 3 December 2015 has been
extended to eight-years or 160,000 kilometres
, whichever comes first.
For the latest revised price list of Volvo cars in Malaysia in reflection of the sales tax exemptions extended to the 30th of June 2021,
click here
.


Grand Prize winners of Shell’s #cleanmyengine contest receive wholesome pampering treatment

Three winners have arose amongst the thousands of entries from Shell Malaysia’s
#cleanmyengine contest
, the one-month long
online contest
 that begun from 29 December to 29 January 2015.
Each of the three won an exclusive car detailing package at
Regal Valet
 in Bangsar worth
RM1,500
, a 3-hour-15-minutes
Sultana Hammam
 spa package worth
RM550
 at Hammam Bangsar Village and a 4-litre pack of Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 with PurePlus Technology worth
RM235
.
Besides the three grand prize winners, Shell Helix also gave away
10 consolation prizes
 comprising the same 4-litre pack of Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40, along with an exclusive PurePlus Technology cube containing authentic base oil harvested from natural gas.
Grand prize winner Faudzina Khamis, a 42-year old product planner, was doing some online research because her 12-year old MINI Cooper’s engine felt rough, and this research led her to the contest and ultimately won the grand prize. “I have always left the decision on motor oil to my regular workshop.  I then decided to learn more about the subject and now understand how a good oil makes a whole lot of difference, especially one that can clean as well as the Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology.  The experience has been so rewarding as both my car and I now feel spanking new!” she said.
Doctor K’ng from Penang, who was represented by his wife Ms Lee Woei Lin, was also one of the three grand prize winners who said, “My husband chanced on the contest online and participated as our family are Shell users.  I am glad he won as both our family Peugeot SUV and I were rewarded with a thoroughly pampering spa experience.”
Noel Kuppan, the self-employed 37-year old submitted a creative slogan based on his understanding of the Gas-to-Liquid processing technology and earned himself and his trusty Proton Saga Aeroback a complete detailing session.
Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology is tried and trusted by some of the world’s leading engine makers and has such received
OEM approvals
 from Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes, VW, Ford, Honda, GM, Chrysler, Hyundai and the new partnership with BMW.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: Peugeot 2008 Allure, from RM134k – The French alternative

If you’re looking for something a little different in the small SUV segment, you might want to take a gander at the
Peugeot 2008
, which is available in the single “Allure” variant in Malaysia. Locally assembled in Malaysia at the Stellantis plant in Gurun, the car costs
RM134,103
, on the road (OTR) without insurance.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your car insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
All it takes is one look to see what an adorable yet aggressive-looking car the Peugeot 2008 is. Despite its compact size, the Peugeot 2008 features interesting angular surfaces that create a taut appearance on the car. The headlights are large and adorable, yet complemented with the “Lion fang” daytime running lights (DRLs) that stretch vertically on the front bumper. For practicality’s sake, the Peugeot 2008 comes with plastic claddings all around and even roof rails for those with an active lifestyle.
Come to the rear and you will see the interesting taillight design of the 2008. They have a “claw” like design and are connected to each other via a gloss black trim piece. Not made obvious, the 2008 does have a set of dual exhaust tips, hinting at its rather playful nature.
As for wheels, the Peugeot 2008 Allure comes with a set of 17-inch dual tone alloy wheels with a five-double spoke design. The wheels are wrapped in a set of GoodYear Assurance TripleMax 2 tyres. Colour options for the Peugeot 2008 include Fusion Orange, Amazonite Grey, Nera Black, and Pearl White. This particular unit that you see in these pictures is finished in Nera Black.
Under the hood of the Peugeot 2008 is a 1.2-3-cylinder turbocharged engine. The engine makes
130 hp
 at 5,500 rpm and
230 Nm
 at 1,750 rpm. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, power is sent to the front wheels only.
The 2008 gets ventilated disc brakes in front and solid disc brakes in the rear. As for suspension, the car gets a MacPherson strut setup at the front and a torsion beam setup in the back.
Like other Peugeots, getting into the Peugeot 2008 is quite an interesting experience. Firstly, you’ll be greeted by the small steering wheel followed by the spaceship-like controls on the dashboard. The small steering wheel requires you to look over it to see the instrument cluster. Despite being an interesting place to be in, the cockpit is rather well built and feels good to touch. Most of the things are solid inside the 2008.
Screen-wise, you do get a 7-inch central head unit that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via a wired connection. There’s also a 10-inch 3D digital instrument cluster that features a hologram-like appearance that serves to increase your response rate to warnings and information on the instrument cluster. The seats are wrapped in a leatherette upholstery and all windows are powered and get a ‘One Touch” function.
In the safety department, advanced standard safety features on the 2008 include high beam assist, blind spot monitoring, active lane keeping assist, active safety brake, and driver attention warning. Other safety features include hill start assist and an engine immobilizer.
Included in the price of the Peugeot 2008 is a
5-year/100,000 km
 manufacturer warranty and a
5-year/100,000 km
 free scheduled maintenance.
GALLERY


Lotus Evija: 2,000 hp, 1,700 Nm and RM9 million, before tax

You knew it was going to be electric, you also
knew
what it would be called, but with four electric motors and 2,000 hp and 1,700 Nm (the Bugatti Chiron has 1,500 hp and 1,600 Nm), the Lotus Evija will be the world’s most powerful production hypercar come 2020.
Oh those orifices…Lotus says they generate ‘exceptional’ downforce.
Lotus purists would no doubt be taken aback, despite being carbon fibre bodied, the Evija tips the scales at 1680 kg, making it the heaviest Lotus to date. But in its defence, it weighs no more than a Porsche 918 hybrid with less than half the power. What happened to ‘simplify, then add lightness’?
How fast? 0-300 km/h in less than 9 seconds!
Lotus did not reveal specific performance numbers but you can imagine how ridiculously fast it will be with four electric motors (each generating 500 hp) and all four wheels clawing on the road. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a 0-100 km/h figure in the low 2.0-second region and a top speed in excess of 350 km/h. Lotus claims the Evija takes less than 9 seconds from idle to 300 km/h!
Rear mounted charging port supports 800kW charging, takes 9 minutes to top up.
We aren’t sure how long the two-seater Evija will be able to sustain high velocities, to that end there’s a mid-mounted 70 kWh lithium ion battery pack that’s supposed to offer 400 km of range per full charge, based on the stricter WLTP testing cycle, and you can top it up to 100% in 18 minutes on existing rapid chargers, or 9 minutes on 800kW chargers when they become available.
Could be mistaken for a McLaren…
Then there’s the price, starting from £1.7 million (that’s pound sterling) or around RM 9 million, before tax – easily the most expensive Lotus ever, but with only 130 units to be produced, all of which are left-hand drive, the billionaires of the world will no doubt snap it up faster than you can mutter ‘Ee-vee-yaaa’. In case you are wondering, the deposit to secure a slot is £250,000.
This would make for a cool submersible in a Bond flick, like the Esprit did.
Finally, there’s the small matter of how the Evija looks, which Lotus says is based on ‘the concept of porosity’, which purportedly hails from the word ‘porous’, or a lot of holes where air or liquid can flow through. From the back, the massive venturi tunnels look like they can accommodate a passenger each (lying down), and with the rear wing extended, the Evija looks like a deep sea exploration vehicle. Will it sink or swim? Tell us.


The new Maserati Grecale SUV will debut on November 16

Initially scheduled for sometime “by the end of 2021”,
Maserati
 has now confirmed that the
Grecale SUV
 will officially make its debut on the November 16, with the launch taking place in Milan, Italy.
The “spyshots” provided by Maserati themselves.
The Grecale is no secret at this point – earlier this year, Maserati themselves even released “spy shots” of the car to generate hype, although still heavily camouflaged of course.
Check out the Maserati Grecale “spy shots” for yourselves here.
It’s designed to slot underneath the Levante, in Maserati’s line-up, and the spyshots show a low, sleek, and sporty crossover silhouette, featuring many of the Italian sports car maker’s iconic design touches such as the slim head and tail lights, signature front grille with the Trident emblem, and massive rear haunches.
The full, non-blurry prototype of the Grecale was shown off earlier this year when Stellantis Chairman John Elkann and CEO Carlos Tavares visited the Maserati plant in Modena, Italy.
Maserati did not reveal any technical details for the Grecale thus far, although we do know that it’ll definitely feature a hybrid powertrain at some point of its life, thanks to the brand’s
electrification roadmap
 that was announced back in 2019.
The base model will likely feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged powertrain of some sort, perhaps even with mild-hybrid technologies. As the Grecale will share the same platform as the
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
, we also won’t be surprised to see the 520 hp 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine make its appearance here on the performance model.
Maserati recently launched the Levante Ermenegildo Zegna Edition here in Malaysia, limited to five units only. Check it out here!
Recent rumours even suggest that the
Maserati MC20
‘s Nettuno 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with 630 hp and 730 Nm of torque could be used for the high-performance Trofeo model (which has already been confirmed), but we’ll just have to wait and see.
There’s just about one and a half months to go until the debut, and we’ll most definitely hear more about the Maserati Grecale in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! Oh, and if you’re wondering about the name, “Grecale” is named after yet another “famous wind”, just like most of the brand’s modern line-up.


Audi reveals new e-tron GT with 646 hp and 487 km electric range!

Audi has finally unveiled the e-tron GT in an online world-premiere event. It is positioned as the flagship and spearhead of electrification technology for Audi and Audi Sport.
The Audi e-Tron GT is the third dedicated electric vehicle (EV) from the automaker. Audi first launched the
e-tron SUV
 in 2018, followed by a
Sportback
 (sloping roof) version a year later.
Almost everything in the design of the
2018 e-tron GT concept
 has been maintained into this production vehicle. The illuminated ‘e-tron’ wording seen within the Singleframe grille of the concept car did not, however.
The Audi e-Tron GT will be offered in two power output levels; the more powerful
RS e-tron GT
 has a base output of
598 hp
 and
830 Nm
 of torque, which can be temporarily boosted up to
646 hp
. 0 to 100 km/h is done in just
3.3 seconds
 with launch control activated and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
The regular quattro model conversely features a system output of
 476 hp
 and
630 Nm
 and can be
boosted to 530 hp
and

10 Nm more. The century sprint is done in
4.1 seconds
and proceeds to a limited top speed of 245 km/h. The front motor in both variants has an output of 238 hp, with the RS model having a more powerful 456 hp (+21 hp) rear motor.
Similar to the
Porsche Taycan
 models, the rear motor is equipped with a two-speed transmission to provide strong acceleration and high-speed cruising comfort. An optional rear-wheel steering is also available, turning the rear wheels up to 2.8 degrees in either direction for better manoeuvrability and stability.
Speaking of the Porsche Taycan, the Audi RS e-tron GT and quattro models have similar performance to the Porsche Taycan 4S and Turbo models, while the 761-horsepower Turbo S is still the king of the road.
Both Audi e-tron GT models share the same 85 kWh (net energy) lithium-ion battery pack and a voltage level of 800 volts. The driving range, according to WLTP procedure, for the RS e-tron GT and quattro is 472 and
487

kilometres
 respectively.
Thanks to a charging capacity of 270 kW and DC terminal, 100 kilometres of range can be obtained from just five minutes of charging.
As mentioned earlier, almost all of the design of e-tron GT has been kept from the concept car to the production car. Even the full-width high-tech looking LED taillamp has been precisely replicated.
A multi-stage extendable rear spoiler is hidden in the trunk lid and a full-width rear diffuser occupies space where the exhaust muffler is usually placed.
The Audi e-tron GT still use conventional side mirrors, unlike the
virtual
 ones found on the larger e-tron crossover. Being a grand tourer or GT, the four doors have frameless windows.
Suspension and brake setups are different in the RS and quattro variants. The RS is fitted with adaptive air suspension and tungsten carbide coated disc brakes, while the quattro has standard steel springs and brake discs.
Carbon ceramic braking system with 10-piston front calipers are available as an option. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches, and larger sizes come with aerodynamic-efficient aeroblades.
Moving to the interior, the low dashboard and continuous flow to the door panels give a wraparound feeling for the front occupants. The driver is met with the Audi virtual cockpit plus measuring 12.3 inches and a central MMI touch display that measures 10.1 inches.
The brains and brawn behind the control screens is the third-generation modular infotainment platform 3 (MIB 3).
Being an electric vehicle that is naturally quiet, Audi has offered the ‘
e-tron sport sound
’ in the RS model. Carefully mixed and engineered sound is channelled into the cabin through the vehicle’s on-board speakers which provide the driver with a better impression of the drive system.

The sport sound system can be controlled via the Audi drive select, where the ‘dynamic’ profile makes a sporty and voluminous sound and completely turned off in the ‘efficiency’ profile.
Apart from the usual connections for navigation and traffic, there is also a Car-to-X service that output warnings regarding hazards and find vacant parking spots or even communicate with traffic lights to create a green wave.
Audi says the interior is
leather-free
, with upholstery made with a high percentage of recycled materials.
The Audi e-tron GT is being assembled at the Audi Sport facility in Boellinger Hoefe, Germany, the same production facility that manufactures the Audi R8 supercar.
“Integration of the fully electric, four-door coupe transformed our small-series production facility at Audi Boellinger Hoefe into a highly flexible, high-tech production facility that nevertheless retains its craft-scale character,” says Production Head Wolfgang Schanz.
Audi is also proud to announce that the entire production process at the Boellinger Hoefe site is net carbon-neutral, with 100% eco-electricity. Emissions that cannot yet be avoided are compensated with carbon credits from certified climate protection projects.
In the US, Audi is pricing the e-tron GT from
USD99,900
 and the RS model from
USD139,900
.
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The RM32 mil Pagani Huayra Codalunga is a tailor-made tribute to 1960s Le Mans racers

As they always say, money is the solution to all life’s problems (not really). Your favourite carmaker doesn’t make a car you like? If you have enough money, you can always ask them to make one specifically for you. That is basically the story of how the Pagani Huayra Codalunga came about, which was created at the behest of two collectors, costing EUR7 million (approx. RM32 million) each.
The name Codalunga means ‘longtail’ in Italian, and it’s said to be inspired by the Le Mans race cars from the 1960s. The two collectors approached Pagani to make a longtail version of the
Huayra
 sometime back in 2018, and they worked with the company’s Grandi Complicazioni special projects division for over two years just to get the design right.
The differences are obvious even at first glance, with an extended rear deck that’s 360 mm longer than the standard car. There’s also a reworked front bumper with a widened grille intake and a revised splitter, while the taillights at the back are rearranged into single file, rather than the usual L-shaped design.
You’ll also realise there are no grille covers at the rear, because it gives you the perfect view to the signature quad-exit ceramic-coated titanium exhaust system. The entire exhaust system weighs just 4.4 kg, and the car as a whole – despite its extra body panels – weighs even less than the standard Huayra itself, coming in at just 1280 kg.
While the exterior gets a large makeover, the interior of the Codalunga remains mostly unchanged from the standard Huayra, except for a unique choice of woven leather and nubuck upholstery to match the design trends of that era. Exterior colours, too, are limited to either matte or semi-matte to bring out the car’s minimalist design lines.
Under the bonnet of the Pagani Huayra Codalunga is a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12, taken directly from the Huayra Imola. It makes a whopping
840 hp
 and
1,100 Nm
 in total, with power sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed sequential gearbox.
ALSO READ: Pagani’s new Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta turns the already-extreme supercar up to 11
“All Pagani projects are born from visions and dreams, and some of the most iconic and exclusive Pagani cars stem from the vision and dreams of clients. In 2009, this led to one of the most iconic Zonda models, the Zonda Cinque,” said Pagani Commercial Director, Hannes Zanon.
“Pagani Automobili is capable of developing these bespoke projects for single clients, much like the Coachbuilders in the ‘60s, but in compliance with today’s international homologation requirements.” Only five units of the Huayra Codalunga will ever be built, with all of them already spoken for.

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We bet you can only tell that it’s the new 992 Porsche 911 from the rear

It’s not easy to recreate an icon. Especially one that bears the Porsche emblem for seven-generations. So, when Porsche Designer, Peter Varga was tasked to draw the exterior design of the 992-generation Porsche 911, his approach was to avoid overdrawing the models and retain the uncomplicated quality of the first 911.
As a result, the exterior of the eight-generation Porsche 911 (model code 992) is not a big departure from its predecessor but a little here and there gives the new car unmistakable presence on the road. Emphasis has been placed on introducing new intelligent technologies, uprated performance and modernly advanced driver assistance systems.
For starters, the front of the car is now 45 mm wider than before to clear the large wheels that measure up to 20-inches in diameter. The rear width is now the same across all models to highlight the slimline centre section of the car.
At the front, the new 911 dons a restyled bumper with a horizontal profile on the intakes, new LED headlamps and a new bonnet with pronounced body lines that reminiscence the first 911. The door handles are now electronically pop-out units that hide away when not in use to create a tapered and smooth side profile.

But the most prominent change is over to the rear with a stripe of lightbar connecting the taillamps that sits below the adaptive rear spoiler – a design cue already on the new Panamera and Cayenne models. Other elements such as the license plate, tailpipe trim and auxiliary lights have been moved down to give the new car a lower stance.
Porsche is most proud of the new 911’s interior characterised by a clutter free and highly connected cabin. Dominating the dashboard is a new 10.9-inch Porsche Communication Management (PCM) touchscreen infotainment system as well as the five-dial design instrument cluster with an analogue central rev counter. Porsche says the new digital architecture is more legible and less distracting to use than before.

The 992 also gets the new-generation multifunctional steering wheel with a drive mode selector swivel wheel located on the steering wheel (for cars with Sports Chrono Package equipped). Sitting below the PCM screen are five buttons that give direct access to main vehicle functions and the climate control display is now located on the centre console. Although Porsche needs to explain themselves for the tiny electronic gear selector.
At launch the new 911 is available in two flavours, the Carrera S and Carerra 4S, both spotting the same 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six engine that now pushes 450 hp – 30 hp more than the outgoing model. A new eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is tasked with the power transfer.
The rear-wheel-drive Carrera S will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.7 seconds
 while the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S will get there in
3.6 seconds
 (3.4 seconds with the optional Sports Chrono Package installed). Top speed on the former is
308 km/h
 while the Carrera 4S has a slightly lower
306 km/h
 top speed.
Available driver assistance systems on the new 911 include Warning and Brake Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Night Vision Assist with thermal imaging camera and a Porsche Wet mode that preconditions the car and warns the driver of a slippery surface coming up ahead.
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992 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 & 4S


2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé unveiled, Malaysian debut likely

In Mercedes-Benz’s sedan-to-coupe line-up, we have seen the
C-Class
 and
S-Class
 receive the coupé treatment. Surely, Mercedes-Benz was not going to forget to remove two doors from their E-Class. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé.
The previous generation C207 E-Class Coupé had the same underpinnings of the W204 C-Class. As the two share the same platform and wheelbase, the C207 E-Class Coupé was not quite a proper E-Class. Onto the new C238 E-Class Coupé, it is based on the latest generation W213 E-Class sedan which means it has grown in every dimension: 4,826mm in length, 1,860mm in width, 1,430mm in height and 2,873mm in wheelbase. Compared to the previous generation, the new E-Class Coupé has grown a whopping 123mm, 74mm, 32mm and 113mm respectively.

Visually, the Coupé wears the same design as the sedan model, save for the omission of rear doors,
frameless side windows
 and a
slopping roofline
. At the rear, no one would blame you for mistaking it for the C-Class Coupé or S-Class Coupé. The E-Class Coupé features a shorter rear overhang and a pair of slim LED taillights, similar to the design of the other two Coupés.
Inside, it continues the sedan’s tagline of the world’s most intelligent executive saloon as the Coupé is packed with high tech equipment. As standard, the Coupé is fitted with analogue dials and 7-inch colour instrument cluster. However, the optional
12.3-inch high-resolution instrument cluster
enables a variety of function and display options. Other high-tech features include Touch Control buttons on the multifunctional steering wheel, Mercedes me connect Concierge Service, full smartphone integration, Linguatronic voice control system, 64-colour LED ambient lighting, among others.

The optional AMG-Line gives you signature chrome plated diamond radiator grille, larger AMG wheels, perforated front brakes as well as black Artico/Dinamica leather seats with grey contrast stitching and AMG leather sports steering wheel. Night package adds on high-gloss black trims and tinted windows.
The E-Class Coupé can be had with four engine options: a
194 hp

2.0-litre turbodiesel
,
2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
 in two different states of tune –
184 hp
 and
245 hp
 – and a
333 hp

3.0-litre turbocharged V6
. Regardless of engine choice, the Coupé comes with a sole nine-speed G-Tronic automatic transmission. Only the 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 comes with Mercedes-Benz’s
4MATIC
 all-wheel drive system.
As standard, the E-Class Coupé comes with
Direct Control suspension
 that sits the Coupé 15 mm closer to the ground compared to the sedan model. As an option, customers can opt for the
Dynamic Body Control

suspension
 that offers variable damping settings. For even greater handling dynamics and comfort, there is an
Air Body Control air suspension
 that adapts the damping settings to current road conditions.
Living up to the standards of the current E-Class family, the Coupé is equipped with an arsenal of safety features such as
Active Brake Assist
 (which autonomously applies the brake when an imminent collision is detected),
Drive Pilot
(Mercedes-Benz’s next step to autonomous driving) and
Distance Pilot Distronic
 (adaptive cruise control, up to
210 km/h
). Lastly, Remote Parking Pilot is also a new feature which allows the vehicle to move in and out of parking spaces
via a smartphone app
.
As expected from a Coupé derived from the World’s Most Intelligent Executive Saloon, the E-Class Coupé packs an array of sophisticated features. For those looking to get a stylish and high-tech Coupé, perhaps the E-Class Coupé is what you’ve all been waiting for. For now, we can be certain that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) will be looking to add this into their Dream Cars Collection in the very near future so stay tuned for more updates!
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