Save up to 20% on parts when you service your Ford this festive season

We’re fast approaching the festive season – the time when car brands will be rolling out promotions for their cars and aftersales services like clockwork.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC)
, the sole distributor for Ford vehicles in Malaysia, marked themselves as one of the firsts this year with the announcement of their year-end and Chinese New Year service promotion, which will run from
1 December 2021 to 15 February 2022
.
Customers who service their Ford vehicles during the campaign period will enjoy savings of up to
20% off on parts
 and
 10% on labour fees
 for lubricant, brake, and timing belt packages, in addition to other selected parts.
As an extra, customers who spend an additional RM40 on any parts or services on top of the lubricant packages will receive a free exclusive Ford-branded face mask. For brake and timing belt packages, customers who spend an extra RM500 on parts or service will also receive an exclusive denim woven bag in addition to the face mask.
RELATED: Check out the special-edition Ford Ranger Raptor X in a shiny coat of new red paint!
Additionally, SDAC will also be offering a free 27-point vehicle inspection, conducted by Ford-certified technicians, at no additional charge.
Only genuine Ford OEM parts will be used when you service your vehicle at the Ford Authorised Service Centres, and they all come with a 12-month/20,000 km warranty, excluding wear and tear parts.
Customers are advised to book their service appointment online via the Ford website (linked
here
). For the service centres at Ford Ara Damansara, Ford Petaling Jaya, Ford Juru, Ford Butterworth, and Ford Kuching, customers can also take advantage of the real-time
 e-Service appointment booking
 option, which shows the available time slots for any given day, and can be booked up to one month in advance.


Hyundai revealed what the new Santa Fe would look like

It’s getting more and more good looking and with Hyundai revealing the first renderings of the next, fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, it seems like they have a real winner on their hands.
The fourth-generation’s new design will reflect Hyundai’s new SUV design identity and as you’ve noticed, it looks vastly different from the previous generation which has been around for more than half a decade – rendering it completely outdated. Pun intended.
At the front, it sports a new, much larger “cascading grille” complimented by a separate headlight system that clearly divides the main headlamps from the daytime running lights – which occupy the area where the headlamps would normally be.
At the back, the edge of the roof where the spoiler sits seem to resemble that of the
new Mazda CX-5 we reviewed recently
 although it could turn out differently with these being just renderings.
The back looks sleeker and “more compressed” than before – featuring new Y-design taillights which extends towards the side of the rear quarter section along with dual exhaust tips. The new generation Santa Fe will also be packed with Hyundai’s
latest active safety features offered by the Smart Sense technology
.


New Ford Focus awarded full 5-Star Euro NCAP rating [+Video]

The
all-new Ford Focus
 recently underwent the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and walked home proudly with a maximum 5-Star crash safety rating. The new-generation Focus with its new C2 platform and advanced driver assistance suite became one of the first vehicles to be awarded the highest rating under the new, more stringent testing protocols.
The Focus did remarkably well in the Adult Occupant and Child Occupant category, scoring 85 per cent and 87 per cent respectively. Euro NCAP commented that the strong structure and crash load capability from the all-new C2 architecture provided good protection to passengers in both front and side-impact crashes.
Its Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection was able to detect moving people ahead and automatically applies the brakes when a potential collision is imminent. Using three radars, two cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors, the Focus was able to apply autonomous emergency braking (AEB) reliably at city driving speeds.
The Focus’ AEB system is also active at night, using the headlamps as a light source to detect obstructing objects. The organisation demonstrated that the Focus was able to avoid a collision with a pedestrian at night (40 km/h).


Lexus will be making a 7-seater Lexus RX L, to debut at LA Auto Show this month

Since the inception of the Lexus RX in 1997, the luxury SUV quickly became the brand’s top-selling model, selling over 2.2 million units across three-generations (first to third). It was also a no brainer deal when the Japanese luxury carmaker spawned the fourth-gen RX which happens to be
on sale here in Malaysia
.
However, Lexus is looking to expand its market even further by offering a seven-seater option for the RX! Dubbed as the
Lexus RX L
, the new three-row SUV will make its debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show happening on 29 November 2017.
This will soon sit seven
At launch, the new three-row RX will be available in
RX 350L
 and
RX 450hL
 variants. In its five-seater configuration, the RX 350 is powered by a 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic pushing out
295 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque. On the other hand, the RX 450h gets a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid paired to an E-CVT pushing out
308 hp
 and
335 Nm
 of twisting force. Both variants can be had in two- or four-wheel drive configurations. Expect the RX L to maintain the same outputs.
Locally, the Lexus RX is on sale with a price tag of RM389k to RM520k, all fully imported from Japan. In an era where space is everything, a seven-seater RX L should be an appealing prospect.


The Brabus B45 gives the AMG A 45 S more power than you’ll ever need

If you’ve ever been inside a
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S
, you probably wouldn’t have asked for more power. But for some reason unbeknownst to us, someone out there did – there’s always that one guy. Fortunately
Brabus
 has just the right answer with the new Brabus B45-450.
The Brabus tune takes the two-litre turbocharged mill under the bonnet of the A 45 S – which is already the
 most powerful production four-cylinder engine
 – and pushes it even further to a peak output of
 450 hp
(hence, the name) and
550 Nm
– curiously identical to that of the
BMW M2 CS
.
While the power increase is fairly modest by Brabus’ standards, the tuning house said that the modification “unleashes the dormant reserves in this four-cylinder turbo without impairing the robustness and durability”. But to us, it just goes to show how far
Mercedes-AMG
 has already pushed the little engine.
With the extra power, the Brabus B45-450 shaves a two tenths off the century sprint time – now just
3.7 seconds
 – while top speed still remains at an electronically-limited
270 km/h
. Trust us, that’s plenty fast enough.
Brabus says that the extra power comes from “more than just special mapping” on the ECU, but did not divulge further on the modifications made. Other parts in the conversion include a Brabus PowerXtra CPC auxiliary control unit, as well as a Brabus BoostXtra adapter, which “lets the engine produce a sporty blow-off noise like a racecar”, alongside a special duct for the air box.
As for looks, Brabus left the A 45 S fairly untouched, with the only exterior options being a set of tailor-made 20-inch Monoblock wheels (with bespoke tyres from Continental), as well as height adjustable Brabus sports springs, with a maximum height drop of 30 mm.
Inside, buyers can opt for several additional Brabus blings, including stainless steel Brabus scuff plates with 64-colour illumination in sync with the ambient lighting, aluminium pedals, and Brabus-branded velour floor mats. If you wish, Brabus can also help you completely customize the upholstery inside, with virtually unlimited colour and design options.
Interestingly, Brabus will also be offering a three-year/100,000 km warranty on the tune of the B45-450, alongside TUV roadworthiness approval over in Germany – making it pretty much just like buying any other Mercedes-Benz cars straight from the factory. Pricing is available on request, but if you have to ask, it’s probably too much for you…
GALLERY


Toyota lays out new EV plans – 1,000km range, manual EV, new modular platform

With its current electric lineup not being the biggest one out there,
Toyota
 is adamant about changing this with its new strategy moving forward. Yes, the company has laid out its
multi-pathway strategy
, but a new presentation reveals that more focus has now been given to electric vehicles (EV). Part of it being EVs with
1,000 km
 of cruising range and a new modular platform for car bodies.
Toyota recently held a technical briefing session (or a Toyota Technical Workshop) under the theme of “Let’s Change the Future of Cars”. During this session, the company announced a variety of new technologies that will support its transformation into a mobility company.
To accelerate its BEV development, Toyota has set up a “BEV Factory” which is an organization dedicated to battery EVs. Toyota’s “BEV Factory” was launched in May 2022 and aims to change the future with BEVs through the transformation of cars, manufacturing, and the way we work.
On the matter of the EV itself, Toyota is setting some rather ambitious targets. The company aims to achieve an EV cruising range of
1,000 km
 through technologies such as the integration of next-generation batteries and sonic technology.
Also, on the subject of the EV itself, Toyota’s design for its new EV will be supported by artificial intelligence (AI) while the company’s designers will focus on expressing natural sensibility. The brand’s EVs will also be running the Arene OS and will support over-the-air (OTA) updates. Toyota says that it will deliver exciting surprises and fun to its customers, as evidently showcased through the ‘
manual EV
’ Lexus from December 2022.
RELATED:
Lexus confirms development of fake manual for EVs that stalls when you mess up
In terms of manufacturing, Toyota also showcased its new modular structure for car bodies which consists of three main components – front, centre, and rear. By adopting giga casting, the company says that this will allow significant component integration which will help to reduce development cost. In addition, self-propelling production technology will reduce the processes and plant investment by half.
Toyota’s “BEV Factory” is essentially an “All in One Team” that unifies functions and regions beyond the framework of the carmaker. This includes Woven by Toyota and Toyota’s external partners.
RELATED:
UMW Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy involves BEVs, PHEVs, FCEVs, and HEVs
As for its EV production targets, it seems that Toyota has set a new baseline production target of
1.7 million units
 per year which is 0.2 million more than what was announced during the company’s financial briefing earlier this year. By 2030, the Bev Factory is projected to have produced 3.5 million BEVs. Toyota is determined to become a world leader in battery EV energy consumption and its next-generation battery EVs will adopt new batteries. Toyota also presented its hydrogen strategy during the presentation.
GALLERY


BMW is axing half of its engine variants by 2025 as it switches to electrification

Have a BMW? Savour it while you can – be it a three cylinder, an inline-six, or a V12 – because we might not be able to get them any more, very soon. As BMW fast tracks its transition to electric, the Bavarian carmaker has now committed to cutting down half of its engine options currently on offer by 2025.
Speaking at the
BMW Group investors annual conference
 last week, CEO Oliver Zipse outlined the company’s plans to trim its engine and drivetrain line-up, in an effort to reduce complexity while only keeping variants that have a demand.
“We are reducing complexity, with fewer variants and fewer drive trains, keeping only those for which there is real demand: About half the current drive train variants will no longer be offered by 2025,” Zipse said.
The B58 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, perhaps the pinnacle of BMW six-cylinders. Read the full review of the M340i xDrive
here
!
So, which of the 11 or so engines in BMW’s stable will be cut? No one aside from those within BMW knows for sure, but Zipse comments do give us some pointers.
BMWBlog
 argues that for the most part, enthusiasts need not worry. The inline-six engines will most likely stay for the foreseeable future, alongside the 2.0-litre four-bangers.
The ones most likely to be cut out would be the 1.5-litre three-cylinder units, to be replaced by lower-tuned 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines – if there’s a business case there. Diesel engines will also most likely be cut, especially after the infamous Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal, and the looming threat of the upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations.
BMW’s latest fully-electric product, the
i4
.
All of these changes relies on BMW’s transition to EVs, which the company targets that more than half of the cars they sell globally being electric by 2030. This year alone, BMW expects to deliver 100,000 EVs to customers, reaching two million by the end of 2025, and 10 million in total over the next decade.
Currently, the entire BMW Group has already launched five EV models –
i3 and i3S
,
iX3
,
i4
, and the
Mini Cooper SE
. Zipse said that the company will increase the number of pure EVs up to 13 by 2023, calling it the company’s “tipping point”, with “at least one” fully-electric option for customers in 90% of segments, from compact to the ultra-luxury class.
Mini will be the
first brand in the group to transition to electric
, with Zipse saying the brand will produce its last gas-powered car in 2025. He also said work has begun on an all-electric Rolls-Royce, but gave no further details.
Fortunately for those with petrol running through their veins, the company has previously said that the
BMW engines will still have a long life ahead
. Just don’t be surprised that there’s some form of hybrid electrification technology tacked onto them.


Driving over flooded roads and getting additional coverage for your car

It’s a situation every driver in Malaysia will encounter, especially during the rainy season. Floods are so common that whenever we see a car marooned in water on social media, we commiserate and move on with a what-can-you-do attitude. Scary it may be, but there is actually quite a lot you can do and the little knowledge below will help you swim and not sink.
There
are a few scenarios for this:
Scenario 1: Getting through a flooded section safely
The familiar stretch of road in front of you is covered with water. The car ahead of you pushes forward and makes it through. Observe its size and ground clearance. If it is of similar dimensions to your vehicle, you may have a good chance of making it through.
If you decide to brave the flooded section, approach cautiously and wade into it. Keep up a steady pressure on the throttle pedal to maintain vehicle speed – you should be fast enough that the car won’t stall and slow enough so that the waters don’t wash over the hood. If there is a car ahead of you, make sure you leave plenty of room in between before you go into the water.
Otherwise,
find a safe place to stop, turn on your hazard lights, and wait it out.
Scenario 2
:
The engine dies. Now what?
You drive through a flooded street and it is deeper than you first thought. Your vehicle gives that heart-dropping sputter. Once, twice, and then the engine dies. Oh, no. If your vehicle is still in the middle of that abominable ocean of water, here’s what you should do.
Do not panic
. It’s easier said than done, but keep a clear head, breathe, and you’ll be able to make better decisions.
Do not attempt to restart the engine
. The impulse is hard to resist, we know, but doing so may cause further damage to the engine and electronics of the vehicle. If the engine is still running and you’re stuck in traffic with water levels rising fast, turn it off and remove the key from the ignition.
Note the water level
. This will help you and the person who may be repairing your vehicle make an informed assessment of the potential damage.
Get your valuables and get out
. Unless it’s dire and you’re in danger of drowning, you’ll have enough time to grab keys, handphones, wallets, maybe even your baby at the back. We’re kidding, leave the baby. Please don’t. Take the baby first. Head to higher ground, especially if it is still raining as the water level may rise further. Get out of the rain too if possible.
Call for help
. If it is a secluded area, the emergency services should be the first numbers to call. 999 and 112 both work on mobile phones. Next, get hold of your auto insurance provider to arrange for a tow truck.
Eventually, the flood will dissipate, so here’s what to do next.
Don’t start your engine
. Just because there is no water around the car doesn’t mean there is no water in the important bits of the car. You may inadvertently cause further damage.
Get help
. If you have not already, get your car moved to a workshop as soon as you can. If it’s in a basement carpark or somewhere safe, you can make a calculated risk to leave it to dry before bringing it to the workshop.
Take pictures of everything
. Marks on the body of the car will show the highest water level during the flood. Debris around the car may have damaged the body, and in the car it indicates damage to the interior. Pop open the hood and grab as many pictures as you can as well. All this will help you in the insurance claim that is to come.
Get your car insured for flood Damage
It’s a scary experience, but some of the stress of it can be mitigated by protecting your vehicle (and your wallet). No flood insurance coverage means a big chunk of cash out of your pocket to get your vehicle running again. It is an expensive and upsetting affair. With it, it is much less trying.
Generally speaking, insurance plans in Malaysia come in three categories –
Comprehensive Coverage, Third Party with Fire and Theft Coverage, and Third Party Coverage
. Although it is mandatory that cars in Malaysia are insured, flood coverage is an add-on option and is not mandatory.
This costs only 0.5% of your vehicle’s sum insured
.
A simple
example would be:
0.5% of RM100,000 (sum insured) = RM500 (price paid for flood
coverage per annum)
It is a small price to pay when compared to the price of overhauling an engine or replacing an ECU, and it looks even smaller when it buys you peace of mind. Grab your policy or give your insurance provider a call if you’re unsure.

This happened two years ago (Credit: TheStar Online)


Kia Sportage facelift unveiled, updated styling & more tech

Kia Motors has just revealed the refreshed Kia Sportage, the Korean carmaker’s global best seller. The Sportage facelift gets revised styling inside and out, new tech as well as the brand’s first mild-hybrid diesel powertrain.
Starting with the exterior, the Sportage’s sporty appearance has been enhanced with new front and rear bumpers, revised headlamps and taillamps as well as new 16-, 17- and 19-inch alloy wheels options. Kia had also added new options for the Sportage including chrome sill trims, metallic skid plates and five new paint colours.
The top of the range
GT-Line models
 comes further equipped with a gloss black radiator grille, restyled “ice cube” LED fog lamps, skid plates and dark chrome inserts on the side sills and rear tailgate. It rides on a set of unique 19-inch multi-spoke alloys.
New additions to the cabin includes a reshaped steering wheel, a revised instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch “frameless” touchscreen infotainment system and optional black and grey two-tone upholstery. The GT-Line has the option for black leather upholstery with red accents.
The Sportage facelift also debuts with Kia’s new
2.0-litre EcoDynamics+ mild-hybrid diesel engine
 that features a 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to boost performance and improve fuel economy. Other engine options include a 1.6-litre U3 CRDi turbodiesel available with
115 hp
 or
136 hp
. All-wheel drive and a seven-speed double-clutch transmission is standard on higher-powered models.
On the technology side of things, the Sportage now gets Kia’s latest advanced driving assistance systems such as
Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
, a 360-degree Around View Monitor, Driver Attention Warning and more.
Locally, Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM) offers the Sportage in both
petrol
 and
diesel
 guise. The facelift takes the Sportage’s quirkiness up a notch, but the question is, can buyers accept a face like this despite its abundance of tech?


Making cars better through the Toyota 5 Continents Drive Project

Inspired by Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor
Corporation, the Toyota 5 Continents Drive Project aims to make product
improvements through a journey which traverses five continents of the world, with
the hope of delivering even better cars to customers around the world.
A convoy of vehicles recently travelled through Malaysia, having started in the Middle East in February 2019. Asia is the last continent with the final stop being Japan when the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games begin.
For the Malaysian leg, the convoy kicked off with a visit to
a Toyota dealership in Penang owned by S&D Tama, dealer. Akio Takeyama,
Chief Motorsports Officer who is also the Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor,
flagged off the convoy on 5th November.
The route included a drive up to Cameron Highlands, which then continued south to Singapore with a stop at Shah Alam, Selangor, where UMW Toyota Motor’s head office is located. The participants were briefed on the company’s background, activities, customer profiles, local market conditions and GAZOO Racing (GR) initiatives in Malaysia.
The 5 Continents Drive Project is carried out under the umbrella
of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing initiatives. In Malaysia, the GR Brand is one of the key
pillars of Toyota’s brand message.
“We are delighted that Malaysia is included in the Toyota 5 Continents Drive Project, a project that is of high priority to Toyota Motor Corporation,” said Takeyama. “The varied conditions of roads and traffic should provide the participants with valuable insights that can help them develop ever-better cars for our customers.”
“Toyota has always made reliable cars but today’s customers have more demands, so ‘good’ is no longer enough and we need to offer great cars,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “The Toyota 5 Continents Drive Project should help towards developing ever-better cars.”
After the Malaysian leg ends, the convoy will cross over to
Singapore. The remaining countries for the Asian leg are Indonesia, the
Philippines and Vietnam. In 2020, the 5 Continents Drive Project will continue
through China and East Asia before ending in Japan.


2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross gets sharper exterior styling with better ergonomics

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has unveiled the facelift 2022 Eclipse Cross. The facelifted model has receive some cosmetic updates both on the exterior and interior.
At the front, the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross gets a new gloss black grille, a redesigned front bumper guard along with redesigned front headlamps. The facelifted crossover will also be adopting the evolved version of Mitsubishi’s signature Dynamic Shield design.
On the left: The front of 2017 pre-facelift Eclipse Cross, on the right: The front of 2022 facelifted Eclipse Cross
Moving to the rear, the 2022 Eclipse Cross gets a redesigned rear window and tailgate. The new tailgate features a sharply sculpted hexagon design reminiscent of the company’s iconic rear-mounted spare tire shape. MMC says that it doesn’t only give the crossover a sleeker profile, but it further enhances visibility.
Inside the cabin, the cosmetic updates are less extensive. A new black interior with silver accents and light grey leather seats give the cabin a more upmarket feeling. The dash layout has been altered slightly; positioning the new 8-inch smartphone-link display audio (SDA) system closer to both the driver and front passenger.
A notable absence in the facelifted cabin is the touchpad control, which was found on the pre-facelift model. The touchpad control has been replaced with tactile volume and tuning knobs located on the display audio instead. It also opens up more storage space on the center console.
On the left: The rear of 2017 pre-facelift Eclipse Cross, on the right: The rear of 2022 facelifted Eclipse Cross
Powering the 2022 Eclipse Cross is the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine found in the
pre-facelift model
, paired with an 8-speed CVT that produces
163 hp
 and
 250 Nm
 of torque.
MMC also said that they will be introducing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant of the 2022 Eclipse Cross in selected markets, but did not divulge any further information about the electrified model.
On the left: The interior of 2017 pre-facelift Eclipse Cross, on the right: The interior of 2022 facelifted Eclipse Cross
The 2022 Eclipse Cross will likely come with both two- or four-wheel drive configuration. The four-wheel drive variant will get the Mitsubishis latest generation Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, an electronic dial that optimises the vehicle’s dynamics to three driving modes – Auto, Snow and Gravel.
In terms of safety, the 2022 Eclipse Cross should mirror that of the pre-facelift model. That means standard safety equipment across the range including seven airbags, ABS, Active Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), and automatic high beam.


First Drive: 2016 Toyota Innova 2.0G, better in every aspect

Toyota’s MPV range has always been the brand’s hallmark. From ultra-luxurious people mover to the budget fleet vehicles, Toyota has just about the car for everyone to choose. Even more so with the introduction of the
all-new Toyota Innova
, UMW’s fourth MPV launch this year.
Shortly before the official launch of the second-generation Toyota Innova, UMW Toyota invited the media for a test drive event. UMW has arranged the first and second generation Innova to be driven back-to-back for us to experience the improvements of the all-new Innova over its predecessor. After spending a day with the top-of-the-range Innova 2.0G, it certainly lives up to its tagline –
Prestige Perfected
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Innova 2.0G (AT)
Engine
1,998cc; inline-4 DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Transmission
6-speed automatic with Sequential Shifter
Max Power
137 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Max Torque
183 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price
RM126,000.00
For the most part, the Innova shares the same recipe from the previous generation – a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated 1TR-FE with Dual VVT-i, an IMV platform like the Hilux and Fortuner and a rear-wheel drive layout. The 2.0-litre 1TR-FE engine now churns out
 3 hp
 and
1 Nm
 more, bringing the figures up to
137 hp
 and
183 Nm
. A new
six-speed automatic
 with Sequential Shifter is equipped here to provide better fuel economy and refinement. Opt for the 2.0E manual variant and you will get a
five-speed stick
 instead. Regardless of transmission choice, the Innova is a
certified EEV
.
The Innova can be had in three variants, namely the 2.0G (AT), 2.0E (AT) and 2.0E (MT). Exterior styling wise, the G and E are identical to each other, except for the front fog lamps, chrome radiator grille and door handles. These however, are all omitted on the 2.0E. Besides that, keyless entry and power folding wing mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamp are also omitted. Fortunately, the
16-inch
 twin five-spoke alloys wrapped in 205/65 profile Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres is standard across the range.

The interior is a vast improvement over the previous generation and fortunately for consumers, the Innova is packed with goodies inspired by its bigger siblings. The
black themed interior
 (as opposed to beige in the outgoing Innova) gives off the impression of a much more premium vehicle (a la the
Vellfire
). The leather wrapped multifunctional steering wheel with wood inlays and
Optitron meter
 with 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-info display is taken straight off the RM190k
Fortuner
.
Our test unit was fitted with the optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system (RM2,990 with GPS navigation, RM1,990 without navigation) with reverse camera and navigation connected to six speakers. The touchscreen unit is simple to operate with crisp and vibrant colours while the audio quality from the six speakers is simply a delight. Parking is made easy with the reverse camera coupled with front and rear parking sensors. Although, I’m not sure if the Garmin-based navigation system is worth your extra RM1,000.

Compared to the previous generation, Toyota has certainly worked their magic on the overall ergonomics of the new Innova. Folding the second row seats is much simpler thanks to the One Touch Tumble function where the old car requires a two-step motion. The third row seats with One Touch Easy Space Up were very light making it easy to stow them away. Not to forget the Easy Close Back Door (vacuum door) exclusive to the G-spec Innova made closing the tailgate a much more graceful affair.
Other features that are available only on the G-Spec Innova such as row roof mounted air vents for both the second and third row (with automatic controls), 10kg tray and blue ambient lighting certainly add to the premium impression of the cabin. Not to mention an impressive array of safety features including seven airbags, ABS with EBD, BA, VSC, hill start assist and Emergency Stop Signal.
Just before we get into how the all-new 2.0G Innova drives, allow me to just touch on the quirks of its predecessor. To recap, the old Innova 2.0G is powered by the same 2.0-litre 1TR-FE engine but mated to a four-speed slushbox producing
134 hp
 and
182 Nm
 of torque. On the get go, the four-speeder is slow to react to throttle inputs and lacks refinement.
NVH levels were also subpar with wind and road noise seeped into the cabin even at moderate speeds. Over bumps and humps, rebounds are very apparent although to be fair the damping is setup to support heavy loads. However, for the Innova’s intended purposes and considering that this is an
11-year old model
, it’s fairly acceptable. The question then becomes: just how much better can the new model be? Let’s find out.
Immediately the extra two cogs and improved gear ratios made acceleration a breeze. Hard on the throttle and the gearbox kicks down a gear or two to supply the power you need for overtaking manoeuvres. Power delivery is smooth and linear and getting up to highway speeds is not so much of a chore compared to the old model. Although, I could imagine the 2.0-litre petrol mill will struggle under a full load but at least the powertrain is a smoother operator.
On the highway, NVH levels were noticeably more refined. Even at highway cruising speeds, wind noise was not as apparent as before, even by industry standards. Road noise was also kept at bay possibly due to the
low rolling resistance Bridgestone Ecopia EP150
 tyres and more liberal use of sound deadening materials.
According to UMW Toyota, the new Innova is fitted with
larger rear shock absorbers
 coupled with revised damping settings to provide better ride comfort. Over the same stretch of roads, the old Innova dances around from the undulating surfaces, but the new one wafted through with significantly lesser rebounds, making it a much more pleasant ride. Around bends, despite its 1,700kg weight, the MPV holds its composure surprisingly well.
Overall, the second-generation Toyota Innova is indeed Prestige Perfected. It drives far better, comes with plenty of goodies to play with and the top-spec 2.0G is all yours for RM126k. Those of you who are in the market for an MPV below RM150k, there are already a few such as the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid,
Mazda Biante
 or even some grey market imports. However, this Innova is definitely worth your time, consideration and money. Need more reasons? How about a
5-Yeary unlimited

mileage
,
 manufacturer-backed warranty
programme and the reliability that comes with every Toyota-badged cars?
Matthew’s Take: The Toyota Innova seems to have made a tremendous leap forwards in terms of overall packaging. But what is most impressive is the newfound feel of luxury in the cabin. I’ve spent a great deal of time driving the outgoing Innova 2.0G, but the entire experience gets diluted down to it being a common people carrier with nothing much to prove (still can’t get over the hurricane that comes with every cold-crank of the engine). The second-generation model however, takes things up multiple notches. It will undoubtedly sell in good numbers, but I hope the full-spec variant (with projector headlamps and such) will join the lineup in due course.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche Boxster GTS & Cayman GTS now in Malaysia, priced at RM660k & RM700k

Porsche Malaysia (Sime Darby Auto Performance) is on a roll. Shortly after launching the
911 Targa
 and the
Cayenne GTS
 (and the rest of the facelifted Cayenne range) last month, they have now officially announced the arrival of their dynamic duo: the Boxster GTS and the Cayman GTS.
Launched at the
Porsche Center Sungai Besi
, the soft-top
Boxster
 and the tin-top
Cayman
 get the same
GTS
 treatment as their bigger siblings, which means upgraded looks, a power hike, and some chassis tweaks. Both share mostly the same oily bits underneath, the major difference is the Boxster allows you to have an open-top driving experience while the roof on the Cayman is fixed.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Porsche Boxster GTS
Porsche Cayman GTS
Engine
3,436cc; naturally aspirated flat six
Transmission
7-speed PDK dual clutch auto
Max Power
330 hp @ 6,700 rpm
340 hp @ 7,400 rpm
Max Torque
370 Nm @ 4,500 – 5,800 rpm
380 Nm @ 4,750 – 5,800 rpm
0 – 100 km/h
4.7 seconds
4.6 seconds
Top Speed
281 km/h
285 km/h
Price (Base price with GST)
from RM660,000
from RM700,000
Both the Boxster GTS and the Cayman GTS are rather special to Porsche too, because they’re the first mid-engined Porsche to wear the GTS badge since the legendary
1963 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS
.

EXTERIOR
As a step up from the Boxster S and the Cayman S, the GTS twin receives a unique styling package. Due to the different bumpers fitted on the GTS, the
length
 has
grown by 24 mm
to
 4,404mm
, while the sports suspension dropped the
height
 by
10 mm
to
 1,284 mm
. The width and wheelbase are unchanged at 1,801 mm and 2,475 mm.
Naturally, the GTS models cast a meaner face than the S models. The front bumper is new with additional
lip extension
,
restyled side intakes
, and
slim LED DRLs
, while the
Bi-Xenon
 headlights with the
Porsche Dynamic Light System
 (PDLS) are now surrounded by
black bezels
.

The GTS duo also wears bigger shoes. A set of
20-inch Carrera S wheels
 are fitted as standard, but the cars pictured here are wearing the sexier 911 Turbo wheels and they are shod with Pirelli rubbers that measure
235/35 ZR20
 at the front and
265/35 ZR20
 at the rear.
At the back, apart from the
GTS emblem
, the
taillights
 are
smoked
, and the bumper gains a more
aggressive diffuser
 that also houses a couple of
black-tipped tailpipes
. Meanwhile the speed-sensitive
pop-up rear spoiler
 remains on both GTS models.
INTERIOR
Both the Boxster GTS and the Cayman GTS interiors have been spruced up to set the mood for an even more exhilarating driving experience.
Black Alcantara
 is featured on the steering wheel, center console, door inserts and it even extends up to the roof liner as well.

The cabin is furnished by a pair of
Sport Seats Plus
 with GTS embroidery on the headrests, and
Porschephiles
 should recognise that
 stopwatch
 on the dashboard which can only mean the car is equipped with
Sport Chrono
 package.
PERFORMANCE
The sonorous
boxer six
 from the Boxster S and the Cayman S have been tweaked to release
15 hp and 10 Nm more
. Now the
3,436 cc
 normally aspirated engine (redlines at 7,800 rpm) produces a total of
330 hp
 and
370 Nm
 in the
Boxster GTS
 and
340 hp
 and
380 Nm
 in the
Cayman GTS
.
Both cars get the legendary
seven-speed dual clutch auto
 (PDK or Doppelkupplungsgetriebe), getting them from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.7 seconds
 for the Boxster GTS and
4.6 seconds
 in the Cayman GTS. Top speed is rated at
281 km/h
 and
285 km/h
 respectively. Both the mid-engine two-seaters yield a fuel efficiency rating of
8.2 litres per 100 km
.
Being a GTS,

both models get
Porsche Active Suspension Management
 (PASM) as standard, whereas the lesser S models get them as a cost option. PASM doesn’t just
lowers the car by 10 mm
, it offers
variable damping
 setup to suit the driving environment. Together with the
Sport Chrono package
 (also standard), it allows the chassis to stiffen up when Sport Plus mode is activated. This also causes the
sport exhaust system
 to dethrottle, making for automatic throttle blips (automatic rev matching) when downshifting with the manual transmission.
In case you haven’t yet known, the Sport Exhaust System is a cost option on the S models, but is standard here and have been optimally tuned for both GTS models. Once Sport Plus is activated, the engine management system automatically adjusts the flaps according to driving situations.
WHAT ELSE?
The order books are officially open for the Boxster GTS and the Cayman GTS. Base price starts from
RM660,000
 for the Boxster GTS and
RM700,000
for the Cayman GTS. Both prices stated here include all applicable duties and GST, but excludes registration fee, road tax and insurance. All new Porsche models come with a
4-year factory

warranty
 and a
4-year complimentary service maintenance package
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Porsche Cayman GTS

Porsche Boxster GTS


Subaru BRZ STI spotted in the open, finally a faster BRZ in the works?

If there’s something the Toyota-Subaru twins need to fix, it’s the lack of power. Since
even the facelifted version
 failed to address that, we can only hope that Subaru would come up with the long awaited STI variant of the
BRZ
 coupe.
What we have here are pictures of a special BRZ by Subaru America, revealing complete bodykit along with a huge rear spoiler. If anything, this is a positive sign of a proper STI in the works. And just recently, a BRZ similar to this setup was going through some tests near Subaru America’s research and development centre in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That particular BRZ had a racier bodykit, stronger Brembo brakes and sportier looking wheels.
However, what’s underneath the engine bay remains a mystery for now. Since its inception in 2012, there were no serious attempts by both Toyota and Subaru to produce more than 200 hp from the 2.0-litre flat-four engine.
The American-bound Subaru BRZ STI will become part of Subaru’s 50th-anniversary celebration in the United States. Let’s just see if it’ll get the performance boost everyone has been waiting for and pray that it’s not just a mere
cosmetic exercise
. The said BRZ will be unveiled on
 8 June 2017
.
Image Source:
Evo UK
IMAGE GALLERY


SpyBuzz: Is this the new Mercedes-AMG GT4 hybrid super saloon?

Before Mercedes-AMG officially debuts the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS), it appears that
CarScoops
 have picked up an allegedly leaked image of the car in full.
Low-resolution aside, the car in question is very likely the final version of the AMG GT Concept that was
repeatedly teased
 over the past year. Details such as slim LED headlamps, Panamericana grille, door-mounted wing mirrors, sloping roofline and subtle rear wing all points towards the AMG GT Concept.
Said to be called the GT4, the four-door coupe will feature an
electrified version of the M178 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
 that is capable of generating up to
600 kW
 (805 hp). Paired to a new, fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, the GT 4 is capable of a
sub 3 second century sprint time
. It will also be the second AMG model to bear the “EQ Power+” designation, after the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One race car.
The Mercedes-AMG GT4 will be presented in full come March at the 2018 GIMS and will spearhead AMG’s future plans to produce more high-performance hybrid drive systems.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG GT Concept Teased

Mercedes-AMG GT Concept Car


Cupra wants to make EVs cool with the wild-looking UrbanRebel Concept

Take a quick look at the latest
EVs
 these days – aside from the few on the upper echelon, the rest of them all just look a little drab, don’t they? It really isn’t that much of a surprise, since EV makers are still prioritising efficiency over everything else – and that’s why they all mostly have the same smooth, rounded “safe” shape to make it as slippery in the air as possible, while at the same time appealing to almost all kinds of car buyers.
Not convinced with the direction that EVs are heading towards, Seat’s new high-performance offshoot
 Cupra
 has now taken matters into its own hands by unveiling the UrbanRebel Concept in an attempt to prove that small EVs can actually be cool, and well – the wild looks just says it all.
Unfortunately, The Cupra UrbanRebel Concept is just that – a concept. However, the company says that its motorsports-inspired design language will influence an actual production entry-level crossover model that’ll make its debut in 2025.
“The Cupra UrbanRebel Concept injects a gamification look to the racing car, projecting a radical interpretation of the company’s urban electric car,” said Cupra Design Director, Jorge Diez. “Each contoured line and sculpted surface in the design is brought to life by a livery that uses kinetic particles to add movement to the surface as light shifts across it.”
The Cupra Formentor SUV has a unique feature to prevent “car dooring” accidents! Check it out here.
Of course, the eventual production model will be significantly toned down from the UrbanRebel concept, so the towering rear wings, large rear haunches, and massive diffusers will all be axed before the car makes it through the production line.
However, expect to see the general styling themes, such as the overall athletic proportions, wrap-around visor glasshouse, triangular lights, and the “shark nose” front fascia all being reinterpreted for the crossover in 2025.
Lotus has just announced four new EVs to be launched by 2026, including – you guessed it – two SUVs. Read more here.
The Cupra UrbanRebel Concept’s proportions also gives us an idea of how the eventual SUV crossover will size up to its peers, measuring in at 4,080 mm long, 1,795 mm wide, and 1,444 mm tall, or right around the same size as a
Volkswagen Polo
. When it makes it to production though, we expect it to be just shy of the
Volkswagen ID.3
, since it’ll be based on the same MEB platform.
Cupra says that the UrbanRebel Concept packs 250kW (335 hp) of continuous power, and up to 320kW (429 hp) at its peak, which translates to a supercar-like 0-100 km/h time of just 3.2 seconds. When it goes to production in 2025 though, we expect to see a single motor set-up similar to the ID.3, with a more civilian 201 hp and

310 Nm of torque on offer.
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The BMW XM is the first PHEV M car, ROI now open for Malaysia – 653 hp, 800 Nm

Spearheading BMW M’s foray into electrification is the new
BMW XM
. Previewed as the Concept XM in November 2021, the XM is built from the ground up without an existing
BMW

model to be based on. In conjunction with the M Division’s 50th anniversary, the company is taking the opportunity to transform towards electric mobility.
As a Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV), the BMW XM’s powertrain consists of a twin-turbo V8 engine that makes 489 hp and 650 Nm and an electric motor that makes 197 hp and 280 Nm. Working harmoniously, the system output is
653 hp
 and
800 Nm
. Paired with the powertrain is an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. With power sent to all four wheels via the M xDrive system, the BMW XM accelerates from 0-100 km/h in
4.3 seconds
.
Supplying power to the electric motor is a high-voltage
29.5-kWh
 lithium-ion battery. The battery can be charged at a rate of
7.4 kW
 and takes 4 hours and 15 minutes to charge from 0 to 100%. The BMW XM can be driven in a fully electric mode at speeds of up to 140 km/h. In ideal conditions, the pure electric range can go up to 88 km.
If the performance of the XM is not good enough for you, BMW will be adding the “BMW XM Label Red” to the model range in Autumn 2023 with a system output of
748 hp
 and
1,000 Nm
. In the BMW XM Label Red, the engine will produce 585 hp and 750 Nm, while the electric drive system will produce 197 hp and 280 Nm.
RELATED:
The BMW Alpina XB7 boosts the X7’s performance, but not so much its looks
In terms of exterior design, it is hard to ignore the large kidney grille of the XM. It seems that the hundreds of memes have not changed the Munich carmaker’s mind on its grille size. BMW says the XM is a statement of exclusivity, presence, and performance. The headlights are split into two separate units and the kidney grille is decorated with gold-coloured surrounds and continuous contour lighting.
BMW says the design of the BMW XM gives off a “singularly extrovert aura” thanks to a host of distinctive accents. The XM also pays homage to the brand’s history with an “accent band” in Gold that is reminiscent of the black strip running along the body of the BMW M1. It also has BMW logos engraved into the flat rear window. Standard wheels for the XM are 21 inches in size with the option of further variants with wheels up to 23 inches in size.
RELATED:
Is this quad-motor EV prototype hinting at the next-gen BMW M3?
BMW says that the cockpit and front seats have been designed to create an active driving experience. Also contributing to the driving experience are standard interior equipment such as M multifunction seats, knee pads and a model-specific M leather steering wheel, along with M-specific graphics including shift lights for the BMW Curved Display and BMW Head-Up Display.
Besides an active driving experience, the XM also provides a generous feeling of space inside the cabin. Combined with high-quality materials and extravagant design, BMW has transformed the second row of the BMW XM into an exclusive M Lounge. Standard interior features include ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, and a Travel & Comfort System.
RELATED:
The upcoming 2022 BMW M2 could be offered with xDrive all-wheel drive
Other highlights of the BMW XM are the sophisticated chassis system with a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle, integral active steering, the latest generation of iDrive, and an M Hybrid button.
Interestingly, BMW Malaysia has open Registration of Interest (ROI) for the BMW XM on their official website. Being the first electrified BMW M car and featuring a somewhat controversial design, we look forward to seeing the response toward the BMW XM.
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30-year-old Proton Wira still the most stolen vehicle in Malaysia – 11 years in a row

The Proton Wira has long been a favourite in Malaysia, but it seems that, unfortunately, it’s also one of the car thieves’ favourites too. According to data from the Vehicle Theft Reduction Council of Malaysia (VTREC), the 30-year-old national car has retained its status as the “most stolen vehicle” for the 11th consecutive year, based on claims received by insurance companies.
As reported by
The Star
, a total of 131 Wiras were reported stolen in 2021 (the most recent publicly published data), followed by the Proton Iswara with 75 reported cases. In third was the Perodua Kancil, while the Toyota Hilux – also the most-stolen foreign made car – takes fourth with 65 cases.
Granted, these numbers are significantly lower when
compared to 2020
, where 353 units of the Wira and 273 Israwas were reported stolen, but it’s still not a pretty sight. “There are stolen Mercedes-Benz cars being sold for as low as RM10,000, or a Hilux for RM12,000, and Wira for only RM3,000,” said VRTEC coordinator, Mas Tina Abdul Hamid.
As illustrated by the Wira, most of these cars at the top of the list are quite old in age. Mas Tina explained that it was because car thieves usually target the popular models from some time back, as the demand for spare parts for these models will be increasing as they age.
“The Wira was a popular [car] back then, and there are still quite a number [of them] on the road even though production stopped in 2009,” she added, saying that the car thieves are quite often suppliers of Wira spare parts, if not being sold domestically.
ALSO READ:
These two Dutch brothers built a Proton Wira “taxi” and drove it on the Nurburgring!
That’s not good news for the
Perodua Myvi
, which currently sits at sixth place on the list. As the Myvi – specifically the first- and second-generation model – continues to age, Mas Tina believes that the Myvi will soon also become one of the car thieves’ favourites.
“The Myvi is a target because of its looks and the fact that it is among the people’s favourites. The trend is almost similar (to the Wira). We now have a huge number of Myvi on the road,” Mas Tina said, adding that the recent shortage of vehicle spare parts due to the
Covid-19
 pandemic has also made the problem worse.
So what’s being done about car theft in Malaysia? Well unfortunately, Mas Tina said that it is very difficult for the authorities to corner car theft syndicates, as they often employ different groups of people. The stolen cars are also often brought over to Thailand, where some other party will be tasked with selling the stolen vehicles.
VTREC is working tirelessly with its stakeholders, including the Royal Malaysian Police, Road Transport Department, and the Malaysian Immigration Department to help reduce the incidents of car theft here in Malaysia, but we citizens can also do our part and be more vigilant to obvious scams online, as those are what give the car thieves incentive.


Porsche suspends sales of Cayenne diesel models, VW CEO announces global 5-Step recovery plan

Porsche North America this week has halted sales of the Cayenne SUV, specifically those running on the 3.0-litre diesel engines made between 2014 to 2016. This directive affects more than just the Porsche Cayenne but also the Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touaregs that have been allegedly fitted with an
emissions defeat device
. At this point in time, the issue affects North American market in particular with devastating consequences.
Volkswagen has been absolutely frantic in the quest to get ahead of these issues plaguing the brand with Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board of Management,
Matthias Müller
 at the helm. The former Porsche top boss has recently announced his
 five-step plan
 to ‘iron things out’. Müller explained that his
 top priority
 is to
support
 the
customers
 affected by the diesel issue, stating “our customers are at the
core
 of everything that our 600,000 employees worldwide do”.
Second
 on the list is to systematically
drive forward
 and complete the
investigation
 into what happened. For that matter, audit firm
Deloitte
 has been roped in to assist VAG in their investigations. According to Müller, those responsible for what has happened must be held
accountable
 and shall face the music if found guilty. With damages surpassing
€2 billion
, someone is to be held liable for it, although that seems to clash with step four.
Müller’s
third
 step is to introduce
revised structures
 within the Volkswagen Group that’s geared towards a greater level of
decentralisation but
with more
independence
 for the brands and regions. The Board of Management will focus more on addressing cross-brand strategies while
leveraging
 synergies and ensuring that Group resources are used in a more
effective
 manners. Given that the company makes over
300
 different models, VW will be examining them with a fine-tooth comb to determine their
earning
 potentials for the Group.

The
fourth
 step on Müller’s plan is to cultivate a different
culture
 of
management behavior
 over at the VW family, and says that he believes these changes are necessary to ensure transparency in their internal communication and subsequently handle mistakes. Given the depravity of the situation faced by the company, couple that with tougher job markets, employees would opt to
not
 blow the whistle if it means keeping their jobs – which is perfectly understandable. If anyone of us were in a situation like that, the words “
vow of silence
” comes screeching straight to mind.
The
final
 step of the reformation process is to align the company toward
Strategy 2025
 which is described quite simply as
qualitative growth
. It’s not about trying to outsell your rivals and post massive profits, but rather putting this unfortunate incident behind them and charge forward. More of this final step will be revealed later. Stay tuned.


Aston Martin joins F1 safety car fleet, to share races with Mercedes-AMG

For the 2021 Formula 1 season, the fleet of F1 Safety and Medical cars will be shared between the existing Mercedes-AMG vehicles as well as new additions of
Aston Martin Vantage
 and
Aston Martin DBX
 vehicles, a first for the British luxury automaker.
This is the first time that two marques are assigned the duties of key support vehicles for the F1 championship, where Mercedes-Benz has been the sole provider since 1996.
The Aston Martin Vantage coupe has outputs of 510 hp and 685 Nm from the Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. For the F1 Safety Car duties, calibration has been done to increase engine output by 25 hp to
535 hp
, and the engine control unit will prolong the
685 Nm
 of torque to sustain for
longer periods
 above the standard 5,000 rpm.
Paired to a rear-mounted eight-speed automatic transmission, the Aston Martin Vantage completes the century sprint in a rapid
3.6 seconds
. Top speed is not important while leading the F1 pack with chassis modification work done to instead improve cornering speed and stability.
The engineering team at Aston Martin has placed underbody bracing for additional rigidity together with a new high downforce-inducing body kit including a front splitter that can generate as much as
155.6 kg
 of downforce.
Additional cooling ducts have also been fitted to exhaust as much heat as possible from the engine compartment as well as the carbon-ceramic brakes.
The Aston Martin DBX SUV meanwhile will be providing the duties of the Medical Car, a role rarely seen until last year’s inferno at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Romain Grosjean’s Haas VF-20 car burst into flames after crashing onto the barrier.
As the medical car is purely attending to the aftermath of an incident rather than circuit pacing, modifications have been done to the interior to carry two fire extinguishers, a large medical bag, a burn kit and a defibrillator. The rear bench has been replaced by two individual bucket seats with six-point safety harness.
Engine outputs of the Aston Martin DBX remain unchanged from the standard car, with
550 hp
 and
700 Nm
 from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. 0 to 100 km/h is done in
4.5 seconds
, with traction delivered to all four Pirelli tyres via the nine-speed automatic transmission and an intelligent all-wheel drive system featuring an active central differential with an electronic rear limited-slip differential (eDiff).
The AMR21, Aston Martin’s entrant for the 2021 F1 Championship
Both vehicles will be fitted with the lighting, communications and marshalling system developed by F1 and finished in
Aston Martin Racing Green
, the same paintwork found on their 2021 F1 racer led by four-time world champion
 Sebastian Vettel
.
The new red paint on the 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 Medical and Safety Car, with the latter featuring the partnership with CrowdStrike
The first assignment is being taken on by Aston Martin at the season’s opener on 28th March at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Mercedes-AMG
 will return to action, brandishing a new red colour scheme, on 18th April at the second round in the picturesque Imola.
The fleet of F1 support vehicles will still be piloted by Bernd Maylander while the medical cars will be driven by Alan van der Merwe with Dr Ian Roberts as the accompanying F1 Medical Rescue Coordinator.

In Malaysia, the latest
Aston Martin Vantage
 is priced from
RM678
,
000
, while the
Aston Martin DBX
 is priced from
RM818
,
000
. Both are prices before taxes, duties, options and all other associated costs.
GALLERY
Aston Martin Vantage F1 Safety Car
Aston Martin DBX F1 Medical Car


Faraday Future’s FFZERO1 could shape the future of motoring [+ Videos]

This article is brought to you by the letter “F”. A well utilised alphabet in the motoring world. Apart from the word “Fast”, “Ferrari”, and to a certain extent, “Fiat”, we have another important entry that starts with it. We are talking about “Faraday Future”, a new EV Hypercar that could make Tesla watch quietly from their little corner.
Faraday Future has just unveiled the
FFZERO1
 concept at the 2016 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This
1,000hp
 EV is capable of hitting
0-100km/h under three seconds
 with a claimed top speed of over
320km/h
. It is propelled by
four ‘quad core’ motors
and uses a
customizable battery string technology
.

The shape of this car clearly suggests that it is inspired by prototype race cars, with its exterior designed with aerodynamic wizardry in mind. There are aero tunnels directing air through the car, increasing traction and at the same time cooling down electric powertrain.
On the inside, augmented reality displays will be projected onto the windscreen. Just like a jet fighter, the driver’s helmet will receive Oxygen and water tubes from ports in the seat, probably suggesting this concept car could go as fast as an F-16 jet fighter hitting Mach 1 in the sky. Probably.
Unfortunately, we might not able to see the
FFZERO1
 dashing onto track action, as Faraday Future revealed this single-seater gizmo in four wheels will not be made into production. Instead, they are taking this chance to provide glimpses of its technology and design language chosen in the company’s future products. In this concept, the company is previewing its unique
Variable Platform Architecture
 (VPA) technology.
One of VPA’s ingenuity is flexibility on creating multiple platforms of EV cars regardless if it is two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configurations.
Faraday Future
 cars are also designed with autonomous driving in mind, re-imagine and re-define a concept for mobility.
The Los Angeles company has been backed by massive investment from the Chinese and has 750 employees worldwide. The company attracted talents from Google, Apple, NASA, BMW, Jaguar, Tesla, and even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reinvent the automotive industry. The company is focused on connecting the world via a safe and an environment-friendly way of motoring.
We have entered 2016, but gutted to see the flying cars as envisioned in the
Back to the Future Part 2
is nothing but fantasy, having to know the future of motoring based with Faraday Future’s concept does suggest the future of motoring is promising indeed.
IMAGE GALLERY


2020 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire now smarter and safer, open for booking!

Toyota has just given the popular Alphard and Vellfire duo a minor update, which includes improved safety and connectivity features.
Styling wise, nothing has changed from the
previous facelift
 of the
Taukey
duos. Just as before the updated luxury MPVs will be available in three different variants –
 Vellfire 2.5L
,
Alphard 3.5L
, and the
Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge
.
Toyota has included the brand’s latest safety features into the updated Alphard and Vellfire, which includes the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), Parking Brake Support System, Vehicle Telematics System, as well as Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
The TSS system is Toyota’s suite of
advanced driver assistance features
. The suite includes features such as Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracking Assist, as well as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control – All Speed.
With the new Parking Brake Support System, the Alphard and Vellfire will automatically apply the brakes and cut back the engine output to prevent collision during the parking process, if an object is detected via the sensors on the exterior of the car.
Elsewhere, the Vehicle Telematics Systems (VTS) constantly tracks the vehicle’s location through GPS and GSM connectivity, which should aid vehicle recovery in the event of the vehicle being stolen.
The VTS system can also monitor and record the vehicle speed and other operating conditions, which can be sent to a designated user through email.
Inside, Toyota has updated the dashboard with a new 9-inch touchscreen AVX infotainment display, now with full
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
 support.
The new infotainment system also supports
 constant DVR recording
 through the front and rear cameras of the Panaromic-View Monitor – no need for a separate dashcam anymore.
The Alphard and Vellfire range will be fully imported from Japan, with prices starting at
RM383,000
 for the Vellfire 2.5L, and
RM465,000
 for the Alphard 3.5L. The price for the Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge has not been confirmed yet at the time of writing.
The updated 2020 Toyota Alphard and Vellfire are
 now available for pre-launch booking
 at all authorised Toyota dealerships and UMW Toyota outlets nationwide.


Loud exhausts not motorists’ fault, consumer association speaks up

According to a
local news report
, the Federation of Malaysian Consumer’s Association (FOMCA) has spoken up and stressed that consumers are not to be blamed for the loud exhaust fiasco that has put every motoring enthusiast on the edge.
Instead, the
onus should be on the government
 to regulate the import and sale of such “illegal” exhaust systems. President of FOMCA, Che Hassan Che Johan, highlighted that if shops are legally allowed to sell them, consumers are bound to purchase them.
Vandalism
isn’t the way
 either.
The wise man and frankly, our hero for the month, also stressed that motorists should not be forbidden from indulging in their passion and interest for automotive tuning and enforcement should take place against the vendors instead; something
we highlighted in our previous article
.
If you’re aren’t aware yet, your loud exhaust (not sure loud is loud), can land you an RM2,000 fine or six months in prison if they’re found to be too loud or harmful to the environment.


Michelin Malaysia launches new Primacy SUV tyres, prices start from RM440

The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment is one of the fastest growing categories in the automotive sphere yet, a trend that forced luxurious brands like Jaguar and Bentley to produce all-terrain conquerers such as the F-Pace and Bentayga. That said, Michelin Malaysia has just introduced their brand new Primacy SUV tyre that’s exclusively designed for SUVs.
The Primacy SUV took three full years of R&D, incorporating
four key Michelin technologies
 such as FlexMax 2.0, StabiliGrip, CushionGuard and EvenPeak. It’s the first tyre exclusively designed for SUV by Michelin, and yields better performance than any Michelin tyres before.
Braking distance
 under wet conditions is
shorter by 2.2 metres
, whereas on dry surfaces it’s
shorter by 1.9 metres
.

But that’s not all. The
FlexMax

2.0
 technology gives the tyres a degree of flexibility, creating a chamfered or curved tread block that
prevents distortion under pressure
. The contact surface is also larger here,
improving grip under rain and shine
. The
StabiliGrip
 technology on the other hand, features several self-locking knobs inside the small grooves. What this does is minimise tread block deformation while improving wet handling through more efficient water evacuation.
In making the
tyres quieter
, Michelin – through the
EvenPeak
 technology – made the tread blocks in varying lengths, therefore reducing road noise and minimising noise peaking. Lastly is the
CushionGuard
 technology which absorbs vibrations through a layer of noise-filtering rubber. The curved sidewall (courtesy of FlexMax 2.0) work in tandem here in providing a smooth and comfortable ride.
Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Chandan Thakur said “SUVs are now used almost pervasively on the road. They are larger, more robust vehicles and they offer better visibility and more space. But they can at times be more difficult to handle and to stop, especially so on wet roads.” Chanda also added that the tyres are designed for
on-road use only
, as customers hardly take the car off-road.
The new Michelin Primacy SUV tyre is available
from 16-inch and above
 with a starting price of
RM440
. It’s available in all TYREPLUS and authorised Michelin dealerships nationwide.
IMAGE GALLERY


7-seater Honda N7X Concept looking good in the flesh!

If there’s a new
7-seater Honda BR-V
 and it looks anything like the
N7X Concept
, Honda (in Malaysia) could have a winner in their hands to welcome the new decade.
The name N7X stands for “New 7-seat eXcitement” and from the looks of it, there’ll be plenty to be excited about.
Honda in Indonesia claimed that the N7X Concept
isn’t a new version of an existing Honda
 and is
not related to any model in their current line-up.
According to them, it’s just how they think a 7-seater SUV should look.
Watch our compact 7-seater review of the Mitsubishi Xpander vs the Honda BR-V here!
Could it be a 7-seater HR-V? Or perhaps a new 7-seater to sit between the HR-V and CR-V? Only time will tell as the N7X Concept goes for a tour around Indonesia along with the
new City hatchback
.
If it does materialise as the new BR-V, what a fitting replacement it would be for Honda’s compact 7-seater SUV. While the current (aging) BR-V looks youthful and everygreen, the N7X appears more mature and sophisticated. Heck, in that exact form, we’d even say it looks premium. Wouldn’t you?
The best part of all is how much more proportionate it looks compared to the current BR-V. No details were given but Honda said the N7X Concept is
longer, wider and taller than the current BR-V
and that may have been a factor.
It’s so much more pleasing to the eye. Looking at the current BR-V from the side profile, you’d instantly notice how much larger the side windows are in relation to the body. It almost overwhelms the car when you see it in the flesh.
Current Honda BR-V
While it may offer more natural light to and better visibility from the cabin, it made the BR-V look like a moving display case (in this writer’s humble opinion).
The N7X is a completely different story. Unlike the current BR-V’s crooked beltline, it’s a straight line across the side doors in the N7X Concept – lending a much sleeker look to the side profile of the compact SUV.
Got you excited yet?
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Arrive at your meetings in speed and style with the updated Mercedes-AMG E 53

Alongside the launch of the
updated W213 E-Class
, the three pointed star has also released the updated Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+. The Mercedes-AMG E 53 is available in both sedan and estate versions.
From the outside, the E 53 is characterised by the Panamericana grille, front splitter in silver chrome, the two powerdomes on the front bonnet, new rear apron with new diffuser insert, and round twin tailpipes.
The E 53 can be further customised with the AMG Night Package for a high-gloss black finish on the trim pieces,along with an optional darkened AMG radiator grille for an even sportier appearance.
As standard, the E 53 sits on
19-inch
 aerodynamically optimised five-twin-spoke design light alloy wheels, but can be sized up to
20-inch
 units.
Moving inside, the E 53 comes standard with the AMG Performance steering wheel with a three rounded twin spokes design, with control buttons seamlessly integrated into the spokes. An optional two round AMG steering wheel buttons can be equipped to control various AMG-related drive programmes.
The AMG variant stands out from the regular E-Class with AMG-designed Artico leather and microfibre sports seats, matched with red contrasting topstitching and an AMG badge.
As an option, the seats can be upholstered with a silver grey/pearl nappa leather and red contrasting topstitching combination, as are the AMG Performance Seat Packages.
However, the true party piece of the AMG variant is the
AMG-specific MBUX features
 such as the G-Meter, Racetimer, Engine Data, as well as the optional AMG Track Pace virtual race engineer.
Under the hood of the Mercedes-AMG E 53 is the three-litre in-line six twin turbocharged engine, producing
435 hp
 and
520 Nm
. The engine utilises an additional electric compressor at the turbocharger to reduce turbo lag.
Additionally, the engine is also paired to a
48V mild hybrid
 EQ Boost starter-alternator, which briefly provides an
additional 22 hp
 and
250 Nm of torque
. the EQ Boost system also feeds the 48V on-board electrical system, and enables gliding mode and the engine start-stop function.
The powerplant is paired to an
AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission
, with power sent to all four wheels via a fully variable 4MATIC+
all-wheel drive
 system.
With everything working together, the E 53 reaches 100 km/h from standstill in just
4.5 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
250 km/h
. Ticking the AMG Driver’s Package during purchase lets you increase the electronically limited top speed to
 270 km/h
.
To stop the car, the 370 mm wide cross-drilled front disc brakes are paired to
four-piston fixed callipers
, finished with AMG lettering on the housing. At the rear, 360 mm discs are paired to
single-piston floating callipers
.
The
AMG Ride Control+ air suspension
 with continuously adjustable damping system ensures that you can achieve AMG-level of driving dynamics without sacrificing ride comfort. And if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, an optional
AMG Dynamic Plus
 package includes the RACE driving mode with
Drift Mode.
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The BMW M5 Competition is here to feed your insatiable appetite for power

First there was the
standard BMW M5
, then there was the
M5 First Edition
 and now, there’s the BMW M5 Competition – a 625 hp / 750 Nm Hulk for those mad enough to think that the standard model isn’t potent enough.
The new M5 Competition gets a
25 hp
 increment but retains similar torque figures at
750 Nm
 from the 4.4-litre V8 M TwinPower Turbo engine. Power is channeled through an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, onward to all four wheels, managed by the rear-biased M xDrive system.
As a result, the M5 Competition’s improved power delivery propels it to 100 km/h from standstill in 3.3 seconds,
just 0.1 second faster
 than the standard model – quite a farce really, for such meager reductions in acceleration times.
0 to 200 km/h is where the difference is more noteworthy. The M5 Competition is
0.3 seconds faster to 200 km/h
 than the standard model, completing the run in just 10.8 seconds. Now you go try the same feat with your standard issue BMW and get some sense of perspective of how quick the M5 Competition is.

Standard equipment in the M5 Competition includes a model-specific M Sport exhaust system with tailpipes in black chrome. It’s also got model-specific engine mountings, where increased spring rate and firmer connections to the vehicle’s structure results in even more direct engine response and immediate power transfer to the drivetrain.
The car also corners with noticeably greater directness and precision, credit to the mounting’s stiffer characteristics. Having been
lowered by 7 mm
, camber in the front axle had also been increased to absorb lateral forces through high-speed corners.
The rear anti-roll bar gets a firmer spring rate while the front axle gets a newly-designed mounting for the anti-roll bars. The
springs at the front and back are 10% stiffer
 than the standard M5 for an even more responsive steering.
The M5 Competition can be distinguished by the “Competition lettering” on the boot lid, a different mesh on the BMW M gills, the exterior mirror caps and the body-coloured door handles.
The market launch of the new BMW M5 Competition sparks the beginning of a new product category. In the future, BMW M GmbH will offer the most powerful variants of its high-performance cars as standalone models.
IMAGE GALLERY


UMW Toyota unveils tech-focused Toyota Synergised Mobility branding

Alongside the launch of the
2021 Toyota Fortuner
 and
Innova
 facelift models, UMW Toyota yesterday also unveiled a new brand pillar and branding initiative, called Toyota Synergised Mobility (TSM).
UMW Toyota hopes to use the TSM branding to showcase its latest advanced technologies, while pushing awareness and making it easier to understand for the buying crowd. Two examples of the technologies that will now fall under the TSM branding are
Toyota Safety Sense (TSS)
 and Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), both available in their latest models.

UMW Toyota Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama said, “Toyota is moving beyond being just a manufacturer of cars to other forms of mobility formodern lifestyles. In pursuit of this, it creates innovations featuring cutting-edge technologies with the potential for expanding the possibilities of future mobility for the wider community.
“With Toyota Synergised Mobility, the public will gain greater awareness of the new and available technologies – as well as what is to come in the future. There will be even greater synergy between man and machine,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
The new TSM branding will not replace the ‘All About The Drive’ theme, but rather fall under the wider umbrella, and will “complement the excitement that is already generated by Toyota Gazoo Racing initiative”. The company also says that the new TSM branding will pave way for new Toyota technologies to be introduced “very soon”.
UMW Toyota President, Ravindran K. said, “We believe that technology should be simple, yet intelligent. With Toyota Synergised Mobility, UMW Toyota Motor will present to Malaysians a new aspect of the brand which is advanced, cutting edge and innovative.
“Customers will understand and embrace ‘Smart Driving’ with Toyota where they will enjoy and experience seamless driving experience where technology is in perfect synergy – designed for and by humans.”

The company says that since the introduction of its All About The Drive umbrella theme in 2016, the brand has undergone a rapid transformation of its image, gaining a perception of being more sporty, youthful, and exciting.
A large part of this can be credited to the Toyota Gazoo Racing brand, which has been used for events such as the
TGR Racing Festival
,
GR Velocity E-Sports Championships
,
GR Garage
, and GR high-performance products such as the
GR Supra
 and
 GR Yaris
.
Alongside the new sporty appeal, the Toyota Synergised Mobility branding will help bring it down to earth a little, so to speak, by advancing an image of being advanced, innovative and cutting-edge. You can learn more about the TSM philosophy at the new microsite
here
.


BYD Dolphin launched in Singapore & Thailand – EV hatchback coming to Malaysian soon

BYD
’s
 fully electric (EV) hatchback – the
Dolphin
 has just made its launch in both the Singaporean and Thailand markets. Offered in one variant only in Singapore, and two variants – Standard Range and Extended Range in Thailand, the BYD Dolphin retails at
SGD156,888
 (approx.
RM541,016
) in Singapore, inclusive of COE, and is priced from
THB699,999
 (
approx. RM92,689
) in Thailand. BYD has already confirmed that its Dolphin EV hatchback will be coming to the Malaysian market. The question is when?
On the outside, the BYD Dolphin features modern-day must-have features such as LED headlights and tail lights. The EV hatchback also comes as standard with 16-inch alloys for the Singaporean market, while the Thailand market Extended Range variant is equipped with a larger set of 17-inch alloys.
Just in case you’re wondering how big or small the BYD Dolphin is, it measures 4,290 mm long, 1,570 mm tall, and 1,770 mm wide, and is underpinned by a 2,700 mm long wheelbase. This makes the Chinese EV hatchback slightly larger than the
Perodua Myvi
,
Proton Iriz
, and
Toyota Yaris
, and about the same size as the
Honda City Hatchback
. But as expected, the
Ora Good Cat
 EV is still larger than the BYD Dolphin.
Powered by a single motor setup, the BYD Dolphin is paired with BYD’s in-house CTB (Cell to Body) battery with a
44.9 kWh
 capacity. With power sent to the front wheels only, the EV hatchback produces a total of
94 hp
 and
180 Nm
. As for how far the BYD Dolphin can carry you on a single charge, its range is rated at
410 km
 and
490 km
 (NEDC) for the Thailand market Standard Range and Extended variants respectively.
RELATED:
BYD supersedes Tesla in sales, becomes best-selling EV brand in Singapore
Charging the BYD Dolphin from 20 to 80% takes
33 minutes
 using a
60 kW
 DC charger. The hatchback can also be juiced up from flat to full in
7.5 hours
 using a
7 kW
 AC charger. BYD has also equipped the EV hatchback with the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality.
Moving inside, equipment you get with the BYD Dolphin includes a 12.8-inch ‘Intelligent Rotating Screen’ with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto support, a five-inch digital instrument cluster, power-adjustable front seats for the Singaporean and top-spec Thailand variants, as well an NFC keycard to unlock the car. The Thailand market Extended Range variant even gets a panoramic glass roof.
In terms of safety, BYD has equipped the Dolphin EV with safety features such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) with stop & go functionality, as well as lane departure and lane keep warning (LDW & LKW). Blind spot detection and a 360-degree view monitor are also included with the BYD Dolphin.
Now that the BYD Dolphin has made its launch in both our northern and southern neighbours’ markets, is our turn coming soon? We are also presuming its price to be around RM100,000 to RM120,000 ballpark when it officially launches in Malaysia, considering the Thai variant’s prices, as well as its bigger brother – the BYD Atto 3’s local retail prices (RM149,800 and RM167,800).
What do you think about the BYD Dolphin? Will you consider it over the petrol-powered B-segment hatchbacks we have in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments!
RELATED:
BYD Atto 3 coming with Continental tyres, replaces Atlas Batman tyres


The new and improved 2019 Porsche Macan facelift is here, from RM455,000!

Porsche has just unveiled the new facelift 2019 Porsche Macan at Porsche Sungai Besi, starting from RM455,000, inclusive of a 4-year warranty and free maintenance package.
Sime Darby Auto Performance announced that the attractive monthly repayments start from RM5,700 for the new Macan through 360 Financing.

The new car comes with a host of updates where the exterior gets a new LED headlamp cluster, while the back is treated with a 3D LED light panel that spans across the with of the Macan.
The new Macan is fitted with mixed sized tyres with 18-inch wheels as standard along with the optional 21-inch set. New colours for the updated Macan includes Mamba Green Metallic, Dolomite Silver Metallic, Miami Blue and Crayon.
The baby Porsche’s dynamics has also been enhanced with aluminium spring forks in replacement of steel units from before, resulting in a 1.5kg weight reduction and more precise steering response. The new spring forks are also supported by newly-tuned anti-roll bars for more neutral handling.
With the Macan S, larger brakes find its way in the front, increased by 10mm to 360mm while disc thickness has increased by 2mm to 36mm. All new brake linings are copper-free.
Under the hood, you’d find a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine making
252 hp
 and
370 Nm
 paired to a 7-speed PDK transmission. 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 6.7 seconds, with a top speed of 225 km/h.
As for the Macan S, it’s powered by a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with
354 hp
 (14 hp increase) and
480 Nm
.
On board equipment wise, the Macan is equipped with 14-way power adjustable seats, Park Assist with Surround View (optional), seats wrapped with a mix of Alcantara and leather, Bose Surround Sound System, 10.9-inch touchscreen display (up from 7.2-inch) supported by the Porsche Communication Management System, like in the Panamera and Cayenne.
The updated Macan is also equipped with the Traffic Jam Assist that uses adaptive cruise control to allow more relaxed driving at speeds of up to 65 km/h.
IMAGE GALLERY


This electric Volkswagen Bug will be a show-stopper at the Geneva Motor Show

First it was the Combi Microbus and come this March at the Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen will be reviving another legend – the Dune Buggy.
The fully electric bug will be based on the modular electric drive (MEB) platform, which also forms the basis for the new
 electric Microbus
 and the
 I.D. Crozz
. The original buggy was based on the chassis of the
Beetle
.
“A buggy is more than a car. It is vibrancy and energy on four wheels,” said
Head Designer at Volkswagen, Klaus Bischoff.
The new electric bug will do without doors and a roof, while its free-standing wheels fitted with off-road tyres.
The Volkswagen I.D. Crozz is for production in 2020 followed by the all-electric Kombi van in 2022. Both vehicles are earmarked to fulfill Volkswagen’s pledge to sell one million electric vehicles annually by 2025.


This Honda Civic Type R Lego model won’t be breaking any lap records

First, there was the
Lego Camry
, then
Porsche
,
Bugatti
 and even
McLaren
 decided that a life-sized Lego replica of their flagship cars was a good idea. Now, Honda Australia has come up with its very own life-size Lego
Honda Civic Type R
.
In celebration of
Honda Australia’s support of local television Channel Nine Lego Masters
programme, Lego Masters Judge and Lego-certified professional Ryan “Brickman”
McNaught and his team put together this model.

Everything from the
windscreen wipers to the brake callipers were assembled using Lego bricks
stacked on top of steel frames. The team used more than 320,000 bricks (Civic Type
R has 320 hp, go figure) and spent more than 1,000 hours to put together this
build.
It is not a working
model so the only way this 1:1 scale model will get anywhere is on a forklift
but the headlamps, DRLs, fog lights, signal lamps, brake and reversing lights can
be operated on an iPad. Guess this model won’t be making any lap records.
“We’ve loved the
challenge of this project. The car is shaped with a considerable amount of
curved lines, making it a tough but interesting build. From the working lights
and indicators to intricate LEGO® Honda logos, the detail on the model has been
a fun one for us to work on”, said Mr. McNaught.


BMW iX offered in two variants, new xDrive40 with 326 hp and over 400 km range

When it was initially announced back in November 2020, BMW only provided key information about the new fully electric
iX SUV.
 More information has surfaced and BMW now offers two variants of the iX- the range-topping xDrive50 and the X5-priced xDrive40.
The BMW iX, which is similar in size to the X5 but with a lower roofline, will have all-wheel drive as standard with an in-house developed electric motor placed at the front and rear axle. In the xDrive50, the combined system output is over 370 kW or
503 hp
 and enables acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in
under five seconds
.
This range-topping variant will also come with a relatively large battery pack with a gross energy content of over 100 kWh. This allows the xDrive50 to have a range in excess of
600 kilometres
 in the WLTP combined test cycle.
While being the latest of the trio into the EV SUV game, the performance of the iX xDrive50 surpasses the
EQC
 (408 hp, 5.1 seconds, 454 km) from Mercedes-Benz and
Audi’s e-tron
 (408 hp, 5.7 seconds, 441 km). BMW’s smaller
iX3
 meanwhile has 286 hp at its rear axle, 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and a range of 460 km.
In the more accessible xDrive40, peak output is around 240 kW or
326 hp
 and completes the benchmark century sprint in a shade
over six seconds
. With a battery that is 30% smaller than the larger variant, the xDrive40 can provide a driving range of over
400 kilometres
.
BMW is also a strong advocate in environmental and sustainable material sourcing, with the materials used to make the batteries coming from responsible corporations. The lithium used in batteries are mined from hard-rock deposits in
Australia
 in accordance with the company’s environmental and sustainability standards.
No rare earth
 were used in the magnets of the traction motors, as the excitation of the rotor is not induced by fixed permanent magnets, but the feed-in of electric energy. The precise control of the excitation also enables peak torque to be on tap immediately on pulling away, plus torque is maintained over an extremely broad revolution band.
This is not the charging port, but the windscreen washer fluid filler port.
Even with a single-speed transmission, both variants have a top speed of 200 km/h. As for charging speed, both variants differ. The xDrive50 can charge its battery at up to 200 kW, allowing a
10-minute charge
 to deliver a range of over 120 kilometres.
The maximum charging capacity in the xDrive40 is 50 kW lower at 150 kW. Over 90 kilometres of range can be added by just charging for ten minutes. In both variants, 40 minutes is all it takes to increase the battery state-of-charge (SOC) level from 10% to 80%.
For regions like Malaysia without many DC chargers, BMW says 11 hours and eight hours are required for batteries in the xDrive50 and xDrive40, respectively, to reach 100% levels through the home wallbox.
The BMW iX is the first model from the brand to feature the new high-resolution one-piece Curved Display. The new screen is actually a combination of two screens- the driver viewing a 12.3-inch information display while the infotainment is displayed through a 14.9-inch screen.
BMW will also roll out their
latest BMW Operating System
 in the iX that focuses on voice commands and driver’s usage is thoroughly processed with artificial intelligence (AI) for better communication and content.
The BMW iX will only start production from the second half of this year at the BMW Plant Dingolfing. In Germany, the xDrive40 will be priced from
EUR77,300
, which BMW say is at a similar level to the conventional
X5
. The higher performance xDrive50 meanwhile is priced from
EUR98,000
. The smaller 286 hp BMW iX3 meanwhile starts from EUR66,300.
A
Sport
 package is also on offered, where changes are purely cosmetics with the fitment of a different front bumper (still with the large vertical kidneys), blue-painted brake calipers, exterior lower portion and door handles in glass black, taillamps in smoked glass and deletion of the electric blue highlights.
Just yesterday, BMW Malaysia put up not just a
teaser of the iX
, but also a call for registration of interest. Looking at the global production timeline, we can safely assume sales in Malaysia will only begin in 2022. The price, however, will it be similar levels with the locally-assembled
BMW X5 xDrive45e
 that is priced at circa
RM430k
?
GALLERY


2022 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 updated with 360 camera, HUD, AMG steering buttons – RM30k price hike

Alongside the
new GLC 300e Coupe
, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today also announced a mild equipment update for the
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic
, which comes with an accompanying price hike of nearly RM30,000 bringing the retail price now up to
RM392,582
 on-the-road, without insurance and inclusive of SST exemptions until June 30, 2022.
Following the
reintroduction of SST
, the GLB 35 will go for RM405,888, so if you’re looking to nab yourself one of these, best get your bookings in soon.
As part of the 2022 upgrades, the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is now equipped with a new 360-degree surround view monitor, replacing the reverse camera from before. Head-up display is also now standard, alongside a new AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather, and the AMG steering-wheel buttons.
Other additions include the MBUX Interior Assistant, which offers added convenience inside the cabin with features such as automatically switching-on the map lights when the driver reaches over to retrieve an item in the front passenger seat. Last but not least, there’s also a new puddle light which projects the Mercedes-Benz logo on the floor when the door is opened.
Aside from these changes, however, the rest of the equipment list remains identical from before, with standard kit including the Multibeam adaptive LED headlights, 20-inch black five twin-spoke alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, electric adjustable sports seats, and the twin 10.25-inch screens running the MBUX OS with AMG-specific displays, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Powering the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic is still the same 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, sending
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed AMG Speedshift DCT gearbox and the 4Matic all-wheel drive system, for a century sprint time of
5.2 seconds
 and a rated top speed of
250 km/h
.
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Porsche 718 Cayman unveiled, now down to a 2.0L 4-cylinder

Not too long after the unveiling of the
718 Boxster
, the 718 Cayman finally makes an appearance, and both 718 Cayman and Cayman S models will be unveiled at the ongoing Beijing Motor Show.
The 718 moniker comes with a price, though, as it loses the naturally aspirated flat six, only to be replaced by the
all-new turbocharged flat-fours
. The engine options are similar with the 718 Boxster, but if a refresher is needed, the base Cayman gets powered by a
2.0-litre
lump producing
300 hp
 and
380 Nm
 of torque while the Cayman S receives a
2.5-litre
 version, producing
350 hp
 an
420 Nm
of torque.
The engine is paired to either a standard
six-speed manual
 or
seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox
.

The slicker 718 Cayman accelerates faster than its convertible counterpart; the base model is good for a 0-100km/h dash in
4.7 seconds
, while the S is
0.5 seconds
 faster. Top speed for both are
272km/h
 and
283km/h
 respectively.
More power means bigger brakes are needed, hence they are both equipped with 30mm-diameter discs up front and 299mm discs at the back. Suspension enhancements in the form of revised dampers and spring settings, thicker rear antiroll bar, wider rear tyres and retuned steering should dampen the downsizing news, so there’s some silver lining too.
Changes on the aesthetic are just like a typical Porsche – subtle and minimal at most. Inside the 718 Cayman is a redesigned dashboard that includes
Porsche Communication Management
 system and a new steering wheel.
The 718 Cayman can be had at
£39,878
 (approx
RM225,000
 based on today’s conversion) while the S costs
£48,834
 (approx
 RM275,000
). For the first time ever, the coupe models are priced cheaper than the Boxster models. Customers with deeper wallets can opt for the optional Porsche Active Suspension Management and Sport Chrono Package.
Last year, Porsche Malaysia introduced the
 Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS
 models, with the hardcore
GT4 Cayman
 making its debut later in the year. Expect the 718 Boxster and Cayman to arrive on our shores pretty soon.
IMAGE GALLERY


Save RM2,000 on the Honda City 1.5S and 1.5E with Honda Malaysia’s 12.12 Special Sales!

In conjunction with the upcoming double 12 online shopping sales event, Honda Malaysia has announced the ‘All-New City 12.12 Special Sales’ campaign, offering
cash rebates worth RM2,000
 for the
all-new Honda City 1.5S and 1.5E variants
.
The offer will be eligible to customers who place a booking for one of the two aforementioned variants
 between 1st and 12th December
, and subsequently
register their vehicles from before the 31st of December 2020
.
Together with the ongoing sales tax exemptions until the 31st of December 2020, the entry-level Honda City 1.5S is priced at
RM71,851.27
, while the 1.5E variant is priced at
RM79,664.82
.

The Honda City has garnered significant approval from Malaysians, with more than 9,000 units already received since its launch in October this year, despite the challenging economic climate post
Covid-19
.
 Both the 1.5S and 1.5E variants of the Honda City are powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine, which makes
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
Pictured: Honda City 1.5V
Features wise, the Honda City E is significantly more well-equipped, with the addition of the new eight-inch infotainment display on the dashboard, which now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a reverse camera. Other additional features on the E variant include automatic climate control, paddle shifters, and a basic cruise control system.
Otherwise, both variants are equipped with halogen projector headlights, 15-inch alloy wheels (with variant-exclusive designs), fabric upholstery, analogue instrument cluster, rear air-con vents, and four airbags as standard.
For the full specification breakdown, do check out our launch coverage
here
.


Facts & Figures: Aston Martin DBX “The One Edition” launched in Malaysia from RM1.1 million

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has revealed yet another customised vehicle and this time, it’s called the
DBX “The One Edition”
; named after its distinctive choice of options selected.
Previously, Aston Martin also revealed the Aston Martin
Vantage “Hunter Edition
” and
Vantage “Dark Knight Edition”
.
The exterior is finished with an elegant Concours Blue colour, the same paint featured on the
Aston Martin One-77
 at its world debut. As it was announced that the colour would be removed from the DBX’s range of colours, making this specific unit the only one in Malaysia with the colour.
RELATED:
New Aston Martin DBX707 is now the most powerful luxury SUV!
The DBX’s unique paint job is complemented with 23-inch forged wheels finished in Satin Black; the largest wheels ever fitted to an Aston Martin. Aside from being the biggest and the most imposing, it’s worth noting that the wheels are also the lightest available.
Video:
We recently went to Aston Martin KL to customise a DBX SUV!
Other options selected for the DBX includes a sports exhaust upgrade and a gloss back exterior package. The latter extends to the side mirrors, the badges, window surrounds, to name a few.
With the interior, the Aston Martin has gone for a dual-tone ambience with a mix of Oxford Tan and Onyx Black leather for a hint of equestrian luxury.
RELATED:
Aston Martin KL presents bespoke DBX SUV in Arden Green, from RM1 million
Under the hood is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with
 550 hp
 and
 700 Nm
. The AMG-sourced engine is paired to a 9-speed automatic to drive all four wheels, where 0 to 100 km/h takes just 4.5 seconds.
The Aston Martin DBX “The One Edition” is priced from RM1.1 million, while the
 base model
starts from RM 818,000.00. Both prices stated are excluding duties and taxes.

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What’s the Buzz: The “new” Nissan Livina – what’s left in a car’s name?

Before you realise it, there could just be a handful of actual car manufacturers left in the future; while the rest simply “collaborate”, play second fiddle and introduce redesigned shells on the same platforms.
This may be a favourable situation for the accounting departments of those companies but what are we, as consumers, left with? What’s left in the name of a car brand?
The
Mitsubishi Xpander
and the newest addition to Indonesia’s pool of daily-trotters, the “new” Nissan Livina, is one such reflection of the situation.
Both share the same 1.5-litre engine engine with
104 hp
 and
 140 Nm
 to drive the front wheels via a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The Mitsubishi Expander.
Playing the part of an adopter, it’s fair to say that Nissan has had some influence on the design of the new Livina but compared to the more dramatically-designed Xpander, it looked as if the former has had to take the back seat and be the lesser of the non-identical twins.
Take the
new BMW Z4
 and the
 new Toyota Supra
 for an example, look at how they turned out. Doesn’t take an expert to tell who got the lousier end of the deal.
But does take one to tell the Xpander and the new Livina apart; because they’re so similar.
Only way to do so, at first glance, is by the badge and perhaps through Nissan’s V-Motion grille and Mitsubishi signature Dynamic Shield front-end.
Otherwise, you’d be hard pressed to find that they’re from two separate manufacturers. Everything from the chrome trim along the side windows, the rims, the head and tail lamps, the steering wheel and the entire dashboard are the same.
The Mitsubishi Expander.
Where’s the flavour in that? Look at the VAG group and you’d see a clearer picture with Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Bugatti, Bentley, Lamborghini all under one roof and most times, sharing the same parts bin.
Sure it’s a fantastic proposition both from a commercial and technological standpoint but it’s hard to not notice those glaring similarities and feel a lost sense of pride in a brand – like when you see a Volkswagen item in an Audi, vice versa.
And this, sadly, is only just the beginning.
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This 460hp Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport will turn any heads, anywhere

Chevrolet isn’t going to let everyone else take the spotlight at Geneva, no. Instead, they’ve created what is possibly the sexiest factory-produced Corvette in a while, the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. It follows the similar playbook from the newly launched
Porsche 911 R
, a true “no holds barred” sports car catered only for the purists.
The Grand Sport may not be the most powerful Corvette model (that title goes to Z06 still), but it inherits some of the racing DNA from the highly successful 2015 Le Mans Corvette GT car. Hence, it receives enhanced chassis tuning, track-focused aero kits, grippy set of tyres and new performance technologies.

Under the bonnet lies a
naturally aspirated 4.6-litre V8
 that delivers
460 hp
 to the
rear wheels
. The Corvette Grand Sport offers a
seven-speed manual transmission
 as standard with an
eight-speed automatic available
 as an option. Tasked with providing stopping power is a set of large Brembo brakes, consisting of 14-inch rotors at the front with six-piston calipers, and a pair of 13.4-inch rotors with four piston calipers at the back.
Traction is massively improved with the inclusion of
Michelin Pilot Super

Sport
 tyres; 285/30 ZR19 at the front and 335/25 ZR20 the back. The handling department also gets a shot in the arm via an electronic limited-slip differential, magnetic ride control, stabiliser bars and unique springs.
The end result is a thoroughly more focused Corvette that can barrel in and out of corners up to 1.05Gs! If you can stomach more lateral forces, there’s a Z07 pack which adds carbon-ceramic brakes and Pilot Sport 2 Cup rubbers. This ups the car’s threshold to 1.2Gs!
The Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is available in both coupe and convertible trims, whereas a Collector’s Edition will be unveiled within the next few months. The latter adds Watkins Glen Grey Metallic paint with blue stripes, black body stripes, and black rims. It’s just too bad we won’t be able to have it here!
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