Review: 2015 Subaru WRX STI is one car to please them all, and then some [+Video]

Let’s face it. The only reason anyone above the age of 20 these days know about the
Subaru
 brand is because at some point in their lives, a loud, sometimes irritably noisy
WRX STI
 of yesteryear whizzes past them.
Everything about the
STI
, up till today, is loud. From the flared wheel arches and body panels to the golden rims, the exhaust note and the large
picnic table
 rear spoiler; they are made specifically to be noticed.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Subaru WRX
Subaru WRX STI
Engine
1,998cc; turbocharged flat-4, Direct injection, DOHC
2,457cc; turbocharged flat-4, port injection, DOHC
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT
6-speed manual
Max Power
264 hp @ 5,600 rpm
296 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 2,400 rpm
407 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
6.3 seconds; 240 km/h
5.2 seconds; 255 km/h
Price (OTR
with
insurance)
RM235,227.00
  (with GST)
RM276,042.90
 (with GST)
The WRX STI is not a car for everyone and anyone to have, hence why you don’t see all that many on our roads. Cars in the past decade or two have advanced so much that it’s forcing carmakers such as Subaru themselves to evolve, to make cars that can be driven by anyone other than hardcore stick shifting, heel-and-toeing enthusiasts.
And because technology in cars have made so much progress, it’s gradually chipping off the real driving purists as the days go by. Take Mitsubishi for example, and how they’ve moved from making Subie-rivalling Lancer Evolutions to the family oriented and fuel sipping cars we see today. That’s right, Mitsubishi has already shelved all plans of continuing the
Evo
 breed, so that’s the end of that chapter.
Cars aren’t dying, no. They are thriving because of the world’s volume-driven marketplace. So why should we bother making niche products like the WRX STI when the unforgiving world of consumerism has moved to idolising the likes of
Volkswagen R
s and
Mercedes AMG
s? Don’t get me wrong, they are both absolutely fantastic products in their own rights, but that’s another story altogether.
So again, why bother, right? Let’s put things into perspective. Comparatively, on paper, the
Golf R
 is dwarfed when put next to the WRX STI. But because the former comes with all the niceties and daily driving conveniences Volkswagen has to offer, plus the fact that it’s priced only about RM7,000 more than the STI and comes with a lightning quick dual clutch gearbox as opposed to the Japanese’s six-speed manual, it somehow is the more sensible buy.
The Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R. Read our review
here
It’s almost as if the WRX STI is in the midst of an existential crisis, like it exists only because it can, not because it should. That said, is there really no light at the end of the tunnel for this rally thoroughbred? We’ll find out in just a bit.
EXTERIOR
This time around, the WRX STI is only available in a
four-door sedan form
 and the reason for not conceiving a hatchback is because they lacked solid development resources. With that, they channelled all their focus to producing a new model worthy of succeeding and continuing the WRX STI nameplate. And boy have they done so.
At its world premiere, it was obvious that the WRX STI didn’t stray too far off from its concept. In classic STI style, the front bumper gets an aggressive squared styling, this time featuring more chiselled lines than before. Then there’s the gaping hexagonal grille housing the Subaru and STI badges, lower intake and hood scoop. A
functional hood scoop
, mind you.

Illumination source is through a pair of
LED projector headlamps
 and fog lamps, while the C-shaped DRL strip is simply the LED positioning lamps. Underneath the enlarged fenders, you’ll find a set of
18-inch wheels
 wrapped with 245/40 series Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres. That makes for terrible road noise, but they provide insane amount of grip.
Towards the back, there’s that familiar look of the Version 10 sedan’s, but there’s no mistaking this for what it is. You get LED combination tail lamps, WRX STI’s signature rear wing, shark fine antenna, more badges, a trim exclusive rear bumper with diffusers and quad tail pipes. In terms of improvements, the exterior is a major leap forwards. That, we dig. A lot.
INTERIOR
Step inside and you’ll be quick to realise how quickly the cabin ages. Subaru could have at least given the dashboard (and the air cond vents for that matter) a little bit more styling finesse. I mean, when the outside looks that good, why not spend that bit more time crafting the interior?

Naysayers will argue that real driving enthusiasts care less about form and more about function. But truth is, if I were to dump some odd RM280k on a car that I would appreciate driving more than just staring at it parked at a random valet lot, I’d prefer having a nicer cabin. Let’s not even get started talking about the materials used and build quality.
On the lighter scale of things, the interior is more spacious and expensive-looking than before, and you also get a nice leather mixed Alcantara seats. The leather wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel may look like there’s a lot going on, but the switches are quick to get used to. It turns quicker (meaning more responsive) than the WRX too, requiring just
2.5 turns lock-to-lock
 compared to 2.8.
There’s a lot of
faux carbon fibre inserts
 round the cabin, but that does nothing more than keeping you right in the zone. An additional
25mm growth in wheelbase
 directly translates to
better rear legroom
 space. Favouring the sedan form means swinging practicality right back to the STI, and this is where you get to brag about having a sports car with
460 litres of boot space
. If that wasn’t enough, the seats do fold completely flat, so haul away.
Other user convenience features include dual-zone auto air conditioning,
push-start button
, passive cruise control,
reverse camera
 and a 4.3-inch coloured multifunction display built atop the dashboard. This screen is navigated via a
4-way rocker switch
 between the centre air vents and
displays turbo boost
, drivetrain operation, fuel consumption, air-cond temp and time.
PERFORMANCE
Pop the hood and long-time Subie fans will instantly recognise the horizontally-opposed block. Instead of chucking in a brand new mill, Subaru chose to carry over the same
turbocharged 2.5-litre flat-four
 engine. Hey, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it, right? Now here is where the debate heats up.
The engine, in essence, has nothing new at all save for a very slight bump of 5 horsepower and a
brand new ECU
. It’s got a compression ratio only people in the 80’s will sing praise of – 8.2:1, and relies on
14.7 psi of boost
to draw all its grunt. And that’s not all. There’s
no direct injection
, meaning you’ll be burning more cash refuelling this thing than changing its tyres after a full day at the track.
That said, it makes
296 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
407 Nm
 of torque at 4,000 rpm, rightfully paired to the
close-ratio six-speed manual
 transmission that sends power to all four wheels through Subaru’s
Symmetrical AWD
system.
As a result, the car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in
5.2 seconds
, though it could easily do better with aftermarket mods. Nobody leaves their STIs stock after all, right? Top speed is
255 km/h
, and the automaker suggests that the STI consumes just
10.4 litres of fuel per 100 km
 travelled. Yeah.
In contrast, the cheaper WRX runs on a
new 2.0-litre FA20F engine
 that makes just 32 hp less, producing
264 hp
 at 5,600 rpm and
350 Nm
 of torque at 2,400 rpm thanks to a turbocharger. This engine is more advanced, having a compression ratio of 10.6:1 and features
direct injection
. The only downside here is there’s no manual gearbox, so buyers will have to settle for the
Lineartronic CVT
.
THE DRIVE
We recently
reviewed the Golf R
 and spewed many wonderful things about how it should be THE fast car to get for the money. Knowing that the WRX STI is next in line, we weren’t sure if it could match up to the prodigious breed that is the R. We expected nothing much, but that mentality simply paved the way for it to tug every heartstring of this writer.
For the most part, this is one STI that obliterates the word understeer with fair ease. It’s more than happy to nail any corners you throw at it and won’t go wide when you floor the throttle immediately after. There’s so much grip – and man, the
short-stroke 2.5-litre mill
 feels most alive from
3,500 rpm
. Climb slightly upwards and you will be sold. Never mind the antiquated boxer engine because once you hit 4,000 rpm, your vision blurs and before you know it, the
rev limiter
 calls on you to upshift.
The
hydraulically assisted steering wheel
 is perfectly weighted and reacts instantly to every change of input. Driving position is also pretty darn close to perfection. As much as it is an instrument of hoon, the STI is remarkably forgiving as well. I say that because the STI, even without load, appears to sit very closely to the ground. Drive it however you want over any grade of tarmac; the front bumper will never scrape the road. Ever.
This newfound agility is courtesy of a
new chassis and suspension
 that is
much stiffer
 than before. Add Subaru’s world renowned Symmetrical AWD system into the mix and you’ll realise the wonders that they do in tandem. For starters, the system uses a combination of
two centre differentials
 (electronic and mechanical, mated to a third planetary gear-type diff) that defaults to a
rear-biased 41:59 torque split
, but can continuously vary to an even 50:50 split.
Then, a helical-gear at the front axle will split this power to both wheels while an electronically controlled limited-slip differential (Torsen torque-sensing) manages the two rear wheels. Icing the cake is Subaru’s new Active Torque Vectoring software that utilises bias braking to readily send more torque to either the left or the right wheel when cornering. In short, the WRX STI hates understeer. That’s why there’s five differentials at play.
Like the WRX, the WRX STI also comes with
SI-Drive
, operated via a dial just next to the parking brake. This gives you
three driving modes
;
Intelligent
 – for the laid back daily drives,
Sport
 – the default mode for sporty drives and
Sport Sharp (S#)
 which grants you the
sharpest throttle response
 regardless of engine speed.  To be frank, even in Intelligent mode, the car screams a ton of fun, but Sport mode hits right in the sweet spot.
Notice the +/- rocker switch that says
C.Diff
? That’s the Driver Controlled Centre Differential (DCCD) with three settings; Auto [+] for increased traction on slippery roads, Auto for daily driving and Auto [-] for quicker steering response. Tip: just leave it in Auto, but when you hit the track, drop it to Auto [-] and you’re good to go.
Sure, it handles great and is nimble around the corners, sprints to 100 km/h two tenths of a second slower than the Golf R (still fast by any measure) and is
intoxicatingly fun to drive
. But how do the stock brakes perform? Pretty much up to par, really. The
4-pot Brembos
 at the front and
2-pots at the rear
 bite rather firmly and are confidence-inspiring. The
aluminium pedals
 are also well spaced, making heel-and-toe downshifts a breezy task.
Unlike most sports cars out there, the WRX STI doesn’t come with adaptive suspension.
It’s super stiff
, resulting in a very go-karty ride on undulating surfaces (go-karts have no suspension arms, as goes without saying). In spite of all the on-board user customisation features, this is one part you don’t get to tinker with.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
The WRX STI is quite possibly more car than one can handle. Unless you’re a regular at the track or have always been the STI-or-nothing kinda guy, then this may well just be a passing thought. However, we’d strongly recommend giving the WRX a shot. It’s priced lower, you pay less for fuel and road tax; there’s a new direct injected engine and comes with an efficient CVT gearbox. If you’re a Subaru virgin, the WRX is certainly a good place to start.
So is the STI the car for you? At RM276k, options are aplenty – BMW 328i, MINI JCW Cooper S, VW Golf R… you get the point. They are all great cars and are even better daily drivers. Sure, they’ll have the larger piece of the pie. But the STI; it’s the ultimate car for purists to happily drain their full tank of V Power Racing empty, only to repeat the cycle time and again until the next service is due. It’s the perfect machine to go ferociously fast while thumping up the six-speed box; the authentic adrenaline racing through the veins when driving one part of World Rally’s most celebrated cars.
COMPARISONS
We’ve picked three cars to pit against the STI;
Renault Megane
,
Ford Focus ST
 and the
Golf R
, all of which are cars built for speed.
Subaru WRX STI
Renault Megane RS 260 Sport
Ford Focus ST
Volkswagen Golf R
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder (flat) petrol
4-cylinder petrol
4-cylinder petrol
4-cylinder petrol
Displacement
cc
2,457
1,998
1,999
1,984
Max Power
hp/rpm
296/6,000
265/5,500
250/5,500
277/5,700
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
407/4,000
360/3,800
340/1,750
380/1,750
STEERING
Type
Hydraulic Power Steering
Electric Power Steering
Electric Power Steering
Electric Power Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed DSG auto
SUSPENSION
Type
Front / Rear
MacPherson strut / Double Wishbones
MacPherson strut / Torsion Beam
MacPherson strut / Multi-link
MacPherson strut / Multi-link
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc (Brembo 4-pot)
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Ventilated disc (Brembo 2-pot)
Solid disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
245/40 R18
235/40 R18
235/40 R18
235/35 R19
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,595
4,299
4,362
4,276
Overall Width
mm
1,795
1,848
1,824
1,799
Overall Height
mm
1,475
–
1,484
1,436
Wheelbase
mm
2,650
2,636
2,648
2,630
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,516
1,374
1,362
1,495
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
460
344
316
380
FUEL
Tank Capacity
60 litres
60 litres
55 litres
55 litres
Consumption
10.4 L/100 km
8.2 L/100 km
7.2 L/100 km
6.9 L/100 km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
255
250
248
250
0 – 100km/h
sec
5.2
6.0
6.5
5.0
PRICE (without insurance)
RM
271,387.00
199,999.00
203,359.00
293,060.00
WILL I BUY IT?
By now, you would have realised that the benchmarks I’ve drawn against the STI is of the Golf R’s. To pick either one would have me cracking my head for weeks, if not months, on which is the more rewarding car to have in the long run. My choice was initially very much skewed towards the German after a thoroughly pleasant drive, then came the STI and jumbled it all up in the air. But all things considered, the time for me to give the WRX STI the green light is still to come.
I stand by my case that unless the STI gets the belated powertrain upgrade it deserves, my club swings in favour of the Golf.
Mitsubishi
, if you’re reading this, we plead of the Lancer Evo’s revival.
VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan is making a hotter Nismo Z, but it won’t have a manual gearbox

The
Nissan Z
 is already a bit of a unicorn here in our parts of our worlds, but prepare to drool over it even more because the Japanese carmaker has confirmed that a hotter Nismo Z edition will be coming soon… that is, if you’re not one of those “enthusiast” snobs.

Eagle-eyed fans immediately noticed that the prototype car in Nissan’s teaser video featured two flappy paddles behind the steering wheel, but most shrugged it off as just a prototype – surely a performance-focused model will also at least offer a manual gear box option, given that the standard car already has one?
A leaked order guide on the
 New Nissan Z
forums have, however, seemingly confirmed that the new performance-focused model will not come with a manual gearbox, instead relying on the nine-speed torque-converter automatic from the standard Z car to switch ratios.
RELATED:
2024 Nissan GT-R facelift unveiled in Japan – Nismo Special Edition and T-spec
Flappy paddles and two pedals.
It’s disappointing, for sure, but the Nismo Z’s (rumoured) more powerful engine might also just be its own achilles’ heel. See, the Nissan Z might look all new and fancy, but the platform it’s built on actually dates back to the
370Z
 from 2008. As such, the gearbox selection might have been hamstrung by the platform’s physical dimensions, and the old six-speed manual likely can’t handle the rumoured extra torque output.
Well, that’s our theory at least. Nissan could have opted for the automatic because it’s just plainly faster, and on a more track-focused performance model, that does at least make some sense.
READ MORE:
The 2022 Nissan Z continues with “Fairlady” name but only in Japan
Nissan hasn’t provided any official technical information just yet, but based on what’s shown in the teaser video, we do know that it’ll still feature the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine underneath the bonnet. A more performance-focused suspension tuning is also likely, given its track-ready credentials.
Otherwise, expect the usual visual overhaul, including the red Nismo accents, elaborate body kit, new wraparound ducktail spoiler, new wheels with sticky tyres, and – surprisingly – a new wider grille that replaces the square design that Nissan talked so much about. Inside, the Nismo Z also appears to now feature red Alcantara-wrapped bucket seats, a new red push-start button, alongside multiple Nismo branding all around.
The Nissan Nismo Z is scheduled to be unveiled this summer.
GALLERY


2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line launched in Malaysia – RM203k

Following an
 early preview
 of the “R-Line Trinity” at the VW Tour roadshow in August, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today officially launched the 2020 Passat R-Line here in Malaysia, with prices starting at
RM203,411
 inclusive of the
 sales tax exemptions
 – applicable until the end of 2020.
The R-Line treatment on the exterior of the Volkswagen Passat include the more aggressively-styled front bumper with larger air intakes and foglamps surrounds at the corners, a variant-exclusive rear bumper with quad “tailpipes exit” mouldings, lower side skirts, a strip of chrome lining surrounding the entire car at the bottom, customary R-Line badges on the grille and front fender, as well as a set of larger, 19-inch “Verona” wheels on all four corners.
On the inside, the 2020 Passat R-Line gets sportier variant-exclusive trims, including a thicker flat-bottomed steering wheel, aluminium sport pedals, black rooflining, carbon fibre-like dashboard trims, and Nappa “carbon-style” black leather seats.
Otherwise, the cabin equipment list pretty much mirrors that of the Passat Elegance, which includes as standard the 11.7-inch digital instrument cluster display, 9.2-inch Discover Pro touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, tri-zone automatic climate control, as well as 14-way power adjustable front seats with memory and massage function for the driver.
Also unchanged from the Volkswagen Passat Elegance is the powerplant under the hood, which is a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes
190 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque, paired to a new wet-clutch DSG dual-clutch gearbox to send power to the front wheels – unfortunately no 4Motion all-wheel drive here.
No performance figures were provided for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line, though the company says that the sportier D-segment sedan achieves a fuel consumption figure of 6.5 l/100 km – which is unsurprisingly identical to the Passat Elegance.
While the powertrain is exactly the same as the Elegance, the sportier R-Line variant does get some electronic and mechanical upgrades for a sportier driving experience. These include the
Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC)
 driving mode selector with up to 15 selectable increments for for different engine, throttle, and steering response, as well as
Electronic Differential Lock (XDS)
 to help control understeer.
Safety equipment is also identical to the Passat Elegance, which includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, stability control, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The Volkswagen Passat R-Line does not come equipped with autonomous emergency braking and other advance driver assistance features.
Once again, the locally-assembled 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line is priced at
RM203,411
 in Malaysia, inclusive of the full sales and service tax exemption valid until December 31, which slots it nicely in between the
Passat Elegance
 and
Arteon R-Line.
 Included in the price is a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, a three-year free service package and five years of free roadside assistance.
The Passat R-Line will be offered in six exterior colour choices: Aquamarine Blue Metallic, Tamarind Brown Metallic, Manganese Grey Metallic, Reflex Silver Metallic; Deep Black Pearl, and Oryx White Pearl.
GALLERY


BMW spends RM4.7b on British engine production plant, focuses on modern powertrains

Following Volkswagen Group’s dieselgate scandal, it seems that other Deutsch giants are stepping up their game into overdrive. What better place to start than with BMW, who’ve just announced this week that they will be revamping the company’s British engine manufacturing arm, Hams Hall located in the north of Warwickshire, UK.
Originally opened in
2001
 with an initial investment figure of over
 £400 million
 (RM2.54 billion), the plant’s primary mission was the
manufacturing
 of
 engine components
 such as
crankshafts
,
cylinder heads
 and
cylinder blocks
. The factory churned out parts for
BMW
 and
Mini
 models that would go on to power countless cars around the globe. Fourteen years since then, BMW decided that it was about time to give the old girl a makeover.
The makeover in question here is in line with Bimmer’s new direction relative to powertrains. Gone are the sweet, smooth purring straight-six free breathers that once powered the bulk of Bimmers of old. The “
Green Movement
” or whatever eco-mentalists choose to label it these days has seen giants like BMW move from big-bore sixers to tiny little turbocharged four potters for the sole reason of better
 carbon dioxide emissions
and
fuel efficiency
. And what pray tell is the cost of ‘keeping up with the times?’ BMW has just stroked a cheque to the tune of a whooping
£750 million
or
 RM4.7 billion
!
As the headline suggests, the factory will be churning out engines and components of the new
three
 and
four-cylinder
 engines which is already being ramped up on brand-new production lines, and over
 one million components
 will be machined at the plant for the first time this year as supply extends to other plants in the Group. The plant will be responsible for producing engines for Mini’s new
Clubman
, the all-new
G11 7-Series
 and Bimmer’s very own
 i8
 plug-in hybrid sports car. In addition to that, the plant will also be casting the latest-gen
 twin-turbo straight six
 (same one that powers the
new M2
) engines too.
Overall, the new
Efficient Dynamics
 engine family includes both petrol and diesel flavours, all employing
TwinPower Turbo
 technology and ranging from
 1.5-litres
 to
 3.0-litres
. With different power ratings, the engines can be adapted to a variety of models across the stable.
Commonality
 between the engines makes it possible to be extremely flexible in achieving significant efficiencies at high production volumes, as well as being able to produce additional special versions of the engines at relatively small volumes (and cost) across the network of engine plants.
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan Almera facelift debuts in Thailand – Approx. RM5k price hike, new ADAS features

Over in Thailand, the
Nissan Almera
 has been given a facelift, finally catching up to the look of the current Nissan Versa, its US counterpart. Mainly exhibiting a different design on the front end, the facelifted Almera in Thailand also adds new ADAS features. The facelift also introduces a 24,000 THB to 44,000 THB (approx.
RM3,174
 to
RM5,819
) price hike across the range.
Up front, the Nissan Almera facelift receives a new front grille design with the latest “V-motion” look. Another update at the front end are the headlights which now get a High Beam Assist (HBA) system. With the rest of the exterior remaining largely the same, the Almera facelift in Thailand introduces two new body colours – Milk Gray and Gray Sky Pearl. The Monarch Orange body colour has been dropped.
Powering the Nissan Almera facelift is still the same 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine. Like the Almera that we get in Malaysia, the Thai-spec Nissan Almera’s 3-cylinder engine outputs
100 hp
 (metric) and
152 Nm
. Paired with the engine is Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, sending power to the front wheels only. The wheels and tyres have been carried over from the pre-facelift version.
Inside, changes to the Nissan Almera facelift include a new interior colour, mainly on the dashboard and door trims. Previously a cream colour, the trims are now in Dark Blue (for the V and VL variants only). Nissan has also changed the steering wheel leather to a softer version and changed the rearview mirror to a frameless type. As for convenience, the Nissan Almera facelift introduces a wireless phone charger located at the front section of the centre console.
RELATED:
Nissan Almera Turbo in Malaysia now comes with free Tomei aero kit and tint, worth RM8k!
In the safety department, the Nissan Almera facelift now comes with High Beam Assist (HBA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). However, these new safety features are only available in the range-topping VL variant.
In Malaysia, the Nissan Almera has yet to receive a significant update since its launch in 2020. With the car updated in Thailand, a necessary update (and a price hike) may be coming soon to the Nissan Almera in Malaysia.
RELATED:
2023 Nissan Leaf launched in Malaysia – RM169k, RM1.8k per month subscription plan
GALLERY


Watch Travis Pastrana go nuts on Floridian streets in latest Gymkhana video

Time flies, doesn’t it? It’s already been two years since
Travis Pastrana took over the Hoonigan Gymkhana video series
 from Ken Block, and in that two years, he’s now already published two separate Gymkhana videos. But this latest one is perhaps his best yet, and arguably even one of the top ones in the entire series, because he’s brought silly fun back to Gymkhana again.
Yes, Gymkhana is about the hilariously powerful cars doing slidey things past the tyres’ limit of adhesion, but it’s also just as much about the silly stunts. Think about what you remember the most from past Gymkhana videos – if you’re like us, it’s probably the donuts around a Segway, the drift across the front of a moving train, the wrecking ball, and that insane jump on San Francisco streets.
The good news is the latest Gymkhana has them all, and perhaps even taken things to a whole new level.

As always, the Gymkhana cars are always a bit special. For the 2022 instalment, Travis Pastrana opted for a custom-built Subaru GL Wagon known as “The Family Huckster”, that rides on a bespoke tube frame.
The original flat-four engine from the second-generation GL wagon obviously won’t cut it here, so it’s inherited the custom 2.3-litre turbocharged boxer engine and from the
previous Gymkhana machine
, which makes a whopping
862 hp
.
All-wheel drive is expected, but what’s special are all of the active-aero bits that the team has tacked onto the car, including fins and spoilers that automatically deploy under heavy braking to act as air brakes.
Without giving too much away, the new Gymkhana 2022 has most definitely upped the ante in terms of stunts. Expect sparks, huge air time, massive tyre smoke clouds, and even a fighter jet and a helicopter.
It’s so extreme that Travis Pastrana even broke his back and pelvis while filming (not from driving), but fortunately he’s already fully recovered. Be sure to stay for the post-credit scenes to find out why.
READ MORE:
Ken Block is selling his “dream car” collection, including two Gymkhana Ford Fiestas


Incentives for manufacturing and purchase of green vehicles reviewed under the 12th Malaysia Plan

Yesterday’s announcement of the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) has bought up many familiar as well as new themes especially regarding the country gearing towards a sustainable environment. In the 12MP, the government will prioritise low-carbon, clean and resilient development that touches many aspects of our beloved automobiles.
While the government acknowledges the fact that citizens are still heavily reliant on private vehicles, even in greater Klang Valley when the majority of the new mass rapid transit systems are built, there are plans to further encourage the production of green vehicles.
UMW Toyota is investing RM270 million to produce hybrid models in Klang, with the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid its first model.
In the 12MP, incentives provided to local manufacturers to produce vehicles emitting low greenhouse gas, such as
hybrids
,
plug-in hybrids (PHEV)
 as well as fully-electric vehicles (EV) will be reviewed. The purchase of low emission vehicles by end-users will also be reviewed and given incentives to further accelerate the usage of low emission vehicles.
There is a new automaker planning to set up an assembly plant in Malaysia. It has been announced that Porsche will start CKD as soon as next year!
One surprising mention in the 12MP is the mandatory requirement of the inclusion of energy-efficient driving techniques into
driving licence
 and permit applications. Nothing has been elaborated as of now.
The transportation and
logistics industry
 are also encouraged to switch to greener means, such as usage of rail freight as well as the development of a carbon impact assessment for the sector. The 12MP also proposes the introduction of carbon pricing, such as carbon tax and the Emission Trading Scheme.
Deliveries of the fully-electric BMW iX only begin next year, but there is already a queue forming! Find out why here!
The goal is for Malaysia to achieve carbon-neutrality by as early as 2050, with long-term low carbon development strategies being planned plus the enactment of a comprehensive National Energy Policy. One such large-scale directive is the end of building new coal-fired power plants in Malaysia and replaced by plants that consume natural gas.


2014 Audi TT goes topless, Audi introduces the new TT Roadster

Following the reveal of
TT Coupe
 back in March, Audi now introduces the topless version of the TT in two variants,
TT Roadster
 and TTS Roadster. Essentially a TT Coupe with the roof chopped off, the TT Roadster sits on the VW Group’s infamous MQB platform. Since it’s based on the TT Coupe, the TT Roadster inherits the Coupe’s good looks.
Everything bar the roof is similar to the Coupe. The front features the same singleframe grille and sharp headlamps with trademark daytime running LED pattern.
Full-LED headlamps
 are optional, while the new
 Matrix LED headlamps
 will be available shortly after the official launch. The
 LED taillamps
 are standard fitment, as well as a
pop-up rear spoiler
 that retracts from the boot lid from 120 km/h onwards.
The
convertible fabric top
 operates automatically, opens and closes in just
 10 seconds
 at speeds
 up to 50 km/h
. When the top is down, it folds into its own aluminium tray so it doesn’t intrude into the
280-litre bootspace
. Available in a choice of black, titanium gray, and jive, the top weighs 3 kg lighter than the one on the previous TT Roadster.
Extra strengthening have been put into the TT Roadster’s body which includes a solid steel tube in the A-pillar, steel ribbing in the aluminium sills, and V-shaped steel struts below the engine compartment. There’s also a couple of steel roll-over bars behind each occupant’s head.
Unlike the TT Coupe that sits four, the TT Roadster only accommodates two on board, featuring the smart interior found on the TT Coupe. The interior theme is aviation-inspired, instrument panel that’s claimed to resemble the wing of an airplane, and the jet engine round air vents that incorporates the aircond controls. The driver can choose from Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency, and Individual mode from the
Audi drive select
 which alters the characteristics of the engine, steering, dampers and gearbox.
The are two variants offered, TT Roadster and TTS Roadster. The
 TTS Roadster
 only comes in a single engine option, the
2.0 TFSI
 producing
310 hp
 and
380 Nm
 of torque, and it only comes with
quattro all-wheel drive system
. The
TT Roadster
 is also powered by a
 2.0 TFSI
 but with lower output at
230 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque.
A
2.0 TDI ultra
 diesel producing
 184 hp
 and
 380 Nm
 of torque is also available in the TT Roadster. All variants are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, while the 6-speed S tronic transmission can only be had with the petrol TT Roadsters. Fuel consumption range from 4.5 – 4.3 l/100 km for the TT Roadster 2.0 TDI ultra, 6.8 – 6.0 l/100 km for the TT Roadster 2.0 TFSI, and 7.5 – 6.9 l/100 km for the TTS Roadster 2.0 TFSI.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


First drive: Proton X70’s Chinese twin, Geely Boyue tested on track

When queried at the recent media preview as to how the brand image of Proton can be improved, Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong’s reply was unequivocal – the product would have to speak for itself. A few days prior to the Proton X70’s unmasking (the tease isn’t over yet), we were at a test track some 4,000km away on the outskirts of Beijing trialling no less than 11 home-grown passenger vehicles, and one of them was none other than the Geely Boyue, the Proton X70’s Chinese twin.
Of course, this report is by no means a definitive account of how the Proton X70 would behave on our roads; test tracks tend to have smooth surfaces which are quite different from public roads, though the one we would drive the Boyue on was saturated from a morning shower. The dynamic exercises comprised of a slalom, a full-bore stop from around 90km/h and a string of tight corners. The X70 also underwent said a conversion from left-hand drive and according to Proton, its own flavour of chassis tuning to suit local conditions. Nevertheless, we expect its characteristics to be largely similar to the Boyue you see here.
There’s no need to copy when you have Peter Horbury to design your cars.
Much more than funny-sounding names
It’s easy to be a sceptic for there isn’t much of a track record for Chinese auto brands in Malaysia to speak of, but to dismiss them for their lack of achievement thus far would be foolhardy. Look at where Huawei and Xiaomi stand today, so much has changed in China, so quickly. For context, Geely is the fastest growing auto brand in China and is currently ranked second in overall market share (6.24%) after posting strong sales in the first seven months of 2018. The brand from Hangzhou is only behind long-time powerhouse Volkswagen (13.42%) but has since nudged ahead of Honda (5.79%), Toyota (5.51%) and Nissan (4.63%).
Since its launch in March 2016, the Boyue has chalked up close to 600,000 units in total sales (till July 2018), which works out to around 20,000 units a month. It is Geely’s most popular model in its 38-car line-up and the fourth best-selling SUV in China currently, with only the Haval H6, Baojun 510 (a smaller, lower-priced alternative) and Volkswagen Tiguan ahead of it.
Geely is now the leading Chinese brand in China, second overall to Volkswagen.
Original exterior design, premium interior
Ever since the Boyue was revealed as the next new Proton model, the response among Malaysians been largely positive but also one of curiosity. Styling preference is subjective of course, but the Boyue, penned by former Volvo design head Peter Horbury does look original and tidy, with its raked window and shoulder lines and blacked out C-pillars the standout styling cues. By adopting the facelifted 2018 edition of the Boyue that shows off more intricate detailing, especially on the bumpers, you could say that Proton’s first SUV is starting life on the front foot.
Boyue cabin feels as good as it looks.
If the exterior doesn’t grab your attention, the interior most likely would, and it serves as a shot across the bow to its competitors. In the limited time spent with the Boyue, I can’t recall coming in contact which any part of the cabin that felt compromised by costs. The dashboard is made large swatches of soft touch materials along with a wide expanse of faux brushed aluminium that looks convincing and pleasing to the eye. Switchgear and buttons are of the matte textured variety and they feel tactile and clicky. This level of quality seems like an overkill, yet it is what car buyers in China expect these days.
The equipment on display on our test unit is impressive too; fully digital instrument cluster along with an eight-inch 720p infotainment touch screen, electronic park brake with auto hold function, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats with Nappa cowhide (also found on the flat-bottom steering) and 360-view reverse camera. We found out later on that the Boyue sampled wasn’t even the most expensive variant but it was already equipped with lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control and blind spot warning, to name but a few active safety features. Surely then there has to be something amiss with the Boyue’s interior packaging…only that there isn’t. Legroom is generous on a floor that’s nearly flat, there are large air-con vents and the spacious trunk is free from intrusions. We are getting serious here.

Behind the wheel of the Boyue
A slalom course can sometimes make or break a car, or in our case, a tallish SUV. Expectations weren’t high admittedly but the Boyue surprised us by ducking between the cones with ease, the underlining behaviour being one of predictability which is then manifested in marked increases in confidence and speed after each run. No, it probably won’t outpace a VW Tiguan or even a Mazda CX-5 in this discipline, but the Boyue’s inherent stability means that the electronic nannies were rarely called into action to keep the vehicle on the intended path, something which can’t be said for other Chinese-branded SUVs tested on the day.
The Boyue keeps roll in check and inspires confidence through the slalom course.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if Volvo engineers had lent a hand in maximising the potential of the fully-independent front strut and rear multilink set up, the Boyue offering good resistance to body roll once past the initial degree of suspension compliance. The steering, an electrical powered unit, maintained good directional response even when subjected to heavy lateral loads, and never washed out as some other cars did in the test. The results were once again surprising.
Next up was the braking test which necessitated accelerating from idle to around 80km/h to 90km/h before executing a full-bore stop. The Boyue – powered by a 183hp/285Nm 1.8-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic of Aisin origins (we think) driving its front wheels – felt a little soft off the line considering the amount of torque it had on paper, possibly hampered by its near 1690kg kerb weight even if the acceleration was smooth and linear.
What the braking runs did confirm was that the engine and transmission remained civil when a turn of speed was required. Even though there wasn’t a Honda CR-V or a Mazda CX-5 to benchmark against, the Boyue is easily class competitive when it comes to powertrain refinement. Meshing the brake pedal and coming to a reassuringly undramatic stop thereafter further reaffirmed what the Boyue managed at the slalom – that the suspension is properly sorted.
Ride comfort will have to be assessed some other time on public roads, though that didn’t stop us from running the Boyue over gnarly chicanes on the way back to the pits. Again, the Geely SUV showed composure with an unfussy ride over the rumble strips. If Proton have further fine-tuned the dynamics of the Boyue to take on Malaysian roads, then good times lie ahead for the X70.
Competition makes better cars
When you consider that foreign brands make up for more than 50% of passenger car sales in China (over 24 million units last year) and that the biggest market in the world usually gets the best products earlier than other regions, it shouldn’t come as a shock that the Boyue turned out to be this competitive. Geely has had no choice but to compete (and is winning), it’s just that the rest of the world is largely unaware of the giant strides made by the leading Chinese auto manufacturer. Well, it won’t be the case anymore as the Boyue’s near identical twin, the Proton X70, is unleashed upon Malaysians. Prepare to be surprised.
The Proton X70 already has a lot going for it in the shape of the Boyue.
Geely Boyue 1.8TD
Price
: RMB 151,800
Engine
: 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cyl, FWD
Output
: 183hp / 285Nm
Transmission
: 6-speed automatic
Performance
: 0-100km/h in 10.0 (est.); top speed 195km/h
Wheels/tyres
: 225/55 R19 (F&R)
Safety
: 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, BSW, LDW.
(This author was invited by Xingyuan Automotive Information Technology Co. or Xingyuan Auto as part of the Belt & Road Car Media Union to sample a range of vehicles manufactured by Chinese auto manufacturers.)


Volvo XC90 may get Polestar magic to rival the 575hp BMW X5 M!

Volvo to many people is probably one of the most sedate brands they can think of when it comes to a car buying paradigm – my dad had one for that matter. It was understated when it comes to looks with a bit of punch under the hood to not make it completely inadequate. The official mode of transportation for geography teachers and architects who chose not go down the SAAB route has been on a very steep evolutionary transformation in recent months and years.
The brand has taken on a sudden
cool factor
 all on its own and just recently, Volvo
bought over Scandinavian tuning nutters Polestar
, whom have been on an amazing trajectory with their involvement in the
Aussie V8 Supercar series
 and a growing range of
souped
 up road-going examples with the newest possibility being a cool blue
 XC90
 Polestar based on the company’s all-new flagship SUV. We have to admit, it looks absolutely brilliant.

Now, there’s a couple of possible scenarios when it comes to its powertrain. The 2.0-litre
Drive-E
unit from the
XC60
 will pair a
turbocharger
 and
supercharger
, along with an
eight-speed
 automatic transmission, to become “as strong or even stronger” than the 3.0-litre straight sixer from the
S60
 Polestar, says Polestar CEO
Niels Möller
. That translates to at least
350
 horsepower. No matter how you look at it, Polestar will get hold of it and soup it right up the measurements to
compete
 with the likes of
Bimmer’s X5 M
,
Jaguar’s F-PACE
 and possibly
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63
.
In terms of looks, the previous model was so badly outdated that the Druids probably used it to get around. This new one however, brings an all-new
fresh
-faced Scandinavian dimension to the battle of the SUVs whom, as of late, have grown to become more
angular
 and
masculine
. That trend is due solely to the fact that we love driving around in
 gutsy city cruisers
. Volvo reckons that this brutish cruiser should be able to get some
track-time
 under its belt.

Seeing that nothing is set in stone and given the enormous potential Polestar has in
weaponising
 Volvo’s range of cars to compete with the performance offerings from Europe, the sky is the limit. But from where we stand, it seems that the Swedes have a
bit
 more to go when it comes to being a viable contender in this very
niche
 segment dominated by
titans
 of industry. That being said, we are waiting for Volvo to
officially
 confirm the project’s existence and figures. Stay tuned for more updates on this hot Swede from the icy cold North.
Picture credits: AutoBlog
IMAGE GALLERY


This custom Hotwheels RC drift car might be the most intricate mod we’ve ever seen

To most people,
Hotwheels diecast cars
 are nothing but tiny little disposable toys. But for car nuts like us, these inconspicuous toys were beacons of hope, that some day we’ll be able to own the actual car. Ask any car guy, and they’ll happily show you their proud collection.
But while most of us are just mere casual collectors, some people take this hobby a little more seriously, carrying out all sorts of projects on these diecast models, from restorations to custom bodywork. But those are still nothing when compared to people like the
Jakarta Diecast Project YouTube channel
, turning a Hotwheels model into a fully-functional RC drift car, complete with working shocks.

Starting with a stock Hotwheels BMW E30 M3 model (with the German
Polizei
 livery), the diecast model was completely disassembled, with the baseplate heavily modified with a new suspension set-up and axles – the front axle even gets a custom-built mechanism to turn the wheels!
The rest of the interior is completely stripped to make space for the added electronics, including a small servo to steer the front wheels, a DC motor to drive the rear wheels, batteries, and other radio communication components. There’s even a gyroscopic sensor inside to keep the car in a straight line – when you’re not drifting about, of course.
Completing the Hotwheels RC drift car build is a custom-made miniaturised Pandem bodykit, complemented by a sweet bright orange paint job and on-brand liveries. The whole body shell has also been modified to sit atop the baseplate with magnets, making accessing the innards a little easier.
While we might not have the mechanical skills to make something like this, perhaps ever, watching the Hotwheels RC drift car build video has made us scour the web – again – in search for more toys to tide us over this
third Movement Control Order
period. Don’t kid yourselves, you’ll probably do the same too after this.


Peugeot launches limited edition 2008 Cross Urban for the UK market

Peugeot has launched a special edition of their 2008 crossover, called the 2008 Urban Cross and will be sold in the UK market. It gets minor exterior and interior restyling, and can be had in two engine options.
Right off the bat, this French B-Segment crossover gets a new coat of
Emerald metallic
 paint. It sits on a new set of
17-inch twin-five spoke wheels
 finished in gloss black, including some turquoise-orange graphics running across the lower side from wheel-to-wheel. Finishing the new exterior look is the blacked out side mirrors.

Inside this Urban Cross, the fabric and leather upholstered seats also get the Emerald touch here in the form of contrast stitching. The Emerald stitching is also extended to the floor mats, gearknob and steering wheel, including some faux carbon fibre trimming across the dashboard. Additional safety features are thrown into the kit here, and comprises of Grip Control, Rear Parking Aid and heated electric side mirrors.
Unlike our 2008, the UK folks will be getting either a
1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged three-cylinder
 engine or a
1.6-litre BlueHDI diesel
 mill. The former makes
110 hp
 at 5,500 rpm and a whopping
205 Nm
 of torque from 1,500 rpm, while the latter produces
100 hp
 at 3,750 rpm and
254 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 rpm. In contrast, our 1.6-litre petrol powered 2008 makes 120 hp at 6,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm; hardly as impressive as the three-potter unit.
The 2008 Cross Urban will be sold at £16,495 or RM97,000, thereabout. Since it was launched in 2013, over 30,000 units of the 2008 have been sold.
IMAGE GALLERY


Geely has sold over 1 million Boyue SUVs globally – including the Proton X70!

Four years since it made its debut in China, the
Geely Boyue
 – affectionately known as the “most beautiful SUV” by Chinese media and consumers – has now reached the milestone of one million units sold globally.
The Geely Boyue is sold in over 17 countries across the world, including Russia, Eastern Europe, South America, Africa and South-East Asia. Outside of China, the Boyue is also known as the Azkarra, Atlas, Emgrand X7 Sport, and of course, the
Proton X70
 as we know it here. Seeing how welcomed the X70 is in our country, it’s not hard to see how it managed to move one million units in such as short time span.
According to Geely, the Boyue is one of the first models on sale in China to feature intelligent connectivity features, such as the “Nihao Buoyue” feature, which quickly became one of its most-frequently used functions. After the two companies signed the collaboration agreement back in 2017, the feature was adapted for the Proton X70 with the phrase
 “Hi Proton”
, and as they say,
the rest is history.
The now-iconic feature has successfully helped transformed Proton into a technology and value-driven brand, not only in Malaysia but also across the ASEAN market – with the Malaysia-assembled Proton X70 now already being
exported to Brunei
.

Geely says that the Boyue averaged 20,000 units per month for the past three and a half years – pretty much across its entire existence – and is showing no signs of slowing down, either in China or globally. Just last year, the model was updated to create the
Boyue Pro
, powered by a new hybrid powertrain featuring the
award-winning 1.5T engine
 (as seen on the
X50
), paired to an electrified rear axle.
To celebrate the million-unit milestone, Geely has also created a limited-edition ‘Million Model’ Boyue, featuring the “infinite weave” grille that was designed for the Malaysian Proton X70!
While the Boyue was born as a China domestic product, its recent expansion to other countries has certainly cemented Geely as a true global brand.


V8 engines to continue, electric Mercedes-AMG models to feature ‘unique soundtrack’

Mercedes-AMG earlier this week launched their first-ever fully electric performance vehicle, the
EQS 53
 as well as a plug-in performance hybrid model, the
GT 63 S E Performance 4-door coupe
. Both vehicles signify the performance brand’s transition to adopt electrification in the long- and short-term offence.
With the Mercedes-AMG’s traditionally using large displacement, multi-cylinder engines and thus a sonorous soundtrack, the focus for the next generation of electric performance models turns to sound tuning.
In an interview with
Autocar UK
,
the lack of a combustion engine and its associated noise in the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 made the development team worked hard to produce a unique and “very profound” propulsion sound that will distinguish the brand from its key rivals.

Not one but two Mercedes-AMG V8 models drag race at Sepang
Customers purchase the Mercedes-AMG models for their sound, as internal research have shown. As such, developing a unique, emotional and powerful soundtrack continues to be one of the key targets at Mercedes-AMG. The boss of the Mercedes-AMG, Philipp Schiemer, said the first Mercedes-AMG electric car will have “an electric sound, quite closely related to what we hear in science fiction films.” Listen to the clip
here
.
Expressive and forceful sound for performance electric vehicles was first developed in the
Audi e-tron GT
 and Porsche Taycan, as they were the first automakers among the German “super sedans” segment to introduce the emission-free vehicles. BMW meanwhile teamed up with Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer to energized the cabin of electric BMW M models, such as the
BMW i4 M50
.
It’s faint due to the vast open space of Sepang Circuit, but you can definitely hear the futuristic tone of the Porsche Taycan accelerating away. Listen to more of it here!
In the new Mercedes-AMG EQS 53, soundtrack in accordance with the speed and throttle input is not only played into the cabin but also pumped to the outside environment via loudspeakers and shakers under the AMG Sound Experience function.
Schiemer concedes that traditional buyers won’t like the synthesised soundtrack, but is also confident that the new sound has strong potential to attract a new set of customers to the brand. He further elaborated that the visceral soundtrack of Mercedes-AMG engines and exhausts are so emotional and profound that he sees the high-performance combustion engines will continue to be on sale thanks to high demand.
Mercedes-Benz will be ready to go
all-electric
 by 2030, where market conditions allow, leaving the lifespan of the AMG-tuned V8,
straight-six
 and four-cylinder engines for another nine years before being removed from the line-up.
Audio clip credit:
Youtube/Cars
coops.com
GALLERY


The Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus has no clock, because time is an illusion, apparently

We all dream of flying through space one day, but unfortunately that’s still just a little too unrealistic for now, no matter how wealthy you are. Although, if you
do
 have space-exploration money, you’ll have the privilege to get a lot closer than most people, thanks to Rolls-Royce’s new Phantom Tempus Collection.
According to
Rolls-Royce
, the new Tempus Collection is inspired by “time, astronomical phenomena, and the infinite reaches of the universe”. As ridiculous as that sounds, you’ll have to give props to Rolls-Royce’s incredible Bespoke team for the end product, based on an idea that was clearly dreamt up in the marketing department’s office.
Now, obviously we are not suggesting that the car drives like a spaceship through space. But with all the additional flourishes that have been fitted on to the Phantom, it’s hard not to feel that way when you’re seated inside.
Everything on the Rolls-Royce Tempus Collection was created with one purpose in mind – to recreate the idyllic marvel of faraway galaxies. Take for example the exclusive ‘Kairos Blue’ paint on the exterior, masterfully crafted by RR Bespoke to mimic stars twinkling in the night skies using blue mica flakes.
Inside, the entire dashboard, or “Gallery” as Rolls-Royce calls it, has been transformed into a three-dimensional art piece, formed by 100 individual columns, all milled from a single billet of black-anodised and hand-polished aluminium.
Rolls-Royce calls this the “Frozen Flow of Time”, and is designed to represent the 100-million-year period of a rotational spin of a pulsar star – apparently a rare astronomical phenomenon only found “in the deepest reaches of space”. There’s even a plaque within the glovebox, engraved with Albert Einstein’s quote: “
The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion
“.
The standout centrepiece inside the Phantom Tempus though, is most definitely the Bespoke Pulsar Headliner, with several pulsar stars carefully embroidered onto the headliner fabric. Pair that to the fibre-optic lighting, and the starry night sky effect is truly awe-inspiring. The incredible headliner is complemented by the illuminated door panels, created by hundreds of perforation in contrasting leather.
Committing to the whole time standing still bit, Rolls-Royce also deliberately omitted the clock on the dashboard of the Phantom Tempus, supposedly to signify patrons’ “freedom from time and its limitations”. I guess you don’t need to be on time when you’re being ferried around in a multi-million dollar art piece as a car.
To further cement home the whole timelessness idea, buyers can even engrave a specific date and time of their own choosing – like their wedding anniversary – onto the base of the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem.
And just because this is a Rolls-Royce, you also get a champagne chest, custom painted with pulsar artwork. Inside, there are thermal flasks for chilling “both champagne and caviar”, alongside four hand-blown crystal champagne flutes, arranged in a way to evoke the cylinders of a V12 engine, as well as a fine mother-of-pearl caviar spoon.
Only 20 units of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus Collection will ever be made, but unfortunately they’ve all already been spoken for. Although, if you really
do
 have the money for space exploration, it probably won’t be too hard to convince RR to make you one, anyway.
GALLERY


Subaru Levorg wins Car of the Year award in Japan

Following the
hype generated by the new BRZ
, Subaru Corporation has announced more good news! The
all-new Subaru Levorg
 launched just a few months ago has been named the
Car of the Year Japan 2020/21
. It’s the third time Subaru was awarded the coveted title, following the Impreza Sport/G4’s win in 2016.
In 2004, it was another wagon that took home the title for Subaru, in the form of the Legacy. Other categories in the awards include Import Car of the Year, Design Car of the Year, Technology Car of the Year, K Car of the Year, and Performance Car of the Year.
“It is a great honor that the Levorg has been recognised with this distinctive award,” said Subaru Corporation, President and CEO, Tomomi Nakamura.
“I would like to thank our customers and all other stakeholders for their continued support for Subaru. We will continue to enhance our efforts to offer an ‘enjoyment and peace of mind’ to all customers,” he added.
Introduced just a few months ago, the all-new Levorg is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged boxer engine with 177 hp and 300 Nm, drive is sent to all the wheels via a CVT gearbox.
Until this month, Subaru has collected 12,594 orders for the Levorg, where 94% of customers in Japan have opted for the variants equipped with EyeSight X.
Among the features offered with the EyeSight X system includes active lane change assist, active speed control, pedal misoperation control, and autonomous braking to name a few. It even comes with a new pedestrian airbag that deploys from the cowl of the Levorg.
GALLERY


Toyota ferries athletes around the Olympic Village with the self-driving e-Palette

This round of the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan is all about sustainability and environmental-friendliness and this extends across all spectrums of the games, including the Olympic Village.
Olympians sleep on beds made of cardboard, which came in handy to prevent sexual activities due to Covid-19, their medals are made of recycled electronics and other metals, and even most interesting of all is how they get around the Olympic village.

And it’s with this, the Toyota e-Palette, a fully-electric people mover with Level 4 autonomous driving.
“Olympic and Paralympic athletes work tirelessly to achieve the impossible, and we wanted to provide them with a vehicle specifically designed and calibrated to fit their mobility needs during the Olympics,” said the creator of the e-Palette, Takahiro Muta.
Instagram: James Jones, Welsh Olympian
Instagram: Dimous Bouloukos, Sports Journalist
As you can tell, it’s been designed and built solely to maximise space for maximum occupants, resulting in its symmetrical, boxy shape.
It’s as long as a
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
, nearly one foot wider than the spacious Honda CR-V and significantly taller than the Ford Ranger Wildtrak. With a wheelbase of 4,000 mm, it makes the
Lexus LM limo-van
 look small at 3,000 mm.
Toyota says it can carry up to four passengers on wheelchairs, and seven other standing passengers. Otherwise, the e-Palette can
accommodate up to 20 standing passengers
, including an operator.
Yes, it may drive around the Olympic village on its own but it’s still manned by an onboard safety operator to assume full control in case of emergencies. It has enough power for a range of 150 km before needing a charge and can reach
speeds of up to 19 km/h
.

Aside from its unquestionable ability to move athletes around, it’s full of interesting features like the
Arrival Control system
. It’s essentially an automated ramp that allow passengers to get on and off easily, especially for Paralympians on wheelchairs.
Once onboard, the various handles and rails have been finished with contrasting colours to assist passengers who are colour blind.
The e-Palette uses
cameras and LiDAR sensors
, combined with high-accuracy 3D mapping to find its way around. Apart from the on-board operator, all of the e-Pallette’s routes and movements are also monitored at a central hub.
With the aid of the cameras, the e-Palette comes with
360-degree vision
 and can change its speed according to the obstacles and environment in the Olympic Village.

Most intriguing of all, the e-Palette can
communicate with pedestrians
 using its front and rear lamps to mimic eye movements – to signal pedestrians of its actions.
The e-Palette is the first of many transitions by Toyota in becoming a mobility company that combines electrification, connected driving, and advanced driving technologies to support new shared mobility businesses.
Gallery


Maserati now offers a 10-year powertrain warranty to prove their cars are reliable

We’ve all heard it before – Italian cars are sloppily made, even the fancy-pants ones like
Ferrari
 and
Lamborghini
. There’s no way for us to tell you (without owning one) if it’s just a silly stereotype or actual truth, but at least
Maserati
 is willing to prove their cars are reliable by offering a 10-year warranty programme for their powertrains.
Dubbed “Extra10”, the new warranty programme is offered in addition to the existing “Extended Warranty” programme, which already offers up to five years of coverage. It’s available for all customers with any Maserati model, as long as it’s within nine years and six months from the registration date.
Obviously, there’ll be certain terms and conditions for your car to be covered by the 10-year warranty (engine modifications clearly a big no-no), but at least the Extra10 warranty will be offered with no mileage limit.
RELATED:
Maserati MC20 launched in Malaysia from RM1.078 million
“This new service enables Maserati to provide all its customers with an innovative offer, adding value in terms of unparalleled flexibility in the automotive world,” Maserati said in a statement. “A major new feature for the brand, aimed at consolidating the value of its cars over time, guaranteeing total peace of mind by combining top performance and the driving pleasure typical of every Trident car.”
The programme also includes other additional services, such as pick-up and return service to your home, as well as a courtesy car if your car is out-of-service. Maserati customers are urged to visit their preferred dealerships to check if their cars are included in the scheme.
ALSO READ:
Maserati wants you to embrace the sky with the drop-dead gorgeous MC20 Cielo
The press release makes no mention if the Extra10 warranty programme will also be available for the brand’s upcoming electric vehicles, although we presume that to be the case.
Maserati has already committed to an electrification plan, and will become fully electric by the end of the decade starting with the all-electric version of the GranTurismo, dubbed the
Folgore
. Technical specifications aren’t confirmed yet, but rumours suggest that it will be equipped with a tri-motor set-up making over 1,200 hp.


Malaysia Book of Records awards “Fastest Sepang Lap” to 6 BMW owners – 2:20.549 in an M4

Six Malaysian
BMW
 owners have recently received Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) titles. The award was presented at the M4NTAP Track Day held at Sepang International Circuit last weekend.
Organized by the Malaysian car club, M4NTAP, over 50 BMW cars gathered at the international circuit where approximately 700 members of the public also gathered for the festivities.
The Six awarded titles are:
Fastest 1M/M2
 – Jay Choong; F87 BMW M2 (2:22.154 s)
Fastest Naturally Aspirated M3
 – Adi Fansuri; E92 BMW M3 for clocking (2:26.743 s)
Fastest Turbocharged M3/M4
 – Hisham Jaffar; F82 BMW M4 (2:20.549 s) – also fastest BMW around Sepang Circuit
Fastest Naturally Aspirated M5/M6
 – Aaron Kow; E60 BMW M5 (2:33.007 s)
Fastest M5/M6/M8
 – Mohamad Heikel; F90 BMW M5 (2:37.674 s)
Fastest Non-M BMW
 –  Adil Adnan; F30 BMW 330i (2:31.674 s)
RELATED:
Unlike AMG, BMW M says it won’t downsize its engines to four cylinders
Congratulating the BMW owners, BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director, Hans de Visser said, “We are constantly in awe by the many remarkable feats that our local community of BMW owners and enthusiasts attempt – in the name of love for the brand, especially for BMW M.”
“This is a community that we proudly cherish, support, and continue to serve with excitement, with every new vehicle or programme we introduce. Being awarded a Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) tile is no easy feat, and for the six of them to manage a clean sweep of all the award titles truly exemplifies the spirit of The Most Powerful Letter in the World!”
RELATED:
BMW turns the M2’s garish looks up to 11 with new M Performance parts
BMW M GmbH celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and has debuted many new and exciting models as well as special edition models to commemorate its Golden Jubilee. Among this year’s debut by BMW M GmbH include the all-new
BMW XM
, the
BMW M2
, the
BMW M3 Touring
, and the
“BMW M50 Jahre Edition” of the M3 and M4
.
The event and MBOR award ceremony organized by M4NTAP coincides perfectly with the year’s occasion. In September, BMW Malaysia and the “M Owners Malaysia” club organised the largest BMW M gathering.
RELATED:
BMW celebrates ///Malaysia Day with the largest BMW M gathering


Range Rover waves goodbye to the Sport SVR with a swanky new “Ultimate” edition

The current L494
Range Rover Sport
 is nearly reaching its end-of-life in showrooms, having enjoyed considerable success since its introduction back in 2014. As a farewell, Range Rover’s Special Vehicles Operations department has launched a special edition SVR “Ultimate” to give the model a proper send-off.
And by “proper”, we mean proper fancy. The Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate Edition is available in a selection of hand-finished exterior colour choices, including Gloss Maya Blue, Gloss Marl Grey, and Satin Ligurian Black – the first two are exclusive to the new Ultimate edition, and features reflective fine white glass flake particles in their solid base coat to give it an “intense star-like sparkle”.
No matter which colour you choose though, you’ll still get the roof in a contrasting Gloss Narvik Black hue, alongside the Black knurled Range Rover lettering on the bonnet and tailgate, with exclusive contrasting Fuji White outlines. The same colour combination is also used for the fender accents on the sides.
Other exterior highlights include the wing mirror caps, front grilles and grille surrounds, front wing detail, and tailgate finisher, all painted in the same Narvik Black colour. All Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate Edition models also come with a body-coloured carbon fibre vented bonnet, as well as 22-inch five split-spoke forged alloy wheels, paired with black brake calipers.
Can the Sport SVR outrun a Ferrari 458? Watch the performance SUV tackle China’s Tianmen Road here!
The same posh treatment extends to the interior, with the addition of new specially commissioned chrome SV Bespoke B-pillar badges, black anodised metal gearshift paddles, and Ultimate edition illuminated door sill plates.
As usual, customers will be able to choose their own interior upholstery options, but JLR apparently recommends an ‘Ebony and Cirrus’ interior, which wraps the lightweight Performance Seats in Windsor leather and contrasting Suedecloth, with the SVR logo embossed on the headrests.
The Range Rover Velar has just been updated for 2021 with some new goodies! Learn more here.
As for performance, the existing 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine is carried over from the Range Rover Sport SVR. With
 575 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque, the “
fastest, most powerful and most dynamic Land Rover
” sprints from 0-100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
280 km/h
.
The new Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate Edition will make its public debut at the Salon Prive next month, but is now already available to order globally, priced at £123,900 (Approx. RM718k) in the UK.
GALLERY


Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GTE introduced in Malaysia, priced at RM116k

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) introduced a new edition to its rally-bred Lancer, the new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GTE. The latest edition of Lancer is
fully imported
 and now comes packaged with plenty of goodies. This Completely Built-Up (
CBU
) unit from Japan is priced at
RM115,590.20
.

On the exterior, the new Lancer is fitted with standard body kit and integrated daytime running lights (
DRL
). The wheels are now 18-nch eight-spoke alloy wheels, paired with 215/45 R18 Yokohama Advan Sport tires.
The new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GTE now comes with Keyless Operation System for true hands-free entry, ISOFIX child seat anchors, an additional driver-side knee airbag for increased safety and
Power Sunroof
.
In addition to that, it also comes equipped with Premium Nappa Leather Seats, 6.1-inch touch-screen audio with
rear view camera
, rain-sensing wipers, auto-headlamps, automatic air conditioning, steering column mounted magnesium
paddle shifters
 and cruise control.
This Lancer 2.0 GTE t is powered by the same 2.0-liter
MIVEC
 engine based on a lightweight aluminum block for an optimum output of
148hp
 and
197Nm
 of torque. Its MIVEC engine (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) automatically adjusts valve timing control for optimal performance across the rev range.
As for safety, the new Lancer is equipped with Dual Stage SRS Airbags, together with a new knee airbag for the driver, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), seat-belt pre-tensioners and force limiters as well as RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body provide further occupant safety by employing extensive front and rear crumple zones to absorb impact.

Fully imported from Japan, the Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GTE (CBU) is priced at
RM 115,590.20
 on-the-road without insurance. It also comes with a
2-Year Free Maintenance
 package. Available in three colour choices; White Solid, Black Mica and Red Metallic.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Formula 1 drivers: Hair today, gone tomorrow

F1 drivers should always let their driving do the talking, but for Antonio Giovinazzi of Alfa Romeo Racing, it led to him losing part of his locks. We are no style gurus ourselves, but team boss Frederic Vasseur (who doesn’t have much hair, admittedly) probably wasn’t a fan of the frazzled, unshaven look.
Giovinazzi sacrificed his mane for one point at Austria.
Turned out that the two Alfa Romeo men had a bet going; if Giovinazzi managed to finish in the points (he failed to score any in the first eight races), he would get a haircut. So when Giovinazzi crossed the line in 10
th
place in Austria (earning his first point of the season), it must have been a bitter sweet moment for the young Italian driver.
A promise is a promise.. (especially with your boss). ✂

#AustrianGP

pic.twitter.com/TEQydDLyU1
— Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN (@alfaromeoorlen)
June 30, 2019

True enough when he got back to the Alfa Romeo hospitality suite, Vasseur was waiting with a pair of scissors and after a futile foot race, Giovinazzi’s luscious mane was no longer symmetrical. Poor boy didn’t look too thrilled, understandably, but less hair could mean better helmet cooling in the next race (Silverstone) as Europe comes under a severe heat wave.
Don’t worry Antonio, your boss is just jealous.
If only Toto Wolff would have a similar bet with Lewis Hamilton, braids really have no place in Formula 1, but then again Hamilton is leading the championship by a country mile, so maybe they work a treat.
Dear Toto, please make a bet with Lewis, the braids have to go, and Bottas’ beard isn’t working anymore.


Lotus Exige Sport 380 is the most hardcore Exige ever!

Lotus cars are well-known for their lightness rather than brute power. Surely, a little more power in a Lotus wouldn’t hurt, right? This happens on the latest iteration of the Exige, which now has reached into the supercar territory. Let’s welcome the Lotus Exige Sport 380.
An incremental upgrade from last year’s
Sport 350
, this model is more powerful, lighter, and more aerodynamic than the model it replaces. The same supercharged
3.5-litre V6
 from the US-spec Toyota Camry has been tweaked further to develop
375 hp
 and
410Nm
 of torque. It hits 100 km/h from standstill in
3.7 seconds
 (0.2 seconds quicker than the 350) with a top speed of
285 km/h
.

A
six-speed manual gearbox
 is standard fitment together with an oil cooler to keep temperature at bay, and it’s represented in a sexy open-gate design. An automatic variant will be available by Spring 2017, but just like the Sport 350, why would you want that?
Ensuring the car sticks like it’s on rails are the
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
 tyres fitted on this Exige. Also, the car’s claimed aerodynamic downforce of 140 kg at top speed is made possible via the application of twin pairs of front canard wings, a rear wing, and air blades behind the rear wheels.
The car weighs
 1,066 kg
, boasting an incredible power-to-weight ratio of 352 hp per tonne. An extensive usage of carbonfibre on the diffusers, access panel, and roof panel keeps the weight down, as well as the application of a polycarbonate rear window instead of glass, titanium exhaust, light alloy wheels, lithium ion battery, and carbonfibre sports seats.
The Lotus Exige Sport 380 is available in both coupe and roadster variants, and it’s retailed at
£67,900
 (approximately RM375k). That’s a lot of money, but mind you this Exige is the David against the supercar Goliaths. Now, the pertaining question is will Lotus Malaysia bring this car over to our shores?
IMAGE GALLERY


2016 Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 now in Malaysia, priced at RM53k

Since the launch of the iconic Ducati Scrambler,
Ducati
 has taken the Scrambler to greater heights. It isn’t just about motorcycles anymore but a “lifestyle”.
We all know that Ducati or any other Italian makes are known for their lifestyle marketing and cult following. We’ve also known Ducati’s for its performance, technology, design and the colour RED. But this is a whole new paradigm shift.
Yellow
 is the new Red. It’s pop icon culture time. Ranging from the Scrambler’s Standard Icon model right up to the
Full Throttle
, one is able pick a model, customise it further to create and identify with their bike from the range of apparels and accessories available for that perfect image.
To further solidify and inspire the younger generation of beginner riders to embrace this Pop Icon Culture of self-expression and free spirit (it all began for the Scrambler back in 1962 to 1975), the
Scrambler Sixty2
 was born.
The Sixty2 is definitely leaner looking with the
399cc air cooled 90 degree V-Twin
 displacement. Ergonomics, weight and overall feel is noticeably leaner as well. Notable change was the traditional forks as compared to the inverted forks on the 803’s. Finishing was to a high standard and honestly, it was a tad better than the
Hyperstrada
. Paint finish was excellent with
Ocean Grey
 being my favourite out of the three available colours – Atomic Tangerine and Shining Black.

Upon startup, you could definitely tell that it lacks a little grunt as compared to the 803 which had the right ‘oomph’ factor to it. This could be due to Euro4 emissions controls that Ducati has to comply with. Power is rated at
41 hp
 which peaks at 8,750rpm, with
34.6 Nm
 of torque available at a whizzing 8,000rpm. Not too shabby for a 400cc set up.
Ride wise, the Sixty2 was surprisingly a joy to ride. It was smooth, comfortable, easy, light and flickable into turns with enough usable power to pull it through. Personally, I would have enjoyed a little more juice from it. But if we focus back to its built purpose, I seriously have no complaints about it.
The
six-speed transmission
 on the other hand needed a lot of shift work to keep within the mid-range revs where its sweet spot seems to be at. Gearshifts were silky smooth, and it’s paired with a cable clutch that seems to be the formula with Ducati. Personally, a cable clutch gives me more flexibility.
Braking from the single front and rear disc was more than adequate, and they were paired up with ABS as a standard feature (which I hope some Jap models will do too, soon). It definitely is a necessity, especially for beginners who are still experimenting with their braking pressure, distance and reaction. The brakes were not too soft nor too grippy for my liking.
Overall, the Sixty2 is great as a daily commuter, that weekend getaway bike that is practical, fun and very easy to handle. This is definitely a head turner with its
Pop Icon Heritage
 of 1962.
The downside may be due to the price that is above
RM40k
 for a 400cc. But if you are in the market for something smooth, iconic, youthful, accessible and usable in most conditions, this would be a choice to consider.
IMAGE GALLERY


The new Toyota Hilux “L-Edition” – blending luxury with utility

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has extended its
 Toyota Hilux
 range with an “L-Edition” for its 2.8-litre AT 4×4 and 2.4-litre AT 4×4 models where they will begin taking orders from 14th March 2018.
On the outside, the Hilux sports a wider appearance with a he
xagonal grille surrounded by a chrome outline. More significantly, the front bumper feature
 larger and wider air intakes below the grille.
The luxury theme is further enhanced with new five
-spoke 18-inch rims in two-tone black and silver finishing. A n
ew rear step ornament is integrated with silver trims, adding a premium touch to the vehicle’s looks.
Inside, the ‘L-Edition’ comes with combination leather upholstery in an all-black theme. Specially for the 2.8-litre AT 4×4 variant, there’ll be Optitron meters with white background lighting for better clarity. Other standard items include a new 6.1-inch touchscreen DVD player with Bluetooth connectivity, six speakers, push start button, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and gear knob.
The 2.4-litre AT 4×4 produces
148 hp
 and
400 Nm
 while the 2.8-litre AT 4×4 models is capable of
175 hp
 and
450 Nm
. Both models utilise a 6-speed transmission with Super ECT and Sequential Shifter.
For safety, the L-Edition is equipped with 7 airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Active Traction Control (A-TRC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) as standard. For the 2.8 L-Edition, Downhill Assist Control (DAC) is added to make driving down a steep slope easier and safer.
The 2.4 ‘L-Edition’ is priced at
RM 119,300
 while the 2.8-litre ‘L-Edition’ retails at
RM 133,900
. Both are on-the-road prices excluding insurance. Every Hilux comes with a 5-year or 150,000 km manufacturer’s warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY


This M1 Procar is every BMW enthusiast’s wet dream, only 40 ever made

While most would be more familiar with the exhilarating 1M moniker, it was the BMW M1 that started it all – sparking a series of legendary “M-division” creations that we’ve all revered and adored all these years.
For the enthusiasts, the M1 is something of a holy-grail of BMW’s. As it was originally designed to go racing, homologation models were required and due to complications with it’s creation, the series it was built for never took flight before the car was completed.
As a result, the German automaker was left with these cars with no championships to race with; enter the BMW M1 Procar series – a championship specifically for BMW M1’s. Even that was shortlived; lasting only
two seasons
 before being dissolved.

In that time
40 units of this BMW M1 Procar
 was developed and this exquisite piece of machinery here bears the chassis number 31 – an example which has been converted into a street-legal road car – a street legal BMW M1 Procar, imagine that. Having spent years exchanging hands since 1979, its most recent owner in California actually rebuilt it back to Procar spec upon realisation of its history.
It’s got Procar written all over it – body kits, wheels, interior, and even down to its wheel hubs but it was still restraint from a full Procar conversion as parts have long been extinct. Its
3.5-litre engine
 has been rebuilt to house an electronic fuel injection system, producing
470 hp
 and
484 Nm
 of torque with power being delivered through a 5-speed ZF gearbox.
Brakes were supplied by Brembo and tucked beneath its BBS wheels. The Procar had impressive power-to-weight ratio as the car only weighed approximately 1,020 kg and performance figures spoke for its own – 0 to 100 km/h in just
4.3 seconds
 with a disturbing top speed
311 km/h
.
Road-issued M1’s never really came with this distinct colour, called Basalt Blue, save for four units which were made for BMW board members. BMW made just over 450 units of the street legal M1 from 1978 to 1981.
Source:
BMW Blog
 / Image Credit:
Top Gear UK
 &
BMW Car Club of America
IMAGE GALLERY


Buy a phone and get a free ‘BMW M3’ – Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra BMW M Edition debuts

Android users who are also
BMW
 fans are in for a treat as BMW Korea and SK Telecom have come together to release the limited edition
Samsung
 ‘Galaxy S23 Ultra BMW M Edition’. Limited to 1,000 units only, the Ultra BMW M Edition will be officially released on
February 17
 with a listed price of 1,727,000 KRW (Approx.
RM5,901
). Made available for
pre-orders
 from 7 to 13 February, it seems the limited edition phone has already been sold out.
The lucky 1,000 customers who have managed to secure a pre-order will receive the following items with their smartphone purchase:
Specially produced die-casting package in the guise of the BMW E30 M3
Hardcover phone case
Multi keyring and 7 types of detachable emblems
M design vehicle clock that can be plugged into the air vent
Vehicle sunshade clip
Air pump
Metal letter M sticker
BMW history book and photo poster
Unboxing the package will be an interesting experience as all items are packed nicely in a special die-casting package that pays homage to the M3 E30. To protect the 1,000-limited unit phone, customers get a hard cover phone case that was designed with inspiration from the bonnet and vertical kidney grille of the G80 BMW M3.
There are also 6 types of emblems containing the history of BMW and the classic “BMW Motorsport” emblem to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the BMW M brand which took place last year. The emblem is detachable from the multi-keyring included in the limited edition package. In addition, various accessories that reflect the M design enhance the value of the collection.
RELATED:
2023 BMW X6 facelift debuts – M Sport package as standard, all variants electrified
The phone itself gets a dedicated booting video with a three-color stripe logo symbolizing BMW M that plays when the phone is turned on. The phone is also pre-installed with ‘BMW Vantage’, which is a BMW lifestyle membership app.
Besides the special edition phone and limited edition memorabilia, customers of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra BMW M Edition’ also get a BMW Driving Center ‘Starter Pack Voucher’ where they can learn safe driving tips and dynamic driving skills by riding a BMW vehicle under the guidance of a professional instructor. Unfortunately, all 1,000 units have been sold out.
RELATED:
The 2023 BMW M3 CS is really just an M4 CSL with more seats and AWD


Facts & Figures: Mini Countryman facelift now available in two flavours – from RM244k

Alongside the throng of new cars being launched today by BMW Group Malaysia, Mini Malaysia has also unveiled the new
Mini Cooper Countryman facelift
 here in Malaysia. It will be available in two variants for now: the Mini Cooper S Countryman, and Mini Cooper SE Countryman PHEV.
Both variants of the Countryman facelift will be locally-assembled here in Malaysia, priced at
RM 244,265.76
 and
RM 254,461.84
 respectively for the S and SE, both on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of sales tax exemptions.

EXTERIOR
Changes to the exterior styling on this facelift model were fairly minute and evolutionary, with the most noticeable change perhaps being the new Union Jack-inspired tail lights at the rear.
Up front, the radiator grille – while still bearing the same shape – now gets a new hexagonal mesh design pattern. Below it, the bumpers have been redesigned with a new hexagonal lower air intake, flanked by the LED fog lights. New vertical air intakes bookend the front fascia.
Mini Tunrstile Spoke
Mini Yours British Spoke
As standard, both the Cooper S and Cooper SE Countryman get the following exterior features:
Rugged-look front and rear bumpers with decorative elements and sump guard in aluminium matt (Mini All4 Exterior Optic)
Automatic LED headlights with cornering lights
Decorative bonnet stripes
Headlight surrounds, rear lights, radiator grille, fender decorations, door handles, rear badging in gloss black (Piano Black Exterior Optic pack)
Dark tinted tail lamp cover glasses
19-inch Alloy wheels – Mini Turnstile Spoke style (Cooper S), Mini Yours British Spoke (Cooper SE)
Exterior colour options: Chili Red, White Silver, Island Blue, Thunder Grey, British Racing Green, Sage Green
PERFORMANCE
The two variants of the new Mini Cooper Countryman facelift each feature a different powertrain option underneath the bonnet – the S being internal-combustion only, while the SE is a plug-in hybrid model. Both powertrains are unchanged from before.
Mini Cooper S Countryman
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, petrol
Transmission: 7-speed Dual Clutch Sports Automatic Transmission
Drivetrain: Front engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 192 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Max torque: 280 hp @ 1,350 rpm
0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds
Top speed:226 km/h
Mini Cooper SE Countryman
Powerplant: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-three, petrol + electric motor
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: All4 all-wheel drive
Total combined system max horsepower: 224 hp
Total combined system max torque: 385 Nm
0-100 km/h: 6.8 seconds
Top speed: 194 km/h
Electric juice on the Cooper SE Countryman PHEV comes from a 10 kWh lithium-ion battery, which can provide up to 48 km of pure electric driving range.
Using a conventional household socket, the battery can be recharged completely via the onboard 2.3 kW charger in approximately 5 hours. A higher-powered 3.7 kW public charger meanwhile tops off the battery pack in 3 hours and 15 seconds.
INTERIOR
Inside, both variants of the Mini Cooper Countryman facelift feature the Mini Yours Illuminated cockpit in Shaded Silver. For the first time ever on the Countryman, the new models are also equipped with a five-inch digital instrument cluster, a feature first introduced on the
all-electric Cooper SE
.
Other interior highlights include the following:
8.8-inch infotainment display with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
Walknappa steering wheel
Head-up display
Wireless charging pad
12-speaker Harman Kardon HiFi sound system
Carbon black leather seat upholstery
Comfort Access with Easy Opener automatic tailgate
Picnic Bench
Also new on the Mini Cooper Countryman facelift is the built-in 4G connectivity within the infotainment system, which enables digital services such as Intelligent Emergency Call, Mini TeleServices, Remote Services, Mini Concierge Service, as well as display crucial vehicle information such as battery status and charge timer (for the Mini Cooper SE Countryman) directly on your mobile phone.
SAFETY
Mini’s Driving Assistant advanced driver assistance suite is standard on both Mini Cooper Countryman variants here in Malaysia. The Driving Assistant system includes features such as:
High-beam assistant
Speed limit information
Person warning, approach control with light city braking function (autonomous emergency braking)
As standard, the Mini Cooper S Countryman and SE Countryman PHEV both come with six airbags onboard.
PRICING
The new Mini Cooper S Countryman and Cooper SE Countryman PHEV facelift are priced in Malaysia as follows:
Mini Cooper S Countryman:
 RM 244,265.76
Mini Cooper SE Countryman:
RM 254,461.84
Both prices listed above are on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of
sales tax exemptions
. Also included in the price is a 4-year Service and Repair Inclusive package, as well as a 5-year roadside assistance programme.
Every purchase of the Mini Cooper SE Countryman PHEV will come with a complimentary public charging cable, as well as a one-year free subscription of unlimited charging at all ChargEV stations nationwide.
GALLERY


2023 Peugeot 2008 SE launched in Malaysia – adds RM2,900 in accessories

As if not unique enough in the Malaysian market, there is now a special version of the
Peugeot 2008
, called the Peugeot 2008 Special Edition (SE). Just launched today, the Peugeot 2008 SE costs an additional
RM2,900
 more than the ‘Allure’ variant.
For the record, the Peugeot 2008 ‘Allure’ costs RM134,103 (OTR without insurance and without accessories). Optional accessories for the Allure variant include a hands-free power tailgate which costs RM2,100 and a P-URE Performance tint which costs RM1,900. The SE Accessories will cost an additional
RM2,900
 (inclusive of installation).
The Peugeot 2008 SE can only be purchased in two body colours – Orange Fusion and Pearl White. The SE accessories package adds on:
Black front bumper garnish
Black rear bumper garnish
Black side bumper garnish (left & right)
Piano black rims
Vehicle decals
SE badges
It is essentially a chrome delete of the 2008 Allure’s trims, replacing the chrome trims with matte black trims instead. Even the dual-tone 17-inch alloy wheels from the Allure are now finished in piano black.
While the chrome has been dialled down, the 2008 SE gets a splash of red and black decals. These can be seen on the car’s hood and sides.
RELATED:
Gallery – Peugeot 2008 Allure, from RM134k – The French alternative
The SE accessories package only entails the exterior of the car and doesn’t find its way into the cabin and engine bay. All else, the Peugeot 2008 SE shares the same specifications as the Allure variant.
Like the Allure, under the hood of the 2008 SE is a 1.2-3-cylinder turbocharged engine. The engine makes
130 hp
 at 5,500 rpm and
230 Nm
 at 1,750 rpm. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, power is sent to the front wheels only. It gets ventilated disc brakes in front and solid disc brakes in the rear. As for suspension, the car gets a MacPherson strut setup at the front and a torsion beam setup in the back.
ALSO WATCH:
Peugeot 2008 review – the alluring French alternative
Essentially a cosmetic package, the SE accessories package comes with a
1-year/20,000 km
 Peugeot Genuine Accessory Warranty based on the period of fitment at the time of new vehicle purchase. Those interested in the Peugeot 2008 SE can already make their bookings now. Deliveries are expected to begin by end of April.
RELATED:
2023 Peugeot Landtrek launched in Malaysia, RM120k – ASEAN debut for French truck


Facts & Figures: 2022 Porsche Macan facelift launched in Malaysia – 3 variants from RM433k

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has just unveiled the new 2022 Porsche Macan facelift here in Malaysia. This is the first-generation model’s second facelift exercise, which was
unveiled globally in July this year
; the first facelift was launched
back in 2019
.
Porsche’s compact SUV will be offered in three variants here in Malaysia – the base-model Macan, Macan S, and Macan GTS – with prices ranging from RM433k to RM786k, without options of course.

EXTERIOR
Visual changes on this facelift exercise is considerably mild, with most changes restricted to just the bumpers. Up front, the bumper receives a new body-coloured inlay (black on GTS) to emphasise the car’s visual width, alongside redesigned corner fins, which also houses the new slim-style LED daytime-running lights.
Speaking of lighting, the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) units are now standard equipment across the range, as are the Sport Design side mirrors with the unique V-shaped stalks.
Moving over to the rear, the Macan also receives a reworked bumper with a more prominent rear diffuser element, while the side blades on the doors also get a new three-dimensional design.
Macan GTS in Python Green.
The standard wheel sizes have also been increased across the board, starting with 19-inches on the base Macan, 20- on the Macan S, and 21-inch items on the Macan GTS – although, of course, these can all be swapped around and changed when you put down your order.
The new 2022 Macan can be ordered in 14 different colours as part of the standard palette, including the new Papaya Metallic (pictured) and Gentian Blue Metallic, alongside a Python Green that’s exclusively for the Macan GTS.
But of course, you’ll also be able to choose from a wide range of available special colours, or utilise Porsche’s Paint to Sample programme if you’re looking for something really specific that’s not readily available in any of the company’s colour palettes.
PERFORMANCE
While the engines options, seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, and Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system on the Porsche Macan remain unchanged from before, they’ve all been reworked with mechanical updates for better performance across the board.
As a result, the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine in the
base Macan
 now makes
265 hp
 (+13 hp) and
400 Nm
 (+30 Nm), and does the century sprint in
 6.2 seconds
(-0.5s) onward to a top speed of
232 km/h
 (+7 km/h).
The
380 hp
 and
 520 Nm
 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine that was previously serving the pre-facelift GTS has now been moved down to the more “street-friendly”
Macan S
, giving it a boost of 26 hp and 40 Nm. 0-100 km/h on the new 2022 Porsche Macan S now takes
4.6 seconds
(-0.5s), and top speed has also been raised slightly to
259 km/h
 (+5 km/h).
As for the
Macan GTS
, the same 2.9-litre V6 mill now outputs a whopping
440 hp
 (+60 hp) and
550 Nm
 (+30 Nm), dropping the century sprint time down to just
4.3 seconds
 (-0.4s), while top speed is bumped up by a massive 11 km/h to now
272 km/h
.
All of the acceleration times are with the optional Sport Chrono package equipped; all variants take an additional 0.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h if not equipped.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) dampers are standard on all variants of the new 2022 Macan range, and have been further optimised for greater feedback and responsiveness. The new Macan GTS meanwhile gets air suspension as standard, which is said to be 10% stiffer at the front and 15% at the rear, and drops overall ride height by 10 mm.
INTERIOR
The 2022 Porsche Macan is updated with a new centre console in the cabin, which jettisons almost all physical buttons and knobs for a flat panel with touch-sensitive “buttons”, similar to other newer models in Porsche’s line-up.
The new centre console also features a more modern looking (and smaller) gear-shift lever, alongside a new, larger stowage space right above the Macan trim piece.
Other changes on the inside include a new GT Sport steering wheel taken from the
911
, alongside a new bank of touch-sensitive controls and dials for the climate control, as well as reworked air-conditioning vents.
The 10.9-inch touchscreen Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment remains unchanged from before, while the redesigned analogue clock above the dashboard is now standard equipment across the board.
PRICING
The 2022 Porsche Macan in Malaysia starts at
RM433,154
 for the Macan,
RM623,593
 for the Macan S, and
RM786,232
 for the Macan GTS – all prices inclusive of taxes and duties, but excludes on-the-road fees, any options, and insurance.
Also included in the price is a two-year unlimited-mileage factory warranty, alongside a two-year free service programme. The Macan and Macan S also comes as standard with the Premium Package, which includes additional creature comfort niceties such as 14-way electric comfort seats, Power Steering Plus, Park Assist (with surround view), automatic dimming mirrors, and a Bose surround sound system.
GALLERY


BMW 530e iPerformance unveiled, 2.0L hybrid, 46km pure electric range

Following the global launch of the
G30 BMW 5-Series
, the Bavarian giant was quick to introduce the hot
M Performance
 kit to go along with their new model. Now, details of the 530e iPerformance has just surfaced and the plug-in hybrid business saloon sure looks like an exciting proposition.
Let’s get performance out of the way, shall we? The 530e packs the same powertrain setup as the
330e
 and
X5 xDrive40e
; albeit in different states of tune. As such, you get a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pushing out
184 hp
 and
320 Nm
which is paired to a
95 hp
 and
250 Nm
 electric motor. Together, the eDrive system’s rated output is
252 hp
 and
420 Nm
. Power is sent to the rear-wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
Performance figures on the 530e is as impressive as the car itself. Century sprint is clocked in
6.2 seconds
 while top speed is registered at
235km/h
. The 9.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivers 47km of a pure electric range and boasts a top speed of
140km/h
. It’s strategically located underneath the rear seats for clever packaging. Even so, boot space is just slightly compromised, measuring at at 410 litres versus the non-hybrid’s 530 litres. A full charge (from empty) takes just under five hours from a standard domestic power socket or under three hours when plugged to a BMW i Wallbox.
Unique to BMW hybrid models is the eDrive button, which joins the other drive modes (Sport Comfort and Eco Pro). The eDrive toggles the hybrid system in three separate modes – Auto eDrive (hybrid mode for maximum efficiency), Max eDrive (pure electric mode) and Battery Control (charges the battery). Battery Control mode allows the driver to set the target battery charge between 30 to 100 percent.

The eDrive gets unique styling cues to differentiate this plug-in hybrid model such as blue accents on the kidney grille, blue wheel cover hubs, eDrive emblems and 530e badging at the rear lid.
A host of passive safety features are available on the 530e, such as evasion aid, crossing traffic warning, Lane Change Assistant and Lane Keeping Assistant with active side collision protection. However, the Active Cruise Control is an option.
Since the BMW 330e here is so well received, we can safely assume that the 530e will also be joining the G30 lineup when the model gets launched next March. What do you think, folks? A fully decked out G30 530e at an irresistible price. Tempted? We sure are!
IMAGE GALLERY