#ABC2017: AutoBuzz.my Best Cars of 2017 [+Video]

After 12 long months of work, we wouldn’t have wanted to end 2017 in any other way but in emphatic fashion. As a portal that spreads news and produce video reviews, we wouldn’t have been pleased to just strip the last sheet off the calendar and call it a day. NO.
So in typical Autobuzz.my manner, this is it. This is the gathering of marvels – cars that we’ve scrutinised, enjoyed and most importantly loved, in a tribute video, to highlight and toast yet another great year of even greater cars.
The selection process of these nine cars wasn’t any easier than the production of this video. Upon weeks of deliberation, countless text exchanges, endless disputes, the list was finally drawn and those in it, rest assured, are an assembly of spectacular machines we personally deem as the Best Cars of 2017.
Lexus LC500
by
GC Mah
We were utterly amazed by the LF-LC (Lexus Future-Luxury Coupe) concept car when it was unveiled by Lexus few years back. It looked out of this world, such a sight to behold. Naturally, it was safe to assume the production car will look far from it due to the usual lost in translations going into production.
We were wrong. The end product looked almost identical as the concept car was. The LC 500 is one gorgeous machine. It looks amazing from every angle. Hats off to the engineers working around such a design without diluting the earlier concept.
Not only is it seductive, it oozes luxury from the inside out. The generous use of premium materials all around with uber comfortable Alcantara seats and spot on sitting position makes it a lovely place to be in.
Together with the responsive naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre engine that generates impressive power outputs and throaty V8 growls, it just makes for the perfect mile-munching Grand Tourer.
Porsche Boxster S
 by Dominic Yee
Just like my pick last year, I have to admit, I am a sucker for roadsters but the Porsche Boxster S is different. It’s like a roadster nicely suited up in an evening tux, all suave and ready to take on the night with much charm and charisma.
The latest Porsche Boxster S has adopted a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine instead of the previous naturally-aspirated 6-cylinder engine unit. But do not be fooled thinking that it has lesser power. It packs a punch with an increase in torque and horsepower despite the supposedly smaller engine.
They say the difference between mediocrity and excellence is really the attention to detail. As we all know, Porsche excels at this when it comes to sheer precision handling.
The Boxster S is like a precision tool that reacts to every movement of the steering and throttle, giving you pin-point accuracy in every bend and corner of the road.
The Boxster S is just pure joy to drive. It gives you the confidence to throttle on with ease and eat corners until you run out of tarmac to drive on. More power and precision behind the wheel means more fun and pleasure to drive. That is exactly what the Porsche Boxster S is all about.
BMW 330e M Sport
by
Andrew Choo
To many driving enthusiasts, PHEV is a dirty four letter acronym. That is because most of the plug-in hybrid vehicles appear to be an afterthought, where a battery pack adds to an internal combustion engine model, to produce a vehicle with a claimed fuel consumption that is only achievable at sleep-inducing speeds.

In order to accommodate the batteries, sacrifices were made. Hundreds of kilograms of weight were added, taking up boot space and perhaps upsetting its balance and drivability. They claim to reduce pollution by lowering emissions but the only pollution they manage to reduce is noise.
If you really have to buy a plug-in hybrid, the BMW 330e M Sport is the one to have. Its power figures easily surpasses those found on the 330i and 320d, with a much lower price tag thanks to EEV incentives.

Throwing the car into a corner, it has lost none of its nimbleness and superior handling compared to its petrol and diesel siblings and powering out of the corner will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

This car makes you want to drive it day and night – it engages your senses while you trigger its pulses. BMWs have always been the Ultimate Driving Machines and the 330e is every bit the embodiment of that, just more electrifying.
Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe
by
Yi-Shen Chung
Over the years, we’ve come to know AMGs to be raw, brutal and very expensive. With the 43 series though, membership to the exclusive AMG club is now more accessible. It may not follow the one man one engine philosophy, nor is it as brash, or as loud.
But is that such a bad thing?
With a century sprint taking less than five seconds, the car is hardly a slouch. The 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine churns out 367 horses, sent to all four wheels (instead of just the rear like most full-fledged AMGs), making the car simply more livable and lovable on a daily basis. And with an all-wheel drive system that’s rear-wheel biased, you can still have a little bit of fun without running into trouble.
All that performance is housed under a sleek, svelte roofline and a body that curves in all the right places – it’s a car with beauty and brawn at the same time.
Mazda CX-5 2.2D Diesel 2WD
by
Travis Chang
Sports Utility Vehicles – apart from the high-end European makes, most SUVs are more about utility than being sporty b
ut the new Mazda Cx-5 is one glaring exception.
Not only would it fit five in comfort along with substantial cargo, it’s got the drivability not comparable by many in its segment.
Not only does it have style and substance, it also rides like a SUV but drives like a sedan.

Its agility and instantaneous performance is a testament to Mazda’s Jinba Ittai – the horse and rider as one philosophy. With Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control, it’s now more like the horse and carriage as one. Wonder what’s that called in Japanese.
Volkswagen Passat Highline
 by
Eric Lim
No matter how you look at it, the new B8 Passat is a real looker from its more executive-oriented predecessor. It still exudes all the elements of an executive sedan but with a touch of sportiness, especially with the Highline.
With a powertrain taken right out of a Golf GTi, it produces 217 hp and 350 Nm of torque, with power delivered through a 6-speed dual clutch transmission. It also inherits the XDS electronic locking differential that applies individual brakes on the inner wheel to reduce understeer around bends.
As such, it can be aggressive and agile, yet docile and comfortable when you feel less enthusiastic behind the wheel. It’s spacious and comfortable, it’s got presence and performance. All these factors come together in making the Passat the jack of all trades and master of everything – a true all rounder.
Mini John Cooper Works
by
Adrian Chia
I’ve had the privilege to pilot a diverse range of vehicles this year – from heart-throbbing bi-turbo V8s to efficient three-potters in a plethora of body styles from full-sized SUVs to compact hatchbacks. Every car was great in their own unique way but nothing stands out more than this quirky little Brit.
Retailing at RM289k, many won’t be able to justify its price per horsepower (2.0-litre turbo, 231 hp/320 Nm) especially when you can get the mighty Volkswagen Golf R for the same money. But the experience behind the wheel of the MINI JCW simply can’t be measured by dollars and cents.
The legendary racing heritage of John Cooper Works is pounded unforgivingly into your body, reminding you that you’re in a very special car. At every turn of the wheel, downshift, pops and crackles, the MINI JCW lights up all my bodily senses like nothing else I’ve ever driven. And have you seen how pretty this thing is?
Volvo S90 T8 Inscription Plus
by
Speedz Low
Ever since they invented the seat belt in 1959, Volvo has been at the forefront of vehicle safety and as time progressed, so has its innovations. Today, Volvo’s vast offering of driving aids and safety systems put it in the driving seat of passenger protection and the S90 T8 is every bit the culmination of the Swede’s inventiveness.
With its full suite of safety systems, posh interior, sublime Bower & Wilkins sound system and its potent twin-charge powertrain, I’ve been made to fall in love with a make I’ve never thought twice about before.
Not too long ago, Volvo said no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020 and from the looks of it, they’re on the right path to achieving just that.
With those edgy looks, cutting edge tech, supreme comfort and luxury and more importantly at such an undeniably competitive price, I simply can’t find a reason for the S90 T8 to not be my 2017 car of the year.
Lotus Evora 410
by
Eu Jin
A car’s maneuverability has always been more important than anything else to me, outweighing even horsepower.
And on that note, I’ve always admired Lotus’ for how they drive, especially the Elise. To me, it delivers the ultimate sensations behind the wheel through pure driving.
In the Evora 410, things are just a tad different. While it may not possess the featherweight lightness of the Elise, it still retains the nimbleness so synonymous of a Lotus but with added power, presence and arguable levels of comfort.
Everything from its short-throw gear lever, almost instinctive steering and perfectly-placed pedals make me want to drive it, and hard, at every waking moment. The intoxicating bellow of that rev-happy V6, as much as it was a sensory overload for me, is also a real treat for the on-lookers and trust me, heads do turn.
It’s fast, vulgar and unapologetically loud – it’s almost the perfect middleground between simplicity and functionality. The Lotus Evora 410 is undoubtedly one of the most exciting set of wheels I’ve driven this year.
IMAGE GALLERY


2024 Nissan GT-R facelift unveiled in Japan – Nismo Special Edition and T-spec

Nissan has unveiled the new facelift Nissan GT-R for 2024 and it’s set to go on sale in the summer of next year. The GT-R is now in its 17th year of production since its first debuted in 2007.
With the new facelift model, the front end looks less busy than before; with a revised front grille design, thinner mesh for the front grille, additional creases on the front bumper and new surrounds for the daytime running light surrounds. At the rear, the GT-R receives a new lower bumper trim, along with F1-styled brake lights at the centre of the rear bumper.
T-Spec
Nismo
As for the mechanical bits, the facelift GT-R soldiers on with the same VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with
570 hp
 and 637
 Nm
, paired to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox to drive all four wheels. The GT-R’s specifications include Bilstein DampTronic monotube shock absorbers, Brembo brakes (6-pot front, 4-pot rear), carbon composite driveshafts and 20-inch RAYS aluminium forged wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sports Maxx GT600 tyres.
The Nismo version utilises the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine but produces
600 hp
 and
652 Nm
 as a result of revised turbochargers taken from the GT3 race car. The 2024 GT-R Nismo also features a front limited-slip differential for the first time. Other specifications include Brembo carbon ceramic brakes as standard, carbon fibre roof, Nismo carbon fibre front and rear bumper panels, trunk lid, rear wing and front hood. The rear wing with swan neck struts also features 10% larger surface area for reduced drag.
Newly available for the GT-R Nismo is the Nismo Appearance Package which includes 20-inch RAYS forged wheels with red accents, a Nismo-exclusive Stealth Gray paint job, a unique clear coat applied to the carbon fiber hood and an exclusive engine cover design.
The GT-R T-spec, on the other hand, features GT-R Nismo carbon-ceramic brakes, gold-painted version of Nismo’s 20-inch RAYS forged wheels, and wider front fenders. The T-spec is also decorated with special badging inside and out and finished with dark Mori Green upholstery.
The T-spec is available in two exclusive colors namely Millennium Jade – a tribute to one of the rarest GT-Rs ever, the R34 GT-R V-Spec II Nür – with the other being Midnight Purple, a modern interpretation of the Midnight Purple III color made famous by the R34 GT-R V-Spec.
GALLERY


Renault Twizy ZE arrives in Malaysia, full-electric from RM72k [+Video]

Malaysia’s sole franchise holder and distributor of Renault, TC Euro Cars has just recently launched its pure electric vehicle, the Twizy ZE. This tiny pocket-sized urban mobility mode of gettin’ around is all the rage in other parts of the world where it has sold well over 15,000 units.
Speaking of sales figures, Renault has been doing rather well in this department, where in European markets for example, the Renault-Nissan alliance has become
top EV brand
 in the first half of this year, with a share of up to
 26 percent
. Here, the Twizy is available in two varities, namely the
 Urban
 and
Cargo
 trims.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Renault Twizy ZE
Engine
Electric Asynchronous
Battery
6.1 kWh lithium-ion
Max Power
17 hp (13kW)
Max Torque
57 Nm @ 0 – 2100 rpm
0 – 100 km/h
N/A
Top Speed
80 km/h
Price
RM 71,888 – RM 73,888
EXTERIOR
Funky would be one way we’d choose to describe this micro city-runabout’s looks. But it is a bold step forward in the proliferation of EVs in our petrol and diesel dominated market. On the face of it, it stands on all fours and measures out at just
 2.34 metres
 in length and a mere
1.23 metres
 wide. So wide that, for example, should you need to measure out a snug parking spot, simply
extend your arms out
 wide and hey presto!
The Twizy is made from a unique blend of
lightweight steel frames
 and wrapped around with
 plastic panels
. How safe would this be in the event of a crash, you ask? Renault has come forward by saying that the Twizy was designed with
 crumple zones
 and
pedestrian safety
 in mind, and since the Twizy makes
 no noise
 (and emissions for that matter), you might find people inadvertently crossing paths with you.
The
doors
 on the Twizy will appeal to the inner Lamborghini-ogling child in us when pulling back the handle because the door opens upwards. Couple that with the
chic front headlights
 and the unmistakable Renault badge that’s displayed ever so prominently gives it all a sense of occasion. Not forgetting the
 tail lamps
 that looks like it was borrowed from Cyclops. The Twizy oozes character and personality in this department.
Starring down the barrel of that Renault badge is a discreet
 flap
 with ZE written on it, lift it up and you will find a
spiral cord
 hooked up to a
 three-pin 240V
 wall socket for easy charging. Round the back however, there is a
180-litre
 watertight truck space, but it’s only available on the Cargo variant.
INTERIOR
Basic would be a rather rudimentary term to describe the interior of this quadricycle. No thrills and frills to be found here. There’s only a couple of stalks on the steering to work the
 indicators
 and the
 windscreen
 wiper. Move your gaze over to the left and you will find a more buttons to select
drive, reverse and neutral
. Next to it lies the
hazard warning
 lights.
The seats – or seat in the case of the Cargo variant – is sturdy and molded to be adequately comfy for short commutes. The front seat is
adjustable
 of course, to suit varying driving positions.
PERFORMANCE
The little Twizy might not deliver face-ripping and electrifying Tesla levels of performance but it does come bolted with a
 6.1 kWh lithium-ion
 battery pack that sends power to the rear wheels. The electric motor makes
 17 hp
 at a time with a total torque figure of
57 Nm
, meaning it can get up to a cruising speed of
 45 km/h in 6.1 seconds
. There isn’t a century time clocked, but the Twizy tops out at
 80 km/h
. Not bad considering that it tips the scale at just
450kg
.
In terms of range, the Twizy is rated up to
100 km
 (on the NEDC cycle) on a full charge. Mind you, a full charge takes
three and half hours
 from an ordinary
 240V wall point.
 No special charging point is needed. Stopping power on the hand is delivered via
 disc brakes
 on all
four
 corners. The handling is as-you-would-expect of a car of this nature.
 Go-kart
 like handling will be the most apt way of describing it.
WHAT ELSE ?
The Twizy comes with an
 airbag
 for the driver should push come to shove. For added peace of mind, it comes with
a two-year
or
50,000 km
 manufacturer’s warranty. The
 same time frame
 is given for both the
battery
 and
 electrical drive train
. Like all Renault cars, service intervals are scheduled at
 10,000 km or six months
, whichever comes first. The single-seater Urban flavour comes in at
RM71,888
 while the Cargo version retails for
 RM73,888.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Subaru XV launched in Malaysia, 2 variants, 2.0L CVT, from RM119k

During the
regional launch of the second-generation Subaru XV in Taiwan
, Motor Image Malaysia promised that the new crossover will arrive on our shores in early 2018. The company has since hastened its timeline and brought forward the launch of the locally-assembled XV in Malaysia.
First broke cover at the
2017 Geneva Motor Show
, the all-new XV gets most of its underbody revised while maintaining its bold and active image. While the design may not seem like it, rest assured that this is an all-new model change. Malaysians will have two variants of the XV to choose from, priced at RM118,819 and RM125,868 respectively.

QUICK FACTS
Name
Subaru XV 2.0i
Subaru XV 2.0i-P
Engine
1,995cc; 4-cylinder Direct Injection Boxer
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT
Max Power
154 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
196 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM118,819
RM125,868
EXTERIOR
Underpinning the new XV is the company’s brand-new
Subaru Global Platform
 that first debuted on the
fifth-generation Subaru Impreza
. Exterior dimensions now measure at 4,465 mm (+15 mm) in length, 1,800 mm (+20 mm) in width, 1,615 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,665 mm (+30 mm). Subaru claims that the new crossover is over
70 percent more rigid
 and has
50 percent lesser body roll
 than the model it replaces.

Thanks to the redesigned front and rear bumper along with a new front grille, the new XV has a wider and lower stance while maintaining the 220 mm ground clearance. Like our friends over in Taiwan, our locally-assembled XV comes in two variants – 2.0i and 2.0i-P.
The base
2.0i
 comes equipped with halogen headlamps, front fog lamps, LED combination tail lamps, blacked out spoiler, roof rails, keyless entry and 17-inch alloys wrapped in 225/60 profile tyres. The only addition in the
2.0i-P
 are the LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
INTERIOR
Inside, the cabin is largely similar to the Taiwan-model with some feel-good features omitted to keep the price down. The base
2.0i variant
 features leather and fabric combination upholstery with orange stitching, multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six-speakers, single-zone automatic climate control, electronic parking brake, keyless start, reverse camera and a retractable cargo cover.

The more expensive
2.0i-P
 adds dual-zone automatic climate control, 6.3-inch secondary multifunction display, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, auto-dimming rearview mirror and aluminium sports pedals.
Thanks to larger dimensions in the new XV, rear passengers now have
27 mm more leg room
 and a larger trunk aperture (+100 mm) for added comfort and convenience. Boot space is rated at
385 litres
.
PERFORMANCE
Under the bonnet you’ll find a familiar 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder direct injection Boxer engine but tweaked to produce
154 hp
 and
196 Nm
 of torque, 6 hp more than before. The
Lineartronic CVT
 also gets a new final drive ratio for better performance. Both the revised engine and transmission are lighter than the outgoing model and offers
six to 10 percent
 better fuel economy.
Power is channelled to all four wheels via Subaru’s famed
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system
. Like the facelifted Forester, the new XV comes with X-Mode and Hill Descent Control which offers greater traction for challenging terrains.
SAFETY
As standard,
all variants of the XV
 get seven-airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDCS), ISOFIX mounting points, Brake Override, Engine Immobiliser and side door reinforcement beams. However, the EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems were given a miss. The Subaru XV scored 199.7 points in the Japan NCAP crash safety assessment, the highest score ever awarded to a passenger car.
WHAT ELSE?
The all-new Subaru XV will be available in seven exterior shades – Pure White, Dark Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Dark Blue Pearl, Sunshine Orange and Cool Grey Khaki (only available six months after official launch). Every purchase of the new XV comes with a 5-Year or 100,000 km warranty and a 5-Year labour free service package.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW i5和全新5系已开始生产，即将进入马来西亚市场

全新的BMW 5系和全电动BMW i5的生产已于2023年7月21日在公司的Dingolfing工厂开始。这两款车型于今年5月首次对外公开，即将在马来西亚亮相，自今年3月起，已开始接受预订。
BMW i5是该公司在Dingolfing工厂组装的第三款全电动车型，继BMW iX和BMW i7之后。到2024年，BMW预计全电动车将占Dingolfing工厂生产量的40%以上。
BMW AG董事会成员Milan Nedeljković表示：“BMW i5和我们在Dingolfing的工厂是BMW集团向电动化转变并发展我们的工厂走向BMW iFACTORY的完美例证。在我们全球的工厂中，电动化已成为新常态。从2021年到2024年，我们将在我们的生产网络中整合总计15款全电动车型。”
全新的BMW 5系在全球首发时，配备了微混合（MHEV）、插电式混合动力（PHEV）、纯内燃机（ICE）以及全电动动力系统。全新BMW 5系的车型包括520i、530i、540i、520d、i5 M60 xDrive等等。市场发布预计将在2023年10月进行。
BMW 5系一直是Dingolfing工厂的核心车型。随着即将生产的全新M5和5系旅行版，预计Dingolfing工厂的生产数量将有所提升。工厂总监Christoph Schröder表示：“BMW 5系传统上一直是Dingolfing的核心车型，这次也将为生产量提供有价值的推动力。”
在马来西亚，目前可购买的BMW全电动车型包括iX1、iX3、iX和i7。最后两款车型与i5和全新5系一起在Dingolfing工厂组装。预计我们很快就能在马来西亚看到它们。
【英文版】


Cyberpunk 2077 game proves that the 930 Porsche 911 Turbo is the most timeless car design ever

We’re big fans of old school Porsche 911s here at
AutoBuzz.my
, specifically the 930 911 Turbo – that’s why we made
this shirt
. But hearing a bunch of automotive hacks ragging on about how the original design influenced all future
Porsche 911
s is not only boring, but also holds no weight at all.
For a true testament of the timeless design that is the Porsche 930, the developers of Cyberpunk 2077 – a sci-fi game that takes place in a dystopian city in the year 2077 – specifically chose it as the main character’s method of transportation, proving that the two door sports car will still look good 57 years from now.
In case you’re unaware, the 930 911 Turbo will be more than a 100 years old in the game’s setting. For context, Johnny Silverhand (the main character who’s played by Keanu Reaves, by the way) driving the Porsche 911 Turbo in 2077 will be almost equivalent to us driving a
Ford Model T
 day-in, day-out today. Just think about that.
According to developer CD Projekt Red, the car has been “painstakingly recreated” in the game, using sketches, photographs, and photogrammetry. The result is almost a 1:1 virtual copy of the car, and the best part is that it will be completely drivable in game.
Of course, it’s 2077 after all, so several ‘modifications’ have been made to the 100-year-old Porsche for it to fit in believably with the other cars in the futuristic city. The wing mirrors have been replaced with cameras, and there’s also a lidar sensor attached to the front. There’s also some sort of sensors around the car to make it identifiable from above – as the police in 2077 will apparently be using air vehicles.
Other than that though, the car has been left pretty much as-is – except that there’s no gear shifter when you take a peek inside. According to Cyberpunk 2077 Senior Vehicle Artist Jakub Przybolewski, that’s because the Porsche’s manual gearbox has been fitted with a controller to have it change gears automatically, so that “the classic can also drive on the streets of Night City in autonomous mode”.
While they’re at it, the engine of the Cyberpunk 911 Turbo – also recreated 1:1 – have also been modified slightly with only the necessary parts to enable it to run on biofuel, along with a custom exhaust system at the rear.
In addition to recreating the car in Cyberpunk 2077,
Porsche
 has also made a replica of it in real life, which will be on display outside the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart from October 15 to October 22. For us less-lucky folks who are not based in Germany, we’ll have to wait for the game launch on November 19th to check out the car.
GALLERY


The super rich will soon have a new “toy” from Toyota to play with

And it’s called the GR Super Sport Concept. After making its world debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, it was showed off to the public at the Le Mans 24 Hours with Toyota confirming the development of the road-going hypercar.
The announcement follows after the Japanese carmaker’s
historic first ever win
 in the iconic Le Mans 24 hours World Endurance Championship race in France last weekend – in the absence of Porsche and Audi.
The GR Super Sport Concept will utilise the same hybrid drivetrain technology found in the Le Mans-winning Toyota GAZOO Racing TS050 Hybrid race car.
Underneath its flamboyant shell is a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and the Toyota Hybrid System – Racing (THS-R). Like the LMP1 race car, it will deliver
1,000 hp
 at the stretch of its multi-millionaire owner’s big toe.
“We started this project because we believe that creating a super sports car that delivers the same appeal as the TS050 Hybrid greatly adds to Toyota’s involvement in the WEC. And at some point in the near future, customers will have a chance to get behind the wheel of this incredible machine and experience its astonishing power and driving performance”, said Toyota Gazoo Racing President, Shigeki Tomoyama.
IMAGE GALLERY


Aston Martin Vantage “Hunter Edition” arrives in KL

Aston Martin KL has announced the arrival of their latest customised unit to arrive in Malaysia aptly named the
Hunter Edition
.
It comes with a China Grey exterior paint colour and other exterior options that was inspired by the “vibe of a Hunter”. The Hunter Edition will also stop traffic and pedestrians in their tracks as it is the first and only Vantage in Malaysia so far with the China Grey exterior paint colour.
The China Grey colour is supposed to symbolise intelligence while the darker finish on the front grille and other exterior options such as the bonnet vents, mirror caps, roof panel, window surrounds, rear diffuser lends a stealthier look.
Completing the exterior of the Hunter Edition are 21-inch wheels in Satin Black. Like the Vantage F1 Edition and other custom Vantage models to have arrived in Malaysia recently, the Hunter Edition also comes with the vanned front grille.
Inside, the Vantage comes with newly designed gearshift paddles along with Onyx Black and Chancellor Red upholstery to complement the interior’s “jewellery package” for a more sinister sparkle in the cabin.
The Aston Martin Vantage is available from RM 678,000.00, while The Hunter Edition is priced from RM 880,000.00 (both prices are excluding duties and taxes) with 5 years warranty.
Aston Martin KL announced that another highly personalised Vantage with the vaned grille arriving soon. For more information, call +60 3 2163 1196 or email
[email protected]
.
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Shell Malaysia sets Malaysian record for completing 378 oil changes within 12 hours!

On the weekend of 13 and 14 June 2015, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd, through their inaugural
#LoveMyRide Festival
, have successfully given 500 lucky motorists the ultimate engine rejuvenating experience for their cars.
The festival, held at MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre, saw
378 cars
 receiving their oil change on Saturday, successfully etching Shell’s name into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) for ‘the most number of cars in a lubricant changing event
within 12 hours
‘, exceeding the 350-car mark set by MBR. The overall target of
500 cars was achieved
 the following day at 3.17 pm, when another 122 cars received the said oil change.
A happy participant receiving his free engine oil change. He had to wear matching colours, of course.
There were over 1,000 entries registering their interest to be part of this historic event, but only 500 were selected to be given a complete drainage of their existing oil before receiving Shell’s most advanced fully synthetic engine oil – Shell Helix Ultra with Pureplus Technology (5W-40). There’s more! Upon completion of the oil change, all 500 participants were given
RM90 worth of Shell V-Power Racing
, a premium fuel that is now worth
RM2.90 per litre
! Collectively, an estimated
6,000 litres of engine oil
 and
15,000 litres of Shell V-Power Racing fuel
 were given out on both days.
Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd, Tuan Haji Azman Ismail said, “We wanted those who have never tried Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology to really experience what a motor oil made from natural gas could do for a car engine. Imagine a motor oil so pure that it cleanses your car inside out. Combine that with Shell V-Power Racing’s innovative formula and you are all set for an optimum driving experience.”
Each of the 500 cars received 31 litres of Shell’s premium V-Power Racing fuel
The massive oil change event wouldn’t be singing tunes of success if it wasn’t for the 100 student mechanics from
Despark College
 and
Shell Helix
 branded workshops. It was also an
admission-free festival
 organised for car lovers to celebrate and share the best of Shell’s innovative solutions for the everyday journey of all Malaysians.
“This powerful combination of
Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology
 engine oil and Shell V-Power Racing fuel was developed through a technical partnership with Scuderia Ferrari. Tried and tested on the race track, its benefits are now available for the enjoyment of every day motorists on the road,” explained Tuan Haji Azman.

Besides the oil changing fiesta, visitors and participants had the opportunity to test drive some of BMW and Mazda’s latest models; participate in an F1 race car simulator challenge and learn more about Shell lubricants at the PurePlus Mocktail Mixology sessions. Foodies took their pick from
over 50 of KL’s top food trucks
 and gastronomic cafes, all under one roof.
There was also a flea market for everyone’s enjoyment, including the popular 3D optical illusions or street art that saw many having fun snapping pictures of themselves. Tasked with hyping up the atmosphere were live performances from local acts such as Reza Salleh, IamNEETA, Diandra Arjunaidi and Talitha Tan.

For more user submitted photos of the event, simply key in
#LoveMyRide
 on any social platforms of your preference to see what all the fun was about.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Alphard & Vellfire updated, new 3.5L V6 with 8-AT & Toyota Safety Sense

Toyota has introduced minor updates to the popular Alphard and Vellfire duo which adds the second-generation Toyota Safety Sense, cosmetic changes inside and out as well as a new powertrain combo.
Starting from the looks, the update gives both MPVs a more prominent look with new items including restyled headlamps and LED daytime running light graphics, restyled bumpers as well as a new taillamp design. The sportier-looking
 Aero kit
 can now be specified on Executive Lounge models (previously only on low and mid-range models), giving it a more distinct look altogether.
Inside, the Alphard and Vellfire
Executive Lounge
 gets updated with Black and White Nappa leather upholstery with white wood grain interior trim. The instrument cluster now features a new design depending on the variant specified. On Wheelcab variants, the tilted seats now get a new tilt mechanism that gives better support to the user, reducing the burden of the assistant.
Powertrain wise, the 2.5-litre 2AR-FE naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, the 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE four-cylinder hybrid along with the CVT gearbox have been retained. Drive is sent to the front wheels on the naturally-aspirated mill while the electrified hybrid sends power to all four corners.

A new
 3.5-litre-naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine
, codename 2GR-FKS have been added to the line up and is paired to an
eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission
. Toyota has not revealed the official power output for the engine, but they did claim the new powertrain will return 9.4 litres per 100 km.
Last but not least, the
second-gen Toyota Safety Sense safety
 suite has been added as standard fitment on all variants of the Alphard and Vellfire. The advanced driver assist system bundles Pre-Crash Safety, Lane Tracing Assist, Radar Cruise Control, Adaptive High Beam Assist, Road Sign Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor and Traffic Movement Notification.
The Toyota Alphard and
Vellfire
 are available in Malaysia through official distributor UMW Toyota, including the
Alphard Executive Lounge
. Additionally, the
Toyota Harrier
 will be the first car to be equipped with Toyota Safety Sense in Malaysia and perhaps UMW Toyota is already working on bringing in the refreshed MPVs to our shores.
IMAGE GALLERY
Toyota Alphard

Toyota Vellfire


Even Paris, the City of the Lights, plans to switch off on petrol & diesel-powered cars

As France has already set a target of
eliminating petrol-powered cars by 2040
, Paris is looking to lead the charge for big cities within the nation for a speedier phase out with a move to ban combustion engine (petrol & diesel) cars by 2030.
According to a report by
Autonews
, the French capital is eyeing to end the sight of diesel cars, at least, in the city by the time it plays host to the 2024 Summer Olympics. This also follows after the
UK’s pledge to ban petrol and diesel-powered
 cars by 2040.
Although most residents of Paris prefer to rely on the city’s extensive public transportation, it’s uncertain how this move would go down with Parisians. This is as previous moves in initiating car-free days and imposing fines for driving
cars more than 20 years old
 in city have been faced with backlashes.
Most recently, even
China, one of the biggest contributors to the planet’s pollution index
 have announced that it would taking steps to one day phase out all petrol-powered cars.
In recent news, the London Taxi Company, now known as London EV Company has begun opting for new means of transportation with its
new electric-powered taxis
 while European marques like
BMW Group
 and
Volvo
 have confirmed that their line-up of cars will be offered with some form electrification.
Source:
Autonews


Little Tesla Roadster completely destroys a Ford F-650 in a tug of war

No, no, no, this is not the
10,000 Nm Tesla Roadster which the company claims can do 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.9 seconds
. The 2020 model which
Tesla
said can offer up to 1,000 km in pure electric range is supposed to go on sale only later this year.
What we’re talking about is the earlier model that was loosely based on a Lotus Elise in terms of design and development. The first generation Tesla Roadster which went on sale made between
250 hp to 292 hp
, with some models producing up to
400 Nm
 – plenty enough for a car that weighs just 1.3 tonnes.

On the other side of the ring, you have the symbol of America – a Ford pick-up – more specifically the 8th generation F-650 Supertruck. There are two variants of the F-650; a 6.8-litre petrol-powered V10 making
320 hp
and
460 Nm
 and a 6.7-litre diesel-powered V8 making
270 hp
 and
675 Nm
. Immense figures when you compare it with the punitive figures of the Tesla Roadster.
But it seems these torque monsters can’t tow it all. Right off the bat, it’s clear who you’d pick to win this battle effortlessly. In fact the driver of the F-650 was so confident that the video began with him saying, “Yea, I don’t think so.”
He’ll probably never underestimate the Tesla Roadster after this; or electric power in general.


Range Rover Evoque LandMark Edition, celebrating six years of the Evoque’s success

When Land Rover first introduced the
Evoque
, the model singlehandedly shot the brand’s desirability to newfound, mainstream success. It’s been six years now, and  they’ve sold over 600,000 units of the handsome SUV to over 130 countries. The Range Rover Evoque LandMark Edition is conceived as a tribute to that achievement.
The Evoque LandMark is mainly just a cosmetic exercise. On the outside, it gains the ‘Dynamic’ body kit, Carpathian Grey contrast roof and 19-inch gloss dark grey wheels. The Graphite Atlas finish also extends to the front grille, bonnet and brand lettering, while the paint is finished in the exclusive
Moraine Blue
 colour, although Yulong White and Corris Grey are also available.

Interior enhancements meanwhile consists of a brushed satin centre console trim and Ebony leather seats that come together with ‘Light Lunar’ stitching. The Keyless Entry and Powered Gesture Tailgate are standard offerings here, while the 10-inch InControl Touch Pro touchscreen infotainment system can be had at an added cost.
The Range Rover Evoque LandMark Edition is only offered for the
 Td4 180
 variant with a sticker price of
 £39,000 (approximately RM218k)
 for the manual and the
£40,840 (approximately RM229k)
 for the automatic. Meanwhile, do check out our video review of the Evoque Si4 right below to see just how much we liked it.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Tom’s Toyota GR Yaris bodykit is the very definition of “just right”

Being the new darling of the automotive enthusiasts collective, there’s definitely no shortage of tuning options for the
Toyota GR Yaris
, both aesthetics and performance-wise. On the former, we’ve already seen the Pandem widebody kit on Daigo Saito’s
2JZ-powered GR Yaris
, and now Japanese tuning powerhouse Tom’s has also put out a body kit with their own take – and we really dig it.
The styling kit was unveiled last weekend via the ‘Tom’s Salon’ live stream, which was held as part of the virtual 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon. Presenting the car was none other than Toyota WRC factory Takamoto Katsuta, who actually owns the car you see in these pictures!

The Tom’s Toyota GR Yaris presentation starts at 27:00
Compared to the Pandem kit, the Tom’s outfit is significantly more conservative – which is just the way we like it. Despite being dialled down, it still manages to look fast and angry, like a pissed-off chihuahua.
Image: Twitter/
Takamoto Katsuta
There’s a slightly-tweaked front bumper, tacking on a new front splitter and additional canards, while the lower air intake cut-out seems to have been widened as well to aid airflow to the seemingly larger radiator.
Image: Twitter/
Takamoto Katsuta
Meanwhile at the rear, the Tom’s Toyota GR Yaris gains a prominent diffuser, and what looks like massive air vents for the rear wheel arches at both edges. Overall, the Tom’s body kit barely changes the silhouette of the perky hot hatchback – no widebody nonsense here – aside from a drop in ride height.
Image: Twitter/
Takamoto Katsuta
Tom’s has also fitted a new oval-shaped tailpipe exit that shoots right out the middle, replacing the puny twin exits of the standard car. And for the finishing touches, The Tom’s GR Yaris also gets an extravagant rear wing, alongside a set of RAYS G025 wheels on all four corners.
Image: Twitter/
Takamoto Katsuta
Katsuta’s cars had some additional modifications on the inside, with the most significant change being the pair of Recaro carbon fibre bucket seats. The entire door card on the inside has also been swapped out for carbon fibre, along with the shift knob – the latter probably doesn’t contribute much to weight saving, but it does certainly look cool.
While the modifications are mostly aesthetic for now, Japanese motorsports publication
Auto Sport Web
 reported that Tom’s also intends to develop engine tunes in the near future. If everything goes smoothly, the new aerokit and engine tune will be available to purchase this summer (June – Oct).


High-school teacher wins Volkswagen Beetle with Instagram post

Muhamad Rizal bin Sadiman, a 28-year old high-school teacher, walked home with a brand-new Volkswagen Beetle by test driving the Polo and Tiguan.
Rizal is the winner of Volkswagen’s
“Win the Icon” contest
, which ran from 1st October to 30th November 2019. The contest saw over 800 submissions of photos and videos of Malaysians documenting their test drive experience in a Volkswagen car with a creative caption.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Rizal Sadiman (@rizalsadiman)
In the winning entry, Rizal submitted a video of him test driving the Polo and Tiguan, showcasing the performance of the vehicles under emergency situations.
“Safety is a top priority for me as I was involved in an accident two years ago where the brakes failed. In my submission video, I showcased how the Tiguan performs during emergency braking and I am very impressed,” says Rizal.
The iconic Beetle has ceased
production in July
 this year after three generations, making way for Volkswagen’s latest electric vehicle line-up.
Although the grand prize was not one of the 75
Collector’s Edition Volkswagen Beetle
, we’re sure Rizal will still enjoy his soon-to-be collectors item.


New F48 BMW X1 launched in Malaysia, sole sDrive20i variant priced at RM280k

A few days ago we reported that BMW’s second-generation baby SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), the F48 X1 will be hitting Malaysian shores much sooner than expected. This news stays true to that notion, following the sDrive20i’s Malaysian debut courtesy of BMW Group Malaysia.
The E84 X1 was previously sold in Malaysia in several trims, most notably the xDrive20d and xDrive20i variants – both of which were all-wheel drive. The ’s’ on this sDrive20i denotes two-wheel drive only, and because it rides on BMW’s new UKL platform, drive is sent to the front axle instead of the rear.
Name
F48 BMW X1 sDrive20i
Engine
2.0-litre inline-4, TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
8-speed Automatic
Max Power
192 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Max Torque
280 Nm @ 1,250 rpm
0-100 km/h
7.7 seconds
Top Speed
225 km/h
Price
RM279,800
EXTERIOR
On the whole, this X1’s overall length is shorter, however wheelbase and height have both been increased allowing for better rear legroom and headroom. It measures at 4,439mm long, 1,821mm wide and 1,598mm tall (an increase of 53mm), whereas the wheelbase has been stretched by as much as 90mm!

There’s about five exterior colours to come with the X1, however the signature kidney grille slats are now bigger than before and are finished in black throughout. One thing we find hard to come to terms with is the positioning of the fog lamps (worse on the BMW X6), which are placed above where they’re usually housed. That said, illumination source is powered by
Adaptive LED lights
 with the compulsory LED DRLs taking the form of corona rings.
Some standard features comprise of the all-black roof railing, and the X1 sits on a set of 18-inch twin-five spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 225/50 R18
run-flat rubbers
. Convenience wise, there’s keyless entry and push-start ignition.
INTERIOR
Inside, our X1 will miss out on the huge 8.8-inch centrally mounted screen, thus making do with a
6.5-inch display
. BMW prides themselves with this X1 because it comes with a new-generation BMW ConnectedDrive software that grants you accessibility to features like
Intelligent Emergency Call
(establishes rescue coordination in the event of an accident or breakdown without the use of mobile phone),
Concierge Services
(acts like an on-call Waze 24/7),
Remote Services
(allows smartphone programming for various in-car functions),
Intelligent Parking
 and
BMW Navigation Professional
.

Thanks to its new transverse engine layout, there’s more perceived interior space and the rear
legroom is increased by 37mm
. The rear seats have a 40/20/40 split configuration and when all of them are folded down, the luggage capacity is increased from 505 to 1,550 litres to suit all your hauling needs. The seats are all wrapped in Dakota Leather with three different colours to choose – Black, Mocha and Red highlight. Capping off this category is the door sills with embossed BMW lettering.
PERFORMANCE
Pop open the hood and you’ll find a
2.0-litre inline-four petrol
 engine that makes
192 hp
at 5,000 rpm and
280 Nm
 of torque from as low as 1,250 rpm, achieved thanks to
BMW’s TwinPower Turbo
 technology. As mentioned, the engine is transversely mounted to send drive to the
front wheels
, and that’s a job managed by our personal favourite
eight-speed automatic
 transmission with Steptronic.
Performance wise, the X1 sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in
 7.7 seconds
 before reaching a top speed of
225 km/h
. If driven sedately (or in ECO PRO mode), it will return, at best, a claimed fuel consumption of
5.9 litres per 100km
 and emits
136 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre
 travelled. Steering wheel is electronically assisted, and there’s also Brake Energy Regeneration.
SAFETY
On the safety side of things, the X1 comes with
six airbags
 as standard with ISOFIX child-seat fasteners at the rear seats. More to this is cruise control with brake function,
Park Distance Control
 built into both the front and rear bumpers,
Parking Assistant
 which helps in parallel-parking manoeuvres, ABS, EBD, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC with Dynamic Traction Control) and run-flat tyre indicator.

WHAT ELSE?
BMW has confirmed that the F48 X1 is
 fully imported
, unlike the locally assembled E84. The sole sDrive20i will set you back at
RM279,800
 and comes with a
5-year unlimited mileage warranty
 package including the Free Scheduled Service Program. The
five colours
on offer are Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Chestnut Bronze and Mediterranean Blue. If you’re not in a hurry to get the X1, the locally-assembled model will also be introduced at a later date, although when was not specified.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mitsubishi Motors opens new 3S Centre in Kota Damansara

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia
 has announcned the opening of a new 3S Centre (Sales, Service, and Spare parts) in Kota Damansara, which will be operated by its authorised dealer partner, Millenium Autohaus. With the new opening, MMM’s representation in the Klang Valley now stands at 15 outlets strong.
Located in a prime location off of the NKVE Highway, the new 3S Centre will be crucial in serving Mitsubishi’s customers within the neighbouring Kota Damansara areas. The new outlet has a built-up area of 12,370 sq ft, and houses a showroom with space for up to three display cars, a fully-equipped service centre with five service bays, alongside a comfortable customer lounge with free WiFi access.
“As business operations have restored nationwide, Mitsubishi Motors is placing a lot of emphasis on enhancing our network development such as establishing more dealerships and upgrading our facility, as well as digitally advancing our platforms to provide our customers with the best shopping experience,” said MMM’s
new Chief Executive Officer, Shinya Ikeda
.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s sales performance has been on an upwards trend ever since operations were allowed to resume following the second national MCO. The company achieved its highest-ever monthly sales figure of 2041 units last month, and Ikeda attributes that success partly to the SST exemptions that have been
recently extended until June 2022
.
RELATED: Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia now delivers your new car right to your door step! Learn more here.

“We are appreciative of the Government’s effort to extend the sales tax exemption until June 2022. This move will certainly help more Malaysians to purchase cars with extra savings and at the same time boost the nation’s economy through the automotive sector,” Ikeda added.
“We would also like to thank our customers for their great support and patience towards the Mitsubishi Motors brand. We will continue to enrich our customer’s touchpoints, providing them with more convenience and only the best.”
ALSO READ: Updated Mitsubishi Connect app now offers even more useful features
The Millenium Autohaus Mitsubishi 3S Centre is located at
 2A-E, Jalan Teknologi 3/1, Pusat Teknologi Sunsuria, Kota Damansara
, and operates on
 Mondays through Fridays
 from
 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
. Appointments can be made via telephone at
03-6151 6111
.


Since 2014, Lamborghini has made around 208 Huracans a month

The 10,000th Huracan has just rolled off the assembly line, just shy of four years since it was introduced in 2014. The milestone unit, a Huracan Performante, which pays homage to Lamborghini’s GT3 victory in the 2018 Daytona 24 hours race, will call Canada its new home.
The V10 model will wear the same Verde Mantis (green) color as the winning #11 Huracán GT3 that took top class honours in January’s world-famous endurance competition at the Daytona International Speedway.
Lamborghini achieved a record year in 2017 with 3,815 cars delivered to customers worldwide, including 2,642 Huracán units (an increase of more than 10%) leaving the factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy.
There are currently six different variants to Lamborghini’s V10 model – the Huracán Performante that holds records at eight different circuits around the world, the recently unveiled Performante Spyder and the four-wheel and two-wheel drive versions in both coupé and Spyder configurations.
While the sales figures for the Huracan has clearly been encouraging, we have absolutely no doubt that these figures will soon be eclipsed by the all-new Lamborghini Urus – the world’s first Super SUV.
There’s also little doubt that the Urus will live up to that name – with its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 oozing
650 hp
 and
850 Nm
. It’s blistering pace allows 0 to 100 km/h to be done in just 3.6 seconds, onward to a staggering 305 km/h top speed. This is a 2.2-ton SUV, mind you.


Renault Relax campaign offers extended warranty for MCO, savings on essential parts

In view of the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period to the 28th of April, TC Euro Cars (TCEC) has introduced its Renault Relax campaign to help take your mind off vehicle maintenance worries.
Firstly, vehicles with their warranty expiring between 18th March to 28th April will be given a
30-day extension to the 28th of May
 to carry out any warranty reparation works.
Similarly, vehicles with their periodic servicing due between the MCO period will also be given a
grace period until 28 May
 to catch-up on their service intervals. Vehicles services during the grace period will not be considered to have missed a scheduled service.
In anticipation of the increased traffic at the service centres during the 30-day grace period, TCEC will also be
extending the operating hours
 of all authorised Renault service centres. The Petaling Jaya Service Centre will be open from 7.30 am to 9 pm on Mondays to Fridays, 8.30 am to 7 pm on Saturdays, and 10 am to 7 pm on Sundays.
As for all other authorised Renault Service Centres, the extended operating hours are 8.30 am to 8 pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 8.30 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
For added convenience, all Renault customers can also now request for
door-to-door delivery service
 for their service appointments. Previously available only for new and Renault Subscription customers, the
free-of-charge
 service offering
pick-up and return of serviced vehicles
 will be available for customers in the
Klang Valley
,
 within 30 km of authorised service centres
.
As part of the Renault Relax campaign, TCEC is also offering
25% savings on tyres
 (205/55R17 ContiEco Contact 5 tyres at
RM345 per tyre
), and a
10% discount on batteries
 (Atlas BX).
The tyre discount is applicable to owners of the Renault Captur and Fluence. To enjoy the savings, simply make a
‘lock-in’ booking of RM100
 on the
 Renault E-Store
 from 15 April to 15 May 2020. The lock-in fee will be deducted from the total invoice during redemption, made anytime from
15 May to 31 August 2020
.
Additionally, all customers purchasing two tyres or more during the redemption period will also be entitled to a
free tyre
 balancing service. As for the battery promotion, every unit of the
Atlas BX battery
purchased until the
30th of June
 will receive a 10% discount.
If you require emergency assistance during the MCO period, the Rencare team is available 24 hours, seven days a week at
1800-88-8663
.


Upgrade your Range Rover Sport to this stealthy look by Clive Sutton!

Clive Sutton is no stranger to the Land Rover brand, having tailor-made multiple unique Range Rovers since 30 years ago. For fans of the stealthy look, this will surely be of interest.
Customers can either purchase the Range Rover Sport outright for £80,000 (RM440k) or purchase the aftermarket parts separately. Below is the breakdown:
Custom paintwork: Bumpers, side skirt, grille, air vents, wheels and badges are all painted to order (RM21,410)
Carbon Fibre package: front grille, bonnet and wing vents, boot rail trim, side mirrors, bumper inserts and rear lower valance (RM19,760)
Sutton aero bodykit: New front and rear bumpers, roof spoiler and new custom exhaust tips; all manufactured to OEM quality and safety standards (RM59,290)
Wide Track pack: Include body-coloured wheel arches with 50mm wheel spacers for the front and 70mm spacers for the rear. This enhances stance without changing out the OEM rims (RM13,175)
Sutton’s lightweight 22-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels is yours for RM29,000 and can be painted to any colour of your choice for an additional RM5,270
Two-tone leather seat upholstery: Covers seat squabs, back rests, lower dashboard, instrument binnacle, door inserts, cubby box lid and steering wheel centre (RM25,000)
Sutton is based in London and caters to a large clientele from UK and Europe. But for those who really want to get their hands on this, feel free to
drop them an inquiry
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Kia Malaysia to begin CKD operations earliest 2022, prioritising aftersales service

For those excited at the prospects of cheaper Kia models following the announcement of the new
Kia Malaysia joint-venture
, bad news – you’ll still have to wait a little longer.
At the Q&A session following today’s media event formalising the partnership between Bermaz Auto (BAuto) and Kia Motor Corporation, BAuto Executive Chairman Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh said that the CKD operations will take
 roughly 12 to 18 months
 to set up, implying that the earliest we’ll get to see any new locally-assembled models would be from 2022 onwards.
For now, the company will be focusing on establishing a “quality ownership experience” for existing and new customers by addressing the after sales issues that many owners have experienced. “We have to address these issues before we try to sell cars,” he added.
While the company is working on setting up its new assembly line at Inokom’s plant in Kulim, Dinamikjaya Motors, the BAuto subsidiary that has been appointed distributorship for Kia vehicles in Malaysia, will begin selling off existing “hangover stock” inherited from the previous distributor.
As a recap, Bermaz Auto has just
taken over stewardship of the Kia brand
here in Malaysia thanks to a new strategic partnership with Kia Motor Corporation themselves, forming the new Kia Malaysia joint-venture company where Kia holds 66.6% of shares – the rest held by BAuto.
The Kia Malaysia company will carry out the local assembly operations here in Malaysia, where three CKD models including the Kia
Seltos
 and
Carnival
 have already been planned. The company also plans to export these cars to the neighbouring ASEAN region, making Malaysia the regional hub for Kia.
Meanwhile, distributorship for Kia vehicles have been appointed to Dinamikjaya Motors, a BAuto subsidiary.


All-new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross to sit alongside ASX & Outlander SUVs!

Contrary to our
previous report
, the all-new SUV by Mitsubishi won’t actually be the replacement model of the ASX, but rather an all-new one to supplement the company’s utilitarian offering.
Officially named the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, it’s quite unlike the blander
ASX
 and
Outlander
 duo. The new and third SUV will be much edgier and pays homage to the old Eclipse sports car of yore. What’s particularly interesting about this is the company’s target market – potential first-time owners of the Mitsubishi brand.
That claim is backed by two key traits of the car: a sharp, coupe-like body and a brand new, deep gloss red metallic paint specifically developed for the Eclipse Cross.
Every detail of the SUV will be revealed soon, when the Geneva Motor Show swings into full action.
IMAGE GALLERY


Kia Optima K5 facelift unveiled for Europe, sedan & wagon included

Shortly after presenting itself in its home market, the
Kia Optima K5 facelift
 has found its way to Europe. The refreshed Optima which is available in both sedan and estate body styles will make its official debut at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS).
Firstly, the exterior gets a new front bumper and vertical tiger nose grille, LED fog lamp housings, restyled projector headlamps as well as new LED taillamp graphics. Alloy wheel sizes range from 16- to 18-inches in diameter. A new Runway Red is also added to the colour palette.
Inside the Europe-bound Optima, you’ll find a new steering wheel, satin-chrome interior trims, six-colour ambient lighting and two-tone interior trims (leather or fabric). Like the Korean market Optima, Europe market also gets the new 8.0-inch Smart Navigation UVO 3.0 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charger and surround view camera.
Also making its debut is Kia’s all-new 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine, codenamed “U3”, to replace the 1.-7-litre CRDi unit. The new engine features Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) active emissions control technology to reduce emissions and help meet strict Euro 6d emission standards. Output is rated at
134 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque.
New to the Optima range is a
177 hp
/
264 Nm
 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder T-GDI paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The new petrol mill slots between the 2.0-litre four-cylinder CVVL (
160 hp
/
196 Nm
) and 2.0-litre T-GDi (
241 hp
/
350 Nm
).
Kia’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will also be available with the refreshed Optima that bundles Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian recognition, Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and High Beam Assist (HBA).
IMAGE GALLERY
Kia Optima K5 Wagon Facelift in Europe

Kia Optima K5 Sedan Facelift in Korea


Facts & Figures: 2022 Proton Persona facelift launched – from RM45,200

Since the acquisition by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Proton’s pace of introducing updated products has been at an incredibly fast rate. We now have the second facelift of the popular Proton Persona sedan, just two years after the
first big update
. The company also unveiled the new
Proton Iriz Active
 together with the new Persona.
The new facelifted Proton Persona 2022 is only available in three variants – Standard CVT at
RM45,200
, Executive CVT at
RM50,100
 and Premium CVT at
RM54,900
. The prices are on-the-road, without insurance and inclusive of the sales tax exemption that is valid until December 31st 2021.
The 5-speed manual transmission variant has been discontinued from this 2022 facelift model year. All models are equipped with the same 1.6-litre engine making
109 hp
 and
150 Nm
 of torque.
EXTERIOR
Being a facelift, changes are focused on the exterior and in particularly, just the front bumper and incorporating grille. The facelifted Proton Persona 2022 now bears the
new circular Proton logo
 introduced in early 2020 via the
CKD Proton X70
.
The new bumper design applies more paint at the corner sections where the DRLs are and a more pronounced central section in black. Larger 16-inch wheels are also fitted on the new Proton Persona 2022 and wrapped with 185/55R16 tyres.
2019
2022
Exterior highlights of the new facelift Proton Persona 2022 are:
Redesigned front bumper
Redesigned front grille with chrome
Darkened red finishing on tail lamps
16-inch wheels (Executive- single tone, Premium dual-tone)
LED headlamps with auto on/off and follow-me-home (Premium)
Black-painted roof and rear spoiler (Premium)
A new colour has also been added, with the Proton Persona 2022 Premium variant easily distinguishable with the new Space Grey paintwork. There are six colours available in total, but respective variants are limited to four or five colours.
INTERIOR
The most noticeable change to the interior of the facelift Proton Persona 2022 is the introduction of a new centre cluster which sees the fitment of a new 8-inch free-standing infotainment central display. The air vents have also been repositioned and additional USB charging slots have been included.
The new infotainment system in the Premium variant has been upgraded with additional
“Hi Proton”
 voice commands, such as changing the settings of the air-conditioner and operation of the driver’s power window. The Premium variant is also fitted with leatherette upholstery and are the same shade of colour as found in the Proton X70.
Further down of the redesigned centre cluster is the conveniently located switches for ECO mode, electronic stability control and parking sensors.
Interior highlights of the new facelift Proton Persona 2022 are:
New 8-inch free-standing infotainment display (except Standard)
New air-conditioning control panel
5 USB charging ports (2 front, 2 rear and 1 above the rearview mirror)
New front armrest with large storage space
Brown leatherette seats (Premium)
N95 cabin filter
The standard variant priced at RM45,200 gets fabric covered seats, basic steering wheel, basic keyfob entry and ignition start, fixed rear seats and the standard audio with two speakers.
PERFORMANCE
The facelifted Proton Persona 2022 continues with the tried and tested 1.6-litre VVT engine with CVT transmission. Power outputs are
109 hp
 and
150 Nm
 of torque.
Engine: 1.6 litre VVT DOHC
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 109 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Max torque: 150 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Proton could be planning to have a new model, every year. Read more about their plans here!
SAFETY
The safety kit from the Premium variant is similar as before, with no additional advanced driver assistance included. The standard kit include:
5-Star Asean NCAP rating
Front and side airbags (4 airbags)
Rear seat ISOFIX and top tether anchorage
ABS with EBD, brake assist
Electronic Stability Control
Traction control
Hill Hold Assist
The Proton Persona 2022 Premium and Executive variants add a reverse camera and front parking sensor but only the Premium variant continues to be equipped with six airbags.
Clean air is now the utmost importance! The air-conditioning system in Protons are now fitted with N95 filters
.
PRICING
The facelift Proton Persona 2022 range starts at
RM45,200
 for the Standard variant,
RM50,100
 for the Executive variant and topping off at
RM54,900
 for the Premium variant.
Prices are inclusive of the sales tax exemptions, which are applicable for all purchases until the 31st of December 2021.
Include in the price is a five-year or 150,000 km warranty and free service labour for three intervals.
GALLERY


Geely Geometry EV won’t be coming to Malaysia any time soon, here’s why

Geely recently launched its new global brand,
Geometry
, focusing on electric vehicles (EV) and new energy vehicles. With Proton’s strategic foreign partner entering into the EV space, one must wonder whether the
Geometry A
 will enter the Malaysian market.
Short answer, no. Long
answer, it’s complicated.
Speaking to Vice President of Communications at Geely Auto Group and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Mr Victor Yang during a private session with the media in Singapore, Yang explained that there are no immediate plans for Geometry vehicles to make its way to Malaysia, be it under the Geometry brand or a rebadged Proton model.

VP of Communications at Geely Auto Group and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Mr Victor Yang
“In the starting period,
any development of a pure electric car needs to get subsidies in one way or
another from a country to make it popular. Pure electric cars need support [for]
facilities as well, so you need to set up charging stations, you need to make
all these facilities ready for the development of pure electric cars. But I
know that the interest level is growing back in Malaysia,” said Yang.
EVs require substantial
amount of investment and support from the Government such as charging stations,
training for handling high-voltage vehicles (assembly, maintenance, emergency
rescue) along with incentives to entice buyers to make the switch to pure
electric models.
Malaysia is working towards
a cleaner automotive industry by providing customised subsidies to locally
assembled cars that are certified as Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV). Charging stations
are also popping out across the country as manufacturers are also playing their
part to building the network needed to support electrified vehicles.
“It is up to Proton and its sales company to make an evaluation on the market potential, but we haven’t made a decision to sell Geometry to Malaysia for the moment. I think this can be an appealing car for the Malaysian market,” added Yang.


This messy pile-up of WTC race cars is extremely painful to watch

If you’re an avid motorsports enthusiast, this incident would strike you as a bit of a deja vu. Remember the
huge and expensive pile up of GT cars in Macau
 last year?
Well, motorsports history has repeated itself and this time during the season opener of the World Touring Car championship at the Vila Real circuit in Portugal.
It took just five turns before unfathomable drama unfolded – when teammates Rob Huff and Mehdi Bennani of Team Sebastien Loeb Racing jostled for the race lead in their
 350 hp
 and
420 Nm
 Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR race car.
Miraculously, a Hyundai i30N in sixth place managed to escape the carnage, although by a whisker, and went on to win the race as it restarted after a lengthy two hour delay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or_wda2F0iQ
Volkswagen premiered the
Golf GTI TCR concept recently
at the
2018 Wörthersee GTI Festival
, a road-going version of the World Touring Car series race car with
 290 hp
 and
370 Nm
of torque.


We still can’t believe that Toyota is actually making the 302 hp RAV4 Prime

If we told you even just two years ago that Toyota is making a performance SUV with over 300 hp, you would have probably scoffed at that ridiculous statement, and brushed it off as a joke.
But here we are, in 2019, where Toyota is actually making a performance SUV with 302 hp. Introducing the Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid. Colour us surprised!
The RAV4 Prime is powered by a tuned version of the
2.5-litre four-cylinder engine
 producing
176 hp
 and
228 Nm
 of torque. Combined with the newer and more powerful electric motors, the total system output adds up to
302 hp
, and is sent to all four wheels.
Toyota says that the RAV4 Prime can complete the century sprint in just
5.8 seconds
, which puts it right behind the
A90 Toyota Supra in their line up
.
What’s equally impressive though, is the estimated 90 MPGe fuel consumption figure, which is equivalent to approximately 2.6 l/100km on an internal combustion engine car.
Being a PHEV, the RAV4 Prime had to tack on an additional lithium-ion battery to power the electric motors. However, interior space was not sacrificed as the battery is mounted below the floor. As a result, the RAV4 Prime also has a lower centre of gravity, which translates to better handling characteristics.
 In the United States, the RAV4 Prime will be available in two trim levels – SE and XSE. The SE is the standard sporty trim, but the XSE is where the goodies are at. On the exterior, the XSE gets a two-tone paint scheme with a black roof, and rides on a two-tone designed 19-inch alloy wheels – the largest ever offered on the RAV4.
Inside, the RAV4 Prime in XSE trim gets a moonroof, synthetic leather seats, wireless charging pads, ambient lighting, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Exclusive to the XSE trim is also the RAV4’s first pedal shifters, allowing the driver to “downshift” by increasing the regenerative braking in steps, mimicking the sensation of downshifting a regular automatic gearbox car.
As with
all other Toyota RAV4 models
, the RAV4 Prime PHEV will also come equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 active driver assistance suite.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ford Thailand brings pick-up racing to the masses with the Ranger XL Street

When you think of pick-up trucks, you’d usually associate it with the wilderness (or road bullies in recent years), and probably not the racetrack – well, that is unless you live in Thailand, where they actually
 race pick-up trucks on the circuit
.
And it’s not just some niche racing series either; the pick-up races are such a big deal in Thailand that Ford’s local arm in the Land of Smiles is now bringing the racing-inspired styling to the streets, with the new Ranger XL Street Special Edition.
Made to celebrate the carmaker’s 25th anniversary in Thailand, the Street Special Edition gets a new set of racing-inspired bodykit, which includes bumper extensions, side skirts, and a small ducktail-style spoiler on the tailgate.
If you’re more interested in off-road racing, then the Ranger Raptor might be more of your style. Check it out in detail here!
Completing the exterior modifications are the blacked-out door handles, side mirrors, 16-inch wheels, the Ranger Raptor-inspired grille with large ‘FORD’ script, and of course, no racing-inspired model is complete without racing stripes decals.
Just like a proper race car, the interior of the Ford Ranger XL Street is also relatively simple (i.e. standard). Everything is bone stock from the regular Ford Ranger XL in Thailand, including the black fabric upholstery on the manually-adjusted seats, analogue instrument cluster, and manual climate control.
It does still have some creature comfort niceties though, such as the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and USB charging ports. And in true race car fashion, it’s also only available with a manual transmission (
see that, Toyota?
).
Powering the Ford Ranger XL Street Special Edition is the standard 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which makes
160 hp
 and
385 Nm
. There aren’t any advanced driver assistance thingymajigs on the racing-inspired truck, though ABS, EBD, and two airbags are standard-fit items.
All pick-up trucks should come with this amazing standard item offered in the Philippines!
The special-edition truck is priced at
THB682,000 (~ RM 89k)
, which is THB13,000(~RM1.7k) more than the regular XL. Only 300 units will ever be made, and it’ll only be available with either a Lightning Blue or Absolute Black exterior colour.
GALLERY


Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia honours its dealers at the Dealer Awards 2021

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) recently celebrated the accomplishments of its dealerships through the Dealer Awards 2021. Dealers were awarded based on their achievements in sales, aftersales, marketing, customer satisfaction, and manpower qualification.
Lee Motors Autohaus (Volkswagen Alor Setar) took centre stage that night as they swept up two out of four major awards. It won the most prestigious Dealer of the Year 2021 and the Best Dealer for Category B. In receiving the awards, Lee Motors Autohaus was acknowledged for its solid sales performance, well-executed campaigns, services, and customer satisfaction.

Winners of the respective categories are as follow:
Dealer of the Year
 – Lee Motors Autohaus (Volkswagen Alor Setar)
Category A
 – F.A. Wagen (Volkswagen Glenmarie)
Category B
 – Lee Motors Autohaus (Volkswagen Alor Setar)
Das WeltAuto
 – PHS Autohaus (Volkswagen Puchong)

The Das WeltAuto (DWA) award was introduced in 2021 to acknowledge dealers based on pre-owned vehicle activities, as well as adherence to standards and processes. The DWA programme was launched in 2019 to provide customers with the option to purchase certified pre-owned vehicles with confidence and peace of mind. The programme is currently available in nine Volkswagen dealerships in the country.


Geely launches new ‘Radar Auto’ outdoors EV sub-brand, RD6 pick-up to offer 600 km of range

Geely
 has just unveiled Radar Auto, which it describes as a new sub-brand for “pure electric outdoors lifestyle vehicles”. The launch also saw the debut of its first model, the RD6 pick-up truck, although the company quickly makes clear that it’s not a pick-up brand – “Starting with trucks, but is much more than just trucks,” the release reads.
Instead, Geely says that Radar Auto was created for a “new generation of global consumers who demand vehicles that are as sustainable as their adventures into nature”, tapping into the outdoors market that have recently seen a meteoric rise in popularity, spurred by the
Covid-19 pandemic
.
That’s probably why the Radar RD6 looks nothing like those workhorse pick-ups you see frequently traversing construction sites. Instead, it gets a sleek exterior shell, sprinkled with a generous dose of intricate stylistic touches such as the full-width LED lighting fixtures, decorative trims, and unique indented wheel arches.
The RD6 will be built on the company’s
 Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform
, which it shares with other EVs from the wider Geely family, including the
Zeekr 001
. More detailed specifications including powertrain information will only be provided at a later date, but we can still suss out several interesting tidbits just by looking at the photos.
Most interesting of all is the charging panel located within the walls of the truck bed, with a variety of charging outlets on offer, which could be useful to power your electrical equipments while camping.
The company only mentioned that the Radar RD6 will be offered in both single- and dual-motor configurations, but local Chinese media reported that it’ll feature outputs of between 200-400 hp, and a driving range of up to 600 km in a single charge.
Radar Auto will be a full-fledged independent brand under the Geely umbrella, and even has its own R&D facility in Hangzhou, and an EV manufacturing plant in Zibo, Shandong. It’s led by Ling Shi Quan, a veteran engineering lead at Geely Auto Group, and will offer a full range of electric lifestyle vehicles including SUVs, and even ATV quad bikes.
As for the RD6, Geely/Radar says production and sales will begin in the fourth quarter of 2022. The company does not mention if the RD6 EV pick-up truck will be exported to markets outside of China, but Ling revealed in an interview with Reuters that the company is currently studying the potential expansion of the Radar brand into Southeast Asian markets.
GALLERY


All-new Kia Sportage brings edgy styling to the everyday SUV

Following a
short teaser
 last week, Kia has now unveiled the all-new Sportage SUV in full. As seen in these first images, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage debuts with an all-new design inspired by the carmaker’s latest “Opposites United” design philosophy, first seen on the
EV6
.
Although sharing the same design language, the two models can’t be any more different, particularly in front. While the EV6 gets a clean and minimalist design, the Sportage’s front fascia can only be described as loud, featuring a large full-width Tiger Nose grille with black mesh graphics.
The grille is bookended by boomerang-style daytime-running lights, which in turn forms the boundary lines for the headlights. We’re not sure if it’s just us, but does the whole boomerang-inspired styling not remind anyone of
Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield face
? Well, at least it’s a good look.
The bubbly bodywork of its
predecessor
 is now replaced by taut lines and sharper creases, including a chrome belt line that kicks up significantly at the back to meet the distinctive D-pillar accent. The greenhouse is also now significantly sleeker, and pairs well with the optional blacked-out roof (for the first time ever on the Sportage) for a proper sporty appearance.
Round the rear is where the resemblances to the EV6 are most apparent, particularly with the full-width taillights – although, the Sportage is significantly more “conventional” in design, paired to a more upright rear window and tailgate design.
As we’ve seen in the teaser previews, the all-new Kia Sportage features a completely redesigned cabin, characterised by the wide curved display panel and three-dimensional air vents that reinforces the SUV’s “driver oriented”, “slim cockpit feel”.
One of the biggest changes on the all-new Sportage is the all-new centre console panel, featuring a new shift-by-wire rotary dial for the transmission, alongside “soft-touch switches” that controls the various driving and seat ventilation settings.
Kia is keeping mum on the Sportage’s further details, aside from the availability of a “X-Line” model featuring unique bumpers, side sill, curved roof rack, alongside unique upholstery and finishes on the inside. The all-new Kia Sportage is scheduled for a global market launch later this year, so we expect more information – including the powertrain options – to be slow-dripped as we edge closer to the launch.
GALLERY


Michelin Safe on The Road: Free tyre checks for all throughout May

Michelin Malaysia’s annual road safety campaign,
Michelin Safe on The Road (MSoR)
 is back. This time, the campaign stretches throughout the month of May prior to the Raya festive season, where Michelin experts and staff will be providing free tyre assessments for the public at selected Petron stations and shopping malls.
During the roadshow, Michelin experts will evaluate
your tyre pressure, treadwear and overall tyre condition from 11 am to 8 pm and
provide a short workshop on tyre maintenance as well as how to prolong the
lifespan of the tyres. Participating motorist will also receive a car service voucher
with free Petron card worth RM50 when they spend at a Michelin Expert Centre.
Location
Venue
Date
Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
The Waterfront @ Desa Park City
Tuesday, 30 April
Petron Sri Kembangan Raya
Friday, 3 May
Tesco Extra Cheras
Saturday, 4 May
Tesco Shah Alam
Sunday, 5 May
Petron Puchong 1 @ OUG
Monday, 6 May
Petron Bandar Baru Klang
Tuesday, 7 May
Petron Bandar Menjalara
Wednesday, 8 May
Johor Bahru
Tesco Mutiara Rini
Saturday, 11 May
Petron New Skudai
Sunday, 12 May
Petron Taman Jaya
Monday, 13 May
Petron New Skudai
Tuesday, 14 May
Petron Taman Jaya
Wednesday, 15 May
AEON Batu Pahat
Saturday, 18 May
Malacca
Tesco Melaka
Sunday, 19 May
Penang
Petron Jalan Kelawai
Thursday, 23 May
Petron Perai SS
Friday, 24 May
Tesco Extra Seberang Jaya
Saturday, 25 May
Petron Permatang Batu
Sunday, 26 May
Petron Ayer Itam
Monday, 27 May
Petron Jalan Tengah
Tuesday, 28 May
Perak
Petron Jalan Kidd
Wednesday, 29 May
Michelin Malaysia’s Commercial Director for
B2B, Muhammad Arya Subrata said, “Safety is synonymous with Michelin. This is
an important aspect of our societal commitment, whether by providing tyres with
uncompromising quality or relentlessly initiating road safety programmes.
Malaysia recorded its highest number of road accidents ever last year and this
urgently calls for a greater road safety awareness. As the festive season
approaches, the Michelin Truck will go from place to place to remind the public
that tyres, being the first line of defence on the road, are key to ensuring
their own safety during their journey.”
Last year, Michelin successfully conducted
1,100 tyre checks in more than 26 locations nationwide. This year, with the
support of its longstanding partners Petron and Tesco as well as the addition
of Aeon Big, the MSoR campaign will expand to more locations in the North and
South of Peninsular Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY
Michelin Safe on The Road Campaign


New Lamborghini Countach reincarnated to celebrate its 50th anniversary!

We may be a few months shy to the end of the year but it’s unlikely that anyone would pull a bigger surprise than Lamborghini in 2021, after the company revealed the new
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4
 to celebrate 50 years since the first-ever Countach was revealed.
For starters, there are
only 112 units
available and we’re told they’re all sold out in a virtual interview with Lamborghini just before the launch. The number 112 was taken from the “LP 112” internal project name used when developing the original Countach from the 1970s.
You can’t call it a Countach without having similar design attributes as the original car. The front end sports a similar rectangular design as the Countach 500 Quattrovalvole, while the rear quarter panels and air ducts by the doors on the new Countach were first seen in the early LP 500 and LP 400 Periscopio models.
Lamborghini’s coolest vehicle is not a car, but this 4,000 hp super-yacht…check it out here!
There’s also other glaring similarities from the old Countach at the rear; like the ‘hexagonita’ design housing the three-unit rear light cluster. Just like past Countach models, the new LPI 800-4 also gets quad exhaust tips; two on each side.
Unlike before, the new Countach doesn’t get a massive rear wing or even pop-up headlights. Instead, the company opted to keep the final outline pure and uncluttered just like the original Countach prototype that has (in a way) helped shape every single Lamborghini that followed after.
As it is a tribute car, Lamborghini also offered a range of heritage exterior paint options in solid colours, as on the original Countach. They include the iconic Impact White, Giallo Countach and Verde Medio.
“This is an unnegotiable part of our DNA, the essence if you will. The first Countach shaped the Lamborghini design DNA like no other car while the new translates that unconventional and edgy character into the future,” said Lamborghini, Head of Design, Mitja Borkert.
When asked during the virtual interview whether the likes of Diablo or even Miura will be reincarnated, even as tribute models, Lamborghini said the move is a one-off and the focus is not to recreate past models. Instead, their intentions are to keep developing new cars and technologies.
On that note, the new Countach also features Lamborghini’s latest hybrid supercapacitor technology, like in the
 Sián
. The system consists of a 48V electric motor paired to the Countach’s 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine to produce
 819 hp
 and
 720 Nm
.
0 to 100 km/h is over in 2.8 seconds, and shift through all of its seven gears at the engine’s 8,700 rpm redline and you’ll be nudging 355 km/h.
Rest assured, there will be plenty of stopping power with 6-pot calipers in the front and 4-pot at the rear, clamping on the carbon-ceramic discs. It gets all-wheel and rear-wheel steer so there’ll be plenty of agility and stability as well.
Lamborghini reveals limited-edition Aventador called the “Korean Special Series”. Read about it here!
True to its throwback nature, even the 20-inch (front) and 21-inch (rear) wheels were designed to project a retro vibe – mimicking the analogue telephone dials of the 1980s.
Large as it may seem, it weighs about the same as a BMW 520i as the result of a fully carbon fibre monocoque chassis and body panels including the doors, rear panels, and luggage compartments.

If you haven’t already heard, the Countach name (pronounced as Coon-tach) originated from the Piedmontese dialect in Northwestern Italy as an expression of surprise and wonder. The Countach is one of very few Lamborghini models not connected to bulls.
GALLERY


Pirelli P Zero Sound: This is a speaker you’ll never get tired of

What has Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, World Cup collectibles, trading cards and this supercool Pirelli wireless speaker have in common? They are made by a Modena-based Italian company founded by the Panini family back in 1961.
Six years ago, a new subsidiary called Ixoost was launched by the Panini family to produce automotive-themed audiophile-quality, hi-fi speakers. The creations qualify as works of art; an example being the Esavox speaker system which resembles the hindquarters of a Lamborghini Aventador, replete with a monocoque frame made of carbon fibre and exhaust parts made by Lamborgini.
Petrol heads, repeat after us, “We will start saving from today!”
Being proudly Italian and fine collectors of classic cars (Maseratis in particular), the collaboration with automotive companies has now been expanded to include Pirelli Design, and where better but to start at the pinnacle of motorsport where Pirelli is a major sponsor — Formula 1.
The Pirelli P Zero Sound system is based on the actual scaled down wind tunnel tyre which Pirelli supplies to Formula 1 teams for use on half-size models during aerodynamics testing. The size and aluminium alloy construction of the wheel are retained but Ixxost shoehorned a mid-woofer driver along with a silk dome tweeter within the confines of the wheel. They also added amplification (rated at 100W) and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless operation.
Managing inventories will be a pain, but our vote goes to the yellow (soft compound). What’s yours?
Like the real items seen on telly over race weekends, the Pirelli P Zero Sound is available in nine different colours representing the different compounds offered by Pirelli to the Formula 1 teams, including the grooved green Intermediate and blue-banded Wet tyres. And like how the F1 teams fret over the selection of tyres for race weekends, it can be just as tough to decide which colour looks best in the living room, that is if you can afford the ultra-stiff asking price of €2,400 or RM11,600, each. Mamma mia!


The stunning Genesis X concept blends classic sports car design with modern tech

Remember how Hyundai and Kia have been putting out
cars that look just like their concepts
? Well, this here needs to be one. What you’re looking at is the Genesis X concept, and it’s proof that electric cars don’t have to look “futuristic” or “revolutionary”.
While an EV can really be any shape you want, the new coupe concept takes on a very traditional GT shape, with a long hood, flowing roofline, and a short rear. From the rear, the shape of the Genesis X concept looks almost like a
Bentley Continental GT
 – though it’s design is unmistakeably Genesis.
The X concept emphasises on all of Genesis’ signature design elements, such as the “Two Lines” motif that’s seen throughout the entire car – both inside and out. Particularly interesting is the two-lined headlights, which cut through the wheel arch and ends parallelly right at the shut line of the front door.
The headlights flank Genesis’ signature shield-shaped Crest Grille, while lower down, the air intakes on the “double-layered” bumpers actually serve a functional purpose to cool off the batteries and other critical components.
Looking from the front, the entire low-slung clamshell bonnet is devoid of any shut lines or panel gaps, which Genesis says gives the coupe a “sensual” look. However, if it ever becomes a production model, be prepared to see the panel lines, because cargo space is actually a thing.
Moving over to the rear, which itself is shaped like a horseshoe according to Genesis, the Two Lines motif is once again seen on the tail lamps, ending in a slant line this time with the panel gap on the rear fenders. In general, it’s just refreshing to see how simple and sleek the entire rear end is, without any unnecessary (and often-times fake) go-fast vents and the likes.
As for the exterior colour, Genesis calls the beautiful green-blue hue “Lençóis Blue”, inspired by the lagoons of Maranhenses National Park in Brazil, where a lake forms only during the rainy season. And if there’s one thing to know about car colours, it’s that green is good –
it’s already been decided
.
Inside, the Genesis X concept artfully blends classic with modern; screens – like all modern cars – are still present here, but it’s heavily downplayed and wrapped in a leather binnacle that surrounds the driver, like an old-school sports car.
The rest of the cabin is also tastefully minimalist. Air vents are hidden neatly across the top of the dashboard into a two-lined trim, and the rest of the dashboard is just plain ol’ beautiful leather. And just check out those leather-padded pedals! Classy.
Instead of using superficial chrome trims and patterned surfaces for the “premium” look, Genesis went with colours instead. The front bucket seats (with four-point harness!) and the leather binnacle on the dashboard are finished in scotch brown, while the rear seats get an ocean wave green-blue hue.
Since this is a concept, Genesis did not reveal any technical specifications about the stunning coupe. When the South Korean premium carmaker moves into the EV space though, expect to see the use of
Hyundai Group’s e-GMP platform,
 the same one that’s underneath the
Kia EV6
 that was unveiled just yesterday.
Anyway, if we had to guess, we’d say that a 500 km range or so on a grand tourer sounds about right, alongside performance figures of around 3.8 seconds from 0-100 km/h. But really, with looks like that, we’ll take anything we can. Do it, Genesis.
GALLERY


The Bentley Continental GT Convertible just screams, “I’m rich af!”

As much as Bentley has repeatedly stressed that they’ve improved the way the Continental GT drives, which for the most part is true according to foreign journalists, you don’t buy the
Continental GT
 or in this case, the Convertible because you want a sportscar.
It will never drive as well as a Porsche nor would it accelerate with the earth shattering screams of a Ferrari; but if you’re hell-bent on making a statement behind the wheel, without having to obnoxiously shout “I’m rich af”, this is perhaps the PERFECT car to achieve that.
Unless of course, you show up in a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead.
If that’s what you want out of your convertible, the Continental GT Convertible is now on display at Bentley Kuala Lumpur, following its
global introduction in November last year
.
The car you see here is merely a pre-production prototype, used to display unique specifications such as the 21-inch wheels and the Silverlake Blue paint job.
The car also debuts the “Centenary Specifications” displayed on badges, number plate housing and welcome lamps – to mark Bentley’s 100th anniversary.
Inside, the convertible’s cabin is pretty much identical with the Continental GT’s – one that
requires 300,000 individual stitches to complete
!
One can never tire of the level of plushness and extravagance inside the convertible; one would also never get bored of the Bentley Rotating Display – a masterpiece of style and fluidity – offering either a plain veneer, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display or three analogue dials.
Under the hood, the Convertible is powered by the same 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbo engine making
 626 hp
 and
 900 Nm
. 0 to 100 km/h is done in a brisk 3.8 seconds, onward to an unimaginable top speed of 333 km/h!
For such bragging rights, prepare to drop
 at least RM2.24 million
, and that’s before you factor in the options, which most in the higher end of the income spectrum would fail to resist.
IMAGE GALLERY


MINI wants to be on top with these new “floating” wheel hubcaps

You can now get your MINI to look like a Rolls-Royce – at in the wheel hubcaps department.
MINI and John Cooper Works models owners can now start harassing their local dealerships for the new “floating” wheel hubcaps that stay upright even when their wheels are rotating, just like a Rolls-Royce. Superficial stuff really, but undeniably cool.
The new “floating” hub caps are available
two different versions
 – either with the MINI or John Cooper Works logo.
In other news, MINI Malaysia recently introduced
60 units of the 60 Years Edition MINI Cooper
that dons a new British Racing Green exterior paint finish, unique 17-inch light alloy wheels and a Dark Maroon interior that’s finished with commemorative touches on the seats and steering wheel.
Exclusively available as a 3-door variant, the 60 Years Edition is powered by a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine with
192 hp
 and
 280 Nm
 of torque that’s good for a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds and a 235 km/h top speed.


The all-new Volvo V60 is drop dead gorgeous, but will Malaysians buy one?

Volvo Cars, the Swedish premium carmaker has unveiled its latest estate, the Volvo V60 estate. Combining good looks and everyday practicality, this baby
V90
 was designed to cater to the diverse needs of a modern family.
Like the XC60, the V60 sits on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. Much like its older sibling, the V60 shares much of its design cues as the V90 – Thor’s Hammer headlamps, roof rails, L-shaped LED taillamps and a range of body kit options such as Momentum, Inscription and R-Design.

Inside, the cabin is typical of a modern Volvo, minimalistic and elegant. Standard items include LCD instrument cluster, Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, multifunctional steering wheel, rear climate controls and many more. Customers can also select from a variety of options for the panoramic sunroof, interior trim, sound system and etc.
As for engine options, the V60 is available in a variety of petrol or diesel engines including T5, T6, D3 and D4. However, the crème de la crème would have to be the Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid pair, the
340 hp
 T6 and
390 hp
 T8.

Of course, Volvo’s famed safety suite is not to be missed on the V60 – City Safety autonomous emergency braking, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Run off-road Mitigation, Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation, Steer Assist and Oncoming Lane Mitigation, just to name a few.
Pilot Assist which allows semi-autonomous driving on well-marked roads up to 130 km/h is also standard issue on the all-new V60.
In UK, prices for the Volvo V60 starts from £31,810 (RM174k) while first customer deliveries are expected to commence in Q3 of 2018. Malaysia was once graced with the arrival of the
V90 estate as fully imported models
 but Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has since stopped importing the model citing low volume and interest among buyers. Which gives us reason to believe that the V60 may not make it to our local market.
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BMW Malaysia introduces special ownership programmes for local companies and SMEs

This news comes in favour for local companies and small and medium enterprises (SME), because BMW Group Malaysia has just introduced their new ownership programme offering attractive cost of ownership experience with additional benefits, as you’ll find out in a bit.
For registered SMEs, this
Corporate Programme
 offers a
three percent rebate

if the below conditions are met:
i) Manufacturing Sector SMEs –
Minimum purchase of two vehicles;
 sales turnover not exceeding RM50 million or full-time employees not exceeding 200 workers.
 ii) Services and other sectors SMEs –
Minimum purchase of two vehicles
sales turnover not exceeding RM20 million or full-time employees not exceeding 75 workers.
SMEs aside, the Corporate Programme also offers a
four percent rebate
 for the companies listed below with every fleet purchase of four to seven units, or
six percent rebate
 for companies purchasing over eight units:
i) Large firms
 ii) Multi-National Corporations (MNCs)
 iii) Government-Linked Companies (GLCs)
 iv) Syarikat Menteri Kewangan Diperbadankan (MKDs)
 v) State-owned Enterprises
Additionally, a
five percent rebate
 is also offered on selected vehicles purchased under the International Supply Agreement with the BMW Group. Spouses of employees in partnering companies can also benefit from this Corporate Programme.
To qualify for the programme, corporate customers will have to provide documents including a “To Whom It May Concern” letter, business card, latest payslip and marriage certificate for units registered under the spouses’ name. The programme is valid for 24 months from the first unit purchased.
As an extension of the Corporate Programme, customers can also enjoy the following benefits:
i)
 Privileges from BMW Credit (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd,
a 3% reduction off the normal loan interest rate on any purchase under the BMW Corporate Programme.
 ii)
BMW Service and Repair Inclusive
, all new BMW cars purchased from BMW Authorised Dealers come with maintenance and repair savings for three years or up to 60,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
 iii)
MINI Service Inclusive
, all new MINI cars purchased from MINI Authorised Dealers come with maintenance and repair savings for three years or up to 50,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.
 iv)
BMW Driver Training Program
, multitude of thrilling exercises designed to sharpen specific driving skills to take control of the vehicle in any situation for a special rate for the training programme at only RM888 instead of the regular RM1,700.
 v)
 BMW White Card Privileges
, exclusive invitations to special events by BMW such as product launches, sneak previews, and partner events.
The programme is not applicable for the BMW X1 xDrive 20d, the new MINI Cooper 3-Door (Salt), and any other models sold under promotional offers, duty free as well as vehicles purchased as part of the MM2H and MREP programmes.
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One of 600 Lamborghini Aventador SVs destroyed by flames in Dubai [+Video]

As the saying goes, all good things come to an end, and it couldn’t be truer for the owner of this particular Lamborghini Aventador. It’s not just any Aventador, mind you, but one of 600 fine examples of the Italian carmaker’s fastest production model to date, the
LP 750-4 Superveloce
.
The fire took place on an undisclosed stretch of Dubai Marina and is said to have
originated from the engine bay
 before making its way to consume the rest of the car. According to Osama Farkh of
ArabGT
, the flaming V12 supercar is purportedly a customised version that can and should handle the high temperatures of UAE.
Update:
 The burnt Aventador is in fact not the LP 750-4 SV, but more possibly the LP 720-4 50 Anniversario; an even rarer specimen bearing what is believed to be an aftermarket ‘SV’ decal.
Witnesses at the scene saw the driver escape unscathed, but one can only imagine the heartbreak of the driver who helplessly watched his/her Italian exotic get burnt down. To add more twist to the story, a Russian woman by the name of
Victoria Vikki said on Instagram
 that the Aventador was a rental unit and it burst into flames after just 30 minutes of driving. She sure showed no sympathy for the loss.
Was just about 30 minutes after the rental…? #CiaoBella ?? ? pic by ?? @victoria.vikki ??
A photo posted by @victoria.vikki on
Sep 7, 2015 at 10:51am PDT
To recap, the Aventador SV packs a
6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12
 that makes
750 hp
 at 8,400 rpm and
 690 Nm
 of torque at 5,500 rpm. With a century sprint time of
 2.8 seconds
 and a top speed of over
350 km/h
, the menacing bull
cracked the Nurburgring
 at a shade under 7 minutes. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a
seven-speed ISR transmission
.
But wait, did you know that the Aventador SV will be making its way here sometime soon? Lamborghini KL in April announced that
five units of the LP 750-4 are headed our way
, but each of them have already been bought. Let’s just hope none of the five will have to suffer the same fate its brother did in Dubai.
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