Shell Helix throws discounts for their engine oils in conjunction with Hari Raya

After
giving 500 lucky participants a complete engine rejuvenating experience
 last month, Shell Malaysia is offering discounts on some of their synthetic engine oils in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya festivity.
Based on numerous positive response Shell received from some of the 500 participants from their #LoveMyRide festival, the multinational oil and gas company is extending this opportunity to more Malaysians so they can enjoy Shell Helix’s superior engine cleansing features.
General Manager of Shell Lubricants Malaysia and Singapore, Leslie Ng said, “We wanted to extend this opportunity for more Malaysian drivers to experience what a motor oil
made from natural gas
 could do for a car engine. It cleanses your engine from the inside out. There is no better time to do it than in preparation for a safe drive back home this coming festive season.”
The promotion offers instant cash rebates after factoring in GST. Customers can
 enjoy an
RM30 discount
 with every purchase of
Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology fully synthetic motor oil
 and
RM20 discount
 for
Shell Helix HX 7 synthetic technology motor oil
.
This special cash discount promotion runs until the end of July 2015, and customers can purchase the engine oils at participating Shell petrol stations, workshops and spare part shops nationwide whilst stocks last.
To find out more about engine oils, click
here
 to read on viscosity grades and what we think of Shell’s most advanced fully synthetic motor oil, Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology.


Here’s what Malaysian rally driver Karamjit Singh had to say about the Proton Iriz

I wouldn’t hold a grudge against those under 20 years old if they don’t know who this man is, but if you’ve lived through the 1990s and 2000s, there is no way you’d missed the man they call the “Flying Sikh” in the Sports section of our local newspapers.
But what would someone, who’s been so used to high performance cars, say about a compact hatchback such as the Proton Iriz? Plenty apparently. In this
video produced by Route Hunters
, a local automotive content producer, the Flying Sikh takes the
facelift 2019 Proton Iriz
 out for a spin to find out why it’s been so sought-after ever since Geely implemented its influence on Proton.
For starters, Karamjit highlighted the smoothness and efficiency of the Iriz’s CVT transmission, which was given a software update when Proton introduced the facelift model last year. This was especially evident when the Iriz was taken for spin through the notoriously-winding roads of Kuala Kelawang, Negeri Sembilan.

That’s not all, the Flying Sikh even gave his stamp of approval on the Iriz’s ride and handling – something we’ve always highlighted as the strongest selling point of the hatchback. It wouldn’t stress you out; requiring constant engagement but it’s also far from a “taufu” on wheels – take it out for a single lap on a roundabout and you’d know exactly what we’re on about.
In fact, it

even saved our former colleague Adrian from a potentially catastrophic accident
 after the unit he was driving had a sudden puncture on the highway. According to him, the stability of the car and its well-sorted chassis was what helped him steer the car to safety, despite the puncture.
As much as we admire the
Perodua Myvi that went head-to-head with the Iriz on an airstrip
, that level of confidence is still something the Iriz’s competitor can’t offer, yet. As for the rest, we’ll leave it to you to find out. You’d want to watch till the end as Karamjit even shared Route Hunter’s findings on what the Iriz’s maintenance costs would be like over the first few years of ownership.
Enjoy!
Source:
RouteHunters Malaysia


Maserati updates Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante with three new variants!

Maserati has introduced new variants for Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans and the Levante SUV as part of the line-up’s updates for the year 2022.
The Ghibli GT
The three new variants include the
GT, Modena and Trofeo
. They’ve been developed not only to satisfy different customer’s needs but also to allow each model to fully “express their character”, according to Maserati. Each variant features unique trims created by the Centro Stile Maserati and the Product Development Team.
The
GT variant
is aimed at expressing a more contemporary and elegant character, suited for the urban community with a taste for style and fashion. Maserati said it’s for those with their own sophisticated and unique style.
Maserati Levante Trofeo Launch Edition introduced in Malaysia with only 3 units available, read about it here!
The Levante Modena
The variant is characterised by chrome inserts, 18-inch alloy wheels for the Ghibli and Levante and 19-inch for the Quattroporte. The interior is finished with Dark Mirror leather upholstery for the Ghibli GT, radica trims for the Quattroporte GT, and Black Piano trims for the Levante GT.
The
Moderna variant
on the other hand is catered to those who are “sports enthusiasts”. Maserati said it’s for those looking for a balance between elegance and fun-to-drive.
The Moderna comes with 20-inch wheels and sportier bumpers in the front and back while on the inside, the cabin is furnished with either Dark Mirror or Piano Black trims and sporty leather seats.
The Quattroporte Trofeo
Lastly, the
Trofeo variant
is the most performance-oriented with generous carbon fibre trims for a menacing image, red brake calipers and sport seats in “Pieno Fiore” natural leather.
The GT, Modena, and Trofeo get a new Maserati logo (as introduced with the MC20) on the bonnet, a new Trident logo on the C pillar and updated rear lettering.
Find out more about Maserati’s new supercar, the MC20, here!
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Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is here, a 6.4L V8 HEMI monster SUV for RM699k

Joining and perhaps completing the
Jeep Grand Cherokee
 lineup is this monstrous STR variant – a
RM698,889
 (OTR with GST, excludes insurance) offering that’s honestly for those who want something different. Note that the keyword here is want, so if you have any other sound reasons as to why you should get a
6.4-litre V8
Sport Utility Vehicle other than having full bragging rights to owning a HEMI powered car, we’d love to hear it.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
Engine
6,417cc; V8 with hemispherical combustion chambers
Transmission
8-speed auto with E-Shift
Max Power
461 hp @ 6,250 rpm
Max Torque
624 Nm @ 4,100 rpm
0 – 100km/h
4.9 seconds
Price (OTR
without
 insurance)
RM698,889.00 (with GST)

In moving on, the Grand Cherokee SRT is a
limited edition SUV
, so there’s really no telling if it will be permanently offered alongside the Limited and Overland variants. This mammoth costs nearly
RM220k more
 than the handsomely equipped Overland, so let’s find out why.
EXTERIOR
On the outside, the SRT features more muscular styling with revised front and rear bumpers. The grille gets finished in gloss black, complemented with the model’s signature
adaptive bi-xenon headlamps
 with auto high beam control and LED daytime running lights. Look downwards and you’ll notice another pair of LED DRLs placed next to the fog lamps.

Round the side, there’s no mistaking this for any other Grand Cherokees thanks to the
20-inch black chromed wheels
. Braking force is applied via a set of
Brembo six-pot calipers
 at the front and
four-pot
 at the rear. Lastly, the rear bears the SRT badge, a pair of large exhaust pipes and diffuser.
INTERIOR
Inside, you get full high quality leather interior, Active Noise Cancellation, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sunroof,
8.4-inch touchscreen
 Uconnect display with GPS navigation and voice command, infrared dual-zone auto air conditioning, rear air vents, heated steering wheel with paddle shifters and Multi-View reverse camera.

If that’s not enough, Jeep Malaysia is also throwing in a
19-speaker Harman Kardon
 premium audio system for days when you don’t feel like hearing your V8 HEMI roar.
PERFORMANCE
The star of this show resides under the hood, and that’s the 6.4-litre normally aspirated V8 HEMI. It makes
461 horsepower
 at 6,250 rpm and
624 Nm
 of torque at 4,100 rpm. Together with the
eight-speed torque converter gearbox
, the SRT sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in an incredibly quick
4.9 seconds
. In comparison, the
Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R
 manages the century sprint in 5.0 seconds.
SAFETY
In case something goes wrong, the following safety features will be at play to ensure no lives are lost: 7 airbags, ABS, ESC, Brake Assist and Electronic Roll Mitigation. Front and rear parking sensors are standard too, with the rear view camera featuring dynamic grid lines for easy manoeuvrability.
WHAT ELSE?
Like all other Jeeps, this Grand Cherokee SRT comes with a 5-year or 150,000km warranty programme, whichever occurs first. Service interval is at every 10,000km. For those interested to know its OTR price
with insurance
, it’s
RM717,344.38
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The Australia-only Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior looks ready to tear up the off-road trails!

We praised the
Nissan Navara PRO-4X
 for its looks when it was launched here in Malaysia earlier this year. But it seems like Nissan Australia didn’t think that it was aggressive enough, because they’ve just gone and unveiled the PRO-4X Warrior pick-up truck (or ‘ute’); if the PRO-4X looks “out of this world”, this one might be from another galaxy.
The new pick-up truck is an Australia-exclusive model, made in collaboration with Victoria-based automotive engineering firm, Premcar. The Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior is actually the second model between the two company, the first based on the pre-facelift Navara.
Anyway, Premcar basically took the
new Nissan Navara
 PRO-4X, and turned it into a proper rugged off-road weapon with several specially-designed modifications for the range-topping truck – a custom build was necessary to ensure that all the advanced driver assistance features will remain functional, and of course, look the way it does.
Details haven’t been finalised just yet, but based on the pictures published by Nissan Australia, the Navara Warrior gains a new hoopless bullbar up front replacing the existing bumper, integrated light bar, and massive red-painted bash plates on the underside.
There’s also a new souped-up suspension set-up, which raises the truck’s overall ride height, along with a set of larger Cooper Discoverer all-terrain tyres (with a larger track offset) for more surface-clawing ability especially off the beaten path.
Other upgrades are more on the aesthetic side for extra street appeal, including a PRO-4X Warrior decals round the side, black sports bar above the truck bed, and a host of black exterior accents to finish off the aggressive exterior.
How does the Nissan Navara PRO-4X fare on our Malaysian roads? Watch our vlog to find out!
All of the mechanical bits underneath the bonnet are unchanged though, with the Navara Warrior still powered by the same 2.5-litre inline-four turbodiesel mill that makes 190 hp and 450 Nm of torque – so not quite Ranger Raptor-level of performance yet.
“Australia’s unique landscape is both rugged and exhilarating, and the Warrior program is designed to deliver vehicles that share those attributes, without sacrificing safety, technology or on-road comfort,” said Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester.
No word yet as to when the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar (
that’s its official full name… quite a mouthful isn’t it
) will be available in showrooms, as it is still undergoing testing across all different terrains that Australia can offer. Nissan did say that there will be more Warrior models coming soon, so we’ll definitely be keeping a lookout for that!
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Full details of Peugeot 308 facelift out, 6 variants, semi-autonomous driving!

Groupe PSA has just released more details of the Peugeot 308 facelift. A total of six variants will be on offer, beginning with the entry level Access, Active, Allure, GT Line, GT and range topping GTi. The 308 facelift comes in both hatchback and estate body styles.
Entry level variants of the 308 (Access, Active and Allure) get halogen headlamps LED DRLs while the rest get full LED headlamps. The cheapest trio get a simpler and more elegant front bumper design while the GT Line, GT and GTi have more aggressive ones with larger intake scoops to aid engine cooling. Front fog lamps are also exclusive to the higher-end models.
The redesigned tiger claw LED taillamps is now a standard feature on all variants. A total of three distinct wheel designs are available at launch – 16-inch ‘Zycron’ alloys, 16-inch ‘Jade’ two-tone diamond cut finish and 18-inch ‘Saphir Black’ two-tone diamond cut alloy wheels.
Inside, Active variants and above get the latest 9.7-inch infotainment system that supports MirrorLink, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a faster 3D satellite navigation with TomTom real-time traffic monitoring service. Allure, GT Line and GT versions get a panoramic fixed glass roof as standard.
Three engines are offered for the 308 range: a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-pot petrol (PureTech 130), 1.5-litre turbodiesel (BlueHDi 130) and 2.0-litre turbodiesel BlueHDi 180. A new six-speed manual transmission is featured on the PureTech 130 while the BlueHDi 180 gets a newly developed eight-speed automatic made by Aisin.
The 308 gets 5 Star Euro NCAP crash safety rating thanks to features such as Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert (Autonomous Braking), Active Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Warning, Automatic Headlamp Control, Speed Sign Recognition and Speed Suggestion, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop Function, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, VisioPark 1 360-degree camera and Park Assist (auto park).
On automatic variants, the Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop Function can bring the car to a complete stop but on manual variants, the car is slowed down to 30 km/h and requires the driver to assume control. Regardless, the system is operable at speeds of
up to 180 km/h
.
The facelifted Peugeot 308 is produced at Groupe PSA’s Sochaux factory in France, with first batches of delivery scheduled to commence in September. Expect its Malaysian arrival soon.
IMAGE GALLERY


Audi’s new concept, the urbansphere, is everything you’ll ever want in a modern SUV!

If Audi is making an MPV/crossover that looks this, it’ll be the best-looking one we’ve ever seen. It’s called the ‘urbansphere concept’ with a lower case ‘u’ but nothing about it is low-key at all.
It’s huge! It’s as long and wide as a BMW X7, but with a much longer wheelbase. According to Audi, the goal is not to squeeze as many seats and storage compartments. Instead, the focus is on providing ample space as a ‘comfort factor’.
The Audi urbansphere concept comes with suicide doors and as a result, there is no B-pillar. The seats swivel outward and a red carpet of light is projected onto the ground next to the vehicle to elevate the experience of climbing on board. In addition, each seat has its own speakers in the headrest area while individual monitors are built into the backs of the front seats.
A “cinema screen” occupies the entire width of the interior, and when not in use, it offers a clear view of the front thanks to its transparent design. The seats in the rear can be reclined up to 60 degrees while leg rests extend at the same time. Even with the seats fully reclined, passengers can operate the infotainment using gesture control, eliminating the need to reach for physical controls.
Between the rear seats is a center console that contains a water dispenser and glasses. Wood and wool, as well as synthetic fabrics, are used on the panels, seats, and floor carpets which Audi says have a high-quality feel and are pleasant to the touch.
Control panels are even integrated into the armrests on the doors. That way, the car always offers passengers invisible touch surfaces using only an icon to show its position. Even the steering wheel, pedals, and dashboard can be hidden when the car is autonomous driving mode.
=
The fully-electric urbansphere sits on 24-inch wheels and air suspension, along with an 800 volt charging system. This ensures that the battery can be charged with up to 270 kilowatts at fast-charging stations in the shortest possible time. Just ten minutes of charging gets you about 300 km of range. Fully charged, the urbansphere can return up to 750 kilometers of range.
The urbansphere is driven by two electric motors – one in the front and back – effectively giving it Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive capabilities along with rear-wheel steering. Together, the electric motors produce 401 hp and 690 Nm. When it’s coasting, the car can disengage the front electric motor to save power.
Outside, large digital light surfaces aren’t just aesthetically striking but also serve as communication elements. The entire surface of the grille becomes a canvas (known as the “Audi Light Canvas”) with dynamic lighting effects to signal to other road users. The headlamps are known as Audi Eyes – a new, unmistakable digital light signature.
The Audi urbansphere was co-developed with the input of Audi customers in China and as a result, the Audi Light Umbrella, a self-illuminating umbrella was created with inspiration taken from traditional Chinese umbrellas. When crossing the road or in dangerous situations, it activates a flashing light together with sensor technology to warn other road users.
GALLERY


Heels and Wheels: Bosch champions road safety for women drivers in Malaysia

In a quest to empower women drivers to be stewards of their own cars and to
embrace safe practices on ours roads, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia
(Bosch AA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community
Development, supported by PROTON, Petron and the Road Safety Department of
Malaysia (JKJR) recently organised a car maintenance workshop dubbed ‘Heels
& Wheels’.
The car and road safety workshop was officiated by
Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development
 and attended by 60 personnel from the Department of Women’s Development. The areas of focus were car maintenance knowledge and the
importance of child restraint systems (CRS), and the correct installation of baby and child seats in a car
.
“A study by
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS)
shows that
58% of children and infants death in the country is due to road accidents
 and the
lack of child restraints
 is a large contributing factor to the fatalities. I am very excited and grateful that this workshop is emphasising essential car maintenance including the importance of CRS considering the compulsory implementation of child car seats next year.
Using CRS could help reduce the risk of fatal injuries by up to 70%
”, said Yeoh.
Additionally, a Bosch AA 2018 survey among Malaysian drivers showed that only
1% of women know how to troubleshoot a car breakdown
. During the workshop, Bosch AA imparted simple car maintenance checks involving four main areas – battery, wipers, engine oil and tyres. Participants were given hands-on lessons on how to identify signs of a
weak battery
 and
worn out wipers
,
change a flat tire
,
check engine oil levels
 and most importantly,
what to do in an emergency or breakdown
.

“At Bosch AA, car and road safety are key focus areas for us. We believe
proactive car care and maintenance
 with the
usage of quality car parts
 are fundamental to reduce risks of car breakdowns and road accidents. As we celebrate our National Day, we hope that the ‘Heels & Wheels’ workshop can empower and inspire women drivers to take charge of their cars and have a peace of mind while driving”, said Pang Yoon Kong, Country Manager of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia.
The workshop also featured a presentation on car safety technologies by PROTON, a ‘Safe Habits at Service Stations’ talk by Aliza Azimah Ahmad from Petron Malaysia, a child car seat safety demonstration by Sweet Heart Paris and a talk on ‘Stigma amongst Women Drivers’ by JKJR.
“Safety and peace of mind have all always been a key component of the PROTON brand promise. We have been strong advocates of road safety for over three decades and believe that it is a responsibility that requires consistent engagement with the Malaysian public. Campaigns like this, play an important role in creating awareness and educating people about the importance of road safety beyond driving”, said Vijayaratnam Tharumartnam, Head of Group Communications for PROTON.
The
#BoschEmpowersWomen
 initiative is part of Bosch AA’s flagship car and
road safety campaign
‘Drive for Life’
 that was launched earlier in May this year, which supports the government’s agenda to reduce road accidents in the country.


Renault Megane R.S. goes on sale in UK, 6-speed manual & DCT offered

The
fourth-generation Renault Megane R.S.
 has just been made available for the UK market and lucky for them, the six-speed manual is a standard fitment while the Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission is also available as an option.
Customers can opt for a Sport or Cup chassis setup with the former aimed at drivers who prefer a sporty but refined drive. The
Cup chassis
 takes things up a few notches with revised springs, dampers, anti-roll bars, red brake callipers, bump stops and a Torsen limited slip differential, prioritising cornering performance over everyday comfort.
A set of
Brembo bi-material brake kit
 is available as an option exclusively for the Cup chassis which enlarges the front brake discs to 355 mm and saves
1.8 kg
 of unsprung weight on each corner. Renault claims that the optional brake kit gives drivers consistent brake pressure and boasts maximum cooling capabilities during intensive use.
Under the hood of the Megane R.S. is a brand-new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that boasts
 280 hp
 and
390 Nm
 on tap, the latter peaks from 2,400 – 4,800 rpm. Despite getting a Launch Control function on the EDC equipped car, both the automatic and manual Megane R.S. will take the
same

5.8 seconds
 to sprint to the 100 km/h mark. The six-speed manual will manage a slightly higher top speed of
255 km/h
; 5 km/h more than the EDC variant.

Standard equipment on UK-bound Megane R.S. include R.S. Vision full LED headlamps, 18-inch ‘Estoril’ alloy wheels, R.S Monitor Expert, Multi-Sense drive mode selector (Comfort, Normal, Sport, Race, Perso), Renault Sport seats, Dark Carbon R.S. upholstery, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and cruise control.
Other creature comfort items such as 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen, Alcantara seats, eight-speaker BOSE sound system, sunroof, reverse camera, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking are available as optional extras.
In the UK, prices for the new Renault Megane R.S. starts from £27,495 (RM147k) to £39,705 (RM213k) with all the options checked. Closer to home, TC Euro cars have the next best thing available, the
Megane GT
 that spots a 1.6-litre turbo engine but at a very unfavourable price tag of RM228k. To put things into perspective, that is almost RM30k more expensive than the previous generation
Megane R.S. 265 Sport
 (that
we absolutely love
)!
We can’t imagine TC Euro Cars to not bring the new Megane R.S. to Malaysia after all the old one garnered quite a strong following among track enthusiast and weekend warriors alike. Let’s just pray that if it does come to Malaysia, it can undercut the
RM320k Honda Civic Type R
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Renault Megane R.S.


Ford Fiesta ST200 is the most powerful production Fiesta ever [+Video]

Still sulking over the fact that Ford won’t build a Fiesta RS? This might cheer you up. No it’s still not the full-blown RS version of the lovable Fiesta, but Ford has sprinkled more magic dust over the Fiesta ST to create this Fiesta ST200.
The hint is in the name.
ST200
 means 200PS (or
197 hp
) that is still deployed to the front wheels, which is around
10 percent increase
 over the “standard” Fiesta ST. Torque figure has risen too, from 240 Nm to
290 Nm
. All this come from the same
1.6-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost
 as the ST that has been “specially calibrated”. On top of that, an
overboost
 function will release another 15 hp and 30 Nm for up to 15 seconds.
The engine is not the only thing that has been tweaked. Ford has also
shortened the final drive ratio
 from 3.82 to 4.06 for an even livelier in-gear acceleration.
Zero to 100 km/h
 sprint now takes just
6.7 seconds
 (0.2 seconds quicker than the ST), and
top speed
 has also increased from 224 km/h to
231 km/h
.
To make it stand out from the “regular” ST, Ford has given the Fiesta ST200 a
Storm Grey paintwork
 along with a set of
machined matte-black alloys
. Inside, the ST200 gets the highest trim available which includes the
 half leather upholstery
 with contrasting silver stitching and subtle silver detailing on the seatbelts.

Before entering the production line in June, the Fiesta ST200 is going to debut at the
2016 Geneva Motor Show
 in March. Deliveries will commence this summer in Europe.
IMAGE GALLERY


This 12-year-old girl could be the first female Formula 1 race winner

Her name is Juju Noda and ever since she was handed her first race kart at an age (3-years-old) where parents wouldn’t even trust their kids with an iPad, she’s been habitually embarrassing those twice and even thrice her age on the race track.
Now, the 12-year-old lass (she turned 12 in early February 2018), is already getting into the hot seat of a Formula 3 car earlier than most current Formula 1 drivers. Only Formula 2 separates her from meddling with the likes of Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo, although they’d probably be on dentures by the time she rises to prominence.
A prodigy in every sense of the word, she is already the world’s first primary school student to drive a FIA-approved Formula 4 race car at race speeds and breaking lap records along the way. Max Verstappen, the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race, never got into an open-wheel racer until he was 16.
With the guidance of her father, Hideki Noda, who had a brief stint in Formula 1, the raw talent from Okayama, Japan is already aiming to be the first female driver to win a Formula 1 race. Given her breakthroughs in such a short time, with the right support, the name Juju Noda is one to definitely keep in mind for the future.
Credit:
Great Big Story


Toyota ViRA concept previewed, headed for 2016 Tokyo Auto Saloon

It seems that deriving a crossover from an existing B-Segment model is the trend these days. The
Honda HR-V
 is a runaway success thanks to the Jazz platform and Mazda is gaining notches with the
CX-3
, which is basically a
Mazda2
 on stilts. Now, Toyota is set to follow its rival’s playbook with this new subcompact crossover concept – the ViRA.
Not to be mistaken with the “Wira” moniker we Malaysians are familiar with, the ViRA is a portmanteau between Vitz supermini (also known as the Yaris) and RAV4 crossover. This could suggest that the ViRA is based on the Yaris’ platform and will sit one level below of the RAV4. The wagon-like roof, sporty curves and three-door configuration also hint at a concept that will appeal to and impress the young.
Toyota’s standard logo placement aren’t seen on this car, though. Instead, it gets
Toyota Industries Corporation’s
 logos, which is one of Toyota’s large subsidiaries that assembles (under contract) most of their cars, including the Yaris and RAV4.
The ViRA concept will make its debut at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Saloon later this month. Stay tuned!


Bermaz Motor raises RM626,000 for Mazda Medicare Fund, will help dialysis patients

Bermaz Motor has successfully raised a total of RM625,500 for the Mazda Medicare Fund (MMF). During their fourth Mazda Charity Golf Tournament, the company raised RM125,500, while RM500,000 was contributed by Directors and Senior Management Staff of Bermaz Motor.
Mazda Charity Golf Tournament is an annual tournament that connects Mazda customers and business associates to collectively engage in a charitable initiative. The funds raised will be channelled to multiple organisations to directly impact the lives of the community.
The generous amount raised this year will be channelled to B.Braun Avitum Renal Services (BARS) and Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital Penang to subsidise haemodialysis treatment for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). In addition to that, part of the amount will be channelled to other charitable organisations such as orphanages and old folks homes.
The MMF is a Community Service and CSR initiative by Mazda to provide financial subsidy to needy patients diagnosed with ESRD. Patients who are in need of financial support to carry out their routine dialysis treatment can apply for the MMF through a simple three step process. The application can be done at any B.Braun dialysis centre. For additional information,
just visit Mazda Malaysia’s website
.


Enjoy up to RM6,000 in rewards with Honda Malaysia’s Merdeka campaign this August

Honda Malaysia has just announced a new ‘
Malaysia Tanah Airku
‘ Merdeka campaign, in conjunction with Malaysia’s 64th Independence Day celebrations. The campaign will run throughout the entire month of August, offering rebates and rewards of up to RM6,000 with a new purchase of selected Honda models.
The offer is split into three categories: a
Malaysiaku
 Bonus that ranges between RM1,000 to RM5,000 depending on model and variant, plus either a RM1,000 “Extra Rebate”,
 or
 a RM1,000 service voucher that standard across all models.
The service voucher is eligible for use at all Honda Authorised Dealers with a two-year validity from the date of purchase, and are applicable for periodic maintenance parts, consumable parts, additives, value-added products, and labour charges.
For the
all-new Honda City
, only the mid-spec 1.5L E variant will get a RM2,000
Malaysiaku
 Bonus, while the rest of the model line-up only receives a RM1,000 rebate in this year’s Merdeka campaign. Meanwhile, the
Honda Civic
range gets the same RM1,000
Malaysiaku
 Bonus across all variants.

Honda Malaysia is now offering a 360-degree surround view monitor as an optional extra on the Honda HR-V and BR-V. Learn more here.
The
all-new Honda Accord
, which was unveiled alongside the Civic facelift back in February 2020, gets to enjoy the most significant savings in this year’s
 Merdeka
 campaign, with a
Malaysiaku
 bonus of RM5,000 on the TC variant, and RM4,000 on the range-topping TC-P variant.
The full breakdown of the rebates and rewards is available in the table below:
Click to enlarge.
Aside from the rebates above, Honda Malaysia is also offering a Flexible Instalment Plan for its cars, with monthly repayments coming in as low as RM588 per month for the first year.
More information on Honda Malaysia’s ‘
Malaysia Tanah Airku
‘ Merdeka campaign is available at Honda Malaysia’s website, linked
here
.


How does the Proton X50’s three-cylinder engines stay so smooth and quiet?

Three-cylinder engines are notorious for their excessive vibrations, due to the unbalanced forces acting on the crankshaft – according to the armchair experts, at least. When Proton announced that the highly-anticipated Proton X50 would be equipped with a three-cylinder engine on all variants, you could almost hear the collective gasps of the keyboard warriors online.
However, during our test drive session for the
Proton X50
 at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday, we could barely discern any vibrations from the engine while being seated inside the cabin. Without looking underneath the bonnet, you’d probably even forget the number of cylinders on your engine.
So what makes this engine so special that it has supposedly solved the kryptonite of a three-pot mill? According to Proton, the engine features
 more than 10 parts
 that are
designed specifically to combat NVH
.
These include the dual-mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum absorber damper, balancing shaft, low noise timing belt, high stiffness engine block and oil pan, silent fuel pump and injectors, as well as engine compartment vibration dampeners.
Proton X50 Chief Engineer, Noor Hisham Ismail, explaining the improvements made on the engine specifically to combat NVH.
These measures have all been developed throughout Volvo’s extensive experience in making odd-number cylindered engines – such as the inline-five Modular Engine – and are now passed on to newer engines developed together with Geely, to be used in various applications within the greater Geely family.
The specialised engine is complemented by impressive noise insulation in the cabin, which almost completely eliminated any grating noises or unpleasant vibrations while driving. Granted, our short test drive sessions did not include any real-world driving situations, so we still cannot truly comment on the road noises seeping into the cabin. But from what we’ve experienced so far, we have quite high hopes on that aspect as well.
No pricing or release dates have been announced for the

Proton X50
 just yet, but we are expecting to hear them very soon. To recap, the Proton X50 will be offered in four variants – Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship – with two engine choices – 1.5T on the four lower variants, and a 1.5TGDi engine on the Flagship variant.
The two powertrain options are based on the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine, though the 1.5T gets port fuel injection, while the 1.5TGDi variant features direct injection. In terms of output, the 1.5T makes
150 hp
 and
226 Nm
 of torque, while the 1.5TGDi kicks it up a notch with
177 hp
 and
255 Nm
.
Both engines on the Proton X50 are paired to a
seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox
 – similar to the one on the
CKD X70
, though slightly tuned to better fit the new 1.5-litre engine, weight, as well as driving characteristics of the X50.


Proton restarts export to Egypt, ships 225 cars in September

Proton Cars have just held a flag-off ceremony here at its manufacturing plant in Tanjung Malim to mark its resume of export activities in Egypt after a three-year hiatus.
The last shipment to Egypt was sent in December 2015, compromising 320 units of the Proton Gen 2 and Persona. Export operations came to a halt due to the devaluation of the local currency which made it impossible to price new vehicles competitively.
A total of 225 Proton cars will set sail on 22 September 2018 from Northport Klang and are set to arrive at Alexandria port in Cairo on 6 October 2018 where they will be received Proton’s distributor in Egypt, Alpha Ezz El-Arab. Alpha Ezz El-Arab will then distribute to seven branches and dealers that serve the local market.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Proton, Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed said: “Proton is excited at being able to export its cars to a market where they have proven to be popular in the past. Buyers there value the safety, reliability and strong resale price of Proton cars, qualities evident in the three models set to be launched in Cairo in October. To ensure sufficient stocks, the distributor has ordered an additional 280 units to be shipped next month with a target of 1,000 cars for the whole of 2018.”
Aside from resuming new car sales in Egypt, the local distributor will also be introducing Proton’s new CI (corporate identity) in three outlets, the first showrooms to carry Proton’s latest CI outside of Malaysia.
“The move to adopt our new CI shows our distributor is in step with our aim of building a consistent brand experience and image for PROTON internationally. It will also help in our aim to add to the more than 13,000 Proton cars that have been sold in Egypt since 2004,” Dato’ Radzaif added.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini has already built its 10,000th Urus SUVs in just two years

Just two years after its full market introduction, the 10,000th Lamborghini Urus “Super SUV” has now rolled off the production floor at the Sant’Agata Bolognese plant – officially making it the fastest selling Lamborghini model.
For context, the Lamborghini Huracan took
twice the time to reach 11,000 units
. In 2019 – the first full year the Urus is available on the market – Lamborghini made a total of 8,205 vehicles (43% more than the previous year), of which 4,962 are of the Urus, more than 60% of the total volume.
The Lamborghini Urus has been so successful for the Italian supercar maker that it had to expand its headquarters to fit a dedicated production line for the Super SUV. Last year, Lamborghini even opened a dedicated paint shop for the Urus, integrating advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Urus with chassis code 10,000 will be making its way to a customer in Russia. The particular example is finished in the new Nero Noctis Matt (black) paint job, along with with the carbon fibre package. Inside, the 10,000th Lamborghini Urus gets two-tone
Ad Personam
 interiors in black and orange, complemented by carbon fibre trim pieces.
The Lamborghini Urus was first unveiled at the
 tail end of 2017
, and launched in Malaysia just
three months later
. Underneath the hood is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, capable of producing
650 hp
 and
850 Nm
. The century sprint takes just
3.6 seconds
, while 0 to 200 km/h is done in 12.8 seconds – onward to a top speed of
305 km/h
. Yes, in a 2,200 kg SUV.


UMW Toyota launches new 24Seven mobile app in Malaysia – free roadside repairs and towing

UMW Toyota Motor
 has introduced a new mobile application called “24Seven Road Assist” for Toyota car owners in Malaysia, billed as an “industry first” service offering immediate roadside assistance at just a few swipes on your smartphone.
To be clear, UMW’s 24/7 roadside assistance feature has always existed – and can still be accessed – via Toyota’s toll-free phone number at
1-800-888-247
. However, the new app elevates the experience with new features, aiming to help calm some nerves during anxious times – such as when you’re stranded by the roadside.
A key selling point of the new Toyota 24Seven app here in Malaysia is the SOS button with real-time tracking, where users can track the real-time location and estimated time of arrival for their help to arrive at their location.
Users can also be assured that their help is provided by an authorised Toyota outlet or service provider. Additionally, they can also have the choice of selecting their own preferred outlet through the app, if they so wish to, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and all year long nationwide.
The Toyota Harrier was just recently launched here in Malaysia. Check it out here!
The new Toyota 24Seven app also interfaces directly with the Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) module in your car (available in new Toyota models in Malaysia from 2019 onwards), which feeds the GPS location information of your car directly into the mobile app.
This not only helps the relevant authorities whenever there is a need for vehicle recovery, but is also able to detect impact in which case emergency services maybe automatically dispatched to the scene.
The VTS system (which also comes with its own mobile app) also offers other features, such as a 24/7 Command Centre, multiple vehicle tracking, push notifications for specific vehicle conditions, and instant overview of key vehicle operating information.
“We have been providing our customers with Toyota 24Seven Road Assist for the last 20 years. This is a service that continually undergoes enhancements to ensure that they never have to worry when they are on the road,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.
“As mobile technology grows more advanced, naturally the next logical step would be to introduce a mobile application that would bring this service to the next higher level.”
UMW Toyota recently announced an investment of RM270m for the local assembly of hybrid vehicles. Read more about it here.
Toyota owners in MAlaysia using the Toyota 24Seven Road Assist service can also enjoy free minor on-the-spot repairs (such as flat tyres), as well as free nationwide towing (within the state, up to 50 km).
The Toyota 24Seven Road Assist app is now available as a free download on both the
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
.


Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé unveiled, previews the upcoming GLC compact SUV

Mercedes-Benz is set to replace their compact SUV, the
GLK
, with an all-new
GLC
. Unveiled at the
Shanghai Motor Show
 as the
Concept GLC Coupé
 guise, the GLC will also spawn a “regular” five-door format (to be revealed afterwards), similar to the bigger brother
GLE
 and
GLE Coupé
.
If you’re wondering what a GLK is, it was never offered in right-hand drive form hence it was never offered here in Malaysia but fans of
Sex and the City
 might have seen the GLK driven by
Samantha Jones
 in the movie.
Unlike the GLK, the new GLC is going to be available in right-hand drive form, so we can look forward for it to arrive on our shores in the near future. Measuring
4,727 mm long
 with
2,827 mm wheelbase
,
2,000 mm wide
, and
1,593 mm tall
, the Concept GLC Coupé has its target locked on the
BMW X4
, and Mercedes said the Concept GLC Coupé is pretty much production-ready bar some minor detailing.
With muscular stance and shallow glass area inherited from the bigger GLE Coupé, the GLC Coupé plays the same theme but depicted in a smaller package. The bulging bonnet with
twin powerdomes
 are presented here together with the huge and
upright front grille
, while the rugged black cladding runs underneath the whole car, covering the bumpers, wheel arches, and side skirts.
The shape of the
LED lights
 front and back also follows the bigger GLE Coupé, while the side profile features the sleek sloping roof and huge
21-inch wheels
. Although, some design elements might not make it to the production version of the GLE Coupé, such as the
flushed door handles
, the side mirrors, and the
 staggered quad tailpipes
.
Underneath the Concept bodywork is a rather normal powertrain. The Concept GLC Coupé is powered by a
3.0-litre twin-trurbo V6
 coupled with a
9G-TRONIC
 nine-speed automatic transmission sending
367 hp
 and
520 Nm
 to the
 4MATIC
 permanent all-wheel drive system. We can expect the same powertrain to be featured in the production GLC Coupé, while a range of smaller 4-cylinder engines are likely to join the rest of the GLC range.
There’s no mention on the exact production date of the GLC, but the Concept GLC Coupé made its debut at the ongoing
2015 Shanghai Motor Show
.
IMAGE GALLERY


PLUS to close ALL reload lanes on highways from 22 June to 2 July

PLUS has just announced that all 134 Reload Lanes across all PLUS-operated highways will be closed from 22 June to 2 July to facilitate smoother traffic flow during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season.
Among PLUS-operated highways include:
North-South Expressway (NSE)
New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE)
Federal Highway Route 2
Seremban-Port Dickson Highway
North-South Expressway Central Link
Malaysian-Singapore Second Link
Lebuhraya Butterworth-Kulim
Penang Bridge
According to PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Azman Ismail, “We anticipate that 1.7 million vehicles will ply the North-South Expressway on every peak day this festive season, a 21 percent increase from the usual 1.4 million vehicles on a normal working day.
On average, a top-up process can take up to three minutes per vehicle. The closure is crucial to prevent long queues at toll plazas,” Datuk Azman added.
PLUS reminds the public to ensure sufficient balance in their PLUSMiles or Touch n’ Go cards to avoid any inconvenience and hold up. Despite the 134 closures of Reload Lanes, there are 9,200 other reload locations across the country including 24-hour convenient stores, ATM machines and petrol stations and etc.
Additionally, users can also reload at PLUS customer service centres at selected toll plazas operating between 7 am to 10 pm daily (including Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays).


Save up to RM10,000 on new Volkswagen cars before year-end!

It’s nearly the end of 2021, which means deals and discounts for new cars are coming thick and fast. Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia is leading the charge this year with their newly-announced Year-End Deals, offering up to a total of RM10,000 in savings on selected models!
The year-end rebates are available for all models in Volkswagen Malaysia’s current line-up, and as the name suggests, these deals are only valid until the 31st of December 2021. All bookings placed via VPCM’s
 eShowroom platform
 will enjoy a rebate of RM3,500, but each model also come with their own individual model rebates.
On the SUVs, the seven-seater
Tiguan Allspace Highline
 comes with an additional rebate of RM4,000, while the
Tiguan Allspace R-Line
 gets an additional rebate of RM2,000.
For the sedans meanwhile, the
 Passat Elegance
 comes with an additional rebate worth RM6,500, plus one-year free insurance during the year-end sales period, while the sportier
Passat R-Line
 is offered with an additional RM5,500 savings and one-year free petrol.
And as for VPCM’s new flagship darling, the
Arteon R-Line 4MOTION
, an additional RM2,000 rebate is offered on top of the eShowroom savings, bringing it up to a total rebate of RM5,500.
As all VPCM offerings are now locally-assembled here in Malaysia, they’re all
exempt from sales tax until June 2022
. All models also come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, as well as three years of free maintenance.
For more information on VPCM’s year-end deals, visit their new eShowroom platform, linked
here
.


Watch the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG do a stationary tank turn

The electric Gelandewagen, called
Mercedes-Benz EQG
, is due to be unveiled sometime in 2024. Even though that is still at least a year away, Mercedes-Benz engineers are already hard at work to make sure it’s as capable as the reputation its name carries, or even more.
As part of its testing, the German carmaker is now showing off a new feature for the electric G-wagen, which lets it rotate freely while remaining in place, commonly known as the ‘tank turn’.
Donuts-on-demand.
@MercedesBenz
's upcoming EQG gets four electric motors and a 'G-Turn' function that sees it spin on the spot.
Steering wheel paddles let the driver decide if it turns left or right as the throttle is planted.
First prototype ride for me. Shaken and stirred.
pic.twitter.com/GjoUv8XTQ1
— Greg Kable (@GregKable)
November 21, 2022

First shown off in a press conference back in May, the feature – dubbed ‘G-Turn’ – rotates each wheel on opposing sides of the axles in a different direction. The G-Turn is only made possible due to the four individual motors, one in each wheel.
To control the direction of the turn, the driver will just have to use the paddles on the steering wheel, while keeping the throttle planted.

A similar feature was
previously advertised by Rivian
for its electric pick-up truck and SUV, the R1S and R1T. Although for safety and environmental reasons according to the company, the tank turn feature was not shipped to customers, and still remains unavailable at the time of publishing.
The G-Turn is just one of the many unique features carmakers are adding to their electric vehicles in order to entice car buyers who might otherwise be more inclined to stick with a regular combustion engine-powered model. The
fully-electric Hummer
, unveiled back in 2020, also includes a
 ‘crab walk’ party trick
 that can be useful in trickier terrains.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz’s Project Maybach proves that luxury and off-road can mix
The Mercedes-Benz EQG is still more than a year away, but we do already know quite a few details about it. The carmaker has revealed that the EQG will be built on a ladder-frame platform and ride on independent front suspension, along with a rigid rear axle developed exclusively for electric vehicles, which means it’ll at least be as rugged as its predecessor.
We also somewhat know how it’ll look like, thanks to a “near-production” concept model that was unveiled back in September last year. Check that out in more detail
here
.
ALSO READ:
 The Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS previews an electric future for the ultra-rich
[
H/T: Motor1
]


Volvo confirms second fully-electric model, to debut this year

Volvo has revealed that it will be debuting its second fully-electric car later this year. The still-unnamed model is tipped to be a small, compact crossover model, and is set to be launched in March 2021.
The Swedish carmaker’s second EV will be built on the CMA modular platform, which is developed in conjunction with Geely and is currently in use on the
Volvo XC40
,
Polestar 2
,
Geely Xingrui (Preface)
, and several
Lynk & Co
 models.
Volvo confirmed the second EV in a statement announcing its plans to triple EV production at its Ghent plant in Belgium by 2022, which translate roughly to 60% of the plant’s total production capacity. The move is in line with the carmaker’s commitment to
make EVs half of its total sales worldwide by 2025
, and becoming a
fully-electric manufacturer by 2040
.
The upcoming EV will also be produced at the Ghent plant, alongside the
Volvo XC40 Recharge
 – the manufacturer’s only EV currently, also based on the CMA platform – and the Volvo XC40 plug-in hybrid. According to a
report
 by
Autocar UK
, Volvo’s second EV will take the form of a crossover coupe, making it a sportier alternative to the XC40.
The publication also claims that a smaller model, supposedly named the XC20, is on the way – although this model will be based on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, the
“world’s first open-source architecture”
 co-developed with Geely that will underpin the Lynk & Co Zero.
“Our future is electric and customers clearly like what they see from our Recharge cars,” said Volvo Cars head of global industrial operations and quality, Javier Varela. “As we continue to electrify our line-up and boost our electric production capacity, Ghent is a real trailblazer for our global manufacturing network.”
The capacity ramp-up comes as Volvo posted their 2020 annual sales performance, which saw 661,713 vehicles sold worldwide – a 6.2% decline year-on-year. However, the carmaker says that demand for its Recharge fully-electric models have more than doubled in 2020, as compared to the previous year.
The drop in sales is undoubtedly attributed to the ongoing
Covid-19 pandemic
, however a strong second-half performance with a 7.4% increase over 2019’s levels helped offset most of the 21% drop in the first half of 2020.


All new Volvo cars to receive OTA software update capabilities – Malaysia included!

Volvo Cars has announced that all of its new cars from
model year 2023 onwards
will now come with over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities. That means that Volvo’s entire model line-up now comes with the OTA capability, following the technology’s initial introduction with its fully electric models, with new additions this time round including the
Volvo XC90
,
 S60
, and
V60
.
This round of updates will include the latest version of Android Automotive OS (Android 11) for the infotainment system, which also adds new app categories in the Google Play Store such as navigation as well as charging and parking, while video streaming is expected to be added later this year.
Aside from the infotainment updates, the latest OTA software will also include feature improvements, particularly for the EVs, such as better energy management through improved climate timers, plus updates to the mobile app functionality and in-car applications.
The energy management improvement helps to maintain appropriate battery temperatures on both cold and warm days, which could help boost driving range on the electric models. The Volvo Cars app will also now receive more frequent updates from the car to display a more up-to-date charging percentage during an ongoing session.
Since the beginning of last year, Volvo has been offering regular OTA updates to its customers in the majority of its markets. The company expects the volume of cars covered by such updates to grow with every new update.
The latest OTA software is the company’s eighth complete car update, and will reach more than 190,000 Volvo cars across the globe, thanks to the debut of OTA updates in several new markets around the globe including India, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Malaysia.
“By making all Volvo models able to receive over-the-air updates, we make important progress towards our ambition of making our customers’ cars better every day,” said Volvo Cars chief product officer, Henrik Green.
“This is a significant milestone: we’re now updating cars of all models in a majority of our markets, bringing the benefits of remote continuous updates to an ever-increasing number of customers,” he added.
In conjunction with the OTA update, Volvo also announced that it will begin rolling out the Android Automotive infotainment system across all new models in the future.
Jointly developed between Google and Volvo
, the infotainment system offers a tight integration between the car and Google’s services, including built-in Google Maps and Google Assistant.
Unfortunately, the new OTA software update capability and Google Services will not be available on certain variants of the Volvo XC40 crossover.
To see the Android Automotive OS in action, check out our media drive video on the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric!


All-new Ford Ranger teased again, revealing new taillights

To keep the interest alive and distract potential buyers from placing an order with
Mitsubishi
 or
Isuzu
 pick-up truck models, the marketing communications team at Ford Asia Pacific have added another image of the upcoming all-new Ford Ranger.
The teaser package this time consists of a static image plus a video, revealing the tail lamps and some key features. We managed to spot a shark fin-type radio antenna on the roof, integrated side steps, followed by rear disc brakes as well as an integrated sports bar.
The design of the LED tail lamp on the all-new Ford Ranger also follows suit with the recently launched Ford Maverick ‘compact’ pick-up in the US. Other similarities include a trim piece on the front fenders and a contoured tailgate.
Ford will be road testing the vehicle in Australia as the global testing program come to its final legs. As such, instead of applying camouflage that distorts shapes and curves, Ford has opted the opposite.
Creative to only reflect the blue sections!
2021 Ford Maverick, USA
The 2022 Honda Civic Type-R also previewed with a unique camouflage. Check out the red with white and black highlights design here.
The designer of the all-new Ranger’s unique Bronco R-inspired block-style camouflage, Lee Imrie, and his team used the science of optics to mask some of the key design secrets until it is fully unveiled later this year.
The camouflage is also designed to capture attention at night, thanks to its unique reflective patterns.

Early last month, Ford Asia Pacific official released a
video
 of the all-new Ranger going through test driving on sand, mud, rock and even snow terrain, highlighting its strong performance overall off-road conditions. Ford will also be updating information on the all-new Ranger via the ‘#NextGenRanger’ on social media pages.
Large full-height head lamps expected to dominate the front
The Ford Ranger still has plenty of life in the US, with the company kicking off limited-edition schemes. Check out the memorable Ranger Splash here!
This all-new Ford Ranger is also an important product for Volkswagen, as the German carmaker is partnering with Ford to jointly develop the next-generation Amarok pick-up truck. Volkswagen’s model is only due a year later in 2023, after the Ranger’s official launch.


BMW Group Malaysia sold 8,400 cars in 2021 – retains No. 1 position in premium segment

BMW Group Malaysia has just announced its sales performance for 2021, with a total of 10,500 units delivered across its BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad brands. While the figure is a slight decrease from
2020’s 11,016 units
, the company says that it has again taken the lead in the premium automotive segment here in Malaysia, for the second year in a row.
Review: G20 BMW 320i Sport – Brilliant, but is it better than before?
Among the figure, the BMW brand accounted for 8,400 units or 80% of the total, which the company says translates to a 47% market share in the premium segment. That number, however, is roughly 5.6% lower than the 8,903 units it sold in 2020.
BMW’s sales figure here in Malaysia is made up primarily by the G20 3 Series, with over 2,400 deliveries last year, led by the
320i Sport
 variant. This is followed by the
2 Series Grand Coupe
, which overtook the 5 Series for the first-time ever with 1,270 units sold.
The 5-er meanwhile, now the brand’s third best-selling model in its Malaysian line-up, sold a total of 1,150 units in 2021 with the
 530i M Sport
 being the most popular model. All three of the brand’s best-selling models are locally-assembled here in Malaysia.
As for the SUVs, the BMW X Series range saw a combined total of “over 3,200 deliveries” in 2021, again led by the
X1
 with 960 units sold, followed by the
X5
 with 850 units – the latter a 22% increase over the previous year.
On the side of MINI, the company delivered a total of 940 units (+5.6% over 2020) to put the brand in third place within the premium segment. As with the previous years, the Countryman was again the most popular model, making up over 68% of all MINI deliveries.
On the macro scale, BMW Group Malaysia says that over 16% (approx. 1,680 units) of the total 10,500 units delivered in 2021 were electrified models, bringing the total number of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles in the country to just over 21,600 units.
Crucially, MINI saw a significant increase in uptake for its
electrified models
, with over 16% of its 940 deliveries being made up by the hybrid and fully-electric models, compared to just 7% in 2020.
In addition to sales performance, BMW Group Malaysia also achieved a net promotor scores of 93 and 94 for the BMW and MINI brands respectively for Malaysia, the second-highest rankings in the world in terms of customer satisfaction for the BMW Group.
RELATED: BMW Malaysia unveils new energy-efficient 4S centre in Northern Kuala Lumpur
BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director, Hans de Visser said, “Our achievements in 2021 are strongly attributed to the unwavering support of our loyal customers in Malaysia, our dedicated network of dealers, as well as our employees who produced nothing short of exceptional work and achievement, despite the economic and social challenges posed to many industries especially our due to the pandemic last year. I would like to take a moment to say thank you and congratulations for this amazing achievement.
“Leveraging on the lessons learned as an organisation from the first pandemic year, we navigated the second year with strategies in place to tackle economic slowdowns in the industry, and we successfully introduced 37 model variants across the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad portfolio despite repeated lockdowns.
“2021 was also the year of our electrification-offensive, for us as well as the BMW Group worldwide, and with the amazing response we have received in Malaysia for the all-new BMW i models, we are confident that the Electric Future we envision for Malaysia will soon become reality. We are ready for it and so is Malaysia as we now steer and drive into 2022 fully electrified,” de Visser added.
On the financial side of things, BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia reported that it has successfully financed over 5,500 vehicles across the BMW Group portfolio in 2021, or just over 50% of all BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad vehicles delivered last year. Among that, eight out of 10 contracts have been funded digitally via the company’s BMW Engage online financing application.
In 2022, the company is looking forward to the milestone of its 100,000th vehicle assembled at the Kulim assembly plant. The company has also reaffirmed its commitment towards electrification, which can be seen with the introduction of the
electrified BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport
 variant earlier this month. The company has also officially unveiled the
BMW iX
 and
iX3
fully-electric models in Malaysia last year, with the i4 set to join the stable shortly.
The company will also be expanding its charging network across the country this year, particularly the addition of more DC fast charger locations, covering not just the Greater Klang Valley but also the northern and southern regions as well.
As of January 2022, there are 77 BMW i Charging facilities across the country, with 25 facilities powered by partnerships with local dealers and industry players. The network is further complemented by the 16 charging points with
Shell Recharge & Park Easy
, as well as 319 charging facilities with GreenTech Malaysia and its ChargEV platform.
At a more operational level within the organisation, BMW Group Malaysia is also pivoting their traditional business models towards one more focused on sustainability and environment. For example, the company introduced the RE:GENERATE programme last year to repurpose waste and by-products from its business processes.
This was carried out with strategic partnerships and initiatives with local innovators and industry players such as Precious Plastic Malaysia, EV Connection, and Pentas Flora to develop innovative solutions to address and repurpose plastic, EV batteries as well as automotive lubricant and solvent waste from its business process value chain.
“We are going beyond delivering premium vehicles that are the Ultimate Driving Machines, but vehicles that are ultimately responsible for the planet and our future generations. We recognise that the time has come for a shared vision for electrified mobility with a shared responsibility by all stakeholders to act and transform our industries into a responsible ecosystem that is built for the future,” said de Visser.
“For us at BMW Group Malaysia, this is an ecosystem where Future Mobility can truly thrive in. This is the future we envision and with the support of our customers, dealers, associates and the Malaysian government here – we are more than optimistic that this Electric Future will be a successful one.”


Kia Stinger GT is officially the quickest Kia in the world, 365 hp & 510 Nm!

The
Kia Stinger GT
 is a fine, mean looking machine. And if that’s not enough to win you over, perhaps the fact that obliterates the century sprint in 4.9 seconds will. Oh, did you also know that Kia Malaysia has all the intentions of bringing this in?
Back at its world debut, Kia Motors did not reveal the actual sprint time of their meanest model to date. Powered by a
 3.3-litre twin turbo V6 petrol engine
, this rear wheel drive grand tourer is the most powerful and fastest car Kia has ever produced.
The V6 lump packs
365 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
 510 Nm
 of torque from 1,300 to 4,500 rpm. There is also an all-wheel drive Stinger GT, but the sprint time for that variant has yet to be released. This puts the Kia Stinger GT directly in the same category as the
BMW 440i
, who by the way, is a tad slower to the 100 km/h mark at 5.0 seconds. Meanwhile, the
Audi S5
 does that in 4.7 seconds.
Right. We did in fact say that Kia Malaysia is planning to bring this in. But remember, there are two variants, with the base Stinger getting a 2.0-litre four-pot turbo. That ought to be enough to get most of us excited anyway.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton dealers hopes to recreate Lynk & Co showroom concept here in Malaysia

Following the recent dealer visit to
Geely Research Institute (GRI) in Hangzhou Bay, China
, another group of selected Proton dealers were exposed to the Lynk & Co outlet stores and were amazed by the brand’s corporate image and cars.
Positioned in between the Geely brand and Volvo Cars, Lynk & Co is a brand that embodies modernity, lifestyle and connectivity in cars which explains why the vibe in a Lynk & Co showroom is unlike any other traditional carmaker. Besides having cars on display, in a typical Lynk & Co showroom, you will find relaxation corner, stylish merchandise area and lounge-like customer waiting area.
As Hazree Hashim, of Pesat Auto Sdn Bhd, aptly puts it: “The outlet is all about lifestyle. If you are in Malaysia, it looks like walking into the Pavilion shopping mall, with its lighting, aura, even the feel of the quality of furniture in the outlet. There is a luxury feel to the outlet. We can safely call it luxury in a minimalist sense.”
“The design of the outlet is such that it rides on the sense of fashion, with relation to ‘chic’. Besides, the interior of the outlet is hipster style, trying to be non-conforming, an effort to be different from the rest in the market. This is what the young and smart look for. These days, the purchase of cars is more of a lifestyle choice, rather than a mere means of transport,” Hazree added.

Azizulmu’min Mohd Hussain Malim, of Rohamas Corporation Sdn Bhd. said: “After visiting this outlet, I believe I would like to emulate what I see. At the corner of a space, we can see that there are the details of customers’ information, which show delivery records on display for all to see. There are names of Sales Advisors, name of customers, as well as when the car was delivered. This is totally something new, and I would love to implement the same at my outlet. The information gives clarity to what is happening to each customers’ car, as well as a quick and good reference point.”
As for Ha Yih Wei, of Juara Mulia Motor Sdn Bhd concluded: “It is totally a different experience visiting Lynk&Co outlet. The whole look and feel is different. The inside also shows posters of young girls and guys shouting their own slogans about lifestyle. One slogan depicted the words – “Born alone but not lonely” – imagine this in an outlet selling cars, how many feel connected? The message is simple yet strong, especially those who would like to own a car and stand out in the crowd. This experience is a totally new and one of a kind.”
IMAGE GALLERY
Lynk & Co Showroom in China


Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio to be reborn as 1000hp EV, 800V architecture

Moving towards electrification,
Alfa Romeo
 CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato has confirmed that the saloon
Alfa Romeo Giulia
 will be reborn as an electric vehicle (EV) by 2025.
Autocar
 reports that the company boss also confirms that a 1,000-hp Quadrifogio version will also make its debut.
Unlike the current rear-wheel drive (RWD) configuration of the current model, the all-electric version will make full use of electrification and employ an all-wheel drive(AWD) layout. It could get a similar set-up to the upcoming Maserati Granturismo Folgore, which uses a three-motor AWD setup – one at the front and two at the rear.
Exact technical details have yet to be confirmed, but the Alfa Romeo CEO suggests the EV Giulia will have up to 435 miles (700 km) of electric range, making the car a direct substitute for current Giulia owners instead of a “downgrade nor forced switch”.
Another technical detail that would benefit its customers is the use of 800 V electrical architecture. This means the upcoming Alfa Romeo EV would be able to charge at very high rates on DC fast charging. Hopeful of allowing customers to charge from 10% to 80% “within 18 minutes”, Alfa Romeo doesn’t want its customers to spend hours charging their cars.
RELATED:
Alfa Romeo will launch a new car every year until 2026, before going full EV
Imparato emphasizes that rapid electrification is important for Alfa Romeo. “We switch because we must. If not Alfa Romeo would be dead,” says the Alfa Romeo CEO.
Speaking to the UK automotive publication, he adds, “We will switch in a real concrete substitution mode. I don’t want you [customers/owners] to suffer from anything [because of] the switch; I want you to love it.”
While other brand EVs tend to explore radical styling to both the exterior and interior, Alfa Romeo assures that its upcoming EVs will look “very cool” and will look like “the Alfa Romeo we all want”. In a sea of EVs and new cars with multiple screens and experimental designs, Alfa Romeo is keeping things classy and timeless. The brand has also previously stated that it
plans to keep screens to a minimum in its cars
.
RELATED:
Alfa Romeo wants to keep screens to a minimum in their cars


Grab has acquired Uber’s Southeast Asia operations

If you haven’t already heard, Grab announced that it has acquired Uber’s Southeast Asia operations, the largest-ever deal of its kind in Southeast Asia. Uber’s ridesharing and food delivery business in the region will be integrated into Grab’s existing multi-modal transportation and platform.
With the combined business, Grab will drive towards becoming the No.1 online-to-offline (O2O) mobile platform in Southeast Asia and a major player in food delivery.
The deal will also see Grab taking over Uber’s operations and assets in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As part of the acquisition, Uber will take a 27.5% stake in Grab and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi will join Grab’s board.
Group CEO and Co-founder of Grab, Anthony Tan said, “We are humbled that a company born in SEA has built one of the largest platforms that millions of consumers use daily and provides income opportunities to over 5 million people.”
Co-founder of Grab Tan Hooi Ling said, “We will rapidly and efficiently expand GrabFood into all major SEA countries in the next quarter. We’re going to create more value for our growing ecosystem of consumers, drivers, agents – and now merchants and delivery partners. GrabFood will also help drive the application of GrabPay mobile wallet and support our growing financial services platform.”
Grab and Uber will promptly migrate Uber drivers and riders, Uber Eats customers, merchant partners and delivery partners to the Grab platform. The Uber app will continue to operate for
two weeks
 to ensure a smooth transition for Uber drivers. Uber Eats will run
until the end of May
, after which Uber delivery and restaurant partners will move to the GrabFood platform.


More images of new Perodua D55L “Ativa” in booking leaflet, no changes from the Rocky!

Last Friday, Perodua announced that the highly-anticipated ‘D55L’ SUV has
 opened for bookings
 in Malaysia, but without any accompanying images.
The B-segment SUV, just slightly larger than a Myvi, will be offered in three variants – X, H and AV – with prices estimated to range between
RM62,500 to RM73,400
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of sales tax exemptions.
2019 Daihatsu Rocky
The company has since updated
its website
 and have inserted images of key features. The headlamps and taillamps look to be taken directly off the
Daihatsu Rocky
 it is based on.
Perodua D55L
Daihatsu Rocky
Perodua also mentioned that these LED headlamps in the H and AV variants have the Adaptive Driving Beam feature that selectively illuminates lighting elements to avoid shining onto traffic on the opposite side, whilst keeping the high beam turned on.
Perodua D55L
Daihatsu Rocky
The leaflet also confirms the H and AV variants will come with 17-inch wheels, which should carry Perodua’s own design. The rear bumper also has local styling, with the curves and reflector lamp more consistent with the larger
Aruz
.
Meanwhile, the fully digital multi-information driver display measuring seven inches also look to be an item from the Daihatsu Rocky. This is not available in the lowest X variant.
In the Rocky, the 1KR-VET
1.0-litre turbocharged
 three-cylinder engine makes
98 hp
 and
140 Nm
 of torque and will be paired to a D-CVT. The D-CVT transmission, a first for Perodua, adds split gears to existing CVT belt drives and uses both belt and gear drives at high speeds for improved transmission efficiency.
As such, Perodua claims a high fuel efficiency of
18.9 km/L
. There is no information if the D55L will be available with an all-wheel drive option.
The Daihatsu Rocky at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show
The leaflet basically reiterates all the information that was highlighted in the press release. Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) suite now comes with Lane Departure Prevention and is standard on all variants, with the range-topping AV variant fitted with Lane Keep Control and Adaptive Cruise Control. This means D55L will also be the cheapest car on sale here in Malaysia to feature
Level 2 Autonomous Driving
!
A total of five colours are available (no black), with the AV variant having an option for a black roof on Pearl Diamond White and Pearl Delima Red, giving these two colours with a two-tone finish.
The Perodua compact SUV, which is rumoured to be named
Ativa
, is expected to be launched early next month.
GALLERY
Perodua ‘D55L’/Ativa teaser
Daihatsu Rocky

(Tokyo Motor Show 2019)


All-new 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI launched in Malaysia, priced from RM590k

The Audi Q7 came into existence almost 10 years ago and the call for an encore has been long overdue. Call it taking their own sweet time, but Audi has put much effort into making the
second-generation model
 an improvement all-around.
Audi dubs the Q7 as the Great Quattro and for good reason; it features the marque’s almost-primordial legendary
all-wheel drive
 system that forged in the crucible of motorsport – the
World Rally Championship
. Audi set the industry benchmark by which all premium SUVs are measured by sticking the quattro system in the Q7.
Name
2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI
Engine
3.0-litre supercharged V6
Transmission
8-speed TipTronic
Max Power
333 hp @ 2,900-5,300 rpm
Max Torque
440 Nm @ 2,900-5,300 rpm
0-100 / Top Speed
6.3s / 250km/h (limited)
Price
RM589,900
EXTERIOR
On the surface, the Q7 seems to have lost its curves and subsequently gave way to a more angular and menacing outlook. Good start so far. Illuminating the path ahead is a pair of energy efficient LED headlights, though the Matrix LED headlights are optional. Both headlights feature Audi’s new double-arrow LED DRLs as standard, and completing the new fascia is Audi’s signature Singleframe grille.

Along the sides however, it isn’t all ruler-straight but rather, the Q7 has retained some of its curves that houses the chunky and altogether masculine
20-inch
 die-cast
aluminium
 wheels which lends to the Q7’s stance. Moving along to the rear reveals a sculpted rear end that’s coupled with the
 wrap-around tailgate
 that extends around the D-pillar. The exhausts tips are
integrated
 into the design of the diffuser for that sporting touch.
Dimensionally, this all-new seven seater measures up
 5.05 metres long
,
1.97 metres wide
 and
1.74 metres tall
. The end result of this numbers is that
interior
 space is boasted as one of the
biggest
 in the segment. In keeping with the times, Audi put the Q7 on a
diet
 which means it now tips the scales at a whooping
325kg
 less than its predecessor.
INTERIOR
The 2015 Audi Q7 really brings forth the Ingolstadt-based carmaker’s interior prowess here, and features some of the brand’s most advanced technologies. The driver is cosseted in a
 full electric adjustable
 front seat with
four-way lumbar
 support.

As mentioned earlier, interior space is a stronghold for this all-new model and this is evident with the sheer amount of legroom you’ll find in the
second row
– one that slides, mind you. Meanwhile, the 50:50 split seats in the third row are now
electrically
 operated for greater ease and can transform the
 770 litre
 space into a cavernous
 1,955 litre
 space in a matter of seconds.
When all the dust finally settles, the words conjured to mind when describing the interior are
crisp
 and
clean
; minimalist might be taking the notion too far but it’s a fine line and Audi has gotten the formula bang on point. Like many other recent models, the centrally-mounted
8.3-inch
 high-res screen can be retracted to sit flush within the dashboard. Audi has chucked the
 MMI Navigation plus
 and
MMI Touch
as standard as well. The screen is also a hub for the infotainment system, but what is it without a banging stereo to go with, right?

The Q7 benefits from a
 Bose 3D sound system
 that sports
19
 speakers paired up to a
15-channel amplifier
 with total output of
558 Watts
, which is great for keeping the kids occupied on long drives but still worthy enough to brag at a bar with your mates.
PERFORMANCE
Only one powertrain is offered at launch and that’s the tried and tested
3.0-litre supercharged TFSI V6
 engine that’s mated to an eight-speed shift-by-wire TipTronic transmission. The V6 lump churns out
 333 hp
 and a total of
440 Nm
 of torque. This is courtesy of the
supercharger
 that lives atop the V6 which can be
deactivated
 when under partial load for greater fuel economy.
The dieting regime seems to have paid off well considering this new Q7 does the century sprint in just
6.3 seconds
, which is almost
1.6 seconds faster
 than its predecessor. To put things into perspective, that’s just 0.4 seconds slower than the
Audi TT 2.0 TFSI
! And in typical German fashion, its top speed is electronically limited to
250 km/h
. But despite the blistering figures, the Q7 sips fuel at just
 7.9 litres per 100km
. Needless to say, drive is sent to Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel drive system.
As much as the Q7 is billed toward sporting agility, there isn’t rock-hard suspension to be found here but rather it utiliwes an
adaptive air-suspension
 that’s fitted as
standard
. The system is paired up with a
continuously variable
, electronically controlled air
spring dampers
. The result of which is a ride that always remains level, regardless of the load distribution and ride quality to rival most.
SAFETY
As with all Audi’s, the new Q7 comes jam-packed with numerous acronyms that we’ve come to be accustomed with such as
ABS
,
ESC
,
TCS
 and
EBD
. Apart from the
eight airbags
, this family mover comes kitted out with a
tyre pressure loss sensor
,
Hill Decent Control
and
Electronic Differential Lock
 for that additional peace of mind.
WHAT ELSE ?
“The Audi Q7 is a game-changer not just for the brand but for the entire premium SUV segment and I am confident that much like its predecessor, the Great Quattro will be a resounding success for Audi in Malaysia,” says Mr. Immo Buschmann, Managing Director of Audi Malaysia.
The all-new Q7 is offered here  in ten colour choices, Carrara White, Glacier White, Floret Silver, Carat Beige, Argus Brown, Ink Blue, Graphite Grey, Night Black, Orca Black and a special pearl-effect Daytona Grey. The 2015 Audi Q7 is priced from
RM 589,900
.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR does not come with a manual, 290 hp & 380 Nm

Almost one year since
the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR Concept made its global debut in Austria, the race-inspired
Golf GTI will be going on sale in UK soon.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI
TCR is modelled after the Golf race car participating in the international TCR
series which means the road car gets improved performance and decked out in unique
TCR bits.
The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine has been tweaked to push out
290 hp
 and
380 Nm
 (up 63 hp & 30 Nm from a standard GTI) while the 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission channels drive to the front wheels.  With the power bump, century sprint is now quicker at
5.6 seconds
 while top speed is raised to
264 km/h
 with the limiter removed.
Compared to a standard
GTI, the TCR is differentiated by its sharper front and rear bumpers, matte
black exterior mirrors, 18-inch “Quaranta” alloy wheels, TCR motif on the rear
quarter panel. Inside, it features TCR semi-bucket seats, red marker at the 12
o’ clock position, alcantara treatment around the cabin and a TCR puddle light.
Customers can have their
Golf GTI TCR with the option pack that adds 19-inch Reifnitz alloy wheels,
lowered suspension by 20 mm, Dynamic Chassis Control, top speed limiter removed,
honeycomb decals on the side of the car and a black roof. The Golf GTI TCR is
also available with a Pure Grey paint colour – a first for any GTI.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR Concept


Volkswagen Malaysia’s revamped eShowroom now shows live availability of models

Tired of waiting around for your new cars? You’ll now be able to beat the waiting list with
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
‘s revamped eShowroom website, thanks to the new live availability features.
The new feature will now display the available units on sale at Volkswagen authorised dealerships nationwide, in real time. The company says the system is roughly based around the “what you see is what you get” concept, so only models that are available at dealerships will be featured.
Screenshot: Volkswagen eShowroom
Once they found the model that they are looking for, customers can then decide to either book a test drive, or reserve the unit directly online with a standard booking fee of RM1,500. They will then be contacted by the listed dealership on the next steps to complete the purchase.
VPCM Managing Director, Erik Winter said, “Volkswagen Malaysia is always looking for ways to enhance the ownership experience for our customers, and begins at the moment of purchase.
RELATED:
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace adds new entry-level ‘Life’ variant in Malaysia, from RM173k
“With this in view, our eShowroom is anchored on the concept of bringing a dealership right to the customer’s fingertip, and we are pleased to now bring it up a notch by introducing real-time availability. This will bring greater convenience, thus ensuring a smoother journey for our customers.”
In conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations over the next two months, the company is also offering a special cash rebate worth RM500 for customers who place a booking via the new eShowroom, linked
here
.


2016 Hyundai Ioniq 1.6L Hybrid launched in Malaysia, priced at RM103k & RM114k!

When the Hyundai Ioniq was
first previewed
 in Malaysia early this year at the 2016 My Auto Fest, Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) revealed that is a challenging product to introduce unless the Ioniq is locally assembled. Should HSDM manage to locally assemble the Ioniq, the pricing of the vehicle will be extremely attractive, much like the
BMW 330e
 and
Mercedes-Benz C 350e
.
Thanks to favourable market response, HSDM confirmed – at the
second preview
 of the Ioniq – that they will be introducing the Ioniq Hybrid here in Malaysia in CKD form. Initially said to be priced around RM130k, the Ioniq surprised everyone with a base sticker price of RM103k, which includes insurance.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 1.6 HEV
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 1.6 HEV Plus
Engine
1,580cc; four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle Kappa GDI
Transmission
6-speed dual clutch transmission
Max Power
104 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Max Torque
147 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Hybrid Motor Output
43 hp & 170 Nm
Combine Max Power / Torque
140 hp / 265 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
11.1 seconds; 180 km/h
10.8 seconds; 180 km/h
Fuel Consumption
3.4 litres per 100km
4.0 litres per 100km
Price
RM103,390.27
RM114,165.87
EXTERIOR
As with all Hybrid vehicles, the Ioniq was designed with aerodynamics as priority to reduce drag coefficient, ultimately contributing to fuel savings. Thanks to its hatchback body style with coupé like silhouette, the Ioniq boasts a
drag coefficient of just 0.24
.
At the front of the HEV Plus, you get Hyundai’s familiar hexagonal chrome grille with
active air flap
that opens and shuts to optimise cooling and fuel efficiency, a subtle blue accent on the front lip, bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED positioning lamps, powered folding wing mirrors and keyless entry. Moving to the rear, you will be greeted with a pair of C-shaped LED combination tail lamps, duck lip spoiler, black accents on the tailgate and rear bumper.

As for the base model HEV, styling differences includes a gloss black hexagonal grille, projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights and bulb type tail lamps.
Both variants ride on dual-tone
17-inch alloys
 wrapped in 225/45 profile Michelin Primacy 3 tyres, but the HEV will come with 15-inch wheels at a later date.
INTERIOR
Stepping into the cabin of the Ioniq, immediately you will notice the
blue accent linings
from the push start button to the floor mats, highlighting the eco-friendly characteristics of the car. Standard equipment on both variants include a multifunctional steering wheel (leather wrapped on the HEV Plus, urethane on the HEV), dual-zone automatic climate control, foot parking brake, push start and reverse camera.

Inside the HEV Plus, you get leather seats with eight-way powered driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support, 7-inch TFT-LCD digital instrument cluster,
Qi wireless charging tray
, cruise control, Electro-Chromic Mirror (ECM) and 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Moving down the range, HEV gets manual fabric seats, a 4.2-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster and a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also loses out on the ECM for a regular rear view mirror.
Boot space in the Ioniq is rated at
443 litres
 but for added space, the rear seats can be folded down with 60:40 split that expands the boot space to 750 litres.
PERFORMANCE
Powering the Ioniq is a combination of a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder Kappa Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) that produces
104 hp
 and
147 Nm
 of torque, together with an electric motor that generates
43 hp
 and
170 Nm
. Combined output of the
 BlueDrive Hybrid system
 is rated at
140 hp
 and
265 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT).
Thanks to the smaller wheel diameter on the entry level variant, fuel consumption is rated at
3.4 litre per 100km
. The HEV Plus variant is slightly less frugal at
4.0 litres per 100km
. However, the better equipped Ioniq will do a
10.8 seconds
 century sprint while the lower spec gets there in 11.1 seconds. Top speed is registered at 180km/h on both variants.
The Ioniq is also capable of travelling in pure electric mode with zero emissions for speeds of up to 120km/h. For added driving dynamics, drivers are able to select different driving modes such as Eco, Normal and Sport.
SAFETY
As standard, both variants are equipped with seven airbags, ESC, VSM, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, ISOFIX mounting points, front and rear parking sensors as well as tyre pressure monitor.
However, the top of the line HEV Plus gets a massive step up in terms of safety features, comparable even to cars three times its asking price. The top spec Ioniq features
Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
 that allows the driver to keep a constant distance with the vehicle ahead.
Autonomous Emergency Braking System
 warns the driver of an imminent collision as well as applying full braking force before a collision, and this is operable at speeds of 10km/h and above. Other features include
Lane Keeping Assist System(LKAS)
,
Lane Departure Warning System
 and
Blind Spot Detection
.
WHAT ELSE?
There are
seven exterior colours
 for the Ioniq: Phantom Black, Aurora Silver, Polar White, Marina Blue, Platinum Silver and Iron Grey, whereas Phoenix Orange is only exclusive to the HEV Plus. As with all Hyundai cars, the Ioniq comes with a
5-Year or 300,000km (whichever comes first) extended warranty programme
.
For buyers of the Ioniq, HSDM is also providing an
8-Year unlimited mileage warranty for the battery
, 3-Year or 60,000km (whichever comes first) free service package and a 3-Year Guaranteed Automotive Protection (G.A.P) insurance.
The Hyundai Ioniq is locally assembled at the company’s plant in Kulim, giving it the much deserved EEV tax breaks. Considering the features and asking price of the Ioniq, it certainly is a very attractive package for city dwellers looking to leave a greener footprint.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Koenigsegg CC850’s crazy gearbox is both an automatic and a manual

The CC8S was the car that put
Koenigsegg
 on the map, with many critics – including one Jeremy Clarkson – naming it as
the
 supercar to beat. This year, the CC8S is turning 20 (and founder Christian Von Koenigsegg, 50), so to celebrate, the Swedish supercar maker has now unveiled the Koenigsegg CC850 in conjunction of the 2022 Monterey Car Week.
Designed as a contemporary homage to “the single most meaningful car in Koenigsegg history”, the CC850 features a familiar design inspired by the sleek Nordic shapes that first graced the CC8S.
The telephone-dial style rims and triple tail lights on the outside are instantly recognisable, while the interior showcases a “symmetrical and minimal design” akin to that of the CC8S. But aside from the design, however, everything underneath the CC850 is all-new.
ALSO READ:
The Koenigsegg Gemera is a 1,700 hp “family car” for four
The engine comes from the
Koenigsegg Jesko
, which is a 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that delivers up to
1,385 hp
 (on E85 fuel) and
1,385 Nm
 of torque, giving it a 1:1 power to weight ratio. But more interestingly here, however, is the gearbox, which functions as both a three-pedal, six-speed manual transmission, as well as a “super-fast, smooth-shifting” nine-speed automatic. Yes, you read that right.
Thanks to what Koenigsegg calls the Engage Shift System (ESS), drivers are able to seamlessly switch between an “unadulterated” manual transmission for spirited, and a full auto mode for when you’re stuck in a traffic jam. The ESS system also allows for different gear ratios depending on the driving mode, providing tailored experiences based on road and track use.
The Swedish marque is also particularly proud about its gated ESS shifter, which it says is “a work of mechanical art and is reminiscent of Swiss chronographs”. The company also adds that they’ve taken extra care to make the ESS “one of the most engaging manuals ever created”.
ALSO READ:
Wearnes Automotive becomes exclusive distributor of Koenigsegg, Pininfarina and Rimac
Koenigsegg said the CC850 was not created to break the Jesko’s track records or set new high-water marks for top speed. Instead, it’s made to “offer the highest level of driver satisfaction and enjoyment”, starting with a manual (but also automatic) gearbox.
In conjunction with Christian Von Koenigsegg’s birthday, the company will only be making 50 examples of the CC850 worldwide. No pricing has been announced, but as always with these cars, if you have to ask…
GALLERY


Porsche has built a “Clubsport edition” for those who want to race a 911 GT2 RS

But it can only do so on track. That’s because the single-seater Clubsport can only be used for clubsport events and at international motor racing events.
Production of the track/racing version of the 911 GT2 RS will only be limited to just
200 units
, at 405,000 Euros (approx. RM1.9 million) a pop.
Output remains the same at
700 hp
 and
 750 N
m from a 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine paired to a 7-speed PDK transmission.
Also like the road-going version, the 1.39-tonne Clubsport is equipped with 6-pot calipers in the front and a 4-pot pair at the back but unlike the carbon ceramic discs you get as standard in the GT2 RS, the Clubsport utilises steel discs.
The road-going 911 GT2 RS sits on 20-inch wheels up front and 21-inch at the back, while the Clubsport gets 18-inch one-piece light alloy forged wheels all round. The use of 3-way racing dampers also distinguishes it from the road-going version.
Inside, it’s completely unrecognisable. It’s now got a Porsche racing steering wheel, a Recaro full bucket seat with 6-point harness, a roll cage, Cosworth LCD digital instrument cluster display, a custom centre console with map switch for the ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control.
But best of all, despite being void of all the creature comforts, not like the GT2 RS had much to begin with, it still comes with air-conditioning!
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz has sold over 200,000 cars worldwide in September alone

Mercedes-Benz is not only on a roll locally, but on a global scale the three-pointed star seems set for another record breaking year as they’ve delivered more than 200,000 vehicles in September alone.
This contributed to a third quarter figure of over 526,255 and overall, they’ve delivered more than 1.7 million vehicles this year.
Popularity of the Mercedes-Benz seems unwavered.
Of the 1.7 million vehicles, Europe has been the biggest guzzler of Mercedes-Benz’ with 688,956 units delivered, with the motherland (Germany) gobbling over 200,000 units in the last nine months of 2018. The three-pointed star also sold more cars than ever before in Spain, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Hungary from January to September 2018.
Asians in particular have taken a huge fancy for the brand as sales reached a new record in the Asia-Pacific region with over 700,000 units delivered from January to September 2018.
Up in mainland China, a new record was set for September (54,632 units), adding to the total of more than half a million sold in the first nine months of 2018 – more than ever before with a 13% increase from the previous year. Thailand and
Malaysia also achieved sales records
 in the first nine months.
Have you seen
GC Mah’s video on the Mercedes-Maybach S560
 that was launched in Malaysia recently?
Of the 1.7 million vehicles worldwide, Mercedes-Benz SUVs have recorded over 600,000 units with the GLC once again proving to be the most favourite model of all with a 24% increase from the year before.
Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz’ statistics also shows that the rich are getting richer with Mercedes-Maybach S-Class’ charting new sales record with over 500 units delivered each month since the beginning of the year. As for the S-Class, more than 58,000 units were sold.


An in-depth look into Toyota Hilux’s new 2.4L and 2.8L diesel engines

As you would have known by now, the
outgoing Toyota Hilux
 will soon be replaced with the new,
eight generation Hilux
. With it, two brand new diesel engines will debut, possibly replacing the current 2.5-litre (2KD-FTV VNT) and 3.0-litre (1KD-FTV) diesel mills.
In place of the ageing engines are the
2.4-litre
 and
2.8-litre turbocharged oil burners
, codename 2GD-FTV and 1GD-FTV. Both engines will be making its UK debut in the new Land Cruiser, and Toyota claims that the engines represent the company’s first fruits of achieving much better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and quieter operation through advanced new design and technology.

Engine Name
1GD-FTV
2GD-FTV
Displacement (cc)
2,754 (2.8-litre)
2,393 (2.4-litre)
Bore x Stroke (mm)
92.0 x 103.6
92.0 x 90.0
Compression Ratio
15.6:1
Max Power (bhp @ rpm)
174 hp @ 3,400 rpm
148 hp @ 3,400 rpm
Max Torque (Nm @ rpm)
450 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,400 rpm
330 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,000 rpm
Low-Speed Torque (Nm @ rpm)
370 Nm @ 1,200 rpm
330 Nm @ 1,200 rpm
Although the 2.8-litre is smaller in size compared to the current 3.0-litre lump, it offers
25 percent more torque
 and
11 percent more low-rev torque
. Fuel efficiency is also said to improve by as much as 15 percent.
One of the major leaps in designing this engine is its
new exhaust layout
. Instead of having 18 layouts, the new engines have just three, simplifying its deployment worldwide, therefore reducing environmental burden. They also feature
Thermo Swing Wall Insulation Technology

with SiRPA
 (a silica-reinforced porous, anodised aluminium coating) on the pistons that reduce cooling loss during combustion by about 30 percent. The said feature is a world’s first application, and gives the engines a
thermal efficiency rating of 44 percent
.
Next, the air intake port is specifically shaped to
significantly increase airflow
 into the cylinders. Also revised are the
piston combustion chamber
 and
common rail fuel injection system
. This lean-burning combination increases power output as well as making the engines more fuel efficient. The GD engines have a
new turbocharger that’s 30 percent smaller
 than the KD engines, and is produced in-house by Toyota. It gets a
new turbine and impeller
, giving it instant throttle response and allows maximum torque to be obtained over a wider rev range.
Despite being more powerful, both the engines
comply to Euro6 emissions standard
, thanks to the use of Toyota’s proprietary, compact, high-dispersion
urea selective catalyst reduction system
 that eliminates up to 99 percent of NOx (mono-nitrogen oxides made of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide) emissions. NOx is the byproduct of high temperature combustion.
By 2016, Toyota claims that they will reach a production capacity of
700,000 engines a year
 and will be available in 90 world markets – Malaysia included. The company plans to increase this availability to over 150 world markets by 2020, and will gradually phase out the current KD engines.
IMAGE GALLERY
Toyota 2.8L 1GD-FTV Engine

Toyota Hilux (8th Generation)


If you have RM1.4 mil to spare, do consider this Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

If you find the newly launched
Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift
 is not quite up to your taste and status, perhaps the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class would be right up your sleeve.
Offered exclusively as an indent order from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), the Mercedes-Maybach can be had in either the V8-powered
S 560
 or V12-powered
 S 650 guise
. Prices for the ultra-lux limousine starts from RM1.4 million before options and personalisation. To what extent you can personalise your Maybach S-Class you ask, the short answer from MBM is “The sky’s your limit”.

Measuring at 5,462 mm in length with a wheelbase of 3,365 mm, the Maybach S-Class is 200 mm longer than the standard long-wheelbase S-Class. Most of the extra space goes to the rear seats, of course. Standard equipment on the Maybach S-Class include Nappa leather upholstery, Burmester 3D surround sound system, panoramic sunroof with Magic Sky Control and executive rear seats with chauffer package that moves the front passenger seats even further front to free up 77 mm more leg space at the rear.

The S 560 Maybach is powered by a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 that commands
 469 hp
 and
 700 Nm
 of torque. Paired to the nine-speed automatic transmission, the V8 can send the Maybach S-Class from 0 to 100 km/h in just
 4.9 seconds
 and achieve a top speed of
250 km/h
.
Standard on the S 560 is the airmatic suspension with Magic Body Control with Road Surface Scan that actively adjusts the damping settings according to the road surface for a more pliant and comfortable ride.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Maybach S 560