Frankfurt 2015: Nissan unveils the all-new NP300 Navara, gets twin-turbo mill!

After much anxious waiting, Nissan has put us all out of our quacking and pulled the sheets off the all-new Navara pickup truck. Nissan has been hard at work in improving and refining the robust and dependable nature of their one-tonner. The NP300 has also been reworked on the inside as well, seeing how segment leaders are faring with well-built interiors.
The NP300 is a rather important car for Nissan in these neck of the woods. Yes the
GT-R
 may be the one that gets all the fame and basks in the limelight, but the Navara is one of the brand’s
bread and butter
 models here. Nissan has also taken a leaf out of their other international best-sellers and applied the winning formula here in the hopes of making the Navara more
car-like
 in nature.
Let’s start with the looks of it all. It’s less symmetrical as compared to its predecessor and adopts a
 more angular
 and
stylish
 front fascia that is inline with the company’s current design language. It features a fair amount of
chromed
 bits such as the imposing
3D-like grille
,
fog-light outliners
 and large
side mirrors
.
Follow the lines and you’ll stumble upon the side profile that’s a wash full of lines,
accentuating
 the truck’s
go-anywhere attitude
 and capability. From the
wheel arches
 to the
roof-railings
 it all seems to work in perfect design harmony. Then we get to the back end where we encounter more of the Np300’s imposing stance with the 3D embossed
tail gate
 design.
The inside is less utilitarian and more
car-like
 as previously mentioned, and is fully
redesigned
 to deliver first class ride, with every element of the cabin being optimised to provide the best possible
comfort
,
space
 and
practicality
 for both driver and passengers. Even the redesigned seats that offer improved
ergonomics
 and greater
 alertness
 can trace their inspirations to technology inspired by
NASA
.
Propelling the NP300 along is a new
2.3-litre dCi
 engine that is up to
24 percent
 more efficient than the unit it replaces and is the cleanest and most economical mill in its class with
158 hp
. For the first time, the
range-topper
 gets a
twin turbocharged block
 that makes out
187 hp
. The Navara will be available with a choice of
 two
 or
four-wheel drive
, whereas drivetrain is comprised of the standard
six-speed manual
 or an optional
seven-speed automatic
 gearbox.
With that muscle in mind, the truck is able to manage an impressive
towing capacity
 of
 3,500kg
. The rear flat bed is able to accommodate
over a tonne
 of goods. The new Double Cab’s load bed is
 67mm longer
 than the previous model, with a sector-best load bed length of
 1,578mm
.
Nissan previewed the pickup truck at the uber-busy
Frankfurt International Motorshow
 and promised to disclose full information on the Navara soon, including its pricing and launch date. Just when will we get the NP300, then?
IMAGE GALLERY


Government could ease restrictions for those with two doses of Covid-19 vaccine

The government is looking into relaxing movement restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, including allowing people to travel or dine-in at restaurants, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
As reported by
The Star
, the Prime Minister said, “I’ve asked for relaxation to be considered for those who have received two vaccine doses. This could be for their travel or dining in at restaurants. This will show that while we battle with
Covid-19
, we can gradually return to normal life.”
Photo:
JKJAV/Facebook
The relaxation of MCO for fully-vaccinated individuals is part of the national recovery plan, as the country gradually adjusts towards returning to normal life. “The national recovery plan will take until the end of the year, so let’s be patient. Be confident that we can win this war,” Muhyiddin added.
Here’s a list of dos and don’ts during the EMCO period
Photo:
Khairykj/Twitter
The Prime Minister said the national vaccination programme is a “light at the end of the tunnel” in the country’s battle against Covid-19. “We managed to vaccinate over 421,000 people in a day, and hopefully this can be maintained. Now, our focus is the greater Klang Valley. Through our targeted measures, we can deal with the Covid-19 infections better.”
“We hope that our vaccine supplies will also continue increasing this month and next, so we can keep to our projection of completing the recovery plan by the end of the year.”
Grab is offering discounted rides to seniors heading for vaccination – more information available here.
Currently, almost all of Selangor plus several localities in Kuala Lumpur have been placed under the
Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO)
. Meanwhile, the rest of the nation is under various phases of the new Movement Control Order, depending on the pandemic outbreak in their states.
Yesterday, the Health Ministry recorded 11,618 new Covid-19 cases in Malaysia, the highest-ever number since the pandemic started last year, and the second day in a row where the nation saw over 11,000 cases.
Meanwhile, the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine (JKJAV) announced that 434,828 vaccine jabs were administered on Wednesday, the highest it has recorded. As it stands, 12.5% of the total Malaysian population have been fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.


Upcoming Polestar 3 wants to “bring the ‘sport’ back to the SUV”

We know it’s hard to believe, but Polestar hasn’t made an SUV yet. Well, that’s about to change as its upcoming 3 will debut in October this year, and the premium EV maker has now given us our first (non-camouflaged) look at the “electric performance SUV”.
Only one image has been provided so far, and it’s the one above. The
Polestar 3
 looks similar in profile to the
 Volvo Concept Recharge
 that was unveiled last year, although it does seem to sport a more aggressive stance with wider rear haunches, a more aerodynamic roof, and a significantly more sculpted rear fascia.
Familiar Polestar design cues are also present here, including the Y-shaped LED headlights, yellow brake calipers, and full-width light-bar at the back. The entire top of the Polestar 3 is also covered by a single pane of glass, which appears to extend further backwards to form the raked rear windshield, passing underneath a prominent rear spoiler.
Not much has been revealed about the Polestar 3’s technical aspects just yet, but the company did mention that it’ll have a driving range of “over 600 km” delivered by a dual-motor set-up and a “large battery”. The Polestar 3 will also feature a “best-in-class”
 LiDAR sensor from Luminar
, alongside powerful
 computing elements from NVIDIA
 to offer autonomous highway piloting.
ALSO READ: The Polestar 2 BST Edition 270 is what happens when you let engineers run wild
“Polestar 3 is the SUV for the electric age. Our design identity evolves with this high-end large luxury EV, with a strong, individual brand character,” says Polestar CEO, Thomas Ingenlath. “With this car, we bring the ‘sport’ back to the SUV, staying true to our performance roots.”
The Polestar 3 will be built on the second-generation Scalable Product Architecture (SPA2), and will be
built in both USA and China
alongside the next-generation Volvo XC90 – which it shares the platform with.
In related news, Polestar has announced that it will be expanding its global footprint to 30 markets by 2023, including
Asia Pacific
, which already saw the addition of South Korea,
Singapore
, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand last year.
The company will also be launching a new car every year for the next three years, starting with the Polestar 3, to help achieve its target of 290,000 sales by the end of 2025, a ten-fold increase from the 29,000 in 2021.


myTukar launches new brand identity – Certified Pre-owned cars auto fair ends today!

myTukar has just launched its new brand identity to better reflect its association with its parent company, Carro, and their vision to be the No.1 used car marketplace in Southeast Asia and beyond.
From left: Fong Hon Sum, Founder and Chairman of myTukar; Derrick Eng, CEO of myTukar; and Aaron Tan, CEO and Co-founder of CARRO
.
myTukar’s rebranding announcement follows the brand’s rapid growth digitally and its recent physical expansion nationwide. Over the years, the company’s transaction volumes grew by 63% for wholesale, 260% for retail, with net revenue increasing by 89%. In line with myTukar’s strategy to drive growth and sales, the rebrand aims to bring the company closer to consumers and prepare for further geographical expansion.
myTukar, CEO, Derrick Eng said, “Many things have changed since the start of the pandemic: our lifestyle, habits, preferences, and now, as we transition into the endemic phase, there is no better time to “tukar” your ride too. With our collective effort as a company, alongside our partners, dealers, and customers who trust in our credibility, the used car industry has never been so accessible, transparent, and trusted.
“The improvement to myTukar is beyond rebranding; we have integrated our capabilities, business, data intelligence, and technical knowledge with our parent company, CARRO to bring even better value to our customers,” he added.
According to myTukar, demand for used cars have shot up by 8% in the first quarter of 2022. As such, the company will be hosting another automotive fair at its flagship retail showroom – the myTukar Retail Experience Centre – in Puchong South. The event offering over 1,000 myTukar Certified Pre-owned cars available, began on the 1st of July and will end today.
Customers will be able to obtain on-the-spot trade-in value for their vehicles, enjoy a low interest rate of 1.88%, same-day loan approval, and even car collection. Participating banks include Maybank, CIMB Bank, Public Bank, RHB Bank, Hong Leong Bank, and myTukar’s financial service provider, Genie Financial Services.
Making customer convenience a key aspect, the company will soon introduce its fleet of flatbed trucks to deliver vehicles directly to customers’ doorstep.
The all-new brand look is just the start, with a series of exciting new changes lined up for the company. And customers won’t have long to wait, with myTukar’s first campaign powered by Carro all ready to roll out in the coming weeks.
Since its inception in 2018, myTukar today has evolved into an online marketplace that offers a comprehensive range of services for all aspects of car ownership, with over 4,000 sellers. Its digital platform enables users to conveniently buy or sell their vehicles, from the comfort of their own homes.
To find out more information on myTukar and its latest ventures, click
here
.


The new Rawang Bypass opened today and it just looks epic!

Called the Rawang Bypass, the 2.7 km elevated bridge which spans across four lanes and sits close to 60 metres (the highest point) off the ground, opened today at 6 am.
The incredibly epic section is part of the 9 km highway connecting Rawang and Serendah.
Credit:
YouTube
Construction of the Rawang Bypass began in 2005, using a Movable Scaffolding System – a first in the Malaysia – for a speedy construction (although it still took 12 years to complete) without compromising the environment by cutting down trees and excessive use of machinery.
The bypass navigates through the Taman Warisan Negeri Selangor (Selangor Heritage Park), designed as such to reduce the need for extensive land clearing and more importantly to protect the rare “Giam Kanching” tree species. The stretch is said to also offer panoramic views of Rawang town.


Leaked: Next-gen W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class adopts ‘EQ’ grille, landscape screen

Although the current
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 looks up-to-date next to the W206 C-Class and the W223 S-Class, it isn’t built on the same updated platform yet. The current Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a facelifted (2020) W213, which is built on an “older” platform. The W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will debut in 2023, and leaked images have revealed an EQ-like front end and a landscape-oriented head unit.
Shown with its cover pulled back and without wheels (in leaked images from China), the W214 is seen sporting an Exclusive-trim grille with the ‘disguised’ radar emitter in the centre. The Exclusive trim should also have a ‘gun sight’ 3-pointed-star logo perched on the hood. Surrounding the grille are black trims that give the W214 an ‘EQ’ look.
Photo:
cochespias1
In spy shots showing the exterior of the W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the car uses flush door handles that extend out when necessary. This may only be a feature for higher-trim levels of the next-generation E-Class. A dual camera setup can also be seen in the windscreen for the E-Class’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).
Leaked images from China also show the interior of the W214 also shows interesting developments. Perched on the dashboard is a landscape-oriented infotainment unit that is uncharacteristic of the current-generation
C-Class
 and
S-Class
. The shape of the dashboard, however, hints at a possible ‘hyperscreen’ configuration for higher-tier variants.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Avantgarde Review – All the premium sedan you’ll ever need
Photo:
cochespias1
Photo:
cochespias1
Previously it was reported that the next-generation W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be the last car by the brand to be developed exclusively for internal combustion engines (ICE). In an interview with
Automobilwoche
, Mercedes-Benz development chief, Markus Schäfer said (translated), “As things stand today, the E-Class and its derivatives will be the last Mercedes-Benz model to be created on a pure internal combustion engine (ICE) platform.”
In Malaysia, the facelifted W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was launched in mid-2021. The sedan E-Class is available as the E200 Avantgarde which costs
RM345,888
, the E 300 AMG Line which costs
RM399,888
, and the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ which costs
RM1,118,888
.
RELATED:
Next-gen E-Class to be last ICE-only car by Mercedes-Benz, set for 2023
Rendered image of W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class with latest wheel design spotted


Volkswagen Malaysia launches new 3S centre in Sabah

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in Malaysia and Kota Bumi Sdn Bhd has officiated the opening of the new Volkswagen Kota Bumi 3S centre.
The 3S centre is located at Inanam and will aim to serve Volkswagen owners in the Menggatal, Lintas, Kolombong, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Sepanggar region.

From left: Mr Carlwin Yee and Mr Herman Yee of Volkswagen Kota Bumi and Mr Erik Winter from VPCM.
It is the only authorised Volkswagen dealership in Sabah, bringing the total of Volkswagen 3S centres nationwide to 18.
Volkswagen Kota Bumi will provide sales and after-sales services, including diagnosis, repairs and maintenance services – with four service bays manned by three experienced after-sales staff – capable of servicing up to 16 cars daily.
Insurance and vehicle trade-ins services will also be available, along with road tax renewals, engine overhaul and 24 hours breakdown assistance. As a value added service, the 3S Centre also provides pick-up and delivery services for customers (upon request), as well as free car washes.
Volkswagen Kota Bumi 3S Centre operates from Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 5:30pm and is closed on Sundays.


Next-gen Volvo XC90 due in 2021, S60 in 2018, made in US, hybrid only?

When the
Volvo XC90
 was first introduced to the world back in 2014, it single-handedly revitalised the Swedish marque, paving the way for a fruitful future for its new owner Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH). Today, Volvo Cars have announced that the next-generation XC90 is set for debut in 2021.
Volvo has expressed that the new large-sized premium SUV will be built in its new manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina; bringing its total investment in US manufacturing operations to over
USD 1.1 billion
 (RM4.64 billion). The new investment is said to create 1,900 new jobs to support the production of the new Volvo XC90.

Prior to the all-new XC90, the South Carolina plant will first commence production of the
next-gen S60 sedan
 in 2018. Said plant will have an annual production capacity of
150,000 vehicles
 when it goes fully operational. Volvo has also confirmed that the US assembled XC90 will be exported to other markets.
Earlier, Volvo has announced that
all their cars from 2019 onwards will be hybrids
, suggesting that the new XC90 will feature electrified powertrain – Hybrids, Plug-in Hybrids and possibly a pure electric option too.


Every Toyota and Lexus model will be offered as an EV or hybrid by 2025

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has announced today that their entire Toyota and Lexus line up will feature some form of electrification and aims to sell more than 5.5 million electrified vehicles by the year 2030.
In a bid to combat climate change, Toyota is working towards creating more environmentally friendly cars. Toyota hopes to reduce the global average new-vehicle CO2 emissions by 90 percent from 2010. As a result, the company projects to sell more than 5.5 million electrified vehicles and among them 1 million units will be zero-emission vehicles such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) or fuel cell electric vehicles.
To achieve that, Toyota will accelerate the adoption rate of BEV by introducing 10 new BEV models by early 2020. Additionally, the brand aims to have every Toyota and Lexus around the world to be available with an electrified variant or as a dedicated BEV model by 2025.


MINI Malaysia issues revised price list, valid till 31st December

MINI Malaysia has issued an updated price list on its line-up of cars following a series of launches since the Sales Tax Exemption announcement in June this year. The new launches include the
MINI John Cooper Works GP
 and the
all-electric MINI Cooper SE
.
The MINI John Cooper Works is the most extreme MINI to date, with 306 hp and 450 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h takes just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 265 km/h but that’s not its only charm. There are only 3,000 units in the world and 10 of which are here in Malaysia. Unfortunately, according to MINI Malaysia, they’re all sold out.
As for the MINI Cooper SE, perhaps the biggest appeal about it, aside from its striking colour combinations, is that 80% of it 32.6 kWh lithium-ion battery can be
charged up within 2.5 hours
 using the MINI Wallbox Plus.
Operating with a single electric motor, the all-electric MINI Cooper SE generates 184 hp and 270 Nm to power the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. The car even comes with two different regenerative braking modes to choose from.
Aside from the all-electric MINI Cooper SE, and the JCW GP, the other new addition to the price list is the
Sidewalk Edition launched here in July
. Compared to the previous price list, prices of every model remain the same except with the
Pure and Sport variants of the Countryman
.
Both the 2019 and 2020 models may be similar in price with SST but with the sales tax exemption, the 2019 models actually costs more than the 2020 models. This according to MINI Malaysia is
due to a transmission change
, from 8-speed auto to 7-speed DCT, which sees a different calculation in terms of sales tax exemption.
For the previous price list released in June, of BMW and MINI vehicles, click
here
.


BMW Malaysia unveils new energy-efficient 4S centre in Northern Kuala Lumpur

BMW Group Malaysia
, alongside its dealer-partner Millennium Welt, today opened a new 4S centre in the Northern Kuala Lumpur region, providing greater accessibility for its customers in the areas around Jalan Kuching, Batu Caves, and Gombak.
The new 4S centre – Millenium Welt’s fourth outlet and their first in the Klang Valley – occupies a large built-up area of over 35,600 square feet, with space for a Customer Lounge, Handover Lounge, Isetta Bar, BMW Lifestyle & Accessories store, an exterior courtyard, plus a showroom capable of displaying up to five new BMW vehicles as well as 10 BMW Premium Selection vehicles.
The space will also feature 20 service bays including five fast lanes, along with three RATC (reception at the car) service bays. This enables the 4S centre to cater for up to 60 vehicle service appointments daily.
As part of BMW Malaysia’s efforts in championing sustainability, the new Millennium Welt KL North 4S centre is also equipped with 192 units of 96 kWp solar PV panels, capable of generating over 123,700 kWh of energy to power the space.
By using micro-inverters to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) on their rooftops safely and efficiently, Millennium Welt will save up to RM4,900 a month on energy, and reduce up to 86 tonnes of carbon emission annually.
There’s even a DC fast charging station at the customer parking area for EV owners visiting the outlet!
RELATED: BMW Group Malaysia presents multi-partnership event on sustainability and future mobility
“The Millennium Welt Kuala Lumpur North dealership is a welcome addition to our extensive network of dealerships in the Klang Valley where we are able to grow in tandem with our deliveries and customer groups in the area,” said BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director Hans de Visser. “The northern suburbs of Kuala Lumpur is developing rapidly with a projection of contributing over 500 vehicles for the premium segment in the next couple of years.”
“We are also especially pleased that Millennium Welt is embodying the same commitment to sustainable mobility, incorporating responsible alternatives to energy generation and providing greater access to charging infrastructure in such a high-traffic urban location. Their progressive approach to sustainability will go a long way in instilling confidence for an electric future in the years to come, inspiring many along the way.”
Millennium Welt Managing Director, Bryan Wong added, “Having been an authorised BMW dealer for over nine years now, we are proud to welcome our first and most energy-efficient dealership in Kuala Lumpur. We are supporting the low-carbon mobility and electrification ambitions of the BMW Group worldwide, which is the main reason we are investing in ensuring that we significantly reduce our carbon footprint where possible.
“With the support of our strong customer base, we have also set ambitious targets for Millennium Welt to deliver 2,400 vehicles across the BMW, MINI, MINI Next, BMW Motorrad and BMW Premium Selection brands this year across all our network touch-points.”
ALSO READ: 2022 BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport PHEV launched in Malaysia from RM356k
From now until 31
st
 May 2022, customers who service their BMW vehicles at Millennium Welt Kuala Lumpur North will receive a complimentary service voucher worth RM100, while stocks last.
The BMW 4S Centre Kuala Lumpur North is located at Lot 50009, Off Jalan Kuching, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, and is now open from 8:30 am, to 6:30 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 6 pm on Sundays.
GALLERY


Next-gen Nissan Leaf teased – flaunts bold lines and sharp edges, to debut soon

The second-generation Nissan Leaf is slated for its global debut later this year and with Nissan previously teasing us with its sleek and
modern headlamp design
. Today, the company has proceeded to flaunt the sleek side profile of the all-electric hatchback.
Inspired by airplane wings and designed from the ground up, the new Leaf is said to sit even lower to the ground with
less drag
 and
 better stability
. There are also unique design cues to allow the car to achieve
zero lift
 at high speeds, keeping the car planted onto the tarmac.
Based on the teaser image, we can tell that the new Leaf looks undoubtedly better looking and sleeker than its
predecessor
 with bold lines and sharp edges all round. The awkward long overhang on the old car is fortunately redesigned in favour of a more
conventional hatchback appearance
.
It is also expected that the new Leaf’s drag coefficient will
 best the previous-gen’s 0.29
. Improved aerodynamics will assist the hatchback to better slice through air for a smoother and more efficient journey. Nissan is proud to say that the new Leaf is capable of travelling up to
400 km
 on a single charge, significantly more than the outgoing model’s
135 km
 cruising range.
Besides that, we also know that
Nissan’s ProPilot
 which allows for semi-autonomous driving will be made available on the new Leaf, along with an all-new, fully coloured instrument cluster display. Having said all that, an edgy all-electric family hatchback with semi-autonomous driving that can travel from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on a single charge doesn’t sound too bad eh?


Chery Tiggo 7 Pro confirmed for 2024 as brand’s third model for Malaysia

Having just completed its ‘Phase One’ plans yesterday with the launch of the
Tiggo 8 Pro
 and
Omoda 5 here in Malaysia
, Chery is now going full steam ahead as it prepares its next launches, including the
Tiggo 7 Pro
 as their “next model”, as confirmed by Chery International Vice President Shawn Xu during the press conference yesterday.
The Tiggo 7 Pro has already been
previewed here in Malaysia last year
, featuring a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine underneath the bonnet. Sharing the same powertrain as the
Omoda 5
, the 1.5-litre mill in the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro makes
 156 hp
and
230 Nm
, with drive sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
Like the Omoda 5, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is also available with a 194 hp/290 Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, though it’s unclear if the more powerful variant will be making its way into Malaysia.
Coming in at around the size of the
Proton X70
, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro is well-equipped with a myriad of creature comfort niceties, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather upholstery, and a full suite of advanced driver assistance features.
Final equipment list, however, will have to wait until closer to its official launch here in Malaysia. Similar to the Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro, the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro should also be
 locally assembled at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah
.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 Chery Omoda 5, Tiggo 8 Pro FIRST DRIVE
Aside from the Tiggo 7 Pro, Chery has also confirmed that the fully-electric Omoda 5 EV will also be making its way into Malaysia next year.
First unveiled in China
 earlier this year, the fully-electric B-segment SUV will be powered by a single motor setup that pushes out
221 hp
, paired to a
61 kWh
 battery for a driving range of
450 km
 (WLTP) on a single charge.
The Omoda 5 EV, alongside the
Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV
, will be part of Chery Malaysia’s push towards
achieving a 20% market share in the EV and PHEV segments in 2024
. The latter will be making its official debut in Malaysia later this year.


All-new Renault Grand Scenic MPV is as gorgeous as it is practical

Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPV) are mainly practical options as opposed to performance or aesthetic seekers. But this French example blends good looks and practicality like Yin and Yang. Enter the new Renault Grand Scenic, an extension of the Scenic MPV which was unveiled earlier this year.
While the fourth-generation Grand Scenic is wider, longer, and larger than its predecessor, this new MPV looks a lot more attractive than the model it replaces. It rides with the similar fascia found in most modern Renaults, one of which is the
Captur
. The extra dimensions means it’s now bigger on the inside, with a cavernous boot space that consumes up to
 765 litres of cargo
 via its five-seater configuration. Speaking of seats, two seats can be added at the back too, making it a decent seven-seater MPV.
Apart from the glaring oversized logo up front, the Grand Scenic receives a large panoramic glass roof,
20-inch rims
, roof rails and roofline mark. No sliding doors are used in this Grand Scenic, though. In terms of safety, this MPV gets active emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard. Also included are plus lane keep assist and fatigue monitoring system, safe distance warning, blind spot monitoring and so on. Quite simply, this Grand Scenic should ace the Euro NCAP crash safety test like a walk in the park.
Engine choices for the Grand Scenic consist of four oil burners and two petrol engines. One hybrid diesel engine, the
diesel-electric dCi 110 Hybrid Assist
 is also available for this model. All these engines are mated to a
 six-speed manual
 as standard, with some variants receiving the
seven-speed
dual-clutch
 automatic
.
While a good looking MPV will certainly appeal to Malaysians, European MPVs are pretty much left-wing choices in this part of the world. Its nearest competitor, the
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
 was unveiled earlier this year at around RM179,888. It’s all up to TC Euro Cars to decide if this huge but gorgeous people carrier from France deserves a fighting chance here. That is, after it goes on sale in Europe by the end of this year.
IMAGE GALLERY


Review: Volkswagen Golf R Mk7.5, still on the top of the food chain?

Ever since the first Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4 came to life in 2003, the all-wheel-drive Golf quickly became the benchmark for hot hatchbacks. All-wheel drive traction, short overhangs and abundance of torque made for the perfect recipe for an everyday weapon.
The MK5 R32 featured an updated 3.2-litre VR6 engine with minor tweaks here and there, refining the rough edges of its predecessor. Another generation later, the Golf R Mk6 dropped the naturally aspirated engine for a smaller 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, giving it the low-end torque the VR6 engines could never deliver.
Fast forward to the present time, the
Golf R Mk7
 was given a little more power and a diet which seemed like good progress especially after it received a mild refresher in 2017 with updated styling and more tech.
But the automotive world is a relentless one as competition are closing in fast on the might Golf R. Take the
Mercedes-AMG A 45
,
Ford Focus RS
 (which Malaysians do not have the privilege of buying) and its close sibling the
Audi RS3
 for example, they all have all-wheel drive, heaps of power and rapid-fire performance that could humiliate supercars of old.
Where does the
290 hp
 Volkswagen Golf R Mk7.5 sit then in the hot hatch food chain? Has the mighty R gone out of fashion? Or does it still have plenty of love to give?
Performance You Can Rely On
With the facelifted Golf R, the EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged TSI engine has been bumped up to
290 hp
 and
380 Nm
 of torque,
10 hp
 more than before. Interestingly, the six-speed wet clutch DSG has made way for a
seven-speed unit (also wet clutch)
. Century sprint, however, is no quicker at
5.1 seconds
 and top speed is electronically limited to
250 km/h
.
Off the line, the new transmission feels no different than the previous unit, accurate and immediate. Only when cruising down the highway will you really take notice of the extra refinement (lower rpm) from the extra cog. Not to mention you still get the Launch Control Programme.
All that grunt is transferred to all four wheels via the brand’s famed
4MOTION
all-wheel-drive
 system
 which is one of the best in the business. Torque is transferred between the front and rear axles accurately to slingshot you out from a corner drama free. I must say, it is the easiest and safest machine I have the privilege to toss it around the twisty back roads.
Given the same twisty conditions and driver skills, the Golf R will reliably stay ahead of the baby AMG despite having a power deficit of almost 100 hp. This 4Motion is really trick stuff, coupled with the responsive steering rack and fantastically balanced chassis makes the Golf R a formidable weapon both on and off track. Did I mention that it’s adequately comfortable too?
 Don’t Worry About the Honda Civic Type R Having More Power
In today’s world,
290 hp
 and
380 Nm
 of torque are frankly speaking,
not a lot of power
. Even the front-wheel drive
Honda Civic Type R
 packs
305 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque, so in theory, the all-wheel-drive Golf R should be spewing out even more ridiculous figures.
But even so, with
Launch Control
activated the Golf R will get up to triple digit speeds quicker your brain can process what just happened. In gear acceleration is also remarkable, foot down, boost on and you’re off again chasing the other end of the 320 km/h speedometer.
Besides, it is all about how you capitalise those horsepowers that matters.
The Cabin is Almost There
The
facelift exercise
 has brought the Golf R to the digital age with fancy 12.3-inch Active Info Display LCD instrument cluster and a 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system – something the Merc is lacking far behind. The cabin is also furnished with beautiful R “Vienna” leather upholstery, blue ambient lighting and grey cross stitching.
The Active Info Display and Discover Pro media features bright and crisp graphics and neatly blends in with the rest of the cabin. The bezel-less infotainment screen not only looks expensive but feels equally so. Intuitive and responsive is the name of the game here.

Other than those two new items, the rest of the cabin is fairly basic and does not look too different when compared to its
1.4 TSI R-Line
 and
GTI
 siblings, you really have to squint for the blue highlights and R badge to appreciate this is the mighty Golf R. I would like it better if Volkswagen could put a little more effort into distinguishing this cabin, like adding some carbon fibre bits or aluminium finish trims to tie in with the silver side mirrors.
Call me a left-wing all you like, but I am a little bothered that Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has omitted the panoramic sunroof that was previously available exclusively on the Golf R 5-door. Yes, I like to have the moon and stars shine into the cabin and the occasional fresh air to enter the cabin from the roof.
It Does Have Its Weird Kinks
Weirdly enough for a global product, the Discover Pro Media was unable to decipher Chinese characters on the display but clearly presents it on the Active Info Display. It has been an odd issue since the days of RCD510 on the
Passat B7
 but I believe it would not be a concern for many. Just a little inconvenient while streaming Chinese songs on my Spotify.
Another thing has got to do with fakery more than anything else. The Golf R has a built-in mechanism to blast artificial engine noise through the speakers. For the first two days you’ll be giggling away at the hilarious V8 rumble while meshing the throttle but after that it just becomes silly.

Disable everything and you’ll understand why the engineers have included this option. The R is uncannily muted. Believe me when I say muted because the last I checked, this is a rival to AMGs and RS’. The most you get out from the engine is a muffled growl and don’t even bother to let the windows down to catch a note of the famous DSG fart. Now I see why most of the Golf R (and GTI) community in Malaysia opted for an aftermarket exhaust.
Will I Buy It?
If you are in the market for a hot hatch that you can comfortably cruise to Sepang, annihilate the former F1 circuit and make your way home in time for a family dinner with the in-laws, the Volkswagen Golf R Mk7.5 will accomplish all that in a gentleman fashion.
The facelift just made the whole package even better with more bells and whistles to play with as well as a tad more power. Not to mention that VPCM now offers
3-Years or 45,000 km free service package
 and 5-Years manufacturers warranty, you are well taken care of in the after-sales.
I will be honest, as accomplished as the Golf R is, it would not be my first pick. As a bachelor in his mid-20s, I would prefer something a little more character, something a little shoutier and something with a little more flair while my body (and life) can still handle all that flair. But let’s not kid ourselves, who in the world can afford RM278,888 (price without GST & SST) in his or her mid-20s…
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Toyota is 2016’s top automotive brand, beats BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Honda

According to the latest
Interbrand Rankings
, Toyota is effectively the top automotive brand in terms of brand value in the world. Toyota (ranked 5th; 6th in 2015) and Mercedes-Benz (9th) are the only two automotive brands in the top 10.
To avoid confusion, the ranking includes all brands including Apple, Google, IBM and so forth. In the auto division, both Toyota and Mercedes-Benz brand outperformed other popular makes such as BMW (11), Honda (21 ), Ford (33) and Hyundai (35). Making an interesting entry to the list is Tesla, though at no. 100 is the final brand to make it to the list of 100. This is largely achieved by the mass-marketed and affordable
Tesla Model 3
.
As always, tech giants Apple and Google are the top two, with Coca-Cola coming in third. Toyota’s brand value is rated at US$53 billion, whereas Apple’s brand value is at least three times more than that.
Interbrand’s top Automotive brands for 2016
5: Toyota, USD 53.58 billion
 9: Mercedes-Benz, USD 43.49 billion
 11: BMW,  USD 41.535 billion
 21: Honda, USD 22.106 billion
 33: Ford, USD 12.962 billion
 35: Hyundai, USD 12.547 billion
 38: Audi, USD 11.799 billion
 40: Volkswagen, USD 11.436 billion
 43: Nissan, USD 11.066 billion
 50: Porsche, USD 9.537 billion
 69: Kia, USD 6.326 billion
 78: Land Rover, USD 5.696 billion
 88: Mini, USD 4,986 billion
 100: Tesla, USD 4.011 billion


Check out this video of a Mustang drifting around the entire 20km Nurburgring

Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his drift-prepped Ford Mustang has become the first pair to ever drift around the entire Nurburgring Nordschleife.
If you’re not aware, this is actually his second attempt after calling off the first due to bad weather last year. Yet, the Formula Drift champion still managed to entertain us with
a video of him casually drifting in a Ford Raptor
, which eventually went viral.
“I was out of my comfort zone for the majority of the hot laps. I had to catch my breath, which is something I’ve never experienced behind the wheel since I was a rookie in Formula Drift,” said Vaughn.
The 5.0-litre supercharged engine mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox, producing between 700 to 900 hp, utilising road-legal Nitto NT555 G2 tyres to put down its power.


All-new Ford Mustang merges old-school V8 with new-age tech

It seems that in 2022, every new is required to come with electrification of some sort.
Ford
 is no exception, where even its
 pick-up trucks are getting full-electric power
. But for the all-new
Mustang
, Ford has delightfully opted to keep it old-school – as in, the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 kind of old-school.
Ford says the new engine, dubbed the Coyote, is its “most powerful 5.0-litre V8 ever”, and will deliver the “most naturally aspirated horsepower of any Mustang GT”. Official figures haven’t been announced just yet, but the engine gets a reworked air intake, with a dual intake box and dual throttle body design that is said to help minimise induction loss.
The 5.0-litre monster is available exclusively on the GT variant, but the regular Mustang also receives an all-new 2.3 litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost mill underneath its bonnet. Ford also says that it has “saved the manual transmission” for another generation of the Mustang, although a 10-speed auto ‘box is also available.
But the coolest addition to the engine department on the all-new Ford Mustang is the new Remote Rev feature, which allows the owners to – as the name suggests – rev the engine remotely via the key fob. Why? No clue, but it sounds like the most Mustang thing ever.
In terms of looks, well, it’s still a Mustang. It still gets the same low and wide silhouette that has transcended 58 years of the Pony, and all of the signature Mustang cues, such as the tri-bar lighting, are also still retained on this all-new model – albeit with a much more prominent design on both the LED headlights and tail lights.
The grille has been enlarged, which Ford says is inspired by the original 1960s Mustang’s design, and gets even larger on the GT variant (alongside additional bonnet vents and splitters) for better airflow to the engine. There’s also a new roofline to make ingress and egress a little easier, while the rear end has been shortened to emphasise the car’s muscular stance.
RELATED:
Ford Mustang named best-selling sports car in the world, again
Where you’ll definitely notice a difference is on the inside, thanks to a completely redesigned cockpit that’s said to be inspired by fighter jets. The highlight of the cabin is without a doubt the two massive freestanding screens on the dashboard, measuring 12.4-inches for the instrument cluster, and 13.2 inches for the SYNC4 infotainment display – the latter even has Amazon Alexa built-in for voice commands.
But the reason you’ll notice it is not just because it’s huge; the displays are also powered by the same Unreal Engine 3D software used in video games for buttery-smooth animations, and even real-time graphical rendering of your car when you customise the drive modes. You can even adjust your car’s settings by swiping the graphic to rotate the car virtually – just like a video game!
The all-new Ford Mustang will be offered in a variety of optional equipment packages, starting from a purely-aesthetic Mustang Design Series that offers additional Sinister Bronze details and alloy wheels.
Moving up to the Performance Pack will net you a front tower brace, active exhaust system, Torsen limited-slip differential, MagnaRide active suspension, wider rear wheels, larger Brembo brakes, as well as Recaro seats on the inside, plus additional brake ducts and an auxilary engine oil cooler specifically for the GT variant.
The Performance Pack also adds a “segment-first” Performance Electronic Parking Brake, or also affectionately called the Electronic Drift Brake, which can supposedly help drift novices kick their tail out “like Vaughn Gittin Jr”.
Most of you, however, will probably be more interested in the new ‘Dark Horse’ specification which, according to Ford, delivers “the most track-focused precision for any Mustang to date”. The range-topping variant comes with a “high output” version of the V8 engine, plus a variant-specific six-speed Tremec manual gearbox (auto is still available as option), additional radiators for the engine, gearbox, and rear axle, as well as reworked suspensions.
The ‘Dark Horse’ specification will also form the base of the all-new Ford Mustang’s motorsports aspirations, which will compete in all manner of racing categories, ranging from GT4 to Le Mans.
The all-new Ford Mustang will be assembled at the Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan, USA, with sales slated to begin next year. And for you
MLM agents
American muscle fans here in Malaysia, yes – right-hand drive models are also confirmed.
ALSO READ:
Mustang Club Malaysia sets largest Ford Mustang gathering record with 137 cars!
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Toyota & Lexus to launch 30 new battery EVs by 2030

Toyota Motor Corporation has introduced 16 new battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and they will be among 30 new BEVs that will be introduced by the company by 2030.
The 30 BEVs will include a wide range of vehicles including passenger cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles. In conjunction with the introduction of 16 BEVs, Toyota also announced that the group’s new BEV sales target is set at 3.5 million units a year by 2030.
Akio Toyota and his vision.
In total, the company plans to invest eight trillion yen on developing carbon-neutral vehicles and technologies and a portion of which will be dedicated to hybrid-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles.
Of the total investment, Toyota will allocate two trillion yen to develop more advanced, higher quality, and more affordable batteries for the said vehicles.
The car that Toyota said will meet customer expectations of a first car.
“We will not only add battery EV options to existing vehicle models but will also offer a full line-up of reasonably priced mass-production models, such as the bZ series, to meet the needs of all kinds of customers,” he said.
Among the 16 vehicles displayed, five are Toyota bZ (beyond Zero) vehicles while others include “lifestyle” and commercial vehicles. There were also four Lexus models.
The five bZ vehicles include the recently launched bZ4X, a mid-size SUV, and a small SUV which Toyota said will be available for the Japanese and European market.
There will also be a mid-size sedan that will “meet customer expectations for a first car” and a large SUV with 3rd row seats. The most exciting of all, there seems to be at least two sports cars – one by Toyota and Honda – with exciting good looks.
One thing’s for sure, if Toyota achieve their goals, you’d never be able to call their vehicle’s “uncle’s car” anymore.
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Hyundai’s latest patent places a large display on the steering wheel

High-resolution screens have changed how we interface with our vehicles. Take for instance the
Perodua Ativa H
 and AV grades, many of the customisable features are selectable via the steering wheel switch and a menu within the instrument cluster featuring a 7-inch TFT screen.
While display screens in the infotainment system have been around for more than two decades, one of the first interiors to feature a fully digital dual-screen setup is the Mercedes-Benz
E-Class W213
 and its “Widescreen Cockpit” layout.
Recently, all-new Hyundai models have also moved towards a dual-screen setup, such as the latest
Elantra
, allowing the instrument cluster to project more information such as blind-spot monitoring. Their next innovation is supposedly placing a high-resolution display within the centre of the steering wheel!
According to an article by
Drive.com.au
, Hyundai has been seen filing a patent in Germany for a steering wheel-mounted display. The drawings laid out the basic setup, where a rectangular display fills the centre of a circular steering wheel, leaving two spokes on the left and right for grip.
The patent also describes how the effectiveness of the airbag is unimpeded by the display, able to fully inflate and protect the driver without damaging the proposed display.
Image credit: CDA GmbH
HUD in a Toyota Camry
Head-up display projects images with a similar focal point of the road ahead, whilst the steering wheel is completely out of focus.
While it is said that the design addresses visibility issues and obstruction due to the rim of the steering wheel covering the instrument cluster, isn’t the head-up display (HUD) that projects on the windscreen deliver an even better result plus doesn’t strain the eyes with multi-distance focusing?
Alfa Romeo CEO thinks otherwise, with the interiors to be as few screens as possible. More about his directive here.
2019 Genesis Mint Concept – steering wheel
Hyundai’s luxury vehicle brand, Genesis, did toy with the idea of a simplistic interior and dashboard, with all the information stuffed into a small display on a similarly small steering wheel in the 2019 Mint Concept car.
Bentley and Fanatec
 recently launched a dual-purpose motorsport steering wheel featuring a 3.4-inch coloured screen. It is designed to be used in their racing cars as well as on Fanatec sim racing steering bases. As you can see in the promotional video, not much information is displayed on the screen while one is driving as it is not conveniently located.
2019 Genesis Mint Concept
Do you think the idea is practical or just another gimmick to stand out from the crowd? Give it a thought, when was the last time you glanced at your steering wheel while you are driving? The centre of the steering wheel is far from an ideal placement for displaying information in a regular passenger car.


2016 Ford Everest launched in Malaysia, priced from RM199k to RM259k

This one has been a long time coming. Ford’s sole Malaysian importer and distributor, Sime Darby Auto Connexion has just launched the
all-new Ford Everest
, a seven-seater ladder frame SUV with the beating heart of a
Ranger
.
Available today at your nearest showroom are the 2.2L Trend 4×2 and 3.2L Titanium 4×4, priced at
 RM198,888
 and
 RM258,888
 respectively. Yes, they are very much on the higher side price wise, far exceeding the
Toyota Fortuner 2.7L SRZ’s RM200k asking price
, mostly because they’re fully imported from Thailand and don’t benefit from the same incentives as the Fortuner.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ford Everest 2.2L Trend (4×2)
Ford Everest 3.2L Titanium (4×4)
Engine
2,179cc; 4-cylinder TDCi with VGT
3,198cc; 5-cylinder TDCi with VGT
Transmission
6-speed 6R80 automatic
6-speed 6R80 automatic
Max Power
158 hp @ 3,200 rpm
197 hp @ 3,000 rpm
Max Torque
385 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,500 rpm
470 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
Price
RM198,888
RM258,888
We’ve gone through the
five reasons why we think the Everest is the car for you
, so here’s a quick recap on some of the features that will come with these SUVs.
EXTERIOR
The 3.2L Titanium variant comes with auto-levelling HID projector headlamps (with washer), halogen fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, chromed side mirrors with integrated signal indicators and huge six-spoke 20-inch wheels shod with 265/50 series tyres.

The 2.2L Trend however, gets manual adjustable halogen projector headlamps with fog lamps, body-coloured side mirrors and 18-inch wheels wrapped with 265/60 tyres. Other standard equipments include mud flaps, LED tail lamps, painted roof rails, removable plastic running boards and chromed front grille.
INTERIOR
While the Everest’s exterior packaging lose out to the better looking Fortuner, the cabin of this Blue Oval SUV is far more impressive than its Japanese rival. Standard features include dual zone climate controls, electronic parking brake, cruise control and Isofix child anchors.There is also
Active Noise Cancellation
 which uses three highly sensitive microphones to further reduce cabin noise.

Naturally, the 3.2L Titanium fares better in terms of equipment levels, as seen in the pictures above. It comes with an
8-inch SYNC2 touchscreen head unit
, supporting the usual array of USB, iPod, SD Card and Bluetooth connectivity. This system is hooked up to
10 speakers
, whereas the 2.2L Trend settles for a 4.2-inch SYNC1 head unit with eight speakers.
Seats on the Titanium variant are wrapped in leather, and this extends to the door trims as well. Ambient lighting and electrochromic rear view mirror are also offered exclusively for the more expensive variant, as are the 8-way powered driver seats and powered second and third row seats (60:40 and 50:50 split respectively). On the Trend, the leather is replaced with fabric, and it also loses out on all electronic seats as well as ambient lighting.
PERFORMANCE
Just like the Ranger, the
2.2-litre turbodiesel
 engine packs a healthy
158 hp
 and
385 Nm
 of torque, but drive is sent only to the rear wheels (with standard differential). The larger
3.2-litre five-cylinder TDCI engine
 produces
197 hp
 peaking at 3,000 rpm and
 470 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 rpm.
Both engines are paired to a
 six-speed automatic transmission
, and only the 3.2L Titanium gets four wheel drive with
locking rear differential
. It’s also the only variant to come with
Terrain Management System
, consisting of several off-road drive modes such as Sand, Mud, Grass, Gravel and Rock.
SAFETY
This part is almost neck-and-neck with the Fortuner. The 2.2L gets just three airbags (two front and driver knee airbags), while the 3.2L gets seven including curtain and driver knee airbags. Standard safety systems include ESP Brake System, Roll Stability Control, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Light, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Trailer Sway Control. Reverse camera and front parking sensors are reserved only for the 3.2L Titanium, which means the 2.2L Trend will only get reverse sensors.
WHAT ELSE?
The Everest comes with a 3-Year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty programme and can be had in four different colours – Aluminium Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Sunset Metallic (only for 3.2L) and Cool White (only for 2.2L). Both price tags of RM198,888 and RM258,888 are OTR and include GST, but excludes insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ford Everest 2.2L

Ford Everest 3.2L

Ford Everest Cutout


Porsche’s SportDesign Package gives you GT3 looks without GT3 money

The
Porsche 911 GT3
 costs a lot of money. Not only that, but the 992-generation GT3 just plain doesn’t exist yet. But fret not, because Porsche’s own Exclusive Manufaktur division has come up with a SportDesign package to take your 911 halfway there – while probably saving you quite a few bucks.
The SportDesign package for the
Porsche 911
 includes a new redesigned front apron, along with a new spoiler lip. At the rear, the number plate placement has been raised to make space for a new air intake and outtake.
The new front and rear bumpers can be paired with an optional SportDesign side skirts, giving the optical effect of lowering the car closer to the road.
For the ultimate GT3 look, you’ll have to tick the new Aerokit box, which is available on all 992-generation Coupes. Based on the SportDesign package, the Aerokit comes with a new front spoiler, fixed rear spoiler, and a fixed rear wing.
Other than looks, the Aerokit also works as functional aerodynamic enhancements. The parts have been engineered in Porsche’s development centre in Weissach, carefully honed in the wind tunnel to increase downforce on both the front and rear axles.
The development phase of the parts also included hot and cold climate testing around the world, with more than 90,000 kilometres covered on the road. The Aerokit was also fine-tuned on the Nardo test track, with over 55,000 km of high-speed testing.
The SportDesign package and Aerokit will be available in all Porsche’s exterior colours, or you can specify it with partial black high-gloss paint – perhaps to go along with your black wheels.


Lamborghini creates history with first one-off, customer-specified Aventador

Lamborghini has not just created a one-off, road legal track car, it has also created history after unveiling the “SC18”, a car created by Squadra Corse – Lamborghini’s motorsport division – which will pave the way for future personalised projects for customers.
Think of it as the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) division but for Lamborghini. SC stands for Squadra Corse while the 18 represents 2018.
While its radical design may bring instant flashbacks of the Sesto Elemento, especially with the 12 air vents at the back, the SC18 is actually  based on the Aventador but has been heavily reworked with extreme aerodynamic enhancements.
It’s got air intakes inspired by the Huracán GT3 EVO race car and sides and rear panels, fins and air scoops adopted from the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO.
The sheer demand for aerodynamics is such that even its large carbon fibre rear wing offers three separate adjustments, to generate optimum downforce in any given track. As it’s prepped primarily for track and race use, the 12 vents are there for increased heat exchange and improve cooling for the V12 engine.
Another indication of its “track readiness” lies in the 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels held together by single lock nuts, wrapped in specially-developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.
While its output figures will make an 812 Superfast giggle, the weight of the car has been significantly reduced with ultralight materials and a new carbon fibre body that only offer a little over 10 cm of ground clearance. As with all Lamborghinis, the SC18 is also primed to scream, with a very special exhaust used to create a “unique sound”.
Performance figures were not revealed and I suspect we’ll never know. With the Aventador SVJ clocking a 2.8 second time from 0 to 100 km/h, it’s safe to expect the same if not quicker times.
Strangely, there weren’t any images provided on how the inside looks like, possibly over privacy issues, Lamborghini said that the cockpit is furnished with black Alcantara with red cross-stitching and carbon fibre bucket seats.
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Police urges public not to alert traffic offenders using Waze

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is urging the public to not share information on roadblock operations through the Waze navigation app,
Bernama
 reported.
KL Police Chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said that such an act will only prevent enforcement against drivers who are under the influence and other who have committed traffic offenses. Azmi also highlighted the potential dangers faced by other road users when encountering a reckless drunk driver, someone running the red light or driving against traffic and others.
“For those who have never suffered an accident caused by or been affected by the consequences of a reckless driver would never understand the pain and suffering of the victim’s family,” said Azmi.
“With that, I hope that the public, especially road users, will give their cooperation to the police and not aid these traffic offenders instead,” he added.
The request by the KL Police Chief has not sat well with some quarters. According to
SAYS
, netizens have complained that these roadblocks, especially those conducted during peak hours, cause traffic congestions and further inconvenience those with urgent matters to attend to. This is especially when all lanes are reduced to just one.
Another user even commented that motorists should continue using their high beams to alert road users in the opposite direction of roadblocks ahead. What are your thoughts on this, let us know!


Renault’s 40 years of experience in F1 have shaped who they are today

In the year 1977, Renault entered the foray of the Formula One (F1) World Championship. In a season where every other constructor was using a 3.0-litre high-revving naturally aspirated title, the newly formed racing team took the F1 scene by storm with their RS01 race car powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged V6 – the first ever F1 car to feature turbocharging technology.
The 1.5-litre engine was nicknamed
“Yellow Teapot”
 not because of its resemblance to a yellow teapot but because it was susceptible to engine blows and was notoriously unreliable. But that did not discourage the French automaker. The team continued pouring resources into research and development and only first saw the fruits of their labour in the 1978 United States Grand Prix where Jean-Pierre Jabouille snatched fourth place with the RS01. By then, no one was laughing at the Yellow Teapot.

Soon, other manufacturers began adopting turbocharging technology in their race car, but Renault has already progressed to twin-turbocharging at the 1979 Monaco Grand Prix after overcoming the critical problem of turbo lag. In the same year, Jabouille clinched Renault’s first ever victory at the French Grand Prix thanks to the new twin-turbo set and an all-new chassis design for the RS11 race car.
Fast forward to 2014, F1 had employed strict emission regulations which limits the permitted fuel quantity per race to 100 kg, 35 percent lesser than what the V8s used to have. Renault came out with an innovative solution by revisiting the old engine design – a
760 hp
 1.6-litre V6 hybrid powerplant.
With over 600 races, 11 Driver’s titles, 12 Constructor’s crowns and no fewer than 168 grand prix victories over the past four decades, what has the 118-year old French carmaker learnt from its involvement in F1 that can be applied to its volume sellers?
For starters, engineers have applied their analytical skills in F1 to explore new technical solutions for their production models. This approach has led to many innovations in the area of turbocharging, downsizing, direct fuel injection, friction reduction as well as ride and handling.
As the first manufacturer to feature a turbocharged engine in F1 races, Renault was able to effectively produce efficient small capacity engines with high power outputs. Turbocharging is featured not only in the marquees high-performance cars like Megane R.S., but also in mainstream runabout vehicles like the Captur crossover and Clio.

Another prime example of trickled down technology from F1 is the recently unveiled
fourth-generation Megane R.S.
 – packing an all-new 1.8-litre direct injection, turbocharged four-cylinder that dishes out
280 hp
 and
390 Nm
 of twisting force. Those crazy output figures are owed to the innovations learnt from F1.
4CONTROL four-wheel steering
 and aerodynamics are among the technologies inspired from Renault’s experience in F1. As such, Renault’s customers can directly benefit from technologies developed in the world motorsport.

Moving forward, Renault has envisioned what racing cars might look like in the year 2027 with the R.S. 2027 vision. Imagining a future with a more human-centric championship, more spectacular show, safer ultra-high-performance racing and an even more environmentally-friendly Formula One.
Renault’s road vehicles have a strong intertwined connection to Renault’s involvement in Formula One. Four decades of F1 had given birth to not only a strong portfolio of sports cars under the Renault Sport range, but also a range of dynamic mass market vehicles. So the next time you’re in a Renault vehicle, take note and experience the innovations and technologies that have went into the car.
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Honda HR-V 1.5L VTEC turbo 6-speed MT goes from 0-100km/h in under 8 seconds

European consumers are able to purchase the facelifted
Honda HR-V with a 1.5-litre VTEC turbo petrol engine
. Positioned as the top of the range variant, the HR-V Sport as it’s called in Europe gets uprated suspension tuning and a manual gearbox.
The 1.5-litre VTEC turbo makes
182 hp
 and
240 Nm
 (1,900 – 5,000 rpm) of twist when the standard 6-speed manual equipped. Opt for the CVT and the maximum torque is capped at
220 Nm
 (1,700 – 5,500 rpm).
Interestingly, despite torque kicking in at a later rpm and tapers of 500 rpm earlier, the 6-speed manual HR-V completes the century sprint quicker than the CVT equipped car –
7.8 seconds
 vs.
8.6 seconds
. Top speed is higher on the manual variant too at
214 km/h
 as opposed to the CVT’s
200 km/h
.
The HR-V Sport also comes with beefed up suspension technologies for a more dynamic ride and handling. As standard, it gets Performance Dampers, Variable-Gear Ratio electric power steering and Agile Handling Assist (AHA). The latter is found on the
Civic Type R
.
Manual or CVT for you?
In Malaysia, the
Honda HR-V facelift
 is available in three 1.8-litre SOHC petrol variants and a 1.5-litre Hybrid model. Pricing starts from RM108k for the entry-level E grade climbing to RM124k for the RS variant.
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Honda HR-V Sport in Europe


Review: Mazda MX-5 1.5L Skyactiv, distinction in every vein

Infidelity. Driving a Mazda MX-5 is as close as the word ‘Infidelity’ gets. It’s like your 60-year old self casually dating Scarlett Johansson; the it-woman who some equate to as the Marilyn Monroe of the 21st century. Scarlett has got it all. Good looks, husky voice perfect for bedtime stories and is quite the all-around walking definition of the word
alluring
. Since donning the Black Widow costume, she has inadvertently found a permanent spot on the bedroom ceiling and screensaver of many adolescents. If you’re one of them, don’t worry, we won’t judge.
Just like Scarlett, the MX-5, in due course of its existence, has officially become the nameplate for being the
most popular roadster in history
, ever. Guinness has a book of records to show for it, if by any chance you didn’t believe us. Almost one million units of the MX-5 have been shipped worldwide, and Mazda has tirelessly met consumer demands over three generations (codename NA, NB and NC) and 25 years of their droptop roadster. Every unit by the way, is produced and assembled in Hiroshima, including the new ND.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mazda MX-5 1.5L Skyactiv
Mazda MX-5 2.0L Skyactiv
Engine
1,496cc; DOHC direct injection, inline-4
1,998cc; DOHC direct injection, inline-4
Transmission
6-spd manual/auto
6-spd auto with Sports Mode
Max Power
129 hp @ 7,000 rpm
158 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
150 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
200 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.3 seconds; 204 km/h
7.3 seconds; 222 km/h
Price (OTR with insurance)
Not available
RM226,376.32
When Mazda
took the veils off the fourth-generation MX-5 exactly a year ago
, it sent a tsunami of an impact to enthusiasts the world over and for multiple reasons. One, it looks nothing like before and two, a
1.5-litre Skyactiv-G
 engine nestles under the hood – the smallest displacement engine to be offered in the MX-5’s history.
It’s also new from the ground up, featuring the company’s full suite of Skyactiv technology. As a result, the new platform sees a
20mm reduction in wheelbase length
, with both the front and rear overhangs reduced by 45mm and 40mm respectively. The ND also
sits 10mm closer to the ground
.  All this translates to it being the
 shortest MX-5 ever
 to be created, and gone with the length too is its weight –
over 100kg has been shed
 from the NC, making it the lightest MX-5 after the NA.
EXTERIOR
This fourth iteration roadster is by far the
best looking one
 of the lot, and one that inarguably exudes masculinity with fair ease as compared to its older brothers. It’s like growing up with three full-on fashionistas, only to have an Arnold Schwarzenegger of a man as your youngest sibling. With the new KODO – Soul of Motion theme, the MX-5 loses the bulk of its curves in favour of sharper, more finely sculpted lines. Almost all visual cues of past MX-5s are lost, save for two key portions; the gaping front grille and the tail lamps – both given a modern touch whilst paying tribute to the original NA.
Despite Mazda’s pursuit in making the MX-5 as lightweight as they possibly could, they made no compromises when it comes to furnishing the car. In Malaysia, even the spoilt-for-choice among you will be contented with
how well the car is equipped
. Forward illumination is job managed by a pair of auto-levelling
LED projector headlights
 (with Adaptive Front Lighting and High Beam Control), whereas the lower recess gets dressed with a neatly placed
LED daytime running lights
. Peek through the grille and you’ll find the radiator, and finishing off the front fascia is the integrated diffuser finished in matte black.

The ND’s side profile appears to be strikingly flat, accentuating its lowly-slung proportions. Its side mirrors are finished in gloss black contrast and come with no integrated signal indicators – because lightweight. We were told that the side mirrors have been strategically positioned as to not create unwanted turbulence, and it also doubles by improving stereoscopic visibility. The A-pillars have also been meticulously contoured to achieve one seemingly insignificant but drastically crucial effect; reduce high frequency wind and draft. This means you and your significant half can converse in comfort and uninterrupted, even with the top and windows down.
Vehicle entry is made convenient with
keyless entry
, whereas stance is topped off with a set of lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and 205/45 profiled rubbers. Finally, the rounded rear end of the older NC makes way for flatter surfaces on the ND, looking sleeker than ever with the LED tail lamps and a fog lamp. On the whole, the KODO application works well with the model, and for the first time in the moniker’s history, it will turn more heads than stirring hormones among purists.
INTERIOR
Now, at first glance, the dashboard of this two seater roadster looks as though it was lifted off the
Mazda2
 and given a mild tweak. You may be right to spot the similarities, but that’s by no account a cheap way for Mazda to reduce costs. In fact, it has much to do with the independent company’s
Monotsukuri
innovation – a strategic plan to commonise parts across the model lineup. That deserves its own story, so we’ll save that for another day.

Those familiar with the Mazda2’s dashboard will notice an undeniable resemblance with the MX-5, right down to the air conditioning vents and rotary controls. However, the latter boasts a big leap forwards in terms of materials used, effortlessly shaming close rivals Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ and the bare interior of the Lotus Elise.
There are four things to love about the interior; seats, steering wheel, audio system and the soft-top. The leather upholstered bucket seats are comfortable and hold you snugly in place, and if you look closely you’ll see speakers built into the head restraints. Nifty.
As for the driver, the all-new three-spoke steering wheel (not flat bottom though) adds to the car’s sporty impression, but the most impressive bit of the car – while stationary of course – is one you’ll likely not see coming – its retractable top. Putting on the rag top is incredibly easy. Though manually done, it’s an excellent example of going back to basics. Sheer uncomplicated brilliance.
PERFORMANCE
The MX-5 was always offered with
two engine configurations
, and it’s no different this time around with a
1.5-litre
 and
2.0-litre Skyactiv petrol
 mills. Both engines can be had with either a
six-speed manual
 or
 automatic transmission
, and in Malaysia we get the bigger engine paired to a slush box. It’s not quite the ideal package for purists, but there are reasons to like the automatic, especially if you’re new to the MX-5.
Let’s get down to the numbers. The
1.5-litre engine
 (similar unit powering the Mazda2) makes
129 hp
 and
150 Nm
 of torque, and is
 longitudinally mounted
 to send drive to the
rear axle
. If you’re expecting a blown unit (by way or supercharging or turbocharging), don’t look away just yet. Because it weighs
just over 1,000 kg
, it’s brisk enough for a century sprint time of
8.3 seconds
.
As for the
2.0-litre
 unit, it produces considerably better numbers –
158 hp
 and
200 Nm
 of torque. This configuration gives the MX-5 a
better power to weight ratio
, and propels the car from nought to 100 km/h a full second quicker at
7.3 seconds
. It’s also the only variant to come with a
factory fitted mechanical limited slip differential
. The wheels are also larger here, measuring 17-inches compared to the 1.5-litre’s 16-inches. Now, with all the basics out of the way, let’s find out how it all sums out on the road.
THE DRIVE
Our test drive stint took place at the very core of where the MX-5 was put through its paces during the development stages – Mazda’s covert Proving Ground located in Mine (pronounced Mee-neh). Now, because the MX-5 is only available with the 1.5-litre engine in Japan, there were no 2.0-litre examples lined up for us to do a direct comparison. Fair enough, we thought, for skeptical we were not.
The four-cylinder goodness shines right from the get-go, whizzing to a delectable throaty note while the exhausts hum in a pleasant tune that’s quite uncharacteristic of a four-pot unit this size. Clutch feel is remarkably light, almost that of a regular car. It is in no way punishing, and we would gladly make it out a two-hour city gridlock without once complaining of the sore foot. Hey, the attention pretty much makes up for it, no?
If there’s one thing Mazda never gets wrong with the MX-5 is the manual gearbox. This
six-speed close ratio Skyactiv-MT
 is joy to row; short, light, tight and
hardly inaccurate
. The pedals are repositioned and placed more towards the right side of the footwell, making heel-and-toeing all the more instinctive and intuitive, if you will. This driver-centric engineering is achieved by
 moving the front wheels forwards
 by 80mm, and that according to Mazda, was the
toughest hurdle to overcome
. Hats off to them for succeeding!
The 3.3km Mine circuit comprised of several mid-range handling roads, the kind where the MX-5 feels right at home. There’s
discernible but minimal dive
 when carrying speed into corners, yet the
195/50 R16 series
 Yokohama rubbers stuck to the tarmac like Jay Z on Beyoncé. Or is it the other way round? Moving on. One major difference between the MX-5 and its present day foe, the 86, is that the Mazda tends to give way to lateral forces more easily than the Toyota. Body roll gets increasingly pronounced when we become all boy-racey, although we couldn’t quite get the MX-5 to lose its composure, even under all that squealing rubbers. Grip level is simply phenomenal, and that’s saying something.
Mazda’s philosophy in fun-driving characteristics has always been centred around the words
Jinba-Ittai
, a Japanese phrase that translates to “Oneness between horse and rider”. You’ve probably heard or seen it in some their newer marketing campaigns, for the same philosophy extends across the entire Zoom-Zoom range. We’ve sampled all of the Skyactiv models (except the
CX-3
, but that surely won’t disappoint) and found the same strand of DNA materialising in the form of
exemplary handling and agility
, regardless of their segment. Such is the guarantee of
Jinba-Ittai
. But if we were to sum the whole thing up, the MX-5 is unquestionably the most potent and holistic translation of
Jinba-Ittai
.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If you’re curious as to why we likened driving the MX-5 to having an affair with Scarlett Johansson, it’s because the MX-5 is very simply an object for all your gratuitous guilty pleasures. It’s the one car that won’t break your wallet regardless of how many late nights you spend in secret with. It’s a car that doesn’t need to try hard to make driving an enjoyable experience.
Sure, the 1.5-litre variant may appear to fall short on power, but its
torque curve is so flat
, power becomes readily accessible anywhere from 3,500 rpm upwards. Again, that’s where all the magic happens, plus the fact that the engine breathes freely and all the way up to
7,500 rpm
. The 2.0-litre variant on the other hand, revs only till 6,500 rpm before running short of breath.
Unfortunately, the 1.5-litre isn’t and will not be offered in Malaysia because tax structures wouldn’t bring the price down to a decent level. Then there are also intransigences associating large displacement engines with outright performance while happily dismissing all key performing areas but one – the 0 to 100 km/h sprint time. Trust us, if that’s exactly what you’re after, then the MX-5 is not for you. Spend the money on a Golf.
The MX-5 is for those who want an uncomplicated car that’s as good as the driver gets, because to the roadster, the horse is only as good as the rider gets. The better you are at driving it, the better the MX-5 gets for you. Along the way, you’ll form an intrinsic bond with the car, thus becoming one with it. That’s the
Jinba-Ittai
 promise.
COMPARISONS
In retrospect, there’s only less than a handful of rivals facing off against the MX-5. Honda was once right up its nose with the S2000, but years has passed since we’ve last heard of a successor. Breeds like the MX-5 are
considerably niche
, perhaps that’s why other manufacturers aren’t so convinced in spending millions in R&D to have a slice of its cake.
We picked three of the MX-5’s closest rivals in Malaysia for comparison’s sake, and they are the Toyota GT86,
BMW 220i Coupe Sport
 and Lotus Elise S. Their configurations are all the same – FR (front engined, rear wheel drive) – except for the MR (mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive) Elise S.
Mazda MX-5 2.0L Skyactiv
Toyota GT86
BMW 220i Coupe Sport
Lotus Elise S
ENGINE
Type
inline 4-cylinder petrol
boxer 4-cylinder petrol
inline 4-cylinder petrol
inline 4-cylinder petrol
Displacement
cc
1,998
1,998
1,997
1,798
Max Power
hp/rpm
158/6,000
197/7,000
184/5,000
217/6,800
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
200/4,000
205/6,400
270/1,250
250/4,600
STEERING
Type
Dual Pinion Electric Power Steering
Electric Power Steering
Electric Power Steering
Rack and Pinion
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed auto
6-speed manual
8-speed auto
6-speed manual
SUSPENSION
Type
Front / Rear
Double Wishbones / Multi-link
MacPherson Strut / Double Wishbones
MacPherson Strut / Multi-link
Double Wishbones / Double Wishbones
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated, Perforated 2-pot AP Racing disc
Rear
Solid disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated, Perforated Brembo disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
205/45 R17
215/45 R17
225/45 R17
175/55 R16 & 225/45 R17
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
3,915
4,240
4,432
3,824
Overall Width
mm
1,735
1,775
1,774
1,719
Overall Height
mm
1,230
1,285
1,418
1,117
Wheelbase
mm
2,310
2,570
2,690
2,300
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,080
1,275
1,440
896
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
130
243
390
–
FUEL
Tank Capacity
45 litres
50 litres
52 litres
40 litres
Consumption
7.8L/100 km
7.1L/100 km
6.0L/100 km
7.5L/100 km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
222
226
230
234
0 – 100km/h
sec
7.3
7.6
7.0
4.6
PRICE
 (without insurance)
RM
219,998.80
236,586.80
277,800.00
286,127.19
Right off the bat, the MX-5 and the Elise S are the only models to feature a soft top, but the MX-5 edges out by way of convenience. Both the Toyota and BMW on the other hand, come with a solid top, so that may be the way to go for first time sports car buyers who want a bit more sense of security.
Although the supercharged Elise is the most capable of the lot, mastering the art of driving a mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive vehicle takes some serious skills and getting used to. The bare interior of the Lotus is no match for the Mazda, and will appeal only to the more seasoned of drivers. What does the BMW offer, then? Besides the badge, the car is admittedly fun to drive, but you’ve got to be truly committed to buy one because you can get a pre-registered 328i M Sport for the same price!
WILL I BUY IT?
In. A. Heartbeat. With the manual gearbox, of course. It’s unbelievable how few dislikes, if any, we have for the car. For an independent company with a global marketshare of just 2 percent, Mazda certainly has a knack for effectively tugging the heartstrings of motoring enthusiasts the world over. And they’ve just outdone themselves with the ND. I would have gone with the 1.5-litre if given the choice, only because it’s as rewarding as it is fun to drive. A hell lot of fun to drive, I might add. But like our colleague Dominic always says, beggars can’t be choosers, right?
And oh, I’ll have mine in
Scarlett
 Soul Red, please.
IMAGE GALLERY

Mazda MX-5 1.5L Skyactiv Official Photos

 Mazda MX-5 1.5L Skyactiv


2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake revealed, more space in baby Merc [+Video]

Mercedes-Benz has officially announced the
CLA Shooting Brake
, a new addition to their ever-expanding A-Class range. Currently the smallest wagon in the Mercedes-Benz family, the CLA Shooting Brake should appeal to those who always wanted the
CLA Coupe
 but with more usable space.
EXTERIOR
Sharing the same svelte profile with the
CLA
, the CLA Shooting Brake adds on a fifth door at the back that melds in nicely with the rest of the car. Measuring
1,777 mm wide
,
4,630 mm long
, and
 1,435 mm high
, it’s almost identical to the CLA Coupe but the Cd value has increased from 0.22 to a still-slippery 0.26.

INTERIOR
Inside the cabin, everything has been carried over from the CLA Coupe, but it gets a new steering wheel and from the B-pillar rearwards the CLA Shooting Brake offers more space for the rear passengers and cargo. Thanks to the continuous roof line all the way back, the rear passengers gains
4 cm more headroom
 than the CLA Coupe.

The rear bench has a few position options. In ‘normal’ position, the cargo space behind is
495 litres
, which is 25 litres more than the CLA Coupe. Set it to ‘cargo’ position, the cargo space is increased to 595 litres, and fold the rear bench altogether you’ll get
1,354 litres of cargo space
.
PERFORMANCE
There’s a choice of two diesel and three petrol engines for the CLA Shooting Brake. The
CLA 200 CDI
 is powered by a
2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel
 with
 136 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque, while the
CLA 220 CDI
 uses the same diesel engine but with
177 hp
 and
 350 Nm
 of torque.

The
1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol
 in the
 CLA 180
 and
CLA 200
 produces
122 hp
 and
200 Nm
 in the former, and
 156 hp
 and
250 Nm
 in the latter. Another petrol option is a
2.0-litre four-cylinder
 in the
CLA 250
 that produces
 211 hp
 and
 350 Nm
 of torque. All models are front wheel driven, except for the
CLA 250 4MATIC
.
WHAT ELSE?
There are two equipment lines for the CLA Shooting Brake,
Urban
 and
AMG Line
. On Urban trim, the CLA Shooting Brake gets high-gloss black pins in the diamond radiator grille, 18-inch 5-twin-spoke alloys, and chromed tailpipes while the AMG Line will add a different set of bumpers and skirts, and a set of lowered sports suspension.
There’s also the limited
 OrangeArt Edition
 that features orange highlights to the bumpers, rims, headlights ring, and seats. In Europe, the CLA Shooting Brake will go on sale in January 2015.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: Sunbathing with the BMW M850i Convertible in Portugal

Things you need when in a coastal town – sunblock, minimal to no clothing, ideally an eye candy for company and to get around, a convertible.
On that note, there’s probably nothing “hotter” at the moment in the Gran Tourer side of things than the
new BMW 8-series convertible
. It just screams elegance and sportiness without being obnoxious about it.

No word on whether the convertible would be available in Malaysia just yet but rest assured there wouldn’t be any less suitors.
Globally, there are two variants of the 8-series convertible available – the 850i xDrive and the 840d xDrive. The former gets a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, paired to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox that’s good for
530 hp
 and whopping
750 Nm
 of torque.
0 to 100 km/h is dusted in just 3.9 seconds before it hits the annoying top speed limiter at just 250 km/h.
In the 840d xDrive, 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six diesel engine paired similarly to the 8-speed gearbox with
320 hp
 and
680 Nm
 of torque. This one’s more than a second slower than the 850i to a 100 km/h at 5.2 seconds, but with a similar top speed.


Video: How to Flush Car Radiator – AutoDIY

When was the last time you performed a radiator flush? Do you know why it’s recommended to so and what happens if you dont?
Keeping your engine cool is just as important as keeping yourself cool, especially when “operating” in the tropical temperatures of our country. Coolant circulates between the engine and the radiator in order to keep the engine running at optimal temperatures.
Unlike all the AutoDIY jobs you’ve seen us share, this is actually one that’s feasible for you to perform in the comforts of your own porch. Just make sure you adhere to the prescribed precautions.
A new episode of
 AutoDIY
 will be aired every Wednesday, with many more interesting and informative episodes to come.


Peugeot 2008 facelift unveiled – up to 406 km range for e-2008

Yes, you are not reading it wrong. This article is indeed about the new
Peugeot 2008
. In Malaysia,
Bermaz Motor
 has just
previewed the e-2008
 at the
Malaysia Auto Show 2023
. However, Stellantis has just unveiled the facelifted Peugeot 2008.
Featuring an updated exterior design on the outside, new bits include Peugeot’s new logo, as well as Peugeot’s new signature light that was seen on the
508
 sedan and 508 SW wagon. The 2008’s gloss black bumpers also feature vertical light claws that are integrated into it. Previously only a single claw line, the design now features a triple claw line.
At the rear of the B-segment SUV are new full LED rear lights. This features the brand’s signature three claw-like LEDs that are made up of three superimposed horizontal double slats, according to the company. The previous design utilised vertical slats.
Peugeot is offering the facelifted 2008 with 3 wheel-size options. This includes the 16-inch, 17-inch, and 18-inch rims. The wheels are also designed using the same design philosophy as the
408
 sedan.
Performance-wise, the new Peugeot 2008 will be offered in petrol, diesel, and full electric powertrains. A hybrid option will be coming soon as well, according to Stellantis.
RELATED:
Peugeot e-2008 previewed at Malaysia Auto Show 2023 – up to 320km range, 100kW DC charging
Petrol engine options include two 3-cylinder turbocharged 1.2-litre engines, with
100 hp
 and
130 hp
 outputs respectively. These two petrol engines are mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Diesel-wise, a 4-cylinder 1.5-litre engine mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox is offered as well. This combination enables the powertrain to output a total of
130 hp
. Torque figures have not been announced by Peugeot for the above three powertrains as of now.
As for the all-electric e-2008 (as shown in pictures), powering it will be a single motor capable of outputting
156 hp
. This is 15% more than the current generation e-2008. Battery capacity for the new 2008 is
54 kWh
, up 4 kWh from 50 kWh of the current generation e-2008.
The new e-2008 will be able to carry you as far as
406 km
 (WLTP), 61 km more than what the current generation model is able to.
In terms of charging, there are two onboard chargers available for the new e-2008. This includes the single-phase
7.4 kW
 charger that comes as standard, as well as the optional three-phase
11 kW
 option.
Juicing up the SUV from 20% to 80% only takes
30 minutes
 using a
100 kW
 DC charger. The
7.4 kW
 AC charger on the other hand will take
4 hours and 40 minutes
, while the
3.2 kW
 will take
11 hours and 10 minutes
 to do the same.
Moving inside, there is Peugeot’s famed i-Cockpit. This consists of Peugeot’s 10-inch digital instrument cluster that is located at eye level, and just above the steering wheel. Depending on the variant chosen, there is also a 3D ‘hologram-like’ display that is also present in the current generation 2008.
In the middle of the Peugeot 2008’s interior, there is a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display. It features the French automaker’s i-Connect and i-Connect Advanced infotainment systems, as well as a voice command function.
This system is easy to use, and is responsive like a smartphone, according to Peugeot. An optional 15 W wireless charger with three USB-C and one USB-A port is also available.
Ambient lighting is here to stay with eight customisable colours. The colours can also change according to the selected driving mode. Speaking of driving modes, the new Peugeot 2008 comes with what the brand calls the ‘grip control’. This provides access to three driving modes, namely sand, mud, and snow.
The new Peugeot 2008 comes with a suite of safety features. This includes Adaptive cruise control (ACC) with Stop and Go function, Automatic emergency braking (AEB), Active lane departure warning (ALDW) with lane correction, as well as Blind spot monitoring (BSM).
The facelifted Peugeot 2008 will be produced at the Vigo plant in Spain and will go on sale in the summer of 2023. Closer to home, the 2022 Peugeot 2008 was launched in early 2022, with a special edition (SE) variant launched later in April 2023, offering cosmetic add-ons worth RM 2,900. As mentioned earlier, the full electric e-2008 is previewed at Malaysia Auto Show 2023 as well.
RELATED:
Malaysia driving license now renewable up to 10 years, 10% discount
GALLERY


2023 Nissan Leaf launched in Malaysia – RM169k, RM1.8k per month subscription plan

With the many new electric cars coming into Malaysia, the
Nissan Leaf
has been given a necessary refresh to compete with the younger competitors. Now cheaper by RM7,000 at
RM168,888
, the 2023 Nissan Leaf is available in a single variant only.

By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Changes to the outside are subtle as the new Nissan Leaf sports a new front bumper with a new black aero ‘grille’ at the front. Gone is the chrome trim that used to adorn the front fascia. Adding aggressiveness to the Leaf’s looks are the new black inner finishings on the headlights.
There is also a new Nissan emblem that is proudly perched on the ‘grille’. The most important change to the front end, however, is under its charging flap. Under the flap is now a Type 2 socket for AC charging which means you no longer require an adapter to charge at most of the public charging stations in Malaysia. For DC charging however, it is still done via a CHAdeMO socket.
Most visually striking on the Leaf’s exterior are the new 17-inch wheels which have a claw-like motif. The wheels are wrapped in a set of Dunlop Enasave tyres. At the back, the Leaf gets a redesigned rear spoiler and a redesigned rear diffuser. Like the front end, there is also the new Nissan emblem.
There are now 7 colour options for the Nissan Leaf, namely Stealth Grey, Akatsuki Sunrise Copper, Opera Mauve, Vivid Blue, Midnight Black, Burgundy, and Pure White Pearl. All colour options come with a ‘Super Black’ roof.
Powering the Nissan leaf is the same single electric motor as before. The motor powers the front wheels only and makes a total output of
150 hp
(metric) and
320 Nm
. 0-100 km/h is done in
7.9 seconds
 and the Leaf has a top speed of
155 km/h
.
As before, the Nissan Leaf for Malaysia still gets the same 40kWH battery pack that still doesn’t get any form of active cooling. The battery is passively cooled and provides a total range of
311 km
 on the NEDC test cycle.
Charging can be done at a maximum rate of
6.6 kW
 with AC charging and
50 kW
 with DC charging. 6.6-kW AC charging takes
7 hours
 to complete while 50-kW Dc charging takes
1 hour
 to complete. You also have the option to charge with a 3-pin AC socket at
3.6kW
, and this will take
12 hours
 to complete.
On the inside, things remain largely the same as before, but you do now get a new 8-inch head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone connectivity. The most interesting thing perhaps inside the Nissan leaf is the intelligent rear view mirror that is connected with a camera placed underneath the third brake light. With this setup, you are able to ‘see through’ your rear passengers to get a good view of your surroundings.
The driver seat in the Leaf is manually adjustable but you do get seat heating functions for both front row seats. The steering wheel only gets tilt adjustment. Interior upholstery colour options include Stone Grey and Graphite Black.
Safety-wise, the 2023 Nissan Leaf is equipped with High Beam Assist, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking, Intelligent Around View Monitor with Intelligent Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Intelligent Ride Control, Intelligent Trace Control, and Hill Start Assist.
The 2023 Nissan Leaf is all yours for
RM 168,888
. Included in the price is a
3-year/100,000 km
 vehicle warranty and an
8-year/160,000 km
 high-voltage battery warranty. Optional items include:
7 kW wall box charger –
RM7,000
JomCharge Membership (1 Year) –
RM600
Nissan Leaf owners are entitled to an “exclusive owner privilege program” that lets them enjoy complimentary 23 days per year usage of the following models:
Nissan X-Trail
Nissan Serena
Nissan Navara
There is also a subscription plan for the Nissan Leaf in Malaysia which costs
RM1,800 per month
under a
3-year subscription plan
.
Following its launch, the 2023 Nissan Leaf facelift will be on display at the “Nissan Electrifying Drive” event at selected Nissan Showrooms nationwide. The dates and locations of the events are as such:
11-12 March – ETCM Glenmarie, ETCM Jalan Raja Laut
18-19 March – ETCM Klang, ETCM Kuantan
25-26 March – ETCM Butterworth, ETCM Johor Jaya
8-9 April – ETCM Ipoh, ETCM Batu Pahat
GALLERY


Mitsubishi XM Concept marries the best traits of an SUV and MPV

At the 2016 Gaikindo Indonesian International Auto Show, the new Mitsubishi XM Concept, a MPV-SUV hybrid, will make its public debut. The concept is similar to that of the
Honda BR-V
, combining the best traits of an SUV and MPV.
The new XM embodies Mitsubishi’s latest “
Dynamic Shield
” design language (first to debut on the
Outlander
), but here the XM struts significantly bolder lines than before. Mitsubishi explains that the XM Concept is designed with “the toughness of an SUV with the versatility of an MPV”. The letter ‘X’ stands for crossover while ‘M’ represents MPV.
No interior images have been revealed thus far, but the XM looks set to be a
seven-seater
 car. Also, the interior will get a higher centre console stack and a black/white high-contrast interior coloring together with silver accents.
So what will the XM concept replace? It’s no secret that Mitsubishi’s current lineup is ageing drastically (comprised of models such as the Grandis, ASX, and Delica), the XM concept, if it makes to production, will certainly complement the product gap rather easily. Such cars will undoubtedly work well in populous markets like Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.


2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed debuts – 6.0L W12, 626 hp, 900 Nm

Bentley
 has just debuted its latest grand tourer, the
Bentley Flying Spur

Speed
. With this latest addition, Bentley says that it has now completed its portfolio of grand tourers, mirroring that of the Continental GT and Bentayga. According to Bentley, the Flying Spur Speed is the most driving-focused version of the
Flying Spur
.
Powering the Bentley Flying Spur Speed is a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that makes
626 hp
 and
900 Nm
, which is 85 hp and 130 Nm more than the V8-powered
Flying Spur S
. Paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission by ZF, the Flying Spur Speed accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.8 seconds
 and has a top speed of
333 km/h
.
Featuring an active all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, power is mainly sent to the rear wheels. Bentley says the understeer effect experienced with fixed all-wheel drive is virtually eliminated, making the car feel more balanced overall.
The Bentley Flying Spur Speed varies the torque distribution based on the selected Drive Dynamics Mode. In “Comfort” and “Bentley” modes, the system will send up to 480 Nm of torque to the front axle. In Sport, the system limits the available torque to the front axle to 280 Nm. Torque is also managed across each axle via a torque-vectoring-by-brake system.
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Easing manoeuvres in the Flying Spur Speed is an electronic all-wheel steering system that comes as standard. This system also enhances stability at highway speeds. Also equipped on the Bentley Flying Spur Speed is Bentley’s Dynamic Ride System which manages the stiffness of the anti-roll bar.
The exterior of the Bentley Flying Spur Speed features dark tint finishes on the front grilles, headlamps and tail lamps, and signature “Speed” badges on the lower wing. The 22-inch “Speed” wheel is standard, with finishes including Dark Tint, Gloss Black, or silver-painted. A second optional 22-inch “sports design” wheel is also available in Gloss Black or Pale Brodgar Satin. The Flying Spur Speed also includes jewelled fuel and oil filler caps.
Optional for the exterior are Bentley’s Styling Specification and Blackline Specification. These include a carbon fibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and a subtle boot lid spoiler.
Step inside the Flying Spur Speed and you will see new performance infotainment graphics that take inspiration from luxury chronographs. The cabin also includes sports pedals, Speed fascia badges and emblems, and illuminated “Speed” inner and outer treadplates.
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The front seats have a 24-way powered adjustment while the rear seats get a 14-way powered adjustment. All seats include heating, ventilation, massage, and two memory positions.
Bentley has also announced that the Bentley Flying Spur Speed will be one of its last models to feature the brand’s W12 engine. In May, Bentley dropped the W12 engine from the standard Bentley Flying Spur. Should customers desire a W12-powered Flying Spur, their options are either the Flying Spur Speed or the
Flying Spur Mulliner
.
GALLERY