MBS allegedly gifts Saudi Arabia players Rolls-Royce Phantom for beating Argentina in the World Cup

Unless you live under a giant rock, you would’ve probably heard about the upset during the second day of the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stages, where Saudi Arabia unexpectedly defeated two-time champions Argentina. And just to put the results into context, Argentina is ranked third in the official FIFA rankings, while Saudi Arabia is all the way down at 51.
To say that the results were unexpected would perhaps be underselling it, and the Saudi Arabia royalties are understandably ecstatic by it – so much so that on top of the public holiday announced by King Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, has also decided to gift
each
 of the players a
Rolls-Royce Phantom
. Well, according to Twitter, anyway.
BREAKING: MBS has announced a Rolls Royce Phantom to each team member having defeated ARG
#FIFAWorldCup

#SAvsARG

#SaudiArabia
 🇸🇦 serves up the first major upset of the
#FIFAWorldCup
— Awab Alvi (@DrAwab)
November 22, 2022

While there hasn’t been any official confirmations from the Kingdom just yet, such a gift wouldn’t be completely out of character from the Saudi royalty. Back in the 1994 World Cup, the king also gifted a Rolls-Royce to striker Saeed Al-Owairan for scoring against Belgium, which brought the nation into the knockout stage despite being the lowest-ranked team of the tournament.
ALSO READ:
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus has no clock, because time is an illusion, apparently
If they are indeed getting a Rolls-Royce Phantom each, then MBS will have to be prepared to pay a hefty sum for it. Even when you’re just considering the 11 starting players and four substitutes, that’s still at least RM50 million (before tax)… and that’s before any options tacked on. Although, it’s not like they can’t afford it.
Thanks to the win, Saudi Arabia is currently top of their group with three points. They will be facing off against Poland next, scheduled for tomorrow at 9 pm.
RELATED:
These Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII images will make you wish your parents made more money


Review: 2017 BMW 330e iPerformance Sport, best value Bavarian [+Video]

If you’re buying a BMW 3 Series, fuel consumption will most likely be the least of your worries. Ask any 3 Series owner about their average fuel consumption and chances are you’re going to get a blank stare in return. Instead, they will babble about the sporty drive and the quintessential 50:50 weight distribution.
Well, most probably. But this particular 3 Series, the 330e, is somewhat unusual. It might even attract a new fanbase, especially those who do keep tabs on their monthly fuel bills, because the 330e is claimed to sip just 2.1 litres of petrol over 100km.
For comparison, the just-as-powerful but not-as-torquey
330i
 drinks a full four litres more to cover the same distance, so how did the 330e attained such figure? By the help of an
electric motor
, of course. Yes, the 330e is no ordinary 3 Series, in fact it’s the first of its kind in a long history of 3 Series that stretches back to more than four decades. While it’s not the first hybrid 3 Series (that title belongs to the ActiveHybrid3 launched in 2013), the 330e is the first 3 Series that you can charge at home like any of your battery-powered mobile devices.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 330e iPerformance
Engine
1,998cc; twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission
8-speed automatic with Steptronic
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,500 – 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
290 Nm @ 1,350 – 4,250 rpm
Hybrid Motor Output
88 hp & 250 Nm
Combined Max Power / Torque
248 hp / 420 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
6.1 seconds; 225 km/h
Fuel Consumption
2.1 litres per 100km
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM248,800
Debuted at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 330e was
launched here in Malaysia
 almost a year later, and eventually superseded the 330i as the top dog for the Malaysian F30 range. Prior to the arrival of the 330e, you need to fork out RM298k for the 330i. Even the 320d below it costs RM269k. The 330e is brawnier than both of them, but because it’s a locally-assembled and EEV-certified car, you can get one from
RM249k
. Sounds like quite a bargain, but does that make the 330e the best 3 Series on sale? Let’s find out.
EXTERIOR
Not long ago, the entire F30 3 Series range has been given a Life Cycle Impulse (or LCI, which is BMW-speak for facelift). If tr
uth be told, they don’t look that much different from the preceding version, apart from the redesigned full-LED lights front and back. The 330e is much of a muchness.

While some carmakers differentiate the hybrid variant by adding either green or blue highlights around the car, the 330e looks just like any other F30 3 Series. Even so, keen eyes will be able spot the
eDrive badges
 on the C pillar and the
charging port
 on the front left fender.
There are
two trims
 offered for the 330e –
Sport
 and
M Sport
. Our car is the former, which is pretty much identical the 320i Sport. It wears the Sport front bumper and kidney grille with gloss black inserts, gloss black side window surrounds, and gloss black trim on the rear bumper with twin tailpipes.However, unlike the 320i Sport, the 330e is fitted with a set of staggered
18-inch wheels
.
The fronts are wrapped in
225/45 ZR18
 rubbers and the rear ones use a much wider
255/40 ZR18
 Pirellis. If that’s not enough to set your pulse racing, then the M Sport should be right up your alley. In exchange for another
RM10k
 you’ll get the fabulous
M Sport kit
 and a set of ravishing
M Sport wheels
.
INTERIOR
The cabin should be a very familiar sight if you’ve sat in an F30 before, because the only hints that it’s the electrified version of the 3 Series are the eDrive-marked door sills and the eDrive mode button at the base of the gear lever. This lets you select from three different eDrive modes to complement the four existing Driving Experience modes.
It’s a fine and solid cabin but it’s starting to get long in the tooth, and the
W205 C-Class
 and the
A4 B9
 have moved the goalpost to another field when it comes to flair and panache. Nevertheless, the driving position is just spot-on, and the sports seat hugs you tightly even though it lacks additional lumbar support.

Taking over the 330i as the range-topping 3 Series in Malaysia, the 330e inherits all toys from the 330i, which includes the keyless entry, head-up display (HUD), the 8.8-inch screen for the iDrive with Navigation System Professional, the iDrive controller with touch surface, and the BMW ConnectedDrive with Concierge Service. On top of that, a glass sunroof, a reverse camera, and auto park assist have been thrown into the mix too.

Opt for the M Sport and you’ll receive a different trim pattern with blue inlays, black headliner, and a chunky M Sport steering wheel.Space is not really the F30’s strongest suite, and in the 330e you get even less room to stash your belongings. For some reason the drop-down compartment below the light switch have been sealed completely to accommodate a tiny fuel flap release button, forcing you to find another place to hide your SmartTag. I find it rather odd since the charging flap doesn’t require any button pressing and can be opened directly from the outside.
Meanwhile at the back, a battery pack occupies the entire boot floor, which means you lose out the hidden under-floor cavity. The boot floor is also slightly raised, reducing the total boot volume from 480 litres to
370 litres
. A standard 3-point charging cable is provided in a handy bag that slots neatly in a recess on the left hand side of the boot.
Split folding rear seats are absent like the rest of the Malaysian F30 range, therefore the 330e is not an ideal car to take to your favourite Swedish furniture store unless you only go there to satisfy your cravings for some meatballs.
PERFORMANCE
The
B48 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
 sings the same tune as the one in the 320i. The petrol engine belts out
184 hp
 and
290 Nm
 of torque to drive the rear wheels via the excellent
eight-speed auto transmission
, except that in the 330e the it’s accompanied by an
electric motor
. Located between the petrol engine and the gearbox, the electric motor’s solo performance yields
65kW
 (88hp) and
 250 Nm
 but when both power sources join forces, they match the 330i’s power output of
248 hp
, whereas the torque figure swells to
420 Nm
, beating the 330i by
70 Nm
.
Powering the electric motor is a
5.7kWh lithium-ion battery
 pack underneath the boot floor, which not only robs the boot space but also shrinks the fuel tank from 60 litres down to 41 litres. According to official claims, charging the battery takes about three hours using the i wallbox charger or around five hours via a normal 3-pin wall outlet. But even if you don’t plug it in, there’s
regenerative brakes
 to recoup the waste energy from braking and coasting back into the battery.
The hybridisation of the powertrain have added a substantial load over the non-hybrid siblings. At
1,735kg
, the 330e weighs 230kg more than the 320i and 190kg heavier than the 330i. And yet, it sprints from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
6.1 seconds
, which is just 0.3 seconds slower than the 330i but more than a second quicker than the 320i. At full whack it loses out to both the 320i and the 330i,
maxing out at 225 km/h
 compared to the 320i’s 235 km/h and the 330i’s electronically-governed 250 km/h top speed.
On the other hand, the 330e is the new king when it comes to the average fuel consumption. Rated at
 2.1L/100 km
, it’s by far the most frugal 3 Series to date, beating the previous record holder, the 320d EfficientDynamics, at 4.1L/100 km.
THE DRIVE
Don’t feel embarrassed if you’re caught thumbing the starter button repeatedly thinking that the engine hasn’t been turned on yet. Other than the BMW’s default warning chime and the rev counter needle that points to “Ready”, there’s nothing much to indicate that the car is primed to go. It’s very peaceful inside until you start moving, by then the tyre hum will be the default soundtrack, and eventually wind noise will start to join in once the HUD displays three digits figures. Although to be fair, standard F30s were never regarded as one of the quietest cars around, and the lack of engine noise just amplifies this flaw even further.
In the default
Auto eDrive
 mode, the 2.0-litre mill takes a secondary role, letting the electric motor do most the job of ferrying you around. The petrol engine will only fire up when the system thinks it’s necessary or when your right foot is constantly pinned to the throttle. The transition is not the smoothest though, resulting in some very slight shuddering moments during a bumper-to-bumper traffic crawl. While you can’t disable the stop/start function, you can stop the four-banger from interfering by choosing the
Max eDrive
 full-electric mode.
With a fully charged battery, a 20km trip from Kelana Jaya to KLCC on a hot afternoon with the aircond on uses about 60 percent of the battery’s reserves, and according to the on-board computer the remaining 40 percent is good for a good 10km, which is not that far off the official claim of
37 km all-electric range
. Sufficient punch provided by the electric motor ensures swift progress in town, and if you bury the throttle pedal into the carpet you’ll reach the
120 km/h max eDrive top speed
 sooner than you expected, but you’ll drain the battery much quicker too.
That’s when you take another jab at the eDrive button for the third eDrive mode, which is the
Save mode
. In this mode the petrol engine will be called upon not only to power the car but also to act as a generator to top up the battery, working together with the regenerative brakes. Don’t forget that the four main
Driving Experience
 modes are still available, therefore you can pair any of the three eDrive modes with Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, or Sport+.
Eco Pro
 should satisfy the most prudent drivers out there, but
Comfort
 is saintly enough for the daily grind. Take it up a notch to
Sport
 or
Sport+
 for a more spirited driving on your favourite B-roads and the 330e will show you that it’s still a proper BMW. You barely feel the extra heft of the hybrid components in the midst of quick directional changes, while the nimbleness in its handling remains intact. You can also easily kick the tail out despite the added bulk!
There’s barely any lag from the powertrain mainly due to the instant torque from the electric motor, and the ZF eight-speeder is still the best in the business, rendering those paddle shifters to almost useless. The steering is sharp, although it feels rather lifeless just off-centre, while the ride is calm enough to tackle any patchy tarmac. The regenerative brakes bite progressively natural too, there’s none of that “dead pedal feel” like we’ve come across on some hybrid cars. The downside perhaps is the engine noise. We reckon the BMW engineers could learn a thing or two from other German makes when it comes to delivering a fruity four-cylinder note.
My stint in the 330e over a weekend saw
7.2L/100 km
 on the display, which I find pretty good on account of the car was in Sport mode most of the time. In all likelihood you should be able to do much less than that if you drive it in the default Auto eDrive and Comfort mode. But where’s the fun in that?
SO, IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If you’ve been waiting so long to get an F30, the 330e presents itself as a very enticing prospect mainly due to its solid power-to-price ratio compared to the previous F30 models. On the contrary, current F30 owners may want to skip this one out. Yes it drives just as good as any non-hybrid 3 Series with extra punch and a better fuel consumption, it’s essentially the same car unless you’re planning to upgrade from a 316i. And don’t forget that it’s only a couple of more years before the next-gen G20 3 Series arrives. Until then, you’re better off with your existing F30.
COMPARISONS
Hot on the heels of the 330e is none other than the
Mercedes-Benz C 350 e
. Both cars use a similar layout – a
turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 mated to an
automatic gearbox
 with an
electric motor
 sandwiched in between, and both match the fuel consumption claim of
2.1L/100 km
. On paper, that’s where the similarities end because the Benz appears to have a clear advantage over the Bimmer when it comes to power.
Despite that, the 330e is just as quick as the C 350 e to get to 100 km/h. We took both cars for a brief spin back to back and our initial impression is that the 330e feels more energetic of the two, with a much better agility when the roads get twisty. The C 350 e has the upper hand in ride comfort and cabin refinement, owing to the fact that it’s equipped with air suspension. We saw contrasting personalities between the two, but we’re going to spend more time in the C 350 e to get to know it better. Watch this space for a full review of the C 350 e coming soon.
BMW 330e Sport
Mercedes-Benz C 350 e Avantgarde
ENGINE
Type
inline-4, DOHC, turbocharged with electric motor
inline-4, DOHC, turbocharged with electric motor
Displacement
cc
1,998cc
1,991cc
Max Power
hp
248
279
Max Torque
Nm
420
600
STEERING
Type
Electronic Power Steering
Electronic Power Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
8-speed automatic
7-speed automatic
SUSPENSION
Front
MacPherson Strut
Multi-link
Rear
Multi-link
Multi-link
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated & Perforated Disc
Rear
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyre
225/45 R18 (front), 255/40 R18 (rear)
225/40 R19 (front), 245/35 R19 (rear)
Wheels
18-inch Alloy
19-inch Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
4,633mm
4,686mm
Overall Width
mm
1,811mm
1,810mm
Overall Height
mm
1,429mm
1,442mm
Wheelbase
mm
2,810mm
2,840mm
Max Kerb Weight
kg
1,735 kg
1,780 kg
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
Litres
370 litres
335 litres
FUEL
Tank Capacity
Litres
41 litres
50 litres
Consumption
litres per 100km
2.1 litres
3.3 litres
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
225
250
0 to 100 km/h
sec
6.1
5.9
Price
RM
RM248,800.00
RM289,888.00
WOULD I BUY IT?
Among the selection of compact executive sedans, the 3 Series has always been the one to go with if you’re looking for an engaging drive, and the fact that BMW introduced a plug-in hybrid variant in the name of better efficiency didn’t mean the 330e is any less entertaining to drive. Remember when Toblerone slimmed down their iconic chocolate triangles while retaining the price?
The 330e is the opposite of that. They’ve bulked up the 3 Series with more kit, torque, (and unfortunately, weight) and at the same time drinks less fuel. Malaysians are even luckier because in some countries the 330e commands quite a premium over the non-hybrid 330i. Suffice to say that I would consider one if I’m in the market for a premium compact exec.
Matthew’s take: Among the many things I like about the 330e, one particular trait I love best about this Bavarian is the execution of its hybrid system as a whole. Transitions between both power sources are smooth and seamless, whereas braking feel has never felt more natural in any other electrified cars. I can, with near surety say that the 330e is the car to get for many aspiring owners. Because how often does a bargain such as this come along, let alone drive so damn well?
IMAGE GALLERY


Too early for electric-only powertrains, Toyota says

Come the next decade, most automakers will begin adopting fully electric powertrains. Toyota however disagrees with this rapid adoption of just electric-powered vehicle.
“It’s is too early to concentrate on one option,” said Shigeki Terashi, a director and one of the key personnel in advanced technologies in Toyota. Mr. Terashi was responding to an investor’s question on
Honda’s 2040 plan
 at the annual shareholder meeting yesterday.
In an article by
Bloomberg
, Terashi added that between now and 2050, the company wants to offer multiple powertrain options such as hybrid and fuel-cell technologies to compete against each other so that the company can evaluate the best options.
Full hybrid, 4th gen
Plug-in hybrid
Hydrogen fuel cell EV
Toyota Mirai sets new world record – 1,000 km on a tank of hydrogen
Toyota’s careful approach to offering just EVs is also
contributed by the whole lifecycle of manufacturing the vehicle
. Some studies have found that
more emissions are generated
 during the production and material sourcing phase than the vehicle itself.
Mazda’s approach to reducing total CO2 emission from the point of fuel extraction, rather than just at the vehicle
Mazda has been a firm believer in this life cycle assessment, called
“well-to-wheel”
. The company said that to
achieve sustainable reductions
 in CO2 emissions, it is essential to consider emissions associated with energy extraction, refinement, and transportation; not just those that occur after the tank has been filled or battery charged and travelling on the road.
Toyota said it will work to streamline its production process to lower the production costs of EVs and other vehicles in tandem. It is set to introduce its
first portfolio of mass-production EVs
 totalling up to 15 models by 2025, working together with
Subaru
.
Toyota GR Yaris Hybrid WRC undergoing testing in preparation of 2022 racing campaign
The company also had plans to only offer electrified combustion engines beginning from 2025, with various levels of hybrid technology to meet the different customer requirements.


Genesis ‘New York’ Concept wows, will rival Audi A4, BMW 3-Series

If you have yet to know, the Genesis brand is a sub-brand of Hyundai that aims to produce premium vehicles to contend against some of Germany’s most formidable car manufacturers. At the ongoing New York Motor Show, Genesis unveiled the ‘New York Concept’ (make of that what you will), a premium compact saloon that will take on the
Audi A4
,
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
 and
BMW 3-Series
.
The New York Concept (we’re still cringing at the name) is a hybrid sports saloon concept with a front engine/rear drive mechanical layout, where underneath the bonnet lies a
242 hp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol
 engine mated to an
eight-speed automatic gearbox
.

Adhering to Genesis’ design theme of “
athletic elegance
“, the front fascia sports a wide mesh grille connected to its front long bonnet. The sharp looking air slats below each headlight promotes aerodynamic performance by continuously channeling air as the car moves.

Inside, apart from the standard leather interiors found in premium cars, there’s a distinctive curved
 21-inch floating screen
 that acts as the driver’s instrument panel and infotainment system. The screen is set to incorporate the latest Human Machine Interface (HMI) concept as well, which includes finger swipes and advanced 3D gesture-control features.
Sure, the concept may wow us all, but it’s far from taking its final form. However, expect Genesis to unveil a near-production-ready model later this year. The Korean giant is certainly optimistic and ambitious in their plans to penetrate this market. But the bigger question remains – will it work? Will, say, a premium RWD Korean saloon be able to pull as big a crowd of customers as they do draw attention? Only time will tell.
IMAGE GALLERY


Someone has placed a deposit for a Volvo XC40 in Malaysia

At the official opening of Volvo Batu Pahat 3S Centre, we learnt from Branch Manager of AJ Premium Motor Volvo Batu Pahat, Patrick Teo that the team has collected over 30 bookings for new Volvo models and all are made up of SUV models.
Teo also revealed that the showroom has received a deposit for a
Volvo XC40 compact SUV
. A spokesperson for Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has confirmed that the XC40 is indeed slated for our market but did not commit to a specific timeline.
We got up close and personal with the
XC40 R-Design in Singapore
Looking at the
roaring success of the compact SUV worldwide
 and the strong demand for Volvo SUVs in Malaysia, the XC40 makes for a strong business case for VCM to introduce the model here. The company remains tight-lipped on the variants and powertrain options of Malaysian-bound XC40.
Like all recent Volvo models, initial batches of the XC40 will be fully imported from Belgium and will be available in “
very limited units”
. It remains to be seen whether VCM will begin local assembly of the XC40 as the company would have to make some technical adjustments to enable their Shah Alam manufacturing plant to produce models riding on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform.
Globally, the XC40 is available with five petrol engines – 1.5-litre T3, 2.0-litre T4 and 2.0-litre T5 with three states of tune. Electrified variants of the XC40 is expected to debut sometime in 2019 and even the
1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged T3 petrol engine will get a Twin Engine plug-in hybrid set up
. Expect our local XC40 to feature the high output T5 engine(s) but the road-tax friendly 1.5-litre T3 is also quite an enticing package.
Don’t expect the Volvo XC40 (CBU) to come cheap because its competitor, the Audi Q3’s price tag breaches the RM200k mark and lest not to forget the
BMW X2
 is asking for RM320k of your hard earn money.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo XC40 R-Design in Singapore

Volvo XC40 Inscription T5 AWD


Porsche Taycan accelerates from 0 to 145 km/h to 0 in just 10.7 seconds!

With Bugatti being the
first manufacturer to break the 300mph (482km/h) mark in the 1,500 hp Chiron
, Porsche too flexed its electric muscles with a little feat of its own.
In the hands of professional racer Shea Holbrook, the Taycan
accelerated from 0 to 145 km/h to 0 in just 10.7 seconds
; on the USS Hornet aircraft carrier!

Despite the uneven deck surface, the Taycan accelerated to 145 km/h in just 128 metres with its launch control systems before braking hard and coming to a stop with
only 30 metres left
 of the flight deck.
The Taycan, which premiers later on today, has been making headlines recently with a
new Nurburgring record as the fastest all-electric four-door vehicle
.
On a separate occasion, it also covered
 a total of 3,425 km at speeds between 195 km/h to 215 km/h continuously
in ambient temperatures of 42 degress Celcius on the Nardo high-speed test track in Italy.
The Taycan, which is an
absolute screen fest on the inside
, has been confirmed for the Malaysian market and is said to arrive next year. So far, Porsche has already accumulated over 30,000 orders globally for the Taycan.
IMAGE GALLERY


KLIMS18: Honda HR-V RS flaunts its Ivory White leather upholstery

Parked alongside the
Honda CR-V and Jazz Mugen Concepts
 is the facelifted Honda HR-V RS – also finished in the same Passion Red Pearl hue – that have been
previewed
 and
tested
 before the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). However, this is the first time the HR-V RS’ interior is revealed to the public and surprise, surprise, it will have Ivory White leather upholstery.
Honda Malaysia has yet to officially launch the facelifted HR-V range despite showing to the Malaysian public in
July 2019
. The RS which is stands for Road Sailing; will be the range-topping variant of the popular crossover model, wearing all the bells and whistles like LED treatment for the headlamps, daytime running lights, fog lamps and taillamps, Sport Design body kit as well as larger 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.

Lower variants of the HR-V facelift
 (not displayed at KLIMS18) gets new projector halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights, platinum design Honda Wing grille, 17-inch dual-tone alloys wrapped in 215/55 profile tyres and halogen bulb taillamps.
The cabin of the HR-V RS probably came as a surprise for many, donning an Ivory White leather upholstery that covers the seats, dashboard surface and door cards. Might not be for everyone, but it certainly makes the cabin feels a touch more premium.

Other noticeable equipment on the RS includes eight-way powered driver’s seat, touchscreen infotainment system, automatic climate control, leather wrapped multi-functional steering wheel with paddle shifters, electronic parking brake with auto hold and sports pedals.
The HR-V facelift range soldiers on with the same 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine and CVT combo pushing out
142 hp
 and
172 Nm
 of twist to the front wheels. Exclusive on the HR-V RS is the
Variable Gear Ratio (VGR)
 steering rack that gives the crossover a more composed ride and handling as we’ve tested
here
.
Safety wise, the HR-V comes equipped with the usual six-airbags, ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist, Multi-Angle Rear-View Camera, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal. On the RS variant, you’ll get an additional Honda Lane Watch Camera that transmits a live feed to the infotainment screen via a camera mounted on the passenger side mirrors.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda HR-V RS at KLIMS

Honda HR-V RS First Drive


2015 Jaguar XE unveiled, 3.0 supercharged V6 in range-topping XE S [+Video]

It has been awhile since the Jaguar
X-type
 left the production line but now Jaguar’s compact executive saloon is back with an all-new platform, styling, and even a new name, the
XE
.
Developed from Jaguar Land Rover’s new
modular vehicle architecture
, the XE is set face the usual German suspects (3 Series, C-Class, A4) with its (mostly) aluminium construction and a host of new technologies under the skin.
Weighing from
1,474 kg
, the XE is Jaguar’s lightest and stiffest saloon to date. It measures
1,415 mm tall
,
1,850 mm wide
, and
4,672 mm long
 with
2,835 mm wheelbase
. From these official images, it bears the right proportions as a rear wheel drive saloon with a sculpted bonnet, coupe-like roofline and a rising waistline. Jaguar is also proud to announce that the design achieves a
drag coefficiency of 0.26
.
The huge upright grille fills up most of the frontal area with a trio of lower intakes just below it, while the headlights feature the signature
 J-Blade daytime running LEDs
 as seen on the F-Type. There’s a chromed vent just behind the front wheel arches and at the back there’s a pair of tailpipes poking out of the diffuser and topped off by a pair of LED taillights.

Inside, the XE will feature an all-new
InControl infotainment system
 that’s operated via an
8-inch touchscreen
, similar to the one announced recently in the
Land Rover Discovery Sport
. Owners can install an app in their smartphones to control a range of vehicle functions such as seven-day timed pre-setting of the XE’s climate control system, locking or unlocking the doors, or even starting the engine.
The XE will be powered by a range of 4-cylinders and 6-cylinders petrol and diesel engines. Sitting at the top currently in the
XE S
 is the
3.0-litre supercharged V6
 taken from the F-Type that dishes out
335 hp
 at 6,500 rpm and
450 Nm
 of torque at 4,500 rpm. The XE S will accelerate from
0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds
 with a limited
top speed of 250 km/h
. The transmission used in the XE S is an
8-speed auto
 from ZF. Later the XE will be joined by the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol and diesel
Ingenium engine family
 that should deliver better fuel economy in the long run.

In the safety department, the XE is claimed to be the first car in the world to be equipped with
All Surface Progress Control
 (ASPC) that delivers optimum traction by controlling both brake system and powertrain. ASPC works between 3.6 km/h and 30 km/h and the driver does not even have to use the pedals.
A
stereo camera
 is used as well in the XE to scan the roads for traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, and the autonomous emergency braking system. Other driving assistance include the semi-automated parking assistance, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, closing vehicle sensing, and reverse traffic detection.
The XE is slated to go on sale next year with price starting from £27,000. More details will be revealed at Paris motorshow in October.
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai and Kia deny talks about developing the Apple car

Hyundai Motor, together with affiliate Kia Motors have come out to clarify about rumours of themselves and Apple Inc. forming a partnership to
develop and build a car
.
Both companies, through regulatory filings translation seen by
CNBC
, have said that they are not in talks with Apple on autonomous vehicle development.
“Hyundai Motor is getting requests from multiple companies for cooperation in joint development of autonomous, electric vehicles but nothing has been decided since it’s in early stage,” said Hyundai Motor in the statement.
The news has sent share prices of both companies tumbling in South Korea, a total opposite when news of the proposed joint venture first surfaced.
All new Hyundai electric vehicles will be build on the dedicated
E-GMP platform
About a month ago, news of Hyundai Motor and Apple having talks about building an Apple-branded car had emerged. Although Hyundai officially stated nothing specific, a local news broadcaster said Apple suggested the tie-up and Hyundai was reviewing the terms.
As recent as last week, another news report said
Kia
 could be
manufacturing
 the new proposed self-driving vehicle in its Georgia facility in the US. Apple Inc. is rumoured to be investing as much as USD 3.6 billion into Kia Motors on the electric car project that is scheduled to be on sale by 2024.
Apple Inc. themselves also have never acknowledged any talks with any carmaker on the possibility of a producing a car.
Source :
CNBC


Hyundai i30 Fastback debuts, Korean sexy back with turbo engines

Hyundai has an i30 for just about everyone. A decent, comfortable car to go to work? The
normal hatchback
 is there for you. Need more space? The
Tourer
 will do the trick. If you want a fast-going stick shifter version, there’s the
i30N
! But what about style? Look no further than the new Hyundai i30 Fastback.
Liken it to
BMW GTs
, except more appropriate and less offensive looking. It’s only available in a five-door fastback style, with the roofline trimmed 25mm lower than the i30 hatch. The newly designed taillights and ducktail spoiler complete the back.

Both front and rear bumpers are new and the grille is a tad smaller, making the car look larger. Suspension has also been tweaked – 15 percent stiffer with 5mm lower springs.
Meanwhile, the cabin is identical to other i30 variants. There’s also an
 8.0-inch infotainment screen
 that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while active safety features such as
Autonomous Emergency Braking
, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist System are standard in this i30 Fastback.
There are two petrol engines offered for the i30 hatchback. One is a four-cylinder 1.4-litre direct injection turbocharged with
138 hp
 and an the other is a

1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo with
116 hp
. The engines can be mated with either a six-speed manual or a seven speed dual-clutch automatic.
The Hyundai i30 Fastback will be available in showrooms later in the year. The bigger question now is, will the i30 Fastback be sold in Malaysia? We have a funny feeling it won’t.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW 218i Active Tourer introduced, 1.5L 5-seater Munich MPV from RM219k [+Video]

The
F45 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer
 is now officially on sale, after being
spotted at West Port
, Port Klang nearly two weeks ago. It joins the 220i Coupe in the 2-Series lineup, but they both cannot be any more different. We’ll get to that in a minute.
Two trim levels
 are offered here, and their on-the-road price
without insurance
 is
RM218,800
 for the
Standard
 trim, while the
Luxury Line
 costs RM30,000 more at
RM248,800
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
F45 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer (Standard)
F45 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer (Luxury Line)
Engine
1,499cc; inline 3-cyl with BMW TwinPower Turbo
1,499cc; inline 3-cyl with BMW TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
6-speed Steptronic auto
6-speed Steptronic auto
Max Power
136 hp @ 4,400 rpm
136 hp @ 4,400 rpm
Max Torque
220 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,300 rpm
220 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,300 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
9.2 seconds; 205km/h
9.2 seconds; 205km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM218,800.00
(with GST)
RM248,800.00
(with GST)

Unlike the 220i Coupe, this Active Tourer shares its underpinnings (UKL1 platform) as the new MINI, including its
1.5-litre three-cylinder engine
. As such, the five-seater luxury MPV gets a front wheel drive configuration – a BMW first. Ever. It measures at 4,342mm in length, has a wheelbase of 2,670mm, 1,800mm wide and is 1,555mm tall.
EXTERIOR
Standard equipment that make the list are
LED headlights
 with LED daytime running lights and cornering lights, fog lights, LED tail lamps, folding side mirrors with integrated signal indicators and rain sensor.

In base trim that is the Standard, you get
16-inch
 light alloy wheels shod with 205/60 R16 series tyres, single exhaust pipe, kidney grille with chrome surround and Park Distance Control (PDC; rear only). For RM30k more, you get a nicer set of
18-inch Y-spoke wheels
 with 225/45 R18 profile rubbers, more chrome touches round the car, Comfort Access, automatic tailgate, Park Assistant with front and rear parking sensors.
INTERIOR
Inside, you’ve got automatic air-conditioning system as standard, as are electronic parking brake, sports leather steering wheel, front centre armrest, electric seat adjustments with memory function (driver only), push-start button with Auto Start/Stop function (off button included, as usual), rear view camera, BMW TeleServices and BMW Apps.

A
6.5-inch monitor
 operated via BMW’s iDrive Controller built right next to the gearknob is also standard issue, which supports USB devices, Bluetooth connectivity and Bluetooth audio streaming. Music fills the cabin through a six-speaker stereo system.
Now, the Standard trim gets Sensatec leather upholstered seats and interior trims are finished with high-gloss black panels highlighted with pearl chrome. As for the Luxury Line, you get
Dakota leather
 perforated seats, fine-wood trim with chrome highlights, door sills with “BMW Luxury” wordings, contrast stitching on the dashboard,
HiFi loudspeaker system
 with 7-speakers and
GPS navigation system
.
PERFORMANCE
Before you shun upon this seemingly puny engine, just keep in mind that the
i8
 is using the
exact unit
. In the F45’s state of tune however, the three-cylinder motor makes
136 hp
 at 4,400 rpm and
220 Nm
 from 1,250 to 4,300 rpm thanks to BMW’s
twin scroll turbocharging
 technology. The silky smooth eight-speed automatic transmission by ZF is also omitted here in favour of the
6-speeder
, just like the MINI.
We’ve
reviewed the engine
‘s performance in the new MINI, so its
9.2-second
 century sprint time doesn’t seem too far fetched here. Claimed top speed is
205 km/h
, while fuel consumption is rated at
5.2 litres per 100km
.
SAFETY
General safety kit starts off with front, side and head airbags, child ISOFIX mounts, Dynamic Stability Control, ABS, ASC, DBC, run-flat tyres and flat tyre indicator.
WHAT ELSE?
As with all BMWs, the 2-Series Active Tourer will come with a
two-year unlimited mileage
 warranty programme and a three-year or 60,000km BS+RI package. Again, pricing for the Standard trim is
RM218,800
 without insurance, while the
Luxury Line
 is priced at
RM248,800
, also without insurance.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Bentley celebrates centennial in style with Pikes Peak record run

You may have heard that Bentley claimed a new production car record in the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb with the
Continental GT coupe
 last week. Now you can relive that feat through Rhys Millen helmet cam.

Bentley’s achievement is fitting in that the original coachbuilder from Crewe celebrates its 100
th
 year in existence on 10
th
 July 2019, and the team did it in fashion by smashing the existing production car record (set in 2015 in a Porsche 911 Turbo S) by 8.4 seconds when Millen stopped the clock at an auspicious-sounding 10:18.488.
New production car record at Pikes Peak for Bentley arrives in 10:18.488.
Icy and wet conditions put driver and the mainly stock 635 hp/900 Nm 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12-powered AWD Continental GT coupe to the test, with only one run allowed for each participant on competition day. The pressure was clearly on for the Millen, but after taking the
Bentley Bentayga W12
 to the fastest SUV record in 2018, he delivered once again.

The challenge of scaling Pikes Pike is unique each year with changeable weather and the fact that the start line is located at an altitude of nearly 3,000 metres, rising to 4,300 metres at the finish line. And then there’s the course itself – a 20km uphill run with 156 corners, blind crests and sheer cliff drops, with no safety barriers.


Mercedes-AMG W11: Powering Hamilton to a seventh drivers’ crown?

As is always the case, we’ll never really know how an F1 car fares until its wheels are turned in anger, but given Mercedes’ unprecedented run of
six consecutive titles
, no one with a sane mind will bet against them making it seven.
In a season that which brings the curtains down on the existing set of regulations (the sport gets a hard reset in 2021), you could say that all the teams are maximising the returns from the advancements made in the last years, and it’s no different at the
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team
.

When asked on the areas that the team focused on improving,
technical director James Allison
 had this to say, “On top of the conventional fare of winter development we made three investments: One at the front, one in the middle and one at the back of the car.
Higher side-pods on the W11, following a ‘pitlane trend’.
“At the front we have accepted
more structural complexity
 around the uprights and wheel rims in order to provide a higher performance assembly overall. In the middle of the car we have followed the
 pitlane trend
 by moving our upper side impact tube to the lower position and banking the aerodynamic gain that comes with this layout.
“At the rear of the car we have gone for an
adventurous suspension layout
 in order to free up aerodynamic development opportunity. All three investments were improvements in their own right, but their real effect is to mobilise a raft of
secondary aerodynamic gains
 both during the winter and, we hope, across the season to come.”
Last year’s W10 was consistently fast across different tracks, it also used its tyres well relative to other teams and was just a bit short on straight line pace on power circuits (compared to the Ferraris) and
borderline on cooling
 over hot races, but Allison is confident that they have raised the aerodynamic efficiency on the W11 and addressed the temperature issue with larger face area on the radiators.
What’s
unchanged
 is the driver pairing of
reigning champion Lewis Hamilton
and
Valtteri Bottas
 (who finished second last season) as well as the management and members of the team, so expect the Mercedes-AMG W11 to be the car to beat once again.


The new BMW M760Li xDrive will do 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds!

Crazy isn’t it? That’s even before you find out that with the optional M Driver’s Package, its electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h will be de-restricted to over 305 km/h.
The source of this madness comes from a 6.6-litre twin turbocharged V12 with
585 hp
 and
850 Nm
, to power all four wheels through the xDrive system.
With this introduction, the new 7-series will also be available in 750i xDrive form, powered by a twin turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine making over
 500 hp
, more than 80 hp from before, with an insane
750 Nm
 (100 Nm increase) on demand. 0 to 100 km/h is done in just four seconds with the long wheelbase model being just 0.1 second slower.
The BMW 7 Series will be offered with a long wheelbase variant that’s
14 cm longer than the standard car
 but by far the biggest and most noticeable change in the exterior is the new kidney grille that’s
40% larger
, framed by a single piece surround.
The new grille comes with active air flaps with adjustable vanes which open only when cooling is needed. At the back, the three-dimensional rear lights of the new 7 Series is now
more than 3 cm slimmer
, complemented by a slim light strip measuring just 6 mm, that creates a discreet illumination when the daytime running lights are switched on.
The new 7 Series can be had with either 17 or 18-inch light alloy wheels and in addition, new 20-inch light-alloy wheels in multi-spoke and star-spoke design, and 21-inch light-alloy wheels in W-spoke design have been introduced to the line up.

The cabin of the new 7 Series has also been significantly refined with optimised shielding of the rear wheel arches to reduce tyre noise even more. Further noise reduction in the interior had been achieved through
increased sound insulation in the B-pillar,  seatbelt outlet covers and the rear seat backrest
.
Laminated glass with an
increased thickness of 5.1 mm
 is now used not only for the windscreen but also for the side windows and rear window too. This new construction for the side and rear windows is standard only for the BMW 750i xDrive, BMW 750Li xDrive and BMW M760Li xDrive models but will be available for the other models as part of the Rear Comfort Glass option.
The electric power windows now come with new drive motors and control units which ensure precise power management, smooth movement and a consistent sound when the windows are lowered and raised. Also part of the new system is the improved fluency of the transition stages at the beginning and end of window opening and closing.
So while we await the new BMW 7 Series’ arrival in Malaysia, here are some pictures for you to digest that new grille.
IMAGE GALLERY


The new Toyota Copen GR Sport is one feisty-looking toy car

Toyota has just launched the new two-seater convertible Copen GR Sport – an OEM vehicle manufactured by Daihatsu, developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Toyota says that the new car is an entry-level model of the GR series that expands the possibilities of the Copen and with the magical Gazoo Racing touch, enables drivers to “enjoy a hard ride-like sports car and easily enjoy sports driving”.
Weighing
as little as 850 kg
, not much is needed to power the Copen which makes just
 64 hp
and
92 Nm
 of torque from a 660 cc, 3-cylinder turbocharged twin-cam DVVT engine.
For a car such as this, the 5-speed manual with Limited Slip Differential is the one to go for but alternatively there’s a 7-speed CVT gearbox with paddle shifters – but why would you want that?
Focus has been given to the car’s rigidity with an added front brace and redesigned centre brace on the undercarriage. The Copen is also fitted with underfloor covers for better air flow under the car, contributing to better stability.
The Copen GR Sport rides on 16-inch forged aluminium BBS wheels with dedicated shock absorbers and optimised spring rates for a fine balance between comfort and sporty handling. The Copen also gets a specially-tuned electric power steering for better steering response.
The eletronically-operated roof or “Active Top” as Toyota calls it can be
fully retracted within 20 seconds
 and tucks neatly behind the occupants. With the roof open, Toyota says there’s enough space for a small duffel bag but when closed, you can easily fit a golf bag in the boot.
It doesn’t take a genius then to figure out that when you’re on a long driving trip – something you’d want to use the Copen GR Sport for – unless you can fit clothes for two in a small bag, you’re never going to be able to open the roof. Not very Toyota, I must say.
IMAGE GALLERY


Frankfurt 2015: Volkswagen debuts Multivan PanAmericana concept, the 21st century Kombi van?

We’ve noticed a rather interesting trend amongst concept cars that have debuted at Frankfurt this year, and their theme has been geared more toward lifestyle mobility and the case is apparent here with Volkswagen’s 21st century iteration of the iconic people carrier – the Kombi van.
The
Kombi
 was more than just a
utilitarian
 means of getting around but rather it was an embodiment of the
lifestyle
 people enjoyed back in the day. It could do just about
anything
. The concept of the new
limited-edition
 Multivan PanAmericana not only unites both the spirit of
globetrotting
 and
off-roading
, but with this concept these worlds can be conquered too.
The project was spearheaded by specialists from
Volkswagen’s Commercial Vehicles
 division. The creators envisioned the ability to conveniently and safely transport the owner’s valuable
motorcycle
 with an
electrically assisted
 loading and unloading
tailgate
. The PanAmericana concept unites the comfort of the
Multivan
 with the off-road capabilities of an
SUV
. Above all, it does what it does best: serving as a magnificent transport vehicle for
cargo loads
 of nearly any type or size.
In order to achieve this, the PanAmericana concept comes loaded with the brand’s
4MOTION all-wheel drive
system. Powering the concept is the (now controversial)
2.0-litre TDI mill
 producing
201 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque at
1,400 to 2,000 rpm
 from the run-of-the-mill Multivan. The clean-burning power is channeled out via the marque’s signature
seven-speed DSG
 transmission.
Aside from decked in
Oryx White
, the PanAmericana concept can be identified from a host of
badges
 pinned to the radiator grille, the tail gate and B-pillars. The styling line above the side sill in
Flash Red
 and black give it away as well. Wheel arch
mouldings
 and
flared
 side sills underscore the concept’s sporty image, while also visible from the front is the
sturdy
 lightweight metal underbelly guard. Could this really be the 21st century Kombi van? We’d love for it to come true!
IMAGE GALLERY


Renault Clio Renaultsport R.S.16 could be the fastest Clio in the world

All behold the world’s hottest Clio, the Renault Clio Renaultsport R.S.16. Unveiled at Monaco and named aptly after Renault’s F1 car, the
R.S.16
, the Clio is made in time to celebrate RenaultSport’s 40th anniversary and its return to F1.
The recipe for the Clio R.S.16 is quite simple, really. Over the course of five months, the talents from Renaultsport took bits and parts from Renault cars, including powertrain, brakes, wheels and dampers from the
Megane R.S 275 Trophy-R
. Hence, it gets the similar
2.0-litre turbocharged
 engine that makes
270 hp
 and
360 Nm
 of torque from that same car that once broke the Nurburgring lap record for front-wheel drive cars.
While purists loathed the fact that the Clio RS came with the sole dual clutch gearbox, this hot Clio has finally received a
 six-speed manual transmission
. Power is still delivered to the front wheels.
Exterior wise, the Clio R.S.16 is beefed up with extensive aero upgrades such as a rear spoiler, extended wheel arches, and a bodykit. It rides on a set of 19-inch rims with Michelin Pilot Sport SP2 rubbers.
There are no plans for production, and for now, only two cars have been built. One of them is on display in Monaco while another is a prototype for Renault. That said, seeing the effort poured into the development of this car, a limited production of this hot hatch sounds plausible. Besides, you wouldn’t say no to this pocket rocket in its brilliant shade of yellow, right?
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace facelift now in Malaysia – Elegance & R-Line 4Motion, fr. RM175k

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just unveiled the 2022 Tiguan Allspace facelift here on our shores over the weekend. As before, the 5+2 SUV will be offered in two variants, although the
outgoing Highline
 has now been replaced by the 1.4TSI Elegance, while the 2.0-litre R-Line 4Motion remains.
Both variants will be locally-assembled here in VPCM’s assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang, and is priced from RM174,746 for the 1.4TSI Elegance.
EXTERIOR
First unveiled
 globally back in May last year
, the 2022 Tiguan Allspace facelift introduces a few nip and tuck to its appearance, particularly on the front fascia, to bring it closer to its other siblings in the Volkswagen model line-up.
The fully LED headlights get a new slimmer and design with a twin ‘U’-shaped light signature, somewhat reminiscent of the ones on the all-new Volkswagen Golf. The grille has also been enlarged, now with a light-bar running across its entire width to join the two headlights together.
Around the rear, the taillights also get a new light signature similar to that of the Passat, while the plastic claddings around the wheel arches have also been slimmed down.
Both variants also get new bumper styling with a wide bone-shaped design up front, but the R-Line kit on the range-topping variant looks significantly sportier with wider air intakes and additional black and chrome accents, plus faux exhaust exits round the back.
As for wheel sizes, the 1.4 TSI Elegance comes equipped with a set of silver 18-inch ‘Frankfurt’ alloys, while the R-Line 4Motion variant gets a larger 19-inch set of grey ‘Valencia’ rollers.
PERFORMANCE
The powertrain underneath the hood for both variants remain unchanged from before.
VW Tiguan Allspace 1.4 TSI Elegance
Engine: 1.4 litre turbocharged four-cylinder, petrol
Transmission: six-speed DSG wet dual-clutch
Driveline: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 150 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 250 Nm @ 2,500 – 3,500 rpm
VW Tiguan Allspace 2.0 TSI R-Line 4Motion
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, petrol
Transmission: Seven-speed DSG dual-clutch
Driveline: Front-engine, 4Motion all-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 220 hp @ 4,500 – 6,200 rpm
Max torque: 350 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,400 rpm
New to the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 1.4 TSI Elegance is a drive mode selector, with four modes – Eco, Normal, Sport, Individual – for the driver to personalise based on their preferences.
INTERIOR
The facelift exercise continues to the Tiguan Allspace’s interior, although a lot milder in comparison. Both variants are fairly similarly equipped, with standard equipment including:
New three-spoke steering wheel with haptic touch buttons
Three-zone automatic climate control with new touch-sensitive control panel, Air Care purification system
9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
11.7-inch Digital Instrument Cluster
12-way power adjustable front seats with memory function, seat heating and ventilation
Black Vienna leather upholstery
Powered tailgate
Reverse camera
The R-Line 4Motion variant differentiates itself with the addition of a 10-speaker 480W Harman Kardon sound system, alongside the usual R-line trims including a sportier flat-bottom steering wheel.
SAFETY
As with the rest of VPCM’s model range here in Malaysia, the Tiguan Allspace does not come with autonomous emergency braking. However, both variants are equipped with lane keeping assist as standard, alongside the usual ABS and ESC, plus six airbags.
PRICING
The new 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace facelift in Malaysia starts at
RM174,746
 for the 1.4TSI Elegance variant, while the range-topping 2.0TSI R-Line 4Motion variant is priced at
RM219,444
, representing a price increase of roughly RM10,000 and RM11,000 respectively. As they’re both locally-assembled here in Malaysia, they are also currently exempted from SST, until the 30th of June 2022.
Also included in the price is a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, alongside three years of free scheduled service.
GALLERY
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 2.0TSI R-Line 4Motion
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 1.4TSI Elegance


Volkswagen Golf and Passat models receive upgrades for 2016

Following a roller coaster ride in 2015, Volkswagen plans to kick the new year off to a strong start by introducing several functional updates to the Mk7 Golf and Passat B8 models, both of which are bound for the UK.
Two brand new variants will join the Golf lineup – the
Golf GT Edition
 and
Golf R-Line Edition
. The former receives over RM10,000 worth of upgrades of which include a new set of 18-inch Durban alloy wheels and a panoramic sunroof. Despite the new kit, the Golf GT Edition will only be priced at about £300 more (or just under RM2,000) than the Golf GT it replaces. Similarly, the Golf R-Line Edition also benefits from the same new equipments but features a different set of wheels (18-inch Serron alloy wheels).
While we eagerly wait for the
new MQB-based Volkswagen Passat’s
 arrival, customers in the UK can now purchase the Passat SE Business variant (also available for the
Passat Estate
) which comes with the company’s new Discover Navigation system, front fog lights, electric folding side mirrors and tinted rear windows – all for just RM600 more!
Just to recap, Volkswagen Group Malaysia
held a special media preview
 back in December 2014 of the new Passat, Golf GTE (plug-in hybrid) and all-electric small car, the e-Up. The company also
revealed that the Passat B8 will most likely be the first MQB-based car to be locally assembled at their Pekan plant
, although exactly when the plan will materialise remains to be seen.


All-new Suzuki Swift scores 4-Star ASEAN NCAP rating [+Video]

The
fourth-generation Suzuki Swift
 was just subjected to the ASEAN NCAP Crash Safety Assessment and the hatchback was awarded a 4-Star crash safety rating. The results may come as a surprise to many considering that as a global product, the Swift did not equal or better the
Perodua Myvi’s 5-Star rating
.
The Suzuki Swift in question is the 1.2-litre GL variant manufactured in Thailand and Japan for the Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines and Singapore market. Standard safety items across the variant line up are dual airbags, ABS, front passenger seat belt reminders and ISOFIX mounting points. The Advanced Forward Detection System driver assist system available for the Europe market is not available for models sold in the ASEAN region.
The Swift scored 27.69 (out of 36) for Adult Occupant Protection and in the Child Occupant Protection category it scored 39.11 (out of 49). Due to the lack of advanced driver assist systems, the Swift only managed a 9.10 (out of 18) for the Safety Assist category. All these give the Swift an overall weighted score of 71.05 points and a 4-Star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating.
Commenting on its overall rating ASEAN NCAP writes: “The Swift is equipped with Anti-lock Braking System as a standard fitment across all variants. However, Electronic Stability Control is only available for variants in Singapore and Thailand market. Seatbelt Reminder System for both frontal occupants is fitted as standard in all available countries with Singapore having the system extended to its rear occupants.”


Daimler AG and BMW Group joins forces in developing autonomous vehicles

BMW Group and Daimler AG have signed an agreement for a long term strategic cooperation for the joint development of next generation technologies for driver assistance systems, automated driving on highways, automated parking and higher levels of automation in urban areas.
The goal of the cooperation is to
accelerate the launch of automated driving
, which is expected to feature in passenger cars by 2024.
The
BMW VISION iNEXT
As for BMW Group, they’ve been working on highly automated driving since 2006 and at the moment there are more than 70 test vehicles with the next generation automated driving technology on trial.
It is expected that Level 3 automation will be available by as early as 2021 in the BMW iNEXT. As for Daimler AG, Level 4 and Level 5 fully automated vehicles will be introduced into the market early next decade.
Mercedes-Benz answer to electric mobility – the
EQC
.
Level 3 automation allows a car to manage most aspects of driving while monitoring its surrounding area. When the system detects a situation it can’t manage, the driver will be prompted to resume control of the car. Level 5 merely requires a destination to be keyed in.
Next year, Daimler AG will be launching its first pilot programme, in collaboration with Bosch on self-driving vehicles in urban environments.


Tom Cruise takes on former F1 drivers in the new Porsche 911 GT3

Tom Cruise recreates Top Gun aerial battle on track with Mark Webber and David Coulthard, in the
all-new Porsche 911 GT3
 – if only we could use that as the title cause who would’ve thought we’d see these three guys in the same ring!
Then again, who would’ve thought Covid-19 could happen, or a Top Gun remake even; with the same actor from 30 years ago looking like he has not aged, but that’s exactly what’s happening and that’s what this farce is all about.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpR_pRgKZ9k
If you have seen last weekend’s Silverstone Formula 1 GP in the UK, you would’ve noticed Tom Cruise at the paddock cozying up to the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team. While he was there, he also shot this video with the former Formula 1 drivers, as a promo of the new “Top Gun: Maverick” movie released earlier this month.
Porsche did more than just remove the rear wing in the new 911 GT3 Touring! Find out what else!
There may not be a lot of action in the video, in fact, it could even make some of you cringe but there are some witty punchlines in it. In one of the scenes,
Cruise even took a swipe at Webber
; saying that he wasn’t bad for a second driver – in reference to the Australian driver’s time with Red Bull Racing, playing second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel.
Find out more about the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 here!
The new, special edition 911 GT3 celebrates the first Porsche to arrive in Australia.
Read bout it here!
The video also very obviously revolves around the
all-new Porsche 911 GT3
, with its unmistakable 9,000 rpm engine revving noise. The new generation GT3 now comes with
510 hp
 and
470 Nm
, up 10 hp and 10 Nm, from a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine.
Naturally, it’s quicker from 0 to 100 km/h as well, in just
3.4 seconds
 with the PDK dual-clutch gearbox, or 3.9-seconds with the six-speed manual transmission.
Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur 911 GT3 Touring. Read about it
here
.
The video is also full of quotes from the movie; with some scenes even mimicking the aerial dogfights. It’s just sad it had to end the way it did. Watch and find out why!
Porsche did 300 km/h non-stop in the new 911 GT3 for 5,000 km, only stopping for fuel. Find out more!


All Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will be electrified from 2020 onwards!

The
Swedes has announced that they every car in their stable will feature some form of electrifications
 to lower emissions and now the Brits are following suit. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has just announced that from 2020 onwards, all Jaguar and Land Rover models will be electrified.
This bold announcement was made during the inaugural JLR Tech Fest where the company discuss the next step in future mobility. Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer, said: “We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles. Our first fully electric performance SUV, the Jaguar I-PACE, goes on sale next year.”
Leading the electrification offensive will be the
all electric SUV Jaguar I-PACE
 which will be available for purchase next year. Also, up their sleeves is the E-Type Zero concept that reimagined the iconic Jaguar E-Type with an electrified powertrain.
Besides that, Jaguar has also unveiled the
Future-Type
, a visionary concept car that envisions automobiles of 2040 and beyond. The Future-Type explores the realms of fully autonomous vehicles that are shared, not owned. Sayer, the intelligent steering wheel is also part of this futuristic concept.
No other details were announced just yet but we sure are looking forward to what’s to come in the JLR stable!


Haval H6 HEV previewed at Malaysia Auto Show 2023 – Hybrid X70 rival?

Together with the many cars on display at the
Malaysia Autoshow 2023
 is the
Haval H6
 HEV
 by Great Wall Motors. It falls under the same group of companies that has given us the Ora Good Cat and the Haval H6 is a mild hybrid (MHEV) SUV. The car is only previewed for now as no official prices have been announced.
The Haval H6 HEV measures 4,683 mm long, 1,886 mm wide, and 1,724 mm tall. Its wheelbase measures 2,738 mm long. Generally, the Haval H6 HEV is slightly larger than the
Proton X70
 in most of the dimensions.
On the outside, the Haval H6 HEV is equipped with a chrome grille, Smart LED headlights, LED DRLs, LED front fog lights, an LED light strip taillight system, LED rear fog lights, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and an electric tailgate. Completing the exterior of the Haval H6 HEV is a set of 19-inch alloy wheels.
As for colour options, the Thai-spec Haval H6 HEV can be had in Ayers Gray, Swarovski Blue, Sun Black, Hamilton White, and Burgundy Red. The unit shown at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 is in Swarovski Blue.
RELATED:
Peugeot e-2008 previewed at Malaysia Auto Show 2023 – up to 320km range, 100kW DC charging
Powering the car is a mild hybrid system which consists of a 1.5-litre turbocharged and a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). Combined, the system makes a total output of
243 hp
 (metric) and
530 Nm
. Power is sent to the front wheels only.
If you’re wondering, the engine itself makes 150 hp (metric) and 230 Nm. The DHT itself makes 177 hp (metric) and 300 Nm. According to Haval, DHT “is a highly integrated, high-efficiency, multi-mode petrol-electric hybrid system with dual-motor hybrid technology to achieve an all-speed and all-scenario perfect balance between high efficiency and high performance.”
RELATED:
MINI Electric Resolute Edition now available with new exterior colours, from RM205k
Inside, the Haval H6 HEV comes with either a black interior for the “Pro” variant and a light interior for the “Ultra” variant. Both with a 2-tone design, Featured on the inside of the Haval H6 HEV is a 12.3-inch central touchscreen head unit and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. It also comes with a wireless mobile phone charger.
Standard features on the Haaval H6 HEV include ambient lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an electric parking brake, an electronic shifter, a multi-function leather steering wheel, a 6-wat power adjustable driver seat with lumbar support, and a 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. Other standard equipment include 4 USB charging ports and 1 USB connection port. For convenience, the rear seats can be folded with a 60:40 split.
RELATED:
2023 Proton X50 R3 Concept previews production model – 200 units only, booking only at MAS2023
As for safety, the Thai-spec Haval H6 HEV is equipped with Intelligent Parking Assist, Variable Cruise Control with intelligent cornering assist, Cruise control at low speeds, Front and rear distance sensors, 360° surround view, Low-speed emergency braking assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, front collision warning, rear collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot warning. If anything, the Haval H6 is well-equipped in terms of safety.
The Haval H6 HEV will be on display at Malaysia Autoshow 2023 happening from May 4 to 7, 2023. The auto show will take place at MAEPS Serdang.
GALLERY


Video: JMC Vigus Pro launched in Malaysia, 5 Things

Angka-Tan Motor
, a subsidiary of Warisan Tan Chong Holding, has launched the
JMC Vigus Pro
 pick-up truck. Only one variant is available, starting from RM98,888.
The JMC Vigus Pro is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine paired to an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. The Ford engine pushes out 141 hp and 340 Nm; the latter from as low as 1,500 rpm. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.8L/100km.

Considering its price, the equipment list is quite comprehensive with LED daytime running lights, power-folding side mirrors with LED indicators, a sports bar, and parking sensors in the front and back. You also get front and rear fog lamps however, like the headlamps, they’re all halogen units.
As for the “pick-upy” aspects of the Vigus Pro, ground clearance is rated at 225 mm, with up to 850 kg of cargo payload.
Inside, the seats were surprisingly comfortable with decent amounts of legroom in the backseat. Three things would stand out in there; the twin-spoke steering, the Peugeot-like gear lever, and the cruise control feature that works up to 150 km/h.
As for the rest of the pick-up, check out the video to find out more!
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Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept hits Paris, aims to clinch C-Segment hot hatch crown

Here we have another head turning concept car from
Nissan
 at the 2014 Paris Motor Show – the Nissan
Pulsar Nismo Concept
. Essentially an aggressively kitted up version derived from the
Nissan Pulsar
 – an
European C-Segment
 hatch, the Pulsar Nismo is keen to take the fight against the well established VW Golf GTI, Renault Megane, Ford Focus ST and what have you.

It’s unclear what engine Nismo – Nissan’s performance and motorsports-oriented arm – will put into the car, but sources say that a heavily tuned
1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
 unit nestles underneath the Satin Grey bonnet, one that makes between
250 hp
 to
275 hp
. That’s a lot of power coming from a 1.6-litre mill, and an even more impressive fact is how close the numbers are to that of the turbocharged 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine found in the
Civic Type R Concept
!
The Concept’s bodywork features Nismo’s trademark red-accented Layered Double-Wing which is designed to
improve aerodynamic performance
.
The front bumper gets an
enlarged
,
optimised air intakes
 and brake-cooling inlets. Side skirts are more pronouncedly cut, ride height lowered, while the rear bumper features a diffuser-style design, complemented with a pair of centralised twin exhaust pipes.
Other elements include a
bespoke carbon fibre rear spoiler
, side skirts and flared wheel arches. The hatch sits on 19-inch five-arm alloy wheels shod with 235/35 R19 series tyres.
Inside, the Pulsar Nismo Concept gets race-inspired theme with a red coloured tachometer, deeper and more sculpted sports seats wrapped with Alcantara as well as a sportier three-spoke steering wheel.
So what do you think of Nismo’s latest concept? Does the whole package seem a tad too far-fetched, or do you think Nismo has gotten most of it right to earn the Pulsar a spot under the Nurburgring limelight?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-AMG GLC63 is here to slay the Porsche Macan Turbo [+Video]

Mercedes-AMG’s lineup is as diverse as that poster from United Colours of Benetton. From the drift-happy
E 63
 and its
estate
 counterpart to the beautiful
AMG GT
, now two
GLC
 models have joined the fray. Both the SUV and coupe variants of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ are the latest recipients to receive Affalterbach’s magical touch.
Differentiating between the GLC 63 and the normal GLC is the
Panamericana grille
 similar to the one found on the
AMG GT R
. It gets clothed with an aggressive bodykit, with a set of 19-inch wheels filling the arches of the “standard” GLC 63. Meanwhile the more potent GLC 63 S receives titanium grey 20-inch rims with a high-sheen finish.

Just like most Mercedes-AMG models, the GLC 63 uses a
4.0-litre twin turbo V8
, but here the power is transferred to all four wheels, similar to the E 63. The V8 belts out
476 hp
and
650 Nm
 of torque, while the S variant is even more powerful, generating
510 hp
 and
700 Nm
. Those figures easily eclipse its rival from Stuttgart, the
Porsche Macan Turbo
.
Regardless of which variant you choose, the
AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed automatic
 is the sole transmission option here. Getting from 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.0 seconds for the GLC 63, but the GLC 63 S does it in 3.8 seconds, which is just as quick as the AMG GT S. Top speed for both models are still capped at 250 km/h.

With the
4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system
, the GLC 63 remains rear wheel bias for most of the time, but torque can be split to both the front and rear axle to ensure optimal traction on any road surfaces. The
AMG Dynamic Select
 drive program is available here, with “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus”, and “Individual” that will alter the response of the engine, suspension, steering, and the all-wheel drive system.
As always, the
Edition 1
 is offered for both the SUV and coupe, where it receives the
Night package
 exterior enhancements and
AMG Performance Studio
 interior. There was no mention about the pricing, but in Europe, the order books for these cars will open in June. Presently in Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia offers the
GLC 250 4MATIC
 and the
GLC 250 4MATIC Coupe
 at RM329K and RM424k respectively.

IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupe


Watch the Red Bull Racing F1 team perform the fastest pit stops of 2019

Speed is everything in motorsports and the onus isn’t just on the race car drivers but also the pit crew, to be quick. Whether it’s shaving hundreds of a second from lap times or merely performing a quick refuel, every second can influence a team’s fortunes.
In Formula 1, teams scrutinise and optimise every aspect of their game, no matter how trivial, just to gain an advantage over their rivals and that constant push for perfection simply beggars the question – how much faster can they get?
As the Red Bull Racing team has shown this season, very. Off the track, at least.

The 2019 Formula 1 season may have been less than stellar for the team after chalking just three race victories but it was their pit crew’s heroics that stole the show.
The pit crew recorded three new pit stop records, one each at the Austrian GP, German GP and Brazilian GP, contributing to a win for Max Verstappen in the latter two races.

The team even took to the skies after their remarkable feat – performing a pit stop at an altitude of 33,000 feet on board a cosmonaut training plane. Talk about taking a bull by its horns!


Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus launched in Malaysia, CBU priced at RM373k

The highly anticipated
second-generation Volvo XC60
 has finally arrived in Malaysia. In typical Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) fashion, the premium mid-sized SUV will first come as a limited run fully imported models while local assembly operations to commence at a later date.
VCM has decided to equip the imported XC60 from Sweden, the most powerful
T8 Twin Engine
 decked out in the fully-loaded
Inscription Plus
 package. After all applicable duties and taxes, the XC60 T8 Inscription Plus CBU is priced at RM373,888 (OTR without insurance). Rest assured that the CKD variants will knock down the price by a significant margin.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus
Engine
1,969cc; four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
320 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 2,200 – 5,400 rpm
Electric Motor
87 hp & 240 Nm
Combined Output
407 hp & 640 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
5.3 seconds; 230 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM373,888
EXTERIOR
Like the 90-series models (
S90
,
V90
 &
XC90
), the all-new XC60 sits on the company’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. Volvo has taken the essence of the XC90’s design and given it a more expressive design.
The Inscription trim adds Inscription-specific chrome grille, exterior details in chrome, integrated roof rails, dual integrated tailpipes and rides on 19-inch 10-spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55 profile tyres.

Other standard equipment includes full LED active headlamps with Thor’s hammer LED daytime running lights, Adaptive Brake Lights, windscreen wipers with integrated washers and puddle lighting.
INTERIOR
Inside, the Inscription Plus comes equipped with Charcoal leather upholstery – no Nappa leather here, powered adjustable comfort seats with memory function for driver’s seat, three-spoke multifunctional Sport steering wheel, 12.3-inch TFT Adaptive instrument cluster display and heads-up display, dual-zone automatic climate control with Clean Zone Interior Air Quality system.

Feel good features available on the T8 variant includes a 9.0-inch Sensus Connect touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
1,100W 15-speakers Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound Audio System
,
Orrefors Crystal Gear Lever
, diamond-cut engine start/stop knob, 360-degree camera, and Panoramic Sunroof.
The Inscription-trims gets Inscription-specific items such as Driftwood Décor Inlay, front and rear tread plates and textile carpets.
PERFORMANCE
Driving the XC60 T8 is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine paired to an electric motor that belts
407 hp
 and
640 Nm
 of twisting force. The petrol engine drives the front wheels while the electric motor deploys power exclusively to the rear axles, making the XC60 effectively an all-wheel-drive layout.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is tasked with power transfer duties. Sprinting to 100 km/h from standstill takes a blistering
5.3 seconds
, onwards to a limited top speed of
230 km/h
. The plug-in hybrid SUV is claimed to sip 2.1 litres per 100 km.
Charging the 10.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack from empty takes 4 hours and will give the XC60 a pure electric driving range of
45 km
. The battery pack is also cleverly integrated into the centre tunnel of the car meaning the PHEV powertrain does not compromise on boot space, unlike a certain Bavarian.
The XC60 T8 rides on the more potent
Active Chassis with Air suspension
 on all four corners (just like the XC90) which adjusts its damping to keep the rear axle level for better comfort.
SAFETY
The new XC60 comes with the usual safety of active, preventive and protective safety such as City Safety autonomous emergency braking, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Run off-road Mitigation, Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation, Steer Assist and Oncoming Lane Mitigation just to name a few.
Pilot Assist
 which allows semi-autonomous driving on well-marked roads up to 130 km/h, will also be available in the new XC60. Recently, the XC60 was awarded as the
safest car in EURO NCAP Testing 2017
.
WHAT ELSE?
The Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus will be fully imported from Sweden and customers can choose from five exterior colours – Ice White, Bright Silver, Osmium Grey, Onyx Black and Maple Brown. All purchase of the XC60 will come with a 5-Years Warranty.
The
local-assembled XC60
 variants will be available in the coming months but interested customers can now place their bookings for their car at all authorised Volvo dealers nationwide.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Charge it up


Have you heard of “PVC Pipe Drifting”? Well, it’s time you take notice.

Who says you need loads of power and cash to drift? These guys in Japan are proving everyone completely wrong by simply using stock standard, FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE Daihatsu Miras; better known as the
Perodua Kelisa
 for us in Malaysia.
Usually, the first ingredient to drifting is a car with rear-wheel drive but these guys seem to have restricted themselves to just “kei cars” costing less than USD 300 (approx. RM 1.1k). The secret to it?
Tyres wrapped in PVC pipes.
As you can see from the video, it’s not your usual drift scene. There’s no tyre-squealing and certainly no loud engines screaming. Yet, they seem to be having a ball of fun on an immensely low budget.
Not only that, low speeds are all you need to drift these things as the footage shows that the driver was
initiating a drift at only 40 km/h
! This is as the back has zero grip, so all you need to focus on is to have as much fun as possible while maintaining the drift and make sure the car doesn’t spun out.
Now why haven’t anyone of us done that here?


Volkswagen’s new electric race car is a throwback to our Tamiya childhood

Volkswagen is developing an all-electric race car for one of the world’s most famous race, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, USA. It won’t be their first dabble into electric vehicles as developments have already gotten underway with the introduction of the all-electric
VW Microbus (KOMBI)
 along with an all-wheel drive,
fully-electric I.D. Crozz
 packing 302 hp that promises
Golf GTi-like handlin
g.
The all-wheel drive prototype will aim to set a new record for electric cars when it reaches the finishing line at a dizzying 14,000 feet above sea level. The project is part of the VW’s transition into a leading producers of electric cars where it will offer 23 all-electric vehicles come 2025.
The
VW Microbus
There are already indications to that impending future with the
Gen.E, a Golf lookalike
, said to be capable of a 398 km driving range. There is also the
VW e-Golf
, essentially a VW Golf Mk 7 without a combustion engine – capable of producing 134 hp with 290 Nm of torque with a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 150 km/h.
“The Pikes Peak hill climb is one of the world’s most renowned car races. It poses an enormous challenge and is therefore perfectlly suited to proving the capabilities of upcoming technologies,” explains Member of the Board responsible for Development, Dr Frank Welsch.
The all-electric 302 hp
VW I.D. Crozz
He added, “Our electric race car will be equipped with innovative battery and drive technology. The extreme stress test posed by Pikes Peak will give us important feedback that will benefit future development, and it will showcase our products and their technologies.”
The last time VW competed at Pikes Peak was in 1987; with a monstrous 652 hp Golf with two 1.8-litre engines – one up front and another at the rear.


Mercedes-Benz joins Volvo, Ford to use Tesla’s NACS charging port in North America

Mercedes-Benz
has announced that its electrified vehicles in North America will be adopting Tesla’s NACS (North American Charging Standard) charging port starting 2025, making it the first German carmaker to do so.
The switch will offer Mercedes-Benz EV owners access to over 12,000 charging stations in the region.
Mercedes-Benz says the transition will be carried out in phases. Starting in 2024, the carmaker will initially be offering its customers an adapter that will enable existing EVs fitted with the CCS (Combined Charging System) charging ports to utilise the NACS charging network.
In addition to the switch to the NACS charging ports, Mercedes-Benz will also be establishing its own High-Power Charging Network at over 400 locations by the end of the decade. The first location is scheduled to open by the end of this year, and will be equipped with both CCS1 and NACS plugs.
The CCS charging port on a
Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4Matic
Mercedes-Benz is the latest in a growing list of carmakers to transition to the NACS charging port. Most notably,
Volvo
,
Polestar
,
Rivian
, and Ford have already announced their plans to adopt the NACS charging port, while
Volkswagen
 is also reportedly in talks with Tesla.
Charging network operators, including the Volkswagen-owned Electrify America, have also committed to adopting the NACS connector by 2025. In a bid to help NACS become a proper technical standard, SAE International (previously Society of Automotive Engineers) have also announced that it will be developing manufacturing, performance, and reliability standards for the connector.


2020 French GP cancelled, F1 targets July to start season behind closed doors

The organisers of the 2020 French Grand Prix have announced that the race, due to take place at the Paul Ricard circuit at the end of June, will not go ahead this year. The French GP becomes the
10th Formula 1 race to be cancelled or postponed
 due to the ongoing

COVID-19 pandemic
.
The race was cancelled in part due to the decision from the French government to ban all major events until at least middle of July. Coupled with the worldwide travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the virus, meant it would be impossible for the Grand Prix to go ahead as planned.
Following the announcement from the organisers of the French GP, Formula 1 CEO Chase Carey said in a statement that the franchise is now targeting to begin racing in July, and is “increasingly confident” with the progress of their plans to start the season in summer.
“We’re targeting a start to racing in Europe through July, August and beginning of September, with the first race taking place in Austria on 3-5 July weekend. September, October and November, would see us race in Eurasia, Asia and the Americas, finishing the season in the Gulf in December with Bahrain before the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi, having completed between 15-18 races.”
However, the early races will most likely to be held behind closed doors. F1 remains hopeful to have fans to be part of the races at the later stages. “The health and safety of all involved will continue to be priority one and we will only go forward if we are confident we have reliable procedures to address both risks and possible issues,” Carey adds.
The sentiment is shared by the organisers of the British Grand Prix. Silverstone chief, Stuart Pringle has also confirmed that any British Grand Prix, should it happen this year, will be held behind closed doors. “I am extremely disappointed to tell you that we are unable to stage this year’s British Grand Prix in front of the fans at Silverstone.
“We have left this difficult decision for as long as possible, but it is abundantly clear given the current conditions in the country and the government requirements in place now and for the foreseeable future, that a Grand Prix under normal conditions is just not going to be possible,” added Pringle.
With the 2020 season put on hold, F1 organisers and drivers turn to
virtual racing
 to keep fans engaged.
Earlier this month, Formula 1 Chief of Motorsports Ross Brawn said that the “drop dead point” to begin the season will be in October, in order to achieve the minimum eight-race requirement set by the FIA to maintain the validity of the world championship.
However, he added that it would be possible to hold a 18- or 19-race season, if it begins in July. “[It would be] tough – three races on, one weekend off, three races on, one weekend off. We have looked at all the logistics, and we think we can hold an 18-19 race season if we can get started at the beginning of July. The choice is between those two numbers.”


Proton kickstarts free 30-point safety inspection for all Proton owners

In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations and Proton’s 30th birthday, the national carmaker is offering a free 30-point safety inspection at all of their authorised service centre nationwide.
The programme
starts today
 – coinciding with the launch of Proton’s first ever Saga back in 1985 – and will be
 ongoing till 31 October 2015
. This inspection will see certified technicians checking fluid levels, battery, wiper blades, radiator cap, pedal operation, suspension system, steering linkage, ball joint systems; just some of the 30 parts (see complete list below).

Besides the free inspection, customers will be given
free consultation
 on
proper engine and car maintenance
 as well as how to differentiate between genuine and imitation parts. As part of their 30th birthday, Proton is offering
discounts on parts
 such as absorber, brake, clutch and timing belts.
To ensure the safety of their passengers during the
Balik Kampung
 journey, Proton will station five teams at selected Petronas and R&R stops for those who are already on their way back home. These stations are as below:
1. Klang Valley (Petronas NKVE at km 15.3, Damansara Bound) – 9th, 10th and 11th July
2. North-South/PLUS Highway (Petronas Juru, Penang) – 13th, 14th and 15th July
3. East-Coast (Petronas Tok Giring, Terrenganu) – 13th, 14th and 15th July
4. East-Coast Highway (R&R Gambang, Pahang) – 13th, 14th and 15th July
5. Southern Area (Petronas Seremban, Negri Sembilan) – 13th, 14th and 15th July
That’s not all. The 30-year old brand is now offering
special deals
 on all new Proton cars including an
RM3,000 rebate
 for aspiring Proton owners turning 30-years old this year. There’s also their
‘Even More Value’ campaign
 offering
 100% financing scheme for government officials
 and
 1.99% interest rate per annum
; all while enjoying a
 7-year extended warranty programme
 from the automaker.
For those interested, pay your nearest Proton dealership a visit, either to get yourself a brand new car or simply send it in for the free 30-point inspection before making your
Balik Kampung
 trip. As promised, here’s the
list of 30 parts
 that will be inspected:
 ABS Module
Alternator
 Transmission
Power Steering
Fuel Pipes / Pressure Hoses
 Fusible Link
Accessories
Head Lamps & Fog Lamps
Starter Motor
Radiator Fan Motor Connector
 Fluid Levels
Battery
Wiper Blades
Radiator Cap
Pedal Operation
 Parking Brake Stroke
Cabin Switches
Horn
Safety Belts
Suspension System
 Steering Linkage & Ball Joints
Cooling System
Fuel System
Engine & Transmission Components
Braking System
Feed Belts
All Brake Pads
All Brake Linings
Tyre Tread Depth
Tyre Pressure (incl. Spare Tyre)
IMAGE GALLERY


What is: Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Every Malaysian’s perception on car safety have come a long way. These days, a car with merely dual airbags,
ABS
 and
Brake Assist
 just won’t cut it anymore as consumers now place more and more emphasis on the full suite of active safety features and most importantly, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) but what is ESC? Should it be a determining factor when you’re choosing your next ride? By the end of the article, we sure hope it does.
Manufacturers over the years have come up with many fancy names for a simple safety system: Honda coins it as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), BMW calls it Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Toyota calls it Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). But in its essence these fancy terms all refer to the
Electronic Stability Control
.
ESC is a software that prevents your car from losing control by monitoring the car’s lateral movement and steering control amongst other things. If the system detects that the car is starting to lose steering control, ESC intervenes by
 applying brakes on individual wheels and sometimes suppresses engine output
 to help the driver regain control of the car – and that is the most important bit,
helping the driver to regain control of the car
.
In the unfortunate event where you need to make sudden directional changes to avoid an obstacle, chances are, the regular joe would have spun uncontrollably in a car without ESC equipped. On the other hand, in a car with ESC, the driver would stand a much better chance to escape the ordeal
without a scratch
. Then again, ESC is not a 100 percent guaranteed safety net should the driver run out of skill.
According to a report by the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2006, as much as one-third of fatal accidents could have been prevented if the vehicles were equipped with ESC. More recently, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 2014 alone, vehicles with ESC saved 1,580 lives. Still think ESC is just another marketing gimmick?
Fortunately, the Malaysian automotive industry players have paid a great deal of attention towards the safety of car buyers. The recently launched
Perodua Myvi
 has ESC equipped on all variants, the
Kia Picanto
 is the only A-Segment vehicle with ESC and Toyota Malaysia has recently updated the
entire Vios range with ESC as standard
.
However, as we enter 2018, there are still a handful of popular models on sale that do not come with ESC as standard like the
Honda Jazz 1.5 S
 (Only E-spec and above gets ESC) and
Nissan Almera
. Even the C-segment
Kia Cerato 1.6 KX
 does not come with any form of Electronic Stability Control. If you think that you’re doing your bank account a favour by opting for the lower variant to save on a couple of grand, perhaps you should re-evaluate decision and think about your loved ones before you put your signature down on a new car.


Will Singapore groove to Honda’s new Jazz at SGD100k a pop?

People often say that the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest, and that’s definitely the case here. Despite the
City Hatchback
being earmarked to replace the Jazz here in the ASEAN region, Honda Singapore bucked the regional trend and introduced the
all-new Jazz
 in the island nation last week instead, and we can only watch with envy.

The fifth-generation Honda Jazz is offered in three variants in Singapore, all of which are imported directly from Japan: the 1.5 Base (SGD98,999/~RM300k), 1.5 Home (SGD101,999/~RM310k), and 1.5 e:HEV Luxe (SGD103,999/~RM315k).
The Base and Home variants are powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine as seen on our “regular”
Honda City
 here in Malaysia, which sends
 121 hp
 and
145 Nm
of torque to the front wheels via an Earth Dreams CVT gearbox.
As for the 1.5 e:HEV Luxe, the range-topping variant features Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid powertrain. Similar to the one on the Honda City RS e:HEV, a
108 hp
 and
 253 Nm
 “traction” motor will power the front wheels, while a separate 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle engine mostly works as a generator to juice-up the batteries.
During high-speed cruising, the motor powers the wheel directly via a single-speed transmission and a lock-up clutch, as internal-combustion engines are more efficient at higher-speeds compared to an electric motor.
The Japanese-market Honda Fit e:HEV
In terms of trims, the Base and Home variants are pretty much identical on the exterior, with LED lightings all round and 16-inch two-tone alloy wheels as standard. The Luxe variant gains additional chrome finishing on the wing mirror housings, alongside a different wheel design, though still 16-inches in size.
On the inside, the Singapore-specification Honda Jazz comes with leather upholstery across the board, but the Home and Luxe variants adds leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel to match, alongside an automatic climate control system. Also standard across the variants is the nine-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
As for safety, only the Luxe variant is equipped with the Honda Sensing advance driver assistance suite, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane centring assist, lane keeping assist, as well as adaptive cruise control with stop-go function. That being said, six airbags and electronic stability control come as standard on the Jazz in Singapore.
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Honda Fit (Japan)


All-new Audi Q7 set for Malaysian arrival in November

Audi Malaysia has teased us with the second-generation,
all-new Audi Q7
 on their website, hinting at an arrival sometime in November, although no date has been confirmed as yet. This new SUV has a smaller footprint than its predecessor, and weighs as much as 325kg less, thanks to extensive use of high tensile steel.
The Q7 is offered with three engine choices globally, but it’s unsure at press time which of the three we will be getting. A
3.0-litre TFSI V6
 is largely possible considering that the previous Q7 sold here had that engine, though we reckon the new
2.0-litre TFSI inline-four engine
 may also be introduced to the Malaysian market. Both engines however, will share the same quattro four-wheel drive system.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TFSI
Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI
Audi Q7 2.0 TFSI
Drive Type
Quattro permanent all-wheel drive
Engine
3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6
3.0-litre turbodiesel V6
2.0-litre inline-4 cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission
8-speed automatic with Tiptronic
8-speed automatic with Tiptronic
8-speed automatic with Tiptronic
Max Power
333 hp
272 hp
252 hp
Max Torque
440 Nm
600 Nm
370 Nm
In terms of design, the new Q7 feels like a hit and miss. Despite sharing a similar side profile with the previous model, this new model is sharp all-around, ditching the soft and curvy touch of the older Q7 which was easy on the eyes and quite frankly withstood the test of time fairly well. At the front, it gets Audi’s signature Singleframe grille, and the headlights are xenon-powered as standard. They can be upgraded to either LED or Matrix LED, though.
Standard wheel size measure at
18-inch wheels
 wrapped with
 235/65 R18
 profile tyres, with additional wheel sizes that go
up to 21 inches
. In base trim, the lower side of the bumpers are plastic and finished in anthracite, while having it painted in body colour is an additional cost. If you go with the S-Line trim, you get bolder bumpers, spoiler, diffuser, air inlets, side sills and of course, the S-Line badge.
The interior however, is where you’ll feel the bulk of your money’s worth. For starters, there’s a
7-inch centrally mounted display
, though that can be
 upgraded to an 8.3-inch
 unit with MMI navigation plus. Upholstery ranges from materials such as Alcantara, fabric, Cricket leather or
fine Valcona leather
 with built-in
18-way adjuster
 and optional massage function. A third row passenger seat is optional, but if without, luggage space is expanded to 890 litres that shoots up to
2,075 litres
 with the second row seats folded down!
Also new to the Q7 is its
ambient lighting feature
 that changes colour via the MMI controller. Rear occupants can benefit from
one or two 10.1-inch
 screens fitted behind the head restraints of both front seats. There’s
WiFi hotspot
 for multi-device connectivity, and sound is put out through 10-speakers as standard. If that’s not enough, there’s a
23-speaker Bang and Olufsen
 Advanced Sound System with 3D Sound package.

There are as many as
seven driving modes
 here via Audi’s Drive Select: Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, Allroad and Lift/Offroad. It’s not short on safety features either, for it comes with rear parking aid, cruise control with adjustable speed limiter, rest recommendation and Audi pre-sense city safety system with braking intervention as standard. As with many other features on the car, there’s also the optional Safety pack: Parking, City and Tour.
The Parking package gives you an all-around view of the car with automated parking. For the City pack, you get cross-traffic assist and carpark exit warning system. The Tour pack comes with adaptive cruise control including stop and go traffic assist. Now, with that out of the way, enjoy the picture gallery we’ve put together for you.
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This video of all things BMW is surprisingly therapeutic

The time is 8 pm and if you’re reading this, it’s probably cause the day has been pretty rough and as much as you’re “mentally off work”, chances are, you’re not off the hook just yet.
So let me prescribe this, a video on all things BMW – being cleaned, scraped, sprayed and so meticulous parked and fitted with boxes, it would please even the most OCD of people – it’s that therapeutic.
Revolving predominantly around the BMW 5 Series, I’m particularly fond of (being quite OCD myself) the raindrops, jet cleaner and hydrographics scene – they’re just too calming to not sooth the mind.
Speaking of the BMW 5 Series, check out
Adrian’s
 recent
review of the racy G30 530i M Sport
 with over
RM 72k worth of accessories
 that is sure to put you at the edge of your seat.
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Volvo V90 Cross Country is Scottish Estate Car of the Year

It’s all smiles at Volvo as they snag the Estate Car of the Year 2017 at the Scottish COTY (Car of the Year) 2017 with the
V90 Cross Country
. A back-to-back win for the Swedish carmaker as they bagged the same title last year with the
V90
.
Essentially a jacked up V90 Estate, the V90 Cross Country gets all the technologies and safety features of the standard car with the added benefit a rugged appearance and additional ground clearance – turning it into the perfect all-road, all-season estate.
President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, Stephen Park, commented: “There’s no doubting the usefulness of an estate car, especially when today’s breed deliver practicality without any sacrifice in refinement. But in terms of breadth of ability, one car stands apart. Perfectly suited to Scottish terrain, our winner is a new version of a previous favourite.”
Besides the increased ground clearance and tough looks, the V90 Cross Country gets unique suspension settings and tyres for greater off-road capabilities without sacrificing comfort its 90-series siblings are known for. The standard fitment of Volvo’s Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive technology also makes it one of the safest estate on the road.
Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, Jon Wakefield said: “This repeat success at the Scottish Car of the Year Awards is a testament to the wide-ranging appeal and ability of the V90. The Cross Country version is already proving a hit with our customers, and this award only goes to show how well received it has been by the motoring media, too.”
Locally, you can purchase a
Volvo V90 T5 and T6 R-Design
 from Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM), however, VCM only has very limited units available.
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