US-only Volkswagen Passat uses a 6-speed torque converter and not a DSG

Volkswagen has presented their new 2020 Volkswagen Passat at the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The US market exclusive sedan (internally known as Passat NMS) gets a more dynamic profile as well as a host of upgraded advanced driver assistance system.
While it gets a completely redesigned look compared to the
previous model year
, underneath all that glam is a revised PQ46 platform that underpins the Europe market’s Passat B6. The redesigned Passat features a tapering “coupe-like” roofline, dramatic “tornado line” and dominant horizontal grille similar to the Arteon. Wheel sizes measuring 17- to 19-inch in diameter are available while the LED headlamps and taillamps, as well as the Passat badging across the trunk lid, comes as standard.

Inside, the Passat NMS is not as pretty nor high-tech as the
Passat B8
 we have here in Malaysia. Standard items include an analogue instrument cluster (we get the option for full LCD Active Info Display), multifunctional steering wheel, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and start as well as a glass covered infotainment touchscreen unit.
Available options on the NMS include V-Tex leatherette and Nappa leather seats, heated front and rear seats, power driver’s seat with memory, and dual-zone Climatronic® automatic climate control, Voice Control, and Easy Open trunk.

The new Passat NMS debuts with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI petrol engine with
174 hp
 and
 280 Nm
 of twist. Interestingly, the TSI unit is paired to a
six-speed torque converter with Tiptronic
 to drive the front wheels and not the brand’s famed DSG dual-clutch transmission.
As standard, all variants of the new Passat NMS gets Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) with Pedestrian Monitoring, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Traffic Alert. Other items such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Lane Keeping Assist (Lane Assist), Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist), Automatic Post-Collision Braking System.
IMAGE GALLERY
2020 Volkswagen Passat NMS Debuts


Caltex Malaysia’s new RON97 promo offers RM110k worth of prizes to be won

From 16 August to 30 September 2015, Caltex Malaysia will be giving away RM110,000 worth of prizes to more than 190 of their lucky customers via the company’s new RON97 Promotion.
According to
Chevron Malaysia Limited
, which carries the retail brand Caltex, the
six-week-long promotion
 takes place at all Caltex Stations nationwide. To be in the running for the prizes, customers have to pump a
minimum of RM50
 worth of
Premium 97 with Techron®
 and send in an SMS. At the same time, participants will also be entitled to an
RM10 discount
 on
Techron® Concentrate Plus
 fuel system cleaner.
During the six weeks,
two grand prize winners
 will be selected
 on a weekly

basis
 to take home
RM5,000 in cash
, while
30 other lucky winners
 will get
RM300 worth of StarCash
. Additionally, participants who are
JOURNEY Card
 and
BCARD
 holders will be rewarded with
 10,000 BPoints
 when the transaction is done using their BCARD. For further information on the promotion, kindly visit their website
here
.


Ford to introduce Radio Disney App on iOS and Android platforms

Imagine this: You’re on a holiday and have decided to take your family with you on a three-hour drive to Pulau Redang. You’ve got Ford’s
Radio Disney App
 on your iPhone 6 and the only way to keep your kids entertained is to have them sing along to some of their favourite Disney songs… in your Mustang!
The SYNC unit in the
Ford EcoSport 1.5L
Okay perhaps not the Mustang, then. Ford Motor Company is developing the mentioned Radio Disney App that’s compatible on both iOS and Android platforms. This smartphone app will be available to all existing and future
Ford SYNC
®
 AppLink
™
 users, and allows music streaming all-day long with the touch of a button.
When a smartphone is paired to Ford SYNC via Bluetooth, a static image of the artist’s CD cover will appear on the screen. Radio Disney is a
24-hour radio network
 for kids, teens and family, with about 21 million listeners tuning in each week. The Radio Disney App will be on display at next week’s Consumer Electric Show (CES 2015) and will be available to customers in early 2015.


Volvo XC40 wins Japan Car of the Year 2018 for its design & features

The Volvo XC60 bagged the coveted title of Japan Car of the Year (COTY) in 2017 and the Swedish marque is back for another with as their compact SUV, Volvo XC40 was crowned as Japan COTY for 2018.
A total of 60 jurors, made up of motoring journalist and industry experts were torn between the XC40 and Toyota Corolla Sport with the final tally of 363 to 314 votes respectively. The Volvo was praised for its dynamic yet comfortable driving characteristics as well as its petite dimensions that is perfectly suited for Japanese roads.
Its inclusion of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as standard fitment across all variants, high-quality Scandinavian design and substantial functional storage space also helped the compact SUV to edge ahead of the competition.
Japan COTY 2018 Final Scoring:
Model
Points
Volvo XC40
363
Toyota Corolla Sports
314
Volkswagen Polo
197
Toyota Crown
170
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
156
Mazda CX-8
111
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
106
BMW X2
47
Honda Clarity PHEV
36
Volvo Japan CEO Takayuki Kimura said, “After the XC60 won last year, we are ecstatic with this back-to-back victory and I’d firstly like to thank our nationwide staff for this award. The XC40 is the perfect size and competitively priced for the Japanese market so we hope to transfer this award into solid sales.”
The Volvo XC40 is currently sold in Malaysia in a sole
T5 AWD R-Design variant
. Locally assembled in Volvo’s Shah Alam manufacturing plant, the fully equipped (R-Design, City Safety, semi-autonomous driving and more) XC40 is priced extremely competitively at RM255,888.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design in Malaysia


BMW Malaysia gets EEV incentives, cars are up to RM39,000 cheaper!

This one is big. BMW Group Malaysia, at a special media briefing, made several major announcements. These included the reduction in price, up to 8 percent, on certain BMW models due to the conferment of EEV status.
In addition, BMW will begin local assembly of the X1 and X4 SUVs in Kulim from May. And finally, Malaysia will be the export hub for the ASEAN region for the BMW Group with BMW 3-Series, 5-Series and 7-Series models to be exported to Vietnam and the Philippines.
Certain BMW 1-Series, 3-Series and 5-Series models will now cost less as they have received Customised EEV Status Incentives as Energy Efficient Vehicles. Prices have gone down between RM15,000 for the BMW 118i Sport, and RM39,000 for the BMW 528i M Sport model. The BMW 5 Series received an upgrade in standard equipment (more details after the chart below). Prices below are on-the-road, inclusive of six percent GST but excludes insurance.
Model
Current Retail Price
EEV Incentive Price
Reduction
BMW 118i Sport
RM188,800
RM173,800
RM15,000
BMW 120i M Sport
RM219,800
RM202,800
RM17,000
BMW 318i Luxury
RM219,800
RM202,800
RM17,000
BMW 320i Sport
RM249,800
RM231,800
RM18,000
BMW 330i M Sport
RM319,800
RM297,800
RM22,000
BMW 320d GT
RM296,800
RM278,800
RM18,000
BMW 328i GT
RM327,800
RM308,800
RM19,000
BMW X3 xDrive 20i
RM325,800
RM296,800
RM29,000
BMW X3 xDrive 20d
RM345,800
RM316,800
RM29,000
BMW 520d M Sport
RM354,800
RM317,800
RM37,000
BMW 520i M Sport
RM367,800
RM329,800
RM38,000
BMW 528i M Sport
RM417,800
RM378,800
RM39,000
The BMW 520i, 520d and 528i now come with M Sport Package, Comfort Access and sports seats for the driver and front passenger. Wheels have also been upgraded with the 520i and 520d receiving 18-inch M Light Alloy Wheel Double Spoke while the 528i gets 19-inch M Light Allow Wheel Double Spoke. The 528i now has a glass roof and an M rear spoiler.
Deliveries of the CKD X1 and X4 will begin in the second half of 2016. They will be ninth and tenth models to be manufactured in the country. There will be both petrol and diesel variants of the X1 but BMW have yet to share details of equipment levels and prices. From past CKD vehicles though, expect to see almost the same specs but with a significant reduction in price.
As with all new BMWs, both will come with BMW ConnectedDrive with Driver Assistance systems. The petrol-engined X1 sDrive20i will come with a 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbo engine that produces 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, acceleration from 0-100km/h is achieved in 7.7 seconds while its top speed is 225km/h. Colours available will be Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, and Sparkling Storm.
The diesel variants will be available in Black Sapphire, Alpine White, Mineral Grey, Glacier Silver and Mediterranean Blue. Both will have Leather Dakota upholstery in a choice of colours. The current price of the fully-imported front-wheel drive X1 sDrive20i is RM279,800, on-the-road, inclusive of GST, excluding insurance.
The all-wheel drive X4 will have a 2.0-litre 242 hp, 350 Nm twin-scroll turbo petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The sprint to 100km/h is done in 6.4 seconds. The X4 will come in Alpine White, Sophisto Grey, Carbon Black, Glacier Silver, and Melbourne Red with Leather Nevada upholstery in Mocha or Black. As with the X1, no details were given of equipment or trim levels. The fully-imported X4 xDrive28i is RM435,800 on-the-road, also inclusive of GST, but excludes insurance.
Exports to Vietnam and the Philippines of the BMW 3, 5 and 7 models will begin in 2018. To accommodate the manufacture of the left-hand drive cars, BMW Group Malaysia will increase the number of production lines at their plant in Kedah. The assembly of the cars for export is in line with the government’s stated objective, in the 2014 National Automotive Policy, to make Malaysia the regional hub for Energy Efficient Vehicles. BMW Malaysia is the first automaker in Malaysia to announce that it will build EEV cars for export to neighbouring countries.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz lets you go topless with the C-Class Cabriolet

For the first time ever, in the history of this model, you can drop its top. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet made its maiden debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, which brings the total variant tally up to four body styles – in Europe, at least.
Not unlike the bigger brothers the
S-Class Cabriolet
 and the E-Class Cabriolet, the C-Class Cabriolet uses a
fabric top
 instead of a folding hard top favoured by the F33 3-Series Convertible. The operation is
fully automatic
, of course, and it will take
20 seconds
 to make the roof disappear or reappear; workable at speeds up to
50 km/h
.
A
multi-layer acoustic soft top
 is optional, and if that option box is ticked, the occupants won’t just be enjoying a quieter cabin, but they can also choose the colour of their rag top: black, brown, blue, or red. The rest of the car is pure
C-Class Coupe
, so it’s basically a graceful looking thing.
Buyers can also opt for the
Cabriolet Comfort package
 that features the electric
Aircap
 draught stop system to save the occupants’ hairdos from getting ruined by the wind with the top down, and the
Airscarf
 system to keeps their necks warm. Another unique feature on the C-Class Convertible is the
roll-over protection
 that consists of a couple of cartridges behind the rear seats that will be fully retracted in roll-over situation.
Two diesel options are available, the
C 220 d
 and the
C 250 d
. Both use a
2.1-litre four-cylinder
 diesel that produces
170 hp
 and
400 Nm
 in the C 220 d, or
204 hp
 and
500 Nm
 in the C 250 d.
The petrol range starts with the
1.6-litre four-cylinder
 petrol with
156 hp
 and
250 Nm
 in the
 C 180
, followed by a
2.0-litre four-cylinder
 in three state of tunes. In the
C 200
 it develops
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
,
211 hp
 and
350 Nm
 is available in the
C 250
, while the highest state of tune can be had in the
C 300
 with
245 hp
 and
370 Nm
.
Further up the range is the
C 400 4MATIC
 with
333 hp
 and
480 Nm
 from a
3.0-litre V6
 driving all four wheels. The
4MATIC all-wheel drive system
 can also be specified on the C 220 d and the C 200, but the
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic
 is available across the range.
There’s a high chance for the C-Class Coupe to come to Malaysia, but do you think Mercedes-Benz Malaysia should bring this C-Class Convertible too? It may be a bit pointless in our hot weather but we still hope they do. And you, you secretly do too.
IMAGE GALLERY


2023 Perodua Axia: 20,100 bookings received, 13.6k converted from ‘old’ Axia bookings

Just launched today, the all-new 2023
Perodua Axia
 has received a total of
20,100
bookings, with
13,600
 of them being converted ‘old’ Axia bookings. The other
6,500
 bookings are new bookings that were made after the booking announcement was made on January 31, 2022.
The 13,600 converted bookings were customers that Perodua managed to convince to switch to the all-new Axia from a pool of
44,000
 original bookings. With all eager customers waiting for their all-new Axia, Perodua says that it will be able to deliver
2,900
 units of the all-new Axia soon.
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “With the all-new Perodua Axia launched, our focus (for this new model) are twofold, the first is maximising deliveries to our customers and to convert previous generation Axia bookings to the all-new Axia.”
“We are thankful and encouraged by the support our valued customers have shown us – for this new model as well as for all our products and services.”
“Our 314,000 registration and 330,000 production targets for the year (2023) reflect our commitment to ensure that your bookings and trust will be delivered in the best possible time without compromising on quality.”
RELATED:
‘Kosong Spec’ Perodua Axia E Manual lives on, price and specs to be revised
The Perodua President and CEO added that for the all-new Perodua Axia, the sales target is
5,700
 units a month. To meet this sales target, Perodua has set the Perodua Axia’s annual production target to over
82,000
 units.
Upon launch, the all-new Perodua Axia is available in four variants, namely the ‘G’, ‘X’, ‘SE’, and ‘AV’. According to Perodua, most of the bookings made were for the two top variants – the ‘SE’ and ‘AV’. Prices for the all-new Perodua Axia start at
RM38,600
 and the price of the model has increased across the range.
RELATED:
2023 Perodua Axia launched in Malaysia, from RM38,600


Next-gen Hyundai Sonata’s taillamps were “inspired” by the Civic FC

Hyundai has just released
first images of their all-new eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata ahead of its global
debut at the 2019 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) in April.
Like the
facelifted seventh-gen Sonata
, the new car embodies Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design concept that builds upon the balance between proportion, architecture, styling and technology.
The new car is defined
by the new Digital Pulse Cascading Grille, prominent chrome accents that runs the
full length of the front fascia to the side window surrounds, tapering roofline
and taillamps that runs across the voluminous boot. There are also strong lines
across the bonnet and side of the new Sonata to give it a more athletic appearance.

While key technical details
of the new car have yet to be announced, the new Sonata has a decidedly sportier
road presence thanks to its 30 mm lower height compared to its predecessor. Other
dimensions have also grown by 45 mm in length, 25 mm in width and 35 mm in wheelbase.
Tell me they’re not the same
Hyundai claims that the interior architecture was inspired by a Stealth Aircraft, giving off an impression of a floating dashboard mixed with latest digital screens for the instrument cluster, infotainment system and climate control buttons.
Features found in the new Sonata include a new four-spoke multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, drive-by-wire electronic gear selector, Bose sound system, ambient lighting in the dashboard and doors as well as an extended centre armrest.
IMAGE GALLERY
All-New 8th-gen Hyundai Sonanta


Mitsubishi rewards 100,000th Triton customer in Malaysia with 100,000 km worth of diesel

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
 has just delivered its 100,000th
Triton
 pick-up truck here in the country, and to commemorate the occasion, the company has given away 100,000 km, or up to RM27k worth of diesel to lucky customer number 100,000 – Muhammad Faerus, a solar panel installer.
The Triton has long been MMM’s bedrock in terms of sales numbers. In 2021, where the company
sold 17,489 vehicles,
 the Triton accounted for 53% of the company’s total sales, which helped the company maintain a market share of 22% in the segment despite the pandemic and healthy competition from its rivals.
“Our Triton customers come from all walks of life- business owners, off-road enthusiasts, and lifestyle users. Over the years, with Triton’s improved technology and functionality, it has inspired owners to take on challenges and push the boundaries in creating an exciting life journey, while fulfilling their dreams and ambitions,” said MMM CEO, Shinya Ikeda.
“We would also like to extend our appreciation to the strong commitment of MMM’s authorized dealers and business partners, as well as gratitude to the Malaysian government and media friends that have spurred Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia to achieve this significant milestone,” he added.
RELATED:
Mitsubishi Triton Phantom Plus Edition launched in Malaysia – RM 139,700, only 1,000 units
In conjunction with the celebration, MMM is also organising a promotional campaign dubbed “100,000 Triton Ambitions Contest”, to reward four more lucky Triton owners with 25,000 km (or up to RM7,000) worth of diesel each.
All Triton owners are invited to participate, and all you need to do is to fill up a contest survey form and submit a photo in either one or all four categories below, starting from 14 September onwards:
The Stylo King – owner’s most memorable leisure activity with the Triton
Tough Champ – owner’s toughest experience with the Triton
Extreme Adventurer – owner’s most memorable long-distance journey with the Triton
Mod Hero – owner’s coolest modified Triton
Detailed information and contest terms and conditions can be found on Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s official website, linked
here
.


HSDM’s new Click to Buy website lets you book a new Hyundai for only RM300

In light of the ongoing health pandemic, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motor (HSDM) has introduced a new ‘Click to Buy’ online car shopping platform to help make buying a Hyundai more convenient for customers during recent
movement control orders
.
With a user-friendly interface, the new Click to Buy website makes arranging test drives, placing a booking, or learning more about the Hyundai models at just a simple click away.
HSDM Managing Director, Low Yuan Lung said, “We want to help break the chain of transmission during this pandemic and encourage our customers to stay at home, and so we are bringing our showroom to our customers, with an offer of a unique online shopping experience.”
Aside from the booking a new car, customers can also reach out to obtain more information either by phone to the company’s sales personnel or customer service hotline, filling up the contact form, or via the live chat feature on the website.
The
 new Hyundai Kona facelift
 was just launched here in April this year!
They can also check for their nearest dealership via the website, and pay the booking fees directly online – which has been lowered to RM300 for all models compared to RM500 at the physical dealership!
The new Hyundai Click to Buy website is now live, linked
here
.


Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG – The G-Wagen is finally going electric!

We’ve all heard about the rumours of a
fully-electric G-Class
 for quite some time already, and where’s there’s smoke, there’s usually fire. In this case, Mercedes-Benz’s has finally unveiled their ‘fire’ in the form of the Concept EQG – a “near-production” version of the upcoming EQG that serves as a preview of what an electric G-Wagen will look like.
And well, it looks like a
G-Class
 all right. The similarities aren’t just skin-deep either; purists will be happy to know that despite the new electric powertrain, the Concept EQG is also built upon a ladder frame platform, and rides on independent suspension in front with a solid axle at the rear – which means it’ll be just as rugged as the current G-Class.
Of course, this being an all-new EQ model, it’s not going to be “just another” G-Class either. On top of the iconic boxy silhouette, Mercedes-Benz has also incorporated many of the signature design touches onto the Concept EQG, including the illuminated covered “grille” up front, and the two-tone paint job on the outside separating the top and bottom halves of the car.
There’s also a lot of LED lighting fixtures on the Concept EQG, including a halo-like surround on the black panel grille, a light-bar fixture on the roof rack, and even incorporated into the protective strip all around the electric G-Wagen.
The Mercedes-Benz G 350d is the new entry-level G-Wagen here in Malaysia. Check it out here!
White LED lights also surround what looks like a spare tyre carrier at the rear, but it’s actually a storage box that pays homage to the traditional G-Class in appearance – instead of tyres, it stores other items such as the car’s charging cables.
Tying up the external design changes are the unique 22-inch wheels on all four corners, giving the entire Concept EQG a very 90s “Back to the Future” sci-fi vibe as Mercedes-Benz clearly wants you to believe, judging by the press materials they’ve provided.
Mercedes could be merging AMG, Maybach, and G-Class into a single “luxury” group. Read more about it here.
As the Concept EQG is still under active development, Mercedes is still keeping mum on the model’s performance capabilities underneath the bonnet. However, they did say that it’ll have four independently-operated electric motors, capable of providing “enormous pulling power and controllability”.
Off-road fans need not worry, too, as the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG features a shiftable two-speed gearbox that can essentially function as a crawler gear for trickier off-road situations. According to Mercedes, the Concept EQG also boasts a climbing capacity of “up to 100%” on suitable ground, much like its conventionally-driven brethens.
Mercedes-Benz has already made 400,000 G-Wagens since the model’s debut in 1972. Learn more here!
And to prove its off-roading mettle, the German carmaker will be taking the fully-electric Concept EQG up to the legendary off-roading test track on the 1,445-metre high Schöckl mountain in Graz nearer to the end of its development – a route that’s been regarded in the international off-road scene as one of the “world’s greatest challenges for man and technology”, featuring gradients of up to 60 degrees.
There’s no official release timeframe as yet, though looking at how “production ready” the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG already looks, we suspect that there’s not much longer to wait until we can finally see the electric G-Wagen on the roads.
GALLERY


EVs only 0.5% of Volvo sales in China last month, Europe leads with 28%

Volvo Cars

reported a global sales figure of
54,317 cars
 in October 2022, with electric vehicles (EVs) accounting for 15% of the total figure. Compared to the same month last year, Volvo Cars reports a 6.9% increase. From January to October 2022, Volvo Cars successfully sold
483,304 cars
 globally.
In October alone, 22,040 cars were sold in Europe, 15,048 cars were sold in China, 9,478 cars were sold in the US, and the remaining 7,761 cars were sold in other regions.
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
A quarter of the global October sales was contributed by Volvo’s electrified Recharge models, comprising both plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and EVs with
11,849 units
 and
8,148 units
 respectively.
The sales of EVs by Volvo more than doubled in October 2022 over the same month last year. In October, Volvo EVs contributed to 28% of sales in Europe, 0.5% of sales in China, and 8.8% of sales in the US. Globally, EVs contributed to 15% (8,148 units) of sales.
PHEVs contributed to 37% of sales in Europe, 6% of sales in China, and 18% of sales in the US. 11,849 PHEVs were sold worldwide, contributing to 22% of October sales.
RELATED:
Volvo teases all-electric EX90, calls roof LiDAR a 21st-century design icon
Volvo XC60
 Recharge PHEV
As for year-to-date figures, the global sales number for 2022 is 16.9% lower (483,304 units) than in 2021 which saw 581,464 cars sold from January to October. However, Volvo EVs still show a positive 121.8% growth in terms of year-to-date figures with
40,517 units
 sold from January to October 2022. Volvo’s electrified Recharge models saw a 0.3% increase in terms of global year-to-date sales figures.
Leading the Volvo Cars year-to-date sales chart is the European market with 188,046 cars sold. This is followed by China with 132,792 units and the US with 81,694 units.
Volvo Cars’ top-selling model for October 2022 was the
XC60
 with sales of 17,531 cars (2021: 15,399 units), followed by the
XC40
 at 14,883 cars (2021: 13,987) and the
XC90
 at 7,651 cars (2021: 8,639 units).
Volvo Cars October 2022 Sales:
Europe
China
US
Total
22,030
15,048
9,478
PHEV
8,115
837
1,693
EV
6,172
80
835
ALSO WATCH:
Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 review – 408hp for only RM262k


You can now purchase a brand new Nissan on Lazada!

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM)
 today officially launched its
Nissan Flagship Store on Lazada
 – an initiative that will offer customers a more convenient and secure vehicle-purchasing experience.
In conjunction with the launch along with Lazada’s 5.5 Sale, customers can now book the
all-New Nissan Almera Turbo
, facelift, Navara, X-Trail, or Serena S-Hybrid from
as low as RM 250
, and the first 55 customers will receive a
free Nescafe Coffee Machine worth RM 598
.
Find out where the all-new Almera Turbo stands against its competitors, the Toyota Vios and Honda City
here
.

“In this challenging time of COVID-19 pandemic, digitalisation has been fast-tracked and we are confident that this move is another way for the brand to enhance its services and at the same time offer great deals when purchasing a new Nissan on a digital application,” said Mr Christopher Tan, ETCM Sales and Marketing Director.
Prices for the all-new Nissan Almera Turbo we reviewed starts from RM79,906 and with the Flexi Financing deal, monthly repayments are set at RM540 monthly. ETCM is also running a promotion for civil servants, offering the base model VL from only RM71,906.

As for the Navara, ETCM recently launched the facelift model with six different variants available. Prices start from RM91,900 all the way to RM142,200 for the PRO-4X model.


Video: Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 & 300 4MATIC facelift

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has finally introduced an updated version of the best-selling SUV – the GLC – with a fresh new look and some new toys to go with.
Opinions may vary but while the GLC may conform to current automotive norms of a having a sleeker appearance with slimmer headlamps and more futuristic tail lights, it does seem, to me at least, that the pre-facelift model looks a lot better.

The biggest highlight of the new GLCs is the addition of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX)…finally…as it’s been featured in the new A-Class for over a year now.
For those with the older models, fret not, as those dating back all the way to 2002 will be compatible with a Mercedes me adapter.


Watching modern Ferraris filmed on 50-year old cameras will give you the warm fuzzies

These days, races are filmed with the highest grade of video equipment to ensure that the broadcast quality is top-notch. But just like finely-aged whiskey, old video footage just has a certain charm to it.
In a spark of genius, YouTuber
Nick Shirrell
 started filming modern race cars with old camera gear as a throwback to the old glory days of racing – And the result is just glorious.

After seeing his previous work, Ferrari brought Shirrell to Italy to work his magic at the 2019 Finali Mondiali. It could be the old film grain, soft focus, or old-timey cinematography methods, but somehow looking at modern Ferraris through old films just adds an extra layer of emotional engagement.
However, what really sold us is the beautifully nostalgic introduction music, paired with the period-correct retro-styled narration. If it weren’t for the cars, you would not have believed that this was filmed in 2019.
According to the description of the video, Shirrell filmed the race with three cameras – 1966 Canon 814, 1968 Canon 1218, and a 1971 Beaulieu 4008 ZM2 – with a combined age of 155 years. The 10 rolls of Super8 film used to shoot the race were then scanned and edited digitally, but no additional film effects were added.
As for sound, a mini-cassette tape recorder was used to record from a shotgun mic – Super8 films were silent back then.
We hope film video cameras make a comeback soon, just like the growing trend of film still cameras. After watching the other videos on
his channel
, we would like all future races to be filmed this way, please.


Hyundai Tucson facelift debuts with Hyundai SmartSense, coming to M’sia?

Hyundai Motor has pulled off the wraps of the refreshed Hyundai Tucson at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. The facelifted SUV gets a fresh design, revised powertrain line up as well as new advanced driver assistance systems to cater to the increasingly demanding customers.
The Tucson now boasts a more modern and athletic look thanks to the new Cascading Grille, reshaped bumper and
full LED headlamps
 with revised light signature. Over to the rear, it gets a more elegant taillamp design as well as redesigned rear bumper and muffler. Expect a range of new alloy wheel design too.
The cabin design was left mainly untouched, but Hyundai has added new convenience features consisting of a Krell Premium Sound System, wireless charging tray, 7.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a rear USB charging port.
Four powertrain options are available with the refreshed Tucson – two turbodiesels and two petrol engines. Starting with the most powerful mill is the 2.0-litre CRDi turbodiesel packing
183 hp
, mated to either a six-speed manual or a newly developed eight-speed auto to power all four wheels.
Completing the diesel line up is a 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel is available in two different states of tune –
114 hp
 and or
131 hp
. Both output options are available with a six-speed manual and front wheel drive while the 131 hp mill can be optioned with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic (DCT) and four-wheel drive.
As for petrol option, the 1.6-litre T-GDI petrol engine delivers
 174 hp
, paired to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT with the option for front- or four-wheel drive. The entry-level Tucson, on the other hand, is powered by a 1.6-litre GDI naturally aspirated mill paired to a six-speed manual to develop
130 hp
 and is strictly front-wheel driven.
Hyundai’s latest
Hyundai SmartSense
 active safety and driving assistance features also made its debut in the refreshed Tucson that bundles Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), Speed Limit Indicator Function (SLIF), Hyundai’s Surround View Monitor (SVM) 360-degree camera and High-Beam Assist.
The facelifted Hyundai Tucson will make its European debut in the coming weeks with more details to follow. In Malaysia, Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) has three variants of the third-generation on sale in the form of a
2.0-litre MPI
,
1.6-litre T-GDI and 2.0-litre CRDi
. Will the facelifted model with its Hyundai SmartSense technology finally tip the scales to the Korean carmaker’s favour? Only time will tell.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW and MINI extends battery warranty of PHEV models

BMW Group Malaysia today announced its newest

PHEV Battery Warranty Programme
 for all its BMW and MINI Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) variants.
The current 6-years/100,000 km warranty has been
extended to 8-years/160,000km
 (whichever comes first). The package applies to models like the
BMW 330e
,
X5 xDrive40e
,
530e M Sport
,
740Le
 and
MINI Countryman PHEV.
For existing PHEV variant owners, there is an option to upgrade to the extended warranty for a fee. As for 330e, X5 xDrive40e, 530e M Sport and MINI Countryman PHEV, owners can opt to upgrade for
RM2,200
 while 740Le owners will be charged
RM7,600
.
The PHEV Battery Warranty Programme is
available from now until 31st December
.
Regarding the same matter, BMW Group Malaysia also recently announced that the
battery modules in its PHEV variants can be individually replaced
; resulting in substantial reduction in cost of replacement compared to replacing an entire battery module.


Gallery: 2023 Audi Q3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro with 180 hp and 320 Nm, RM351k

The fully imported Audi Q3 Sportback is
available in Malaysia in a single variant
 – 2.0 TFSI quattro – and is priced at
RM360,223
. The price is inclusive of the Audi Assurance Package which includes a 3-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty and 3-year maintenance. Without the Audi Assurance Package, the Q3 Sportback retails for
RM351,223
 and is accompanied by a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Bearing the quattro name, the Q3 Sportback is equipped with all-wheel drive, where all four wheels are driven by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox. Output is rated at 180 hp and 320 Nm of torque. The Q3 Sportback’s 0-100 km/h time is 7.8 seconds, with a top speed of 220 km/h.
On the outside, the Q3 Sportback comes as standard with an S line exterior for sportier front and rear bumpers. The athletic appearance of the Q3 Sportback is further enhanced with a Black appearance package with black accents on the front grille and window surrounds. Filling up the wheel arches are five-spoke Audi Sport rims with a matte finish.
RELATED:
Watch us review the Audi Q3 Sportback while on the way to have seafood in Klang!
Both the front and rear are equipped with LED lighting, with the headlamps offering high beam assist. Colour options include Mythos Black, Navarra Blue, Glacier White, Daytona Grey, Pulse Orange, Dew Silver, Ibis White, Tango Red, Chronos Grey and in the case of this car, it’s finished in a Turbo Blue colour.
Inside the S line interior is a pair of comfort seats with ‘S’ embossed on the backrest, a flat-bottomed leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear shift paddles, dual-zone air conditioning, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit and 12-way electric front seats with lumbar support.
At the rear, the hands-free powered tailgate opens up to a 530-litre boot. In terms of driver aids, the Q3 Sportback lane change assist, cruise control and lane departure warning.
GALLERY


Nissan introduces the Sylphy E-Power in China

In a bid to respond to customer demand for cleaner local emissions as well as own internal environmental goals, Nissan has introduced the Sylphy E-Power variant in China.
Manufactured and distributed by Dongfeng Nissan, the Sylphy is the first sedan to be equipped with the innovative series-hybrid powertrain that provides acceleration pleasures of an electric vehicle (EV) rather than a combustion engine. The reason for this is the propulsion of the E-Power hybrid system is done by the electric motor and not the combustion engine.
For this generation of Nissan E-Power system, the internal combustion petrol engine that functions strictly as a battery charger continues to be an ultra-efficient, low-speed 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine. The electric motor meanwhile is taken from the second-generation
Nissan Leaf
, but tuned to deliver
300 Nm
 of torque, just 20 Nm lower than in its original installation.
Recycling is a norm of life in Japan, so it’s no surprise that first-gen Nissan Leaf batteries are re-used! Learn more about it here.
Rated fuel consumption under China’s urban test cycle is an outstanding 3.9 litres per 100 km or 25.64 km/L. The Nissan Sylphy E-Power is the company’s fourth different model to feature the hybrid system that first debuted in Japan in the Nissan Note. The popular Nissan Serena MPV was next, followed by the
Nissan Kicks E-Power
 that made its debut in ASEAN.
Subtle differences which are the new
Kumiko
-like pattern on the grille and ‘E-Power’ emblems on the doors distinguish this model from the regular Sylphy 1.6 model. New Nissan logos are also used.
There is also a Nissan
Note Aura E-Power NISMO
, available only in Japan for those who appreciate the high levels of motorsport touches from NISMO.
The
all-new Nissan Qashqai
 is next in line and is said to be featured with a more powerful system to meet the unique requirements of the European market. In Malaysia, Honda uses the same electric motor-prioritised technology for the latest
Honda City RS e:HEV
, but set up differently where at high-speed cruising, the engine is coupled directly to the front wheels for better overall efficiency.
E-Power
1.6 TOP
Inside, the triple circular central air-conditioning vents have been replaced by a slimmer design and paired with a new larger infotainment system. The shift-by-wire controller also features a smaller knob profile.
There is no mention of the retail price, but expect it to be priced competitively, perhaps at the current levels circa CNY150,000 (approx. RM97k).
The
new-generation Nissan Sylphy
 was launched in China back in 2019, with just one engine choice- a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine with outputs of up to
135 hp
 and
159 Nm
 of torque and priced up to CNY144,900 (approx. RM94k)
Even its government thinks so! There are too many EV automakers in China and plans are in to reduce the number. More on the topic here.
A
fully-electric version
 of the previous-generation Nissan Sylphy was available too, priced from CNY238,000 (approx. RM154k), out of the radar of other established local brands such as
Geometry
.
GALLERY


Subaru Palm Challenge: 10 lucky Malaysians to palm their way for a brand new Subaru in Singapore

Ten lucky Malaysians are edging closer to the face-off across the Causeway for Subaru’s Palm Challenge which pits participants against each other in a bid to see who can hold or keep their palms on the car. The last palm standing will drive off with a brand-new Subaru XV Premium.
After keeping their palms on several Subaru XVs for over
10 hours and 5 minutes
, the final 10 battled other fellow Malaysian participants to qualify for a chance at the
grand finale
 in Singapore, dubbed the
Subaru Challenge – Asian Face Off
. To be in contest for the prize, they have keep their hands on the car
AT ALL TIMES
 and were only granted
10-minute
 breaks at an interval of every
6 hours
 to grab a bite or visit the loo.
The local contest was held at
The Curve
 in Mutiara Damansara, where contestants braved all elements as they attempted to the best of their ability for a shot at winning the Subaru XV. Let us introduce you the ten Malaysian representatives; Muhammad Afif b Drani, Ronesh Biswas A/L Bisanuth Biswas, Tan Hong Sheng, Subramaniam A/L Gunasegaran, Vimalnath Francis, Tan Chuan Meng, Tan Chuan Kok, Chang Wei Khang, Sathivale A/L Sundrammorthy and Mohammad Fadhlly R Azmi.
At the Subaru Challenge – Asian Face Off, the 10 Malaysian finalists will battle
390
 other hopeful competitors from
Thailand
,
Hong Kong
,
Philippines
,
China
,
Taiwan
,
Vietnam
,
Cambodia
, and of course
Singapore
 for the chance to drive away with the Subaru XV. We’ll be covering the event in end-October, so be sure to stay tuned! Also, we at AutoBuzz.my would like to extend our warmest wishes to our local participants. Best of luck, guys!
IMAGE GALLERY


Renault Megane RS275 Trophy-R zooms into Malaysia, only 10 units at RM300k each

If the
Renault Megane RS265 Cup
 is err, not your cup of tea because it’s still not hardcore enough for your liking, then check this out. You’re looking at the car that
lapped the Nurburgring
 in
less than eight minutes
, and it’s Renault’s wildest Megane so far. This is the limited edition two-seater
Megane RS275 Trophy-R
.
What’s so special about this car then? Well, it’s built based on the Megane RS275 Trophy that’s not on sale in Malaysia; the
Trophy-R
 gets a trick suspension setup and all the luxury fittings thrown out, in the chase of achieving a
lighter kerb weight
 that is so essential to clock that 7 minutes 54.36 seconds Nurburgring lap time.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Renault Megane RS275 Trophy-R

Engine
1,998 cc 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission
6-speed manual
Max Power
275 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
360 Nm @ 3,000 – 5,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h
5.8 seconds
Top Speed
255 km/h
Price
RM300,000.00
EXTERIOR
As the most extreme Megane on sale, the Trophy-R isn’t shy to shout about its serious track-attacking credentials. You can have the Trophy-R in any colour you want as long as it’s
two-tone Pearlescent White
 with
Etoile Black

roof
 and some slashes of red.

Track junkies will be able to spot the bright red
19-inch Speedline Turini wheels
 wrapped in
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
 tyres and the carbon-tipped titanium
Akrapovic exhaust system
. They’re not only for show, they’re actually part of the weight reduction program. Together, they shed almost 10kg out of the entire vehicle’s weight.
INTERIOR
You can scare only one passenger next to you because the rear bench have been removed altogether. What you get in the back is a
strut bar
, a luggage net, and two pair of harnesses that go through the pair of full bucket seats at the front. The
deletion of the rear seats
 save 20kg, while the leather and Alcantara
Recaro Pole Position
 bucket seats are lighter too.

PERFORMANCE
The
1,998 cc four-cylinder turbo
 now delivers
275 hp
,

which is a slight bump from the 265 hp in the 265 Cup, but
360 Nm
 of maximum torque remains the same for both models. The turbocharged four-banger is mated to a
six-speed manual transmission
, launching the Trophy-R from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
5.8 seconds
, and yet it’s claimed to sip just
 7.5 litres per 100 km
.
The Trophy-R gets amped up even further with the fully-adjustable
Ohlins Road & Track dampers
. Paired with
 Allevard composite springs
 and you’ll get one customisable track machine that suits your own preferences.
All the Malaysian-spec Trophy-Rs get the
Nurburgring Pack
 thrown in as standard. It features bigger
350 mm brake discs
, lighter
lithium-ion battery
,
racing harnesses by

Sabelt
 for the Recaros, as well as
four spare wheel covers
.
WHAT ELSE?
Produced only 250 units worldwide,
10 units
 are allocated for the Malaysian market. If you haven’t placed an order yet, we’re sorry to break it to you because all have been snapped up. But then again there’s always the Megane RS265 available for about RM65k less.
IMAGE GALLERY


Selangor cops to nab unauthorised interstate travellers by checking license plates on parked cars

The country is currently placed under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), scheduled to be in place until the 9th of June. Although
rules have been relaxed
, that does not mean we can just go back to our normal lives as before.
For example, any activities garnering a crowd of more than 10 individuals are not allowed, and crucially for the upcoming Hari Raya festivities,
interstate travel is still prohibited
 unless with the right authorisation –
Sorry, but you can’t
balik kampung
 for Hari Raya this year
.
To help enforce the interstate travel ban, the Selangor police announced that it will begin scanning the registration number plates of cars parked outside homes and residential areas. The police will cross-check the license plates with their database to determine if they have received the permits to do so,
The Star
 reports.
Selangor Police Chief Comm Datuk Noor Azam Jamaludin said, “If we discover that there are those who flouted the ban on interstate travel, we will detain the vehicle owner, which is usually the head of family.
“Action will be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 and Police Act 1967,” he added, stating that the time for “playing nice” with warnings and advice was over.
The announcement comes after Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador announced yesterday that a special task force – consisting of the police and army – has been formed to
track down unauthorised interstate travellers
 in residential areas and villages during the Aidilfitri festivities.
In addition to checking license plates, Selangor police are also conducting roadblocks at strategic entry and exit points surrounding the state – drivers without the necessary authorisation will be asked to turn back.
Comm Noor Azam added: “Honour the sacrifices of the frontliners who braved the sun and storm in the fight against the virus by complying with the regulations of the conditional MCO, especially the ban on balik kampung interstate travel for Hari Raya.
“I hope the public give their full cooperation with the authorities as the fight [against COVID-19] is not over yet.”


Jagaur Land Rover announces new price list with 0% GST, effective 1 June 2018

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLR) has just released their revised price list for all Jaguar and Land Rover models in view of the zero-rated Goods and Services Tax (GST) implemented by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the new Pakatan Harapan Government.
Due to the fully imported nature of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles, the 6 percent price difference is a substantial one, between RM11k to RM49k for Land Rover models while Jaguar models have their retail prices reduced by some RM19k to RMk.

 Jaguar Malaysia Zero Rated GST

 Range Rover Malaysia Zero Rated GST
The new price list will take effect from 1 June 2018 until further notice from the MoF to implement the Sales and Services Tax (SST) which Tun Daim Zainuddin, head of the Council of Eminent Persons hinted it will be in “two to three months’ time”.
On top of the revised prices to exclude GST, JLR is also offering attractive cash rebates and accessories vouchers on selected models in conjunction with the Raya festive season. Looking at these attractive offers and zero-rated GST, we’ve broken down in detail whether
should you buy a new car amidst the “tax-holiday”
.


Straight to court for these 7 traffic offences during CNY, 18-27 Jan

In conjunction with the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration, 7 major traffic offences will be non-compoundable from
January 18

to 27
. This means that the offenders will be issued a compound fine and will be directly referred to court.
The 7 major offences are:
Cutting queues
Overtaking on double lines
Disobeying the red-light signal
Driving over the speed limit
Using mobile phones while driving
Not wearing a seat belt or helmet
Driving on the emergency lane
Together with the on-compoundable offences, goods vehicles will also be banned from using the roads two days before CNY (January 20 & 21) and two days after CNY (January 24 & 25). The ban on goods vehicles aims to reduce traffic congestion.
Anthony Loke said, “This ban is aimed to avoid risks of road accidents due to mixed traffic flow between heavy vehicles and light vehicles on the road and on highways.”
RELATED:
Improved road tax stickers to be rolled out this year, says Anthony Loke
The announcement was made by Transport Minister Anthony Loke after launching the Integrated Ops and Road Safety Campaign in conjunction with the upcoming CNY celebration. Recalling the statistics from the same period last year, the Transport Minister said a total of 11,325 road accidents with 119 deaths were recorded.
Loke said, “The number was quite worrying. In my opinion, road safety education among the people of this country has not yet reached the highest level which we can be proud of.”
During the CNY festivities, 2,000 Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement officers will be deployed at 14 key locations along highways nationwide to keep tabs on traffic offences. They will be on duty from January 18 to January 27. The JPJ personnel would also travel on express buses as passengers to carry out enforcement activities.
RELATED:
Chinese New Year 2023 – Toll-free highways on 20-21 January for all vehicles


Audi R8 Spyder V10 Plus debuts, 5.2L V10 with 602 hp & 560 Nm!

Last year, Audi pulled the wraps off the
entry level

second-generation Audi R8 Spyder V10
. At the time, they said the hotter V10 Plus variant will soon join the line-up, and that’s exactly what you see here today.
The V10 Plus variant weighs lesser thanks to the lighter bucket seats, carbon fibre-reinforced polymer trims and carbon ceramic brakes. It now weighs
1,587 kg
 (dry) –
25 kg lighter
 than the standard V10. It uses the same fabric roof folding mechanism that opens and closes in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Sitting on the rear axle of the V10 Plus is the glorious 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 that revs all the way to
8,700 rpm
. Power output is rated at
602 hp
 and
560 Nm
 of torque, which is
69 hp
 and
20 Nm
 more than the V10 variant. A lightning quick seven-speed S Tronic double clutch transmission helps send power to all-four corners via Audi’s famous
quattro AWD system
.
This Spyder will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.3 seconds
 before hitting a top speed of
327 km/h
. That’s 0.3 seconds quicker to the 100 km/h mark and top speed is up by 10 km/h. Audi claims the V10 Plus is able to return
8.0 litres per 100 km
 thanks to Cylinder on Demand (COD) tech that deactivates one row of cylinders under low loads. This is also helped by the start/stop system.

Through the Audi Exclusive Programme, the possibilities for customisation is limitless. From matte exterior paint to personal insignias on the side blades, Audi will deliver the exact build according to your taste. The starting price for the R8 Spyder V10 Plus is £147,470 (RM806k) before options.
We were fortunate enough to have sampled the V10 Plus coupe last year and
loved every bit of drama the 5.2-litre V10 produces
. Audi Malaysia has plans to
introduce the second-generation R8 to Malaysia
 but the question is, will the soft top make its way here? We’ll find out soon enough.
IMAGE GALLERY


TMS 2019: Mazda’s first ever production EV is called the MX-30, comes with ‘Freestyle’ doors!

Being late to the game of electrification has its upsides, you get to learn from the mistakes of others and reap from the rapidly advancing EV technologies. Mazda is now making up for lost time with the all-electric MX-30.
First things first, the name. Mention MX and most would think of the Miata. But way back in 1991, Mazda also produced a coupe (based on the 323 platform) called the
MX-3
, it was sporty and quirky but like many indulgences of that era, the business case wasn’t strong enough to justify its continued existence.
The RX8 suicide doors are revived on the MX-30!
The all-electric MX-30 isn’t only first fully electric car developed in-house, but one that Mazda hopes to propagate globally in numbers. According to Mazda, the MX-30 was developed to represent a ‘new value’ for EVs, just like what the Miata MX-5 does for sports cars. And like many of the current offerings, the MX-30 is styled and packaged to win over hearts by being ‘
human centric
’ in its design.
Mazda concedes that the choice of a crossover has to do with the fact that this taller body-style offers more room to stack
battery cells on the floor
, besides people do love SUVs these days, but there’s a twist. Mazda is audacious enough to give the MX-30 a pair of wide-opening
 ‘freestyle’ doors
by taking a page out of the discontinued RX-8. Mazda says that the
rear-hinged doors
 allows users more freedom to maximise the utilisation of the cabin and to aid entry to the sofa-like rear seats.
A minimalist theme is chosen for the interior, not dissimilar to the new generation Mazda3 but with the introduction of a by-wire,
electronic gear selector and a touch screen for the air-con controls
. What’s unique is the use of sustainable materials in the cabin, you can find
cork
 lining the surfaces around the centre console, but why you may ask. Mazda was founded in 1920 as the
Toyo Cork Kogyo
 company producing cork bottle caps!
Relatively modest range, but there could be a twist
coming soon
During the press unveiling, Mazda was silent on the technical specifications of the MX-30, perhaps it has to do with the
modest range of 200 km
 from its
35.5 kWh lithium ion battery pack
, and its
140 hp and 265 Nm power output
 from a
single electric motor
 driving the
front wheels
.
Yes, nothing much to shout about but on one of the slides during the media reveal, a
rotary engine range extender
 is shown as being planned, not to power the wheels directly but to act as a generator to charge up batteries.
PHEV and range extender models to follow soon.
Not only does it play to Mazda’s heritage, the rotary engine is also quieter and more refined than conventional engines that use the cylinder as its main moving part. Additionally, the rotational structure of the rotary engine means that it can be integrated with the electric motor as a single, compact unit; a solution that Mazda says can be deployed in a
plug-in or series hybrid
.
The all-electric MX-30 is planned for introduction in Europe by the second half of 2020, before making its way to other countries.
Mazda MX-30 image gallery


Taipei International Automobile, Motorcycle Parts & Accessories (AMPA) goes virtual!

With incresing demand for automotive parts and chips, the spotlight will be on AMPA this April 14-17. Along with a physical trade show, the first-ever virtual AMPA Online will be held from April 7 to May 6, providing an avenue for global exhibitors to further expand their business.
Among the over 400 exhibitors include Tesla suppliers Taya Electric, Fukuta Electric, and K.S. Terminals, as well as PTT Oil (Thailand’s national petroleum provider), Mahle, Texas Instruments, Protec, to name a few.
Last year, AMPA held an online version of the exhibition, with over 10,000 viewers and 48,000 views on live streaming forums and various media content, with exhibitors showcasing their products from a unique perspective.

It also allowed exhibitors to showcase their daily operations with behind-the-scenes access. Among the viewers include those from major automotive markets such as USA, Japan, Korea, as well as emerging markets in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. In addition, over 7,700 viewers tuned in from Taiwan; gaining valuable insight, as well as interacting with international participants in virtual events.
This year’s AMPA Online will bring virtual booths, online product catalogues and live chats. AMPA Online will give exhibitors an extra month to promote their products and services, as well as interact with the in-person show buyers during the April 14-17 timeframe, guaranteeing exposure on both ends.
Interested exhibitors can visit the
AMPA Online website
 and fill out an application form by March 31 and be a part of this fast-growing event, or visit the
AMPA website
 for more information.


2022 Proton Saga facelift gets push-start and keyless entry – official launch tomorrow!

We’re less than 24 hours away from the official launch of the 2022 Saga facelift, and Proton has again provided us with yet another teaser on its social media channels – this time showing off the model’s new push-start button.
“Are you ready to push towards a new dawn?” the caption reads. “The new
Proton Saga
 unleashes new features and designs that will make your new ride an Intelligent Proposition!” Zero points for guessing the new tagline for the facelift model.
The 2022 Proton Saga facelift will mark the first time that the push-start and keyless entry systems are being offered on the entry-level sedan. While not a major must-have item, the addition of the keyless systems will significantly improve the ownership and driving experience thanks to the added convenience.
Aside from the push-start button, Proton has also published a separate teaser of the 2022 Saga facelift’s new body kit. It’s been rumoured that the body kit – which consists of a front splitter and side skirts – will only be offered on the range-topping variant. However, the push-start button’s variant availability is unknown at the moment.
RELATED: 2022 Proton Saga facelift to launch on 12 May – New two-tone alloy wheels, body kit
Further information will have to wait until the 2022 Proton Saga’s official launch tomorrow, which will be livestreamed on the company’s Facebook page at 9.45 am. However, we do know that the new Saga facelift will come with a
 few exterior tweaks
, including a new set of two-tone 15-inch alloy-wheels for the range-topping variant, as well as red accents underneath the front grille.
As for the interior, recent rumours and spyshots have revealed that the 2022 Proton Saga facelift will also get a slightly reworked dashboard, with red-trimmed air vents, new digital air-conditioning control panel, as well as new graphics on the seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
No changes are expected for the mechanicals, however, with the 2022 Proton Saga facelift retaining the same 1.3-litre inline-four engine, making 95 hp and 120 Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels as before, via a four-speed Hyundai-sourced automatic gearbox.


Let these rally drivers tell you how good the GR Yaris really is

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division finally pulled back the curtains to unveil the
GR Yaris
 last week. If for some reason the words “homologation special” don’t make you tingle with excitement, perhaps these videos will.
Toyota gave access to some of the best rally drivers in the last 30 years, including Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principal (and one of the most successful WRC drivers of all time) Tommi Makinen, as well as 2019 WRC driver champion Ott Tanak.

All four rally drivers have different things to say about the GR Yaris, but they can all agree on one thing – that the GR Yaris is fun and exciting to drive. Just by reading the spec sheet, there weren’t any doubts in our minds that that’ll be the case, but there you have it – from actual rally drivers no less.
The drivers also praised the hot hatch’s GR-Four all-wheel drive system, with Kris Meeke saying that the car “feels very agile and you’re able to change direction very quickly”.

The GR-Four system comes with pre-set torque split of 60:40 (Normal), 30:70 (Sport), and 50:50 (Track), making the car able to adapt to all surfaces on the go. “It seems to have all the correct attributes which you need to make a good rally car,” Meeke added.
Tommi Makinen also gave special mention to the engine, which is the most powerful 3-cylinder engine according to Toyota. The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine generates
272 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque, with power sent through a six-speed manual transmission.

Zero-to-hundred km/h is done in approximately
five seconds
, with an estimated top speed of
225 km/h
. Jari-Matti Latavala said that “basically, it needs to be a car which is fast, exciting, reliable, and easy to drive. So I can see these elements coming together in this car.”


This is what Porsche’s new RM 76,000 braided carbon wheels look like

Shortly after unveiling the
most powerful 911 Turbo S
, Porsche has become the first vehicle manufacturer in the world to offer lightweight wheels with braided carbon fibre and will be available as an option for the Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series.
The innovative wheels are now
20% lighter
, weighing around 8.5 kg less than the standard alloy wheels yet
20% stronger
. Reduced unsprung weight also mean the tyres trail the surface of the road better and are perfectly optimised for absorbing longitudinal and lateral forces. Lower rotational mass also mean increased immediacy in both acceleration and braking.
Made entirely of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), the wheel essentially comprise of two components – carbon fibre fabric for the centre of the wheels and braided carbon fibre for the rim base. The latter is made by what is currently the
world’s largest carbon fibre braiding machine
 with a diameter of approximately nine metres.
Porsche is effectively the first company amongst global automakers to adopt this extremely complex technology. This cutting edge braiding technology ensures that the material structure of the carbon is considerably denser and compact, which in turn increases rigidity. It also produces less waste as a result. The new carbon wheel is made from
a total of 18 kilometres carbon fibre
 or eight square metres of carbon-fibre fabric.
Beginning 2018, the new carbon wheels will be available as an option for the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series in
20-inch x 9J
 for the front wheels and
20-inch x 11.5 J
 for the rear. In Germany, the price for these pieces of engineering art will be EUR 15,232 (
approx RM 76,801
).
The new 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series comes with
3.8-litre twin-turbo
 engine cranking out
 599 hp
 with
750 Nm
 of torque – propelling it from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds with a top speed over
330 km/h
!
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai Ioniq is named one of the world’s most advanced products

The Hyundai Ioniq is the first dedicated hybrid car in the world with a platform that offers up to three electrified powertrains – regular hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicle.
For 2017, the 100 designs were awarded the Green Good Design Award from 23 countries, and the Ioniq was one of them. The Ioniq is recognised as one of the world’s most advanced products, designs and projects that emphasises sustainability. As it stands, the
Ioniq Hybrid
 is currently the most fuel efficient vehicle in the US whereas the Ioniq Electric is the most efficient EV in the US.

Chief Designer of Hyundai Design Centre, Chris Chapman said, “Hyundai Motor is committed to progressing the future of eco-friendly driving and the Ioniq is just the beginning. The future-focused character of the Ioniq along with its innovative use of recycled and ecologically-sensitive materials has made Ioniq the most fuel-efficient vehicle and a leader in the environmentally-friendly vehicle space.”
The Green Good Design Award was given by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. The awards is now in its eight year running.


The G20 BMW 330e has a new XtraBoost function for Xtra Power

The
F30 BMW 330e
 is a common sight on Malaysian roads thanks to its electrifying performance and abundance of features at an extremely attractive price point for buyers in that segment. So much so that the outgoing plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 3 Series variant contributes to BMW Group Malaysia’s position as the
5
th
 largest market in the world for BMW Hybrid vehicles
.
The newly released G20 330e encompasses all the qualities of the previous generation model and made better with improvements to the eDrive PHEV system for longer pure electric range, sportier transmission mapping as well as increased maximum combined output with the new XtraBoost function. Most importantly, boot space has increased to
375 litres
, 5 litres more than the old model variant!
In the latest eDrive system, it still adopts a B48 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol with
 184 hp
 supplemented by an electric motor that generates a continuous output of
50 kW (68 hp)
. Although the electric motor has a lower continuous output, BMW has added a new
XtraBoost
 function that temporarily boosts the electric motor’s output to
80 kW (109 hp)
 while the vehicle is in Sport mode or having the gear lever in M/S position.
Together, the eDrive system gives the 330e a combined system output of
252 hp
 and
420 Nm
, allowing the PHEV sedan to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.0 seconds
 flat, beating the old model by 0.1 seconds. The new car also commands a higher top speed at
230 km/h
, up 5 km/h from before.
A new innovation on the eDrive system that will get the enthusiast driver’s excited is a
new shifting programme
 for the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission that promises a sporty driving experience, complete with brake downshifts – a first for a BMW hybrid model. The transmission is also tuned to match the XtraBoost for a more intense acceleration experience.
Located under the rear seats is a larger
12.0 kWh lithium-ion battery
 pack that allows the 330e sedan to boast a pure electric driving range of up to
 60 km
 – 50 per cent more than the old model. Top speed in
MAX eDRIVE
 pure electric driving mode has also been increased to
140 km/h
 compared to 120 km/h previously. Fuel consumption rating has also dropped to
1.7L/100 km
 and emits 39 g of CO2 per km.
Available with all the trim lines on a standard G20 3 Series – Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport, the 330e looks no different from its other siblings. With the eDrive badge on the C-pillar gone, the only way you can tell this high-voltage Beemer is through the charging flap cutouts on the front fender.
The new G20 BMW 330e will be available for orders in 2019 onwards alongside the rest of the G20 range. To date available variants of the G20 BMW 3 Series include 320i, 330i, M340i, 330e, 318d, 320d and 330d.
IMAGE GALLERY
G20 BMW 330e


Polestar 3 announced, performance electric SUV to be built in the USA

Polestar, the performance electric performance brand of Volvo and Geely Holdings, will add a fully electric SUV to their line-up. The new model will be the third after the Polestar 1 coupe and Polestar 2 fastback.
Simply called
Polestar 3
, the performance SUV will debut the new generation of electric vehicle architecture from Volvo Car Group, which has been designed from scratch for full electrification. The aerodynamic electric performance SUV will feature industry-leading connectivity features based on Google’s native
Android Automotive OS infotainment system
, as well as high-end, safety-focused autonomous driving features.
The Polestar 1 is now the first car you can buy with art!
The company has also chosen the US as the production base for the new SUV, at the relatively new Volvo Cars production centre in Ridgeville, South Carolina. The plant currently produces the
new Volvo S60
 model and the Polestar 3 will commence from 2022, together with the
all-new Volvo XC90
.
“Polestar 3 will be built in America, for our American customers,” says CEO of Polestar, Thomas Ingenlath. The performance electric SUV segment is constantly seeing new additions, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-e, BMW iX as well as the upcoming
new-generation Porsche Macan
.
Review: Does the RM283k Volvo S60 T8 R-Design ‘wow’ us?
The move to manufacture in the US is also an additional USD118 million investment into the new South Carolina plant, which has now accumulated to a total
investment value of over USD1.2 billion
.
The manufacturing announcement also underlines Polestar’s commitment to the American retail market, which is undergoing a period of rapid expansion. Polestar will open around 25 retail ‘Spaces’ across the country this year. The Spaces offer customer conveniences such as home test drives, free pick-up and delivery servicing, and mobile service for consumers in markets still awaiting the opening of a Polestar Space.
The South Carolina facility will also be Polestar’s first out of China, where the Polestar 1 is manufactured at the Chengdu plant, while the Polestar 2 at the
Luqiao plant
.
To recap, the
Polestar 1
 is a low-volume electric performance hybrid coupe with a carbon fibre body, 609 hp, 1,000 Nm and an electric-only range of 124 km – the longest of any hybrid car in the world.
Polestar 1
Polestar 2
The
Polestar 2
 electric performance fastback is meanwhile a product aimed at higher sales volumes. The Polestar 2model range includes three variants with a combination of standard- and long-range batteries up to 540 km range, and dual- and single motor powertrains with as much as 408 hp and 660 Nm.


Perodua Bezza wins big at the 2017 Frost & Sullivan Awards

Perodua has a lot to celebrate with their first ever and only sedan in the lineup. Not only is the
Perodua Bezza
 the country’s best selling sedan, it’s also good enough to bag two trophies at the 2017 Frost & Sullivan Excellence Awards.
The A-segment sedan won both the “
Malaysia Car of the Year
” and “
Debut Car of the Year
” awards. Even the
Perodua Axia
 did not go home empty handed, after bagging itself the “
Value for Money (1.3L and Below Category) Car of the Year
” category.
This is on the back of the Bezza’s significant sales volume, sales growth, market share and the overall impact to the total industry volume. The Bezza has sold over 50,000 since its launch in July last year.
Despite the dominance on its home turf, Perodua has yet to rest its laurels as the company introduced some
aesthetic updates
to the Bezza at
no extra cost
. The rear bumper has been given a minor retouch while the interior for Premium X and Advance variants receive subtle trimming updates. The Perodua Bezza is now offered in five variants, with prices starting from
RM37,300
 to
RM50,800
.


Indonesia receives battery investment proposal from Tesla

Indonesia, the world’s largest reserve of nickel, has received an investment proposal from fully-electric carmaker Tesla.
The news, reported by
Reuters
, was recently released by the country’s deputy head for investment and mining coordination, Septian Hario Seto.
Nickel together with cobalt and manganese are key materials for the high voltage batteries in electric vehicles (EV).
Mr Septian said a virtual meeting will be held this week to get an official explanation after receiving the proposal last week. The focus of their discussions had been on
batteries and energy storage solutions
.
“If they only want to buy raw materials, we are not interested. This (proposal) is beyond just taking the raw material,” said Mr Septian.
Once the top exporter of nickel, Indonesia stopped nickel shipments last year, in an effort to develop a full nickel supply chain, starting from extraction, then processing into metals and chemicals used in batteries, to meet the exponential growth of demand for EVs.
Tesla has announced plans to not only make their new-generation of batteries in-house in the future but also replace the expensive cobalt with more nickel. Tesla’s current facility in Asia is the
Giga Shanghai
 factory in China that produces the Model 3 sedan for domestic consumption.
Global lithium-ion battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has already earmarked a
USD5 billion
 investment in Indonesia, with the first batch of batteries to begin production in 2024.
Indonesia’s president, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, has set the EV industry as the focus for the next several years, intending to make
20% of new cars in Indonesia electric by 2025
. The country also seeks to become the global hub for battery and electric vehicle production.
Source:
Reuters


Toyota Sienta updated with more kit, one variant only priced at RM97k

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has just announced minor updates for the MY2018 Toyota Sienta. The compact MPV will now be offered in a sole 1.5 V variant with additional accessories and equipment for the same price tag of RM97,000, on the road sans insurance.
On the outside, the updated model gets the same equipment from
before
 – full bi-LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED taillamps, front and rear fog lamps, acoustic front windshield, dual powered sliding doors and 16-inch alloys wrapped in 195/50 profile tyres.
It is only when you step inside you’ll find a new
 6.9-inch DVD-AVX system
 with a reverse camera (upgradable to 7.0-inch with navigation), optional 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor,
rear USB charging port
 for the second-row seats and rear cargo trunk mat.
Other standard items include two-tone multifunctional leather-wrapped steering wheel, Optitron instrument cluster with coloured TFT multi-info display, fabric upholstery and six-speakers.
Mechanically, the Sienta retains the 2NR-FE 1.5-litre four-cylinder DVVT-i engine producing
106 hp
 and
140 Nm
 of torque to drive the front wheels via a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with seven virtual ratios.
Safety equipment remains the same as before – three airbags (dual frontal and driver’s knee), ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Toyota Premium Security and Solar Film.
Order books for the updated Toyota Sienta 1.5 V are now open at all Toyota authorised dealers nationwide. For added peace of mind, the Sienta comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
Toyota Sienta 1.5 V MY2018


HSDM unveils new Hyundai Elantra Executive variant – basic ADAS, RM19k cheaper!

The all-new Hyundai Elantra was launched here in Malaysia late last year, but seeing one on the roads is almost like catching a unicorn in the wild, in part due to the asking price of its sole variant on offer – the
1.6 Premium
. Well, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has heard your complaints, and is now introducing a new Executive variant for the Elantra that lowers the entry point for the model to
RM139,888
.
To afford the RM19k reduction in price, a number of creature comfort niceties from the Premium variant had to be omitted. These include the power-adjustable leather seats, now replaced by manual black fabric items. Also gone are the fully-digital instrument cluster, heating and ventilation function for the front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless charging tray, and the electro-chromic rear-view mirror.
HSDM also had to compromise on the advanced driver assistance features of the Hyundai Elantra, with only the basic SmartSense features making their way onto the new entry-level variant. These include passive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert – AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam have been removed from the list.
Basically unchanged from the outside.
Other than these changes though, the rest of the car is identical to the Premium variant, including its exterior styling features. Standard items include LED projector headlights, the iconic full-width combination tail lights, and 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels.
Inside, the Hyundai Elantra Executive still get the eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, as well as electronic parking brake with auto-hold as standard.
Also unchanged here is the 1.6-litre SmartStream naturally-aspirated engine, which makes
123 hp
 and
154 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), which translates to a 0-100 km/h time of around
10.4 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
196 km/h
.
As mentioned above, the new Hyundai Elantra Executive, fully-imported from South Korea, is priced at
RM139,888
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the
50% sales tax exemptions
. Also included in the price is a
 five-year/300,000 km warranty
, whichever comes first.
And since there are pretty much no changes to its exterior, be sure to check out our
full gallery
 of the Premium variant to see the all-new Elantra in its full glory!
GALLERY


The BMW M8 Gran Coupe is a beautiful 600 hp 4-door

Looking for a practical ‘family car’ that seats four, but also need an excess of 600 hp for your hooning shenanigans? Well, BMW might have the answer for you.
After teasing us with the handsome
BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe
, the German carmaker has finally added the 4-door coupe to its performance line-up.
Just like it’s 2-door sisters, the BMW M8 Gran Coupe is powered by the same
4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
 developing
600 hp
, while the competition gets
625 hp
. Both models have the same peak torque output of
750 Nm
.
Despite adding 200mm to the wheelbase from the “regular” M8 to accommodate the rear doors and weighing 95 kg more, BMW claims that it will still do 0 to 100 km/h in
3.3 seconds
, while the competition model shaves of 0.1 second – identical figures to its two-door models.
Top speed is limited at 250 km/h, but if you tick the right boxes while making your purchase, the M Driver’s Package can bring it up to 305 km/h.
Power is sent to all four wheels through the
8-speed M Steptronic transmission
. Equipped with the M xDrive variable all-wheel-drive system, the rear-wheel bias of the system can be felt even in the normal 4WD mode. Want even more slide? The 4WD Sport mode sends even more power to the rear wheels, or just turn it all off with the 2WD mode to lay rubber all day.
The other usual M-specific components are all here too, including M Servotronic steering, Active M differential, dynamic stability control with the M Dynamic mode, M specific adaptive suspension, as well as an electronic brake booster, letting the driver choose between Comfort and Sport braking modes.
 Styling for the M8 Gran Coupe is pretty much identical to the two-door coupe version, except for the obvious two extra doors. The usual M touches such as the more aggressive bumpers with larger air intakes, M-specific kidney grilles with double black bars, M gills on the side, aerodynamically optimised side mirrors, as well as two pairs of exhaust tips flanking both sides of the rear diffuser all make their appearances on the Gran Coupe.
As on the BMW M8 Coupe, the roof of the new M8 Gran Coupe is made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. The new cars will ride on 20-inch M light alloy wheels. Hiding behind the wheels are the M compound brakes measuring 395mm at the front, or 400mm with the optional M carbon ceramic brakes.
Stepping inside the M8 Gran Coupe, you will be instantly greeted by the familiar M-styled cockpit. From the red M mode buttons on the steering wheel to the red push-start button, as well as a M-specific gear lever with drivetronic controls, BMW cut no corners to make you feel at home in an M car.
The interior of the M8 Gran Coupe is wrapped in perforated Merino leather, while the Competition models have an option for a two-tone leather and alcantara trim.
Alongside the introduction of the M8 Gran Coupe, BMW is making available a special First Edition model, limited to 400 units worldwide. The First Edition model will be painted in a unique Aurora Diamond Green metallic colour, matched with bronze gold ornaments all round, including the M8 badging, side window surrounds, M gills, door sill plates and highlights on the alloy wheels. As for the interior, BMW has given the First Edition a full-leather Merino trim in Taruma Brown.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Hilux gets updated, new TRD Sportivo variant joins the lineup from RM105k

The Toyota Hilux has been roaming on Malaysian soil for the past
10 years
. No joke. It’s been refreshed several times over the decade, and now in 2015, UMW Toyota Motor has introduced what may well be the last addition (fingers crossed) to ageing pick up truck’s range – the
Hilux TRD Sportivo
.
The Hilux TRD Sportivo as seen on
Toyota Malaysia’s website
Priced at
RM105,622.20
 and
RM112,967
 (OTR with insurance) respectively, both the
2.5G
 and
3.0G
 double cab variants will benefit from this sporty upgrade, all of which is cosmetic, as expected. The TRD trim is dressed with an
exclusively designed bodykit
 with built-in LED daytime running lights, blacked out alloy wheels, TRD-specific leather upholstery, carbon fiber printing on the instrument and door panels, as well as TRD carpet mats.
Buyers of this trim can choose to get the optional TRD sports bar installed at the rear end of the cab that is matched to the exterior body colour, and is made of lightweight ABS material. Again,
no changes
 are made to the engine or transmission, so you either choose the 2.5-litre (142 hp and 343 Nm) or the 3.0-litre (161 hp and 343 Nm).
Hilux TRD Price List –
Click to enlarge
As for the non-TRD 3.0G and 2.5G variants, they get refreshed with a set of
dark grey alloy wheels
, LED daytime running lights integrated into the front bumper (just above the fog lamps), new interior trim and seat materials. Both G variants will also feature new bodystripes along the side of the body. The base model Hilux also gets new fabric seats, just to keep things fresh before the all-new Hilux rolls in.
There will be
two new colours
 for the Double Cab range –
Grey Metallic
 and
Attitude Black
. All Hiluxes come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty programme, whichever occurs first. Anyone fancy?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Would you dare to drive the 820 hp Ferrari Monza SP1 & SP2?

Ferrari has just unveiled two new “cars” here in Maranello, Italy, the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2. The two limited editions open top barchettas draws inspiration from the most evocative Ferraris of the 1950s with the most advanced sportscar technology the prancing horse has to offer.
The Monza SP1 and SP2 pay tribute to the 1948 166 MM which helped Ferrari dominated the World Sports Car Championship in the 1950s. The numeral in the Monza’s name refers to the number of seats available: SP1 a single-seater and SP2 a two-seater barchetta.

You can tell that Ferrari aims to deliver the purest and unique driving experience in the two Monzas by removing the roof and windscreen. This allowed the designers to create a body with truly unique proportions that would not have been possible on a traditional spider model.
The bodyshell of both cars is made entirely from lightweight carbon-fibre, giving the Monzas impressive power to weight ratio and vehicle balance. Despite the open seater concept, Ferrari has also incorporated innovative aerodynamic solutions in the instrument panel and steering wheel to diverts some of the airflow away from the cabin to maintain some levels of driving comfort.
Ferrari has employed their 6.5 naturally aspirated V12 in the open top vehicles, giving the Monza S1 and SP2
820 hp
and
719 Nm
 of torque. Both cars will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
2.9 seconds
 while 0 to 200 km/h takes only
7.9 seconds
. Top speed is registered in excess of
300 km/h
.
IMAGE GALLERY


707 hp Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the most powerful SUV in the world!

What happens when you pluck the engine out of a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and dump it into the engine bay of a
Jeep Grand Cherokee
? The result is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, an SUV that presumably eats the
Porsche Cayenne Turbo
 and
Bentley Bentayga
 for breakfast!
This Frankenstein SUV is powered by a supercharged
 6.2-litre V8
 that squeezes out
707 hp
 and
875 Nm
 of torque. Its century sprint is completed in
3.5 seconds
 which is supercar territory, and with a top speed of
288 km/h
. Power is sent to all four wheels via an
eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic
 transmission.
Aiding the Trackhawk’s power delivery is an electronic limited-slip differential and a new four-point rear axle that complements the launch control system. Bringing the Trackhawk to a complete stop is a set of brakes by Brembo, which can be seen behind those 20-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubbers.
The Hellcat-powered Trackhawk makes 187 hp more than the Cayenne Turbo, while the Bentayga trails 107 hp behind this Jeep. The other V8-powered Jeep, the 461 hp
Grand Cherokee SRT
, couldn’t stand a chance with this Trackhawk.
The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk proves that you can marry supercar performance with SUV practicality into one vehicle. What’s not to like?
IMAGE GALLERY


Subaru XV to feature Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity by Q1 2020

In-car connectivity has become increasingly important to buyers in recent years, especially since certain models now come with a
natural voice command feature
. These systems not only wows passengers, but it also offers a safer and more intuitive way of interacting with the infotainment screen.
Besides built-in Voice Command, another useful but often overlooked feature is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It allows you to pair your Apple or Android device and turn your infotainment screen to a “smartphone” with integrated apps optimised for driving.
Waze on Apple Carplay
At the
opening of the Tan Chong Subaru Automotive (Thailand) Limited (TCSAT) manufacturing plant
, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Tan Chong International Limited TCIL, Mr Glenn Tan revealed at the press conference that the Subaru XV sold in Malaysia will be equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as a running update by Q1 of 2020.
On the follow-up question as to why the new feature will take such a long time to be introduced, Tan said: “The process is taking longer because they (Apple Inc) need 6 months to certify Apple CarPlay, so there is the bottleneck. Once Apple certifies, we can roll it out that feature as an update.”

Subaru’s infotainment system for the Malaysian market is sourced locally from Panasonic and the new system will be readily equipped on the
XV
 and
Forester
 by Q1 of 2020.


RM70,000 prize pool for this year’s Toyota Velocity eSports Championship!

Following the success of
last year’s Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Velocity eSports Championship, UMW Toyota
is back with another season of the racing simulator challenge.
The virtual racing
challenge compliments the high-performance activities of Toyota including the imminent
introduction of the Toyota GR Supra and GR Garage – UMW Toyota’s dedicated performance
show galleries.
Through eSports, the
company hopes to engage even more racing fans to be part of its high-octane activities.
The TGR Velocity eSports Championship is open to all Malaysians aged 18 and
above. To be part of the Grand Finals, racers will have to go through a
time-trial phase Cove Esports in Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor on 31
August, 1, 14 and 15 September. The top 40 races with the fastest lap time will
be eligible to enter the final.
This year, the finalist will compete with each other for the prize pool of RM70,000 in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur on 21 to 22 September 2019. All participants will be racing in the 2019 Toyota GR Supra and will be placed behind the wheel of a Thrustmaster racing simulator for the Gran Turismo Sport.
This year, the top 10 finalists will be competing head to head on a 10-lap race on a best-of-three tracks which are Kyoto Driving Park, Suzuka Circuit and Fuji Speedway. To register, head on over to
Toyota Velocity’s website
.


Shell wants to give you RM20,000 every week to start the new year right

The year-end is fast approaching, and Shell wants to give you a reason to look forward to the new year with the “
Nak Ekstra
 RM20,000″ campaign.
Starting from now until the
9th of February 2020
, Shell customers will stand a chance to cash in
RM20,000 each week
. On top of the RM20,000 grand prize, Shell is also giving away a
RM1,000 consolation prize
 to 20 lucky winners each week.
To participate in the “
Nak Ekstra
 RM20,000″ campaign, all you have to do is spend a
minimum of RM40 in one receipt
 at any Shell stations nationwide. Submit your details via the
contest form
 together with your receipt either in person or online by scanning the QR code, and you’ll be on your way to winning the RM20,000 weekly grand prize.
Shell Malaysia Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain said, “Whether it is starting a college fund for your children, an Umrah trip, paying bills, or a down payment for a new car, Shell wants to give customers a chance to go a little further and start the year on a high note.”
Click to enlarge
Aside from cash prizes, Shell has also partnered up with Touch ‘n Go and Bonuslink to offer every customer something
‘Ekstra’
. During this campaign period, customers will receive an
extra RM5 cashback
 when they spend
minimum RM40
 at Shell by paying with their Touch ‘n Go eWallet.
This offer is limited to
 two cashbacks per month
 per eWallet account, and only for the
first 300,000 transactions
 at Shell.
As for the Bonuslink promotion, card holders will receive
10x points
 for every litre of fuel purchased at any Shell stations nationwide on the
 4, 5, and 6 December 2019
. Thereafter, customers can redeem their Bonuslink points on the
12th of December
 at Shell to receive a
50% rebate
.


2017 Toyota Vios facelift unveiled, costs from RM77k in Thailand [+Video]

Just one year ago, the Toyota Vios was given a substantial
powertrain update
. Now, the
third-generation Toyota Vios
 has just been given a facelift in Thailand, the country where this compact saloon was most well received in its class for many consecutive years.
The fascia update looks strikingly similar to the
US version of the Camry
, but whether or not that’s a bad thing remains to be seen. The front bumper is entirely new, as are the LED headlights – a first for the Vios, vertically mounted LED DRLs and redesigned wheels.

Changes are minimal on the inside, with the main differences being trim finishings which depend on the variant of choice. Safety kit is standard across all variants, and read as such: two frontal airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control, ABS, EBD, and brake assist. The Vios retains the same
1.5-litre 2NR
 engine, generating
106 hp
 and
 140 Nm
 that’s mated to the sole seven-step CVT.
In Thailand, the 2017 Toyota Vios is sold in four trims – J, E, G, and S. The cheapest J spec begins at
THB 609k (approximately RM76,600+)
, followed by the E spec at
 THB 679k (approximately RM85,400+)
. The G spec costs
 THB 729K  (approximately RM91,700+)
while the range-topper
 S
is yours for
 THB 789k (approximately RM99,300+)
.
Following this update, the Malaysian Vios could potentially wear the same dress, which leaves us with the launch date. Before that,
read our review to find out what we think of the Vios’ new engine and transmission
, and be sure not to miss our video review below!
IMAGE GALLERY


The 2020 Porsche Panamera now has a Turbo S variant that does 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds!

Facing stiff competition recently with challengers such as the
BMW M8 Gran Coupe
 and the
Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door
 in the niche four-door executive super coupe segment, Porsche has now unveiled the 2020 update to the second-generation
Panamera
 with more power, new hybrid variants, and a mild cosmetic touch-up.
The 2020

Porsche Panamera range is now topped by a new Turbo S variant, replacing the Turbo from the outgoing model. The new
“fastest executive car” around the Ring
 is powered by a “comprehensively reengineered” 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, with its power output bumped up by a whopping 80 hp and 50 Nm compared to the old Turbo model to produce
630 hp
 and
820 Nm
 of torque.
As a result, 0-100 km/h is done in just
3.1 seconds
, and 0-200 km/h in
11.2 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
315 km/h
. Scary stuff this, in a car that seats four no less! For context, the old Panamera Turbo with the Sport Chrono package does the century sprint in 3.6 seconds.
Bridging the gap between itself and the new ridiculous Turbo S variant, the enthusiast-focused
Panamera GTS
 also received 20 hp power bump, now making
480 hp
 and
620 Nm
, which equates to a century sprint time of
3.9 seconds
.
Porsche says that particular attention has been given to the power delivery of the GTS variant, which now continuously increases all the way up to the rev limit, just like what you’d from a naturally-aspirated engine. The sport exhaust system is now fitted as standard onto the GTS for a more traditional V8 burble, and is also available as an option for the Turbo S.
The 2020 update also introduced a new Panamera 4S E-Hybrid variant, which replaces the ICE-only Panamera 4S from the pre-facelift model. The 2.9-litre biturbo V6 engine is now paired to an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, resulting in a combined system output of
 560 hp
 and
750 Nm
 of torque.
With the electric boost, the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid does naught to 100 km/h in
3.7 seconds
 (with the Sport Chrono package), onward to a top speed of
298 km/h
. Battery capacity has also increased to 17.9 kWh as compared to 14.1 kWh from the pre-facelift hybrid variants, resulting in an
 electric-only range of 54 km
 on the WLTP test cycle.
As reported by
Autocar UK
, Porsche intends to provide more hybrid options for the Panamera, as almost 60% from the total sales of the model in Europe are of the electrified versions. The new 4S E-Hybrid will slot nicely between the base E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid, with the specifications for both to be introduced at a latter date.
Other performance improvements made to the 2020 Panamera include a standard-fit Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) on all models, along with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) with variant-specific enhancements made to improve damping comfort and sportiness.
As for styling, revisions made to all three body styles – the standard fastback, long wheelbase Executive, and Sport Turismo wagon – are minor. Changes include the standard fitment on all variants of the previously-optional Sport Design front end, which features larger air intakes, reworked front grille, and a single-bar daytime-running light signature.
The Turbo S however gets a variant-exclusive design, with even larger side air intakes with body-coloured accents and twin-bar daytime-running lights.
At the rear, the 2020 Porsche Panamera’s fullwidth lightbar taillights have been reworked, with a new light signature that runs seamlessly across the bootlid, along with a dynamic coming/leaving home function.
Changes inside are even more subtle, save for a new steering wheel that was introduced in the 992-generation Porsche 911. The infotainment system has been updated to now include the Risk Radar live road signs and hazards warning system, along with improved voice command and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity. Type A USB ports have also been replaced by new Type C connectors.
As for safety, the 2020 Porsche Panamera now comes with lane keeping assist and road sign recognition as standard, along with adaptive cruise control, night vision assist, lane change assist, and Park Assist with Surround View.


Hyundai brings ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ into Malaysia with all-new Sonata – now open for booking

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has now begun accepting bookings for the all-new Hyundai Sonata, which is scheduled to be launched here in Malaysia by the end of this year. Fully imported from South Korea, Hyundai’s
latest D-segment offering
 will be priced at
“RM20X,XXX”
.
The
Hyundai Sonata
 will be offered locally in only one single variant, powered by a Smartstream G2.5 MPI engine. The 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder mill makes
180 hp
 and
232 Nm
 of torque, sent to the front wheels via a six speed automatic transmission.
The biggest selling point of the all-new Hyundai Sonata, however, is its looks – a stark difference in appearance to
its predecessor
. Sporting the brand’s latest ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design philosophy, the coupe-like roofline and sharp body creases makes the Korean executive sedan truly stand out from the crowd.
Up front, the face of the all-new Hyundai Sonata is characterised by the large Digital Pulse Cascading Grille, divided into two segments by a chrome strip that runs from the air inlets at both ends.
However, the standout feature in front is the daytime-running lights, which actually extends into the chrome strip that runs across the entire length of the bonnet, and forming the window surrounds. Thanks to the laser-cut perforations on the chrome strip, the lights disappear completely without a trace when turned off.
On the side profile, the exaggerated three-dimensional character line extends from the front fender to the taillights assembly – which resembles the “prawn” from the
Honda Civic
, but joined at the bottom by a strip of light. The all-new Honda Sonata rides on 18-inch wheels on all four corners.
The extravagant design continues inside, which Hyundai says is inspired by stealth aircrafts. The two-tone colour scheme highlights the floating dashboard design and the free-standing instrument cluster, which is an eight-inch unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Other interior highlights include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, cooled wireless charging pad, push-button gear selector, power-adjustable seats with driver’s side memory, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, as well as automatic headlights and wipers.
As for safety, the Sonata comes equipped with a Blind-Spot View Monitor – much like Honda’s LaneWatch system, but with a few key differences. Chiefly, it uses cameras on both sides of the car instead of just on the left, and the camera feed is displayed within the digital instrument cluster instead of the infotainment display.
The Malaysian-specification Hyundai Sonata also comes with six airbags and stability control as standard, but unfortunately misses out on the Hyundai SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems which includes features such as autonomous emergency braking – a feature that will be available on the (cheaper)
Hyundai Kona
.
The all-new Hyundai Sonata is now available for booking at all Hyundai showrooms across Malaysia, with a
booking fee of RM888
.