Range Rover Velar debuts in New York, driven by Ellie Goulding [+Video]

New york, the world’s biggest Range Rover market, finally gets the
Range Rover Velar
, and it’s accompanied by Ellie Goulding, no less. The sweet singer even gets to drive the Range Rover Velar around town, before being auctioned at the East Side House Settlement charity gala (the Velar, not Ellie).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7LxuIHOwgg&feature=youtu.be
The winning bidder will be among the first customers in the world to get the Velar, but there were no mention whether it includes a dinner date with Goulding. “I have always been a big Range Rover fan and it was a pleasure to be a part of its launch here in the US. Even more rewarding to be supporting a local charity that improves over 10,000 lives every year in one of my favourite cities,” says Goulding. Isn’t that sweet of her?
Proceeds from the gala will be channelled to the East Side House Settlement, a non-profit organisation providing education and social services in the Bronx and north Manhattan. The Range Rover Velar is on sale in UK now, priced at £44,830 (approximately RM248,700), but deliveries won’t begin until late summer.
VIDEO GALLERY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9UmqKGK6Ys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7LxuIHOwgg&feature=youtu.be
IMAGE GALLERY


Bermaz Motor recalls six Mazda models in Malaysia over faulty fuel pump

Bermaz Motor has announced a recall exercise involving
19,685 vehicles in Malaysia
, as a precautionary measure to replace the faulty fuel pumps. The recall exercise affects six Mazda models in Malaysia namely
Mazda2
,
Mazda3
,
Mazda6
,
CX-3
,
CX-5
, and
CX-9
,
manufactured between 2017 and 2019
. The full breakdown of the models affected by this recall is available in the table below:
Models
No. of units affected
Mazda2
2,028 units
Mazda3
1,441 units
Mazda6
13 units
CX-3
381 units
CX-5
15,780 units
CX-9
42 units
According to Bermaz Motor, the product recall is a necessary preventive measure to address the possibility of loss of engine power and vehicle stalling caused by the faulty fuel pump. The recall exercise is in line with the global product recall for Denso fuel pumps, which have also affected other brands including
Toyota
 and
Honda
 in Malaysia.
Customers affected by this recall exercise will be notified directly through mail and SMS which will include details of the product recall. The company urges those who have received the notification to contact any authorised Mazda service centre to schedule an appointment.
You can also check if your vehicle is affected in this recall exercise by entering your chassis number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the Mazda Malaysia website
here
.
The replacement of the affected fuel pump will be done free of charge, with all costs borne by Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan. The duration of repair service is estimated to take approximately 1.5 hours, or slightly longer depending on the model and the service centre workload at the time of appointment. The replacement stocks will be available in stages.
Bermaz Motor reassures that it is working with Mazda Corporation to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible. The safety of the customers is of the utmost priority, and the company apologizes for any inconvenience caused to the affected customers.


2017 Porsche 911 GT3 unveiled, gets new 4.0L and 6-speed manual!

Making its grand debut alongside the
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
 at the Geneva Motor Show is the updated Porsche 911 GT3. Built based on the
991.2 Carrera
, the facelifted GT3 gets a more powerful engine, improved dynamics and a manual transmission, for the first time since 2013.
The new 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine from the
GT3 RS
 and
911 R
 makes its way here, producing
493 hp
,
28 hp
 more than the previous model. As standard, the GT3 will come with a seven-speed double-clutch PDK transmission. But for enthusiasts, a
six-speed manual gearbox
 can be had as an option.
On
PDK
 equipped cars, the launch control function will enable the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.4 seconds
 onwards to a top speed
318 km/h
. The manual gets there half a second slower, at 3.9 seconds. It however boasts a higher top speed of
320 km/h
.
To complement the extra grunt, Porsche engineers have optimised the front and rear aerokit to produce more downforce. It now sits 25mm closer to the ground when compared to the
911 Carrera S
 and features active rear-axle steering that steers the car either to the same or opposite direction as the front wheels. This improves the 911’s overall agility through corners.
Inside, there’s a new 360mm GT sports steering wheel taken straight from the
918 Spyder
. It comes with manual adjustable sports seats, but an 18-way powered seats can be optioned, as are the sport bucket seats or full carbon fibre-reinforced bucket seats.
In addition to that, this track focused two-seater comes with Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with navigation, Connect Plus module and Track Precision app. The latter enables 911 GT3 drivers to display, record and analyse detailed driving data on their smartphone.
The Porsche 911 GT3 will go on sale in Europe by May this year, with prices starting from €152k (RM714k) before options. The previous
GT3 made an appearance in Malaysia
 back in 2014, and we are pretty certain that Porsche Malaysia (Sime Darby Auto Performance) wouldn’t give this bad boy a miss. The only question is, would you rather have the paddles or the stick?
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: Is the “new” Proton Exora still relevant in this present day?

In conjunction with the recent unveiling of the new
Proton Exora RC
 or “running change” as Proton calls it, the motoring boys were sent up to Bukit Tinggi to derive some impressions as to what they thought of the MPV.
For what it’s asking, which is
just under RM60k
, most bargain hunters would consider the 2019 Exora a steal – with so much car (or rather metal) for so little money. Bear in mind, for that kinda money you’re only looking at something like
 Perodua Myvi
 or the
 updated Proton Iriz
.

The 2019 Exora is available in two variants – the Executive and the high-spec Premium variant – priced at RM59,800 and RM66,800.
The two models are powered by the sole 1.6-litre turbocharged engine option paired to a CVT gearbox, making
140 hp
 and
203 Nm
 of torque.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota’s CATCH: Here’s how you can help solve traffic jams

Whether cars are powered by petrol, electricity, hydrogen or even the sun,
alternative energy sources don’t reduce number of vehicles on the road
, even if emissions do become cleaner. In light of the ever-growing population of vehicles in major cities, next-generation urban and mobility planning is undoubtedly challenging.
To drive the future of mobility,
Toyota Mobility Foundation
 (TMF) has entered into an agreement with the
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation
 (MDEC) to launch the
City Architecture for Tomorrow Challenge

(CATCH)
 – a contest where participants – from start-ups, academics and research institutions to corporates, or even the general public – can conceptualise and
develop solutions that are data-driven for future city infrastructures
.
Shin Aoyama, President of Secretariat, Toyota Mobility Foundation, said, “TMF was set up to address mobility issues around the world, using a unique approach driven by sustainability, innovation and partnership. CATCH was designed in partnership with the Malaysian government, to encourage data-driven but human-centered interventions to improve city planning and the mobility ecosystem.”
The contest will run over
eight months
, with TMF providing grants at every stage of the challenge; up to
US$1.5 million in total
 to support the participants and for trial-testing of the solutions in Kuala Lumpur. Participants will also have access to expert mentors and be part of an incubation programme.
CATCH will also provide participants with data from partners such as the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Royal Malaysia Police, Land Public Transport Agency, Grab, MapIT MSC, Mass Rapid Transit Corporation and Prasarana Malaysia to working out their urban planning solutions.
To find out more about CATCH and how to participate, get in touch with Toyota Mobility Foundation at
[email protected]
 or call +81-3-3817-9960.


New Proton regional parts centre in Kuching to cater to growing demands in East Malaysia

Local carmaker
Proton
 has set up a new Regional Parts Centre (RPC) in Kuching to support the growing demands for the brand in East Malaysia. Ever since the launch of the
Proton X70
 in December 2018, total sales in East Malaysia have increased by 120% from 2018 to 2021.
Expecting a further 20% growth in year-on-year sales, the new 28,000 sq. ft. facility is necessary for Proton to serve its East Malaysian customers. The new facility has three times the storage capacity of its predecessor and will function as a parts distribution centre for aftersales parts and components for East Malaysia.
Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Roslan Abdullah said, “Proton is pleased to announce our new RPC in Kuching is nearing completion. It is designed to cater to the needs of our dealers and their customers in East Malaysia and reduce the waiting time for parts in a region where logistics can be challenging. Once completed, we will have the ability to hold up to three months of stock and can even receive direct shipments of parts from overseas vendors.”
Besides its increased space and capability to handle the direct shipment of parts, the new facility is also capable of storing six containers, allowing it to receive multiple orders concurrently. It will also be able to handle increased throughput, reducing the time it takes to process and deliver orders to outlets.
RELATED:
Proton exceeds 2021 sales with 2 months to spare – 115,336 cars sold in 2022
The Proton Deputy CEO also said, “We expect to see a significant improvement in waiting time for accident repairs. In addition to the three months of stocks held at the RPC, our dealers are also required to have three months of maintenance parts stock. This is an example of Proton’s efforts to continuously improve aftersales service to deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction. We understand many may be wary, but I would like to reassure both current and future owners, parts are available for your new Proton.”
In East Malaysia, Proton’s most popular model is the
Proton Saga

with 8,692 units sold in 2021, followed by the
Proton X50
 with 2,934 units sold in 2021. Based on the current booking trend, Proton expects the Saga to exceed 10,000 units and the X50 to exceed 4,200 units for 2022.
RELATED:
Proton to develop own EVs, sending 16 engineers to China for R&D training


Hyundai to continue making combustion engines, says EV infrastructure insufficient

After several brands have announced that they will not stop making combustion engines, Korean car maker
Hyundai
 has also joined the fossil fuel camp. According to Hyundai, some parts of the world aren’t ready for electric vehicle technology yet.
Speaking to
CarExpert
, Hyundai Executive Technical Advisor, Albert Biermann said, “We are continuing for next emission levels [in internal combustion development]. We have no other choices. I mean, we are not giving up on combustion engines, right, we are a global player. And there is no infrastructure available for EVs for quite some time in several regions.”
Back in December 2021, it was reported that Hyundai shut down its engine development department at the company’s Namyang Research institute.
Business Korea
 reported that Hyundai’s powertrain group was subsequently reorganized into an electrification development team. As for engine manufacturing, Hyundai engines are made in the company’s plants in India, South Korea, Alabama, and the Czech Republic.
On whether or not Hyundai will invest in a new combustion engine family, Albert Biermann told
CarExpert
, “So we keep going with combustion engines but will we set up a whole new combustion engine family? Yeah, I mean, you have to follow the emission regulations and that requires sometimes intense development. Euro 7, for example, is quite challenging. So that’s on the agenda.”
Assembly of Hyundai Sonata
Other brands that have announced the continuation of combustion engines include Mercedes-Benz which says
the AMG V8 engine will live on beyond 2030
, BMW which will
continue to have a petrol version of the BMW 3 series alongside the electric version
, and
Bugatti which says it has no EVs in the plan
 for at least until 2030. Currently, Hyundai’s EV lineup in Malaysia consists of the Hyundai Kona electric and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Besides combustion engine cars, Hyundai also has hydrogen fuel cell cars, albeit not sold officially in Malaysia.


Video: Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, Things You Need To Know

Porsche has just introduced its first ever “Shooting Brake” design in Malaysia with the new Panamera Sport Turismo. Here are Things You Need To Know about the three variants available in Malaysia:
The three models include the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo (
330 hp
/
450Nm
), the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo (
462 hp
/
700Nm
) and the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo (
550hp
 /
 770Nm
).
Power is channeled to all four wheels with an 8-speed PDK gearbox with rear-wheel steering, Porsche Traction Management (PTM), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) and adaptive air suspension with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).
IMAGE GALLERY


Join the dark side – MINI Countryman Blackheath Edition now available in Malaysia

Blacked-out cars are all the rage these days, especially in the younger car-buying crowd. Joining in the the trend, MINI Malaysia has just released their own version of an all-black car, the MINI Countryman Blackheath Edition.
Just how black is it? For starters, the MINI Countryman Blackheath is only available in Midnight Black. The headlight and taillight trim, front grille, door handles, front and rear emblem, as well as the Countryman tailgate badge are all finished in black too, as part of the
 Piano Black Original MINI Accessories
, exclusive to the Blackheath edition.
The newly designed LED fog lights and aerodynamic mirror cap are taken from the
recently-updated JCW Countryman
, while a matte brushed aluminium bonnet stripe and 19-inch John Cooper Works Circuit Spoke wheels finish the ominous exterior looks.
The ominous theme continues inside, emphasised by the Anthracite headliner, and Leather Cross Punch sports seats in Carbon Black. Although, the Piano Black MINI Yours Illuminated Interior Trim does allow for some colour to splash through the full-black theme.
Taking centrestage on the dashboard is the larger
8.8-inch infotainment display
, with support for Apple CarPlay. The Countryman Blackheath Edition also comes with
built-in with 4G connectivity
, which supports features such as Intelligent Emergency Call, Mini TeleServices and Concierge Service, as well as connectivity with the MINI Remote mobile app.
The infotainment system is paired to a 12 high-performance-speaker set up from Harman Kardon, with a Class-D DSP Amplifier with a 360-watt output.
The Blackheath Edition uses the Cooper S specification as base, which takes on 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, capable of producing
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque. The engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch sports transmission.
The new gearbox (instead of the eight-speed automatic) features a coasting function in the MID and GREEN driving modes, which automatically disengages the drivetrain as soon as the driver removes their foot from the accelerator pedal.
Performance wise, the MINI Countryman Blackheath Edition achieves the century sprint in
 7.5 seconds,
 with a claimed Vmax of
225 km/h
. Claimed fuel consumption figure is
 6.6 l/100km
.
Only
48 units
 of this all black MINI Countryman will be available, priced at
RM253,888
 – on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the EEV excise duty reduction (RM17,571). The MINI Countryman Blackheath Edition comes with
four-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service
, along with five-year roadside assistance.
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua offers assistance to flood-affected customers

Perodua is offering assistance, including towing service rebates, discounts on selected spare parts and free inspections for Perodua vehicles, to all Perodua vehicle owners who were affected by the floods.
As of yesterday, parts of Selangor, Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang were affected by floods due to continuous heavy rainfall since Friday. The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department has updated that water levels in the Klang Valley has begun to recede contributed by sunny skies on Monday.
 Image credit: Facebook/
BernamaOfficial

“Our customers are very important to us and this value-added services are provided to help relieve some of the burdens our customers have to deal with during this disaster,” said Perodua, President and CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“While a few of our service centres are also affected by the floods, our customers are encouraged to refer to any of our service outlets throughout Malaysia for assistance.”
“We are doing our best to resume our operations (at the affected areas) as quick as possible,” he added.
RELATED: Perodua contributes supplies worth RM80k to Sg Buloh hospital
Regarding the assistance given, Perodua customers can claim towing service up to a maximum of RM100 to the nearest Perodua service outlets. Customers whose vehicles have been damaged by the flood are encouraged to call the toll-free customer care line at
 1-800-88-5555
 for towing assistance. Do note that terms and conditions apply.
In addition, Perodua is also offering 20% off on selected spare parts to owners whose vehicles are damaged due to floods.
“Our genuine spare parts come with a manufacturer’s warranty and we ask our customers to not use any imitation parts as this may affect the performance of their vehicles,” added Dato’ Zainal.
The parts include all electronics items, engine overhaul gaskets, vehicle seats, door trim and carpet.
Main image credit: Twitter/
NST_Online


Jaguar to reproduce 8 units of the classic C-type – one of its most successful race cars

Jaguar Classic is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the legendary C-type sports racer by recreating limited units of the C-type Continuation. Only eight units will ever be built, to add to the 53 original units from the early 1950s.
The C-type continuation will allow historic motorsports enthusiasts to purchase these

new factory-built cars from

Jaguar

for the first time. They will be built at Jaguar’s Classic Works facility in Coventry, UK, where each unit will feature the specifications of the original 1953 Le Mans-winning car, including the 3.4-litre straight-six engine, with 220 hp.
The C-type was originally built between 1951 to 1953 and went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut in 1951. It was also the first of Jaguar’s seven wins at the world renowned endurance race.
It was also the first car to adopt the then innovative disc brake technology in motorsport, and went on to score the first win for a disc-braked car, with the late Sir Stirling Moss behind the wheel. The C-type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans again in 1953, another first for a disc-braked car.
Exclusive access to original engineering drawings and company records created by the original C-type development team ensure that the original 1953 specifications are accurately maintained.
“Seventy years on, Jaguar Classic is proud to be able to utilise the latest innovations in manufacturing technology – alongside traditional skills and unrivalled expertise – to reintroduce this legendary car, driven by some of the most-admired racing drivers in history, for a new generation of enthusiasts to enjoy
,”
 said Jaguar Classic, Director, Dan Pink.
For the first time ever, Jaguar Classic is also giving customers the opportunity to visualise their C-type Continuation virtually using a specially designed online configurator. This
new tool
allows users to compare colour and trim options from the 12 authentic exterior colours and eight interior colours available, and apply optional items such as steering wheel and bonnet badging.
Customers can also specify the C-type Continuation to be equipped with an FIA-approved Harness Retention System or rollover protection as these new C-types will be eligible for historic racing!
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Facelift Jaguar XF P250 R-Dynamic in Malaysia from RM498k

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has launched the updated
Jaguar XF P250 R-Dynamic
 with a refreshed exterior and new equipment on board, priced from
RM498,800
 including SST without insurance.
New on the exterior includes a revised front bumper – with larger air intakes – along with a newly designed, larger front grille. The most striking of all is the ‘J-graphics’ on the headlamps that significantly modernise the aging XF. The previous XF was introduced in Malaysia in
2016
.
Unlike the dual projectors from the pre-facelift model, the new XF feature quad-projectors, tucked between the LED daytime running lights – much the latest Lexus vehicles. Over to the side, the Jaguar XF gets new fender trims, this time featuring the Leaper badge while the rear bumper design has also been revised.
Inside is where significant changes are at; with a 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen display that’s nearly 50% larger than the previous unit. The infotainment system also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and is linked to a Meridian Sound system. The sound system also features a segment-first Active Road Noise Cancellation technology that reduces cabin noise while the car is on the move.
On the dashboard, the ‘pop-up’ air-con vents have been replaced with conventional air vents while the physical air-con controls have been replaced with a touch-sensitive panel. Also gone is the ‘pop-up’ gear lever, now replaced with a conventional square gear knob.
The switches on the door panels have also been repositioned, leaving just one switch on the arm rest while the rest have been moved higher to the door panels. Also new in the facelift Jaguar XF is the wireless charger, steering wheel design and a fully digital instrument cluster.
As it is the P250 variant, the XF gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with
250 hp
and
365 Nm
, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission to drive the rear-wheels. Only the P300 variant gets all-wheel drive. 0 to 100 km/h in the XF P250 takes 6.9 seconds before it hits an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
According to Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia, the new XF P250 R-Dynamic was fully booked at the pre-launch phase but is now available for booking again.
GALLERY


The Mercedes-Benz GLS Grand Edition redefines luxury as you know it

Like wealth, luxury goods are one of many things we’ll never get enough of. There will always be something or someone out there pushing the boundaries of the exclusivity to entice us to part ways with our money.
This Mercedes-Benz GLS Grand Edition is one such example. As you all may have seen last year, the
Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 4MATIC launched in Malaysia
 is a prime example of plushness on four wheels money can buy. With
 333 hp
 and
 480 Nm
 of torque from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine at the disposal of its four wheels, 0 to 100 km/h takes a blinding
6.6 seconds
 before it tops out at around
240 km/h
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz GLS 400 4MATIC
Engine
2,996cc; twinturbo V6
Transmission
9G-TRONIC, 9-speed automatic
Max Power
333 hp @ 5,250 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
480 Nm @ 1,600 – 4,000 rpm
0-100 km/h; Top Speed
6.6 seconds; 240 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM888,888
With the Grand Edition, focus is heightened on the aesthetics rather than the mechanics of this elegant monstrosity. On the outside, its presence is intensified with 10-spoke, 20-inch light-alloy wheels that are painted in black and topped off with a high-sheen finish. Other additions to the exterior include Grand Edition badges on the side of the wings.
The exclusive aura in the interior is further heightened with the combination of porcelain and espresso brown, a mix that is only available in this edition. Seats are draped in nappa leather with diamond quilting, seamed in mid brown and special Budapest-design piping. Exclusive to the Grand Edition is the open-pore Radiant lime trim with light stripes.
The Interior Package costs 5950 euros (
approx RM 29,500
) while the Exterior Package costs 2300 euros (
approx Rm 11,400
) – chump change for those playing at this level; no parting of kidneys required.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW Japan’s limited-edition X7 Frozen Black is the SUV for the Yakuza kingpin

As a follow-up to the
8 Series Frozen Black Edition
 that was introduced in June, BMW Japan has now introduced a 40-units-only limited run of the X7 with the same all-black treatment inside-out.
Starting life as a regular BMW X7 xDrive40d M Sport, the carmaker’s Japanese arm pretty much dipped the entire car into a tub of black paint, covering everything it possibly (and legally) can in a matte Frozen Black and glossy Jet Black colour combo.
And by everything, we mean
everything
 – from the kidney grille, to the tail pipes, roof rails, 22-inch alloy wheels, and the M-sport brake calipers. Even the rear windows are heavily tinted in black for the full sinister effect.
BMW Japan’s X7 “Nishijin Edition” comes with the most exquisite upholstery option we’ve ever seen! Check it out here.
The same blacked-out treatment is also applied onto the interior, including an Anthracite Black Alcantara roof liner, Merino leather upholstery, and Piano Black trim pieces all around. Unfortunately, no photos of the BMW X7 Frozen Black Edition’s interior were provided, although to be fair we probably can’t really see anything, anyway.
Powertrain underneath the limited-edition X7’s hood is unchanged from the base car, which means there’s a 3.0-litre inline-six turbodiesel mill, aided by a 48V mild-hybrid system for a total output of
340 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque.
The BMW X7 Frozen Black Edition will go on sale tomorrow at JPY14,660,000 (approx. RM530k), exclusively via BMW Japan’s online store.
Here in Malaysia, the BMW X7 is available solely in the xDrive40i Pure Excellence form, priced at RM648,934 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales and service tax exemption. Check it out here!


VW Polo 1.6 CKD goes zero: 0% interest and no down payment for a brand new Polo!

If you have always fancied an affordable German car, this could be your calling, because Volkswagen Malaysia is offering an interesting financial deal on all Polo models via their
Polo Goes Zero
 campaign.
Priced at
RM89,888
 for the hatchback and
RM91,888
 for the sedan, both the
Polos
 can be yours for RM999 per month for seven years. The catch? Well, a good one – 0% interest rate and there’s no need for a down payment.
As a quick recap, both the Polo CKD variants come with a
1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine
, making
104 hp
 and
153 Nm
 of torque. It gets just one transmission choice, a
six-speed automatic
 gearbox channeling drive to the
front wheels
. The German B-segment contender sits on 15-inch “Riverside” alloy wheels and comes in five different colours – Candy White, Flash Red, Pepper Grey, Reflex Silver and Deep Black.
There will be a carnival at Bukit Jalil from 6 to 8 March, giving you the opportunity to test any of the Polo models on site, and visitors can also participate in their safety experience training.
If you’re interested in the Polo, do give our
review
 a read to find out what we think about the German engineered, Malaysian assembled car.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Polo 1.6 CKD Media Drive


Sebastien Buemi is 2016 Formula E’s controversial champion [+ Video]

The 2016 Formula E championship is currently one of the weirdest finale in motor racing history as Sebastien Buemi emerged champion by becoming the fastest lap holder in the London ePrix last Sunday.
It was a double header last weekend where two races were contested at the street track of Battersea Park. Until the finale, two drivers and arch rivals, Renault e.dams’ Sebastien Buemi and Abt Audi Sport’s Lucas di Grassi tied with at the top of the championship standings. Buemi took pole position while di Grassi started third on the grid, so basically whoever’s ahead by the end of the race wins the title.
When the red lights went off, di Grassi went aggressive by overtaking second place Nicholas Prost, who is also Buemi’s teammate. At turn 3, the unthinkable happened when di Grassi did not stop in time, and subsequently collided with Buemi into the barrier. The carnage took out Buemi’s rear wing, while di Grassi’s front wing is basically destroyed.
Picture Credit: Zak Mauger & FIA Formula E
Judge for yourself if di Grassi deliberately crashed into his rival, just as Senna did to Prost in the 1990 F1 finale in Suzuka.
Formula E requires using two cars to complete the race distance, hence finishing the race is not realistic for both drivers. Thus, both rivals began
Plan B
 by limping back to the pits and began preparations in their second car.
Picture Credit: Andrew Ferraro & FIA Formula
The plan is to secure the fastest lap where two points are up for grabs. The blue and yellow e.dams car is the fastest car in the series but di Grassi is consistently quick. If either driver scores the fastest lap in this 2.925 km street circuit, he will then be crowned the 2016 Formula E champion. But if someone else other than that duo laps quicker, di Grassi will be handed the title (because he scored more third-place finishes than Buemi).
Di Grassi went out first and clocked 1:27.037 seconds but the e.Dams car proved to be more superior when Buemi set a 1:26.056 second lap before improving to 1:24.582 seconds. Di Grassi retaliated but couldn’t go any quicker than 1:24.9 seconds on his final lap. The title was sealed by Buemi when he clocked the lap in 1:24.150 seconds, effectively making him the quickest driver of the race.
Picture Credit: Andrew Ferraro & FIA Formula E
The race was won by Prost who also won the preceding race. His victory also sealed Renault e.dams’ manufacturer title as well, making them the biggest victors of the Formula E 2015/2016 season.
The following Formula E season will kick off in Hong Kong sometime in October, with
Jaguar
 joining the lineup as a new manufacturer. Following the incident, expect bitter rivalry between these two drivers.
Meanwhile, do watch the race highlights below.
Results and standing are as follows:
[Source: FIA Formula E]


All-new BMW X3 coming to Malaysia in 1H of 2018! xDrive M40i possible?

Since the inception of the BMW X3 back in 2003, the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) has made its way to more than 1.5 million homes around the world across two-generations. Just recently, BMW pulled the wraps off the
third-generation G01 X3
 and for those of you that have been eagerly waiting, sources have hinted to
AutoBuzz.my
that the all-new X3 will arrive to our shores as soon as the first half of 2018!
Globally, the X3 is available in a plethora of specifications and trims, ranging from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder 20i petrol to the fire-breathing 3.0-litre inline-six M40i – the first ever M Performance for the X3 model range. It remains unclear which variants will make its way to Malaysia, but it is safe to assume that only the petrol variants will make an appearance in our market.
QUICK FACTS
Name
X3 xDrive 20i & sDrive 20i
X3 xDrive 30i
X3 xDrive 20d
X3 xDrive 30d
X3 xDrive M40i
Engine
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel
3.0-litre six-cylinder Twin Scroll turbo petrol
Transmission
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Max Power
184 hp
252 hp
190 hp
265 hp
360 hp
Max Torque
290 Nm
350 Nm
400 Nm
620 Nm
500 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.3 seconds; 210 km/h
6.3 seconds; 240 km/h
8.0 seconds; 213 km/h
5.8 seconds; 240 km/h
4.8 seconds; 250 km/h
The styling of the all-new X3, while familiar, is actually entirely new – larger kidney grille, headlamps, taillamps, bumpers and all that. All contributing to a more rugged appearance on the SAV. Besides the subtle design tweaks, the X3 is available in three distinct trim lines – xLine, Luxury Line and M Sport, each getting unique kidney grille finish, underbody protection trim, window trims and wheel options. The
M Sport M40i
 gets further furnished with M Sport Brakes, M Sport Suspension and M Performance Aerodynamic kit.

Inside, depending on the trim selected, the X3 comes equipped with three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, full colour heads up display, 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control, tri-zone climate control and ambient lighting. Boot capacity is rated at
550 litres
 or expandable to 1,600 litres with the 40:20:40 spilt rear-seats folded down.
Motivation comes from a range of petrol and diesel engines with outputs ranging from
184 hp
 to
 360 hp
. All engine choices are available with the xDrive all-wheel drive system however, the most vanilla
184 hp
 20i variant can be had with sDrive rear-wheel drive that is strictly for markets outside of Europe.
For the first time ever, the range topping X3 is a full-blown M Sport variant, the xDrive M40i. Motivation comes from a 3.0-litre inline-six TwinScroll turbo petrol that outputs
360 hp
 and
 500 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled to all-four corners via an eight-speed automatic and 0 to 100 km/h is clocked in
4.8 seconds
. Top speed is limited at
250 km/h
.
One thing is for sure, the 2.0-litre petrol version(s?) G01 BMW X3 will definitely make its way here to contest against the
Mercedes-Benz GLC
,
Audi Q5
 and
Lexus NX
. On a side note, the xDrive M40i squares-off against the
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43
 which is on sale here in Malaysia with a half a million Ringgit price tag. We have a feeling that BMW Malaysia might just give the GLC 43 a run for its money with the xDrive M40i.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW xDrive M40i M Sport

BMW xDrive 30d Luxury


The new Audi A8’s sound system will change your in-car entertainment experience

The Audi A8 now comes with the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System to bring unique acoustic character of pure 3D sounds to the rear seats so that for oligarchs and industrialist to indulge in their presumably classical music preferences.
The system comes with 23 loudspeakers, where each comes with its individual amplifier, pumping out 1,920-watt of harmonic performance that produce high-resolution sound patterns to impressive effect. In Audi’s words, this is especially profound when reproducing classical concert of high recording quality – with music unfolding as if it were recorded, not diluted by artificial effects.
First introduced in the Q7 two years ago, the system is now extended to the rear compartment of the new A8. Of the 23 speakers, two of which positioned on the A-pillar and another two on the headlining of the rear seats help create the perfect stereophonic experience. When the system is switched on – and this is the coolest bit –  two tweeters extend vertically from the dashboard.
Even distribution of sound is owed to the Bang & Olufsen’s Acoustic Lens Technology and to produce the 3D sound Audi has worked together with applied research centre Fraunhofer Institute in Erlangen to come with up with an algorithm that adapts invidually to different sounds – ensuring that sounds produced isn’t distorted.
The system also comes with a special function for film sound tracks called Movie Set, playing sounds of the same quality as you’d get in a cinema, also in terms of its sound effect. For instance, if a character appears on the left side of the screen, sounds will follow suit from the left side.

“Integrating the loudspeakers at the right points in the car is the key to 80 percent of the audio quality. They need to be mounted as rigidly as possible, so we fixed the subwoofer in the rear panel, which is made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. The aim is to isolate the loudspeaker from the body and prevent any vibrations from being transmitted,” explained sound/acoustics developer for the Audi A8, Wolfram Jähn.
Even the
speaker grilles
play a role in projecting quality sounds. Audi works closely with B&G to ensure maximum acoustic transparency while providing protective function. In the Audi A8, precision-perforated covers of double-anodised aluminium adorn the loudspeakers in the front and rear doors.
Audi’s collaboration with Bang & Olufsen has spanned almost two decades and from 2005 onwards, A8’s have been available optionally with the Advanced Sound System by the Danish specialist. This meant Audi was the first carmaker to be able to supply a factory-fitted high-end sound system. In the new Audi A8, Bang & Olufsen will offer both the Advanced and the Premium Sound System.
Video Credit:
Bartosz _x
IMAGE GALLERY


This replica of the Proton Iriz rally car is every Malaysian’s dream Iriz

Firstly, it’s not for sale. Secondly, it’s only a replica of the original Iriz rally car. That said, we’re glad it’s on display at the M
alaysia Autoshow 2018
 cause we’d be reluctant to visit an oil palm plantation just to check it out.
Performance figures were not revealed but we’re informed that the Iriz rally car is powered by a
Proton 4B11 1.6 Turbo
 engine, linked to 5-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox, like the one in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 race car we drove recently, except the latter had one extra gear.
The original Iriz rally car rides on Riger front and rear MacPherson struts with external reservoir dampers along with 3-way adjustability and built-in Rebound Control and Hydraulic Bump Stops.
Tied to the sophisticated suspension system are a set of 18-inch Speedline lightweight alloy wheels (for tarmac use) wrapped in 235/40/18 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. If it were on gravel, the Iriz utilises a set of 15-inch wheels instead.
Sitting behind those wheels are 4-pot Brembo brakes (front and rear) and while it may not have the MEM-designed bespoke rollcage as the original rally car, the Iriz is displayed with the R5 Aero package.
The Iriz rally car was part of last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed where it took 1st place in the Goodwood Rally Stage.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche beats Mercedes-Benz’s Nurburgring record with 911 GT2 RS

Porsche has taken the 911 GT2 RS to Nurburgring and emerged victorious with a new record for road-legal production cars. The most powerful production 911 (once upon a time) was driven by Porsche development driver, Lars Kern.
The new record, with a time of
6:43.300
, beats the
previous record set by the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
 by 4.747 seconds – with an average speed of 186 km/h. The Mercedes-AMG clocked a lap time of 6:48.047.
Find out more about the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, now in Malaysia, in detail here!
To achieve this Porsche’s engineers worked with Manthey Racing, to develop a Manthey Performance Kit which customers can opt for through Porsche Tequipment as an optional extra.
The Manthey Performance Kit consists of items like the Weissach Package’s light magnesium alloy wheels for example. The magnesium wheels (20-inch front, 21-inch rear) are wrapped in Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, and cuts 11.4 kg of fat off the car.
Read about the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series’ record on the Nurburgring here!
It also gets track-optimised suspension developed by Porsche and Manthey, “special brake pads” for the Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brake system, and steel-braided brake lines for better brake pedal feedback.
More importantly, the 911 GT2 RS received aerodynamic upgrades for increased downforce – allowing the car to carry higher speeds through the corners.
This includes a additional flaps on the front spoiler, new rear spoiler, a modified diffuser, and aerodiscs on the rear wheels. Downforce has been increased from 49 kg to 70 kg at the front, and from 93 kg to 200 kg at the rear – at speeds of 200 km/h.
“The 911 GT2 RS sticks to the track like glue with the Manthey Performance Kit – you feel as if you’re in a racing car, especially on faster corners. It is truly breathtaking how the car puts its 700 hp and 750 Nm effectively onto the tarmac and how incredibly well it brakes while always remaining easy to control,” says Lars Kern.
Find out what other records have been set at the legendary Nurburgring circuit here!
GALLERY


Skoda is going to build a new compact SUV just for China

After posting a
successful quarter for Volkswagen Group
, Skoda will be releasing a dedicated model for the Group’s and Skoda’s single largest market – China. Unsurprisingly, the specially designed model for the Chinese market will be a compact SUV.
Skoda’s latest offering will be the third member of the brand’s SUV family for the Chinese market. It will incorporate specific requirements and preferences of Chinese customers regarding concept, design and features.
According to a report by
AutoCar UK
, the yet-to-be-named SUV will not share the same MQB platform as the
Volkswagen T-Roc
 (both are compact SUVs); instead, it will be built on the China-only PQ platform. Skoda will likely position the new SUV at a lower price bracket to attract more Chinese buyers hence it will not be offered with an electrified powertrain to keep the cost low.
The new Skoda SUV will be unveiled at the 2018 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2018) and is expected to grow Skoda’s market share in the SUV space. In 2017, the carmaker delivered 325,000 vehicles in China, a 2.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year.


Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante loses roof for open skies

The
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato coupe
 we covered a few months back was quite a formidable British specimen, but allow us to introduce the sexier Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante.
Unveiled just recently at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, this red hot convertible is the latest creation to be spawned by a six-decade long partnership between Aston Martin and the Italian company, Zagato.

New here is of course the folding fabric roof. This replaces Zagato’s trademark double-bubble roof, but otherwise the aesthetics remain identical to the hardtop variant. At the heart of this sexy convertible is a
 592 hp 6.0-litre V12
 engine which takes just
 3.7 seconds
 to sprint from standstill to the 100km/h mark, and boasts a top speed of close to 320km/h.
Interior wise, a new tan colour scheme accompanies the herringbone carbon fibre and anodised bronze detailing. But if you wish to take the styling up one notch, Aston Martin’s ‘Q’ division will be more than happy to assist you in personalising your prized Aston.
Just 99 units of the Zagato Volante will be made. At
 £500,000
 (approximately RM2.63 million) a pop, it’s easily twice the price of a regular Aston Martin. But if it’s given the Zagato touch, expect it to be sold out by now.
IMAGE GALLERY


Next phase of WLTP to put carmakers to the test

Car brands that operate in Europe will soon be facing even stricter regulations as the second phase of WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) kicks in this coming September with expanded tests applied to new cars and even selected customer vehicles with mileage up to 100,000 km.
 https://youtu.be/lZXdQYSF1Gk
The new phase will no doubt stretch the resources of car makers given that the transition from NEDC to WLTP was anything but smooth last year. To recap, WLTP was a long overdue update to regulations which gave consumers more accurate information (e.g. fuel efficiency and emissions) based on real-world driving data as opposed to NEDC, a standard introduced back in the 1980s. If you have had great difficulty achieving the fuel efficiency rating derived from NEDC, you wouldn’t be alone.
The new additions to WLTP include an evaporation test that measures what a vehicle emits (e.g. petrol vapours) when stationary and also random tests to be carried out on customer vehicles with mileage up to 100,000 km. Manufacturers such as Volkswagen will be deploying mobile labs so that measurements can be taken on-site. Meanwhile in Malaysia, we are still running largely on Euro 2M-compliant petrol with Euro 4M to be implemented by 1
st
 January 2020. Let’s hope there will be no more postponements.


This Toyota GR86 ditches its boxer engine for an electric motor! – 333hp, 468Nm

Electric motor swaps are becoming more common these days in countries like the United States where the regulations allow it. However, this is usually the solution for classic cars with scarce engine parts and not for brand-new sports cars. At SEMA this year, an electric
Toyota GR86
 called the SCR1 made its debut, built by Canadian company Scalar Performance.
Yes, the boxer engine has been chucked out, but the all-electric Toyota GR86 retains its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration. Powering the rear wheels now is an 800-V Stealth electric motor by Hypercraft that makes
333 hp
(metric) and
468 Nm
. The Scalar Performance GR86 has a top speed of 267 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in an estimated 3.9 seconds. For reference, the standard Toyota GR86 with the FA24 engine makes 235 hp (metric) and 250 Nm.
Built as an amateur touring race car, the SCR1 packs a
65-kWh
 battery pack that allows for approximately
45 minutes
of racing time. Recharging takes
less than 20 minutes
 with a
150-kW
 DC fast charger, and Scalar Performance says the battery employs an industry-leading battery management system, which means you get every minute of racing possible out of the battery pack.
A 5.19:1 gear reduction system with straight-cut gears connects the electric motor to the rear wheels. Also equipped on the SCR1 is a Torque Sensing (Torsen) limited-slip differential (LSD).
RELATED:
Toyota GR86 gets GR Yaris engine, but it’s not what you think it is
Compared to the internal combustion engine (ICE) version of the Toyota GR86, the EV GR86 weighs 1,379 kg, which is 119 kg more than the RC-spec GR86. Bearing the weight is a set of bespoke suspension developed by Öhlins, 18-inch Enkei alloy wheels, and Hoosier tyres.
The Canadian company says the car’s weight distribution is similar to that of a mid-engine race car. In charge of stopping the SCR1 are six-piston callipers in front and four-piston callipers in the rear.
RELATED:
Toyota, Subaru celebrate 10 years of Hachiroku with limited-edition GR86 and BRZ models
The SCR1 was designed and built by tech entrepreneur, Brian Bourne, and car builder, Joel Fallaise, in collaboration with engineering partners Hypercraft and Ettractive, the SCR1 is the first club racing electric vehicle approved by the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) for road racing in their Super Touring Series.
Only 10 units of the SCR1 will be made for its launch in summer 2023, dubbed the ‘Founder Edition’. Each vehicle will feature a numbered plaque and a paint-to-sample roll cage, while the owners will receive support from the engineering team including over-the-air updates. Just in case you were wondering, the SCR1 meets and exceeds FIA safety requirements.
RELATED:
Toyota GR86 to launch in Malaysia soon? Toyota Gazoo Racing returns for Season 5
GALLERY


Watch out BMW 7 Series, the Lexus LS 500 F Sport will be unveiled soon!

The Lexus
LS 500
 and
LS 500h
 are a little too sedated for your liking? Well, for those seeking prestige and performance, Lexus has released this teaser image of the LS 500 F Sport, which is set to be fully unveiled at the upcoming 2017
New York Motorshow
 in mid-April.
Lexus claims the
LS 500 F Sport
 pushes its GA-L platform to the limit, making this LS 500 sharper and more agile to drive. The company also claims it’ll be “
the most engaging LS driving experience yet
”.
Judging from the previous F Sport Lexus models, the LS 500 F Sport is expected to don a much sportier and aggressive bodykit together with larger wheels than the standard’s 20-inch items. Inside, the sportier instrumentation that mimics Lexus’ performance models should be included as well.
Power should come from a
3.5-litre twin turbo V6
which cranks out
415 hp
 and
442 Nm
 of torque. The rear-wheel driven LS500 can hit from nought to 100 km/h in
 4.5 seconds
.


2016 Lotus 3-Eleven revealed, quickest and most expensive Lotus ever

Lotus has revealed their quickest and most expensive series production model ever at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 3-Eleven.
Set to deliver pure driving thrills with its open cockpit design, the 3-Eleven
weighs just below 900 kg
 and packs
450 hp
 from a
supercharged V6
, enabling it to
reach 100 km/h in less than 3.0 seconds
.
The 3-Eleven will be available in
 two guises
:
Road
 and
Race
, and as you would have guessed, the Race is the the more hardcore version of the two.
EXTERIOR
Like the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven (or even the original Lotus Eleven of the late fifties), the 3-Eleven embraces the
 open cockpit concept
 and serious aero work. The body panels are made using
 resin infusion composite technology
, which is a first for a production car, and as a result the panels are
40 percent lighter compared to fibreglass
.

The aggressive kit is certainly not just for show, in the Race version they can generate
downforce of up to 215 kg at 240 km/h
, making sure the 3-Eleven stays grounded wherever it goes.
Everything is designed to make the 3-Eleven as aerodynamic as possible, and that includes the
front splitter
, the
side scallop
, the huge
rear spoiler
, and the
rear diffuser
. Even the
roll cage
 is finished with an
aerodynamic cover
 to generate downforce.
INTERIOR
Don’t expect leather seats, sat-nav, or even carpet in the 3-Eleven. The interior is so focused on the driver they made the passenger seat as optional item. There’s a
 digital instrument
 cluster to display vital information for the driver, and just a few buttons on the center panel and that’s about it.
Fitted as standard is a
removable steering wheel
 and
sports seat with four-point harnesses
, but if you want
data logger system,
 you’ll have to get the Race version. You will also get an
FIA-approved racing seat with six-point harnesses
 as well as a
 fire extinguisher
 and
battery kill switch
 in the Race version.
PERFORMANCE
Lotus took the
supercharged 3.5-litre V6
 from the Evora 400 and massaged it to produce more power before plonking it in the 3-Eleven. The outcome is
450 hp
 and
 450 Nm
, in a car that weighs less than 900 kilos that translates as
more than 500 hp per tonne
.
Different gearbox combo will be paired to the engine, the
Road version
 will get a
close-ratio six-speed manual
 with a
Torsen limited slip differential
, while the
Race version
 gets a
 six-speed sequential transmission
 with a
mechanical limited slip differential
.
Sprint time from
0 to 100 km/h
 is clocked
under 3.0 seconds
, and the
top speed
 is at
280 km/h
 for the
Race version
 and
290 km/h
 for the
Road version
.
The 3-Eleven utilises
front and rear double-wishbones

suspension
 with
Eibach springs
, and owners will get to tweak with the front anti-roll and the
Öhlins dampers
 to suit their plan of attack.
The lightweight
forged aluminium wheels
 are staggered, the rear wheels are wider and an inch bigger than the front. The tyres measuring
 225/40 ZR18
 at the front and
275/35 ZR19
 at the back are either
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
 for the Road version, or
Michelin Cup 2
 for the Race version. Meanwhile the
brakes
 are from
AP Racing
, and it consists of
 332 mm
 two-part grooved and vented brake discs and
four-pot calipers
.
WHAT ELSE?
The 3-Eleven will be limited to just
311 units
 (of course), and each will be
hand-built in Hethel
. Production will kick-off in
February 2016
 with deliveries starting a couple of months after that. Prices start at
£82,000
 for the
Road version
 and
£115,200
 for the
Race version
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Kia EV6 GT goes head-to-head with ICE sports cars in a six-car drag race!

Kia Corporation is incredibly proud of its first dedicated fully electric (EV) model,
the Kia EV6
, with the top-of-the-range GT variant delivering
585 hp
 and
740 Nm
 of torque through its dual-motor setup.
To highlight how fast this performance is, Kia has decided to pit their new precious EV with five other sportscars with pure petrol-burning twin-turbocharged and high-revving engines.
The contenders for this drag race are the
Lamborghini Urus
,
Mercedes-AMG GT
,
McLaren 570S
 coupe, Porsche 911 Targa 4 and
Ferrari California T
. Based on a quick data collection, all these cars are capable of launching from standstill to 100 km/h in under four seconds (bar the Porsche), with a larger variation as they reach 200 km/h (between 9.5 to 15 seconds).

The top speed of the Kia EV6 GT is 260 km/h and it is priced from GBP58,295 in the UK.
Curiously, Kia did not include the staple name of performance EVs-
Tesla
 models, in this drag race. Furthermore, the contenders in this comparison are what is termed as ‘legacy’ models, or older cars such as the Porsche
911 Targa
 4 (991-generation) that dates to 2016. Apart from the Lamborghini Urus, all sportscars in this race already have successors that are more powerful and faster.
Watch the video to find out who completes the 400 metre dash first. It is surprisingly competitive!
Video: Youtube/
Carscoops


This is how the new Ford Focus ST and RS could look like

It was only a matter of time before it happened. The usual suspect,
X-Tomi Design
, had taken the liberty to render images of what the ST and RS versions of the newly-launched Ford Focus could look like – evidently, hostile.
While the impending original designs may differ, it’s fun to exercise a little imagination sometimes and ponder on the possibilities on what could be. If anything, Ford can pretty much copy and paste these drawings for production (the RS in particular) cause it looks so good.
The new Ford Focus comes with four different engine options with a range of output – the most coming from a 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbodiesel that makes
148 hp
 and
370 Nm
of torque. Transmission wise, there’s either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic, with the latter being a first for the Focus.
The EcoBoost petrol engines feature Ford’s cylinder deactivation system that automatically shuts off one of the engine’s cylinders while coasting. On-demand propulsion, the cylinder can be reactivated within
14 milliseconds
 – 20 times faster than a blink of an eye – to resume performance.
Source:
X-Tomi Design


Renault Captur Trophy: Capture a limited Captur before they run out

You’ve seen the
next generation Renault Captur
 making its debut at the recent Frankfurt motor show, what that means is that the current Captur is in its last leg of service and there are good deals to be struck, such as this limited edition Captur Trophy.
Priced no differently
 compared to the
standard variant Captur at RM107,980
, the Trophy does come with a few USPs which are quite persuasive, namely its
Vibrant Orange body colour
 and the added convenience of a foot
-sensing hands-free powered tailgate
, the jury is however still out on those
chequered flag decals
 on the sides.
The new Captur Trophy is also offered on
Renault Subscription at RM1,499 per month
 for a
two-year subscription
 contract and
RM1,699 per month for the one-year plan
, inclusive of road tax, insurance and regular maintenance fee. Additionally, those who opt for the Switch Prime Plan will also get access to drive other Renault models such as the Koleos and Megane R.S.
The Limited Edition Captur Trophy is powered by a Euro 6-compliant turbocharged
120hp and 205Nm 1.2-litre TCe 120 four-cylinder engine
 with start-stop function mated a six-speed dual-clutch auto.
The Captur Trophy will respond to a ‘kick’ under its tailgate too!
Its comprehensive equipment list mirrors that of the regular Captur, so
keyless entry with ‘walkaway’ auto locking
, 7
-inch infotainment display (reverse camera included)
 and an
interior lined with combi-leather
 come standard.
Five-year unlimited mileage warranty
 and
free vehicle maintenance
 over five years or 100,000 km are also included with every purchase of the Captur.


Meet the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan, a glimpse of what’s to come

Believe it or not, it has been five years since the
W176 A-Class
 was introduced. The pictures you see here are of the A-Class Sedan concept, but the striking visuals sure point the way ahead for how the future A-Class will look like.
Much of what we see here are all but the real thing. Items such as the funky UV headlamps, 20-inch wheels and flushed doors will undoubtedly be omitted in the production stage, so let’s shift our focus to the design.
Every modern Mercedes-Benz passenger car you see on sale right now is the result of one man’s work – Gorden Wagener, who is the sitting Chief Design Officer of Daimler AG since 2008. You can go as far as to say that he singlehandedly helped the Stuttgart brand outsell BMW on a global level in 2016. But more importantly, he’s responsible for widening the Mercedes-Benz appeal to many first-time owners with the compact car range (A-Class, CLA and GLA).
The A-Class Sedan you see here is an evolution of Gorden’s “sensual purity” design language, and he proudly said that “the time of creases is over”. He went on to say: “
With its perfect proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines, it is the next milestone of Sensual Purity and has the potential to introduce a new design era.”
All told, Mercedes-Benz seems confident that the expansion of their compact cars range will continue the success they’ve achieved in recent years. After all, they did sell over 2 million compact cars since 2012.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS makes official debut in Malaysia – from RM1.55m

Are you a trackday fanatic? Prepare your wallets (and liver), because what is arguably the best track day weapon, the
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
, is now here in Malaysia.
Shown off today at the launch of the new Porsche Centre Johor Bahru, the GT4 RS is the first ever 718 Cayman model to get the RS treatment, and is said to be designed as a completely uncompromising driver’s car, thanks to an uprated engine, better aerodynamics, reduced weight, and reworked chassis tuning.
The 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six engine in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS has been reworked to now make a massive
500 hp
and
450 Nm
, with the engine screaming all the way up to 9,000 rpm. For context, the horsepower output is just a mere 10 hp lesser than that of the
911 GT3
.
In order to feed the engine with enough air, Porsche also had to add extra intake ducts behind the side windows, while the exhaust gases escape from the new twin titanium tailpipe exits, with a design that mimics that of the
 Porsche 935
.
Just like the majority of Porsche RS models these days, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS is also only available exclusively with a PDK gearbox. Thanks to a retuned gear ratio, along with the more powerful engine, the GT4 RS now accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds – 0.5 seconds faster than the
regular GT4
.
We all like to row our own gears, but the fact of the matter is that a dual-clutch automatic is just plain faster. And on a track weapon where every millisecond counts, a PDK gearbox just makes the most sense.
RELATED:
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 at Sepang – A Sensory Overload!
To complement the increased performance, Porsche has also given the 718 Cayman GT4 RS an extensive aerodynamic package, consisting of new front fender vents, adjustable front diffuser, a new front spoiler lip with flow-around side blades, and over at the back, a larger underbody diffuser, and – of course – the massive swan neck rear wing.
Altogether, the new aerodynamic appendages give the GT4 RS in the track-only ‘Performance Mode’ up to 25% extra in downforce levels compared to the regular GT4.
The rear wing, alongside the front bonnet and fender are also made out of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), which together with the thinner carpets, reduced insulation material, and simpler door panels, help save a total of 35 kg in weight.
Final weight tally for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS stands at just 1,415 kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of an incredible 353 hp/tonne.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS unleashed at Silverstone Circuit
All of that, together with the reworked chassis consisting of modified spring rates, anti-roll bars, as well as a set of adjustable “circuit-ready” shock absorbers (which lowers the ride height by 30 mm), means that the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is able to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in just 7:04.511, some 23.6 seconds faster than the regular GT4 variant.
To be able to enjoy all that, you’ll have to be prepared to fork out at least
RM1,550,000
, or about half a million more than the regular GT4 here in Malaysia. A small price to pay for salvation, eh?
GALLERY


BYD opens 3S centres in Ara Damansara, Glenmarie, Cheras

Sime Darby Motors
 has just clocked another milestone by launching three
BYD
 3S centres in Klang Valley. Located in Ara Damansara, Glenmarie, and Cheras respectively, the company aims to provide good accessibility, convenience, and sales and aftersales services for BYD customers in the Klang Valley area.
Developed by Sime Darby Motor’s subsidiary,
Sime Darby Beyond Auto
, the BYD 3S centre in Ara Damansara sits on an approximately 19,375 sq. ft built-up area and is equipped with the latest facilities and retail concepts that comply with BYD’s brand identity. The company has also invested an approximate total of RM11 million into the new 3S centre.
Facilities available at the centre include a total of four service working bays with the capacity to service up to 270 units of vehicles per month. There are also 48 employees supporting the facility.
RELATED:
BYD overtakes Volkswagen as No. 1 brand in China – 440k cars sold in Q1 2023
The new 3S centre in Glenmarie, on the other hand, is managed by BYD Sisma Auto. Measuring approximately 21,527 sq. ft, the centre has the capacity to display up to nine vehicles and is equipped with 10 service work bays.
Meanwhile, the 3S centre in Cheras has been set up by Millenium Autobeyond with an approximately 21,323 sq. ft built-up area. It has the capacity to display up to four cars and is equipped with five service work bays.
Sime Darby Berhad Group CEO, Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson said, “As one of the key players in the automotive industry, the opening of three BYD 3S centres is a testament to our commitment towards spurring more electric vehicle (EV) adoption amongst Malaysians as we strive to provide world-class sales and aftersales services to our BYD customers.”
He added, “We are pleased to have established strong partnership with our dealer partners – Sisma Auto and Millenium Autobeyond – and we look forward to offering Malaysians innovative and sustainable BYD vehicles and solutions that meet their mobility needs and contribute to a greener future.”
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2022 BYD Atto 3, the best value for money EV?


Hyundai Tucson facelift launched in Malaysia, 2 variants from RM123k to RM143k

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) have just announced the availability of the refreshed Hyundai Tucson al all Hyundai showrooms nationwide. There will only be two variants of the facelifted Tucson available – 2.0L Elegance and 1.6L Turbo, with HSDM dropping the
2.0L CRDi
 from the variant line up.
Priced at RM123,888 for the 2.0L Elegance and RM143,888 for the 1.6L Turbo variant, the third-generation Tucson is now more affordable compared to when it was first introduced to the market. Besides a styling exercise, the refreshed Tucson also gains a host of new technologies inside. Unfortunately, our local variant does not get the Hyundai SmartSense Advanced Driver Assist systems that
debut on the facelift model
.
Name
Hyundai Tucson 2.0L Elegance
Hyundai Tucson 1.6L Turbo
Engine
1,999cc; 4-cylinder Nu MPI
1,591cc; 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission
6-speed automatic
7-speed dual-clutch
Max Power
155 hp @ 6,200 rpm
177 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
192 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
265 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM123,888
RM143,888

Upfront, the updated gets a new Cascading Grille design – Metallic Silver finish for the Elegance, Chrome for the Turbo – complete with reshaped bumpers. The Elegance wears halogen projector headlamps with positioning lamp and halogen taillamps while the more expensive Turbo variant gains full LED headlamps and taillamps as well as chrome door handles with pocket lighting. Both variants sit on the same 17-inch alloy wheel design.
Inside, the cabin gets a fresher design with restyled air-conditioning vents, new instrument cluster and leather seat design as well as a 7.0-inch floating display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Unique to the Turbo variant are the electronic parking brake, electrochromic mirror, eight-way powered driver’s seat, 4.2-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster display, Smart tailgate and leather trims on the dashboard.
Both the Elegance and Turbo variants soldiers on with the
2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated Nu MPI engine
 and
1.6-litre TGDi turbocharged
 petrol engines making
155 hp
/
192 Nm
 and
177 hp
/
265 Nm
, respectively. The latter paired to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission while the former retains its six-speed auto box to drive the front wheels.
As standard, the Tucson 2.0L Elegance gets dual airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control, Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Management. The top of the line Turbo model ups the airbag count to six and adds front and rear parking distance warning.
Every purchase of the facelifted Hyundai Tucson comes with a 5-Years or 300,000 km warranty and a 3-Years or 50,000 km Free Scheduled Service.
IMAGE GALLERY
Hyundai Tucson Facelift 1.6L Turbo

Hyundai Tucson Facelift 2.0L Elegance


Vossen Wheels arrives in Malaysia, 19-inch set costs from RM11k

As the saying goes,
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
. There’s a reason why we see tonnes of tiny sized wheels with the Vossen logo fitted onto everyday cars. Well, that will soon change because Vossen Wheels has officially arrived in Malaysia and the first thing they vowed to do was slap replica manufacturers with lawsuits.
Although imitations have come a long way to look and sometimes
feel
 like an authentic product, nothing can trump the amount of R&D that manufacturers put in to ensure quality of the highest standards. Good news for enthusiasts and purists, Vossen has appointed Authentic Wheels Centre (AWC) located in Bandar Sunway as their sole distributor for the Malaysian Market.
QUICK FACTS
Wheel
Price per set of four (Inclusive of GST and installation)
19” Monoblock & Flow Formed Series
RM11,000
20” Monoblock & Flow Formed Series
RM12,000
21” Monoblock & Flow Formed Series
RM13,000
22” Monoblock & Flow Formed Series
RM14,000
Vossen Forged (Custom made)
Starts from RM35,500
According to Ivan, the director of AWC, they have been distributing authentic Vossen wheels in Malaysia for the past few years under Hup Shun Tires. They delivered promising results over the years, prompting the manufacturer to endorse them as an official sole distributor. This is a stamp of confidence on the quality of service AWC provides.
Here’s a little background on Vossen: they are an aftermarket wheel specialist based in Miami, Florida dedicated to provide consumers a trendy alternative to their rims. As you can see from their products, it really does show.
Unlike those tiny 14- or 15-inch fakes, Vossen only produces wheels that are aesthetically prominent. As such, authentic Vossens only come in sizes measuring 19-inches and above. Needless to say, the quality of the finish is significantly better over the knock offs.
Vossen Wheels are manufactured to exceed or at least be on-par with OEM wheels. To achieve this, every wheel adheres to TUV and SAE International standards. TUV, short for Technischer Überwachungsverein is an independent German organisation that validates the safety of products. Meanwhile, SAE International is the Society of Automotive Engineers International based in U.S. that sets global engineering standards for automotive and aerospace industries. With these two internationally recognised qualifications, rest assured that you only get nothing but the best from Vossen.
To curb the rampant intellectual property theft, Vossen Wheels and AWC have registered a trademark for Vossen in Malaysia. This is a huge step forward not only in protecting the Vossen brand but also to safeguard consumers from inferior products. No matter how similar the replicas are made to look like the real deal, the engineering and structural properties can never come close to authentic Vossens that follow strict international standards.
The next steps, according to President of Vossen Wheels, Jav Azadi, is to take legal actions against distributors and manufacturers of Vossen replicas. They will be working closely with AWC and lawyers to chase these fakes away from the market.
As the only authorised dealer in Malaysia, AWC carries the full range of Vossen wheels. Their services include professional consultation, fitment, custom orders and warranty claims. AWC can also arrange for custom made wheels should you prefer your Vossen to be finished in bright pink. Of course, you would have to fork out slightly more for personalisation.
Prices for the standard wheels start from around RM11,000 for 19-inch and goes well beyond RM30,000, depending on the specifications of your desired wheel. Photos don’t do these wheels any justice. You really need to pop by AWC’s showroom to take it all in.
Although pricing for these wheels are on the steeper end for most, purchasing from an authorised dealer such as AWC will guarantee quality finish, perfect fitment and sturdy structure. Oh, did I also mention that all Vossen wheels comes with a 5-Year manufacturer warranty against manufacturing defects?
IMAGE GALLERY


Volvo now supports Waze navigation, no phone connection required

If you own a
Volvo
 that is equipped with the Android Automotive head unit, you can now install the Waze navigation application through the Google Play Store. Yes, you are no longer limited to just Google Maps on the fully Google-integrated system of Volvo cars.
For those unfamiliar with the matter, new Volvo vehicles are equipped with a fully integrated Google system. Hence, the head unit of Volvo cars would have its own Google Play Store, Google Maps, and Google Assistant. It is a different system than your mobile phone, hence Waze was previously unavailable on the Android Automotive’s version of the Google Play Store.
The benefit of Volvo’s Google integrated system is that it does not require you to connect your phone via Android Auto to get Google Maps or now Waze running on the screen. Volvo says that with Waze now being available on the head unit, it “utilises more of the centre screen in the Volvo user interface you’re most familiar with, making navigation more comfortable with a bigger and bolder eye-level display area.”
Volvo Global Head of New Car Programmes & Operation Strategy, Erik Severinson said, “We’re continuing to expand our in-car app offer to bring more options and benefits to our customers, allowing them to personalise their car. We’re committed to continuously improving the experience in Volvo cars through our in-house software development and ongoing collaborations with tech companies such as Google and Waze.”
RELATED:
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To develop the Waze application for the Android Automotive system, an Android emulator was offered on the Volvo Cars Developer Portal. With that, the team at Waze could develop and test the in-car app virtually, alongside the in-car infotainment system. This dual testing allowed the team to deliver a high-quality user experience before launching in customer cars today.
Waze Director of Marketing and Partnerships, Aron Di Castro said, “We’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Volvo Cars as their car owners around the world can now access the best of Waze real-time navigation, routing and traffic alerts through the car’s infotainment system. Having Waze’s real-time navigation, routing, and alerts seamlessly displayed in the car, without needing to connect your phone to the car, makes for a simplified and seamless driving experience.”
RELATED:
Volvo C40 Recharge – Is the fixed sunroof suitable for Malaysian weather?


Still no ABS & ESC in the 2023 Perodua Axia E Manual – Here’s why

The
 Perodua Axia E 2023
 model update was just
launched last week
. Retailing at just
RM22,000
, this makes it once again the most affordable car in Malaysia. However, the topic that triggered the most conversations has been the car’s lack of safety features such as the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). Ex-transport minister Dato Seri Wee Ka Siong also posted on his Facebook page, questioning the matter, as ABS and ESC are supposed to be minimum safety features required for new cars in Malaysia.
Despite this, the 2023 Perodua Axia E was rated with a 4-star ASEAN ANCAP rating by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). In response to New Straits Times regarding the matter, MIROS explained that the 2023 Perodua Axia E is not a new model, but is essentially based on the first generation Perodua Axia launched back in 2014.
Therefore, the 2023 Perodua Axia E was tested using the old protocol, which did not mandatorily require cars to be equipped with safety features such as ABS and ESC. MIROS also stated that features like ABS and ESC were only made compulsory for new models starting from July 1, 2018, which doesn’t apply to the first gen-based 2023 Perodua Axia E.
Unlike the base-spec Axia, the DNGA-based second generation Axia that was
launched earlier this year
 was tested using the latest ASEAN ANCAP protocol. The protocol not only requires ABS and ESC, but also advanced driver assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring (BSM), and lane keep assist (LKA) in order to score 4-star ratings or beyond.
RELATED:
Perodua Axia E manual updated for 2023 with RM2K reduction, still no ABS, EBD, ESC – RM22,000
Perodua has also made a statement in response to the matter, stating that the 2023 Perodua Axia E is based on the 2017 facelift of the Perodua Axia E. The company has also mentioned the new base-spec Axia’s 4-star ASEAN ANCAP rating during the launch of the vehicle.
In the meantime, MIROS is working together with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to make it mandatory for carmakers to make Safety Labels for passenger cars displayed in showrooms, as well as any promoting premises, which includes shopping malls. These safety labels consist of a list of safety features that come with the displayed cars, in order to make them clear to the consumers, and to avoid consumers from being misled.
RELATED:
MIROS to assess Perodua Axia safety, no complaints received so far


MIROS launches guidebook for proper child restraint system usage

In light of the Ministry of Transport’s policy mandating the use of child restraint system (CRS) starting from 2020, Malaysia Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has published the
Buku Garis Panduan Kerusi Keselamatan Kanak-Kanak Di Malaysia
 (Guidebook on child restraint systems in Malaysia) at the Vehicle Safety Week 2019.
Officially launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the guidebook outlines the objectives and strategies for the certification compliance, sales in both business premises and online, as well as the enforcement of laws surrounding CRS that will come into effect on 1st January 2020.
Vehicle Safety Week, jointly organised by MIROS and New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP), aims to impart knowledge and increase awareness of the importance of road safety to the general public.
Highlighting this year’s Vehicle Safety Week were the two crash tests conducted at the Road Transport Academy in Melaka, with the second being the first car seat crash test
open for viewing by the public.

The first crash test involved a BMW 318i traveling at 64 km/h in a frontal partial impact, while the second test saw a static 3 Series being hit by a solid cart traveling at 50 km/h towards its side.
The crash tests were conducted with Maxi-Cosi car seats, which are in compliance with the European Safety Standard
ECE R44
 – the standard that will be adopted by the Malaysian Government along with
UN R129
. In both cases, the car seats remained mounted in its original position after the test, holding the crash dummy in place and unharmed.

The Vehicle Safety Week also featured speeches from MIROS safety officers, medical practitioners, and child passenger safety technicians on the statistics of accidents involving children, child post-impact injury in vehicle accidents, and the importance of a proper child restraint system.


MINI takes a walk down memory lane with the new 1499 GT

MINI UK has added the latest special edition to its line-up in celebration of one of the most well-known sporty classic Minis of all time, the 1275 GT.
Commemorating the entertaining drive, distinctive styling and low running costs (although we’re not sure how the new one replicates this) of the 1969 original, the new 1499 GT is a salutation to one of the most affordable performance cars of its day.
The all-new MINI 1499 GT comes with 1.5-litre 3-cylinder Twin Power Turbo engine producing
 102 hp
 with a 0 to 100 km/h time of
10.1 seconds
. Power is delivered via a 6-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching technology and is contained by sports independent rear suspension.
The 1499 GT comes in Pepper White and Midnight Black where only 1,499 units will be built between November 2017 and February 2018 in a limited production run.

On the outside the 1499 GT comes with the
MINI John Cooper Works
 Sports Pack which includes 17-inch Track Spoke alloy wheels in Black. Its appearance is further enhanced with
distinctive John Cooper Works
 front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a split level spoiler and John Cooper Works door entry plates.
Inside, a pair of sumptuous John Cooper Work Sports seats in Dinamica and leather  occupies the front section together with a JCW steering wheel in perforated leather with Chilli Red stitching.
The interior is also draped in Piano Black and Carbon Black trims and an Anthracite headlining. Entertainment is provided by a Visual Boost radio with MINI Connected smartphone compatibility.
IMAGE GALLERY


2016 Honda Civic Hatchback prototype premieres in Geneva!

Fans of the Civic hatchback will be delighted, because after
several teasers
, Honda has finally pulled the wraps off the tenth-generation Honda Civic hatchback, albeit being just a prototype. As these images suggest, this could in fact be the most radical Civic hatchback since the days of the bullet-shaped fifth generation Civic (EG) emerged some two decades ago.
The new model is also 30mm wider, 20mm lower and 130mm longer than the outgoing Civic hatchback, which, just like the ninth-generation sedan model, didn’t quite get the love it deserved.

Despite being just a prototype, the final production model should retain most of its aesthetics. That includes the wheels (although it may be a size or two smaller), suggesting at a much sportier Civic hatchback. It’s more practical too, because the longer wheelbase will actually give you better interior space.
The headlights are LED powered and come with integrated LED DRLs, although the green ring surrounding the fog lamps will not make to production.
The rear gets a pair of standout C-shaped LED tail lamps, and between them is a small spoiler. Two key issues have been rectified from the previous generation model – rear visibility and high stance when viewed from the rear.
In line with the industry’s path for downsized engines, the new Civic hatchback will debut with two all-new engines: a
127 hp

1.0-litre turbocharged VTEC engine
 and a
 1.5-litre VTEC
turbo engine. The oil burner variant is also offered with a revised
1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel
.

The new Civics will be built in Honda’s UK plant in Swindon with sales expected to commence in April 2017.
Back at home, the last time we saw a Civic hatchback offered via official channel is the sixth-generation (EJ/EK) model from 20 years ago. Sadly, the sedan proved to be far more popular here, hence the removal of the hatchback. So, what do you think of this Civic hatchback?
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High performance Toyota Yaris planned, inspired by 380 hp rally-bred Yaris

As reported previously,
2017
 will be a great year to catch the World Rally Championship (WRC). New regulations welcomed new manufacturers, including returnee Toyota after a long hiatus. The Japanese giant will unleash the Toyota Yaris WRC car, which could potentially spawn a production hot hatch model.
First, let’s learn about Toyota’s latest rally car. Four-time WRC champion Tommi Makinen will lead the team, and the cars are built by
Toyota’s Gazoo Racing
. Interestingly, besides Panasonic and tech firm DMG Mori, Toyota looped in Microsoft as well. The tech giant is said to allow both companies to collaborate on data analysis, team communication and social media sharing.
This Yaris WRC  is powered by a
1.6-litre turbocharged mill
 that liberates at least
380 hp
 with power being delivered to all wheels. The Yaris WRC is scheduled to make its first rally assault in Monte Carlo by January 2017. Up to this point, no driver lineup has been announced in the two-car assault.
A recent report from
AutoExpress UK
 revealed that Toyota’s European President & CEO, Johan van Zyl, has hinted the possibility of introducing a hot hatch based on the Yaris WRC car. Think of the hot Yaris as a GTI variant, much like the Peugeot 208 GTI to the 208 supermini lineup.
Also, the hot Yaris will be developed by Toyota’s Gazoo Racing arm instead of the more familiar Toyota Racing Development (TRD) division. The current third-generation Yaris has been around since 2011 and it’s due for replacement. Judging by the pace of things, the hot Yaris should be launched earliest by 2018.
This brings us to the good old motorsports mantra of “
Win by Sunday, sale by Monday
“. Instead of selling a
“Rally Special” with only decals all-around
, perhaps buyers would welcome something that’s close to the real deal, minus the roll cage and rally tyres of course. Fancy yourself a 200 hp Toyota Yaris?


Gallery: 2023 Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge PHEV Ultimate – the all-in-one SUV just got better!

Volvo Car Malaysia has updated the XC90 for 2023 which will be available in two variants. The B5 Ultimate starts from RM416,888 while the Recharge T8 Ultimate you see here starts from RM432,888. The B5 and T8 variants now cost RM4,000 more than before. Included is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty while the T8 gets an additional eight-year/160,000 km warranty for its batteries.
From now until the 31st of March 2023, customers who place a booking for the Volvo XC90 (both the B5 mild-hybrid or the Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid variants) will also receive a
complimentary five-year service package (VSA5+)
. The VSA5+ package provides comprehensive coverage for all of the car’s scheduled servicing needs within its first five years. This also includes wear and tear items that may need to be replaced.
At the heart of the Recharge T8 Ultimate PHEV is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor to drive all four wheels. While the engine drives the front wheels, the electric motor drives the rear wheels. Together both the engine and electric motor produce a staggering
462 hp
 and
709 Nm
 of torque.
RELATED:
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The Recharge T8 is fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a 0-100 km/h time is 5.3 seconds and a top speed of only
180 km/h
. Upgraded from before is the 18.8 kWh battery, up from 11.6 kWh, for a pure electric range of up to 77 km. With 3.7 kW AC charging, it takes up to five hours to fully charge the SUV.
On the outside, updates for the 2023 XC90 T8 see new 20-inch five-spoke diamond cut wheels fitted onto the Recharge T8 Ultimate while on the inside, there are three trim and upholstery options – black Nappa leather with Grey Ash trims, Maroon Brown leather with linear lime trims, or Maroon Brown Nappa leather with Black Ash trims.
Also updated is the XC90’s infotainment system; which is now powered by the Android Automotive OS just like the
fully-electric Volvo C40
. Features like Google Maps and YouTube can now be accessed directly from the nine-inch touchscreen, although it will only be available for four years. Beyond that, a subscription is required. The infotainment system is linked to a 1,400-watt, 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sounds system.
RELATED:
Watch our full review of the fully-electric Volvo C40 here!
Other items include a head-up display, wireless charging pad, panoramic sunroof, four-zone air conditioning system, reclinable second-row seats, rear air-con vents with fan speed and temperature adjustments, powered front seats with memory function and air suspension. The air suspension comes with manual adjustments in the boot, to lower the car for easy loading.
As for driver assistance systems, the 2023 XC90 T8 features autonomous emergency braking with steering support, lane keeping, oncoming lane mitigation, blind spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic with brake assist, adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist.
RELATED:
Volvo Car Malaysia aims for 75% EV sales by 2025, EX90 to launch next
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New Honda 3S centre opens in Shah Alam

Honda Malaysia
 has opened its newest 3S centre by Elmina Motors Sdn. Bhd in Shah Alam – bringing the total of 3S centres in the Central Region to 28.
The Honda 3S centre in Shah Alam is home to 14 service bays, four general repair bays and two tyre service bays. The facility also comes with an air conditioning service bay and a separate bay to accommodate electrical work.
Overall, the 3S centre can attend up to 30 cars per day while customers can kick back at the lounge area, with complimentary WiFi. Refreshments and snacks are available along with a Kid’s Corner for the young to roam free. Other facilities include a Surau, a car wash area, road tax renewal and insurance coverage renewal services.
The Honda’s new 3S centre is located at Lot 72292, Jalan Pekan Subang, Kampung Baru Subang, Seksyen U6, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. It can be accessible via the Guthrie Corridor Expressway, New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), North-South Expressway (NSE) and the upcoming Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH).
With the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, Elmina Motors welcomes donations of basic necessities to be distributed to affected families as part of the Honda Dealer Donation Drive campaign.
Last month, Honda Malaysia also announced that with every BR-V sold, a portion of the proceeds will go into Covid-19 relief programmes as part of the
“Be Kind with BR-V”
 campaign.


This handsome Subaru WRX S4 STI Sport is for grown up Scooby fans

Subaru Japan has announced that the WRX S4 STI Sport will be launched later this month, priced at 4,093,200 Yen (approx. RM152k).
Effectively saving all the Japanese fathers from having to reluctantly leave the tuner scene for more comfortable SUVs, the S4 STI Sport adopts Bilstein’s DampMatic II suspension in the front, including rear dampers and coil springs tuned by STI. It sits on 18-inch wheels with twin-pot calipers in the front.
As a result, Subaru claims that it’s capable of combining supple ride, with comfort, agile handling and high speed stability.
Underneath the hood is a 2.0-litre boxer engine with Direct Injection Turbo, making
300 hp
 and a whopping
 400 Nm
 of torque – more than enough power to make those kids giggle in the backseat throughout the entire journey to school. As it is a Subaru, power is channeled to all four corners of the car, supported by Active Torque Vectoring.
Inside, there’s a leather wrapped steering wheel with an STI logo and paddle shifters, replacing the more flamboyant alcantara from the younger days, a multi-information display with an STI logo, and more noticeably, black and red RECARO front seats wrapped with a combination of leather and suede.
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Honda Civic 1.6L i-DTEC turbodiesel – 300 Nm & 3.7L/100km

Our friends in Europe will be getting another engine choice for their Honda Civic FC, this time a 1.6-litre turbodiesel. The turbodiesel is a comprehensively revised unit that promises outstanding efficiency without compromising on driving performance.
The new 1.6-litre i-DTEC turbodiesel makes
 120 hp
 at 4,000 rpm and whopping
300 Nm
 of torque from 2,000 rpm. Although the century sprint time of
 10.4 seconds
 is identical to the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC we have here, the turbodiesel triumphs in fuel economy. Honda claims the new engine can return
3.7 litres per 100 km
.
To achieve this remarkable efficiency, Honda has made significant improvements to the exhaust system and reduced the friction in the cylinders. Additional
cast ribs
 have also been added to the cylinder block to keep the diesel mills vibration at bay.
Besides the new turbodiesel, Honda Europe will be introducing a new
nine-speed automatic
 transmission for the Civic come mid-2018. This will be the first ever application of a nine-speed automatic transmission in a two-wheel drive car.
Closer to home, our local-spec Civic is powered by a
1.8-litre i-VTEC
 and a
1.5-litre i-VTEC Turbo
. While performance figures match the 1.6-litre i-DTEC, a petrol engine simply can’t outdo a diesel when it comes to efficiency.
IMAGE GALLERY


SDAC revises Ford Ranger price list in Malaysia, RM1.5k-2k increase across the board

Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the sole distributor for Ford vehicles in Malaysia, has updated the price list for the
Ford Ranger pick-up truck
. The new price list sees an increase between RM1.5k to RM2k, depending on the variant.
The updated price list follows the company’s announcement earlier this week, where it introduced a
new 5-year/160,000 km warranty
 for the Ford Ranger line-up. The new price list for the Ford Ranger in Peninsular Malaysia are as follows:
Ranger 2.0L Raptor
 –
RM210,888
 (+RM2,000)
Ranger 2.0L WildTrak 4×4 –
RM152,388
 (+RM2,000)
Ranger 2.0L XLT+
 –
RM131,888
 (+RM2,000)
Ranger 2.2L XLT Automatic –
RM118,388
 (+RM1,500)
Ranger 2.2L XLT Manual –
RM111,388
 (+RM1,500)
Ranger 2.2L XL Double Cab Automatic –
RM105,388
 (+RM2,000)
Ranger 2.2L XL Double Cab Manual –
RM97,388
 (+RM1,500)
Ranger 2.2L XL Single Cab Manual –
RM92,388
 (+RM1,500)
All figures above are on-the-road prices, without insurance, and inclusive of all relevant sales tax. Pick-up trucks are not eligible for the
sales tax relief under the government’s PENJANA initiatives
, as they are classified as commercial vehicles.

Which pick-up truck is the best? Check out our big shoot-out
here
!
Looking at SDAC-Ford’s website, it also appears that the Ford Everest SUV,
last updated in Malaysia back in 2018
, is now only offered in a single Titanium variant, priced at
RM268,888
 (+RM10,000 from launch price). Also removed from the website is the
Ford Ranger FX4
 variant, signalling the end of the model’s production run.


This Renault Fluence looks like a steal for bargain hunters, under RM25k!

These are the trickiest times to buy a car. On one hand, general car prices (old and new) are lower than usual but on the other, there is genuine uncertainty on whether your job would still be tomorrow, regardless of the occupation.
If however, there is a certainty that your savings can outlast the ongoing global pandemic, it’s like a year-end sale at a mall in the used car market – a paradise for bargain hunters. Choices are aplenty, prices are competitive, and you’ve got loads of bargaining power.
This 2015 Renault Fluence
we found on Mudah.my
 is one such example. The 5-year old car has clocked around 150,000 km according to the seller, who has produced service records and receipts in the advertisement. And they’re only asking for RM24,800!
If there isn’t anything fishy going on there, that’s a real bargain, isn’t it?!
For more information on the specifications and features of the Renault Fluence, click here!
You get so much car for the money! This is a car that was priced at over RM110k when it was first introduced in Malaysia back in 2014. At one point, TC Euro Cars even slashed prices to as low as RM80k for 2016 models.
Even when you consider that this Fluence we spotted is only asking for a 1/4 of the original price, in just 5 years. What also makes it attractive is that because the Fluence is only five years old, you could easily secure a longer loan for it – ideal for those who prefer not to be suffocated by monthly repayments.
What you’re essentially buying is a G11 Nissan Sylphy underneath, but a bit more powerful. While the Sylphy had 131 hp and 191 Nm from a 2.0-litre engine paired to Nissan X-Tronic CVT gearbox, the Fluence made 143 hp and 195 Nm.
Best part is, we’ve tested this before and firmly remember
 three things that stood out
. For starters, it had a
walkaway auto-lock feature
, at a time when even some Mercedes-Benz didn’t have.
Its simple yet somehow elegant exterior design also made it very
pleasing to the eye
. It isn’t shouty but subtly stands out by being different, in a sea of Hondas and Toyotas.
The most memorable bit had to be the
space
. Whether in the boot or in the cabin, the Fluence has plenty of it. This was mainly because the Fluence was built on a proper C-segment platform, unlike the Sylphy which was a stretched B-segment car. The Fluence was not just a Renault body with old Sylphy parts.
So for those looking to start a family but with a tight budget for a bigger car, the Fluence is should be considered, at the very least.
For the same reason, it also comes with rear ISOFIX seats, and six airbags. It’s also got cruise control for the long trips, reverse camera, Bluetooth connectivity through a touchscreen and auto headlamps and wipers. In some variants, it even comes with leather seats.
There are very very few cars (if any) you can buy at this price that will give you so much. For what it offers in terms of space, features, looks, the “Conti” feel, it’s unlikely that you’ll find another alternative at this price.
*Do note that every remark of the Fluence is based on the Mudah.my advertisement and our brief time with the car. As with buying any used car, it’s wise to research the cost of maintenance such as service costs, prices of wear and tear parts, and so on before jumping into it.
Source:
Mudah.my


The new Mercedes-AMG E53 4MATIC+ Coupe just looks pure evil

Mercedes-AMG has revealed their latest gem in the form of the E53 4MATIC+ Coupe with a completely reworked front end that gives the previously elegant look (pre facelift) an angrier first impression and we’ve not stopped gawking at it since.
There’s 435 hp and 520 Nm at your disposal courtesy of a 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine, couple with an EQ Boost starter-alternator that adds an additional 22 hp and 250 Nm. The starter-alternator also feeds the 48V on-board electrical system. As its name suggest, the E53 is all-wheel drive; under the command of a 9G Speedshift automatic transmission.
Opting for the AMG Driver’s Package will allow the E53 to stretch its top speed to 270 km/h, which would otherwise be limited to 250 km/h. 19-inch light alloy wheels are standard with an optional 20-inch set and if you opt for the Carbon Package, Mercedes-AMG will throw in mirror caps and a boot lid made of carbon fibre. Underneath them, are 4-pot calipers in the front and single pot calipers at the rear.
While the interior is a largely familiar setting, the new E53 features a new AMG Performance steering wheel with sensors that recognise if the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for a certain time.
If the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for a certain time, a warning cascade is started, which finally activates Emergency Brake Assist if the driver continues to be inactive.
Aside from the air suspension, the E53 AMG is also offered with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package previously reserved for the V8 models only. This includes red-painted calipers with AMG lettering, a RACE drive program and more importantly, a Drift Mode.
GALLERY