2015 Honda Civic Type R promo film, type R to switch to ‘The Other Side’ [+Video]

Honda released an epic promo film campaign on
YouTube
 ahead of its highly anticipated 2015 launch of the new
Civic Type R
. So just type ‘R’, and the video switches from Honda’s excellence in technology and reliability side to ‘
The Other Side
’; Honda’s high performance racing alter-ego kind of story.
This is just the trailer:
Watch video
here
.
Martin Moll, Honda Motor Europe’s Head of Marketing, says, “This campaign marks a very significant time for our brand. The Civic Type R is one of four new car launches for Honda in 2015 and provides a powerful halo-effect for the marque. Just as our products are renowned for being innovative, our communications style will amplify this. By way of example, we are not aware of anyone else creating interactive user content in the same dramatic way, which should give it a very strong appeal.” ‘Heist’ launches on YouTube on October 30th, kicking off a pan-European campaign set to continue through 2015.
The story features the upcoming and most powerful Civic Type R. A father fetching his daughter from school in a white Honda Civic in the day. As you press the ‘R’ key on your keyboard, the video switches into night. A heist getaway driver in a red Civic Type R, waiting for his accomplices.
Worry not, no spoilers here. Press the ‘R’ button to switch in real time between two mirrored story lines, which the audio and visual scenes match seamlessly. Watch it for yourself on
www.hondatheotherside.com
. Be sure to ‘Type R’ to switch to ‘
The Other Side
‘.
Psst! Honda’s WTCC driver Gabriele Tarquini, makes a cameo appearance in the video too. Try to spot him!
The
2015 Honda Civic Type R
 will be powered by a
2.0-litre turbocharge i-VTEC
 engine, paired with a
six-speed manual transmission
. The engine generates
over 280 horsepower
at
 7,000 rpm
.


China’s BYD enters Australia, plans to sell 9,000 EVs per month by next year

While
BYD
 might not be a household name here yet, the Warren Buffett-backed Chinese carmaker is actually the world’s biggest new-electric vehicles producer, selling some 641,000 units globally in just the first six months 2022.
Having entered the Australian market earlier this year, BYD has now committed to five new car launches within two years, and a target of 9,000 monthly sales within the next 12 months in the nation. Those are big numbers, especially from a company that’s just in its first year of operations, but BYD is seemingly confident to achieve its ambitious target.
The BYD Atto 3.
Speaking to
Drive.com.au
, EVDirect (BYD’s Australian distributor) Managing Director, Luke Todd told the publication that BYD plans to manufacture 3,000 units of each of its three models per month some time next year.
“Within 12 months, we’ll have three models on the [Australian] market being delivered with production capability of 3000 vehicles per model per month – that’s 9000 vehicles per month,” commented Todd. “Our production capability of 9,000 vehicles per month means we are very confident that’ll be leading the charge.”
“So far, the sales volume [in Australia] has exceeded what we thought. We believe we’ll see a huge upshot in electric vehicle purchasing in general” he added.
Assuming the ambitious target is achieved, the monthly sales figure will put BYD ahead of Tesla in the lead of EV sales, and potentially as the second highest-selling carmaker overall in Australia. However, the publication reports that industry analysts remain sceptical about the steep sales growth in such a short period of time.
EVDirect says it has received over 3,500 orders for the BYD Atto 3 thus far, with first deliveries due to begin later this month. Equipped with a single electric motor on the front axle, the BYD Atto 3 claims an output of
150 kW (201 hp)
 and
310 Nm
of torque, with a maximum range of
420 km (WLTP cycle)
 on the Extended Range variant thanks to the 60 kWh battery pack.
As for Malaysia, word on the grapevine is that BYD could soon make an introduction into the local market, under the helm of Sime Darby Motors, who is also the guardian for the EV brand in Singapore.


Updated BMW M135i xDrive now with better handling and new colour!

BMW in Germany has introduced an improved version of the M135i xDrive that was
launched in Malaysia last year
 with improved performance and a more engaging driving experience.
The improved M135i xDrive now comes with better cornering dynamics from optimised wheel alignment, along with dampers and springs which have been further fine-tuned.
BMW M135i xDrive “Street Racer” Edition revealed in Japan, limited to 40 units. Read about it here!
The camber on the front wheels have been optimised for better absorption of lateral forces. The M135i xDrive also gets a new hydromount to attach the front wishbones, while the mounts for the trailing and control arms at the rear axle have also been redesigned. The result is reduced body roll and improved steering response.
Watch our review of the BMW M135i xDrive at the Kyalami Circuit in South Africa here!
Engine and exhaust noises pumped into the cabin through the audio system have also been retuned. From heavy acceleration to lifting off the throttle, the different distinct engine notes and exhaust burbles allow the driver to feel more engaged with the car.
Also new are the Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic, Frozen Orange, and Frozen Pure Grey colours for the m135i xDrive, created by BMW Individual.

Output remains the same at
306 hp
and
450 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. 0 to 100 km/h is done in a brisk 4.3 seconds while top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
The local specification M135i xDrive is equipped with M goodies such as M Sport suspension and brakes, M Sport spoiler, steering and even seat belts!
Check out this drag race between the BMW M135i xDrive and the Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC. Watch it here!
GALLERY


Ford’s Driving Skill For Life makes a pitstop at Taylor’s University

The Blue Oval motor company has yet to whither in its resolve to promote and instil road safety awareness. We saw this in action just recently when Ford put on the
Future of Safety campaign
 at the 1 Utama Shopping Centre where child safety and driver assistance awareness was championed to the public.
In keeping up with the momentum set at the said campaign, Ford decided to swing around to Taylor’s University where they showcased the new ‘
Driving Skill For Life
‘ (DSFL) global movement aimed at
 raising driving safety awareness
 amongst the younger pool of people.

Ford’s free-of-charge DSFL program encourages young drivers to
 uphold proper driving practices
 and ethics while going behind the wheel. It aims to inculcate
 practical skills
 for
safe driving
in a bid to reduce road fatalities. The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (
MIROS
) reports that an average of
18 people
 are killed
everyday
 in traffic accidents. That staggering figure stands to rise to
29 by 2020
.
In addition to the program’s core message, an emphasis is placed on the real danger of driving while under the
influence of alcohol
. Participants were given
specially designed equipments
 that simulate the experience of impaired driving, and this involves
movement
,
coordination
 and
alertness levels
. So, guys, never drink and drive!
DSFL
 represents the Ford Motor Company’s flagship
Corporate Social Responsibility
 program that aims to give back towards society. The program is in its
eighth year
 running, with Malaysia being one of the ASEAN tour destinations next to China, India and Taiwan.
David Westerman
, MD of Asia Pacific Emerging Markets said “As a global company with an established presence here in Malaysia, we are committed in our efforts to
 instil

road safety awareness
 among drivers to help reduce the number of road
 fatalities
, making the roads safer for driver, motorcyclist and pedestrians.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Peugeot 308 facelift unveiled, refreshed looks with new engines

First images
 of the Peugeot 308 facelift appeared online back in early April, and now Groupe PSA has just unveiled the updated C-segment hatchback in full. The refreshed Pug gets sharper exterior styling and more efficient engines.
Changes on the outside are minimal to say the least. New items include the bonnet with more prominent lines, reshaped front bumper with wider lower grille and supposedly revised lighting graphics.
Inside, it doesn’t get the sleeker second-generation i-Cockpit like the 3008, instead the 9.7-inch infotainment system is upgraded to support MirrorLink, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a faster 3D satellite navigation with TomTom real-time traffic monitoring service.
The 308 facelift is offered with the company’s latest powertrains: a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder PureTech 130 while diesel options include the BlueHDI 130 and Blue HDI 180. The Blue HDI 180 engine now comes with a newly-developed Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic. Peugeot is also one the first automakers to meet the new Euro 6.c standards where from September 2018 onwards, Real Driving Emissions (RDE) must not exceed 2.1 times the certification figures.
On the safety front, the 308 is accredited with 5 Star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, no less. With the facelifted model, customers can opt for Active Safety Brake, Active Lane Departure Warning and adaptive cruise control for even higher levels of safety. The best news is, it will come to Malaysia!
IMAGE GALLERY


Singer & Williams to build 500 hp 4.0L air-cooled flat-six engines for classic 911’s

Singer Vehicle Design or Singer in short, is no stranger to classic Porsche enthusiasts. Having built a name for themselves from restoring and modifying classic air-cooled 911s, the company has just announced that they will be partnering with Williams Advanced Engineering (Williams) to build new air-cooled naturally aspirated flat-six engines.
With the sole purpose of building lightweight and high-performance vehicles for their customers, Singer has decided that a new engine is needed to power these classic Porsches. The result is a
4.0-litre
 naturally aspirated air-cooled flat-six with
500 hp
 that revs beyond
9,000 rpm
.
Williams have utilised extensive lightweight materials such as titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber to reduce the engine’s mass thus reducing the vehicles overall weight. The first car to benefit from this new engine will be a
1990 991 Carrera 964
, commissioned by long time Singer client, Scott Blattner.
Founder of Singer Vehicle Design, Rob Dickinson said, “Helping our clients realise their unique vision for a reimagined Porsche 911 with the help of automotive royalty is very much a privilege. Singer is delighted to be working with Williams Advanced Engineering and Hans Mezger to offer our clients a “next level” of restoration and modification services for their Porsche 911’s.  With careful and dedicated development, this iconic air-cooled engine has much to give both its existing devotees and a generation of new enthusiasts.”


China en route to ban production & sale of petrol-powered cars? Really?

The constant grey skies and perpetual smogs have probably, finally, gotten to even the most corrupt and ignorant of Chinese rulers and industrialists. Their need to address the nation’s alarming environmental concerns have spawned various renewable energy industries – spelling doom for archaic “toxic industries” and it seems like the automotive sector, too, will not be excluded from its day in court.
According to a report by
Reuters
, China is in line, like the UK and France, to ban the production and sale of cars powered by “traditional means”. While it is uncertain when it will take place, studies have begun with tough times ahead expected for automakers who will need to adapt.
Local manufacturer
Zotye has broke grounds with Ford
 on this initiative while it’s been reported that
Volvo’s first electric car
 would come from China, not surprisingly.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Vice President, Xin Guobin, mentioned that talks on this ban have begun and China too, will determine a timeline as to the implementation of the ban.
The largest automotive market in the world, has at least, decided on another timeline though – with aims for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, to make up
at least 1/5 of local auto sales come 2025
.
Source:
Reuters


Perodua ‘Auto Rahmah’ package launched – 30% parts and labour discount for Axia, Bezza

Perodua
 has just launched its 2023 Auto Rahmah Package, offering up to 30% discount to all
Axia
 and
Bezza
 owners for parts and labour costs. The effort by Perodua aims to reduce the impact of rising prices and is only available from
April 12
 to
May 15
,
2023
.
This is in response to the newly launched Auto Rahmah Package by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), under the auspices of the Government’s Payung Rahmah Programme which aims to ease the burden of the people through various cost-of-living aspects.
To be entitled to this campaign, Axia and Bezza owners are required to call for an appointment at the nearest Perodua service centre. Again, this campaign is only available from
April 12
to
May 15, 2023
. (Terms and Conditions apply).
MITI Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said, “Today, owning a vehicle has become a necessity for most people. As such, vehicle ownership costs such as loans, fuel expenses, tolls and maintenance also make up the main components of many Malaysians’ household expenses.”
“In that regard, MITI is very pleased that Perodua has responded to the Government’s 2023 Rahmah Auto Package by offering discounts for vehicle maintenance at its official service centres. It is the government’s priority to find ways in lessening the impact of rising prices in every way that we can and MITI is leveraging on our role to achieve this objective.” added Tengku Zafrul.
RELATED:
Video: 2023 Perodua Axia review – Still the no-brainer budget car?
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad quoted, “The Perodua Auto Rahmah 2023 is specifically for our Axia and Bezza customers in meeting their motoring needs while at the same time reducing the cost of living for our customers”
“This is even more important with the Aidilfitri celebrations coming soon as most vehicle owners are planning to travel long distances to be with their loved ones. We wish everyone a blessed Ramadan and a wonderful Hari Raya ahead.”
RELATED:
Perodua sold 78,564 cars in Q1 2023, up 27.5% from last year


A “new type of Crown” for a new Emperor

The new Emperor of Japan has ascended to the throne but his coronation won’t be due until the 22nd of October and for the grand occasion, the new Emperor will be riding in a one-off
3rd generation Toyota Century
 with its roof chopped off.
In catching a glimpse of the new Emperor, necks will not be strained as the Century’s
rear seats have also been custom raised by four centimetres
while the license plate has been replaced with a gold imperial seal.
According to
Japanese Nostalgic Cars
, this is the royal family’s first new parade car in 30 years, in replacement of a 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III.
The new Toyota Century marked only the 3rd major redesign of the car in 50 years of existence with the 2nd generation model introduced as recent as 1997.
Priced at 19,600,000 yen (approx. RM712 k) and most definitely over a million Ringgit if you factor in our local taxes – the latest Century is powered by V8 engine that makes
381 hp
and
510 Nm
 aided by two electric motors which themselves make 224 hp and 300 Nm.
According to an outline of requirements for a Royal Vehicle set out by the Japanese Government, the Century was the only suitable candidate.
Why the eye-watering price tag? The level of meticulousness applied onto the Century is only rivaled by very few, if any.
The Phoenix emblem takes a craftsmen six weeks to engrave while a wet sanding technique is carried out three times to smooth out the slightest unevenness on the body before a seven-layer paint is applied.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW Malaysia is the official e-Mobility partner for CEPSI 2018

BMW Malaysia has just delivered a fleet of
BMW 530e Sport plug-in hybrid
 (PHEV) to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) last week ahead of the 2018 Conference of the Electric Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) that will take place from 17 to 22 September 2018.
The fleet of hybrid business saloon will be used as the official cars for the conference in which BMW Malaysia is the official e-Mobility Partner. The cars were handed over by Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Harald Hoelzl to TNB’s Chief Corporate Officer and AESIEAP 2017/2018 Secretary-General, Datuk Wira Roslan Ab Rahman at TNB Headquarters in Bangsar.
Commenting on the partnership between BMW Group Malaysia with TNB and CEPSI 2018, Hoelzl said: “The collaboration signifies BMW Malaysia’s intention in being a key partner in transforming the local Electro Mobility industry and the country’s ambition in Sustainable Development. We look forward in exchanging our industry-leading expertise and insights as well as gain knowledge from the many thought leaders at CEPSI to shape a better Malaysia.”
Datuk Wira Roslan meanwhile said that the 530e business sedan will be used to shuttle VVIPs and AESIEAP Executive Council Members throughout the five-day conference. “This e-mobility partnership is the first of its kind for CEPSI since its inception in 1976 in Hong Kong SAR. The partnership is timely as electric vehicles are generating a revolution in transportation across the globe. On this note, TNB through our wholly-owned subsidiary, TNB Energy Services Sdn. Bhd. is collaborating with Malaysian Green Technology Corporation to deliver an integrated service to EV owners in Malaysia,” said Roslan.
The BMW 530e Sport is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired to BMW’s eDrive plug-in hybrid drive system to give a combined output of
252 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. This allows the 530e to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just
6.2 seconds
 while capable of hitting a top speed of
235 km/h
.
Juicing the electric motors is a 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that gives the 530e a pure electric range of
48 km
 at speeds of up to
140 km/h
. When plugged into a conventional wall socket, the battery takes under five hours to be fully charged while the BMW i-Wallbox will cut charging time to under three hours.
IMAGE GALLERY


Fiat just can’t stop making limited edition 500s. This one is for their 60th birthday

Besides the
MINI
 brand, another iconic small car that blew onto the affordable small-car scene was the Fiat 500. Otherwise known as the “
Cinquecento
“, the 500 celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and this special edition Fiat 500-60th is only sold in selected markets.
Its styling is a direct nod to the original 500, thanks to the vintage Fiat emblem and some retro trimmings. Exclusive to it are Dolcevita two-tone paintwork, grey fabric roof and 16-inch alloys.
The old school theme continues on the inside, where the dashboard gets covered in red vinyl, a classic Fiat logo on the steering wheel and the retro-inspired leather seats. Some modern touches are inevitable, such as the 7.0-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Two petrol engines are offered here – a
 69 hp 1.2-litre
 mill or the
 85 hp
 or
105 hp 0.9-litre TwinAir
 engines. The latter lump can be had with both manual or Dualogic semi-automatic gearbox.
Just 250 units of this commemorative edition will be allocated for the UK market, with pricing set to begin from
 £19,240
 (approximately
RM106k
) to
 £21,000
 (approximately
RM116k
). Back at home, Fiat is currently unrepresented, but several units of the 500 and 500 Abarth have been brought in by grey importers.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 and 300 4MATIC finally comes with MBUX infotainment system

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just unveiled two variants of the facelifted GLC where both assembled locally to keep prices competitive, and accompanying the facelift is a slew of features to keep the mid-sized luxury SUV relevant.
The facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC is available now, and on-the-road prices without insurance for Peninsular Malaysia are:
Mercedes-Benz GLC 200
RM299,888
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC
 RM350,000
(estimated)
One engine will power both variants – the new 2.0-litre turbocharged powerplant (codenamed M264) makes
197 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque in the GLC 200, and is mated to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission to send power to the rear wheels.
The
GLC 300 4MATIC
 on the other hand makes
258 hp
and
370 Nm
 of torque. Here, the same transmission sends power to all four wheels instead.
There will be no GLC 250 variant as this is the direction in
which Mercedes-Benz is going globally.
On to exterior updates, and most noticeable is the new grille design. There are two horizontal design elements here in the GLC 200, and on the GLC 300 4MATIC one strip accentuates the concaved grille.
Flanking it are redesigned headlamps – LED high performance units on the base variant and MULTIBEAM LED headlamps on the higher. The latter responds can automatically turn the high beam on and off without glaring oncoming traffic.
Other features to distinguish the variants are the tail light designs, rim designs, and exterior packages. Both get 20-inch lightweight alloys, but with different designs.
 The GLC 200 is equipped with an Optical Off-Road Package that adds chrome inserts like those on the front bumper, while the GLC 300 4MATIC comes with Night Package that adds black trims around the exterior. Despite the add-ons, the GLC 200 strangely looses the keyless entry function.
Inside, there is a pleasing mix of Artico leather and anthracite open-pore oak wood in the GLC 200, while the GLC 300 4MATIC’s wood elements come from black ash and its brushed aluminium is finished in a – and I quote – ‘longitudinal grain’.
What’s more, both variant’s instrument clusters are now 12.3-inch units capable of three display styles: Classic, Progressive and Sporty.
The highlight of the day is addition of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) that we’ve seen in cars like the
Mercedes-AMG A35 4MATIC
 in the GLC. It succeeds the older Comand system and is designed to be intuitive, much like a smartphone. To do so, there is a larger 10.25-inch, touchscreen infotainment screen, which is also still operable through the centre console touchpad.
With MBUX, comes the Mercedes me connect (Mmc) feature. Mmc connects the car with your smartphone via an app where it enables the engine to be started remotely, checking fuel levels and more via the inbuilt LTE module of the car.
All Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s cars from here on out will have it, while most older models going back all the way to 2002 are compatible with a Mercedes me Adapter. It goes into the OBD2 port of the car, and most of Mmc’s features will remain available.
Finally, both variants get new safety goodies like Active Parking Assist (which appeared first in the facelifted C-Class) and Blind Spot Assist, but the higher GLC 300 variant gets a little extra; like a 360-degree view camera and Active Lane Keeping Assist.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz GLC 200
Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC


Jaguar won’t be adopting large front grilles anytime soon

Looks like we won’t be seeing those large grilles from the BMW 7 Series or the Concept 4 on Jaguars anytime soon.
Jaguar’s new head of design, Julian Thomson, who took over from Ian Callum last year, has attributed this phenomenon to the growing market in China.
It’s said that because most consumers in China are first/second generation car buyers, they’ve been quite brand obsessed yet do not know what brand’s is what.
The
 BMW Concept 4
.
Car makers have responded to this by designer strong, prominent front ends for their cars to be instantly identifiable.
Callum further added that this has led to certain car makers designing “faces that only a mother could love” and that Jaguar would not “torture the metal” this way.
The
newly updated Jaguar F-Type
.
Strong words indeed but if you’ve been observing the direction of certain upscale brands, he has a point – with front grilles so large they overwhelm the impression of the entire car’s design.
As for Jaguar’s approach, Callum said a design language is necessary but there should be some element of civility in it. In the case of the new Jaguar F-Type, while the attention-grabbing front end now features a noticeably larger grille, it’s the biggest it’ll be for now.


Honda Malaysia has resumed its operations and gearing up to regain momentum

Honda Malaysia has officially resumed all its operations, both at the Melaka manufacturing plant and the operations office in Selangor as well as its dealerships nationwide and following the strict SOPs laid out by the respective government agencies.
“In our plans to regain the momentum and set a new
benchmark
 in the market, Honda Malaysia has lined up new models that feature Honda’s Next Generation Advanced Technology to be launched in the coming months,” said Honda Malaysia, Managing Director and CEO, Ms Madoka Chujo.
Based on the timeline of Honda Motor Thailand, only two candidates are on the radar for us Malaysians-
Honda City Hatchback
 (regular iVTEC and hybrid eHEV) and all-new
Honda Civic Turbo
. The all-new Honda
HR-V/Vezel
 that was launched in Japan earlier this year has yet to be launched in ASEAN or North America, while Honda Malaysia just last week introduced the current generation 2021
Honda HR-V Hybrid
.
As of August 2021, the Civic, Accord, HR-V and CR-V models all have continued their respective segment leadership position with 72%, 36%, 71% and 24% of the segment market share respectively.
Apart from the September Special Benefits promotion offering rebates and rewards of up to
RM6,000
 with a new purchase of selected Honda models, the Special Financing Program continues to be offered until the end of the year. This initiative allows customers to pay lower monthly instalments during the early stage of their new Honda ownership.
An online pre-booking platform has also been created to minimised contact and movement. It can be accessed from anywhere- the HondaTouch smartphone app or at Honda Malaysia’s official
website
. Scheduling service appointments via the HondaTouch smartphone app is also encouraged for a smoother and more efficient process.
Next-generation Honda BR-V SUV to start production in Indonesia. Find out how soon here!
The company also took the opportunity to thank the government and relevant authorities for the
reopening
 of the manufacturing sector as well as automotive sales which Honda Malaysia undertook careful planning and stringent actions to ensure everyone’s safety, both internally and externally.
“We are pleased that 80% of Honda associates have been fully vaccinated as part of our effort to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This effort was also accelerated by the Public-Private Partnership COVID-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (PIKAS). Full vaccination is expected to be completed by October,” Ms Chujo continued.
During the mandatory shutdown of its operations, Honda Malaysia undertook several initiatives to help the communities in need, such as
distributing necessities
 to six charity homes and contributing food and beverage packs to patients under quarantine.


Turn up your volume, this McLaren F1 GTR will arouse your eardrums

Both Mika Hakkinen, two-time Formula 1 champion with the then West McLaren Mercedes and the McLaren F1 GTR, needs no introduction.
Together, the combination makes for one of the most pleasing videos to hear (and watch) in awhile. Although I’d suggest you put on your earphones; not many in the office will share your passion for such audio pleasure – not your boss for sure.
The mid-engined, rear-wheel drive McLaren F1 GTR is powered by a 6.0-litre naturally-aspirated BMW V12 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. It makes more than
600 hp
, with almost
500 Nm
 of torque. 0 to 100 km/h is demolished in just three seconds with top speed rated at 240 mph (386 km/h).


Would Malaysians care if the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was revived?

So the news is out, Mitsubishi is toying with the idea of bringing back the Lancer Evolution from the dead in a bid to revive its performance car legacy.
According to international reports, word is that it might be sharing the same powertrain with the next-generation Renault Megane RS which makes total commercial sense (as is the approach with most car companies in relation to cost) seeing as Mitsubishi, Renault and Nissan are all technically under one roof.
It’s definitely great news for the industry observers and enthusiasts but for now, there’s no point speculating on specifications as information has remained scarce.
The more pressing question is,
does a car like that still have a place in Malaysia
? Will we ever experience the same surge in JDM imports and a comeback of the local tuning scene that peaked in the early to mid-2000s?
Take the FK8 Honda Civic Type R for example; officially brought in by Honda Malaysia with a whopping price tag in excess of RM300k at launch for example, enthusiasts and keyboard warriors may have clogged the Internet with interests and criticisms but in reality, actual sales figures have not come close to the hype it has built.
2015 Lancer Evolution Final Edition
Unlike that time when Honda Malaysia sold truck loads of the FD2R in the late 2000s, the huge wave has now turned into a mere spit. We get excited looking, reading, and watching videos of it, but how many of us would or rather can afford to shell out that kinda money for a car that looks like a 10-year old’s imagination?
What’s worse, a quick glance on Mudah.my or other online marketplaces shows a huge influx of parallel imports at much lower prices and yet, are all sitting idle in open yards all across Malaysia.
In other words, there are cheaper options but even the scum of the auto sales industry are struggling to offload them. The Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ is another such example – they’re all rotting away mechanically and in value.
And with most of the esteemed workshop and tuners in Sunway either closing shop or spending more time swatting flies than swapping engines, the near redundant tuner scene shows a severe lack of interest for a car such as the Lancer Evolution to make a return – whether through official channels or via the AP scums.
With the younger generation, millennials to be exact, showing more interests in spending thousands on a pair of shoes essentially made of cloth and styrofoam than on a set of sticky tyres just to go through corners faster, the idea of bringing the Evo back, to this country at least, seems futile.
Even if there are younger groups of enthusiasts, converting a normal Civic to look like a Type R seems to be the bigger priority than chasing performance itself.
And those who’re actually keen on making real power, are too small a minority to justify any significant shake up or revival of the forlone industry that once made everyone dream, including myself.
Unless there’s a massive turnaround in mindset, import structures, taxes and various other factors, importing these things in small numbers is the only way to go; sell them off on the point of exclusivity and nostalgia and call it a day.


Proton Saga was Malaysia’s best-seller in November

With
14,187
 units sold in November, Proton has again breached the 100,000-unit sales barrier for a third year in succession. In the eleven months of 2021, the national car company is proud to announce the sales achievement of
100,566
 units, just over 9,000 units shy of the full year of
2020
.
While it is pretty much the same monthly volumes for all models, the Proton X50 again sees record sales, moving 4,010 units after another strong month in October. Although both models are at the top of Proton’s pricing ladder, the total sales of the
X50 and X70
 combined in 2021 have just passed the sales of the Proton Saga.
Thanks to its dealers as well as suppliers, Proton delivered 24,466 units of X50 and 14,761 of
X70
 models, representing
39%
 of 2021 sales, while the Saga is just slightly behind at 37,972 units or 37.8%. Similar to the Proton X50, the
Proton Saga
 also enjoyed a record month for 2021 in November with sales of 5,666 units, re-taking the crown of the best-selling model in Malaysia as well as the A-segment sedan.
The rest of Proton’s model range performed according to expectations. The Proton Exora enjoyed a fourth consecutive month of growth and continued to dominate the C-segment MPV market with 434 units sold. Component supply issues continue to plague the
2022 Proton Iriz
 and
Persona
 limiting their production volumes, but both achieved 642 and 1,534 units respectively.
Proton Gallery at COE Shah Alam now open, featuring exhibits using AR and VR tech! More here.
“November was a good sales month for Proton though overall industry numbers continue to be limited by supply and not demand. Crossing over the 100,000-unit threshold with a month to go is a highpoint for us after another year disrupted by Covid-19,” said Proton Edar, CEO, Roslan Abdullah.
The company also sees this momentum as a strong base heading into 2022 to consolidate and improve its ranking both locally as well as internationally.


Audi Q2 coming to Malaysia by Q2 2017, 1.0 TFSI and 1.4 TFSI possible

At the launch of the
A4 B9
, Audi Malaysia revealed
plans
 to expand their product lineup to swing more buyers towards the brand. We have just received word from Audi Malaysia that the
all-new Audi Q2
 is set to arrive on our shores in the first half of 2017, and it’s possibly coming with two engine choices – the 1.0-litre TFSI and 1.4-litre TFSI.
After clarification with Audi Malaysia, the Q2 is not a direct competitor to the
Mercedes GLA
, instead it goes up against the
MINI Countryman
. However, it still bears the classification of a compact SUV.

In the UK, the all-new Q2 is available in showrooms since mid-November 2016. Hence, for Audi Malaysia to introduce this model in the next seven months (in CBU form) is a commendable action. For
UK-bound models
, the 1.4-litre four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine that produces
148 hp
 is mated to either a six-speed manual or a
seven-speed S Tronic
 automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. Expect the Malaysian market to receive the same S Tronic and FWD setup.
On the other hand, should the 1.0-litre three-cylinder TFSI be introduced to our market, the mill is capable of churning a respectable
114 hp
. It will also get the same seven-speed S Tronic and front-wheel drive configuration.

To recap, the UK Q2 comes equipped with progressive Audi smartphone interface and Audi pre-sense front with pedestrian recognition. Optional features include Audi Virtual Cockpit, Audi Phone Box wireless charging, Bang & Olufsen sound system, heads-up display, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function and Traffic Jam Assist, Audi Active Lane Assist, rear cross-traffic assist and emergency assist. Wheel options range from 17- to 19-inches of varying designs.
Only time will tell what the Malaysian spec Q2 would carry, but judging from the A4 B9, we can trust Audi Malaysia to at least
match its competitors
. In this case, the
RM199k to RM314k
 MINI Countryman.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche Malaysia introduces the Porsche 360 Financing programme

Alongside the launch of the facelifted
Porsche 911 GT3
last week, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has also introduced the Porsche 360 Financing – an intelligent alternative to conventional financing with lower monthly repayments and flexible terms for better cash flow.
The financing programme is not applicable to the “GT” and special limited edition Porsche models – sorry to get your hopes up. Customers can choose to have their preferred financing period of three, four or five years. Subsequently, the assured resale value of the vehicle is established according to the model and specifications of the vehicle.
Within the
third to fifth year
 prior to the end of the financing programme, owners are able to either trade-in their vehicle for a new Porsche, or refinance the loan amount.
At the end of the financing term, the owners have three options:
Trade in their vehicles at any Authorised Porsche Pre-Owned Centre at the reassured resale value. The programme is structured in such a way that the remaining loan amount is generally lower than the reassured resale value. The owner would then receive a balance payment that could go towards the downpayment for a new vehicle, making it a fuss-free transition to a new Porsche.
Secondly, from the third year onwards, customers can extend the financing programme for the vehicle or to terminate the financing arrangement by settling the outstanding loan amount in full.
Thirdly, owners can decide to return their Porsche without any additional commitments.
In order to uphold the assured resale value, Porsche owners are required to service and maintain their vehicle at one of the three Authorised Porsche Service Centres in Kuala Lumpur or Penang.
For the first four years, all cars sold by SDAP are equipped with a comprehensive Four-Year Warranty and Four-Year complimentary maintenance package including service, parts and labour. The warranty can be extended up to nine years.


Environment minister wants to lower EV prices in Malaysia to under RM100k

While
 electric vehicles (EV)
adoption in Malaysia has seen a significant rise recently, thanks to the government’s favourable EV tax policies and the recent boom in charging stations, it’s hard to ignore the fact that even the cheapest EV here on our shores, the
Ora Good Cat
, starts at RM139,800 – far from being “affordable” for the masses.
Recognising that, the government has now said that it’ll look into ways to bring more affordable EVs priced “less than RM100,000” into the local market,
Bernama
 reports.
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric launched in Malaysia, from RM289k
“Currently, most EVs entering our market cost RM100,000 or more, but we would also like to bring such vehicles to a wider market, in the price range of RM100,000 and below. We will look into how the government can work with automotive companies to achieve that,” said the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, at the launch of a new EV charging station at the Bangi Golf Resort yesterday.
“…
Proton
 will bring in
Geely
 vehicles in the near future… [but] if we can [locally assemble] the vehicles in Malaysia, maybe it will help us to offer EVs [at a] lower cost,” Nik Nazmi added.
EVs in Malaysia currently enjoy a 100% rebate on road tax, as well as import and excise duties, as part of the
 2022 national budget
. The incentive is valid for imported EVs until the 31st of December 2023, while locally-assembled models will further benefit from its tax-free status until the end of 2025.
The recently tabled
Budget 2023
sought to extend the former for one more year until the end of 2024, however it has not yet been passed due to the recent change in government.
At the
 launch of the BYD Atto 3 recently
, the company also took the opportunity to show off the
Dolphin
on stage, hinting at a launch in Malaysia some time in the future. The compact EV hatchback starts from CNY93,800 in China, which translates to approximately RM59k. Will this be the first EV in Malaysia under the RM100k mark? only time will tell.
RELATED:
2023 BYD Atto 3 launched in Malaysia, X70-size EV from RM150k


What’s the Buzz: Who was Lee Iacocca?

You may have woken up this morning and came across a headline or two on the demise of Lee Iacocca. It’s okay if you haven’t heard of him, but thanks to persons who took the trouble of publishing footages of him on YouTube, you will now have an idea as to why Iacocca was such a key figure in the automotive industry a few decades ago.

Whether it’s supercars or MPVs, Iacocca was convincing when he took to the stage.
Iacocca was widely credited with the revival of Chrysler in the 80s after he was shown the door at Ford while leading the company as president, and profitably too. But too many run-ins with Henry Ford II put an end to his time at Dearborn, a struggling Chrysler quickly snapped him up. Iacocca implemented his vision at Chrysler which Ford resisted and that included a front-wheel drive platform applied to different models (which is now a norm) and launching a host of minivans that American consumers loved.

Here’s how you answer the press with clever insights, Trump should take note.
Iacocca was also a strong lobbyist for American cars and cut a popular figure in Washington. He famously secured a loan from the government that kept Chrysler alive and repaid the amount ahead of its term. But above all else, Iacocca was a sales and marketing genius, he wasn’t merely a CEO pulling the strings behind the scenes, but also its chief spokesperson and appeared in many of the company’s advertisements. He was naturally gifted in public speaking and expressed his views with conviction, backed by facts. No wonder he was mooted to run for the presidency of United States once.
Leaders, they don’t make them like they used to anymore.


Audi debuts nine new models at Goodwood, including the menacing TT RS!

Fans of the Vorsprung durch Technik brand rejoice as new models have been unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016 (GFoS).
New models such as the new
Q2
, Audi’s most compact Q model, and the high-performance
R8 V10 Spyder
 have been shown to the British public for the first time. The former is a small crossover powered by engines ranging from a
1.0-litre 3-cylinder
 to a
2.0-litre 4-cylinder with 190 hp
, while the latter is the open-top version of the R8 with a howling
5.2-litre V10
 located just behind its two occupants’ seats.
The
Audi Sport
 family also gets a new addition in the form of the all-new five-cylinder
TT RS Coupé
 – the idea of a newer, upgraded
TT
 is tantalising to say the least, but sadly no news has yet been made on its availability in Malaysia. Need we remind you that the TT RS gets from
0 to 100 km/h
 just a tenth of a second slower than the R8 V10 Spyder at
3.7 seconds
, thanks to the
2.5-litre five-cylinder
 powerplant that’s mated to the
seven-speed S-tronic
 dual-clutch gearbox which sends all
400 hp
 and
480 Nm
 of torque to the quattro all-wheel drive system.
Another highlight of the Audi stand will be the new
Q7 e-tron quattro
, its largest, most efficient SUV capable of driving
up to 56 km
 on electric power alone. Under its bonnet is a
3.0-litre V6 diesel
 coupled with an
electric motor
 with a combined output of
368 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque.
Paying homage to the
R8 GT3
 race car that took a total of
323 overall race wins
, Audi will also present the brand new limited edition
R8 V10 Plus Selection 24h
. Only 24 of these 610 hp monsters will be built, making Audi’s most powerful car also one of its most exclusive. It’s based off the
R8 V10 Plus
, but most of the optional items such as the
adaptive magnetic dampers
 and the
dynamic steering
 are fitted as standard, and they’re finished in a special colour scheme.
As well as all-new vehicles, Audi’s entry level sedan – the
A3
 range has been enhanced and showcased on its stand in sedan, e-tron and Sportback form. The recent update brings a refreshed exterior and more tech inside, which includes the glorious
Virtual Cockpit
, the 12.3-inch hi-res instrument cluster that first appeared on the TT.
Audi A3 facelift cabin
If only we are given the request form for specific models to be imported into Malaysia. The 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed took place from 23 to 26 June 2016. Find out all about it
here
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi A3 Facelift

Audi Q7 e-tron

Audi R8 V10 Plus Selection 24h

Audi TT RS


Honda previews the SUV RS Concept at the Indonesia Auto Show 2021

The latest addition to the expanding line-up of Honda crossovers and SUV has just been unveiled at a world premiere event in Indonesia, as part of Honda’s presence at this year’s Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS).
Called the Honda SUV RS Concept, the small SUV which shares many styling elements with the larger
Honda HR-V
 seems production-ready at Honda’s main stage, albeit with some tweaks to the lighting units for actual on-road performance.
Based on the smaller look of the Honda SUV RS Concept, it looks like Honda putting the pair of Daihatsu Rocky and
Toyota Raize
 in the target crosshair. This small SUV segment also has the Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnet, which are smaller than the
Kia Seltos
 and
Nissan Kicks
.
No interior shots have been shared, but upon closer inspection, the Honda SUV RS Concept seems to differ from the larger Honda HR-V with four visible door handles and a door pillar-mounted side mirror.
Indonesian drivers still love rowing their own gears, as such, the new Honda City Hatchback RS pairs its 121 hp DOHC iVTEC engine with six-speed MT!
The tail lamps replicate the full-width design seen in the Honda HR-V. Not much information has been shared regarding the concept model.
Being developed in Thailand, there is a strong chance the production model of the Honda SUV RS Concept made available in Malaysia, challenging the only offering in the segment- the
Perodua Ativa
.
GALLERY


16-year-old waltzes her way to a new slalom world record in a Porsche 718 Spyder

What were you doing when you were 16? If you ask us, we were probably just bumming around school waiting for time to pass. For Chloe Chambers though, she can firmly say that she’s now a Guinness World Record holder, which she has done piloting a
Porsche 718 Spyder
 – at an age where most people are just learning how to drive!
The record is for the “Fastest Vehicle Slalom”, which required Chambers to weave through 50 cones at a 50-foot (15.24 metres) interval as fast as possible without hitting any of them. The previous record stood at
48.11 seconds
, a time that Chambers matched on her first actual run.

On Chambers’ final run, the 16-year-old girl managed to beat the time by more than half a second, making her an official Guinness World Record holder with a time of
47.45 seconds
. Take a bow!
Chloe Chambers, after the run, commented: “It looks easy, but it’s really not – to weave between 50 cones as fast as possible, trying to beat a record time and knowing I couldn’t touch a single one for the run to count – I definitely felt the pressure.”
But boy did she handle the pressure well – anyone who’s been on an autocross stage would know how difficult it is to keep the car in balance while weaving through cones, and she even managed it on a completely stock manual Porsche 718 Spyder, down to the tyres.
At the tender age of 16, Chambers already has nine years of karting experience under her belt – finishing top three in over 14 different championships and events, and can now add a Guinness World Record into her list of achievements. There’s no doubt that she will grow into a formidable racer in the years to come.
“We couldn’t be more proud that Chloe set the record,” said President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Klaus Zellmer. “From the whole Porsche family we send our heartfelt congratulations – we’re pleased to have been able to support Chloe with her ambitious record attempt and share her relief that it was successful.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota GR Supra now with 6-speed manual in Malaysia, from RM645k

When the Supra first made its world debut, it was only available with an automatic transmission sourced from ZF. With enthusiasts demanding the good old stick shift, the 6-speed manual
Toyota Supra
 finally made its world debut three years later but not too late in April 2022, and has now been officially launched in Malaysia, fetching a price of
RM645,000
.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Everything else largely remains the same with the Supra still powered by a 3.0-litre turbo inline 6 engine that makes
387 hp
 and
500 Nm
. Besides the transmission, Toyota has also improved the ride and handling and comfort levels of the Supra.
There is also a new set of 19-inch wheels introduced to the Supra together with the new transmission. Inspired by the wheels in the GR Yaris and 86, these 19-inch wheels are 1.2 kg lighter each.
The AVS system, alongside the electric power steering and Vehicle Stability Control, has also been retuned for “improved overall steering feel and controllability” at the car’s limits. Meanwhile, the car’s Track mode has also been specifically reworked to allow for “easy drifting”.
Like the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, the manual transmission in the supra is the 6-speed Toyota Intelligent manual transmission (iMT), which offers automatic rev-matching and throttle blipping.
The final drive ratio is also shorter than that of the eight-speed box, at 3.46 vs the automatic’s 3.15. The only thing left missing to make this a perfect car to hoon around is a hand-operated parking brake like that found in the Toyota GR Corolla.
Malaysian readers, if you’ve always been asking for a manual version of the latest-generation Toyota Supra, here’s your chance to own one. The manual Toyota Supra is officially available in Malaysia at
RM645,000
.
GALLERY


Video: Maserati Levante Vulcano, Things You Need To Know

Limited edition models don’t come our way often but Naza Italia has secured 10 allocations for the
Maserati Levante Volcano
, just in time for the Trident brand’s 10
th
 anniversary here in Malaysia.

Only 150 units of the Levante Volcano will be made exclusively for the Europe and Asia markets. It is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission pumping out
430 hp
and
 580 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint is dispatched in
5.2 seconds
 and top speed is registered at
264 km/h
.
Compared to a standard
Levante S GrandSport, the Levante Volcano gains exclusive trim pieces here making
it stand out among Levantes. Priced at RM838,800 (OTR without insurance), the
Levante Volcano comes with a 3-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and 3-Years/100,000
km Free Maintenance programme.
IMAGE GALLERY
Maserati Levante Vulcano Launched in Malaysia


Post SST: No price revision for CKD Volvo vehicles

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has just announced their latest price list with the Sales and Services Tax (SST) applied. Interestingly, VCM’s full range of locally assembled vehicles (CKD) did not see any revision in price compared to when 6 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) applied.
Even the locally assembled T8 Twin Engine variants (PHEV) are priced the same as before when GST was applied.
Other premium brands
 experienced a downward revision for CKD vehicles while fully imported models CBU) are pricier compared to GST times.
While many might raise an eyebrow against VCM for not bringing down the prices, the good news is you do not have to fork out additional money for a new Volvo.


2017 Honda BR-V 1.5L launched in Malaysia, priced at RM86k and RM93k!

We’ve caught the preview of the BR-V last year at the
2016 Malaysian Autoshow
 and even had the
chance to get up close
 with Honda’s latest seven-seater crossover. For those who have been eagerly waiting, Honda has officially launched the Honda BR-V here at KLCC.
The BR-V shares the same platform as the Brio (compact hatchback) and Mobilio (budget MPV), albeit stretched to 4,455 mm long, 1,735 mm wide and 1,650 mm tall with a 2,660 mm wheelbase. It’s marginally larger in length and height compared to the
HR-V
 (161 mm wider and 45 mm taller). The BR-V also comes with a 201 mm ground clearance at the undercarriage.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda BR-V 1.5E
Honda BR-V 1.5V
Engine
1,497cc; 4-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC
Transmission
Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
Max Power
118 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Max Torque
145 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
Price
RM85,800
RM92,800
EXTERIOR
In case you are wondering, BR-V is an abbreviation for
Bold Runabout Vehicle
. Therefore, it is only natural that Honda adopted a more active and muscular design for the crossover. From the front, Honda’s signature Wing Face grille gives the crossover a bold impression. As standard, both variants come with halogen projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, powered wing mirrors with integrated turn signals and C-shaped LED combination tail lamps.

Only the range topping V-spec gets front fog lamps, chrome door handles, keyless entry, bumper lower garnish and chrome side protectors. Both variants ride on
16-inch dual tone alloys
 wrapped in 195/60 profile Bridgestone Ecopia EP 150 tyres.
INTERIOR
Step inside you are greeted with a familiar but different layout from the
Jazz
and
City
. The BR-V is related more closely to the Brio which it is based on. Starting from the entry level E-spec, you get a decent amount of equipment including fabric upholstery, manual air conditioning,
rear air-cond vents
, urethane steering wheel and gear knob and a standard audio system with Bluetooth, USB, Hands-Free call function, auxiliary jack as well as four-speakers.
Step up to the top tier V-spec and you get all the bells and whistles including leather upholstery, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio switch control, push start, automatic climate control, 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with HDMI port and reverse camera, leather door lining armrest, rear seat pocket and vanity mirror.

The rear seats feature a one touch fold and tumble (60:40 split for second row; 50:50 split for third row) mechanism for ease of access. Besides that, the second row seats come with sliding function. Thanks to Honda’s clever packaging, the BR-V boasts 11 cup holders and a 223 litre boot space with all the seats up. Fold the third row seats down, the car is capable of swallowing 539 litres of cargo.
PERFORMANCE
Powering this crossover is the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder SOHC with i-VTEC mated to a continuous variable transmission (CVT) gearbox pushing out
118 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque. Drive is exclusively sent to the front wheels. The BR-V also comes with an Eco Indicator.
SAFETY
Thankfully, safety features on the BR-V is rather decent. Both variants get dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), hill-start assist and ISOFIX mounting points. Thanks to that, both variants are awarded with ASEAN NCAP 5-Star Adult Occupant Protection and 4-Star Child Occupant Protection.
WHAT ELSE?
The BR-V can be had in five different exterior shades – Taffeta White, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Dark Ruby Red Pearl and Golden Brown Metallic. A range of Honda genuine accessories are available for purchase – Modulo Package (RM3,750), Urban Package (RM2,945), Utility Package (RM1,280), window tints and security package. Every purchase of the BR-V comes with a
5-year unlimited mileage warranty and a six free labour service package
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda BR-V Grade V

Honda BR-V Grade E


Facts & Figures: 2022 Volvo V60 Recharge T8 now available in Malaysia, RM286,909

Earlier this week, Volvo Car Malaysia
informally announced
 the pricing of their latest addition to the local line-up- the 2022 Volvo V60. Great news as from today onwards, the new Volvo V60 is available for viewing and booking at all authorised Volvo dealers in Malaysia.
As per the originally released price list on Monday, the Volvo V60 for Malaysia is offered in just one variant- the Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain and in Inscription grade. It is priced from
RM286,909.59
 on-the-road without insurance and is inclusive of the ongoing sales tax exemption.
EXTERIOR
Apart from the usual SUVs and sedans that Volvo offers, the Swedish company is also a purveyor of fine estates or station wagons. This body style, under the ‘V’ naming, allows ample luggage area without the need for a high-riding floor; basically a large hatchback with a near-vertical tailgate. Volvo Car Malaysia introduced the
V90
 alongside the flagship S90 sedan in the initial phase in 2017.
The V60 takes overs and now seems to be the most complete series for Volvo Car Malaysia with two variants of XC60 SUV (
B5 and Recharge T8
) and the
S60 R Design
.
In the Inscription grade of the V60, the estate gets:
Inscription Grille with chrome frame
Bright finished roof rails
19-inch rims in black with diamond-cut polishing, 235/40R19 tyres
Full LED headlamps with active high beam and active bending lights
Door Handles with illumination and Ground lighting
Handsfree power-operated tailgate
Panoramic moonroof
The one-piece tailgate features powered opening and closing and a convenient foot sensor for hands-free activation. Four colours are available which are pearl white, black, silver and Thunder Grey.
INTERIOR
Inside, the Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Inscription has a choice of Driftwood Decor inlays with black upholstery or Linear Lime Decor inlays with brown upholstery, paired with Orrefors Crystal gear lever and a non-sport steering wheel with Unideco inlay.
Digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch display
Head-up display
Orrefors Crystal Gear Lever
Diamond-cut engine start-stop knob, drive mode selector and volume knob
Powered front seats with cushion extenders and 4-way lumbar support
Dual-zone auto air-conditioning with Clean Zone Interior Air Quality System
Sensus Connect nine-inch integrated colour touchscreen
Harman Kardon Premium Sound Audio System with 14-speakers (600 Watts)
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
In its most conservative setting with the rear seats up and tonneau cover in place, the boot area offers some
529 litres
 of space and is expandable to over 1,400 litres with the seats folded down. The rear seats fold in a less utilitarian 60:40-split.
PERFORMANCE
Similar to the S60 sedan, the Volvo V60 is only offered in the range-topping plug-in hybrid powertrain called the Recharge T8. Outputs are familiar figures, with a total of
407 hp
 and
640 Nm
 of torque combining power from the super- and turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and a rear electric motor unit. A fully charged battery allows up to 49 km of electric range.
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, supercharged and turbocharged
Engine max rated output: 320 hp, 400 Nm
Electric motor max rated output: 87 hp, 240 Nm
Total combined system horsepower: 407 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Total combined system torque: 640 Nm @ 1,200-5,400 rpm
Battery capacity: 11.6 kWh
Drivetrain: Front engine, rear motor, electric AWD
0-100 km/h: 4.6 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h
Electric range: 49 km
Fuel consumption: 2.0 l/100km
SAFETY
The new V60 continues to be equipped with the Volvo IntelliSafe advanced driver assistance systems. To recap, key features in the ADAS suite include:
Pilot Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
City Safety autonomous emergency braking, with Steering Support
Blind-Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist
Lane Keeping Aid
Cross-Traffic Alert, front and rear with mitigation support
360-degree Surround View Camera
Oncoming Lane Mitigation
PRICING
The new locally-assembled Volvo V60 Recharge T8 in Malaysia is priced at
RM286,909.59
 on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive on the ongoing sales tax exemptions, and increases to RM305,888 once the exemption discontinues.
Included in the price is a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) battery warranty coverage of eight years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first.
GALLERY


Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia ’employs’ two robots for customers services!

In our previous post about
 Jaguar

Land Rover
 Malaysia, we shared that the company had plans to
increase its investment in digital initiatives
 over the next few years to continue improving customer service.
Now, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) has unveiled two Robot Assistants at its recently upgraded showroom at the Sime Darby Motors City, Ara Damansara. The dealership in Ara Damansara is also the largest Jaguar Land Rover 4S facility in the South-East Asia region.
(From left) Kelvin Chuah, Head of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia; Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia; and Dato’ Alby Chong, Group Chairman, Secure Group.
According to the company, the robots will be used for customer-facing autonomous services. The robots are part of a collaboration between JLRM and Secure Robotics, a leading provider of modern technologies in Malaysia.
The robots are equipped with wireless internet connectivity, laser radar sensors, GPS and voice, facial and image recognition, for a more novel car viewing and buying experience.
Customers can configure their vehicles with preferred specifications, and visualise them on a 75-inch screen.
“As part of JLRM’s digital transformation, the introduction of these robots serves to elevate the customer experience. The use of robots also allows for customer interaction with reduced risk of transmission,” said Sime Darby Motors Malaysia, Managing Director, Retail & Distribution, Jeffrey Gan.
Recently, JLRM, a joint venture between Sime Darby Motors and SISMA Auto, has consolidated its retail operations, making it the sole importer and dealer in Malaysia.


Local food truck owner turns classic Volvo 240GL into mobile coffee shop!

When the
Covid-19 pandemic
 hit last year, the Malaysian F&B industry basically slowed down to a grinding halt. Many business owners unfortunately had no other choice but to give up on their dreams in search for stability. But, as the saying goes – when the going gets tough, the tough gets going; for some people, it’s when they’re faced with hardships like these that they truly shine.
Meet Muhammad Safwan Subry, a food truck operator from Alor Setar, selling a variety of food and drinks out of a (super-cool!) modified school bus. When the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into effect last year, though, the café that his food truck is stationed at had to be temporarily shut down.
At that point, Safwan had two choices – sit around and wait with the uncertainty of when businesses will be allowed to reopen, or pivot and find new ways to serve his loyal customers.
Have somewhere to go while we’re still in MCO? Here’s everything you need to know about essential travels!
Thus, pivot he did. And what Safwan managed to come up with was nothing short of ingenious – if delivery services were still allowed to operate, what’s stopping him from carting fresh nitro cold brew coffee directly to his customers? With that idea in mind, he immediately went to work in search of a mobile coffee delivery vehicle.
Safwan’s requirements were simple – spacious boot, and cost-effective to maintain. Being a classic car fanatic himself, his obvious choices were cars such as the W126 and W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But when he saw a used 1985 Volvo 240GL for sale in such a pristine condition, it was just an opportunity too hard to pass up.
The classic Volvo cost Safwan RM3,000 to purchase, and he has sunk another RM10,000 into the car, modifying it to fit his needs with items such as a bona fide nitro cold brew pressurised tank and delivery system in the boot. A tap is installed above the boot lid, where Safwan can serve his customers directly.
Speaking of coffee, these might just be the most elaborate coffee machines ever – inspired by automotive engines!
Aside from functional mods, he also gave the Volvo 240GL a coat of matte black vinyl wrap, the same colour theme that’s also used on his school bus food truck. Completing the gangster-esque looks are the louver blinds for the rear windscreen, and a retro cargo rack above the roof, where a decorative oil barrel carries his brand logo.
In line with the colour theme of his business, the nitro coffee tap was also painted in a shiny gold colour, making it a pretty unique sight – especially when you see it driving around town!
Here’s another feel-good story: Malaysian artist charms the automotive world with ultra-realistic paintings!
“I love old-school cars; not only because their spare parts are affordable, but I think they’re also the perfect match for coffee”, Safwan told us in an interview. Following the success of the Volvo 240GL, Safwan plans to expand his business nationwide by building a nitro cold brew car for every state in the country, and of course, using a different old-school classic for each build.
If you’d like to support Safwan and his Kaffeine Foodmachine, be sure to check him out on his Facebook and Instagram page. For the Alor Setar locals, the school bus food truck is stationed at Kafe Adik Kakak, and is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
Kaffeine Foodmachine
Facebook
,
Instagram
GALLERY


This 80-year-old man has now owned 80 Porsches!

We often say that we’re fans of certain carmakers, but not many are qualified to be called “passionate” about them. When it comes to Ottocar J. and Porsche though, the 80-year-old man is definitely one of them.
This year, Ottocar collected a
Porsche 718 Spyder
 in Miami Blue Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory, his 80th Porsche ever owned. As a celebration of the momentous occasion, Porsche even allowed him to affix his own Porsche emblem on the car, making him the only few in the world to ever have had the chance.
Ottocar’s fascination with Porsches started almost 50 years ago, where he first saw them on a race track. “The Porsche cars simply flew past me on all sides,” he recalls, which prompted him to save up for his first Porsche, a 911 E in Speed Yellow, also known as the “oil cap model” which he bought in 1972.
A couple of years later in 1977, he would collect his first Porsche directly from the factory – a 911 Carrera 3.0. Little did he know that collecting Porsche cars will become a true lifelong passion, reaching Number 80 in just 43 years.
Ottocar was a driver himself, thus it was the race cars that first caught his attention. Throughout his years as a Porsche collector, he also stayed true to his motorsport roots: owning a 917, a 956, a 964 Cup, a 910 with a rare eight-cylinder engine, and not to mention a 904 with its original Fuhrmann engine.
Today, his collection comprises around 38 cars, or, as Ottocar himself puts it, “I can drive a different one every day for a month – and two at the weekends.” To fit all of his “toys”, he even had to build a separate building for them, which he affectionately calls it his “living room”.
Aside from all of his Porsches, the living room is also filled to the brim with race and car meet memoribilia. He also has a toy shop and an antiques store, and among other things – a cinema showing Steve McQueen’s Le Mans feature film, too.
On regular, he would drive about nine cars on rotation, including a
911 R
, a
Type 991 911 Speedster
 and two Boxster Spyders from the last two generations. However, when pressed, Ottocar wouldn’t name a favourite – though he chooses the 981 Boxster Spyder for most of his outings.
“The sound, how it drives, its suspension, everything that it does – it is the only one of my road-legal Porsche that reminds me of my 910,” says Ottocar – this man is without a doubt a true driving enthusiast.
Although now 80 years of age, Ottocar has no plans on slowing down – his next plan is to do a road trip along the Pan-American highway in a
Porsche Cayenne
. “When you are 80-years-old, you don’t think so much about the past any more but more about the future. You look forward to things that are still to come,” he says.
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Iconic Renault 5 Turbo set to return as an electric car!

As part of
Renault’s
 new strategic plan called the Renaulution which will take place in the next five years, the company has introduced the Renault 5 Prototype. It’s a throwback to the old Renault 5 Turbo with a modern twist, as it will return as an electric car.
14 models will be launched by 2025 (seven electric and seven C/D segment vehicles) and among them is the Renault 5 Prototype which will surely be welcomed seeing how well the new Honda e has been received. The company is also expecting its higher end models to make up 40% of its sales by the same year.
Renault is referring to it as a “cute, pin-sized, city car taking one of Renault’s timeless success to the future with a modern, 100% electric twist”.
Only several details of the prototype was revealed; it will feature aero flaps on the rear lights, with the fog lamps in the bumper doubling up as daytime running lights – like the new Mitsubishi Xpander in Malaysia.
In paying tribute to the original car, the number 5 is featured by the doors, tailgate and even front fog lamp housing.
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Lexus LC 500 now open for booking, 5.0L 470 hp V8, priced at RM940k!

Lexus Malaysia has begun taking orders for their halo car, the all-new
Lexus LC
. It’s currently offered in the sole LC 500 trim and pricing is set at a firm RM940,000.00 for private ownership.
The LC 500 is powered by a
5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8
 engine belting
470 hp
 and
 527 Nm
 of torque. All that is channeled to the rear wheels through a
 10-speed electronically controlled Direct Shift transmission
, helping it sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
.
All four corners get independent suspension and 20-inch 10-spoke cast alloy wheels. The fronts get shod with 245/45 section rubbers while the rear gets wider 275/40 for more grip.
It is fully imported from the Motomachi factory in Japan, which is exactly the same plant that produced the LFA supercar between 2011 to 2013. All purchases of the LC 500 will come with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty as well as a complimentary 5-year scheduled maintenance.
Lexus Malaysia assures that complete after sales support is available at seven authorised Lexus service centres with professional technicians who have been extensively trained by Lexus.
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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate “All-Terrain” is perfect for those who are anti-SUV

These days most people would make/have the slightest excuse to get an SUV; whether it’s for space, visibility, or for that once-a-year visit to their relative’s durian orchard but it’s totally understandable.
If you really need one, there’s plenty of reasons to have one.The practical factors alone are enough to make you want to forget about the silly things like “low centre of gravity” and “nimbleness”.
However, if you’re one of the minorities, the odd few who are highly resistant to change and believe the days of lower-riding sedans/hatchbacks are not over, then you’re just the one Mercedes-Benz has built this new wagon for.
It’s called the
C-Class

Estate All-Terrain
 and as the name suggests, it’s for those who take their Mercedes-Benz off-road but are not convinced that the GLC would do the job better.
It sits higher than your
average C-Class
 wagon with
40 mm more ground clearance
. It’s also wider and longer than the standard C-Class estate with additional wheel arch linings and dedicated bumpers. The rear bumper is a new design, specially for the All-Terrain.
All-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has over 200 tiny stars on its grille…read about it here!
The Estate All-Terrain also gets a different grille from the standard C-Class Estate. The standard wheel size is 17-inches although you can up it to 19-inches, which would significantly reduce the “All-Terrain-ness” of the wagon. Why would Mercedes-Benz even offer that?
Aside from the standard drive modes, the All-Terrain gets an OFFROAD and OFFROAD+ mode. The latter comes with Downhill Speed Regulation that when engaged, can apply the brakes automatically without the driver’s input, while on a downhill descend.
Your new Mercedes-Benz can warn of potholes and crosswinds…find out how!
With the OFFROAD modes, there are also steering, incline and decline angle displays along with a compass and geocoordinates.
Exclusive to the All-Terrain is a
special off-road light
. When driving on normal roads, it offers wide illumination but when the OFFROAD mode is activated, the off-road light switches on.
The function operates up to 50 km/h and automatically switches off when the speed is exceeded.
Capable of towing up to 1,800 kg, the C-Class Estate All-Terrain’s stability on the road while towing a trailer is safeguarded with the clever ESP Trailer Stabilisation feature.
When there are unusual movements with the trailer at the back, at speeds above 65 km/h, the feature helps apply the brakes individually and automatically. If necessary, the feature can also reduce the vehicle’s speed.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjXyLMLBg4
Another cool feature is the trailer maneuvering assistant that allows the driver to park the wagon (and trailer) by simply tapping on the infotainment display or touchpad.
GALLERY


Mazda Malaysia launched RM100mil Trim & Final Facility in Kulim [+Video]

Waiting period for a locally-assembled Mazda CX-5 currently stands at half a year in Malaysia, and Bermaz Motor has a lot to answer to that. However, this long-wait is set to drastically cut short as Mazda announced the completion of a Mazda-exclusive vehicle assembly facility in Kulim. Managed and assembled by Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd, the Mazda CX-5 CKD has started rolling out from its dedicated trim and final assembly line.
Bermaz Motor was keen to show us all the new facility and invited local auto journalists to have a drive up north. The long journey was sweetened up by the fleet that was taking us there, the new Mazda3 2.0 SkyActiv sedan. We have driven and reviewed the
Mazda3 2.0 SkyActiv
, lovin’ it of course. The convoy departed from Glenmarie after a quick bite and briefing.
Watch our video coverage on the drive to Penang, then the visit to the new assembly facility the next day in Kulim.
The collaboration between Mazda and Inokom started back in year 2011, with the production of Mazda3. Speaking of which, we found that the second generation Mazda3 is still in production in Kulim, with about 100 units left to completion. The second CKD model started production in mid 2013, that’s the Mazda CX-5.
As local demands on Mazda vehicles grow, supply has to keep up. Econ101 right there. Mazda Malaysia invested a total of
RM100 million
 to setup the trim and final assembly facility, which has a production capacity of
20,000 vehicles annually
.
Officiating the plant were Mr. Masatoshi Maruyama, Executive Director and General Manager of Mazda, Hiroshima Plant and En. Rizal Jailan, Managing Director of Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd.
“Aiming to make Malaysia a key production base in the ASEAN region, we established Mazda Malaysia, a joint sales and production company with Bermaz Motor, in September 2012”, said Mr. Maruyama. “Since then, we have been building up our business structure to establish a robust local production base”, he added.
“Together with Mazda Motor Company & Mazda Malaysia, we will continue to enhance our plant in Kulim as we believe there is ample growth in today’s automotive landscape” said En. Rizal Jailan. Inokom does contract assembly for many other automakers as well, such as Hyundai, BMW, MINI and Land Rover. Out of Inokom’s total output,
40%
 are Mazda vehicles.
However, the facility does not only serve local orders. Half of what produced here are sent to
Thailand
as well. Mazda Corporation is said to have also been supporting Malaysian market by supplying CBU models meant for other countries here, to meet delivery time.
Also present were Mr. Horoshi Inoue, Executive Officer in-charge of New Emerging Market Operation and Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, Managing Director of Bermaz Motor.
“Mazda is now very famous for making customers wait”, said Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh jokingly during the press conference. He is however optimistic that with the new dedicated facility, it is able to achieve what Mazda is gearing towards: to meet local demands. You will be glad to know that, the current waiting period of 6 months can be cut short to about 6 weeks.
The next CKD model in line is the new
Mazda3 SkyActiv
, set to roll out from the Kulim plant by end of 2014.
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IMAGE GALLERY


2015 BMW 1 Series shows its new face, new engines and less emission [+Video]

The BMW 1 Series has just received its
Life Cycle Impulse
 (LCI), after four years in the market. The nose and tail gets a significant redesign, making it look like almost an all-new car. Not only that, the new 1 Series is equipped with the latest version of BMW’s
EfficientDynamics
 technology to further bring down the emission and the fuel consumption.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 116d
BMW 118d
BMW 120d
Engine
1,496 cc 3-cylinder TwinPower Turbo diesel
1,995 cc 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo diesel
1,995 cc 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo diesel
Max Power
116 hp @ 4,000 rpm
150 hp @ 4,000 rpm
190 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Max Torque
270 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,250 rpm
320 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,000 rpm
400 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
0-100 km/h
10.3 seconds
8.3 seconds / 8.1 seconds (auto) / 8.4 seconds (xDrive)
7.1 seconds / 7.0 seconds (auto) / 6.8 seconds (xDrive)
Top Speed
200 km/h
212 km/h / 210 km/h (xDrive)
228 km/h / 222 km/h (xDrive)
Fuel Consumption
3.7 – 4.1 l/100 km / 3.6 – 4.1 l/100 km (auto)
4.0 – 4.3 l/100 km / 3.8 – 4.2 l/100 km (auto) / 4.3 – 4.7 l/100 km (xDrive)
4.1 – 4.5 l/100 km / 3.9 – 4.3 l/100 km (auto) / 4.3 – 4.7 l/100 km (xDrive)

Name
BMW 125d
BMW 116i
BMW 118i
Engine
1,995 cc 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo diesel
1,499 cc 3-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
1,598 cc 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
Max Power
224 hp @ 4,400 rpm
109 hp @ 4,500 – 6,000 rpm
136 hp @ 4,400 – 6,450 rpm
Max Torque
450 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,000 rpm
180 Nm @ 1,250 rpm
220 Nm @ 1,350 – 4,300 rpm
0-100 km/h
6.3 seconds
10.9 seconds
8.5 seconds / 8.7 seconds (auto)
Top Speed
240 km/h
195 km/h
210 km/h
Fuel Consumption
4.3 – 4.6 l/100 km
5.0 – 5.4 l/100 km
5.4 – 5.7 l/100 km / 5.6 – 5.9 l/100 km (auto)

Name
BMW 120i
BMW 125i
BMW M135i
Engine
1,598 cc 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
1,997 cc 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
2,979 cc 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
Max Power
177 hp @ 4,400 – 6,450 rpm
218 hp @ 5,000 rpm
326 hp @ 5,800 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
310 Nm @ 1,350 – 4,800 rpm
450 Nm @ 1,300 – 4,500 rpm
0-100 km/h
7.4 seconds / 7.2 seconds (auto)
6.4 seconds / 6.2 seconds (auto)
5.1 seconds / 4.9 seconds (auto) / 4.7 seconds (xDrive)
Top Speed
225 km/h / 222 km/h (auto)
245 km/h / 243 km.h (auto)
250 km/h
Fuel Consumption
5.7 – 6.0 l/100 km / 5.6 – 5.9 l/100 km (auto)
6.6 – 6.7 l/100 km / 6.3 – 6.5 l/100 km (auto)
8.0 l/100km / 7.5 l/100 km (auto) / 7.8 l/100 km (xDrive)

Available in both three and five door guise, the new 1 Series is offered in a wide range of engines ranging from the new 3-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol and diesel in the 116i and the 116d, all the way up to the 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo in the M135i.
EXTERIOR
The outgoing 1 Series had a face that only a mother could love, but BMW did the right thing by giving it a face that’s easier to everyone’s eyes. A new pair of kidney grille is complemented by a pair of new headlamps with
LED Daytime Running Lights
 as standard. This requires for a new bumper to be fitted, with a trio of redesigned apertures.
The back now looks more like a BMW with the new
L-shaped LED tail lamps
 that stretches across the boot. Below that, a pair of reflectors have been added to the reshaped rear bumper.
INTERIOR

The interior is mostly left untouched, which is fine the way it is. Although standard equipment now includes
auto air cond and wipers
,
BMW Radio Professional
 and
iDrive
 with a
high-res 6.5-inch screen
, as well as
Tyre Pressure Indicator
. Seat design, upholstery, and trims varies from the choice of Advantage, Sport Line, Urban Line, and M Sport packages.
PERFORMANCE
The
116d
 occupies the bottom of the diesel range with a
1.5-litre 3-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
 diesel engine generating a measly
116 hp
 but
270 Nm
 of torque. It’s a frugal diesel mill too, in the
116d EfficientDynamics Edition
 it averages
3.4 – 3.8 l/100 km
.
Another diesel engine offered is a
2.0-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
 in the
 118d
,
120d
, and
125d
. In the 118d it produces
150 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque, while in the
120d
 it produces
 40 hp more
 and
80 Nm more torque
 than the 118d.
The
125d
 is the most powerful diesel 1 Series, pushing out
224 hp
 and a heady
 450 Nm
 of torque. It gets from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
6.3 seconds
 with a
top speed
 of
240 km/h
.
The petrol range kicks off with the
116i
 with a
1.5-litre 3-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
 generating just
109 hp
 and
180 Nm
 of torque. Next is the
118i
 and the
 120i
 with a
 1.6-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
. Power output is
136 hp
 and
 220 Nm
 for the former and
177 hp
 and
250 Nm
 for the latter.
A petrol
2.0-litre 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
 can be found in the
125i
. Here it produces
218 hp
 and
310 Nm
 of torque, sending the 125i from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
6.2 seconds
 and all the way to the
top speed
 of
 245 km/h
.
Topping the 1 Series range is the hot
M135i
, the only 1 series with a
3.0-litre 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
 powerplant. Developing
326 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque, it can sprint from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
4.9 seconds
 while the
 top speed
 is capped at
250 km/h
.
Depending on the variant, a choice of a
6-speed manual
 or an
8-speed automatic
 gearbox are offered, and the 8-speed auto has been reprogrammed for better efficiency with transmission management supported by navigation data.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Every 1 Series is rear-wheel driven, but the 118d, 120d, and the M135i have the option for the
xDrive all-wheel drive
 system. Customers can further enhance their 1 Series’ handling with the optional
Variable Sports Steering
, adaptive suspension,
M sport suspension
, and M Sport braking system.
Additionally, the
BMW ConnectedDrive
 driver assistance system now includes the camera-based
Driving Assistant
, rear-view camera and Speed Limit Info system with No Passing Info display, the radar-based
Active Cruise Control
 system with Stop & Go function, and the latest version of
Parking Assistant
 with automatic transverse parking.
The updated 1 Series is expected to make its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, but no date has been set yet for the Malaysian launch. So in the meantime, feast your eyes to the image gallery below.
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IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign prototype may just be the ultimate GT-R

Nissan together with Italdesign has just created a prototype vehicle, the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign. This one-off prototype is the first-ever collaboration between the Japanese automaker and Italian car design house to celebrate the 50
th
 anniversary of the GT-R and Italdesign.
Based on the
2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo
, the GT-R50 was created “without any restrictions”. The result is a radical muscular machine with a touch of Italian flare. The hood now has a more pronounced bulge and thin LED headlamps that stretches from the wheel arch to the lip above the outer cooling intake. From the side, the visual impact comes from the lowered roofline (-54 mm) and a slightly raised outer portion to give the car a muscular silhouette.

The GT-R’s iconic twin round taillights have been reimagined as a floating item piece – reminds me of the Ferrari 488 GTB if you asked me. The entire rear section is completely bespoke giving the car lots of flare and muscular stance, not like the standard GT-R Nismo was lacking in this department. The retractable rear spoiler when deployed adds a big dose of drama to the car.
Inside, the GT-R50 by Italdesign took a more minimalistic approach with two different carbon fibre finishes applied generously across the centre console. Gone are the GT-R’s bulky centre display and an array of control buttons, replaced by three main control buttons. Other items include a revised steering wheel, LCD instrument cluster display and lightweight bucket seats.
The GT-R50 is not all show and no go. The VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 now develops a whopping
720 hp
 and
780 Nm
 of torque thanks to GT3 competition-spec turbochargers, larger intercooler, heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and bearings, high-flow piston oil jets; revised camshaft profiles, higher-flow fuel injectors, and optimized ignition, intake and exhaust systems. Yep, quite an extensive upgrade.
The reinforced six-speed dual-clutch sequential transmission is tasked to drive power to all four wheels. Suspension and brakes have all been beefed up to handle the increased output. Michelin Pilot Super Sport is the rubber of choice to keep the GT-R50 on the ground.
On whether this is the next-generation Godzilla, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Global Design, Alfonso Albaisa said: “Although this is not the next-generation GT-R, it is an exciting celebration of two anniversaries in a provocative and creative way – wrapping one of Nissan’s best engineering platforms and Japanese design with Italian coachbuilding.”
IMAGE GALLERY


The Lexus UX makes its world debut – a baby Lexus for the hip and urban

The new Lexus UX has made its world debut after being unveiled as the brand’s first ever compact luxury crossover at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Specifically aimed at those in their 30s, its contemporary design will undoubtedly be relevant to the young urban car buyers.
It’s the first Lexus to use the brand’s GA-C (Global Architecture–Compact) platform; consisting of a super-rigid structure with the lowest  center of gravity compared to any vehicle in its class.
The Lexus UX will be available in two versions: the UX 200 packs
168 hp
 from a 2.0-litre, four cylinder engine linked to a Direct Shift CVT gearbox while the UX250h delivers a combined
176 hp
, pairing the same 2.0-litre engine with a hybrid drive system called the
Predictive Efficient Drive
 that’s able to learn and adapt to the owner’s driving habits.
Unlike conventional CVT transmissions, the Lexus Direct Shift CVT uses an additional gearset that reduces the need for the CVT’s pulleys and belt to be used for moving the car from a stop, giving the UX a quicker, more linear acceleration feeling.

As for the UX250h, its batteries and cooling system are located under the rear seats to maximise cabin and cargo space. The E-Four system gives the UX 250h all-wheel drive capabilities by using an additional electric motor on the rear axle. When the rear-wheel loses grip, power sent to the rear is increased to around 80 per cent, at speeds up to 70km/h, for better traction.
Contributing to the exceptional driving agility is the combination of MacPherson front suspension with a double wishbone system at the back. There’s also an Electronic Power Steering System that offers immediate response to the driver’s steering input.
Being the smallest Lexus SUV, the appeal of the UX is its size and at a mere
4.5 metres
 long, it’s sure to offer maneuverability through tight spaces and convenience of parking. The compact exterior is enveloped with Lexus’ signature Spindle Grille, front and rear fender flares, Lexus’ L-shaped lighting signature with daytime running lights.
The back houses a new Lexus signature – full-width taillights that project a distinctive night time display formed by
120 LEDs
 that taper toward the center, measuring just 3mm thick at its narrowest point. 17 and 18-inch wheel options will be available, with the five-spoke 17-inch design said to increase the airflow to cool the brakes – having been through computer simulations and wind tunnel tests.
Inside, Lexus drew inspiration from centuries-old Japanese traditions in craftsmanship. Visibility is key in the Lexus UX – the upper section of the instrument panel appears to extend out beyond the windshield, giving the driver an excellent field of vision and a clear sense of the vehicle’s dimensions.
The instrument panel’s low, unobtrusive design and slim A-pillars are also shaped to improve visibility. The UX gives the driver a commanding view of the road as is expected from owning a crossover without compromising its sporty driving position.
On the safety front, the UX is offered with the Lexus Safety System+ which includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS). There’s also the Lexus Co DRIVE that features Lane Tracing Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam and Adaptive High-beam System.
An F SPORT variant is also available for the both UX 200 and UX250h. The package includes a F SPORT suspension tuning, Adaptive Variable Suspension System (AVS), a different rear bumper design, 18-inch alloy wheels and black trims in the front and rear bumpers.
Inside, the F SPORT comes with front sports seats with extra support, Active Sound Control (ASC) for more dramatic up and downshifts, Sonic Interaction Design (SID) that adjusts the engine sound in Sport S+ mode, a signature F SPORT instrument cluster, F SPORT steering wheel, an eight-inch TFT color display and sports aluminum pedals and footrest.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Ford Fiesta facelift launched in Europe, ST gets Track mode!

Ford of Europe has unveiled the mid-life refresh of the
seventh-generation Fiesta
 hatchback. It was unfortunately never offered in the ASEAN region due to its high cost and Ford Thailand’s focus on pick-ups, where the predecessor was assembled.
Apart from the usual bumper and rim styling changes, Ford designers have also increased the height of the bonnet to better match the new grille that sports the Blue Oval emblem. The tail lamps have been added with black surrounds for a more sophisticated appearance.
The headlamps are standard LED units, while the higher range Matrix LED headlamps includes an advanced automatic high beam (AHB) feature called Glare-Free High Beam. A front-mounted camera detects oncoming vehicles and cancels out just that portion of the high beam to provide the Fiesta driver with uninterrupted lighting as well as not glaring the driver opposite.
The Matrix LED headlamps also adjust their lighting beam according to adverse weather.
For the SUV-inspired Active variant, the front grille has been made wider and added with vertical gloss black bars and even larger corner vents to better reflect the taller crossover stance. The unpainted lower body claddings are also combined with a higher ground clearance of 150 mm in the new Ford Fiesta Active.
As for the high-performance Ford Fiesta ST, the hot-hatch gets aerodynamics optimised front spoiler, side skirts, rear spoiler and diffuser in body colour, contrasted by new Chrystaline Grey-painted upper and lower grilles. The ST Mean Green colour featured in the official photographs is also new for the facelift model.
Under the bonnet of the new Ford Fiesta ST lies a tweaked 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Maximum torque has now been raised from 290 Nm to
320 Nm
(similar to the new 2.0TSI

Polo GTI
) within a band of 1,600 to 4,000 rpm while peak horsepower is maintained at
200 hp
.
The additional torque output did not decrease the benchmark century sprint time, still at
6.5 seconds
. Drivers however can experience a more agile and nimble new Ford Fiesta ST on closed circuits thanks to the new Track mode which liberates the electronic stability control.
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is still optional, similar to Hyundai’s latest
i20 N

junior hot-hatch.
Inside of the facelifted Ford Fiesta, the driver’s instrument cluster comes with an option of a massive 12.3-inch fully configurable TFT digital screen. The new Fiesta ST meanwhile gets a pair of new 14-way Performance Seats that are developed to provide even greater support.
The half-a-million dollars Ford GT in Malaysia! Read here to know who owns it and the reason for its sudden appearance!

The central infotainment system called SYNC 3 is an 8-inch sized touchscreen with pinch and swipe functionality and buyers can even specify a B&O (Bang & Olufsen) Sound System with 10 speakers with a 575-watt DSP amplifier.
As for engine choices for the regular Fiesta models, four levels of power outputs are available from a single 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, with two electrified choices. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost Hybrid engine has output levels of either
125 hp
 or
155 hp
 and continues to be paired to an 11.5 kW belt integrated starter-generator (BISG) module and 48-volt system.
Thanks to engine overboost as well as the BISG module, the maximum combined system torque available is
240 Nm
 at 2,500 rpm in the high output EcoBoost Hybrid.
Conventional engines meanwhile maintain the
100 hp
 and
125 hp
 output and are only mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Drivers who want an automatic new Ford Fiesta need not think much, as Ford is only offering the new Fiesta EcoBoost Hybrid 125 hp paired with a 7-speed Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmission with the 0 to 100 km/h sprint taking
9.9 seconds
 or one second slower than the flagship EcoBoost Hybrid 155 hp with manual transmission.
All-new Ford Ranger tested in mud, sand, rocks and even snow! Full reveal this year and deliveries to start in 2022. More images here!
As for safety features, the new Ford Fiesta adds a Wrong Way Alert to warning drivers should they drive through “No Entry” signs on highway ramps. The connected module in the new Ford Fiesta also provides Live Traffic updates and local hazard information to further support the driver in safe driving.
GALLERY


The exhaust note of the new Hyundai Elantra N has got us excited!

Hyundai N has made another teaser content for the upcoming Elantra N high-performance sedan.
The fifth addition to the growing line-up of N vehicles is scheduled for full unveiling next week, the morning of
July 14th
. Hyundai N currently is available on the hatchback models (
i20
N
,
i30 N
 and
Veloster N
) as well as the recently launched Kona N.

The sound clip sure has the same aural delight from the brand’s high-output 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with
280 hp
 and
392 Nm
 of torque. The sound is also highlighted by the exhaust crackling from the variable exhaust valve.
Listen to the new Porsche 911 GT3 warming its clutch at 6,300 rpm and blast off to over 300 km/h!
The engine could be paired to either an enthusiast-friendly 6-speed manual transmission or a fast-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels in the other N models. The fastest sprinting model is the
Hyundai Kona N
 which hits 100 km/h in
5.5 seconds
 from a standstill.
The static image of this sound clip teaser is also strewn with two- and three-alphabet acronyms, some of which are Hyundai N technologies such as ELSD,
NPS, NGS, NTS
, ECS and NES.
Key features in full-fledged Hyundai N cars include downshift rev-matching, sports-tuned suspension, tailored-made HN-marked Pirelli P Zero tyres and upgraded braking system. A lot of fine-tuning of the chassis and powertrain is also done at the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife.


This is not your average Euro NCAP crash test video

You’ve seen us post countless videos of ASEAN/Euro NCAP crash test videos – from the recent
 5-star ASEAN NCAP
 rating given to the
all-new Perodua Myvi
 to the
0-star Euro NCAP
 rating given to the refreshed Fiat Punto.
But nothing would prepare you for this – Koenigsegg’s highlight reel from their crash tests – in celebration of their Instagram account acquiring
 one million followers
.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Koenigsegg (@koenigsegg)
The choice of music, as you’d agree, is highly questionable but there’s no doubt how amusing it is to watch Koenigseggs being smashed into the wall, slammed into pillars, crushed from its roof down and even knocked with hammers.
What’s also interesting to note is that, as the car crashes head-on into the wall in slow-motion, you actually notice the energy transfer from the front bumpers onwards to the A-pillar and subsequently “released” through the windows.


Hyundai reveals new automatic charging robot for electric vehicles

Hyundai has revealed an
automatic charging robot (ACR)
 for electric vehicles with a video to show off its seamless charging capabilities. The ACR is a one-arm robot capable of plugging a cable into an electric vehicle’s charging port and removing it again once charging is complete.
As you can see from the video, the car is parked in the charging bay using the Remote Smart Parking Assist feature. Once parked, the ACR communicates wirelessly with the vehicle to open the cover of the charging port. Once opened, the ACR calculates the exact location and angle of the charging port using a camera.

To achieve this, Hyundai developed an algorithm that applies
3D camera-based artificial intelligence technology
 to robots. The next generation of such technology is said to be capable of accurately handling heavier chargers.
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The robot then plugs the charger into the vehicle’s charging port, thus starting the charging process. When charging is complete, the robot removes the charger and remotely closes the cover of the vehicle’s charging port.
As more EV chargers are outdoors, Hyundai even built a custom outdoor charging station to evaluate the performance of the ACR in various weather conditions. As such, the ACR has been able to secure water and dustproof certifications (grade IP65) and can stably operate in extreme conditions. To prevent accidents, the ACR is also fitted with laser sensors allowing it to detect stationary and moving objects.
“The ACR will help to make EV-charging easier and more convenient, especially in dark environments. It will also improve accessibility, particularly for people with mobility barriers as charging cables become thicker and heavier to enable high-speed charging,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab, Hyundai Motor Group.
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BMW X1, Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq 6 named finalists for 2023 World Car of the Year award