McLaren MCL35: Do you like your papaya matte?

The struggles of the McLaren team in Formula 1 have been well documented in recent year, but the 2019 season saw them turn the corner with a ‘
best of the rest
’ fourth place finish in the constructors’ championship, even a
podium finish
.
With
Andreas Seidl
 settling into his role as team boss, two hungry and talented drivers who genuinely get along well, and a few more sponsors on board for 2020, McLaren may well feature more regularly on podiums with the new
MCL35
.
Matte paint job aside (which saves a few grams, mind you), the MCL35 does look like it had undergone a strict fitness regime over winter to emerge
looking sleeker and fitter
, looking quite different from last year’s car which was compromised by a late power unit switch from Honda to Renault.For 2021, McLaren will race with
Mercedes
power.

McLaren has also published an exhaustive technical specifications for the MCL35 (see below), and it does make for a good read for F1 nerds.
Chassis
Monocoque
Carbon fibre composite, incorporating driver controls and fuel cell
Safety structures
 Cockpit survival cell incorporating impact resistant construction and anti-penetration panels, front impact structure, prescribed side impact structures, integrated rear impact structure, front and rear roll structures, Halo secondary roll structure
Bodywork
Carbon fibre composite, including engine cover, sidepods, floor, nose, front wing and rear wing with driver-operated drag reduction system
Front suspension
 Carbon fibre wishbone and pushrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Rear suspension
 Carbon fibre wishbone and pullrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Weight
Overall vehicle weight 746kg (including driver, excluding fuel); weight distribution between 45.4% and 46.4%
Electronics
McLaren Applied. Including chassis control, power unit control, data acquisition, sensors, data analysis and telemetry
Instruments
McLaren Applied dashboard
Brake system
 Akebono brake calipers and master cylinders; Akebono ‘brake by wire’ rear brake control system; Carbon discs and pads
 Steering Power-assisted rack and pinion
Tyres
Pirelli P Zero
Race wheels
 Enkei
Paint
AkzoNobel Sikkens products
Cooling systems
 Marelli charge air, engine oil and ERS cooling systems
Advanced manufacturing
 Stratasys 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Mazak Advanced Technology Solutions
Power unit
Power unit type
 Renault E-Tech 20
Minimum weight
 145 kg
Primary PU components
 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE); Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K), Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H), Energy Store (ES) Turbocharger, Control Electronics
Internal combustion engine
Capacity
1.6 litres
Cylinders
Six
Bank angle
 90-degree vee angle
No of valves
 24
Max speed
 15,000 rpm
Max fuel flow rate
 100 kg/hour (above 10,500 rpm)
Fuel consumption
 110 kg ‘lights to flag’ regulated fuel capacity limit
Fuel injection
 Direct injection, single injector per cylinder, 500 bar max
Pressure charging
Single-stage compressor and exhaust turbine, common shaft
Energy recovery system
Architecture
 Integrated Hybrid energy recovery via Motor Generator Units, Crankshaft coupled electrical MGU-K, Turbocharger coupled electrical MGU-H
Energy store
 Lithium-Ion battery, between 20 and 25 kg, Maximum energy storage, 4 MJ per lap
MGU-K
 Maximum speed, 50,000 rpm, Maximum power, 120 kW, Maximum energy recovery, 2 MJ per lap, Maximum energy deployment, 4 MJ per lap
MGU-H
 Maximum speed >125,000 rpm, Maximum power, unlimited, Maximum energy recovery, unlimited, Maximum energy deployment, unlimited
Transmission
Gearbox
 Carbon fibre composite main case, longitudinally mounted
Gear ratios
 Eight forward and one reverse
Gear selection
 Electro-hydraulically operated seamless shift
Differential
Epicyclic differential with multi-plate limited slip clutch
Clutch
Electro-hydraulically operated, carbon multi-plate


2016 Honda Civic Euro will get two downsized turbocharged engines – 1.0L and 1.5L

The
10th generation Honda Civic
 that was recently revealed has already made its way down the production line. However, models destined for European markets will get an additional turbocharged engine on top of the new 1.5-litre unit.
As the title points out, the 1.5-litre engine will be joined by a smaller
1.0-litre turbocharged VTEC engine
 and is part of Honda’s growing Earth Dreams Technology range. Honda first introduced their blown VTEC engine with the debut of the
new Civic Type R
. The
2.0-litre inline-four
 engine makes a hardcore
306 hp
 and
 400 Nm
 of torque, all of which are sent to the front wheels.
Little is known about the 1.0-litre engine at press time, but Honda claims that it will deliver a combination of dynamic performance, class-leading output and excellent fuel economy – just some key characteristics we’ve heard plenty other manufacturers came forth claiming. That said, the engine will be based on a completely new structure and will feature direct injection and variable valve motion technology to reduce friction.
Honda also says that the engine will
match or

outperform
 outputs of larger naturally aspirated engines, but no numbers have been revealed to back that claim yet. Its performance is courtesy of a turbocharger with low moment of inertia and high responsiveness which helps achieve a balance between high output and torque.
The new Civic (Euro-spec) will officially arrive in Europe by 2017. That should be a clear indication of when we should expect it to hit Malaysian showrooms, no?
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda Urban EV Concept to debut soon, Nissan Leaf & Renault Zoe rival?

Honda is all geared up for the 67
th
 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) to unveil the company’s next steps in Electric Vision, starting with the world premiere of its first electric vehicle for Europe, the Honda Urban EV Concept.
The new Urban EV Concept is said to set the foundation for a future production model, but whether it will make it to the production line remains to be seen. No other information was released but the term “Urban” is highly suggestive of a
compact model for the city
, presumably to challenge the likes of
Nissan Leaf
 and
Renault Zoe
.
Alongside the new concept, Honda will also be showcasing the
CR-V Hybrid
 Prototype, marking the European-market debut of the fifth-generation SUV. Besides that, the
facelifted Jazz
 and
diesel-powered Civic FC hatchback
 will also make its public debut at the 2017 IAA.


Proton foresees turnaround, gets RM1.5 billion loan from Msian Govt

A week after the Malaysian Ministry of Trade and Finance (MITI)
issued an ultimatum to Proton
, the cabinet went on to approve a loan of RM1.5 billon applied by the national carmaker, a sum which will be used to pay its vendors. The move is necessary to ensure the welfare of 12,000 Proton employees and 50,000 staff from its vendors.
Once again, Proton receives a helping hand. Proton’s CEO, Dato’ Ahmad Fuaad Kenali said “The announcement by the Government will catalyse PROTON’s turnaround plan which includes the rolling out of three new models this year starting with the Perdana. With the infusion of new members of management, the Company is confident to turnaround.
As we previously reported,
Proton has to meet four critical conditions for it to escape death
. In light of that, the government will form a taskforce, comprised of  six individuals from both the public and private sectors, to be led by Datuk Seri Idris Jala to foresee Proton’s transformation.
With the new Proton Perdana coming very soon, let’s hope this will mark the dawn of a new era for our struggling automotive company.
[Source: The Star]


All-new 2019 Toyota Avalon to feature new sequential turn signals

Toyota USA
 has just released a short teaser of the all-new 2019 Toyota Avalon which will be making its debut later this month.
The video shows off the fifth generation sedan’s new rear lighting design with visually-enticing sequential turn signals. It looks like a cross between the rear lights of the
Lexus NX
 and the
 Lexus LC 500
 even, without sounding too audacious.
New Year, new attitude. First look at the all-new
#Avalon
 coming soon from 2018
@NAIASDetroit
.
https://t.co/Ge5MCCZJ23

#NAIAS

pic.twitter.com/Xv8hXlcXcG
— Toyota USA (@Toyota)
January 4, 2018
While it may not be the latest, cutting-edge technology in turn signals – as was previously seen in the
Lexus RX
 and
B9 Audi A4
, it’s a vague indication of the Avalon’s new, more stylish direction. As
MotorTrend
 reported, the Avalon is expected to be equipped with a dual panel moonroof and heads-up display.
Locally, the eighth-generation Toyota Camry,
just launched in Japan recently
, should be
making its way here
 sometime this or next year.


BMW fights back, plans to launch no less than 40 cars in the next two years

For the first time in over a decade, BMW has lost the volume game to Mercedes-Benz and sales of BMW cars also slipped to a six-year low.
In a rather surprising and ambitious announcement, the Bavarian giant said they would be unveiling 40 variants in the next two years, including the new BMW X2 and full-sized X7 crossover.
BMW CEO, Mr Harald Krueger said, “
We are launching the biggest model offensive ever and have begun a transformation unlike anything our company has seen before.”
Apparently, reception of the all-new
BMW 7 Series
 fell short of expectations and couldn’t challenge the
Mercedes-Benz W222 S-Class
. This lacklustre effect also trickled down to the much anticipated
G30 BMW 5 Series
. To combat this, Krueger plans on shifting the focus to profitability instead of sales. This will conserve resources for the costly transition into an era of self-driving cars, electric vehicles and the fully autonomous iNext in 2021.
BMW also said they would invest at a higher rate compared to the 5.16 billion euros (RM24.7 billion, and that’s just 5.5 percent of their revenue) they spent on R&D last year. Despite the increased cost, BMW projects a rise in profit and revenue in 2017, albeit by a small margin.
Besides the 40 new variants, there are also plans to expand the top-of-the-line luxury vehicles that will complement the 7 Series. The goal here, it seems, is to challenge Mercedes-Benz and make BMW the strongest brand in this segment and significantly increase sales volumes and revenues by 2020.
Throughout 2016, BMW sold 2 million cars (up by 5.2 percent over 2015) whereas Mercedes-Benz sold 2.08 million vehicles (up by 11 percent over 2015).


Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition: No more Evolution after this?

Evolution
– a noun in the English language better known to petrolheads as an iconic Japanese four-door saloon. For two and a half decades, the “Evolution” moniker took what was otherwise a regular and mundane Japanese saloon and turned it into a fast and ferocious rally machine that terrorised virtually all surfaces on planet earth. Off dirt, this car in street-cred form is still worshipped by petrolheads all over the world, most of them diehard Evo loyalists.
And as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and so we bid farewell (and a mandatory hat tip) to the
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
.
Mitsubishi gave the tenth-generation Lancer Evolution (on sale in Japan since 2007) its swan song by unveiling the
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition
. This 1,600-unit grand finale will only be bound for the United States, and it’ll sadly be Mitsubishi’s final foray into their turbocharged all-wheel drive saloons. It’s based on the GSR spec but is tuned to make
 303 horsepower
. The 2.0-litre inline-four engine is mated to a sole
five-speed manual transmission
.
The ride and handling department is enhanced with a combination of
Blisten shocks
 and
Eibach springs
, whereas stopping power is courtesy of Brembo. As per other Evos, this car will have Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system, together with Active Yaw Control, Active Centre Differential System and Active Stability Control.

Apart from the gloss-black roof and the Enkei rims, another way of distinguishing the legitimacy of this Final Edition is via the
badge
 slapped onto its tailgate. However, another handy and fool-proof way is to spot the Final Edition lettering that lights up between the meter clusters. Earlier this year, Japan received 1,000 units of such cars for its domestic market.
If this is not depressing enough, then we have more bad news for you. The company chairman and CEO, Osamu Masuko said “there won’t be anymore Evo performance brand to be used on future saloon models.” We wished it was April Fool’s day, but this time they’re serious about throwing in the towel.

Looking back at things, the recent success of hot hatches such as the
Volkswagen Golf GTI/R
,
Ford Focus ST/RS
 and
Renault Megane RS
 have hastened super saloons such as the Lancer Evolution and
Subaru WRX STI
 into the zone of irrelevance.
Current regulations are favouring small and mainstream B-segment cars such as the Ford Fiesta, Citroen DS3 and Volkswagen Polo as World Rally Cars; all of which outperform the usual Lancer Evolution and WRX STI be it on asphalt, gravel or snow surfaces. To be honest, when both Mitsubishi and Subaru pulled out from world rallying citing the decline of the world economy a decade ago, the fact is both companies had sadly lost its “
mojo
“.
The struggling Mitsubishi faced problems developing new models and there was no immediate successor planned for the current crop of Lancers up to this point. With the
Subaru Impreza WRX STI
seen playing second fiddle behind some increasingly popular European hot hatches (add Mitsubishi’s diminishing resources to the equation), it’s probably best for Mitsubishi to pull the Evo plug for good.
The reality is
passenger saloons are in a decline
as buyers are favouring compact crossovers over small or mid-sized saloons. Case in point – earlier this year,
Mitsubishi in the United States
 were relying on the Outlander crossover and Mirage subcompact car to draw profits while it struggled in Japan and Europe. Traditional rivals Subaru has also joined the crossover foray with the introduction of the XV, which
bears fruit to the company’s coffers
 in the States.
With that, the company is now focusing on developing
 a new mainstream SUV,
using its plug-in hybrid powertrain to counter its rivals. This points to the direction of the
XR-PHEV II
 model (pictured above) that was previewed at the Geneva motor show earlier this year, and it’s set to be the company’s trump card against other compact crossovers in the market.
So this begs the question. Will the Evolution stop
evolving
? Apparently, not yet. Mitsubishi’s gamble in making a fast compact crossover with an electrically assisted internal combustion engine could be something as evolutionary as pumping 280 bhp into a 2.0-litre engine.
And if they play their cards right, we could be looking at Japan’s first revolutionary performance compact crossover that’s both
fast and eco-friendly
. That said, the wait won’t be long, for a surprise looms at the end of this month when the 44th Tokyo Motor Shows kicks off. Surely, a certain car clothed in veil bearing the Mitsubishi badge will be something pretty interesting…
News Source: Autocar UK, Car & Driver, Image Source: Mitsubishi


TNB buys a fleet of Toyota Hiluxes: 292 units to be used by staffs

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the largest power company in Southeast Asia, has acquired
292 units
 of
Toyota Hiluxes
. The move is in line with UMW Toyota Motor’s commitment to serve its corporate customers better, and the company has delivered the first batch of 100 units during the launch and the remaining 192 units will be delivered in batches.
The first batch of 100 units was delivered to TNB at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS). It’s also where the keys were handed over from UMW’s Director of Operation Support Group, Mr Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain to TNB’s Senior GM of Procurement and Vendor Management Distribution Division, Mr Mohd Adibi bin Ambak.
During his speech, Mohd Shamsor expressed his gratitude by thanking TNB for choosing the Toyota brand and TNB’s continuous support in UMW Toyota Motor. He also said TNB’s core activities include transmission and distribution of electricity, thus requiring reliable and durable day-to-day vehicles.
Besides supplying the pick-up trucks, UMW Toyota will also be providing TNB their needs with regards to after-sales service, timely vehicle delivery as well as product and technical training.
The Hilux is Malaysia’s best selling pick-up truck, boasting sales figure over
180,000
 since its market introduction back in 2005 with close to 50 percent market share.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
Event

2015 Toyota Hilux facelift


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ sedan – RM420k, 669km range

The fifth electric vehicle (EV) by
Mercedes-Benz
to join the ‘EQ’ lineup in Malaysia is the
Mercedes-Benz EQE 350
+
. Available as a single variant only, the EQE 350+ fetches a price of
RM419,888
.
Looking largely similar to the
Mercedes-Benz EQS
 (and built on the same EVA platform), the EQE is smaller and has a sedan-like trunk as opposed to the EQS’s ‘sport back’ rear end. There is also no light bar that runs across the front end, making it easier to differentiate from the EQS at night.
Illuminating the road ahead is a set of Digital Light matrix LED headlights that flank a rather underwhelming black panel with the brand’s emblem. At the rear is a set of three-dimensional helical taillights.
Like the EQS, the EQE also features electric retractable door handles, that, together with the ‘one-bow silhouette’, contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.22. Sprucing up the looks of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ is an AMG Line body kit and a set of 19-inch AMG-style alloy wheels.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Sedan launched in Malaysia, fully-electric E-Class from RM420k
Powering the EQE 350+ is a single electric motor that turns the rear wheels only. Producing
215 kW (292 hp)
and
565 Nm
, the motor accelerates the EQE 350+ from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.4 seconds
, which is conservative by EV standards. The top speed of the EQE 350+ is electronically limited at 210 km/h.
Responsible for storing power in the EQE is a
90.6-kWh
 battery pack that provides
669 km
 of range (WLTP). Charging can be done at a maximum rate of
11 kW
 with AC charging and
170 kW
 with DC fast charging. With 11-kW AC charging, the 90.6-kWh battery takes
8 hours
 to fully charge. With 170-kW DC fast charging, the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in approximately
30 minutes
.
RELATED:
New Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV unveiled with 687 hp AMG version, up to 590 km range
Inside, the EQE 350+ doesn’t have the hyperscreen. However, it is available in higher-tier variants of the Mercedes-Benz EQE which are not sold in Malaysia. Replacing the supposed screen in front of the front-passenger seat is a panel which is decorated with the Mercedes-Benz stars. With the ‘regular’ screen layout, the dashboard of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ looks similar to that of the
W206 Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG Line
.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance debuts – V8 PHEV, 0-100km/h in 3.3 secs
In theme with the AMG bodykit and styling of the exterior, the cabin of the EQE 350+ gets an AMG Line steering wheel, aluminium foot pedals, AMG floor mats, and sports seats. The interior is upholstered in a combination of Artico man-made leather and Microcut microfibre. Other interior highlights include a Burmester sound system with two ‘soundscapes’. There are three artificial driving sounds, namely Silver Waves, Vivid Flux and Roaring Pulse.
RELATED:
Leaked – Next-gen W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class adopts ‘EQ’ grille, landscape screen
Safety features of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ include the Driving Assistance Plus package as standard, which consists of adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go assist, active lane-keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking, among others.
Included in the
RM419,888
 price tag of the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ is a standard four-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, alongside an additional 10-year/250,000 km battery warranty.
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG One reclaims Nürburgring throne – 8 seconds faster than 911 GT2 RS!
GALLERY


All-new Toyota Avanza set to be unveiled in November, moving to front-drive layout

The Toyota Avanza has changed the mobility of many in ASEAN, particularly in Indonesia where it was originally conceived with Daihatsu. The third-generation Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia that is scheduled for launch in November will see a major shift in technology due to the ever-changing demands of consumers as well as manufacturing methods.
Based on Indonesia’s
otodriver.com
 website, the all-new Toyota-Daihatsu multi-seater compact MPV will be launched at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2021 (GIIAS) that is planned from November 11th. The timing to introduce an all-new model also suits the companies well, making it the latest and freshest model after the introduction of the
Mitsubishi Xpander
 which has taken quite a
significant chunk of sales
 from Toyota and Daihatsu.
Just last week, PT Honda Prospect Motor introduced the
all-new Honda BR-V
 that features the full suite of the latest Honda Sensing ADAS. With competitors offering so much more refinement and comfort levels, Toyota and Daihatsu were rumoured to have completely re-engineered that Avanza-Xenia product, moving from a workhorse-like rear-wheel drive and rigid axle set up to a more common front-wheel drive platform.
Indonesia is the only country in the world to have the sporty little Toyota Raize GR Sport. Find out more about its sporting inspirations here!
The duo will continue to be powered by the existing naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines and paired to either a manual transmission or a new CVT automatic transmission from the
Toyota Sienta
. Similar to the all-new Honda BR-V, as well as the pair of
Raize and Rocky
, the all-new Toyota Avanza is expected to feature the Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite that encompasses at least autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning.
The Indonesia websites have also speculated that the all-new Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia duo will have its styling influenced by the Daihatsu DN Multisix concept vehicle from 2017. Many of Daihatsu’s concept car stylings have seen the light of day, such as our
Perodua Ativa
 and Rocky/Raize pair which was all based on the DN TREC concept car.
In the interior of the Daihatsu Multisix Concept, individual seats were fitted on the second row to create an aisle for easier movement to the third row, something that did not really work well in the 2010 Honda Freed.
UMW Toyota Motor has the current generation
Toyota Avanza 1.5
 in three variants, priced from
RM77,963 to RM84,848.50
, equipped with the usual five-year/unlimited mileage warranty coverage.
Daihatsu to equipped Rocky compact SUV with a hybrid system from the end of this year, starting with Japan. More about it here!
GALLERY
2017 Daihatsu DN Multisix Concept Car


This Volkswagen ID.X is basically an electric Golf R hot hatch!

I think I speak for most people that LinkedIn is sort of like the “weird side of the internet” that you basically don’t visit unless you’re in a job that requires you to – or say, when you’re looking for a new job. But successful people like the CEO of Volkswagen, Ralf Brandstätter clearly thinks quite differently than us.
Since he took over the role as CEO of VW Group, Brandstätter has been posting a myriad of valuable information on the “professional networking” site, including further details about the
 Project Trinity
. And this time, he’s once again taken to LinkedIn to give us a first look at the
Volkswagen ID.X
!
According to the post, the ID.X is clearly labelled as a “concept car”, and will not be for sale. But frankly, judging by the reaction in the comments section, and how much work has gone into it, it’s hard to see Volkswagen
not
 wanting to sell this car. Plus, remember when VW themselves hinted at the possibility of a
 ID.3 ‘R’
?
The Volkswagen ID.X takes most of its guts from the
recently-launched ID.4 GTX
, and stuffing them into the body of the smaller
ID.3 hatchback
. These include the GTX’s four-wheel drive electric drivetrain which makes
220 kW (295 hp)
, alongside its larger 82 kWh battery.
But Volkswagen didn’t just put a more powerful motor in there and call it a day. Aside from more performance, the German carmaker also managed to shave off a tonne (figuratively) of weight, making it 200 kg lighter than its “ID sibling with a similar battery pack”.
As a result, the electric hot hatch “prototype” launches itself to 100 km/h from a standstill in just
5.3 seconds
. For context, that’s just 0.6 seconds off the pace of Volkswagen’s own balls-to-the-wall petrol-powered
Golf R
 hot hatch, and it’s even 0.4 seconds faster than the
Golf GTI Clubsport
! Additionally, this being two individually-powered axle, it also comes with a drift mode – just like the Golf R.
To complement its extra performance, Volkswagen has given the ID.X “concept car” some bigger wheels, alongside a generous dashing of neon green colour both inside and out of the electric hot hatch. There also seems to be sportier bucket seats, wrapped in some sort of microfibre material.
Brandstätter ended his post by saying “I have often talked about how versatile our MEB [platform] is. The ID.X makes this very clear. Even if the ID.X will not be a production vehicle, we will take up many ideas.” But really – you want this as a production car, don’t you?
GALLERY


Proton Iriz facelift, more than meets the eye

It’s easy to
brush off
 facelift exercises as cosmetic changes and specification enhancements because we can only appreciate what is before our eyes. But all facelift exercises, whether minor or major, brings about changes that run skin deep.
It is no different for the recently shown
Proton Iriz facelift
. Beyond the restyled exterior and enhanced specification(s) across the board, the national carmaker has improved no less than
367 components
 in the facelifted Iriz.
Proton claims that
with the new improvements, the refreshed Iriz boasts improved braking
performance, NVH levels and fuel consumption. Drivability and reliability are
also said to have improved significantly compared to the older Iriz.
All these were achieved by leveraging on
Proton’s partnership with Geely
. With a partner that sold over 1.5 million cars in 2018, Proton was able to access Geely’s technical expertise and achieve better economies of scale in research and development as well as procurement.
For example, in China,
certain Geely models uses the same Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
sourced from Punch. Since the new partnership, Proton and Geely engineers were
able to share resources and compare notes to further improve the CVT with their
supplier, Punch.
As a result, the notorious
delay of the Punch CVT is a story of the past as the Iriz is now equipped with
a vastly improved version of the CVT that is smoother, more responsive and polished
compared to the pre-facelift model.
New gear lever design on the 1.6L Premium CVT
It won’t be long till Proton
announce the pricing details of the facelifted Iriz (said to happen sometime in
March 2019) but on paper and in person, the refreshed hatchback with the
improvements and new features certainly places it right up there with the competition.
IMAGE GALLERY
Proton Iriz Facelift Preview


You can now drive the Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept… on Gran Turismo Sport

The
Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept
 celebrated its global premiere at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show and now, fans can now drive the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car bearing the legendary Supra nameplate! If you have a PlayStation 4 and Gran Turismo Sport that is.
Gamers can now drive the Supra Racing Concept in the racing simulator game and the developers, Polyphony Digital Inc. promises that every minute detail of the actual concept car was modelled for the game – from the exterior panels to the race-prepped cockpit, giving gamers an immersive experience to push the concept car to the limits on the virtual in-game racetracks.

The in-game Supra Racing Concept conforms to Grand Touring Endurance regulations which put the concept car in the same class as other GT3 race cars. All its visual cues like the wide body, GT wing and livery are all taken straight from the actual model that made its appearance at Geneva.
Of course, a road legal version of the Supra is currently being co-developed with BMW and will share the same underpinnings as the
next-generation BMW Z4
. While the Z4 will be sold as a convertible, Toyota’s sports car will be offered exclusively as a hardtop coupe.
IMAGE GALLERY
Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept on Gran Turismo Sport

Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept


Volvo dropped 10 of its cars from 30 metres to help save lives

In the name of saving lives, Volvo has resorted to their most extreme crash test ever according to the company – by dropping 10 different models (several times) from 30 metres off the ground by using a crane.
The unconventional method was meant to help extrication specialists hone their lifesaving skills. By simulating the forces resulting from an extreme crash, these professionals can prepare for any possible crash scenario beyond what can be simulated with ordinary crash testing.
By dropping these cars continuously, it causes enough damage to adequately simulate damages from the most extreme crash scenarios. Also, in such situations, occupants are likely to be in a critical condition.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM_6EY7T5To
Therefore the priority is to get the passengers out of the car and to a hospital as quickly as possible, using hydraulic rescue tools known in the industry as ‘jaws of life’. Extrication specialists often talk about the “golden hour”; referring to the one hour window they have to release the injured passenger(s) and get them to the hospital.
All findings from the crashes and the resulting extrication work will be collected in an extensive research report. This report will be made available, completely free of use to rescue workers elsewhere, allowing them to benefit from this unconventional experiment.
Normally, rescue workers get their training vehicles from scrapyards but they’re usually up to 20 years old. In terms of steel strength, safety cage construction and overall durability, there is a vast difference between modern cars and those built 15 to 20 years ago. Also because Volvo vehicles are
made of some of the hardest steel found in modern cars
.

Watch this review where we explained just how strong today’s Volvo vehicles are.
By doing so, it helps rescue workers to constantly update themselves with newer car models and review their processes, in order to develop new extrication techniques
“Normally we only crash cars in the laboratory. This was the first time we dropped them from a crane,” said Volvo Cars Traffic Accident Research, senior investigator, Håkan Gustafson.
That’s not all. In the name of being ultra-detailed, Volvo Cars safety engineers even made exact calculations before the drop to determine how much pressure and force each car needed to endure, in order to reach the desired level of damage.
GALLERY


Lewis Hamilton to carry on waving the Petronas flag with two-year extension

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport and Lewis Hamilton has announced the agreement of a two-year contract extension for the 2019 and 2020 Formula 1 seasons.
Since joining the team in 2013, Lewis has won
three world championships
 and
44 Grands Prix
 to date. By the end of his extended contract, he would’ve spent eight seasons as a works Mercedes driver – his
longest period with a single team
 at the pinnacle of motorsports.
Interestingly, Lewis has been driving a Mercedes-Benz-powered Formula 1 car in every single race since he made his Formula 1 debut in 2007. Since then, his overall total of
65 Formula 1 wins
 places him second only to the all-time great, Michael Schumacher.
As such, Lewis has earned his place in history as the most successful driver in the 112-year Grand Prix racing tradition of Mercedes-Benz.
(From L-R) Lewis Hamilton, Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff and team co-driver Valtteri Bottas.
“I’ve been part of the Mercedes racing family for 20 years and I have never been happier with a team than I am right now. We are on the same wavelength both on and off track”, said Lewis.
“I’m very confident that Mercedes is the right place to be over the coming years. Although we have enjoyed so much success together since 2013, Mercedes is hungrier than ever. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in the next two-and-a-half seasons,” he added.


The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a 700 hp swan song to mark the end of an era

It’s the end of an era for Aston Martin, as it will be discontinuing its
twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12
 monster of an engine. So as a final farewell, they’ve now fitted the iconic V12 engine into the Vantage – its biggest engine, into the smallest car in its line-up.
Aston Martin says that the new V12 Vantage is the fastest and fiercest car it’s ever built, and is the “ultimate expression of extreme performance and driver-focused thrills”, boasting “blistering straight-line speed and scintillating handling”. And we have no reasons to doubt any of that.
In its final iteration, the quad-cam 60-degree V12 5.2-litres turbocharged engine makes a whopping
700 hp
 and
753 Nm
, with the latter across 1,800 – 6,000 rpm, giving you incredible grunt throughout the engine’s speed range.
Paired to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD) on the rear axle, the new V12 Vantage sprints to 100 km/h from a standstill in just
3.4 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
322 km/h
.
That performance doesn’t come solely from the engine, either, because the Gaydon-based supercar maker has put the V12 Vantage through an extensive weight-loss regime giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 390 hp per tonne – a 20% increase to the V8-powered model.
The weight-saving measures include replacing almost all of its body panels with carbon fibre parts, lightweight battery, and a centre-mounted twin exhaust made from lightweight one millimetre-thick stainless steel. The exhaust system itself already saves 7.2 kg!
ALSO READ: New Aston Martin DBX 707 is now the most powerful luxury SUV
To help with the V12 Vantage’s handling, Aston Martin has also given it a new adaptive damping suspension system that includes anti-roll bars, bushes, springs, and damper assemblies, with a special secondary “tender spring” at the rear to improve ride comfort during normal driving conditions, without affecting the car’s dynamic properties, or so the company claims.
There’s also additional shear panels and bracings to help increase the V12 Vantage’s body lateral stiffness, while the steering system has also been recalibrated to improve steering feel and a sharper response.
And to stop such a viscious rocketship, Aston has fitted the V12 vantage with a set of new carbon ceramic brakes, measuring 410 mm in diameter with a six-piston calipers in front, and 360 mm plus four-piston calipers at the back.
Aside from its abilities to resist brake fade up to temperatures of 800 degrees, the new brakes also save a whopping 23 kg of weight when compared to standard steel brakes – all of that mass is unsprung, which further helps with the supercar’s dynamic capabilities.
Surrounding all the mechanical bits is a thoroughly revised exterior, which measures about 40 mm wider than the staandard Vantage to fit its wider track and fatter tyres. The front grille is also 25% larger to provide more cooling, paired with a massive scalloped vent on the bonnet for the same reason.
RELATED: First-ever Aston Martin Vantage in Malaysia with optional Vaned front grille has arrived
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage also gets a new front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and rear wing to not only add some visual excitement, but also providing up to 204 kg of downforce at top speed. As a buyer, you can choose to delete the rear wing if you find it a little too much – but of course, you’ll be sacrificing downforce too.
Capping it all off is an open rear load space that displays the rear suspensions’ strut braces in full glory, as well as the massive 21-inch wheels, offered in two different designs – with one of them an ultra-lightweight option that shaves off an extra 8 kg.
In contrast to the pumped-up exterior, however, the cabin of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage remains fairly unchanged over the regular V8 model. The V12 Vantage will get the Sport Plus Seats wrapped in semi-aniline leather, and large swathes of carbon fibre trims as standard to mark it out as the range-topping variant.
Buyers can also opt for the manually-adjustable carbon seats, as seen here, which further saves another seven kilos.
However, when we say “buyers”, we really mean future owners, because all 333 units of the V12 Vantage has already been sold out – even though Aston Martin didn’t even provide a price. Let’s just hope we all get to see it on the roads some day.
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Volvo Cars reveals updated S90 sedan

Changes to the Volvo S90’s aging looks include a reworked exterior design and a new banging Bowers and Wilkins sound system.
The new S90 features new fog lights and tail light graphics, new spoiler design and a new lower front bumper. A 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain option that offers up to 15% fuel savings, is also now available for every Volvo model.
The new Bowers and Wilkins sound system on the other hand includes an upgraded amplifier, automatic vehicle noise cancellation and a new setting that “mimics the sound of your favourite jazz club”.
Another addition to the updated model is the Advanced Air Cleaner with a PM 2.5 particle sensor which was first developed for the Chinese market although they probably need more potent protection now.
The Advanced Air Cleaner system can clean the cabin air of almost all tiny particles within a few minutes while the cabin air quality can be monitored via the centre screen.
Both the new sound system and Advanced Air Cleaner are now available on all 90 and 60 series models. These models will also now be equipped with wireless charging functions along with dual USB-C ports that replace the 12-volt outlets.
IMAGE GALLERY


2016 Mini Clubman All4 revealed, bound for New York debut

The modern Mini is technically no longer the Mini we all used to know. It didn’t just outgrow its predecessor, but it also strikes desirability among hipsters with deeper wallets, thanks to BMW’s strategy to market the Mini in the premium segment. Now, the Mini has gained a new all-wheel-drive compact wagon with the new Mini Clubman All4 model.
Unlike its predecessor’s questionable door setup, the new
Clubman
 features six doors; four for the passengers while the remaining two form the unique split door at the back. The Clubman offers plenty of space for the practical minded with a boot space of  360 litres, further strengthening the fact that the new Minis aren’t technically all that Mini anymore.

New to this Mini Clubman is a
compact all-wheel-drive system
 that is electronically controlled and distributes drive torque between the front and rear axles. It works on demand, but the system is front-wheel biased during regular driving. However, power will be diverted to the rear axle instantaneously when required. The
Dynamic Damper Control
 suspension is also offered as an option. As the name suggest, it allows drivers to adjust the damping harshness depending on road conditions.
The powertrain department remains unchanged with the standard Clubman. There are two turbocharged petrol variants; a three-cylinder 1.5-litre mill that produces
136 hp
 and
220 Nm
 while the bigger four-cylinder
 2.0-litre
 unit develops
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
.

The Diesel variant is offered via a turbocharged
2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel,
 producing
182 hp
 with
400 Nm
 of torque. The performance figures aren’t far off compared to the petrol variant, although the diesel obviously outperforms the petrol in fuel consumption figures.
The new Mini Clubman All4 will make its worldwide debut in the upcoming New York Motorshow in March. Back at home, the Clubman is not being offered by Mini Malaysia. It’s a pity considered this will score well among practical-minded Malaysians who find the Mini hatchback too small. Hang on, isn’t the Mini supposed to be small in the first place?
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Toyota Camry unveiled in Japan, and it’s coming to Malaysia

The Camry nameplate is big in the United States and the
all-new, eight-generation Toyota Camry
 just made its debut in Detroit early this year. Japan is next in line to receive the 2017 Toyota Camry, and that’s the one we will be getting as well.
The difference between the American Camry and the Japanese are quite subtle, but noticeable. The JDM Camry gets
TRD
 and
Modellista
 packages, with both kits offering visual enhancements for the Camry. This include various styling for the front bumpers, side skirts and wheels. The integrated daytime running lights are only reserved for the TRD kit.

The cabin is new but unmistakably Toyota, receiving the company’s latest
Human and Machine Interface (HMI)
with the 10-inch coloured Heads-Up Display (HUD), 7-inch LCD multi-info display and 8-inch infotainment system with reverse camera.
As reported previously, a new
2.5-litre four-cylinder Dynamic Force petrol
 and
3.5-litre V6 with D-4S Fuel Injection
engines are new offerings for the new Camry. The
2.5-litre four-cylinder Toyota Hybrid System
is also available, and that’s the sole powertrain offered in Japan. This will be paired to the e-Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT).
The 2017 Toyota Camry sits atop the
Toyota New Global Architecture

(TNGA)
, the same platform underpinning the
C-HR
 and the
fourth-generation Prius
. Expect the Malaysian debut of the eight-generation Camry sometime next year or by 2019 when their new
Bukit Raja
 plant is in full swing.
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai is stopping new engine development, to kill 50% of ICE line-up, report claims

We all know that Hyundai is serious about electrification. They made a
dedicated electric platform
, created a
full EV brand called Ioniq
, and even have 23 fully-electric models planned across its entire group for the next four years. But if anyone thought that they’ll be ditching ICE completely anytime soon, we would’ve said that they were having a laugh.
But that’s exactly what a
new report by
Reuters
 is claiming. Citing anonymous sources from Korea, the publication says that Hyundai has stopped developing new internal combustion engines, with the carmaker’s top management already approved a plan in March to cut the number of ICE models by half.
The move is designed to free up resources to focus Hyundai’s research and development efforts into “electric motors, batteries, [and] fuel cells”. While the sources did not provide a timeline of when this will happen, the sources allege that the group will finalise its strategy to switch to all fully-electric models within the next six months.
When contacted by the publication, Hyundai did not offer any comments surrounding its plans for ICE models, but said that it will be gradually expanding BEV offerings in key markets such as US, Europe, and China. Hyundai also stated that it was “accelerating adoption of eco-friendly vehicles such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and battery EVs.”
The
 Ioniq 5
, Hyundai’s first fully-electric model under the Ioniq sub-brand.
While not confirmed just yet, the plan has seemingly already been in effect in several parts of the world. Hyundai announced in April that it would cut the number of its ICE models in China from 21 to just 14 by 2025, while launching new electric models every year starting from 2022.
Previously, Hyundai Motor Group – which includes Hyundai, Kia, Ioniq, and Genesis – announced its plans to sell 1 million BEVs annually by 2025, representing a 10% share in the global EV market. The company also aims to become a fully-EV carmaker by 2040.
The move, while massive, is not completely unexpected from Hyundai. Other carmakers such as
Stellantis
 (previously PSA) and VW Group, have already taken the plunge in committing its investments into electrification, pausing any R&D into developing new ICE engines.
It’s safe to say that we can expect more similar announcements from various carmakers in the years to come, especially as the automotive industry as a whole is moving towards the era of electricity.


Bugatti recreates Chiron Sport vs fighter jet drag race!

Bugatti has held close links with the aviation world for
over 110 years
. The automaker’s racing team had drivers who also flew for the French Air Force and legendary French aviator, Roland Garros, owned a Bugatti Type 18 to be as fast on the ground as he was in the air.
Monsieur Bugatti has even developed an aircraft for the purpose of breaking speed records, but the occurrence of the Second World War ended that project.

At the tail-end of 2020, Bugatti introduced the
Chiron Sport “Les Légendes du Ciel”
 that paid homage to the company’s dual-role daredevil racing drivers and pilots. One of the unique decorative items in the interior of the limited-edition Bugatti is the hand-sketched racing scene between the
Nieuport 17 aircraft
 and a
Bugatti Type 13
, which symbolizes the two souls honoured by the edition.
Yesterday, Bugatti and the French Airforce recreated this land and air race with the Chiron Sport “Les Légendes du Ciel” and the pride of the French defence force, the Dassault Rafale.
This is the second occasion where a modern Bugatti took on a modern fighter jet in a drag race, where the first race saw a Veyron 16.4 raced a Eurofighter Typhoon and was broadcasted on the popular Top Gear television series.
The special, matt-grey “Gris Serpent” paintwork on the Chiron Sport “Les Légendes du Ciel” features the signature W16 engine and a capacity of 8.0 litres delivers
1,500 hp
 and
1,600 Nm
 of torque. Power is fed through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and then sent to all four corners. Its maximum speed is electronically limited to 420 km/h. The edition, limited to
20 units
, costs
EUR2.88 million
 net (RM14 million) each.
The Dassault Rafale combat jet meanwhile has a total of 58,550 newtons of thrust from its two jet engines and capable of hitting
1,975 km/h
 or 1.6 times faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1.6).
In the drag race, the Bugatti Chiron Sport performed as expected: hitting 100 km/h from standstill in just 2.4 seconds, and the next 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. 300 km/h was reached in just 13.1 seconds.
“I pulled away from the Rafale over the first few hundred meters, but after a few hundred meters more it was around 20 meters above and alongside me in the air. An incredible and fantastic sight,” said driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel. The Rafale fighter jet started to take off
at just 260 km/h
 after 450 metres on the aircraft runway.
On a much smaller scale, but still, mega entertaining to end the work week, check out some of Autobuzz.my drag races that feature

local heroes
,
German firepower
 as well as
recreational workhorses
.
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Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid launched in Malaysia, from RM 945k before tax

The most environmentally friendly
Bentley
 is now available in Malaysia as
Bentley Kuala Lumpur
 has just launched the
Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid
. Available in the Azure and S variants, prices of the Flying Spur Hybrid start at
RM 945,000
 (excluding duties, taxes, and registration). Bentley says the Flying Spur Hybrid demonstrates that hybridization does not have to compromise luxury or performance.
Let’s first address the obvious downsized powertrain. Instead of the usual 6.0-litre W12 engine or the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine, the Flying Spur Hybrid houses a 2.9-litre V6 engine that works in harmony with an electric motor. Combined, the hybrid system makes
544 hp
 (metric) and
750 Nm
.
Just in case you were wondering, the V6 engine itself makes 416 hp (metric) and 550 Nm. The electric motor, on the other hand, makes 136 hp (metric) and 400 Nm.
Supplying electricity to the electric motor is an 18-kWh battery that charges to full in 2.5 hours with a fast charger. The transmission in use is a ZF eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and power is sent to all wheels via an active all-wheel drive system.
RELATED:
Bentley’s second electrified model is the 544 hp Flying Spur Hybrid
LHD display unit fitted with optional 22-inch wheels, ‘Touring’ specification, ‘City’ specification, and Mulliner Driving Specification
On the outside, it is hard to miss the muscular proportions and sculpted surfaces of the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid. Bentley says that this is made possible with a process called aluminium ‘superforming’ that was first used in the latest generation Bentley Continental GT.
At the front of the Flying Spur Hybrid is a prominent radiator matrix that is flanked by full LED matrix headlights. Also at the front is a retractable ‘Flying B’ mascot that is perched on the hood. The taillights feature a wrap-around design that utilizes the familiar ‘B’ graphic. Standard wheels are 20 inches in size on all four corners and you do have the option to upsize to 21 or 22 inches. Regardless of size, all of them have a staggered setup.
Differentiating the Flying Spur Hybrid from other versions of the
Flying Spur
 are subtle things like the ‘Hybrid’ badges on the front fenders, the quad oval tailpipes, and the charging port on the rear left fender.
RELATED:
2023 Bentley Flying Spur Speed debuts – 6.0L W12, 626 hp, 900 Nm
Inside, an industry-first ‘Bentley rotating display’ takes centre stage on the dashboard. It consists of three sides, with one being a 12.3-inch touchscreen unit with Apple CarPlay connectivity, the second being a set of three analogue dials (for compass, clock, and temperature), and the third side being a wood veneer fascia, in case you want a digital detox.
The seats of the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid come with luxuries such as adjustable bolsters, seat heating, seat ventilation, and multi-mode massage. Interesting details in the car include 3D diamond quilted leather door inserts and optional diamond knurling on the rotary switches, air vents, and clock. There is also an array of options for the interior trim colours, the leather hides, and the type of wood veneer.
RELATED:
Bentley mixes opulence with sportiness on the new Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline
As for driving assistance, the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid comes with a top-view camera, a night vision infrared camera, active lane assist, blind spot assist, and traffic sign recognition. Touring Specification offers Lane Assist, Night Vision, Head-Up Display, Adaptive Cruise Control (with Traffic Jam Assist) and Bentley Safeguard Plus, with Emergency Lane Change Assist and Intersection Assist.
All units of the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid have been sold out in Malaysia upon launch. As the brand’s most environmentally friendly model to date, the Flying Spur Hybrid is a significant step for Bentley in providing an electrified version of all its cars by 2024. The brand will debut its first electric vehicle in 2025.
RELATED:
“Driver-focused” Bentley Flying Spur S looks sinister, but gets no extra power
GALLERY


Mansory made a lawnmower as a homage to Air Jordan shoes

Mansory
 is no stranger to the aftermarket scene, specialising in outrageous modifications on luxury vehicles – but none of those prepared us even a bit for what you’re about to see. This here is the Mansory BSTN GT XI, and yes, it’s a lawnmower. Perhaps even more absurdly, it’s also a homage to the original Air Jordan sneakers. We’ll explain…
The BSTN GT XI was actually launched back in December last year as a collaboration piece with sneakers retailer BSTN, in conjunction with the launch of the new “Air Jordan XI Jubilee”. As for its relevance to the shoe, Air Jordan designer Tinker Hatfield was supposedly inspired by a ride-on lawnmower, more or less like this one just without all the custom modifications, when he penned the original Air Jordan XI – or so the legend goes anyway.
In terms of design, the BSTN GT XI is pretty on-brand for Mansory here. There’s a front fascia that somewhat resembles that of the
Mercedes-Benz G Wagen
, along with a gratuitous amount of custom exposed carbon fibre parts all around the lawnmower – from the leather-wrapped seats to the steering wheel.
Just like the sneakers, the Mansory BSTN GT XI also gets the Jordan Jumpman logos littered across the bodywork, along with the BSTN and Mansory logos, all finished in silver – apparently the traditional colour of the 25th anniversary Air Jordan shoe.
Mansory also made a custom shell for the collecting bag at the back (out of carbon fibre of course), and naturally, they had to stick a wing on top of it. Capping off the design are the white-walled knobby tyres, stenciled with the BSTN and Jumpman logos.
The Mansory lawnmower you see here is fortunately (
unfortunately?
) a one-off, though you’ll probably be able to buy the sneakers – at an eye-gouging premium from the scalpers and resellers online.
GALLERY


BMW Malaysia introduces the BMW Excellence Club for 7-series owners

BMW Group Malaysia has introduced the BMW Excellence Club – an exclusive membership and customer loyalty programme for all owners of the BMW 7-series.
This follows on from the introduction of the BMW 740Le xDrive, where new and existing BMW 7-series owners will be entitled to experience a whole new premium vehicle ownership experience.
The membership will enable new and existing owners to enjoy a savoury list of privileges which includes tailored concierge programmes, bespoke private events, exclusive valet service at renowned landmarks nationwide, priority appointment scheduling at upscale establishments as well as access to premium hospitality lounges.
“When we introduced the all-new BMW 7-Series Hybrid with eDrive Technology earlier this year, we shared on the idea of the Peak of Living Luxury. This idea centres around the world of exclusivity with personalised, modern luxury focused on innovation and sophistication beyond Sheer Driving Pleasure. With the new BMW Excellence Club programme, we are able to share these one of a kind tailor-made experiences with our estemeed BMW 7-Series owners”, said
Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Mr. Han Sang Yun.
Events previously hosted included flying seven lucky couples
 on a helicopter over the Kuala Lumpur
 skyline at dusk for a specially-curated evening at Mono, Kuala Lumpur alongside joint activities with Hugo Boss.
Other BMW and MINI owners are not excluded from this extension of benefits. The industry-leading BMW WhiteCard and BMW BlackCard programmes for respective BMW and MINI customers are still on-going to offer access to premium experiences nationwide. They can also look forward to more exciting, one-of-a-kind events in the coming months.


2017 Renault Megane RS teased, 300 hp, four-wheel steering [+Video]

Ah, finally, a worthy successor looms. In response to Renault Sports’ one million followers on Facebook, Renault revealed the first teaser of the new Megane RS hot hatch. The Golf R rival from France will officially be launched later this year.
Not much can be made out of the picture above, but one thing is clear: the chequered LED fog lights are in place, just like the ones seen on the
Clio RS 16
concept. The C-shaped LED DRLs are standard from the
new Megane
.
Right now, nothing is known about the engine, but it could be an improved version of the outgoing 2.0-litre four-pot. It should be turbocharged to produce over 300 hp, putting it right next to the
Honda Civic Type R
. A
six-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic
 is offered for the first time, but enthusiasts will be delighted to know Renault Sport isn’t foolish enough to drop the six-speed manual transmission. Apparently, Renault is toying with the idea of four-wheel steering, up from the usual front-wheel drive application.
The new Megane RS has big shoes to fill, considering the illustrious achievements of its predecessor, such as the
RS275 Trophy-R
. It is expected to make its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year. Meanwhile,  find out what we think of the
Renault Megane RS 265 Sport!


Toyota says that TRD can co-exist alongside the new GR performance division

TRD, which stands for Toyota Racing Development, is a in-house tuning shop for Toyota and Lexus. In its over 40 years of history, the performance division has helped develop some pretty special cars, and achieved success in a diverse range of motorsports.
However, in recent years Toyota has slowly rolled out its new Gazoo Racing brand, which has become the brand’s new poster child with the release of the
 GR Supra
 and
GR Yaris
. You can see how this gets confusing pretty fast.
Speaking to
Automobile Magazine
, Toyota North America’s group vice -president of marketing, Ed Laukes said that there is plenty of space for the two brands to co-exist… in the United States at least.
“In the end, TRD and GR can coexist. TRD has a long lineage with the trucks that we sell . . . and the American consumer likes the TRD brand and it has some strong heritage in North America,” said Laukes.
As the only major brand in the USA to have two distinct performance division, Toyota will have to work to separate the two brands if they want this strategy to work, notes Automobile Magazine.
Perhaps, TRD can remain as the tuning shop to work on existing Toyota cars, while the GR brand develops new bespoke vehicles for outright performance in mind. Either way, we’re excited about this new direction that Toyota is heading towards globally.
Locally, the TRD brand has not made significant headways into Malaysian consumer’s hearts, but UMW Toyota has been actively trying to build the reputation for the Gazoo Racing brand, with the introduction of the
GR Garage
, the reborn GR Supra, as well as the
Gazoo Racing Festival
, now in its third season.


Review: G01 BMW X3 xDrive30i, Grown up and sensible

The BMW X3 used to be quite different from the rest of BMW’s range. Having made its debut in 2003, the first generation E83 X3 was a bit of an oddball, quite polarising in the way it looks because it played the role of a hip younger brother to the E53 X5. Mind you, back then BMW only had two SUVs (or SAV in BMW speak) in their entire line up so while the X5 was aimed at a more mature audience, the X3 was designed for the younger crowd in mind.
But that was 2003. Fast forward to 15 years later, BMW now have
 seven models
 in their X-series SAV range. Such is the demand for these high-riding vehicles that BMW decided to make one in various sizes, from the small
X1
 to the gargantuan
X7
. In those years the X3 has grown (hypothetically and physically) to now become, well, sensible. Now it straddles in between segments where it has to appeal to both young and old, and with rivals aplenty – no pressure then.
QUICK FACTS
Name
G01 BMW X3 xDrive30i
Engine
1,998cc; 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
252 hp @ 5,200 – 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM313,800
Now in its third generation, not only is the
G01 X3
 bigger than its predecessor, the F25 X3, it’s also longer and wider than the first-gen E53 X5. Although to be fair, the X3’s current opponents are about the same size too; just take a look at the
Mercedes-Benz GLC
 and the
Volvo XC60
 and tell me they’re not big. Anyway, despite the growth spurt, weight has gone down by
55 kg
, contributed by the CLAR platform (which also underpins the
G11/G12 7-series
 and the
G30 5-series
) and a more liberal use of aluminium.
You sure that’s the X3?
It’s no surprise that the G01 X3 looks like a scaled-up version of the F48 X1 as both were designed by the same Calvin Luk. However, there are some design flourishes that are unique to the X3 such as the hexagonal-ish wheel arches, a different Hoffmeister kink treatment that harks back to the original E83 X3, and – whisper it – fake fender vents. Did the designers play it safe this time? Probably, but I believe they did it on purpose to attract a wider flock of potential buyers.

It cuts an imposing figure particularly from the front with the “bluff nose” and the oversized kidney grille while the
Luxury Line
 trim brings a touch more class with chrome and brushed metal highlights along with a set of
19-inch
 multi spoke alloy wheels. No doubt that the G01 X3 is much easier on the eyes compared to its predecessors, although I must admit I do miss the quirkiness of the former.
Step right up
Inside, the X3 has stepped up its style game. Okay, it’s not the most stylish interior out there but it’s definitely fancier than before. No, I’m not talking about the crystal gearknob or the built-in fragrance diffuser here but the overall ambience does make you feel like you’re in something properly premium, something that the predecessor couldn’t quite deliver.

The base architecture is still typically BMW albeit modernised, and in a good way. So in the company of the traditional wood and leather, there’s a
digital instrument cluster
 and a touch-sensitive 10.25-inch iDrive screen, and you can now cycle from a combination of six different colours for the ambient lighting.
The cabin isn’t just about style, it’s also versatile. Space is not an issue, occupants get plenty of room and three adults will fit just fine at the back. The door pockets are basically mini pantries for your snacks and the boot is huge too (and curiously matches the GLC’s boot capacity –
550 litres
 and 1,600 litres with the seats down).

The X3 does come with keyless entry and a
contactless powered tailgate
, and apart from having a flat loading bay, the under floor compartment has a dedicated slot for the tonneau cover. On top of that, the boot floor cover is held up by a
gas strut
. Even a
Maybach
 doesn’t have that.
Punchy, not shocking
There isn’t any electrical propulsion assistance for the X3, at least for the time being. The full-electric
iX3
 won’t be out until 2020 and the plug-in hybrid X3 is slated for a global debut in 2019, so in the meantime the X3 runs purely on fossil fuel.
In Malaysia, the
xDrive30i
 is your only option, so it’s a good thing that its
2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo

engine
is quite capable. The four-pot is a smooth operator and with
252 hp
 and
350 Nm
, there’s more than enough poke for most. The
8-speed auto
 however, is not as slick as you’d expect, but it still responds instantly if you decide to play with the steering-mounted paddles.
In Comfort mode, the X3 does its best at being a genteel cruiser, providing you with a relaxed ride that copes well with poorly-surfaced roads. Naturally, body roll is present when pushed into corners, but the steering is one of the best among its rivals.
Switching into Sport changes the throttle and steering response but it doesn’t alter the suspension. It still rides comfortably but the turbo whistle under acceleration and the exhaust burp on the upshifts are slightly at odds with the car’s general refinement. It’s like seeing your boss go bowling in his three piece suit.
Will I buy it?
For what it’s worth the X3 ticks all the right boxes. It has the grace and pace you need to ferry four passengers and their luggage, which is what most buyers are looking for in a premium SUV in general, but when posed against its rivals, the X3 in this particular trim seems lacking, notably in the equipment list. It’s a bit of a hit and miss, this one. Personally I love the way it drives but I’d give it a pass unless it comes in an M Sport trim. It’s good to be sensible but you don’t have to be too serious all the time.
IMAGE GALLERY


First-ever GR Vios Sprint Cup happening this weekend at Sepang – watch live in person or online!

UMW Toyota Motor will be hosting the first ever running of the Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup this weekend (21-22 May 2022) at the
Sepang International Circuit
.
The new event will see a total of 38 drivers from 19 different teams, comprised of professional racers, international and gentlemen drivers, as well as young talents, taking part in two one-hour races – one on each day – competing for a piece of the RM60,000 total prize pool.
The Vios Sprint Cup is run in addition to and independently of the existing
Toyota Vios Challenge
, and will feature two rounds within the
Malaysian Championship Series (MCS)
, with each round consisting of two races.
It’s still the same format of a one-make series, however, meaning everyone will be taking to the track in an identical race-prepared Toyota Vios (three different generations, mind you) with stock powertrain, suspension, tyres, and fuel to ensure a level playing field while emphasising on race craft, driving skills, and experience.
To that end, the series will also limit only one “experienced” driver per team, with the other spot filled up by rookies or
young racers
. Prima Pearl TD Racing will be fielding the “Prince of Drift” Tengku Djan alongside teenager Mika Hakimi, while Toyota Vios Challenge veteran Mark Darwin will team up alongside teenager Bradley Benedict Anthony for Laser Motor Racing.
Axle Motorsports meanwhile, will field two all-tenage teams with the first pair of drivers consisting of Hayden Haikal and Naquib Azlan, and the second car driven by Alister Yoong and Muizz Musyaffa.
Other drivers in the line-up include the likes of Mohd Fariqe Hairuman, Eddie Lew, Boy Wong, William Ho, as well as young sensations such as Nabil Azlan and Timothy Yeo.
The Vios Sprint Cup will see both drivers in each team running in two separate qualifying sessions on Saturday, with the faster driver required to start Race 1 on the day, before making a mandatory pit stop and driver swap.
Race 2 follows on Sunday, and will take on a reverse starting grid based on the results of Race 1. The slower driver from the qualifying session will start the one-hour race, and just like Race 1, there will also be a mandatory pit stop and driver change. Both races will feature a rolling start grid.
As for prizes, the winner of each race will collect RM10,000, followed by RM8,000 for second place, RM6,000 for third, and RM4,000 and RM2,000 for fourth and fifth places respectively.
Want to get in on the action yourself? The Gazoo Racing Vios Sprint Cup will be open to the public this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit, or alternatively tune in to the races with live broadcasts on UMW Toyota’s Facebook page.


Updated Volvo V40 T5 Inscription now on sale in Malaysia, priced at RM180,888

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has just unveiled the Volvo V40 facelift, bringing the 40-series model closer to their corporate image both in terms of visual and specs. It also comes in the Inscription trim as standard, which is as high spec as the V40 can get.
Visually, it wears the latest Volvo family face with a combination of the vertically-slated grille and Volvo Iron Mark as well as ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlamps. Elsewhere, it gets the same dual exhaust outlets, keyless entry, power folding side mirrors and 17-inch ‘Sarpas’ Silver Diamond Cut alloy wheels wrapped in 225/45 profile tyres.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volvo V40 T5 Inscription
Engine
1,969cc; inline-4 turbo, DOHC
Transmission
8-speed auto
Max Power
245 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,800 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
6.3 seconds; 240 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM180,888
Inside, it gets milled aluminium inlays and Inscription tread plate to replace the previous Shimmer Graphite trims. The Inscription package adds
CleanZone
 dual-zone automatic climate control that filters harmful pollutants from the cabin. Standard equipment is about the same as before – leather upholstery, multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, 7-inch Sensus infotainment system, 180W 8-speaker sound system, eight-way powered front seats with memory function and 8-inch Adaptive Digital Display instrument cluster.
Mechanically, the V40 facelift retains the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo Drive-E with
245 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h takes
6.3 seconds
 and on full whack the speedometer will read
240 km/h
. Volvo claims the V40 consumes
6.1 litres per 100 km
.

Safety features on this V40 is as impressive as any Volvo. Standard equipment reads six-airbags, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), Ready Alert Brake (RAB), Fading Brake Support (FBS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Dynamic Torque Vectoring. Active safety assistance system include City Safety Collision and Mitigation (AEB), Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Alert.
The Volvo V50 T5 Inscription is available in five exterior shades – Ice White, Onyx Black, Osmium Grey and Luminous Sand. Every purchase of the V40 comes with 5-Years Warranty and 5-Years Volvo On Call package. VCM has expressed that an entry level T4 variant will join the line-up in due course. A range of Polestar accessories is also available for purchase.
We’ve recently had a go in the pre-facelift V40 T5 fully kitted with all the Polestar Optimisation, no less.
If a sleeper is your kind of thing, find out if the V40 is the car for you
.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Volvo V40


The Ferrari SF1000 will carry all the hopes of the tifosi for 2020

Ferrari took centre stage at a theatre known for its dramatic performances when launching its contender for the Formula 1 2020 season – the
SF1000
; christened as such in anticipation of the
 1,000
th
race milestone
 which the Scuderia will achieve within this season.
The tifosi or fans of Ferrari will of course trade all the pomp and pageantry to return to winning ways when the
F2007 powered Kimi Raikkonen
 to the his sole F1 crown and Ferrari’s last driver’s championship in 2007. It has been a long time coming.

Ferrari will be hoping that the extensive revisions to last year’s design will address all the shortcomings of 2019, particularly in the area of
aerodynamic downforce
. It’s not easy to tell the differences on the SF1000 visually as the regulations have remained largely unchanged in 2020. Formula 1 will undergo a
revolution in 2021
.
When Ferrari president John Elkann speaks, everyone pays attention.
Ferrari team boss
Mattia Binotto
 calls the SF1000 an
‘extreme’ design concept
; it showcases
tighter, slimmer bodywork
 especially at the rear quarter where the engine is located, lower weight (subject to regulations), a more durable suspension and also a
reworked 1.6-litre V6 hybrid power unit
 able to meet a new technical regulation
s
l
ashing oil consumption by 50%
.
“Everything sits a lot tighter, so there’s a lot of work behind that, because it’s not so easy, so we’ve found some clever solutions to be able to achieve that. I can’t wait to drive it because obviously that’s more exciting than to look at it, so one more week to wait, but I think it’s fantastic. It’s also a little bit more red than last year, so I think it looks great.” said four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Pre-season testing
starts on 19
th
 February at Barcelona
, till then, the tifosi holds its collective breath.
Ferrari SF1000 gallery


Mercedes-Benz & BMW, your time is up. Make way for the all-new Audi A8

Mercedes-Benz and BMW have long dominated the premium limousine segment with their
S-Class
 and
G12 7 Series
 while the ageing Audi A8 D4 went under the radar in the presence of its high-tech rivals. Now, that is set to change with the all-new A8 D5.
Unveiled at the Audi Summit, Audi aims to set a new benchmark for its segment with an all-new design language, innovative touchscreen operations, electrified drivetrain and Level Three autonomous driving. But is it enough to go against the S-Class and 7 Series? Let’s find out.
EXTERIOR
Measuring at 5,172 mm in length, 1,945 mm in width, 1,473 mm in height and 2,998 mm in wheelbase, the new A8 has grown in every dimension (except width, -4 mm) compared to the model it replaces. The extended wheelbase version, A8 L, is 130 mm longer, 15 mm taller and sports a 130 mm longer wheelbase than the regular version. Underpinning the body of the A8 is a multi-material
Audi Space Frame
 that boasts 24 percent stronger rigidity and higher refinement than the old model.
Audi’s design philosophy with the A8 was to express the brand’s renowned sporty appeal, lightweight construction and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. This in turn led to a balanced proportion design that equally emphasise all four corners of the car. The wide Singleframe grille conveys prestige while the strong bonnet lines oozes stance and masculinity. Roads are illuminated with Audi’s progressive
Matrix LED headlamps
 with
Audi Laser Light
.

View the A8 from the side and one will notice a roofline that gently inclines towards the rear, almost like a fastback.  Audi claims that this was a deliberate design to create propulsion visual effect to highlight the A8’s sporty appeal. Despite the tapering roofline, Audi says rear passenger headroom is not affected, in fact it has grown by some 20 millimetres. Moving to the rear and you will immediately notice the strong LED light strip connecting the two
 Organic LED taillamp
 housing that animates when activated.
INTERIOR
Inside, Audi akins the interior of the A8 to a luxury lounge. Designers have adopted a
clean and “less is more” concept
 which explains the minimalistic approach with less buttons. For starters, the
 10.1-inch touchscreen display
 houses the infotainment system and when shut off, blends nicely into the gloss black surrounds.
Audi has also done away with the MMI controls and rotary dials and in its place is a
second touchscreen panel
 which replaces all the main controls. It features touch gesture controls, acoustic and tactile feedback, making it safe and intuitive to use. Drivers can also activate an array of functions through voice control.

On
A8 L models
, occupants can enjoy a light-filled interior thanks to the two-piece panoramic sunroof. Tick the optional relaxation seats and the rear passengers will have a feet massager with heated function. Passengers can also control ambient lighting, reading lights, seat massage function and make private phone calls via a removable rear seat remote with the size of a smartphone.
PERFORMANCE
As reported earlier,
all variants of the A8 will feature some form of electrification
 and Audi has held onto their word. At launch, the A8 will be available with a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel TDI and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 TFSI developing
282 hp
 and
335 hp
 respectively. Two turbocharged V8 engines – a 4.0-litre TDI with
 429 hp
 and a 4.0-litre TFSI with
453 hp
 will join the line up in due course.
A range topping 6.0-litre W12 with
577 hp
 is also reportedly in the works. Each engine choice will feature mild hybridisation courtesy of a 48-volt primary electrical system to improve fuel economy. We have detailed the A8’s hybrid system in full
here
.
Audi also revealed that a plug-in hybrid variant of the A8 L will arrive at a later date. The A8 L e-Tron will feature quattro AWD and a 3.0-litre TFSI assisted by a powerful electric motor to deliver a total system output of
 443 hp
 and a whopping
700 Nm
 of torque. The A8 L e-Tron is said to have a
pure electric driving range of 50 km
 and can be charged via the
Audi Wireless Charging pad
.
Not forgetting that comfort is paramount to vehicles of this class, Audi has fitted the A8 with all-wheel steering and a clever Audi AI active suspension. The all-wheel steering turns the rear wheels ever so slightly to give greater stability and precision around bends. Audi’s active suspension system is able to vary the damping of each individual corner, helping the luxury saloon waft through undulations.
SAFETY
Also celebrating its world debut is the Audi AI traffic jam pilot which allows the A8 to drive itself autonomously in slow-moving traffic of up to
60 km/h
. Dubbed as
Level Three autonomous driving
, the driver can completely take his/her attention off the road and the traffic jam pilot will manage acceleration, steering and braking. As soon as the car approaches the 60 km/h limit, it will warn the driver to reassume control of the vehicle.
A total of 12 exterior colours are available for the all-new Audi A8 and A8 L. All A8s are assembled at the Neckarsulm plant in Germany. Prices start from €90,600 (RM444k) while the A8 L starts from €94,100 (RM461k). It’s only a matter of time before the A8 makes its way here, though.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi A8 L

Audi A8

Audi A8 Detailed


The Mercedes-AMG SL roadster’s interior blends “old school cool” with modern tech

As is standard with Mercedes-Benz’s slow-drip teaser campaign treatments, the German carmaker has now unveiled the interior of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG SL-Class ahead of its launch, which is expected to happen later this year.
As a whole, the company says that the interior styling is reminiscent of the first 300 SL model, with design elements inspired by the aviation world. Mercedes is using the word “hyperanalogue” to describe the cabin, which supposedly means a “mix of analogue geometry and digital world”.
Learn more about Mercedes-Benz’s new MBUX operating system here.
The most obvious example of this is the SL’s instrument cluster, which is a fully digital 12.3-inch screen, but wrapped in a “high-tech visor” instead of the usual free-standing ones we see on other new Mercedes-Benz models. The company says that this cuts down the glare caused by sunlight while driving, which makes us wonder why it’s not standard on its other models.
As for the aviation touches, these include the symmetrical wrap-around “wing” profile of the entire dashboard, the galvanised turbine nozzles for the climate control which sits in “power domes” on top of the dashboard, as well as the NACA air intake-inspired styling on the centre console, as seen on the
 AMG GT
 and
GT 4-Door Coupe
.
The latter transitions from the hand rest upwards towards the 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen display, oriented in the portrait format first introduced on the
all-new S-Class
. Mercedes says that the portrait format is better for ergonomics, especially during navigation, and the tilt of the entire panel can be electrically adjusted to reduce reflections and glare while driving.
The all-new Mercedes-AMG SL roadster will offer a 2+2 seating configuration for the first time since the SL in 1989. Mercedse says that rear seats can ferry people of up to 150 cm tall (i.e. kids), but when not needed, a draught-stop can be fitted to protect the front passengers from unwanted airflow around the neck – or, you know, folded down to carry bigger items such as golf bags.
Mercedes-AMG’s new hybrid powertrains can recharge their batteries by drifting. Isn’t that the most AMG thing you’ve ever heard?
As expected, there’s a wide range of interior finish on offer here, including single- or two-tone nappa leather that can be paired to a variety of stitching pattern and colours, or even the Dinamica Race microfibre with contrasting red or yellow topstitching for a racier look.
“The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG SL pampers driver and passengers with sophisticated luxury,” said Mercedes-AMG Chairman of the Board of Management, Philipp Schiemer.
“The new SL combines the highest levels of comfort and quality in its interior, coupled with just the right amount of sportiness. The high-quality combination of analogue world and state-of-the-art digital equipment makes one thing clear: the new SL is the rebirth of an icon for the modern era.”
Pitting the interiors of the old and new models side by side, though, we must say that the SL connections are… mild to say the least. Maybe how the door panel flows from the dashboard, or how they both have turbine-style air vents (which aren’t unique to the SL, anyway)? We don’t know, but at least it’s confirmed that both of them won’t have a roof – at least not all the time.
Either way, the Mercedes-AMG SL will feature an
 aluminium spaceframe chassis
, which weighs just 270 kg on its own. A range of powertrain options will most likely be offered, including a variant with AMG’s latest electrified offerings – we should know more about these particulars very soon.
GALLERY


Hyundai’s replacement for the Starex looks out of this world

Hyundai Motor Company has revealed details of its new multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) called the
Staria
, and although it’s slated to be revealed by mid-2021, the Staria looks like it belongs in a more distant future.
The futuristic design, defined by a fluid curve running from the front to the back, is said to be
 inspired by the halo that illuminates Earth’s horizon
during sunrise when viewed from space.
Its sophisticated spaceship-like appearance is further defined by headlamps positioned on each side of the grille.
At the rear, the Hyundai Starex replacement comes with Hyundai’s Parametric Pixel tail light design while the 18-inch wheels are finished with diamond patterns and graphics.
Inside, the Staria’s interior design is inspired by the lounge of a cruise ship where the lowered beltlines and panoramic side windows improve overall visibility and provide a sense of openness.
Inspired by the traditional Korean architectural style known as
hanok
, this sense of spaciousness makes passengers feel as if the outer scenes are connected to the inside.
Like the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the dashboard has been designed to look like a desk, accomodating two digital displays including a 10.25-inch infotainment display. Also like current Mercedes-Benz vehicles, it also offers 64 different colours for its ambient lighting.
The Staria offers a number of seating arrangements, from 2-, 7-, 9- or even 11-seats, for a wide range of applications. The 7-seater Staria comes with a one-touch relaxation mode for its second-row seats, while the 9-seater model has second-row seats that can swivel 180-degrees to face the third-row passengers.
GALLERY


Here’s why you shouldn’t drive into a water puddle!

Over the past few days, the persistent rainfall has formed numerous water puddles on roads that have been poorly maintained across our country.
While our modern passenger cars are developed with waterproofing in mind, it is best to still avoid driving into puddles at speed, especially on roads that you’re unfamiliar with. Tempting fate and driving into puddles might just cause water to the engine intake and a condition called ‘
hydrolock
’ can occur.
Hydrostatic lock, or shortened to hydrolock, is a stage where
too much water enters the engine’s combustion chamber.
 Our internal combustion engines are designed to compress air and tiny amounts of fuel vapours.
Only air and fuel vapors can be compressed in the tiny compression chamber (red). Where can the water go?
When water enters the engine, it can severely restrict the movement of the pistons inside during the combustion process. When that happens, the driver will be duly notified as the
engine will start making loud, knocking noises followed by a full shut down
.
Did it manage to drive through?
Watch it here
If you’ve unfortunately fallen victim to a hydrolocked engine, do not attempt to start the engine as internal damage has been done.
The only method
 for recovery is to tow the vehicle to a workshop.
Hydrolock can be very harmful to the engine – common damages that incur on components include piston rings, bearings, cylinder heads as well as bent connecting rods, which means your short expedition through the puddle can also accumulate a large, hefty bill. In more severe cases,
a complete replacement of the engine is the only solution
.
As water puddles are formed at clogged irrigation points on road shoulders and kerbs, there is sufficient room to drive around the puddle,
traversing as shallow as possible to minimise water splashes
.
We have also come up with a handy guide on
how you should navigate over flooded roads
, if you absolutely have to.
It is also a good time to invest a pair of

quality wiper blades
 for the most obvious reason – forward visibility.
[Credit:
Autochimps
, Facebook pages of
MUFORS
 and
Rossmore Police
]


2014 Mazda2 SkyActiv Sedan & Hatchback now open for booking, price from RM85k!

It’s official,
Mazda2
 is coming!
Bermaz Motor
 is having a
Mazda Motorshow
 in 1Utama shopping center from
1st to 6th October 2014
 at the Oval Concourse LG. Over there customers can
pre-order
 the Mazda2 and walk away with Mazda Merchandises.
According to the estimated pricelist, the
Mazda2
 will be offered not only in
hatchback
 guise, but a
sedan
 as well! Tentatively priced at
RM 85,XXX
 for the s
edan
 and
 RM 87,XXX
 for the
hatchback
, our Mazda2 will be powered by a
1.5-litre Skyactiv-G
 paired to a
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic
.
Boasting a
high compression ratio
 of
14.0:1
, the engine produces
114 hp
 and
148 Nm
 of torque driving the front wheels. Speaking of wheels, the Malaysian spec is going to be equipped with
16-inch alloys
 fitted with
185/60 R16
 tyres.
It looks like it’s generously equipped too. Featuring
MZD Connect
 with
7-inch touchscreen LCD
 controlled by the
Commander Control Switch
 as seen in the bigger
Mazda3
. Other goodies include
Smart Keyless Entry
 with
Push Start
,
Reverse Camera
,
Head Up Display
(HUD), and even
paddle shifters
 on the steering wheel.
Interior comforts include
auto climate control
 and seats that are upholstered in
 leather
. There are only
dual front airbags
, though the Mazda2 is equipped with
 Traction Control System
 (TCS) and
Dynamic Stability Control
 (DSC).
Additionally, customers who sign up for any Mazda car other than the Mazda2 are also entitled to a
lucky dip
 of
Mazda Bonanza Vouchers
 worth
up to RM 10,000
. So hurry up to 1Utama and check out the Mazda Motorshow from 1st to 6th October 2014!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Sales of Mercedes-AMG 53 models start in August, coming to Malaysia?

Affalterbach’s latest gems, the Mercedes-AMG 53 series will officially go on sale this August 2018. Three models, the
CLS 53 4MATIC+
,
E 53 4MATIC+ Coupe and E 53 4MATIC+ Cabriolet
 will be available for order in selected markets worldwide.
At the heart of the new 53-model series is a 3.0-litre bi-turbo in-line six mild-hybrid engine that gives a combined output of
435 hp
 and
520 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint takes
 4.5 seconds
 on the CLS while the E-Class duo will get there in
4.4 seconds
. Its limited top speed can be increased
270 km/h
 with the AMG Driver’s Package installed.
The 53-models features an EQ Boost starter generator that gives an additional
21 hp
 and
250 Nm
 supplements the delay in torque when the turbochargers are building boost, resulting in greater engine response without “turbo lag”. Rest assured that the electrification of AMG models is to enhance the performance and driving dynamics of an AMG while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Other highlights on the 53-series models include the AMG Ride Control+ airmatic suspension, twin-blade radiator grille in silver chrome, restyled rear apron, quad exhaust pipes, body colour boot lid, Nappa leather AMG performance steering wheel and an optional Widescreen Cockpit.

Prices for the CLS 53 4MATIC+ starts from €84,430 (RM389k) while the E 53 4MATIC+ Coupe and E 53 4MATIC+ Cabriolet starts from €81,592 (RM376k) and €87,066 (RM401k) respectively. For the CLS 53, there is an exclusive limited run Edition 1 variant that adds Black Nappa leather with copper top stitching, Edition 1 lettering and an exclusive IWC analogue clock for €97,282 (RM448k).
The Mercedes-AMG range is properly represented here in Malaysia, from the compact
A 45
 all the way up to the fire-breathing
G 63
, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) even
locally assembles some of the 43-series models
. So prepare your chequebooks, because the 53-series will no doubt make an appearance here in Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+

Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Sedan


Here’s what you listened to while driving this year

It’s December again! For some of us statistics nerds, it is indeed the most beautiful time of the year, as companies compile their data for a year-end review.
We’re sure all of us have already seen our
Spotify Wrapped 2019
 showcase, but have you ever wondered what are the most played songs while driving? Waze has helpfully compiled a top-10 list of songs streamed while using the navigation app:
Click to enlarge
It’s probably not a surprise that most of the songs listed here are a mirror of the top tracks played on Spotify this year. The list includes some of the hottest Pop artists in recent years, including Billie Eillish, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, and Lady Gaga.
However, the last entry in the list stood out to us the most. It seems that many of you are like us, constantly belting out the rock classic while driving too – or maybe it’s on this list because of us? We’d probably never know.

If you want to relive the top tracks of the year, here’s a handy little playlist with the top 10 streamed songs by Wazers this year. Now please excuse us, as we return to singing
Mama, just killed a man…


Toyota to increase production of GR Corolla – citing strong demand, protect buyers from high markups

Toyota’s GR division has churned out some of the most exciting performance cars we’ve seen from the company in recent years and it seems that the appetite for it in North America is only growing. Currently, GR models include the
GR Supra
,
GR86
,
GR Yaris
 and GR Corolla.
Toyota is planning to increase the production of the performance hatchback as demand for it has exceeded the company’s expectations, according to
Carbuzz
. The model that’s particularly popular is the Circuit Edition of the GR Corolla.

The namesake Circuit Edition in the USA shares similar specifications with the
Malaysian-specification model
 with items such as a bulging front hood, forged carbon roof, and front and rear Torsen limited slip differentials. The increased volume would likely also mean that there’d be enough cars for the market, preventing buyers from paying dealer markups.
The GR Corolla was launched in Malaysia recently to the tune of
 RM355,000
. It’s powered by a G16E-GTS 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s based on the GR Yaris’ 1.6-litre engine. It produces
304 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque and just like the GR Yaris, the GR Corolla is only available with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Key features include front and rear limited-slip differentials, an exposed carbon fibre roof, a rev-matching function, head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging along with seats and steering that’s similar to the GR Yaris, albeit with minor revisions.


This is how the all-new Civic Type R is built in Honda’s Yorii plant in Japan

The
 Civic Type R
 is nothing short of an automotive icon, and Honda wants to keep it that way with the
all-new FL5-generation model
. To that end, Honda has spent a considerable amount of care and effort, including devising up new manufacturing processes, to make sure it rolls out of the factory in its best suit possible, and they’re now showing it off in a new YouTube video.

Every example of the all-new Honda Civic Type R comes to life at the carmaker’s Yorii plant in Japan. But even though the factory completes the final assembly, it actually takes a global effort to create a car like this.
For instance, the FL5 CTR’s engine is made in the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio, and the transmission in Honda’s Suzuka plant. Both of which are then shipped over to a Honda “Mother Factory” in Ogawa, Japan, to be merged together before finally being integrated into the car at Yorii.
ALSO READ:
Only 400 Honda Civic Type R produced monthly, up to 6 months waiting period
2023 Honda Civic Type R
Since the Civic Type R is based on the 11th-generation FE/FL Honda Civic, it also shares most of the production line with the regular model. However, many of the processes – such as the assembly of the unique suspension – also had to be retooled and redesigned, due to the unique parts exclusive to the high-performance model.
The all-new FL5 Honda Civic Type R features an improved version of the carmaker’s K20C1 turbocharged inline-four engine, which now makes
315 hp
 and
 420 Nm
 of torque. Power, as always on the Type R, is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
RELATED:
Honda reveals 2022 Civic Type R performance figures, ‘small’ boost from FK8R


PLUS to activate SmartLane at 5 locations for Hari Raya Haji, emergency lanes open temporarily

To accommodate the increased traffic during this Hari Raya Haji festive season,
PLUS Malaysia
 will be activating its “SmartLane” at 5 locations. The SmartLane basically makes it legal to drive on the emergency lane at the “activated areas” to allow for smoother traffic flow. PLUS is expecting
2 million cars
 per day this festive season, higher than the usual 1.7 million cars on a normal day.
The locations where the SmartLane will be activated are as such:
Port Dickson Interchange – Seremban Interchange (KM260.0 to KM263.1 – Northbound)
Senai Utara Interchange – Kulai Interchange (KM19.0 to KM27.0 – Northbound)
Gua Tempurung – Gopeng stretch (KM306.7 to KM297.0 – Northbound)
Slim River – Sungkai (KM367.3 to KM354.1 – Northbound)
Rawang Rest & Service Area – Sungai Buaya Interchange (KM439.9 -KM435.5 – Northbound)
The activation of the SmartLane will depend on the traffic situation but will mainly be from June 28 to July 2, 2023. There will be officers and signages to indicate where the SmartLane starts and ends.
PLUS Senior General Manager of Operations, Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz said, “At these SmartLane locations, highway users will be allowed to temporarily enter and drive on the emergency lane before being directed back to the main lanes to continue their journey. However, users are strictly prohibited from driving on the emergency lanes at other locations where SmartLane is not activated.”
“The activation of SmartLane is not new. In fact, it has been implemented during previous festive seasons. At certain stretches such as Setia Alam-Shah Alam on the NKVE and USJ-Seafield on ELITE, SmartLane is carried out every day to facilitate traffic flow during morning peak hours on regular working days. SmartLane is also normally activated during emergency highway repairs and accident clearance work.”
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Also in anticipation of the traffic surge, PLUS will be taking the following measures:
Increase PLUSRonda teams to conduct additional patrols on the highways.
Temporarily suspend road maintenance works between June 24 and July 3 (exceptions will be made for maintenance and emergency works that require immediate action for safety).
Issue Travel Time Advisory (TTA) schedule. The TTA schedule can be referred to on the PLUS website or all PLUS social media channels.
Provide the latest traffic information through electronic boards on the highways, radio stations, PLUSTrafik Twitter, social media platforms, and the PUTRI Chatbot.
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EPA releases fuel economy figures for Bugatti Chiron, 21.4L/100 km!

When you’re able to spend €2.5 million (RM12 million) for a base Bugatti Chiron, chances are, “fuel economy” is a foreign concept to you. Lucky you, because the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just released its tested fuel economy of the 8.0-litre W16 quad-turbocharged Chiron and to nobody’s surprise, it’s a fuel guzzler. A 21.4 litre per 100 km fuel guzzler.
The EPA on its instrumented test yielded the Chiron to consume 9 MPG (26.1L/100 km) and 14 MPG (16.8L/100 km) on the highway. Combined, the Chiron returns a measly 11 MPG which translates to approximately
21.4 litre per 100 km
covered. Fortunately, these figures are very close to its official figures of
22.5L/100 km
. You can just hear the management of Volkswagen Group letting out a breath of relief.
Based on the EPA’s figures, the Chiron will have a theoretical range of
467 km
 (100-litre fuel tank). But with
1,500 hp
 and
1,600 Nm
 on tap, let’s just say no one will be driving it eco-consciously the whole time. According to
Top Gear
, when driving at a constant top speed of 420 km/h, the Chiron will last for only
9 minutes
 before depleting all 100-litres of precious fuel.
Then again, those who are able to part 2.5 million Euros for a piece of art on four wheels would probably not bat an eye when looking at these figures. After all, fuel is just a small price to pay to own the fastest luxury car in the world.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda has given the CX-30 extra claws on the road with an all-wheel drive model – RM176k

As such, there are now four variants for the
 all-new Mazda CX-30 launched earlier this year
 – including the 2.0G, 2.0G High, as well as a diesel-powered 1.8D High. As for the new 2.0G High AWD, it will sit at the top of the CX-30 range.
Under the hood, you get the
162 hp
 and
 213 Nm
 from the same 2.0-litre engine that powers the
2.0G
 and
2.0G High
. Those two however are
only front-wheel drive
 so it would be interesting to see how the CX-30 AWD would perform; given that it’s
69 kg heavier
 with the additional components from the i-Activ AWD system.
You get a 6-speed automatic gearbox and like the other models, this one is also equipped with Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) system.
As it is now the most expensive CX-30 you can buy, at
 RM176,059 on-the-road without insurance
, it comes with all the bells and whistles fitted in the 2.0G High and 1.8D High models. They include a powered tailgate, keyless entry, 10 parking sensors, a head up display, auto brake hold and a 10-way powered seat with memory function for the driver.
It also comes with the i-Activsense driver assistance system that comes with adaptive headlights with high beam control, Smart City Brake Support (front and rear), Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and a blind spot monitoring system.
The new 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G AWD comes with a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty and a 5-year free maintenance package. Prices for the other variants of the CX-30 are as follows:
1.8D High – RM172,943.60
2.0G High – RM164,059.00
2.0G – RM145,759.00 (RM2,700 increase)
GALLERY