Honda announces the price of all-new HR-V Hybrid in Thailand, from RM125k

Honda Automobile Thailand early this November unveiled the all-new
Honda HR-V
 with all the details and features but withheld the pricing.
Starting today, the all-new Honda HR-V e:HEV starts its pricing from
THB979,000
 (approx. RM125k) for the E variant, THB1,079,000 (approx. RM138k) for the EL variant and
THB1,179,000
 (over RM151k) for the range-topping RS variant. Although packed with more technology and features, the prices are only a slight increase of between THB20,000 to THB60,000 compared to the outgoing model.
All Honda HR-V Hybrid variants also undercut the
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid
 that has its pricing range from THB1,019,000 to THB1,199,000. Nissan Thailand meanwhile prices their
Kicks
 E-Power from THB889,000 to THB1,049,000.
One major reason why the more technologically advanced new-generation line-up does not see a huge price increase is due to the transparent green vehicle policies legislated by the Thai Board of Investment (BoI).
With Honda Automobile Thailand committed to building hybrid batteries and other associated components that contribute to ultra-low CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, the excise tax applied to the new Honda HR-V Hybrid is only
4%
, compared to a massive 20% on the outgoing model as well as the new Civic Turbo.
This significantly lower tax rate allows the vehicle to be fitted with plenty of new features whilst keeping the price increment controllable. Among the ‘wow’ features in the range-topping Honda HR-V Hybrid RS that is cheaper than the equivalent
Honda Civic Turbo RS
 are the panoramic glass roof, exclusive smoke coloured tail lamp, 18-inch wheels, powered tailgate with walk-away auto closure and two-tone body colour.
Want to know more about Toyota’s, Honda’s and Nissan’s self-charging hybrid systems? We made a quick summary here!
To be awarded the 4% excise tax incentive, the Honda HR-V Hybrid must emit less than 100 g/km of CO2 or approximately 4.3 litres per 100 km in fuel consumption (ECE R101 method), which the e:HEV system overachieving through an official reading of
3.9 litres per 100 km
.
The hybrid system in the new Honda HR-V comprise of an electric motor pushing out
131 hp and 253

Nm
 of torque paired with a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine peaking 105 hp and 127 Nm. This power unit is also seen in the City sedan and hatchback hybrid variants, albeit with lower outputs.
As for availability in Malaysia, we will need to be patient until at least two other models have completed their official launches- the upcoming
Honda City Hatchback
 and the all-new 11th generation Honda Civic. Honda Malaysia recently updated the current generation Honda HR-V 1.8 with a host of additional features and priced at just
RM105,364
.
GALLERY


Is the new Mitsubishi Triton the most handsome pick-up in Malaysia?

At long last, the
new Mitsubishi Triton launched in Bangkok
 two months ago, is here
after a preview at KLIMS 2018
 and will be available in five variants.
The highest spec
Triton Adventure X
 goes for RM135,200, followed by
Triton AT Premium
 at RM118,600,
Triton MT Premium
 at RM112,500,
Triton AT
 at RM105,990 and
Triton MT
at RM100,200.

The new Mitsubishi Triton is imported as a
 CBU vehicle from Thailand
 and is the only pick-up in Malaysia (2.4-litre category) to come with a 5 year/200,000 km warranty, whichever comes first.
Performance wise, the new Triton is powered by the same 2.4-litre MIVEC VGT engine with
 181 hp
 and
430 Nm
 of torque.
In terms of the transmission, the Triton gets a
new 6-speed automatic
 instead of the previous 5-speed unit for smoother and more refined acceleration, as
we experienced first hand in Bangkok
.
While the previous model Triton had already proved that pick-ups can be comfortable, larger diameter rear dampers have been adopted in the new model for even better ride comfort and reduced body roll.
On the braking front, the Triton now utilises larger front disc brakes, complemented by larger brake calipers.
By far the biggest change on the new Triton is how it looks. It now wears the Dynamic Shield design language which will be applied onto future Mitsubishi models.
The high spec model gets Bi-LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, while its fog lamps are halogen units.
The headlamps in itself are now positioned higher – 700mm off the ground – so they wouldn’t be submerged and malfunction in the event of a flood.
Its wheel arches are now noticeably flared, giving the new Triton a more muscular stance.
As for size, the new Triton is 10mm longer and is 15 kg lighter compared to its predecessor – not that we’d care cause it looks so enticing.
Inside, the new Triton’s interior design remains largely similar save for some minor tweaks.
There’s a new switch gear, soft touch materials on the door panels and more noticeably by the knees.
 By far the coolest addition has to be the rear air-con vents with fan speed controls, mounted onto the “ceiling” of the new Triton.
Behind the armrest, you’d find a sizeable tray, companied by two USB ports. In total, the new Triton comes with four USB ports.
The Triton’s driver assistance systems have also been significantly upgraded.
While the old model only had the likes of Active Stability Control and Traction Control to shout about, the new Triton now features Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) that works
 up to 60 km/h
, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
It also comes with Hill Descent Control and Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System that works
 up to four metres (front and back)
 which essentially ensures that you’d never reverse or drive into a wall/car by accident.
An Auto High Beam feature is also available in the top Adventure X variant, alongside seven airbags. The rest of the models will receive two airbags with ISOFIX as standard across the board.
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren MP4-X: How future Formula One cars may look [+ Video]

What do you get if you tell the designers of McLaren Applied Technologies to let loose of their imaginations and be crazy when it comes to designing the next generation Formula One race car? The answer is, you get a radical but futuristic concept known as the McLaren MP4-X.
At first glance, the concept does ring a bell or two to fans of this classic anime series “
Future GPX Cyber Formula
“.  Apart from its slick and silky smooth design, there’s a closed canopy cockpit, enforcing safety to the driver after the tragic accident that
took Jules Bianchi’s life
 not too long ago.
According to McLaren, they have combined a number of F1’s key ingredients –
speed, excitement
 and
performance
. The MP4-X ditches the internal combustion engine, instead it’s powered by an
electrical powertrain
(and no, not Honda’s), something McLaren has experienced with the P1 hypercar and its exploits in Formula E cars. When the car requires a boost, it uses
solar energy
 to gain performance.
Apart from that, the car features
active aerodynamics
 where electrodes fitted to the surface of the car’s wings would electronically control the bodywork. It may use engine power to channel energy in a form of plasma flow control to change the bodywork, allowing downforce to be adjusted according to conditions. Talk about rocket science…
Since the MP4-X throws away what is written in the current F1 regulations, it features
huge venturi tunnels
 underneath the floor. This allows ground effect to take place, increasing the car’s traction at high speeds.
Remember the time you were playing driving video games like Gran Turismo, where information such as car status, map, timer, track conditions and other essentials get projected onto your TV screen? Well, you’ll get some sort of a similar experience while driving the MP4-X.
To start, the driver’s helmet is a
 helmet-mounted display system
 (HDMS) that allows the driver to check competitors and relay useful info to the team. As the car is fitted with cameras, the driver will have an unrestricted 360 degree view of his/her surroundings. Also, there’s a head-up display (HUD), alerting drivers of an imminent overtaking by fellow competitor, caution flags and obstacles on the track.
To complement this car, McLaren has also envisaged the racing suit of a future F1 driver and it will comprise of
smart fabrics
 – a mix of conductive, energy-harvesting and energy-storage fibres; inbuilt bio-sensors and power management. The suit can monitor the health of the driver, and can relay the impact trauma or injury in the event of an accident. Think of Iron Man’s suit (minus the bulky armour) and you won’t be far off.
Bravery and fast motor skills may not be necessary the only skills the driver must have, as the MP4-X can be steered not by physical controls but through a holographic system that’s controlled by monitoring the electrical signals within the driver’s brain.
As ambitious as these things sound, many of these technologies are still in its infancy and may just not make it to see the light of day. Apart from meeting stringent FIA rules that’s stricter than a typical Asian tiger mum, it’ll be horribly expensive to develop as well. In the current era of F1 where many smaller teams are financially struggling, such an endeavour may dampen such advancements.
Despite that, we applaud McLaren’s vision of the future of F1, providing some of the craziest ideas that could inject the much-needed excitement in the pinnacle of motorsports. Now, if only they can do something magical for the Honda powertrain for next year…
IMAGE GALLERY


TC Subaru offers assistance to flood-hit vehicle owners

In light of the ongoing flood situation affecting major states across Malaysia and particularly in Shah Alam and Klang, TC Subaru is reaching out to Subaru owners impacted by the disaster to assist them during these challenging times.
All Subaru authorised service centres nationwide will be offering flood-affected vehicles a 15% discount on all parts. Owners of flood-damaged Subaru models can call the Subaru Careline Assist at
1-800-22-9898
 or bring their vehicles to any authorised service centre by December 31st 2021.
The move is to help owners keep their Subaru models in optimal condition.
TC Subaru earlier launched the Subaru Connex telematics system. More about the feature here.
TC Subaru, Country Manager, Eugene Tay said, ”We want to reach out to Subaru owners who are affected by the sudden floods after the unrelenting downpour over the weekend. As safety remains paramount for us, we want to assure our customers that we are here to ensure that their Subaru vehicles continue to provide safe, peace of mind drives even after this unexpected flood,”


Toyota Prius gets V8 engine, to race in 2016 Super GT Series [+ Video]

What we have here could be the fastest Toyota Prius in the world. Well, sort of. Toyota, through APR Racing, is set to race using the
fourth-generation Prius
 for the GT300 category in this year’s Super GT championship.
Unveiled in last week’s Tokyo Auto Salon, this is not the first time a Prius is spotted in the realm of motorsports. The third generation Prius made its debut in the 2012 Super GT season under the APR Racing arm and won its maiden race the following year. Just like most machines in Super GT, the race car version of the Prius will be significantly different from the standard variant.
For starters, the 1.8-litre petrol engine that powers the standard Prius has been removed to make way for a mid-mounted
3.4-litre ‘RV8K’ V8
 race engine. Although this V8 engine is capable of producing over 500 hp (as seen in its exploits in Super Formula open wheel racing), GT300 regulations have capped the car to produce at most
300 hp
.
Toyota’s improved
Hybrid Synergy Drive
 system has also been relocated to the passenger footwell for improved weight distribution. This means that the car is still technically a hybrid. It’s not all gloom and doom too, because F1 and World Endurance Championship LMP1 class prove that hybrid powertrain is beneficial for racing too!
Just like an ordinary GT car, there are aerodynamic enhancements to keep the car glued to the road. Such components include a front splitter, side fenders, rear diffuser and a huge wing that should do the trick. On the inside, the standard seats and dashboard have all been taken out to make way for a digital tachometer and a steering wheel plucked from a Formula One car.
The hot new racing Prius will make its racing debut in the opening leg of the 2016 Super GT session held in Okayama International Circuit on 9 and 10 April 2016.


Shell Malaysia introduces new Shell Helix Professional engine oil

Shell Malaysia has introduced the new Shell Helix Professional range, specially tailored to meet the requirements and specifications of a select group of car engine manufacturers. The new Shell Helix Professional range is comprised of the
Shell Helix Ultra Professional ABB 5W- 40
 and
Shell Helix HX7 Professional SN 5W-30
.
Shell Lubricants, General Manager for Malaysia and Singapore, Nyon Kam Yew said that the new engine oil range enables the car manufacturers’ official service centres and specialist workshops to deliver more value via customised service packages to benefit their customers.
“With the new range of engine oil, these businesses can now incorporate a genuine, premium quality engine oil with proven performance from a trusted brand in special value service packages,” he said.
Developed for high-performance petrol and diesel engines, the fully synthetic Shell Helix

Ultra Professional ABB 5W-40 is formulated with Shell’s proprietary PurePlus Technology and features a 99.5% pure base oil made from natural gas.
Both Shell Helix Ultra Professional ABB 5W-40 and Shell Helix HX7 Professional SN5W-30 will also feature Shell’s unique
Active Cleansing Technology
 to keep the engine close to factory-clean and prevent deposit build-up, while providing excellent wear and corrosion protection, even under extreme operating conditions.
As a result, both lubricants offer enhanced fuel economy as well as sludge and wear protection to help keep maintenance costs low.
BMW Malaysia is the
first premium car marque to introduce the Shell Helix Professional range
 into its service programme. Their latest engine oil service programme will now feature the Shell Helix Ultra Professional ABB 5W-40 to ensure a premium ownership experience for BMW owners in Malaysia.
Recently, Shell also added the new
Shell Helix Power and Shell Helix Protect
 into their range of engine lubricants. Find out more about it
here
.


G’Zox opens largest outlet in Malaysia at Glenmarie

After more than 10 years in the Malaysian market, G’zox has opened a new outlet in Glenmarie and it’s the biggest among 11 others in the country.
Aside from the usual vehicle coating and auto detailing services, the outlet also offers services to protect the paint of your car’s exterior and interior, windscreen protection films, disinfection services, custom made car mats and custom vinyl wrap.
In case you’re wondering, these are the same guys who were tasked to wrap a very unique
BMW M4
which was on display at Pavilion during Malaysia Day
.
 They were also responsible for the
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe wrapped in Batik designs, previewed to us recently
.
The facility in Glenmarie also houses a cafe, racing simulator, customer lounge, kids corner and a pool table, with personalised manicure and massage services.
As for the rates, a car wash starts from RM17, while polish and waxing packages starts from RM190. If you feel like pampering your car a little more, glass coating services start from RM1,800 while the paint protection film packages start from RM500 for the headlamps. Vinyl wrap services start from RM4,000 onwards.
G’zox Glenmarie also provides rental space for private events by car clubs and other organisations along with catering, and the necessary lighting and sound equipment.
G’zox Glenmarie is located at Lot 4, Jalan Kartunis U1/47, Temasya Industrial Park, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. For appointments, call 03-55696588 or 012-9883983. Business hours from Monday to Saturday are from 9 am to 6 pm.
GALLERY


Video: Mercedes-AMG GLC63S Coupe 4MATIC, Things You Need To Know

Among the trio of Mercedes-AMG SUVs launched yesterday, the GLC 63 S Coupe stood out with its unmistakably unique Coupe like body design. Here are the things you need to know about the visually-alluring SUV.
Under the hood, boasts an engine and transmission that’s similar to the one in the GLC 63 S 4MATIC, with the similar 0 to 100 km/h and top speed figures – 3.8 seconds and 270 km/h.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe 4MATIC is priced at
RM 933,888
 on-the-road without insurance, a full RM18k more than the GLC 63 S 4MATIC.
IMAGE GALLERY


Next-gen Aston Martin DB grand tourer to debut on May 24 – “Grand is not enough”

“This is no mere GT. Grand is not enough”. This is the teaser slogan
Aston Martin
 is advertising to tease its new upcoming next-generation model of the iconic DB series. Confirmed to be debuted on
May 24
,
2023
, the birth of this new grand tourer will also be marking the brand’s 75th anniversary of its DB series.
Aston Martin claimed the upcoming DB model to be a sports car that breaks free from the norms of the GT sector. The sports carmaker also mentioned this next-generation DB grand tourer and its future models to be characterised by prodigious performance and pinpoint driving dynamics.
RELATED:
Aston Martin DBX 707 AMR23 Edition debuts – F1 medical car replica
Two core values have been set by the British luxury sports carmaker for its upcoming models. These values include high performance and ultra-luxury, which has always been what Aston Martin is all about over the years. Aside from performance, the future generation models are also said to feature advanced technologies that come with seamless integration, sublime style, as well as impeccable craftsmanship.
Unfortunately, no further details have been shared by Aston Martin regarding this upcoming DB grand tourer. Whether it will be powered by the carmaker’s V12 engines or electric motors, we will have to wait and see.
Closer to home,
Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur
 has just launched its track-focused
Vantage F1 Edition
 sports car in March this year. With the next generation DB sports car coming this month, we can’t wait to see what the British carmaker has for us.
Feeling excited about this new upcoming ultra-luxury, high-performance grand tourer? Let us know in the comments below!
RELATED:
Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition now in Malaysia, RM978k before taxes


Audi R6 sports car planned, to slot between TT and R8

This piece of news has been going around for some time now, that Audi is planning to introduce a brand new model that will fill the gap between the TT and R8. It’s called the R6, and if it were to be true, the model will be the first for newly formed Audi Sport division.
According to a report from
AutoBild
, the R6 could be a mid-engined sports car just like the R8. It will share the same underpinnings as the
718 Boxster
 and
718 Cayman
 models, but will utilise Ingolstadt’s Quattro technology instead of rear-a wheel driven solution from Stuggart.
Will the Audi R6 look like the R8, or more like the TT?
Also, Audi is expected to employ its own engines via a
turbocharged 2.5-liter straight five
 engine that powers the RS Q3 model. Three variants of R6 are being planned – the entry level gets 280 hp, followed by a 340 hp mid-range while the range topper, presumably the R6 plus, will get around
400 hp
. Transmission option will most likely be a
dual-clutch S-Tronic
.
The thing is, Audi’s executives have yet to give the car a green light. If all goes well, we might just see the R6 make its debut sometime next year at a major international motor show.
Just what are your thoughts on the R6, guys?
[Source:
Auto Bild
]


Video: Toyota Hilux 2.8L Rogue, here’s what makes it stand out from the rest!

Pick-up trucks these days are more than just trusty workhorses – many are now buying these vehicles to be used as their daily commutes, which means that they need to be both tough enough for the rough terrains, but also comfortable enough to cruise on highways. So when Toyota gave the venerable Hilux a
refresh last year
, they’ve stuffed the pick-up truck with everything but the kitchen sink, in order to appease all forms of Hilux drivers out there.
But what are these new features meant for, and how do they help the Hilux stand out from the sea of pick-up truck offerings out there these days? Armed with the new Toyota Hilux 2.8L Rogue, we dropped by the M4TREC off-road playground to test the new truck’s capabilities, and find out what’s what.

Among all the new improvements fitted onto the new Toyota Hilux, the most noticeable one – at least for us city dwellers – is the reworked suspension set-up.
Due to the high payload requirement on pick-up trucks, they are mostly equipped with leaf springs at the rear, which gives pick-up trucks their infamous jittery ride quality. By extending the length of the leaf springs, alongside retuned dampers and new mounts, the new Hilux is noticeably less “busy” on the move, making the drive a lot more comfortable.
Next up is the new Auto LSD feature, useful for when you unintentionally get stuck in treacherous terrain in rear-wheel-drive mode. Using the brakes to individually control wheelspin, the Auto LSD feature sends traction to the wheel with most traction to help push you out of the bind.
Interested to see how they work? Be sure to check out the video above where we try them off of the beaten path – or rather, places we never thought we’d drive at. Obviously, there are still a tonne of features that we don’t have the time to demonstrate, so do have a look at our
media drive vlog
, as well as the
 launch coverage
, where we talk go through the list in more detail!


Facts & Figures: BMW iX xDrive40 electric SUV launched in Malaysia, from RM419k!

Remember our
previous article
on BMW’s Facebook post regarding the iX electric SUV? Well, it seems we’re getting the

xDrive40 and xDrive50
 of the iX after all, along with the iX3 electric SUV and the latest i4 eDrive40. All of which will be fully imported.
Find out more detailed information on the
iX
, the
iX3
 and the

i4

electric cars here.
The BMW iX.
Of the models mentioned above BMW Malaysia only released the prices of the iX xDrive40 as follows:
xDrive40 – RM435,800
xDrive40 Sport – RM488,800
xDrive40 with Power Package – RM440,400
xDrive40 Sport with Power Package – RM493,400
BMW Malaysia has only provided prices
excluding SST exemptions
 for now and they are inclusive of the extended warranty.
With the standard warranty and excluding SST exemptions, the iX is priced as follow:
xDrive40 – RM419,630
xDrive 40 Sport – RM472,630
xDrive40 with Power Package – RM424,230
xDrive Sport with Power Package – RM477,230
Each unit from the BMW i fleet will also be offered with an 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty, whichever comes first.
With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the iX xDrive40 and BMW iX xDrive40 Sport starts from RM 4,888.00 and RM 5,478.00 respectively (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).
BMW Malaysia is now taking orders for the new BMW i fleet, where those interested can place their booking online, for a fee of RM5,000.
PERFORMANCE
Horsepower: 326 hp
Torque: 630 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 6.1 seconds
Top Speed: 200 km/h
The xDrive40 gets all-wheel drive from two electric motors, one on each axle, and a 76.6kWh battery that provides 425 km of electric driving range. With a 11kW AC charger, full charge takes approximately seven hours.
With up to 150 kW DC fast charging, the electric SUV can be charged up to 80% in about 30 mins.
The first 50 customers to pre-book the iX xDrive40 or xDrive40 Sport will receive complimentary charger installation and a complimentary 1-year to access public charging. The offer ends on the 22nd of September.
The BMW i4 eDrive40
We can talk all day long about how it looks but it’s already done so let’s focus on what’s on the body for now. It’s as clean and minimalist as you like *without talking about the grille* and it’s got all the bits you’d expect in a RM400k SUV.
EXTERIOR
21-inch aerodynamic wheels with 255/50 tyres
Comfort Access (keyless entry etc.)
Welcome lights
LED headlamps with High Beam Assistant
INTERIOR
4-zone air conditioning
Electrically-adjustable seats for driver
12.3-inch instrument cluster
14.9-inch infotainment system With BMW Operating System 8
Wireless Charging
Add on the Sport Package for an additional RM53,000 and here’s what you get:
Panoramic Roof
22-inch wheels
Sport Line kit (sport brakes with blue calipers, darkened headlamps, sport seats)
18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
Real wood and crystal cabin trims
BMW Laserlight
Surround view camera
Lane and Steering Control Assistant
The standard safety features consists of Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, autonomous emergency braking (front and rear), rear cross-traffic alert, Reverse and Park Assistant and reverse camera.
Customers can also find out more and register their interest in the
i4 eDrive40 electric coupe
 and the
iX3 electric SUV
 via the BMW Shop Online platform.
GALLERY


Perodua Axia Facelift launched, new 1.0L DVVT-i, from RM25k to RM43k!

After teasing the public with snippets from a brochure, Perodua has finally revealed the Axia facelift. Perodua’s smallest car has just been given a midlife refresher to its looks as well as an updated engine shared with its sedan sibling,
the Bezza
.
Resting under the hood of the Axia is an updated 1KR-VE 1.0-litre three-cylinder DOHC with VVT-i that produces
67 hp
 and
91 Nm
. Power outputs are up by 1 hp and 1 Nm. Transmission options are the same – either the
five-speed manual
 or a
four-speed automatic
. Perodua claims that the Axia is capable of returning
22.5 km/L
 compared to the Toyota-sourced 1KR-DE engine’s 21.6 km/L. The Axia can proudly hold on to its title of the
country’s first Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV)
.
QUCIK FACTS
Name
Perodua Axia 1.0 Standard E (MT)
Perodua Axia 1.0 Standard G (MT)
Perodua Axia 1.0 Standard G (AT)
Perodua Axia SE 1.0 (MT)
Perodua Axia SE 1.0 (AT)
Perodua Axia 1.0 Advance (AT)
Engine
998cc; DOHC, 3-cylinder
Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Max Power
67 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
91 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
Price
RM24,900
RM34,900
RM36,900
RM37,900
RM39,900
RM42,900
The Axia is offered in four variants – Standard E, Standard G, SE and Advance and prices have gone up from RM100 to RM5,100. In spite of that, the Axia remains as the cheapest brand new car sold in Malaysia.

Exterior wise, Standard E and G variants now get a redesigned front look with a single bar front grille and
projector headlamps
 taken from the pre-facelift Axia whereas a tailgate handle is added to the otherwise unchanged rear. Standard E Axia’s rides on 14-inch steel rims while G variants ride on eight-spoke alloys of the same size.
As for SE and Advance variants, the two receive a more polished front bumper with a dual bar front grille, new designed projector headlamps, front fog lamps, chrome door handles with keyless entry and a subtle side skirt. The rear section mirrors the pre-facelift model, save for a new backdoor handle with keyless entry. These two higher end models ride on
14-inch “Spiral design” alloy
 wheels.

Inside, the changes on the Axia is less obvious. All variants now get an Eco indicator and a redesigned instrument cluster. Like on the Bezza, the SE and Advance variants now feature
keyless start
 button and parking sensors off button. Lastly, exclusive to the Advance variant is a touchscreen infotainment system with Smart Link (projects your smartphone onto the display screen).
On the safety front, unfortunately the Axia does not get active safety systems like the Bezza. While dual airbags are standard across the range, ABS is omitted on the base Standard E model. All Axias are awarded with a four-star ASEAN ANCAP safety rating.

Customers can have their Axia facelift in
six exterior colours
 – Midnight Blue, Ebony Black, Glittering Silver and Ivory White, whereas Lava Red and Sunflower Yellow are reserved for SE and Advance models. There is also a range of genuine Perodua GearUP accessory packages to choose from.
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren’s all-electric supercar’s performance will rival the 675LT!

Just after McLaren expressed that they will be building a full-electric concept car, the company has revealed to
AutoCar UK
 that the full-electric model will have performance equaling the
track focused 675LT
. The concept model is said to be next car to come after the Ultimate Series replacement –
P15
.
Committed to have
at least 50 percent of their model line up to feature hybrid powertrain technology by 2022
, McLaren intends to build
five test mules
 initially and have a selection of McLaren owners to sample the car as part of the development process, reported
AutoCar
. If the rumour holds any truth, the new electric supercar will need to best the 675LT’s 666 hp and 700 Nm of torque. To recap, the 675LT rockets from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
 2.9 seconds
, and another
 5 seconds
 to reach
200 km/h
, with a

top speed of
330 km/h.
The company will also build upon its experience with the
hybrid-powered P1 hypercar
 and involvement in
Formula E
 racing to give the electric road car superior performance and mileage. Besides that, from 2018 onwards, McLaren Applied Technologies will be supplying a new battery pack for Formula E race cars that has double the driving range compared to the existing battery pack. This technology will trickle down to their road cars.
Seems the guys at McLaren have their hands tied down for the next five years with this full-electric supercar, the
legendary F1
 replacement
BP23
 and the
P1 hypercar replacement P15
. Which one you’re most looking forward to?


Hap Seng Star launches new RM99 mil Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Setia Alam

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
, together with its dealer-partner
Hap Seng Star
, today officially launched the newly-relocated Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Setia Alam. Built at a cost of RM99 million, the seven-storey facility, sitting on roughly 79,000 square feet of land area, boasts several new enhancements and upgrades that “embodies a luxurious retail experience concept for customers”.
Among which, is a new showroom floor that spans over 11,526 square feet, sufficient for 16 cars on display, alongside new amenities such as a self-service café, kid’s playroom, and a luxurious ladies powder room.
Additionally, the showroom also features a lifestyle retail area, stocking a wide range of Mercedes-Benz-branded luxury accessories and collectable products that will be available to purchase.
The larger outlet also now boasts a new service area spanning over 29,549 sqft, with expandable work bays to service up to 1,500 cars a month. Aside from normal scheduled service maintenance, The outlet also offers a variety of other works including Express Service 2.0, pick-up and delivery, drop-and-go service booking, wheel alignment and balancing, electrical diagnosis and repairs, paint coating, glass tinting, as well as insurance and warranty claims.
RELATED: Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Coupe PHEV launched in Malaysia – RM374,074
Hap Seng Group Automotive Division Chief Executive, Harald Behrend said, “Setia Alam is a prominent fast-booming township with potential, and we want to be where our customers are. With this new Setia Alam outlet, we want our customers to experience luxury like no other through our new luxury retail presence, equipped with lavish features and special amenities.”
The Hap Seng Group currently operates 10 Mercedes-Benz Autohaus locations across the country, having invested a total of RM673 million to date. In a Q-and-A session after the launch, Behrend also revealed that the company will be adding another new outlet in the coming months.
GALLERY


Audi TTS 2.0 TFSI quattro now available in Malaysia, first official Audi S model for RM390k

When Audi Malaysia told us that they’re going on the offensive, they obviously weren’t lying. Just over five months after launching the
Audi TT
, the hotter 286 hp TTS joins the Mk3 TT lineup, fully kitted and carries a sticker price of RM389,900 – about RM105k more than the regular TT.
If you’re unaware, the Mk2 TTS populating our streets aren’t official imports, so all of those you see  on the road are sold by parallel importers. This Mk3 TTS however, is the first ever Audi S model to be officially introduced in Malaysia.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Audi TTS 2.0 TFSI quattro
Engine
1,984cc; four-cylinder TFSI
Transmission
6-speed S tronic dual clutch
Max Power
286 hp
Max Torque
380 Nm @ 1,800 – 5,200 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
4.7 seconds; 250 km/h (electronically limited)
Price
RM389,900
EXTERIOR
Almost all of the exterior styling of the TTS is carried over from the TT, save for some very telling (and compulsory) S enhancements. The grille is now completely finished in chromed and the TT’s front bumper has been swapped out for a more dynamic looking finish. Other notable visual differences are the aluminium-satin side mirrors,
19-inch forged aluminium wheels
, TTS badges, unique rear bumper with integrated diffuser and two pairs of dual oval tailpipes.

The LED headlights with LED daytime running lights are standard here, but there’s also a RM5,000 Matrix LED option should you fancy Audi’s high tech illuminating technology. There are eleven exterior colours for you to choose, two of which are exclusive TTS colours – Vegas Yellow and Sepang Blue with pearl effect.
INTERIOR
Inside the TTS is a familiar affair for current TT owners. In short, nothing much is new to the interior, at least they’re not visually distinguishable. For a start, there’s the signature 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit housed behind the leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel. The air conditioning vents are identical to that of the TT, and the controls are built right into the dials for a neat finish.

That said, the interior has to be different to warrant the RM100k extra, right? Right you are, dear readers. Standard features inside the cabin of the TTS include power adjustable S sports seats, TTS sports contour steering wheel with paddle shifters, matte brushed aluminium inlays and S-badge scuff plates on both door apertures. But wait, that’s not all. It also comes with a
 Bang & Olufsen sound system
 with DVD Drive, 14-channel amplifier and
12 speakers
 with an output of 680 Watts. Yes, they all come as standard.
PERFORMANCE
Pop the hood and you’ll immediately find the familiar transversely mounted engine. It’s the same
2.0-litre TFSI
four-cylinder block that’s shared with the regular TT, but here it’s tuned to make
286 hp
 and
 380 Nm
 of torque. That’s just about 56 hp and 10 Nm more than the TT, so what’s there to shout about, right? Now, listen up. Much of the engine is tweaked for it to produce such numbers, but whether or not it’s significant to you is a topic for another day.
The regular Audi TT has 230 hp and 370 Nm of torque
This direct injected engine gets several recalibrated components comprised of reinforced aluminium pistons, connecting rods, bearings and crankcases. Also, a larger turbocharger is fitted with
maximum boost pressure rated of 1.2 bar
, and this is complemented with with a high performance air-to-air intercooler for rapid engine cooling. All these upgrades translate to a blistering 0 to 100 km/h sprint of
 4.7 seconds
 (that’s a full 1.2 seconds faster than the normal TT), yet it’s capable of returning a fuel economy of
6.9 litres per 100km
. Yeah, don’t bother going green with this machine. Like other German makes, the TTS has its top speed electronically capped at
 250 km/h
 for obvious safety reasons.
Another feature shared between the TT and the TTS is the five driving modes – Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency and Individual. It also comes with the automatic rear spoiler that sits flush when you’re cruising below 120 km/h, but pops open once you exceed that threshold for increased aerodynamics. The
six-speed S tronic dual clutch
 gearbox remains as is, but drive is now sent to all four wheels via
Audi’s quattro AWD system
.
WHAT ELSE?
The TTS is fitted with six airbags on top of the usual three-lettered acronyms of safety features. According to Audi Malaysia’s Head of Corporate Comms, Isaac Lee Mathews, the introduction of the Audi TTS is just the beginning of bigger things to come, so we can certainly expect some official red hot RS models to brawl against BMW and Mercedes-Benz. But for now, the TTS can be yours for RM389,900 and is available at all authorised Audi dealerships nationwide.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi TTS 2.0 TFSI

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Launch


Mazda introduces the new G-Vectoring Control (GVC) Plus

Pretty sure you’re aware by now of Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control (GVC) wizardry, found in the Mazda 3, 6, CX-5 and CX-9 to name a few, the world’s first control system that varies engine torque in response to engine input to improve all things vehicle control.
They’ve now developed a second generation of it called the G-Vectoring Control Plus which will be rolled out to all Mazda models, beginning with the updated Mazda CX-5 that just went on sale in Japan. Here’s a look at what the previous GVC system does:
GVC Plus applies light braking forces to the outer wheels to provide stability and composure to the vehicle for a clean exit as the driver steers out of a corner.
In addition to improving handling in emergency/evasive maneuvers, GVC Plus offers a reassuring feeling of control when changing lanes on the highway or even when driving on snow and other slippery road surfaces.


Video: 2019 facelift Isuzu D-Max 1.9L & 3.0L Ddi BluePower, 5 Things

Isuzu has finally delivered the
new D-Max, with the 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine
 that’s been on everyone’s lips since they’ve kept us waiting for the last few years.
This delay, seeing as Thailand has been running the 1.9-litre powertrain for years, was due to the extensive development on the engine in order for it to thrive in our local driving conditions.

The new D-Max, available in both 1.9-litre and 3.0-litre engine options, come in 11 different variants. For all intents and purposes, focus will be on the new 1.9-litre engine which Isuzu claims not just to be
quieter by 2-3 decibles
, more robust and efficient with 14% less emissions but also
significantly lighter (by 56kg) and more powerful
 than the 2.5-litre engine it replaces.
The new RZ4E engine serves up
10% more power and 9% more torque
 compared to the 2.5-litre engine from before with
150 hp
 and
350 Nm
.
The new powertrain has been developed side by side with both the new 6-speed automatic or manual transmissions, featuring a new Final Drive and wider gear ratios, for even more optimised performance.
And the results speak for themselves. While the following figures may not matter in a pick-up, the facts may intrigue you.
Can you spot what’s new? Here are some
 answers
.
The new
 1.9-litre D-Max
 with the 6-speed automatic transmission does 0 to 400 metres in 19.3 seconds and 0 to 100 km/h in 13.7 seconds.
The previous 2.5-litre
 model did it in 20.3 seconds and 15.3 seconds respectively – borderline disturbing stuff this.
To sweeten the deal even more, those who book the new 1.9-litre or 3.0-litre Isuzu D-Max
between 18th of September to 31st of October 2019
 will be given
5-years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with up to 8-years or 80,000 km Free Maintenance
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Original Land Rover Series 1 completes 114-day Last Overland Expedition

After 114 days,
the Last Overland
 – a team reversing the famous Oxford and Cambridge Far East Expedition, have finally arrived at the finish line in London – just a few steps from the starting line of the 1956 expedition.
The journey, which was flagged-off in Singapore was completed with the original “Oxford” Land Rover Series 1, bearing its original SNX891 registration number, after it was rescued from neglect in Ascension Land.
The trip was made even more special with 87-year old Tim Slessor, one of the team members from the original expedition, who will be retracing the route in reverse with award winning filmmaker Alex Bescoby.
Alex recounts, “This journey has definitely been an action packed one, filled with many ups and downs, and I can’t believe how quickly the eighteen months that went into planning this journey has brought us here, all in one piece so far!
“We’ve managed to drive this incredible 64-year-old car once more, to so many remote and fascinating parts of the world, through tropical monsoons, -20 degree and at more than 5000 m above sea level. Oxford has taken it all in stride. ” he added.
The Last Overland was supported by Land Rover on multiple stops along the journey, including the flag-off in Singapore, and visit to Cameron Highlands and Penang, whilst most recently the Last Overland team visited Nitra, Slovakia where the New Defender is built.
At the finish line, Oxford was greeted by a new Defender 110, donned in a specially commissioned Oxford & Cambridge Expedition livery. The special livery features the original Oxford Blue & Cambridge Blue colours, along with Oxford & Cambridge Expeditions lettering on the door – in tribute to the features on the original cars.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota does it again, launches the 86 860 Special Edition with no gains at all

The
Toyota 86
 is five years old, and throughout its lifetime, it has always been labelled as a fun car to drive, but many claimed it lacked performance. So, does this US-only Toyota 86 860 Special Edition coupe change anything?
Sadly, no. Besides being the unfortunate beneficiary of a pointless name, the 860 represents nothing except for the number of cars built. That’s right, just 860 units of this 86 will be built, with no changes done whatsoever to the engine. The same 2.0-litre boxer engine producing 208 hp is retained.
The only thing customers get out of this purchase are “visual updates”, including the
Supernova Orange
 and
Halo White
 exterior colours with Scuderia-esque black stripes in the middle. The package also includes 17-inch wheels, rear wing, heated side mirrors and LED fog lights.
Inside, it receives heated leather seats, and the cabin gets two-tone black and orange finishing. There’s also dual zone climate control and a 4.2-inch screen displaying various driving data, of which include a lap timer and G-force meter.
The Toyota 86 860 Special Edition is priced at
$29,155
 (approximately
RM130k
) for the manual and
$29,875
 (approximately
RM133k
) for the automatic variant. At this rate, let’s just give up waiting for that “hot” version of the 86.
IMAGE GALLERY


Smart’s upcoming EV crossover is actually, literally, called the #1

Smart has never had a good track record in naming their cars – just look at the
fortwo and forfour
 – but their latest might have just taken the cake once and for all, because it’s literally called #1. Yes, Smart #1, with the hashtag symbol.
In case you weren’t aware, Smart is going through a little bit of a renaissance at the moment, reinventing itself as a “premium all-electric automotive technology brand” following the
joint venture agreement between Geely and Mercedes-Benz
, who now co-own the brand.
The company has already previously unveiled the
Concept #1
 with a new design philosophy, but today’s announcement confirms that the hashtag will officially become the new naming convention for the brand’s new era of products, followed by a number much like many of the other electric vehicles in the market – including its sister brands
Polestar
 and
Zeekr
.
Smart explains that the ‘#’ symbol is “often used to indicate the hottest topics in social media”, and is “evocative of trendsetting in the digital era”, which is why it’s fitting for the brand. Uh, okay, I guess.
“As the first product set to launch following the brand’s renewal, the smart #1 perfectly combines electric-drive technology and premium quality. I am convinced that the smart #1 will enthuse future customers in both China and Europe, setting new trends of urban mobility and co-creating powerful brand experiences wherever it will make an appearance,” said Smart Automobile VP of Global Sales, Marketing and After-Sales, Daniel Lescow.
The Smart #1 has recently completed a series of aerodynamic and winter tests, and the carmaker is quick to point out that the crossover EV measured a drag coefficient of just 0.29 Cd, which should help it achieve better driving range particularly on the highway.
Designed by the Mercedes-Benz global design team, Smart says that the #1 features a streamlined exterior that is also “a perfect balance of aesthetics and aerodynamics”, with many innovative devices such as concealed door handles, active grille shutter, and sleek shape all helping the electric crossover achieve said aerodynamic performance while still carrying the brand’s new “Sensual Producty” design philosophy.
The winter test also allowed Smart to test a couple of its smart (
haha, get it
) design features, including the ice-breaking function on the concealed door handles, as well as the battery temperature regulation system that can pre-heat the battery to ensure optimised charging speeds, as well as optimal working temperatures when driving.
Smart also says that the #1 will feature a robust ESP system from Bosch, which ensures that driving comfort, handling stability, and braking performance all remain in check even when the weather gets tricky.
“Thanks to the seamless cooperation between smart and the Mercedes-Benz design team, the smart #1 is a masterpiece of engineering,” said Smart Automobile VP of Research and Development, Yang Jun. “The pre-market test results also prove the outstanding quality, performance and reliability of the smart #1.”
The Smart #1 is due to make its official debut later this year. Closer to home, Proton has announced that it will be
importing and distributing the new era of Smart EVs
 in Malaysia and Thailand via its distribution arm, Proton Edar.
GALLERY


2016 Toyota Fortuner launched in Malaysia, priced at RM187k and RM200k

Introduced alongside the
all-new Toyota Hilux
 is its ladder frame counterpart, the
new Toyota Fortuner
. Like the Hilux, this seven-seater SUV is also locally assembled in Shah Alam. Just two variants are on sale: a 2.4-litre turbodiesel and 2.7-litre petrol, priced at RM187k and RM200k respectively.
Now, due to tax issues, UMW Toyota Motor would not be offering the range topping 2.8-litre diesel variant because it will be priced well over RM200k. In its place is the SRZ variant, powered by the old 2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, but here it’s tuned to produce more power and improve fuel efficiency. We’ll get to that shortly.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Fortuner 2.4 VRZ (AT) 4×4
Toyota Fortuner 2.7 SRZ (AT) 4×4
Engine
2,393cc; inline-4 turbo, DOHC
2,694cc; DOHC, inline-4 petrol
Transmission
6-speed auto
6-speed auto with paddle shift
Max Power
148 hp @ 3,400 rpm
164 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,000 rpm
245 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price
RM186,900
RM199,900
EXTERIOR
On the outside, the petrol variant gets
auto-levelling full LED headlamps
 with LED daytime running lights, halogen fog lamps with chrome embellishments, body-coloured side mirrors with puddle lamps and the same 18-inch wheels (fitted with highway terrain tyres) as the Hilux 2.8G. The tailgate is also electrically powered, but the 2.4 diesel does without.

Opt for the diesel variant and you’ll miss out on the swanky LED headlamps. Instead, you get manual levelling
halogen projector headlamps
 with bulb-type DRLs, halogen fog lamps (without the chrome finish) and 17-inch alloys with all-terrain tyres. The good news is that the duo share the same LED tail lamps.
INTERIOR
In a move to further separate the Fortuner from the Hilux, the cabin in this SUV gets largely reworked to suit most urbanites. On the RM200k SRZ variant, you get toys like an
8-inch touchscreen DVD player
 with smartphone and WiFi connectivity, internet browser, voice recognition, HDMI input, USB and Bluetooth connectivity as well as GPS navigation. The driver also benefits from a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-info display – all of which are omitted from the 2.4L VRZ. However, this can be optioned, so be sure to check with your sales advisor.

While both variants get six speakers as standard, the 2.4L VRZ settles for a four-spoke urethane steering wheel and gear knob, whereas the 2.7L SRZ gets a classier wood and leather finish, as well as paddle shifters. If this is any consolation whatsoever, both variants will come with full auto windows with jam protection for all four windows.
As you may have noticed, the interior gets upholstered in brown leather, but the hide is exclusive only to the 2.7L SRZ. The lesser variant comes with dark brown fabric. Like the Hilux, only the top-spec gets the 8-way powered driver seat.

The second and third row seats feature a one-touch folding mechanism, and the middle bench can be moved fore and aft to accommodate passengers of various heights. The seats are flexible too, with a 60:40 split for the second row and a 50:50 split for the third row seats. All possible adjustments are illustrated in the pictures, so be sure to give them a proper look.
PERFORMANCE
Your choice of two Fortuners will come with either a
2.4-litre diesel
 engine that’s
turbocharged
 to make
148 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque, or a
2.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol
 that pumps
164 hp
 and
 245 Nm
 of torque. Both engines are paired to a
six-speed automatic transmission
 with sequential shifters that drive all four wheels.
The preproduction Fortuner’s engine bay looks like this. It’s unclear as yet if it will come with an engine cover, though
Standard on both variants is the part-time four-wheel drive system with Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD). This can be controlled through the
electronic 4WD transfer dial
 that is also a standard feature on both variants.
Up front, the Fortuner rides on independent double wishbone suspension with coil springs, while the rear axle is managed by a four-link panhard rod which functions by reducing lateral movement. This combination is said to provide better comfort than the outgoing model. Toyota was also more liberal with the use of insulating material and higher quality door seals.
SAFETY
If it’s one thing that Toyota cars generally lack over the competition is in this department. To boot, the 2.7L SRZ comes with seven airbags (dual frontal, side, curtain and driver knee airbag), ISOFIX anchors and the usual array of active electronic safety systems. They include ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-start Assist Control, Trailer Sway Control, reverse camera and an all-new feature –
Active Traction Control
 (A-TRC). A-TRC intelligently cuts power from any one wheel from either axles and sends it to the other; a feature that makes the Fortuner an even more capable off-roader.
Unfortunately, the 2.4L VRZ will not come with any of the above, except for ABS and EBD. It will get just three airbags (dual front airbags with driver knee), and reverse camera remains as a cost option.
WHAT ELSE?
Both Fortuners are packaged with a
5-year unlimited mileage warranty
, and are available in six exterior colours – Silver Metallic, Medium Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Attitude Black, Avant-Garde Bronze Metallic and Super White 2. The latter two are new to the second-generation model.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini took the Urus 6,500km across Japan and returned with incredible pictures!

In times like these, when restlessness is at its peak following a series of lockdowns and lack of travelling, these pictures of the Urus trotting across Japan is a source of hope and despair.
Saisyouin Gojunoto Fivestreed Pagoda, Aomori
Lamborghini Japan recently went on a tour across Japan via the
Unlock Any Road Japan
 campaign that saw them clock 6,500 km with the Urus SUV in a month.
 Yasaka-Jinja Shrine, Kyoto
Two units of the Urus were specially customised by Lamborghini’s Centro Stile design department for the trip; one in a Giallo Inti Pearl Capsule specification and one in Blu Astraeus.
Kaburashima-Jinja Shrine, Aomori
The Urus pairing began their journey in Fukuoka and passed through the incredible surroundings of Hiroshima, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Yamagata, and Akita during the first half of the route.
Aomori Bay Bridge, Aomori
Travelling north along the Sea of Japan, the two Urus passed through Hokkaido, Sendai, and Yokohama before reaching the final destination – The Lounge Tokyo in Roppongi, Tokyo.
Chokai-san Mountain, Yamagata
At the starting point of Fukuoka, the tour visited Miyajidake Shrine, which is famous for its view of the
Road of Light
, and then moved to Hiroshima, with a stop at the
Atomic Bomb Dome
.
Himeji-jo Castle
In Kagawa, the two Urus drove through the
Flower Park Urashima
 with its flower fields and ocean view, and then the 12,300 metre Great Seto Bridge. The drive continued to Bizen City which offered elegant views of Japan, and
Himeji Castle
, Japan’s first World Heritage Site.
Juunitaki Waterfall, Nara
With a view of the secluded
Juni Falls
 deep in the mountains, the convoy drove alone an off-road trail at
Nara Trial Mountain
, through muddy and loose terrain as a result of the rain.
 Yoshinogawa River, Carp Streamer, Nara
While driving, the SUVs encountered the
Yoshino River Koinobori
 that was commemorating Children’s Day. Approximately 200 carp streamers were put up – “swimming” in the blue sky.
Nishinooka Chikurin-do Bamboo Forest Road, Kyoto
After a serene drive through the stunning
Nishinooka Bamboo Forest Road
, the tour stopped at
Yasaka Shrine
, which is said to have been established over 1,300 years ago.
Shirakawa-go Village
The Urus then headed to the
Pacific Long Beach
 with its majestic stretch of beautiful blue ocean, before arriving at
Lake Biwa
, Japan’s largest lake. This was then followed by the
Shirakawa-go Village
, which is surrounded by Japan’s unspoilt landscape.
Trapist Monastery, Hokkaido
The pair later arrived at the
Higashi Chaya District
, which is lined with traditional townhouses with distinct red lattice-work windows.
Iwaki-san Mountain, Aomori
Once on
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
 the pair were driven on a sandy beach and once at Yamagata Prefecture, the Lamborghini SUVs were photographed with
Hakusan Island
, which sits off Yura Beach.
The
Lamborghini Urus
, as featured in our
2018 Best Driver’s Car video
, is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with
650 hp
 and
 850 Nm
 of torque. Dubbed the Super SUV, it’ll do 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 12.8 seconds, before hitting its 305 km/h top speed!
GALLERY
Himeji-jo Castle – Hyogo
Seto Ohashi Bridge – Okayama
Jogakura-Ohashi Bridge – Aomori
Otaru-unga Canal – Hokkaido
Aomori Bay Bridge – Aomori
Kakunodate – Akita
Nikaho-kogen Wind Farm – Akita
Senjojiki-kaigan Coast – Aomori
Hakkoda-san Mountain – Aomori
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway – Ishikawa
Nishinooka Chikurin-do Bamboo Forest Road – Kyoto
Shirakawa-go – Gifu
Yoshinogawa River, Carp Streamer – Nara
Jodogahama – Iwate
Saisyouin Gojunoto Fivestreed Pagoda – Aomori
 Iwaki-san Mountain – Aomori
Senjojiki-kaigan Coast – Aomori
Kakunodate – Akita
Kaburashima-Jinja Shrine- Aomori
Chokai-san Mountain – Yamagata
Senjojiki-kaigan Coast – Aomori
Saisyouin Gojunoto Fivestreed Pagoda
Jodogahama – Iwate
 Trapist Monastery – Hokkaido
Trapist Monastery – Hokkaido
Shirakawa-go – Gifu
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway – Ishikawa
Chokai-san Mountain – Yamagata
Hachimantai Aspite Line – Akita
 Akita Prefectural Road Route 298 – Akita
Akita Prefectural Road Route 298 – Akita
Akita Prefectural Road Route 298 – Akita
Apple grove in Hirosaki – Aomori
 Pacific Long Beach – Aichi
Yasaka-Jinja Shrine – Kyoto
Yasaka-Jinja Shrine – Kyoto
Nishinooka Chikurin-do Bamboo Forest Road – Kyoto
Yoshinogawa River, Carp Streamer – Nara
Juunitaki Waterfall – Nara
Akashi Kaikyo-ohashi Bridge – Hyogo
 Tsunoshima – Yamaguchi
Tsunoshima – Yamaguchi


Nissan X-Trail gains additional sporty credentials with new Tuned by IMPUL package

In case the
X-Tremer and Aero Editions
 are just not up to your fancy, Edaran Tan Chong Motor today introduced a new Tuned by IMPUL package for the
Nissan X-Trail
 to dress up the practical SUV with some extra sporty flair.
The Tuned by IMPUL package includes a complete
 IMPUL Aerokit
 consisting of a dual-tone front splitter and rear bumper diffuser, a gloss-black finished V-motion grille cladding, side skirts, as well as a split-mounted rear roof spoiler.
The dressed up X-Trail rides on
18-inch IMPUL Aura SX-50 wheels
, shod in 235/55 section Continental ContiMaxContact MC6 tyres for some extra road-clawing capability. Additionally, the IMPUL-edition X-Trail also comes with the
IMPUL Sports Spring
, tuned for a more engaging driving experience.
Inside, a new Maroon Red Nappa leather upholstery covers the seats, dashboard, knee pads, and arm rests, giving the cabin some extra fanciness.
The new Tuned by IMPUL package is available on all four variants of the X-Trail. Prices for the X-Trail with Tuned by IMPUL package are as follows, on the road including

sales tax exemptions
, but without insurance:
2.0L 2WD – RM139,630
2.0L 2WD MID – RM150,643
2.5L 4WD – RM157,731
2.0L Hybrid – RM168,451
Compared to the regular X-Trail, the Tuned by IMPUL package costs an
additional RM11,000
 over its base version. However, the regular models are currently included in the
Remarkable Car Offers (RMCO)
 campaign, with additional discounts of up to RM13,000 depending on model.
For existing Nissan X-Trail owners, the Tuned by IMPUL package can also be purchased separately as an upgrade. Prices for the additional parts are broken down as follows:
As with all recent Nissan models, the X-Trail with the Tuned by IMPUL package comes as standard with a a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Accessories are covered by a three-year/100,000 km warranty.
For customers interested to have a look at the dressed-up SUV, the new Tuned by IMPUL Nissan X-Trail will be on display at selected ETCM showrooms on the 18-19 July.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton opens new dealership in Kota Bharu – 149th 3S/4S centre in Malaysia

Proton
 has opened the doors to its 149th 3S/4S centre here in Malaysia, adding to its “industry leading total” of such outlets. Located in Kota Bharu, the new 4S centre operated by Harima Auto Mobil is the largest Proton dealership in the two East Coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu.
The new 4S outlet boasts a built-up area of 2,400 sqm, and features 11 service bays and 11 body and paint bays, alongside a showroom area that can accommodate up to 10 vehicles on display, a play area for children, as well as a customer lounge with free WiFi connectivity.
Harima is also working with
Proton Global Services (PGS)
 to offer other amenities, including a refreshment area serving Starbucks coffee, as well as a merchandise corner selling Proton and R3 branded products. The company is the first dealer in Kelantan to offer these services.
ALSO READ:
PRO-NET is Proton’s new EV subsidiary that will also build a public charging network
Harima has been operating as a Proton dealer in Kota Bharu since 1986. Keeping in line with the national carmaker’s business direction, the company decided to invest in a new 4S centre to offer its customers in Kelantan an upgraded sales and aftersales experience.
“What matters most are customers being happy to visit a dealership to shop for a new car. Once they have purchased it, the onus is on us to ensure they send their car back to us for scheduled servicing,” said Harima director, Liew Vee Lee.
“Harima however felt we could not achieve the required level of customer satisfaction if we continued to operate as a small showroom without the necessary facilities, hence, the decision to operate as a 4S dealer.”
ALSO READ:
Proton to set up public EV charging network – collaboration with multiple local partners
Proton Deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah added: “The opening of Harima Auto Mobil’s new 4S dealership will help raise the visibility of Proton in Kota Bharu. By having a full range of amenities and the required assets to serve a high volume of customers, we are hopeful of being able to raise the level of customer service and deliver a truly premium experience for customers in the state.”
The new Proton Harima Auto Mobil 4S Centre in Kota Bharu is located at Lot 1348, Jalan Wakaf Che Yeh – Salor – Pasir Mas, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The showroom is open daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, while aftersales services are available from Saturday to Thursday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
GALLERY


Audi Malaysia registering interests for new A7 Sportback, signalling imminent arrival

After the launch of the new
TT Mk3
, Audi Malaysia, through their
official website
 have revealed their plans to launch the
facelifted version
 of the
A7 Sportback
. The bespoke comfort coupe currently carries a price tag of
RM584,900 inclusive of GST
 but without insurance. The A7 model was first introduced here in 2011 by then distributor and importer Euromobil Sdn Bhd.
The keener one amongst you will notice a few subtle exterior changes. In typical Audi’s fashion, the A7 facelift will receive Audi’s all-new Matrix LED headlights that’s also fitted to the A6 and TT models. Sensors and cameras allow the headlights to detect both oncoming traffic and cars approaching from the front and rear, hence adjusting the brightness of each individual LED to prevent blinding other drivers whilst keeping the road ahead brightly illuminated.
As is the trend amongst automakers, midlife facelifts are generally aimed at freshening the design of the car. In this installment however, Audi has given the A7 its new hexagonal grille with horizontal chromed bars. It also gets slim LED headlights as standard with redesigned tail lights.
The turbocharged
3.0-litre TFSI V6
 lump now provides extra
schnell
 with
333 horsepower
 at 6,500 rpm, as opposed to the 310 hp from the outgoing model; whilst torque figures remain unchanged at
440 Nm
. This newer version of Ingolstadt’s hatchback-cum-coupe does the century sprint in
5.3 seconds
. This is thanks to Audi’s intuitive all-wheel-drive Quattro system. It maxes out at an electronically limited speed of
250 km/h
.
It’s unclear as of now if the A7 facelift will see a reduction in its price, seeing that the Audi TT is shockingly priced about RM70,000 lesser than when the Mk2 model (circa RM350k then) was sold through Euromobil. More details will be given out closer to the official launch date. Stay tuned!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


All-turbo Porsche 911 Carrera launched in Malaysia, priced from RM870k

The new Porsche 911 Carrera is in town, and Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP, or Porsche Malaysia) has launched not one, not two, but three variants of the latest 911, together with the new
Macan GTS
. This 2016 911 range starts with the Carrera, followed by the Carrera S, and topped off by the Carrera 4S, for now.
This
991.2
 version of the legendary 911 may look the same to the average Joe, but to
Porschephiles
, it’s one of the most significant update in its illustrious history dating back to more than five decades ago. Chiefly because of the
demise of the naturally-aspirated engines
, the new 911 gets
turbocharged engine
 across the board, even on the base Carrera variant. Yes, the cheapest 911 from now on will no longer come with a naturally aspirated flat-six.
QUICK FACTS
Name
911 Carrera
911 Carrera S
911 Carrera 4S
Engine
2,981cc; six-cylinder, twin-turbo horizontally opposed
Transmission
7-Speed PDK
Max Power
370 hp
420 hp
Max Torque
450 Nm
500 Nm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
4.2 seconds; 293 km/h
3.9 seconds; 306 km/h
3.8 seconds; 303 km/h
Price
RM870,000
RM970,000
RM1,040,000
The
new flat-six
 engine is smaller, displacing about
3.0-litres
. But with the help of two
turbochargers
, Porsche was able to extract
20 hp more
 than what the bigger-engined predecessors used to deliver. In the base
Carrera
, the blown six produces
370 hp
 and
450 Nm
, while the additional letter in the
Carrera S
 translates to better performance with a total of
420 hp
 and
500 Nm
. And yes, the extra number in the
Carrera 4S
 means it drives
all four wheels
 via the
seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox
.

With the
Sport Chrono Package
, the 0

to 100km/h time is clocked at
4.2 seconds
 for the
Carrera
,
3.9 seconds
 for the
Carrera S
, and
3.8 seconds
 for the
Carrera 4S
. The Carrera will reach a
top speed
 of just
293 km/h
; the Carrera 4S will continue to
303km/h
 and the Carrera S maxes out at
306km/h
.
Every model receives
Porsche Active Suspension Management
 (PASM) as standard, which drops the ride height by 10mm. Drivers also have the option to choose between
four driving modes
: Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual via a
rotary selector
 located on the lower right side of the steering wheel.

Next to the steering wheel is a
7-inch touchscreen display
 with the improved
Porsche Communication Management
 (PCM) infotainment system that supports GPS navigation. The PCM also supports
Apple CarPlay
 connectivity.
Externally, the new 991.2 sports a new pair of headlamps with four-point LED DRL, new bumpers front and back, new tail lights and a new bonnet cover with vertical slats. From the side, it’s hard to tell apart the new wheels, slightly different door handles and the sleeker, redesigned side mirrors.
In terms of pricing, the basic price for the
Carrera
 is at
RM870,000
, the
Carrera S
 at
RM970,000
 and the
Carrera 4S
 at
RM1,040,000
. All 911 variants sold here comes with a
4-Year warranty
 and
4-Y
ear free service
,
 parts
,
 and maintenance
 package. Prices stated here don’t include registration fee, road tax and insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY


Here’s some new updates on the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer/Gran Tourer

The updated BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer will be introduced in March 2018. Between 2014 to 2017, sales of BMW’s Sports Activity Tourer (SAT) exceeded 380,000 units where the biggest markets were Germany, China and the UK – 70% of which are new customers to the BMW brand.
Here’s all you need to know on the latest updates of the two BMW 2 Series models:
It comes with a new front-end with a wide, single-piece air intake and a more striking grille. The back end comes with a newly designed rear apron with larger exhaust tailpipes.
Two new exterior colours are available – Jucaro Beige and Sunset Orange – along with six new light-alloy designs ranging from 17 – 19-inch in sizes. The optional LED headlights, Adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lights have also been redesigned.
In car updates include new seat covers – in cloth or leather – along with a new electronic selector lever for the seven-speed dual clutch and eight-speed Steptronic transmissions.
The engines have been improved with enhancements on the crankshaft, heat management, valve train and turbocharging. The Active Tourer puts out between
109 hp
 to
 231 hp
 while the Grand Tourer puts out between
109 hp
 to
192 hp
.
A seven-speed dual clutch Steptronic transmission is now available for the first time in the two models, along with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and a six-speed manual.
Driver assist systems include Active Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assistant, which automatically keeps the car in its lane at up to 60 km/h (37 mph). Both systems are part of the optional Driving Assistant Plus package.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

BMW 2 Series Grand Tourer


The Volkswagen ID.4 honoured as the World Car of the Year 2021

Volkswagen’s global fully electric car, the
ID.4
, has just been awarded the grand prize of
World Car of the Year
 (WCOTY) 2021. This is the 17th edition of the global automotive awards ceremony.
This year’s winner was chosen from an
initial entry list
 of 24 vehicles from all over the world, then a shortlist of three finalists was announced at the end of March.
The
Volkswagen ID.4
 received a total of
798 points
, beating another popular electric car, the
Honda e
, which amassed 742 points. The
Toyota Yaris
 scored just 10 points lower. Finalists were assessed and given marks in traditional categories (e.g. space, value and performance) as well as more intangible items such as emotional appeal and market significance.
Other models in the pool of finalists include the
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
 and
Mercedes-Benz GLA
.
Judged by a panel of
93
 international automotive journalists from 28 countries, the WCOTY finalists were selected via a secret ballot, based on their individual evaluation of each eligible vehicle conducted throughout the year as part of their own professional work. The votes were tabulated by KPMG.
There are also categories for more targeted segment such as luxury, performance and design. The winners and finalists are listed as below:
World Luxury Car
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 (853)
Polestar 2
 (815)
Land Rover Defender
 (774)
World Performance Car
Porsche 911 Turbo (822)
Audi RS Q8 (792)
Toyota GR Yaris
 (773)
Unsurprisingly, the Toyota GR Yaris scored big in Value and scored better than the Audi Q8 in the categories of
Market Significance
 and
Emotional Appeal
.
Curiously, only vehicles in this category are available for sale in Malaysia today (out of the 15 top finalists), with the now-sold-out
Toyota GR Yaris
 asking
RM286,896
 a unit while the just-introduced
Porsche 911 Turbo
 has a price list that starts from
RM2.2 million
.
World Urban Car
Honda e
 (754)
Toyota Yaris (737)
Honda Jazz/Fit (719)
Both the
Toyota Yaris
 and
Honda Jazz/Fit
 are variants for developed nations i.e. Japan and Europe, where safety and emission regulations are more stringent than the products found in ASEAN.
World Car Design of the Year
Land Rover Defender (299)
Honda e (239)
Mazda MX-30
 (197)
With more and more
fully electric cars
 being launched every quarter, the organising committee has also introduced a category just for local zero-emission vehicles. The Honda e has been quite popular with the global jurors. Last year, it was awarded as the overall winner of the
German Car of the Year
 2021.
The jurors in the
Women’s World Car of the Year
 awarded the Honda e as the
Best EV
 while its beautiful design was given the award of ‘Best of the best’ by Red Dot.
Last year’s WCOTY was the
Kia Telluride
, with the
Porsche Taycan
 taking top honours in the Performance and Luxury categories.
GALLERY


2017 was a turnaround year for Aston Martin, posting 48% growth in revenue

Aston Martin Holdings (UK) Ltd has just reported its highest-ever revenues in 2017, posting a successful financial turnaround for the Gaydon based supercar maker. The positive financials put Aston Martin ahead of its schedule of its
Second Century Plan
 – launching a new car every year until 2022.
For the 12 months ending 31 December 2017, Aston Martin posted a revenue of £876 million (RM4.7 billion), up
48 percent
 compared to the previous year. Pre-tax profit rose by £250 million to £87 million (RM473 million), covering the company’s pre-tax losses of £163m (RM887 million) in 2016.
Sales were driven by high demand for
DB11
The improved financial performance was largely due to an increase in wholesale sales to 5,098 units, driven by rising demand in North America, UK and China. In 2017, Aston Martin shifted a total of
5,117 cars
, a 58 percent growth from 3,229 units in 2016. The average selling price of an Aston Martin vehicle has gone up by
9 percent
 as reflected by higher uptake of personalisation options from customers.
Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer, said: “In 2017, we delivered record revenue, full-year profitability and positive free cash flow. The financial turnaround of Aston Martin is now complete, which enables us to drive further improvements across the business as we maintain our new launch schedule and continue delivering on the Second Century Plan. The outstandingly positive reaction to our new models gives us confidence that we will deliver further performance improvement in 2018.”
Considering the strong growth recorded by Aston Martin in the past year, perhaps
Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur
 couldn’t have picked a better time to make a Malaysian comeback.


Retiree sets new 722km/h land speed record in 50-year old speed machine

His name is Danny Thompson and the near 70-year old American retiree and former race car driver has set a new land speed record, achieving an average speed of 448.7 mph (724 km/h) from two separate 1-mile (1.6 km) runs.
With the Challenger 2, a “revised” land speed machine, Danny Thompson broke the record for a “wheel-driven vehicle, powered by a piston engine”. The previous record was 439 mph (706.5 km/h), set in 2012.
What’s even more impressive is that this is no cutting-edge land speed machine built in recent years, like the tech-drenched Bloodhound SSC. Instead, the Challenger 2 was originally built by Danny’s father – who also happened to be the first American to break the 400 mph barrier – more than 50 years ago. The record set in 1960 was 406.6 mph (654.3 km/h).
The one significant “revision” to the land speed machine is that it now houses
 two 2,500 hp nitro engines
, in replacement of the quad 7.0-litre Pontiac supercharged V8 engines from before.
Danny is the son of Mickey Thompson, who along with his wife was murdered by a business partner in their home. If that name sounds familiar to you; yes, he’s the same Mickey Thompson whose name you’ve seen embossed across the side walls of high performance tyres.
Prior to joining the performance aftermarket business in the early 1960’s in which he started the “Mickey Thompson Performance Tyres”, Mickey Thomson was known for his exploits in hot-rodding, race car-building and race-team promoting before his demise in 1988.
IMAGE GALLERY


Rimac Concept_Two is an all-electric hypercar with 2,300 Nm

When the Rimac Concept_One debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, it received plenty of interest on its sleek styling and promised performance. The Croatian company very quickly shut down non-believers when the Concept_One repeatedly
annihilated every supercar it went up against
 in a straight line.
The second-generation Rimac Concept_Two (C_Two) not only takes performance to hypercar (maybe Megacar) territory, it also has twice the operating range compared to its predecessor. Nuts.
Underneath the carbon fibre monocoque – which weighs under 200 kg including the roof – rests four electric motors powering each individual wheel giving the car a staggering
1,914 hp
 and instant torque of
2,300 Nm
. The 120-kWh battery pack gives the car
550 km
 of range based on the WLTP cycle, almost twice the electric range of the Concept_One.
The Concept_One takes 2.5 seconds to get to the 60 mph (96 km/h) which is plenty fast but with advancements in Torque vectoring, electric motor and tyre technology, the Concept_Two takes only
1.85 seconds
 to complete the 60-mph sprint. Let that sink in for a moment…
Looks like an offspring of a
McLaren 675LT
 &
BMW i8
Top speed data is not revealed yet (car is still in prototype phase) but Rimac claims that the Concept_Two can sprint from
0 to 300 km/h
 in
11.8 seconds
 – a shade slower than the
Koenigsegg Regera’s
 time of
10.9 seconds
.
Rimac has also revised
the styling of the Concept_Two, taking an evolutionary step instead of a revolutionary
one. The silhouette remains the same as before, but the front and rear has been
restyled to incorporate more aerodynamic elements.
Rimac Concept_One
Rimac Concept_Two
Open up the dihedral
doors and you’ll be greeted with a more refined cabin architecture with two
digital displays for the instrument cluster and centre console. Where the Concept_One’s
buttons and dials look like they’re lifted off from a 90s game console, the touch
points in the Concept_Two are a lot more pleasing to the eye.
Rimac says developments of the Concept_Two is not complete and they will showcase what the new car can do on the road sometime in 2020. If you need to know how much the new car might cost, just know that its predecessor costs upwards of USD980,000.
IMAGE GALLERY
Rimac Concept_Two
Rimac Concept_Two


Range Rover Evoque Convertible unveiled ahead of Las Vegas Auto Show

It’s no secret by now that
Range Rover will add a soft-top variant
 to their hugely successful Evoque range. Now that the testing phase is over, the UK-based automaker stripped it off its camouflage to reveal a distinctly recognisable Evoque – minus the top.
Officially named the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, Land Rover claims that the drop-top model is the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible which combines bold design and refinement to create a non-compromising, all-season convertible. If you’re familiar with the Evoque, then there’s few you don’t know about this car besides having its B- and C-pillars chopped.

The soft-top is made of a high quality fabric and it’s the longest and widest to be fitted on any vehicle today. It features a
Z-fold mechanism
 that
stows in 18 seconds
 and raised in 21 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Land Rover says the fabric top gets a layer of
 acoustic insulation
 that provides as much comfort and refinement as the five-door Evoque! The only bad news here is when the roof is stowed, you get
251 litres of cargo space
.
New to the Evoque is a high-resolution 10.2-inch touchscreen head unit featuring Jaguar Land Rover’s next-generation infotainment system dubbed InControl Touch Pro. This highly-responsive and “super-fast” system offers smartphone integration, WiFi hotspot and door-to-door navigation.

Passenger safety is a major concern for any Sport Utility Vehicle, especially when you chop the top off. Fitted to this Evoque Convertible is a Roll-Over Protection Device that, in the event of a rollover,
deploys two aluminium bars
 (within 90 milliseconds) hidden within the rear bodywork.
The same old tune continues under the hood, sporting the company’s all-aluminium four-cylinder engines. There’s the familiar
2.0-litre 240hp turbocharged
 petrol (Si4) powering the whole Evoque range, and it’s mated to a
nine-speed automatic
 transmission. Those preferring the
TD4 diesel powertrain introduced earlier this year
 can opt for either the 148hp or 178hp variant, and both consume just
4.2 litres of diesel per 100km
.

There’s no word on whether or not the Range Rover Evoque Convertible will make its way here. Chances are it will, but only in limited quantities, we reckon. What do you think of the new Evoque Convertible?
IMAGE GALLERY


Customer deliveries of the Proton X70 begins today

Yesterday was a historical moment for Proton Cars as Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad officiated the launch of the national car maker’s first ever SUV, the
Proton X70
.
Speaking to Deputy Marketing Director of Proton, Steven Zhou, he said customer deliveries of the new X70 will commence from today (13 December 2018) onwards, just one day after its official unveiling. Zhou also told
AutoBuzz.my
 that Proton is invested in ensuring that their valued customers will not have to wait for long to receive their brand-new SUV.
The newly launched X70 is available in
four variants
 – Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Executive AWD and Premium 2WD. All variants are powered by the same 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder T-GDi paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. It makes
183 hp
 and
285 Nm
 of twist to drive the front wheels. Only the Executive variant has the option for all-wheel-drive.
The X70 starts from
RM99,800 for the base Standard 2W
D, escalating to the
RM123,800 price tag of the top of the range Premium 2WD
. This places the fully imported X70 (from China) right in the pricing range of locally-assembled B-Segment SUVs like the
Honda HR-V
 and
Subaru XV
, undercutting C-Segment rivals like the entry-level
Honda CR-V
 and
Mazda CX-5
 by some margin. This pricing strategy is similar to the Geely Boyue in China.

Despite the attractive pricing, Proton did not skimp on the equipment, offering items found in more premium (and expensive) competitors as standard across the range such as dual-zone automatic climate control with
Clean Air purifier
, 7.0-inch LCD instrument cluster, leather-wrapped multifunctional steering wheel, electronic parking brake, Drive Mode selector (Eco, Normal & Sport), six airbags, Electronic Stability Control and more.
With Proton dealers heavily invested in upgrading their existing facility to full 3S and 4S premises as well as the Xtra Package ownership bundle that offers 5-Years Unlimited Mileage warranty, 5-Year complimentary 1GB monthly data connectivity powered by Celcom, 5 times Free Labour Service and a low finance rate of 2.34 per cent per annum, perhaps this Proton X70 will be the turnaround product that Proton has been waiting for.
IMAGE GALLERY
Proton X70 Premium 2WD Launched in Malaysia


Lexus IS to get new 2.0-litre turbocharged four banger powertrain

The current generation XE30 Lexus IS is set to adopt the turbocharged four cylinder engine first seen on our shores here in the
Lexus NX 200 Turbo
. This is the first time that the Lexus IS range adopts forced induction power, following the footsteps of its SUV brothers, the NX 200t and the RX 200t.
The IS
doesn’t get any cosmetic changes
 and that’s fine for the standing fact that it looks fairly distinctive as a 3-Series competitor. The front end gets the brand’s latest
L-finesse design
 which looks fiercely extraterrestrial and bears their signature
 ‘Spindle’ grille design
. The Lexus IS certainly has done a fair bit of maturing since its introduction in 1998, or also known here as the
Altezza
.
Name
Lexus IS 200t
Engine
1,998cc inline-four, 16 valve DOHC, Dual VVT-iW, twin scroll turbocharged engine.
Transmission
8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic
Max Power
241 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,650 rpm
Top Speed
229 km/h
Price
TBA
Down in the engine bay, the previous
4GR-FSE 2.5-litre V6
 engine making
205 hp
 and
252 Nm
 of torque at
4,800 rpm
 powering the
IS 250
 is ditched for the
8AR-FTS 2.0-litre inline four cylinder
 which produces
241 hp at 5,800 rpm
 and
350 Nm
 of torque from as low as
1,650 rpm.
 That’s an increase of
36 hp
 and almost
 100 Nm
, thanks in part to the twin-scroll turbocharger unit. This combo catapults the IS from nought to 100 km/h in a mere
 7.0 seconds
 and a top speed of
229 km/h.
Like the Lexus NX, this
direct injection
 lump comes with the brand’s
Dual VVT-iW
 technology, which basically means that the engine is able to run on
Otto and Atkinson cycles
– the former giving you performance and the latter improves fuel efficiency. Both cycles are variable and kicks in depending on driving conditions.
Tasked with moving this sleek sedan is the
eight-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission
 complemented with a pair of
paddle shifters
. This unit was originally developed for the
Lexus RC F coupe
, which fires the power to the
rear wheels
 that drive the IS 200t. Another first for the IS is that it’s the
first Lexus sedan
 to vary the gear shifts in line with
G-forces
.
The gearbox automatically
downshifts
 under
hard braking
 on an approach to a corner, it then
holds
 the selected lower gear through the corner and
selects
 the most suitable gear upon exit to give the driver greater
throttle response
. This is poised to make the IS 200t an interesting competitor to the
F30 BMW 3 Series
.
Being a Lexus, it has a predisposition to being a smooth, comfy and quiet ride by reputation. Straightaway though, you would make an assumption that this powerful and tort turbocharged mill would be
whistling and spooling
 away as you would normally expect under acceleration, however Lexus have developed an
electric air bypass valve and resonator
 to “greatly”
reduce the acoustic characteristics of the turbocharger.
 Bummer.
In the quest of smoothness, Lexus has, not-for-the-first-time incorporated
balancing shafts with non-metallic resin gears
 to reduce vibration. The structural bits of the engine has been
reengineered to reduce unsprung vibration
, thus ensuring a smooth revving engine.
The IS 200t is slated to be introduced here towards the end of this year. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this handsome sedan!
IMAGE GALLERY


Samsung develops ‘see-through’ truck to aid overtaking [+Video]

Samsung is undoubtedly one of the biggest, most diverse corporations on the planet right now. It’s a company so vast that their diversity spans everything from household appliances, microchips, TV’s, LED panels, smartphones to building massive ships, including some of the tallest buildings in the world (our very own Petronas Twin Towers is an example).
Just within 2014 alone, Samsung spent RM52 billion on R&D, which is nothing compared to the RM1.1 trillion in revenue they made during the same period.
Now, in pursuit of safer driving conditions, the South Korean multinational conglomerate came up with a prototype known as
Samsung Safety Truck
. The idea is simple –
stitch four large display panels
 to the back of the truck that will project a live stream visual (via wireless camera and transmitter) of the traffic ahead. It doesn’t just work flawlessly during the day, it has
night vision capabilities
 as well.
In theory, a system like this, if placed in situations such as Argentina where one-way roads are aplenty, has the ability to
save countless lives and prevent road accidents
. To give you a perspective, almost one person in Argentina dies in a traffic accident, with nearly 80 percent of them comprised of people who are trying to overtake.
The only foreseeable problem is, what will the cost be like for transport companies to adopt this technology and have them installed in their long-hauling trucks? Even if they do, is there a way for these companies to monetise Samsung’s foray into Smart Trucks? Needless to say, it’s still a bold move by any standards, and will go a long way in preventing unnecessary road mishaps.
IMAGE GALLERY


3rd-generation Isuzu D-Max undergoes dramatic redesign as seen in latest teaser video

The arrival of the third-generation Isuzu D-Max is apparently just on the horizon for some countries, as Isuzu Thailand has just released a new teaser video ahead of its official launch.

From the video, we can see that the exterior has been heavily revised; with a sportier front end and more reserved use of chrome. The front grille is now larger and seems to be a single-piece trim instead of the split grille design we’ve grown accustomed to on the 2nd-generation.
The grille is flanked by redesigned headlights, now with ‘U’ shaped daytime running light across the lower part of the headlight enclosure.
Over at the rear, the new Isuzu D-Max sports a cleaner look with sharper taillights, with dual square LED rings.
Isuzu also seems to have updated the interior of the D-Max with a more premium look as seen in a brief segment of the teaser video. Notably, the central air-conditioning controls have been replaced with a new flick-switch design which reminds us slightly of the
Mercedes-AMG A 35
 (or any new Mercedes-Benz for that matter).
There’s no mention on the powertrain yet, but the Ddi emblem in the video does hint of the 1.9-litre turbodiesel mill introduced in the facelifted 2nd-generation model, capable of producing
150 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque.
We remember our test drive just like it was yesterday.. Check it out
here
Ironically, Isuzu has just introduced the long-awaited D-Max facelift in Malaysia
last month
. Considering that we’ve had to wait four years for the facelift, chances of us seeing the 3rd-generation D-Max on our shores anytime soon looks all but bleak.


JPJ drive-in counters begin – assures sufficient stocks of road tax and licence renewals

As more and more road users are planning to get their vehicle road tax and driving licenses renewed, it was reported that stocks for the documents are getting low, adding to the difficulty to renew the said documents.
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has since issued a media statement regarding the stock situation, with JPJ State Branches and Pos Malaysia offices having well over 600,000 units of motor car road tax documents and driving licence cards.
The department has clarified that there are sufficient stocks for the renewal of the two key vehicle ownership documents.
As for the major difficulties in renewing the expired documents before the
deadline of September 30th
, JPJ mentioned that the

appointment basis is done to ensure everyone’s safety and following the procedures issued by the Ministry of Health and National Security Council.
Click
here
 for the appointment page.
The public is encouraged to renew online through the
mySikap JPJ
 as well as MyEG. The department has updated the procedure, allowing collection of the documents at any JPJ counters without making an appointment with payment done online.
Road tax and licence renewals at Pos Malaysia, by appointment only. More details here.
Image:
JPJ Negeri Selangor
To further increase the number of transactions and cater to those that are not well versed with the online method, JPJ has started introducing drive-through counters at their large state premises. So far, only JPJ Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Penang and Kelantan are among the state branches that have begun rolling out the drive-through counters.
Locations and operating hours of the drive-through counters will only be updated at the respective state JPJ branch’s social media websites and the department hopes to have the other remaining states offer the services soon.
JPJ offering 70% discounts on summons until September 16th. Find out the payment methods here.
Main image source:
JPJ Negeri Kelantan


Hardcore water-injected BMW M4 GTS unveiled, more power and less weight, only 700 units [+Video]

BMW M is celebrating the E30 M3’s 30th anniversary with a limited edition M4 GTS. Why the M4, you ask? Because the F82 M4 is the coupe version of the current F80 M3, so you can say the original M3 coupe’s spirit lives in the M4.
The
M4 GTS
 was previewed earlier in a
concept form
, and it was said to have an increased amount of power courtesy of the
water injection system
. And increased they did. What the innovative system does is spray water into the intake manifold plenums to cool down the air entering the engine so that the engine can run on a higher boost pressure.

As a result, the
 twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six
 now produces
500 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque, 75 hp and 100 Nm more than the standard M4. Mated to a recalibrated
seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission
 (M DCT), the M4 GTS rockets to 100 km/h from standstill in
3.8 seconds
, while the top speed limiter has been lifted from 250 kmh to
305 km/h
.
Another reason the M4 GTS is quicker off the line than the standard car is the weight reduction program it went through both inside and outside, shedding at least 60kg from the total kerb weight. Let’s start from the inside first. The most visible change is the pair of
 carbon-fibre bucket seats
 (half the weight of the standard seats in the M4) and the deletion of the rear bench.

The door handles on the inside too were replaced with a basic strap.
Lighter materials
 are used for the centre console, side panel trims, rear seat panelling and the boot area partition. Even the instrument panel bracing tube is made from
lightweight carbon fibre
.
On the outside, the use of
carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic
 (CFRP) for the roof and the boot on the standard M4 is expanded to the bonnet, the adjustable front splitter, the adjustable rear wing and the rear diffuser. The latter duo are not merely for showing off purposes, but work in tandem to keep the backside planted on the tarmac. Meanwhile,
titanium
 is used for the muffler for a 20 percent weight saving from the stock muffler.

The whole car sits on an
adjustable three-way M coilover suspension
, over a set of lightweight star-spoke 666 M Styling forged wheels wrapped with
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
 measuring 265/35 R19 at the front and 285/30 R20 at the rear. Peek over the Acid Orange wheel spokes and you’ll see a set of track-optimised lightweight
M carbon ceramic brakes
.
Also carried over from the concept car is the fancy rear lights. They are made up of paper-thin
organic light-emitting diodes
 (OLED) which not only looks good, they’re also more compact and use less power than the normal LED tail lights. LED is still used for the headlamps though, and they’re fitted with
BMW Selective Beam
 and
Adaptive Headlights
 technology.
The M4 GTS is set for its public debut at the upcoming
2015 Tokyo Motor Show
, and production will be limited to just
700 units
. It will be available in four colours: Sapphire Black, Mineral Grey, Alpine White, and Frozen Dark Grey. A
Clubsport Package
 is also available as an option, where BMW M will equip the M4 GTS with a
roll bar
 in Acid Orange behind the front seats, a race-spec
six-point harness
, and a fire extinguisher.
IMAGE GALLERY


You have no excuse to not wear a mask anymore now that K&N has made one

K&N, the guys that make the high-performance reusable

air filters
 for our cars and even Nascar, is now making face masks. If there’s something you need as a car guy during this
Covid-19 pandemic
, it’s this. That’s it.
With their expertise in air filtration – especially in high-performance applications where every bit of contaminant can potentially damage the engine – you know damn well that these are the face masks that will work.
The main mask portion is made out of Procool fabric, which K&N promises to be lightweight, breathable, and moisture wicking, keeping your face cool while wearing a face covering. Silver ions are also used in the fabric to help “prevent the spread of bacteria” and reduce odor.
The K&N face masks also features adjustable ear loops for better comfort, as well as an “action strap”, an additional strap joining the ear loops at the back, letting you hang the mask off of your neck when not in use – preventing contamination by placing the masks on unsanitary surfaces.
Just like its air filters for cars, the K&N facemask is also washable. It is now available for sale in black or grey colours, priced at USD19.99 (~RM84) for a pack of two – not too shabby, considering they are the legends in (automotive) air filtration after all. If you’re interested, you can get them at K&N’s US website
here
.


Mazda to reveal two new concept models at the Tokyo Motor Show

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it will be showcasing two different concepts that will represent the company’s direction in different aspects of vehicle production at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.
One would embody the
company’s next generation of products
 while the other will exhibit the direction of
 Mazda’s next-generation design
. Opting for the “Celebrate Driving” theme for this year’s show, Mazda will aim to project the company’s determination to continue offering cars that  celebrate the driving experience, enrich lives and build a strong bond with customers.
The product concept model features a compact hatchback which blends next-generation technology and design, and will adopt the SKYACTIV-Vehicle architecture which applies a human-centric design philosophy for optimal functionality. It will be powered by the
SKYACTIV-X
, the world’s first commercial gasoline engine to use
compression ignition
.
The design concept model will showcase how future Mazda’s will look like, with more profound expressions and enhancements of the globally-acclaimed KODO design language introduced since the launch of the
CX-5
 in 2012.
Also on the stands of Mazda’s booth will be the
CX-8
, essentially our
 CX-9
, the company’s new flagship three-row crossover SUV which will be on sale only in Japan come this December. A special edition
Mazda MX-5
 Red Top featuring a dark cherry red canopy and auburn Nappa leather upholstery will also be present.


Alor Setar Autohaus – new Mercedes-Benz 3S centre opens in Kedah

Cycle & Carriage Bintang Berhad (C&C)
 and
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM)
 has launched the new Cycle & Carriage Alor Setar Autohaus in Kedah. It is the first in the Northern region to showcase the brand’s new concept, which prioritises the customer.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Cycle & Carriage first introduced the new
Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence in Malaysia
 with the
Cycle & Carriage Mutiara Damansara Autohaus
 in August 2019.
The Cycle & Carriage Mutiara Damansara Autohaus.
Cycle & Carriage Alor Setar Autohaus is the second Autohaus to embody the new concept. Two more Cycle & Carriage Autohauses are scheduled to be transformed, namely Cycle & Carriage Johor Bahru and Ipoh, due for completion by year end.
The 3S centre is designed with an open concept to create an spacious and open feeling. Upon stepping into the Autohaus, customers are greeted by a Star Assistant. He or she is the first contact for the customer in the 3S centre, who acts as the “first face” of the brand, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere at reception.
Customers with appointments will be greeted by a consultant upon arrival. For walk-in customers, they will be accompanied by a Product Expert who can assist with information on the Mercedes-Benz range. A hospitality café is available at the Autohaus for customers to relax while waiting for their cars to be serviced.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner said, “We congratulate the Cycle & Carriage team on the launch of this Autohaus and thank them for their dedication and partnership. The reintroduction of the Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Alor Setar reflects our continuous effort in providing an upgraded retail experience for our northern region customers while retaining the Mercedes-Benz personality. We have merged automotive, technology, and luxury, as seen in our cars, making the retail experience just as gratifying as the drive.”
The Alor Setar Autohaus is located at Lot PT 6471, Jalan Alor Mengkudu. It houses six working bays, and can service up to 240 vehicles per month.
To find out what the Mercedes-Benz Retail Brand Presence is all about, click
here
. With the recent Sales Tax Exemption announcement, here’s the
latest price list
fo
r
 Mercedes-Benz vehicles
 in Malaysia.