The Audi A8 D5 will be the most high tech car Audi has ever put on the road

We’re only months away to the official unveiling of the next best Audi, but word has it that all variants of the Audi A8 D5 will get some form of electrification.
According to a report by
Auto Express UK
, the new Audi A8 will get the four rings’ state-of-the-art 48-volt electrical systems for both petrol and diesel engines. Audi’s head of mild hybrid, Alexander Kruse said, “First we begin with the A8, then continue on to other models. The plan is to very quickly implement the system on other models.”

A variety of engines from V6, V8 to V12 will be deployed as primary source of propulsion. When equipped with the V6, the hybrid system could potentially shave off 0.7 litres of fuel per 100km. And in EV mode alone, top speed goes as high up as 160 km/h! That’s at least 30 km/h more than the current industry standard for hybrid cars.
Audi’s 48-volt system is already being used for production cars such as the SQ7 TDI, which takes guise as an electrical compressor to help the V8-powered SUV eliminate turbo lag. But expect the A8’s hybrid system to be more sophisticated and practical for everyday motoring.
Now, besides electrification, Audi says the A8 will be their first ever car built with full ‘Level 3’ autonomous driving technology. This means the car is fully capable of self driving, using long-range radar sensors, a dozen ultrasonic sensors, laser scanners and high-res cameras to manoeuvre without human intervention. The system can also autonomously guide the A8 through traffic jams at up to speeds of 60 km/h.
As technological pioneers of LED daytime running lights, Audi has confirmed to experimenting with organic LEDs (better known as OLED). This will give way to new, more futuristic forms of expression in the cars to come.
With the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 and
BMW 7 Series
 reaping the bulk of the marketshare, the wait has been far too long. But as the saying goes, sometimes, it really is worth the wait.
Source:
Auto Express UK


Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205 sold in Malaysia unaffected by recall, says MBM

Mercedes-Benz pressed on a
recall
 for the new
W205 C-Class
 in Europe and the West last month, for fears that an
error
 may have taken place during production that
causes the steering wheel to squeak
 and
not react to steering input
.
A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said, “In the event that the
steering coupling interlock mechanism
 should not have been properly locked,
noises may become perceptible
 and the
steering ability
 of the vehicle might be affected.”
The announcement has seen over 10,500 C-Classes being called back in for checks in North America alone.  However, the
C-Class sold in Malaysia
 are
unaffected
 by the recall as all units sold by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s (MBM) dealers were
thoroughly checked and cleared
 prior to the launch and delivery of the vehicles.
MBM President and CEO, Mr Roland Folger (right), former MBM Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mr Kai Schlickum (left)
MBM President and CEO
, Mr Roland Folger said, “We want to assure all customers who purchased the new C-Class from our authorised dealers that
their cars are not affected
 by the recall which has affected many units in Europe. The recall was issued even before the launching of the C-Class took place last month.
“As such, we were fully aware of the situation in advance and made sure that all vehicles
undergo the necessary quality and safety checks
 before delivering them to our customers. There is
absolutely no need for a recall
 in Malaysia,” Folger added.
As for the affected vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has urged their customers to visit the nearest authorised service centre, at which the visit will take no more than
30 minutes
 to rectify the problem for free.


The Ford Focus RS might be dead

The world is currently being turned upside-down due to the
COVID-19 virus
, with many brands resorting to cost-cutting measures in order to ride out the economic chaos caused by the pandemic. However, that might not even be the final nail in the coffin for the Rallye Sport.
First spotted by
Motor1
, Ford internal sources have apparently confirmed to French magazine
Caradisiac
 in a Q&A session that the
fourth-generation Ford Focus
 will not be available in
RS form
, due to the
tightening EU emissions regulations
.
Over in Europe, carmakers will have to adhere to a new fleet-wide average CO2 emissions regulations of 95 g/km starting next year. For context, the outgoing Ford Focus RS produces 195 g of CO2 per kilometre.
It has been long rumoured that the next-generation Ford Focus RS will be equipped with a 48V mild-hybrid powertrain with an output of over 400 hp – a decision made partly to comply with the new emissions target. However, back in February
 Autocar UK
 reported that the
“mild hybrid is still not enough”
.
The
Ford Focus ST
 looks pretty in blue.
In the report, senior Ford executives told Autocar that they are still waiting for a solution from the engineering department to comply by the new ruling. Ford was reportedly looking to create a RS-worthy version of the 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain used in the
Kuga
. However, if the report by
Caradisiac
 is accurate, the plans appear to have fallen through, and the project now scrapped completely.
Caradisiac
 also reported that the RS project might just be too expensive to sustain, especially when the Blue Oval recently instituted a cost-cutting exercise in Europe – including plant closures, job cuts, and even axing unprofitable models such as the Ka+ and
Edge
.
While it will be incredibly heart-breaking if we do lose one of the old guards of hot hatches, Europeans can at least savour the
Ford Focus ST
, launched just a year ago, which (judging by the specification sheet) should be quite a
warm
 little hatch too.


Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Sedan & Coupe launched, from RM740k

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has released further information of the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Sedan and Coupe duo, days after the two new AMG variants were
previewed
 during the company’s
 Q3 performance press conference
.
Diving straight into the price, the E 53 Sedan is estimated to cost RM740,000 while the more elegant twin goes for RM764,000, on-the-road without insurance applied. The E 53 Sedan is RM81,000 costlier than the
E 43
 that was on offer but is six figures cheaper than the beastly
million-ringgit E 63 S
.
Both the E 53 Sedan and Coupe are powered by a new 3.0-litre bi-turbo in-line six petrol engine that is paired to the brand’s EQ Boost Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) to give a combined output of
435 hp
 and
520 Nm
 of twist. Gearbox is a nine-speed AMG Speedshift that can propel the pair from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
. Top speed is electronically limited to
250 km/h
.
The E 53 pair features the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system that can split the torque between the front and rear axles for maximum traction for dynamic driving fun and high levels of safety in all conditions. AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with Adaptive Damping System+ is also fitted here that alters the damping characteristics to three preselected modes – Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

Standard equipment includes Multibeam LED headlamps, AMG Night Package, 20-inch AMG five twin-spoke light alloy wheels, AMG spoiler lip, quad exhaust outlets, Nappa leather upholstery, Panoramic sunroof, AMG Carbon Fibre Centre Console (Black Piano-Lacquer on the Coupe), Widescreen Cockpit, AMG Track Pace function, Burmester surround sound system, Heads-up Display, wireless charging tray and more.
As for safety features, the E 53 comes with Driving Assistance Package, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active parking assist with PARKTRONIC, surround view camera and Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus.

Like all new vehicles sold through MBM’s network of dealers and distributors, the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Sedan and Coupe comes with a 4-Years Warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Sedan

Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Coupe


McLaren brings back a classic racing livery on the 720S

In conjunction with the Gulf-Oil livery for the
McLaren F1
 team participating in this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) unveiled a bespoke McLaren 720S with the iconic blue and orange racing colours. McLaren and Gulf have a relationship that dates back to 1968.
The India-owned petroleum company reunited again with McLaren last year, and this project on a series production model is a demonstration of the personalisation possibilities available on McLaren’s supercars. A limited number of customers will have the exclusive opportunity to have their McLaren supercars hand-painted by MSO in Gulf livery.
The limited-edition windscreen-less
McLaren Elva
, priced from GBP1.4 million was the first vehicle to that was born from this renewed strategic partnership.
For the 720S, the team from MSO took 20 days to apply the Gulf livery using AkzoNobel premium paints, which is probably tea time break compared to the
800 hours
 required for the bespoke 1997 Le Mans F1 GTR-theme
McLaren 675LT
 commissioned by His Royal Highness Tunku Idris Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Tunku Temenggong Johor (TTJ).
In this 720S Gulf livery example, the interior features matching blue and orange stitching with Gulf logos embroidered on the headrests and painted on the sills. Orange seatbelts together with markings on the steering wheel complete the key changes.
As the name “720S” denotes, the supercar packs
 720 hp
 and
770 Nm
 of torque courtesy of a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and now factory-filled with Gulf lubricants. Power is channelled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Key performance figures include a century sprint time of
2.9 seconds
, 0 to 200 km/h in 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 341 km/h.
Its carbon fibre Monocage II contributes to a class-leading lightest dry weight of 1,283kg, while Proactive Chassis Control II suspension and active aerodynamics help to unleash this sensational performance on both road and track.
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MINI Cooper S Works 210 unveiled, gets JCW kit with minor power bump, UK only

If the full-fledge high-performance oriented
MINI Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW)
 is too much for your daily needs, but want a taste of some JCW goodness, the MINI Cooper S Works 210 will hit all the sweet spots. The Cooper S Works 210 gets not only styling enhancements but also minor performance bump.
Available as a three-door, five-door and convertible body style, the Cooper S Works 210 gets the full
JCW aerodynamic kit
 that adds a JCW-specific front and rear bumpers boot spoiler as well as unique 17-inch black Track Spoke alloy wheels. It also gets subtle Works 210 badges all round and centre mounted twin exhaust pipes on top of all the standard Cooper S equipment.

Underneath the hood, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder TwinPower turbo gets its output bumped from 192 hp to
210 hp
. Besides that, the Cooper S Works 210 range also gets a Bluetooth activated ‘
Track Mode
” that opens the rear exhaust bypass for a more exciting exhaust note.
Unfortunately, the MINI Cooper S Works 210 is available exclusively to the UK market with prices ranging from £22,155 (RM124k) to £25,800 (RM144k).
IMAGE GALLERY


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia moves into larger parts warehouse

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has announced that it has moved into a new parts warehouse in Shah Alam, Selangor, as part of an expansion plan to meet increasing after-sales demands.
With a storage capacity of up to 40,000 square feet, the expansion will also improve warehouse operations including consolidating all holdings under-one-roof. This move will speed up delivery of parts required by all MMM authorized business partners including 52 dealers nationwide.
“The relocation of our warehouse is in line with the continuous growth of Mitsubishi Motors business in Malaysia. The new parts warehouse is located at a strategic location with less road congestion and easy access to Federal and KESAS highway,” said MMM CEO, Tomoyuki Shinnishi.
“With this accessibility, we will be able to accelerate our parts delivery to MMM’s business partners as we constantly seek to improve customer’s after-sales experience by reducing cost and increasing our work efficiency,” he added.
This is likely a preparation for the imminent launch of the new, highly anticipated Mitsubishi Xpander which was previewed to the public at Mid Valley recently. Information has been limited although we can confirm that it would come with Apple Car Play, a 360 degree view monitor, LED headlights and16-inch alloys.
Check out our
 review of the

Xpander
, hosted by Indonesia’s #1 motoring journalist, Fitra Eri!
While it’s not confirmed, it’s very safe to assume that the Xpander would come with only one engine option – a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine with 105 hp and 141 Nm to power the front wheels via 4-speed automatic.
Check out our full review of the Xpander
here
!
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BMW is now the leading luxury brand in China, selling 48,869 cars in April alone!

BMW Group China has finally outsold Mercedes-Benz and Audi in April to become China’s bestselling luxury brand. The company sold 48,869 cars in April alone, which translates to a whopping
39.2 percent increase
 compared to the same month last year.
Following closely in second place is Mercedes-Benz with 47,627 cars (+35.3 percent), while Audi came in third with 46,166 units (-6.9 percent). Since January, approximately 191,697 units of BMWs have been sold in China, marking a stunning
 18.2 percent
 growth compared to the same period in 2016.
This strong growth is predominantly attributed to the increased demand for the
BMW X1
 and the market-exclusive
1 Series sedan
. On the local front, BMW Group Malaysia is also following an
upward trend in sales
 but still trails behind Mercedes-Benz Malaysia who is currently the
leading premium marque in Malaysia
.


Why the all-new Nissan Almera is turbocharged, and how it’ll ruffle feathers

From the amount of interest and positive comments generated by an earlier
story on the new generation Nissan Almera
 (or Versa in other some other markets), it appears that Nissan has gotten more than a few things right with its latest B-segment sedan challenger.
Now that neighbour
Thailand
has unveiled the Almera in all its glory – the first country in the
Asia and Oceania region
 to do so, you have every reason to be properly excited about what’s coming next year, not only from a styling angle (it is a dramatic departure from the current car), but also in the way of engineering and technology.
Hey, there’s no way you’re related to the current Almera!
The 1.0-litre turbocharged engine
While the revelation that the new Almera will be powered by a
turbocharged 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine
 took many by surprise, industry insiders would have known that going the downsize turbocharged route was inevitable, to ensure that the Almera meets the requirements of
Thailand’s Eco Car programme
 (phase 2), which includes
EURO 5
 emission compliance, fuel efficiency of
no less than 23.25 km per litre
 (for petrol engines on NEDC cycle), an
engine capacity no higher than 1,300 cc
, along with a string of
safety related UNECE regulations
.
Codenamed
HRA0
, the new turbocharged 1.0-liter delivers a maximum output of
100 hp and 152 Nm of torque
. The 3-cylinder petrol engine is mated to a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) to achieve a fuel consumption of
23.3 km per liter (or 4.3L/100km)
, a number that’s obviously devised to meet the Eco Car requirements (see above). The new
999 cc 3-pot
 utilises
mirror-bore coating
 on its cylinder walls for lower wear and durability, and employs an
electric DC motor
 to better regulate the compression of the turbocharger. Maximum torque is available from
2,400 rpm
.
The new turbo engine is marginally less powerful than the naturally aspirated 1.5-litre 4-cylinder found in the current Almera (rated at 102 hp and 139 Nm) but the 3-cylinder generates
greater torque
, so drivability and response are likely to be improved as the vehicle kerb weight of the new Almera is only slightly raised compared to the previous car (still
under 1,100 kg
). Nissan did not quote any performance figures, but this package is really about efficiency.
Design and styling
We’ll skip Nissan’s design jargons and let the images speak for themselves – the new Almera is an attractive-looking B-sedan, not only when compared to the dowdy-looking predecessor, but on its own, this is a stylish and measured design effort by Nissan, without going overboard, probably what the majority of B-sedan customers seek anyway.
As expected, the dimensions have grown in terms of
width (+45 mm)
,
overall length (+70 mm)
 and
wheelbase (+20 mm)
, which now stands at
2,620 mm
, so it should retain best-in-class legroom and overall roominess. More importantly, the new Almera has shed the awkward stance of the current car, looking far more proportional, if not subtly sporty with its slim front headlamps design and boomerang-style tail lamps.
Not that the current car is short on space, but all-new Almera will offer even more.
The interior has also made the corresponding leap in style, the architecture is all new and looks premium. The perception of technology is high as well, with the driver getting an instrument cluster comprising of a
7-inch multi-function display
 next to a self-illuminated speedometer while the centre console now has an
infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touch display
, along with
Android Auto
and
Apple CarPlay
 compatibility. Heck, there’s even an armrest now! Of course, all of this is subject to the chosen variant and corresponding spec level. In Thailand, there are a whopping five grades to choose from.
Active safety comes to the fore
You will hear a lot more about ‘
Nissan Intelligent Mobility
’ as Nissan moves to position active safety as one of its product pillars, just like in the facelifted X-Trail and now on the new Almera. While the full suite of safety features is likely to be variant specific, the Almera can had with factory-fitted
blind spot warning
,
rear cross traffic alert
,
moving object detection
,
forward collision warning
 and
autonomous emergency braking
, this is on top of
around-view 360 camera
, vehicle stability control, ABS and such. Suffice to say, the new Almera is expected to be big on safety when it arrives in Malaysia.
The forthcoming Almera will be big on tech and safety.
What price in Malaysia?
It’s pointless to speculate the price of the new Almera as
Thailand has a different tax structure
 compared to Malaysia (Eco Car-compliant models also enjoy lower excise duties), so it might be misleading to convert the price in Thai baht to Ringgit.
But it goes without saying that the new Almera, when it does arrive in Malaysia in 2020, has to be priced within the vicinity of the current-generation Almera, alongside its usual rivals such as the Toyota Vios and Honda City, if it is to sell in numbers. Expect a price range of between
RM70,000 to RM85,000
, taking into account that the new-generation Almera will likely come with a
higher level of standard safety

equipment
and tech features compared to the current car.
New Nissan Almera gallery


Subaru Viziv Performance Concept unveiled, teases next-gen WRX?

After a
teaser
 not too long ago, Subaru has unveiled its Viziv Performance Concept in full at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. It embodies the future vision of Subaru’s commitment to create safe and dynamic vehicles for its customers. The company also hinted that the concept car will be a successor model that features “
sedan body, symmetrical AWD and horizontally opposed engine
” No prizes for those who guessed it.
Standing at 4,630 mm in length, 1,950 mm in width, 1,430 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,730 mm in wheelbase, the Viziv Performance is a tad larger than the
current-generation WRX sedan
 (L:4,595 mm, H:1,795 mm, W:1,475 mm and WB:2,650 mm). Although it is a given that the ridiculously flared arches will never make it to the final design.

Up front, the concept car wears a new front grill and 3D Hawkeye headlamps, mimicking the horizontally opposed layout of Boxer engines. Carbon parts are applied generously at the bumpers, fenders and roof. Over at the back the concept car gets a pair boomerang shaped taillamps complemented by the aggressive quad-tailpipes.
Subaru aims to equip the sedan with their next-generation Advanced Driver Assist systems in line with the company’s vision in becoming the Number One brand in overall safety. The new systems are currently being developed at
Subaru’s new testing facility
 in Hokkaido, Japan.
IMAGE GALLERY


Kia Proceed Concept unveiled ahead of Frankfurt, hints at next-gen Cee’d design

Not wanting to go under the radar amidst one of the world’s biggest motor show, Kia Motors has unveiled their
all-new concept car
, the Kia Proceed Concept in full ahead of its global debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). The Proceed Concept features a hot hatch styling, giving us an idea of what the next-generation Cee’d could look like.
With the Proceed Concept, Kia is trying to appeal to a new-generation of drivers through a striking design coupled with real-world versatility. As you can tell from the images, its
 low-slung design
 and proportionate front end creates an illusion that the car is larger than it actually is. But rest assured that this is indeed
a hatchback
 and not a sportswagon.
While its proportions and stance may be new, the Proceed Concept features some familiar family design cues such as the ‘tiger nose’ grille, long sculpted bonnet inspired by the
Stinger
 among others. The concept is finished in a bespoke
Lava Red
 paintwork created by a delicate mix of black, chrome silver and red-tinted lacquer for a deep glossy finish.
Kia will officially unveil the Kia Proceed Concept come 12 September as the IAA goes into full swing next week. More details, hopefully, to follow.


Toyota says you will “fall in love at first sight” with the 5th-gen Prius – gets new 2.0L PHEV drive

Today, even supercar companies and ultra-luxury brands have a hybrid model. However, there is only one name that comes to everyone’s mind when you say “hybrid car”, and it is the
Toyota Prius
. Today,
Toyota
 has unveiled the fifth-generation Toyota Prius, marking 25 years of its hybrid model.
Introduced to the world in 1997, over 5.05 million units of the Toyota Prius have been sold to date (from all 4 generations). Toyota says the total sales of the Prius are equivalent to reducing at least 82 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) emissions as of March this year. In Malaysia, the third-generation Toyota Prius was officially sold, but only briefly.
From the outside, the fifth-generation Toyota Prius is much more exciting to look at than all of its predecessors, and it is by intention. Toyota says the Prius needs more than just its core strength as an “environmentally friendly vehicle” to continue being the “vehicle of choice” for the coming generations. As such, it features “stylish designs that users will fall in love with at first sight”. Looking at the pictures, Toyota might be right to a certain extent.
Built on the second-generation TNGA platform, the new Toyota Prius can achieve a lower centre of gravity and fit larger 19-inch wheels. The chassis has also received additional reinforcement to provide increased rigidity and improved quietness. With a Macpherson strut suspension setup in front and a double wishbone setup in the rear, the Prius is said to provide a “captivating driving performance”. Oh, and if the front end looks familiar, that’s because its the same “hammerhead shark-like” design as the electric
bZ4x
 and
bZ3
.
RELATED:
Malaysia-bound Toyota bZ4x launched in Indonesia – FWD, 500 km range
Powering the fifth-generation Prius are three choices of powertrain:
2.0-litre plug-in hybrid –
223 hp
 (metric)
2.0-litre series parallel hybrid –
193 hp
 (metric)
1.8-litre series parallel hybrid –
140 hp
 (metric)
The new addition is the 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid system that makes
223 hp
 (metric) and launches the car from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.7 seconds
. Looks like Toyota wasn’t messing around when it said the fifth-gen Prius would provide a “captivating driving performance”.
The 2.0-litre series-parallel hybrid system is said to make 1.6 times the power its predecessor made. Also included in the powertrain choices is a 1.8-litre series-parallel hybrid system that makes
140 hp
 (metric). The fifth-gen Prius also gets Toyota’s latest e-Four system that improves uphill performance on low-friction road surfaces and provides greater stability when turning.
RELATED:
New ‘EV Corolla’ Toyota bZ3 unveiled with 600+ km range, for China only
Inside, the Prius looks like a sombre spaceship. Toyota has used “island architecture” to provide a “low-stress” and “spacious” interior that makes it easy to concentrate on driving. The main highlight in the cabin is the “illuminated warning system” which is essentially the ambient lighting with active functions such as alerting the driver to detected objects through flashing lights before the audible warnings come on.
As for safety, the new-generation Prius comes with the latest Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package as standard on all variants. It also comes with the Toyota Teammate advanced parking assist that comes with remote function.
In Malaysia, the only current hybrid offering from Toyota is the
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
 which fetches a price of RM139,991. Previously, the
Toyota Camry
 was also offered with a hybrid powertrain.
RELATED:
Thailand sales of Toyota Camry and Honda Accord dominated by hybrids


Hap Seng Smart appointed as first Smart authorised dealer in Malaysia

Proton New Energy Technology (PRO-NET)
 has appointed Hap Seng Smart, a new a subsidiary under the Hap Seng Group, as the first authorised dealer for the
 Smart
brand in Malaysia. The latter’s first showroom is scheduled to be opened in the fourth quarter at Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, followed by another showroom in Balakong, Selangor.
Hap Seng Group, with over 50 years of automotive retailing experience, is also one of the largest dealers for
Mercedes-Benz
vehicles in Malaysia – giving it a unique relationship with the Smart brand. Based on the provided concept art, it appears that the Smart showroom will also be integrated into the company’s existing Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
Concept art for the upcoming Smart dealership in Balakong, Selangor.
“PRO-NET believes automotive excellence is more than creating the best vehicles. It also means providing a seamless and comprehensive retail customer journey and experience. The new dealership marks PRO-NET’s entry into the premium retail automotive market, as well as the latest EV market in Malaysia,” said PRO-NET CEO, Zhang Qiang.
“This partnership between Hap Seng Group through Hap Seng Smart and PRO-NET reflects not only our confidence in smart’s universal appeal, but also shows our commitment to promote a low-carbon mobility future in Malaysia,” added Hap Seng Consolidated COO and Hap Seng Automotive Division Chief Executive, Harald Behrend.
RELATED:
Proton inks distributorship deal with Smart, #1 EV SUV to launch in Q4 2022
Concept art for the upcoming Smart dealership in Balakong, Selangor.
PRO-NET says in a statement that “more dealers are coming on board”, with announcements to be made soon. Aside from just the appointment of new premium dealers, though, the company also intends to establish an all-new “Smart Brand Centre” or “Smart Space” for its customers to experience its vehicles.
The first model from the new Smart line-up – following the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely – is the
#1
, a hatchback-shaped fully-electric crossover with 440 km of range (WLTP). The #1 is scheduled to make its Malaysian debut by the end of 2023, so expect more dealerships to pop up prior to that.
Aside from Malaysia, PRO-NET is also the official importer and distributor for Smart vehicles in Thailand, although no public timeline for the marque’s introduction in the Land of Smiles have been announced just yet.
RELATED:
Smart #3 could enter Malaysian market, fastback EV debuts at Auto Shanghai 2023
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Volkswagen delivers 100,000th e-Golf, paving the way for the ID.3

While the
Volkswagen e-Golf
 has been discontinued for the
eight-generation Golf
 in favour of the purpose-built
ID.3
, sales of the e-Golf is still going strong, with Volkswagen announcing the delivery of its 100,000th unit.
The 100,000 units milestone has made the e-Golf one of the most successful battery electric vehicles (BEV) in Europe as well as the USA. The anniversary vehicle, finished in “Pure White”, was handed over to Maik Jaehde from Germany. The customer was also given an exclusive tour of the production line.
Production of the e-Golf began at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant in 2014, but the increasing demand motivated the brand to expand its production to Dresden in 2017, where the ID.3 will also be produced starting next year. The Dresden plant is on track to achieve an all-time high 16,000 units produced this year.
Volkswagen Head of Sales and Marketing Germany, Holger B. Santel said, “The e-Golf has already been our ambassador for e-mobility for more than five years.
“Today’s delivery milestone of 100,000 vehicles is confirmation of the e-Golf’s success in fulfilling its mission. It therefore plays an important role in the mobility turnaround for many customers and paves the way for the new ID.3,” he added.
The e-Golf features a
35.8 kWh
 lithium-ion battery, powering the electric motor to produce
100 kW
 (134 hp) and
290 Nm
 of torque. Translated to real world performance, the e-Golf takes
9.4 seconds
 to complete the century sprint, onward to a top speed of
150 km/h
.
On a full charge, the VW e-Golf boasts a driving range of up to
230 km
 based on the WLTP cycle. The battery pack takes approximately
six hours
 to be recharged from a home wallbox, while a 40 kW CCS charging station should recharge the e-Golf from empty to 80% in
one hour
.
The ID.3 improves on every aspect of the e-Golf, being a purpose-built BEV. Power output has been increased to
 201 hp
 and
310 Nm
 of torque, along with a range of up to
 550 km
 (WLTP cycle) if equipped with the 77 kWh battery.


Honda’s new interior design philosophy has an unusual name, but a good purpose

Honda cars, for the longest time, have had dashboards that can only be described as “Japanese”. You see this in all of their models, from the
Jazz
 to the
 CR-V
, where a busy centre column on the dashboard houses pretty much all the controls.
But on the future Honda models, the Japanese carmaker is looking to break out from its shell with a more minimalist “European-esque” design for its interior, and has even given it a name – “Simplicity and
Something
“. Yes, really.

The name makes it sound like Honda might have forgotten the second part of its new philosophy, but it basically means to keep the interior as simple as possible, while adding a little pizazz or something unique. Honda says that the latter refers to the “personality and character of the design”, and is expressed through design details such as the knurling on a knob.
The “Simplicity” part meanwhile is pretty straightforward. Essentially, this means making all controls as straightforward as possible and reducing visual clutter, such as reducing the size of the A-pillars, lowering the cowl, minimising the space needed for control surfaces, and even simplifying the displays and menu structure of the software.
The cluttered centre stack of the CR-V
Compared to the cleaner layout on the all-new Accord!
Honda says this new design philosophy renews its focus on the brand’s classic human-centric “Man Maximum/Machine Minimum” approach, and the vehicle should just “fade away” while driving, giving you a clearer view of the road and neighbouring environment – all while maximising cabin space.
“Simplicity in design requires not only a strong philosophy, but a discipline toward the user experience,” said Honda Interior Design US Creative Lead, Johnathan Norman. “We’ve heard from designers working for other brands who say they were inspired by the simple, human-centered design of old Hondas. Well, so are we!”
The company did not say which new model will be the first to get the new interior design philosophy, but we’re already seeing hints of the new horizontally-focused dashboard on the latest Honda products, such as the
all-new Honda Accord
.
And if Honda’s concept photos of the
upcoming Honda Civic
 is anything to go by, we’re also definitely going to be seeing the new design philosophy being applied on the new C-segment sedan.


CES 2016: JVCKenwood pimps out McLaren 675LT for Vegas

When it comes to cars of such calibre as the McLaren 675LT, the old adage – less is more – somehow rings true in this case. But just what are we talking about? McLaren’s cars of late are incredibly well equipped and trimmed.
Macca’s
 aren’t as decked out like a Bentley Continental but neither is it stripped bare like a Lotus Elise. JVCKenwood however, thought differently.
Yes, you read that right. McLaren teamed up with the
AV/Electronics
 gurus from Japan on this new concept for CES this time around. Usually, when manufacturers want to make a lightened and stripped out version of their already ’hardcore’ models, they would start by throwing out all the creature comforts that you and me would take for granted such as carpets and air conditioning. And most of the tim, the end result is a barren wasteland of an interior.
The McLaren design team, led by designer Peter Wilkins, was tasked with incorporating the
JVCKenwood Caroptronics
 system into the 675LT Coupe. To get their vision of the ground, the team crafted a purposeful interior layout using a mix of classic McLaren materials and new fabrics.
Carbon Black Nappa Leather is used to finish the top of the bespoke dashboard, upper beltline and forward portion of the central floor tunnel.  A new Geometric Black Technical Fabric with waxy grained finish to
prevent
 reflections is used for the area facing the driver. The entire centre console, along with the air-conditioning system has been
chucked
 out in favour of aesthetics.
The steering wheel on the other hand, is borrowed from the most exclusive of McLaren’s lineup, the track-devoted
P1 GTR
, with the IPAS and DRS buttons replaced by positioning controls for the
Head-Up Display
 (HUD) that come with fighter jet-type graphics. The graphics in question here conjures up memories of the Lamborghini Reventon
As radical as the changes are on the interior, one would be hard-pressed to imagine that the same treatment has been applied to the exterior. Far from it, however the key functional differences are the door-mounted
 rear view camera blades
 and third camera mounted above the rear number plate.
Aside from that, JVCKenwood have stuffed this concept to the brim with futuristic technologies such as the
fully digital cockpit
 via its HUD so that the driver will never have to take his gaze away from the road. Another cool feature as mentioned is the DVRM (digital rear view mirror) which replaces a conventional rear view mirror. The combination of three cameras, one on each side and one at the rear of the vehicle, offers a wider rear field ofview while
 reducing weight
,
drag
 resistance and lending it a very Tron-esque vibe.
IMAGE GALLERY


Couple celebrates 40-year anniversary with two custom Rolls-Royces

Nothing shouts ‘I love you’ more than a brand-new car, doesn’t it? Perhaps even more so when the car is a Rolls-Royce. But this couple in the US took it to the next level by commissioning two bespoke Rolls-Royces to celebrate their 40-year anniversary.
Yes, you read that right – two. They must
really
 love each other (we kid). And to make it even more special, the first of the two Rolls-Royce is the 20-unit-only
Phantom Tempus Collection
 – which might just be the ultimate gift to celebrate an anniversary.
For those whose brains aren’t just filled with pointless car facts, Tempus is Latin for “time”, and the whole car is designed around the fact that the concept of “time” just doesn’t apply within the cabin – as illustrated with the deliberate omission of a clock.
The cabin of the Phantom Tempus is a truly unique place. Check it out in detail here!
As per the press release, “Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus is a motor car for those who shape the world as they seek their own place in the universe. They understand that whatever our individual gifts, talents, and opportunities, we are all gifted time – and it is up to us to make the most of every precious moment.”
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus was painted a bright silver “Crystal over Arctic White”, was chosen by Glenn and Gigi Moss to signify the “light and infinite nature of time in their marriage”. The same ‘light’ theme is also mirrored onto the interior, with hand-crafted Arctic White leather offset by black contrast stitching and piping.
The location (with precise coordinates!) and date the couple first met in 1976 is engraved into the base of the Spirit of Ecstasy statuette, which is made out of solid silver. Quite literally, love is built into the details of the car. Tying up the specially-commissioned art piece is an illuminated door sill plate that reads ‘Phantom Tempus Collection – Hand built in Goodwood England for Glenn L. Moss Sr.’.
For the second car, Gigi Moss picked out a
Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge
, and painted it Crystal over Bright Red to contrast the white of her husband’s Phantom Tempus. The convertible also gets a bespoke Aero Cowling, which turns the four-seater convertible into a two-seater roadster – it’s an anniversary gift, there’s no need to ferry anyone else.
The entire Rolls-Royce Black Badge collection is now available in Malaysia. Check it out here!
Just like the Phantom, the Spirit of Ecstasy – milled from black carbon fibre – also gets an engraving at its base with the couple’s date and location of their wedding in 1981.
Inside, the special-edition Dawn features a dashboard is topped off with “aerospace-grade, aluminum-threaded carbon fibre composite surfacing material” to complement its darker Black Badge looks, and just for a little more pizzazz, there’s also a door sill plate that reas “Hand built in Goodwood England for Gigi Moss”.
The two cars were presented to the couple in a private ceremony by Rolls-Royce in Orange County, California. I just wish that one day someone will love me as much as how Glenn and Gigi Moss loves each other.
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia signs MoU with Youth and Sports Ministry to develop automotive talents

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding agreement between Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) and the Ministry of Youth and Sport (MOYS) signifies a historic genesis between both parties in the endeavour to develop skills of the youth for the automotive industry.
The main agenda behind the ministry is to create a
positive and conducive environment
 for the
youth
 in the industry to expand their
 potential to the full
, as pointed out by the patriarch and Minister of MOYS,
YB Mr. Khairy Jamaluddin
.

The ministry launched the
Vocational Transformation Plan
 last year and has already signed on multiple blue-chip companies onto the initiative. They include the like of
Samsung, Petronas, AEON, Tan Chong Motors and Tune Hotels
– just to name a few. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia now
joins
 the ranks of those listed.
Mr. Jamaluddin also pointed out in his speech the
five key areas
 that MBM and MOYS has come to a noted understanding.
Firstly
, a total of
12 students
 from the field (
Commercial Vehicle Maintainance
) will be drafted into the pilot program. These students hail from all the far flung corners of the country.
Secondly
, these students will be in training for a duration of
 three months
 as part of the program at the MBM
Apprentice Training Centre
. There they will be trained on the
daily operations of FUSO.

Thirdly
, MBM will collaborate with the
Dept. of Skill Development
 in building
curriculums
 and
teaching materials
.
Fourth
, all successful participants of the program will be awarded a
 full-time permanent employment
 determined by MBM at any of its authorized
FUSO dealerships
. Not only that, a minimum basic wage of
RM1,800
 per month comes with the job.
 Lastly, three trainers
 from the National Youth Skill Institute (IKBN) will be postulated the same
training
 as the pupils undergo.


Video: This is the SUV shootout video you’ve all been waiting for!

You’ve seen
what five of Malaysia’s most sought-after pick-ups are capable of in our previous video
 so for this one, we’ve picked out five SUVs we thought you’d like to see go head-to-head against each other in yet another special episode of our shootout series.
We have the
Proton X70
, the
evergreen Honda CR-V
, the
powerful Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo
, the
Nissan X-Trail
 and a wildcard, the
Peugeot 3008
.

The faces in this video are a little different too. This time it was
GC Mah
‘s turn to babysit the line-up of other presenters which consisted of the surprisingly quiet (in this video)
Bobby
 from
Auri
zn Malaysi
a
,
Hisham
 from
Roda Pusing
,
Tom
 from
Zerotohundred
 and last but not least, our local motorsport darling,
Leona Chin
.
The challenges this time around were different too. As they were SUVs used mostly in urban areas and for families to go on road trips, the off-road challenge from the previous pick-up video was axed in favour of a fuel consumption challenge. This required all the drivers and their respective SUVs to go on a short drive to Port Dickson to see who could get there using the least fuel. The result would surprise you.
Of course there is the customary drag race, followed by a short course in which the SUV’s maneuverability, visibility and braking performance were put to the test.
Without further spoiling the video for you, we’ll leave you with one question.
 What would you like to see next?
Perhaps a compact hatchback shootout? Or maybe a B-segment sedan shootout? Let us know in the comment section!
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BMW 220i Gran Tourer launched in Malaysia, priced from RM280k

As a contender to the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, BMW has introduced the
Gran Tourer
 model of the 2-Series which seats seven people in this premium compact crossover segment. The 220i Gran Tourer represents the first ever multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) for the German automaker.
At 4,556 mm long the BMW 2 Series GT is a good
214 mm longer
 and sits about
53 mm higher
 as compared to the five-seater,
2 Series Active Tourer
.
Model
BMW 220i Gran Tourer
Engine
1,998cc inline-four, twin scroll turbocharged engine
Transmission
8 speed StepTronic automatic
Max Power
192 hp @ 4,700 rpm
Max Torque
280 Nm @ 1,250 rpm
Top Speed
221 km/h
Price
RM279,800
EXTERIOR
The 220i GT sports a front nose with adornments of
 chrome trimming
s around the signature pair of
kidney grille
 intakes and above the fog lamps. The GT also gets LED headlights as standard, while sitting on
205/55 R17
series rubbers all round. From the side though, it does possess a finite resemblance to the
coupe
 it’s based on, featuring distinctive lines that run the length of the side panel.
The back however is business as usual for this
MPV
, with a
power assisted fifth door
 and
low loading height
, making it a rather versatile candidate that any urban mom would approve of. The tail lamps get the
LED
 treatment as well. The
chrome
 garnishing from the front have been carried on at the rear, with
chromed exhaust tips
 and a
chrome strip
 that runs the lower horizon of the bumper.
INTERIOR
The interior is as you would expect of a BMW of this stature, which comes bathed in helpings of
Dakota leather
 wrapped seats and trim pieces. The seats, especially the front have a rather
ergonomic
 feel to it. The second row of seats clearly have safety in mind with plenty of
ISOFIX
 mounting points. The third row may be a bit of squeeze for a full grown adult but suffices for children.
The interior is finished off with metal trim pieces such as the
 “luxury”
 insignia door sill finishers. The
wood trimming
 on the
 dashboard and door panels
 does accent that insignia indeed. As with the
BMW 120i M-Sport
 that was launched as well, it does share the same
seven-speaker
 stereo system, the
BMW apps
 platform that’s displayed via the
6.5 inch LCD display.
PERFORMANCE
This
 MPV
 is powered by the familiar
2.0-litre
 mill that we would find in the rest of the Bimmer family. The unit produces
192 hp
 at
4,700 rpm
 and makes
280 Nm
 of twist from as low as
1,250 rpm
, thanks in part to
direct injection
 and
twin scroll turbochargers
 setup found here.
Century sprint time is done in
 7.6 seconds
 and hits a top speed of
221 km/h
. Not bad for what’s essentially a mini van. Putting the power onto the ground is the equally familiar
eight-speed StepTronic
 automatic transmission. Fuel consumption figures are rated at
 6.2 litres per 100km
.
SAFETY
As previously mentioned, the seconds row of seats come with a whole bunch of
 ISOFIX child seat mounting points
 and the rest of the usual suspects that’s in place to keep you safe, such as
ABS
,
ASC
 and
Dynamic Braking Control
 (DBC). Needless to say there are
airbags
 for the
driver, front passenger
 and
curtain airbags
 that cover the side windows and
side airbags
. The GT comes equipped with
run-flat tyres
, which will prove to be a life saver in an emergency situation.
When it comes to parking, the 220i GT comes with a
 park assist system
 which uses the PDC or
Park Distance Control
 system located on the front and rear bumpers to help the driver in the manoeuvring process. A
rear view camera
 lends its hand to the process too.
WHAT ELSE?
Shades of
paint
 available on the GT include
Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey,
and
 Glacier Silver
 while the
Imperial Blue
 and
Platinum Silver
 colours are made primarily for the luxury line which are featured as standard. BMW Malaysia’s latest 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and free scheduled service program comes as standard as well.
IMAGE GALLERY


The 2023 BMW M3 CS is really just an M4 CSL with more seats and AWD

With the amount of attention the
M4
gets, particularly when it comes to special edition models, you’d be forgiven to think that the two-door coupe is BMW’s favourite child among the two. But for folks who prefer the
M3
‘s more traditional three-box shape, don’t worry – they aren’t forgetting you too, as BMW has now unveiled the M3 CS, bringing the same
M4 CSL
recipe to the sedan body style.
That includes extra power, with the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine underneath the M3 CS’ bonnet now making
550 hp
 and
650 Nm
 of torque – 40 hp more than the
Competition guise that we get here in Malaysia
. The power bump comes from an increased boost pressure from 1.7 to 2.1 bar, along with a new crankcase and lightweight crankshaft, weight-saving cylinder bores, a 3D-printed cylinder head core, as well as upgraded oil supply and cooling systems.
Working together with the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the new BMW M3 CS accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, even quicker than the M4 CSL. Top speed, meanwhile, is rated at 302 km/h, courtesy of the standard M Driver’s package.
While it does come with an all-wheel drive system and an active M Differential as standard, the M3 CS can also be switched to a pure rear-wheel drive mode to satisfy your tyre burning needs – with the M Drift Analyser system also built into the infotainment system.
To complement the extra firepower, the BMW M3 CS also includes bespoke chassis tuning, including specially-designed engine mounts, specific axle kinematics, as well as exclusive dampers, springs, anti-roll bars, and wheel camber settings. The brakes are M Compound brakes by default, but customers can also opt for carbon ceramic brakes (with matte gold or red calipers) for even more stopping power, at an extra cost.
ALSO READ:
6-speed manual only, the BMW 3.0 CSL is more than just an M4 with a better grille
Despite not having ‘Lightweight’ in its moniker, the all-new BMW M3 CS has also undergone a significant weight loss regime, borrowing many of the M4 CSL’s weight-saving parts, such as the littering of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts both inside and out, including a carbon fibre roof.
It’s not M4 CSL
light
 light, but together with the weight-saving frameless kidney grille, the M3 CS measures in some 20 kg when compared to an
M xDrive-equipped M3 Competition
. And as we all know, every little kg – aside from the driver’s weight – counts.
For those who are actually spending that extra cash to buy the M3 CS, don’t worry – people
will
know that you’re driving the pinnacle M3 model. Aside from the exposed carbon fibre bits and ‘M3 CS’ badges all around, the souped up sports sedan also gets the unique yellow daytime-running lights (like the M5 CS) as a nod to the GT race cars, as well as a set of staggered M light-alloys wheels in an exclusive V-spoke design, finished in Gold Bronze for that extra wow factor.
Inside, you get the M Carbon bucket seats as standard, alongside an M Alcantara steering wheel with a red centre marker, plus carbon fibre gearshift paddles for the authentic race car experience. The BMW Curved Display is standard here too, with the iDrive 8.0 operating system incorperating several M-specific displays, including an M Laptimer for your track days.
BMW says it will build the M3 CS in “limited numbers”, but did not reveal the exact number of cars they’re making. We’re guessing it’ll probably be less exclusive than the M4 CSL though, of which just 1,000 units are being built for the entire world.
In the UK, the BMW M3 CS is priced from GBP115,900 (approx RM609k), making it roughly GBP40k (approx RM211k) more expensive than the standard M3 Competition. Production for the sporty sedan will begin in March at the marque’s Munich home.
RELATED:
2022 BMW M3, M4 Competition now offered with M xDrive AWD in Malaysia – from RM798k
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G30 BMW 5 Series gets new engines, 4.4L bi-turbo V8 for the beastly M5!

The
G30 BMW 5 Series
 is finally going in full swing since the model debuted last year. They’ve released a slew of engine options for the sedan, including some spy shots of the upcoming M5 super saloon – more on that later.
Engines that are freshly introduced to the G30 are the
520i
 petrol,
525d
 and
 540d
 diesel engines. The petrol is the entry level choice, powered by a
 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 turbocharged engine that churns out
181 hp
 and
290 Nm
 of torque.
The 525d is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged oil burner, producing
228 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. The 3.0-litre diesel motivates the 540d model, with the six-cylinder engine deploying
315 hp
 and
 680 Nm
 of torque. The latter is also fitted with the xDrive all-wheel drive system, sitting right below the
M550d
 launched recently. The xDrive is also available as an option for the 520i and 525d variants.
When it comes down to sprinting, the 525d would go from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.6 seconds
 while the 540d dusts that in
4.7 seconds.
 The 520i meanwhile manages a respectable
7.8 seconds.
 All variants share the same
eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission
 that drives the rear wheels.
Moving over to the most powerful G30 variant of the lot – the all-encompassing M5. BMW has confirmed that the
4.4-litre twin turbo petrol engine
 from the F10 will be carried over, as well as the
eight-speed automatic transmission
. It gets a slight power bump over the predecessor and will be faster than the 3.9 seconds century sprint achieved by the
M5 Competition
 (F10).

New to the M5 is the inclusion of
xDrive
, with BMW saying it’s a “
rear-wheel drive with a twist
“. In layman terms, it combines the best of both systems. It has the agility and precision of standard rear-wheel drive system while gains the traction prowess expected from an all-wheel drive system. Notice the sideway actions seen on the images? That’s still possible thanks to
M Dynamic Mode (MDM)
 that works in tandem with the M xDrive 4WD Sport mode.
All engine variations of the G30 BMW 5 Series can be had with the sedan and the touring (estate) models by July this year. As for the new M5, it could make its worldwide debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September before sales commence by 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY


Sales Tax Exemption: Nissan offers additional savings on top of tax-exempted prices

Following the announcement from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to
reduce private vehicle sales tax until the year-end
 as part of the post-COVID-19 economy recovery plan, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has now released the revised pricing after Sales Tax Exemption for Nissan models in Malaysia.
To sweeten the deal,
ETCM
 is also introducing the wittily-named Remarkable Car Offers (RMCO) campaign, offering additional rebates on top of the tax-exempted prices for selected Nissan models in Malaysia. The new prices are applicable starting today until the 31st of December 2020.
The RMCO rebates ranges from
RM4,000 to RM13,000
, depending on the model. Included in the campaign is the
Almera 1.5L E
, which gets a whopping 14.6% (RM10,189) total rebate inclusive of the 6% reduction from the sales tax exemption. The
X-Trail 2.0L Hybrid
 gets an additional RM13,000 rebate, on top of the 1.5% (RM2,437) sales tax rebate.
The
Nissan Navara
 is not eligible for the sales tax exemption, as they are classified as commercial vehicles instead of private passenger vehicles. However, ETCM is offering cash rebates of up to RM18,000 on the pick-up truck as part of the RMCO campaign.
Additionally, all existing ETCM offers are still applicable. Any purchase of a
Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
 or X-Trail from now until 30th June 2020 will receive a
complimentary one-year FWD Protect Direct Family Takaful protection plan
, with a sum insured of RM100,000 for up to a family of four.
ETCM is also rewarding 20 lucky new Nissan owners with Cuckoo healthy home appliances worth up to RM128,888. Any purchase of a Nissan model registered before the 30th of June 2020 will be automatically entered in the Nissan Buy & Win contest.
For more information on the revised price list from other car brands in Malaysia after Sales Tax Exemption, check out our posts
here
.


Aston Martin Vantage firing on all 12 cylinders ahead of Final Edition next year

The
Aston Martin Vantage
 sports car was introduced more than a decade ago, positioned as the most accessible model into the prestigious British luxury performance vehicle brand. As such, it was designed to be fitted a competitive V8 engine as standard, with the company later offering the 5.9-litre V12 engine option because, well, why not since they also manufacture the engine.
While market demand was within expectation, the performance and aural qualities of the Vantage V12 were immense that Aston Martin homologated the large displacement engine for international racing series.
The launch of the
second-generation in 2018
 saw the introduction of a new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine from Mercedes-AMG (
510 hp, 685 Nm
) and also no mention of the V12 engine to continue under series production. Aston Martin did put a V12 engine in a Vantage in 2020, but the windscreen-less
V12 Speedster

is not only immensely expensive but also rare with just 88 examples built.

Aston Martin yesterday provided a teaser sound clip to announce the arrival of the Vantage V12, with the captions “it is not just a Limited Edition, it’s a Final Edition.”
Watch Eujin enjoy the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 race car on its proper exercising route- the Sepang International Circuit
Fitment of the V12 engine could also mark the Vantage’s final phase of being available with pure high-revving, unelectrified petrol engines, as the company said the next-generation models will be
fully electric
.
The company has recently introduced a
mild-hybrid engine
 in the Aston Martin DBX luxury SUV, with China being the first market to offer it. Their upcoming Valhalla supercar, which already has
two orders from Malaysia
,
has a total power output of
950 hp
 thanks to a hybrid system with dual electric motors.
The V12 engine is certainly far from kept in hiding, with Ferrari launching not only the
812 Competizione
 but also the
Ferrari Daytona SP3
 under the Icona series, while legendary automotive designer Gordon Murray’s T50 just had its first public
dynamic demonstration
 in October, allowing the V12 engine to sing along with a traditional three-pedal manual transmission.
A work of art. More on the Cosworth V12 powering the Aston Martin Valkyrie
here
.
The Italian government has even requested the European Union to
provide an exemption
 for supercar manufacturers to continue sales of internal combustion engines post 2035, due to their acoustic qualities and low production volume. Users also rarely drive them, so the Italians do have a valid reason.


Volvo S60 officially teased, coming to you on 20 June

Following the announcement of the
Volvo S60 T8 TwinEngine Polestar Engineered
 variant, the Swedish premium car maker has taken to social media to tease the imminent launch of the new premium compact sedan on 20 June 2018.
In the 12 second clip, Volvo is not hiding the fact that the front fascia of the
S60
 will have the brand’s family face – Thor’s hammer LED daytime running lights, iron mark grille and angular front bumper, exactly like its
V60
 twin. From the aerial view of the car, we can tell that the sedan features an elongated rear profile as compared to the V60. Just like the design differentiation of the
S90 and V90
.

As for powertrain options, Volvo has previously announced that the S60 will be solely powered by petrol,
dropping diesel engines for good
. Among the planned powertrains include a range of four-cylinder Drive-E petrol engines and two plug-in hybrid petrol mills while mild-hybrid variants will be available from 2019 onwards.
Volvo’s 3-series and C-Class rival is an exciting car to look out for as it will be the first model to be offered with a full-blown Polestar Engineered variant that sits above the R-Design variant. It packs
 415 hp
 and
670 Nm
 of twist from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin charged T8 plug-in hybrid combination as well as gold-painted Brembo brake calipers, adjustable Öhlins shock absorbers and strut bars as well as gold seatbelts.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo S60 Teaser

Volvo S60 T8 TwinEngine Polestar Engineered


This new hypercar aims to take down the Bugatti Chiron, 0-300 km/h in under 10 seconds

It’s called the Hennessey Venom F5 – an all-new hypercar designed and built from the ground up with the aim to be the absolute fastest road car on Earth – we’ll see how long that lasts.
As we’ve shared previously
, the Venom F5 is constructed with a completely new design, chassis and carbon fibre body focused on aerodynamics, along with active aero that will yield a drag coefficient of just 0.33. This will allow the Venom F5’s
1600 hp
 twin turbo V8 engine to power through to a staggering top speed in excess of 301 mph (
484 km/h
).
“We’ve designed F5 to be timeless so that in 25 years it will still have a level of performance and design that will be unmatched,” said the founder and CEO of the company, John Hennessey. “The F5 is an all new car, designed and built from the ground up, from the engine to the chassis. We expect the Venom F5, named for the most powerful tornado speed winds on the Fujita scale, to be the first road car capable of achieving more than 300 mph.”
Mated to a 7-speed single clutch paddle shift transmission, the Venom F5 also features an all-new lightweight chassis and carbon fiber body, giving the Venom F5 a kerb weight of just
1,338 kg
.
As a result, the numbers projected are simply mind-boggling; 0 to 300 km/h take
less than 10 seconds
 – the same a
Mini Cooper 1499 GT
 would need just to get to 100 km/h – a statistic that also makes the Venom F5 faster than a Formula One race car. Looking to ridicule the
Bugatti Chiron
‘s and
Koenigsegg Agera RS
‘s 0-400-0 feat, the Hennessey Venom F5 will look to complete the above mentioned run in just
under 30 seconds
.
The base price of the Hennessey Venom F5 is said to be in the region USD 1.6 million (
RM 6.7 million
) with the company planning to build around
24 units only
. Alongside the Venom F5, Hennessey is also displaying the
Hennessey VelociRaptor 6X6
 at the on-going SEMA show in Las Vegas.
IMAGE GALLERY


Alpine A110S just got a power bump it didn’t need, 1.8L turbo with 292 hp

The
 Alpine A110
 is a back to basics lightweight, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive two-seater sportscar – the same formula as the original A110 Berlinette that won the 1873 Monte Carlo Rally.
Alpine has upped the ante with the new A110S that sits at the top of the A110 line up. Staying faithful to the ethos of the A110, the A110S gets a power bump in the Renault supplied 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine to
 292 hp
, 40 hp more than the standard A110 as well as “specific chassis setup” which the company did not break down the details for us.
The A110S has been engineered to deliver precise handling and response as well as improved high-speed stability yet is easy to drive and live with every day.
Unlike Lotuses with its bare metal interior, the Alpine has a minimalistic, yet sophisticated cabin furnished with digital screens, Dinamica upholstery, multifunctional steering wheel and carbon fibre trims.
An Alpine A110S costs €66,500 in France before options and deliveries are set to begin at the end of 2019. We’ve had the opportunity to get up close with a standard A110 at the
2019 Singapore Motor Show
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Alpine A110S


All-new Jaguar XF launched in Malaysia, priced from RM450k

Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia (JLRM) has launched the all-new Jaguar XF executive saloon, aimed at taking on the
BMW 5-Series
, the
Audi A6
 and
all-new Mercedes-Benz W213 E-Class
 that will make its Malaysian debut later this year.
Only one engine variant of the XF is offered in Malaysia, the 25t which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 236 hp and 340 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. There are two trim levels, the Prestige which is priced at RM450,000 and the R-Sport at RM460,000. Both are rear-wheel drives.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Jaguar XF 25t Prestige
Jaguar XF 25t R-Sport
Engine
2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission
8-speed auto
8-speed auto
Max Power
236bhp
236bhp
Max Torque
340Nm
340Nm
0-100km/h; Top Speed
7.0 seconds; 248km/h
7.0 seconds; 248km/h
Price
RM450,000
RM460,000
The first generation XF is Jaguar’s most awarded model. Over successive years it garnered several “Best Executive Car” accolades. Its debut in 2007 marked a significant change in Jaguar’s design language.
This all-new XF sits on an aluminium-intensive platform that is lightweight yet very rigid. The new architecture and extensive use of aluminium throughout makes the new car 190kg lighter. It is also 7mm shorter although the wheelbase is 51mm longer. The overall length of the car is 4954mm and it’s 2091mm wide. Not noticeable because shortening the front overhang and subtly elongated proportions have made the car look longer and sleeker. Aerodynamics have been improved with the drag coefficient of the XF dropping from 0.29 to 0.26 in the newer car.
EXTERIOR
On the outside Jaguar has retained much of what is familiar about the XF – its profile, the shapes of the front and rear lights – but apart from that, everything is new.

Inside the xenon headlights is a new lamp configuration, underscored by the parallel lines of the LED daytime running light strip which Jaguar calls the J-blade. The LED tail lamp is now slimmer and stretched across the boot lid. The light design, described by Jaguar as “double roundel with intersecting horizontal detail” and inspired by the F-Type, is very distinctive. You’d know the car in front was a Jaguar.
In terms of trim, the Prestige comes with 17-inch lightweight 15-spoke rims. The R-Sport has 18-inch Helix 10-spoke wheels and R-Sport body-kit. The R-Sport is easily differentiated by with the signature red and green logo on the boot and on the air breathers on the front wheel arch. Both have twin tailpipes.
INTERIOR
The XF has keyless entry and push-button ignition. Leather and brush aluminium frames feature heavily in the Prestige and R-Sport. Both have all-leather upholstery and 10-way electric front seats with tonal stitching. Driver seat has memory function to retain seat settings. The Prestige gets Perforated Taurus Leather seats while the R-Sport gets Sport Taurus Leather with technical mesh. Duo-tone leather is an option for the R-Sport. The multi-function steering wheel, in both variants, is clad in leather. The R-Sport has red paddle shifters which is brushed aluminium in the Prestige.

The rotary gear selector (ringed in red in the R-Sport) called the JaguarDrive control which made its debut in the first XF  (a signature Jaguar feature) is also in the new XF. Also carried over are the flat air conditioning vents that are flush with the dashboard when closed but rotate around when the car is started. The gear dial also rises up from the centre console when the engine is fired up.
The instrument panel is analogue. Power steering is electrically assisted. Meridian sound system, two power sockets, an 8-inch touchscreen monitor, Bluetooth connectivity and streaming, GPS navigation and iPod integration are standard.
Rear passengers are now less cramped. The longer wheelbase has resulted in an improvement in legroom by 15mm, knee room by 24mm. Jaguar claims their rear legroom is segment leading. Rear headroom has also been increased by up to 27mm, if the car is not fitted with the optional sunroof. The boot has a volume of 540 litres.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, there is only one engine variant, the Ford-sourced
2.0-litre EcoBoost
 engine that is also in the Si4 Evoque and Discovery Sport. 0-100 km/h is claimed to be
7.0 seconds
 while top speed is 248km/h.
Front suspension is double wishbone and this is paired with integral link rear suspension with a 50:50 weight distribution. The Prestige gets the standard suspension while the R-Sport gets the stiffer sports suspension. Both are rear wheel drive.
SAFETY
The standard safety features in the XF include ABS, emergency brake assist, stability control, traction control and emergency stop signal under heavy braking, hill start assist, torque vectoring and brake pad wear indicator.There is also cruise control and a speed limiter, automatic door locking, Isofix child anchors on the rear seats, seat belt reminder, front parking aid and a rear view camera.
There is also Jaguar All Surface Progress Control (ASPC) which is a low speed cruise control that manages the brakes and throttle in slippery conditions to improve traction.
WHAT ELSE?
The all-new Jaguar XF is available in 10 exterior paint colours: two solid, Polaris White and Ebony Black; and eight metallic options, Glacier White, Ultimate Black, Rhodium Silver, Ammonite Grey, Dark Sapphire, Italian Racing Red, Quartzite and Odyssey Red.
The Prestige is priced at RM450,000 and the R-Sport at RM460,000 Both prices are inclusive of GST but not road tax, registration or insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY


The middle child of the AMG GT family is here – welcome the AMG “GT C”

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has “given birth” to a new member of the AMG GT family – the AMG GT C Coupe priced at RM1,461,605.60 – as the middle child where it will be slotted between the AMG GT S and the AMG GT R.
Inside the long swooping front bonnet rests a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine that makes
557 hp
 and
 680 Nm
 of torque. The potent power plant is mated to an AMG Speedshift 7-speed DCT Wand together, they’ll annihilate the 0 to 100 km/h run in just
3.7 seconds
 before maxing out at 316 km/h.

The roar is also enhanced with an AMG Performance exhaust system as standard with two variably adjustable flaps modulate the exhaust note. The flaps open and close depending on the selected AMG DRIVE SELECT mode, although they can also be controlled individually using a separate button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT.
What’s also really striking to the attention aside from the imposing front bonnet is the AMG Panamerica grille that features 15 chrome-plated, vertical bars that mimic the Mercedes-AMG GT3 customer sports racing car.
Under the imposing front grille is the AIRPANEL active air management system, adopted from the AMG GT R. Vertical louvres located in the lower area of the front apron can be opened and closed by an electric motor in around one second. During normal driving, the louvres are closed for reduced drag where the air is then directed to the underbody of the car.
The GT C’s wider contours on its rear apron also improve the airflow at the rear with their large outer air vents and features an aerofoil integrated into the boot lid – where it electrically extends and retracts at certain speeds.
The exterior is garnished with 19-inch 5 twin-spoke light alloy wheels in the front, with a 20-inch pair at the back. The tyres at the back are 305mm in width!
Sitting behind all fours is the AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with Adaptive Damping System (Comfort, Sport, Sport +) as standard. The electronically-controlled system automatically adapts the damping on each wheel to the current driving situation, speed and road conditions.
The Active rear-wheel steering that was debuted in the AMG GT R is applied in the AMG GT C for better stability and improved agility. At speeds of up to 100 km/h, the rear wheels point in the opposite direction to the front wheels. At lower speeds, the AMG GT C  turns into corners with significantly higher agility, requiring less steering input.
IMAGE GALLERY


Bentley Mulsanne production ends after more than 10 years

After more than a decade in production, the last
Bentley Mulsanne
 has rolled off the production line. This marks the end of Mulsanne after more than 7,300 units have been handcrafted at Bentley’s home in Crewe, England.
In the past 11 years of the Bentley Mulsanne’s production, over 700 people have spent three million hours crafting Bentley’s flagship limo. The intricacies of the Mulsanne is no laughing matter with over a million hours spent creating the leather upholstery and 90,000 hours spent polishing the cars. Once that’s done, the Mulsanne undergoes over four million individual quality checkpoints.
“The Mulsanne is the culmination of all that we at Bentley have learnt during our first 100 years in producing the finest luxury cars in the world. As the flagship of our model range for over a decade, the Mulsanne has firmly solidified its place in the history of Bentley as nothing less than a true icon. I am immensely proud of the hundreds of designers, engineers and craftspeople that brought the Mulsanne to life over the last ten years,” said Bentley Chairman and CEO, Adrian Hallmark.
Earlier this month, Bentley also put to sleep another one of its long running icons – the 6.75-litre V8 engine. The iconic engine has been in production for over 60 years, bearing the same configuration (albeit with modern touches along the way) since 1959.
The Bentayga V8 Design Series
At the height of its development, the engine
made over 500 hp and over 1,000 Nm of torque
 when it found its way into the Mulsanne Speed.
Closer to home, Bentley Kuala Lumpur recently introduced the
 Bentayga V8 Design Series
 to the tune of RM1.04 million before taxes/duties and options. The 4.0-litre turbocharged petrol-powered V8 in the Design Series makes
 550 hp
 and
770 Nm
 of torque with 0 to 100 km/h done in just 4.4 seconds.
GALLERY


Chevrolet Puchong offers pre-registered Cruze from RM83k, 5-year/200,000km warranty

Chevrolet will be having a sales event for their pre-registered Chevrolet Cruze 1.8L at the Puchong Showroom (next to Tesco Puchong) this weekend, from 29 to 30 November.
Event: Pre-registered Chevrolet Cruze Sales Event

Date: 29 Nov – 30 Nov 2014 (Saturday and Sunday)

Time: 10.00am – 7.00pm

Venue: Chevrolet Puchong 3S Centre, P2 & P4 Jalan Bandar Tujuh Belas, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47100 Puchong, Selangor. (Next to Tesco Puchong)

Promo: Great savings, up to RM20,000.00
1) Enjoy the same experience as owning a brand new Chevrolet: Showroom condition with low mileage.
 2) Good condition: Vehicles have been thoroughly inspected by highly-trained Chevrolet technicians. Many colours available.
 3) Ultimate warranty: Peace of mind with
5 years or 200,000km
 warranty, whichever comes first.
 4) Limited units!
Message: Don’t miss the chance of owning a Cruze from only
RM83,000.00*
. Nett selling price excludes insurance & road tax. Terms & conditions apply.


Refuelling while drifting – BMW sets two new Guinness World Records

Amazing cars piloted by amazing drivers doing amazing things – this probably tops our pick for the most exciting car video we’ve seen this year as BMW really went all out on this.
Set in the all-new
F90 BMW M5
, it drifted for a period of EIGHT HOURS (374 km done in over 200 laps) around a skid pad with Johan Schwartz behind the wheel – setting a
new world record
for the
 “greatest distance vehicle drift in eight hours”
.
To allow eight hours of continuous drifting, an older BMW M5 (F10) had to drift in tandem with the new car with a “refueller” suspended out of the rear window.
A total of
five refuels
 were made and in the video, it’s clear to see the risks involved when the vehicles nudged each other at mid-drift while the “refueller” sandwiched between the two cars.
Once the first world record was accomplished, the two vehicles set another Guinness World Record for the
 “longest twin vehicle drift”
 for a duration of one hour (79 km).
Credit:
BMW USA


Hyundai Tucson facelift teased, will Malaysia get Hyundai SmartSense?

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has just teased their upcoming model launch on its official Facebook page. The silhouette points towards the facelifted Hyundai Tucson as told by the angular front end and trapezoidal grille.
The refreshed Tucson gets a sharper and more modern look with the new Cascading Grille, sharper bumper, full LED headlamps, sharper taillamps and restyled alloy wheel design. Inside, the cabin is largely unchanged save for some added feature such as Krell Premium Sound System, wireless charging tray, 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as rear USB charging port. It remains to be seen whether HSDM will include all the new features when the car is available.

In other markets, the Tucson is offered with four powertrain options – 183 hp 2.0-litre CRDi turbodiesel with, 1.6-litre CRDi turbo diesel with 114 hp or 131 hp, 174 hp 1.6-litre T-GDi and a 130 hp 1.6-litre GDi. Expect the Malaysian market to receive the same line up of powertrain which is the
2.0-litre MPI
,
1.6-litre T-GDi
 and the
2.0-litre CRDi turbodiesel
.
The biggest upgrade to the facelifted Tucson is the introduction of Hyundai SmartSense active safety and driving assistance features that bundles Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC), Speed Limit Indicator Function (SLIF), Hyundai’s Surround View Monitor (SVM) 360-degree camera and High-Beam Assist. Expect HSDM to offer the full suite of Hyundai SmartSense on at least one variant of the Tucson to rival the
Honda CR-V
.


Next-gen Volvo vehicles to feature in-house operating system called VolvoCars.OS

The next generation of Volvo vehicles will run on the company’s own operating system (OS) called VolvoCars.OS.
The new
VolvoCars.OS will act as an umbrella system
 for electric Volvo cars. It incorporates the company’s various operating systems across the car and the cloud, creating one coherent software OS environment. The underlying operating systems include Android Automotive OS, QNX, AUTOSAR and Linux.
Through a variety of application programming interfaces (APIs), including the previously announced Extended Vehicle API, the VolvoCars.OS gives developers access to in-car features such as vehicle sensor data, user interfaces and cloud-based features such as fleet data, subject to customer consent. This allows developers to create new services and applications for Volvo cars.
“By developing software in-house we can boost development speeds and improve your Volvo faster than we can today,” said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer. The interior being featured here is from the
Volvo Concept Recharge
, more information can be found
here
.
Apart from an improved infotainment system, find out what’s new in the 2021 Volvo XC60 facelift here.
“Just like on your smartphone or computer, new software and features can be rolled out swiftly through over-the-air (OTA) updates, making your Volvo better and even more enjoyable over time,” Green added.
Rather than various multiple electronic control units (ECU) around the vehicle that control specific individual features and systems, the VolvoCars.OS will also
operate a core computing system
 in partnership with
NVIDIA
 plus in-house developed software.
Volvo Car Group was the first company to team up with Google on integrating an infotainment system powered by Android with Google apps and services built-in, and the
fully-electric XC40 Recharge
 became the first Volvo car to carry the system.
In the
next generation Volvo models
 such as the
all-new XC90
 that is due as early as next year, Volvo Cars and Google are building simple, easy to use interfaces with large, centralised touch screen with responsive interaction. Seamless connection with smartphones will also take precedence, with the device acting as a key to the electric vehicle and its ecosystem.
Features such as finding and paying for charging and connecting to your home devices will be included, as well as popular remote features already appreciated today such as preheating and cooling.
GALLERY


2023 Peugeot Landtrek launched in Malaysia, RM120k – ASEAN debut for French truck

With its eyes set on the typical pickup trucks in the country, the 2023
Peugeot Landtrek
 has been launched in Malaysia, also making its debut in the ASEAN region. Sold in one variant only, the ‘Allure’, the Peugeot Landtrek fetches a price of
RM120,072
 (OTR without insurance).

By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Perhaps the first time for most of us to witness a pickup truck by Peugeot, the brand has been making trucks as early as 1938. Pickup trucks all look almost similar and Peugeot Landtrek differentiates itself with the large brand emblem on the large grille and unique colour options.
The Peugeot Landtrek measures 5,331 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width, and 1,877 mm in height. Its wheelbase measures 3,180 mm long and the truck has a ground clearance of 235 mm. The truck weighs a total of 2,095 kg.
As for its off-roading related dimensions, the Peugeot Landtrek has a wading depth of 600 mm, a 29° approach angle, a 27° departure angle, a 25° break-over angle, a 42° side slope angle, and an 80% hill climb angle.
RELATED:
2023 Peugeot 508 updated with new looks, but old engine tech
Exterior highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with signature illumination, auto front headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs), front fog lights, rear fog lights, keyless entry, chrome door handles, roof rails, and side steps. The truck gets disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the back. The front suspension is a double wishbone setup while the rear suspension is a leaf spring setup.
The colour line-up for the new Peugeot Landtrek includes Ceramic White, Silver Grey, Magnetic Blue, Red Rubi, Rockstone Grey, and the model’s exclusive colour Olea Green, making a total of 6 colours available.
RELATED:
All-new Peugeot 3008 and 5008 to debut in 2023 with 700 km range EV variant
Powering the 2023 Peugeot Landtrek is a 1.9-litre 4-cylinder common rail turbodiesel engine that makes
150 hp
 at 4,000 rpm and
350 Nm
 at 1,800-2,800 rpm. The recommended fuel for the turbo diesel engine is Euro 4 and above.
The turbodiesel engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the car is equipped with a part-time 4WD system. The Peugeot Landtrek comes equipped with a mechanical rear differential lock.
ALSO WATCH:
Peugeot 5008 – You pay for what you get, nothing more, nothing less!
Inside, the Peugeot Landtrek is equipped with a 10-inch head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone connectivity. It also gets a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Both front seats are power adjustable and the rear seats have a 60:40 split.
Safety features of the Peugeot Landtrek include Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Descent Control, and Hill Start Assist.
The New Peugeot Landtrek comes with a standard
 5-Years
 Manufacturer Warranty with a mileage limit of
100,000km
, whichever comes first.
RELATED:
Gallery – Peugeot 2008 Allure, from RM133k – The French alternative
GALLERY


UMW Toyota Motor records 6% sales jump in 1H 2023 – 8,669 Toyota, Lexus vehicles sold in June

UMW Toyota Motor
 has announced its sales report for the month of June 2023, in which it recorded 8,559 units of
Toyota
 and 110 units of
Lexus
 vehicles sold, for a combined total sales of 8,669 units. That figure translates to an 8.3% increase over
May 2023
, with most of the rise stemming from the Toyota brand.
With the June figures accounted for, the company’s year-to-date sales data now stands at 48,659 units as of June 2023, which represents a significant 6% increase compared to the same period last year (45,911 units).
The company did not provide a detailed breakdown on its per-model sales numbers, merely highlighting the
launch of the all-new Toyota Innova Zenix in Malaysia
 in June. It’s unlikely that the MPV contributed much to the sales increase, however, as it only made its local debut in the tail end of the month.
In line with
UMW Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy
, the all-new 2023
Toyota Innova Zenix
is offered in both internal combustion engine- and hybrid-powered guises. The former features a new 2.0-litre Dynamic Force naturally-aspirated inline-four engine making
174 hp
and
205 Nm
, while the latter tacks on an additional electric motor for a total system output of
186 hp
.
READ MORE:
2023 Toyota Innova Zenix: First model in Malaysia with TSS 3.0, what’s new?
The Toyota Innova Zenix 2.0 HEV comes with two captain seats in the second row.
“At UMW Toyota Motor, we strive to expand the boundaries of technology and revolutionize the mobility ecosystem,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Datuk Ravindran K. “Our virtual launch of the all-new Toyota Zenix represents our relentless pursuit of new age innovations, as we continue to move people and enhance lifestyles.” he added.
A detailed breakdown of the all-new Toyota Innova Zenix can be found at our launch coverage, linked
here
.
Additionally, the company also
announced the opening of the order books
 in Malaysia for the
 all-new Toyota Alphard and Vellfire
, just two weeks after the luxury MPV duos made their global debut. The all-new
tauke
-mobile duo is estimated to be priced from
RM538,000
 and
RM438,000
, for the Alphard 2.4T Executive Lounge and Vellfire 2.5 respectively.
RELATED:
UMW Toyota’s sim racing series returns for 2023 with new GR GT Cup name – RM90,500 prize pool


Touch ‘n Go to remove parking surcharges by Q1 this year

While
Touch ‘n Go
 payment facilities at parking lots do provide a great deal of convenience, which is especially helpful during the Covid-19 pandemic when we’re all trying to minimize physical contact, many still choose to continue with ticket-and-cash payments due to the 10% surcharge imposed by the system.
Well, those days are soon to be over. In an interview with
The Star
, newly-minted Touch ‘n Go CEO Effendy Shahul Hamid told the publication that the surcharge for parking fees paid using Touch ‘n Go cards will be removed
by the end of Q1 2021
.
“I’m very happy to say that by the end of the first quarter, we’ll take away all parking surcharges,” said Effendy. “It requires innovation and some sacrifice on our side, but I think it’s the right thing to do. Basically, we’ve been able to convince our parking operator partners and ensure the surcharge is removed by the end of the first quarter.”
According to Effendy, the change is supposedly made in response to the customer feedback. “Customers are starting to give us feedback in terms of what are the things that we can do, and we’re starting to engineer the company around that. Customers don’t want the parking surcharge, we’re listening to them.”
Effendy also said in the interview that the company is continuously working towards a zero-surcharge model for all Touch ‘n Go top-ups. “It is work in progress. Today, some of our agents already do not impose any reload surcharge, like Watsons, Guardian, Caring Pharmacy, Giant and selected Petronas and
Shell stations
, to name a few.”
However, in an effort to further reduce any forms of physical contact, Touch ‘n Go will also be introducing a new card which can be recharged directly through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet mobile app.
Currently, the only way to tie the physical cards to the eWallet is via the PayDirect function, which allows toll users to deduct payments directly from their eWallet balance instead. However, both the card and eWallet balances are not directly connected. In the event that the eWallet has insufficient funds, the payment will then be deducted from the card.


Nissan Almera, X-Trail, Serena “Tokyo Auto Salon” Edition debut with RM10k worth of accessories

Just in case you didn’t know,
Tokyo Auto Salon
(TAS) Kuala Lumpur
 2023
 is currently being held at MITEC KL. At the event,
Nissan
’s
 official distributor in Malaysia,
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM)
 is showcasing “Tokyo Auto Salon” editions of the
Almera
,
Serena
,
X-Trail
, and
Leaf
. These special edition cars are one-off units and they are for sale.
The TAS Edition treatments are essentially cosmetic upgrades but executed in a tasteful manner, mostly at least. The Nissan Almera TAS Edition features a dual-tone storm grey paint and black roof combo. The front grille trim is finished in gloss black and the front bumper gets a sporty lip.
Wearing 17-inch Nismo wheels with 215/45 profile tyres, the Almera TAS edition is finished with the Tomei aerokit, as well as a black GT wing. There is also a TAS Edition sticker purged on the tailgate, but at least they are subtle.
Tango door handle protectors are also present on the Almera TAS Edition out of the factory. Inside the limited edition Almera, you get a black Nappa leather interior and black leatherette dashboard together with red stitchings.
How much will this tasteful-looking one-off Nissan Almera hurt your wallet? The answer is
RM105,888
 (OTR without insurance), which is exactly RM10,000 more than the range-topping Turbo VLT variant.
REGULAR:
Nissan Almera facelift debuts in Thailand – Approx. RM5k price hike, new ADAS features
The Nissan Serena is also here, in the form of the TAS Edition. Finished in a dual-tone look, featuring black paint and a silver roof, the one-off special edition MPV is also dressed up with the J-Impul aerokit.
Nissan has fitted the Serena TAS Edition with 18-inch Impul wheels with 225/40 profile tyres, together with the TAS Edition stickers. Inside, the limited edition Serena features a dual-tone Impul burgundy and black Nappa leather interior, giving it a sporty vibe.
Just like the Almera, the Serena TAS Edition gets Tango door handle protectors as well, to keep your door handles from being scratched. The Serena TAS Edition also costs RM10k more than the range-topping Serena Premium Highway Star, wearing a
RM162,888
 price tag OTR without insurance.
Nissan’s old fighter – the Nissan X-Trail has also received the TAS Edition treatment to keep it looking fresh. However, unlike the Almera and Serena, Nissan has chosen the mid-range 2.0L Mid variant for this limited edition unit, instead of the 2.5L 4WD variant.
But like the Serena, the one-off X-Trail gets dual-tone diamond black paint with a silver roof but gets the black Tomei aerokit instead. The front grille has also been blackened out, and the silver roof spoiler helps enhance the car’s dynamic look.
18-inch Nismo LMX6 wheels are fitted to the Japanese SUV, together with 235/55 tyres and Tango door handle protectors. Just in case the cosmetic upgrades aren’t obvious enough, there are TAS Edition stickers around the car too.
The interior of the limited edition Nissan X-Trail is finished with a sea of maroon finishings. This includes the maroon Nappa leather interior, as well as the maroon leatherette dashboard and kneepads. Costs-wise, the X-Trail TAS Edition is offered at
RM161,888
, RM10k more than the regular 2.0L 2WD Mid variant.
Last but not least, Nissan has chosen the Leaf EV to put on the TAS Edition kit. Featuring a dual-tone stealth grey paint and black roof combo, the Leaf has also been added with exclusive black and red body stickers, because who says you can’t go sporty while saving the environment right?
Just like its petrol-powered and hybrid siblings, there are also TAS Edition stickers around the EV to remind you of your purchase, and the Tango door handle protectors are here too. The Nissan Leaf is the only TAS Edition model to not feature any price hike (yay!), maintaining the
RM168,888
 (OTR without insurance) price tag.
What do you think of these TAS Edition Nissans? Share your thoughts below! And if you want to see these cars in the flesh, do head to MITEC KL for the Tokyo Auto Salon KL 2023, which will be held from today,
June 9
 till Sunday,
June 11
,
2023
.
RELATED:
Nissan Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star 7-seater MPV from RM162k
GALLERY