Mercedes-Benz Malaysia shows off the new GLE 450 AMG Line!

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just launched the new GLE 450 AMG Line with a price tag of RM633,888 for the 5-seater and the RM638,888 for the 7-seater unit.
At the heart of the GLE 450 AMG Line is a 367 hp 3.0-litre turbocharged engine with 500 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h takes just 5.7 seconds, with a limited top speed of 250 km/h at the top end of the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

On the outside, the GLE 450 is dressed with sporty AMG trims and the Night Package, along with MultiBeam LED head lamps and 22-inch 5-twin-spoke AMG light alloy wheels.
Elevating passengers to new levels of comfort is the AIRMATIC active air suspension along with the Acoustic Comfort Package, which comes with noise damping film for the windows.
Inside, the luxurious ambiance of the GLE 450 is further enhanced with a some of the softest leather you can ever lay your hands on, a panoramic sunroof, brushed aluminium trims, ventilated seats and the MBUX voice command system.
The most eye-catching of all within the interior of the GLE 450 are the four individual air con vents on the dash which is occupied two 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system.
The GLE 450 AMG Line along with the new GLC 300 Coupe can be viewed at the Hungry For Adventure Festival happening this weekend at the Sentul Depot in Sentul West.
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Hold your pitchforks – the FWD BMW 128ti actually looks like a pretty sweet hot hatch

Following a
brief preview
 last month, BMW has now officially unveiled the 128ti in full, their first-ever front-wheel driven hot hatch set to rival the likes of the
Volkswagen Golf GTI
 and
Renault Megane R.S
. The new 128ti is only the third BMW model ever to feature the ti suffix, which stands for
Turismo Internazionale
.
The all-new BMW 128ti will slot in nicely between the 120i and the range-topping
M135i xDrive
. According to BMW, the 128ti is more than an additional engine variant, rather it’s an “unfiltered driving machine with a distinctive character”.
To back up those claims, the 128ti comes with a set of specially-tuned M Sport suspension with a 10-millimetre decrease in ride height for a lower centre of gravity, which translates to better handling. It also comes with the same Torsen limited-slip differential employed on the BMW M135i xDrive, combined with a model-specific steering setup specifically designed to further reduce torque steer.
Also from the M135i xDrive are the firmer anti-roll bars and anti-roll bar mounts with high preload, as well as stiffer springs and shock absorbers.
Powering this front-wheel driven hot hatch is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces
265 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. Paired with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, the BMW 128ti launches from naught to 100 km/h in
 6.1 seconds
, onward to a electronically-limited top speed of
250 km/h
.
Meanwhile, stopping power is provided by the 360 mm and 300 mm discs front and rear, paired to a four-piston brake fixed calliper and single-piston floating caliper respectively – painted red (apparently a first on the 1 Series) to match the exterior flourishes of the new ti.
The exterior of 128ti is based on the M Sport specification, which means it looks essentially identical to the M135i, down to the front apron with sculpted air intakes and the rear bumpers in high-gloss black.
To differentiate between the models, the outer air intakes and vents for the air curtain have been painted a bright red colour, alongside the side skirts which also comes with a ‘ti’ badging. The 18-inch Y-spoke style 553 M bi-colour light-alloy wheels are also exclusive to the model, in addition to the 128ti badging on the tailgate and dual 90 mm tailpipe exits.
The red accents are only available on cars painted in Storm Bay, Mineral Grey, Sapphire Black, or Alpine White though; the BMW 128ti in Melbourne Red or Misano Blue will get black accents, which should work quite well with the Extended Shadowline exterior package which blacks out the kidney grille and wing mirrors, alongside the dark-tinted headlights.
The red accents continue onto the interior of the 128ti, including a large strip on the backrests of the standard sport seats, the embroidered “ti” badge in the central armrest, and contrast stitching along the armrests, door panels, M Sport steering wheel, and the dashboard.
Other highlights on the interior of the new ti include the M footrest and stainless steel M pedals, M door sill strips, and M seatbelts. As standard, the 128ti is fitted with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional system with two 10.25-inch displays.
The BMW 128ti is set to launch in Germany somewhere in November 2020. Closer to home, BMW Malaysia recently launched the M135i xDrive which you can read more about over
here
.
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Check out the latest drop-top in Malaysia – the McLaren 720S Spider

After it’s global introduction at the tail end of 2018, the
McLaren 720S Spider
 is now in Malaysia.
For starters, let’s talk numbers. It’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 serves up
720 hp
 and
770 Nm
 of torque exclusively to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

And the ferocity in acceleration is exactly what you’d expect. 0 to 100 km/h is done in
2.9 seconds
, 0 to 200 km/h in
7.9 second
s and top speed is rated at 341 km/h. With the roof lowered, it’s still good for a 325 km/h top speed! Imagine what that would feel like!
The most striking highlight of the car is obviously its retractable hard top – a completely new design made entirely of carbon fibre. Its folding mechanism is also the fastest in its class; capable of retracting the roof in just 11 seconds, at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Being a convertible, naturally, you’d expect this to be a heavy lump but with a bespoke carbon fibre monocoque, coupled with the carbon fibre roof, the Spider is even lighter than a standard BMW 3-series at just over 1.3-tonnes.
If your mind’s ready to be blown, this thing is 88 kg lighter than the Ferrari 488 Spider, its closest competitor and weighs 48 kg less than the stripped-out 488 Pista Spider, without lacking any creature comforts you’d usually find in mid-size German sedan.
Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres can be specified at no additional cost to complement the new 10-spoke wheel designed exclusively for the Spider, accompanied by Pirelli P Zero tyres as standard.
Like the 720S Coupe, the Spider can be had in three different trims – standard, Luxury and Performance with a starting price of
RM 1,218,000 before duties and options.
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The BMW 530e iPerformance to come with world’s first wireless charging

We’ve all grown accustomed to the concept of wireless charging with our smartphones – whether it’s in the car or in our homes but BMW’s new tech will allow you to charge something a whole lot larger.
BMW will be the first automotive manufacturer to introduce wireless charging of a car’s battery with the
530e iPerformance
 that’s due next year, according to reports by
Autocar UK
.
Based on the one used by the BMW i8 safety car in the Formula E race series, it is reportedly claimed to be able to fully charge the 530e’s lithium ion battery in
 3.5 hours
 albeit 1.5 hours slower than the current fastest charging wallbox plug offered with the car.
The system is developed by Formula E partners, Qualcomm, that charges the batteries by generating an electromagnetic field. It is said that charging will begin on its own as soon as the car switched off and parked on top of the “
charge pad
” placed on the floor.
Guiding lines will also be displayed on the infotainment screen for drivers to position their vehicles on the charge pad which can be placed either indoors or out.
Source:
Autocar UK
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Kia Stinger on sale in UK, 3.3L V6 priced from RM228k, Malaysian debut soon?

Our friends over in the UK has finally received Kia’s first Grand Turismo and first rear-wheel drive car, the Kia Stinger. Available in three turbocharged engines (two petrol and one diesel), UK customers will have three different trim lines to choose from.
In the UK, the base Stinger is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo T-GDI that outputs
244 hp
 and
353 Nm
 of torque. For those who are keen on a high-output mill but frequently crunch up long-distance mileage, the 2.2-litre turbodiesel CRDi with
197 hp
 and
440 Nm
 of torque should be the perfect fit. But the holy grail will have to be the 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 that churns out
365 hp
 and
510 Nm
 of torque, allowing the Stinger to complete the century sprint in
4.9 seconds
.
Transfer of drive to the rear-wheels on all engine choices is handled by an
eight-speed speed slush box
. The eight-speed auto features five different shift and throttle programmes with the option of full manual control on the paddle shifters. A
limited slip differential
 is available across the board while the range topping GT S gets
electronic suspension
 which can be cycled to five driving modes.
Telling the three trim lines apart are the projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights on the base GT-Line while the higher-grade GT-Line S and GT-S gets full LED items. The two lower variants ride on 18-inch alloys while the GT-S gets upsized to 19-inches. The GT-S also can be told apart by its Brembo brakes.

As standard, all UK-bound Stinger will feature 8.0-inch touchscreen navigation system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster, leather upholstery (black, grey or red), eight-way powered front seats with memory function and wireless charging tray.
Stepping up to the mid-range GT-Line S, it adds on 360-degree surround view camera, ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, powered tailgate and 15-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system. Only the most expensive GT-S comes with Nappa leather upholstery.
Standard safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning and Speed Limit Information. GT-Line S and GT-S trims gets additional Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
UK customers can have their Kia Stinger to be finished in Sunset Yellow, Pearl White, Midnight Black, Ceramic Silver, HiChroma Red and Panthera Metal. Prices for the new Grand Turismo starts from £31,995 (RM180k) to £40,495 (RM228k) with deliveries starting in early 2018.
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Wheelcorp Premium opens new BMW 4S centre in Bukit Tinggi, Klang

Marking its 10th year as an authorised BMW dealer in Malaysia, Wheelcorp Premium together with
BMW Group Malaysia
 recently opened the door to its latest dealership outlet in the nation. Located in Bukit Tinggi, the new facility is intended to serve customers in the Klang vicinity, as well as surrounding townships including Shah Alam, Setia Alam, and Kota Kemuning.
Taking the form of a 4S centre, the new 170,000 square-feet facility will house a showroom displaying
BMW
, BMW i, BMW M, Mini, and pre-owned Premium Selection vehicles, alongside a full-blown service centre with 20 bays, as well as a spare parts centre.
The unique outlet also offers a NEXTGen Luxury space for its customers featuring luxurious kitchen equipment from De Dietrich, as well as an Ogawa Relaxation Zone, and Starbucks coffee in one of its two Isetta Bar lounges.
RELATED:
Seong Hoe Premium Motors unveils refurbished BMW and MINI dealership in Melaka
In terms of aftersales services, Wheelcorp Premium says that the service centre can handle a capacity of 80 appointments per day, complemented by a drive-through fast-lane service for customers requiring on-the-go maintenance and repairs.
The BMW Bukit Tinggi 4S centre will also be offering several customer-dedicated services and facilities, including insurance renewal and trade-in services, along with Reception at the Car (RATC), merchandise and accessories collection, plus
 DC charging facilities
.
Speaking at the launch, BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director Hans de Visser said, “…We are constantly looking in growing our presence in new areas which have tremendous business potential. Klang, Shah Alam, Kota Kemuning, and Setia Alam in the Klang Valley are such areas.
“Over the next five years, we will see the premium segment in these areas grow by over 20% and we need to prime ourselves to meet this growth,” he added.
Wheelcorp Premium Bukit Tinggi 4S Centre is located at Lot 142646, Jalan Remia 5/KS 07, Ambang Botanik, 41200 Klang. They operate from 8.30 am to 7.00 pm on Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday.
ALSO READ:
BMW Malaysia partners with JomCharge – 10% off on charging sessions, extra free credits for owners
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Mercedes-AMG One reclaims Nürburgring throne – 8 seconds faster than 911 GT2 RS!

Just a day after
hinting
 at something “monumental” on the Nürburgring,
Mercedes-AMG
 has announced the new record lap time set by the
Mercedes-AMG One
 on the Green Hell. With a blistering
6:35.183

minutes
 recorded, the AMG One is officially 8 seconds (8.117 seconds to be precise) faster than the Porsche 911 GT2 RS on the 20.832 km lap of the
Nürburgring-Nordschleife
.
Set on October 28, 2022, the new lap record was achieved in not the most perfect of conditions – still damp and partly dirt in some areas, typical of the autumn season. The ideal racing line had not completely dried and there wasn’t much time left before the track’s closing. To make full use of the ‘good’ weather and time, Mercedes-AMG GmbH brought two Mercedes-AMG One hypercars to the track.
Piloting the record-setting Mercedes-AMG One was racing driver and brand ambassador, Maro Engel. Maro had already broken the
911 GT2 RS’s 6:43.300-minute time
 at the early stages of the attempt with a lap time that has not been disclosed by Mercedes-AMG, but the team decided to take things further.
With track conditions getting better towards the end of the day, the Mercedes-AMG team took advantage of the remaining time and pushed themselves to set a new 6:35.183-minute time. Besides setting a new production car, the Mercedes AMG-One is also the first hypercar on the Green Hell, spearheading a new “super sports car” lap time category.
RELATED:
Porsche beats Mercedes-Benz’s Nurburgring record with 911 GT2 RS
Maro Engel said, “That was really an unforgettable experience. I didn’t expect that we would be able to set such a lap time with these track conditions. In some crucial areas of the track, it hadn’t dried completely yet and was therefore tricky. That was a special challenge.”
“We tried to find the optimal deployment strategy during the pre-tests. Like
Lewis Hamilton
 and George Russell on their race weekends, I also had to deploy the electrical energy of the hybrid drive in the best possible way. That’s not easy, especially with this length of track. In addition, the DRS function had to be used optimally. But that’s also a real Formula 1 feeling. I would like to thank you for this opportunity and the trust you’ve placed in me. It was definitely something very special to drive this incredible car on the Ring.”
RELATED:
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is now the fastest road-legal car around the Nurburgring
To recap, powering the Mercedes-AMG One is a hybrid system with a 1.6-litre V6 engine and 4 electric motors on each wheel that makes
1,063 hp
 (metric). The front wheels are purely electrically driven while the rear wheels are turned by a hybrid system. The transmission in use is a 7-speed automated manual gearbox and the Mercedes AMG-One gets an AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
With only 275 units made and all of them already spoken for, Mercedes-AMG One comes as standard with technically everything that the record-breaking unit had. Customers of the AMG One get the Formula 1 hybrid technology, the carbon monocoque, and the carbon body. Mercedes says the AMG One’s powertrain has a “lightning-quick response, faster than a naturally aspirated V8 engine”.
RELATED:
Porsche Taycan reclaims Nürburgring EV lap record from Tesla Model S Plaid
Mercedes-AMG GmbH Chairman of the Board of Management, Philipp Schiemer said, “I’m proud of the whole AMG team – everyone who was involved in this project. The various departments in Affalterbach as well as our colleagues at HPP in Brixworth never gave up and continued to push the dream of this vehicle.”
“This success is the well-deserved reward for their hard work. Even though the AMG ONE is certainly more at home on a Grand Prix circuit than on the Nordschleife – as is so often the case with this project – we’ve simply gone one step further. We’re the first ever to have taken on the challenges of the Nürburgring with a super sports car. That’s also what makes this project so unique and I’m very happy about this fantastic lap time.”
The fastest production car Nürburgring-Nordschleife 20.832 km lap times at the time of writing are as such:
Mercedes-AMG One – 6:35.183 minutes
991.2 Porsche 911 GT2 RS (Manthey Racing) – 6:43.300 minutes
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series – 6:48.047 minutes
992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS – 6:49.328 minutes
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Iconic DeLorean DMC-12 makes a return, earliest by 2017

Remember that iconic two-door gullwing coupe that was capable of traveling through time? The DeLorean DMC-12, the unmistakable car imprinted deep within our brains (thanks to the movie series Back to the Future) was also one of automotive history’s infamous failures, is making a comeback thanks to a certainlaw in the United States.
America’s “
Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act
” (H.R. 2675) now legally allows the company to salvage all DeLorean leftover parts to assemble new DMC-12 models. The gullwing coupe could make into production by as early as 2017, and up to 325 DeLoreans will be built each year for the United States.
But it, of course, has to meet the current Clean Air Act standards for the model year in which they are produced, meaning a new engine that meets current emission standards is required. The DeLorean DMC-12 model had a rather short lifespan of two years from 1981, with just 9,000 units built to see the light of day. The company, DeLorean Motor Compact, went defunct in 1982 following multiple scandals.
Up to this point, a few engine options from Japan and America have been shortlisted, but the likeliest powertrain supplier may just be automotive giant General Motors. One thing is for sure, it won’t be powered by a flux capacitor, so forget about going back to the past with plans of undoing all your silly mistakes.
If all goes well, the reborn DeLorean DMC-12 can be at your doorstep for USD100,000 (approx RM430,000). It won’t be breaking any world speed records or anything, but we’re beyond certain that this car will make for a really valuable collector’s item. Pity those who have kept the original DeLorean up and running for years now, eh?


US bound Honda Civic to get new 1.5L VTEC turbo and six-speed manual or CVT gearbox

Americans are in for a real treat here following news that the next generation (10th-gen)
Honda Civic
 will adopt the company’s new
1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC
 engine, and that a short shifting
six-speed manual
gearbox will also be thrown into the mix.
This Civic Concept debuted at the 2015 New York International Auto Show and is a major leap as far as its looks go. Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor, Mr John Mendel said the new C-Segment model will be the
most refined
 and
stylish
 Civic Honda has ever made. Mendel also defined the new Civic as
most dynamic
, most technologically advanced and an
epic
 Civic in every way. Bold claims indeed.
It features a
longer wheelbase
, wider stance and
sits lower
 than the outgoing version. The hood is evidently longer too, while the front face gets an aggressive style highlighted by the “Flying H” Honda grille. These improvements align with the brand’s reimagination of the Civic, which Honda aims to pay meticulous attention to its
spirited performance
 and
class-leading versatility
. A total of
five variants
 will be offered in the Land of the Free – Sedan, Coupe, Si, Hatchback (5-door) and Type-R.
Now comes the interesting bit. The new Civic will be the first U.S model to feature Honda’s VTEC turbo engines from its line of Earth Dream Technology powertrain series. One prominent engine choice would be the
turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC
 petrol engine with
direct injection
 paired to either a
six-speed short shifting manual
 gearbox or the improved
CVT
gearbox. No output figures have been released so far, but we can expect the engine to make between
180 to 200 horses
, if not more.

Besides the emphasis on spirited driving, the Civic targets
class-leading fuel economy
 with near-luxury levels of cabin refinement. All this is also taken into consideration without compromising on its safety. As such, the model will get
Honda Sensing
 – the brand’s trademarked range of
advanced safety
 and
driver-assistive technologies
 which include Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control and Honda LaneWatch.
Honda says the production version of the new Civic will not stray too far from this Concept – a statement that adds on to the forced induction hype. We hate to burst your bubble, but it’s very likely that this Civic will not hit Malaysian roads. If you’re reading this Honda Malaysia,
please give us
 the VTEC turbo.
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New Isuzu MU-X previewed: 7-seater SUV priced from RM152k, launching on June 4th

Isuzu Malaysia has revealed that the MU-X (MU stands for Multi Utility), successor to the 7-seater Isuzu MU-7 that was sold in Thailand, will be making its way here come June.
The brand’s flagship SUV made its world debut at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and shares the same underpinnings (ladder frame chassis) as the outgoing D-Max. It will be offered here with the sole
2.5-litre VGT diesel
engine.
Two variants of the midsize SUV will be brought in – a
4×2
 and
4×4
 configuration, both featuring the said 2.5-litre engine paired to a
five-speed automatic
transmission. The engine, thanks to
Variable Valve Geometry Turbo
(VGS), makes
134 hp
 at 3,400 rpm and
320 Nm
 of torque from 1,800 to 2,800 rpm.
Fuel tank capacity is estimated to be
65 litres
 large, about 11 litres less than the D-Max which made the
1,809km drive from Bangkok to Singapore
 a successful feat. In other words, the same frugality and performance are retained, or so it seems.
The
dual purpose SUV
 comes with hydraulic shocks and rides on independent double wishbones with coil springs and a stabiliser bar at the front. The rear however, gets a multilink suspension with coil springs instead of the D-Max’s elliptical leaf springs. Isuzu says this gives passengers better comfort without compromising the car’s off-road capabilities.
Externally, the MU-X looks strikingly similar to the D-Max, especially when viewed from the front. However, several visual cues set them apart, such as the fog lamps and lower grille. The headlamps get
halogen projectors
, whereas the 4×4 variant will get an extra pair of
LED daytime running lights
 built next to the fog lamps. The side mirrors here are finished in chrome and comes with the integrated signal indicators.
Unfortunately, both the 4×2 and 4×4 variants will not come with keyless entry and push-start button. Inside, there’s a lot of the D-Max that’s been carried over, but the MU-X gets a two-tone black and silver finish. Where the 4×2 makes do with manual air conditioning, the 4×4 gets a single-zone auto air conditioning, but both variants will get
second and third row air vents
. The rear air-cond vents also get a separate condenser and blower speed.
Leather seats are standard in both variants, including a 6-way electric seat for the driver. The 4×4 benefits from a
rear DVD monitor
 and a
Blaupunkt touchscreen
 multimedia DVD player (Android OS) with mirror link, WiFi, USB, Bluetooth, GPS Navigation and reverse camera, whereas the 4×2 gets a 2-din CD player that supports Bluetooth and USB. Both variants get six speakers, though.

The safety kit includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control and Isofix mount for the second row seats. The 4×2 gets two reverse sensors at the back, while the 4×4 gets four.
The MU-X is given an introductory price of
RM151,944.56
 and
RM164,969.84
 for the 4×2 and 4×4 respectively. Both prices are OTR with insurance and GST inclusive. Like the D-Max, it comes with a
3-year or 100,000km warranty
programme, whichever occurs first.
We’ve just sampled the MU-X on a drive from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands and back, so for those who are on the lookout for a new, flexible 7-seater SUV, stay tuned for our report!
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2015 Isuzu MU-X 4×4


Gallery: Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 previewed at Publika, coming soon to Malaysia

For those who are not in the know, the
Ford Mustang GT
 is being
previewed at Publika
, Solaris Dutamas courtesy of Ford distributor Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC). The GT variant on display needs no introduction, as it’s fitted with the range topping
5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine
 (naturally aspirated) making
435 hp
 and
542 Nm
 of torque.

A source from SDAC revealed that public response has been overwhelming, but was unable to provide any details as far as its pricing is concerned. However, we have been told that the
2.3-litre EcoBoost
 Mustang will definitely be priced below the
RM500,000
 mark – if that’s of any good news to you guys out there.
The V8 Stallion will most likely carry the RM500k to RM600k price tag, although nothing is set in stone as of yet. If that’s the case, then the Mustang V8 will surely give
Lexus’ RM782k RC F Coupe
 a run for its money.

All right hand drive Mustangs will be fully imported from Ford’s assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, and the Malaysian bound ponies will come in a fastback or convertible guise. Meanwhile, enjoy the picture gallery we’ve put together just for you!
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Could this be the concept of the fully electric Porsche Macan?

Leading up to the return of one of Europe’s largest motor show post lockdown, the IAA in Germany, Porsche has released a lone teaser image of the headlamp on a red vehicle.
The accompanying caption mentions using motorsports as a testing ground for new products and continues to do so. At the upcoming IAA Mobility in Munich, it looks like Porsche will be unveiling a concept car that is said to “combine cutting edge technology with breath-taking design”.
With the 24 Hour of Le Mans endurance race happening this weekend, we doubt the concept image relates to anything specific to motor racing as Porsche is only live-streaming the unveiling event on
September 6th
.
Based on the layout of the large signature four-point lighting units, we suspect this could be a precursor to the fully electric Macan compact SUV. Porsche, which has
begun testing
 on public roads, formally announced that the new
fully electric Macan
 is only due for sale in 2023, which is still a good 18 to 24 months from now.
Is this a Porsche showroom or a high-end fashion boutique? New Porsche Studio opens in Vietnam
The electric vehicle will be based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture which is jointly developed with Audi.
There is still plenty of life in the current compact SUV “sportscar”, as the company recently
revamped the power
 output of the Macan range, with the base model now delivering 265 hp while the Macan GTS gets the 440 hp V6 biturbo engine previously fitted to the Macan Turbo.
Porsche recently revealed beautiful, unseen prototypes from their vault. This particular oblong “travel cabin” is everyone’s favourite. Find out more here!
Although at a downward trend, Porsche still managed to move almost 80,000 units of Macan models last year, from a high of almost 100,000 units in 2019.


This 345hp Volvo V60 Polestar is the official safety car for 2016 WTCC

Volvo, right after
acquiring tuning expert Polestar in full
, has revealed that the V60 Polestar will be the official safety car for the 2016 season of World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
Based on the standard V60 Polestar, the car comes installed with a roll cage and proper communication equipments to meet stringent FIA regulations and safety car criteria. It is powered by a
3.0-liter turbocharged
 petrol engine tuned by Polestar which makes
345 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. The standard V60 Polestar is available with a sole
six-speed automatic
 gearbox driving all four wheels, and it’s no different with this Swedish safety car.
The hot blue wagon with shades of azure will lead a field of 20 touring cars prior to each race across twelve nations. Comparatively, a standard WTCC car (read Citroen C-Elysee, Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze and the all-new Volvo S60) has 380 hp produced through a 1.6-litre turbocharged units. Check out the V60 Polestar safety car in action when the first race kick starts in France this weekend.
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BMW M550i xDrive is the range-topping G30 5 Series… for now

Catering to those who would rather not be seen driving a diesel, the BMW M550i xDrive is the revvier and sweeter-smelling sibling to the
M550d xDrive
. Unlike the oil burning sibling, the petrol M550i xDrive uses a bigger 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo.
Until the next M5 is unveiled, the M550i xDrive sits at the top of the G30 5 Series range. The
twin-turbo V8
 develops
462 hp
 and
650 Nm
, while an
eight-speed automatic
 is on duty to send power to the rear-biased
xDrive
 all-wheel drive system. Nought to 100 km/h time is clocked in
4.0 seconds
, and the M550i will go on to its electronically-limited top speed of
250 km/h
.

The
M Sport
 kit comes as standard, which include M Sport brakes with blue callipers,
M Sport suspension
 that reduces ride height by 10 mm and a set of
19-inch wheels
. Options include bigger 20-inch wheels, Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assistant, and Remote Parking System where owners can park the car using the key fob as a remote.
Like the M550d xDrive, this high-powered beast will not likely be launched here in Malaysia. Currently there’s only a single variant of the G30 5er that you can buy here and it’s the
530i M Sport
 for just under RM400k.
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The 2018 “Coast Edition” VW Beetle is the convertible we all want!

Celebrating the Volkswagen Beetle’s association with surfing and coastal heritage, the new 2018 Beetle Coast Special Edition will get you to the seashore or pretty much anywhere else with a modern twist on its long heritage – if only our weather wasn’t so humid and the air wasn’t so dusty.
Equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI engine, it packs
174 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque coupled with a 6-speed Tiptronic transmission, sending drive to the front-wheels.

Although not entirely lightweight, at around 1,400 kg, we reckon there’s still enough grunt to have a little fun in the modern interpretation of a favourite classic. That said, the standard Electronic Differential Locking should allow the Beetle to offer all the tingly sensations around the bends.
To expect this Coast Edition Beetle to be a Nurburging lap record setter would be silly, it’s more about the lifestyle with this convertible. What really stood out to us was the 17-inch Heritage alloy wheels that brings back all the memories from the chrome wheel/white tyre wall combination of the classic Beetle. Why they’re still offering Halogen headlamps when even the
new Myvi has LED units
, is beyond us.
Inside as you’d notice, isn’t too foreign from the
local-spec Beetle we have in Malaysia
 save for a few notable difference, eye-catching differences. True to its Coast Edition nature, the dashboard projects a surfboard-inspired look, complemented by Pepita cloth upholstery.
Safety wise, it comes with the standard ABS, ESC, Anti-slip Regulation (ASR), Engine Brake Assist (EBA) and the Intelligent Crash Response System.
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You can now book and confirm your service appointments online with Ford

After announcing its
new test drive delivery service
 last month, Ford in Malaysia is now offering vehicle service appointments to be made in real-time through its
 official website
.
Once on the site, customers will be required to select their vehicle model, select the state they are in and select their preferred service centre. The available date and time slots will then be shown, and customers can schedule a service appointment up to one (1) month in advance.
Customers will then have to fill in their name, contact details and vehicle registration number. Once completed, a confirmation email of the appointment will be sent.
The new
1,400 hp Ford Mustang Mach-E
.
The real-time e-Service appointment booking is currently available at seven (7) authorised Ford Service Centres in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak – namely
Ford Ara Damansara, Ford Petaling Jaya 2, Ford Juru, Ford Butterworth, Ford Kuching, Ford Kota Kinabalu and Ford Tawau
.
“In the months to come, we will be looking at fully establishing this real-time e-Service appointment booking throughout our network of over 40 dealerships nationwide”, said Sime Darby Auto Connexion, Managing Director, Syed Ahmad Muzri.
Last month, Ford also announced a
Service Relief Promotion
campaign with 20% discounts on selected OEM parts, timing belt and lubricants along with 10% off on labour charges. The campaign ends 30th of July.


The BMW X3 gets more style to go with substance with an M Sport Package

When it was first launched
 last year
, we thought the G01 X3 xDrive30i Luxury was a little too serious (read: boring) in it’s styling. Well, it seems like BMW Malaysia heard our grumbles and unveiled the G01 X3 xDrive30i with M Sport Package!
Priced at
RM328,800
 (a RM15,000 premium over the luxury line), the G01 X3 xDrive30i with M Sport package nets you an additional M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes and M Aerodynamic body styling, along with bigger 20-inch double-spoke M light alloy wheels (the luxury variant gets 19-inch wheels) with run-flat tyres.

We reviewed the G01 X3 xDrive30i.. with an AutoBuzz exclusive design!
On the outside, the new bumpers are probably the most obvious change other than the M emblem on the fenders. On the front, the X3 M Sport receives a honeycomb grille to complement the aggressive bumper design, loses its chrome bits and gets a new integrated LED fog lamp, while the rear gets a darker diffuser and twin gloss chrome exhaust tips.
The M Sport trim also removes the chrome strip around the windows, replacing it with what BMW calls a “Shadow Line” – a gloss black strip for a sportier and understated design.
BMW has also dressed the interior with M Sport specific parts, such as M Sport steering wheel, door sill finishers and Vernasca leather upholstery with contrasting stitching in blue, and a new fine aluminium cutting and Pearl Chrome interior garnish.
There are no changes to on-board equipment, with the same 10.25-inch touch screen iDrive system, 12-speaker audio system and triple-zone climate control as standard.
There are also no changes to the powertrain – it still utilises the B48 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that produces
252 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque, mated to a 8-speed automatic gearbox. 0 to 100 km/h still takes the same
6.3 seconds
.
The New M Sport package is available in four exterior colours – Alpine White, Carbon Black, Glacier Silver and Phytonic Blue. Booking is now open, but do act fast if you want the M Sport package as it will be limited to
only 120 units
 in Malaysia!
As standard with every new BMW purchase is a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and scheduled servicing, as well as 2-year warranty for your run-flat tyres. BMW X3 owners also get access to BMW roadside assistance and accident hotline, BMW White Card in the BMW Group Loyalty+ app, as well as BMW Service Online.
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Toyota Setsuna takes ‘Kemahiran Hidup’ to the next level [+Video]

In conjunction with the upcoming Milano Design Week, Toyota went away with the norm by unveiling a unique two-seat roadster named “Setsuna”. The distinctive feature about the Setsuna is that it’s made of wood – all of it, except the tyres of course.
Before environmentalists could jump in to save the trees, mind you, this is just a concept from Toyota that makes use of various trees to construct this car. For instance, Japanese Cedar is best known for its flexibility, so that goes to the making of the Setsuna’s exterior. The chassis requires the toughest kind of wood, and Birch wood is commissioned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=r4eE2MpJ8IQ
Inside, Japanese zelkova was used for the flooring while the seats were crafted from smooth castor aralia. For items such as wheel caps, steering wheel, and seat frames, aluminium is used, but very sparingly.
No nails, yes, no nails have been used to join the body parts. The body is made out of 86 handmade panels and are connected using a unique Japanese technique called
“okuriari”
. Meanwhile, a
standard electric motor
 with
six batteries
 is used to move the car because you know, an internal combustion engine made entirely out of wood would somehow smell like bonfire…
Toyota said the word “Setsuna” stands for “moment” in the Japanese language. Or as its lead designer Kenji Tsuji puts it, “envisaging a family pouring its love into it over generations so that the car gains an irreplaceable value.”

Family values matter here. “Continuous development is possible in the form of bonds between the car and the family, like the growth rings of a tree”, added Tsuji.
Also, look closely at the dials on the dashboard. They aren’t actual your usual speedo and tachometer, but rather a clock displaying the hours, days and years – all up to 100 years. This serves as a reminder for us to value time and memories instead of the distance travelled.
While the car’s top speed of
 45km/h
 won’t set this on fire (also not a good idea with this concept), think of it this way. Wood is lightweight, which is good for speed, as proven by the World War 2 bomber
De Havilland Mosquito
. If Setsuna is packed with a more powerful electric motor and perhaps some clever use of thermal insulation, it could potentially become a fun and fast roadster, which sadly is not what Toyota is thinking now at this point of time.
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Honda Malaysia recalls 2,814 units of HR-V over faulty front stabiliser bar

Honda Malaysia has announced a recall for Honda HR-Vs manufactured in 2016 to replace a faulty front stabiliser bar. A total of 2,814 units are affected in the recall campaign and all other current models on sale are not affected by this recall.
According to the company, the defective
front stabiliser bar may potentially break under high stress
 which will disrupt the cars stability when driving. Honda has pinpoint a manufacturing defect is due to insufficient temperature control during its production process, resulting in compromised strength of the stabiliser bar.
Honda Malaysia stresses that there are no incidents or injuries related to this issue. The company is taking necessary measures to ensure customer safety. As of today, the availability of replacement parts is at
50 percent
 and parts availability will be at
100 percent by mid-November 2017
.
Affected customers will be informed via mail and are advised to send their vehicle to the nearest Honda authorised dealer nationwide for inspection and replacement.
 All replacement cost will be borne by Honda Malaysia
.
Honda owners can check whether their vehicle are involved in a product recall campaign (related to this or otherwise) either by logging on to
www.productrecall.honda.com.my
 today or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.


The SUV e:Prototype might be our first look at Honda’s first EV SUV, based on HR-V

Honda has just shown off a new prototype vehicle, called the SUV e:Prototype at the Auto Shanghai 2021 motor show – and as the refreshingly articulate name suggests, this will be the Japanese carmaker’s upcoming fully-electric SUV, set to go on sale in China mid-2022.
The new fully-electric SUV will spearhead Honda’s EV charge in China, where it aims to introduce 10 Honda-branded EV models in the country within five years, to realise its carbon-neutral goal by 2050.
Based on these photos provided by Honda, it seems like the upcoming SUV EV will be based on the all-new HR-V, which was
just recently unveiled in February
of this year.
Seeing how closely the
all-new Honda Civic
 resembled the first
 public “prototype”
, we’re convinced that this is pretty much how the actual car will look like – save for some minor changes (such as bigger functional wing mirrors) to satisfy local safety regulations.
This being an electric-only model, there are of course several EV-friendly modifications to the looks, most noticeably the new front grille – or lack thereof, replaced by what looks like a charging port cover with an illuminated Honda logo in the middle.
Bright lights seem to be Honda’s idea of a ‘future-ready’ EV design, as there are LED light bars almost everywhere on the prototype vehicle. The headlights are unique on the SUV e:Prototype, with a U-shaped light signature, paired to an extended eyebrow-style daytime running light that stretches inwards, almost across the entire front fascia.
Further down, the black bumpers are accented by thin LED light strips trims – not chrome, as one would presume at first glance. Air inlets bookend the bottom apron, accompanied by horizontal LED positioning lights.
The all-new Honda Vezel/HR-V.
The whole lighting motif is once again found on the sides of the SUV e:Prototype, with a thin LED light strip adorning the bottom trim element, and another on the slim wing mirrors. Otherwise, the sides are largely unchanged from the Honda HR-V, including the character line that extends from the front bonnet shut line all the way towards the tail lights at the rear.
More similarities can be found on the rear door handles, which are tucked in nicely into the C-pillars, though the e:Prototype comes equipped with “hidden” front door handles for aerodynamic purposes.
At the back, the full-width light bar tail light assembly from the HR-V is carried over onto the Honda SUV e:Prototype, though there seems to be a new light signature design here. There’s a new roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated sleek full-width third braking light, while further down on the bumpers, the LED positioning light strips mirrors that on the front fascia.
No photos have been shared on the upcoming electric SUV’s interior, but a
short video on Honda China’s websit
e shows a large portrait style central infotainment display, paired to a fully-digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Obviously, these could just be computer renders, and might not reflect on the production-ready car.
The video also shows a facial-recognition system at work – Honda says that the upcoming fully-electric SUV will come with the third-generation Honda Connect system, which utilises artificial intelligence to power a host of connected services, alongside a new “omnidirectional ADAS” system, so we’re guessing that’s part of the sensor suite.
Similarly, no information has been shed on the electric powertrain underneath the bonnet, but Honda says that they are focusing on delivering “dynamic, yet smooth acceleration performance” on the upcoming fully-electric SUV, of which the driver can feel the “joy of driving in abundance” – we’ll see about that when the car is actually launched.
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JPJ extends deadline for summon discounts to the 31st of December

The Road Transport Department or JPJ has announced the extension of the deadline for the “promotion” on summonses to the end of the month, now in sync with PDRM’s. This is the second extension, after the first which supposedly
ends today
.
To recap, entitled summonses (that are compoundable) will be offered up to a discount of 80%. Payment of the summons can be transacted at all JPJ offices nationwide, kiosks, mobile JPJ counters, UTC premises as well as online through the
MySikap JPJ
 portal. Physical counters mentioned above are open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. and inclusive of weekends.
Source: Facebook/
JPJMalaysia
However, a scheduled maintenance activity on the MySikap JPJ system has been earmarked for this weekend, thus, all JPJ counters nationwide will be
closed this Saturday
, December 18th.
The promotion to encourage road users to settle their unpaid summonses was first touted in conjunction with the government’s “100-Hari Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia” (AKM) programme that was held in KLCC over the weekend of December 9th to 12th.
In the accompanying press statement, the JPJ announced the collection of RM4,126,938 via settlement of 81,146 summonses from December 9th to the 14th. Out of that figure, 11,113 transactions were done online.
The JPJ also earlier reminded vehicle owners to renew their expired road tax and driving licences before the end of the year as the Ministry of Transport is no longer extending the deadline that was announced in
September
. These renewals can be done at Pos Malaysia, Puspakom as well as through MyEG web portal.
Currently, the department has also set up ‘Ops Sedar’
roadblocks
 around the country to nab road users with uninsured vehicles.


New Toyota Veloz open for booking in Malaysia – to replace Toyota Avanza

UMW Toyota Motor has announced that the all-new Toyota Veloz, which will be locally-assembled to replace the Toyota Avanza, is now available for booking. The Toyota Avanza was introduced locally in 2004 and UMW Toyota Motor has sold over 178,000 units.
The Veloz was launched in
Indonesia
in November 2021 followed by
 Thailand
earlier this year.
The Toyota Veloz will be powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine paired to a 7-speed CVT gearbox. As it is the 2NR-VE engine, it’s safe to assume that the 1.5-litre engine will produce 107 hp and 140 Nm to drive the front wheels.
What has been revealed so far on the exterior is that the Toyota Veloz will feature LED headlamps with sequential turn indicators, with five different exterior colour options available – Blue Metallic with Black Roof, Silver Metallic with Black Roof, Red Metallic, Metallic Bluish Black, and White.
Also available in the Veloz are features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through a 9-inch touchscreen, electronic parking brake with brake autohold, wireless charging and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Bootspace is rated at a generious 498 litres.
Toyota Safety Sense driver aids will also be available; offering features such as autonomous emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
There was no mention on how many variants will be available although UMW Toyota listed an estimated price of RM95,000.


Mazda’s to launch EV by 2019, rotary engine as potential range extender

According to
Auto Express UK
, Mazda is looking to introduce an all-new electric car that is due in 2019. This electric car is said to take shape as a city car to rival the likes of the
Renault Zoe
 and
Nissan Leaf
. The company also revealed the possibility of employing a rotary engine as a range extender for the electric car.
Matsuhiro Tanaka, head of Mazda’s European R&D explained that the logic for rolling out a small city car is because a larger car would require heavier parts and is not Mazda’s priority to work around the problem. Tanaka-san however, mentioned that for Mazda to create a large-sized EV, they would have to reimagine their strategy to bring weight down, such as developing lighter materials in the future.
An all-electric Mazda2 perhaps?
On the rumoured rotary engine electric powertrain, Tanaka-san confirmed that such technology exists as rotary engines are capable of producing consistent power quietly at standard revolutions.
With Mazda’s plan to introduce
plug-in hybrid cars by 2021
, this all-electric city car with a rotary powered range extender may soon be a reality. So folks, seems like the rotary is not dead yet, just that it’s taking a different form from what we remembered it.


Aston Martin adds more spice to the tantalising DB11

It’s called the Aston Martin DB11 AMR; inspired by Aston Martin Racing’s successful endurance programme, it replaces the outgoing V12 model as the new flagship of the DB11 range.
Stuffed inside its long front hood is a
630 hp
 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, a full 129 hp more than the V8 DB11 launched in Malaysia recently. Off the line, the DB11 AMR tips the 100 km/h mark in just 3.7 seconds with
700 Nm
– similar to the AMG GT C Roadster and if you dare, the DB11 AMR can transport you to the hair-raising threshold of 335 km/h.
Aston Martin President & Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer, said of the DB11 AMR, “Since its initial launch back in 2016 the DB11 has sold close to 4,200 V12 examples. With the exceptional V8 Coupe and Volante, we felt the V12 could reveal more of its sporting potential, while remaining the consummate GT.”
The DB11 AMR is available in three Designer Specifications, plus an exclusive AMR Signature Edition, which carries a striking Stirling Green and lime livery. Strictly limited to
100 units worldwide
, the AMR Signature Edition is priced at £201,995 (approx. RM 1.08 mil).
The Aston Martin DB11 AMR is priced at £174,995 (approx. RM 937k) in the UK, with deliveries set to take place in Q2 2018.
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Mitsubishi presents the Triton Athlete in a whole new light

Yeap, that pun was most definitely intended. In the last two years or so, Mitsubishi’s social media channels – whether on Facebook or Instagram – have been quite vibrant with gorgeous pictures and exciting videos and their most recent posting on Instagram featuring the Triton certainly deserves a mention.
The
Triton Athlete
 was previously featured in a Facebook video, with Leona Chin behind the wheel, powering through multiple sections of the
Shah Alam Stadium
 as if it were a playground. This time, it’s a little different.
With the Triton Athlete in a static position, this time it was the photographer
 Aereon Wong
, who was moving around in what is known as ‘light painting’ and the results look simply incredible! Check out the Instagram Reel
here
!
The Triton Athlete is available in White Diamond (as per video), Jet Black Mica and Sun Flare Orange. Complementing those colours and the Triton Athlete decals are 18-inch blacked-out wheels. As part of the Triton Athlete look, the door handles, wing mirror housing, side steps, aero door visors, and rear bumpers have also been blacked-out.
The Mitsubishi Triton Athlete goes for
RM141,500
 and is powered by a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel engine with
181 hp
 and
430 Nm
 to power all four wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.


Lotus reveals the flexibility of its 2026 EV sports car, with up to 884 hp

It is still another five years away, but Lotus has begun key engineering work on its fully electric sports car that is scheduled to be available in 2026.
As part of the brand’s transformation into higher volumes and a dramatic increase in product offerings, Lotus has split its business into low-volume and high-volume products.
In summary, Lotus offence into the
EV segment
 over the course of five years will be:
2022 – SUV, E-segment, Type 132
2023 –
4-door coupe, E-segment
, Type 133
2025 – SUV, D-segment, Type 134
These three will have much of its design, engineering and high-volume production in
Wuhan, China
2026 – Sports car, Type 135, made in the UK
Yesterday, Lotus unveiled the new EV platform with a modular rear structure that was developed through Project LEVA (Lightweight Electric Vehicle Architecture). Intended to be constructed with lightweight die-cast aluminium with multiple interchangeable components, the rear structure is designed to accommodate a single or dual electric motor drive unit (EDU) as well as up to three different sizes of battery packs.
The platform will most likely be used by
Alpine
, Renault’s performance car division, to replace their
A110
 mid-engine sports car, as the French automaker inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January this year which includes joint development of an EV sports car with Lotus.
Lotus is still building Exige and Elise models today, but not for long. Find out how to purchase one here!
Called the Type 135, the “smallest” variation of the electric two-seater sports car will have a short wheelbase of just 2,470 mm (although much more than the current
Elise
 at 2,300 mm) and a chest-type battery pack occupies the space where the mid-mounted engine and transmission .
A single-motor EDU, nestled behind the battery and in between the suspension arms, delivers a whopping
476 hp
 (350 kW), even more than the recently launched
Lotus Emira V6
.
A more powerful version of the two-seater Type 135 will see a 50% larger 12-module chest-type battery pack with an energy content of 99.6 kWh mated to a dual-motor EDU with a maximum output of
884 hp
 (650 kW). The wheelbase is also lengthened to at least 2,650 mm (longer than today’s Emira and
Evora
) to accommodate the battery pack.
Lotus is looking back into history to better represent the sound of 2,000 hp! More here on the sound of the Lotus Evija!
The chest-type battery pack, where battery modules are vertically stacked, was first seen in the 2,000-hp
Lotus Evija
 fully electric hypercar. Lotus says the mid-mounted power pack of the chest layout is ideal for sports cars to deliver the requirement of low overall ride height and low centre of gravity.
The ‘slab’ battery pack is placed under the cabin floor
The third model variation of Type 135 will use utilise the long-wheelbase design to create a 2+2 cabin, but with the battery pack arranged in a more traditional “slab” placed beneath the chassis. Lotus is planning to have this Type 135 in 2+2 configuration to offer either outputs of 476 hp or 884 hp.
Apart from being used by Lotus as well as Alpine, this innovative mid-mounted rear-drive EV platform for sports cars is also planned to be made available to other clients through Lotus Engineering.
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BMW celebrates ///Malaysia Day with the largest BMW M gathering

For Malaysia Day 2022,
BMW Group Malaysia
 and the M owners Malaysia community gathered over 120 BMW M cars in Kuala Lumpur. Being the largest BMW M gathering in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia also took this as an opportunity to award winners of the “search for the oldest BMW M models of each model series” in the country.
A group of BMW M cars joined a convoy from Ingress Auto Damansara to Lalaport Bukit Bintang to celebrate the 59th Malaysia Day. At the destination, the public had the opportunity to see the high-performance BMW M cars up close.
BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director, Hans de Visser said in his officiation speech, “This year, as we commemorate five decades of rich history as one team with a united passion for BMW M; let us not forget the unity of Malaysians as one nation who are also celebrating 59 years of national identity.”
“It is a true delight to witness this passion that Malaysians have for the brand in full strength, demonstrating not only their pride and love for our motorsport division but for Malaysia on such a significant day as well. We hope that the Most Powerful Letter in the World will continue to resonate with the diverse yet close-knit BMW M community here.”
RELATED:
BMW Malaysia and Safe ‘n Sound present 90 fully-subsidised child car seats to B40 families
Earlier this year, BMW Group Malaysia announced a nationwide competition in search for “the oldest BMW M models of each model series in the country”. The contest is in celebration of 50 years of the BMW M Division. Three of the six winning BMW M cars were placed on special display during the gathering. Winners of the contest are:
Han Kim Leng, 1981 BMW M535i (E12)
Harris Mah Kar Keat – 1988 BMW M3 (E30)
Lim Shin Tom – 1991 BMW M5
Gan Kian Yeh – 2006 BMW M6 (E63)
Tan Kai Che – 2015 BMW M4
Tee Yee Jiuh – 2017 BMW M2
Winners of the search for “the oldest BMW M models of each model series in the country” with BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director, Hans de Visser
Hans de Visser adds, “As we commemorate 50 Years of BMW M, we are truly floored by the strong support of all our BMW M owners and fans in Malaysia, many of whom have journeyed with us all these years to honour five rich decades of the brand’s pursuit for motorsport perfection. Their unwavering support has been pivotal to our success here, and ///M for Malaysia Day is a true exemplification of the unity and pride shown by the Malaysian BMW M community.”
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Here’s the all-new Honda Jazz before you’re supposed to see it

The all-new Honda Jazz (or Fit as it is known in Japan and the Americas) is scheduled to make its worldwide debut at the Tokyo Motor Show tomorrow, but images of the fully-uncovered car has already found its way onto the internet, courtesy of Japanese website
Creative Trend
.
The images seem to be taken from the motor show magazine, and someone clearly managed to get a hold of a copy early.
From the leaked images, we can see that Honda designers went with a more gentle design philosophy on the new Jazz. Standing out on the front facade is the new Solid Wing Face “grille”, which is mostly just a solid piece of bodywork. The air intake is slimmed down to just a single slit underneath the Honda emblem.
Flanking the grille is the new larger headlights, which takes on a rounder shape that reminds us of the first-generation Honda Jazz. Inside the enclosure, Honda has upgraded the headlights to a square projector along with what seems to be a ‘U’-shaped daytime running lights.
Around the side, the wide angular character line of the
third-generation Honda Jazz
 has been replaced with a sleek line that runs from the top of the front-wheel arch along the entire length of the car. The C-pillar also has been redesigned with a split paint job that joins the taillamp enclosure to the roofline.
At the rear, the existing vertical-oriented taillights of the previous Honda Jazz have been replaced by two-piece horizontal taillights.
The leaked magazine also shows 5 different variants of the all-new Honda Jazz, namely the Basic, Home, Ness, Luxe and Crosstar. The Crosstar adopts a crossover-inspired design, with a variant-specific louvered front grille, bumper with larger air intakes, wheel arch cladding, roof rails, and a two-tone colour scheme.
The Ness variant gets a more youthful colour accent that extends onto the inside, while the Luxe gets a few additional chrome trim pieces on the outside and a leather interior.
On the inside, the dashboard seems to have been redesigned with a more minimalistic look, where the touchscreen infotainment display takes centre-stage. The air vents have been moved from the top to flank the infotainment display, while the climate controls take the form of three circular dials below the screen.
The top of the dashboard has been reshaped into a single flat surface, while the front mimics the upholstery material of the seats. The instrument cluster has also been replaced by a digital screen, while the two spoke steering wheel seems to be lifted directly from the
Honda e
.
The leaked magazine in question.
Honda has announced that the all-new Honda Jazz will be available with the Intelligent Multi-mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid powertrain, and the source has indicated that the fourth-generation Honda Jazz will be utilising a 1.5-litre two-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors.
More information will be made available once the car is officially launched in Japan tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled as we bring you the latest coverage!


What’s with all the hype about TORQUE lately? What does it do and how does it matter?

Traditionally, how much power a car makes have always been its first talking point, especially when sportscars are concerned. It’s simply a measure of superiority – a real booster not just on the road, but for the ego. Lately, with the imminent arrival of a certain B-segment sedan, there’s been a lot of talk about torque.
To some, perhaps a little too much but what is it really? What’s the difference between horsepower and torque? Do you need more torque than horsepower or vice versa? How does that benefit you?
To understand the significance of high torque figures, we need to first understand what horsepower and torque are. Horsepower is how much power a car’s engine makes while torque is the twisting force generated to turn the wheels. In a way, horsepower determines how quickly that work is done while torque determines how much force is applied to get that work done.
Final scene from The Fast and the Furious – the first-ever “advertisement” on the significance of having loads of torque.
A car with high horsepower but low torque figures can accelerate quickly but may not be able to sustain that hard acceleration beyond a certain speed. On the other hand, a car with lower horsepower figures but higher torque may not accelerate as quick but as it accelerates, the force or rather “forward surge” is a lot stronger.
This is most apparent in diesel-powered, turbocharged pick-up trucks or cars with higher capacity engines or rather “big c.c. cars”. They deliver the most amount of torque in the lower revs and while they may not necessarily be fast cars, the force of that acceleration would be stronger as compared to a car with higher horsepower but lower torque. This is why pick-ups in particular are used to haul heavy cargo or tow heavy objects.
While on the move, a car with more torque can also up-and-go with a lot more ease, while keeping the car in the lower revs. As a result, it also prevents the engine from being overstrained. This can also have a more positive effect on fuel economy.
The same can also be experienced on uphill climbs. Cars with more torque may not necessarily be faster in these terrains but it would have a much stronger acceleration whereas in a car with insufficient torque, you’d probably have to keep your foot firmly on the floor to get the car moving.
Revving the engine to its redline is only fun when you’ve got VTEC!
For those who derive excitement from speeding through B-roads, revving the engine to its limit may offer a more visceral experience but for most, in compact sedans or crossovers, carrying a full load of passengers and cargo, having more torque makes for a more relaxing drive.
With a healthy horsepower output, the car may accelerate quicker but at higher speeds, its torque output determines if the car can accelerate further with ease or if the driver needs to downshift a gear and rev to the limiter.
Imagine having to constantly rev the engine to its redline to perform overtaking maneuvers or to sustain a high speed on the highway, rather than merely flexing your right toe to perform the same task, which sounds more comfortable?
Uphill climbs, slopes, slowing moving traffic is where you’d fully experience the use of torque.
For the last decade also, car manufacturers have accelerated the use of turbocharged engines and now almost every model of every continental make is turbocharged. Even the Japanese and Korean makes are picking this up, albeit slowly but surely.
With turbocharging, you get plenty of torque before 3,000 rpm; more than enough to get you through your daily drives and it’s proven to be the more efficient in terms of fuel consumption. It’s kinder on the environment too, if you buy into the data. With lower capacity (such as 1.0- or 1.5-litre 3 cylinder) turbocharged engines, not only can manufacturers build lighter, more efficient engines and provide more room for safety and cabin enhancements for city runners, in Malaysia at least, we’d pay lower roadtax too.
Its achilles heel however is throttle response. Even with the deftest calibration by car manufacturers, a turbocharged vehicle will never be as responsible as a non-turbo example and there are plenty of videos on YouTube to convince you of that.
Now, car manufacturers are adopting a new solution; by harnessing the power, efficiency and immediacy of electric motors. The most apt example now is perhaps the
new Honda City RS i-MMD
.
Find out
what’s in and what’s not
 in the new Honda City.
Honda
has somehow devised the new City to be driven primarily by one of two electric motors while the engine only kicks in at higher/cruising speeds where it can perform at its optimum with the least strain. The rest of the time, it’s used to charge the batteries on board while the other electric motor acts as a starter.
According to Honda Malaysia’s marketing material so far, this should result in near instanteous and effortless acceleration – something we’ve not had the chance to confirm just yet. Soon, hopefully. Although, one thing is for sure, if all that is advertised applies as it should in reality, minimal use of the internal combustion engine will also be a consequence. That would mean longer refuel intervals and ultimately, lesser of the toxic stuff in our atmosphere.
Mother nature would approve of this.


2017 MINI Countryman launched in M’sia, 2 variants priced at RM240k and RM270k

Unveiled back in late 2016, the second-generation MINI Cooper Countryman is the largest MINI ever produced to compete in the compact crossover segment. It goes against the likes of the
Audi Q2
 and
Mercedes-Benz GLA
.
MINI Malaysia has two variants on offer for now – the Cooper Countryman and the Cooper S Countryman. Rest assured that the hotter 231 hp and 350 Nm
all-wheel drive JCW Countryman
 will make an appearance in due course. For now, you’d have to settle for the RM240k Cooper and RM270k Cooper S Countryman.
QUICK FACTS
Name
MINI Cooper Countryman
MINI Cooper S Countryman
Engine
1,499cc; MINI TwinPower turbo 3-cylinder
1,998cc; MINI TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission
6-speed Steptronic automatic
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Max Power
136 hp @ 4,400 – 6,000 rpm
192 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
220 Nm @ 1,400 – 4,300 rpm
280 Nm @ 1,350 – 4,600 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
9.6 seconds; 200 km/h
7.4 seconds; 224 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM239,888
RM269,888
 EXTERIOR
Based on BMW Group’s UKL2 platform that also underpins the
BMW X1
 and
2 Series Active/Gran Tourer
, the Countryman is now 202 mm longer (4,299 mm), 30 mm wider (1,822 mm), and 5 mm shorter (1,557 mm) than the model it replaces. Wheelbase has also stretched to 2,670 mm (+74 mm).
Both variants are dressed in the
MINI ALL4 Bodykit
, therefore you get a more rugged front and rear fenders, Piano Black trim on the bumpers, silver coloured sump guard, and satin finished roof rails, emphasising the adventurous character of the all-new Countryman.

Standard equipment includes
auto LED Headlamps
 with cornering lights. The Cooper Countryman rides on 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/50 profile tyres while the Cooper S Countryman gets 19-inch items wrapped in 225/45 profile tyres.
INTERIOR
Thanks to the stretched dimensions, the Countryman offers even more space for versatility and practicality. Boot space for example is rated at
450 litres
 with all the seats in use and with the 40:20:40 split rear seats folded down, the Countryman can swallow up to 1,390 litres of cargo. It even comes with a Picnic Bench that folds out from the luggage compartment lid. Who says a MINI is not practical?
Standard features on the Cooper Countryman includes Cloth Firework Carbon Black fabric upholstery, Hazy Grey interior theme, Chrome Line interior as well as a leather wrapped sports steering wheel. Other creature comforts include dual-zone climate control, 6.5-inch infotainment system with reverse camera and powered tailgate.

Stepping up to the Cooper S Countryman, you’ll get significantly more kit on top of the standard variant. It gets MINI Yours Piano Black interior theme, ambient lighting, Carbon Black leather upholstery, John Cooper Works leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, powered front seats with memory function and keyless entry and start.
PERFORMANCE
Powering the Cooper Countryman is a 1.5-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that outputs
136 hp
 and
220 Nm
 of torque. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in
9.6 seconds
 and top speed is registered at
200 km/h
. Official fuel consumption figure is
6.0 litres per 100 km
.
Under the bonnet of the hotter Cooper S Countryman, is a 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine packing
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque. Power is channelled to the front wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Century sprint is done and dusted in 7.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of
224 km/h
. It also consumes slightly more fuel at
6.5L/100 km
.
Both variants of the Countryman come with the MINI Drive Mode Selector where drivers can shuffle between Green, Mid, and Sport. Green mode as the name suggests calls for a relaxed drive while Sport is for a more responsive throttle and handling response. For the best of both worlds, Mid should be your pick.
SAFETY
Both variants come equipped with six airbags, ABS with BA, EBD, Cornering brake control, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), hill-hold control, flat tyre indicator and ISOFIX mounting points.
WHAT ELSE?
The MINI Cooper Countryman can be had in eight exterior shades – Chestnut, Island Blue, British Racing Green, Chili Red, Light White, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, and Moonwalk Grey. Meanwhile Thunder Grey is available exclusively on the MINI Cooper S Countryman.
Every purchase of the Countryman comes with a 4-Year unlimited mileage warranty package and a 4-Year or 60,000 km (whichever comes first) free service package. Interested parties can experience and test drive the new Countryman at The International Gallery at Alya Kuala Lumpur from 15 to 16 April 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY
MINI Cooper S Countryman

MINI Cooper Countryman


Bentley Bentayga, the world’s fastest SUV to debut at Frankfurt tomorrow! [+Video]

A buzz of excitement fills the air with super-luxury British marque Bentley pulling the covers off its latest creation ahead of its Frankfurt debut. The Crewe based company has been very busy at work with its first ever production SUV that’s an evolution of the EXP 9F concept that was shown to the world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
The Bentayga may not have inherited Bentley’s best naming paradigms, but it did get the Volkswagen Group’s
PL71 platform
 on which it’s built on. The same platform can be found on the more popular
Audi Q7
,
Porsche Cayenne
 and
Volkswagen Touareg
. It sure is a stepping stone for what is being hailed as the ‘
fastest SUV in the world
‘.
Giving a product like the Bentayga with the abovementioned tag is a bold and daring move, especially for a company with a sterling
reputation
 to uphold. Bentley had to pull out all the stops here. From the powertrain to the interiors upholstery, the perfectionists from Crewe took their time and made sure they had the real deal to show for at Frankfurt.
The drivetrain is as good place as any to delve into the Bentayga. Powering this uber-luxurious SUV is a tried and tested, all-new
TSI W12
 engine for which Bentley is billing is as the
most technologically advanced 12-cylinder
 production engine in the world. It kicks out
600 hp
 at
6,000 rpm
 while making an astonishing
900 Nm
 of twist from a mere
1,250 rpm
, thanks to a pair of twin-scroll turbochargers.

The Flying B dishes out the century sprint in
 4.1 seconds
 before reaching a top speed of
301 km/h
! Not bad at all for car that weighs
3,250 kg
. What makes this powerplant so technologically advanced is the fact that it can
shut down half
 its
cylinders
 depending on driving conditions that’s acclimated to
Bentley’s Variable Displacement
 system. The TSI W12 sees a
 11.9 percent
 efficiency improvement compared to the
existing W12
.
Additionally, it can
switch
 between
direct
 and
indirect fuel injection
, thus improving
fuel efficiency
 and
emissions
. The engine is mated to an
eight-speed
 automatic gearbox. The
transmission
 and
four-wheel-drive
 system has been strengthened to handle the demands and high torque levels of off-road driving should it strike your fancy. An
oil-burner
 and
plug-in hybrid
 will make their debut later on.

Onto the business end of this SUV, for which the marque applauds as the
world’s finest cabin
. In typical fashion befitting only that of Bentley, the
veneer
 is handpicked, the select
bull hide
 is sourced from only the best European climates and are
naturally tanned
. The remarkable attention to detail in metal, wood and leather is the epitome of modern British luxury, and is achievable thanks to the exceptional skills of the craftsman in Crewe.
The cossetting handcrafted upholstery features a
22-way
 adjustable front seats that’s further enhanced with a
six-programme massage
 system, seat
heating
 and
ventilation
. The Bentayga is available in either a
four
 or
five seat configuration
 and are available with contrast stitching including a quilted diamond design applied to the ‘shoulders’ and bolsters that draws inspiration from classic hunting jackets.

This SUV exudes opulence by the bucket-loads and that’s ever more apparent with a four-seater layout. The two individual
rear seats
 adjust in
18
 different ways and includes a
 massage
 and
ventilation
 functions, not to mention
footrests
.  The veneered rear console hides away
cup holders
,
storage
 areas and
USB
 charging sockets. Customers can choose from
15
 colours, in three duo-tone and one single mono-tone colour split.
The Bentayga takes the term ‘tailgate party’ to the next level when you drop the tailgate and discover the
optional folding event seat
 that’s decked out just like the rest of interior for taking in the lush scenery. Beats sitting on the tailgate we suppose. Should this not amuse you, Bentley has equipped the Bentayga with a
full-length panoramic glass roof
.

The brand is adamant of the SUV’s
go-anywhere-attitude
. Bentley has gone to the ends of the world when it came to testing and has proved to be the most exhaustive exercise in the company’s history. From the frozen
-30°C
 wastelands of the North Cape, to blistering
50°C
 desert heat of Dubai to the
 muddy
 fields of Cheshire; the Bentayga has been put through its pace on all terrains navigable by wheel.
And the product of that pursuit is the
world’s first electric active roll control
 technology that utilises an unrivalled
48V
 system, dubbed the
Bentley Dynamic Ride
system. This system instantly
 counteracts lateral rolling forces
 when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver cabin
stability
,
ride comfort
 and car-like
handling
. Conventional anti-roll bars present a compromise between body control and ride comfort, whereas Bentley’s adaptive and reactive system provides
variable torsional resistance
, allowing the Bentayga to be both capable in corners and remain comfortable at all times.

The Bentayga comes jam-packed with safety acronyms for good measure, such as Electronic Stability Control (
ESC
), Hill Descent Control (
HDC
) and a multi-mode Traction Control (
TCS
). Steering is job left to
 EPAS
 or Electric Power-Assisted Steering. The system gives feedback to the driver, whilst providing isolation from steering kick-back. EPAS  features a
 variable rack ratio
 that permits
light
 and
fast
 steering while manoeuvring at
low

speeds
, as well as a more
weighted
 response for better
stability
 at
higher

speeds
.
Opulence and luxury are the mainstays of the brand and it wouldn’t be an exception here. Even the
clock
 that lives in the dash is a  bespoke mechanical
Mulliner Tourbillon
 by
Breitling
 (as an option of course). Speaking of
Mulliner
, should the ‘standard’ Bentayga not jig your whimsy, Mulliner will
bow
 to the customer’s
every bespoke needs
. That being said, the Bentayga comes with
six
 different lifestyle-orientated packages at
launch
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Maserati expands Trofeo line-up with hardcore Ghibli and Quattroporte models

Maserati has introduced two new additions to the Trofeo range – the Ghibli and Quattroporte Trofeo – joining the existing Levante Trofeo, which was
launched here in Malaysia back in June
.
The new Trofeo models will all be powered by the same Ferrari-sourced
3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine
, making it the first time the Ghibli is available with a V8 mill. The engine outputs
580 hp
 and
 730 Nm
of torque as standard, though the Levante Trofeo is available with 590 hp in certain markets – including Malaysia.
Also unlike the Levante Trofeo, the new Maserati super sedans are exclusively rear-wheel driven. Paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Ghibli Trofeo does 0-100 km/h in
 4.3 seconds
, while the larger Quarttroporte does it a touch slower at
4.5 seconds
.
For comparison, the Levante Trofeo does the century sprint in 3.9 seconds – though it tops out at “just” 304 km/h; the new Ghibli and Quattroporte Trofeo both achieves a top speed of
326 km/h
.
As standard, all three Trofeo models are equipped with a specifically-tuned Maserati’s Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) advanced traction management system, an additional “Corsa” hardcore driving mode, as well as launch control.
The new Trofeo models also gain additional exterior styling points to differentiate them from their lower siblings. These include a new front grille with twin vertical bars in Black Piano, carbon fibre front air duct trims and rear extractor, and red accents on the side air vents and Trident badges.
At the rear, the taillights have also been redesigned, now with a boomerang-like light signature as seen on the new Ghibli Hybrid that are inspired by the 3200 GT and Alfieri concept car. Specifically for the Ghibli Trofeo, the bonnet has also been restyled with two additional air ducts for better cooling, similar to the Levante Trofeo.
The new super sedans ride on 21-inch aluminium “Orione” wheels, while the Levante Trofeo SUV rides on 22-inch items of the same design.
Inside, Full-Grain Pieno Fiore natural leather upholstery is standard – with the Trofeo Trident badge embroidered into the headrests, along with an improved advanced driver assistance system and the latest Maserati Intelligent Assistant infotainment system, with larger 10.1-inch touchscreen display – the Levante retains a smaller 8.4-inch unit.
On the other end of the spectrum, Maserati has recently unveiled the
Ghibli Hybrid
 – the marque’s first electrified model. The Italian luxury carmaker
confirmed last year
that all models moving forward will be offered with an electrified drivetrain, as part of its large-scale electric push.
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Honda City facelift open for booking, launching very soon!

Since its launch in March 2014
, the Honda City went on to be the best selling model for Honda Malaysia with over 100,000 units delivered to date. For those of you who waited it out, well, the City is only going to get better.
The star of the show here is none other than the range topping V variant
, the sole recipient of LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED fog lamps. It will also get LED tail lamps, a duck tail spoiler with integrated LED brake lights as well as multi-angle reverse camera as standard, while sitting on a brand new set of 16-inch alloys. The V variant is the only one to come with six airbags.

What’s even more appealing is that the push start button and keyless entry will be standard across all variants, as are safety systems such as Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal.
It remains mechanically identical to the outgoing City, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC engine up front that’s paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Boot space is still class leading at 536 litres.
Customers who place their booking now will be the first to receive the keys to the facelifted City. It will be launched sometime in the first quarter of 2017, meaning it could arrive as early as this month or the next!
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda Malaysia to honour zero-GST price for orders made before 1 Sept 2018

Yesterday, many Malaysians were thrown into confusion when several media outlets
mistakenly
 reported that the PH (Pakatan Harapan) Federal Government will not impose Sales and Services Tax (SST) on locally assembled (CKD) cars.
Director of  Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Dato’ Sri Subromaniam Tholasy, immediately denied those reports, clarifying that motor vehicles, CKD or otherwise, will be subjected to SST come 1 September 2018. In the
Proposed Goods Exempted from Sales Tax document
 that was made available on the Malaysian Customs official website, item 87.03 refers to the
CKD kit
 (components that make up the final vehicle) which are unfinished goods and therefore will not be subjected to SST, he added in a press statement.

The 10 per cent (proposed) SST will only be imposed on the finished goods, in this case, the completed vehicle. Looking back, when the 6 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) was implemented to replace SST in 2015, we saw a price drop across the board, albeit marginal for some. Hence it is safe to assume that car price will see an upward revision when SST kicks in. By how much remains an open question.
In view of the zero-rated GST car price that was announced in early June, many jumped on the chance to reward themselves with a new ride which resulted in a spike in orders and a long waiting list that stretches beyond the tax-holiday period.
Best time to buy an
MX-5 RF
?
Bermaz Motor, the official distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia has stepped up to say that the company
will honour
 the zero-rated GST prices for all its customers who have secured a booking before 1 September 2018.
The booking process as we understood from an authorised Mazda dealer, involves putting down a refundable deposit of RM1,000, submitting the loan application and wait in line for allocations. If you manage to lock down the
zero-rated GST price tag
, you are looking at a nett savings of between RM4k (Mazda 2 mid-spec) to RM16.7k for the
CX-9 AWD
.


Facts & Figures: 2020 Ford Ranger FX4 launched in Malaysia

Sime Darby Auto Connection (SDAC) has unveiled the Ford Ranger FX4 through an online broadcast on its social media channels today. The new Ford Ranger FX4 is priced at
RM126,888
 on the road, without insurance.
Based on the
existing XLT variant of the T6 Ford Ranger,
 the Ranger FX4 dresses up the pick-up truck with exclusive styling details and additional kit, for those who like the toughened-up look. The full list of added exterior features are listed below:
EXTERIOR
Ebony Black mesh front grille
18-inch blacked-out alloy wheels, 265/60 profile tyres
blacked-out side steps, wing mirror housings, door handles, front and rear bumpers
FX4 side decal, rear emblem
Matte-black sports bar – free accessory for the first 150 customers, otherwise optional at RM1,899.00
Three exterior colours – Meteor Grey, Absolute Black and Artic White
Other exterior features are inherited directly from the XLT variant. These include halogen headlights with manual levelling function, daytime running lights, front and rear fog lights, and rain-sensing automatic wipers.
PERFORMANCE
The Ranger FX4 features the same drivetrain found in it’s “donor” variant, the Ranger XLT.
Engine: 2.2-litre Duratorq four-cylinder turbocharged diesel
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Drivetrain: electronic shift-on-the-fly 4×4
Max Horsepower:
160 hp
 @ 3,200 rpm
Max Torque:
385 Nm
 @ 1,600 – 2,600 rpm
INTERIOR
The toughened-up look continues inside, with some FX4 variant-exclusive interior trim. These include:
Leather-accented seats with embossed FX4 logo on seatback
Ebony black soft top instrument panel
Red accent stitching
FX4 floor mats
The new Ranger FX4 also gains a
new larger eight-inch SYNC 3 infotainment display
 (from the XLT+ and higher models), featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and reverse camera display. Otherwise, standard equipment list is identical to the XLT, including the manual air conditioning, six-way powered driver’s seat, and four-way powered front passenger seat.
SAFETY
On the safety front, the FX4 comes with several basic and pick-up specific safety features. These include:
Dual airbags (front)
ABS with EBD
Electronic stability control and traction control
Hill Descent Control
Hill Launch Assist
Rollover Mitigation
Trailer Sway Control
Adaptive Load Control
As with its XLT counterpart, the new Ranger FX4 does not come with any advanced driver assistance features – these are reserved only for the top-of-the-range Wildtrak variants.
PRICING
The 2020 Ford Ranger FX4 is available now at
RM126,888
 (OTR, w/o insurance). As standard, the Ranger FX4 comes with a three-year/100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty. Interested parties can make use of SDAC-Ford’s new
Digital Salesperson
 WhatsApp chat line to enquire or book a new vehicle.
To sweeten the deal, SDAC is also offering exclusive free accessories worth RM5,398 for the
first 150 customers
:
Matte black sports bar
Executive tinting
Integrated digital video recorder (DVR, dashcam) with 8GB memory card and hotspot connectivity
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2022 Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R launched in Malaysia, from RM356k

In a surprise to everyone, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia also officially launched the
all-new Golf R
 in Malaysia, in addition to the
Golf R-Line
 and
 GTI
, completing the eighth-generation Golf line-up here on our shores.
Unlike the other two, though, the range-topper R will only be sold as a fully-imported model, priced at
RM356,413
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the SST exemptions until the 30th of June 2022.

EXTERIOR
The all-new Volkswagen Golf R is stands out from the other two with a variant-exclusive body kit, consisting of their new signature R-styled front bumper, side skirts, and a more prominent diffuser at the back. Other exterior features include:
Blue pin stripe accents
Satin silver wing mirror cover
Quad exhaust tailpipes
19-inch ‘Adelaide’ alloy wheels
Blue R-styled brake calipers
LED headlights
LED tail lights with sequential turn indicators
Exterior colour options: Lapiz Blue, Deep Black, Pure White
PERFORMANCE
Underneath the bonnet of the all-new Golf R is a revamped EA888 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged engine, making more power than before.
Engine: 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged inline-four, petrol
Transmission: Seven-speed DSG dual-clutch with gearshift pedals
Driveline: Front-engine, 4Motion all-wheel drive
Suspension: Sports suspension
Max horsepower: 320 hp @ 5,600 – 6,500 rpm
Max torque: 400 Nm @ 2,000 – 5,600 rpm
0-100 km/h: 4.8 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
The 4Motion system on the all-new Golf R comes with the new Performance Torque vectoring system, which means that power is further distributed between the individual rear wheels, in addition to just between the front and rear axle, giving you more traction to accelerate out of corners.
INTERIOR
The cabin of the range-topping Golf R still retains most of the looks and features from the standard Golf variants, though with a few extras to help it stand out as the all-out hot hatch model.
10-inch digital instrument cluster with R-specific displays
10-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
R black headlining
R brushed stainless steel pedals
Leather-wrapped haptic flat-bottom steering wheel with dedicated R button, larger gearshift pedals
R carbon grey trim
Front sport seats in Nappa leather, powered driver adjustments with lumbar support
480W 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system
Three-zone climate control with rear blower and control panel
SAFETY
While the all-new Volkswagen Golf R in Malaysia still does not come with the iQ.Drive advanced driver assistance features, it does at least stand out from the other two variants with several additional features.
Six airbags
Driver alert system, fatigue detection
Side Assist with rear cross traffic alert
Proactive passenger protection system
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
ESC (Electronic Stability control) including EDL (electronic differential lock) and ASR (traction control)
PRICING
The all-new Volkswagen Golf R in Malaysia is priced at
RM356,412.85
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the SST exemptions valid until June 30, 2022.
As standard, VPCM will also be offering a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with every purchase, alongside a three-year free scheduled service programme and five years of free roadside assistance.
GALLERY


BYD overtakes Volkswagen as No. 1 brand in China – 440k cars sold in Q1 2023

BYD
 is now China’s best-selling car brand for the first time, dethroning
Volkswagen
 by selling more than 440,000 cars in its home nation in the first quarter of the year. The latter, who only moved a total of 427,247 units in the same period, has been the best-selling brand in China since at least 2008, when data from the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre first became available.
The Chinese carmker’s meteoric rise to the top means it has even outpaced its Chairman, Wang Chuanfu’s own projection of overtaking Volkswagen by the end of 2023,
 Automotive News Europe
 reports.
“BYD is very, very strong,” Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume said during an event at the Shanghai motor show this month. “In the end, not everything is about volume. We want to have a successful business, and it is more important to be the best international group here in China.”
The strong performance is not just restricted to China, too. BYD sold a total of 1.86 million vehicles last year, more than it did in the last four years combined. In the first quarter of 2023, the company sold almost 550,000 cars globally – a convincing result from the company’s recent push for overseas sales in markets such as Europe, Latin America, and Asia – including Malaysia.
RELATED:
BYD sold nearly 2 million cars globally in 2022 – 911k full EVs
The rise in sales is also reflective of the growing influence of the Chinese brands in the electrification era. BYD accounted for two in every five new-energy vehicle sales in China in the first quarter, while only 6% of Volkswagen’s sales were from EVs.
BYD is aiming to sell at least three million vehicles globally this year. To date, the company has already sold more than 2,000 units of the BYD Atto 3 here in Malaysia, with half of those
delivered within the first 100 days
 of sale.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 BYD Atto 3 review – the best value for money EV?


Volkswagen I.D. Crozz unveiled, full electric SUV, AWD, 302 hp!

Volkswagen has just unveiled a zero-emission concept Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV), the Volkswagen I.D. Crozz. Marrying the practicality of an SUV and the styling of a coupe, Volkswagen’s new CUV concept will go into production by 2020 as part of a new range of avant-garde electric vehicles.
Unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show 2017, the I.D. Crozz is expected to deliver
302 hp
 to all four corners, effectively making this an all-wheel drive (AWD) SUV. It boasts a top speed of
180 km/h
 and can cover up to
500 km
 in a single charge. When plugged into a fast-charging system (150 kW DC power), the battery pack can be charged to 80 percent capacity (from zero) in just 30 minutes.

Volkswagen is also looking to fit the I.D. Crozz with fully autonomous driving tech called the “I.D. Pilot” mode. All the driver needs to do is hold the VW badge on the steering wheel for three seconds and the car will go into autopilot. Much like a smartphone on wheels, the I.D. Crozz comes with fully digital instrument cluster and controls. It even relays some of the driving data to the driver via
Augmented Reality
.
Other high tech gizmos include gesture-control-operated transparent panoramic sunroof, interior and
exterior ambient lighting
, CleanAir filtration system and even powered sliding doors. On an SUV!

The I.D. Crozz features Volkswagen’s “Electric Mobility DNA” design language that can be characterised by its C-shaped LED daytime running lights, variably controlled LED headlights that changes in design to communicate with other road users and slim LED tail lamps.
The I.D. electric car range will shape Volkswagen’s next generation brand strategy that encompasses four pillars of innovation: Smart Sustainability, Intuitive Usability, Connected Community and Automated Driving. The I.D. Crozz will also play a role in Volkswagen’s aim to sell one million electric vehicles annually by 2025.
IMAGE GALLERY


This is possibly the coolest factory-built Isuzu D-Max to date

Riding on the success of the D-Max XTR that was launched in the UK last year, Isuzu has introduced the XTR Colour Edition in celebration of it and of course, for their customers to stand out even more.
The only difference between the standard XTR and the XTR Colour Edition lies in its aesthetics. Traditionally, the body parts and panels on the XTR models are finished in Raptor Black but Isuzu decided it needed a more aggressive twist.
In the Colour Edition XTRs, the front bumper guard, bonnet protector and head light surrounds adopt the same colour as the body while the fog light housing and grille have remained black to contrast the body colour. Offered as an option before, the green front grille badge is now standard on the Colour Edition.
As with the standard XTR, the Colour Edition is equipped with heavy-duty six spoke 17-inch alloy wheels in Satin Black paired with Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tyres. The tyres are said to be quiet when on tarmac, but just as capable off-road.
The side steps on the XTR have an angular bar framework which is designed to prevent rocks and stones from damaging the bodywork. It has a durable textured black finish which prevents scuff marks or scratches while providing extra grip for passengers as they get in and out of the truck.
At the back, the Colour Edition distinguishes itself with a body-coloured tail gate spoiler, tail light surrounds and rear bumper. A little peak under the cargo bed and you’d notice even the anti-roll bars and rear dampers project a vibrant green finish.
Inside, the cabin is upholstered with a mix of leather, suede and carbon fibre with contrast green stitching. An XTR logo is embroidered on both the front seats and similarly on the rear centre headrest. The flat-bottom steering wheel is wrapped in leather and suede with green stitching – all of which were hand-sewn.
The XTR Colour Edition’s front brakes have been upgraded with ventilated and slotted discs, paired to kelvar ceramic brake pads for improved stopping power. Its 250 mm ground clearance is credit to the bespoke suspension by Pedders, which can sustain longer suspension travel and endure harsher driving conditions.
Performance front brake discs have been designed for a consistent brake pedal feel, high wear resistance and better anti–corrosion protection. They are also fully vented and slotted for improved heat dissipation and braking. Kevlar ceramic front brake pads work in combination with the discs to give a much improved braking performance and stopping power.
GALLERY


New Nissan Juke keeps funky looks and is unapologetically fashionable

When Nissan launched the first generation Juke back in 2010, it had no clue that it would go on to become an international best seller spanning continents, not to mention ‘inspiring’ rivals to embrace sporty compact crossovers (read CH-R). A decade on, we finally have a successor and it looks like Nissan has not watered down any of the original’s spunky presence.
While the first generation was all about being bold and trendy, the new car – based on the
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s CMF B-platform
 – has now grown up in size and offers as much interior room and cargo space (422 litres) as the one segment larger Nissan Qashqai sold in Europe, this despite retaining its stylish silhouette, narrow greenhouse and a cabin featuring a raised centre tunnel and striking hues.
In fact, the new Juke retains many of the styling elements (e.g. hidden rear door handles, ‘floating roof’, round headlamps, etc.) of the original but they have all been refined on a body that’s
substantially larger
. That said, the new Juke actually weighs less than the previous car thanks to the generous use of
high tensile steel
 which also raises rigidity.
The sole powertrain announced for now is a
117 hp 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
, with more engines to be made available later which could also include a plug-in hybrid. As part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility initiative, the new Juke will also be offered with Nissan’s
ProPilot semi-autonomous driving suite
.
Nissan Juke image gallery


Cruise at 315 km/h with the roof down in the McLaren 570S Spider!

McLaren Automotive has just removed the roof of their highly acclaimed McLaren 570S, the first Sport Series to feature a Spider body style. Making its first public appearance at the 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 570S Spider offers uncompromising performance with the added exhilaration of open-top motoring.
Hand assembled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England, the 570S uses the same MonoCell II carbon fibre monocoque and adopts the same two-piece folding roof mechanism as the
650S
 and
675LT Spider
 models. With the retractable roof, weight penalty is only a scant 46 kg! Yet despite all that, the chassis strength and rigidity is identical to the 570S
Coupe
 and
GT
.
The roof opens and closes completely in just
15 seconds
 at speeds of up to 40 km/h. When the roof is up, outside noise can still be channelled into the cabin by lowering the rear windscreen electronically. For even more exhilarating experience, McLaren has the optional sports exhaust system that channels exhaust note into the cabin via the engine bay.
Powering the 570S Spider is the same M838TE 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces
570 PS
 (562 hp) and
600 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. With launch control engaged, the convertible supercar will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.2 seconds
 and 0 to 200 km/h in
9.6 seconds
– identical to the Coupe. Top speed, with the roof up, is again identical to the Coupe at
328 km/h
. With the roof down, the Spider can still hit a limited top speed of
315 km/h
.

Visually, the 570S Spider is nearly identical to the Coupe and GT save for the rear spoiler that now sits
12 mm higher
 to offset the aerodynamic changes as well as a slightly different roof design. Carbon ceramic brakes, mixed alloy wheel size 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres are standard fitment. Three new exterior colour – Curacao Blue, Vega Blue and Sicilian Yellow were added to the existing 17 colour palette to celebrate the launch of the Spider.
As with all McLarens, customer can personalise the 570S Spider to their hearts’ (or wallets) content via a range of McLaren Special Operations (MSO) optional equipment. From carbon fibre exterior bits to dual-tone interior upholstery finish, MSO will make all your dreams come true.
First deliveries of the 570S Spider will begin in August and the first 400 customers will receive launch edition models to celebrate the success of the
720S
 launch edition. How much, you ask? A cool £164,750 (RM894k) before options.
IMAGE GALLERY