Facts & figures: 2021 Peugeot 3008 Allure launched in Malaysia – RM161,617

Exactly one month after the model was
launched in Thailand
, Berjaya Auto Alliance – the
new sole distributor of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia
 – has now officially unveiled the new 2021 Peugeot 3008 facelift here on our shores, alongside its larger sibling,
the 5008
.

Offered in a single Allure variant, the locally-assembled (at
Stellantis’ new assembly plant in Gurun
) 2021 Peugeot 3008 is priced at
 RM161,617
on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemption that has been recently extended until June 2022.
EXTERIOR
The highlight of the Peugeot 3008 facelift exercise is the completely redesigned front end, headlined by the new “borderless grille”. Other touches such as the reworked three-dimensional “lion claw” taillights also help make the crossover look significantly more modern compared to the pre-facelift model.
Standard exterior items on the new Peugeot 3008 in Malaysia include:
Automatic LED headlights with new signature “lion fangs” daytime-running light and turn indicators, cornering lamps
New LED taillight with 3D light signature and sequential turn indicators
18” Los Angeles wheels
Hands-free powered tailgate
Panoramic sunroof
Advanced Keyless Entry
Exterior colour options: Amazonite Grey, Pearl White, Nera Black, Cuprite Brown (model exclusive)
PERFORMANCE
The powertrain underneath the bonnet is unchanged from the pre-facelift model, featuring the same 1.6-litre twin-scroll Turbo High Pressure (THP) mill paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Engine: 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged, four-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Driveline: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 165 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 240 Nm @ 1,400 rpm
Top speed: 205 km/h
Fuel consumption: 7.0L / 100km (NEDC)
INTERIOR
While the exterior gets a significant redesign, particularly on its front end, changes to the 2021 Peugeot 3008’s interior are less drastic, with the only differences being the larger central infotainment display, plus a new wireless charging pad.
12.3-inch digital head-up cluster display
10-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
“Piano keys” toggle switches
Dual-Zone air conditioning with rear vents
Mood lighting
Leather seats
6-way powered front seats
Electric parking brake
SAFETY
Like the
pre-facelift model
, the new 2021 Peugeot 3008 in Malaysia comes with a basic set of advanced driver assistance features, including:
Active Lane Keeping Assist
Driver Attention Warning
Speed Limit recognition
Blind Spot Monitoring
Other standard safety features include six airbags, Advanced Grip Control (traction control for different terrains), Hill Assist Descent Control, and a 180-degree rear-view camera.
PRICING
As mentioned above, the new 2021 Peugeot 3008 facelift will only be offered in a single Allure variant in Malaysia, priced at
RM161, 617
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the sales tax exemptions (100%).
Included in the price is a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty, alongside a three-year/60,000 km free service maintenance programme.
GALLERY


Audi RS6 Avant and RS7 gets Plus Performance pack, now more powerful than before

Audi has always been at the pinnacle of sporting excellence and proof of this can be found as far back as the days when the company was known simply as Auto Union. Even in the shaky throws of pre-war times, the company made amazing strides in technological advancement with a apt eye focused solely on speed. Those cars were massively overpowered by great big V16 engines with a rather courageous chap piloting these flimsy rockets past the 300 km/h barrier.
For those of you pondering about the
Auto Union
 car in question here, it’s none other than the
1936 Type C
 racer. And bear in mind, these guys were doing break-neck speeds in an era where television was still black and white and made of polished walnut; telephones were primative to say the least and safety was just a passing thought. To label these cars as dangerous is definitely a raging
understatement
, especially by today’s standards. Thankfully, Audi has gone with the times in terms of safety but always kept a finger on that insatiable itch for
speed
.

Like all big car manufacturers, Audi had to work around the
downsizing
 issue that seems to be curbing the enthusiasm of petrol heads far and wide. But since both models carry the RS badge, they share the company’s newest V8 sourced from the hot top-shelf limo –
the Audi S8
. With a mammoth load of power and torque figures at the disposal of a right foot, the engine also features Audi’s Cylinder On Demand (COD) technology which shuts off four of its eight cylinders under load. This returns some really eco-friendly numbers in terms of consumption and emissions. Audi it seems, has found the ultimate solution to keeping everyone happy.
Under the hood of both these RS6 Avant and RS7 cars is the same
turbocharged 4.0-litre V8
, but the one word that makes all the difference here is ‘Performance’. What’s different between this and the regular V8 engine is the additional
40 horses
 and
50 Nm of torque
. It may not sound like a lot, but consider the fact that these cars make in excess of 500 hp.
In full, the V8s here are tuned to the jingle of
596 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of twist with the help of a couple of
turbochargers
. Speaking of which, should you require an additional dollop of power, the engine is able make an additional 50 Nm of torque above the 700 Nm that you already have, bringing to grand total of
 750 Nm
! Although, truth be told, there aren’t too many circumstances that mere mortals like us would warrant such an
overboost
 feature, but that said, it is always good to have.
Despite the additional boost, the sonorous V8 returns up to
 9.6 litres per 100km
 in the
RS 6 Avant performance
 and
9.5 litres per 100km
 in the
 RS 7 Sportback performance
, corresponding to 223g and 221 g/km of CO2 respectively. Years of RS model development has been invested in the upgraded 4.0 TFSI lump, such as the specific engine management system with increased rpm and boost pressure to the aforementioned Audi
cylinder on demand
 (COD) system.

The standard
eight-speed tiptronic
 transmission has been designed to handle the increased performance, and drivers can still choose to change gears manually either by tapping the selector
lever
 or by using the
paddle shifters
 on the RS multifunction leather steering wheel. In manual mode, a shift indicator in the instrument cluster or
 optional head-up

display
 indicates the rev limit.
Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system delivers the power to the road and distributes torque as needed via the centre differential. In standard configuration, both cars are rear-biased with a 40:60 front to rear power split. The
wheel-selective torque control
 intervenes as and when necessary. A
sport differential
 acting on the rear axle is also
standard
, and enables
active torque distribution
 between the inside and outside wheel for better cornering.
Both RS performance models sit on a set of
21‑inch
 cast aluminium wheels with the help of
285/30
 rubbers on the RS6 and
275/30
 tyres on the RS7 Sportback. The
 four internally ventilated
 brake discs have a weight-saving wave design, although all four can be replaced by
carbon fibre-ceramic discs
 for a price.
The RS6 and RS7 performance are slated for UK deliveries in February 2016, but the order books will be open in the first week of November. The RS6 Avant performance will be priced at
 £86,000
 (about RM561k at press time), while the RS 7 Sportback performance will set you back at
£91,600
 (RM597k). It is rather unlikely that these cars will make it to the showrooms on our shores anytime soon, perhaps hope lies with
specialist grey-importers
. Then again, with Audi Malaysia helming operations here, we could all be in for a real treat.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi RS7 Sportback

Audi RS6 Avant


Stay connected with your BMW and MINI vehicles with these new apps!

BMW Group Malaysia today introduced the new
My BMW App
 and the new
MINI App
 to replace the current BMW and MINI Connected Apps.
The new apps will offers owners remote access to their vehicles for features such as Active Charging, Climate Timer, Vehicle Finder, Remote Engine Start, Remote Software Updates, and Remote Engine Start.
Users can also manage their service intervals and receive recall alerts via the apps. In the event of an emergency, users can also reach out to BMW and MINI Roadside Assistance via the apps.
E-mobility features allows users to monitor fuel/battery level, range, charging station and even charging history. Owners of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles can also benefit from features that can inform of the nearest parking, charging spots, and charging station details.
A Range Circle feature helps users identify destinations that can be reached within the current range, based on the current location.
Specifically for BMW owners, users can also pair their BMW Digital Key with the new My BMW app, but it’s only limited to smartphones running iOS.
The new apps by MINI and BMW will replace the MINI Connected and BMW Connected apps beginning July this year. Those who are currently using the MINI and BMW Connected apps will not need to register for the new apps which are now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
GALLERY


The GTi nameplate may not survive beyond the current Peugeot models

Attention everyone, we would like to solemnly report that Peugeot might be killing off the GTi nameplate after the current 208 and 308 models move on to the next generation.
According to
AutoExpress
, Peugeot is not expecting to revive the legendary GTi nameplate for the
forthcoming Peugeot 208 hot hatchback
 either. Peugeot is set to release the performance edition of the 208 hatchback in full electric guise as an upgrade to the e-208 announced during the launch of the new supermini.
The French firm is now considering to ditch the GTi badge in favour of a “Peugeot Sport Engineered” moniker, first seen on the
508 Peugeot Sport Engineered Concept
.
Despite the heritage associated with the GTi name, Auto Express reported that Peugeot executives are trending towards the new naming scheme due to the new all-electric powertrain. The Peugeot Sport Engineered name will spearhead the firm’s future direction for performance models, and will be the naming choice for the rebranded performance arm of Peugeot.
The 508 Sport Engineered concept looks mean, but the name just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
However, representatives from Peugeot UK are still fighting the change, citing the importance of heritage behind a brand name. The executives used the recently announced
Porsche Taycan Turbo
 as an example, which uses the Turbo naming scheme popularised by their 911 line even though the car is fully electric.
Groupe PSA’s last used the GTi naming scheme on the
2017 308 GTi
, but its usage stretches back all the way to arguably the first hot hatch ever produced, the 205 GTi. Malaysians have long had the privilege of enjoying the GTi models, with both the latest 308 GTi and
208 GTi
 available for purchase locally. We are definitely going to miss the GTi badge if it does go.


Infiniti Project Black S: Could this power the next-generation Nissan GT-R?

Despite the gloomy headlines surrounding parent Nissan, premium division Infiniti is pushing on with the development of the Project Black S – an ambitious plan between Infiniti and the Renault F1 team (which the former sponsors) to turn the Q60 coupe into a cutting edge, electrified sports car incorporating the latest F1 technologies.
Like the Mercedes-AMG One, the Project Black S incorporates both the MGU-H and MGU-K energy recovery systems alongside a 3.0-litre V6 to produce over 560 hp and a yet-to-be-revealed amount of torque powering the rear wheels. Expect the Newton-metre figure to be substantial due to the electrics involved.

Like an F1 race car, the Project Black S will feature aerodynamics to increase downforce and a ‘by-wire’ braking system with carbon ceramic rotors. Suffice to say, this will easily be Infiniti’s fastest car yet and the technologies may well feature in the next generation GT-R.
Go ahead Infiniti, make our day.
In fact, Infiniti will decide by end of the year if the Project Black S goes into production after the Renault F1 Team, led by driver Nico Hulkenberg, ‘signed off’ on the track development of the dual-hybrid system on the prototypes at Salzburgring in Austria recently. Till then, fingers crossed.


Watch Max Verstappen rip the all-new Honda Civic Type R on track

Red Bull might not be joining hands with Porsche in Formula 1 any more, but their existing partnership with Honda does mean that they still have access to some pretty nice toys every once in a while. One such toy is the
all-new Honda Civic Type R
, which racer-prodigy Max Verstappen had the chance to wring it around the Euroring Circuit as part of an ad campaign for the highly-awaited hot hatch.

The premise of the ad spot is pretty simple, if not even a little cheesy. After winning the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen was called in for a meeting by Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner. With two hours to spare, Max decided that there’s something he wants to “check out” at the Euroring.
The ‘something’ turns out to be the Civic Type R, and against the advice of his personal assistant, the 2021 F1 World Champion immediately put on his helmet and headed out onto the track. Max enjoyed his time in the new Type R so much that he ends up being late for the aforementioned meeting. So what does he do? He opted to drive himself to the meeting with the hot hatch, of course.
The all-new Honda Civic Type R is powered by an updated K20C1 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, now making 9 hp and 20 Nm more than its predecessor at
315 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels in classic Type R fashion, with the engine paired to a six-speed manual transmission as standard.
It’s safe to assume that the gain in track time (
Honda beat its own FWD Suzuka track record with a pre-production unit
) comes from more than just the small bump in power. The Japanese carmaker says that they’ve also enhanced the car’s gearbox, LSD, as well as the overall rigidity of the car.
According to Max Verstappen, the all-new Honda Civic Type R is “just wow”, but we’ll believe it when we actually get to drive it ourselves.
RELATED:
Honda reveals 2022 Civic Type R performance figures, ‘small’ boost from FK8R


Here’s your chance to witness how a child seat can save a life

Minister of Transport, YB Tuan Anthony Loke has made an announcement that the use of a child restraint system (CRS) will be made mandatory
starting from next year
.
In a study
 done by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), it is found that fatal road traffic injuries among children (age 0 to 18 years) account for 15.5% of total fatality caused by accidents in Malaysia in 2009.

Yet, most parents in Malaysia still do not think that a car seat is necessary, or that it’s even worth the money.
Other factors
 cited by parents include non-existence of enforcement, and lack of information on selecting a quality CRS.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a correctly installed and used child restraint can reduce infant deaths in a car crash by up to 70%!
Child seats are easily accessible now, as even car manufacturers like Perodua sell one.
Still need more convincing? Well now is your chance because MIROS together with Mamours, Maxi-Cosi and ASEAN NCAP are organising a live crash test to demonstrate the effectiveness of child car seats!
The event will be held on Saturday, the
26th of October 2019
 from 10 am to 3.30 pm at
MIROS PC3, Akademi Jabatan Pengangktutan Jalan, Melaka
. Registration will cost RM50, but attendees will be entitled to goodie bags and vouchers worth more than RM500.
Seats are limited, so do register if you are keen! Inquiries and registration can be made via the phone at
03 7803 6515
, or WhatsApp at
012 6862 797
.


2014 Porsche Macan officially available in Malaysia, price from RM420k [+Video]

Porsche’s baby SUV, the Macan is now officially on sale Malaysia, after a
sneak preview here
 back in May.
Sime Darby Auto Performance
 (SDAP) is bringing not only one Macan variant to our shore, but
all four variants
; the
Macan
,
Macan S Diesel
,
Macan S
, and
Macan Turbo
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Porsche Macan

Porsche Macan
 S Diesel

Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Engine
1,984cc 4-cylinder, turbocharged
2,967cc V6 turbocharged diesel
Transmission
7-speed PDK
7-speed PDK
Max Power
237hp @ 5,000 – 6,800 rpm
258hp @ 4,000 – 4,250 rpm
Max Torque
350Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
580Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM 420,000.00
RM 545,000.00

Name
Porsche Macan
 S

Porsche Macan
 Turbo

Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Engine
2,997cc V6 twin-turbo
3,604cc V6 twin-turbo
Transmission
7-speed PDK
7-speed PDK
Max Power
340hp @ 5,500 – 6,500 rpm
400hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
460Nm @ 1,450 – 5,000 rpm
550Nm @ 1,350 – 4,500 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM 560,000.00
RM 785,000.00

EXTERIOR

Proportionally the Macan is less imposing but more athletic than the Cayenne, with a sloping roofline that contributes to the Macan’s sporty stance. The Macan stands at
1,624 mm tall
,
1,923 mm wide
, and
4,699 mm long
 with a
wheelbase of 2,807 mm
. As a comparison, the Macan is 81 mm lower, 16 mm narrower, and 156 mm shorter than the Cayenne, while the wheelbase is shorter by 88 mm.

Some of the design elemets are derived from the 918 Spyder which includes the headlamps shape, the 3D effect taillights, and even the steering wheel design. The
signature sideblades
 at the bottom of the front and rear doors are painted in Lava Black as standard on the Macan S and Macan S Diesel but buyers are able paint them the same colour as the body like on the Macan Turbo, or opt for the Genuine Carbon sideblades.

INTERIOR

The interior mimics the rest of the current Porsche models with a tall dashboard and a wide center console flooded with buttons around the gear lever. As mentioned earlier the steering is inspired from the one in 918 Spyder while the rest of the interior should be finished in the typical Porsche high quality.

On top of the dashboard sits an
analogue and digital stopwatch
 if the Sports Chrono package option is included. A selection of trim finishes and leather are available for customers to choose from as well.

PERFORMANCE

The most affordable
Macan
 has a
2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol
 under the one-piece wraparound bonnet. Its
237 hp
 and
350 Nm
 power output enables it to accelerate from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
6.9 seconds
, and to a
top speed
 of
223 km/h
. The 4-cylinder Macan is claimed to be one of the most efficient compact SUV in its class with a fuel consumption of
 7.2 l/100 km
.
A step up the ladder will bring us to the
Macan S
. Powered by a
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
, the Macan S produces
340 hp
 and
460 Nm
 that’s good for sprinting from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
5.4 seconds
 and a
top speed
 of
254 km/h
. Fuel consumption is rated
between 9.0 and 8.7 l/100 km
.
The
Macan Turbo
 sits on top of the Macan range, with a
3.6-litre twin-turbo V6
 that generates
400 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of torque. Fuel consumption is rated
between 9.2 and 8.9 l/100 km
 and this range-topping Macan will accelerate from
0 to 100 km/h
 in just
4.8 seconds
, and a
top speed
 of
266 km/h
.
Not forgetting the sole diesel in the Macan range, the
Macan S Diesel
. Under its bonnet is a torquey
3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
 with
258 hp
 and
580 Nm
. Yes, that’s
30 Nm more than the Macan Turbo
. Acceleration time from
0 to 100 km/h
 is
6.3 seconds
 while the
top spee
d is
230 km/h
. The Macan Diesel S is even more economical, sipping
between 6.3 and 6.1 litres of fuel per 100 km
.
All Macan variants are paired with a
seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung
 (PDK) transmission with coasting and start stop function as standard. Power is sent to all four wheels with
 Porsche Traction Management
 (PTM),
Automatic Brake Differential
 (ABD), and
Anti-Slip Regulation
 (ASR) for optimum traction.
Sport Chrono package
 is optional, and it includes a
Sport Plus
 button that activates the sportiest driving mode in the center console, an
analogue and digital stopwatch
 on the dashboard, as well as the additional
performance display
 on the optional
Porsche Communication Management
 (PCM) system. There’s also a
Launch Control
 in the Sport Chrono package that
shaves 0.2 seconds off
 the sprint time from 0 to 100 km/h.
WHAT ELSE?

The base price excluding insurance for the
Macan
 is from
RM 420,000.00
, the
Macan S Diesel
 is from
RM 545,000.00
, the
Macan S
 is from
RM 560,000.00
, and the
Macan Turbo
 is from
RM 785,000.00
. All Macan variants come with
4-year factory warranty
 and a
4-year complimentary service, parts and maintenance package
. Bookings are now open at Porsche Centre Damansara and Porsche Centre Glenmarie, and the Macan will be making an appearance in Paragon Mall, Penang from 19th to 21st September 2014 and Bangsar Shopping Centre from 15th to 19th October 2014.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Catch a glimpse of the BMW M5 MotoGP Safety Car in Bangsar tomorrow!

Remember the
M5 Safety Car
 that was unveiled at the tail end of last year’s MotoGP season? Well, now is your chance to get up close with it as it makes its appearance in Bangsar Village 2 along with
a meet and greet session with BMW M MotoGP expert and three-time World Champion, Loris Capirossi.
The car will be there along with a convoy that consists of the
BMW M5
,
BMW 530i M Sport
, BMW S 1000 RR, and the BMW S 1000 RR Safety Bike, at 12 pm (31st October 2018).
In case you’re wondering, the M5 MotoGP Safety Car isn’t just any M5 with fancy stickers; it actually has a few distinct additions unique only to itself. Its front splitter for example, is a prototype developed specifically for the car.
Its bonnet latches have been adopted from race cars while occupying the interior are bucket seats from the BMW M4 GTS to ensure maximum support and security of the occupants.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota has revealed the C-HR’s younger sibling, the AWD hybrid Yaris Cross

The Yaris Cross that’s built on Toyota’s TNGA-B platform, similar to the
Yaris hatchback
, will take the fight to the likes of
 Nissan’s Juke
.
The Yaris Cross comes with AWD and is powered by the same 1.5-litre 3-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor like in the standard Yaris, with a total output of
116 hp
. Toyota says the powertrain focuses on power delivery, for a more responsive drive.
Being the younger brother to the C-HR, the Yaris Cross hasn’t exactly inherited the same design DNA and it’s probably a good thing. While we may unanimously agree that the C-HR looks futuristic, its design is certainly not for everyone. Instead, it takes more from the
new RAV-4
 and the
new Harrier
 which was just revealed recently for a more neutral, more widely acceptable look.
It’s got a slightly sleeker front end than the RAV-4 with sharper edges but a quick side-by-side comparison and you’d instantly know where the Yaris Cross’ inspiration came from. It even sports the same squared wheel arches, a blacked-out roof and near-identical C-pillar design with the RAV-4, with tail lights that stretches across the entire tailgate like the Harrier.
Even though it shares the same wheelbase as the standard Yaris hatchback, it’s been extended by 240 mm in length for more space in the cabin. For the same purpose, the Yaris Cross is also 20 mm wider, with 30 mm more ground clearance than the hatchback.
The Yaris Cross is available with 18-inch wheels and a new colour called Brass Gold. Not much has been shared on what will be available inside but a powered tailgate, height adjustable boot floor, 40:20:40 split folding rear seats were mentioned. Judging from the images, Apple CarPlay, auto brake hold, and the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance system will also be offered.
GALLERY


Aston Martin DB11 gets brand new 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 from AMG – 503 hp, 675 Nm!

Mercedes-AMG continues to show the world that they make some of the world’s best engines, and their latest V8 found in the
AMG GT
 now makes nest in the gorgeous
Aston Martin DB11
.
This broadens the DB11 range to a whopping two variants, both pushing over 500 hp. The first engine to come with the DB11 is a 5.2-litre V12 that’s developed in-house, turbocharged to belt
600 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque. The AMG-built V8 (wet sump) makes
 503 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
 675 Nm
 of torque from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm and it is also twin-turbocharged (single scroll turbos).

At Aston Martin, things aren’t as simple as plug and play, no. The engineers developed a brand new air intake, exhaust and wet sump lubrication system to complement the DB11’s driving characteristics. In place is a new ECU unit with reprogrammed engine and throttle mapping to produce the all-important feel and sound of Aston Martin cars. Since it is four cylinders down, weight correspondingly drops by 115kg. The DB11 V8 tips the scales at 1,760kg (49% front, 51% rear).
Aston Martin says, “The new V8 derivative brings further significant benefits in markets where car taxation policy is structured around engine capacity, such as China.” Yeah, Malaysia too, don’t forget.
One can also visually tell apart the V8 and V12 variants. The former gets new 20-inch 10-spoke alloys, dark-tinted headlamps and dual hood vents (the V12 has four) that can be finished in black or titanium mesh.
Back at home,
Wearnes is asking from about RM2 million for the DB11 V12
, but we have every reason to believe that the V8 will soon find its way here. So stay tuned!
IMAGE GALLERY


First all-electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz EQ to debut next month

Mercedes-Benz is ready to unveil their first all-electric model under their EQ brand on 4 September 2018. Said to be called the
Mercedes-Benz EQC
, the EQC is very much the production version of the Concept EQ that
Malaysia had the privilege to host
 on local shores.
EQ, for Electric Intelligence, will be the three-pointed star’s umbrella group for fully-electric models. The company estimates that by 2025, they will have no less than 10 fully electric vehicles (EV) marketed under the EQ branding.

The first of its kind will be based on the Concept EQ, a four-seater (expect the production model to be a five-seater) SUV that packs over
400 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of twist from two electric motors, one on each axle. It is said that the all-wheel-drive SUV will offer up to
500 km
 of electric driving range courtesy of its 70-kWh battery pack.
Looking at the teaser video, it appears that the flat surface front grille of the concept car will be replaced for horizontal slats with openings while the LED strip will split at the headlamp housing. We can also tell that the production car will not have a flat hood panel instead replaced by a more conventional (and stylish) kink just like a regular Mercedes-Benz model. The digital side cameras (mirrors) have also made way for conventional side mirrors.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ in Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ


This scale-model Aston Martin DB5 comes with gadgets from Bond movies!

One of the key enjoyments to many James Bond movies is the clever disguise of gadgets in everyday items. As for travelling around, Mr Bond’s vehicle from MI6 also come with additional firepower to escape from the pursuers.
Inspired by the 25th James Bond action thriller film, The Little Car Company (TLLC) together with Aston Martin and EON Productions have released a ‘No Time To Die’ special edition Aston Martin DB5 Junior.
Similar to the initial two-thirds scale fully electric
Aston Martin DB5 Junior
 introduced by TLLC a year ago, this gadget-laden special edition is also finished in the iconic Silver Birch paintwork and fitted with Smiths instruments. TLLC and Chris Corbould OBE, the Oscar-winning special effects supervisor who has worked on 15 James Bond films, was consulted to develop the scale model’s complex gadgets.
The iconic machine guns, now popping out from the headlamps, have been accurately reproduced and even masterfully mechanised via a switch panel hidden in the passenger’s door. Visual and audio effects accompany the operation of the guns.

The next gadget to escape other drivers, perhaps in pursuit by a similar-sized
Ferrari Testa Rossa J
,
 is the smokescreen, when at a press of a button, safely generated ‘smoke’ is ejected through the Aston Martin DB5 Junior’s ‘exhaust’ port.
To fully recreate the action scene from the movie, a ‘skid’ mode allows drivers to perform ‘donuts’ or circular burnouts. A digital LED panel is placed at the license plate section to allow the freedom to project any license plate as well as messages one desires.
In true Bond style, the special edition boasts even greater power (21 hp) and range over the standard DB5 Vantage Junior. The makers said that while the movie features an
Aston Martin DB5 coupe
, the scale model uses a convertible to allow seating for an adult and a child side by side with batteries that can allow driving for up to 129 km (80 miles).
The DB5 model is so significant in Aston Martin’s history, it is used as the vehicle icon inside the DBX’s digital instrument panel! Learn more about it here!
A quick-release steering wheel allows for a speedy entry and exit for the driver, and when the need to stop in a hurry, he or she can rely on both regenerative braking and high-performance Brembo disc brakes. Bilstein dampers and coilover springs make sure the suspension can handle the performance squeezed into this two-thirds scale marvel.
Only
125 units
 of the Aston Martin DB5 Junior ‘No Time To Die’ edition will be built and is priced from
GBP90,000
 (approx. RM516k). That is even pricier than the latest
Lotus Emira
 V6 First Edition and double the standard DB5 Junior!
The ‘No Time To Die’ movie is scheduled for premiere in Malaysia on
September 30th
. Check out your favourite cinema chain for showtimes as well as various additional sensory-enhancing viewing experiences.
Aston Martin has made quite a headlines in the state of Johor! The Johor Southern Tigers football club and Aston Martin have inked a partnership. More information here!
GALLERY
The Aston Martin DB5 Junior ‘No Time To Die’ Edition
The Aston Martin DB5 Junior by TLLC


Video: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan, Things You Need To Know

History has been re-written again with the introduction of yet another body style by Mercedes-Benz and it’s now for sale here in Malaysia.
The
 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan
 will be available locally in two different variants – the
 A200 Progressive Line
 at RM227,888 and an
A250 AMG Line
 at RM267,888.

Aside from the attractive pricing that’s borderline irresistible, unlike the Mercedes-Benz CLA, head room is actually abundant in the A-Class sedan which does away with the CLA’s sloping, coupe-like roofline.
And you get a reasonably-sized boot too. The boot in the A-Class sedan is rated at 420-litres while the hatchback makes do with only 370-litres.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Porsche 718 Spyder launched in Malaysia

Sime Darby Auto Performance has just launched the new
Porsche 718 Spyder
in Malaysia with prices starting from RM970,000, alongside the Cayman GT4 from RM990,000.
The 718 Spyder is powered by a naturally-aspirated engine with rev-matching function that makes
45 hp

more than before
. The engine is a redesigned version of the 3.0-litre turbocharged unit from the
current 992-generation Porsche 911
.
PERFORMANCE
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six boxer engine
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Horsepower: 420 hp
Torque: 420 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 4.4 seconds
Top speed: 301 km/h
The 718 Spyder’s roof can be stowed away in just a few steps and unlike the GT4 which comes with a fixed spoiler, the 718 Spyder has an active spoiler that pops up at 120 km/h. A rear diffuser also means the 718 Spyder is the first model in the Boxster family to generate downforce at the rear axle.
A front lip spoiler with “Spyder” lettering helps channel air through the front air intakes, exiting at the back of front bonnet for better downforce. The 718 Spyder is built on the same chassis as the Cayman GT4, with 30mm lower ride height than before. The lightweight suspension assembly with ball joints ensures more precise handling and a more direct connection between the car, driver and the road.
EXTERIOR
20-inch alloys
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Aluminium monobloc fixed caliper brakes
Active rear spoiler
Inside, occupants would be first greeted by a pair of massive bucket seats, with generous amounts of leather, brushed aluminium trims and Alcantara-like material splashed across the cabin. Only the rev counter is analog while the other four dials flanking it – two on each side – adopts a digital display.
The optional Spyder Classic interior package gives the cabin a more retro look reminiscent to Porsche’s historic racing cars with Bordeaux Red and Black combination upholstery.
Recently, Sime Darby Auto Performance also launched the
 limited edition 911 Speedster where only 1,948 units are available
, priced from RM2.7 million. For more information on the Porsche 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4 models, click
 here
.
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Maserati Grecale now in Malaysia in three variants – GT, Modena & Trofeo

Naza Italia unveiled the first Maserati Grecale in Malaysia today, an all-new SUV range from the Italian marque with three engine variants – the Grecale GT, Grecale Modena, and Grecale Trofeo. The
Grecale
takes its name from a north-easterly Mediterranean wind.
PERFORMANCE
Grecale GT & Modena
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with MHEV
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Max Power: 300 hp @ 5,750 rpm (Modena – 330 hp @ 5,750 rpm)
Max Torque: 450 Nm @ 2,000 to 4,000 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 5.6 secs (Modena – 5.3 secs)
Top Speed: 240 km/h
Grecale Trofeo
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Max Power: 530 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque: 620 Nm @ 3,000 to 5,500 rpm
0 to 100 km/h: 3.8 secs
Top Speed: 285 km/h
In the Grecale Trofeo, active shock absorbers and air springs are standard but optional in the GT and Modena variants. Also standard in the Grecale Trofeo are Brembo 6-pot brakes in the front and 4-pot at the rear. As a result, the Grecale can get from 100 km/h to 0 in under 40 metres.
EXTERIOR
The Grecale is the first of many to adopt Maserati’s new design language, with headlamps inspired by the MC20 supercar and a taillight design that mimics the 3200 GT from the early 2000s.
19-inch wheels (GT), 20-inch (Modena), 21-inch (Trofeo)
LED daytime running lights
LED headlights
It should be noted that the Modena and Trofeo are actually 34 mm longer than the GT variant, with specially designed bumpers and side skirts for a sportier look. Only the Trofeo variant comes with air suspension as standard.
INTERIOR
The interior features a digital clock on the dashboard as its centre piece, the first time in a Maserati. The first-ever digital clock also functions as a compass and G-meter.
8.8-inch centre console display
12.3-inch infotainment display
Digital instrument cluster
Sonus Faber sound system with 14 speakers
The clean minimalist look of the cockpit is also the result of removing most of the physical buttons; almost all the controls are touch-sensitive. A panoramic sunroof can be specified while the doors are opened from the inside using a switch like the new Lexus NX’s e-Latch system.
Prices for the Maserati Grecale have yet to be confirmed so contact Naza Italia – Maserati in Petaling Jaya, Selangor at 03 7956 8599 or 1700 81 5051 for more info on the new SUV.
GALLERY


Honda Malaysia opens new 2S, Body and Paint shop in Penang and Melaka

In a move to strengthen their after-sales services, Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd (HMSB) has opened not one, but two new 2S (Service and Spare Parts) and Body & Paint (BP Centres) in Melaka and in Penang.
The Penang branch is operated by JM Motor Services Sdn Bhd, while Kah Motor Sdn Bhd – Cheng operates the new Melaka branch. This brings the total number of Honda Authorised Dealers nationwide to 91.

As of May 2017, HMSB is servicing an average of 100,000 cars monthly with the Southern and Northern region charting 19 percent and 11 percent growth respectively. Total service intakes for the former is 203,109, whereas the latter is up to 176,326 cars. HMSB recorded a 14 percent increase in service intakes nationwide in 2016 compared to the year before.
Mr Katsuto Hayashi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HMSB said, “These two new 2S and Body & Paint Centres in Melaka and Penang will be able to cater to our customers there, providing an after-sales location nearer to them. The move to open 2S and BP Centres is part of our commitment to improve our service to customers, and to elevate the joy of buying for them.”


Ferrari is supposedly building “a range of electric SUVs” after Purosangue

Dread it, fear it, but you can never run from it. We’ve
known for a while now
 that Ferrari is building an SUV, supposedly named the ‘Purosangue’ that’s due for launch later this year, but it supposedly won’t be the last of its kind in the Prancing Horse stable.
In a major departure from the Italian supercar maker’s ethos (and the displeasure of some Ferrari purists),
Car Magazine
 has
reported
 that the Purosangue will spawn a range of “more practical, crossover-flavoured models”, and will be powered solely by electrons.
The
GTC4 Lusso
 is the closest thing to an SUV Ferrari has ever made.
According to the report,
two fully-electric spin-offs
, codenamed F244 and F245, will follow the Ferrari Purosangue in 2024 and 2026. The two SUVs will help the Italian brand usher in an era of full electrifications. Fully-electric cars for Ferrari are perhaps inevitable in a world of
tightening emissions regulations worldwide
, but not many would’ve thought that it’d be on an SUV.
The British publication reports that the SUV platform is already “electric-ready”, with the chassis capable of accommodating a skateboard-styled battery packs and four electric motors, capable of outputs
upwards of 620 hp
. The batteries on Ferrari’s electric SUV will also be scalable, and will start with a base capacity of
80 kWh
.
Ferrari’s upcoming Purosangue SUV will rival the likes of the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, and the
 Aston Martin DBX
.
Perhaps fortunately for some, the Purosangue won’t be an electric model just yet. Ferrari’s first SUV will reportedly be launched with a
810 hp V12 engine
 and all-wheel drive, while a 700 hp hybridised V8 is to follow later – the latter supposedly a detuned version of the 1,000 hp hybrid powertrain currently used in the
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
.


Govt to study vehicle end-of-life policy for environmental reasons – old cars to be phased out soon?

As part of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), which very much centred around environmental-friendliness and sustainable green technologies for the automotive sector, the government has also announced that it will be revisiting the idea of a vehicle end-of-life (ELV) policy for old cars in Malaysia.
Not much info has been revealed as part of the announcement, aside from a single line in chapter eight of the document, which reads: “A study to identify mechanisms in phasing out old vehicles in a sustainable manner will also be undertaken.”
The government is introducing incentives for manufacturing and purchase of green vehicles as part of the 12th Malaysia Plan. Learn more here.
Image Source: Wikipedia
This is not the first time that the government has toyed with the idea of an ELV policy; the first revision of the National Automotive Policy already mooted the idea way back in 2009, and over the years, various government departments and agencies have repeatedly called for the introduction of an ELV policy.
The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) said in 2016 that such a scheme will be critical in ensuring the growth of the automotive industry in Malaysia, and in 2018, former transport minister Anthony Loke also said that his ministry was looking to reintroduce its “cash-for-clunkers” programme, a cash rebate system to reduce the number of old cars on the road.
The government recently introduced the “Authorised Automotive Treatment Facility” programme to recycle abandoned cars safely. Learn more about it here.
Recently in March, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) in conjunction with the ASEAN New Car Assessment Programme (ASEAN NCAP) also launched a survey to gauge the public’s opinion on vehicle scrapping.
However, unlike previous suggestions that mostly factored the vehicle’s safety performance and road-worthiness in their discussion, the new study will most likely focus on environmental reasons to tie in with the
government’s 2050 carbon-neutrality goal
, as it was included in chapter eight of the 12MP document titled
Advancing Green Growth for Sustainability and Resilience
.
Image Source: Wikipedia
Many countries in the world have already implemented a similar scheme, where in order to keep their older vehicles on the road, the cars will need to be tested annually for roadworthiness, and sometimes even incurring an accompanying penalty cost to offset the environmental damages. This year, India has also introduced a new Vehicle Scrappage Policy, where the car owner will be given a discount on the purchase of a new car after their old, “expired” vehicle is scrapped.
But as usual, the Malaysian public did not respond positively to the suggestion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, with many online citing the high cost of vehicles, alongside sub-par public transportation systems as reasons that such a scheme will not work in Malaysia.
Despite the merits of keeping old cars off the roads, the people’s complaints are also valid factors to consider if the government wants to implement an ELV policy for old cars. Do you think it’s still too early for Malaysia to adopt a vehicle end-of-life scheme? Let us know in the comments below!


Proton recalls Inspira and Exora CPS, faulty parts to be replaced for free

If you are an owner of a Proton Inspira or Exora CPS, this news warrants your fullest attention. Proton is issuing a recall for Inspira manufactured between 2010 to 2014 and Exora CPS made between 2009 to 2015.
This recall exercise for the Inspira is to replace a potentially faulty
right-turn indicator switch
, and is an extension of Mitsubishi Motors Japan’s recall (on 20 February 2016) regarding the same issue. About
 20,330
units of the Inspira are affected, which is a rebadged model of the tenth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer saloon.
As for the Exora, owners are urged to send their cars to the nearest authorised Proton service centers for a precautionary inspection of the
 fuel line
. This impacts approximately
 90,000 units
 of Proton Exora models powered by the 1.6-litre CPS engine.
Once again, owners of the affected models are advised to make an appointment with their preferred service outlets for inspection. All rectification and labour costs, if any, will be borne by Proton.


Limited Edition Volkswagen Jetta launched, two variants priced at RM123k and RM133k

Volkswagen Group Malaysia has just announced the arrival of the
Jetta Limited Edition
and they come in two forms –
Club Edition
 and
Sport Edition
. They carry a price tag of
RM122,888
 and
RM132,888
 respectively, and both
locally assembled
 variants are limited to
500 units each
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
VW Jetta Club Edition
VW Jetta Sports Edition
Engine
1,390cc; 4-cylinder, twincharged
1,390cc; 4-cylinder, twincharged
Transmission
7-speed DSG
7-speed DSG
Max Power
158 hp @ 5,800 rpm
158 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Max Torque
240 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
240 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.3 seconds, 221 km/h
8.3 seconds, 221 km/h
Price (OTR
without
 insurance)
RM122,888
(with GST)
RM132,888
(with GST)

For the RM123k Jetta Club Edition variant, the only thing that’s new to the
C-Segment sedan
 is on the inside – a new Blaupunkt Philadelphia 835 touchscreen head unit. The
7-inch screen
 comes with
GPS navigation
(Garmin) as well. Everything else remains the same and it retains the same fabric seats as before. Unlike the Sport Edition, this variant looks exactly the same on the outside, featuring the same
16-inch alloys
 with 205/55 R16 series rubbers.

Next up is the Jetta Sport Edition which costs a full
RM10,000 more
 and for that you get Volkswagen’s original Zubehor full bodykit, a lip spoiler and new 17-inch Silex alloy wheels wrapped with
225/45 R17
 Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tyres. Both variants however, are priced cheaper than the normal Jetta CKD, which is sold at RM134,888 (without insurance) and will be sold concurrently.

Under the hood is the same
twincharged 1.4-litre TSI
 engine making
158 hp
 at 5,800 rpm and
240 Nm
 of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. It’s paired to a
seven-speed dual clutch
 gearbox that drives the
front wheels
. The century sprint is done in
8.3 seconds
 before topping out at
221 km/h
. Fuel economy is rated at a combined
6 litres per 100km
.
As per all Volkswagens, both limited edition Jettas come with a
5-year with unlimited mileage
 warranty programme and a 5-year
mobility guarantee
 package. There are
four colours
 to choose from – Candy White, Reflex Silver, Platinum Grey, and Deep Black. Also, if you’ve missed the news, Volkswagen is running their
0% interest campaign
 for the Golf 1.4, Jetta 1.4, Tiguan 1.4 and Passat 1.8.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The World’s Greatest Drag Race is back with 6,946 hp!

There’s really nothing like watching a testosterone-charged battle amongst the latest supercars and if you’ve not been following this series of drag races, you’ve been missing out!
12 cars of different makes and performance figures make up the race; there’s the
latest Supra
, a
BMW M2 Competition
, a
McLaren Senna
, an
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
,
an American
 and
even an SUV
. Strangely though, there isn’t a Ferrari.
How is a Ferrari not invited to the greatest muscle flex in the world?

Curiously, it was not clearly shown who had the better start but if you observe closely, you’d notice how the Porsche and Mercedes-AMG was superior in this department.
In fact, you’d also notice the Supra getting the better of a Shelby Mustang initially before getting caught up.

Funnily enough, the M2 Competition appears to be marginally quicker than the Supra; pulling an even bigger lead with the race extended from a quarter mile to half a mile (from 400 to 800 metres).
How did the Supra end up pulling such a big lead over the M2 Competition in our very own drag race will always remain a mystery.


BMW M3 Touring launched in Thailand, approx. RM1.4 million

The
BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring
 has just been launched in Thailand. First introduced globally last year, the first-ever M3 Touring is now offered in the Land of Smiles for
THB10,399,000
 (approximately
RM1,339,102
).
On the outside, the performance-oriented wagon features BMW’s frameless kidney grille, with large side intakes as well as sculpted wheel arches. The M3 Competition M xDrive Touring also comes with extended side skirts which, together with the attachment parts for the front and rear aprons, form a Black high-gloss band around the whole of the car.
Other features found on the outside of the BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring are the M gills in the front side panels and the exhaust tailpipes. No matter the exterior colour chosen, the M3 Touring will come standard with a roof finished in black high-gloss. The roof rails and the Gurney air-directing flap on the roof spoiler are also painted in the same shade.
Just in case black roofs aren’t up your alley, the roof can opt to be painted according to the body colour. An M Carbon exterior package is also available as an option to spice up the sportiness of the car even further.
As standard, the BMW M3 Touring is fitted with forged M lightweight alloy wheels, measuring 19 inches at the front, and 20 inches at the rear. Track tyres are available as an option, and the optional M carbon ceramic brakes can also be ordered as an alternative to the standard M Compound braking system. The M3 Touring is also fitted with adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers out of the factory.
ALSO WATCH:
2023 BMW M2 tested in Arizona – the only M you’ll ever need!
Powering the performance wagon is a 3-litre 6-cylinder with M TwinPower Turbo petrol engine. Mated to an M Steptronic 8-speed automatic transmission with Drivelogic, the BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring is capable of pushing out
510 hp
 (metric) and
650 Nm
 of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels, via BMW’s M xDrive All-Wheel Drive system, which comes with the Active M Differential at the rear axle. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint can be done in
3.6 seconds
 while going from stationary to 200 km/h can be done under
12.9 seconds
. For those who desire even higher speeds, the M Driver’s Package is also available as an option, which increases the electronically limited top speed from
250 km/h
 to
280 km/h
.
The M3 Touring’s AWD setting can be selected via its Setup Menu, which provides the option of an even more intense experience with the M xDrive system’s rear-biased tuning. The M-specific control/operation system includes the Setup button, which provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system, and M xDrive. BMW M3 Touring drivers can also choose between the Road, Sport and Track settings.
Drivers of the M3 Touring are also given the choice of switching off the car’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to enable the 2WD mode or pure rear-wheel drive. With the 2WD mode, drivers are given the freedom to adjust the intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation through ten stages in order to carefully approach the physical limits under hard cornering on the track.
RELATED:
All-new 2023 BMW 5 Series unveiled, embarks on new era with fully-electric i5
Inside the M3 Touring features BMW’s Curved Display. This fully digital screen grouping essentially consists of a 12.3-inch information display and also a 14.9-inch control display. The information display is in charge of displaying driving information, while the control display shows M-specific widgets, with information on the car setup and tyre condition via its home screen. On top of that, a BMW head-up display is also offered as an option.
As a modern BMW, the performance wagon comes with the latest generation BMW iDrive. Based on the BMW Operating System 8, the BMW iDrive allows users to interact with it via touch control and voice command. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported.
Other features that come with the M3 Touring as standard include three-zone automatic climate control, the BMW Live Cockpit Plus, the BMW Maps navigation system, ambient lighting as well as the Harman Kardon sound system. The electrically adjustable M Sport seats with memory function and seat heating plus Merino leather trim also come with the M3 Touring out of the factory.
Safety-wise, the BMW M3 Competition M xDrive Touring is specified with a series of automated driving and parking systems. This includes Front Collision Warning (FCW), Speed Limit Display (SLD) with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Park Distance Control (PDC).
Optional safety features are also offered by BMW, which consists of Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, and Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function. Traffic Light Detection and Active Navigation, as well as Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, are available as well.
RELATED:
2023 BMW 7 Series now in Malaysia – 750e xDrive PHEV, M Sport and Pure Excellence variants, from RM650k
GALLERY


Perodua Bezza 1.0L & 1.3L launched, priced from RM37k to RM51k

For the first time in Perodua’s 22 years of existence, a sedan model will finally roll out of its new RM1.3 billion production plant in Seremban (Perodua Global Manufacturing). Introducing the Perodua Bezza, another Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) whose platform is shared with the company’s current best seller, the Axia.
A total of five variants and two engine choices are offered, with prices beginning from as low as RM37,300 to RM50,800 for the decked out variant. Since the order books opened five days ago, Perodua received 4,028 orders for the Bezza, and interestingly over 50 percent goes to the range topping Advance 1.3L.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Perodua Bezza 1.0 Standard G (Manual)
Perodua Bezza 1.0 Standard G (Auto)
Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X (Manual)
Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X (Auto)
Perodua Bezza 1.3 Advance (Auto)
Engine
998cc; DOHC, 3-cylinder
998cc; DOHC, 3-cylinder
1,329cc; DOHC, 4-cylinder
1,329cc; DOHC, 4-cylinder
1,329cc; DOHC, 4-cylinder
Transmission
5-speed manual
4-speed auto
5-speed manual
4-speed auto
4-speed auto
Max Power
67 hp @ 6,000 rpm
94 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
91 Nm @ 4,400 rpm
121 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price
RM37,300
RM39,300
RM42,800
RM44,800
RM50,800
Without further ado, allow us to break the variants down for easy digestion while you be the judge for which suits your needs best.
Perodua Bezza Standard G (1.0-litre Auto and Manual)
As per the table above, only the entry level model, the Standard G, will get the
1.0-litre three-cylinder engine
. It’s essentially an improved version of the same all-aluminium motor powering the Axia, except that it’s slightly
more powerful
 and
fuel efficient
. Two choice of transmissions are offered – a five-speed manual or four-speed auto.

They both sit on
14-inch wheels
 (as do the rest, just different designs), manual side mirrors, polyurethane steering wheel, fabric upholstery, power windows, dual frontal airbags and an audio system that supports USB connectivity. There’s also reverse sensors, remote boot release, ABS with EBD but loses out on the electronic side mirrors with integrated signal indicators.
Perodua Bezza Premium X (1.3-litre Auto and Manual)
From this variant onwards, the Bezza gets fitted with a larger
1,329cc four-cylinder engine
 (this engine is bigger and much improved over the Myvi’s 1,298cc engine), producing
94 hp
and
121 Nm
 of torque. That’s an increase of 5 horsepower and 4 Nm over the old engine, thanks to redesigned cylinder head, reconfigured intake and exhaust ports and a slighter
 higher compression ratio of 11.5:1
 (up from the previous 10.0:1), just to name a few. The Premium X variant is also available with the same four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmissions.

Here, the head unit is replaced and thus supports Bluetooth connectivity. Also thrown into the mix are keyless entry with push-start button, chromed door handles, front fog lamps, front and rear parking sensors, rear 5V/2A USB charging port, window tinting and jam protection power window (driver side only). The cabin looks better here thanks to more gloss black and silver touches, including cloth-wrapped door trims.
Perodua Bezza Advance (1.3-litre Auto only)
At press time, over 50 percent of the total bookings goes to this range topping variant, which gets the 1.3-litre engine. It is the only variant in the range to not come with a manual transmission. However, exclusive to this variant is Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, quilted leather seats, leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel, electronic side mirrors with signal indicators, side skirts and reverse camera.

Another standout feature is the
Eco Idle System
 which shuts off the engine to conserve fuel, a first for its class. The multimedia head unit benefits from
GPS navigation and Smart Link
 (this lets you pair your smartphone for more connective features), while the exterior packaging gets a pair of additional side skirts for a sportier stance.
WHAT ELSE?
Just two airbags are offered as standard across the range, but those prioritising practicality will be glad to know that
boot space is 508-litres large
. That’s mighty cavernous for an A-Segment car, so kudos to Perodua. The tyres (175/65 profile) are also uniquely developed and supplied by Bridgestone and Silverstone; the former is the Ecopia variant reserved for the 1.3-litre, whereas the 1.0-litre Standard G gets Silverstone Kruizer rubbers.
Perodua brimmed with confidence when announcing the Bezza Advance’s 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating, while the remaining four variants get a 4-star rating. Buyers can select any of the
six colours offered
 – Ocean Blue, Sugar Brown, Lava Red, Ebony Black, Glittering Silver and Solid Ivory White. All purchases of the Bezza come with a
5-Year or 150,000km manufacturer’s warranty
 package, and can be spruced up with Perodua’s GearUp original accessories.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua Bezza Standard 1.0G

Perodua Bezza 1.3 Premium X

Perodua Bezza 1.3L Advance


Give your VW some love after the MCO with ‘Welcome Back’ aftersales campaign

While we all stay at home to help #FlattenTheCurve in our fight against the
Covid-19 pandemic
, most of our cars’ aftersales needs are put on hold due to the temporary closure of service centres, in line with the Movement Control Order (MCO).
As part of the Volkswagen Cares initiative, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has announced the ‘Welcome Back’ aftersales campaign to help get the servicing needs of Volkswagen owners back on track after the MCO period.
To that end, VPCM is inviting VW owners to register and book their appointments on the
Volkswagen website
. Upon submission of the interest form, a VPCM personnel will be in contact to sort out the necessary arrangements.
All VW owners taking part in the campaign will receive a
free merchandise
. Additionally, those who are not redeeming their free maintenance voucher, and are not Volkswagen Cares Plus (VCP) members, are also entitled to a
RM50 discount on engine oil
.
To take advantage of this offer, all appointments must be made
within 30-days after the MCO is lifted
. All Volkswagen owners must also required to download the
Volkswagen Cares
 mobile application to enjoy the benefits.
In regards to warranties, Volkswagen Malaysia says that it will
continue to honour the warranty
 of cars that were not able to meet the scheduled maintenance service due to the MCO.


Jaguar I-PACE the first all-electric car to offer taxi rides on Nurburgring

An experience made famous by the BMW M5 is about to take a silent turn as Jaguar will be offering taxi rides around the Nurburgring in the
 all-electric I-PACE
 for the first time.
The
2019 World Car of the Year
 makes
400 hp
 and
696 Nm
 of torque from two electric motors – one to power the front wheels and another the rear – allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 4.8 seconds.

Imagine this, but in complete silence.
If you’re wondering just how many times the I-PACE can lap the 20.8 km circuit before its 90 kWh fizzles out, the answer should be plenty as it’s rated to offer
up to 500 km of driving range
. However given the nature of ring taxi experience, that distance could be half that.
On the topic of electric cars,
Nissan recently launched the all-new fully-electric Leaf in Malaysia
 which
accelerated faster than a Nissan 370Z
 in a short drag race. The Leaf is fitted with a smaller 40kWh battery, offering up to 311 km of electric driving range per full charge.


Mission R concept: The new 1,000 hp toy for Porsche’s VIP customers

Previously, there was the
Mission E
that evolved into the
Taycan we drove on Sepang International Circuit
, and now Porsche has introduced the
Mission R
.
“The Mission R is the latest vision from Porsche. With this study of an all-electric GT racing car, the pioneer of sustainable mobility is revealing what customer racing could look like in the future.”

These were the words used to describe the vision for the new Porsche Mission R concept on the
company’s Instagram page
 after it was launched at midnight last night. That should leave plenty to be excited for and loads of jealousy if you’re not on Porsche’s guest list.
Not much was disclosed except that it has over
1,088 hp
 and a top speed of 300 km/h. 0 to 100 km/h only takes 2.5 seconds. Unlike the Taycan’s 800V electrical system, the Mission R goes one up with a 900V system whereby allowing the batteries to be charged up to 80% in just 15 minutes. Porsche said the Mission R is capable of matching the 911 GT3 Cup on track.
See that “X” architecture that stretches across the roof? That’s actually an ‘integrated roll cage’ made out of carbon fibre that forms the roof structure. The transparent segments are made of polycarbonate, and also serve as an escape hatch for the driver as part of FIA regulations.
Porsche to locally assemble CKD cars in Malaysia by 2022. Read about it here!
At just 1,190 mm high, 4,326 mm long and 1,990 mm wide, the Mission R is shorter, lower and wider than a standard
911 Carrera

4S
.
More than 85% of the Mission R’s add-on parts, such as the doors, front splitter, side skirts, rear centre section and diffuser, are made of natural fibre reinforced plastic (NFRP). It’s said to
create 85% less carbon emissions than carbon fibre
.
The natural fibres are produced from agriculture and are said to be as light as carbon fibre while delivering the same stiffness. This however isn’t something new as Porsche first introduced biofibre composite body panels in the
718 Cayman GT4
 Clubsport back in 2019.
Those incredible 18-inch wheels are made of magnesium, wrapped in new slicks by Michelin exclusively for the Mission R. Additionally, the tyres can be fitted with sensors to indicate tyre wear and inform the driver of the next pit stop. At the end of their life cycle, the used tyres can even be recycled into new ones.
Brakes are 6-pot units in the front and 4-pot at the rear. Under its skin is a double-wishbone setup in the front and McPherson struts at the rear.
There’s plenty of aerodynamics too. The Mission R’s
Drag Reduction System or DRS
 consists of three louvres in the air intakes on each side of the nose section as well as an adjustable rear spoiler. For maximum downforce, the louvres are closed and the spoiler is at its steepest position.
For now, the Mission R is only a working prototype and more development is needed according to the company, who hinted at a more complete unit by 2025/26.
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is a bad-ass tribute to Manthey’s 25 years of racing success…read about it here!

GALLERY


Nissan has developed a new method to keep old cars alive

It’s called dual-sided dieless forming and the method will see the use of robots to makes car parts for discontinued models out of sheet steel.
The proprietary technique
uses two synchronised robots working on opposite ends of a steel sheet
, using diamond-coated tools to gradually shape the steel.

Once thought to be too difficult to commercialise due to the complexity of programming two robots to operate synchronously, the new technique now makes it commercially-viable to produce and sell replacement parts in small volumes for cars that Nissan no longer makes.
This was also not possible before due to the long lead times to develop and make dies for stamped parts while existing techniques have primarily relied on single-sided forming, which limits the complexity of shapes that can be created.
By placing robots and tools on opposite sides of a steel sheet coupled with advanced programming to control the robot’s accuracy, they can now create more detailed convex and concave shapes.
Nissan is a firm believer in keeping its car alive and well. In recent times, they’ve also announced that the
engines for the Nissan Skyline R32
 along with
other official parts
 for the
R33 and R34
will be reproduced through the “Nismo Heritage programme”.
IMAGE GALLERY
Nissan has developed “dual-sided dieless forming,” a technique using robots to make car parts out of sheet steel. This could make replacement parts for discontinued models more widely available for customers. Thanks to its flexible production, short lead times and minimal upfront costs, the new technique could make it commercially viable to produce and sell a wide variety of after-service and replacement parts in small volumes for cars that Nissan no longer makes. This was previously not possible due to the high upfront costs and long lead times to develop and make dies for stamped parts.


All-new Hyundai Elantra Sport previewed in M’sia, 1.6L turbo, 201 hp & 265 Nm!

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), the official distributor of Hyundai cars in Malaysia has quietly displayed the
sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra
 at the Mid Valley Shopping Centre. The variant on display is actually the top-spec Elantra Sport and yes, it comes with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine to go against the
Civic 1.5 turbo
.
Based on the spec-sheet available, this Elantra Sport share the same 1.6 T-GDI engine as the
Veloster Turbo
. However, the Elantra here develops a whopping
201 hp
 and
 265 Nm
 of torque. That makes it
30 hp
 and
45 Nm
 more powerful than the Civic! Power is transferred to the front wheels via a seven-speed double clutch gearbox.

If this preview is a true reflection of the actual car, our local-spec Elantra will be dressed with a hexagonal chrome grille, sportier front bumper with large side intakes, HID projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights, LED combination tail lamps, rear diffuser with central mounted fog lamps, powered sunroof, dual exhaust tips and 17-inch five-spoke alloys wrapped in 225/45 profile tyres.
Now we apologise for not being able to provide you with pictures of the cabin because it’s off limits. But from what we can tell, the Elantra Sport comes with a two-tone black and red interior theme with Sport embroidery on both front seats. Other notable features include leather upholstery, multi-functional steering wheel with paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control, manual parking brake, keyless entry and start, drive mode selector and cruise control.

Order books for the sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra are now open and you can catch it in the metal at Mid Valley Megamall, Centrecourt. What do you think, dear readers? Is the Elantra Sport enticing enough to swing you over from the Civic? One thing is for sure though, it certainly seems capable of outperforming the Civic!
IMAGE GALLERY


Bentley Bentayga aims for Pikes Peak hill climb SUV record, can it do it?

Bentley is not letting its sister model, the
Lamborghini Urus
 taking all the limelight as the world’s first super SUV. The British carmaker has big plans for their Bentley Bentayga – the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
What has been six-months of preparation work, a race-prepped Bentayga is ready to take home the title of fastest Production SUV.  Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, now in its 96
th
 instalment sees cars from around the world attempting at the 20 km course which features 156 corners and 4,720 ft climb. The Bentayga will have to clock a minimum average speed of 60 mph (96.5 km/h) to achieve its target.
Piloting the ultra-lux SUV is two-time overall Pikes Peak champion Rhys Millen who said: “We’ve honed the Bentayga’s incredible abilities and ensured we have a car for Pikes Peak that’s both safe and fast through two very productive test sessions with the Bentley Motorsport team.”
The Bentayga in question is a largely
standard W12-powered production car
 with some tweaks that fall within the hill climb’s regulations. This includes stripping away
 300 kg
 worth of interior trim, added a roll cage, fire suppression system, racing seats,
Akrapovic sports exhaust
 and sticky Pirelli tyres.
The Radium Satin paintwork is contrasted against a range of Bentley’s Styling Specification kit which adds a carbon fibre front splitter, diffuser, side skirts and aerodynamic rear spoiler. Other than that, its 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, adaptive air suspension and 48V electric active anti-roll control remain untouched.
“The course is one you can only attack with a car that can gain and lose speed very quickly, because it’s so tight and twisty. The combination of
600 hp
,
 900 Nm
 and carbon ceramic brakes means that the Bentayga can accelerate and decelerate incredibly hard – and that’s what I’ll be counting on for my run. I can’t wait to get started at the mountain later this week,” said Millen.


Car manufacturers around the world are gearing up to fight Covid-19

For most of us, the phenomenon that Covid-19 has created – crippling industries, stalling economies and panic buying – is nothing like we’ve ever seen before but while some quarters of society are behaving worse than they’ve ever been, there are some silver linings.
And its the other section of humanity coming together – putting aside all differences – unlike the politicians we (are forced to) call leaders, to fight a common cause and the auto industry is no different.
McLaren
 and
Nissan
, led by an engineering company called Meggitt, announced that they have come up with an emergency ventilator prototype that’s set for production within four weeks.
While McLaren is working on designing a simpler version of the ventilator, Nissan is supporting existing ventilator producers.
Bentley, Porsche and Skoda
 have also stepped up; offering their support to parent company
Volkswagen
 as the quartet looks to produce ventilators via 3D-printing.
The company is reported to have more than
125 industrial 3D printers
 and is actively testing materials as medical equipment manufacturing is clearly uncharted waters for the automotive giant. However, as soon as they understand what’s needed to build the ventilators and have received the blueprint, manufacturing can begin.
Geely on the other hand, has
adopted a “contact-free” method for delivery of new car keys
.
As for
General Motors
, the company is working with Ventec Life Systems by allowing the medical device company to take advantage of GM’s logistics, purchasing and manufacturing expertise to scale up production of ventilators.
Even General Motors’ parts suppliers are gearing up for war as they’re preparing to manufacture parts which will be used
to produce over 200,000 ventilators
.
Fiat Chrysler
 announced that it will utilise its facilities in Asia, converting them to produce face masks intended for healthcare workers. The company is
targeting to produce a million masks a month
 in the coming weeks.
Daimler
has reportedly received requests from authorities for support on the matter and is said to be weighing their options. The company, together with Volkswagen have
donated over 300,000 face masks
, according to reports.


France will ban all petrol and diesel cars by 2040, India by 2030!

Not long after
Volvo announced their ambitious plans
 of converting all models to hybrid or full electric by 2019, France went a step beyond with a plan to ban all cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE).
The revolutionary move was announced by the country’s ecology minister, Nicolas Hulot. He understands the hurdle, but remains surefooted in displaying the country’s commitment in combating climate change. This also follows Paris’ pledge of banning diesel-powered cars by 2025.
French carmakers such as Peugeot, Citroen and Renault will have to invest more in R&D to develop zero emissions technology, but it’s an uphill battle because EV sales account for just 1.1 percent of all new car sales in France last year. About 52 percent were diesel powered, while the remainder were petrols.
That said, the French could look at their northern neighbours for inspiration. Norway scored the highest percentage of non-ICE car sales in
2016
, made possible by government incentives. The Nordic country plans a 100 percent adoption of electric or plug-in hybrid cars by 2025.
Believe it or not, even India plans to get rid of ICE by 2030. What does the Malaysian government have to say about this?


Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP crash safety rating!

Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) has just introduced the
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
 in Malaysia as a locally-assembled unit. Thanks to tax break incentives, HSDM has manage to secure a very attractive price tag of RM114k for the range topping variant that comes with a host of autonomous safety features.
Well, more good news then, because Euro NCAP has just awarded the Hyundai Ioniq with a
maximum 5-Star crash safety rating
. The Ioniq achieved top marks in the Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian and Safety Assist, making it one of the safest vehicles in its segment. If you have to ask, the crash model is identically specced as our RM114k Ioniq HEV Plus!
To recap, the Malaysian spec Hyundai Ioniq comes with seven airbags, ESC, VSM, ABS with EBD, BA, hill-start assist and ISOFIX mounting points as standard. However, only the more expensive model gets the full range of autonomous safety features such as Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist System(LKAS), Lane Departure Warning System and Blind Spot Detection.
SCC allows the driver to keep a constant distance with the vehicle ahead while AEB works in three stages – first alerting the driver visually and acoustically of an imminent collision, controls braking force according to the collision state and finally applies maximum braking force just before the moment of collision. AEB is operable at speeds of 10km/h and above.
So, the attractive price tag, exceptional fuel economy (4.0L/100km), 5-Year or 300,000km extended warranty, 8-Year unlimited mileage warranty for the battery, 3-Year or 60,000km free service package and now a 5-Star Euro NCAP crash safety rating? What are you waiting for? Head on over to your nearest Hyundai showrooms to give the Ioniq a good hard look!
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton is offering up to 100% financing for fresh graduates and government employees

Proton and Bank Rakyat are offering special financial packages for fresh graduates and government employees on specific Proton models. The offer runs until 31 December 2019 and provides up to 100% financing.
The packages consist of two special financing rates, the
An-Naqlu 1
– which offers 90% financing starting at an attractive rate of 2.88% per annum and
An-Naqlu 2
 – which offers 100% financing starting at 3.30% per annum.
The offer is limited to Malaysians who are
new graduates aged between 20 to 30 years
, and
government employees aged between 18 to 60 years
 for the purchase of the
newly updated Saga
,
Persona
,
Iriz
 and
Exora
.
“Under this special scheme, Bank Rakyat offers customers easy financing approval, while PROTON makes it more attractive with a
free service package of up to two years
, depending on the models that they choose. The Saga is being offered with one year free service, while the Persona and Iriz with two years, including free labour and parts,” said Proton Director of Corporate Sales, Fazli Hisham Shukor.

On top of this, customers stand to benefit from an enhanced insurance package. Designed with Etiqa Takaful and Zurich Takaful, the Proton Insurance Programme provides customers special coverage which includes key care cover, flood relief allowance and also all driver coverage, including a guarantee of zero excess charges for Proton vehicles up to 10 years old.


Infiniti is about to showcase its electrified future through this Prototype 10 concept

Infiniti will soon unveil a striking concept car called the Prototype 10, an electrified vehicle in speedster form that’ll lay the foundations for the brand’s vision and desire to deliver driving pleasure and thrilling performance from electrified powertrains.
In creating the single-seater Prototype 10, Infiniti has re-imagined the classic speedster form to adopt a cool, clean, forward-looking design. The concept is a natural evolution from the design language of the INFINITI Q Inspiration and hints at future design cues for the brand. The company plans to electrify all of its new production cars from 2021 onwards.
“The Infiniti Prototype 10 echoes the layout and design of some of the most evocative car designs of all time, where power was celebrated through high-powered single-seat competition cars. Our new concept speaks of an electrified future, something which is reflected in its form and details. It is appropriate that we found inspiration in an optimistic bygone era in which cars were characterized by the simple love of driving,” said Infiniti Executive Design Director, Karim Habib.


2015 Honda Civic Type R & NSX briefly teased in a clever ad [+Video]

Honda last week released a short but smartly executed “Keep up” video advertisement, featuring some of their latest line of products, including the popular
Jazz
,
HR-V
, the new
Civic Type R
 and reborn mid-engine supercar, the
NSX
.
The Civic Type R as we now know, features a
2.0-litre direct injected turbocharged VTEC engine
 that could potentially make upwards of
280 horsepower
and is capable of reaching a top speed of
270 km/h
, thanks to
thorough aerodynamic revisions
. It’ll also get a six-speed manual transmission that drives the front wheels.
This hot hatch seen in the video appears to come equipped with some fancy LEDs, with the headlights donning strip-LED, presumably daytime running lights. Main light source is very likely to be LED as well, while the conventional halogen fog lamps (refer to top image) are omitted in favour of more LED lighting, just like the Type R Concept. This may well be a trim issue, but we’ll find out for sure when the wraps are completely off.
Also teased in the video is the new mid-engined NSX. This hybrid supercar will get a
twinturbo V6 engine
 (displacement unknown) aided by
three electric motors
, making for a combined output in excess of
550 hp
. Transmission choice is a
nine-speed dual clutch automatic
, and drive system is powered by the carmaker’s advanced
Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive
 (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD).
Both these hot cars will be making their world appearances at the 85th Geneva Motor Show, set to take place from 5 to 15 March.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Honda Civic Type R

2015 Honda/Acura NSX


Volkswagen Group explores production of 3D-printed ventilators in fight against COVID-19

The 3D printer is probably one of the most important inventions in recent times. Amid the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world now, the 3D printer might just prove its significance once again.
According to a report by
Deutsche Welle
, Volkswagen Group has released a statement announcing its plan to set up a task force looking into using their 3D printers for the production of hospital ventilators.
The announcement comes after governments around the world sought to enlist carmakers including Ford, General Motors, and even Ferrari, to assist in the production of health and medical equipment in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wolfsburg-based carmaker has 125 industrial 3D printers, and is currently working closely with various government departments and authorities to assess the requirements, according to a VW spokesperson.
“Medical equipment is a new field for us. But as soon as we understand the requirements, and receive a blueprint, we can get started,” Volkswagen said.
Workers have been sent home as VW plants across the globe are shutdown.
Volkswagen has shutdown its production facilities across the globe last week in an attempt to contain the spread of the virus.
Separately, the German carmaker has also pledged to
donate approximately 200,000 protective face masks
 to support the health workers in the country. Volkswagen will also supply the city of Wolfsburg with additional medical material.


Review: Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 LTZ Muscle Power, the grunting black behemoth

If you own a truck you probably notice that your popularity among the people around you increased exponentially upon they finding out you own a truck. This is because your truck could carry everything on the truckbed, or at least that’s what your stereotype friends and relatives think. Chances are that you’re the designated driver for the weekly cycling outings, and you probably get calls from them when it comes to transporting furniture or durians from the orchard.
I must admit that I never driven a truck prior to this. When I was tasked to review this black behemoth I wasn’t so keen on taking it for a spin as I always look at trucks as cumbersome, inconvenient, and definitely won’t stir any emotion from behind the wheel. Despite that I kept an open mind and went ahead to collect the truck and see whether will it change my perception towards it.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 LTZ Muscle Power

Segment
Double cab pickup truck
Engine
2,776 cc 4-Cylinder, Turbodiesel
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
193 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Max Torque
500 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Price
RM 106,888.00

Chevrolet has been building trucks for close to a century, but they are somewhat late to join in the truck market here in Malaysia. Everyone knows that Chevrolet is an American brand, but the Chevrolet vehicles that are currently on sale here are more Asian than you think.
This
second-generation Colorado
 for example, is assembled in the land of smiles, Thailand. The first-generation Colorado wasn’t sold here but it existed spiritually in the form of the Isuzu D-Max, as both were conceived from the same platform co-developed with General Motors.
While the current second-generation D-Max is powered by a huge 3.0-litre turbodiesel generating 175 hp and 380 Nm of torque, the Colorado trumps that figures by having 193 hp and 500 Nm of torque from just a 2.8-litre turbodiesel. With so much torque Chevrolet even dubs it as the
Colorado Muscle Power
. It may be the truck with the highest torque output at the time of writing, but how long will it stay at the top of the hill until the rivals catch up?
EXTERIOR
The Colorado is one dapper truck, it’s probably the only truck to wear a bowtie in Malaysia. Yes I mean the gold
Chevy
 bowtie that it wears proudly on the center bar that splits the dual port grilles. The imposing and upright front end conjure a very confident and purposeful appearance but there’s an undeniable flair from the shapely
projector headlamps
.
Unlike some of the range-topping trucks currently on sale, the Colorado is refreshingly devoid of any add-on body cladding. The flared wheel arches flow seamlessly with the body panel but there’s a distinct rising character line starting from just behind the front wheels and continue towards the end of the truck bed.
Under those massive wheel arches are a set of chunky
17-inch alloys
 wearing road-biased
255/65 R17
 Bridgestones. Side steps are essential for a vehicle this tall, on the Colorado they blend in nicely with the simple design of the truck.

You don’t get a roll bar on the Colorado but it comes with
roof rails
 that will support
up to 75 kg worth of load
. Behind the lined truck bed is a separately lockable tailgate, obligatory chrome bumper with reverse sensors, and LED taillights.
INTERIOR
Similar to the rest of the new trucks currently in the market today, Chevrolet has put in the effort to make the interior as car-like as possible by fitting it with many creature comforts. Climb aboard the driver’s seat and you will notice that it adjusts electrically. The seats on this top-spec Colorado are upholstered in
grey leather
 although they’re not using the most supple of leather out there.

The steering wheel diameter is just about the right size, and comes complete with controls for the audio and cruise control. The dials in the instrument cluster sport an interesting design, and there’s a useful
Data Information Center
 display screen in the middle. In an attempt to promote an environmentally-conscious trucker, there’s even an
Eco menu display
 to rate how economical your driving style is.

The
7-inch touch screen
 for the
Chevrolet MyLink
 is a great feature, but it is not without quibbles. During my time with the Colorado the unit failed and shut down itself a couple of times, but in terms of usability it’s pretty easy to navigate around the menu. Below that is a round cluster for the
automatic climate control
 and further down you’ll find
two 12v power outlets
 and a couple of buttons for the traction control and hill descent control.

On the center console there’s only one lever, which is for the 6-speed automatic transmission. Switching the drive from 2WD to 4WD is done by an
electronic knob
, not like some trucks that are still using a secondary lever placed next to the transmission lever. A conventional handbrake still exists, and yet there’s still ample space for a couple of cupholders next to it and a deep cubby with a USB slot and an Aux In port under the center armrest.
The dashboard design is pleasing to the eyes with the materials used feel robust and suits the image of the truck.
Numerous storage space
 can be found on the dashboard alone, from the
pull-out drawers
 below the aircond vents at each end of the dashboard, a shelf and a
pop-down compartment
 just aft the driver’s knees, to the
dual glovebox
 at the passenger side of the dashboard.

There’s also a
 lidded compartment
 on top of the dashboard like in the
Hyundai Santa Fe
 but GC won’t be able to
warm up his cupcake
 since the compartment is too shallow to accomodate a cupcake. Before returning the Colorado I literally had to double check every compartment just to make sure I didn’t leave anything for the next journos.
PERFORMANCE
Chevrolet doesn’t call their truck as Colorado Muscle Power for nothing, it has torque figure to back that up. The
2.8-litre 4-cylinder Duramax
 engine is equipped with a
Variable Geometry Turbo
, pumping out
193 hp
 at 3,600 rpm and
 500 Nm
 from a lowly 2,000 rpm. Chevrolet claim it will go from
 0 to 100 km/h
 in
less than 10.0 seconds
, with a
top speed of 180 km/h
.
The diesel unit certainly feels lazy, but it’s definitely not shy to hide the fact it’s the torquiest diesel around by being audible from afar. You surely can’t miss the
turbo whistle
 as the Colorado drives by. It can sound pretty rude with the grunting and whistling and your friends might think you arrived in a lorry, but fret not because you’re still the popular one among your friends because you own a truck.
THE DRIVE
For a person who never driven a truck before, the initial impression can be quite intimidating. Even though the
elevated seating position
 is a plus you can’t really see where the bonnet ends, therefore navigating the truck in a multi-level parking lot for the first time was quite a challenge. Parking the truck is only aided by
reverse sensors
, so getting it right on the first try was a rather huge achievement for this novice trucker.
On paved tarmac the Colorado drives well, with nice heft to the steering that invokes a sense of confidence and solidity. Minor road imperfections and cats eyes are masked by the high profile tyres, but bigger potholes will send jolts to the cabin and it can get wallowy on winding roads.
I’ve been told that current generation of trucks are more refined than the trucks of yore but such refinement in a vehicle with agricultural and commercial background can only go so far. At least the Colorado is equipped with cruise control.
Powering down the highway with excess speed can put your senses on alert, bear in mind that even with good brakes you still can’t defy physics. For normal driving using
2H
 is sufficient, and it helps to save fuel as well. The Colorado averaged
8.3 l/100 km
 during my stint, which is actually better than the
official claim of 9.2 l/100 km
.
In 2H, even with the traction control switched on it is still possible to set the rear tyres scrubbing for grip when powering out from stationary, so exercise your right foot with caution. Full 4WD modes are better left when the going gets tough, as I venture off the beaten path…
Naturally when you have a truck you just have to take it off-road. Twist the knob to
4H
, I took the Colorado for some mild (honest!) off-roading and it managed to tackle the gravelly and muddy terrain without breaking a sweat. Steep gradients were conquered with gusto and muddy trails were traversed without worry.
Towards the end of my off-road shenanigans the
road-biased tyres
 had accumulated enough mud to cover the whole thread, and the inevitable happened. The Colorado was beached in a thick sludge of mud making the driver to break out in cold sweat instead. This wouldn’t happen if I didn’t stop the Colorado in the middle of the muddy path. Such foolishness of an urbanite trying to be an outdoorsman.

Thankfully a friend that didn’t mind to get himself covered in mud was willing to be my spotter. I turned the knob to
 4L
 and fed the Colorado with some light throttle input while trying to calm myself down at the same time. With the help of my spotter and a little bit of physical rocking to the Colorado, we managed to slither out of the mud triumphantly.
All the dirty work was handled by the Colorado (and the friend outside) while yours truly was seating comfortably on the leather seat in the chilled cabin. It shows that the Colorado is very much capable of handling the rough stuff and the only limiting factor would be the driver behind the wheel.
IS IT FOR YOU?
If you’re the type that doesn’t really like to show off the Colorado may be the truck for you. Even with the amount of grunt it has under the bonnet the Colorado looks very discreet without anything to indicate it’s the torquiest truck on sale. If you strongly believe that a truck should carry an American badge then the Colorado should also appeal to you.
COMPARISONS
The pickup truck market is quite crowded and you should able to find a truck that suits your specific preferences. Among the top-of-the-range trucks that are locking horns against the Colorado Muscle Power are the “brother from another mother”
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross
, the recently revamped
Mitsubishi Triton VGT GS
, and a fellow “American” rival
Ford Ranger Wildtrak
.
The
D-Max V-Cross
 comes with a bigger engine but less power than the Colorado. Its equipment list is also shorter than the Colorado, with fabric seats and a simple audio system. Although you could have leather seats and a 6.2-inch touch screen with GPS navigation by opting for the
“Safari Pack”
. For RM 10,000 more it also includes truckbed lid and an all round bodykit and unique alloys.
The
Ranger Wildtrak
 not only has the most horses under the bonnet, the 5-cylinder mill is also the most refined if compared to the rivals listed here. It’s the
most expensive
 here and yet it doesn’t come with any touchscreen in-car entertainment system but it has a bluetooth-enabled sound system with voice recognition, leather seats, auto headlamps and wipers, and a reverse camera that displays the view on the rearview mirror.
The revised
Triton
 may be looking a bit long in the tooth, but it still is one of the hottest selling trucks here. The Triton also packs a variable geometry turbo making the 2.5-litre mill more powerful than before. The Triton is
 fully decked
 with leather seats, touchscreen audio interface with reverse camera, security window tint, sunroof, powered back window, and the trademark
RV Meter with compass
.
Safety-wise every truck is equipped with
ABS
 and
EBD
,
traction control
, and dual
airbags
 but the Ranger Wildtrak adds four more airbags in the cabin. The Colorado is the biggest among the four but the Ranger has the longest wheelbase while the Triton is the most compact and it also has the shortest bed.
Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 LTZ
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross

Ford Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak
Mitsubishi Triton VGT GS

ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder turbodiesel
4-cylinder turbodiesel
5-cylinder turbodiesel
4-cylinder turbodiesel
Displacement
cc
2,776
2,999
3,198
2,477
Max Power
hp/rpm
193/3,600
175/3,600
197/3,000
176/4,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
500/2,000
380/1,800 – 2,800
470/1,500 – 2,750
350/1,800 – 3,500
STEERING
Type
Power-assisted
Power-assisted
Power-assisted
Power-assisted
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed Automatic
5-speed Automatic
6-speed Automatic
5-speed Automatic
SUSPENSION
Type
Double wishbone, coil springs / Leaf springs
Double wishbone, coil springs / Leaf springs
Double wishbone, coil springs / Leaf springs
Wishbone, coil springs / Leaf springs
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Drum
Drum
Drum
Drum
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
255/65 R17
255/65 R17
265/60 R18
245/65 R17
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
5,347
5,295
5,274
5,115
Overall Width
mm
1,882
1,860
2,163
1,800
Overall Height
mm
1,821
1,795
1,821
1,780
Wheelbase
mm
3,096
3,095
3,220
3,000
Max Kerb weight
kg
2,062
n/a
2,118
1,870
Cargo area L / W / H
mm
1,552 / 1,534 / n/a
1,552 / 1,530 / 465
1,549 / 1,560 / 511
1,325 / 1,470 / 405
FUEL
Tank Capacity
76
76
80
75
Consumption
9.2 L/100 km
n/a
8.9 L/100 km
n/a
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
180
n/a
n/a
175
0 – 100km/h
sec
10.0
n/a
n/a
n/a
PRICE
RM
106,888.00
104,468.40 (Safari 115,208.40)

117,488.00
107,809.60

WILL I BUY IT?
I must say after driving the Colorado, it changed my perception of trucks. I appreciate it more now considering its ability and even think it’s a logical choice to have especially with our road condition and the occasional floods that we have. I still feel it’s cumbersome to drive but I did enjoy it in a different kind of way. I love the fact that the Colorado is not as showy as the other trucks but unfortunately if I’m in the market for one, it won’t be my pick due to the rough and noisy engine.
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IMAGE GALLERY


Now everyone can be a “takumi” with the new LEGO Nissan GT-R NISMO

Nissan has always prided themselves with the intricate details and craftsmanship of the
GT-R
, especially the twin-turbocharged V6 engine which is hand-built by one of four
takumis
 – master craftsmen who have perfected their skills over years of painstaking work and dedication.
But what if mere mortals like us would like to have a crack at building a race car, and that engineering degree is too little, too late? LEGO and Nissan have partnered up to create the LEGO Nissan GT-R NISMO, for you to get your hands dirty, figuratively.
Made out of 298 individual LEGO elements, the LEGO Nissan GT-R NISMO aims to capture the authentic and intricate details of the life-size race car into a relatively small LEGO model. Although, the Speed Champions series – which the GT-R NISMO will be a part of – has been enlarged by 25% this year.
LEGO design lead, Chris Stamp said, “Authenticity is always our main concern, and we spent a lot of time exploring different building techniques to correctly recreate the taillights, as they are one of the most recognisable details on the car.”
Nissan seemed pretty happy with the work that LEGO has done with the GT-R NISMO too, with chief product specialist for the GT-R, Hiroshi Tamura – or sometimes affectionately called “Mr. GT-R” – himself giving the stamp of approval.
Tamura said, “The GT-R has been part of my life since I was 10 years old. Working with the LEGO Group was like awakening my inner 10-year-old self to rediscover what makes the GT-R so special to me. It’s amazing how much the LEGO Group’s attention to detail reminds me of our own craftsmen.”
LEGO says that the brick version of the Nissan GT-R NISMO is also designed to inspire children to learn more about engineering. While we applaud the intention, we all know that it’s actually us grown adults who would buy this – just ask GC Mah and his collection of LEGO models.
The LEGO Nissan GT-R NISMO will be available globally from January 2020.


Video: Will the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe be the new go-to performance compact sedan?

Aside from the
218i Gran Coupe
, BMW also gave us a taste of what the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe was like while we were in Portugal earlier this year and it has made us pray for its arrival in Malaysia ever since.
With near identical output as the
Mercedes-AMG A35
 launched
in Malaysia last year
, the M235i xDrive will have to carry the torch in competing with the most compact AMG in Malaysia at the moment.
More so after the Head of BMW’s M division claimed that there wouldn’t be an M2 Gran Coupe because it’s simply not necessary.

That makes the M235i xDrive the halo model for the all-new 2-series Gran Coupe. Throughout the short 50 km drive back to Lisbon from a surfer’s town we drove to in the
 218i Gran Coupe
, the biggest takeaway was how comfortable the car was.
Being in Sport Mode throughout the entire drive merely made the car more alert to your inputs but in no way compromised comfort. In terms of appearance and stature, seeing as it’s completely draped in M Sport apparel both in and out, it’s hard to undermine how the M235i looks if parked next to the AMG A35.
To be fair though, the AMG A35 does look more proportionate, with a rear end that’s certainly easier on the eye. On the other hand, the 2 Series Gran Coupe line up in general, bearing similarities with
BMW’s GT models
, might need some getting used to.


Honda HR-V Black Edition debuts in the UK, full blown stealth mode!

Before the
Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge
,
Audi A4 Black Edition
 and the ludicrously named
BMW X5 and X6 Black Fire Edition
, Honda had a limited run of a
Civic Type R Black Edition (FK2R)
. Now, the second car to be blacked out by Honda is the Honda HR-V. Yes, let that sink in for a moment.
As peculiar as it may be, the HR-V is the brand’s most popular crossover on sale, so it makes good business sense for Honda to give it a little spicing up. It’s based upon the standard SE variant, but gets blacked out running boards, skid plates, front grille, mirror caps and 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Inside, the Black Edition HR-V gets unique leather and carpet trims. Mechanically, the UK-spec HR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder i-VTEC making
 129 hp
 and
 155 Nm
 of torque mated either to a six-speed manual or CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) gearbox.
Prices for the Honda HR-V Black Edition start from £25,000 (RM139k), a £3,805 (RM21k) premium over the standard variant. Fancy yourself one of these?