Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 launched, replaces Eagle NCT 5

Goodyear Malaysia has quietly rolled out their brand-new Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 (ATM2) tyres to the Malaysian market. The ATM2 tyres replace the existing Assurance TripleMax 1 and Eagle NCT 5 as the brand’s mid-segment passenger car tyre.
Highlights of the new ATM2 tyres is the new HydroTred technology that promises excellent wet braking performance, improved handling and comfort as well as enhanced resistance to sidewall impacts.
All these are achieved through Goodyear’s 120 years of history in tyre technology. The ATM2 features new boosted compound formulation that delivers improved performance in dry and wet surfaces while its optimised tyre groove gives the tyre superior water dispersion and a larger contact surface for better cornering stiffness and steering precision.
Engineers have also incorporated narrower lateral grooves in the tyre block to reduce noise resonance on the tyre shoulder for a quieter ride. The sidewalls of the ATM2 features two-Layer High Modulus Low Shrinkage Reinforcements to better cushion the impacts to the sidewalls. This gives you a greater peace of mind when travelling pothole-ridden roads.

Managing Director of Goodyear Malaysia, Ben Hoge said: “In conjunction with our 120th anniversary celebration this year which is a significant milestone for Goodyear, we are also excited to announce the arrival of the Assurance TripleMax 2, designed for drivers to provide a faster braking and safer driving experience, particularly on wet roads during this heavy monsoon season, into Malaysia.”
The Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 is available in 15 sizes ranging from wheel sizes measuring 15- to 17-inch. Hoge has also assured that the ATM2 is not any more expensive than the existing range of NCT 5 and the new pattern is now available at all authorised Goodyear dealer nationwide.
AVAILABLE SIZES:
Section
Rim Size (inch)
Load Index
Speed Rating
185/60
15
84
H
185/65
15
88
H
195/50
15
82
V
195/55
15
85
V
195/60
15
88
V
195/65
15
91
V
205/65
15
94
V
185/55
16
83
V
195/50
16
84
V
195/55
16
87
V
205/60
16
92
V
215/55
16
93
V
215/60
16
95
V
205/45
17
84
W
215/45
17
91
W
IMAGE GALLERY
Goodyear Assurance TripleMax 2 Launched in Malaysia


Biforst Logistics buys their 300th FUSO truck from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia!

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicle (MBM CV) marked yet another significant milestone after they delivered the 300th FUSO truck to Biforst Logistics Sdn. Bhd. Biforst Logistics is Malaysia’s leading one stop logistics solutions provider and has been a FUSO customer since 2006.
“The delivery of the 300th FUSO truck to Biforst Logistics represents a significant milestone for us. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Commercial Vehicles takes great pride in delivering ‘Trucks you can trust’, and in doing so we are absolutely thrilled that Biforst Logistics benefits greatly from our highly reliable and economical commercial vehicles and extensive service network,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Vice President, Commercial Vehicles, Mr Albert Yee.
Among Biforst Logistics’ fleet of vehicles include the FUSO Light Duty Truck models, FE71PB, FE83PE, FE83PG and FE85PG, FUSO Medium Duty Truck models FM65FM and Mercedes-Benz Actros. The company utilises the Light Duty Trucks primarily for short distance distribution and interstate logistic transportation while the Medium Duty Trucks are mainly for long distance logistics.
“Given the nature of our business, we need to ensure maximum up-time of our fleet. MBM CV is a natural first choice for us as they have a deep understanding of our need for safety, reliability and economic efficiency. As a result of our robust business growth we need trucks which are dependable, and have plans to further increase our FUSO truck fleet over the next few years,” said Biforst Logistics Group Managing Director, Mr Hamie Appala.
Biforst Logistics’ fleet of FUSO trucks are sold and serviced through Bumi Asia Auto Sdn. Bhd., MBM CV’s authorised 3S dealer. The company is currently subscribed to Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia’s customised total financing solution packages, Hire Purchase Classic and Hire Purchase FlexiPay Payment Holiday while Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad and AXA Affin General Insurance Berhad provides Biforst Logistic with comprehensive insurance protection.


The Sabre is the most-powerful non-hybrid McLaren Supercar that you can’t buy

Earlier this month, patent images of a previously-unseen McLaren supercar surfaced online, which led many to believe that the Woking-based boutique supercar maker is working on an all-new electrified Ultimate Series model. Well, it turns out that the rumours were half true – it’s called the McLaren Sabre, and it’s a 15-unit-only bespoke commission series by
McLaren Special Operations
 (MSO), exclusive to the United States.
The McLaren Sabre is powered by the tried-and-true twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine. No hybrid powertrain here, but it does make more power than any other non-hybrid supercars that McLaren has ever made –
 812 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque, which is 23 hp more than the
Senna
 to be exact.
With the 20 extra ponies and the usual weight-saving measures, the McLaren Sabre also boasts a top speed of
 351 km/h
, making it the
fastest two-seater McLaren ever built
. Unfortunately, no other performance figures have been provided, but we think it probably wouldn’t stray too far off of the Senna.
The development process of the Sabre is also quite special. As there are only 15 units to be ever made, each of the 15 owners were invited to a development track day at the Thermal Club Private Race Track to provide feedback to the team back in Woking, allowing them to tune the car just to how the owners like it.
In terms of looks, the McLaren Sabre looks like it took on the sleek silhouette of the
Speedtail
, but added a whole swath of aerodynamic parts taken from both the track-only Senna GTR and the video-game-only Ultimate Vision Grand Turismo.
Fins and strakes are aplenty all around the bodywork, but the most flamboyant element on the exterior is located at the rear, where a central fin extends from the roof of the car all the way backwards to the humongous rear wing, which itself is a work of art. Oh, there are also the giant racecar diffusers too for extra dramatic (and aerodynamic) effect.
Aside from the 15-unit-only production limit, the McLaren Sabre is also strictly US-only, as it features “ideas and innovations that global homologation would not permit”. All 15-units were already sold out before the car was even made public, so there’s no point announcing the price tag too.
GALLERY


Ferrari SF90 XX brings race car tech, giant GT wing to the public roads

Ferrari
 has traditionally reserved the ‘XX’ name for its track-only supercars, reserved for those it deems worthy of owning one. But that’s all about to change – well… at least the first part – with the launch of the Ferrari SF90 XX, its first road-legal model in the XX family.
As its name suggests, the Ferrari SF90 XX is based on the “regular” SF90, and as such it’ll also be offered in two body styles – the Stradale (coupe) and the Spider (convertible). As you might have expected, these cars here are limited edition units, with only 799 units and 599 units of the SF90 XX Stradale and SF90 XX Spider offered respectively.
Ferrari describes the SF90 XX as the most extreme version of the SF90 family, And its exterior design does live up to the carmaker’s description. Built around the concept of a racecar, Ferrari designers followed a “function first, aesthetics second” mantra in styling the SF90 XX, even going as far as highlighting many of its air intakes and vents with special colour accents.
These aero tweaks include a new large and wide front diffuser which increases the downforce up front by over 45 kg at 250 km/h, an aggressive front splitter, as well as a pair of S-Ducts up front to channel air from the front up the bonnet and over the car that further improves downforce by 20%.
RELATED:
Ital Auto is Ferrari’s new partner in Malaysia, replaces Naza Italia
The most eye-catching change here, however, is obviously the massive GT wing around the back. It’s not the most “Ferrari way” of doing things, and in fact, it’s the first road-legal Ferrari model to feature a fixed-wing spoiler since the iconic F50 from 1995. But there’s a good reason the designers in Maranello have gone with this route – working together with the shut-off gurney, the rear aero devices are able to contribute up to 315 kg of downforce at the back.
Altogether, the SF90 XX can generate up to 530 kg of total downforce at 250 km/h. This is 140 kg more downforce than its regular counterpart, making it one of the most aerodynamically efficient models in Ferrari’s stable – comparable only to that of the LaFerrari, according to the press release.
For the SF90 XX Spider, the uniquely-designed flying buttress also helps enhance its aerodynamics around the back, while also hiding the carbon fibre retractable hard top when it’s not raining. Deploying and retracting the RHT takes 14 seconds, and the manoeuvre can also be done at speeds of up to 45 km/h.
To help with the SF90 XX’s performance, the Stradale is 10 kg lighter than its regular counterpart, weighing just 1560 kg. The Spider on the other hand weighs 1660 kg.
RELATED:
Ferrari Purosangue 6.5L V12, Maranello’s first not-an-SUV
The Ferrari SF 90 XX retains the same plug-in hybrid (PHEV) layout as the standard SF90, but is massively uprated with new pistons and polished air inlets to match its “most high-performance Ferrari road-legal car” ethos. As before, the PHEV system comprises a four-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and three electric motors – two on the front axle, and one between the engine and the gear box at the rear.
The engine itself produces 797 hp and 804 Nm and is mated to an eight-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission (DCT). But when paired to the three electric motors, which are powered by a 7.9 kWh battery, total system output has now been raised to
1030 hp
, or 30 hp more than its regular counterpart.
The mind-bending figure translates to a century sprint time of
 2.3 seconds
, and 0-200 km/h in only
6.5 seconds
, both 0.2 seconds faster than the SF90 Stradale. The Spider does come in a touch slower for the latter, completing the 0 to 200 km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds, but it’s still 0.3 seconds quicker than the regular SF90 Spider.
Due to the more aggressive aerodynamic appendages though, the top speed for the special edition supercars have actually been reduced by 20 km/h to 320 km/h – not that many would mind, we think.
The e-Manettino switch on the steering wheel enables four different driving modes, including an eDrive mode that allows the SF90 XX to travel in pure EV mode at speeds of up to
135 km/h
, and as far as
25 km
, thanks to the two front electric motors. Qualifying Mode meanwhile provides an “extra boost” function that offers temporary bursts of extra power for when you need it.
To keep the SF90 XX performing at its peak performance, Ferrari engineers have redesigned its cooling flow management for the thermal and electric components, as well the engine compartment.
The SF90 XX also employs a wide range of electronics to help keep that performance in check, including a new Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer 2.0 which improves on-the-limit handling in all grip conditions governed by the electronic Side-Slip Control (eSSC) system, as well as the ABS EVO controller that uses the advanced 6W-CDS sensor to help improve braking performance and lateral stability.
RELATED:
Ferrari Purosangue orders reopen, 3,567 Ferraris sold in Q1 2023
Ferrari continues with the SF90 XX’s racecar design concept in its interior, evident through its extensive weight-saving measures. The main areas involved include the door panels, tunnel and mats, which are now simpler in terms of their shape.
A combination of technical fabric, carbon fibre, and Alcantara have been utilised when constructing the SF90 XX’s interior. The dashboard for instance is trimmed in Alcantara, while the lower part of the interior is trimmed in technical fabric.
For ergonomic purposes, the gear shift gate is positioned at the centre of the central tunnel but has now been moved forward slightly compared to the SF90 Stradale. Carbon-fibre racing seats with cushion support are also included with the special edition Ferrari.
 Price-wise, the Stradale is offered at
EUR770,000
 (approximately
RM3,915,160
), while the Spider is priced at
EUR850,000
 (approximately
RM4,321,930
). Thinking of getting one yourself? Too bad – all 799 SF90 XX Stradale and 599 Spiders have all been spoken for, even before its official debut.
RELATED:
Ferrari Roma Spider: La Nuova Dolce Vita reaches final form with new soft top convertible
GALLERY


First Drive: Honda Accord facelift 2.0 & 2.4 VTi-L, the comfort cruisers

Growing up, I never understood the appeal of a D-Segment sedan. For the same amount of money, you could get a much more exciting hot hatch or a practical mid-sized SUV. The general D-segment sedan is, to me at least, the worst kind of compromise one can make. It’s dull, slow and can’t carry itself through a corner without inducing motion sickness.
Most would argue that you buy a D-segment as a comfortable cruiser without losing its business appeal. To be fair, I was nowhere near the age of properly understanding the appeal. But after a short trip to Kuantan with the
facelifted Honda Accord
, I thought otherwise.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L
Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L
Engine
1,997cc naturally aspirated four cylinder SOHC i-VTEC
2,356cc naturally aspirated four cylinder DOHC i-VTEC with Honda Earth Dreams Technology
Transmission
5-speed automatic
Max Power
153 hp @ 6,500 rpm
173 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Max Torque
190 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
225 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM153,800
RM172,800
The cabin is adequately luxurious
Let’s dive straight into the Accord’s strongest suit – its interior. With the facelift, the cabin gets a new lease of life thanks to higher quality materials, new wood trim and the new 7-inch Advanced Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (similar setup as the Civic FC).
Buttons are well thoughtfully positioned and easily within reach. In an era where carmakers get increasingly obsessed with buttons, I certainly appreciate Honda’s minimalistic and practical approach.

The crisp and vibrant 7-inch Advanced Display Audio is dead simple to operate, and you’d be pleased to know that it’s fitted as standard across the range. Sitting above the infotainment system is a separate i-MID  display that gives you driving information such as cruising range, fuel consumption and multimedia info as well as Honda’s Lane Watch.
Overall, the cabin is a cut above its main Japanese rivals, threatened only by the
Mazda6
.
Understated yet supremely elegant exterior
With the facelift, Honda has introduced more upmarket revisions to the front and rear end. The front grille adds much needed presence to the D-Segment contender. It gets plenty of chrome bits all round for that premium look. I particularly like the sharp LED combination tail lamps with revised graphics.

However, only the most expensive 2.4 VTi-L variant gets the eye catching
full LED headlamps
. The 2.0-litre variants get the less fanciful halogen projector headlamps. Yep, not even HID.
THE POWERTRAIN
As per before, the Accord is powered by two engines: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC with
153 hp
/
190 Nm
 and a 2.4-litre Earth Dreams Technology four cylinder DOHC i-VTEC with
173 hp
/
225 Nm
. Power is channelled solely to the front via a tried and tested
five-speed torque converter automatic
.
Both engines offer enough grunt; power delivery is smooth and potent for just about any occasion. Interestingly enough, they feel nearly identical in terms of acceleration and refinement. It is only past the 120 km/h mark where the 2.4-litre really shows its edge. Where the 2.0-litre starts to lose its grunt at the top end, the 2.4-litre still has plenty of reserves to continue pushing.
However, I must express that the five-speed gearbox is the Achilles heel of the otherwise decent engines. The slushbox is not as quick to respond as the
Toyota Camry
‘s six-speed & e-CVT units, nor is it as smooth as the Mazda6’s six-speed SkyActiv automatic. There’s a mild but discernible delay during manual shifting as well.
It may be slow to shift, but it’s a real smooth operator and will surely satisfy most
taukehs
and families. Besides, no one buys an Accord to boast about how much G-force it pulls in second gear.
THE DRIVE
On the snaky hilly roads of Karak Highway, the Accord 2.4 VTi-L offers ample mechanical grip thanks to
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 rubbers
 (standard fitment), and the paddle shifters make driving a little more exciting. But still it does not hide the fact that the Accord is a comfort-oriented sedan.
Body flex was apparent and the suspension has a soft damping setup. Carving corners is just not its forte. Drive it sedately, as how it should be, and you will be rewarded with a supple ride with exceptional refinement. On the other hand, when you’re in such a relaxed state, you’ll start to notice the flaws of this mismatched setup. The 18-inch alloys and low profile tyres (235/45 profile) is definitely not a fan of potholes. Tyre noise from the high-performance tyres also seeps into the otherwise muted cabin.
Sounds like a turn off? Then perhaps the 2.0 VTi-L with smaller rims (17-inch) and Goodyear Excellence passenger tyres would do the trick. I much prefer this over the 2.4L in terms of comfort, with the only trade-off being the slight dip in grip levels. Power output, while considerably lower, did not pose an issue as the 2.0-litre managed to keep up with its 2.4-litre sibling at highway speeds. Unless you’re gunning for top speed, of course…
THE BACKSEATS
Driving it may be pleasant, but you can only enjoy so much of the Accord behind the wheel. To fully appreciate what the car is really made for, Honda Malaysia arranged for a chauffeured driven journey. If there’s one thing other manufactures can learn from Honda is interior packaging. Even with the driver’s seat adjusted to accommodate a 180 cm man, I still had plenty of knee and leg room behind.
While I did mention earlier that the gearbox was “less than ideal” from the driver’s seat, but from a passenger’s perspective, it’s exceptional. Gearshifts are refined and is linear in acceleration, making it a winner for those who prefer to be driven.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If you’re in the market for a low profile, reliable and comfortable Japanese cruiser, the Honda Accord should definitely be on your list. It’s plush, refined and with the facelift, it looks really good inside and out. Both the 2.0L and 2.4 VTi-L are on par in terms of equipment but if you couldn’t care less about the LED headlamps, paddle shifters, powered rear sun blinds and 18-inch alloys, the 2.0 VTi-L is all you need and more.
However, if you can’t bring yourself to sacrifice driving pleasure and want something a little more space than the highly-capable Mazda6, perhaps the
Passat B8
 should pique your interest.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L

Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L


Will the new rear-wheel drive Porsche Taycan be too much to handle?

Porsche is welcoming the new year with a new Taycan variant, called simply as
the
 Taycan (sans emphasis, obviously). However, sharp-eyed readers will know that the rear-wheel driven (RWD) Porsche Taycan isn’t technically new, as it’s already been on sale in China since last year. In fact, it was also the car that helped Porsche claim the Guinness World Record title for the
world’s longest drift with an electric vehicle
!
Joining the
Taycan 4S
,
Turbo, and Turbo S
, the new entry-level variant will be offered with two battery options, a
79.2kWh ‘base’ Performance Battery
, and the
93.4kWh Performance Battery Plus
 – identical to the Porsche Taycan 4S, just without the motors on the front axle.
The just-call-me Taycan loses quite a significant amount of weight thanks to its rear-wheels-only drivetrain – approximately 90 kg, but the larger Performance Plus batteries does gain back a majority of them.
In terms of performance, the base Taycan’s rear-axle drivetrain pushes out
240 kW (326 hp)
 and
345 Nm
 or
280 kW (380 hp)
 and
357 Nm
 depending on the battery pack, though both will do 0-100 km/h in
5.4 seconds
, as well as the same top speed of
230 km/h
. The Performance Plus battery does edge out a little in the quarter-mile drag race, by 0.2 seconds to be exact.
Despite the difference in battery size, Porsche says that both cars will still charge from
5% to 80% in 22.5 minutes
, in ideal conditions of course. The smaller base battery charges at a peak rate of 225 kW, while the larger Performance Battery Plus can charge at up to 270 kW, when such a charger is actually accessible to regular people.
Porsche promises a
431 km
 range on the base battery, and
484 km
 on the larger Plus battery pack – both values based on the WLTP cycle. The latter value is actually the highest range offered on any Porsche Taycan variant to date.
As for standard equipment, the RWD Porsche Taycan gets LED headlights, 19-inch ‘Taycan Aero’ alloys (enabling a 0.22 Cd drag coefficient), steel coil suspensions with Porsche Active Suspension Management, as well as aluminium brake discs – with six pistons up front and four at the rear.
Buyers will be able to upgrade to “surface-coated” performance brake discs, three-chamber adaptive air suspension, as well as a 22 kW aC onboard charger.
Inside, most of the features from the higher-end variants are carried over to the base-variant RWD Porsche Taycan, including the
large curved digital instrument cluster
 and the triple-screen set-up that forms the infotainment display, passenger screen, and the climate control (for the most part) control panel.
Eight-way power-adjustable front comfort seats upholstered in “part-leather” are standard-fit items, but customers can also opt for a completely leather-free interior (the Taycan is the first Porsche model to offer this option), as well as an optional head-up display.
Without the front drivetrain, the RWD Porsche Taycan slashes its price down to GBP70,690 (~RM389k) in the UK – approximately GBP13k (~RM72k) or 16% less than the Taycan 4S, the model range’s previous entry point.
In Malaysia, the Porsche Taycan is offered in three variants: 4S, Turbo, and Turbo S, with
prices starting at RM725k
. The 2WD entry-level variant will certainly be an enticing option for buyers if – or rather when – it makes its way onto our shores.
GALLERY


2023 BMW X5 facelift teased with illuminated kidney grilles, to be launched soon?

BMW has taken to
social media
 to give us a glimpse of what the social new facelift BMW X5 would look like when its headlamps, taillights and kidney grilles are illuminated.
Last week, images of the facelift BMW X5 were leaked by an Instagram user revealing slimmer headlamps, with the addition of illuminated kidney grilles. The feature is also similarly offered in the
G06 BMW X6
.
Poised to reshape the journey ahead. Get ready.
#THEX5

pic.twitter.com/qChFxVRtRn
— BMW (@BMW)
February 6, 2023

The current generation G05 BMW X5 has been in Malaysia since May 2019 and was first introduced with the fully-imported X5 xDrive40i variant. Later on, the X5 was sold as the
xDrive45e M Sport plug-in hybrid
. The latter was locally assembled.
Currently, the X5 xDrive45e M Sport plug-in hybrid is priced at RM456,620 and is powered by a B58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six engine paired to an electric motor and an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Together, they produce 394 hp and 600 Nm, for a 0-100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds. With a 24 kWh battery (compared to 9 kWh from before), the X5 can run purely on electric power for 77 km.


Mazda to kill pure ICE – Hybrid and EV only by 2030

Mazda
 today announced a new electrification plan for its vehicles, which will lead its charge towards achieving complete carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain by 2050. The plan, which is split into three phases, will see Mazda’s entire vehicle line-up electrified by 2030, culling all pure internal combustion engine-powered models within the decade.
The
CX-60
 is Mazda’s only dedicated plug-in hybrid model thus far.
According to the press release, the first phase will utilise existing technology assets comprising “multiple electrification technologies” to both reduce the company’s environmental footprint and “produce attractive products”. The second phase will see the introduction of a new hybrid system, as well as “EV-dedicated vehicles” and battery EVs in China and select markets globally.
Finally in the third phase, Mazda says it will promote the “full-fledged launch” of EVs globally, and consider further investing in EV battery production. By 2030, the Japanese carmaker also expects its EVs to contribute between 25-40% to its global sales. The company’s previous estimated was at 25%.
RELATED:
Next-gen Mazda MX-5 will continue to feature petrol engines with mild hybrid
The
Mazda MX-30
 is only available as a full EV here in Malaysia, but will also be sold globally with a rotary engine-powered range-extender.
In achieving its goals, Mazda has announced partnerships with various companies in related electrification research projects, including Chinese battery maker Envision AESC, as well as electric component manufacturer Rohm. The partnerships will include the joint development and production of “electric drive units” (motor, inverter, and reduction gear) that are in line with Mazda’s “joy of driving” brand essence.
Reuters
 reports that the entire investment plan for electrification will cost Mazda up to 1.5 trillion yen (approx. RM48 billion), however a detailed investment timeline wasn’t provided.
Aside from cars, Mazda will also be pushing for its factories worldwide to be carbon-neutral by 2035. This will be done through “three pillars”, namely energy conservation, shift to renewable energy sources, and the use of carbon-neutral fuels.
The company also announced that it will be investing in the development of “human-centred” advanced driver assistance technology, using AI to eliminate new Mazda vehicles as a cause of fatal accidents avoidable with automotive technologies by 2040.
ALSO READ:
Mazda still believes in combustion engines, unveils three electrified RWD platforms


Facts & Figures: Maserati Levante Trofeo Launch Edition – 3 units only, now in Malaysia

Naza Italia has officially launched the
Maserati Levante Trofeo
 in our country, and as a bonus, our country have been allocated
three units
 of the limited edition Levante Trofeo Launch Edition,
out of 100 in the world
.
The
Levante Trofeo
 sits at the top of the Levante model line-up, featuring an aggressive styling to go alongside its impressive performance. The Launch Edition, introduced – as the name suggests – during the launch of the Trofeo, sets itself apart with some additional exclusive styling cues.

EXTERIOR
The three units available in Malaysia will each be painted in one of the three unique exterior hues reserved exclusively for the Launch edition –
Blu Emozione Matte
,
Giallo Modenese
 (yellow) and
Rosso Magma
 (red) – making sure that no other Launch Edition Levante Trofeo will be the same as yours.
Other exterior features on the Launch Edition include:
Nerissimo Package (blacked-out window frames, body-coloured door handles)
22-inch multi-spoke Orione alloy wheels in matte finishing
colour-matched brake callipers
carbon fibre inserts on the bumpers, side skirts and specially designed bonnet
Otherwise, the exterior remains identical to the Trofeo, which includes full-matrix LED adaptive headlights, Black Piano-painted double vertical bars front grille, aggressive air intakes on the lower bumper featuring honey comb mesh and carbon-fibre side vents, a carbon-fibre front splitter, and of course – the Trofeo
Saetta
 logo emblazoned on the C-pillar.
INTERIOR
The special Launch Edition treatment continues inside. The limited-edition model comes with a
personalised badge
 on the centre console with the words “
One of 100
“, as well as colour-matched (to exterior paint job)
contrast stitching
 and a
“Trofeo” logo embroidered on the headrest
.
The rest of the cabin is dressed identically to the “regular” Levante Trofeo. The interior features include:
matte carbon fibre interior trims and paddle shifters
Trofeo-specific instrument cluster graphics
floor mats with metal Trofeo badges
Unique Maserati analogue clock
1,280-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound audio system
PERFORMANCE
No changes are made to the powertrain on the Launch Edition, which means you’ll still get one of the most powerful engines ever fitted into a Maserati.
Engine: Ferrari-sourced 3.8-litre Twin Turbocharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox
Drivetrain: Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive system
Suspension: Adjustable air springs with Skyhook adaptive damping
Horsepower: 590 hp
Torque: 730 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 3.9 seconds
Top Speed: 304 km/h
The new Levante Trofeo also comes with a new Corsa drive mode – which is the hottest driving setting available exclusively to the top-of-the-range model.
With this mode activated, the air suspension is automatically lowered, damping and all-wheel drive settings adjusted for a sportier driving experience, while traction control and ESP systems are restrained. The mode also comes with launch control, allowing you to achieve the 3.9 seconds century sprint time.
PRICING
The limited-edition Maserati Levante Trofeo Launch Edition is priced at
RM838,800
, before local duties and taxes, and inclusive of full specifications and options. As standard, the Trofeo Launch Edition comes with a three-year Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction, as well as a three-year/60,000 km Premium Service Plus free maintenance programme.
Additionally, customers who book one in the month of June will also be eligible for an exclusive ‘Serenity’ Seven-year warranty program.
As for the regular Levante Trofeo, the model will be available at a later date on an by-order basis.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ferrari’s 3.9-litre twin turbo V8 wins International Engine of the Year award

Ferrari’s 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine (codenamed F154CB) has been nominated as the best engine in the world
for the third year running
 (previously in 2017 & 2016) at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards.
The powerplant found in the
488 Pista
,
488 GTB
  (
as featured in our 2016 year end special
) and the
 488 Spider
 won by an astouding margin, scoring 486 points more than Porsche’s 3.0-litre flat-six engine in second place.
Out of the 13 categories contested, Ferrari walked away with five awards:
International Engine of the Year – Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8
Performance Engine of the Year – Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8
Best New Engine title – Ferrari 6.5-litre V12 (
Ferrari 812 Superfast
)
Best Engine 3.0-litre to 4.0-litre – Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8
Best Engine Above 4.0-litre – Ferrari 6.5-litre V12
“In the 488 GTB, the 3.9-litre eight-cylinder was a near-perfect example of a high-performance turbocharged engine but the redeveloped and tweaked unit for the 488 Pista, the best engine in the world just got better. Without doubt, we’re looking at an engineering masterclass from Ferrari. No turbo lag, beautiful delivery, raw emotion, a furious growl and so much power – this Ferrari V8 is a work of art,” said

co-chairman of the IEOTY Awards, Dean Slavnich.
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: All-new Hyundai Elantra, 5 Things

Sensuous Sportiness is now the name of
Hyundai’s
design game and just as you’ve seen with the radical
 new Sonata
, the
all-new Elantra
follows after its bigger sibling with a design previously exclusive for a spaceship.
Being longer and wider than before, the all-new Elantra is only available in a
single variant
, powered by a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine with
123 hp
 and
154 Nm
. Power is sent to the front wheels via Hyundai’s Intelligent Variable Transmission.
On the inside, the Elantra features what Hyundai called an “immersive cocoon” design – where all the controls are tilted towards the driver – emulating a fighter-jet cockpit. In terms of space, rear legroom has now been
expanded by 58 mm
, along with a larger boot at 470 litres.

It’s rather well equipped too. Among them includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone air conditioning, 8-way powered seats for the driver, wireless charging, and auto brake hold.
Safety systems include six airbags, forward collision avoidance, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor, safe exit warning, Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Following Assist.
The all-new Hyundai Elantra is priced at
RM158,888
 on-the-road, without insurance following the
extension of SST exemptions
. It’s accompanied by a 5-year/300,000 km warranty, and a 3-year/50,000 km free service maintenance programme.


Mazda 2 Facelift coming to Thailand on June 21 – Futuristic or sporty face? Your choice

The current generation of the
Mazda 2
 was first introduced back in 2014, and since then the B-segment hatchback has gone through two facelifts. This includes the recent facelift that
debuted in Japan earlier this year
. Mazda Thailand has just confirmed that the recently facelifted Japanese hatchback will be making its debut in the Land of Smiles on
June 21
,
2023
.
A total of three variants of the 2023 Mazda 2 facelift will be offered in Thailand, namely the BD, Sunlit Citrus, and Sport variants. The Mazda 2 facelift on the outside sports a similar design as before. Notable changes include the newly designed grille, front and rear bumpers, and wheels.
‘Sport’ trim of the new Mazda 2
Both the BD and Sunlit Citrus variants get the new EV-like grille together with a coloured decoration piece. The BD variant also gets 16-inch dual-tone wheel caps with colours to match the primary body colour of the car.
The Sunlit Citrus variant in Thailand comes with 16-inch dual-tone wheels as an option and is available as standard with 15-inch single-tone wheels as well. The Sport variant, on the other hand, features a gloss black mesh grille, together with 16-inch exclusive aluminium wheels.
RELATED:
New Mazda 2 facelift debuts with EV-like grille, 198 colour combinations
Sunlit gold-coloured interior of the Sunlit Citrus trim
Interior-wise, the 2023 Mazda 2 facelift pretty much sports the same interior design as before. Interestingly, the Sunlit Citrus variant in Thailand will be coming with a Sunlit gold-coloured interior too.
The people over in Thailand will continue to get the same powertrain options they have gotten before with the Mazda 2. This includes the 1.3-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine and the 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G diesel engine.
The 1.3-litre petrol option is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to the front wheels. This results in
93 hp
 and
123 Nm
. The 1.5-litre diesel option is also paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Power is also sent to the front wheels only, resulting in
105 hp
 and
250 Nm
.
Closer to home, the Mazda 2 is offered in both sedan and hatchback variants. Powered by Mazda’s 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine, prices for the Mazda 2 in Malaysia starts from RM103,670 and tops out at RM104,610.
RELATED:
Next-gen Mazda CX-5 reportedly coming in 2025 – Possible hybrid variant


Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 & Spyder, 4.0 litres of naturally aspirated goodness

Porsche’s entry-level sports car and roadster have finally gotten the GT treatment and for the first time ever, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder shares the same technical base.
Both models are now powered by a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six petrol engine that is adapted from the engine found in the 911 Carrera Turbo. The boxer engine now generates
420 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque and revs out to 8,000 rpm.
Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h takes
4.4 seconds
 while top speed is registered at
301 km/h
 on the 718 Spyder and
304 km/h
 on the 718 Cayman GT4. A
6-speed manual transmission
 is retained for maximum driving pleasure.
Porsche has made great
strides with the 718 Cayman GT4’s aerodynamics, now with 50% more downforce
compared to its predecessor without increasing drag. The fixed rear wing also produces
20% more downforce than the model it replaces, additional 12 kg at 200 km/h
while the newly designed single-chamber arch rear silencer and diffuser
accounts for 30% of the downforce at the rear axle.

The 718 Spyder also
shares the same aerodynamic innovations but swaps the fixed rear wing for an active
spoiler that deploys at 120 km/h. Like the models that came before it, the
Spyder gets a lightweight removable fabric roof that can be stowed away under
the boot lid in a few steps. Porsche assures that the soft top can cope at
maximum velocity.
Other chassis developments
from the GT division include new lightweight spring-strut on the front and rear
axles, Porsche Active Suspension Management damping system that lowers the ride
height by 30 mm as well as recalibrated Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and
Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock.

Exclusive to the 718 Cayman
GT4 is the optional Clubsport package that adds a rear steel roll bar, fire extinguisher
and six-point harnesses for the driver.
IMAGE GALLERY
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Unveiled

Porsche 718 Spyder Unveiled


This replica engine of the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B is every petrolhead’s dream toy!

Mazda through their merchandise channel
MZ Racing
 has released a range of highly detailed scaled models of their most memorable and iconic racing machine- the Mazda 787B that won the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hour race.
For this range of scale models that also celebrates their race win 30 years ago, Mazda has made replica pieces of the legendary R26B rotary engine.
Craftsmen from the
Kusaka Engineering
 company were again engaged to produced these highly detailed art pieces, as they were last time for the limited-edition Mazda 787B scale model.
Two items have been masterfully crafted by the engineering company that was based on the 1:6-scale Mazda 787B model. First is the engine model that’s an accurately reproduced static model with no moving parts, loaded with details that include the variable-length intake runners, full-length exhaust system, high-tension leads that included the third spark plug and the alternator.
Mazda 787B
This art piece can be had with either with or without the No. 55 Mazda 787B in the iconic orange and green Renown Charge livery in 1:43-scale. The second is a simpler and smaller piece-a four-pipe exhaust system that ends with a large muffler. Key details on this scale model include replication of the welds as well as heat stress and carbon deposit.
With the size of the replica at 1:6-scale and extremely detailed, these fine art pieces are priced accordingly. The simplest model of just the exhaust manifold and muffler is priced at
JPY41,800
 (RM1,650).
The engine and race car model combo is priced at
 JPY179,300
 (RM7,000), while a base with just the engine model alone is
JPY165,000
 (RM6,400).
Mazda’s R26B engine from the 787B racer
To recap, the Mazda R26B is a naturally-aspirated four-rotor rotary engine that develops
700 horsepower
 at 9,000rpm. It utilised the same rotor shape as the production 13B.
Mazda is
bringing back the rotary engine
 but with a twist in the latest
Mazda MX-30
 as soon as next year.
Check out the MZ Racing website for more listing of their collection that’s all related to Mazda. Also, take a look at the engine models that
Kusaka Engineering
 crafts! You will be impressed especially if you are a big
Nissan GT-R
 fan!
GALLERY
Mazda R26B
Mazda 787B


Did Mercedes-AMG just tease the upcoming GT 73 in a year-end video?

As a wrap-up to a successful and triumphant year, Mercedes-AMG posted a thank-you video in tribute to the entire AMG team for their dedication and hardwork throughout the year.
The video blitz through the names of each of their staff, overlaid onto clips of various AMG cars doing what they do best. However in the last couple of seconds (at 2:17), something unusual caught the keen eyes of the netizens.

Well to be exact, something caught their
ears
. On first glance, the camouflaged car looks just like the current
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S
. However, as it pulls away, the electric whirring sound – as if a spaceship is about to take off, tells us that this is no ordinary GT four-door.
Based on the sound, it isn’t too far fetched to assume that the car teased in the video is the Mercedes-AMG GT 73, which is slated to arrive sometime this year.
Mercedes-AMG GT Concept
The GT 73, which is reportedly based on the
AMG GT Concept
 shown at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS), is rumoured to receive a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, paired with an electric motor on its front axle.
Combined power output is said to surpass
800 hp
, which is considerably more than the 639 hp of the GT 63 S. With that amount of power on tap, zero-to-hundred km/h should take
less than three seconds
.
The GT 73 will also resurrect the “73” moniker, which was introduced and last used on the ultra-rare R129 Mercedes SL 73 AMG – reportedly only 85 units were ever made. Although, the new AMG GT 73 will definitely not have the true-to-name engine capacity of 7.3-litres.
Although the debut date still remains unknown, the car has been seen going through testing, as
we reported back in 2018
. Based on the video above, the car looks to be almost production-ready, too. Does the 2020 GIMS, happening in March, sound like a good time to launch the car?


The 1,000 hp Ferrari SF90 Stradale smashed the Top Gear track record by more than a second!

We knew the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, with 1,000 hp from its hybrid powertrain, will be fast – but not for a moment did we think that the
series-production
model will be this much faster than the limited-production king-of-the-hill
 LaFerrari
, let alone set a brand-new record at the Top Gear test track.
The first episode of show’s 29th season, which premiered over the weekend, featured the Ferrari SF90 Stradale setting a lap time of
1:11.3
 around the iconic Top Gear test track. Even in the capable hands of The Stig (which admittedly is played by multiple racing drivers), the SF90 Stradale looked like a handful to tame – watch the full lap in the video below, and don’t worry because it won’t take long.

For context, the previous lap record was held by the

Ferrari 488 Pista
, with a time of 1:12.7 – that’s a 1.4 seconds gain from the previous best result. The limited-production LaFerrari of the affectionately-named “Holy Trinity” meanwhile, “only” managed a time of 1:14.2, though it should be noted that it was an “unofficial” run on a slightly damp track, and not driven by The Stig.
In the episode, show host and automotive journalist Chris Harris also noted that the SF90 Stradale was so fast that The Stig had to lift for the Follow Through corner, where it is usually taken flat out in most other cars. The 0-100 km/h time of
2.5 seconds
, when viewed from the side at the starting line, almost felt like the footage was sped up.
The latest series-production hypercar to come out of Maranello is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, the most powerful Ferrari has ever made, itself making 780 hp and 800 Nm of torque. Pair that to a pair of electric motor – one between the engine and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and one on the front axle – and you’ll get this 1,000 hp road-going missile that anyone with enough money can buy.
And if you do have that kind of money and want to experience the speed by yourself, then great news – because the Ferrari SF90 Stradale was
recently launched in Malaysia
, starting at RM1.9 million before option, duties, taxes, and other on-the-road costs.


All-new Audi A3 Sportback aims to be the most dynamic handling yet

The
fourth generation Audi A3 Sportback
 will break cover at the forthcoming Geneva motor show in early March, and according to Audi, it promises to offer the ‘highest level’ of driving dynamics courtesy of the latest advancements in the quattro all-wheel drive system, electronic stability control, steering and damping.
New on the quattro system for a transversal engine layout is the location of the
electrohydraulic clutch at the end of the prop shaft
, or in front of the rear differential. Audi says that this aids axle load distribution. Said AWD system is also able to active apportion just the right amount torque to the rear wheels (even up
to 100%
) when required, but would remain largely front-wheel driven in ‘normal conditions’ to maximise fuel efficiency.
Electronic stabilisation control is usually called upon to keep cars and drivers from falling off the road, but the safety feature can also be used to sharpen up handling. Audi is introducing
wheel-selective torque control
 in the new A3 which works through the application of braking on the inside wheels when tackling a curve at high speed, this has the effect of helping the car turn into a corner, making the car more agile as well.
While on the topic of cornering, the soon-to-revealed new A3 also gets a new steering rack which Audi dubs as
electromechanical progressive steering
. You probably can guess the intention here – to lower the effort required to turn the wheel at slower speeds (especially in town) but to offer a meatier, ‘sportier’ feel at high speeds, and this is achieved by varying the ratios which the rack and pinion steering system operates on and also the electrical assistance required.
Central to the improved dynamics of the new A3 would also involve
new dampers of the adaptive type
, as well as sensors measuring movement of the body and wheels. The electromagnetic dampers can react within milliseconds to stiffen or soften the damping. Of course, the driver can also select between ‘comfort’, ‘auto’ and ‘dynamic’ damping modes under Audi’s Drive Select.
No specific info yet on the available powertrains, but expect some hardware already revealed on the
Mk8 Volkswagen Golf
 to be available on the A3 as both utilise the same upgraded
MQB platform
.


Proton Wira is Malaysia’s most stolen car

A report from the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) reveals that the Proton Wira is still the top choice for car thieves in 2014 and 2015. At the same time, the increasing number of car thefts in this country puts Malaysia at rank six in the world for vehicle thefts!
An average of
60 cars are stolen per day
 across the country, with 4,472 cars were reported to be stolen from January to June 2016. A total of 11,796 vehicles were lost to thieves during the same duration as well. PIAM confirmed this year saw a
drop of  5 percent
 as compared to last year.
With Proton Wira getting the most attention among car thieves, the
Toyota Hilux
 became the second highest car to be stolen. This follows by two cars no longer sold in Malaysia, namely Proton Iswara, Proton Waja and Perodua Kancil. The
Perodua Myvi
 was listed as the sixth most stolen car in both 2014 and 2015, followed by the Proton Saga in seventh. The old three-door favourite, the Proton Satria,is in eighth place.
As you can see, older cars are highly targeted by thieves due to their
low-tech security
 which makes them easier to steal. The Proton Wira is based on a Mitsubishi model of the early 90s, and requires less sophisticated tools to steal as compared to say, a modern BMW. After all, thieves are motivated by supply and demand and as long these cars remain on our roads, the demand for spare parts will also be there.
In the end, always be vigilant with your cars even if it’s a beat-up Proton, and be sure to invest in a decent anti-theft device.
[Source:
The Star
]


Proton sales rebound in May with 9,792 units sold, parts shortage issue stabilised

Proton
 has announced its sales results for May 2022, where it managed to deliver
 9,792 vehicles
 to new owners in both domestic and export markets.
The figure translates to a 10.8% increase over
April 2022
, and a 3.7% increase over the
 same period last year
– although it has to be said that the country was placed under a strict Movement Control Order (MCO) during that time.
With the latest sales figure now accounted for, Proton’s overall sales year-to-date is sufficient to maintain its second-place position in the nation’s sales chart. According to its internal data, its market share is estimated to be at 19.6%, while year-to-date (YTD) market share is currently estimated at 17.1%.
Proton says that the increase in sales is a direct result of the company boosting its production volume to catch up to market demand. The national carmaker added that it is still continuously trying to secure sufficient parts supply in order to clear its backlog of orders, however the parts shortage issue that plagued its April sales data has largely been stabilised.
In terms of the individual models, the national carmaker’s sales last month is, once again, mainly contributed by the
Proton Saga
 with 3,996 units sold – although, that figure is only sufficient to place it in second-place among the A-segment sedans.
Following in a close second is the
Proton X50
 with 2,779 units delivered in May, making it the market leader not only for B-segment SUVs, but the overall SUV market as well. Coming in third was the
Persona
with 1,385 units, followed by the
X70
 with 692 units delivered. The
Proton Iriz
 and
Exora
 meanwhile recorded 553 and 387 units sold respectively in the last month.
Export sales are also trending upwards for Proton, with total exports YTD for the brand currently standing at 2,086 units (+47% over the same period last year). Pakistan is currently the largest export market with 1,350 units sold YTD, followed by Egypt and Brunei with 172 and 158 units respectively.
For the month of May 2022 alone, Proton recorded a total export volume of 513 units, or a 12.5% increase when compared to the previous month.
The rise in export sales is unsurprisingly driven by the Saga, which is now being
locally-assembled in Pakistan
 and Kenya. To date, Proton has exported 1,492 units of the Saga, which translates to an increase of 71% compared to the previous year.
RELATED: Proton resumes export to South Africa – first shipment since 2012 includes X50, X70, Saga


Facts & Figures: Bentley Flying Spur V8 arrives in Malaysia, from RM839k

After launching the
6.0-litre W12 version
 of the
Flying Spur
 in February last year, Bentley Kuala Lumpur has now announced the arrival of the V8 model with a base price of
RM839,000
before options and taxes
Under the hood now is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 550 hp and 770 Nm; good for a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.1 seconds onward to a top speed of 318 km/h.
When less than 235 Nm is required and engine revs are below 3,000 rpm, the V8 engine will automatically and seamlessly shut down four of its eight cylinders for higher efficiency and lower emissions.
Occupants will not notice this as the switch happens
within 20 milliseconds
, about 1/10 of the time it takes to blink an eye. Bentley says this also improves fuel consumption by up to 16%.
Also contributing to the Flying Spur’s efficiency while improving its agility is the lack of “body fat”. The V8 model is some
100 kg lighter
 than the W12 model.
In striking a fine balance between comfort and agility, the V8 Flying Spur is equipped with adaptive air suspension and a 48V electric active roll control system for reduced body roll to ensure better stability and allowing it to corner flat.
The improved air suspension also contains
60% more air volume
for an

even more precise setup of the suspension, according to the drive mode selected.
This is done in accordance with Bentley’s research from the last 10 years, which has seen a shift in usage of the Flying Spur – from being chauffeur-driven to self-driven vehicles.
On the outside, customers have
over 60 exterior colours
to choose from to complement the standard 20-inch wheels. Inside, there are five different hides available, with an additional 10, should the customer opt for the Colour Specification option.
The cabin is furnished with Crown Cut Walnut trims as standard but the highlight of which has to be the
Bentley Rotating Display
with three different surfaces – a 12.3-inch touchscreen, 3 analogue dials, or just a plain wood surface.
The centrepiece of the rear section is the
Touch Screen Remote
 that’s seamlessly integrated into the rear console. Users will be able to control features like the rear seat massage, air conditioning, and even the blinds with it.
Further adding to the opulent cabin is a refrigerator wedged in between the rear seats, behind the armrest. Operating temperatures can be as low as -6 degrees, with the fridge capable of accommodating up to six 330 ml cans or two full-sized champagne bottles.
GALLERY


BMW is whetting appetites with more stunning shots of the G20 3-series

BMW just released a new spread of images of the new
G20 BMW 3-series
 in the picturesque town of Portimao in Southern Portugal, from the recent International Media Launch, which we ourselves were privileged to be a part of.
Globally unveiled at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October, the more aggressively-styled G20 3-series was initially offered in six different variants ranging from 318d to 330i with the latter capable of doing 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds.
Model
Power
Torque
0 to 100km/h
Top Speed
320i
184 hp
300 Nm
7.2 secs
238 km/h
330i
258 hp
400 Nm
5.8 secs
250 km/h
318d
150 hp
320 Nm
8.5 secs
226 km/h
320d
190 hp
400 Nm
7.1 secs
240 km/h
320d xDrive
190 hp
400 Nm
6.9 secs
233 km/h
330d
265 hp
580 Nm
5.5 secs
250 km/h
BMW also made sure that the G20 had the excess styling (if needed) to go with its speed. If you thought those headlamps looked brash, wait till you check out the endless carbon trims and cross-spoke wheels among other add-ons from
the M Performance Kit collection
.
As a hint of what the new M3 could potentially do, a
M340i xDrive was introduced
 in November – with
374 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque paired to BMW’s 8-Speed Steptronic – capable of hitting 100 km/h from a stand in just 4.4 seconds.
Not a BMW 3-series will be left wanting for power; certainly not its battery-laden models like the 330e.
The new G20 330e is said to offer an additional few litres of boot space with a new
XtraBoost function
 that temporarily boosts the electric motor’s output to
109 hp
while the vehicle is in Sport mode.
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton named Official Vehicle brand of 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022

Proton has been named one of the Official Vehicle brands of the 19th Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China, as it is under the Geely Auto Group umbrella. Geely is an Official Prestige Partner for the games.
The games, which will take place from the 10th to the 25th of September 2022, is not only seen as an opportunity to support the largest multi-sports event in Asia but a marketing platform for the Proton brand across markets in Asia.
As such, the Proton Saga, Iriz, Persona, Exora, X50, and X70 have been selected as the Official Vehicle of the games held in the Zhejiang province of China.
RELATED:

Proton to import and distribute Smart EVs in Malaysia and Thailand
In support of this, Proton will also roll out a nationwide awareness campaign for the sporting event to gather support for our local athletes, in line with the 19th Asian Games slogan –
Heart to Heart, @Future.
Proton R3 unveils a new range of engine oil and motorsports-inspired merchandise.
Read it here!
“The 19th Asian games will be an important platform for Proton and we want to connect people from all walks of life to the excitement of both sports and our cars,” said Proton, Deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah.
The awareness campaign will kick off with the “Proton Ignite Your Life” contest where customers will stand a chance to win prizes when they register a Saga, Iriz, Persona, Exora, X50, or X70 from the 1st of February to the 31st of July 2022.
The Grand Prize winner will receive an exclusive trip to Hangzhou to watch the games live, as well as vouchers for sporting goods. Stay tuned for the activities via Proton’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
RELATED:
Proton sold 114,708 cars in 2021 – now the best-selling SUV brand in Malaysia


Volvo wants you to enjoy city driving in the Volvo XC40, here’s how

Volvo understands very well that its target audience for the small premium SUV, the XC40 will spend most of their time in urban setting.
Inspired by the urbanites and pop culture
, Volvo has poured considerable amount of effort to create a driving experience designed for this specific group of individuals.
The Swedes went as far as studying how people around the world utilise the interior to create a
clutter-free cabin
. Today, Volvo has explained how they are going to help the daily urban commute
 less stressful
 and more
enjoyable
 with the XC40’s active safety systems.
As standard, the XC40 will come with Volvo’s semi-autonomous
Pilot Assist
 system, latest generation of
City Safety
, Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with auto brake and 360-degree camera. These and among other technologies make the XC40 one of the
safest
 and best-equipped SUV in the segment. These safety systems, according to Volvo, allows the driver to drive in a relaxed manner
without
 jeopardising safety levels.
Like it’s larger siblings the XC60 and XC90, the XC40 will also feature
Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system
, a large portrait-oriented touch screen display located right at the centre of the dashboard. The Sensus system allows user to connect to a host of function and services intuitively without taking their attention off the road for too long.

“Modern city life presents complex challenges for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. With the XC40, we aim to reduce the so-called cognitive load on the driver. While our safety and driver-assistance systems actively identify and mitigate potential conflicts, you as a driver can relax more and therefore enjoy city driving,” said Vice President Volvo Cars Safety Centre, Malin Ekholm, .
IMAGE GALLERY


UMW Toyota confirms no price increase for CKD models

UMW Toyota Motor
 (UMWT) has issued a press statement confirming that there would be “no planned increase in the prices of Toyota CKD (locally-assembled) models at this time”.
While the motivation behind the statement is unclear, it’s reassuring to know that UMW Toyota has committed to
maintain existing prices
 in light of the
recent upward adjustment
 by Honda Malaysia of between 5% to 8% on selected models, citing a
‘review on the CKD customised incentives’
which the company enjoys.
UMW Toyota also reiterated that the
Ministry of Finance
 had given assurance that if the price of any CKD model was affected as a result of the
transparent methodology
 of reporting
Open Market Value
 (impacting the excise duty calculation) which had come into effect early in the year, the increase would be
fully exempted for 2020
.

It’s not a typo, watch to find out why.
Ravindran K, President of UMW Toyota, said that factors such as
exchange rates
 and
tax revisions
 can affect prices but as far as possible, UMW has always tried to maintain price stability by absorbing the increases as much as possible.
The CKD models in UMWT’s current line-up are the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Vios, Toyota Rush, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Innova and Toyota Hiace.


‘Ride along’ in the latest Honda Civic Type R as it breaks a new record in Japan!

When the
previous generation FK8 Honda Civic Type R
 was launched, it couldn’t stop breaking records. Among them were new records at the
Nurburgring
,
 Spa
,
Silverstone
, and in its home ground at the
Suzuka Circuit
 with a
limited-edition Type R
.
With the latest Type R, at the Suzuka Circuit at least, it has already extended its legacy by setting a
new track record for a front-wheel drive car
 at the home of the Japanese F1 Grand Prix. The time set on the 5.7 km circuit was 2:23.120 seconds. The record set by the previous FK8 Civic Type R was 2:23:993 back in 2020.

Not much was revealed through the onboard camera inside the car, but one thing’s for sure, there’s no doubt that the new sports car sounds a lot angrier with a raspy exhaust note.
So far, the word is that the new Civic Type R will get an upgraded version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine used in the previous generation FK8 Civic Type R. It’s safe to assume that the new Type R will make more than the 306 hp and 400 Nm in the previous generation model.
As for the date of release, the all-new Type R
based on the 11th generation Civic
 is expected to debut in the second half of this year.


Volkswagen updates its logo – reopens dealerships for business in China

Volkswagen has debuted a refreshed and and what the company deems to be a “digitally friendly re-imagination of its signature logo” which will be rolled out in vehicles for the US market.
Led by Volkswagen Chief Designer Klaus Bischoff, who was
also responsible for redesigning the new “R” logo
, the new logo was designed to be versatile, “digital-first” and reduces the logo to essential elements, which is now presented as flat and two dimensional. If you remember, this was the rather similar approach BMW took with it’s redesigned badge.
The logo’s blue and white colors have also been refreshed with a new deep blue tone.
The new logo is a symbol and trademark. With a flat two-dimensional design reduced to its essential elements, it can be used extremely flexibly.
“My personal drive in this redesign was
to make the W float
, bringing a new lightness to the Volkswagen brand. The new Volkswagen logo was also redesigned to fit smaller items such smartwatch or phones as well as those that appear in the company’s factories and plants.
It’s safe to
expect the new VW Golf
to don the new logo.
By mid-2020, the brand plans to complete the rollout of the rebrand across the 10,000 dealers in 171 markets spanning 154 countries and has made its USA debut on the 2020 Atlas Cross Sport.
In other news, recovery seems to be underway in the Chinese auto market as Volkswagen Group has announced that all 2,000 of its dealerships have now reopened.
V
olkswagen Passat or the new Honda Accord?
 Here’s what we think!
The company also announced the same for its other subsidiaries with local operations in China, namely Audi and Skoda. With the reopening of the SAIC Volkswagen plant in Changsha, Hunan, 32 out of 33 of Volkswagen Group China’s local facilities have resumed operations.
Dealerships have also reported strong customer interest. Traffic on showroom floors during the last weekend of March was comparable to the same period last year.


This is one cool pick-up truck from Canada, made of ice! [+Videos]

Now, you’ve probably seen the
real life Lego car
 that’s actually drivable, this is on a completely new degree, Celsius that is. Some folks from Canada built one cool pickup truck, out of ice! Yes, the same little cold and frozen cubes that you put in your drink.
The icy cold truck weighs over 11,000 pounds, which is about5,000kg, complete with a fully functional engine and electronics. It uses a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD frame, then received a lot of help from Bronson Line Automotive Ltd, Pick Me Productions and Iceculture. This ice truck is actually a promotional stunt by
Canadian Tire
 to show that their batteries can operate under extreme conditions, -49 degree Celsius to be exact.
This is one of the weird and wacky things people do just to stand out from the crowd. Kudos to the team for being able to pull this task off so well!
Check out the videos and some images below.
[divider]
VIDEOS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3i_bsfwPE1s
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda MX-5 crowned as Best Car and Car Design of 2016!

Mazda has scooped up two distinguished trophies with the MX-5, right after the fourth-generation roadster was named the
2015 Japan Car of the Year
. It beat the
Audi A4 (B9)
 and
Mercedes-Benz GLC
 for the overall World Car of the Year title.
Known as the Oscars for the motoring industry, the awards were presented during a press conference at the New York Motor Show. The World Car Awards jurors were impressed with the MX-5’s back to basic stance, exceptional design and fun to drive attributes.
The Hiroshima-based car manufacturer has consistently been a strong performer in the World Car of the Year awards. The last generation Mazda2 took the crown jewel home in 2008, though the Mazda3 and Mazda6 finished within the top three in 2014 and 2013 respectively. These achievements are a testament to Mazda (still a relatively small and independent carmaker) for crafting one of the finest cars from the Far East.
On the other hand, the
Audi R8 Coupe
 wins
2016 World Performance Car award
, while the
Luxury Car award
 goes to the
BMW 7 Series
. The current world’s biggest car brand in the world, Toyota, bagged the
2016 World Green Car
 with the
 Toyota Mirai
.
We have reviewed the MX-5 in both
written
 form and video forms, so be sure to check out and judge for yourself what makes the MX-5 the 2016 World Car of the Year.


The new Bentayga Hybrid is Bentley’s first step into electrification

Having recently unveiled the
most powerful Bentayga
 and
setting the record as the fastest SUV in Pikes Peak
, Bentley has announced that the new Bentayga Hybrid is now on sale in Europe.
Handcrafted in Crewe, England, the company’s most efficient model ever combines a new, highly efficient 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with a state-of-the-art electric motor, unlike the
W12 beast we got to review last year
.
The Bentayga Hybrid utilises an E Motor, which acts as both an electric motor and a power generator. The Permanent Magnet Synchronous system offers
127 hp
and
400 Nm
 of torque, while its high voltage battery is capable of recharging in just 2.5 hours. On a single charge, the Bentayga Hybrid offers up to 39 km of electric range.
The E Motor in the Bentayga Hybrid is combined with a new 3.0-litre, turbocharged V6 petrol engine. The result is a seamless driving experience that offers
700 Nm
 of combined torque, a top speed of 254 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.
The Bentayga hybrid, where each takes 130 hours to build, comes with drive modes. In
 EV Drive Mode
, the all-new hybrid is driven only with energy supplied from the battery to the wheels via the electric motor.
In
Hybrid Mode
 the car uses information from the navigation system to intelligently optimise power usage from the battery and the petrol engine, giving maximum efficiency and range.
In
Hold Mode
 the use of engine and electric power is balanced to maintain electric range for later use – for example on arriving in a city. In all modes energy is recovered to the battery through regeneration during deceleration.
The Bentayga Hybrid is the first step on Bentley’s journey into the new world of electric vehicles, which will see the marque roll out an electrified version of every nameplate by 2023.
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Petrol and diesel price ceiling not removed, says trade minister

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi has said that the retail price ceiling for petrol and diesel fuel has not been removed, contrary to widespread media reports yesterday, according to a report by
Bernama
.
“No..no..no. Don’t be misled. Don’t misunderstand it. We have not removed the so-called ceiling price, it is the same,” Nanta said in a press conference yesterday.
It was widely reported by local media yesterday that the price control order for petrol and diesel fuels has been removed, in response to a gazetted amendment order dated June 3, titled
Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Determination of Maximum Retail Price for Petrol and Diesel) (No. 8) (Revocation) Order 2020
.
However, the ministry later published a press release to reassure the public that the maximum retail price of fuels in the country has not been changed. As before, the pricing of petrol and diesel fuel is based on the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM), influenced by the price of refined petroleum products in line with the global crude oil price.
Since
30th March 2017
, the retail pricing of petrol and diesel fuels were set weekly and enforced by KPDNHEP through federal gazette under the order of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. However, the ministry has since changed the mechanism of enforcement as of February 29 this year, through the Supply Control Instructions under the Supply Control Act.
As such, the weekly retail prices of petroleum fuel have not been published in the federal gazette since
21 February
. The revocation order dated June 3 essentially revokes the out-of-date pricing.
“The changes in the mechanism were intended to improve the effectiveness of enforcement and monitoring by KPDNHEP in case there is any violation of the rule under the Act,” the press release read.
Nanta reassures that KPDNHEP is committed in ensuring prices set by oil companies and petrol stations are in compliance to those set by the Ministry of Finance, to protect the consumers rights, as well as welfare and well-being of the public.


There are now 8,000 Lamborghini Aventadors and 11,000 Huracans in the world

It’s been seven years since the introduction of the Aventador and since then, Lamborghini has not looked back – achieving an important milestone in its history with 8,000 units produced.
Chassis number 8,000 is an Aventador S Roadster: the model in a Grey “Grigio Telesto” colour is set for delivery to its new owner in Japan.
The
Huracan Performante Spyder
.
The
 Huracán
 on the other hand, after just four years of production has seen car number 11,000 rolled off the assembly line. The car in Blue Nethuns bearing the chassis number 11,000, will be destined for the Italian market.
Automobili Lamborghini’s worldwide deliveries increased by more than 10% to 2,327 cars in the first half of 2018. Global sales of the Huracán model line with coupé and Spyder as well as racecar versions, showed an increase from 1,400 to 1,604 units. The Aventador line maintained the high level of the previous period with 673 units delivered.


Would you like your Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ to look like the Lexus LFA?

As a “tribute” to the legendary Lexus LFA, the car that was more expensive for Lexus to develop and build than for customers to buy, DAMD has created a body kit that’ll make your Toyota GT86 or Subaru BRZ look like the V10 supercar.
If you’re wondering who DAMD is; they’re a Japanese body kit manufacturer/specialist responsible for dressing up the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driven by Paul Walker in 2 Fast 2 Furious.
DAMD also made headlines recently after they created two very unique body kits to transform the
new Suzuki Jimny
 into a
Land Rover Defender or a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen
.
Call it cool or pretentious but it just reminds me of the time when Toyota MR-2s were rampantly being converted to Ferrari 355s and how Audi TT owners were getting their sportscars to look like the Audi R8.
Not sure why you’d do that cause if it’s an R8 or 355 that you really want, why not work harder for it; rather than settling for second best – something your friends will no doubt give you a hard time over.
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda launches new “Honda ON” online store in Japan

Honda in Japan has launched a new online store called
Honda ON
 to allow Generation Z buyers to purchase cars through their smartphones, without ever visiting the dealerships.

The online store will serve as a one-stop centre with services including quotations, price negotiations and insurance purchases. The new initiative is meant to adapt and take advantage of the recent increase in online shopping and remote working.
Honda says the online store offers a user experience that exceeds customer expectations. Despite its focus on Generation Z buyers, the company said the online portal can be used intuitively by older customers.
In the online store, customers can learn more about vehicle subscription services, maintenance costs, taxes, monthly payments, and even insurance costs. Customers can even arrange for test drives through the portal for specific vehicles such as the N-Box, Fit, Freed, and Vezel (HR-V in Malaysia).
The best part is, customers can even browse through the User Generated Content such as owner reviews before they decide on purchasing the vehicle.
Once everything is finalised, customers will just have to pop by any of the 84 Honda dealerships in Tokyo to collect their new ride.


The sleeker, more futuristic B-Class now in Malaysia as the B200 Progressive Line

Alongside the announcement of the new
GLA 200 “Style”
 variant, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has also announced the arrival of the all-new B-Class to the local market.
The W247 B-Class will only be available in one variant at the moment – the B 200 Progressive Line, priced at
 RM239,888
.
Powering the B 200 is a
1.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
 – the same powertrain from the
A 200
 – producing an output of
163 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the B 200 does the century sprint in 8.2 seconds.
The all-new B-Class takes on the new Mercedes-Benz design language with a sportier design all-round, including slimmer headlights and a lower front bonnet. The Progressive Line exterior features a twin louvre radiator grille with chrome inserts, front apron with chrome insert, side sill panels and the 18-inch 5-twin spoke light-alloy wheels.
Moving to the back, the B 200 Progressive Line gets two-part tail lamps, reflectors integrated in the bumper, a chrome strip, as well as a large roof spoiler.
Mercedes-Benz has given the third-generation B-Class a huge makeover in the interior department; modeled heavily after the A-Class. The highlight of the cabin is the new dual-digital displays right at the top of the dashboard, functioning as both the instrument cluster and infotainment display.
The B-Class is the second car after the A-Class in the Mercedes-Benz model lineup to feature the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. The MBUX system incorporates several key new functionalities such as augmented reality navigation overlay, as well as the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available on this system.
Elsewhere, the B 200 Progressive Line gets the Comfort Package seats with Black Artico leather upholstery, open-power wood trim, gloss black centre console, and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.
If you’re afraid that the all-black interior will be too dark and gloomy, Mercedes-Benz has included a 64-colour interior ambient lighting to help offset the slightly monotonous interior, with light strips all around the dashboard, door trims, centre console, and even the air-con vents!
Safety wise, Mercedes has included Blind Spot Assist and Active Brake Assist to the B 200, along with Parktronic Active Parking Assist to help you navigate in and out of a tight parallel parking space.
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Nissan’s new noise reduction material is 75% lighter than traditional solutions

Noise, vibration and harshness, or NVH, has become a hot topic for many car buyers – even on entry level economy cars. In an electric car, road noise becomes even more apparent due to the lack of an internal combustion engine.
In a space where innovation is rarely seen, Nissan has developed a new sound insulation material, known as acoustic meta-material, to be demonstrated in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week.

The acoustic meta-material is made up of a lattice structure, paired with a thin plastic film. The structure works particularly well against wide frequency band noise (500 – 1200 Hz), such as road and engine noise.
The simple structure and material make-up means the acoustic meta-material is minimal on weight, especially when compared to the heavy rubber boards commonly used to thwart the wide frequency band noise.
Nissan claims that the acoustic meta-material weighs
 75% less
than these materials, while providing the
same degree of sound isolation
. The lower weight results in a lower overall environment impact, due to increased driving efficiency.
The Japanese firm also says that
 material costs could be lower
 in a mass-production scenario, due to the simple lattice structure. This could mean that
more lower-end cars
 can receive sound isolation treatments, where it is currently limited by cost or weight.
Nissan started research on meta-material technology around 2008, where it was initially developed for use in electromagnetic wave research. Nissan engineers worked to expand the applicability of the material to sound waves, which eventually led to the invention of the acoustic meta-material.
IMAGE GALLERY


Tesla hits the one-million milestone, and it’s a Model Y

From undergoing
‘production hell’
 in 2018 to achieving record sales in 2019, you can say there has never been a dull day at Tesla’s main plant in
Fremont, California
. And its mercurial founder
Elon Musk
 just tweeted two photos to announce Tesla’s
one millionth vehicle milestone
.
Congratulations Tesla team on making our 1,000,000th car!!
pic.twitter.com/5M99a9LLQi
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
March 10, 2020

The ‘lucky’ unit turned out to be a
Model Y
 SUV finished in a vibrant paintjob called
Red Multi-Coat
, replete with an uneven gap at where the bonnet meets the bumper. The Model Y mid-sized crossover is expected to hit Tesla stores across America soon. The top-of-the-range AWD
Performance variant
 is said to offer a
range of over 450 km
 per full charge, capable of accelerating from idle to 100 km/h
under 4 seconds
.
Now that Tesla is making cars in China, the next million won’t take long.
The one-million milestone is nothing to sneer at for a company that only began producing EVs in
2008
and had just a handful of models to offer for the longest of time. With the
Model 3
sedan proving to be a global hit and production in China ramping up nicely (Tesla sold
367,500 cars in 2019
), the next million will take a lot less than 12 years.


These guys just set a new Nurburgring lap record in a Tuk Tuk!

It took Bjorn Lagercrantz and Peter Ternstrom three years to prepare for the bizzare feat but it was all over in
merely
 half an hour – as they set a new Nurburgring lap record for a Tuk Tuk with a time of 31 minutes 49 seconds.
The Tuk Tuk was driven by an anonymous driver dressed like Top Gear’s Stig, but apparently this isn’t their first attempt, with the Tuk Tuk breaking down in their previous try.
It was said that the Tuk Tuk’s owners subsequently collaborated with a company that makes engine components for Koenigsegg to beef up the engine with forged pistons, just so the Tuk Tuk can endure the full length of the track.
As to why they opted for such a strange record, the answer was simple; it was because no one had attempted it before so any time set would’ve been a record.
When asked of their experience in the back seat, the two said it was a scary experience as the Tuk Tuk was flimsy and unstable – going around some corners on just two wheels!
So far these are all the visuals we’ve been able to compile but we sure hope there’ll be a full POV video of this bizarre feat on YouTube soon!
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new BMW 2 Series Coupe: This is (probably) it

The all-new 2021 BMW 2 Series coupe that is
 scheduled for launch later this week
 has supposedly just been leaked ahead of its debut schedule.
An image of what appears to be a screenshot from an official BMW video of the new 2 Series was posted onto the Instagram profile
Wilcoblok
 over the weekend. And while nothing is confirmed just yet, obviously, the photo does match up with
everything that we’ve seen so far
, leading us to believe that this is indeed, the real deal.
The purple car in the image above is believed to be the of the range-topping M240i variant (before the launch of the M2), hinted by the Cerium Grey accents on the front grille, wing mirrors, and the triangular bumper trims.
Check out the first leaked photos of the BMW 2 Series Coupe from April 2020!
To the delight of some vocal fans, the all-new BMW 2 Series will not get the
M3-styled buckteeth grille
, instead opting for a more “traditionally-styled” kidney grille that’s not that much bigger than what’s on the current model.
Official teaser photo from BMW. See the similarities?
Flanking the grille are the new LED headlights, which now feature a single angel eye light signature, rather than the two-eye design seen on other BMW models. While the leaked photo doesn’t show the rear, the all-new BMW 2 Series is expected to feature a 3D design for the LED tail lights, based on earlier leaks of the car.
Earlier rumours suggest that the all-new BMW 2 Series will be offered with a variety of three-, four-, and six-cylinder engines, alongside diesel options.
Find out what’s really hiding behind the M3’s massive kidney grille
The range-topping six-cylinder M240i variant will be powered by a B58 turbocharged inline-six petrol engine with
387 hp
 and
500 Nm
(identical to the
M340i
), with drive sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, xDrive AWD system, and an M sports differential on the rear axle.
BMW has also confirmed that there will eventually be a
full-fledged M2 variant
, which should come with more than 400 hp, courtesy of the S58 three-litre inline-six turbocharged engine that’s currently used on the all-new
M3
 and
M4
 models.


All-new Renault Megane RS can be had with 6-speed manual or dual clutch auto!

The fourth-generation Renault Megane RS has made its
first public appearance
 at the 2017 Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. For the first time since the inception of the Megane RS, customers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual or an Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) transmission.
Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team driver, piloted the new Megane RS around Circuit de Monaco and he said “I got an opportunity to test All-New Mégane RS during its development and I was hooked first time out by the excellent chassis. Renault Sport has done a tremendous job on its performance credentials. It was a huge pleasure to drive it around the legendary street track at Monaco today.”
According to Renault Sport, the engineers have once again incorporated F1-derived technologies in the development of the fourth-gen Megane RS, further enhancing the aerodynamics, reliability and road holding performance.
The all-new Megane RS will be officially unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor show happening on 12 September and will go on sale in early 2018.
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Porsche wants you to go greener with new eBike to go with Taycan Cross Turismo

Following the launch of the
Taycan Cross Turismo last week
, Porsche has revealed the Porsche eBike Cross and eBike sport featuring a full-suspension carbon frame inspired by the Taycan. They’ve been developed in collaboration with eBike experts Rotwild.
Powering the eBike is an ultra-compact Shimano EP8 motor with can propel the eBike up to 25 km/h while stopping power is provided by Magura brakes with extra-large, heat-resistant brake discs.
The eBike Sport features a Shimano electronic gear shifting system while the eBike Cross comes with a mechanical Shimano XT 12-fold shifting system.
What’s also really cool is that the eBike is also equipped with a Shimano color display, which not only displays speed but also distance and range in real time. Lighting solution is taken care of with M99 LED lights by Supernova while damping is provided by Fox shock absorbers.
eBike Cross
eBike Sport
And if you happen to own a Taycan Cross Turismo, Porsche has also developed a carrier to be installed on the tailgate. The carrier can support up to 50 kg, or as many as three eBikes and even with the bikes mounted, the tailgate can still be opened.
The Taycan Cross Turismo is available in 4 variants – the Turbo S, Turbo, Taycan 4S and the Taycan 4. The most powerful Turbo S variant can produce up to 761 hp, with 0 to 100 km/h rated at 2.9 seconds!
Compared to the Taycan “sedan”, the Cross Turismo comes with additional headroom and 40-litres of additional boot space at 446-litres.


You can now pay for EV charging via Setel from RM1.20 per minute

Setel has introduced the latest update in its app that allows electric car owners to pay for charging via the app for a more seamless charging experience.
Electric car owners can easily locate the electric car charging stations through the app, select the type of charger (either AC or DC), and even check the charging status through the app. Payments are then deducted from the Setel Wallet and simultaneously users earn Mesra points with every transaction.
Like refuelling your car with petrol via the Setel app, users will also receive Mesra points when they charge their electric vehicles using the Setel app. For every RM5 spent on charging, users will be entitled to 1 Mesra point.
Setel has partnered JomCharge as the first provider, with plans to onboard more providers in the near future including Energise by PETRONAS. In its first phase, electric car users can use the Setel app to charge their EVs at five pilot locations with more locations to be rolled out progressively.


McLaren 570GT revealed, the perfect supercar for shopping

The arrival of the McLaren 570GT means it joins the brand’s expanding Sports Series lineup. This variant gets an added rear boot space – yes, we’re not kidding – which technically means that your next McLaren could just be as practical as a two-seater hatchback.
The most glaring difference between the
570S
 and 570GT is the rear section, where a new spoiler and  sleek-looking roof, dubbed as the “
Touring Deck
” are sported. Open the side-hinged glass door and you’ll find about
220 litres
 of cargo space behind the front seats. Together with the existing front boot (130 litres), the 570GT boasts a total boot space of 350 litres. What other supercar does that? There’s one drawback still; you can’t fit your golf bags in here. You could, potentially, but we’d recommend otherwise.

Interior wise, customers can opt for the special Luxury theme, which adds more comfort and leather, or the less costly Sport theme. New items included in the cabin include glass panoramic sunroof, full leather upholstery, electrically adjustable heated seats, soft-close doors and
eight-speaker
 McLaren Audio Plus system.
The 570GT retains the same
562 hp 3.8-litre

twin-turbo V8 engine
 paired to a
seven-speed dual clutch gearbox.
 Also, McLaren fits a
quieter exhaust
 for the 570GT to further set it apart from the sportier 570S. The
additional 37kg
 from the rear glass means that the 570GT now sprints 0.2 seconds slower over in a century sprint at
3.4 seconds
, although top speed remains at
 326km/h
.
The 570GT, being the third of McLaren’s Sport Series following the introduction of the 570S and 540, will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Pricing in the UK has been announced at £154,000 (approx RM910,000.00), a premium of £10,741 (RM64,000) over the standard 570S.
IMAGE GALLERY


Perodua to extend operation hours of selected service centres

After announcing that operations at all of its 182 sales, 202 service and 68 body and paint outlets nationwide
have officially resumed
, Perodua has initiated a pilot project to extend the operation hours at selected service centres and Body & Paint hubs.
The pilot project involves 16 service centres and three Body & Paint hubs nationwide which will operate from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Peninsula Malaysia) and 7:45 AM to 8:45 PM (East Malaysia), everyday except Sundays. For more info on the selected service centres, scroll down.
“We know that many of our valued customers’ vehicles are overdue for servicing as our nationwide operations were shut for two months due to the Movement Control Order (MCO),” said Perodua President and CEO Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“We are therefore extending the operation hours of selected service centres and B&P hubs to meet the high demand and continue giving our valued customers total peace of mind,” he added.
How does the new facelift Bezza fairs against the updated Proton Saga?
Watch it here!
“This initiative should ease pent-up demand for Perodua servicing in major regions. We will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this pilot project continually; for now, it will run until further notice,” Dato’ Zainal said.
Customers who want to service their vehicles are required to secure an appointment slot beforehand with their service centre of choice – walk-ins are still not accepted at the moment.
Perodua is offering
special cash redemptions
of
 up to RM1,300
 for the Aruz this month.
All visitors must undergo temperature checks before entering outlets, register their details and adhere to social distancing markers within the outlets at all times. Hand sanitisers are placed at key locations, while the outlets themselves are sanitised regularly.
Last week, Perodua announced a head start on the sales tax exemption which saw a
3% to 6% reduction in price via cash rebates
, while offering special cash redemptions of up to RM1,300 for the Aruz and selected Myvi variants.
For the updated price lists from the other car brands in Malaysia, do check out our posts
here
.
GALLERY


2016 Honda Civic launched, 1.5L VTEC Turbo priced from RM128k [+Video]

Finally, after much fanfare, Honda Malaysia has finally taken the wraps off the tenth-generation Honda Civic. Offered in three variants, Honda’s most important model (which is also locally assembled) in its lineup can be had from RM113,800.00.
After the disappointing ninth-generation Civic (which pales in comparison to the eight-generation FD’s hype) and with crossovers pushing C-segment saloons into the zone of irrelevance, Honda needs to do more than just offer good looking cars. Thus, Honda pushes the envelope with the introduction of the first ever ‘
turbocharged Civic
’, and boy does the market reacted well.
Codenamed the
 FC
, there will be three variants on offer starting with the base 1.8-litre variant. What’s new and interesting is the new forced-inducted 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit, which can be had in two trim levels.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Honda Civic 1.8S
Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo
Honda Civic
1.5 Turbo Premium
Engine
1,799 cc; 4-Cylinder, SOHC i-VTEC
1,500 cc; 4-cylinder, DOHC VTEC Turbo
Transmission
7-speed Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
Max Power
141 hp @ 6,500 rpm
173 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
174 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
220 Nm @ 1,700 to 5,500 rpm
Price
RM113,800.00
RM127,800.00
RM135,800.00
EXTERIOR
 When describing this latest Civic, the word “handsome” is quite an understatement. The front sports a bolder and muscular aesthetics, with the chrome grille and
LED daytime running lights
 offered across all three variants. The range-topper receives full LED headlights, while the other two variants settle for halogen projector units. Complementing the front headlights are a pair of fog lights.

Move to the back and you’ll be greeted with a pair of C-shaped
LED taillights
 which outline the Civic’s sleek tail. The long and extended rear windscreen resembles more of a Sportback rather than a conventional saloon, which means it’ll work better to attract younger customers.
The
turbo variants
 ride on
17-inch rims
 with 215/50 R17 tyres, with the rim design similar to that of the range-topping Honda City. The 1.8-litre model settles for a smaller and comfort-oriented 16-inch wheels shod with 215/55 R16 tyres. It also utilises a different design compared to its turbocharged siblings.
INTERIOR
The tenth-generation Civic took home the award for
2016 Wards’ best interior
, so it has to be one of the best interior available for saloons in Malaysia. That’s true, as the new interior matches the exterior’s great looks. Not forgetting, interior space is better than its predecessor, thanks to the wider wheelbase and the added dimensions.

All Civics receive all-black interior and
eight-way driver power seat.
 All turbo variants receive leather seats while the base 1.8-litre variant gets wrapped in fabric as well. What’s most appealing to us is the low seating position in the Civic, giving the car a very sporty vibe.
Honda has once again proven their excellence in interior packaging; the adaptive center console with two-tier storage offers plenty of storage space for the front occupants. Boot volume measures at
519 litres
, which is a fair bit smaller than the newly launched
Peugeot 408
, but it’s by no means small.
For onboard entertainment, the turbo variants come with a
7-inch touchscreen Advanced Display Audio
 that integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model receives a smaller and slightly dated head unit compared to the one we just mentioned.
GPS navigation
 is reserved only for the Turbo Premium variant.
Other interior goodies that are standard in all three variants include
electronic parking brake
, auto hold brake assist,
remote engine start
, rear view camera, and rear air-cond vents. Speaking about the air conditioning, the dual zone climate control is available only on the most expensive variant.
The Civic has a longstanding reputation of being poorly insulated and notoriously unrefined interior. But all that has been mitigated thanks to generous use of
lightweight soundproofing
 materials, something we look forward to testing ourselves.
PERFORMANCE
It’s safe to say that the entire hype surrounding the new Civic is the word ‘turbocharging’. The all-new L15B7
 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC
engine is part of Honda’s Earth Dreams technology. Turbocharging is a taboo in Honda’s world a decade ago, so having Honda to embrace turbocharging in its most important mass production model is indeed an eye opener. The new engine, whose annual road tax costs just RM90, produces
170 hp
 and
220 Nm
 of torque, and it is more powerful than the previous 2.0-litre lump which it replaces.

 O2 sensor, Honda Civic 1.8
For the 1.8-litre variant, Honda retains the all-familiar
1.8-litre i-VTEC
 which is a carryover from two generations ago, one that’s also shared with the
HR-V
. The naturally-aspirated motor belts out
140 hp
 and
174 Nm
 of torque, and it should be an ideal choice for the less demanding of buyers. But what’s new here is the gearbox; Honda ditches the five-speed torque converter of old to make way for the new
Earth Dreams seven-speed CVT gearbox
. Meanwhile, paddle shifters are offered only for the turbo variants.
SAFETY
Recent Honda products in Malaysia have been praised for its generosity in safety features, and this extends to the new Civic as all variants receive
 six airbags as standard
(comprised of two front airbags, two side and curtain airbags). Also available in all three variants are Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist,
Emergency Stop Signal
, ISOFIX, and the all-new
walk away auto lock
 feature. The latter automatically locks the car when the owner walks away from the car. Honda expects a five-star ASEAN NCAP crash test rating for this new Civic.
WHAT ELSE
The striking new Civic is available in shades of White Orchid Pearl, Crystal Black, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, and Dark Ruby Red Pearl. Assembled in Honda’s plant in Pagoh, the new Civic begins at
RM113,800.00
 for the base 1.8, followed by the 1.5 Turbo at
RM127,800.00
 and finally the 1.5 Turbo Premium at
RM135,800.00
. All pricing are on the road including insurance and GST, bundled together with a 5-Year manufacturer’s warranty. The new Civic is also the latest recipient to receive the Malaysia’s Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status.
In short, the C-segment saloon is again made relevant thanks to Honda’s 40-year old nameplate. It will probably eat up into the sales of Honda’s own HR-V, CR-V, and Accord models, but that’s a compromise Honda is more than willing to make.
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Honda Civic 1.8S

Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo & Turbo Premium

Press Images

Honda Civic preview at My Auto Fest 2016

Honda Civic at Bangkok Motorshow 2016

 O2 sensor, Honda Civic 1.8


MINI teases electrified model for New York, could it be an all-electric MINI?

MINI has uploaded a cheeky little teaser onto their YouTube page and all signs point towards the imminent debut of an electrified MINI slated for the 2018 New York Auto Show, possibly the official debut of the
MINI Electric Concept
 first shown at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
In the 20 second video, the shutters open to a classic MINI but the transition around the 15-second mark shows the car bearing a new “E” logo, like the one on the MINI Cooper S E Countryman plug-in hybrid (PHEV), hinting that a new electrified MINI would be on the way.
The most recent electrified model (or concept car if you want to get technical) from MINI is the MINI Electric Concept, an all-electric conceived as part of
BMW Group’s NUMBER ONE > NEXT
 corporate strategy. The company also revealed earlier that a production model will be ready by 2019, hence the British carmaker may be showcasing the car at the auto show.
Closer to home, MINI Malaysia is also moving towards electrification after teasing the
Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 PHEV
 as their next model launch in the country. The PHEV is a 1.5-litre hybrid system with
224 hp
 that can complete the century sprint in 6.8 seconds while boasting an all-electric driving range of 40 km.
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MINI Electric Concept

MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4


G30 BMW M550d xDrive packs 400hp & 760Nm from four freaking turbos!!

Apparently three turbos weren’t enough for the BMW M550d xDrive. The previous F10 model was already pushing 376 hp and 740 Nm from its peculiar tri-turbo setup, but for the G30 M550d xDrive the engineers decided to give it another turbo for good measure.
While Audi is moving towards 48-volt e-turbo tech for that low-end kick (and also to boost efficiency), BMW is keeping it old-school with mechanical turbochargers. It’s quite a complex multi-stage turbo thingamajig, two low pressure turbos and one high pressure turbo operate together by default, while the fourth turbo (a high pressure turbo) only starts to pitch in when the engine sings past 2,500 rpm.
The engine itself is an
inline-six 3.0-litre oil burner
 mated to an
eight-speed automatic
, and all that
400 hp
 and
760 Nm
 twisting force is channeled to the
xDrive
 all-wheel drive system. The sedan version will hit 100 km/h from standstill in
4.4 seconds
 while the Touring takes a couple of tenths slower, but both share a limited top speed of
250 km/h
.
In terms of looks, well, it looks just like another G30 5er with an
M Sport
 kit, so it gets a 10 mm lower
M Sport suspension
 and
19-inch wheels
 as standard. Some bits like the wing mirrors, grille and rims are finished in
Cerium Grey
, but it’s all very subtle until you see the “M550d” badge on the boot lid. That’s when you realise you shouldn’t tailgate it too close.
But it’s not like you’ll be seeing the M550d xDrive on Malaysian roads because we don’t think it will ever be launched here. However, if you’re in Europe, the sedan will be available from July, followed by the Touring towards the end of the year. You can still get the almost similar looking car here though, the
530i M Sport
 currently retails at RM399k.
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