UMW Toyota ends 2021 with 22% increase in sales – 72,394 units registered

Thanks to ample supply of stocks and production methodology that is seen as the benchmark, UMW Toyota Motor achieved sales of 9,246 units in December, a remarkable feat considering the modest annual target of only 62,000 units. For reference, the company only sold a total of 34,026 units in the first five months of the year.
As such, with strong monthly sales performances since
September
, the company ended the turbulent 2021 with registration of
72,394
 units- a 22% increase over the previous year. The
Toyota Vios
 remains the best-selling model for the company, amassing some 31% of the 72,394 units, while the Toyota Hilux retains its leadership in the pick-up segment.
“We would like to thank Malaysians and our loyal customers for their continuous support towards our brand and choosing Toyota as their preferred road companion. We are driven by their love and passion towards our brand. Despite the most of 2021 being a rather challenging year for most sectors, including automotive, the team at Toyota showed resilience by continuously innovating to offer only the best mobility solutions to our customers who are eager to get back on the road upon the
lifting of the lockdown
 in August,” said UMW Toyota Motor, President, Ravindran. K.
Highlights for 2021 include the customer deliveries of the ever-entertaining
Toyota GR Yaris
 as well as the launch of the
Toyota Corolla Cross
. UMW Toyota also introduced the fourth-generation
Toyota Harrier
 as well as
GR-branded accessories
 and a full assault in the
Sepang 1,000 km
 endurance race.
For 2022, the company will be the first to launch a new model amongst the key automakers, with the
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 1.8
 scheduled for an official unveiling on
January 14th
. The self-charging hybrid system dishes out a modest 122 hp but returns an impressive 4.3 litres per 100 km of fuel consumption.
Expect other regional models such as the
all-new Toyota Avanza
, facelifted
Toyota Camry
 and perhaps the
Toyota Hilux GR Sport
 to reach our shores this year too.


Porsche unleashed a 918 Spyder onto Sepang on a rainy night

What business does Porsche Asia Pacific have taking their million-ringgit hybrid-powered hypercar onto the former F1 circuit on a rainy night when cars like these
should

only
be driven when the surface is bone dry and the stars aligned?
But as the brand’s halo electrified vehicle, naturally the 887 hp
Porsche 918 Spyder
 will have to make a grand appearance at Porsche APAC’s first-ever E-Performance Night held at Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) in Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.
The pioneering event showcased Porsche’s range of plug-in hybrid models such as the 918 Spyder,
Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
,
Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
 as well as the
Cayenne E-Hybrid
, the latter making its first ever public debut in Asia Pacific. The range of electrified Porsche’s were unleashed onto a very, very wet circuit, offering participants a one-of-a-kind night racetrack experience.
The E-Performance Night was not only an opportunity to go full whack in a plug-in hybrid Porsche but also to experience how the engineers at Stuttgart had combined efficiency and performance in an everyday sports car. It also demonstrates the company’s commitment towards a cleaner future through electrification as well as paving the way for the
Taycan
, Porsche’s first ever pure electric vehicle that is set to debut in 2019.

Managing Director of Porsche Asia Pacific, Arthur Willmann said: “E-Performance is a core tenet of our future strategy. In 2025, we envision that around half of the new cars we sell will be electrically-powered Porsche models, whether fully-electric or hybrids. The E-Performance Nights event is the perfect way for us to demonstrate our plug-in hybrid models that embody the Porsche DNA, whether it is urban driving in Kuala Lumpur or driving on the racetrack at Sepang. Our Taycan will encapsulate all of this and more – stay tuned.”
Electrification is no doubt the way to work around tightening emission standards and slapping on a hybrid system is possibly the only way to keep the V-configuration engines alive for many more years to come. Porsche knows this well and was the first manufacturer in the premium segment to offer plug-in hybrids in three different model lines and now, we await their first-ever pure electric vehicle.
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Toyota Vios updated for 2018, priced from RM75k, bookings now open

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has just announced the availability of the MY2018 Toyota Vios which gets a refreshed look with additional equipment inside and out. Unfortunately, it is not the new look Vios which the folks in the Land of Smiles are getting.
Like before, the MY2018 Vios will be offered in
six variants
 –  J (MT), J (MT), E, G, GX and TRD Sportivo with prices ranging from RM74,980 to RM93,980 (OTR without insurance).
New equipment
 reads – shark fin antenna, illuminated scuff plates, new body kit design (variant dependant),
front parking sensors
 – a first in the segment and DVD-AVX infotainment system with reverse camera.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Vios 1.5 TRD Sportivo
Toyota Vios 1.5 GX
Toyota Vios 1.5 G
Toyota Vios 1.5 E
Toyota Vios 1.5 J CVT
Toyota Vios 1.5 J MT
Engine
1,496cc; inline-4 DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Transmission
CVT with 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic
5-speed Manual
Max Power
106 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
140 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM93,980
RM90,980
RM87,980
RM81,980
RM77,980
RM74,980
Front parking sensors are exclusive to G variants and above while the DVD-AVX infotainment is standard on all variants except the J variant (MT & AT). Existing optional items such as Panoramic View Monitor, Digital Video Recorder and etc can still be had for a small fee.
No mechanical upgrades were introduced hence the MY2018 Vios soldiers on with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder paired to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or five-speed manual to send
106 hp
 and
140 Nm
 of torque to the front wheels.
On the
GX trim
, it gets a new bumper design with honeycomb elements on the fog lamps and a more protruding front lip. The honeycomb elements continue to the rear bumper. Other than that it appears to ride on with the same kit as before – halogen projector headlamps, bumper integrated LED daytime running lights, multi-spoke alloys and chrome door trims.
Like all Toyota models sold by UMWT, the MY2018 Vios comes with a 5-Years unlimited warranty coverage. Bookings for the updated Vios are now open at all Toyota showrooms nationwide.
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The Geely Boyue Asian Games Edition comes with a new Lotus-tuned chassis!

While most special edition models are usually just a styling update exercise, Geely’s new Boyue Asian Games Edition comes with more than just additional aesthetic flair. Curiously though, Geely has given the new special edition Boyue model an updated chassis that even comes with the famed “Lotus Ride & Handling” treatment – we’re not complaining, just jealous that we can’t get it here on our Proton X70!
Unveiled as a commemorative model for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games (which Geely is one of the main sponsors), the Chinese-exclusive Boyue Asian Games Edition comes equipped with a new rear subframe that is said to be 25% lighter, yet 20% stiffer than the one it replaces.
The updated chassis is paired to a new suspension with tuning courtesy of Lotus – which Geely now owns – and as a result, Geely says that the handling and even off-road performance of the Boyue has been improved on this special edition model.
As for looks, Geely clearly took a few pages out of Proton’s design books for the Boyue Asian Games Edition, most noticeably with the Proton “Infinite Weave” grille, and the Geely script across the rear tailgate in place of the usual Geely logo – both previously seen on the Geely Boyue “Million Model” Edition.
Just like the Proton X50 and its Chinese cousin Binyue, the Asian Games Edition model here also gets a red stripe surrounding the front grille – but the red accent here is more coherent with the rest of the design of the car, with the front fog lamp housing, side skirts, and brake calipers all getting a touch of red-coloured flair.
Beyond these changes though, the rest of the car is pretty much identical to the regular Geely Boyue sold in China (not the
Boyue Pro
). Underneath the bonnet is an unchanged 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque, and can be paired to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT gearbox.
While it’s certainly unusual to see such drastic changes made on a special edition model, and of an older model at that, these modifications would certainly entice the driving enthusiasts and Lotus fans – I, for one, would love to see it being brought over to our Proton X70 one day!
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The new Range Rover Evoque is a baby Velar and we love it

The
first-generation Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
 was the British marque’s first attempt in the compact luxury crossover segment and it proved to be a worthwhile investment. In the seven model years of the Evoque, Land Rover has sold over 770,000 units worldwide.
Now, we welcome the all-new second-generation Evoque, packed with even more on-board technologies, styling cues from the
Velar
 and Land Rover’s first mild-hybrid electric technology (MHEV).
Built on the brand’s new
Premium Transverse Architecture
, the new Evoque is marginally larger than the outgoing model; now measuring at 4,371 mm (+6 mm) in length, 1,649 mm (+14 mm) in height, 2,100 mm (+135 mm) in width and a longer wheelbase of 2,681 mm (+21 mm). This translates to a more spacious cabin with
20 mm extra

legroom
 at the rear and a larger boot space of
591 litres
 (+16 litres).
The designers heavily referenced the Velar when penning the new Evoque and that’s a good thing because the Velar is one of the most beautiful SUVs out there. Familiar design cues include the Matrix LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights graphics, slim grille and a prominent front bumper. It’s the same story around the rear, donning a more mature appearance with its ultra slim tail lamps.

But the highlight of the Evoque has got to be the flushed door handles that tuck away when on the move to create a smooth, sculpted aesthetic for the car. Optional items include R-Dynamic package, burnished copper accents and wheels measuring up to 21-inch in size.
Minimalism and clutter-free is the theme of the new Evoque’s cabin. Like the Velar, the Evoque features the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system that combines two 10-inch high-definition glass touchscreen that houses all the main functions of the vehicle. Staring directly at the driver is a 12.3-inch LCD Driver Display as well as a full-coloured heads-up display.

In addition to premium leather, the Evoque is offered with Kvadrat wool blend and Dinamica suede cloth, as well as Eucalyptus and Ultrafabric options that are made of recycled plastics. Other in-car features available in the new Evoque include 16-way powered seats, panoramic sunroof, six USB charging ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, electronic gear selector, wireless charging tray, built-in 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot and more.
There are three engine options available on the new Evoque – two diesels, one petrol. They all measure 2.0-litres in engine capacity, has a four-cylinder layout and is from JLR’s family of Ingenium engines. All engine options are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and 48V Belt-Integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) except for the base TD4 2WD manual variant.
Petrol Engines
Name
Evoque SI4 200PS AWD
Evoque SI4 250PS AWD
Evoque SI4 300PS AWD
Engine
1,999cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission
9-speed automatic
Max Power
200 hp @ 5,500rpm
249 hp @ 5,500rpm
300 hp @ 5,500rpm
Max Torque
340 Nm @ 1,300-
4,500rpm
365 Nm @ 1,300-
4,500rpm
400 Nm @ 1,500-
4,500rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.5 seconds; 216 km/h
7.5 seconds; 230 km/h
6.6 seconds; 242 km/h
Fuel Consumption
7.7 L/100 km
7.9 L/100 km
8.1 L/100 km
Diesel Engines
Name
Evoque TD4 150PS 2WD
Evoque TD4 150PS
AWD
Evoque TD4 180PS
AWD
Evoque SD4 240PS
AWD
Engine
1,999cc; 4-cylinder turbodiesel
1,999cc; 4-cylinder turbodiesel with BiSG
Transmission
6-speed manual
9-speed automatic
Max Power
150 hp @ 2,400 rpm
150 hp @ 2,400 rpm
180 hp @ 2,400 rpm
240 hp @ 2,400 rpm
Max Torque
380 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
380 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
430 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
500 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
10.5 seconds; 201 km/h
11.2 seconds; 196 km/h
9.3 seconds; 205 km/h
7.7 seconds; 225 km/h
Fuel Consumption
5.4 L/100 km
5.6 L/100 km
5.7 L/100 km
6.2 L/100 km
The BiSG provides the engine with up to
 140 Nm
 of instant torque from 0 rpm to fill in the torque dip when the turbochargers are building boost. It also provides a seamless engine start/stop function for better refinement. When the car is slowing down to speeds below 17 km/h, the combustion engine is automatically cut off to reduce emissions.
With the BiSG, the Ingenium engines boast up to six per cent reduction in fuel consumption, now as low as
5.6l/100km
 on the diesel engines and
7.7L/100km
 on the petrol variants.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems on the Evoque includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Driver Condition Monitor. The new Evoque will also feature a new Ground View technology for its front camera that projects a 180-degree view of under the front of the vehicle onto the display screen, helpful when negotiating city kerbs and rough terrains.
The new Range Rover Evoque will be manufactured in Britain and will be available in 127 countries from 2019 onwards. A plug-in hybrid variant of the Evoque is also planned for introduction late next year.
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Enthusiasts rejoice: 2022 Toyota GR Supra now offered with six-speed manual

Keyboard warriors, it’s time to put down those pitchforks, and put your money where your mouth is – because Toyota is now, actually, finally offering the
GR Supra
 with a six-speed manual transmission. It took three full years of begging and pleading from the #savethemanuals crowd, but they’ve actually done it now.
The six-speed manual will only be offered on the 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine variants, which in Japan is the top-spec RZ trim, and in the United States, the 3.0, 3.0 Premium, plus a new A91-MT special edition model.
That’s not too much of an issue, however, since it’s what the
“real enthusiasts”
 have been asking for anyway: a manual coupe with an inline-six engine; one that they’ve been lusting for since the Z4 M.
RELATED: Self-drifting Toyota Supra offers a look into safer autonomous vehicles
Toyota doesn’t say who makes the GR Supra’s actual transmission itself aside from calling it “newly developed” (despite also saying that it’s based on an “existing transmission housing”), but ramblings on the internet are pointing towards a transmission lifted from the M3 and M4, but with several (Toyota-led) revisions, and Toyota’s own shifter.
The manual transmission will also come with Toyota’s iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission) system – just like the
GR Yaris
– that offers automatic rev-matching/throttle blipping. The final drive ratio on the manual is also shorter than the eight-speed auto at 3.46 (vs 3.15).
Changes to the cabin include a slightly revised centre console to fit the new shifter, and obviously there’s also an extra pedal in the footwell for the clutch. The gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel are also no more, although the electronic parking brake is retained on the manual GR Supra.
Toyota says that the shift knob is weighs precisely 200 grams, and has been designed specifically to be “easy to grip and operate from any direction”. There’s also a reworked “interior sound”, that’s supposedly tuned specifically for the manual to “generate excitement during acceleration”.
ALSO READ: Toyota GR Supra updated with Apple CarPlay – price unchanged at RM590k
Aside from the just adding a manual option, Toyota has also updated the rest of the GR Supra with several enhancements to its handling and ride characteristics, including new dampers for the Adaptive Variable Suspension for improved roll balance and ride comfort, alongside new stabiliser bushings for better steering response.
The AVS system, alongside the electric power steering and Vehicle Stability Control, have also been retuned for “improved overall steering feel and controllability” at the car’s limits. Meanwhile, the car’s Track mode has also been specifically reworked to allow for “easy drifting”.
Recognise those wheels? those are new 19-inch items (reserved for the RZ in Japan and A91-MT in US) which takes design inspiration from the GR Yaris and 86. Not only do they look pretty, they’re also 1.2 kg lighter on each corner to reduce unsprung weight.
And if the manual transmission itself is not enough to convince you that Toyota engineers know how to have fun, the A91-MT limited-edition model will also be offered with a colour called “CU Later Gray”, for obvious reasons.
In related news, rumours are suggesting that the much-beloved Toyota GR Yaris will also soon be
 offered with an automatic gearbox…
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Meet the all-new BMW G20 3-series – the most aggresive design yet?

BMW has unveiled the long-awaited, all-new G20 BMW 3-series at the Paris Motor Show with a global launch due to take place in March 2019.
So far there are five different variants – 320i, 330i, 318d, 320d, 320d xDrive and 330d – powered by 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo in-line four engines, except the 330d that’s fitted with a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine.
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
An 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission is standard on all models except the 318d and 320d, where it is an option. On the 318d and 320d, a 6-speed manual comes as standard.
Upgrades on the transmission include a new control unit, shorter gearing and lower ratios for better acceleration. An optional eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is available for even quicker gear shifts and a Launch Control function.

The new G20 3-series offers a lower centre of gravity, 50:50 weight distribution and 25% increase overall body rigidity. In addition, it also features a new shock absorber technology, the lift-related damper control used for the first time in a BMW model. It reduces body movement and prevents excessive body dive.
With the use of aluminium on the front bonnet and fenders among other weight saving measures, the new G20 3-series is 55 kg lighter than the model it replaces.
Starting from the outside, the new car is now 76 mm longer, 16 mm wider with a 41 mm longer wheelbase than its predecessor. At the front, the 3-series now sports a one-piece kidney grille, positioned seamlessly between the front two headlamps like the G30 5-series.
Full-LED headlights are standard, while the LED headlights with extended features, U-shaped daytime driving lights and the Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Laserlight are available as an option.
Also new to the car is the redesigned Hofmeister kink at the bottom of the rear window frame. It is now integrated into the C-pillar, giving the rear doors a “freestanding” glass edge.
The 320i, 318d and 320d are equipped with 16-inch light-alloy wheels as standard while all other variants are supplied with 17-inch light-alloy wheels. 18 and 19-inch light-alloy wheels are optionally available.
The back, well draw your own inferences but most medias and memes are already pointing to it looking like a certain upscale Japanese sedan. Tail lights are LED units with twin tailpipes adding to the aggressive appearance. The boot opens up to 480-litres of cargo space.
There are four equipment lines available – Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport – with an M Performance model and 330e PHEV to follow suit.

The Advantage model includes a storage package, an automatically dimming rear-view mirror, three-zone automatic climate control, Park Distance Control with front and rear sensors.
As well as a line-specific front and rear bumpers, they’re also equipped with 17 or 18-inch light-alloy wheels, bespoke door sill strips and LED front fog lamps.
The Sport Line features BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line trim for the side window surrounds, kidney grille bars and trim elements for the air intakes and rear apron in High-gloss Black.
The Sport Line’s interior comes with sports seats and High Gloss Black trims while the Luxury Line comes with chrome trims on the kidney grille, rear apron and front air intake. Inside, the Luxury Line gets a more premium touch with fine wood and High Gloss Ash Grey Brown trims.
In the M Sport variant, there’s a larger air intake on the front bumper, distinctive side skirts and a rear diffuser. Inside, M-Sport seats, M leather steering and aluminium trims are among the notable mentions.
Changes on the interior are subtle but effective. You now get thinner A-pillars, a new digital instrument cluster, a relocated centre display, a repositioned start/stop button on the centre console, a newly designed gear lever and an electronic parking brake.

The BMW Live Cockpit fitted as standard includes an 8.8-inch Control Display with a 5.7-inch instrument cluster with colour display. A head-up display is available as an optional extra.
The newly-designed standard seats offer greater long-distance comfort for the driver and front passenger, while the optional sports seats provide good lateral support with even greater range of adjustments. Two USB ports and a 12V socket can be found on the centre console.
Getting in and out of the car is now easier for the rear passengers as the modified roof edge and side skirt design has increased the door opening, while the distance between the front and rear seats had been extended by 11 mm, allowing more room for the feet.
Smart entry and auto lock will be available while a new movement sensor in the key permanently monitors whether the key is being carried (and therefore is always transmitting) or has been put down on a table, allowing it to switch into standby mode with the transmit function deactivated.
For entertainment, the all-new 3-series features six speakers but if you feel like spending, there is a Harman Kardon surround sound system as part of the optional Entertainment Package, complete with 16 speakers and a digital seven-channel amplifier.
Topping it all of, among the driver assistance systems offered in the all-new G20 3-series are Active Cruise Control system with Stop & Go function, Lane Keeping Assistant, Lane Departure Warning, Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function and Cross-Traffic Alert.
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SSC will reattempt the Tuatara world record run after controversial internet analysis

SSC North America has announced that it will reattempt the world fastest production car record for the Tuatara, as confirmed by a video statement from CEO Jerod Shelby, after controversies regarding the legitimacy of its initial run started appearing online.
If you missed our
previous coverage
, here’s a quick rundown: SSC claimed to have beaten the world record for the fastest production with the
Tuatara
, and posted the video of the VMax run as proof that the car did indeed reach a top speed of 533 km/h (331.15 mph), with the two runs – as required by the record – averaging to a speed of 509 km/h (316.11 mph).
However, several influential media figures began casting doubts on the legitimacy of the run, after calculations based on both visual and mechanical information shows that it’s pretty much impossible for the car to be doing the speeds as claimed.
SSC responded by saying that the data from the Tuatara has been validated by Dewetron, the manufacturer of the GPS device used in the world record attempt, though admitted that the
depiction of the run in video form has been “substantially incorrect”
. Dewetron, looking to distant themselves from the controversy, promptly
released a statement
 on the same day saying that they in fact, did not verify the data.

After the emotional roller coaster ride, Jerod Shelby decided that there’s nothing else to be done other to reattempt the record with the SSC Tuatara. “No matter what we do in the coming days to salvage this particular record, it’s always going to have a stain on it,” he said in the statement.
He admits that after reviewing the raw footage (which he claims that the company did not have access to), they too started seeing the irregularities that did not line up with the claimed speed. “The more we looked and the more we tried to analyze, we were concerned there were doubts in the relationship between the video and the GPS.”
“We have to re-run the record. We have to do this again and do it in a way that is undeniable and irrefutable,” he added.
SSC founder and CEO, Jerod Shelby (left), alongside record attempt driver Oliver Webb, who has claimed that he does not have any idea of what’s happening behind the scenes.
The reattempt, which is due to happen “in the very near future”, will also quell some of the common criticisms on the previous attempt by using multiple GPS loggers from multiple manufacturers with their respective representatives present at the run.
Shelby has also extended the invitation to Shmee150’s Tim Burton, Misha Charoudin, and Robert Mitchell, the trio that sparked the conversation surrounding the video, to be there in person at the reattempt. What a truly stand-up thing to do. Their responses can be seen in the videos below.


Nissan RE-LEAF brings power to where it is needed most

Nissan has unveiled a 100% electric emergency response vehicle concept, designed to provide mobile power supply to areas affected by natural disasters or extreme weather. Based on the
Nissan LEAF
, The ‘RE’ in the cute wordplay name, RE-LEAF, represents the three elements of disaster preparedness: response, recovery, and resilience.
Some modifications were made specifically to allow RE-LEAF to drive directly into critical areas through the debris-covered roads, such as the chunky off-road wheels, and weatherproof plug sockets mounted directly to the exterior of the vehicle – which can supply 110- and 230-volt power from the car’s high-capacity lithium-ion battery.
The rear seats have been removed and the floor levelled to provide storage for essential equipment, while a custom bulkhead cage separates the front seats from the cargo area. A bespoke pull-out desk extends from the trunk – fitted with a 32-inch LED screen and dedicated power supply – designed to create an operational hub to run communications from and manage the recovery process.
Nissan Europe, Head of Electric Passenger Cars and Infrastructure, Helen Perry said “We’re constantly exploring ways that electric vehicles can enrich our lives, beyond just zero-emission transportation.
“Concepts like the RE-LEAF show the possible application of EVs in disaster management and demonstrate that smarter, cleaner technology can help save lives and provide greater resilience,” she added.
Nissan says the RE-LEAF is a demonstration of the potential of electric vehicles in disaster recovery. Although it’s a working concept, the technology is already being used in real-world applications.
Nissan previously utilised the LEAF to provide emergency power and transportation following
natural disasters in Japan since 2011
, and the company has also formed partnerships with more than 60 local governments to support disaster relief efforts.
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Mazda2 SkyActiv-D diesel variant coming to Malaysia in mid 2015

Hot on the heels of the newly
launched Mazda2
, we’ve received a tip off from a reliable source stating that the
diesel variant
 of the
Mazda2
 will be making its way here somewhere around May to July 2015.
This
Skyactiv-D powerplant
 is also a
1.5-litre
, features
variable geometry turbo
 and low/high pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The Euro 6 compliant oil burner makes
103 hp
 at 4,000 rpm and a mighty
250 Nm
 of torque from 1,500 to 2,500 rpm. Tasked to drive the front wheels is the
same six-speed Skyactiv-Drive
 automatic transmission.
During the press conference at the
Mazda2 launch
, Managing Director of Bermaz Motor, Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh did not discount the possibility of introducing the
Mazda2 Skyactiv-D
 to the Malaysian market. He added that the diesel variant is only here for market surveying, and hopes that better grade diesels will be made available soon. Several markets have already been receiving the clean diesel 2, such as Thailand, Japan and Europe.
We however have just received news that the
Mazda2 diesel variant
 will be coming to Malaysia, with its
SkyActiv-D
 engine ready to run on our ‘unique’ Euro 2 diesel.
Stick around for our full review as we will be testing out both the Mazda2 1.5L SkyActiv-G and SkyActiv-D real soon!
[divider]
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Volvo V40 T5, XC60 T5 & XC60 T6 receive EEV status, now RM22k cheaper!

Following lengthy discussions with the Malaysian government, Volvo Car Malaysia has finally received the Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status for its XC60 T6, XC60 T5, V40 T5 Drive-E. Said models will receive a special incentive under the 2014 National Automotive Policy (NAP).
The models that will qualify for the EEV incentive are equipped with Volvo’s new range of Drive-E powertrains. The before-and-after prices are as below:
Model
Price before EEV incentive (OTR without insurance)
Price
AFTER
 EEV incentive (OTR without insurance)
XC60 T6
RM318,888
RM298,888
XC60 T5
RM288,888
RM266,888
V40 T5 Drive-E
RM192,888
RM180,888
All the more reasons to consider getting an underrated Scandinavian car now, isn’t it?
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Volvo V40 T5

Volvo XC60 T5

Volvo XC60 T6


McLaren 570GT XP Green MSO Collection – tribute to the iconic F1, 6 units only

McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has just announced a limited number of bespoke 570GT using traditional British automotive colour. It celebrates the iconic F1 XP GT “Longtail” model built in 1997 and only six units of the specially commissioned 570GT will be made exclusively for UK and Europe.
The six cars are finished in McLarens historic
“XP Green”
 exterior paint – the same colour as the F1 XP GT “Longtail” – flanked by Saddle Tan aero pinstripes around the front aero blades, side skirts and rear diffuser. A subtle silver-grey Union Jack emblem is fitted on both sides of the front wheel arches. MSO has replaced the front splitter, door inserts, side air intakes, side skirts and rear bumper, diffuser and spoiler in MSO Black.

 1997 McLaren F1 XP GT “Longtail”

Inside, the luxurious cabin features Saddle Tan interior with green leather inserts to reflect the exterior theme. Additionally, a dedicated plaque “one of six MSO Collection 2017” is mounted on the centre tunnel (below the infotainment screen). The 570GT gets a unique side-hinged glass door that gives the super sportscar extra
220 litres
 of cargo space and together with the existing front trunk, it boats a total boot space of 350 litres.
The 570GT remains powered by a mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing
562 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to the rear-wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Despite the additional
37 kg
 weight penalty from the rear glass deck, the 570GT will still sprint to 100 km/h in
3.4 seconds
 (0.2 seconds slower than the 570S) with a top speed of
326 km/h
.
Base price of the 570GT in the UK starts at £154,000 (RM872k). With the MSO contents and extra options ticked, the final bill for the XP Green MSO Collection McLaren 570GT reads £188,567 (RM1.06 mill). Is the paintjob and Saddle Tan interior worth the additional £34,567 (RM190k) ? You decide.
IMAGE GALLERY

 1997 McLaren F1 XP GT “Longtail”


Facts & Figures: Bentley Continental GT V8 launched in Malaysia, RM795K before tax and options

Luxury cars like the
 Bentley Continental GT
 are items of excess, but sometimes a 6.0-litre W12 engine can be just a little too much, even for the wealthy. Luckily for you, Bentley Kuala Lumpur has now introduced the “toned-down”
Bentley Continental GT V8
 here on our shores.
PERFORMANCE
We say toned-down in inverted commas, because it is still plenty fast, especially for a huge chunk of metal like this luxury grand tourer. The lower weight and better weight distribution thanks to the smaller engine also helps with the Continental GT V8’s handling and fuel efficiency.
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: eight-speed dual clutch transmission
Drivetrain: Front engine, active all-wheel drive with rear bias
Max horsepower: 550 hp
Max torque: 770 Nm
0-100 km/h: 4.0 seconds
Top speed: 318 km/h
Aside from the new “characterful V8 burble”, the new engine is also capable of shutting off half of its cylinders in suitable conditions to help with fuel consumption, all while being pretty much imperceptible to the driver.
Ride and handling on the new Continental GT has also been tweaked for the V8 version, with the use of new lightweight hollow anti-roll bars at the front and rear. Air suspension is available as standard, while customers can select the Bentley Intelligent Dynamic Ride System adaptive chassis as an option.
EXTERIOR
The Continental GT is still as much a beautiful art piece as it is a mind-bendingly quick grand tourer. The V8 version differentiates itself with the quad exhausts, 20-inch 10-spoke painted alloys (with nine other options ranging up to 22-inches), and V8 badging on the front fenders.
Otherwise, exterior equipment are pretty much the same as its W12 counterpart, including the cut-gem-like LED Matrix headlights. For a more aggressive and striking look, buyers can opt for the Blackline Specification, which replaces the following exterior items with specially-commissioned high-gloss black carbon fibre and black-painted trims:
Door handles
Headlight surrounds
Taillamp surrounds
Number plate surrounds
Side window surrounds
Wing vents
Lower side sills
INTERIOR
The cabin of the Continental GT V8 stays true to its luxury heritage of the Bentley badge, handcrafted with a generous use of rare wood veneers and the highest quality leathers. As standard, the Bentley Continental GT V8 in Malaysia comes with a new Crown Cut Walnut on the dashboard but as is standard Bentley affair, there are a multitude of other options to choose from.
Other standard interior equipment include the fully-digital instrument cluster, 22-way adjustable leather seats in monotone colour split, and 650W 10-speaker Bentley audio system. But if there’s one option you have to tick during checkout, it’ll be the Bentley Rotating Display.
The rotating display features a 12.3-inch infotainment display housed in a three-sided revolving unit in the veneer – letting the occupants choose between displaying the infotainment screen, three analogue dials, or just plain shiny veneer on the dashboard.
SAFETY
The all-new Bentley Continental GT V8 is equipped with a wide range of safety and convenience features, including:
Active Lane Assist
Traffic Jam Assist
Park Assist
Variable ratio electric power steering rack
Continuous damping control
PRICING
The all-new Bentley Continental GT V8 is now available in Malaysia, starting at
RM795,000 before duties, taxes, options, and insurance
.
For more information on the new luxury grand tourer, customers can contact Bentley Kuala Lumpur at
+60 3 2165 1688
, or through any of their social media accounts with the handle @bentleykualalumpur.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mitsubishi is bringing back the Ralliart name and re-entering motorsports

Ralliart, the name many of us happily stuck to our Proton cars back in the-90s, has resurfaced! The motorsport and tuning arm of Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC) is set to make a timely comeback after an
11-year break
.
MMC made the announcement as part of the delivery of FY2020 performance and an update to the mid-term business plan to shareholders in Tokyo, Japan.
One of the final models bearing the Ralliart performance upgrades
The Ralliart branding and performance attributes (adventurous, durability and advancement) are used as a direction towards the realisation of
“Mitsubishi Motor-ness”
, in what looks like the company’s pillars for defining the brand moving forward.
The one-slide announcement did not come with accompanying elaboration, but according to a report by
Forbes
, the move is more than just another line of accessories or special editions. MMC is planning to enter relevant motorsports under the Ralliart banner.
“For customers who wish to experience our Mitsubishi-ness, we will launch custom-made accessories for our model lineup as well as
re-entering motorsport
 events around the world,” said Mitsubishi CEO Takao Kato.

Check out the dynamic performance of the
Mitsubishi Triton Athlete
, all locally shot in Malaysia!
The timeline in the presentation shows big plans coming
from 2023
. Under the said “Mitsubishi Motor-ness” plans, two silhouettes of SUVs are planned for introduction, one compact like an ASX, another larger like an Outlander. Could this be Ralliart, souped-up versions of all-new Mitsubishi models?
MMC has said its long history in motorsports has helped the company developed excellent vehicle dynamics on both tarmac and off-road driving.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV participated in the Baja Portalegre 500
Subaru, MMC’s arch-rival from the glorious WRC days, has long left rallying to pursue circuit and endurance motorsport activities which are the Nurburgring 24 Hours and Japan’s
Super GT
. The company continues with products enhanced by the Ralliart-equivalent named STI, such as the US-only
Subaru WRX STI S209
 pumping out 341 hp and
Subaru BRZ STI Sport
.
Who would have expected, re-entering motorsports at a time when electrification is the biggest buzzword in the auto industry. Great news for us petrolheads nonetheless!


Customer test drive in BMW X1 goes horribly wrong in China

Test drives at dealerships are as common as having “telur” on your roti canai; most customers go about their drives and return safely but every once in a while, you come across stories like these.
A lady in her 30’s, while returning from her test drive in a BMW X1 in Guangzhou, China mistakenly pressed on the accelerator instead of the brakes at the entrance of the showroom and the rest as they say, is history.
What’s strange was that, it wasn’t a full-on bulldoze through the glass entrance. The car actually slammed into the glass frame first, stopped briefly and carried on ploughing through into the showroom before crashing into some furniture. Did she mistakenly step on the accelerator, twice?
Two employees of the showroom supposedly suffered minor injuries while the clumsy driver and unfortunate sales person, were unhurt. I pity the car sales people sometimes; the things they have to do and the nonsense they have to put up with for their commission’s sake.


Ferrari celebrates 75 years of high-octane history with new anniversary logo

Ferrari
 is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and to mark the momentous occasion, they’ve unveiled a new anniversary logo, alongside an emotional video on its YouTube channel starring some of its employees – who the company says “ensure Ferrari’s success day in, day out”.
The special logo was created to mark 75 years since Enzo Ferrari opened his small factory in Maranello back in 1947, and is made up by a stylised number 75, alongside the iconic prancing horse and the 1947-2022 lettering.

Aside from the anniversary logo, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann also unveiled a sculpture of the iconic prancing horse to commemorate the milestone, which is actually a giant puzzle with all the individual pieces laid down by Ferrari employees.
“For this special year we have created a special icon: a sculpture made up of thousands of components forged here in our factory and positioned one-by-one by my Ferrari colleagues,” said Elkann.
“It is a symbol of the Ferrari spirit which is shared both here in Maranello and by all our family around the world. It reflects the essence of who we are, our past 75 years, and our future. It is a symbol of a company that, as Enzo Ferrari once said – Above all, is made of people.”
The Ferrari SF90 Spider, one of the stars of
ABC 2021!
Back in 2017, Ferrari celebrated its 70th anniversary by unveiling the
limited-production LaFerrari Aperta
, alongside 350 special-edition units of each of their models. We don’t know what 2022 holds for the iconic Italian marque, but rest assured it’ll not be a quiet one. Happy 75th, Ferrari!


Ares Design chops off Tesla Model S’ roof and it looks surprisingly good

Tesla is taking their own sweet time with the
all-new Tesla Roadster
, with a scheduled launch date this year if everything goes according to plan. But if you already can’t wait to get your hands on a new topless Tesla, good news: a coach builder by the name of Ares Design is making one based on the
 Model S
, and it looks every bit just as good as one that would’ve come out from Tesla’s own factory.
The modifications made on the Model S – which you’ll have to provide one yourself – were quite extensive to achieve the new look, including chopping off the entire roof (obviously), along with the removal of the rear doors and B-pillars, while elongating the front doors.
The top half of the rear quarter also had to be reworked to fit the roof folding mechanism, and of course the folded fabric roof. Unfortunately, Ares Design did not provide any photos of the Tesla Model S “Roadster” with its roof up, so we can’t judge how that looks.
Completing the exterior styling efforts is a custom carbon fibre body kit, which includes new front and rear bumpers, an extended front splitter, side skirts, and custom Ares Design 21-inch wheels.
Due to the removal of the roof, Ares Design engineers had to reinforce the chassis with additional strengthening on the side members, beneath the cockpit, and at the rear seating area to maintain the structural integrity of the car.
The reworked rear quarters also necessitated a set of custom-made rear seats, but the rest of the cabin is pretty much left as-is – aside from a touch of flair at the request of the client, in the form of orange and carbon fibre detailing contrasting the hand-stitched ice white leather.
Ares Design co-founder and CEO, Dany Bahar said, “our co-create philosophy allows clients to work side by side with our designers and engineers to create their very own bespoke vehicle, a service that is unique to Ares. This Tesla project is a superb example of this; it was a pure coachbuilding project which we very much enjoy doing and seeing the results of our uncompromising standards.”
Ares definitely wasn’t the first ones to toy with the Tesla Model S’ roof. Back in 2018, UK-based QWest modified the
electric sedan into a shooting brake
, and YouTuber Simone Giertz even
turned her own Tesla Model S into a one-of-one pick-up truck
 – way before the
Cybertruck
 was even announced.
GALLERY


RON 95 and RON 97 up by 20 sen for February 2017, diesel by 10 sen

Looks like it’s not great news to usher in the Lunar New Year. Fuel prices for the month of February will see RON 95 and RON 97 go up by as much as 20 sen, whereas diesel is up by 10 sen.
The new prices are as follow:
RON 95 –
RM2.30
 per litre (formerly RM2.10 in January)
RON 97 –
RM2.60
 per litre (from RM2.40)
Diesel –
RM2.15
 per litre (from RM2.05)
Euro 5 Diesel –
RM2.25
 per litre (from RM2.15)
Also, here’s a friendly reminder from us at
AutoBuzz.my
: please, practice caution when receiving and/or forwarding chain messages regarding fuel price adjustments. For those who are sharing old news, stop, and be sure to check the time and date of posting before jumping aboard the hate-wagon. In any case, it’s always better to refer to official news portals for reliable updates.


Lee Motors to open new BMW showroom in Alor Setar in 2024, new BMW i charging station

BMW Malaysia together with Lee Motors has broken ground for the new Auto Care showroom in Alor Setar, Kedah that’s set to open by the first quarter of 2023. The new 50,000 sq ft facility will offer more than twice the space compared to the previous location and will feature the latest BMW Retail NEXT corporate identity.
The new showroom can accommodate up to 16 vehicles from the lineup of BMW and BMW Premium Selection vehicles. The Auto Care showroom is also home to two delivery bays, eight work bays – which can be expanded to 12 – along with two bays for reception-at-the-car. The new Lee Motors Auto Care showroom will be located at 218, Jalan Gangsa, Kawasan Perusahaan Mergong II, 05150, Alor Setar, Kedah.
Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “The new and larger facility by Lee Motors is a testament to the strong market growth for the premium segment in this region. With that, we are confident that they will be able to deliver the highest level of premium ownership experience for BMW customers in the area.”
““In 2022, we successfully delivered over 270 premium vehicles from the BMW Group portfolio, and we are looking forward to growing our deliveries alongside the expansion of our facility and services,” Eugene Lee, Managing Director of Lee Motors.
As an authorised BMW dealer for 20 years now and the sole dealer representative for the brand in Kedah. Driven by the passion to not only introduce new owners to the BMW brand, we are also looking to create better access to electrified mobility in Kedah,” he added.
On that note, Lee Motors together with BMW Group Malaysia also officiated a new BMW i Charging facility at the Royal Kedah Club, powered by local charging provider RExharge. The charging facility is open to the public, with an 11 kW AC charger that costs RM0.15 per minute and a 60 kW DC fast charger that costs RM1.40 per minute.


Honda’s adorable compact EV will be called the Honda e

After making its debut as a
concept car
 at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda has confirmed that its first fully electric urban vehicle will be named the Honda e. The new EV will lead the brand’s
“Electric Vision” strategy
 for the European region.
Based on a rear-wheel-drive
all-electric platform, the Honda e has been packaged to meet the needs of a
modern lifestyle with its unique design, clean energy and engaging driving
dynamics. The retro boxy profile has been penned for the modern day with
elements such as stepless A-pillars, pop out door handles and Camera Mirror
System (camera side mirrors) to improve aerodynamics.
The minimalistic design
theme continues to the uncluttered cabin with a widescreen for the infotainment
and instrument cluster while the centre console features only the essential
buttons for the electronic parking brake, gear selector and drive mode toggle
switch.
On a single charge, the Honda e can deliver over
200 km
 of driving range and the “fast charge” functionality can give the battery 80% of juice in 30 minutes. Honda claims that this set up is ideal for urban environments and everyday commuting without sacrificing a fun driving experience.
The Honda e will go
into production later this year and Honda has already collected almost 6,500 registration
of interest in the UK. However, we are not betting that this cute urban warrior
will come to Malaysia any time soon.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda e Prototype at Geneva


All-new Honda Accord now open for booking, 1.5L turbocharged engine!

At long last, Honda Malaysia has announced that the 10th-generation Honda Accord is
now open for booking
, at all 100 Honda dealerships nationwide. The all-new Honda Accord is set to be launched in
Q1 2020
.
First introduced in 2001, the Honda Accord has sold more than 84,100 units to-date. With the new 10th-generation Honda Accord, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and CEO Toichi Ishiyama said, “The much-anticipated All-New Accord is set to move the yardstick for next generation sedans with its unmatched performance, stylish and premium design as well as cutting-edge technology and safety features.”
In terms of styling, the all-new Honda Accord has incorporated the fastback body shape for a more modern appearance. The wider stance is paired with a lower hood, as well as a low-slung roofline to achieve greater road presence.
The all-new Honda Accord comes equipped with
full-LED headlights and taillights
, with a slight resemblance to the
Honda Civic
. At the rear, the Accord also sports a twin tailpipe finished in chrome – none of those fake exhaust “holes”. Completing the sporty appearance is the standard
18-inch alloys
.
Under the hood, the all-new Honda Accord is powered by a new
1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC engine
, a first for the D-segment model. The turbocharged mill churns out
201 hp
 and
260 Nm
 of torque, which Honda says is more powerful than a 2.4-litre naturally aspirated engine.
As standard, the 10th-generation Honda Accord comes with
six airbags
, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), front and rear parking sensors together with Multi-angle Rearview Camera.
the global market 10th-Generation Honda Accord
Honda has also equipped the latest D-segment sedan with the full suite of
Honda Sensing
 advanced driver assistance features (first introduced locally in the
2017 Honda Accord
), which includes eight features in three categories:

Driver Cruising Aid
– Adaptive Cruise Control
– Low Speed Follow
– Auto High-Beam
Frontal Collision Deterrence
– Forward Collision Warning
– Collision Mitigation Braking System
Side Collision Deterrence
– Lane Keep Assist System
– Road Departure Mitigation
– Lane Departure Warning
 the global market 10th-Generation Honda Accord
The 10th-generation Honda Accord will be
locally-assembled
 in Honda Malaysia’s Pagoh plant, making it the sole Japanese D-segment sedan to be assembled in Malaysia.
Pricing information and other features will only be announced during the launch. At the meantime, here’s a video from
 Honda Thailand
 to give you an idea of what might be included in the localised version of the 10th-generation Honda Accord.

IMAGE GALLERY
10th-Generation Honda Accord (Global)


PSA: Don’t leave clear plastic water bottles in your car

It’s really, really hot out these days, so having a bottle of water with you at all times to stay hydrated is just smart. But if you’re using a clear plastic bottle (or glass ones, for the matter), remember to never leave it unsupervised in the car, especially if it’s going to be parked under the hot sun. Unless you want your car looking like this poor Redditor’s.
Reddit user, WarningImBroken,
posted two photos of their car
 – or at least what remains of it after a fire – to the subreddit /r/WellThatSucks, along with the caption “Today I learned not to leave a clear bottle of water in my car on a hot sunny day!!”
While it may seem a little far-fetched to blame a car fire on a small water bottle, it’s actually not that uncommon of a phenomenon – so much so that fire departments in the US have warned drivers against leaving them, particularly clear bottles, partially or fully filled with water.
RELATED:
When comprehensive isn’t enough – Here’s why your car needs special perils coverage

That’s because these clear bottles can act very much like a magnifying glass, focusing the sunlight into a single beam. Remember those science experiments you used to do in primary school? If the beam unfortunately hits the right spot in the car, there’s a chance it may spark a flame, and in worst-case scenarios, quickly escalate into a big fire engulfing your whole car.
It’s definitely a good idea to bring drinking water with you when you’re out and about, especially when the heatwave that we’re currently experiencing is
 predicted to last until August
. But maybe, swap that clear plastic disposable bottle for an opaque reusable one, which not only is a little safer in this context, but can also be better for the environment too.
Or, you know, remember to take your bottle with you whenever you step out of the car.
[H/T:
Jalopnik
]


All-new Honda Civic Type R prototype to join 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, keeps camo wrap

The upcoming
Honda Civic Type R
 will be making its first public appearance next month at the
2022 Tokyo Auto Salon
, giving eager Japanese fans a chance to catch a quick look at the highly-awaited hot hatch. However, this isn’t the Type R’s debut just yet – it’ll still be in prototype form, covered in the unique camo wrap that we first saw last week.
Still, that won’t be enough to hide all of the extra aerodynamic appendages that Honda has fitted onto the Civic Type R, including wider fenders, sporty bumpers, a large rear wing, and a rear diffuser – the latter even comes with the now-iconic triple exhaust exits down the middle.
The Type R Prototype’s unique vinyl wrap that Honda seemingly loves to talk about
With it still being a prototype, though, we won’t know for sure what kind of technical information Honda is willing to disclose at TAS 2022 itself. They did mention that it’ll be featured in an “action-packed test-driving video” so TAS attendees can go behind the scenes and catch a glimpse of the Type R’s development process, so there’s that, I guess…
For what it’s worth, we do know that Honda will be attempting to break the existing lap record at the Suzuka circuit set by the
FK8 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition
. So as usual, it’ll be fair to say that the upcoming Type R will be the best one ever.
The upcoming Civic Type R is expected to still feature the proven 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine underneath its bonnet. Outputs are expected to remain roughly similar to its predecessor, in the region of
320 hp
 and
400 Nm
, and will be paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
The all-new Type R will join its other Japanese rivals in showing off their latest and greatest at the TAS; Subaru will be unveiling a new
STI concept race car
, while Mitsubishi will be unveiling a
Ralliart concept car
. Nissan, meanwhile, will officially debut the
new Z
 for the Japanese market, with a couple of special-edition models including a one-off in retro styling.
That’s if, the show isn’t cancelled due to the new Omicron variant that’s currently ravaging the entire world. Fingers crossed!
GALLERY


Type R Challenge Round 4 of 5: Civic Type R breaks Estoril FWD lap record

We’ve almost reached the end of the five leg Type R Challenge now; having seen the all-new FK8 Civic Type R obliterate lap records at the
Magny Cours
 circuit, the
Spa-Francorchamps
 circuit, the
Silverstone
 circuit and now in Portugal.
At the Estoril circuit in Portugal, the
Civic Type R set a new lap record for a front-wheel drive production car
 with a time of 2 minutes 01.84 seconds, with Honda WTCR driver, Tiago Monteiro behind the wheel.
https://assets.autobuzz.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/25115852/135774_Honda_Civic_Type_R_sets_new_lap_record_at_Estoril_circuit_in_Portugal.mp4
“The FK8 Civic Type R is very stable, has very good braking efficiency and an amazing engine so it just feels like you are driving a race car. On the track, it’s easy to forget that it’s a proper road car but then you can drive it home,” said Tiago.
“The new Type R is a big evolution. I mean we’re talking about a totally different car in terms of design, aero, suspension, geometries, engine, but more than anything the feeling of driving the car,” he added.
IMAGE GALLERY


Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e PHEV coming to Malaysia soon?

The
 Mercedes-Benz GLC
 has been available in Malaysia for quite some time now, with the last
facelift update making its debut back in 2019
. And even though the
all-new X254-generation GLC
just made its global debut earlier this month, it might still not be the end of the line yet for the outgoing X253 GLC, as
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 has just published a teaser photo on its social media channels, hinting at a new launch soon.
Image:
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia/Facebook
While the shadowy photo makes it hard to see what exactly is special with this GLC, the tag line “Stay tuned to take charge” makes it pretty clear that it’ll feature some form of electrification underneath the bonnet, which leaves only one possible model – the GLC 300e plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Unveiled globally back in 2019, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e features a M274 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, paired to an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox to make a total of
 320 hp
 and
 700 Nm
of torque.
ALSO READ: Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 gains AMG Line and full Keyless-Go, price bumped to RM294k
With the 4Matic all-wheel drive that comes as standard on the GLC 300e, the 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in just
5.7 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
230 km/h.
As a comparison, the current range-topping GLC 300 that was launched in Malaysia back in 2019 gets 258 hp and 370 Nm, which translates to a 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
Electric power for the hybrid powertrain comes from a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, which provides enough charge for an EV range of up to 43 km on the WLTP test cycle. Charging via a 7.4 kW on-board AC charger takes roughly 1.5 hours to fill up the battery, or approximately five hours using a conventional three-pin socket.
There are still many questions left unanswered so far, such as “does the two cars in the teaser photo mean that there’ll also be a Coupe variant”. We’ll likely be hearing more about it very soon, so keep your eyes peeled here as we bring you the latest info!


The 2021 Nissan GT-R Nismo gets company’s latest logo and the gorgeous Stealth Grey colour

There seems to be no real interest to have a new generation of the venerable Nissan GT-R (R35) sportscar anytime soon. Nissan has officially unveiled the 2021 Nissan GT-R Nismo edition for the Japanese market, with the base product essentially engineered in mid-2000s and released in 2007.
To highlight how much life is still left for the Nissan GT-R, the company has placed its
latest corporate logo
, something significant that is only set to appear on the fully electric
Nissan Ariya
 in the coming months.
Paired with the new emblems is the exclusive Nismo
Stealth Grey
 paintwork, which was inspired by track tarmacs GT-Rs have set records and competed on. This paint hue is also available in the just-launched
2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X
.
This latest edition features a Nismo-exclusive
clear-coated
 carbon fibre hood. Opting out of a painted hood not only exposes the intricate carbon fibre weave, it also sheds
100 grams
 from this already svelte GT-R. Other body panels made from lightweight carbon fibre include front fenders, front and rear bumpers, the roof and rear spoiler.
Matching the new Stealth Grey paintwork is a circular red accent on the existing set of black-painted 9-spoke
forged wheels
 from Rays measuring 20 inches in diameter.
The engine continues to be a made-to-order high output unit. Each
twin-turbocharged

3.8-litre V6
 engine is handcrafted by its own ‘takumi’ master craftsman. The ‘takumi’ certification plate on the engine is also in an exclusive colour.
This motorsport-inspired power unit utilises new high-precision, weight-balanced parts including the piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, flywheel, crank pulley and valve springs dialed in with tighter tolerances, delivering snappier revs and quicker turbo spooling.
Nissan quotes outputs of
600 hp
 and
652 Nm
 of torque for the GT-R Nismo with the century sprint benchmark completed in
2.8 seconds
.
“The GT-R NISMO has always been an ongoing pursuit of ultimate driving pleasure,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist of the GT-R. “We take a holistic approach, seeking precision performance through a meticulous balance of engine components and shaving weight, and incrementally evolving the GT-R’s appearance to deliver the ultimate balance of power, performance and excitement to our customers.”
Check out the vehicles in the background!
Enjoy the photos, taken at Nismo’s flagship
Nismo Omori Factory
, which prepares their Super GT GT-R race machines as well as recently commenced
refurbishment work
. You can also own a unique piece of Nissan Skyline GT-R-inspired item made by Autobuzz.my
here
!
GALLERY


Mitsubishi to unveil a “very special Triton” at the Bangkok International Motor Show

It is still uncertain if this is Mitsubishi’s answer to
Ford’s Ranger Raptor
 but judging from the sole image released, Mitsubishi’s “surprise” for the 40th Bangkok International Motor Show will be an exciting one.
Mitsubishi said the company’s designers were tasked with creating a vehicle that represents what the
 Triton
is all about – and they did not disappoint – engineering a vehicle that’s “Absolutely” Beyond Tough.
Check out our
 first impressions video of the new Mitsubishi Triton here
!
Despite adopting the engine and
updated transmission
 from the previous model Triton, the new pick-up has been improved in more ways than one – not only making it tougher on the ragged edge but crucially,
more livable for urban use and comfortable for long drives
.
Locally,
prices for the Triton
 starts from RM100,200 to RM135,200 for the fully-loaded Triton Adventure X.


JPJ to approach owners with noisy exhaust through advocacy action, no summons

The Ministry of Transport (JPJ) is now focusing on a more lenient approach to the
enforcement of vehicle exhaust systems
 the emit more than the allowed parameters.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Sion said that his ministry will now focus on the advocacy approach rather than to issue summons after studying a speech by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a recent political party’s general assembly.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee said he had informed the matter to JPJ Director-General Datuk Zailani Hashim which the department indicated that an
Interview Notice
 will be issued under Section 114(1), Road Transport Act (APJ) 187. The purpose of the first notice is to conduct an investigation and information gathering on the illegal modification of the vehicle’s exhaust system.
Recipients of the Interview Notice must present themselves at any JPJ branch office. Datuk Zailani also elaborated that a second notice called
Directive for Inspection Notice
 under Section 61(1) together with
Prohibited Use of Vehicle Notice
 (PG1) under Section 59(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987 will only be issued should the owner be suspected of committing the
illegal vehicle exhaust
 modification offence.
He added that with the second notice, the vehicle owner
must then reinstate the exhaust system
 to its original specifications and perform an inspection at any JPJ branch office.
News reports from
Bernama
 and
The Sun Daily
 said that in just five days from March 1st, a total of 10,166 summonses for various offences were issued during large-scaled operations conducted against vehicles with illegal modifications. As of March 21st, over 4,000 summonses were issued to motorcycle owners after an inspection of over 59,000 units of the two-wheeler.
Offenders can be prosecuted under Section 64 of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987 and can be fined up to
RM2,000
 or a
six-month jail term
. Earlier this year, the JPJ issued a reminder to vehicle owners who modified their cars with a
“hellaflush”
 look that a summon is also awaiting them should they caught driving on the road.
Images: Facebook/
JPJ


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia continues fight against Covid-19 with car, cash, and equipment donations

The
Covid-19
 pandemic in our country is still far from over, with daily cases and death numbers at an all-time high, one and a half year on since the first cases broke out. As a response,
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia
(MMM) has stepped up once again by contributing to various Covid-19 aids efforts, to help continue the fight against the virus.
Working with medical relief non-governmental organisation Mercy Malaysia, MMM will loan three Mitsubishi vehicles – one
Triton pick-up truck
and two
Outlander SUVs
 – to help transport frontliners to vaccination centres (PPV) for the public outreach vaccination program.
In addition, MMM has also donated RM20,000 to the NGO, which will assist the health workers further in conducting extensive Covid-19 screening, contract tracing works, isolating the infected, and dispensing care to those who need it.
Aside from Mercy Malaysia, MMM also purchased 400 units of Tyvek PPE suits for frontliners, which was distributed to three Covid-19 Assesment Centres (CAC) in Stadium Melawati, Stadium Jugra, and Klinik Kesihatan Gombak Setia.
Earlier this year, MMM also donated a Triton pick-up to Insaf Malaysia to aid in their humanitarian works. Learn more about it here.
The company also purchased RM43,000 worth of items for another CAC in Hulu Langat, including tents, tables, chairs, portable air-conditioning units, and heavy-duty wires.
These CAC assesses Covid-19 patients before they are sent to hospital, quarantine at treatment centres, or ordered to undergo home quarantine. The CAC which MMM is assisting in can accommodate up to 400 patients a day.
Need to travel during the National Recovery Plan period? Here’s everything you need to know.
“Although our core business is producing cars, we are committed to doing our part in ensuring the country and our customers are kept safe,” said MMM Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi. “We will continue to communicate closely with key NGOs and public institutions to see how Mitsubishi Motors can continue to contribute.”
“This pandemic is one of the most challenging times we have faced as a nation, and thus we must step up and breach the support needed, especially now where Covid-19 infections are at their highest.”
“The recent increase in cases and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to significant emotional stress among the country’s frontliners, particularly healthcare workers in Malaysia. We thank our brave frontliners who worked tirelessly for us all,” Shinnishi added.


BMW 2-Series Active Tourer gets xDrive 4WD

When the F45 2-Series Active Tourer debuted earlier this year, it received a wave of attention for being the first BMW model to be front-wheel driven. Since then, the folks at Munich have decided to give the Mercedes B-Class rival their xDrive all-wheel drive system which is shared with many of their SUV models –
X3
,
X4
 and
X5
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 220d xDrive Active Tourer
BMW 225i xDrive Active Tourer
Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Engine
1,995cc; inline-4, BMW TwinPower Turbo with Commonrail Direct Injection
1,998cc; inline-4, BMW TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
8-speed automatic with Steptronic
8-speed automatic with Steptronic
Max Power
190hp @ 4,000 rpm
231 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,000 rpm
0 – 100kmh; Top Speed
7.3 seconds; 223kmh
6.3 seconds; 237kmh

The brand’s intelligent four-wheel drive system is now available on the
220d
 and
225i

Active Tourers
, but there’s a catch. Unlike the other permanent all-wheel drive xDrive systems, the 2-Series Active Tourer’s xDrive system can
disengage the rear wheels
 in normal driving mode, improving overall fuel efficiency.
If the xDrive system detects reduced traction, it sends up to 100 percent of power to the wheels with the most grip. The distribution of torque is also continuously monitored when driving spiritedly, minimising slippages.
According to BMW, the whole xDrive system only adds
61kg
 to the overall weight of the car, achieving
4.6 litres per 100km
 with the 220d. The non-xDrive 220d Active Tourer managed 4.4 litres per 100km, so that’s not much of a compromise to be frank.
It’s unclear at present if BMW Group Malaysia will ever be bringing this in, but seeing how well their current line of SUVs are doing, we don’t think the 2-Series Active Tourer is worth the risk. If they do introduce this sometime later, it would be hard putting a right price on it.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW 220d xDrive Active Tourer

BMW 225i xDrive Active Tourer


Budget 2023: RM2.7b for federal road maintenance & upgrades, RM1.5b for rural roads

In the budget 2023 presentation today, Malaysian finance minister Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will be allocating
RM 2.7 billion
 to maintain and upgrade the federal roads. Another
RM 1.5 billion
 will be allocated for rural roads.
Themed “Membangun Malaysia Madani”, Budet 2023 covered several areas pertaining to transportation, including matters like the
motorcycle license and commercial driving license
, and the electricity tariff. The budget allocation for road maintenance and upgrades stems from the aim to handle the increasing road accident issue.
To manage the increasing road accidents, Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim announced that a total of RM 2.7 billion will be allocated for the maintenance and upgrades of federal roads. Relating to the issue,
RM 300 million
 will be specially allocated for G1 to G4 contractors to conduct minor maintenance works.
As for rural roads, a total of RM 1.5 billion will be allocated for upgrades and construction of new roads that connect rural areas and villages.
To combat the issue of potholes, the government will engage the district engineer to expedite road repair works and other infrastructure repair works based on complaints received from the citizens. Each district will be given an allocation of
RM100,000
 to fix the pothole issue.
RELATED:
Budget 2023 – Gov’t to bear licence test fees for B2 motorcycle, taxi, bus, and e-hailing PSV

To improve road visibility at night and in bad weather conditions, a total of
RM 50 million
 will be allocated to install road lights in areas prone to accidents.
Besides all the above-mentioned matters from budget 2023, the government will also increase the allocation for the Malaysia Road Record Information System (MARRIS) to
RM 5.2 billion
. The system which is already in existence serves to maintain state roads. The federal government has now allowed MARRIS to be used for road, bridge, and drainage repairs due to natural disasters.


New Mazda 2 “Sunlit Citrus” in Japan injects C-segment luxury into a hatchback

Mazda in Japan has introduced a special edition Mazda 2 “Sunlit Citrus” that comes with several “premium touches” in the cabin for that Mazda 6 feel. In Mazda’s own words (translated from Japanese), it’s “a car that makes your usual driving feel positive and enjoyable” and frankly, it could.
Find out more about the facelift Mazda 2 in Malaysia here!
Part of the Sunlit Citrus edition are features like wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and a 360-degree camera display but creature comforts isn’t what this Mazda 2 is about. This one’s all about aesthetics.
The special edition model comes with a Greige (grey and beige) interior with Grandlux artificial suede and leather upholstery – applied on the dashboard, door trims, and seats. The upholstery is a trademarked material by local upholstery manufacturer, Seiren Co, in Japan.
What we particularly like is the
gold fabric strip
in the middle on the seat with diamond-shaped motifs – like the ones you see on golf attire or Christmas-themed sweaters.
According to Mazda, “It (the cabin) expresses an indoor space that imagines a trip to the south under the sun”.
Tell you what though, it does elevate the cabin feel of the Mazda 2. With brighter upholstery, the cabin does look wider and more spacious. Cleaning it is a different story altogether.
The Sunlit Citrus edition also comes with matching floor mats and key fobs. While we can see the appeal of the key fobs but you’d probably have to remove your shoes before you step into the car with those floor mats. Or don’t take passengers. Ever.
Along with the Sunlit Citrus edition is a new
Platinum Quartz Metallic
 exterior colour and improvements to the engine. Mazda said they’ve increased the compression ratio of the 1.5-litre engine for better fuel efficiency and “environmental performance”.
Output is rated at
110 hp
and
142 Nm
, compared to the 114 hp and 149 Nm in our local model. Interestingly, in terms of fuel consumption, the updated model is rated at
4.9L/100km
, compared to the local Mazda 2’s 5.3L/100km – a
6.8% improvement
.
Prices for Sunlit Citrus edition starts from 1,969,000 yen (approx. RM73,917).
Check out our GALLERY of the facelift Mazda2 sedan in Malaysia!


Renault Fluence facelift is officially here, priced from RM112k to RM123k

The facelifted
Renault Fluence
 has finally been launched by TC Euro Cars, effectively replacing the outgoing model despite being in the market for just less than a year. It was launched at the Centre Court of Mid Valley Megamall. Two variants are offered this time around, as opposed to the sole variant offered previously – the
Expression
 variant which retails at
RM 112,178.81
 and the range topper
Dynamique
 at
RM 123,481.97
. Both prices include GST and insurance premium.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Renault Fluence 2.0L Expression
Renault Fluence 2.0L Dynamique
Segment
C-Segment
C-Segment
Engine
1,997cc; 16v 140 X-Tronic
1,997cc; 16v 140 X-Tronic
Transmission
CVT with tiptronic mode
CVT with tiptronic mode
Max Power
143hp @ 6,000 rpm
143hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
195Nm @ 3,750 rpm
195Nm @ 3,750 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM 112,178.81
 (with GST)

RM 123,481.97
(with GST)

We have to say, the new look is quite pleasing to the eyes. So what’s different from the previous model that was launched last May, you ask?
EXTERIOR
Well, the front fascia now follows the design language found on many other current Renault models, such as the Clio and the Koleos. The upper air intake grille is now wider and contours around the bottom of the emblem, which gives it a nice floating effect. The lower grille is smaller, more angular and separates the fog light clusters. The top-end Dynamique variant gets
LED daytime running lights
 built into the fog lamp housing, a feature that isn’t shared with the Expression variant.

Over at the back, nothing much has changed, though the base trim will make do with bulb-type rear lamps where the Dynamique gets LED. Also new to the refreshed C-Segment sedan is its
17-inch
 alloy wheels, though the Dynamique gets a cool
Akihiro

two-tone
 paint.
INTERIOR
The Fluence retains many of its interior space and creature comforts. While the Expression variant gets
fabric
 seats, the more expensive variant gets wrapped entirely in
leather
. Found on both cars are a plethora of equipment, beginning with the
digital speedometer
, R-Link
 7-inch touchscreen
 with integrated
rear view camera
,
3D sound by Arkamys
,
TomTom Navigation
,
Bluetooth
 connectivity,
USB
 ports,
start/stop button
 and the list goes on.

PERFORMANCE
There are no mechanical tweaks or upgrades here. Powering this French beauty is a familiar engine plucked from the previous-gen Nissan Sylphy – a
2.0-litre
 naturally aspirated engine that makes
143 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
195 Nm
 of torque at 3,750 rpm. It is paired also to Nissan’s famed
X-Tronic CVT
gearbox, driving the front wheels.
Fuel consumption is rated at
7.7 L/100 km
 while achieving a respectable 0 to 100 km/h time of
10.1 seconds
 and a top speed of
195km/h
.
SAFETY
 Standard on all variants are the usual suspects: ESP, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX, six airbags and Renault’s own Hands-free cards that replaces the usual key fob found on many modern cars.
WHAT ELSE?
The new Renault Fluence come with a
five-year unlimited mileage
 warranty. The Dynamique variant gets an additional
5inFluence
 warranty package that includes
free maintenance
 for the
first five years or 100,000 km
, whichever comes first.
It is available in five different shades of grey. No, I’m just kidding. Let’s not go there. There’s
Ultra Silver
,
Black Metallic
,
Mars Grey
 and
White Pearl
 to choose from. The fifth colour is an all-new one –
Crimson Red
, the very colour you see this car donning right here. Now, can we get the
Fluence Z.E.
 and the Renault Sport version? Pretty please?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche throws the 911 GT3 RS, GT3 Cup car and Taycan into battle!

Now that you’ve seen our video of the
718 Cayman GT4 drive in Sepang
, check this one out – where Porsche has pitted its electric Taycan Turbo against its
911 GT3 RS
 and 911 GT3 Cup car!
The Taycan Turbo makes 680 hp and 850 Nm while the GT3 Cup has an output of 485 hp and 480 Nm from a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat six engine. As for the 911 GT3 RS, it has more horsepower than the Cup car but less torque, at 520 hp and 469 Nm.

The shootout took place at the Sandown International Raceway in Melbourne, Australia with the cars driven by Australian race car drivers Luke Youlden (Taycan Turbo) and Tony D’Alberto (GT3 Cup) and New Zealand race car driver Chris Pither (GT3 RS).
The 991-generation GT3 Cup Car cup will no doubt have the upper hand in high-speed stability and through the corners, with that big wing and all its aerodynamic aids, but the Taycan Turbo should have a strong advantage on the straights.
The new, base model Taycan RWD.
The cars went through two different tests; the
Speed Comparison
and a
drag race
. In the first test, the Taycan Turbo set off first, the GT3 RS second, and the GT3 Cup car last. The aim is for the first two to pull a gap from the Cup car, while it tries to catch up and overtake both before the end of one lap.
Can the GT3 Cup car do it? Or will Porsche’s electric sedan run away with this? Watch and find out!
Speaking of the Taycan, there’s now a
new RWD model in Malaysia
 to go with the Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S
launched in September last year
. Check it out
here
!


BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition is just as hardcore as the M4 GTS, limited to just 200 units

The
BMW M4 GTS
 is back, sort of, because this M4 DTM Champion Edition features pretty much what the GTS offered back then. Built in honour of Marco Wittmann’s 2016 DTM championship title, the M4 DTM Champion Edition is another limited-run special that you probably can’t buy, since BMW only makes 200 examples of it.
There’s that 69 hp and 50 Nm
power hike
 over the standard M4 courtesy of the
water injection system
 fitted to the
twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six
, so the M4 DTM Champion Edition produces a total
500 hp
 and
600 Nm
. Sprint time from
0 to 100 km/h
 takes
3.8 seconds
, and the
 top speed
 is limited to
305 km/h
.
It wears almost the same kit as the M4 GTS, but the DTM Champion Edition adds
aero flicks
 on the front bumper, and the
rear wing
 is slightly different than the one fixed on the GTS. And unlike the GTS, the DTM Champion Edition’s colour scheme is mainly white and garnished with the tricoloured M stripes.
The same M4 GTS story goes on the inside, the front seats are replaced with proper
full-buckets with racing harnesses
 while the rear seats were sacrificed for a
rollover bar
. However, BMW retains the
aircond
 and the
navigation system
 in this one.
The base M4 costs €73,300 (RM339,860) in Germany, but the
DTM Champion Edition
 is almost double that price at
€148,500
 (RM688,540). With only 200 units scattered worldwide, chances are you won’t see two of them at the same time, unless of course you’re in Dubai.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition

BMW M4 GTS


Never leave home to service your BMW with the new Auto Bavaria app!

Because of ultimate driving machines are meant for driving pleasure and not for crawling through traffic just for it to be checked and serviced.
The largest authorised dealer of BMW vehicles in Malaysia has launched a
Auto Bavaria i-Service mobile app
 – the first service of its kind apparently – bringing its service to your doorstep.
Among the services offered by the app are as follows:
Book service appointments
Review their service history
Make payments
“Track & Chat” feature to track the location of the i-Service vehicle and chat with technicians for updates on the service progress
Three of these i-Service vehicles will be rolled out to cater to Klang Valley customers, with plans for more to come.
Through the app, users can receive cost estimates, including itemised costs for parts and labour beforehand, to promote price transparency.
Three i-Service vehicles will be rolled out initially, to cater to the prime areas in Klang Valley although Auto Bavaria says there are plans to increase this figure.
Customers can direct these i-Service vehicles, equipped with the latest tools and equipment, to within 40 kilometres from an Auto Bavaria dealership to perform services such as:
oil change
brake pad change
tyre change
tyre balancing
battery change
The Auto Bavaria i-Service operates six days a week except public holidays, between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12pm on Saturday.
IMAGE GALLERY


Inaugural McLaren P1 GTR driver programme commences in Spain, Sepang debut imminent

The world’s most exclusive McLaren owner experience has taken to the track for the first time at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. It’s called the
McLaren P1
 Driver Programme, and the debut event saw seven primed examples of the track-only model let loose. Each lucky owner got behind the wheel of the most powerful model ever produced by McLaren with the support of a dedicated pitcrew.
A few weeks prior to this, we brought you news of this ultra rare billionaire-gentleman racing club and the best part of it was that Bruno Senna, nephew of legendary F1 driver Aryton Senna,
was named the ‘driving coach’ and instructor
. The programme has been designed to prepare each driver
mentally
 and
physically
 to allow them to fully
exploit
 the abilities of the McLaren P1 GTR, which, mind you, produces
1,000 PS
 or
986 bhp
 and runs on race-proven
Pirelli
 slick tyres.
The programme is
completely bespoke
, with each individual having a fully-tailored experience, working closely with a support team from McLaren Spec Ops (MSO) division comprising authentic professionals that have operated within the rarefied world of professional motorsport. In terms of personalisation, you can even
 custom your own livery and decals
 to your liking. And how bout this – the GTR is even air conditioned to keep drivers cool and comfy. Fair enough, considering you just plopped out
two million
 of the Queen’s Great
British Pounds
, sweating profusely would be a major
faux pas
.
One would imagine if you were a billionaire and were part of this uber-exclusive club, that racing around a single circuit would be the utter definition of boring and mundane. But because they’ve paid so much money for the P1 GTR, the contingent will be coming to our very own
Sepang F1 International Circuit
,
 Circuit of the Americas
 (North America),
Silverstone
 (UK),
Autodromo Nazionale Monza
 (Italy),
Red Bull Ring
 (Austria),
Spa-Francorchamps
 (Belgium),
Bahrain International Circuit
 (Bahrain) and
Yas Marina
 (Abu Dhabi). We for one cannot wait to see these monsters get flailed around Sepang in the flesh.


Proton delivers 50 units of the Iriz to Metro Driving Academy

Proton

has recently delivered 50 units of the
Proton Iriz
 to Metro Driving Academy to be used at their Subang and Puchong campuses. The 50 cars were modified for driving school purposes by ACE, a subsidiary of Proton Global Services which specialises in custom builds and modifications.
Metro Driving Academy is a licensed driving academy that was established in 1998. It has been awarded the Best Driving Academy and 5-Star Rated Driving Academy by the Road Transport Department (JPJ). Proton delivered the 50 cars in a handover ceremony to the Managing Director of Metro Driving Academy, Encik Mat Aris Bakar.
Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah said, “Proton is proud to continue to play a role in helping to educate and train new Malaysian drivers. The Proton Iriz is an excellent choice for new drivers as its combination of manoeuvrability, compact dimensions, and safety make it unimposing from behind the wheel. We are appreciative of the trust shown by Metro Driving Academy and hope this will encourage more driving schools to consider adding a Proton to their fleet.”
According to Proton, the most helpful feature for learner drivers would be the reverse camera and parking sensors in the Iriz. These provide both visual and audible parking assistance. The safety of learner drivers is also in good hands as the Proton Iriz was awarded a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating and comes with a comprehensive list of safety features such as reinforced body structure using Hot Press Formed (HPF) steel, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS) and Hill Hold Assist (HHA).
RELATED:
Proton sends 1000th car to South Africa – 5,028 global exports as of Nov 2022
Roslan Abdullah adds, “Driving schools are a great touchpoint for Proton to get closer to the younger generation. With the collaboration with Metro Driving Academy, we can showcase the USPs offered by our products and tap into the psyche of potential first-time car buyers.”
The 50 Proton Iriz delivered to Metro Driving Academy will certainly create memories for the learner drivers. Driving schools in Malaysia have always utilised a Proton or Perodua car in their fleet.
RELATED:
Proton sends 16 staff to China for NEV Training, to finalise Smart #1 specs


All-new Ford Ranger to be fully revealed on Nov 24th

After a few teaser shots of it
in action
,
the rear
 and even roaming
the
streets of Thailand
, Ford Asia Pacific has finally “booked our timing” to witness the global reveal of the all-new Ford Ranger.
The world premiere digital broadcast even, to be hosted in Melbourne, Australia, will be broadcast live on the Ford Australia Youtube channel (
here
) from 6:00 P.M. local time on
November 24th
.
In an accompanying statement, Ford has reimagined, redesigned and reengineered the Ranger to be the smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger ever for customers in more than 180 markets around the world. Ford conducted more than 5,000 interviews and worked with hundreds of pick-up owners, in dozens of workshops across the globe to find out how owners used their trucks, what they liked, what they wished it had and what experiences mattered the most to them.
We will have to wait until November 24th for more details, but from the initial impression, it looks like the new Ranger has plenty of resemblance to the compact Maverick pick-up truck that is only available in North America.

As for powertrain options, expect the latest 2.0-litre Biturbo (213 hp, 500 Nm) paired with a 10-speed automatic to be available, while rumours of an electrified unit also persist.


All-new Ford Everest teased with no surprises in styling

With the
all-new Ranger
 pick-up truck being unveiled recently, Ford has now turned its attention to its SUV sibling – the upcoming all-new
Everest
 – by unveiling its first official photos.
The next-generation Ford Everest is currently undergoing final development tests in the wilderness of Australian outskirts, and thus it’s still wearing a unique camo livery to hide most of its details. Despite that, there are still several details that we can make out.
The Everest SUV is based on the latest Ranger’s body-on-frame construction, so it’s no wonder it shares many of the Ranger’s features, including looks. These include pretty much the entire front fascia, featuring the Maverick-style C-shape headlights and a chrome trim bisecting the grille.
With it being a more civilian-oriented vehicle, however, Ford saw fit to introduce a simpler bumper design for the Everest, jettisoning the rugged H-shaped trim of the Ranger that surrounds the bottom half of the grille.
Check out the all-new Ford Ranger in more detail here!

Round the back, the all-new Ford Everest gets a set of downturned L-shape tail lights, with a segmented light signature that looks somewhat like a mix between Peugeot and Lynk & Co design. There’s a trim piece connecting the two tail lights together, although it remains to be seen if there are any LED elements hiding behind the blacked-out plastic bar.
There’s an integrated third brake light at the centre of the roof-mounted spoiler, while the rear fog lights take up the corners of the rear bumper, giving it a more structured, square-ish look at the back.
No images have been shared on the upcoming Ford Everest’s interior, but we think it won’t be too different from the all-new Ranger’s “futuristic” cabin design, with a massive portrait-oriented screen dominating the centre stack.
Mechanicals should also remain fairly identical to the Ranger, which means there could be a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel mill topping the range, with outputs up to 253 hp. As for the lesser variants, the trusty 2.0-litre EcoBlue turbodiesel engine should also make its appearance here in both single- or bi-turbo form.
Ford says the all-new Everest will be officially unveiled in the first quarter of 2022, with sales to begin in the next quarter. Just like the Ranger, Ford has also confirmed that the Everest will be built at its assembly plant in Rayong, Thailand.


Nissan will begin using ultra-strong steel in future vehicles

Nissan will begin using a new type of steel that combines high tensile strength with an ability to withstand high levels of deformation as it would help future models reduce emissions while offering unrivalled protection to occupants.
Nissan is the
world’s first carmaker
 to use the high-formability steel. Being thinner and lighter, it still has the strength and flexibility to form parts with complex shapes yet able to absorb energy in a collision.
The
Infiniti QX50
 that went on sale earlier this year in the US is the
world’s first vehicle
to be reinforced with this high tensile strength steel as the material makes up for 27% of the car.
Nissan plans to expand the use of this material, which enhances fuel efficiency as well as driving performance by lowering vehicle weight, to other models. It wants to implement the material to make up for 25% of the company’s vehicle parts by weight.


Gallery: Honda HR-V Hybrid Facelift in the metal, RM120,800

Honda Malaysia officially debuted the
facelifted Honda HR-V range
 before the Lunar New Year and today we can already see a number of them running about. Today, the HR-V Hybrid made its first public debut at the company’s Chinese New Year luncheon with the media.
Like the positioning of the
Jazz
 and
City
 Sport Hybrids, the HR-V Hybrid while priced more expensive than the mid-spec HR-V 1.8L V, it wears the same equipment levels as the entry-level HR-V 1.8L E. As it stands, the HR-V 1.5L Hybrid is priced at RM120,800 on-the-road without insurance.
QUICK FACTS
 Name

Honda HR-V 1.5L Hybrid
 Engine
 1,496cc; 4-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC
 Transmission
 7-speed DCT
 Max Power
 132 hp @6,000 rpm
 Max Torque
 156 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
 Electric Motor Max Power
 29.5 hp @ 1,313 – 2,000 rpm
 Electric Motor Max Torque
 160 Nm @ 0 – 1,313 rpm
 Combined Output
 152 hp; 190 Nm
 Price (OTR without insurance)
 RM120,800
Exterior items you’ll
find on the HR-V Hybrid include projector halogen headlamps with LED daytime running
lights, platinum design Honda Wing grille, new fog lamp housing with halogen
bulbs, chrome trim across the tailgate, body painted door handles, shark fin
antenna and dotted LED taillamps like the pre-facelift model. It rides on the
same 17-inch dual-tone five-spoke alloy wheel design as before but gets new set
of 215/55 profile Continental UltraContact UC6 rubbers.
Inside, you’ll find
half leather upholstery, multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, keyless
entry and start, Electronic Parking Brake with Auto Hold, single-zone automatic
climate control, 6.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with HDMI input,
four-speakers, cruise control and reverse camera.
Unique to the Hybrid variant
are the illuminated Power start button, electronic gear selector and Hybrid
Multi-Info Display. The MID displays the charge status of the hybrid system and
has a blue ring light around the centre dials.
Under the hood, the HR-V Hybrid spots the Sport Hybrid i-DCD system combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine (132 hp/156 Nm) and an electric motor (29.5 hp/160 Nm). Combined output is rated at
152 hp
 and
190 Nm
, driving the front wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
Safety wise, the hybrid-powered HR-V features 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get the Honda Lane Watch Camera that is exclusive to the
HR-V RS
.
The Honda HR-V Hybrid is available in four exterior colours – Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Ruse Black Metallic, and White Orchid Pearl (RM300 option) while a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and 8-Years Unlimited Mileage for the Hybrid Battery Pack is standard with every purchase.
But before you jump on board with the latest and
greatest
technology carmakers have to offer (especially electrification),
be sure to be well informed of what you’re getting into
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda HR-V Hybrid in Malaysia


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia unveils new insurance plans with 20-day temporary vehicle replacement

Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM), the financial services arm of
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
, today introduced two new insurance and takaful plans under the Mercedes-Benz Protection Programme for Mercedes-Benz owners in Malaysia.
The new Star Protect and Star Protect Plus insurance and takaful plans, billed as a “first-of-its-kind” in the premium motor insurance and takaful category, offers a temporary Mercedes-Benz replacement vehicle benefit for up to 20-days, if the insured car is in an authorised Mercedes-Benz workshop for accident repair.
The plans also include new benefits such as a unlimited-mileage nationwide towing service for breakdowns and accidents, and even floods. Under the towing plan, customers can also utilise the 24-hour minor roadside repair service, as well as free assistance in arranging value-added benefits such as accommodation, taxi transportations, and cross-border towing services – customers will only have to pay for these benefits if used.
As standard, the new insurance and takaful plans now cover basic loss or damages resulting from accidental collision, burglary, housebreaking, theft and attempted theft, or any malicious acts. Additional protection is also provided for impact damage caused by falling trees.
Additionally, the new packages also offer coverage for car key replacements, compensation for loss due to window snatch theft, flood relief allowance, as well as personal accident (PA insurance) coverage for the driver and up to four passengers. The Star Protection Plus plan offers additional tyres and rims protection – the only difference between the two plans.
The new insurance and takaful plans are underwritten by Allianz General Insurance, AmGeneral Insurance, MSIG Insurance, Zurich General Insurance, and Zurich General Takaful. Star Protect and Star Protect Plus insurance and takaful plans are now available at all authorised Mercedes-Benz Malaysia dealerships. More information on the new insurance plans can be found on the MBSM website,
here
.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently released the
revised price list
 for its model line-up, in reflection of the recently-announced
sales tax exemption period
, as part of the government’s short-term economy recovery plan. For the updated price lists of all other car brands in Malaysia, click
here
.


Caltex rewards two winners of the Ohayo Contest with Toyota C-HRs

Caltex has concluded the

Caltex Ohayō Contest
 by rewarding two lucky customers with a brand-new
Toyota C-HR
 after being selected as the grand prize winners of the promotional campaign.
The two winners, Khairul Fikrie bin Alias, 34 and Mohd Yarid bin Ahmad, 32, both hailing from Pahang, were expectedly overjoyed when they were informed of their win.
“I am a loyal Caltex customer so when I heard about the contest, I did not hesitate to try my luck,” said Khairul Fikrie. “With my Journey Card in hand, I made sure every fuel purchase exceeded the RM30 threshold. Now that I have won, I can take road trips in my new Toyota C-HR with family and friends – Thank you, Caltex!”
Meanwhile, Mohd Yarid described his win as a pleasant surprise: “For the longest time, I have never thought of winning a car from a contest like this. It is something very farfetched for an average person like me. I wasn’t putting my hopes too high, but miracles do happen. It’s such a surreal feeling to have won a car from this and I am very grateful to Caltex for giving me this opportunity!”
The Caltex Ohayo promotion, which ended on July 15 2020, rewarded lucky customers with the experience on “all things Japanese” with prizes from Panasonic, and AEON, in addition to the grand prizes of two Toyota C-HR SUVs. Do keep a lookout on Caltex’s official social media channels as the second and third-prize winners of the contest will also be announced soon.
Chevron Malaysia Limited Deputy General Manager, Jeff Tan said, “At Caltex, we constantly seek novel and creative ways to reward our customers through good and challenging times, and this was exactly what we did with the Ohayo promotion.
“The prize presentation also came at an opportune time, as we would also like to take this opportunity to wish the nation Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan and Selamat Hari Malaysia, in conjunction with Malaysia’s two very special national celebrations,” he added.
If you’ve unfortunately missed out on the Ohayo contest, Caltex is now running a “Tap & Win via Visa Contactless” initiative until September 30 2020, where customers can stand a chance to win up to 100% cashback and the grand prize of a
Mercedes-Benz A200 Sedan
 with just a 10-time minimum spend of RM5.
Additionally, Caltex has also collaborated with European food storageware brand Nutrifresh, offering customers who pump any amount of fuel at a Caltex station to buy one Nutrifresh product and get another free. The offer will run from September 9, whilst stocks last.


If you don’t feel “boss” enough in the Toyota Alphard, there’s now a Rolls-Royce kit for it

Made by the same guys that brought us a completely unrecognisable Mazda RX-7 FD driven by Han in the “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”, the latest body kit by Veilside significantly transforms the first generation AH10 Toyota Alphard’s front end into a Roll-Royce.
Veilside calls it
The Dominator
 – presumably from the combination of sheer presence that both the Alphard and Rolls-Royce has. There’s a little bit of the
 new Phantom VIII
 and the
new Cullinan
 in this – with horizontal slates under its headlamps but unlike the Roll-Royce, the kit for the Alphard actually features turn signals.
As the saying goes, the devil is in the details and Veilside has even gone to the extent of replicating the font of the Rolls-Royce emblem. However, instead of two R’s overlapping each other, it’s the V and S alphabets, for Veilside of course.
The kit consists of a front bumper, front grille, front hood, front fenders and turn indicators
 as you can see here
 and will set you back 698,000 Yen or
approximately RM28,300
. If you want the full blown package, there is the optional side skirts for 72,000 Yen (approx. RM2,919).
Source:
Veilside
GALLERY