Proton SUV launching in October, CBU from China, CKD in early 2019

At the grand opening of
Proton’s first 4S centre in Malaysia
, the national carmaker’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Li Chunrong disclosed to the media that the new SUV will be launching sometime in September or October this year!
According to Dr Li, the initial fleet of the yet-to-be-named Proton SUV will be fully imported from China as per the Government’s requirement before they begin local assembly in early 2019. This is common practice even for premium brands like
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 and
Volvo Car Malaysia
 where initial batches of vehicles are offered in CBU form.
Proton CEO, Dr Li Chunrong
Vice President of Group Engineering at Geely, Yang Jun, also ensured that Proton and Geely’s aim is to offer all the high-tech features on the right-hand drive (RHD) Proton SUV to meet market expectations. He even said that
localised features
 that are not available anywhere else are also among the cards.
Yang also stressed that this is not a mere rebadging exercise as a joint development between over 100 Geely and Proton engineers have been ongoing for the past 18 months – since the debut of the Geely Boyue in China.
The new SUV is also said to feature design tweaks as compared to the Boyue but the CBU units will feature minor changes while the CKD units will feature more substantial design input for both exterior and interior from Proton’s head of design, Azlan Othman.
Dr Li promised that the first new Proton SUV will be presented to the public earliest in July while marketing campaigns will commence right after in August.
IMAGE GALLERY
Geely Boyue 1.8 TGDi Preview in Malaysia


Volvo previews new XC40 and V40 concepts at Gothenburg, Sweden

Volvo Cars has unveiled the concept of its future compact cars: the XC40 crossover and V40 hatchback. The event took place at the company’s design studios in Gothenberg. Both cars, callsign Concept 40.1 and Concept 40.2, will ride on the company’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform.
The Concept 40.1 previews the next generation XC40 model that will go head to head with the BMW X1. Just like the 90 series Volvos, the XC40 gets
Thor’s Hammer LED DRLs
, a lengthy grille and a contrasting black roof. The 40.1 is said to be
front-wheel driven
 and will be utilising a
hybrid powertrain
 consisting of a three-cylinder petrol turbo engine working with an electric motor. A
seven-speed twin clutch gearbox
 used in this XC40 will have an electric motor acting on one of the twin-clutch shafts.

The Concept 40.2 will be the new V40/S40 with
electrical power
. The aesthetics on this concept is a huge departure from the outgoing V40, and shares the same front fascia as the crossover concept. However, this gets a more exquisite sunroof and the rear end is inspired by the
S90
 saloon. The concept is aimed at saloon loving markets in America and Asia, which means the presently discontinued S40 has finally found its rightful successor.
This concept also reveals Volvo’s small electric car aspirations; power is delivered to the front courtesy of an electric powertrain and a battery pack lying underneath the car. This EV can cover up to
347 km
 under a single charge.
Both the audacious XC40 and radical V40 concepts are fruits of the Volvo and parent company, Geely. Since the large premium car segment is spearheaded by the efforts of the new and brilliant
XC90
,
S90
 and
V90
, expect these two compacts to rock the small premium car segment. The XC40 is planned for production in 2017, followed by the new V40 a year later.
IMAGE GALLERY
XC40

Volvo V40


This BMW M850i xDrive ‘Kyoto Edition’ features a one-of-a-kind centre console!

We’re a little late to the party seeing as this car was introduced in Japan in mid-August but when it comes to timeless pieces of art such as the Kyoto Edition that’s based on the
 M850i xDrive
 Gran Coupe, it’s better late than never, isn’t it?
The Kyoto Edition was created in collaboration with world-renowned lacquer artist Shiho Okada from Kyoto, Japan. One of the goals of this unique project was to create something that no one has ever seen – derived from the intersection of two different cultures (Japanese and German).
If you think this is yet another marketing stunt most carmakers have been guilty of featuring some random stickers and fancy trims, you’re wrong; this one’s far from it. For starters, you have the Azurite Black paint job by BMW Individual that has a blue sparkle akin to the Azurite gemstone to create a sense of elegance and tranquility.
Once inside, the eye would immediately be drawn to the lacquered centre console of the M850i Gran Coupe with designs inspired by traditional Japanese crafts from the Edo period that spanned between the 1600s to the 1800s. The designs which feature a bundle of elongated strips is seen as an auspicious pattern in Japan and is a symbol of longevity.
If you think it’s just another painted panel that a street artist could’ve accomplished, you’re wrong again. Instead, painstaking hours of delicate craftsmanship has gone into completing the exquisite piece.
The surface actually consists of tiny pieces of shells that have been cut into shapes and pasted on for a 3D effect. As for the gold details, they’re not merely pressed on with foil but instead, sewn in with gold powder. Unfortunately, it’s not a process we can explain in further detail despite an elaborate explanation given on the Japanese BMW site – Google Translate could only do so much.
Even the lacquer used in this piece of art is special as it is sourced from a lacquer shop that was founded in 1902. The lacquer is resistant to deterioration and is said to be used in some of the oldest cultural buildings in Japan such as the Himeji Castle.
To top this all of, the purchase of a Kyoto Edition M850i xDrive Gran Coupe will be accompanied by a special key box made by Shiho Okada himself, along with cushions specially-made from materials sourced entirely from Kyoto.
GALLERY


2016 Audi R8 e-tron axed after selling just 100 units

The
Audi R8 e-tron
 has for the second time, axed from Ingolstadt’s halo model lineup. After shifting just 100 units, the all-electric 456 hp Audi R8 will no longer be on sale.
Based on the second-generation
R8 supercar
, the updated R8 e-Tron was launched last year in Geneva. The fully electric R8 produces a mind bending
920 Nm
 of torque, which helps it propel from standstill to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds before topping out at an electrically governed 250km/h. It packs a
49 kWh lithium-ion battery
and boasts a travel range of 450km. Power is delivered to the rear wheels, making this the only R8 that’s not a quattro.
Strangely, there’s no given reason from Audi on the R8 e-tron’s untimely demise. The first-generation R8 also had an e-Tron variant which debuted in 2009 but never made into production.
Ever since the
dieselgate saga
 that started a witch-hunt for oil burners, manufacturers are jumping on the electric vehicle bandwagon. Audi’s exploits in the all-electric
Formula E
 race series (ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport team) have proven that the Germans are indeed serious in the future of electric cars.
But one thing is for sure. These 100 R8 e-Trons will be an exclusive collector’s item in the years to come.


All-new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe to take on the Mercedes-Benz CLA

After seeing the success of their 4-door coupes on the upper-echelon with the
4 Series
,
6 Series
 and the recently launched
8 Series
, BMW has once again brought its “Gran Coupe” treatment to the other models.
Already teased
 back in March, BMW has now finally unveiled the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe!
Despite being called the 2 Series Gran Coupe, the four door coupe actually shares mechanical underpinnings with the recently launched 1 Series. Built on the FAAR architecture, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be
 front-wheel drive
, while the 2-door coupe will remain rear-wheel driven for now.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe will be available with three engine choices at launch. The entry-level 218i with a
140 hp
 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine, and a 2.0-litre diesel producing
190 hp
 on the 220d.
The range-topping M235i xDrive will be powered by a
2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged engine
 producing
306 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque to go with its
four-wheel-drive
 capability.
The 218i will be available with a
 six-speed manual
 or
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
 transmission, while all other variants are only available with an
8-speed automatic
. Specific to the M235i xDrive is also a
Torsen limited-slip differential
, BMW’s
ARB traction control system
, M sport brakes, and extra bracing for additional stiffness to provide a sportier driving experience.
Like its bigger four-door siblings – the 4 Series, 6 Series, and 8 Series Gran Coupes – BMW has given great focus to the design of the car, featuring the signature stretched low-slung flowing roofline.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe gains its own version of a widened kidney grille featuring contoured vertical slats on the lower-end models while the M235i gets a race-car inspired 3D mesh design. The M235i also gets enlarged air inlet surrounds along with a rectangular “free-form” exhaust at the rear.
Flanking the kidney grilles are the angled
full-LED headlights
, which comes as standard on all variants with an optional adaptive version.
Over at the rear, the signature “L” shaped taillights are now even more slender in appearance, and draws from the side of the car inwards to accentuate the width of the car along with the use of horizontal lines and a lower license plate placement. The M235i also gets a bespoke BMW M rear apron and ducktail spoiler.
The new 2 Series Gran Coupes will ride on light-alloy wheels, ranging from 16 inches on the entry-level models to
18-inch polished wheels
 on the M Sport models and the M235i. A 19-inch wheel is available as an option.
Despite its sporty appearance, BMW did not sacrifice the Gran Coupe’s practicality, with a
430-litre
 rear boot space thanks to its 2670 mm wheelbase. The rear load compartment can be further expanded by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seats.
Moving inside, the first thing you will notice is the frameless side doors all-round! The rear passengers also gain an
extra 33-millimeters
 of leg room, along with extra head room, while sitting 12 mm higher than the coupe.
Up front, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is equipped with BMW’s digital driver’s display, a standard
8.8-inch touchscreen
 infotainment display with BMW Operating System 7.0, with the option for a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 9.2-inch heads-up display.
In customary BMW fashion, the centre dashboard is tilted slightly towards the driver to emphasise the driver-focused cockpit, with different materials used on the dashboard to “split” the driver and passenger areas.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe has also been blessed with technologies filtering down from the higher model classes, including the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, BMW Digital Key (with your smartphone), “Hey BMW” voice assistant, as well as safety features such as collision and pedestrian warning with City Brake function, Lane Departure Warning system with active lane return.
Optional safety features such as Active Cruise Control with stop-go functionality, and BMW’s Driving Assistant active driver’s assistance suite can also be specified.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Kia Picanto officially teased in Malaysia, gets Apple CarPlay & 6-airbags

The
third-generation Kia Picanto
 recently made its
first public appearance in Malaysia
 at the 2017 Malaysia Autoshow and now Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM) has quietly opened the
registration of interest
 for the new compact car.
NKM has revealed the confirmed specification for the Picanto on its
dedicated website
 and like the outgoing model, this little hatchback is armed to the teeth. On the outside, it comes with projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, front air curtain, front fog lamps, LED combination taillamps and chrome door handles.
Inside, the new Picanto will come with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with
 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
 (even the larger
Kia Rio
 does not come with touchscreen infotainment let alone Apple CarPlay), keyless entry and reverse camera with dynamic guidelines. On the
 safety
 front it comes with the usual
six airbags
, ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Hill-Start Assist. However, since the debut of the
all-new Perodua Myvi
 with
Advanced Safety Assist
, the safety kit on the Picanto is
 par for the course
, to say the least.
It remains to be seen whether customers will have the option for the
GT-Line
 which comes with a unique body kit, rear diffuser, dual exhaust outlets and larger 16-inch dual-tone alloys. Like all Kia models, the Picanto will come with a 5-Year warranty package.
IMAGE GALLERY


Check out the new Porsche Macan S with a new turbocharged 3.0L V6

Remember the
world premiere of the facelifted Porsche Macan
 in July? Well, there’s now a Macan S with a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 making 354 hp and 480 Nm but that’s not all.
When equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the new Macan S can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds, 0.1 second quicker than the previous model, with a top speed of 254 km/h.
Using a central turbo layout, where the turbocharger is positioned in the “inner V” of the V6 engine, this ensures shorter exhaust gas paths between the combustion chambers and the turbocharger, for better throttle response.
The Macan S’ features staggered tyres (wider rear tyres compared to front), supplemented by the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) four-wheel drive system.
On the front axle, spring forks made from aluminium replaces the previous steel components. The new light alloy design is more rigid yet reduces unsprung mass, for more precise steering and improved ride comfort. Even its sway bars were fettered with for more neutral handling.
The options list in that aspect includes height-adjustable air suspension, Porsche’s Active Stability Management (PASM) active damper control system and the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus).
As for the brakes, the pedals supposedly weigh 300 g less than before and along with a shortened lever arm, offers more immediate braking response.
The front is now fitted with larger diameter and thicker brake discs, paired with copper-free brake pads. If that’s not enough, there’s always the optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB).
Aesthetically, the three-dimensional rear LED light bar is by far the biggest change in the Macan’s exterior. Inside, the Macan S gets the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), which now features a 10.9-inch full-HD touchscreen.
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Porsche Panamera and 718 Cayman coming to Malaysia by 1H 2017!

For the past 36 months, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) launched the highly popular
Macan
SUV, the hypercar
918 Spyder
 and the utterly mad
911 GT3 RS
. During the launch of the
Cayman GT4 Clubsport
, CEO of SDAP, Arnt Bayer revealed the inevitable – the Malaysian introduction of the
second-generation Panamera
 and the
718 Boxster
’s twin, the
718 Cayman
.
The Panamera can be had with a 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo with
326 hp
, 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo with
434 hp
 as well as a 4.0-litre V8 twin turbo with
542 hp
. The diesel variant packs a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 turbodiesel  up front, making
416 hp
 and
850 Nm
 of torque.
For the environmentally conscious, the Panamera is also available with an
E-Hybrid
 variant that comes with a 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo and an electric motor to generate a total output of
462 hp
 and
700 Nm
. Bayer did not specify which variant we will be receiving, but it’s safe to say that the three petrol variants will make their way here. The question now is, will SDAP bring in the E-Hybrid, the diesel-powered Panamera, and the stretched
Panamera Executive
? Regardless, we sure are looking forward to witness the futuristic rear wing in action!

Meanwhile, like the 718 Boxster, the
718 Cayman
 will most likely be introduced in two variants – Cayman and Cayman S. The regular Cayman packs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo unit pushing out
300 hp
 and
380 Nm
 while the hotter Cayman S packs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo producing
350 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. If the
Cayman GT4
 is too far of a stretch and you’re not the type who likes wind in your hair, the 718 Cayman couldn’t come sooner.

SDAP also hinted at “other models in the pipeline” without revealing further details. Perhaps the
Performance Pack
 for the Macan?


Ford to introduce the GT ’67 Heritage edition as tribute to the 1967 Le Mans winner

The Ford GT will be available in a new limited-edition Heritage theme featuring unique interior and exterior colour themes along with an exclusive wheel finish, in honour of the race winning GT40 Mark IV race car piloted by Dan Gurney and A.J Foyt at Le Mans in 1967.
“The first Heritage edition car was a huge success, honouring our history with a modern interpretation of the Le Mans winner,” said Garen Nicoghosian, exterior design manager for the car. “Continuing with a Ford GT based on the winning GT40 Mark IV race car was simply something we needed to do.”
The Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition features a gloss-finished Race Red exterior with white stripes and exposed carbon fibre. It also sports a Frozen White No.1 hood and door graphics and 20-inch one-piece forged aluminium wheels in silver satin clearcoat.
The interior features new leather trimming for the carbon fibre seats, with red accent stitching, similarly applied to the steering. Satin dark stainless appliqués are used on the instrument panel, door register bezels and x-brace while the seat belt webbing is now red and the paddle shifters in anodised grey.
Each ’67 Heritage edition come with a unique serialised identification plate with exposed matte carbon fibre door sills, air register pods and centre console. Limited quantities of the Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition will be available next year and can be viewed at
FordGT.com
 using the configuration tool.
IMAGE GALLERY


Here’s how the new 2022 XC90 might look like, thanks to the Volvo Concept Recharge

With the shift from combustion engine platform to fully-electric, Volvo is also taking advantage to rethink and restyle their models for the future. The Volvo Concept Recharge was previewed yesterday at the company’s technology event called Volvo Cars Tech Moment.
“Our Concept Recharge represents a manifesto for the all-electric future of Volvo Cars, as well as a new type of vehicle,” said Robin Page, head of design. “It displays new and modern proportions that go hand-in-hand with increased versatility and shows what technology can enable in terms of design.”
Volvo says the Concept Recharge has the Scandinavian design and mantra of
‘less but better’
 at its core. Up front, the traditional radiator cooling grille has been replaced with a shield-like structure, supported by a new interpretation of the company’s Thor’s Hammer headlight design.
In this concept car, the headlights feature advanced technology that enables pure graphics to reveal the main lamp units when switched on in the dark. A front trunk or ‘frunk’ is also expected to be built under the hood.
At the top and centre of the windscreen is the LiDAR sensor, a device that uses pulses of laser lights to accurately provide depth and position information, creating a temporary real-time 3D map without requiring data connection.
The
LiDAR sensor
 will unlock better, more precise mapping and navigation which will, in turn, allow even more advanced unaided driving capabilities, all in the pursuit of fully autonomous driving.
Volvo has started rolling out its 180 km/h speed limit. Find out why here!
At the rear, the vertical taillamps continue to highlight the brand’s signature but now integrated with a set of wings that extend at higher cruising speeds to further improve overall aerodynamics.
Inside, the dashboard continues to follow the ‘less but better’ concept with just simple but rich information screens. The central display measures 15 inches and in portrait orientation while the driver’s display is aided by another head-up display.
Next-generation Volvo vehicles will also see the overall vehicle operating system developed by Google and powered by NVIDIA, called
VolvoCars.OS
. More integration of various control systems and in-house development means the new-generation models can be updated with high-quality new software and features more frequently.
Thanks to a flat floor with the battery pack placed below it, the interior is a vast expanse of space, with designers happily recreating a truly Scandinavian living room feeling.
Moving to the technical aspects of the Concept Recharge that will form the basis of the next-generation Volvo EVs, the company is focusing on advancing battery technology for
a longer range and faster charging times
.
Recycle your old electronics at all Volvo Malaysia dealerships nationwide. More here!
Volvo is partnering with
Northvolt
 to develop and produce sustainable batteries that will reduce the carbon impact, responsible sourcing of raw materials and even remanufacture or reuse batteries.
Bi-directional charging
 will also be made available, allowing customers to offload excess electricity from their car battery to the power grid.
As for the upcoming new Volvo XC90, the model will go fully-electric and is slated for production next year. One of the main production bases will be
South Carolina in the USA
, where the facility will also produce the
upcoming Polestar 3
 high-performance SUV.
Volvo is embarking on a mission to have its entire line-up to be fully electric by 2030, phasing out even their plug-in hybrid models that are
currently on sale in Malaysia
.
GALLERY


Stop thinking about the S-Class. This hybrid Lexus LS 500h is the one to get

Following the global launch of the fifth-generation
LS 500h
 earlier this year, Lexus has gone on to release in full the details of their flagship limousine. The juiciest bit is the powertrain, and it comes with paddle shifters. Makes no sense to have that in a limo, but sure, why not?
The LS 500h gets
 Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System
, which constitutes of a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 with Dual VVT-i petrol engine and two electric motors delivering a combined output of
354 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Transmission of choice is a sophisticated
Multi Stage Hybrid transmission
 that marries a four-speed automatic and an e-CVT, sending power either to the rear wheels or all-four wheels.
We’ve detailed this system when it first debuted on the
LC 500h
. In short, the Multi Stage Hybrid transmission provides the best of both worlds – the efficiency of a CVT and the actual mechanical gearshifts of a cogged transmission. This innovative transmission mimics the shift pattern of a
10-speed gearbox
 and Lexus claims the direct yet linear acceleration from the e-CVT is free from the typical “rubber band” effect.
In “M” mode, drivers can bang up the gears just like a normal gearbox, but with a twist. Mounted behind the steering wheel are paddle shifters, which is a first for any Lexus hybrid cars. And it’s no slouch as well: the LS 500h would sprint from 0 to 96 km/h (that’s 0 to 60 mph) in 5.4 seconds. That’s just 0.9 seconds slower than the equivalent 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6! Oh, the Mercedes-Benz W222 S-Class manages the century sprint a heck slower too, at 6.8 seconds.

A lightweight lithium-ion battery pack gives the electric motor the juice needed to drive this full-sized sedan. The new battery pack is
20 percent
 smaller than the nickel-metal hydride unit found on the previous generation LS 600h.
Unique equipment on this LS 500h include a new stitching treatment and vibrant
Kiriko
 glasswork (a type of Japanese cut glass) on the inner door panels. Other than that, the never-ending list of options found on the LS 500 is carried over to this hybrid model. Will it come to Malaysia? The LS most definitely will, but this hybrid variant may or may not.
IMAGE GALLERY


Double podium finish for Leona Chin at Renault Clio Cup, Shanghai!

Our bubbly girl racer has done it again. This time,
Leona Chin
 scored double second place finishes in Round 4 of Renault Clio Cup China Series at the Shanghai International Circuit!
After the disappointing Round 3 in Thailand where Leona finished fourth in both races, the
Malaysian female racer
 upped her game in Shanghai, qualifying second in the first race. She got the best start and boldly overtook championship leader Kenneth Lim for the lead. Both had a close battle before Leona lost the lead to Kenneth. She finished second in the first race.
In the following race, Leona who started second on grid battled intense competitions from other rivals. She went off-track at one point, but managed to retain composure and crossed the finish line behind race winner Kenneth once again.
Leona commented “Kenneth is a senior competitor who is top of his game and I respect him very much. I am happy with my performances today but for sure I can still improve, and am looking forward to the next race.”

The solid result means our favourite girl drifter and race car driver is now second overall with 201 points, with her closest competitor trailing by 64 points. Kenneth is pretty unstoppable in the
Renault Clio Cup China Series
 as he scored the maximum 272 points in the championship by winning all races so far. There are two rounds to go in Chengdu and Zhejiang, so let’s wish the very best to Leona in the remaining races!
IMAGE GALLERY


Meet the V70 XC’s spiritual successor, the 2016 Volvo V90 Cross Country [+Video]

Remember the Volvo V70 XC? Now it’s back. Well, sort of. Since Volvo doesn’t produce the V70 anymore, the latest V90 has been given the Cross Country treatment instead. It’s the fourth model spun out of the SPA architecture after the
XC90
,
S90
 and the
V90
, and we wonder if there will be an S90 Cross Country soon.
Yes the
V90 Cross Country
 is essentially a jacked-up V90, but Volvo also wants you to know it’s more than that. Apart from the
65mm higher
 ground clearance (over the V90), the Cross Country variant is also a tiny bit
wider
 due to those chunky arch extensions. The black plastic cladding also covers the lower part of the car, with tougher-looking bumpers and a set of rugged alloys.
That’s not all. Underneath the go-anywhere styling, Volvo has widened both the
front and rear tracks
 by
20 mm
 and
40 mm
 respectively to make it more stable, and a set of
higher-profiled tyres
 should complement the steeper departure angles when the going gets rough.
Inside, the V90 Cross Country looks entirely similar to the V90, but its
Drive Mode
 follows the XC90’s with
Off Road
 mode added to the existing Eco, Comfort, and Dynamic modes.
Powering the V90 Cross Country is a choice of petrol or diesel
2.0-litre four-cylinder
 forced induction Drive-E engines, and at launch there will be two flavours of each: T5 and T6 for petrol, and D4 and D5 for diesel.
They’re the same engines already powering other SPA Volvos, so to recap, the turbocharged
T5
 delivers
254 hp
 and
350 Nm
;

the
T6
 adds a supercharger to produce
320 hp
 and
400 Nm
, while the twin-turbo diesel generates
190 hp
 and
400 Nm
 in the
D4
 and
235 hp
 and
480 Nm
 in the
D5
. An
eight-speed automatic
 sends the power to the
all-wheel drive
 system, but the D4 can also be specified with a
six-speed manual
 transmission.
In Malaysia, we are still waiting for the S90’s arrival, set to debut sometime next year. It’s presently unclear whether the V90 will even be introduced here because we all know that Malaysians favour sedans and SUVs more than the wagon. It’s a shame, isn’t it?
VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY


2015 Kia Carnival officially unveiled at New York Auto Show

The 2015 Kia Carnival has finally revealed itself at the recent 2014 New York Auto Show after a few teases. This new MY15 model replaces the outgoing MY06 model.
The new MY15 model now features Kia’s signature front face, as well as having a deep sweeping windscreen. Like a crossover, the new Carnival (Kia Sedona in North America) has its cab pushed forwards for maximum passenger space. The length of the Sedona is 5156mm, with a width of 1983mm and the height is 1739mm.
In terms of safety aspects, the Kia Sedona has you protected with  active safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill start Assist Control (HAC), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC).
Power wise, the MY15 Sedona will be powered by the new Lambda GSI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine, with a cubic capacity of 3.3-litre. It’s also a V6 unit like the old model. This new Lambda engine provides 276 hp @ 6,000rpm of shoving power and 336NM of torque @ 5,200rpm. The only transmission choice is a 6-speed automatic gearbox. No performance data was provided.
On the handling front, the Sedona has front MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar, Amplitude Selected Damper, and the backs are multi-link with struts, coil springs, a surprise that a large MPV like this doesn’t use the traditional torsion beam.
No words on local availability as yet, but it would be a pleasant surprise to see Naza importing this to challenge the likes of Toyota’s latest offerings.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The Land Rover Defender is the Women’s World Car of the Year!

Following the
announcement of the category winners
, the
Women’s World Car of the Year awards
 has named the all-new
Land Rover Defender
 as their World Car of the Year.

Following are the category winners as announced last week:
Best Urban Car
 – Peugeot 208
Best Family Car
 – Skoda Octavia
Best Luxury Car
 – Lexus LC500 Convertible
Best Sports Car
 – Ferrari F8 Spider
Best Urban SUV
 – Peugeot 2008
Best Medium SUV
 – Land Rover Defender
Best Large SUV
 – Kia Sorento
Best 4×4 & Pick-up
 – Ford F-150
Best EV
– Honda e
Watch the
Defender in action
 in the latest Bond film!
A total of 50 female motoring journalists from 38 countries participated in the voting process. These vehicles were evaluated based on aspects of performance, comfort, safety, value for money, and technology. The vehicles selected were launched between January to December 2020.
“The Women’s World Car of the Year gives enormous value because its decisions represent the liking and preferences of millions of women drivers around the globe,” said Women’s World Car of the Year, Executive President, Marta Garcia.
GALLERY


GR your ride with Gazoo Racing accessories – available for Vios and Yaris!

For those of you eager to be part of the GAZOO Racing movement, here’s your chance. UMW Toyota Motor has revealed a lineup of GAZOO Racing (GR) accessories for the GR Yaris,
Vios GR-S
, and even the standard Yaris!
These accessories are available only at
five GR Garages
located nationwide; in Wing Hin Balakong, PCM Klang, Focus Tetap Setia Alam, Telagamas Kulim, and Mutiara Johor Bahru.
GR fanboys can also purchase these add-ons in 39 different GR outlets around the country – Toyota dealerships competing in the Vios Challenge.
Exclusively for the GR Yaris include items like an interior panel set with a carbon fibre look, front and rear spoiler, sports muffler, and side skirts.
As for the Vios GR-S,
Vios
 and
Yaris
, they can be aesthetically enhanced with illuminated door sills, floor and boot mats, front and rear anti-roll bars, valve caps, windscreen stickers, and more!
Get your Vios or Yaris to drive even better with the front and rear anti-roll bar!
“GAZOO Racing is a name that has gained tremendous traction in the domestic market since we first introduced the brand here in 2017. The brand represents Toyota’s motorsport activities worldwide, and this has translated into a great number of initiatives locally including the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival, the Vios Challenge one-make race, the GAZOO Racing Velocity Esports Championship, the launch of exclusive GR vehicles, the roll-out of the Vios GR-S in Malaysia and establishing the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program for young racing drivers,” said GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer, Akio Takeyama.
All GR accessories come with a 1-year warranty and to ensure quality fitment, customers can have the products installed at the respective GR Garages and GR outlets.
GALLERY


Volkswagen upgrading European plants to produce even more EVs

Volkswagen Group has just increased more Euros into their push to continue its leadership in Europe via a massive investment to the tune of
EUR89 billion
 (approx. RM428 billion). The investment sees EUR60 billion allocated for e-mobility that includes hybrid technology as well as digitalisation.
The massive amount is spread over five years and it is not just about making next-generation vehicles, but also safeguarding around 130,000 jobs. Around EUR21 billion is set aside for ‘electrifying’ its European plants, particularly in the Lower Saxony region such as Wolfsburg, Hanover, Braunschweig and Osnabruck.
Said to be the Volkswagen brand’s flagship and technological showcase,
Project Trinity
 will be manufactured in the heavily remodelled Wolfsburg plant that also houses the new Campus Sandkamp- a research and development centre.
RELATED: Volkswagen announces colossal battery supply plan at maiden Power Day
The team of over 4,800 engineers will also harness all their talents and know-how to create the
Scalable Systems Platform (SSP)
, a new, singular platform that will underpin all of the Group’s products with the first model to be available in showrooms from 2026. Faultless and regulatory-approved Level 4 fully autonomous drive and connectivity will be the key challenges in making the Project Trinity a reality.
Elsewhere, the Leipzig plant will add another electric model alongside the
all-new Porsche Macan
 that will be fully electric, both made using the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform, while Audi Brussels, the pioneer in electromobility and sustainability for the brand with four rings, will commence the production of Audi Q8 e-tron in 2026.
Newly presented Audi models will be electric-only from 2026! More about the path to end engines here.
Overall, the largescale investment is required to boost production and support the brand’s share of battery EVs in Europe to 25% by 2026 from 6% currently.
Closer to home, the Pekan plant in Pahang has been set up to assemble the latest Volkswagen Golf Mk.8 from 2022! More about the hatchback here!
At the other end of the region, Volkswagen Group has set aside plans to build compact EVs and SUVs at its Spanish multi-brand facility in Martorell and Pamplona.
Volkswagen will also further boost its source of revenue, seeing a huge potential from software-based services. The remaining circa EUR30 billion has been earmarked for the digitalisation of products such as autonomous driving.


All-new Toyota Avanza/Veloz launched in Indonesia – DNGA platform, TSS ADAS suite!

After more than a decade of service, the
second-generation Toyota Avanza
 has finally bowed out for an all-new model that has just been unveiled today at the 2021 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), alongside its sportier counterpart, Veloz, that’s now its own unique model.
Aside from the usual complete makeover (which we will get into a little later), the all-new Toyota Avanza is also now built atop the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA), the same platform that also underpins the
Perodua Ativa
.
The new platform means that the all-new third-generation Toyota Avanza now gets a new unibody, front-wheel-drive layout, ditching the previous generation’s body-on-frame rear-wheel drive set-up.
Find out what makes the DNGA special in our Perodua Ativa review here.
Sizing wise, the all-new Toyota Avanza and Veloz duo has grown quite significantly in footprint compared to its predecessor, measuring 4,395 mm long (+205 mm), 1,730 mm wide (+70 mm), and depending on variant, either 1,665 mm (entry level variant, -30 mm) or 1,700 mm (+5 mm) tall. Both of the cars also has a 2,750 mm wheelbase and a ground clearance of 205 mm.
Powertrain remains unchanged from before – there’s an option for a 1.3-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder mill with
98 hp
 and
121 Nm
 that’s only available on the entry-level variant, paired exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission, or a 1.5-litre mill making
106 hp
 and
137 Nm
 that can be mated to either a five-speed manual or CVT gearbox (
goodbye, 4AT!
).
As we mentioned above, the all-new Toyota Avanza was given a complete makeover, making it look significantly more upscale and modern when compared to its predecessor. The front fascia is largely dominated by a trapezoidal-shaped grille, and is complemented by slim LED headlights, and a moulded bumper with angular fog lamp surrounds.
Moving to the back, the all-new Avanza also gets a pair of slim horizontal tail lights, as opposed to the vertical items from before, and the entire tail lamp element protrudes outwards, connected by a body-coloured line that runs through the Toyota emblem.
Completing the looks department are the chunky wheel arches and floating roof design to give the all-new Toyota Avanza a more SUV-like design that’s so popular right now. Depending on variants, you’ll also get either a 15- or 16-inch set of alloys on all four corners.
The Veloz, meanwhile, is the more upmarket and (in our opinion) more attractive option of the two, headlined by its completely different front fascia design with a hexagonal-shaped mesh grille, sharper headlights, chrome trims, and a reworked bumper that gives it a more SUV-like look.
Other differences on the Veloz include a full-width tail lights at the rear, complemented by skid plate elements on the bumpers and 17-inch wheels to further drive home the SUV effect.
Similar to the exterior, the cabin of the all-new Toyota Avanza also gets a complete overhaul, with a more modern dashboard design with a touchscreen infotainment display (seven- or nine-inch) positioned atop the centre air vents. Other new additions on the inside include digital air-conditioning controls, wireless charging pad, and a new steering wheel design which finally gets tilt and telescopic adjustments.
As before, there are three rows of seats in the all-new Avanza that can accomodate up to seven people. As standard, the seats now come with a “Long Sofa Mode” which allows the first-row seats to fold back, and the second-row seats that fold forward, creating a sofa-like footrest for the third-row seats.
As usual, the Veloz takes the interior up a notch with standard fabric and leather combination seats, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster (similar to that of the Ativa), automatic climate control, ambient lighting, soft-touch armrests, a more elaborate centre console with an electric parking brake, plus a rear-seat entertainment screen.
For the first time ever on the Avanza, the range-topping new MPV is now offered with the Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance suite, which includes features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert.
Rear parking sensors, reverse cameras (or 360-degree surround view monitor), and six airbags are also offered on higher-end variants.
The all-new Toyota Avanza is offered in four variants in Indonesia, starting with the base 1.3E variant that is priced at IDR206.2 million (approx. RM60k). Meanwhile, the Veloz will be offered in three variants, starting with the MT variant which goes for IDR251.2 million (approx. RM73k).
Rumour has it that the all-new Toyota Avanza will serve as the base to the
upcoming Perodua Alza (D27A)
 – and if true, there’s certainly a lot to look forward to!
GALLERY
Toyota Avanza
Toyota Veloz


Jaguar I-Pace an all-electric SUV, 700 Nm, boasts 500km e-range

Remember the
full electric SUV Jaguar I-Pace Concept
 that was unveiled late last year? Well, Jaguar’s first full-electric car is now a reality, and the I-Pace has already been put through its paces on the streets of London.
To add to that, the company has also opened the order books for the I-Pace in the UK. It will make its official global debut later this year, with deliveries scheduled to begin as soon as Q2 2018.
Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum said, “The feedback on the I-PACE Concept has been fantastic. With the I-PACE Concept, we’ve torn up the rule book to create a vehicle with supercar inspired aesthetics, sports car performance and SUV space, in one electric package. It has surprised people and the enthusiasm for our first electric vehicle has been beyond all my expectations.”
The I-Pace is powered by two electric motors, one on each axle. They produce a combined output of
395 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque. The all-wheel drive SUV is able to accelerate to 100 km/h in around
4 seconds
. Thanks to the sleek and aerodynamic design, the I-Pace boasts a drag coefficient of only
0.29 cd
.
Packed with a liquid-cooled 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the I-Pace is expected to offer over
500 km of driving range
 (based on NEDC cycle). A full charge can be achieved in just over two hours while 80 percent charge capacity is achieved in just
90 minutes
 when plugged to a 50 kW DC charging port.
Full details of the Jaguar I-Pace including pricing and specifications will be revealed at the end of the year. If the Jaguar SUV range piques your interest, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has the next best thing that’s actually on sale right now, the
Jaguar F-Pace
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Jaguar I-Pace


Lexus Malaysia launches facelifted ES, priced from RM260k to RM355k

Lexus Malaysia has just taken the wraps off their most popular model to date, the
ES
 facelift
. On the subject of best selling, Malaysia represents Lexus’ most successful markets next to Taiwan and South Korea.
Domestically, Lexus has collectively sold over
 4,700
 vehicles, but a chunky
24 percent
 of that figure is that of the
ES
. As before, the ES is offered here in three flavours, the
ES250 Premium, ES250 Luxury
 and the range topping
ES300h
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Lexus ES250 Premium
Lexus ES250 Luxury
Lexus ES300h
Engine
2.5 litre inline-four
2.5 litre Atkinson cycle inline-four
Transmission
6-speed automatic gearbox
CVT
Max Power
181 hp
202 hp
Max Torque
235 Nm of torque
213 Nm
0 – 100 km/h
9.8 seconds
8.5 seconds
Top Speed
207 km/h
N/A
Price
RM259,200
RM278,600
RM355,100

EXTERIOR
It’s no surprise to see Lexus’ streamlined look shared with its stablemates. The refreshed look gives the ES more youth and vigour in its quest of segment domination. First thing that’s apparent from gazing at the front end is the
signature spindle design grille
 that graces the Lexus range.

The headlights are sharper and more aggressive in nature as compared to the previous version. Even the bumper has been given a new lease of life with a generous amount of
chrome
 around the edges for good measure. The fog lamps too have been reworked with its own supply of
 chrome
 trinketry.
Lexus’
signature DRL
 look is thrown in to extenuate the new bolder look of the ES. The headlights are
LED
 lit thru a projector module for better illumination compared to the outgoing bi-xenon, and it  is self-levelling. The rear end has been tidied up for a crisper look with a pair of ‘
diamond-shaped’
 tailpipes (except for the ES300h). The
tail lamps
 gain the standard
 L-shape
 graphics which makes it ever more identifiable as a Lexus.
INTERIOR
A stronghold point for Lexus cars is the interior where lashings of
 wood, veneer and leather
 come together in harmony, style and taste. Not only that but the generous amount of room in the cabin makes the ES a very desirable marque in this segment. The interior can be had in
Black, Topaz Brown or Ivory
.

Aside from the brilliant upholstery, tech and toys take centre stage in here. Lexus has thrown in the
Remote Touch Interface
 (RTI) as part of the multimedia interface. The layout of the cockpit has the driver’s needs in mind, with all button, knobs and switches at
easy reach
. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has more driver-centric feel with the gear shifter even tilted toward the driver.
A
4.2-inch
 Multi Information Display (MID) is nestled between the gauges in the instrument cluster. The ES250 Luxury and ES300h models get a small
command centre
 right on the
arm-rest
 that folds down to reveal it. It controls the A/C, rear blind and the stereo.

Audiophiles take note. The ES250 Premium comes with an
 eight-speaker Lexus Display Audio
 system while the ES250 Luxury model comes with a
 Lexus Premium Audio eight-speaker
 system. The range topper on the other is bestowed with a
 Mark Levinson 15-speaker
 stereo system.
PERFORMANCE
The more astute reader in the audience would have noticed a rather alarming similarity of the hybrid model to that of the specs found on the
 Toyota Camry Hybrid
. And you wouldn’t be wrong to assume such. The
ES300h
 spots the same powerplant in the Camry Hybrid. The Atkinson-cycle engine makes
202hp
 at 4,500 rpm with
213 Nm
 of torque.
The ES250 pair in this department are identical to each other, both sporting a
2.5-litre inline four
 engine with
181hp
 and
 235 Nm
 of twist propelling them from standstill to
100km/h

9.8 seconds
 before maxing out at just over
 200 km/h
. While the range topper is paired to an
e-CVT
 gearbox, the ES250 duo are mated to a
six-speed Super ECT
 box.
SAFETY
Lexus has placed an enormous attention to detail in this aspect. Aside from the norms we’ve come to expect from cars of this caliber (
ABS, Brake Assist, EBD
 and
 TCS
), the ES range comes loaded to the brim with safety tech such as
Tyre Pressure Warning System, Hill Start Assist, Blind Spot Monitor
 and
 Rear Cross Traffic Alert
 (except for ES250 Premium). The trio receives an astounding
10 airbags
 (with knee airbag) for added safety. Parking is now a doddle with
Parking Clearance Sonar Guide
 to help drivers in this endevour.
WHAT ELSE ?
The trio comes in a choice of six body colours, namely
 Red Mica, Sonic Quartz, Graphite Black, Platinum Silver, Sonic Titanium,
and
 Amber Crystal Shine
. The car will also come with Lexus’ own brand of security and solar tint films.
Prices of the new Lexus ES with GST, without insurance ranges from
 RM259,200
 for the ES250 Premium,
RM278,600
 for the Luxury spec and a whopping
RM355,100
 for the range topping ES300h model. All models sold by Lexus Malaysia comes bundled with a
3-year or 100,000 km
 warranty programme, whichever comes first.
IMAGE GALLERY


New MINI Countryman received Top Safety Pick award by IIHS

Not only is it versatile, rather charming, reasonably-equipped and adequately powered – as it stands, its convincingly safe too.
The all-new 2017 MINI Countryman has just been presented with the
TOP SAFETY PICK
 (results in link) award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as announced by MINI USA. (Ironic name isn’t it? Cause America’s huge…no, just me?) Oh, and it also took the same prize back in
2012 in the Small Car category
.
The award, presented by the independent, non-profit scientific and educational organisation to the Countryman as it earned an advanced rating with its optional front crash prevention system. A feature that works somewhat like the
Hyundai IONIQ’s
 Autonomous Emergency Braking feature – sadly not made available for any of the Countryman’s in this country.
Results pointed that the system mitigated a collision, with a reduced impact speed of 7 mph in both 12 mph (19 km/h) and 25 mph (40 km/h) tests conducted by IIHS.
What you’d want to know is that the 2017 Countryman also earned this designation from its good crashworthiness ratings across the board.
Small overlap front
,
moderate overlap front
, sides, roof strength and head restraint tests were among those conducted.
“The new MINI Countryman is not only the best equipped MINI we’ve ever sold, but it’s also the most technologically advanced and most versatile model we’ve ever offered,” said MINI of the Americas, Vice President, Thomas Felbermair.
The 2017 MINI Countryman is available in
Cooper, Cooper S ALL4
, and the recently
 launched
and
 tested in Sepang
 MINI JCW Countryman.


Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain styles up for 2022 KL Fashion Week

Showcasing a fresh dimension to its identity, the
Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain
 will be joining the 2022 KL Fashion Week (KLFW) as the event’s official “Ultimate Lifestyle Vehicle” sponsor, with three units of the Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain to be showcased in the heart of the city.
This year’s KL Fashion Week is themed ‘The Bigger, The Better’, which is arguably an apt fit for the third-generation
Isuzu
 D-Max, especially as the company looks to push the “active lifestyle” image of the D-Max, beyond what a pick-up is traditionally known for.
Isuzu Malaysia Chief Operating Officer, Kenkichi Sogo
Isuzu Malaysia’s Chief Operating Officer Kenkichi Sogo said, “With its cutting-edge design, superlative features, and extraordinary go-anywhere, do-anything capabilities, the Isuzu D-Max is all about challenging the norm and allowing you to forge your fondest memories. Together with the KLFW, we aim to bring forward novel, imaginative and inspiring designs to share with the Malaysian audience.”
RELATED:
New 2022 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain 3.0 updated with new features, from RM146k
KL Fashion Week Founder & CEO, Andrew Tan (Left) and Isuzu Malaysia CEO, Kenkichi Sogo (Right)
Boasting a host of cutting-edge features including a 360-degree Around View Monitor, wireless charging for phones, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a host of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Isuzu says that its D-Max X-Terrain revolutionizes the way pick-up trucks are viewed as a lifestyle vehicle in an urban setting.
A Valencia Orange, an Onyx Black, and a Silky Pearle White Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain will be attending the 2022 KL Fashion Week, depicting the many styles of the truck. This year’s Fashion Week opens from August 15 till August 21 at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
ALSO WATCH:
Isuzu D-Max 3.0 X-Terrain 4×4 pick-up “Interior Test”!


30 km/h speed limit to be proposed for urban and residential areas

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (
MIROS
) is proposing a 30 km/h speed limit on roads in urban, residential, city and village areas.
This follows after a global ministerial conference last year in which Malaysia was a part of, where 18 new resolutions on road safety were mandated.
At the conference, 80 ministers from their respective countries pledged
 to halve road fatalities by 2030
. The 30 km/h speed limit will allow all motorists to share the road safely, according to MIROS.
Volvo’s Care Key allows owners to set speed limits to their cars.
The proposed speed limit will need to be finalised with authorities such as JPJ and Ministry of Works before being brought up to the Ministry of Transport.
Whether this will work or not, we’ll just have to see. Do people even observe speed limits these days? How many times have we all driven past an 80 km/h sign, at much higher speeds?
How will they even enforce this in villages? Where motorcycle users are still riding without helmets?


Volkswagen Malaysia launches the Beetle Club Edition, limited to only 50 units

Volkswagen Group Malaysia celebrated the launch of the limited edition Beetle Club here at their showroom in Glenmarie. The launch was dubbed “Welcome to the Club” – pun intended obviously. Prior to this evening, the Beetle Club masqueraded a sneak peek at the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week.
Now, what sets this Bug apart from its ‘ordinary’ siblings are down to key few differences such as the
 17″ Ravenna alloy
 wheels which in this case were wrapped in a set of Continental
ContiPremiumContact2
 rubbers and
decals
 that run the length of the car’s lower half with the
“Club”
 lettering.

On the inside however, Beetle die-hard fans would be delighted at the sight of the Club’s
two-tone orange and black
 ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery coupled with
 orange-coloured stitching
 with the addition also of the
‘Club’
 lettering on the
 steering wheel
.
The Club is adorned in a shade of
Habenero Orange
paint which oddly enough gives one a stern indication of where the Beetle is built –
Mexico
. Having said that, the Beetle Club is limited to only
50 units locally
.
Mr. Armin Keller
, Managing Director of VGM said, “Since its arrival on Malaysian shores 60 years ago, the Volkswagen Beetle has preserved its reputation of being an iconic car. We seek to constantly excite our fans by bringing these limited editions to them.”
The Beetle Club is available from
RM152,888
 and can be had at
selected
 authorised dealerships and is available while stocks last.
IMAGE GALLERY


A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story on Netflix is here to cure your boredom

What day is this? Does it even matter to you anymore what time is it? Does it feel like time is now only used to differentiate breakfast, lunch and dinner?
You’ve probably counted how many units there are in the condominium opposite the road and rearranged the cables that have for so long cluttered the back of your TV so here’s something to get you out of the rut.
Netflix has, very timely, released a biopic of arguably the best Formula 1 driver there ever was – called
A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story
.
Without giving away too much, the film tells the story of the late Fangio, an Argentinian race car driver who had won five Formula 1 Driver’s Championships in the 1950s, unanimously dubbed the greatest of all time.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1vm_qMDn-I
The comprehensive biopic not only covers the early life of Fangio but also offers a brief insight to the challenges faced by team and drivers in the early days of motor racing. In overcoming the hardships of World War 2, Fangio proved that he wasn’t just an extraordinary driver, but also an incredibly savvy businessman.
The story of the humble Fangio is also told by various Formula 1 greats from the past and present, showering the Argentinian with only the highest praises. There are also multiple segments where the man himself – shares various experiences and words of wisdom.
You’d also most definitely appreciate all the never before seen footages from the days of black and white production.
So if you’re looking for something to watch during your “lunch break” on the couch, in your boxers or even birthday suit, this is the one. You can thank us later.


“Malaysia 1” number plate goes to the winning bidder for RM1,111,111

The Ministry of Transport Malaysia (MOT) has just announced the tender results for the special “Malaysia” number plate series that was announced in
June 2018
. Malaysian’s obsession with single digit plates, particularly the number “1”, has once again broken the record for the most expensive bid ever made in the country.
Transport Minister, Anthony Loke announced at a press conference that “Malaysia 1” was awarded to Aldi International Sdn Bhd with a winning bid of RM1,111,111. This broke the previous bid of RM989,000 for the number plate “V1”.

The Johor-based firm also secured the bids for “Malaysia 2” for RM422,000 and “Malaysia 4” for RM162,000 as reported by
The Star
. “Malaysia 8” had the second highest winning bid at RM618,000 while the third most expensive plate “Malaysia 99” went to 99 Speed Mart Sdn Bhd for RM501,500.
“Malaysia 8055” which can also be read as “Malaysia BOSS”, drew in the most number of bids at 49 but eventually went to the winning bid of RM81,888. Loke revealed that he personally placed a bid for “Malaysia 509” with RM1,509 but was unsuccessful, trailing 11
th
 behind the winning bid of RM20,000.
In total, the Malaysia plate series which runs from “Malaysia 1” to “Malaysia 2020” has raked in RM13.1 million in revenue for the government from a total successful bid of 3,353. Loke revealed that there are 6,645 numbers in the series which are still available, and the public can place their bid for one at Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ) branches.


Porsche could be making a smaller, cheaper electric sedan

See how there’s the
Macan
 to the
Cayenne
, and similarly there’s the
718 Cayman
 to the
911
? Well, it seems like Porsche is looking to utilise the same strategy with its electric cars by introducing a smaller and cheaper sibling to the
Taycan
 electric sedan, aiming its gun barrel directly towards the BMW i4.
The rumour comes from
Autocar UK
, who learned that the new model – seventh in Porsche’s line-up – is currently under the German carmaker’s consideration. According to insiders, it has not been approved for production just yet, so technical details remain scarce for now.
However, if the model does get the proverbial green light, it’s understood that it will be built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture that is jointly developed between Porsche and its sister company Audi to underpin a range of EVs.
The
next-generation Porsche Macan EV
 will also use the same PPE architecture, and it is understood that the new baby Taycan will share most of its drivetrain and battery components with the compact SUV.
Autocar
 believes that the new model will be offered with a single-motor on the rear axle as standard, though all-wheel drive will come as an extra cost option or made standard on upmarket variants – similar to how Porsche markets the Taycan.
The entry-level, rear-wheel drive-only
Porsche Taycan
.
Just like the Taycan, the new model will also have a sleek, fastback-like silhouette. However, the British publication says that new Porsche model will still be a four door electric sedan, around the same size as the
Audi A4
. If the rumours are true, that means that the new baby Taycan will be a competing in a completely new segment for Porsche.
Pricing for the new compact electric sedan will allegedly start in the vicinity of GBP50,000 (~RM293k), putting it just above the Porsche 718 Cayman in the United Kingdom. Here in Malaysia though, the
Taycan
 already starts just slightly above the Cayman due to our unique excise duty structure for electric cars. Could we see an even cheaper entry point to the famed German brand? Only time will tell.
Obviously, Porsche did not comment on the report, but
Autocar
 says that it won’t arrive until 2022 at the earliest – that is, if the model gets the nod of approval from Porsche’s board – as that’s when the other PPE-based cars are scheduled to enter production.
In addition to the upcoming Macan EV, the PPE platform will also underpin the
next-generation Audi A6
that’s due in 2024, as well as a new crossover called Q6 e-Tron that will be unveiled in 2022.
All that’s left, then, is the name – there are suggestions that the new model take on the “Cajun” name first trademarked by Porsche in 2011. What do you think?


Mitsubishi Xpander now open for booking – striking on the outside, practical on the inside

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has opened the order books for the Mitsubishi Xpander which will be introduced here in Malaysia sometime next month right away
as the facelift model
. It will be sold in a single variant and will be
locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang
.
If you thought it looked impressive through the pictures, you should see it in person. That Dynamic Shield front end which has been revised in certain areas is like nothing offered in this segment that consists of the Honda BR-V, Toyota Rush and Perodua Aruz.

It’s powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine with
 105 hp
 and
 141 Nm
, paired to a 4-speed auto gearbox to drive the front wheels.
As it is the facelift model,
several areas have been tweaked
 and they include a revised a front grille design – featuring two slates instead of three in the pre-facelift model – along with a more pronounced Mitsubishi emblem, newly designed crystal block LED auto headlamps, and redesigned 16-inch wheels. Completing the front is the
two-bulb halogen fog lamp that doubles up as daytime running lights
 as well.
Towards the side, you’d notice the keyless entry feature along with a shark fin antenna that replaces the bee-sting antenna in the pre-facelift model. At the rear end, the Xpander features L-shaped rear LED combination tail lamps with a fog lamp positioned in the centre of the bumper. The Xpander will be available in four colours – Red, Quartz White, Platinum Gray and Diamond Black.
Moving inside, right away you’d notice a few things on the Xpander’s steering wheel; it comes with a
voice command feature and even cruise control
! Up ahead is a 4.2-inch multi-information display that shows the vehicle’s parameters such as the water temperature, warning displays for the cruise control, and
even when the key fob is low on battery
.
Even more impressive is a large 9-inch touchscreen display with six speakers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also projects various views from the Xpander’s surround-view monitor with
360-degree bird’s eye view
. The surround-view monitor is offered along with a front dashcam.
For the gadgets and other gizmos, there are two USB ports, and two 12V sockets but what you’d realise upon settling in is the
abundance of storage spaces
 in the Xpander’s cabin. For starters, you have the centre console storage and glovebox (pretty standard stuff), with additional storage above the glovebox, by the door panels, compartments behind the front seat, front passenger under-seat storage, storage for 3rd-row passengers, and under the boot floor.
Refinement should be another strong suit of the Xpander as the
front and rear windows are said to be thicker than industry standards
 while the cabin has been padded with
thicker headlining and floor carpets
. All this is supposed to reduce vibration and improve cabin insulation. The Xpander also features roof-mounted air-con vents in the second row.
As for the seating arrangements and space, the Xpander offers best-in-class headroom and cabin space with four different seating layout to offer more versatility. It is also the only vehicle in its class to offer a completely flat floor once the 2nd and 3rd-row seats are folded.
In terms of boot space, there’s
495-litres
 of space with the 3rd-row
 seats folded, 836-litres with the 2nd-row
 seats folded. If you’re mad enough to stack your cargo up to the roof, Mitsubishi says the Xpander will swallow more than 1,600 litres of cargo! Safety wise, the Xpander is equipped with ABS with EBD, brake assist, active stability control, hill-start assist, a brake override system and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
For those of you who’d like a closer look at the Xpander, it will be on display at these locations:
Date
Venue
Time
23-25 October
Toppen Mall, Johor Bahru, Johor
10.00am-10.00pm
29 October-1 November
Ipoh Parade, Perak
10.00am-10.00pm

GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 2WD launched, RM100,999

After a simple
teaser
 yesterday, Isuzu Malaysia has released detailed information on their latest model- the Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 4×2 AT. Priced from
RM100,999.20
, the model is the only 2WD pick-up variant in the new third-generation

D-Max range
. As such, it is also the lowest priced Japanese pick-up truck equipped with an automatic transmission in Malaysia.
EXTERIOR
In Thailand, 2WD or 4×2 drivetrains are usually paired with the low-riding chassis, as seen on the Mitsubishi Triton
Quest 4×2 MT
 and the older Ford Ranger 2WD. Isuzu Malaysia has ensured that even with a 4×2 drivetrain, the latest model continues to be high-riding, with a
ground clearance of 240 mm
and a
water wading depth of 800 mm
. Standard features on the Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 4×2, which mirrors the Standard 4×4 variant include:
Bi-LED projector headlamps with “follow-me-home” function and LED DRLs
Body-coloured side mirror covers, door handles and rear bumper
Bulb-type taillamps
17-inch wheels with 255/65R17 tyres
Side steps
Exterior colour choices are Splash White Solid, Mercury Silver Metallic, Onyx Black Mica, Sapphire Blue Mica and the striking Valencia Orange Metallic.
INTERIOR
It is however the interior that sees a large upgrade in the D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus compared to the Standard variant. While it maintains the same black dashboard without the soft-touch material, the infotainment system now has been updated to a 7-inch touchscreen system with full features and six speakers.
Apart from the usual USB and Bluetooth input, the advanced infotainment system also has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink, and Miracast smartphone connectivity. This system was only available from the Premium 4×4 variant. Other interior features in the Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 4×2 include:
4-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel
Fabric seats
4.2-inch TFT multi-info display with e-LUMAX illumination
Manual air-conditioning system with rear vents
Front and rear USB charging ports
60-40 split-folding rear seats with under-seat storage compartments
PERFORMANCE
As with the model’s name, powering the new Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 4×2 is the
frugal
 yet powerful 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel mill. Outputs are unchanged at
150 hp
 at 3,600 rpm and
350 Nm
 of torque at 1,800 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode transfers power to the rear wheels in this latest Isuzu D-Max variant.
Engine: RZ4E-TC 1,898 cc; inline-four turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission
Drivertrain: Rear-wheel drive
Max Power: 150 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Max Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,800 – 2,600 rpm
Isuzu Malaysia revealed that
only 28%
 of Malaysian pick-up truck users frequently engage their vehicle’s 4×4 system. As such, the 4×2 variant is an ideal variant that offers lower rolling resistance from its less complex drivetrain, fewer items that require maintenance, and a lower kerb weight making this model a boon for urban users and high-mileage drivers.
The 4×2 drivetrain sees a reduction of 85 kg off the kerb weight, with the Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus tipping the scales at 1,830 kg.
SAFETY
At the safety front, the Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 4×2 mirrors the Standard variant which sees features such as dual front airbags, EBD, ESC, TCS, HSA, Hill Descent Control, Brake Override System and seat belt reminders for all seats.
ASEAN NCAP has also rated the new Isuzu D-Max with a full 5-star rating.
Thanks to the inclusion of the 7-inch infotainment screen, the live feed from the rearview parking camera can also be displayed.
PRICE
Priced at
RM100,999.20
 (the 20 sen is derived from the road tax of RM399.20) in Peninsula Malaysia, the new Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 4×2 comes with a standard five-year/150,000 km warranty (whichever comes first).
While competitors such as Mitsubishi do offer a 2WD drivetrain, the Isuzu D-Max 1.9 Auto Plus 4×2 AT is the only high-riding 2WD pick-up truck with automatic transmission, as such, undercutting the Ford Ranger XL 4×4 AT by over RM4,000.
Isuzu Malaysia CEO, Kenkichi Sogo.
The Mitsubishi Triton Quest MT meanwhile at under RM80,000 is a low-riding pick-up truck with much more basic features and reflective engine performance of 110 hp/200 Nm and manual transmission.
“In these challenging times, the new Isuzu D-Max Auto Plus 4×2 1.9L brings a new level of relief by offering affordability and capability in a well-appointed and stylish package. This new D-Max variant that we are introducing today will be the sole 4×2 offering in its class that comes with an automatic transmission,” said Isuzu Malaysia, Chief Operating Officer, Kenkichi Sogo.
UMW Toyota does not offer any variants with 4×2 drivetrain on the current generation Hilux.


Exemption period for road tax renewals extended until May 31 – valid insurance still required

In light of the still-ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has now announced an extension to the exemption period for road tax renewals until the 31st May 2021,
Bernama

reports.
Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong said at a gotong-royong event at Parit Raja yesterday: “I have discussed about the exemption extension with the Road Transport Department (RTD) director-general for them to make necessary preparations as there are still states that recorded a high number of Covid-19 cases such as Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
“At the same time, the ministry is thinking of an effective way to settle unpaid road tax cases in phases to avoid congestion (at RTD counters) once the exemption is lifted,” he added.
While drivers can still move around in their vehicles during the exemption period, even if their road tax has expired, he said that the vehicles
must have a valid motor vehicle insurance coverage
. It is advisable to always keep a copy of the vehicle’s insurance certificate – either physical or soft copy – handy as proof, just in case it is requested by the enforcement officer for verification.
The road tax renewal exemption was first announced on 29 January, original scheduled until March 31 to prevent crowding in public places during the
 second Movement Control Order (MCO 2.0)
.


All-new Hyundai Tucson arrives in Malaysia, priced from RM130k to RM144k

Introduced earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show is the
all-new Hyundai Tucson
, and it didn’t take long for it to arrive on our shores. Just days after the C-Segment SUV made its global debut, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors introduced the locally assembled
Tucson facelift
 – a model that’s effectively replaced by the new one in record time.
The Tucson will be offered in two trims (Elegance and Executive), but they’re mostly add-on features and accessories. As such, it retains the older
Nu 2.0-litre MPI engine
 making
153 hp
 and
 192 Nm
 of torque. That’s quite likely the only thing left unchanged, because the entire car is built from the ground up, and with that it gets a roomier cabin.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Hyundai Tucson 2.0L Elegance
Hyundai Tucson 2.0L Executive
Engine
1,999cc; inline-4 DOHC
1,999cc; inline-4 DOHC
Transmission
6-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
Max Power
153 hp @ 6,200 rpm
153 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Max Torque
192 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
192 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR with insurace)
RM129,888.99
RM143,888.00
EXTERIOR
At first glance, we have to admit that this third generation Hyundai Tucson is much easier on the eyes when compared to the
new Kia Sportage
. The design, penned by Peter Schreyer, is based on Hyundai’s evolved design language dubbed
Fluidic Sculpture 2.0
. Now, both variants are not of the highest specifications, so we won’t be getting the 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, all-wheel drive and some other driver assistive technologies.

Instead, our Tucson gets auto levelling halogen projector headlights,
17-inch alloy wheels
 (tyres are profiled at 225/60), keyless entry and rear view camera as standard. If you opt for the Elegance variant, you’ll miss out Hyundai’s chrome-coated signature hexagonal grille, chrome door handles, puddle lamps, LED DRLs and LED positioning lights; all of which are reserved for the more expensive Executive variant. It’s a pretty basic car, but if there’s one thing we can really appreciate the Tucson for is its build quality.
INTERIOR
Much of the old Tucson’s style can hardly be traced on the outside, and the same can be said when stepping in the cabin. The dashboard is now straightforward and clean while keeping ergonomics close to mind. Both variants will get black leather seats as standard with the Executive trim benefiting from powered 8-way driver seats including 2-way lumbar support. For the first time in the C-Segment SUV category, Hyundai is offering
two leather seats upgrade options
 – either Red Leather or White Nappa Leather.

The Executive trim will get Hyundai’s Super Vision instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch TFT screen built between the odometer and tachometer, whereas the Elegance trim will make do with a conventional cluster with a 3.5-inch Mono TFT LCD screen. The cheaper variant will also have to skimp on Electronic Parking Brake, electronic chromic rear view mirror with compass, rear air-conditioning vents, Audio Visual Navigation head unit (Android based), push-start ignition and cruise control.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, the Tucson will only be offered with one powertrain that is the Nu 2.o-litre MPI engine. It’s transversely mounted and makes
153 hp
 at 6,200 rpm and
192 Nm
 of torque peaking at 4,000 rpm. Drive is sent to the
front wheels
 via a
six-speed automatic
 gearbox which Hyundai claims to deliver better acceleration and reduced fuel consumption.
The front axle sits on a pair of McPherson Struts while the rear sits atop the conventional multi-link suspension. If you opt for the Executive package, there will be a
Drive Mode Control System
 which lets you choose between
three driving modes
 – Eco, Normal and Sports, but these are simply throttle and gearbox remaps.
SAFETY
On the safety side of things, both the Elegance and Executive Tucsons will get ABS, ESC, Hill Start Assist, Downhill Brake Control, Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Management as standard. The Executive however, gets six airbags (Elegance only two airbags) with a Safe Drive Recorder.
WHAT ELSE?
The Hyundai Tucson is now on sale and available for viewing and test drives at Hyundai showrooms near you. There will be a total of seven exterior colours to choose from, on top of the three leather seat options. Pricing for the Tucson Elegance is RM129,888 and the Executive at RM143,888. Both prices stated include GST and insurance. All new Tucsons come with Hyundai’s 5-year or 300,000km warranty programme, whichever comes first. That equals to 164 km a day, everyday, for five years!
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: The 8th-generation Sonata is unlike any other Hyundai you’ve ever seen

Aside from
test

driving the new

Hyundai Kona
 which will be launched by this year, shortly after the drive, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors surprised us with a sneak preview of the new, extremely striking, Hyundai Sonata.
Jaws dropped and none of us were prepared for what we saw. I don’t think any of us from the media, who were there to test drive the Kona that day, had ever reacted this way to the sight of a Hyundai; let alone a Sonata but there it was; there is nothing quite like it.
The unconventional design, full of swoops, curves and sharp edges, is the result of Hyundai’s new Sensuous Sportiness design language. Crazy as it may sound, the front end even has hints of
Aston Martin’s DB11
 if you observe closely but that’s not all.
There is some genius in the way the daytime running lights were incorporated. When not illuminated, what you see is a single strip of chrome that runs from the edge of the headlamps all the way to the C-pillar before making a loop back to the front and merging with the A-pillar. When the daytime running lights come on, a small section of the chrome strip actually lights up through the perforations.
It’s all about the details with this Sonata. Take the 18-inch wheels for example; have you ever seen knurling on hub caps before? On a watch maybe, but on a set of wheels? Never; and certainly didn’t expect it in a Hyundai.
Then there’s the switch for the boot, which is completely hidden behind the Hyundai emblem on the tailgate. Nothing will ever indicate to you that there is a switch there, but just press the top section of the “H” emblem, and see what happens. As for the exhaust, it’s tucked underneath the rear bumper and don’t those taillights remind you of the Honda Civic?
Once inside, you get the sense that they’ve really taken things to the next level. Not only is the tan upholstery pleasing to the touch, but Hyundai has also completely taken the steering and gear selector design rule book and dumped it into the sea. Instead of a gear lever, there is now an individual console housing the “P, N, and R” buttons instead.
That’s not all, the Sonata gets a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster which displays a live feed of the Blind Spot Monitoring system every time the indicator is used. If you’re indicating right for example, a display will pop up on the right-hand side of the digital instrument cluster, projecting a right-hand side view of the vehicle’s blind spot and vice versa on the left.
If that’s not enough to amuse you, there’s also a head-up, wireless charging, power-adjustable driver seat with memory function, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, along with a 360-degree camera. Under the hood, the new Sonata gets a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with 180 hp and 232 Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic to drive the front wheels.
So far, Hyundai has not revealed the exact price of the Sonata but did indicate that it will start from RM20X,XXX. Still, if you’ve seen enough and have your heart set on it, you can
book one for RM888
. Following the Sales Tax Exemption announcement, for the latest price list of Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.
GALLERY


What’s the Buzz: BMW Malaysia is all in on electrification

Petrol heads, you might want to look away for a minute. Last year, BMW Group Malaysia put 7,500 units of new plug-in hybrids on the road which accounted for 57% of all new passenger cars sold by the Group. And from what was communicated at a recent business briefing, its electrification initiative is ‘charging ahead’ in 2019 and beyond.
While the motivation to acquire premium hybrid vehicles in Malaysia is largely driven by competitive retail prices (which are incentivised by the government if the vehicle is locally assembled) and not necessarily environmental concerns, BMW Malaysia has made its electrification strategy pay off with
improving annual sales volumes
 alongside increased local investments in the past few years.
Not how you should park a BMW plug-in, or any other car for that matter.
The achievement isn’t to be scoffed at as few car companies in
the world can claim to have such a sizable electrified portfolio so early in
the game, something which BMW Group Malaysia has clearly done. If anything, it is
doubling down on efforts to beef up its BMW i charging facilities with the launch
of the latest one at Bangsar Shopping Complex, Kuala Lumpur – taking over the same
spot where Mercedes-Benz EQ-branded charging stations used to be, but now there
are six instead of three chargers. Cheeky.


This new Honda Civic advertisement is made entirely at home

The world has almost grounded to a halt in recent weeks due to the ongoing
Coronavirus pandemic
. Most countries have implemented some form of movement restriction, which means most people are working from home while front-liners work tirelessly to combat the virus.
Working from home does come with its limitations, however that does not mean that we’ll have to wait for things to go back to normal to get our creative juices flowing. While most car companies are scouring through old video clips to piece together stock footages, Honda UAE recruited ad agency Memac Ogilvy to make something completely different – film an entire car advertisement at home.

The ad starts off just like any other car advertisements, littered with close-up glamour shots and tracking shots of the car zooming past buildings. Everything seems normal so far, but the on-screen text gives it away quickly: “This might be the first car commercial to be written, directed, edited and watched entirely from home.”
Speaking to
Ad Week
, the agency revealed that the clip was done completely by two of their employees – executive Amin Soltani who acted as producer-director, and director of photography Umran Sheikh – who happens to live in the same building.
The video was filmed mostly using natural light, and the “buildings” are made out of books paired with clever use of a table lamp. To simulate the car exiting a tunnel, they pulled the car underneath the couch using a hook and fishing line. The two-man team were also limited to just one in-house camera.
And the
Honda Civic
 featured in the advertisement? That’s a miniature model belonging to a Honda exec’s kid that was delivered to them for the purpose of this ad.
Memac Ogilvy chief creative officer Juggi Ramakrishnan said, “Our idea was to create a homemade ad and demonstrate to our audiences that life can still carry on in quarantine.”
The video ends with a hopeful message: “Until we drive again. #StayHome.”


2018 Porsche Cayenne & Cayenne S now in Malaysia, from RM 745,000

After
 previewing it earlier this year
, the third-generation Porsche Cayenne is now officially on sale in Malaysia – with two variants to choose from – the base Cayenne and the more powerful Cayenne S.
The base model serves up
340 hp
, 40 hp more than its predecessor with
450 Nm
 of torque from its 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine. The Cayenne S on the other hand, takes things up a notch with
 440 hp
 and
 550 Nm
 from its 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6. Both engines are mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission with active all-wheel drive.
For the heavy footers off the line, the base model Cayenne will sprint to 100 km/h in just a whisker over six seconds (top speed 245 km/h) while the more muscular Cayenne S will do the same run in just over five seconds (top speed 265 km/h). Opt for the Sport Chrono Package and you’d see a dip of 0.3 seconds on both times.
Driving aids include the Porsche 4D Chassis Control, PASM air suspension (standard on the Cayenne S), rear-wheel steering, Porsche Traction Management and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC). With the redeveloped Sport Chrono Package, it also includes a separate PSM Sport Mode.
The Cayenne is available with the optional Porsche Surface Coated brake (PSCB) – a world first – consisting of a cast iron disc with tungsten-carbide coating, complemented by 10-pot callipers in the front. The finish increases friction with significantly reduced brake wear and dust.
LED headlights are standard, with an optional upgrade for the Porsche Dynamic Light System while the back features redesigned rear lights with three-dimensional light design. Wheels sizes start from 19-inches up to 21-inches (optional).

Inside, the Cayenne gets the Porsche Advanced Cockpit treatment, a new 12.3-inch full HD touchscreen with the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) introduced in the 2017 Panamera. The tachometer, on the other hand, is flanked by two 7-inch full HD displays.
Prices for the Cayenne starts from
RM 745,000
 while the Cayenne S starts from
RM 890,000
. Prices are zero-rated GST and includes a 4-year warranty and free maintenance package which includes complimentary service, parts and labour.
IMAGE GALLERY
Porsche Cayenne S

Porsche Cayenne


Five interesting facts about the new Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

Porsche has added another model to its Cayenne line-up – the Cayenne E-Hybrid – with a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor and here’s five interesting facts of the latest electrified product from Stuttgart, Germany.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3bclPioykE
1. The Cayenne E-Hybrid makes a combined
462 hp
 with
700 Nm
 of torque. From standstill, it will hit the 100 km/h mark in just five seconds with its new 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission, before topping out at 253 km/h.
2. Its “boost strategy” derived from the 918 Spyder is a new addition; ensuring that the
 electric motor can be used with all driving modes
 for an additional performance boost with maximum torque.
3. Its batteries, stored beneath the loading floor, now has
30% higher capacity
. They can be fully charged in under eight hours with a 230V connection. With the optional 7.2 kilowatt on-board charger, the time is shortened to just over two hours.
4. On
pure electricity
, it can drive up to a distance of 44 km, at speeds of up to 135 km/h while fuel consumption is rated to be as low as 3.2L/100 km. In Sport and Sport Plus modes, all of the battery’s energy can be used for a boost. In Sport mode, the battery is charged just as much as is required for a new boost. In Sport Plus mode, the battery is recharged as quickly as possible.
5. The new Cayenne E-Hybrid features
a head-up display
, the Porsche InnoDrive system with adaptive cruise control, 22-inch light metal wheels along with driving aids such as the standard Porsche Traction Management (PTM), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabilisation system.
IMAGE GALLERY


You’d be amazed by this miniature photoshoot of the new Audi Q2

The job of a photographer is never an easy one. To attain the perfect picture, various factors come into play; requiring time, skill, abundance of patience and the meticulousness of a surgeon.
Felix Hernandez, a Mexican photographer, was hired by Audi to shoot the new crossover and being a professional in miniature photography, he opted for a very unconventional method.

Instead of shooting the actual car in the real world, he opted for a 1:43 scale model of the
Audi Q2 launched here recently
 and replicated both urban and outdoors surroundings, all from the confinements of his studio.
The behind the scenes video shows the immense lengths he had to go to, especially in replicating the surroundings of a desert.

Locally, the new
Audi Q2 is only available in a single variant
– the 1.4-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder TFSI model – with
150 hp
and
250 Nm
 of torque to power the front wheels via a 7-speed S Tronic dual clutch transmission.
0 to 100 km/h takes just 8.5 seconds, with top speed rated at 212 km/h. Despite being a fully-imported unit from Germany, the Q2 has been competitively priced at RM219,900.
IMAGE GALLERY


Tata Nano: When cheap isn’t always cheerful

When an existing model doesn’t get a replacement, you can bet your bottom Ringgit that it had failed in a monumental way, be it in sales volume or the perception it brought to the brand.
Lauded back in 2009 as a ‘remarkable car’ by no less than
Steve Cropley of Autocar UK
, the Tata Nano was supposed to be the default choice for customers in India who upgraded from two- or three-wheelers, but it proved otherwise as sales lagged for the US$2,000 (or RM8,000) car almost from the get go.
Hindsight is 20/20 of course, but it’s clear that Tata had misread what car buyers in India could and would tolerate. In a market dominated by Maruti Suzuki with 50% share, much like how Perodua is in Malaysia, consumers were already well exposed to quality vehicles with Japanese origins and accustomed to creature comforts that new cars were expected to offer.
The Nano didn’t have a rear hatch or tailgate till 2015!
The bare-bones Tata Nano was launched without a tail-gate (you access the boot through the side doors!) and was only available with a four-speed manual, powered by a 624cc two-cylinder engine that churned out around 37hp and 50Nm. The Nano took 30 seconds to reach 100km/h, which is just under its rated top speed of 105km/h. Newer versions were given an automatic transmission, power steering and a fifth door (known as the Genx Nano), but the Nano’s fortunes never changed. According to a report by Bloomberg, Tata Motors only produced one unit in June 2018. Looks like it’s curtains for the world’s cheapest car.


Get all your car care questions answered in the upcoming virtual Bosch Car Talk Show!

Passionate about cars and own hands-on maintenance of the beloved machine? Bosch Automotive Aftermarket will be treating us, auto enthusiasts, with the Bosch Car Talk Show, happening virtually on their
Facebook
 page as well as their
Shopee
 official store on December 11th.
The car talk show will be split into a few segments on car maintenance and topics include reasons to change your car wipers regularly by Bosch Product Specialist Mohd Rydzyuan, signs that your wipers need changing (to
Bosch Aerotwin Retrofit
 units, of course), how to keep your wiper blades in good condition followed by separate segments on Bosch’s batteries and engine oils.
Additionally, there will also be an exclusive segment to discuss on car maintenance and workshop basics by Adrian Mak, Bosch Car Service and Executive Director of NSS Group focusing on the common mistakes that can put cars and drivers at risk, reasons car maintenance is essential to avoid car breakdowns plus maintaining your car in tip-top condition with exclusive car service tips.
Autobuzz.my also has a selection of D-I-Y videos such as how to change battery, engine oil and even horns. Click here for more!
That’s not all, during intervals of the Bosch’s Car Talk Show, viewers will be able to take part in the event by answering related questions. Participants of Bosch’s Car Talk Show will stand a chance to win the lucky draw grand prize of an Apple iPad Mini, Bosch Engine Oil, Bosch C7 Battery Charger plus 25 winners for the RM50 Shopee voucher.
That’s not all, Bosch has ensured that each and every viewer will receive RM20 Bosch vouchers from Shopee just for taking part! Free shipping of products is also included.
Mark your calendars for a virtual dinner date with automotive experts at the Bosch Car Talk Show that will be taking place on
December 11th 2021 from 8:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M
. on Bosch Autoparts
Facebook
 and Bosch Autoparts official store in
Shopee
.  Bosch hopes to clear any doubts one has and be on your way to keeping your car in optimum condition.


Is that a Honda Civic hatchback or a Kia Stinger?

Yesterday, the Internet lit up not only from the pictures of the new Civic, now on sale in the USA starting from USD$21,700 (approx. RM90k), but also by the
leaked images of the

Honda Civic hatchback
.
The Civic hatchback is
expected to be unveiled next Thursday (24th of June)
 but from what we’ve seen so far, we can quite confidently bet on it being a handsome fella; as handsome as the model it replaces.
The old Civic sedan…
…and the new.
Unlike the new Civic sedan, which has moved away from the C-shaped taillights to an L-shaped one, the Civic hatchbacks (both old and new) still bears the C-shaped graphics on the taillights. Somewhat.
While the differences are clear between the rear section of the sedan and the hatchback, the latter actually looks like the Kia Stinger. Well, maybe a
facelift version of it
.
Even the arch above the number plate section looks nearly identical; if only our editing skills were better.
Unlike the new Civic sedan, the new hatchback appears to have chrome surrounds for the exhaust tips although it could be different depending on variants. We shall see.
For now, what we can gather from the pictures at least, is that the rear passenger section also looks more or less the same in terms of space.
Watch our review of the FK8 Honda Civic Type R here!
However, they’ve redesigned the door handles for better ergonomics and better access to the cupholders – that’s always a plus. The door handles look classier too!
Reports have claimed that the Civic hatchback will get a 6-speed manual gearbox to go with the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, just like the one in the Civic sedan.
The turbocharged 4-cylinder has been tuned for an extra 6 hp and 20 Nm, now at 180 hp and 240 Nm.
Find out more about the all-new Honda Civic sedan here!
Source:
Auto123


Volvo to use names rather than numbers for new EV models

Volvo will debut the fully electric successor of the
XC90
 flagship SUV next year. However, the company will not continue with XC90 but instead, give it a name.
In an interview with
Autocar UK
, Hakan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Car, said the Scandinavian marque will diverge from its long-running XC nomenclature for SUVs by giving the new car “a name, like a child.”
“If you look at cars today, all of them are very ‘engineeredly’ named: XC, T8, All-Wheel-Drive, double-overhead cams – it’s all specifications on the rear of many cars,” said Samuelsson.
Volvo unveiled the
Concept Recharge
 earlier this month, a new EV that encompasses many new technologies to make EVs operate better, simpler, and built more cost-efficiently.
“We are talking about a totally new architecture, a new generation of born-electric, all-electric cars with central computing. It’s good and clear to mark that this is a new beginning, and that’s why we’re not going to have numbers and letters, an engineering type of name,” elaborated Samuelsson.
Volvo confirms next-gen XC60 to be EV, expected to launch around 2026. Read about it here!
The all-new flagship SUV is due next year, with the
Volvo plant in the USA
 listed as one of its production sites.
Samuelsson has certainly not divulged the actual model name of the upcoming EV model, but hinted that the name would be interesting and more emotional.
With a few exceptions, Volvo has used a simple alphanumeric model nomenclature since 1995. The alphabet determines the body type while the numeral represents the model hierarchy or positioning. This combination has been followed by many brands, such as Infiniti as well as
Proton when launching the new SUV models
 with the help of Geely.
Geely and Volvo consolidate new powertrain company called Aurobay, Volvo to focus on premium EV tech.
At the other end of the spectrum, Volvo is also reported to be offering an EV smaller than the currently available
C40 Recharge
. Thanks to its strong and mutual partnership with Geely, Volvo’s entry EV will be built in China and be based on Geely’s SEA platform, which also underpins Smart’s upcoming EV model.
Geely’s SEA platform is highly scalable, able to be configured to over 10 models of different bodytypes and sizes. Get to know
more about the SEA platform here
.


Perodua donates RM2 mil, medical supplies in fight against Coronavirus

Perodua has joined the fight against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic by contributing RM2 million to the
National Disaster Management Agency’s (NADMA) COVID-19 fund
.
In addition to the timely cash donation, the national carmaker has also donated 150 mattresses, 200 pillows, 105 boxes of mineral water, 15 industrial fans and 300 pairs of rubber boots to the Sungai Buloh Hospital – where majority of the COVID-19 patients are being treated.
The donation was presented to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Prime Minister’s Office earlier today, by Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“This war against COVID-19 is our shared responsibility. The funds and items contributed by Perodua are part of our ongoing efforts to ensure Malaysia will recover as fast as it can,” said Dato’ Zainal.
The NADMA COVID-19 fund was set-up by the Prime Minister as an effort to aid Malaysians most vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic, in addition to purchasing equipment and supplies for the front liners in the fight against the virus outbreak.
“We thank the government for these measures. Perodua, in solidarity with all Malaysians, hopes this pandemic will be resolved in the shortest time and with minimal infections and fatalities. To those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, we extend our sincere condolences,” Dato’ Zainal said.
“As for Perodua, we have also directed all our staff, the greater automotive supply chain and our authorised dealers to pay keen attention to their staff’s needs and welfare during this MCO,” he added.
Dato’ Zainal assures that they are monitoring the situation closely, and that the livelihoods such as wage, benefits and especially employment of all parties at Perodua will not be affected in this difficult time.


Volkswagen expands Welcome Back campaign with exclusive benefits for front-liners

As a gesture of appreciation for the front-liners who are working tirelessly in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM)
 is now extending its
‘Welcome Back’ Campaign
 to include additional benefits exclusive to the frontline workers, who are also Volkswagen car owners.
The additional benefits include
priority booking
, a complimentary
car sanitisation
, as well as a
10% discount off the total bill
. These benefits are rolled into the existing Welcome Back campaign, which means other existing benefits will still apply based on eligibility.
To receive the benefits, Volkswagen owners who are frontline workers will have to indicate their respective occupational areas when registering through the
online form
. Upon submission, a VPCM representative will be in contact for verification purposes.
The professions included in the campaign are government hospitals doctors, nurses and administrators, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officers, Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia), RELA (People’s Volunteer Corps) and Malaysia Civil Defense (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam).
Once approved, the additional benefits will be added to their Volkswagen Cares App wallet, ready to be redeemed at their pre-booked service appointment. The appointment must be made
within 30 days after the Movement Control Order is lifted
.
Other Volkswagen owners are also entitled to a free gift when they register during the campaign period. For owners not redeeming the free maintenance voucher, and are not Volkswagen Care Plus members, they will also receive a RM50 engine oil voucher.


Toyota C-HR CKD to cost around RM120k, CBU RM170k! Coming in Q1 2018

That’s right, according to a report by
dsf.my
,
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd has finally let loose crucial details pertaining to the most hotly anticipated Toyota model since the Vios – the
Toyota C-HR
.
For starters, the cost for a fully imported unit will set you back a hefty RM170k. For a car that’s priced just below the RM100k mark in its homeland Japan, surely there’s a way to bring prices down for prospective buyers, right? As it turns out, UMW Toyota Motor plans to invest in local assembly, possibly bringing the final figure down to about RM120k. It will also be certified as an EEV.

Now, which engine will we be getting? Apparently, many still find it difficult to make do with a 1.2-litre engine, despite it being turbocharged. Instead, the company is shifting most of their focus into the 1.8-litre hybrid variant, which shares the Prius’ Hybrid Synergy Drive setup. It’s rated to be nearly twice as fuel efficient as  the 1.2-litre turbocharged unit, going up to
30.2 km
 on a single litre of fuel versus the turbo’s 15.4 km/L.
The C-HR can be had with an all-wheel drive, but the hybrid is only offered as a front-wheel drive. All C-HRs will be equipped with
Toyota Safety Sense P
, electronic parking brake, and Smart Entry & Smart Start system as standard. The C-HR G trim – which is usually the premium trim – will receive 18-inch wheels, premium seats,
Blind Spot Monitor,
 and
Front & Rear Parking Assist Sonar.
With that out of the way, perhaps it’s time you think twice about getting that
Honda HR-V
…
IMAGE GALLERY