The BMW 8-series is back at the top of the food chain

Making its comeback since its last appearance at the end of the last millennium, the all-new BMW 8-series returns to offer the performance of a Porsche 911, with the comfort of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, according to those within the BMW Group.
Launched at the Le Mans 24 Hours along with the introduction of the M8 GTE race car, the all-new 8-series will be initially offered in two variants – the M850i xDrive with
530 hp
 and
750 Nm
 from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with enlarged twin scrolled turbochargers and a 840d xDrive model making
 320 hp
 and
680 Nm
 from a 3.0-litre diesel twin-turbo in-line six engine.
Both engines are paired to BMW’s 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission with Launch Control and revised gear ratios. In the V8 model, 0 to 100 km/h is obliterated in just
3.7 seconds
 while the in-line six diesel model takes completes the same task in under five seconds.
As both their names denote, the M850i xDrive and 840d xDrive are equipped with intelligent, rear-biased all-wheel drive systems. As standard, all the
 power is sent to the rear wheels
. When taking corners at speed, for example, optimal drive force is transferred to the rear wheels to help the car turn into the bend with supreme accuracy.

The Integral Active Steering is fitted as standard to reduce the turning circle when manoeuvring. It becomes more direct as speeds build up but allows the driver to manoeuvre at low speeds with minimal steering wheel movement.
On the outside, the new 8-series gets the slimmest LED headlamps of any BMW model to date. The optional BMW Laserlight with Selective Beam has a high beam range of around
600 metres
.
Underneath all that grandeur is an underbody that’s almost fully sealed with active air flaps and air curtains to help reduce drag. Also underneath are the double wishbone front and five-link rear axle suspension, active M suspension with variable damper control and a limited slip differential.
Brakes are 395 mm in size, tucked behind 20-inch wheels wrapped in bespoke Bridgestone tyres. The 840d on the other hand sits on an 18-inch set with 19- and 20-inch options.
Inside, a head-up display comes as standard, along with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional through a 12.3-inch high-resolution instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen display.
Driver assistance systems include the Personal Co-Pilot system that process camera images as well as data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings, Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking, Active Park Distance Control and the optional Parking Assistant.
Prices for the 249 km/h (electronically-limited) sportscar starts from £76,270 (approx. RM 404k) for the 840d to £100,045 (approx. RM 530k) for the M850i.
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Mazda 2 is Japan’s Car of the Year 2014

Those eager to own the
soon-to-be-launched Mazda 2
 (also known as Mazda Demio) have another solid reason to look forward and
be more convinced
 of their next car purchase, because it has just been named as
Japan’s Car of the Year 2014
. Mazda last lifted the title in 2012 with the
CX-5.

It’s a
standout win
 simply because it triumphed over other notable nominees, which are: 2015 Toyota Harrier, Lexus NX, Nissan Teana, Infiniti Q50, Subaru Levorg and some other
non-Japanese make
, such as the Peugeot 208, Ford EcoSport, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.
All passenger vehicles that are announced or launched in  in Japan between
1 November 2013
 and
30 September 2014
with an
expected sales volume of over 500 units
annually
 are eligible to take part in the Japan COTY. The Mazda 2 is the
fifth Mazda model
 to win the prestigious title.

Ideal driving position, high safety levels, well-built interior and exterior styling and a
newly developed 1.5-litre diesel engine
 are some of the main reasons why the Mazda 2 was chosen to win the title this year. It is the brand’s
fourth model
 to adopt the whole line of
Skyactiv technology
 and the
KODO-Soul of Motion design language
.
Last year’s winner was the
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI
, which shocked many people after making it the
first ever non-Japanese model
 to be named Japan’s COTY in the event’s
34-year history
. Read
our review on the Golf Mk7 1.4 TSI here
.
The Mazda 2 is
now open for booking with a starting price of RM85k
.
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IMAGE GALLERY


Pagani’s new Imola is a powerhouse for the road and track

Named after the racetrack on which it was modeled and fine-tuned, there will only be five units of the new Pagani Imola.
The Imola is said to have undergone the most severe on-track validation test ever imposed on a Pagani vehicle, with over 16,000 km covered on the track at racing speed – the equivalent of about three times the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The USD 5.4 million Pagani Imola utilises active aerodynamics system introduced by the Huayra, the first road vehicle ever to be equipped with this technology.
This means that each of the four mobile winglets behaves according to the driving circumstances immediately and even when braking, by generating even greater stopping power.
Pagani Imola takes the fanatical attention to weight-saving to new heights, With the introduction of Acquarello Light, the new bespoke painting system reduces the weight of the paint by 5 kg while maintaining color richness, depth and shine unchanged.
Not that it’s a pretty machine, but as Pagani says, it’s built with the purpose of being the most effective track weapon.
“We can’t say that it’s an elegant car. We wanted an efficient vehicle, and just as you’d expect if you were looking at an F1 single-seater, this led us to design a car with additional aerodynamic features,” said Founder and Chief Designer of Pagani Automobili, Horacio Pagani.
Under the carbo-titanium body is a 6-litre Mercedes-AMG V12, with 827 hp and 1100 Nm, all to power just the rear wheels through a 7-speed Xtrac gearbox.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW 520d Sport launched in Malaysia, gets new engine and priced at RM355k

The BMW 520d Sport launched here by BMW Group Malaysia isn’t a latecomer to the playing field of executive sedans. Instead, it has sold been alongside its other F10 siblings all along, so for those who have been eyeing the 5-Series, you will be happy to know that the 520d Sport comes with the Munich carmaker’s latest diesel engine, and this particular trim will only be limited to
50 units.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 520d Sport (5-Series, F10)
Engine
 1,995cc; inline 4-cyl turbodiesel
Transmission
 8-spd ZF automatic
Max Power
190 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,750 rpm
Price
RM354,800
 (OTR without insurance)

Introduced in conjunction with WTA’s 2015 BMW Malaysian Open in KL, the limited-run 520d Sport benefits from an updated
2.0-litre turbodiesel engine
 that now makes
190 hp
 at 4,000 rpm and
400 Nm
 of torque from 1,750 rpm, up from the previous 184 hp and 380 Nm. The engine is paired to ZF’s eight-speed automatic gearbox driving the rear wheels.

The goodies don’t just end there for the Sport. Outside, it dons the brand’s
M Aerodynamic
body kit, front and rear bumper included. It also sits on
18-inch
 twin-five spoke wheels wrapped with 245/45 R18 series tyres at the front and fatter 275/40 R18 tyres at the rear while riding on suspension with
Dynamic Damping Control
. The LED headlights also feature the brand’s adaptive lighting technology.
Inside, you get the sportier M leather steering wheel and a multifunctional instrument display in the form of a 10.5-inch digitised instrument cluster.

What’s truly a steal here is that the 520d Sport, for all its additional kit, is sold for the same price as the facelifted 520d at
RM354,800.00
 (OTR without insurance). Again, it’s only limited to a 50-unit run beginning 1 April, after which the 520d will no longer come with the Sport kit. It will however, retain the updated engine and you can always spec up the car through BMW’s Original Accessories.
At that price range, you could also look towards its closest rival, the
Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid
. The Merc also soldiers a diesel engine (204 hp and 500 Nm) that’s paired to a 20 kW (250 Nm) electric motor, channeling drive to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. It’s competitively priced at RM349k, so we suggest giving both cars a test drive to truly find out where you’d rather put your money down.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW 520d Sport


The Porsche Vision Gran Turismo concept for GT7 is more important than you think

If you’ve been around the block for the past few years, you would’ve already heard about the
Vision Gran Turismo
 range of concept cars that have been “developed” for the
Gran Turismo

video game series on the PlayStation.
And if so, you would also know that they are usually nothing more than just a fun design exercise, imagining what
might be
 possible in the future of the automotive landscape, even if that means straying away from reality just a little bit. Although, to be fair, that’s the case sometimes for other concept cars too.
But according to Porsche, their latest Vision GT concept is “more than just a gaming fantasy”. Specifically, the new Porsche Vision GT is also supposed to be a preview for its future electric models – at least in design.
Porsche AG Director of Exterior Design, Peter Varga, said: “It is a realistic look into the future that will definitely help us with development in the years ahead.”
RELATED: Win a trip to Porsche Centre Tokyo courtesy of Porsche Gran Turismo Cup Asia Pacific
Supposedly designed by a group of Porsche designers who grew up playing the Gran Turismo games, the new Vision GT features several iconic Porsche design elements, but made “future oriented”. That includes its proportions, with an “especially sporty” height-to-width ratio, a low-set bonnet, and pronounced wings.
Other exterior highlights include the quad-segmented headlights with integrated air intakes in front, a design that was inspired by the Taycan – a visual link to Porsche’s first EV. The slim light strip tail lights at the back, meanwhile, are an evolutionary version of that on the 911 and Taycan models.
As a concept – and especially one that exists only in virtual form – Porsche isn’t restricted to any sort of regulations or laws in terms of design. That’s why the concept is also devoid of any actual doors (the occupants climb in from the massive canopy roof) nor mirrors.
Inside, the stripped-back interior is highlighted by a curved hologram display behind the steering “wheel”. And although the car will never be made in real life, Porsche spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about its material choices to “reduce weight while increasing performance”, apparently. Someone tell Porsche they can just choose in any figure they want without having to actually make any sense; it’s a game, after all.
Anyway, the German sportscar manufacturer has chosen carbon and titanium for the interior, both known to be strong and lightweight and is commonplace in most high-performance hypercars. Porsche also specifically mentions that the entire interior will be vegan, too.
RELATED: Gran Turismo, the sim racing game, is now an official Olympic sport
Porsche remains coy about any sort of technical information on the Vision Gran Turismo’s powertrain, but you’ll be able to try it out for yourself in
Gran Turismo 7
 next year – provided that you have a PlayStation 4 or 5. For now, enjoy the pictures below!
GALLERY


This Porsche Cayman e-volution sprints to 100km/h faster than a 911 GT3!

As much as we love raspy V6s and thumping V8s, the future of automobile will be a quiet one. Electric vehicles will be the future of commuting, be it sooner or later. As
boring
noble as the cause is for a cleaner environment for us all, what about the petrolheads? What about us who enjoy blasting up a twisty B-road on quiet weekend? Porsche is here to reassure you that the future is not only electric, but an electrifying one.
Unveiled at the 2017 Electric Vehicle Symposium in Stuttgart is the
Porsche Cayman e-volution
. Mitsubishi has an
e-Evolution concept
 but that is an (God forbid) SUV, Porsche’s e-volution is a proper sportscar. The e-volution will not go into production per se but instead teases what the upcoming
Mission E
, Porsche’s first pure electric sports car, will have in store for us in the future.
According to
AutoCar UK
, the e-volution gets its juice from a 38 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, sending drive to all-four wheels via a PDK double-clutch gearbox. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h takes just
3.3 seconds
, one-tenth of a second quicker than the 4.0-litre
493 hp

911 GT3
, let that sink in for a moment.
Faster than this 911 GT3?!
On a single charge, the e-volution is said to offer a driving range of
200 km
. Not impressive to say the least considering the new
Nissan Leaf has an EV range of 400 km
; but then again, this research vehicle is not slated for the production floor. However, Porsche has promised that when the Mission E arrives, it will offer a real-world driving range of over
500 km
.
Porsche is also redefining the term “Turbo Charging” as we know it.
 Porsche Turbo Charging
 as they call it, is the company’s first ever accumulator-based fast charging system that offers 320 kW of charging capacity per vehicle, allowing areas with medium voltage connection to offer high-speed charging facilities. The system will be deployed on major European traffic routes by 2020 in a joint venture between Porsche, Audi, BMW, Daimler and Ford.


KLIMS18: The Perodua Myvi GT Concept is the sickest car on display!

Parked alongside the
Perodua X-Concept
 at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) is the Perodua Myvi GT Concept, a design exercise to create a radical version of the popular Myvi.
Yes, we know that the aftermarket scene has put on a ridiculous wide body kit, ginormous GT wings and even dihedral doors on the fourth-generation Myvi. But remember, this Myvi GT Concept is a factory effort which usually has a more tasteful (and neat) finish.
On the front, the Myvi GT wears an aggressive bumper with large gaping intakes and a strip of LED daytime running lights. The front grille has been given a black finish and there is now a red pinstriping that runs across the grill into the headlamp housings ala Volkswagen Golf GTI style. Elsewhere you’ll find side skirts, sporty rear bumper with dual exhaust exits and clear taillamps.

The Myvi GT is obviously lowered by some considerable margin, fitting the 17-inch five Y-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Adrenaline RE003 sticky rubbers nicely. Perodua has also given the concept car flared arches to clear the larger alloys, giving it a flushed “stance”.
Inside is where the designers went all out to create a proper “hot hatch”. While the cabin architecture remains unchanged from a regular Myvi there are plenty of “look fast” bits in the shape of flat-bottomed carbon fibre steering wheel with Alcantara inserts, Alcantara dashboard and bucket seats (even for the rear passengers!) with leather and Alcantara inserts. The black cabin is contrasted against the red inserts and red topstitching on the seats. A sunroof completes the interior makeover of the Myvi GT Concept.
Perodua has stressed that this is merely a design concept and has no plans to mass produce the Myvi GT. However, it would be fun if the company can drop in some engine modifications and create a limited-run series for the nation’s favourite hatchback.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua Myvi GT Concept at KLIMS


More detailed images of the facelift 2021 Proton Iriz leaked on Facebook

With all that time on your hands to spend on social media of late, you would’ve probably seen images of the facelift 2021 Proton Iriz that has leaked on the line the past couple days. Well, more have surfaced!
At first glance, it may look the Proton Iriz version of the Perodua Axia Style, but there’s more to it. Gone is old V-shaped grille, replaced by the Infinite Weave designed first made famous by the Proton X70.
2021
2019
The lower bumper has seen rather drastic changes too. While the LED fog light strip remains the same, the housing for the fog light has been completely redesigned. The rear bumper is also significantly more eye-catching, highlighted by silver surrounds.
Further back, a roof rail has been added, along with wheel arch extensions (err herm Axia Style…literally). What we do find particularly attractive though, is the new wheel design. It’s possibly the most elaborate wheel design we’ve seen from Proton.
The changes are less significant at the rear. You get an “Active” badge on the tailgate but the rear bumper design is essentially the same as the previous facelift model back in 2019. It only looks different as the panels are of different colours.
Look closely and you’d notice the vague diffuser seen in the previous facelift model, is no more.
Inside, all the main consoles and air-con vents are finished with red surrounds. It’s got “Active” lettering on the door panels and on the seats – a little hyperactive, don’t you think?
Our favourite Martini-themed seats have been sacrificed for this new theme either – dislike.
More details will be revealed tomorrow (August 5th) as Proton will be revealing the facelift Iriz and Persona at 11:00 am on their
Facebook page
.

Source:
Facebook


Facts & Figures: the BMW X3 sDrive20i is here to crash GLC 200’s party – from RM271k

In addition to the new
330Li
, BMW Malaysia today also introduced a new variant of the X3 SUV (or ‘SAV’ in BMW-speak) here on our shores, in the form of the sDrive20i – ‘s’ meaning single-axle drive, with power sent to the rear wheels only.
A few months ago, BMW also ilaunched the
X3 M Competition
 while extending the X3 xDrive30i line up
with an M Sport model
.
The new locally-assembled BMW X3 sDrive20i will sit at the bottom of the X3 model line-up in Malaysia, priced
from RM270,934
 without insurance, and inclusive of the SST exemptions.
EXTERIOR
The BMW X3 sDrive20i for the Malaysia market is dressed in the xLine package, which adds decorative matte aluminium trims on the front air inlets, side skirts, and bumpers, the latter akin to underbody bash plates.
Other exterior highlights include:
LED headlights with cornering lights
19-inch Y-spoke alloys, Style 694
BMW Individual Exterior Line, Aluminium Satinated
Roof rails, Aluminium Satinated
Exterior colour options: Alpine White, Glacier Silver, Black Sapphire, Pythonic Blue
PERFORMANCE
Underneath the bonnet of the X3 sDrive20i is the same B48 TwinPower Turbo petrol engine as found in the
xDrive30i
, but down-tuned to a lower output. Unique to the new variant is also the sDrive powertrain, which sends power to the rear wheels only instead of all four wheels on the xDrive30i.
Engine: B48 two-litre (1,998 cc) four-cylinder turbocharged, petrol
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic and Automatic Hold Function
Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower: 184 hp @ 5,000 – 6,500 rpm
Torque: 300 Nm @ 1,350 – 4,000 rpm
0-100 km/h: 8.2 seconds
Top speed: 215 km/h
The under-tuned engine boasts lowered carbon emissions, alongside a lowered fuel consumption figure of 7.1 l/100km.
INTERIOR
Inside, the standard features on the new BMW X3 sDrive20i is pretty-much identical to the xDrive30i Luxury, with the only difference being the trim finishers – the new variant gets a more “youthful” Black High-Gloss and Pearl Chrome combination, instead of the wood panels on the Luxury variant.
Standard equipment on the new sDrive20i include:
BMW Live Cockpit Plus analogue instrument cluster with a 5.7-inch multi-info display
8.8-inch iDrive touchscreen infotainment display
12-speaker HiFi sound system
Three-zone automatic air conditioning system
Power-adjustable front sport seats – memory function for driver
Black Vernasca leather upholstery, black stitching
Comfort Access System – handsfree powered tailgate
Storage Compartment Package
550 litres of luggage capacity
CONVENIENCE & SAFETY
The new BMW X3 sDrive20i goes one up over the existing xDrive30i with the addition of the BMW Driving Assistant advanced driver assistance systems alongside the existing Parking Assistant, which includes the following features:
Forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking
Rear collision warning
Speed limit assist
Blind spot monitor
Rear cross traffic alert
Lane departure warning with active steering intervention
Reverse assistant
Also standard is the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, alongside connectivity features such as the
new My BMW app
, which provides access to a wide range of remote services, on-the-go navigation, as well as e-mobility features.
PRICING
The new BMW X3 sDrive20i is priced from
RM270,934
on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the
SST exemptions
. However, the aforementioned price only comes with a standard two-year warranty.
For the full five-year/unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programme, the price rises up to
RM286,684
 – a RM15,740 premium.
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz was the most valuable automotive brand of 2019

Among the 500 different companies evaluated by American brand valuation company Brand Finance last year, from the fields of tech, oil and gas, banking, logistics and retail to name a few, these were the top 10 automotive brands.
1.
Mercedes-Benz
 – USD65 billion (
up from USD60 billion
)
2.
Toyota
 – USD58 billion (
up from USD52 billion
)
3.
Volkswagen
 – USD44 billion (
up from USD41 billion
)
4.
 BMW
 – USD40 billion (
unchanged
)
5.
Mitsubishi
 – USD37 billion (
up from USD26 billion
)
6.
Porsche
 – USD33 billion (
up from USD29 billion
)
7.
Honda
 – USD33 billion (
up from USD25 billion
)
8.
Hyundai
– USD 20 billion (
unchanged
)
9.
Ford
– USD18 billion (
unchanged
)
10.
Nissan
 – USD17 billion (
down from USD18 billion
)
While the Tri-star brand continues to strive, Mitsubishi had a particularly good year with the biggest jump in its valuation, from USD26 billion to 37 billion. Nissan’s valuation had “Ghosn” down slightly, possibly due to the controversies of its fugitive former CEO.
“After moving higher up in the Interbrand ranking Best Global Brands, we are proud that Mercedes-Benz is also continuing to progress in Global 500 2020”, says Mercedes-Benz Cars, Head of Marketing, Bettina Fetzer.


Porsche 911 Targa 4S officially launched in Malaysia [+Video]

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the authorised distributor of Porsche, has launched the 991’s reiteration of the iconic Targa-bodied variant of the 7th-gen 911 family at its all-new RM16 million flagship showroom located in Sungai Besi.
Targa, for those who aren’t in the know, literally means ‘convertible’, and this particular 911 Targa 4S is lighter thanks to extensive use of magnesium, steel and aluminium, whereas the soft top is made of high quality fabric. This model shares its underpinnings as the Carrera 4 Cabriolet.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Porsche 911 Targa 4S
Engine
3.8L flat-six
Transmission
7 speed PDK or 7 speed manual
Max Power
400 hp @ 7,400rpm
Max Torque
440 Nm @ 5,700rpm
0-100 km/h; Top Speed
4.6 seconds; 294 km/h
Price
TBA
EXTERIOR
The Targa design has indeed gone back in time to reflect the heritage of its older siblings. The transformation happens in under 20 seconds, where the glass rear windscreen opens up to the back and slides out. It tucks away into a small boot space. Then, two flaps on the Targa bar open and release the fabric soft top. The soft top is unlatched, and folds to the back into a Z-formation behind the rear seats. Finally, the flaps in the bar and the rear window close. Another advange of a Targa bodied 911 is that the targa bar acts as a rigidity tool in keeping the chassis stiffer for a sportier feel.
This particular all-wheel-drive model is wider than its 2WD sister by 44mm to be precise, making the Targa 4S more recognisable thus setting itself apart from its siblings. Other telling features include a pillarless windscreen and a trim-special
LED light strip
 running across the tailgate connecting both tail lamps. The Targa sits on a set of
20-inch wheels
 – 305/30 ZR20 at the back and 245/35 ZR20 at the front. This particular wheel design may be familiar to some, that’s because it is taken right off the
911 Turbo
.
INTERIOR
The interior is bathed in a gorgeous two-tone shade of beige and natural black leather colours. The interior of the Targa 4S can be personalised according to individual tastes, and they come in various shades of hide. For further customisations, owners can choose between mahogany wood, carbon fibre or brushed aluminium finishes and as you would expect of the Stuttgart-based carmaker, they go into excruciating detail with regards to the fit and finish quality of the interior.

Two different audio systems are offered for the discerning audiophile. A 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, powered by a 445-Watt eight-channel amplifier with an active sub-woofer built into the body of the car. The other optional audio system is an 821-Watt,
12 individually controlled speakers
that are paired to a 300-Watt dedicated digital amplifier by
Burmester High-End Surround Sound System
. A mildly different version of this audio system is also found the
Bugatti Veyron
.
PERFORMANCE
This sleek sportscar is powered by what could possibly be the
last ever naturally aspirated 3.8-litre

flat-six engine
, following several unconfirmed reports indicating the implementation of forced induction. However, the engine that sits in the Targa 4S is an ode to tradition, pumping out
400 hp
 at 7,400 rpm and puts down
440 Nm
 of twist at 5,700 rpm onto the road.
This quad-cam,
all-aluminium engine
 directs the power over to either a seven-cog PDK dual-clutch or a seven speeder stick shift which is then distributed by an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that’s kept in check by the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system.
For further efficiency, this revvy direct-injection lump comes with an energy-recoup system to provide power for the Start/Stop feature. But once you’re done being environmentally conscious, the Targa 4S come with a button that alters the acoustic characteristic of the exhausts, making a louder, throatier symphony of the flat-six engine while optimising performance. The quad-tail pipes is a visual indicator of that fact.
SAFETY
The new Targa 4S puts a rather large emphasis on safety with systems such as Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP) that throws six airbags into the mix. The Targa bar provides additional rigidity to the already tort chassis design that is borrowed from the cabriolet family. These safety features and a host of other electronic driver-aid programs such as the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system make the 911 Targa 4S a contender to the title of being one of the safest convertible sports cars in the world.
Adding to that is the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) – Porsche’s adaptive lighting system that improves visibility and safety by adapting and can adjust itself according to weather conditions. This system is also equipped with an active cornering and speed-sensitive systems which allow the headlight to reshape the light cone and follow you around a bend.
WHAT ELSE?
Fuel efficiency may not be at the top of priority check-list of potential buyers, however Porsche has stated that this slick Targa model is rated to consume from
10.0 to 9.2 l per 100
km
, depending on the transmission type. To that extend, this particular model has been certified to be Euro6 standard compliant. Helping its case is the electro-mechanical power steering. It lowers fuel consumption by at least 0.1 l/100 km as compared with the hydraulic power steering fitted in its predecessor.
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Perodua Axia facelift teased, to cost from RM25k to RM45k

Ah, finally something many of us can look forward to this year. Perodua’s littlest darling, the
Axia
, will be given a midlife update soon. It’s open for booking and will be receiving the updated engine (more powerful and fuel efficient) shared with its sedan sibling, the
Perodua Bezza
.
Like before, the new Axia will be offered in four trims:
Standard E, Standard G, SE
 and
Advance
. All variants will wear a redesigned front grille, and this time around, projector headlights will be standard across the range!
Interior changes are dependant on the trim, but Perodua says the Standard G now comes with USB port. Meanwhile, the
Push-Start Button
, smart entry with smart key, updated instrument cluster and multimedia system with ‘Smart Link’ (for android only) are exclusive to the SE and Advance.
The Lemongrass Green and Cherry Blossom colours have both been dropped. Replacing these colours are Solid Sunflower Yellow and Metallic Lava Red, both of which were previously exclusive to the SE and Advance.
Gone is the Toyota-sourced 1KR-DE engine, only to be replaced by an updated engine with
Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-I)
. This improves fuel consumption by 0.9km/L, and the Axia is now capable of doing
22.5 km/L
 in eco mode. In case you’re wondering, yes, it’s the same three-cylinder engine powering the Bezza. Power and torque are up – albeit slightly – to
 67 hp
 and
91 Nm
 of torque.
Click to enlarge
Pricing for the new Axia starts from
RM24,900
 (Standard E, MT). The Standard G (manual) has a sticker price of
RM34,900
, while the automatic costs
RM36,900
.
The SE manual is priced at
RM37,900
, and its automatic equivalent costs
RM39,900
. The range-topper Advance can be had at
RM42,900
.
The Perodua Axia is the country’s first Energy Efficient Vehicle (
EEV
) and proved to be a pivotal model for Perodua since its launch. Look out for the launch of the facelifted Axia in the days to come!


Isuzu D-Max updated for 2023 – refreshed looks and equipment kit, from RM95k

The
 Isuzu D-Max
pick-up truck has been updated across its entire range for 2023 here in Malaysia, with several aesthetic upgrades, bumps in its equipment list, alongside a price hike.
With the new update, the Isuzu D-Max in Malaysia is now priced from RM94,949, jumping all the way up to RM150,938 for the range-topping X-Terrain variant, on-the-road, without insurance.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.

In terms of visual upgrades, the 2023 Isuzu D-Max is now equipped with a new dual-tone radiator grille garnish across all variants. The new grille is complemented by new 17- and 18-inch wheel designs – and on the X-Terrain variant, the wheels, alongside several exterior trim pieces, have also been given a dark grey accents for an added splash of pizzazz.
Wrapping up the exterior aesthetic changes are the new colour options, including Islay Gray Mica (pictured), Dolomite White Pearl, and Biarritz Blue Metallic. The new gray and white hues are exclusive to the X-Terrain and Premium variants, while the new Biarritz Blue exterior colour is available on the Premium, Auto Plus, and Standard AT variants, replacing the existing blue offering.
RELATED:
Isuzu Malaysia sold 9,211 D-Max pick-ups in 2022, nearly double of previous year
Inside, the main change also comes in the form of aesthetic updates. The upholstery now comes in black across the range, leather on Premium and X-Terrain, and fabric on the other variants, while the X-Terrain also gains additional Cafe Brown accents on the dashboard and door panel trims.
The 15W wireless charging pad is now available on the X-Terrain, Premium, and Auto Plus variants, and on the former two, it’s also paired to a 2.1A Type-C fast charging port. The existing USB-A ports are still available on the centre stack and behind the centre armrest, the former used for smartphone connectivity to the nine-inch touchscreen infotainment display (with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
Other interior updates are exclusive to the range-topping X-Terrain variant, consisting of an integrated front (1440p) and rear (1080p) dashcam, as well as new ambient lighting in the footwells, that are only activated for 60 seconds when the doors are opened.
The 2023 Isuzu D-Max will still be offered with the same powertrain options as before: a 1.9-litre turbodiesel inline-four unit, with
150 hp
 and
350 Nm
, as well as a 3.0-litre turbodiesel mill offering
 190 hp
and
450 Nm
. Both powertrains are paired to the same six-speed automatic gearbox.
For the 2023 update, all four-wheel drive variants will now get an electronic locking rear differential as standard. The Premium Auto variant meanwhile gets a revised suspension set-up that increases its payload from 580 kg previously up to now 775 kg.
The advanced driver’s assistance kit is also unchanged, and is still similarly offered only on the range-topping X-Terrain variant. The suite includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, rear-cross traffic alert, and automatic high beam, among others.
In terms of pricing, the Isuzu D-Max line-up is priced as follows, on-the-road, without insurance:
3.0L AT X-Terrain – RM150,938.40
3.0L AT Premium – RM135,638.40
1.9L AT Premium – RM129,149.20
1.9L AT Standard – RM111,499.20
1.9L MT Standard – RM104,099.20
1.9L Auto Plus 4X2 – RM105,499.20
3.0L MT Single Cab – RM101,888.40
1.9L MT Single Cab – RM94,949.20
The Isuzu D-Max is offered with a five-year/150,000 km warranty as standard, except for the X-Terrain which gets an extended seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
GALLERY


Driver airbag replacement now 100% available, says Honda Malaysia

In an effort to keep their
promise
, Honda Malaysia has confirmed that replacement parts for the driver front airbag inflators is now 100 percent available. As of this week, Honda Malaysia has carried out 175,000 airbag replacement while 55 percent of the remaining vehicles affected have yet to be rectified. Honda urges affected owners to come forward and get the parts replaced.
However, there is a
 global shortage
for
passenger side
 front airbags inflators, and replacement parts are not a 100 percent state yet. Honda Malaysia assures that they are working road the clock to resolve this shortage, and apologises for any inconvenience caused.
Affected Honda owners can schedule an appointment with any Honda authorised dealers or Service Central Hubs to get their Takata driver and passenger (subject to availability) front airbag inflators replaced. List of Service Central Hubs are located at:
Location
Address
Northern Hub (Next to S.M.J.K. Convent Dato’ Keramat School)
No.401, Jalan Dato’ Keramat, 10150 Georgetown, Penang.
Central Hub – Soo & Sons Metal Works Sdn. Bhd. (Next to Columbia Asia
Hospital)
Lot 15 Jalan 13/6, Section 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Southern Hub – Oriental Assemblers Sdn. Bhd.
99 & 99A-C, Jalan Tampoi, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Additionally, 21 selected Petron service stations and three Honda Family Road Trip locations have been appointed as Mobile Hubs to facilitate airbag replacement. These Mobile Hubs are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 7pm until 25 September 2016. Click
here
 for the full list of Mobile Hubs.
With this update, there should be no excuse to get those faulty airbags replaced. To find out whether your Honda is affected, click
here
.


2016 Kia Rio Sedan arrives in Malaysia, priced at RM72,888

Two months after we first got a
glimpse of the Kia Rio Sedan at the 2015 ASEAN Auto Show
, official distributor of Kia vehicles, NAZA Kia Malaysia has finally launched the B-Segment sedan and priced it at RM72,888.
As previously reported, only one variant of the Rio Sedan will be offered here, and it’s powered by a
1.4-litre four-cylinder
 multi-point injection engine – the same unit found in its RM79k
hatchback brethren
. The engine makes
108 hp
 and
137 Nm
 of torque and it’s mated to an
archaic four-speed torque converter automatic
 which sends power to the
front wheels
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Kia Rio Sedan
Engine
1,396cc; inline-4 DOHC
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Max Power
108 hp @ 6,300 rpm
Max Torque
137 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Price (OTR with insurace)
RM72,888.00
Just to recap, the Rio Sedan sports a larger ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, reflector-type headlights, fog lamps, 15-inch wheels wrapped with
185/55 R15
 Hankook Kinergy Eco tyres and of course, a larger boot space which measures in at
389 litres
. Because it’s positioned lower than the Rio Hatchback SX, this variant
will lose out
 on LED DRLs, automatic folding side mirrors as well as the signal indicators which have been moved to the front fenders.

Inside the Rio Sedan is also pretty standard stuff. There’s
no keyless entry or push-start ignition
, and you only get a basic instrument cluster with a small trip computer screen at the bottom of the speedometer. The polyurethane steering wheel still comes with volume controls and switches for handsfree and Bluetooth operations. There’s also
800MB of onboard storage
 for you to store all your favourite tunes.
Despite what you think of its shortcomings, the Rio Sedan impresses in the safety department and
gets six airbags as standard
! Other safety systems include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and all-round disc brakes with ABS, Hill-start Assist Control, reverse sensors and Isofix child anchorage at the rear.

For
RM72,888
 (inclusive of GST and insurance), you can have your Kia Rio Sedan in
four different colours
 – Clear White, Bright Silver, Deep Blue, and Signal Red. Like other Kia models, it comes with a
 5-year warranty

with unlimited mileage
. For an up-close and personal look at the new Rio Sedan, be sure to head over to PJ Red Cube from 15 to 17 January for their Karnival CNY Kia.
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD 2.4 Turbo now in Malaysia, 5 Things

Lexus Malaysia has recently launched the all-new second-generation Lexus NX in the form of the

NX 250 Luxury
 and the more powerful and sporty
Lexus NX 350 F Sport
. Prices start from
RM370,888
and
 RM389,888
 excluding Sales Tax Exemptions.
Lexus said 95% of the components in the NX are new and on the exterior significant changes have been made to the head and taillight design. The light beams are now positioned in a single row instead of being stacked like before, while the daytime running lights are now integrated into the headlamps.

At the rear, the taillights now consists of a light bar that runs across the tailgate – which comes with hands-free opening and closing features – resembling the likes of Porsche’s Macan, BMW’s 7 Series, and Lexus’ very own LM and UX.
Opt for the F Sport model and you’ll even get a more stylish Spindle grille design with sportier 20-inch wheels and blacked-out side mirrors, roof rails, and window surrounds. In the NX 250 Luxury, the same is finished in chrome instead. The F Sport model even comes with adaptive suspension for different levels of ride firmness depending on the drive mode selected.
NX 350 F Sport
NX 350 F Sport
NX 250 Luxury
NX 250 Luxury
Under the hood, there are two different engine options. The NX 250 Luxury gets a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine with 204 hp and 243 Nm, while in the NX 350 F Sport rests a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with 275 hp and 430 Nm. Both engines are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, with all-wheel drive.
Click
here
 to find out more detailed specifications and images of the NX!


Sepang Circuit renews MotoGP contract until 2024, Petronas as new title sponsor

The
MotoGP
 Malaysian Grand Prix will continue to race at the
Sepang International Circuit (SIC)
 for “at least” another three years, with a new contract recently formalised between the circuit and Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of the series.
Starting from this year, the Grand Prix will also see a new title sponsor, national oil company
Petronas
, replacing the previous sponsor
Shell
. Effectively, the race will now be called the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia.
Photo: Sepang Circuit/Facebook
In addition to the new contract, SIC, Dorna Sports and all relevant parties have also begun talks to extend the agreement until 2026. The circuit has become a staple in the FIM MotoGP World Championship, having been in the calendar since 1999, with more than 20 motorcycle Grand Prix staged at the venue.
As for Petronas, the title sponsorship also represents a step-up to its partnership with Dorna Sports. Prior to the new title sponsorship, the national oil company was already the official fuel supplier for the Moto2 and Moto3 series.
VIDEO: AutoBuzz Best (Driver’s) Cars of 2021 at the Sepang International Circuit
Photo: Sepang Circuit/Facebook
Sepang International Circuit CEO, Azhan Shafriman Hanif said, “With record-breaking crowds year-on-year, we look forward to welcoming the fans back to Sepang after a two-year break due to the pandemic. In line with our #WelcomeHome theme, this year is about the revival of international motorsports with more unique offerings to the fans.”
Petronas Group Strategic Communications Senior General Manager, Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz added: “Through this strategic partnership with Dorna Sports, we hope to help re-energise Malaysia’s sports tourism for the benefit of Malaysians and visitors as the world collectively rebounds from the pandemic.”
RELATED: Petronas ends partnership with Sepang Racing Team
Photo: Sepang Circuit/Facebook
The MotoGP Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia will remain as the penultimate event in the calendar, before the season finale at Valencia. For 2022, the Grand Prix is scheduled for the 21 – 23 October, and tickets are already on sale now on SIC’s website, linked
here
.
As for the
Formula 1
 fans wishing for the return of the Malaysian GP, tough luck. In a virtual press conference yesterday, Azhan confirmed that they have yet to receive an offer from the series just yet, which means no discussions for the return of F1 to Malaysia for the time being.
He added that he is open to the idea, but it will still not be a simple task even if an offer is on the table, as it will have to be brought up to the government to assess its financial impact.
[Featured image: MotoGP]


F30 BMW 3-Series LCI launched in Malaysia, five variants available from RM209k to RM309k

BMW Malaysia has introduced the
F30 3-Series LCI
 (Life Cycle Impulse – essentially a facelift) in conjunction with celebrating the model’s 40th anniversary. Now I know what most of you will be thinking. What’s different, besides the new headlights and tail lamps? As is the way of BMW, it’s the little details that set their cars apart from the rest. This new LCI was given a bit of a ‘freshening-up’ to keep with the times.
If there’s one word to describe the F30 LCI, it would be streamlining. From the trimmings to the chromed out badges living on the car’s trunk, it’s all been given an exercise in streamlining. It doesn’t just stop there, but the engines have also been tweaked to provide better
efficiency
 in terms of
emissions
 and
power
 output.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 318i Luxury
BMW 320i Sport
BMW 320i M Sport
BMW 320d M Sport
BMW 330i M
 Sport
Engine
1.5L 3-cylinder turbo
2.0L 4-cylinder with BMW TwinPower Technology
Transmission
8-speed ZF automatic gearbox
Max Power
136 hp
184 hp
190 hp
252 hp
Max Torque
220 Nm
290 Nm
400 Nm
350 Nm
Price
RM208,888
RM238,800
RM258,800
RM268,800
RM308,800
EXTERIOR
It’s been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. That sentiment resonates supremely here as the brand’s signature
Corona Ring DRLs
 have been
reshaped
 ever so slightly that if you were to blink, you might just miss it. We kid though, but in all seriousness, the reshaped DRLs now seem to
lead
 towards the
kidney grilles
. Ask any Bimmer enthusiast and they will tell you that the grilles are the nostrils of the beast – an
indication
 of the
power
 living under the hood.
Features standard on all M-Sport variants are a pair of
LED fog lamps
 built into the reshaped front bumper. The front apron gets a
broader side air intake
 for a more aggressive stance. On the rear end, the 3-Series wears the newly-redesigned
full-LED tail lamps
which bears very stark resemblance to the
M4 GTS
.

Nothing yells out ‘Sporty’ more than
 big-exhaust tips
 and fancy
wheels
. BMW has taken the liberty in installing twin
 70mm
 tailpipes for the 320i, 320d and 330i models while the 318i inherits a
 single 75mm
 tailpipe. Bimmer sticks the 318i Luxury with a
17-inch
 multispoke alloy wheels while the 32oi, 320d and 330i models come in a couple of
18-inch
 wheel designs.
INTERIOR
The BMW E36 of the early 90s paved the path forward for a defining feature that will find its way to every Bimmer sketch ever made – a
driver centric cockpit
. Bimmers are meant to be driven and this new LCI F30 is no exception from that rule. While the LCI regime didn’t see massively radical changes done to the interior save for some mild updates like the new ambient light (a cost option, unfortunately) and additional chrome trimmings.

This next feature is one of the most interesting toys to come with the new LCI 3-series. Here’s the catch, it isn’t another hardware, but rather a brand new software powering the
 BMW ConnectedDrive
. The latest-gen
Navigation System Professional
 fitted to the 320d and the 330i M Sport (formerly known as the 328i) boasts a
quicker
 start-up time,
faster
 route calculation (and re-calculation – we’ve all been there) along with a more realistic
3D graphics
 all shown out through a full-colour high-resolution
Heads Up Display
.
A
SIM
card is built into each car so that drivers can enjoy BMW’s range of services from ConnectedDrive without the need to hook up to a smartphone. The
 Concierge Service
 feature works a lot like the
Siri
 on iPhones which can bring up places of interests, restaurants, hotels and gas stations.

Intelligent Emergency Call
 is another ingenious feature that
automatically transmits
 information such as
airbag deployment
,
location
 and
crash severity
 to the
BMW Call Centre
 in the event the airbags are triggered. The information is then passed onto emergency services. Alternatively, if you’re a witness to an accident, the driver can
manually
 summon for help on behalf of other road users.
PERFORMANCE
The BMW 3-series has always had its roots planted firmly with the tagline “
Sheer Driving Pleasure
” for the past 40 years. And since its conception, the focus has always been about better
power
 delivery whilst at the same time combining
frugal
 fuel consumption figures. As you would’ve noticed, the 316i variant is no longer offered, and is replaced by the 318i which gets its power from a TwinPower Turbo
1.5-litre three cylinder

engine
 similar to one found on the i8 sports car and other MINI models. With
136 hp
 and
220 Nm
 of torque on tap, it manages the century sprint in a respectable
8.9 seconds
 and boasts a fuel consumption rating of just
5.1 litres per 100km
.
The 320i is powered by the same 2.0-litre four cylinder engine that makes
 184 hp
 and
 290 Nm
 of torque, but has been tuned to deliver better
low-end grunt
 for better fuel economy. Speaking of grunt, the new 330i (it’s a 2.0L, not a 3.0L straight-six) has a power rating of
 252 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. It manages the century sprint in just
5.8 seconds
 and has an electronically limited top speed  of
250 km/h
. BMW claims that the 330i averages
6.1 litres per 100km
.
An oil-burning power plant option is available in the form of the
 320d
 model, and here it makes
190 hp
 and
 400 Nm
 of twist. It reaches from 0 to 100 km/h in
 7.2 seconds
 and will do a class-best
4.0 litres per 100km
.
WHAT ELSE?
The 318i Luxury Line is available in Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Glacier Silver, Melbourne Red and Mediterranean Blue. The M-Sport trimmed cars are available with Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Mineral Grey, Glacier Silver and the ever beautiful shade of
Estoril Blue
. On the inside however, the Dakota leather upholstery comes in three shades – Black, Oyster Black and Saddle Brown. The BMW 3 Series LCI range comes with a
 5-year unlimited mileage warranty
and free scheduled service program. Prices start from RM209k to RM309k.
IMAGE GALLERY


Shell encourages cashless payments with extra cashback and fuel rebates

From today, 15th of June till the 26th of July 2020, Shell will be offering cashback and fuel rebates through its “Ganjaran Ekstra” campaign in efforts to encourage cashless payments.
Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd, Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain said, “We understand that Malaysians are worried and are now making lifestyle changes to fit into the new normal. We strive to do what we can during these trying times by providing an experience that is ‘senang, mudah dan selamat’ coupled with extra rewards for all our customers when they opt for cashless payments at our stations. We will continue to do our best in ensuring the safety and comfort of Malaysians who visit our stations, especially during this time, as we strive to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Following are the various cashless payments customers can opt for when refueling or purchasing Shell Select items at Shell fuel stations during the campaign period, and its respective rewards:
Visa Debit Card
For six weeks from 15th June to 26th July, customers who spend a minimum of 3x RM40 per transaction via any Visa debit card will stand a chance to win
RM12 Shell fuel rebates
. Registration of the first transaction is required. For more information, click
 here
.
Touch ‘n Go eWallet
For four weeks from 15th June to 12th July, customers who spend a minimum of RM40 per transaction via Touch ‘n Go eWallet will receive
RM4 cashback
 after 3 working days.
Boost eWallet
For two weeks from 13th July to 26th July, customers who spend a minimum of RM40 per transaction via Boost eWallet will receive
RM4 cashback
 after 3 working days.


Review: Citroen DS3 1.6 VTi, the Feel Good Goddess [+Video]

Citroën used to make quirky cars; quirky, but in a good way. The original
DS
 (or
déesse
 in French, meaning “goddess”) back in the 50’s was a much-lauded automobile thanks to the innovative technology that goes underneath a graceful body. Things like hydropneumatic independent suspension system, semi-automatic transmission, front disc brakes, and swiveling front headlamps were made available in the DS way before other manufacturers introduced them in their cars.
Fast forward some five decades later Citroën is reviving the DS nameplate but this time it’s not on a single model but as a “Different Spirit” by-product based on their mainstream “C” cars. The DS badge was re-introduced in 2009 on a three door hatch called the
DS Inside Concept
 car which eventually entered the production line as the
DS3
, the car that you’re seeing on this page right now. So far Citroën has three models under their DS-line, DS3, DS4 that we reviewed before
here
, and the DS5.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Citroën DS3
Segment
B-Segment 3-door hatchback
Engine
1,598cc 4-Cylinder, Normally-Aspirated
Transmission
4-speed automatic
Max Power
120 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
160 Nm @ 4,250 rpm
Price
RM 117,888.00

Although the revival of the DS badge started with the DS3, it’s not the first DS-line car to arrive here in Malaysia. The Citroen DS3 was only
introduced here
 after the DS4 and DS5 by
Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd
 recently in February. Six months on, the amount of DS3 can be seen on the roads are so minimal, in fact I’m not surprised if you haven’t even see one on the road.
EXTERIOR

Previewed as the DS Inside Concept car, almost every design elements were carried forward to the production DS3, which is a good thing actually. The DS3 is so attractive that it manages to hide the fact that it’s nowhere near as innovative as the original DS.
Each DS3 sold here comes with a contrasting roof and side mirror colours. If you opt for the
 Jaune Pegase
 with
Noir Onyx
 top combination like on our test car here, be prepared to get stares from the public. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
At the front there’s the chrome double chevron grille surround combined with a vertically-stacked
LED daytime running lights
 on each side in addition to a pair of front fog lights; again surrounded by chrome. Disappointingly the headlights are still using
halogen
 bulbs. Although the latest DS3 is now equipped with LED headlights, for the Malaysian market it’s still unsure whether they will be introduced or not.

The side of the DS3 is the most interesting with the
reversed shark fin
 design on the B-pillar adding some pizzazz to the car. The
17-inch
 Bellone Black Diamond-tipped alloys complement the flashy chrome accents on the side of the DS3. On top of that the DS3 features a floating roof but on our test it looks like it doesn’t have a roof at all because the roof is black. For the full effect, go for the colour combination that comes with white roof.

The derrière is moderately simple in design but the eye candy is the pair of LED tail lights. Like GC mentioned before at the DS3 launch, the 3D lights are indeed mesmerizing. In total the DS3 contains enough wow factor to pull it off as a premium continental hatch.
INTERIOR

It’s good to know that the inside is styled to match the exterior’s flair. Despite the fact that the interior’s colour scheme can be a tad too dark, most of the materials used feel premium especially the textured soft touch plastic covering the top section of the dashboard and the
 Mistral Claudia leather upholstery
 for the seats and door panels. Same cannot be said for the plastic used for the lower parts in the cabin especially the one just below the handbrake lever which feels cheap and very rough to the touch. Interestingly, plastic is used for the throttle pedal too.
The dashboard is dominated by a slab of
glossy piano black panel
. Undoubtedly it looks snazzy, but good luck keeping it fingerprint-free even for at least a few minutes. At the driver side, the hooded instrument binnacle houses a trio of retro-inspired clocks but the panel on the right hand side utilizes a monochrome screen to display the fuel gauge, mileage, and gear indicator, among other things.

In the middle of the dash sits a tiny multi-info display, and the graphics on the display can be either cool or gaudy depending on your preferences. To navigate through the display you have to fiddle with the buttons on the radio unit way down below the dash which feels somewhat awkward. Worth mentioning is the hi-fi sound system that supports USB/Aux/Bluetooth connectivity complete with eight speakers and a subwoofer in the boot that delivers terrific sound.

Another screen is used for the climate control but at least the buttons on either side of the screen are much more straightforward to use. What’s more, the dashboard comes with an
integrated fragrance dispenser
 where you can control the strength of the fragrance by twisting the knob next to the center aircond vents.
Getting the optimum driving position in the DS3 is easy-peasy with the steering wheel that adjusts for reach and rake, as well as the manually adjusted seat with thick bolster that hugs you in place during corners. The flat bottom steering wheel itself is a nice thing to hold, but it’s free from any buttons except for the horns. There are
 no shift paddles
 but there are buttons mounted on the steering column for the cruise control and audio, so initially you have to peek over to see which control does what.
Front passenger space is fine, but the back can be cramped as expected with just enough headroom and limited amount of legroom. Getting in and out is facilitated by the thoughtfully-placed grab handle in the B-pillar. The rear seats come with
ISOFIX
 mounts, and they do fold down (but not flat) and
 split 60/40
.
Storage space can be an issue in the DS3, while the
boot space
 is reasonable at
285 litres
, just check out the glove compartment and you’ll see what I mean. The door pockets are wide enough to accommodate a pair of bottles on each side, but I could not find
any cupholders
 at all. Sorry to disappoint you but there’s no place to put your grande caramel macchiato, unless you’re willing to put it in the door pocket and risk spilling it.

Elsewhere in the cabin you will find a deep uncovered cubby hole just aft the gear lever, and storage space under the center arm rest. Speaking of the center arm rest, the position of the arm rest gets in the way when you want to reach the handbrake lever, but thankfully you can fold the arm rest up.
PERFORMANCE

While the DS3 WRC once piloted by a certain Frenchman called Sébastien Loeb was known as
le petit bolide
 which means “the little racer”; this DS3 1.6 VTi is far from that. Miles away, as a matter of fact. What we get in this DS3 is the normally-aspirated
1,598cc 4-cylinder
 engine that produces
 120 hp
 and
160 Nm
 of torque.
With the drive sent to the front wheels via the
4-speed
 slushbox, don’t bank on the DS3 to set your pants on fire but please bear in mind this DS3 is not a hot hatch. Pin your right foot down it will go from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
10.9 seconds
 but it feels slower than that.
Top speed
 is claimed to be
190 km/h
 but if you want attention you don’t even need to go that fast when you’re driving a yellow DS3.
THE DRIVE
The DS3 is a terrible car at being discreet. Everywhere we went the DS3 attracted attention from all walks of life without even trying. Heck, it even got more attention than the CLA 200 we drove last time. From the driver’s seat you will know you’re being watched as the view out is excellent all round with the generous glass area and minimal pillar intrusion to block your sight.
The DS3 is more common than you think even though it looks futuristic it doesn’t really have any futuristic technology inside. It starts off with a twist of the key and you don’t get a start-stop function, or even any driving mode to choose from. It’s an uncomplicated car to drive in town and getting about is a cinch in this pert French hatch. The suspension absorbs road imperfections quite good too for a car that runs on 205/45 R17 tyres.
When taken to the B-roads the DS3 handles pretty well with decent feel from the electric power steering and good predictable brakes, unlike the brakes in the DS4 we drove earlier that was either on or off. Grip from those Bridgestone Potenza RE050A is great but the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) on the other hand will not let you drive the DS3 like Sébastien Loeb. Yes you are able switch it off by pressing the button on the dash, but it will turn itself back on even just after a few meters off the line.
You would be tempted to work through the gears manually by nudging the chrome gearlever to ‘M’ but pressing the ‘S’ button to hold on to a gear longer should suffice the temptation. With the 1.6-litre engine giving a pleasing soundtrack to the ears, I find it best to keep it between 3,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm even though the specs sheet says max power arrives at 6,000 rpm while max torque at 4,250 rpm. It can keep up with a 2.0-litre Japanese C-segment sedan on the twisty B-roads but just don’t try to do any overtaking maneuver.
Something is peculiar about the gearbox. Even though it’s a four speeder, at times it feels like it has more than four. In normal ‘D’ but depending on your throttle input, sometimes you may feel that the ‘box already shifted up a gear as you can feel the revs drop but the gear display shows that you’re in the same gear as before. This happens to me most of the time when I’m in second gear and I thought it has already shifted to ‘3’, but the display indicates that I’m still in ‘2’. GC and Daniel also encountered the same experience behind the wheel of this DS3 too.
But once you take it to the highway you can confirm it’s a 4-speeder as the engine is spinning more than 3,000 rpm in top gear when cruising at 110 km/h. If it were to be fitted with a six-speeder, the engine would not need to rev that high. It can get rather noisy in the cabin with the sound from the engine and those tyres. Even without a 6-speed box and start-stop function, the claimed fuel consumption is rated at 6.9 l/100 km combined, but yours truly managed to get around 10.5 l/100 km which is still not bad at all.
IS IT FOR YOU?

If you’re looking for a second car that’s easy to drive, relatively affordable, and must be a continental brand then the DS3 should be in your list of candidates. Its rarity on the road will no doubt make you stand out from the crowd, especially if you have it in
 Jaune Pegase
 as tested here. Although you have to keep an open mind and don’t expect the DS3 to offer the latest in technology and gadgets, but as a second car these shouldn’t matter that much. If you’re planning to get the DS3 as your only car, there are quite a number of compromises you have to make, chiefly the tight space and maybe the lack of toys in the DS3. If that’s the case you’re better off with a C-segment Korean sedan.
COMPARISONS

Most people who saw the DS3 couldn’t help to compare it with the MINI. Unfortunately here the MINI costs a bomb even in the 3-cylinder Cooper guise, so let’s not go there. At the time of writing there’s no other continental B-segment three door hatch on sale here apart from the DS3’s own cousin, the
208
. The 208 bears the same technical underpinnings, but it is priced at more than
20 grand cheaper
 than the DS3.
Both measured more or less the same, but the 208 is packed with more tech inside such as the
interactive HD touchscreen
 interface and a
panoramic glass roof
. Both equally offers a total of
6 airbags
 and a
5-year unlimited mileage warranty
 but Peugeot claims the ESP in the 208 is further complemented with Anti-Skid Regulator (ASR) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). You could settle for a 208 and get the most out your money but if you want to make a statement the DS3 gives a more lasting impression to the people around you. It’s the matter of taste actually.
Citroën DS3 1.6 VTi
Peugeot 208 1.6 Allure
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder petrol
4-cylinder petrol
Displacement
cc
1598
1598
Max Power
hp/rpm
120/6,000
120/6,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
160/4,250
160/4,250
STEERING
Type
Electrical power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
4-speed Automatic
4-speed Automatic
SUSPENSION
Type
MacPherson strut / Trailing Arm
MacPherson strut / Trailing Arm
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Solid disc
Solid disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
205/45 R17
205/45 R17
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
3,948
3,962
Overall Width
mm
1,715
1,739
Overall Height
mm
1,483
1,460
Wheelbase
mm
2,464
2,538
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,164
1,150
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
285
285
FUEL
Tank Capacity
50
50
Consumption
6.9 L/100 km
6.7 L/100 km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
190
190
0 – 100km/h
sec
10.9
10.7
PRICE
RM
117,888.00
95,888.00

WILL I BUY IT?
The style and panache did win me over but unfortunately the drivetrain didn’t. The DS3 is such a lovely ‘feel-good’ car to drive on a daily basis even though driving long distance can be a chore, at least it has cruise control and a banging sound system. And yet, if it were to come with a turbocharged 1.6 powerplant it’ll be more than just a chic accessory. It’s good to have style, but it’s much better to have style with substance, don’t you think so?
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


New 8th generation Volkswagen Golf GTI leaves plenty to be excited for!

Volkswagen has officially revealed the world’s most recognisable hot hatchback, and it’s a stunner. The Golf GTI has come a long way since 1976, with the eighth iteration of the hot hatch given more power, more equipment, and promising more driving pleasure than ever before.
Codenamed EA888 evo4, the familiar 2.0-litre turbo four-pot has been massaged to produce
245 hp
 and a maximum torque of
370 Nm
.
A
standard 6-speed manual transmission
 delivers power to the front wheels, and as usual there is an option for a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.
The front and rear axles uses a tried and true combination of MacPherson and multi-link setups, and for the first time ever there is a new Vehicle Dynamics Manager. It controls the ‘sharpness’ of the XDS electronic differential lock, and if the optional DCC adaptive chassis control is specified, the system will also optimise the lateral movement of the dampers.
As we know, DCC has four modes, COMFORT, ECO, SPORT and INDIVIDUAL, but interestingly, the final customisable mode can go beyond comfort to ‘decouple’ the car from the road surface for an even more relaxed ride. It can also go beyond sport mode to make the GTI, well, sportier.
Both head lights and tail lights are full LED. Up front, the DRLs stretch across the headlights and radiator grille, broken only by the VW emblem, and on top of the lights is a similarly continuous red accent. Below it is a new (and huge) honeycomb grille that features optional fog lights in a ‘X’ pattern.
Move to the rear and you’ll find the iconic ‘GTI’ letters directly below the VW badge, flanked by newly designed tail light clusters. The spoiler merges visually with the rear windows through black edging, while split twin tailpipes and a diffuser completes the look.
At the side you’ll see 17-inch Richmond alloy wheels which
are unique to the GTI, while 18 and 19-inch options are also available.
Finally, black side sills run across the car to merge with the splitter up
front, and the diffuser at the rear.
A new multi-function steering wheel comes with touch controls and in a nod to its heritage, the seats have retained that classic chequered pattern called Scalepaper. Red accents abound of course, as it is a GTI after all.
New inside here is a
10.25-inch Digital Cockpit
 and a big
10-inch infotainment screen
. If the top range Digital Cockpit is specified, both the screens can be merged to form the Innovation Cockpit. We’re looking forward to see it as well.
Like
the Passat we reviewed
 recently, there are 30 different colours for the ambient lighting and their intensity can be customised. Lastly, for cars with the standard 6-speed manual box, there is a new GTI gear knob, and if specified with the 7-speed DSG, you get this knob-switch thingamajig.
Items like Lane Assist lane keeping system, Front Assist Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, XDS electronic differential lock and Car2X (local communication with other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure) come standard.
Safety equipment wasn’t stated in the press release, but one can at least hope for a good suite of them in the Volkswagen Golf GTI when it’s launched here.
The Golf GTD and Golf GTE were similarly premiered as well. The Volkswagen Golf GTD has a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that makes
200 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. The 7-speed DSG is standard in this model.
For the hybrid GTE, the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine makes
150 hp
 while the hybrid module makes 116 hp. Together, the output is
245 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. Unlike the other two models, it uses a 6-speed DSG.
Equipment across the models are mostly the same and while each model receives obvious visual distinctions, like the red, silver, and blue accents in the GTI, GTD, and GTE respectively.
IMAGE GALLERY – VOLKSWAGEN GTI
IMAGE GALLERY – VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTD
IMAGE GALLERY – VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTE


Bentley’s second electrified model is the 544 hp Flying Spur Hybrid

In case you missed, Bentley is aiming to become an “end-to-end carbon-neutral organisation”, and that includes making only fully electric cars by 2030. That’s not a lot of time left, so the British luxury carmaker is now forging forwards with its
Beyond100 plan
 with the introduction of its second electrified model, the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid.
In addition to the
monstrous W12 and V8 engines
, the Bentley Flying Spur is now available with an electrified powertrain, which combines a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor for a total system output of
544 hp
 and
 750 Nm
 of torque.
For those keeping track, that’s 96 hp more than the
Bentayga Hybrid
 that was unveiled about two years ago. With the added electric propulsion, the Bentley Flying Spur hybrid can aceelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in
 4.3 seconds
 (just two tenths of a second slower than the
 V8 Flying Spur
, despite its added weight), onward to a top speed of
285 km/h
.
But of course, performance isn’t the main focus here – they already have the W12 (or maybe the Continental GT) for that. The new Flying Spur Hybrid is also supposedly the “most efficient Bentley ever”, capable of travelling over 700 km in a single tank of fuel. Electric juice meanwhile is fed by a 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged in “as little as two and a half hours”, depending on region and their charging infrastructure.
The Bentley Flying Spur V8 is now available in Malaysia. Check it out here!
On top of that, Bentley also says that it’s virtually “unperceivable” when the car switches between its internal combustion engine and electric motor, regardless of driving style or mode – of which, there are three, which can be controlled via the switch that replaces the automatic start-stop button on the regular petrol-powered car, or automatically by the car’s computer.
EV Drive, the default mode when the car is switched on, maximises the use of pure electric propulsion, which Bentley says is ideal for city driving and shorter journeys; Hybrid mode maximises vehicle efficiency and range for longer journeys, with the intelligent navigation system providing additional data for the car to automatically adjust its predictive engine coasting and regeneration; and lastly, the Hold mode – as the name suggests – balances the engine and electric power to hold the battery at a higher charge level.
SUVs are more your style? There’s the Bentayga Hybrid for that.
All of the energy flow can be displayed on the infotainment screen and the digital instrument cluster, where drivers can also pore into the statistics and set various timers for scheduled charging.
Aside from the powertrain underneath the sheet metal, plus all the software wizardries to make it all work, the rest of the car isn’t too different than the regular Flying Spur. Exterior visual differences are confined to just a ‘Hybrid’ badge on the front fender, quad oval tailpipes, and an extra charging port on the left rear fender.
Standard customisation choices include seven exterior colours to choose from, alongside 20- to 22-inch wheels. But of course, this being a Bentley, you can always ask the Mulliner customisation arm to make one exclusively for you with all the personalisations your mind can dream of.
GALLERY


More details of the Hyundai Ioniq surfaces, Korea’s answer to the Prius

Hyundai has revealed more details of its upcoming Prius rival, the Hyundai Ioniq, just before its official launch in the coming months. Right now, only the rear and interior images have been revealed after
last month’s preview of the concept car
.
The Ioniq will be the world’s first green car with
three energy-efficient powertrains
; a
petrol-electric hybrid,
a
plug-in hybrid
 and a
full electric propulsion
 vehicle. Now, we get to know that the Ioniq will powered by a
 1.6-litre Kappa GDI
 petrol engine running in Atkinson-cycle.  This
104 hp
and
147 Nm
of torque engine will be paired to a
72 hp electric motor
. A
six-speed dual clutch
 gearbox will be used, and it will be geared for fuel efficiency rather than performance.

In charge of juicing the electric motors is a pack of lithium-ion polymer battery that’s housed underneath the rear bench of the car. This keeps the centre of gravity low, which will lend a hand at improving the car’s ride and handling. Hyundai claims that the battery’s thermal efficiency is of
 40 percent,
 matching the current Toyota Prius. As with many other new Hyundai models, the Ioniq will use as much as 53 percent of
 Advanced High Strength Steel
that’s both lightweight and rigid to save fuel and passengers.
To further convince you of its driving capabilities, Hyundai says the rear axle will benefit from a dual lower-arm multilink suspension as standard. Good news for the more environmental conscious enthusiasts, we suppose? Inside, the interior looks as modern as any new Hyundais get, while the use of blue highlights accentuate the air conditioning vents, central head unit housing and pipings on the leather seats.
Hyundai has been rather sneaky with the Ioniq, dropping teaser images of the rear and interior but not the front fascia. Time will do the trick, no doubt, but the Ioniq will not be the only green car that will roll off Hyundai’s production line.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Tiguan charted 40% growth in sales, 5-seater LWB Tiguan confirmed

After making its global debut in 2015, the
second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan
 has been around for the better part of two years. Although not the freshest in the market, the Tiguan was Volkswagen’s strongest model growth in 2017, charting an astonishing
40 percent growth
 compared to 2016.
About 730,000 units of the Tiguan were delivered to customers last year with China having the biggest appetite for the SUV followed by Germany. The Tiguan is also among the best-selling SUVs in Europe. Volkswagen attributed part of the booming success to the recently introduced
Tiguan Allspace
 – a stretched version of the Tiguan that accommodates seven.
The seven-seater Tiguan Allspace bridges the gap between the five-seater Tiguan and the full-sized Touareg luxury SUV which appeals to a wider range of customers. Besides that, Volkswagen has subtly confirmed that the long-wheelbase Tiguan “is available with five or optionally seven seats”, in line with
our earlier report
. With the wheelbase stretched by
109 mm
 and overall length increased by
 215 mm
, the five-seater long-wheelbase Tiguan will give greater comfort for rear passengers and better practicality.
Closer to home, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has the
regular Tiguan on sale
 in two variants priced at RM149k and RM169k. It is no surprise that the Tiguan instantly became
highly popular among Malaysians
 because we found the car to be a
highly capable machine
 and even the
entry level Comfortline is a great bang for your buck
.


Here are some modification ideas for your Kia Stinger GT when it arrives

At the 2017 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show, Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled two (tastefully) modified
 Stinger GT
 – the Stinger GT Wide Body and Stinger GT Federation. Both features custom-made accessories and parts to transform Kia’s first performance vehicle to a show stopper.
Now, wide-body conversions are not Kia’s
forte
, therefore the company reached out to custom vehicles specialist,
 West Coast Customs
 for their expertise. Finished in a custom Pearl Blue Metallic paint job, the
Stinger GT Wide Body
 wears a lightweight carbon fibre aero kit and rear diffuser for greater high-speed stability. Shouty items include the quad-port exhaust tips and 21-inch Keen forged alloy wheels complemented by a lowered suspension (-35 mm front; -30 mm rear). Naturally, it gets flared rear arches for that wide-body look.

Inside, the Stinger GT Wide Body gets a custom blue leather seat piping, grey leather dash panel, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and a gloss black centre console trim. All bespoke items.
Over to the
Stinger GT Federation
, its KMA’s own effort in adding tasteful aftermarket accessories for increased performance and visual impact. Exterior body kit comes courtesy of Air Design USA that includes the rear spoiler, rear diffuser and hood vents; complementing the custom Creamy Orange paint scheme. It rides on 20-inch TSW alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance Falken tyres.

The 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 now spots a K&N cold-air intake and low-restriction quad-tipped Borla exhaust, allowing the V6 to breathe more freely, taking the power output by
15 hp
 to
380 hp
. The Stinger GT Federation also gets Eibach springs, thicker antiroll bars and lowered ride height for a sportier driving experience.
The
Kia Stinger GT is now on sale in the UK
 for £31,995 (RM180k) to £40,495 (RM228k). We’ve got a feeling that we should be expecting this fine looking machine to arrive on Malaysian soil sometime soon…
IMAGE GALLERY
Kia Stinger GT Wide Body

Kia Stinge GT Federation


The Audi e-tron prototype can be recharged in just 30 minutes, more than 400 km range

Expected to be unveiled by the end of this year, the
Audi e-tron
 prototype will be the first car on the market that can be charged with up to 150 kW, following news that
Audi UK had begun taking orders for it
.
The best part is, the wait will be over
 in just 30 minutes
 and that’s enough for the e-tron’s large lithium-ion battery to provide a driving range of
more than 400 km
. The e-tron can be “refuelled” at AC and DC public charging stations or at home with a 230V household outlet, which will
take more than 8 hours
.
The Audi e-tron prototype in a Faraday cage
Its batteries are located in the vehicle floor, positioned strategically with the intention to attain a near 50:50 weight distribution. The battery pack is said to offer the e-tron with more than
 400 hp; 500 hp with the overboost function.
The e-tron is expected to complete its 100 km/h run from standstill within 4.5 seconds; with ample traction from its trio of electric motors – one at the front axle with the remainder powering the rear wheels.
https://assets.autobuzz.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/23172549/10006en_audi-media-tv_8000k.mp4
To celebrate its new milestone of recharging EVs quickly, Audi recently placed the e-tron in a Faraday cage in Berlin. This simply generated a light show, a lightning crackle over 82 feet tall from the roof of the e-tron.
IMAGE GALLERY

 The Audi e-tron prototype in a Faraday cage

 The Audi e-tron prototype in a Faraday cage

 The Audi e-tron prototype in a Faraday cage

 The Audi e-tron Prototype in Berlin

 The Audi e-tron Prototype in Berlin


New Perodua Myvi, over 5,000 bookings made before launch, 78% choose 1.5L!

Since its launch yesterday, the all-new Perodua Myvi has received extremely positive response from the public thanks to its high-levels of equipment, sleek design and most importantly a full suite of safety features at an affordable price point.
Order books for the new Myvi opened during its first public appearance at the 2017 Malaysia Autoshow on 9th November. Within eight days (till its official launch on 16th November), Perodua has collected over 5,000 bookings for the all-new Myvi. Of the 5,000 bookings collected,
78
per cent opted for the 1.5-litre variants with
Granite Grey
 being the most popular colour choice.
1.5 Advance (AT) in Granite Grey
Moving forward, Perodua targets to sell an average of 6,000 units monthly, driving sales figures to achieve their
annual sales target of 202,000 cars for 2017
. Looking at the response from the public, it won’t come as a surprise if Perodua exceeds their monthly target for the Myvi.
You can check out our full report of the launch of the third-generation Myvi
here
, while a pictorial gallery of the Myvi 1.3 Premium X, 1.5 High and 1.5 Advance can be found
here
. The Perodua Myvi is also the cheapest car in Malaysia to come with AEB and all variants of the Myvi received a
5-Star ASEAN NCAP Crash Safety Rating
. We’ve also had a short spin in the Myvi on Perodua’s home testing facility and initial impressions of the car are extremely positive. You can read our First Drive report
here
.


Sime Darby Auto Selection’s new online store lets you shop pre-owned, used cars from home

Sime Darby pre-owned cars subsidiary, Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS), today launched its new online used car-buying platform, promising customers a “seamless used car buying experience”.
The new online store located on their website (linked
here
) will allow customers to choose from a wide range of vehicles, from used to nearly new. The cars listed on the platform are not limited to just the brands under Sime Darby Motor’s stable, too. At launch, the online store has already listed up to 300 used cars available for viewing.
Each vehicle listed for sale on the SDAS platform will be subjected to a thorough inspection process to ensure it is in the best possible condition and quality. Customers looking to sell or trade in their vehicles can also schedule a car inspection, test drive, or appraisal appointment directly from the website itself.
The website also comes with a “Spin Car” feature which offers 360-degree views of both the interior and exterior of the vehicles, allowing customers to inspect the vehicles of their choice in more detail from all angles.
Sime Darby Auto Selection Online Store’s “Spin Car” feature.
SDAS is also looking to expand the usability of the website in the near future, with addition of features including loan calculators and booking transactions to enable placement of orders at the customers’ convenience without the need to visit a dealership.
Existing users meanwhile can login to book service appointments with Sime Darby’s aftersales department directly from the website. SDAS Managing Director, Vi Think Juan added, “By leveraging on the power of the internet and mobile technology, we are able to provide a seamless online used car trading experience for our customers, and we hope to leverage on this capability to grow our business even further.”
Recently, SDAS also announced an
exclusive partnership
 with Malaysian online car bidding platform MyTukar to help the company expand its used car business.


Hybrid-powered 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV makes global debut in Thailand and Europe

Nearly a year after the global debut of the
all-new 11th-generation Honda Civic
, the Japanese carmaker has now finally unveiled the e:HEV hybrid-powered variant, with a simultaneous launch in Thailand and Europe – sedan in the former (and possibly rest of the world), while the latter gets the
hatchback
, where it’ll be sold exclusively as a hybrid model in the continent.
The 2022 Honda Civic e:HEV, in both sedan and hatchback variants, will be powered by the marque’s most powerful
i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) powertrain
, almost completely identical to that of the Honda Accord Hybrid.
The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.0 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to two electric motors – one driving the wheels directly for the most part (via an e-CVT gearbox to the front wheels), and the other acting somewhat as a generator. Altogether, the powertrain makes a combined output of
181 hp
 and
315 Nm
 of torque, according to the European spec sheet.
Honda did however make a few tweaks to the powertrain on the Civic e:HEV hybrid, specifically on the petrol engine. It now gets a direct injection system, alongside several smaller tweaks to increase its thermal efficiency to 41% – one of the highest in the automotive industry, the company notes.
There’s also a new 72-cell battery pack underneath the rear seats, alongside a compact Power Control Unit that is now situated under the bonnet with the rest of the powertrain. Honda says that it’s targetting a fuel-consumption rating of under 5 l/100km based on the WLTP test cycle.
RELATED: All-new Honda HR-V unveiled in Thailand, only in e:HEV hybrid powertrain
Standard equipment on the all-new Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid will depend on trim levels, although they do not differ too much with the existing petrol-powered models. There are, of course, several exclusive visual cues on the outside to differentiate it from the non-electrified variants, including a blue-tinted Honda emblems, e:HEV badgings, as well as variant-exclusive wheels.
Over in Thailand, The Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid will be offered in two variants: the EL+ priced around the region of THB1,150,000 (approx. RM 145k), and the new range-topping e:HEV RS around THB1,270,000 (approx. RM160k). The latter will also replace the existing petrol-powered
Civic RS
 in Thailand, making it a Hybrid-only offering.
Will the Honda Civic e:HEV hybrid make its way into Malaysia? Well, that’s a question that only those within Honda Malaysia will know. However, the company previously announced their plans to
 further expand the use of its e:HEV powertrain
 in its model line-up, and with the smaller Honda City (both sedan and hatchback) already received the new hybrid powertrain, we’ll say that it’s not a zero-chance possibility.
With that being said though, if it does make its way to our shores, we won’t expect it to be any time soon. The company announced that it’ll be making two new model launches this year, widely expected to be the
all-new Honda HR-V
 and
BR-V
.
GALLERY


Proton to gradually resume sales, service and production operations beginning 5 May

Following the announcement by the Prime Minister last Friday to
relax the Movement Control Order
 that has been in effect since 18 March, national carmaker Proton said that it will gradually restart operations beginning on the
5th of May
.
The company expects to reopen its sales and service outlets beginning tomorrow, although only limited to outlets located within the green and yellow zones, subject to requirements from all relevant authorities. Proton says that strict safety protocols are in place to safeguard the health of its customers and personnel.
Aside from the reopening of its customer-facing premises, the company’s corporate office at Centre of Excellence will also spring back to life starting tomorrow. Proton says that new work practices will be adopted to minimize infection and contact between its staff.
Proton’s manufacturing plants at Tanjung Malim and Shah Alam will also “gradually resume production”, according to the statement.
Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong said, “Proton will begin the gradual resumption of all its business activities. However, the safety of our customers and employees is our main priority and in line with the Prime Minister’s calls to adopt a ‘new normal’, we will introduce a new set of protocols in all areas.
“We would like to reassure all our customers that no effort will be spared in ensuring their safety and health. As a responsible automotive manufacturer, safety is always our primary concern,” added Dr. Li.


Ford unveiled one-off Apollo edition Mustang, it’s out of this world!

Ford in collaboration with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) youth education programs. It’s no secret that The Blue Oval Company has a generous philanthropic side to them. This one-of-its kind Mustang will be auctioned off and donated in the name of charity of which the sale will benefit EAA youth aviation education programs. Ford has raised nearly RM 10 million for EAA youth aviation programs to date.
And what has Ford cooked up this time? Judging by the pictures, this aeronautical and dare I say, ‘interstellar’ concept Mustang has everyone stunned in their tracks at the sheer beauty of the car they’ve whipped up. Based on a
2015 fastback Ford Mustang GT
, Ford design and engineering teams has transformed the 5.0-liter pony car into the
Apollo Edition Mustang.

The Apollo Edition Mustang features a
carbon fiber front splitter
,
rear diffuser
,
rocker moldings
 and accent treatments, along with unique
LED under body lighting
 to symbolise atmospheric re-entry. On the inside there’s embroidery on the front seats that mimic the astronauts
flight suits
.
This Mustang isn’t powered by the Saturn V Rocketdyne F-1 engine, but rather this
5.0-litre
 pony car kicks out
 627 hp
 and a scarcely believable
732 Nm
 of torque. The Performance package include enhancements such as,
Ford Performance’s supercharger
 and
shifter
. An
X-pipe exhaust
 system assists with breathing while a sport-tuned suspension,
 six-piston Brembo
 brakes and custom
Forgiato 21-inch
 performance wheels keep all that power grounded and in check.
The Apollo Edition was built in collaboration with
MAD Industries
, led by Chris Mangum. Interior enhancements were created in-house by Ford’s design fabrication team and parts were contributed by companies like
Eibach, 3M, Brembo, PIAA
and
 Pirelli
 just to mention a few. All in the name of charity and philanthropy.
IMAGE GALLERY


Land Rover creates bespoke Defender to commemorate its two millionth production milestone

Land Rover, after nearly seven decades and two million Defenders made, have decided to create a one-off bespoke model of its iconic workhorse to commemorate this production milestone.
What’s more unique to the production of the
Defender 2,000,000
 – yes that’s what it’s officially called – is the fact that Land Rover invited some well-known figures and special guests to help complete the momentous build. One of them is Bear Grylls, an avid Defender enthusiast and Land Rover ambassador.
The special Defender will be unveiled by Bonhams at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed
 taking place later this week. Following the public appearance, it will tour the country and be put on public display throughout the year before being auctioned off for some serious bidding come 16 December 2015.
It’s finished in a shade of
Indus Silver satin paint
, and on the fender is the
engraving of the Red Wharf Bay map
 – the place where original design of a Land Rover was
first drawn in the sand
. Remember its official name? The ‘2,000,000’ badge is placed at the rump of this Defender, whereas other distinctive touches include
Black Santorini finishing
 to the wheels, wheel arches, roof, door hinges, grille and mirror caps.

On the inside, the leather seats also get an imprinted Red Wharf Bay graphics, whereas the head restraints are stitched with the number 2,000,000. A unique aluminium plaque, signed by all those involved in the production process, is fitted to the driver’s seat plinth. Completing this special build is the unique S90 HUE registration plates – a reference to the first ever pre-production Land Rover (plated HUE 166) – placed on the front and rear of the Defender.

CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, Dr Ralf Speth said the Defender has been the vehicle of choice for many, ranging from explorers, charity organisations, farmers and even royalties. “What started as an agricultural workhorse has transcended the automotive world to become a worldwide design icon. It’s an honour to be part of the Defender 2,000,000’s production and it truly is a special experience.”
Production of the original Land Rover Series I began at their Lode Lane facility in 1947 before it was launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show on 30 April 1948. Since then, two million examples of the Series I, II III and Defender have been produced at Solihull, UK.
Funds raised
 during the charity auction event at Bonhams auction house
will be donated
 to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Born Free Foundation.
IMAGE GALLERY