Roborace: The world’s first driverless championship. Wait, what?

It was known that motorsports is a brilliant platform to develop road cars – something probably only Ferrari and Mercedes would agree with their billion dollar endeavours in Formula One. On the side note, the crystal ball predicts the future of motoring lies in autonomous motoring. That said, it could require a motorsport in a form of driverless cars racing in neck-breaking speeds to accelerate the development of autonomous cars. With that, enter
‘
Roborace’
.
No, this is not a B-grade movie title from the ’80s, instead it was created via a partnership between
 Formula E
 and
Kinetik
. This new championship will become a competitive platform for autonomous driving solutions, allowing tech companies and universities to create autonomous cars that will duke out to become the fastest autonomous car on the track and
 eventually be programmed to kill and enslave humanity in the years to come
. Just kidding!
Roborace is set to become a
 support race
 for the ever growing Formula E championship, with the first race commencing during the
2016-2017 season
. Ten teams with two cars will compete in one-hour races prior the main Formula E race in major cities across the world.
Roborace. Imagine this, minus the drivers!
The unique part of
 Skynet
 Roborace is, instead of raw horsepower and driver skills, computing and brain power will determine a race victory or retirement. Teams will compete using similar cars while allowing real-time computing algorithms and AI technologies to draw speed and performance. One of the teams will be a crowd-sourced community, allowing smart regular joes a chance to shame bigger manufacturers. Can you imagine your nerdy socially awkward classmate be crowned the champion? Yeah.
As exciting as it sounds, I as a motorsports enthusiasts who plies his trade in the IT industry, can’t help to think how ridiculous the races can be in the first few years. Among the possible scenarios include:
A car retired not because of an engine failure but due to its Windows Operating System. You know, the blue screen of death.
Crashes caused not because of driver error but because of bad coding.
Instead of racing drivers, programmers and nerds are celebrated. There’s even a programmer’s world championship in which the winner will obtain life supply of cloud data space or unlimited broadband.
An old abandoned race car was found by a young boy. His father, who used to be a Formula One driver, rebuilt and reprogrammed it before sending this to compete in Roborace 2030. Against all odds, that car defeated the fastest autonomous car and wins the title. A movie adaptation  starring Hugh Jackman’s son follows.
As crazy as it sounds, I’m looking forward to the first Roborace action next year!


Mercedes-Benz EQV: The second all-electric EQ model is a passenger van

When there’s space to work with, packaging an electric drivetrain on an existing body is a lot less complex. Mercedes-Benz has shrewdly leveraged on its V-Class platform to produce the EQV – its first all-electric premium MPV that can seat up to eight passengers.
Unlike RWD or AWD variants of the V-Class that are internal combustion powered, the EQV is
front-wheel driven
 with an
electric motor mounted over its front axle
. This arrangement frees up space on the floor which is now taken up by
lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 90 kWh
, enough for a range of up to
405 km per charge
.
Mercedes-Benz is silent on the EQV’s 0-100km/h achievement, only revealing that it has an output of
204 hp and 362 Nm
, and that
top speed is limited to 160 km/h
. The battery pack of the EQV can be replenished from
10% to 80% in 45 minutes via a 110 kW quick charger
, or it’ll require overnight charging when using Mercedes-Benz’s 11 kW wallbox charger. The EQV’s on-
board charger is also water cooled
.
Aside from a new
black panel radiator grille
 on the outside, the V-Class’ practical interior is largely unchanged in the EQV; seating is still multi-configurable while the dashboard gets some gold accents and a
new MBUX interface
 with a 10-inch centre display.


SpyBuzz: 2017 Porsche Panamera leaked [+Video]

The second-generation Porsche Panamera is scheduled to make its debut in Germany by the end of June, but now there are leaked images unveiled on the Internet. While the predecessor’s look polarised opinions, the new Panamera is certainly a looker!
For those familiar with Porsche’s design philosophy of having subtle differences for each successive models, the new Panamera incorporates some fresh design.The front LED headlights and a double strip of LED running lights add character to the fascia, but the rear receives the most overhaul. This time, the curves look more natural and elegant, removing the awkward rear from the old model. Completing the back are a set of thinner taillights and dual quad exhaust seen underneath as well.
While the interior pics are limited, we can see it’s strictly a four-seater saloon, with a touch screen interface located in the middle of the rear seats. The instrument cluster remains similar with the predecessor but perhaps some add-ons are expected in this new model.
Underneath the bonnet lies a
4.0-liter turbocharged V8
 for power. No figures are known at this point of time, as are the engine options for the new car. But one thing’s for sure: the Porsche PDK dual-clutch gearbox will definitely come with the Panamera.
The new Panamera is set for its worldwide debut on 28 June in Germany. Dubbed as “
the fastest luxury sedan on Earth
“, it looks like Porsche is game-on to challenge other established rivals from Maserati, Bentley and BMW in that segment.
Meanwhile, here’s a teaser video of the new Panamera!
[Source:
Motor1
]
IMAGE GALLERY


This new design sketch could be our first look at the Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Volkswagen has teased the return of the Kombi van for years, and in 2017, finally confirming that it will be
 coming back as an electric model
 – called the Volkswagen ID. Buzz – in 2022. Since then though, not much has been said or shown about the electric microbus, but a new announcement from last Friday might have just given us our first look!
Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle department (VWCV) announced that they are currently developing a new autonomous driving system for the ID. Buzz to be used for ride-sharing and ride hailing applications, but what truly caught our eyes was the sketch attached alongside the press release, with significant changes to the design since it was first announced three years ago – so much so, we think that this could well be a near-production-ready render.
First of all, we’re happy to report that just like the original ID. Buzz concept, the iconic shape of the microbus is (mostly) being retained here, as is the greenhouse and quarter windows at the A pillars.
The front end did get a significant restyling effort though, with a new set of rounder-looking headlights, similar to that seen on the VW ID.4. Further down, the bumper also gets new intakes that look to be a bit more functional than that found on the original concept vehicle.
Other new bits on the new design sketch include more protruding fender arches, new tail lights that are thicker than before, plastic claddings around the lower body, a more prominent roof spoiler round the back, as well as a new set of wheels – the latter seems to be taken from the existing VW parts inventory.
The iconic metal trim around the body seems to be missing here, but the sketch does show a slim line running across the body and down the front – we hope that means that it’ll still be offered in retro-inspired two-tone colour schemes!
As for the hump on top of the roof, that is most likely the housing for the autonomous driving sensors, so we probably won’t see that on the final production model for consumers.
Using technology developed by Argo AI, which Volkswagen made a major investment in last year (alongside Ford), the autonomous ID. Buzz is currently being developed as a ride-hailing and pooling concept, similar to what the brand’s own Moia service currently offers today.
With field trials on track to begin this year in Germany, Volkswagen says that the autonomous system will be ready for use in real-life traffic by its commercial vehicles in 2025 in “select cities”. The same technology will also be utilised by VWCV to build other special purpose vehicles, such as robo-taxis.


Mitsubishi’s challenger in the 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally is a “nearly-stock” Triton!

Ralliart
 is back, and they’re going racing. As part of its first motorsports endeavour since the brand’s racing arm’s revival, Mitsubishi will be participating as a semi-factory-works team in the 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR), and they’ll be fielding a trio of race-prepped
Triton pick-up truck
 to challenge for the crown.
The three Mitsubishi Tritons, consisting of two competition cars and one high-speed support vehicle, have been modified according to the FIA’s Group T1 (prototype cross-country rally car) specifications. Except, when we say “modified”, it’s really not by much.
The 2.4-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder mill that is powering the rally truck is essentially the same unit that you’ll find on a road-going Triton. It’s been slightly reworked to reduce friction loss and improve on responsiveness, along with a “very very slight” tune, but the
181 hp
 and
430 Nm
 outputs is pretty much unchanged. According to Team Director Hiroshi Masuoka, even the pistons and crankshafts are left as-is.
Even the six-speed manual gearbox and Super Select AWD system are also unchanged from the Triton you see at the showrooms, but the rally truck does get a pair of Cusco LSDs added to the drivetrain in order to help with off-road traction, alongside racing brakes from Endless, Cusco adjustable front and rear dampers, and beefy Yokohama Geolandar tyres wrapped around a set of 17-inch aluminium alloys from Work.
RELATED:
Mitsubishi is bringing back the Ralliart name and re-entering motorsports

The AXCR is a 2,000 km, six-day long endurance rally that will run from Buriram in Thailand to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Like the Dakar Rally, since the drivers will be driving for long periods, comfort and reliability is much more important than outright speed – and that’s why the Triton is perfect for this task, instead of a purpose-built race car.
We were offered a taxi ride during the team’s second endurance test at the Grand Prix Motor Park in Thailand, and we were all surprised by how plush the ride quality is. The drivers also praised the Mitsubishi Triton’s agility on the gravel, which is truly a testament of the pick-up truck’s quality, even in standard form.
To save weight, the car’s bonnet and door panels have been replaced with carbon fibre parts to save weight, while the interior of the truck has also been stripped out, and glass windows replaced by plastic. The rest of the body has also been strengthened with a roll cage and under guards to handle the challenging terrain.
Since the AXCR also involves several river crossings, the rest of the modifications are for added water-proofing, such as stronger sealing, as well as an air-intake snorkel on the A-pillars.
ALSO READ:
Mitsubishi rewards 100,000th Triton customer in Malaysia with 100,000 km worth of diesel
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart will be led by two-time Dakar Rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka, who has been working as the brand’s Chief Expert in the Product Strategy Division, and will be joined by three driver pairings, consisting of Rifat Sungkar and Chupong Chaiwan, Chayaphon Yotha and Peerapong Sombutwong, as well as Sakchai Hantrakul and Kittisak Klinchan.
Speaking after the endurance test, Rifat Sungkar said: “Rally drivers pass through many different corners, one by one. Therefore, it is crucial for the rally car to have excellent manoeuvrability and drivability as the driver intends, and high durability and reliability over rough roads.
“A good co-driver who can navigate accurately and quickly is also important for a successful result. Through the endurance tests, we were able to confirm that the Triton rally car delivers excellent performance in terms of rough road drivability and durability.”
Chayapon Yotha added, “Speed is not everything in rally competition. In order to win, it is important to maximize the sense of unity between the driver and the rally car, and to control the tempo flexibly between acceleration and deceleration. We have confirmed that the Triton rally car has a great finish and responds precisely and agilely to driver input.”
The rally car even comes with air-conditioning, and the gear lever is also unchanged!
“It is a privilege to welcome such talented drivers to the team. Rifat has lots of experience in sprint rallying, so if we do a good job as a team to manage the long-distance aspect of a cross-country rally, he will deliver a great performance,” said Hiroshi Masuoka.
“Chayapon has extensive experience in cross-country rallies and improves every time he gets in the car, so I’m expecting good outcomes from him. With regard to the Triton, the two endurance tests enabled us to identify issues and deal with them. We will carry out a shakedown test in November before AXCR 2022, but the Triton is looking good so far and I believe the drivers will be able to deliver tough, solid performances.”
As to why Mitsubishi chose AXCR as their first challenge for the Ralliart revival, Masuoka explained that the Triton is a very important model for Mitsubishi Motors, especially in the Asian market. Participating in the AXCR will not only act as marketing for the pick-up truck, but also help accelerate the development of the Triton pick-up truck for regular road use.
“My personal dream is to bring bigger challenges to Triton and bring Triton to the world stage,” he added.
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Aston Martin DBX crossover confirmed for production

British marque Aston Martin announced that it there will be a committed funding of
£200 million
 for product expansion activities. With that, the management has also confirmed that the
DBX
, Aston’s first crossover will be brought into production.

According to the official press release, the hefty sum of investment is set to develop “significant new luxury models” as part of its strategic business plan. Aston has received half of the investment to begin work, while the remaining £100 million will be issued in the next twelve months.

Aston Martin Lagonda CEO Dr Andy Palmer commented: “This additional long-term funding, will enable us to add extra model lines and broaden our presence in the luxury market segment by the end of the decade. The DBX concept, has generated interest far beyond our expectations. The additional investment announced today will allow us to realise the DBX and other new luxury vehicles that will form the strongest and most diverse portfolio in our history”.

The DBX Concept was first shown to the world at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show. It is said to have no engine compartment as it uses
electric
 motors mounted inboard of the wheels and powered by
lithium sulphur cells
. In additional it is fitted with drive-by-wire electric steering, toughened glass with an auto-dimming ‘
smart glass
’ inter-layer, bespoke driver and passenger head-up displays, active LED exterior lights, and carbon ceramic brakes with a kinetic energy recovery system (
KERS
).

Dr Palmer said, “A concept car such as this should, in my view, challenge conventional thinking and explore the art of the possible. In the DBX Concept, I believe we have created a new type of luxury car that can not only broaden the appeal of Aston Martin to a whole new generation of customers, but sit with pride alongside the rest of our range.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Thailand’s petroleum giant partners with Foxconn to produce EV platform

PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) and Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in setting up a production of
electric vehicle (EV) platform
 in Thailand.
State-owned PTT is Thailand’s largest business group covering all aspects of the petrochemical industry, similar to Malaysia’s Petronas.
The move by both parties will enable automakers in Thailand to have access to the entire value chain of services offered by a newly formed JV, providing instant scale to the local EV industry in Thailand.
There is no actual full-sized car production here, as the platform will be the
MIH open-source EV
 that was spearheaded by Hon Hai Technology Group. The MIH (Minimalism Intrinsic Harmonic) combines various experienced hardware and software vendors and suppliers to create an EV kit-
a rolling chassis
 with the powertrain and the necessary control electronics.
Customers using the MIH EV open platform will then build a body on top of the EV platform to form a complete automobile. To date, Foxconn says there are
over 1,640 members
 in the MIH project, with key partners include Qualcomm, Mediatek, Texas Instruments, CATL, Bridgestone and Applied EV. Earlier this year,
Foxconn and Geely
 announced a JV to contract-manufacture EVs for anyone who is interested.
The collaboration will bring together PTT’s innovation & technology and proven track record in the energy business, and its network of partners, subsidiaries and existing ventures, into the EV landscape and Foxconn’s proven capabilities in smart manufacturing and its experience in reducing product-development cycles and overall speed in bringing products to market.
Mr. Young Liu, the Chairman of Foxconn, said that as a leader that innovates in the global technology industry, the MIH platform and Foxconn’s unique business model that it advocates will meet the demand of the future EV market. This cooperation with PTT and the Thai government to realise the vision of sustainable development of the EV industry, demonstrates that the MIH ecosystem is growing.
Mr. Auttapol Rerkpiboon, President and Chief Executive Officer, PTT, revealed not only that this JV was a significant milestone for PTT’s overall business, but also help Thailand to lead Asia as a regional hub for EV manufacturing.
Both parties believe Thailand can show the world that the
“Eastern Detroit”
 can continue to shine in the field of EV.
The government of Thailand recently announced
bold plans
 to accelerate the supply and adoption of EVs in the country. By the end of 2025, Thailand hopes to have 25% of new vehicles sold are zero local emissions, with the figure increasing to 50% by the end of this decade, up from 30% previously proposed.
The kingdom plans to only offer
zero-emission new vehicles from 2035
, the earliest country in the ASEAN region to wave goodbye to the internal combustion engine.


The refreshed Kia Grand Carnival SX gets dual monitors in the second row

To say that family MPVs are meant for the tame and domesticated is like saying that Chess is only for those who wear spectacles. Family MPVs don’t necessarily have to be boring and Naza Kia Malaysia stands by this with the introduction of the
Grand Carnival 2.2D
 SX to add a little flair to its already majestic MPV.
On the outside, the SX gets model-specific 19-inch chrome Sputtering Type alloy wheels, compared to the 18-inch set on the KX variant. At the front rests new wrap-around HID headlamps with Diamond Glitter Type Positioning Lamp and Auto Levelling System. The front grille gets refreshed with a new design that somehow strikes a resemblance with the one found on a Mercedes-Benz.
Inside, the interior is furnished with burgundy two-tone leather seats with wood grain garnish for a heightened sense of comfort and luxury. Also new to the Grand Carnival’s interior is a second row console tray. A Rear Entertainment System now provides Dual Monitor screens with WiFi connectivity for the second row – adding to the carried-over 8-inch audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Power still comes from a 2.2-litre CRDi turbocharged diesel engine paired to a a torque converter six-speed automatic transmission. Output is rated at
 190 hp
 with
440 Nm
 of torque. The Grand Carnival’s poise and comfort is a tribute to the front MacPherson suspension and rear multi-link suspension.
The Grand Carnival 2.2D SX is available in a model-specific Silky Silver, along with the new Blackberry to go with the standard Snow White Pearl and Aurora Black Pearl.
Bookings are now open for the 2.2D SX which goes for RM188,888 (OTR without insurance). The SX will replace the EX which will be discontinued with immediate effect.
IMAGE GALLERY


A new stallion is in town, the Ferrari Portofino arrives in Malaysia

Named after the picturesque town of Portofino in Northwestern Italy, the newest addition to the Ferrari stable replaces the Ferrari California T that’s been around for more than 10 years.
At the heart of the Portofino is a 3.9-litre twin-turbo engine making
592 hp
 and
 760 Nm
of torque. The V8 engine’s redline is capped at 7,500 rpm, as it climbs to 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, onward to a top speed of 320 km/h.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ferrari Portofino
Engine
3.9-litre twin turbo V8
Transmission
7-speed dual clutch transmission
Max Power
592hp @ 7,500 rpm
Max Torque
760 Nm @ 3,000 – 5250 rpm
0 – 100 km/h ; Top Speed
3.5 seconds ; 320 km/h
Price
RM 948,000 (before duties and options)
As a replacement to the California T, it’s got almost 40 hp more than its predecessor and is lighter too. Revisions to the engine, adopted from the GTC4 Lusso T includes new pistons, conrods and a revised air intake system.
Attention has also been paid to its chassis as well, with the new platform
weighing more than 80 kg

less
 than its predecessor. Furthermore, it is the first GT in this range to be fitted with Electric Power Steering (EPS) that reduces steering ratio by 7% for a more responsive steering.

Combined with an F1-inspired 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Portofino features the third generation electronic differential (E-Diff 3) and the magnetorheological damping system (SCM-E) which has been upgraded with dual-coil technology to help reduce body roll while simultaneously improving absorption of road surface unevenness; our Malaysian roads will not pose the slightest problem.
Designed to be a “Berlinetta” with the ability to transform into a drop-top
in just 14 seconds
 at speeds of under 50 km/h, the Portofino has been crafted to house a 2+2 seating configuration inside, along with a new air-conditioning system, steering wheel. backrest design that boosts leg space and a new wind deflector that can cut air flow inside the cabin by 30%.

Like the GTC4 Lusso, the Portofino is fitted with an additional LCD display that projects speed and other parameters of the car ahead of the front passenger – to scare them – presumably.
The Ferrari Portofino can be had at a base price of RM 948,000 (excluding duty and other optional extras).
IMAGE GALLERY


Vauxhall Corsa VXR with 205hp battles 700hp Lamborghini for a parking spot [+Video]

Now this is something you certainly don’t hear about everyday and is certainly a bet one would place in a heartbeat with a ten-to-one odds. Vauxhall is brand that us Malaysians haven’t heard of in awhile, or worse still – never at all.
If you’re into football, chances are you would’ve heard of this bloke by the name of
Chris Kamara
, former British football player and team manager who’s now taken the role of
commentator
 beyond the walls of the club arena. The
#kamarachallenge
, in essence, brings together the past and present of football into a couple of cars that most would agree don’t belong in the same wavelength as each other.
It’s simple, this. Tottenham Hotspurs’ player
Harry Kane
 will be in the hot seat of the pukka
Corsa VXR
 while the
Aventador
 is piloted by former English national football player,
John Barnes
. The two cars jostle for pole position with the Lambo easily moving ahead on the straights. But, even as the underdog, the new Corsa VXR makes short work of the
speed bumps
 while the Lambo has to slow right down in order to take care of that low-lying nose. The Corsa’s
nippy
,
nimble
 skills leave the supercar waning as it is filmed chicaning through an empty underground car park.
Now if this was out on the open track in
Silverstone
 or
Sepang
, then it would have been obvious that the Aventador would’ve just munched Corsa VXR out of the water even
before
 the duo got to
Turn 1
. But in the tight and narrow isles of the parking garage – in which both cars had to fight for one parking spot – the Corsa immediately has the
advantage
. Undoubtedly the stunt driving wasn’t done by the pitchmasters but rather the legend himself –
Paul Swift
 (and team, obviously).
An impressive result nonetheless for the plucky hot hatch. The Corsa is propelled via a 1,600cc four-potter that chucks out 205 hp with 280 Nm of twist on overboost. The VXR does the century sprint in a mere
 6.5 seconds
 and will hit a top speed of
230 km/h
. Not bad considering that the
Fiesta ST rival
 starts at only £18,245 (
RM117,041
).
Now, due to the unique way of how copyrighting and geography are somehow intertwined, we
can’t
 bring you the official video via Vauxhall’s Youtube page but as is the way of the Internet –
 anything is possible
. Video credit goes out to the
DailyMail
. Enjoy the video.


Video: Isuzu D-Max 1.9L Ddi BluePower First Drive in Thailand

It’s been a long time coming, but the 1.9-litre turbo diesel D-Max has finally arrived in Malaysia with a starting price of RM80,149.20.
The highlight of the D-Max, aside from some minor aesthetic changes, has to be the new
RZ4E-TCX engine
, with a new Variable Geometry Turbo and fuel injection system, which makes 10% more power and 9% more torque than before with
150 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque on the taps.

The outgoing 4JK1-TCX 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine from before made
136 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque. Funnily enough, the 3.0-litre model makes just 27 hp more at 177 hp and 30 Nm more at 380 Nm which speaks volumes of the “new” 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine.
What else is new? How else has Isuzu improved the D-Max? Check out the video to find out!


All-new Mercedes-Benz GLA no longer looks like a jacked-up hatchback

Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled the all-new GLA crossover, in an online-exclusive digital world premiere event on the Mercedes me media site.
With Mercedes-Benz Chairman Ola Källenius claiming that the all-new GLA being “better in every respect” than its predecessor, does it pack the punch to challenge the
BMW X2
 in the ever-growing compact crossover market?
The all-new GLA has been given a complete restyling, and now looks less like a jacked-up hatchback. Proportions wise, the GLA is now significantly higher (104 mm) than its
 predecessor
, while being 14 mm shorter and 2 mm narrower. However, the wheelbase of the compact SUV has been extended by 30 mm, and its track increased by 46 mm on both axles.
As a result, the front headroom has been significantly increased, as well as the rear legroom with an increase of 114 mm. Boot capacity has also grown by 14 litres to 435 litres.
The body of the all-new GLA now features smoother body surfaces, while black-plastic claddings around the wheel arches and bumpers give the compact SUV a more rugged exterior. The bigger wheel arches can accommodate wheel sizes from
17 to 20 inches
.
Styling elements are also more coherent with the current Mercedes-Benz compact car line-up, with the large diamond pin grille up front, and a slimmer and rounded taillights design inspired from the
A-Class
.
Inside, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLA feels familiar to other recent Mercedes models, featuring a free-standing digital display panel on the dashboard. The panel contains two 7.0-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system as standard, which can be upgraded to 10.3-inch displays.
The screens run on Mercedes’
MBUX operating system
, which features the “Hey Mercedes” advanced voice control system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard in the MBUX package.
The new GLA is built on the second-generation Modular Front Architecture (MFA) platform. Unlike some of its other compact siblings the new GLA features McPherson struts up front, and a more sophisticated
 4-link suspension set-up
 at the rear on all variants, instead of a torsion beam.
At launch, the GLA will be offered with two powerplants. The
GLA 200
 utlises the M282 1.33-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine developed in conjunction with Renault. The 1.33-litre mill produces
163 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque, good for a zero to 100 km/h time of
8.7 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
210 km/h
.
For those looking for more performance, the
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4Matic
 features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that generates
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint in the GLA 35 takes a brisk
5.1 seconds
, and is capable of reaching a top-speed of
 250 km/h
flat out.
The optional 4Matic all-wheel drive system – which comes as standard on the GLA 35 – includes the
Off-Road Engineering package
, which adds an off-road driving mode which regulates power delivery and ABS intervention, hill descent control, as well as an off-road function for the Multibeam LED headlights.
With the off-road function, the cornering lights on the Multibeam LED headlamps are continuously switched on up to a speed of 50 km/h, resulting in wide and bright light distribution immediately in front of the vehicle.
Additional information such as gradient, inclination angle, as well as technical settings are also displayed on the MBUX screens to help with tricky off-road driving.
Safety wise, the GLA comes equipped with autonomous emergency braking as standard. An optional Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise control, Active Steer Assist with lane keeping and lane change functions, Evasive Steering Assist, traffic sign recognition, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Pre-Safe Plus which can detect potential rear impact.
IMAGE GALLERY


The facelifted Nissan X-Trail gets modern touches and more mature looks

Visitors at the 2019 Malaysia Autoshow finally got a closer look at the facelifted Nissan X-Trail, which is now available in four variants with the addition of a Hybrid model.
With new front and rear bumpers, redesigned front headlamps and rear tail lights, it does seem to have sharpened up the looks of the ageing X-Trail that’s been in the market now for more than three years.

The distinctively larger V-Motion grille, sleeker fog lights, and a darker finish for the rear tail lights has helped the facelifted X-Trail appear more classy and mature.
This maturity has also extended into the interior, with the flat-bottomed steering wheel being the most profound and welcome difference. It makes the old steering wheel look as if it were from the 90’s.
The facelifted X-Trail also keeps up with current trends with the offering of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a new look for the gear selector.
The centre console is now also home to buttons for the electronic parking brake and the Auto Hold feature, placed ahead of the gear lever – replacing the old foot brake – thank goodness. Extensive sound proofing material have also been applied to the cabin, for a quieter ride.
The hybrid model gets the same
144 hp
/
200 Nm
 2.0-litre engine found in the base and mid 2.0-litre 2WD models, but is supplemented with an electric motor that makes an additional
41 hp
 and
160 Nm
. All four variants are fitted with a 7-speed Xtronic CVT transmission.
In case you’re wondering, the 5-year unlimited mileage warranty which accompanies the X-Trail, also covers the SUV’s batteries. The hybrid model, however, is only limited to five seats while the other three variants come with 5+2 seating configurations.
The most prominent addition to the X-Trail range, is the host of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features such as Intelligent Engine Brake, Trace Control, Ride Control and Moving Object Detection. It now also comes with an Around View Monitor.
While the previous models only came with dual airbags, the base model now gets four, while the rest gets six airbags. Excluding the base model X-Trail, features like Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking and High Beam Assist are offered.
The base model X-Trail goes for
 RM133,888
,
RM145,888
 for the 2.0L Mid model,
RM153,888
for the 2.5-litre 4WD model while the Hybrid model is asking for
RM159,888
.
IMAGE GALLERY
Nissan X-Trail 2.0L Hybrid Facelift at 2019 Malaysia Auto Show


Throwback Thursday: When five BMW M235i(s) performed an epic driftmob in Cape Town

It does ring a bell, doesn’t it? That’s cause it took place almost four years ago now, at a time when flashmobs were all the rage. Whether it’s four years or 14 years, when there are BMWs and drifting involved, it’s going to be hard to forget.
But in the name of
Throwback Thursday
, we reckon this memorable stunt is worth a revisit.
Although filming was originally planned to take place in Santiago, Chile, an earthquake forced a last minute relocation but the idea of drifting at a roundabout – thought of in Chile – was retained for the shoot in Cape Town, South Africa.
The shoot required one of Africa’s grandest roundabouts, the Coen Steytler Roundabout, to be
closed down for two full days
 – all for a one minute 47 second video; a video that reportedly
did not even have an official plot to begin with
!
The then Marketing Manager for the 1- through 4-series models at BMW AG reportedly said, “There is no official plot like most commercials would have. The use of the M235i was intended to portray a message of nimbleness of BMWs”.
Though the roads were closed for filming, the on-lookers obviously had no idea what was to unfold. The entire video was reportedly
shot by one of the guys from The Fast and the Furious franchise
…surprise, surprise!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhqN6k3wvR8
The five drivers involved – Rhys Millen, Dai Yoshihara, Sam Hübinette, Conrad Grunewald and Rich Rutherford – were all household names in either the drifting or the stunt driving scene.
The BMW M235i(s) used were
automatic transmission prototypes
 which were apparently destined for the crusher and were mostly stock except for the modifications done on the handbrake to allow the car to be drifted more easily.
None of them were even equipped with the M limited-slip differential, an essential ingredient to get the M235i to kick its tail out. Instead, those involved
 opted to weld the rear differentials instead
! According to one of the drivers, they were driving at 75% of their potential, because
 BMW did not bring any spare cars
.
As epic as the video and the stunts were, the drivers credited the video’s success to the M235i’s steering feel, overall balance, sheer performance and its transmission’s ability to hold the engine at redline without automatically upshifting.
A particular automotive media in the US even went as far as to say that, “the Epic Driftmob is also the equivalent of hurling five sleek red middle fingers at Audi and Mercedes-Benz”, as they did not have RWD models then that were capable of such a stunt.
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Chevrolet Colorado X-Edition launched in Malaysia, 3 variants from RM118k

Following the successful launch of the
all-new Chevrolet Colorado
 in October last year, Naza Quest Sdn Bhd, the sole importer and distributor of Chevrolet cars in Malaysia, has decided to spice things up with the new Colorado X-Edition.
The X-Edition is purely of cosmetic upgrades to add flair to the pick up truck. Taking the Colorado 2.5 LTZ as base, the X-Edition adds three unique flavours to the pick-up truck –X, X-Urban and X-ADV. Prices for the X-Edition start from
RM118k to RM151k
 (on-the-road with insurance).
QUICK FACTS
Name
Chevrolet Colorado X
Chevrolet Colorado X-Urban
Chevrolet Colorado X-ADV
Engine
2,499cc; inline-4 with Variable Geometry Turbo, DOHC
Transmission
6-speed automatic with Manual Mode Function
Max Power
180 hp @ 3,600 rpm
Max Torque
440 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM117,736.23
RM136,782.33
RM150,920.58
Starting from the Colorado X, it now gets Black Bowtie emblems,
X-brand decals
, black chrome fuel cap, black tailgate decal with “COLORADO” branding and Black Coated 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/60 profile tyres. The X-Urban gets all the extra bits of the X with the addition of black fender flares and massive
20-inch Black Fuel Rims
 with Rim Cone wrapped in 265/50 profile tyres.
Stepping up to the Big Daddy X-ADV, it further adds a new Sport Bar, black side step, black fender flares, black paint job on the front grille, rear bumper, side mirrors and door handles as well as 16-inch Black Fuel Rims wrapped in 265/75 profile tyres. However, the bulk of the RM35k premium goes to the new Old Man Emu 4×4 Suspension system that increases the Colorado’s ride height, ride comfort and improves load carrying capability.

Elsewhere, the Colorado X-Editions dittos the equipment of the 2.5 LTZ such as halogen reflector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, halogen fog lamps,
seven-speaker Premium Sound System
, multi-functional steering wheel, 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, cruise control, leather upholstery and electrochromic rear-view mirror.
Mechanically, the Colorado X-Editions retains the same 2.5-litre Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel with Variable Geometry Turbo that puts out
180 hp
 and
440 Nm of torque
. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard issue across the board. An electronic 4WD system, which comes as standard for all, allowing the driver to select 2WD or 4WD on the fly.

Standard safety equipment include three airbags (two front, one driver knee), rear view camera, rear sensors, ABS with EBD, Panic/Emergency Brake Assist,
Forward Collision Alert
,
Lane Departure Warning
, front parking sensors, ESC, Traction Control System, Anti-Rolling Protection, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Control and
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
.
For those who have already purchased a Colorado and are drooling over these X-Editions, you don’t have to break the bank and purchase a brand new unit. Naza Quest is working on allowing existing owners to enhance their Colorado with the X-Edition bits at all authorised Chevrolet dealers, but for a small fee, of course. The best part is, owners can select the parts a la carte and mix-and-match to their hearts’ content. Just skip the decals, please.
IMAGE GALLERY
Chevrolet Colorado X

Chevrolet Colorado X-Urban

Chevrolet Colorado X-ADV


The queue for a new Land Cruiser in Japan is officially a four-year wait

After rumours and hearsay by netizens, Toyota has officially confirmed the incredibly long waiting period to get hold of a brand-new
Land Cruiser 300-series
. The latest model is an all-new product, replacing the LC200 that served customers since 2007.
Toyota in Japan has officially notified prospective buyers of the new Land Cruiser that the wait list stretches four years via the product website. The information roughly translated to,” The delivery time for ordering from now on (19 January 2022) may be about 4 years. We will do our utmost to shorten the delivery time of our customers, and we appreciate your understanding.”
Toyota cites incredibly strong demand globally as the main reason for the long customer waiting period. Earlier, it was reported that Toyota dealerships in Japan formally request buyers to sign an
agreement to keep and not sell
 the new Toyota Land Cruiser for at least a year.
Screen capture from :
Toyota.jp/LandCruiser
In the ASEAN region, Indonesia is the first market to sell the new Toyota Land Cruiser, available in the VX-R grade and the
GR Sport
 grade. Both variants are powered by a new
305 hp / 700 Nm
 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel engine that drives all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota Land Cruiser twin-turbo V6 accelerates like a hot-hatch! View the video here!
Built on the new GA-F platform that is designed to be stiffer yet lighter, with the overall weight of the new Land Cruiser some 200 kg lower than its predecessor. Apart from a lighter chassis, advancement in powertrain technologies also means the more compact engine and transmission units are used in the new Land Cruiser.
Both are priced over
IDR2.3 billion
 (approx. RM680k), with the Land Cruiser GR Sport the pricier model. For reference, that is even more expensive than a
BMW X6 xDrive40i M Sport
 and just slightly cheaper than a
Range Rover Velar
.
Being a product that is designed to be in the market for more than ten years, we guess a four-year wait is still manageable, given the facelift styling program is not due yet.


Hondata extracts over 30 hp and 60 Nm from new Civic Turbo with a simple tune!

Launched at the end of April, the introduction of the
 all-new Civic sedan
 was followed by the
all-new hatchback version
 two months later. Honda later also announced that the
all-new Civic Type R
 will arrive in 2022.
Watch Honda’s new sedan race against its rivals the Mazda 3 and the Toyota Corolla here!

Like before, the all-new Civic comes with either a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine or a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine. The turbocharged engine now gets an
additional 6 hp and 20 Nm
, at 180 hp and 240 Nm.
That should be plenty enough for most of us but it seems there’s even more power to be had, and easily too, according to US-based, world renowned aftermarket specialist for all things Honda, Hondata.
Civic Sedan
Civic Hatchback
After a simple reflash of the car’s ECU, the turbocharged sedan easily made an additional
34 hp and 68 Nm
; bringing the new figure to 214 hp and 308 Nm….in a Honda Civic!
That’s even before fitting in an aftermarket exhaust and other upgrades. According to Hondata, there’s more on the table with further tuning!


Drifting the Ford F-150 Raptor around the Nurburgring

Instead of the initial plan to drift his Mustang around the Nurburgring, Vaughn Gittin Jr. decided to make things more interesting by taking the new Ford F-150 Raptor on a hot lap, completely sideways.
The Raptor houses a new 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine kicking out a respectable
450 hp
 with
691 Nm
 of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Locally, Sime Darby Auto Connexion, distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia, has already announced that the
new and tamer Ford Ranger Raptor
 will be
 arriving soon
.
It will also adopt a 10-speed automatic gearbox but is instead combined with a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. Output is said to be in the region of
213 hp
 with
500 Nm
 of torque.


The Hyundai Staria still looks good even as a commercial van

Remember the
Hyundai Staria
? We’re sure you do, because it sure is hard to forget when it looks that cool. Well, Hyundai Australia has just unveiled the significantly toned-down commercial van version of the Staria called the Staria-Load, and good news – it’s still just as good-looking as the regular MPV.
As is standard on commercial cargo vans, the Hyundai Staria-Load is only available with either a white or silver exterior paint job. The side rear windows have all been swapped with solid metal panels; the lights replaced with more rudimentary reflector units, and the wheels are standard steelies. And still, it just looks
cool
.
Read all about the futuristic Hyundai Staria MPV here!
Obviously, the most important aspect of a cargo van is its cargo space. Hyundai says that the Staria-Load’s cargo area is now rated at 4,935 litres, a huge improvement over its predecessor, the iLoad’s 4,426 litres. In simpler terms, the difference is as much as one additional Euro-sized palettes (three vs two).
The Staria-Load also comes equipped with a solid rear axle and leaf spring rear suspension (as opposed to the independent multi-link units on the passenger-spec car), allowing it to carry heavier loads, and the ability to tow up to 2.5 tonnes.
Power comes from a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which churns out
174 hp
 and
430 Nm
of torque – a slight increase over its predecessor. The oil-burning mill is paired to an eight-speed automatic to drive the front wheels.
Hyundai is also pretty generous with the standard equipment on the Staria-Load, with creature-comfort items such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging pads all present on the LCV.
On the safety front, the Staria-Load is also equipped with the Hyundai SafetySense advanced driver-assistance suite as standard, which includes features such as autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert with collision-avoidance, blind-spot monitor, Lane Keep Assist / Lane Following Assist, and even Smart Cruise Control with stop and go functions.
Digi is helping commercial vehicle owners to be safer drivers using telematics. Learn more about it here.
The Hyundai Staria-Load is now available in the Land Down Under in two-seat or five-seat configurations, with the option of a liftback or twin door tailgate. Local prices start at AUD45,740 (approx. RM139k) for the two-seat model, and AUD48,240 (approx. RM147k) for the five-seater.
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Could this be the meanest looking four-wheeler on the planet?

Size does seem to matter – we’re not going any further into it, full stop. Or may it matters for the inflated egos with swollen bank accounts to compensate for a lack of presence elsewhere – we will never know. While the world’s leading manufacturers are scrambling to build the most efficient and frugal of electric-powered cars, we have anomalies like
Rezvani, founded in 2014 by a former fighter jet pilot.
And that’s not exactly a bad thing. While we’re aware that the days of the petrol-powered cars are numbers, it’s interesting to see what where the limits are when it’s bound only by imagination. You have mainstream car manufacturers pushing the limits of EV driving range and autonomy then you have small-volume manufacturers like the Rezvani, with their new military-inspired, UDS 178,000 (
approx. RM 755,343
)
Tank
. Pun unintentionally intended.

Dubbed the
Xtreme Utility Vehicle (XUV)
, not much was mentioned on the Rezvani site aside from the prominent fact that its monstrous 6.4-litre V8 produces
500 hp,
giving the Tank freedom to scale almost any terrain, on or off-road with its 4WD system. It comes with 20-inch wheels that looks ready for a post-apocalyptic landscape, off-road suspension and as you’ve noticed, rather high ground clearance.
The Tank doesn’t only come with powered rear doors, it also opens the same way a Rolls-Royce would – suicide style. While it may look tough and rugged on the outside, you’d find no such crudeness inside the Tank’s luxurious, leather-clad interior.
Also occupying the plush interior is a heads-up display showing speed, navigation, calls, texts, fuel level and speed limits on the road the XUV is on. The Tank, and get this, also comes with a
 Thermal Night Vision System
 that displays heat signatures, alongside its standard night vision system. Fittingly, it also comes with
Ballistic Armour Protection
…surprise surprise.
Aside from the Tank, Rezvani had been responsible for existence of the the
Rezvani X,
Alpha
 and the
Beast,
a supercar aimed at replicating a fighter jet’s driving experience. We all know what happened to the car company that tried to emulate a fighter jet’s experience.
IMAGE GALLERY


Shell doubles down on counterfeit lubricants through enforcement agencies

Counterfeit or illegal lubricants have made significant gains in market share locally due to their lower prices. In 2018, Shell conducted laboratory tests on a random sample of Shell lubricants bought through online channels and local hypermarkets. The lab found that
4 out of 12 bottles
 tested were counterfeits – that is
more than 30%
!
Using these counterfeit lubricants can greatly damage a vehicle’s mechanical package due to the unknown source and quality of content.
Therefore, in an continuous effort to protect consumers as well as the integrity of their brand, Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn. Bhd. has engaged with enforcement agencies to prevent these lubricants from being passed on as genuine products to unsuspecting consumers and workshops.
Recently, Shell conducted a
special training workshop
 with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) and Royal Malaysian Customs.
The workshop saw an attendance of near 100 enforcement officers, where they were taught on how to identify counterfeit lubricants when conducting raids.
Previously, Shell held a
consumer education campaign
 on how to recognise counterfeit Shell lubricants, and the introduction of “Untuk Pasaran Malaysia” branding and QR code genuine checks.
If you think you have inadvertently purchased counterfeit Shell lubricants, you should contact Shell customer service immediately at 1300 88 1808 or through
email
.


Pininfarina Battista sets 6 world records! – 0-100 km/h in 1.86 s; 0-200 km/h in 4.75 s

A new EV record has been set by
Pininfarina Battista
 by setting a
1.86-second
 0-100 km/h acceleration time and a
31-metre
 braking distance from 100-0km/h. The new records were set by Luxury Italian carmaker
Automobili Pininfarina

during the Battista’s debut in UAE.
During its performance demonstration at the Dubai Autodrome, the Pininfarina Battista celebrated the following records:
0-100 km/h in 1.86 seconds
0-200 km/h in 4.75 s seconds
100-0 km/h in 31 metres
482 km (300 miles) range (combined EPA) – a world record for an electric hypercar
In non-metric units, the Battista set:
0-60 mph in 1.79 seconds
0-120 mph in 4.49 seconds
With that, the Luxury Italian carmaker Automobili Pininfarina has a car that is officially faster than the
Rimac Nevera
. The Croatian hypercar accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.97 seconds and 0-300 km/h in 9.3 seconds.
Powering the Pininfarina Battista is a Rimac-sourced quad-motor setup that makes
1,900 hp
 (metric) and
2,340 Nm
. Storing power in the Battista is a 120-kWh battery pack that provides a WLTP range of 476 km, although it helped the Battista set a 482-km (EPA) ‘EV hypercar’ range record. On the Pininfarina website, the Battista is said to have a 0-300 km/h time of less than 12 seconds, which means it might be a little slower than the Rimac Nevera in this speed range.
RELATED:
Rimac Nevera is now the world’s fastest EV – 412 km/h top speed
Celebrating the Battista’s achievements, Automobili Pininfarina Chief Product and Engineering Officer, Paolo Dellacha said, “I am proud that our new electric hyper GT delivers on the promises we made when we set out our development plan. In Battista, we have achieved performance beyond our original, extreme targets.”
“Perfectly optimized weight distribution and low centre of gravity are at the heart of this result. The combination of bespoke chassis and suspension tuning, tyres proven over many thousands of test miles and four-motor torque vectoring delivering unprecedented power enables Battista to be the fastest accelerating road-legal car in the world.”
RELATED:
Rimac says 0-60mph in under 1 second is possible, but pointless
“Battista’s incredible technical package includes a carbon ceramic brake system, helping the Italian hyper GT become the fastest braking electric car in the world. Our discerning clients here in the UAE have been overwhelmed by the Battista driving experience, which is as breath-taking as its award-winning design.”
Also in the fraternity of the Pininfarina Battista and the Rimac Nevera is the
Lotus Evija
 which is currently the “World’s most powerful production car”. With a quad-motor setup, it makes 2,000 hp (metric) and 1,704 Nm and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds.
Pininfarina Battista
Rimac Nevera
Lotus Evija
0-100 km/h
1.86 s
1.97 s
<3 s
0-200 km/h
4.75 s
NA
NA
0-300 km/h
9.3 s
<12 s
<9 s
RELATED:
Lotus is engineering its Evija electric supercar to sound like its former F1 car
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Shell and Porsche announce cross-country 180 kW charging network, six stations in M’sia

Regional offices of Shell and Porsche have announced a partnership to establish a network of high performance charging stations for electric vehicles (EV) that will enable road trips between Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with travelling times comparable to conventional cars.
Shell is planning to have the high-speed charging points at these five Shell stations located along the North-South Expressway (PLUS)-
Seremban
 (two locations),
Tangkak, Simpang Pulai and Tapah
. The completion of three charging points at PLUS’ Rest and Service Areas (R&R) is scheduled for the end of this year, with the latter two in the northern region to be operational by the first half of 2022.
The sixth location will be a Shell station in Jalan Ayer Hitam, Johor and is expected to go on-line by the second half of this year.
All charging points will have a
180 kW
 high-performance direct-current (DC) charger (HPC) with two
CCS Type 2
 connectors, allowing a single vehicle to be charged at up to 180 kW, or two vehicles to charge simultaneously at up to 90 kW each.
The sites will be integrated into the existing Shell charging networks, comprising 18 Shell Recharge 50kW fast charge points at Shell stations and 87 Greenlots public charge points in Singapore, as well as 18 “
Reserve + Shell Recharge
” charge points in Malaysia.
Furthermore, they will complement the established 175 kW high-performance chargers available at all
Porsche Centres
 in Malaysia, as well as the growing “Porsche Destination Charging” network at selected hotels, airports, sports clubs, and other lifestyle venues.
An illustration of a HPC in Europe
“The ASEAN markets hold strong potential for Porsche to unlock and we see an opportunity to shape electric mobility in the region. Our high-performance network across Singapore and Malaysia will serve as a lighthouse project for other countries to follow,” says Matthias Becker, Vice President Region Overseas and Emerging Markets of Porsche AG.
The HPCs are equipped to charge the
Porsche Taycan
 from zero to 80% battery capacity in
around 30 minutes
, providing up to
390 km
 (WLTP test method) of extra travel distance, making it possible to travel from Orchard Road in Singapore to Penang Island with just additional 30 minutes of travel time compared to a vehicle with a petrol engine.
Shell is also offering additional benefits to Porsche customers such as reserving the HPC points in Malaysia in advance using their smartphone app, special rates on the charging service plus preferential prices for food and beverages at the Shell Select shops while you wait for your Taycan to be charged.
Unfortunately, these CCS chargers are
not compatible
 with the
Nissan Leaf
, as the DC charging connector in the Leaf is CHAdeMO standard that is favoured by Japanese automakers.
The CCS connector, the default connection for European EVs
The CHAdeMO connector (left) in the Japanese Nissan Leaf
“Customers are at the heart of everything we do. We have been investing in building EV charging infrastructure to reduce range anxiety for our customers and this initiative is one of many examples of Shell providing solutions catered to our customers’ need for cleaner energy solutions.
“In 2019, we introduced EV charging in Singapore and in 2020, we introduced
solar-powered
 retail stations in Malaysia. Now EV customers across the borders can experience Shell Recharge, and also recharge themselves with drinks and snacks at our Shell Select shops,” said Shell Cluster Managing Director, Mobility Malaysia and Singapore, Mr Shairan Huzani Husain.
In a piece of related
news
, Porsche’s increased investment into the ASEAN region is said to be taking a huge step forward, as Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry minister gave very specific values of a foreign company that will be setting up an
assembly plant
, all pointing to Porsche.


Here’s your first look at the upcoming RS3, courtesy of Audi’s sustainability report

These days, nothing escapes the internet any more. I’m sure you’ve seen the plethora of leaks, sometimes even years before the actual scheduled launch. That is why carmakers are now trying to take control of the narrative, coming out with all sorts of different methods to outrun the spy photographers – by
publishing their own “leaks”
, or cameo appearances in totally unrelated scenarios.
In Audi’s case, the German carmaker has taken to its annual sustainability report to “leak” the upcoming RS3 hot hatchback and sedan. Well, we say “leak”, but it’s more akin to a preview, since it’s plastered right front and centre in the report’s headline photo.
Both the RS3 hatchback and sedan shown here are wrapped in promotional camouflage, but looks to be pretty much production-ready, judging by the lack of any paddings (to hide details) or blacked-out window tints.
As expected, the upcoming Audi RS3 turns the visual aggression knob one notch higher than the already warm S3. You don’t need to look any further from just the front to know that it’s all serious business, thanks to the enlarged air intakes and even wider wheel arches (with new cooling vents behind the front wheels).
At the back, the bumpers also get a more aggressive design featuring a full-width trim piece and more aggressive diffuser element, and of course, housing the signature oval-shaped dual exhaust tips. A new set of larger (19-inch, we’re guessing) Y-spoke alloy wheels fills the arches, hiding the Audi Sport-branded performance brakes.
The “leak” did not mention any mechanical specifications of the upcoming RS3, but the ‘1-2-4-5-3’ branding on the side of both cars is a clear reference to the cylinder firing order of
Audi’s unique 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine
, the same one used in the
outgoing RS3
, thus all but confirming the engine in the new model.
The same engine is also used in the
Audi RS Q3
 and
TT RS
, which in all three instances, make
400 hp
and
480 Nm
 of torque, and paired to a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission. There are no indications if we’ll see a power bump on the RS3, but even with the same output figure, the RS3 is already pretty much at the top of the hot hatch performance leaderboard, second only to the
all-new Mercedes-AMG A 45 S
.
While the carmaker basically makes no mention of the Audi RS3 throughout the entire press release, they did speak on the future of the Audi Sport and RS brand; it’s a sustainability report after all. Most notably, Audi Sport Managing Director Sebastian Grams confirmed that future RS models will adopt electrified powertrains moving forwards, in ther form of high-performance PHEVs and EVs.
Audi Sport’s sales and marketing boss, Rolf Michl, added: “We expect to offer more than half of our high-performance models in partially or fully electrified form as early as 2024. And by 2026, this figure will likely even be as high as 80 percent.
“By the end of the decade, we plan to only offer electrified models in the high-performance segment – in other words all-electric vehicles and high-performance plug-in hybrids.”
In other words, the upcoming Audi RS3 might well be the last of the non-electrified Audi performance model, featuring the brand’s inline-five engine. So for those “purists” (or the more stubborn bunch), you know what to do.
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This luxury condo in Miami features a Pagani Zonda R as a partition!

The rich and famous, the high and mighty are always more eccentric than us commoners, with the tendency to do things very differently. How they dress, their interests and habits even, always seem to come off as a little odd and quirky to us.
Maybe that’s why they’ve been able to attain such fortunes – by being different and challenging conventions – or they could just be two-bit white-collar thieves that steal from society to enrich their own lives, who knows.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by FINISH MY CONDO (@finishmycondo)
Among all the weird tendencies we’ve come across, like owning a pet tiger or never wearing the same underwear twice, this one takes the cake (in the automotive sense) for the most bizarre ever.
The undisclosed owner of an 8 million US dollar condo in Miami just used his 1.5 million US dollar Pagani Zonda R, one of only 15 ever built, as a partition for his living room! Call it sacrilegious, call it protective or even an ego boost – this is by far the maddest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do with a car.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by FINISH MY CONDO (@finishmycondo)
The Zonda R was once the fastest non-road-legal hypercar to lap the
Nurburgring
 with a time of 6:47.50 before it was recently
eclipsed by the de-restricted Porsche 919 Hybrid EVO Le Mans race car
.
With a 6.0-litre V12 Mercedes-AMG engine that pumps out
 750 hp
 and
710 Nm
 of torque, it propels the 1,070 kg hypercar from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.7 seconds before hitting its top speed in excess of 350 km/h.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by FINISH MY CONDO (@finishmycondo)
This makes those millionaires in Singapore with their supercars elevated and parked in their high-rise condos look like elementary children playing in mud by comparison.
Apparently, it was a nightmare getting the car into the 4,200 square-feet beachfront unit. The renovators had to use a crane to hoist the car up in the air and into the luxury condo via the balcony.
Imagine what it’s like to dangle a 1.5 million US dollar piece of automotive marvel several stories in the air! Once inside, it was rotated sideways and supported by a stand made of custom aluminium and carbon fibre.


Toyota dominates Sepang 1000KM with 1-2 finish, three cars in top five

Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia bagged a historic 1-2 victory in the prestigious
Sepang 1000KM (S1K) endurance race
, with a dominant performance across the entire weekend. In what is only its second year participating in the race as a factory team, three Toyota entries finished top five in the overall classifications as well as the top-flight Malaysian Touring Car (MTC) Class, after a gruelling nine-hour, 181 laps race.
Out of a total of 77 entries, the Toyota Vios #37, driven by Gazoo Racing Malaysia ambassador Tengku Djan Ley and reigning
Vios Challenge
 Sporting Class champion Naquib Azlan, crossed the finish line 6.2 seconds ahead of their nearest rival, Wing Hin Motorsport’s #39 Yaris piloted by Hayden Haikal and Jwan Hii.
Coming in third place was Hi Rev Dream Chaser’s Mitchell Cheah and Brendan Paul Anthony, piloting the #100 Suzuki Swift, while in fourth position was the #38 Wing Hin Motorsports Yaris driven by Boy Wong and Dannies Ng. R Engineering HMRT’s Honda City, Driven by Lee Wee Sing and Leon Khoo Beng Koon, rounds up the top five.
“2021 was all about learning and gaining track time to develop both the Vios and Yaris to take on the prestigious 1000KM challenge. We had an extensive program in place as well as competitive cars, and we went on to win the race but we had to accept a penalty which classified us third in the MTC Class,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.
“Going on to win the race this year and doing it in the manner where we not only led from start to finish but had three cars in the top five positions overall more than makes up for that setback.”
Ravindran added that the Vios has now firmly established itself as a competitive model on the track, but more importantly, the brand’s involvement in Malaysian motorsports has also contributed to helping uncover and groom many new young driving talents.
Most notably, Naquib Azlan who started his career as a sim racer, went through the Toyota Gazoo Malaysia’s
 Young Talent Development Programme
 to transition into saloon car racing. He
won the Toyota Vios Challenge Rookie Class in 2021
 and moved on to win the overall Sporting Class this year
. Now, he’s clinched the S1K title on his very first try.
RELATED:
Toyota GR Festival Season 5 concludes with nailbiting finale – record-high 3.1 million online viewers!
“I’ve done so many endurance races on simulator, but this was the first time I’ve started an endurance race in real life. I’m happy to say there weren’t too many butterflies and I managed to calm my nerves,” said Naquib.
“It was unfortunate that someone clipped my rear bumper in the first corner and we lost some time after being flagged in to come in for repairs. All in all, it was a great race. We wanted to make sure we had a clean race and that everything went according to plan.”
Eight drivers in the top five finishers of the Sepang 1000KM this year were also regular participants of the Vios Challenge series.
As for the Standard Production (SP2) Class entry, Toyota GR Malaysia’s entry led by a trio of young drivers consisting of the 2022 Vios Challenge Rookie champion Nabil Azlan, Muizzudin Musyaffa, and Muhammad Hamdany, finished 11th in their first ever S1K race. They originally qualified on pole position, but dropped back due to a troubled start.
This year’s S1K also saw the second running of the Gazoo Racing Vios Enduro Cup Class, with 14 entries racing exclusively with the Toyota Vios Challenge cars. The father and son team of Al Farouk and Abdul Miqail driving for 23 Motors stormed to victory, ahead of teammates Ady Rahimy and Amir Husin Mubarak, while in third place was Carroof Motorsport’s quartet of Mirza Syahmi Mahzan, Aiman Haziq, Khair Nur Adi, and Khair Nur Adli.
The victory earned Al Farouk and Abdul Miqail RM10,000 in prize money, while the second and third place finishers bagged RM8,000 and RM6,000 respectively. The GAZOO Racing Vios Enduro Cup offered a total of RM30,000 in prize monies with the fourth and fifth place winners also taking home RM4,000 and RM2,000 respectively.
ALSO READ:
Muhammad Iqbal Suji crowned 2022 Toyota GR Velocity champion, top 3 to attend regional finals!
GALLERY


Review: 2015 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, redefining unconventional

Other than their wacky concept cars, not many vehicles that wear a Hyundai badge can garner so much attention from the public due to its bizarre appearance. The previous Hyundai Coupe RD came close, but this latest oddity from Hyundai called the “Veloster” takes it to another level. Hyundai wants us to refer it as a coupe, but the Hyundai Veloster is probably what you will get when you crossbreed a coupe and a hatchback.
It has all the sleek low roofline of a coupe but at the same time it provides some of the practicalities of a hatchback from that rear hatch and an additional rear door. Yes, we did mention an additional rear door because it’s only available on one side. Why not on both sides we’re not quite sure, but it sure does make the Veloster stand out from the rest. Compared to its more sedated siblings such as the
Santa Fe
, the
Sonata
, or even the
new Tucson
, the Veloster is that child who wears his underwear on his head just because he could.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Engine
1,591cc; inline-4 turbo
Transmission
7-speed dual clutch
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
265 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM154,437.49 (with GST)
We can confirm that the Veloster name wasn’t derived from “velour lobster”, apparently it was conceived by combining the words “velocity” and “roadster”. The Veloster is a totally new model in Hyundai’s lineup which picks up the legacy from the Hyundai Coupe GK that was discontinued a few years back. It started life as a concept car in 2007 before entering production in 2011, and finally reaching Malaysian soil in late 2012.
Fitted with a
1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol
 engine, the base Veloster can be yours for RM139k. However, the car you see here is the
Veloster Turbo
 and it costs
RM154k
, because Hyundai has bolted on a turbocharger and swapped the six-speed auto with a
seven-speed dual clutch transmission
. That
RM15k difference
 buys you a more pumped-up styling and grants you an additional 50 hp and 100 Nm over the “base” Veloster, giving you a total of
184 hp
 and
265 Nm
.

Sounds like quite a potent combo indeed, but does it drive as intriguing as it looks? Let’s find out.
EXTERIOR
We won’t call the Veloster pretty but it’s definitely eye catching, more so when it’s lacquered in bright sunflower shade like on our test car here. Still under the
Fluidic Sculpture 2.0
 design philosophy, although the interpretation differs from the rest of its siblings, the end result is some sort of a mechanical insectoid shape that never fails to spark curiosity to those nearby.

Like the “regular” Veloster, the Veloster Turbo shares the coupe-ish silhouette with the shallow side windows and a sloping roof that ends to an almost horizontal rear hatch, but there are a few things that set the Turbo apart from the regular variant. The nose is immediately different with the huge single frame grille, but other differences are somewhat subtle.
The foglamps front and rear are now round in shape, as are the
dual central-exit tailpipes
, while the bumpers are more aggressive and the Veloster Turbo comes dressed with side skirts. It wears a different set of alloys, which means it loses out the colour-coded spokes on the rims, but the wheels still measure 18 inches in diameter, wrapped in
225/40 R18 tyres
.

It goes without saying that the Veloster’s USP is its
asymmetrical doors
. Recent example can be seen on the R55 MINI Clubman, where the third door is rear-hinged on the right-hand side of the car, but MINI’s configuration only favours the left-hand drive markets because the third door is conveniently built on the passenger side. The third door on the Veloster is just like any other regular door, but Hyundai one-upped the MINI by reversing the layout depending on where the steering wheel is, so the third door will always remain on the passenger side. MINI has then since fitted regular doors on their latest
F54 Clubman
.
INTERIOR
The interior is visually pleasing, particularly the center panel on the dashboard where you will find the controls to almost everything inside and a
7-inch touchscreen
 display. Although there’s no navigation included, the infotainment system covers the basic stuff such as Bluetooth connectivity and external media input, and it’s hooked up to the Mobis premium sound system with a subwoofer in the boot.

Hyundai has put some nice touches to uplift the sporty vibe on the inside, and this begins with the
stainless steel pedals
 and thick bolsters on the front seats, although we do think that the instrument cluster could be more interesting. It looks too plain here but the graphics used are crisp and clear. Leather-wrapped steering wheel with
shift paddles
 is standard along with
leather seats
, and the driver gets a semi-powered seat that reclines manually.
The rear seats can accommodate a couple of full-grown adults and there’s just about enough leg room, but the seats are best treated as temporary perches for your passengers because headroom is really tight back there. The third door does add a smidge of convenience to get into the back, but getting to the seat behind the driver requires your passenger to do a little crab dance over the cupholders in the middle seat base.

While the rear space is slightly compromised, the Veloster is far from impractical. There are
ISOFIX mounts
 behind the seatbacks, and they split 60/40 and fold to increase the
320 litres
 boot space. Elsewhere there are “his and hers”
12v outlets
 at the base of the dashboard, a two-tiered storage space under the front center armrest, a well-sized glovebox and a cupholder for all four occupants on board. They are also protected by
six airbags
.
The tilting and sliding
glass roof
 helps to create a more airy interior, although the view out from the driver’s seat isn’t really generous. The first thing you’ll notice is the poor over-the-shoulder view out when reversing, but that’s where the
reverse camera
 come into play.
PERFORMANCE
The
1.6-litre four-cylinder
 lump under the bonnet of the regular Veloster serves up 130 hp and 158 Nm of torque. Fitted with a turbocharger, it bumps the figures to
184 hp
 and
265 Nm
 respectively. In some markets, there’s a more potent version of the same engine, increasing the pony count to 201 hp.
The six-speed torque-converter auto ‘box on the regular Veloster has also been replaced by a
 seven-speed dual clutch transmission
 (DCT) developed in-house by Hyundai, while power is sent to the front wheels. Hyundai claims that the Veloster sprints from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
8.0 seconds flat
before maxing out at a
top speed
 of
214 km/h
. Apart from the
S mode
 on the transmission, there’s no Sports mode to play with but there’s an
active ECO mode
 to lower fuel consumption.
THE DRIVE
With the striking looks and the fancy tech under its bonnet, we were expecting the Veloster Turbo to be the car that will finally put Hyundai’s name within the big league of manufacturers who produce entertaining cars. Initial impressions weren’t great, in town the DCT takes awhile to react and will make anyone look daft when exiting a junction. It gets worse on slopes, because the absence of hill-hold assist means you have to play with the throttle balancing to prevent the car from sliding backwards.
Once on the move it didn’t get any better. The DCT seems to be confused on which gear it should be in, and when it does it’s always a gear too high. If you think you can take matters into your own hands by overriding it with the shift paddles, you’d be wrong. The input given from the paddles was lost in translation because the gear you want is delivered to you a few moments after you flick the paddle. Talking to the gearbox in Korean didn’t help to quicken things up either, trust me I tried.
Hyundai fans by now would expect that this writer will say something good about the engine as its saving grace; unfortunately it is not. Like riding a horse that’s been stuffed with cotton balls up his nostrils, getting it up to speed is a torture, and you’ll feel bad for asking it to do so.
The lag from standstill doesn’t go away until peak torque arrives from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm, and then you reach a twilight zone where the revs climb and nothing happens until the power arrives at 5,500 rpm. Keeping the engine in the power band is almost a black art, but for most of the time we suggest you to keep it between 2,000 to 4,000 rpm for good progress.
The car is capable of doing big numbers on its speedo, but once you get there you wouldn’t want anyone to spoil your tempo because getting back to the previous speed is a huge effort. Forget about overtaking too, because that requires a meticulous planning which might involve some paperwork. Floor the loud pedal and the car will literally do that, increasing the engine noise without any substantial gain of the numbers on the speedo, a sensation familiar to that of a CVT gearbox.
Ride quality is acceptable on those low profile 18-inch tyres, and while the powertrain doesn’t appreciate being hustled, handling is adequate but it won’t inspire you on the twisty B-roads. Loads of grip are provided by the excellent
Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2
 rubbers, but mid corner bumps will unsettle the rear end so the tail can feel twitchy sometimes. You could alter the steering’s behaviour by toggling between three modes offered on the
Flex Steer system
 but it still feels numb most of the time. I took it to the short and sweet Bukit Tinggi route and he just wanted it to end as soon as possible.
Eventually, we gave up treating it as a hot hatch because it simply isn’t one, not even lukewarm. We figured it’ll be better off doing what its owners are presumed to do, which is to cruise around town to been seen by others. It works like a charm, and the sunflower hue amplifies its magnetic charge of attraction. In fact, the attention it got was borderline embarrassing, although we reckon this is how it feels like driving a Lambo, without the power to escape the attention, of course.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If you’re looking for a hot hatch that can will entertain you on your weekly
touge
 with your mates, you need to look elsewhere. The Veloster Turbo may have the ingredients to create a cracking little car but the execution falls short to make it a proper contender to some of the more established brands. However, if you like your car to
 stand out from the rest
, the Veloster fits your bill. While you’re at it, you may be inclined to go all the way and spend another RM4k on the
Sport package
, which will add some orangey bits on the interior and some chequered decals on the exterior, if that tickles your fancy.
COMPARISONS
We’re comparing the Veloster to its closest cousin, the
Kia Koup
. Both share almost the same mechanical gubbins underneath, particularly the
1.6-litre turbo four
, but the Koup gets the
higher-tuned version
 of the engine. Unlike the Veloster, the Koup’s turbocharged engine is mated to a
six speed torque converter auto
 and yet, it gets from 0 to 100 km/h
quicker
 and has a
higher top speed
 than the Veloster.
The Koup is
slightly bigger
 and offers more space inside too, but even though the Koup is a handsome coupe, we don’t think it will be able to match the Veloster for street cred. We haven’t sampled the Koup at press time, but based on the specs sheet it appears to have the upper hand over the Veloster.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Kia Koup 1.6 T-GDI
ENGINE
Type
inline-4, turbo, DOHC
inline-4, turbo, DOHC
Displacement
cc
1,591cc
1,591cc
Max Power
hp/rpm
184/5,500
201/6,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
265/1,500-4,500
265/1,750-4,000
STEERING
Type
Electronic Power Steering
Electronic Power Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
7-speed DCT
6-speed automatic
SUSPENSION
Front
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut
Rear
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear
Solid Disc
Solid Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyre
225/40 R18
225/40 R18
Wheels
18-inch Alloy
18-inch Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
4,250mm
4,530mm
Overall Width
mm
1,805mm
1,780mm
Overall Height
mm
1,405mm
1,410mm
Wheelbase
mm
2,650mm
2,700mm
Max Kerb Weight
kg
1,360 kg
1,364 kg
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
Litres
320 litres
433 litres
FUEL
Tank Capacity
Litres
50 litres
50 litres
Consumption
litres per 100km
7.1 litres
7.7 litres
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
214 km/h
222 km/h
0 to 100 km/h
sec
8.0
7.4
Price
RM
RM158,988.00 (including insurance)
RM135,888.00 (including insurance)
WILL I BUY IT?
I personally wanted to like the Veloster Turbo. During the reveal, it appeared as though the Veloster Turbo could finally change my perception on Hyundai and their ability to make an
enjoyable driver’s car
, but the end result is not what I hoped for to say the least. If anyone tells you that the Veloster Turbo can run rings around the likes of the
Ford Fiesta ST
 or the
Peugeot 208 GTi
, do console them and offer some sympathy. The future’s not bleak though for Hyundai, for they have just setup a performance-oriented
N division
 and it’s headed by the former VP of BMW M. Hopefully their future N cars will deliver more excitement other than just looks.
IMAGE GALLERY


Hennessey Performance VelociRaptor 6×6 unveiled at SEMA, 50 units only!

Hennessey Performance (HPE) just unveiled its latest weapon, the VelociRaptor 6×6 today at the 2017 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Only 50 of these Brabus 6×6 rivalling six-wheel off-road vehicle will be made, making it one of the most exclusive pick-up truck money can buy.
Based on the Ford Raptor F150, HPE has added 6×6 locking rear axles, upgraded suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels paired to Toyo off-road tyres, new front and rear bumpers, roll bar and LED lights. The tuning company also has a VelociRaptor 600 twin-turbo engine upgrade that bumps the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 to over
600 hp
.

For those who went for the massive power upgrade, it would also be a good idea to beef up the brakes with the optional Brembo brake system for a cool US$22,000 (RM93k). The whole kit, including the Brembo brake kit will set you back at US$371,000 (RM1.56 million).
Founder & CEO of Hennessey Performance, John Hennessey said, “The VelociRaptor 6X6 is the ultimate off-road vehicle”. “Our VelociRaptor 6X6 is pure aggression on wheels – all six of them” he added.
IMAGE GALLERY


Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin died within 60 seconds after his Jeep crushed him

The past weekend saw the tragic death of Hollywood actor, Anton Yelchin, who was reportedly crushed when his SUV rolled backwards, pinning him against his brick mailbox pillar just outside his residence in Studio City, California. The SUV, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, is one of three models being recalled by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) due to a known e-shifter issue.
The e-shifter used in the
Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300
 and the 2014-15
Jeep Grand Cherokee
 models was not giving drivers an accurate indication of being shifted into P, hence causing the cars to roll away unexpectedly. A total of 41 injury cases linked to this fault have been reported, but Yelchin’s death is the first of its kind.
Anton Yelchin, 1989 – 2016
Investigators ruled out mechanical failure and an autopsy proved that Yelchin was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the fatal incident occurred. The actor’s cause of death was due to blunt force asphyxiation, and succumbed to it in under 60 seconds. In light of this, FCA will, in their latest recall exercise, update all affected car’s software that will prevent them from rolling away under certain circumstances, including when the driver fails to select Park.
The 27-year old actor is set to make a posthumous appearance as Pavel Chekov in the upcoming movie – Star Trek Beyond, in July. Meanwhile, FCA is conducting a full investigation into the incident.
The
Jeep brand made its return to Malaysia in 2014
 and its cars are distributed exclusively by DRB-Hicom. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is sold at RM448,889.


Win RM70k worth of prizes by participating in the new Michelin Virtual Racing Series!

Sim racing
 has shot up in popularity recently, ever since the stay-at-home orders came into effect globally last year – heck, it’s
even an Olympic sport now
! If you’ve been keeping up with the proper SOPs, chances are you’re probably a pretty good racer by now – so why not show off your skills in the new Michelin Virtual Racing Series?
The new sim racing series by Michelin Malaysia will run from now until mid-July, starting off with a time trial event until 11:59 pm on June 27. From there, the top-94 participants with the fastest times will move on to verification time trials, and after that onward to the knockout rounds split into Advanced and Expert classes. Grand Finals will be held on the 18th of July.
The Michelin Virtual Racing Series is open to all residents of Malaysia, and the best part is that you don’t even need to win to receive prizes! The first 1,000 participants to successfully register will each receive one Michelin exclusive merchandise, and if you make it to the top 24 in each category, you’ll also take home a full set of merchandises.
Those placed from fourth to 12th in either categories will also be walking away with a set of Michelin passenger car tyres of up to 16-inches in diameter, but it’s the top three places (obviously) that get the most goodies – a set of tyres of any diameter, a Michelin office chair, and cash prizes of
RM500
,
RM1,500
, and
RM3,000
 for third, second, and first place respectively.
Additionally, there’s also a Best Livery Challenge, where the winner will take home a set of Michelin tyres (up to 16 inches), alongside Michelin merchandises!
Michelin has a strong presence globally in the sim racing scene, but the Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 is actually the brand’s first endeavour into the local e-sports industry here in Malaysia, as part of its new Motion for Life brand direction celebrating all-inclusive mobility.
Michelin Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Managing Director, Oliver Biggart said, “As an active supporter of the e-sports and e-gaming industry on a global level, we are proud to channel our support locally as well, with the first-ever Michelin Virtual Racing Series in Malaysia.
“In Motion for Life, Michelin recognises that a key area of what makes life special revolves around social interaction with other human beings; and in light of the pandemic, we are continuously finding ways around physical interaction to still bring people together to continue fostering connection, even on a virtual platform,” added Biggart.
The Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 will run on the Gran Turismo Sport game on the Sony PlayStation 4, and is officially sanctioned by the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM). For more information or to register for the e-Racing series, head on over to Michelin’s website, linked
here
.


Final Lotus Elise delivered to Elisa Artioli, the person that gave it its name

If you somehow haven’t heard yet, Lotus is
discontinuing the Elise and Exige
 to make way for a new generation of sports cars. But not all endings have to be bitter; in fact, it was pretty much the complete opposite in this case, because the final Elise that just rolled off the factory floor in Hethel last week has been delivered to a very special person: Elisa Artioli, the Elise’s namesake. A perfect full circle.
Image:
Lotus Cars/Twitter
Elisa’s grandfather, Romano Artioli, was the Chairman of Lotus and Bugatti from 1993 to 1996. And when it was time to name the sportscar that would ultimately change the marque’s fortune, Artioli looked to his granddaughter. It was an obvious choice for him: he loves both dearly, and her name too begins with the letter ‘E’ – a perfect match for Lotus’ eccentric naming structure.
Come 1995, when the Lotus Elise was unveiled for the first time ever at the Frankfurt Motor Show, little Elisa – who at that time was just two and a half years old – even helped with the car’s presentation!
Image:
Elisa Artioli/Facebook
Her new Elise is a
 Sport 240 Final Edition
, which she has named Sunshine after its championship Gold paint. The 240 in the name stands for 240 bhp (243 hp), supplied by the Toyota 2ZR-FE 1.8 litre supercharged inline-four cylinder engine. Specs wise, Elisa’s Sunshine comes decked out in blacked-out trims both inside and out, alongside anthracite wheels and red brake calipers.
Aside from the new Final Edition, Elisa also has a Series 1 Elise that was gifted to her by her grandfather when she was just four years old – more than a decade before she can even (legally) drive it! Elisa still drives the silver-coloured S1 almost daily as part of her motoring life, which she documents on her
Instagram account
 and
YouTube channel
, which also features interviews with her grandparents.
Twenty-seven years and 35,142 units later, the Elise’s saga has now come to a close, but Lotus’ new era is just about to begin, starting with the
 Emira
– the Elise’s direct replacement and Lotus’ last pure internal combustion sports car – and to be followed by the
Evija
, kick-starting the marque’s
electrification future
.
Sending off the iconic sports car, Elisa penned an emotional letter which ended with this tearjerker: “Dear Elise, I accompanied you from start to finish, just as you will with my life.”
Closer to home, the Lotus Elise and Exige’s Final Edition models are still available for sale via Lotus Car’s distributor here in Malaysia,
Lotus Karz
. Although, as the name suggests, very limited units are available.


Alfa Romeo releases limited Giulia and Stelvio ‘GT Junior’ edition in Japan

Alfa Romeo has introduced two special edition models in Japan, the Giulia and Stelvio ‘GT Junior’ Editions, based on the Alfa Romeo GT1300 from 1965.
99 units of the Giulia and 40 units of the Stelvio SUV will be available exclusively in Japan at 6.8 million yen (approx. RM246k) and 7.9 million yen (approx RM286k) respectively. Both editions are based on the Veloce variant.
This means both the Giulia and Stelvio ‘GT Junior’ editions are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with
280 hp
 and
400 Nm
. The only difference is that the Giulia is rear-wheel drive while the Stelvio channels power to all four wheels.
To mimic the car from 1965, the new Giulia and Stelvio ‘GT Junior’ editions were finished with the “Reaper Ocher” exterior colour. According to Alfa Romeo, it’s a modern interpretation of the colour used by the original GT1300 Junior. The GT1300 Junior was so popular for its stylish design and sporty character that Alfa Romeo sold over 100,000 of them.
Matching the striking exterior finished are new 19-inch wheels for the Giulia and 21-inches for the Stelvio, paired with black brake calipers. For a more sinister appearance, the front grille, side mirror covers, and exhaust tips are also finished in black.
The sinister theme continues inside with a full black leather interior and a sports steering with paddle shifters, a Harman Kardon sound system, 8.8-inch touchscreen display, and brushed aluminium trims.
GALLERY


Honda Malaysia unveils new API SP Grade engine oil range

Honda Malaysia
 has introduced its latest range of engine oil for its vehicles, called the SP Grade, in line with the latest American Petroleum Institute (API) SP oil standards.
The new SP Grade engine oils will replace the existing SN Grade range, except for the SN 0W-30 fully-synthetic oil, which will still be available for high-performance models such as the
Honda Civic Type R
.
Honda Malaysia says the new SP Grade engine oils have been formulated in accordance to the requirements of their own engines, and is approved and recommended by Honda Research & Development.
Among the key upgrades to the SP Grade engine oil range is its enhanced protection against low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI), an abnormal combustion phenomenon which can cause significant damage to the engine, as well as timing chain wear protection to minimise chain elongation.
ALSO READ: Honda Malaysia introduces new City variant with Honda Sensing – “V-SENSING”
In addition to improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons and turbochargers, the SP Grade engine oils also provide better sludge and varnish control, valve train and intake lifter wear protection, higher oxidation stability, as well as emission control system protection.
The new SP Grade engine oil range, which consists of 10W-30 (mineral), 5W-30 (semi-synthetic) and 0W-20 (fully-synthetic) SAE viscosity grades, is now available at all 102 Honda authorised dealerships nationwide.


The Nissan Family Cookbook is the most weirdly wonderful thing that Covid-19 brought us

For all the calamities that the
Covid-19 pandemic
 brought us, there were also many wonderful gems, thanks to the communities and companies that have stepped up to make the world just a little brighter. Throughout the pandemic where people were mostly staying at home at different capacities, we’ve seen car companies create
colouring books
 and even
paper models
, but the new Nissan Family Cookbook might be the most wholesome one that we’ve seen so far.
The Nissan Family Cookbook is made by Nissan’s U.S. manufacturing team, created with hopes of helping people feel connected to one another, and breaking up the pandemic-induced monotony this holiday season. It features 140 recipes – from appetizers and soups to main dishes and desserts – all curated from the team members’ personal family vaults.
“While our team is best known for assembling some of the highest-quality vehicles for consumers, they are also quite crafty in the kitchen,” said Nissan North America, Senior VP of manufacturing, supply chain, and purchasing, Steve Marsh. “The kitchen is typically the centre of holiday activity. It’s where everybody wants to be, and there’s no reason why this can’t continue, even during these unprecedented times.”
Many of these recipes carry special meaning to the team members, too. For instance, Christy Boisseau’s ‘Boss Hogg’s Tennessee Swamp Cabbage’ is a tribute to her dad, who has retired from the Smyrna Assembly Plant a few years ago – where Christy currently works at. “His recipe is well-known, and I’m happy to keep the family tradition going by sharing it with our Nissan family and neighbours.”
Bill Thompson of the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant contributed his recipe for ‘Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast’ in the family cookbook. “I have a son with special needs that loves to help me cook. He loves bacon and chicken so much that we had to put it together,” said Thompson.
The Nissan Family Cookbook is the company’s gift to the community for this extraordinary holiday season, and it’s available to download
here
.


Kia Seltos looks very promising, but it doesn’t come with ADAS

Kia has just revealed its
new global B-Segment SUV model, the Kia Seltos at a press event in Delhi, India.
The Seltos is aimed at youthful and tech-savvy buyers who are looking for the
total package in design, technology, practicality and safety.
On the outside, the Seltos has a tall and commanding presence thanks to the large Tiger Nose grille, intricate LED headlamps and chunky lower front section. The LED taillamps, red brake calipers and sharp lower rear apron add a touch of sportiness to the SUV. Wheel options include 16-, 17- or 18-inch premium crystal cut alloys.
The cabin, although not pictured, is furnished with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, sunroof, 8.0-inch Heads-up Display, 8-speaker Bose surround sound system, 3D-patterned surface on the door panels as well as a Sound Mood Lighting system (8 colours, 6 themes) that pulses to the beat of the music playing. Sounds like something the youngsters would like, eh?
Powertrain options are straight forward on the Seltos with a 1.6-litre turbocharged T-GDI petrol with
177 hp
, 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol with
149 hp
 and a 1.6-litre turbodiesel with
136 hp
. All engines are of a four-cylinder layout and are paired to either a 7-speed dual-clutch, 6-speed automatic and Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
On the safety front there
are all the basic electronics with six airbags, Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-Start
Assist Control, front and rear parking sensors. However, the Seltos doesn’t come
with Advanced Driver Assistance systems to keep the pricing low in developing
markets.
The new Kia Seltos will be produced in Kia’s production facilities in Andhra Pradesh, India and Gwangju, Korea with market sales due from the second half of 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY
Kia Seltos Global Debut


2016 Toyota Hilux to arrive in Malaysia really soon, may cost from RM93k

We brought you news in February that UMW Toyota will be launching
three key products in the second and third quarters this year
, and they are the Toyota Hilux, Alphard and Vellfire. We are however, closer to the official debut of the
all-new Hilux
, so here’s a preview of the top-of-the-line 2.8G variant we saw at the Bangkok Motor Show.
The eight-generation workhorse has been on sale in Thailand since June 2015 and is available in many trims, beginning from a single cab 2.4 4×2 manual and twin cab 2.4 4×2 manual; 2.4 Standard 4×4 manual, 2.4G 4×4 manual and 2.4G 4×4 auto models. Indicative prices (not confirmed) are said to range between RM93k to RM135k, which could spell bad news for some.

We’ve also
highlighted on the advanced new engines
 powering this Hilux, but here’s a recap, just in case. At launch, two engines will be offered – a 2.4-litre or 2.8-litre diesel engines, both inline-fours and turbocharged. The former makes
148 hp
 at 3,400 rpm and
 330 Nm
 of torque from 1,600 to 2,000 rpm, whereas the larger motor produces
174 hp
 at 3,400 rpm and
 450 Nm
 of torque from 1,600 to 2,400 rpm.
The 2.8G 4×4 Auto here comes with all the bells and whistles, but can they justify the RM135k asking price? We’ll break them down for you. Features offered on the range topper here include
LED projector headlights
, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels (Malaysian-spec will differ in design, and they look sportier), leather-wrapped steering wheel,
eight-way powered driver seats
, leather upholstered seats and a touchscreen head unit.

However, Malaysian-bound Hiluxes will not receive automatic air conditioning system, bold front bumpers and plastic body claddings on the outside. The beige leather upholstery you see here will also be omitted from our market, but hey, at least we get the cool Optitron instrument cluster, right? To add salt to injury, only the 2.4G and 2.8G (auto variants only) will come with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Active Traction Control and Hill-Start Assist Control.
With everyone else putting in their best foot in the pickup segment, it’s crucial for the Hilux to bring the right ingredients to the table. Stay tuned for more updates!
IMAGE GALLERY
2016 Toyota Hilux 2.8G Auto & 2.4 Single Cab


Peugeot 2008 facelift gets minor updates, arriving here in Q1 2017

Peugeot’s B-Segment crossover, the
2008 was just given a midlife refresh
 earlier this year, and within the span of a few short months, the French carmaker has already shifted close to 100,000 units worldwide.
Originally introduced here in Malaysia in January 2014, Peugeot had a hard time swaying customers over from the usual suspects (Honda City, Toyota Vios, etc), and sales of the 2008 took a back seat. It wasn’t the only B-Segment crossover to take the hit, because the pain was equally shared and felt by rival
Ford EcoSport
.
However, things in Europe seem far more different than the 2008’s fate in our region. Since its launch,
over 500,000 units
 of the crossover have been sold, with at least 40,000 of them being in the UK alone. A quick word with Peugeot Malaysia revealed that the facelifted Peugeot 2008 is scheduled for market introduction by March 2017, and seeing the success Honda is enjoying with the
HR-V
, perhaps the French’s ‘second coming’ may stand the chance of bearing fruit.
Unlike the outgoing 2008, the facelift comes with a handful of updates, including two new engines; a
1.2-litre turbocharged petrol
 with three states of tunes (82 hp, 110 hp and 130 hp), and a
1.6-litre turbocharged diesel
 engine outputting either 75 hp, 100 hp or 120 hp. When it arrives here, expect the French crossover to come fitted with a
six-speed automatic
, as opposed to the four-speed currently offered.
Trim levels vary by region; there’s the entry level Access, Active, Allure and range topping GT Line (seen in the pictures here). In Europe, the Allure and GT Lines get updated with wheel arch extensions, new gloss black front grille, front and rear scuff plates. As it is, the most popular colour are Bianca White, Nimbus Grey and Ultimate Red.
Judging by Peugeot Malaysia’s recent strategy, we can expect them to introduce either the Allure or GT Line trim, both potentially equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen panel that supports Apple CarPlay and MirrorScreen functionalities, reverse camera, Active City Brake and Park Assist. If the safety features do make their way here, it would be a class-first.
IMAGE GALLERY