Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG now officially available in Malaysia, price from RM393k

Previewed in March during the Malaysia Grand Prix weekend, the much-anticipated Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG is now officially available here. Barely one month after introducing the CLA 200, the CLA 45 is poised to enter the Malaysian market with currently no direct competitor in sight.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Edition 1

Segment
C-segment 4-door Coupe
Engine
1,991cc In-line 4, Turbocharged
Max Power
360hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
450Nm @ 2,250 – 5,000 rpm
Price
RM 392,888
(Light Aluminium Trim)
 RM 395,888
(AMG Carbon-Fibre Trim)

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) offers the CLA 45 AMG in the top-spec Edition 1 as per the A 45 AMG, complete with decals and red highlights but the CLA does not receive a big rear spoiler on the bootlid. Even the
CLA 45 AMG
 piloted by Nico Rosberg during the
Petronas Motorsports Demo Run
 was not the Edition 1 model.
EXTERIOR
The CLA’s looks has been further enhanced by the AMG trim, which features different bumpers and side sills from the standard CLA 200. The front bumper now incorporates additional front splitter in matt titanium grey, and the side intakes are not only larger, they even have discreet flics along the top edge. The side sills also have matt titanium grey inserts to complement the front splitter.
At the back there’s a matching  matt titanium grey diffuser at the lower edge and the bumper is punctured with vertical air outlet vents on each side. The rear finishes off with a pair of rectangular chromed exhaust tips. As with the A 45 AMG, the CLA 45 AMG rides on
19-inch
 matt black multi-spoke alloys wrapped with
235/35
 section tyres.
INTERIOR
Inside the CLA 45 AMG there’s a thicker sports steering wheel with bigger pair of shift paddles. There’s no gear selector stalk, instead the
E-SELECT
 lever is now located at the more familiar location in the center tunnel. The front occupants gain a pair of serious-looking sports seat, while all the seats are covered with ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre complete with red stitching and red seatbelts. An AMG menu has been added into the main display screen which includes the RACETIMER.
PERFORMANCE
You can be assured that there will be no shortage of performance from this car. Powered by the currently world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine, it sends out
360hp
 and
450Nm
 of torque to all four wheels via the
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed
 transmission. The claimed acceleration time from
0-100km/h
 is
4.6 seconds
 and the top speed is electronically-limited at
250km/h
.
Even with all that power it produces, it is claimed to sip
6.9 litres
 of fuel
per 100 kilometers
 based on the NEDC combined fuel consumption. With the clever
AMG 4MATIC
 all wheel drive hardware and the
ESP Curve Dynamic Assist
 Electronic Stability Program, the car should offer superior cornering ability in any condition.
WHAT ELSE?
Even though there is the CLA 45 AMG is only offered in the Edition 1 specifications, there are two different trim options available. For
RM 392,888
 you will get the
Light Aluminium Trim
 or you can add another
RM 3,000
 for the
AMG Carbon-Fibre Trim
. For more information on the CLA 45 AMG, visit the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia website
here
.
[divider]
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This Toyota FT-4X is a hipster’s dream come true

Among the seemingly infinite range of Toyota cars that are not available in Malaysia, one model particularly stands out – the Toyota FJ Cruiser. The funky and retro-looking SUV is currently on sale in limited quantities via parallel importers, but the model is actually a decade old.
Which brings us to this, the Toyota FT-4X concept. Designed by Toyota’s California Calty studio, the new SUV is aimed at the young and active demographic. Just like the FJ Cruiser, the boxy body is retained, but the level of ruggedness is much higher.

It rides on Toyota’s new global
 C-Platform
architecture which underpins the popular
C-HR
. However, the FT-4X is much roomier and sits on 18-inch wheels wrapped with off-road tyres. Nothing of the oily bits have been revealed to this day, unfortunately.
The big question now is, will the Toyota FT-4X concept be a reality? According to
CarAdvice
, the odds are good because it is
75 percent ready
 for production. Perhaps a more relevant question is, will Malaysians finally get their hands on this from the showroom floors of UMW Toyota?
IMAGE GALLERY


New M Performance parts are here to spice up your BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Just two days ago, BMW unveiled their first ever compact four door coupe with the
2 Series Gran Coupe
. However, other than the M235i xDrive variant, the others are slightly more reserved especially in the looks department. Fret not though, as BMW has revealed some M Performance parts to add some
oomph
 to your ride!
Starting from the exterior styling, BMW is making available a gloss-black functional rear spoiler, as well as new stainless steel exhaust finishing with carbon-fibre enclosure.
The M Performance touches are also available in front, with the M front ornamental grille in high-gloss black finish, as well as a carbon M Performance mirror housing.
The BMW performance department is also offering a new wheel sets for the 2 Series Gran Coupe, starting with a 18-inch Y-Spoke Styling 554 M in Jet Black matte, 18-inch Double-Spoke 556 M Bicolour alloy wheels, and 19-inch Double Spoke Styling 555 M to emphasise the sporty silhouette of the 2 Series Gran Coupe.
The visual flair also extends into the interior, with the M Performance steering wheel featuring alcantara grip areas with red centre marking and carbon fibre trims. The paddle shifters for the dual-clutch transmission can also be swapped out for carbon fibre finished ones. Rounding off the interior options is the M Performance inscripted floor mats.
The M Performance parts are not limited to just visual changes either. Buyers of the 2 Series Gran Coupe can opt for M Performance brakes, with larger inner-vented and perforated discs for better braking performance, paired to red calipers.
If that’s still not enough, BMW is also offering a M Performance slide set for the LED door projectors to “project your clear commitment to sporty driving onto the asphalt”, as BMW noted.
The M Performance inventory also include things that don’t go onto the car, such as the alcantara and carbon-fibre M Performance key holder, and M Performance tyre bags to help store and transport your wheels.


2015 Honda Civic Type R: 5 cars it outpaced at Nürburgring! [+Video]

The Nordschleife Nürburgring or the
Green Hell
, as some would put it, is easily one of the most demanding circuit around and is used by many car manufacturers to chase record lap times.
Although many of these results often yield controversies due to the fact that these record chasing cars are not in complete stock trim, it still remains as a common playing ground for many benchmarking purposes.
Before we list down the five most surprising cars the new
Civic Type R
 lapped faster around the ‘Ring, do bear in mind that the latest R moniker’s
2.0-litre VTEC
 engine has gone down the blown route, making some
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque from 2,500 rpm. Power is then channeled to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. All this plus the ridiculously grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres fitted to the Civic results in a lap time of
7:50.63 seconds
.
So, without further ado, meet the five cars who bit the R’s dust.
5. Ford GT (2004)
Ah, if it isn’t one of Ford’s most distinguished four-wheeler, the 2004 Ford GT. It’s got a
5.4-litre supercharged V8 engine
 that makes
549

hp
 at 6,500 rpm and
678 Nm
 of torque at 3,750 rpm that’s paired to a six-speed manual ‘box, sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and maxes out at 330 km/h. Ford’s mid-engined rear wheel drive sports car lapped the ‘Ring in
7 minutes 52 seconds flat
, just over a second slower than the Civic. FYI, the
new Ford GT
 will be getting a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine and is rumoured to make upwards of 600 bhp.
4.

BMW M5 (2011)
The
BMW F10 M5
 was the first in its model history to come with a turbocharged engine, down to 4.4-litre V8 from the previous E60 M5 which had the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V10. Despite the downsize, the F10 M5’s engine delivered substantially better output – 552 hp at 6,000 rpm and 680 Nm of torque from 1,500 rpm. Performance wise, the rear wheel drive saloon manages the century sprint in 4.4 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, although some have clocked over 300 km/h. That said, it lapped the full stretch of Green Hell in
7 minutes 55 seconds
.
3. Honda NSX-R (2002)
Honda wasn’t lying when they said the new Civic is the most lethal Honda to bear the Type R badge. It’s so fast, it bettered the 2002
Honda NSX-R
 around the ‘Ring. The NSX-R is fitted with a free-revving, naturally aspirated 3.2-litre V6 engine that makes
290 hp
 at 7,100 rpm (redlines at 8,000 rpm) and
304 Nm
 of torque at 5,500 rpm. It’s a mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car with a proper six-speed manual gearbox, though the
new NSX
 will benefit from turbochargers and electric motors to make over
550 horsepower.
 The 2002 NSX-R however, recorded a lap time of
7:56.73 seconds
.
2. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe (2011)
With more than three times the size of the Civic Type R’s engine and exactly half the cylinder count, the
Mercedes C63 AMG
 Coupe’s engine is the largest by far, especially in this list of five. It’s got a
6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8
 engine pushing
457 hp
 at 6,800 rpm and
600 Nm
 at 5,000 rpm paired to a seven-speed AMG SpeedShift transmission driving the rear wheels. It sprints as fast as the F10 M5 – 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h and manages a top speed of 280 km/h (uncapped). Despite having the largest engine, it’s also the slowest here, with a lap time of
 8:01.00 seconds
.
1. Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (2008)
If you’re anticipating your new Civic Type R, you should be proud of this supercar-beating feat. It’s easily the most eye opening defeat in the hands of a Japanese hot hatch, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. It’s no slouch around the ‘Ring either, having clocked 7 minutes 52 seconds (tied with the Ford GT) when it came out in 2008. Powering this Italian bull is a
5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10
 engine (also used in the
Audi R8
) that makes
552 hp
 (or 560
chevaux vapeur,
hence the LP560 name) and
540 Nm
 of torque. Its top speed is rated at 325 km/h, as compared to the Civic’s 270 km/h, while the Gallardo sprints to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.
So there you have it, the five most surprising cars to have lost to the Civic Type R at Nürburgring. While some of you may think that we should have included its closest rival in the list, the
 Megane RS 275 Trophy-R
 (lap time
7:54.36 seconds
), but it’s not exactly what we’re trying to convey here. After all, it is the five cars whose laptime we never thought the Civic could better.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW subtly trolls Mercedes-Benz in Zetcher ‘farewell video’

The message is probably heartfelt, but the end product was one of sheer cheekiness. In paying tribute to Dieter Zetcher’s 13-year stewardship at Daimler AG as its CEO and Head of Mercedes-Benz cars, BMW seized the opportunity to induce a few chuckles in this cleverly crafted video.
It starts off innocuously enough as a familiar-looking be-moustached
gentleman bids farewell to colleagues for the last time. Zetcher (or someone
that looks a lot like him) is then chauffeured in an S-Class and dropped off at
his residence. In the next instance, the garage door opens and Zetcher scoots
off in a BMW i8 roadster. Free at last, supposedly.
The beauty of the clip is that it’s convincing up to the point when the i8 emerges, and then there’s disbelief…before you come to the realisation that BMW is really pulling your leg. As for the real Dieter Zetcher, 22
nd
 May was his last day as CEO, he will now serve a two-year garden leave before standing for election as Chairman of Daimler’s supervisory board in 2021.
Zetcher handing over the reins to Ola Källenius (right).
Over the 13 years at the helm, Zetcher presided over the decoupling of Daimler Chrysler, saw BMW eclipse Mercedes-Benz in sales and then led the change and brand revival which culminated in the position of leadership in the premium segment since 2016. Enjoy your temporary ‘retirement’, Dieter, you’ve earned it.


Hyundai partners with EV start-up Canoo to develop cheaper electric cars

Hyundai Motor Group, the parent company to Hyundai and Kia, has announced that it will be partnering with Canoo to jointly develop an electric vehicle (EV) platform for upcoming Hyundai and Kia models.
The collaboration will see Canoo providing engineering services to develop a
fully scalable all-electric platform
 to meet Hyundai and Kia’s specifications.
Canoo is a Los Angeles based start-up that has made a name for itself through its proprietary skateboard-style EV platform. The company recently introduced its first EV,
a subscription-only electric van
, which it aims to go to market by 2021.
Hyundai says that by using Canoo’s skateboard architecture as a starting point,
development costs
 of future EV models can be
reduced
, and ultimately passed on to customers.
The development of a fully scalable platform can also help
 reduce assembly line complexity
 and
aid in rapid development of new models
, depending on changing market preference.
Other than passenger cars, Hyundai also plans to use the scalable platform to build its
Personal Built Vehicles (PBV)
, previewed last month at CES 2020, as one of its key pillars for future mobility.
The partnership is part of Hyundai’s larger commitment to eco-friendly vehicles, with
$87 US Dollars of investment
 planned over the next five years.
Last November, Hyundai also announced that it will be
expanding its range of eco-focused line-up
 to 13 models by 2022, while it aims for
25% of total sales to be eco-friendly vehicles by 2025
.
Hyundai Motor Group, Head of Research and Development, Albert Biermann said, “We were highly impressed by the speed and efficiency in which Canoo developed their innovative EV architecture, making them the perfect engineering partner for us as we transition to become a frontrunner in the future mobility industry.”
“We will collaborate with Canoo engineers to develop a cost-effective Hyundai platform concept that is autonomous ready and suitable for mass adoption,” he added.


Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Edition introduced, only for North America

Five decades and 43 million units later, the
Toyota Corolla
 still remains as the world’s most popular car in the world. What better way for commemorate this milestone, you ask? Well, Toyota USA conceived the Toyota Corolla 50th Anniversary Edition!
Based on the current 11th generation
Corolla
 sedan, only
 8,000
 units of this variant will be made, all of which are allocated for the North American market. The exclusivities for this edition include a new front grille with updated LED headlamps and an attractive Black Cherry Pearl exterior colour. Inside, it’s equipped with a 7-inch infotainment screen, updated colour schemes, Softex-trimmed sport seats, updated climate control panel and circular air vents.
All Corollas sold in the North America come fitted with Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) technology, including this special-run variant. The active safety kit grants Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Automatic High Beams.
The mechanics remain unchanged. Both the United States and Canada get the
 132 hp 1.8-litre four cylinder engine
(with Dual VVTI) that is mated to a
seven-speed Continuously Variable Transmission
 with Intelligence Shift (CVTi-S).
In Malaysia, the Corolla Altis is due for a facelift, especially with Honda reaping the bulk of the C-Segment sales with their
new turbocharged Civic
. It’s only a matter of time now before we get the facelifted Altis.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volvo XC40 EV powertrain update due – 500km range, 200kW charging, RWD

Volvo’s first electric car, the
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
 is due for a 2024 update that will boost its battery size, DC fast charging speed, and power output.
Autocar
 reports that production of the updated XC40 will start in May 2023. Together with the XC40, its coupe counterpart, the
C40
 will also be updated.
Malaysia only gets the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric in its
twin-motor version
, but elsewhere, the all-electric XC40 also comes in a single-motor front-wheel drive configuration. The Volvo C40 is set to launch in Malaysia before the end of 2022.
Pure Electric P8 Ultimate
The twin-motor version will be updated to get a bigger
82-kWh
 battery pack (from the current 78-kWh). With the bigger battery, the electric driving range of the XC40 can go up to
502 km
 from the current 418 km.
Charging will be made faster thanks to an update to
200-kW
 DC fast charging from the current 150-kW DC fast charging. Charging from 10% to 80% will take
27 minutes
, which is 10 minutes faster than currently.
As for power output, the total output will remain the same at
408 hp
 (metric), although the dual-motor setup will have a more rear-biased configuration with two new electric motors.
RELATED:
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric updated for 2023, now from RM 279k
Pure Electric P8 Ultimate
Not offered in Malaysia, the single-motor Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will receive a drivetrain update, changing to rear-wheel drive (RWD) from the current FWD configuration. The electric motor will also be more powerful at 238 hp (metric) from the current 231 hp (metric). No details were shared on the smaller battery for the single-motor XC40, but the DC fast charging will remain at 136 kW.
The updated XC40 is now available to order for the European market. Production will begin in May 2023 for the twin-motor version and Autumn 2023 for the single-motor version. In Malaysia, the Volvo XC40 is available with three powertrain options – MHEV, PHEV, and EV. A recent update has been given for the Malaysia-spec XC40, introducing Android Automotive to the brand’s entry-level electric vehicle (EV).
RELATED:
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric sold out for MY2022 in Malaysia – over 400 orders, 120 delivered


Mercedes me Store launched in Malaysia – Navigation now requires subscription

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 has announced that the Mercedes me Store is now live for Malaysian customers, offering additional digital products for all its connected vehicles.
Essentially a platform for various subscription packages, the Mercedes me Store allows customers to purchase selected personalisation offerings that includes future digital services and enhancements. Through the store, customers now have full flexibility in choosing run-time options for packages that are compatible with their vehicle.
The personalisation services are as such:
(A) Renewal Package
1-year subscription
3-year subscription
Remote Package
RM 389
RM 914
Navigation Package
RM 608
RM 1,438
Excellence Package
(Bundle of Remote & Navigation Package)
RM 869
RM 2,049
(B) Service On-Demand
Individualisation Package
(Sound Experience, Mini Games)
RM 400
RM 933
Services that only require
one-time purchase
 are:
Hard Disc Navigation – RM 3,466
AMG Track Pace – RM 1,120
*Product specification may vary depending on technical pre-requisite for vehicle.
Earlier in 2019, when Mercedes-Benz Malaysia first introduced the “Mercedes me Connect” feature, Mercedes me-equipped cars came with a complimentary three-year subscription of Remote and Navigation packages as standard. These complimentary packages will need to be renewed soon by the customers if they wish to continue using them. Essential safety and maintenance services ranging from SOS, Roadside Assistance and Accident Management to retrieval of vehicle data will remain complimentary indefinitely.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and SEA II Vice President of Customer Services, Edmin Naidoo said, “Since its local debut in 2019, Mercedes me Connect has been providing convenient digitalised experiences with tailor-made offerings as part of our commitment to further elevate driving experiences and comfort of our customers’ ownership journey.”
“As a global luxury brand, we are constantly looking for new and updated way to enhance our offerings. And with the digitalisation of business and services, it is only natural for us to upgrade our services to offer convenient seamless digital experiences at our customer’s fingertips.”
“Mercedes me connect is a close companion of Mercedes-Benz owners in Malaysia that makes everyday life easier. With close to 100% pairing rate on the Mercedes me Connect, we are confident that existing and future customers will see the value and appreciate the new digital experience.”
The Mercedes me Connect is a way for owners to stay connected with their vehicles where they can retrieve data via the app and make full use of other digital features that range from safety essential services to convenient features such as locking and unlocking of doors and windows, making online service appointments, and customer care support. Owners can also update their personal information such as contact details, email, and password at any time.
The full list of paid subscription is also available with Mercedes-Benz Pre-Owned connected vehicles. For more information on Mercedes me Store,
click here
.


Gallery: 2019 Mazda CX-5 2.5L Turbo AWD with upgraded interior and safety

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 2.5L Turbo AWD has been previewed in Malaysia as the new top-of-the-line variant for our local market. The new variant introduces the
2.5L SkyActiv-G turbocharged engine
 to the CX-5 lineup, previously available exclusively on the
CX-9
.
The 2.5L turbocharged engine produces
228 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque at just 2,000 rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels with the
AWD system
, through a
6-speed automatic transmission
 with manual-shift mode; pedal shifters are ommited on this SUV.
Styling wise, it is identical to the
current CKD variants
. The new 2.5-litre CX-5 is equipped with automatic LED front and rear combination lights, LED daytime running lights, automatic windshield wipers and a powered tailgate. The new top-of-the-line variant comes with 19-inch wheels with 225 section tyres.
On the inside, you get full leather upholstery, fully powered front seats with added memory function for the driver side, a centre console with updated switchgear for the dual-zone climate control, and a new driver’s instrument cluster with a 7-inch digital display in the centre with analogue dials on the sides, similar to the one available on the 2019 Mazda3. There is also a new windshield-projected

heads-up display.
The infotainment system has also been updated to the latest Mazda Connect Infotainment System with voice command, and now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Safety specs of the 2.5-litre CX-5 comes with 6 airbags, anti-lock braking system, traction control, dynamic stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist, emergency stop signal, and hill launch assist, but the Mazda Radar Cruise Control system isn’t present.
The 2.5-litre turbocharged engine is currently only available in all-wheel drive variants for the Malaysian market. Official pricing and release date has not been announced yet, but we can expect it to be priced around RM180,000 according to the sales personnel present at the preview.
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 2.5L Turbo AWD is
available for viewing
 at Sunway Pyramid (Blue Atrium), from the 4th to 9th of September 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY
2019 Mazda CX-5 2.5L Turbo AWD


2023 BMW 320i, 330i, 330e facelift in Malaysia – What’s new on the facelift?

The 2023
BMW 3 Series facelift
has now finally made its way into Malaysia, and will be offered in three variants at launch – the
320i
,
330i
, and
330e plug-in hybrid
. As this is a LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) update, there are of course several design changes to mark it out as the shiny new one – but the 2023 model is more than just a “facelift”, as you’d find out below!
On the outside, the most obvious design change can be found in front. The iconic kidney grille has been given a slight redesign (
thankfully not in the style of the M3/M4!
), and flanking it are the reworked headlights with a new sleeker shape. The daytime-running lights are also new, where the twin inverted L-shaped signature is supposed to emphasise the width of the car.
All three variants of the new BMW 3 Series here in Malaysia will come with the M Sport kit as standard, which means they’ll all get the sportier-looking bumpers, with a large hexagonal lower air intake in front, and a gloss-black diffuser element at the rear.
The 18-inch Style 848 M wheels, first introduced on the existing
BMW 330Li
, are also standard across the board, as opposed to the per-variant designs previously.
The BMW 330e M Sport and 330i M Sport variants stand out even further with the addition of the M Sport brakes with blue-coloured calipers, which the 320i M Sport lacks.
RELATED:
2022 BMW 3 Series updated with mild design changes, new iDrive 8 infotainment system
Inside, the main highlight of the new 2023 3 Series facelift is the BMW Curved Display, available on all three variants, which combines the the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display under a single curved pane of glass, perched up on the dashboard.
The new system not only completely revitalises the cabin’s design, it also pushes the 3 Series one step closer to being a “software-defined” car, as it’ll be able to change a large portion of the car’s functionality just through the iDrive 8.0’s over-the-air (OTA) software update.
In order to fit the new screens, a few adjustments had to be made on the dashboard. The trim piece on the passenger-side is now larger, and the central air vents – with all of the air-con controls now moved into the screen itself – is also slimmer than before.
Below that, the bank of shortcut buttons for the infotainment system have also been jettisoned, replaced by the windscreen defroster and hazard lights buttons, alongside some simple entertainment controls.
The traditional gear lever has also been replaced by a small paddle-style lever for a more modern and minimalist appearance, but aside from that, the rest of the centre console remains identical to the outgoing cars.
Customers can opt between Black and Mocha Vernasca leathers for the interior in the new BMW 330i M Sport and 330e M Sport variants, but the 320i will come exclusively with a black interior. All three variants get an Anthracite-coloured headliner.
While the exterior design and interior amenities have seen quite drastic changes, the powertrain underneath each variant have remained unchanged. The 320i M Sport and 330i M Sport are both powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, making
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
 on the former, and
258 hp
 and
400 Nm
 on the latter.
The 330e M Sport meanwhile gets an additional electric motor within the gearbox, boosting the total system outputs to
292 hp
and
420 Nm
. The engines in all three variants are paired to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission as standard.
The new 2023 BMW 330e M Sport is the only variant that gets the Adaptive M Suspension; the other two variants are equipped with the passive M Suspension.
The refreshed BMW 3 Series line-up now starts at RM263,600 for the 320i M Sport (without the extended warranty and service package), moving all the way up to RM297,600 (RM317,800 with extended warranty and service package) for the 330i M Sport.
For more information on the new 2023 BMW 3 Series here in Malaysia, check out our detailed launch coverage for all three variants here:
2023 BMW 320i M Sport facelift now available in Malaysia – RM283,800
2023 BMW 330i M Sport facelift debuts in Malaysia – RM317,800
2023 BMW 330e M Sport facelift launched in Malaysia – RM298,800


SpyBuzz: Fourth-gen Renault Megane RS leaked in patent filings

The battle of the hot hatches is set to intensify with yet another entry from France – the fourth-generation Renault Megane RS. Leaked here are patented renderings from World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), giving us a glimpse of how the
Civic Type R
 rival will shape to look like.
To begin, the Megane RS looks suitably more aggressive than
the standard variant
, and for good measure. The front wheel arches get air curtains while the rear gets diffusers, roof spoiler and a large central exhaust. The front headlights and the ‘chequered flag’ LED fog lamps are
identical to the camouflaged version we previously saw in Monaco
.

Here’s a brief summary of what we know about this hot hatch so far. There will be two variants on offer, beginning with the
Sport
 followed by the more focussed
Cup
version. Four-wheel steering (4Control system) will be fitted as well, whereas an electromagnetic actuator located at the rear axle will be tasked to improve agility and stability.
As for enthusiasts, the
Renault Megane RS can be had with a six-speed manual transmission
 or a six-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic. Only the engine part remains a mystery for now. The good news is, the Megane RS will be making its world debut in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini’s coolest vehicle is not a car, but this 4,000 hp super-yacht

There, we said it. It’s not that Lamborghinis aren’t cool, because they are, and we’d do anything to be able have one parked in our driveway. But when you bring up something as cool as the ‘Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63’ yacht, everything else just seems tame in comparison. Sorry, not sorry.
As the name suggests, the motorised yacht is built by Tecnomar, a brand under the Italian Sea Group flag. Lamborghini, meanwhile, provided their design expertise, taking inspiration from the
Sian FKP 37 hybrid hypercar
 – and boy, does it look mega.
Just like the car, the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is filled with sharp edges all round its entire hull, and the bow lights are also unmistakably Lamborghini – a design first seen on the
Terzo Millenio concept
.
Prefer a something a little smaller, faster, and a little more German? Check out this Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series-inspired boat!
The super-yacht also features what it calls a “supersport silhouette”, and is covered by a hard top inspired by Lamborghini’s roadsters which “guarantees not only protection from the sun and wind, but also surprising aerodynamic performance.”
And of course, with Lamborghini in its name, it has to be built with carbon fibre – which actually puts it in the “ultralight yacht” category, weighing in at under 24 tonnes!
Or for those who revel in “luxury”, Bentley will also help you design a yacht to match your car. Read more about it here.
The Lamborghini touches extend past just its exterior, too. On the deck, you get a fully supercar-inspired cockpit, replete with Lamborghini style seats, a car-like steering wheel, and a massive dual-screen instrument cluster wrapped in carbon fibre. There’s even an aviation-inspired covered start button that looks just like the ones in Lamborghini’s cars!
Moving further inside the cabin, and you’ll find a bedroom upholstered in the usual Lamborghini materials (i.e. suede, microfibre, and pleated leather), another smaller bedroom with two single beds, as well as a sinister-looking toilet finished in matte black that’ll make even the hardest James Bond supervillain blush.
Not a fan of the seas? Well, there’s the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is basically a yacht for the roads… Learn more about it here.
Taking the Lamborghini connection even further is the V12 powertrain at the back – or more specifically, two V12 engines that generate a combined output of 4,000 hp, which enables the yacht to hit a top speed of 60 knots (111 km/h).
Just like any other Lamborghini supercar, the yacht can also be fully customised with the carmaker’s Ad Personam programme. This particular unit here – number one of 63 – has just been delivered to a customer in Europe, and is even finished in the same olive green colour as the Sian FKP 37 poster car. Now,
that’s
 class.
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2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS facelift gains new bumpers, drift mode

According to Mercedes-Benz, customers choose the CLS-Class due to one reason- its design. Thus, with the current four-door coupe design looking so well proportioned, sporty and handsome, only very selected sections needed to be aesthetically freshened up.
Starting with the looks upfront, the bumper which includes the fitment for the radiator grille has been updated, with a stronger resemblance to other new-generation models. Similar to the recently launched
 all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class
, the radiator grille now has the multi-star mesh pattern and a large central star.
Meanwhile, the signature Panamericana-style grille with vertical bars and a large central star is reserved for the Mercedes-AMG variants, such as the CLS 53 example here. A new black-highlight treatment called Night Package 2 is also being introduced, where the radiator grille, the star and model emblems are finished in black chrome.
The iconic rear design with the slim taillamps only sees design changes to the bumper, adding black diffuser-look insert and a silver-chrome trim strip.
A new
AMG Dynamic Package Plus
 package has been introduced for the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 model. The large brake calipers are painted red, while the interior sees the AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather/Dinamica microfibre combination or alternatively in full Nappa leather. Two additional driving modes are added too-
Race and Drift modes
.
The new-generation steering wheels from the new
facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 are used in this CLS-Class facelift, with the sportier twin-spoke design is again reserved for the Mercedes-AMG variants. Two new trim finishes are available which are open-pore brown walnut and high-gloss grey wood and can be had with an increase in seat upholstery configurations.
A new Mercedes-AMG-inspired Limited Edition, of which just
300 examples
 will be made, adds black 20-inch five-twin-spoke wheels from AMG, the earlier mentioned Night Package 2, the AMG Dynamic Package Plus and racing stripes as standard. It will only be offered in cashmere white magno and selenite grey magno paint finishes.
Petrol powertrain options and outputs remain as before, with the
CLS 53
 getting the complex
new 3.0-litre bi-turbo
 (exhaust and electric) in-line six that is supported by an EQ Booster starter-alternator to give a combined output of
435 hp
 and
520 Nm
. The entry-level CLS 350 with its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder packs
 299 hp/400 Nm
, while the CLS 450 with its 3.0-litre single-turbo in-line six packs
367 hp/500 Nm
.
A new four-cylinder diesel engine (CLS 300 d) is added to the line-up and this 2.0-litre engine is integrated with a second-generation 48-volt starter-generator system. Total combined outputs are
265 hp/550 Nm
. All engines are paired with nine-speed automatic transmission, with options of 4Matic all-wheel drive. The Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 comes exclusively with a higher performance all-wheel-drive system dubbed 4Matic+.
Did you know that China was the largest sales market for the CLS last year? This is then followed by its neighbour across the Yellow Sea, South Korea. The USA is next and then followed by Germany.
Deliveries to customers will only begin in July, so perhaps, the new facelift Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will only arrive in Malaysia very late into the year or early 2022.
Up to the end of last year, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 was priced at RM553k, the CLS 450 at RM675k while the 435 hp Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 was priced at RM845k in Malaysia.
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Aston Martin DB11 Volante is the only convertible you need to look uber good

When the Aston Martin DB11 first made its
global debut in early 2016
, we knew for a fact that the British carmaker will slap on a retractable roof for the ultimate open-top motoring experience. Now, after what seems like an eternity, let us welcome the Aston Martin DB11 Volante V8 – the most elegant convertible Aston Martin ever built.
Visually, the DB11 Volante is identical to the
Coupe
 save for the fabric roof that comes in three colour options – Bordeaux Red, Black Silver and Grey Silver as well as the new 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheel design. The fabric roof is operable at speeds of up to
50 km/h
 and will take
14 seconds
 to be stowed away in the rear or
16 seconds
 to completely shelter the occupants from the outside world.

According to Aston Martin, the new fabric roof features an all-new
eight-layer design
 that not only gives greater insulation but also
20 percent more boot volume
 compared to the outgoing
DB9 Volante
. The new roof mechanism had also been through the most punishing conditions of the Death Valley and Artic Circle as well as being subjected to more than
100,000 folding cycles
 to give its esteemed customers a peace of mind on the new roof mechanism.
Upfront, you will find a Mercedes-AMG sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that generates
 503 hp
 and
675 Nm
 of twisting force paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint takes
4.1 seconds
, just a touch slower than the
V8 Coupe
‘s
 4.0 second
 sprint time. Top speed however, is identical at
300 km/h
.
In UK, the Aston Martin DB11 V8 Volante is priced at £159,900 (RM895k) before options. Closer to home, Wearnes has the
DB11 V12 Coupe on sale
 for around RM2 million. We are still on the lookout for the V8 Coupe to arrive (if ever) to our shores, let alone its convertible twin.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW previews its self-driving car technology: Park your car with a smartwatch!

The past decade has clearly seen some amazing technologies adopted by car manufacturing giants, some way ahead of its time, like
BMW
‘s fully automated parking
without
 GPS guidance as well as 360-degree collision avoidance tech.
Seen here in the pictures is the luxury carmaker’s i3 research vehicle, and is equipped with
four advanced laser scanners
 that monitor and read potential hazards, or in this case walls or columns in a multi-storey carpark. The i3 also performs
fully automated
 acceleration, braking, reversing and cornering tasks.
It’s done pretty reliably too, says BMW, and when the i3 approaches a column too quickly, it’s brought to a complete standstill so precise with just centimeters to spare. What about its
real world application
, you ask? It could help drivers navigate in poor visibility conditions. Like many of their assistance systems, this feature too can be disabled by the driver.
BMW also brought their autonomous driving tech into wearable gadgetry in the form of a smartwatch. When you’re in a rush for a meeting and find no time to park your car, simply activate the
Remote Valet Parking Assistant
 from your smartwatch and the car will steer its way into a parking lot. It’s so precise it can even manoeuvre around incorrectly parked cars.
The technological breakthrough here is that this technology doesn’t require GPS signals at all. For this to work, all the supporting infrastructure BMW needs is an architectural blueprint of the multi-storey carpark, and it can be potentially used in a broader scale of real-world conditions.
BMW will showcase the full extent of its autonomous vehicle research technologies in the coming
2015 Consumer Electronics Show
 from 6 to 9 January.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Carbon fibre just makes everything better and the Polestar 1 is no exception

Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a key ingredient in the construction and driving experience of the
new Polestar 1
, available for
pre-order in 18 countries
. With a weight saving of 230 kg, it contributes to the agile, responsive and dynamic nature of the car.
Priced at approximately RM 600k
 before taxes, the
 Polestar
 1’s carbon fibre body is Volvo Car Group’s first exploration into carbon fibre construction as the Polestar Production Centre, due for full scale operation by 2019, is being specifically tooled to deal with the intricate nature of the material.
Carbon fibre components have been used extensively in the Polestar 1 – on the bonnet, boot lid, side panels, doors and the entire roof structure.
The carbon fibre roof is not only thinner and stronger than a steel equivalent but also allows for a much lower roof line, resulting in a sleek and slender profile.
Can you spot the ‘dragonfly’?
The ‘dragonfly’ as Polestar calls it, is an instrumental component in the underbody of the vehicle that’s also made of carbon fibre. It significantly improves torsional stiffness at a crucial point of the body’s structure,
between the middle of the floor and rear construction
.
“When you combine this strengthened framework with the super-strong body and roof structure, you get a stiff and communicative chassis which translates driver input into superb driving characteristics,” said Head of Product Creation at Polestar, Christian Samson.
The 600 hp & 1000 Nm Polestar 1
Polestar is the new electric performance sub-brand under the Volvo Car Group,
with joint investments from the latter’s owner, Geely Holding
. Its technology and expertise are also applied to electrified Volvos like the
new S60 T8 Polestar
.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Polestar’s first car, Polestar 1 Hybrid


Mazda’s second EV is a weird China-only franken-SUV based on the CX-30

Mazda has just unveiled their second-ever fully electric vehicle, but instead of an all-new global model, it’ll actually be a China-only EV based on a car that we already know, the
CX-
30
.
It’s dubbed the CX-30 EV, and is set to go on sale later this year, built by Changan Automobile – one of Mazda’s partners in China. And because the CX-30 wasn’t originally built with EVs in mind (eventhough the
MX-30
 uses the same platform), Mazda had to lift the crossover quite significantly to fit the batteries underneath, giving it a weird franken-SUV look.
The company literally only brought the car out for show at the Auto Shanghai 2021 motor show, without any accompanying information – so all reports are essentially just educated guesses at this point.
Based on the e-SkyActiv badging found on the show car though, we’re convinced that it’ll most likely feature the same electric powertrain combo found underneath that of the Mazda MX-30, which means an electric motor up front that’s good for
105 kW (143 hp)
 and
264 Nm
 of torque, powered by a
35.5-kWh
 lithium-ion battery.
However, several publications are reporting that the new CX-30 EV might actually ride on Changan’s in-house EV platform instead of Mazda’s own, which could explain the massive increase in ride height due to its larger batteries.
Either way, we still have so many questions that need answering. Why a “new” model instead of the MX-30? How will the increased ride height and new weight distribution affect its driving dynamics? Sadly, we probably won’t be able to find out ourselves, since this model is probably destined to only stay in China.


Volkswagen raises the roof with the T-Roc Cabriolet

You’ve got to hand it to Volkswagen for dipping into a segment that had not seen growth a long time – convertibles. But they are putting the money where the mouth is and will be introducing an all-new model to replace the soon-to-be-retired Golf and Beetle soft-tops — the T-Roc Cabriolet.
High-riding convertible crossover to replace Golf and Beetle soft-tops.
But if there was ever any chance for a new convertible model to be successful, it would have to be based on a body-style that’s popular, hence the
T-Roc crossover
 was chosen. While it’s a first for its segment, the concept isn’t unlike the
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
 which is sold in North America.
Two doors, seats four, with unlimited headroom.
The engineering involved in a convertible is never as simple as just discarding the metal roof and replacing it with a folding canvas top. For the T-Roc Cabriolet, VW lengthened the wheelbase, deleted the rear doors and added a host of structural reinforcements.
Despite having just the two side doors, the T-Roc cabriolet seats four comfortably and has a respectable amount of trunk space (284 litres) as its powered canvas roof tucks neatly on the rear deck behind the second row seats and doesn’t intrude on trunk space.
Just enough cargo space for a short holiday.
When it goes into production early next year, the T-Roc will probably have the fastest folding top of its class, needing only 9 seconds to go topless, and that can be done at speeds up to 30 km/h. Cool?


Polestar 2 looking sharp at the Frankfurt motor show

In case it has slipped your mind, Polestar is an ‘electric performance car brand’ jointly owned by Volvo and Geely. The brand is managed out of Gothenburg, Sweden but produced in Chengdu, China. The
Polestar 1
performance hybrid coupe – announced in 2017 and limited to 500 units per year – is currently in production with deliveries scheduled before the end of 2019.
The
Polestar 2
, a 4-door notchback and a rival to the Tesla Model 3, was unveiled earlier this year. It made its first public appearance in the Geneva motor show in March and has since gone a roadshow, including a stop at the Frankfurt motor show, in the shape of a standalone pop up store.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the design of the Polestar 2 takes after the
Concept 40.2
 shown by Volvo a few years ago. It also sits on the
CMA platform
 which underpins the Volvo XC40. In the flesh, the production-ready Polestar 2 looks rather handsome. It is planned for production early next year.
Priced at €59,900
, the fully-electric Polestar 2 boasts some serious performance numbers –
408 hp and 660 Nm
, with a
0-100km/h time of 4.7
 seconds courtesy of
all-wheel drive
 traction. It’ll also come with a battery capacity of
78 kWh
, good for a targeted range of
500 km per charge
, based on the
WLTP standard
, which is impressive.
The Polestar 2 can also be optioned with a Performance Pack comprising
Ohlins dampers
,
Brembo brakes
,
20-inch forged alloys
 along with
signature gold seat belts
. Volvo Car Malaysia has no plans yet to make the Polestar 2 available in Malaysia, but we think it’s definitely worth considering.


TRD dresses up the new Lexus NX with aggressive F Sport bits!

The all-new Lexus NX mid-size crossover was earlier launched in
the USA
 and was just made available in Japan.
Lexus also continued with the sportier F Sport flavour for this second generation, with black highlights and sharper design on the spindle grille and rims. In Japan, customisation from the dealership is still surprisingly strong thus TRD Japan is offering their bodykit and more.
NX F Sport
NX F Sport with F Sport Parts by TRD
Designed under the theme “aerodynamic control” and total balance”, the F Sport Parts (yes, it is called that even though F Sport is a variant from Lexus) front bumper spoiler adds more gloss black plus a deeper aerodynamic-effect look, while the side skirts design is meant to visually bring the Lexus NX looking closer to the ground. The rear bumper diffuser meanwhile places more ‘racing’ flavour on the new Lexus NX with plenty of fins and creases.
Do you think this GR Parts rally package makes the Toyota Yaris Cross looks like it is trying too hard? Check it out here.
TRD Japan says the side mirror cover not only has high aesthetic values but also aerodynamic efficiency, as it rectifies airflow between the A-pillar, doors and the overall length of the NX.
In Japan, this painted four-piece bodykit plus the side mirror covers and quad-tip sports exhaust muffler is called F Sport Parts Aerodynamics Package is priced at
JPY513,300
 (approx. RM19k).
As for the gorgeous, forged rims in 20×7.5 sizing and finished in Melanite Gun Metallic, they are a separate package, which naturally cost more than the plastic bodykit at JPY616,000 (approx. RM23k) a set. To further improve the chassis rigidity as well as even lower harshness levels, TRD Japan is offering a pair of bodyshell “Performance Dampers” as well as chassis bracing members for JPY110,000 per package (approx. RM4.1k).
A ‘Black Edition’ F Sport Parts Aerodynamic Package is also made available for owners with dark vehicles and wants something that is all-black.
This BMW 8 series personalisation package is very, very black. Take a look at how dark the Frozen Black is here!
Unlike the
Lexus ES with TRD F Sport Package
, this Lexus NX F Sport Parts package does not have any upgrades for the interior.
To recap, the all-new Lexus NX features a range of new powertrains, consisting of a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 201 hp, a turbocharged 2.4-litre unit with 279 hp as well as an improved self-charging hybrid with 242 hp and Lexus’ first
plug-in hybrid
 maxing out at 306 hp.
In Japan, the entry variant NX 250 is priced from JPY4.82 million (approx. RM178k ) with the range-topping NX 450h + F Sport priced at JPY7.38 million (approx. RM273k). Only one variant of the turbocharged model called NX 350 F Sport is offered, priced at JPY5.99 million (approx. RM221k).
GALLERY


Perodua sees big jump in new car registrations

Perodua has announced that it registered 6,988 vehicles in August. The figure was nearly 10x more compared to the previous month when it only posted 655 units.
With sales operations and manufacturing slowly resuming since the 16th of August, Perodua is optimistic of a quick bounce back. All operations were halted since the 1st of June 2021 due to the full lockdown.
“We would see the production and registration numbers multiply in September as the situation continues to normalise,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.
A new Bumblebee has arrived, appearing as the Perodua Ativa! More pictures here!
“We are working on closing this gap by further increasing our manufacturing output as well as further improving our standard operating procedures to ensure the safety of our people and our customers,” Dato’ Zainal said.
Despite the optimism, Perodua has remained realistic about its sales targets – reducing it by 10.8% to 214,000 units this year, in contrast with the initial target of 240,000 units.
Compared to the January to August period of last year, Perodua only registered 104,933 units, a 12.5% drop from the 119,977 vehicles sold in 2020.

Regarding the semiconductor chip shortage that has plagued the entire industry, the company has secured enough for this year and assures that all outstanding orders will be met within the year.
“For now, the semiconductor chip supply is still a global issue and we are working with our partners and suppliers to limit any disruption it may cause,” said Dato’ Zainal.


BMW introduces their new line of updated engines, due in July

The Munich-based motoring giant has announced recently that it will be revising its engine line-up for some of its outgoing models as of summer 2015. Thanks to the optimised efficiency and technological advancements of their new three and four-cylinder engines, these engines breathe new life to the sporting heritage of the company whilst keeping carbon emissions and fuel consumption low.
BMW announced too that, the
F22
 M235i xDrive Convertible will be the first open-top compact model to offer four-wheel drive as an option. This handsome 1-Series Coupe spin-off is powered by a straight-six engine
 producing 326 hp at 6,000 rpm with 450 Nm of twist at a mere 1,400rpm.
It does the century sprint in
4.4 seconds
, and with the loud pedal buried deep in the carpet, it will reach an electronically-limited top speed of
250kph
. However if you feel that those figures are way too rich for your blood, fret not though for there are
two other oil burning variants
 offered in the range, namely the
BMW 218d
 and
 225d
 producing
140hp and 224hp respectively
.
A new comer to our shores, the BMW F45
2 Series Active Tourer
  is part of BMW’s powerplant refresher course here. The results of this exercise is that three of its diesel engines have been improved in terms of power, torque, emissions and consumption. It is unclear if we will be receiving the three cylinder powered 214d and 216d variants here on our shores. Worth noting though, is the improvements made for the 220d model.
Power figures
 have been augmented with an increase to the four-cylinder diesel power unit of a
190hp from 187hp
 with torque figures of
400 Nm at 1750 rpm
 remain largely unchanged.The 220d Active Tourer does
 0-100kph in 7.8 seconds
 (the stick shifter does it in 7.9 seconds). BMW have also announced an
all-wheel-drive version
 of the people carrier, which carries the
 xDrive moniker
.
The 2 Series Active Tourer will also incorporate a host of
safety features
 and programs
starting July 2015
 such as the
Multi-Collision Braking, Alertness Assistant, Head-Up Display
. However it is uncertain on whether some of these systems will be inclusive in our local models.
Further up the food chain, lies the
F15
 BMW X5 xDrive25d and sDrive25d models, which also benefits from a refreshed engine line-up for its stable. The
N47D20
 block has an increased output of 231hp as opposed to the 215hp found in the previous reiteration of this engine making it the most powerful representative of the new-gen four-cylinder diesel engines that be will making its debut in the SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle).
It also produces
50Nm more torque
 that the previous lump making a grand total of
500Nm
. Having said that, this sub two-tonne SAV will do the sprint in a respectable
 7.7 seconds.
This BMW Z4 and its barn-storming family of metal-folding drop tops might not be getting a upgrade in the oily bits but, what BMW has done is only make Z4 fans fall in love with it even more. In the same announcement, the Bavarian giants will be painting, for the first time ever, the Z4 in that brilliant shade of blue that BMW calls
 Estoril Blue.
Speaking of paint jobs, BMW will now be dipping the
 BMW 4 Series
 range with a couple
new colors
, namely
Champagne Quartz
 metallic and
Smokey Topaz
 metallic. This also includes the M4 and its topless twin. The
BMW 5 Series Sedan
 and the
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
 is made available with the new metallic
Tanzanite Blue
, which is available in
 BMW Individual
 guise.
Here’s a quick review of the revised engines list.
Model
Power (horsepower)
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)
CO2 emissions (g/km)
BMW 118i (3-door version)
136
5.4 – 5.0
126 – 116
BMW 118i 5-door version
136
5.4 – 5.0
126 – 116
BMW 218d Coupe
150
4.4 – 4.0
116 – 106
BMW 225d Coupe
224
4.6 – 4.3
121 – 114
BMW M235i xDrive Convertible
326
8.3
193
BMW 218d Convertible
150
4.7 – 4.3
124 – 114
BMW 225d Convertible
224
4.9 – 4.6
128 – 121
BMW 216i Gran Tourer
102
5.6 – 5.3
129 – 124
BMW 214d Gran Tourer
95
4.1 – 3.9
109 – 104
BMW 220d Gran Tourer
190
4.7 – 4.5
124 – 119
BMW 318d Gran Turismo
150
4.7 – 4.5
123 – 117
BMW 320d Gran Turismo
190
4.8 – 4.6
127 – 120
BMW 420d Convertible
190
5.1 – 4.8
134 – 127
BMW 418d Gran Coupe
150
4.5 – 4.1
118 – 109
BMW X5 sDrive25d
231
5.4 – 5.3
141 – 139
BMW X5 xDrive25d
231
5.6 – 5.6
148 – 146
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton retakes second spot in total overall sales

Proton has clinched second spot in total overall sales after a 40-month absence. The last time they were there was in March 2016.
Having posted a 23% increase in sales in June 2019, Proton ended July with 8,590 units sold – increasing sales by a further 6% – continuing its positive growth for the seventh consecutive month since the turn of the new year.
Watch our review of the updated Proton Iriz
here
!
The updated Persona has been a large contributor too; with over 2,720 unis delivered in July and over 10,034 units delivered since its launch just a few months ago in April. As for the updated Iriz, 3,035 units have been sold since it was introduced side by side with the updated Persona.
Total sales for the year now stands at 52,269 units, compared to 35,561 units for the same period last year.
Here’s what’s new in the
updated Proton Persona
.
“PROTON’s return to second place overall in the Malaysian automotive market has happened ahead of schedule. The growth in demand for our products show we are on track to meet our long term targets and for the rest of 2019, we intend to consolidate our position to finish the year in 2nd spot for the first time in four years,” said Proton CEO, Dr Li Chunrong.
As for the beloved Proton X70, over 17,000 units have been delivered since the start of 2019, with July contributing 1,932 units.
Find out the pros and cons of the Proton X70
here
.
“While the Proton X70 continues its upward sales trajectory, other Proton models are the staple of our performance. The Proton Persona is now the sales leader in a segment that is ruled by Japanese products. Even the Proton Iriz has seen a surge in demand with sales growing by over 50%,” added Dr Li Chunrong.


Facts & Figures: The majestic Ferrari Roma lands in Malaysia

Hot off the press from its international debut slightly more than six months ago, Naza Italia has now brought Ferrari’s latest grand tourer, the
Ferrari Roma
 onto our shores here in Malaysia.

EXTERIOR
The Ferrari Roma features an exterior design markedly different from the marque’s other recent models. Ferrari says that the Roma’s design took inspiration from the brand’s most legendary grand touring models of the 1960s, such as the iconic 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso.
Based on the concept of “minimalist elegance”, the new gran touring Ferrari’s fastback coupe design and sleep sweeping lines cleverly conceals the car’s power and sportiness – you’ll see no vents or superfluous “go fast” decorations around the car.
Interestingly, the Roma was designed without the iconic Scuderia Ferrari side shields – influenced by their road cars from the 1950s. However, you can still option for one if you so choose. Other exterior highlights include:
Linear full LED headlights – Matrix LED available as option
Electronically-controlled rear spoiler with three positions – Low Drag, Medium Downforce, and High Downforce
Front underbody vortex generators
Rear compact diffuser
two twin-exhausts
20-inch alloy wheels
Now although the Roma is built on the Portofino platform, Ferrari says that 70% of its components are entirely new. The bodyshell and chassis have been redesigned to incorporate the latest weight reduction techniques, resulting in a weight-to-power ratio of just
2.37 kg/hp
 – Ferrari claims it to be the best in class.
PERFORMANCE
The Ferrari Roma is powered by the same 3.9-litre V8 turbocharged engine found in the
Portofino
, and the
F8 Spider that was recently launched in Malaysia
. The award winning engine – International Engine of the Year, four years in a row mind you – received some tweaks such as a revised cam profiles, new turbocharger turbine speed sensor, and a new Gasoline Particulate Filter for improved performance and to comply with Euro 6D emissions standards.
Engine: 3.9-litre V8 turbocharged engine
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox (wet-clutch)
Drivetrain: Mid-front engine, rear-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 620 hp @ 5,750 – 7,500 RPM
Max Torque: 760 Nm @ 3,000 – 5,750 RPM
0-100 km/h: 3.4 seconds
0-200 km/h: 9.3 seconds
Max speed: Above 320 km/h
ELECTRONICS
To complement the powertrain, Ferrari has included a whole slew of electronics wizardry to help you keep it pointing in the right direction. These include:
Variable Boost Management for ideal torque delivery
Side Slip Control 6.0 (a first on a Ferrari GT car)
Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer – brake-based torque vectoring system
5-position manettino (drive-mode control) – Wet, Comfort, Sport. Race, ESC-Off
INTERIOR
The new design language on the Ferrari Roma also makes its way inside the cabin. Featuring a new architectural concept – an evolution of the Dual Cockpit design, the Roma’s cabin is split into two separate cells, one each for the driver and passenger.
Unlike the typical Prancing Horse sports cars, which are typically more driver-oriented, the Roma’s cabin takes on a more symmetrical structure. As a result, the passenger becomes more involved in the driving experience, almost like a co-pilot.
The cabin of the Roma is also a huge step up from before in terms of digitalisation. Physical buttons, switches, and dials are now kept to a minimum, with almost everything replaced by touch-activated buttons and digital screens.
The Ferrari Roma is officially marketed as a “2+” Coupe, which means the rear two seats you see here are optional items.
Interior highlights include:
16-inch curved digital instrument cluster
8.4-inch central display for infotainment, navigation, climate control
Optional 8.8-inch touchscreen display on passenger-side, for display of performance figures, infotainment, and climate control
Reworked steering wheel with multi-touch control and touch pads
Full-grain Frau leather, Alcantara upholstery
Chromed aluminium, carbon fibre trims
SAFETY
As an option, the Ferrari Roma can be specified with Advanced Driver Assistance System. These features can be accessed directly through the new stseering wheel, and they include:
Adaptive Cruise Control
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Lane Departure Warning
Traffic Sign Recognition
Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Surround View Camera
PRICING
The Ferrari Roma is now available in Malaysia starting at
RM968,000, before options, duties, taxes, and insurance
. As with all other models in the Ferrari model range, the new grand tourer comes as standard with an extended seven-year maintenance programme that covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life.
The Ferrari Roma is now available for private viewing at the Ferrari Malaysia showroom in Kuala Lumpur, from now until 29 June. Those interested should contact Ferrari Malaysia to make a prior booking.
IMAGE GALLERY


GAC’s Aion to set up SEA HQ in Thailand – EV brand with 1,008km range SUV

A new Chinese electric car company will soon enter the South East Asian (SEA) market as
GAC
’s electric car brand, Aion has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Thai company Gold Integrate. Aion will set up its SEA headquarters in Thailand and the company plans to produce its cars there too.
The GAC brand is already present in SEA, with Malaysia included as well. In Malaysia, the brand is officially distributed by
WTC Automotif
, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warisan TC Holdings Bhd. Aion is GAC’s EV division and its entry into Thailand will be its first debut outside of China. With Thailand being the largest automobile manufacturer and exporter in SEA, it is no surprise as to why it is chosen as the headquarters for the region.
Aion S
The Aion EV brand has been around for close to 5 years now (first as a sub-brand of GAC and later as a marque) and its lineup consists of fully-electric options like the Aion S, V, Y, LX, Hyoer GT, and Hyper SSR. The most outstanding vehicle in its lineup in terms of electric range would be the Aion LX Plus which boasts
1,008 km
 (NEDC) of pure electric range from a huge
144.4kWh
 battery pack. As for ludicrous EV performance, the brand has the Hyper SSR which apparently does 0-100km/h in 1.9 seconds.
Besides the two EVs with outstanding numbers, Aion’s lineup also consists of the Aion S which is a Civic-sized electric saloon, the Aion V which is a compact SUV, and the Aion Y which is a compact SUV with a tall roof. The brand already has quite the lineup to penetrate the SEA market.
RELATED:
RM60m GAC CKD project announced, CKD 1.5L TGDI GAC GS3 coming to Malaysia soon
Aion LX
Aion says that in just 5 years, it has built an average annual compound growth rate of over 120%. In 2022, sales volume reached 271,200 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 126%, with annual revenues of 38.7 billion yuan (approx. RM24.9 billion).
With Aion soon setting up a base in Thailand, it may eventually enter the Malaysian market too. After all, the GAC brand is already officially here.
RELATED:
GAC GS3 compact SUV now in Malaysia from RM88,800


Porsche’s all-black Exclusive Manufaktur 911 GT3 Touring looks like the perfect getaway car

When it comes to official customisation offerings such as Bentley’s
Mulliner
 and
 Aston Martin’s Q
, you’d usually expect something a little more extravagant, a little more flashy. But weirdly, that was not the case for Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s latest work on the
911 GT3 Touring
 – not that we’re complaining, because this looks ace.
Instead of a flashy paint job, the company opted to go for a more understated stealthy exterior by blacking out everything – including a tinted glass cover over the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) headlights, and a set of Satin Black wheels measuring 20-inches up front and 21-inches at the back.
Porsche did more than just removing the big wing on the 911 GT3 Touring. Learn more about it here!
Not much else has been done to the exterior, but we think that it was the right choice, considering how good this already looks – especially with the wing delete of the GT3 Touring edition, making it the perfect car to fly under the radar doing high speed runs… not that we’re advocating for it.
Inside is where things get a little more interesting, with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur giving the 911 GT3 Touring a little splash of colour with a two-toned Lipstick Red and black combination upholstery.
Here’s another special Exclusive Manufaktur edition of the 911 GT3 Touring, specifically for Australia
Otherwise, the car is pretty much bog-standard: powering the GT3 Touring is the 4.0-litre flat-six turbocharged engine, good for
510 hp
 and
470 Nm
 of torque, which translates to a 0-100 km/h time of
3.4 seconds
 and a top speed of
317 km/h
. Buyers can choose between either a dual-clutch PDK or a six-speed manual transmission.
Not a fan of the black paint job? Don’t worry, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is still a customisation arm afterall, so you can personalise your own car to your heart’s content when you place your order, with
something maybe a little more unique like Meissen Blue
.
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2015 Mercedes-Benz GLE revealed, now with plug-in hybrid tech

After the unveiling of the
GLE Coupé
 end of last year, now is the time for the non-coupé variant of the
GLE
 to break cover. Essentially a facelifted M-Class, Mercedes-Benz has implemented the new naming convention to go along with the new look.
The front is shared with the GLE Coupé, featuring the prominent grille, twin power domes on the bonnet, and the optional
LED Intelligent Light-System
 headlamps.
From the A-pillars onwards it’s the familiar M-class shape with its trademark C-pillar design, although the wheels are new as well as the graphics for the tail lamps and the rear bumper with integrated tailpipes.

As expected, the refreshed interior from the GLE Coupé has found its way here. We can see there’s a
new steering wheel
, a free-standing
7-inch display
 on the dashboard, and a
COMAND
 controller with touchpad on the center console together with the
DYNAMIC SELECT
 controller.
The GLE will be powered by a range of engines from four to eight cylinders. At launch, the base engine is the
2.1-litre 4-cylinder diesel
 in the
GLE 250 d
 that churns out
204 hp
 and
480 Nm
, followed by a
 3.0-litre V6 diesel
 in the
GLE 350 d
 with
258 hp
 and
 620 Nm
. Both of these diesel variants are paired to a nine-speed
9G-TRONIC automatic
 transmission as standard.
Then there’s a
 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo
 petrol in the
 GLE 400
 with
333 hp
 and
 480 Nm
, and a
 4.7-litre V8 twin-turbo
 in the
GLE 500
 with
435 hp
 and
700 Nm
.
However, the main highlight is the
 GLE 500 e
, the first
plug-in hybrid
 SUV by Mercedes-Benz. Using a
BlueDIRECT V6
 direct-injection petrol engine with
 333 hp
 and a hybrid module with
 85 kW
 of electric power, it produces
a total of 436 hp
 and
650 Nm
 of torque.
The electrical energy is stored in a
8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery
, and it will take around
two hours
 to get the battery fully charged. In
E-MODE
 the GLE 500 e can travel
up to 30 km
 at speeds
up to at 130 km/h
, while the fuel consumption is rated at just
3.3 L/100 km
.
Depending on which model, the suspension setup can be customised via the
DYNAMIC SELECT
 dynamic handling control system. There’s even an
 OFFROAD+
 setting if the
Off-Road Engineering package
 option is ticked, with the inclusion of the
AIRMATIC
 air suspension raising the ground clearance up to 285 mm allowing it to tackle the dirty stuff.
New assistance systems such as
 Crosswind Assist
 and
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
 are part of the standard equipment, but other equipment packages are available as options.
The GLE will debut at the
2015 New York International Auto Show
 (NYIAS) in April.
[divider]
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Do pick-ups really need carbon fibre cargo beds?

Most pick-ups bought today, especially those driven around the “smooth surfaces” of Kuala Lumpur, would most likely never be utilised to its full potential unless the occasional flash flood occurs.
Their cargo beds? If you consider loading it up with unassembled Ikea furniture a full utilisation, the answer is another no – they would never be roughed up enough to require it to be made of stronger materials.
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado Redline Edition
The Americans may use their pick-ups differently. General Motors is reportedly planning to use
carbon fibre
 for their future pick-up’s cargo beds. The exercise will begin with the
Chevrolet Silverado
, which will house carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic on its cargo bed.
The application will eventually be spread across its model range once more cost-effective production methods can be figured out. For now, the immensely strong yet lightweight material will only feature in high-end variants of the Silverado as it’s expensive to manufacture in massive volumes, due to its time-consuming production process.
Source:
Autonews


New car listing site Caricarz.com lets you ‘cari cars’ with confidence

If the record numbers achieved by national car makers Proton and
Perodua
is anything to go by, the
sales tax exemption
 seems to be working. With new car prices being reduced, the deals on the used car market should be even better.
However one needs to be careful of unscrupulous sellers when navigating through the used car market. For the inexperienced, the sometimes opaque and complicated process of buying a used car can be off-putting as well.
To get listed on Caricarz, used car dealers need to a valid license and operating premises
New car marketplace
caricarz.com
 is set to address this issue in the used car market. As industry veterans with more than 15 years of experience, founder Kenneth Goh, James Goh, Thomas Chong and Eric Lim feel that the used car buying process could definitely be improved.
Together with their 20-strong team, the trio wants to revolutionize the used car buying process for Malaysians. They want buyers to feel assured and confident when they are searching for their next ride on the marketplace. This is done by vetting the sellers thoroughly before they are allowed to publish their cars. This means that car dealers need to have a valid operating license and premise to get onboard.
For buyers, they can expect an easy-to-use site to when they are browsing through 13,000 cars from more than 1,100 resellers (to date) on offer. All parameters related to car buying are clearly laid out for them to make a better choice. Also on site is a handy instalment calculator to speed things up.
From today till 30th November 2020, Malaysians can share their dream car from Caricarz on their Facebook timeline for a chance to win a car worth RM25,000. You can
follow their Facebook page
for details. Looks like there’s one more reason for you to share on your timeline why the GT86 is such a great buy…


Lamborghini Aventador SV laps the Nurburgring in under 7 minutes [+Videos]

A couple of months after the unveiling of Lamborghini’s wildest
Aventador
, the
LP 750-4 Superveloce
,
Automobili Lamborghini
 has released a video of their mad bull lapping “The Green Hell”.
No, the video is not about a bull having a meal in a green pasture. Instead, it’s an on board clip with
Marco Mapelli
 piloting the Aventador SV during the
Pirelli P Zero Corsa
 tyre development test at the infamous
Nürburgring Nordschleife
 circuit.
With
750 hp
 and
690 Nm
 generated from a
6.5-litre V12
, the Aventador SV was put through its pace at the Nürburgring, punching through its
7-speed ISR transmission
 reaching speeds of up to 325 km/h on the final straight of the circuit.
Suffice it to say the Aventador SV
broke the 7-minute barrier
, clocking in at
6:59.73
 which is just a couple of seconds off the
Porsche 918 Spyder
 (6:57.00). It’s quite an achievement because the mega Porsche is loaded with hybrid tech, while the Aventador SV relies on the good-old naturally-aspirated V12 mill.
You can relive Marco’s experience by watching the full clip, and may we suggest you to put on a good pair of headphones and crank up the volume for a full effect.
[divider]
VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY


Sepang Circuit ends 2015 on a positive note, braces for a tough 2016

Last year (2015, for those who are still planning their new year’s resolution) was undoubtedly a tough year for Malaysia when it comes to economic and political challenges. Similarly for our famed Sepang International F1 Circuit (SIC), it has been a roller coaster ride. In 2015, SIC saw a disappointing number of spectators in two major events – the World SuperBike Championship (WSBK) and Formula One, but reversed its fortunes with the MotoGP.
The implementation of GST and the fall of the Ringgit had taken its toll towards Malaysians with the reduced number of spectators. In Formula One, the decline of local fans have somehow been mitigated by the slight increase of international fans. The inclusion of popular Korean pop bands for the post-race concert also contributed to this favourable outcome.
On the side of two-wheels, things aren’t as rosy for the WSBK as the spectator numbers fell way below the expected figures. Among the reasons include the dates, which were too close to the Hari Raya celebrations and many Malaysians aren’t as well acquainted with WSBK as they are with MotoGP.
Then in October, the haze came and put up a serious threat to the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) event. Thankfully enough, the event turned out to be a tremendous success with all tickets sold out. A total of 150,000 spectators not only witnessed local riders competing in lower categories such as Moto3 and Moto2, but also experienced the explosive rivalry between Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo in the premier MotoGP category. Suffice to say, Sepang joins the ranks of Mugello, Italy and Valencia, Spain as popular MotoGP tracks with over 100,000 race fans attendance.
The venue was also well-received by organisations that handle media events, track days and numerous non-motorsports events (eg. Viper Challenge, Music Run, Motorsport Free Morning and so on). Homegrown motorsports events – Malaysia Championship Series and Pirelli Malaysia Superbike Championship Series – too received encouraging participation. Other endurance race events such as the Sepang 1000km Endurance Race (S1K) and Sepang 12 Hours ran successfully as well, with the latter slated to be part of a new Intercontinental GT Challenge in 2016.
Speaking on 2016, SIC will be
closed for three months,
from
15 February to 8 May 2016
for resurfacing and upgrading works. Also to note, there will be changes in the calendar for three major events held in SIC. The 2016 WSBK round in Sepang will be held on 13 to 15 May 2016.
October will be a buzzing month as the Formula One contingent will come to Sepang on 30 Sept to 2 Oct 2016, and subsequently MotoGP on the final weekend of October. Also, moving forward in 2016, SIC is looking to diversify with planned projects such as a hotel and a specialised drivers’ education facility within SIC’s 300-hectare land bank.


All cars in Malaysia must be fitted with ESC by mid-2018

By mid-2018, all new cars sold in Malaysia will have electronic stability control (ESC) as a mandatory safety feature. This follows the announcement made by Malaysian transport minister Dato’ Seri Liow Tiong Lai during the “Stop the Crash” event.
Liow went on to say that Malaysia will become the first country in the ASEAN region to mandate this ruling. Most developed countries have recently placed ESC as compulsory in all new cars. Also, studies have shown that the implementation of ESC has reduced road accident fatalities by up to 40 percent.
ESC is also known as Electronic Stability Program (Peugeot cars), Vehicle Stability Control (Toyota), Dynamic Stability Control (BMW) and so on. The technology was first implemented by Mercedes-Benz in the mid-90s.
In layman terms, electronic stability control ensures the
 vehicle stays intact on the road
 during a
sudden change of direction
. Vehicular control is either regained or optimised by applying proper braking force to each wheel, regardless to counter understeer or oversteer. ESC is essentially a life saver in the event of emergency, and this safety feature helps drastically reduce mortality rates.
The video below illustrates how ESP works.
Take for instance, Proton. The company began equipping ESC for the Preve in 2012, subsequently followed by the Suprima S and
Iriz
 models in the later years. Last year, the
Perodua Bezza
 Advance variant became the first Perodua car to be equipped with that feature.
These efforts have paid dividends to both Proton and Perodua during the
2016

ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix
 award. Proton bagged home with three awards – “The Most Affordable 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Car in Malaysia” with the Iriz, “The Most Affordable 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Car in Thailand” with the Preve, and “The Rising Star Award” with the third-generation
Proton Saga
. Perodua meanwhile won the “Best Occupant Protection for child and adult” for the small car category with the ASEAN NCAP 5-star rated Perodua Bezza.
Be that as it may, implementing ESC and making it a mandatory safety feature is the start of a long journey to curb fatalities in road accidents. It’s also the holiday season (a really wet one too) now, and most families have begun or are planning that road trip the children have been longing for. Remember, speed kills! So drive safe and have a pleasant month ahead.


Lotus is engineering its Evija electric supercar to sound like its former F1 car

Lotus is working with renowned British music producer, Patrick Patrikios, known for his work with Britney Spears, Sia and Pixie Lott, to developed an engine note for the
all-electric Evija
.
The Evjia’s “voice” will be taken from the most iconic race car in the company’s history, the
V8-powered Type 49
.
“We wanted to create a soundscape for the Evija that was recognisably and distinctively Lotus. There’s a purity to that V8, a raw edge and an emotion that stirs something in your soul,” Patrick said.
The process began with the recording of the Type 49, and in the process of digitally manipulating the V8 sound, both Patrick and Lotus’ engineers realised that slowing the engine note down created a similar frequency to the natural driving sound produced by the Evija.
“We all wanted something to spark an emotional connection between car and driver. Sound is hugely influential when it comes to creating and forming emotions, to enrich that bond that’s such a critical part of the Lotus experience.”
That’s not all; from the V8 sounds, Patrick has also derived other chimes and tones for other functions of the Evija such as the turn indicators and seat belt warning.
The iconic Type 49 was famously known for winning the first-ever Formula 1 race it participated in 1967, with the legendary Jim Clark at the helm. It also went on to clinch pole position at every race for the rest of the same season. The following year, Graham Hill won the F1 Driver’s Championship in the same car.
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Raya dengan Gaya with Mitsubishi, with rebates up to RM7,000!

Everyone must be happy and busy marking their calendars for the upcoming Hari Raya holidays. Well, there are more reasons to be happy as Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia wants you to celebrate Hari Raya with more “
gaya
“, by offering new buyers superb deals, which includes free maintenance program up to 2 years and cash rebates up to RM7,000 for selected Mitsubishi models.
 If you choose to take home the Mitsubishi Attrage, you will get to enjoy cash
rebates of up RM7,000
. The
Mitsubishi Attrage SE
 is priced at
RM75,796.50
 while the
Mitsubishi Attrage GS
 is priced at
RM67,978.50
.
Shall you choose the smaller Mitsubishi Mirage or “
adik
“
,
 you will get to enjoy cash
rebates of up to RM6,000
. The
Mitsubishi Mirage GS
 is priced at
RM64,090.65
, while the
Mitsubishi Mirage GL
 is priced at
RM60,198.65
.
For a slightly grander look, customer who choose the award-winning Pajero Sports SUV will get to enjoy cash
rebates of up to RM7,000
. The
Pajero Sport GL
 is priced at
RM151,227.60
 while the more powerful
Pajero Sport VGT
 is priced at
RM172,211.60
.
The abovementioned cash rebates is valid only for
2013
 models. Well MMM wouldn’t forget customers who wanted newer models, but it is limited only to the new
2014 Mitsubishi ASX
. Customers who book and register the mid-size SUV will get to enjoy
2-year free maintenance
 and a
5-year warranty
.
The 2-year free maintenance  program offers complementary maintenance on parts, lubricants and labour costs. Some of these free maintenance parts includes engine oil, fuel filters, air cleaner, brake fluid, coolant, differential oil, and transmission oil. The 2WD ASX is priced at
RM114,743.50
 while the 4WD is priced at
RM128,879.50
.
All the prices quoted is on-the-road price without insurance.


Honda City Sport Hybrid 1.5 i-DCD launched in Malaysia, priced at RM89,200

Just like the
Honda Jazz Sport Hybrid
, Malaysia is once again the only country outside of Japan to get the Honda City Sport Hybrid. It slots below the top-spec V variant with an asking price of RM89,200 – about RM1,700 more than the Jazz Hybrid.
Powering this City Hybrid is a
1.5-litre Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC
 engine that’s married to a 30hp/160 Nm electric motor. The combined output is
136 hp
 and
170 Nm
 of torque, all of which are sent to the front wheels through a
seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission
. It has a fuel consumption rating of
 3.9 litres per 100km
, which is just under the Jazz’s 4.0L/100km.
Unique to this City Sport Hybrid is the 3D meter design, feeding info such as energy flow, sport meter, fuel economy, drive info and eco display for convenience. Interestingly, boot space is not compromised, measuring at 536 litres which is exactly the same as the regular City.
The equipment list reads: 16-inch alloy wheels (185/55 tyres versus the Jazz’s 175/65 R15), keyless entry with push-start button, electric folding side mirrors, LED combination tail lamps (like the top spec V) and shark fin antenna. Unfortunately it won’t get the full LED headlamps and fog lamps.
It gets four airbags, ABS, Vehicle Stability Assist, reverse camera and can be had in Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl. Each purchase comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, whereas the lithium-ion battery is covered by up to eight years.
Production of the Honda City Sport Hybrid has begun, but test drive opportunities will only be available at selected dealerships beginning mid-August. Interested customers can now place their bookings at all 91 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide.
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Mazda could still build a flagship sports car with a rotary engine

Revealed at the
 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
, Mazda’s RX-Vision concept has been the talk of the rotary community (if that still exists) yet Mazda has kept mum on any potential developments about it, until now.
According to an Autocar UK report, Mazda claims that a production model of the concept is not a doomed prospect and is still under consideration.
At the moment, Mazda seems to be contented with merely offering the MX-5 as its sole option for a sports car and when the market demands a more premium sports car from the brand, Mazda will look into production of a “more premium model”.
Sources from within Mazda also claims that the move is highly dependent on how well the company is doing. Should the situation improve in the future, the realisation of such a product will be more likely.
Mazda recently confirmed that the rotary engine will be making a comeback, but not in the way we know it. It will instead serve as
range extender
 for a pure electric vehicle that is
 set to debut as early as next year
.
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Is the Lexus RC F Track Edition here to rival the BMW M3 GTS?

Besides ultra-luxurious limousines and sexy coupes, Lexus also knows a thing or two about making M3 rivalling cars like the V8 powered Lexus RC F. Now the Japanese luxury carmaker has teased a hardcore, track-focused RC F for the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
Based on a single teaser image, it would appear Lexus RC F Track Edition will wear a carbon fibre rear wing complete with an “F” inscription on the end plates. The Track Edition will also wear a matte finish paint job similar to the Fuji Graphite paint on the
F10
th
 Anniversary Limited RC F
.
Expect minimal changes to the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 pushing out
 470 hp
 and
530 Nm
 to drive the rear wheels via an eight-speed sport direct-shift automatic transmission. Century sprint is done in
4.5 seconds
 and on full whack, the standard RC F will hit
270 km/h
.
The focus of the Track Edition should be its aerodynamic capabilities and chassis tuning for better turn-in response and cornering stability.


Proton opens new 3S centre in Puncak Jalil – Green building with solar system installed

Proton
’s
 award-winning dealership, Atiara Johan Group (Atiara Johan) has just opened Jaya Johan Sdn Bhd, its brand new 3S centre in Puncak Jalil on
May 22
,
2023
. According to Proton, this new 3S centre is a green building with a solar system installed.
The new facility features a capacious showroom, and a 10-service bay and spare parts centre to deliver quick services as well as insurance renewals. The centre also features a fully equipped customer lounge with F&B provided, allowing customers to work and relax.
Thanks to a large after-sales service team and a big service area, the 3S centre is capable of catering to up to 60 cars a day. The Puncak Jalil Proton 3S centre is specifically located at Lot PT 59674, Persiaran Puncak Jalil, Taman Puncak Jalil, PJU 6, 43300 Seri Kembangan.
Atiara Johan Group CEO, Mr Eric Moo said the new centre is strategically located nearby Bukit Jalil and Taman Equine. This makes it convenient for customers in these vicinities to visit and send in their cars for service and repairs.
“We welcome customers near and far to visit us at this new centre. Though a 3S centre, we are also able to provide Body and Paint works with the support of Atiara Johan Sdn Bhd’s 4S centre in Puchong,” he said.
RELATED:
Scoop: Proton Exora to cease production by end of 2023 – New MPV coming soon?
Jaya Johan Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kok Kam Chyuen said, “At Jaya Johan’s centres, customers can be assured of quality comprehensive service for all your vehicle’s needs as the centres are equipped with the latest technology and enhanced machines.”
A shuttle service for drop off and pick up is also provided for the convenience of customers living nearby who would like to return home or to be dropped off somewhere while waiting for their cars to be serviced. The new Puncak Jalil 3S centre is Atiara Johan’s third Proton outlet, as it currently owns a 1S and 4S Proton centre in Puchong as well.
Proton has given assurance of more products down the pipeline. Therefore, customers can look forward to seeing the upcoming models being displayed at Proton’s Atiara Johan Sdn Bhd and Jaya Johan Sdn Bhd 3S centres.
RELATED:
Proton commits to launching at least one New Energy Vehicle (NEV) per year


Hyundai to increase the range of EV models by 2022

Hyundai announced that they will be expanding its Eco-focused product line-up to 13 models by the year 2022. It will include six sedans and seven SUVs in Electric, Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid forms.
According to Hyundai Motor America, Product, Corporate and Digital Planning, Vice President, Mike O’Brien said, “As the automotive industry evolves to meet the needs of a diverse customer base and environmentally-aware society, we will continue to provide alternative-propulsion options in a variety of product choices.”
“For consumers seeking forward-thinking and eco-friendly personal transportation options, Hyundai’s product line-up meets these criteria and more,” he added.
Upcoming models include the updated 2020 Ioniq that will be available in three different forms – the
Ioniq Electric
, the
 Ioniq Hybrid
, and the Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid.
The new Ioniq will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show by the end of the month followed by the
all-new Sonata HEV
 (that will be equipped with a
solar charging roof system)
 sometime next year.
The other nine models will be introduced over the next three years.


2017 Renault Captur facelift unveiled, may come to Malaysia as CKD

Europe’s top-selling compact crossover, the
Renault Captur
, has finally received a facelift after four years of being in the market. It takes a trained eye to spot the differences, though.
For starters, the front now comes with a new pair of LED “Pure Vision” headlights, below which sit the C-shaped LED DRLs. The grille gets a new chrome strip whereas the front and rear bumpers now don new skid plates.
The Captur’s signature two-tone exterior finish remains unchanged. Two new body colours – Atacama Orange and Ocean Blue – and a new roof colour Platinum Gray make their debut, joining a palette of over 30 colour combinations that comes with the Captur. The special colour customisation also extends into the cabin as well.
Mechanically, it remains unchanged, so the same
118 hp

1.2-litre turbocharged direct injected engine
 that’s also offered in Malaysia soldiers on. Outside Malaysia, the Captur can be had with either the 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a torquier 1.5-litre turbodiesel lump.
Overall, we’re digging the new look, especially with the more streamlined styling across the Renault brand. TC Euro Cars or Renault Malaysia has hinted at the possibility of localising assembly of the Captur, which will be done at the company’s production facility in Segambut.
Oh, in case you’re wondering, it’s pronounced as Capture. Pardon the French quirkiness…


Video: 2022 Peugeot 2008 launched in Malaysia, 1 variant from RM126k, 5 Things

The
all-new Peugeot 2008
 has been launched by Bermaz Auto Alliance, the new distributors of Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia, and is available only in a single variant – the Allure – from RM126,753.
The Peugeot 2008 is locally assembled at the Stellantis manufacturing plant in Gurun, Kedah, and will also be exported to neighbouring countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Performance wise, the rather large 2008 relies on the 1.2 turbocharged 3-cylinder engine to deliver 131 hp and 230 Nm to drive the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Standout features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Peugeot’s i-Cockpit design and the world’s first 3D hologram instrument cluster. With just as much substance as it has style, the Peugeot 2008 also comes with six airbags, Active Lane Keep Assist and Active Brake Assist or in other words, autonomous emergency braking.
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BMW Concept XM: Munich’s first standalone M car since the M1 is a weird hybrid SUV

It just keeps getting weirder and weirder, doesn’t it. BMW has just unveiled the new Concept XM, their first exclusively M-badged model since the
M1
 (and the first with an electric motor), and it’s pretty much all-grille up front.
BMW says that the Concept XM will be turned into a production-model SUV by the end of 2022, and will be manufactured at the carmaker’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA.
To call its design “unusual” would be putting it lightly. The kidney grille – now illuminated around its perimeter – takes up nearly the entire front fascia, and flanked by tiny angular headlights that looks nothing more like daytime-running lights.
The bumpers – and the rest of the car for the matter – are styled with sharp lines and acute angles, somewhat like the
BMW 2 Series Coupe
 taken to the extreme. Round the back, the rear screen even comes with humps that extends upwards to meet the roof’s contours, with the BMW logo etched onto the glass itself – the latter a nod to the original M1’s design.
RELATED: BMW still won’t commit to a complete EV powertrain switchover just yet. Read more here.
Whether you like it or not, BMW says that the new front-end design previews the styling direction that all of its future luxury-class models will adhere to. And while it still looks like a concept for now, we have no doubts that many of its brash styling elements will actually make it into production – especially with how similar the production
 4 Series
looks when compared to the
 Concept 4
.
The interior of the BMW Concept XM, meanwhile, is by contrast a more “civilised” look – well, that’s if you discount the funky polygon-filled headliners and rear seats. It’s slathered in what BMW calls “vintage-look leather”, while the curved displays with
iDrive 8
takes centre stage on the carbon fibre and copper dashboard.
RELATED: The BMW i4 M50 is BMW M’s first EV with 544 hp, 0 to 100 in 3.9s
As for performance, BMW says that the Concept XM will come with a V8 engine underneath the bonnet, paired with an M-Hybrid high-performance electric motor for a total system output of around
750 hp
 and
1,000 Nm
 of torque.
The output figures are, of course, still preliminary at this point in time, but BMW says that the hybrid V8 powertrain will be the sole option on the Concept XM when it makes it to production.
GALLERY


Acura tight-lipped on new Integra’s design and other details

In a shocking
announcement last week
 in conjunction with the launch of the
Acura NSX Type S
, Acura is not providing any new information regarding the reintroduction of the new Integra model.
When prodded by
Motor1.com
, a spokesperson from Acura wouldn’t confirm nor deny the aspects of the compact and sporty nameplate model. A coupe, a sedan or even a hatchback can be possible for the new Acura Integra. Well, thank goodness it is not another

crossover
 or SUV.
New Integra silhouette during the launch of Acura NSX Type S, by
KurtBradley
This dogfight with a Porsche 911 GT3 RS at Sepang is the reason why many are excited by the Integra name! Watch it here!
Acura, the luxury arm of Honda in similar positioning as Toyota’s Lexus, Nissan’s Infiniti and Hyundai’s
Genesis
, currently offers a line-up of just four mass volume models- two sedans and two SUVs. The ILX sedan, built from the Honda Civic underpinnings, is meant to compete with that segment of vehicles plus Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Audi A3.
Acura ILX, 201 hp
Acura TLX, 355 hp
Unfortunately, the ILX is also the lowest contributor to sales (excluding NSX as it is already a low volume product), giving just 10% to Acura 2020 sales of 137,000 units. Dealers of Acura heavily depend on sales of the
RDX
 and MDX SUV models, which combined a total of 100,000 units sold last year.
As such, news portals in the USA, where Acura is only available, believe that the new Integra will use the underpinnings of the latest
11th-generation Honda Civic
 and replace the ageing ILX sedan. Acura dealerships also leaked about a new ‘Type S’ compact sedan (before the global pandemic intensified) in the pipeline, suggesting that the new Integra will not continue to be a 3-door product like its predecessor.
Honda is teaming up with America’s GM to produce their first electric SUV. Find out what it’s called here!
Acura used the Integra name on their compact, entry models from its first generation in 1986 to the third generation that ended in 2001. The third generation also introduced the Type R name into the US, with the model featuring a hand-built 1.8-litre engine delivering
195 hp
 and high-revving excitement. In 2019, a one-owner white 1997 Acura Integra Type-R sold for a record
USD82,000
 (approx RM340k) at an auction, almost four times the original price when new.
The RSX nameplate then took over for just one generation, for the final model from 2002 to 2006. The compact sporty model was also discontinued as Honda ended the life of the Honda Integra DC5 generation.
Acura has scheduled Spring 2022 as the expected delivery date of the new Integra.


Car thieves in US caught, for the most hilarious reason ever

The younger generation have it easy these days – everything is automated, at the touch of a button or a flick of a switch. They don’t know what transferring data with a floppy disk is like, the inconvenience of a phone without a camera and they most certainly aren’t familiar with a manual gearbox.
The last bit recently landed two millenials, aged 15 and 17 in Nashville, USA in hot soup as both are now held for attempted robbery and car theft among other charges. Why?
All because
they couldn’t drive a manual.
 After a failed first attempt, the teens approached another target as she was walking away from her car with the keys in hand. They snatched it off her, got into the victim’s vehicle but after a few seconds, they exited it and fled on foot again, as they did on the first occasion.
Both were later spotted and picked up by local authorities and were subsequently identified and charged; talk about a massive fail.