DS Automobiles unveils new DS3, gets up to 208hp and 300Nm !

It wasn’t too long ago that DS
launched the DS4 and what a looker that was
. DS, as you may recall, is the ‘
hipster
’ division of French automaker Citroen. The marque has just brought out a facelifted version of their DS3 and DS3 Cabriolet. First launched in 2010, the DS3 has been a hit with customers placing over 390,000 orders for this Parisian supermini.
The new DS3 duo comes kitted with a few new features and can be specified with a variety of powerplants such as the new
PureTech 130 three-cylinder
 turbo petrol engine that’s paired up with the latest-generation
EAT6
 automatic gearbox. New DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio will also be available in a hot Performance spec model that boasts an impressive
208 hp
.

Starting with the exterior styling, words such a avant-garde and Parisian come screaming immediately to mind but that being said, are we really that surprised? The front headlights are LED as you would expect, DS calls them the “
DS LED Vision
” light signature. The DS does utilise a fair bit of
bling
if you look at the sheer amount of
chrome
 on the front end of these superminis, especially the grille. Visually speaking, only the headlights and front bumper seem to be the biggest changes to this new model.
On the inside, not much is different from the last apart from the addition of new toys such as the updated
infotainment
 system that comes packed with Mirror Screen, courtesy of Apple’s
CarPlay
 for iOS users and
MirrorLink
 for Android users. These new toys allow drivers a smarter, safer and more enjoyable way of enjoying the apps on their
smartphones.

As we mentioned earlier, DS is bringing out a few engine options for this refreshed supermini. The PureTech110 engine is the company’s latest three-pot mill that’s strapped to a
turbocharger
 and as the name suggests, chucks out
110

horses
 and interestingly,
205 Nm
 of torque. Figures like that make for fairly enjoyable driving. But that engine option is just scratching the surface.
If 110 ponies just isn’t enough for you, worry not because the next engine option is just 20 hp away and better still, the
PureTech130
 mill can be had with a
 six-speed stick shifter
. Additionally, this mill is up by 30 Nm. But what if none of these tickle your fancy? Fret not for there is a DS Performance version that cranks out
208 hp
 and an astonishing
300 Nm
 of twist. All of that on a supermini? You better believe it. The engineers over at DS mated this package with a
short shift six-speed manual
 and Torsen-sourced
limited slip differential
 for sake of traction, road-holding and handling.
For even more agility, the suspension has been lowered by 15mm and the front and rear tracks have been widened by
26mm
 and
14mm
 respectively. The New DS 3 Performance models are also fitted with larger
323mm
 brake rotors at the front (with
Brembo
 callipers), and
249mm
 discs at the rear. This
Peugeot 208 GTi
 and
Ford Fiesta ST
 rival really has the workings to take on its competition head on.
But if whizzing about town in a ball of fury isn’t really your cup of motor-oil then you’ll be pleasantly surpised to know that the DS3 duo is a customisable as an iPhone’s back-cover. With
78
 various body/roof colour combinations and over
three million
 personalisation options, the new DS 3 has plenty of personality to go around. Personalisation is now greater than ever, with ten roof decals available for the hatchback and four fabric roofs on the Cabrio, the DS is at the cutting-edge of
Parisian avant-garde
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Test drive a Subaru from home – 6 months zero installment for XV

TC Subaru
 has launched a
Peace of Mind campaign
 where where customers can now
test drive a Subaru vehicle without leaving their homes
.
Upon deciding to purchase the vehicle, customers will need to fill out an Online Booking form and proceed with a booking fee of RM188. A Subaru sales consultant will then finalise the booking and registration within five working days.
What do Subaru and Porsche vehicles have in common?
Find out here
!
All Subaru test drive vehicles are thoroughly sanitised before and after, including all touch points, including centre armrests, door handles and gear knob. All sales consultants are equipped with face masks and sanitisers, and have had their temperatures checked upon coming to work and two more times during the day.
During the campaign period, those who purchase the Forester or XV will receive services and rebates worth up to RM20,000, in addition to the sales tax exemption of up to RM5,000 till 31st of December 2020.
The Subaru XV is available in three variants – XV 2.0i, XV 2.0i-P and
XV 2.0i-P GT Edition
 – and is priced from RM117,788 before sales tax exemptions. Those who purchase a new XV can opt for a 6-month zero installment plan as part of the Peace of Mind campaign.
As for the Subaru Forester, it’s available in
three variants
 as well – Forester 2.0i-L, Forester 2.0i-S and
Forester 2.0i-S Eyesig
ht we reviewe
d
 – with prices starting from RM149,788 before sales tax exemptions.
With every XV or Forester sold, owners will receive a complimentary Subaru Eco Sterilising In-Cabin 3D Spray Service worth RM1,500. The sterilising service removes up to 99% of harmful bacteria and viruses.
As part of the Subaru’s commitment to safety, customers who visit any Subaru showroom in the country for a test drive will be given a complimentary bottle of Eco Sterilising Spray their hands or vehicles.


Lotus Emira “First Edition” previewed in Malaysia, with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6!

Lotus Kars Sdn. Bhd., distributor of Lotus sports cars in Malaysia recently previewed the
new Lotus Emira
 locally and
as we’ve shared before
, it’ll be priced from
RM1,131,800
 on-the-road, while prices in Langkawi start from
RM456,900
.
RELATED:
Lotus unleashes a new 400 hp Emira GT4 race car!

Sitting behind the occupants is a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre supercharged V6 paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Output is rated at
405 hp
 and
420 Nm
. A 6-speed automatic gearbox is available as an option; increasing torque figures by 10 Nm to 430 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.2 seconds with the automatic gearbox while rowing your own gears is only 0.1 seconds slower.
The Emira comes with full LED lighting and automatic headlamps, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, 4-pot brakes front and back, rear parking sensors, power-folding side mirrors, reverse parking sensors, and titanium exhaust tips. With the
 Lower Black Pack
, the front air blades, front splitter, side sills, and rear diffuser are all finished in gloss black.
The Emira will also get the
Drivers Pack
 for a choice of Sport or Touring suspension with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres or Sport suspension with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
Inside, it’s more Evora than Elise or Exige. Unlike the Lotus sports cars we’ve been so familiar with, it’s a lot easier to get in and out of the Emira, with better rear visibility. It’s full of creature comforts too, like electric seats for both driver and passenger, while soft-touch materials can be felt on the dashboard and on the doors!
What’s that saying again, about real men and three pedals?
That’s not all, it also gets a fancy 10-speaker KEF sounds system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with cruise control, auto air-conditioning, and even keyless start! Nappa leather for the seats is offered as an option.
Options are aplenty for the Emira, including a
Design Pack
that adds privacy glass, sports pedals, Alcantara headlining and brake calipers either in black, red, yellow, or silver. The Design pack also comes with Lotus-branded footwell mats.
Opt for the
Convenience Pack
 and the Emira will be fitted with front parking sensors, a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, and a net for rear luggage.
The new Emira offers up to 208-litre of storage behind the two seats and 151-litres in the boot; enough for one cabin-sized luggage or a set of golf clubs.
What’s even more unusual about the
2nd model from a new generation of Lotus sports cars
 are its safety features. Not only does it come with curtain airbags, but also a host of driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane change assist, an anti-collision system, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Later on, the Emira will also be introduced here with an AMG-sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged engine –
the most powerful 4-cylinder in

production

– paired to a dual-clutch gearbox, just like the one from the

AMG A 45
!
GALLERY


Five performance cars from the 90s millennials may not recognise

I don’t expect the “youngins” to look up on these cars from the comforts of a hipster cafe cause there are so few of them left around to even raise any queries but when I overheard someone asking my mechanic if the car he was driving, was a Myvi or a Jazz, I realised that the preservation of these cars may not last beyond our generation.
Yes, I’m talking about you old farts curious enough to check out this post. By the way, the “Myvi” my mechanic was driving was in fact an EP82 Toyota Starlet with all its badges removed.
Then it made me look up all the cars from the 1990s that left a mark on us, but not deep enough that they’re almost forgotten by now, save for the occasional sightings on the road. So here it is, these are the five cars I think that even those born before the 90s may have forgotten.
Toyota Starlet
This pokey little hatchback may only have a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine but with the right modifications, could punch way above its weight as all the videos on YouTube can attest.
The secret behind its performance wasn’t its 130-140 hp output, but like the Lotus Elise, the Starlet was light – weighing just under a tonne. Strap on a bigger turbo and even the mighty GTR would struggle to shake off this little giant-killer.
Mitsubishi GTO
They may be as uncommon as chivalry these days, but the Mitsubishi GTO was so technologically-advance, it was considered way ahead of its time.
Armed with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, it made around 300 hp with later models surpassing the 400 hp mark but that wasn’t all. It had an active front lip, an active rear spoiler and even adjustable exhaust valves!
BMW Z3
Sporting a long hood, short arse and an open top, the BMW Z3 had all the attributes that would make you question your own sportscar decisions. It was based on the BMW E36 with some components taken from the older E30.
Under its nose were engine options ranging from 1.8-litre to 3.2-litre, where the latter found its way into the M Roadster or M Coupe models. Heck, it was so pretty it was even featured in Pierce Brosnan’s Golden Eye.
Nissan 300ZX
The 300ZX was sold in the Japanese Domestic Market as the Fairlady Z where its potential 300 hp output was once capped at just 280 hp due to Japanese regulations that imposed a “power ceiling”.
Like the GTO, it was also way ahead of its time with the introduction of a four-wheel steering system and even a keyless entry! Despite weighing a hefty 1.5-tonnes, it could still do 0 to 100 km/h in around six seconds.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
My favourite car of the lot, one that will be forever be remembered for its oversized “whale tail” spoiler. Built as a homologation special for Ford to participate in the Group A rally, the RS Cosworth’s production run lasted only four years.
This was Ford’s Lancer Evolution and Impreza WRX of the time. It had a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine making over 220 hp and 300 Nm of torque where 0 to 100 km/h was done in under six seconds – rivaling the likes of Toyota’s Supra and the then BMW M3. Even Jeremy Clarkson had one.


McLaren hints at EV sedan to rival Taycan, electrified SUV also planned

British carmaker
McLaren
 has hinted at an electric vehicle (EV) sedan in the works, targeting the likes of the all-electric Porsche Taycan. Previously, McLaren’s Chief Technical Officer, Michael Leiters has said that company is open to the idea of a
McLaren crossover
 (not a classic SUV), and now, the company hints at an EV sedan.
Speaking to
Auto Express
 on the brand’s electric future, Michael Leiters said, “Words like ‘utility’ or ‘lifestyle’, you’ll obviously leap to certain conclusions. I think the key measure for McLaren is potentially something with the ability to share with more occupants in the car. Not necessarily higher riding, but it could be.”
According to the publication, the EV plan of McLaren also includes a crossover. However, quoting Leiter saying “not necessarily higher-riding”, “more occupants”, and “utility”, an EV sedan makes perfect sense to increase awareness of the brand. The all-electric
Porsche Taycan
 has enjoyed tremendous success with its
100,000th unit recently rolling off the production line
. It would be a shame for McLaren to ignore this new segment spearheaded by the Taycan.
As a high-performance car company, it would also make sense for McLaren to produce an EV hypercar to rival the Lotus Evija. However, Leiter believes the technology “isn’t yet advanced enough”, so the McLaren team is focusing on more conventional EVs.
RELATED:
Porsche has just made its 100,000th Taycan, three years after start of production
McLaren has already begun its electrification with the introduction of the hybrid
McLaren Artura
. The hybrid McLaren which fetches a price of RM 1.05 million (before taxes) in Malaysia makes 585 hp (metric) and 585 Nm from its hybrid powertrain. Making up the hybrid system is a 3.0-litre V6 engine and an electric motor on the rear axle.
An EV sedan or an EV SUV will be something entirely new from McLaren. Despite the new body styles, it is said that any electric McLaren will need to meet Leiter’s “strict lightweight philosophy”.
RELATED:
McLaren’s new boss is open to crossovers and other body styles, but won’t make a “classic SUV”


“Hi Proton Iriz!”, facelifted Iriz revealed, 5 variants, March 2019 launch

Proton has officially previewed the
facelifted Proton Iriz
 here at their Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam. The refreshed hatchback is the first Proton model in the current range to be updated since they formed their new collaboration with Geely.
Efforts have been made to tie in the current model line up to the national carmaker’s new flagship product, the
Proton X70
. As such, design elements and features from the X70 have trickled down to the facelifted Iriz.
Up front, the grille now
features the Ethereal Bow design in chrome with the Infinite Weave motive integrated
into the radiator grille. There is also a new front bumper with wider intakes
and houses a pair of new LED daytime running lights (for executive variants and
up). The chrome accent just above the front lip gives the refreshed Iriz a more
expensive look.
Over to the rear,
there is now a black finish across the upper tailgate with the PROTON name spelled
out just like the X70. Coupled with the new rear bumpers, the designers say it
gives the little hatchback a wider stance on the road.
There are five variants
of the facelifted Iriz available at launch – Standard 1.3L MT, Standard 1.3L CVT,
Executive 1.3L CVT, Executive 1.6L CVT and Premium 1.6L CVT. However, the
company has not announced the asking price for the facelifted Iriz.
The
Standard 1.3L MT
 is furnished with 14-inch alloy wheels, shark fin antenna, fabric upholstery, black headlining, two speakers and USB charging ports, new gear knob and new instrument cluster with LCD Multi-info display. Stepping up to the CVT variant and you’ll get an additional rear spoiler.
Up the
Executive 1.3L CVT
 variant and you get a tonne more goodies such as 15-inch 10-spoke fan blade alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, 4 speakers, automatic headlamps, TFT Multi-Info Display, rear-view camera with dynamic guide lines and a 7.0-inch GKUI-based touchscreen infotainment system. The latter does not come with an integrated e-SIM hence it does not have online connected services such as music streaming and maps. The Executive 1.6L CVT further adds auto fold side mirrors.
Lastly, the top of the range
Premium 1.6L CVT
 is the only variant to feature a black painted roof, online connected services for the infotainment system with “Hi Proton” Voice Command, frameless rear-view mirror, semi-leather seats with red stitching and a new gear lever taken from the X70.
All variants of the
Iriz comes with dual airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Hold Assist as
well as front and rear parking sensors. The Premium variant ups the airbag
count to six.
As for performance, the 1.3L variants are powered by the same 1.3-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder VVT engine pushing out
95 hp
 and
120 Nm
 of torque. A 5-speed manual or CVT sends drive to the front wheels.
On the Executive and Premium variants, the 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder VVT engine and CVT combo command a higher output of
109 hp
 and
150 Nm
 of torque.
All variants of the facelifted
Proton Iriz can be had in five exterior colours – Snow White, Jet Grey, Armour
Silver and Ocean Blue are new colour palettes taken from the Geely Design library
while Ruby Red is the only colour carried forward from before.
IMAGE GALLERY
Proton Iriz Facelift Preview


This Range Rover Sentinel can jump, swim and survive gun shots

Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations recently revealed the Range Rover Sentinel and if you have murderous enemies out to get you, it’s a fitting addition to the garage of your fortress.
First of all, it’s lined with armoured plates and glass and despite carrying more than
one tonne
 of that material, it can still sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
10.4 seconds
 with top speed reduced to just 193 km/h.

The Sentinel is also fortified with under-floor and roof blast-protection to even withstand unconventional attacks such as improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, which as a result, bumped up its total weight to
4,400 kg
.
No matter; as the Sentinel is fitted with upgraded suspension to sustain jumps, improved brake system and is
capable of submerging into 850 mm of water
.

If you want to know what it’s like to be Barack Obama, there are also siren and emergency lighting packs available.
The Sentinel is home to a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that has been given a power bump from 380 hp to
420 hp.
IMAGE GALLERY


SpyBuzz: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer spied in Malaysia, launching in mid-April 2015

Soon to join BMW’s sole
220i Coupe
 variant in the model’s lineup is the
BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer
, which also happens to be the Munich carmaker’s first ever
front-wheel drive

vehicle
. These spy shots were taken (courtesy of our friend and reader Fung) at West Port, Port Klang, and is a clear signal that the variant’s local debut will take place sometime soon. Which will be at the upcoming
BMW World Malaysia
 event that’s taking place next week (17 to 19 April) at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort.

A closer look at the pictures shows us that we can expect at least
two variants
, but they both seem to bear the same
218i badge
, so the difference may just be in the kit list as opposed to mechanical. The new FWD layout is not the only new thing here, because powering the engine is also BMW’s first
1.5L three-cylinder turbo
engine – one that’s shared with the
MINI Cooper 1.5L
. Not surprising because the 2-Series Active Tourer also sits on the same
UKL1 platform
 underpinning the MINI.
Here we have image gallery of the Thailand 2-Series Active Tourer, taken at the recent
2015 Bangkok International Motor Show
.

The numbers the three potter makes –
136 horsepower
 from 4,500 to 6,000 rpm and
220 Nm
 (300 Nm with overboost) of torque from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm. It manages a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of
9.2 seconds
, onto a top speed of
205 km/h
. Transmission choice will largely be a
six-speed automatic gearbox
 that’s also shared with the MINI, driving the front wheels.

BMW expects
75 percent
 of the F45 Active Tourer owners will be new to the brand, so it’s a telltale sign that they are targeting a new pool of customers. It’s unclear as yet whether the
1-Series LCI
 will be introduced at the event next week, but it’s about time the outgoing
1-Series
 gets refreshed. Also in the grey is the seven-seater
2-Series GT
 – BMW’s answer to Mercedes’ B-Class MPV. Only time will tell, so keep watching this space for the latest updates!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY
2015 BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer Spyshots

2015 BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer at 36th Bangkok International Motor Show


Sime Darby Motors partners with AstraZeneca, accelerates EV adoption for its employees

Sime Darby Motors (SDM)
 has partnered with the biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles under Sime Darby Motors for AstraZeneca employees. The collaboration between the two companies was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the corporate headquarters of AstraZeneca, and was witnessed by representatives from the British High Commission, InvestKL Malaysia, and The British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce.
This is SDM’s first partnership formed with a biopharmaceutical company. The partnership would entail the provision of corporate rates to AstraZeneca’s employees to own an EV vehicle, particularly
BMW
,
BYD
, and
Hyundai
 vehicles.
Sime Darby Motors Retail and Distribution for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau’s Managing Director, Jeffrey Gan said, “We have very clear EV ambitions at Sime Darby Motors and partners such as AstraZeneca play important roles as enablers in helping us achieve our target of a more energy-efficient product portfolio by 2025 and becoming a leader for EV in Malaysia.”
He added, “We are committed to supporting AstraZeneca in their transition to EV and this collaboration marks a crucial part of our efforts to achieve a wider EV adoption in Malaysia as well as to help achieve our mission to be future-ready in the automotive industry.”
AstraZeneca’s partnership with Sime Darby Motors also marked its commitment to transition into EVs. This is also in line with AstraZeneca’s decarbonisation strategy – the Ambition Zero Carbon sustainability programme, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change.
RELATED:
2023 BYD Dolphin EV to launch in Malaysia on July 28, ROI now open


All-new Suzuki Swift Sport to debut soon at Frankfurt, gets 1.4L Turbo engine!

The Suzuki Swift Sport has always been one of the most affordable fun hatchbacks money could buy,
before officially pulling out from the Malaysian market
. Our friends in other markets however, can look forward to getting the third-generation Suzuki Swift Sport real soon.
According to Suzuki, the all-new Swift Sport has been redesigned from the ground up and will deliver “
all-new levels of excitement for sport-minded drivers across the world
”. Its styling is arguably more aggressive than
the standard model
, with diamond-cut alloys that mean business.
Just like the regular Swift, the Sport will also be the first to embrace turbocharging technology. The
1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine
, paired with a six-speed manual
,
 will be utilised. The Swift Sport is not all about brute power, but that said, key performance figures are still unknown at press time.
The
4.2-inch coloured LCD instrument screen
and
 autonomous emergency braking
 from the standard hatch will be carried over to this model. More information on the Suzuki Swift Sport will be revealed closer to its world debut later in September.


Could the Volkswagen Gen.E be a glimpse of what the next Golf would look like?

At the Volkswagen Future Mobility Days event in Germany, a mysterious hatchback was spotted and it was indeed an all-electric car. The side profile is reminiscent that of the Golf, but apparently Volkswagen denies all possibilities of it being the actual successor.
What’s on display here is actually the concept of car charging which are done by robots. Volkswagen calls this the “
Mobile Charging Robots
“. However, there’s no secret that the hatchback, known as the
Gen.E
, could be of an indication of how the future Golf will be like.
For starters, the front sports a full-width grille and angular headlights. Also, the LED daytime running lights are new to the family, donning a design never before seen in their most recent models. The closest would be the facelifted
e-Golf
.
The Volkswagen Gen.E is rumoured to sit atop a
new lightweight platform
 structure optimised for maximum crash safety. The aerodynamically optimised body and employment of next-gen powertrain give it an overall range of
398 km
– an increase of 101 km compared to the current e-Golf.
Late last year, the seventh-generation
Golf
 received a mid-life update which should soldier on until 2018 or 2019. However, don’t be surprised if the next Golf will be fully electric and come with autonomous driving techs. Perhaps by then, even charging up the car will be automated by robotic jigs.


MINI with Chrome Line Exterior Deluxe is a Cooper S with extra chromosomes

Nothing screams a cry for attention louder than driving a mirror around town, because that’s essentially what this
MINI with Chrome Line Exterior Deluxe
 is. In case you’re wondering, the chrome body you see here isn’t the result of a wrap. Instead, the entire car is
coated in chrome
, and the processes involved in making this special MINI go way back into the production line in their Oxford plant in the UK.

The Munich-based carmaker held an exclusive preview of this
chromed
MINI 3 Door
 to a group of selected guests on April Fools’ Day under a precautionary measure that all photojournalists who wish to attend the event
must wear sunglasses
 and
not use the flash
 on their cameras due to physically uncontrollable reflections. In other words, MINI probably doesn’t want to risk their guests having seizures, hence the ruling.
MINI added on by saying that the resultant sparkle directs attention to the premium small car’s design features that have typified the MINI brand and its cars since 1959. So what’s new in the production line, you ask? Well, the first obvious step is to
dim the lights
 of the assembly hall, then comes the wackier part. The operating speed of the conveyor belt will be reduced to give employees the opportunity to
check their clothing

and hair
 in the reflection of the chromed MINI body.
On the bright side (quite literally), the chrome finish
isn’t legal
 in some countries – Malaysia included, and it also happens to be one of the better
April Fools’ prank
 MINI has pulled so far. Had us convinced there for a while.
Touché
, MINI.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai Creta scores 5 stars while Stargazer scores 4 stars in ASEAN NCAP crash test

ASEAN NCAP
 has just released the crash test results for the
Hyundai Creta
 and the Hyundai Stargazer. Both models are assembled in Indonesia for several countries in the region. The Creta is a small SUV while the Stargazer is a small MPV.
With a total score of 75.78, the Hyundai Creta managed a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. It scored 27.78/32 in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 39.67/51 in Child Occupant Protection (COP), 14.79/21 in Safety Assist, and 9.14/16 In Motorcycle Safety (MS).
The Hyundai Creta is sold in Indonesia and Thailand, and all versions of the car are powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder Smartstream MPI engine that makes
115 hp
 (metric) and
143.8 Nm
.
In its range-topping form, the Creta is equipped with Hyundai Smart Sense which includes Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Driver Rear View Monitor (DRVM), Blind-spot Collision-avoidance Assist (BCA), and Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist (RCCA).
Other safety equipments that the range-topping Creta gets include 6 airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Brake Assistant System (BAS), and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC). The Creta even has a Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) system.
RELATED:
All-new Hyundai Kona unveiled with Robocop looks, 4 powertrains, LED light bars
Hyundai’s small MPV, the Hyundai Stargazer only managed to score 4 stars in the ASEAN NCAP crash test with a total score of 66.48. It scored 24.97/32 in AOP, 36.92/51 in COP, 12.64/21 in Safety Assist, and 7/16 in Motorcycle Safety (MS).
The Stargazer is sold in Indonesia in four variants, namely ‘Active’, ‘Trend’, ‘Style’, and ‘Prime’. The Prime variant is equipped with 6 airbags while the other three variants only get two airbags. The range-topping Prime variant also gets the full suite of Hyundai Smartsense which includes FCA, LKA, LFA, DAW, BCA, and RCCA.
The Stargazer is a small MPV that is in the same league as the
Mitsubishi Xpander
,
Toyota Veloz
, and
Honda BR-V
. Both the Hyundai Stargazer and Creta performed well in the ASEAN NCAP crash test.
RELATED:
Hyundai Ioniq 6 scores 5-star Euro NCAP rating – safer than EV6, Ioniq 5


Video: Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG Line, Things You Need To Know

Over the last weekend, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia hosted a Hungry for Adventure Festival which saw Craig David take centre stage at the Sentul Depot in Sentul West.
The event also saw the launch of two new Mercedes-Benz vehicles – the
 GLE 450 AMG Line
and the
GLC 300 Coupe AMG Line
 in Malaysia.

Powering the GLE 450 AMG Line is a
367 hp
 3.0-litre turbocharged engine, like the one in the
CLS 450
 with
 500 Nm
 of torque. 0 to 100 km/h takes just 5.7 seconds, with a limited top speed of 250 km/h at the top end of its 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.
IMAGE GALLERY


Isuzu D-Max AT35 by Arctic Trucks is built for snow driving

If you haven’t heard of Arctic Trucks, you must’ve seen their red Toyota Hilux pick-up driven by the hosts of Top Gear in the North Pole. Ring a bell?
They’ve built yet another monster of a truck to conquer the ice, but this time it’s based on the
all-new D-Max
called the
D-Max Arctic AT35
. It will go on sale in February next year.
Isuzu D-Max launched in Malaysia – 5 factors that make it more SUV than a pick-up…read about it here!
Aesthetically, the new D-Max looks largely the same except for the extended wheel arches and fat 35-inch wheels. Despite the Isuzu D-Max being 20-30% more rigid than before, its chassis has been strengthened further along with the addition of Bilstein performance suspension.
Old vs New: Here are the differences between the all-new Isuzu D-Max against the previous model!
It may look mean on the outside but inside, it’s a real softie. Step onboard with the Arctic side steps and you’ll be greeted by custom Arctic-branded headlamps and floor mats in a completely revamped interior. With a 30 mm longer wheelbase, Isuzu has also managed to free up more legroom and an extra 20 mm of shoulder room.
That’s before you indulge in the conveniences of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through the 9-inch infotainment display paired with eight speakers.
In Malaysia, the D-Max is available with two engine options – a 1.9-litre turbo diesel 4-cylinder with
 150 hp
 and
350 Nm
and a more powerful 3.0-litre turbo diesel 4-cylinder with
190 hp
and
450 Nm
.
Its safety features include autonomous emergency braking, pedal misapplication mitigation, automatic high beam, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Prices start from
RM99,599.20
 for the 1.9-litre standard double cab with manual transmission.
Click here for more detailed info on the all-new Isuzu D-Max!


Elon Musk confirms an all-electric pick-up truck on Twitter

Tesla boss Elon Musk is an avid user of social media platform, Twitter and if you ask the right questions, he might even tweet back. Such is the case for Twitter user Vancouver Seed Bank (@VanSeedBank) who expressed that the world needs an electric pick-up truck to which the man himself replied, yes, Tesla will be building one after the Model Y Crossover.
In his Twitter exchange, Musk said that the “core design/engineering elements” of an electric pick-up truck have been on his mind for almost five years. Tesla is looking to introduce the pick-up after the brand’s fourth model, the Model Y Crossover which will be based on the
Model 3
.
I promise that we will make a pickup truck right after Model Y. Have had the core design/engineering elements in my mind for almost 5 years. Am dying to build it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
December 26, 2017
 Another follower posed the question to Musk on the potential size of the Tesla pick-up, whether it will be a family-sized truck or a full-sized Ford F150. Musk responded that the pick-up will spot a similar size as the class-leading F150 to accommodate “a really game-changing feature”.
Recently, Tesla unveiled its
second-generation Roadster
 and
Semi truck
 with the former expecting to hit the roads by 2020.


Honda receives close to 9,000 bookings for the new City

Honda Malaysia announced that the recently launched
5
th
 generation Honda City
 has close to 9,000 bookings to date. Amongst the three variants available, the V variant has been the most popular – making up 54% of the total bookings.
Since its launch, the all-new Honda City has been well received by customers in the Central region, which contributed the highest number of bookings at 44% of the total bookings, followed by the Northern region at 22% and the Southern region at 19% respectively.
The City pictured below in Platinum White Pearl has been the go-to colour among customers. The colour option has taken up 28% of the overall sales. To date, more than 2,400 units of the all-new City have been delivered to customers nationwide.
“The 5
th
 generation, all-new Honda City has been very well received in the market and bookings have increased by an additional 80% within a month of its official launch. This outstanding Honda model continues to capture the hearts of Malaysians be it working adults, young executives or young families,” said Honda Malaysia, CEO and Managing Director, Mr. Toichi Ishiyama.
The all-new Honda City is priced from RM73,851 for the S variant, RM81,664 for the E variant, and RM86,561 for the V variant. This includes a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, as well as five times free labour service, within 100,000 km or 5 years, whichever comes first. Pricing for the RS variant has yet to be announced.


Nissan puts their Navara pick-ups to work for a good cause

With the lockdown still somewhat in effect, it’s coming to nearly three months since any of us from the industry received a test unit from any car maker. Instead of leaving them to collect dust, Nissan has been putting them to good use.
Aside from giving out donations, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM)’s employees have also been distributing food and other necessities as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR). Their efforts were supported by a few Nissan Navara pick-ups including a single cab unit and the more decorated
Navara Pro-4X
we borrowed before the lockdown.
Video: Living the pick-up life with the new Nissan Navara PRO-4X! Watch our 1-day ‘urban adventure’ here!
The trucks were used to transport and distribute daily necessities and supplies such as rice, sugar, eggs, and more.
Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Christopher Tan added, “It is very heartwarming to see colleagues coming together to support the community in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to thank everyone for their effort, and the Company is committed to support future initiatives of such”.
Employees of ETCM were equally as enthusiastic to the aid and grateful for the opportunity to help those who’ve been less fortunate.
Find out more about the different variants of the new Nissan Navara here!
“I’m glad that the company has a platform for us to do something meaningful for those in need. We believe that every bit counts and we hope that this contribution can help make a difference to them. The initiative will not stop here as we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of more people in other areas,” said ETCM employee, Mr. Ridwan Hanif bin Zainal.
In other Nissan-related news, Edaran Tan Chong is currently offering Malaysia Day promotions where the highest-spec Nissan Almera 1.0 VLT can be yours for just
RM680 a month
 and the facelift Nissan Navara 2.5V at
RM1,040 a month
 through the Flexi Financing plan.
Recently, Nissan also announced a competition to challenge owners of the all-new Almera to get the most mileage out of their cars. The Almera’s fuel economy will be measured in “KM/L”, converted from L/100km as display in the car. Nissan will be donating RM1 per kilometre to charity.
The Top 20 entries with the best average fuel economy will receive a Nissan GT-R by lego. The promo ends on the 31st of September 2021.
More info on the campaigns here!


2016 Hyundai i10 facelift revealed, but it has yet to come to Malaysia

The Hyundai i10 you see here is the facelifted version of the second-generation i10. In case you’re wondering, for reasons unknown, the first generation i10 is still on sale in Malaysia. Which is a pity, if you ask us, because the car will appeal to a number of Malaysians.
So what’s new in this i10? To begin, this A-segment city car looks a lot sharper and better than the model it replaces. In this facelift, it gets a revised front grille and bumper designs, together with a new headlights with LED daytime running lights. There’s an updated shape on the side mouldings together with a new 14-inch rim design.

Inside, the i10’s drab interior has been boosted with the inclusion of a
7-inch touchscreen
 infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen also supports satellite navigational system that includes real-time traffic conditions and local weather updates.
City cars like the i10 not only rely on its bargain asking price but also must be decently equipped to meet the increasingly demanding market. Thus, Hyundai adds
front collision warning
 and
lane departure warning systems
, alerting drivers when the new front-mounted camera detects approaching danger.
Its powertrain remains unchanged, but in case you’re wondering what powers this second-generation i10, the
 65 hp 1.0-litre
 and
86 hp 1.25-litre
 petrol engines are the only two options. A choice of a standard five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic torque converter can be had.
There’s no word on its pricing as yet, but the facelifted i10 will make its worldwide debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. For now, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors are still offering the preceding model at RM51,234.07 for the 1.1 and RM55,223.83 for the 1.25, both sold as Colourz Edition. We do think this new i10 could give the A-segment a little spice with its looks, but is it a little too late for that? Well, better late than never.
IMAGE GALLERY


‘Festive Mini’ dresses up in 3,000 Christmas lights for charity

Jingle bells, jingle bells! Christmas season is officially here, and Mini UK has paired up with content creator Nicholas ‘Nico’ Martin to introduce a special ‘Festive Mini’, which Nico will be driving around as many streets as possible in his hometown to spread joy to the public, while also raising money for charity.
This is actually the fifth year that Nico has created the Festive Mini, and the second year with Mini UK’s support, but it’s coming back brighter than ever before, with 3,000 smart LED lightbulbs surrounding almost virtually the
 Mini Electric
‘s entire exterior bodywork.
The lights can be wirelessly controlled via an app on Nico’s iPad, which can then be customised with custom animations, light patterns, messages, or even synchronised to music. And just like Christmas lights, the Festive Mini will also have an official ‘switch on’ ceremony, taking place tonight.
Each of these lights will be available to sponsor for GBP2 (approx. RM11), with funds raised to support two charities that are especially important to Nico –
MS Trust
 and
Duchenne UK
.
ALSO READ:
New Mini Electric facelift launched in Malaysia – RM217k
What started off as just “a bit of fun” became a real force of joy in 2019 when a kind hearted resident around the neighbourhood asked if Nico could take the Festive MINI to surprise an 11-year-old boy called Marcus, who had been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was just seven.
Due to his limited mobility and now relying heavily on a wheelchair, it became difficult for Marcus to witness the Christmas displays around Berkshire. When Marcus first saw the lights on the Festive Mini, his face lit up with so much joy and excitement, and it was at that moment that Nico realised the true magical purpose of his project.
In December 2020, the illuminating car came to the rescue once again during the Covid lockdowns. What was already a difficult time for most people, was even harder for clinically vulnerable people with life-threatening conditions, like Marcus, but also Nico’s mother, who had been diagnosed with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS) seven years ago.
With the usual Christmas displays and switch-ons cancelled, Nico sprung into action once again with his Festive Mini, bringing much-needed joy to the residents of Bracknell. It was also 2020 when the Festive Mini became a fundraising effort for the first time, raising over GBP5,000 for the MS Trust and Duchenne UK.
RELATED:
Mini celebrates International Women’s Day with new Cooper Pat Moss Edition
Ahead of this year’s fundraising period, Nico said, “I’m delighted to be bringing the Festive MINI back for 2022 to raise more money for charities that are really close to my heart. I love having the opportunity to cheer people up whilst raising funds for the MS Trust and Duchenne UK.”
“The continued support from MINI is amazing, and it’s brilliant to have the team involved again this year – while driving a Mini Electric helps to reduce my emissions whilst driving,” he added.


Watch out BMW, the Genesis G70 is here to challenge your 3 Series

Genesis (no longer Hyundai Genesis), the luxury brand of Hyundai Motor Group, has just unveiled its all-new Genesis G70 sedan – a premium compact sedan from the Korean carmaker that squares off against the likes of
BMW 3 Series
,
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
 and
Audi A4
.
Positioned as an athletic premium sedan, the G70 boasts razor sharp design, dynamic performance, elegant interior and best-in-class safety. The G70 completes the Genesis brand’s sedan line up with the
G90 flagship sedan
 and G80 premium executive sedan. Is the G70 enough to take on the mighty German-trio? Let’s find out.
Visually, the G70 gets a prominent “crest-type” front grille flanked with sleek headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Strong bold lines across the hood and side profile gives the G70 more muscular proportions especially with those multi-spoke alloy wheel. Around the back, the
raised trunk lid
 and intricate bumper design gives the G70 a wider and muscular stance. The LED combination tail lamps were inspired from the G80 but have been stretched to highlight its planted stance.

Inside, the designers have prioritised on the overall user experience as well as fit and finish. The interior architecture is a driver-focused one with a secluded driving position and intuitively laid out buttons across the centre console. The cabin is available in five colour themes – Obsidian Black, Sandstorm Gray, Velvet Burgundy, Tobacco Brown and Vanilla Beige. Higher grades of the G70 has the option for Sports Grey and Sports Red.
Interior features are abundance as expected of a premium sedan such as powered front seats, heads up display, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Kakao voice recognition, 15-speaker Lexicon surround-sound system and many more.

At launch, the G70 sedan will be powered by three powertrains – two turbo petrol and one turbo diesel. The most potent mill comes in the package of a 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 GDI that produces
365 hp
 and
510 Nm
 of torque. From standstill, the V6 mill will sprint to 100 km/h in
4.7 seconds
 with a limited top speed of
270 km/h
.
For the less casual driver, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder GDI with
248 hp
 (
252 hp
 with Sports Package) and
353 Nm
 of torque and a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with
199 hp
 and
441 Nm
 of torque are available as alternatives.
Regardless of engine choice, the G70 can be had with a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive layout. Other performance enhancing technologies include
Launch Control
, Motor-Driven Power Steering,
 multi-link rear suspension
, Dynamic Torque Vectoring System and a
Mechanical Limited Slip Differential
.
Equipped with advanced driver assist systems such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Blind spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Driver Awareness Warning (DAW) on top of
nine standard airbags
 and active hood function, the G70 boasts to have the best in class safety features.
The Genesis G70 will go on sale in Korea from 20 September 2017 onwards while North America, Russia and the Middle East are scheduled to receive the G70 in 2018. So, what do you think dear readers? Does the design, performance and safety features enough to sway you away from your usual choice of premium compact sedan?
IMAGE GALLERY


Another record-breaking year for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia in 2018

2018 was an action-packed year for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) most notably the launch of locally assembled AMG products, opening of standalone Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned Centres, new Dream Cars launches amongst others.
In the span of 12 months, MBM has introduced 20 new products to their portfolio compromising of new models like the
W177 A-Class
, facelifts like the
updated C-Class range
 as well as new variant replacements like the
E 300 AMG Line
 to replace the
E 350 e Plug-in Hybrid
. With the aggressive product offensive and customer-centric activities, MBM recorded their most successful year yet in 2018.

In 2018, MBM delivered a total of 13,079 cars to new owners, 9 per cent more than the previous year. This places Mercedes-Benz again as the number 1 premium brand in Malaysia with 2.4 per cent market share. The company also recorded their
best ever Q1
 results with 3,335 cars delivered and June 2018 was their best month in history with 1,750 cars sold which was largely attributed to the tax-free holiday.
The breakdown of models sold are as below:
Model
Units Sold
Change compared to 2017
Compact Cars (A-Class, CLA, GLA)
1,875
-7.7%
Locally Assembled Limousines (C-, E-, S-Class)
7,910
+12%
SUVs (GLC, GLE)
2,613
+0.5%
Dream Cars (AMGs, Coupes, Cabriolets)
662
+77%
Every product range except the Compact Cars registered growth compared to the previous year and this is largely due to the transition period for new model change of the Compact Cars. MBM Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mark Raine believes that the newly launched A-Class and Compact Cars will improve the numbers in 2019.
Notably, of the 662 units Dream Cars sold, 550 of them were AMG models. No wonder MBM introduced the
official AMG Owners Club Malaysia (AOCM)
 to elevate the AMG experience for owners.
From Left: VP of Sales & Marking, Mark Raine & President & CEO, Dr Claus Weidner
2018 was also a stellar year for Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia (MBSM) with a servicing portfolio of RM2.7 billion, up 23 per cent compared to the previous year. To date, four out of 10 cars are financed by MBSM while five out of 10 cars are insured by MBSM.
On after sales, the brand serviced 148,800 cars throughout 2018 – unmatched in the premium car segment. To date, 35 dedicated dealerships make up the backbone for the brand’s sales and aftersales touch points, marking the three-pointed star as the largest premium dealer network in the country.
On its outlook for the year ahead, MBM President and CEO, Dr Claus Weidner said: “2019 will be another exciting year for Mercedes-Benz with refreshing innovations and new benchmarks to elevate the customer experience. We are excited to share these updates in due time.”


The Lamborghini Urus is the world’s first Super SUV, 0-100km/h 3.6 seconds!

At long last, the Lamborghini Urus has finally been revealed – with the name derived from the world of bulls. The Urus, also known as Aurochs, is one of the large, wild ancestors of domestic cattle.
The Urus features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine delivering
650 hp
 and
850 Nm
 where 0 to 100 km/h takes just
3.6 seconds
, 0 to 200 km/h in 12.8 seconds with a top speed of
305 km/h
 – the highest top speed for an SUV. Reduced turbo lag and maximum torque is guaranteed by twin-scroll turbochargers while cylinder deactivation reduces fuel consumption.
Power is delivered through an 8-speed gearbox to all four wheels, supplemented by active torque vectoring that distributes power to each individual wheel for enhanced traction and increased steering control. Torque is split 40/60 between the front and rear axles – with
rear wheel steering
. There are 6 driving modes available through the
“Tamburo” drive mode selector
 – Strada (Street), Sport, Corsa (Race), Neve (Snow), Terra (off-road) and Sabbia (Sand).
In Strada, the ride height changes according to speed while in Sport, the Urus lowers itself to ensure stability. In Corsa, the Urus becomes more precise with minimal body roll. In three of the off-road modes, ground clearance is raised with electromechanical active roll stabilisation providing independent asymmetric movement for optimal traction – the system is
used for the first time in a Lamborghini
.

The front splitter and large air intakes ensures optimal air flow, hand in hand with the extensively covered undercarriage. Aerodynamic blades on the outer edges of the rear window, together with the floating rear wing, integrated rear spoiler and spoiler lip helps reduce wind resistance.
The Urus weighs a staggering
2,200 kg
 – even with an intelligent mix of aluminium, steel and forged aluminium. All that sits on an
adaptive air suspension system
 where ride height is customisable through the Tamburo drive mode selector.

Carbon Ceramic Brakes are standard – the largest and most powerful available – with virtually no brake fade. The large brakes are tucked beneath a range of 21 to 23 inch wheels, wrapped in tyres specifically made for the Urus by Pirelli.
Inside, the 5-seater interior can be made up of leather, alcantara, aluminium, carbon fiber and wood trims – Piano Black and Brushed Aluminium finishes are standard. It features a multifunction, three-spoke steering wheel with vibration dampers, a Lamborghini Infotainment System (LIS) and a fully-digital TFT display to project information in 3D form.
Front seats are fully-electric, heated and 12-way adjustable while rear seats are movable and foldable with ISOFIX mounting points. Boot space is rated at
 616-litres
, 1,596-litres with the second row folded. A two-seat second row can be had as an option. Voice command, heads up display and a touchpad are all standard while the Lamborghini Smartphone Interface (LSI) allows for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Sound is projected through 8 speakers – powered by a
Bang & Olufsen
 sound system with immersive, natural 3D sound throughout the cabin. Safety wise, the Urus comes with High Beam Assistant, parking sensors and a collision mitigation system. The Urus’ retail price starts from
RM 718k
.
IMAGE GALLERY


2016 Porsche 911 Turbo & Turbo S facelift makes world debut

Just months after
revealing the facelifted and turbocharged 911 Carrera
, Porsche took the wraps off what they claim to be the fastest accelerating 911 to date – the 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S.
Unveiled ahead of their world debut at the upcoming 2016 Detroit Motor Show in January, the Turbo and Turbo S variants now boast having more power and ‘even broader everyday usability’. They still use the same
twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre
 six-cylinder ‘Boxer’ engine, but it now makes
20 hp more
 than before, thanks to modified inlet ports in the cylinder head, new injection nozzles and higher fuel pressure.

The uprated engine produces
540 hp
 and
580 hp
 for the Turbo and Turbo S respectively. Both engines also feature a new turbocharger with larger compressor, and is still the only manufacturer to produce turbochargers with variable turbine geometry in petrol engines. For comparison’s sake, the base 911 Carrera and Carrera S variants (also turbocharged) make
370 hp
 and
420 hp
 respectively.
Besides that, the engine now comes with ‘dynamic boost function’ – a new feature that increases engine responsiveness by reducing input-to-reaction delay. This feature, Porsche claims, is even more pronounced in Sport and Sport Plus modes. As a result, the 911 Turbo is able to sprint from nought to 100km/h in
 3.0 seconds flat
, whereas the Turbo S is one-tenth of a second quicker at
2.9 seconds
. Fuel consumption is also said to be better, consuming
9.1 litres per 100km
.
Standard on both variants is the Sport Chrono Package with Mode Switch and Sports Response button, both of which are optional to the Carrera and Carrera S. They’re also equipped with PSM Sport Mode (Porsche Stability Management) which heightens sporty driving threshold. In other words, there’s more tail-slipping freedom for that extra kick to tickle your fancy. If, like in Malaysia, you live in an area where there’s plenty of
unusually high road humps
, Porsche is offering (as a cost option) what they call a ‘Lift System’ to increase ground clearance by 40mm.
Like the facelifted Carrera, both the 911 Turbo and Turbo S variants sport the same new look, save for some go-faster exterior and interior trims such as the LED headlights and a new front bumper which includes an additional fin in the central air intake. Both variants sit on 20-inch wheels, with the rear axles benefiting from fatter tyres.
Inside, they share the same new features as introduced with the facelifted range which includes the new touchscreen head unit or Porsche Communication Management (PCM). This supports mobile phone pairing and the myriad of connective support a 2015 car is expected to have. Deliveries of the new 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S will commence in January. Expect Sime Darby Auto Performance to introduce the facelift 911 range next year.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini Aventador S lands in Malaysia, RM1.8 mil before taxes!

Shortly after its
global debut
 late last year, Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur, the official distributor of Lamborghini vehicles in Malaysia has introduced the new Aventador S right here on our shores.
The Aventador S sits between the base Aventador and the hot
Aventador SV
, and not an all-new model per se. This S variant gets revised styling and improved performance over the base model.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Lamborghini Aventador S
Engine
6,498cc; Naturally aspirated V12
Transmission
7-speed single-clutch ISR
Max Power
740 hp @
Max Torque
690 Nm @
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
2.9 seconds; 350 km/h
Price
TBA

EXTERIOR
To one-up the already aggressive
Aventador
, Lamborghini has turned to mother nature for inspiration, specifically predators when designing the S variant. The Aventador S gets a new front bumper and rear diffuser, both functional in style to reduce drag and generate more downforce to maximise aerodynamic efficiency.

As a result, the new Aventador S boasts
130 percent

improved front downforce
, over
50 percent

improved overall efficiency
 at high downforce and over
400 percent
 in low drag situations. As standard, this Italian supercar will come with specially designed Pirelli P Zero tyres.
PERFORMANCE
Behind the cabin is a massive
6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12
 that has been further optimised to push out
740 hp
 and
 690 Nm
 of torque. Mind you, that is
only

10 horses shy
 of the hard core
LP-750 Aventador SV
 by the way. The revised engine now revs all the way up to
8,500 rpm
 thanks to optimised tuning, up from the 8,350 rpm ceiling before.
Power is channelled to all-four corners via a revised
single-clutch seven-speed ISR gearbox
. The gearbox now provides faster and more accurate shifts in Sport and Corsa modes, but can also be less aggressive and more comfortable in Strada mode. Century sprint is clocked in
 2.9 seconds
 while the
0 to 200 km/h
 is clocked at an astonishing
8.8 seconds
. Flat out, it will get to
350 km/h
.
A newly developed exhaust system is fitted onto the Aventador S which is not only
20 percent lighter
 than the standard model but also provides a more exciting soundtrack when climbing through the revs. This model is also Lamborghini’s first ever model to be fitted with
four-wheel steering
. The rear wheels turns in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds for sharper turn in. At high speeds, all wheels turn in the same direction (albeit just slightly for the rear) to provide maximum stability.

Speaking of stability, it also gets updated pushrods and Lamborghini Magneto-rheological Suspension (LMS) for better handling and comfort as well as improved Electronic Stability Control programming. Another exciting addition to the car is a new customisable
 EGO driving mode
 on top of the usual three (Strada, Sport and Corsa). It works just like any other “Individual’ settings, where drivers can select
up to

24 unique driving settings
.
WHAT ELSE?
Notice why there are no mentions of the interior? That’s because customisation to the interior is virtually limitless through Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customisation programme. According to Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur, the Aventador S is estimated to be priced at RM1.8 million before taxes and options, but final pricing will be announced in due course.
VIDEO GALLERY

IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen e-Golf facelift launched, more power and range, zero emissions

Shortly after the unveiling of the
Golf facelift
, Volkswagen went on to premiere the facelift for the full electric e-Golf. It now comes with more power, extended driving range and several first-in-class technologies.
The e-Golf is essentially a Volkswagen Golf MK7 without a combustion engine. Instead, it packs new 35.8 kWh lithium-ion battery powering the electric motor to produce
100 kW
 (134 hp) and
290 Nm
 of torque. These figures are good for a
9.4 seconds
 century sprint and a top speed of 150km/h.
However, don’t get discouraged by the 150km/h top speed because the e-Golf emits zero emissions. On a full charge, the e-Golf boasts a total driving range of 300km, based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), while authorities in the US estimates a 200km “real-world driving range”. When plugged into a 7.2 kW wallbox, the battery gets fully charged in under six hours while a 40 kW CCS charging station can charge the e-Golf to 80 percent capacity in one hour.
Inside, the e-Golf is as high tech as its powertrain. As standard, the e-Golf comes with a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument cluster or Active Info Display (
similar to the Passat B8
)and a 9.2-inch “Discover Pro” touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control and MirrorLink (AndroidAuto/Appple CarPlay) function. With the “Discover Pro” system, all e-Golfs come with “e-Remote” that enables drivers to remotely start/stop battery charging and activate or set air conditioning.
Also included in the mix are new active safety features, such as Traffic Jam Assist (semi-autonomous driving up to 60 km/h), pedestrian monitoring for Front Assist with City Emergency Braking and Emergency Assist (automatically stops the car if the driver is unable to control the vehicle).
The e-Golf is undoubtedly the most advanced vehicle in the full-electric compact vehicle segment. While the e-Golf is being assembled in Wolfsburg, we too have a
locally-assembled electric vehicle
, but it’s nowhere near as advanced.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Lynk & Co 03 is a Volvo sedan on a budget, to debut soon

Founded in 2016, Lynk & Co is a Chinese car manufacturer owned by Geely, who by the way also owns Swedish Marque, Volvo. It is positioned between the budget friendly Geely and the premium Volvo.
Now, you’ve seen the hip looking
Lynk & Co 01
, and now they’ve gone on to tease a concept sedan ahead of the Shanghai Motor Show. Based on the teaser photo, the Lynk & Co
03 Concept
 clearly shares the same flair as its SUV sibling.
It gets a full length front grille and strong shoulder lines running across the door handles. The rear is reminiscent of the
Audi A3 sedan
; even the wheels look Audi-esque. However, it remains to be seen how much of this design will make it to the final production stage.
The cabin is admittedly familiar, albeit in a good way. The steering wheel looks largely the same as those found in recent Volvos, while the instrument cluster is fully LCD. The centre tunnel looks as though it was lifted off a Volvo, save for the crystal gear knob. Even the way the infotainment system is angled towards the driver is just like Volvo’s doing. The cabin may look like a Volvo, feels like a Volvo but it’s not a Volvo.
Besides that, Lynk & Co is gearing to take the China market by storm with the promise of offering a car ownership experience like no other. The company is targeting a new generation of car buyers who grew up in the mobile app revolution. Besides the conventional methods of buying and leasing a car, Lynk & Co are looking to introduce
borrowing
 and
sharing
 scheme of their Lynk & Co vehicles.
The company has not revealed further details about their upcoming vehicles and their business strategy. More information about the newly founded automaker and its model range will be disclosed soon when the Shanghai Motor Show goes into full swing from 21 April to 28 April.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lexus just tore up the car design rule book with the LC Convertible Concept

The debut of the LC Coupe a few years ago did not only put Lexus on the map with its new design language but also set a new benchmark for automotive design. It also exemplified the possibility where concept designs need not be diluted by production woes.
Lexus has now pushed the boundaries further and showcased briefly what’s to come with the Lexus LC Convertible Concept, which will make its world premiere at the 2019 North American International Auto Show.
Check out the video above and you’d know how far Lexus has pushed the envelope in terms of automotive design. The Convertible Concept, although stemmed from the athletic proportions of the LC Coupe, holds its own with a unique identity.
“This concept takes the unmistakable design of the LC coupe and re-imagines it as a future convertible. It blends all the best aspects of the original coupe with the dynamic design of an open-air convertible,” said Chief Designer of the LC Convertible Concept, Tadao Mori.
Sacrificing the carbon fibre roof on the Coupe clearly has not ruined the lines of the car, something I’d imagine was hard to achieve. Just take a look at the
new convertible 911
 and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
It’s also hard to imagine Lexus offering a different engine from the coupe. Blessed with a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 making close to
500 hp
 and
over 500 Nm
 of torque, it strikes a near perfect balance between refinement and muscle.
“It would engage the senses in a way that is unique and exciting every time you get behind the wheel,” said Mori-san. We can’t wait to experience that Sir.
IMAGE GALLERY


This could be the first image of the upcoming G80 BMW M3

It seems like the netizens have gotten a hold of a leaked image of the much-awaited BMW M3 ahead of its launch.
Circulating on the
Bimmerpost forum
, the single leaked image only shows the rear view of the unannounced BMW M3, developed under the codename G80, on what looks like a production line.
However, even with just one image we can see the tell-tale signs of a BMW M car are present, including the gloss-black ducktail spoiler and flared wheel arches.
The purported BMW M3 also features quad exhaust tips, split into sets of two on both sides. The exhaust tips sit quite close to the centre of the rear facade, which reminds us of the E46 M3.
 Centre quad exhaust pipes… Seems familiar?
The exhaust pipes are surrounded by a rear apron that features elaborate diffuser details. However, the black moulding surrounding the diffusers seems to be generating quite a bit of discussion among BMW enthusiasts.
The roof of the car in the leaked image is also painted in body colour – BMW fans online say it’s called Toronto Red. From the image, we aren’t sure if the G80 M3 will be featuring the carbon fibre roof as seen on other M cars, such as the
M8 Gran Coupe
 and
M5
.
We expect the G80 M3 to utilise BMW’s S58 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine – which was used in the BMW X3 M and X4 M – that’s good for
510 hp
 and
600 Nm
. There was also word that the new BMW M3 will be available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, in both automatic and manual transmissions.
With a few more months to go before the estimated launch date of the new G80 BMW M3, we expect to see a bit more information of the upcoming high-performance sedan in the coming months. What do you think about this, folks?


Video: G01 BMW X3 xDrive 30i Luxury Line Review

Honestly, this was completely unexpected. A sizeable portion of our viewers actually came out, guns blazing, against our comments on the oversized grille.
Some even defended the BMW X3’s subdued design but while I stand by my comments on it, I actually appreciated our viewers opinions as it was nice to see some hardcore BMW fans defending the approach of the Bavarian car maker.

For those of you who haven’t watch it, what do you think? Does it bother you? Or would you guys see it as just another evolution in design?
Do leave us a comment and let your thoughts be heard!


Cheaper fuel prices starting Jan 2019 says Guan Eng

Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng has just said in a statement that Malaysians will see a reduction in the price of petroleum products like RON95 starting 1 January 2019. This will reflect the decline in global crude oil prices and pass on the savings to the end users.
On that note, Lim also confirmed that RON95 will adopt a weekly floating pricing mechanism come 1 January 2019 to better reflect lower global crude oil prices and pass on the savings (if any) more quickly to consumers. However, the minister has also stressed that should there be an increase in global crude oil price, the Federal Government will subsidise and
cap
 the pump prices of RON95 at RM2.20/litre and diesel Euro 2M at RM2.18/litre.

Starting 7 June 2018, the
Pakatan Harapan Government has subsidised and fixed the prices of RON 95 and diesel Euro 2M
 at RM2.20/litre and RM2.18/litre respectively.  From the month of May to November 2018, the Government has expensed RM5.82 billion on fuel subsidies.
RON97 will also use a weekly floating mechanism starting next year and will also see a reduction in price at the turn of the new year.


Lotus Elise 220 Sport has the best resale value among all high-performance cars in UK!

If the
Lotus Elise
 has always been on your wish list but need a reason to convince the sensible missus of a two-door stripped out sports car,
AutoCar UK
has found that the Lotus Elise is UK’s slowest depreciating high-performance car, besting even the highly sought after Ferrari 458 Italia!
Based on their findings, the
Elise 1.8 220
 which costs £37,150 (RM205,000) brand new is able to
hold 54.71 percent of its value
 over a span of
four years
. To put things in perspective, the
Ferrari 458 Italia
 retains 55.97 percent of its original £178,491 (RM986,000) list price while the
Alfa Romeo 4C
 holds only 37.2 percent of its £52,505 (RM290,000) original price over the same span of time and mileage.
The resale value of the Elise 1.8 220 Sport is remarkable considering that it’s not a limited production-run car nor any historical significance like the 458’s as Maranello’s last naturally aspirated V8. It must be that Toyota engine that is helping it hold its value. Jokes aside, the Elise was our Editor’s pick for
the best car driven in 2016
 and with these information at hand, perhaps it’s time to consider an Elise?


New Bridgestone Potenza Sport flagship performance tyre now available in Malaysia, from RM959

Bridgestone Tyre Sales (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. has officially introduced its new flagship tyre in the Potenza performance tyre range- the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
The new Ultra-High-Performance tyre that replaces the Bridgestone Potenza S007A inherits and enhances many key performance characteristics through new and innovative technologies in tread pattern design, compound and construction.
The new Bridgestone Potenza Sport, which is in the same segment as Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S, Goodyear’s Eagle F1 Supersport and Continental’s SportContact 6, now sets a new standard in premium and high-end sport performance with its exceptional cornering and straight-line stability.
Wholly designed and developed in Europe focusing on the European market, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has its initial engineering evaluation done through the technical centre’s Virtual Tyre Development Technology, accelerating the time-to-market by up to 50% as well as being more environmentally friendly by using fewer resources.
The new Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyre is factory fitted on some of the fastest Italian exotics, such as the
Lamborghini Huracan STO
 and the upcoming
Maserati MC20
 supercar.
The new Bridgestone Potenza Sport features a new compound containing an optimised formula with innovative mixing technology to improve the tyre’s wet and dry handling performance. A sporty carcass package with sidewall and bead fillers are paired with a new hybrid crown reinforcement maximises the tyre’s high-speed stability and steering response.
As for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyre tread and pattern that we can see, 3D sipes are applied to increase shear stiffness with the benefits of improving braking and abrasion resistance. The sidewall features high-contrast labelling for an innovative and impactful look.
An asymmetric wall angle in the Potenza Sport tread also increases the lateral stiffness which reduces block deformation during hard cornering. The overall tread design is also widened to increase the contact area for maximum dry performance as well as steering feel.
In an instrumented test, the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyre managed to stop a Subaru WRX STI from the speed of 100 km/h at a distance of 37.76 m, 0.64 m shorter than its Potenza S007A predecessor.
Braking distance under wet conditions is even more impressive, bringing the Subaru WRX STI test vehicle from 80 km/h to standstill in just 25.41 m, reducing the distance by 2.17m!
“Succeeding Bridgestone’s flagship Potenza S007A, the Potenza Sport is designed to meet the wide range of premium sports sedans and SUVs as well as high-performance sports cars’ driver’s needs and expectations by unlocking the performance of their vehicle while keeping them in control,” commented Bridgestone Tyre Sales Malaysia, Managing Director, Michael Chung.
From today’s launch, the new European-made Bridgestone Potenza Sport will be available in
16 sizes
 in 18- and 19-inch rim sizes, with prices ranging from
RM959 to RM1,723
. More sizes are planned to be made available at Bridgestone dealerships in the future, as the Potenza Sport comes in a total of 84 sizes!
Popular sizes that are currently available from Bridgestone Malaysia include 225/40R18 fitted on vehicles such as the
Toyota GR Yaris
, Audi A3 sedan and
Mk 7.5 Volkswagen Golf GTI
.
Owners of the facelifted Honda Civic 1.5 TC-P can also try out the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport as the 235/40R18 size is available in this new flagship performance tyre.
Meanwhile, 10 sizes in 19-inch diameter cover the majority of the hot hatchbacks such as
Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf R
, Renault Megane R.S. 265 (235/35R19) and the
Megane R.S. 280 Cup
 (245/35R19), which was factory-fitted with the Bridgestone Potenza S001 tyres.
Unfortunately, although Bridgestone Malaysia has the sizes of 245/40R19 and 275/35R19 pairing for the front and rear tyres of both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 and G30 BMW 530 range, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport are not made with run-flat tyre (RFT) construction. The company said run-flat tyre technology will still be in the Bridgestone Potenza S001 RFT pattern.
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport is also suited for a range of premium high-performance sedans, luxury cars and SUVs such as the Ferrari Portofino, Maserati Ghibli, Aston Martin DB11, BMW M5, Porsche Macan and Cayenne and the Jaguar F-Type.
Apart from the new Potenza Sport, the Potenza performance tyre series has had a long history and has been well received amongst consumers. The
Potenza Adrenalin RE004
 is just another example of a performance tyre from the same series that provides excellent handling on dry and wet roads. This was launched in 2020 and is available from 15 to 18 inches.


All-new Lexus LS 500 unveiled in Detroit, gets 3.5L twin-turbo V6!

When the Lexus brand was launched 28 years ago, their first full-sized luxury sedan, the Lexus LS 400 took, the market by storm for its impeccable built quality, class leading features and outstanding customer service. After
teasing
 us with some pictures, the all-new, fifth-generation Lexus LS 500 has finally been unveiled to the world at the Detroit Motor Show.
With the tagline “A Flagship Reborn”, Lexus has completely reimagined the LS from the ground up. It now sits on the company’s brand new “Global Architecture – Luxury” platform similar to the one on the
Lexus LC coupe
, except here the wheelbase is stretched to 3,125 mm which is 33 mm longer than the previous generation LS long-wheelbase model. The dimensions of the LS measure at 5,235 mm in overall length, 1,450 mm in height and 1,900 mm in width.

At the heart of the LS is no longer a naturally aspirated V8. In its place is a
3.5-litre twin turbo V6
which produces
415 hp
 and
599 Nm
 of torque. Power is channelled to either the rear wheels or all-four corners via a first-in class
10 speed automatic transmission
 that’s sourced from the
LC 500
. Three drive modes are available – Normal, Sport and Sport+.
One interesting styling element is the unique texture of the spindle grille that differs depending on lighting. It also features six side window design – a first for Lexus – as well as a flushed window surface to the side pillar. At launch, the LS comes with two 19-inch and three 20-inch alloy wheel designs.
Four
 of the five designs available feature a hollow rim structure to reduce tyre noise. Talk about attention to detail, eh?
Inside, the LS embodies
Omotenashi
which means the spirit of Japanese selfless hospitality. The seats and organic dashboard is meticulously designed to enable the driver to operate all the system functions without having to change seating posture. The cabin design is a reflection of the Japanese culture; ambient lighting is inspired by Japanese lantern and the wood grains are achieved by using Shimamoku wood.

Creature comfort is a never ending list, as expected from cars of this segment. Options that can be had with the LS include a reclining and Shiatsu massaging rear seats, air suspension,
 24-inch colour heads up display
 (the largest in the world) and 3D surround Mark Levinson audio package with ceiling mounted speakers.
As standard, all LS models come with Lexus Safety System+. However, the Advanced Safety Package featuring the world’s first
Intuitive Pedestrian Detection with Active Steering
 is an optional extra. This system automatically brakes and steers clear of the pedestrian when a potential collision is detected.
If you can’t wait to get your hands on this gorgeous piece of machine, you may very well have to wait for at least another year as the LS only goes on sale in the U.S. at the end of this year. But you know what they say, good things are always worth the wait.
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is the safest car ASEAN NCAP has tested so far [+Video]

The
Hyundai Ioniq
 is arguably one of the best deals Malaysian consumers have come across in a long time. It’s frugal, packed with features and decently priced thanks to local hybrid assembly incentives.
In Europe, the Ioniq is awarded
5-Star crash safety rating in the Euro NCAP
 but recently, ASEAN NCAP subjected the hatchback through its tests and yielded the same results. Not only that, it is also the safest car ASEAN NCAP has ever tested with an overall score of 91.98 out of 100.
The model tested was the Ioniq Hybrid 1.6 HEV made for Singapore and Malaysia market which comes equipped with seven-airbags, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, ISOFIX mounting points and a full suite of driver assist systems (available as option for MY market) –
Autonomous Emergency Braking
, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Detection and Adaptive Cruise Control.
For
Adult Occupant Protection
, the Ioniq fared a total score of 33.36 (out of 36) and for
Child Occupant Protection
 it scored 42.1 (out of 49). Thanks to its incredible suite of safety features, naturally the Ioniq scored a near perfect score for
Safety Assist
 with 17.40 points out of the maximum 18 points. This gives the Ioniq an overall weighted score of 91.98 points.
In Malaysia, Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM) has two variants of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 1.6 on sale: HEV and HEV Plus, priced at RM103k and RM114k respectively. In the words of our former editor
“Many industry colleagues agreed with surety that the
Ioniq
 was
possibly
 – and still is – the best deal ever to be presented in the Malaysian car-buying scene within the last decade. Perhaps, it may even be the closest thing to being the perfect, affordable city car.”
IMAGE GALLERY
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid HEV Plus


We have been driving a lot less; does it mean we can save on car service?

With the movement control order (MCO) and work-from-home directives, car owners everywhere recorded much lower usage in 2020. We all love driving and many of us took to the streets the moment the MCO and interstate travel restrictions were lifted.
However, with the new norm of working from home, yours truly only recorded 6,000 kilometres of driving last year, a huge drop of 70% compared to the year before. With such low mileage, it is not even reaching the stipulated “service at every 10,000 kilometres” in 12 months.
As such, should we still stick to the kilometre-reading or follow the other rule- every six months?
What happens if you didn’t follow the specified maintenance schedule?
All dealerships require the owners of new cars to return for maintenance activities at a stipulated schedule. The majority of mass-market vehicles have a schedule of every 10,000 km travelled or six calendar months from the last date of service,
whichever occurs first
.
Volkswagen
 in Malaysia meanwhile require customers to return
just once a year, or every 15,000 km
, applied to every car from the Polo 1.6 to the Golf R. Check your owner’s and servicing manual for specifics.
Service interval of every 12 months or 15,000 km for
Volkswagen cars
 in Malaysia
Servicing is important as the engine oil is changed, together with the oil filter and other inspection that ensures the vehicle performs at its best. At certain intervals, transmission fluid is replaced, air and fuel filters swapped to new units, as well as replenishing the brake fluid.
With such little driving done last year, owners of new vehicles
must
 still adhere to the time-based servicing
schedule of every six months
, or as stipulated in the individual manufacturer’s requirement such as Volkswagen.
It sounds like wastage as your engine oil might have only done minimal work, but remember, adhering to the manufacturer prescribed service schedule is one of the key methods to
keep your warranty valid
. Apart from wear during operation, oil in the engine also deteriorates with time.
Oxidation
 occurs when oxygen molecules interact with oil molecules which will lead to chemical breakdown, reducing the oil’s protective capabilities plus an increase in viscosity.
Carefully blended additives in the engine oil are also designed to deplete with time.
Anti-wear additives
 are added to oils to form a sacrificial barrier and it is this sacrificial nature that makes engine oils lose their effectiveness and must be changed.
Toyota’s policy
Perodua’s policy
By not adhering to the six-month schedule, the dealership has a strong
reason to deny
 any replacement on parts that fall under the warranty coverage. New car owners should also return to only authorised dealerships for all scheduled preventive maintenance servicing. This is to ensure all fluids and replacement parts are genuine items.
Filters might be clogged up if you overstretched your servicing schedule, making the vehicle consume more fuel and could even cause a breakdown while driving.
The brake system meanwhile might be less effective and suffer more fade, as the corrosion inhibitor additive in the brake fluid has worsened and overheats.
Some new car owners mentioned earlier that they could not get a slot to service their vehicle within the six months interval (MCO, reduced staff, distancing etc). Under these circumstances, the agreement between the dealership and the owner must be
clearly laid out
. With computerised data logging, remarks can easily be tagged to specific vehicles.
Alright, so you drive a car that is
already out of warranty
 coverage. Well then, it is best to
check with your regular mechanic
 if you can stretch your servicing interval. You might have been using semi-synthetic engine oil and these do not hold their lubricating qualities as long as fully synthetic oils.
Fully synthetic oils are made with base oils that are
more resilient
 to oxidation and
heat
, while their additives also typically provide better performance.

So, in summary, can I stretch my service interval to follow the 10,000-kilometre distance? For owners of new cars,
the answer is no
. It will
void your warranty
 and complicate things further being a new car owner. Follow the prescribed month-based schedule even if you only have done 1,000 kilometres.
For owners with a car that is already out of warranty, it’s best is to check with your mechanic. But on a personal recommendation, best to get the oil change by the

ninth month since the last change, as it is already a 50% stretch on the life of the engine oil.
We treasure our cars and definitely like to have the best for our passion and hobby. The engine oil is the lifeline of the car, and it is better to spend on servicing rather than deal with a breakdown later, keeping in mind ‘penny wise, pound foolish’.


Audi TT RS gives you performance of an R8 for a fraction of its price

If the Audi
TT
 and
TT S
 aren’t enough to fulfil your need for speed, then Ingolstadt has just the right TT for you. Enter the TT RS – a peppy two-door coupe that will leave the
Porsche 718 Cayman S
 in the dust!
Unveiled simultaneously for the first time in Beijing and London, the TT RS is offered with both the coupe and roadster variants. Power comes from a reworked
turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder
engine (now lighter too) putting out a monstrous
400 hp
and
 480 Nm
of torque!
Only a
 seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox
is available, though. It’s quite an athletic breed as well, sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds before maxing out at 278km/h. The roadster variant is 0.2 seconds slower at 3.9 seconds. Just like the
second-generation R8
, the faster and more hardcore TT RS Plus should be introduced soon.
Exterior wise, the TT RS gets an meaner fascia with its aggressive bumpers, larger front grille, deeper air intakes at the front end, oval exhaust pipes and large rear spoiler. Inside, there’s the same 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, red accents surrounding the air vents and new lightweight sports seats.
The TT RS offers good value as well, commanding a starting price of
£50,000
 (approximately
RM283,000
 based on today’s conversion rates), which undercuts the R8 by more than half the price (in the UK, that is). In Malaysia, the standard TT can be had at
RM284,900
 while the TTS is an
 extra RM106,000
 more. At the rate we’re going, expect the TT RS to make its Malaysian debut in the future.
Also, do check out our
review of the TT
!
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW to give taxi rides at Munich Motor Show with a hydrogen-powered X5

We are familiar with the electric vehicle that carries a large battery pack. These are called Battery Electric Vehicle or BEV in the industry. Another approach that many automakers are putting research and development funds into are the electric vehicles powered by fuel cell technology or FCEV.
Hyundai
,
Toyota
 and
Honda
 have models offering FCEV technology at a trial phase in their home countries as well as the US and western Europe. So far, the technology has not progressed as fast as expected due to the need to have a hydrogen refill station as well as the high cost of the technology.
Nonetheless, BMW believes that hydrogen and
fuel cell technology can supplement BEV
 for sustainable private and local CO2-free mobility. Two years after unveiling the BMW i Hydrogen Next concept car, the company will present the BMW iX5 Hydrogen at the IAA Mobility Motorshow in Munich, Germany.
Did you know, there is a little hydrogen car testing pilot programme in Kuching? Learn more about it here and the vehicle used!
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), hydrogen offers considerable potential as a future energy source in connection with global energy transition activities. Thanks to its storage and transport capabilities, hydrogen can be used for a wide variety of applications.
Most industrialised countries are therefore adopting hydrogen strategies and backing them up with roadmaps and concrete projects. In the transport sector, hydrogen can become a further technology option, alongside BEV, for shaping sustainable private mobility in the long term.
As part of the revamp IAA Motorshow, the core theme is mobility and experience, rather than static displays of concept vehicles. Visitors are encouraged to travel around the city of Munich via new methods of mobility as the show itself is spread across various locations.
BMW will thus be using the iX5 Hydrogen to mobilise visitors along the 12-km Blue Lane connecting the main exhibition grounds with other exhibition venues in the city centre. Only climate-friendly vehicles are allowed to travel in this exclusive route.
Using the
G05 BMW X5
 as a base, the iX5 Hydrogen combines
fuel cell technology
 with existing fifth-generation BMW eDrive systems. Fuel cells operate by reacting oxygen in the ambient air with hydrogen gas in a process called electrolysis.
Mazda is combining the free-revving greatness of the rotary engine with hydrogen! More about the project here!
The by-product of this chemical reaction- water vapour and electricity and plenty of it. The electricity is stored in a compact battery and is also immediately used to propel the vehicle. In this BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicle, the system output is
 374 hp
, more than the recently launched
BMW iX3
 BEV model.
The large hydrogen tanks made from carbon fibre holds six kilograms of the H2 gas and BMW say with the right refilling station, it only
takes three to four minutes for refilling
.
This experimental electric BMW X5 is also trialling some components, such as Pirelli tyres made from certified sustainable natural rubber tree farms as well as 3D printed parts on the rim inserts, kidney grille and interior trim panels.
The 2021 IAA Mobility Munich show is scheduled from September 7th to 12th and both
Porsche
 and
Smart
 have also lined up product premieres at the show.
GALLERY


Pontianak meets self-driving BMW, guess which is scarier?

Fully autonomous vehicles running on intelligent connected road systems is the future, and it will be significantly safer and more efficient than what we have today. But for anyone who loves to drive and cherishes the sense of freedom when behind the wheel of a car, that scenario can be troubling, to say the least.

While this video by BMW is absolutely hilarious, it is also clever in that it communicates a message of safety in that self-driving cars have the technology to preserve lives, regardless of how lifeless some pedestrians may appear or whether they are having a bad hair day. It won’t discriminate.
Imagine a day when you’ll never need to worry (or at least worry a whole lot less) about the well-being of love ones when they get on the road, the resulting peace of mind may even add a couple of years to your life. But for
pontianaks
(female vampires) that roam deserted roads in the woods for a living, the future is terrifying.


The BMW M850i xDrive Coupe is so beautiful it’ll make you tear

BMW Group Malaysia has just launched the newest member of the BMW line-up, completing the revival of the old 8-series after 30 years of absence.
The 850i xDrive Coupe which can be yours for RM1,088,800 comes with a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with
530 hp
and
750 Nm
 of torque. The V8 engine’s “voice” is further enhanced by a flap-controlled sports exhaust system.

This allows the (rear-biased) all-wheel drive coupe to propel from 0 to 100 km/h in just
3.7 seconds
, before topping out at an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The 850i xDrive sends power to all four corners through an 8-speed Steptronic Sports tranmission, while an electronically-control rear differential lock spreads power between the two rear wheels.
On the outside, standard equipment includes BMW’s Laserlight, the slimmest headlights on any BMW model, an M rear spoiler, a front lower lip, and 20-inch style 728 M light alloy wheels.
The colour you see here is called Barcelona Blue but when specified in Sunset Orange exterior colour, the wheels can be had in Jet Black. Stopping power is provided for by 19-inch M sport brake discs with M calipers.
For better aerodynamics, the 850i’s underbody is almost completely covered, aided by active air flaps, adjustable kidney grille slates and air curtains.
Aside from the Adaptive M Suspension, the 850i xDrive also comes with Integral Active Steering to reduce turning radius, improving agility on the tighter bends and while offering more composure along the high speed corners.
Inside, the 850i xDrive comes with an M leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, M pedals and driver footrest, Merino leather upholstery and
 active seat ventilation
.
Resting in the dash is BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional featuring a 12.3-inch high-resolution display along with a 10.25-inch Control Display that utilises the new BMW Operating System 7.0.
Supplementing the new system is a 20GB hard-drive based multimedia system and built-in SIM card with unlimited data, especially for the Intelligent Emergency Call function.
Like every car manufacturer at the moment who feels the need to impress with an intelligent voice command system, BMW has conformed to this social norm as well.
The 850i xDrive features the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that responds to “Hey BMW”. If you dislike calling your car a BMW, you can even customise it to be “Hey Audy” or “Hey Merci” for instance.
Applied for the first time is the BMW Digital Key which employs the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology – allowing the car to be locked and unlocked with a smartphone.
Simply hold the smartphone up against the door handle to open the doors. Once inside, the engine can be started when the phone is placed on the Wireless Charging tray.
The new BMW 8 series can be had in Carbon Black, Black Sapphire, Sonic Speed Blue, Barcelona Blue, Sunset Orange and Mineral White.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW M850i xDrive Launched in Malaysia


Wake up to the call of Toyota’s Hypercar engine firing up

Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe (TGRE) has just posted up
a sound clip
of their soon-to-be-unveiled Hypercar racer that will be campaigning at the
2021 LeMans
 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Volume up 🔊 Here comes your first chance to listen 👂 to the symphony of the 680 hp Hypercar engine.
How many cylinders can you hear?
#TOYOTAGAZOORacing

#PushingTheLimitsForBetter

@FIAWEC

@24hoursoflemans

#LeMans24

pic.twitter.com/TqqD9l9QGg
— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@TGR_WEC)
January 8, 2021

2021 will see the nearly 20-year-old LeMans LMP1 class replaced by the
LeMans Hypercar (LMH)
 regulation, where the racing machines will look more streamlined due to the limited aerodynamic appendages.
Images:
FIA WEC Youtube
No mention of the specifications yet, but the Hypercar is expected to have a
2.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6
 petrol engine, with regulations limiting the output to 500 kW or
680 hp
. All-wheel drive traction is achieved via the
hybrid system
, with powerful electric motors driving the front axle.
The 2018 GR Super Sport Concept that is expected to be the road-going Toyota Hypercar racer
The LMH regulations also require manufacturers to produce a minimum of
25 units of road-going vehicles
 that feature the hybrid setup used in the racing car.
TGRE will be
unveiling their Hypercar this Friday
, with the season opener scheduled on 19 March at the 1000 Miles of Sebring (USA).


Could this be the new Proton X90 SUV?

There is a new SUV being launched soon and glimpses of the rear designed teased the brand’s emblem with the final two alphabets ‘O’ and ‘N’. The first guess for anyone in Malaysia would be Proton and supposedly the large X90 model joining
the line-up
.
Unfortunately, the carmaker with the final two alphabets shared with Proton is a new EV brand from Taiwan called Foxtron. This new automotive company by Foxconn, makers of high-end consumer devices such as Apple’s iPhone, is showing glimpses of several new products to build up to the official launch of the Foxtron brand on Monday.
The teaser video was presented as part of the parent company’s annual tech day which usually draws interest from the consumer electronics industry. Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD) of 2020 also launched the MIH open-sourced EV platform.
In the video, three key models were shown- an E-segment sedan, a C-segment SUV dubbed Model C and a commuter bus. All models will be fully electric and built on the MIH platform, while the bus will be on a commercial variant.
Foxconn, via Hon Hai, has also signed a
joint venture
 with PTT of Thailand (similar to what Petronas is in Malaysia) to establish a fully integrated electric vehicle production facility to develop and produce EVs in the country. The new facility also allows other automakers and parts suppliers to participate in all things EV.

Production is only scheduled to begin by 2024 latest, with an initial manufacturing target of 50,000 units per annum and expanding to 150,000 units per annum in the coming future.
The government of Thailand recently announced
bold plans
 to accelerate the supply and adoption of EVs in the country. By the end of 2025, Thailand hopes to have 25% of new vehicles sold are zero local emissions, with the figure increasing to 50% by the end of this decade, up from 30% previously proposed.
The kingdom plans to only offer zero-emission new vehicles from 2035, the earliest country in the ASEAN region to wave goodbye to the internal combustion engine.
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Volkswagen to ditch manual gearboxes, all auto from 2023

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automotive group with a significant presence in China, has unofficially revealed that the company has taken its first step in ditching the manual transmission.
According to an article by
Motortrend
, German portal Auto Motor Und Sport reports that all new Volkswagen models introduced
after 2023
 will not include a manual transmission variant. The first model to be automatic-only will be the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan followed by every new generation model of the Passat, Golf, Touran, and so on.
Volkswagen ID.3
Volkswagen Golf R (USA)
The timeline coincides with the
group’s transition
 to
fully electric vehicles
, whereby from 2030, 70% of new Volkswagen vehicles in Europe is combustion engine-less. The company has set between 2033 and 2035 to completely phase out the traditional engine in Europe with an extension to the timeline for the US and China markets. As recent as
March 2020
, Volkswagen said to try and keep the three-pedal layout for as long as it can.
It is only a matter of time before the robust manual transmission is completely removed from mainstream passenger cars. Even commercial vehicles, such as the electric Mercedes-Benz’ eActros, are now offered with electric power in the build-up to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in Europe.
In the US, the
Golf GTI
 and
Golf R
 with manual transmission are incredibly popular, accounting for almost half of the sales of the hot hatchback models.
Watch how fast Alex Yoong launches the manual Civic Type R in our drag race with the European hatchbacks!
In Malaysia, apart from the
Porsche Cayman GT4
,
Toyota GR Yaris
,
Honda Civic Type R
, Subaru BRZ, and
Mazda MX-5
, only the most entry-level vehicles come with a manual transmission option including the Proton Saga 1.3 Standard and Perodua’s Axia 1.0, Bezza 1.0 and Alza 1.5S.
UMW Toyota used to offer the manual options for the Vios J up to the 2018 update but from the heavily-facelifted model onwards, the five-speed manual variants are only reserved for the Toyota Vios Challenge racing series.
Meanwhile, clever programming allows a gearless continuously variable transmission (CVT) to have up to ten steps of shifts or “gears”, as heavily marketed in the
Toyota Vios GR Sport
. Apart from the close-ratio of the shift steps, the transmission also is programmed to induce some “shift shock” like in a traditional automatic transmission for an intangible sporty character.
The situation in Indonesia is however very different, as almost every new vehicle launched there for the mass market still has a manual transmission option, such as the
Toyota Raize
 and
Honda City hatchback
. Demand for manual transmissions is still strong as they are priced lower and drivers there are still fond of its merits.
A dedicated EV platform frees up plenty of space in the cabin, such as in this
Hyundai Ioniq 5
While electric vehicles have no gears to shift, their steering wheel-mounted shift paddles are still retained. In the
Honda City RS eHEV
, these paddles are used to increase or reduce the amount of regenerative braking from the electric motor, which does most of the traction work for the car.
Rejoice! The all-new Lotus Emira comes with Mercedes-AMG power and a proper manual transmission!
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