Not using your spare car? Here’s how you can earn extra income with Flux

Covid-19 or not, a single stream of income has never been enough if you live in the city. How often do you hear someone saying, “I don’t need more money?”. The usual cry has one less word.
With all the lockdowns and movement restrictions, many of us have found ourselves penniless and paying for a car or even cars which have moved as little as us.
Before most would resort to becoming an e-hailing driver – driving the cars they bought to own them, via Grab and other e-hailing services, but now you just need to ‘lend’ the car out! Here’s how you can make some side income, rather than let your cars depreciate and deteriorate, with
Flux
!
We all know Flux by now for their
all-inclusive multi-brand car subscription service
 where inventory usually comes from automotive retailers.
Now, they’re opening their doors to individual car owners. If you own a car but it hardly moves, you can now open it to over 4,000 Flux members to subscribe.
Your car will be managed by the Flux Concierge team – everything from insurance and servicing to road tax renewals – while you kick back, collect money, and stay clear from Covid-19. This way, the car will be utilised and not parked for months while its bills are paid; all while you’re sitting at home, not driving, watching Netflix.
Here’s how it works:
Become a Host

through the official Flux website and your vehicle will first be inspected
A detailed explanation of your earnings will be explained
Images of your car will be uploaded on the Flux platform
Once your car has been subscribed, Flux will collect it to be delivered
Your car will be insured and tracked using on-board telematics
Get paid monthly, automatically
For more information, check out their website here!


New 2023 Subaru XV teased ahead of September 15 debut

Subaru
 has just released a 15-second teaser video for an “unnamed” new SUV, but we can already tell that it is the new 2023
Subaru XV
. Set to debut on September 15, 2022, we only get a glimpse of the car’s redesigned exterior.
Through images on the Subaru Japan site, we can see that the horizontal bar on the grille now extends wider and connects to the newly designed headlights. A similar C-shape design is used for the headlight cluster, albeit separated into two pieces. Still hexagonal, the grille appears to have been given a more aggressive look.
From the rear, the resemblance to the current XV is still strong, sporting a similar taillight design, but with a sportier-looking rear bumper. A set of newly-designed five-spoke wheels can also be seen in the teaser video.
Subaru has not revealed details on the powertrain of the next generation XV. Currently in Malaysia, the Subaru XV is offered in the 2.0i-S EyeSight variant and the GT Edition variant, both powered by a 2.0-litre boxer engine producing
156 hp
 and
196 Nm
 paired to a CVT. Both variants get Subaru’s famous Symmetrical All Wheel Drive System.

No interior shots are shown in the teaser video, but the next generation XV is expected to carry over elements from the
2022 WRX
. The new XV should also feature Subaru’s latest version of the EyeSight Driver Assist system with driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Subaru will unveil the 2023 Subaru XV on 15 September on its YouTube channels.
ALSO WATCH:
2021 Subaru XV with EyeSight from RM139k, 5 Things


What do you think of Volkswagen’s new R logo?

Since 2002, the Volkswagen’s R models have been at home on race tracks throughout the world and, in addition to high-performance engines, have offered their owners the combination of everyday usability and stylish understatement.
The new R logo symbolises the performance brand’s fresh start. It is more modern, distinct, sleek and reduced to its essential components where it can be used for various purposes, remaining particularly suitable for digital media.

The new logo was developed at the Volkswagen Design Center. The team surrounding Head of Volkswagen Design, Klaus Bischoff, developed the new R logo together with Technical Development and the Volkswagen R Marketing team.
“The R marks the athletic apex of our model program and the R logo serves as an expression of both aesthetics and sportsmanship. At the same time, it is gaining in terms of both clarity and charisma, as is the new Volkswagen brand logo,” said Bischoff.
The redesigned badge can be seen for the first time on the Atlas Cross Sport R-Line in North America.


Proton begins production of 2023 X90 SUV – to come with mild-hybrid, 190 hp and 300 Nm?

Production of the 2023 Proton X90 three-row SUV has begun as announced by Proton at the launch of the company’s new stamping line. The X90 is based on the Geely Haoyue (or Okavango in the Philippines) and will be the third SUV in the Proton range after the X70 and X50.
The X90 will also be the first Proton model to offer hybrid technology according to the company. As previously speculated, this should be the same 1.5-litre TGDi three-cylinder petrol engine fitted in the Geely Haoyue and Okavango.
The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to drive the front wheels, with
190 hp
 and
300 Nm
. The new X90 will be assembled in Tanjung Malim alongside the X50 and X70. As no photographs are allowed, this was the only image by Proton of the X90 for now. Front grille looks like a Mercedes-Benz eh?
“Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of activities leading up to the official introduction of Proton’s latest model. This is an important step in our NEV journey which will gradually build emphasis on hybrid technology before we launch the first Proton EV,” said Proton deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah.
The new RM140 million stamping line, which is the largest in Malaysia, will not only better serve the production of the X50, X70 and X90 but also reduce the dependency on 115,000 imported parts annually. The new stamping line utilises six robots using artificial intelligence and can produce up to 50 unique components including body panels.
“The increased use of locally-sourced parts for production is vital to the national automotive ecosystem and helps reduce the outflow of funds from the country. Aside from potentially reducing our use of imported parts by 115,000 units annually, the stampingline also allows for greater flexibility when deciding our production mix every month. It also shortens the time to produce new local models,” Roslan added.
GALLERY


Here’s why the new Nissan Almera will be a nicer car to drive than the previous-gen

There’s been too much talk about turbo engines and torque lately with the imminent launch of the Proton X50 and the Honda City RS i-MMD. While we’ve
briefly touched on that topic last week
, followed by a closer look at what makes the
Almera’s 1.0-litre turbocharged engine
 tick, we believe there are other aspects in a car that should be prioritised just as much as its engine’s output – drivability.
Throughout the first generation Almera’s life span, it’s always been seen as the pathway to an affordable Japanese vehicle and more unfortunately as the car used by Grab drivers. Unfortunate as it may sound to be carrying that, the Nissan Almera was nonetheless great for what it was intended to be – a no-frills, A to B means of transportation.

But as we’ve experienced during our brief test drive in the
all-new 2nd generation Almera last month
, the Almera’s reputation as a car that people would need rather than a car most would desire, is about to change.
Based on the information we got, Nissan has made significant improvements to the body and structure of the Almera. It’s not only that; the
steering shaft’s rigidity has also been increased
 along with
adjustments made to the caster trail
. All this, as you’d discover and learn from Google, not only gives you more control of the car with higher predictability but also improves the stability of the car – reducing its tendency to wander and sway about.
The Electric Power Steering system has also been enhanced with an
Active Return Control
 feature that allows the steering to return to its centre position faster and more naturally upon exiting a corner; adding a little more precision to your steering input and driving experience.
That’s not all. The rubber bump stops in the previous generation Almera has been replaced with more durable, polyurethane bump stops with steel stiffeners. They not only improve on impact absorption but reduces body roll as the car would feel firmer than before.
The result of which could be felt during our brief test drive around the Glenmarie area. On one particular stretch, the car felt a lot more composed and firmer through a series of swooping bends but not necessary in a way that’s uncomfortable. What it did also offered was a better connection to the road and a lot more assurance than the old model could ever dream of providing.
That should make the prospects of owning a car with a turbocharged engine even more exciting, wouldn’t it? We certainly can’t wait to spend more time in it and share the experience with you; till next time!
GALLERY


2020 Perodua Bezza refreshed with bolder styling and smarter tech

After
opening the order books
 last week with a teaser video, the 2020 Perodua Bezza facelift is now officially launched. The facelift comes
 three and a half years
 after the entry-level sedan was first announced back in 2016, where more than 184,000 units have been sold.
The 2020 Perodua Bezza has been redesigned with a more aggressive appearance. Up front, a redesigned front bumper features angular cutouts housing the fog lamps on the 1.3L variants (no fog lamps on the 1.0L) – flanking the large central air intake.
The new redesigned bumper is joined by a new slimline
LED headlights
 (standard across the range), alongside the new hexagonal-shaped grille. The 1.3L variants get a chrome trim on the grille, while the 1.0L gets silver-painted ones.
At the rear, the restyled bumper gets new “vents” cutouts and a more angular overall shape. A new two-tone trim piece joins the unchanged taillights – chrome and gloss black, which was completely chrome on the pre-facelift model.
New two-tone side skirts, standard across the range, completes the exterior refresh on the Bezza, alongside the new
15-inch
 10-spoke alloy wheels on the 1.3L variants (1.0L gets
14-inch
 wheels).
All variants now get a power-adjustable side mirrors with turn-signals – no more signal lamps on the fenders for the 1.0L variants. The top-of-the-range AV variant now gets power-retractable side mirrors as well.
The 2020 Perodua Bezza will be offered in six exterior colours, with two new additions – Garnet Red (exclusive to 1.3L variants) and Granite Grey – joining the four existing colours on offer, namely Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ocean Blue and Sugar Brown.
Moving inside, the dashboard has been redesigned with a new full-width matte-silver trim piece. The slender trim piece kinks upwards in the middle to wraparound the 2 DIN head unit (touchscreen on the AV variant). Overall architecture for the dashboard remains identical to the pre-facelift Bezza.
The instrument cluster has also been restyled for a cleaner look, paired with white illumination.
The hero addition to the 2020 Perodua Bezza is the
Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0
 driver assistance suite. ASA 2.0 includes pedestrian detection (up to 50 km/h), pre-collision warning (up to 100 km/h), pre-collision braking (up to 80 km/h), front departure alert and pedal mis-operation control.
The addition makes the 2020 Perodua Bezza the most affordable sedan with advanced driver assistance features (the cheapest car with such feature goes to the
Perodua Axia
, which was recently updated).
ASA 2.0 is only available on the AV variant, although all 1.3L variants now get
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
 and
traction control
 – previously limited to just the top-of-the-range variant.
Other safety features include
ABS and EBD
, which are standard across the range, as well as
dual front airbags
.
Creature comforts on the updated 2020 Perodua Bezza include
rear reversing sensors
 across the range, while the 1.3L variants get
 front corner sensors
. As before, the AV variant gets a reverse camera, complementing the touchscreen infotainment display.
The 1.3L variants also get keyless entry and push-start button, along with “semi-bucket seats” – finished in fabric on the X variant, and leather on the top-of-the-range AV variant.
No changes are made to the engine department. The 1.0L variants are powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder mill producing
 67 hp
 and
91 Nm
, while the 1.3L gets a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder powerplant producing
94 hp
 and
121 Nm
 of twist.
The 1.0-litre engine gets paired to either a
5-speed manual
 or
4-speed automatic
 gearbox, while the 1.3L variants will only be available with an automatic slushbox.
The 2020 Perodua Bezza will be available in four variants – 1.0L G MT (
RM34,580
), 1.0L G AT (
RM36,580
), 1.3L X AT (
RM43,980
) and 1.3L AV AT (
RM49,980
) – 1.3 X MT has been dropped from the line-up. As with all Perodua models, the 2020 Perodua Bezza will come with a
five-year/150,000 km warranty
.
Perodua is also making available a long list of GearUp accessories for the 2020 Perodua Bezza, including a Dynamic bodykit with LED light guides and rear spoiler (available from March 2020), door comfort package for improved noise insulation, as well as an armrest with USB port.
The accessories can be specified and factored into the hire purchase of the new Perodua Bezza, and are supported by a one-year warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
2020 Perodua Bezza
2020 Perodua Bezza with GearUp Bodykit and Accessories


Mazda Koeru concept debuts at Frankfurt, could prove to be the all-new CX-7

It’s now slightly over a month from when Mazda
first showed us sketches of the Koeru concept
, but the actual concept is currently on public display at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show. What the Koeru is supposed to be remains a company secret, and judging from the actual size of this vehicle, it most likely won’t be a new model to which we thought could be the CX-4.
Instead, the sheer scale of this SUV hints at the possible and long overdue replacement of the
CX-7
model, featuring Mazda’s famous KODO – Soul of Motion design language. The Koeru in Japanese stands for “to exceed” or “go beyond”, so whatever the guys at Hiroshima are working on, it’s going straight for the segment’s coveted top spot.

In concept form, the Koeru measures at 4,600mm in overall length, 1,900mm wide and 1,500mm tall while the axles sit 2,700mm apart. The numbers are simply benchmarks at this point in time, but that’s more than enough to convince us that a new
CX-7
 is well in the works. The Koeru’s footprint match largely that of the old CX-7, which in its facelift guise measured at 4,669mm in length, 1,872mm wide, 1,645mm tall and 2,750mm wheelbase.
The previous CX-7 weighed from 1,673kg and was powered by a
2.3-litre DISI turbocharged
 four-cylinder engine shared with the Mazda3 MPS. Malaysian-spec CX-7 made
235 hp
 at 5,000 rpm and
350 Nm
 of torque from 2,500 rpm, and can be had with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Sole transmission is an Aisin-sourced six-speed torque converter.

There’s no word on what the Koeru might carry underneath the hood, but the current
2.5-litre Skyactiv-G
 engine will most likely be on offer, that and their six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic as well. It’s a five-seater, not seven, and will come with
Mazda’s i-Activsense
 safety technology and
Mazda Connect
. The ridiculous
21-inch wheels
 (shod with 265/45 series rubbers) on the other hand, won’t quite make it to production, but we can’t lie and say they don’t look good on the car.
What do you think? Will the KODO-fied CX-7 work in your favour?
IMAGE GALLERY


There’s a new way to “SETEL” your fuel payments and more at Petronas!

After launching a BETA version of the app during the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show, SETEL has now gone nationwide!
And it’s unlikely that you’ll miss it seeing as the cashless payment service will be available at more than 700 Petronas station across the country.
The app not only allows you to pay for fuel at the station even before you exit the vehicle, but also purchase items from Mesra stores and keep track of your MESRA points among others.
With payments made easier and quicker at petrol stations after the introduction of the payWave system, the introduction of SETEL did raise a couple questions as it merely allows us to now make payments in the car.
So when asked how much more convenient and quicker a refuelling process would be with the SETEL app, as users would still have to exit their vehicle to refuel upon making payments, a SETEL representative said that the purpose of the app goes beyond hassle-free payments.
Instead, it’s an all-encompassing app that allows not just for speedier and to an extent safer payments, but also better all-round experience at Petronas stations whether you’re refuelling or shopping at the Mesra store.
What’s more, the app has now been integrated with a fuel redemption feature, allowing users to access and use their MESRA points more conveniently with a wider range of features to come.
“The current features of SETEL is just the beginning. Anchored on seamless and frictionless experiece, we will be providing the right solutions and partnerships to enrich the customer’s experience at Petronas”, said Petronas Dagangan Berhad, Managing Director and CEO, Azrul Osman.
Soon, “kiosks” will also be erected at Petronas stations, for customers who have purchased items at the MESRA store through the app, to collect – rather than having to step into the store and endure unbearable queues.
SETEL is available for free on iOS and Android platforms through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Find out more about SETEL
here
!
IMAGE GALLERY


Quill Automobiles opens one of the largest BMW showrooms in Malaysia

The new showroom occupies over 33,000 sq ft, capable of displaying up to 14 different BMW models at one time, making it one of the largest BMW showrooms in Malaysia.
BMW Group Malaysia, Managing Director, Harald Hoelzl said, “While it is our priority to deliver award-winning vehicles and industry-leading services to our customers, it is also equally important that we create the right environment and ambience for this experience.”
The new showroom features a new “Grand Klasse Luxury” boutique together with the BMW Customer Lounge, Isetta Bar and BMW Lifestyle area. Also displayed is the
 first ever BMW X7
 and the
new BMW 7 series
.
The 58,500 sq ft 4S centre, located at Quill 9, 112, Jalan Semangat in Section 13 Petaling Jaya, also serves as a standalone BMW Service Centre, complete with a workshop and body & paint facility. Also within the premise is a BMW Premium Selection dealership.
In conjunction with the opening, Quill Automobiles launched a campaign where customers who purchase a brand new BMW vehicle between 13th of July to the 31st of December can
stand a chance to win a BMW Z4 sDrive 30i M Sport!
‘This is the Quill Automobiles’ way of expressing customer appreciation.” said Quill Automobiles, Dealer Principal, Alex Tang.


Range Rover SVAutobiography debuts ahead of LA, 1.2 metre rear legroom!

Land Rover has just debuted its refreshed Range Rover SVAutobiography ahead of the 2017 LA Auto Show. The marquee’s most luxurious SUV which combines high-levels of craftsmanship and technology sets a new benchmark in the luxury SUV segment.
Started life as a long wheelbase Range Rover, the SVAutobiography was handed to Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) and reimagined with
First-Class Cabin
 in mind. The four-seater SVAutobiography gets a redesigned cabin with powered rear doors, Executive Class rear seats, full-length centre console and two detachable 10.0-inch touchscreen rear entertainment system.
The Executive Class rear seats come with
40-degree recline capability
, hot stone massage function as well as heated calf and footrests. The new seats coupled with the extended wheelbase gives the rear passengers legroom of over
1.2 metres
. An exclusive Zenith clock inspired by the Elite 6150 watch is embedded in the centre console for that premium touch.
Powertrain options include a 4.4-litre turbodiesel V8 with
334 hp
, 5.0-litre supercharged V8 with
557 hp
 and the
recently introduced 2.0-litre P400e plug-in hybrid
 with
398 hp
 and
640 Nm
 of torque.
Land Rover Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern said: “The Range Rover SVAutobiography is the epitome of luxury, comfort and refinement. Our standard-bearer for quality and precision exemplifies the attention to detail and sophistication that has been a hallmark of our most luxurious SUV stretching back almost 50 years.”


Perodua received 51,000 bookings for the Alza, 7.7k units delivered

In August 2022,
Perodua
 sold
26,039 cars
, which is a 42% jump from July. Perodua’s latest model, the all-new 2022
Perodua Alza
 has received
51,000
 bookings so far, and Perodua has registered
7,682 units
 (15% of bookings).
Launched on July 20, 2022, bookings for the all-new Alza have been open prior to the launch date. In July, it was already reported that more than 39,000 bookings for the Perodua Alza have been received. The all-new Alza features many Perodua-first features like Android Auto &
Apple CarPlay
, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), and rear disc brakes.
As for year-to-date numbers, Perodua registered
171,728 cars
 from January to August, making a 63.7% jump from 2021. However, Perodua says the year-to-date comparison is distorted as Malaysia underwent a lockdown between June 1, 2021, to August 15, 2021, and during that time all non-essential operations were suspended.
Leading Perodua’s year-to-date sales numbers is the
Perodua Myvi

with 48,658 units registered (28.3%). In second place is the
Perodua Bezza
 with 39,642 units (23.1%). And falling in third place is the
Perodua Axia
 with 37,013 units (21.6%). The newly-launched Perodua Alza reports 7,682 units.
RELATED:
All-new 2022 Perodua Alza from RM62,500
Regarding customer vehicle delivery, Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “We are currently trying to build on this (production and sales) improvement to ensure speedier delivery to our customers,”
Perodua experienced some key issues such as the semiconductor chip supply shortage and insufficient labour at the supplier’s operations. This pushed Perodua to come about with improvements in production and sales. At the moment, Perodua has resolved these issues.
RELATED:
MIDA, Perodua announces partnership to help digitalise Malaysian automotive suppliers
“We are also closely monitoring the increase in prices of raw materials at the moment and are working with the ecosystem on how best to mitigate this impact on our operations,” he adds.
Perodua reports August as its best production month, producing a total of 28,036 cars. Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin said that of the 28,036 Perodua cars produced in August, the Perodua Bezza leads the pack with 6,808 units, followed by the Perodua Myvi and Perodua Axia at 6,252 units and 4,857 units respectively. On the delivery time of the Perodua Alza, Perodua has not released any new specific information.


Here’s a new hassle-free platform to sell your car quickly and efficiently!

It’s called
CarlistBid.my
 and simply said, it will connect those looking to sell their cars with dealers via a bidding platform, that consists of over 3,000 dealers.
Sellers will first need to submit a request on the website to schedule a car inspection and valuation service. Once the bidding terms are agreed upon, the cars will be opened to bidding among certified Carlist.my dealers.
Upon acceptance of the best offer, CarlistBid.my staff will assist with the ownership transfer procedures as well as the final payment.
“Connecting sellers directly to dealers would mean a faster turnaround time to close sales as dealers are constantly looking to increase their inventory,” said Chief Executive Officer of iCar Asia, Hamish Stone at CarlistBid.my’s flagship inspection hub next to Regal Valet Auto Detailing Outlet in Kampung Sungai Penchala.
“Over a four-month testing period, CarlistBid.my has closed over RM2.1 million in sales within an average of five days per sale completion. We achieved this with a test group of just 100 from more than 3,000 dealers that already worked with Carlist.my, highlighting our ability to scale up this service in the coming months,” he added.
Opens from Monday to Saturday (10am to 7pm), the CarlistBid.my inspection and valuation hub is located at Lot 2805, Jalan Damansara, Kampung Sungai Penchala, 60000, Kuala Lumpur.


GST: Honda to reduce car prices by 3.7% on average, spare parts by 2-4% effective 1 April

Effective at the time this story is published, most of the Honda cars will see a slight reduction in their road-going prices when the
6 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST)
 kicks in, replacing the current
10 percent Sales and Services Tax

(SST)
.
The CR-V, offered here in three trims, will see a maximum reduction of
RM1,900
 effective 1 April 2015.
Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr Yoichiro Ueno explains, “In the automotive industry, the difference in car prices
isn’t as simple
 as 10 percent minus 6 percent as there are many factors involved. The main difference in tax calculation is the difference in taxable base for SST and GST.”
Ueno further elaborated, saying that the SST was only paid at the first stage of the supply chain, meaning from manufacturer to distributor, which excludes dealer margins, logistic cost, handling fee, accessories and other distribution costs. GST on the other hand, is charged at every transaction down the same supply chain and will be based on the final selling price of the car on the road.
The table below shows the prices of Honda cars before and after GST. All CKD models see a
price reduction
 between
RM500 to RM2,500
, while the
 fully imported Odyssey
 is the only model in the list to see a price hike between RM500 to RM1,000. Do note that the table below is based on pricing for Peninsular Malaysia only.
Model
Variant
OTR Price with SST
OTR Price with GST
Price difference
Jazz
1.5L Grade S
RM 72,813.50
RM 71,774.80
– RM 1,038.70
1.5L Grade E
RM 79,813.50
RM 78,756.80
– RM 1,056.70
1.5L Grade V
RM 87,813.50
RM 86,985.70
– RM 827.80
City
1.5L Grade S
RM 75,813.50
RM 74,007.50
– RM 1,806.00
1.5L Grade S+
RM 78,813.50
RM 77,124.40
– RM 1,689.10
1.5L Grade E
RM 83,813.50
RM 82,269.50
– RM 1,544.00
1.5L Grade V
RM 90,813.50
RM 89,467.80
– RM 1,345.70
HR-V
1.8L Grade S
RM 99,815.30
RM 98,690.40
– RM 1,124.90
1.8L Grade E
RM 108,815.30
RM 108,027.10
– RM 788.20
1.8L Grade V
RM 118,815.30
RM 118,229.10
– RM 586.20
Civic
1.8L Grade S
RM 113,815.30
RM 113,198.70
– RM 616.60
2.0L Grade S
RM 125,815.30
RM 124,780.30
– RM 1,035.00
2.0L Navi
RM 132,815.30
RM 132,210.70
– RM 604.60
CR-V
2.0L 2WD
RM 139,815.30
RM 138,069.70
– RM 1,745.60
2.0L 4WD
RM 150,815.30
RM 149,152.40
– RM 1,662.90
2.4L 4WD
RM 169,817.10
RM 167,887.80
– RM 1,929.30
Accord
2.0L VTi
RM 139,830.60
RM 137,301.90
– RM 2,528.70
2.0L VTi-L
RM 149,830.60
RM 148,200.60
– RM 1,630.00
2.4L VTi-L
RM 174,834.20
RM 173,386.60
– RM 1,447.60
Odyssey (CBU)
2.4L EX
RM 228,023.00
RM 229,030.60
+ RM 1,007.60
2.4L EXV
RM 248,023.00
RM 248,536.00
+ RM 513.00

The fully imported
Honda Odyssey
 MPV is subjected to a price hike between RM500 to RM1,000
Furthering Ueno’s point earlier, the price reduction is not as straightforward as reducing the 4 percent difference created when the SST is replaced by GST. Instead, the difference is due to varying levels of features and accessories that come with the cars, and this is what’s causing the prices to be different. All things considered, Honda Malaysia claims that all
savings

from GST
 will be
passed down
 to their customers in the form of cheaper locally assembled cars.
Meanwhile, Honda Malaysia recorded their best sales performance of yet, charting over
9,000 units sold
 in the month of March alone. That’s more than 10 percent of the 85,000 units they aimed to sell this year. They have collectively sold
21,563 units
 in the
first quarter
 this year, an increase of
38 percent
 over the same period last year.
This achievement was strongly driven by the positive reception of the
City
,
Jazz
,
Civic
, Accord,
CR-V
 and
HR-V
; all of which are segment leaders to date. Early last month, Honda Malaysia announced that the HR-V had a waiting list of four months with over
7,000 units
 booked, but that figure has risen to
10,000 units
 now. Works to maximise the HR-V’s production capacity are well underway, we’re told.


Berjaya, Bermaz JV replaces Naza as sole distributor for Peugeot in Malaysia – Citroen likely dropped

It’s official – A joint statement by
Groupe PSA
, Berjaya Corporation, and
Bermaz Auto
 earlier today has confirmed that the sole distributorship of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia has been awarded to a newly incorporated company, Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB).
The new company is a joint venture between Berjaya Corporation and Bermaz Auto, which hold 51% and 20% stake respectively; the remaining shareholders were not disclosed in the statement.
Aside from being awarded sole distributorship to
Peugeot
, Berjaya and Bermaz Auto’s JV company BAASB will also gain the rights to aftersales and spare parts distribution for Peugeot,
Citroen
, and
DS Automobiles
 in Malaysia. This announcement suggests that the two latter marques are being discontinued in the country, though owners can still seek aftersales support from the new company.
The move will help the French Conglomerate continue Peugeot’s growth strategy in the country and region, with Malaysia remaining as the regional export hub for South East Asia. Groupe PSA South East Asia Senior Vice President, Laurence Noel added that the company is currently planning to introduce the
all-new Peugeot 2008
 in Malaysia in the near future.
“We aim to continuously revolutionize the customer experience together with our new partner, BAASB and underscore our commitment to our customers through excellent sales and aftersales service,” she added.
The
all-new Peugeot 2008
 will be the first car to be launched under the BSAAB banner.
BerjayaCorp Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sri Robin Tan Yeong Chin added, “This new collaboration will complement our group’s existing automotive business, namely HR Owen and Berjaya China Motor. We believe this collaboration between BerjayaCorp, Bermaz and Groupe PSA will bring positive synergistic benefits to all parties.”
Bermaz Auto Executive Chairman, Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh said, “We are honoured that Groupe PSA and BerjayaCorp recognise Bermaz Group’s capabilities and expertise in the automobile industry and is delighted to participate in this new collaboration, which is expected to contribute positively to our future earnings base.”
Kia’s future in the country still remains largely in the dark. The brand’s latest model in Malaysia, the Seltos SUV, has been
open for booking
 since September this year.
The news comes after
previous reports
 on Naza’s intention to offload its automotive brands as it continues to realign its business plans. The Peugeot brand was previously represented by Naza’s subsidiary Nasim, while Citroen and DS were distributed by Naza Euro Motors.
As of the time of writing, Kia Motor’s fate in the country is still unclear, although it is believed that
Bermaz Auto is the current frontrunner pitched to takeover the business.


2023 Tesla Model Y正式抵马- BMW iX3对手从RM199k起跳！

EVs的代表性产品终于进入马来西亚市场，今天推出了
Tesla Model Y
。这款全电动紧凑型SUV将在此提供三种车型 – Model Y RWD，Model Y Long Range Dual Motor AWD和Model Y Performance Dual Motor AWD，价格从RM199,000开始。
现在可以在Tesla的官方在线配置器上（
链接在此
）订购Tesla Model Y，预计首批交付将在2024年初开始。
外观设计，马来西亚的Tesla Model Y配置
基本上是Model 3的跨界版，Tesla Model Y也运用了轿车的极简设计语言，但具有更高的车顶，重新设计的后舱门和更大的轮毂。 Tesla Model Y长4,751毫米（轴距2,890毫米），宽1,921毫米，高1,624毫米，将其置于与BMW iX3和Mercedes-Benz EQC大致相同的球场上。
Tesla Model Y的外部设备亮点包括：
LED大灯
LED尾灯
无钥匙进入带有接入卡和智能手机进入的功能
19英寸双子座轮毂（性能双电机AWD型号为21英寸Uberturbine轮毂）
珍珠白外观颜色
Tesla Model Y还提供了几种选项，包括：
20英寸感应轮毂 – RM10,000
Solid Black，Midnight Silver Metallic，Deep Blue Metallic外观颜色 – RM5,000
Red Multi-Coat外观颜色 – RM10,000
Tesla Model Y性能，电动范围
Tesla Model Y由单电机或双电机设置驱动，取决于车型。 Model Y的所有三种变体都使用400V电气架构，尽管Tesla并未宣传其实际电池容量，而是选择通过其驾驶范围来区分它们。
RWD
Long Range Dual Motor AWD
Performance Dual Motor AWD
最大马力
347 hp
514 hp
534 hp
最大扭力
420 Nm
493 Nm
660 Nm
0-100 km/h
6.9 秒
5.0 秒
3.7 秒
极速
217 km/h
217 km/h
250 km/h
电池容量
57.5 kWh
75 kWh
75 kWh
续航距离(WLTP)
455 公里
533 公里
514 公里
DC 充电支持
170 kW
250 kW
250 kW
Long Range Dual Motor AWD变体还提供有一个Acceleration Boost特性（付费选项，通过Tesla Mobile应用程序激活），将0-100km/h加速的时间减少到仅4.5秒。
符合其运动凭证的性能顶级双电机AWD还配备了性能刹车系统，降低悬挂，碳纤维后扰流板和内饰铝踏板。
Tesla Model Y内饰
Tesla的标志性极简设计语言，只有中心的单个15英寸触摸屏显示器打破了简洁的仪表板，该显示器既作为信息娱乐系统也作为驾驶员的仪表显示。
虽然Tesla Model Y在全球范围内都提供五座和七座配置，但在马来西亚，SUV只提供五座布局。马来西亚Tesla Model Y的所有车型的标准内部设备包括：
15英寸触摸屏显示器
双无线充电托板
带有HEPA空气过滤器和生化武器防御模式的自动空调控制
电动可调前排座椅
前后座加热
素食皮革（Vegan Leather)内饰，黑色（可选择白色内饰颜色，需额外付费RM5,000）
带有UV和红外防护膜的全景玻璃顶
13扬声器音响系统
4个USB-C端口
Sentry Mode录像功能（作为行车记录仪）
854升后备箱空间，117升“frunk”储物区
Tesla Model Y Autopilot，马来西亚提供全自驾驶
Tesla Model Y的所有三种车型都将标准配备基础Autopilot高级驾驶员辅助套件，包括自动紧急制动，盲点监控，自适应巡航控制和车道居中辅助。
也可以选择增强型Autopilot选项（额外RM16,000），并增加一个自动更换车道系统，一个“在Autopilot上导航”的功能，该功能会自动将车移动到高速公路出口的正确车道，自动超车功能，自动停车辅助和一个Smart Summon系统，可以在停车场内自主驾驶车辆。
客户还可以选择“全自驾驶”（FSD）套餐，价格为RM32,000，该套餐目前包含Autopilot和Enhanced Autopilot中的所有功能，其中“交通灯和停车标志控制”和“在城市街道上自动驾驶”列为公司网站上的“即将到来”。系统未来还可以通过自动软件更新进行更新。
尽管如此，但这套驾驶员辅助套件（目前仍在beta测试中）并不是真正的自动驾驶系统。
2023年马来西亚Tesla Model Y定价
2023年的Tesla Model Y在马来西亚提供三种车型，价格如下（上路，不含保险，未含选项）：
Tesla Model Y RWD –
RM199,000
Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD –
RM246,000
Tesla Model Y Performance AWD –
RM288,000
价格包括四年/80,000公里基本车辆保修，以及八年/160,000公里电池和驱动器保修。
【英文版】
【图集】
2023 Tesla Model Y RWD
2023 Tesla Model Y Performance


Subaru launches BRZ tS for Japanese market, only 300 units made

Subaru’s motorsport division known to many as STI or Subaru Tecnica International has just recently released the BRZ tS (stands for “tuned by STI”) model that will go on sale in Japan. This naturally aspirated pocket rocket is on a limited production run of only 300 units exclusive to the Japanese market.
The exterior doesn’t differ far from the original, with a redesigned front bumper adorned with a
new grille
 and gets a new colour from a shade called
 Cherry Red
. Not forgetting also the STI badge that sits pretty on the front nose. The headlights receive the
 signature Subaru DRL
, one that’s rather reminiscent of the
WRX STI
.

The interior, just like the outside, hasn’t gone through much of a change for this limited run unit. The gauge cluster gets a
reworked speedometer
 with a complimentary STI logo housed in an
Alcantara upholstered visor
 contrasted with red stitching, exuding this BRZ tS’ go-faster attitude.
The use of Alcantara doesn’t just end there, for most of the interior such as the
seats and trim pieces
 are adorned in a suede-like material. The steering wheel and gear knob is wrapped in hide with – yes you guessed it, STI ornaments and red stitching as contrast. Did we mention also that there was an STI logo on the
Push/Start
 button?
This BRZ tS doesn’t get a power boost if that’s what you’re pondering. The FA20 boxer,
2.0 litre four banger DOHC
 mill still makes
 197 hp at 7,000 rpm
. Torque figures are cemented at
205 Nm
, as before. It comes with a bucket load of stuff that are tuned to the STI’s state of mind, such as the suspension setup on both ends,
flexi V-bar
,
 front strut, rear dampers
 and
coils and a larger diameter drive shaft
.

The BRZ tS sits on
 225/40 ZR18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres
all around to be precise. Stopping power is manufactured by Brembo with a
four pot setup at the front
 and
two potters
 at the back end. It comes with a newly tuned VDC or
Vehicle Dynamics Control
 and in the acoustic department, it also receives an exclusively tuned filter for the
Sound Creator system
 which
 synthesizes
 the sounds you hear while driving.

There are
four colours
 to choose from – WR Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Sunrise Yellow and Crystal White Pearl, with the latter two colours costing an additional
RM986
. The six-speeder stick shifter variant is priced at
 ¥3,990,000 (RM123,462)
 while the
 six-speed automatic
 variety with paddle shifters stand at
 ¥4,071,000 (RM125,968).
IMAGE GALLERY


All-electric Aston Martin RapidE set for production in 2019, 155 units only!

Back in 2015, Aston Martin unveiled to the world an all-electric vehicle concept, the
Aston Martin RapidE
 (yes with a capital E for electric). Today, the company has confirmed that its first all-electric model will be going into production in 2019 with a limited build run of 155 cars.
Based on the forthcoming Rapide AMR from the
AMR lineup
, the RapidE will be powered by an
all-electric powertrain
, replacing the naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 combustion engine.
Williams Advanced Engineering
 was also named as the lead engineering partner for this project.

As part of
Gaydon’s Second Century Plan
, the RapidE is a four-door sports car that will spearhead the brand’s development of low and zero-emission vehicles. Dr Andy Palmer, President and CEO of Aston Martin expressed that the RapidE is part of the brand’s vision for a sustainable future that does not compromise on supreme performance. However, Dr Palmer also ensures fans that internal combustion engines that Aston Martin takes pride in will remain for many more years to come.
More details of the Aston Martin RapidE will be revealed in due course.


What’s the Buzz: Ops Selamat 15 and the deadly toll we all pay

There is no way to sugarcoat this, being on Malaysian roads is a high-risk undertaking and all of us – drivers, riders, pedestrians are responsible for letting this appalling state of affair to materialise.
Over the just concluded 14-day period of
Ops Selamat

15
where authorities try to make commuting safer over the busy festive period,
a total of 229 souls were lost
 – that’s
16 individuals
 who may be known or related to you losing their lives
each day
 in the past two weeks.
Let that sink in for the moment…or do these morbid figures no longer register?
(Image credit: Info Roadblock JPJ/Polis)
The authorities also revealed a staggering number of road accidents over the same period –
22,852 reported cases
, and there are more which are unreported. The official statistics also do not include persons who may have been maimed or suffered life-changing injuries.
Beating the traffic lights has become a daily occurrence.
Yes, enforcement can be better but when the objectives of Ops Selamat are just focused on weeding out blatant offenses –
driving on the emergency lane, overtaking on double lines, use of mobile phones without handsfree, queue jumping, speeding and beating the traffic lights
 – rather than cultivating safe-driving practices, the state of lawlessness on our roads is patently obvious.
This isn’t about having better infrastructure or safer cars, as road users, we have a lot of soul searching to do.
(Main image credit to
Info Roadblock JPJ/Polis
)


Audi Malaysia and Euromobil launch new RM11 million Service Centre in KL

Audi Malaysia, together with Euromobil Sdn Bhd have officially launched the newly relocated Service Centre in KL. The centre is located along Jalan Chan Sow Lin, just 300 metres away from the older building.
The upgraded service facility, which has a total build-up area of 34,272 sq ft, costs about RM11.3 million from start to finish and now sees its aftersales team grow from 21 staffs to 47. According to Euromobil, this staff increment will result in an increased throughput from just 2,500 to over 11,000 service throughputs annually.

Of the 47 staffs, 15 are certified Audi technicians who will work on diagnostics, regular maintenance works and even major repairs for engine and transmission overhauls. The 10,247 sq ft workshop houses
25 service bays
 including alignment and balancing bays, as well as a dedicated bay for the Audi R8. To facilitate quick repair works, the centre has an inventory value of nearly RM2 million, with Euromobil investing approximately RM2.3 million in tools and equipments.
The new Audi/Euromobil KL Service Centre is located along Jalan Enam, Kawasaki Perindustrian Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lexus teases track-ready ‘F’ model ahead of the 2015 Detroit Motor Show

Lexus recently dropped two big bombs in the form of teaser pictures of its upcoming high-performance, track-ready ‘F’ model. The second F-designated model is to join the
RM782,000

RC F
 in the high-performing sports car segment and will make its global premier at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, also known as the Detroit Motor Show.
Further information regarding this model remains a strictly tight-lipped affair, but rumours have that it may be the successor to the outgoing IS F. Lexus also previewed the
LF-C2 2+2 Concept car
 at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month, but the way the headlights are designed is a clear giveaway that the new F isn’t the production version of the LF-C2.
The carmaker’s larger sedan, the GS, is also rumoured to be bestowed with the F badge. If so, we could be looking at a high-performing four-door sedan that could take on the likes of the
BMW M3
 or M5 sedans. There’s no word on the powerplant as well, but it’s very likely that it will share the same
5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8
 engine found in the RC F Coupe.
The 2015 Detroit Motor Show will run from 12 to 25 January. Meanwhile, have a read on our report of the
Lexus RC 350 and RC F here
.


2023 BYD Dolphin launched in Australia as cheapest EV on sale

The 2023
BYD Dolphin
 is now launched in Australia, taking the honour of the cheapest EV currently on sale. Priced at AUD38,890 (approx. RM122k) before on-road charges, the compact EV hatchback undercuts its nearest rival, the MG 4, by just AUD100 (approx RM315).
Order books for the 2023 BYD Dolphin is now open in the nation, with deliveries set to begin before the end of the year.
The BYD Dolphin will be offered in Australia in a single ‘Dynamic’ variant at launch, powered by a front-mounted electric motor making
70 kW (95 hp)
 and
180 Nm
 of torque. In this configuration, BYD says the Dolphin will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in
12.3 seconds
.
Electric juice is supplied by a 44.9 kWh battery pack, which should translate to an electric driving range of
340 km (WLTP)
. DC fast charging is supported at up to 60 kW, taking approximately 28 minutes to charge from 30-80%.
RELATED:
BYD Dolphin EV launched in Thailand, cheaper than Honda City e:HEV RS!
The BYD Dolphin Sport concept
A ‘Premium’ variant will also be offered at a later date with a more powerful
 150 kW (204 hp)/310 Nm
 motor, paired to a 60.48 kWh battery pack. Century sprint on this variant takes 7.0 seconds flat, while the larger battery pack also means a better range, rated at
427 km (WLTP)
.
Additionally, a “Dolphin Sport” variant was also announced by BYD Australia today, although no information on the hot hatch EV were provided just yet. The Sport is due to be launched next year.
Standard equipment on the BYD Dolphin in Australia include a rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display (as seen on the
Atto 3
), panoramic glass roof, automatic climate control, front seat heating, and a full suite of advanced driver assistance features including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Interestingly, the 2023 BYD Dolphin in Australia will also be more than 200 mm longer than the Chinese-market model, due to a redesigned front-end crash structure as it aims to achieve a full five-star ANCAP safety rating. However, the Dolphin has yet to complete the safety tests, as such will be sold as “unrated” for the time being.
Closer to home, the BYD Dolphin is also essentially confirmed for launch here in Malaysia, with the compact hatchback model
 first shown off
 during the launch of the Atto 3. No firm launch window has been provided just yet, though recent reports suggest that the compact EV hatchback will be making its Malaysian debut by the end of the year.
[H/T:
 Drive.co.au
]


Scoop: Proton Exora to cease production by end of 2023 – New MPV coming soon?

It is easy to forget that the
Proton Exora
 has actually been around for about 14 years now as the budget family MPV was first introduced in 2009. That tenure is perhaps coming to an end soon as our sources close to the matter report that production of the Proton Exora will cease by the end of 2023.
Proton has recently introduced its new 6/7-seater vehicle and it is the
Proton X90
. The Proton X90, however, is an SUV and not an MPV like the Exora. A more appropriate successor for the Exora would be the Geely Jiaji (the speculated Proton V70 from some time ago) but it doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon.
During the Proton X90’s media preview, it was asked whether the Proton Exora will be discontinued or perhaps refreshed. Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roslan Abdullah said that the arrangement is flexible. He said that “Everything we produce will be based on the market requirement” and that “If there is a demand and the volume is justifiable for our investment, Proton will be glad to be involved in a 7-seater MPV or more because our task is to build a vehicle to move people from point A to point B.”
With the latest information given by our sources, it seems that we will be bidding farewell to the Proton Exora by the end of the year as its production will stop by the end of 2023. Whether or not the Exora will have an MPV successor is still not yet known.
RELATED:
2022 Proton Exora launched – RM3k pricier, but what’s new?
The last refresh given to Proton Exora was in 2022 which introduced electronic stability control (ESC) on all variants. The refresh also gave the Proton Exora a price hike of RM3,000. Largely unchanged on the outside, the latest version of the Proton Exora is adorned with the latest Proton emblem.
Powering the Proton Exora is Proton’s 1.6-litre turbocharged CamPro engine that outputs
140 hp
and
205 Nm
. Paired with that engine is a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Sitting on the same chassis for more than ten years, the Exora still only offers 2 airbags.
Standard safety features include the usual ABS, EBD, and ESC (The standard ESC is new for the Proton Exora). No advanced safety features are provided in the Exora. After a long run as the budget MPV and always topping the charts in its segment in Malaysia, it seems that we will soon bid farewell to the Proton Exora.
RELATED:
Proton commits to launching at least one New Energy Vehicle (NEV) per year


2023 BMW X5 facelift revealed – up to 530 hp, 750 Nm, curved display, increased EV range

BMW has revealed the new facelift BMW X5 with new engine options, a new plug-in hybrid system and 48V mild hybrid technology for all models. The new models will also feature the BMW Curved display powered by the BMW Operating System 8.
The new facelift introduces revisions to the headlights which are now 35 mm slimmer while the arrow-shaped daytime running lights point outwards – serving as turn indicators. LED headlamps are standard but the Matrix LED system with adaptive control are optional items.
Also available as an option is the BMW Iconic Glow kidney, for the six-cylinder variants of the X5. Design wise, the new X5 features a revised bumper design with new air breathers by the corners. At the rear, the X5 features redesigned taillamps with L-shape elements. An M Sport kit is optionally available, consisting of double slates and an M logo for the kidney grille, M mirror caps and M quad-pipe muffler tips. An M Sport package Pro is also available.
New colours for the X5 include M Marina Bay Blue (exclusively for the M60i xDrive), Blue Ridge Mountain metallic, Brooklyn Grey metallic, Skyscraper Grey metallic and Frozen Pure Grey metallic.
All models get the adaptive suspension as standard while the range topping models get the Adaptive M suspension. Adaptive air suspension and the xOffroad package are offered as options. The Adaptive M suspension Professional package comes with an M Sport differential and an active roll stabilisation system.
Standard specification also includes 19-inch light-alloy wheels for the new BMW X5 and 21-inch wheels for the range-topping xDriveM60i. Light-alloy wheels up to 22-inches in size can be specified as an option.
Moving inside, the new X5 is now fitted with a 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display with BMW Operating System 8 along with a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster. Both displays are housed behind a single glass surface. With the new X5, BMW has significantly reduced the number of buttons and switches in favour of digital controls.
Another new feature is the ambient light bar with LED backlighting in the front passenger area. ’X5’ lettering is also embedded into the light bar’s graphic while the flagship models display the M logo. The centre console now features additional touch-sensitive surfaces and a newly designed gear selector lever.
Comfort seats for the front passengers can be specified as an alternative to the standard sport seats. Also available as an option are BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery, active seat ventilation and a massage function. The interior options list also includes a “thermo” function for the cup holders, Sky Lounge panoramic glass sunroof illuminated by LED units, glass surface for selected controls, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and the Travel & Comfort System.
In terms of powertrain, the new X5 is available with a V8 petrol engine, straight-six petrol and diesel engines – all paired with eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmissions – to drive all four wheels via the xDrive all-wheel drive system.
All powertrains now also feature 48V mild hybrid technology with an electric motor integrated into the transmission. This motor generates an output boost of up to 12 hp and 200 Nm of torque. The capacity of the high-voltage battery in the underbody of the X5 xDrive50e has been increased by 25% to 25.7 kWh, with an AC charging rate of 7.4 kW. With that, the electric range of the xDrive50e is between 94 to 110 km.
xDrive40i – 3.0L / 380 hp / 540 Nm / 0-100 km/h 5.4s / 250 km/h
xDrive50e – 3.0L / 490 hp / 700 Nm / 0-100 km/h 4.8s / 250 km/h
xDriveM60i – 4.4L / 530 hp / 750 Nm / 0-100 km/h 4.3s / 250 km/h
xDrive30d – 3.0L / 298 hp / 670 Nm / 0-100 km/h 6.1s / 233 km/h
Updates to the driver aids include enhanced capabilities for the standard front-collision warning system, which can now also reduce the risk of a collision with cyclists, pedestrians or oncoming traffic when turning off a road.
Alongside the Reversing Assist Camera and Reversing Assistant, the standard Parking Assistant now also consists of the drive-off monitoring and Trailer Assistant functions. The new, optional Parking Assistant Professional enables automated parking into and out of spaces and complete manoeuvres over a distance of up to 200 metres; controlled from outside the car using the My BMW App on an Apple iPhone.
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz one-ups Tesla, launches L3 autonomous driving in California

While
 Tesla
 is still struggling with its definition of its “Autopilot” system,
Mercedes-Benz
 has announced that its Drive Pilot SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system is now officially launched in California, USA, having recently obtained official certification from state authorities. The significant milestone means Mercedes-Benz is now the first carmaker to offer a L3 system in a standard-production vehicle in the state.
The updated Drive Pilot system will be available in the US market as an option for the Model Year 2024 (MY2024)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 and
EQS Sedan
models, which will begin deliveries starting late 2023.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the Drive Pilot system is “the world’s only SAE Level 3 system with internationally valid type approval”. The system utilises a multitude of sensors – including LIDAR, cameras, and microphones – to enable “conditionally automated driving”, with redundancy built in for additional safety.
With the SAE Level 3 Drive Pilot system, the vehicle will be able to drive itself completely without any input from the drivers, freeing them to do whatever they want (as long as it’s legal according to the respective state authorities), including interacting with the built-in apps on the infotainment display, which would’ve otherwise been blocked off while driving.
READ MORE:
New Honda Sensing Elite with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities now in Japan!
Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot system will be available on suitable freeway sections in the state, at speeds of up to 64 km/h (40 mph), which means that it’s meant more as a traffic jam assist, rather than a complete chauffeur experience – for now at least.
The system will also only be available when all conditions are suitable, with visual indicators shown on the control buttons located on the steering wheel rim when prerequisites are met. When engaged, the car will autonomously maintain the right speed, distance, and lane positioning. The Drive Pilot system also takes into account the route profile and traffic signs along the route, and will take evasive manoeuvres within the lane when necessary.
However, being a L3 system does mean that drivers will have to take back complete control when the vehicle requests to do so. Models equipped with the optional Drive Pilot system also has redundant steering and braking actuators, as well as a redundant on-board electrical system, so that it remains manoeuvrable even if one of these systems fails and a safe handover to the driver can be ensured.
If the driver fails to take back control even after increasingly urgent warnings, for example in the event of a severe health emergency, the system will autonomously slow the vehicle down to a standstill in a controlled manner while engaging the hazard warning lights. Once stopped, the Mercedes‑Benz emergency call system is activated and the doors are unlocked to ensure the vehicle is accessible for first responders.
RELATED:
New Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS now with Drive Pilot Level 3 automated driving in Germany
Mercedes-Benz says that it intends to continuously improve its SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system with the ultimate goal of driving at speeds of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) in its final iteration. In order to achieve that goal, the German carmaker has partnered with NVIDIA and Luminar to further iterate on the system’s software and hardware capabilities.
In addition to California, the German carmaker has also obtained compliance certification for the Level 3 Drive Pilot system in the state of Nevada, and will further expand the availability of the system to other markets in the future.


Review: Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V compared [+Video]

The crossovers. Their exact origin is as blurry as the line they crossed between an everyday passenger car and a proper go-anywhere SUV. They exist because most people don’t venture off-road but they still want to look rugged anyway.
Just lately, they have been breaching into the compact car segment trying to distract the buyers’ attention away from normal cars. Previously if you’re upgrading from a small hatch, most likely you would go for a C-segment sedan, but today you also have these compact crossovers to consider.
Here we have two of the hottest subcompact crossovers currently on sale in Malaysia, the
Honda HR-V
 and the
Mazda CX-3
. The similarities of these two cars are uncanny, both are concocted from the same recipe where the basic ingredients consist of a
B-segment platform
 and an engine from the C-segment. For the CX-3, Mazda has kept the
six-speed Skyactiv-Drive gearbox
 intact with the
2.0-litre Skyactiv-G
 from the Mazda3, but Honda chose to swap out the five-speed automatic from the Civic’s
1.8-litre i-VTEC
 mill in favour of a
G-Design Shift CVT
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mazda CX-3 2.0L Skyactiv
Honda HR-V 1.8 CVT Grade V
Engine
1,998cc; 4-cylinder direct injection, DOHC
1,799cc; 4-cylinder direct injection, SOHC
Transmission
6-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic
CVT
Max Power
154 hp @ 6,000 rpm
140 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
204 Nm @ 2,800 rpm
172 Nm @ 4,300 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM131,218.50
RM 117,933.59
The
HR-V
 can be yours from as low as RM99k, but the model we’re testing here is the
Grade V
 with all the bells and whistles which will set you back for
RM118k
. Mazda only offers the
CX-3
 in
one specification
, and it’s a well-equipped one at that. The CX-3 retails at
RM131k
, and it doesn’t just cost dearer than the top spec HR-V in this test, it’s also the most expensive option among all the other subcompact crossovers on sale in Malaysia. Already have your eyes on these two but can’t decide which one to get? Join us to find out which of this duo suits you best.
EXTERIOR
It’s no secret that the
HR-V is the bigger car
 here, measuring 19mm longer, 7mm wider, and 70mm taller than the CX-3, and it clearly shows when you put the two side-by-side. Honda’s
Exciting H Design!!!
 (yes, with three exclamation marks no less) is said to emphasise on the grille design, proportions, and surfacing, while Mazda’s
Kodo
 design ethos puts the “Soul of Motion” in the CX-3.

It’s pretty obvious that both cars are banking on their sporting intentions, but Honda might be trying a bit too hard by hiding the rear door handles into the C-Pillars in a bid to give the HR-V a
coupe-like appeal
. It works though, from some angle the HR-V does looks like a three door car and most people like the idea of being seen in a sporty car.
Extra dough can be spent on a couple of exterior styling kits, as seen with our HR-V that’s fitted with the “
Tough Advance Package
” costing around
RM3,700
. In return, Honda will slap on the bumper guards, extend out the side sills, and stick on some chrome garnish under the foglamps. Not sure about you, but we can live without the kit, thank you.
Mazda’s approach is more subtle, though. There’s no optional accessories to add on, but the good news is it doesn’t look like it needs any.
Dual chrome tailpipes
 are standard fitment, likewise the swanky
18-inch wheels
, which is by the way, a good couple of inches bigger than the ones fitted on the HR-V.
Despite their inherent differences, they do share some very similar traits. Both are sporting a
shark’s fin antenna
 and an
integrated roof spoiler
, and both get
LEDs
 for the headlamps and tail lights as well.
Reverse camera
 also features just above the rear number plate on both cars.
On the whole, the HR-V looks very modern and butch with its heavily sculpted body panels compared to the more organic flowing lines on the CX-3. The HR-V is a good looking car on its own, but when parked next to the CX-3 we think the Mazda just edges it with the CX-3’s more refined styling.
INTERIOR
The donor car’s interior has been carried over in the CX-3, which means it’s the same story as in the
Mazda2
. Honda on the other hand, went to great lengths to create a
bespoke interior
 for the HR-V, and we praise their effort in doing so. The CX-3 has a solid interior and the combination of
leather and suede
 upholstery gives it an upmarket feel. And yet, the ambiance in the HR-V is plusher, with the
 soft-touch leather-like material
 covering more parts of the interior than in the CX-3.
The two cars here utilise a
7-inch touch screen infotainment system
, but we find the Mazda’s
MZD Connect
 a much easier system to operate on the fly, thanks to the additional physical rotary knobs and buttons as opposed to the full touchscreen affair in the HR-V. Honda also went all
touchy-feely
 with their
touch sensitive air-conditioning controls
 in the HR-V, whereas the CX-3 stayed true to the good old trusty knobs.
The driver gets a
multi function steering with audio and cruise control buttons
 and a sharp instrument cluster in the HR-V, while Mazda adds a couple of
shift paddles
 on the steering wheel and a
head up display
 in the CX-3. Seat adjustments are done manually in both cars, but the CX-3’s seat hugs the body better with a more generous bolster support.
When it comes to cabin space and practicality, the HR-V clearly trumps the CX-3. For the front occupants, there’s an
almost-hidden compartment
 under the dashboard with
HDMI
,
USB
, and
charging ports
 for their mobile devices, as well as a much needed covered cubby under the center arm rest that’s sorely missing in the CX-3. We heard some dealerships are giving the armrest for free, so be sure to make your dollar count if you plan to put your money down on the Mazda.
The
extra 40mm
 in the HR-V’s wheelbase over the CX-3 translates to a more habitable back seats, so rear occupants will be happier in the HR-V than in the CX-3. Then there’s Honda’s
Ultra Seat
, which is the ultimate party piece in the HR-V’s cabin. You can fold flat the rear seats (60:40 split), just like the CX-3, but in addition to that you can fold up the seat base to accommodate all sorts of paraphernalia that you can think of.
The HR-V also has a
bigger boot
 than the CX-3, offering a total of 437 litres, which is
85 litres more
 than what the Mazda offers. Honda’s tailgate opens much wider than the Mazda’s, and the low sill makes for a painless loading and unloading of your cargo. The only downside with the HR-V’s boot is perhaps the flimsy parcel shelf.
Meanwhile, the safety kit is equal on the two cars. It includes the
stability control
, ABS and EBD,
six airbags
, three-point seatbelts and
ISOFIX anchors
. Other goodies fitted on both cars are
keyless entry
 and
push start button
, auto headlamps and auto climate control, although the
tilting and sliding sunroof
 is only available on the CX-3.
PERFORMANCE
Both contenders use
naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines
, but the one
under the CX-3’s bonnet carries a bigger displacement
, resulting in a higher power output of
154 hp and 204 Nm
. Compared to the 2.0-litre in the Mazda, the
1.8-litre
 lump in the HR-V delivers
140 hp and 172 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the
front wheels
 on both cars, but each car uses a different transmission.
A
six-speed automatic
 is used in the CX-3, complete with
 Sport mode

and manual override
 via the steering-mounted shift paddles. A
CVT
 is fitted in the HR-V, but instead of a Sport mode and paddle shifters, it comes with an
Econ
 button to encourage fuel-efficient driving. Mazda also has its own fuel-saving measure in the form of the
 i-stop system
, which kills the engine when you come to a halt and restarts it back on when you lift your foot off the brake pedal.
Only the Honda provides the official fuel consumption figures, but both didn’t state the official century sprint time, or even the top speed. Although gathered sources from other publications indicate that both cars consume
less than seven litres of petrol in 100 kilometers
 on average, they take around
10 seconds to get to 100 km/h
 from standstill, and they have a
top speed
 that’s
just shy of the 200 km/h
 mark.
THE DRIVE
From the get-go, the
HR-V feels zippier off the line
, but once on the move the
CX-3 is the quicker car
, and the in-gear acceleration with the Mazda’s six-speed auto feels more natural too. The 14 hp deficit on the Honda might not sound much on paper, but the HR-V does feel slower than the CX-3 at times. Getting up to speed with the CVT in the Honda is more strenuous if you mash the throttle pedal, but treat it gently and you will be rewarded with a smooth and steady progress.
Spirited driving on back roads suits the CX-3 better because the steering feels sweeter and the handling is tighter with less body roll than in the HR-V. Furthermore, you are given the liberty to swap the cogs yourself via the gear lever or the steering wheel-mounted paddles, so what’s not to like?
In city traffic, both cars exhibit
almost identical ride comfort
, but trundle along pockmarked roads. Your passengers in the back are slightly less shaken in the HR-V than in the CX-3 as the softer suspension setup and the higher profile tyres fitted on the HR-V buffer out more road imperfections from the cabin. Although both are highly manouverable cars in the city streets, and with light steering and reverse camera, parking either of the two cars in tight spaces is a cinch.
Highway cruising is calmer in the Honda. NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) is better suppressed than in the CX-3, whereas at higher speeds the CX-3 feels more composed than the bouncy HR-V. If the HR-V is a wobbly caramel pudding, the CX-3 is a firm jelly with fresh fruits bits; both are delectable sweet things but the CX-3 is more exciting and refreshing.
WHICH CAR IS FOR YOU?
If you have a small family and you’re looking for an all-rounder, the HR-V is the easier car to live with day-to-day. It offers more interior space and the extra flexibility is a boon to those who carries loads of stuff on a regular basis.
For those who don’t need the extra space inside but would like to get more involved with the driving part, the CX-3 is the car to choose. It’s more “car-like” to drive than the HR-V so the CX-3 doesn’t lollop about in the bends when being driven enthusiastically.
COMPARISONS
If you haven’t watch our video, please do! We also have an individual review on the HR-V and the CX-3.
Mazda CX-3 2.0L SkyActiv-G 2WD
Honda HR-V 1.8 CVT Grade V
ENGINE
Type
inline-4, DOHC
inline-4, SOHC
Displacement
cc
1,998cc
1,799cc
Max Power
hp/rpm
154/6,000
140/6,500
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
204/2,800
172/4,300
STEERING
Type
Electronic Power Steering
Electronic Power Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed automatic
CVT
SUSPENSION
Front
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut
Rear
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear
Solid Disc
Solid Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyre
215/50 R18
215/60 R16
Wheels
18-inch Alloy
16-inch Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
4,275mm
4,294mm
Overall Width
mm
1,765mm
1,772mm
Overall Height
mm
1,535mm
1,605mm
Wheelbase
mm
2,570mm
2,610mm
Max Kerb Weight
kg
1,211 kg
1,249 kg
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
Litres
350 litres
437 litres
FUEL
Tank Capacity
Litres
50 litres
48 litres
Consumption
litres per 100km
N/A
6.6 litres
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
N/A
N/A
0 to 100 km/h
sec
N/A
N/A
Price
RM
RM131,218.50
RM117,933.59
WHICH ONE WILL I BUY?
As much as we hate to say this, there’s neither a clear winner nor loser in this round of battle. There’s no right or wrong car, but for most people the HR-V offers better value for money. However, we at AutoBuzz.my feel that the CX-3 is the more polished and engaging car to drive, and therefore we unanimously pick the CX-3 as our favourite small crossover.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mazda CX-3 2.0 SkyActiv 2WD

Honda HR-V 1.8 CVT V
Mazda CX-3 2.0 SkyActiv 2WD & Honda HR-V 1.8 CVT V


Introduction of new Toyota GR86 could be delayed because “it feels like the donor”

This is something out of the ordinary and not good news to start the weekend. The soon-to-be-unveiled Toyota GR86 is supposedly going back to the drawing board due to being too similar to the
2021 Subaru BRZ
 that it is based on.
More specifically, the intangible feeling of both vehicles from the driver’s seat. Akio Toyoda, “Master Driver” or chief test driver of Toyota and of course its president, deemed the Toyota-branded coupe has too much similarities in terms of driving qualities with the new Subaru BRZ.
The 2021 Subaru BRZ now equipped with more power via a 2.4-litre boxer engine.
The revelation, which
Jalopnik
 picked-up the article by Japan’s Next Car Web, said Toyoda-san then asked his team of engineers to go back to the drawing board and differentiate the Toyota-badged car from its donor car made by Fuji Heavy Industries.
In the launch version of the 2012 Toyota 86/Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, both teams of engineers specified different suspension tuning and thus a different driving feel. As such, one approach the Toyota engineers could work on is further altering the valves, bushings and coil spring rates of the suspension system, plus perhaps remapping the powertrain and the electric assistance in the power steering system.
If the requirement and scope of work is indeed true, the launch schedule of the new Toyota GR86 will certainly be pushed back by a few months, perhaps even a full 12 months. It is however surprising that the boss’ feedback of such an important product is related back so late in the development of the Toyota GR86.

Toyoda-san has led the development of the
GR Yaris
 from the very beginning of the project with the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, when the development mule was based on the previous generation Yaris. Needless to say, the dynamism of the GR Yaris has been a hit with drivers of varying experience levels.


Hyundai introduces Smart Lease Programme for Grand Starex MPV – from RM2,800/month

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors
 (HSDM) today launched a new Smart Lease Programme for the
Hyundai Grand Starex
, in partnership with Sime Darby Rent A Car (SDRAC). The programme is open to corporations, businesses, as well as individuals, offering three- to five-year leases with additional savings.
With the Smart Lease Programme, customers can enjoy the ownership experience of a new Hyundai Grand Starex without worrying about loan applications, long-term maintenance cost, road tax, and insurance payments. At the end of the lease, there’s also no need to worry about resale value or think about disposal of said vehicle.
Hyundai Grand Starex in Standard Corporate trim
To sign up, customers will only need to furnish a two-month deposit, and a booking fee of RM500 upon signing of the Hyundai Smart Lease Agreement. After that, each monthly payment will be of a pre-agreed fixed monthly fee.
The new Smart Lease Programme is offered with all four variants of the Grand Starex – Standard Corporate, Executive Plus without body kits, Executive Plus with body kits, and Executive Prime.
The Grand Starex now comes as standard with Hyundai’s telematics system. Learn more about it here.
Monthly payment starts from RM2,800 for the Standard Corporate variant in a five-year leasing programme, with mileage capped at 15,000 km per annum, that also includes a car replacement benefit of three days.
Customers can choose to extend the mileage cap up to 30,000 km per annum or 40,000 km per annum with a monthly repayment of RM3,250 and RM3,550 respectively.
At the end of the leasing programme, customers can also opt to renew the lease with a brand-new unit. Hyundai estimates that customers will save approximately RM17,000 with the new Smart Lease Programme, when compared to a standard ownership over a five-year period.
The Hyundai Grand Starex is a large 11-seater people carrier, powered by a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine that’s good for
170 hp
 and 4
41 Nm
, paired to a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include swivel seats on the second row, four airbags, reverse camera, and an overhead display entertainment system.
HSDM also recently introduced a new Extended Warranty Programme for older models. Check it out here.
Interested parties can enquire about the new leasing programme at any Hyundai showrooms nationwide, or register their interest via HSDM’s website, linked
here
.


Lamborghini to reveal a new four-seater concept in Paris! Probably?

Automobili Lamborghini
 released a teaser image indicating that they might possibly revealing a
four-seater
 car. The teaser image also mentioned “
Once perfection is achieved, you can just double it.
“, further hinting that it might be a 2+2 car.
Nothing much was revealed other than an image of a few slashes suggesting at the vehicle’s silhouette. There are no mention about the powerplant either. However the time and location indicates that it will be revealed at their press conference at the
 2014 Paris motorshow
 on
2nd of October
 at 9:50 a.m.,  in Hall 4 to be more precise.
This soon-to-be-revealed car will not be Lamborghini’s first four-seater. In the late 60’s there was the
Espada
, a two-door four-seater powered by a 4.0-litre V12 engine, and who can forget about the “Rambo Lambo”, the
 LM002
 4WD behemoth back in the 80’s.

Since then Lamborghini have not produced any four-seater vehicle, but they did showed us a couple of concepts such as the stylish four-door
Estoque
 in 2008 and the
 Urus
 SUV a couple of years back and neither one have yet to enter the production line. All we have to do now is wait for the official reveal on 2nd of October. Watch this space!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Guess how many Bugatti Chirons were delivered in 2017? 70 units only

There is only one model going through Bugatti’s production floor and that is the
Chiron
. Hand assembled by 20 highly trained individuals at Molsheim, France, each Chiron takes an average of six months to build.
To deliver 70 vehicles in a single year was an impressive feat considering that the 20 fine technicians have to put together over 1,800 individual parts by hand. Not forgetting the customised parts as ordered from the affluent customers.
Production of the Chiron started in the Autumn of 2016 and first deliveries to customers only commenced in March 2017. Earlier, we reported that the wait list for a Chiron stretches up to three to four years before one is delivered to your doorstep which resulted in the
 highly inflated price for one in the classifieds
.
President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., Wolfgang Dürheimer said, “It is a tremendous success for the entire Bugatti team that we have already reached the target of 70 vehicles in the first full year of production of the Chiron. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our suppliers for their commitment and delivery compliance.”
“This outstanding performance is especially important because we aim to keep the waiting times for our customers as short as possible,” Dürheimer added.
Currently, more than 300 Chiron’s have been sold and its production is strictly limited to 500 units worldwide. Europe is the biggest market for the 1,500 hp hypercar, accounting for 43 percent of orders. North America stands at 26 percent, Middle East at 23 percent while the remaining 8 percent of orders comes from the Asia-Pacific region.


Maxus Mifa 9 teased for Malaysia, Electric MPV with up to 440km range

An electric MPV is apparently on its way to Malaysia and it isn’t by the likes of brands that we are too familiar with. The fully electric MPV that has been
teased
 for the Malaysian market is the Maxus Mifa 9. The
Maxus
 brand is officially distributed by the Weststar Group in Malaysia.
Measuring 5,270 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, 1,840 mm tall, and with a wheelbase measuring 3,200 mm, the Maxus Mifa 9 is slightly larger than the all-too-familiar Alphard. Looks-wise, it is actually quite hard to tell that the Mifa 9 is a fully electric MPV, due to just how radical the styling of other MPVs is today.
In other regions, it seems that the Maxus Mifa 9 comes in three versions, namely “Elite”, “Luxury”, and “Premium”. Depending on the variant, Maxus Mifa 9 sits on either 18-inch or 19-inch wheels with varying designs. In its range-topping “Premium” trim, the Maxus Mifa 9 is equipped with a front & rear electric sunroof. As for colour options, the Mifa 9 appears to offer at least 7 choices.
As for the electric numbers, well, the Maxus Mifa 9 gets a single motor setup that drives the front wheels only. That motor outputs 180 kW (
244 hp
 metric) and a maximum torque of
350 Nm
. This single-motor setup allows for a
9.9-second
 0-100 km/h acceleration time onward to a top speed of
180 km/h
.
RELATED:
Maxus T60 gets free performance boost for 2022 in Malaysia, but for a limited time only
Power is sourced from a 90-kWh battery pack and this provides up to
440 km
 of range for the “Elite” variant of the Mifa 9. The “Luxury” gets 435 km of range while the “Premium” gets 430 km of range (all ranges based on the WLTP test cycle).
To charge, the Maxus Mifa 9 takes
8.5 hours
 to go from 5% to 100% with
11 kW
AC charging and
30 minutes
 to go from 30% to 80% with DC charging. The maximum DC charging rate, however, is not listed.
RELATED:
Westar Maxus opens first 3S Centre in Bukit Mertajam, launches new V80 Van
As for cabin luxuries, the Maxus Mifa 9 offers a 12.3-inch and a 7-inch screen on the dashboard, 64-colour atmosphere lighting, wireless mobile phone charging, and power-adjustable front row seats with ventilation, heating, and massage for the range-topping “Premium” variant. The range-topping variant also gets up to 12 speakers.
Safety-wise, the Maxus Mifa 9 boasts safety features such as Speed Assist System (SAS), Intelligent Headlight Control (IHC), Emergency Lan Keeping Assist, Rear Autonomous Emergency Braking (RAEB), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), and driver fatigue monitor system. Teased through Weststar Group’s social media for now, we may soon witness the launch of the Maxus Mifa 9 in Malaysia.


The new ‘airasia ride’ is the first e-hailing service to offer pilots as drivers!

AirAsia Group has launched their e-hailing service called ‘airasia ride’. The idea was first announced by its CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes back in late June. The company said it plans to stand out from the crowd with more competitive prices, greater passenger convenience as well as income support.
Currently available in Klang Valley, the ‘airasia ride’ feature can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Ride’ icon in the airasia Super App. Expansion to more cities in Malaysia will take place throughout the year.
Fares on airasia ride are set at an average of RM1 per km excluding toll charges. Users can also pre-book their rides in advance. The e-hailing fleet, at the time of writing, consists of
compact, 6-seater, and regular public taxis
, with additional products such as Premium and
Premium MPV
 listed on the website.
Users can also experience the ‘Allstar Ride’, where one would be driven by AirAsia pilots and cabin crew. Passengers can also choose their vehicle type and drivers, which currently stands at about 1,500 registered drivers.
11 drivers using a popular e-hailing app caught cheating. Find out how they did it here!
“Safety is our priority, and in line with our safety commitment, we are happy to share that 100% of our driver fleet are
fully vaccinated
 and are regularly tested. Passengers can feel safe and confident to travel with us,” said AirAsia Group, Head of airasia ride and Chief Safety Officer, Captain Ling Liong Tien.
The e-hailing drivers are also reported to be given higher commissions, with AirAsia Group taking just 15%
commission
 as opposed to the 20% rate that has been capped by the Malaysian authorities.
Passengers with the airasia Super App can start using the airasia ride from today and be able to receive RM3 off their first ride by using the promo code ‘AARIDE3’ which is available until September 30th.
In the future, ride payments can also be made via BIG points which is AirAsia Group’s loyalty program.


Honda City facelift teased, Thailand launch in January 2017

The Honda City facelift is set to be launched in Thailand on 12 January 2017, following a few teaser images from Honda Thailand. The current, fourth-generation
Honda City
 has been around since 2014, making it rather timely for the popular B-Segment sedan to receive an update.
Unsurprisingly, the City will borrow several styling cues from the
Honda Civic FC
. The headlights receive
LED daytime running lights
, a new chrome grille and new fog lamps. An updated alloy wheel design can be expected.
As per most Honda facelifts, there won’t be changes to its mechanics, therefore the
 1.5-litre i-VTEC
 engine and the
Continuously Variable Transmission
 (CVT) setup will be retained. The four-cylinder mill develops
 119 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque, which allows the car to reach 100 km/h from standstill in
10.6 seconds
.
Honda Malaysia will definitely introduce the new City next year, a few months after its Thai debut. Currently, four variants of the City are offered in Malaysia. The locally assembled City begins from RM76,100 to RM92,000.
IMAGE GALLERY


Petronas Euro5M Dynamic Diesel now available in Klang Valley

Petronas has just introduced the Euro5M compliant diesel fuel to five additional stations around Klang Valley, which brings the total number of stations with Euro5 diesel to seven.
Available Stations in Klang Valley:
Technology Park Malaysia 1
Mutiara Damansara (North-bound)
NKVE (Damansara-bound)
Solaris Putra
Solaris Serdang (South-bound)
Sprint Highway
The Euro5M diesel costs 10 sen more than Euro2M diesel
Available Stations in Johor:
Pasir Gudang Highway 2
Gelang Patah
According to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB), Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus, the PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro5 will provide better protection to the engine, restores engine power and gives a cleaner combustion cycle. This altogether provides better drivability while emitting lesser harmful exhaust fumes.
The higher quality and environmentally friendlier diesel is available at
RM1.80
 per litre, costing just 10 sen more than the regular Euro2M diesel. Petronas is already planning to introduce the Euro5M diesel to 25 more stations within the Klang Valley by the end of the year.
IMAGE GALLERY


Flooding in KL; if you’re driving home now, avoid these roads!

Bernama has posted on its
Twitter account
on flash floods taking place on major roads in KL. If you’re driving home now, best avoid them to avoid expensive repair bills.
The roads affected by the rain are as follows:
Jalan Kuching
Jalan Tunku Abdul Halim
Jalan Semantan
Pintasan Segambut
Jalan Segambut
Jalan Kinabalu (Bulatan Mereka)
Jalan Changkat Thami Dollah
Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar
Jalan Travers
Bulatan Dato’ Onn
Jalan Melaka
Traffic is still flowing, according to the images by
DBKL
 and Bernama, albeit at a much slower pace and volume. DBKL also announced that it has dispatched its officers to the affected areas to control the flow of traffic.
Be safe everyone.


Audi’s 2.5-litre 5-cylinder TFSI wins Engine of the Year for 9 years in a row

Ferrari is not the only brand that stole the limelight at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards. Audi continues its winning streak with the 2.5-litre TFSI engine awarded as the best engine in the 2 to 2.5-litre category for the ninth consecutive time.
The 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder TFSI engine is found in the RS 3 and TT RS models, spewing out
400 hp
 and
480 Nm
 of torque that peaks from 1,700 rpm. The 2.5-litre TFSI is not only praised for its competent output but more so for its distinctive five-cylinder sound of the turbocharged unit.
2.5-litre TFSI
The symphony is strung together by adjacent cylinders firing alternatively to more distant cylinders, resulting in a unique rhythm. “The five-cylinder has been an icon of our brand for more than 40 years,” explains Head of Technical Development at Audi Sport GmbH, Oliver Hoffmann.
“Two years ago, we completely redesigned the 2.5 TFSI and changed the crankcase to an aluminium version.” He added.
With the 2.5-litre TFSI, the
TT RS Coupe
 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds while the heavier
RS 3 Saloon
 and Sportback will get there in 4.1 seconds. Both the TT RS and RS 3 have a limited top speed of 250 km/h, with the option of increasing it to 280 km/h.


All-new 2023 Lexus RX to launch in Malaysia this year – rumoured pricing from RM470k

The
all-new Lexus RX
 is set to make its debut in Malaysia in 2023, and could be launched as soon as May this year, if a message from a Lexus dealer is anything to go by.
According to the dealer, the all-new Lexus RX will be offered in two variants: the entry-level RX350 Luxury, priced at an estimated RM470k to RM480k, as well as the RX500h F Sport, at approximately RM510k to RM520k.
Of course, these pricing and variant information are not anywhere near official, so take it with a giant pinch of salt. If accurate, though, our variant line-up will actually be quite unique within the region – Thailand only gets the RX450h, while Singapore has the hybridised RX350h and RX500h. Indonesia, on the other hand, gets both the regular RX350 and the RX350h, as well as the RX450h.
While the launch is said to be somewhere in May this year, the dealer did also mention that official pricing for the Lexus RX will be announced in early April 2023 when order taking commences. So if the rumours are true, we won’t have too much longer to wait.
ALSO READ:
2023 Lexus RZ 450e debuts in Thailand – fully-electric SUV to launch in Malaysia this year?
The
all-new Lexus RX
 was unveiled globally in June last year, with a striking design that almost looks like it came out from an Alien movie. Much of it is due to the new ‘Spindle Body’ grille, but the entire design for the Lexus RX has also been significantly modernised, including its new shiny interior.
The base RX350 is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, offering up to
 275 hp
 and
430 Nm
to the front wheels. In this configuration, the engine is paired to an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox to send drive to the front wheels.
Moving up to the RX500h will see the same mill paired to an additional electric motor that boosts outputs up to
371 hp
and
460 Nm
. The electrified powertrain is matched to a Hybrid Transaxle CVT gearbox, with drive sent to all four-wheels via a Direct4 all-wheel drive set-up.
READ MORE:
All-new Lexus RX debuts striking design and new ‘F Sport Performance’ variant
GALLERY


Fully-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible launched – 999 units, 201km range, 0-100km/h 8.2 seconds

MINI has debuted the fully electric Cooper SE Convertible – the world’s first emission-free premium convertible in the small car segment – for the European market with 999 units available. Since the
fully electric MINI Cooper SE
 launched three years ago, one in five sold is a fully electric MINI.
In distinguishing itself, the convertible’s door handles and trims on the front fenders are finished in Resolute Bronze while the logos and lettering are in Piano Black. The door sills and front fender trims also come with a 1 of 999 lettering to denote the model’s exclusivity. As for boot space, it’s identical to the petrol-powered MINI convertible at 160 litres.
Also distinct to the convertible are the 17″ Electric Power Spoke cast alloy wheels, which are made of 100% secondary aluminium. The folding soft top with a Union Jack design takes
18 seconds to open or close
 and can be operated at speeds of up to 30 km/h.
The cabin is home to items like the MINI head-up display, MINI Yours Leather Lounge sports seats with heating function and a Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel with model-specific badging.
‘Under the hood’, the electric MINI Cooper SE convertible is driven by a front-mounted electric motor, with
184 hp
 and
270 Nm
. MINI did not reveal battery specifications but based on the quoted electric range of
201 km
, it should be the same 32.6 kWh battery that powers the hard top model (with a 230 km range).
The lower 201 km electric range could be due to the aerodynamic disadvantages of the convertible design. The convertible’s 0-100 km/h time is 8.2 seconds, while the hard top does 7.3 seconds. The MINI Cooper SE Convertible is priced from £52,500 (approx. RM279,767) and judging by the success of the hard-top in Malaysia, wouldn’t you like to see the convertible here?
GALLERY


Throwback Thursday: When Volkswagen first introduced the DSG 15 years ago

While they may not be the first to introduce this revolutionary transmission, Volkswagen became the first manufacturer to incorporate dual-clutch gearboxes into large-scale production back in 2003; with the first actual systems derived from Porsche’s race cars from the 1980s.
Essentially, the DSG incorporates two separate gearboxes with clutches within a transmission housing to work as a unit.
Designed by Borg Warner, who called it “DualTronic” at its conception, it was later licensed by Volkswagen and renamed to Direct-Shift Gearbox or DSG.
The 2003 Audi TT Quattro
The first Volkswagen to be offered the quick-shifting 6-speed transmission was the 2003 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32 in 6-speed form and subsequently found its way to the Audi TT 3.2 Quattro.
This new type of automatic gearbox, available either wet or dry clutch configurations, shifted extremely athletically and was up to 20% more economical than the automatic gearbox with hydraulic torque converter.
As time went, these DSG gearbox’ were offered in seven and even 10-speed variations and built to cope with anywhere between 350 Nm to 600 Nm of torque.
Check out our
 review of the Mk7.5 Golf GTI here
!
Other benefits included smoother gearshifts when in automatic mode and reduced loss in torque when shifting between gears.
That said, the DSG also had its drawbacks. Chief among which was weight. It weighed nearly twice as much as a conventional manual gearbox and its complex system meant that cost of manufacturing was high, increasing the overall cost of the vehicle.


Ford Malaysia reveals best sales in June, 57% up from May to 1,001 units!

Ford Malaysia today announced that its retail sales in June rose 57 percent from the previous month to 1,001 units, as it continued to regain momentum following implementation of the
Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The substantial sales growth is propelled forward by models such as the
Ranger,
EcoSport

and
 Fiesta
 models. Ford’s pick up truck is leading the charge on our shores, racking up sales figures to the tune of
693 units
– a jump of
68 percent
. Ford’s tiny urban SUV, the EcoSport also rose 68 percent month-on-month to 138 units.
Also sharing the joy is the Fiesta, which saw a rise of over 41 percent to 106 units. Ford’s definitely in it for the long haul, with imminent launches of the
new Ranger
, the
all-new Everest
 and the timelessly iconic
Mustang
. They are all poised to take centre stage soon. Also, in case you’ve missed the news,
Ford is also offering handsome deals for selected models
 in conjunction with the upcoming festive holidays.


Into the hills & back on 1 tank of fuel with a Proton Saga 1.3 CVT

When we received the invitation to the Proton 1 Tank Adventure Challenge, we were presented with the option to join the Northern, Southern, East Coast and East Malaysia legs. The East Malaysia leg which will see participants covering from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang
and back
 in one single tank of fuel piqued my interest.
Kundasang is the closest town to Mount Kinabalu, situated at almost 1,900 meters above sea level. The two-way roads leading up to the highest settlement in Malaysia will immerse your eyeballs in some of the most beautiful sceneries Sabah has to offer. But therein lies the challenge – hill climb.
Instead of hypermiling on a long highway stretch in Peninsular Malaysia, I opted to join Proton in Sabah to put their Saga, Iriz and Persona to the ultimate challenge – can it complete the
420 km journey
 through twisty mountainous roads on one single tank of petrol, if so, how realistic is it to achieve those figures.
My co-driver, Sep Irran from
Piston.my
, and I were given the keys to a
Proton Saga 1.3 Premium CVT
, packing a modest
94 hp
 and
120 Nm
 of torque. On paper, the quoted fuel consumption figures for this model is 5.6 litres per 100 km and in theory, we should be good for the entire journey with some fuel left to spare.
Setting off from Proton Edar Inanam located in the city centre of Kota Kinabalu, we made our first stop at the nearest Petronas station to fuel our respective cars to the brim. Adopting a “three click” method, we fuelled up till the nozzle clicks three times, signalling our Saga’s 40-litre tank holds as much fuel as it possibly can.
Before driving off to our first checkpoint of the day, we took an extra 10 minutes to inspect our tyre pressure. Having properly inflated tyres not only have the car perform more efficiently but it also ensures that we have optimal grip levels from the tyres. That 10-minute stop proved to be worthwhile as the tyres were underinflated at 18 to 20 psi, way lower than its factory recommended 30 to 32 psi. Beep goes the tyre pump and we were on our way.
All three models on the Proton 1 Tank Adventure Challenge are equipped with the company’s latest VVT (Variable Valve Timing) engines (Saga & Iriz 1.3L, Persona 1.6L), Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Eco Drive Assist Indicator.
Proton engineers present at the event explained that the Eco Drive Assist Indicator only lights up when the driver is driving economically. However, the engineers also stressed that this function is just an indicator and does not interfere with the car’s performance in any way. Meaning if you drive an older Iriz without Eco Drive Assist Indicator, you can still achieve the same fuel consumption as a newer model with the indicator equipped.

The Eco Drive Assist indicator was helpful in guiding us to approach the throttle pedal in an economical fashion. When the green leaf comes on, we know we are doing good. The moment it went away, we know we have to back off the throttle by a bit. The Eco Drive Assist indicator does not mean that we have to drive below the speed limit, because even at 90 km/h, maintaining at just over 2,000 rpm, we are still driving economical by the computer’s standards.
Throughout the journey, we drove the Saga as how we normally would on a day to day basis albeit a little more economically than usual. Just by accelerating smoothly, letting the car glide on the downhill and keeping a safe distance to minimise braking, we made it to our first stopover of the day 327.5 km away consuming only three bars of fuel on the fuel gauge.
Our windows were up, and air conditioning was in a comfortable setting throughout the entire journey. We travelled at a reasonable pace and even made some overtaking manoeuvres on our way here. Although other participants who drove without air conditioning and crawled to the destination had more indicated fuel than we did, we were not concerned as it does not necessarily reflect real-world driving conditions.
We were confident to complete day two with half a tank of indicated fuel as our journey today are on the downhill stretch. With gravity on our side, we were able to make swift progress back to Kota Kinabalu town while consuming lesser fuel than our journey here.

Again, we cannot stress this enough, we drove the Saga exactly how you and I would drive every other day – air conditioning on, windows up, overtake when necessarily and Spotify blasting through the speakers via Bluetooth.
At the end of the Proton 1 Tank Adventure, we covered
413.9 km with just 25.13 litres of fuel
. That works out to 6.07 litres/100 km. Quite an impressive feat considering the challenging and twisty route that we took throughout the two days. It is worth noting that our Saga would have just under 15 litres left at our disposal and based on our fuel consumption figures we should be able to cover another 250 km give or take!
All 16 cars have successfully completed the 420 km journey and here are the breakdown of best fuel consumption figures:
Proton Saga 1.3 CVT – 5.46L/100km (Average 6.17L/100km)
Proton Iriz 1.3 CVT – 5.76L/100km (Average 6.57L/100km)
Proton Persona 1.6 CVT – 5.83 litres/100km (Average 6.33L/100km)
Having experienced this first hand, we can conclude that Proton’s claimed fuel consumption figures are very achievable in the real world. All that it takes is a little bit of effort from the driver to adopt a more economical driving style and the Eco Drive Assist makes it all that easier.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lewis Hamilton named Laureus Sportsman of the Year

For the first time in the 20-year history of the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards, the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award was given to two sporting icons.
Lionel Messi of Barcelona was the other joint recipient with both athletes receiving the same number of votes from the jury.
While the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team driver claimed his 6th F1 Drivers’ World Championship, Lionel Messi was named the Best FIFA Men’s Player as the playmaker led his team to the Spanish League title and the semi-finals of the Champions League where they lost to soon-to-be Premier League champions, Liverpool.
The
new W11 Lewis will be counting on
 for a 7th drivers’ crown.
Other sportsmen nominated for the award were golfer Tiger Woods, tennis player Rafael Nadal, Moto GP champion Marc Marquez and marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge.
Alongside Lewis’ personal accolade, his Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team was also nominated for the
 World Team of the Year
 award, for the sixth time.
They were one of six teams nominated for the award which included Liverpool FC, the Toronto Raptors, the US Women’s Football team, the Spanish Men’s Basketball team and the South African Rugby Union team which claimed the award.