New Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD now on sale in Malaysia from RM389k – best-looking Lexus SUV so far?

Lexus vehicles have always been sculptures on wheels but with the all-new Lexus NX350 F Sport previewed today in Sepang, it’s hands down the most beautiful Lexus SUV we’ve ever seen.
RELATED: Five note-worthy features we discovered in the Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD
There are two variants
available for booking now
; the
NX250 Luxury from RM370,888
 and the
NX350 F Sport from RM389,888
 although only the latter was revealed today. Both prices are on-the-road without insurance, excluding SST exemptions.
The Lexus NX350 F Sport you see here is powered by a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with
 275 hp
 and
430 Nm
, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission to offer all-wheel drive capabilities.
0 to 100 km/h takes a rather impressive seven seconds with a 200 km/h top speed and as we have experienced on the Sepang Circuit, the NX350 F Sport can effortlessly hit the mark.
Behind the 20-inch wheels wrapped in 235/50 Bridgestone run-flat tyres are adaptive dampers, which are only available in the NX 350 F Sport. Unlike before, where the NX’s daytime running light (DRL) and headlamps were separated, the new three-beam LED projector headlamps now house the DRL as well.
Interesting fact; the DRLs can brighten and dim according to the NX’s acceleration to create an effect of the car coming to life upon acceleration and deceleration. The rest of the exterior lighting are also LED units.
Both variants – the NX250 Luxury and NX350 F Sport – come with a hands-free tailgate. Boot space is a generous 520-litres but with the seats folded flat, the NX offers up to 1,411 of space.
Inside, items exclusive to the NX350 F Sport variant are the sports seats with F Sport embossed on the headrests, steering, pedals, and door sills.
Key features include ventilated seats, a massive 14-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless), a 10-speaker Lexus Premium sound system, a panoramic view monitor, dual-zone air conditioning, a head-up display, 64-colour ambient lighting, paddle shifters, and 3x USB C and 1x USB A charging ports.
The most unique feature of all has to be the new e-latch systems that allow users to open and close the doors, from the inside or out, with a single movement.
Both variants of the Lexus NX will come with the Lexus Safety System+ which includes features like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop&go functions, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beam. Aside from the seven airbags, both variants also get a blindspot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and active cornering assist.
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The Volvo S90 Ambience Concept is a therapist on wheels

Volvo Cars has just revealed the S90 Ambience Concept, an industry-first sensory experience that combines visuals, sound and scent to redefine in-car luxury.
The S90 Ambience Concept is based on the top-of-the-line S90 Excellence 3-seater executive sedan, which will make its public debut at the Beijing Auto Show in the next couple of days.
https://assets.autobuzz.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/24104302/227635_Volvo_S90_Ambience_Concept.mp4
Passengers can personalise the car’s atmosphere
by using an intuitive app or a bezel by the rear arm rest
 to choose from
seven visual themes synchronised with tunes
 from the Bower and Wilkins premium sound system and four different bespoke scents by Byredo.
Visuals like the Northern Lights, can be projected on the car’s ceiling along with other themes such as Scandinavian Forest, Swan Lake, Archipelago and Rain. There is also a Nocturnal theme for resting while Freedom gives a boost of fresh and uplifting energy.
Although just a concept at the moment, Volvo Cars intend to make it available in S90 Excellence production cars,
especially in China
. In 2017, Volvo sold more than 100,000 cars in China for the first time. The country is Volvo Cars’ largest single market and the company’s biggest marketplace for the S90 sedan.


First Look: Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

During the
Petronas Motorsports Demo Run
 last weekend on 23rd of March, there was a preview of the new
CLA200
 at Mercedes-Benz booth in KLCC concourse area. Slated to be launched some time this month, the four-door sedan sibling to the A200 is powered by the same
156hp
 1.6 litre turbocharged powerplant driving the front wheels.
It was a looker alright, but something outside KLCC caught my eyes and immediately was drawn out to it like a magnet.
A trio of compact Mercs were parked outside, a black
A250 Sport
, a white
A45 AMG Edition 1
, and the one that stole my attention, a metallic grey
CLA45 AMG
.
Sharing similar underpinnings with the A45 AMG hatch, this sexy pocket rocket is packed with the most powerful production 4-cylinder engine under its bonnet. With
360hp
 and
450Nm
 of torque powering all four wheels via 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, it will crack 100kmh in just 4.4 seconds and will power on until the speed limiter at 250km/h.

During the Petronas Motorsports Demo Run, the white A45 AMG was used as the Safety Car, but both the A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG were used as taxi rides for the selected guests. The A45 AMG was driven by none other than the 2008 Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, while his team mate Nico Rosberg drove the CLA45 AMG.

No word on the exact launch date yet, but it looks like it’s going to be pretty soon. It will be interesting to see how will it be priced when the A45 AMG is already pegged at RM 348,888. So which one would you choose? The mad A45 AMG hatch or the sexy CLA45 AMG?
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The topless 296 GTS is the only correct way to sample Ferrari’s new ‘picollo V12’ powertrain

Ferrari bragged about its new 3.0-litre V6 engine so much that it even called it the ‘
picollo
 V12′, baby V12 in Italian, as a nod to some of the most successful engines it has ever made. But for some inexplicable reason, Ferrari chose to show off its new engine with the
296 GTB
– a hard top, berlinetta-style coupe, which as we all know, is not the ideal candidate to experience a powertrain’s true fury.
So in an effort to undo the blip in the universe, Ferrari has now lifted the veils on the 296 GTS – which stands for Gran Turismo Spider – to finally let us (
or rather, those able to afford one
) fully engulf ourselves in auditory nirvana.
As the name suggests, the Ferrari 296 GTS is nearly completely identical to its coupe twin, sharing the same basic aluminium chassis and the 830 hp hybrid-assisted 3.0-litre V6 engine. The only major difference between the two is, of course, the GTS’ retractable hardtop roof, that can be opened or closed in 14 seconds, at speeds of up to 45 km/h.
When not needed (
which should be most of the time when you buy a car like this
), the roof splits into two parts and stows away neatly behind the passenger compartment. That unfortunately means that the beautiful see-through engine cover had to be shrunk down to just a small window now, but we think it’s a small price to pay for the multi-senses overload you get to experience with the roof down.
RELATED: This is how the Ferrari 296 GTB’s new V6 engine sounds like
The hideaway roof does come with a weight penalty of around 70 kg thanks to the additional chassis reinforcement components, but performance on the Ferrari 296 GTS doesn’t appear to suffer much. Ferrari still quotes the same 0-100 km/h time of
2.9 seconds
 as the GTB, while 0-200 km/h only takes 0.3 seconds longer at 7.6 seconds.
The
830 hp
 and
740 Nm
(663 hp from engine) output figures also remain identical to the coupe, as is the 25 km of electric driving range when in EV mode, which can be engaged at speeds of up to 135 km/h.
Just like the GTB, the all-new Ferrari 296 GTS will also be offered with an Assetto Fiorano package for those who want to smell burning rubbers more than the country glades.
Seen here on the red and silver car (a front-to-rear stripe paintwork unique to the AF), the driver-focused upgrade package brings along several weight reduction measures including greater use of carbon fibre parts and lightweight door panels, alongside additional aero winglets on the front bumpers that increased downforce by 10 kg, and a set of super sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2R tyres.
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Volvo EX30 interior teased – Ditches physical buttons, debuts soundbar system

We are only days away from the launch of the
Volvo EX30
, and the Swedish carmaker has just dropped yet another teaser on the upcoming all-electric SUV. Showing some design details of the EX30’s interior, the theme of
Volvo Car
’s
 teaser this time is all about space.
For starters, the EX30 is said by the company to offer a contextual user experience. This is done by removing the ‘complexities’ usually found on other vehicles’ dashboards, and replacing them with just a single screen. Positioned in the centre of the EX30’s dashboard, the screen measures 12.3 inches and will display all relevant information for the driver. This will result in more space around the dashboard, giving the interior a more spacious feel, while saving on materials.
To help make night drives a more comfortable experience, Volvo has added a mode called the ‘calm’ view to the centre screen. This strips away everything apart from the most vital information, to help drivers focus and reduce strain from the eyes, especially during long drives.
The Volvo EX30’s infotainment system will also have Google built-in, together with wireless Apple CarPlay functionality, a first for the brand’s line-up. Qualcomn’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms are also available, offering 5G via the infotainment system.
RELATED:
Car doors kill 60 cyclists on average per year, the Volvo EX30 wants to stop this
When speaking of space in cars, storage space practicality is certainly one of the most important topics to be talked about, as people tend to carry many items in their cars. Volvo is here to offer an innovative solution for this with the EX30, and ultimately deliver customers a big-car experience with less.
To maximise the benefits of having a flat floor, Volvo has relocated the EX30’s glove compartment and placed it beneath the centre screen. This also makes the glove compartment easier for both driver and passenger to access. The window switches, which are typically found on the door panels, have now been repositioned to the centre console, making it, just like the glove box, more easily accessible.
The Scandinavian carmaker has gone back to the drawing board and has reimagined the centre console’s design for the EX30. Having versatility as the centre console’s main focus, it is equipped with a sliding system that allows you to choose exactly how you want to use the space.
The top of the cupholder can be slid out to hold your drinks or smartphone or moved back for more storage. The lower tunnel has a protective storage area for small items such as sunglasses or headphones. Additionally, the large open space above can be used to place larger items such as bags too.
Volvo is also going big with audio for the EX30 as well. For the first time in a car, the EX30’s interior features a sound bar that covers the entire width of the dashboard, a layout inspired by home audio design.
Unlike most cars, the EX30’s speakers aren’t housed within the door panels, but ‘hidden’ under the windshield, making them seamlessly integrate into the fully-electric SUV’s cockpit. The speakers are clustered together within one component, reducing the amount of wiring and material, and at the same time freeing up storage space in the door panels. A Harman Kardon sound system option is also available for those who desire even better sound quality.
Volvo’s head of interior design, Lisa Reeves said, “The Volvo EX30 combines all the best elements of Scandinavian design.”
“New materials add creative textures, colour and personality to the cabin, while smart functionality and a great user experience are the hallmarks of every true Volvo creation. Together, these elements distil the essence of a Volvo into a small package,” she added.
Volvo mentioned that the Volvo EX30’s interior features a stylish design, and at the same time embraces sustainable thinking. With four interior ‘rooms’ to choose from, the fully-electric SUV’s interior is made out of recycled and renewable materials such as denim, flax, and wool, and is offered in a variety of colours and textures.
The global launch of the Volvo EX30 will be taking place on
June 7
,
2023
. The fully electric SUV will also be available to order and pre-order in elected markets on the same date.
RELATED:
Leaked: Volvo EX30 EV SUV patent images surface ahead of June 7 world premiere
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Mercedes-Benz S 560 e starts global sales, 3.0L V6 PHEV, 2.5L/100km

Mercedes-Benz is set to commence the market launch of the new Mercedes-Benz S 560 e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant starting October 2018. Based on the W222 S-Class facelift generation, the S 560 e is available exclusively as a long wheelbase version (V222) and comes with the three-pointed star’s latest EQ Power technology.
Powering the S 560 e is a 3.0-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine that pushes out 367 hp and 500 Nm paired to an electric motor to give the luxury limousine a
combined output
 of
476 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled exclusively to the rear wheels via a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic to allow the PHEV S-Class to launch from 0 to 100 km/h in
5.0 seconds
 onwards to a governed top speed of
 250 km/h
 all while returning
2.5 L/100 km
 based on the WLTP test cycle.

Juicing the 90 kW (122 hp)/440 Nm electric motor is a new lithium-ion battery with a rated capacity of 13.5 kWh and like all Mercedes-Benz PHEVs, the battery pack is located underneath the boot floor. However, despite the increase in capacity, the dimensions of the new battery is now smaller which frees up more usable boot space to
 410 litres
 (standard S-Class: 530 litres).
While the company highlights the battery pack has fast charging compatibility when plugged into a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox, Mercedes-Benz did not disclose the charging time of the batteries. On a full charge, the S 560 e has a pure-electric driving range of up to
50 km
.

One unique feature of the plug-in hybrid S-Class is the Intelligent operating strategy with Eco Assist that anticipates the journey ahead using navigation data, traffic sign recognition and information from the intelligent safety systems to manage the “sail” function, regenerative braking and haptic accelerator pedal to achieve an economical and comfortable driving style.
On the local front, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has just introduced the refreshed S-Class with one petrol powered variant, the
450 L AMG Line
 which replaces the popular
S 400 h
 in their model portfolio ahead of the
expected expiry of the CKD hybrid incentives
. With MBM’s move of phasing out PHEVs from their product range, we may not see the arrival of the S 560 e to our shores in the immediate future.
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Subaru Impreza beats Toyota Prius for 2016 Japan Car of the Year title

The 2016 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) has been awarded to the
Subaru Impreza
 after defeating the
Toyota Prius
 for the top prize. This is the second JCOTY trophy bagged by Subaru, following the Legacy’s victory in its native land 13 years ago.
The new Subaru Impreza, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, is built atop the company’s new Global Platform. Launched at the New York Motor Show earlier this year, the new Impreza has been a tremendous sales success in Japan. The car also found success among the judges, with a final tally of
420 votes
 compared to the Prius’ 371.
President and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries, Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said “It is a great honour that the Impreza has been recognised with this distinctive award. I would like to thank our customers, suppliers and shareholders for their continued support for Subaru and I am grateful to all those who contributed to this achievement. We will continue to enhance our efforts to offer an ‘enjoyment and peace of mind’ driving experience to all customers.”
In the import category, the
Audi A4 B9
 became the jurors’ favourite European car, thus winning the “
Import Car of the Year
” trophy for the Ingolstadt carmaker. Nissan’s ProPilot driver assist technology in the
Serena
 won them the Innovation Award.
The
BMW M2
 bagged the Emotional Award for the most engaging driver’s car this year. Sadly, the
Honda NSX
 didn’t make the running, but it went home with a special award for the revolutionary twin-turbo hybrid V6 powertrain.


VW Group recorded its most successful month ever, over 1 mill cars delivered

Volkswagen Group has just recorded its most successful month ever in March 2018 after shifting 1.04 million vehicles across its 12 brands. Deliveries for Q1 2018 also rose by 7.4 per cent at over 2.6 million cars.
Among all its subsidiaries – Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Skoda, SEAT, Porsche, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, MAN Trucks & Buses and Scania –
SEAT charted the strongest growth
 at 18.7 per cent in the first quarter of the year. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, on the other hand, was the only brand that suffered a dip in sales (-5.9 per cent) in the same period.
Brand
Jan – Mar 2018
Change (%)
Volkswagen Passenger Cars
1,525,300
+5.9
Audi
463,800
+9.8
ŠKODA
316,700
+11.7
SEAT
139,200
+18.7
Porsche
63,500
+6.3
Bentley, Buggati, Lamborghini, Ducatti
3,400
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
114,700
-5.9
MAN Trucks & Busses
30,600
+21.3
Scania
22,600
+9.6
Total
2,679,800
+7.4
As for market breakdown, Asia-Pacific enjoyed the strongest growth with
1,090,200 cars delivered to new owners
 – 1,019,600 of them were
contributed by China alone
, which recorded 13.4 per cent growth, cementing the country’s position as the
single largest market for Volkswagen Group’s vehicles
. President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann attributed the strong growth to the Group’s SUV model line up.
Market
Jan – Mar 2018
Change (%)
Europe
1,143,300
+4.1
North America
221,000
+3.4
South America
128,700
+5.6
Asia-Pacific
1,090,200
+12.0
Other Region
96,600
Worldwide
2,679,800
+7.4
Commenting on the result, Head of Group Sales at Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Fred Kappler, said, “The first-quarter results confirm the attractiveness of our products. However, this good performance does not mean we can let up in our efforts. Instead, we must continue to strengthen our customer’s trust in our brands and products in the second quarter as well.”


KLIMS18: The all-new Lexus ES 250 is such an eye candy in person

Elegant and dynamic. Those were the words used when Lexus Malaysia pulled the wraps off the
seventh-generation Lexus ES sedan
 here at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS). Having to experience the ES with our own eyes, we can confirm that the ES is every sense of Elegant and Dynamic.
In a nutshell, the ES is a shrunken version of the brand’s flagship LS sedan. From the large, elegant Spindle grille to the cascading taillamp graphics that reflect into infinity, the ES features all the design elements of the LS.

Inside, the ES cabin will accommodate those who choose to drive or those who prefer to be driven equally well. Amenities include large 12.3-inch EMV infotainment system display, 7.0-inch TFT LCD combination instrument cluster, the largest in class Heads-Up Display, power reclining rear seat as well as a control panel built into the centre armrest.
The ES 250 is powered by 2.5-litre naturally aspirated VVT-I petrol engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels. The 2.5-litre engine packs
206 hp
 and
247 Nm
of twist, enough to send the ES 250 sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
9.1 seconds
. On full whack, the ES 250 is capable of hitting
210 km/h
.

The ES also comes equipped with the
Lexus Safety System+
 that bundles Advanced Driver Assistance Technologies such as Pre-collision System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Adaptive High-Beam System (AHS) and others.
Expect Lexus Malaysia to officially introduce the all-new Lexus ES sedan sometime in 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus ES 250 Previewed at KLIMS


Here’s how the hybrid powertrain in the all-new Honda Jazz is related to F1

Being at the pinnacle of motorsports, it’s not uncommon to see technology move downstream from Formula 1 towards regular road-going cars. Over the years, we’ve had things like dual-clutch gearbox, adaptive suspension, and paddle shifters all making it’s way onto the cars we drive daily.
With Honda re-entering Formula 1 as an engine supplier in 2015, the company says that its upcoming
Jazz Hybrid
 has already benefitted from the venture, with a little Formula 1 DNA in its e:HEV engine.
Much like the latest Formula 1 engines, the e:HEV powertrain in the
all-new Honda Jazz Hybrid

recycles energy and harnesses it to charge the battery, or increase the engine output when needed, seamless switching between drive modes for maximum efficiency.
Of course, the output figures are nothing like the RA620H used to power Aston Martin Red Bull and Scuderia Toro Rosso (now called the Scuderia AlphaTauri) F1 cars, but the general working theory is basically the same.
Honda Head of Power Unit Development, Yasuaki Asaki explains: “During a Formula 1 race weekend teams have to manage very carefully how much fuel they use to comply with the sport’s regulations. In a race we can divide the total fuel allowance over the number of laps, but there are going to be situations where a team might wish to use more fuel in order to get higher performance and in other parts of the race they will want to save fuel for later, while behind a safety car for example.
“In a race, the communication between the race engineer and the driver is key to achieving that best balance. However, in our road-going e:HEV hybrids we apply our expertise to ensure the Powertrain control units deliver the best possible power to efficiency ratio for the driver, in any required driving mode.”
2020 Honda Jazz
The e:HEV powertrain in the all-new Honda Jazz utilises two compact electric motors alongside the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine to deliver the optimum balance between fuel efficiency and power. Together, they send a combined output of
109 hp
 and
253 Nm
 to the front wheels through a unique electronically-controlled CVT with a single fixed-gear ratio.
Just like an F1 car, the e:HEV powertrain can be driven in many different modes for different situations. The EV Drive mode uses the electric motor to drive the wheels directly, with power coming from the lithium-ion battery. Hybrid Drive meanwhile uses the engine to power the electric generator motor, which in turns supplies electric power for the twin electric propulsion motors. Engine Drive mode allows the engine to directly power the wheels via a lock-up clutch.
Honda says the first two modes are mostly used in urban settings, where the all-new Honda Jazz will be able to automatically switch between the two seamlessly. For highway driving, Engine Drive is normally used, supplemented by an on-demand peak power ‘boost’ from the electric propulsion motor for faster acceleration – just like Formula 1.


Ford invests RM1.5 billion to develop next-gen automatic transmission for FWD cars

Ford has just announced that the company will be investing US $350 million (RM1.5 billion) in its Livonia Transmission plant in Michigan to develop their next generation transmission for front-wheel drive vehicles.
Ford believes that the investment will provide customers better-performing and more fuel-efficient
 FWD cars
. This new transmission will cover a wide range of applications including the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. It will also share software, design elements and manufacturing process as its 10-speed automatic that debuted on the
Ford Mustang
.
With the additional investment, the company will also be adding 800 jobs to support production of the new transmission. In the past four months alone, Ford has announced more than US$2.25 billion (RM9.7 billion) in new investments in Michigan. The Blue Oval has also invested US$12 billion (RM51.6 billion) in its U.S. plants and created a total of nearly 28,000 U.S. jobs during the last five years.


Mazda6 facelift previewed in Malaysia, 4 variants, sedan & touring available

First unveiled at the 2017 Los Angeles Motor Show, the facelifted Mazda6 sedan and touring was revamped with Mazda’s latest evolution of the Kodo Design, bringing the ageing model closer to the rest of its siblings. Besides the new look, the Mazda6 facelift gains a new cabin design as well as improved NVH refinement.
Bermaz Motor has officially previewed the Mazda6 facelift here at their latest 3S centre in Jelutong in Penang. Like before, the Mazda6 will be offered in four variants, all fully imported from Japan. However, the 2.5-litre turbocharged SkyActiv-G engine will not be offered to the Malaysian market.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mazda6 2.0L
Mazda6 2.5L Sedan
Mazda6 2.5L Touring
Mazda6 2.2D
Engine
1,998cc; 4-cylinder SkyActiv-G
2,488cc; 4-cylinder SkyActiv-G
2,191cc; 4-cylinder SkyActiv-D
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
162 hp @ 6,000 rpm
192 hp @ 6,000 rpm
188 hp @ 4,500 rpm
Max Torque
213 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
258 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
450 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
To Be Announced

The designers at Mazda has adopted a “Mature Elegance” design philosophy to give the Mazda6 a more matured and sophisticated appearance. To achieve this, new mesh front grille restyled LED headlamp and taillamp design, additional chrome finishes as well as new alloy wheel designs were introduced.
The entry-level Mazda6 2.0L rides on smaller 17-inch alloys wrapped in 225/55 profile tyres and loses out on Mazda Advance Keyless Entry. The rest of the range rides on 19-inch items wrapped in 225/45 profile tyres and gains keyless entry.

Inside, the cabin is also revamped with sleeker lines, more premium materials as well as enhanced technology. The 2.5L and 2.2D comes furnished with leather upholstery, Active Driving Display (colour windshield projection), 8.0-inch MZD touchscreen infotainment system, 11-speaker BOSE sound system, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters as well as 10-way powered driver seat
The base variant is also decently equipped, having to lose out only on paddle shifters, Active Driving Display and gets a standard six-speaker set up. With the facelift, the Mazda6 also gain improved Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH) levels thanks to thicker door panels, outer glass, headliner and door seals.

The local powertrain line up is the same as before – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv-G petrol engine with
162 hp
/
213 Nm
, 2.5-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv-G petrol engine with
192 hp
/
258 Nm
 as well as a 2.2-litre four-cylinder SkyActiv-D turbodiesel with
188 hp
/
450 Nm
. A six-speed SkyActiv Drive automatic transmission is standard issue on all Mazda6s.
Bermaz Motor has equipped the Mazda6 2.5L and 2.2D with a more extensive range of the i-ActivSense advanced safety technology which includes Smart City Brake Support (front and rear), Driver Attention Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, Lane Keep Assist System, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The entry-level 2.0L variant makes do with the standard six airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control System, Hill Launch Assist as well as G-Vectoring Control.
Bermaz Motor has yet to announce the pricing details of the facelifted Mazda6 but will start accepting orders for their flagship sedan. A total of seven colour choices will be available – Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Jet Black, Deep Crystal Blue, Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray and Titanium Flash.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mazda 2.5L SkyActiv-G Sedan Facelift


Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 & 250 facelift arrives in Malaysia, priced from RM240k!

Unveiled at the
2017 Detroit Motor Show
 early this year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) wasted no time in adding the refreshed Mercedes-Benz GLA to their local fleet. Like before, a total of three variants are offered, including the fire breathing GLA 45.
While it’s not an all-new model, the engineers at Stuttgart have worked hard to further refine this little crossover. A lower A-pillar step, redesigned exterior mirror housings, optimised rear silencer, roof spoiler and rear diffuser collectively reduced drag coefficient from 0.29 to
0.28
, improving fuel consumption and NVH levels.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz GLA 200
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC
Engine
1,595cc; inline 4-cylinder turbo
1,991cc; inline 4-cylidner turbo
Transmission
7-speed G-DCT
Max Power
156 hp @ 5,300 rpm
211 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,000 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.1 seconds; 215 km/h
6.6 seconds; 230 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM239,888
RM269,888
Visually, the LED headlamps get the similar single bar LED daytime running light as the A-Class and CLA, revised front grille, reshaped bumper and redesigned LED combination tail lamps. The entry level GLA 200 is dressed in Urban Line with Night Package that blacks out the radiator grille, wing mirrors and light-alloy wheels. It rides on 19-inch five-spoke light alloy wheels.
Stepping up to the GLA 250 and you’ll get the AMG exterior package as standard that features the more aggressive AMG body kit. Night package is also a standard fitment on the GLA 250. It rides on 19-inch AMG lightweight alloy wheels.
Inside, the GLA 200 Urban Line features Artico leather with black Maringa fabric upholstery while the GLA 250 AMG line gets Artico leather with Dinamica microfibre upholstery. Elsewhere, standard equipment on both variants include leather wrapped three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, powered front seats with memory function, 8-inch Media Display Screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and start, easy pack tailgate, cruise control and reverse camera. The GLA 250 AMG gets additional illuminated ‘AMG’ lettering door sills and AMG floor mats.

Motivation for the GLA 200 comes from a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo with
156 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint is done and dusted in a respectable
8.1 seconds
 while top speed is rated at
215 km/h
. The GLA 250 packs a larger and more powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo that churns out
211 hp
 and 3
50 Nm
 of torque. It hits the 100 km/h mark in
6.6 seconds
 and on full whack, the speedometer will read
230 km/h
.
Unlike the pre-facelift model, the updated GLA is equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Drive is sent to the front wheels on the GLA 200 while the GLA 250 4MATIC has its drive sent to all four corners.
Both variants are equipped with comfort-oriented suspension that raises ride height by 20mm, befitting that of a family oriented crossover. Drivers can also select between
five drive

modes
 – Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual and Off-Road via the Dynamic Select function. Each drive mode alters the response of the engine, transmission, steering and damping.
On the safety front, both GLAs come equipped with PRE-SAFE System, Active Brake Lights, Attention Assist, tyre pressure monitoring system and active parking assist.
As with all Mercedes-Benz models, the GLA comes with a 4-Years unlimited mileage warranty package. Like with most models, Mercedes-Benz Financial is offering attractive financing deals for the GLA. With Hire Purchase Classic, interest rates starts from 1.88 percent to 2.28 percent whereas with Agility Financing, monthly repayments for the GLA starts from RM3,235.
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Volkswagen Tiguan previewed in Malaysia, 1.4L TSI, from RM149k

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) will be kicking off the year with the launch of
the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan
. While we’re just weeks away from the launch, the company invited the press over for a special viewing of their
CR-V
 rivalling SUV.
The Tiguan will now be locally assembled at Volkswagen’s production plant in Pekan, Pahang, and will be offered in two trims – Comfortline and Highline. Its estimated price tag starts from RM149k for the Comfortline and RM169k for the Highline. Pricing is of course not finalised, but expect minimal, if not no changes to the asking price.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Comfortline
Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4TSI Highline
Engine
1,395cc; Direct injection with Turbocharger TSI
Transmission
6-speed DSG (Wet Clutch)
Max Power
148 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,500 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.9 seconds; 198 km/h
Estimated Price
RM149,000
RM169,000

EXTERIOR
Based on the group’s new MQB platform, the new Tiguan is longer, wider but at the same time shorter than before. It measures 4,486mm in length (+60mm), 1,839mm in width (+30mm), 1,664mm in height (-39mm) while wheelbase is now 2,681mm (+77mm). It also weighs 50kg lesser than the outgoing model.
Thanks to the enlarged dimensions, the designers at Volkswagen adopted a bolder and more utilitarian approach to the car’s design. While it may look boxy to the eyes, the new Tiguan’s final design was developed in a wind tunnel, resulting in a reduction of overall air drag by as much as 40 percent.

The range topping Highline (pictured here) gets all the bells and whistles, including full LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, halogen front fog lamps, silver roof rails, powered tailgate, keyless entry and start along with 18-inch “Kingston” alloy wheels.
The Comfortline loses out on some of the aforementioned features including the powered tailgate in favour of bi-xenon headlamps, black roof rails and 17-inch “Montana” alloy wheels.
INTERIOR
As with any Volkswagen, the cabin is a familiar place, save for several additional features. In the Tiguan Highline, it comes with “Vienna” leather upholstery, three-zone ‘Climatronic’ air-conditioning, 12.3-inch Active Info Display, paddle shifters, powered driver’s seat with memory function, 8-inch “Discover Media” with navigation, reverse camera and ambient lighting.

The Comfortline gets a simpler “Rhombus” fabric upholstery, “Composite Media 8” touchscreen infotainment system and Park Distance Control.
PERFORMANCE
The first-generation Tiguan was actually offered with a 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre TSI engines. However, the new one here will only be available with a 1.4-litre turbo, producing
148 hp
 and
 250 Nm
 of torque – figures that are identical to the
Jetta
 and
Golf TSI
.
However, transmission here is a six-speed dual clutch DSG transmission (wet clutch, same as the Golf GTI and
Passat Highline
). Power is sent exclusively to the front wheels. However, VPCM is not ruling out the possibility of introducing a 2.0-litre TSI variant and all-wheel drive 4MOTION option.
WHAT ELSE?
A total of five exterior colours are available with the new Tiguan – Pure White, Deep Black, Atlantic Blue, Tungsten Silver and Indium Grey. You can now place your booking at all authorised Volkswagen dealerships, and early birds will receive a rebate of RM7,000. Also, for those who are interested to view the Tiguan in the metal, it will be displayed at the Volkswagen Sales Tour happening at 1 Utama New Wing from 1 March to 5 March 2017.
 IMAGE GALLERY


It is official, Volkswagen pulls out from World Rally Championship for good

Right after the Volkswagen Group (VAG) swung the axe on
Audi’s Le Mans
 programme, another name has sadly appeared on the chopping board. A report from
AutoCar
 revealed that Volkswagen will terminate its mega-successful World Rally Championship (WRC) team at the end of the year.
The decision follows after a board meeting took place in Wolfsburg, one that will see 200 of the staffs involved be transferred to VAG’s other motorsports divisions. This includes its customer racing programs such as TCR touring car, GT racing and its Skoda rally programme.
Despite having made the
2017 Volkswagen Polo-R
 for the upcoming season, VAG has no plans to lease it to customer teams. Instead, the Polo will forever be kept in the factory, perhaps as a memento of what could have been. Since joining the WRC in 2013, the team celebrated
41 victories
, four drivers titles and four manufacturer’s titles, including the birthing of a modern day rally legend, Sebastien Ogier. The final race in Australia will effectively be Volkswagen’s last appearance on the greatest dirt racing in the world.
The decision was partly caused by the
dieselgate
 scandal, where VAG will have to pay over
£10 billion
 (approximately RM51.3 billion) in a settlement to either repurchase or fix 500,000 cars in the US. That has caused a financial strain in VAG that ultimately led to the demise of its successful but terribly expensive WEC and WRC programmes.
Perhaps now’s a good time to introduce a special edition, hot Polo R for the road, eh? Instead of creating something like
this Polo Trophy R
.


Would you get this G02 BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport over the GLC Coupe?

Having
tested it in Spartanburg, USA
, BMW Malaysia has officially launched the second-generation G02 BMW X4 in Malaysia alongside the hot
X2 M35i
 and the
G05 X5 xDrive40i
.
The X4 is offered in a
sole xDrive30i M Sport variant, buyers will have to part with RM380,000 (OTR
without insurance) for one and is available for purchase at all BMW showrooms
nationwide.

QUICK FACTS
 Name

BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport
 Engine
 1,998cc; 4-cylinder
turbo
 Transmission
 8-speed automatic
 Max Power
 252 hp @ 5,200
– 6,500 rpm
 Max Torque
 350 Nm @ 1,450
– 4,800 rpm
 0 – 100 km/h;
Top Speed
 6.3 seconds;
240 km/h
 Price (OTR without
insurance)
 RM380,000
The G02 X4 rides on the brand’s new Cluster Architecture platform that cuts
the weight by 50 kg but at the same time grown in every dimension. With the M Sport
kit, the X4 is dressed the M Aerodynamics package, BMW Individual high-gloss
shadow line, M Sport brakes with blue calipers, twin exhaust outlets and
20-inch M light alloy wheels Double-spoke style 699 M with 245/45 tyres front
while the rears are shod in 275/40 profile rubbers.
Stepping inside, the X4 is furnished with top grade materials and equipment
including 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, 10.25-inch BMW Navigation
Professional infotainment system linked to a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround
sound system, tri-zone climate control, Heads Up Display, panoramic sunroof,
powered tailgate and Vernasca Leather upholstery.
Under the hood rests a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit paired to an 8-speed Sports automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel-drive. Century sprint takes
6.3 seconds
 while top speed is registered at
240 km/h
.

Unfortunately, the X4 doesn’t come with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems like the locally assembled
Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 Coupe
 that was launched recently. However, the Beemer does carry a lower price tag than the Merc.
Every purchase of the BMW X4 xDrive30i comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service.
Update 18/6/2019:
BMW Malaysia has announced the official retail price BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport at RM364,800 (OTR without insurance)
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport Launched in Malaysia


Audi Formula E driver dropped from team for using a ringer in virtual race

In what might be the most baffling story this week,
The Race
 broke the news that Formula E driver Daniel Abt has been fired from the Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler Formula E team as a result of using a ringer during round five of the Formula E Race at Home Challenge. Yes, you read that right – that’s his name in the team name. Ouch.
Suspicions arose from other drivers during the virtual Berlin e-Prix when Abt qualified second for the race, far exceeding his previous records in the virtual races. Abt’s video feed on the pre-race driver round-up also weirdly had his face concealed by what appears to be a microphone.
Daniel Abt (second row, first from right) in the pre-race driver round-up, with “his” face obscured.
His personal Twitch stream, which usually runs in parallel to the main Formula E stream, was also offline – further adding to the whole impression.
Later in his the race, the #66 car supposedly driven by Abt got into messy battle with Mercedes EQ driver and pole sitter Stoffel Vandoorne, prompting the latter to question if Abt was really at the wheels. “Really not happy here because that was not Daniel driving the car himself, and he messed up everything. Really ridiculous,” he said on his
Twitch stream
 after the race.
After the race, officials cross-checked the IP addresses of the competitors, and confirmed that their suspicions were indeed true – Abt employed professional sim racer Lorenz Hoerzing – who races in the companion Formula E Challenge Grid – to impersonate him during the race.
As a result, Abt was disqualified from the race itself, and ordered to make a EUR10,000 “compulsory donation” to charity. Hoerzing on the other hand was banned from the series. However, it seems like the team thought that the punishment was not enough.
In a
statement released yesterday
, Audi Sport said: “Daniel Abt did not drive his car in qualifying and the race at the fifth event of the Race at Home Challenge on May 23 himself, but let a professional Sim-Racer do so. He directly apologised for this on the following day and accepted the disqualification.
“Integrity, transparency and consistent compliance with applicable rules are top priorities for Audi – this applies to all activities the brand is involved in without exception. For this reason, Audi Sport has decided to suspend Daniel Abt with immediate effect.”
Daniel Abt was not the first driver to receive real-world repercussions due to actions in the virtual world. As we reported previously, Nascar driver Bubba Wallace was also
dropped from a sponsorship deal
 for not taking the race seriously enough.


Proton reiterates the importance of a N95 cabin filter

Commonly, we drive with our air-conditioning system set to the recirculation mode, with outside air being blocked from entering the cabin. This method of airflow keeps the cabin cooler, more pleasant scent and reduce the workload of the air-conditioning system.
The air recirculation-mode switch is the one with the car icon and an arrow (with the U representing recirculation). In this Proton Persona example, it is the middle switch.
However, the level of oxygen in the cabin reduces over time, and studies have shown that oxygen levels plummeting to 19.5% is hazardous and can
lead to drowsiness and fatigue
. As such, we should allow fresh air to enter that cabin to ensure sufficient levels of oxygen.
But, allowing the outside air into the cabin carries some risk of airborne pathogens and pollutants, as well as the unfortunate foul odour you happened to be driving past. Not everyone is a fan of that durian scent, such as yours truly.
Since July last year, all new Proton models have
been equipped with the N95 cabin filter
. The key benefit of having the N95 filter is its filtration ability whilst one set that air-conditioning mode to fresh-air intake to replenish the oxygen levels.
The N95 Cabin Filter can remove 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns and can remove 98% of PM2.5 dust particles. It serves as a barrier against smoke particulates, dust, bacteria and other pollutants for both fresh (outside) and recirculated air in the cabin.
As for the flagship
Proton X70
, the SUV comes with the
 Intelligent Air Purification System (IAPS)
, which is a combination of the N95 filter, HEPA filter and ioniser system.
The air ioniser discharges negative ions to cleanse airborne dust, allergens and even bacteria.
Meanwhile, further air purification is done via the air cleaner under the front armrest. The High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter removes 99.97% of particles and contaminants that are larger than 0.3 microns. Thanks to the fitment of activated carbon, odour, smoke and formaldehyde are removed from the air.
For current Proton owners who want to purchase the new N95 Cabin Filter, it’ll cost RM59 except for the X70 which carries a higher price tag of RM79. Prices exclude labour charges and should be done at authorised service centres, once movement is less restricted or during your prescribed service interval.


The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid gets absolutely trashed on a gravel course

I guarantee that you’ll watch this video more than once. Not only because it’s amusing (yet highly disturbing) to watch the most powerful Cayenne getting absolutely thrashed off-tarmac but just the constant counter-steering would leave you hooked and at the edge of your seat.
At one point, on a less punishing stretch, the
680 hp
 Cayenne driven by Tim Shrick, even got up to speeds of 180 km/h; on used road tyres no less! Shrick is a German racing driver and TV presenter, with brief appearances on Top Gear during the Clarkson’s era.

The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s powertrain makes a whopping
900 Nm
 of torque, just as much as a Bentley Bentayga, with the combination of a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor.
Despite its near 2.5-tonne weight, largely down to the 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery that offers the Cayenne a
40 km driving range
 and a top speed of
135 km/h purely on electric power
, it still manages a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. Top speed? 295 km/h.


MINI Malaysia launches the new Countryman Sports with JCW Aero kit

Aside from launching
the first plug-in hybrid in the MINI range
 yesterday, MINI Malaysia also introduced the New MINI Cooper S Countryman Sports – the newest MINI to be locally assembled in the country. Malaysia is also the first market in the world outside of the Netherlands to locally-assemble the New MINI Countryman.
Aesthetically, the Countryman Sports, priced at RM 245,888 (OTR without Insurance) is fitted with the MINI John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit which consists of  front apron with built-in air ducts for cooling the brakes, a rear bumper with a diffuser and MINI John Cooper Works door sill finishes.
Inside, the Countryman Sports is furnished with a MINI JCW steering wheel with paddle shifters, carbon black Cross Punch leather upholstery, head-up display, auto headlights and wipers and cruise control.
For the first time ever, the new Countryman Sports offers an 8.8-inch touchscreen display with Navigation which can also be operated via the MINI Touch Controller. It comes with a split screen function allowing two maps to be viewed at the same time.

More impressively, the Countryman Sports is equipped with an exclusive 360-watts Harman Kardon sound system, paired to a whopping 12 speakers that are strategically-placed for the best possible audio experience.
Mechanically, the Countryman Sports is home to a 2.0-litre MINI TwinPower Turbo engine paired to an 8-speed sports automatic gearbox, delivering
192 hp
 and
 280 Nm
 of torque. 0 to 100km/h is done in just 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 224km/h. All of these are achievable with a fuel consumption rating of just 6.5L/100km.
The Countryman Sports also comes equipped with sports suspension, with stiffer springs and pneumatic shock absorbers. Handling is further enhanced with 19-inch MINI John Cooper Works Course Spoke wheels with run flat tyres.
The New MINI Cooper S Countryman Sports comes in British Racing Green, Thunder Grey, Light White and Chili Red. The Black Roof is available for Chilli Red, British Racing Green, Thunder Grey, Light White while the White Roof is available for Chilli Red and British Racing Green only.
The new Mini Cooper S Countryman Sports is priced at RM 245,888.00 (OTR without Insurance) and is covered by a 5-Years Roadside Assistance programme, available for all new MINI vehicles with a comprehensive list of services that include a 24-Hour, 365-days-a-year Accident and Help on the Phone and On-the-Spot Hotline, Free Towing Services (over 200KM from residential home), Replacement Vehicle, Seamless Mobility, Accommodation, Mobility Services Solutions as well as Repatriation services. The MINI Roadside Assistance programme can be accessed by contacting 1800-88-8808.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: All-new 4th generation Toyota Harrier in Malaysia – RM 249,707

That was quick! After
teasing
 the internet landscape on Monday, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) today officially launched the all-new fourth generation Toyota Harrier, fully-imported from Japan and in just one variant, the 2.0 Luxury.
Priced at
RM249,706.50
 on-the-road, without insurance and inclusive of the 50% sales tax exemption that is set to expire on June 30th and expect the price to move upwards from July 1st.

EXTERIOR
The all-new Toyota Harrier gains a
longer wheelbase
 measuring 2.69 metres, up 30 mm compared to its predecessor. Presence on the road is also strengthened through a wider (increase by 20 mm) and lower stance (overall height decrease by 30 mm). For fans of panoramic glass roofs, the new Harrier boast a large fixed glass panel for its roof, extending to the rear passengers.
Upfront, full LED lighting are featured, with the slim headlamps being projector-type Bi-LED units inserted with L-shaped DRLs. The rear mirrors the thin lighting theme, with Toyota emphasising the light from a thin, sharp line of taillamps and brake lamps gives it an overwhelming sense of presence.
Other exterior highlights on the new Toyota Harrier include:
18-inch rims, 225/60R18 tyres
Hands-free powered tailgate with feet-activated motion sensor
Welcome light
Dual exhaust outlets
The new Toyota Harrier 2.0L is available in five colours- Steel Blonde Metallic, Slate Grey Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, White Pearl Crystal Shine and Precious Black. The special white and black paintwork requires buyers to top up an additional RM800.
PERFORMANCE
Unlike our
neighbour across the Causeway
 that has a line-up of petrol-only and hybrid powertrain options, UMWT is only focusing on the 2.0L variant, the same powertrain found in the now-discontinued
Toyota RAV4
 2.0L.
Engine: 2.0-litre, naturally-aspirated, Dynamic Force engine, VVT-iE
Transmission: Direct-shift CVT with sequential mode
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 173 hp @ 6,600 RPM
Max torque: 203 Nm @ 4,400 – 4,900 RPM
0 to 100 km/h: 9.7 seconds
Fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100 km
The all-new Toyota Harrier is built on the same
TNGA-K
 platform as the
Toyota Camry
 and RAV4 with an increase in bodyshell stiffness, lower overall height and rear trailing wishbone suspension for better stability and comfort.
INTERIOR
Inside, the new Toyota Harrier comes with plenty of luxurious features, as well as craftsmanship. The driver with presented with driving information through a seven-inch TFT multi-information display while an eight-inch touchscreen provides infotainment features.
The panoramic glass roof is expansive as it is impressive, with the usage of
electro-chromatic glass
, which can be dimmed or darkened at the touch of a button. The dimming of the glass raises a feeling of quality as soft light penetrates the cabin, as if through traditional paper windows.
The lower console is given extra attention by the designers, as they wanted the section to have the impression of a horse’s saddle.
One area that Toyota engineers paid special attention to was to
further reduce

noise
, vibration and harshness (NVH) to new levels, including the use of highly efficient sound-absorbing windows, resulting in an amazingly quiet cabin space expected of a luxury vehicle.
Among the notable interior equipment in the new Toyota Harrier are:
Head-up display
12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
4-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat
Ventilated front seats (heating and cooling)
Power-adjustable tilt and telescopic steering column
Driver’s seat and steering column position memory function
Reclining rear seats
Digital rear-view mirror
Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with Nanoe-X air purifier
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
Ambient lighting
SAFETY
Being the latest model in the local Toyota line-up, the new Harrier 2.0L comes loaded with plenty of advanced safety features. Notable items include:
Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 – Pre Collision Braking, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (all speeds) and Automatic High Beam
Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic with Auto Brake
Intelligent Clearance Sonar with parking support braking
Electric Parking Brake with Auto Brake Hold
Seven airbags
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with individual readouts
Reverse camera
UMWT is also including a year’s subscription for the Vehicle Telematics System service (VTS) in the new Harrier, together with a front and rear driving video recorder (DVR) system and premium security and solar window tinting film in its RM249,706.50 price tag.
GALLERY


All-new MG 6 goes to China – 1.5L turbo with 164 hp and 249 Nm

MG’s parent company SAIC has unveiled the all-new MG 6 in China and from the looks of it, it could revive the brand’s fortunes and there’s no better place to test the brand’s latest product than in the biggest automotive market in the world. We hope it won’t be limited to just the Chinese market like the
CX-4
 or
Grand Lancer
 cause it looks really darn good (and promising).
Based on the Roewe i6, the MG6 stands out with sporty design cues and an imposing front and back end. At the front, it houses what MG calls a “star rider” grille between a pair of LED headlamps.
Inside, the MG 6 plays host to a series of upmarket and industry-trending features such as keyless entry, electrically-adjustable seats, leather interior, electronic parking brake, a drive information display between the two main dials and a 9-inch infotainment screen which will come with Bluetooth connectivity and rear-view camera display.
It is said that powertrain will be shared with the Roewe i6 – a 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine pushing out
123 hp
 and
169 Nm
 of torque along with a 1.5-litre petrol unit with
 164 hp
 and
 249 Nm
 of torque. Drive will be sent via a standard 6-speed manual with an option for a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Don’t be surprised if there’s a future hybrid or even a full electric powertrain to follow suit, with the Chinese stepping up on electric car production through
 Ford
 and
 Volvo
to cope with its reported plans
to ban the production and sale of petrol cars in the future
.
What do you guys reckon? While MG’s track record in Malaysia hasn’t been too impressive, surely this could change a few minds of C and D-segment buyers should it be priced reasonably if it ever comes to Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY


This is how you shouldn’t drive your Porsche 911 GT2 RS on the road

Whether it’s the stance, the noise, the performance or all three combined, supercars offer an air of superiority. Even more so after some time spent in it and confidence levels have built up, but there’s always a chance you could be caught off guard.
And that’s exactly what happened in this video. As you can see in his earlier video, the owner of this
Porsche 911 GT2 RS, the most powerful 911 to date
,
has gotten quite confident with his lethal weapon; drifting and sliding along public roads
.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Todd Schleicher (@t_schleicher)
In my eyes though, that’s complacency. As the saying goes, with great power comes even greater responsibility and for a car as ridiculously powerful as the rear-wheel drive 911 GT2 RS, one needs to be extra extra prudent and cautious at all times.
That probably slipped the driver’s mind momentarily after his GT2 RS nearly kissed a concrete divider upon initiating a drift. Fortunately, after some steering correction and a tonne of luck, the tyres found traction again and avoided a costly (and an embarrassing) accident.
The car may have been unscathed but the same probably can’t be said about his pants. Mine would’ve miraculously turned brown for sure.


Review: 2016 Ferrari California T, take two done right [+Video]

Conformity; even the most esteemed brand in the motoring world isn’t spared of its (un)doing. We’re addressing the T in the
Ferrari California T
 (a rather unimaginative acronym for turbocharging), but its function differs greatly from the F40 of yesteryear.
But before getting there, here’s a a little obligatory icebreaker. The California is close to a decade old after making its debut in 2008. Back then, the front-engined rear wheel drive grand tourer (GT) had a 4.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 making no less than 490 horses and 485 Nm of torque, and was the first Ferrari to come with a seven-speed F1 dual clutch transmission.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ferrari California T
Engine
3,855cc; twin-turbo flat-plane V8
Transmission
7-speed F1 dual clutch auto
Max Power
560 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Max Torque
755 Nm @ 4,750 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
3.6 seconds; 316km/h
Price
RM888,888 before duties and taxes
It wasn’t a jaw-dropping looker to be honest, but the entire California flavour was revitalised with a much needed update in 2014. That came courtesy of an
all-new 3.9-litre twin turbocharged V8
 engine, a more rapid shifting twin-clutch transmission, stiffer suspensions with the latest magnetorheological damping system (patented of course), as well as a brand new face. Yep, the guys at Maranello insist that nearly all panels on the outside are new, so that plays in favour of the looks department – until you step inside the car.
I’m all for functional simplicity, but if
Porsche
 and the
AMG GT
 could bring more design finesse to the table than a Prancing Horse, that’s all the wake up call a craftsman needs. The lack of fancy gizmos and tech trickery aside, everything within sight of the cabin can be customised to your liking, be it an all-pink interior or diamond encrusted gold-plated trims (if that’s not overdoing it enough). Believe us, there’s nothing Ferrari hasn’t seen before, so don’t be surprised if your Sales Advisor doesn’t flinch at what you think is an outrageous option.

Now, the reason for turbocharging the California T isn’t so much as to provide an extra punch, but to improve efficiency. Nevertheless, the new 3.9-litre V8 draws much more power, bringing the numbers up to
 560 hp
 and
 755 Nm
 of torque. That’s a full
70 horses
 and
270 Nm
 more than the old 4.3-litre lump, but the engine is evidently capable of churning more power. We know that because the same engine in the
488 GTB
 makes 100 hp more (661 hp and 760 Nm). Despite having close to 50 percent more torque, the turbocharged GT offers
15 percent better fuel efficiency
, yet sprints from nought to 100km/h in
3.6 seconds
 (the old one is 0.2 seconds slower). Top speed is checked at
316km/h
.
Weirdly enough, in the first three gears, you don’t get the full 760 Nm of twist because the numbers gradually increase as you bang up the cogs. Instead, you start off by having roughly 600 Nm (and a flatter curve). Ferrari’s reasoning for this complex setup is to make the California behave as ‘naturally aspirated’ as possible, both in the way it reacts to throttle input and the way it sounds.
The hardtop folds in just 14 seconds

Not a thing in the world sounds anything remotely close to a wailing Ferrari engine at full whiff, so to have this turbo mill redline at 7,500 rpm versus a wailing NA V8 at 9,250 revolutions (the old California’s V8 revs till 8,000 rpm) is by no means fulfilling. And certainly not how you’d relinquish your Ferrari virginity. The good news is, there’s still that sonorous roar at crank, which quickly mellows into a fluttering crisp. Quite a bit of work has gone into making it sound this way, because the last thing Ferrari wants to do is lose customers over the sound of its exhaust.
Two things that stand out in our sub-200km test route were the sheer quickness of the twin-clutch gearbox and the magnetic dampers. It rides without flaw and hardly busy over poor road surfaces towards Fraser’s Hill despite riding on massive 20-inch wheels. It’s no 458 Italia by way of handling, agility and steering feel, but as far as GTs go, the California T’s unwavering competency merits the Ferrari badge without question.
The mechanical setup is fundamentally the same as the previous California; double wishbones at the front and multi-link setup at the rear, and both axles come with stiffer springs – about 12 percent stiffer to be exact. Weight distribution is slightly rear biased, giving it that characteristic neutrality around corners. Predictable it certainly is, but boring? No, not at all.
But is there an option to switch it up a notch, you ask? There is. It’s called the
Handling Speciale
, or HS for short. This option comes with even stiffer springs (16 percent stiffer up front, 19 percent stiffer at the back), reprogrammed magnetic dampers, louder exhausts and updated transmission that upshifts and downshifts about 30 percent and 40 percent quicker, respectively. It might not sound like much as an option, but I cannot humanly imagine how much quicker the transmission can get. It’s right up there as the best dual clutch transmission in the world, so long as you don’t wreck it via launch control. Do yourself a favour: if you visit NAZA Italia, ask them how much it costs to do a single launch control.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
Whether or not the California T administers the full dose of Ferrari experience, we can’t deduce with conviction. Why? Because more than half the Ferraris sold over the last five years is the California, and among all owners, 70 percent are new to the Ferrari brand. Are all 70 percent hardcore driving enthusiasts? Probably not, and that’s precisely the appeal. It’s an everyday Ferrari that’s furthest from a daunting car to drive.
IMAGE GALLERY


Sales Tax Exemption: Naza Kia Malaysia releases revised price list

Naza Kia Malaysia has revealed the revised price list of its models, following the announcement of
sales tax exemption for private cars
 sold in Malaysia by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as part of the government’s short term economy recovery plan post COVID-19.
The updated price is effective starting 15th June to the 31st December 2020.
The
cheap and cheerful Picanto
 is now priced up to 4.1%, or RM2,356.20 less than before. Its larger brother
Rio
‘s retail price is reduced by 3.3% (RM2.656.45) following the reduction in sales tax.
The Kia Cerato gets a 4% (RM4,133.94) reduction, which sees its retail price dropping below the RM100K mark. The
Optima
 gets the largest reduction in terms of percentage differences, coming in at 6.7% (RM9,370.19).
Meanwhile, the brand’s halo performance grand tourer,
Kia Stinger
, gets the largest reduction in terms of price difference with a price drop of RM14,767.30 (3.8%).
As for SUVs and people movers, the
Sportage
 is now up to 3.3% (RM4,658.48) cheaper than before on the
2.0D GT Line
, while the
Sorento
 is priced up to 2.8% lower than before, depending on variant.
The recently-updated
Grand Carnival 2.2D LX 11-seater variant
 does not see a price change, though the older 8-seater 2.2D KX and SX variants sees reductions of 2.4% (RM3,850.48) and 3.2% (RM6,121.09) respectively.
For the latest updates on the revised price lists from all other car brands in Malaysia, do check out our round-up, available
here
.


McLaren 750S debuts – Twin-turbo V8, 739hp, 800Nm, 0-100km/h in 2.8 secs

British sportscar manufacturer,
McLaren
, has just unveiled its new supercar, the McLaren 750S. Offered in both coupe and hardtop convertible styles, The 750S is essentially an upgraded model of the
720S
. Without further ado, here are the essential details you need to know about the new car.
On the outside, McLaren has refined the 720S’ design, giving the 750S a new lower nose design. Other visual upgrades include an extended front splitter, new front and rear bumpers, a narrower eye-socket intake, new rear wheel-arch vents, and a lengthened carbon fibre active rear wing.
To help prevent customers from scrapping their low-riding supercar’s splitters, McLaren has integrated a new vehicle-lift system that is operable via a single button. Moreover, the system is now over twice as fast as the 720S as well as any McLaren ever produced.
McLaren has also added a unique feature to the 750S Spider. This feature is an optional electrochromic glass that customers can choose to add to the car’s Retractable Hard Top (RHT). This allows additional light to be brought into the cabin, giving an open-air environment feel even when the roof is closed. Also, the RHT can be opened in under 11 seconds at vehicle speeds up to 50 km/h.
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One of McLaren’s main focuses when building the McLaren 750S was to make it lighter than the 720S. And as we all know, weight reduction helps a car go faster, which is exactly what McLaren has done.
Marketed as the lightest series-production McLaren, the 750S features a carbon fibre monocoque construction. This results in the 750S being 30 kg (DIN) lighter than the 720S, and weighing only
1277 kg
 at its lightest dry weight.
As for the hardtop convertible Spider model, McLaren has also given it a carbon fibre upper structure and a composite RHT. This translates into the Spider only weighing 48 kg more than the coupe.
Another weight reduction effort done by McLaren is by fitting a new set of 10-spoke ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels to the 750S. This wheel according to McLaren, is the lightest wheel ever fitted as standard on a series-production supercar.
As a result, the 750S wheel has brought a significant
13.8 kg
 reduction over the 720S. Inside, McLaren continues to give customers an option to keep their 750S light and fast. This can be achieved via McLaren’s new optional super-lightweight carbon fibre racing seats.
Besides weight reduction, another upgrade McLaren has given to the rear-wheel-drive supercar over its predecessor is enhanced engine performance. This results in the supercar’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 Petrol engine producing
739 hp
 and
800 Nm
.
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Paired with the engine is a 7-speed transmission but with revised ratios for better acceleration. And speaking of acceleration, the 750S coupe is able to go from 0-100 km/h in
2.8 seconds
. The Spider, on the other hand, takes only 0.1 seconds more to do the century run.
Thanks to the reduced weight and enhanced engine, the 750S is able to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 587 hp (metric)-per-tonne. This is currently one of the highest figures in the 750S segment.
To provide the 750S better handling over the 720S, THE 750S has been fitted with McLaren’s newest generation linked-hydraulic suspension, the PCC III. This suspension features bespoke accumulator tuning, new lightweight springs and dampers, as well as revised geometry. This results in greater agility, feel and feedback, according to the British sportscar maker.
McLaren has also added features to provide some fun to the 750S’ driving experience. This includes a Mclaren P1-inspired centre-exit exhaust and McLaren Variable Drift Control (VDC). VDC basically allows the driver to adjust the traction control system’s intervention level independently of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) setting.
McLaren Automotive CEO, Michael Leiters said, “When you have a car recognised by so many drivers as a benchmark, to do something even better you have to examine every detail and really push hard for improvements that raise the bar again. This is what we have done with the new 750S and the lightweight, V8 engine performance and outstanding dynamic abilities combine to deliver a supercar driving experience that hits new heights, with truly exhilarating levels of emotional connection.”
RELATED:
McLaren and BMW are reportedly in talks for a jointly-developed electric supercar
The interior of the 750S is claimed by McLaren to be even more driver-focused. This consists of the above-mentioned optional carbon fibre seats with a number of interior themes to choose from.
Other driver-focused features include a new column-mounted instrument display, flanked by rocker switches that control McLaren’s Active Dynamic settings. A Bower & Wilkins audio system, Apple CarPlay, as well as USB-C and USB-A ports to fast charge devices, are available as well.
McLaren has also added a new McLaren Control Launcher (MCL) exclusively for the 750S. This feature allows the driver to store a favourite combination of aero, handling, powertrain, and transmission settings.
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Gallery


MBM Resources Berhad contributes RM300,000 to support Covid-19 battle

The automotive parts manufacturer will channel the contribution through the Sumbangan Perubatan Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM).
The funds will be used to purchase medicine, medical equipment and other necessities in support of the fight against Covid-19 in hospitals around Malaysia.
“These two weeks have seen a shocking rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. Our public hospitals have been working overtime and are experiencing a shortage of medical supplies. We hope our contribution will, in some capacity, provide the much needed supplies and alleviate the challenges faced by healthcare practitioners,” said MBM Resources Berhad, Chairman, Datuk Dr. Aminar Rashid bin Salleh.
“We cannot fight this battle alone. The health and safety of our country depends on each and every one of us doing our part and in that spirit, we urge the Rakyat to do theirs by staying home. On behalf of my team at MBM Resources Berhad, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank all medical personnel for serving the country in this combat against COVID-19.”
Motorists have been urged to remove their plastic disposable gloves when refueling.
Find out why
.
“Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to other frontliners involved in this crisis including the police, army, immigration, local authority personnel and others,” he added.
In compliance with the government’s Movement Control Order (MCO) and in support of a safer Malaysia, MBM Resources Berhad has suspended operations of its trading and manufacturing divisions and has extended a work-from-home directive, applicable to the relevant employees. During this period, the administrative office is closed however the management office is still contactable via
[email protected]
.
MBM Resources Berhad (MBMR) is an automotive group with diverse investments in distributorship and dealership of major vehicle brands in Malaysia. It’s well represented in all segments of the market from light trucks to medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses in the commercial vehicle market, and from compact entry level cars to luxury cars in the passenger vehicle market. Its automotive parts manufacturing division, consisting of wheels, airbags, seat belts, steering wheels and Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) solutions and tyre assembly services, is a significant supplier to all major brands in Malaysia.


The UK cops’ new Lotus Evora is the perfect car for B-roads hot pursuits

It’s confirmed: UK Police have the coolest cars. We’re not talking about the “we have unlimited money so we’ll just buy the fastest Lamborghini”-cool, but more of a “we actually have good taste in car”-cool, because they’ve just added a
Lotus Evora
 into their police fleet.
This
 Lotus Evora GT410
 is the latest member of the Devon & Cornwall Police fleet, in the south-west of the UK. It’ll serve on loan there for a year, and is being used mainly for community engagements by attending shows and motoring events, where the police can discuss road safety with different audiences.
Since it’s a police car, it’s of course dressed for the occasion; the Lotus Evora GT410 patrol car features a full blue and yellow reflective police livery, and it even comes with a full police blue light rig.
It’s far from a slouch, either. The GT410 packs a 3.5-litre supercharged engine underneath the sheet metal that’s good for
410 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. With an automatic gearbox, 0 to 100 km/h takes just 3.9 seconds, onward to a top speed of 305 km/h – so baddies, be warned!
Guess who has Ford Ranger Raptors and Focus STs as their police cars? That’s right, the UK Police. Check it out here!
Devon and Cornwall Police Roads Casualty Reduction Officer, Sgt Owen Messenger said, “It’s popular with younger drivers because of its striking sports car looks, while the Lotus badge resonates with many people across the generations. It helps us talk to those audiences who are not always keen to engage with the police.
He explained that a fatal accident on the road will cost the emergency services around £2.2 million, and that’s not even including the losses its local economy could suffer from closing a major road. “If we save one life or prevent one accident because this vehicle is helping us talk to people, then that is excellent.”
The all-new Emira could be Lotus’ final ICE-powered car. Read more about it here!
Lotus Cars Managing Director, Matt Windle added: “We are delighted to be able to provide this Lotus Evora to Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police to help them with vital road safety programmes. We support any initiative that encourages all drivers to drive to the road conditions, to drive safely and with consideration to others.”
This wasn’t the first time Lotus has supplied their cars as police chariots. They’ve worked with the Norfolk Police in the UK many times over the years, especially since its headquarters in Hethel is located within the county, and they’ve also supplied cars to traffic teams in Australia, USA, Romania and Italy.


McLaren explains how the windscreen-less Elva won’t ruin your hairstyle

In an effort to create the purest form of driving experience, McLaren stripped off “absolutely everything” unnecessary on the
Elva
, which includes the windscreen.
If you’re a multi-millionaire looking to purchase the latest addition in McLaren’s Ultimate Series, you might wonder, “
wait a minute, how do I make sure it won’t mess with my thousand-dollar hairdo?
“
Worry not, because McLaren has specifically engineered what it calls the world’s first
Active Air Management System
 to deal with this problem, essentially creating an air bubble around the passenger cell. Here’s a video from McLaren explaining how it works.
Utilising a giant hook-shaped duct, high-pressured air is ingested at the front of the car, turned 120 degrees, and channelled out of the top of the bonnet at a very high velocity.
The air coming out of the vent bends oncoming air around and above the cabin, essentially creating a virtual canopy above the driver.
McLaren Automotive’s Design Engineering Director, Dan Parry Williams who hosted the video, said that the effect is so prominent that raising your hand above a certain point will feel like putting your hand out of a window on a “regular” car.
At higher speeds, a gurney extends from the bottom of the vent to further channel the air to the right direction – out of your face. The system can also be shut off completely if you do actually want to feel the wind rushing through your hair.


New Lotus Exige Sport 350 unveiled, now lighter and quicker

Simplify, then add lightness. These are the ethos of Lotus Cars founder Sir Colin Chapman which certainly encapsulates the birth of this new Exige variant – the Lotus Exige Sport 350.
The
1,125kg
 Exige Sport was put through a really strict diet by
shedding 51kg
 from the regular Exige S. One can argue that shedding weight from an already featherweight car is a nearly impossible feat, but the engineers at Lotus further developed lightweight components to serve this purpose. The new lighter parts comprise of a new louvered tailgate, battery, engine mounts, center console, HVAC piping and improved insulation materials.
The Exige retains the same
3.5-litre supercharged V6
 engine from the US-spec Toyota Camry that churns
 345 hp
 with
400 Nm
 of torque. Lotus also improved the suspension and its
six-speed manual gearbox
. The latter also underwent an “Atkins” diet and exposed through an
open-gate design
, allowing a sense of rawness while swapping gears. And as expected, this Exige Sport 350 is now quicker off the line, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.
There’s also a
six-speed automatic option
 with paddle shifters, but why would you want that? It adds 12kg onto the car, and we feel that a car of the Exige’s calibre is best enjoyed with a manual gearbox. In an era where manual transmission in performance cars is heading the ways of the dodo, it’s good to see Lotus retaining the good old stick shift, at least for now.
The Exige – basically the Elise on steroids – is currently in its third life cycle since its introduction back in 2000. Both coupe and roadster variants of the Exige Sport 350 will be available in Europe from February 2016 onwards. In Malaysia, the standard Exige S is also sold by
Lotus Malaysia
 by order basis.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini reveals the new Huracán Performante Spyder

The rich and famous can now “openly” flaunt their wealth, expensive hats and haircuts in the new
Lamborghini Huracán Performante
 Spyder; that’s if you can even keep up to catch a glimpse of that elevated lifestyle.
But it’s unlikely. That’s because the Huracán Spyder is backed by a 5.2-litre
naturally-aspirated V10
, delivering
640 hp
 with
600 Nm
 of torque to all four wheels.
It also means o to 100 km/h is done in just
3.1 seconds
 and if you continue tailgating the Huracán, it will leave you for 200 km/h in just
9.3 seconds
 and before you can realise what happened, it’s just a speck from a distance – on its way to a
325 km/h top speed
. It brakes as well as it accelerates too; 100 km/h to 0 is done in just 31.5 metres.
While it could matter to the elitist, being heavy clearly does not faze the 1,507 kg Huracán Performante Spyder. On that note, Lamborghini has found a way to shed more than 35 kg over the original Huracán Spyder with a carbon fibre-clad body and the use of forged composites for the front and rear spoiler, engine bonnet, rear bumper and diffuser; all part of Lamborghini’s patented active aerodynamics system called the
Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA)
.
The system can be activated in
less than 500 milliseconds
; ensuring constant adjustments of the Huracán’s aerodynamics to ensure the best setup. For your information, a blink of an eye typically takes 300-400 milliseconds.
The roof can be
 opened in just 17 seconds
, while driving up to speeds of 50 km/h. The rear window can also be electrically-opened, functioning as a windshield when closed.
“The Huracán Performante Spyder takes the zenith of Huracán developments, combined with the enhanced emotion of driving a convertible,” says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, Stefano Domenicali.
“The Huracán Performante already provides the most heightened feedback and emotion from road and track, and the Spyder puts the driver even closer to asphalt and air, as well as the unique resonance of a naturally-aspirated Lamborghini engine.”
IMAGE GALLERY


Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition is a throwback to the “Camel Trophy” days

Land Rover announced that they would be making the limited edition Defender Trophy Edition, and organising an expedition in North Carolina, USA, where owners will get to participate. Only 220 units will be produced.
Inspired by the Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy, the new Trophy Edition is based on the 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 and gets the same Eastnor Yellow colour that we’ve been so familiar with.
The Land Rover Defender is the Women’s World Car of the Year! Read about it here!
It features a special vehicle wrap inspired by the Defender Works V8 Trophy, an Extended Black Exterior Pack, Advanced Off-road Capability Pack, a tow hitch receiver, the ClearSight Rear View feature, and air suspension. The ClearSight Rear View feature offers a view of the rear end through the Defender’s 11.4-inch touchscreen.
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The Defender Trophy Edition is fitted with additional all-terrain equipment which includes an expedition roof rack, front undercarriage cover, a deployable ladder, two winch kits, mud flaps, and an integrated air compressor.
Unfortunately, all 220 units will be sold exclusively in the USA. Each purchase comes with two entries for a one-day off-road expedition, the Land Rover US Trophy Competition. The winner from the 90 participating teams will go on to compete at the Land Rover Trophy Competition in Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, England. Coincidentally it’s the same location that Land Rover uses to test and develop their vehicles.
Largest parade of Land Rovers and Range Rovers sets new Guinness World Record. Watch the video here!
GALLERY


As it turns out, the Mitsubishi Vision Ralliart concept is just a souped-up Outlander SUV

Mitsubishi hasn’t been shy about the
 return of its Ralliart
sub-brand, having announced it in its financial report last year. Social media hype reached new heights, too, following a teaser last month of a
new Ralliart concept for Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 (TAS2022)
.
Hardcore Mitsubishi fans were understandably excited, especially after seeing the teaser image of what looked like an aggressive diffuser element, which many thought
could
 finally be from an actual sports car. But as they say, disappointment often hits the hardest with high expectations.
Mitsubishi has just unveiled its
 TAS2022
 line-up, and as it turns out, the highly-anticipated Ralliart concept car is really just a souped-up Outlander PHEV SUV. Bummer.
That being said, the Mitsubishi Vision Ralliart concept does look quite aggressive, thanks to the flared wheel arches, super-sized 22-inch alloy wheels, a unique honeycomb-patterned front grille with active shutters, alongside new front and rear rear bumpers – the latter featuring a Formula One-styled lower rain light and the aforementioned diffuser.
The concept also comes with a unique matte black paint that “shows blue highlights when hit by light, creating a deep, multidimensional expression that enhances the vehicle’s high-quality feel,” says Mitsubishi.
The concept’s matte black exterior paint “shows blue highlights when hit by light, creating a deep, multidimensional expression that enhances the vehicle’s high-quality feel,” according to Mitsubishi.
Despite this not being the all-wheel drive sedan or coupe that many have hoped for, Mitsubishi’s newly-revived Ralliart motorsports and tuning department did still actually put in some work on the car’s driving dynamics, promising a “high driving performance”.
There’s the larger brakes with six-piston calipers behind those massive wheels, while the powertrain (believed to still be a PHEV, based on the presence of a charging port flap) also supposedly received a boost in power – although as usual, no technical specifications yet.
RELATED: Mitsubishi brings back Ralliart with new Triton and Pajero Sport special editions in Thailand
The Mitsubishi Vision Ralliart concept will remain a concept for now, but the Japanese carmaker says taht “customer feedback … will be used in future development of Mitsubishi vehicles”.
Aside from the Ralliart Concept, Mitsubishi will also be unveiling special edition “Ralliart Style” models for the Outlander and Eclipse Cross SUVs, featuring more off-road inspired accents and badgings.
We only have these few photos for now, but more will definitely come when the Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 officially gets underway next week – so keep your eyes peeled!
GALLERY
Mitsubishi TAS2022 line-up


ETCM lowers subscription fee for Nissan X-Trail Hybrid to RM1,800 per month

First introduced with the
Nissan Leaf
 in July this year, the Nissan Subscription Programme was extended to the
X-Trail Hybrid
 shortly after. However, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), the sole distributor of Nissan cars in Malaysia, has just lowered the monthly subscription fee for the X-Trail Hybrid by RM700.
With the new price of
RM1,800 per month
 on a three-year contract, the total amount paid over three years inclusive of road tax and insurance is now approximately RM75,252.

Compared to a regular hire-purchase for the same vehicle over a seven-year loan tenure with 10% down payment and a 2.80% interest rate, the resulting monthly loan repayment amount of RM2,093 means you’ll be paying out
RM23,436 less over the first three years
.
The difference is even more apparent with a
five-year loan tenure
, where due to higher monthly repayment, total
‘savings’
 over the first three years add up to over
RM47,000
.
Customers of the Nissan Subscription Programme also do not have to worry about servicing their vehicles, as ETCM has
included periodic maintenance
 into the subscription fee.
Along with the new pricing, ETCM has also introduced a
new two-year subscription plan
 which is
 customised specifically for expatriates
. On the two-year plan, monthly subscription fee for the X-Trail Hybrid is at RM2,800.
Of course, you have to keep in mind that subscribers will have to return their cars to ETCM after their contract ends, whereas hire-purchasers own the vehicles when they are done with repayments.
Like other subscription plans,
there is a 60,000 km mileage cap for the three-year contracts
 (40,000 km for two-year contracts). Any additional mileage beyond the cap will be charged at
RM0.50 per km.
Subscription fee for the fully electric Nissan Leaf remains unchanged at
RM3,500 per month
 for a three-year contract. However as with the X-Trail Hybrid, ETCM also introduced a
two-year subscription plan
 for the Leaf, priced at
RM4,500 per month
.


What’s the Buzz: Hello darkness, my old friend

Following the
new vehicle window tint regulations
 announced by Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke, it has effectively made darker tints for the rear windows legal for private vehicles.
According to the new regulations, the legal Visible Light Transmission level (VLT) for the front windscreen is set at 70%, front side windows at 50% while the rear windows and windscreen can be had with any VLT percentage. Consumers have long championed for darker window tints (tints with lower VLT) citing hot weather protection and security reasons hence the Minister’s new ruling is definitely a welcomed move.
However, don’t just go full black on the rear windows just yet because it doesn’t mean the darker the tints, the cooler the car will be because the law of physics dictates that darker objects absorb the most heat.
It all boils down to the quality of the tints and its heat rejection and dispersion capabilities. The higher the heat rejection and the better the heat dispersion, the more effective it is in keeping your interior cool. A good quality tint with high VLT can also achieve the desired effect of keeping the cabin cool.
Illustration of various VLT levels, not to scale
Besides that, consumers should also be informed of the risks involved in having dark tints as it reduces low light visibility, making it tricky to drive at night especially when reversing or observing on-coming traffic from the rear.
That said, if you think the benefits of having darker tints on your car outweigh the cons, by all means.


Sime Darby Swedish Auto opens new Volvo 3S Centre in Setia Alam

A new
Volvo
 3S Centre has been opened in Setia Alam today, managed by Sime Darby Swedish Auto. This is
Sime Darby Swedish Auto
’s second dealership after the one in Ara Damansara, and it is capable of providing end-to-end services to Volvo customers.
The new facility in Setia Alam spans
23,000 square feet
 of land and features Volvo’s latest global showroom and service standards. The facility is equipped with 2 active bays, 1 offline bay, 13 parking spots, and space for 5 demo cars. to run the facility, 20 staff are employed at the new 3S centre. This new 3S Centre will provide customers with the experience to fully immerse themselves in the Volvo Retail Experience (VRE).
To accommodate the brand’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) range, the showroom is equipped with four charging bays with four 22kW AC chargers. Sime Darby Swedish Auto is also planning to integrate a solar energy system at the new Setia Alam Volvo 3S Centre in the near future.
On the opening of the new 3S centre, Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director, Charles Frump said, “As we move further into our electrification journey, the expansion of our network with this showroom enables more of our customers in Selangor to venture into a world of sustainable and safe driving.”
RELATED:
Volvo Car Malaysia broke its own sales record again with 3,194 units delivered in 2022
“We are pleased to reinforce our partnership with Sime Darby Swedish Auto through the opening of the Setia Alam dealership and we look forward to forging a stronger collaboration in showcasing how Volvo vehicles offer its owners and customers the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way.”
Sime Darby Motors Malaysia, Hong Kong, &Macau Managing Director of retail and distribution, Jefrey Gan commented, “We are pleased to continue bringing Malaysians the best in Swedish design and engineering with the opening of this latest Volvo dealership. In addition to being a 3S Centre, the new dealership is also a Volvo Certified Damage Repair Centre, offering a full suite of end-to-end sales and aftersales services, all under one roof.”
RELATED:
Volvo Car Malaysia aims for 75% EV sales by 2025, EX90 to launch next
“Reflecting our commitment to delivering a seamless customer journey, Sime Darby Swedish Auto received the Dealer Excellence Award for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021. We will build on this track record to continue ensuring that customer needs are cared for, every step of the way.”
Volvo Setia Alam is located at No.3, Jalan Setia Alam Murni, U13/AH, Seksyen U13, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor, and operates from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm daily.
RELATED:
Volvo Car Malaysia expands EV exports to Vietnam and the Philippines
GALLERY


Mercedes-AMG GT63S 4MATIC+ sets new record on Nurburgring

While
Jaguar’s XE SV Project 8
 may hold the record on the legendary circuit as the
 fastest saloon with a time of 7 minutes and 21.23 seconds
, Mercedes-AMG has set a new record with the
GT 63 S 4MATIC+
, as the world’s fastest series production four-seater.
The car set an official time of
 7:25:41
, with former racing driver and AMG Development Engineer Demian Schaffert behind the wheel of the 639 hp machine unveiled midway through the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bgLjcX6NU4
The “four-door coupe” as it is referred to, makes
639 hp
 and
900 Nm
 of torque from a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine, delivering power to all four wheels. 0 to 100 km/h takes just 3.2 seconds, before it breaks the 300 km/h barrier with a top speed of 315 km/h.


BMW comes clean about that propeller at the heart of its logo

The last time BMW refreshed their logo,
Backstreet Boys
 were melting hearts and Hong Kong returned to China’s rule, it was
23 years ago
. You can’t blame the team at München for harbouring an itch to tinker, if anything, one would’ve expected the company to have already rolled out a new one during its centennial celebrations a few years ago.
A logo makeover, particularly one as iconic as BMW’s roundel, will always have its share of detractors – humans being creatures of habit. So, it’s better to hear BMW’s own
rationale
for doing so (before you rant on social media, if not already) as articulated by
Jens Thiemer
,
Senior Vice President
 for
Customer and Brand
.
BMW was formerly known as Rapp Motorenwerke.
“BMW is becoming a relationship brand. The old black ring was replaced, letting the new logo radiate more openness and clarity. We want to use this new transparent version to invite our customers, more than ever, to become part of the world of BMW.
In addition, our new brand design is geared to the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation for brands. With visual restraint and graphic flexibility, we are equipping ourselves for the vast variety of touch points in communication at which BMW will be present, online and offline, in the future. The new logo and brand design symbolise the brand’s significance and relevance for mobility and driving pleasure in the future.”
As is usually the case with corporate speak, Thiemer’s explanation is unnecessarily long-winded and flowery. What we think he’s actually saying is that BMW wants to attract
new customers
, so they made the logo graphically
more adaptable
 across different communication platforms and that it reflects the
promise of future BMW cars
.
Visually, the removal of the outer black ring (and hue) is a
significant departure
 from the last iteration, as is the incorporation of the
flat 2D look
, with all the shadings and ‘depths’ removed. The minimalist theme is a tribute to the
1963
version of the roundel, including the font.
Questions about how the logo would work against a white background, whether it’s on sheet metal, a piece of paper or white attire, is anyone’s guess, but we are pretty sure that BMW had already figured that out, we’ll just have to be patient.
The 1929 ad that made everyone think it’s a propeller.
It’s also interesting that BMW took the opportunity to come clean on the
‘propeller’
 that many believed is depicted in the
four-colour quadrants
 at the heart of its logo – the
white and blue portions
 are of course the
state colours of Bavaria
 and that the company did begin life as
an aircraft engine manufacturer
.
However, BMW explains that this impression came about due to
an advertisement in 1929
 which placed the logo on a rotating propeller of an airplane, and the notion has stuck around since, with BMW making
‘little effort to correct the myth’
.
We actually preferred the ‘myth’, you can read up on BMW’s new logo by clicking
here
 and make up your own minds.


This Transporter T6.1 Sportline is the VW Golf GTI of delivery vans!

The job of a delivery person is more dreadful than we can imagine. Not only are there datelines and loads of traffic to deal with, they do so in vans that oftentimes are underpowered, uncomfortable and most likely without air-conditioning.
Volkswagen has different ideas; as you can tell from their latest Transporter T6.1 Sportline Black Edition van that just screams Golf GTI from every angle. It comes with a price tag of £45,140 (approximately RM261,430).
It’s got plenty of grunt to go with the aggressive stance too; with over
204 hp
 and
450 Nm from a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch
 gearbox. 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 8.9 seconds.
Aside from the red strips, the Sportline badging, and Black Edition decals, the Transporter T6.1 also comes with a new spoiler and sits on Eibach coilover suspension that lowers the ride height by 30mm. It also comes with illuminated sidebars.
Occupying the wheel arches are 18-inch alloys in gloss black but contrary to its Black Edition name, the Transporter can also be had in Indium Grey, Fortana Red, Ravenna Blue, and Copper, to mention a few.
Inside, creature comforts are aplenty with Nappa leather upholstery, suede trims, a fully digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview display through a 9.2-inch touchscreen. It’s even safe too – with autonomous emergency braking!
Jason Statham would be proud of this!


The Kimera EVO37 is a throwback to the greatest rally car in the world!

Restomods are the hottest commodity in the automotive world right now, and with the world revolving around money, it’s no wonder they’re literally everywhere – remember
Singer
? Or the
electric VW Kombi Bus
? Or the
Volvo P1800 Cyan
?
It’s reached a point where the market is so saturated, that whenever we see one, we just go: “oh, yet another restomod”. But every once in a while, something so special comes about that we just can’t stop staring at it – like this, the Kimera Automobili EVO37.
Fits right in with the other Lancia’s Best Hits.
As the name suggests (if you’re a diehard motorsports nerd like us, anyway), the EVO37 is a modern reinterpretation of the Lancia 037, which in itself is a very special Lancia Rally 037 homologation special from the Group B era.
For the EVO37, Kimera wanted to “maintain the essence and the soul of the old car by evolving it without upsetting it”, and what other way to do it than recruiting a bunch of people involved with the original Lancia project?
Kimera’s founder Luca Betti himself, is a former rally driver who’s driven both in the WRC and the European Rally Championship. The development of the EVO37’s engine is headed by Claudio Lombardi, the man responsible for much of the powerplants from Lancia’s motorsport glory days.
Miki Biasion, who drove the actual 037 rally car, and later won two World Rally Championships with the
Delta Integrale
, is also involved in the development of the EVO37. So in other words, this is pretty much the closest you can possibly get to the 037.
Everything about the EVO37 is reverse-engineered from the OG rally car to preserve its original charm, though with tasteful amounts of modern technologies to bring it up to today’s performance standards. Take for example the chassis, which – just like the original car – is based off the central cell of a Beta Montecarlo.
To this, Kimera added two “self-supporting” tubular subframes, which the company says increases the torsional rigidity while remaining faithful to the original design. Just like the original homologation car, there are still four(!) dampers hanging off of the rear section – two on each side – but this time, using high-performance parts supplied by Ohlins.
The engine is based on the old inline-four block, but reengineered with wider piston bores to increase its displacement up to 2.1-litre (vs 2.0-litre). The engine also now gets a new turbocharger and supercharger set-up inherited from the 037’s successor, the Delta S4, which boosts the output up to
505 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of torque.
The same recipe is also applied to the brakes, which are now Brembo items, and also the retro-styled wheels, which are now wrapped with modern-day Pirelli P-Zero tyres.
And finally, all of that is wrapped under a new body shell, 3D scanned and reverse-engineered from the original fibreglass panels. Only this time, it’s made of carbon fibre, paired to other lightweight materials such as titanium and kevlar.
In the interest of modernising the car, the Kimera EVO37 gets new LED illumination on both ends – the former still with the iconic quad headlights set-up – along with a few minor dimension tweaks to add a touch of aggression and presumably, improve aerodynamics. Still, it doesn’t stray too far off the original car – Kimera wouldn’t want to, anyway, not with their whole “preserving the soul” speech.
The company plans to build 37 of these (see what they did there?), and if you’re looking at getting one, be prepared to fork out EUR480,000 (~MYR2.4 mil) at minimum. That’s a lot of money, but then again, it’s probably still a lot cheaper than what the original homologation 037 costs in auction.
On top of that, it’ll probably be a lot better to drive with all the new modern performance parts, not that you’ll ever want to drive the original – if you have one to begin with.
GALLERY