Why do you even need a Biometric security box in your Bentley Bentayga…

If you are one of the fortunate few who rolls around in a Bentley Bentayga, you may have come across situations where you want to leave your valuables in the car but worried about them to be left alone in the presence of your chauffeur or valet.
Mulliner, the personalisation arm of Bentley, has come up with a solution for it’s most discerning customers – Mulliner Biometric Secure Stowage unit. The discreet locker has a fingerprint sensor to ensure it can only be accessed by its intended owner, giving absolute peace of mind for its owners.

The Biometric Secure Stowage also features two USB ports and an auxiliary socket to connect and charge mobile devices.
Mulliner’s Head of Technical Operations, Uday Senapati said: “The Mulliner Biometric Secure Stowage unit is hidden from view. We are incorporating the familiar capacitive fingerprint sensor technology from smartphones that can store multiple fingerprints, allowing the user to control who accesses their valuables.”
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Honda Civic hatchback in the USA priced higher than sedan, manual available

Right from the get-go, American Honda Motor has set out to target and woo young consumers to the sleeker Honda Civic hatchback, now in its 11th generation. Apart from design, the company that sells on average 300,000 Honda Civics annually for the past two years, is offering a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission on top of the CVT automatic transmission.
With a price starting from
USD22,900
 (approx. RM96k), the all-new Honda Civic hatchback is USD1,200 pricier than the equivalent
Civic sedan
 variant. Apart from the upgrade from 16-inch “steelies” with a plastic cover to alloy rims, the Honda Civic hatchback offers the same
158 hp/187 Nm
 2.0-litre engine paired with CVT, safety, exterior and interior features as the sedan.
The six-speed manual transmission option is meanwhile available on the 2.0-litre Sport variant and the range-topping
180 hp/240 Nm
 turbocharged
1.5-litre Sport Touring
 variant (
USD29,400
 or approx. RM123k). Selecting the manual transmission also means the removal of the Sport drive mode but retains an electric parking brake (EPB) with Auto Hold function.
Mugen of Japan has developed a styling concept for the new Honda Civic hatchback. Take a look on the changes here.
The Sport variants also have black exterior accents and window surrounds, Sport-specific seating surfaces, black headlining, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel and sport foot pedals. This latest generation Civic hatchback also boasts the largest rear seat in its model’s history.
Honda also says the Civic hatchback is a lot more fun to drive than the sedan, and the only dynamic upgrade we could spot is the slightly thicker solid rear anti-roll bar, increasing 0.5 mm in diameter from the 17.0-mm design fitted in the sedan.
The Honda Jazz is no longer available in Thailand and Indonesia, replaced by…Find out which Hatchback model takes over.
The Honda Civic hatchback is built in Indiana, USA for the first time in its history. Technicians in the plant were required to learn new manufacturing and assembling methods for the larger tailgate on the new Civic hatchback, which is made from lightweight composite materials.
American Honda Motor will also add their locally developed performance-oriented Civic Si as well as the global Honda
Civic Type R
 to the line-up next year.
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Toyota GR range of Fortuner, Rush, Yaris and Avanza introduced in Indonesia

Toyota Indonesia has just unveiled not one or two, but five models emblazoned with the GR badge and exterior ‘tune-up’. In summary, the models which are Agya,
Yaris
, Rush, Avanza Veloz and
Fortuner
 all switch to the GR branding from the older TRD Sportivo branding.
Toyota Indonesia has long used the
TRD Sportivo
 branding for the sporty variants of all its models. With the global direction to ride on GR or Toyota Gazoo Racing as the sporty and performance arm of Toyota, all models now switch to GR branding.
For Indonesia, the GR treatment on the five models are purely cosmetic, unlike the full treatment that UMW Toyota Motor has worked hard on the
Toyota Vios GR Sport
.
All models only feature updated GR aerokit, stickers and apart from the Avanza Veloz, the GR Sport emblem. All GR variants are also based on the range-topping variants for each respective model.
In the Fortuner and Rush, the GR Sport variants also add an exclusive dual-tone rim design. There are
no changes to the interior
 unlike the Toyota Vios GR Sport and Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport models.
Find out which interior excels in our Honda BR-V, Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Rush comparison. Learn more here!
The Toyota Vios GR Sport in Malaysia (and also available in Vietnam and the Philippines) meanwhile features a full set of GR logos in the instrument panel, engine start-stop button, front headrests, carpet mats as well as tweaked damping system paired with larger and sticker tyres. The CVT-type transmission has also been reworked to offer 10 speeds for a sportier drive matching the image of the vehicle.
Toyota Indonesia recently launched the Raize compact SUV, and yes, there is also a
Raize GR Sport
 variant. One aspect in offering GR variants that is consistent in all markets is the price- all GR variants introduced by Toyota Indonesia are the
highest priced
 variants in their respective model line-up apart from the Fortuner GR Sport that is cheaper due to being 4×2 drivetrain.
While this might look like Toyota is milking the GR brand to the extremes, it is the distributor’s responsibility to ensure sales success to the principal and ensure dominating market share.
After letting the tuners have some limelight, GR Parts announces their tuning concept for the new Toyota GR86 and we love the aggressive looks!
At the end of the day, historical sales data have shown that customers do have a strong desire for sportier-looking variants, without having to fork out more for the dynamism (suspension upgrade and larger tyres), and as such, Toyota Indonesia is just continuing to offer what the consumers and brand loyalists want.
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Toyota Fortuner GR Sport
Toyota Yaris GR Sport
Toyota Avanza Veloz GR Limited
Toyota Rush GR Sport


Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first step into an electric future

At the first ever Detroit auto show, Henry Ford said that the Model T is a car that would strike like forked lightning. The American company now claims the same as it unveils the Mustang Mach-E – their first entry into the electric vehicle world.
First things first, the Mustang essence is clearly present in the styling of the Mach-E, such as the tri-bar headlights, taillights design, as well as the muscular character lines on the bodywork.
However, Ford says that the Mustang spirit doesn’t just stop there, as the Mach-E promises “exhilarating drive experiences that offer unique driving dynamics and sounds”.
The Mustang Mach-E will initially be offered with two battery pack sizes and three power output levels, and in
all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive
 configurations. Starting at the low end, the Mach-E select comes with a
75.7 kWh
 Standard Range battery, and an EPA-estimated
370 km
 range for the RWD model, while the AWD variant gets a shorter
338 km
 range.
The shorter range of the AWD variant does get compensated in terms of performance, with a zero to hundred time in the region of “
mid-five seconds
“, compared to the “
low-six seconds
” of the RWD – a fair trade if you ask us. Both are rated at
255 hp
, but the AWD does get a bump in torque to
565 Nm
 compared to the
415 Nm
 on the RWD model.
Moving up the line, A larger
98.8 kWh
 battery brings the driving range up to
482 km
 and
435 km
 for the RWD and AWD variants respectively. The larger battery also results in a performance boost, with the extended range RWD Mach-E producing
282 hp
 and
415 Nm
, while the AWD variant gets
332 hp
 and
565 Nm
 of twist.
Ford will also be offering two performance models of the Mach-E further down the line; the GT variant is targeting a century sprint time in
under four seconds
, while the GT Performance Edition is targeting a
mid-three-second
 range. Both performance Mach-E will have a targeted output of
459 hp
 and
830 Nm of torque
.
The spec sheet of the Mach-E is littered with asterisks though, so do expect these numbers to change before the official launch of the electric SUV.
Apart from the pure performance figures, Ford says that the Mach-E will handle itself around bends too. Specifically for the AWD models, the
Mach-E 4 all-wheel drive system
 can apply torque independently to the front and rear axles to provide improved acceleration and handling ability over its rear-wheel drive brothers.
The GT models will also be equipped with a
MagnaRide adaptive damping system
 that allows the performance SUV to “hug the road while delivering an exciting, comfortable ride”. Other performance options include Brembo’s Flexira aluminium brake calipers.
Three driving modes are available on the Mustang Mach-E – Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled, which we guess means normal, sporty and all-out acceleration in regular-speak. Ford says that each driving modes provides a “distinct sensory experience” by altering the steering response, ambient lighting, sounds, and dynamic cluster animations.
On the inside, a large
15.5-inch
 floating infotainment display dominates the entire dashboard. Just like most new vehicles, the Mach-E is light on buttons. Fortunately, the next-generation SYNC system is able to adapt to the user’s preferences and make personalised suggestions to simplify operation.
With the batteries lined on the floor, the Mustang Mach-E also offers a wealth of headroom, legroom and cargo space on the electric SUV. The rear boot area offers
821 litres of space
, expandable to 1688 litres with the rear seats down. The electric drivetrain also means the front area is cleared out for a
136 litre
 “frunk” (or froot).
Safety wise, all models will be equipped with Ford’s latest
CoPilot 360 Assist
 advanced safety suite, which the American brand aims to evolve through software updates to allow hands-free highway driving in the future.
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50 owners take delivery of their new Toyota C-HR, CBU priced at RM145k

The
Toyota C-HR
 is now officially on sale in Malaysia and to celebrate the occasion, UMW Toyota (UMWT) has organised a massive collection party for the first 50 owners of the quirky SUV.
As reported earlier, the C-HR is available in a sole 1.8L variant, priced at RM145,500 on-the-road sans insurance. Under the hood you’ll find a  1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder that develops
138 hp
 and
171 Nm
 of torque,  paired to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) to drive the front wheels.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota C-HR 1.8L
Engine
1,798cc; naturally aspirated 4-cylinder DVVT-i
Transmission
Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)
Max Power
138 hp @ 6,400 rpm
Max Torque
171 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price (OTR without Insurance)
RM145,500
The C-HR, which stands for Coupe High-Rider, sits on the brand’s new
Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA)
 that promises superior driving pleasure, comfort and safety. Key dimensions measures at 4,360 mm in length, 1,795 mm in width, 1,565 mm in height and 2,640 mm in wheelbase Boot space is also at a respectable
377 litres
.
QUICK COMPARISONS
Name
Toyota CH-R
Honda HR-V
Mazda CX-3
Subaru XV
Length
4,360 mm
4,294 mm
4,275 mm
4,465 mm
Width
1,795 mm
1,772 mm
1,765 mm
1,800 mm
Height
1,565 mm
1,605 mm
1,535 mm
1,615 mm
Wheelbase
2,640 mm
2,610 mm
2,570 mm
2,665 mm
Max Kerb Weight
1,497 kg
1,249 kg
1,211 kg
1,559 kg
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
377 litres
437 litres
350 litres
345 litres
Penned with Toyota’s ‘Keen Look’ design language, the C-HR boasts an expressive diamond architecture body lines, giving it the confident and sporty look. Forward illumination is tasked by a pair of halogen projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights and fog lamps while the rear gets boomerang-shaped LED combination lamps with fog lamps.
Other touches include puddle lamps, shark fin antenna, hidden rear door handles and a set of 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 profile tyres.

The interior styling embodies Toyota’s new ‘Sensual Tech’ design concept aimed to create a high-tech but sensual and fashionable cabin. Standard equipment on our local spec C-HR includes leather upholstery, three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, manual levelling seats, keyless entry and start, 7-inch DVD-AVX touchscreen infotainment system, reverse camera, six speakers, dual-zone automatic climate control, electrochromic rear-view mirror and electronic parking brake.

On the safety front, the C-HR comes equipped with seven airbags, Traction Control, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill-Start Assist Control, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, front and rear parking sensors and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
Customers can choose between five colours – White Pearl CS, Metal Stream Metallic, Attitude Black Mica while Blue Metallic and Red Mica are the only options that come with black roof and mirrors. Unlike the parallel imported units from MyMotor, these officially imported (from Thailand) Toyota C-HRs are backed by a
5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty
 package, straight from UMWT themselves.
IMAGE GALLERY

Toyota C-HR at Malaysian Auto Show 2017


Nissan GT-R Nismo gains more traction to conquer race tracks in the wet

In the heat of the
2019 Shanghai Auto Show
, Nissan has quietly released the MY2020 Nissan GT-R Nismo, complete with race-car-inspired upgrades for improved cornering ability.
Nissan engineers have put
the car through a diet by introducing carbon fibre parts for the front and rear
bumpers, front fenders, hood, roof, side sill covers, trunk and rear spoiler,
contributing a total weight savings of 10.5 kgs. On top of that, other upgrades
and new components drops the weight by another 20 kgs.
Also new are the front
fenders inspired from the GT3 GT-R race car that improves engine cooling and generate
additional downforce onto the front tires without additional drag. The 2020 GT-R
Nismo now sits on exclusive 20-inch nine-spoke RAYS aluminium wheels that are
lighter than before, wrapped in newly design Dunlop tyres that offers 11% more
contact patch.
All the new components
come together to give the new car higher cornering force, enhanced steering
response and improved rolling resistance when compared to the previous model.
Under the hood is a VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine now generating
600 hp
 and
652 Nm
 of torque mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission to channel power to all four-wheels. Nissan says the transmission features a more refined “R mode” with optimised gear selection and faster shifts.
Tasked to stop the
beast in its track are a set of Brembo carbon ceramic rotors measuring 410 mm
up front and 390 mm at the rear clammed by Brembo calipers. The newly developed
calipers, identifiable through its bright yellow paint, can withstand
temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius.
Chief product
specialist for the Nissan GT-R, Hiroshi Tamura said: “We have built the
2020 GT-R NISMO for our customers to be the ultimate track and street vehicle. It
is about total balance management, not just chasing power figures. The new
NISMO has been brought to a new level, with enhanced engine, handling, braking
and aerodynamics.”
IMAGE GALLERY
2020 Nissan GT-R Nismo Unveiled


Survey by Ford in the UK shows today’s kids prefer electric cars

Ford conducted a survey recently on eight to nine-year olds recently and as it turns out, over 49% of them prefer their future cars to be electric powered.
The “Ford Go Electric: Future Generation” study was conducted on youngsters who’d be driving in 2030 in the UK, the same year where UK will begin selling only electric cars.
Results showed that nearly 4 out 5 (79%) were looking forward to drive a car, while 49% want their cars to be powered by electricity. The figure is highly pulverizing as only 17% preferred petrol cars, 10% diesel, and 7% gas.
You’d think that with kids that age, their minds wouldn’t be mature enough to have preferences when it comes to cars, but the opposite is true.
36% of which prioritised comfortable seats, while 27% said a good sound system is important. Almost 24% wanted self-driving vehicles and 32% placed heavy emphasis on environmental friendliness.
Ford even went to the extent of bringing the youngsters’ idea of a dream car to reality with the Ford Future Generation Concept car.
At the end of last year, the UK government announced that from 2030 onwards, only electric cars will be sold. Let’s see how that goes in just another nine years.
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Mercedes-Benz is replacing the C- and E-Class coupes, cabrios with a new CLE-Class

It was only a week ago that we made a joke about how
carmakers now have a variant for every segment
, plus everything in between too. But now it seems that there’s at least one carmaker that agrees with us, and that’s Mercedes-Benz.
In an effort to trim down its constantly-expanding line-up that currently has around 50 distinct models, the German carmaker is set to unveil a new mid-size convertible called the CLE-Class, which will become the catch-all car for the small and mid-size premium convertible market, as reported by
AutoExpress
.
Read our review of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe here!
The new CLE-Class will essentially replace the current C- and E-Class coupes and cabriolets, which have all been competing against each other alongside the recently-axed SLC roadster in the same market segment that already isn’t a big money-maker for the brand.
Nontheless, Mercedes still considers it an important segment to compete in, especially for branding purposes. Mercedes-Benz’s Head of R&D, Marcus Schafer stated earlier this year, “We want to focus on these models. They have their niche and their purpose. That’s why we are going to tailor exactly the right vehicle in this segment.
“There’s more to come on the coupe and cabriolet side in this mid-segment but it’s going to take a little bit more time before we can speak about it,” he added, referring to the CLE that’s rumoured to arrive in 2023.
But even before the CLE-Class, Mercedes-Benz is set to launch an
all-new SL
 roadster taking up the full-sized cabriolet segment, while the former slots in underneath it for the mid-size market. The sportier SL will be built on a new AMG-built platform, while the CLE will most likely be based on the MRA-2 platform shared with the
latest C-Class

and S-class models.
No other technical information has been shared regarding the CLE, though with the current C-Class being a four-cylinder-only affair (including the upcoming C 63, which will likely feature an
electrified 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder mill
), it’s likely that the new coupes and cabrios will also go the same way.
The upcoming SL Roadster will be built on an all-aluminium space frame. Learn more about it here.
Although, the MRA-2 platform does have the flexibility to support six-cylinder engines too as seen on the
 S-Class
, so Mercedes-Benz could easily offer a range-topping performance variant of the CLE, if they see the market demand for it.
As for looks, the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLE-Class will feature its own distinctive design, much like how the BMW 4 Series distances itself from the 3-er it’s based on. Spy shots shared by
AutoExpress
shows a two-door, four-seat CLE-Class convertible with a soft top roof prototype already undergoing testing, though hardtop coupe is expected to be offered as well.


2023 Toyota Hilux GR Sport launched – first Hilux paddle shifters, sports suspension, from RM159k

UMW Toyota Motor has launched the new Hilux GR Sport starting from
RM159,880
 on-the-road without insurance. The Hilux GR Sport is available at nine GR Outlets nationwide.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
The Hilux GR Sport is based on the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel Rogue model with
204 hp
 and
500 Nm
. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential and gear shift paddles. The GR Sport is the first Hilux to feature gear shift paddles.
Mechanically, upgrades include a new sports suspension with monotube dampers, 18-inch GR Sport alloy wheels with 265/60R18 Highway Terrain tyres just like the 2.8 Rouge model. On the outside, the Hilux GR Sport gets a new front and rear bumper design, new front grille design, red brake calipers with GR branding and new shark fin antenna.
Colour options for the Hilux GR Sport are Crimson Spark Red, Super White and Attitude Black Mica. Standard features are as per the 2.8 Rogue model; including automatic bi-LED headlamps, LED combination taillamps, LED front and rear fog lamps. The Hilux GR Sport also features illuminated entry system including by the footwell.
Inside, GR specific items include GR instrument cluster, aluminium sports pedals, seats wrapped in suede and leather with a GR emblem, GR branded keys and push-start button. Standard items include a nine-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display, six speakers and dual zone air conditioning.
For safety, the Hilux GR Sport comes with seven airbags, blindspot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and the Toyota Safety Sense system featuring dynamic radar cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and downhill assist control.
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All-new Honda BR-V launched in Indonesia, Honda Sensing available!

After disrupting consumers purchasing decisions with the
Honda N7X concept car
, PT Honda Prospect Motor in Indonesia has finally unveiled the production version of the vehicle and unsurprisingly, it bears the BR-V model name. Indonesia is the largest consumer of the BR-V seven-seater SUV, thus, hosted the
digital global premiere
 of the all-new model.
Both the Honda N7X concept car and the second-generation Honda BR-V share almost all the design elements, such as the large LED headlamps with signature DRL lighting, a tall front grille, 17-inch wheels and a classy LED ‘light bar’ tail lamp design.
New exterior features include Walk-Away Auto Lock plus the Remote Engine Start that was popularised on the tenth generation Honda Civic Turbo. Consumers will also appreciate the auto-folding side mirrors.
Inside, a small section of the dashboard has been wrapped with leather and double stitching for improved quality and looks. A breakdown of the variants further below elaborate on the new interior features available in the new Honda BR-V.
One of the key headlining aspects of the all-new Honda BR-V is the availability of the full suite of Honda Sensing Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), which is also a first-in-the-segment. Apart from LaneWatch, Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Keeping Assist System and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Collision Mitigation Brake System in Honda-speak), the new Honda BR-V also features the Lead-Car Departure Notification system that was just made its debut in the Thailand-spec 11th generation
Honda Civic
.
PT Honda Prospect Motor is offering just three core variants for the all-new Honda BR-V- S, E and Prestige. Similar to the current generation BR-V, the seven-seat SUV is offered with just one engine which is the latest 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine with outputs of
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
 that currently serve duties in the
Honda City hatchback
.
The engine is paired to either a manual transmission or CVT automatic transmission, depending on the variant. Apart from a new engine, the new Honda BR-V also rides on an updated suspension design that increases its ground clearance by 20 mm to 220 mm.
Keen to compare the current Honda BR-V with the new Xpander and Toyota Rush? Learn more about each strength and weakness here.
Standard features starting with the Honda BR-V S variant includes LED headlamps with LED DRLs, touchscreen infotainment measuring seven inches with smartphone connectivity, digital air-conditioning system, side airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist and Hill Start Assist. A count of six airbags was also mentioned in the product video though it is unclear if it is standard or available in the higher variants.
Moving upwards to the E variant gets you many of the new goodies such as Walk-Away Auto Lock, Remote Engine Start, 4.2-inch coloured multi-info display (MID), rear air-conditioning blower, power outlet for the second-row occupants and LED front fog lights.
The new Honda BR-V Prestige variant meanwhile gets the auto-folding side mirrors with LED turn signal lights, 17-inch wheels, a rear-seat armrest, power outlet for the third-row occupants plus leather upholstery on the seats as well as the dashboard trim and door panels.
The range-topping BR-V Prestige with Honda Sensing not only adds the namesake ADAS suite but also a hands-free function on the touchscreen infotainment system.
As far as the option for colours, there are no new shades launched in conjunction with the all-new Honda BR-V, with a rather safe palette of white, black, silver and grey finishes.
Honda Malaysia boosts confidence and assurance at its premises via “I am vaccinated” campaign. More about the welcome initiative here.
Unfortunately, the PT Honda Prospect Motor has not disclosed the retail price of the all-new Honda BR-V, but expect the model to be priced from
IDR260 million
 (approx. RM76.3k) and deliveries are only scheduled to begin from January 2022, as mentioned in an
earlier report
.
The launch video also ended with a teaser of another new Honda SUV (height and roof rails), perhaps the smaller Mobilio that is also based upon the BR-V?
Note: The majority of the images are screenshots of the launch video due to the limited availability
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All-new 2022 Perodua Alza now open for booking, est. RM62k-RM75k

Following the
 teaser on its social media pages
 last week, Perodua has now officially opened the order books for the all-new 2022
Perodua Alza
. Alongside the announcement, the national carmaker also released a bunch of preliminary details for the all-new MPV, which – despite rumours online – retains the ‘Alza’ nameplate, albeit now with a completely different typeface for its emblem.
The all-new 2022 Perodua Alza will be offered in three different variants, but all of them powered by the same 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i naturally-aspirated inline-four engine, paired to a D-CVT gearbox. The powertrain is most likely the same unit found on the
latest 2021 Perodua Myvi facelift
, and is rated for an output of
101 hp
 and
136 Nm
, with drive sent to the front wheels.

As for equipment, all variants – starting with the entry-level X – will come as standard with LED headlights, although the higher-end H and AV gets an additional adaptive driving beam function, alongside sequential turn signals.
Also standard on the all-new Alza are the digital air-con controls, rear air con blowers (with manual controls), four air bags, and most importantly, the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) that includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and prevention, as well as auto high beam across the board.
RELATED: All-new Daihatsu Xenia unveiled in Indonesia – is this the next Perodua Alza?
Moving up to the H variant will net you an additional drive mode selector (Eco, Normal, Power), alongside a seven-inch multi-info display in the instrument cluster, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment display, reverse camera, front parking sensors, auto retractable wing mirrors, as well as rear armrests on the second-row seats.
The more “luxurious” items are reserved exclusively for the AV, with the range-topping variant getting two-tone semi-leather seats, electric parking brakes with auto brake hold, two additional airbags (up to six), and a 360-degree surround view monitor. The advanced safety kit also gets a boost in features, including the addition of adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitor, and rear-cross traffic alert.
Perodua also revealed that the all-new Alza will have a boot space of 137 litres, but can be expanded up to 498 litres with the third-row seats folded down. On that note, the third row seats can be folded in a 50:50 split, while the second row gets 60:40 split folding, with one-touch collapse and sliding mechanism.
“We took our time in designing this full model change as we truly wanted to understand what improvements our customers wanted, and the New Perodua Alza aims to fulfil these requests,” said Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
“One of the many requests was a better driving experience, and to this we have engineered the New Perodua Alza’s ground clearance to be at 160 mm which, in our assessment, is the best height for a pleasant Malaysian drive, for an MPV,” he added.
As for pricing, the all-new Perodua Alza is estimated to be priced
 between RM62,000 and RM75,000
, on the road, without insurance. As usual, actual prices will only be revealed during the official launch – but with the car already now open for booking, we don’t think there’s too long more to wait.
Bookings made before the 1st of July will also be entitled to the SST exemptions, as long as the vehicle is
registered by March 31, 2023
, so best get your bookings in soon.
“This full model change represents our best effort so far in terms of product offering, as the features included are the best within its price category,” Dato’ Zainal concluded.


What is: Hydroplaning or Aquaplaning

With safety features such as
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
 and
Brake Assist (BA)
 equipped on your daily driver, it would be careless to think that your wheels would still point towards wherever and whenever you wish, especially in wet conditions. Should a layer of water between your tyres and the road not be dispersed quickly enough, your car will be highly susceptible to hydroplaning or aquaplaning, as some of you might call it.
If you have been on the internet long enough, surely you’d have come across videos of cars or trucks “drifting” on a slippery road. Unfortunately, more often than not, these slides are not done intentionally. Hydroplaning occurs when your car drives through a layer of water on the road and the tyres are not dispersing water efficiently, resulting in the tyres spinning on suspended water. This phenomenon causes the tyres to slip and
not respond to steering, braking or acceleration inputs
 and may cause the vehicle to
 skid uncontrollably
.
Image credit:
TireAmerica
So, what are the main causes of hydroplaning besides a layer of water on the road? According to Michelin Malaysia, it is all in the tyres. Tyres with low or minimal
thread depth
 will have lesser capacity to disperse water.
Tyre pressure
 also plays a role in the tyre’s performance and Michelin Malaysia quotes that if the tyre pressure falls below 30 percent of its recommended value, it greatly increases the risk of hydroplaning.
Besides ensuring that your tyres are in great condition, another obvious way to reduce the risk of hydroplaning is to
reduce your speed
 when approaching large puddles or standing water. However, should you be in an unfortunate position to lose control of your car in the wet, here are some tips to help you regain control – gently ease off the accelerator to regain traction and
do not slam on the brakes abruptly
 because by doing so you will upset the balance of the vehicle.
To sum it up, all the active safety systems in your car are there to act as a safety net but a car will still succumb to the laws of physics. In this rainy season, let us all be more mindful of our surroundings and driving approach. Also, you should probably not hold off that tyre change any longer.


The Kombi van returns with all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Five years after the
debut of its original concept
, Volkswagen has now finally unveiled the production version of the ID. Buzz – the modern-day reincarnation of the iconic Microbus/Kombivan/Bulli, in electric form.
The ID. Buzz will be offered in two forms: the standard five-seater MPV, and a ID. Buzz Cargo commercial goods van. Both variants will begin deliveries in Autumn this year.
In terms of appearance, the production version of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz does not stray too far from the concept first shown in 2017, at least in terms of proportions, including the iconic short overhangs that were inspired by the original VW T1 Type 2.
There are, of course, the usual tweaks to make the concept production-ready, including actual air intakes up front, less futuristic lighting elements, and functioning wing mirrors instead of the cameras – the latter two to satisfy safety regulations in various countries.
Still, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz manages to capture most of the Microbus’ essence, and that is in part due to its MEB EV architecture, negating the need for a large engine compartment up front.
The MEB platform is also what gives the ID. Buzz its layout on the interior, with the skateboard-like architecture forming a flat floor to give it even more flexibility in terms of seating layout, while also ensuring ample legroom for the passengers and space for your cargo.
RELATED: The Volkswagen e-Bulli is an electric Kombi bus you can buy right now
At launch, the passenger Volkswagen ID. Buzz will come with five seats and a massive 1,121 litres of cargo room at the back behind the tonneau covers. The Cargo variant meanwhile offers up to three seats in the front row, and 3.9 cubic metres of space at the back separated by a partition, enough for two European-sized pallets.
Volkswagen says that it will also be offering the passenger ID. Buzz with a six-seater option sometime down the line, with three seats in the front row, alongside a slightly longer wheelbase version.
As for the interior design, you’ll probably feel very familiar with the dashboard of the ID. Buzz if you’ve ever seen any of Volkswagen’s ID electric models. The most eye-catching detail are the two “free-floating tablets” displays; a 5.3-inch unit for the digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, and a 10-inch display in the centre for infotainment that can also be upgraded to a larger 12-inch option.
Below the centre display is where you’ll find a digital control bar where the climate control module and volume controls reside. As usual with all modern VWs, there’s no physical buttons here, just haptic touch-activated ones.
In line with a design that Volkswagen calls “the new face of a sustainable form of mobility”, the company also highlighted the use of sustainable material on the interior, made from vegan and recycled items ranging from recycled plastic bottles to Seaqual yarn made from marine plastics.
As for safety, the range-topping variant gets equipped with over 30 different advanced driver assistance systems, including Car2X communication, as well as the latest-generation of Travel Assist with swarm data, which aids partially automated driving over the vehicle’s entire speed range, including automated lane-changes at speeds of up to 90 km/h.
The all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz is launched with a single powertrain option, with a single rear-mounted motor providing 204 hp and 310 Nm of torque. Feeding the electric motor is a 77 kWh battery pack located within the floor, which also gives the ID. Buzz “a comparatively low centre of gravity for a van of such tall stature”.
Volkswagen did not disclose any performance figures for the ID. Buzz just yet, including its driving range, but a comparably-configured
ID.4
 with a kerb weight of 2,109 kg does the century sprint in 8.5 seconds, and offers a range of roughly 520 km.
The 77 kWh supports DC fast charging of up to 170 kW, which means you’ll be able to recharge from 5-80% SoC in around 30 minutes. AC charging meanwhile is limited to 11 kW.
Other drivetrain options are planned to be introduced starting from next year, including a lower-powered rear-wheel drive option, and a dual-motor
GTX performance version
 with 300 hp and 460 Nm,
Autocar
reports.
GALLERY


Volkswagen Tour kicks off this week with exclusive rebates on offer!

The Volkswagen Tour is back for 2020, with more exclusive deals and attractive rebates on offer. The first stop for the year is happening at 1 Utama Shopping Centre starting from today
until the 23rd of February 2020
.
The roadshow will take place at
 Centre Court, Ground Floor (old wing)
, from
10 am to 10 pm daily
.
A line-up of Volkswagen’s latest models will be on display at the Volkswagen Tour, including the
Beetle
,
Vento
,
Tiguan
,
Golf R-Line
and
 GTI
, as well as the recently-launched facelifted
2020 Passat Elegance
.
The Passat Elegance, priced at
RM189,012
 (OTR, without insurance), comes with a whole slew of updates, including a new 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged engine, capable of churning out
190 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of twist. The powerplant is mated to a new
seven-speed wet clutch DSG transmission
 to drive the front wheels.
Aside from the powertrain, the Passat Elegance also comes with updated exterior styling cues, such as the new front and tail-lights. Inside, the Passat Elegance gets a completely updated infotainment system, with support for wireless Apple CarPlay.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat Elegance will be available for test drive at the Tour, along with the Tiguan.
As an added incentive, visitors who place a booking at the event will receive an additional
RM1,000 petrol cash voucher
 on top of existing rebates. The offer is exclusive to the 1 Utama Volkswagen Tour, and is only valid throughout the duration of the road show.


The 2022 Nissan Z continues with “Fairlady” name but only in Japan

Nissan finally renewed their legendary sportscar
last year
 but instead of continuing with a name with performance-type numerals, it just has the Z name. This year’s Tokyo Auto Salon sees the company introduce the Nissan Z to its home market.
Similar to previous generations, the new 2022 Nissan sports car in Japan will continue to bear the Fairlady Z name. Nissan has also made special emphasis on the Fairlady Z name, designing a beautiful emblem that is placed on the rear of the vehicle, a great throwback to the Z32 300ZX model.
Available in both manual and automatic transmission, four variants of the new Nissan Fairlady Z will be made available to Japanese fans. Differences between each variant will be subtle, with the braking system, suspension stiffness and wheel sizes the only performance differentiator, as all Fairlady Z models will come equipped with the 3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine with outputs of
405 hp
 and
475 Nm
.
The all-new nine-speed automatic transmission features a Sport mode with faster powertrain and steering response, less restrained stability control as well as more pumped-up Active Sound Enhancement (synthesised engine note into the cabin).
No mention of the benchmark 0 to 100 km/h sprint times, but Nissan says the new powertrain should trim 15% compared to the outgoing model, which is 5.6 seconds for the 7-speed automatic and
5.2 seconds
 for the Nismo model.
Similar to the North American market, a Proto Spec variant will also be offered on a lottery as it will only be limited to just
240 units
at a price of just under JPY7 million (RM257k)! The Proto Spec variant gets yellow-coloured brake calipers with Z logo, bronze-coloured 19-inch Rays forged wheels, exclusive manual shift lever knob, Proto Spec leather seats with yellow accents, Proto Spec suede and cloth door trim with yellow stitching and finished with Proto Spec interior stitching.
Like the colours of the new Fairlady Z? you can get sneakers in matching yellow or blue!
To recap, the body rigidity has been increased for the new Nissan Fairlady Z, with new monotube shock absorbers, new suspension geometry and high-performance tyres help increase the maximum cornering G by up to 13%. Nissan has also fitted an updated mechanical rear limited-slip differential (LSD) in the new Nissan Z, replacing the viscous-based unit.
Nissan also showcased a modified Fairlady Z, in line with the TAS vibe
Inside, the driver gets a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel with a large tachometer at the centre with a racing driver-inspired redline (7,000 rpm) and shift-up light at the ‘12 o’clock’ position. Other vital information such as fluid temperatures and oil pressure are also displayed in large circular gauges.
Similar to many older generations of Fairlady Z cockpits, the driver’s instrumentation is completed with a three-pod analogue gauge set consisting of the turbocharger boost meter, turbocharger turbine speed (up to 250,000 rpm) and battery voltmeter.
GALLERY
Nissan Fairlady Z at TAS 2022
Nissan Z, USA


Spotted: Renault Fluence Z.E on display at One Utama Shopping Complex

Here’s one car neither of us saw coming. Renault is displaying a right-hand drive version of the Renault Fluence Z.E, with the Z.E presumably the acronym of Zero Emissions. Yes, the said Fluence is an all-electric car that seats five – just like the Fluence that’s being sold here.

First unveiled back in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show as a concept car, it’s now fitted with a
22 kWh lithium-ion battery
 pack that’s good for
95 horsepower
 at 11,000 rpm (yes eleven thousand revolutions) and
226 Nm
 of instant torque. On a full charge, the electric car will cover about 185 km of tarmac. Its 0 to 100 km/h sprint time clocks in at
13.7 seconds
 and manages a top speed of
135 km/h
.
Being an electric car, the battery pack is placed behind the rear seats, thus compromising boot space by a considerable amount – halved, at least. It’s got one forward gear only, and the overall length of this car has been stretched by 130 mm to accommodate the lithium-ion battery.
Likely to be just a part of the roadshow in One Utama shopping complex, the Fluence Z.E is displayed alongside the Koleos, Twizy one-person runabout electric vehicle, Clio R.S, Fluence and Fluence Black Edition.
As of October last year, Renault has sold just a tinge over 3,900 units of the Fluence Z.E worldwide. Sales begun in 2011 carrying a base price tag of 26,000 Euros, that’s close to RM105,000. There’s a good article written by Bill Moore about the Fluence Z.E and its death at the website
EV World
, so do give that a read.
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IMAGE GALLERY


What’s the Buzz: We thought the flying car would look like this…

Our ears and eyes must have played tricks on us because the Minister of Entrepreneur Development was quoted on numerous occasions by the press to have said ‘flying car’. Alas, during the concept’s surprise preview at LIMA 2019, the flying car turned out looking a lot like a drone, a scale model at that, not really a working one, yet.
But don’t worry flying contraption fans (hello, you there?), according to Aerodyne Group’s business development and consulting senior director, Imtyaz Mohd Azzat, this two-seater drone called Vector can carry up to 200 kg and fly 50 m above ground at 60 km/h, powered by four electric motors, not hot air. Vector is expected to take flight this coming June, at least according to
this report
 filed by The Star Online.
Seriously, YB
@imokman
?
pic.twitter.com/qqUJxCtAxj
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj)
March 26, 2019

Yes, seriously.
The Aerodyne Group describes itself as “a leading unmanned aerial systems solutions provider” on its Facebook page. Imtyaz also paid tribute to the government for the latter’s support in developing an ‘ecosystem’, something that may have been indirectly confirmed by opposition MP Khairy Jamaluddin in a recent tweet pointing to the inclusion of ‘flying vehicle’ in the draft copy of the new National Automotive Policy. Gasp!


Lexus RC 350 and RC F officially introduced, priced at RM526k & RM782k [+Video]

It’s officially here now, Lexus’ newest and most radical take on the luxury sports car coupe segment, the
Lexus RC 350
 and
RC F
 coupes. Launched at Lexus Malaysia’s showroom located at Life Centre in Kuala Lumpur, the RCs are staring at the BMW 4-Series and Audi A5 right in the eye.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Lexus RC 350 Coupe
Lexus RC F Coupe
Segment
Sports Coupe
Sports Coupe
Engine
3.5-litre V6, DVVT-i and Lexus D-4S; 2GR-FSE engine
5.0-litre V8, 2UR-GSE engine
Transmission
8-speed Sports Program Direct Shift automatic
8-speed Sports Program Direct Shift automatic
Max Power
312 hp @ 6,400 rpm
470 hp @ 7,100 rpm
Max Torque
378 Nm @ 4,800 rpm
530 Nm @ 4,800 to 5,600 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM526,000 (OTR without insurance)
RM782,000 (OTR without insurance)

The RC coupes first made their appearance at the
2013 Tokyo Motor Show
, and Lexus aims to sell about 25,000 units of it worldwide, with the bulk of deliveries being the RC 350.
EXTERIOR
First things first. The all-new Lexus RC is built from the ground up, using the main underpinnings derived from the IS and GS sedans. It features Lexus’ signature spindle grille design, very enticing three L-designed LED powered headlights and daytime running lights, and the 3D L-shaped rear taillights.

The front bumper houses air inlets that improves cooling and aerodynamic performance, whereas the rear bumpers have been specifically sculpted to maximise airflow and reduce drag. The rear also features a four-link active rear wing sourced from the LFA, which automatically deploys at 80 km/h, increasing stability. The underside of the RC Coupe has been made as flat as possible, allowing air to flow smoothly without causing turbulence, thus increasing high speed stability and handling.
INTERIOR
Standard on the RC coupes are keyless entry with push-start ignition, analogue clock in the centre, instrument clusters taken from the LFA, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, Remote Touch Interface, 7-inch electro multi-vision screen and – get this – an ultra-thin Smart Card Key which is essentially your car key.

Paddle shifters, dual-zone air conditioning and eight-way electrically powered leather upholstered seats are also standard offerings.
PERFORMANCE
The higher volume RC 350 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine that is made wholly out of
aluminium
. It makes
312 horsepower
 at 6,400 rpm and
378 Nm
 of torque at 4,800 rpm; numbers that are relatively high for a
naturally aspirated
 mill. It’s paired to Lexus’
eight-speed automatic transmission
 with Sports Program Direct Shift, channeling all the power to the
rear wheels
. It manages the century sprint in
6.3 seconds
 and a top speed of
230 km/h
.
For the hardcore enthusiast, the RC F gets a 5.0-litre V8 engine which Lexus claims to be the
most powerful V8 engine
 they’ve ever produced to date. It makes
470 hp
 at 7,100 rpm and
530 Nm
 of torque at 4,800 to 5,600 rpm – 12 percent more than the same engine found in the IS F. The 0 to 100 km sprint is done in
4.5 seconds
 and the RC F can go up to
270 km/h
.
Internal parts of the V8 engine have been redesigned and features
titanium valves
, forged connecting rods, optimally configured exhaust layout and an air-cooled oil cooler, thereby increasing engine response and engine speed. The V8 is also paired to the eight-speed transmission driving the rear wheels.
SAFETY
On the safety front, the RC Coupes gets an advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) which intelligently computes all the active safety systems. It’s able to independently control the Vehicle Stability Control and engine control systems which include steering-assist torque.
Standard safety features are ABS with Brake Assist, VSC, Traction Control System, EBD, Hill-Start Assist, Tyre Pressure Warning System, Blind Spot Monitoring System (up to 60 metres detection), and reverse camera.
WHAT ELSE?
There are six exterior colours to choose with the RC F -Radiant Red, Starlight Black, Sonic Silver, White Nova, Lava Orange and Heat Blue. The RC 350 on the other hand, gets four – White Pearl, Sonic Titanium, Radiant Red and Starlight Black. The painting process (Contrast Layering) is similar to the
LF-C2 Concept car
 that was previewed at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, and Lexus claims to be the first to mass produce cars with the paint technology.
The RC 350 is priced at
RM526k
, whereas the RC F is priced at
RM782k
(OTR without insurance). Both variants are fully imported from Japan and comes with a three-year or 100,000km (whichever comes first) warranty programme.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


#ABC2021: AutoBuzz Best (Driver’s) Cars of 2021

We are back with everyone’s favourite end-of-the-year segment- the AutoBuzz.my Best Cars! It has been two years since the team gathered to enjoy the final weeks of the year with their favourite car that delivers performance and driving sensation.

Brought to you in collaboration with
Bridgestone
, this year’s #ABC2021 line up as well as Sepang International Circuit (SIC) as the venue is unlike any other; with the Ferrari SF90 Spider, Porsche Taycan Turbo S, Aston Martin DBX, BMW M3 Competition, Toyota GR Yaris and the Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4Motion making up the ranks.
Ferrari SF90 Spider
The Ferrari SF90 is the brand’s first series-production (meaning not limited quantities) hybrid sports car and the now with the convertible retractable hardtop brings the roar of the V8 even closer to the ears.
It was indeed strange, coasting up and down the pit lane without any loud noise (but an accompanying acoustic for pedestrian warning), or even just powering up the Ferrari via a touch panel switch. Once in Qualifying mode, all hell breaks loose and it’s back to regular Ferrari aural masterpiece.
Engine: 4.0-litre V8, twin-turbocharged – 780 hp, 800 Nm
Electric motors: 220 hp
Transmission: F1 Eight-speed dual-clutch
Drivetrain: Electric front axle, mid-engine ICE rear axle, electric all-wheel drive
Max Horsepower: 1,000 hp
0-100 km/h: 2.5 seconds
Top speed: 340 km/h
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
The Porsche Taycan is the poster child of high-performance EVs here in ASEAN, as that certain brand from California has not set up shop yet. Being the Turbo S variant, Dominic has access to the full 1,050 Nm and over 760 hp of total output.
Weighing over 2.3 tonnes, the Taycan still managed to accelerate, corner and brake like the red Ferrari but all in near silence.
Layout: Dual-motor layout, 93.4 kWh battery
Drivetrain: Electric all-wheel drive
Max Horsepower: 761 hp
Max Torque: 1,050 Nm
0-100 km/h: 2.8 seconds
Top speed: 260 km/h
Aston Martin DBX
High-riding performance SUVs are now the norm, with many luxury automakers reporting brisk sales and growth thanks to these spacious models that offer the same level of performance as the coupes.
The Aston Martin DBX is certainly not shy about its looks and is also incredibly proud to announce its arrival with its sports exhaust. The drive to-and-fro to Sepang was perhaps the most pleasing thanks to the space and luxurious upholstery and fittings.
Engine: 4.0-litre V8, twin-turbocharged
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic transmission
Drivetrain: Front engine, all-wheel drive, active limited-slip diff
Max Horsepower: 550 hp
Max Torque: 700 Nm
0-100 km/h: 4.5 seconds
Top speed: 291 km/h
BMW M3 Competition
The G80 BMW M3 received the most divided opinions from everyone, everywhere, due to its styling that centres around its large vertical kidney grilles. However, once out in the open and finished with the gorgeous Isle of Man Green, the super sedan immediately looked natural and purposeful.
With over 500 hp driving the rear wheels, the BMW M3 Competition was easily the car that felt more ‘alive’ on Sepang Circuit, especially on the fast switchback bends.
Engine: 3.0-litre inline-six, twin-turbocharged
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic transmission
Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, active limited-slip diff
Max Horsepower: 510 hp
Max Torque: 650 Nm
0-100 km/h: 3.9 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Toyota GR Yaris
The Toyota GR Yaris might have the lowest measurable numeral (except its RM290k price tag) compared to the rest of the field, the little hot-hatch delivered the most smiles on both on track as well as around regular roads.
The lightest new vehicle not only in this segment but also perhaps since the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 twins also delivers that refreshing feel of instantaneous direction change.
Engine: 1.6-litre inline-three, turbocharged
Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission, auto rev-matching
Drivetrain: Front-engine, variable four-wheel drive (GR-Four), limited-slip diff
Max Horsepower: 261 hp
Max Torque: 360 Nm
0-100 km/h: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 230 km/h
The recently introduced
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
 tyres also performed flawlessly around Sepang, ensuring traction, grip and feedback to Eu Jin as he and the rest of the drivers experienced the Toyota GR Yaris on the circuit.
Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4Motion
Volkswagen products have always been a regular feature and favourite with the AutoBuzz.my team. The latest Arteon R-Line 4Motion is perhaps the biggest shocker thanks to its high-performance levels as well as retail pricing of under RM250k.
Engine: 2.0-litre inline-four, turbocharged
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG)
Drivetrain: Front-engine, all-wheel drive (4Motion)
Max Horsepower: 280 hp
Max Torque: 350 Nm
0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
The Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4Motion also showed its corner-carving qualities and grip at the circuit thanks to the superior 4Motion all-wheel drive system plus Dynamic Chassis Control electronically controlled adaptive shock absorbers.
It was indeed a privilege for everyone involved to sample the collection of powerful and grippy cars in the safe and vast open confines of Sepang circuit.
*Our biggest appreciation to Ferrari (Naza Italia), Porsche (Sime Darby Auto Performance), Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur, BMW Group Malaysia, UMW Toyota Motor, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia, Bridgestone Tyre Sales Malaysia and Sepang International Circuit for their unwavering support in making this possible.
GALLERY
Ferrari SF90 Spider
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Aston Martin DBX
BMW M3 Competition (G80)
Toyota GR Yaris
Volkswagen

Arteon R-Line 4Motion


Shell Malaysia to give 10,000 customers free fuel in weekly lucky draws

Yes, you read the title right. Shell Malaysia, through their “Shell Win Free Fuel” contest, will be giving out
over RM2 million
 worth of
free fuel
 to approximately 10,000 lucky customers from 23 December 2014 – that’s today for those on holiday – till 15 March 2015.
Participation is fairly easy and hassle-free. Simply pump RM30 worth of
any Shell petrol
, then fill up a contest form and answer a simple question. You will then need to attach your original receipt to the form and drop it in the designated contest box. The contest runs nationwide at all participating Shell stations and will span over a period of 12 weeks.
Three grand prize winners will be randomly drawn on a monthly basis, each walking away with a year’s worth of free fuel amounting to
RM10,000
. Additionally, there will also be
835 weekly winners
, each walking away with RM200 worth of free fuel.
If you’ve visited several Shell stations in the Klang Valley of late, you would have noticed their new
Deli2go mobile convenience store
. It’s built entirely out of a recycled shipping container and is the go-to store for customers looking for freshly made pastries and coffee or hot dogs, even.
At the launch, Shell Malaysia Trading’s managing director, Tuan Haji Azman Ismail said, “We are committed to innovate and address the challenges of moving goods and people safely with minimal costs and in turn, reduce environmental impact while lessening the burden of the
rakyat
.”
For the month of December, the
price
 for RON95 is fixed at RM2.26 per litre, RON97 at RM2.46 per litre and diesel at RM2.23 per litre. Fuel prices are also expected to dip next month, so pump away, folks!
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IMAGE GALLERY


The Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder is a front row seat to a V10 opera

If the idea of a
rear-wheel driven Huracan EVO
doesn’t already sound like a handful, the new Huracan EVO RWD Spyder is the ultimate drop-top supercar for the wild and free-spirited.
The Huracan EVO RWD Spyder houses the same 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated engine as the non-Spyder model, with
 610 hp
 and
560 Nm
, to solely power the rear wheels as its name suggests.
0 to 100 km/h is over in just 3.5 seconds – 0.2 seconds slower than the non-Spyder model. Its top speed however has barely been affected; at 324 km/h compared to the non-Spyder’s 325 km/h.
Not bad when you consider that the Spyder
weighs 120 kg more
 than its hard top sibling at 1,509 kg. Lamborghini says the Spyder’s roof can be
retracted within 17 seconds
 while the vehicle is on the move – up to 50 km/h. For the most raw experience of the V10 wail, the rear window can be electronically opened and close, whether the top is up or down.
Locally, Lamborghini launched the all-wheel drive Huracan EVO last year
, to the tune of RM1.1 million before taxes. Over in its home country, the
Huracan is used at the Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna, Italy to escort planes
 taxiing to the runway or to their parking stands.
 GALLERY


Perodua Aruz SUV open for booking, 2 variants, RM72,200 & RM77,200 est.

Perodua’s has announced that their upcoming SUV will be called the Perodua Aruz. The seven-seater SUV based on the
Toyota Rush
 will be available in two variants and the second national carmaker is now accepting bookings for the new Aruz.
The company has also announced that the new Aruz is estimated to be priced at RM72,200 for the 1.5 X and RM77,200 for the 1.5 AV, both on-the-road without insurance (for Peninsular Malaysia). This place the Perodua SUV to be some RM20,000 more affordable than its sister car.
Starting with the oily bits, the Aruz is powered by a 2NR-VE 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine paired to a four-speed automatic transmission with Eco Idle auto Start/Stop function. While output figures have yet to be announced, expect it to command the similar outputs of the Rush and Myvi of
105 hp
 and
136 Nm
. Fuel consumption is rated to be
15.6 km per litre
 (6.4 L/100 km), earning the Aruz Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status.
In terms of equipment, the base
Aruz 1.5 X
 variant gets LED reflector headlamps, 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, fabric semi-bucket seats, digital air-con controls, anti-snatch hook, rear air vents, smart entry with start/stop, manual adjustable urethane steering wheel with audio control, built-in SmartTag reader, reverse camera and charging port in all rows.
Stepping up to the more expensive
Aruz 1.5 AV
 it adds front fog lamps, roof rails, leather seats, leather-wrapped multifunctional steering wheel with telephony controls, touchscreen infotainment system with HDMI, Smart Link and navigation as well as an integrated Driving Video Recorder (dash camera).
As for safety, all variants of the Aruz gets six airbags, ABS, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HAS) and ISOFIX mounting points as standard, earning the new SUV
5-Star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating
.

However, the range-topping 1.5 AV further adds an upgraded version of the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) active safety suite, called
ASA 2.0
. Compared to the system available on the Myvi, ASA 2.0 adds
pedestrian detection
 (up to 50 km/h) to the safety suite and increases the operational speeds of
Pre-Collision Warning
 to 100 km/h and
Pre-Collision Braking
 to 80 km/h. The Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control is also part of the ASA 2.0 package.
There will be five colours to choose from for the Perodua Aruz – Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Electric Blue, Granite Grey and a new Amazon Green. Every purchase of the SUV comes with a 5-Years/150,000 km warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
Perodua Aruz Teaser


Check out some of the crazy liveries on the cars of EvoEnduro 2019

Our friends over at Aurizn
Malaysia is back with their annual pilgrimage to the Land of Smiles. EvoEnduro
2019, now in its 3
rd
 instalment, is a cross border drive organised by
enthusiast for enthusiast.
The drive which covers some 2,000 odd km (hence the hashtag #2000MYTH) will see the 80-car strong convoy depart from Kuala Lumpur with their destination set for Phuket, Thailand. A fair bit more straightforward compared to KL-HuaHin in the EvoEnduro 2018 which Eu Jin cracked the code of surviving Thailand highways.

Aurizn has added some
flair to the occasion where participants were encouraged to sticker up their
cars with a unique livery and here are some of the most interesting ones on the
EvoEnduro Convoy.
997 Porsche Carrera in
Martini livery
Can’t go wrong with classic
C117 Mercedes-AMG
CLA45 4MATIC in Giti Tyres livery
Yellow looks particularly menacing on the CLA45
Volkswagen Beetle in classic
Apple Computer rainbow livery
Featuring Bengtures of Aurizn Malaysia
Toyota 86 in Spritzer livery
Fun livery on a fun car
E30 BMW 318i in John
Player Special livery
Classy
E92 BMW 330i in Red
Eagle (Helang) Oil livery
Fly like an Eagle
Honda Civic FD2R in Sunplus
Detergent livery
Keeps the Championship White sparkling clean
Volkswagen Golf R
(MK6) in Sabah Tea livery
Works very with the Rising Blue paint
F56 MINI Cooper S in
Union Jack livery
Only if it had the Union Jack tail lamps
Subaru WRX STI (ver. 9)
in Cactus Water livery
Stay hydrated
B8 Audi S4 Avant in
Police Eyewear livery
If only police cars look like this…
Special mention to Mr Suresh who’s driving a Mini Moke on EvoEnduro!
What a hero


Frankfurt 2015: BMW M6 Coupe Competition Edition unveiled, makes 600hp & 700 Nm of torque!

Taking the stand at the Frankfurt International Motor Show along side its stablemates is the latest limited edition BMW M6 Coupe Competition. BMW M division said this iteration stands for exceptional individuality, thanks to its special paint schemes, high-tech carbon fibre components, fine-grain leathers with contrast stitching and a range of unique details over the run-of-the-mill M6.
The source of inspiration for this Competition variant is the newly developed
BMW M6 GT3
. As per the rules of GT3 racing, the race car has to be based on a road-going car, and V
oila!
The M6 Coupe Competition edition is born. The beauty of all this is that true
well-heeled petrol heads
 are able to buy a road-going version of the GT3 racer.
As the headlining read, the M6 Competition comes with a snarling great
4.4-litre V8
 that churns
600 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of twist, thanks to BMW’s
TwinPower Turbo
 technology enhanced by its performance arm. The
Competition Edition
 is available exclusively for the BMW M6 Coupe, whereas the
Competition Pack
 is an optional extra that costs a whopping €17,700, or
RM85,455
!
Most call it Go-Faster stickers, but we’d like to think of them as a nostalgic little tribute to the racing colours of yesteryear that has adorned a myriad of great racers and equally beautiful machines such as the classic
3.0 CSL
. Aside from the stickers, the M6 Competition comes with a choice of two licks of paint namely
Alpine White
 and metallic
Austin Yellow
. Both colour options offer an interesting contrast to the lightweight matte black
 20-inch M-wheels
.
On the inside, BMW’s Individual line of
fine-grain Merino leather
 in black with contrast stitching envelops the upholstery. “M6 Competition” lettering in metal on the door sills, side gills, along with lettering on the cupholder lids, is a further signature feature of the Edition model. The interior trim strips, gear selector and M sports steering wheel spokes are made from
lightweight carbon fibre
, while the steering wheel rim is lined with elegant and grippy
Alcantara
.

A pair of M multifunction seats for the driver and front passenger as well as BMW
Head-Up Display
 are also part of the equipment range. Meanwhile, for the lead-footed audiophile, the M6 comes with
Harman Kardon Surround Sound System
 as standard. There’s also a €4,950 (
RM24,000
) optional
1,200 Watt Bang & Olufsen
 High-End Surround Sound System with
16 speakers
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Here’s your first “official” look at the next-generation Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ

Since the
announcement of its existence
 last September when Toyota and Subaru renewed their partnership, we’ve pretty much not heard of the next-generation Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ aside from a couple of rumours, including a
name change
 for the Toyota counterpart.
However, Subaru yesterday took to its Twitter account to announce that the next-generation Subaru BRZ will be
arriving “this fall”
, giving us a “first official look” at the highly-awaited next-gen
Hachiroku
.
The all-new 2022 Subaru BRZ – World Premiere coming this Fall.
Lucky attendees to the 2020
#Subiefest
 World Record Attempt and Charity Drive got a sneak-peek of our all-new
#BRZ
. Sign up to receive the latest updates on the world premiere at
https://t.co/JJ2TRkfpcK
.
pic.twitter.com/f0cTuXizFk
— Subaru (@subaru_usa)
October 4, 2020

We put “official look” in inverted commas because, well, there was not much to see aside from the wheels – which is a ten spoke item with five lug nuts. What else? There’s a most possibly-ventilated disc brake behind the wheels with what seems to be a two-piston fixed caliper brakes, which counts as something, right?
There is also an air vent behind the front wheel arch which seems to be actually aerodynamic functional and not just for style (cough, Toyota Supra), as well as a mention of a sneak-peek of the car at the company’s Subiefest event – that last part is important, because although no official images were provided, some enthusiastic event attendees have already posted the images onto social media, giving us a proper first look at the next-generation Subaru BRZ (and Toyota 86, essentially).
The Subaru BRZ prototype, placed behind a thin veil at the event, basically confirmed that the
 spyshot we saw earlier
 was actually the Toyobaru twins. Rumoured to be utilising an improved version of the current chassis, the overall proportions of the sports car remains mostly the same, featuring a long low-slung bonnet and a sloping roofline.
Since the prototype was placed behind a (presumably intensely guarded) veil, no one managed to peek underneath the bonnet to see powertrain. Recent rumours suggest that a 2.4-litre boxer engine will make its way into the Toyobaru twins, though it is still highly contested if it will actually be turbocharged or naturally-aspirated.
In turbocharged form – as seen on the Ascent SUV in the US – the forced induction mill is capable of producing up to
260 hp
 and
375 Nm
 of torque, but according to the
Stinicktuned’s Instagram post
 above, the naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre mill will make around
220 hp
 and
240 Nm
 – which is still a healthy increase over the
current 86
‘s 200 hp and 205 Nm.
There are still a lot of details up in the air for the upcoming next-generation Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ twins, though at least we don’t have to wait too much longer.


Audi shows off the new Vorsprung and Black Edition line-up

The Black Edition kit that supplements the S Line versions are now available for the Q2, A5 Coupe/Sportback and Q5 models.
On the other hand, the Vorsprung kit, commonly found on the Q7 and Q8, can now be had on the A5 Coupé, Sportback and Cabriolet, the Q5 and the A7 Sportback.
Q3 Vorsprung
Depending on the model, the Vorsprung kit also adds an extended leather pack, Alcantara headlining, power door closure and rear seat heating.
The Black Edition brings about larger 19 and 20-inch wheels, blacked out front grille surround, air inlets, rear diffuser and door mirror housings.
A5 Coupe Black Edition
Inside, most of the inlays are blacked out as well along with a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel.
As for the A5 and Q5 models, the Vorsprung kit offers 20-22 inch wheel options and Matrix LED headlights.
A7 Sportback Vorsprung
Adaptive comfort suspension with damper control is added to the A5, A7 Sportback and Q5 Vorsprung models while the Q7 Vorsprung and Q8 Vorsprung adopt adaptive air suspension from the S line models on which they are based.
Other features added to the models above include a panoramic glass sunroof, BOSE or Bang & Olufsen sound system and hands-free boot access.
IMAGE GALLERY
Q5 Vorsprung

Q5 Vorsprung

Q5 Vorsprung

Q3 Vorsprung

Q3 Vorsprung
A7 Sportback Vorsprung

A7 Sportback Vorsprung

A5 Sportback Vorsprung

A5 Sportback Vorsprung
TT Black Edition

TT Black Edition

TT Black Edition
A5 Coupe Black Edition
A5 Coupe Black Edition
Q2 Black Edition
Q2 Black Edition


Bosch wants you to give moms the gift of safety this Mother’s Day

You should’ve already known, but if not, consider this your final notice: Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, the 9th of May. If you’re still struggling to find the perfect gift, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia has come up with a couple of special gift ideas that might prove useful – especially now that we’re once again celebrating Mother’s Day at home this year.
In line with its
Drive for Life campaign
, Bosch’s gift idea comes in the form of DIY safety maintenance checks that you can carry out for your mom, giving her the peace of mind of safety behind the wheels – even though you might not always be there to drive mom around.
Firstly, the simplest check you can perform is to just have a look at the windscreen wipers, especially during this rainy season. Look out for wear and tear signs such as scraping sounds, water stripes and streaks, large unwiped sections, as well as skips during operation. The heat from our intense climate can cause wipers to warp and crack faster.
As a rule of thumb, Bosch recommends replacing them once a year. Changing them out is easy too – we even made a
video about it
!

As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the quality of air we breathe has seen an increased importance. The first line of defence to reduce risk of exposure to air pollutants, airborne bacteria, and viruses in our cars is none other than the cabin air filter.
The cabin filters should be replaced every year, or every 15,000 km, whichever comes first. Common signs of a clogged cabin filter include unpleasant smells or exhaust fumes, increasing dust settling on car surfaces, reduced effectiveness of your air-conditioning, or frequent runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
The
Bosch Aeristo premium cabin filter
is capable of filtering up to 98% of fine particles and air pollutants as small as 2.5 microns, and also comes with a natural polyphenol layer made out of plants that can decompose the virus proteins and prevent bacteria growth.
For your mom’s car’s next scheduled service, make sure to choose a higher-quality engine oil to ensure the car runs as smooth as possible. Since we are also driving lesser during the recent movement control orders, consider buying a car battery trickle charger – such as the Bosch C7 – to ensure the car battery is kept at an optimum charge.
While we’re all stuck at home now anyway, keep the car battery clean with an occasional wipe with a damp cloth. This can help prolong battery life, prevent battery terminal corrosion, and keep the battery in optimal working condition. While you’re at it, also check for signs of a swollen battery case once in a while – you never want an exploding battery in your cars!

Even if you’ve found the perfect gifts for your mom, these DIY tips are easy enough that we all should be doing it, eitherway! If you do need to buy any replacement parts especially during this Mother’s Day weekend, be sure to check out Bosch AA’s own official Shopee (
here
) or Lazada (
here
) stores to have them delivered right to your doorsteps, while we all continue to stay home and stay safe.


1.5T three-cylinder engine in Proton X50 to be used in other Proton models

The Proton X50 became the
first car globally
 to see the application of the port-fuel-injection (PFI) 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, codeveloped by Geely and Volvo. The move may seem odd to some of us as we seldom get access to the latest-and-greatest engine technologies, but Proton actually has a very good reason behind the choice.
Speaking at the Q-and-A session at the Proton X50 media test drive event at Sepang on Wednesday, Proton Director of Group Engineering Hazrin Fazail Haroon revealed that the introduction of the PFI engine – and offering two engine choices on one single model – was due to the fact that it will also be integrated into other Proton models in the future.
“The move is part and parcel of the big picture in terms of the company’s powertrain strategy. The 1.5T is basically a derivative of the 1.5 TGDi, and has been developed to accommodate our future programmes,” said Hazrin.
“This is the first introduction, and it will feature in future models that the company will produce in Malaysia”, he added.
While no further details have been divulged, our best guess for the first recipient of the new 1.5T engine would be the next-generation
Proton Persona
 and
Iriz
. First unveiled in 2016 and 2014 respectively, the two B-segment models is most likely due for replacement some time in the next two to five years.
With an output of
150 hp
 and
226 Nm
 of torque paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Persona and Iriz could easily become the most powerful models in its segment – perhaps even fit for a performance-oriented variant – Iriz R3, anyone?
Previously, Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong also revealed that the company is planning to introduce two new models, developed completely by our home-grown talents. Could we possibly see Proton enter the C-segment market again? Only time will tell, but at least we know that the powertrain available within the Proton arsenal is more than fit for that purpose.


Nissan Z ‘Proto’ to be unveiled on Sept. 16, previews upcoming Z car!

After months of
 teasers
 and
 leaks
, Nissan is finally ready to show off its latest Z sports car… well, in prototype form at least. According to a new video released by Nissan, the prototype – dubbed Z Proto – will be unveiled on the
16th of September
. Get excited, everyone.

The video plays heavily on the heritage aspect of the ‘Z’ nameplate, showcasing its 50 years of history starting with the Datsun 240Z from 1970. “Nissan is reawakening the Power of Z with the new Nissan Z Proto. We’ve combined 50 years of passion and heritage with modern technology to design the new generation of the legendary Z sports car,” the video description read.
Otherwise, the video did not give out any new information that we didn’t already know. Teased at the very tail-end of the video, the Nissan Z Proto and the upcoming Z car will feature a retro-licious design, said to be inspired by the 240Z and 300ZX.
There’s the long low-slung bonnet, sloping roofline and muscular rear haunches, along with a split circular headlights, and the new Zed emblem on the C-pillars. And to be completely honest, Nissan’s
previous video
 gave us a better look at the upcoming car better than this; we’ll just have to wait two more weeks to have a better look at the highly-anticipated sports car.
Word on the streets is that the upcoming Z will be called the 400Z, hinting at its engine output instead of the capacity as seen on the 350Z and
370Z
 – the latter introduced in 2008, but is
 still in production now 12 years later
.
Teaser image, brightened.
Under the hood will most likely be the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 taken from the
 Infiniti Q60
, which is capable of delivering more than 400 hp and 500 Nm of torque. There were also rumours that the new Z car could feature some sort of electrification to its drivetrain, but enthusiasts will be glad to know that power is still sent to the rear wheels.
We won’t dwell too much on the uncertainties, so hopefully all of the juicy details we’ve been craving for will all be revealed two weeks from now. Until then though, forgive us while we bask in the glory of Nissan’s sports car heritage.


What is Tesla trying to proof with this latest publicity stunt?

Let’s face it. It’s unlikely that anyone of us will ever drive a Tesla in the near future, let alone
tow a ginormous object with it
; one that us civilians will never have access to.
In its latest publicity stunt, possibly to show how much torque a Model X has and its likely applications, it was used to tow a massive 128-tonne Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, capable of accommodating 280 passengers.
Wait for it
pic.twitter.com/mR13wIIu1r
— Tesla (@Tesla)
May 15, 2018
An impressive feat by the troubled electric car maker currently saddled by production line problems and mounting debts. Still, it doesn’t take the cake from when
Elon Musk declared Tesla bankrupt
; only for it to be an April Fool’s joke gone wrong.
Stocks fell sharply after Musk’s inappropriate and untimely “joke” and the company’s investors, needless to say, were not pleased. Could this be yet another story of an over achiever losing the plot? Or could Musk once again prove us all, wrong?


The Porsche Vision Renndienst has a central driving position, just like the McLaren F1!

Late last year, Porsche released a set of 15 different

unseen car designs
 that featured many motorsports inspired models as well as one van in red. Dubbed the Porsche Vision Renndienst, the fully-electric van or “comfortable modular travel cabin” is a study of space and multi-seating.
On the outside, the edgeless and futuristic shape is expected of an electric capsule that is capable of self-driving. However, to maximum ease of passenger entry and exit, the doors are a sliding mechanism.
Porsche also says the side windows are asymmetrical, with the left being a privacy screen while the right has a large window on the sliding door. A feeling of security and comfort dominates the interior which is designed to carry up to six people.
Porsche is planning to offer a smaller EV sedan. Find out more about the project here!
Upfront though is the massive windscreen as well as a moonroof. The dashboard and overall architecture at the front study how occupants will become accustomed to autonomous driving in the future.
Porsche Chief Designer, Michael Mauer, explained, “We don’t assume that our customers want to give up using a steering wheel. When I want to drive, I have more cockpit feeling than in any other car. And when I don’t, the driver’s seat can be rotated 180 degrees—with one swivel, it turns to face the other passengers,”
And thus the central driving position is explored and constructed in detail. The conceptual fully digital instrument cluster looks like it has been transferred down to the
Taycan
. A central driver’s seat means the two passengers behind have an unobstructed view ahead, as well as their own dashboard-mounted infotainment displays. Meanwhile, the third row consists of a lounge-like bench seat with curved sides which can turn towards each other.
User experience design (UX) will also be a key study area with more emphasis on individuality as the Vision Renndienst is a multi-seat vehicle. The team is dedicated to creating a digital relationship between driver, passengers and the vehicle.
This sporty black and red van brings back memories of a particular TV series too! Click here to find out more!
In the next step, Porsche will give the Vision Renndienst a soul. Recalling watching the Knight Rider TV series as a child, Ivo van Hulten, Director of UX, said he “connected with K.I.T.T” as it had a soul. Looking at how K.I.T.T and Michael Knight interacted with each other, perhaps Porsche is hinting about the implementation of Artificial Intelligent (A.I.) on a much larger scale.
The Porsche Vision Renndienst, for now, is currently not destined for production. But with such an interesting concept with mobility as a service in the future, this concept vehicle might just have a chance to serve multiple users.


Volkswagen Passat B8 launched in Malaysia, priced from RM160k to RM199k!

After being spied on numerous occasions,
previewed at the 2014 Volkswagen Auto Show
 and
appeared recently in Langkawi for a media test drive
, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has officially introduced the eighth-generation Passat to the Malaysian market.
As with the
Vento
 and
facelifted Jetta
, VPCM has offered the Passat B8 in three different trims – Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. With a competitive price tag and generous amount of equipment, Volkswagen’s flagship model may just be what the brand needs to recapture the hearts of the people.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI Trendline
Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI Comfortline
Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Highline
Engine
1,798cc; inline-4 turbo with BlueMotion technology
1,984cc; inline-4 turbo with BlueMotion technology
Transmission
7-speed DSG (Dry Clutch)
6-speed DSG (Wet Clutch)
Max Power
178 hp @ 5,100 – 6,200 rpm
217 hp @ 4,500 – 6,200 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,250 – 5,000 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,400 rpm
Price
RM159,990
RM179,990
RM198,990
 EXTERIOR
Based on the group’s MQB platform, the Passat has grown in every dimension and it now measures 4,767 mm in length, 1,832 mm in width, 1,456mm in height and 2,791mm in wheelbase. It is also 90kg lighter than before. Thanks to the stretched wheelbase, boot space has gone up by 21 litres to 586 litres.
Starting from the top of the range, the Passat Highline is equipped with full LED headlamps and tail lamps, keyless entry, “380 TSI” badge and trapezoidal bumper integrated twin tailpipes. It rides on 18-inch “Dartford” alloy wheels wrapped in 235/45 profile Continental SportContact 5 tyres.

The middle spec Comfortline wears the similar kit except for the “280 TSI” badge, twin exhaust pipe outlet and 17-inch “Istanbul” alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 profile Continental PremiumContact 5 tyres.
Opt for the entry variant, you lose out the full LED headlamps for a pair of halogen reflector headlamps and get an even smaller 16-inch “Aragon” design alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 profile Continental PremiumContact tyres.
INTERIOR
Moving inside, the cabin features a
familiar design to the Passat B7
. As standard, all variants get a leather wrapped three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel, push start button, electronic parking brake with auto hold function, tri-zone climate control with rear air vents, powered folded heated wing mirrors, cruise control and Park Distance Control (PDC).
Adding on to the standard features, the entry level Trendline features manual operated fabric seats, analogue instrument cluster with digital display, silver interior trim and 5.0-inch Composition touchscreen infotainment system.

The Comfortline adds a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink (Apple CarPlay and Android auto), reverse camera, paddle shifters, Park Pilot (self-parking feature), leather seats, 12-way powered driver’s seat with memory and massage function, six-way powered front seat for the passenger and powered boot.
The top of the line Passat gets a 6.5-inch “Discover” touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink and navigation, wood and piano black interior trim, Active Info Display, ambient lighting and powered rear windscreen sunblind.
PERFORMANCE
Under the hood of base Trendline and Comfortline is a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine producing
178 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque, up 20 hp from the previous generation B7. Drive is sent to the front-wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch DSG transmission (dry clutch). Despite its performance, the all-new Passat has a rated fuel consumption of
5.7 litres per 100km
.
Powering the Highline is the same combination from the Golf GTI – 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI mated to a six-speed dual clutch DSG transmission (wet clutch) producing
217 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Like the Golf GTI, power is sent to the front-wheels albeit with a different tuning. Fuel economy is rated at
6.2 litres per 100km
.
To match the capabilities of the Golf GTI powertrain, VPCM has equipped the Highline with electronic differential lock (XDS) that applies individual brakes on the inner wheel to reduce understeer and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) that features five different driving modes for the engine and suspension damping – Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Individual.
SAFETY
As expected of cars from this segment, the Passat is equipped with six airbags, ABS with BA, ESC, hill start assist, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS). However, only the Highline gets Lane Assist that corrects erratic steering inputs.
WHAT ELSE?
The Passat B8 is available in seven exterior colours – Pure White, Deep Black, Reflex Silver, Indium Grey, Crimson Red, Black Oak Brown and Harvard Blue (pictured above). Every new purchase of the Passat comes with a 5-Year manufacturer warranty and for a limited time only, VPCM is throwing in a 5-Year free service package for Passat models registered before the end of 2016. We’ve experienced the Passat first hand in Langkawi, if you are keen on the Passat B8, be sure to check out our
full review of the Passat B8
!
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Passat B8 Launch

Passat Highline 2.0 TSI

 Passat B8

PASSAT COMFORTLINE 1.8 TSI


Volkswagen resumes operations of showrooms and service centres

Following the government’s latest directives for the reopening of the automotive sector during the National Recovery Plan (NRP),
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
 (VPCM) has announced that its showrooms and service centres have now resumed operations, except for those located in Melaka, Johor, Kedah, Pahang, and Kelantan, that are still awaiting approval to operate.
During this period, Visitors are encouraged to make an appointment prior to their visits by contacting their preferred Volkswagen dealer. The full list of Volkswagen dealerships and their operational status can be found on VPCM’s website, linked
here
.
To safeguard the health and safety of both its customers and employees, all Volkswagen showrooms will adhere to the strict SOP guidelines set by the government, alongside the Volkswagen SafeHands measures, which includes regular temperature scans, mandatory mask usage, mandatory check-in with the MySejahtera app, and regular sanitisation of all touchpoints in the showroom.
Additionally, only fully vaccinated (14 or 28 days after completing their vaccinations, depending on the vaccine taken) visitors will be allowed into the showroom.
The 10-km travel limit has been removed for the fully vaccinated in Phase 1 NRP states. More info here.
VPCM Managing Director, Erik Winter welcomes the Government’s decision to reopen sales and manufacturing operations. “The closure of showrooms in the past months have affected our business performance, but we look forward to seeing the industry reopen and move forward, together with the support of our dealers.”
The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4Motion was recently launched in Malaysia. Check it out here!
In conjunction with the reopening of its showrooms and the upcoming Merdeka holiday, Volkswagen dealers will be hosting a virtual showroom event on their respective social media channels from 27th to 31st of August.
As part of the celebration, Volkswagen will also be offering exclusive online savings of RM4,500 on the
Tiguan Allspace Highline
, and RM7,500 on the
Passat R-Line
 from now until August 31, 2021.


Audi A4 B9 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI Quattro now in Malaysia, priced from RM219k

During the
launch of the Audi A4 B9 2.0 TFSI
 back in 2016, we know for sure that Audi Malaysia will soon have the 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI Quattro variants to join the line-up. It came a little later than anticipated but the Audi A4 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI Quattro could be yours for RM218,900 and RM314,900, respectively.
Besides that, the
Tech Pack
 option for the A4 2.0 TFSI is now available for an additional RM25,000 on top of the standard retail price of RM248,900. Audi Malaysia also announced that all three variants of the A4 will now come with a
5-Year unlimited mileage warranty package
 (previously 4-Year or 120,000km warranty package) from April 2017 onwards.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Audi A4 1.4 TFSI
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro
Engine
1,395cc; inline-4 turbo, DOHC
1,984cc; inline-4 turbo, DOHC
Transmission
7-speed S tronic
Max Power
150 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
190 hp @ 4,200 – 6,000 rpm
252 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,500 rpm
320 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,200 rpm
370 Nm @ 1,600 – 4,500 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
8.5 seconds; 210 km/h
7.3 seconds; 210 km/h
5.8 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM218,900
RM248,900
RM314,900
At RM30k cheaper than the A4 2.0 TFSI, the
1.4 TFSI
 variant gets dressed in
xenon plus headlights
 with
LED daytime running lights
, halogen tail lamps, and
17-inch 10-spoke crystal design alloys
 wrapped in 225/50 profile tyres.
Inside, you get the same features like the regular 2.0 TFSI. Standard features include leather upholstery, powered front seats, tri-zone climate control, manual rear window blinds and a 180 watts 10-speaker Audi Sound System with 6-channel amplifier. Only difference here is the simpler three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel design.
The A4 1.4 TFSI comes equipped with a
1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo
 that packs
150 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels via a
seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission
. Getting to 100 km/h from standstill takes
8.5 seconds
 while top speed is capped at
210 km/h
. Fuel consumption is rated at
 5.2L/100 km
.
The hotter, range-topping 2.0 TFSI Quattro variant gets the same
2.0-litre turbo four-banger
 like the 2.0 TFSI albeit delivering a higher output of
252 hp
 and
370 Nm
 (up 62 hp and 50 Nm), and it’s mated to the same seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch. Thanks to Audi’s Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, century sprint is done and dusted in
5.8 seconds
.

That’s quicker than the
BMW 330e
 and Mercedes-Benz C 350e, and the Audi does it without the fancy hybrid gizmo. Top speed is limited to
250 km/h
. Fuel consumption, if you must know, is rated at
 5.9 litres per 100 km
.
Besides the Quattro system, the RM66k premium over the front-wheel drive 2.0 TFSI bags you the
S Line package as standard
 (RM25k option on the 2.0 TFSI) which includes a sportier front and rear bumper, 18-inch twin-five spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 245/40 profile tyres, illuminated front door sill trims with aluminium inlays, Alcantara leather front sport seats, S Line sport leather steering wheel, and a raft of other sporty aesthetic upgrades. It also gets the Audi MMI navigation plus MMI touch and Audi smartphone interface for Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Lastly, for those of you who have been waiting to have your A4 2.0 TFSI to come with the Audi virtual cockpit and Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators, you can now do so by specifying the RM25k
Tech Pack
 option. The Tech Pack also adds a rear-view camera and Audi smartphone interface for Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

The Audi A4 range can be had in
eight exterior shades
 – Glacier White, Floret Silver, Scuba Blue, Tango Red, Monsoon Grey, Mythos Black, Argus Brown (1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI) and Daytona Grey (2.0 TFSI Quattro). Early adopters of the A4 1.4 TFSI, 2.0 TFSI Tech Pack and 2.0 TFSI Quattro will benefit from a special introductory price of RM199,900, RM249,900 and RM294,900 respectively, while stocks last. But before jumping the gun on this premium compact sedan, maybe you should
consider whether the Audi A4 B9 worth considering over a 3-Series, C-Class and S60
?
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI S-Line

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI


Toyota Mark X “GRMN” is a proper sports sedan with a 6-speed manual

Following the success of the
GR Sportscar Series in Japan
, Toyota has just launched their second model in the top of the line “GRMN” series, the Toyota Mark X “GRMN”. It comes with improved suspension set up, weight reduction and a six-speed manual to match the 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine.
Limited to 350 units only to the Japan domestic market, the Mark X “GRMN” features a sharper front bumper, new rear diffuser inserts, quad exhaust outlets, rear spoiler, “GRMN” brake calipers (18-inch front, 17-inch rear) and 19-inch BBS forged aluminium wheels wrapped in 235/45 R19 tyres at the front while the rear wears 255/35 R19 rubbers. There is also an optional carbon roof panel that further reduces the cars overall weight by 10 kg.
The “GRMN” treatment is not only cosmetic. For starters, the chassis has been stiffened with 252 additional spot-welding points while the suspension and electronic power steering have been recalibrated for better steering feel and sharper response.
These measures were taken to heighten the driving experience of the front engine rear wheel driven Mark X. As a true sports sedan, the Mark X “GRMN” adopts a 2GR-FSE 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 pushing out
318 hp
 and
380 Nm
 of torque paired to a specifically tuned six-speed manual transmission for athletic engine response and smooth shift quality.

Inside, special edition Mark X features a black theme interior with decorative carbon fibre and piano black trims, ultra-suede sports semi-bucket seat with GRMN embroidery in the backrest.
In Japan, the Toyota Mark X “GRMN” is priced at ¥5.13 million (RM193k) and is available in five exterior shade – White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Precious Black Pearl and Dark Red Mica Metallic.


Most intense and demanding racing seen at last weekend’s Round 2 of the Toyota Vios Challenge

Racing was at its most intense in Round 2 of the Toyota Vios Challenge as four classes and up to 45 cars returned to door-to-door dogfights at the Sepang International Circuit after a seven-month break due to the full lockdown and tight restrictions.
While Saturday was quite a tiring day for competitors due to both a full-day’s schedule and hot weather, Sunday was a different type of stress via the heavy downpour (a typical Sepang Circuit characteristic this time of the year) making conditions treacherous.
SPORTING CLASS
Round 2 of the Sporting Class saw two debutants in the Toyota Vios Challenge. Ady Rahimy, who has been making headlines and picking plenty of trophies after being drafted in by Sepang Talent Development Program, continued his impressive driving in this one-make race series.
In Race 1, Ady Rahimy started from pole position and won the race with a commanding lead with his matte-black 23 Motors Toyota Vios Challenge machine, ahead of Dream Chaser’s Bradley Benedict Anthony and Distinctive Model’s Clement Yeo.
Lau Seng Kiat, one of the many racing veterans from the southern state of Johor, made his debut in the Toyota Vios Challenge after a few seasons of racing in the Malaysia Speed Festival and Malaysia Championship Series, competing in Team Saksama Motorsports colours.
Race 2 on Sunday started under wet conditions saw Round 1 Race 1 winner Adam Khalid taking the chequered flag after starting from nearly the back of the field, finishing ahead of Aylezo Motorsport’s Mirza Syahmi, who led briefly, and Eric Yong, netting his third podium finish after four races.
The wet conditions also saw six drivers drop down their starting order from collisions as well as low grip levels.
SUPER SPORTING CLASS
Mitchell Cheah made his return to the Toyota Vios Challenge in commanding style, taking home the most points from Round 2 with a pole position, a race win and a second-place finish in the other matte-black 23 Motors machine.
While it was a rather uneventful race on Saturday, with Mark Darwin finishing where he started in second and Syafiq Ali climbing to third from the ninth slot, Race 2 on Sunday was the total opposite.
Race 2 got underway in the rain, with the conditions getting worse to require the intervention of the Safety Car for three laps and then a second time on lap 10 before having the race suspended. Syafiq Ali’s magnificent start from fourth and Vios Challenge debutant, Faidzil Alang, made a dream first lap for the M7 Japan Project Team as they completed lap one in first and second.
After passing Hayden, Race 1’s winner Mitchell Cheah’s duel with Faidzil for second position lasted for two laps before eventually fighting his way through and from them on his sights were set on catching race leader Syafiq who was 2.1 seconds ahead. The race got suspended due to worsening weather with Syafiq Ali taking the win, Mitchell Cheah in second and debutant Faidzil Alang in third under safety car conditions.
Carrying an extra 40 kg of success ballast by virtue of winning two consecutive races in
Round 1
, Tengku Djan Ley’s pace was hampered all weekend with the extra weight, managing only fourth quickest, before finishing Race 1 in 14th and one lap behind after brushing with the concrete on the exit of Turn 8 which caused a puncture. Thanks to his sixth place in Race 2, he is still the championship leader.
PROMOTIONAL CLASS
The Promotional Class’ Race 2 was almost a repeat of Saturday’s Race 1 results with actor Shukri Yahaya clinching his second successive race victory of the weekend after a closely-contested 18-lap race, finishing 7.1 seconds clear of TV presenter Nabil Ahmad. In third place was fellow actor Zizan Razak in Race 2, while Race 1 saw Nabila Razali taking third after making some great overtaking moves as well as benefitting from Zizan Razak’s retirement due to suspension damage.
UMW Toyota Motor’s Chief Motorsport Officer, Akio Takeyama, was promoted to third due to Zizan’s clash with Nabil Ahmad, but contact with Ahirine made Takeyama dropped down the order to finish seventh.
With two race victories each, both Shukri and Zizan now have a solid chance of clinching the overall championship in the Promotional Class.
ROOKIE CLASS
In the Rookie Class, the 20-lap race was won by current championship leader Naquib Azlan who clinched his third straight victory in three races for a perfect track record so far. Coming in second was Mika Hakimi while in third was Amer Harris.
Race 2 however see Naquib Azlan, not only carrying the full success ballast of 40 kg, but also starting from third in his category. With the treacherous conditions and extended safety car periods, Amer Harris and Mika Hakimi finished where they started in first and second, while Putera Adam managed to get ahead of Naquib Azlan to clinch his first podium position.
Watch all the replays from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Malaysia Youtube page
here
.
Toyota Vios Challenge and the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival is scheduled to return for Round 3 on November 21st and 22nd, with Sepang International Circuit hosting but this time with a twist – a
night race
 galore!
GALLERY