Alpine to be fully-electric with performance-oriented crossover and hot hatch

Alpine has been earmarked to be
Renault’s performance brand
 in Groupe Renault’s latest strategic business plan. All planned models will be fully-electric or EVs.
The move to shift Alpine to be a
fully-electric
 performance brand for Renault was first
rumoured six months ago
 together with the arrival of new Groupe Renault CEO, Luca De Meo.
A fundamental transformation is the consolidation of all the high performance-oriented resources in the group. Current activities of Alpine cars, Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing (Formula 1 operations) will be united as
one entity under the Alpine brand
.
“The new Alpine entity takes three brands with separate assets and areas of excellence to turn them into an empowered, fully-fledged business. The craftsmanship from our plant in Dieppe, the engineering mastery from our Formula 1 and Renault Sport teams will shine through our tech-infused, 100% electric line-up, taking the beautiful Alpine name to the future,” said Laurent Rossi in the accompanying press release. He was promoted to the role of CEO for the brand as recent as four days ago.
Alpine’s upcoming fully-electric propulsion product line-up will feature the replacement of the
A110
 mid-engine sports car,
to be developed with
Lotus
. Both companies have already signed a memorandum of understanding to study several areas for joint cooperation.
The current-generation Clio RS is only available as a motorsport/competition car
The new sports car will be joined by a
B-segment hot-hatch
 based on the Renault Clio’s Alliance CMF-B platform and
a

crossover
 based on the Alliance CMF-EV platform.
Is the Megane eVision concept car the precursor to the Alpine performance crossover?
The CMF-EV platform is currently the basis for the Nissan Ariya and has also been showcased through the Renault Megane eVision concept car.
The Renault F1 Team will also be
renamed to Alpine F1 Team
, leveraging on the huge global audience the sport enjoys. The sales of Alpine fully-electric performance cars and the business unit are also expected to return profits by 2025.


Tesla plans to build 3 more Gigafactories, even before the first is completed!

To date, the Gigafactory in Nevada, USA is Tesla’s biggest and most important endeavour.
The name comes from the factory’s planned annual battery production capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours (GWh) where one GWh is the equivalent of generating (or consuming) one billion watts an hour. When completed, the US 5 billion dollar investment is set to occupy a space of 108 football fields and provide 10,000 jobs.

The Tesla Gigafactory which itself would run on renewable energy sources, will serve to supply enough batteries to support its projected vehicle demand and also to achieve its goal of producing 400,000 preordered Model 3S by the end of 2018. Built in phases, the Gigafactory is expected to reach full capacity by the same year, producing more lithium ion batteries annually than there were produced worldwide in 2013.
With a projection of manufacturing half a million cars per year in the later half of this decade, Tesla alone will require today’s entire worldwide supply of lithium ion vehicles.
In 2015, Tesla sold just 50,580 Electric Vehicles, proving there is plenty of room for growth. To keep up with increasing demands related to all things production of Electric Vehicles, Elon Musk has also confirmed that there are additional two or three factories in the pipeline. These factories are set to be opened in the USA in the coming few years, even though the first factory isn’t even completed!
With a reported total of 10 Gigafactories expected to be erected in the US and beyond, Musk expects most new cars in the USA to be Electric Vehicles within 10 years with the aim of dominating the market in 20. Without having enough factories in place, Tesla would risk losing businesses when electric transportation eventually goes mainstream.
In cooperation with Panasonic and other partners, the Gigafactory will produce batteries for a fraction of today’s high cost with innovative manufacturing, waste reduction and by having most of the manufacturing process under one roof.


This completely topless Lotus 3-Eleven is road legal and costs just RM640k!

Is the
Lotus 3-Eleven
 even worth the money, you ask? Well, only 311 units will make it out the production line, so yes, get it while you still can. Pricing starts from RM640,855 for the road-going version, but the tricked out race version costs RM868,214!
Now, Lotus Cars Malaysia brought in two units of the 3-Eleven with the chassis number 001 and 007. Both units have been spoken for. It is to date the quickest production Lotus ever, succeeding the iconic 2-Eleven of yesteryear. What’s unique to the 3-Eleven is its bespoke bonded aluminium chassis, though largely reworked from the
Lotus Exige
 of which it’s based on. The bodywork is also completely new and features no doors!
QUICK FACTS
Name
Lotus 3-Eleven (Road Version)
Lotus 3-Eleven (Race Version)
Engine
3.5-litre supercharged V6, DOHC, 24V, water-cooled
Transmission
6-speed sports ratio manual
6-speed sequential automatic
Max Power
410 hp @ 7,000 rpm
460 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Max Torque
410 Nm from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm
525 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
0-100 km/h; Top Speed
3.4 seconds
3.0 seconds
Price
from RM640,855
from RM868,214
You’ve got to wear a helmet to drive this two-seater tyre shredder around. Besides the helmet to keep you safe, the carbon fibre seats come with a 4-point harness. Behind your head is the roll-cage (atop it is a roll bar cover finished in gloss black) with twin side bars for additional protection.

The mid-mounted supercharged (Edelbrock) 3.5-litre V6 engine is shared with the
Lotus Evora Sport 410
, producing
410 hp
 7,000 rpm and
410 Nm
 of torque from 3,000 to 7,000 rpm. Brain this: it tips the scales at 925 kg dry, and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in
3.4 seconds
. Top speed is rated at
280 km/h
 and is available with a
six-speed open-gated manual transmission
and Torsen-type limited slip differential.
Power is sent to the rear wheels, and speaking of which, the fronts are 18-inch (225/40) and the rears measure 19-inch (275/35). The road version gets Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres as standard, whereas the race version gets Michelin Cup 2 tyres. Keeping the 3-Eleven in check is a large GT wing that gives 65 kg of downforce at 160 km/h and 150 kg at 240 km/h. In typical Lotus fashion, all four corners get independent double wishbone suspension with fixed anti-roll bars, Eibach springs and Ohlins single adjustable dampers.

The cabin is as bare as it gets, but the driver now gets a brand new full-colour TFT multi-info display. Of course, Lotus Cars Malaysia would be more than happy to assist those with a penchant for personalisation, but the options list does command a pretty penny, right down to the paint colour.
Then there’s the race version, one that’s heavily modified and purposely conceived for track use only. By Lotus’ estimates, the fully-specced 3-Eleven Race version would lap the Sepang circuit with a time of 2 minutes 20 seconds. To give you some perspective, that’s almost as quick as a full-blown MotoGP superbike! If you’re mad enough to spend close to RM900k for an open-cockpit track toy, I need you as a friend.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia introduces the CKD C43 AMG 4MATIC

Access to AMG levels of performance just got that much easier, as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just launched the CKD C 43 AMG 4MATIC in Malaysia. How accessible? RM 408,888 worth of ease.
It’s got the same 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine, mated to an AMG-tuned 9G-TRONIC transmission – with substantially reduced shift times. The V6 engine produces
367 hp
 with
520 Nm
 of torque.
There are five different AMG Dynamic Select modes – ECO, Sport, Comfort, Sport Plus and Individual.
Inside the V6 engine is a NANOSLIDE coating on the cylinder liners, just like the ones protecting the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 V6 hybrid engine.
The C 43 AMG 4MATIC’s ride is enhanced with the standard-fit AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension. The four-link front axle is fitted with special steering knuckles and load-bearing joints – all enhanced for rigidity.
Its striking exterior is based on the AMG Line exterior, distinguished with a few specific features. They include the diamond radiator grille, with “chrome pins” and AMG lettering. The AMG spoiler lip on the boot is the same as the one on the AMG Performance model.
Elsewhere, the unmistakable silhouette of the C 43 is finished with 19-inch AMG 5-spoke light alloy wheels painted in high-gloss black.
Inside, standard equipment includes a flat-bottomed steering wheel, sports seats with enhanced lateral support and an exclusive AMG instrument cluster.
The seat covers, door centre panels and also upper part of the dashboard are finished with red stitching –  a signature AMG appearance.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Perodua Aruz 1.5X costs a whopping RM286k in Singapore!

We all know that Singapore is one of the most expensive places to buy cars, thanks to the Certificate of Entitlement mechanism which can sometimes cost more than the car itself. But still, every once in a while, you’ll see a price figure so absurd that it still stuns you a little bit.
That’s the case with the
Perodua Aruz
, which has just been launched in Singapore as its first export destination. So how much does it cost to buy the budget-oriented seven-seater (topping out at RM78k with SST here in Malaysia at launch) in the tiny island nation? How does
SGD92,999
 (~RM286,409) sound?

Just for some perspective, the Malaysian supercar, Perodua Myvi is
 priced at SGD69,800
 (~RM215k) for the range-topping 1.5AV variant in Singapore, while the all-new Honda Jazz – that’s not available anywhere else in ASEAN – comes in at
 SGD98,999
 (RM305k) for the base variant.
The Perodua Aruz comes in a single 1.5X variant over in Singapore. Just like in Malaysia, it’s powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine that makes
102 hp
 and
133 Nm
 of torque, paired to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Standard equipment on the Singapore-spec Perodua Aruz include 17-inch two-tone wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry and start, touch-screen infotainment system with reverse camera display, as well as fabric seats (60:40 split-folding second row, 50:50 split-folding third row configurations).
As for safety, because the Perodua Aruz is offered in the sole 1.5X variant in Singapore, they won’t get to enjoy the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) 2.0 that’s only available in the AV. Standard safety kit include six airbags, vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control, ABS with EBD and brake assist, emergency stop signal, and hill start assist.
The Perodua Aruz in Singapore is available in four exterior colours, Granite Grey Metallic, Electric Blue Metallic, Glittering Silver Metallic, and Ivory White. Included in the purchase price is also a five-year or 100,000 km warranty.
Perodua is represented by Perocom Auto in Singapore (since 1997!) at their sole outlet in Ubi, and has sold the Kancil, Kembara, Kelisa, first- and third-generation Myvis, Viva, Axia, and Bezza in the island nation before the Aruz.
Besides Singapore, Perodua also exports to Brunei,
Sri Lanka
, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Fiji, and Indonesia (where the Myvi is sold as the Daihatsu Sirion).


2016 Mercedes-Benz SLC launched in Malaysia, priced from RM399k

Together with the launch of the
C-Class Cabriolet
, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) unveiled the SLC Roadster for the Malaysian market. Essentially an updated R172 SLK, the name change also brings refreshed styling and an even bigger change under the bonnet.
Unlike the outgoing SLK 200 BlueEfficiency, the SLC gets a new engine and gearbox pairing, and there are now two variants available – the
SLC 200
 and
SLC 300
. Both are using the same engine but they are separated by a few horses and about RM70k.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz SLC 200
Mercedes-Benz SLC 300
Engine
1,991cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder, DOHC
Transmission
9-speed automatic, 9G-Tronic Plus
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
245 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
300 Nm @ 1,200 – 4,000 rpm
370 Nm @ 1,300 – 4,000 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
6.9 seconds; 237 km/h
5.8 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM398,888.00
RM468,888.00
EXTERIOR
The biggest exterior difference between the SLK and the SLC would be the front-end. The sharp fascia of the SLK has been softened with more rounded air intakes and headlamps, and the updated roadster now sports the flashy diamond grille. Side profile is unchanged, but the SLC is fitted with a new set of
18-inch wheels
, while the rear gets a reprofiled bumper and a pair of redesigned LED lights.

Only the SLC 300 is equipped with the AMG Line, which means it gets chrome pins inside the diamond grille, sportier bumpers and multi-spoke design alloys. Standard on both cars are
LED Intelligent Light System
 with
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
.
INTERIOR
The cabin has been spruced up with some
new switchgear
, but the basic architecture from the SLK remain. A redesigned meter cluster can be seen behind the
new steering wheel
 which was inherited from the C-Class, and there’s now a different style gear lever sprouting out of the centre console.

There’s a larger
 7-inch screen
 stuck in between the centre air-con vents for the infotainment system. The SLC 200 is equipped with
Audio 20 system
 with Garmin Map Pilot and
Apple CarPlay
, while SLC 300 adds
Comand Online
, DVD changer, and
Harman Kardon Logic 7 Surround sound system
. Also exclusive to the SLC 300 is the
Magic Sky Control
 panoramic glass roof, where the opacity of the glass roof can be adjusted accordingly.
PERFORMANCE
Both the SLC 200 and SLC 300 are powered by the same
turbocharged M274 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 tuned to give out different horse count. On the
SLC 200
 it generates
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
, while the same engine in the
 SLC 300
 produces
245 hp
 and
370 Nm
.
The four banger is mated to a
9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic
 which sends drive to the rear wheels.
Zero to 100 km/h
 time is clocked at
 6.9 seconds
 for the SLC 200 and
5.8 seconds
 for the SLC 300, while the top speed is
237 km/h
 and
250 km/h
 respectively.
WHAT ELSE?
Compared to the previous SLK 200 BlueEfficiency which retailed at RM460,888, the SLC duo offer far better value in terms of pricing. At
RM468,888
 the
SLC 300
 is just RM8k dearer than the outgoing SLK, and the
SLC 200
 undercuts the SLK by a whopping RM62k at
RM398,888
. Like the rest of the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia range, the SLC 200 and the SLC 300 are covered with 4-Year unlimited mileage warranty. So is this your dream Mercedes-Benz, or would you rather top up a bit more for
a fellow Stuttgart breed
?
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz SLC 300

Mercedes-Benz SLC 200


Facts & Figures: Hyundai Kona launched in Malaysia, from RM123k

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has finally launched the
new Hyundai Kona we tested recently
 in Malaysia with three variants available – 2.0, 2.0 Active, and 1.6 Turbo. Prices start from
RM123,888
 for the 2.0,
RM 138,888
for the 2.0 Active, and finally
RM151,888
 for the 1.6 Turbo.
To sweeten the deal, HSDM is offering a
“special introductory price” of RM115,888 for the 2.0, RM130,888 for the 2.0 Active,
 and RM143,888 for the 1.6 Turbo. You and I both know why.
PERFORMANCE
2.0 and 2.0 Active
Engine: 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 149 hp
Torque: 180 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 10 seconds
1.6 Turbo
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 177 hp
Torque: 265 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 7.7 seconds
EXTERIOR
Standard across the board are items such as the daytime running lights, automatic headlamps, keyless entry, and auto-folding side mirrors. In the
base model 2.0
, you get halogen projector headlamps, bulb type tail lights, only rear fog lamps and 17-inch wheels with 215/55/R17 tyres. In the 1.6 Turbo model, it stands out from the rest of the variants with a dual-tone exterior and roof rack.
2.0 Active and 1.6 Turbo
Bi-Beam LED
front and rear fog lamps
LED combination tail lights
18-inch wheels with 235/45/R18 tyres
INTERIOR
Items like the 7-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 speakers, and a multi-function steering wheel are standard across the board. All three variants also get an automatic headlamp feature, a tyre pressure monitoring system, two USB ports, reverse camera, and cruise control. In the Standard variant, the Kona comes with fabric upholstery and a smaller 3.5-inch TFT LCD multi-infomation display while the 2.0 Active is finished with a mix of leather and fabric.
Specific in the 1.6 Turbo variant are features like auto high beam, auto stop-start, a wireless charging pad, electronic chromatic rear view mirror and full leather upholstery. As for boot space, the Kona can gobble up to
361 litres
 of cargo.
2.0 Active and 1.6 Turbo
8-way powered driver seat with 2-way lumbar adjustment
4.2-inch TFT LCD multi-information display
Single-zone automatic air conditioning
Head-up display
SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE
All variants are equipped with six airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, traction control, hill-start assist, hill descent control and two ISOFIX child seat points. Only the 1.6 Turbo variant gets front parking sensors in addition to the rear sensors in the 2.0 variants. The 2.0 Active and 1.6 Turbo variants will get rear cross traffic alert and a blind spot monitor.
Only 1.6 Turbo
Adaptive cruise control
Lane keeping assist
Forward collision warning
Autonomous emergency braking
GALLERY
Hyundai Kona 1.6 Turbo
Hyundai Kona 2.0 Active
Hyundai Kona 2.0


David Coulthard sings praises for the Mercedes-AMG Project One

The Mercedes-AMG Project One hypercar that is based on an actual
700-horsepower
 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 Formula 1 racing engine was
first unveiled
 at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Due to the sheer technical challenge of tuning that V6 engine to be daily driveable, such as starting up with just a touch of a button, the completion of the production vehicle has been delayed by more than a year.
Earlier this year, Mercedes-AMG released a couple of
videos
 portraying the near-completed hypercar undergoing rigorous testing at their Immendingen proving ground. For those lucky customers who have waited four years since its introduction, it looks like Mercedes-AMG is set to reach mass production soon.
Tiny shift paddles though
Former Formula One driver with McLaren-Mercedes, as well as a Mercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador David Coulthard, was invited to test drive the Mercedes-AMG Project One hypercar recently. The 13-time Grand Prix winner has nothing but praises about the new hypercar.
This is Aston Martin’s interpretation of F1 for the road. Ride along inside the Valkyrie and put the speakers to 11!
“Perfect.
I love it!
 You have just taken me back twelve years. I feel like a Grand Prix driver again. You don’t need to leave this planet to have an out-of-this-world experience,” as he congratulated the project members.
Even in his Instagram account, Coulthard said he hasn’t been able to stop grinning since test driving the hypercar.
Apart from the sheer power delivery of the hybrid powertrain that is reported to generate over
1,000 hp
, the Mercedes-AMG Project One also features active aerodynamics. Upper body surfaces see control flaps extending and retracting, while a full width multi-profile rear wing works in conjunction with a deep underbody diffuser to provide racing car-like downforce levels.
Apart from the aerodynamic grip, mechanical grip is also at top-tier competition car levels. The lightweight monocoque carbon fibre tub becomes the structural unit to support the engine, transmission and front suspension arms, similar to the Formula One machine.
The new-generation Mercedes-AMG hybrids can recharge the batteries by drifting! More about the feature here!
Ultra-precise double wishbone suspension with pushrod actuation and bell-crank linkages ensure maximum contact patch of the large tyres. However, with the tiny 1,600 cc V6 engine, it certainly will not annoy the neighbours, as similar to current Formula One machines, it doesn’t deliver much
aural thrills
.
Mercedes-AMG will be building just 275 units of the Project One hypercar and all have been reported to be sold carrying a price tag starting from
EUR2.3 million
 (RM11.4 million).
Source:
Mercedes-AMG Instagram
GALLERY


Lexus LC500h details revealed, has a genius hybrid 4-speed gearbox

Earlier this year, Akio Toyoda unveiled the new
Lexus LC Coupe
, successor to the iconic Lexus LFA. It packs a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8, tuned to make 467 hp and 527 Nm of torque. It’s brutal, yet frugal, thanks to the 10-speed single-clutch automatic gearbox. Yes, 10 actual planetary gearsets.
So when Lexus announced that they will be making a
hybrid version of the LC
, it’s natural to assume that it’d be a high-tech powerhouse. Well, we’re both right and wrong. Its
 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6
 (295 hp, 348 Nm of torque) isn’t quite the performer we’d expect, but it’s coupled to a 60 hp electric motor, giving it a
total system output of 354 hp
. It’s not as high as the ‘500’ its name suggests, but Lexus says it’s enough to do the century dash in
under 5.0 seconds
. To give you some perspective, the 5.0-litre V8 LC does that in 4.5 seconds.

Let’s take our eyes off the brawn and focus on the brains. Never mind not powerful, but what this car has achieved, technologically, is something relatively unheard of, for Lexus at least. Channeling all the power to the rear wheels is the familiar
e-CVT gearbox
, but this parallel hybrid system (read
difference between parallel vs series drivetrain here
) it mated to a
four-speed conventional automatic
. Lexus calls it the
Multi Stage Hybrid System
, and here’s how they work.
The e-CVT is known to many as
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive
, used commonly across the Toyota and Lexus range. Within this hybrid transmission is a powerful electric motor paired to a set of planetary gears, both working in tandem to produce an infinite number of gear ratios. Computers then, depending on throttle input, decide which gear ratio is best suited for the kind of drive.
But the LC500h can’t be fun, precise and engaging with the e-CVT alone. To mitigate this without adding more weight (hypercar hybrid drivetrains are extremely intricate and complex, adds weight as well), Lexus engineers decided to marry the e-CVT gearbox to a lightweight, compact four-speed automatic. Note, the keywords here are
lightweight and

compact
, so it doesn’t add more weight which will upset the car’s balance.
The four-speeder is positioned behind the e-CVT, and functions by giving the car actual mechanical gearshifts. This is important because without it, there won’t be the
‘M’ Mode
. For the first time in a regular full hybrid Lexus vehicle, drivers can manually change gears when driving the LC500h – something its hybrid cars couldn’t have possibly done since, well, the Prius debuted back in 1997. Also, by marrying both drivetrains, Lexus says that the Multi Stage Hybrid System allows the engine’s rpm to better match hard-driving input. Imagine yourself commanding a Prius or CT200h to hold its rev at 5,000 rpm when you sweep the corners up Fraser’s Hill. You can’t, even if you tried, can you?
At this rate, if you’re still not convinced of Lexus’ ingenious formula, allow us. In short, Lexus’ Multi Stage Hybrid System weighs exactly the same as the e-CVT, despite adding the four-speed gearbox. How? The electric motor is slightly more compact and the lithium-ion battery pack is made of lighter materials to offset the mechanical gearbox. Lexus could, for all they care, slap a six-speed, eight-speed or 10-speed gearbox into the mix, but then you won’t be getting a hybrid LC Coupe now, would you?
Underpinning all that new technology is the company’s all-new GA-L (short for Global Architecture for Luxury vehicles) platform, one that will be the blueprint for all future front-engine, rear-wheel drive Lexus cars. Its layout allows the engine to be positioned just behind the front axle for optimal weight balance. Aluminium is extensively used throughout the car, primarily for the front hood, fenders and door skins. There’s no spare tyre, so all LC500h will be shod with run-flats tyres while riding on 20-inch cast aluminium or 20- and 21-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels.
More details on the LC500h will surface in a little over a week’s time, so be sure to watch this space for more updates! Meanwhile, what do you think of Lexus’ new hybrid drivetrain, dear readers?
IMAGE GALLERY


High-speed thrills and action concludes Round 2 of the Toyota Vios Challenge

Round two of the Toyota Vios Challenge drew to a close after two days of drama-filled racing, with more than 10,000 spectators attending the race-weekend at the
Bandar Malaysia circuit
.
Noise and smell filled the air as dozens of race-specification Toyota Vios took to the airstrip-based circuit, featuring 1.2km of straights and 10 corners. Here are the results after two days of exciting races:
SPORTING CLASS
After a thrilling three-way battle at the front, SMS Motorsports’ Haji Sutan Mustaffa Salihin clinched victory ahead of 17-year-old Bradley Benedict Anthony of Dream Chaser, with Dannies Ng taking home third position.
Sutan led the race from pole position, but it was far from a walk in the park as Bradley’s relentless charge forced him into defense.
Bradley, however, did not manage to find his way around the leader throughout the 20-lap race. His aggression even lead him into a mistake, losing track position to Dannies momentarily before regaining it two laps later when the latter missed a gearshift.
SUPER SPORTING CLASS
In the grid of professional racing drivers, Kegani Racing’s Kenny Lee drove to a textbook finish from pole position, denying 23 Motors’ Tengku Djan Ley of a double race victory. Coming in third is Laser Motor Racing’s Mark Darwin.
Starting from sixth on the grid, Tengku Djan Ley managed to slingshot himself to third from the get go due to an incident ahead of him. Combined with his victory in Race 1, Tengku Djan concludes the weekend by leading the overall point standings.
PROMOTIONAL CLASS
TV presenter and comedian Nabil Ahmad managed to lead the pack of celebrities from lap one to the chequered flag despite starting fourth, with singers Khai Bahar and Nabila Razali trailing in second and third positions respectively.
Drama broke out in the promotional class when Shukri, running in third place, was knocked out by Shawn Lee when the latter missed his braking point. Meanwhile, actress Diana Danielle found herself pointing in the wrong direction due to a nudge from actor Syafiq Kyle.
Besides the high-octane racing, spectators were also treated with drift performances by professional Japanese drivers and a concert. Toyota’s fleet of vehicles were also available for test drive, alongside racing simulator and beyblade challenges.
Visitors to the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival were also able to get up close and personal with the the all new
Toyota GR Supra
, fitted with TRD carbon fibre parts.


Video: Ferrari 296 GTB 3.0L V6 PHEV launched in Malaysia, 5 Things

Ferrari Naza Italia
 has launched the new
 296 GTB V6 PHEV
; the second plug-in hybrid model from Maranello after the
Ferrari SF90
. Prices start from RM1.228 million before options and duties.
As the first V6 in more than 50 years, the 296 GTB produces
830 hp
 and
740 Nm
from a 2.9-litre twin-turbo engine, aided by an electric motor. Despite the new, smaller engine, it’s still capable of reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in under three seconds. Top speed is well in excess of 300 km/h.

Among the noteworthy features of the exterior is the active rear spoiler for better downforce while the all-new chassis of the 296 GTB is shorter than the
F8 Tributo
. This Ferrari says, provides a fun-to-drive, go-kart feeling. Most of the controls inside the car are touch-sensitive, while the light switches, turn indicator switches, and eManettino switch are among those still operated with physical switches.
The 296 GTB can be specified with the
 Assetto Fiorano
 package for extra carbon fibre bits, additional downforce, race-derived suspension, and weight reduction of up to 15 kg.


All-new 2022 Subaru WRX launched in the USA

Subaru of America has finally launched the 2022 Subaru WRX, three weeks later than scheduled due to the cancellation of the New Year International Auto Show. The company was planning to use the international event to present the new performance sedan after a series of teasers, including an oversight by a prominent auto website that uploaded the

thumbnail
 of their walkaround video 12 hours too soon.
The exterior design of the new 2022 Subaru WRX takes plenty of cues from the
Subaru Viziv Performance Concept
 that was first shown at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. At the front, much of the Subaru styling elements are seen such as the hexagonal grille, compact LED headlamp with a pointy DRL signature (like the
Levorg
 wagon), all-black lower grille and of course, the hood scoop for directing air to the intercooler.
At the side, the much-talked-about black cladding were carbon fibre items in the concept car, but in the new Subaru WRX, they are unpainted black resin (textured aerodynamic hexagonal pattern) that is commonly found on SUVs and crossovers. Subaru has cleverly incorporated aerodynamic air breathers into the front wheel arch extensions which are hexagonal, looking similar to a Lamborghini and particularly, the
Countach
.
Subaru has continued with 17-inch wheels and 235/45R17 tyre size on the new WRX base variant, with the higher GT model comes equipped with larger 245/40R18 performance tyres and 18-inch rims.
LED tail lamps with a horizontal decorative strip in gloss black as seen on the new
Subaru BRZ
 coupe is said to “glow with a look reminiscent of volcanic magma”. A rear spoiler completes the sporty look of the all-new Subaru WRX.
As speculated by the American fans, a new 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer engine from the larger Ascent SUV powers the new 2022 Subaru WRX. The unit develops a higher output of
271 hp,
just three more than the
outgoing 2.0-litre unit
 whilst maintaining the torque curve of
350 Nm
 available from 2,000 to 5,200 rpm. Responsiveness is said to be improved in this new boxer engine.
Given the preference for manual transmission in the USA, it is no surprise that the new Subaru WRX continues to be offered with a six-speed manual transmission, which is said to have its shift qualities improved. Yet, a lot of development work has been done to further improve the CVT automatic transmission, now called the Subaru Performance Transmission. Both transmissions continue to deliver power to all four wheels via the
legendary
 Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Active Torque Vectoring.
You can now subscribe to the 268-hp Subaru WRX from RM2,699/month. More about the program here!
Gear “ratios” or steps have been retuned for up to 30% faster upshifts, better ratio coverage as well as an increase in durability via the fitment of an external transmission fluid cooler. Drivers can cycle through eight pre-set ratios or steps via the shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Similar to the all-new
Subaru XV
 and
Subaru Forester
, the new WRX is built on the Subaru Global Platform (SGP) which offers increased safety, improved dynamics, a lower centre of gravity and a drastic reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. For the new WRX, the chassis has been further strengthened to achieve 28% increase in overall torsional rigidity and a massive 75% increase in suspension mounting rigidity.
This allows the chassis and dynamics team to design a longer suspension stroke for an increase in stability and lateral grip under uneven surfaces. For the first time in a WRX, the shock absorbers now feature a new
electronically controlled
 system that has settings for Comfort, Normal and Sport.
The new e-dampers are paired with the new Drive Mode Select that includes a customisation feature, allowing the driver to mix different SI-Drive powertrain responses with steering feel and damper setting. Steering feel and feedback to the driver is said to have been improved via a new dual-pinion electric power steering system.
Inside, the new Subaru WRX shares the same dashboard with the Japan-only Levorg wagon, with the large 11.6-inch full HD infotainment display taking centre stage, literally. The large screen, in portrait orientation, is segmented to display vehicle information, navigation, selected media for audio as well as air-conditioning settings.
The majority of the interface with the Starlink Multimedia Plus uses touch controls, but physical switches for audio and air-conditioning have been included.
Here are five types of drivers that will grow fond of the Subaru XV quickly!
The instrument cluster for the driver meanwhile continues to be a classic dual analogue setup with a multi-information display nestled in between the dials.
Sports seats are standard fitted, but the new range-topping GT trim gets Recaro items with increased support. They are power-adjustable and wrapped with black Ultrasuede material.
The
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
 that includes adaptive cruise control and new Automatic Emergency Steering is also standard in the GT trim, together with 18-inch wheels and the electronically controlled damper system.
The new Subaru WRX will be available at North American dealerships in early 2022.
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Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visits Lotus factory in Hethel, samples new Evora 400

Chairman of Lotus Group PLC and PROTON Holdings Bhd, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, has recently visited Norfolk, England to visit the Lotus plant in Hethel where the former PM was briefed on the company’s current business plans and also to preview the brand’s full model line-up.
Once the presentation was over, the entourage proceeded to the
 production floor
 where the new
Evora 400
 was being
assembled
 meticulously by
 hand
. The 400 has already started making its way to showrooms across Europe and will be making its
debut here
 before the year is up.
“Over the last 12 months since my last visit to Hethel, I have been
 greatly impressed
 with the  progress that has been made by the management team at Lotus. The business has made
 great leaps forwards
 and it is clear that the turnaround of Lotus is underway. It is always a pleasure to visit the home of Lotus and having seen the
 progress achieved
 and the forthcoming range of Lotus cars, I am
encouraged
 and
 excited
 for the future of the company,” said Tun Dr Mahathir.
Jean-Marc Gales echoed the sentiment of the company’s chairman as well. The former premier then strapped himself into the marque’s
 400 hp flagship
 sports car and took it for a spin around the
Hethel test track
 where he witnessed first hand the thoroughbred capabilities of the
Evora 400
. Be sure to stay tuned to its Malaysian debut soon!


What’s the Buzz: You see a reckless driver and an innocent victim, we see a larger problem

You would’ve probably seen by now the most talked about video of the day on Facebook – a dashcam recording of a Toyota Yaris colliding head-on with a Proton Wira in Ulu Yam.
To most, it’s just another fool who can’t tell the difference between what he sees on YouTube and reality; someone who lacks experience and wisdom, or even someone who can’t tell the difference between a
standard Yaris

and
the GR Yaris
.
But there’s a bigger problem here; what we see is a person who is unaware of the limits of his car, the limits of his car’s tyres and what happens when you go into a bend with too much speed.
What you see may just be another accident caused by a mindless fool who is probably influenced by those he saw on the YouTube but really, the root of the problem is far deeper than the Internet and social media influence.
It’s a problem that has persisted for decades and it has completely rotten the core of it. Continually ignoring the problem has also spawned generations of Malaysian drivers with zero awareness of the dangers of speeding, and even worse, with little to no consideration for other motorists.
Massive understeer was probably the main reason for the accident and it’s possible that the driver doesn’t know what that is, until this morning. It’s also very likely that the driver didn’t know his Yaris would react that way as he swung through the bend.
Everyone can drive fast, but does everyone know how to drive fast? Those are two different things.
The root of this problem can be traced back to our rubbish driving schools, hopeless transport authorities and the high levels of complacency both parties have adopted over the years. It might seem like we’re speaking the obvious, but it’s something that somehow slips our minds time and time again.
In these driving schools, we are not taught to drive; they only teach us how to operate a car but not to “drive” one. We’re not talking about grooming race car drivers, we’re talking about handling a piece of machinery that can injure ourselves and others.
“This is how you manage the clutch, this is how you move the lever from P to D, this is how you parallel park, this is how you do a 3-point turn” – all necessary but too elementary.
How does this test benefit us in our daily adventures?
What they don’t teach you is what to do when your car goes over standing water, how does your car feel when it’s hydroplaning, what happens when you brake hard in the middle of the corner…or in the case of this K-POP star and his foolish driving, what makes a car understeer and how you can counter or better yet avoid it altogether.
It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. We mock his K-POP style, laugh at and insult his driving out for amusement but the tone and reactions would’ve been very different if an innocent live was taken due to his lack of skill to back up that complete lack of discretion.
It’s time for a drastic change at the very core of the problem. It’s time to revamp the driving school syllabus. It’s time to teach the upcoming generation how to properly handle a car, the do’s and don’ts of driving on slippery roads in the heavy rain, but most of all cultivate the mindset of being considerate for others.
The Wira and its driver may be lucky today, others may not be so next time.


Bye bye diesel – Porsche to stop offering diesel powertrains

It’s no secret that every major car manufacturer is going full steam into electric mobility and Porsche is no exception; at the expense of diesel powertrains and with numbers to back the move.
In Europe,
more than 63% of Panameras sold are hybrids
 while demand for diesel models have dipped and since 2017, the number of diesel Porsches sold have dropped by 12%. As such, the company has decided to no longer offer new models with diesel powertrains.
Find out what former F1 driver,
Mark Webber, thinks of the new Porsche Taycan
.
“Porsche is not demonising diesel. It is, and will remain, an important propulsion technology. We as a sports car manufacturer, however, for whom diesel has always played a secondary role, have come to the conclusion that we would like our future to be diesel-free. Naturally, we will continue to look after our existing diesel customers with the professionalism they expect,” says CEO of Porsche AG, Oliver Blume.
In 2019, Porsche will mark its first step into the foray of purely electric sports cars with the
new Taycan
; capable of generating
400 km of pure electric range with just 15 minutes of charging
.
Rest assured that Porsche will still breed petrol-powered monsters such as this 911 GT2 RS.
By 2025, Porsche expects every other vehicle sold to be equipped with an electric drive – either hybrid or purely electric.
That said, Porsche is still looking to please its purists and enthusiasts with the assurance that they’re still working on optimising internal combustion engines within their product portfolio.


The updated 2018 Jaguar F-Type is the most “affordable” way to project success

When it comes to sports/performance cars, a half a million Ringgit war chest opens you up to a tonne of options. From the Mercedes-Benz AMG line-up alone, you’d be left scratching your head for days.
Then you have the Porsche 718 Boxter, 718 Cayman and the BMW M2; all in the RM 500k ball park. Sure they may be quick, exciting and extremely competent but can they project the same extravagance in a way the 2018 Jaguar F-Type can? From its silhouette alone?
In an easily impressionable society, it’s hard to believe so – which brings me to this
 refreshed 2018 Jaguar F-Type Coupe
 that Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has just brought in the local market – with interior and exterior updates along with the new 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Underneath the hood packs
300 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque, with 0 to 100 km/h done in 5.7 seconds before it tops out at an electronically-limited 250 km/h.
It’s got new LED head and tail lights, redesigned bumpers, a new single-exit exhaust tailpipe design, new 18-inch wheels and a new Silicon Silver exterior colour. The new headlights come with three different beam pattern modes (city, highway and bad weather), for the best possible visibility in different driving conditions.
Inside are slim-lined seats, moulded from magnesium alloy that’s not only stronger but also lighter, with new chrome and aluminium trim finishing. Such weight-saving measures makes the update model 8 kg lighter than its predecessor.
The 2018 F-TYPE 2.0-litre Ingenium is priced at RM 575,800 (excluding road tax and insurance) and is now available at all Jaguar showrooms nationwide.
All Jaguar vehicles distributed by authorised dealers comes with a Jaguar Care Programme that offers a 5-year Warranty or 150,000km, 5-year Servicing or 65,000km (whichever comes first) and 3-years Roadside Assistance.
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW is still the most popular car brand on TikTok

Ah, TikTok, the land of weird trends and viral cats. While we here at
AutoBuzz.my
 still haven’t really got into
TikTok
 yet (
coming soon…?
), there’s no denying that it’s definitely one of the top social media platforms now, with over a billion active users scrolling through an endless stream of videos each day, including ones about cars.
The all-new BMW X1
A new study was published by
Confused.com
 recently highlighting some of the most popular car brands, models, and car-themed influencers on TikTok. And if you need an indication on how fast the industry (and social media trends) move, here’s one.
Compared to a
similar study from last year
, there’s only one thing in common between the two:
BMW
remains as the most popular marque on TikTok, with a total of 49.2 billion views on BMW-related videos published on the platform. Coming in a distant second is
Mercedes-Benz
 at 27.1 billion views, while third place is shared between
 Audi
and
Honda
at 20.4 billion views.
Apparently the most popular car on TikTok.
It’s again a completely different story when it comes to the most popular car models, as the top spot here goes to the
all-new Ford Maverick pick-up truck
 with 10.9 billion views, putting it slightly ahead of the
Mustang
at 10.7 billion views. That means the first two spots both belong to
 Ford
, even though the marque only came in a joint fifth in the overall brand rankings.
Third place went to the
Toyota Supra
 (9.3 billion views), which I guess you
 can
 argue that it’s somewhat a BMW. And just as a comparison, the Dick Lovett study from last year placed the Audi TT at the top spot, followed by the
BMW M4
 – although it has to be noted that the two studies use a different methodology to compile their data.
As for the influencers, Daniel Mac – known for his “excuse me I love your car what do you do for a living” video – is the most popular car-themed profile on TikTok with 12.6 million followers. Alex Hirschi, or more commonly known by her online persona Supercar Blondie, follows closely in second place with 10.6 million followers on TikTok, while Dima Gordey comes third with 5.1 million followers.
Do you consume automotive content on TikTok? Let us know if these results tally with what you see! Drop a comment on what we need to know about car TikTok, too, as you might just see us there very soon!


Spend only RM99 on your first month’s subscription with Flux

For those who’ve been keen on trying their subscription service, now’s the time to get on board the Flux train.
Flux provides a range of cars for subscription and to celebrate the upcoming festive season, your first month’s subscription will be just RM99. This limited-time offer is available from now until the 3rd of June 2020.
The promotion is applicable for subscription plans of
24 or 36 months
 and
mileage packages of Lite (1,250km) and Standard (2,000km)
. To further sweeten the deal, this offer is applicable across the entire range of new and pre-owned Flux cars – whether it’s a Toyota Yaris or Mercedes-AMG CLA45.
Among the many cars in the Flux offers for subscription.
Along with the recently launched
Subscribe to Own
, the Raya Style & Savings promo with Flux now makes your first-year expenses even cheaper, with up to 36% savings over a loan for the same car.
Those interested will need to
create an account
 on the official site, proceed to choose and reserve their car. Once selected, users will
receive the car within seven days
. All successful subscriptions will only be billed RM99 in subscription fees for their first month.
“During these extraordinary circumstances we live in today, private mobility continues to play a critical role in helping people move from point A to B in a socially responsible manner. To that end, the Raya Style and Savings with Flux campaign aims to lower the barriers of car ownership, especially during this festive season. Everyone at Flux wishes all Malaysians celebrating a Selamat Hari Raya,” said Flux founder and CEO, Aziz Ayman.


Maserati teases GranTurismo Folgore – fully-electric GT with over 1,200 hp!

Just like virtually every carmaker out there today, Maserati is also currently going through an electric renaissance right now, with a plan to
become fully electric by the end of the decade
. They’ve already unveiled the
hybrid Ghibli
 and
Levante
, and now it’s time for its first fully-electric powered model, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore.
The Italian luxury carmaker has just released a couple of teaser photos for the
all-new second-generation GranTurismo
, which is slated for market debut in 2023. It’ll be offered in both petrol- and fully electric-powered guises, with the latter offering “way over” 1,200 hp.
Providing all that grunt are its three electric motors – two on the rear axle, and one in front – powered by a large “bone battery” mounted low and through the centre of the car.
As a result, the fully-electric GranTurismo Folgore will become Maserati’s most powerful model ever produced, promising a 0-100 km/h sprint time of under three seconds, towards a top speed of “over” 300 km/h. The company also says that its DC fast charging capabilities will be “top class”, whatever that means.
Not much else has been said about the GranTurismo Folgore, but at least we do get quite a good look at it, courtesy of Maserati’s teaser photos.
The second-generation model still retains its iconic long hood and rearward cab silhouette (the petrol engine for the non-EV version still needs to go somewhere), and the front end is also clearly inspired by the
MC20 sports car
, particularly seen on its slender headlights profile.
As per usual, the new GranTurismo coupe will also spawn a GranCabrio convertible twin, which will also be offered with Folgore electric power.
Aside from the GranTurismo Folgore, Maserati also plans to launch six new EVs by 2025, which it says will make it the “first luxury brand to complete the EV line-up”. This means that all of its models, consisting of two SUVs (all-new
 Levante
 and the upcoming
Grecale
), one sedan (new
Quattroporte
), and two sports (all-new GranTurismo) or supercars (MC20) will all be offered also in a fully-electric form by then.
All of these full EVs will wear the ‘Folgore’ badge, which means ‘lightning’ in Italian.


The Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4Matic Coupe facelift now locally-assembled in Malaysia, RM499k!

Following the launch of the
 facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe
 last year, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has now launched the performance variant of the Coupe-styled SUV, GLC 43 4Matic Coupe, here in Malaysia.
Unlike the
outgoing model
, the facelifted 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe is assembled locally (CKD) here in Malaysia, which means that the performance SUV enjoys quite a significant price drop. Paired with the sales tax exemptions which are applicable until the end of the year, the new GLC 43 Coupe is priced at
RM498,723
 on-the-road without insurance, which represents a savings of more than RM80,000!
The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine underneath the hood has been revamped to now produce
390 hp
 (+23 hp) and
520 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via the 4Matic all-wheel drive system, paired to an ninespeed AMG Speedshift automatic gearbox.
Curiously though, the 0-100 km/h time of the facelifted Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe remains identical to the outgoing model at
4.9 seconds
, despite the increase in power output. Top speed is also identical, electronically-limited to
250 km/h
.
The new sporty SUV rides on AMG Ride Control+ air suspension on all four corners, which is based on the Air Body Control air suspension but with AMG-specific Adaptive Damping System. As is standard on an AMG model, the GLC 43 Coupe also comes with the Dynamic Select drive mode select system, with the addition of a variable-ratio speed-sensitive steering as standard to further enhance the driving feel.
In terms of appearance, the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe takes on the updated styling of the GLC 300 Coupe with AMG Line exterior pack, with a couple of AMG-specific styling elements tacked on. These include Panamericana grille up front, quad round tailpipe exits at the rear, and 21-inch five-twin-spoke two-tone alloy wheels all round.
Just like the GLC300, the AMG-variant also received an overhaul on the inside, with the main highlight being the new 10.25-inch infotainment display with the latest MBUX infotainment software, paired to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
AMG-specific touches include a meaty AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa microfibre, red contrast topstitching on the upholstery, Designo Red seatbelts, and AMG-specific displays on the MBUX system.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 AMG also now comes with the Driving Assistance advanced driver assist package, which includes features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitor, and a 360-degree around view monitor.
Once again, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe is priced at
RM498,723
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of sales tax exemptions. With Mercedes-Benz Financial Malaysia’s Agility Financing Plan, the GLC 43 Coupe can be yours starting from RM4,987 per month, based on a 28% downpayment and a tenure of five years.
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The new Shelby Mustang GT500 to get most powerful V8 engine in the world

After months of suspense since its global unveiling in January, Ford has finally revealed the performance figures for the
2020 Shelby GT500
 and the numbers simply boggle the mind.
The hand-built 5.2-litre supercharged V8 will make
 760 hp
 with
847 Nm
 of torque; making it the most power- and torque-dense supercharged production V8 engine in the world.

To put things into perspective, the most powerful V8 Ferrari ever built (
for the F8 Tributo
) only makes
720 hp
! But that’s just on paper, we wouldn’t doubt which of the two is actually faster when pitted against each other.
For more V8 goodness, check out
GC Mah’s review of the 5.0-litre V8 Ford Mustang
featuring a very special guest!


Here are the following road closures effective 1st April 2020 as 2nd phase of MCO kicks in

We were supposed to be free today; free from this “MCO mental and physical restraint” that has made us all restless beyond our wildest imagination.
But
it has to be done
. With a cure no where to be found, this is the only way to effective contain the virus, if not overcome it. We have to stay put, refrain from all social interactions before our entire system, whether governance or healthcare, is overwhelmed with numbers we have no way of coping.
Staying home is OUR ONLY WEAPON against Covid-19
, for now.
And our local enforcers are making sure it stays that way. Moving into the 2nd phase of this Movement Control Order, which begins today till the 14th of April 2020, the Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) Subang Jaya District Headquarters have announced that it would be conducting 24-hour road blocks and road closures at the following locations.
Road blocks:
1. Seafield USJ Toll Plaza
2. Jalan Subang Utama to NPE highway
3. Puchong Selatan Toll Plaza, Batu 14, Puchong
4. PJS 7 Toll Plaza, LDP (Southbound)
5. Putra Heights Toll Plaza, Elite Highway
Road closures:
1. KESAS to USJ 1
2. KESAS to Persiaran Subang USJ 1 (Summit)
3. KESAS to Persiaran Kemajuan
4. From Subang Kelana Link to Persiaran Kewajipan Subang Jaya
5. LDP to Persiaran Kewajipan (from One City Hotel)
6. LDP to Persiaran Kewajiapan (from Persiaran Klang)
7. Persiaran Tujuan to Federal Highway
8. Jalan Persiaran Kemajuan to Federal Highway
9. Shah Alam to Persiaran Tujuan (Federal Highway exit)
10. Kuala Lumpur to Persiaran Tujuan (Federal Highway exit)
Alternative exit routes from Subang Jaya for SS12 and SS19 residents
1. Jalan Persiaran Kemajuan to Subang Kelana Link
2. Jalan Persiaran Tujuan / Persiaran Kewajipan to LDP

Alternative exit routes from Subang Jaya for USJ 1 to USJ 22 residents
1. Persiaran Kewajipan
2. Jalan Persiaran Tujuan
3. Subang Kelana Link
4. LDP
5. Federal Highway
Bandar Sunway residents can still access the LDP and NPE while Putra Heights residents can still use Persiaran Harmoni to LDP route. The LDP route is still accessible for those living around the Bukit Puchong area. Those with further enquiries on the Movement Control Order are encouraged to call the Covid-19 hotline at 03-78627107 or 03-78627108.


Mitsubishi ASX facelift launched in the UK, priced from RM83k

The updated Mitsubishi ASX has just hit the showroom floors in the UK. Four variants will be on offer for the UK market, with two diesel and one petrol engines to choose from.
On the exterior, the ASX now wears the signature “Dynamic Shield” grille similar to the ones on the Mitsubishi Outlander. Elsewhere, similar to our locally refreshed ASX, the UK-bound ASX gets a shark-fin antenna as well. Wheel choices include a 16-inch for the base model while other gets a two-tone 18-inch alloys. A new colour,
Lighting Blue
, is added to the colour line-up.
Starting from the base ASX 2, the updated ASX gets front fog lamps, multifunction colour instrument display and leather wrapped steering wheel. Power is derived from a 1.6-litre petrol engine putting out
117 hp
 and
154 Nm
 of torque driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
Moving up to the ASX 3, it adds on automatic climate control, keyless entry and start, cruise control, automatic xenon projector headlamps, automatic wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated front seats, power folding mirrors and a reverse camera. Besides the 1.6-litre petrol engine, the front-wheel drive ASX 3 is also offered with a 1.6-litre turbodiesel that delivers
114 hp
 and
270 Nm
 of torque via a six-speed manual.
The ASX 4 trim comes with leather upholstery, black roof rails, aluminium pedal kit, panoramic glass roof and a 7-inch touch-screen display with Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS) with satellite navigation. Available only in four-wheel drive layout, customers can choose from either the 1.6-litre turbodiesel or a more powerful 2.2-litre turbodiesel that churns out
150 hp
 and
 260 Nm
 of torque via a six-speed automatic.
Lastly, the top of the range ASX 5 gets Nappa leather interior with a choice of Claret Red, Porcelain Cream and Gunmetal Grey, colour matching floor and boot mat, heated rear seats, powered driver’s seat, twin rear USB charging port, LED interior lighting and front-door entry guards. Similar to the ASX 4, the four-wheel drive ASX 5 is available with either a 1.6-litre or 2.2-litre turbodiesel.
Standard safety features across the board include seven airbags, Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control (M-ASTCC) and hill start assist on top of the other usual suspects.
Pricing for the ASX facelift in the UK starts from £15,999 (RM83k) to £25,649 (RM132k) with a 5-Year or 62,500-mile warranty and 3-Year pan-European roadside, home and accident assistance. There is also a 3-Year Mitsubishi Service Plan available for £500 (RM2.6k) for 1.6-litre petrol and turbodiesel versions and £675 (RM3.5k) for the 2.2-litre turbodiesel.
The facelifted ASX will surely be introduced to our market in due course, and will more than likely be locally assembled. Fancy this, folks? In the meantime, check out what we think of the
Malaysian spec Mitsubishi ASX
!
IMAGE GALLERY


From entry level equipment to purist only models, BMW says manuals are here to stay but…

There used to be a time where manual transmissions were only reserved for entry level models; with automatic and dual clutch gearboxes available for the higher-end variants of a particular car.
Speaking to
CarAdvice
, BMW M division CEO Markus Flasch says this perception and approach is set to change with BMW’s “new M strategy”.

On that note, it’s said that the “pure M models” such as the upcoming BMW M3 and M4 will continue to be offered with manual transmissions as a “flagship option”.
This approach is similar to that of Porsche’s – with manual transmissions only available for its “hotter” 911 models such as the
911 T,

911 GT3 Touring Package
 and the
911 R
.
A spyshot of the
next generation BMW M3
.
Markus claimed that while the manual transmissions may not translate to faster shift/lap times, there are advantages such as weight, character and visceral effect to the driving experience.
Citing huge demand from the USA as the largest motivation for BMW to continue producing manual transmissions, Markus did highlight that the ‘traditional mode gear changing” will not be carried over to the facelift M5 and the M5 CS due to a lack of interest.
The
 F10 BMW M5
 was the last of the “large saloon supercars” to come with a manual gearbox.
Whether this will pan out the way BMW hopes and follow suit the successes of Porsche’s manual-only models remains to be seen but it’s worth noting that none of the BMW M3 and M4’s rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S aren’t available with manual gearboxes.
Could this help with the appeal of the said models? Perhaps even their long term resale value? Judging from the current situation, it does seem that way.


Gallery: New Mitsubishi Triton launched – expected to arrive in early 2019

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has just revealed the
new Triton at a global launch in Bangkok, Thailand
 and judging from these pictures, it’ll no doubt be one of the most good-looking pick-ups when it arrives in Malaysia.
We are expecting it to be available as early as Q1 of next year after its preview at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) 2018 but we’ll just have to wait for the announcements at the show. For those aching for a closer look, you know where to be!
The Triton in White Diamond – a new colour for the rejuvenated pick-up.
Word is that the 4×4 models will be available first before the 4×2 models make its way to Malaysia. Exact details on its availability should be announced at KLIMS.
The new Triton features a more sleek yet aggressive new look with more profound, flared arches along with a comprehensive list of driver assistance systems.
Although power output, as it stands, is identical to the current model in Malaysia with
181 hp
 and
 430 Nm
 of torque, a new 6-speed automatic gearbox replaces the 5-speed unit used at the moment.
IMAGE GALLERY


Maserati announces full electrified model lineup – first hybrid in 2020

After receiving funding by parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Maserati has announced their plans for the production of electrified vehicles, and development of new autonomous driving technology.
In an unexpected announcement, Maserati has confirmed that all new models moving forward will either be fitted with a hybrid powertrain or fully electric. The first model to receive an electrified powertrain is the updated
Maserati Ghibli
, slated for next year.
The D-segment luxury sedan will also be equipped with Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities, with Maserati looking to progress to Level 3 in the near future, equipped with technology that would require minimal human intervention.
Next in line will be the eagerly-awaited Maserati sports car, which will be Maserati’s first all-new model since 2015, as well as a new SUV which is expected to sit below the
Levante
.
As part of the five billion Euro investment programme, Maserati will extensively upgrade its production facilities, but production of all vehicles will still remain in Italy.
The brand’s headquarter in Modena has begun carrying out major production line upgrades to accommodate the electric powertrain of the new sports car. The carmaker’s Cassino and Turin production plants have also received 800 million Euros in investment, with the former to build a brand new production line.
The Modena plant will also feature a new paint shop, as well as a dedicated customisation workshop for Maserati’s new customisation programme for bespoke one-of-a-kind exclusive cars.
Production of the new models will complement the existing line-up of current Maserati range such as the Quattroporte and Levante, while the carmaker will be introducing the updated
GranTurismo and GranCabrio
 to “herald the full electrification era for Maserati.”


The Lexus LC 500 Convertible reimagines the modern beauty

The
Lexus LC 500 Coupe
 when it debuted, was the cornerstone in automotive design featuring the brand’s new design language. As the design has been slowly trickled down to the rest of its fleet, Lexus probably felt like they needed to push the design envelope again.
It is a blessing for us car enthusiasts that Lexus is still
continuously raising the bar
 despite potential production woes, because they’ve just put out another stunner – the Lexus LC 500 Convertible.
Unsurprisingly, the LC 500 Convertible looks pretty much identical to the Coupe on first glance, other than the removal of its hard-top roof.
However upon closer inspection, the rear trunk is visibly lifted with a “kicked up” design, where the entire integrated ducktail spoiler has been broadened to emphasise the low-and-wide stance of the convertible.
Lexus has decided to opt for a soft top on the LC 500 Convertible. Made up of four layers, the soft top roof has been designed to retain the flowing roofline from the Coupe.
The frame of the roof is hidden underneath the fabric too, so as to not disrupt the overall shape, while the entire roof is tucked neatly under an integrated tonneau cover when retracted.
The roof takes
15 seconds
 to open and
16 seconds
 to close at speeds up to
50 km/h
, while an animation on the instrument cluster shows its progress. The fabric for the roof has also been carefully selected to ensure optimal tension to prevent wrinkling, while improving the sound insulation inside the cabin.
On the topic of its interior, Lexus has made significant effort to maintain the luxurious ambiance of the cabin, even with the top down. The wrap-around body shape of the LC 500 Coupe, along with the transparent polycarbonate wind deflector helps restrict unwanted air from entering the cabin. An additional wind screen is also available to further reduce wind buffeting at higher speeds.
Other than physical sound insulation and absorption techniques, Lexus also utilises
Active Noise Control
 to further suppress unwanted harshness within the cabin.
As with the Coupe, the entire cabin is still lined with premium materials all round, with a
10.3-inch
 split-screen multimedia display taking centre stage on the dashboard, which now supports
Android Auto
 in addition to
Apple CarPlay
.
The Lexus Climate Concierge has also been upgraded to automatically adjust the temperature when the top is raised or lowered. Air blowers are designed to send cold or hot air to the steering wheel, while the seat and neck heaters ensure the cabin is at ideal temperature when the top is down.
Despite the removal of the roof, Lexus has made significant effort to maintain the driving characteristics of the Coupe. Chassis rigidity has been strengthened with the addition and relocation of various structural braces.
The suspension has also been tuned specifically for the LC 500 Convertible’s change in weight, while new performance dampers is adopted for a improved ride comfort.
The Lexus LC 500 Convertible utilises the same 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 from the Coupe, rated to produce
471 hp
 and
540 Nm
 of torque. The powerplant is mated to the DirectShift-10 automatic transmission.
Lexus did not provide any performance figures for the topless LC 500, but we figure the century sprint time should be a touch slower than the Coupe due to the added weight.
The Japanese luxury brand is quick to point out that no electronic sound generation is used for the engine note. Instead, a specifically-designed sound pipe sends the engine roar into the cabin through a diaphragm.
A computer-controlled valve also actively controls the exhaust back-pressure, while optimising exhaust tone and volume at higher engine speeds.
As for safety, Lexus Safety System+ comes as standard on the LC 500 Convertible, which includes a whole suite of advanced safety features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Intelligent High Beams.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Jaguar F-Type SVR confirmed, outpaces the F-Type Project 7!

Jaguar is looking to launch the SVR version of the
F-Type
 at the Geneva Motor Show, a few days after its sales brochure was leaked online. The SVR moniker represents a product from Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department, and the F-Type is the second vehicle after the
Range Rover Sport
 to receive the exclusive treatment.
As the brochure reads, the
5.0-litre V8
 produces
567 hp
 with
700 Nm of torque
, a slight increase of 25 hp and 20 Nm of torque over the standard F-Type V8. Mated with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, power is delivered to all wheels.

It’s not surprising to see performance improvements in the SVR cars. This F-Type SVR smashes the century sprint in just
3.7 seconds
; about 0.4 seconds quicker over the standard and already brutal F-Type V8. The F-Type SVR is also capable of hitting a top speed of
320km/h
;

22km/h faster than the standard V8. That said, the F-Type SVR is now Jaguar’s fastest car, succeeding the F-Type
Project 7
.
Apart from performance upgrades, the F-Type SVR, available in both coupe and convertible forms, will receive aerodynamic improvements as well. This includes a more glaring rear diffuser, a large front spoiler and a rear spoiler that improves downforce by reducing lift of up to 80 percent. The SVR also receives lightweight components in the form of carbon ceramic brakes, titanium exhaust and forged aluminium wheels, saving up to 43kg over the standard F-Type.
The brochure also indicates that the convertible will only top out at 310 km/h instead of the 320 km/h achievable with the coupe. Despite all this, pricing for both cars have yet to be revealed, and it will certainly cost more than the standard F-Type V8 which costs RM1,158,888 in Malaysia. But the bigger question is, will it arrive in Malaysia? Seeing how two prime examples of the
 F-Type Project 7
 made it to our shores last year, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia may just introduce their first ever SVR car here. Fingers crossed!
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Mitsubishi compact SUV set for August debut in Indonesia – ASX successor?

Mitsubishi
 Motors has been teasing its upcoming compact SUV for quite a while now, but we’re now finally getting a firm launch date. Based on the
Mitsubishi XFC Concept
 it unveiled last year, the all-new Mitsubishi compact SUV will be making its official debut at the 30th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), which will be open to the public from
August 11-20
 this year. Pre-orders for the car have also been opened on
Mitsubishi Motors Indonesia’s official site
.
Mitsubishi XFC Concept
The new compact SUV is widely rumoured to be the successor of the
Mitsubishi ASX
, although it has yet to be confirmed whether the upcoming SUV will continue to carry the ASX name just yet. What we do know is that the upcoming SUV is a five-seater B-segment SUV, and will rival the likes of the
Honda HR-V
,
Toyota Yaris Cross
, as well as the
Chery Omoda 5
 which will be launched in Malaysia next week.
And before you ask, yes – there is already a
second-gen Mitsubishi ASX
 in the European market, but that model is essentially a rebadged Renault Captur.
Mitsubishi describes the new compact SUV as stylish yet robust, all while being practical with ample interior and storage spaces. The Japanese carmaker also says that it’s specifically designed for the ASEAN market, with specific design considerations and tunings to handle our local environment, be it rough surfaces or flooded roads.
According to Mitsubishi Motors president and chief executive officer, Takao Kato, however, the model will also be introduced to other markets, with a hybrid variant also already on the cards.
RELATED:
Here’s your first look at the all-new 2023 Mitsubishi Triton – global debut on 26 July
The design of the rumoured ASX successor, in particular its exterior, is said to look very much like the XFC Concept headlined by a modern reinterpretation of Mitsubishi’s signature Dynamic Shield front fascia, and the new T-shaped lighting signature for both its head- and tail-lights.
We still don’t know much about its interior just yet, but Mitsubishi recently confirmed that it’ll feature a Yamaha Dynamic Sound audio system that promises a “premium and immersive sound experience.”
As for performance, rumours suggest that the new XFC-based compact SUV will be built on the same chassis as the Mitsubishi Xpander. Does that mean it’ll be powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) engine too? We will have to wait and see.
READ MORE:
Mitsubishi XFC Concept gives us a taste of how the next-gen ASX will look like!


Video: BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury, Things You Need To Know

The premium mid-sized SUV segment is a cruel space to compete in. From the
affordable luxury

Mercedes-Benz GLC 200
 to the fully decked out
Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus
, BMW Malaysia will have to up their ante to survive. Here are Things You Need To Know about the
all-new BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury in Malaysia
:
Priced at RM320k on-the-road without insurance (estimated), the G01 X3 is available in a sole Luxury trim. Under the hood you’ll find a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive, giving it the
xDrive30i badge
. The petrol engine dishes out
252 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque, enough to send the X3 from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.3 seconds
 and a limited top speed of
240 km/h
.
Customers who purchased a BMW X3 through authorised BMW dealers are taken care of with a
5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, 5-Years/100,000 km Free Scheduled Service
, 2-Year/24 Month Tyre Warranty, Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline,
BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App
, BMW White Card membership and BMW Service Online.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury (Glacier Silver) Launch

BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury (Terra Brown) Press Photo


Drive the chic Renault Captur for RM18.90 per hour with GoCar

Tan Chong Euro Cars (TCEC), the sole franchise holder for Renault vehicles in Malaysia has just announced that the company will be providing 150 units of the
Renault Captur
 to
GoCar
, Malaysia’s leading on-demand car-sharing platform.
The collaboration was announced at a handover ceremony at the Renault showroom in Petaling Jaya where TCEC handed over the first 50 units of Captur to GoCar. The remaining 100 units will be fulfilled in the coming months. This addition brings the GoCar fleet to 450 units compromising of other models such as Nissan X-Gear, Almera and Grand Livina.
CEO of TCEC, Kuan Kim Luen said, “Renault Captur is the perfect embodiment of 120 years of Renault know-how and technical expertise including breakthroughs like turbocharging and excellent efficiency. Through this collaboration with GoCar, we hope to offer more opportunities for Malaysians to experience a crossover model that has been Europe’s segment leader for many years.”
The locally-assembled Captur is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired to a six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch automatic (EDC) pushing out
120 hp
 and
190 Nm
 of torque. Europe’s best-selling compact crossover features a vibrant two-tone paint job, excellent fuel efficiency and safety rating.
“The fashionable yet sporty Renault Captur is an excellent choice for GoCar members. Its stylish and vibrant exterior adds a distinct French flair to our fleet while its impressive equipment and features deliver enjoyable driving performance in addition to offering comprehensive safety features,” said CEO of GoCar Mobility Sdn Bhd, Alan Cheah.
In conjunction with the Renault Captur joining its fleet, GoCar is offering new users RM30 off the Captur with a minimum booking of 10 hours through the special promo code ‘
GOCARCAPTUR
’. The Renault Captur is offered on the GoCar app at a rate of RM18.90 per hour, RM189 daily, RM1,323 weekly or RM5,670 for a month.
IMAGE GALLERY
Renault Captur CKD Launch in Malaysia


Artist blows up Lamborghini Huracan to sell its remains as NFTs

NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are undeniably the hottest thing on the internet right now. And when there’s money to be made, everyone naturally wants a piece of the pie – even carmakers are joining in the fanfare, including
Volkswagen Malaysia
 and
Lamborghini themselves
.
With the virtually unending ocean of NFTs out there, you’ve got to do something pretty special to catch the attention of the rich art-loving techbros. For conceptual artist Shl0ms, that apparently meant blowing up a perfectly good
Lamborghini Huracan
 into shreds, and then selling the fragments as art.
Image: Shl0ms/Cryptoland PR via
 Motor1
According to
Fortune
, the whole process took a team of about 100 people to carry out – from transporting the car to an empty desert, rigging the explosives, to on-site camera work – all for the sweet, sweet taste of digital money.
The artist did not disclose the type nor amount of explosives used, but the team clarified to

Motor1
 that an engineering and explosives team was on site to dial everything in to make sure the Lambo shreds were “aesthetically pleasing”.
RELATED: Lamborghini’s ‘Space Key’ is a piece of carbon fibre that unlocks an NFT art piece
Screenshot:
Shl0ms/Twitter
After the explosion, the scattered remains were then collected by the team and filmed individually – it’s these videos that will be eventually sold on the blockchain.
In total, Shl0m created 999 individual NFT “artworks” from the explosion as part of the $Car project, ranging from stray camshafts to charred seats. Among those, 888 will be auctioned off as NFTs starting from 0.01 Ether (approx. RM100), while the remaining 111 will be given to the artist’s team and used for an upcoming project.
The full video of the Lamborghini Huracan’s demise will be released when the auction goes live tomorrow. But until then, there’s a teaser of the whole stunt on the
artist’s Twitter page
.
Screenshot:
Shl0ms/Twitter
Now, we can’t say that we understand art, but to us the whole stunt just feels incredibly wasteful, especially when the perfectly functional Lamborghini Huracan itself – even if used – would’ve already cost them anywhere between USD200,000 to USD300,000 (approx. RM837k to RM1.3 million).
According to the
Fortune
 report, Shl0ms said that the $Car project was created to protest the “greed” surrounding cryptocurrency and NFTs. We imagine that the only reason they actually went ahead with the project is because they felt that they’d make more money than what they would spend on the car itself – which,
I dunno
, sounds quite a bit like “greed”.
[H/T: Motor1]


Global recall issued for Porsche Panamera over power steering failure

Porsche AG has just issued a global recall for the
second-generation Porsche Panamera
 manufactured between 21 March 2016 to 6 December 2018 over a potential electric power steering (EPS) failure. A total of 74,585 units of the Panamera distributed worldwide is affected in this recall.
The potential failure is identified to be a software error where the EPS may be unavailable resulting the steering to be unassisted for a limited time. During this time, the car is completely functional but requires more effort to steer due to the lack of power steering assistance.
To counter this, Porsche will install updated software for the EPS control unit completely free of charge for its customers. So far, no accidents or casualties have been reported due to the EPS failure. Porsche will contact affected customers to send their Panamera to a Porsche Centre to perform the fix. The software update will take approximately one hour to perform.


Naza Kia Malaysia adds new EX variant to the Kia Optima family

Naza Kia Malaysia has just introduced the latest EX variant to the Optima family, priced at RM139,888 on-the-road without insurance.
At the front, the new Optima EX comes with a different, more prominent grill, LED headlamps and fog lights along with LED rear combination tail lights. Powered by a 2.0-litre engine paired to a 6-speed automatic, the new EX sits on 17-inch wheels.
The
facelifted model
 that debuted in Korea.
Notable features include an Around View Monitor (AVM) that utilises four cameras positioned in every corner of the car and a 7-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with seats wrapped in black fabric.
The New Optima EX is available in Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl and Platinum Graphite.


2017 Honda CR-V unveiled for US market, gets 190hp 1.5L turbo!

Honda has pulled the wraps off the new fifth-generation Honda CR-V for the American market. The new CR-V features a bolder character, more spacious interior and more importantly, a turbocharged powertrain sourced from the tenth-generation
Honda Civic
.
Known as the
Compact Recreational Vehicle
, the CR-V has been fulfilling the needs of SUV-crazy Americans for over two decades. The new CR-V complies with Honda’s current design language, with its aggressive grille, sharper headlights, and the Type-R inspired bumpers and body panels. The rear’s double exhaust tips, chrome plate finishing and angular taillights portray excitement compared to the predecessor’s uninspired looks.
Honda is also debuting its first ever
Automatic Shutter Grille System
 and
Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate
 system. The former reduces aerodynamic drag while the latter uses foot-activated sensor to open the tailgate.
The new CR-V also embraces turbocharging for the first time. It gets the
Civic’s 1.5-litre forced inducted unit
 that develops
190 hp at 5,600 rpm
 and
243 Nm of torque
 from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm. In case you prefer a larger displacement engine, there’s the 2.4-litre DOHC direct injected unit as an option as well. That lump, which is a carryover from the predecessor, makes 184 hp at 6,400 rpm and 244 Nm at 3,900 rpm.
Only the
seven-speed EarthDreams Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
 is offered for all CR-Vs. As before, a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive variant will be available.
Being the experts in interior packaging, the new CR-V promises superior cabin space and best rear legroom in its class. Creature comforts comprise of a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate controls, electronic parking brake, rear USB charging ports, electronic seats and so on. Despite its improved interior space (thanks to the new model’s longer wheelbase), the new CR-V remains strictly a
five-seater
.
Safety in the CR-V is reinforced with the inclusion of
Honda Sensing
 across all CR-V variants, minus the entry-level variant. The kit includes Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS). Also part of the package are Blind Spot Information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM) and Auto High Beam (HSS) headlights.
So there you have it, an SUV with a much-improved interior spacing, first in class safety, and a new turbocharged engine. It’s only a matter of time before we get our hands on the CR-V. But until then, how will this appeal to you, dear readers?
IMAGE GALLERY


Nissan accepts electricity as payment for parking at the new Nissan Pavilion

You’ve heard of countries harnessing electricity and reselling them but have you heard of using the electricity from your electric vehicle to pay for parking? Well, you can now do just that at the recently opened Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama.
A world’s first; electric car owners will be able to
discharge power from their EV’s battery pack to pay for parking
 while at the Nissan Pavilion. The temporary exhibition space will be open from the 1st of August till 23rd October 2020.
“The Pavilion is a place where customers can see, feel, and be inspired by our near-future vision for society and mobility,” said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. “As the world shifts to electric mobility, EVs will be integrated into society in ways that go beyond just transportation.”
Also at the exhibition, visitors can lounge at the Nissan Chaya Cafe which operates on power supplied by the Nissan Leaf and solar energy. As for the entire 100,000 sq ft exhibition centre, it’s supplied by renewable hydroelectric power.
While at the Pavilion, visitors can also get up-close and test drive the
fully electric Nissan Ariya crossover launched recently
 and participate in virtual tennis matches with Nissan’s ambassador, Naomi Osaka. Naomi Osaka won the US Open in 2018 and the Australian Open in 2019. Visitors will also get to experience the thrill of Formula E electric street racing via virtual reality.
Following the Sales Tax Exemption, for the latest price list of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia, click
 here
.
GALLERY


Video: BMW 740Le xDrive PHEV LCI, 5 Things

BMW Malaysia has managed to further lower the price point of the
G12 BMW 740Le xDrive plug-in
hybrid LCI
despite the upgraded tech, enhanced safety systems and a new 3.0-litre in-line 6 mill. Now priced at RM594,800 (OTR without insurance), the refreshed 7er is a whopping RM64k cheaper than its
equivalent rival
.

Out goes the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, now replaced by the B58 3.0-litre in-line 6 turbo petrol for a more refined driving experience. Coupled with the eDrive electric motor, the 740Le xDrive PHEV has a combined output of
394 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of twist.
In the midlife cycle
update of the G11/G12 BMW 7 Series, the designers took on customer’s feedback
that they want more road presence from their luxury limousine which resulted in
the enlarged kidney grille, a taller hood (+50 mm) and sharper lower bumper.


2020 Mercedes-Benz C200 AMG Line reverts back to 2.0L, from RM251,587

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has introduced the 2020 C200 AMG Line priced at RM251,587 on-the-road without insurance. The updated C200 AMG Line will replace the previous 1.5-litre EQ Boost Hybrid facelift model introduced at the end of 2018.
Under the hood now is a 2.0L 4 cylinder turbocharged engine making
204 hp
 and
300 Nm
 and is paired to a 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. 0 to 100 km/h takes 7.1 seconds, onwards to 250 km/h. Compared to the
G20 320i Sport
 launched last year, the C200 makes
20 hp more
 with the same amount of torque and interestingly, with the same 0 to 100 km/h time.
The exterior of the 2020 C200 bears plenty of resemblance to the model it replaces. You get the same radiator grille design, while front and rear bumpers resemble the C300 from the facelift model. As for the 18-inch wheels, it’s the same design found in the
A Class sed
an launched in June last year.
 Still, it’s a
huge step up from the C200 AMG Line we had back in 2018
.
Inside, the dashboard and centre console sports the same interior design from before, unlike
the new A-Class
 that comes with a single strip for the air con controls. Among the notable items on board include a Nappa leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, a 12.3 infotainment display, a 10.25 digital instrument cluster, roller sun blinds for the rear windows and open pore Oak wood trims.
In keeping with the times, the C200 AMG Line gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and two USB ports at the rear. Also available is the Mercedes me connect feature that allows one owner to register multiple Mercedes-Benz under one account to monitor various parameters of the car. Users of the connected car service can lock/unlock, start the car, monitor the car’s brake pad wear, fuel level and so on through the app.
As for safety, the 2020 C200 seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking and blind spot assist. With the EaseProtect Financing plan, the C200 AMG Line can be
yours from RM2,988 per month
. The figure is based on a 5-year tenure and downpayment of approximately 20%. It also comes with comprehensive motor insurance along with rim and tyre insurance for the first year of ownership.
For the latest price list of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.
GALLERY


Toyota’s new 1.5L petrol engine is a whopping 12% more fuel efficient!

Toyota is set to debut an all-new 1.5-litre petrol engine which will power the next Yaris supermini that will be sold in Europe. The new engine is expected to meet both the Euro 6c and the

RDE (Real Driving Emission) homologation standards.
The four-cylinder mill is part of the
 ESTEC (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion)
family, replacing the outgoing 1.3-litre petrol engine. Its output of
111 hp
 and
136 Nm
 isn’t impressive by any margin, but it is about 0.8 seconds quicker to the 100km/h mark. But that’s not its USP.
Just like their critically acclaimed hybrid engines, the new 1.5-litre motor achieves a class-leading thermal efficiency value of
38.5 percent
. Compression ratio is also rather high –
13.5:1
– and was made possible thanks to a new cooled
exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR)
. Together with a new
variable inlet valve timing system (VVT-iE)
, the engine is capable of alternating between Otto and Atkinson cycles, which greatly improve fuel efficiency, even as much as 12 percent!
Another new feature is the
water-cooled exhaust manifold
, with the Yaris being the first Toyota car to receive it. This brings down exhaust gas temperature, allowing the engine to run with a better fuel mixture. This also contributes to fuel efficiency and emissions.


Next-gen Mazda MX-5 to be electrified, set for launch in 2025

After what felt like
 almost
 an
eternity
of rumours,
 Mazda
 has now finally confirmed that the next-generation
MX-5
 roadster will be electrified, according to a report by
MotorTrend
.
The confirmation is light on details, and we’re still not sure what “electrified” truly entails – whether it’ll be a mild-hybrid, hybrid, or fully electric. Mazda did
previously announce
 its collaboration with Rohm Semiconductor and Envision AESC to develop electric motors and batteries that aligns with Mazda’s “joy of driving” brand essence, so we could possibly see the first offsprings of those collaborations here on the next-gen Mazda MX-5.
The move to electrify the Mazda MX-5 roadster is in line with the company’s overall direction, which will see the Japanese marque’s entire line-up be electrified through “multiple electrification technologies” by 2030, ahead of reaching end-to-end carbon neutrality by 2050.
Considering the Mazda MX-5’s M.O., though, we think that a mild-hybrid approach –
first rumoured back in 2021
 – seems most likely here. The Mazda MX-5 is known for its lightweight, no-frills thrill, and a large battery pack for a hybrid or full-electric drivetrain could lead to an excessive increase in weight and cost.
READ MORE:
Mazda to kill pure ICE – Hybrid and EV only by 2030
Motortrend
 reports that the electrified next-gen Mazda MX-5 will be launched as soon as 2025. As for clues on how it’ll look, the
 Vision Study Model
, unveiled end of last year, will likely donate some – if not all – of its styling influences to the production model.
The fourth-generation (ND) Mazda MX-5 is powered by a naturally-aspirated SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre engine, sending
181 hp
 and
205 Nm
 of torque to the rear wheels, ideally via a six-speed manual transmission. The Retractable Fastback (RF) variant of the roadster was
most recently updated here in Malaysia
 with Mazda’s Kinetic Posture Control torque distribution system, and is now priced from
RM276,200
.


New Toyota Camry officially launched, three variants from RM150k to RM175k [+Video]

It’s finally here, the new Toyota Camry, and it’s charging a different ballgame altogether this time around. No longer wanting to live under the shadows of its competitors, the Camry is now offered in three trims, and they all bag some really serious surprises – a word that that’s very rarely associated to the Camry nameplate.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Camry 2.0E
Toyota Camry 2.0G
Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid
Engine
1,998cc; DOHC with VVT-iW
1,998cc; DOHC with VVT-iW
2,494cc; DOHC with VVT-i & ACIS
Transmission
6-speed auto Super ECT
6-speed auto Super ECT
E-CVT
Max Power
165 hp @ 6,500 rpm
165 hp @ 6,500 rpm
158 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Max Torque
199 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
199 Nm @ 4,600 rpm
213 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Hybrid Motor Output; Battery type
–
–
141 hp & 270 Nm; NiMH
Fuel Consumption
7.3 litres per 100km
7.3 litres per 100km
5.2 litres per 100km
Price (OTR with insurance & GST)
RM149,900
RM159,900
RM174,900
Bandied as the new Camry instead of a facelift, the popular D-Segment sedan gets an entirely new front face with a touch of changes round the body as well. The changes, as we all have come to know, aren’t just aesthetics, because it’s mechanically superior too when compared to the outgoing model.
As per the table above, the Camry is now offered in three flavours – the base
2.0E
,
2.0G
 and range topping
2.5L Hybrid
.
EXTERIOR
Say what you may, but we think the new Camry’s front fascia is a far departure from the model launched in 2012. Its design is inspired by Toyota’s
‘Under Priority’
 design philosophy, bestowing the Camry with an evidently better road presence. Telling the hybrid from the non-hybrid variants apart can be easily done through their front grille. The Hybrid variant gets a mesh-type grille, whereas the E- and G-spec variants get horizontal-type grilles.

Externally, the non-hybrid Camrys get auto-levelling
HID projector lamps
 with integrated
LED daytime running lights
 as standard. Chrome bits are aplenty around the car, and the E/G spec are the only ones with dual exhaust tips. The Hybrid gets just one. This comes equipped with a new set of
16-inch wheels
 wrapped with 215/60 series tyres.
For the hybrid, its signal indicators aren’t built into the headlamps, but are integrated into the bumper right next to the fog lamps. Illumination source is
full LED
, and the rear combination lamps get a blue tint to further set itself apart. This top-of-the-range variant sits on a larger
17-inch alloy
 wheels fitted with 215/55 profile Bridgestone Turanza ER33 tyres.
INTERIOR
Like the
recently updated Vios
, all variants of the new Camry get a
black themed interior
. Toyota says this is so to appeal to younger customers, as is the trend with many D-Segment sedans of late. Keyless entry and push-start system is made standard across the range as well.

The only variant to get fabric seats is the base 2.0E Camry, whereas the rest get upholstered in a combination of
smooth black leather
. In seat adjustments, the E-spec gets a 6-way manual adjuster and 4-way for the front passenger, whereas the G-spec and Hybrid both get
8-way power adjustable
 driver and passenger seats.
Greeting the driver is a new instrument panel featuring the brand’s
Optitron meters
 sourced from Lexus. The combination of a blue background and white wordings have said to improve visual clarity under most lighting conditions. Built in between the meters is a
 4.2-inch

multi info display
, feeding the driver with gear, shift range, warning messages, fuel consumption and temperature information.
The Hybrid variant gets a ‘Nanoe Ioniser’, a feature releasing nano-sized electrostatic atomised water particles from the driver’s side air-cond vent that moisturises the hair and skin! Other exclusive features include a Qi-compatible wireless charging tray like the one in the
Lexus NX
,
10-speaker JBL sound system
 with 5.1 surround sound (2.0L variants get six speakers) and a 7-inch touchscreen with DVD, MP3, USB, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. MirrorLink is also available here, which enables your smartphone’s display to be shown and operated through the screen.
PERFORMANCE
This is where things get interesting, and complex too. The
2.0-litre
 inline-four engine in the E/G variants is a new 6AR-FSE unit, making a respectable
165 hp
 at 6,500 rpm and
199 Nm
 of torque at 4,600 rpm. This advanced unit can operate in both Atkinson or Otto cycle, depending on current driving condition.
The former cycle is optimised for fuel efficiency, whereas Otto cycle is geared for better power delivery. In short, the new AR engine gets the best of both worlds. Tasked with driving the front wheels is a
six-speed automatic gearbox
 with Super ECT and Sequential Shifter. No more four-speeder ‘box here. It’s got a 70 litre fuel tank, whereas the Hybrid makes do with a smaller 65 litre tank.
Now, the Camry Hybrid is powered by a
2.5-litre four-cylinder VVT-i
 engine paired to
two intelligent electric motors
. This pairing produces a total system output of
203 hp
 (158 hp engine, 141 hp electric motor) and torque numbers are
213 Nm
 for the engine and
270 Nm
 from the electric motor.
It’s also a full hybrid like the Prius, meaning propulsion can be obtained from just the electric motors below the 40 km/h mark. Also to note, Toyota Malaysia is giving an
eight-year assurance
 with
unlimited mileage
 programme for the NiMH battery pack. Drivetrain option is an
E-CVT box
, also driving the front wheels only.
SAFETY
The safety kit may not be as impressive and extensive as the others, and the absence of VSC in the previous model caused quite a stir. Standard safety features are ABS, EBD and Brake Assist. Front and rear parking sensors too, if that counts for something. The 2.0G and Hybrid variants will get VSC and Traction Control, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal, so yes, the RM150k base model will still not come with VSC.
Another active safety feature is the Blind Spot Monitoring system that’s exclusive to the Hybrid, as with the seven airbag count. The 2.0L variants have just two front airbags.
WHAT ELSE?
Let’s start with the pricing. The new Camry starts from
RM149,900
 for the 2.0E;
RM159,900
 for the 2.0G and
RM174,900
 for the 2.5L Hybrid. All prices are
inclusive of GST
 and
insurance
. There are
five colours
 to choose from – Medium Silver Metallic, Attitude Black, Silver Metallic, White Pearl CS and a new shade called the Grey Metallic. Just so you know, the Camry Hybrid, if without its EEV incentives, should be priced around RM250k, and this EEV qualification will expire at the end of this year.
All Camry models including the advanced Hybrid variant will be assembled at Toyota’s Shah Alam assembly plant, and Toyota aims to sell
9,000 units
 of the Camry by this year’s end, 7,000 units of which will be the Camry Hybrid. That’s more than 75 percent of their total sales projection!
The new Camry will be on display at the Sunway Pyramid shopping centre from 3 to 5 April, so be sure to head on down to catch the car in person! Otherwise, keep a lookout for our
First Look
 video of the hot new D-Segment sedan which will be uploaded tomorrow.
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VIDEO GALLERY
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IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Toyota Camry 2.5L Hybrid

2015 Toyota Camry 2.0G