Volkswagen previews Tiguan facelift with new official sketch

The second-generation
Volkswagen Tiguan
 has enjoyed a pretty successful life cycle, particularly last year where it sold a total of
910,926 units
, making it the best-selling model in the VW line-up. First launched in 2015, the compact SUV is due for an update, and Volkswagen has given us an official first look via a design sketch.
There’s not much we can tell from a single sketch drenched in neon colours, but from the front, it seems like the new VW Tiguan will come with a new grille design and slimmer headlights, putting it in line with the brand’s latest offerings.
Speaking to
Autocar
, chief of marketing for the Tiguan Hendrick Muth said that the facelifted Tiguan will offer “a big change in terms of design, with a totally new front” that will give it a “more dynamic” appearance. The Tiguan will also feature LED headlights and taillights as standard, with the brand’s IQ.Light matrix LED headlight available as option.
Moving inside, Muth also confirmed that the new Tiguan will feature the latest “digital and connected technology”. We expect the dashboard to look and feel similar to the all-new eight-generation Golf, which we thought was
almost like a smartphone on wheels
. That means reduced physical knobs and buttons, and increased usage of touch pads, screens, and voice assistants.
The new Volkswagen Tiguan should also come equipped with the latest advanced driver assistance features as introduced on the Golf, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist at speeds of up to 210 km/h.
As for powertrain options, Volkswagen has announced together with the sketch that the new Tiguan will be offered with a
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) powertrain
. The new powertrain option isn’t all too surprising, especially considering the more stringent European emissions standards set to kick-in next year. Volkswagen has also introduced a
Tiguan GTE
 model, on sale in China since 2019.
The recently-launched
VW Touareg R
.
There were also rumours of a “hot SUV” Tiguan R variant, since it was spotted testing at the Nurburgring recently. Although Muth would not comment directly on that prospect, he said that there will be “some highlights on the performance side.”
“It will come very soon after launch and early in the life cycle. Be prepared, and be excited,” Muth added.
Volkswagen recently launched the performance-oriented
Touareg R
,
 equipped with a PHEV powertrain generating 476 hp and 700 Nm of torque. If the Tiguan were to receive a performance model, it’s not unwise to expect a similar treatment.
The Volkswagen Tiguan facelift is expected to launch later this year.


Check out these stunning images of Bugatti’s “Holy Trinity”

Coveted as a collector’s item and savvy investments, Bugatti has brought all three of its modern supercars from the last three decades to produce one of the rarest and most “powerful” desktop wallpapers.
The “Holy Trinity” as Bugatti calls it, is made up of the Bugatti EB110, Veyron and Chiron, each an icon of its own right from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.
The
Bugatti EB110 Super Sport
 was the first series production car to be made of carbon fibre. EB are the initials of Ettore Bugatti, founder of the company and 110 represents his 110th birthday was presented in Paris in 1991 on Ettore’s 110th birthday. Everything about its construction was cutting edge – even the bolts for the wheels are made of titanium.
0 to 100 km/h is done in just
3.6 seconds
 with top speed of 351 km/h, making it the fastest series production car of its time. Bugatti set four world records with the EB110, among other things for the fastest acceleration, fastest series production sports car and fastest series production car on ice.
Like the EB110, all-wheel drive, four turbocharges and a carbon monocoque was the recipe of choice again for the
Bugatti Veyron 16.4
. The hypercar made
1,000 hp
,
1,500 Nm
 of torque and was capable of top speeds of 407 km/h. Bugatti subsequently topped that feat with the introduction of the Super Sport with extra 200 hp and a top speed of 415 km/h. The Super Sport subsequently went on to clock 431 km/h, making it the fastest series production super sports car in the world.
All hell broke loose when the
Chiron
 showed up. It had
1,500 hp
 and
1,600 Nm
 – allowing it get to 100 km/h from standstill in
2.4 seconds
, to 200 km/h in just 6.1 seconds – the same time a Golf GTI takes to get from 0 to 100 km/h – and 300 km/h in just 13.1 seconds. Last year, Bugatti became the
first car manufacturer to exceed 300 mph (483 km/h)
 with the Chiron – setting a new speed record of 490 km/h.
That’s
until Koenigsegg came into the picture
 of course.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda to realise its electric dreams at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show

Despite being firm proponents of the internal combustion engine, Mazda never concealed its plans to gradually electrify its range. In the last Asian Tech Forum held in 2018, Mazda had
already revealed that a BEV
 (Battery Electric Vehicle) would debut in 2019, and it may even have a range extender variant like the BMW i3.
So the confirmation that it will unveil a full EV, built on a new, dedicated platform, in next month’s Tokyo Motor Show comes as no surprise. Mazda had also showed off to the media an all-electric prototype wearing the shell of the
CX-30 crossover
 a few months ago, dubbed e-TPV for Electric Technology Prove-Out Vehicle.
This is the e-TPV test mule, actual car may not be a crossover.
Based on the specifications of the e-TPV, this new EV model is expected to get a 35.5 kWh capacity battery (for comparison, the Nissan Leaf has 40 kWh), good for 200 km per charge and it’ll purportedly be powered by a 143 hp and 265 Nm electric motor driving the front wheels – nothing to get too excited about. More intriguing is whether it’ll be offered with an on-board rotary generator?

Whether the yet-to-be-named EV model turns out being a
crossover or in another body-style will be one of the more anticipated events
of the show. After all, Mazda vehicles of late have been a beacon for Japanese
car design, so whether it’s internal combustion or battery powered, a new model
from Mazda is always welcomed. Now, can it out-charm the Honda e? We’ll just
have to wait.


BMW iX xDrive50 Sport now available in Malaysia – more power at RM546,800

BMW Malaysia
 has updated its
BMW iX
 line-up here in Malaysia with the addition of the new xDrive50 Sport variant, offering additional performance and range on the fully-electric SUV, but be prepared to pay a pretty penny.
Coming in at
RM546,800
 with Service and Repair Inclusive, the price tag makes the new variant some RM99k more expensive than the previously range-topping
xDrive40 Sport
, and RM143k over the base xDrive40 variant.
For that extra dough, you’ll be getting two much-more powerful motors, capable of generating a total of
385 kW (523 hp)
 and
 765 Nm
, or 197 hp and 135 Nm more than the xDrive40. That extra firepower from the xDrive50’s motors drops the iX’s 0-100 km/h sprint time by 1.5 seconds down to just
4.6 seconds
, although top speed is still electronically limited to 200 km/h.
The more powerful motors are also paired to a much larger 111.5 kWh battery pack, translating to a fully-electric range of
630 km
 (WLTP test cycle). As before, charging is handled by an on-board 11 kW AC charger, taking 10 hours and 45 minutes for a full charge from 0%. DC fast charging is also supported at up to 195 kW (150 kW on the xDrive40), which means you’ll still be able to top up from 0-80% in roughly 35 minutes.
WATCH:
BMW iX xDrive40 fully-electric SUV review
Aside from the upgraded powertrain, however, it seems that the rest of the car’s equipment list is pretty much identical to that of the xDrive40 Sport.
On the outside, the new BMW iX xDrive50 comes equipped with the Sport Line exterior bodykit, which consists of the BMW Laserlight headlamps, 22-inch aerodynamic multi-colour wheels, and 17-inch brake calipers in blue.
Inside, the xDrive50 Sport also comes with a the BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8.0 as standard, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display and 14.9-inch central touchscreen display under a single pane of glass.
Other interior highlights include the Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof, 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, the real crystal glass switches and open-pore wood veneer on the centre console as part of the Clear & Bold interior trim package, as well as the Comfort Access powered tailgate.
The BMW Iconic Sounds Electric sound effect designed by Hans Zimmer is also standard on the iX xDrive50 Sport.
ALSO READ:
BMW Malaysia partners with JomCharge – 10% off on charging sessions, extra free credits for owners
As for safety, the BMW iX xDrive50 Sport comes as standard with the BMW Driving Assistant Professional package, which includes adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality, lane keep assist, evasion assistant, and automatic speed limit assist, in addition to the usual autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning and rear collision prevention, as well as lane departure warning.
BMW Parking Assistant is also standard here, with reversing assist, active park distance control, as well as a rear-view camera.
The BMW iX xDrive50 Sport will be available in seven exterior colours, including two new cost option: Individual Storm Bay Metallic, and Adventurine Red Metallic. Inside, buyers can opt between Mocha and Black upholstery, or the fancier Interior Design Suite in Amido or Castanea for an additional RM17,300.
READ MORE:
BMW cars in Malaysia now (finally) comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for free
GALLERY


Geely joins hands with Foxconn to build cars for other brands

China’s
Geely Group
, alongside Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn, best known for assembling Apple products, announced a new joint venture on Wednesday to provide contract manufacturing to other global carmakers.
Geely and Foxconn will each hold a 50% stake in the new venture, which will also provide consulting services relating to whole vehicles, parts, and electric vehicles (EV) technologies, the companies said in a statement.
For Geely, the new venture will allow it to share its
Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA)
 EV-focused platform with other brands, according to people familiar with the automotive giant’s plans.
A source who wishes to remain anonymous also said that the move was a bid for Geely to further utilise the full production capabilities for its factories in China, according to a report by
Reuters
. This is Geely’s second major deal this week alone, following the partnership with Baidu for EV production.
Geely Automobile
, the group’s main listed company, sold approximately 1.32 million vehicles in 2020, but its production plants have the capacity to build more than 2 million vehicles a year.
As for Foxconn, this joint venture further solidifies its commitment to become a major EV player, targetting a 10% share of the global EV market as soon as 2025. Recently, the company unveiled its first “open source” EV chassis, where partners can customise it to fit their individual needs.
Last year, Foxconn also signed a partnership with FCA to manufacture EVs for China. The company also currently supplies parts to Tesla. The announcement for this partnership with Geely comes amid rumours of Apple planning to launch its own electric car by 2024, and is
currently in talks with multiple carmakers
 such as Hyundai for contract manufacturing.
The
Lynk&Co Zero
 is the group’s first model to utilise the “open-source” SEA platform.
Aside from contract manufacturing, the companies also said that the joint venture will help accelerate the entire automotive industry’s adoption of EV technologies. The partnership will see the introduction of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) division, focused on improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process, as well as other business models based on Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electrified (CASE) technologies.


New Mitsubishi 3S Centre opens in Bintulu, Sarawak

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) together with authorised dealer Auto Pacifica Sdn Bhd has just officiated the opening of a new 3S (Sales, Services & Parts) centre in Bintulu, Sarawak.
The opening marks the first showroom in Sarawak with Mitsubishi’s new corporate brand “Drive Your Ambition” and is the second 3S showroom in the area.

The 3S centre is located at Lot No.31 & 32, Bintulu City Mall Commercial Centre, Jalan Johari Sunam, Bintulu.
The new 3S centre is home to 3,000 sq ft of space, designed to house a customer lounge and a fully-equipped workshop with advance diagnostic and Special Set Tools, capable of servicing up to three Mitsubishi cars at a time.
 CEO of MMM, Mr Shinnishi and Director of Auto Pacifica (AP), Mr. Yaw at the launch.
“I would like to thank Auto Pacifica, a member of Samling Strategic Corporation Sdn Bhd, for its continuous support in making the Triton the top two pick-up in Sarawak with a 20.9% market share,” said Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi.
With the latest 3S centre, there are now 54 Mitsubishi Motors showrooms (48 of which are 3S centres), and 55 service outlets throughout Malaysia. In East Malaysia, the brand is represented by 15 showrooms (7 in Sarawak and 8 in Sabah).


All-new Toyota Corolla now open for booking, from RM128k!

Great news! For those looking for something fresh in the C-segment, aside from the new Mazda 3 and the updated Honda Civic, UMW Toyota Motor has announced that the all-new Toyota Corolla is now open for booking!
The all-new Corolla will be available in two variants; 1.8E at RM128,888 and 1.8G RM136,888. Both are estimated on-the-road prices for now until further notice.

Find out how the TNGA platform has transformed the way the Camry drives.
The new car will come equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense system and is also built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) like in the Camry and C-HR; a platform which has completely changed the way a Toyota rides and handles – with improved stability and chassis rigidity.
For those who want to been seen first in the latest rendition of the most iconic nameplate in automotive can place their orders at any authorised Toyota showroom starting today, 12th of September 2019.


2016 BMW M2 arrives in Malaysia, priced at RM499k

The
BMW M2
 is here! The meanest 2-Series of the lot has made its way to Malaysian shores just a few months after its debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show.
This M2 coupe is currently the closest thing to keeping the spirit of the E30 M3 alive, but it’s much more powerful than its ancestor. The 3.0-litre straight-six turbo is good for
370 hp
 and up to
500 Nm
 of torque, and drive is sent to the rear wheels via a
six-speed manual
 or a
 seven-speed dual-clutch
 transmission; the former optional. For the Malaysian market though, the M2 will come with the self-shifting gearbox, but BMW Group Malaysia will be happy to assist you if you require your M2 with three foot pedals.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW M2
Engine
2,979 cc Inline-6 TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
7-speed M DCT
Max Power
370 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
465 Nm @ 1,400 – 5,560 rpm / 500 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,750 rpm (overboost)
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
4.3 seconds; 250 km/h
Price
RM498,800
EXTERIOR
The 2-Series has bulked up quite a lot in becoming the M2. The blistered arches are
55 mm wider
 at the front and
80 mm wider
 at the rear, giving the M2 a far more aggressive stance that any
F22 220i Coupe
 owners can only dream of. They’re not just for show, because they house a set of
19-inch wheels
 mounted on M4-derived
forged aluminium suspension components
, hence the wider track.

Those aluminium 19-inch wheels are fitted with special
Michelin Pilot Super Sports
 measuring
245/35 ZR19
 at the front and
265/35 ZR19
 at the rear. Behind, the twin spokes are cast iron
M compound brakes
, also lifted from the M4 parts bin, with
4-piston calipers
 grabbing the
380 mm
 front rotors while the rear
 370 mm
 rotors are paired with
 2-piston calipers
.
Only the bonnet, roof, and doors are left untouched; everything else were given a
M-akeover
. Apart from the M badges on the twin-slatted kidney grille, side garnish and rear boot lid, BMW has reworked on the airflow over the entire car to
reduce drag by five percent
. The front bumper’s intakes are bigger and incorporate the drag-cutting
trapezoidal blades
 and
air curtains
, while the back bumper comes with an
integrated diffuser
. In total they
reduce lift by up to 35 percent
. Oh and you might also notice those purposeful
 quad round tailpipes
 jutting out underneath the diffuser, which complete the total M look.
INTERIOR
As opposed to the exterior, the cabin receives just a subtle update. Nothing too showy on the inside, the
sports seats
 with adjustable bolsters now have the M mark stamped on the leather, and there’s the
M sports steering wheel
 as well as an
M gear lever
. Porous
carbon fibre trim
 pieces adorn the sombre interior along with
Alcantara
 on the door cards, and
blue stitching
 features on the upholstery.

The instrument cluster features M specific graphics, likewise the iDrive system with bonus M-related apps  such as the
GoPro app
 and the
M Laptimer app
 that records the car’s details including the speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, engine revs and which gear engaged, the steering angle, and the accelerator position.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned, the M2 generates
370 hp
 and
465 Nm
 of torque from its
3.0-litre inline-six
 that’s fitted with
M TwinPower Turbo
 technology. Additionally, a total of
500 Nm
 of torque can be summoned for a short period of time provided by the
overboost function
. The
seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission with Drivelogic
 enables the M2 to rocket from
0 to 100km/h
 in just
4.3 seconds
and all the way to the electronically-limited
top speed
 of
250 km/h
.
The gearbox also features
Stability Clutch Control
 which disengages the clutch to stabilise the car in hairy moments by reducing oversteer, and the cheeky
Smokey Burnout
 function which lets the rear wheels spin while traveling at low speeds. The
M exhaust system
 also ensures the M2 to produce a matching soundtrack with the electronic flap control.
Here’s a little treat:

#BMW #M2 says Guten Morgen! #M #Mpower #turbo #horsepower #power #german #carporn #cars #luxury #exhaust #rev #sound #awesome #autobuzzmy
A video posted by AutoBuzz.my (@autobuzzmy) on
Mar 2, 2016 at 5:01pm PST
WHAT ELSE?
Only one colour is available for the M2, which is the Long Beach Blue Metallic, and for a princely sum of
RM498,888.00
 (sans insurance), the M2 is covered with BMW Group Malaysia’s
5 Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty
 that also includes the
Free Scheduled Service Program
 as well as
BMW Tyre Warranty Programme
.
There’s a strong demand for this little beast worldwide, therefore
very limited units
 are allocated for Malaysian market. BMW mentioned there’s only “a couple of units” now and there’s a high chance that they’re taken up for. To the new BMW M2 owners in Malaysia, we envy you.
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Honda Civic Type R Black Edition revealed, only 100 units worldwide

With the
10th-generation Honda Civic
 in full swing, it’s time for the preceding chapter to come to a close. This brings us to the UK-only Honda Civic Type R Black Edition, which marks the end of the line for the ninth-generation Civic before handing the baton over to the new
model
.
What’s unique to the 100-unit special are mainly cosmetic enhancements. The cabin gets an all-black theme with red accents, reflecting the same exterior palette. Outside, the end plates for the rear wing are contrasted in red.
No performance upgrades have been made for the Black Edition Civic Type R. That means the same
direct-injected turbocharged 2.0 litre VTEC
 engine producing
306 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque will carry on its duties. A
six-speed manual transmission
 delivers power to the
front wheels
.
The outgoing Honda Civic Type-R has made an impact as being the first Type R vehicle to embrace turbocharging. It broke the
FWD lap record
 at the Nurburgring before the
Golf GTI Clubsport S
 came into the picture. The Civic Type R is also rather successful in various touring car championships around the world.
The Black Edition Civics will be sold at
 £32,300
 (approximately RM175,608.00 at press time) and it’s expected to sell out fast. Look out for its successor later this year!
IMAGE GALLERY


Veyron’s successor, the Bugatti Chiron may get 1,500 hp and 1,500 Nm!

While the holy trinity – Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and
Porsche 918
 hypercars battle it out at the track, Bugatti chose to remain quiet, that is until now. The Veyron, once the fastest production car on planet earth, will be succeeded by the new Chiron that will debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
To beat established hypercars hailing from the UK and Germany, Bugatti’s engineers up the ante by unleashing the Chiron’s performance capabilities. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Chiron will get around
1,500 hp
and
 1,500 Nm
 of torque produced by Volkswagen’s 8.0-litre W16 engine. The numbers are achieved via electrification as well, just like the hypercars mentioned above. Such ridiculous power will allow the Chiron to have a top speed of
467 km/h
 with a century sprint time o just
2.2 seconds
.
The Chiron, named after Bugatti’s famed driver,
Louis Chiron
, will not come cheap as it will start at
2 million euros
. Bugatti will build 100 units of Chiron per year, but apparently over 130 units have already been built. The Chiron’s design is also rumoured to be inspired from Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo (pictured above) unveiled last September.
So, will the new Chiron make the P1, 918 and LaFerrari run for cover? Maybe, maybe not. Guess there’s something else to look forward to at Geneva this time, eh?


2023 Toyota Vios: No folding rear seats, no spare wheel – Here’s why

The all-new 2023
Toyota Vios
 is set to launch tonight at 8 pm and most of us are excited about this all-new version of the famous B-segment saloon. However, with some information about the Vios already out there, the internet community has been quick to comment on its lack of rear folding seats and its lack of a spare wheel.

By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Having been given the opportunity to talk with the development team and Mr. Hideyuki Kamino (Chief Engineer of the Toyota Vios) himself ahead of its launch, we managed to ask them about these matters. Here’s what they have to say.
The rear seats don’t fold down in the all-new Toyota Vios
Let’s first address the lack of rear folding seats. Asking the development team directly, their response was that market research indicated that most users did not make full use of the folding seats in their saloon cars.
As such, the development team decided to forego the folding seats feature. An added benefit of the lack of the omission of the folding seat function is that it makes the car
10 kg
 lighter. Speaking of weight, the all-new Toyota Vios is about
110 kg
 lighter than the older version. For reference, the previous G variant weighed
1,145 kg
 while the all-new G variant weighs
1,035 kg
.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota Vios launching tomorrow, est. RM90k – RFID tag, no spare wheel
The brace behind the rear seat backrests can be viewed from the boot area
Both the brace and the return of the second-row ‘hump’ have reduced the car’s overall weight and increased its rigidity.
Upon closer look at the rear seats, we also noticed that there is now a cross-like brace that runs behind the second-row backrests, adding rigidity to the overall structure of the car. The benefits of its addition can be felt during high-speed maneuvering.
Onto the lack of a spare wheel in the Vios, the development team’s answer was that the spare wheel was omitted to provide more storage space for Vios users. If you lift the boot floor, you will notice a Styrofoam compartment tray, similar to what you would find in a
Mitsubishi Xpander
. The development team also unveiled that the omission of the Vios’ spare wheel has reduced the car’s overall weight (part of the total 110-kg weight loss of the car). The typical spare wheel has been replaced with a tyre repair kit instead.
No spare wheel in the all-new Vios as it makes way for a hidden storage compartment underneath the boot floor.
While those reasonings do make sense, it could also be assumed that the typical space for the spare wheel will soon make way for a hybrid battery. According to
Headlightmag
, a hybrid version of the
Yaris Ativ
 (Thailand’s Vios) is set to make its debut in Thailand in the third quarter of the year. But let’s not get too carried away with that.
Generally, the omission of both the folding rear seats and the spare wheel has significantly reduced the weight of the car. Other weight-reducing efforts include the return of the second row ‘hump’ and underpinning materials of the car, and we’ll dive into these matters in the full review of the 2023 Toyota Vios. For now, let’s wait for its launch which is set to happen at 8 pm tonight.


That’s awkward: Ford’s all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 actually makes 1,502 hp

Remember the
Mustang Cobra Jet 1400
? The special one-off factory-built dragster was designed in parallel to the
Mach-E 1400
 to showcase Ford’s electric power capabilities with 1,400 hp at the wheels (as the name suggests) in a bid to market the new
Mustang Mach-E
 road car. There’s only one problem: it doesn’t make 1,400 hp.
In a recent development test at the drag strip, the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype blazed through the
 quarter-mile in just 8.27 seconds
, reaching a top speed of
270.4 km/h
 (168 mph) at the finish line. For metric folks like us, that’s about 402 metres, and just know that this is
very, very quick
 – and it does it eerily quietly.

The development team also found that the Cobra Jet 1400 prototype actually reached a peak horsepower output of
1,502 hp
 at the wheels, far exceeding the original target of 1,400. The torque figure should also exceed the original planned figure of 1,491 Nm, though Ford did not disclose the figure. Just look at the thing leap off the starting line!
Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook said, “Since revealing the car, we’ve continued to fine-tune it and now know we’re just scratching the surface of what we may be able to achieve with this much electric horsepower in a drag racing setting.”
To achieve the bonkers output figures, Ford Performance collaborated with Cascadia Motion to develop its specialised electric powertrain, which uses four electric motors that can spin up to 10,000 revolutions per minute. These motor-inverter packages run on 800 volt power and at over 700 amps, and are capable of making nearly 470 hp per motor.
Ford Performance also employed the help of AEM-EV to develop the control algorithm in putting the power onto the ground, alongside MLe Racecars and Watson Engineering for the chassis development.
“It’s been a great but challenging project for all of us at Ford Performance,” added Rushbrook. “The opportunities to learn with the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400, as well as the Mustang Mach-E 1400 we recently introduced, gives us great insight into what may be possible in high-performance all-electric vehicles for Ford going forward.”
The Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 (time to rename it, eh?) will make its first public appearance at the US NHRA Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis this weekend. Ford NHRA Funny Car Driver Bob Tasca III will pilot the prototype in showcase runs, going up against the fossil-fuel-powered Mustang Cobra Jets driven by two-time Funny Car champion and FOX broadcaster Tony Pedregon.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen T-Roc unveiled, stylish compact SUV with AEB as standard

Volkswagen has just welcomed a fourth member to its SUV family called the T-Roc, a compact SUV that sits below the
Tiguan
. The new SUV is Volkswagen’s attempt to woo the younger audience with its fresh design and extensive personalisation options. The new T-Roc also has plenty of modern technologies to follow its stylish looks.
Like the rest of Volkswagen’s new model range, the T-Roc is based on the group’s modular MQB platform. The T-Roc wears the similar face as the rest of its SUV siblings thanks to the large front grille and muscular design. Its imposing silhouette is further highlighted by the chrome trim that extends from the A pillars all the way to the taillamps. The black trims around the lower section of the car strikes the T-Roc as a suitable companion for the great outdoors. The T-Roc is also the first Volkswagen SUV that is available with a
contrasting roof
.

Its eye-catching design philosophy stretches into the otherwise familiar cabin. In the T-Roc ‘Style’ line, customers can have the interior panels painted from a choice of four vibrant colours while the ‘Sport’ line comes with sport comfort seats. However, there’s still no word on a sporty R-Line though. Boot space is rated at a cavernous
445 litres
.
The most striking trait of the T-Roc is its class-leading safety features. As
 standard
, the T-Roc is equipped with Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring and
City Emergency Braking
. Further options include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), reverse camera, Rear Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Keeping Assist, Park Assist, Traffic jam Assist and Emergency Assist. The T-Roc may be compact in size, but generous in safety.
Like the Tiguan, the T-Roc is available with three turbo petrol engines (TSI) and three turbodiesels (TDI) variants, all paired to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission. As standard, all T-Rocs are front-wheel driven with the option for the 4Motion all-wheel drive upgrade.
When the T-Roc hits the market in November later this year, it will rival the
Mazda CX-3
,
Kia Stonic
 and
Hyundai Kona
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda Malaysia is recalling 28,399 vehicles for TAKATA airbag inflator replacement

Honda Malaysia is taking a proactive measure to ensure customer safety with a precautionary recall of 28,399 units of vehicles to replace the TAKATA front passenger airbag inflator.
The vehicles involved are the
2013 Honda City
,
2013 Honda Jazz
 and
2013 Jazz Hybrid
 and the
2013 Honda Insight
. Honda Malaysia confirms that all its current selling models are not affected and will continue to uphold transparency and stringent controls to ensure customer safety.
Honda Malaysia will be informing all affected customers
via notification letters
 which will include details of the product recall. Customers who receive these letters are encouraged to send their vehicles to the nearest Honda authorised dealer for inspection and replacement for free.
Honda Malaysia has ensured of 100% stock availability for front driver and passenger airbag inflators (excluding front passenger airbag inflator parts availability for this recall) and increased service capacity via Mobile Hubs, Hubs at selected Petronas stations, Hubs at Honda roadshows and prioritising replacement activities at dealerships.
The replacement works will be carried out once the parts are ready and the cost of parts and labour will be borne by Honda Malaysia. Vehicle owners can also check their vehicle’s recall status either by logging on
www.productrecall.honda.com.my
 or by calling the Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020.
Honda Malaysia will continue to proactively recall vehicles on the Takata front airbag inflator issue while alerting and informing customers of the importance of replacing the affected vehicle’s airbag inflators,
via social media and SMS
.
Owners of Honda vehicles affected by the airbag inflator product recall are advised to
immediately get their vehicles checked
 and parts replaced at any Honda Authorised Service dealers or Mobile Hubs as soon as possible.


First teaser image of the all-new Subaru WRX released

Subaru of America has just released the first teaser shot of the all-new Subaru WRX performance sedan, based on perhaps the upcoming Impreza C-segment car.
It is certainly an all-new sedan, as the doors and rear pillar have a more rounded shape now, perhaps from the
Viziv concept
. The new performance sedan also retains its iconic bonnet scoop for direct ambient air cooling of the intercooler.
In the USA, the current Subaru WRX consist of the regular variant with a
 2.0-litre
 turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine with outputs of
268 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Power is channelled to all four corners via a six-speed manual transmission or the Lineartronic CVT.
Meanwhile, long-time rival Mitsubishi has no intention for an Evo revival. Find out why here.
The
Subaru WRX STI
 meanwhile uses a much larger
2.5-litre
 turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine churning out
310 hp
 and
393 Nm
 of torque. The centre differential also comes with more tricks, such as multi-mode
Driver Control Centre Differential (DCCD)
 plus limited slipping control and a front-to-rear torque split of 41-to-59.
The front and rear axles also feature their own limited-slip differential (LSD), making the WRX STI one of the very few vehicles with three LSDs. It is all about high performance so the WRX STI also comes with Brembo six-piston front calipers gripping 340 mm disc behind 19-inch wheels wrapped with 245/35R19 tyres.
Benchmark sprint time of 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) is
5.7 seconds
 for the WRX STI and the regular WRX takes 0.3 seconds longer.  It would be interesting to see if
electrification
 will find its way into the Subaru WRX, as rumoured back in 2017 via the Viziv concept.
New Subaru BRZ comes with a new engine with more power! Does it have a turbo?
A limited-edition
Subaru WRX STI S209
 with higher horsepower and handling threshold was released in 2019, with many other
special editions
 to keep interest and presence high in the USA market.
The all-new Subaru WRX will debut later this year, according to the company’s press release. It could be another
USA-exclusive
 model as sedans as still very popular in North America.


Would you like a Mazda CX-5 2.5L turbo petrol in Malaysia?

At a press conference during the launch of the
all-new Mazda 3
, Bermaz Motor has hinted that an “upgraded” Mazda CX-5 is on the way. The company is referring to the
updated CX-5
 which was introduced in 2018 that comes with enhanced features and the adoption of the 2.5-litre turbocharged SkyActiv-G petrol engine.
In Japan, the updated
CX-5 comes with the improved G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus), added night
pedestrian detection function on the Advanced Smart City Brake Support, Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, grey metallic finish for the 17-inch
alloys (same design), redesigned climate control panel for better tactility and
operability and fabric finish on the A-pillar trim surface instead of resin.
On higher grade
variants, it comes with Nappa leather upholstery, “Home Rattan” wood interior
trim, frameless rear-view mirror, dark finish 19-inch alloys, white LED cabin illumination
and a new instrument cluster with a central 7.0-inch TFT coloured multi-info
display.
But the highlight of this product update is the introduction of the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder SkyActiv-G petrol engine that develops
230 hp
 and
420 Nm
, the latter peaks at a mere
2,000 rpm
. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard while 2WD or 4WD are available as options.
It remains to be seen
whether Bermaz Motor will offer the Malaysian market with the 2.5T engine option
but customers can expect enhanced connectivity and material finish. The updated
CX-5 will continue to be offered as a CKD model hence expect prices to maintain
or get even more competitive.
IMAGE GALLERY
Updated Mazda CX-5 2.5T in Japan


Kia Niro hybrid crossover unveiled at Chicago Auto Show

Kia has now become the latest manufacturer to join the subcompact crossover bandwagon with the introduction of the new Kia Niro. The crossover is the company’s first dedicated hybrid vehicle, and comes as no surprise following the introduction of sister company’s
Hyundai Ioniq
.
Labeled by Kia as a ‘
Hybrid Utility Vehicle
’, the crossover sits between the Kia Soul and Kia Sportage and will be part of the company’s
EcoDynamics
 line.

Powering the Niro is a
102 hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
 mated to an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery, and a six-speed dual clutch transmission. That combination produces a total output of
146 hp
 and
264Nm
 of torque. Fuel consumption figures have yet to be confirmed, although Kia is looking at a combined cycle of 4.7 litres per 100km with a CO2 output of 89g/km for the Niro.
Interestingly, Kia plans to make the Niro a fun-driving car, something that’s quite atypical in the world of regular hybrid city cars. If that were to be true, then the Niro has a lot of expectations to live up to. But to give credit where it’s due, the design of the car certainly veers towards the sportier side, but whether or not it delivers fun driving, functional utility and hybrid efficiency remains to be seen.
Locally though, the Niro should make perfect sense for Naza Kia, but the likelihood is as good as none. Last year, the brand suffered a
sharp drop in sales
 in Malaysia and Kia desperately needs to mitigate this by introducing several, more exciting products. The Niro, perhaps?
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: Merdeka with fellow country men… in reverse! – AutoVlog

This year we celebrate our country’s 61
st
 National Day and to commemorate this special day, our friends from Aurizn EVOLTN organised a morning drive and charity slalom for their Aurizn Merdeka Meet & Greet session and here is what went down that day:
There are worse ways to start a long weekend but waking up at 6 am for a morning drive with fellow car enthusiast is considered as one of the better mornings in recent weeks. Ending the day with a reverse slalom certainly put a big smile on all those present.
Be sure to subscribe to Aurizn Malaysia and AutoBuzz.my for more events like these and hopefully we will catch you in the next one.


Citroen C-Aircross Concept previewed, next-gen C3 Picasso

Apparently the trend these days is to morph an MPV or a crossover into a full blown SUV. Just like the all-new
Peugeot 3008
, another manufacturer from the PSA group is pulling the same stunt by introducing the Citroen C-Aircross Concept.
Scheduled for debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, the compact SUV poses as a promising alternative to the popular Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. The concept could also be the successor to the C3 Picasso, effectively putting an end to its current MPV status.

The front fascia is broadly similar to the third-generation
C3 supermini
, as seen with the the double chevron grille and LED daytime running lights. Also, the signature “Airbumps” on each side of the car are positioned down low, giving it a more rugged appeal. The higher ground clearance adds to its adventurous nature, as are the funky wheels (the French have their ways with wheel design) and roof bars.
Inside, a huge 12-inch screen is mounted in the centre, whereas the heads-up display employs a dedicated glass panel as opposed to having essential driving info projected to the windscreen. The C-Aircross is also a recipient of Citroen’s Advance Comfort programme, meaning passengers will benefit from the highest levels of comfort and spaciousness.
As for the juicy bits, unfortunately Citroen hasn’t revealed much, but expect the same turbocharged three-cylinder engines (PureTech) and BlueHDi turbodiesels from the C3 to be featured here. Drive will most likely be sent to the front wheels, although Citroen said the extra Grip Control feature will assist the front wheels when traversing challenging terrains.
Is this coming to Malaysia? Well, for now, our guess is as good as yours. The Citroen brand is still relatively niche, but their new range of products have barely tested Malaysian waters. Meanwhile, watch this space for future updates on the C-Aircross. The production version will be revealed sometime in 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz warns of increase in fake replacement parts sold online

You know the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”? Well, it also applies accurately in the world of car replacement parts cause if it’s way cheaper than what most others are quoting you, safety should be your concern – not savings.
Mercedes-Benz has issued a statement on the increase of fake replacement parts sold online, sparked mainly by pandemic.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia welcomes Sagree Sardien as new President and CEO. More details here!
The left is a fake, the authentic brake pad is on the right.
“Over 1.7 million counterfeit Daimler products were confiscated in 2020. We initiated and supported over 550 raids by the authorities. This is a slight increase compared to the previous year,” said a representative from Daimler.
According to a report by trade association Unifab, these counterfeiters often achieve
 higher margins than drugs
. In many cases, these were produced under inhumane conditions without any consideration for environmental standards, workplace safety, or human rights.
This Mercedes-Benz S680 “Guard” is probably the safest place to be in 2021. Find out why!
The car with the fake brake pads (above in the picture) has a significantly longer braking distance.
“All in all, we were able to remove 138,000 fake Daimler products from online platforms. This is around three times more during the same period before the pandemic,” Daimler said.
The brand protection experts within the company often inspect suspicious products on online platforms or at trade fairs around the world to track down counterfeiters.
Typical signs of fake products
 are unusually lower prices, anomalies in product description and quality, or goods being sold by unknown sellers.
The new facelift Mercedes-Benz E300 AMG Line has arrived in Malaysia.
The same is true in the local market as well. With new sellers emerging on almost every imaginable e-commerce platform, it’s hard to tell who’s real and who’s not.
One simple way is to give these sellers a background check on Facebook, through owner’s club or enthusiasts group pages. It’s the most foolproof way to purchase items from reputable sellers as most of them in there, know their stuff.
Facts & Figures: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E 300 AMG Line facelift launched in Malaysia – RM375k….more details here!


The Audi A6 e-tron concept uses its headlamps to project video games!

Audi has unveiled the A6 e-tron concept at the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2021 motor show. With the unveiling of the Audi A6 e-tron concept, the company also provided information on its medium-term product line-up plans.
Major models such as the next-generation A4, Q5, and A8 models will have a fully-electric variant and be built on a modular platform called
 Premium Platform Electric

or PPE
.
Similar to other automakers EV platform, the PPE, which is jointly developed with
Porsche
, allow various configurations of motor quantities and battery sizes paired with different body types for efficient vehicle construction.
Audi says the Audi A6 e-tron concept exterior model making its debut in Shanghai is far more than just a simple design exercise. Its body is a
foretaste of Audi’s future production models
 and provides clear indications of just how dynamic and elegant the premium electric-powered models from the brand with the four rings will look.
Only key technical information is available on the A6 e-tron concept. Underneath the 4.96-meter long sportback body style is a
100-kWh
 battery that will ensure a
range of more than

700 kilometres
 (WLTP standard). A major contributor could be the low aerodynamic drag value, where Audi claims to have achieved a value of
0.22
, the lowest in the segment (electrified).
A dual-motor setup on the PPE platform provides the quattro all-wheel drive traction synonymous with the Audi brand. In total,
476 hp
 and
800 Nm
 of torque are transmitted to all four wheels. Benchmark century sprint is targeted to be completed in
under four seconds
, with lesser variants with a single motor promising a time of under seven seconds.
The 800-volt technology onboard enables extremely fast charging; it takes
no more than 10 minutes to recharge enough energy for 300 km
. The car will be produced in both Europe and China.
A very interesting and fun aspect of this new A6 e-tron concept is the headlamps. The latest lighting technology in the
Digital Matrix LED
 allow the headlamps to
project video games
 on to the wall, so that occupants can keep themselves entertained while they charge the car.
Audi will start producing the A6 e-tron from the
second half of next year
 with the smaller but volume-seller A4 slated later and a limousine the size of the
A8
 next in line. As mentioned earlier, all-new fully electric Audi models, both sedans as well as SUVs body types, will be built on the scalable PPE platform.
The current portfolio of fully electric Audi vehicles consists of the
Audi e-tron
,
e-tron Sportback
, the flagship
e-ton GT
,
 and the very recently unveiled Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback. The Q4 e-tron shares more in common with Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform that also forms the basis of the
Volkswagen ID.4
 model.
GALLERY


All-new Lexus NX PHEV makes ASEAN debut, from approx. RM448k in Thailand

Today marks the first day of the 38th Thailand International Motor Expo and a few new models have already been launched, such as the all-new
Peugeot 2008
 that is imported from Gurun, Kedah!
After a quiet few months, Lexus in ASEAN is back with the launch of the all-new, second-generation Lexus NX that was
globally unveiled
 in June. Two models (both hybrid powertrains) across five variants will be offered to Thai consumers, the Lexus NX 350h and the Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Fully-imported from Japan, the new Lexus NX 350h will have two variants, priced at
THB3.24 million
 (approx. RM404k) and THB3.39 million, while the NX 450h+ PHEV starts from
THB3.59 million
 (approx. RM448k) to
THB4.32 million
 (approx. RM539k) for the NX 450h+ F Sport.
The NX 350h continues to be in the excise tax bracket of 16%, but the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with ultra-low fuel consumption enjoys a tax rate of just
8%
. That explains why even with so many features, technology and performance, the new Lexus NX 450h+ is priced just above the larger Lexus RX 300.
The NX 450h+ is the range-topping variant in the new generation mid-sized Lexus SUV, equipped with a highly efficient 2.5-litre naturally aspirated hybrid engine, a pair of electric motors and a large battery pack to deliver a combined system output of
309 hp.
Performance is also a substantial increase over the
first-generation
 model, completing the century dash in just
6.3 seconds
! Apart from fast acceleration, the large battery pack with an energy content of
18.1 kWh
will provide an estimated 87 km of electric driving range (NEDC cycle), at up to speeds of 135 km/h.
As for charging the massive PHEV battery pack, Lexus in Thailand say it can be fully charged within 2.5 hours via a Type 2 AC 6.6 kW charger at 32A per hour. A rear motor provides additional energy recuperation as well as electric AWD traction.
Lexus says, thanks to the usage of the highly efficient hybrid engine, the NX 450h+ is expected to be as much as 20% better in fuel consumption than competitors when the energy in the lithium-ion battery pack has depleted.
The local Lexus distributor is offering a four-year unlimited mileage warranty for the car and a 10-year unlimited mileage for the hybrid lithium-ion battery.
As for the Lexus NX 350h, it is powered by the 2.5-litre Dynamic Force hybrid engine, with a total system output of
243 hp
. Fuel consumption is certified at 5 litres per 100 km or 20 km/L.
Built on the new GA-K platform that also underpins the Lexus ES 250, the new NX is about an inch larger in all dimensions except height which is increased by just 5 mm. Lexus seems to have paid particular attention to the rear axle though, as the rear track is now 59 mm wider than before, promising better handling and stability.
Key interior features that are available include a central infotainment touchscreen display measuring 14 inches, head-up display, digital rearview mirror and an ambient lighting system with a colour palette of up to 50 colours.
The new NX is also the first Lexus vehicle to use the E-Latch electric door handle mechanism, where occupants inside the car open the doors via touching a switch on the armrest. The ease of use with one smooth and simple motion is inspired by the traditional fusuma sliding paper screen room dividers in Japanese homes.
The new NX also adopts the latest preventive safety technologies with the next-generation Lexus Safety System Plus (LSS+) that delivers cutting-edge safety functions for drivers. A self-parking feature called Lexus Teammate Advance Park automatically scans available spots and manoeuvres itself into it.
GALLERY
2021 Lexus NX450h+ F Sport
2021 Lexus NX
2021 Lexus NX – Technical


All-new Qashqai is the best-looking Nissan SUV yet!

While the majority of the automakers in Europe battled hard with their C-segment hatchbacks, Nissan offered the Qashqai compact crossover almost 15 years ago. Thanks to its great success by offering more, Nissan has just introduced the third-generation Qashqai.
Named after the mountainous tribe from Iran, the Qashqai one of the best-selling compact crossovers in both Europe and the UK. Nissan says there are over 3 million units of Qashqai sold since its introduction in 2007.
Similar to its two predecessors, the Qashqai continues to be a European-centric product with the latest being designed in London catering to the European taste and preference.
The exterior design of the new Qashqai continues to have key themes of modern Nissans with design elements such as the large V-Motion grille, floating roof and “boomerang” lamp signature. The new Qashqai still maintains its compact footprint, with just a 20-millimetre increase to its wheelbase.
The headlamps now feature full-LED matrix with intelligent selective illumination. A trim piece in body colour (marked with Qashqai naming) creates a separation between the DRL-boomerang signature and the main lighting cluster that consist of 12 individual elements.
Nissan said they have increased the wheel sizing to
20 inches
 to fill the arches and further contribute to the robustness of the Qashqai on the road. Variants with 20-inch wheels also get the more advanced multi-link rear suspension.
Aluminium panels are used on the doors, fenders and the bonnet which contribute to a reduction of 21 kg in weight. The tailgate meanwhile is made from composite material which shaves 2.6 kg.
Thanks to construction with the CMF-C platform that utilises advanced stamping and welding techniques, the overall “body in white” is
lighter by 60 kg
 and 41% stiffer than the outgoing model.
Under the bonnet lies a revised 1.3-litre turbocharged engine with a 12-volt
mild-hybrid
 system and a lithium-ion battery. Drivers who like to row their own gears (6-speed) will get to choose outputs of either
140 hp
 or
158 hp
.
The Xtronic CVT is only paired with the engine that has outputs of 158 hp and 270 Nm of torque, and comes with either 2WD and AWD drivetrain.
The new Qashqai will also be the first Nissan in Europe to feature the
e-Power
 series hybrid system. A new
variable compression
 1.5-litre engine will function as a battery generator/charger, with drive to the front wheels via a
190 hp / 330 Nm
 electric motor.
This setup is the latest and more powerful the e-Power system available in Thailand-made
 Nissan Kicks
.
Inside, the driver is met with a high-definition 12.3-inch TFT multi-information screen with customisable content and layouts. The driver is further aided by a head-up display (HUD) with a viewing size of 10.8 inches.
A free-standing touchscreen infotainment display measuring 9 inches opens the controls for the massage feature in the front seats.
Home-to-Car skills are compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices. The system supports a wide range of commands, including the ability for drivers to send destinations to the car’s navigation by talking to their smart device, minimising the time required to input the destination.
Nissan says the increase in wheelbase contributed to better knee room for the rear passengers. Front and rear headroom has also increased thanks to small increase in exterior dimensions.
Similar to the new
Nissan Rogue/X-Trail
 in North America, the new Qashqai is equipped with Nissan latest ProPILOT Assist system.
The updated system is now able to adapt the car’s speed according to additional external circumstances- the system can read road signs and take into account navigation system speed limit data to slow the Qashqai to the appropriate speed, meaning the driver doesn’t need to adjust the cruise control speed manually.
The system can also use data from the navigation system to adjust the speed for approaching curves or exit ramps that have a tighter radius.
Furthermore, ProPILOT with Navi-link can now communicate with the Qashqai’s blind-spot radars to help intervene with a steering input correction to help prevent a lane-change manoeuvre if there is a vehicle in the blind-spot zone.
Similar to many new vehicles being launched recently, the new Qashqai is also equipped with a central airbag for the front occupants. Deployed from the inboard of the driver’s seat, the large airbag inflates to prevent the driver and front passenger from making side-to-side contact.
The new Qashqai will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK with sales to commence in summer of 2021.
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Video: Checking out the Ducati PJ Showroom with biker chick Yulina

This one’s a little different. Not only are we featuring two-wheelers instead of the usual four because we don’t discriminate, but we’re also featuring a host who’s better on bikes than we collectively are in cars. Enter,
Yulina
 and Ducati.
In this video, we check out the Ducati Malaysia showroom in Petaling Jaya, Selangor; a big boy’s playground that’s home to some of the most ferocious Italian bikes known to man such as the Monster, the Streetfighter, and some very special Panigales.

None however, is more special than the 1299 Panigale Superleggera that’s been doused with carbon fibre. There’s only 1 of 1 in Malaysia, with an asking price of RM1 million. In the video, we also showcase Ducati’s service centre that’s capable of attending to 450 bikes a month.
The Ducati showroom in PJ is located at Lot 3, Jalan 51A/221, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Operation hours are from 9 am to 6 pm daily except Saturdays and Sundays where it closes at 5 pm.


Volkswagen launches eShowroom for convenient car shopping during the MCO period

Due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), most retail outlets in the country have been temporarily shut down in an effort to “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 virus – including
 car dealerships across the nation
. The directive is a necessary move to overcome the global pandemic, and we as citizens should abide by the order and refrain from social contact as much as possible.
However, that also means that most of our plans will be put on hold. If you’ve been thinking of purchasing a Volkswagen recently, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) today introduced the Volkswagen eShowroom as an alternative method of car purchase during the MCO period.
In addition to the added convenience, the eShowroom will also offer exclusive savings and deals for the month of April to sweeten the deal – Check out the list below for the full list of models on offer.
To take advantage of the savings, visit the
Volkswagen eShowroom
 and follow our simple steps:
 Step 1: Browse deals and select your preferred model.
 Step 2: Fill in the online reservation form.
 Step 3: Select your preferred Volkswagen dealership and submit the form.
 Step 4: Wait for a verification call from the Volkswagen Customer Care personnel.
The online-exclusive deals will also be available on the VPCM’s
official Lazada store
. However, a
1% booking fee
is required if you decide to make a purchase on the e-commerce platform.
Once the verification process is complete, the dealership chosen during the order process will be in contact to finalise the booking. Registration and delivery of the vehicle will be scheduled
 after the MCO period
.
VPCM Managing Director, Erik Winter said, “The safety of our customers and employees are our top priority and it is crucial that we each play our part in overcoming this global pandemic.
The Volkswagen eShowroom was created to offer our customers an alternative solution for those still interested in purchasing a Volkswagen during this Movement Control Order, with attractive deals which we believe will ease the purchasing process for our customers.”


Bell & Ross presents the new vintage Bellytanker Collection – limited to 500 pieces

In a constant mission to project its passion for racing and extreme machines, Bell & Ross unveiled yet another speed-inspired collection – the vintage BR V1-92 and BR V2-94 Bellytanker.
Making up the new Bellytanker collection, these two timepieces are designed by Bruno Belamich to depict the legendary era of record-breaking races in the North America during the 1950’s. It was a time when participants sped across the salt lakes in their super-fast homemade hot rods.

The Bellytanker, in essense, is a collection that is perfect for contemporary and enthusiastic drivers, with a love for vintage timepieces.
BR V1-92 Bellytanker
This three-hand model is a simple, everyday piece with a restraint 38.5mm brushed steel case and a metallic copper dial that’s inspired by the copper rims on their Bellytanker. Essential functions – hours, minutes, seconds and date – adorns the face of this purist timepiece.
On the surface is a smooth and fixed bezel while the inside features automatic movement – the calibre BR-CAL.302. The BR V1-92 Bellytanker is priced at RM11,000 and limited to only
500 pieces
.
BR V2-94 Bellytanker
For the V2-94 chronograph, we see the same colour dial but in a 41mm case. Visibly, this timepiece appears sportier yet more sophisticated, with chronograph functions and is powered by the calibre BR-CAL.301.
This model is available in two versions – either with a brown leather strap or metallic bracelet. There is a “Panda” dial with contrasting black counters, a tachymeter scale as well as automatic movement. The BR V2-94 Bellytanker is also limited to
500 pieces
, with a price tag of RM19,200 for the strap reference and RM20,700 for the bracelet reference.
IMAGE GALLERY


Review: Volkswagen Golf Mk7 TSI, an ever ready zippy hot hatch

The Volkswagen Golf Mk7 TSI is a hot hatch with good amount of torque, fun as a daily run-about and a rather good fuel efficient car but then again, not all cars are perfect. For example, you won’t be able to place your full 12-clubs golf set in the boot without folding down the 60:40 split rear seats or without removing your favorite driver. So golfers be warned. By the way, this seventh generation Volkswagen Golf has recently been crowned
Car of the Year
 for 2013.
The first ever Volkswagen Golf to roll out from Volkswagen’s production line in Wolfsburg, Germany  was in 1974, from the legendary Mk1, MkII to the current Mk7. There has been a  total of staggering
29 million
 Golfs built by 2012. The Golf has won the World Car of The Year  in 2009 with the Golf MK6, in 2013 with the Golf Mk7 and many other awards throughout its lifetime. Here in Malaysia, there has been a boom in demand, ever since the Golf Mk5 GTI was first introduced. The Golf Mk7 debut launch was at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. Five month after its launch, it reached our shores in March 2013 and finally it’s in our hands.
Volkswagen’s entry level Golf MK7 is the seventh generation of the world’s best selling hatch, but you might be mistaken it with the previous Mk6 model as the exterior changes are rather subtle, but for VAG fans (Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaf
)
 or Golf fans, you definitely can tell the subtle changes. The Golf Mk7 uses the same light-weight MQB platform as the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia, part of Volkswagen Group company’s strategy for shared modular construction for a majority of it’s front wheel drive automobiles.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Volkswagen Golf TSI
Segment
C-SEGMENT
Engine
1390 CC  140ps
Price
RM 159,888.00
 EXTERIOR

The Golf MK7 is nearly
100kg lighter
 than the old Mk6, but its dimensions are actually wider and longer, which means more room in the boot and backseat. It also has a lower stance than its predecessor, it looks and feels that little bit sportier too. Design wise, the entire shape of the car is almost the same as the older MK6 just some sharper curves on the headlights and rear lamps and a stronger horizontal lines along and across.

According to Volkswagen, much of the Golf’s success “lies in its continuity”. People liked what they saw in the past, and they like this Golf now as well. So if you were to ‘de-badge’ the MK7 Golf TSI, your busybody neighbor would know it’s the new Golf you’re driving.
The Golf Mk7 TSI rim has been changed to a 5-spoke design called “Dover” 16-inch wheels. It would be a lot nicer if they had chosen the Detroit design rims from the previous MK6 Golf Gti.
INTERIOR

There are a few things to like and dislike about the minimalist Golf Mk7 TSI interior. Let’s talk about the positive things first. Driving position is rather good, a good view of the front and surroundings. The A pillar now has a small little window to see through, which makes visibility much better.

Steering design is very tidy and neat, all within the reach of your fingers. The paddle shift feel and position, is just right. The paddle shift feels solid, and not some plastic click paddle shift. In cabin storage space for driver and front passenger seat are located underneath the seats, to store personal items. Middle storage area, underneath the arm rest – a decent average size.
The parking display now shows on the entertainment center display, this gives you extra help by showing exactly how close any obstacles are. It also shows the position of your steering angle. Good for newbie drivers and drivers with the lack of parking abilities.

The entertainment system has a 5.8 inch display which includes ala iPhone-style swipe feature and a system that senses your fingers’ proximity and allows it to move seamlessly between the multi function pages. The entertainment system now comes with Bluetooth connectivity as standard and A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) to play music off your phone. There are a lot more functions in the entertainment system such as music playback from MP3, WMA, AAC files with title display from SD and AUX IN, 4×20 watt output (front and rear speakers), you can also connect, charge and control your iPod, phone and other devices while you’re on the move and vehicle status information is also shown on the display.
The rear legroom has grown by 15mm and the front seats have been moved 20mm back to help accommodate taller drivers. The rear seat has the 60:40 split arrangement. You can’t go wrong with this arrangement.
Now to the not so happening side of things.
The driver and front passenger seats is not that comfortable for long journey rides. It lacks the back lumber support. The “Zoom/Merlin” fabric material on the seats is rather harsh too.
The Entertainment system CD insert is located in the front passenger glove box, few of us were looking for it, which was hilarious. So, please do not try to change your that favorite MP3 disc while driving. The radio reception can be rather irritating, the signal comes and goes, or probably the test car we had, had some radio reception issues. The radio also sounded like a mono speaker system instead of an 4 speaker system but after I connected my phone to the Bluetooth, everything sounded ok.
The entire interior of the Golf Mk7 TSI, is somehow less sportier compared to the Golf Mk6 TSI. The meter cluster design lost its sportiness due to the straighten horizontal feature at the bottom. Adding the flat bottom steering to the Golf Mk7 TSI does help to bring up the sportiness of the entire interior.
PERFORMANCE

The 1.4 turbocharged engine offers punch, but the throttle response can be jerky in traffic. So a light right foot is needed. The MK7 Golf TSI has an all-new engine codename,  ‘EA 211’ which has an output of 140 PS (138 hp) slightly less then the previous model engine EA 111 which was 160 PS, but that has the twin charger. However, maximum torque has increased by 10Nm to 250Nm. There’s also a clever cylinder deactivation, which is quiet and refined, although there was a slight hesitation when pulling away. It’s possible this was the cylinder deactivation. You don’t even notice when the more powerful 1.4 shuts off half its cylinders to save fuel.
There’s an Engine Start/Stop system with regenerative braking. The auto stop/start contributes to the excellent fuel figures: 5.4 litres/100km. Petrol Heads would find this function rather unpleasing actually but then again, majority of the automakers will be heading towards this direction of saving energy. So live with it! The Golf Mk7 TSI, is rather quick to detect a halt at the traffic lights or in the jam. A rather fast 2 seconds, when I came to a halt, the engine shuts off. The trick to cheat it is to step on the brakes as lightly as possible.
The brakes can also be quite aggressive, which is a good thing. Good brakes, responsive engine, a fast gearbox and a rather impressive suspension, sounds like a fun day in Sepang International Circuit.
THE DRIVE

The Golf Mk7 TSI, feels grown up, more mature compared to the Mk6 TSI and not forgetting 100 kg lighter. The Mk7 does feels lighter and punchier on the open roads. At as low as 1,500 – 2,000 rpm, all 250 Nm of torque is at your disposal.  The steering is well weighted, while the suspension manages to provide a comfortable ride with good body control, just don’t try to take a corner to fast, the Golf MK7 TSI will still understeer.
While driving on paddle shift mode, the ECO TIP keeps popping up on the MFD (Multi Function Display) “Engage Gearshift to D mode” Reminding me to be a fuel efficient driver. I was trying to get that famous DSG “fart” sound from the exhaust but I couldn’t really hear it in the cabin.. It’s either the sound deadening of the Golf is way better or Volkswagen decided to have a much silent exhaust for the Golf Mk7 TSI. There is some road and wind noise on highway speeds but not unbearable.
IS IT FOR YOU?

The Golf MK7 TSI is quite possibly a great daily car. It won’t help you stand out, but it is stylish, efficient and practical. It is not cheap, but it holds its value well enough. On material quality, usability and functional simplicity, the Golf is above its competitors. So, if you’re looking for zippy, on the go, hot hatch, 5 star rated Euro NCAP, a fun day out in Sepang International Circuit or some nice country road drive but yet still being a very orientated  family hatchback; this is for you.
COMPARISONS

The Volkswagen Golf MK7 TSI continues to raise the family hatchback bar, with rivals such as the all-new Citroen DS4 and Ford Focus Sport trying to match with it. In terms of drive feel, the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 TSI wins having a royal straight flush but don’t under estimate the Ford Focus, it quite a power pack too. When it comes to the design of the exterior,the Citroen DS4 was elected
Most Beautiful Car of the Year
 at the International Automobile Festiva, which basically outbeats the Golf and the Ford Focus.
The best looking interior award for these 3 cars would have to go to the Citroen DS 4. Among these 3 cars, the Golf Mk7 TSI feels the least cramped. So if you’re looking for a driver’s car with a minimalist practical functional and spaciousness interior and a fun zippy hatchback, the Golf Mk7 TSI is your answer.

Volkswagen Golf TSI
Ford Focus 2.0 Sport
Citroen DS4
ENGINE
Type
TSI turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder petrol engine
2.0L Petrol Direct Injection I-4 DOHC 16V,
 Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing
 (Ti-VCT)
Inline 4 Cylinder DOHC
Displacement
cc
1390CC
1999CC
 1598CC
Max Power
hp/rpm
138
170 / 6,500rpm
120/6,000rpm
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
250
202 / 4450 rpm
240/1,400rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity
L
50
55
 60
STEERING
Type
 Electromechanical power steering
Electric Motor Driven Power Steering (EPAS)
Electronic hydraulic power steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
7-speed direct shift gearbox DSG
Powershift® 6 Speed Dual Clutch Automatic
6 speed automatic
SUSPENSION
Type
 MacPherson Strut / Multi-Link
MacPherson strut / Control Blade™ Independent Rear
 MacPherson type / Drawn arms
BRAKES
Front
 Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated discs
Rear
 Disc
Disc
 Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
205/55 R16
215/50 R17
Wheels
16 x 6.5J
17 Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4255
4358
4275
Overall Width
mm
1799
1824
1810
Overall Height
mm
1452
1466
 1533
Wheelbase
mm
2637
2612
Max Kerb weight
kg
1720
1360
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
 380
350
 359 / 385
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
212
212
0 – 100km/h
sec
 8.4
9.3
PRICE
RM
 159,888.00
116,938.00
 149,888.00

WILL I BUY IT?

The Volkswagen Golf Mk7 TSI is a rewarding drivers car, which lives up to the legendary Golf badge. It has recently been crowned
Car of the Year
 for 2013. I would purchase the Volkswagen Golf TSI for sure but if I had slightly deeper pockets, the older faster brother with the GTI badge would be my choice.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Naza introduces Kia Cerato Kx, more affordable at RM89,888

Naza Kia Malaysia has introduced a more affordable variant of the Kia Cerato, called the Kia Cerato Kx. Affordable, is the keyword here as it is priced at a mere
RM 89,888,
making it one of the most affordable
C-segment
 in the market. That is
RM10,000
 cheaper than the Kia Cerato K3. Interestingly, much of the best features that comes from the K3 is actually retained, save for a few safety

feature.
Much of the mechanical feature of K3 is retained. The Kx is powered by the Kia’s
Gamma 1.6 MPI D-CVVT
 that produces a respectable
130PS @ 6,000
rpm
 and torque figure of
157Nm @ 4,850 rpm
. It also shares the same
6-speed automatic
 transmission which is developed in-house.
Kia’s
Flex Steer
where it allows the driver to set 3 different steering setups, namely Comfort, Normal and Sport. There is also
cruise control
,
steering mounted

audio controls
,
push start button
 with
keyless entry
,
LED

daytime running lights
 and
projector headlamps
. The Kx gets a little upgrade on the entertainment front, a
8-inch touch
 screen with
navigation
 capability.
What you set to loose, is minimal, according to Naza Kia. Gone aesthetically are the LED rear combination lights, replaced with a more conventional
bulb lights
.
Moving on to the interior, you will get
fabric seats
 all round. That aside, the driver’s seat only comes with
lever adjustable
 height. Power window with auto up-down is reserved only for the driver. Last but not the least, air conditioning is manually adjusted via knob selectors.
Safety wise, airbag count has been reduced from 6 to
2 frontal airbags
. While anti-lock brake system (
ABS)
, brake assist (
BA
), electronic brakeforce distribution (
EBD
),
ISOFIX,
and
 parking sensors
 is kept intact, safety aficionados would be surprised to know that
electronic stability control
 is omitted from the safety aspect.
The Kia Cerato Kx still comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. And to top that off, customers who book and register the new Cerato Kx is set to get
RM1,000
 worth of petrol card.


Video: 2019 Porsche Macan facelift, 5 Things

It may not look like much at first glance, but there’s more than meets the eye with the
 2019 Porsche Macan facelift
.
Firstly, there’s changes in the aesthetics – culminating to a much sharper, more aggressive look to the previously docile exterior – with the most drastic difference being at the rear end of the car.

Inside, the most noticeable change includes a much larger touchscreen display, featuring the Porsche Communication Management System found in the likes of the
Cayenne
and
Panamera
, along with the addition of a host of driving aids.
There are two options for the baby Porsche – the Macan and Macan S – with pricess starting from RM455k, inclusive of a 4-year warranty and free maintenance package.
IMAGE GALLERY


2016 Toyota Fortuner breaks cover, looks nothing like the Fortuner before!

As some of you would have known, the upcoming Toyota Fortuner is bound for its global debut sometime soon after leaked pictures were found circulating the net. It’s also about time for Toyota to reveal the
Hilux-based SUV
, for the pickup truck is officially on sale in Thailand at present time.
We previously looked into the Hilux’s advanced new
2.4-litre and 2.8-litre turbodiesel engines
 (2GD-FTV and 1GD-FTV respectively), and we are certain that the Fortuner will also benefit from them. This handsome SUV accommodates seven individuals with three rows of seats, putting it squarely against the
Isuzu MU-X
 and
Ford’s new Everest
.
Engine Name
1GD-FTV
2GD-FTV
Displacement (cc)
2,754 (2.8-litre)
2,393 (2.4-litre)
Bore x Stroke (mm)
92.0 x 103.6
92.0 x 90.0
Compression Ratio
15.6:1
Max Power (bhp @ rpm)
174 hp @ 3,400 rpm
148 hp @ 3,400 rpm
Max Torque (Nm @ rpm)
450 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,400 rpm
330 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,000 rpm
Low-Speed Torque (Nm @ rpm)
370 Nm @ 1,200 rpm
330 Nm @ 1,200 rpm
Unlike the outgoing Fortuner, the new one carries almost no visual similarities to the Hilux, and like the MU-X, the rear suspension gets a five-link coil spring setup instead of the pickup’s leaf spring configuration. The Fortuner boasts having 225 mm of ground clearance, exactly like the new Everest – both best in its class. As for its water wading capability, the number remains unknown, but it will surely be close to the Everest’s 800 mm benchmark.
If you weren’t attracted to the Fortuner before, this wildly styled SUV-ute will be a tad hard to resist. Australian customers will get the bigger
2.8-litre engine
 paired to a
 six-speed automatic transmission
which sends power to the part-time four-wheel drive system. The engine produces
174 hp
 at 3,400 rpm and
 450 Nm
 of torque from 1,600 to 2,400 rpm.
Despite having a
2,800 kg towing capacity
 (3,000 kg for the manual gearbox), the rugged SUV offers quite an impressive list of amenities to begin with. There’s
seven airbags
 as standard, touchscreen head unit, all-round disc brakes and
 electronic stability control
. The range topper will get
LED headlamps
 with LED DRLs, 18-inch wheels, powered tailgate, smart entry with push-start button and hill descent control.
We can’t say for sure if Malaysian-bound Fortuners will mirror the Australian’s specs, but if UMW Toyota Motor aims to give Ford a real challenge, we expect no less than what the folks at the land Down Under are getting.
IMAGE GALLERY


This is the most bizarre motorsport pile-up we’ve seen in a long while

Last weekend saw the most unbelievable crash we’ve ever seen in awhile at the Macau Grand Prix as it held the FIA GT World Cup featuring GT3-spec cars.
The pile-up happened during the first lap, yes during the first of the 12-lap qualification race on Saturday. Of the 20 cars in the race, only four cars escaped the carnage to carry on with the 18-lap race the following day.
As you can see in the highlight footage, it all started when a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in fourth place slammed into the wall of the “Policeman bend” of the 6.2 km Guia circuit. A similar Mercedes behind it just managed to escaped the stalled racecar with a slight brush on its side but the rest of the line up weren’t so lucky.
Sparked by a Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by the reigning FIA GT World Cup champion, it rear-ended the stalled Mercedes-AMG GT3, the multi-million dollar pile up took place at one of the tightest bends of the circuit, leaving no room for the rest of the pack to maneuver through but to slam into the back of each other. Only two cars at the back of the grid managed to escape without any damage – and fortunately not one soul sustained injuries.
Image credit:
YouTube


2023 Jaguar I-PACE launched in Malaysia – twin-motor EV with 400 hp, from RM461k

Five years after its
global debut
 and many, many teasers by
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia
 later, the 2023 Jaguar I-PACE has finally been launched here on our shores. The fully-electric SUV will be offered in two variants here in Malaysia, starting at RM460,800 for the Black LE, jumping up to RM498,800 for the range-topping HSE.
On a related note, if you’re looking to renew your motor insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
2023 Jaguar I-PACE Exterior Design
Looks wise, the Jaguar I-PACE sports a fairly unique silhouette, thanks to its fastback-like roofline, stacked atop the chunky, SUV-like lower bodywork. Despite now being five-years old, the I-PACE still wears many of Jaguar’s latest design touches with charisma, including the slim-line matrix LED headlights with the twin J-blade daytime-running lights graphic, and the signature Jaguar grille.
As this is an EV, the grille here is mostly closed off due to minimal cooling requirements. There is, however, a unique scalloped section towards the top that functions as an aerodynamic device, channelling the air from the front up through the bonnet scoop, over the curved roofline for maximum efficiency.
Other exterior highlights include the LED tail lights with sequential turn indicators, the sleek recessed door handles, heated and powered wing mirrors with auto-dimming on the driver’s side, acoustic laminated windscreen, as well as 20-inch alloy wheels (contrast diamond turned finish on the HSE).
2023 Jaguar I-PACE Interior
The interior also looks fairly reminiscent of recent Jaguars, especially thanks to the 10-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment display, with a separate five-inch touch panel and twin rotary dials below for your climate control and various other settings, alongside the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
Thanks to its fully-electric architecture, the Jaguar I-PACE boasts an “interior space comparable to large SUVs”, despite it being a mid-sized model in terms of dimensions.
To make EV ownership as convenient as possible, the infotainment display on the Jaguar I-PACE also comes with EV-specific displays and a special EV-focused navigation system that can provide accurate range information using topological data. The I-PACE is also the first Jaguar model to provide over-the-air software updates.
Other standard interior amenities include a two-zone climate control system, panoramic glass roof with electrochromic shade, leather-wrapped sport seats with 12-way electric adjustability, and a unique underseat stowage area under the second-row rear seats.
The range-topping HSE variant levels up the interior with the addition of a Windsor leather upholstery, 14-way powered ‘Performance’ front seats with heating and cooling features, upgrade cabin ambient lighting, and a Meridian 3D surround sound system.
2023 Jaguar I-PACE Performance
The Jaguar I-PACE is powered by a twin-motor set-up, one on each axle, for a combined output of
400 hp (294 kW)
 and
696 Nm
 of torque. The dual motor design gives it an all-wheel drive drivetrain set-up, translating to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of
4.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
200 km/h
.
Electric juice is supplied by a 90 kWh lithium ion battery pack, giving the I-PACE an electric driving range of
470 km
 (WLTP cycle). To charge, an 11 kW on-board AC charger tops it up from 0-80% in roughly 8.6 hours. Using a 100 kW DC fast charger, the same state-of-charge is achieved in under 40 minutes.
Thanks to the battery pack being positioned underneath the floor, the Jaguar I-PACE boasts an exceptionally low centre of gravity, alongside a 50:50 weight distribution to give it a “sportscar-like” vehicle dynamics. This is further aided by the standard double wishbone front and integral link rear coil spring suspensions on the Black LE variant, and taken to the next level with air suspensions on the HSE.
Jaguar also says that the I-PACE boasts the highest torsional rigidity of any Jaguar models, thanks to its use of advanced riveting and bonding technology on the aluminium EV architecture, and – of course – the massive battery pack underneath the floor.
2023 Jaguar I-PACE pricing in Malaysia
The 2023 Jaguar I-PACE is now available in Malaysia, priced from
RM460,800
 for the entry-level Black LE variant, moving up to
RM498,800
 for the range-topping HSE. Also included in the price is a five-year/150,000 km warranty, a five-year/102,000 km free service package, as well as an eight-year/160,000 km warranty specifically for the battery.
Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia is also giving away a free RM1,000 credit on the DC Go-To-U app, usable on public chargers around Malaysia, for orders collected during the launch period until 28th May 2023.
GALLERY


Bentley Continental GT Speed is Crewe’s top dog, hits 330 km/h!

Bentley’s fastest car, the Continental GT Speed has just been given a slight update with more power, making it even faster than before. What’s more, there will also be a new Black Edition trim based on the GT Speed.
This time around, performance from its
 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12
 engine gets a marginal bumper  8 hp and 20 Nm of torque, bringing the total output to
 633 hp
 and
840 Nm
 of torque. To make full use of the additional power, torque now peaks in from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm. This results in an improved century sprint figure of
3.9 seconds
, about 0.3 seconds quicker over its predecessor. Top speed is rated at
330km/h,
which is impressive for a car that weighs over 2,500kg.
Unlike Mercedes-Benz’s Black Edition models, Bentley’s interpretation of the Black Edition is mainly cosmetic enhancements, making the already swanky car even more striking. For those who love making an entrance, this should help you stand out among the crowd. It’s available in both coupe and convertible styles, and gets dark contrast finishing on the inside and out. A set of 21-inch alloy wheels and red or black brake callipers can be had as well.
No pricing has been revealed at this point, but expect it to cost more than the standard asking price of
 £168,300
 (approx RM937,000 based on today’s conversion rates).
IMAGE GALLERY


The facelifted MINI gets new adaptive dampers and infotainment system with “Live Widgets”

Since its launch in 2016, the F-series range of MINI has not seen a major update. The lights were upgraded in 2018 and MINI has now facelifted the hatchback range (3-door, 5-door and
convertible
) with substantial styling changes.
The highlight of the facelifted MINI is the availability of the
Multitone Roof
, a world innovation. The new Multitone Roof features a colour gradient from San Marino Blue through Pearly Aqua to Jet Black, created with a new painting technique and by extending from the windscreen frame to the rear.
Even though a fully automated process, MINI says a slight deviation in the colour pattern will occur due to changing environmental conditions, making every Multitone Roof unique.
At the front end, the facelifted MINI feature the integration of air curtains on the front bumper and removal of the fog lights to further enhance the clarity of the front and provide improved aerodynamics. The standard-fitted round LED headlamps can be equipped with a new “bad weather light” to aid visibility where the fog lamps are usually used. They now also receive a black treatment for the inner housing.
The facelifted MINI now also looks flatter up front thanks to the fitment of the single hexagonal grille with the central pane being body-coloured. Moving to the side profile, the fender-mounted side scuttles are redesigned and now incorporate LED turn signal lights. Rim designs are updated too and the seven-spoke 18-inch example in the MINI Cooper S 3 door is named Pulse Spoke two-tone.
A reprofiled new rear bumper completes the scope of styling changes on the facelifted MINI. The hexagonal graphic is also repeated at the bumper while the centrally-mounted rear fog lamp is now replaced with an LED unit that’s nearly-invisible courtesy of its slim profile.
No changes are made to the
Union Jack LED taillights
 that first appeared in 2018. For those seeking
more dark highlights
, the Piano Black exterior package applies high-gloss black finishing to the door handles, fuel lid, exhaust tips and the emblems.
New exterior colours have been added to the colour palette: Rooftop Grey, Island Blue and Zesty Yellow.
Inside, the dashboard is now fitted with a central 8.8-inch touchscreen display, as well a driver’s display instrument cluster that measures 5 inches. Both displays are surrounded by high gloss piano-black with the large central display having
touch-sensitive buttons
.
The user interface and graphics in the central display have been significantly updated. MINI has further developed the selection and control functions. The desired menu items are displayed as
“Live Widgets”
 and can be called up by swiping the touchscreen.
The driver is also greeted with a
new steering wheel
, with the switches now appear like a touch panel rather than individual buttons. A personalization trim can also be specified on the central spoke.
An ambient lighting system with a selection of 12 colours and additional lighting on the doors complete the updates in the facelifted MINI.
There are no changes to the powertrain options which consists of the 1.5-litre (
136 hp
) and 2.0-litre (
178 hp
) Euro 6d-rated petrol engines plus the
Cooper SE
 with a fully-electric drivetrain (
184 hp
). Revisions, however, has been made to the suspension.
For the first time in a MINI model,
adaptive suspension
 with continuous frequency-selective damping is being offered.  Depending on the driving situation and road conditions, the damping forces can be
reduced by up to 50
 per cent within 50 to 100 milliseconds.
This significantly increases ride comfort and the signature go-kart handling of the facelifted MINI when compensating for slight bumps in the road, while maintaining the sporty characteristics of the damping when turning in to a corner, for example.
Being a MINI, plenty of customizations are available. Exterior and interior colours and features can be packaged differently to allow for the most personalized MINI. The facelifted MINI will begin global sales in March 2021.
MINI Malaysia recently introduced a new pricing structure for their vehicles and more information can be found
here
.
GALLERY
2021 MINI Cooper SE Facelift
2021 MINI Cooper S Facelift
2021 MINI Cooper S Convertible

Facelift
2021 MINI Cooper Facelift
A comparison of the current and facelifted front design
A comparison of the current and facelifted rear design


A handsome Italian is in town – welcome the facelifted 2018 Maserati Ghibli

The best-selling vehicle in Maserati’s history, the Ghibli, is now available in Malaysia. The 2018 model is now available through Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor for Maserati.
The 2018 Maserati Ghibli will be available in two trims – the
GranLusso
 and
GranSport
. The baseline Ghibli and the new Ghibli GranLusso share similar design features while the GranSport boasts a sportier character.
The front bumper houses a larger grille with a ‘sharknose’ design inspired by the Alfieri Concept with air intakes redesigned to be wider. The GranLusso and GranSport also comes equipped with the all-new Adaptive full LED headlights developed in collaboration with Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting, while the base model makes do with the Bi-Xenon system.
Externally, the GranLusso can be distinguished by the chrome inserts on the front bumper, GranLusso badge at the base of the front wing, body-coloured side skirts, silver brake calipers and 20” Urano Diamond alloy wheels.

The GranSport on the other hand, can be instantly recognisable by the Black Piano inserts on the front bumper, the GranSport badge on the front wing, body-coloured side skirts, blue inserts on all Tridente and Saetta logos, red brake calipers and its 21-inch Titano Anthracite alloy wheels.
The Ghibli and Ghibli GranSport can be further customised with an Exterior Carbon Package for an even more emphatic message about Ghibli’s racing heritage. It covers the external door mirrors, B- and C-pillar covers and door handles on the base trim, as well as the front splitter and rear spoiler on the GranSport.

The aerodynamic efficiency of the restyled Ghibli has improved by 7% so it’s sure to be more slippery in the wind with added stability and reduced noise within the cabin, a trait that was apparent in the Maserati Levante.
Speaking of the interior, the Ghibli GranLusso’s Ermenegildo Zegna Silk interior features patented mulberry silk inserts on the seats, doors panels, roof lining and ceiling light fixture. It’s complemented with an Ebano wood trim and Ebony wood-finished leather steering wheel.

Other signature pieces of the GranLusso theme includes Comfort seats with extensive 12-way power adjustment as standard, as well as power-adjustable steering wheel and foot pedals, parking sensors and new Soft Close Doors. The GranSport differs with a Sport steering wheel and Inox sport foot pedals.
The new Ghibli which made its debut in the 2017 Frankfurt Motorshow shares its core architecture – chassis, suspension layout, V6 engines and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission – with the Maserati Quattroporte but is shorter in length and 50 kg lighter.
Its 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 engine is manufactured by Ferrari and is paired to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission with a Limited Slip Differential for razor sharp handling.
The top-range Ghibli S version now delivers
430 hp
 and
580 Nm
 of torque, 20 hp and 30 Nm more than the 2017 car. The increased power output gives the Ghibli a top speed of 286 km/h with a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 4.9 seconds. The standard Ghibli retains the same power output as before with
350 hp
 and
500 Nm
.
The Ghibli, along with the Quattroporte are the first Maserati models to adopt the Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) system which helps to prevent vehicle instability. The introduction of Electric Power Steering (EPS) is another first for Maserati. It improves the car’s handling and comfort, better supports the driving modes and enables the newly-introduced active functions of the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS).
The ADAS package is optionally available in the restyled Ghibli with an extension of features including like Highway Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.
The Ghibli comes with a starting price of
RM

618,800.00
 (inclusive of local taxes and duties) while the GranLusso is priced at
RM 668,800.00
 and the GranSport at
RM

668,800.00
. The Ghibli S costs
RM 718,800.00
 (inclusive of local taxes and duties) for the standard model while the GranLusso is priced at
RM 768,800.00
 and the GranSport at
RM 768,800.00
.
All three models include 5-years Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction plus a Free maintenance program of 5 years/100,000 km whichever comes first (Inclusive of *Maserati Premium Service Plus of 3 Years/60,000KM).
IMAGE GALLERY
Maserati Ghibli GranSport

Maserati Ghibli GranLusso


Govt. RM1,000 voucher for flood-damaged vehicles redeemable at service centres

The Ministry of Finance Malaysia has announced that the “Keluarga Malaysia Automotive Discount Voucher” with a value of up to
RM1,000
 can be redeemed at service centres or authorised dealers without the need for any formal application.
Close to 20 automotive companies (14 under passenger cars and five for motorcycles, with the list at the end of the article) with a network of over 1,000 registered service centres across Malaysia have agreed to participate in this initiative.  The “Keluarga Malaysia Automotive Discount Voucher” is only available to companies who are offering at least 25% discounts for repair works plus free towing services.
Only private vehicles such as passenger cars, pick-up trucks, window vans and motorcycles are eligible for the repair voucher.
“Owners of vehicles damaged by floods can redeem the vouchers at service centres or authorised dealers for the automotive companies involved.”
“The reduction in repair costs will be enjoyed by direct deduction from the total cost of repairs or the cost of replacing new vehicles through invoices that will be issued by service centres and authorised distributors,” said the statement from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia.
Photo:
SelangorJournal
/Facebook
The government also welcomes the initiative by Perodua and
Proton
 to offer a 50% discount on standard parts. Perodua has also waived the labour fees for all part replacements and repairs.
Tengku Zafrul, the Finance Minister, said the deadline for claiming the “Keluarga Malaysia Automotive Discount Vouchers” is
31st March 2022
 and users are advised to immediately claim it from the service centre or authorised distributor to avoid any inconvenience. He also hopes other automotive companies provide further initiatives to affected customers.
Other initiatives affected vehicles owners can seek assistance from is the PIAM’s vehicle
clean-up subsidy
 of up to RM500 per vehicle, however, limited to a fund size of RM2.4 million. The Road Transport Department (JPJ) meanwhile will
replace related documents
 that have been damaged for free.


All-new Toyota Innova Zenix brings touch of class, hybrid engine to the 7-seater MPV

Toyota has just unveiled the all-new third-generation
Innova
MPV in Indonesia, now bearing a new suffix to its name – Innova Zenix. Aside from the usual new looks and new features, the all-new Innova Zenix will also be featured with a brand-new hybrid powertrain, bringing electrification to the MPV for the first time in its history.
But first, let’s start with its looks. Much like the other Toyota models in the MPV space, the all-new Innova also features a more SUV-like stance, courtesy of its muscular haunches, alongside a smattering of skid plate-like design elements on the bumpers.
Up front, a pair of angular LED headlights flank the large hexagonal front grille, while the lower bumper is visually separated with a full-width element joining the fog light housings on both ends of the fascia.
Moving to the back, the Toyota Innova Zenix also gains a set of LED combination tail lamps that somewhat reminds us of the
Nissan X-Trail
. Either way, it’s still miles better than the
Corolla Cross
‘ rear end.
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2022 Toyota Veloz launched in Malaysia – Alza’s premium twin brother, RM95k
Inside, the seven-seater MPV gets a new dashboard with a two-tier design, emphasised by a two-tone upholstery on higher-end models. The new floating centre stack design takes all the limelight on the dashboard, with the new infotainment head-unit, measuring nine- or 10-inches depending on variant, sitting proudly on top.
On the rear passenger quarters, the captain seats on the second row now gain a built-in Ottoman, and can even be configured with two 10-inch rear seat entertainment displays, and a full-length panoramic sunroof too depending on variant, giving the all-new Innova Zenix a touch of luxury.
The all-new seven-seater MPV is now built on Toyota’s new TNGA-C platform, in place of the outgoing second-generation model’s ladder frame chassis. That means the all-new Toyota Innova Zenix now gets front-wheel drive thanks to the new transverse engine layout, and it’ll also come with a hybrid powertrain.
A 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated Dynamic Force engine is utilised on every variant, with the hybrids tacking on an electric motor for a total maximum system output of
186 hp
, with drive transferred to the wheels via an e-CVT gearbox. For the pure ICE variant, the 2.0-litre four-banger pushes out
174 hp
 and
205 Nm
, and is also similarly paired to a CVT gearbox.
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UMW Toyota announces RM270 million investment into locally-assembled hybrid vehicles
The all-new Toyota Innova Zenix will be offered in five variants in Indonesia, with prices ranging from IDR 419 million (approx. RM122k) to IDR601 million (approx. RM175k). Only the range-topping variant, dubbed the Q Hybrid, will be offered with the Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance features.
GALLERY


Nissan’s ProPILOT technology to be available for real-world use by 2020

84 years since the inception of the Nissan name and
150 million vehicles later
, one of the largest automotive brands in the world is set to make available its fully autonomous ProPILOT technology for real-world use.
Seems like Nissan is really eager to lead the autonomous vehicle charge as previous reports indicated that it will only be as soon as 2022, as part of the
new Alliance consisting of Mitsubishi and Renault
.
The ProPILOT technology will enable vehicles to operate autonomously on urban roads and freeways, from the moment the driver selects the destination to the arrival of it. Using a combination of 12 cameras, 9 radar sensors and 6 laser scanners and 12 sonar sensors, it is able to provide the car with 360-degree sensing capabilities – aided by artificial intelligence to analyse more complicated scenarios in real time.
Nissan recently tested their fully autonomous driving technology on public roads during the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show in
a modified Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
. The ProPILOT was also demonstrated in the 2018 Nissan Leaf which can be viewed
 here
.