Facts & Figures: Facelift Mercedes-AMG E63S 4MATIC+ launched in Malaysia, RM1.1 million

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched the new fully imported (CBU) facelift Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+, following the launch of the facelift
E 200 Avantgarde
 and
E 300 AMG Line
 recently. Prices start from RM 1,118,888, inclusive of 10% SST exemptions (instead of 50%), accompanied by a 4-year warranty.
PERFORMANCE
Engine: 4.0-litre twin turbo V8
Transmission: 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT
Drivetrain: All-wheel Drive
Max Power: 612 hp
Max Torque: 850 Nm
0 to 100 km/h: 3.4 seconds
Top Speed: 300 km/h
Interestingly, for about RM100k more than the one launched in 2017, there is no increase in output or improvement in performance. The 0 to 100 km/h time and output remain the same although its top speed is rated at 300 km/h, suggesting that there is no 250 km/h limit to the top speed.
Unlike the standard E-Class models, the E 63 S gets the typical Panamericana grille, quad exhaust tailpipes, and a prominent rear spoiler.
EXTERIOR
20-inch 5-twin spoke alloy wheels
AMG Night Package
AMG radiator grille
AMG Exterior Carbon fibre package
Multibeam LED headlights
AMG Performance Exhaust
Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus
6-pot calipers (front), single pot (rear)
Air suspension
If you look closer, you’d notice that the car comes with wider wheel arches while the fender is fitted with AMG-specific badging.
The AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre Package includes a carbon fibre front splitter while the AMG Night Package gives items like the side mirror caps and window frames a gloss black finish.
INTERIOR
AMG Performance steering in Nappa leather
Panoramic sunroof
AMG floor mats
AMG door sills
AMG Performance seats
Wireless charging
The steering design on the E 63 S is similar to the one in the E 300 AMG Line but with yellow stitching and mixed materials – leather and microfibre. The sound system of choice is Burmester, operated through the standard dual display setup.
Other standard features include Apple Car Play and Android Auto, head-up display, and three-zone air conditioning.
SAFETY
For driver assistance and safety, the E 63 S comes with a surround-view monitor, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist.
GALLERY


Video: BMW X3 sDrive20i xLine launched in Malaysia, 5 Things

Alongside the
long-wheelbase 330Li
, BMW Malaysia also launched an entry-level X3 to crash the
Mercedes-Benz GLC 200’s
extended party, with the
X3 sDrive20i xLine
.
Recently, BMW Malaysia also introduced the
X3 M Competition
 while extending the X3 xDrive30i line up
with an M Sport model
.
The new sDrive20i is priced at
 RM270,934
 on-the-road without insurance, and inclusive of the SST exemptions. That being said, to think that it’s a completely bare X3 would be wrong.

It still comes with the 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder found in the
more powerful X3 xDrive30i we reviewed
but has been detuned to produce
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
.
Comparing it with the xDrive30i model, the sDrive20i makes about
70 hp and 50 Nm less
 than its more powerful sibling, but there should still be plenty of performance as the sDrive20i is only rear-wheel drive.
Also, because it’s only rear-wheel drive, and does not come with the additional drive shafts to spin the front wheels like in the xDrive30i, the entry-level X3 is significantly lighter than its more powerful sibling which should mean that it would also be more fuel efficient.
For a more details on the X3 sDrive20i xLine, click
here
!
GALLERY


L4 autonomous Volkswagen ID. Buzz begins testing in America – The future of ride hailing?

Those in Austin, Texas will be seeing 10 units of the self-driving
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
 roaming their streets starting this month. The 10 units of the all-electric ID. Buzz are SAE L4 autonomous vehicles that have been developed by
Volkswagen
 and Mobileye.
It is the first time that Volkswagen is testing its autonomous driving system in America, but not the first time in the world. Back in April 2022, Volkswagen had already begun public road-testing of its autonomous driving system in Munich, also with the ID. Buzz. The 10 units in Austin are part of a pilot program and Volkswagen plans to grow this fleet and expand into other cities in America.
Volkswagen Group of America President (VWGoA) and CEO, Pablo Di Si said, “We are thrilled to bring our exciting ID. Buzz vehicles to American roads. Expanding Volkswagen Group’s global autonomous driving vehicle program to the United States marks an important milestone for us. In the future, we will tap into rising demand for new mobility services, and with our iconic ID. Buzz, we will also offer a truly captivating product to support transportation services American consumers can rely upon and trust.”
To support the rollout of its autonomous driving vehicle program, VWGoA has established a new subsidiary named Volkswagen ADMT (LLC). IN case you were wondering, ADMT stands for Autonomous Driving Mobility & Transport. The new subsidiary also aims to employ those who worked with Argo AI (A Volkswagen and Ford-backed AI company that has been shut down).
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz one-ups Tesla, launches L3 autonomous driving in California
VWGoA aims to offer fleets of specially designed autonomous Volkswagen ID. Buzz vehicles as a comprehensive service including fleet management and remote guidance solutions to other leading companies in the mobility and transportation space, and establish long-term partnerships. VWGoA is not building a dedicated ride-hailing or ride-sharing service on its own at this time.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Member of the board of management, Christian Senger said, “Expanding our autonomous vehicle program to the North American Region is the next step in our global strategic roadmap, and the result of a long-term collaborative investment. Moving into this next phase will help us test, validate and refine technology, bring us closer to establishing commercially available transportation offerings and eventually grow the diverse mobility portfolio for the Volkswagen Group.”
RELATED:
The Kombi van returns with all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz


Facts & Figures: Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 now in Malaysia, from RM1.8m

If you’re looking for the luxury of a Maybach, but still want to join in on the recent SUV craze, here’s your answer. Maybach’s first-ever SUV model, the
Mercedes-Maybach GLS
, is now launched in Malaysia, alongside the
 all-new Maybach S-Class
.
The ultra-luxurious version of the GLS SUV will be arriving in Malaysia in the GLS 600 4Matic form, with prices starting from
RM1.78 million
 inclusive of the 50% SST rebate until the 30th of June.
EXTERIOR
Unlike the S-Class, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS here does actually retains the same exterior dimensions as the
“normal” GLS
 – though of course, it’s still a humongous SUV. Of course, there are several Maybach-exclusive touches to help it stand out from the standard model, including:
Signature Maybach grille
Chrome trims with chrome mesh on front air intakes
Massive 23-inch polished alloy wheels
Maybach emblem on C-pillar
Powered retractable anodised aluminium running boards
INTERIOR
The main highlight of any Maybach model is its interior, and it’s the same script here as well. While it does look fairly similar to the standard GLS, including basically the entire dashboard with the dual 12.3-inch screens, it’s the rear passenger compartment that makes a Maybach, a Maybach.
The First Class cabin comes as standard on the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, which means instead of the three-row, seven-seater configuration, there’s now only two seats at the back. The two seats, trimmed in Nappa leather (just like the rest of the cabin), are powered and can tilt backwards by up to 43.5 degrees, and they even come with electrically-adjusted ottomans and massage functions, letting you kick back and relax like you’re flying in a first-class seat.
Also standard here on the Maybach GLS is the rear entertainment package, which includes two 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment displays and a seven-inch Android tablet in the rear centre console, a 13-speaker 590W Burmester surround sound system with a two-way intercom between the front and rear seats, twin wireless headphones, plus a fridge for your champagne located between the two backrests.
PERFORMANCE
The Maybach GLS is offered here in Malaysia in the GLS 600 4Matic form, featuring a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine making 558 hp and 730 Nm of torque. The engine is further aided by a 48V mild-hybrid system that adds an extra 20 hp and 200 Nm when needed.
All that power is sufficient to propel the 2.7-tonne behemoth from idle to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, with drive sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox and 4Matic all-wheel drive system.
To keep your champagne from spilling, the Maybach GLS also comes as standard with Airmatic suspensions, plus a E-Active Body Control roll stabilisation system to help tilt the car through the corners through the corners, while soaking up the bumps and uneven roads surfaces.
SAFETY
Although you probably won’t be driving the car all that much, the Maybach GLS still comes with pretty much all of the driving assistance features you’d ever need. These include:
Autonomous emergency braking with cross traffic and pedestrian detection
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go function
Lane Centering assist
Active Parking Assist
Evasive Steering Assist
Pre-Safe and Pre-Safe Impulse Side
PRICING
The Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 is priced from RM1.78 million here in Malaysia, although that’s the price for the standard-equipment model, without any additional option boxes ticked. As usual on a Maybach, the pricing ceiling is pretty much as deep as your wallet allows.
The price is inclusive of the 50% SST rebate, due to its fully-imported status, and comes with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty.
GALLERY


Ex-Bugatti Veyron designer, Jozef Kaban, leads BMW Design Team

Jozef Kaban, the designer behind the iconic
Bugatti Veyron
 and many Skoda models, has now joined BMW as head of design. The 44-year-old Slovakian is the latest talent poached by the Bavarian giant to style future BMW cars.
Kaban was last with Skoda and has been with the Volkswagen Group (VAG) since 1999. He rose through the ranks pretty quickly, and in 2003 he became Audi’s head of exterior design before assuming the role as head of design operations in Skoda in 2008. Some of his work, apart from the Veyron, are the Skoda Octavia, Fabia, and
Kodiaq
.
Kaban will replace Karim Habib and reports directly to BMW Group design chief Adrian van Hooydonk. At the same time,
Domagoj Dukec
has moved to designing cars for the BMW I and M divisions. Kaban will immediately begin working on the upcoming
X2
 compact SUV, as well as future cars bearing the iconic double-kidney grille.


Audi Sport appoints new Head, 5 new Audi Sport models by 2020!

Audi Sport GmbH (Audi Sport) has gotten a new captain as of 1st October. Oliver Hoffmann succeeds Stephan Reil as Head of Technical Development and will be responsible for future product strategy of Audi’s performance sub-brand. Most notably, the 40-year-old intends to increase Audi Sport series production model from 11 to 16 by 2020.
A little background of Audi Sport’s new boss; Hoffman was previously employed as quality management at Lamborghini and has been involved in the development of the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 resting underneath the shell of the
R8 supercar
. He was trained in mechanical engineering during his academic years.
“With the appointment of Oliver Hoffmann, we have gained a highly qualified manager for the Technical Development division,” says Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH. “With his experience and skills, Hoffmann will help to realise the expansion of the Audi Sport brand.”
No further details of what is to come of the rivals from AMG and M division, but if our previous report holds water, we may see
more
hybrid and rear-wheel drive options
 just like the recently launched (albeit in limited numbers)
Audi R8 RWS V10
. Audi Malaysia also has plans to introduce the high-performance brand locally, though the plan seems to be delayed a little.


“Most Popular Artiste” wins new Nissan X-Trail Hybrid

Mira Filzah, the Ipoh born artiste drove home in a brand new Nissan X-Trail Hybrid after winning the “Most Popular Artiste” award in Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH) 2019!
The grand prize is provided by official vehicle sponsor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM). During the presentation, ETCM’s Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Christopher Tan said, “We are honoured to work along with Anugerah Bintang Popular 2019 Berita Harian as this contest recognizes Malaysian artistes’ hardwork and dedication in growing the local entertainment industry. ”
Established in 1987, ABPBH is an annual ceremony organised by Berita Harian to award the most popular Malaysian singers, actors and celebrities in the entertainment industry, based on popular votes by their readers.
Mira Filzah was announced as the winner of ABPBH 2019 after garnering 6,320,463 votes.

The
Nissan X-Trail Hybrid
 was unveiled in April this year along with the facelifted X-Trail. Powered by a 2.0-litre engine supplemented with an electric motor, the powertrain generates a combined output of
185 hp
 and
360 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a
7-speed Xtronic CVT transmission
.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility
 advanced safety suite is also included in the X-Trail Hybrid, which includes forward collision warning with emergency braking, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, and Around View Monitor among other safety equipment.
The hybrid SUV retails for
 RM159,888
and comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty that also covers the battery pack.  The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid is also available through
Nissan’s subscription plan
, starting from
RM1,800 per month
.


BMW X1 xDrive30e PHEV launched in Thailand, coming to Malaysia soon?

The people over at the Land of Smiles have just received the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant of the
BMW X1
 SUV – the BMW X1 xDrive30e M Sport. Featuring an exterior design that is largely similar to the
iX1
, which is the sole variant of the BMW X1 range we currently have here in Malaysia, the X1 PHEV is priced at
THB2,799,000
 (approximately
RM370,359
). The BMW iX1 xDrive30 in Malaysia, on the other hand, is priced at
RM 285,800
.
As for Malaysia though, we can expect the BMW X1 PHEV to feature a lower price tag than the iX1. This is because looking at cars with both full EV and PHEV variants in Malaysia, such as the
Volvo XC40
, the PHEV variant (XC40 Recharge T5 Ultimate) is slightly cheaper than the fully electric variant (XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 Ultimate).
Exterior bits available on the Thailand spec BMW X1 xDrive30e M Sport include 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and full LED headlights. Automatic high beam assistant, panoramic sunroof, as well as the M Sport package, are included as well.
The biggest difference between the fully electric iX1 and the PHEV X1 is of course the powertrain. The BMW X1 XDrive30e M Sport features a PHEV system made out of a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine and an electric motor, together with a
16.3 kWh
 battery that is capable of carrying you as far as
83 km
 (NEDC).
This setup paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), pushes out a total of
326 hp
 (metric) and
477 Nm
 of torque, enabling the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
5.6 seconds
. The top speed for the BMW X1 xDrive30e is
205 km/h
.
The Malaysian-spec BMW iX1 xDrive30 on the other hand is powered by a dual-motor setup. With power sent to all four wheels, the iX1 xDrive30 pushes out a total of 313 hp and 494 Nm of torque.
RELATED:
2023 BMW iX1 xDrive30 launched in Malaysia, RM286k – 440km range
Coming from the same BMW X1 range, the X1 xDrive30e M Sport should generally look the same as the iX1 xDrive30 on the inside. Features available on the Thailand spec BMW X1 xDrive30e M Sport include heated front seats, a BMW ConnectedDrive system, a Harmon Kardon audio system, a head-up display (HUD), and more.
However, we are still waiting for the petrol version of the BMW X1 to come to Malaysia, and the X1 xDrive30e should be part of the range. Should BMW Malaysia bring the PHEV version of the BMW X1 into Malaysia? Comment your thoughts down below!
RELATED:
All-new 2023 BMW 5 Series unveiled, embarks on new era with fully-electric i5
GALLERY


BMW celebrates 58th Malaysia Day with nationwide deals on M models

In conjunction with Malaysia Day that is being celebrated tomorrow (September 16th), BMW Malaysia is turning up the heat via the spirit and passion in BMW M models.
BMW M enthusiasts can look forward to special campaigns such as 0% interest rates and trade-in deals at selected BMW M dealerships on their favourite BMW M models, such as the BMW X4 M Competition, BMW M5, the latest BMW M3 and M4 Competition models as well as the BMW M8 line-up.
“While we may not be able to replicate the fiery ///Malaysia Day Drive celebrations last year during this time, it does not mean that the celebrations this year are any less significant. This year, we are collaborating with our dealerships to bring together fans and enthusiasts in a safe manner to celebrate the passion and resilience for our beloved country.” said BMW Group Malaysia, Managing Director, Hans de Visser.
“Beyond the special campaigns, we hope the 58th Malaysia Day celebration together will give our fans and enthusiasts a meaningful lift as the environment continues on the road to recovery. After all, we too like to associate M for Malaysia!” continued de Visser.
At under RM390k, the BMW M340i xDrive is possibly the best locally-assembled sedan in Malaysia. Read our review here!
BMW Malaysia’s vast network of BMW M dealerships will have a theme to celebrate both Malaysia Day as well as the brand. Customers and enthusiasts can expect special campaigns and offerings for the stable of M vehicles from these respective dealerships throughout the week:
Image credit: Facebook/
AutoBavariaMY
Auto Bavaria
Auto Bavaria will be having campaigns and offerings at all its dealerships this Malaysia Day on the
BMW M8 Gran Coupe

(RM1,455,145),

BMW M8 Coupe (RM1,452,961) and

BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (RM1,088,800).

Quill Automobiles Petaling Jaya
Quill Automobiles will be celebrating a special week with the BMW M850i xDrive Coupé which is the highlight of its dealership during the Malaysia Day celebrations.
Image credit: Facebook/
QuillAutomobilesPetalingJaya
Wheelcorp Premium Setia Alam
Wheelcorp Premium will be focusing its celebrations on the
BMW M4 Competition
 (Innovation Package) (RM761,597) as well as a special campaign on the flagship
BMW M5

(RM1,010,800).
Image credit: Facebook/
BMWWheelcorpPremium
Millennium Welt Seremban
Millennium Welt is celebrating Malaysia Day with the
BMW M3 Competition

(Innovation Package) (RM740,904).
Seong Hoe Premium Motors Melaka
Seong Hoe Premium Motors will be celebrating Malaysia Day with the BMW M3 Competition (Innovation Package) and the BMW M8 Gran Coupe.
Tian Siang Premium Auto Ipoh and Butterworth
Tian Siang Premium Auto will be celebrating with the
BMW X4 M Competition
 (RM904,277) this Malaysia Day.
Regas Premium Group Sabah and Sarawak
Image credit: Facebook/
RegasPremiumAuto
The East Malaysian BMW M Flagship Dealerships in Sarawak and Sabah will be celebrating Malaysia Day with the BMW X4 M Competition.
Ingress Auto Damansara and Puchong
Ingress Auto will be going live with its All-New M configurator this Malaysia Day.


Nissan Almera Turbo clocked 2L/100km on recently concluded charity drive

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd recently concluded its Nissan Almera Turbo Fuel Efficiency Charity Drive, taken part by
Almera

Turbo

owners to help those affected by the pandemic
.
The Almera Turbo owners clocked a total of 12,841 km and with a RM1 donated for every kilometre clocked by the Almera Turbo owners, the total amounted to RM12,841. The sum will be donated by several charitable organisations.
No.
Participants
Best Fuel Consumption (Km/L)
1
Mohd Fikri Bin Mohamed Kamal
49.5
2
Emelyne Bani Anak Jam
49.2
3
Chong Rui Yang
48.2
4
Muhammad Akmalhakim Bin Abu Hassan
46.2
5
Sheariq Sani Bin Abdullah Sani
46
During the drive, the Almera Turbo owners also participated in a challenge to get the best fuel economy rating out of their cars and the best fuel consumption rating went to Mohd. Fikri Bin Mohamed Kamal clocked an impressive
49.5 km/L
or
 2.02 L/100km
.
The Top 20 best fuel consumption ratings received a Nissan GT-R LEGO while others received a special edition Nissan duffle bag.

In other news, Nissan is also running a test drive and win contest where 50 lucky winners stand to win up to RM25,000 in WATSONS vouchers.


Michelin LTX Force all-terrain tyres now in Malaysia, 15-18-inch from RM550

Michelin Malaysia has just introduced a new product to their SUV and 4×4 tyre range, the Michelin LTX Force. The new all-terrain tyres promise superior on- and off-road capabilities for both SUV and 4×4 vehicles.
The LTX Force features CompacTread Technology where the tread blocks are reinforced to increase the contact area on the tarmac for better braking performance. Also introduced with the new tyre is the CushionGuard Technology which absorbs road imperfections to give it a more comfortable ride on the road. Its BevelTread with a rounded sloping edge design helps cuts the noise frequency for a quieter ride.
Derived from the World Rally Championship (WRC), the LTX Force features the Extended Sidewall Biting Edge, Deep and Open Shoulder Design for superior off-road traction and sidewall resistance – giving great confidence for drivers who seek the best driving performance on all types of roads.
Michelin Malaysia’s Managing Director, Mr. Pascal Nouvellon said, “Over the past two years, the SUV tyre segment has outgrown the passenger car tyre segment globally and will continue to do so for the next five years as most people are seeking safety and versatility in vehicles and would expect the same from their tyres.”
“Through a series of tests held at the event, consumers can witness the Michelin LTX Force braking to an average distance of
two meters shorter
 versus its competitors, which is a crucial safety feature. Third party studies also revealed that the tyre delivers 35 percent more mileage” added Mr. Nouvellon.
The Michelin LTX Force is now available at all TyrePlus service outlets, Michelin Expert Centres and authorised dealers nationwide. Fitment sizes ranges from 15- to 18-inches with recommended retail price starting from
RM550
.
IMAGE GALLERY


The new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ is an aerodynamic beast

Lamborghini’s
record-breaking bull
, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ has just been unveiled in full during Monterey Car Week in California. Only 900 units of the Aventador Superveloce Jota will be made, and it represents Lamborghini’s idea of the ultimate track-focused supercar.
The main goal of the engineers when creating the Aventador SVJ is to take aerodynamic supremacy to the next level with 40 per cent increase in downforce on both front and rear axles while reducing drag coefficient.

This was achieved with a wider front bumper with integrated side fins, tri-dimensional air outlet on the hood, improved underbody aero with vortex generators, more aggressive rear diffusers and “Y” design rocker covers. The SVJ boasts 70 per cent improved downforce compared to the SV.
Lamborghini’s patented Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) system that was first seen on the Huracan Performante has also made its way to the Aventador SVJ with some slight improvements – ALA 2.0. In the ALA 2.0, the system has been re-calibrated to balance the car’s enhanced lateral accelerations.
Other chassis tuning includes 50 per cent stiffer anti-roll bars, 15 per cent higher damping force on the Magneto Rheological Suspension (LMS), re-engineered rear-wheel steering (LRS) and rebalanced power steering for improved steering precision and natural feedback.
Under the hood, the 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 now features a new titanium intake valve, modified intake cylinder head duct and a new lightweight exhaust system to boost output to
770 hp
 and
720 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint now takes
2.8 seconds
 and 0 to 200 km/h takes
8.6 seconds
 onwards to a top speed of over
350 km/h
.
Drive is channelled to all four wheels (now 3 per cent more torque being sent to the rear wheels) via an optimised seven-speed Independent Shifting Road (ISR) single clutch gearbox. The aerodynamic enhancements and performance gains collectively help the Aventador SVJ to take the lap record of the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a time of 6 minutes 44.97 seconds.
The flagship V12 supercar is also available as a special SVJ 63 edition where it pays homage to the brand’s founding year of 1963. It differs with the extensive use of carbon fibre around the vehicle and is made in an additional limited number of 63 units.
Pricing for the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ starts from €349k (RM1.6 million) before options in Europe. Enlist the help of Lamborghini’s customisation arm, Ad Personam and you’ll be looking at an even more eye watery figure.
IMAGE GALLERY
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Edition 63


The Mvyi tops Perodua’s sales charts in May, cash redemptions for the Aruz

Despite the challenges of the recent Movement Control Order, Perodua’s vehicles seemed to have no problems finding their way out of showrooms.
The company posted a total of
7,886 units cars sold in the month of May
, bringing its year-to-date sales figure to 52,920 units. That’s rather impressive when you consider that Perodua sold 8,601 cars in March before the MCO came into effect on the 18th. With an estimated year-to-date total industry volume of 129,401 units, that translates to a 41% year-to-date market share for Perodua.

“The ongoing COVID-19 situation has had a significant impact on car sales in Malaysia over the past two months but we are thankful that in just three weeks since we restarted operations nationwide, we have managed to come close to the level of our March figures pre-Movement Control Order (MCO),” said Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Of the 7,886 units that Perodua sold, 2,612 were
Myvis
, 2,028 were
Axias
, 1,820 were
the Bezza which we raced against the Sag
a
, 950 were the
Aruz
 and the Alza continues to draw decent numbers with 476 units sold.
As for the month of June, Perodua’s “Meaningful Raya” campaign is offering special cash redemptions of up to RM1,300 for the Aruz and selected Myvi variants, while buyers of other models will get a RM300 e-voucher that is redeemable for the purchase of selected parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre.


Range Rover Evoque clone gets a facelift and new 1.5L turbo with 160 hp

Landwind, the Chinese automaker who gave the world the
Range Rover Evoque
 clone, has just unveiled a facelift for its Landwind X7. It loses out much of its British design cues and new 1.5-litre turbocharged engine for its entry level model.
So, what has changed with the new design exercise? For starters, it gets a more rectangular headlamp design (full LED items) as well as restyled bumpers and grille. On the side new items include the roof rack and alloy wheel design.

 Facelifted Landwind X7

 Pre-facelift Landwind X7
The rear end is where the
designers
 at Landwind spent most of their creative juices. It loses out on the Evoques tailgate sculpture in favour of a more
face-like
 rear end. The chrome strip connecting the taillamps are positioned much lower compared to the car it copied from. Bumper and exhaust outlets are taken straight from the Evoque.
Landwind has introduced a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with
160 hp
 mated to an updated eight-speed automatic transmission. The new turbo engine joins the existing Mitsubishi-sourced
187 hp
 2.0-litre turbo.
On the pre-facelift model, the X7 comes generously equipped with 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry and start, electronic parking brake, dual-zone automatic climate control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, 360-degree surround camera, 6 airbags, ESC, Traction Control, ABS with EBD, Hill Ascend Control and Hill Descend Control.
Currently, the range-topping 2.0-litre turbo Landwind X7 starts from RMB129k (RM83k) to RMB148k (RM94k) while the entry level 1.5-litre turbo will carry a starting price of just under RMB100k (RM64k). Only in China where you can have a “
Porsche Macan Hybrid
” and a “1.5-litre Turbo Range Rover Evoque”.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Facelifted Landwind X7


Lexus Australia enriches artificial intelligence with Melbourne’s unique “Hook Turn”

If you have been fortunate to have driven in the Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne, Australia, you certainly have experienced the quirky “hook turn” at selected intersections.
The
“hook turn”

is unique to Melbourne’s CBD as cars are not allowed to travel on tram lanes when turning right at an intersection. As such, cars making a right turn would need to keep left and wait there, before making the right turn. The path when drawn looks like a hook followed by a bend, hence the name.
Australia is currently working with various parties to test the Australian Integrated Multimodel EcoSystem (AIMES) and the local Lexus unit is the first automotive partner to join the collaboration of over 50 including government, transport and technology companies.
Led by the University of Melbourne, this real-world testing of the environment for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications technology under the advanced Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) will deliver crucial research and data to provide next-generation road safety solutions.
Take a guess what hot hatch is used by the Aussie police to encourage more warmth with enthusiasts. Click here to reveal it!
The target is to reduce the risk of vehicles driving through red lights, turning into trams, or being unable to see obstructed pedestrians.
Two units of
Lexus RX 450h
 are specially fitted with Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) and cellular network technologies communicate with traffic lights, trams and emergency service vehicles to proactively deliver warnings and alerts of potential danger to the driver of the vehicle before they come into a driver’s line of sight.
Lexus aims to use the trial to develop applications such as warning the driver when turning in front of a tram, or warning the driver when a cyclist or pedestrian has pushed the button on traffic lights to cross the road – including at challenging “hook turn” intersections.
The Lexus UX 200 is dressed to impress! Found out more in our review here!
In addition to the connected Lexus RX 450h cars, the AIMES trial area spanning six square kilometres incorporates a network of smart sensors connecting public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, intersections, and streets into a fully integrated ecosystem.
GALLERY


Japan’s first production car, the Mitsubishi Model A, will be reborn as an EV

Believe it or not, the first production car in Japan came from Mitsubishi with the Model A in 1917. It’s based on the Fiat Tipo 3 and production was limited to a whopping… 22 units, after which Mitsubishi decided to go back to manufacturing trucks.
Exactly 100 years later, Mitsubishi decided to celebrate the occasion by reviving the dead, and does so rather fittingly – via electrocution. I mean electrification. Flying cars are all but a reality today, so the least Mitsubishi could do is to make it an all-electric car, which is something they are actually pretty good at.
The new Mitsubishi Model A inherits the powertrain from the
Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
 (PHEV). It will be built by
West Coast Customs
 (yes, the team behind
Pimp My Ride
 and
 Inside West Coast Customs
 TV series).
The standard Outlander PHEV is powered by a
2.0-litre four-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine
 that’s paired with two electric motors, putting together a combined output of 200 hp and over 500 Nm of torque. The battery capacity (12 kWh) is enough to yield a full electric range of 52 km! In comparison, the original Model A was powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder engine belting a massive 35 horsepower.
The whole project is set for completion later this summer, with progress being aired on the future episode of Inside West Coast Customs.


Review: Lexus NX 200t F Sport, the swashbuckling Samurai warrior

In some ways, the Lexus NX is supposed to take the spot where its bigger sibling, the RX, has left off. When the first generation RX was introduced back in 1998, Lexus claims it to be the first luxury SUV in the world! That’s a pretty bold claim if you ask us, surely they didn’t forget about the European brands, did they?
Each progressive generation of the Lexus RX have turned out to be less utilitarian and more luxurious while steadily gaining a few inches in the process, but the RX did it in a good way. Eventually, it created a vacant spot for a smaller SUV to be slotted underneath it, thus the LF-NX concept was born. It was later showcased at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, hinting at a brand new “baby” SUV.
Seven months after the unveiling of the LF-NX concept, the
Lexus NX
 was officially unveiled at the
2014 Beijing Motor Show
, and it is also the vehicle that Lexus chose to debut their first ever turbocharged engine. Loosely based on the (whisper it) Toyota RAV4, it’s never going to claim all-terrain capabilities of a Land Rover, but that’s fine by Lexus because it was never really advertised to be an off-roader.
Launched
here
 in January 2015, you can have the NX in either a hybrid or a turbo flavour. The
NX 300h
 range-topper utilises a combination of a
2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine
 and an
electric motor
; but you’ll want the
NX 200t
 because that’s the one with the
 all-new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 engine. Unlike the NX 300h that only comes in a single variant, the NX 200t is offered in
four different variants
: Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport.
We’re testing the
NX 200t F Sport
, which UMW Toyota claims is the best selling variant of the bunch despite a whopping price gap of RM75k from the base NX 200t. Aside from cosmetic differences, apparently the F Sport has a few tricks up its sleeve, or rather, under the skin. Join us as we find out more about the provocative NX 200t F Sport.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Lexus NX 200t F Sport
Engine
1,998cc; inline-4 twin scroll turbo
Transmission
6-speed Automatic
Max Power
235 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,650 rpm
Price
RM362,432.00
EXTERIOR
Most were taken aback by its looks. Honestly though, who wouldn’t when it looks like a giant origami katydid? The production NX may have been toned down from the ornate LF-NX concept but it keeps most of the design flourish intact. It still splits opinions though, so it’s either you like it or you don’t.
Like all current Lexus models styled under the
L-Finesse
 template, the face hits you hard with the offensive
spindle grille
 so huge it’s seemingly capable of grating little children into a pulp with its intricate wire mesh. Adding to the fierce demeanor is a floating matte silver wing wedged at the trailing edge of the front bumper’s lip.

The sharp tick of the
 LED DRLs
 complement the compact
triple-L full-LED headlamps
, and while the main headlamp units may be compact in size, they are actually more than capable to light up even the darkest corners of the infamous Ulu Yam road in the wee hours of the night. The LEDs don’t turn with the steering though, but the
LED foglamps
 below also double as cornering lights.
Some might think it’s the bigger RX when viewed from the side. Although the window line is a nod to the second-generation RX (codenamed XU30), the surfacing on the bodywork is more intense. The sharp swage line combined with the bulging rear haunches gave the NX its sense of athleticism, while layered wheel arches with black plastic moulding help to prevent the side from appearing too tall.
The tiny emblem on the front fenders says
F Sport
, and with the badge it brings the aforementioned wire mesh grille, black side mirror caps, and a set of attractive
18-inch wheels
 finished in what Lexus calls as “
Superchrome
“. More F Sport goodies can be found later when you step into the cabin.

So far, so good; the designers could’ve just packed up by now and leave the tail bare but they didn’t. The L-Finesse touches continue to the rear end of the NX, attacking you visually with its stern stare from the consistent glow of the rear position lamps like it’s telling you not to tailgate it. Too bad the shapely tailpipes down below doesn’t deliver a hair-raising growl to match the looks.
INTERIOR
Access to the interior is by a card that you can keep in your wallet, so you can just casually walk to the vehicle and unlock it by grabbing the door handle. It also comes with a normal key fob complete with its own leather casing, and unlike the buttonless card, it has physical buttons to lock, unlock, and open or close the rear hatch. However, we’re baffled on why Lexus can’t make the key fob smaller if not as slim as the card.
Other than the plasticky window switches on the doors; the materials used in the cabin look and feel good to the touch. The
F Sport red leather seats
 not only look hot, they can toast both front occupants’ buns on demand; or if that’s not what you prefer, you can set them to blow cool air to your backside.
The
ventilated front seats
 are electrically operated, and the driver’s seat will remember up to three different drivers’ seating position. The steering column is also adjusted electrically for reach and rake, and together with the driver’s seat they move away from you when you switch off the engine to ease ingress and egress.

You’d want to stay inside longer though, because the stylish cabin deserves a second look. You’ll find delicate details such as the stitching on the leather that covers almost everything inside the cabin, the tiny Lexus markings on the little hex socket bolts on each side of the center console, or even the hidden bonus mirror underneath the pull-out lid near the center arm rest. Meanwhile, located under the center arm rest is a Qi
wireless charging tray
, similar to the one that appeared in the
Camry Hybrid
.
The angular center console is an omnium gatherum of a gearlever, a drive mode knob, a parking brake switch, a few buttons and a touch pad. Dubbed the
Lexus Remote Touch Interface
, the touch pad controls the menu displayed on the
7-inch screen
 on the dash, and the screen also telecasts the feed from the cameras around the car, giving you a
360 degrees bird’s eye view
 of the vehicle to assist with manoeuvring.

The touch pad is easy to use and the system itself supports the usual gamut of external media connectivity. It even vibrates based on your input, but I personally find the layout messy and could’ve been better resolved if they could provide a physical back button instead of having to point the cursor on the screen every time you want to return to the previous menu.
There’s another
LCD display
 in the instrument cluster that sits amidst a couple of analogue dials. It shows a multitude of information that range from the trip info,
eco indicator
 and audio info, to the more performance-oriented data like
G-force meter
 and a digital
turbo boost gauge
. Scrolling through the screen is done via the buttons on the steering wheel, and speaking of steering wheel, for something that claims to be sporty the steering wheel rim doesn’t gain extra girth, but it does come with
shift paddles
.
We usually don’t pay that much attention to the audio system, but the
14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround audio system
 deserves recognition. Available only on the NX 300h and this NX 200t F Sport, it emits sounds with supreme clarity so sinfully satisfying to the ears, it’s akin to having a DJ or a band performing live in the car with you. Freddie Mercury never sounded so alive.

Moving over to the back, the rear bench will comfortably sit three abreast, but the sloping roof robs the headroom a little. The backrests can be reclined and split 60/40 but oddly the power folding and reclining function in the Premium and Luxury variants are not included in the F Sport. Granted, the powered rear hatch to access the
550 litre
 boot is still featured here, even if it operates in slow motion. We also love the expansive
panoramic roof
 that stretches all the way to the back. It floods the interior with light during the day, and at night everyone in the car can partake in stargazing activities.
Safety kit is generous in the NX. Traction Control,
Vehicle Stability Control
, ABS with Brake Assist, and
Hill-start Assist
 are given, and a total of
eight airbags
 can be found inside the cabin. The
Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
 are also on standby, and they certainly help when the rear view from the driver’s seat is hampered by the thick D pillars.
PERFORMANCE
Making its debut here is the
turbocharged
 four-pot fully developed in-house by Toyota, and it’s their answer to the European engines of the same format. Essentially the same
2.0-litre four-cylinder with Dual VVT-iW
 from the
Camry facelift
, Toyota has strapped on a
twin-scroll turbocharger
 that produces a healthy
235 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of twisting force. Sending the power to an
intelligent all-wheel drive system
 via a
six-speed automatic
 transmission, the NX 200t accelerates from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
 7.1 seconds
 and it will continue to go all the way to the
200 km/h
 top speed.
The absence of a Stop/Start system is a strange omission on a typically modern and new SUV, but it is available in the NX sold in other markets. Still, the engine is smart enough to switch from Otto cycle during hard driving to Atkinson cycle when driven at a relaxed pace, in a mission to achieve the targeted fuel consumption of
7.9 litres per 100 km
.
As mentioned, the F Sport treatment is not merely a styling exercise, it adds on the
Sport+ mode
 on top of the three existing driving modes. The Sport+ utilises the
Adaptive Variable Suspension
 and
Performance Rods
 fitted exclusively on this variant, which promises to give the F Sport some edge in the handling department over the lesser-priced NX 200t.
THE DRIVE
To think the NX 200t as one docile SUV is fallacious. Well, not entirely. You see, in the default
Normal mode
 the engine performs like any garden-variety naturally-aspirated unit, providing a gradual power delivery throughout the rev range. Ride quality is generally comfortable and the regular road imperfections are very well taken care of by the suspension.
It’s when you twist the drive mode knob to
Sport
 that things start to get rather interesting. Short of poking a sleeping bear annoyingly with a stick, a stomp on the throttle pedal awakens the blown-four under the bonnet. Progress is laggy at the lower rev range, but once the turbo spools up the NX 200t charges its way strong and relentlessly as the needle on the speedometer continues to climb pass the three digit figures.
You won’t notice that you’ve actually broke the speed limit by 70 km/h because there’s no drama behind the wheel, just a relaxed and steady pace. It feels planted to the road but then again the sub 1,800 kg kerb weight would attest to that. Wind noise can be an issue at higher speeds, but when you have Mark (Levinson) on board that’s no biggie at all.
You’ll only get
Sport+
 mode in the F Sport, and it’s the mode that you want to be in if you plan take the NX for some backroads blasting. Most of the tim, drive is sent to the front wheels only, but the AWD system will come into play when more traction is needed, diverting
up to 50 percent
 of the torque to the rear wheels.
Turn-in isn’t scalpel sharp and the steering is still on the woolly side, but for a lofty SUV the way it attacks the bends is rather impressive. Not only have the dampers been stiffened further in Sport+, the Performance Rods also work hand in hand to keep body roll at bay.
Like the Volvo XC60, the transmission is sourced by Aisin but it’s two cogs short from the Swedish counterpart. In manual override mode it doesn’t respond instantly to your input but the shifts are buttery enough to make it almost as smooth as a CVT, so it’s better to let the ‘box do its thing in D.
Despite the clever engine that’s capable to alternate between two operating cycle, fuel economy is not spectacular and it takes a lot of restrain to keep it below 8.0 litres per 100 km. Yours truly managed a best of 7.7 litres per 100 km and that was achieved in Eco mode. But with normal mixed driving you will see more than 10.0 litres per 100 km on the trip computer most of the time.
SO, IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
The NX 200t should be able to fulfill the requirements of those who demand style and comfort in an SUV, but deciding on which variant to get is another story. Performance is equally the same in all four variants because they all share the same engine under the lightweight aluminium bonnet, therefore the major difference lies on the equipment.
If you’re not fussy about fancy interior fitments and audio quality, the base NX 200t would do just fine, but you will be missing out on that extra glimmer of talent the F Sport has to offer in the Sport+ mode, especially when the road starts to tangle.
If getting stares from random strangers make you feel uncomfortable, the NX is definitely not the SUV for you. Even our test unit that came in grey still attracts glances from males and females alike, so there’s no hiding when you’re behind the wheel of an NX. Maybe you can consider the
Volvo XC60
 instead; but then again that might attract gazes from architects and a certain group of radiant vampire fans.
COMPARISONS
The stylish and premium compact SUV is currently dominated by none other than the
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
. In
Si4
 trim, the Evoque is the most expensive here but in terms of performance, the Evoque and the NX 200t are neck and neck. Both dish out almost similar output from their
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
, and both are strutting their equally arresting looks.
Alternatively, if you want to stand out even more, there’s the American option. Sitting in between the Evoque Si4 and the NX 200t F Sport in terms of pricing is the
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
. The
2.4-litre naturally-aspirated engine
 won’t be able to match the output figures from the two turbocharged steeds here, but it will guarantee an even more puzzled look from bystanders.
Lexus NX 200t F Sport
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.0 Si4
Jeep Cherokee 2.4 Trailhawk
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder turbocharged petrol
4-cylinder turbocharged petrol
4-cylinder petrol
Displacement
cc
1,998
1,999
2,360
Max Power
hp/rpm
235/4,800
237/5,500
174/6,400
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
350/1,650
340/2,000
229/3,900
STEERING
Type
Electrical power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-Speed automatic
9-Speed automatic
9-Speed automatic
SUSPENSION
Type (Front / Rear)
MacPherson struts / Double wishbone
MacPherson struts / Multi link
MacPherson struts / Multi link
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Disc
Disc
Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
235/55 R18
245/45 R20
245/65 R17
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,630
4,365
4,624
Overall Width
mm
1,870
1,965
1,904
Overall Height
mm
1,630
1,635
1,732
Wheelbase
mm
2,660
2,660
2,719
Max Kerb weight
kg
N/A
1,640
1,638
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
550
575
506
FUEL
Tank Capacity
56 litres
58 litres
60 litres
Consumption
7.9 L/100 km
7.8 L/100 km
N/A
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
200
217
N/A
0 – 100km/h
sec
7.1
7.6
N/A
PRICE
RM
362,432.00
399,888.00
378,889.00
WILL I BUY IT?
For a brand that was once related to cosseting limos, Lexus has shed its drab image to become one of the producers of daring looking vehicles, and don’t forget, they are also responsible for giving us the spine-tingling
LFA supercar
. While the NX is no supercar, it’s a well-rounded package of grace and pace from Lexus. The only thing that annoys me is that the F Sport’s asking price is closer to the Evoque than to the base NX 200t. Personally it’s either the Evoque, or save RM75k and go for the base NX 200t.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Group leads global car sales despite dieselgate woes

This news might come as a surprise to many. Volkswagen Group emerged as the largest car manufacturer for the first half of this year, by manufacturing 5.2 million cars and selling 5.1 million cars.
They beat former global leader Toyota, who came in a close second. The Japanese company manufactured and sold 5 million and 4.9 million cars respectively. Coming in as the world’s third best-selling automaker is General Motors who sold 4.76 million cars in the same period.
Read our
review of the Volkswagen Vento 1.2 Turbo
Despite being plagued by the ongoing dieselgate scandal, VW AG recorded positive sales growth in key markets of China (á 6.8%) and Europe (á 3.8%). Yet, the group saw a dip in operating profit, down from €7b (approximately RM31.5b) in the first half of 2015 to €5.3b (RM23.8b) in the same period this year. This is largely because of the scandal which cost VW AG €2.2b (RM9.9b) in expense. The “special items”, according to VW AG, are mainly related to the legal issues in North America pertaining to the crisis.
However, VW AG is positive on the overall outlook for 2016 as Group CFO Frank Witter said “We produced a solid result in difficult conditions, this shows that the Volkswagen Group has high earnings power. But it will require continued hard work to absorb the significant impact from the diesel issue.”


All-new Peugeot 3008 now a proper SUV, to rival the Honda CR-V [+ Video]

The first-generation Peugeot 3008 was introduced as a mid-size crossover that was launched back in 2008. It had not the proportions of a crossover, and instead looked more like a compact MPV. Now, Peugeot said the next-generation 3008 will be developed as a full-SUV, one that will go against the
Honda CR-V
,
Mazda CX-5
, and the Renault Koleos.
The new 3008 will be based on Peugeot’s
EMP2 modular platform
 which is
100kg lighter
compared to the older car. Peugeot abandoned its crossover roots and redesigned it to look more like a conventional SUV. Dimensions wise, the new 3008 is bigger than its predecessor at 4.5m long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m tall. Thanks to its larger dimensions, boot space is cavernous, at 520 litres.
At the front, the 3008 sports the same fascia as the
308
, with the familiar wide grille, LED headlights and sculpted bonnet. These all give the SUV a more “macho” look compared to its tamer predecessor. It rides on a set of 18-inch wheels and has a floating roofline complemented by rails.
It gets better on the inside, as Peugeot implements the new
 i-Cockpit
 into the 3008. Essentially, it’s their version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, where a 12.3-inch digital display takes over the conventional analogue gauges. It displays speedo and tachometer as standard, and will also project multimedia information and navigation instructions. An 8-inch infotainment screen is built into the middle to complement the i-Cockpit. Also standard here is Peugeot’s small steering wheel.
Engine choices for the 3008 include a
128 hp 1.2-litre PureTech
 petrol engine and the
163 hp 1.6-litre
 turbo engine, the latter only available with a six-speed automatic. That is also the variant that will most likely land in Malaysia should it arrive here. Options for oil burning variants include a 1.6-litre and a 2.0-litre BlueHDi engines.
Three variants will be offered – Access, Active, Allure, and pricing begins (at the UK) at around
£21,000
 (approx
RM126,000
 based on today’s rates). European delivery is scheduled for the end of 2016, which means the new 3008 should arrive on our shores sometime in 2017. Presently, the Peugeot 3008 1.6L is sold in Malaysia for RM158,888.00.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Maserati Levante S updated with new exterior design and onboard features

Maserati has given the Levante a fresh new look and some new toys in the latest round of updates after the model first made its debut here in Malaysia in 2017. With a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, prices start from RM808,000 and unlike most other luxury brands, this is the actual on-the-road price!
The exterior comes with a new front grille and taillight design and new rear light cluster that mimics the boomerang-shaped taillights seen on the Maserati 3200 GT from the 1990s. In drawing attention to the rear lights, the taillight clusters were made using a state-of-the-art 3K injection moulding technology.
The new, imposing front grille was inspired by the Alfieri concept and can be had in either chrome in the GranLusso variant, or black in the GranSport variant.
The GranSport variant differentiates itself with front and black inserts, red brake calipers, and a choice of two 21-inch wheel designs. The GranLusso on the other hand, gets the chrome treatment, black brake calipers, with only a single 21-inch wheel design to choose from. The rear tyres are up to 295 mm wide!
Behind the wheels are 6-pot caliper brakes in the front, and single pot units at the rear. All variants of the Levante, including the

Levante

V8

Trofeo
, are equipped with air suspension where its ride height can be manually adjusted.
Before
After
Inside, the main changes lie in the dashboard, with changes to the instrument cluster and infotainment display. The infotainment display, although still the same size as before (at 8.4-inches) is now fitted into a new, sleeker housing and compared to before, the new look lends a touch of modernity to the dashboard.
As you can tell, the Levante badge below the display from before has been removed in the updated model. The display itself has been improved. With higher resolution graphics, better response and improved user-friendliness.
Before
After
As for the meter cluster, the graphics of the analouge meter have been updated while much of the plastic covers from the previous versions have been removed and replaced with anti-dazzle flat glass covers. Based on the images above, we don’t have to tell you what a difference it has made.
Under the hood of the baby Ferrari, as we’d like to call it, is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with 430 hp and 580 Nm to drive all four wheels via 8-speed automatic transmission. 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 5.2 seconds, with top speed rated at 264 km/h.
GALLERY


What do you think the “new Malaysian car brand” should be called?

Speaking at the 24th International Conference on the Future of Asia this morning, otherwise known as the Nikkei Conference, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed ambitions to start a new “Malaysian” car company.
Believing that Malaysians now have the capacity to completely manufacture a vehicle from scratch, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also claimed that Malaysian car company must be owned by Malaysians – citing that since Proton was sold to a Chinese company, it is
no longer a national car brand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuT_54IWnM8&t=2849s
Strong words indeed from the Malaysian premier who defied all odds to establish, grow and object the Proton brand being sold to the Chinese. At the “height” of Proton’s legacy, the brand exported to more than 10 countries including the
United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Germany, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, Kuwait and Chile
, to name a few.
“There is a capacity to produce good quality cars which are saleable across the world market, we want to access the world market,” he said in the YouTube video above
 from 44:35 to 47:27
.
Credit:
Bosnan News


Maserati Ghibli and Ghibli S launched in Malaysia, price from RM539k [+Video]

Official importer and distributor of Maserati cars in Malaysia, Naza Italia officially launched the Maserati Ghibli. This third generation Ghibli comes in two variants, the standard Ghibli and the Ghibli S. Priced at RM 538,800 and RM 628,800 respectively.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Maserati Ghibli
Maserati Ghibli S
Segment
E-Segment Sedan
Engine
2979cc 60° V6 Twinturbo
Max Power
330hp @ 5,000 rpm
410hp @ 5500 rpm
Max Torque
500Nm @ 4,500 rpm, sports mode overboost: @ 1750 – 4500 rpm
550Nm @ 4500 – 5000 rpm, sports mode overboost: @ 1750 – 5000
Price
RM 538,800
RM 628,800

First introduced in 1967, the Ghibli was a two door, 2+2 grand tourer. In its heyday, the Ghibli outsold the Ferrari Daytona and the Lamborghini Miura. Production ended in 1973. The Ghibli then returned in 1992 and ended its successful run in 1997. It was replaced by the gorgeous 3200 GT the following year.
Flash forward 17 years later, an all-important new Ghibli returns in the guise of a 4-door sedan, a first in Maserati’s 100 years of history.
Competing in the E segment, the Maserati Ghibli will be available locally in two variants: the Ghibli and the Ghibli S. Both are powered by a new generation twinturbo 3.0 litre 60-degree V6 and comes with an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
It shares the very same engine gearbox found in their flagship Quattroporte. Lighter and shorter than the Quattropporte, it also shares the same chassis and suspension, achieving a perfect 50:50 weight distribution as well as dynamic and precise handling.
EXTERIOR
Cosmetically, other than the different colours choices on the brake calipers, there is very little to discern between the two variants. This is in line with Maserati’s views on not separating the Ghibli into too many confusing variants.

 INTERIOR
With a whole catalog of customisable bits, future owners will be spoilt with choices to choose from. These includes an 8.4″ Maserati Touch Control, Plotrona Frau® leather finish, 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, WLAN and many more.

 PERFORMANCE
The standard variant Ghibli produces 330 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque @ 4500rpm and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Hit the Sport mode overboost and all 500 Nm will be available at a low 1750rpm. It reaches a non-electronically restricted top speed of 263 km/h. Combined fuel consumption is 9.6 litres per 100km.
The Ghibli S delivers a whopping 410 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque @ 1750rpm in Sports overboost. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds flat with a non-restricted top speed of 285 km/h and does a combined 10.4 litres/100 km for fuel efficiency.  Again, with a plethora of personalisation options.

WHAT ELSE?
The Ghibli is priced at RM 538,800, while the Ghibli S at RM628,800 (OTR without insurance). Both cars comes with a 3-year or 60,000km service package that is included in their respective prices. Although there is no concrete word of the Q4 and Diesel variants coming to our shores, Maserati is open to bringing them in if there is a strong demand.
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VIDEO GALLERY
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IMAGE GALLERY


Would you watch a race series made up entirely of female drivers?

We already have female Prime Ministers, female astronauts and industry leaders, heck, even the Middle East had recently allowed women to drive – although they were decades too late to the party.
So when a single-seater race series was formed solely for female race car drivers, it’s really hard for me to fathom why they’re still not allowed to meddle with the men whether it’s in Formula 1 or Formula 3 but have to instead make-do with a separate league, one that will undoubtedly receive less attention than the ones participated by men.
I can understand if it were contact sports, like football or rugby, with all sorts of physical elements/violations to consider, but in motor racing, competitiveness is hinged on the driver’s skill and the race car itself which is why I feel like this new “W Series” should not even exist.
The W Series is a new “free-to-enter” single-seater motor racing series for women drivers only, with a US 1.5 million cash prize.
Out of the 18-20 for the first season, the overall winner will walk away with half a million US dollars while the rest of the prize money will be allocated to all the way down to the 18th place driver in the overall standings.
The race series which is set to begin around mid of next year, will feature race tracks all around Europe which are also used in Formula 1. The drivers whom will be subjected to stringent physical and simulated test will race in Formula 3 cars powered 1.8-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, with 6-speed sequential gearboxes.
One way to see it is that it encourages wider female participation where these successful female drivers can progress to male-driven, higher level mainstream race series’, but then why can’t they start with the men from the early stages like go-karting, as well?


Proton sold 14,787 cars in June, best sales month in 2022 thus far

National carmaker Proton has just announced its sales report for the month of June 2022, which it recorded a total of
14,787 units
 (domestic and export) registered in June. The figure represents a 51% jump over the
 previous month
, and also helped boost the company’s total sales for the first half of the year to 60,124 units, an increase of 3.9% over the
same period in 2021
.
Crucially, the June sales figure also represents Proton’s best sales month of the year thus far, which helped the national carmaker retain its second position in the automotive sales table with an estimated market share of 22.6%. Market share for the year however stands at 18.2%, which is a decrease of 5.1% compared to the first six months of last year.
Proton’s sales volume leader this month is, unsurprisingly, the Saga once again, which just received its
 second mid-cycle update in May
. The national carmaker recorded sales of 5,460 units for the Saga last month, which helped the model return to the top of the A-segment sedan class, with its year-to-date volume standing at 23,484 units.
Following closely behind in sales performance last month was the Proton X50, which recorded its best sales month ever with 4,473 units registered. The figure means that the X50 retains its sales lead in not just the B-segment SUV class, but also in the overall SUV market.
The Proton X70, which was
updated just last month
, also maintained a strong sales performance in June with 2,696 units registered, keeping it on the top of the C-segment SUV leaderboards.
Another segment leader for Proton in the month of June is the Exora in the C-segment MPV class with 513 units registered, while the Persona and Iriz recorded 1,224 and 421 registrations respectively, placing them third and fourth in their market segments.
RELATED: 2022 Proton X70 MC launched in Malaysia with new 1.5TGDi engine, from RM94k
2022
“June was a busy month for the automotive industry with most brands trying to produce as many cars as possible to satisfy market demand. The announcement that SST incentives would be removed on 1 July also created a surge in bookings as customers rushed to take advantage of the savings offered,” said Proton Deputy CEO, Roslan Abdullah.
He added that the company has received over 150,000 bookings in the first six months of the year, and is working hard to deliver cars as quickly as possible to its customers, especially those who have been waiting since 2021.
“Thankfully, the gradual resolution to our parts shortage issues has not only boosted production but also had a positive effect on the after sales network. As promised, all our 3S/4S outlets now have
three months stock of fast-moving parts (FMP)
 and this is replicated at our parts warehouse. Supply issues for other parts are also being resolved so we are hopeful of delivering a higher level of after sales service to our customers soon,” he added.
While domestic sales for Proton continue to rise, the strongest growth for the company is actually in its export sales, with 636 units recorded in June. The figure brings Proton’s total exports for the first half of 2022 up to 2,722 units, which is an increase of 81.2% over the same period last year, and makes Proton the “top exporting automotive brand in the country”.
Among the 2,722 units, the Proton Saga leads the export sales with 1,602 units sold this year, although the X50 and X70 have also been growing at a rapid rate, with 377 and 100 units registered in June – both representing their best-ever export numbers.
As for individual markets, Pakistan continues to be Proton’s biggest export market with 1,770 units registered in the first half of 2022, representing a growth of 183% compared to the same period last year, followed by Brunei and Bangladesh with 203 and 194 units respectively.
“Proton’s exports is one of the pillars to drive our future growth and is also in line with our promise to the government to help develop Malaysia’s automotive export industry. With the addition of new markets such as

South Africa
 to our portfolio, we target for export volumes to continue on their current growth trajectory and form an even larger portion of our sales in the future,” Roslan Abdullah added.


Lamborghini SCV12 gets most powerful V12 engine ever

The new Lamborghin
i
 SCV12 is set to become the most powerful Lamborghini after completing testing and is set to debut very soon.
The track-only SCV12 rests the most powerful naturally aspirated V12 engine Lamborghini ever built and is capable of producing over 830 hp. This is achieved through “aerodynamic supercharging” and Lamborghini says, it will have more downforce than a GT3 race car.
For starters, the SCV12’s front bonnet features a double air intake and directs airflow to the air scoop located on the roof. This directs air pressure created by the car’s into the engine’s intake manifold thus increasing power.
The new V12 Lamborghini also features a prominent splitter at the front, fins on the side sills and a custom built carbon fibre rear wing for maximum downforce.
The rear-wheel drive sits on a new fully carbon fibre chassis, developed specifically for the hypercar. The V12 engine is mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox which is part of the chassis’ structure. As such this creates better weight distribution in the SCV12.
Downforce aside, keeping the most powerful Lamborghini firmly planted on the tarmac are specially developed Pirelli slick tyres, paired to 19 (front) and 20-inch magnesium wheels (rear).
Owners of the limited edition SCV12 are entitled to participate in advance driving programmes in circuits around the world. The programmes are supported by Lamborghini Squadra Corse engineers along with coaching from 5-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Emanuele Pirro.
The Lamborghini Sian by Lego Technic.
The Italian supercar makers also revealed their first ever hybrid supercar called the
Sian in September last year
. As they’re all sold out, even before its official launch,
Lego Technic has offered a “more affordable” solution
.
The 1:8 scale brick model consists of 3,696 pieces and costs under RM2,000. According to Lego Technic, it will take approximately 14 hours to complete the entire build.


Facts & Figures: 2022 Volkswagen Passat R-Line now with 220hp, from RM211k

Volkswagen has launched the new locally-assembled (CKD) Passat R-Line with more power and features starting from
RM212,938
with SST exemptions. Also included are 5-years unlimited mileage warranty, 3-years free maintenance and 5-years roadside assistance.
It’s worth noting that the new 2022 Passat R-Line now cost
around RM8,000 more
 than the model
launched in October 2020
. So what are you getting then?
PERFORMANCE
For starters, the Passat R-Line comes with
30 hp and 30 Nm more than before
, now producing
220 hp
 and
350 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to power the front wheels. Unlike the 7-speed unit in the older model, the new Passat R-Line now uses a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed dual clutch
Max Power: 220 hp @ 4,500 to 6,200 rpm
Max Torque: 350 Nm @ 1,500 to 4,400 rpm
Like before, the 2022 Passat R-Line continues to offer Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) feature with adaptive suspension and a drive mode selector. Unlike the Passat Elegance, the R-Line also gets the Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) for better handling.
EXTERIOR
The R-Line package comes with sportier front bumpers with black accents and rear bumpers with chrome, R-Line logo on the side and front grille and extensions for the door sill. The 2022 Passat R-Line also comes with a new colour called Scale Gray, offered alongside four different colours.
Dynamic cornering lights
LED daytime running lights
LED head and taillights
19-inch Verona wheels
There are no changes to the exterior including the wheel design compared to the
2020 model
 however the Passat is only the second Volkswagen model in Malaysia to wear the
new logo
, after the all-new Mk8 Golf which was
previewed in Malaysia recently
.
INTERIOR
The Passat R-Line package consists of a black headliner, front and rear aluminium scuff plates and sports pedals, leather-wrapped multi-function sports steering wheel. Boot space is rated at 596-litres.
12-speaker 700-watt Harman Kardon sound system with subwoofer
3-zone air conditioning
Nappa leather seats
14-way electric memory seats with lumbar support for driver
3x USB-C ports
9.2-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
SAFETY
Safety features and driver aids include cruise control, six airbags (two front, two side and two curtain airbags), along with a blindspot monitor and rear-cross traffic alert feature.


What is actually lurking behind that large BMW M3 M4 grille?

The large grille has and still is the talk of the town since BMW officially launched the all-new M3 and M4 models.
If you think the large grille is merely for cosmetic and design aspects, you are proven wrong in this video by BMW M.
The
S58 3.0-litre
twin-turbocharged inline-six engine in the
latest
BMW M3
 and
M4 Coupe
 now develop as much as
510 hp
 and
650 Nm
 of torque. With that, a lot of heat is generated too.
Part of being an ‘M car’ is the
increase in cooling performance
 for engine coolant, lubrication, brake discs as well as the
two turbochargers
. Every component for the cooling or heat removal is enlarged, and some are even dedicated.

Once the front bumper has been removed, the overall shape of the large grille and nostrils of the BMW M3 and M4 are still very visible. And of course, full view of the multiple layers of aluminium radiators.
The shape of the large grille is maintained, focusing lots of air to the centre
Upfront are the two large radiators, cooled by a 1,000 W electric fan. The engineer mentioned high and low-temperature radiators and this relates to the cooling of the turbocharged air. The separate low-temperature cooling route is a
dedicated system to cool the hot turbocharged air
 (intercooler), instead of the air-cooled method.
While not mentioned in the video, BMW said that an additional
electric water pump
 allows cooling of the
turbochargers to continue
 even after the engine has been switched off.
A
stone guard
 is also placed to protect the radiator from being damaged by gravel while being driven on circuits. A relatively large automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) cooler
 is found lower down, with the oil cooler directly below it.
Placement of the automatic transmission fluid cooler
Interesting to note that BMW has also placed a
flap to create negative air pressure
 for better airflow through the
horizontally-mounted oil cooler
.
Immediately to the left and right of the central intake are enlarged openings for guiding air to cool the large 380–400-millimetre brake discs. The corner openings meanwhile direct air to the auxiliary radiators.
There you have it, the huge grille on the new BMW M3 and M4 is indeed fully functional and even concentrates more ambient air to the multiple layers of cooling devices. All these ensure the car can reliably and safely do continuous hard driving on the circuit.
In case you wonder how the cooling system is arranged. Image:
Bimmerpost
BMW Malaysia began taking orders
for the all-new BMW M3 and M4 Coupe recently, both available only solely in the
Competition
 (Automatic) variant. Prices for them start at
RM664,800
 and
RM684,800
 respectively.


Updated Audi e-tron is now the Q8 e-tron – tri-motor SQ8 boasts 503 hp, 973 Nm

Once spearheading the electrification of
Audi
, the
Audi e-tron
 is now known as the
Audi Q8 e-tron
. The brand’s updated flagship electric vehicle (EV) SUV is now offered in three trims, with the range-topping one powered by a triple-motor setup making close to 1,000 Nm of torque.
The three trims of the Audi Q8 e-tron are the Q8 50 e-tron, the Q8 55 e-tron, and the SQ8 e-tron. All trims are offered in both SUV and Sportback body styles, so there are a total of 6 versions of the all-electric Audi Q8 e-tron.
Audi SQ8 e-tron SUV
On the outside, the Q8 e-tron’s new look consists of a new front and rear design whilst maintaining the same headlight shape. The front end gets the Singleframe mask and inverted grille while the rear gets a “blade” above the rear diffuser. It is the first model to feature the new model badge with Audi lettering on the B-pillar.
Powering the Q8 e-tron are three different electric all-wheel drive (AWD) systems. The base Audi Q8 50 e-tron gets a dual-motor setup that makes 250 kW (
340 hp
 metric) and
664 Nm
. Storing power is an
89-kWh
 (net) battery pack that provides
491 km
 of range (WLTP) for the SUV version and
505 km
 of range (WLTP) for the Sportback version.
A step above is the Q8 55 e-tron which gets a dual-motor setup that makes 300 kW (
408 hp
 metric) and
664 Nm
. The Q8 55 gets a larger
106-kWh
 (nett) battery pack that gives the SUV version
582 km
 of range (WLTP) and the Sportback version
600 km
 of range (WLTP). Its top speed is limited to 200 km/h.
RELATED:
Audi RS Q8 launched in Malaysia from RM 1.7m – in case the Urus is too flashy for you
Audi SQ8 e-tron SUV
The hottest version of the Q8 e-tron would be the Audi SQ8 e-tron which gets a triple-motor setup that makes 370 kW (
503 hp
metric) and
973 Nm
. It is the first mass-produced EV by the brand to have a triple-motor configuration. Two of the three motors are mounted in the rear, making 98 kW (
133 hp
 metric) each. As for the battery, the SQ8 gets the same
106-kWh
 (net) battery as the Q8 55, providing
494 km
 of range (WLTP) in the SUV version and
513 km
 of range (WLTP) in the Sportback version.
For the new Audi Q8 e-tron, Audi says it has increased the number of coils in the rear-mounted asynchronous motors from 12 to 14. This generates a stronger magnetic field, allowing more torque to be generated with the same amount of electric input. Besides increasing torque, the motor is also more efficient, meaning it uses less energy overall when the high torque is not needed.
In the handling department, the Q8 e-tron gets air-spring suspension with controlled shock absorption as standard. This allows the car’s height to be varied by 76 mm. It also gets a revised progressive steering system and more rigid suspension bearings on the front axle.
RELATED:
All-new Audi A3 Sedan launched in Malaysia from RM332k, RS 3 now open for booking
As for charging, the Audi Q8 50 e-tron can handle
150-kW
DC fast charging while the Q8 55 and SQ8 can handle 170-kW DC fast charging (DCFC). With
170-kW
 DCFC, the 106-kWh battery pack charges from 10% to 80% in
31 minutes
.
AC charging is rated at
11 kW
 as standard for the Audi Q8 e-tron, but customers do have the option to upgrade to
22 kW
 AC charging. With 11-kW AC charging, the smaller 89-kWh battery fully charges in
9 hours and 15 minutes
 while the bigger 106-kWh battery fully charges in
11 hours and 30 minutes
. With the optional 22-kW AC charging upgrade, the 89-kWh battery charges from 0 to 100% in
5 hours and 45 minutes
 while the 106-kWh battery does it in
6 hours
.
RELATED:
Audi Centre Setia Alam reopens, now under Goh Brothers Motor
Inside, the Audi Q8 e-tron gets a glass panoramic roof, standard dual-zone climate control (with optional 4-zone automatic climate control), perforated leather upholstery, and optional porous wood veneers. There is also a 10.1-inch head unit and a bottom 8..6-inch digital control unit. A head-up display is optional for the Q8 e-tron.
There are around 40 driver assistance systems available in the Audi Q8 e-tron*. Up to five radar sensors, five cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors provide environmental information that’s then analyzed by the central driver assistance control unit. Something new is remote park assist plus, which will be available to order in Europe starting in 2023.
RELATED:
Audi Q2, A1 to be axed after current generation as brand moves upmarket
GALLERY


James May’s guide to “restore” a BMW 420i left us in tears

TGT superstar, James May can now add “Hero” to his resume as he saves a gorgeous Estoril Blue
BMW 420i
 from the pimps. In a mere 2 minutes, James has restored glory to the sexy two-door coupe.

Okay let’s be real,
how many of you have seen an “M3” with single exhaust outlet and 17-inch wheels
or an “E 63” with “BlueEfficiency” badge on the front fenders and tiny brake
calipers? We understand that no one else but the owner has a say on what they want
to do with their prized ride, but it boggles the mind why would anyone take
fakery to this extend.
If you ever plan on
upbadging
 your car, consider sticking just the “M” logo or “AMG” emblem, much more acceptable
and convincing than a pretending you have a V8 under the hood.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches the updated C-Class Coupe

After unveiling the
facelifted C200 Avantgarde, C300 AMG Line
 and
C43 AMG 4MATIC
, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia took to Cameron Highlands, and appropriately so, to introduce the C-Class Coupe in the form of two models – C200 and C300 AMG Line.
Prices start from
RM 346,888
 for the C200 Coupe, while the C300 Coupe wears a
RM 416,888
 price tag.
Both models wear the AMG Line bodykit with similar front and rear bumpers but sport different wheel designs and sizes – the C200 with 18-inch wheels and the C300 with 19-inch wheels.
The C200 Coupe makes do with LED headlamps but a pair Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive High Beam Assist is fitted onto the C300. Like the exterior, both are almost identical on the inside.
Both come with a Nappa leather-wrapped steering, open-pore oak wood trims but the C300 stands out with an automatic panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, surround view camera, an automatic boot, a Lane Tracking Package and the exquisite Burmester Sound System.
In terms of driver assistance systems, both come with Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Parking Assist, Active Brake Assist and cruise control as standard.
The C200 Coupe now comes with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with an EQ Boost system like the one found in the C200 Avantgarde launched yesterday. Like the C200, output is rated at
184 hp
 and
280 Nm
 with the EQ Boost adding 13 hp and 160 Nm of extra push.
Like the C300 sedan, the Coupe is also fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that pushes out
258 hp
 with
370 Nm
 of torque. Both engines are paired to a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission and while the C200 sits on the Agility Control suspension, the C300 gets a set of sports suspension.
IMAGE GALLERY
C300 Coupe AMG Line

C200 Coupe AMG Line


The BRABUS 600 is one mean SUV, 4.0L V8 with 600 hp & 800 Nm!

BRABUS, the German performance tuning house has just unleashed their latest beast, the BRABUS 600 SUV. Based on the already performance-oriented
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S
, the BRABUS 600 kit dials performance to 11.
Starting with the oily bits, the M177 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 of Mercedes-AMG is boosted to
600 hp
 and
800 Nm
,
90 hp
 and
100 Nm
 more when the car first rolled out of the factory floors. This is courtesy of a software calibration that introduces new mapping for the injection and ignition as well as moderately increased boost pressure.

The result is a century sprint time of
3.6 seconds
 (0.2 seconds quicker than standard) with an electronically governed top speed of 300 km/h. These blistering numbers are coupled with the BRABUS stainless-steel Sport Exhaust that reduces exhaust backpressure and features electronically controlled flaps to control the exhaust note.
There is also a “Coming Home” mode that keeps the decibel at minimal when you need to be discreet. But leaving a car meet, you would want the exhaust in its loudest setting that unleashes all the acoustic potential from the twin-turbo V8.
The BRABUS 600 kit is available for both the SUV and Coupe body styles, both getting the same visual enhancement such as carbon fibre front bumpers, front splitters, carbon side intakes and dual naked-carbon rear diffusers. Wheel options for the BRABUS 600 range from 19 to 22-inches, all wrapped in Ultra-High-Performance Tyres from BRABUS technology partners: Continental, Pirelli and YOKOHAMA.
BRABUS has also introduced a special control module for the AIRMATIC air suspension that lowers the cars overall ride height by 30 mm to give the all-wheel-drive SUV a lower stance and improved driving dynamics thanks to lower centre of gravity.
The cabin you see here is a box standard interior from Mercedes-AMG but BRABUS offers a wide range of customisation options ranging from wrapping the upholstery with fine Mastik leather to custom accessories like aluminium door-lock pins.
Customers can opt to purchase a complete car (SUV or Coupe) outright from BRABUS or have their Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S transformed all at once or in stages.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-AMG C63 S arrives in Malaysia, BMW M3 rival costs from RM699k

Mercedes has just pulled the wrapper off their most feral W205 C-Class yet, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s (MBM) Vice President of Sales and Marketing Malaysia, Mark Raine, was joined by legendary Ferrari  Formula One driver, Jean Alesi who is currently AMG DTM’s first driver.
The C63 AMG represents the company’s most successful class in this respect – over
40,000
 units of the
W204
 was sold, making it one of the most successful cars to carry the AMG badge. Merc enjoyed a good sales run with the said model and believes that the W205 will follow its footsteps rather closely. They have also had a great run in Malaysia, with over
8000
 units flying off the shelves in this year alone.
Name
Mercedes-AMG C63 S
Engine
4.0-litre bi-turbo V8
Transmission
7-speed MCT (dual clutch)
Max Power
510 hp @ 5,500-6,250 rpm
Max Torque
700 Nm @ 1,750 -4,500 rpm
0-100 km/h
4.0 seconds
Top Speed
250 km/h (290Km/h optional)
Price
RM698,888
EXTERIOR
This hot Merc really does live up to the Mercede’s current design language. It’s sporty without being brash, yet composed without being benign. It’s almost spot on, especially when finished in the matte metallic silver you see here (a cost option, mind you). The front fascia sports all the trappings of an AMG-derived Merc.
Starting with the front end, which premiers the AMG-badged
twin-blade grille
 on the W205. Interestingly, Merc didn’t bother with putting the 3D mesh grille – as seen on the A45 – on the C63 S. Bless them for that. Right above the three-pointed badge sits a tiny camera that guides the driver thru tough and sticky spots when parking. Upon closer inspection, all four sides of the car have been fitted with a camera, which will form the
360 surround view
for easy manoeuvrability. The carbon composite bumper also
channels
 cooling
air
 into the ducts when things heat up.

One thing for sure, C63 is covered in
muscular lines and angles
. It really does embody the racing spirit of the car and the brand that built it. The wheels are a set of lightweight alloys wrapped with
 Dunlop Sport Maxx RT
 rubbers measuring
 245/35 R19
 at the front and
 265/35 R19
 at the rear. Did we also mention the
carbon-ceramic brakes
 with red brake calipers? More on that later.
Follow the lines and you’ll inevitably find yourself staring down the barrel of a pair of
 chrome-tipped
 tail pipes on each side. You’ll soon cross paths with the
carbon-moulded rear diffuser
 that’s also helped out with the tiny but not insignificant boot lid.
INTERIOR
Elegance
 comes screaming straight to mind, but comes as no surprise because after all, it’s a Mercedes-Benz. But mind you, the chaps from
Affalterbach
 do have an interesting sense of style. The interior is
luxurious yet sporty
 but without being
 gourdy
. One thing is though, the driver’s seat is absolutely rock solid and may prove to be too firm for everyday driving – as is the case for the A45 and CLA45. A chiropractor does not come included in the listed price, however.
Having said that, let that not deter you from letting the luxuries envelop you. The seats are wrapped in an
 artificially-made leather
called
Artico
 which is also generously smothered across the
dashboard
 and
trim pieces
. The AMG badge is
sewn
 onto the
backrests
 to finish off the look. Extensive use of b
rushed aluminium
 trimmings add a brilliant
contrast
 to the upholstery, which we like. The air vents really give off a
retro
 vibe to it. That said, the tech and toys that come with it are anything but retro.

Merc has thrown in the
COMMAND system
 that pretty much runs the infotainment system in the car. The system handles all of the driver’s needs, from
GPS navigation
 to picking the
right tune
. Rear leg room isn’t brilliant but considering the calibre of this machines, it’s rather impressive. The rear seats are a rather
cosseting
 pair that hugs you in all the right places. The same notion goes towards the front pair as well. As you prepare an exit from this track muncher, you’ll notice the
 back-lit AMG door sills
.
PERFORMANCE
As with any AMG, the party piece can always be found under the hood. But the difference here is that, for the first time ever in a C-Class AMG, a
turbo-charged mill
 is at play. The previous one lived up to its legendary ear-bleeding reputation of
noise
 and
brute power
, courtesy of a free-breathing 6.2-litre big block V8. But with changing times, even dinosaurs like AMG are powerless but to bow to rulings and regulations.
As a result of turbocharging, the W205 C63 S is greener than its predecessor, thus yielding
 8.4 litres per 100km
. Certainly impressive efficiency for an AMG-Merc. But not all is lost with
turbocharging
, in fact it might even give drivers a better edge around the track. Torque figures are now accessible from a mere
1,750
 rpm making it perfect for flailing aroung Sepang.
Down to the numbers; it’s a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 block that’s obscenely close to the unit powering the
AMG GT S
. In S tune, the engine churns out an impressive
510 hp
 at
 5,500 rpm
 with a tsunami twist – all
700 Nm
 of torque crashing in from as early as
1,750 rpm
. Stopping this
 1,730 kg
 Merc is up to the job of
carbon ceramic composite brakes
 which, for the first time on a C-Class, is offered as an optional extra, but only for the front axles.
It will decimate most sports cars with
 0 to 100 km/h
 time of just
4.0 seconds
 and will hit an eventual limited top speed of
250km/h
. But for a healthy sum of
moolah
, the limiter can be moved up to
290km/h
. AMG has yet another interesting fact about the engines that power the C63 S, and it has plenty to do with a four-letter phrase called ‘one man one engine’. This means that each engine is hand-built by just
one
 technician and will have his name etched onto a tiny steel plaque on the engine cover at the end of the process.
As usual, power is shot out to the rear wheels. But handling all that power is a job tasked to the new
AMG RIDE CONTROL
 sports suspension with a
three-stage adjustable damper
 that offers a agility and high-speed stability. A quick word with
Jean Alesi
 reveals that the man has yet to take this behemoth onto the track, but reports that the C63 behaves well on the roads. And with the car in
 Comfort mode
, he gives it the thumbs up. Praise doesn’t get much higher than that if we’re honest.
But most of us aren’t legendary
 Ferrari F1
 drivers and ‘
comfor
t’ seems like a good place as any to leave it on. Should you be feeling adventurous, the C63 S’ gearbox comes with four other settings, namely ‘
Sport
’, ‘
Sport +
’, ‘
RACE
’ and ‘
individual
’ driving modes that will alter the set up according to your driving needs.
WHAT ELSE?
The C63 S comes with all the bells and whistles when it comes to safety and luxury. The C63 S comes with
ADAPTIVE BRAKE
,
ATTENTION ASSIST
,
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
,
 cruise control
 with
SPEEDTRONIC
,
ISOFIX
 child mounting points and a
 tyre pressure
 monitoring system.
That pretty much wraps up the C63 S but here’s an interesting ‘
what else
’ for you. In typical MBM fashion, there will be a limited number of C63 S Edition 1 for sale, costing just RM25,000 more. What does this buy you? The Edition 1 comes with all off the above, save for some trim differences. In short, you get a lot of trim pieces finished in
red carbon-fibre
 with the words AMG and Edition 1 splattered everywhere. Since it’s a limited edition variant, if it does tickle your fancy, then we suggest that you waste no more time. The standard C63 S retails for
RM698,888
 whilst the Edition 1 goes for
RM723,888
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Video: MINI Cooper S Facelift First Drive in Mallorca, Spain

We had the opportunity to sample the MINI Cooper S facelift in Mallorca, Spain before the car is officially launched in Malaysia. The biggest change to the MINI Cooper range is the introduction of a new seven-speed dual clutch transmission and here is what we think of MINI’s first ever DCT:
The Cooper S still packs the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine pushing out
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque to drive the front wheels. Century sprint remains identical to the pre-facelift model, but fuel economy has improved thanks to the new DCT with seven forward ratios.
MINI Malaysia has
officially teased the imminent launch
 of the MINI Cooper facelift range. We can expect the facelift model to replace the current line up, meaning two powertrain options the Cooper and Cooper S in two body styles 3 Door and 5 Door hatchbacks.


Incredible Rimac C_Two hypercar undergoing testing, delivery by end of 2020

Croatia isn’t a country that comes to mind when the topic is about hypercars, but EV manufacturer Rimac is pushing ahead with its plan to ship up to 150 units of its
C-Two all-electric hypercar
 around the world, and the Croatian outfit has kicked off real-world testing with a total of 17 prototypes.
It’s worth repeating how ambitious the C_Two hypercar is – it has
four electric motors
 (one at each wheel) powered by a
120 kWh lithium manganese nickel battery pack
, the total output is a
staggering 1,914 hp
 and
2,300 Nm
. The C_Two will despatch
0-100 km/h in 1.9 seconds
 and reach a top speed of
412 km/h
. And it’s supposed to offer a cruising range (NEDC cycle) of over
640 km per full charge
!
Of course, the structure of the vehicle is made of
carbon fibre
, but the C_Two, with its dramatic
butterfly doors
, will still tip the scales at around
1.9-tonne
, given that it has to meet the latest crash standards and be homologated for global sales by the end of 2020.

Rimac is expected to show off the final production version of the C_Two – which would undoubtedly be one of the fastest cars in the world – at the
2020 Geneva motor show
 in a few months’ time.


Like the M5, the BMW M3 and M4 now gets all-wheel drive in Competition models

Just like the F90 BMW M5, the current
G80 BMW M3
 and
G82 BMW M4
 Competition variants will now come with M xDrive all-wheel drive systems. This is the first time all-wheel drive is offered to the two models.
Under the hood is a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine with
510 hp
 and
 650 Nm
. The all-wheel drive models will only come with 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmissions.
As for the 0 to 100 km/h times, the M3 and M4 Competition models with are quicker off the line with the extra traction. It takes them just
3.5 seconds to complete the run, 0.4 seconds quicker
than the rear-wheel drive models.
In the default all-wheel drive setting, the cars are primarily rear-biased, with more power sent to the rear wheels and in 4WD Sport, the cars get even more power to the rear wheels without losing its all-wheel drive capabilities.
Once the vehicle’s Dynamic Stability Control is switched off, both will be purely rear-wheel driven.
Like the F90 M5, both models will come with M1 and M2 switches on the steering for two different drive configurations – allowing the driver to customise engine, damper and transmission settings etc.
Locally, BMW Malaysia has begun
to take orders for the M3 and M4 Competition
 with prices starting from
RM664,800
, while the M4 Competition starts from
RM684,800
. Although these should still be rear-wheel driven models.
GALLERY
BMW M3 Competition M xDrive
BMW

M4 Competition M xDrive


F1: Red Bull says VW deal up in smoke, Renault signals interest in acquiring Lotus F1 Team

Surely most of you have been keeping up with the developments surrounding the ‘dieselgate’ scandal and the abdication of VW Group’s top man Martin Winterkorn from the top spot on the corporate ladder. Major reshuffling has been going on from within VAG, starting with
Porsche’s ex-boss helming the company’s operations
 and Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing of Audi AG,
Luca de Meo taking the top post at SEAT
.
That’s just scratching the surface, but we’ll leave that for another time. Rewind the clock a
couple
 of weeks and the headlines would’ve read “
VW to buy stake in Red Bull Racing F1
“. Mixed emotions filled the air as Europe’s biggest automobile conglomerate announced their interests to make an entrance into the pinnacle of motorsport that is
Formula One
.
During that juncture, BBC F1 Chief Analyst and ex-driver
Eddie Jordan
 indicated that VW would
not
 be using its own powertrains till the
2018
 season but interestingly will be using
Ferrari
derived engines. VW is also poised to severe its relationship with powertrain partner, Renault, a whole year before the contracts are up.
Here’s something else to ponder on. As we all are aware, the VW Group owns many other car manufacturers such as
Audi
,
Porsche
,
Lamborghini
,
Bentley
 and
Bugatti
; just to name a few. But that being said, it was
unclear
 which brand will be promoted as the team’s official make. VW would have become the
fourth
 major manufacturer to partake in the upcoming season.
Sadly, Volkswagen’s dream of making an entrance to F1 is as the headline reads –
up in smoke
. VW is facing probable fines in excess of
RM78 billion
 – enough to
buy
 some of the
poorest

countries
 in the world. However, not everyone’s F1 dreams are down the flusher as
Renault
 just announced that a
Letter of Intent
 was recently signed, sealed and delivered to the
 Lotus F1
 teams’ front door.
The team announced that Renault and
Gravity Motorsports S.a.r.l.
 (an affiliate of
Genii
 Capital SA) may potentially acquire a
controlling stake
 in Lotus F1 Team Ltd in the upcoming 2016 season. Both parties are reportedly working tirelessly to eventually turn this initial undertaking into a definitive transaction, provided all terms and conditions are met between them and other interested parties.


The Australian police force has adopted a new Honda Civic Type R!

The New South Wales (NSW) police force has been sponsored the
fastest FWD vehicle around the Nurburging
 as part of a 12-month partnership with Honda Australia.
The
FK8 Honda Civic Type R, which GC Mah reviewed recently
, will used as part of the local
Eyewatch social media initiative
 to better connect the public with the local police force.
The local Eyewatch programme was initiated back in 2012 to connect local communities with the police via social media for crime prevention measures, to help locate missing or wanted individuals and sharing of local crimes and incidences.
The local NSW police chief also believes that the catchy design of the car will serve as a good conversation starter and encourage the public, especially younger people, to be more comfortable in approaching the police.
Locally, the
PDRM was also seen testing the Civic Type R
 as it underwent technical evaluations on its suitability for the police force.
IMAGE GALLERY
Local PDRM officers inspecting the Civic Type R


Volkswagen delivered 1 million Golfs in 2017, hatchback most popular

Besides witnessing an astonishing
40 percent growth for the Volkswagen Tiguan
 in 2017, Wolfsburg also delivered close to one million of the Volkswagen Golf over the past 12 months. The Golf, now in its
seventh-generation
 continues to be brand’s most successful model.
Available in three body styles – hatchback, estate and Sportsvan with a variety of powertrain options from the efficient
GTE
 to the
fire-breathing R
, the Golf appealed to a wide range of audience. The Golf hatchback proved to be the most popular and is once again the best-selling model in its class in Germany and Europe.
The Golf estate also proved to be increasingly popular among buyers, recording an 11 percent growth compared to the previous year – the strongest growth in the Golf family. To date, Volkswagen has produced over 34 million units of the Golf across seven generations, including one million this year.


New Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion 1.5 claims to be major frugal, 4.6L/100 km!

There’s a Volkswagen Golf for everyone, be it the normal Golf, the Golf GTI,
Golf R
 for the performance freaks or
Golf GTE
 for eager adopters of hybrid cars. There’s also the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion 1.5, which the company claims to sip just 4.6 litres of fuel per 100 km!
As the name suggests, the Golf is powered by a
1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine
, although slightly detuned to produce
129 hp
 and
200 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via the
seven-speed DSG dual clutch
 automatic that’s offered as standard.
Other tech include
engine coasting
 to reduce fuel consumption, and it works by shutting of the engine when cruising at speeds of up to
130 km/h
. Also added to the package is a
 compact lithium-ion battery
 but it’s not used for propulsion, but rather to supply electrical power to the car’s systems when the engine coasts. A “
Q-diode
” is tasked to manage the flow between the lithium-ion cell and the Golf’s standard lead-acid batteries.
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion will be on sale in Europe this summer. This Golf BlueMotion model marks yet another solid entry from the recently refreshed seventh-generation
Golf hatchback
. Surely, if we are to be given the pass on the
Golf GTE
, perhaps this BlueMotion could be an interesting alternative.