Seong Hoe Premium Motors unveils refurbished BMW and MINI dealership in Melaka

BMW Group Malaysia
, together with its dealer-partner Seong Hoe Premium Motors, have opened the doors to the newly-refurbished showroom in Melaka, serving as the new home to
BMW
 and
MINI
models in the state – the latter a recent addition to the dealer’s portfolio.
With a built-up space of over 7,100 square feet, the new outlet in Melaka features a showroom capable of displaying up to 10 BMW and three MINI vehicles, the latter on the mezzanine floor.
 BMW Premium Selection
 pre-owned cars are meanwhile displayed at a separate new facility nearby the dealership.
The dealership also features a New Car Handover Lounge, a RATC (reception at the car) bay, new BMW AC (22 kW) and DC (30 kW) charging stations accessible via ChargEV, as well as an Isetta Bar with complimentary WiFi internet access for customers.
The new outlet is staffed by 50 highly-trained personnel, who will provide a range of premium services at its updated facility, including BMW and MINI Service, Fast Lane Service, BMW Lifestyle, BMW Financial and Insurance Services, Original Parts and Accessories, Pickup and Delivery Service, as well as Roadside Assistance.
READ MORE:
BMW Malaysia partners with JomCharge – 10% off on charging sessions, extra free credits for owners
Seong Hoe Premium Motors General Manager, Loy Suan Chiow said, “We owe it to the support of our loyal and strong customer base, who continue to put their trust in us for over the past four decades in delivering the Premium Ownership Experience. To date, we have successfully delivered over 400 units of vehicles annually, complemented by the highest standards in customer service.”
Seong Hoe Premium Motors is the longest-serving BMW authorised dealer in Melaka, having operated its dealership since 1979.
“It is a point of pride for us here at Seong Hoe Premium Motors and one that we intend to extend to our newly enhanced dealership, allowing us to better serve our customers in Malacca and the surrounding areas,” Loy added.
The new Seong Hoe Premium Motors dealership is located at Lot 2020, Jalan Semabok, Taman Sinn Semabok, 75050 Melaka. They are open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 3 pm on Sundays and public holidays.
For more information on the new outlet, visit the dealership’s website, linked
 here
.
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Introducing the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, named after world’s largest diamond

In 2015, Rolls-Royce announced that the ultra-luxury carmaker will be venturing into the SUV business. Today, the British firm has just confirmed that their
Bentley Bentayga
 rival will be called the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
The name Cullinan was inspired from the Cullinan Diamond. Extracted from a deep mine in Magaliesberg Mountain, South Africa in 1905, it remains the largest diamond ever unearthed at 3,106 carats. Today, the Cullinan Diamond takes up its place in the British Crown Jewels.
CEO of Rolls-Royce, Torsten Müller-Ötvös commented: “It is the most fitting name for our extraordinary new product. Cullinan is a motor car of such clarity of purpose, such flawless quality and preciousness, and such presence that it recalibrates the scale and possibility of true luxury. Just like the Cullinan Diamond, the largest flawless diamond ever found, it emerges when it is perfect and exists above all others.”
The Cullinan will be the second Rolls-Royce model to sit on the company’s all-new “Architecture of Luxury” platform following the
eight-generation Phantom
. Testing of the new SUV is currently underway at various extreme locations around the globe to ensure the Cullinan lives up to its tagline – Effortless, Everywhere.
Müller-Ötvös concludes: “Quite simply, the name Cullinan is perfect and brilliant.”
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5 things you need to know about Continental’s New Wheel Concept

There is a very common, almost cliche saying that goes “Let’s not reinvent the wheel” – with the notion that if something is already as good as it can ever get, it can’t be improved; like the wheel for example.
Well, if everyone thought that way, we’d still be using ICQ instead of Skype, MySpace instead of Facebook and having KFC instead of Texas Chicken, wouldn’t we? Continental, one of the leading tyre manufacturers, are probably “tyred” of KFC. They’ve came up with something which will be demonstrated at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show called the
New Wheel Concept
 – in every sense of the word.
Here’s
five things you absolutely need to know
 about it, along with
an animation to help you better understand
 the concept of this new system.
A Completely New Operation Process
The wheel rim consists of two aluminum parts, the inner aluminium carrier star with the aluminium brake disk and the outer aluminium rim well with the tire. In contrast to conventional wheel brakes, the New Wheel Concept brake engages the aluminium disk from the inside, allowing for light but sturdy brake caliper construction.

Allows flexible options for larger diameter brake discs
Since the space available in the wheel is optimally-utilised, this offer a lot of allowance for particularly large diameter brake disk applications, which benefits the braking performance.
Prevents formation of rust
The corrosion-free aluminium brake disk also prevents the formation of rust, as would normally occur on conventional cast-iron disks which can impair braking performance.
Easy access for replacement works
This concept allows for easy replacement of wheel and brake pad changes. Based on results from initial practical tests, it is presumed that the aluminium disk itself is not subject to wear, unlike cast-iron disks.
Reduced noise
This design has a favourable effect on the “noise behaviour of the brakes”. The reduced noise is a particularly attractive plus point that adds more quality to the already quiet EV ride.
And yet they say, “Don’t fix it if it’s not broken”.
Video / Snapshots credit:
caroto.gr


Peugeot Prosperity Drive gives you big discounts and 5-Year free service!

Together with the launch of the launch of the new
Peugeot 308 THP Active
, Nasim Sdn Bhd, through their Peugeot CNY Prosperity Drive is offering big discounts on selected models, and up to RM32,888 off for the Peugeot 408 Turbo!
The 408 Turbo is powered by PSA’s
1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged
 four-cylinder engine making
163 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
 240 Nm
 of torque from 1,400 rpm. It sends drive to the front wheels via a
six-speed automatic gearbox
 with Tiptronic and sport mode. As such, the 408 Turbo will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
9.2 seconds
 before maxing out at
215 km/h
, all while sipping
8.2 litres of fuel per 100 km
.

Also part of the CNY promo is a
5-Year free service
 which covers parts and labour costs. This comes on top of
Peugeot’s 5-Year unlimited mileage warranty
 and Peugeot Protect. Other models eligible for this offer are the 508 THP, 5008 MPV, 308 THP and 2008 Urban SUV.
Any purchase of the aforementioned Peugeot models will grant you access to the Peugeot Lounge at the Subang Airport, Peugeot Privilege membership and Nasim’s 24-hour Peugeot Assistance Service.
If this piece of news piques your interest, be sure to head over to your nearest Peugeot showroom for viewing and test drive! And oh, just in case you’re wondering how much the Peugeot 408 Turbo costs now, it’s
RM86,888
 – from RM119,638 before!
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BMW 6 Series GT wins EuroCar Body Award 2017 – coming to Malaysia soon!

Say whatever you want about the looks of the
BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo
 but there is one aspect of its design you can’t argue against – innovative functionality. The BMW 6 Series GT was just crowned the winner of the 2017 EuroCar Body Award, after the
i8
 in 2014 and
G12 7 Series
 in 2015.
Voted by automobile construction experts from all over the world, the jury decided that the 6 Series GT’s body construction, efficient development and customer benefits provided by the body makes it a clear winner of the prestigious award. The “Gran Turismo” concept was first initiated by the 5 Series GT, which combined the comfort of a luxury sedan, aesthetic appeal of a coupe and unprecedented practicality in a single package.

The 6 Series GT perfected the design concept by reducing overall weight by
150 kg
, stronger structure and improved aerodynamic properties. The jury members were particularly impressed by the design solutions implemented by BMW for the rear end by creating a large single-section tailgate for convenient rear opening with maximum view as well as increasing luggage compartment volume to
 610 litres
; 110 litres more compared to its predecessor.
The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo sets a new benchmark for body design, outshining its rivals in development, construction, production efficiency and customer benefits while satisfying the most rigorous crash safety requirements. If you are just as intrigued by its design as 550 other body experts, have your chequebooks ready because the
6 Series GT is coming to Malaysia real soon
!
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All-new Kia Sportage leaked ahead of Frankfurt debut!

Just moments after Kia Motors released
sketches of their fourth-generation Kia Sportage
, Facebook page
Bobaedream leaked images of the SUV
 that was supposed to make its grand debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
In an era where cameras can easily be fitted into a ballpoint pen, one would think that Kia would go the extra mile by adopting precautionary measures in keeping their concept cars under the radar. However, both leaked photos appear to have originated from a source within the company itself, judging from the sheets of plastic covering the Sportage and other Kia models in sight.
Thanks to these photos, it’s clearer now that the next generation Sportage will bear very little resemblance to the outgoing model, although we don’t necessarily fancy their latest design path. We pray that some parts of the SUV (most notably its front fascia) will see further styling tweaks as the concept progresses, otherwise it may very well lose out to sister company’s new
Hyundai Tucson
. More on this to come, so be sure to stay tuned to
AutoBuzz.my
!
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GWM to set up battery assembly and R&D in Thailand – CKD Ora Good Cat by 2024

Great Wall Motor (GWM)
 has chosen Thailand as the location to set up its new battery pack assembly plant. Costing an estimated total of
$30 million
 (approx.
RM137.7 million
), the new plant will also be responsible for a compact car the company will be producing next year, reported
Reuters
.
Besides the battery pack assembly plant, GWM is also planning to establish a research and development centre in the country, where it might consider developing fully electric pickup trucks, according to Great Wall Motor Thailand managing director, Narong Sritalayon. When fully established, this development hub joins the other 10 similar R&D centres the Chinese carmaker owns globally.
Narong also mentioned that the company’s goal in making this investment in Thailand is to become the region’s main electric vehicle (EV) producer. However, this would depend partially on the subsidies given by the country’s government. The Thai government plans to convert around
30%
 of the country’s annual vehicle production, which is about
2.5 million vehicles
 into EVs by
2030
.
The Heibei-based company launched its
Ora Good Cat
 EV in Thailand in late 2021, which quickly became the top-selling EV in the country last year. The feline-like car is priced from
THB828,500
 (approx.
RM110,013
) onwards according to GWM Thailand’s official site, thanks to the local government’s
THB230,500
 (approx.
RM30,607
) subsidy, which helped keep the EV’s price tag low.
The Ora Good Cat in Thailand is currently a fully-imported unit (CBU). But this will change soon as the EV will be produced locally in Thailand starting next year. In order to meet the government’s incentive scheme requirements for carmakers, GWM will also be attempting to locally source more components such as battery packs, according to Narong.
Setting up a battery pack assembly would require an investment of
THB500 million
 (approx.
RM66,312,230
) to
THB1 billion
 (
RM132,645,537
). This will highly depend on the actual size of the facility, which is said to be finalised by the end of this year.
In his own word, the GWM Managing Director said, “We may become a contract manufacturer of batteries to other (automakers) as well. That would also scale up the capacity of the battery plant.”
This is the GWM Cannon pickup truck. GWM is also considering making EV trucks in the future.
Chinese carmakers – GWM and
BYD
 have been majorly investing in Thailand, the world’s tenth-largest auto manufacturing economy. However, the majority of the country’s domestic market is still dominated by Japanese rivals such as
Toyota
 and
Isuzu
, with pickup trucks contributing to over 50% of sales last year. On the dominance of the Japanese trucks in Thailand, Narong Sritayalon said, “I think there is a lot of things we can learn from Thailand’s unique market for pickup trucks.”


Video: Volvo XC90 T5 7-seater SUV review

The
Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Plus
 comes decked out in the highest trim level available from the Swedish marque, advanced driver assistance systems and a sophisticated hybrid system with
 407 hp
 and
640 Nm
 of torque.
Coupled that with the attractive selling price of RM409k, it makes the RM373,888
Volvo XC90 T5
 not that much of a bargain. But GC Mah thinks that Volvo’s entry-level 7-seater SUV still has its charm and appeal.

Powered by a
simpler
 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, it makes
254 hp
 and 350 Nm of torque in the T5 tune. An 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system allow the XC90 T5 to make the century sprint in
7.9 seconds
 with a top speed of
215 km/h
. Pretty brisk for a two tonne SUV.
Despite losing on some trim pieces here and there, Volvo’s brilliant
IntelliSafe
Advanced Driver Assistance System and
Pilot Assist
 semi-autonomous driving assistant are still featured on the XC90 T5.
While some may argue to go for the T8 Inscription Plus trim for the
mere
 RM36,000 price difference, others would appreciate the no-frills ownership experience (no need to charge the batteries, adapt to PHEV driving style) offered by the no less good looking XC90 T5.


Proton Iriz 1.3 Executive MT & Proton Iriz 1.6 Premium CVT compared

Since its
launch in September 2014
, the amount of
Proton Iriz
 on the road today looks to be steadily increasing. With prices starting from
RM 41,077
 for the basic
1.3 Standard
 all the way up to
RM 61,691
 for the
1.6 Premium
 and combined with charming looks it’s not easy to dismiss the Iriz.
The
1.3
 delivers
 94 hp
 and
120 Nm
 of torque, while the
1.6
 produces
107 hp
 and
150 Nm
 of toque. Both drives the front wheels, via a choice of either a
 5-speed manual
 or a
 CVT
. We got our hands on the range-topping
1.6 Premium
 and a mid-spec
1.3 Executive
 for a closer look and while both might look the same at first glance, there are a few differences to set them apart.
Starting from the front, the heavy nose shares the same
dual grille
 design and
halogen headlamps
. On the 1.3 the
Proton wings
 are finished in matte silver but on the 1.6 it’s chromed. The lower side “intakes” are also different, on the 1.3 it’s blanked out while on the 1.6 it’s adorned with a pair of
LED DRL
. The front skirting are identical but on the 1.6 they’re finished in dual tone, and same goes to the side skirts as well.

Moving to the side, the wheels are the obvious giveaway. The 1.3 is fitted with a
 six-spoke 14-inch alloys
 covered in
175/65 R14 Sime Tyres Synergy M3
 whilst the 1.6 is wearing a hibiscus-inspired
15-inch rims
 wrapped in
195/55 R15 Sime Synergy M5
. The electrically-operated door-mounted side mirrors are the same with integrated turn indicators but on the 1.6 they gain powered folding capability. Additionally, the window frames on the 1.6 are finished in matte black, as opposed to the body coloured window frames on the 1.3.

Finishing it off at the back, both variants look similar (apart from the badges) but on the 1.6 Premium you can spot the tiny
reverse camera
 on top of the rear number plate holder, and the
 roof spoiler
 sports a different design from the 1.3 Executive. Both bumpers are garnished with a diffuser except that on the 1.6 it’s painted in a matte dark brown.

Keyless entry
 is featured on the 1.6 Premium where you can spot the tiny rubberised button on the front door handle to lock and unlock the car. Stepping inside, the 1.3 and 1.6 are differentiated by trim. In the
1.3 Executive
 you get
 fabric seats
, basic head unit that supports
Bluetooth connectivity
,
dual USB ports
,
dual front airbags
, and
all round power windows
.

The
1.6 Premium
 adds
 leather upholstery
, audio controls on the steering wheel,
Android-based 6.2-inch touch screen head unit
 with
GPS navigation
, and
extra four airbags
. It also gets a
push start button
 unlike the 1.3 that requires a jack knife key. Other than that both offers exactly the same storage compartments and
60/40 split-folding rear seats
 with
ISOFIX mounts
.

The Iriz appears to be a great value for money especially the 1.6 Premium variant with best-in-class safety equipment, but how is it like to drive? Check out the full review here, and don’t forget to watch
 GC & Jenn’s adventure
 with the Iriz to the heart of Malaysia!

VIDEO GALLERY
IMAGE GALLERY
Iriz 1.6 Premium CVT

Iriz 1.3 Executive Manual

Iriz 1.6 Premium CVT & Iriz 1.3 Executive Manual


2023 Proton X90 unveiled ahead of launch – 4 variants, hybrid powertrain only

Approaching its 40th-anniversary celebration this year,
Proton
 will soon launch the
Proton X90
, its first new energy vehicle, and its third SUV. Full details of the Proton X90 will be revealed upon launch, but for now, Proton has already unveiled its new SUV and announced that there will be four variants to choose from – Standard, Executive, Premium, and Flagship.
Based on the Geely Haoyue, most of us already have a grasp of what Proton’s new SUV would look like. Being a Proton model, the large SUV sports the brand’s signature Infinite weave grille, albeit an evolved one. Perched on the grille is the latest iteration of the Proton emblem.
The Proton X90 will be available in both 6-seater and 7-seater configurations. The former will be equipped with captain seats, adding a dash of luxury to Proton’s upcoming new SUV.
Powering the Proton X90 will be a 48V mild hybrid system that consists of a 1.5-litre TGDI engine and an electric drive component. The system is said to be 15% more fuel efficient than its pure-petrol version. Combined, the system makes
190 hp
 (metric) and
300 Nm
. The 48V system provides an additional boost of
13 hp
 (metric) and
45 Nm
. Paired with a 7-speed DCT, Proton says that the powertrain has received accolades in China and the Philippines.
RELATED:
2023 Proton X90 – Several ‘Proton-first’ features debut – What are they?
The Proton X90 also introduces new safety features to the brand such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), and Traffic Sign Information (TSI). These features will most likely find their way into other Proton models eventually.
Speaking at the media preview, Proton Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Li Chunrong said, “Proton is proud to continue playing a leading role in the development of the local automotive industry. With our commitment to “Intelligence That Empowers,” we are introducing the Proton X90 as our first mid-hybrid model, showcasing innovative technologies and intelligent solutions that empower our customers. The 48V EMS System delivers improved fuel efficiency, performance, and reduced emissions, and represents our first step into the New Energy Vehicle segment.”
Customers eager to get a first-hand look at the new Proton X90 SUV will have their chance during a series of preview sessions across six cities starting 8 April 2023. The sessions will provide the public with an opportunity to view the vehicle and its features and for those eager to book a unit of the newest Proton model, order books will soon be open so keep a lookout for the announcement. Proton has also yet to announce the Proton X90’s launch date.
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Audi A4 B9 Sedan & Avant unveiled: Bigger, lighter and more tech [+Video]

Trust us, you’re looking at the all-new Audi A4 here. The conservative styling might trick you into thinking it’s a mere facelift, but the familiar styling hides a larger overall profile and cutting-edge technology to battle against the BMW 3 Series and the Merc C-Class.
It has been more than two decades since the
first generation B5 A4
 rolled off Audi’s Ingolstadt plant in
1994
; now Audi’s compact executive is entering its
fifth generation
 with the introduction of the
B9 A4
. It might not look like it but the new A4 is
bigger
 than before but at the same time it’s
lighter
 by up to 120 kg as well.
EXTERIOR
Is it really the new A4? Of course it is, the
 sharp headlamps
 are the dead giveaway, and they can be had with
LED
 or the snazzy
Matrix LED
 innards for better illumination. From the side it’s even harder to tell, but the
side mirror stalks
 are now
 mounted on the doors
 instead of the corner of the front windows. The back looks, well, familiar, but there’s a more sculpted pair of tail lights and additional light features lower down on the bumper as well.
Believe it or not, Audi has poured in a lot of effort with the design to achieve the
 lowest drag coefficient value
 possible. The bits like the above-mentioned side mirror stalks position, the front intakes that regulates the air flow over the wheels, and the aerodynamically-optimised underbody help to achieve the
 Cd value of 0.23
 for the Sedan and 0.26 for the Avant.

Physically, it has grown in size. At
4,730 mm long
,
1,840 mm wide
, and
1,430 mm high
, the B9 A4 is around
30 mm longer
, almost
20 mm wider
, and slightly taller than the outgoing B8 A4. The wheelbase has also increased by around 20 mm.
INTERIOR
The grown dimension translates to a
roomier interior
, freeing up more head room, shoulder room, and rear passengers’ leg room while the
A4 Avant
 offers even more space at the back, ranging from
505 litres to 1,510 litres
 with the back seats folded down.
The lavish use of horizontal lines also help to increase the impression of more space inside the cabin. The dashboard appears to be stretched lengthwise, especially with the use of the
continuous air vent strip
 on the passenger side.

The stunning
12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit
 that debuted in the TT is available as an option, but there’s still another
MMI screen
 on the dash that measures
up to 8.3 inches
 to display the navigation and infotainment info. Controlling the MMI screen is via the
rotary controller
 with optional
touch function
. There’s also a smarter
voice control system
 that’s claimed to be able to understand the normal everyday speech.
An
Audi phone box
 under the center arm rest utilises
near-field communication
 (NFC) connectivity with wireless charging and it supports
Apple and Android operating systems
. More options include a
Head-Up Display
,
ambient lighting with up to 30 colours
, a
Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound
, and also
Android-based 10.1-inch tablet
 for the rear passengers.
PERFORMANCE
A choice of
three petrol
 and
four diesel
 engines (all turbocharged) are provided, driving either the
front or all four wheels
 via a selection of a
six-speed manual
,
seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic
, or an
eight-speed tiptronic
 gearboxes.
The smallest engine of the bunch is a
1,395 cc 4-cylinder
 with
 150 hp
 and
250 Nm
. The
1.4 TFSI
 will get from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
8.9 seconds
 and it has a
 top speed
 of
210 km/h
. When mated to the S tronic transmission, the 1.4 TFSI sips just
4.9 litres per 100 km
.
Sitting above it is a
1,984 cc 4-cylinder
 with two different states of tune. The base
2.0 TFSI
 generates
190 hp
 and
320 Nm
, while another version generates
252 hp
 and
370 Nm
(the same one in the coming
A6 facelift
). The acceleration time from
0 to 100 km/h
 is
7.3 seconds
 for the former and
5.8 seconds
 for the latter. The higher-powered 2.0 TFSI has a
top speed
 of
250 km/h
 while the other one has a 10 km/h slower top speed. The 2.0 TFSI has a
fuel consumption
 of around
4.8 to 5.7 litres per 100 km
.
The
diesel
 A4 lineup consists of a 2.0 TDI and a 3.0 TDI with two different power outputs each. The base
 1,968 cc 4-cylinder
 produces
150 hp
 and
320 Nm
 while another one generates
190 hp
 and
400 Nm
, and it drinks around
3.8 to 4.2 litres per 100 km
.
Depending on the gearbox pairing, the base 2.0 TDI can get from
0 to 100 km/h
 as quick as
8.7 seconds
 while the more powerful 2.0 TDI gets there
1.0 second quicker
 than the base 2.0 TDI. The 150 hp 2.0 TDI has a
top speed
 of
219 km/h
, while the 190 hp 2.0 TDI maxes out at
237 km/h
.
The
2,967 cc six-cylinder diesel
 in the
3.0 TDI
 develops either
218 hp
 and
400 Nm
 or
272 hp
 and a dizzying
600 Nm
. The latter is able to sprint from
0 to 100 km/h
 in just
5.3 seconds
, with the
top speed
 limited to
250 km/h
. The fuel consumption is rated from
4.2 to 5.1 litres per 100 km
.
SAFETY
Fitted as standard is the
attention assist
 that alerts distracted drivers and
Audi pre sense city
 that warns and brakes the car when it senses imminent collision. It can be enhanced with the
Audi pre sense basic
 that helps to tighten the seatbelts, close the windows, and activate the hazards lights whenever it detects unstable driving conditions.
Making use of the
 sensors and radars
 around the car, the new A4 can be a semi-autonomous driving vehicle when fitted with the optional
Stop&Go adaptive cruise control
 including
traffic-jam assist
. There’s also a lane departure warning system called the
Audi active lane assist
 and
Audi side assist
, while the
rear cross-traffic assist
,
collision avoidance assist
, and
parking assist
 are some of the new systems available as option.

WHAT ELSE?
The
A4 Sedan
 and the
A4 Avant
 is set for a
European launch
 this
fall
, and later next year Audi will launch the
A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI g-tron
 that can run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or Audi e-gas that produces
170 hp
 and
270 Nm
, but we all know that you’re eagerly waiting for the hotter
S4
 and the
RS4
 models, right?
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi A4 B9 Sedan

Audi A4 B9 Avant


Grab and Lyft integration allows users to book rides in the US & SEA

If you have the Grab app in your smartphone, you can now use it to book Lyft rides in the U.S. The two-way integration with Lyft also means Lyft users can book Grab rides in Southeast Asia (SEA). In whole, Grab-Lyft integration will provide users with access to rideshare services in 30 cities across six countries in SEA and 200 U.S. cities.
“Grab has always put the freedom of choice, flexibility and convenience in the hands of our customers, including providing a seamless travel experience across borders, as we seek to outserve our users. Southeast Asia is a huge growth market for international visitors and we welcome our American friends and travellers from the U.S. to experience ride-hailing via taxis and cars in our region.” said
 Tan Hooi Ling
,
Co-Founder of Grab
.
Lyft’s Head of International Product
,
 Kristina Gibson
 said, “As more and more people travel to and from the U.S. and Southeast Asia, our work with Grab gives travellers peace of mind when abroad. It’s as easy as opening up the app you already know and love, requesting a ride and jetting off to where you need to be.”
This is the first two-way integration to go live in the
global rideshare agreement
 between
Didi Chuxing
,
Grab
,
Lyft
, and
Ola
 that was announced in
December 2015
. The roaming integration enables international travelers to
access local on-demand rides without worry
 of local currency, language, downloading a new app or setting up new payment accounts.
All rides are cashless
 and transacted
via credit card or alternative payment options
 such as PayPal wallet, enabling for a seamless ride experience.


The Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster is here for your maximum listening pleasure

In case agent double-o-seven ever needed a car for a holiday trip in Spain,
Aston Martin
 has unveiled the perfect car for the job – the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster. But as special as Mr. Bond is, he’d still need to be lucky enough to be one of the 249 customers who have already reserved all 249 units of the V12 Vantage Roadster.
Unveiled during the Monterey Car Week, the V12 Vantage Roadster is the flagship of the Vantage range. Like the V12 Vantage Coupe, the V12 Vantage Roadster is 40mm wider than the ‘normal’ V8
Aston Martin Vantage
.
The V12 Roadster also features a new front bumper design and a dramatic rear wing that comes as standard. Customers who wish for a subtler appearance can opt out of the dramatic spoiler, and Aston Martin assures that will not significantly affect the aerodynamic balance of the car. Standard on the Vantage V12 Roadster is a set of 21-inch wheels, although an optional lightweight forged wheel option is available. Wrapping both standard and optional wheels are a set of
Michelin
 Pilot 4S tyres.
As the name suggests, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster houses a sonorous 5.2-litre V12 engine that produces a total of
700 hp
 and
753 Nm
. The beauty of the roadster is that you can now clearly hear all 12 cylinders harmoniously at work. The V12 engine is paired to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a
3.5 seconds
0-60 mph (98 km/h) time, or only 0.1 second slower than the coupe counterpart. A mechanical LSD is fitted in the rear, and the V12 Vantage Roadster comes with Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) as standard.
RELATED:
Aston Martin KL reveals customised Vantage “Bohemian Edition”
Naturally for convertibles, the V12 Vantage Roadster is a bit heavier than its coupe counterpart. But even with all lightweight options selected on the Roadster, it weighs a total of just 1,855 kg, or only 60 kg heavier than the V12 Vantage Coupe (1,795 kg). Standard lightweight components on the roadster include:
Carbon fibre front bumper, clamshell bonnet, front fenders, and side sills
Weight-saving composite material rear bumper and deck lid
Lightweight battery
1mm thick stainless-steel exhaust (7.2 kg lighter than V8 Vantage)
Carbon Ceramic Brake (CCB) (23kg lighter than steel brakes)
RELATED:
The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a 700 hp swan song to mark the end of an era
Other optional weight-saving components include:
Carbon Fibre Seats with manual adjustment (7.2kg lighter than Sports Plus Seats)
Lightweight forged wheels (total 8kg lighter than standard wheels)
Inside the cabin, the V12 Vantage Roadster offers Sports Plus Seats trimmed in full semi-aniline leather as standard. All 249 customers who have reserved the V12 Vantage Roadster can also engage with ‘Q’, Aston Martin’s bespoke personalisation service to further boost the exclusivity of their car.
RELATED:
Aston Martin DBX “The One Edition” launched in Malaysia from RM1.1 million
Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, Roberto Fedeli said, “We have worked extremely hard to ensure the V12 Vantage Roadster possesses the same potency and dynamism that characterises the V12 Vantage, while surpassing it in terms of raw sensory excitement that you only achieve with roof down driving.
“With more power and torque than any Vantage Roadster before it, a wide-track chassis with precisely tuned suspension calibration, and up to ten times the downforce of the series production Vantage Roadster, this is a breathtaking machine created for our most enthusiastic customers”.
Production of the V12 Vantage Roadster is due to commence in Q3 of 2022, with first deliveries scheduled to begin during Q4 2022.

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Lexus has set a new global sales record for 2019

Driven by double-digit growth in China, Europe and Japan, Lexus achieved a new global sales record of 765,330 units over the calendar year of 2019, which is an increase of 10% compared to 2018.
The upturn in sales was attributed to the positive reception of the all-new
UX crossover
, and the popularity of the redesigned
ES sedan
 and the facelifted
RX SUV
, as well as the growth in the Chinese luxury segment.
“Based on our ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision, we will expand our line-up of electrified vehicles starting with the launch of our first BEV production model, the
UX300e
. We will further evolve the Lexus DNA to achieve the ideal balance of ride comfort and quietness with driver confidence and engagement.
The all-electric LF-30 concept previews Lexus’ future line-up.
By applying advanced Lexus technologies such as the integrated control of drive power, learned over many years developing electric motor control technologies in our hybrid vehicles, we will provide an inspiring and enjoyable driving experience unique to Lexus,” said Lexus International President Koji Sato.
In a year where the premium segment contracted in Malaysia,
Lexus Malaysia
 achieved a sales total of
918 units over 2019
, which is slightly lower than the 1,011 units achieved in 2018.


Ferrari prototype spied – could this be the new V6 hybrid?

After launching five new models – the
 F8 Spider
,
812 GTS
,
the Roma
, the
SF90 Stradale
 and the
F8 Tributo
– last year, it seems this year would be a slightly quieter one for Ferrari…or is it?
Two years ago, we
shared news on what looks like a Ferrari 488

test mule in Fiorano
, pulling away in
complete silence
 – fueling further anticipation on the V6 hybrid powerplant Ferrari confirmed in 2018 it would develop. It would be the first time Ferrari has introduced a V6 engine since the 1970s.

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A post shared by CocheSpias (@cochespias)
Well it seems the same car has resurfaced and was spied making its rounds at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track once again. You’ve seen the hybrid bit of the prototype in our previous article, this time the test mule displayed its V6 qualities, based on the noise emitted at least.
Word is that
the new Ferrari could be called the Dino
 – reviving the moniker from the late 60s, early 70s model named after Enzo Ferrari’s son. Foreign reports have also claimed that the new V6 engine could be derived from
Alfa Romeo’s 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
 fitted into the Giulia Quadrifoglio; only time will tell.
Recently, Ferrari announced that its factories in Modena and Maranello are gradually returning to full production with the
Monza SP2
 as the first car to come off the production line since the start of the country’s lockdown.
Source:
Instagram


We can’t wait for BMW’s legendary CSL badge to be back, but it won’t be on the M3

Not even a full day of reveling in the magnificence of the a new Genesis and this pops up in the news.
After over three decades, BMW is no stranger to making hardcore sports coupes/sedans. Generation after generation, E30 M3 and the six-cylinder M3’s have been our firm favourite. As kids from the late 80’s, the E46 M3 CSL was probably the most hardcore M3 in our books growing up – before the bigger V8 E92s came into the picture with some powertrain variety.
Word is that BMW is about to revive the almost forgotten namesake again since 2004 – snatching away the introduction of the day, the
Genesis G70’s
bright but brief spotlight. Sure they may be of different classes, but you can’t stay on top without beating everyone and everything along the way. We’ve not even gotten over how good looking the “
almost M2
” is yet!
This time however, the
BMW M2 that we sampled in South Korea
 just a few months back will bear the prestigious tag – one that is synonymous with brute and raw forces according to reports by UK’s leading auto site,
Autocar
. Hardly surprising as the M2 has been the sportcars of choice to ply the safety car role – formerly with the
Moto GP
 and in the future, in the
24-hour LeMans
.
If we know and remember the CSL correctly, expect the M2, which was
bestowed to the Malaysian public just last year
, to follow the former CSL’s stripped out form with no creature comforts and loads of carbon fibre bits, as the swansong model of the current-generation M2. With
reports of an impending facelifted M2
, expect this to come not long after.
Autocar
 also reported that performance figures will likely be in the 400 hp ball park with their sources claiming that it would inherit the powerplant of the current M3 and M4. It also quoted in its report that BMW had been encouraged to produce the M2 CSL due to sales figures which have exceeded beyond expectations.
Source:
Autocar.co.uk
Cover photo:
BMW Blog


Perodua registered 20,299 units in November, targets 30k this month!

Perodua expected to deliver more than the 20,299 units it recorded in November, but intermittent disruption has impacted production and thus deliveries to customers. Compared to last month’s figure of 27,858, which was the
company’s record
 thus far, it was a 27.1% decline.
As such, Perodua is aiming for 30,000 units registrations in December. With a full uninterrupted working month (as the Christmas public holiday is on a Saturday) as well as internal countermeasures in place, the company also hopes the record sales figure will end 2021 with over 200,000 units of sales.
President and CEO, Perodua, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “We wish to apologise for the delay in delivery and thank all our customers for their support and patience, especially in the most challenging year so far. We are working with the automotive ecosystem to overcome these issues,”
On the
new Perodua Myvi
, Dato’ Zainal said the company has accumulated 14,600 orders as of December 2 nd, of which, 7,189 orders were converted from the previous variants. For the first eleven months of 2021, Perodua has sold 42,288 Myvi models.
The Perodua Alza 5+2 has been in service in Malaysia for over a decade. With the all-new Daihatsu Xenia featuring a new front-wheel drive layout be the basis for the new MPV?
Dato’ Zainal also spoke about next year’s preliminary sales target of
240,000 units
, a figure that was first presented for
2020

and then again for

2021
. Before the global pandemic affected the world, Perodua in 2019 sold 240,341 units.
“We believe that the worst is behind us in terms of Covid-19 related lockdowns– Insya Allah – and while there are other risks in the market, we foresee the year 2022 as a year of recovery. The 240,000 registration number is important as we want to grow the Malaysian automotive ecosystem,”
In case you missed it, Perodua also launched their first turbocharged model, the Ativa, earlier this year, priced from under RM62k
“With this growth, we expect to see auto component purchase to be back to around RM6.5 billion for next year. We will share the total number of purchased component parts for this year in January,” said Dato’ Zainal.
The company will announce a more accurate forecast in late January 2022, together with a briefing on its 2021 sales and after-sales performance.


Fifth McLaren LT model teased, 600LT Spider?

McLaren Automotive has just teased their upcoming product launch on 16 January 2019, hinted as the fifth model to carry the Longtail (LT) name. Based on the single teaser image, no doubt the British supercar maker is pointing towards the McLaren 600LT Spider.
Judging from the top mounted exhaust system and engine bay cover that are unique to the
600LT
, the new model should be a Spider alternative of the 600LT based on the flying buttress line that cuts the engine bay cover for the retractable roof mechanism.
While the company has not revealed the new car’s official name, we are almost certain that it will be called the 600LT Spider because such a clinical company like McLaren are not the kind who complicate their model line up.
The standard 600LT Coupe is powered by the M838 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 pushing out
600 hp
 and
620 Nm
 of torque. Expect the Spider version to have the same century sprint time of
2.9 seconds
 – equal to the
675LT
 mind you – but sprint to the 200 km/h a touch slower than
8.2 seconds
 due to the weight penalty from a folding roof mechanism. Top Speed should also be close to the Coupe’s
328 km/h
 figure.
What makes the 600LT Coupe the most extreme Super Series is the 100 kg weight savings compared to a standard 570S, lighter and stiffer suspension components from the
720S
 as well as optimised aerodynamic performance for greater cornering grip and high-speed stability. The Spider version will follow this same ethos and recipe.


Nissan Ariya Limited revealed, featuring carpets with Zen garden motif

After a
public premiere
 at last year’s Nissan Next brand event, Nissan has officially opened the order books for the Nissan Ariya fully-electric crossover in Japan. In line with the current demand for online tools and services, customers can pre-order the Ariya without travelling to the dealership.
The Nissan Ariya is a breakaway from the usual Nissan design language, with the stylish crossover a combination of many Japanese aesthetics that Nissan calls Timeless Japanese Futurism.
Dimensionally similar to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Nissan Ariya’s variant planning is straightforward with 2WD or AWD powertrains and two different battery sizes.
The base variant Ariya B6 2WD has
218 hp
 /
300 Nm
 and does the century sprint in
7.5 seconds
 and return a range of 450 km via the 63-kWh battery. A larger 87-kWh battery (or B9 naming) provides the furthest range of
610 km
.
Meanwhile, the range-topping Ariya B9 AWD does the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just
5.1 seconds
 thanks to the dual-motor system output of
394 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque. The range, all estimates, is expected to reach 580 km.
Nissan will also debut their latest electric all-wheel drive system

e-4ORCE technology in the Ariya. Engineers developed the e-4ORCE technology to specifically manage electric vehicle power output, steering tracing and braking performance to be smooth and stable.
Another benefit of the e-4ORCE technology is minimising vehicle pitch and dive. This was accomplished by employing regenerative braking from both front and rear motors, making city stop-and-go traffic less jostling. Similarly, on rough, bumpy roads and when accelerating, motor control is optimized to maintain ride comfort by minimising irregular movement.
To coincide with the domestic launch, the Nissan Ariya will have a limited edition variant with two-tone paintwork (Burgundy or Shell Blonde) as well as bronze-coloured 19-inch wheel covers. Inside, the limited-edition model also gets a panoramic glass roof, a 10-speaker BOSE sound system and seats upholstered with premium Nappa leather in blue.
The luxurious floor carpets meanwhile convey both traditional Japanese beauty and a zen-like feeling from the Japanese stone garden motif. Imagine using your toes to simulate ‘raking’ of the sand while waiting to charge the Ariya. With the domestic CHAdeMo charging system at 130 kW power, 30 minutes of usage will top up about 375 km of range in the Ariya.
Cruising on the expressways is made a little easier in the Nissan Ariya with the availability of the ProPilot 2.0. Apart from hands-free single-lane cruising, the technology also supports automated lane changes, overtaking as well as highway exiting, when possible. The Nissan Ariya will also come with ProPilot Remote Park, turning the Ariya into a full-sized remote-control car.
The ProPilot Remote Park feature is only available at parking speeds, where the driver can move the Ariya into tight parking spaces while standing outside.
Pricing for the Ariya Limited Edition starts from
6.6 million Yen

(approx. RM248,554)
 for the B6 2WD, all the way to 7.9 million Yen (approx. RM297,512) for the B9 e-4ORCE AWD. A standard variant priced from 5 million Yen (approx. RM188,299) after government subsidies will be available later.
For reference, the most popular
Nissan Leaf
 retails at 4 million Yen and Lexus’ UX300e starts from 5.8 million Yen. The compact
Honda e
 meanwhile starts from 4.5 million yen.
GALLERY
Nissan Ariya Limited Edition

Nissan Ariya


2020 Mazda2 facelift launched – refreshed styling and added tech, RM104k!

In conjunction with the 100-year anniversary of the Mazda brand, Bermaz Motor has officially unveiled the
2020 Mazda2 facelift
on our shores, and is now available for booking.
The 2020 Mazda2 facelift is now only available with a single specification, in both hatchback and sedan body styles. The updated Mazda2 is priced from
RM103,670
, which is an increase of over RM9,000 over the pre-facelift model.
Mechanically, no changes were made to the SkyActiv-G 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. As before, power output is rated at
114 hp
 and
149 Nm
 of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with manual shift mode.
New to the 2020 Mazda2 is the
GVC Plus
 torque vectoring system, which uses brakes individually on each wheels in response to throttle and steering input, in addition to varying the engine torque output, to enhance handling performance of the car.
Styling wise, the facelift includes a new front grille design in line with Mazda’s newer “seventh-generation products”, such as the
Mazda3
 and
CX-30
, along with a cleaner slim-line front and rear bumper design.
Inside, the Mazda2 receives an updated seven-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system, which now supports
Apple CarPlay
 and
 Android Auto
.
The interior trim has also been reupholstered in a blue-gray leather, while the seats also receive a new sculpture to provide more resistance to head movements, improving the driver’s sense of balance.
Mazda also says that the driving experienced has been enhanced with a “human-centered” philosophy. The suspension setup has been tuned for smoother vehicle movement and comfort, while the gearbox has also been tuned for smoother acceleration which minimises head and body movements of the passenger.
Otherwise, the kit arsenal remains unchanged. This includes full-LED auto-levelling headlights with LED daytime running lights, and bulb-type rear combination lights, along with newly-designed 16-inch alloy wheels.
The hatchback variant gets LED reverse and rear fog lights, while the sedan remains bulb illuminated. The hatchback bodystyle also gets a rear spoiler as standard.
Inside, the Mazda2 features keyless entry and start, coloured head-up display, paddle shifters, and single-zone climate control system.
Safety wise, the Mazda2 remains unchanged with two front airbags, ABS with EBD, dynamic stability control, traction control, hill launch assist, emergency brake assist, and emergency stop signal. The Mazda2 does not come with any advance driver assist features.
The Mazda2 hatchback is available in 10 exterior colour options – Ceramic Metallic, Deep Crystal Blue, Eternal Blue Mica, Jet Black, Machine Gray, Polymetal Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Soul Red Crystal, and Titanium Flash.
The sedan bodystyle meanwhile is available with 8 – with the omission of Deep Crystal Blue and Polymetal Gray. The
 Soul Red Crystal
 shade is a
RM500 premium
 on either body styles.
As with all other Mazda vehicles, the Mazda2 comes with a
five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty
and
five-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance
, inclusive of parts, lubricants, and labour.
IMAGE GALLERY


Lamborghini Centenario, a fitting tribute to its tractor-building founder [+Video]

Ferruccio Lamborghini, born in 1916, was a visionary man. The Italian industrialist had begun manufacturing his own grand tourer when he discovered that Ferraris weren’t to his tastes, so the tractor builder built his own sports car. And the rest they say, is history.
Fast forward today, Lamborghini is paying tribute to the 100th anniversary of their late founder with the unveiling of the Lamborghini Centenario. The Centenario was not named after a fighting bull (not like other Lambos). Instead, it means “centenary” in Spanish. Based on the
Aventador
, the car made its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Armed with razor sharp carbon fibre bodywork, ultra-low stance and humongous rear diffusers that’s designed to produce as much downforce as possible, the Centenario is probably the Aventador’s perfect form.

The Centenario remains a pure naturally aspirated bull, powered by a
6.5-litre V12
 that pushes out
760 hp
 and
 690 Nm
 of torque. Power is channelled to all
 four wheels
. This translates to a nought to 100km/h sprint time of
2.8 seconds
 and a top speed of
347 km/h
. The Centenario’s stopping power is equally ludicrous; the active rear wing and carbon-ceramic brakes can bring the Centenario to a standstill from 298 km/h in just
290 meters
!
At
£1.6million
(RM8.4million based on today’s conversion rates) per pop, only
40 units
 (20 each for the coupe and convertible) will ever be made. Each of the 40 units will have its own identity, personalised through Lamborghini’s Ad Personam programme. As expected of this ultra exclusive model, all units have been snapped up long before it even debuted at Geneva.
So, the least we can do now is to watch this video of the Centenario in all its glory, bombing through the Nardo circuit. Without a doubt, the Centenario is a perfect car to pay tribute to its charismatic founder. Not bad for a man who once made a living out of making tractors, eh?
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda CX-90 teased ahead of 31 January launch – 3.3L turbo I6 engine with 345 hp!

Mazda’s new SUV product offence is now in full force. After the launch of the
Mazda CX-50
and
CX-60
 in 2021 and 2022 respectively, the Japanese carmaker is now following up with its next big entry, the CX-90, which will be making its official debut on
31 January 2023
.
Ahead of its launch, Mazda has now released several teaser videos in an attempt to build up hype for the large three-row SUV. As usual, the teasers still keep basically everything under wraps. But in a short press release released by Mazda, the company did reveal something very important – the CX-90’s powertrain.
Image: Mazda
We’ve known for a while now that Mazda is planning to
equip its new SUV line-up with inline-six engines
, and we now finally have a taste of what’s coming. Underneath the bonnet of the upcoming Mazda CX-90 will be an all-new 3.3-litre turbocharged inline-six e-Skyactiv mild-hybrid engine, with the drive sent to the wheels via a “rear-biased” all-wheel drive system.
Dubbed as Mazda’s most powerful mass production petrol engine, the 3.3-litre turbocharged mill will make up to
345 hp
 and
500 Nm
of torque “when using the recommended premium fuel”. There will also be a plug-in hybrid variant, although no details on that were revealed yet.
RELATED:
Mazda MX-30 R-EV – The rotary engine returns, but not how you wanted it
Image: Mazda/YouTube
Aside from the engines, Mazda also says that the automatic gearbox has been completely redesigned. Thanks to its smaller footprint, the Japanese carmaker says it was able to fit a “sports car” suspension to the car to deliver a more performance-focused driving experience.
And to tie it all off, the Mazda CX-90 will also be equipped with the Kinematic Posture Control (KPC) system to “maintain Mazda’s signature driving dynamics”, despite it being a massive three-row crossover. The KPC system, first introduced on the MX-5 Miata, uses minute and accurate brake applications on individual wheels to help the cars feel more balanced and planted while exiting from corners.
All of these just sounds like Mazda still really wants to build a sports car, but the market demands an SUV, so it’s doing what it can to achieve both of that – at the same time. Kudos if they can pull it off, though.
The inline-six engines will likely be Mazda’s final combustion powerplants, before the marque fully devotes itself to electrification. While they’ve already taken a first step into fully-electric BEVs with the
MX-30
, it seems Mazda is still
 taking it slow with full EVs
 based on their electrification timeline, as they’re only
killing off pure EVs from 2030 onwards
 – hybrid models are still on the cards.


This “First Edition” BMW M850i xDrive Coupe makes you ache for it

Remember the
Night Sky Edition
 of the
BMW M850i xDrive
 Coupe that was garnished with materials from outer space?
BMW has followed up with another new unveiling and it’s called the
 “First Edition” M850i xDrive Coupe
 – not exactly out of this world, but it isn’t any less spectacular.
The First Edition, which is due to be launched in June 2019, is set to be garnished with BMW Individuals cream of the crop items.
It will be finished in BMW Individual’s special Frozen Barcelona Blue metallic paint finish while the kidney grille, window surrounds, air vents and tailpipes are finished in black.
Under the arches are 20-inch M light alloy wheels finished in Jet Black, while other M items such as a carbon fibre roof and other exterior trims are included.
Inside the First Edition is also furnished with BMW Individual items but at first glance, it really doesn’t look all that different from your standard 8-series save for the prominent First Edition lettering and serial number on the centre console.
Notable items on the equipment list includes an M leather-wrapped steering wheel, alcantara roof lining and a banging Bower & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.
Only 400 units of the BMW M850i xDrive First Edition will be made with only 10 units allocated for the UK market, at 121k pounds (approx RM636k) each.


Aston Martin: What next after 102 years? More V12s of course!

What does it take for a centenarian to push his own cart? Well, the folks at Gaydon will quite convincingly say “all you need is a V12” as they present their second century strategy for further growth and development helmed by new CEO Dr Andy Palmer.
The 102-year old British sports and grand touring carmaker will hold the Aston Martin Estate – an exclusive private venue at Pebble Beach, California on 13 August 2015 to some 1,000 friends and customers. These visitors will get a glimpse into some of the brand’s latest cars, including the DBX Concept (the GT crossover pictured below) which
received interest beyond expectations
 when it debuted at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Aston Martin has just
confirmed that the DBX
 will go into production, a move which will see the brand competing in the blazing crossover territory. Its road to creation also signals at Andy Palmer’s vision to develop the company’s strongest and most diverse product portfolio in its history. At this time of writing, the DBX Concept remains an
all-electric vehicle
, with individual electric motors powering each wheel. There’s no word on what engine will be thrown up front, but the four-seat GT crossover will be
environmentally responsible
. Goodbye V12, perhaps?
Nevertheless, the Estate will be paraded by some of Aston’s most vicious V12 monsters to date, namely the
6.0-litre DB9 GT
,
7.0-litre Vulcan
 and the 5.9-litre V12 Lagonda Taraf super saloon – a model hand built by the company’s finest men and women at Gaydon, under the very roof that gave birth to every One-77 supercar.
The very exclusive Aston Martin Estate
Say, not bad for a company that has survived two crippling world wars and a bankruptcy, right?
IMAGE GALLERY


Kia expands Johor network with the new Kia Tampoi 3S Centre

Naza Kia Malaysia, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, in partnership with authorised dealer Supreme Priority Sdn. Bhd. has just unveiled their latest 3S centre in Tampoi, Johor Bahru.
With a built-up area of 18,000 square feet, the 3S centre is capable of displaying a total of seven vehicles on the showroom floor, and further accommodate a monthly throughput of 100 vehicles with its
two service bays.
The new Kia Tampoi 3S centre will be joining the existing 5 outlets in Johor, and will be able to service Kia customers from Tampoi New Village, Skudai, Nusajaya and Larkin.
Naza Corporation Holdings Deputy Group CEO of the Automotive Group, Mr. R. Devaraju, said that “Johor has been a significant market for us as 90% of Korean car owners here own a Kia.” Mr. Devaraju also added that they are also planning on enhancing and extending the reach of their current network of 45 outlets nationwide.
In the RM5 million investment, Supreme Priority Sdn. Bhd. has outfitted the Kia Tampoi 3S centre with sales, service and spare parts facilities. There is also a customers’ lounge, kids’ area, meeting room, surau, parts storage room, washings bays and ample parking spaces for customers.
 The Kia Tampoi 3S Centre is located at
Lot 703, No. 58, Jalan Tampoi, Tampoi New Village, 81200 Johor Bahru
, and is now open for you to check out the latest Kia vehicle line-up and service your Kia vehicles.


You’ll soon be able to buy a Volvo from Ingress

The name ‘Ingress’ is perhaps more synonymous with the blue and white roundel, but you’ll soon be able to acquire and service a Volvo at its facility as Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has appointed Ingress Swede Automobile as its newest ‘dealer-partner’.
The new 3S centre (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) will be located at Mutiara Damansara, occupying the space where the Proton Edar Platinum showroom previously resided, a stone’s throw away from IKEA, The Curve and Ikano retail complexes. The showroom is expected to operational within the next couple of months.
Nalin Jain, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia aims to transform the Swedish brand in Malaysia.
Volvo Car Malaysia is strengthening its dealership network across the country as part of the brand’s transformation plan which was kickstarted earlier this year. “As a people-centric brand, we would like to ensure that we consistently deliver a premium and holistic experience to our customers throughout their ownership journey,” said Nalin Jain, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia.

Fancy buying your next Volvo from Ingress?
Ingress Swede Automobile is a subsidiary of publicly listed Ingress Corporation Bhd which has a core business of manufacturing automotive components across the ASEAN region


Rolls-Royce unveils bespoke version of the Wraith – History Of Rugby edition

Super-luxury British brand Rolls-Royce has brought out yet another bespoke edition of the
Wraith
. This edition is dedicated to the history of rugby. Roller’s Bespoke Team have been hard at work creating an all-Brit affair this new edition embodies. From the colour schemes to the upholstery, everything is there to remind you what the theme stands for.
This bespoke Wraith is steeped in history and can be compared to the time when the two pioneers of the brand set out to
 rewrite
 the rules for what a motor car should
represent
, and what the best car in the world should be able to do. In
1823
, one young man blazed a similar trail in establishing the game of
rugby
 –
William Webb Ellis

Rugby School
 in Warwickshire was founded in
1567
, where a plaque still stands today to tell Ellis’ story and mark the point in time where
rugby’s history began
.

The Roller’s exterior is adorned with a brilliantly finished white paint job, but not just any regular white. This shade of white will be familiar to followers of English rugby. The colour scheme of
English White
 pays homage to the white rugby shirt worn at
 Rugby School
, a tradition continued till today by the England rugby team. The shoulder line of the front fender bears the
red rose
 which is expertly applied by hand at
Goodwood
.
It’s business as usual on the Roller interior with only the choicest
bull’s hide
 tanned in
Seashell White
 and Navy Blue for contrast. Where you’d normally find the ‘
Double-R
‘ insignia stitched to the
headrest
, here you will find the very same red rose regalia on the fenders sewn onto the headrests in Hotspur Red. The theme ensues onto the
dashboard
 panel,
seat
 as well as the
door piping
.
Regional Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Europe, James Crichton said “This truly unique Wraith
emphasises
 vision and individuality, inspired by the role it plays within a team. While the game of rugby may have been inspired by the act of one individual, it is one of the
world’s most popular team sports
. In a similar vein, this one car represents the efforts of the team of engineers and craftspeople working at the Home of Rolls-Royce in
Goodwood
, producing the most individual motor cars in the world.”
IMAGE GALLERY


The Goodyear reCharge Concept lets you replace your tyres with a pill

Goodyear is no stranger to science fiction-esque concepts, such as the
photosynthesis tyre
, and the
Aero flying car tyre
. Like the term “concept” suggests, they’re mostly products based on out-of-the-box thinking, and would probably never see the light of day.
The latest concept by the American tyre company might be the most absurd yet, using one of the oldest science fiction trope of all time – technology in pill form. But is it weird that we think this is the one that should definitely be made into a real product?

Goodyear’s latest concept is called the reCharge Concept, and at its core (literally) is a reloadable and biodegradable tread compound, packaged into replaceable individual capsule form.
The capsules are filled with customised liquid compound that regenerates the treads automatically. By using capsules with different compounds, the tyre can be adapted to different driving conditions and climate circumstances without the need to replace the tyres.
With the help of artificial intelligence (another science-fiction buzzword, albeit a more realistic one), you will also be able to create a liquid compound customised specifically for you.
The capsule is placed in the middle of a narrow non-pneumatic frame, promising low-maintenance to the end user without the need to look after tyre pressure, or deal with punctures.
Goodyear also says that the reCharge concept is completely biodegradable. The compound would be made from biological material, reinforced with fibres inspired by one of the toughest natural materials in the world – spider silk. Aside from being sustainable, the material will also make the tyres “extremely durable”.
Of course, being a concept, Goodyear did not reveal how the reCharge will actually work, or if it’ll ever make it to the production line. But with
tyre wear contributing to a large chunk of air pollution
, it is about time that we think about how tyres are going to be made in the future.


Volkswagen Golf GTI axed in Europe ahead of stricter emission standards

Volkswagen has decided to drop the Volkswagen Golf GTI facelift (Mk7.5) from the hatchback line up ahead of the introduction of the more stringent WLTP (World Harmonised Test Procedure) emission test.
This move only concerns the
standard
Golf GTI while the
Golf GTI Performance
 with
245 hp
/
370 Nm
 will continue to be offered in Europe as reported by
AutoCar UK
. It would seem that Volkswagen will not reintroduce the standard Golf GTI as the new-generation Golf Mk8 is set to make its world debut in 2019.
Golf GTI Performance gets more power, uprated brakes & an electronic front differential
The company might skip the hassle as they would have to refine and re-homologate the Golf GTI Mk7.5 to conform to WLTP standards. However, the German marque will push on with the more powerful Golf GTI TCR variant that is scheduled for market launch later in the year. The
GTI TCR
 will be the most powerful production Golf GTI in existence with
290 hp
 and
370 Nm
 from its uprated 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.
This piece of news may raise concern for many in Malaysia since Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) had just launched the standard
Golf GTI Mk7.5
. Speaking to VPCM’s personnel, the company are still accepting orders for the Golf GTI for now but will eventually follow the footsteps of the global product strategy, although the company did not commit to a timeline.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7.5 in Malaysia


Audi A4 B9 finally launched in Malaysia, 2.0 TFSI, priced at RM249k

The
all-new Audi A4 B9
 was supposed to arrive much earlier in the year, but it’s fashionably late, and that makes for quite a paradox. As a less ‘established’ brand in a market dominated by locally assembled BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes and Volvos, Audi’s fully imported selection can only swing buyers with an alternative taste. Or so it seems.
Where the A4 shows up late, it makes up for it in fashion. Some may label the familiar look unimaginative or lazy, but the styling tweaks rivets the eye of this writer. Introduced today is the sole 2.0 TFSI variant, but Audi Malaysia said the 1.4 TFSI and hotter 2.0 TFSI quattro will join the lineup by January 2017.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Audi A4 1.4 TFSI
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI quattro
Engine
1,395cc; inline-4 turbo, DOHC
1,984cc; inline-4 turbo, DOHC
Transmission
7-speed S tronic
Max Power
150 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
190 hp @ 4,200 – 6,000 rpm
252 hp @ 5,000 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
250 Nm @ 1,500 – 3,500 rpm
320 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,200 rpm
370 Nm @ 1,600 – 4,500 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
8.5 seconds; 210 km/h
7.3 seconds; 210 km/h
5.8 seconds; 250 km/h
Price
TBA
RM248,900
TBA
The more chiselled body cleverly masks its growth, because it is bigger in every way. With an overall length of 4,730mm, the A4 is longer than the 3-Series, C-Class and S60. It’s also considerably wider than the other German duo – at 1,840mm (versus the 3-Series’ 1,811mm and C-Class’ 1,810mm). A 20mm wheelbase (now 2,820mm) increase gives the A4 better legroom for the rear passengers.
EXTERIOR
One way of identifying the new A4 is through the full LED headlamps, each featuring two separate LED DRLs. The fascia is further complemented with the same hexagonal “Singleframe” chromed grille. This time, the side mirrors are mounted on the doors as opposed to being affixed to the A-pillars, increasing aerodynamic efficiency. The A4 is now more slippery than ever with a drag coefficient value of 0.23.

Round the back, the A4 gets a new, slimmer pair of LED lamps with dynamic indicators across the range. Completing the exterior package is the dual exhaust outlet and the 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.
INTERIOR
Inside, the 2.0 TFSI variant benefits from a tri-zone climate control, leather seats (front seats are electronically adjustable, including lumbar), manual rear window blinds and a 180 watts
10-speaker Audi Sound System
 with 6-channel amplifier.

The steering wheel is of the sportier three-spoke kind, is wrapped in leather and comes with paddle shifters. Unfortunately, the fancy 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit we get with the Q7 and TT will not be available as standard, but customers can opt for the Technology pack (pricing to be announced soon) which also comes with Matrix LED headlights, front dynamic indicators, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi smartphone interface and a rear view camera.
The dashboard is swathed with soft-touch materials, but remains rather flat. This is actually to free up more legroom for the driver and front passenger. The air vents now stretch the length of the dashboard, just like the Q7. Resting in the centre dash is a fixed
 7-inch
 high-res Audi Driver Information System.
With 480 litres of boot space, the A4’s practicality is on par with the competition. It does edge the 3-Series in terms of expandable volume, because the rear seats can be folded with a 40:20:40 split configuration. Up to 965 litres of space can be had.
PERFORMANCE
Underpinning the A4 B9 is the same
MLB platform
 shared with its stablemates such as the A6 and Q7. This allows Audi to mount the engine longitudinally, either for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration. The variant launched today is the non-quattro 2.0 TFSI, and the turbocharged four-cylinder engine is tuned to punch greener with an output of
190 hp
 and
 320 Nm
 of torque.
The 2.0 TFSI quattro that will be introduced this coming January will deliver 252 hp and 370 Nm of torque. All variants come with a
seven-speed S tronic
 (dual clutch) transmission. Key performance figures are as follow: the 0 to 100km/h dash is dusted in
7.3 seconds
 before reaching a top speed of
210 km/h
. The quattro variant gets there much quicker at 5.8 seconds before maxing out at a governed top speed of 250km/h.
Those opting for the entry-level variant will settle for a
1.4-litre four-cylinder engine
, turbocharged to produce
150 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. That’s considerably more powerful than the BMW 318i’s 136 hp and 220 Nm output.
SAFETY
Regardless of which variant you choose, the safety equipment remains the same throughout. The A4 comes with six airbags, ESC, electronic vehicle immobilisation device, tyre pressure warning system, electrically operated child lock, brake hold assist, ISOFIX mounts, frameless anti-glare rear view mirror and pop-up bonnet for pedestrian protection.
WHAT ELSE?
You’re paying RM248,900 for a fully imported Audi A4 B9, and one of the key points for CBU models is you get much more exterior colour options. Audi Malaysia is offering up to 10 different exterior shades for the car: Glacier White, Floret Silver, Matador Red, Tango Red, Argus Brown, Scuba Blue, Monsoon Grey, Manhattan Grey and Mythos Black.
A special Daytona Grey Pearl (my personal favourite) colour can be specified for vehicles purchased with the optional S Line package. When optioned, the RM25,000 S Line pack comes with a sportier front and rear bumper, 18-inch twin-five spoke alloy wheels, illuminated front door sill trims with aluminium inlays, Alcantara leather front sport seats, S Line sport leather steering wheel and a raft of other sporty aesthetic upgrades.
The first 100 adopters will get the A4 at a special introductory price of RM239,900, which is priced exactly the same as the outgoing A4 B8. All purchases of the A4 comes with a 4-Year or 120,000km warranty package.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: All-new 2022 Perodua Alza launched in Malaysia – from RM62,500

After 13 years of steadfast service, the Perodua Alza is finally getting a brand-new replacement model in 2022, with the all-new seven-seater MPV making its official debut today. Based on the
Toyota Avanza
, the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza will be offered in three variants here in Malaysia, starting from
RM62,500
 for the entry-level X variant, moving up to
RM68,000
for the H, and at the very top is the AV variant priced at
RM75,500
.
EXTERIOR
Although the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza shares most of its styling with touches with its Toyota counterpart, it does get a couple of unique touches on the outside, including a vanity grille up front with chrome detailing, as well as exclusive bumper designs – the latter with Perodua’s signature X-shaped motif up front.
built atop the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) which also underpins the
Ativa
, The second-generation Perodua Alza also now larger than the outgoing model across all dimensions, measuring 205 mm longer (4,425 mm), 35 mm wider (1,730 mm), up to 50 mm taller (1,660 mm for the X variant, 1,670 mm for H and AV due to larger wheels), with a 5 mm taller ground clearance for the AV variant at 160 mm. Wheelbase, however, is unchanged at 2,750 mm.
In terms of equipment, the variant breakdown is as follows:
Standard equipment, Alza 1.5L X
LED headlights with auto high-beam and follow-me home function
Roof spoiler
15-inch alloy wheels (185/65 R15)
Alza 1.5L H (adds)
Sequential turn indicators, front
Automatic headlights with adaptive driving beam
Automatic headlamp levelling
LED front fog lamps
16-inch alloy wheels (195/60 R16)
Electronically retractable side mirrors
Alza 1.5L AV (adds)
Rear disc brakes
PERFORMANCE
All variants of the second-generation Alza are powered by the same 2NR-ZE 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine and D-CVT gearbox combo that is shared with the
recently-updated Myvi
, which supposedly boasts a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency when compared to its predecessor, says Perodua.
Engine: 2NR-ZE 1.5-litre DVVTi naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, petrol
Transmission: Dual-mode CVT (D-CVT)
Driveline: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Max horsepower: 105 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 138 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Fuel consumption: 4.55 l/100 km (Malaysia Driving Cycle), 5.29 l/100 km (NEDC)
INTERIOR
The interior of the Perodua Alza also gets a significant redesign on the second-generation 2022 model, utilising a horizontal and layered dashboard architecture with a two-tone colour treatment (on AV variant) to emphasise on the width and “sophisticated feeling” of the cabin.
Thanks to the larger dimensions, Perodua says that the cabin space in the all-new 2022 Alza has also grown by 35 mm in terms of interior width, and 115 mm for length, allowing for more room for passengers and cargo – for the latter, it now measures 137 litres (+54L) with the third-row seats up, and 498 litres (+150L) with the seats folded down.
The variant breakdown for interior standard equipment can be found below:
Standard equipment, Alza 1.5L X
Analogue instrument cluster with 4.2-inch monotone multi-info display
Rear air-con vents with blower speed controls
Digital head-unit with Bluetooth connectivity
Keyless entry with push-start button
Front and second-row seats centre armrest
Tricot fabric upholstery
Alza 1.5L H (adds)
9-inch Display Audio touchscreen head-unit
7-inch digital instrument cluster
Leather steering wheel with drive mode selector (Normal, Eco, Sport) and switch controls
Additional tweeter speakers
Alza 1.5L AV (adds)
Electronic parking brake
Wired Android Auto connectivity (first for Perodua)
Semi-leather upholstery
two-tone dashboard
Front dashcam (DVR)
360-degree panoramic surround view monitor
SAFETY
In terms of safety, the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza comes as standard with six airbags, alongside the company’s third-generation Advanced Safety Assist (ASA 3.0) system, consisting of the following features:
Autonomous emergency braking with pre-collision warning
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Front departure alert
Pedal misoperation control
Automatic high beam
The range-topping AV variant adds on even more advanced driver assist features, including SAE Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities:
Adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality
Lane Keep Control
Blind spot monitor
Rear cross-traffic alert
Adaptive driving beam (1.5L H and AV)
Front corner and rear parking sensors (1.5L H and AV)
PRICING
Pricing for the all-new 2022 Perodua Alza in Malaysia is as follows, on-the-road, without insurance, and inclusive of sales and service tax:
1.5L X – RM62,500
1.5L H – RM68,000
1.5L AV – RM75,500
Also included in the price is a five-year/150,000 km warranty. The all-new Perodua Alza will be offered in five exterior colours: Solid Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Elegant Black, Garnet Red, and Vintage Brown – the latter two exclusive to the AV and H variants.
Perodua says it has received over 30,000 bookings for the all-new Alza, and the waiting list currently stands at four months. However, the company assures that all bookings placed before June 30 will still be delivered before March 31, 2023, in order to take advantage of the sales tax exemptions.
GALLERY


BMW M2 unleashed, baby M Coupe is back with a new name and more power [+Video]

Since the launch of the BMW 2 Series Coupe in 2013,
M-thusisasts
 all over the world have been wishing for the M vesion of the car. Now their prayers have been answered, as BMW announced the hottest 2 Series Coupe ever, the BMW M2.
Unlike the predecessor that was called
1 Series M Coupe
, the
M2
 doesn’t need to be called as such because the name doesn’t clash with BMW M’s legendary mid-engined supercar of the 70’s, the M1. However, both the 1 Series M Coupe and this latest M2 owe a lot to the original compact coupe from BMW M division, the
E30 M3
, as featured in the YouTube video below.
The M2 is built on the same formula, by taking the standard base car and given the usual M-treatment. The wild styling on the outside with its swollen wheel arches and aggressive bumpers are said to have been inspired by the previous M cars such as the
3.0 CSL
, but we can see it’s the evolution of the modern interpretation that appeared on the 1 Series M Coupe.
The aero job not only contributes to a mean-looking coupe, but it
reduces lift by 35 percent
 and drag by 5 percent compared to the donor car, the
F22 2 Series Coupe
. Most body panels are new to the M2, the
fenders
 in particular, have been
widened
 by 55mm at the front and 80mm at the rear as a result of the increased track width. They also accommodate a wider set of
19-inch lightweight alloys
 wrapped in
Michelin Pilot Super Sport
 rubbers measuring 245/35 ZR19 at the front and 265/35 ZR19 at the rear.

Other M bits such as the
double-louvered grille
 and the vents on the front fenders are present here, but the double-arm side mirrors from the bigger M cars are noticeably absent here. The boot lid carries just a tiny spoiler like on the F80 M3 instead of a redesigned lid like on the F82 M4, but at least
quad tailpipes
 still make their appearance under the rear diffuser, and they are also fitted with a
special flap system
 to play the distinctive tune of BMW M soundtrack.
Changes are minimal on the inside. The
sports seats
 have been re-trimmed in black Dakota leather with blue contrast stitching and an M logo in the backrests, while the the instrument cluster have also been M-ified. Additionally there’s a
knee pad
 on the center console, an
M footrest
, bits of Alcantara on the door cards, and porous
 carbon fibre trim
 pieces.

Various options are available for the standard iDrive system via the
ConnectedDrive Services
. M-thusiasts should be interested with the
GoPro app
 and the
M Laptimer app
 which records the car’s details including the speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, engine revs and which gear engaged, the steering angle, and the accelerator position. They can use it to analyse their driving, or simply just to boast about their lap time on Facebook.
But of course most of you want to know what’s going on underneath the pumped up looks of the M2.
Aluminium
 is used extensively for the
front and rear axles
, suspensions struts, anti-roll bar, and the gorgeous 19-inch wheels to trim down the weight.
The same material is also used for the
2,979 cc six-cylinder petrol
 engine under the bonnet. Armed with
M TwinPower Turbo
 technology, the unit puts out
370 hp
 at 6,500 rpm and
465 Nm
 of torque from 1,400 to 5,560 rpm. There’s also an
overboost
 function which increases the total torque to
500 Nm
 between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm.
Purist will be delighted to know that the M2 comes with a
six-speed manual gearbox
 as standard, and power is still sent to the rear wheels, with
Active M Differential
 for optimum agility. Getting from
0 to 100 km/h
 takes
4.5 seconds
, while the
 top speed
 is limited to
250 km/h
. The optional
M Driver’s Package
 will unlock the
270 km/h top speed
, and it will also include the
BMW Driving Experience
 voucher for a track training course. The optional
seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission
 (M DCT) is quicker still, clocking 100 km/h from standstill in
4.3 seconds
.
Automatic throttle blipping
 is available on both transmission choices, but the M DCT ups the ante with
Launch Control
 and its innovative
Drivelogic functions
 that works in conjunction with the three driving modes accessed from the
Driving Experience Control
 switch. The M DCT is also equipped with the
Stability Clutch Control
 (SCC) which prevents oversteer by disengaging the clutches when necessary, and the
Smokey Burnout
 function which is said to allow the driver to “indulge in a degree of rear wheel spin while the car is moving at low speeds”.

For the more serious drivers,
M Dynamic Mode
 (MDM) can be activated automatically in
track mode
 (Sport +). The
Dynamic Stability Control
 (DSC) will allow extra wheel slip and freedom to the driver to control the car, meaning huge drifts are possible in this compact coupe, but depending on the driver’s skills of course.
The
Electric Power Steering
 has been tweaked to give the M-specific characteristics with direct steering feel and precise feedback, and the brakes have been given an upgrade too. The
M compound brakes
 measure 380 mm at the front and 370 mm at the rear, and they are paired with 4-piston calipers at the front and 2-piston calipers at the rear.
We’re not sure about you guys, but the specifications of the M2 made us drool. We’ve driven the
F22 220i Coupe
 and it is such an enjoyable car to drive around, so imagine what the boffins at BMW M can do to a car that’s already good. We hope that the M2 will make it to our shores.
IMAGE GALLERY


Two new BMW i Charging stations unveiled at Gamuda Gardens, open to public

BMW Group Malaysia, together with its dealer-partner Millennium Welt today unveiled two new BMW i Charging stations at the Gamuda Gardens residential township in Rawang.
The new AC chargers are located strategically in front of the Gamuda Gardens Experience Gallery to benefit not just the residences, but also the public around the area, as the charger will be open to the public.
The new BMW i Charging stations are equipped with a BMW Wallbox each, providing up to 11 kW of power. Just for some context, that should fully charge the
BMW iX xDrive40
 in about seven hours.
BMW Group Malaysia Managing Director, Hans de Visser said, “When we look to expand the availability of charging infrastructures across Malaysia, we also look to power beyond public malls and landmarks to equip townships and residential areas as well – where there is also high demand for access to charging facilities amongst electric vehicle users.”
ALSO READ: BMW Group Malaysia sold 8,400 cars in 2021 – retains No. 1 position in premium segment
Millennium Welt Managing Director, Bryan Wong added: “We are confident that the future of mobility in Malaysia is electric … as we continue to see a rise in uptake and interest for electrified BMW vehicles amongst our customers. This shift towards electrification also inspired our partnerships with like-minded industry players who, like us, make environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles central to their business operations and plans.
“The introduction of these new BMW i Charging facilities in Gamuda Gardens underlines our commitment, in tandem with BMW Group Malaysia, to provide electric vehicle owners across the country an ownership experience that is hallmark of the BMW i.”
Meanwhile, Gamuda Land Product Management Unit Executive Director, Jess Teng said, “We have mindfully thought through the masterplan of Gamuda Gardens township, which includes climate-responsive design towards a green future. The installation of BMW i Charging facilities which encourages greener modes of transport underscores Gamuda Land’s approach to ESG under the Gamuda Green Plan 2025.”
With the two new additions at Gamuda Gardens, BMW Group Malaysia now has 79 i Charging facilities across Malaysia. The charging network is further complemented by the 16 charging points with
Shell Recharge & Park Easy
, as well as 319 charging facilities with GreenTech Malaysia and its ChargEV platform.


Toyota crowned world’s best-selling carmaker in 2022, third year in a row

It seems that not only were you
searching for ‘Toyota’ last year
, you lot were buying them by the truckloads, too. The Japanese carmaker has just announced its annual sales report for 2022, where it recorded a total of
9,566,961 units
 sold worldwide. Despite a 0.5% decline over the previous year, that figure still firmly places
Toyota
at the top of the leaderboard as the world’s best-selling carmaker for 2022, ahead of
Volkswagen Group
.
Toyota GR Corolla
– set for launch in Malaysia in 2023!
In fact, Toyota actually outpaced Volkswagen by quite a considerable margin. The German carmaker – across all of its brands – moved a total of 8,262,800 units, representing a 7% decline compared to 2021. For the Toyota Group, with
Daihatsu
 and commercial vehicle manufacturer Hino included, that figure rises up to 10,483,024 units – a 0.1% reduction.
Both of these car giants can likely attribute their decline in sales to the supply chain issue, as well as the silicon chip shortage – both of which have been plaguing the automotive industry for the better part of the last two years.
ALSO READ:
Akio Toyoda steps down as Toyota CEO – Here are some of his ‘greatest hits’
“The situation remains difficult to predict due to semiconductor shortages and Covid-19. However, we will continue to carefully monitor the parts supply situation and minimize sudden decreases in production as much as possible while making every effort to deliver as many vehicles to our customers at the earliest date,” Toyota said in a statement.
In spite of the challenges, however, Toyota’s global production was actually up 5.2% compared to the previous year, with a whopping 9,026,713 units manufactured (Toyota Group: 10,610,604). The majority of the heavylifting was actually done by production outside of Japan (up 11.7%), thanks to increased capacity and product optimisation in North America and Asia. For the carmaker’s home country, production shrunk by 7.7% last year.
RELATED:
The new bZ Compact SUV Concept could be the electric successor to the Toyota C-HR
Here in Malaysia, Toyota also picked up the title of the
best-selling non-national carmaker
with 100,042 units sold, inclusive of the Hilux pick-up truck. For purely passenger cars, however,
Honda Malaysia takes the cake
 with 80,200 units sold, compared to Toyota’s 72,844.
Toyota Malaysia has a busy year ahead planned for 2023, with multiple new models planned for Malaysia, including the
fully-electric bZ4X
, alongside a
new hybrid model
, plus a
trio of GR vehicles
 consisting of the GR Corolla, GR86, and manual GR Supra.


To go fully electric, Volvo Car Malaysia believes PHEVs are the ideal first step

Back in March 2021, Volvo Cars announced that it will become a fully electric car company by 2030. Later in November 2022, the company re-confirmed its ambitions by targeting half of its global sales to be electric cars by 2025. In pursuit of a fully electric future, Volvo believes that plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are the ideal first step to achieving this, as we spoke with
Volvo Car Malaysia
 Managing Director, Charles Frump during an exclusive interview.
Volvo Cars has even made the bold move of forming Aurobay, a powertrain operation that is jointly owned by Volvo Cars and
Geely Holding
. Aurobay is a stand-alone business, separate from Volvo Cars, and the formation of the new company allows Volvo Cars to focus fully on the development of its new range of all-electric premium cars. There is no doubt on Volvo’s commitment to going fully electric.
Volvo C40 Recharge
As for the company’s “bet” on going fully electric, Mr. Frump says that from his past experience with the company, Volvo has a track record of being spot on with its “bets” – first with the discontinuation of its V8 engine in 2010 and second with the end of development of its diesel engines in 2020. His career with Volvo began in 2009 when he served as Director of Marketing for Volvo in Japan.
Being realistic with electric vehicle (EV) adoption, Volvo Car Malaysia is firm on its stance that PHEVs are the ideal first step for this. That firm stance comes from understanding that not all of its customers have immediate access to charging facilities. Customers who wish to switch to electrification may also have the fear of not having enough electric range during unexpected situations.
RELATED:
Volvo now supports Waze navigation, no phone connection required
Volvo XC90 Recharge
With PHEVs, you can choose to either fill up the car with petrol as you would with a normal internal combustion engine car, but also have the option of plug-in charging and also driving in fully electric mode. With Volvo’s latest update to its PHEV powertrain, users can even drive up to
90 km
 on pure electric only. Speaking of its latest update, Volvo introduced a bigger
18.8 kWh
 battery to its PHEVs in May 2022. At the same time, the rear electric motor was given a power boost to
145 hp
.
For Malaysia, Volvo’s current PHEV options include the XC40 Recharge T5, XC60 Recharge T8, XC90 Recharge T8, S60 Recharge T8, S90 Recharge T8, and V60 Recharge T8. Volvo Car Malaysia also offers mild hybrid options, but they do not make up the bulk of the brand’s lineup.
RELATED:
Volvo EVs can now be purchased online – RM7k wallbox voucher included
Volvo EX30
During the interview as well, the Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director answered a few questions about the company’s EV plans. What we can safely say for now is that the newly unveiled
Volvo EX30
 will make its debut in Malaysia ahead of the
Volvo EX90
. You can read more about that
here
.
Volvo Car Malaysia is also open to expanding its lineup that is available for purchase through its online store. Currently only featuring the Volvo XC40 recharge Pure Electric and the Volvo C40 Recharge, the brand’s PHEV models may also be available through the online platform in the future.
RELATED:
Volvo EX30 to launch in Malaysia before EX90, but not so soon


Video: 2019 DS7 Crossback SUV, 5 Things

To be honest, I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about attending the launch of the
new DS7 Crossback
having
 spent the entire day at the Sepang International Circuit spanking
the
BMW M2
 and
 M5
 but it all changed the moment I had a glance at the press release and brochures presented to me upon arrival at the Naza Automall.
Supposedly aimed at giving the
Mercedes-Benz GLC
 a go, the new DS7 Crossback’s
RM199,888
 price tag makes it a more viable competitor for the
BMW X1
 and the
Mercedes-Benz GLA
 but here’s the thing, there is just no competition.

Because the equipment list, features and offerings of the DS7 just trumps its German counterparts. The best part is, not only does it match up to the Germans with its features but the DS7 distinguishes itself with flair.
Take the front end for example, not only does it get LED headlamps, DRLs, and fog lights with cornering function, the headlamps fixtures literally “perform a dance” upon starting the engine! Check out the video and find out what else makes the DS7 such an interesting prospect!
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW Group to offer electrified variant for all MINI & BMW cars, all-electric X3 due in 2020!

BMW Group has just announced their NUMBER ONE > NEXT group corporate strategy: to offer electrified versions of every single BMW and MINI vehicles from 2020 onwards. Additionally, the company’s next generation vehicle platforms will also be designed to cater to full-electric powertrains.
The first model to go full-electric will be the
MINI 3-Door hatchback
, due for production in 2019. This all-electric 3-Door hatchback will join the existing MINI line-up of combustion engines and plug-in hybrids. Production of the all-electric powertrain will happen in BMW Group’s e-mobility centre in Landshut and Dingolfing, Germany before incorporating into MINI’s production plant in Oxford, United Kingdom.
On the Bavarian side, the first model to adopt an all-electric powertrain will be the
 X3 SUV
 that will come as soon as 2020, presumably when the Life-Cycle Impulse (LCI) or in lay man terms, facelifted, model is due. BMW has also hinted that the all-electric iNEXT, rumoured to feature a crossover body will join the i3 model in 2021.
BMW Group projects that by 2025, electrified vehicles will account for 15 to 25 percent of sales and are committed to put 100,000 electrified vehicles on the road in 2017. Currently, there are 10 plants worldwide capable of producing electrified vehicles and
Malaysia
 is fortunate to be one of them, producing the
330e
 and
740Le xDrive
 plug-in hybrids.
As with the case of our local tax incentives for locally produced electrified vehicles, BMW Group has expressed that factors such as regulations, incentives and infrastructure will all play a key role in determining the scale electrification from market to market. Hence, the move to build flexible platform(s) is so the company can rapidly react and adapt to changing customer demands when, not if, required.


The new Renault Megane is now an electric SUV!

The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric has been unveiled at the ongoing 2021 IAA Munich Motor Show, one of the very few production vehicle launches unlike the many concept vehicles and even a
racing car
.
While the
Megane
 model has always been a C-segment hatchback, Renault first placed the Megane nameplate on a concept EV model called Megane eVision just about a year ago. Much of the styling elements have been retained in the production vehicle, the name simply called Megane E-Tech Electric.
The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is the first model to sport the company’s latest diamond logo called ‘Nouvel’R’, bringing the brand to a new era of EVs, connected cars and mobility. At the front, the DRLs appear to extend beyond the projectors and continue their path up to the side air vents on the shield. At the rear, numerous laser-cut micro-optic fibres laid in criss-crossing lines create an intriguing 3D-like shimmer effect.
In addition to the elegant indicators, the brake lights are displayed in two clear lines, much like a ‘pause’ sign.
Similar to many upcoming EVs, the door handles are flush with the body, but the rear door handles are mounted high up at the C-pillar. For added personality and to convey a message of electric, the front and rear bumpers have gold highlights, an element that was well received in the Megane eVision concept car.
Built on the new CMF-EV platform that is shared with Nissan, the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is said to offer interior space that is similar to the current generation Megane hatchback. A long wheelbase of 2.7 metres and repackaging of the air-conditioning hardware allows for a spacious cabin and a rethink of the dashboard layout.
The new OpenR single-screen infotainment system now measures 12 inches in portrait format (1,250 x 1,562 pixels). The system incorporates the latest-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 4K multiple display capabilities and advanced connectivity with USB-C ports.
Both the 12.3-inch driver’s instrument cluster and the infotainment system are powered by the latest Android Automotive OS that includes familiar apps and services like Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play. Plenty of customisation on the screen as well as over the air updates are designed as highlights of the system.
Two options of power output are available in the Megane E-Tech Electric –
130 hp
 and
250 Nm
 or
218 hp
 and
300 Nm
 with both sending propulsion to the front wheels. The fastest 0 to 100 km/h sprint time is
7.4 seconds
.
Buyers will also have the option to choose the battery capacity with the larger 60 kWh offering a driving range of
470

km
, while the smaller 40 kWh model offers up to
300 km
.
Renault to use Geely hybrid tech for China and Korean markets. Find out which brand under Geely is set to benefit here!
In both capacities, the battery’s dimensions remain unchanged, including the record height of 110 mm (1,960 mm length and 1,450mm width). They come with an 8-year guarantee, during which they will be replaced free of charge should they deteriorate to less than 70% of their nominal capacity.
LG together with Renault are using a new lithium-ion NMC (Nickel, Manganese, Cobalt) battery chemistry technology to achieve the compact dimension that is 40% smaller than the battery in the
Renault Zoe
. The efficient battery pack also benefit from a new liquid cooling system that includes die-casted aluminium tubes.
Compared to Nissan, Renault’s alliance partner, the
Nissan Ariya
 has better range and power due to even larger battery sizes and dual electric motors for a new all-wheel drive system called e-4ORCE.
At just 4.21 metres in length, the Megane E-Tech Electric is also a smaller SUV versus the Nissan, placing it in the footprint of its Captur

sibling. The lower overall height of the battery pack also promises better driving dynamics in the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.
Via a high-capacity DC fast charging station, a WLTP-rated range of up to 300 km can be seen after 30 minutes at a 130-kW fast-charging station.
Alpine to take over as Renault’s performance brand with full EV line-up from its next generation of vehicles. More about the bold plan here.
New advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) in the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric include the Active Driver Assist, where it can slow the vehicle down to 29 km/h when nearing a roundabout and then accelerate back up to speed when exiting.
Other safety features include a digital smart rearview mirror that feeds live rearward image for an unobstructed view of the rear, occupant safe exit and rear AEB that is very useful to avoid contact while parking.
The new Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is the first model to be 100% ‘Made in Electricity’, the company’s new industrial hub and European leader of EVs located in the North of France.
GALLERY


Ford GT personalisation list revealed, dress it as you wish!

It’s been a little over 18 months since the
new Ford GT was revealed
 to the world. Shortly after, the first batch of 500 units have subsequently been snapped up, with bookings soared 13 times the allocated units. Those who missed out on the first batch had their chance at the
GT ’66 Heritage Edition
, though.
Now, Ford Motor Company has announced that the GT can be had in eight exterior shades; matte black, silver, grey, black, white, red and yellow, including the striking Liquid Blue option in the picture above. Of course, the iconic racing stripes can also be optioned for.
In order to boost desirability and exclusivity, the GT’s interior can also be personalised to your liking. An array of stitching options, ribbing and fabric colours are available. This extends to the six-piston calipers. Originally, the calipers are anodised in a black coat, but buyers can change them to silver, red, blue or orange.
Ford’s design manager, Barb Whalen said, “The GT will only be available in small selection of exterior colours and not with the near infinite number of options some other supercar makers offer because these colours aren’t trendy. The GT isn’t a trendy car. It’s a classic – a veritable race car for the road.”
There’s no word as yet whether the Ford GT will officially be sold in Malaysia through sole distributor Sime Darby Auto ConneXion. Since the first 500 units have all been sold, we can at best expect no more than five units, if ever it finds its way here.