Renault Megane sedan unveiled, replaces Fluence [+ Video]

The
Renault Fluence
 as we know it is based on the last generation Nissan Slyphy with a Renault badge. In Malaysia, reception of the Fluence was rather sombre and falls short of the Renault 19’s success some 20 years back. However, this could change with the Fluence’s successor, the Megane Sedan.
The new Megane sedan is essentially the fourth-generation
Megane hatchback
 with a three-box configuration. The saloon from the CMF C/D platform has a lot to offer compared to its rather underwhelming predecessor.
To start, the saloon’s aesthetics surely attracts attention, thanks to the headlights with an extended LED by the side. The front grille with the large logo reflecting strongly of their current design language. It also gets a full panoramic glass roof, just like its hatchback and estate counterpart.
Moving onto the powertrain; there are five engines to choose from, ranging from two petrol engines (
SCe 115
 and
 TCe 130
) and three turbodiesels (
dCi 90, dCi 110
, and
dCi 130
). As per any Renaults, the engine’s power output is denoted by the numerics. Depending on engine choice, three transmission options are available:
 six-speed manual
,
continuously variable transmission (CVT)
, and a
seven-speed EDC dual-clutch transmission
. The latter is offered only for the TCe 130 and the dCi 130 variants.

Inside, the Megane sedan impresses with its “top-level rear-seat spaciousness” and a cavernous
508 litre
 boot space, which should appeal to the more practical minded. Also included are a seven-inch colour TFT digital counter, 8.7-inch R-Link 2 infotainment system and Multi-Sense with five driving modes. Safety is also top notch as it receives Lane Departure Warning, Advanced Emergency Braking System, and Easy Park Assist.
The Turkish assembled car will be marketed in countries such as Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine. For reasons unknown, some markets will identify this car as the Megane Coupe.
For now, Renault hasn’t announced any plans to introduce the Megane Sedan here. We think a car with such flair will meet with some level of success here (like the Citroen DS5), so it’s entirely up to TC Euro Cars to up their game in the years to come. Presently, the Fluence, powered by a 2.0-litre engine is offered from
 RM107k
 to
RM118k
.
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Updated 2021 Mazda6 only in 2.0L and 2.5L sedan variants, from RM171k

After announcing the availability of the updated
2021 Mazda CX-3
, Bermaz Motor continues the momentum of keeping their line-up fresh with the update to the Mazda6.
Bermaz Motor also took the opportunity to introduce the updated
2021 Mazda MX-5 RF
 and more information can be found here.
We begin with the bad news first. Bermaz Motor has stopped offering the touring version and turbodiesel option for their mid-size sedan, focusing on just the sedan body type in either the SkyActiv 2.0 or 2.5 engine options.
Both variants now have
wireless Apple CarPlay
 connectivity on the 8-inch Mazda Connect Infotainment System while maintaining the Android Auto integration too.
Moving to individual variant upgrades, the 2.0L variant now comes equipped with Advanced Keyless Entry and Walkaway door lock features. Drivers will also be able to cycle through the six-speed automatic transmission via the shift paddles. The 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G has outputs of
162 hp
 and
213 Nm
 of torque.
Meanwhile, the 2.5L sees changes to the aesthetics with
gloss black finishing
 on the 19-inch rims and side mirrors. The interior meanwhile is receives burgundy red on the leather seats as well as stitching on the dashboard and door trim.
To recap, the 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G delivers peak outputs of
192 hp
 and
258 Nm
 of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. The Mazda6 2.5L is also loaded with more features such as a colour head-up display (HUD), moonroof, BOSE 11-speaker audio system and Mazda’s i-ActivSense advanced safety technologies, comprising of adaptive LED headlights, autonomous emergency braking in both forward and reverse, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist.
To further stand out from the crowd, seven colours are available- the
new Polymetal Gray
, Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue and Jet Black.
The 2021 Mazda6 continues to be
imported from Japan
 and pricing starts at
RM170,917
 for the 2.0-litre, and
RM207,642
 for the 2.5-litre variant, inclusive of the sales and service tax exemption that is due to expire on June 30th 2021. As mentioned earlier, the touring version as well as the option for a 2.2-litre turbodiesel has been discontinued.
Similar to other Mazda offerings in Malaysia, the new Mazda6 comes with a five-year manufacturer (or 100,000 kilometres) warranty plus free maintenance according to manufacturer’s standards inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants.


Toyo Proxes CR1 and CR1 SUV launched in Malaysia – 14-19 inches, from RM160!

Toyo Tyres has launched the new Proxes CR1 tyre in Malaysia today. The latest entry-level model in the Proxes range – which replaces the Nano Energy 3 – is available in both standard and SUV variants, and is suitable for passenger cars and SUVs of all variants.
Toyo
 says that the Proxes CR1 is developed specifically with noise levels, safety, and comfort in mind. On the sound levels, the CR1 features what Toyo calls “silent wall”, along with an “out-in” pitch arrangement on the treads to disperse noise in each area. A noise protection sheet is also incorporated within the construction of the tyre to reduce casing noise.
On the safety front, Toyo says that the Proxes CR1’s four wide circumferential grooves help drain water quickly, ensuring the contact patch is providing the maximum amount of grip in the wet. On dry roads, the tripe taper and rib design increases rigidity and suppresses circumferential fluctuation which minimises uneven wear.
Additionally, the multi-wave sipes also helps enhancing block stiffness, thus reducing of irregular wear, while a joint-less cap ply
improves high speed performance. Meanwhile, the sidewall is made from a new compound which reduces rolling resistance, thus aiding efficiency.
The Toyo Proxes CR1 was also developed using the company’s T-mode computer simulations and Nano Balance material technologies, which helps the engineers simulate real-world conditions to help improve comfort levels on the new tyres. Overall, Toyo claims that the Proxes CF1 produces 11% less road noise and a 2% reduction in aquaplaning as compared to the Nano Energy 3.
Toyo Tyre President and Managing Director Tan Song Chye said: “The Proxes CR1 passenger car and SUV tyres are ideal for both Continental and Japanese vehicles, especially between A-segment to D-segment vehicles and SUVs.
“The result of this well-designed tyre using advanced Japanese technology is sure to satisfy even the most discerning drivers who appreciate a superior performance tyre that consistently performs well under high speeds in both wet and dry road conditions. It also delivers safety, high fuel efficiency and improved noise reduction for enhanced driving pleasure.”
The new Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres is available in sizes ranging from
14- to 18-inches
 in diameter for the passenger car variants, and
17- to 19-inch
 rim diameter for the SUV variants. Prices for the Proxes CR1 passenger car tyres range from
RM160 to RM440
, and
RM380 to RM580
 for the SUV range, depending on tyre size.
The new tyres are now available at Toyo Centres and Silverstone Centres nationwide. In conjunction with the launch, customers who purchase a set of four Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres will also receive a free limited edition Proxes CR1 umbrella, while stocks last.


2016 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid revealed, makes 462 hp and 700 Nm!

When the second generation
Porsche Panamera
 broke cover, it can be had with the S, Diesel S, and range topper Turbo variants. A key way of keeping up to competition is by having a cleaner variant. That brings us to Porsche’s latest addition, the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, which will be introduced at the Paris Motor Show later this month.
To begin, the Panamera hybrid is a massive improvement over its predecessor. It’s more powerful, courtesy of a
2.9-litre Bi-turbo V6 engine
, combined with an electric motor that together put out
462 hp
 and
700 Nm
 of torque. The new model follows the same playbook as the 918 hypercar; the electric motors deliver power the moment the accelerator pedal is stepped. Previously, the throttle needs to be 80 percent engaged to deploy the electric motors.

To make way for more grunt, an
eight-speed twin-clutch PDK
 gearbox replaces the predecessor’s slushbox. Power is delivered to all wheels instead of just the rear wheels.
New to this Panamera are additional (and exclusive) driving modes, such as “E-Power”, “Hybrid Auto”, “E-Hold” and “E-Charge”. By default, the car will operate in pure electric “E-Power” mode, while “E-Hold” will allow drivers to hold the current level of battery charge. “E-Charge” is pretty self-explanatory, and “Hybrid Auto” mode extracts the best out of the engine and electric motor for improved efficiency. Overall, it can travel up to
 50 kilometers
 on pure EV mode alone.
There are of course the usual “Sports” and “Sports Plus” modes. If selected, the latter will propel the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid from standstill to 100 km/h in just
4.7 seconds
, and will continue to reach a top speed of
278 km/h
. This mode also recharges the battery as quickly as possible with the assistance from the engine. This Panamera may be the slowest sprinter of the lot, but that’s a fair compromise considering its newfound frugality – a whopping
2.5 litres per 100 km
!
Porsche claims that a standard 3.6 kW charger will fully charge the Panamera’s liquid-cooled lithium ion battery in 5.8 hours. The optional 7.2 kW charger will cut charging time by 1.2 hours to 4.6 hours over the standard charger.
Delivery of the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will begin by April 2017 (Europe only). A few years ago, Porsche Malaysia did offer the older Panamera S Hybrid model. If only there’s a way of getting the new model incentivised…
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Mercedes-Benz X-Class: Fancy yourself a luxury pickup truck?

Mercedes-Benz has almost everything in its stable; from passenger cars, crossovers, SUVs, sports cars and even MPVs. Now, the three pointed star is set to widen their portfolio with the addition of a new pickup range which could be called the X-Class.
Mercedes’ new pickup will be a twin-cab variant that sits on the same platform as the
Nissan NP300 Navara
. It’s unsure as yet if the new pickup will have a Nissan or Mercedes powertrain, but that shouldn’t be a problem for the Stuttgart-based company with their wide range of engines. Let’s just pray for an X63 for now, shall we?
While the design here isn’t confirmed, expect the X-Class to bear Mercedes-Benz’s three-bar grille as seen in the
GLE
. There aren’t many luxury pickups out there in contention, so the X-Class’ direct rival would be the Volkswagen Amarok.
We’re sure many of you would be excited at the prospects of owning the X-Class, and its introduction will surely give many potential
Ford Ranger
 customers a more luxurious offering. Now, dear readers, what do you think of the X-Class? Is it about time, or is now the perfect time for such a product to capitalise on the growing demand for utility vehicles?


New Mercedes-AMGs are quieter to comply with EU regulations

If you are waiting on for the
all-new Mercedes-AMG A45 in Malaysia
, don’t be quick to have a rev battle with the previous A45 because the new mega hatch is quieter than its
predecessor
.
This piece of information came from Head of Product Planning for AMG Compact Cars, Bastian Bogenschutz who was speaking to
Motoring
 at the launch of the A45 S and CLA45 S. The European Union’s new sound regulation meant that manufacturers have to restrict the drama coming out from the exhaust system which was the party piece of the previous A45.

Mercedes-AMG GLA45 with AMG Performance Exhaust System
All new-generation AMG cars sold outside of Europe will also be subjected to a more muted soundtrack. To work around this restriction, Mercedes-AMG has engineered a synthesised soundtrack (AMG Pure Performance Sound) into the cabin for an extra thrill to the drivers.
Bogenschutz said: “It’s
coming from the European regulations. We can [design specific exhausts] but
it’s too expensive for every market to do it, it’s pretty difficult.”
“The regulations were
getting pretty difficult for the sound to just come from the exhaust system. So,
we added the AMG pure performance sound, there we take the real sound from the
exhaust system, the pulsation of the real sound and move it inside the car. It
works together with the exhaust system,” he added.
This is indeed sad news for all of us but in the land of the unregulated exhaust note, there’s nothing an aftermarket exhaust can’t fix.


2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift teased ahead of Malaysia launch

Through a series of social media posts,
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 has teased the arrival of the
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
 facelift for Malaysia. Based on the teaser images, it seems we will soon be seeing a refreshed version of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S hatchback and the saloon version of the regular Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
The refreshed version of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class made its world debut back in October 2022, introducing an entirely electrified line-up for the A-Class (except for the A 45 S hatchback). From the A-Class’s AMG lineup, the A 45 was dropped leaving only the AMG A 35 (saloon and hatchback) and the AMG A 45 S hatchback.
The new A-Class gets minor exterior design adjustments such as tweaked new headlights, a resized front grille, reworked taillights, and redesigned bumpers. The bonnet on the A-Class now comes with two power bulges on all variants for a more aggressive look, while the new wheel designs round up the exterior visual changes. Specifically for the AMG models, the round badge on the bonnet edge now shows an AMG emblem instead of the three-pointed star.
Globally, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is available in the following specifications:
A 250 e hatchback/saloon
A 180 hatchback/saloon
A 200 hatchback/saloon
A 220 4MATIC hatchback/saloon
A 250 4MATIC hatchback/saloon
A 180 d hatchback/saloon
A 200 d hatchback/saloon
A 220 d hatchback/saloon
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV ROI open for Malaysia, EV with up to 590km range
All versions of the new A-Class are powered by a 48V mild hybrid system be it petrol or diesel. The A 200 is powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine that makes
163 hp
 and
270 Nm
. The hybrid boost gives it an additional
14 hp
. The A 250 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that makes
224 hp
 and
350 Nm
. It also gets a hybrid boost of
14 hp
. Currently offered in Malaysia are the outgoing version of the A 200 and A 250 sedans.
As for AMG versions of the A-Class, there are 3 models available globally:
Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Saloon
Mercedes-AMG A 35 4 MATIC Hatchback
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Hatchback.
The A 45 hatchback has been dropped from the lineup and the A35 is now electrified with a 48V mild hybrid system. Currently available in Malaysia is the outgoing version of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+. The new version of the A 45 S makes
421 hp
 and
500 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift is set to launch very soon in Malaysia. The final specifications and prices will be confirmed upon its official launch in the country.
RELATED:
2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ launched in Malaysia, RM799k – 761hp, 1020Nm


2020 Toyota Hilux facelift now open for booking in Malaysia!

Shortly after its
global introduction
, UMW Toyota has now announced that the 2020 Toyota Hilux is now open for booking in Malaysia, starting from an estimated price of RM93,880 for the Single Cab 2.4 MT 4×4.
A total of
five variants
 will be on offer, including the aforementioned workhorse Single Cab 2.4 MT (
RM93,880
), a new Double Cab 2.4 E AT (
RM109,880
), Double Cab 2.4 G MT (
RM112,880
), Double Cab 2.4 V AT (
RM134,880
) which is an upgrade from the current
L-Edition
, and the Double Cab 2.8 Rogue AT (
RM148,880
) which replaces the current
Black Edition
.
Only the range-topping 2.8 Rogue AT will receive upgrades to its powertrain this update cycle, featuring an improved version of the 1G-FTV 2.8-litre turbodiesel mill, now rated for an output of
204 hp
 and
 500 Nm
 of twist (a 27 hp and 50 Nm bump).
The new and improved engine features a two-stage oil pump that can optimally switch the oil pressure resulting in better fuel-efficiency, along with a new water-cooled double-pipe type pre-EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) cooler to better manage EGR temperatures.
Otherwise, variants with the “2.4” designation gets the 2GD-FTV 2.4-litre turbodiesel unit that’s carried over from the current model, good for
150 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. As for transmission, The Single Cab and Double Cab 2.4 G models will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission, while the rest gets a six-speed automatic box.
Other mechanical upgrades found on the new Hilux, with the sole exception of the Single Cab variant, include a new power-assisted rack and pinion steering column with a new Variable Flow Control System which helps reduces the demand on the power steering pump, resulting in better fuel economy, while steering feel is also improved across the speed range.
The new Hilux has also been fitted with a new
 automatic limited slip differential
 (LSD) to aid traction in conjunction with the traction control system – controlling braking and engine output when one of the rear wheels start to spin. The system operates only in High range and in 2WD mode at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Aside from the drivetrain, the biggest update to the venerable Hilux is the addition of the
Toyota Safety Sense (TSS)
advanced driver assistance features, which includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Yaw Assist.
As for looks, the 2020 model – which is the second facelift to the eight-generation Toyota Hilux – gains a refreshed front end with a larger hexagonal-shaped grille, flanked by slimmer head lights. The front bumper has also been reworked, along with a newly-designed fog lamps enclosures, while the rear gains new redesigned taillights.
Most of the visual flair goes to the top-of-the-range Rogue variant, which gains new bonnet moulding and skid plate; other variants below it get newly-designed 17- or 18-inch wheels.
Changes on the inside are less apparent. Notable interior kit include a new interior trim design, new instrument cluster design, as well as the addition of an illuminated door trim garnish. The base model also now gets a multi-information display in the instrument cluster.
Buyers can choose between seven exterior colour choices for the 2020 Toyota Hilux, including the new Bronze Mica Metallic, Crimson Spark Red Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, Phantom Brown Metallic, Medium Silver Metallic, Silver Metallic, and Super White II. The Hilux Single Cab is only available in Solid White.
The 2020 Toyota Hilux is now available for booking at all authorised Toyota dealerships across Malaysia. As mentioned above, estimated prices start at RM93,880 for the base model Single Cab variant, and they are priced for on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of sales tax. The finalised pricing will be announced later during the official launch.
For customers interested in the top-of-the-range 2.8 Rogue variant, UMW Toyota is currently offering a special early-bird price of RM144,880 (RM4,000 off) for all purchases made in 2020.
For the latest prices of all other Toyota models in Malaysia, click
here
!
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G01 BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury now in Malaysia, CKD priced at RM320k

The BMW X family has been a strong growth driver for BMW Malaysia. Even more so when the company delivered over 1,000 X models in 2018, a staggering 39 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Now, the BMW X family is going to be further expanded with the all-new G01 BMW X3.
Offered in a sole xDrive30i Luxury trim, the locally assembled SUV will join the existing
X5 xDrive40e
 and the recently launched
X2 sDrive20i
. Managing Director and CEO of BMW Group Malaysia, Mr Harald Hoelzl said, “With over two generations of the BMW X3, we have delivered more than 1.5 million vehicles to lead the segment all over the world. Today, the All-New BMW X3 is set to continue to write the next chapter in BMW’s success story in the premium segment.”
QUICK FACTS
Name
G01 BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury
Engine
2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
252 hp @ 5,200 – 4,800 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
6.3 seconds; 240 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM320,000
Exterior
Underpinning the new X3 is the brands CLAR platform shared with the G30 5 Series. Despite the largely unchanged dimensions, the wheelbase has stretched by 50 mm and the car now weighs
55 kg
 lesser than its predecessor.

The X3 for the Malaysian market is dressed in the Luxury trim line which gets chrome finish on the Kidney grille and window trim, dual exhaust outlets and a more elegant body kit all around. Main equipment includes automatic LED headlamps, full LED taillamps, keyless entry, powered tailgate and 19-inch double-spoke bicolour alloy wheels wrapped in 245/50 R19 profile run-flat  tyres.
Interior
The cabin dittos that of the
530e Sport
, sans the cabin colour combination and X embossing on the door cards. The Luxury line X3 gets Vernasca leather upholstery with contrast stitching, Dark Oak fine wood interior trim and sport seats. Customers can also specify to have their interior in either Black or Brown.

As the Luxury moniker denotes, the X3 comes with plenty of tech too – Digital Instrument Cluster, 10.25-inch touchscreen iDrive system connected to 12-speakers, multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, six-colour ambient lighting, electronic parking brake, reverse camera, Park Distance Control, Parking Assistant and tri-zone automatic climate control.
Boot space is rated at
550 litres
, expandable to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Performance
Under the hood is a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers
252 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of twist. Drive is channelled to all four-wheels courtesy of the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission. The X3 is no slouch either, capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and maxes out at
240 km/h
.
BMW has also kept the cars driving dynamics close to its roots, maintaining a perfect
50:50 weight distribution
, giving the X3 superior handling characteristics.
Safety
Safety equipment is par for the course with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Automatic Differential Brake, Cornering Brake Control, Hill Descent Control and ISOFIX mounting points.
What Else?
The BMW X3 xDrive30i is available in
four exterior colours
 – Terra Brown, Black Sapphire, Glacier Silver and Alpine White. All purchase of the X3 through authorised BMW dealers will come with a 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty, 5-Years/100,000 km Free Scheduled Service, 2-Year/ 24 Month Tyre Warranty, Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline,
BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App
, BMW White Card membership and BMW Service Online.
The X3 will be available at all authorised BMW dealerships nationwide from 25 April 2018 onwards and interested parties can already place a booking for one. First deliveries are expected to commence in July 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury Launch

BMW X3 xDrive30i Luxury Press Photo


Land Rover Off-Road Experience: When mud is just a smudge

“A Land Rover is like a family dog. It’s always up for an adventure, regardless of its kind.”
Those were the words of Ian Seggar, a representative from Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific. The British automaker recently held a five-day special “
Off-Road Experience
” event at Sepang to showcase Land Rover’s full capabilities to their customers and the media.
Many put their money down on these luxury SUVs despite not being fully exposed to the breadth of its off-road capabilities. Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia’s (JLRM) Managing Director, Tuan Syed Mudzhar Syed Ali explained that the objective of the event was to give owners and prospective buyers
full insights
 and
hands-on experience
 of what these cars can do off tarmac.
The
70-year-old brand
 gained more local prominence since the introduction of the
Evoque
, which saw a growing pool of customers who are completely new to the brand. Tuan Syed said, “We are perhaps the
only premium luxury brand
 that can offer the
perfect combination
 of iconic design, enabling technology, on-road refinement and extraordinary off-road capabilities with every product. But best of all, we have a heritage, built over seven decades, that makes Land Rover stand apart from the rest.”
More importantly, JLRM hopes that the Off-Road Experience will equip owners with the
necessary skills and knowledge
 to tackle difficult situations, be it on-road or off-road. Make no mistake, the SUVs is every bit as impressive off-road as they are on-road, if not more. But as the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Before you put your Land Rover through any obstacle, be sure to manually inspect (on foot) the path ahead as this will
minimise the risks of damaging your car
. Or worse, have it stranded, which quite frankly is an unlikely scenario considering how adept they are off-road.
So what makes Land Rovers so proficient off-road, even when they are fitted with road-going tyres? A combination of
robust hardware
 and
very clever software
, apparently. Some of the engine management programmes include Hill Descent Control (which activates – via engine braking – within a lightning quick
0.35 seconds
 upon descent), Traction Control, High and Low range gearing,
multi-mode Terrain Response
, 4×4 Information Display, Dynamic Stability Control and a differential lock. There’s also the ride height adjustable
air suspension
 which raises the SUV on demand, giving more ground clearance.
At the event, all participants were given a crash course on the basics of off-road driving.
It’s not a hovercraft
, mind you, so drivers must be equipped with the necessary know-hows when taking their million-ringgit SUV off-road. The crash course gave participants a
better understanding of their cars
 in terms of vehicle dimensions and clearance limitations, how to ascend and descend hills, tackling ruts and ditches, traversing slopes, and crossing deep waters and elephant steps.
During the event, visitors were also given a sneak preview of the soon-to-come
Discovery Sport
, which sits in between the Range Rover and Defender series. The larger Discovery has yet to make a global debut, and it is only a matter of time before it’s introduced here.
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Lexus RC 300h F Sport Black Edition is possibly the meanest looking coupe

Besides the swanky new Lexus UX compact SUV, the Japanese premium carmaker will also be bringing a Lexus RC 300h F Sport Black Edition to the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS). Inspired by traditional Japanese Sumi Ink, the Black Edition features an all-black theme inside and out.
Sporting a Graphite Black metallic paintwork, the special edition model has its spindle grille finished in dark chrome, repositioned circular LED fog lamps and black stainless-steel window mouldings. As its name suggests, the RC 300h F Sport Black Edition is fitted with the full F Sport exterior pack for an even more aggressive look. The 19-inch F Sport alloy wheels get a unique matt black and bright machined finish to complete the stealth look.
The blacked-out theme continues inside the cabin with smooth black leather, deep black wood trim inserts and black headlining. The only vibrant colour you’ll find is the orange contrast stitching. Otherwise, equipment levels ditto the F Sport Premier Pack specification which includes 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, sunroof, Lexus Premium Navigation with 10.3-inch multimedia display and F Sport sport seats.
Under the hood, you’ll find the same 2.5-litre hybrid powerplant that gives a combined output of
220 hp
. Safety wise, it comes equipped with Lexus Safety System+ active safety and driver assistance function. The Lexus RC 300h F Sport Black Edition will go on sale in UK with a price tag of £45,165 (RM243k).
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Introducing the Nissan Sylphy Zero Emission, Nissan’s first EV built in China

Nissan has unveiled the Nissan Sylphy Zero Emission, Nissan’s first electric car made in China for its Chinese customers, at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show.
The Sylphy Zero Emission runs entirely on an electric powertrain with over 330 km over driving range. The new car is a result of more than 70 years of electric vehicle R&D and 25 years of battery research, and will be one of 20 electrified models planned for the next five years
Built on the same platform as the Nissan LEAF, the world’s best-selling electric car with over 320,000 units sold, the Sylphy Zero Emission inherits the LEAF’s core technologies.
The platform which the Sylphy is built on allows the car’s batteries to be placed under the seats, resulting in a spacious cabin with class-leading legroom.

The Nissan Sylphy Zero Emission will go on sale later in 2018.
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Pirelli develops 5G-connected Cyber Tyre to improve road safety

Cars are getting more and more connected than before, and a growing number of carmakers are including cellular connectivity into their cars for various purposes, from simple navigation and fleet management to increasing performance through a software update in a Tesla.
However, Pirelli thinks there’s still a missing piece here, and that is connected tyres. Being the only point of contact between the car and road, Pirelli feels that there are valuable information to be communicated with the driver, as well as the larger roadway infrastructure.
Dubbed the “Pirelli Cyber Tyre”, the tyres are equipped with an internal sensor that provides various information such as tyre model, mileage, as well as potentially dangers on the road surfaces (presence of water or poor grip) to the driver.
Thanks to the 5G network’s ultra-high band and low latency, the information can be transmitted to the 5G roadway infrastructure, and then conveyed to other vehicles to warn of potential dangers ahead, through V2X technology.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN22QXc0vt0
The Cyber Tyre is part of Pirelli’s larger “Perfect Fit” strategy, which focuses on developing products and services to meet the needs of carmakers and drivers utilising future-forward technologies.
As part of the Perfect Fit line-up, Pirelli also shown-off its “Italia Track Adrenaline” line of sensor-fitted P Zero Trofeo tyres. These tyres include sensors to provide real time information such as tyre pressure and temperature, combined with telemetric data to improve the driver’s performance on track.


Mitsubishi will now let you test drive their cars without a sales consultant

You shouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it first, but with the
Covid-19
 pandemic still very much part of our lives, many are still understandably iffy about sharing a small enclosed space with a stranger. With that in mind, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has now unveiled a new option for customers in the Klang Valley to test drive their cars without a sales consultant!
Customers interested in utilising the new service will need to visit MMM’s official website (linked
here
) and submit a test drive request. A MMM authorised personnel will then contact the customers to verify and confirm the appointment, and make the necessary arrangements to deliver the test drive vehicle to the customer’s preferred location.
All touchpoints of the vehicle will be thoroughly sanitised by the staff before being handed over to the customer for a test drive, and if needed, they will be able to provide the necessary information for the vehicle. The customer is then free to test drive the vehicle for an hour before returning it to the same location as the pre-arranged pick-up point.
RELATED: New 2021 Mitsubishi Xpander facelift unveiled – CVT gearbox, redesigned interior!
MMM Chief Executive Officer, Shinya Ikeda said: “As the nation move towards the endemic era, living with COVID-19 and SOPs are the new-norm challenges that we need to adapt to. As a company, we adapt our business primarily to keep our customers safe.
“Hence we offer the unaccompanied test-drive option for a peace-of-mind shopping experience. This option will allow our customers to experience the Mitsubishi cars on their terms with limited contact.”
In addition to the new unaccompanied test drive service, MMM has also completely overhauled its car-buying process in response to the Covid-19 situation and the new SOPs with the introduction of the Mitsubishi Online Showroom – the company even offers a service to
deliver your new car right to your door step
!
For aftersales services, customers can also utilise the
Mitsubishi Connect MY mobile app
 to make an appointment with their preferred dealership. For further information, customers can contact MMM’s Customer Careline at
1800 18 8161
.


Driving the new Hyundai Tucsons up to Ipoh – turbocharging has made all the difference

Glancing through the exterior, not much seems to have changed save for the larger, more visually-appealing 19-inch wheels but the new 2.0-litre CRDi and the 1.6-litre T-GDi Hyundai Tuscon promises more than meets the eye.
The media drive today allowed us to sample
 two of the Tucson’s new offerings
 on a drive up to Ipoh; beginning with the 2.0-litre CRDi and later on, the 1.6-litre T-GDi for the drive back down to Kuala Lumpur.
Upon setting off from the Holiday Inn in Glenmarie, all 400 Nm of the 2.0 CRDi’s torque could instantly be felt, as if lurking from beneath the hood, even with the slightest tap of the throttle.
Torque is delivered from as low as 1,750 rpm before it fizzles out at 2,750 rpm. Not the biggest rev range to play with but seeing as the Tucson would be used mostly in urban areas it should offer plenty enough for a smooth drive.

The 2.0-litre CRDi utilises a 6-speed Automatic gearbox with a torque converter to contain its massive 400 Nm of torque and 178 hp. Despite not being a dual-clutch system, gear changes in automatic mode were rather seamless and even in manual, delays in the gear shifts were barely noticeable.
The 1.6-litre T-GDi, producing 177 hp with 265Nm of torque, also mated to a six-speed automatic, is carried over from the
Elantra we tried recently and loved
. Although, there have been minor tweaks in its engine mapping along with the use of a single scroll turbocharger instead of a twin scroll unit in the Elantra – a move that had drivability in mind.
With a 400cc deficit against the 2.0-litre variant, performance wasn’t profoundly different once things got going, but the 1.6-litre turbocharged motor did require a little push with peak torque at 4,500 rpm. This was offset by the seven-speed Dual Clutch transmission which was as responsive as dual clutch gearboxes can be, save for DSG’s, even in Manual mode. Its exhaust note at idle and the lower revs were really pleasing to the ears too!

Initial bite on the brakes, ventilated in the front and solid at the rear, weren’t great but as it latches on, it felt progressive without any visible fade in its stopping ability. What was most impressive was the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels of both the 1.6 and 2.0-litre variants at cruising speeds.
At cruising speeds of 110 km/h at 1,800 rpm for the 2.0 CRDi and 110km/h at 2,000 rpm for the 1.6 T-GDi, cabin noise was close to negligible and along with the rather compliant ride, with the Tuscon’s multi-link rear suspension, made for a really pleasant ride, especially in the backseat.
Comfort in the backseat was also provided by generous amounts of rear leg and knee room. The rest of the interior seems to have been carried forward as seen with the seat design, door and other trims with addition of a powered tailgate which did come handy with the loading and unloading of camera equipment.

What really has to go, in our humble opinion, are those Puma-like embroidery on the door panels in red stitching which looked completely pointless and haphazardly-executed. Like the older Tucson, both the new variants come with a Safe Drive recorder as standard.
Drag coefficient of the Tucson has also been improved with significant areas of the undercarriage being covered to allow unhindered flow of air, along with the addition of a front lip. Also new to both the Tucson’s exterior is the Static Bending Lights which complement the LED headlamps; which swivels according to the direction input of the steering.
The rear view camera cleverly incorporated into the rear view mirror comes as standard for both variants with impressive clarity. Although the same can’t be said for the projection of the front view camera which clearly still needs improvement. Truth hurts but it’s hard to ignore the smudged symbol for the front camera view, as if it was stamped by a 2-year old, as it displayed a clear lack of quality control for a car at such a price.
Tough love, but it wouldn’t have been highlighted if there wasn’t any interest to see Hyundai do well.
That said, the display of Google Maps and Waze on the Android-based infotainment system were very clear; it was almost unnusual to have them displayed so clearly on the display in the centre console, in a good way.
All in all, with brief moments spent behind the wheel, this is all that can be said from a few hours with both the variants. One thing’s for sure, with the direction Hyundai has been going, with the impressive Elantra and now the improved Tucson, it’s hard to not see even more potential car owners picking up on the Korean brand if this consistency is upheld.


BMW M240i M Performance Edition, almost an M2, limited to 750 units globally

If for some weird reason you find the
BMW M2
 a little too far fetched an idea, perhaps the BMW M240i M Performance Edition would make a reasonable (and forgivable) alternative to the M2. It’s essentially the range-topper 2 Series clothed with a tasteful selection of M Performance parts.
Based on the current
 M240i,
 this small coupe is powered by a
3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine
 producing
340 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. Transmission options include the standard six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. It’s rear-wheel drive as standard, but customers can opt for the xDrive all-wheel drive for a fee.

The M Performance edition is available exclusively in
 Alpine White
 and gets a rather handsome exterior kit. Adding contrast to the white exterior are contrasty bits like the black kidney grille, black side skirts, carbon fibre spoiler and mirror caps, as well as a tiny rear diffuser. It sits on lightweight M 19-inch alloys and gets improved aerodynamics.
Just like the facelifted
1
 and
2 Series
, the BMW M240i M Performance Edition is available from July onwards, but only 750 units will be commissioned worldwide.
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren P1 GTR: Track-only beast pumps out a mind blowing 986hp [+Video]

This car is another proverbial case of “it’s only a matter of time”, because everyone loves to see just how far (or how much) cars like the P1 and LaFerrari can be pushed, right? Well, meet the
McLaren P1 GTR
, the very car to rival the preposterously powerful (and named)
Ferrari FXX K
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
McLaren P1 GTR
Engine
3.8-litre twin-turbo V8; M838TQ engine paired to a single electric motor
Transmission
7-speed dual clutch transmission
Max Power
986 hp
Max Torque
Unspecified, over 1,000 Nm
Price
Estimated USD 3.3 million (close to RM12 million)
Due to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the P1 GTR, like the
Ferrari XX Programme
, will only be available to existing
375
 P1 owners. There’s no word on the number of GTRs McLaren will produce, but expect no more than 20 since it’s not road-legal in any part of the world anyway.
The GTR uses the same M838TQ engine as its road-legal P1 sibling, that’s the
3.8-litre twin turbo V8
 paired to a sole electric motor pushed to make
986 horsepower
 (900 hp on the standard P1). According to the engineers at McLaren, this is the furthest they could push the P1.
So what’s different? The GTR sports an evidently lowered suspension, larger rear wing and front splitter, wider front track and dual exhaust pipes in the centre. Weight may well have been shaved off here as well, so the P1 will definitely be biting dust at the drag strip if pitted against the GTR. The P1 manages
2.8 seconds
 in the 0 to 100 km/h sprint, just so you know.
Oh, did we mention that the GTR costs close to
 RM12 million
, can only be purchased by existing P1 owners and that the purchase grants you an entry into a
P1 GTR racing series
? You get a pit crew and bespoke driver’s training with McLaren to go with it, too. Did someone just say FXX K?
IMAGE GALLERY


The BMW 4 Series’ vertical “nostrils” is actually a homage to the original kidney grille

The new vertical “bucktooth” grille on the
all-new BMW 4 Series
 is perhaps one of the most hated design element on a modern vehicle, at least in recent years. It has become such a huge controversy that it’s now the first thing everyone talks about whenever BMW releases a new car – we’re guilty of this as well.
But it’s not as if BMW was helpful in easing the heat either; the company’s response to critics was that they’re not here to
“please everyone”
, and lest we forget the edgy,
bizzare
, and
somewhat insulting
marketing campaign for the
BMW iX
 last year.
We can’t be the only ones to think that this actually looks pretty good.
It’s not uncommon to see criticisms whenever a carmaker strays away from their existing design language – remember what happened with the Bangle-era BMWs? But what most people don’t realise, is that the new 4 Series isn’t the first time BMW used vertical kidney grilles. No seriously, take a look at the beloved E30 3 Series and tell us you’re not surprised.
The vertical kidney grille actually dates back all the way to 1933 with the BMW 303. The 303 was a significant milestone for the German carmaker – not only is it the first six-cylinder-equipped BMW, it’s also the first-ever model with a kidney grille. And look at that, the original kidney grille was vertical!
The original kidney grille on the BMW 303.
Back in the 1930s, grilles were commonly tall and big in order to house the larger radiators. Although a centre bar down the middle was a normal design trend for grilles during that era, then BMW designer Fritz Fielder took it a little further by physically separating the two sides into individual elements, rounding the edges, and tilting them slightly backwards to improve aerodynamic. The result kicked off a legend that has continued to appear on almost every BMW ever since.
The tall and slim kidney grille design continued throughout most of the 40s and 50s, perhaps most notably on the 328 race car that first made the BMW brand known in Europe, thanks to its success in motorsports. It was only on the BMW 503, towards the tail end of the 1950s, where the grilles began shrinking in size.
The kidney grille on the BMW M1 – small, but still vertical!
The year 1962 saw the launch of the BMW New Class Sedans model line-up, which also introduced the Hoffmeister kink, another design legacy that graced (almost) all BMWs ever since. The New Class model line-up evolved into the E9 in 1969, which also gave us the legendary 3.0 CSL homologation special.
Ever noticed how all of them have vertical kidney grilles? Even some of the most iconic BMW cars, such as the M1, had them. It wasn’t until the 1990s with the introduction of the BMW E36 3 Series that saw the switch over to horizontal-oriented kidney grilles, and as they say, the rest is history.
BMW 3.0 CSL, 1972
BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage, 2015
You may argue that it’s the sudden, drastic change on the all-new BMW 4 Series that prompted the uproar within the enthusiasts. While there’s merit to that argument, the fact is that BMW never actually moved away from the large vertical grilles, even though they’ve not released a car with one since 1990.
A
recently-published video
 by BMW Group Classic showed off some never-before seen concepts that BMW has been working behind closed doors. Among them is the ZBF-7ER from 1996, featuring a grille design that is remarkably similar to that of the all-new 4-er.
BMW once again brought the large vertical grille back (this time publicly) with the 328 Hommage concept in 2011, and again on the 3.0 CSL Hommage concept in 2015. So even though the large upright grille on the all-new BMW 4 Series was a shock to many, the design was probably already in the works for about 10 years now.
From left: BMW 3.0 CS, G22 BMW 4 Series, BMW 328
When BMW launched the all-new 4 Series, the company’s design boss Domagoj Dukec said that the new car is a culmination of BMW’s rich heritage, reinterpreted for the modern world. And there’s so much more than just the grille that Dukec was referring to in that statement; from the subtle nod to the classic shark nose, and the redesigned Hoffmeister kink, all taking inspiration from BMW’s past models.
The large vertical grille may look odd for now, but we’re sure that with time, we’ll all eventually get used to it, and perhaps see the beauty behind it. I mean, just look at how well the Bangle-design E60 5 Series has aged over the years – and we’re now already warming up to the new 4 Series!


The upcoming Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be the first car to have frontal airbags for rear passengers

Continuing its
slow drip treatment
 on the information of the upcoming S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has now unveiled many of the new innovations in the safety department on the full-sized luxury sedan in its second entry of its Meet the S-Class
Digital series
, ahead of its official premiere in September this year – including the world’s first forward airbag for the rear passengers.
Available with the S-Class Executive Rear Seat Package, the rear airbags uses cylindrical, tubular structures that are inflated with compressed air upon impact, forming a “wing-shaped” structure. A large, “tent-like” airbag then deploys in the centre portion of the frame structure.
Unlike the regular airbags at the front, the German carmaker says that the new tubular design allows for rapid deployment of a relatively large airbag volume. The whole process also happens at a comparatively low force, and thus resulting in a lower risk of injury.
The rear airbags work in conjunction with the new inflatable seat belts, which also comes with optional illuminated “designer belt buckles” to make fastening the seat belts easier, and probably make you look good while doing so.
The rear passengers are not the only ones getting new safety and airbag tech. Between the two front passengers, Mercedes-Benz is also adding a new centre airbag to prevent the clashing of two heads, especially during side impacts.
As an added protection against side impacts, the new optional
 E-Active Body Control
 feature enabled by the 48-volt chassis can
raise the entire car by 80 mm
 when it detects an imminent side impact, therefore channelling the main brunt force to the more resilient lower structures, reducing damage to the main passenger cell.
The E-Active Body Control also integrates directly into the much more powerful
new MBUX system
, using the 20 sensors and a stereo camera to scan the road surfaces more than 1,000 times a second to adapt the suspension accordingly, resulting in a smoother drive over road imperfections.
Additionally, the system can also actively adjust the dampers and spring rates in anticipation of a bend, or even actively “lean” into the corner, which can be especially helpful for passengers prone to motion sickness.
On the topic of turns and bends, the upcoming
S-Class
 will be the first Mercedes-Benz to feature a
 rear-wheel steering
, with up to 10 degrees of articulation. As a result, Mercedes claims that the upcoming S-Class will be as manoeuvrable as a compact car, boasting a turning circle of less than 11 metres (turning radius lesser than 5.5 metres).
The Driving Assistance Package has also been improved, with new functions such as Active Blind Spot Assist that has been detailed in the previous entry, the Active Steering Assist that will automatically move the car aside to allow for emergency services vehicles to pass through, as well as a new and improved parking assist system.
Just like the
AEB system
 that was first introduced to Mercedes-Benz models starting from the S-Class nearly 20 years ago, we can definitely expect to see these new features slowly trickle down into the rest of the three-pointed star’s model line-up.
The full episode of the digital presentation can be viewed
here
, if you’re interested.


Mercedes-Benz X-Class to be X-ed due to poor sales and cost

Debuted in 2017, the
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
 was the three-pointed star’s maiden voyage into the light commercial vehicles division in an attempt to diversify its product line up. However, after going on sale for a mere two years, it seems that the
premium
pick-up truck might be dropped in the near future.
According to
Automotive News Europe
, Daimler is looking to reduce the group’s operation costs amid revising profit forecast for the fourth time in 13 months. The X-Class, which only sold 16,700 units in Europe, Australia and South Africa in 2018, is on the chopping board due to poor market reception.
Daimler is looking to reduce the group’s operation costs amid revising profit forecast for the fourth time in 13 months. The X-Class, which only sold 16,700 units in Europe, Australia and South Africa in 2018, is on the chopping board due to poor market reception.
The X-Class, which is merely
a reskinned Nissan Navara, commanded a high premium over the competition.
Despite the Mercedes-Benz exterior image, the outdated cabin design and less
than ideal load performance (due to rear coil spring setup as opposed to leaf
springs) steered customers away to more capable ladder frame models for their heavy-duty
needs.


Christian von Koenigsegg explains the 1030hp Agera S to AutoBuzz.my [+Video]

The arrival of a new hypercar marque in Malaysia has definitely created excitement among local car enthusiasts. What more, it is Swedish hypercar maker ‘Koenigsegg’, represented by official importer and distributor for Malaysia and Indonesia, Naza Swedish Motors.
Unveiled recently in Malaysia is the Koenigsegg Agera S, by Naza Swedish and Christian von Koenigsegg, the founder of Koenigsegg Automotive AB.
AutoBuzz.my gets an interview with
Christian von Koenigsegg
 and an exclusive walk-around with the
 1030hp Koenigsegg Agera S
.
It was a stop motion animation that inspired a child, young Koenigsegg at the age of 6, to build his own race car, and become what he is today.  At the age of 22, Christian von Koenigsegg started Koenigsegg Automotive AB in 1994 and produced his first prototype 2 years later, the
Koenigsegg CC
. In year 2002, he introduced his first production car the
Koenigsegg CC8S
 that won multiple accolades including ‘Most Powerful Production Engine’.
From then on, there were the
CCR
 in 2004 (fastest production car in the world 2005 @ 388.87 km/h),
CCX
 in 2006 and
CCXR
 in 2007 (world’s first green hypercar, biofuel powered).
The Agera made its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. ‘
Agera
’ means ‘
to take action
‘ in Swedish. It features a Koenigsegg developed 5.0-litre variable geometry twin-turbo V8 engine, with  a newly developed 7-speed gearbox. It produces 910 hp. In 2011, the Agera was pumped up to 1140hp, the
Agera R
. That runs on E85 biofuel.
The
Agera S
 was introduced in 2012 for countries where E85 biofuel doesn’t come by easily. Powered by a 5.0-liter twin turbo V8 petrol engine, it produces less power than its biofuel dependent sibling. The 100th Koenigsegg vehicle ever made was a Agera S in 2013, commemorated by a special built unit with gold leaf inlays named “
Hundra
” (Swedish for hundred).
Mr. Koenigsegg didn’t stop there. He then continues to achieve his dream of building the perfect sports car. In less than 20 years, he created the world’s first ‘
megacar
’, the
One:1
. The one to one ratio of power to weight, that’s 1 horsepower to 1 kilogram of weight.
1360 hp to 1360 kg
 ratio to be exact. That’s 1 Megawatt car.
Special thanks to Chirstian von Koenigsegg for his time and inspirational success story.
[divider]
VIDEO GALLERY
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton positive on sales recovery for the rest of 2021

Following close to three months of manufacturing and sales restriction for the automotive industry, Proton has set out to finish 2021 on a high now that operations can
resume
.
Production at both plants has gradually been restored, thanks to Proton’s vaccination drive for all its employees as well as its suppliers. The latest figures show that over
93%
 of Proton’s workforce are
fully vaccinated
 while the figure is over 75% at vendors and dealers. This high percentage allows Proton’s ecosystem to operate at 100% of capacity based on the latest SOPs for the reopening of businesses.
“The success of our vaccination programme will be vital to our performance for the rest of year. By having a fully vaccinated workforce, we can reassure the market that Proton has taken every conceivable step to make it safe for fully vaccinated customers to visit our showrooms and service centres,” said Proton Edar, CEO, Roslan Abdullah.
From June to August 2021, Proton managed to achieve a total sales volume of 5,354 units, comprising a mix of
online registrations
 and exports. Up to the end of August, the total 2021 volume was 62,637, an increase of 1.6% over the same period last year.
With many unanswered questions, we pit the Proton X50 against the BMW X1 and Honda HR-V again for a proper quarter-mile drag race. Watch it here!
The
Proton Saga
 continues to be the main contributor with 1,645 units in the June to August period, while the
X70
 lead the SUV sales at 790 units and the X50 just 26 units less. With the launch of the latest
Iriz Active
 variant plus the
facelifted Persona
, both locally developed Proton models are showing very positive reception through sales of 753 units and 1,091 units respectively.
Sales of 303 units of the Proton Exora complete the sales tally of 5,354 units. In the export division, Proton will deliver three shipments of Proton X70 models that amount to about 108 units in September along with CKD packs of the Proton Saga that is expected to commence
Pakistan’s
 local assembly at the end of October.
The Proton X50’s cousin in China has been given more than just a facelift. More about the latest Geely Binyue here!


Renault to step up production in Iran through joint venture

Groupe Renault and Industrial Development & Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) and PARTO NEGIN NASEH Co, an importer of Renault products in Iran, has put pen to paper on a joint venture agreement to increase production capacity.
The venture, which will see Renault be the majority shareholder, will include an engineering and purchasing centre to support the development of local suppliers. There will also be a plant with an initial production capacity of 150,000 vehicles a year, supplementing Groupe Renault’s existing capacity of 200,000 vehicles a year in the country. The new Symbol and Duster models will be the first vehicles produced at the plant.
The plant will be in Saveh, located 120km from Tehran. They will be owned and operated by the joint venture company. In addition to the vehicle plant announced in September 2016, an engine plant is also planned with a capacity of 150,000 units a year.
“We are happy to sign this agreement with IDRO and PARTO NEGIN NASEH Co. In a rapidly expanding Iranian market, it was vital to implement plants, engineering and purchasing centre. This joint venture will enable an acceleration of our growth in this country” said  Member of Groupe Renault Executive Committee and Chief Competitive Officer, Thierry Bolloré.
According to
BBC
, part of the deal is that 30% of the cars and parts will go for export.
“The signing of this new joint venture reinforces the strategic choices we have made in Iran and will open new perspectives in a 2 million vehicle market projected in 2020”, said Stefan Mueller, Member of Groupe Renault Executive Committee and Chief Performance Officer.
The Groupe Renault has been present in Iran since 2003. Renault and its Iranian partners have produced 500,000 vehicles to date.


Lexus discontinues IS 250, introduces IS 200t, IS 300 AWD and IS 350

As you would have known or heard by now, the Lexus IS will get the company’s own twin scroll turbocharged 2.0-litre engine taking form in the
IS 200t
, one that will make its way here in the fourth quarter this year.
While the IS 200t replaces the outgoing IS 250 variant, Lexus is adopting a new strategy in continuing the IS nameplate by introducing the
IS 300 AWD
 and
IS 350
. The turbocharged IS 200t will be
RWD only
, and gets an
 eight speed automatic gearbox
 to complement the
 241 hp
 and
350 Nm
 made by the new four cylinder engine.

Powering the IS 300 AWD is a
modified naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6
 block also shared with the IS 350 variant, but here it produces
255 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque at 2,000 to 4,800 rpm. As the name suggests, the 300 will get an
 electronically controlled All-Weather Drive
 and a
six-speed automatic
 transmission.
Topping off the IS range is the IS 350, which shares its engine with the IS 300. However, it’s tuned to make
306 hp
 and
376 Nm
 of torque mated to an
eight-speed Sport Direct Shift
 automatic transmission with integrated Advanced G-Force Artificial Intelligence for intuitive gear selection. The IS 350 can be had in either RWD or AWD formats – the latter allowing automatically variable front-to-rear torque split from 30:70 to 50:50.
2016 Lexus IS 300 AWD F Sport

It’s very likely that, when the IS 200t arrives in Malaysia, the
F Sport package
 will be offered as well. This package will grant
shaper handling acuity
 (courtesy of the specially tuned suspension) matched aesthetically with a set of 18-inch wheels. The exterior and interior will also get mild revisions, whereas the F Sport pack for the IS 300 AWD and IS 350 will come with a sportier intake sound.
Safety wise, the 2016 Lexus IS is fitted with
10 airbags
 as standard across the range (our current IS comes with eight airbags), Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, Pedestrian Protection Performance, front and rear parking sensors with reverse camera and a host of other carryover features.
2016 Lexus IS 350 F Sport
There are
eight exterior colours
 and
five different interior colour schemes
 to match, but whether or not we will get all hues remains to be seen. Be sure to stick around for the latest insights on the Lexus IS!
IMAGE GALLERY
Lexus IS 200t

Lexus IS 300 AWD F Sport

Lexus IS 350


Here’s 70 years of Porsche’s history compressed in 7 minutes

Porsche’s history has been long and illustrious from the get-go since it was founded by one Ferdinand Porsche; way before its 911 models sparked a cult-like following for the brand.
Throughout the years, from building race cars and manufacturing mainstream vehicles like the Beetle during World War 2, their claim to fame was led by the introduction of the Porsche 356 before its 911 models propelled the brand to sportscar royalty status.
If you’ve got seven minutes to spare, there’s no better way to spend it but to indulge in this brief but concise history of Porsche’s journey in becoming one of the most notable brands in the automotive world.
Source:
Motoring.com.au


Volkswagen T-Cross compact SUV to debut in early 2019

The countdown for the global premiere of the new
Volkswagen T-Cross compact SUV
 has begun with the official market launch to happen in early 2019. The baby SUV will be introduced with the slogan “I am more” that covers four aspects “I am practical”, “I am cool”, “I am intuitive” and “I am safe”.
In the latest teaser video, Volkswagen talks a little more about the design language of the T-Cross, highlighting its charismatic and masculine appearance. The new SUV will get some of the brand’s family language such as wide radiator grille and sharp character lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTAvgTTTMJs
We know that the T-Cross will adopt the group’s MQB platform, measures 4,107 mm in length and is strictly front-wheel driven. The ergonomics of the interior was extensively tested to ensure that the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 rival will have one of the most spacious interiors in its class.
There will be no less than 12 exterior colour options of the T-Cross and bi-colour paintwork is also available as an option when the car is launched. The cabin will also feature a two-tone interior and based on the sketches, it appears to be a carbon copy of the larger T-Roc’s cabin. Sporty and funky is the name of the game here.

The
Volkswagen T-Roc was a big hit in Europe
, raking in over 40,000 orders in the first four months after its debut. The smaller T-Cross will cater to a different group of clienteles who prefers to commute in a smaller sized SUV. Question is, will it replicate the same success story written by the T-Roc?


BMW Malaysia teases iX on Facebook – Is the electric SUV coming to Malaysia soon?

In today’s episode of things-we-did-not-expect, BMW Malaysia has published a post on its
Facebook page
, with a link to its website for customers to register their interest for the
BMW iX electric SUV
.
No, this wasn’t a mistake on BMW Malaysia’s part – the iX is indeed listed on the local entity’s
website
, alongside the other i-branded models, just without a price tag. So the only question on everyone’s mind then: Is it coming soon to Malaysia?
Well, not so soon at least. Although the iX has been unveiled globally in November last year, BMW says that the reveal was just a “design world premiere”, so a large chunk of the technical details were still kept under wraps. The official market launch will only happen sometime in “late 2021”.
But the fact that BMW Malaysia has listed the model on their website, most probably means that the fully-electric SUV will be making its way onto our shores, when it becomes available globally, of course. BMW Malaysia’s past performance with the i sub-brand does also help instil some confidence – both the
 i3s
 and i8 (in both
coupe
 and
roadster
 form) were previously made available in Malaysia through official channels.
As for the car itself, BMW says that the iX is similar in size to the
X5
, with the height of an
X6
, and an interior space comparable to the
X7
. This is in part due to the new scalable and modular chassis, designed specifically for electric powertrains.
While most technical specifications are still withheld, BMW did say that the iX will be equipped with the company’s latest
 fifth-generation eDrive powertrain
, featuring two electric motors to make
at least 500 hp
, which will result in a 0-100 km/h time of
under five seconds
.
The BMW iX will feature the brand’s latest
 iDrive Operating System 8.0
software.
It’s certainly an interesting strategy to introduce the fully-electric BMW iX here in Malaysia, especially as our nationwide charging infrastructure is still very much in the infancy stage. But of course, there needs to be someone to lead the electrification push here in our country, and at the very least, it tracks well with BMW Group Malaysia’s
 commitment to go all-in on electrification
. Will you be registering your interest in BMW’s “Next Big Thing”?


More “GT models” to come after Subaru Forester GT launch at the Singapore Motor Show

The veil was just lifted off the new Subaru Forester GT at the 2020 Singapore Motorshow,
after our media preview
 following its first appearance at the Taipei International Auto Show in December last year.
Subaru GT Edition cars are designed in close collaboration between Giken Co. Ltd., and Mr. Masahiko ‘Jack’ Kobayashi, who is the former Chief Designer at Subaru Corporation. Jack’s portfolio over the years include 12 different production Subarus, including the halo WRX STI.
Pictured here is Mr Kobayashi
In a brief chat with Mr Kobayashi, he also
confirms that more GT Edition cars are coming
, but he declined to confirm which models they will be.
All around the exterior of the car is a new aero kit that consists of a front bumper extension, side skirts, a roof spoiler, and a rear bumper extension. The GT Edition Forester also gets bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels.
For now, Subaru says there is
no plan to sell the GT Edition kit separately
for the current Foresters.
Inside, a new
two-tone seat design
differentiates it from the regular Forester. There’s also
a new generation infotainment screen
 in here. While it may be the same 8-inch head unit, the resolution has been improved and it has a few new features like the All-round View Monitor 2.
It offers a 360-degree view of the car, and as the Forester and XV both share the older screen, it
will be introduced as a running update to both models in Malaysia around March this year
.
As for the existing models, they can retrofitted with the new head unit at a price, although it isn’t disclosed just yet.
Underneath the new GT kit is the 2.0i-S EyeSight variant so you get the same features except those mentioned above. LED DRLs give it an unmistakable road presence at all times, while the rear tail lights are shaped to resemble the pistons on a boxer engine.
There is a powered tailgate with memory function, while true to its offroad aspirations, there are headlamp washers as well.
As mentioned, the EyeSight system makes an appearance here too. Twin cameras pointed to the front of the car enable Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management, Lane Sway and Departure Warning, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.
Other systems like Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Blind-Spot Detection also finds its way onto the car.
However, yesterday during a short test circuit we were introduced to two new features, the
Emergency Rear Braking
 and a
new parking guidance system for reverse parking
.
Subaru has no plans to introduce the former to our market, though, as its cost outweighs its utility, according to their studies.
Under the hood, the Forester GT will have a
2.0-litre Boxer engine
pumping out a healthy
156 hp
 and
196 Nm
torque which is the same as the other variants. It is partnered to a 7-speed Lineartronic CVT gearbox, and power is sent to all four wheels.
IMAGE GALLERY
Subaru Forester GT


Roadshows are back! Save up to RM10,000 at the VW Tour at 1 Utama – 13 to 17 Oct.

With restrictions slowly easing up, roadshows can now finally return from hibernation – and Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is the first to bite with the VW Tour, coming to you live and in person at 1 Utama Shopping Centre (Centre Court, Old Wing) from the
13th to 17th of October
.
Customers who place a booking for a new Volkswagen at the roadshow will enjoy an event-exclusive RM1,000 rebate on selected models, plus other additional discounts of up to RM10,000, and one year of free vehicle insurance.
Of course, the
sales tax exemption
 is also still valid until the end of the year, and all models in VPCM’s line-up have ready stock units on hand, which means you won’t have to wait and potentially miss out on the currently cheaper prices!
Check out the new Volkswagen Arteon R-Line in more detail in our in-depth gallery here!
Test drives are also available at the VW Tour roadshow, with offerings such as the new
Arteon R-Line 4Motion
,
Passat Elegance
,
Passat R-Line
,
Tiguan Allspace Highline
, and
Tiguan Allspace R-Line
ready for you to experience in person.
To ensure the health and safety of everyone, strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be in effect at the roadshow, in line with the Government’s directives and VPCM’s #SafeHands measures.
For more information on this weekend’s Volkswagen Tour roadshow, visit the event page linked
here
.


Maxus Mifa 9 EV now in Singapore – approx. RM983k, 435km range

Ahead of its debut in Malaysia, the fully-electric
Maxus Mifa 9
 has been launched in Singapore, retailing at SGD282,999 (approx.
RM983,371
) inclusive of CoE, and seemingly in a single variant only. Based on the specifications of the Singapore-spec Maxus Mifa 9, it is the “Luxury” variant (in certain regions), although not named so for the country.
The official distributor for Maxus in Malaysia is Weststar Group which has recently teased the arrival of the Maxus Mifa 9 in Malaysia. If you haven’t known yet, the Maxus Mifa 9 is a luxury MPV that is slightly larger than the Toyota Alphard. It measures 5,270 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, and 1,840 mm tall, and with a wheelbase that measures 3,200 mm.
Offered in single variant only in Singapore, there are actually a total of three variants for the Maxus Mifa 9 available globally – “Elite”, “Luxury”, and “Premium”. The Mifa 9 in Singapore is specced very similarly to the “Luxury” variant. Its styling is typical of EVs from its region and it is a pretty decent-looking MPV.
Driving the Maxus Mifa 9 is a single electric motor that outputs 180 kW (
244 hp
) and
350 Nm
. All power is sent to the front wheels only and the Mifa 9 manages a 0-100 km/h acceleration time in
9.2 seconds
 onward to a top speed of
180 km/h
.
RELATED:
Maxus Mifa 9 teased for Malaysia, Electric MPV with up to 440km range
Powering the Singapore-spec Maxus Mifa 9 is a
90-kWh
 battery pack that provided 435 km of range (WLTP). The “Elite” and “Premium” variants can manage 440 km and 430 km of range respectively. Charging can be done at a maximum rate of
11 kW
 with AC charging and
120 kW
 with DC charging. The former charges the car from 5% to 100% in
8.5 hours
 while the latter charges the car from 30% to 80% in
30 minutes
.
Inside, the Maxus Mifa 9 is equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android connectivity, a 7-inch digital dashboard, 7 USB ports, 8 speakers, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system.
RELATED:
Maxus T60 gets free performance boost for 2022 in Malaysia, but for a limited time only
Safety-wise, the Maxus Mifa 9 boasts safety features such as Speed Assist System (SAS), Intelligent Headlight Control (IHC), Emergency Lan Keeping Assist, Rear Autonomous Emergency Braking (RAEB), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), and driver fatigue monitor system. Teased through Weststar Group’s social media for now, we may soon witness the launch of the Maxus Mifa 9 in Malaysia.


Aston Martin KL reveals customised Vantage “Bohemian Edition”

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has introduced a customised version of the Vantage for its customer called
‘The Bohemian Edition’
.
Stand out features on the Vantage includes a silver vaned front grille paired with the Arizona Bronze exterior paint colour. The colour was inspired by the light sand of the Arizona desert.
According to Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur, it’s the first time ever in Malaysia that such a colour has been specified. The standard Vantage starts from RM 698,000 while the Vantage “Bohemian Edition” is priced at
 RM

890,000.00
 (both prices stated exclude duties and taxes).
RELATED: Aston Martin Vantage “Hunter Edition” arrives in KL
Alongside the limited-edition release, Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur also announced that some features previously optional in the Vantage are now standard. They include keyless entry, blindspot monitoring, auto park assist, touchpad and glass switches which are bundled under the Technology Pack. Also standard are quad-exhaust tips and a 360-degree camera.
The Vantage is home to a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with
510 hp
 and
685 Nm
, paired with an 8-speed ZF transmission to drive the rear wheels. 0 to 100 km/h is obliterated in just 3.6 seconds.
RELATED: The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a 700 hp swan song to mark the end of an era
GALLERY


McLaren to introduce “entry level” hybrid sports car later this year

We can’t stress the air quotes enough, because well, it’s still a McLaren. But if
this report
 by
Autocar
 is anything to go by, the British supercar maker will introduce a mainstream hybrid sports car
by the end of this year
.
According to insider sources, the new hybrid car will be part of the Sports Series – the lowest in the brand’s three-tier range, apart from the
GT
 of course. The new hybrid car will be powered by a
 twin-turbocharged V6 engine
 as part of the
plug-in hybrid powertrain
, as opposed to the recuperative-only hybrid system found on the P1.
As expected, McLaren CEO, Mike Flewitt declined to comment on specifics in an interview with Autocar. However, he admitted that he’s excited for the prospects of using hybrid powertrains to both boost performance while also reducing emissions.
Citing their experience with hybrid powertrains on cars like the
P1
 and
Speedtail
, Flewitt says that McLaren “sees opportunities with hybrid [powertrains], in terms of the instant torque and filling the gaps in the powerband.”
The new hybrid sports car is expected to be capable of an
 pure-electric range of more than 32 km
 and “strong longer-distance fuel economy”. According to COO Jens Ludmann, the engineers at McLaren has also found a way to workaround the number one drawback of any electrified powertrain – weight.
“At McLaren, we’re fortunate that we’re not so constrained by building to a price,” said Ludmann. “Our customers want the best, so that’s what we obsess over.”
Previous reports
 suggests that the new Sports Series hybrid sports car will weigh within 30-40 kg of the outgoing model.


GoCar offers 3-hr free vehicle usage and free shuttle service for vaccination appointments!

GoCar Malaysia has announced its new GoVax CSR programme to provide
free and safe transportation to vaccination centres
, mainly in Klang Valley and Penang.
With that, GoCar is offering three hours of free vehicle usage for vaccination appointments via the “GOVAX” promo code. The promo code is valid for round-trip bookings
between the 11th of May and the 31st of July 2021
. Booking of GoCar’s vehicles should be made at least seven hours in advance.
The GoVax programme also aims to help senior citizens and disabled persons living in the Petaling Jaya district with free shuttle service to and from vaccination centres in Hospital Shah Alam, Klinik Rakan Medik Petaling Jaya and Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre.
The
free shuttle service is aimed at senior citizens 60 years and above
. Those with mobility difficulties will need to be accompanied by someone such as a caregiver or friend/family member.
To book the free GoVax shuttle service, simply follow these steps:
Ensure that the vaccination appointment has been confirmed by the government. Notifications will be provided via the MySejahtera app and SMS.
Contact the GoVax taskforce at least three days before the scheduled vaccination appointment by calling the
24/7 hotline 1 300-30-2633
. Slots are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be asked to provide your name, IC number, mobile phone number, and address for verification and coordination.
Someone from the GoVax taskforce will be in touch to confirm your free shuttle pickup time, based on available slots.
Be ready 30 mins before your scheduled pickup time with your I.C. and mobile phone and proof of your vaccination appointment.
Repeat the above for your second vaccination appointment.
Those who already had their first vaccination shot are also eligible for the GoVax free shuttle for their second shot. The GoVax shuttle service will be
available from now until 31 August 2021
.


DS fits Mona Lisa and 181 other paintings into the limited-edition DS 7 Crossback Louvre

With the
 Covid-19 pandemic
 still causing trouble around the world, the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris will most likely remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future. For those dreaming of travelling to Paris just to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa, French carmaker DS is offering the next best thing by bringing the museum to you – in the form of the limited-edition DS 7 Crossback Louvre edition.
The
DS 7 Crossback
 Louvre is the result of a collaboration between
DS Automobiles
 and Le Louvre Museum. Through a feature called ‘A Day at the Louvre’, buyers of the limited-edition DS 7 Crossback will have access to a 182-item curated list of the most beautiful and important works in the Louvre Museum, displayed directly on the car’s 12-inch high-definition infotainment display.
These works include the portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, The Wedding at Cana by Véronèse, and The Winged Victory of Samothrace. Each piece will also be accompanied by a four-minute podcast that reveals its history and secrets.
In addition, each unit of the DS 7 Crossback Louvre will also come with a “Friends of the Louvre” card, which guarantees unlimited admission for one year to the Louvre Museum’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, alongside the musée national Eugène-Delacroix – that is when they are finally reopened to the public, of course.
Aside from the art gallery, the DS 7 Crossback Louvre – only available in Ink Blue, Perla Nera Black, and Platinum Grey – also features several exclusive “Louvre” touches on its exterior, such as the exclusive Louvre badging on the bonnet, front wings, and tailgate that reflects the iconic shape of the Louvre Pyramid.
The same iconic shape is repeated in the wing mirror housings, where the signature Pyramid pattern has been created by DS Automobiles artisans using cutting edge laser etching techniques.
Other details include the use of gloss black trims on the wings that around the front grille, window surrounds, roof bars, and the frames for the LED tail lights. The DS 7 Crossback Louvre also gets a unique Alexandria design on its 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.
Moving inside, the pyramid pattern is repeated on the stainless steel air vent controllers, dashboard, and also embossed in the Nappa leather covering of the centre console storage compartment.
The DS 7 Crossback Louvre is based on the Ultra Prestige variant, with the PureTech 225 petrol engine as the sole offering. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged mill makes
225 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque, sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 0-100 km/h is rated at
 8.3 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
227 km/h
.
Standard equipment on the Ultra Prestige variant include the DS Active Scan suspension, which uses a camera to analyse the road ahead, making minute adjustments to the suspensions for a smoother ride.

Also standard is the DS Connected Pilot level two autonomous driving system, with features including adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane centring assist, active blind spot detection, speed limit recognition warning, extended traffic sign recognition, as well as driver attention warning.
The DS 7 Crossback Louvre is available now for the lucky people over at the UK, with on-the-road prices starting from GBP46,530 (~RM257k).


Volvo C40 Recharge: Possibly the most creative and practical storage space ever

On first impression, one wouldn’t expect much practicality from the
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric
 due its size alone. Already based on the small XC40 SUV, its cabin is even smaller due to its sloping roof design. But believe it or not, the Volvo C40 Recharge is a perfect example of how storage space should be designed in a car.
And one look in the boot is all it takes to show you how much the C40 prioritizes practicality. Firstly, one-half of the boot floor can be folded up, and already you can see that there is additional space underneath the boot floor for the charging cable and any other loose items you may have.
The one-half of the boot floor also becomes a partition when folded up so if your boot isn’t filled to the brim, your items won’t go flying around in the trunk. It’s something many of us may overlook, but not hearing loud thuds and rolls in the trunk while you’re driving contributes to a more peaceful driving experience.
There are also hooks on that folded-up partition for shopping bags and these don’t exactly take the entire weight of your bags, but they do help to keep them in place. The total boot space in the C40 is over 400 litres despite having a sloped roofline.
RELATED:
Gallery – Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric, RM289k AWD EV
The shopping bag hooks may not be able to take much weight, but they do help to keep things in place.
And if that boot wasn’t enough storage space for you, the C40 (unlike some EVs) actually has a frunk. It provides 31 litres of storage space, and it is also where the tyre repair kit is placed.
The C40’s frunk offers 31 litres of storage space
Practical storage space can also be seen inside the cabin with the biggest one being the front door bins. With one large opening, the front door bins can fit an entire laptop (with some other small loose items as well), making it perfect for young urban professionals. There’s also a clever hook that folds out from the glovebox which can hold up to 2kg of load.
ALSO WATCH:
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric, from RM289k – 5 Things
A hook that folds out from the glovebox
A removable dustbin in the centre console
The best storage feature in the C40 would be the removable dustbin that is nestled in the centre console. If you’re one to appreciate a tidy cabin, you would find this extremely useful as you no longer have to deal with having rubbish left in the door bins and other cubby spaces.
The C40 may be small, but the clever compartments do make it feel like a bigger car in terms of practicality. What other cars can you think of that provide equally or more organized storage space?
RELATED:
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric launched in Malaysia, from RM289k


Bespoke McLaren 650S Spider Al Sahara 79 by MSO unveiled in Dubai, exclusive for Middle East market

Following the introduction of the
650S Can-Am
, McLaren is celebrating their success in the middle-eastern market with this unique 650S Spider Al Sahara 79 by MSO. Crafted by none other than their own crafty team called McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the 650S Spider with a mouthful name is only offered to their customers in the Middle East.
If you’re wondering how they came out with that name,
Al Sahara
 is
Arabic for desert
 and
 79
 is the
atomic number for gold
. While the name roughly translates to “
desert gold
“, thankfully MSO did a subtle yet tasteful job instead of just wrapping a 650S Spider in gold vinyl. The Super Series sports car is painted in a unique
pearlescent white gold
 that has been infused with
24 carat gold particles
, giving it a subtle shimmer inspired by the golden desert sands. The glistening paintwork is contrasted by the
carbon fibre aero bits
 as well as
gloss black roof and wheels
.

The black-and-white theme is repeated again on the inside. The interior is mainly black, but it’s been spiced up by the
glossy Al Sahara 79 trim pieces
 on the steering wheel spokes, center console, and door panels. The seats are upholstered in
black and White Almond leather
, while the
vents and switchgears
 are finished in
dark gold
.

Nothing is changed under the lid at the back, but that’s no bad thing since the 650S Spider has a
twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8
 mounted just behind the occupants’ seats. A total of
641 hp
 and
678 Nm
 of torque is available to send the car from
 0 to 100 km/h
 in
3.0 seconds
 and all the way to the
329 km/h top speed
. To us, that’s far from shabby.
The
McLaren 650S Spider Al Sahara by MSO
 debuts at the
Dubai International Motor Show
 that’s currently held from 10th to 14th November 2015. The desert gold car retails at
1,456,308 AED
, which is
around RM 1.73 million
 before taxes.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mitsubishi Xpander selling by the truckloads in Indonesia – expect the same in Malaysia?

Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC) recently announced that the
Xpander
 has enjoyed one of the most successful launches of any vehicle in Indonesia since it was
introduced on a global scale
 not long ago.
The numbers are simply staggering; ever since it was showcased at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) where it took in more than 5,000 orders, the figures now stand at 23,000 units – more orders placed for any car model launched by any brand at the show since 2010.

With the aim of attracting the younger demographic with the opportunity to own their first vehicle, you can see why the Xpander is such a success with boundless practicality. Housing a frugal 1.5-litre MIVEC engine with an output of
 105 hp
, the Xpander also stands out with its commendable ground clearance alongside its
best-in-class cabin space
.
Complementing the generous space are also features like
16 bottle holders
 with dedicated smartphone trays for each passenger. Aside from that, what’s also worth noting is that the large windshield of the Xpander is made of
soundproof glass
, laminated with an extra sound-absorbing layer to ensure noise doesn’t seep into the cabin.
With recent news on the development of the
e-EVOLUTION
 which would come equipped with Artificial Intelligence capabilities, there is much from MMC to look forward to, especially now that they’ve
joined the Alliance made up of Nissan and Renault
. When the EXPANDER
arrives in Malaysia as confirmed
, expect it to give the likes of Toyota Avanza and the
Honda BR-V
 a close fight!
IMAGE GALLERY


The Aventador Ultimae is the ultimate celebration of Lamborghini’s V12 era

Lamborghini’s iconic V12 engine is
coming to an end
 – at least as we know it. As a celebration of its legacy, Lamborghini has unveiled the Aventador Ultimae, which coincidentally, will also be the last
Aventador
.
And what a way to celebrate. Lamborghini calls this, quite literally, the ultimate Aventador – combining all the best bits from every variant over its 10 years of existence into one single “best hits” album.
Now in its final form, The 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine makes the most power it has ever made at
780 hp
and
720 Nm
of torque – 40 hp more than the
Aventador S
, and 10 hp over the
SVJ
.
Paired to a 7-speed independent shifting rod (ISR) gearbox, which shifts in fewer than 50 milliseconds, the Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae propels itself from a standstill to 100km/h in just
2.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
355 km/h
.
In order to put all 780 hp to the ground, Lamborghini says that they’ve designed the Aventador Ultimae with “state of the art aerodynamic performance”. We’ll spare you the technical mumbo jumbo, but in essence, every surface on the car is designed to channel air around the aerodynamic devices and optimise cooling performance.
For context, here’s how the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ looks with all of its aero appendages…
The large diffusers on the rear bumpers are subtle by Lamborghini standards, but when paired to the active rear wing, the aero performance can supposedly match the track-focused SVJ, all while maintaining the sleek and elegant looks of the Aventador S – truly, the best of both worlds.
With a more generous application of carbon fibre parts, the coupe variant also manages to shed 25 kg off the weight of an Aventador S, resulting in better handling capabilities and stopping power – Lamborghini is particularly proud of the latter, stating that the carbon composite brakes can stop the Ultimae from 100 km/h in just 30 metres.
And to top it all off, the Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae also comes as standard with all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering to let you extract every last ounce of performance of the ultimate Aventador.
“
The Aventador LP 780-4 denotes the final, purest, timeless naturally-aspirated production V12 Lamborghini,
“
 says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, “the definitive Aventador concluding an extraordinary era.”

Lamborghini will launch its first-ever EV by 2030. Read more about its electrification plans here.
“It is the last of its kind: it delivers the maximum power and conclusive performance expected from Lamborghini’s current V12 engine, combined with our inimitable flagship’s design DNA. The Aventador was destined to become a classic from launch, and the Aventador LP 780-4 is the most beautiful expression of timeless design and technical solutions in a final edition: Ultimae.”
Only 350 coupe and 250 roadster variants of the Aventador Ultimae will be built, and with all the added performance, not to mention the whole notion of “the last ever Aventador”, this one definitely won’t be cheap.
But see, you’re not just buying a superfast hypercar – you’re also buying a piece of historical relic, a mark of the end of an era. It’s not just an Aventador, it’s the ultimate “best of the best” of Lamborghini’s V12 – and we’d say that any amount of money is worth it.
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Zero-rated GST: Should you buy a new car now?

If there’s one constant in the aftermath of GE14, it is ‘change’. With the announcement by the government that the Goods & Services Tax (GST) will be zero-rated starting 1
st
 June 2018, and in the absence of an implementation date of the Sales & Services Tax (SST) – reports indicate within two to three months when Parliament convenes – Malaysians will soon be enjoying a GST tax ‘holiday’.
Of course, the ‘downside’ of this announcement is that consumers are going to hold their purchases till June starts, particularly large ticket items such as automobiles, Birkin handbags and iPhone X-es. If anything, as long as the Kleenex and Maggi Mi supply doesn’t run out in the next 10 days or so, no person would want to pay 6% more unless it’s necessary. And that means the remaining days of May will be dire for certain businesses, particularly those with cash flow issues.
GST-zero discounts
While car companies scurry to issue updated price lists to ensure that the order books are being filled for eventual registrations from June onwards, some brands such as Proton, Honda, Nissan (and possibly a few more to follow) have already taken the additional step of absorbing the 6% GST from now till the end of May. We reckon it is mainly to stem deferments of vehicle deliveries which are supposed to happen within this month.

 MINI RRP after zero-rated GST

 BMW RRP after zero-rated GST
Whether it’s called a rebate or bonus, the absorption of GST is in effect a straight up 6% discount by car companies to reflect the forthcoming GST-zero prices, and this is on top of on-going promotions which are discounts as well. However, once GST becomes zero-rated on the 1
st
 of June, we expect car companies to roll back the ‘GST discounts’ so that transacted prices remain similar pre- and post-June, or bear the brunt of angry customers. Do note that the purchase of insurance coverage for vehicles in the month of May would still attract GST, likewise accessories and related services.
Volkswagen’s latest prices in Malaysia, with effect 1st June 2018.
When should you buy?
If you’ve planned for a new car purchase this year, you might want to place a booking (which is refundable by the way) as soon as practicable given that a strong uptake in sales is anticipated, at least in the next couple of months before SST is put in place.
Manufacturers and distributors require lead time (usually more than three months) to raise production, be it CKD or CBU, so it’s not inconceivable that popular models may run out of stock before the tax holiday ends.
Till then, happy tax holiday but keep an eye out on the breaking news.


All-electric Toyota bZ4X confirmed to launch in Malaysia in 2023

UMW Toyota Motor has announced that the all-electric
Toyota bZ4X
 will be launched in Malaysia in 2023. The bZ4X will be joining the three GR models that will also be launching in Malaysia “very soon”. Neighbouring countries, Indonesia and Thailand have already launched the bZ4X, albeit in two different versions.
Being the first model in the beyond Zero (bZ) series, the Toyota bZ4X features a hammerhead shark-like design that can also be seen in the China-only
bZ3
. Even the
all-new Prius
 features a similar front end. The bZ4X made its global debut in late 2021 and debuted in ASEAN last month with Thailand getting the all-wheel (AWD) drive version and
Indonesia getting the front-wheel drive (FWD) version
.
Built on the e-TNGA platform, the bZ4X measures 4,690 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, 1,650 in height, and with a 2,850 mm wheelbase, making it about the size of a
Proton X70
 (4,519 mm length, 1,831 mm width, 1,694 mm height, and 2,670 mm wheelbase).
Powering the bZ4X is either an FWD or an AWD drivetrain. The FWD configuration is powered by a single electric motor that makes
204 hp
 (metric) and
266 N
m. The AWD configuration gets a dual-motor setup that makes
218 hp
 (metric) and
377 Nm
.
Both the FWD and AWD versions house the same
71.4-kWh
 battery pack. Thus, the FWD version has a longer electric driving range of
500 km
 (WLTP), while the AWD version has an electric driving range of
460 km
 (WLTP).
RELATED:
Malaysia-bound Toyota bZ4X launched in Indonesia – FWD, 500 km range
As for charging, the bZ4X can handle
6.6-kW
 AC charging and
150-kW
 DC Fast Charging (DCFC). Toyota says that it only takes
30 minutes
 to charge to 80% from 0 with 150-kW DCFC. The battery comes with an 8-year/160,000 km warranty and Toyota assures that the battery will still have 90% of its storage capacity after 10 years.
Inside, the bZ4X is equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. In the safety department, the bZ4X is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 3.0 advanced safety systems.
Closely related to the bZ4X are the all-electric
Lexus RZ
 and the all-electric
Subaru Solterr
a
. Registration of interest has already been opened for the Lexus RZ on Lexus Malaysia’s official website. UMW Toyota has also installed several electric vehicle (EV) chargers at its headquarters in preparation for its upcoming EVs. The variant of the Toyota bZ4X for Malaysia has yet to be confirmed.
RELATED:
Toyota says you will “fall in love at first sight” with the 5th-gen Prius – gets new 2.0L PHEV drive


Aston Martin introduces iconic Magnetic Silver for DB11 V8 in Malaysia, with new options

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has ushered the new year with a new iconic colour for the
DB11 V8
 in Malaysia – Magnetic Silver – along with specific customisations on both the exterior and interior.
The
 Black Pack
on the exterior consists of a black front grille, black finishing on the tailpipes, and fender vents. The rear boot also features black meshing, along with a gloss black rear diffuser and side sills. Topping off the Black Pack is a gloss black strip that runs along the gloss black roof.
Also on the DB11 V8’s specification sheet is the
Technology Pack
. The package includes an auto park feature, powered arm rest, touchpad controls, and an Aston Martin Premium Audio system.
Inside, the DB11 V8 has been specified with the
Luxury Pack
 which offers Nexus quilting and Celestial Perforation on the seats. This optional package which is now standard on the DB11 V8 also showcases traditional craftsmanship such as ornate brogued leather.
Other specifications that make this DB11 V8 standout are red brake calipers, red seatbelts, Aston Martin emblem embroidery on the headrests, smoked tail lights, 20-inch forged gloss black diamond wheels, and carbon fibre trims.
Under the hood is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, paired to an 8-speed automatic with
503 hp
 and
675 Nm
. 0 to 100 km/h takes four seconds, onward to a top speed of 301 km/h.
The customised DB11 V8 comes with a 3-year factory warranty with 24 months complimentary Aston Martin Extended Warranty. Servicing is covered by a 5-year scheduled servicing package.
The Aston Martin fit for Bonds of all generations is available from
RM 849,200.00
; prices are excluding duties and taxes.
GALLERY


Gallery: M Performance Edition BMW 330e and X5 xDrive40e

BMW Malaysia recently revealed the M Performance Edition for the BMW 330e and the X5 xDrive40e where only 300 units will be available for each of the models.
Last night, they took the opportunity to display them at the unveiling of six new i Charging stations at the Bangsar Shopping Centre.
 In the
BMW 330e
, you’ll get M Performance side skirts, M side sills and a front grille in high-gloss black. The kit also comes with a pair of lightweight M Performance Carbon side mirror caps.
You’ll also get a prominent front splitter in Matte Black, a rear spoiler and a rear diffuser, in addition to the aggressive M Performance dark tail lights. Inside, the M Performance kit provides a set of stainless steel pedals and footrests.
As for the
X5 xDrive40e
, you get pretty much the same items in the 330e M Performance Edition – with the carbon front splitter and carbon rear diffuser being the only difference.
Stainless steel pedals and M side sills are also applied in the X5’s interior.
The retail price (on the road, without insurance) for the BMW 330e M Performance Edition is
RM 258,800.00
with installments starting from
RM 3,278.00
 with the Easy Drive Programme from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia.
The X5 xDrive40e M Performance on the other hand, goes for
RM 390,800.00
. With the same Easy Drive Programme, monthly installments start from
RM4,878.00
.
IMAGE GALLERY


How much would you pay for the all-new Toyota RAV4 when it arrives in Malaysia?

It’s getting so close that we can almost
taste the TNGA-ness (Toyota New Global Architecture)
 that has been the central talking point of the latest
Corolla
 and
Camry

we got to review.
If those two are anything to go by, with significantly sharper handling from a stiffer chassis and lower centre of gravity, it’s not impossible for the RAV4 which will be built of the TNGA-K platform that
underpins the new Harrier
, to be the best-handling SUV when it arrives in Malaysia.
UMW Toyota Motor has upped the ante, following a recent teaser on its Facebook page, the company announced that it’s
accepting a registration of interest
 for the highly-anticipated SUV which has been on an extended sabbatical.
If our memory served us correctly, the last time UMW Toyota Motor officially brought in the RAV4 was around 20 years ago, in the form of the first generation followed by the second before prices became a deterrent factor.
The latter was fully imported and costs over RM200k, possibly the cause for its subsequent demise. But that storm has blown over and a new dawn has arrived.
1st generation
2nd generation
3rd generation
While there’s no indication on specification or features, save for its impending arrival, we do know that the
RAV-4 comes with two Dynamic Force engine options globally
 – 2.0-litre unit with 171 hp/203 Nm and a 2.5-litre unit with 205 hp/249 Nm.
The two are equippeed with automatic gearboxes while the third option, a 2.5-litre model with the Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) is paired to an electronically-controlled CVT gearbox.