Malaysian-made MINI Cooper S Countryman are being exported to Thailand

BMW Group Malaysia has just delivered the first units of the MINI Countryman to Thailand for its export programme. Produced at the INOKOM plant in Kulim, Kedah, the new Countryman exported to the Land of Smiles are of the Cooper S variant.
Managing Director and CEO, BMW Group Malaysia, Harald Hoelzl said: ““The INOKOM Corporation plant in Kulim, Kedah, which is a partnership between Sime Darby Berhad and BMW Group Malaysia, are among 30 production sites in 14 countries around the world for the BMW Group and is an important touch point for us in the South East Asian region.”
The export initiatives of BMW Group Malaysia in South East Asia are a clear success of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) that promotes intra-ASEAN trade. ATIGA has helped BMW Group in utilising plants in ASEAN more efficiently, providing flexibilities to match its production to the market demands, both for domestic and for export effectively.
Thailand market will be receiving two variants of the MINI Cooper S Countryman – Standard and Hightrim. Both are equipped with circular LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps and sport leather steering wheel.
The lower variant gets Parking Assistant, 18-inch Pair Spoke alloy wheels, Piano Black finish interior trims, Leather Cross Punch Carbon Black sport seats, powered boot and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The Hightrim variant gets additional Chrome exterior highlights, rear-view camera, three-spoke MINI Yours sport leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, 19-inch Edged Spoke alloy wheels, heads up display and 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Both variants are powered by the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, generating
 192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque. The MINI Cooper S Countryman is priced at THB2,299,000 (RM259k) while the Hightrim retails for THB2,499,000 (RM282k) in Thailand.
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda to introduce 30 new EVs by 2030, including two sports cars

Honda is a little late to the punch at announcing their electrification roadmap, but they’re making it up with an ambitious plan where it aims to launch 30 electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide by 2030, committing to an investment of about 8 trillion yen (approx RM280 billion) on R&D – yes, trillion with a T.
The 30 EVs will include two mid- to large-size EV SUV models (The
 Honda Prologue EV
 and another under the Acura brand) in the North America, currently being developed jointly with General Motors featuring the
Ultium battery technology
, as well as a “commercial-use mini-EV model” in Japan, all three of these by 2021. China, meanwhile, will see Honda introduce a total of 10 new EV models by 2027.
In the second half of the decade sometime around 2026, Honda will start to adopt its new e: Architecture, which the company says is “an EV platform that combines the hardware platform and software platform”. The company will also be using new “next-generation” solid-state batteries on these new e: Architecture EVs, as it has invested 43 billion Yen (approx. 1.5 billion) into its research and development.
The second half of the decade is also when Honda is intending to go full-on EV production mode, to hit its goal of making
two million fully-electric vehicles per year
 by 2030. A key step in achieving that is by making more affordable EV models starting 2027, primarily through its
recently-renewed alliance with GM
, where it intends to bring prices of EVs down to the level of regular petrol-powered cars.
To help bring EVs to mass market, Honda will also be implementing dedicated EV production sites in both North America and China, the latter being dedicated EV plants in Guangzhou as well as Wuhan.
RELATED: Honda opens new world-class wind tunnel facility to further EV development
But all of these are just the boring stuff. The real FUN (
their all-caps
) will come in the form of two sports cars – a “specialty” model and a flagship model – promising the “joy of driving” to its customers, “even in the era of electrification”. Could one of these be the
 successor to the Honda NSX
?
From the image shared by Honda, it seems like the 30 EV models will also include a fully-electric pick-up truck, so there’s certainly plenty to look forward to!
ALSO READ: Sony to develop new EVs with Honda, first model due 2025
Among the 8 trillion Yen earmarked for its future strategy, 5 trillion Yen will go specifically towards electrification and software technologies, comprised of approximately 3.5 trillion Yen (approx RM18.1 billion) in R&D and around 1.5 trillion (approx RM50.6 billion) in investments.
From its plans, it seems like Honda is incredibly serious about its ambitions to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050 – incidentally also the same deadline set by Mazda and Toyota. What an incredibly exciting time we live in!


All-new Toyota Rush teased for Malaysia, launching 18 October 2018

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), has just teased the imminent launch of the all-new Toyota Rush on their official Facebook page. Based on the teaser image, it is said that seven-seater SUV will make its official appearance on 18 October 2018, one day before the second leg of the
Toyota Vios Challenge happening at MAEPS, Serdang
.
The Rush will rival the
Honda BR-V
 offering space for seven in a compact package. In Indonesia, the Rush is offered with a 2NR-VE 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder D-VVT engine paired to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, making
104 hp
 and
136 Nm
 on tap. Unlike the Honda, drive is sent exclusively to the rear wheels.

The third-generation SUV gains styling cues from the larger Fortuner and a more rugged appearance all around. The images shown here is the Indonesia-spec that wears the full TRD Sportivo kit that adds a touch of aggression and sportiness to its appearance.
In Indonesia, the Rush is equipped with LED headlamps, 16-inch alloys, automatic climate control, touchscreen head unit, multifunctional steering wheel, eight-speakers, six airbags, Electronic Stability Control as well as seatbelt reminders for all seven seats. If UMWT hopes to compete against the BR-V, they will have to at least offer this much.

The second-generation Toyota Rush has priced just a shade over the RM100k mark in Malaysia, well over the BR-V’s price tag of RM80k to RM87k.
IMAGE GALLERY
Toyota Rush TRD Sportivo Indonesia-spec


Kia just set a Guinness World Record revealing its new logo in a fireworks show

Kia has now officially unveiled its new logo alongside a new global brand slogan, “Movement that Inspires”, in a fireworks display above the city of Incheon, Seoul. The carmaker says that the new logo signifies its ambitions to become a leader in the industry by revamping nearly all facets of its business.
First seen on the
2019 Kia Imagine concept car
, the new logo completely moves away from the iconic oval-shaped border that has been the hallmark of the brand’s logo since 1994.
Designed to resemble a handwritten signature, Kia claims that the unbroken lines of the logo represents the company’s “moments of inspiration”, while its symmetry signifies confidence. The rising appearance of the logo also supposedly embodies the carmaker’s rising ambitions for the brand and what it offers customers.
Kia President and CEO, Ho Sung Song said, “Kia’s new logo represents the company’s commitment to becoming an icon for change and innovation. The automotive industry is experiencing a period of rapid transformation, and Kia is proactively shaping and adapting to these changes.
“Our new logo represents our desire to inspire customers as their mobility needs evolve, and for our employees to rise to the challenges we face in a fast-changing industry,” he added.

The new logo was unveiled in a pyrotechnics display in the night skies of Incheon, which saw 303 pyrodrones launching hundreds of fireworks in a synchronized display.
Aside from outdoing many of the fireworks display on the recent new years celebrations around the world, Kia’s efforts also managed to set a new Guinness World Record for ‘Most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launching fireworks simultaneously’.
The new logo will be the serve as the driving force for Kia’s new brand strategy, which is set to be announced on the 15th of January. The New Kia Brand Showcase event will further reveal details of its new brand purpose and philosophy, and its application on the brand’s future product line-up.
The new brand image is a part of Kia’s
‘Plan S’ long-term business strategy
, outlining Kia’s ambitions to become a leader in the global car market with a focus on electric vehicles and a broad range of mobility services, tailored to meet the needs and tastes of individuals and local markets.
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Proton sold over 100,000 Sagas since launch of facelift in 2019

It’s only been a little over two years since Proton unveiled the
facelifted Saga
 back in 2019, but the national carmaker has announced that they’ve now sold 100,999 units of the updated A-segment sedan.
For those counting, that averages to nearly 3,400 units per month – which in itself is a pretty impressive feat, but even more so when you consider that nearly the entirety of that timeframe is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The achievement is helped by Proton’s
 sales performance last month
, which included deliveries of 5,666 units of the Proton Saga. That figure not only bested the Perodua Bezza as the best-selling A-segment sedan in Malaysia, but was also the best-selling model overall in November.
The Proton Saga facelift was launched in 2019 with a plethora of upgrades, including a refreshed exterior with modern Proton touches, a new Android-based touchscreen infotainment display, plus a new Hyundai-sourced 4-speed automatic gearbox.
Its engine, however, is unchanged from before. Under the hood rests the same 1.3-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder mill that makes
95 hp
and
120 Nm
of torque.
Read our full review of the facelifted 2019 Proton Saga here.


2017 Isuzu MU-X launched, with interior, exterior and safety upgrades

Isuzu Malaysia today has launched the new 2017 Isuzu MU-X here in MAEPS, Serdang. Available in 4×2 and 4×4 configuration, the seven-seater has undergone changes in aesthetics, received upgrades for both interior, exterior along with enhanced safety.
Key upgrades include a new facade in the front with blue spectrum bi-LED projector headlamps,
6 airbags
, refined trims on the interior, 18-inch wheels together with the introduction of the new
Havana Brown colour
.

Along with the bi-LED projector headlamps, the front end of the new MU-X also comes with LED daytime running lights while the redesigned headlamps also comes with an auto-leveling feature that keeps light projection at an optimum. Provided with front fog lamps, a pair new rear fog lamps are incorporated to complement the LED combination tail lights. Both variants are equipped with the
Passive Entry & Start (PESS) system
.
The mu-X puts out
136 hp
 with
320 Nm of torque
 from the proven 2.5-litre VGS Intercooler Turbo diesel engine. It retains the “Shift-on-the-fly” Terrain Command system allowing effortless shifts to 2WD, 4WD High and 4WD Low, providing optimum traction for any given road surface – a feature not available in the 4×2 variant.

The interior of the MU-X has been visibly improved for comfort and luxury with wooden and “soft-surface” trims at the door and dashboard. More notably, the dash now also comes with a new electroluminescent meter panel (e-LUMAX) with Multi-Information Display (MID). Use of new refined quilt pattern leather, a 6-way electric-adjustable only for the driver seat, automatic air-conditioning and rear vents with speed control for the second and the third row are among the creature comforts in the mu-X’s interior.
It doesn’t fall short in on-board entertainment as well; you get 8-speakers to accompany the 8-inch touchscreen DVD alongside a fold down monitor for back row passengers. The 4×2 variant would not be provided with the fold down monitor and comes with a 7-inch screen instead. Reverse camera with Parking Guide is available in both variants, alongside 4 reverse sensors.
New to the MU-X is the
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
, allowing smoother and controlled hill descents, as the name suggests. The system which works for both up and downhills, allows the driver to adjust the vehicle speed in accordance with slope conditions, within a speed of 30 km/h or less.
Safety features have been enhanced with 6 SRS airbags, ABS, Traction Control, ESC, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist.
The new Isuzu MU-X is priced at
 RM 176, 640.40 for the 4×2
 and
RM 183,000.40 for the 4×4
 variant. It will be available in four colours; the new Havana Brown Mica, Silky White Pearl, Titanium Silver and Cosmic Black Mica. It comes with a 5-year Unlimited Mileage warranty which varies according to variants alongside the Isuzu Doctor Mobile 24-hour assistance service.
IMAGE GALLERY


UMW Toyota reports strong Q1 sales for Yaris and Hilux

UMW Toyota Motor has reported strong sales for the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, with over 17,000 units of Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold; representing a 62% increase compared to the first three months of last year.
UMW Toyota Motor, President, Ravindran K. said, “Our momentum started in December when we launched the Toyota GR Yaris and Vios GR-Sport which stirred the market and set a positive tone for 2021.”

The bestselling Toyota models were the

Toyota Vios
 and the
 Toyota Hilux
, where the latter continues to lead its segment in terms of sales. The Vios and
 10-speed Vios GRS
also achieved positive sales with around 5,600 units sold since the pair was launched in December 2020.
As for the
GR Yaris hot hatchback
, most of the 100-odd units allocated for the Malaysian market were booked up within a month of its launch and it’s unlikely that there’ll be more coming through the company. The GR Yaris,
GR Supra
and Vios GRS is sold exclusively in GR Garage dealerships.

The most recently launched
Toyota Corolla Cross
 has been well-received too, according to UMW Toyota. Demand has remained strong for both the 1.8G and 1.8V variants, with locally assembled units available for delivery in Q4 of 2021.
The Corolla Cross is powered by the same 1.8-litre engine found in the
Corolla sedan
launched in

October of 2019. Output is rated at 139 hp and 172 Nm to drive the front wheels. Find out what our writer thought about the C-segment SUV
here
.


The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class officially available in Thailand, diesel power for now

After the initial order-taking phase in May, Mercedes-Benz Thailand has officially made the all-new S-Class available for sale. Locally assembled at the Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant (TAAP) in Samut Prakan, the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is offered in the S 350d model in either Exclusive or AMG Premium variants.
The price of the flagship limousine from Mercedes-Benz starts at
THB6,690,000 (RM860k)
 for the Exclusive variant, while the AMG Premium asks THB500,000 dearer, pricing at
THB7,190,000 (RM925k)
.
Exclusive
AMG Premium
Both variants feature similar feature content, such as Multibeam LED headlamps with adaptive high-beam assist plus, pop-up door handles, panoramic moonroof and soft-closing doors. Interestingly, the
S 450 4Matic in Indonesia
 gets the Digital Light headlamps which use millions of tiny mirrors to even project images onto the ground.
Only the styling of the bumpers and side skirts separates the two, with the AMG Premium getting the namesake design and 20-inch multispoke wheels.
Under the bonnet is a
2.9-litre
 turbocharged six-cylinder
diesel
engine generating outputs of
286 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque from just 1,200 to 3,200 rpm. Paired to the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, the limousine reaches 100 km/h from standstill in
6.4 seconds
.
As for the interior, the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Thailand is very well spec-ed. Both variants have the fully-digital instrumentation with the landscape-oriented 12.8-inch OLED central display, fingerprint scanner, Burmester 3D Surround Sound system with 15 speakers, MBUX Entertainment, multi-contour front seats with massaging function and Airbalance package.
A lot of chrome, wood, soft leather and power represented by the Mercedes-Maybach. More on the super-limousine here!
We’ve gone into a lot more detail about the new spaceship-esque MBUX system before, so be sure to check out the full rundown
here
.
The occupant seated at the left-rear corner meanwhile get to enjoy the one-touch executive reclining seat with footrest, MBUX rear-entertainment system with individual screens plus a rear tablet, wireless headsets, wireless smartphone charger and powered sunblinds.
The more expensive S 350d AMG Premium variant meanwhile receive AMG-specific items such as sports steering wheel and interior package, exclusive Nappa on dashboard and upholstery that also feature diamond pattern, premium wood trim and MBUX Interior Assistant with Gesture Control.
As for safety features, the flagship model is fitted with the full Driving Assistance package that includes Active Distronic cruise control, active lane-keeping assist, active blind-spot assist, active steering assist with hands-off warning and active brake assist with motorbike and pedestrian detection.
A 360-degree parking camera system is also included.
With our neighbours all getting their hands on the all-new S-Class, we’d wager that the new luxury sedan will soon also make its way onto our shores – so do keep an eye out on AutoBuzz.my as we bring you the latest developments!
GALLERY
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 350d (Thailand)
2021 Mercedes-Benz S 450 4Matic (Indonesia)


Facts & Figures: 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line 4Motion launched in Malaysia – RM248k

After a pretty long teaser period, the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line has now been launched in Malaysia. Locally assembled (CKD) here in Pekan, Pahang, the new Volkswagen Arteon is priced at
RM247,671
, inclusive of the SST exemptions that are valid until the end of the year.

EXTERIOR
In terms of exterior updates, the Volkswagen Arteon facelift has been given a very mild makeover, most noticeably on the front fascia where the daytime-running lights now extends into the grille, essentially joining the two headlights together. Round the back, the new fastback sedan has also been given a new set of tail lights with new 3D light graphics.
The new Volkswagen Arteon facelift in Malaysia will be dressed exclusively in the R-Line trim, which gets a redesigned front and rear bumpers, alongside a small bootlip spoiler in black. Other exterior styling highlights include:
LED headlights, tail lights with 3D light signature
Dynamic sequential indicators
19-inch ‘Montevideo’ alloy wheels
R-line badging on front grille, front fender
Exterior colour choices: Lapiz Blue, Oryx White, Deep Black, Pyrite Silver, Manganese Grey
PERFORMANCE
The biggest update for the new Volkswagen Arteon comes in the form of its powertrain. Underneath the hood of the 2021 Arteon R-Line is now a new 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with a significantly higher power output compared to last year’s model.
Engine: EA888 Gen. 3 2.0-litre inline-four turbocharged, petrol
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission
Driveline: Front engine, all-wheel drive (4Motion)
Suspension: Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive dampers
Max horsepower: 280 hp @ 5,100 – 6,500 rpm
Max torque: 350 Nm @ 1,700 – 5,600 rpm
0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
Aside from the performance increase, this year’s Volkswagen flagship fastback sedan also gains the 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which works alongside the standard electronic differential lock (XDS) system to provide additional traction especially during corners.
INTERIOR
There aren’t many noticeable changes to the interior of the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon. Just like its
predecessor
, the new model still gets all the R-Line niceties, plus pretty much all the range-topping bells and whistles that Volkswagen has to offer, along with a
563-litre cargo area
 at the back.
11.7-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster
9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
360-degree surround view monitor
700W, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
4-way ErgoComfort seats in “Carbon-Style” Nappa leather and R-Line badging
Memory and massage function for driver seat
Tri-zone automatic climate control
30-colour ambient lighting
New flat-bottomed steering wheel with haptic touch controls and gearshift pedals.
Handsfree powered tailgate with Easy Close (20-second delayed closing)
SAFETY
On the safety front, The 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line facelift in Malaysia gains a new rear cross-traffic alert feature, alongside blind-spot alert (Side Assist), and lane departure alert and assist system. Unfortunately, the new Arteon here in Malaysia still does not come equipped with autonomous emergency braking and other advanced driver assistance features.
Other standard safety equipment include:
Seven airbags
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA)
Hill-hold Control
Proactive Passenger Protection System with Post Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System (cutting the fuel supply, unlocking the doors, and turning on hazard lights)
Active Bonnet for pedestrian protection
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Manouevre braking (automatically applies brakes to prevent collision with detected objects at speeds of up to 10 km/h)
PRICING
As mentioned above, the new 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line is now available in Malaysia, priced at
RM247,671
 on the road, without insurance, but inclusive of the sales tax exemptions that are valid until the end of the year. The price is a significant increase from its predecessor, but we think that the added performance and standard kit more than makes up for it.
Included in the price is a
five-year unlimited mileage warranty
,
 three-year free scheduled maintenance package
, and
five-year roadside assistance
.
Bookings for the new 2021 Volkswagen Arteon R-Line can be made at the
Volkswagen eShowroom
 (linked
here
). A representative from the preferred dealership will be in contact to make the necessary arrangements in line with Government SOPs and Volkswagen’s #SafeHands initiative.
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These pictures prove there’s plenty to be excited about the new Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen has given us a glimpse of what the new Mk 8 Golf would look like and judging from the drawings, there’s much to be excited about.
Volkswagen has said that the new Golf’s design would be “more dynamic than ever” and if you’ve observed the Golf’s evolution since the Mk 6, it’s fairly easy to assume that the new Mk 8 would be an aphrodisiac on wheels.
From the images, there are flashes of the Mk 7 on the front bumper and fender but with blatantly slimmer headlamps, it seems Volkswagen’s design theme has hit the sweet spot between maturity and youthfulness yet again – a typical character of the Golf that has worked so well in drawing buyers of all ages.
Inside is where the biggest changes lie by far. Like the new generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the Golf will incorporate the instrument cluster and vehicle controls into a single, horizontal screen – very very cool.
With the new display, which Volkswagen says exemplifies their intention for a new “digital cockpit”, the air con vents have also been redesigned – from dual central vents to a single strip stretching across the entire dashboard.
Once you’re done wiping off your saliva-drenched laptops, do mark your calendars as Volkswagen also announced that the new Mk 8 Golf will make its debut on the
24th of October
.
IMAGE GALLERY


GST: All KIA models get price cut ranging from RM308 to RM2,088

Most cars as evidently seen these days have had their price effectively reduced since the implementation of
Goods and Services Tax
 last week on 1 April. Kia too, follows suit, announcing their revised on-the-road price which includes road tax and insurance.
The price cut ranges from
RM308 to RM2,088
. Do refer to the table below for a quick comparison of the prices before and after GST was implemented:
Model
Variant
Type
Engine
Price before GST
Price after GST
Difference
Picanto
1.2 MT
CKD
1,248 cc
RM 54,888
RM 54,888
–
1.2 AT
CKD
1,248 cc
RM 59,888
RM 59,888
–
Rio
1.4 EX
CKD
1,396 cc
RM 73,888
RM 73,580
RM 308
1.4 SX
CKD
1,396 cc
RM 79,888
RM 79,080
RM 808
Cerato
1.6 Kx
CKD
1,591 cc
RM 89,888
RM 89,680
RM 208
1.6 SX
CKD
1,591 cc
RM 99,888
RM 99,480
RM 408
2.0L
CKD
1,591 cc
RM 118,888
RM 117,680
RM 1,208
Optima K5
2.0L
CBU
1,999 cc
RM 149,888
RM 148,000
RM 1,888
Sportage
2.0L
CKD
1,999 cc
RM 138,888
RM 137,800
RM 1,088
Sorento
2.4L
CKD
2,359 cc
RM 158,888
RM 156,800
RM 2,088

The pricing shown above is only for private ownership in West Malaysia, and are inclusive of registration, road tax and insurance fees. All Kia models come with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty programme.


Goodbye Mercedes-AMG G 65: Final Edition rolled out, limited to just 65 units

In marking the end of the line for the Mercedes-AMG G 65, AMG has rolled out an exclusive Final Edition which will be limited to just 65 units worldwide.
The G-Class has been at the pinnacle of luxury off-road vehicles since 1979 and has been the longest production run in the history of Mercedes-Benz.
The Final Edition will come with a 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine generating
630 hp
 with a hypercar-rivaling
1000 Nm
, taking just
5.3 seconds
 to hit a 100 km/h from standstill before topping out at an electronically-limited
230 km/h
 top speed. Power is transferred to all four wheels with an AMG Speedshift PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission.
Along with the twin turbochargers, the AMG also boasts multi-spark ignition with 12 twin-spark ignition units couple with an effective engine management system. The engine bay also sports a carbon fibre/aluminium engine cover for an elevated visual appeal.
On the outside, the Final Edition is defined with 21-inch 5-twin spoke light-alloy wheels in bronze, sheltering silver brake calipers. The radiator grille with black mesh screen is also painted in matt bronze while running boards and tailpipes are retained in matt black.
The Final Edition’s interior dons the designo Exclusive package consisting of designo black nappa leather with seat side bolsters in a carbon fibre look. Also included in the cabin is an AMG Performance flat-bottom steering wheel in black nappa leather. The Seat Comfort package includes multi contour, climatised seats at the front.
The Final Edition can be had effective immediately at a starting price of just 310,233 Euros (approx RM 1.5 million).


2016 Jaguar F-Pace 3.0L V6 launched in Malaysia, priced from RM599k

The high demand for SUVs has created a sizable market that has scrambled big brands to grab a portion of the market share. Big brands such as
Bentley
,
Maserati
 and even
Lamborghini
 has a SUV in their line-up.
Now, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia has introduced Jaguar’s first ever SUV, the F-Pace in our market. Offered in a sole 3.0-litre supercharged V6 guise, the Jaguar F-Pace will go head to head against other luxury SUVs, such as the
Maserati Levante
 and
Porsche Macan
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 Supercharged Prestige
Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 R-Sport
Engine
2,995cc; Supercharged V6
Transmission
8-speed ZF automatic
Max Power
335 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
450 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
5.8 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM598,800
RM658,800
EXTERIOR
Based on the C-X17 concept, the F-Pace has its design cues taken from Jaguar’s saloon line-up – the
XF
 and
XE
 – with a hint of the
F-Type
. The SUV measures at 4,731mm in length, 2,175mm in width, 1,667mm in height and boasts a wheelbase of 2,874mm.
With the Prestige model, you get bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, auto-dimming heated powered door mirrors with puddle lights, keyless entry, roof rails, LED combination taillights, dual exhaust finish and a shark fin antenna.

Opt for the R-Sport model, the headlamps feature adaptive Full LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights and R-Sport bodykit. Prestige trim rides on
18-inch 15-spoke silver finish alloys
 while the R-Sports ride on
20-inch twin five-spoke silver finish alloys
.
For added aggression, customers can opt for the
Black Pack
 which paints the radiator grille, door claddings, side power vents and alloy wheels in gloss black as well as R-Sport badges.
INTERIOR
Jumping inside, the F-Pace is a familiar cabin for those who are accustomed to the brand. Standard equipment on both variants include dual-zone climate control, keyless start, interior lighting, electronically adjustable steering column, leather wrapped multifunctional steering wheel,
380W 11-speakers Meridian Sound System
, lockable glovebox,
electrically reclining rear seats
, 508 litres of boot space and a powered tailgate.

For the Prestige trim, the interior comes with 10-way powered front seats with memory function, 8-inch Capacitive Touchscreen, InControl Touch Navigation and analogue dials with 5-inch full colour TFT instrument cluster.
Moving up to the R-Sport and you get significantly more kit. Additional features include perforated leather seats, 14-way powered front seats with 4-way electric lumbar support and memory function, R-Sport badges around the interior, panoramic sunroof, 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Gesture Control, InControl Touch Navigation Pro and 12.3-inch Instrument Panel Display (similar to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit).
For customers with an active lifestyle, there is the optional
Activity Key
 which takes shape of a waterproof wristband that acts as the key to lock and unlock the F-Pace. This can be done by simply waving the Activity Key at the Jaguar emblem at the tailgate.
PERFORMANCE
Powering the 1,820kg SUV is a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 paired to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, sending
335 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque to all four wheels. Century sprint is done in
5.8 seconds
and it sprints all the way to an electronically limited top speed of
250km/h
. Thanks to its Lightweight Aluminium Architecture, the F-Pace boasts a near perfect
50:50
 weight distribution.
For drivers that wish to take their F-Pace through the road less travelled, Jaguar’s Advanced Drivetrain Technology with
Intelligent Driveline Dynamics
 will automatically send equal amount of torque to all four wheels to get through any terrain. On normal driving conditions, power is largely sent to the rear with a 10:90 (front to rear) bias.
The
All Surface Progress Control (ASPC)
 works as a low speed (between 3.6 km/h to 30 km/h) cruise control to cope with low traction terrains, allowing the drivers to focus on steering the vehicle. For added confidence, drivers can alter the vehicle dynamics to four driving modes: Eco, Dynamic, Normal and Rain Ice Snow mode via the JaguarDrive Control.
A bulk of the RM60k premium for the R-Sport is well spent on the
Adaptive Dynamics system
 that measures body and wheel movement anywhere from 100 to 500 times per second to provide optimum damping at all times. You can also customise your own drivemode through the
Configurable Dynamics
 mode. Lastly the R-Sport is also fitted with Adaptive Surface Response (ASR) that detects the differences in surfaces and adjusts the engine and brake settings for optimal driving.
SAFETY
The F-Pace features six airbags, ABS, Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), electronic parking brake with brake hold, blind spot monitor, revers traffic detection, power operated child locks and passive front head restraints.
WHAT ELSE?
The Jaguar F-Pace can be had in
nine
exterior shades – Polaris White, Ultimate Black, Dark Sapphire Blue, Ammonite Grey, British Racing Green, Quartzite, Italian Racing Red, Odyssey Red and Rhodium Silver. Besides that, there are a host of optional extras that customers can specify such as larger alloys to interior stitching.
All purchases of the F-Pace come with a 5-Year or 150,00km warranty package with 3-Year Jaguar Roadside Assistance as well as a 5-Year or 65,000km complimentary service package.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG Coupé revealed, colossal torque from V12 biturbo

The range-topping S-Class Coupé has been revealed by
Mercedes
, continuing the legacy of V12 power on their flagship Coupé. Looks like there is still life in the monster engine, as proven by the latest iteration of the
5,980cc twin-turbo V12
 in this S 65
AMG
 Coupé.
Producing
 630hp
 at
4,800-5,400rpm
 and an insane-sounding
1000Nm
 of torque at
2,300-4,300rpm
, the S65 AMG Coupé rockets from
0-100 km/h
 in
4.1 seconds
. Although the
top speed
 is still electronically-limited at
250 km/h
. Amazingly the
fuel consumption
 is rated at
11.9l/100km
, not too shabby for a 6-litre V12 biturbo coupé!
Power is sent to the rear wheels via The
AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC
 with three driving modes; Controlled Efficiency (C), Sport (S), and Manual (M) and to promote better fuel efficiency there’s
ECO start/stop
 function. Buyers can opt for a ceramic high-performance composite brakes too if they find the “standard” brakes insufficient.
Being an AMG model, the S 65 AMG Coupé is equipped with the
AMG sports suspension
 in the company of
ROAD SURFACE SCAN
 and
MAGIC BODY CONTROL
. Both work together by scanning the road ahead using the stereo camera and prepares the suspension to suit the road surface. There’s also this interesting feature called the
curve tilting function
, which allows the S 65 AMG Coupé to
 lean into corners
 like a motorcyclist.

The exterior is quite restrained for a V12 beast, but you can easily identify the additional
bling
 with the chrome elements on the front grille and lower intakes, on the side skirts, and even on the rear diffuser and the quad-tailpipes. Those 16-spokes
 20-inch wheels
 are equally-blinged as well, measuring 8.5 x 20 at the front and 9.5 x 20 at the back. They are wrapped in 255/40 R 20 and 285/35 R 20 tyres respectively. Chromed “V12 BITURBO” lettering on the front wings will ensure people don’t mistake it as the “cheaper” S 63 AMG Coupé that
only
 has a 5.5-litre V8 under the bonnet.

Inside, the seats are covered in designo
AMG Exclusive nappa leather,
 with bespoke
front sports seats
 that is said to “ensure optimal long-distance comfort” available in the
Exclusive package
. If that’s not enough, the dashboard, door panels, roof liner, and even the roof grab handles are covered in leather in the Exclusive package. Rest of the interior is lavishly-equipped including the three-spoke sports steering with shift paddles, huge high-resolution TFT display for the instrument panel, colour head-up display, touchpad controller integrated into the handrest, and a Burmester® high-end 3D surround sound system.
As expected, the S 65 AMG Coupé comes with a host of driving assistance such as the 360 degrees camera, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, PRE-SAFE® Brake, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE® PLUS.
Sales of the new S 65 AMG Coupé starts at the end of September, and in Germany it carries a price tag of
€244,009.50
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The Bentley Continental GT Limited Edition makes neighbours go green with envy

We all have friends (or at least know some) who are wealthy enough to buy really expensive cars and then spend another fortune to turn them into something which stands out in the crowd, though not necessarily better looking than before. Well, Bentley may have something right up their alley, and they don’t need lift a finger except to swipe the black credit card at the dealership.
Restricted to just
15 units
, the Bentley Continental GT Limited Edition celebrates the
record-breaking run at Pikes Peaks
 earlier in the year with a wicked green-black body paint and decal combo akin to the colours of the actual vehicle which completed the historic run.
The
Radium
paintwork, as it is called, is complemented by a carbon fibre body kit and contrasting gloss black exterior trim on the front bumper, roof, wing mirrors and rear quarters. The Limited Edition rides on
22-inch Mulliner Driving Specification alloys
 (also in gloss back) and
Pirelli P Zero Colour Edition tyres
 in Radium finish, and you can’t miss those massive brake callipers in Acid Green either. The exterior treatment can be completed with the
optional ‘100’ grille
 denoting Bentley’s centenary year.
The cabin of the Continental GT Limited Edition expands on the theme with bright green stitching on Alcantara-lined soft trim areas, Pikes Peak treadplates and bespoke B&O speaker covers in black anodised and Radium finish. The steering wheel even features a honeycomb accent and a centre stripe in Radium, just like the race car, and you’ll also find generous applications of carbon fibre on the dash which shows a
graphic depicting a section of the Pikes Peak track
 along with the record-setting time of
10:18.488
.
The powertrain is however left unmolested, understandably so since the 6.0-litre W12 motor already churns out
626 hp and 900 Nm
; capable of hauling the 2.2-tonne four-seater coupe from standstill to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and all the way to a top speed of 333 km/h. The premium which the Continental GT Limited Edition commands over the standard W12 Continental GT has yet to be revealed, but Bentley are accepting orders.


All-new 2022 Ford Everest now in Malaysia – three variants, from RM264k

Two months after the debut of the
all-new 2022 Ranger
,
Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC)
 has now unveiled its SUV brother, the
Ford Everest
, here in Malaysia. The seven-seater SUV will be offered in three variants: 2WD Sport, 4WD Trend, and 4WD Titanium, starting at a price of RM263,888.
The full pricelist is available below.
Built on the same platform as the Ranger, the all-new Ford Everest shares many of the Ranger’s signature design touches, including the C-Clamp LED headlights (Matrix LED on the range-topping Titanium variant) up front, as well as the rugged-looking front grille, featuring a chunky horizontal bar across.
However, taking on the guise of an SUV, the Everest also gets a unique body design, with a model-specific rear-end design headlined by the snazzy full-width LED tail lights. The Everest also gets a slightly elongated wheelbase (+50 mm), which not only helps improve the SUV’s interior space, but also provides better on-road and off-road capabilities, according to Ford.
Other standard exterior equipment include:
18- (Trend 4WD) and 20-inch alloy wheels
Roof rails
Powered tailgate (Handsfree on the Sport 2WD and and Titanium 4WD)
Underbody protection bash plates (Titanium 4WD)
RELATED:
Ford’s proudest feature on the 2022 Ranger is not what you think it is
Just like the outside, the dashboard on the all-new 2022 Ford Everest is also pretty much identical to that of the Ranger, headlined by the vertically-oriented central infotainment display, measuring 10.1-inches diagonally on the Sport 2WD and Trend 4WD variants, and 12-inches on the range-topping Titanium 4WD.
All variants also get a digital instrument cluster, measuring eight-inches on the lower two variants, and 12.4-inches on the range-topping Titanium 4WD.
The Ford Everest comes in a 5+2 seating arrangement, wrapped in leather upholstery across all variants. The range-topping Titanium 4WD variant stands out with its powered folding third-row seats, alongside panoramic sunroof, and a 360-degree surround view monitor.
Other interior equipment highlights include:
Qi wireless charging pad
Powered front seats
Automatic dual-zone climate control with rear blower
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Electronic parking brake
Electronic gear shifter (Titanium 4WD)
230V AC outlet, up to 400W (Titanium 4WD)
The all-new 2022 Ford Everest will be offered with two powertrain options. The entry-level Sport 2WD will be the sole variant to feature a 2.0-litre single-turbo inline-four diesel mill, offering up to
170 hp
 and
405 Nm
 of torque, and paired to a six-speed Automatic gearbox to send drive to the rear wheels.
The other two variants get the Bi-Turbo variant of the 2.0-litre engine, bringing outputs up to
210 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. The Bi-Turbo-equipped variants also get a 10-speed automatic transmission, as well as all-wheel drive as standard – the latter adjustable with an Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly system.
Safety wise, only the range-topping Titanium 4WD variant gets the advanced driver assistance suite, which include features such as:
Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-go functionality
Lane centring assist
Lane departure warning and assist
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Reverse brake assist
Blind-spot information system
Rear-cross traffic alert
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Active Park assist
The all-new 2022 Ford Everest starts at
 RM263,888
 for the Sport 2WD, moving up to
RM281,888
 for the Trend 4WD, and
RM308,888
 for the range-topping Titanium 4WD; all prices are on-the-road, without insurance.
Included in the price is a three-year/100,000 km manufacturer’s warranty, plus a two-year/60,000 km extended warranty offered locally by SDAC.
GALLERY


BYD Atto 3 coming with Continental tyres, replaces Atlas Batman tyres

BYD
 has approved
Continental
‘s EcoContact 6 Q tyres to be fitted onto its
Atto 3
 BEV SUV worldwide. Coming in the size of 18 inches (235/50 R18), the new tyre is claimed by the manufacturer to provide a quiet and energy-saving driving experience. It is also 20 mm wider than the current 215/55R18 Atlas Batman tyres fitted on the Atto 3.
These are characteristics especially beneficial for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) such as the Atto 3. You wouldn’t want your quiet EV experience to be ruined just by a set of noisy tyres, do you? Speaking of noise, Continental has also worked together with its developers to improve the tyre tread, which should in turn aid in reducing the tyres’ rolling noise.
The tyre manufacturer has also designed a special rubber compound for its EcoContact 6 Q tyres to minimize its energy absorption while the vehicle, which in this case is the BYD Atto 3, is in motion. The reduction in energy absorption is then able to help reduce the tyres’ friction and rolling resistance as well.
On top of having short braking distances, Continental has also claimed the EcoContact 6 Q tyres to offer exceptional grip, no matter when the road is dry or wet. This allows the car to have better stability while cornering, even at high speeds.
However, we only recommend you do this safely, and at your own risk. Also, do be mindful of other road users as well when driving. Or even better, bring your car to race tracks like the
Sepang International Circuit
, where you can test your car and your tyres safely. Safety first, everyone!
RELATED:
BYD overtakes Volkswagen as No. 1 brand in China – 440k cars sold in Q1 2023
Atlas Batman tyres on the BYD Atto 3
The Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres will be replacing the Atlas Batman tyres that previously came factory fitted with the Atto 3. BYD did not provide an explanation for this change, but there could be several possible reasons. There have been complaints that the Atlas Batman tyres were a bit noisy. The ‘Batman’ name also doesn’t sound so assuring although the comic book equivalent is a hero adored by many.
With the announcement of BYD’s approval for the use of the Continental tyres, we may soon start to see BYD Atto 3 cars equipped with the EcoContact 6 Q tyres from the factory. As of now, the BYD Atto 3 in Malaysia is still equipped with the Atlas Batman tyres. Will the new set of tyres increase the retail price of the BYD Atto 3? That has yet to be confirmed.
RELATED:
BYD opens 3S centres in Ara Damansara, Glenmarie, Cheras


MINI Cooper Clubman launched in Malaysia, priced from RM204k

MINI Malaysia has introduced another brand new model to the product lineup, the fully imported Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman. It’s a much longer MINI boasting a unique six-door configuration, and it’s properly equipped as well.
Two variants are immediately available beginning today – the Cooper Clubman and Cooper S Clubman. Priced at RM204k and RM254k respectively, the base Clubman is powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, and for RM50k more you get a hotter 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.
QUICK FACTS
Name
MINI Cooper Clubman
MINI Cooper S Clubman
Engine
1.5-litre; 3-cylinder turbo
2.0-litre; 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission
6-speed auto
8-speed auto
Max Power
136 hp
192 hp
Max Torque
220 Nm
280 Nm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
9.1 seconds; 205 km/h
7.1 seconds; 228 km/h
Price
RM203,888
RM253,888
The original Clubman was introduced back in 2007 and was significant longer and wider than the five-door Cooper. The same can be said for this second-generation F54 Clubman; it’s about 4,253mm long (longer than the VW Golf, in fact), 1,800mm wide, 1,441mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,670mm.
EXTERIOR
On the outside, both Clubman variants benefit from full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights. The Cooper Clubman sits on 17-inch Net Spoke Silver alloys, while the Cooper S Clubman rolls on the sportier 18-inch Star Spoke Black wheels. They all come with run-flat tyres as standard.

Differentiating the two is fairly simple, though. The base variant gets a less imposing grille with horizontal slats, as opposed to the honeycomb grille featured on the Cooper S Clubman. What’s interesting are the Air Curtain and Air Breather features which are essentially air ducts built into the wheel arches. These ducts reduce drag and create a smoother, more efficient ride.
But what sets this MINI apart from the rest of the model range is the split tailgate. This can also be remotely opened through the foot-activated sensors. Rounding up the exterior are the new horizontal rear lights and LED MINI logos (projected onto the ground) built into the side mirrors.
INTERIOR
Inside the Clubman is typical MINI: you get a clean dashboard, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with cruise control, a rather minimalistic instrument cluster and a high-resolution infotainment display with audio controls. With MINI Connected, apps such as Spotify and GoPro can all be installed to the onboard system. Below that are the controls for the
dual-zone air conditioning
 (standard for both variants) and rocker switch push-start ignition.

MINI made it a point to stress on the Clubman’s lower seating position which was achieved by removing the handbrake lever and substituting it with electric parking brake. Of course, there were several other tweaks made in order to do that, and both front seats are now electrically powered, but only for the more expensive variant.
The seats in the Cooper Clubman are wrapped in dual-tone fabric (MINI calls it Cloth Firework Carbon Black upholstery) with contrast stitching, whereas the Cooper S Clubman receives a much swankier Pure Burgundy leather upholstery. The latter also gets paddle shifters and John Cooper Works leather steering wheel.
There’s 360 litres of cargo space at the back, but the good news is the rear bench has a 40:20:40 split configuration. If they’re folded flat, up to
1,250 litres of space
 can be freed.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, you can have your Clubman in two flavours; a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre engine. The former is a turbocharged three-cylinder engine (same as that in the
3-Series facelift
) packing
136 hp
 and
220 Nm
 of torque. It’s paired to a
six-speed automatic transmission
 driving the front wheels, propelling it from nought to 100km/h in
9.1 seconds
. Top speed is rated at
205km/h
, and the combined fuel consumption is claimed to be
5.4 litres per 100km
.
The Cooper S Clubman is powered by the larger
2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
, also
turbocharged
 to make
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint is managed a full two seconds quicker at
7.1 seconds
 before maxing out at
 228km/h
. However, this variant is the only Clubman to get an
eight-speed automatic
 transmission (also front-wheel drive), which lends its hand in achieving an impressive fuel economy of
5.9 litres per 100km
. This is also because the Aisin-sourced gearbox can ‘declutch’ at speeds between 50km/h to 160km/h, and remain that way so long as the driver’s foot is off the gas.
SAFETY
Standard safety systems here include ABS with EBD, Cornering Brake Control, Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Fading Brake Support and Dynamic Traction Control. Exclusive to the Cooper S Clubman is a feature called Performance Control which supports the car’s cornering ability threshold.
WHAT ELSE?
The Clubman comes in an array of colours, including two new shades called Melting Silver and Pure Burgundy. However, the Thunder Grey shade you see in the gallery below (complete with genuine MINI accessories) is reserved solely for the Cooper S Clubman. And if you fancy, both variants can be accessorised to your own taste.
Just like any other MINIs, each purchase of the Clubman comes with a
4-Year unlimited mileage warranty
 programme with
free scheduled service
. Again, pricing for the base Clubman is
RM203,888
 and
 RM253,888
 for the Cooper S Clubman. Both prices are OTR but exclude insurance.
IMAGE GALLERY
2016 MINI Cooper S Clubman

2016 MINI Cooper Clubman


Video: Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus twincharged PHEV review

One of the earliest car launches in 2018 was none other than the
second-generation Volvo XC60
. GC Mah was given the keys to the Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus PHEV (CBU) and here is what he thinks of the
2018 World Car of the Year
.
Initial batches of the XC60 are fully imported from Sweden and is available in the sole T8 Inscription Plus variant priced at an unfavourable RM373,888 after all applicable duties. However, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) will soon be introducing the
locally-assembled (CKD) variants
 of the XC60, three in fact – the T5, T8 Inscription and T8 Inscription Plus.
The T5 is priced at RM298,888, T8 Inscription at RM333,888 and T8 Inscription Plus at RM343,888. Spec for spec, the T8 Inscription Plus CKD is RM30k cheaper and only loses out on the Air Suspension as well as some interior trim options.
Powered by a 2.0-litre Twin Charged (turbocharged and supercharged) four-cylinder petrol engine that is boosted by an electric motor, the XC60 T8 Inscription Plus belts out
407 hp
 and
640 Nm
 of torque. The petrol engine drives the front wheels while the electric motor propels the rear axle, effectively making the XC60 T8 all-wheel drive. Century sprint on this 2.1 tonne SUV takes a blistering
5.3 seconds
 and top speed is capped at 230 km/h.


Is Lamborghini actually bringing back the original Countach?

No, we don’t mean the
modern-day reborn Countach
 – that we already know. But according to a teaser video posted on Lamborghini’s social media channel, it seems that the company isn’t quite done with celebrating the Countach’s 50th anniversary just yet.
Can you keep a secret? Because we have some exciting news for you.
pic.twitter.com/GvTLwI13nY
— Lamborghini (@Lamborghini)
September 13, 2021

The teaser consists of a video showing Lamborghini’s own interior “
takumis
” (or perhaps “
maestros
“?) cutting out and piecing together pieces of leather, crafting what looks like the bucket seats and interior trims of the iconic Countach LP500 Prototype that first made its debut at the 1971 Geneva motor show.
So what’s actually happening here? Well, based on the text at the end of the teaser that reads “50 years ago it paved the road to the future. Now it’s back on the road,” we’re fairly convinced that Lamborghini is indeed resurrecting the Countach LP500 one way or another.
The Lamborghini Countach has been reincarnated to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Check out the modern-day creation here!
The most logical way to go about that would be a special one-off restoration through Lamborghini’s Polo Storico heritage division.
However, the original prototype that made its appearance on the Geneva show floor was actually used as a test mule following its public showing, and was
later retired in 1974
 after being used in a crash test for the homologation of the production version.
Since it’s been scrapped, a restoration project is pretty much out of the picture. That leaves us with one more possibility – actually recreating the original LP500 Concept, piece by piece down to the original V12 engine.
It’ll be a huge undertaking, but at least, it’ll be a fitting homage to one of the brand’s most iconic models of all time – perhaps even more so than the Aventador-based modern-day creation. Either way, we can’t wait to see what Lamborghini has in store!


Haval H6 HEV first impressions – Looks great, rides comfortably, and packs a whole lot of punch

The
Haval H6
 is one of
Great Wall Motor’s (GWM)
 models that has been said to be coming to Malaysia very soon. However, as of now, the car has not been officially launched just yet. But you probably already had the chance of seeing, touching, and even test-driving the car at the recently held
Malaysia Autoshow 2023
. Lucky for us, we were given an opportunity by GWM to test drive the car itself at GWM’s
newly launched USJ 4S centre
. Allow us to share with you our first impressions of the Haval H6 HEV.
Precisely, the Haval H6 we test-drove was the hybrid variant, or HEV, as GWM officially calls it. This is also probably the only variant that will be brought into the Malaysian market.
Exterior design – It actually looks decently handsome!
The name
Haval
 might not be the most desirable-sounding car brand in the world. But putting my bias aside, I have to admit that the Haval H6 actually looks decently handsome.
Despite being a C-segment SUV, the car in the flesh looked bigger than I expected. That’s because it is indeed bigger than many of its competitors. Measuring
4,683 mm
 long,
1,886 mm
 wide, and
1,724 mm
 tall, with a
2,738 mm
 wheelbase underpinning it, the Haval H6 is generally larger than the
Mazda CX-5
, and
Honda CRV
, and is just about the same size as the
Nissan X-trail
.
RELATED:
Haval H6 HEV previewed at Malaysia Auto Show 2023 – Hybrid X70 rival?
At the front of the Haval H6 is a grille that looks heavily inspired by
Mercedes Benz
’s
 diamond grille design, which I like. Together with its slim LED headlights, the SUV looks grand and with a couple of hints of premium.
With the market full of cars with dual-tone rims nowadays, I am also quite a fan of the 19-inch all-black wheels the Haval H6 is wearing, giving the car an expensive and sporty look. Looking at the rear of the Haval H6, which is my favourite side of the hybrid SUV, its design in some way actually reminds me of cars like the
Range Rover Evoque
 and fourth-generation
Kia Sportage
.
The rear lights are positioned a bit high up, reminding me of the
Proton X70
 and Mazda CX-5. Unique design bits that caught my eye are the tail lights that run across the rear of the car, as well as the uniquely designed third brake lights.
Driving experience – Smooth and comfortable, while packing quite a punch
Hopping into the Haval H6 and driving it for the first time, I immediately felt how comfortable the car was. To start, the suspension fitted to this SUV is soft and comfortable, delivering a comfortable and refined driving and riding experience. Not only that, the car feels refined as well no matter when going through smooth or rough road surfaces, or even potholes (as long as they are not too big…), reminding me a lot of the Proton X70.
Soundproofing on the Haval H6 is also done well, blocking out noises from the outside, as well as the engine bay. Under the hood of the Haval H6 HEV is a mild hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).
With power sent to the front wheels only, the engine itself makes
150 hp
(metric) and
230 Nm
, while the DHT itself makes
177 hp
 (metric) and
300 Nm
. As a result, power delivery is smooth, direct and seamless. The hybrid system is so seamless and refined that I for a moment forgot that I was driving a hybrid car, as the transition between pure electric mode and when the engine kicked in was done in a quiet and drama-free manner.
The car is also rather eager in providing power when I demanded it, as it accelerates and charges forward pretty ‘violently’, considering the fact that it is primarily a family car. Therefore, you will not need to worry when doing overtaking manoeuvres during your
balik kampung
 or long-distance trips, as the car packs more punch than you would need.
The only thing I disliked when driving the Haval H6 was its steering feel and feedback. The steering can feel a little too light and even numb at times, leaving me desiring more feedback from the wheels when driving through corners and bends.
However, the plus side to this is that the Haval H6’s steering is very easy to manoeuvre. This makes the Haval H6 an easily operational vehicle, making it easy for most drivers to get used to the car.
RELATED:
Ora Good Cat now available in Pistachio Green, with quirky ‘paw’ design
Interior – Great build quality, could use better materials
The Haval H6’s interior is essentially well made, featuring a modern and simple, yet tastefully done design. Lots of soft plastics can be found in the car, making it feel more premium than its segment suggests.
The climate control buttons and the gear selector dials also deliver decent feedback. However, a huge portion of the centre console and the door trim is finished with piano black plastic surfaces, creating a huge fingerprint and scratch magnet. For context, the test drive unit GWM provided us already had its centre console severely scratched.
The leatherette seats are also plush and soft, just like many Chinese cars (
Geely
-based
Proton
s
 included), providing a comfortable seating experience. But I doubt these seats are able to hold me well if I am to chuck it through curvy roads in Genting for instance. Yet again, this is a family car first, and comfort is one of the most important factors, proving that GWM has made the right choice.
Conclusion – A potentially popular car if the price is right
Like the title of this first impression article, the Haval H6 HEV is indeed an SUV that packs a punch. It looks decent and drives pretty well too. The powerful mild hybrid powertrain is certainly a nice bonus for this family SUV. It now all comes down to the sticker price GWM is planning to stick to the car, which I think will be an important factor that will determine the Haval H6 HEV’s fate in Malaysia.
RELATED:
Haval Jolion previewed in Malaysia – Hybrid B-segment SUV to launch in 2023
GALLERY


The Vision EQ Silver Arrow looks like it was unwrapped from a Hot Wheels box

Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled the Vision EQ Silver Arrow – a one-seater vehicle that pays tribute to the successful record-breaking W125 car from 1937.
The electric vehicle is capable of pumping out 550 kW (
750 hp
) with a thin rechargeable battery in the underbody. It has a useable capacity of approximately 80 kWh, and a pure electric range of 400 km. And because of how silent it will be, the car can imitate the sound of the current Formula 1 car or even a Mercedes-AMG V8 engine.
https://assets.autobuzz.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/30150934/mb_180825_vision_eq_silver_arrow_showcar_footage.mp4
Its carbon fibre body measures 5.3 metres long but just one metre high, with multiple layers of paintwork in alubeam silver to appear like liquid metal over the top.
The Vision EQ Silver Arrow is also fitted with a carbon fibre front splitter, as well as the continuous lighting strip at the front. The coolest bit of the Vision EQ though, has to be the lighting strip with a large and illuminated EQ lettering.
Get this; the mesmerising wheels are made up of 168 spokes per piece from lightweight aluminium with non-rotating hub caps – much like those on a Rolls-Royce. They’re painted in rose gold as is typical for the EQ brand and wrapped in Pirelli tyres, with a star pattern on the tread!
Elsewhere, the side air vents help to cool the battery. At the back, it’s got a rear diffuser with dual extendable rear spoilers that act as air brakes by increasing the wind resistance when deceleration is desired.
Inside is a whole different story, it looks like a cross-breed between a single seater powerboat and a luxurious yacht. It’s covered in polished aluminium, suede, saddle brown leather but what I find most appealing is the solid walnut wood with darker coniferous wood pinstripes on the floor of the car.
Granted, it’s a concept but you can’t help but wonder what it’d be like driving with a panoramic display ahead of you, with a touchscreen display integrated into the steering wheel that looks straight out of a Formula 1 car!
The attention to detail is so mad that the seat, with a four-point harness, even comes with stars “engraved” on it using lasers.
On the other hand, modern, high-tech solutions such as the large projection surface for the panoramic screen and innovative user experience solutions such as the virtual race option (see below) represent the EQ’s typically visionary character. This contrast is an intentional merging of past and future.
Here’s something that will blow your mind; with artificial intelligence, you can engage in a virtual race against historical or present-day Silver Arrow racing cars.
A virtual racetrack will be projected on the panoramic screen where the driver can see his/her opponent either ahead or behind them as a “ghost”. The Virtual Race Coach assistance function helps you become a better driver by giving instructions during the race.
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No more dealer discounts – Mercedes-Benz implements agency model in Malaysia with retail partners

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 has reached an agreement with its retail partners to implement the agency model in the country. The agency model is expected to be implemented in
September

2023
 and will make Malaysia the first nation in the South East Asia region to do so.
The company said this new business model is aimed to help meet the evolving needs of its customers in the digital era. When implemented, the agency model will provide customers with more freedom to choose from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s national stock, regardless of their location or channel.
Not only that, customers can also conveniently switch between and even combine the different contact points within Mercedes-Benz’s network to exchange ideas with product experts in their respective authorised dealerships, obtain information, or even conclude their purchase contracts directly online.
With the new agency model, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s retail partners will still continue to serve as brand representatives. Their role as product experts and brand ambassadors will be maintained to serve their customers in their respective retail networks.
Mercedes-Benz’s customers can also continue to benefit from a range of services at retail outlets, including vehicle sales and financing options, maintenance and repair services, genuine parts availability, as well as warranty support.
RELATED:
Not only taking our jobs, ChatGPT is now in Mercedes-Benz’s voice control system
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia CEO & President, Sagree Sardien said, “We are excited to share a major milestone in our mission to strengthen customer loyalty for the Mercedes-Benz brand. Through a close partnership with our esteemed retail partners, we will jointly embark in taking the next step towards revolutionizing our sales model.
“As the first in the region to implement the agency model for the brand, we are confident that this transformative leap will further enhance our brand’s presence and deliver an exceptional customer experience. Together, we look forward to an exciting journey in redefining automotive sales in a highly digital & technological era,” Sardien added.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sales & Marketing Vice President, Bettina Plangger also said, “This progress is driven by changes in customer behavior in the digital age. We want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to interact with us. It doesn’t matter if it’s digital or physical. The agency model supports us in seamlessly connecting all contact points.”
RELATED:
Gallery: 2023 Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ from RM510k – 421hp, 500Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.9 secs


Volvo launches Polestar performance upgrades, but for older models

Polestar, Volvo’s official performance division have finally introduced an entire range of new performance parts for the S60, V60, XC60 and V40 models. The Polestar Performance Parts include extensively engineered exhaust and chassis parts, including exterior and interior styling tweaks.
These performance parts are
co-developed with Cyan Racing
 and designed under Polestar’s “Made to Perform” philosophy, fully utilising the company’s
20-year motorsport experience
. These parts can be purchased as a complete package or separately, but Volvo and Polestar both said the former, together with Polestar Performance Optimisation will work in tandem to create a more compelling driving experience.

Polestar’s R&D Director Henrik Fries said, “What we learned at the circuit with our colleagues at Cyan Racing is that championships aren’t won in a single lap. The secret of our success is in creating balanced and precise cars that are predictable for the driver to control in all situations”.
These parts will be available at all participating dealerships, although prices have yet to be announced. It’s also presently unclear if Malaysia will be one of the Polestar recipients, but as the second country (and the only one outside of Sweden) in the world to
assemble the new XC90
, there might just be a high chance for Volvo owners to finally take on the likes of Germany’s M and AMG models.
More details on these performance parts will surface soon, so stay tuned!
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Mazda’s first sports car, the Cosmo is probably why Mazda is what it is today

Exactly 50 years ago today (30 May 1967), Mazda launched their first ever sports car, the Mazda Cosmo Sport. It was also the world’s first car powered by a twin-rotor Wankel engine.
Most of us know the two-seater Cosmo as the 110S, whose very foundation led to the creation of legends such as the
MX-5
 and RX-7 despite building just 1,176 units. Before Mazda had the Cosmo, they predominantly built trucks and small cars.

As one of the world’s leading engineers/developers of the rotary engine, Mazda’s commitment was generously rewarded when they went on to build close to 2 million rotary-powered cars. They also achieved considerable racing success when the RX-7 wiped the floor clean at the International Motor Sport Association events throughout the 1980s.
The biggest breakthrough however came in 1991 when the Mazda 787B won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car was powered by a 2.6-litre four-rotor engine producing close to 700 hp and became the only non-reciprocating engine to ever win the iconic endurance race. Mazda also became the first Asian brand to win at Le Mans.
But what sort of benefits did the Mazda Cosmo bring to the existing Skyactiv engines? For one, it set in stone the brand’s tradition of innovation, like for instance overcoming the conventional barriers in developing extremely high compression gasoline engines (14.0:1!) and making cars fun to drive at the same time.
If you think this is all fluff, remember,
Mazda is the only car brand that needs not cheat to get past emissions regulators
. Happy 50th birthday, Cosmo. We hope the lads at Hiroshima are hard at work realising the
next-generation Skyactiv-R engines
.
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Check out this electric MINI towing a Boeing 777 airplane!

These stunts will never get old, would it? In fact the “David vs Goliath” effect might never lose it lustre – we’ll never get bored of seeing the little ones overcome the mighty.
Proving that MINI is just in the name, BMW Group in collaboration with Lufthansa flexed the muscles of the first ever electric-powered MINI, the Cooper SE, in their latest publicity stunt – towing a 150-tonne Boeing 777 freight aircraft.

The MINI Cooper SE will go into production by November 2019 and is only the second purely electric vehicle after the BMW i3.
The new electric MINI is said to share the same powertrain as the BMW i3, with around
170 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque – a slight dip from the
 BMW i3s recently launched in Malaysia
.


MINI Malaysia launches the new Countryman Plug-in Hybrid

MINI Malaysia has just introduced the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, the first Plug-In Hybrid variant of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) range from MINI.
Mr. Kidd Yam, Head of MINI Malaysia said, “The versatile premium SAV was crucial in adding to the story of our record breaking performance of 1,011 vehicles delivered last year which was a positive 12% growth over 2016 where we delivered 902 vehicles. T
he New MINI Countryman also achieved a top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test.”
QUICK FACTS
Name
MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid
Engine
1.5-litre turbo 3-cylinder + electric motor
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
224 hp
Max Torque
385 Nm
Price (OTR without Insurance)
RM 255,888.00
Being the first MINI of its kind, the new Countryman Plug-In Hybrid’s front wheel is driven by the engine while the back is powered by an electric motor, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It produces
224 hp
 and
385 Nm
 of torque, the highest in the MINI model range.
It goes from 0 to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds, before topping out at 198 km/h with fuel consumption rated at an impressive 2.1 litres/100km of fuel. It also offers an all-electric driving range of up to
42 km
 with a maximum speed of up to 120 km/h.

The New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid can be charged at home by connecting it to a power socket via the Home Charging Cable for approx.
 5 hours
 (230V), depending on the voltage, or at one of
270 public charging facilities across Malaysia
 for approx. three hours (230V), depending on the voltage of the public charging station.
The new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid also features an
eDrive button
 to allow drivers to choose between different electric drive modes: the standard
AUTO eDrive mode
, the purely electric
MAX eDrive mode
, and the
SAVE BATTERY mode
, in which charging status of the high-voltage battery is maintained at a constant level.
With the MINI eALL4 system, the MAX eDrive mode ensure optimum traction is delivered by activating rear wheel drive, the SAVE BATTERY mode activates front wheel drive, and the AUTO eDRIVE mode with eBoost will activate four wheel drive.
The new Countryman can be distinguished with the model-specific “e” badge on the side scuttles and yellow “S” in the model inscription on the rear. It also sports a distinct radiator grille and door sill finishes. An ALL4 exterior bodykit and 19-inch MINI Yours Masterpiece wheels complete the exterior.
Inside, the New MINI Countryman features a MINI Yours Walknappa Leather Steering Wheel. T
he MINI Centre Instrument is occupied by a 6.5-inch Touch Screen Display that supports multi-touch with pinch to zoom-in functionality for maps and typing.

The new MINI Countryman is offered in Chili Red, British Racing Green, Thunder Grey, Light White along with Melting Silver with Black Roof and Island Blue with White Roof combinations.
To reward owners of the New MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, MINI Malaysia will also reward new owners of the Countryman Plug-in Hybrid with the ChargeNow offering bundled with the MINI Public Charging Cables as well as a
1-Year free subscription of unlimited charging
 at all 270 ChargeEV stations.
The new MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid is covered by MINI Malaysia’s 5-Years Roadside Assistance programme, available for all new MINI vehicles with a comprehensive list of services.
They include a 24-Hour, 365-days-a-year Accident and Help on the Phone and On-the-Spot Hotline, Free Towing Services over 200KM from residential home, a replacement vehicle, Seamless Mobility, accommodation, Mobility Services Solutions as well as repatriation services.
Additionally, the new plug-in hybrid variant of the MINI Countryman is offered with a battery warranty that is
valid for six years or up to 100,000 km
.
The MINI Roadside Assistance program can be accessed by contacting 1800-88-8808.
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 MINI Countryman PHEV is MINI’s first and only hybrid offering


All-new Isuzu D-Max could be fitted with Autonomous Emergency Braking

It’s probably fair to pass the
all-new Isuzu D-Max
 off as nothing less than impressive.
After soldiering for nearly a decade with a platform that should be in a museum than on a production line, the 3rd-generation D-Max has finally burst out of its cocoon and emerged as a beautiful butterfly.
The work that has gone into the new D-Max goes beyond its handsome new facade. It rides on a strengthened, more rigid and improved chassis with better brakes, equipped with modern amenities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by a more sophisticated interior design with improved NVH.
Better yet, the new D-Max is also equipped with a Blind-spot Monitoring System and Rear-Cross Traffic Alert for the first time ever.
It’s safe to assume that Isuzu isn’t contented anymore with their D-Max being labelled as nothing more than a workhorse; seeing as the Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton, for example, are more “family-friendly” than ever.
Here’s the thing, when it arrives in Australia next year, it would have to be equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) – a requirement of Australia’s testing body – if it were to be in contention for a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
With that, local auto site
CarsGuide
 reported that the Australian-spec D-Max is expected to be fitted with the system – something Malaysian car buyers seem to place increasing emphasis on.
Should the new D-Max arrive in Malaysia with AEB, the question then would be, would buyers be willing to pay the price?
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Video: Mazda CX-9 2.5L Turbo AWD GVC review

Although the second-generation Mazda CX-9 was officially launched in Malaysia in
November 2017
, the flagship seven-seater SUV was already available (in very limited units) in late 2016 due to customer requests.
While we loved every bit of the
Australian-spec CX-9 2.5L SkyActiv Turbo 2WD,
 the Malaysian-spec with All-Wheel-Drive, G-Vectoring Control and full Adaptive LED headlamps is the one Eu Jin thinks is a worthy pick over other premium brands in the sub RM300k price category.
Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged SkyActiv petrol engine, the CX-9 packs
227 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque. Drive is channelled to all four wheels via a six-speed SkyActiv-Drive automatic transmission.
Some would lambast Bermaz Motors for the CX-9’s price tag but do remember this is a fully-imported SUV that is positioned to be the Japanese marque’s flagship vehicle. So, if you had RM300k, what would be your pick?


Video: 2019 All-new Mazda 3, 5 Things

The highly-anticipated
all-new Mazda 3
 is finally here and although prices may seem steep, as both the hatchback and sedan models are fully imported, the price range between
RM139k to RM160k
 would be a real test between what is sensible and what the heart wants.
The microscope would no doubt be on the 1.5-litre models, as most would probably opt for them so it’s going to be interesting to see how competent the engine would be as the Mazda 3 isn’t exactly light – weighing just under 1.4 tonnes.

What do you think boys and girls? Can inexplicable beauty and abject desire trump logic? Is it worth spending RM139k on a car that don’t even come with leather seats?
IMAGE GALLERY


Indonesia set to launch next-gen Honda BR-V on Sept 21!

PT Honda Prospect Motor Indonesia (Honda Indonesia) has just announced the launch date of the all-new Honda BR-V multi-purpose seven-seater SUV via a digital world premiere on September 21st.
The company has been communicating the new model since May via the premiere of the
Honda N7X Concept
. While it is not mentioned to replace the Honda BR-V, many motoring sites from Indonesia strongly believed the Honda N7X Concept would lead to the all-new Honda BR-V.
Judging by the size of the vehicle during a
roadshow
 as well as
information from multiple sources
, it is now an open secret that Indonesia will be presenting the all-new second-generation Honda BR-V as soon as next week.
Production is reportedly to only begin closer to the
end of the year
, with the schedule for Malaysia unconfirmed as Honda Malaysia only
restarted full operations
 less than a month ago with plenty of catching up to do.
The all-new Honda BR-V is said to continue to soldier on with the proven 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with outputs of
120 hp
 and
145 Nm
 and paired to a slick CVT transmission. Let’s hope the cabin quality has improved, as the Honda BR-V was thoroughly beaten by the Mitsubishi Xpander when compared side-by-side.
Watch our compact 7-seater review of the Mitsubishi Xpander vs the Honda BR-V here!
A patent filing also revealed that the all-new model is said to be equipped with some features from the Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance suite, which is thoroughly welcomed given the
current model
’s basic safety features of just two airbags and electronic stability control (VSA).
Honda Indonesia will broadcast the digital world premiere on September 21st via their YouTube channel
here
 and the programme is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. Kuala Lumpur time.


Lamborghini deals with the devil, new Urus Performante unveiled with 666 hp

As if the world hasn’t had enough of crazy fast SUVs yet, Lamborghini has just unveiled a hot Performante derivative of its wildly-popular
Urus
 super SUV, promising to raise the bar on its high-riding supremacy.
The lunacy starts off with the powertrain, with the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine gaining 13 hp in this configuration, now making a devilish
666 hp
 and
 850 Nm
. Power is sent to the ground via an upgraded differential and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and all of that means the super-super SUV can now reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just
3.3 seconds
, 200 km/h in 11.5 seconds, and a top speed of
306 km/h
.
But power alone isn’t what helped the Lamborghini Urus Performante smash the
Pikes Peak SUV hill climb record
. It’s now got a new set of steel springs, which also lowers the SUV by 20 mm, a new set of 23-inch wheels wrapped in Urus Performante-specific Pirelli Trofeo R rubber, and a serious weight-loss regime which saw the Urus drop as much as 47 kg of fat.
The weight reduction is achieved by generous usage of carbon fibre, most noticeably on the bonnet and (optionally) roof, both of which can be optioned without paint to show off its shiny new bodywork. In fact, Lamborghini says that the Urus Performante utilises more carbon fibre in its construction than any other vehicle in its class.
RELATED:
Lamborghini Urus makes history as the company’s best-selling model of all time
Carbon fibre is also used on basically all aerodynamic appendages on the outside, including the rear diffuser and aggressive roof spoiler at the back – the latter provides 38% more downforce than the basic spoiler on the regular-spec Urus. Overall, downforce on the Lamborghini Urus Performante has increased by 8%.
New vents and air inlets all around the exterior help improve the Super SUV’s cooling and airflow efficiency, and thanks to the new splitters on the bumpers both front and back, the length of the Urus Performante has actually also grown by 25 mm.
Inside, the new performance-focused super SUV gets a slightly revamped interior that mirrors that of the
Huracan Performante
, with items like the door cards, roof-lining, seats, and rear wall all finished in the marque’s Performante trim with microfibre upholstery. As usual, however, customers can also opt for leather if they so choose, utilising Lamborghini’s Ad Personam service.
Most aluminium trims have been replaced by a black anodised finishing, and customers can also take it a step further with the optional “Dark Package”, which further extends the matte black treatment onto more parts on the interior, including the Urus’ central ‘Tamburo’ control stack which hosts the start-stop button (hidden underneath a fighter jet-esque flip cover) and the drive mode selector.
Speaking of drive modes, The new Lamborghini Urus Performante also now comes with a ‘Rally’ drive mode for use on the dirt tracks, although we doubt many of its buyers will actually take it off-road…
ALSO READ:
Lamborghini took its Urus customers on a month-long expedition across Iceland
GALLERY


Experience Proton cars with Karamjit Singh at the Malaysia Autoshow 2018

From the 26th to 29th April, Proton and rally enthusiasts will get to find out what it’s like to ride shotgun with local household names of the motorsports scene.
Visitors who either
book a Proton
 or
buy merchandise or spare parts
 during the
Malaysia Autoshow 2018
 will get to go on a joy ride in Protons with 3-time Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) title winner,
Karamjit Singh
 a.k.a. the Flying Sikh and 2017’s Sepang 1000km (S1K) race winner
James Veerapen
.
Those who book a new Proton at the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 will also be able to grab
gift vouchers
 at a special game booth to purchase their new Proton.
Proton Commerce will also be offering special deals where the first 100 customers who get their loans approved and disbursed to PROTON will be rewarded with
RM 300 worth of AEON vouchers
 –  on top of the free body kit and 0% financing that is already being offered at all outlets.
Proton is also displaying a
replica of the Proton Iriz rally car
 built by Proton R3 at its booth in Hall A; offering a glimpse of the car that’s been developed to compete in regional and the World Rally Championship 2 (WRC2) series’.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2018 is held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang.


Video: 2022 Facelift Porsche Macan, Macan S and GTS from RM433k, 5 Things

Sime Darby Auto Performance
, the sole distributor of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia has launched the
new facelift Macan with three variants
 available – the Macan, Macan S, and Macan GTS, starting from
RM433,154
.
There are two engine options available for the facelift Macan – a 2.0-litre turbo 4-cylinder and a 2.9-litre turbo V6 – and both are paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox. All three variants come with increased horsepower and torque.

As for the exterior, the changes are subtle but enough to give the Macan a different look and keep it fresh for a while more. The front sees a change in the bumper design, with a C-shaped surround for the fog lights, intersecting at the number plate. The flat door trims from the pre-facelift model have been replaced with pieces with a 3D look and finished with diamond shapes.
Inside, the facelift Macan welcomes the new decade with a “near button-less” dashboard. The switches by the centre console and for the air-con controls have all been replaced with haptic-touch icons instead. The steering design has also been tweaked slightly.
Prices for the facelift Macan are as follow:
Macan – RM433,154
Macan S – RM623,593
Macan GTS – RM786,232
Included is a 2-year unlimited-mileage factory warranty, alongside a two-year free service programme.
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Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive technology may soon power cars of other brands

The automotive industry is not only about the nuts and bolts, but also about cost efficiency. It’s very costly to develop a brand new car or technology, thus carmakers commonly reduce cost by sharing technology and platform among competitors. Now, Toyota is the next to do so by offering its signature Hybrid Synergy Drive technology to other manufacturers.
This follows Toyota’s recent announcement to expand its next-generation hybrid powertrain offerings by 2021. Part of the reason was not for Toyota to make an extra income, but also allows Toyota to recoup its massive research and development cost.
At the same time, they are allowing its suppliers – who they co-develop its powertrains with – to supply these parts to other competitors. It’s a logical move for manufacturers to adopt a more “mainstream” technology as this would greatly reduce R&D costs.
Case in point, Denso, one of Toyota’s main suppliers which produces the inverter for Toyota’s hybrid system, only supplied to Toyota because it is unfit for use in other hybrid systems due to voltage differences. This can be avoided if manufacturers agree to use the same components for their hybrid powertrains.
[Source:
AutoNews
]


The 4S is the thinking man’s Porsche Taycan

If the prices of Porsche Taycan Turbo and Turbo S sent chills down your spine during its recent unveiling, there is now a new variant which will raise our hopes (and dreams) of owning Zuffenhausen’s all-electric 4-door.
Based on UK prices and starting at £83,367 (including VAT), the Taycan 4S is a whopping
40% lower than the top-of-the-line Turbo S
 and a substantial
28% less than the Turbo
, yet it doesn’t give up much in terms of range with a potential
407 km per full charge
 against the Turbo’s 450 km.
In fact, when optioned with the
Performance Battery Plus
, the Taycan 4S is able to achieve a
theoretical range of 463 km
 (WLTP combined cycle) in tandem with the upgrade in battery capacity from the standard
79.2 kWh to 93.4 kWh
, which also raises the output from
 530 hp to 571 hp
, as well as the corresponding torque from
640 Nm to 650 Nm
.

Performance is dialled down slightly when compared to the Turbo and Turbo S, but you can’t describe a
0-100 km/h time of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h
 as anything but rapid, and the 4S also
retains all-wheel drive
 with a synchronous electric motor residing over each axle, along with a
two-speed transmissions
, just like its
faster siblings
.
Design cues to differentiate the 4S from the Turbo models include
19-inch Taycan S Aero alloy wheels
, red-painted brake callipers, a new front apron, side sills and a rear diffuser finished in black.
Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus LED headlamps
 come as standard as well.


Renault Koleos introduced with top-of-the-range Initiale Paris edition

The new Renault Koleos Initiale Paris has been introduced in the UK with a unique Amethyst body colour exclusive to the new edition. Priced at 36,700 (RM 197k) pounds, most of the upgrades lies within the exterior and interior trims, building on the Koleos’ already extensive specification.
On the outside, it comes with 19-inch rims, full LED “Pure Vision” headlights and Initiale Paris badging while inside, the Initiale Paris receives an exclusive two-tone Nappa leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof that strangely only stretches to the mid-way point of the second row seats.
Entertainment is provided through a potrait 8.7-inch touchscreen R-LINK2 multimedia system with TomTom navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. An automatic powered tailgate is also standard; opened either with the key fob or waving the foot under the rear bumper.
Aside from Hands Free Parking, the Initiale Paris edition also comes with Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition with Over-speed Prevention and Hill Start Assist.
Other safety features include ABS with EBD, ESC with traction and understeer control along with six airbags.
The Initiale Paris edition can be had with a dCi 175 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine producing
175 hp
 and
380 Nm
 of torque – the most powerful diesel engine in the Renault range. Power is delivered through a seven-speed Auto X-Tronic  CVT gearbox, via the ALL MODE 4×4-i system which allows for three separate driving modes – Auto, Lock and 2WD.
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MINI JCW returns with a 2019 facelift and reduced emissions

Available from March 2019 onwards, the most powerful versions of the MINI range, the JCW, will come with a new exhaust filtration system as one of its primary updates.
Both the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch and the Convertible are fitted with a 2.0-litre 231 hp four-cylinder engine with MINI Twin Turbo Power technology.
Available with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission, the MINI John Cooper Works Hatch accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.3 seconds. The Convertible will take merely 0.3 seconds longer to do the same.
The new petrol particulate filter that’s integrated into the standard sports exhaust not only ensures the reduction of particulate matter emissions but also promises a “characteristic sound inside and outside the vehicle”.
Suspiciously though, this new update sounds like it could affect the fuel efficiency of the car as MINI went on to say that the introduction of the latest pollutant reduction technology “will not adversely affect” fuel economy. Hmm.
Notable standard equipment includes a Sports suspension with 17-inch John Cooper Works “Track Spoke” alloy wheels, a high performance braking system and John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit.
Prices are expected to start from £24,480 (approx. RM 129k) for the hatchback and £28,140 (approx. RM 148k) for the convertible.
IMAGE GALLERY
MINI JCW Hatch

 Before

MINI JCW Convertible


All-new Ssangyong Rexton unveiled, 2.0L & 2.2L turbos, has 9 airbags!!

Following last week’s
teaser
, Ssangyong has confirmed that its latest SUV model, codenamed Y400, is indeed the Rexton. This 2017 Ssangyong Rexton will make its official debut at next month’s Seoul Motor Show before hitting showroom floors around the world at the end of the year.
The new Rexton will become Ssangyong’s mid-size SUV contender, sitting above compact SUVs such as the Korando and Tivoli. The Ssangyong brand was never synonymous with design, but the new Rexton is neatly packaged and is pleasantly good looking. Things appear even better inside, with brown leather upholstery and quilted trims. There’s also a new 9.2-inch HD screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as 3D Around View Monitoring (AVM).
In terms of dimensions, it is essentially longer, larger and roomier than both the
Toyota Fortuner
 and
Isuzu MU-X
. The Rexton measures 4,850 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,800 mm high, and has a 2,865 mm wheelbase. It also has nine airbags!
Right off the bat, there are two engines to choose from: a
2.2-litre turbodiesel
 and
 2.0-litre turbocharged

petrol
. It can be had with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Ssangyong claims the new Rexton will boast a rather balanced weight distribution with commendable towing capabilities. They’ve also gone as far as to say it will handle brilliantly on-road and off-road. Refinement is also said to be greatly improved.
Suddenly, the idea of getting a Rexton sounded just as good as when it was sold here in Malaysia over a decade ago. Perhaps it’s time for a comeback.


Facts & Figures: All-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class launched in Malaysia – S 580 from RM1.92m

The cryptocurrency market boom has made many people very, very rich in recent times. So if you’re lucky enough to be part of the elite group, say hello to what might be your next ride – the
all-new, ultra-luxury Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
.
EXTERIOR
The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is – as the name suggests – based on the
all-new S-Class
 that was only
recently launched in Malaysia
. But of course, with this being the luxury-oriented model, there are several differences to help it stand out.
Most noticeably, is its extra-long wheelbase, measuring 180 mm longer than the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class, and 290 mm longer than the S-Class sold here in Malaysia! All of the extra space, of course, goes into the rear seats where the owner will actually sit.
Other exterior highlights include the Maybach signature front grille, shiny chrome trims most noticeably in the air intake inserts, a chrome fin that runs through the centreline of the bonnet, Digital Lights, and massive 21-inch multispoke alloy wheels.
Most impressively, however, is the unique optional dual-tone paint job that’s painstakingly done by hand, taking over a week to complete!
INTERIOR
As one would expect, the interior of the all-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is decked out in luxury, built with the most opulent materials. Standard features on the dashboard is fairly comparable to the standard S-Class, including the same two same display units running the latest MBUX operating system.
However, you probably don’t care about all those when you buy a Maybach, because you’ll be seated in the back seat anyway. Here, you’ll find the First-Class rear compartment as standard, with electrically-reclineable seats up to 43.5-degrees.
As the owners of the Maybach will probably be wearing a suit or fancy dresses most of the time, the seat belts even automatically extends outwards so you won’t have to twist and contort your body and crease your fancy outfits.
The all-new Mercedes-Maybach also comes with a “active road noise compensation” feature that works like your noise-cancelling headphones to reduce external noise, while the C-pillar quarterlights also get thicker laminated glass for the same purpose. Buyers can also opt for additional foam within the tyres to further cut down on road noise inside the cabin.
The rear entertainment package with two 11.6-inch touchscreen displays and a seven-inch Android tablet is standard here, but other options include powered doors that can be controlled from any screens within the cabin, and a fridge between the two rear seats to store your champagnes.
PERFORMANCE
The all-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will be offered here in Malaysia in the S 580 4Matic form, featuring a 4.0-litre eight-cylinder petrol engine paired to a 48V mild-hybrid system for an output of
489 hp
 (+20 hp from motor) and
700 Nm
 (+180 Nm from motor) of torque.
Power is delivered to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox and the 4Matic all-wheel drive system. Also standard here are the rear-axle steering system to help manoeuvre the large sedan around tighter spaces, and the Airmatic suspension with E-Active Body Control system to smoothen out bumps and uneven road surfaces.
PRICING
The all-new Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class starts at
RM1,928,816
 here in Malaysia, although pricing will probably only move upwards exponentially when you factor in the options you’ll tick when you order your own.
As usual, the price includes a 50% SST exemption (fully-imported), and a four-year unlimited mileage warranty.
GALLERY


Hyundai’s new Elantra N performance sedan looks like a race car from 2050!

Hyundai is wasting no time in increasing the line-up of their high-performance and motorsport-derived N line. The latest
Elantra sedan
 will be joining the family soon, with the company release a lone teaser image of the new N model.
Hyundai says the upcoming Elantra N combines the practicality of an everyday car with the exciting sportiness of a high-performance race car.
No mention of the power unit under the hood, but expect to be the brand’s high-output 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 280 hp and 392 Nm of torque. Being the first sedan model in the N family, the Elantra N features an elevated rear spoiler on its boot lid.
 The Hyundai N range currently consists of:
i30 N
 – 280 hp, 392 Nm, 6-MT or 8-DCT, 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds
Veloster N – 280 hp, 378 Nm, 6-MT or 8-DCT, 5.6 seconds
Kona N
 – 280 hp, 392 Nm, 8-speed DCT, 5.5 seconds
i20 N
 – 204 hp, 304 Nm, 6-speed manual, 6.7 seconds
Apart from the Hyundai Kona N, all N models have racing siblings in Touring Car Racing (TCR) and WRC categories.
When paired with the new ‘N DCT’ 8-speed dual-clutch (wet-type) transmission, the Hyundai N cars have three selectable programs that add more fun behind the wheel. There is N Power Shift (full throttle upshift program), N Grin Shift (over-boost mode) and N Track Sense Shift (auto-shifting at race circuits).
Other key features in full-fledged Hyundai N cars include a limited-slip differential (LSD), downshift rev-matching, sports exhaust system with electronic valve controller, sports-tuned suspension. A lot of fine-tuning of the chassis and powertrain is also done at the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife.
There is also the
N Line
 range with 201 hp
In Malaysia, the Elantra model is offered in two variants- Executive and Premium. The engine is limited to a 123 hp / 154 Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit and paired with a CVT-type transmission. Prices for the new Elantra
starts from RM139,888
.


Honda Civic Turbo makes first ever Malaysian debut, has a 3-month waiting list

There is certainly no other car more able to generate the hype and following as the Honda Civic has. Making its first ever Malaysian debut at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) is the
10th generation Honda Civic
.
Displayed here at the My Auto Fest 2016 from 20 to 22 May (Friday to Sunday), the model under the limelight here is of the range topping Turbo variant, finished in an exterior shade called Lunar Silver Metallic. At heart is the much lauded new
1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
 engine, producing
174 hp
 and
 220 Nm
 of torque.
For more info about the locally assembled Honda Civic,
do read our previous report
 on some of the equipments and safety features that will be packaged into the car. Honda Malaysia hasn’t revealed the pricing and official launch date of the Civic, but do stay tuned for more updates.
On display alongside the Civic are the City, Jazz, CR-V and HR-V, complete with the
new Dark Ruby Red Pearl and 17-inch alloys update
.
IMAGE GALLERY