MINI Malaysia teases new Urbanite & Amplified Edition, for the youngsters?

MINI Malaysia has just taken to social media to tease two of their upcoming products – the MINI Urbanite Edition and MINI Amplified Edition. The two special edition models appear to appeal to the younger (or young at heart) generation, with unique cosmetic personalisation inside and out.
Based on the video, the
Urbanite Edition
 seems to be based on the Cooper 5-Door as denoted by the horizontal front grille and the single exhaust outlet at the rear. New items include grille mounted MINI headlamps, blacked-out side mirrors, roof and rims, red bonnet stripe, red side decals as well as Urbanite Edition emblem at the rear. Expect the interior to benefit from new trim design and emblems.
The standard Cooper 5-Door is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder that gives
134 hp
 and
220 Nm
 of twisting force. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint takes
8.1 seconds
 and top speed is registered at
207 km/h
.
The
Amplified Edition
, as the name suggests, is the
louder and shoutier
 of the two. Based on the
Cooper S 3-Door
, the Amplified Edition gets the
JCW Pro Aerodynamic kit
, racing stripe on the bonnet, JCW Valve Silencer System, blacked out wheels as well as black trims on the headlamps and taillamps.
As hinted by the JCW Valve Silence System, the Amplified Edition should come naturally with the
JCW Pro Tuning Kit
 that bumps the power output to
207 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque as well as a dedicated Track mode that gives a lot more aggressive pops and bangs.
No other information has been revealed about the two Special Edition MINI models such as whether the cars will only be offered online like the
MINI Clubman Sterling Edition
. But keen individuals can register their interest at their
dedicated website
.
IMAGE GALLERY
MINI Urbanite Edition

MINI Amplified Edition


Review: G20 BMW 320i Sport – Brilliant, but is it better than before?

When BMW announced the arrival of the
G20 BMW 320i Sport
, the
second G20 3 Series
 to arrive in Malaysia after the
330i M Sport
, there was a load of personal expectation on the new entry-level 3 Series. Even more so after the
positive and lasting impression that the G30 520i
 left behind – a car I still maintain is one of the most well-rounded premium executive sedans you can buy today.
If the plush and creamy G30 520i was anything to go buy, the 320i Sport should technically be the most complete 3 Series to date – with a fine balance between performance and comfort. If you’re old on the inside (and out) and have tested the G20 330i, you’d understand why – it was simply too harsh for our roads.
With 184 hp and 300 Nm, it was never going to snap your neck at hard acceleration but it isn’t what you’d call slow either. If this figure and level of performance is a turn-off, you’re looking at the wrong car to begin with.
BMW’s in general, whether it’s an entry-level 3 Series or the
behemoth BMW X7
, has always been about the overall driving experience. The edge they have over their rivals is how smooth and seamless the entire operation feels. It does not feel like each component has a mind of its own.
In that sense, the G20 320i lives up to every alphabet of its “Sport” name, and then some. Its steering is much sharper and more responsive to the slightest movement than the F30 equivalent it replaces. It’s also a lot more eager to drop a gear and gallop whenever your right foot loses all senses.
In terms of athleticism, the old and new could not be any more different. If the F30 320i was a 15-year old lap dog with the occasional mischief, its G20 equivalent is a hyperactive two-year old puppy that will react enthusiastically to the slightest movement.
To the sport sedan enthusiasts, it might be music to their ears and if this was your first venture into BMW 3 Series ownership, it’ll impress you more than it would disappoint. If, however, you were upgrading from the
F30 320i
 to the G20 320i Sport, the latter could make you wonder if you made the right choice upgrading.
In more ways than one, the G20 320i Sport is a major upgrade from its predecessor. It’s loaded with
more tech
, more onboard equipment, along with a more aggressive and muscular exterior design. Unlike before, it doesn’t need an M Sport body kit to stand. It’s even got better-looking 18-inch wheels than the 330i, which have been unanimously disliked by most.
Yet, it has (somewhat) lost that fine balance between comfort and performance the previous 320i was praised and at the same time criticised for. With the F30 320i, it would be docile for most of the time and only reveals its “true BMW self” when you’re being playful behind the wheel. In the G20 320i Sport, it’s as if the trigger is half-pulled, all the time. At times, it feels unnecessarily wound up when you’re merely on a drive to work.
To say that the 320i Sport causes discomfort would be unfair as additional legroom and rear air controls are now on the “creature comforts list” but for a mere 320i Sport to be this precise and engaging in the way it moves, is a bit of a surprise really.
This, coupled with the 8-speed ZF automatic that never ceases to amaze with its quick shifting and reaction, the 320i Sport is entry-level BMW sedan that punches well above its weight.
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New Toyota Camry 2.0G X in Malaysia, more details & images

UMW Malaysia introduced the new
Toyota Camry 2.0G X recently
 with minimal info and images. Now, full details complete with images are available for your viewing. If you have been wondering what the ‘X’ stands for, it’s ‘
Exquisite Luxury
‘. So now you know.
Slotted right in between the the Camry 2.5V and Camry 2.0G, this new variant is created for younger customers who are looking for a dynamic looking D-segment car what also provides luxurious ride comfort, reliability and prestigious design. So how is it different than the 2.0G?
For about RM1,000 more than the G spec, you get a set of
larger wheels
,
dark bezel
 front and rear lights,
dark brown leather
 seats, power rear
sunshade
 and
navigation system
 with reverse camera.
Here’s a comparison table between the new Camry 2.0G X and Camry 2.0G for you to better understand the differences.
Models
Camry 2.0G X
Camry 2.0G
Exterior
Headlamps
Dark Bezel HID Projector (with Auto Headlamp Levelling)
HID Projector (with Auto Headlamp Levelling)
Tyre & Rims
215/55R17, Alloy
215/60R16, Alloy
Interior
Seats
Combination Smooth Leather (Dark Brown)
Combination Smooth Leather (Black)
Sun Shades
Powered Back Window & Manual Rear Side Windows
Without
Audio-visual System
2-DIN Head Unit DVD Player with 7-Inch Touch Screen, Tuner, MP3, AUX-Jack, USB, SD Card Slot, Bluetooth®, Smartphone Link*, Voice Recognition, Navigation System
Tuner, CD Player, MP3, AUX-Jack, USB & iPod compatibility
Reverse Camera
Reverse Camera with Guided Line
Without
Price
RM159,900
RM158,930.60

Sportier Headlamps
 The headlamps and the rear lamps now come with dark bezel housing.

Larger Wheels

One inch larger to be exact. 17-inch allow rims with darker colour for a sporty look.
Exclusive Leather Upholstery

The new dark brown leather for the cabin upholstery is only available to the Camry 2.0G X.
Sun Shades

The ‘Exquisite Luxury’ now includes a powered rear sunshade and rear side windows sunshades as well, which were only available with the Camry 2.5V.
Audio-visual System with Reverse Camera
 The audio system has been replaced with a 7-inch touchscreen that includes Bluetooth connectivity, DVD player, USB and SD Ports, GPS navigation system and Smarphone link for selected phone models. The reverse camera has been upgraded with guidance lines as parking assist.
More for the interior
 Classy
dark wood trims
 and exclusive carpet mats with ‘Camry X’ logo for the front occupants.
What else…

Optional accessories like the custom-designed aerokit (5 pieces) and security tint are available for the new Camry 2.0G X. The new variant also comes with a
36-month or 100,000km warranty
. It is available in White Pearl CS, Attitude Black, Silver Metallic and Mediam Silver Metallic.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Audi to switch to EV only from 2026, ending combustion engines by 2033

Audi is planning to only launch new fully electric vehicles on the global market from 2026, a year after introducing their final all-new model with a combustion engine (ICE).
That ICE model will provide Audi and its dealers some continuity of revenue until 2033, when the automaker finally ends the production of combustion engines.
The Chinese market will however be an exception
, as Audi expects to see continued demand of ICE in the world’s largest automobile market beyond 2033, and the ICEs are manufactured locally.
Audi definitely takes care of you while charging your e-tron at their lounge
Audi will continue investing all its efforts in the development of the ICE right up to its final discontinuation, which will ultimately be decided by customers and legislation.
The strategic roadmap was shared by Audi CEO Markus Duesmann at the Berlin Climate Conference. “With this roadmap, we are creating clarity necessary to make a decisive and powerful transition to the electric range. We are sending the signal that Audi is ready,” Duesmann continued. “I don’t believe in the success of bans. I believe in the success of technology and innovation.”
Watch and listen to the Audi RS6 belch a sweet soundtrack from its big combustion engine
Audi aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. Apart from the introduction of a range of EVs, the company is also partnering with energy suppliers to generate additional renewable energy. There is no point in making efficient EVs if the electricity from the grid is of unsustainable sources.
Logistics operations are fueled by LNG fuel
Europe’s largest solar rooftop at Gyor plant
Audi uses renewable energy at their European plants
The current portfolio of fully electric Audi vehicles consists of the Audi e-tron, e-tron Sportback, the flagship
e-tron GT
, and the very recently unveiled Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback. The Q4 e-tron shares more in common with Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform that also forms the basis of the
Volkswagen ID.4
 model.
Meanwhile, the new-generation sedan line-up of
Audi A6
, A4 and A8 is being slated for introduction from next year underpinned by the new PPE platform.


Mitsubishi CEO: Exports of the Xpander starts Feb 2018, Malaysia included

Well this came as a pleasant surprise. Shortly after the global debut of the Mitsubishi Xpander MPV, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC), Osamu Masuko told
Reuters
 that the company will begin exports of the Xpander to ASEAN countries from February 2018. The first country to receive this budget seven-seater is the Philippines followed by Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Manufactured in Bekasi Prefecture, West Java Province, MMC targets an annual production of
80,000 units
 and aims to export 20,000 cars. MMC also plans to supply the Xpander to their
new parent company Nissan Motor
, making it the first alliance model with Renault and Nissan. Although Masuko-
san
added that Nissan has no concrete plans for the Xpander yet.
Launched at the 2017 GAIKINDO Indonesia Auto Show, the Xpander is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine with
104 hp
. A four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission is tasked to send drive to the front wheels. MMC also claims that the Xpander boasts best-in-class cabin space as well as practicality.
Measuring at 4,475 mm in length, 1,750 mm in width and 1,700 mm in height, the Xpander is the largest in its segment. With a ground clearance of 205 mm, the Xpander will clear obstacles better than the
Honda BR-V
 (201 mm). Visually, the Xpander’s design is the product of MMC’s efforts to marry the best qualities of an MPV and SUV.

From all-wheel drive rally monsters of yesteryears to budget comfortable people carrier, MMC has certainly undergone a paradigm shift in product focus. Nevertheless, if the Xpander is what MMC need to
revive the EVO nameplate
, we have no qualms about it. Except maybe the headlamps.
Source:
Reuters
IMAGE GALLERY


The Lamborghini Huracan STO brings racecar aerodynamics to the streets

Lamborghini has unveiled the Huracan STO – which stands for
Super Trofeo Omologata
, a road-homologated Super Trofeo race car essentially. Being the spiritual successor to the
Performante
, the new STO will be the flagship, most track-focused variant in the
Huracan model line-up
, and perhaps – a swansong to one of the best-selling Lamborghini models to date.
The new Lamborghini Huracan STO is powered by the same 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 mill, making
640 hp
 and
565 Nm
 (-35 Nm). But unlike the Performante, drive is sent
exclusively to the rear wheels
 just like its racing counterpart, which means its 0-100 km/h and 0-200 km/h times are a touch slower at
3.0 and 9.0 seconds
 respectively, and its top speed reduced by 15 km/h to
310 km/h
.
However, with it being a racecar-inspired model, it is of course more than just the powertrain. As Lamborghini says it themselves, “races are won in corners rather than on straights”; among the key upgrades on the Lamborghini Huracan STO include an exaggerated aerodynamics package, which the marque says consists of technologies taken straight from the Super Trofeo EVO race car.
Up front, the Huracan STO’s front bonnet, fenders, and front bumper are now comprised of one single component, called the ‘
cofango
‘ – which is an Italian portmanteau of ‘
cofano
‘ (hood) and ‘
parafango
‘ (fender). Lamborghini says that this not only helps with weight reduction, but is also a timesaving access feature, as seen on their race cars.
There are new air ducts on the bonnet to increase airflow to the central radiator and generate additional downforce, while the cofango also incorporates a new adjustable front splitter at the front. Down the sides, the wheel arches have been reprofiled – specifically at the rear fitted with a new aircraft-inspired NACA air intakes for engine cooling, while the front wheel-arch now gets vents to bleed air pressure out of the wheel well to aid traction on the front axle.
The Huracan STO also gains a prominent air scoop on the roof, which extends rearwards into a shark fin (
F1, anyone?
), managing the airflow over the large adjustable rear wings inspired by the Super Trofeo race car. Lower down, the STO also gets a new rear air vents – complete with ‘STO’ branding, while there’s also an integrated lip spoiler on the rear decklid, and a more aggressive rear diffuser at the bottom.
With all of the new aerodynamic parts, Lamborghini says that the overall airflow efficiency on the Huracan STO is improved by 37%, while the overall downforce has been increased by an enormous 53% over the Performante.
Aside from just aerodynamics, the new STO also benefitted from an intense weight-loss programme. These include more than 75% of carbon fibre on its exterior panel – with a new ‘sandwich’ technique on the rear fenders which weighs 25% less while maintaining the same structural integrity, a 20% lighter windscreen, and magnesium rims – which are fitted with bespoke Bridgestone Potenza road or track tyres.
Inside, the door panels are completely manufactured out of carbon fibre – with a loop of fabric acting as the door latch opener, as are the sports seats. Overall, the scale tips at just 1,339 kg for the dry Huracan STO, which is 43 kg lighter than the already-lightweight Performante.
Other performance enhancements include a widened wheel track, stiffer suspension bushing, reworked anti-roll bars, as well as the brand’s MagneRide 2.0 electromagnetic damper control system. The rear-wheel steering has been retained from the standard Huracan, though reworked with a more direct and fixed steering ratio, designed specifically for more aggressive driving styles on the race track.
The Anima driving mode selector also gains three exclusive modes: STO for normal road driving; Trofeo for the race circuit in the dry; and Pioggia – which means rain in Italian – that optimises traction specifically for slippery conditions.
The brakes have also been upgraded with Brembo CCM-R brakes, which apparently includes materials that are used in Formula 1. The new brakes boast a 60% higher stress resistance, while the maximum brake power improved by 25%, and longitudinal deceleration by 7%.
Deliveries for the Lamborghini Huracan STO will start in spring 2021, with prices starting at EUR249,412 (RM1.2m) in Europe, without the Ad Personam personalisation service – which gave the launch car a glorious gulf-like livery – and other options, of course.
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Shell Malaysia opens first-ever standalone deli

Shell Malaysia has unveiled the “deli by Shell”, Malaysia’s first standalone deli outside of Shell petrol stations at the Abdullah Hukum LRT station. The deli by Shell offers meals and beverages on-the-go featuring Shell’s signature deli2go delicacies, as well as local favourites including nasi lemak bungkus, ikan bilis doughnut and buttermilk chicken rice bowl.
Shell Malaysia Trading and Shell Timur, Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain said, “We’re looking after not just vehicles, but people on their journey. As people’s busy lives require even more on the move convenience, we took this bold step to offer convenience and great food and drinks to commuters beyond our stations”.
He also added, “LRT riders can now enjoy extra convenience at the deli by Shell amidst their busy schedules. We want customers to enjoy Malaysian comfort food whether it is a hot cup of Kopi O or a pack of freshly prepared nasi lemak. Shell strives to provide customers with that extra ‘
oomph’.
”
Customers can choose from more than 20 delicious selections from the menu. They include local favourites such as nasi lemak, “chee cheong fun”, Hainanese breakfast, buttermilk chicken rice bowl, and Shell’s classic deli2go pastries with a local twist. On top of that, customers can also enjoy the all-day combo that comes with Kopi-O and Teh-O for a complete meal.
deli by Shell at Abdullah Hukum LRT station marks the beginning of a new journey as the company expands beyond the retail station.
Recently, Shell Malaysia also launched the rebranded Shell FuelSave 95 with DYNAFLEX technology. Read about it
here
!


Hyundai IONIQ 5 wins big at the 2022 World Car Awards!

As you may have heard, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors had recently launched the
fully electric IONIQ 5
 – available in three variants – starting from
RM199,888
.
It was unique, to say the least, with unconventional features like 3-pin points for charging electronics, a solar roof, a movable centre console and more. As it turns out, the international community has unanimously felt that way as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has snapped up three major titles at the World Car Awards.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was named the
2022

World Car Design of the Year
,
2022

World Electric Vehicle of the Year,
 and also the most coveted
2022 World Car of the Year
award.
The results were made by a panel of 102 international automotive journalists from 33 countries including
one from Malaysia
. The IONIQ 5 led the way ahead of over 30 vehicles en route to winning its three titles.
The rest of the category winners are as follow:
World Luxury Car – Mercedes-Benz EQS
World Performance Car – Audi e-tron GT
World Urban Car – Toyota Yaris Cross
Locally, the three variants of the IONIQ 5 consists of Lite, Plus, and Max. The Lite and Plus come with 170 hp and 350 Nm, while the Max offers 305 hp and 605 Nm! The Lite and Plus does 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, and 5.2 seconds for the Max. Top speed is limited to 185 km/h for all variants. Electric driving range is up to 430 km, in the Max variant.


2017 BMW 4 Series LCI unveiled, updated looks, improved handling

When the BMW 4 Series was unveiled to the world back in 2013 at the North American International Auto Show, it shared an abundance of technical specification with the F30 3 Series. As such, it was only a matter of time before the “sportier 3 Series” gets the midlife update, or in BMW terminology – Life Cycle Impulse (LCI), as seen on the
F30 LCI
.
Last week, BMW has officially revealed the 4 Series LCI. The LCI treatment was given to the entire 4 Series range – F32 Coupe, F33 Convertible,
F36 Gran Coupe
, F82 M4 and F83 M4 Convertible. BMW explained that the LCI includes some minor updates inside and out, as well as enhanced handling dynamics across the range.
On the exterior front, the LCI now brings the 4 Series closer to its sedan sibling thanks to the updated bi-LED headlights which now features the brand’s signature Corona Ring DRLs, LED fog lamps as well as reshaped LED tail lamps akin to the
M4 GTS
‘ organic LED tail lamps. Adaptive LED headlamps can be had as an option while M4 models get them as standard fitment.
Other than that, the front and rear bumpers are new, which further bring out the car’s sporty nature. A selection of wheels ranging from 18- to 19-inch can be specified according to the variants selected.

Hop on inside, the 4 Series will look no different to the untrained eye. For starters, an optional digital Multifunctional Instrument Display with interchangeable design is new, as are new driving modes and the latest BMW Navigation system Professional. The interior also benefits from new trims such as high-gloss black cover panel at the centre console, double stitching as well as new material on the leather wrapped steering wheel.
Optional extras that can be specified to spice up the interior include Dakota leather upholstery finished in Midnight Blue, Cognac or Ivory White. Meanwhile interior trims can be had in Carbon Aluminium, Light Fineline or High-gloss Black with Pearl Chrome accent strip.

BMW has offered the 4 Series with
three petrol engines
 – 420i, 430i and 440i alongside
four diesel engines
 – 418d, 420d, 430d and 435d. The M4 Coupe and Convertible get the same carryover unit, the 3.0-litre bi-turbo straight-six that blasts out
431 hp
. Power is sent to the rear-wheels via a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission or six-speed manual transmission.
The 420i and 430i variants are powered by a
2.0-litre TwinScroll turbocharged four-cylinder
 that outputs
184 hp
 &
270 Nm
 and
252 hp
 &
350 Nm
 respectively. Range topping 440i variants get a
3.0-litre unit
 that churns out
326 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque and is capable of a 5.0 seconds century sprint time (for the automatic variant).
As for the entry level 418d and 420d, both employ a
 2.0-litre twin turbocharged diesel
 unit, producing
150 hp
 &
320 Nm
 and
190 hp
 &
400 Nm
 respectively. On the other hand, the 430d and 435d is motivated by a
3.0-litre bi-turbodiesel
 that pushes out
258 hp
 &
560 Nm
 and
313 hp
 &
630 Nm
 respectively.
Two transmission choices are available regardless of engine choices – a six-speed manual and an
eight-speed automatic
. Expect nothing else but the eight-speed auto for the Malaysian market. Power is sent to the rear wheels as standard but customers can opt for the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system. However, the 435d is available exclusively as an xDrive unit while the 418d is only available in rear-wheel drive.
The suspension has been stiffened and are fitted with more advanced damping technology, along with an upgraded steering setup. These collectively give the 4 Series LCI reduced body roll, more neutral response at the limit, greater straight-line stability and more precise steering.
Lastly, BMW has also added two new exterior paint jobs that’s exclusive to the 4 Series model – Snapper Rocks Blue and Sunset Orange. BMW Malaysia currently sells the
428i Gran Coupe
 and
428i Convertible
, and it’s only a matter of time before the LCI finds its way here. Now, let’s see whether Audi Malaysia has any
plans
for the
A5 Coupe and Cabriolet
, then maybe we can have proper a German Trio Coupe/Convertible shootout!
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Honda City now features a turbocharged engine

The Honda City has been the best selling model for the Japanese carmaker
in the region
. Locally, the B-segment sedan contributed
more than a third
 of total Honda sales in the first half of 2019.
After five years of service, Honda has finally introduced the fifth-generation Honda City at a global debut event in Thailand.
Perhaps the biggest change to the City model history in the region is the adoption of a new
1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged VTEC engine
. The downsized engine produces
122 hp
 and a healthy
173 Nm
 of torque, with the latter available from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. Honda says that the torque figure is comparable to a 1.8-litre engine.
Much like the
all-new Nissan Almera
, the reduction in engine capacity is done to ensure the City meets the requirement of
Thailand’s Eco Car Programme (phase 2)
.
Mated to a CVT gearbox, the all-new Honda City achieves a fuel efficiency figure of
4.2 l/100km
. No manual gearbox option is available with the new City, but pedal shifters should help a little.
 Styling wise, the all-new Honda City takes on a more matured look with more rounded corners compared to the outgoing model. At the front, the new Honda City still features Honda’s signature Solid Wing grille design, although it now looks a lot more similar to its elder siblings.
Flanking the grille are the new “Jewel Eye” halogen projector headlights with eyebrow-type LED daytime running lights, connected by a chunky chrome strip across the top of the grille.
The side profile of the all-new City still retains the general proportions from its predecessor. The pronounced character line still has the bevelled shape, but now runs across the entire side of the body, connecting the front and rear lights.
Over to the rear, the City now features a brand-new U-shaped LED taillights. On close inspection, one of our colleagues pointed out that the taillights resemble the ones on the
G20 BMW 3 Series
, what do you think?
The taillight of the all-new Honda City
.. compared to the G20 BMW 3 Series
The lower rear bumper has been cleaned up, with only two air “inlets” (read: fake vents) at the corners. The all-new Honda City rides on newly designed 15-inch alloys.
Moving inside, the dashboard on the all-new Honda City has been completely redesigned, featuring cleaner horizontal lines. The air vents are now vertical items, where the centre two flank the new
8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
. The infotainment system now supports Apple CarPlay.
Underneath the infotainment system are three rotary dials which serves as the control interface for the automatic climate control. The dials seem to have been lifted directly from the recently announced
all-new Honda Jazz
.
The entry-level variant in Thailand features an all-black fabric upholstery. Moving up the line nets you leather seats with a two-tone ivory/black interior.
Honda says that the NVH levels in the new Honda City has been improved, citing the use of polyurethane spray foam inside the body and chassis, along with thicker engine bay insulators.
Safety wise, the all-new Honda City comes with G-CON (G-Force Control) body structure and six airbags as standard. ABS with EBD is also present, along with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Multi-angle Rearview Camera.
For the first time ever, the Honda City is also now available in a RS variant. The RS trim blacks out several exterior design features of the City such as the front grille and side mirrors.
The RS variant also gets full-LED projector headlights, a sporty front bumper and gloss black trunk spoiler, along with sportier 16-inch alloy wheels. The Ignite Red body colour is also exclusive to the RS variant.
Inside, the RS gets suede leather seats with red stitching, while the multi-information display (MID) now glows red for added sportiness.


Mercedes-Benz posted their strongest growth with 1.3 million deliveries since January

Mercedes-Benz posted their best ever first seven months in 2018 with 1,356,350 passenger cars delivered to new owners worldwide. Unit sales increased by 2.3 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales, Britta Seeger said: “Never before have so many customers taken delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz in the first seven months of a year. Since the beginning of 2018, we have increased our unit sales by 2.3 per cent to more than 1.35 million passenger cars sold.”
The premium carmaker maintained its market leadership in key markets such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Portugal, USA, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Australia and Brazil. The C-Class family continues to be the brand’s main growth driver while sales of the S-Class Saloon increased by 16.5 per cent to 4,906 units in July.
SUVs also achieved best-ever unit sales since the beginning of the year. Mercedes-Benz delivered a total of 484,275 SUVs worldwide, representing a growth of 7.7 per cent. This was primarily driven by the GLC and GLC Coupe models.
GLC
The biggest sales market last month was China with 52,616 passenger cars delivered and an increase of 8.3%. Since the beginning of the year, 392,780 units have been sold there, representing a growth of 15.1%. Mercedes-Benz thus set a new sales record for the first seven months in China, as also in South Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia and Thailand.
Mercedes-Benz expects a stable growth throughout the year with the market launch of the facelifted C-Class in Asia-Pacific region.


Proton sold 14,872 cars in September – X50 & X70 lead B & C SUV segment

Stepping into Q4 2022, local carmaker
Proton

has just recorded a total of
14,872 cars
 registered for the month of September (domestic sales and exports). From January to September 2022, Proton successfully registered
102,353 cars
.
For September, Proton managed to secure a 23.8% market share from an estimated total industry volume (TIV) of 62,500 units. For the first time in 2022, Proton has exceeded 20% in terms of the year-to-date market share at 20.1%.
Proton has recently relaunched in South Africa
Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Roslan Abdullah said, “Proton’s Q3 performance was our best quarter of the year, coming in with 42,229 units for the previous three months. This was made possible by a combination of stability in our production numbers as well as the continued strong appeal of our models, especially for the 2022 Proton Saga and the Proton X50. Therefore, despite the poor start to the year, we are confident of achieving a fourth consecutive year of double-digit sales growth.”
“Aside from concentrating on sales growth, the last quarter also saw us laying the groundwork for our future growth. The General Distributorship Agreement with smart sets us up to sell EVs from the brand starting in 2023 while the formation of PRO-NET crystalises Proton’s commitment to developing and offering new energy vehicles in the future.”
RELATED:
PRO-NET is Proton’s new EV subsidiary that will also build a public charging network
Leading Proton’s sales chart for the month of September is the
Proton Saga
 with
6,442 units
 registered. Following behind the Saga is the
X50
 with
4,517 units
, the
X70

with
1,730 units
, the
Persona
 with
1,159 units
, the
Iriz
 with
606 units
, and the
Exora

with
418 units
. For September, the X70 leads the C-segment SUV market and the X50 leads the B-segment SUV market.
The same ranking order is seen in the year-to-date sales (January to September) with 40,603 units of the Saga, 29,592 units of the X50, 14,145 units of the X70, 10,787 units of the Persona, 4,119 units of the Iriz, and 3,108 units of the Exora.
RELATED:
Proton adds new ‘kosong-spec’ Standard Lite variant to Saga line-up, RM38k
Proton says the strong demand for its cars has also boosted the growth of its finance subsidiary, Proton Commerce. In September alone, Proton Commerce disbursed 2,872 loans, resulting in a total 15,504 loans disbursed so far this year.
The Proton Deputy CEO said, “With the OPR increasing by 75bps this year, customers are actively searching for the best packages available to finance their new car purchases. As the preferred financier for Proton vehicles, Proton Commerce offers a range of innovative deals including the lowest rates for Proton Saga buyers as well as low monthly income requirements. These moves have proven to be effective, so we are expecting more growth in Q4 this year.”
RELATED:
2022 Proton Exora launched – RM3k pricier, but what’s new?


Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric launched in Malaysia, from RM289k

Following up with its
promise made earlier this year
, Volvo Car Malaysia has now officially unveiled the
C40 Recharge
 here on our shores. The fully-electric coupe-crossover is available in a single variant, the P8 Ultimate, and is priced from
RM288,888
.
The Volvo C40 Recharge is a derivative of the popular
XC40 Pure Recharge crossover
, as such it features the same front-end design and same 19-inch wheels design, but with the aforementioned sloping roofline for a coupe-esque look, alongside a unique rear fascia – the latter with two spoilers on the raked windscreen.
It’s also similarly built on the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform that underscores many models under the wider Geely umbrella, including the
Lynk & Co
 models, as well as the
Polestar 2
.
In terms of propulsion, it is also essentially identical to the XC40 Pure Recharge, featuring the P8 fully-electric powertrain consisting of two electric motors – one on each axle – and a
78 kWh
 lithium-ion battery pack. The powertrain makes a combined
 408 hp
 and
660 Nm
, which translates to a century sprint time of
4.7 seconds
.
The battery pack is sufficient for an emissions-free driving range of
451 km
(WLTP test cycle), which is 13 km more than what the regular XC40 Pure Recharge is rated for. Volvo attributes the extra range to the inherently better aerodynamic performance of the sloped roofline.
For charging, the Volvo C40 Recharge Ultimate comes with an 11 kW on-board AC charger, taking eight hours for a full charge. DC fast charging is also supported up to 150 kW, which lets you top off the battery from 10-80% in just 28 minutes.
Inside, the Volvo C40 Recharge gets a unique topography decor on the dashboard trims, inspired by the scenic mountains in Sweden to “create a calming effect inside the car”. The effect is also helped by a 100% leather-free interior, with a suede and textile mixed upholstery, alongside a unique wool blend for the trim inserts.
Just like the XC40 Pure Recharge EV, the C40 here also gets a pair of screens, measuring 12.3-inches for the instrument cluster, and a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen for the infotainment display. Both screens are powered by
Google’s Android Automotive OS,
 giving you access to the built-in Google Assistant, Google Maps (with unique EV features), and a Google Play Store for additional vehicle-oriented apps.
Apple CarPlay is also now available on the updated infotainment systems, alongside standard features such as a PM2.5 air filtration device for the climate control system, wireless charging pad, and a panoramic glass roof.
In classic Volvo fashion, safety is also a huge aspect of focus on the C40 Recharge. As such, the fully-electric coupe-crossover also gets the marque’s full suite of the Intellisafe advanced safety assistance systems, with features including front and rear autonomous emergency braking with intersection support, as well as pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitor, and cross-traffic alert with auto brake, among others.
The Volvo C40 Recharge is priced from
RM288,888
 here in Malaysia, making it RM10,000 dearer than its more regularly-shaped sibling, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. Included in the price is a five-year warranty and free service programme, alongside an eight-year battery warranty, as well as five years of Volvo On Call and four years of digital services subscriptions.
Five exterior colours are available on offer, including Fjord Blue (pictured), Black Stone, Crystal White, Thunder Grey, and Sage Green.
Volvo Cars
 is committed to being completely carbon-neutral by 2040, and it plans to achieve that by first reducing overall CO2 emissions by 40% per car by 2025, and then becoming a fully electric company by 2030.
However, speaking at the media launch event today, Volvo Car Malaysia Managing Director, Charles Frump said that the company aims to be even quicker than the global timeline, achieving 75% sales from full electric vehicles by 2025.
GALLERY


PSA Groupe & ChangAn Automobile partners to develop new pick-up truck

PSA Groupes latest pick-up truck was the recently introduced
Peugeot Pick Up
 (yes, somehow they manage to get away with that name). The Pick Up however, was a rebadge exercise from one of Dongfeng Motor Corporation’s line up and is made exclusive to the African market only.
Now, PSA has penned a partnership agreement with ChangAn Automobile to co-develop an all-new one-tonne pick-up truck platform for both parties. The agreement also sees the two automotive giant to jointly develop a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) dedicated for commercial use in ChangAns Ding Zhou plant in China.
The yet to be named pick-up truck will be offered not only in the Chinese market but also overseas market that PSA is represented in. The new pick-up will be a global product that meets customers expectation of a strong design with uncompromised quality and durability.
EVP of Programs and Strategy at Groupe PSA, Mr Patrice Lucas commented: “This new product, which is complementary to the Peugeot pick-up recently launched in Africa, is in line with the core model strategy of Groupe PSA and will support our come back on this growing market segment. It will contribute to achieve the objectives set for the Push to Pass plan regarding LCVs with a target to increase volumes by 30% by 2018 and triple overseas volumes by 2021”.


The Huracan is Lamborghini’s most popular model ever, with 20,000 units produced

While the Urus may have sold
 15,000 units in just four years
, making it Lamborghini fastest-selling model, it’s not actually the marque’s most popular model ever… at least not yet. The title falls to the
Huracan
, which has just achieved another production milestone, with the 20,000th unit recently rolling off the marque’s Sant’Agata Bolognese production facility.
Finished in Grigio Acheso Matte and destined for a customer in Monaco, the milestone car number 20,000 is the track-focused Huracan STO, pretty much the hardest and fastest Huracan in the raging bull’s line-up – just too bad it’s not quite the right timing for it to be the latest
Tecnica model
.
In this high-performance variant, the 5.2-litre
640 hp
 and
565 Nm
 of torque, with drive sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox for a 0-100 km/h time of
 three seconds
, and 0-200 km/h in
nine seconds
, onward to a top speed of
310 km/h
.
ALSO READ: Artist blows up Lamborghini Huracan to sell its remains as NFTs
“At its unveiling we said that with the Huracan, Lamborghini is writing the next chapter in its great history,” said Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann. “The Huracan has delivered an evolution of design, technological know-how, driving adventures, track records and sales records since its launch.”
Now eight years into its lifespan, the Lamborghini Huracan model line-up now comprises 12 street-legal and three racing variants, the former in both coupe and convertible body styles. According to the company, 71% of customers have chosen the fixed-roof variant, and the other 29% the topless.
The Huracan’s best-selling market has been the United States, where over 32% of them were delivered over the last eight years, followed by the United Kingdom and Greater China. The high demand for the Huracan also contributed largely to the company’s 2021 sales record, accounting for 2,586 units of the 8,405 vehicles total that Lamborghini sold last year.
RELATED: Italy’s Bologna Airport gets a new Lamborghini Huracan Evo to escort its planes
As we briefly mentioned above, the latest addition to the Huracan line-up is the recently-unveiled Tecnica variant. The rear-wheel-drive model claims to be the best of both worlds for both track and open road driving, as it shares the same engine with the STO, but still comes with many of the creature comforts one would expect from a street-going car – including rear-wheel steering.
Lamborghini is also heavily rumoured to be introducing another variant of the Huracan later this year, and has been said that it’ll likely be an off-road oriented model based on the
Sterrato concept it unveiled in 2019
!


Jaguar Land Rover announced new Ingenium engine family

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced their new engine family called
Ingenium
 in a move to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while providing optimum performance at the same time. Available in both petrol and diesel, Ingenium will provide
maximum

flexibility
 of the engine to be used throughout JLR’s future products.
A
2-litre diesel
 called the
AJ200D
 will be the
first Ingenium
 engine to go into production, which probably will be powering the soon-to-be-revealed XE compact saloon. The new diesel is said to have
17 per cent less friction
 compared to the current diesel engine in JLR’s range. With less friction, it should contribute to better engine response and efficiency. Also contributing to better efficiency is the new engine weighs
up to 80kg less
 than the current equivalent engine.
All Ingenium engines will be
turbocharged
, with a base layout of
500 cc per cylinder
 it will be scalable up or down to accomodate different applications. This means we could see a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder of the Ingenium or even a 3-litre 6-cylinder version powering various JLR’s vehicles. The flexibility doesn’t end there, as Ingenium is also designed to support
manual
 and
automatic
 transmissions as well as electrified
hybrid
 drive systems.

Jaguar Land Rover Director of Powertrain Engineering, Ron Lee said “Being configurable and flexible are the two key strands of Ingenium’s DNA because we have future-proofed our new engines from the outset. Ingenium will be able to accept new advances in fuel, turbocharging, emissions, performance and electrification technologies when they are ready and accessible to be deployed.”


McLaren P1 successor to arrive in 2024 with electrified powertrain

The
McLaren P1
 took the world by storm when it was first debuted in 2012 at the Paris Auto Show – a car that arguably shaped the company’s future with its hybrid powertrain.
Now more than seven years later, the Gaydon-based hypercar maker has finally confirmed that the long-awaited P1 successor is in the works, and will be making its appearance in 2024.
Just like its predecessor, the ‘Son of P1’ will also be powered by an electrified powertrain. Speaking to
Autocar UK
, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt said, “We haven’t announced the powertrain. Obviously, looking forward, it will be either hybridized or an EV.”
However, the idea of a full EV track-focused hypercar with current technologies might be a bit of a stretch even for McLaren, citing subpar user experience due to charging times.
“Take the 765LT as an example. We know a lot of customers are going to take that to the track. If it were an EV, you would be looking at maybe 30 minutes of running time and then plugging it in until the next day. That’s not a persuasive position,” continued Flewitt.
The new car will probably look quite a lot like the
McLaren Speedtail
, in line with the brand’s latest design language.
Although admitting that the specifications of the forthcoming pure-electric hypercars such as the like the
Lotus Evija
 seem “incredible” on paper, Flewitt believes that McLaren customers look for more than just performance numbers.
“We don’t build cars like that: pure 0-200 km/h or 0-300 km/h or even top speed. It’s not the car’s purpose, it’s a consequence of the attributes we’ve designed into it.”
McLaren seems to be bidding heavily on electrification. Recent reports suggest the brand is looking to introduce an
“entry level” hybrid sports car
 as part of its Sports Series.
With four years to develop the car, it’s not impossible to imagine a fully-electric McLaren P1-replacement with the rate of technology advancement these days. For now though, McLaren is probably focusing its efforts on the production of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8-powered
McLaren Elva
,
 which has recently seen a drop in production quota to “
increase exclusivity
“.


Pagani Huayra BC unleashed, weighs just 33kg more than the Proton Iriz!

Pagani’s masterpiece, the blistering Huayra, has just received some pretty extreme makeover, giving birth to the Huayra BC. The car is named after Benny Caiola, who is actually Pagani’s first customer.
The Huayra BC drastically improves the already fast supercar in many ways, including adding active aerodynamics in the car. At the back, there’s a larger rear wing and a huge splitter at the front, both poised to maximise aerodynamic efficiency. The Huayra BC also underwent a strict diet by shedding a whopping 132kg off, resulting in a final weight of
1,218kg
. To put that into perspective, our
high-spec Proton Iriz
 weighs just 33kg less at 1,185kg! Even the mechanical handbrake was removed, and in its place an electronic parking brake.

Speaking about performance, the Huayra BC gets 30 hp more from its
Mercedes-AMG 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine
 that now liberates
750 hp
 at 6,200rpm alongside
1,000 Nm
 of torque at 4,000rpm. However, the power isn’t finalised because Pagani aims to push it
up to 789 hp
!
There’s no word on its performance figures yet, but it should definitely be quicker over the standard Huayra’s 3.3 seconds century sprint and 360 km/h top speed. Its gearbox is also new, featuring a lightweight and redesigned
seven-speed automated manual
 transmission. Other upgrades include a new electronic rear differential, new tripod axle driveshafts, HiForg aeronautic aluminium suspension, new titanium exhaust and customised custom Pirelli Zero Corsa rubbers.
Only
20 examples
of this Huayra BC will ever be made, and it’s expected to cost close to
2.35 million Euros
 (about RM11 million). Also, naming a car after an important customer shows true top-of-the-line customer service from company honcho, Horacio Pagani.
IMAGE GALLERY


Kia says their upcoming Niro SUV will look like this concept…wow!

Since the launch of the
new corporate logo
 earlier this year, Kia Motors has been on a roll with new vehicle introduction. One common theme among the new vehicles is the radical styling, penned by the department under Karim Habib.
The latest teaser by Kia previews an all-new Kia Niro, with the company saying the compact SUV has its styling heavily influenced by the Habaniro Concept shown above. While the butterfly wing doors are just a concept, the front fascia, especially the lighting signature and tall hood and lower grille motif look set to be made into production.
At the rear quarter, the bright “Lava Red” aero panel from the Habaniro Concept also seems to be retained for production, with the teaser image properly aligning the angle of the vehicle to match the concept. Overall, the smaller Kia Niro has little family resemblance to the
all-new Sportage
 that was launched in September.
Apart from products, the customer experience centres also get a makeover. Check out this flagship Kia showroom in Seoul!
Dimensionally smaller than the Kia Sportage, the current generation Kia Niro competes with compact SUVs such as Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, and is slightly larger than the
Hyundai Kona
. Being targeted to the European market, the Kia Niro is also available with both self-charging and plug-in hybrids as well as a fully electric powertrain.
As such, we could be seeing the all-new Kia Niro
made available in Malaysia
 via the new distributor that is led by Bermaz Auto. From next year, EVs are set to be
tax-free
 and Bermaz Auto has planned an aggressive product strategy to take advantage of the government’s initiative.
While the Kia EV6 is a premium product, we can expect the all-new Kia Niro EV to be priced relatively more competitive as it is targeted towards the mass market consumers looking at models such as the
Nissan Leaf
,
Peugeot e-2008
 and the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Kia is set to fully unveil the all-new Niro on
November 25th
 at the Seoul Mobility Show 2021.


Rolls-Royce is targeting the “younger crowd” with the Dawn Black Badge

Mercedes-Benz has the Black Series while Audi has the Black Edition. Rolls-Royce is calling theirs the Black Badge, and the third spawn within the lineup is the Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge.
This is after the “Black Badged” Phantom and Wraith of course, and it’s targeted to appeal to the younger market. Remember, Rolls-Royce did say that the Dawn is the  “
most glamorous, uncompromising expression of open-top luxury
.”
Separating this Dawn Black Badge from the standard is the exclusive solid black paintwork. RR says they took many painstaking hours of painting and polishing process to create the deepest, darkest and most intense black to ever grace a production car surface.
The roof canvas is black, with the rear deck now clothed in black leather. The high-gloss black chrome finishing is applied to the front grille, exhaust pipes and even Spirit of Ecstasy. Inside, it’s an all-black leather special with a strip of orange highlights complemented by an aluminium threaded carbon composite trim.
The Dawn Black Badge also receives a bump in performance. Its
 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12
 engine has been given an extra boost of
30 hp
 and 20 Nm of torque, bringing the final output to
 601 hp
 and
 840 Nm
. The century sprint now takes
 4.9 seconds
, an improvement of 0.1 seconds over the standard Dawn. Top speed remains electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The gearbox has also been retuned for quicker downshifts and the steering rack reworked for better feedback. Also improved here is the suspension which gives better high speed stability without compromising ride quality. Lastly, a new exhaust is fitted to produce what Rolls-Royce calls “
menacing bass-baritone
“.
The Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge will be featured at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that’s happening this weekend. No pricing has been revealed, but the standard
Dawn
 is sold from RM4 million in Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren MSO HS, an ultra-exclusive, more focused 675LT

McLaren has unveiled a limited production series called the McLaren MSO HS, which is a Super Series model that’s essentially a beefed up
675LT
. In the McLaren lineup, the MSO HS will slot just below the P1. Only 25 examples of this ultra-limited McLaren will be produced. Word has it that every unit has been spoken for.
At a glance, it just looks like a regular 675LT slapped with a body kit. However, the HS is not just a mere aesthetic enhancement exercise. MSO took the already track-focused 675LT, shed some weight, added more downforce and gave the engine a little rub.

MSO has managed to squeeze 688 hp and 700 Nm out from the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8, a good 13 hp more than the 675LT. No key performance figures have been revealed so far, but we can certainly expect it to outperform the 675LT’s 2.9-second century sprint time.
To complement the power gain, MSO features subtle revisions to the front bumper, side skirts and rear diffuser. The roof scoop comes as standard on the HS but MSO offers this as an option on the 675LT’s. Another not-so-subtle addition is the large P1-GTR inspired rear wing with HS lettering embossed to each side. Unlike the P1-GTR’s fixed wing, the HS has an active rear wing which acts as an air brake during hard braking. All these collectively produce 220kg of downforce at 240km/h.
The HS is also 15kg lighter, achieved through the use of a lighter windscreen, polycarbonate engine cover, forged titanium exhaust and carbon fibre seats taken from the P1. If you want the car to be lighter, choose Alcantara over leather upholstery. This saves an additional 3.5kg.
As every car is tailored by MSO, therefore no two HS will be identical to each other. Now that we have seen pictures of the HS, any 650S or 675LT owners planning a trip down to MSO?
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda M’sia unveils two Covid-19 aid programmes for new customers

Honda Malaysia
 has announced two new programmes for new Honda customers, providing additional benefits when they purchase a new Honda car. These include an enhanced coverage in the Customer Car Loan Protection Programme, as well as a new Vaccinated Customer Programme.
Firstly, the updated Customer Car Loan Protection programme is offered to all customers who register a new Honda vehicle between
1st October to 31st December 2021
.
In the unfortunate event that the customer loses their job in the first year of car ownership, a RM12,000 car loan subsidy will be reimbursed to support the customer’s monthly instalments, which is a 100% increase to the previously-offered insurance coverage.
The enhanced Customer Car Loan Protection Program also includes death or permanent disability coverage worth RM20,000 (also a 100% increase), burial or cremation coverage worth RM2,000, and repatriation expenses worth RM5,000, bringing the total coverage worth up to RM39,000.
Honda Malaysia has resumed its operations at all dealerships nationwide. Read more here.
“By introducing the enhanced Customer Car Loan Protection Program, we aim to help our customers by providing them with some financial support to ease their monthly instalments should the customer be unexpectedly out of employment,” said Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Madoka Chujo
.
“This enhanced personal accident insurance initiative is to protect the car loan of new Honda customers so that they can continue to enjoy their new car with peace of mind and without disruptions.”
The Vaccinated Customer Programme, meanwhile, is an initiative by Honda Malaysia to support the Malaysian Government’s vaccination drive, in an effort to encourage more people to get their jabs and help the country achieve herd immunity.
Under the programme, all new Honda customers who register a new car from
1st October to 31st December 2021
 will be entitled to a free service voucher worth RM250 (1-year validity), provided that they are registered for the national vaccination programme, or have already been vaccinated either partially or fully.
To be eligible, customers will be required to provide proof of participation in the vaccination programme via the MySejahtera mobile app.
Last month, Honda Malaysia also announced a new
“I’m Vaccinated” campaign
 to provide additional peace of mind to its customers and associates at its dealerships. The company says that all dealerships nationwide have participated in the campaign, which means that only vaccinated staff will be on duty at the outlets, wearing the specially-designed “I Am Fully Vaccinated” badge and mask.
Honda Malaysia boosts customer confidence at showrooms with “I’m Vaccinated” campaign. Learn more here.


Polestar 1 available for pre-order in 18 countries, Malaysia not included

Polestar, the new electric performance brand has just announced that the
Polestar 1
 is now available for pre-order in 18 countries, where customers can place their deposits and be in-queue for the hybrid GT Coupe when the car is ready to roll off the production line.
The 18 lucky countries are China, United States, Sweden, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Canada. Yep, no luck for us in Malaysia.
Along with the opening pre-orders, customers will be greeted with a car configurator tool to allow them to visualise their Polestar before placing their €2,500 (RM12k) deposit. Besides the conventional buy-and-own ownership model, customers can also drive a Polestar through a no-deposit, all-inclusive
subscription plan
 that provides hassle-free usage, covering insurance, depreciation, collection and delivery for inclusive servicing. No further details on the subscription plan were available at press time.
The Polestar 1 is a high-performance hybrid Grand Tourer that belts
600 hp
 and
1,000 Nm
 of torque while offering
150 km of pure electric driving range
 – the longest of any hybrid car in the world. The new car will roll out of
Polestar’s manufacturing facility
 in Chengdu, China – the same facility where Volvo assembles their 60-series models.
IMAGE GALLERY


Fiat Fullback Cross a completely rebadged Mitsubishi Triton, Thai-made

Two years ago, Fiat and Mitsubishi signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to jointly develop and produce a brand new pickup truck. Well, it’s been revealed in full, and it’s nothing more than a rebadged
Mitsubishi Triton
 (also known as the L200 in certain markets).
Items exclusive to the Fiat are mainly aesthetics, differing in the front grille, satin silver skid plates, larger side steps and textured black sport bar compared to the Triton. Inside, the leather upholstered seats get heating function, and a dual zone climate control system is standard.
Even the oily bits remain the same – a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel producing 180 hp and 430 Nm of torque. It’s paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, although a six-speed manual can be optioned. The Fullback Cross also gets the same electronically controlled differential.
Other standard kit comprise of LED DRLs, bi-xenon headlamps, seven airbags, Lane Departure Warning and the usual three-lettered acronyms.
Over 170,000 units of the Fiat pickup will be produced at Mitsubishi’s manufacturing facility in Thailand.
IMAGE GALLERY


BBS Wheels has filed for bankruptcy, again

After several media reports set the internet community alight over the weekend, BBS has now released a statement confirming that it was “forced to file for insolvency” in Germany last week.
The company says in the statement that this was a necessary step to prevent an imminent insolvency within the coming months, due to several missed confirmed payments. The fall in demand due to the
coronavirus pandemic
, in addition to the reduced production capability due to lockdowns, further aggravated the issue.
Source: BBS Japan Official/
Instagram
However, filing for bankruptcy does not mean that BBS Wheels will cease to exist immediately. Similar to an administration insolvency mechanism in most countries, or Chapter 11 in the United States, filing for bankruptcy essentially gives BBS some breathing space while it reorganises its business and possibly look for a new owner.
The company reassures that its production facilities are still running in full speed, with uninterrupted supply to all of its original equipment and aftermarket customers. The company currently employs roughly 1,200 people worldwide, and recently began supplying single lug nut wheels to
NASCAR
.
BBS also said in the statement that it has already initiated an extensive turnaround strategy for the company prior to the filing of insolvency, with a focus on aftermarket wheels, which will be continued under the guidance of the insolvency administrator.
Source: BBS Japan Official/
Instagram
This is the third time in 15 years that the renowned wheelmaker has filed for insolvency – first in 2007 when it was bought by Punch International, the company that makes the infamous Punch CVT gearbox in
Protons
. BBS filed for insolvency again in 2011, where it was eventually bought by South Korean company NICE corporation.
“Times of change lie ahead but together we will release the energy and strength which will be needed to preserve the legendary BBS brand and secure its future,” the company added in the statement.


All-new 2014 Volvo XC90 fully revealed inside and out [+Video]

The 2014
Volvo XC90
 has finally been revealed in all its glory. The
XC90
 marks a fresh start for Volvo under their new owner Geely and it will be tasked to pave the way for a “portfolio of exciting new cars to come in coming years”, said Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo.
Now that the exterior has been unveiled, we can see that Volvo’s latest design language is less curvy and more upright. The clean lines lend the new XC90 a more elegant butch looks with a few neat touches to keep it interesting. The main talking point will be the headlamps with T-shaped LED daytime running lights styled like Thor’s Hammer.

The grille is filled with vertical slats and now more in the shape of a rectangle than a trapezoid, emphasizing the new straighter lines used on the rest of the vehicle including the sharper shoulder lines on the sides of the vehicle. At the back the styling is still recognisable as a Volvo with the stepped taillights design that has been subtly evolved.
There are two main styling packages highlighted for the new XC90. The
Urban Luxury
 package looks classier with all the lower section painted in the same body colour with
polished stainless steel trims
 and a set of
21-inch
 polished wheels. Another styling package called the
Rugged Luxury
 will get
 matte black trims
 with
stainless steel skid plates
,
integrated exhaust pipes
 as well as a set of
22-inch
 wheels.

The interior was revealed awhile ago
here
, packed with latest technology that is claimed to change the driving experience with most of the buttons have been abolished for a simpler interface. Everything is focused on the main tablet-like
8-inch touchscreen
 to control most of the functions in the XC90.
The XC90 will be the first vehicle to ride on their own latest
 Scalable Platform Architecture
 (SPA), which will underpin more Volvo models in the future. The SPA has been designed to be able to support multiple sort of powertrains including a plug-in hybrid powertrain as well.
The XC90 will be powered by the new range of
 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Drive-E
 petrol or diesel engines with varying outputs. The diesel
D4
 turbo produces
190 hp
 and
 400 Nm
, and the
D5
 twin-turbo produces
225 hp
 and
470 Nm
. The petrol
T5
 has the output of
254 hp
 and
350 Nm
, while in the
T6
 the engine is turbocharged and supercharged to deliver
320 hp
 and
 400 Nm
.
The range-topping XC90 will be the
 T8
 “Twin Engine”

plug-in hybrid
 variant with a turbocharged and supercharged petrol 2.0-litre 4-cylinder Drive-E engine paired with a
60 Kw electric motor
generating a total of
 400 hp
and
 640 Nm
 of torque. All variants will be using the
8-speed automatic
 transmission. The new XC90 will use a
4-corner air suspension
 that features an electronically controlled damping system called the Four-C.
Standard safety equipment in the new XC90 includes the a run-off road protection feature, auto brake at intersection capability, and the
City Safety
 that is capable to detect pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles no matter day or night.
Along with the rejuvenation of the brand, there will be a limited run of
 First Edition
 XC90 that is exclusively available with the D5 or T6 variant and only available through online order starting 3rd September. All
1,927 units
 of the First Edition XC90 will be
 individually numbered
 and only available in Onyx Black. It will be fitted with a set of 21-inch Inscription wheels, and on the inside there’s Amber nappa leather seats, Charcoal leather dashboard, Linear Walnut wood inlays, and the
1,400 watts Bowers & Wilkins
 audio system with
 19 speakers
 among other extra goodies.
Production of the all new XC90 will begin early next year and deliveries should start by May next year.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Toyota Supra will be a hybrid and is strictly automatic only

The highly anticipated Toyota Supra, which is jointly developed with the next-gen BMW Z4, will only come with an automatic transmission.
According to a report by
AutoCar
, Toyota’s upcoming two-seater sports car will be sharing components with the Z4, such as
electronics
 and the
automatic transmission
. The latter will be modified to suit Toyota’s hybrid system.
The Supra-Z4 twins are scheduled for launch in 2018 with each brand unveiling their own separate models. The new Toyota Supra, roughly based on the FT-1 concept as shown in the images here, is offered as a coupe while the new Z4 will be made as a convertible just like before.
Both brands played their part to revive their sports cars. BMW supplied the petrol engine and the carbon fibre architecture while Toyota contributed what they do best – the hybrid system.
If you’re let down by the fact that it won’t come with a stick, then take the
Nissan GT-R
 as an example. Models before the R35 all came with a manual transmission, but how do you plan on handling a stick shifting machine that’s pushing anywhere above 350 horses?


Toyota celebrates 20 years of Prius with a sporty special edition

We’re not sure if anyone else sees it as slightly ironic, but Toyota is giving the
Prius
 – which is now basically synonymous for the brand’s eco-focused hybrid technology – a fresh coat of paint and a unique sporty trim to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the United States.
Called the “2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Edition”, the anniversary edition is based on the XLE FWD trim level sold in the country, but equipped with a new blacked-out exterior trim. Toyota says that the exterior is “both sporty and elegant, with just a touch of mischief”.
The 2020 Edition is available in either
Supersonic Red
 or the new
Wind Chill Pearl
 colour. Exclusive exterior features include a colour-keyed rear spoiler, black inserts for the 17-inch allow wheels, as well blacked-out headlight components, B-pillars, mirror housings, and badgings.
Inside, the Prius 2020 Edition gets a new black shift knob, black interior A-pillar trims, smoked HVAC vents, as well as “2020” branding on the floor mats and key fobs. Otherwise, the rest of the kit is standard XLE variant affair, which now includes Android Auto Support in addition to Apple CarPlay, as well as the new Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 Advanced Driver Assistance System.
Unfortunately, the sporty gains in the aesthetic department does not translate to over to performance. The Toyota Prius 2020 Edition is powered by the same 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, paired to an electric motor to drive the front wheels. The “sporty” special edition also promises the same
4.5 l/100km
 fuel consumption figure.
The Toyota Prius 2020 Edition will be
 limited to just 2,020 units
.


Mercedes-AMG GT & GT C Roadster revealed, speed now comes with more style

Mercedes-AMG has just revealed their open top options for the AMG GT line-up. The AMG GT Roadster and a hardcore
AMG GT R
-derived AMG GT C gives a breath of fresh air to the AMG GT family.
Revealed ahead of the upcoming Paris Motor Show, the two roadsters will feature a fabric roof that folds down in 11 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h. The GT Roadster will sit alongside the base AMG-GT variant while the GT C will slot between the AMG GT S and the AMG GT R. This brings the total number of AMG GT variants on offer to five.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster
Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster
Engine
3982cc twin-turbo V8
Transmission
7-speed dual clutch transmission
Max Power
469 hp @ 6,000 rpm
550 hp @ 5,750 – 6,750 rpm
Max Torque
630 Nm @ 1,700 – 5,000 rpm
680 Nm @ 1,900 – 5,750 rpm
0-100km/h; Top Speed
4.0 seconds; 302km/h
3.7 seconds; 316km/h
The fabric roof on both the models are supported by a mixture of magnesium, steel and aluminium structure. This makes the roof  light yet rigid at the same time. An aluminium cross-member with rollover bars provides additional rollover protection.
Besides that, AMG has taken great measures to ensure the safety, rigidity and dynamics of the roadsters are on par with their hard top siblings. New aluminium material mix is used to strengthen the chassis and body further, while the front deck is reinforced with magnesium. Elsewhere, greater wall thickness on the side skirts, more chambers, additional struts and a strut tower brace further reinforce the already rigid body structure.

Powering the two roadsters is the same
4.0-litre twin turbo V8
 in the AMG GT line up. The GT Roadster gets
469 hp
 and
630 Nm
 of torque which propels it to 100km/h in
4.0 seconds
. Its top speed is
302km/h
. The roadster outputs slightly higher than the base GT that it is based on,
13 hp
 and
30 Nm
 more to be exact.
On the other hand, the GT C outputs
40 hp
 and
30 Nm
 more than the GT S and is only
28 hp
 and
20 Nm
 shy of the track oriented GT R (dubbed the Green Hell Beast). The 0-100km/h sprint is done in
3.7 seconds
 before hitting a top speed of
316km/h
.
For the GT C, much of its revisions are taken straight off the GT R. The front grille for example is identical to the GT R. It also features active air management where the grilles close to aid aerodynamics or open to channel more air for maximum cooling.

Also shared between the GT C and R is an
active rear axle steering
. This enables the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels under 100km/h and turn in the same direction as the front wheels at speeds above 100km/h.
Unique to the GT C is an updated AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT
seven-speed sport transmission
. The first gear now has a higher ratio while the seventh gear and final drive have a lower ratio. This exercise is to complement the increased output from the twin turbo V8. In the GT Roadster, the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT switch comes in four different modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. The GT C adds on a Race Mode for optimal track performance.
Standard on the GT C is a Variable AMG Performance Exhaust that draws out the raw symphony of the V8. The GT Roadster can have this exhaust as an option. An AMG Sports Suspension comes as standard on the GT Roadster, while the GT C benefits from a more sophisticated adaptive AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension.
Both the roadsters can be had in 11 different exterior shades to match either a black, red or beige soft top. Having a roadster means you will be exposing the interior when the roof is down. As such, having 10 different interior colours will surely satisfy those who intend to make a statement. Closer to home, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has the
AMG GT S
on offer.
IMAGE GALLERY


GWM Malaysia collects over 100 bookings for Ora Good Cat EV in just three days

Despite
 only being launched yesterday
, Great Wall Motors Malaysia (GWM Malaysia) announced that it has already collected over 100 bookings for the
Ora Good Cat EV
.
The company adds that those bookings were also collected only across three days, during the recent Malaysia Motor Expo, where test drives for customers were limited, and pricing and detailed specifications were not announced yet.
“We want to thank our customers for placing their trust in Great Wall Motors, and we believe that you have made a correct decision,” said GWM ASEAN region President, Elliot Zhang, during the official launch event yesterday.
The Ora Good Cat also received
widespread attention in Thailand
, where the model made its debut in the region. Since its launch in the Land of Smiles in October last year, the Ora Good Cat has already received over 5,400 bookings in Thailand, with just under 4,200 units delivered to date, excluding fleet buyers.
RELATED:
GWM Malaysia to launch 9 cars in 3 years, CKD to start in 2023
Offered here in Malaysia in two variants, namely the 400 Pro and 500 Ultra, the Ora Good Cat is priced from
RM139,800
, making it the most affordable EV here on our shores to date. The compact EV hatchback is powered by a single electric motor on the front axle, capable of outputting
105 kW (143 hp)
 and
 210 Nm
.
Depending on variant, the motor is paired to either a
47.8 kWh
 or
63.1 kWh
 battery pack, giving the Ora Good Cat 400 km or 500 km of range respectively (NEDC test cycle), and thus their variant names.
In order to provide its customers in Malaysia with added peace of mind, the company has committed to establishing a “high-quality dealer network”. Five 3S outlets are already operational, and will expand to 15 outlets by the end of 2023, covering 70% of major cities in Malaysia, and 90% of car users nationwide.
The aftersales service network will also be built around a spare parts centre in Shah Alam, which will begin operations in December this year. GWM Malaysia assures that spare parts’ availability will be maintained by committing to a higher initial volume at launch, then regulating the stockpile based on actual volume requirements after the brand is fully established in the market.
ALSO WATCH:
Ora Good Cat – The cheapest EV with 500km range, maybe


Kia to debut new Kia SP Concept, compact SUV exclusively for India

Kia Motors India (KMI) will be previewing a brand-new concept car at the 2018 Auto Expo in New Delhi next week. The new concept car will be an exclusive model to India, the fifth largest car market, and to nobody’s surprise, it’s another SUV.
The new concept, dubbed the SP Concept, will be inspired by Indian heritage and driven by advanced technology. Based on the teaser image, we can tell that the car features
Hyundai Motor Group’s familiar SUV silhouette
 – bold lines across the shoulders and sloping window design. KMI hints that the new concept will be a compact SUV size that pairs high functionality with bold and stylish design.
President of Kia Motors Corporation, Han-Woo Park commented: “All of us at Kia Motors are extremely proud to take our first steps into one of world’s largest automotive markets. And we are here to build more than just great cars. We aim to set a new standard in the Indian auto industry by providing consumers with world-class products and services while engaging with and giving back to the local community.”
Alongside the world debut of the SP Concept, KMI will also showcase the brand’s latest range of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and global models, including the
all-new Stinger GT
. Proving Kia Motors is committed to replicate its international success in India.


Audi Q8 gets green light, unlocks new full-size SUV+Coupe segment

Audi’s first order of business for 2017 is a substantially upscale venture. Debuting at the Detroit Motor Show next month is the Audi Q8 Concept which the company claims will unlock a new segment for the full-size luxury SUV category.
The Q8 is Audi’s fifth Q model, and being the top dog, it will get all the spaciousness normally associated with SUVs, combined with the emotional styling of a coupe. Think something like the
GLC Coupe
 and you’ll have a vague idea of what to expect.
Audi’s Head of Design, Marc Lichte said the Q8 will offer an adequately spacious interior for four, even with the low roofline. Its design is reminiscent of the Ur-quattro of the 1980s, with prominent flared arches for a proper quattro appeal.


Let loose in the Tiguan Comfortline with Volkswagen Malaysia’s new “WILD” package

If you think the
Tiguan
 is looking a little too tame, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has introduced a “WILD ” package to go with the Tiguan Comfortline.
The unruly package adds a chrome trunk garnish, a chrome load lip protector, chrome exhaust tips, scuff plates with the Tiguan logo, finished off with Volkswagen’s window tint.
Proving to punch way above its weight, the Tiguan has been a firm favourite amongst the hip and pragmatic, combining a 1.4-litre turbocharged direct injection TSI engine with a 6-speed automatic wet-clutch direct shift gearbox (DSG). Output is rated at
148 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque.
The Tiguan Comfortline is priced at RM 148,990 excluding the ‘WILD’ package – which retails at
RM5,099
.
Read about the
five reasons why we think the Tiguan Comfortline is the perfect “balik kampung”
 car along with our
first impressions
 of it here.


Mitsubishi Triton gets even more striking with new Sun Flare Orange colour

Mitsubishi has given the victorious
Mitsubishi Triton
 from
 our pick-up challenge
 a bright new exterior colour to go with its handsome exterior. The new
Sun Flare Orange Pearl
 colour option is exclusively available for the
 Adventure X variant
.
Like the Triton Knight, the striking new colour is also finished with decals but with a simpler silver stripe that runs from the front fenders to the rear doors. The Sun Flare Orange Pearl joins Jet Black Mica and White Diamond colour line-up for the Triton Adventure X.
Mechanically, the Triton is powered by the same 2.4-litre MIVEC VGT engine with
181 hp
 and
430 Nm
 of torque. Transmission wise, there’s a
new 6-speed automatic
along with a 6-speed manual transmission in the lower variants.
Depending on which variant you buy, the Triton will be available with a
new Super Select 4WD II system which we tested
 that comes with four driving modes: Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, and Rock.
Aside from the more premium, fully-loaded Adventure X model, there is also the
Triton Quest
 starting from RM79,800. Launched late last year, it’s a pick-up in the simplest form, for brick and mortar purposes.
Prices for the Triton 4×4 models start from
RM100,200
 all the way up to
RM137,900
 for the top grade Adventure X model.


Volkswagen Polo ALLSTAR introduced, added kit inside & out for RM72,888

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has just added a new variant to the Polo hatchback line-up. Dubbed the Polo ALLSTAR, it commands a RM3,000 premium over the
standard Polo 1.6 MPI
 but you get a RM6,000 worth of exterior and interior aesthetics upgrades.
Visually, the ALLSTAR gets an additional rear spoiler, subtle black door stripes, black trunk garnish and an “ALLSTAR” logo at the B-pillar. Elsewhere it gets the same halogen reflector headlamps, front fog lamps, LED combination taillamps and 15-inch “Riverside” alloys.

Inside, the changes are more apparent with aluminium sports pedals, new leather seats with “ALLSTAR” embroidery, “ALLSTAR” side scuff plates and “ALLSTAR” floor mats. Standard equipment dittos the regular Polo including 5-inch “RCD 330G” touchscreen infotainment with MirrorLink, automatic climate control, rear air vents and cruise control.
Mechanically, the ALLSTAR retains the same 1.6-litre MPI four-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox to develop
104 hp
 and
153 Nm
 of torque. Official fuel consumption figures are rated at
6.3 litres per 100 km
.
On the safety front, the it gets dual front airbags, ABS with brake assist, anti-pinch for all four windows, ISOFIX mounting points and Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS).
The
Volkswagen
 Polo ALLSTAR retails for RM72,888 (OTR without insurance) and comes with a 5-Years manufacturers warranty and 5-Years Roadside Assistance package. Service intervals for the Polo is scheduled at every 15,000 km. In case you’ve missed it, VPCM is currently conducting a
“Polo P” Young Drivers Training Programme
 with the Polo, so be sure to catch the Polo in action and see for yourself what the German hatchback can deliver.
IMAGE GALLERY


You’ve been invited to the Porsche Sportscar Together Day!

It matters not if you are a Porsche owner or simply just a fan, you are hereby invited by Sime Darby Auto Performance, the official distributor of Porsche cars in Malaysia, to the inaugural Sportscar Together Day happening this coming Saturday on 3rd August 2019 at the Sepang International Circuit.
Sportscar Together Day is a concept to bring the Porsche community closer where fans can learn more about Porsche’s heritage. The attractions on display include
every generation of the iconic 911
, the
all-conquering 3-time Le Mans winning Porsche 919 Hybrid race car
 and also the
Mission E augmented reality experience
 previewing the upcoming all-electric Taycan.
The 3-time Le Mans winning Porsche 919 Hybrid.
All Porsche owners are invited to gather on the track during the day to celebrate the brand’s motorsport DNA and be part of one of the largest recorded gatherings of Porsche cars ever in Malaysia. Enthusiasts can also register for the Porsche Experience activity and get behind the wheel of a Porsche!
Those of you who are bringing along children, there will also be activities for the family including a Porsche Junior Experience programme specially tailored for young fans. For more information and to register your interest, please head to
http://myporsche.com.my/sctd/.


Insurance Association announces RM500 subsidy for flood-damaged vehicles

The aid towards victims of the recent flooding continues, with the next largest ‘affected’ group providing a helping hand. The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (or better known as PIAM) has announced a one-off subsidy of up to
RM500
 for the
clean-up
 of flood-affected vehicles.
PIAM said the insurance industry is potentially facing upwards of RM2 billion to RM3 billion in total flood-related claims. With many motor vehicles damaged and facing potentially high repair bills, PIAM via a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is pledging RM2.43 million to a newly established Flood Relief Fund Dec 2021.
Image credit: Twitter/
BFMNews
Under the fund, a RM500 subsidy is specifically allocated for cleaning up of flood-affected cars and commercial vehicles while RM100 is the limit for motorcycles. The subsidy does not cover repairs.
RELATED: Bosch shares tips to better prepare for flooding and being stranded
Claimants will need to produce requisite evidence of flood damage to their vehicles and proof of previous insurance cover. The said vehicle must be either currently insured (any type of Motor policy with or without flood cover is eligible) or a vehicle that was last insured on June 1st 2021.
File image from PIAM
Apart from the clean-up subsidy, the association members also plan to expedite claims settlement and provide additional special relief measures.
As more news coverage of the extend of the devastation, many automotive distributors have also introduced their own flood relief assistance programmes to help ease the burden of their customers who have been affected. You can find them in the list below:
Perodua
Proton
Subaru
Honda
Toyota
Mitsubishi
Nissan
BMW Group Malaysia
Mercedes-Benz
Volkswagen
Main image credit: Facebook/
SelangorJournal


Toyota’s “new autonomous car” can see up to 200 metres in every direction

Toyota has developed an automated driving research vehicle called the Platform 3.0 – one of the most perceptive automated driving test cars on the road – based on a Lexus LS 600hL.
The Platform 3.0’s sensor-rich package utilises the Luminar LIDAR system with a
200 metre detection range
. While previously only capable of detecting forward directions, it now
covers the vehicle in every direction
. This is possible with
four high-resolution LIDAR scanning heads
, which can precisely detect objects around the car especially those less visible in the dark.
Four shorter range LIDAR sensors are positioned low on all four corners of the vehicle – one on each front quarter panel and one each on the front and rear bumpers. They’re able to detect low-level and smaller objects around the car such as children and hazardous debris on the road.
A weather and temperature roof panel had been created to compact and conceal the sensors while cleverly utilising the space in the sunroof compartment to minimise the overall height of the vehicle. This ingenuity looks to seamlessly incorporate the sensors into the vehicle’s design without making it appear like bolt-on additions (although looking at the pictures, it seems like there’s a long way to go).
IMAGE GALLERY


Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6L THP163 launched, priced at RM179,888 [+Video]

Citroen, through Naza Euro Motors have introduced the petrol variant of the
Grand C4 Picasso THP163
 and is priced at
RM179,888 including insurance
 and GST. It costs RM10,000 lesser than the oil burning 2.0-litre BlueHDi engine, one that was going for RM189,888 when it was launched last year.
This
seven-seater
 French MPV sits on the brand’s new EMP2 modular platform (underpinning the new
308 THP
 as well), and has a wheelbase of 2,840mm, an overall length of 4,597mm, is 1,826mm wide and 1,625mm tall. It looks visually identical from the outside when compared to the diesel variant, but new here is the
panoramic sunroof
 – a standard feature that was not available on the diesel.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso THP163
Engine
1,598cc; direct injection, turbocharged
Transmission
6-speed auto
Max Power
163 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
240 Nm from 1,400 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
8.7 seconds; 201 km/h
Price (OTR
with
 insurance)
RM179,888.00 (with GST)
EXTERIOR
There’s no denying the uniqueness of how this one looks, and it’s almost impossible to mistake this for something else when seen in real life or on the road. The front fascia carries the brand’s distinctive look, finished with
HID headlamps
, LED daytime running lights, three-dimensional tail lamps (like the
DS3
), 18-inch python alloy wheels and Zenith windscreen.

As mentioned before, both the petrol and diesel variants are identical from the outside, right down to the wheels. The Grand C4 Picasso boasts having the
longest wheelbase
 in its class, and comes with a class’ first
height-adjustable electric tailgate
.
INTERIOR
Inside, you get a large
12-inch digital instrument cluster
 that is customisable and comes pre-installed with GPS navigation. There’s the
7-inch touchscreen head unit
 for all your multimedia consumption,
aircraft-style trays
 built into both the backs of the front seats and air conditioning vents for the second and third row seats.

Convenience features are as such: dual-zone auto air conditioning, adjustable second row seats, keyless entry and push-start button, active cruise control with speed limiter and automated braking, electric parking brake,
removable centre console
 for access to the rear seats, park assist with
360 degree camera view
, retractable sun visors for the front passengers and adjustable centre armrest.
PERFORMANCE
Tasked with moving this family car is PSA’s trusty
1.6-litre Prince engine
. Displacing 1,598cc and paired with a turbocharger (THP), it makes a healthy
163 horsepower
 at 6,000 rpm and
 240 Nm
 of torque from 1,400 rpm. Together with the
six-speed automatic
 gearbox, it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in
8.7 seconds
, and top speed is rated at
201 km/h
. The combined cycle for fuel economy is rated at
5.8 litres per 100km
.
SAFETY
Safety is one of the key USPs of this MPV. It’s got six airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist, blind spot monitoring system, child Isofix mounts, front and rear parking sensors with all-round camera view, Lane Departure Warning system and Electronic Stability Programme.
WHAT ELSE?
There are four colours to choose from: Blue Teles, Rouge Babylon (red), Blanc Banquise (white) and Noir Onyx (black). It’s priced at
RM179,888 with insurance
 and GST and comes packaged with a
5-year with unlimited mileage
 warranty programme, including the distributor’s
24-hour roadside assistance
.
IMAGE GALLERY


2023 Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Ultimate replaces T8 Inscription in Malaysia – what’s new?

Almost a year after its launch in Malaysia, the Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Inscription is stepping down to make way for the
Volvo V60
 Recharge T8 Ultimate
 which fetches a price of
RM 321,888
. With some additional features, the V60 Ultimate is RM8k more expensive than the V60 Inscription. Like the
T8 Inscription
, the T8 Ultimate is the sole variant for the V60 in Malaysia
Main additions/changes of the V60 Recharge T8 Ultimate over the T8 Inscription include:
New 19-inch 5 triple-spoke black diamond-cut alloy wheels
New “Bright Dusk” exterior colour that replaces “Bright Silver”
New optional Maroon Brown Moritz upholstery in addition to standard Charcoal Moritz upholstery
Android Automotive 9-inch touchscreen unit (replaces Sensus Connect 9-inch unit)
Price-inclusive Digital Service Package (DSP)
Crystal White
Onyx Black
Bright Dusk
Thunder Grey
On the outside, the most obvious difference is the new set of 19-inch 5 triple spoke black diamond-cut alloy wheels that replaces the Inscription’s 5-Multi spoke wheels. The number of colour choices remains at 4, but a new “Bright Dusk” colour replaces the “Bright Silver Colour”. All else, the Inscription’s chrome trims have been carried over to the V60 T8 Recharge Ultimate.
A new option for the interior is an optional “Maroon Brown Moritz” upholstery on top of the standard “Charcoal Moritz” upholstery. The optional upholstery is available with all four colour options of the V60 Recharge T8 Ultimate. As for interior ambience, the Ultimate also gets a large panoramic sunroof like the Inscription.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Inscription PHEV, from RM314k
Volvo V60 with Maroon Brown Moritz upholstery
Like other new Volvo cars, the V60 recharge T8 Ultimate gets the Android Automotive head unit, replacing the old Sensus Connect head unit. The screen size remains the same at 9 inches and with a portrait orientation.
Bumping the V60 Recharge T8 Ultimate’s price over the Inscription is Volvo’s Digital Service Package (DSP) which has been included in the price of the car. The DSP includes access to the following digital services for a period of 4 years:
Google Assistant
Google Maps
Google Play Store
Volvo Car App remote functions
Data for the said services.
After that period a subscription fee will be required to continue the service.
RELATED:
Volvo teases all-electric EX90, calls roof LiDAR a 21st-century design icon
Android Automotive
The powertrain remains the same, as the V60 T8 Ultimate houses a hybrid Plug-in Hybrid system with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged engine. The system makes a maximum combined output of
462 hp
 and
709 Nm
 thanks to the Recharge T8 PHEV update in April that boosted both power and the PHEV battery capacity.
On its own, the 2.0-litre engine powers the front wheels and makes 317 hp @6,000 rpm and 400 Nm @ 3,000-5,400 rpm. Powering the rear wheels is an electric motor that makes 145 hp @ 15,900 rpm and 309 Nm. With an 8-speed automatic gearbox by AISIN, the V60 recharge T8 Ultimate accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
.
RELATED:
Volvo updates Recharge T8 PHEV powertrain for 60, 90 series models in Malaysia – 462 hp, 90 km EV range
If you’re deciding between the wagon V60 and the sedan
S60
, do note that the Volvo S60 in Malaysia is offered with the R-Design package while the V60 is not. Although both cars share the same powertrain, the R-Design package adds paddle shifters, different upholstery, a sportier gear lever, sportier bumpers, and an R-Design grille. The wagon V60 Recharge T8 Ultimate offers a more Comfort-like package.
RELATED:
Upcoming Volvo EX90’s displays will magically show you the right information at the right time


Toyota M’sia sets 70,000 unit sales target, Vios Challenge to follow in August

Things have not been a bed of roses for UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, not least for the past two years. But with a few promising models that are about to make its way to the market, perhaps there is a silver lining to this distressing episode.
It begins with the little things, like setting a moderate but optimistically achievable sales target of 70,000 units for 2017. With the power of elementary mathematics, that’s a full 30 percent lesser than
the goal Honda Malaysia has set for themselves
 this year. Toyota Malaysia however, did not reveal in detail the cars they will be launching this year, though we know for sure the
Lexus LC 500
 will.
In the same announcement, newly elected President of UMW Toyota Motor, Mr. Ravindran Kurusamy said they will introduce the Vios Challenge to Malaysia sometime in August. The legitimate small-scale motorsports series will be the result of a collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR).
TGR is globally recognised on the world stage of motorsports, having participated in the World Rally Championship, World Endurance Championship, 24 Hours Nurburgring and Dakar Rally. In fact, they even commissioned the manual-only, supercharged
Toyota Yaris GRMN
 making 205 horsepower.
There was however, no mention on whether or not the
new Toyota Vios
 or
Toyota C-HR
 will be launched this year.


McLaren Racing’s 80s throwback video is solid gold

The world was much simpler back in the 80s, there were no internet, social media, YouTube or Netflix. It was also the era of excesses, questionable fashion, of the cold war, and of course, the golden age of TV serials – the main source of entertainment for families around the world.
While shows such as Charlie’s Angels, Dallas, CHiPs, Knight Rider, The A-Team, Magnum PI (and many more) kept audiences glued to the telly every evening, McLaren Racing were busy winning races on Sundays, racking up a total of five Formula 1 drivers’ crowns and four constructors’ championships in the 80s alone (there would be more in the 90s as well). It was a golden era for them too.

Whatever the motivation, spare time aside as the F1 season is suspended, what the McLaren digital team managed to string together – a throwback video featuring modern day subject matter rendered in true 80s fashion – would’ve brought a smile to those fond of the 80s, not to mention an entertaining distraction to the population who are currently confined to their homes.

Now watch a real 80s TV series intro. What do you think of McLaren’s efforts?
Zak Brown as a Bosley (of Charlie’s Angels fame) character type is spot on, while technical director Andreas Seidl needs no cosmetic embellishment as the nerdy comic relief of the team. If only Carlos sported a moustache a la Tom Selleck, along with tighter speedos on Lando, now that would’ve been icing on the cake.


Perodua delivers 10,000 face shields to Hulu Selangor and Selayang municipals

With the number of new/active Covid-19 cases on the rise,

Perodua
 has stepped up its public service efforts in the Hulu Selangor and Selayang municipals by distributing additional face shields.
The company has distributed 10,000 face shields to the District Health Office, dental clinics, and even to morning and night market hawkers in Hulu Selangor. Perodua also distributed the face shields to the Selayang Municipal Council’s Licensing and Enforcement Departments. These face shields will also be distributed to hawkers in the district by the municipal.
“Perodua’s face shield contributions is the company’s way of giving back to the surrounding communities who have supported and made us feel at home for the past 27 years,” Perodua President and CEO Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.
“We have given out over 21,000 face shields to date – we hope they will be worn conscientiously and diligently by those going about their daily duties, bravely continuing to give all of us the services, healthcare and provisions we need,” he added.
The effort follows after the
11,000 face shields Perodua distributed to secondary schools in Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor
. These face shields consist of a fog-resistant visor made of polyethylene terephthalate for optimal visibility, a sponge cushion for the forehead, and an adjustable elastic band for a comfortable fit.
“We are not out of the woods yet in our battle against COVID-19. We hope Malaysians will continue to adopt and adapt to the new normal by exercising caution and complying with all the government’s health and safety guidelines,” said Dato’ Zainal.


Naza Euro Motors launches the new Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer

Introduced as the successor to the Grand C4 Picasso, the new Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer 7-seater MPV has been designed with space, versatility and innovation in mind.
It’s powered by a 1.6-litre THP engine paired to a 6-speed transmission, producing
167 hp
 and
240 Nm
 of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm with fuel consumption rated at 5.8 litres/100km.
On the outside, you get Bi-Xenon headlamps with manual height adjustment and DRLs, while the back features fog lamps integrated into the bumper, to pair with the visually-enticing 3D rear taillights. Filling the arches are 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer exudes what Citroën calls the “Hype Grey ambiance”. The equipment list includes a 12-inch HD color panoramic central display, the largest in the MPV segment and a 7-inch touchscreen that offers Android Auto, Apple Carplay, Mirrorlink and USB connectivity.
Other creature comforts include an electric parking brake, hands-free boot access with height memory, rear aircraft-style tables with LEDs, under-floor compartments and a removable central storage box. Retracting the 2nd and 3rd row seats frees up cargo space from 632-litres to 2,181-litres.
In terms of driving aids, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer gets the Active Safety Brake, Speed Limit Recognition and Driver Attention Alert. The Active Safety brakes works at speeds of up to 30 km/h, to stop the car from potential collisions.
Elsewhere, it’s equipped with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Braking Assistance, Electronic Stability Control with traction control, Hill Start Assist and ISOFIX mountings.
The Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer is available in Ruby Red, Lazuli Blue, Onyx Black and Polar White and is priced at
RM149,888.00
 on-the-road without insurance. For a limited time only, the MPV is offered with 3-year free service, on top of the 5-year or 120,000 km Peace-of-Mind warranty, 24-hour Roadside Assistance and exclusive access to the Sky Lounge at Subang Skypark.
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Hyundai has unveiled an oddly attractive EV called the “Prophecy”

Has it already seen the future of electric mobility? Perhaps.
The EV carries Hyundai’s latest design philosophy called “Sensuous Sportiness” that strips away complexity in favour of clean lines and minimalist structures.
If anything, it resembles the silhouette of a Porsche Panamera, with a rear end and spoiler that looks like a 911 from the future.
Hyundai said the dynamic and elegant boat-tail line created by the rear quarter panels appear to propel the form forward even when it’s standing still.
Aside from visual appeal, the design provides excellent aerodynamics – a characteristic indispensable to EVs. Beneath the bumper is an enormous air intake to draw air in to cool the batteries while the propeller-shaped wheels direct air to flow down the side of the body “like water over a stone”, according to Hyundai.
Items such as the headlamps and spoiler are made of transparent acrylic material to provide a clear view of the components that make up the internal structure.
The striking pixel lamp lighting technology can be seen on the spoiler, head and tail lamps. This technology will be carried forward as a signature design element in future Hyundai models.
Inside, the Prophecy fully utilises the spacious cabin that’s common in EV vehicles. Instead of a conventional steering wheel, the Prophecy is fitted with two joystick for a supposedly “more assuring and intuitive driving experience”.
By offering two joysticks that can pivot left and right, one in the centre console and another on the door trim, drivers are able to control the vehicle from a position of comfort.
The Prophecy features a “Relax Mode” that when engaged, offers passengers virtually zero visual obstacles. When in a reclined position, all that the passengers see is the horizontal pillar-to-pillar display and the wing-shaped dashboard.
Also in this mode, the dashboard swivels, allowing for a spacious interior and seat position from which passengers are able to enjoy content shown on the display.
IMAGE GALLERY