Next-gen 2022 Ford Ranger Raptor to debut February 22!

Following the launch of the
all-new Ford Ranger
 late last year, it’s now turn for the souped-up Ranger Raptor to make its debut. Ford has just dropped a brand-new teaser for the upcoming 2022 Ranger Raptor on the Ford News Europe YouTube channel, announcing that the Baja-ready off-road racer will finally be unveiled on the 22nd of February at 3 PM Malaysian time.

The fresh teaser video shows a camouflaged prototype of the flagship Ranger playing around in its natural habitat, catching some serious air and putting its upgraded suspension to work.
While the camouflage hides most of its design details, we can definitely see that the all-new 2022 Ranger Raptor will come with chunky front and rear fenders, enhanced underbody protection, and an increased ground clearance over the stock Ranger thanks to the larger, meatier tyres and reworked suspension geometry.
RELATED: Ford Ranger Raptor X – the Baja King with a new red suit, RM217k
The grille and bonnet also appears to be different to the standard truck, alongside redesigned bumpers – although we’ll have to wait for the Raptor’s official launch to confirm. The full roll cage on the interior along with the bucket seats in the stripped out cabin, however, should be for testing purposes only.
We still don’t know what the powertrain will be underneath the bonnet, but the engine’s soundtrack from the previous teaser seems to suggest that it’ll be a petrol-powered unit, rather than the twin-turbo diesel from the outgoing model.
Rumours seem to suggest a turbocharged Ecoboost V6 engine: either a reworked twin-turbo 2.7-litre unit from the
Ford Bronco
, or the turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 from the Explorer. The gearshift pedals behind the steering wheel should belong to the 10-speed automatic transmission as seen in the previous generation.
Either way, expect more of everything compared to the standard Ford Ranger truck, and you’re pretty much there. We already can’t wait to see it in action.


Volvo & Geely to invest RM3.2 billion in Polestar, facilitate brand development

Volvo Cars and its owner, Geely Holding has agreed to jointly invest RMB 5 billion (RM3.2 billion) into
Volvo’s new subsidiary brand, Polestar
. This investment aims to support the initial phase of Polestar’s product, brand and industrial development.
Polestar’s first business goal is to establish a state-of-the-art Polestar manufacturing facility in Chengdu, China – the same facility where Volvo makes their 60-series models. The production of the recently unveiled
Polestar 1
 will commence right after the facility is in place.
Volvo Cars and Polestar (and to some extend Geely), will benefit from synergies in the development of next-generation technologies, joint-development of technologies and economies of scale. The Chinese government’s call for lower emissions and more electrified cars is also a driving force behind the decision to establish a manufacturing plant in Chengdu.
The Polestar 1 is the company’s first ever car packing a sophisticated hybrid powertrain with
600 hp
 and
1000 Nm
 on tap. It will have a pure electric range of
150 km
– the longest electric range of any hybrid on the market and shares only 50 percent of its platform with the
S90
. The remaining 50 percent are completely new items from Polestar themselves.
Further down the line
, Polestar will have a mid-sized Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) called the Polestar 2 set for production in 2019 and subsequently a SUV-styled BEV, the Polestar 3 will be rolled out.
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Real Toyota Supra enthusiasts drive three pedals? Toyota confirms manual transmission of its icon

It was a real surprise when news broke out that Toyota was going to bring the Supra back when the
FT-1 Concept
was revealed at the 2014 North American International Motor Show.

Unfortunately, the
A90 Supra
 screamed “BMW Z4” everywhere you look, whether inside or the engine bay, and that didn’t seem to sit well with Supra enthusiasts and Toyota loyalists (online at least), even though most could never afford one anyways.
Now, in what seems like an effort to give the bump up Supra’s social status, Toyota has confirmed that a manual transmission for the Supra is ‘coming soon’ with no definitive timeline mentioned.
The press release said, “Toyota GR Supra with an all-new, tailor-made manual transmission is coming soon.”
Without revealing further, Toyota also said the Supra badge will be finished in Red to “signify the presence of a manual transmission – a highly desirable, pure and special feature.”
BMW has mentioned that there is a 6-speed manual gearbox for the BMW Z4 – what the Supra the based on – specifically for the sDrive20i but we’ll just have to wait and see on that!
Will a manual Supra be more appealing? Let us know what you think!


Subaru XV facelift arrives in Malaysia, priced from RM121k to RM125k

Exclusive Malaysian distributor for Subaru vehicles, Motor Image Malaysia, has introduced the facelifted Subaru XV – a crossover model that was first launched here back in end-2012. It arrives here pretty swiftly too, having debuted at Thailand just last week.
The new Subaru XV is available in two trims –
2.0i
 and
2.0i-Premium
. Both are powered by the same engines from before, that is a
 2.0-litre horizontally opposed
 ‘Boxer’ engine making
148 horsepower
 at 6,200 rpm and
196 Nm
 of torque at 4,200 rpm.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Subaru XV 2.0i
Subaru XV 2.0i-Premium
Engine
1,995cc; 4-cyl DOHC
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT
Max Power
148 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Max Torque
196 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Price (before GST & Insurance)
RM121,000
RM125,000
EXTERIOR
Judging from the pictures here, it’s difficult to tell apart the XV’s new aesthetics, but the difference are no less noticeable to the keened eye. The headlights now get C-shaped LED daytime running lights (although this is reserved for the Premium variant only), bolder chromed grille, redesigned front bumper and fog lamp housing.

Though the rims look no different here than on the pre-facelift model, rest assured the design is slightly changed. It still measures
17-inches
 and gets wrapped in 225/55 Continental MC5 tyres. Over at the back is where change is most apparent – the tail lamp clusters are new, which can be a hit or miss for some.
INTERIOR
Inside however, tells a better tale. The cabin now gets
push-start button
 and the leather seats are stitched in orange piping. Another way of unlocking the XV from the outside is by entering a 5-digit pin code. The steering wheel remains the same, complete with audio, cruise control and Bluetooth handsfree functionalities.

In the Premium variant (seen in the pictures here), you get some added niceties such as USB and auxiliary input, touchscreen head unit, a fancier instrument cluster, rear view camera, aluminium pedals,
premium 6-speaker sound system
, voice recognition system and retractable cargo cover. The driver seat is also power adjustable, unlike the pre-facelift model. However, both variants benefit from better cabin insulation thanks to more generous use of sound deadening materials inside the A and D pillars, rear wheel arch and headlining.
PERFORMANCE
As mentioned earlier, under the hood resides the same 2.0-litre Boxer engine making 148 hp and 196 Nm of torque. It’s paired to Subaru’s
CVT gearbox
 (Lineartronic CVT) driving all four wheels via the company’s famous
all-wheel drive system
. The XV rides on McPherson struts at the front axle and double wishbones at the rear.
SAFETY
The Subaru XV comes with three airbags – two front and one knee airbag, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamics Control System, ABS with EBD, Isofix child anchors and Side Door Reinforcement Beams.
WHAT ELSE?
Pricing for this locally assembled crossover starts from
RM121,000
 for the 2.0i variant and
RM125,000
 for the 2.0i Premium variant. It’s now available for viewing and booking at all Subaru showrooms nationwide, and there are six colours to choose from – Pure White, Ice Silver Metallic, Desert Khaki, Tangerine Orange Pearl, Dark Grey Metallic and Obsidian Black Pearl.
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Video: Proton Iriz facelift, Things You Need To Know

The
new Proton Iriz
 was just launched yesterday with Proton claiming that it has undergone
no less than 367 component changes
.
Some might prefer the cleaner, simpler design of the old Iriz but personally, the visual enhancements alone seemed to have freshened up the aging Iriz and that’s even before you look inside the car!

Changes in the cabin are aplenty too and they seem to have skewed towards better visibility and overall functionality. For the tech savvy and social media addicts, the Iriz even comes with on-board Wi-Fi along with the
famed GKUI voice command system
 from the
Proton X70
.
Do note that the starting price for the Iriz is
RM36,700
 and not RM46,700 as mentioned in the video.
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2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid now on sale in Japan, 208 hp, 33.4km/L!

Two months after the all-new,
eighth-generation Toyota Camry
 was announced for the Japanese market, the midsize sedan now finally goes on sale. Interested Malaysians should take note because this particular Camry will be the one offered by UMW Toyota in the near future.
Where the
American-bound Camry
 gets flashy styling, its Japanese equivalent goes takes a more conservative approach whilst retaining the
Keen Look
 design philosophy. The front fascia gets a multi-dimensional lower grille, bi-LED headlamps and a much sleeker front grille. The rear on the other hand, gets a nice raised shoulder line that slopes down to the LED tail lamps.
The cabin however, is the same as that in the US with Toyota’s latest-generation
Human and Machine Interface (HMI)
 taking centre stage. Apart from
Toyota Safety Sense P
 which comes as standard, the Camry also adopts
Rear Cross Traffic Auto Brake
. This system will automatically apply the brakes when another vehicle is detected at the rear when reversing.
Only the sole hybrid variant is offered for Japan. The
A25A-FXS

2.5-litre Dynamic Force
 engine coupled with an electric motor produce a combined output of
208 hp.
 Electrical juice is stored by a lithium-ion battery, and together the system returns an impressive at
33.4 km/l
.
The JDM Toyota Camry is offered in three grades and can be had in seven exterior hues. It begins from
3,294,000 yen (approximately RM125k)
 for the X trim, followed by the G trim at
3,499,200 yen (approximately RM132k)
. The latter is also offered with Leather Package which commands a rather premium price of
4,195,800 yen (approximately RM159k)
.
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 Hybrid


Jaguar tests new F-Pace performance crossover SUV in extreme weather

The Jaguar F-Pace is the company’s first attempt at making a performance oriented crossover SUV that could rival the likes of the Porsche Macan S and Audi SQ5. It is poised to give even the BMW X4 xDrive35 and Mercedes GLA 45 AMG a run for their worth. Jag announced that the F-Pace will be unveiled right after the XE sedan breaks cover.
From the scorching merciless heat and dust of the Arabian deserts to the frozen wastelands of northern Sweden, the new
 F-Pace
 has been rugged through its paces in the last stages of its research and development program. The makers of this crossover are boldly laying claims to its performance and how well it copes under dire conditions.

The reason for this seemingly harsh testing is so that the engineers can test various part, components and features in the car to work even in hellish conditions. Global models need to be subjected to stringent quality testing. In places such as
Dubai
, where the temperatures can soar past
 70°C
 inside the car, its imperative that everything still works and functions the way it should.
The same goes toward
practicality
, where if you live in the cold north of
Sweden,
 engineers check to see if all the little buttons and knobs work and turn even with your big clumsy gloves on. Testing is an
integral part
 of the development of any car for that matter.

Coming to question of powertrains, as you’d expect at this juncture, Jaguar has been rather scarce on information pertaining to the drive trains. However it is widely speculated in the industry that it is set to feature both
petrol and diesel
 versions of its
 inline four cylinder engines
, a
 vee-six
(supercharged maybe?)  and potentially the

fire breathing
 5.0-litre V8
 mill thats used in hot Jags.
Prices are slated to begin in the range of around £30,000 – 55,000 (
RM178k – 326k
) in the UK. The wraps will come off the F-Pace at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Nissan turned a convertible 370Z into a snowmobile

Nissan has built a one-off snowmobile with the 370Z Roadster ahead of the 2018 Chicago Auto Show and it’s called the 370Zki – pronounced as 370-Ski.
The 370Ski now comes with front skis and rear snow tracks replacing what would usually be high performance tyres. To accommodate the rear tracks, the entire drivetrain had to be removed while a custom lift kit was engineered to lift the vehicle three inches from normal height.
Other modifications include custom mountings for the engine and transmission along with a front skid plate fabricated to prevent damage during snow excursions.
The 370 Z’s factory brakes have been retained but the brake lines have been rerouted while the rear wheel wells were re-engineered for clearance to accommodate the 4-feet long snow tracks.
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Video: 2019 Proton Persona facelift, Things You Need To Know

Proton has just officially launched their
facelifted Proton Persona
 and like the
refreshed Iriz
, it gets a slew of enhancements at an attractive price point. Let Eu Jin give you the quick rundown of this updated sedan.

Under the hood is a 1.6-litre VVT engine paired to either a 5-speed manual or CVT producing
 109 hp
 and
150 Nm
 of torque to drive the front wheels.
Besides the exterior and interior changes, plenty of improvements have been made (303 items to be exact) to give the car better drivability, build quality, NVH levels and fuel consumption.

IMAGE GALLERY
Proton Persona Facelift


UMW Toyota announces RM270 million investment into locally-assembled hybrid vehicles

UMW Toyota Motor
 has announced a new
 RM 270 million investment plan
 into its current manufacturing operations and facility at the Bukit Raja assembly plant, which, among other things, will include the introduction of locally-assembled (CKD) Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV).
The new investment is in line with Toyota Motor Corporation’s (TMC) global ‘mobility for all’ initiative, which emphasises on its commitment towards a ‘Clean, Safe and Secure Society’.
“Toyota’s global direction is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This is also in line with the Malaysian Government’s aspirations to position the country as a progressive nation that promotes more green technology and environmental sustainability,” said UMW Toyota Motor Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama.
“In order to achieve this, the
most realistic, practical and immediate solution
 is Toyota Hybrid Electric technology and vehicles. The mass production and growing acceptance of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) will lead to the entire automotive eco-system evolving to embrace a more conscious and concerted effort in reducing Malaysia’s carbon footprint,” Takeyama added.
Globally, Toyota has invested heavily into its electrification plans, with an aim to achieve a sale of eight million electrified vehicles per year by 2030, with
70 different electrified models to be unveiled by 2025
.
Check out Toyota’s next step forward in its electrification plans, the bZ4X EV Concept.
The new electrified models will follow along these three prongs: hydrogen fuel-cell electric (HFCEV), battery electric (BEV), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). Among them, UMW Toyota believes that the hybrid electric vehicles will be the “most realistic, immediate, economical, and practical solution” for mass market production and sales in our region to reduce vehicle CO2 emissions.
“HEVs are a pivotal bridge to achieving full vehicle electrification. At present, the Battery Electric technology still requires time for full technology development, making the Hybrid Electric technology most appropriate for immediate implementation.
“We are ready [with the introduction of Hybrid Electric Vehicles], and the technology; service support; current infrastructure; global and domestic policies; the level of affordability and cost-effectiveness; and, consumer awareness and demand, particularly in Malaysia, are now at its most ideal conditions to pursue a new and exciting journey towards achieving carbon neutrality,” said
Takeyama.
While HEVs may seem a little old-school in a day and age when cars are plugged directly into the electrical grid, Toyota says that research has shown that the reduction in CO2 emission levels between fully electric and HEVs are almost similar considering electricity source, and from production and throughout ownership.
Toyota has already sold 15-million hybrid-electric vehicles globally, since the introduction of the first-gen Prius in 1997.
For Malaysian car buyers, the local manufacturing of Toyota HEVs would “translate into advancing into a new era of motoring, one that gives them access to the latest and most innovative technologies, at a price point that is practical and accessible to the greater masses,” UMW Toyota says.
“The introduction of HEV tech will quickly transform the automotive landscape in Malaysia for Malaysians. We hope that our endeavours to popularise tomorrow’s technology today through the mass introduction of HEV will receive due support from the government in the pursuit of a full scale realisation of vehicle electrification.
“We hope that the government will also consider UMWT’s efforts to be included in the National Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint alongside BEVs which is in line with the government’s plans,” said UMWT president Ravindran K.


Mercedes-Benz is looking to slim down its model and powertrain portfolio

It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz, just like most large car manufacturers, has been trying to fill in all of the gaps in its model line-up to appease buyers of different segments – Just look at the
A-Class sedan and the CLA
.
However, according to an interview by
 Autocar
with Mercedes R&D chief Markus Schafer, the German luxury car manufacturer is now looking to reduce its model line-up as well as platform and powertrain options, citing complexity and profit reasons.
“We are reviewing our product portfolio, especially as we announced so many pure EVs. Knowing the complexity after the growth in the last couple of years means we are definitely reviewing our current lie-up. The idea is to streamline – taking car variants out, but also platforms, powertrains and components,’ said Schafer.
According to Schafer,
numero uno
 on the axing list will be single-platform models, such as the
G-Class
, SL,
AMG GT
 and
S-Class
. Schafer says, “There are many single platforms right now and the idea is to reduce this. In the future, we will have the same underpinnings with various cars and you will see the results pretty soon.”
The decision comes as the brand is looking to shift its focus towards electrified vehicles, along with tightening emission regulations. However, Schafer said that there are currently no plans to remove big traditional engines such as the V8 on the Mercedes-AMG cars.
“The plan is not to kick out the V8 and V12, for example, so long as there is customer demand,” said Schafer. However, the incoming Euro 7 legislation might force the carmaker to rethink its strategy. “Probably, yes, [powertrain] variants will reduce. Of course, four-cylinder engines will make more sense than a V12. Let’s see what Euro7 requirements are and go from there.”
As for the newer two-litre four- and six-cylinder engines, Schafer says that they will not have any issues with the new emissions regulations. “This family of four engines can respond to any market change immediately. We planned this protection a couple of years ago in order to protect us in terms of different demands and regulations.”
Oddly enough, the new statement contradicts slightly with a previous report where Meredes-Benz is planning for a
32-model onslaught by 2022
, including the updated S-Class. What do you think, dear readers?


Toyota Hilux GR Sport debuts in Australia – most powerful version yet with 224 hp and 550 Nm

Toyota has launched the new Hilux GR Sport in Australia but unlike ones we’ve seen debut in
Thailand
and Europe, this one appears to be the most powerful version yet.
The new GR Sport Hilux produces
 224 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of torque as a result of revised turbochargers and fuel injection – making it the most powerful diesel Hilux ever offered by Toyota in Australia. Power comes from a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine mated to an automatic gearbox. Both the Thailand and European models produces only 204 hp and 500 Nm.
The Australian GR Sport Hilux also gets wider tracks – extended by 140 mm at the front and 155 mm at the rear – along with redesigned wishbones and a reinforced front axle. It’s also fitted with monotube shock absorbers with higher damping force and heat-dissipation capacity, along with stiffer coil springs for increased stability and reduced body roll.
The GR Sport Hilux’s exterior body parts have been sculpted in the wind tunnel for aerodynamic efficiency; complemented with 17-inch wheels.
Inside, the monochromatic black theme is contrasted with bright sports pedals and red seatbelts. GR branding can be seen on the steering wheel, headrests and red brake calipers. The new Hilux GR Sport will be launched in Australia in the second half of 2023.
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Tengku Djan continues domineering assault at the King of Nations Drift Pro Series

It was a truly perfect weekend for Malaysia’s very own Prince of Drift, Tengku Djan Ley when he won the Malaysian leg of the King of Nations (KON) drift competition held at the PLUS Elite Speedway, Subang Jaya. This is Djan’s second trophy this year following his victory in
Thailand
 less than two months ago.
The event marks the return of international competitive drifting to our shores. Malaysia hosted two events –
King of Asia
 and the main
King of Nations Pro Series
. The fourth and final round of the Asia series took place in Malaysia, with Japan and Thailand ran the earlier rounds.
The drifting event attracted talents from all over the globe, including some of our homegrown talents showcasing their skills in the country’s biggest drifting competition to date. Last weekend saw drifters like Australian
Luke Fink
 and
Hirohide Tanaka
 of Japan duke it out with the region’s finest.
During qualifying, Tengku Djan mesmerised the crowd and judges with a near perfect score of
96 out of 100
, cementing him at the top of the standings. Djan’s teammate and former Formula Drift competitor, Charles Ng, settled for second place with 90 points.
In the knockout stages, Djan’s 700SX cruised to the finals while his teammate was unfortunately knocked out by
Rysandhy Akbar Rais
. The Indonesian in his BMW caused the biggest upset when he defeated fan favourite, Tanaka in the semi-finals.
The final between Djan and Akbar turned into a huge smokey affair, but the latter’s heroic run was robbed by a mechanical fault. The misfortune played in Djan’s favour who then went on to win the whole thing.
Meanwhile, Tanaka’s who came in third made him the champion of the Asia series, while Djan’s double victory cemented his spot as the first runner-up. It’s still an amazing feat considering that he missed the first two rounds in Japan!
Lastly, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Prince of Drift himself for his tremendous performance in front of the home crowd. Bring the trophy home, bro!
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Aston Martin RapidE Concept is an all-electric four seater luxury sports car

The Gaydon-based motor company is known for making many things of allure over the past few decades since its existence, and they have built – by hand, no less, bespoke Grand Tourers for the Prince of Wales, Sean Connery, David Beckham, Steven Spielberg, premiership footballer Wayne Rooney and sadly Denise Richards – but let’s not get bogged down with Aston’s celebrity owners.
Have you ever noticed that the badging you’d normally find on ‘green’ cars tend to be
blue
? It’s something I find somewhat bemusing, but no matter. Aston Martin seems to have ‘gone with the flow’ here. If you notice the badge on any other Aston, the bit in the middle is
green
 – a throwback to the old national
racing colours
 of yesteryear, but the badge that appears on the
Aston RapidE concept
 is blue. And that is the only subtle indication of the car’s standout factor that sets it apart from other Astons.

The marque took the opportunity to unveil the car not infront of a clamouring audience of journalists but rather at the venue for a meeting between Their Royal Highnesses – Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as
President
 of The People’s Republic of
China
, Xi Jinping in
London
.
During the Lancaster House event, Aston Martin and Chinese investment group,
ChinaEquity
, announced an agreement to
explore
 the
development
 of a
production
 version of the RapidE concept. If successful, the new luxury sports car would be
constructed
 at Aston Martin’s global HQ in
Gaydon
, Warwickshire, and could be brought to market in around
two years
.

Exciting
 times lie ahead for sure. We’ve touched on the subject of ‘moving-with-the-times’ previously and to
ardent
 die-hard petrol heads such as this writer, it is
heartwarming
 to see that, even though the days of great big V12s are numbered, and even when we are forced to drive around in ‘quiet-as-church-mice’ electric cars, they would still look as
brilliant
 as the gleaming example we see before us. I believe famed fashion designer
Yves Saint Laurent
 once said
fashions fade, style is eternal
.
At this juncture, Aston hasn’t
divulged
 a whole bunch of
details
 on this concept car, as is the case with most prototypes and concepts. But a picture says a thousand words and should you browse through the
gallery
 below, you’re sure to find the words ‘
Williams Advanced Engineering
‘ plastered on the side of this four-seater Aston. The Williams in question here may seem familiar to you, that’s because they are racing in
Formula One
 and as always, the pinnacle of motorsports is the catalytic advent of innovation and technical advancement. More details of the RapidE concept will surface soon.
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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia celebrates its Pekan plant’s 10th Anniversary [+Video]

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) Sdn Bhd recently celebrated the
10th year anniversary
 of their production plant in
Pekan
, and they have a lot to celebrate considering the successes they’ve enjoyed in the Malaysian automotive industry thus far. MBM’s sales have gained traction following their current line of offerings, primarily the A-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class Hybrid and the AMG models.
MBM invited local automotive media to have a drive to Pekan in their current lineup which includes the S400L Hybrid, E400 Hybrid, CLA, A45 and the new CLA45.
MBM’s Pekan production plant isn’t your average assembly plant, where cars are partially built up and have their doors assembled into place. Instead, it is
one of only six

CKD production plants
 in the world, and the plant is solely built to produce vehicles (from the bone up) to meet the ever increasing demand of its well-to-do customers in Malaysia.
The plant’s most recent development is the new production line that is dedicated to produce their flagship model, the
RM588k S400L Hybrid
. About
RM18 million
 and 12 months were spent to bring the line to life, and have thus far produced
264 units
 of the S-Class. The plant is currently working to increase the supply rate to meet the overwhelming response it garnered.

The S400L Hybrid is the brand’s first model to be given the Energy Efficient Vehicle (
EEV
) incentive, which explains its appealing price tag. According to their officials, the waiting list for the S400L Hybrid goes well beyond a year long, with model make for the year 2015 all sold out till the year’s end.
When asked about MBM’s sterling sales performance of the S-Class so far, President and CEO of MBM, Mr Roland Folger said, “The success of the S400L Hybrid is a prime example of the potential this country offers and this certainly helps us serve our customers better. We strive to continue our close relationship with the government and authorities to enhance the automotive sector.”

Many assume that the flagship model is a SKD (Semi Knocked-Down) model, it is however a Complete Knocked-Down unit, completely fitted by pieces here. We have been briefed through on the items that are sourced locally, and the localization content in a S400L Hybrid in Pekan plant may surprise you. The leather seats, the entire door module, wire harnesses, radiators and tires are “
Buatan Malaysia
“.
The plant consists of 77 MBM staffs, and slightly over 1,000 local workers run the entire production processes. MBM’s Vice President of the Production Plant, Mr Angel Legarda, said the new line that will produce the new
W205 C-Class
 will create more job opportunities for the locals, as well as surrounding establishments.
To date, the 10-year-old Pekan plant has produced over 34,000 passenger cars and over 18,700 commercial vehicles, including both Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi FUSO brands. As of yet, MBM only locally produces the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class models, while recording a steady increase of production output.
[divider]
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Orders for the Volvo XC40 surpasses 20k units globally, China debut soon

Volvo Cars’ first ever premium compact SUV has proved to be popular amongst buyers as orders for the
Volvo XC40
 has just surpassed 20,000 units worldwide following its introduction in Europe and America.
China, the world’s largest car market, will be next in line to receive the XC40, slated for market debut at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show. With the arrival of the XC40, Volvo Cars’ will now have three SUVs in their global product line up, paving the way for further growth in sales and profitability.
The XC40 sits on the company’s new
Compact Modular Vehicle Architecture (CMA)
 and marks Volvo’s entry to the fastest-growing segment in the industry. The CMA, co-developed within Geely will underpin future 40-series models as well as other brands within the Geely family –
Lynk & Co’s 01 SUV
 is one of them.
Closer to home, our friends across the causeway had the first taste of the
new XC40 at the 2018 Singapore Motor Show
. On the local front, Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has just introduced the all-new XC60 (CBU and CKD variants included) and a company personnel explained that the XC40 will make its way to Malaysia after other major markets have started taking deliveries of their car.
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Subaru Levorg gets new EyeSight safety package in the UK, 5-star Euro NCAP rating!

Subaru Levorg, the station wagon offering from Subaru has just received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating with the additional EyeSight package. This makes the Levorg the fifth Subaru model to receive the prestigious 5-star rating.
The EyeSight package features
six autonomous technologies
 to further enhance the cars safety and will come as
standard
 for customers in the UK. Among the technologies are Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure & Sway Warning, Pre-Collision Steering Assist and Lead Vehicle Start Alert.
Unlike other manufacturers that collectively utilise cameras, radars or microwaves in their pre-collision safety net, the EyeSight only employs
two camera lenses
 at the rear-view mirror to create a stereoscopic image. The camera can reliably detect pedestrians or objects in the poorest of visibility and will deploy the Pre-Collision Braking when needed. Subaru claims that accidents of up to 45km/h can be
avoided completely
 while severity of high speeds accident can be reduced significantly.
The Levorg scored 92 percent in the Adult Occupant category, 83 percent in the Child Occupant category, 75 percent in Pedestrian category and 68 percent in Safety Assist.
In Malaysia, Subaru has the Levorg on sale in a sole 1.6 GTS guise fully imported from Japan. Priced from RM206k, the Malaysian spec Levorg is powered by a
1.6-litre turbocharged Boxer engine
 that puts out
168 hp
 and
250 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive via a Lineartronic CVT with paddle shifters.
Although our Levorg does not get the EyeSight package, it does come with six airbags, Vehicle Dynamics Control System (VDC), ABS with EBD, active torque vectoring, Si-Drive, brake assist, brake override, safety pedal system, electronic parking brake and tyre pressure monitoring system. Still a very substantial amount of safety kit.
However, considering that the EyeSight package is a standard affair for Levorgs in the UK, Subaru Malaysia may add these features into the mix. Especially when Subaru Japan revealed that all Subaru vehicles that were involved in an accident in Japan from 2010 to 2014, there was a
61 percent reduction
 in crashes for vehicles equipped with EyeSight compared to those without. Still think six airbags and ESC is enough for you?
IMAGE GALLERY


A90 Toyota Supra coming to Malaysia in September, over RM450k?

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has just announced at the launch of the
Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Festival Season 3
 that the fifth generation (A90) Toyota Supra will be coming to Malaysia as soon as September 2019.
While the company is holding back on specification and pricing details, we know that the Supra is offered with two engine options sourced from its technical partner, BMW. The entry-level Supra gets a B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in two states of tune
197 hp
/
320 Nm
 and
258 hp
/
400 Nm
, the latter is identical to the recently launched
BMW Z4 sDrive30i
.
The most powerful Supra gets its grunt from a B58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine making
340 hp
 and
500 Nm. There is no manual transmission as of now, instead, all engine options are mated to an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission with rear-wheel
 drive.
As a fully imported model, customers can expect the same equipment levels offered in other global markets. However, do not expect the Supra to come cheap because, in other markets, the Supra actually costs slightly more (~10%) than the Z4. In Malaysia, the Z4 sDrive30i retails for RM479,800.


Proton captures 27% market share in February thanks to deliveries of 11,873 units

Proton delivered
11,873 units
 in February, of which
3,345
 units were contributed by the new
X50
. Since production and deliveries began in November 2020, Proton has delivered 8,141 units of X50 models.
Based on internal intelligence, the sales figures put Proton with a market share of
27.1%
, the highest for the company since September 2013.
As always, the main contributor (about 40%) to Proton’s sales was once again the Proton
Saga
 which sold 4,217 units. Proton also started sales of the locally-assembled compact sedan in
Kenya
 with its partner, Simba Corporation.

Contrary to rumours of many
X50
 prospects switching their bookings to the X70 due to the long waiting period, the sales of the X70 seems to be on a slowdown.
Deliveries averaged just under 1,200 units per month, half of what it was garnering in
2020
. Nonetheless, with 1,475 sold in February, the
Proton X70
 still continues to be the most popular C-segment SUV in Malaysia.
The
Persona
 continues to provide great volume for Proton and its dealers, moving 1,818 units last month, regaining its top position in the sedan B-segment.
The remaining thousand-over units of sales in February were supplied by the
Iriz
 and
Exora
 models.
“February continued to be a difficult month for Malaysia’s automotive industry but it turned out very well for Proton. Thanks to the efforts of the government to ensure a continuation of economic activity during the MCO, we were able to produce more cars and in so doing started to clear our backlog of orders. This is important as we need to consistently deliver on the bookings made to avoid a rush before the PENJANA incentives expire at the end of June this year,” said CEO of Proton Edar, Roslan Abdullah.
After concentrating on revamping dealerships and product line-up, Proton moved to its next phase of transformation with the full upgrade of its
after-sales
 delivery system through the installation of a new back-end ordering and delivery system.
Unfortunately, things did not go smoothly, and customers were severely affected. Roslan said, “We have experienced
integration issues
 and customers requiring accident repairs as well as regular servicing have faced delays.
“We are working on these issues around the clock to overcome them in the shortest time possible but for now I urge all Proton owners facing delays to please contact our customer care hotline at 1-800-88-8398,” he concluded.
February saw the national carmaker launch a series of limited-edition models with the introduction of the motorsport-themed
Saga R3
 and
Iriz R3
. As of 26th February, 1,169 bookings have been placed from a total production of just 3,500 units indicating a strong interest from buyers.


Customer wins brand new Proton Saga by just servicing his car!

For most of us, servicing our cars is just a routine activity to keep our cars running smoothly. But for Azrul Firdaus Bin Ramli, a 30-year old quality assurance engineer, his scheduled maintenance this time was a little different.
By bringing his
Proton Iriz
 to the Proton Centre of Excellence in Subang Jaya for his scheduled maintenance and taking a picture, Azrul Firdaus also snapped-up a brand new
 Proton Saga Premium AT
, when he was named the winner of the Proton Service and Win contest.
The contest, co-branded with Petronas, was held from 15 August to 15 November last year. Proton Service and Win contest was designed to reward loyal customers for regularly servicing their cars at authorised Proton service centres.
During the contest period, over 125,000 Proton owners sent their vehicles for servicing. Eligible participants were required to upload a picture of their car on Facebook, along with a creative caption. Proton management then selected a winner based on the creativity of their posting.
 The winning entry by Azrul Firdaus bin Ramli.
Over the past two years, Proton has been actively recruiting new partners in an effort to increase the number of 3S/4S outlets in its network. Proton has 121 of such outlets as of today, and is looking to expand that number to 150 by the end of the year.
Proton Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Li Chunrong said, “During a five-year ownership cycle, there will be many occasions when a customer returns to service their car and this is an opportunity for Proton to showcase a premium brand experience.
“This is the strategy driving us towards investing in a comprehensive network of 3S/4S outlets and also helps to ensure our cars are maintained by trained technicians, which will help long-term residual values,” he added.
Aside from expanding its network of authorised service centres, the national carmaker says that it is also investing in training programmes for its technicians and aftersales staff. According to Proton, the company benchmarks itself against other premium brands to elevate its level of service delivered at all outlets.


BMW i5 teased again – M60 xDrive, eDrive40 variants, eye-activated lane changing

BMW
 has just revealed more details of the upcoming fully-electric
BMW i5
 and the all-new
BMW 5 Series
, coinciding really well with the debut of the W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class today. The all-new BMW 5 series will be available in internal combustion engine (ICE), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fully electric (EV) versions. The i5, which is the EV version of the 5 Series will be available as the M60 xDrive and the eDrive40 for now.
Still shown covered in camouflage for now, the BMW i5 is in its final testing phase and will be fully revealed in a few weeks from now. At this moment, BMW has revealed both its suspension technology as well as its safety technology.
As for the suspension, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive will come as standard with BMW’s Adaptive Suspension Professional Plus. It will be an optional item for the i5 eDrive 40 and will also be available on ICE and PHEV versions of the all-new BMW 5 Series. Depending on the variant, the Adaptive Suspension Professional Plus may either come as a standard or as an optional item.
The Adaptive Suspension Professional Plus is built with the 9th generation of BMW’s Vertical Dynamics Management system. BMW says that with its latest suspension technology, the all-new 5 series will be able to provide
7-Series

levels of comfort and
3-Series
 levels of agility.
RELATED:
BMW i5 teased in pre-production testing ‘spyshots’ – fully-electric 5 Series coming this year
Since the all-new BMW 5 series will be available with three powertrain types, there is a large variation in vehicle weight across the range. BMW says that with this in mind, they have conducted model-specific, case-by-case chassis tuning and corresponding application of all control systems to deliver the signature BMW driving pleasure, regardless of the drive concept involved.
Besides revealing the suspension technology, BMW has also revealed some details on the i5’s safety and automated driving systems. The 5 Series or the i5 can be equipped with BMW’s Highway Assistant which is part of the BMW Driving Assistant Professional Plus.
RELATED:
BMW XM Label Red debuts as the most powerful M car – 748hp, 1000Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.8 secs
To ensure maximum attention is given by the driver, the all-new BMW 5 Series and i5 come with an interior camera that monitors driver alertness. An even more interesting feature is the eye-activated automated lane-changing system. This system can be prompted by looking into the side mirror (from the driver seat position) to initiate a lane change. This system works up to speeds of 130 km/h.
Teased in camouflage again for now, production of the all-new BMW 5 Series will begin in summer of 2023. Production will take place in BMW Group’s Dingolfing plant in Bavaria.
RELATED:
 BMW Digital Key Plus now available for Android smartphones, UWB extends user convenience


Gallery: All-new Hyundai Elantra previewed – to be launched in the coming weeks!

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has invited us over for a brief preview of the
all-new Hyundai Elantra
, giving us a closer look at the somewhat controversial design of the brand’s latest C-segment sedan. If you’ve had any reservations on its styling previously, all we can tell you is that – it really does look better in person!
The main reason for the controversy is its new “Sensuous Sportiness” design language, and more specifically, the “Parametric Jewels” motif on this particular model. According to Hyundai, the former refers to the overall “dynamism” of the design (
à la
 fastback coupe-like roofline) while the latter, as the name suggests, points to the use of geometric shapes in its styling.
Most people were thrown off by the sharp angular lines throughout the design of the all-new Hyundai Elantra, but we must say that it’s less jarring when seen under normal lighting conditions in person. Take for example the Z-shaped character lines on the sides – while in the press photos looked out of place, actually adds an interesting texture to the sides without being too brash.
We particularly like the attention to details in the exterior styling, such as the slit in the daytime-running lights to form an unbroken line from the bonnet shut lines all the way down to the fenders. The use of the smoked-chrome finish on the grille and bumper trims also adds an interesting accent element to the Hyundai Elantra, making it really stand out from the fairly crowded C-segment sedan market.
Moving inside, the first thing that jumps out to you is just how high quality the interior looks and feels. The “Immersive Cocoon” design does well to separate the spaces between the driver and passenger, with a strut running down the passenger side of the centre console dividing the front to a “fighter jet” cockpit and a passenger compartment.
A horizontal trim piece that runs the entire length of the dashboard from door to door cleanly hides away the unsightly air vents. Right above that, you’ll find an eight-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and beside that a 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster.
HSDM also revealed during the media preview session that the all-new Hyundai Elantra will be equipped with ventilated and heated seats (powered driver seats), which comes with a Smart Temperature Comfort Control system which ties in the heating and ventilation functions into the dual-zone climate control system (with rear vents).
Other comfort amenities include an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, a smart boot opening feature which automatically opens the boot lid when the keys are detected in the vicinity (without needing to wave your foot underneath the car), as well as a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The big ticket item on the all-new Hyundai Elantra though, is the inclusion of the full Hyundai SmartSense advance driver assistance suite. The generously-equipped suite includes autonomous emergency braking for forward collisions (vehicle, pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming traffic at junctions), rear-cross traffic alert with avoidance assist, Blind-spot Collision Warning with Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Following Assist, driver attention warning, as well as Smart Cruise Control with stop and go function, which essentially functions as a level two autonomous driving system.
Turn indicators neatly tucked away within the grille, hidden from sight until turned on.
The all-new Hyundai Elantra will only be offered in one variant here in Malaysia, powered by the brand’s latest 1.6-litre SmartStream engine. The naturally-aspirated mill makes
123 hp
 and
154 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front wheels via Hyundai’s own Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) gearbox which uses a tensioned chain belt system instead of the push belts usually seen on regular CVTs.
Hyundai says that the change not only improves response and “reproduces the manual transmission’s shifting pattern”, but also reduces engine power loss (5-8%), at the same time improving fuel economy (4.2%).
Electric Shadow
Amazon Grey
The all-new Hyundai Elantra will be available in four exterior colour options – Polar White, Electric Shadow, Amazon Grey, and Intense Blue, while on the inside, buyers can choose between black or light grey upholstery.
No pricing information has been disclosed yet aside from the “RM1XX,888” estimated price – HSDM says that exact pricing for the all-new Hyundai Elantra will only be revealed at launch, which should be happening within the month of December. For now, interested customers can
 place a booking at RM777
 through HSDM’s website or at any authorised Hyundai dealerships nationwide.
GALLERY


All-new Mazda BT-50 now open for booking, from RM124k

After some light teasing on its social media channels over the weekend, Bermaz Motor has now announced that the
all-new Mazda BT-50
 pick-up truck is now available for booking.
Two variants of the all-new Mazda BT-50 will be offered here in Malaysia – the 1.9L AT High and 3.0L AT High Plus – both in double-cab body styles only, with prices starting from
RM124,179
.
In case you weren’t following closely, the all-new Mazda BT-50 is based on the
 third-generation Isuzu D-Max
 that was just launched here in Malaysia earlier this year. However, Mazda has given it a completely unique body shell on the outside, based around the brand’s own Kodo design language.
The large front grille in chrome is unmistakeably Mazda, as is the chrome trim that underlines the recessed LED headlights. Compared to the angry-looking D-Max, the BT-50 here instead exudes an air of mature elegance, similar to its range of SUV models.
RELATED: All-new Mazda BT-50 launched in Thailand, but without ADAS
Moving inside, however, and the differences are less apparent – considering that the D-Max already has a classy interior design. The air-con vents on the dashboard has been rounded off for a less “edgy” look, and there’s also a new satin silver trim that underscores the entire dashboard, joining the two door cards together.
Aside from that, though, the rest of the dashboard architecture is virtually identical to that of the Isuzu D-Max, including the nine-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and analogue instrument clusters with a 4.2-inch multi-info display – although the latter looks to be a monotone LCD instead of the coloured TFT screen on the D-Max.
The seats, wrapped in brown leather, also looks fairly similar in construction to the ones on the range-topping Isuzu D-Max 3.0 X-Terrain, although the stitching pattern differs slightly. Mazda did however include additional knee pads around the centre console in front, further elevating the “premium feel” of the BT-50.
In terms of safety, the all-new Mazda BT-50’s advanced driver assistance suite also mirrors that of the range-topping D-Max variant, with features including Automatic High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
RELATED: Here are five reasons that the Isuzu D-Max – and by extension the Mazda BT-50 – is “more SUV than pick-up”!
As the name suggests, the all-new Mazda BT-50 will be offered with two powertrain options – a 1.9-litre turbodiesel inline-four with
150 PS
and
350 Nm
, as well as a 3.0-litre turbodiesel unit providing
190 hp
 and
450 Nm
 – both identical to their Isuzu counterparts. Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Pricing for the all-new Mazda BT-50 starts at
RM124,179.20
 for the 1.9L AT High variant, jumping up to
RM143,218.40
 for the 3.0L AT High Plus. Both prices are on-the-road, without insurance, and includes a five-year/100,000 km warranty. As pick-up trucks are classified under commercial vehicles, they don’t get to enjoy the same tax break as other passenger cars, despite being fully imported from Thailand.
Spec-for-spec, the BT-50 is marginally more expensive than it’s Isuzu counterparts – though the clout you get from the Mazda brand
might
 be enough to sway you… just kidding.
Interested to see the car in person before you put down an order? Mazda will be previewing the BT-50 at the upcoming
Carlist.my
 “Drive” Auto Fair at Setia City Convention Centre from the 3
rd
 to 5
th
 December 2021.


Hyundai to introduce the world’s first multi-collision airbag system

According to statistics, three out of every 10 accidents are multi-collision accidents. These are accidents where the initial impact is followed by collisions with secondary objects such as trees, electrical posts or other vehicles.
Current airbag systems do not offer secondary protection when the initial impact is insufficient to trigger the airbag to deploy. With the new multi-collision airbag, the system allows airbags to deploy effectively upon a secondary impact by
calibrating the status of the vehicle and the occupants
.
Multi-collision airbag systems are
designed to deploy even faster upon secondary impact
 when initial safety systems may not be effective, by re-calibrating the collision intensity required for air bag deployment.
Hyundai Motor Group has been on the technological offense with developments of various mobility solutions. They recently unveiled their vision for
wireless charging and automated parking
 for their future autonomous vehicles, due in 2025 along with
electric vehicles which could be powered by the sun
.


Thailand to get 7-seater Honda CR-V, 1.6L turbodiesel, 9-speed auto!

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Thailand will become the
first country
 in this region to receive the
fifth-generation Honda CR-V
. Just recently, Honda Thailand released details of the popular SUV, and it sure seems to be a game changer for Honda!
The biggest news this time is the CR-V will be a
seven-seater
, something the SUV was never offered with before. This puts the CR-V against bigger SUVs like the
Nissan X-Trail
 and
Kia Sorento
.
Also highlighted is the confirmation of the i-DTEC turbodiesel engine. As previously hinted, a
1.6-litre DTEC
mill producing
160 hp
 at 4,000 rpm and
350 Nm
 of torque from 2,000 rpm. This is paired to a
nine-speed automatic transmission
, sending drive to either the front or all four wheels.
It’s not the first time a diesel engine is offered with the CR-V, though, because the same 1.6-litre diesel in the outgoing model was sold in the UK.
The 2017 Honda CR-V will be assembled at Honda’s Ayutthaya plant in Thailand, before going on sale later this month. This means its Malaysian debut will not be too far ahead!
IMAGE GALLERY


Which do you think are Porsche’s fastest street-legal cars?

After recently sharing their Top 5
most expensive Porsches ever sold
, along with
 the lightest
 and
fastest-accelerating model
s in recent times, Porsche has added yet another list to their Top 5 series; showcasing their five fastest street-legal cars.
Granted, the list would not have been complete without the evergreen Porsche 911 Turbo S, with the legendary Porsche Carrera GT and the most powerful 911 ever made, making the list too.
If you’ve not been living under a rock in the last few years, and you’re mildly aware of Porsche’s decadent line-up, the fastest street-legal Porsche should be an easy guess. In any case, here’s a hint; its doesn’t only run on fossil fuel.


Video: Volkswagen Mk 7.5 Golf R review

As you’ve read previously in our written review, the
Mk 7.5 Volkswagen Golf R
is one of the best, if not the best, performance cars in the RM300k bracket.
Not only is it staggeringly quick, it’s also a fitting evolution of the Golf DNA stemmed from the idea of usability and practicality dating as far back as the 1970s when the first-generation Golf was unveiled.

And the best part about it is that the Golf R doesn’t shout about its ability. With clean lines, a calm and composed demeanour, it’s a wolf dressed in sheep’s skin.
The Golf R does not need massive wings or wide gapping air vents to inject fear.

If likened to a person, the Golf R is like that quiet and unassuming kid you know you shouldn’t mess with in class. Step on his or her tail, and you’re finished.
Check the video out and see if you agree with my arguments! Always happy to exchange opinions.
IMAGE GALLERY


New MINI JCW Countryman and Clubman gets extra 75 hp and 100 Nm

Alongside the
updated 2019 MINI Clubman
, MINI Malaysia also unleashed two new JCW models into our local market, the “just-as-angry-looking” but much more powerful JCW Countryman and JCW Clubman.
Both the 2.0-litre turbocharged JCWs now boasts much higher output with
306 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque. Previously, the
2017 JCW Countryman
 and
JCW Clubman
 only made 231 hp and 350 Nm – that’s a
substantial 75 hp and a whopping 100 Nm bump
.
As a result, the JCW Clubman can do the century sprint in 4.9 seconds (down from 6.3 seconds), while the JCW Countryman in 5.1 seconds (down from 6.5 seconds). Both models top out at an eletronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Power is fed to all four wheels via an 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox with paddle shifters. All that power would mean nothing without proper brakes and suspension setup.
As such the Countryman is fitted with Adaptive Suspension while the Clubman gets the JCW Sports Suspension that allows it to sit 10 mm lower than the standard model. Brakes are four-pot caliper units for added assurance.
Only the Clubman gets the new LED headlights with Matrix Light Function – the first of its kind in a MINI. Both however, wear the same shoes in the form of 19-inch JCW Circuit Spoke wheels.
As if the exterior doesn’t scream JCW loud enough, the tuner’s touches also extend to the steering wheel, door sills and instrument cluster. Adding a touch of opulence to both the JCW’s racy image is the panoramic sunroof.
A head-up display, 8.8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Harman Kardon sound system make up the list of on-board equipment.
Those keen on taking a closer look can head on to the Auto Bavaria Glenmarie, Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur, Ingress Auto Bangsar and Wheelcorp Premium showrooms.
The new JCW Clubman and Countryman comes with 4-years Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service, with prices set at
 RM 358,888.00
and
 RM 378,888
respectively.
With the Balloon Financing from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the JCW Clubman can be had from RM 4,098.00 per month while the JCW Countryman starts from RM 4,328.00 per month. Both are estimates based on estimates of 80% loan on a five-year tenure.
IMAGE GALLERY


The new Toyota Yaris is as impressive as it looks!

Ahead of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota has unveiled the fourth-generation Toyota Yaris. Built completely from the ground up, the new Toyota Yaris will be the first compact car to adopt the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).
Toyota claims that the
GA-B version
 of the TNGA used in the Toyota Yaris helps increase torsional rigidity by more than 30%, lowering its centre of gravity by 15 mm, while shedding 50 kg from its predecessor!
Along with the new platform, Toyota has also introduced a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder Dynamic Force engine, which is paired with either a 6-speed manual or a Direct Shift CVT gearbox. The CVT version of the 1.5-litre drivetrain is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
Joining the 1.5-litre model is the existing 1.0-litre three-cylinder mill, which Toyota says has also been updated for better fuel consumption. The 1.0-litre engine will be available only with a Super-CVT-i transmission.
Toyota’s E-Four all-wheel drive hybrid system, featuring double wishbone suspension.
A hybrid model will also be available for the new Toyota Yaris, pairing the 1.5-litre engine with the Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II). The Hybrid powertrain is available for both front-wheel drive and E-Four all-wheel drive models.
The new TNGA-B platform’s suspension system utilises MacPherson struts suspension at the front and a torsion beam at the rear for front-wheel drive models; all-wheel drive and E-Four models now adopt a double wishbone setup in replacement of the previous torsion beam system.
On the inside, Toyota has completely redesigned the cabin to emphasise spaciousness. The thin cross section of the dashboard, along with the small diameter of the steering wheel makes the cabin feel roomier and sportier.
All variants of the new Toyota Yaris comes with a connected Display Audio infotainment system, with support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The built-in Helpnet system can automatically contact emergency services in the event of an accident based on the vehicle’s location and on-board telemetry.
Toyota paid extra attention to occupant convenience in the new Toyota Yaris, with a turn-tilt mechanism for the front seats to aid ingress and egress. The driver’s seat also features an easy return mechanism that automatically adjusts the seat during entry and exit based on the memorised seating position.
Safety wise, the new Toyota Yaris comes standard with the latest Toyota Safety Sense which includes an improved Pre-collision Safety System that can detect pedestrians and oncoming vehicles when turning into a junction, a first on any Toyota vehicle.
The new Toyota Yaris is also equipped with Low Speed Acceleration control, which utilises a millimeter-wave radar and a mono camera to help mitigate pedal misoperation by suppressing engine output and applying the brakes.
Other safety features include Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Full-speed Range Support, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beam, Road Sign Assist, and Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes when the air bags are deployed to prevent secondary collisions.

Toyota has also included the Advanced Park feature in the new Toyota Yaris, which carries out parking operations by controlling the steering wheel as well as the accelerator and brakes, guided by external cameras and ultrasonic sensors. The system can also park in spots without white lines, which Toyota says is a world first!
The new Toyota Yaris will be offered in 12 different colours, including a new Ice Pink Metallic and Coral Crystal Shine. For the more young-at-heart buyers, Toyota is offering six two-tone colour schemes paired with either a black or white roof.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2022 BMW X4 LCI facelift launched in Malaysia – sole xDrive30i M Sport variant, RM399k

Eight months following its
 global debut
, BMW Malaysia today launched the 2022 BMW X4 LCI facelift here on our shores alongside its more “regular” sibling, the X3. The new
BMW X4
 will be available in a sole xDrive30i M Sport variant, locally assembled here in Malaysia and priced at
RM398,800
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the Sales and Service Tax.
EXTERIOR
In terms of design updates, the facelift on the G02 BMW X4 LCI is rather mild by today’s standards, with only mild tweaks around the exterior. The grille is now slightly larger than before, flanked by the slightly slimmer LED headlights with a reworked light signature.
Aside from that, the rest of the changes are reserved only to the M Sport exterior trims, with new front and rear bumpers – the former featuring a larger lower air intake bookended by two vertical air intakes at the corners.
Other standard exterior feature on the new 2022 BMW X4 include:
Adaptive LED headlights
LED tail lights
M Sport exterior package
20-inch M light alloy wheels
Free-form exhaust tips
Exterior colour options: Alpine White, Piemont Red, Phytonic Blue and Carbon Black
PERFORMANCE
The powertrain underneath the bonnet remains unchanged in the facelift update, retaining the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine as before.
Engine: B48 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, petrol
Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic
Driveline: Front engine, xDrive all-wheel drive
Suspension: Adaptive suspension
Max horsepower: 245 hp @ 5,000 – 6,500 rpm
Max torque: 350 Nm @ 1,560 – 4,800 rpm
0-100 km/h: 6.6 seconds
Top speed: 235 km/h
INTERIOR
The updates to the interior are significantly more pronounced, with a new dashboard and centre console design borrowed from the G20 BMW 3 Series. In terms of standard features, the 2022 BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport comes with:
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display with BMW Operating System 7.0 and over-the-air software updates
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (BMW Live Cockpit Professional)
BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
Sport seats with Vernasca leather upholstery in Black or Tacora Red
Zinc-plated air vents design elements
SAFETY
The new 2022 BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport facelift comes with the full suite of BMW’s Driving Assistant package, which comes with the following features as standard:
Lane Change Warning
Lane Departure Warning
Front Collision Warning with brake intervention (Autonomous Emergency Braking)
Parking Assistant
Reversing Assistant
PRICING
The 2022 BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport is priced at
RM398,800
 on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of SST. Also included in the price is the five-year unlimited mileage warranty and with free scheduled maintenance programme, which can be opted-out of for a lower price.
New owners will also get access to the BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, alongside the BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App and privileges card, as well as BMW Service Online.
GALLERY


Limited Edition Volkswagen Beetle on sale exclusively on Lazada, 12 units only!

E-commerce has dramatically changed the way we shop for goods. Be it apparels, kitchenware or even fresh produce, we can now purchase almost anything and everything with a click of a button. Now, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) is taking to popular e-commerce site, Lazada, to sell their cars.
In conjunction with Lazada’s Online Revolution Campaign, VPCM will be retailing 12 limited edition Volkswagen Beetles exclusively on Lazada Malaysia’s website. Although this is not the first time a car manufacturer has
sold its cars through the online space
, it is the first time a manufacturer and an e-commerce company are teaming up to sell cars online.
The limited-edition Beetles come in
two distinct designs
 – “Herbie 53” finished in either Pure White or White Silver and “Hot Bug” available in Tornado Red. Started life as a regular Beetle Design 1.2 TSI, the “Herbie 53” gets the famous red and blue stripes with the 53 number on both doors and hood. The “Hot Bug” gets a dual black stripe design much like a ladybug.
Other than the exterior livery, the limited-edition Beetles soldier on with the same kit – halogen headlamps, 17-inch multi-spoke alloys, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, 5.8-inch Touchscreen ‘Composition Colour’ with USB, Bluetooth and 8 Speakers and ‘Pepita’ fabric upholstery.
Motivation remains unchanged, coming from a 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TSI and seven-speed dual clutch (DSG) combo that sends
104 hp
 and
175 Nm
 of torque to the front wheels. Don’t dismiss its puny powerplant because
we found it to be a punchy little car
.
The limited-edition Beetles will be available for purchase from 12th to 14th December and retails for an auspicious figure of
RM112,112
 (OTR without insurance). Like most items sold on Lazada, these Beetles will also net you
 savings of RM24,776
 or 18 per cent as compared to walking into a showroom.


Toyota to launch new hybrid model in Malaysia next year – Innova Zenix or all-new Vios?

As part of its
November sales report
,
UMW Toyota Motor
 has announced that it will be unveiling a new hybrid-powered model to join the
Corolla Cross Hybrid
, among a gaggle of new cars that it has planned for next year.
While the company is more upfront about the other models by straight-up announcing during a recent media event that the
GR Corolla, GR 86, and manual Supra
 will be launched in Malaysia next year, it is still remaining a little coy on the hybrid. So as any “responsible” publication would, we did some digging to try and work out what they meant.
The most obvious candidate is the
all-new Toyota Innova Zenix
, which just made its official debut in Indonesia last month. Built on the marque’s TNGA-C platform, the third-generation Innova (now with a new Zenix suffix) is offered in Indonesia with a hybrid powertrain option, consisting of a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated Dynamic Force engine, paired to an electric motor to generate
186 hp
.
The electric motor here makes 205 Nm of torque, but due to the series hybrid set-up with the peak torque of the engine and motor occuring at different engine speeds, Toyota doesn’t publish the system’s max torque output. It probably wouldn’t be too far off the motor’s figures, though.
READ MORE:
All-new Toyota Innova Zenix brings touch of class, hybrid engine to the 7-seater MPV
Aside from the Innova Zenix, another possibility could be the
 all-new Toyota Vios
, which was launched in Thailand back in August this year. While a hybrid model for the Vios (also known as the Yaris Ativ in the Land of Smiles) doesn’t officially exist just yet,
AutoIndustriya
 reported that a hybrid variant for the compact sedan is already in the works, and could be unveiled next year.
In a first for Toyota, the all-new Vios is built on the DNGA platform, where the D stands for Daihatsu. The common platform opens the doors to the hybrid powertrain that’s used in the
 Toyota Raize/Daihatsu Rocky
/
Perodua Ativa Hybrid
, consisting of a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine and an electric motor, but arranged in a parallel hybrid configuration for a total system (motor) output of
106 hp
 and
170 Nm
.
The two models cannot be more different than the other, but which will eventually make it into Malaysia? It’s anyone’s guess for now… except those in UMWT’s product planning team. Nevertheless, it is still exciting to see more electrified models being introduced here on our shores.
UMW Toyota announced a
RM270 million investment
 into its Bukit Raja plant last year, in preparation for the local assembly of hybrid models here in Malaysia. The company said recently in a statement that hybrids are still the “most accessible and affordable option” for car owners looking to reduce their carbon footprint, at least until other forms of electrification becomes more accessible in the country.
ALSO WATCH:
Video: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid review – the everyday SUV


Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race 2014, Clearwater Racing retains title in Ferrari 458

It was a busy and exciting weekend at Sepang International Circuit, where
Summernats Malaysia 2014
 and Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race 2014 (MMER) were held. The 12-hour endurance race around the Sepang F1 track is an annual affair since year 2000, held in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day celebration.
Clearwater Racing dominated the race and emerged as champion of MMER again as both Ferrari 458 managed a 1-2 podium finish.  C
ar #1 of Mok Weng Sun, Alif Hamdan and Gianmaria Bruni took first place, followed by car no #2 of Craig Baird, Richard Wee and Keita Sawa. Car no #99 of Absolute Racing’s Audi R8 LMS clinched the third position. It was a close fight between the R8 and Cradt Bamboo’s #777 Aston Martin.

Car #1 completed all 325 laps as the clock struck 12am, Merdeka Day. The champion was a lap ahead of their second car. This marks the Singaporean team’s second consecutive victory. Mok Weng Sun became the third driver in the race’s fifteen years of history to win two consecutive titles with the same team.

“It’s unbelievable, I think it’s the first time ever were we had a race when we went maximum driving time for each stint we were out there. No mistakes out on the circuit, no mistakes in the pit stop, and we broke our track lap record from last year by two laps. The only thing that slowed us down was the safety cars and it’s the first time I’ve ever experienced a perfect race.” said Mok.

As for GTC category, the Porsche from Team NZ finished first with 291 laps completed, Audi R8 of B-Quik Racing came in second. In the tough Touring Production Category, Johor based R Engineering gave the best present for Malaysia’s Independence day as car no #21 of Lai Wee Sing, KK Soh, Gilbert Ang won that category in a Honda Civic Type R with 269 laps completed.

Out of the 35 official entries, 28 cars started the race with 22 cars completing the 12-hour endurance race. Audi car of #101 of Absolute Racing was disqualified when their mechanics entered the track during the race.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate, Coupe & Volante, only 175 units worldwide

The
Aston Martin Vanquish
 has been in service since 2012 and is now entering its final phases of its production life. To celebrate its farewell, the Gaydon based company has introduced a special edition model to bid it farewell – the Vanquish S Ultimate.
Powered by the familiar 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 and eight-speed automatic transmission combination, the Vanquish S Ultimate packs
592 hp
 and
630 Nm
 of torque – just like a standard Vanquish S. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds with a top speed of
323 km/h
.
Only
175 units
 of the Vanquish S Ultimate will be made and customers can have it in either Coupe or Volante body styles. Three distinct themes have been thoughtfully crafted by the guys at Aston Martin, each featuring different colour schemes and interior trims.
The first theme features a monochrome style – Ultimate Black paintwork with Copper Bronze accents around, a nod to the first-generation Vanquish S Ultimate Edition. Other details include black exhaust tailpipes, brake calipers, window trims and 5-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, it spots a Obsidian Black leather with Chestnut Tan contrast.
The second theme takes inspiration from technical sportswear – Xenon Grey paintjob with Cobalt Blue accents and Yellow brake calipers. The striking exterior theme continues inside with Phantom Grey leather upholstery with Electron Yellow and Spectral Blue contrast stitching.
The last designer theme features a White Gold paintwork with Warm Bronze accent and a Chestnut Tan leather with Obsidian Black upholstery. Additionally, customers can pick and choose any exterior and interior combination for no added cost.
Aston Martin VP & Chief Sales Officer, Christian Marti said: “Since the Vanquish was first introduced it immediately established itself as the pinnacle of our series production range. It has since evolved into a truly formidable machine. As the much-loved and highly-acclaimed Vanquish S nears the end of production, we wanted to celebrate its success with a limited run of very special cars. The Ultimate edition perfectly captures the spirit of Vanquish and is sure to be sought after by collectors around the world”.
Prices for the Aston Martin Vanquish S Ultimate starts from £211,995 (RM1.2 million) for the Coupe and £223,995 (RM1.25 million)for the Volante. Order books are now open with first deliveries scheduled for Q1 of 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY


Facts & Figures: Ferrari SF90 Spider arrives in Malaysia, from RM 2.088 million

Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor of the Ferrari brand in Malaysia has launched the SF90 Spider, the open-top version of the
SF90 Stradale
 that was introduced in September.
Similar to the SF90 Stradale, the first high-performance plug-in hybrid convertible from Maranello is a series production model without a fixed quantity, unlike the recently unveiled
Ferrari 812 Competizione
 pair.
The centrepiece of the Ferrari SF90 Spider is the retractable hardtop system, now in its most compact design and mass since its introduction on the Ferrari 458 Spider in 2011. Made of aluminium, the entire system weighs
40 kg
 lighter than regular hardtops as well as occupy just 100 litres of space rather than 150 to 200 litres.
It takes just
14 seconds
 to deploy the retractable hardtop and can be performed at speeds up to speeds of 45 km/h.

PERFORMANCE
The plug-in hybrid powertrain from the SF90 Stradale is unchanged, which means its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine and three electric motors (two in front, one in the transmission) still delivers a mind-boggling
1,000 hp
 and around 900 Nm of torque.
The retractable hardtop system and all the necessary reinforcements to the bodyshell has added 100 kg, bringing the SF90 Spider’s kerb weight (dry) to
1,670 kg
. Zero to 100 km/h is still dispatched in just
2.5 seconds
, but 200 km/h takes 0.3 seconds slower compared to the coupe model at 7.0 seconds.
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 – 780 hp, 800 Nm
Electric Motors: 220 hp
Transmission: F1 8-speed dual-clutch, shift paddles, launch control
Drivetrain: Two-motor electric front axle, All-wheel drive
Battery capacity: 7.9 kWh
Total system max horsepower: 1,000 hp
0-100 km/h: 2.5 seconds
0-200 km/h: 7.0 seconds
Top speed: 340 km/h (pure electric: 135 km/h)
Electric range: 25 km
Like the SF90 Stradale, there are four modes in the eManettino that changes the energy deployment of the power unit. A special
 Qualify mode
 disperses the full system output of 1,000 hp and prioritises maximum performance over battery charging, similar to a qualifying lap in Formula 1 racing.
EXTERIOR
The Ferrari Styling Centre’s meticulous crafting of the tonneau area has integrated it seamlessly with the rest of the car, an achievement that is even more astonishing because the V8 engine is still clearly visible through the transparent cover regardless of the hard top’s position.
The front brake calipers have an integrated aerodynamic appendage, where air flow beginning from the slot under the headlights is charged up and flow to the brake pads and disc. Specially formed geometry on the forged wheels then act like rotor blades to evacuate the hot air.
Retractable hardtop made of aluminium, opening /closing time of 14 seconds
Tonneau cover with integrated rear buttresses
Shut-off Gurney rear spoiler
20-inch rims with staggered tyre sizing
390 kg of downforce at 250 km/h with Assetto Fiorano package
INTERIOR
In the cabin of the SF90 Spider, everything ahead of the occupants is the same as the SF90 Stradale. Driver and passenger sit slightly more forward and lower together with a view through steeper-raked windscreen. Various personalisation is available such as upholstery material, floor finishing as well as seats.
16-inch curved digital instrument cluster
Multi-function steering wheel including ignition, power unit mode, wiper and lights
Digital gearshift gate
Passenger information display
Trim pieces for comfortable top-down motoring
PRICING
The Ferrari SF90 Spider in Malaysia is priced starting from RM2,088,000 before taxes, duties, insurance and customisation options, making it close to
10% more
 than the SF90 Stradale coupe.
This example in Giallo Montecarlo and all the carbon fibre items on the catalogue plus more arrive at an estimated cost of
RM2,700,000
, before all the necessary duties and taxes.
The Assetto Fiorano pack meanwhile includes higher-performance items such as Multimatic shock absorbers, a reduction of 21 kg of kerb weight via carbon fibre and titanium materials as well as circuit-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
GALLERY


This is how the new facelift BMW 5 series could look like

If the new BMW 7 series is anything to go by, there should be little mystery as to how the new 5-er would look like when it arrives.
The new facelift BMW 5 series could very likely incorporate the features seen on the facelift BMW 7 series, especially those unnecessarily enormous front grille, and if that’s a little hard to imagine, here’s a couple of renderings from the guys at
Kolesa.ru
.
While a completely new design is ages away, these renderings sure make you wonder if BMW’s designs have seen their best years and that the current G30 5 series is the best looking BMW 5 series ever.
Locally, the G30 BMW 5 series is available in two variants – the
520i Luxury Line
 and
530e M Sport
 – priced at RM328k and RM338k respectively.
Recently, BMW Malaysia also announced the arrival of the
 locally-assembled 330i M Sport, priced at RM288,800
 without any changes to the vehicle’s specifications although the vibrant Portimao Blue and Sunset Orange paint jobs will only be available from January and March 2020 respectively.


New Honda Civic hatchback unveiled, Type R coming in 2022

Honda has simultaneously unveiled the new Civic hatchback in the USA and Japan. Similar to the
new generation sedan
, the Civic hatchback features a more matured, less dramatic styling.
The new Honda Civic hatchback is 4,530 mm long (30 mm longer) and 1,415 mm tall (5 mm lower) with an identical 2,735-mm wheelbase and 1.8-metre width as the new sedan.
Not much
resemblences to the Stinger
 from this angle onwards
Styling wise, the hatchback features a unique rear design with a more curvaceous LED lighting cluster and form a continuous look courtesy of the third brake lamp housed in between. The new composite tailgate is not only lighter but provides better rear headroom thanks to the relocated hinges. The boot is said to measure approximately 452 litres in space with marginal improvements over the previous model.
A cleaner looking rear bumper also houses the exhaust tips at the corners in the Civic Turbo hatchback, unlike the sedan.
In front, the central grille features a sportier honeycomb mesh design with a deeper profile. Engine and powertrain choices remain the same as the sedan- a turbocharged 1.5-litre or naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines paired to a CVT or six-speed manual transmission. The CVT has been given additional attention of refinement for better response to the driver’s inputs and commands.
In Japan and Europe, the Civic hatchback is also offered with the e:Hev dual-motor hybrid system, however, with undisclosed technical information.
The turbocharged 1.5-litre engine develops
180 hp
 and
240 Nm
, while the 2.0-litre engine pushes out
158 hp
 and
187 Nm
. Sport, Eco and normal drive modes are now accessed via a more user-friendly toggle switch.
Honda also promises that the new Civic hatchback will drive better and more comfortable for the occupants. The combination of a 19% stiffer bodyshell, suspension and steering upgrades result in a smoother, more linear and more precise feel in turns while a reduction in friction and improved bushings are key to reducing harsh road shocks.
Gone is the Jazz and in comes the City hatchback as the replacement. Find out more here!
Inside, the Civic hatchback also uses the same simplistic dashboard with a standing central display and metal honeycomb mesh trim that conceals the air-conditioning vents. In the models bound for Japan, the black interior with red highlights have similar vibes to the
Honda City RS e:Hev
.
Like the new Honda Civic sedan, the hatchback gets an updated Honda Sensing driver assistance system. The single-camera LaneWatch has been replaced with a conventional blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert system.
A new ‘False Start’ suppression function works in both directions, applying brakes if an obstacle is detected, thereby reducing the chance of collision during parking.

Similar to the fan-favourite
FK8 Honda Civic Type R
, the new Civic hatchback will form the basis of the high-performance front-wheel drive hot-hatch that still employs a slick-shifting manual transmission and is slated for production from
2022
.
Although developed for Europe as their main market, the previous generation Honda Civic hatchback was also assembled in
Thailand
 and sold there as well as Indonesia. Apart from the
new Honda City sedan
, the pace of new model introduction in Malaysia seems to require more time and resources than our neighbours so don’t expect the Civic hatchback in Malaysia so soon.
GALLERY
New 11th Gen Honda Civic Hatchback
New 11th Gen Honda Civic Sedan


Toyota Malaysia announces the long awaited Toyota Previa, priced at RM258k

UMW Toyota Motors finally unveils the Toyota Previa (Toyota Estima) for the Malaysian market. Yes, the wait is finally over, and UMW Toyota Motors is hopeful to capture the large MPV market, largely dominated by grey importers. Comes together with this introduction is the premium MPV sibling, the
Toyota Alphard
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Toyota Previa
Segment
MPV
Engine
2,362cc In-line 4, 16-valve DOHC with VVT-i
Max Power
170PS @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
224Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price
2.4GL   RM 258,017.10

The 3rd generation Toyota Previa (also fondly known as
Toyota Estima
) is offered as CBU units, sourced directly from Toyota’s factories in Japan. According to UMW Toyota Motors, the Previa is streamlined to slice through air, thus helps increase fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise. This is achieved via a new smooth underside floorplan to minimize turbulence. The new rear bumper design allows air to flow freely out from under the vehicle. Furthermore, spats are installed in front of each wheel to divert airflow outwards, thus enhancing straight line stability at high speed.
SPECIFICATIONS

INTERIOR
 Interior space and comfort has always been a strong selling point of the Toyota Previa. The cabin has been expanded, together with revised door opening angles for driver and passenger. Both rear side doors are electrically-powered and can be operated with either a smart key, the driver’s door control or from door handle itself. For the uninitiated, Jam Protection comes standard for side doors to ensure safety during door closing operation. Interior comfort is further enhanced, no thanks to rear air-conditioning system. Yes, there is air-conditioning for every passenger.
Prospective customers of the new Toyota Previa will be pleased to know that nicely sewn leather upholstery comes standard. The driver’s seat has a 8-way power adjustment, while the 2nd row occupant is pampered with Captain and Ottoman seats. The 2nd and 3rd row can be adjusted in various ways to your hearts content, providing families with the option to transport cargo or occupant. The 3rd row meanwhile can be fully laid forward to provide a larger cargo space.
SAFETY

Being a Toyota, safety specification is not compromised. Active safety features include
Anti-lock Braking System
 (
ABS
) and
Electronic Brake-force Distribution
 (
EBD
). Sadly, there is
no

Vehicle Stability Control
 (
VSC
).
On the other hand, there are loads of passive safety feature on the new Toyota Previa. First and foremost, there is the all important dual SRS airbags, ISOFIX to mount child seats, and Toyota’s own safety collision assessment known as
Global Outstanding Assessment
 (
GOA
). If a collision is imminent, the GOA body ensures the impact force is distributed around the vehicle structure, thus reducing injury to occupants. Interior surfaces are made softer to reduce impact and injury to passenger’s head.
Whiplash Injury Lessening
 (
WIL
)  headrest is available for the front seats in the event of a rear collision. Last but not the least, HID headlamp with auto-levelling and
Adaptive Front-lighting System
 (
AFS
) is also available standard. What this system does is to help adjust the angle of your front headlamps whenever you turn the vehicle, thus illuminating the path that you are always heading towards.
PERFORMANCE
 Powering the new Toyota Previa is the familiar 2.4 litre VVT-i  2AZ-FE engine, with a modest power output of
125 kW

@

6,000rpm
 and produces
224Nm
of torque
@

4,000rpm
. Power is delivered to two front wheels via Toyota’s famed 4-speed automatic Super ECT transmission.

WHAT ELSE..

The Toyota Previa can be yours for
RM 258,017.10
. There are 5 colour choices to choose from –
Ice Titanium Mica Metallic
,
White Pearl CS
,
Black
,
Silky Gold Mica Metallic
, and
Silver Metallic
. The Toyota Previa is backed by manufacturing
warranty of 3 years
 or
10,000km
 (whichever comes first). To sweeten the deal even more, UMW Motors Toyota is offering an introductory package of
3 years free service
, first year
free road tax
 and
insurance
 to the first
300
 customers.
Read about the introduction of
Toyota Alphard by UMW Toyota Motor here
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai Ioniq previewed ahead of Korean debut, goes against the Prius!

Hyundai Motor is set to launch their latest product, the Hyundai Ioniq, a new electrical vehicle (EV) vehicle that will come with three choices of powertrains. Yes, that’s right, you can choose to either go full-electric, plug-in hybrid or petrol-electric hybrid via a flick of a button in a car!
As seen with these latest preview images, the Ioniq suggests an aerodynamically optimised exterior shell, aimed at minimising wind resistance whilst improving airflow efficiency. Hyundai also promises that a unique exterior colour reserved solely for the Ioniq. The Korean giant’s design language also applies from the hexagonal grille to the C-pillar, although it’s not clear if it’s taken from the current
Fluidic Sculpture 2.0
 – as seen in the new
Hyundai Sonata LF
 – or a more evolved version of it.
A combination of cool blue trim and eco-friendly materials await the driver and passenger, creating a sense of futuristic yet warm cabin ambiance. Apart from that, its cabin is also designed with sound ergonomics in mind, while the centre tunnel resembles that of a Porsche.
The hallmark of the Ioniq is its
three energy-efficient powertrains
; a
petrol-electric hybrid,
 a
plug-in hybrid
 and
full electric propulsion
 vehicle. That said, Hyundai is working very seriously with the Ioniq, hoping to give established rivals such as the Toyota Prius and even Tesla a run for their money.
Watch this space for more updates on the Hyundai Ioniq as it makes its debut in Korea in January next year. It will also be previewed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March.


Toyota and Subaru take the Hachiroku twins racing with new ‘Cup Car Basic’ variant

Subaru
and
Toyota
 have unveiled a new ‘Cup Car Basic’ variant for their
BRZ
/
GR86
 coupe in Japan, and as the name suggests, is a stripped, no-frills race car that’s meant for the track – more specifically, for the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86/BRZ Cup that will kick off later this year.
How “no-frills”, you ask? Well, how does 16-inch steelies wheels on a Hachiroku sound? As cool as that looks though, we’re sure those that actually buy the Cup Car Basic for racing will swap them out for grippier tyres and lighter wheels right away.
Steelies aside, the Toyo-baru Cup Car Basic actually comes with a handful of tweaks and upgrades to make it more “race ready” than the standard car. These include a six-point roll cage with eyesbolts to affix a six-point harness for the driver seat.
The roll cage also comes with sidebars for additional side impact protection, but that unfortunately means that the seat and curtain airbags must be taken out. Not to worry, though, as race car drivers call that “weight saving”. The floor carpets also get additional cutouts to accommodate the cage mounting points, though again, racers will just toss them out.
RELATED: Is the GR 86 more fun to drive than the BRZ? New Toyo-baru twins pitted head-to-head!
Underneath the bonnet, the main change comes in the form of a new oil cooler to handle the extra heat around the race track, while the limited-slip differential also gets a new housing with additional cooling fins.
Aside from that, though, the rest of the mechanicals remain identical to the standard car, including the 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated flat-four engine that makes
235 hp
 and
 250 Nm
, alongside the six-speed manual transmission.
The Subaru BRZ Cup Car Basic is priced at JPY3,338,500 (approx. RM121k), while the Toyota GR86 counterpart is slightly cheaper at JPY3,334,000. The Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86/BRZ Cup single-make series will begin on the 16th of July, with its first round held at the Fuji Speedway circuit.
GALLERY


2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ launched in Malaysia, RM650k – 687hp, 1020Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.3 secs

The performance all-electric sedan from
Mercedes-AMG
 – the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ has finally made its debut in Malaysia! Offered in one variant only, the EQE 53 4MATIC+ is offered at
RM649,888
.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Based on the Mercedes-Benz in-house developed AMG.EA platform, the AMG EQE measures
4,964 mm
 long,
1,906 mm
 wide, and
1,492 mm
 tall, and is underpinned by a
3,120 mm
 long wheelbase. To distinguish it from the regular EQE 350+, the AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+’s exterior has been given the brand’s typical AMG treatment.
Features that come standard with the Mercedes AMG-EQE 53 4MATIC+ in Malaysia include:
AMG-specific black panel grille
‘AMG’ lettering
Digital Light headlights with AMG projection
Front apron in high-gloss black
Air diffuser in high-gloss black
AMG side sill panels in high-gloss black
Rear apron with diffuser
Rear spoiler
21-inch AMG lightweight alloy wheels
Customers can also opt for the AMG Night Package, which includes:
Black and black chrome elements
Matt black 21-inch AMG alloy wheels
Red brake callipers
RELATED:
Mercedes-AMG GT63S E Performance in Malaysia – 843 hp, 0-100 km/h 2.9s, from RM2.08 million
Powering the AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ in Malaysia are a set of two electric motors, resulting in the brand’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This puts out a total output of
625 hp
 and
950 Nm
 of torque. The 0 to 100 km/h sprint can be done in
3.5 seconds
, while top speed is rated at
220 km/h
.
The EQE 53 4MATIC+ is also available with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package and Race Start feature. The AMG Dynamic Plus Package boosts the EQE 53’s performance even further, giving it a total of
687 hp
 and a whopping
1,000 Nm
 of torque. With the optional package, the century sprint can also be done quicker, under
3.3 seconds
. With the Race Start feature, top speed is boosted to
240 km/h
, and torque can be boosted even further to
1020 Nm.
Working alongside the dual motors is the 328-volt high-performance drive lithium-ion battery. With a rated capacity of
90.6 kWh
, which is identical to the regular
EQE 350+
’s
, the battery consists of ten modules with a total of 360 pouch cells. This enables the EQE 53 to provide a WLTP range of
458-527 km
.
Charging-wise, the EQE 53 can be charged via the standard
11 kW
 AC charger. Charging the AMG EQE sedans from flat to full takes
9 hours and 15 minutes
 with the 11 kW AC charger. A
22 kW
 AC charger is also available as an option.
For even faster charging, the EQE 53 also supports up to
170 kW
 of DC charging. Juicing up the car from 10% to 80% takes approximately
32 minutes
.
The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ in Malaysia is equipped with the brand’s AMG Ride Control+ air suspension. Together with the adaptive damping system, AMG-specific carriers, suspension links, and anti-roll bars, the suspension setup is based on a four-link front axle and a multilink rear suspension.
RELATED:
All-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 debuts: Rear wheel steering, built-in TikTok app
Brakes-wise, the performance all-electric sedan is fitted with AMG high-performance brake system. The front axle comes with six-piston brake callipers, with brake discs measuring 415×33 mm, while the rear axle has single-piston brake callipers, with disc brakes measuring 378×22 mm.
The optional AMG ceramic high-performance compound brake system is also available and comes with even larger disc brakes. The brake discs measure 440×40 mm at the front and are only compatible with the 21-inch wheels.
Here’s a summary of the Malaysian-spec Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+’s electric drive system and handling-related specifications:
Drivetrain: Dual-motor AWD
Combined power output:
625 hp
 (
687 hp
 with AMG Dynamic Plus Package)
Total torque:
950 Nm
 (
1000 Nm
 with AMG Dynamic Plus Package,
1020 Nm
with Race Start)
0-100 km/h:
3.5 seconds
 (
3.3 seconds
 with AMG Dynamic Plus Package)
Top speed:
220 km/h
 (
240 km/h
 with Race Start)
Battery:
90.6 kWh
Range (WLTP):
458-527 km
Suspension: AMG Ride Control+ air suspension
Brakes: AMG high-performance brake system
RELATED:
Gallery: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC, RM430k
Sound has always been an important part of the AMG driving experience. With that, Mercedes-AMG has designed the AMG EQE 43 and EQE 53 with the AMG Sound Experience that creates a sound experience for both the outside and inside.
With the help of special speakers, a bass actuator, and a sound generator, the AMG Sound Experience generates sounds that are tuned to the driving status and the selected drive program, both inside and out. The sound experience is available in a number of programs, including the ‘Authentic’, ‘Balanced’, ‘Sport’, ‘Powerful’, as well as the optional ‘Performance’ program, which is only available with the EQE 53 with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package.
As its name suggest, the interior of the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 in Malaysia is fitted with AMG equipment such as the AMG seats and steering wheel. The performance sedan is also equipped with the brand’s MBUX hyperscreen which extends from A-pillar to A-pillar, MBUX infotainment system, as well as a head-up display (HUD).
Here’s a summary of the equipment fitted to the interior of the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ in Malaysia:
MBUX infotainment system
MBUX Hyperscreen
Head-up display
Flat bottom AMG Performance steering wheel with Nappa leather
Silver aluminium paddelshifters
AMG steering wheel buttons
Nappa leather seat upholstery
AMG seats with individual graphics
Artico man-made leather seat covers
AMG badges on the front seats’ backrests
Embossed AMG emblems in the front head restraints
Instrument panel and beltlines covered in space grey Artico man-made leather with Neotex grain and red topstitching
Door centre panels, centre console, and instrument panel in black Microcut microfibre with red topstitching
AMG sports pedals
AMG floor mats
Door sill trims with AMG lettering
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The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ can also be had with the AMG Track Pace virtual race engineer as an option. This software is part of the MBUX infotainment system, and can permanently record more than 80 vehicle-specific data while driving on a race track, for example. This includes speed, acceleration, and so on.
On top of this, the AMG Track Pace will also display lap and sector times. The data can be displayed on the multimedia display, instrument cluster and on the optional head-up display.
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GALLERY


5-year-old boy drives mom’s car to buy a Lamborghini

Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) Trooper Rick Morgan was carrying out his routine speed enforcement on the I-15 highway when he noticed a Dodge Journey SUV driving erratically. Morgan decided to pull the car over for the sake of other road users’ safety, and to his surprise, found a five-year-old boy at the wheel of a running car, with no other passengers aboard.
According to the
UHP
, the little boy left home after an argument with his mom, in which she refused to buy him a
 Lamborghini
. The kid was determined to get one by himself, and thus took his mother’s car to head down to his relative’s home in California, where he will be buying one with his own pocket money.

The journey from Utah to California on the I-15 usually takes approximately 12 hours. Unfortunately for the boy, he only made it about 3 km before running into Trooper Morgan, where he was promptly stopped. The UHP reported that no one was hurt, nor any property damaged during the kid’s joyride.
According to his parents, the boy’s elder siblings were looking after him that morning but fell asleep, allowing him to escape home with the family SUV. At this point, UHP said that no citations were written for the boy or his parents, though the report and evidences have been forwarded to the county attorney’s office for screening.
His story is that he left home after an argument with Mom, in which she told him she would not buy him a Lamborghini. He decided he'd take the car and go to California to buy one himself. He might have been short on the purchase amount, as he only had $3 dollars in his wallet.
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol)
May 4, 2020

The five year-old boy’s determination in achieving his dreams is certainly commendable, though there are probably safer methods to do that. Also, the last we checked, a
regular Lamborghini
 is usually priced a little higher than the $3 he has in his wallet. At least he still has his whole life ahead of him to reach his goals.