Nissan confirms development of hybrid and EV sports car, possibly as GT-R successor

The
 R35 Nissan GT-R
 has been dying a very slow death. The last we heard of it, the 15-year-old model has just been discontinued in the UK and Europe. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, because Nissan’s performance arm, Nismo, has just confirmed the existence of a new flagship model, and it’ll be electrified.
Speaking to
Autocar UK
, Nismo CEO Takao Katagiri confirmed that a new sports car is currently being developed, and will be available as a “combination” of hybrid and EV models.
“[There] is a very, very important vision [in Europe] for Nissan. It’s around the heart of this [new car],” said Katagiri. “This region [the UK] is very, very special for us, especially [for] performance cars. So one thing I can say is please wait. We are going to introduce a very exciting model to the UK market under the Nismo brand.”
Although the comment was specifically for the UK due to the publication’s locale, Katagiri did reveal that the car will also be sold in the Americas as well as Europe, after its official launch in its home country Japan.
ALSO READ:
Nissan GT-R R35 – Nissan’s pride and soul
An exact timeline for the car’s launch isn’t known yet, but Katagiri did hint that it’ll happen sometime this decade. If we had to guess, though, we’ll most likely be getting the hybrid version first, before the EV sometime in the future.
Nissan’s executives had previously told the publication that a performance EV would require solid-state batteries – a technology that is still years away from maturity. Market researchers estimate that a consumer-ready solid-state battery pack is expected to reach the market in 2026, so we can expect it being put into production cars probably some time in 2028.
All that remains to be seen now, then, is if this electrified flagship sports car will actually be the next-generation Nissan GT-R, or will it go by some other name.
Previous rumours from 2021
 said that the next-gen model will indeed be electrified, so there’s certainly hope. But the same rumour also said it’ll be a 2023 model…
RELATED:
The Praga Bohema is a Nissan GT-R powered RWD hypercar – 0-100km/h in under 2.3 secs


BMW 740Le xDrive plug-in hybrid arrives in Malaysia, costs RM599k!

Joining the hybrid vehicle lineup in BMW Malaysia’s stable is a plug-in hybrid flagship limousine, the BMW 740Le xDrive. This comes
a little under 16 months since the sixth-generation 7 Series’ arrival
 (CKD operations started in November 2016), but those who have been patient enough to wait it out are in for a real treat.
Propulsion comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (from the 730Li) that’s married to an electric motor, producing 258 hp/400 Nm and 113 hp/250 Nm respectively. Together, the hybrid system puts out
 326 hp
 and
 500 Nm
 of torque, all of which are delivered to the four wheels (xDrive = all-wheel drive) via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 740Le xDrive
Engine
1,998cc; twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission
8-speed automatic with Steptronic
Max Power
258 hp @ 5,000 – 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,550 – 4,400 rpm
Hybrid Motor Output
113 hp & 250 Nm
Combined Max Power / Torque
326 hp / 500 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
5.3 seconds; 250 km/h
Fuel Consumption
2.5 litres per 100km
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM598,800.00
Similar to the
330e iPerformance
, the electric motor is housed within the transmission (between the gearbox and engine), replacing the hydraulic torque converter. It also acts as a generator to recharge the high-voltage
9.2 kWh lithium-ion
 battery, but this varies depending on the eDrive mode. A full charge via the BMW i Wallbox takes
five hours
, which gives you enough juice to cover a distance of 41km. Alternatively, the 7 Series can also be charged through a domestic socket. Charging can be
managed and monitored remotely
 through the BMW Remote app on your smartphone.

Ride is managed by a bi-axle, self-levelling air suspension for uncompromising comfort, whereas the Dynamic Damper Control work in tandem with four drive modes – Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Adaptive – for sheer driving pleasure. The xDrive system is also able to send almost 100 percent of power to any individual wheel.
Externally, much of the car remains the same as the standard 7 Series, save for the obvious eDrive badges on the C-pillars and BMW i logos on both sides of the wheel section. A set of 19-inch double spoke light alloy wheels complete the look.
Inside, features such as panoramic Sky Lounge glass roof, BMW Gesture Control, BMW Touch Command Control and a 7-inch removable tablet (detachable from the rear centre console) all come as standard, as does the 16-speaker 600w Harman Kardon Surround Sound system. The rear seats come with in-built massaging system (Vitality programme) with up to eight selectable programmes. Air conditioning and many other common in-car systems can be operated through the BMW Display Key.
With the introduction of the 740Le xDrive, BMW Malaysia did away with the 730Li and 740Li, effectively discontinuing sales of both variants. If without incentives, the plug-in hybrid limousine would cost RM853,800.00! Goodies such as the 5-Year unlimited mileage warranty, free scheduled service program and 24-months BMW Tyre Warranty programme are all part of the RM599k purchase.

You’re about sold now, aren’t you? Well, the 740Le xDrive can be had in
four colours
: Black Sapphire, Imperial Blue, Mineral White and Sophisto Grey. To date, over 600 units of the 730Li and 740Li (combined figure) have been sold, but BMW Malaysia is confident that the plug-in hybrid variant will set more ships sailing.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Mitsubishi Outlander set for global reveal on 16th February 2021

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will be launching the
all-new Outlander
 on 16
th
 February, hosted by the US region.
In the short teaser video, the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander is seen being tested on the toughest terrains such as gravel, mud, water wading and even snow.

According to MMC, the
Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC)
 is their latest technology combined with the all-new platform. The S-AWC system integrates 4WD torque distribution and individual braking (ESP) to deliver precise steering and stability.
MMC also said “a new drive mode selector is specifically designed to provide optimal control by sensing the driver’s operation and vehicle behavior [sic].”
While still covered in disguising pattern, the all-new Outlander sport the company’s Dynamic Shield design at the front end. The now-familiar two-tier lighting placement seen on the latest
Mitsubishi Xpander
 and
Eclipse Cross
 achieves the consistency in the new line-up of Mitsubishi vehicles.
More information such as the powertrain and key features will only be revealed at the launch that is happening on 16th February 2021.


2015 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 4MATIC unveiled, new name and more power

Similar to the
GLE Coupé
 launch, the
AMG variant
 is introduced together with the standard models. As we already know with their
new naming structure
, the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG will be known as
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63
 from now on.
Packing a mighty
5.5-litre twin-turbo V8
, it’s available in two flavours:
GLE 63
, and
GLE 63 S
. In the “original”
GLE 63
 it produces
557 hp
 and
700 Nm
 but in the “spicy”
GLE 63 S
 it generates
585 hp
 and
760 Nm
.
The
GLE 63 S
 will sprint from
0 to 100 km/h
 in
4.2 seconds
 while the GLE 63 takes 0.1 second longer but both have an electronically-limited
top speed
 of
250 km/h
. If you think 250 km/h is too slow you can opt for the
AMG Driver’s package
, which increases the top speed to
280 km/h
.
The GLE 63 drives all four wheels via the
AMG Performance 4MATIC
 permanent all-wheel drive system. It’s different from the standard 4MATIC system, where the torque is now split
40:60 front to rear
 unlike the 50:50 split on the standard 4MATIC system.
Not only that, the GLE 63 gets the
AMG RIDE CONTROL
 sports suspension with
AIRMATIC
 package which includes special struts and
ADS Plus
 continuously variable dampers as well as
ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM
 as standard.
To further differentiate the GLE 63 from the standard GLE models, it receives a few bespoke items inside and outside. You will find AMG niceties in the cabin such as the flat bottom
AMG Performance steering wheel
 with shift paddles, huggier front
sports seats
, AMG instrument panel, AMG start-up screen, and
RACETIMER
.
Externally, the GLE 63 wears the distinctive “
A-wing
” in the front bumper, double louvre grille insert, unique
20-inch AMG light alloy wheels
, new rear bumper with black diffuser insert, and the mandatory
AMG badges
.
The GLE 63 will make its first public appearance alongside the non-AMG GLE at the upcoming
2015 New York International Auto Show
 (NYIAS) in April.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The history and evolution of the Proton badge

It has been 35 years since the
first Proton Saga
 rolled off the production line at Proton’s Shah Alam assembly plant in 1985. They were a relatively young automotive company at the time compared to the likes of
BMW
 or Mitsubishi who have had over 100 years of automotive presence between them.
Image Credits:
@XavierNaxa
Unlike these old-timers, whose logo has remained unchanged at their core for the past century, Proton’s badge has gone through six different iterations throughout its relatively short 35-year life span. If you have trouble keeping up, you are not alone!
The Mitsubishi Model-A; Mitsubishi’s first car in 1917. 103 years old yet still instantly recognisable
.
While emblem design changes are common amongst carmakers, the changes are usually very subtle with
Rolls-Royce
 and
Volkswagen
 being one the most recent carmakers to undergo a rebranding exercise. Proton’s emblem design evolution on the other hand, is less subtle in comparison; staying true to the Harimau Malaya spirit and identity!
Source:
carlogos.org
The Proton Saga was the pride of the nation when it was first unveiled by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad back in 1985; therefore it was befitting that the Saga’s emblem contained elements of our national flag. The first Proton badge showcased featured the 14-pointed star and a crescent both in yellow, a dark blue background, housed in a silver shield. Each element in the logo carried the same meaning as the ones found in the Jalur Gemilang.
Fun fact! Did you know that the original Proton logo on the Saga can be illuminated? Now you do!
The new badge that was first seen in the Proton Wira.
Source:
carlogos.org
The unveiling of the Proton Wira in 1993 saw the introduction of a subtly revised Proton logo. Gone was the diamond-shaped shield as it was replaced with more tapered and rounded edges while retaining the original elements of the original Proton emblem. The new design certainly gave the reworked badge a more sophisticated look. The same logo was subsequently adopted in the Proton Iswara, Putra, Satria, Tiara and the Perdana.
Source:
 carlogos.org
In the year 2000, Proton welcomed the new millennium with the introduction of the then highly-anticipated Proton Waja. The locally developed Waja also brought about the most dramatic change yet in Proton’s emblem design. It featured a yellow tiger on a green roundel embossed on a dark blue shield. This also marks the end of the symbolic star and crescent symbols. The new design was featured on both local and export car markets – the Harimau Malaya was ready to pounce and take on the world!
Source:
carlogos.org
In 2008, Proton gave its emblem somewhat of a “facelift”. The general design remains essentially the same with only a change in colour. Proton decided to shift towards a monochromatic colour theme, giving it a more modern and sophisticated look. Imagine the Harimau Malaya now all suited up and ready for the modern world. The first Proton model to wear the “facelifted” emblem was the Proton Saga BLM.
Proton revised its emblem design again in 2016; this time removing the word “Proton’ from the badge itself. The Harimau Malaya emblem is now enlarged and sports a 3D design effect – giving it a chiseled face and a hint of sophistication which befits the stature that Proton has grown to be.
Clearly, it was as if our Harimau Malaya had spent time at the gym! The new Proton badge was first seen on the
new Perdana
 up to the
beginning of the Geely-era
, through the
CBU Proton X70
.
Since Geely’s involvement in 2017, the company’s entire organisation has gone through a thorough overhaul. No stone was left unturned in the pursuit of making Proton great again. Therefore, it would only seem logical to have a refreshed corporate identity to signify the new age of Proton.
In 2019, Proton
released the Harimau Malaya “from its cage”
! The tiger emblem is no longer housed in a shield and is looking more mature and muscular. The first model to sport the latest Proton badge was the
CKD version of the Proton X70
 and it will also be featured on the
highly-anticipated Proton X50
.
The Proton Saga Megavalve 1.5 S. Manual transmission with throttle response so fast it’s almost telepathy! It’s our first family car, the first car I learned to drive from, the first car I used to pick up girls with, the first car I had my first fender bender, and the very car that intrigues me about all things automotive. It’s a memory box on wheels and we nicknamed it the White Warrior.
Besides its emblem design evolution, Proton has also gone through design and technological evolution since its inception 35 years ago. Having owned Proton cars from four out of the six eras of emblem evolution, Proton has no doubt been a significant part of my life growing up and I’m sure I speak for a lot of Malaysians when I say that Proton is basically part of our family.
Malaysians may have mixed feelings of frustration, joy, disappointment, and excitement throughout their Proton ownership, but such is the dynamics in a family and I am proud to be a part of Proton’s evolution.
*This article was written by a contributor of AutoBuzz. Let us know what you think and if you’d like to see more of these from him, let us know!


Toyota Yaris narrowly beats Fiat and Volkswagen to win the European Car of the Year Award

The all-new
Toyota Yaris
 hatchback has won the latest edition of the European Car of the Year award. It is also the only Japanese vehicle in the finalist of seven vehicles.
The Toyota Yaris scored a total of 266 points and 14 best votes, beating the Fiat new 500 EV and Cupra Formentor. Volkswagen’s electric-only ID.3 managed to garner 10 best votes and a final score of 224 points to finish behind the Cupra.
The jury comprising of 59 members across 22 European countries praised Yaris’ hybrid technology for its smooth driving, low emissions and accessible price point – illustrating why more than 80% of Yaris buyers choose the hybrid powertrain.
To recap, the self-charging hybrid powertrain in the fourth generation Toyota Yaris is an all-new system delivering a combined system output of
116 hp
. A regular 1.5-litre engine is also available, with 125 hp of output paired to either a Direct Shift CVT or six-speed manual transmission.
A variant with a 72-hp 1.0-litre engine and five-speed manual transmission is offered in selected countries.
The new Toyota Yaris is also the first compact car in the company to adopt the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), with the
GA-B platform
 being 50 kg lighter yet 30% more rigid than the outgoing model.
Many in the jury also praised Toyota for introducing the 261-hp 4WD
GR Yaris
 that reignited the passion for hot hatch market across Europe.
The finalists of the 2021 European COTY and final points tally.
Toyota Yaris (266), 14 best votes
Fiat new 500
 EV (240), 9 best votes
Cupra Formentor
 (239), 10 best votes
Volkswagen ID. 3
 EV (224), 10 best votes
Skoda Octavia (199)
Land Rover Defender
 (164)
Citroen C4 (143)
Safety features also scored well in the jurors books and the Toyota Yaris is the first Toyota to be fitted with a pair of front centre airbags to help prevent driver and passenger colliding with each other in a side impact.
Toyota has been awarded with European Car of the Year three times. Yaris won in 2000, Prius took top honours in 2005 and now Yaris has lifted the trophy again in 2021.
This 2021 European Car of the Year award could not have come at a better time for Toyota Motor Europe, as it coincides with Yaris becoming the
best-selling car
 in Europe for the first time.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the passion of our development teams in Europe and Japan. This is the best-ever Yaris, and just as Akio Toyoda intended, it is already putting a smile on the face of our customers,” said Matt Harrison, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Europe.
GALLERY


Hyundai Ioniq 6 boasts over 610 km of EV range thanks to its swoopy shape

Unveiled in initial images last month, Hyundai has now provided further details for the Ioniq 6, the second fully-electric model under the marque’s reborn Ioniq electric sub-brand.
As
detailed last month
, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be built on the same e-GMP platform as the
Ioniq 5
, but sports a wildly different appearance compared to the square-ish SUV. That’s thanks to the marque’s ‘Hyundai Look’ strategy, which aims to give each individual model “a unique appearance, like chess pieces” in order to cater to a wider range of customers.
For the Ioniq 6, Hyundai has adopted an ‘Electrified Streamliner’ aesthetic, characterised by a unique “single-curved” silhouette that first appeared on the
Prophecy concept from 2020
. The swoopy shape and low nose gives the Ioniq 6 its low 0.21 Cd drag coefficient, making it one of the most aerodynamic production vehicle on the market.
Being built on the same e-GMP platform also means that it can share the same mechanical components as its stablemates. The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be offered in both single- and dual-motor set-ups, with the most powerful variant making
up to 239 kW (320 hp) and 650 Nm
 of torque, which translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of
5.1 seconds
.
But with a nickname like “Streamliner”, efficiency is the name of the game here. Thanks to its low drag coefficient, the longest-range Hyundai Ioniq 6, equipped with a single rear motor and a 77.4 kWh battery pack, gives the swoopy sedan a range of
over 610 km (WLTP)
. That’s about 140 km more than the RWD Long Range Ioniq 5, although the 5 does have a smaller battery at 72.6 kWh.
In the long-range spec, the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 also boasts a power consumption figure of just 14 kWh/100 km, making it one of the energy-efficient vehicles in the market.
RELATED: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV’s weird shape might be a sign of what’s to come in the future
The e-GMP platform also means that the Ioniq 6 will support both 400V and 800V charging without any additional equipment. The latter also supports a DC fast charging speed of up to 350 kW, for a 10 to 80% charge in just 18 minutes.
Like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 can also act like a massive power bank to charge other electric equipments with its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabily. There is an exterior power outlet, which requires an adaptor to be plugged into the charging port, as well as a regular household three-pin power outlet under the rear seats if you want to charge your electric devices from the cabin.
In case you haven’t quite noticed the similarities between the two models, the interior of the Ioniq 6 will be a dead giveaway. The dashboard is powered by the same two 12-inch displays, serving instrument and infotainment duties – the latter offering the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, alongside multi-connection Bluetooth.
The on-board navigation system offers real-time travel radius mapping based on the vehicle’s current state of charge. Over-the-air software updates are also supported, and is now capable of upgrading the car’s powertrain, and even battery control software, for improved performance.
ALSO READ: Five cool features in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 you might not know about
Unique to the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an “EV Performance Tune-up” system, which is an extension of the usual drive modes customisation, letting drivers adjust the motor’s power output, in addition to the usual throttle and steering sensitivity settings. There’s also an ‘e-ASD’ system, which emits an “optimum, spaceship-like sound” in the cabin that changes according to the car’s driving status.
Additionally, the seats in the Ioniq 6 are also supposedly “specifically-manufactured” for EVs, and are made 30% thinner than usual to maximise space in the cabin. Customers can also opt for the Relaxation Comfort seats in front, which comes with additional leg rests, and can be automatically reclined into a special relaxation mode.
For safety, the Ioniq 6 packs Hyundai’s latest generation of SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems, which includes Highway Driving Assist 2, Smart Cruise Control, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). Higher-end variants also get additional detection features for the AEB system, such as Junction Crossing, Lane-Changing Oncoming and Lane-Changing Side, as well as Evasive Steering Assist.
The Ioniq 6’s Smart Cruise Control function is able to learn a driver’s driving style, and adapt its own operation to match.
Production of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2022.
GALLERY


Mitsubishi Malaysia car sales goes online with new Online Showroom

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has launched its new Online Showroom service today, driven by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to bring its online offerings to parity with the entire traditional car buying experience.
The new Mitsubishi Online Showroom expands upon the existing
Test Drive2U
 service, which was launched in Malaysia in May last year. The new digital service consists of four sections – 360’ Virtual Showroom, Test Drive2U, Online Booking Assist, and Online Trade In Assist.
The
Mitsubishi Xpander
 on full display in the new Online Showroom.
Just like any other regular showroom, customers using the Mitsubishi Online Showroom start their car purchase journey by visually checking-out the cars via a 360-degree view – both inside and out – of the vehicle. The web app allows customers to zoom in and out of any view, and also learn more about the car’s key features via interactive touch points buttons.
If you’d rather see the car in a more “realistic” setting, the 360′ Virtual Showroom also comes with a fully-featured gallery, showcasing the vehicles in detail at basically every angle you can imagine.

Once you’ve selected a model and variant that you like, you can then proceed to use the Test Drive2U feature to arrange for a test drive, at the comfort of your own homes. Through a few simple steps in the online showroom page, customers will be able to arrange for an authorised dealer to bring the selected model to their preferred location for a test drive.
The new Online Showroom also allows customers to place a booking directly through the digital service. Once the booking request form is submitted, an authorised MMM dealer will contact the customer to further assist them in completing the purchase, from loan application to purchasing an insurance for the vehicle.
Customers looking to trade-in their vehicles can also do so via the Trade-in Assist form online. The service is offered in collaboration with
MyTukar
, the Malaysian used-car trading platform, to offer special trade-in promotions for Mitsubishi customers using the Online Showroom.
Customers will have the option to request for a car inspection, and arrange for handover, transfer of ownership, and collection of the sold car at the customer’s preferred location, all without having to leave their own homes.
MMM Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi said, “In the past year, we’ve seen an unpredictable level of change, because of the new normal and the need to maintain social distancing. The launch of Mitsubishi online showroom is a strong example of MMM’s commitment to deliver a more human-centric experience by encompassing a holistic approach across three key organizational pillars: people, process, and technology.
“We have always believed in creating a walk-through experience and this online showroom is an extension from getting to know the product, test-drive at customer’s convenience, and communication with the dealer to finalize the purchase journey. We want to offer our customers a safe purchase of their Mitsubishi model without the need of leaving their homes,” he added.
Last year, MMM also introduced the
Mitsubishi Connect
 mobile app, specifically designed for their customer’s after sales servicing needs. The mobile app offers a range of vehicle-related digital services, including service appointment scheduling, vehicle maintenance history, as well as providing reminders for their next car service.
The new Mitsubishi Online Showroom is available at the MMM website, linked
here
.


2019 Mazda 2 facelift: more tech, more style, more expensive

Mazda has just unveiled
the facelifted Mazda 2 in its home country packing the latest iteration of Mazda’s
Kodo: Soul of Motion styling, improved cabin insulation and enhanced safety technologies.
In efforts to streamline
its global product naming, the hatchback is now officially known as the Mazda 2
like global markets, dropping the JDM Demio nameplate. The facelifted Mazda 2 is
scheduled for market launch in September.
Kicking off with the
technical bits, the refreshed Mazda 2 features a new suspension system that promises
a more supple ride quality – something the pre-facelift model sorely needs to
keep up with the competition. New versions of the Mazda 2 will also be equipped
with G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) that adds braking intervention for greater
vehicle stability at high speeds.
No changes to the powertrain options – 1.5-litre SkyActiv-G petrol and 1.5-litre SkyActiv-D turbodiesel engine, both paired to the same 6-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels.
Visually, the revised hatchback gets a decidedly more sophisticated look with the new mesh grille, a revised bumper similar to the Mazda 6 as well as new 16-inch aluminium finish multi-spoke alloy wheels. The headlamps are now slimmer than ever with Adaptive LED illumination available on higher-grade variants. With the new front bumper housing, the company has dropped the front fog lamps altogether, just like the
new Mazda 3
.
Mazda is obsessed in its pursuit for the ultimate Jinba Ittai experience. Even in a
mere
 facelift, the engineers have introduced a new seat sculpture that is more resistant to head movements which give the driver a greater sense of connection with the car.
New features that were added to the specification list include 6-way powered driver’s seat with memory function, automatic dimming rearview mirror, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, i-ELOOP energy recovery system on petrol engines, Mazda Radar Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist System.
Unfortunately, with the improved kit and styling exercise, prices for the facelifted Mazda 2 has gone up across the board between JP¥54,000 (RM2,000) to JP¥237,600 (RM9,000).
As it is, the fully imported Mazda 2 is having a difficult time holding its ground against the competition in Malaysia due to its unfavourable price tag of RM95k, which is a lot of money for a tiny hatchback. With the facelift model commanding an even higher asking price, it remains to be seen how Bermaz Motor is going to keep this model competitive and relevant in the local market.
Even if local distributor continues to offer the Mazda 2, consumers can expect one of the two situations: offer the Mazda 2 with the full suite of new technologies but push the prices up into an even higher price bracket (RM100k+), case in point the
new Mazda 3
. Or alternatively, maintain and even potentially remove some of the existing kit to maintain at its current, already difficult, price positioning.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mazda 2 Facelift Unveiled in Japan


Hamilton and Bottas celebrates double championship win with Petronas at the Twin Towers

Having made history by becoming the first team in Formula 1 history to win six consecutive double championships, Petronas celebrated its 6th consecutive World Constructor’s Championship here at the Petronas Twin Towers in the presence of team drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
The Silver Arrows sealed the double this year in Japan after Bottas claimed the race win, while Hamilton further etched his name in the history books at the US Grand Prix as the second most successful F1 driver behind Michael Schumacher.
There was indeed much to celebrate for both drivers, team and Petronas. Since the introduction of hybrid powertrains in 2014, Petronas had accompanied the Silver Arrows to six double World Championships.
In 10 seasons of partnership, they have scored a total of 92 Grand Prix victories in 196 races, 102 pole positions and lifted 193 trophies.
Here are the testimonies from both drivers and team principal of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Motorsport:
(Hamilton)
 “It’s become a great tradition that PETRONAS invite us to their headquarters to celebrate the championships together – they’re a very important part of the team, and we could not have done this without them. Together, we have achieved something that has never been done before – six consecutive double championships!
“This incredible success is down to the hard work and dedication of every single member of our Mercedes-AMG Petronas motorsport family. Thanks to everyone at Petronas for your continuous support over the last ten years. We will keep pushing next season and hope to elevate our game together again.”
(Bottas)
“This has been my best season yet in Formula One and I am very grateful for all the hard work that went into making this possible. Our 2019 car is an absolute beast and the contribution from everyone at PETRONAS is right at the heart of it. The fuel and lubricants are the lifeblood of our car. I know that it’s not just our team-mates back at Brackley and Brixworth that are already working flat-out to find even more performance for next year’s car, it’s also a lot of colleagues here at Petronas who will unlock even more power for our 2020 car.
(Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Motorsport, Team Principal and CEO, Toto Wolff )
 “Petronas has been our partner from day one – they have been by our side every step of the way, ever since we returned to F1 with our works team in 2010. Back then, no one would have imagined that this unprecedented success would be possible. But we wrote Formula One history together, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport is the first team in F1 to win six consecutive double titles. And there’s a very good reason that nobody else has been able to do this before – because it is incredibly difficult.


Watch this McLaren Senna go mad around the Green Hell!

The Nurburgring Nordschleife, otherwise known as the Green Hell, is undeniably the Holy Grail of race tracks. It has all the ingredients to push any car to its absolute limits and with the slightest disrespect shown, it will render you an instant casualty.
Enter the
McLaren Senna
. The Senna,
launched in 2018
, was built with aerodynamic supremacy in mind and when you put its
789 hp
 and
800 Nm
 into the Nurburgring equation, a wild ride is inevitable.

It’s so incredibly fast through all the daunting twist and turns of the Green Hell, you’d think the video was sped up but no, it’s just pure speed.
The Senna will do 0 to 100 km/h in just
2.8 seconds
, just a tad quicker than the 720S’ 2.8 seconds. In the time it takes a Golf GTi to do 0 to 100 km/h, the Senna would’ve already reached 200 km/h, in just
6.8 seconds
. Top speed is rated at
340 km/h
.
Fun fact; the Senna’s exhaust system was built to create a loud and sharp note all the way to the rev limit with the volume increasing 10 dB with every 2,000 rpm. Now feast your eyes; and ears!


Mitsubishi XPANDER to be launched in Malaysia by 2020!

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia, announced that the new Mitsubishi XPANDER seven-seater crossover will be launched in Malaysia by this year.
“MMM is very excited for a thrilling year ahead with the introduction of this impressive seven-seater crossover in Malaysia later this year,” said MMM CEO, Tomoyuki Shinnishi.
When the time comes, the XPANDER will look to compete against the
Perodua Aruz
,
Toyota Rush
 and the

facelift Honda BR-V
. The latter would be a challenge to topple as despite its aging looks,
Honda still registered over 1,400 bookings for the facelift model
 within the first month of its launch.
“The XPANDER is not just an important model for MMM, but across the ASEAN region as well. As of June 2020, the car has reached cumulative sales of around 256,000 units. The success of the XPANDER in our neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam reflects how well-suited this car would be to meet the needs of Malaysian customers,” he added.
Powertrain options remain uncertain for now although we’ll most likely get the 1.5-litre engine with
105 hp
and
 141 Nm
 as it is the sole engine option for the XPANDER. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.
For more information on the new XPANDER, log on to
MMM’s official site
 or click
here
 for the latest price list of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia.


Check out the new business card on wheels – the Mercedes-Benz S560e

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has just launched the new S560e plug-in hybrid, retailing at RM658,888, with Agility Financing starting from RM6,588.
On the outside, there’s not much to distinguish the new plug-in hybrid from the S450L, with similar Multibeam LED headlamps, tail lights along with the air suspension from the outgoing model.

The profound differences include a charging port by the rear bumper, new grille design, new 19-inch wheel design and a different front bumper design.
With a combined output of
476 hp
 and
700 Nm
 from a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 coupled with the hybrid system, the locally-produced S-Class will do 0 to 100 km/h in just five seconds. Transferring power to the wheels is tasked to the 9G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission.
Pure EV driving is only available
up to 50 km
 from its 13.5 kWh battery, which will require six hours for a full charge. With the Wallbox charger, charging time is estimated to take just under two hours.
Inside, it’s business as usual. The seats are draped in Nappa leather, along with the Exclusive Trim package that offers gloss walnut wood trims on the steering, dashboard and door trims.
The S560e is also equipped with the Chauffeur Package that comprises the Chauffeur position front-passenger seat, EASY ADJUST luxury head restraint for the front passenger and footrest that is power-retractable on the front passenger side.
The luxury plug-in hybrid model will also come with multi-contour rear seats with massage and heating function.
The plug-in hybrid also features high-end specifications such as the pre-entry climate control that sets various temperature settings (air conditioning, heated seats, steering wheel heater, armrest heaters) for maximum comfort prior to setting off.
The S560e is also equipped with an Eco Assist mode that provides assistance to the driver to create the most efficient driving experience via the haptic accelerator pedal.
A double pulse will also kick in to recommend the drivers to take their foot off the accelerator, which turn the internal combustion engine off.
Driver assistant systems in the S560e includes a 360-degree camera, Active Steering Assist, Active Distance Assist, Active Parking Assist and Adaptive Brake Lights.
IMAGE GALLERY


Review: Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI, an icon redefined [+Video]

This is not your grandparents’ Beetle. That’s the first thing I thought of when I laid eyes on it. Sure, we’ve all probably seen plenty of pictures on the interwebs and publications at one point or another, but how many of us do actually get to see it up close in person, much less drive it? So yes, I got lucky.
Watch the video review of the Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI here
QUICK FACTS
Name
 VW The Beetle 1.4 TSI
Segment
 C-Segment Coupe
Engine
 1,390cc 4-Cylinder Twincharger (160hp, 240Nm)
Price
 RM 180,888 (OTR without Insurance)

This, is a car with a long heritage. The first incarnation of its kind, the
Volkswagen Type 1
 rolled off the assembly lines in 1938. It was meant as a inexpensive and simple car to be mass-produced for a nation from another time in history.
The Ferdinand Porsche-designed Käfer (German for the word “beetle”) with its long production run, along with many iterations, ended in 2003 with a total of
21,529,464
 units built. A monumental feat for an iconic car.
Some liked it for its looks. Some, for its robust chassis. Some, for its performance and reliability. Whatever the reason it may be for everyone else, it’s undeniable that this is a very popular car.
A true People’s Car.
Watch the video review of the Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI here
EXTERIOR
This is the successor to the New Beetle that continued that lineage in 1998. It’s a whole lot more angular, leaner yet strangely fluid while at the same time does a better job than its predecessor to reference the iconic shape that the Type 1 had.
Visually, there are subtle differences between the Beetle variants. What sets this apart from the others are the bold black lower sills, black side mirror housings, 17-inch alloy wheels, twin exhaust and the not-so-subtle 2-toned mid lid boot spoiler.

Make no mistake, this car is a looker. I had more stares from onlookers while I was driving this than I ever had with…err, anything I’ve driven before. Because frankly, my daily beater is plain dull.
I do suspect however, that the stares come quizically with “was this driven by a guy or a lady?”. Probably because it was red in colour or the general misconception that it was mainly associated with having a feminine outlook.
I have never been so self-conscious until I drove this thing. I can feel them judgemental eyes. All that however, quickly replaced with the turbines spooling up and kicking up dust at their face. *fist bump the screen here if ya know what I mean*
INTERIOR
The futuristic/retro, sleek design language on the dashboard is like a page out of those magazines you see about car manufacturers from the 50’s imagining how the future would look like.
VW’s obsession for piano black finishing is very apparent here. The gloss on this thing is absurdly flashy, lavishly lined with chromed bits and polished metal here and there. Like the gearknob you see below.

Then there’s the accelerator pedal. I’m a huge sucker for floor-hinged pedals. The kind of pedals you see on race cars. The old Beetle had them too. So naturally, it’s a big plus for me.
In this edition, VW has brought back the
Kaeferfach
 glove box. Simply put, the “Beetle Bin”. The hatch pops upwards and reveal a second compartment for gadgets you can’t live without, or as our friendly neighborhood Chief Editor pointed out, his trademark white Oakleys!
EFFICIENCY
Let’s get something out of the way: Fuel Consumption. The Beetle 1.4 TSI is rated at
6.2l/100km
. At best, I did a measly
10.6l/100km
. Why, you ask? Let me be clear, since this is my first article and all. I have a very heavy right foot and a habit of late braking with my left.
Let’s be completely honest here. If you were handed the key to a car like this and told to spend the weekend driving it, what would be the first thing that comes to mind? You have a go at it and by it, i mean flooring the accelerator.
So, having done a whole lot worse than 10.6l/100km, i decided to abandon the whole “fuel efficient” approach and concentrate on other aspect instead. I may be wrong here but if you own a car that’s valued at RM183k and a twincharged one at that, do you honestly care about how much fuel she’s sipping?
Before i continue any further, I can’t stress enough that this particular Beetle is a test unit. She has probably gone through a lot of tests up until this point in time.
PERFORMANCE
Weighing in at 1373kg, The Beetle isn’t exactly lightweight but couple it with a twincharged TSI engine that produces
158hp @ 5800rpm
 and that healthy dose of
240Nm
 of torque that kicks in at a relatively low
1500-4500rpm
, this car is very fast off the line. It is even more apparent when you’re powering out of the corners. The tires just stick to the ground like peanut butter on bread. Not…sure if that’s the best euphemism (or if this is even the correct word to use)…but yeah.
I managed
0-100km/h
 time of
8.6s
. Point three of a second shy on what’s stated on paper. Considering that I weigh significantly more than an average German male, or an asian one at that, I dare say that the time achieved is pretty good. Also on paper, the car is capable of achieving a top speed of
207km/h
. Sadly, i did not get to do that. You know, the law and all.
Watch the video review of the Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI here
THE DRIVE
Although the 2-door Coupe may have a tall cabin, the center of gravity is actually lower than you might think. It is 149mm longer, 88mm wider and 12mm lower than the previous New Beetle. That makes the overall ride stiffer, with minimal roll, which is good.
The car handles well while taking medium to high speed corners and does not feel “floaty” at higher speeds. Not that i condone doing all that on public roads but it’s nice to know the car is capable of achieving at least at much.
All that aside, I particularly like the tactile feel of the paddle shift. Scratch that. I LOVE IT. It’s so well hidden right behind the steering wheel, that you wouldn’t know it’s there in the first place.
Just two small tabs protrude out from behind. Left for downshift and right for upshift, the way it should be on every other car. Shifting feels fluid on the 7-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) on this car, it really does the job effortlessly.
IS IT FOR YOU?
As you’ll see in the video, I am going to echo some of the sentiments GC Mah made here. It is a fun car to drive. A means of escapism from the dull, mundane daily commute. If you’re single and have the means for it, then go for it. As a daily beater, the ride is perhaps a little bit too stiff for our roads. Practicality is key here.
COMPARISONS
With the New Mini Cooper recently launched in Malaysia, it’s a matter of time before it goes head to head with The Beetle. In fact, I’m counting on it. I would love to see a shoot out between these two.

VW The Beetle 1.4 TSI
BMW Mini Cooper F56
ENGINE
Type
1.4 litre 4-Cylinder Twincharger
1.5 litre 3-Cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo
Displacement
cc
1,390
1,499
Max Power
hp/rpm
158 / 5800
136 / 4,500-6,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
240 / 1500-4500
220 / 1,250
Carburetion System
Twincharger
MINI TwinPower Turbo
Fuel Tank Capacity
L
55
40
STEERING
Type
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
7-speed direct shift gearbox DSG
6-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4278
3821
Overall Width
mm
1808
1932
Overall Height
mm
1486
1414
Wheelbase
mm
2537
2495
Max Kerb weight
kg
1373
1,190
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
207
210
0 – 100km/h
sec
8.3
7.8
PRICE
RM
RM 180,888.00
 without insurance
RM 178,888.00
 without insurance

WILL I BUY IT?
Sadly, it’s above my pay grade. However, considering all the things that are said and done? I’m leaning towards Yes, practicality be damned. Now kick back, dim the lights, put on your headphones and go watch the video. Edited by me!
Watch the video review of the Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI here
[divider]
VIDEO GALLERY
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


UMW Toyota recalls 12,997 Hilux and Fortuners for brake booster inspection

UMW Toyota Motor has announced a recall involving the Toyota Hilux and Fortuner for a brake booster inspection and replacement.
The recall involves a total of 12,997 units of the Hilux (11,571 units) and Fortuner (1,426 units) made
between July 2018 and January 2019
.
It’s been found that the resin pistons in the brake booster of the Hilux and Fortuner could compromise the vehicle’s braking performance. Replacements will be made at no charge.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified via mail. For further information, owners can contact any authorised Toyota Service Centre or call the Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).


2022 Range Rover Velar gains new HST flagship variant with sportier styling

As part of the 2022 model year update, Land Rover has added two new additions towards the top-end of the
Range Rover Velar
 line-up, called the HST and Edition.
The former adds on “a combination of carefully curated design enhancements and chassis features”, and will become the Range Rover Velar’s new flagship variant. If HST sounds familiar to you, that’s because it’s also been previously offered on the
Range Rover Sport
 and
Evoque
.
Taking the R-Dynamic S variant as a starting point, the HST adds a couple of usually-optional items as standard, specifically the Black Pack on the exterior, and a black contrast roof. The blacked-out 21-inch wheels are also standard, as are the privacy tinted glass.
As usual, you’ll be able to option the car in any colour you like from LR’s wide palette of exterior body paint hues for the Velar. However, the Arroios Grey colour you see here will be exclusive to the HST and Edition models.
RELATED: Range Rover Velar launched in Malaysia, 3 variants from RM529k
Inside, the Velar HST gains a new black Suedecloth headliner, alongside a panoramic glass roof and Cabin Air Purification Plus system as standard. The Pivi Pro infotainment system has also been updated with new Amazon Alexa voice assistant functionality (also offered across the range if you option the range-topping infotainment package), as well as the Park Assist Pack as standard, which adds a surround-view camera and automatic parking capabilities.
For powertrains, the Velar HST will be offered exclusively with LR’s six-cylinder 3.0-litre mild-hybrid Ingenium engines. The P400 petrol version gets a
 400 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of torque, which translates to a 0-100 km/h time of
5.5 seconds
, while the D300 diesel mill gets
300 hp
and
650 Nm
, for a century sprint time of 6.5 seconds. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
As for the aforementioned “chassis features”, the Range Rover Velar HST will come as standard with LR’s electronic air suspension set-up with adaptive dynamics, which – as the name suggests – adapts the car to road conditions and driver settings, promising “superior comfort and control”.
ALSO READ: New 2021 Range Rover Velar loaded with extra goodies
The bad news is that it’ll be available exclusively in the UK and North American markets, so the rest of us will just have to contain our jealousy, because it looks incredible.
The Range Rover Velar Edition meanwhile will be offered in most worldwide destinations, although the striking looks have been toned down a little due to its smaller 20-inch wheels. It’ll feature equipment based on the R-Dynamic SE, but also adds the same Black Pack exterior trims, alongside the black panoramic roof, and privacy glass.
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé breaks cover, 4MATIC AWD & 9-speed auto across the range

According to Mercedes-Benz’s
new naming convention
, their M-Class SUV will now be known as the GLE; but instead of presenting the all-new GLE, the German carmaker went on to introduce the sportier and more athletic sibling first, called the
GLE Coupé
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d 4MATIC
Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 4MATIC
Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC
Drive Type
Permanent all-wheel drive (4MATIC)
Engine
2,987 cc V6 diesel turbo
2,996 cc V6 twin-turbo
2,996 cc V6 twin-turbo
Transmission
9G-TRONIC 9-speed Automatic
9G-TRONIC 9-speed Automatic
9G-TRONIC 9-speed Automatic
Max Power
258 hp @ 3,600 rpm
333 hp @ 5,500 rpm
367 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
620 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,400 rpm
480 Nm @ 1,400 – 4,000 rpm
520 Nm @ 1,400 – 4,000 rpm

The GLE measures
4,900 mm long
,
2,003 mm wide
, and
1,731mm tall
 with a
wheelbase
 measuring
2,915 mm
. However the GLE is still based on the current W166 M-Class. From these official pictures, it’s pretty obvious that the GLE is set to go head-to-head with that
particular SAV
from its direct German competitor.
EXTERIOR
The GLE Coupé takes the cues from the other Mercedes Coupés such as the
CLA
 and the
S-Class Coupé
. The muscular front has a very short overhang, while the nose-mounted three-pointed star fills up the grille and the bonnet bulges with
twin power domes
 and even has a pair of mean-looking vents at the top.
Like the CLA, the GLE’s side profile features a
low sloping roofline
 but unlike the CLA, the GLE adopts a simpler character lines running along the sides. Depending on the variant, Mercedes offers up to
 22-inch wheels
 to fill up the huge wheel arches.

The high belt line rises up at the end of the low side windows, leading to a rear that’s heavily influenced by the S-Class Coupé with the slim rear lights and bumper-mounted number plate. To complete the SUV look, the lower part of the body is finished with black plastic trim and chrome-plated underride guard for the front and rear bumpers.
INTERIOR
The interior is lifted from the existing M-Class but has been given a refresh with a
new display screen
 and a
new steering wheel
. Like any other Mercedes, the GLE has the
COMAND controller with touchpad
 on the center console. Next to the COMAND controller is a rotary knob for the new
DYNAMIC SELECT variable dynamic control system
 with five modes: INDIVIDUAL, COMFORT, SLIPPERY, SPORT and SPORT+.

The GLE seats five, and the
maximum cargo volume
 is
 1,650 litres
 with the rear seats folded down. The refreshed cabin should make its way on the upcoming full-size GLE as well.
PERFORMANCE
Three variants of the GLE were announced, and neither of them a slouch by any standards. The GLE 350 d comes with a
3.0-litre turbodiesel V6
, the GLE 400 with a
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
, and the GLE 450 AMG with a
more powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
. The GLE 450 AMG is not a full-fledged AMG variant, but it fits snugly between the lesser trims and the proper AMG variant.
The oil burning
GLE 350 d
 produces the most amount of torque in the model range –
258 hp
 and
620 Nm
 of torque, while the petrol
GLE 400
 develops
333 hp
 and
480Nm
 of torque. The range-topping
 GLE 450 AMG
 dishes out a thumping
367 hp
 and
520 Nm
 of torque. We’re keen to see more numbers on paper, but that’s about all Mercedes is giving us, so no mandatory century sprint and top speed figures here, unfortunately.
All GLE models are paired with the
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission
, permanently

driving all four wheels via the brand’s
4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system
. On the GLE 350 d and the GLE 400, the torque is split 50:50 front to rear, but the GLE 450 AMG gets a more rear biased configuration at 40:60. The
AIRMATIC Air Suspension
 and the infinitely variable Adaptive Damping System (ADS Plus) are optional, but comes as standard on the GLE 450 AMG.
WHAT ELSE?
Standard equipment on the GLE includes the Audio 20 CD system with eight loudspeakers,
powered Easy-Pack tailgate
, reverse camera with guide lines, and the
Dynamic Select
 handling control system. Numerous options can be specified on the GLE, such as the
panoramic glass roof
, rear seat entertainment system with remote control as well as
Bang & Olufsen Sound AMG
 sound system.
The model in which the GLE is based on, the
W166 M-Class 350
 is offered here in Malaysia at a price of RM570,888 (OTR without insurance), so it’s safe to assume that it’s only a matter of time before the GLE arrives on our shores.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Why aren’t we seeing more of these brash, ferocious Corvettes in Malaysia?

Strange huh? We’ve seen the Mustang, the Challenger and the Charger of new and old in Malaysia but there’s hardly been a new Corvette – not sure why because these things are brash, they’re gastly and ferocious in the way they lunge forward.
Chevrolet has just introduced the 2019 Corvette ZR1, where with
 755 hp
 and
969 Nm
 of torque, it’s the fastest, most powerful Corvette to date.
Power comes from a 6.2L V8 engine (maybe that’s why no one has bothered importing it here) with a more efficient supercharger strapped to it along with GM’s first dual fuel injection system which employs primary direct injection and supplemental port injection.
It even comes with a manual; yes, a 7-speed manual alongside an 8-speed paddle shift automatic transmission – a first for the ZR1. The ZR1’s top speed is rated at more than 210 mph (337 km/h).
The all-new front end is designed to channel air to the drivetrain’s cooling system and to the staggering four new radiators. A special carbon-fibre “halo” hood comes with an opening in the middle to accommodate the engine’s supercharger and cooling facilities.
The ZR1 is offered with two aero packages – a standard rear Low Wing which delivers the highest top speed and provide up to 70% downforce and a two-way adjustable High Wing which offers maximum downforce on the track.
The adjustable High Wing is part of the new ZTK Performance Package, which includes a front splitter with carbon-fibre end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres along with Magnetic Ride Control tuning for better traction around the bends. Both the ZR1’s wings are tied to the chassis, like the Corvette Racing C7.R racecar.
IMAGE GALLERY


Peugeot, Citroen and Toyota collaborate to develop new Vans

PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota have done it again, this time collaborating to develop a van. With that, Peugeot Traveller, Citroen Spacetourer and Toyota Proace became the latest vans to hit the European market. The three manufacturers first collaborated with a city car project some decade ago with the 108, C1 and Aygo.
All three vans are
 identical
 when it comes to
technical features, powertrains
 and
equipment levels
. The only difference is the design, with each van having its own design language to differentiate the models. If you ask us, the one from Citroen looks the best among the three.
No word on the powertrain was revealed to us, but they are expected to be powered by a diesel engine from the PSA range. The vans, which will be assembled in PSA’s plant in Valenciennes, France, will be premiered at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
IMAGE GALLERY


Next-gen Porsche 718 to be fully electric – 80% sales to be EVs by 2030

Are you a fan of the current
Porsche 718
 or the boxer engines? If your answer to either of that is “yes”, then perhaps it’s time to hurry up and save up, because you might not have long to buy one any more.
In an online press conference on Friday, Porsche Chairman of the Executive Board Oliver Blume confirmed that the next-generation Porsche 718 models will become fully electric, and we’ll see it as soon as 2025.
VIDEO: The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is a complete riot in Sepang!
“The
Taycan
 is 100% a Porsche and inspires all kinds of people – existing and new customers, experts and the trade media,” said Blume. “We are stepping up our electric offensive with another model: By the middle of the decade, we want to offer our mid-engine 718 sports car exclusively in an all-electric form.”
In addition to the new fully-electric 718, Porsche also said that it’s targetting for 50% of its sales to come from electrified models (EVs, PHEVs), and in 2030, “the share of all new vehicles with an all-electric drive should be more than 80%”.
The announcement came after the company revealed its sales performance for 2021, where it sold 301,915 vehicles to customers worldwide, making it the first time the company has exceeded the 300,000 mark in its history.
Among that figure, the SUVs leaded the pack with 88,362 units for the
Macan
 and 83,071 for the
Cayenne
, while the Taycan more than doubled its sales last year with 41,296 units delivered. That means it’s now even more popular than the
Porsche 911
, despite the latter also setting a new sales record with 38,464 units delivered.
With the new sales record, Porsche has also generated an operating profit of 5.3 billion Euros, or 27% higher than the previous year, making it the most profitable car manufacturer in the world with an operating return on sales of 16%.
Moving forward, the company has also announced that it will be investing in premium charging stations together with partners, as well as its own charging infrastructure that will be exclusive to Porsche owners.
RELATED: Shell and Porsche announce cross-country 180 kW charging network, six stations in M’sia
“Further extensive investments are flowing into core technologies such as battery systems and module production. In the newly founded Cellforce Group, high-performance battery cells are being developed and produced that are expected to be ready for series production by 2024,” the company added.


Lotus Eletre is world’s fastest dual-motor EV SUV – 905hp, 985Nm, 0-100km/h in 2.95s

Leading the
Lotus
 brand’s transformation from a UK sports car company to a global performance car business and brand is the new all-electric
Lotus Eletre
. Unveiled in March this year, Lotus has now confirmed the prices and specifications of its electric SUV for UK and the European market. With three variants to choose from, the Lotus Eletre’s price starts at £89,500 (approx.
RM 484,668
).
Lotus Eletre – £89,500 (approx. RM484,668).
Lotus Eletre S – £104,500 (approx. RM 565,897)
Lotus Eletre R – £120,000 (approx. RM 649,834)
L-R: Matt Windle (Lotus Cars Group Managing Director), Maximillian Szwaj (Lotus Technology Vice President), Peter Horbury (Executive Vice President, Design), Ben Payne (Lotus Technology Creative Centre Managing Director)
Both the Lotus Eletre and Lotus Eletre S are powered by a dual-motor electric drive system that makes
603 hp
 and
710 Nm
, and gets a single-speed gearbox. Both versions accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
.
Claimed to be the world’s fastest dual-motor electric SUV is the range-topping Lotus Eletre R which also gets a dual motor system but with much more power at
905 hp
 and
985 Nm
. It also gets a two-speed gearbox to fully utilise the electric motors. 0-100 km/h is done in
2.95 seconds
. For reference, the
BMW iX M60

does the century sprint in 3.8 seconds.
RELATED:
The iX M60 is BMW’s most powerful electric car yet
All versions of the Lotus Eletre house a
112-kWh
 battery that give a
600-km
 WLTP range for the Eletre and Eletre S. The Eletre R draws more power due to its higher performance and has a reported WLTP range of
490 km
.
No specifics have been listed on the electric charging rates. However, Lotus does state that the 112-kWh battery takes 20 minutes to charge from 10% state-of-charge (SOC) to 80% with DC fast charging.
RELATED:
The Lotus Emira GT4 is here to rip through racetracks
If the pictures have you guessing about the size of the new Lotus Eletre, we’ll have you know that it is marginally bigger than the
BMW iX
.
Lotus Eletre
BMW iX
Length
5,103 mm
4,953 mm
Width
2,231 mm
1,967 mm
Height
1,630 mm
1,695 mm
Wheelbase
3,019 mm
3,000 mm
In the UK the Eletre rides on 22-inch wheels as standard, though 20-inch and 23-inch are available. There are five different wheel designs and six colours of brake callipers. As for body colour choices, the Lotus Eletre currently has six different colours to choose from – Natron Red, Galloway Green, Stellar Black, Kaimu Grey, Blossom Grey and Solar Yellow. More will follow later.
ALSO WATCH:
Lotus Emira ‘First Edition’ with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 in Malaysia, 5 Things
There are also six unique interior options, with all of them offering premium high-grade materials and detail choices. Mounted on the centre of the dashboard is a 15.1-inch full High-Definition OLED centre screen.
This ‘intelligent cockpit’ infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and a 1,380-watt, 15-speaker KEF Premium Audio system. All versions of the Eletre feature five seats as standard, with a four-seat version available as part of the Executive Seat Pack.
RELATED:
Lotus Emira “First Edition” previewed in Malaysia, with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6!
Standard on all versions of the Lotus Eletre are five driving modes, active air suspension, torque vectoring, matrix LED headlights, an active front grille, and 22-inch wheels. Also standard is a wirelss smartphone charging system, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, four-zone sutomatic climate control, and a deployable LIDAR technology which supports end-to-end autonomous driving technology.
Standard on the range-topping Lotus Eletre R is the Lotus Dynamic Handling Pack, Carbon Fibre Pack, gloss black wheels, stainless steel sports pedals, black badging and high-performance tyres. All Eletre customers have further opportunities to customise and personalise their car to their requirements using option packs.
Lotus Cars Group Vice-President and Managing Director, Matt Windle said, “Confirmation of the pricing and specs of the Lotus Eletre is a key moment in the transformation of Lotus through our Vision80 strategy. We know from media and customer feedback that they’re hugely excited by the arrival of this car – indeed, the Eletre has already won awards as 2023’s ‘most excited to see’ new model. Customer deliveries start during the first half of next year.”
On the launch of the Eletre, Matt Windle adds, “The launch of the Eletre is the natural next step for Lotus. Two-seater sports cars are not for everyone, and we want to offer a Lotus for every stage of your life. The Eletre is the start of that.”
RELATED:
Lotus confirms four new EV models by 2026 – 2 SUVs, built in new China HQ!
GALLERY


Chery Exeed TX SUV debuts, 1.5L hybrid AWD, 0-100km/h in 6s, 1.8L/100km!

Chery Automobile is planning to go global with its new line of vehicles, starting with the all-new Chery Exeed TX. After numerous
teasers
, the Chinese company’s first mid-sized SUV was finally shown to the world at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA).
Measuring at 4,664 mm in length, 1,872 mm in width and 1,685 mm in height with a wheel base of 2,697 mm, the Exeed TX is marginally larger than the
Honda CR-V
. The new model embodies Chery’s “
Life in Motion
” design philosophy that appeals to the urban and active audience. The chrome grille that runs all the way to the headlamps will be Chery’s new family face for future models to come.
Stepping inside and you will be greeted with a futuristic cabin that is packed with the latest smart technologies and connected infotainment services. At the centre of the dash sits a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system while the climate controls sit elegantly below it. Speaking of which, don’t they remind you of a certain four rings’?
Driver conveniences are aplenty, featuring key items such as keyless entry, 360-degree surround view camera, powered tailgate, ambient-lighting, panoramic sunroof, privacy glass, Park Assist just to name a few. So, it has a cabin that matches the stunning looks, does it have the performance to match?
Chery has developed a modular platform that will accommodate different electric powertrains. The Exeed TX will be available in Europe with
three electric powertrains
: a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicle.
The first configuration to go on sale is the plug-in hybrid variant, spotting a
147 hp
 1.5-litre combustion engine mated to an
85 kW
 electric motor. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed hybrid drive transmission. Now a 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain may seem underwhelming, but Chery claims that the SUV will sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just
6 seconds flat
 with a top speed of
200 km/h
. Fuel consumption is rated at
1.8 litres per 100 km
.
The PHEV Exeed TX has a zero-emission driving range of 70 km and will travel up to speeds of 120 km/h in pure electric power alone. Charging the PHEV to full charge from a regular household supply takes just four hours while fast charging can get the battery charge to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
The Chinese automaker is currently evaluating key markets for future SUV/Crossover models and is planning to set up new R&D facilities in Europe to support its global expansion plan. The Exeed TX will be sold exclusive in Europe but there is no telling if the company will eventually offer this competitive SUV in other regions.
IMAGE GALLERY


Renault to use Geely hybrid tech for China and Korean markets

Renault and Geely earlier today said they would jointly develop vehicles utilising hybrid technology for China and South Korean markets. Renault, ending its partnership with Dongfeng, just exited the Chinese automotive market last year due to poor sales.
As part of the yet-to-be formally announced partnership, Renault would enter the cooperation with Geely by simply re-branding Geely hybrid products as Renault models. However, a much larger collaboration is planned for South Korea, where Renault vehicles are sold as Renault Samsung Motors.
Volvo first automaker to take full control of China operations. Read more about their plans here.
The two automakers are said to explore a joint localisation of Geely’s
Lynk & Co
 brand in South Korea and later expand to fast-growing Asian markets. The report by
Reuters
 also said both companies are looking at developing fully electric vehicles as part of the venture.
The move by Renault is part of their plans to revive their presence in the world’s largest car market, where hybrids or new energy and electrified vehicles (NEEV) are growing at a phenomenal rate. For Zhejiang Geely Holding, the first six months of 2021 saw over 30,000 units of NEEV models sold, representing 5% of the total sales of 630,237 units.
The new venture is said to be modelled on an EV-focused venture Geely set up in 2019 with Daimler, which plants to manufacture and sell
Smart-brand EV
 based on Geely’s highly scalable
Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA)
 platform that is also open-sourced.
Honda is open to partnerships to lower the cost of EVs. Find out more about their plans here!
This addition of Renault certainly highlights the ongoing appeal of Geely’s business model of being an EV automaker, providing all the necessary development, engineering and manufacturing solutions at a competitive price.
It is however not entirely clear how this will play out for Renault’s alliance partner, Nissan. Both Nissan and Dongfeng currently have a joint-venture in China and both also express their own interest in making electric cars dedicated to the domestic market.
GALLERY
Geely vehicles
Renault Samsung vehicles


Ital Auto is Ferrari’s new partner in Malaysia, replaces Naza Italia

Ital Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd
 (known as Ital Auto) has been appointed as the new official and authorized importer for
Ferrari
 in Malaysia. The appointment is effective from
May 5, 2023
, following
the end of Ferrari and Naza Italia’s partnership
 in April 2023.
Replacing Naza Italia, Ital Auto will be taking over the former partner’s existing client deposits and bookings for Ferrari vehicles. Not a stranger to the “best of Maranello”, Ital Auto has been an official importer and distributor of Ferrari in Singapore since 2009.
According to Ferrari, Ital Auto has “proven to be an effective and reliable partner by delivering exceptional customer experiences and quality services to our clients” and Ferrari is confident that their customer base in Malaysia and the region will continue to be well served.
Prior to Ital Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s appointment, Naza Italia Sdn Bhd has been the sole distributor of Ferrari in Malaysia. The company is part of the Naza Group which has previously sold cars from Kia and Peugeot. For a short stint, the group even had its own name-brand vehicles with models like the Ria, Sutera, and 206 Bestari.
Globally, Ferrari has managed to sell 3,567 cars in the first quarter of 2023, showing a 9.7% growth from the previous year. Ferrari has also reopened orders for the
Ferrari Purosangue
 after temporarily
halting it since December last year
. The Purosangue is Ferrari’s first ‘SUV’ and its first four-door, four-seater vehicle.
With Ital Auto announced as the new official partner for Ferrari in Malaysia, those who wish to make orders for the Purosangue might be able to make their dream purchase a reality. There have been sights of Ital Auto’s facility in Glenmarie, but no official announcements have been made yet on the company’s facility locations since the partnership.
RELATED:
Ferrari Purosangue orders reopen, 3,567 Ferraris sold in Q1 2023


Mugen’s body kit for the all-new Honda Civic Hatchback adds sportiness without being “ricey”

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that there’s a new Honda Civic in town. And just like clockwork whenever Honda unveils a new car, Mugen has now followed it up with a body kit for the all-new Honda Civic Hatchback.
The full kit will only be launched alongside the car in Japan
next month
, but Mugen has furnished two teaser photos to hype up the launch, pretty much already telling us everything we need to know.
From the looks of it, the new body kit is considerably tamer than what we’ve come to expect from Mugen. The kit includes additional bumper extension lips and side skirts, a new honey-comb grille, and a small fixed spoiler at the back – all given the blacked-out treatment for an extra dose of sportiness.
Capping off the exterior changes are smaller additional items like a set of window visors, black wing mirror covers, number plate holders, as well as minor accessories like door handle scratch protectors, plus carbon fibre decals above the front grille and boot lip.
Honda USA also unveiled their own styling kit for the all-new Civic under the Honda HPD brand. Check it out here!
Aside from just aesthetic modifications, Mugen has also developed a new sports exhaust system for the all-new Honda Civic Hatchback, featuring two oval-shaped exhaust tips, alongside a set of 18-inch forged aluminium wheels that supposedly features the “Mugen sporty ride” characteristics.
Interior decorations are also expected in the Mugen kit for the all-new Honda Civic Hatchback, but we’ll have to wait until the official launch on the 3rd of September to see what that looks like. The company does say that there’ll be a set o new sports mats though, so there’s that.
Mugen also recently unveiled a body kit for the Honda Jazz, which we think looks ace! Check it out for yourself here.
With the all-new Honda Civic recently making its
regional debut in Thailand
, we probably don’t have to wait too much longer to see the 11th-gen Civic here in Malaysia.
Would you rather have yours equipped with this Mugen body kit, the competing
Modulo kit
, or instead go with the complete stock sleeper look? Let us know in the comments below!
GALLERY


The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe now in Malaysia, start every journey with a light show!

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia today launched the all-new E-Class Coupe today consisting of 3 different variants – the E200 Coupe, E300 Coupe and the E300 Coupe Edition 1, joining its Dream Car Collection – a collection of the most exclusive and exciting cars available in the market today.
The all-new
E-Class
 Coupe is distinguished by distinctive front-end with low-positioned sports grille and central star, a long bonnet with power domes, a rearward-shifted, squat greenhouse and muscular rear end. It’s new dynamic looks are emphasised by four frameless, fully-retractable side windows and the absences of a B-pillar. Lighting is covered by the new
MULTIBEAM LED
 headlamps in the front and a two-part, extremely flat LED tail lamps.

Upon unlocking the vehicle, the taillights illuminate successively from the centre of the vehicle outwards. On locking the vehicle, the sequence of lights will run the opposite direction. The same applies to the
MULTIBEAM LED
 headlamps, with similar projections of the blue optical-fibre show in the front.
Variant
E200 Coupe
E300 Coupe
Engine
2.0-litre In-line 4 cyl
2.0-litre In-line 4 cyl
Transmission
9G-TRONIC
9G-TRONIC
Max Power
184 hp
245 hp
Max Torque
300 Nm
370 Nm
Price (OTR without Insurance)
RM 435,888
RM 499,888
On the inside, you get two brilliant, 12-3-inch high resolution (1920 x 720) displays which are merged under a single lens to produce a
Widescreen Cockpit
 with a floating effect. Additional controls come in the form of a touchpad with controller in the centre console, which can also recognise handwriting as well as the
LINGUATRONIC
 voice control system. Ambient lighting is available in
64 colours
.

In the
E300 Coupe
, the interior comes with additional heads-up display, an
AIR-BALANCE package
 and the
Burmester surround sound system
. The E300 Coupe’s interior can also be distinguished with its panoramic sliding sunroof, metal-weave trim and black piano-lacquer centre console as opposed to the open-pore black ash wood trim and black open-pored as wood centre console.
It’s
COMAND ONLINE
 system provides smartphone connectivity via the Apple Car Play system alongside Google’s Android Auto. The new E-Class Coupe outstrips its predecessor in terms of length, width and height which as a result offers more headroom and rear knee room.

The AMG line adds a distinctive touch of sportiness – with diamond radiator grille with chrome pins to the large AMG light-alloy wheels with 18-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels in the E200 coupe and 20-inch AMG multi-spoke high-gloss black wheels. The E300 also comes with a
Night package
 for its exterior with a host of design details in high-gloss black.
Driving experience is also enhanced with the E-Class Coupe’s
AGILITY CONTROL
, with passive, selective damping. The suspension system also lowers the car by 15 mm compared to the Saloon without compromising on comfort. It’s
DYNAMIC SELECT
 system enable various vehicle settings – with Comfort, ECO, Sport, Sport + and Individual.
 The E300 Coupe is also available in
Edition 1
, a variant that’s limited to only
555 units worldwide
. It comes with the Night Package, 20-inch AMG light alloy wheels in exclusive designo cashmere with magno paint.
Customers can finance their new E200 Coupe at RM 4,358, E300 Coupe at RM 4,998 and E300 Coupe Edition 1 at Rm 5,348 per month with a three year
Agility Financing
 tenure available for the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz Dream Car collection.
IMAGE GALLERY
E200 Coupe

E300 Coupe


Mercedes-AMG G63 now in Malaysia, Godfather of SUVs costs RM1.4 million

Throughout the years, the original G-Class was given multiple refreshers and almost 40 years later since its initial debut, an all-new second-generation model was launched at the 2018 North American International Auto Show.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) with its strong portfolio of SUVs here in Malaysia, it is only natural for the Godfather of SUVs to make its way here as its halo model. In the bi-turbo V8 powered Mercedes-AMG G 63 variant no less.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mercedes-AMG G 63
Engine
3,982cc; bi-turbo V8
Transmission
9-speed automatic
Max Power
585 hp @ 5,500 – 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
850 Nm @ 2,000 – 3,500 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
4.5 seconds; 240 km/h (AMG Driver’s Package)
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM1,464,888
EXTERIOR
The second-gen G-Class maintains its iconic boxy design and no one will blame you to presume this to be a
facelift
 model. Compared to its predecessor, the new G-Class is now 53 mm longer, 121 mm wider and has 6 mm higher ground clearance, now measuring 4,753 mm in length, 1,931 mm in width, 1,969 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,890 mm.

Mercedes-Benz has also put the G-Class through a diet by introducing new material mix in the body shell, aluminium wings, bonnet and doors amongst others, resulting in it being 170 kg lighter than the model it replaces.
Our local-spec G 63 gets dressed in the panamericana grille, Multibeam LED headlamps, AMG Night Package, red painted brake calipers, side running boards, 22-inch AMG cross-spoke forge wheels and the Edition 1 package.
INTERIOR
Inside, the G-Class gets Mercedes-Benz’s latest generation cabin design language and technologies – widescreen cockpit, multifunctional steering wheel with touch controls, turbine-style air vents, Active Multicontour Seat Package, 64-colour ambient lighting power and more.

In the G 63 you’ll get Nappa leather AMG performance steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery with red topstitching, Designo red seatbelts, Burmester Surround Sound System, AMG stainless steel door sill panels and AMG carbon-fibre trim in red pepper.
PERFORMANCE
Under the hood lies an M177 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 found in other Mercedes-AMG 63 models. All
585 hp
 and
850 Nm
 of twist is transferred to all four corners via 9G nine-speed AMG Speedshift TCT transmission. Century sprint is done and dusted in
4.5 seconds
 and the G 63 will continue to accelerate till the 240 km/h mark (with AMG Drivers Package, standard on Malaysian-spec).
The AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive features a rear-biased torque distribution of 40:60 front to rear – unlike the G-Class of old which has a standard 50:50 split. There are five on-road drive modes available on the Dynamic Select – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
Flick the central differential lock switches on the centre console and the G 63 will engage one of three off-road modes – Sand, Trail and Rock.
Trail
 allows maximum performance on soft, muddy or slippery surfaces while
Sand
 gives the sportiest dynamics on sandy stretches. When the going gets extremely tough,
Rock
 will be the ideal mode for the G 63 to get you out of tough spots.
SAFETY
Customers who purchase their G 63 from MBM can expect the Driving Assistance Package that bundles Blind Spot Assist, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist as well as 360-degree surround view camera, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and Pre-Safe System.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-AMG G 63 Launched in Malaysia


Mercedes-AMG A 45 facelift unleashed, gets new looks and more power! [+Video]

Following the
facelifted Mercedes-Benz A-Class
, the top-of-the range baby Merc gets updated with
power hike
 to complement the refreshed looks. The entry-level
AMG
 is no longer a Benz, from now on it will be known officially as the
Mercedes-AMG A 45 4MATIC
.
It still looks as wild as before, but
minute changes
 are evident especially from the front. The bumper now features the
distinctive AMG A-wing
 like on the bigger AMG siblings, and the
LED High Performance headlamps
 are fitted as standard on the A 45.
At the tail end, the
badges swapped positions
, where the AMG emblem now sits on the left side of the hatch.
New tail lights
 are the same as the non-AMG models, but the
 diffuser
 and the
rectangular tailpipes
 down below are unique to the A 45.
This super hot hatch gets all the updates from the
normal A-Class
, including the
revised graphics
,
switches
, and
bigger screen
. The
new steering wheel
 is chunkier in the A 45, while the distinctive
AMG gear selector
 takes centerstage on the center console. In addition to that, the
sports seats
 get seat
cushion depth adjustment
 as standard. The A 45 will also receive
Apple CarPlay
 and
MirrorLink
 mobile phone connectivity.
The “
beast
” under the bonnet is the same
turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 unit, but it has been spanked to extract
21 hp
 and
25 Nm more
 than before. Thanks to the reconfigured timing and valve assembly, it generates a total of
381 hp
 and
475 Nm
, extending its lead as the
most powerful series production four-cylinder engine
 now with
191 hp per litre
. Amazingly, the
 fuel consumption
 remains at
6.9 litres per 100 km
.
Mated to a reworked
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sport transmission
 with
shorter ratios
, the A 45 shoots from
 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds
,
0.4 seconds quicker
 than before. The
AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive system
 with
infinitely variable torque distribution
 stays, shuffling
 up to 50 percent of the power to the rear axle
 to increase traction when needed.
The
AMG DYNAMIC SELECT
 driving modes gains a
Sport+
 mode, which
quickens the shift times
 as well as
sharpens the throttle response
 along with an
amplified soundtrack
 from the engine. On top of that, an automatically controlled
exhaust flap
 controls the volume on the outside depending on the chosen driving mode.
To those who plan to take their A 45 to the circuit, a new optional
AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package
 can be specified on the A 45. For the first time on the A 45, it brings a
 mechanical front axle locking differential
 for an even improved traction in the bends. Also included is the
AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension
 with
fully-automated two-stage adaptive dampers
, as well as an additonal and more extreme
Race mode
 where the
SPORT HANDLING MODE
 on the 3-stage ESP allows for a
 wider drift angles
.

The A 45 mirrors the
standard A-Class
‘ safety features and driving assistance systems, and it includes the
ATTENTION ASSIST
 drowsiness detection system,
DISTRONIC PLUS
 adaptive cruise control, and
COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
 with autonomous partial braking.
The A 45 used to sell for RM348,888 in its
Edition 1
 guise but is currently sold at RM343,888 – a full RM5,000 cheaper. With the increased power in the new A 45, surely it will cost more than that, no?
IMAGE GALLERY


Forget flying first class, all you need is the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

The
all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class
 is cool and all, but frankly – it was never going to measure up to the top 1% of the 1%, no. If you’re part of that most elite few in the world, what you need is this, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which takes the luxury sedan to a whole other level.
Like all
Maybachs
, the new Maybach S-Class is not a car that you’re supposed to be driving, but to be driven in – as made very clear in the press release. It’s 180 mm longer than even the long wheelbase Mercedes S-Class (290 mm longer than the regular S-Class!), with all that space going to the rear seats.
But more space is not the only thing that’s going for the new Maybach. There’s also a feature called “active road noise compensation” which works similarly to your fancy headphones to suppress unwanted noise within the cabin. Mercedes-Benz says that the counter-phased audio signals generated by the systems reaches your ears in less than three milliseconds to compensate the road noise effectively.
The rear quarterlights at the C-pillars also get thicker laminated glass for added quietness, and noise-reduced tyres with foam absorbers can also be fitted on request.
Not just that – passengers in the rear seats will even have the seatbelts extended to you, which means you’ll no longer have to move from an adopted, comfortable seating position to fasten the belt – no literally, the press release states that verbatim.
With the optional comfort access doors which can be operated via any of the touch screens on board (i.e. by your chauffeur), you also won’t have to unnecessarily waste extra energy on peasanty tasks like opening or closing the doors. The mechanism was also tested extensively to ensure it’s not too loud, causing unnecessary strain on your ears.
And for the ultimate rear-seats experience, you can even specify the all-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class with a refrigerator in-between the two seats, perfect for storing your champagne on the go. Pair that with the improved ambient lighting system with 253 individual LEDs with Maybach-exclusive colours such as rosé gold white and amethyst glow, and you have yourself a super exclusive moving lounge.
The new Maybach S-Class is fitted with Executive Seats as standard, which can be reclined to a maximum of 43.5-degrees. Should you need more space, the Chauffeur package will allow the backrest of the front passenger seat to be tilted further forward by 23-degrees.
Together with the electronically-extending leg rests of the Executive seats (with optional calf massage function) and the foot rests on the back of the front seats, you can even comfortably sleep at the rear quarters if you really want to.
Of course, there’s no use in owning a Maybach if it just looks like any other S-Class. To differentiate, the new Mercedes-Maybach gets the brand’s own signature radiator grille, light-up Maybach badges on the C-pillars, as well as exclusive chrome trims. The stunning forged monoblock alloy wheels are 20-inches in size as standard, but can be optioned to smaller 19-inch items if you prefer a little more comfort.
However, the most impressive exterior feature on the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is the extra-cost two-tone paint finish, which is painstakingly done by hand and takes an entire week to complete. The chrome fin down the middle of the bonnet is also a Maybach-exclusive, as a nod to Maybach’s pre-WW2 models.
Powertrain options underneath the hood of the new Maybach S-Class comes directly from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class portfolio. These include the S 580 4Matic which is powered by a
489 hp/700 Nm
 4.0-litre biturbo V8, as well as the S 650 4Matic and S 680 4Matic which gets the beefier 6.0-litre biturbo V12, pushing out
630 hp
and
1,000 Nm
 of torque – more engine options are available depending on region.
Just like the regular S-Classes, the Maybach S 580 also benefits from the 48V EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, which provides additional power assistance of up to 20 hp and 180 Nm when required, while the improved integrated starter-generator ensures a smoother start-stop experience.
The all-new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class also comes with all of the fancy new driving technologies on the regular S-Class, including the E-Active Body Control active suspension with active roll stabilisation, extended rear-wheel steering, as well as level-3 autonomous driving capabilities – although these probably wouldn’t affect your buying decision since you’ll be seated at the rear seats anyway. In case of accidents, the rear passengers are protected by the
world’s-first rear passenger frontal airbags
.
GALLERY


All-new Honda City hatchback vs Honda Jazz – What are you getting more (or less)?

As you may have heard by now, the
all-new Honda City Hatchback
has been launched with prices starting from RM75,670 all the way to RM87,860 for the V variant. The arrival of the new hatchback also means that Honda will stop selling the Jazz in Malaysia.
Read about our first impressions of the City hatchback after driving it on the Sepang Circuit!
Jazz
City
As the new replacement for the Jazz that has enjoyed such a strong following in Malaysia for more than 10 years, we thought you might want to know what you’re getting more (or less) in the new City Hatchback. For all intents and purposes, we’ll be comparing the highest spec V variants of the Jazz and City.
PRICE
The Jazz is priced at RM84,955 while the City hatchback is priced a little more at RM87,860; an
additional RM2,905
. What are you getting then for that extra money? More or less?
PERFORMANCE
The all-new City comes with a new Dual Overhead Cam engine compared to the single cam engine in the Jazz. That said, there isn’t a significant increase in output compared to the City hatchback. Both are 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engines and while the City hatchback pushes out 121 hp and 145 Nm, it only has one horsepower more than the Jazz at 120 hp and 145 Nm. Both the Jazz and City hatchback are fitted with CVT gearboxes.
The City hatchback manages 0 to 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds and has a top speed of 194 km/h. There are no official figures by Honda Malaysia on this for the Jazz, but in other markets, the Jazz (with the same output) exceeds 11 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.
EXTERIOR
In terms of headlights, the City hatchback V gets LED units while the V variant of the Jazz only had halogen projectors. Both come with LED daytime running lights and fog lights. The Jazz also doesn’t get automatic headlamps like in the new City hatchback. Both are fitted with 16-inch wheels with similar size tyres.
As for dimensions, the new City hatchback is longer, wider, and comes with a longer wheelbase compared to the Jazz. The Jazz does have an advantage in height, which should be better for headroom.
As for boot size, the Jazz offers significantly more room with 369 litres over the City hatchback’s 289-litres. Turning radius in the City hatchback is also better; five metres compared to the Jazz’s 5.4.
INTERIOR
Inside, both come with paddle shifters, push start button, auto air conditioning, ECON button and Honda’s highly practical Ultra Seats but the City hatchback stands out just a little more with leather upholstery compared to semi-leather in the Jazz.
In terms of on-board entertainment, the City hatchback has improved from the Jazz with a larger infotainment display, 8-inches vs 6.8-inches, more USB ports, two compared to just one in the Jazz, and more speakers, eight speakers over six. The City hatchback also stands out with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – a huge step up.
The 8-inch infotainment display in the City hatchback.
From our personal experience with the car on the Sepang Circuit, the seats in the new City hatchback felt much more supportive as well, especially in the rib section.
SAFETY
As for safety both the Jazz and City hatchback come with six airbags, hill-start assist, emergency stop signal, ISOFIX seats. Separating the two apart is the Honda LaneWatch feature in the City hatchback, which projects the left-hand side of the car onto the infotainment display when signalling left.

The Honda SENSING features including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, lane keep assist, front collision warning with collision mitigation braking (autonomous braking), lane departure warning with road departure mitigation is only available in the RS variant.
What do you think? Does it justify the extra RM2,900 or so extra compared to the discontinued Jazz?


Anyone here fancies a Honda Jazz Mugen? 300 units only

Honda Malaysia has
just announced limited special editions for the popular Honda Jazz and BR-V. Only
300 units each of the Jazz Mugen and BR-V Special Edition will be available so
you better hurry!
This is not the first time we’ve heard of the Jazz Mugen, having to be previewed as
a concept at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS)
. The production model is near identical to the concept with new front aero bumper, Mugen front grille, LED front fog lamps along the front lip, side under spoiler, tailgate garnish, rear under spoiler and a rear spoiler. The 17-inch 10-spoke Mugen alloy wheels were given a miss, soldiering on with the same 15-inch multi-spoke design.
Production Model
Jazz Mugen Concept
The Jazz Mugen is based on the top-grade Jazz 1.5 V which is powered by a 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine and CVT pushing
120 hp
 and
145 Nm
. Other than the Mugen body kit, the rest of the car is as per before with six air bags, Vehicle Stability Control, automatic climate control, half leather upholstery and 6.8-inch Display Audio.
The Jazz Mugen is
priced at RM88,600 for the Modern Steel Metallic while opting for White Orchid
Pearl will bump the price up to RM88,720.
On the outside, the BR-V SE gains a new tailgate spoiler, running board, side step garnish while the cabin is enhanced with a 6.8-inch infotainment system with Smartphone Connectivity. Other than that, the rest of the car is identical as before. The BR-V SE features the same 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC and CVT combo with
120 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque.
Additionally, Honda
Malaysia is also introducing a new Passion Red Pearl for the BR-V line-up,
replacing the Dark Ruby Red Pearl. The BR-V SE is available exclusively in
Passion Red Pearl or White Orchid Pearl priced at RM90,700 and RM91,000
respectively.
IMAGE GALLERY
Honda Jazz Mugen Concept at 2018 KLIMS


Here are 4 simple ideas from Bosch on car maintenance and staying active

It’s been exactly two months since the entire Covid-19 phenomenon dawned on us and while we’ve been affected physically and mentally by various restrictions to our lifestyle never before experienced, the lack of commuting and movement has certainly affected our vehicles as well.
As such Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia (Bosch AA) would like to share
 four simple ideas
 to make the best use of our time at home by staying active. This will also help keep our cars in the best and cleanest condition possible to ensure our safety when making essential trips during this time.
Exercise by washing your car inside-out
Being confined at home doesn’t mean you don’t get any physical activity in. Get some exercise by giving your car a good wash inside and out by cleaning, vacuuming and disinfecting. Remember that we use our cars to get our essentials and it is easy to overlook that cars receive the most human contact.
Hence, it is even more important now to wash and clean it to protect ourselves and our loved ones. It is highly recommended to use disinfectant wipes or solutions to wipe down the interior especially the door handles, steering wheel, radio, AC buttons; places you are in constant contact with.

Click here for more on the
 AutoDIY series
!
Staying at home = flattening the curve + (maybe) a flat car battery
Minimising human contact and practicing social distancing by being at home has not only successfully flattened the curve in Malaysia but may have also caused a “flatten” your car’s battery due to the lack of use. However, letting your car battery go idle, can potentially shorten its lifespan.
As such you might want to have a look at the
Bosch C3 battery charger
 for such situations. It’ll keep your car battery active and offers a quick remedy to flat batteries from the lack of driving.
Exercise peace of mind with some “retail therapy
“
Staying home for an extended period of time can be a tough endeavour for most people. For shopaholics, it’s an even bigger pain. At times like these, perhaps what you need is some retail therapy. Thanks to e-commerce, shopping can be done online and with the goods delivered right to your doorstep!
Take this opportunity to check on the wear and tear of your car parts and shop for new ones if they are worn out. With the on-going rainy season, we suggest shopping for a reliable pair of wipers as clear visibility is crucial when driving in the rain. Besides having a clear vision, a good cabin filter is equally important to ensure clean air in your car cabin as well as to prevent your windshield and windows from fogging up inside the car. These can be bought on
Shopee
.

Check out our
Auto DIY series on YouTube
!
Disinfect your baby car seat
Since our cars receive the most human contact from essential trips, remember to disinfect the baby car seat and ensure that it is clean and sanitized.
Use warm water and mild, baby-friendly soap to wipe down the harness, frame and buckles. Then, with a clean cloth remove any soap residue followed by a disinfectant wipe. Wash the covers if they are washing machine friendly but avoid using a dryer as it can compromise the shape of the covers!
Here’s how to do it
!
Let’s make good use of our time at home by being more productive and by doing our part in keeping our cars clean and well maintained. This is so when we are able to freely drive on our roads, our cars will give us a safe and smooth drive.


Funky, vibrant and youthful – check out the new Toyota Yaris in detail!

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) displayed the
all-new Toyota Yaris
 at the
2019 Malaysia Autoshow
 for public viewing before the B-segment hatchback makes its official debut here.
The one on display is the range-topping Yaris 1.5 G fitted with aero kit. Helping the Yaris to stand out from the range of Toyota models is the vibrant Citrus Mica Metallic exterior colour – other colours include Red Mica Metallic, Attitude Black, Silver Metallic and Super White II.
The model on display comes with the aero kit fitted which adds a four-piece body kit in black with red pin striping and a body coloured roof spoiler.
Standard equipment on the Yaris 1.5 G includes projector halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, LED combination tail lamps, keyless entry and start, 16-inch dual-tone alloys wrapped in 195/50 profile rubbers, an Optitron Meter and Multi-information Display, Electrochromic rear-view mirror, automatic climate control, DVD-AVX touchscreen infotainment system, 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor and fabric seats.
Under the hood, the Yaris shares the same powertrain as the
facelifted Vios
, a 2NR-FE 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine and CVT with seven virtual ratios making
107 hp
and
140 Nm
of torque.
In terms of safety
equipment, the Yaris is identical to the facelifted Vios which comes with 7
airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, hill-start assist and Blind Spot Monitoring
with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The all-new Toyota Yaris is now available for booking at all authorised UMWT dealers nationwide with three variants available at launch – 1.5 J, 1.5 E and 1.5 G priced from RM71,888 to RM84,888.
Our local spec Yaris will be locally-assembled at UMWT’s new plant in Bukit Raja, Klang and comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY


The world’s fastest accelerating car title now belongs to the Aspark Owl

If Tesla’s Ludicrous Mode isn’t quite enough for your thirst for speed, this new electric hypercar is probably going to reshuffle your brain. Meet the new Aspark Owl.
Unveiled at the Dubai International Motor Show, the Aspark Owl promises a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time in
1.69 seconds
, claiming the title of the world’s fastest accelerating car. From stationary, the Owl reaches 300 km/h in just
10.6 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
400 km/h
.
In order to achieve these mind-numbing performance figures, the Aspark Owl utilises four Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) to produce
2012 hp
 and “
around 2000 Nm
” of torque. The Japanese firm claims that the Owl is almost two times more powerful than a Formula 1 car.
The 800 volts powertrain draws power from a
64 kWh
 lithium ion battery, which promises a drive range of
450 km
 on the NEDC test cycle. Read: when you’re not constantly going pedal to the metal in your 2000 hp car.
When plugged in to a 44 kW charging system, the Aspark Owl can be charged in just
80 minutes
. An advanced Battery Monitoring System continuously monitor each battery cell to minimize wear-and-tear in standard operating circumstances.
In order to squeeze every ounce of performance out of the electric hypercar, Aspark took weight savings to an extreme with the Owl. The smooth curvy body is completely made out of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, and weighs in at just
 180 kg
.
Underneath the body is a single-piece carbon monocoque chassis, weighing just
120 kg
. Honeycomb structures are used in the chassis to absorb shock as much as possible in an event of a crash.
The Aspark Owl stands just
 99 cm
 tall, paired with the “feminine” body shape to reduce drag in the air. An active rear wing automatically comes out at 150 km/h to keep the car on the ground.
Carbon ceramic brake discs paired with 10-pot calipers in front and four at the rear should provide ample stopping power. The Aspark Owl rides on double wishbone suspensions on all four corners.
All of these performance certainly don’t come cheap, as the Aspark Owl is priced at
2.9 million Euro
 (RM13.3 million). If you’re interested, act quick as only 50 units will ever be made. You might want to invest in a neck brace while shelling out the cold hard cash too.
IMAGE GALLERY