Ora Good Cat launched as the cheapest EV in Malaysia currently – from RM140k

After an extensive teaser period, the Ora Good Cat has now finally made its official debut in Malaysia. The fully-electric compact hatchback will be offered in two specifications at launch: 400 Pro and 500 Ultra, priced at
RM139,800
 and
RM169,800
 respectively.
As part of its teaser campaign, members of the media have already been given the chance to sample the Ora Good Cat in person on a media drive recently. Be sure to check out our
 first hands-on experience video
 to see how it actually performs!
The highlight of the Ora Good Cat is undoubtedly its cute and quirky looks, which is actually designed by former Porsche designer, Emanual Derta – we can certainly see a little bit of the
Porsche 911
 influence here, although its more bulbous silhouette is perhaps more reminiscent of another Porsche cousin, the
Volkswagen Beetle
.
But don’t let its adorable looks in the photos fool you, because the Ora Good Cat is still quite a sizeable car, measuring in at 4,235 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, 1,596 mm tall, and with a 2,650 mm wheelbase. That puts it roughly in the same size segment as a
 Proton X50
, but just a little bit shorter in both length and height.
In terms of exterior specifications, the Ora Good Cat comes equipped as standard with:
Ora Good Cat 400 Pro
LED headlights with LED daytime-running lights
LED tail lights
18-inch alloy wheels
Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers
Electric panoramic sunroof
Powered wing mirrors
Ora Good Cat 500 Ultra (Adds)
Welcome lighting effect
Memory function for the powered wing mirrors
Exterior colour options: Hamilton White (optional black roof), Sun Black, Coral Blue, Mars Red/Black, Hazel Wood Beige/Wisdom Brown (500 Ultra exclusive), Verdant Green/White (500 Ultra exclusive)
Both variants share the same base powertrain underneath the bonnet, consisting of a single electric motor on the front axle capable of dishing out
105 kW (143 hp)
 and
 210 Nm
of torque, translating to a 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds.
On the 400 Pro, the motor is paired to a
47.8 kWh
 battery pack that promises a driving range of roughly 400 km (NEDC test cycle, WLTP figures will be lower). The 500 Ultra meanwhile gets a larger
63.1 kWh
 battery pack, translating to a 500 km EV range (NEDC) – the range is where its name comes from, by the way, if it isn’t obvious enough yet.
For charging, the Ora Good Cat features an on-board 6.6 kW AC charger, which takes eight hours to fully charge on the 400 Pro, and 10 for the 500 Ultra. DC fast charging is also supported at up to 60 kW, letting you charge from 0-80% in roughly 46 minutes on the 400 Pro, and 60 minutes on the Ultra.
WATCH:
Ora Good Cat – The cheapest EV with 500km range, maybe
The Ora Good Cat’s cabin is just as quirky as its exterior, characterised by a unique two-tone dashboard design. Slthough that option is only exclusive to the 500 Ultra variant; the Ora Good Cat 400 Pro gets an all-black interior. In terms of specification, the compact EV hatchback is quite similarly equipped across both variants, with the 500 Ultra getting some additional creature comforts.
Ora Good Cat 400 Pro
7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, four speakers
Automatic climate control with PM2.5 filter
6-way powered driver seats
Synthetic leather upholstery, Suede leather dashboard topper
Keyless entry and start
Electronic parking brake and shifter
Wireless mobile phone charging pad
4 speakers
4 USB ports including 1 for front dashcam
360-degree surround-view monitor
Ora Good Cat 500 Ultra (Adds)
Driver seat memory with welcome function
Driver seat massage function
Side mirror memory function
6 speakers
Two-tone interior upholstery options: Brown/Beige, Green/Grey
Safety wise, the Ora Good Cat comes as standard with six airbags, four rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, tyre pressure monitoring system, as well as a suite of SAE Level 2 autonomous driving-capable advanced driver assistance features, consisting of:
Adaptive cruise control with intelligent turning and traffic jam assist
Autonomous emergency braking with intersection support
Front collision warning
Lane keeping assist and lane centring assist
“Wisdom dodge” system
Lane departure warning
The range-topping 500 Ultra variants add on even more niceties, including additional front parking sensors, a “full-auto” integrated parking system, auto-reversing assistance, lane-change assist, emergency lane keeping, blind-spot detection, door-open warning rear collision warning, as well as rear cross-traffic alert and braking.
READ MORE:
Ora Good Cat leads EV sales in Thailand
The Ora Good Cat is now available in Malaysia, priced at:
Ora Good Cat 400 Pro – RM139,800
Ora Good Cat 500 Ultra – RM169,800
Included in the price is a five-year/150,000 km warranty, an eight-year/180m000 km battery warranty, five time free labour maintenance, as well as complimentary portable and home chargers.
The Ora Good Cat is one of several models announced for our market when
 Great Wall Motors officially entered Malaysia in July
. The company plans to unveil nine new models in three years, including models in various segments such as sedans, SUVs, and even pick-up trucks, with a goal of being the “xEV leader in Malaysia”.
GWM also added that it’ll unveil its first five service centres by the end of December 2022, covering the majority of Peninsular Malaysia’s major cities.
GALLERY


Hyundai Ioniq 5 becomes first ‘made in Singapore’ EV – ‘First 100’ units for charity auction only

Down South, Singapore has finally caught up with Malaysia, with its first locally assembled (CKD) electric vehicle (EV). The EV in question is the
Hyundai Ioniq 5
 which will be assembled at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICS). Commemorating the milestone, the first 100 units of the Ioniq 5 produced will be the limited-edition ‘IONIQ 5 First 100’.
The ‘IONIQ 5 First 100’ is adorned with ‘First 100’ car badges and commemorative ‘EVS’ plates numbered 1 to 100. The car will come in the shade Gravity Gold Matte, with Dark Pebble Grey interiors. It will also feature debossed seats for refined detail. Only available in Singapore, the ‘IONIQ First 100’ can only be bought through a charity auction via the President’s Challenge.
The ‘IONIQ 5 First 100’ is based on the highest trim of the Ioniq 5 in Singapore which is the all-wheel drive (AWD Long Range ‘Inspiration Trim Model’ that has a
430 km
 WLTP range. The dual motor setup produces a total output of 305 hp (metric) and 605 Nm, and it accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in
5.2 seconds
.
Charging from 0 to 100% g for the range-topping Ioniq 5 model takes
6.1 hours
 with an
11-kW
 AC charger. Thanks to its 800 V architecture, the Ioniq 5 can handle
350-kW
 DC fast charging which charges the car from 10% to 80% in just
18 minutes
.
RELATED:
Hyundai Ioniq 5 shows it can power an entire hotel via V2L tech
There will be three variants of the Singapore-assembled Ioniq 5:
2WD Standard Range ‘Exclusive Trim Model’
2WD Long Range ‘Prestige Trim Model’
AWD Long Range ‘Inspiration Trim Model
HMGICS is Singapore’s first and only EV production smart facility and it features multiple Industry 4.0 technologies (Robotics, AI, IoT, etc.). It aims to develop new EV business models, forge innovative partnerships, produce mobility products, and develop the Group’s intelligent manufacturing platform to revolutionize the overall mobility value chain.
RELATED:
First 11 units of Hyundai Ioniq 5 delivered to Malaysian customers – nearly 300 booked since launch!
HMGICS CEO, Mr. Hong Bum Jung said, “As Singapore embarks on its sustainable ecosystem and mobility journey, we are continuously innovating and working with various stakeholders to introduce new mobility experiences for the next generation. The ‘IONIQ 5’ is the first step in this direction. We are seeing encouraging interest in the ‘IONIQ 5’, and believe that the launch of our enhanced purchase experience and customer-centered smart mobility services will go a long way in contributing towards Singapore’s adoption of a more sustainable mobility ecosystem.”
“In partnership with Komoco Motors, we strive to provide far-reaching, value-adding, unique and differentiated EV mobility experiences. As the first step of this new journey, we are thrilled to be able to showcase the first made-in-Singapore EV ‘IONIQ 5 First 100’ and commence pre-booking through a charity auction for Singapore as part of the Charity 500 program.”
In Malaysia, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is available in three variants. The Ioniq 5 Lite costs
RM207,808
, the Ioniq 5 Plus costs
RM238,408
, and the Ioniq 5 Max costs
RM270,408
 with the SST exemption no longer in place.
RELATED:
Fully electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 Lite, Plus & Max launched in Malaysia, from RM199,888


Volkswagen Malaysia offers 30% discount on parts and labour for flood-affected customers

In light of the recent devastating floods that have rampaged many parts of the country,
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia
 (VPCM) has announced a new flood relief assistance programme to help out owners who have been affected by the floods.
From now until the 28th of February next year, Volkswagen owners who have been affected by the floods will be offered a
30% discount on parts and labour
 to repair their flood-damaged vehicles. The offer is available at all authorised Volkswagen service centres nationwide.
Additionally, to further alleviate the financial burden that many may be facing, VPCM is also introducing an easy payment plan where owners have the option to spread out their bill over
 six or 12 months at 0% interest rate
.
“All of us at VPCM are deeply saddened by the flash floods that struck Malaysia over the weekend,” said VPCM Managing Director, Erik Winter. “Our thoughts are with those who are impacted and are facing loss and damages in the aftermath. We hope that our assistance will help to relieve the burden of our owners during this difficult time.”
Owners are encouraged to download the new Volkswagen Cares app (available on both
Apple App Store
 and
Google Play Store
) to redeem the flood relief support voucher.


Sony begins testing the fully-electric Vision-S in Europe

Last year, Sony unveiled a development prototype of their fully-electric car called the
Vision-S
 at the Consumer Electronics Show or CES. Today, the company shares great news that the upcoming Sony fully-electric car has undergone some road testing in Europe.

Apart from road testing on the streets of Austria as well as the Alps, the Sony Vision-S was also seen driven at higher cornering speeds at the private test centre.
Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President and CEO of Sony Corporation said, “Our Vision-S processes information from the surrounding environment in real-time utilizing Sony’s advanced sensing technologies. Currently, we are working to optimize safety through test drives on public roads.”
Measuring 4,895 mm in length and 1,900 mm wide, the dimensions of the Vision-S is in fact slightly larger than the benchmark German premium sedans that are the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The wheelbase is 3,030 mm, longer than the Tesla Model S.
The Vision-S is powered by dual electric motors (one on each axle) rated at 200 kW or 272 hp each, for a combined system output of
544 hp
. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes 4.8 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. Range and battery capacity remain unpublished.
Apart from the usual large brakes and signature lighting, the are some tasty details on this test vehicle in its final phase of development.  The side mirrors in the Sony fully-electric car, while appears to be slim and adopt a
“virtual side mirror”
 design, houses not just one but three optical lenses!
The fenders meanwhile have another piece of scanning device, together with a few more in the centre of both front and rear bumpers. The rear windshield also features a section for mounting scanning devices as seen on the front windshield.
All these high-definition optical scanning devices that measure the environment in real-time mean that the Vision-S is
Level 4 self-driving-ready
, and able to offer the feature when the regulations allow.
Based on another accompanying video, the Sony fully-electric car is being developed, engineered, and perhaps even manufactured by
Austria-based Magna Steyr
. With the progress of this project been kept secretive, there is no mention on the timing of the sale of this stunning Vision-S.
Images:
Sony


Malaysia Autoshow 2018 is back, 26 to 29 April happening at MAEPS, Serdang

The
Malaysia Autoshow 2017
 had plenty to offer from
car launches and teasers
 to the
first ever Karting Slalom in Malaysia
, attracting 250,000 strong visitors far and wide to Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS). This year, the Malaysia Autoshow will return to MAEPS for the fourth instalment, promising a more comprehensive and immersive experience for the crowd.
Powered by Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI), the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 have its dates brought forward to
26 to 29 April 2018
 to allow room for more displays and shows later in the year. Despite that, some of the biggest automotive brands in the country will be showcasing their latest and greatest in this year’s show with the theme “360-degree Mobility Experience”. With over 100 cars on display, visitors will also have the chance to get up and personal with the legendary German marque Borgward as well as classic Volvo cars.
Some of the exciting activities lined up for the show include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) demonstration by Perodua, Mitsubishi Obstacle Course, Toyota 4×4 Experience, Honda Sensing demonstration, personalised legal tender stamps from POS Malaysia and many more.
Eight holiday packages within ASEAN (inclusive of flight and accommodation) are up for grabs for those who book and purchase a car at the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 (Terms & Conditions apply). There is also a brand-new
Kia Picanto
 to be given out to one lucky winner of the Lucky Draw Contest (only open to visitors with a paid ticket).
Maybank will also be present as the official financing partner for the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 and will be offering online submissions for hire purchase applications as well as best-ever financing packages for cars purchased at the event.
The entrance fee to the Malaysia Autoshow 2018 is RM10 per entry and children below the age of 12 can enter free of charge while students have free admission on 26 March 2018 (Thursday). Visitors can also enjoy a discounted rate on their tickets by purchasing online at
http://www.autoshow.com.my/
.


These Royale speakers are the Bugatti of audio entertainment

Bugatti and Tidal Audio have paired up to produce a new category of sound systems – what they consider to be the Bugatti of home audio.
Together they’ve released the Royale range of speakers, and according to Bugatti, just as the engine of a Bugatti releases power and emotions, the Royale’s unrivaled sound is of the finest definition and incredible power.
Like Bugattis, these speakers are highly customisable as well. There are two main themes to the exterior design – monocoque and duotone. Each Royale speaker can be finished with either carbon fiber, fabrics, leather, polished stainless steel, dark aluminum or precious metal surfaces.
The front of the speakers feature the company’s plaque, finished in polished stainless steel and curved to accommodate the shape of the speakers to demonstrate Bugatti’s customising abilities.
Every set of speakers go through a bespoke ordering process, allowing the customer to share their precise vision for the best audio system in the world.
The Royale is deploying four subwoofer drivers per speaker and a 3-way front unit with a midrange-driver and tweeter with diamond diaphragms. The diamond diaphragm is also used in Bugatti’s hypercars.
The Royale range of speakers are available in ‘Edition Noir’ and ‘Edition Blanc’, each limited to only 15 pairs.
GALLERY


2015 Audi Q7 goes electric with the Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI quattro

Audi expanded its electric car product range with the introduction of the Q7 e-Tron 3.0 TDI Quattro. This SUV fuses Audi’s famed TDI powertrain with e-Tron technology, creating the world’s first plug-in hybrid with a V6 TDI engine and quattro.
The Q7 plug-in hybrid blends efficiency and dynamics into one. The car is capable of accelerating from
 0-100kmh in 6.2 seconds,
 while sips only
1.8 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers
. In full EV mode, the Q7 is capable of travelling up to
 56km
.
The Q7 plug-in hybrid will be available in European showrooms by the second quarter of 2016 with pricing slated to begin from
80,500 Euros
(some RM381k; converted during press time). Meanwhile, the second generation Q7 was
launched in Malaysia
 just recently in a form of the
3.0-litre V6 TFSI
 petrol variant, with Audi Malaysia citing more variant introduction in the near future.
IMAGE GALLERY
2015 Audi Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI quattro

2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro Malaysian launch


Volkswagen is taking its ID.4 EV SUV to a 2,500 km rally

Volkswagen of America has announced its entry to the 2021 Rebelle Rally, an all-women off-road navigation rally raid in the United States. But instead of a proper off-road ready baja/pick-up truck, VW has instead opted to participate in the 2,500 km rally with their newly-launched
ID.4 fully-electric SUV
.
Now, obviously, bringing a bone stock ID.4 to the deserts in Nevada will be – in simple terms – pushing it, so VW America turned to Rhys Millen Racing and Tanner Foust to modify the EV SUV into a capable off-road racer.
Starting life off as a regular ID.4 AWD PRO, the Rebelle Rally challenger is given a new suspension set-up with better wheel articulation and travel to take on the rougher terrains of the desert. There’s also the new chunkier tubular control arms, alongside custom-fabricated skid plates and additional underbody battery protection to withstand the elements.
Mini, meanwhile, took a basically stock Cooper SE to a rally stage in Romania! Check it out here.
The electric powertrain and battery itself however, were left as-is from the production model. The all-wheel drive Volkswagen ID.4 will be powered by a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, to make a combined
220 kW (295 hp)
 and
 460 Nm
 of torque.
Power comes from an 89 kWh battery pack, which is enough for a range of 400 km according to the EPA test cycle. Though of course, with this being a race (a rally through the desert, mind you), expect to see a much lower figure on the rally race car than that.
Completing the set of modifications are the OZ Racing alloy wheels, off-road tires, and a Thule roof rack that holds a spare tire and other accessories. The rally-prepped Volkswagen ID.4 was also given a fresh decal wrap, specifically designed by Salt Lake City-based artist Liz Kuz to make it stand out in the desert.
Start of a new era: Volkswagen ID.4 GTX shows-off new high-performance EV suffix. Learn more here.
The Rebelle Rally will run from 7th to 16th October, and Volkswagen of America’s entry, Team #211, will be driven by freelance automotive journalist Mercedes Lilienthal, and assisted by co-driver/navigator Emily Winslow.
As per the rules of the rally, competitors will not be able to use phones, or any GPS tech for their navigation, so it should be quite a spectacle to watch the teams navigate the vast Nevada deserts. Want to cheer them on? You can keep track of Lilienthal and Winslow’s progress in the VW ID.4 throughout the entire event on Rebelle Rally’s website
here
.
GALLERY


Toyota Yaris facelift debuts in Thailand, with Prius-like front end

As we anticipate the upcoming launch of the DNGA-based all-new Toyota Vios for Malaysia, it seems the

Toyota Yaris
 is soldiering on with the outgoing platform, now with a new facelift that has debuted in Thailand. The front end has been given a drastic change that is reminiscent of an older-generation Prius.
Over in Thailand, the facelift Toyota Yaris is available in 4 trims, namely ‘Sport’, ‘Smart’, ‘Premium’, and ‘Premium S’. Prices start at THB 559,000 (approx.
RM72k
) and top off at THB 694,000 (approx.
RM90k
).
It is the fourth facelift for the Toyota Yaris, and as such the powertrain has remained the same. Despite the futuristic hybrid-like looks, the Thai-spec Yaris is still powered by the same 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine that makes
92 hp
 (metric) and
109 Nm
. Power is sent to the front wheels only via the carried-over CVT.
The facelift Yaris signals that a DNGA-based all-new Yaris for the ASEAN market is not happening so soon. The front end now sports a new set of projector headlights, a nostril-like upper grille, and a large gaping lower grille that seems inspired by the brand’s GR models.
RELATED:
Honda City Hatchback vs Toyota Yaris – Which is the better-looking hatch?
Everything else on the exterior remains largely unchanged, save for a sportier-looking rear bumper and a new set of 15-inch wheels. Body colour options for the Thai-spec Yaris includes Spicy Scarlet, Platinum White Pearl and Red Mica Metallic. A new addition to the colour options is Cement Gray Metallic.
Inside, the Yaris now gets a new 9-inch touchscreen head unit that is available in the top-two variants. Other variants get either an 8-inch or a 7-inch unit. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity are only available on the 9-inch and 8-inch units. Also new in the Yarus are Type C USB sockets.
RELATED:
Toyota Yaris gets SUV-inspired styling with new X-Urban trim in Thailand – 30 mm lift!
Advanced safety features on the Thai-spec facelifted Toyota Yaris include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM). These are only available for the Premium and Premium S variants.
What are your thoughts on the new look of the Toyota Yaris? Let us know what you think in the comments…
RELATED:
UMW Toyota posts strong sales figures for February – up 37% from January
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Toyota C-HR nears production phase, to hit Japan market by end-2016

Toyota has unveiled new details of the Toyota C-HR compact crossover that is to be sold in Japan. The
Honda HR-V
 and
Mazda CX-3
 rival will go on sale as soon as the end of this year, which is much sooner than initially thought.
Stylistically, the production version will look almost identical to
the model which debuted earlier this March
. Two engine options are offered in Japan; a turbo petrol and a hybrid. It has a cabin space measuring 1,715mm (not to be confused with wheelbase) and a width of 1,455 mm; the turbocharged C-HR rides at a height of 1,565mm, whereas the hybrid sits 15mm lower at 1,550mm. The C-HR will also be the first ever Toyota model to come with a unique LED-based sequential turn signal.

As for the engines, the Japanese market will get a
 1.2-litre turbocharged mill
 that makes
112 hp
 and
185 Nm
 of torque. The hybrid powertrain is the same as the
Prius
 – a
120 hp 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle
 petrol hybrid. Two variants of each powertrain make a total of four trims available for purchase. The
S
 and
S-T
 denote standard variants, while
G
 and
G-T
 are the ones with all the bells and whistles. The “T” moniker stands for turbocharged.
Another surprising addition here is the use of
double-wishbone
 suspension setup for the rear axle, with SACHS shock absorbers offered as standard. It also boasts a minimum turning radius of 5.2 metres, comparable to that of a regular hatchback.
All C-HR variants sold in Japan will be equipped with
Toyota Safety Sense P
 active safety system. This includes Pre-collision System, radar cruise control, Lane Departure Alert (with steering control), Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. As such, expect a 5-Star rating in the Euro NCAP crash safety test.
With the rest of the world getting the Toyota C-HR in 2017, its Malaysian debut could well take place sometime towards the end of 2017. Judging by the popularity of subcompact crossovers in this land and with a new
plant in Klang
 scheduled to open by 2019, a locally assembled C-HR certainly makes for an interesting proposition.
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Outrun charity fun run raises RM151,100 for Paralympic council

The event, held in conjunction with Toyota’s partnership with the 2020 Olympics in Japan and Toyota Motor Corporation’s “Start Your Impossible” long term campaign, encourages everyone to ‘challenge their impossible’.
With the same aligned vision, UMW Toyota Motor held the Toyota Outrun charity event last weekend, where over 3,000 participants showed up for the 8 km run around the Bandar Rimbayu township. UMWT also recently organised the Toyota Classics musical charity event with the same intention.
The funds collected from registration of participants will be channeled to the initiatives of the Paralympic Council of Malaysia – to help the physically-disabled who wish to participate in sports.
Paralympic Council of Malaysia, Vice President, YBhg Dato’ Subramaniam Raman, said that the Council will utilise the funds for its “Fitness & Exercise with Person with Disabilities” program to train the trainers so that they are well equipped to guide disabled persons who have sports potential.
Abdul Latif Romly with the participants at the start of the run.
Under the ‘Start Your Impossible’ banner, UMWT introduced a DUAL HEROES CONCEPT – featuring a local athlete who is constantly fighting against dual odds – on the field, and in life.
Through this concept, the company had chosen Abdul Latif Romly, Malaysia’s first Paralympian named as 2016’s Sportsman of the Year as its Start Your Impossible ambassador.
Latif was selected as he was up against the impossible at the 2016 Summer Paralympics. The world saw him break the T20 long jump world record three times, before walking away with a Gold Medal at the end of the day.
“This is in line with Toyota Motor Corporation’s substantial support for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as its first ever mobility partner,” said UMW Toyota Motor, Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama.


Ford opens Quick Lane service centres: No appointments, express regular maintenance

In an effort to boost customer and ownership experience, Ford Motor Company – through Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) have announced the opening of
NINE
Quick Lane service centres across Peninsular Malaysia.
Ford owners can now visit any one of the Quick Lane service centres should they require express vehicle maintenance or minor repair services.
Some of the services include oil and filter changes, tyre rotation and alignment, brake systems checkups, minor exhaust system rectifications and a
complimentary
 multi-point vehicle inspection.
No appointments are needed, as the service centres operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. Each visit will take no more than two hours.
Of the nine Quick Lane service centres,
four
 are located within the Klang Valley, and one each in Penang, Ipoh, Juru, Johor Bahru and Muar.
Managing Director of SDAC, Mr Lee Eu San said, “Purchasing a new Ford vehicle is just the start of our customer’s ownership experience, and through services like Quick Lane, we’ll be able to support them every step of the way.”


Porsche has bought into electric sportscar company Rimac Automobili

Porsche AG has acquired a 10% minority stake in the Croatian firm that develops and produces electric vehicle components and manufactures electric sportscars, as part of its own electrification efforts.
Rimac recently revealed its latest electric hypercar, the “C Two”, a two-seater electric hypercar with
2,000 hp
, an electric range of 650 km and a incomprehensible top speed of 412 km/h. It’s capable of an 80% battery charge in just 30 minutes through a 250 kW fast charging system.
Porsche’s very own electric sportscar, the
Mission E
, set to
debut in 2020
.
As Rimac specialises in engineering and manufacturing high-performance electric vehicle powertrain and battery systems, the acquisition will no doubt help the more established Porsche on its electric mobility development.
“Rimac has impressively demonstrated its credentials in the field of electromobility. We feel that Rimac’s ideas and approaches are extremely promising which is why we hope to enter into close collaboration with the company in the form of a development partnership,” said Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT at Porsche, Lutz Meschke.
“This partnership now is an important step for Rimac on our way to become a component and system supplier of choice for the industry in electrification, connectivity and the exciting field of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems”, explains Rimac’s CEO, Mate Rimac.


Nissan offered a glimpse of their new Z sportscar and it already looks great!

It’s been a boring day news wise but when a colleague dropped this on my lap, it turned my day around with an adrenaline shot!
Because the subject matter is the long-awaited successor of the 370Z. Word is that it would be called the
400Z
 and it wouldn’t be wrong at all to at least hope that it’s an indication of the new Z’s horsepower figure.

Based on what we know from Nissan so far, it’s very unlikely for the new Z to come with a new engine. Instead, it would make a lot more (business) sense if the new sportscar is revealed with the brand’s existing 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, which is more than capable of 400hp.
It’s also safe to assume a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout for the new Z because anything less should see an angry mob with torches and pitchforks outside of Nissan’s HQ in Yokohama. With economics playing such a huge part in how cars are developed these days, it would be nice to hold on to some tradition – just look at
how stubborn enthusiasts have perceived the new Supra
.
But we’re not going to dwell into the uncertainties. What’s for sure though is that the new Z looks set to steal hearts and empty wallets solely because of how it looks; with a sloping roofline and muscular rear wheel arches. Traditionally, the long front hood and short rear end design formula has always been a winning one and based on these visuals, the new Z shouldn’t be any different.
You see it in the
Toyota 2000GT

we got to meet in Japan
, in the Jaguar F-Type, the Ferrari 250 GTO, more recently the
new Supra that made more power than advertised

and of course, Nissan’s very own 240Z – they’re just timeless designs.
Not only does it bear a Z badge on the C-pillars, an ode to the car that started it all, the new Z’s silhouette alone looks right on the money for it to be a worthy torchbearer of the Z franchise.
Exciting times ahead!


The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a 421 horsepower “hot crossover”

Mercedes-Benz has completed its compact crossover lineup with the introduction of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 and GLA 45 S, just two months after the
launch of the all-new GLA
.
The three-pointed star says that the new GLA 45 twins are “assured masters of a multitude of disciplines”, and it seems like they have the facts to back it up.
Powering the performance crossover is a “One Man, One Engine” 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which Mercedes-Benz says is the “most powerful series-produced four-cylinder turbo engine”.
The powerplant will be available in two output tunes – the base model delivers
387 hp
 and
480 Nm
, while S-variant produces
421 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque.
The torque curve of the engine was also balanced, with peak torque available from 5,000 to 5,250 rpm on the S-variant, achieving a power delivery
akin to a naturally aspirated engine
.
The engine is paired to a
eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
, with power transferred to
 all four wheels
. Naught-to-hundred km/h is achieved in just
4.3 seconds
 on the GLA 45 S; the base model takes a hair longer at
4.4 seconds
.
At full blast, the base model is electronically limited to
250 km/h
, while the S-variant gets to speed up to
270 km/h
 out of the factory.
Stopping this level of performance requires some serious muscles too, thus as standard the GLA 45 comes with
350 mm perforated rotors
 in front, paired with
four-pot fixed calipers
. At the back, single-piston floating calipers squeeze on 330 mm discs.
Unlike traditional AMG cars, the GLA 45 twins are not just about the raw power – Mercedes says that the new performance crossover has a level of dynamic handling that can impress “even sports car owners.”
The adaptive suspensions, along with a reinforced body shell and variable ratio steering rack ensures that the GLA 45 handles like a champ. The
fully-variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system
 with one disc clutch per rear wheel, enhances the performance by providing the optimum traction at each wheel through the corner.
The performance under the hood is revealed by the athletic exterior styling, including the power domes on the bonnet, as well as the muscular shoulder over the flared wheel arches.
Up front, the GLA 45 twins get a AMG-specific Panamericana grille, large air intakes with vertical fins, as well as functional aerodynamic front splitters.
From the rear, you won’t mistake this car as just another GLA too – especially with the quad oval exhaust tips, diffusers, as well as the large roof-mounted spoilers. But of course, the AMG exhaust system is already a dead giveaway.
As standard, the base GLA 45 sits on
19-inch alloys
, while the S-variant gets
20-inch wheels
. There’s also a 21-inch light-alloy wheels as options.
Inside, you will feel right at home with the sports seats in Artico leather and Dinamica microfibre, finished with yellow accent stitching (on the S-variant) – a nod to the brand’s motorsports heritage.
If you see yourself doing more track driving, the AMG Performance seats are available as options.
The
 AMG Performance steering wheel
 with steering-wheel buttons come as standard on the GLA 45 S, allowing the driver to control AMG-specific performance functions directly from the steering wheel.
The MBUX infotainment system on the GLA 45 S also gets several AMG-specific function, such as the AMG Track Pace “virtual race engineer”. The augmented reality system on the MBUX can even overlay the ideal racing line onto a track surface, via a front-facing camera.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new 2023 Toyota C-HR brings concept car styling to life

Toyota
has just unveiled the all-new second-generation 2023 Toyota C-HR, and if you think you’ve seen this somewhere before, you’d be right. The production 2023 Toyota C-HR is largely a carbon copy of the C-HR Prologue that was first shown off last year – and in our books, that’s a good thing.
The second-generation
Toyota C-HR
 has taken what everyone loved about its
predecessor
, and made it less… weird. The signature coupe-like silhouette – which Toyota calls ‘super-coupe’ by the way – is still here, but now paired with a minimalist-inspired design headlined by the new
Prius-inspired
 front end, giving it a much more mature appearance.
The sharp looks aren’t merely for show, either – Toyota says that the exterior design is also “aerodynamically efficient”, with airflow optimisation throughout to make it as slippery through the air as possible. To that end, the second-generation C-HR also comes equipped with a Toyota-first flush door handles (in a more normal position for the rear doors).
Inside, you can certainly argue that the only thing separating this from a
Lexus
 is the Toyota logo. The new upmarket design – covered with large swaths of premium and eco-friendly material – is characterised by a new driver-focused dashboard layout, where a large 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display (depending on trim level) stands proudly atop the centre stack.
Together with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the screens now run on the marque’s latest Toyota Smart Connect infotainment software that can be personalised to display various information – including EV range and local charging locations, to complement the new powertrain options offered on the compact crossover.
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The all-new 2023 Toyota C-HR, in Europe at least, is offered with three electrified powertrains, including two standard hybrids, and a range-topping 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid model.
On the former, options include a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated inline-four option paired to an electric motor for a total system output of
140 hp
, and a 2.0-litre engine-motor combo making
 197 hp
 – rising up to
199 hp
 if you opt for the E-Four all-wheel drive set-up that adds another (smaller) electric motor on the rear axle.
As for the 2.0-litre PHEV model, the engine is paired to a more powerful electric motor for a total system output of
223 hp
. With a fully charged battery, Toyota says that the 2.0-litre PHEV variant can travel up to 66 km on pure electricity. A new geofencing feature can also automatically switch the C-HR into pure EV mode in low emission zones across Europe.
While 223 hp is not quite GR-level quite yet, you can at least pay extra to look the part, thanks to the GR Sport Premiere Edition that adds GR styling details, including a variant-exclusive ‘G-mesh’ grille, 20-inch alloy wheels, as well as GR logos and badging all throughout the interior.
ALSO READ:
First-ever Toyota GR EV sports car could get ‘manual gearbox’, promises to be “fun to drive”
GALLERY


Hyundai Staria set for ASEAN debut on 9th of July in Thailand

The futuristic-looking
Hyundai Staria
 is set to be unveiled in ASEAN with Thailand hosting the event as well as being the first in the region to offer the new-generation multi-seat van.
The regional premiere event is set to happen
this Friday (July 9th)
, from 7 p.m. Bangkok time and the public can join the launch via
Facebook
.
A replacement for the Hyundai Starex is long overdue, with the highly-capable multi-seat van tracing its roots back to 2007. In Thailand, the ‘bonnet-van’ landscape is quite varied, with the Volkswagen Caravelle commonly seen around the streets of Bangkok.
Market leader Toyota meanwhile offers the locally manufactured Toyota Hiace as well as the fully-imported Toyota Majesty.
How to bring more guests to enjoy drifting action? Make a drifting Hyundai Starex bus!
The outgoing Hyundai Starex H-1 is reported to be imported from Indonesia. We will soon find out if the current sourcing arrangement continues, as Hyundai has invested over
USD1.5 billion (RM6.2 billion) in Indonesia
 to further expand its presence in Indonesia as well as the ASEAN region.
Its first ASEAN manufacturing hub has an initial capacity of 150,000 vehicles and expandable to a quarter of a million units per year in the future.
Sales of multi-seat vans such as the Hyundai Staria/Starex and Toyota Majesty will continue to be slow this year, as these vehicles are targeted to the tourism industry, a sector that has been heavily hit by the global pandemic.
With work-from-home directives, shuttling of personnel around the workplace is also severely reduced, further reducing the sales net of these multi-seat vans.
GALLERY


No roads? No problem – Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato exterior unveiled

Set to debut in December, the all-terrain Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato has been unveiled (at least its exterior) in several images released by

Lamborghini
. Spearheading a new “all-terrain supercar” segment, the Huracan Sterrato will also be the last Lamborghini to house a purely internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain.
You’ve seen the various photos and videos of the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato in camouflage, and now finally get to see the car with camouflage wrap peeled off. What seems to be new now is the rather high roof scoop that feeds air into the mid-mounted engine and a “Sterrato” graphic on the sides. All else has been pretty much shown in the camouflaged version of the car such as the wheel design, the wheel arch claddings, the front spotlight, and the roof rails.
Powering the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is the same V10 engine that comes from the
Lamborghini Huracan EVO
 that it is based on. If nothing is changed, the Huracan Sterrato should make the same
610 hp
 (metric) and have an all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
With interior images and technical specs yet to be revealed, what is known about the Huracan Sterrato is its 47-mm ground clearance, 6.5% departure angle, increased approach angle, 30-mm wider track, and 20-inch wheels. It also has underbody reinforcements and a rear skid plate.
RELATED:
Lamborghini’s last non-hybrid car is the all-terrain Huracan Sterrato, to debut by year end
Automoboli Lamborghini has set its sight on full electrification of its lineup by 2024. In the most recent quarterly report, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann said, “These consistently rising figures [sales] show just how strong Lamborghini is today. We have an order portfolio that already covers the first quarter of 2024, and this allows us to work with peace of mind, looking thoughtfully ahead to the challenges facing us in the future, such as the first step towards hybridization from 2023.”
The Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Concept was first previewed in June 2019. The company has teased a “nameless” off-road
Huracan
 in several videos in the previous few months as the “Sterrato” moniker was not confirmed yet. Just last week the company confirmed the debut of the off-road Huracan before the end of 2022, and now the Huracan Sterrato name is confirmed.
RELATED:
Lamborghini teases the Safari-style Huracan Sterrato by drifting it in sand


Toyota to invest $5.6b in EV batteries, but says EVs are not the ‘only solution’

Toyota
 has announced its decision to invest up to 730 billion Yen (approx.
$5.6 billion
) in Japan and United States toward supplying EV batteries. The company aims to begin battery production between 2024 to 2026. To cater to the needs of its customers in all countries and regions, Toyota says it will be offering multiple powertrains and providing as many options as possible.
With the $5.6 billion investment, Toyota targets to achieve a combined annual battery production capacity of 40 GWh from Japan and US. For context, Chinese battery giant CATL’s battery production capacity was 170 GWh in 2021, while LG Chem reported around 155 GWh for the same year.
Of the 730 billion Yen, approximately 400 billion will be invested in the Himeji Plant of Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Co., Ltd. (PPES) and in Toyota plants and property. As for the United States, about 325 billion Yen (approx. $2.5 billion) will be invested in Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina toward increasing automotive battery production.
Also from the land of the rising sun is
Honda
, which has joined forces with Korea’s LG Energy to establish a $4.4 billion battery plant in the United States. The one plant itself targets a 40 GWh annual battery production capacity, equalling Toyota’s combined targeted numbers for Japan and US. Honda and LG Energy’s battery facility will start mass production by the end of 2025.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota bZ3 photos leaked – ‘EV Corolla’ to debut soon?
Toyota believes that there is more than one option for achieving carbon neutrality as evidently seen in their hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen combustion engine endeavours. It also believes that the means of reducing CO2 emissions as much as possible and as quickly as possible while protecting the livelihoods of its customers vary greatly depending on the country and region.
With such in mind, Toyota will continue to make every effort to flexibly meet the needs of its various customers in all countries and regions by offering multiple powertrains and providing as many options as possible.
RELATED:
Toyota bZ4X SUV detailed, 218 hp and up to 500 km range


2023 Renault Zoe launched in Malaysia, from RM165k – 395km range, 22kW AC charging

Finally making a comeback after many new EVs have made their way into Malaysia, the new
2023 Renault Zoe
 has been launched in Malaysia. It is now available in two variants, with prices starting from
RM165,000
. It is also available on a subscription program with prices starting from
RM2,799
 per month.
Renault Zoe R110 –
RM165,000
Renault Zoe R135 –
RM179,000
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Still based on the same underpinnings as the Zoe that we have become familiar with in Malaysia, the new 2023 Renault Zoe tweaks its looks slightly to keep up with modern design trends. The Zoe measures 4,087 mm long, 1,562 mm tall, and 1,945 mm wide. Essentially slightly larger than a Perodua Myvi, the Zoe sits on a set of 16-inch wheels.
On the outside, standard features on the Zoe include:
Full LED headlights with C-shape DRLs
16-inch alloy wheels with 10-spoke design
Black and Solid White Colour Options
The R135 Zoe adds:
16-inch alloy wheels with 16-spoke design
Front fog lights
Additional Blue, Purple, and Red body colours
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As for battery and range, both versions of the Renault Zoe are equipped with a
52-kWh
 battery pack. The ‘base’ R110 gets
395 km
of range while the R135 gets
386 km
 of range from the same battery. This is since the R110 outputs
110 hp
 (metric) and
225 Nm
 while the R135 outputs
135 hp
 (metric) and
245 Nm
.
As for charging, both the R110 and R135 can handle a maximum AC charging speed of
22 kW
 and a maximum DC charging speed of
50 kW
. With 22-kW AC charging, the Zoe can be charged from 0 to 100% in
3 hours
. 50-kW DC charging brings the Zoe from 0 to 80% state of charge (SOC) in
70 minutes
. The 2023 Renault Zoe can also be charged at a rate of 7.4kW (AC single phase) and this will take 9.5 hours.
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Inside, standard interior features of the Zoe include:
Automatic climate control
10-inch customizable driver screen
7-inch touchscreen head unit compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
6 speakers
Black fabric seats
A standard rearview mirror
Electric adjustable side mirrors
Reverse sensors
The Zoe R135 adds the following interior amenities:
Offline Navigation
Rear USB charging ports
Black leather-cloth combination upholstery
Electrochromic rearview mirror
Electric adjustable and foldable side mirrors
Front and reverse sensors
Reverse Camera
Hands-Free park assist
RELATED:
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In the safety department, the 2023 Renault Zoe comes equipped with the following as standard:
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Hill Start Assist (HAS)
Tyre Pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
4 airbags
The range-topping Zoe R135 adds:
Auto High Beam
Blind Spot Warning
Included in the retail price of the 2023 Renault Zoe is a
3-year/100,000km
 base vehicle and electric powertrain warranty. The Zoe also comes with an
8-year/160,000km
 EV battery warranty.
Besides being available for regular purchase, the Renault Zoe is also available through a subscription program with tenures ranging from 1 to 3 years. Prices start at RM2,799 per month all the way up to RM3,999 per month depending on the variant.
Zoe R110 monthly subscription
Zoe R135 monthly subscription
3 years
RM2,799
RM2,999
2 years
RM3,299
RM3,499
1 year
RM3,799
RM3,999
GALLERY


Why not consider driving home a new Mitsubishi this Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is giving you a number of reasons to drive home a brand-new Mitsubishi this festive season with their 2019 Prosperity Bonus.
Starting from the
award-winning Mitsubishi Outlander
, customers who book and register a new 2.0L or 2.4L variant will enjoy up to RM8,000 rebate under this campaign. Additionally, every purchase of a new Outlander comes with 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and 2-Years Free Scheduled Maintenance.
Customers who are looking to purchase
MY18 Triton
 will also enjoy prosperity bonus of up to RM12,000 for the VGT (AT) variants while the VGT (MT) gets an RM11,000 rebate. The basic Triton (MT) and Triton Quest get RM8,000 and RM5,000 rebate respectively.
The
ASX Compact crossover
 also receives prosperity bonus of up to RM8,000 for both the 4WD and 2WD. Every purchase of a new ASX comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty.

 First facelift
Model Variant
Price OTR without insurance (Peninsular Malaysia)
Prosperity Bonus Rebate
Warranty
Outlander 2.0L 4WD
RM137,888
RM12,000
5-Years Unlimited Mileage with 2-Years Free Service
Outlander 2.4L 4WD
RM152,888
Triton VGT Adventure X
RM129,270
5-Years/200,000 km
Triton VGT AT Premium
RM118,560
Triton VGT AT GL
RM105,990
Triton VGT MT
RM109,600
RM11,000
Triton MT
RM95,610
RM8,000
Triton Quest
RM78,890
RM5,000
5-Years/100,000 km
ASX 4WD
RM133,336
RM8,000
5-Years Unlimited Mileage
ASX 2WD
RM118,866
While the prosperity rebates are not applicable for the
soon to be launched Mitsubishi Triton facelift
, MMM is rewarding the first 1,000 customers who placed a booking for the refreshed pick-up truck with an exclusive Thule Subterra luggage worth RM2,000. Or if you’re feeling lucky, book your new Triton online and stand a chance to receive a GoPro HERO7 Black from now until 20 January 2019.
Last but not least, existing Mitsubishi customers who service their vehicles at authorised service outlets from 15 January to 15 February 2019 will stand a chance to win an iPhone XS.


Step aside Myvi, Proton X50 is the best-selling car in Malaysia for July 2022

The
Proton X50
has achieved yet another sales record with 4,763 units sold in July 2022, not only marking the highest monthly volume the model has seen since its
launch here some two years ago
, but also the title of the best-selling car in Malaysia for July 2022, knocking the venerable
Perodua Myvi
 off its perch.
Proton says that this is the first time a vehicle in this segment has led the overall market in sales volume, and it has also helped Proton retain its position as the leader of the hotly-contested SUV segment.
In total, Proton sold
11,477
 cars in July 2022 (including domestic and export sales), marking two consecutive strong months following its
best sales month of the year in June
 – that is with the Total Industry Volume (TIV) for July retreating to the median of an estimated 50,500 units, following the expiry of SST incentives on June 30.
The results also mean Proton retains its second position in the national automotive sales table, with an estimated market share of 22.7% for the month. Overall sales for the year, meanwhile, now stands at 71,601 units, which is an increase of 19.7% over the same period in 2021. Year-to-date market share for Proton now stands at an estimated 18.7%.

Aside from the X50, the
Proton X70
 also enjoyed continued strong sales in the month of July, with 1,704 units registered last month.
Recently updated in June
, the X70 retains its sales leadership for C-segment SUVs thanks to its strong sales performance this last month, while also helping the brand boost its SUV volume in 2022 past 31,500 units for the first seven months of the year.
The
Proton Saga
 also continues its track record as the best-selling A-segment sedan with 4,521 units registered last month, pushing cumulative sales for the year to 28,005 units. The model, which was only recently updated in May, managed to achieve 9,811 registrations in just 80 days.
ALSO READ:
 Proton opens new engine plant in Tg Malim, first outside of China to assemble 1.5 TGDi mill
Also at the top of its segment is the
Proton Exora
, which saw a total of 476 units registered in July. However, the
Proton Persona
and
Iriz
both suffered in their July sales performance due to “approval delays” resulting in registrations being temporarily halted, the company says.
“Following a hectic June where automotive industry players scrambled to lock in bookings before the end of SST incentives, July was a month of consolidation where market demand fell to normal levels, and everybody concentrated on fulfilling orders already received,” said Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah.
“The company is immensely proud of the [X50] becoming the first SUV to be crowned as the best-selling vehicle in Malaysia and we are thankful for the support from our customers. This achievement and Proton’s sales leadership in other segments shows our business plan is on the right track and repays the confidence placed in the brand by buyers, investors and other stakeholders,” he added.
RELATED:
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As for export sales, the national carmaker saw a total of 380 units registered in the month of July 2022, bringing the total cumulative export sales up to 3,102 units, surpassing last year’s total in just seven months. The Proton Saga, X70, and X50 remain as the leading export models, with the latter achieving a new export sales high of 126 units.
“The easing of restrictions in global trade has been a major boost for PROTON’s export division. With five months to go, we are on target for yet another year of double-digit percentage growth, though our enthusiasm is couched by economic issues faced in overseas markets,” Roslan Abdullah commented.


LG and Indonesia Battery Corp building new 10 GWh EV battery plant worth USD1.2 billion

A consortium led by LG of South Korea has inked out a partnership with Indonesia Battery Corp to build a new battery plant in Indonesia.
This is the first light of detail after the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) containing investments worth
USD9.8 billion
 that was signed between LG Energy Solution Ltd. together with Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) for developing an integrated battery cell industry.
In the article reported by
Reuters
, the proposed battery plant has an annual capacity of
10 GWh
 where its products are being slated for use in
 Hyundai
 electric vehicles (EV). The facility estimated to worth
USD1.2 billion
 is being built at Bekasi, with much of the details withheld by Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.
File image of management of LG Chem
The consortium led by LG consists of different LG business units as well as steelmaker Posco and Chinese cobalt company, Huayou Holdings.
In late 2019, Hyundai Motor Company announced their mega-investment totalling
USD1.55 billion
 in Indonesia with the construction of a new automotive production facility in Kota Deltamas, east of Jakarta.
Nickel, together with cobalt and manganese are key materials for the high voltage batteries in electric vehicles (EV) and Indonesia, specifically the islands of Sulawesi and Halmahera, have the
largest production
 and reserves of nickel in the worlds.
The large deposit there has also attracted the eyes of
Tesla
, where it was reported by the Indonesian government that the American automaker has
sent in proposals
 on plans for a battery manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem.
As for the electric vehicle, the
Ioniq 5
 is Hyundai Motor Company’s first dedicated battery EV, equipped with batteries having an energy content of either
 58 kWh
 or 72.6 kWh, priced from
GBP37,000
 (RM200,000), a significant premium over the smaller
Nissan Leaf
 priced from
GBP28,500
 (RM154,000) with a 40 kWh battery pack.
There is no news if Hyundai plans to offer the premium-segmented Ioniq 5 in ASEAN region.


Honda e:N2 Concept is an EV with no screens, previews China-only Hondas

Unveiled in Shanghai at the 5th China International Import Expo, the
Honda e:N2 Concept
 previews the next generation of electric cars by
Honda
 in China. Exuding a totally different aura than the cute and bubbly
Honda e
, the e:N2 concept takes its styling from the e:N GT Concept that was unveiled last year.
Planned for China only, Honda’ e:N series was first
previewed via three concept cars last year
, namely the Honda e:N SUV Concept, the Honda e:N GT Concept, and the Honda e:N Coupe Concept. Honda aims for its lineup in China to be fully electrified by 2030, and fully electric by 2040. By 2027, there will already be 10 e:N models by Honda.
According to Honda, the newly unveiled Honda e:N2 Concept is in a new class of its own in terms of body style. The Chinese press are calling it an SUV, but its jacked-up ride height and fastback-like body style really remind us of the
Polestar 2
.
No information has been released on the powertrain and battery system, but we are informed that it is built on the “Honda e:N Architecture F” platform. Through the videos released, we can also see that the Honda e:N2 Concept runs a front-mounted electric motor that powers the front wheels. As with most electric cars, the battery pack sits low on the floor in between the wheels. The batteries also look taller in the rear, hinting at a raised second row of seats.
RELATED:
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Although no numbers have been revealed, Honda says that the e:N2 has been designed to achieve “unique driving pleasure”, enabling the driver to enjoy a “strong sense of unity with the vehicle”. Honda says this was realised based on the dynamics technologies of Honda, including outstanding vehicle stability and crisp handling.
As for the interior, the Honda e:N2 shows an uncluttered cockpit and an interesting dashboard with a “hidden screen” in the centre of the dashboard. The brand says that with the interior, the e:N2 was designed with an aim to realise the value of EV as “space”. Equipped with the latest Honda Connect system, the presentation video also shows the Head-Up Display (HUD) of the e:N2 Concept.
RELATED:
Honda exec says EVs will always cost more than petrol cars, unless…
Look ma, no screens.
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Director, President, and Representative Executive, Toshihiro Mibe said, “The e:N2 Concept represents the value of our e:N Series, which will ‘redefine the fun EVs can offer to customers with their unique driving pleasure, the value as a mobility space and design. In China, Honda will continue delivering a broad range of electrified mobility products unique only to Honda and experience our rebirth into an electric mobility brand.”
RELATED:
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Toyota Supra: A cult classic’s brief history

In the 1970s, many car manufacturers started toying with the idea of compact and affordable sports cars, such as the legendary Datsun 240Z. Toyota, being one of the main competitor to Datsun, had to build something to compete with the increasingly popular sports car. Behold the beginning of a cult following, the Toyota Supra.
While the word
supra
 means “to surpass” or “go beyond” in Latin, we thought it’d be right to look back into the Supra’s decorated history before we dwell on the new – you can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.
First Generation (A40/A50) Toyota Celica Supra
Toyota released the Toyota Celica Supra in 1978. You should be able to tell just by the name: The original Supra shares the same chassis with the Celica liftback. By extending the wheelbase by 129.5 mm, Toyota managed to fit a 123 hp 2.0-litre inline-six engine into the small chassis.  This was also how the Supra got its classic extended bonnet shape.
The inline-six engine in the Supra was Toyota’s first production engine with electronic fuel injection. A five-speed manual transmission came as standard, but buyers can opt for a 4-speed auto if they preferred.
You might have noticed the A40 chassis code given to the Supra — The Supra can also trace its roots to the 2000GT – owing to the inline-six engine used, therefore sharing the same A chassis code as the 2000GT as well as the Toyota Crown.
Second Generation (A60) Toyota Celica Supra
Toyota saw enough demand to give the Supra a complete redesign in 1981. Like the first model, the A60 was also based on the Celica. However, Toyota gave the Supra a uniquely new rear suspension design – moving away from the live rear axle on the Celica to an independent semi-trailing arm set-up.
Toyota even had the suspension design and set-up done by the masterminds at Lotus. The handling of the A60 was so good that it helped snag Car and Driver Magazine’s 10Best Cars award,
 twice in a row.
The engine was up-sized to a 2.8-litre twin-cam engine, pushing out 145 hp and 210 Nm of torque. The engine upgrade gave the Supra a century run time of 9.8 seconds — pretty decent at that time.
It was also this generation that Toyota introduced forced-induction to the Supra line-up; offering an optional 2.0-litre turbocharged M-TEU engine. However this engine was only available to the Japanese market.
Third Generation (A70) Toyota Supra
When 1986 rolled around, Toyota decided to cut the bond completely between the Supra and Celica. The smaller four cylinder Celica went on to become a front-wheel drive car, while the Supra remained rear-wheel driven.
Mechanically, the Supra is now related to the Toyota Soarer in the Japanese market (which later went on to become the Lexus SC internationally). Initially introduced with a naturally-aspirated engine, Toyota decided to fit a turbocharger to the 3.0-litre inline-six engine, resulting in a power output of 232 hp and 344 Nm of torque. The new turbocharged Supra is also available internationally, as compared to the second generation car.
The A70 was also the first Supra to be officially involved in motorsports, finding success in several championships including the Japanese Touring Car Championship and Australian Touring Car Championship, with the homologated Turbo-A evolution model.
Fourth Generation (A80) Toyota Supra
The fourth generation of the Toyota Supra is what went on to win the hearts of every car enthusiast. On its fourth iteration, Toyota has opted to emphasise the Supra as a more serious high-performance car.
While the standard Supra made do with “just” 223 hp and 431 Nm from its inline-six, Toyota also equipped the A80 with the legendary 2JZ-GTE engine, bringing power output up to 325 hp and 427 Nm of torque thanks to the dual turbochargers. It’s a legendary engine for a reason — in the hands of the right tuners, it’s common to see these engines pumping out more than 1000 ponies.
Styling wise, the swooping and rounded design is unlike anything that we’ve seen before it. The design team for the A80 Toyota Supra actually started working on the design of the car since 1989 – four years before the actual production of the Supra started.
Although highly in demand by car enthusiasts, the A80 Supra has seen declining sales due to the general lack of interest in sports coupes especially in the United States. The rise in the Japanese Yen has also pushed the price of the Supra out of many car enthusiast’s reach. Toyota USA stopped sales of the A80 Supra in 1998, and production of the Supra in Japan ceased in August 2002.
However, the Supra has already sealed its position in the heart of car enthusiast and car “modders”. With it being featured prominently in Hollywood blockbuster
The Fast And The Furious
 as well as many video games such as
Initial D, Wangan Midnight, Need For Speed
 and many more, the Supra also cemented itself in the minds of the younger generation.
Fifth Generation (A90/J29) Toyota Supra
After almost 20 years, Toyota has finally
taken the wraps off the long-awaited fifth generation Toyota Supra
 at the 2019 North American International Auto Show.
Although being called the A90 for marketing purposes, the 2020 Toyota Supra actually has a chassis code of J29. Why the change? Well, Toyota actually designed the latest Supra in collaboration with BMW, based on the BMW Z4.
Taking the expertise of BMW’s chassis design, Toyota implemented their own touches in the areas of suspension tuning and many other aspects.
The engine powering the latest Supra is also sourced from BMW, with two options: a 2.0-litre inline-four turbocharged engine, or a 3.0-litre inline-six turbocharged mill. The 3.0-litre turbocharged Supra pushes 340 hp and 500 Nm of torque to its rear wheels through a 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Currently, no manual option is offered to the disappointment of many enthusiasts, however the ZF gearbox shifts so quickly that you wouldn’t be able to tell that it’s automatic gearbox and not a dual clutch transmission.
The noise of the Supra is also quite something – an area which Toyota had a hand in tuning. With a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds though, it certainly goes as fast as it looks with plenty of promises to deliver.
With the Toyota Supra already being delivered to customers internationally, we can only expect it to come to our shores pretty soon, as UMW Toyota (UMWT)
announced previously
. Watch this space closely..


Bentley Batur sends off brand’s W12 engine – over 105k units built in 20 years

First introduced to the
Bentley
 model lineup in 2023, the 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine built by the engineering team in Crowe will soon be retiring to make way for V8 and electrified powertrains. Reaching its 20th anniversary soon over
105,000 units
 of the W12 engine have been made. As a perfect send-off, the last of the W12 engines will be the most powerful and will be powering the limited-production
Bentley Batur
 handcrafted by Mulliner.
The decision to end the production of the W12 engine comes as part of Bentley’s acceleration towards a sustainable future through its Beyond100 strategy. Through the strategy, the company’s entire model line will be fully electrified by 2030. Currently, Bentley has the
Flying Spur Hybrid
 and the
Bentayga Hybrid
 spearheading its electrification efforts.
Bentley Batur handcrafted by Mulliner
Unveiled to the world in August 2022 during the Monterey Car Week, the Bentley Batur showcases the new design DNA for the brand’s future range of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). However, it did so whilst housing a W12 engine. While the performance figures of the Batur’s W12 engine were not confirmed yet back then, the engine’s development has now been completed and Bentley has confirmed that it is capable of producing
750 hp
 (metric) at 5,5500 rpm and
1,000 Nm
 at 1,750- 5,000 rpm.
Only 18 units of the Bentley Batur will be produced and they have all been sold out at the time of writing. Handcrafted by Mulliner, the Batur’s name is in reference to Lake Batur, which is a 16 km
2
 crater lake in Bali, Indonesia.
RELATED:
Bentley Batur previews brand’s future EVs… while using a W12 engine
Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark said, “Our progressive journey towards sustainable luxury mobility means making changes to every area of Bentley Motors. When we first launched the W12 back in 2003, we knew we had a mighty engine that would propel both our cars and the brand forward at speed. 20 years and more than 100,000 W12s later, the time has come to retire this now-iconic powertrain as we take strides towards electrification – but not without giving it the best send-off possible, with the most powerful version of the engine ever created.”
“The 750 hp (metric) titan that Mulliner has created for the Batur marks the end of a development journey of which our engineering and manufacturing colleagues should be extremely proud, and when production finishes in April next year we aim to retrain and redeploy all of the skilled craftspeople who still build each engine by hand.”
RELATED:
Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid launched in Malaysia, from RM 945k before tax
As for the 30 skilled craftspeople that hand-assemble and test every single W12 Bentley engine, they will all be retained and redeployed in the company. The W12 engine production facility will be repurposed as an expanded line for the completion of other Bentley engines.
In its close to 20 years of existence, Bentley’s W12 engine has evolved for better performance and efficiency. In its final iteration in the Batur, the W12 engine receives a reworked intake, a reworked exhaust, and a reworked cooling system to unleash more power and torque. The turbocharger compressors have been redesigned and the air ducts that feed air into them are now 33% larger.
RELATED:
This 18-carat gold ring in the Bentley Mulliner Batur is fully 3D-printed!


Locally assembled Honda Accord facelift now open for booking

With the
new Civic out of the way
, next in line to sweep the D-Segment scene is the
facelifted Honda Accord
, one that will be locally assembled. Just as before, three variants will be on offer – 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and top of the line 2.4 VTi-L. There will also be a brand new exterior colour called Obsidian Blue Pearl, which debuts beginning with this Accord.
Things that are new to the Accord are most obviously the full LED headlights with integrated LED DRLs, restyled front grille and front bumper. The tail end of this car gets a sleeker pair of LED-combination tail lamps, as well as a restyled bumper. Completing the exterior refresh is a new set of alloy wheels.

In addition to the new Obsidian Blue Pearl shade, the Accord facelift can also be had in Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and two new colours – White Orchid Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic.
If you wish to see the Accord facelift in the metal, good news await because it will go on a nationwide roadshow beginning 12 August to 4 September 2016. Refer to the following tables for the complete schedule:
Date
Klang Valley
12 August 2016
Kuala Selangor, Selangor
13 August 2016
Klang Valley
Klang
14 August 2016
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Putrajaya
East Coast
19 August 2016
Kota Bharu, Kelantan
20 August 2016
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
21 August 2016
Kuantan, Pahang
Northern
26 August 2016
George Town, Penang
27 August 2016
George Town, Penang
28 August 2016
George Town, Penang
Ipoh, Perak
Southern
2 September 2016
Johor Bahru Town, Johor
3 September 2016
Muar, Johor
4 September 2016
Melaka Town, Melaka


First official image of Polestar 3 SUV released!

After revealing the production-ready design of the
Polestar 5
 four-door grand tourer (GT), Polestar has shared the first official image of the Polestar 3, but covered in camouflage.
Unlike the current
Polestar 1
 and
Polestar 2
 models that are
made in China
, Polestar 3 will be fully manufactured in the US, at the Volvo Cars plant in Charleston, South Carolina. The
next-generation Volvo XC 90
 will also be made here, next year.
“Polestar 3 will be built in America, for our American customers,” says CEO of Polestar, Thomas Ingenlath. The performance electric SUV segment is constantly seeing new additions, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-e, BMW iX as well as the upcoming
new-generation Porsche Macan
.
Cryptocurrency? Nope. Polestar is instead accepting art pieces as a payment method for their products. More here.
Ingenlath hosted investors and press at a series of events in New York to discuss the company’s vision, brand and growth plans. The audience learned that Polestar 3 is intended to be one of the most climate-responsible cars ever made and will in time offer autonomous highway piloting powered by the best-in-class LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor from Luminar and centralised
NVIDIA computing power
 plus a next-generation electric vehicle architecture from Volvo Car Group.
As for the design of the Polestar 3, we can see the front design having similar features to the Polestar 2, but without the intricate grille pattern.
In the coming three years, Polestar plans to launch one new electric vehicle per year, starting with this Polestar 3 in 2022 – the company’s first electric performance SUV. Polestar 4 is expected to follow in 2023, a smaller electric performance SUV coupe.
The earlier revealed Polestar 5 electric performance four-door GT is planned to be launched in 2024. Polestar’s current sales network is incredibly limited, but the company has plans to
increase its retail presence
 in line with the product expansion.


Proton X70 Exclusive Edition revealed for Brunei – only 37 units!

Proton Brunei is set to be the first recipient of an updated Proton X70, dubbed the X70 EE or Exclusive Edition. The configuration of this Premium 2WD variant is currently not on sale in Malaysia.
There seem to be no styling changes on this new Proton X70 other than the 19-inch wheel with Y-spoke design that is taken from the 2019 Geely Boyue Pro- a model that featured revised front and styling, bonnet and dashboard.
2021 Proton X70 EE for Brunei, note the wheels
2019 Geely Boyue PRO
Apart from the bright metallic blue paintwork (reminds us of the
 Ocean Blue
 from the new
2019 Proton Iriz
 as well as the
X50 TGDi Flagship
 we tested) with
gloss black roof and side mirrors
, the interior is also offered in a different colour compared to the units in Malaysia.

Similar shade of blue as the Proton X70 EE?
Black Nappa leather
 with subtle red highlights is used in this special Proton X70 EE edition for Brunei, a change from the brown shade fitted in the regular variants.
Only
37 units
 will be offered, in conjunction with the celebration of the
37th National Day of Brunei Darussalam
 and is now open for booking. Brunei was also the
first export market
 for the 2020 Proton X70 that was locally-assembled at Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant.
The Proton X70 2WD Premium is powered by the 1.8-litre turbocharged engine generating 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The benchmark century sprint time is 9.5 seconds.
Last month, Proton export division managed to
deliver 669 units
, a 98-month high. As of May 2021, the total exports are just 100 units shy of the full-year figures the company managed to move internationally in 2020.
Source:
Pad Motors Proton Brunei


Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid unveiled, gets 670 hp & 850 Nm!

New to the
second-generation Panamera lineup
 is an electrifying variant called the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid! Available as standard or extended wheelbase (
Panamera Executive
), the fastest sprinting Panamera will make its world premiere at Geneva in just a matter of days.
Porsche is no amateur when it comes to high performance hybrid vehicles (the
918 Spyder Hypercar
 can attest to that). By applying the same formula, the engineers at Stuttgart have slapped on an
electric motor
 onto a
4.0-litre bi-turbo V8
, resulting in a hybrid system that delivers a combined output of
670 hp
 and
850 Nm
 of torque.
Transmission of choice is the fast shifting
eight-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox
 which sends power to all four-wheels. Thanks to the electric motor,
full torque
 is available just above idle. This lets the plug-in hybrid Panamera to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in
3.4 seconds
 before maxing out at
310 km/h
. Amazingly, fuel economy is rated at
2.9 litres per 100km
.
When plugged to a 10 amp 230V output, the
14.1 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack
 can be fully charged within six-hours. Opt for the optional 32 amp 230V connection charger and it will charge to a full in just 2.4 hours. At full capacity, the battery can supply about 50km in full electric mode!
As expected from a range topping model, this car gets a host of equipment as standard. Standard issue here include Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), Air Suspension, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), Power Steering Plus and 21-inch 911 Turbo Design alloy wheels.
Porsche Malaysia (Sime Darby Auto Performance or SDAP) will be introducing the
2017 Porsche Panamera to our market
 very soon. It’s hard to say whether this high performance hybrid variant will make its way here, but even if it does, expect to pay a fine price for one.
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda Malaysia announces its one-millionth customer plus winners of the Special Edition models

Honda Malaysia today concluded the “
1 Million Dreams Campaign
” at the 1 Million Dreams Brand Collaboration prize-giving ceremony with its brand partners- Cuckoo, Shopee and Watsons.
The prominent brand partners came onboard the celebration adding further excitement with exclusive activities to reward their respective loyal customers. Since Honda Malaysia kicked off the promotional campaign in February 2021, the response has been overwhelming and alongside the favourable feedback was the over 155,600 entries received in just one month!
Honda Malaysia’s new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer,
Ms. Madoka Chujo
, who took office on 1st April 2021 said, “Thanks to the excellent leadership of my predecessors, the strong commitment of our Honda associates and dealers, as well as the support from the Malaysian Government has led Honda Malaysia to achieve many remarkable milestones. Last month, Honda Malaysia reached the one-millionth sale unit milestone and celebrated the achievement with all Malaysians.”
“The company presented four of the 1 Million Special Edition models to the lucky winners at the 1 Million Dreams Grand Finale. Today, I am very privileged to be here celebrating this
outstanding achievement
 with all of you and presenting another three 1 Million Special Edition models to the lucky winners from our brand partners.
“To all Malaysians, Honda customers, members of the media, and brand partners, thank you for your strong support and for being part of this momentous achievement,” Ms. Chujo added.
The 1 Million Special Edition Honda
BR‑V
, presented by brand partner Watsons, was won by Mr Mohd Aisamuddin Bin Mohd Azilah while the
HR-V
, presented by brand partner Shopee, went to Mr Muhammed Faisal Adnan. The lucky winner of Honda Malaysia’s latest model to roll out of their assembly plant, the
all-new Honda City
, is Ms Megawati Binti Affendi with Cuckoo being the brand partner.
Adding to the excitement, Honda Malaysia also announced the
one-millionth
sales model which is the
Civic
, and it belongs to Mr. Ahmad Sirwan Bin Mat Tuselim. Honda Malaysia together with Cuckoo, Shopee and Watsons presented Mr. Ahmad Sirwan with a token of appreciation that is worth more than RM8,000, as an appreciation gift for the one millionth Honda owner in the country.
In a funfair carnival-themed ceremony last month, winners of the first four Special Edition models were announced. The
Honda Civic
 1.5 went to Mr Chuah Sze Yong, the
Honda CR-V AWD
 was won by Ms Lim Lye-Gaik and Mr Abdul Hakim bin Mohd Radzi was the lucky winner of the
Honda Accord
.
To extend its appreciation to all the frontline workers who have been working tirelessly over the past year to protect the health and safety of everyone in Malaysia, the
Honda Jazz 1 Million Edition
 was specifically reserved for government servants and frontliners in the health, defence, public service, and education sectors. Mr Shaiful Rezza bin Abdul Razak who is attached to the PDRM was the lucky winner of the special frontliners-only Honda Jazz.
Each of these seven cars, all finished in
white with a black roof
, come with identical cosmetic upgrades. At the front, every model comes with a red strip either across the front bumper or the front grille, red strips on the side mirrors, exclusive “Honda 1 Million Dreams” badges on the front fenders and a red-painted spoke on each black-finished rim.
Inside, all seven models also receive special touches that differentiate them from the rest of the Honda vehicles in Malaysia. You get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, finished with a red centre marker and red stitching, headrests embossed with “1 Million Dreams” lettering, and the commemorative badge on the dashboard.


Renault Zoe EV debuts in Malaysia, costs RM145,888

Renault, together with Malaysian distributor TC Euro Cars (TCEC) have announced that the Renault Zoe electric vehicle (EV) is now available for sale in Malaysia, but only in limited numbers. The 2015’s best selling EV car in Europe was introduced in 2012, and is also Renault’s solution to Zero Emission mobility.
Being a pure electric car, the Zoe is powered by a synchronous electric motor that generates
85 hp
 and
 220Nm
 of torque. The electric motor is paired with an automatic gearbox and utilises a
22kWh lithium-ion battery
.
According to Renault, the battery can be fully charged in just
four hours
 (from empty) using the a 7kW fast charger, or nine hours if a default 3.6kW charger is used. Once it’s fully charged, the Zoe has a travelling distance of
 220km
.
Inside, the Zoe gets a 7-inch Renault R-Link touchscreen display that acts as the Zoe’s Infotainment panel. Interior space is just as you would expect of a supermini, and it gets
338 litres of boot space
 which can be upped to 1,225 litres with its rear seats folded.
The Zoe is a 5-Star vehicle too, achieving maximum Euro NCAP safety rating back in 2013. This is thanks to the Zoe’s strong body, four airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and ISOFIX mount points.
Available only in Glacier White colour, the Zoe can be yours for
 RM145,888
 OTR with GST, sans insurance. It comes with a 3-year or 100,000km manufacturer’s warranty, five-year electrical powertrain warranty or 100,000km and a five-year traction battery warranty or 100,000km (whichever comes first).
The Zoe’s main competitor hails from the Land of the Rising Sun, the
Nissan Leaf
, and it’s sold in Malaysia for
RM180,566.18
. Be sure to check out our review!
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Suzuki Swift is turbocharged, 120kg lighter, higher tech than ever!

After its debut in Japan late last year, Suzuki Motor Corporation has just released more details of their new global supermini –
the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift
 at the Geneva Motor Show. And the new Swift is much more than just another budget Japanese hatchback with European styling.
Underpinning this Swift is a new
“HEARTECT” platform
 that promises enhanced vehicle dynamics and collision safety thanks to generous use of lightweight and rigid materials as well as a complete overhaul of underbody structure and component layout. As a result, the new platform is
30kg
 lighter and stronger than the previous generation platform, contributing to a total weight saving of
120kg
.
The Swift’s dimensions now measures 2,450mm in wheelbase (+20mm), 3,840mm in length (-10mm), 1,735mm in width (+40mm) and 1,495mm in height (-15mm). Interestingly, Europe-bound models get a wider front and rear track compared to the Japanese Domestic model.
Thanks to the extended wheelbase, the engineers were able to package the interior better resulting in additional
23mm
 of knee room and shoulder room for the rear passengers. The front seats were also moved 10mm outwards from each other, giving the front occupants
20mm
 more distance in between. To address the lower roofline, Suzuki has lowered all seating positions to ensure sufficient headroom in the supermini. Boot space has also increased from 200 litres to
254 litres
.

The new Swift had its development tests done not only in Japan but also in several parts of Europe to ensure that the car is able to perform exceptionally on the roads of Europe. The company has tested as many as
90 different suspension prototypes
 before arriving at the final product that provides optimum steering feel with the suppleness and agility expected from its European customers.
Inside, the new Swift gets a decidedly upmarket interior but the highlight would definitely be the
4.2-inch coloured LCD instrument cluster
 display that displays engine output and
torque data
, fuel consumption, average speed, acceleration and brake operation as well as
driving G-force
. All these driving data and it’s not even the hotter Swift Sport!
As standard, the Swift drives with the front wheels but the
ALLGRIP AUTO four-wheel drive system
 can be had on certain models. It is a simple permanent four-wheel drive layout that is able to send additional grip to the rear wheels for extra traction.
Two new engines are available with this new Swift – a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder Boosterjet petrol engine making
109 hp/170 Nm
 and a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder Dualjet engine producing
89 hp/120 Nm
. Thanks to direct injection and turbocharging technology, the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine
gets peak torque from 2,000 rpm
.
Alternatively, the Swift can be had with a
SHVS mild hybrid system
 that incorporates an Integrated Starter Generator that assists the engine during vehicle take-off and harvests energy through regenerative braking. The SHVS helps in reducing emissions, yet weighs just 6.2kg more than the standard version. Interestingly, this system is available for both the 1.0-litre Boosterjet and 1.2-litre Dualjet engines!
Perhaps the best part about a global product is that manufacturers have to meet various stringent crash safety tests around the world. As such, the Swift can be had with
Advanced Forward Detection System
 that bundles Dual Sensor Brake Support (autonomous emergency braking), lane departure warning and high beam assist.
With the introduction of the fourth-generation Suzuki Swift, it’s a shame that
Suzuki has pulled out from Malaysia
. Perhaps this global model could’ve changed the fate of the Japanese carmaker in Malaysia.
IMAGE GALLERY
Suzuki Swift – Europe Model

Suzuki Swift – Japan Domestic Model


Video: All-new 2022 Honda Civic is the most European Japanese car ever – AutoVlogs

There are many reasons for a person to like a car – be it looks, power, driving feel, functionality, or even social status. It doesn’t have to be a unique or popular reason, as long as it’s
your
 reason for liking
your
 car – I mean, it’s written in my byline for a reason.
With that being said, it’s really rare for us to be truly enamoured by a car these days. But with the
all-new 2022 Honda Civic
, we found ourselves smiling every time we get a chance to drive one. And the reason? Well, for us anyway, it’s just how effortless everything feels.

It’s effortless in its drive, with the uprated 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine now making
182 hp
 and
240 Nm
 – or 9 hp and 20 Nm more than before. It’s not a huge increase, mind you, but in actual driving circumstances, it’s definitely noticeable.
Power builds up fast but still gentle, which makes overtaking on the highways a breeze; the engine never once felt strained during our four-hour drive to Penang. But more substantially for us, was how well-tuned the CVT gearbox is on the all-new Civic.
ALSO READ: It’s not “just tuning”, here’s how the all-new Honda Civic Turbo became more powerful
For the most part, the CVT actually behaves mostly like an automatic. The gearshift paddles behind the steering wheels work almost instantaneously just like in an automatic car, and in sports mode, the gearbox even downshifts a (virtual) gear or two by itself under heavy braking, mimicking the slushboxes to help slow down your car with engine braking.
And when you pair that to a handling feel that can genuinely rival a
BMW 3 Series
, driving the all-new Honda Civic just brings out so much joy, no matter on the highway, or through the twisty back roads.
Complementing the Civic’s driving proficiency, is how effortless it is to live in one. Comfort has been significantly upgraded on the all-new model, particularly in terms of noise within the cabin thanks to additional spray foam and insulation. And in normal driving conditions, or at least under the national speed limit, it really is a night and day difference when compared to the previous-generation model.
But it’s also how the car rides over humps and the usual uneven surfaces of Malaysian roads. The all-new Civic never felt uneasy over the undulations while driving on the highways, and in city streets, most of the road imperfections are perfectly soaked up by the pliant but confident suspension set-up – even with the 18-inch wheels and Michelin PS4 tyres.
While the looks might not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea, the rest of the car really does offer a little bit of everything for you to find your own reason to like it. And when you add all of those up, the all-new 2022 Honda Civic might just be the best all-rounder package available in the segment, at least for now.
Be sure to watch the video above to see what else we discovered during our media trip to Penang with the all-new Civic!


This baby McLaren 600LT sprints to 100 km/h as quick as the 675LT

McLaren has released full details of its latest Longtail model, the
McLaren 600LT
. The most extreme Sport Series gains many technology learnings from the Senna which resulted in a track machine that is more extreme than the 675LT.
The M838 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 has been recalibrated to go with the freer flowing top-exit exhaust system allowing the engineers to unlock
600 hp
 and
620 Nm
 of torque. Century sprint is done in
2.9 seconds
 – equal to the 675LT and 0 to 200 km/h is achieved in
 8.2 seconds
. Top speed is governed at
328 km/h
.
To tame those extra horses, McLaren had to optimise the car’s overall aerodynamic performance with an extended front splitter, longer rear diffuser, fixed rear wing and lengthen the car by 74 mm. All these work in conjunction with the flat carbon fibre underbody to produce
100 kg of downforce
 at 250 km/h for more cornering grip and high-speed stability.
There are two ultralightweight wheel options for the 600LT – 10-spoke or five spoke – that reduces unsprung weight for greater cornering performance. They are shod in bespoke Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres. The 600LT also sits 8 mm closer to the ground for better high-speed stability.

As with any McLaren Longtail model, the 600LT has undergone a strict diet plan to save
100 kg
 (in its lightest configuration) over the standard 570S. Lightweight exercise comes in the form of adopting lighter and stiffer suspension components from the 720S (-10.2 kg), lightweight aluminium calipers and stiffer carbon ceramic discs (-4 kg), removal of interior carpet (-5.7 kg) and carbon fibre racing seats (-21 kg).
Customers can also opt to remove air-conditioning, infotainment system, the audio system for further weight reduction. The optional MSO Clubsport Pack adds Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats, Carbon Fibre Interior Upgrade, Carbon Fibre Roof and Cantrails, Visual Carbon Fibre Fender Louvres in gloss finish and titanium wheel bolts for maximum visual impact and weight savings.

Unlike other limited run McLaren models, the McLaren 600LT can still be ordered new from dealers with a base price of £185,500 in the UK. The price tag also includes a Pure McLaren Road Owner Track Day circuit experience.
IMAGE GALLERY
McLaren 600LT


All-new Ford Fiesta awarded full 5-Stars in Euro NCAP! [+Video]

The all-new
 seventh-generation Ford Fiesta
 has just been awarded the maximum 5-Star safety rating at the Euro NCAP, proving once again that small cars can be big on safety too. The all-new Fiesta which went on sale in Europe recently, is equipped with a suite of driver assistance systems which helped the small hatchback’s 5-star score.
The model tested was equipped with the full range of driver assistance system which includes enhanced
Ford Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection
, autonomous emergency braking (AEB),
Lane Keeping Aid
, Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking,
 Adaptive Cruise Control
, Auto High Beam, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Distance Indication, Driver Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition. Yep, all these in a Fiesta.
Besides the range of driver assistance system, the all-new Fiesta features an overall
stronger body
 thanks to 36 percent more boron steel for greater strength in key areas, new T-Section configuration to transfer side impact more effectively and redesigned door cross sections. All these helped the Fiesta to score 87 percent in the adult occupant category, 84 percent in child occupant category, 64 percent in pedestrian category and 60 percent in safety assist category.
“The latest Euro NCAP safety standards are more stringent than ever, with new emphasis placed on technologies that can help drivers avoid accidents,” said Ford of Europe, Vice President of Product Development, Joe Bakaj. “Fiesta can now help steer drifting drivers back into lane, and can monitor the road ahead up to the length of a football pitch – helping drivers detect and avoid hazards for safer journeys.” he added.
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai to produce long-range electric vehicles – 500 km per charge

Hyundai Motor Co has announced that it would be launching a long-range electric vehicle with a 500 km driving range per charge after 2021, as reported by
Reuters
.
There are also plans for
31 eco-friendly models by 2020
 with automaker and affliate Kia Motors Corp. New additions will include three plug-in hybrid vehicles, along with eight battery powered and two fuel-cell vehicles.
Although Hyundai has just introduced its first pure electric car, the IONIQ, it still lags behind Tesla and GM with shorter driving range per charge. An electric version of the
Kona SUV
 will be introduced, offering 390 km of driving in the first half of 2018.
This confirms Reuters previous report that it is developing its first dedicated electric vehicle platform for the company to produce multiple models with longer driving ranges.
Hyundai has also unveiled a “near production version” of its new mid-sized SUV powered by fuel cell with a driving range of
more than 800 km per charge
 under European standards. The SUV which will be launched in Korea next year will nearly double the 415 km range for its current Tucson fuel cell SUV.
Source:
Reuters


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia donates Triton to aid INSAF’s charity efforts

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia
 (MMM) has contributed a unit of the
Triton pick-up truck
 to INSAF Malaysia, a non-profit organisation carrying out humanitarian efforts in the country. The Triton will be used to help run several programmes under INSAF Malaysia’s belt.
These programmes include distribution of food bank, lunch box, and rice bags to orphanages and welfare homes, as well as ‘Meals on Wheels’ where food are distributed to old folks who have been abandoned or are living alone. The NGO also builds shelter homes for those that have been hit by natural disasters and is in dire need for a roof above their heads.
“Our CSR vision for this year is ‘Inspiring Lives Today for a Greater Future’. While our missions are to implement CSR activities that provides aid to support underprivileged children, and to collaborate with NGOs in promoting a sustainable economy, society and environment,” said MMM Chief Executive Officer, Tomoyuki Shinnishi.
“So when we found out that INSAF Malaysia’s humanitarian efforts is constantly striving for voluntarily action, we want to support their work by contributing a Triton pick-up truck in hopes that the NGO can go beyond the distance and to help more underprivileged families,” he added.

Check out our
off-road experience
 with the new Mitsubishi Triton Athlete!
Speaking during the handover ceremony, INSAF Malaysia President and Founder, Ishak Bin Abdul Kadir said: “We have been witnessing a dangerous trend from the number of people suffering from malnutrition and food insecurity especially during this pandemic.
“Hunger is on the rise in Malaysia as we’ve seen a lot of breadwinners lose their source of income which leads to the inability to put food on the table. We are doing all that we can to make sure children or families don’t go to bed hungry hence we are so glad to have companies like Mitsubishi Motors reach out to us to offer help. The contribution of the Triton pick-up truck is timely, practical and very much appreciated.”


Over 4,000 Honda BR-V booked, waiting period up to 2 months!

It sure seems like Honda Malaysia is off to a great start to the year! After launching the
all-new BR-V
 in the first week of 2017, the company has secured over 4,000 bookings to date. This is by leaps and bounds more than their sales target of 800 units a month!
Of the 4,000 BR-Vs on order,
83 percent
 of them are the
 range topping V variant
. Unlike the longer wait list of the
HR-V
 and
Civic
, Honda Malaysia ensures that customers will receive their vehicles within one to two months, thanks to adjustments made to the production plant.
To recap, the
 range topping V variant is priced at RM93k
 and comes with all the bells and whistles such as front fog lamps, exterior chrome garnish, leather upholstery, leather wrapped multifunctional steering wheel, automatic climate control, keyless entry and start, 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and reverse camera.
Entry level E variant is yours for RM86k
 but makes do with fabric upholstery, urethane steering wheel, manual air conditioning and a standard audio system.
Both cars are powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder SOHC with i-VTEC, producing
118 hp
 and
 145 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent exclusively to the front wheels via a continuous variable transmission (CVT). On the safety front,
both variants
 are equipped with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), hill-start assist and ISOFIX mounting points.
Honda’s recent efforts in pushing for practical, well-specced and decently priced cars have certainly paid off in a huge way. Both the E and V grade will ferry seven occupants while receiving a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating. If you’re keen on buying the BR-V, hurry on to your nearest Honda showroom before the waiting period gets longer! While you’re at it, be sure to check out
our First Look of the Honda BR-V
 embedded in the gallery below.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Proton Saga scores a 4-Star ASEAN NCAP rating, launching very soon

Following the launch of the new
Proton Perdana
 and
Persona
, next in line is the new Proton Saga. The
Perodua Bezza
 contender will be launched in less than two weeks’ time, but it has already got off to a good start after receiving a 4-Star ASEAN NCAP crash safety rating.
The new Proton Saga scored
13.33
 out of a full
 16.00
 points in the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) category. This is an improvement over its predecessor’s achievement (10.23 points, 3-Star rating) recorded in 2013.
Child Occupant Protection (COP) is also decent in the new Saga, as it also received a 4-Star rating with a
71 percent compliance
. The older Saga fared much worse in 2013, with a score of 48 percent or a 2-Star equivalent.
As the image above shows, the Bezza scored the same (4-Star) for the non-ESC variant. However, the Bezza gets a full 5-Star on variants equipped with ESC. It’s quite likely that the new Saga will not be equipped with ESC, but this remains to be seen.
Powering the Saga is a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with VVT, pushing out
94 hp
 (same powertrain as the
Iriz
). Expect both drivetrain options – the five-speed manual and CVT – to be featured as well.