First Drive: 2016 Ford Focus 1.5L EcoBoost, focused on refinement [+Video]

So, Ford Focus. Harrison Ford holding a camera would probably be the first image to flash through your mind. Oh Internet, what have you done to us. To be fair, many would remember it as a successful global hatchback that was once the best selling car in the world. The new Ford Focus has just gone through not just a facelift, but quite a substantial upgrade

to stay in the game. So, is this car for you? We went to the land Down Under to find out.

The Focus proves to be one of the best things to have ever rolled out from Ford’s production plant, replacing the friendly neighbourhood Ford Laser in 1998. Two iterations later, the Focus moniker went on to surpass the 46-year-old strong brandname, the Toyota Corolla, to become
2012 world’s best selling car
. That’s really something for a relatively young nameplate.
QUICK FACTS
Name
2016 Ford Focus 1.5-litre EcoBoost
Engine
1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, turbocharged inline-4 cylinder
Transmission
6-speed Selectshift automatic
Max Power
177 hp
Max Torque
240 Nm
Price
TBA
A total of
 12 million
 Focuses have been sold globally, with Asia Pacific contributing
2.3 million
 units. That means on average, a new Ford Focus is delivered every 90 seconds, just like hot cakes. Even
Pope Francis
 owns a Focus MK2 hatchback!

The current third generation Ford Focus underwent more than a mere facelift. Apart from the entirely new front look, it gets a new powertrain, improved ride and handling, and plenty of safety technologies.
In case you didn’t know, Ken Block and Ford took this new Focus and created the bonkers
Focus RS
. Powered by the Mustang-sourced engine that makes
345hp
 and
440 Nm
 of torque, including a ‘
Drift
‘ button!

Codenamed ‘
LZ
’, it is Energised, Progressive New Focus Brings Increased Refinement, Improved Efficiency and Advanced Technology – the exact words from Ford. The American company is clearly confident with the new product and eager to show journalists from Asia Pacific region, on what the Thai-manufactured Focus has got to offer.
Available in the test drive fleet are hatchback model of entry level
Trend
 (AUD24k), the performance themed
Sport
 (AUD27k) and top range
Titanium
 (AUD33k) variants. Based on the trend back at home, the Sport and Titanium variants should make it onto the local menu. Not a hatchback fan? Sedan variant is available as well.

EXTERIOR
 It now has a new face with the same family identity that its siblings carry. The front facias is decorated with the signature ‘Aston-like’
 trapezoidal grille
 as the centrepiece, a new pair of lights, followed by a new bumper. Together with the new ‘power dome’ bonnet directing towards the grille-mounted blue oval, it appears to be more sophisticated. And from certain angles, aggressive.

The new handsome grille is fitted with active griller shutter that closes for better aerodynamic to reduce drag which in turn improves fuel efficiency. It reopens when the radiator needs cooling. Cool 007 stuff there.
The new slimmer and sharper headlights resemble what the
Fiesta
 and
Mondeo
 have. They are with built-in LED DRLs which look like a frowning pair of stunted eye brows. If you look closely, the black inner casings do enhance the entire look, giving it an angrier expression.
If you look even closer, there are no LEDs or xenon bulbs to be found in the headlights. Sadly, they are halogen powered, including the fog lamps. Well, that could be an Aussie thang but, I’m pretty sure Malaysian buyers will not be happy about it.

Wheel sizes vary starting with
16-inch
,
17-inch
 and
18-inch
 for Trend, Sport and Titanium variants respectively. The largest 18-inch looks really good. Ride quality could be a little pain in the ass, literally, but it does spec up the overall look of the C-segment hatch. The 17-inch looks like the ones on Fiesta, whereas the 16-inch… never mind.

As we go around the side, you’ll still see the same strong shoulder line which starts from the front headlights and extends to the C-pillars. Now, you could be fooled to think the rear is unchanged. The tail lights are new, now thinner, occupying less area around the new tailgate design. I have to say the rear end is now cleaner and perkier. The sporty rear spoiler completes it.

Driving in a convoy for miles on the winding country roads of Adelaide with beautiful forests, vineyards, sheep and cows as the background, with the rear of the new Focus as the foreground, it wasn’t boring at all. She’s a looker alright!
INTERIOR
 Closing the doors rewards you with a really satisfying thump – a Malaysian way of indicating good build quality. The interior gives a really upmarket feel, with comfortable fabric seats (leather in Titanium) and generous use of soft-touch materials.

The cabin is now less cluttered, a sure relief to Focus’s fans. Ford went for the cleaner look replacing the 4.2-inch display with a larger 8-inch high-resolution touch screen panel. Thanks to that, those tiny buttons on the head unit are no longer there giving the Sony audio unit a neater arrangement, and you a lesser headache.

SYNC 2 now takes care of the in-car connectivity and entertainment systems, upgraded to offer smarter and safer way to stay connected. So now operating the climate control, GPS navigation, mobile phone or multimedia system can be done via natural voice commands.
It was well demonstrated when one of the convoy marshals set the next destination for us. This Aussie dude just stuck his head through the window, activated voice command via the button on the steering, and voice commanded GPS destination. I expected Ms. SYNC 2 to get him to repeat, but no. Voila. It’s done. Impressive!
Fingering the touch screen display while driving was a breeze especially with the colour-coded corners. Its well organised interface makes on-the-fly navigation much easier.

The redesigned three-spoke steering wheel is thick and comfortable to handle. However, for the first half hour, I kept telling my co-driver Gerrard from Carlist.my that the wheel is too big. Some things are better smaller, you know. Steering wheel is one of them – my personal preference at least.

However, it didn’t take long to get used to. For a daily hatchback, it is nicely weighted and more than capable to provide that sporty driving feel. More on that later.
PERFORMANCE
 The biggest revamp in the new Focus happens under the hood. It now comes in a small
EcoBoost
 Package – 1.5-litres to be exact. The fleet we tested was powered by a
1.5-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost
 turbocharged engine, making
177 hp
 and
240 Nm
 of torque. That’s is 7 hp and 38 Nm more powerful than the outgoing naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine!

Ford ditched its six-speed Powershift dual clutch gearbox for the conventional
six-speed Selectshift auto
 transmission, sending power to the front wheels. This powertrain combination will certainly be making its way to Malaysia, and will be well accepted. The six-speed manual variant for the Aussies will not though, which is fine. No thanks to the unique Malaysian car market.

The one thing I can’t brain is, the new Ford Focus doesn’t come with
paddle shifters
! It’s available as a cost option in Australia. Let us all hold hands and pray that it arrives in Malaysia as standard.
SAFETY
 The new Focus is equipped with plenty of useful driver assist features, but mostly only available in the higher range Titanium grade. Boohoo.
The premium safety features include
Blind Spot Information System
 (BLIS) that resides in the wing mirrors,
Enhanced Active Park Assist
 that automatically parks the car parallel or perpendicularly, then
Park-Out Assist
 will help you GET OUT from the parking space (seriously?),
Cross Traffic Alert
 and an improved
Active City Stop
 system.

The
Cross Traffic Alert
 function is able to detect approaching vehicle or pedestrian (up to 40 meters away) from left and right as you reverse out of a space. Very handy for those who have the habit of NOT turning their heads to look when reversing. Ford, you are spoiling them!

Active City Stop
 can now work as you drive up to 50 km/h, an improvement from the previous 30 km/h. It basically stops the car when the radar detects an object in front of the vehicle. It’s another useful feature, especially to those who text and go on Facebook while driving.
Just like the
Ford Mondeo
, the new Focus comes with
MyKey
 – a programmable car key that allows you to set speed limit, reduce audio volume, set earlier low-fuel warning and even mute audio system when seat belt is not secured. Very useful if you have a hormonal teenage child.
One of the highlights in the new Focus is the industry-first
Enhanced Transitional Stability
 system that works hand in hand with the car’s
Electronic Stability Control
 (ESC). It is a proactive system that predicts the loss of traction by monitoring vehicular speed and steering input. Yes, even before it happens.

So even before the car loses grip,
ETS
 is ready and activates
ESC
 which then reduces engine torque and applies brake force to any individual wheel. It may sound really helpful but it could be overly protective and intrusive. We didn’t manage or rather weren’t allowed to do any fancy driving to wake the nanny, so I can’t be sure.
THE DRIVE
 I packed and brought along a set of expectation with me to this trip in South Australia. Knowing what the Focus is capable of, I anticipated nothing less than a fun drive. The regional drive for both Malaysian and Indonesian contingents started from the heart of Adelaide City, into the countryside near Golding Wines vineyard.

It all started with a pleasant city drive. Not so much on the B roads, where ride comfort showed its slightly harsher side. Not complaining at all, in fact the drive came alive as we went deeper into the countryside. The more we push the car, the more rewarding it gets. The new Focus performs really well on winding Australian roads and remains very much planted around corners. No surprise there as the Focus is made for this, now only better.
The ride has been improved through suspension bushes and shock absorbers optimization. It reduces vertical and horizontal movement by 20 to 25 percent, improving overall ride and drive.

Power delivery from the spunky hatchback is pretty impressive for a small 1.5-litre engine. Thanks to the award winning
EcoBoost
 technology which essentially force-induces the 1.5-litre engine squeezing out better output. And it does come literally in a small package as the manifold is integrated with the engine, for a few good reasons.

Firstly, the engine requires shorter warm up time as it achieves its optimum temperature quicker, which improves fuel efficiency. More importantly, it minimises travel distance between turbocharger and cylinders. You probably know what that will do – it reduces turbo lag.
Turbo lag still exists in reality, but in a very much ignorable gap. I’m sure you can live with that. Conventional torque-converter six-speed automative transmission proves to be a better pairing. It provides a smooth power delivery to both front wheels, which goes really well with the drive.

Then, to my utter horror as I was about to take her to the next level,
shift-paddles
 were nowhere to be found! A hot hatch on a nice winding road without paddle shifters can be frustrating. Sporty driving went all awkward with the plus/minus SWITCH on the side of the gear knob. No, not even tip/shift tronic kinda thing either.
Potong stim weeeei
.

Ford
 however explained that the steering mounted shifters are available as option in Australia. Let us all hold hands again and pray.. that the shifters will find their way to Malaysia, as standard in all variants.
This new
Focus
 handles well with its nicely weighted steering wheel, just nice for a standard everyday hatchback. A tad too light for sporty drive but it does make handling it effortless. Yes, you’ve guessed it right, it’s been improved too.

Ford refined its
Electric Power Assisted Steering
 (EPAS) by reducing steering friction and disturbances, making it easier to manoeuvre and reduces fatigue from unwanted steering feedback. The lightness is compensated with the right kind of feedback you need, which grew on me after a while.
All in all, it was an enjoyable drive and Ford has done a great job making the Focus even better. I already can’t wait to see what’s in store for the all-new generation Focus.
SO, IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
 Well, it depends on what we Malaysians will be getting. But for now, let’s just assume they are as what I’ve tested.
If you’ve been looking for a C-segment car that drives really well, packed with technologies and you have no slightly-harsh-ride and boot space issues, (there’ll be a sedan coming, not so good looking though) then yes. By all means. It is solid with good build quality inside and out, handles well and looks pretty good.

However, if you are looking for a C-segment car that drives well but at the same time very particular about ride comfort for your passengers, then probably not. Give it a try nonetheless.
WILL I BUY IT?
 The Ford Focus has proven itself to be a winning product well accepted around the world, even the
Pope
. As time goes on and technology advances itself, staying in the game is crucial. Leading it is even better. However, with VW Golf and many other worthy competitors in its way, the roads ahead sure look bumpy.

I admire the extent of effort put in into making a facelift model this good. It really proves that Ford is darn serious in producing an all rounder C-segment contender. Job well done Ford! Looking forward to the all-new Focus come 2017.
Ok, back to the question. This new Focus is definitely one of the best hatchbacks out there. As much as I would like to own one as my everyday fun car, my ‘Minister of Home Affairs’ will not allow it simply due to size and space constraints. The
Ford Mondeo
 however, would be the better choice for us.
IMAGE GALLERY

2016 Ford Focus – Sedan

2016 Ford Focus facelift launched in Malaysia


Ford Ranger Raptor previewed in Malaysia, to debut at KLIMS

Displayed at the launch of the
updated Ford Ranger
 is the
first-ever Ford Ranger Raptor
 and while Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC) has
confirmed the arrival
 of this pick-up truck by Ford Performance, the company is not ready to officially debut the Ranger Raptor just yet.
Scheduled for its official at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS), the Ranger Raptor naturally sits at the top of the local Ranger line up. Equipped with the new 2.0-litre EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel, performance-oriented tuning and the innovative Terrain Management System (TMS), the Ranger Raptor is certainly not for the casual drivers.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ford Ranger Raptor 2.0L
Engine
1,996cc; 4-cylinder single-turbodiesel
Transmission
10-speed automatic
Max Power
213 hp @ 3,500 rpm
Max Torque
500 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
TBA
The Ranger Raptor commands a much greater visual impact compared to its siblings, sitting 320 mm wider and 150 mm taller.
This allows the Ranger Raptor to command an approach angle of 32.5 degrees, ramp over angle of 24 degrees and departure angle of 24 degrees to overcome every obstacle it may come across. It also spots the FORD lettering front grille, functional air curtains, composite front fender and blacked out alloy wheels.
Inside, you’ll find the sporty intentions of the Ranger Raptor more apparent with sportier seats, red centre marking on the multifunctional steering wheel, magnesium paddle shifters, blue contrast stitching as well as Ranger Raptor specific user interface on the SYNC 3 infotainment system and instrument cluster.
Motivation comes from a new 2.0-litre EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel engine pushing out
213 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Separating the Ranger Raptor from a regular Raptor are the Fox Racing Shox dampers tuned by Ford Performance and the
Terrain Management System (TMS)
 that puts the pick-up truck into six driving modes – Normal, Sport, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Sand, Rock and Baja.
The latter was named after the famous Baja Dessert Rally and is calibrated to give the driver maximum high-speed off-road performance.
The new Ford Ranger Raptor will be fully imported from Thailand as the Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) plant is the production hub for the Asia Pacific region. SDAC has highlighted that the Ranger Raptor has garnered tremendous interest from buyers despite not knowing how much it costs.Knowing its significance of the first-ever Ranger Raptor and the performance it offers, how much would you pay for one? You will have to wait for the official announcement happening in November at the 2018 KLIMS.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ford Ranger Raptor Previewed in Malaysia


Have you tried the new EURO 4M RON 95 Petronas Primax 95 yet?

If you haven’t, you should as the price of RON 95 petrol is expected to rise gradually from January 2020 onwards by one sen per week till it reaches market price – estimated to be around the RM2.30 to RM2.40 mark, subject to prevailing crude oil prices.
(BREAKING NEWS: A couple of hours after we published this story, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister announced that the Petrol Subsidy Programme or PSP has now been put off until further notice, which means that the subsidised price of RON 95 petrol would remain at RM 2.08 per litre for the foreseeable future.)
But more than that, the
EURO 4M
spec – as gazetted by the government to come into effect on 1
st
 January, 2020 after numerous delays, will be better for environment as well as your car courtesy as its
low sulphur content
 which is now rated at
50 parts per million
 (ppm) or lower, compared to
500 ppm
 of the
existing EURO 2M specification
. According to Petronas, the benzene content for EURO 4M RON 95 has been reduced by 30% to 3.5% while vapour pressure cut by 7% to 65kPa.
While Shell was first to announce the availability of EURO 4M RON 95 petrol at selected stations, Petronas had already begun supplying its stations
since early December
 with
EURO 4M-rated Primax 95 with Pro-Drive
, so your vehicles may have already been running on the low-sulphur concoction if you are a regular customer of Petronas stations.
Whether you can feel any discernible difference in the performance of your vehicle after filling up with EURO 4 RON 95 petrol is subject to various factors, but what comes out of the tailpipe is certainly less impactful to the environment, with
lower levels of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx)
. One thing is for sure, the catalytic converter in your vehicle would also have an easier time in cleaning up the aforementioned gaseous by-products, aside from the fact that the presence of sulphur is also known to contaminate catalytic converters.
It’s interesting to note that the
European Union
 implemented EURO 4 way back in
2005
, and that
Thailand
was the first country in the region to adopt
EURO 4 in 2012
. Suffice to say, it has been a long time coming for Malaysia, but better late than never.


Toyota stops production in Thailand due to new Covid-19 outbreak

Toyota Motor Thailand has stopped operations at three of its factories due to an outbreak of the Covid-19 Delta-variant.
The
Nikkei Asia
 reported that operations have stopped since Wednesday (July 21st) and will last for at least seven days. The timing couldn’t be any better though, as operations were meant to take a short break from July 24th to 28th anyway in conjunction with national public holidays.
The all-new Toyota Corolla Cross, now in Malaysia in two variants.
Nonetheless, Toyota Thailand will assess the situation and decide on the reopening on July 29th. The closure from Wednesday was due to a break in the supply chain, where a facility supplying wire harnesses has been forced to shut down due to an outbreak of the virus that is said to be from the stronger Delta variant.
The reopening will also be judged if the company finds a solution to the specific supply chain issue, thereby minimising its downtime to just three days.
This is the second time Toyota’s production in Thailand has been affected by the global pandemic, with the first beginning in March 2020.
UMW Toyota currently imports the
Toyota Corolla Altis
 and
Camry
 models from Thailand. The first batch of Toyota
Corolla Cross
 is fully imported, before moving to local assembly by the end of this year.
With the semiconductor chip shortage starting to hit automakers, it is only a matter of time before the next wave of production is affected. Last year, Toyota Thailand only managed to produce 442,822 units, a significant drop from the total capacity of 760,000 units.
This year, the company is hoping to churn out 527,000 units, a 19% improvement compared to 2020. Close to half of the total production is exported to the Asia Pacific as well as other regions.
Closer to home, UMW To
yota

also laments

closure

due to EMCO
, hopes the

situation improves soon. Read about it here!
The automotive industry in Thailand, dubbed Detroit of the East, is also gearing up to face the accelerated transition to electric vehicles. Last month, the state-owned energy company specialised in oil and gas has announced a
collaboration with Foxconn
 to set up production of EV platforms in the Kingdom.
The government of Thailand also recently announced
bold plans to accelerate the supply and adoption of EVs
 in the country. By the end of 2025, Thailand hopes to have 25% of new vehicles sold are zero local emissions, with the figure increasing to 50% by the end of this decade, up from 30% previously proposed.
The kingdom plans to only offer zero-emission new vehicles from 2035, the earliest country in the ASEAN region to wave goodbye to the internal combustion engine.


Lexus IS facelift unveiled, gets refreshed inside and out

Not long after its shadowy
teaser
 made its way on the Internet, Lexus has taken the veils off the IS facelift at the ongoing Beijing Motor Show.
As previously reported, the changes are mainly to bring the model up to speed with the current Lexus offering. The IS retains the same L-shaped LED DRLs (still separate from the headlamps), but the headlights now come with three projectors forming the letter L. The side air intakes are also larger, as well as the Spindle grille.

On the inside, the IS gets an updated
10.3-inch infotainment screen
 and some visual updates within the instrument cluster. The IS’ Remote Touch Interface controller now comes with an “Enter” button – a function that was sorely missed due to the model’s age.
Engine choices remain status quo, thus the
240 hp

turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder
 engine and all-new
eight-speed Sports Direct Shift automatic
will carry on for at least a couple more years to come.
The current third-generation IS was launched in Malaysia back in 2013, followed by the
introduction of the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine
 last year. Look out for the facelift to arrive in Malaysia earliest by 2017.
IMAGE GALLERY


Kia’s new B-Segment SUV interior looks like a great place to be in

The compact SUV segment
is a highly lucrative business and more and more brands are looking to get a piece
of the growing pie. Kia Motors today revealed an interior sketch of the cabin
of its all-new B-Segment SUV which is due for global unveiling in the coming months.
From the sketches we can have a glimpse of what’s to come from the Korean carmaker and the press materials promise “high-quality materials throughout with a focus on technology, creating a modern ambience to appeal to young-at-heart, tech-savvy buyers.” Looking at Kia’s recent products from the humble
Picanto
 to the mighty
Stinger
, we can certainly get our hopes up.
At the centre is a floating 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Below the air vents is a row of tactile buttons for the climate control while the driver will be looking at an LCD multi info display sandwiched between two analogue dials. The multifunctional steering wheel should also offer paddle shifters on selected model variants.
Also announced is the
Kia’s Sound Mood Lighting technology which changes the cabin’s ambient lighting
variably to a series of pre-set moods such as romance, party time, midnight
city, travelling and etc.
Head of Kia Styling at
Kia Motors Corporation, Byung Chul Juh commented: “We have focused on designing
a cabin unlike any other in the small SUV segment, with a greater sense of
depth and richness to the design. Our newest model will offer greater pleasure
and satisfaction to our customers, with a premium-quality interior that
benefits from sophisticated design details.”


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia issues six recalls for ASX, Lancers & Outlander

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has just announced six recalls for Mitsubishi vehicles concerning the ASX (2011 -2013), Lancer (2004 – 2012), Lancer Sportback (2011 – 2012), Lancer EVO (2009) and Outlander (2016 – 2017).
A total of 23,133 vehicles sold through official MMM distribution channels are affected. Owners of these vehicles are advised to send their Mitsubishi vehicles to an authorised service centre to carry out the necessary repairs and replacement. The issues concerning affected vehicles are as below:
Model (Year Made)
Field Fix Campaign
Description
ASX (2013, 2015, 2017)

Outlander (2016)
Inspection and rectification of rear parking brake
Water may seep through the improper sealing of parking brake and cause the internal caliper to rust
ASX (2011 – 2012)

Lancer (2008 – 2012)

Lancer Sportback (2011 – 2012)
Inspection of engine auto tensioner
Improper design of the auto tensioner, the sliding resistance force will increase over time causing damage on the flange area of the auto tensioner during high-speed driving
Outlander (2017)
Reprogramming of ASC ECU software
Improper software in the Active Stability Control ECU which may cause the ECU to reset, affecting the vehicle’s driving stability
Lancer (2004-2007)
Takata passenger airbag replacement
Replacement of faulty Takata Passenger side airbag that may rupture and send metal shards to the occupant
Lancer EVO (2009)
Replacement of sunroof glass
Deterioration of the resin material may result in decrease of adhesive strength which may cause the sunroof glass to detach from the outer frame
ASX (2011-2013)
Replacement of front wiper link ball joint
Improper waterproof structure of the front deck portion causing the ball joint to corrode over time

The company will be issuing notification letters to all affected owners and all costs involving in the replacement and rectification will be borne by the company. Alternatively all Mitsubishi owners can check whether their vehicles are involved in any recall campaign by keying in their Vehicle Identification Number here.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia records best ever sales in May – 1,143 units sold!

It’s one thing to say that there’s a palpable softening in the general market upon the kicking in of GST. But with the timely launch of the
locally assembled

S-Class
,
E-Class
 and
C-Class
, things could not be better for the folks at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM).
That’s because in the month of May alone, MBM sold approximately
1,143 units
, over 110 percent more than they did in the same month last year at 544 units, effectively making it the company’s most successful month in its history.
Spearheading this feat is none other than the aforementioned trio, specifically the C200 Avantgarde,
E300 BlueTEC Hybrid
 and
S400L Hybrid
. Combined, they make for a total of
888 units sold
, whereas the brand’s Compact Car family comprised of the A-Class, B-Class, CLA and GLA models tallied at
254 units.
This record sales was preceded by a positive momentum observed in the first quarter of this year where MBM delivered a total of 1,886 vehicles, followed by 932 units in April – about 19 percent month-on-month growth. The company also announced their
revised price list
 post 1 April which saw car prices fall by as much as RM10,000.


You’ll soon be able to buy a Chevrolet EV powertrain for your own DIY projects

Converting old cars into electric vehicles seem to be the hot new trend these days. Volkswagen did it recently with their
Type 2 Kombi Bus
, and now Chevrolet is fitting an EV powertrain into a 1977 K5 Blazer old-school SUV to be shown-off at the virtual SEMA show this year.
However, the coolest part about the electrified Chevy K5 Blazer, called the Blazer-E, is the fact that you will be able to purchase the electric powertrain separately – similar to a “crate engine” – to be used on your own DIY projects!
The eCrate powertrain, or the Electric Connect and Cruise (Chevrolet’s crate powertrain naming scheme), will consist of mostly EV parts from the Chevrolet Bolt. These include a
200 hp
 and
361 Nm
 electric motor, a
60 kWh
 battery pack, a DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor, DC-to-DC converter to power the low-voltage systems, water pumps for battery heating and cooling, as well as all of the of the necessary wiring harnesses and controllers.
These parts will allow the kit to provide all of the special features required on an EV including shock protection, battery heating and cooling, battery-overcharge protection, and even regenerative braking.
The Blazer-E is also equipped with a traditional four-speed automatic gearbox, though it’s unclear if the transmission will make its way into the eCrate powertrain as EVs don’t necessarily need a wide range of gear ratios to operate. Builders will probably still include it for fun though, such as the
Ford Mustang Lithium EV
 with a manual transmission we saw at SEMA last year.
Just like what GM did with this conversion, you’ll still need to provide some parts of your own for your DIY projects. The Blazer-E received a new electric power-steering system, electric vacuum booster for the brakes, as well as a new controller to adapt to the original Blazer gauge – the battery charge levels are displayed on the fuel gauge, how cute!
Ch-EV-rolet, of course.
No pricing information is provided just yet, as Chevrolet is still evaluating the parts to be offered, including higher-performance options and new battery configurations to fit a wider range of aftermarket applications – such as the Ultium battery system that’s used on the all-new
Hummer EV pick-up truck
. The company plans to make the eCrate available in the second half of 2021.
GALLERY


Lotus Eletre ROI open for Malaysia – est. RM630k, 0-100km/h in 2.95 seconds

A new premium electric vehicle (EV) is about to enter Malaysia, and it is the
Lotus Eletre

with its registration of interest (ROI) now open for the country. Its specifications have yet to be confirmed, but the Eletre hyper SUV is estimated to cost
RM630,000
.
The Eletre was first unveiled to the world in March 2022, with all of its details released in October 2022. It is the brand’s first SUV and in Europe and the United Kingdom, it is available in three variants to choose from – The Eletre, Eletre S, and Eletre R. In the ROI brochure for the Lotus Eletre R in Malaysia, a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of
2.95 seconds
 is listed, hinting at the range-topping Eletre R being available.
In its range-topping guise, the Lotus Eletre R gets a dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup that makes
905 hp
 and
985 Nm
. The electric drive system is paired with a two-speed gearbox, resulting in a blistering
2.95-second
century sprint time.
In its mid- and low-tier variants, the Eletre S and Eletre are also powered by a dual-motor AWD system, albeit with a lower maximum power and torque output. Both the Eletre S and Eletre make
603 hp
 and
710 Nm
. Unlike the Eletre R, the lower-tier variants both get a single-speed gearbox, resulting in a
4.5-second
 century sprint time.
RELATED:
Lotus welcomes the new Eletre – its first-ever, fully-electric ‘Hyper SUV’
All versions of the Lotus Eletre house a
112-kWh
 battery that gives
600 km
 of range (WLTP) for the Eletre S and Eletre. The range-topping Eletre R only manages
490 km
 of range on the WLTP test cycle. No specifics have been listed on the electric charging rates. However, Lotus does state that the 112-kWh battery takes
20 minutes
 to charge from 10% state-of-charge (SOC) to 80% with DC fast charging.
Size-wise, the Eletre is bigger than the BMW iX, measuring 5,103 mm in length, 2,231 mm in width, and 1,630 mm in height. The wheelbase is 3,019 mm long, also longer than the iX. Malaysian customers interested in the Lotus Eletre can register their interest on Lotus Malaysia’s official
website
.
RELATED:
Lotus Eletre is world’s fastest dual-motor EV SUV – 905hp, 985Nm, 0-100km/h in 2.95s


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Montfort Boys Town sign MoU for brand’s apprenticeship programme

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM)

and Montfort Boys Town Shah Alam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) together to recruit and incubate secondary school students for MBM’s “Advanced Modern Apprenticeship Programme”.
The MoU will be effective for two years, with MBM first providing a ‘Train the Trainer’ program to Montfort Boys Town trainers who will later transfer the knowledge to the Montfort Boys Town students. Among the curriculum of the ‘Train the Trainer’ training are technical skills and expertise on current Mercedes-Benz models.
As a three-year course, the “Advanced Modern Apprenticeship Programme” covers a wide range of globally approved syllabuses and training guidelines by Mercedes-Benz Global Training with Mercedes-Benz Competence elements. The programme incorporates International Qualifications up to Level 3 and is recognised by the Department of Skills Development under the Ministry of Human Resources.
MBM aims to expose and prepare interested students to the “Advanced Modern Apprenticeship Programme” that is available upon completion of their secondary school curriculum. An annual pre-enrolment assessment will be conducted for the students of Montfort Boys Town where those who successfully pass will be able to apply for the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship programme.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia offers flood relief assistance – 30% off parts, free towing
MBM will provide a full scholarship to students who successfully enrol in the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship programme. The successful students will be full-time trainees under Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. They will receive a monthly allowance of RM 800 throughout the three-year programme and are guaranteed employment upon graduation with minimum salary in the first year.
Graduates will also have more opportunities thereafter with Mercedes-Benz where they can progress into management positions within the customer services department after completion of their diagnostic level qualifications.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President & CEO and South East Asia II Head of Region, Sagree Sardien
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President & CEO and South East Asia II Head of Region, Sagree Sardien said, “Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is committed to the development of our future workforce and we want to cultivate, develop and attract talent at an early age. This collaboration will expose students to social and organizational competencies which will drive service excellence the Mercedes-Benz way. As part of our education pillar, we see a great opportunity to nurture and invest in these young talents who aspire to have a career in the automotive industry as globally certified technicians.”
Montfort Boys Town Director, Brother Robin Devasagayam
Montfort Boys Town Director, Brother Robin Devasagayam said, “Montfort Boys Town is honoured and privileged to be part of this programme with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. We strongly believe that this new training curriculum will add depth and broaden the horizons of our students as they pave their future careers. We thank Mercedes-Benz for choosing to work with us and we will strive to ensure a fruitful collaboration for many years to come for our future generation.”
Also held at the event was the Advanced Modern Apprenticeship Programme Graduation for the class of 2021 and 2022 where a total of 99 trainees completed their training and are now globally certified technicians. The Best Student Award was presented to two students, Muhammad Syakir Badri Bin MD Nizam and Nur Feazah Binti Fuaad.
As part of the brand’s strategy and global direction to lead in electric, Mercedes-Benz has developed a new profile for Electric Vehicle Specialists, known as Expert in High Voltage (EHV) which will be introduced starting with the 2022 intake. This new syllabus will be added on the existing modules as part of the brand’s efforts to train and equip talents to be future-ready for the demands of mobility of tomorrow.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia hosted largest AMG gathering – special appearance by AMG GT Black Series


Updated Ford Everest now available in two variants – Trend and Titanium

Sime Darby Auto Connexion, distributor for Ford vehicles in Malaysia, has introduced a “strengthened” version of the Ford Everest with updates on its interior, exterior and powertrain and will be available in two variants – Trend and Titanium.
In the RM 258,888 “Titanium” variant, the Everest houses a new-generation 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, coupled with a 10-speed close-ratio automatic gearbox to deliver
213 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. Before you’d only get such torque figures with the 3.2-litre Wildtrak model.
In the RM 228,888 “Trend” variant, the single turbo diesel engine makes
180 hp
 and
420 Nm
; a significant increase in torque from the old 2.2-litre engine that only makes around
380 Nm
. The 10-speed gearbox is also applied here.
You get the sense that Ford is trying to offer some variety with the Everest but it seems like they’re still a little “off the mark” with their intentions. What I’d assume is that the people would instead want an Everest that’s under RM200k, as an alternative to the Fortuner, not an additional model that’s RM30k more than the already high asking price of the previous model.
Notable features in the Trend variant includes 18-inch wheels, automatic Xenon headlamps, LED tail lights and a hands-free tailgate while the Titanium gets a set of 20-inch wheels, a panoramic roof and some chrome bits. Both come with a redesigned front grille.
Inside, expect more soft-touch surfaces and a new black interior theme with contrast stitching. Standard equipment includes a 10-speaker system, dual 4-inch instrument cluster displays, and an 8-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Powered front seats in the Titanium are absent in the Trend variant, which have to be manually-adjusted.
Safety wise, the Titanium and Trend gets seven airbags and the other usual safety nets such as ABS with EBD, traction control and ESC. As for driving aids, the Titanium stands out from the Trend with front and rear parking sensors – highly necessary for a car that size.
The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert is reserved for the Titanium. Both variants come with a 3-year or up to 100,000 km warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche Macan beats Mazda2 for inaugural 2015 ASEAN Car of the Year award

For 48 years long, there wasn’t an award programme to recognise exceptional performers in the ASEAN region. That is, until now.
Twenty-two motoring journalists from three countries – Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand – formed the judging panel. Each judge will then submit their list of nominations and scores for tabulation (
download the full list and breakdown here
). To be crowned the regional champion, the top three finalists (also winners of their respective categories) must first be sold in the three participating countries during or before the judging phase. They will then have their scores combined.
After this lengthy and meticulous procedure, the
Porsche Macan
 (launched in Malaysia in late 2014) emerged as ASEAN’s Overall Car of the Year 2015 with a score of
254.79 points
. The
Mazda2
 settled for second place, scoring
232.61 points
 ahead of second runner up, the
Nissan X-Trail
 with
228.02 points
 accumulated.
As for Malaysia, 22 cars were named winners of their respective categories after beating other finalists (
click here to see the list of finalists
). Without further ado, here are the winners:
Category
Make, Model
Score (maximum 100 points)
Budget Car of the Year
Kia Picanto
69.54 points
Compact Car of the Year
Mazda2 Skyactiv
78.48 points
Family Car of the Year
Mazda3 Skyactiv
78.39 points
Executive Car of the Year
Honda Accord
78.51 points
Family MPV of the Year
Mazda Biante
69.00 points
Premium MPV of the Year
Honda Odyssey
73.91 points
Crossover of the Year
Honda HR-V
78.41 points
Compact SUV of the Year
Mazda CX-5
77.18 points
Family SUV of the Year
Nissan X-Trail
72.56 points
Pickup Truck of the Year
Ford Ranger
71.78 points
Coupe of the Year
BMW 2-Series
73.41 points
Premium Compact Car of the Year
Volvo V40
75.58 points
Premium Family Car of the Year
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
79.43 points
Premium Executive Car of the Year
BMW 5-Series
77.55 points
Premium Flagship of the Year
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
81.56 points
Premium Compact SUV of the Year
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
74.78 points
Premium Mid-size SUV of the Year
Porsche Macan
79.73 points
Premium SUV of the Year
Porsche Cayenne
76.45 points
Premium Coupe of the Year
Audi TT
75.44 points
Performance Car of the Year
Mercedes-AMG GT
77.18 points
Grand Tourer of the Year
Porsche Panamera
76.47 points
Driver’s Car of the Year
Volkswagen Golf R
77.81 points
Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony at the View Rooftop Bar @ GTower, Kuala Lumpur, 2015 ASEAN COTY Secretary Mr. Bobby Ang said, “With ASEAN’s growing importance in the global automotive industry landscape, it is important to create a bridge of acknowledgement for this region in the form of an automotive awards programme. This, we believe, will help car manufacturers address the increasingly demanding needs of customers within the ASEAN region.”
Is your car one of the many winners this year? Share with us your personal thoughts of this list! Also, to view in full detail the scoring mechanism, head on to
www.caroftheyear.asia/results
 to see how each finalist fared towards the end.


SpyBuzz: Mercedes-Benz CLS spotted, Malaysia to get CLS 450 4MATIC?

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is gearing up for a new product launch as seen on their recent teasers posted on social media. Today’s trailer sighting confirms that it will be none other than the
all-new Mercedes-Benz CLS
.
Mounted on a trailer with a
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S sedan
, the CLS we see here is not the
CLS 53 AMG
 as told by the standard multispoke wheels and the lack of AMG lettering on the brake callipers. Factoring out the diesel models and we are left with the CLS 450 4MATIC variant.

The CLS 450 4MATIC is powered by a 3.0-litre bi-turbo in-line six pushing out
 367 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. The new six-cylinder mill is boosted by an EQ Boost 48-volt onboard electrical system giving it an additional
22 hp
 and
250 Nm
. Power is transferred to all four-wheels allowing the CLS 450 4MATIC to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.8 seconds
.
This particular unit wears the Edition 1 badge on the front fenders which tells us that it will receive extra goodies such as Copper Art interior design with Black Pearl Nappa leather upholstery, black open-pored ash wood interior trim as well an IWC analogue clock centrepiece.
The previous-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS 400 was priced at a shade under RM600k when it was on sale in 2015. Expect MBM to do their best to position the new CLS at similar price bracket but all will be revealed when the car is officially launched.
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This video of Nissan’s Godzillas hits all the right feels

I wanted to share this when it first came out a few months back cause not only was it so well shot, with the right vibes and representation of the GT-R, but was also one of those rare official videos where all the generations have been brought together.
What really got to me was the first 27 seconds of the video where a group of kids were relentlessly chasing down an R32 GT-R on foot, taking a closer peak at it and before loudly uttering “
G-T-R lou ah
” (a very cinapek way of saying GT-R) in amusement – something we would all have done the same had we saw one as children.
What’s also very special about this video is that the R33 and R34 weren’t just any GT-Rs; the R33 was a
NISMO 400R
 edition introduced in 1997. It had bigger turbos, an upgraded exhaust system and intercooler to name a few.
It made 400 hp hence the name, where 0 to 100 km/h is done in just four seconds and top speed was over 300 km/h. Only 44 units of the 400R were ever built.
The other rare car in the video is the R34 V-Spec II Nur in which Nissan built just over 700 units of – one of the very last of the R34s before Nissan introduced the R35 GT-R. Named after the Nurburgring where it was developed, its N1 racing engine had bigger turbos and higher boost – resulting in over 450 hp. Find out more on the
R35 in the video here
!


Mazda CX-4 strictly for China market, won’t come to Malaysia

Mazda’s coupe inspired
CX-4
 has been unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show, ahead of its launch for the Chinese market. As the official images suggest the Mazda CX-4 took
a

leaf

out

of
 the Koeru concept, and set to win sales from image-conscious Chinese buyers.
One could mistake the CX-4 as a jacked up Mazda3 hatchback, but the CX-4’s body is wider and broader than most of its lineup. The CX-4 is 4.6m long, 1.8m wide and 1.5m high; sharing the similar wheelbase with the popular CX-5 at 2700mm. Ground clearance for the CX-4 is 197mm.
The CX-4 is offered with either a
2.0-litre SkyActiv engine
 or the
 2.5-litre
 lump, and can be had either with
six-speed manual
 or
automatic transmissions
. The CX-4’s range-topper variant of 2.5-litre variant is the only one that offers the all-wheel drive.
With that, Mazda’s current stable of SUVs now consists of the subcompact
CX-3
, CX-4,
CX-5
, midsize SUV CX-7, and full-size SUV
CX-9
; an impressive achievement for a manufacturer the size of probably one tenth of Toyota. Sadly, just like the rest of the world, we are looking at the Chinese buyers with envy on this one. Here’s to hoping the Hiroshima-based carmaker will change their minds soon.
IMAGE GALLERY


Would you want India’s fifth-gen Hyundai Accent (Verna)?

There was a time when Hyundai was a strong contender in the B-segment sedan market in Malaysia with the second-generation Hyundai Accent. Since the early 2000’s, Hyundai Malaysia has pulled out from the B-segment sedan game. However, in India, the fifth-generation Hyundai Accent, also known as Verna in some countries, is slated for its market debut.
The new Verna is built on Hyundai’s new K2 platform with
‘SUPER BODY STRUCTURE’
 technology, giving the Verna best-in-class body rigidity, structural changes and crash performance. The new structure is also optimised for a balance between weight and fuel efficiency. Besides that, engineers have also taken intricate measures to keep
NVH levels to a minimum
 through mounting designs, tunnel insulator and application of foam filler.
Design wise, the Verna is essentially a baby Elantra, mixing design cues from the
 fifth-
 and
sixth-generation Elantra
. The front face is a carryover from the fifth-gen with trapezoidal front grille and projector headlamps. Moving to the back you’ll find a mellowed down sixth-gen design with sharp LED taillamps. For a B-segment, the Verna is quite a looker.
India-bound Verna’s will be motivated by either a 1.6-litre Dual VVT petrol with
121 hp
 or a 1.6-litre CRDi VGT turbodiesel with
126 hp
. Drive is sent to the front wheels via
six-speed auto or manual
 transmissions. Both powertrains have been tuned to provide superior low-end performance for city driving as well as maximum fuel efficiency on the highway.
Full specifications of the Verna will be released during its market debut next week. What do you think dear readers, reckon the fifth-gen Verna (Accent) can give the current B-segment power houses in Malaysia a run for their money? After all, the second-gen Accent was a popular choice back in the day.


The new Lexus RZ, the brand’s first EV, is quite literally a sculpture on wheels!

Lexus has unveiled the new RZ, the brand’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), basically a fully-electric car, that marks the beginning of the brand’s transition to electric cars. Lexus aims to have a full lineup of fully electric vehicles by 2030.
The RZ is built on a BEV-specific platform (e-TNGA) with optimal weight distribution through ideal placement of the battery and motor. The platform offers high levels of stability and ride comfort by mounting the battery under the vehicle floor and features a low center of gravity.
Upfront, RZ features MacPherson strut suspension, while its rear uses a trailing arm double wishbone configuration. For the first time, Lexus uses Frequency Reactive Dampers, a frequency-sensitive absorber that alters the damping force in response to road surface frequency input.
2022.03.28
Performance figures were not revealed although Lexus highlighted that the RZ’s 71.4 kWh battery can offer up to 450 km of range on a single charge. Improved battery control technology ensures that the RZ’s battery capacity retention rate stays at 90% or more after 10 years of use.
The new RZ also debuts the DIRECT4 system, a new Lexus-first all-wheel drive system along with a new high output motor. The clever new power distribution system uses wheel speed, acceleration, and steering angle sensors to control the amount of power sent to the wheels. Power distribution can vary significantly between the front and rear wheels (60:40, 40:60, 0:100, 100:100, 75:25, 50:50, 20:80) to ensure the optimal control of the vehicle in any driving situation.
Another Lexus-first is the Steer-by-Wire system that’s void of any mechanical components. The steering angle is set at approximately 150 degrees, greatly reducing the driver’s workload and eliminating the need for hand-over-hand operation at intersections, U-turns, parking, winding roads, and other driving situations.
As for dimensions wise, the RZ is about the same size as the Lexus RX in terms of length, width, height, and wheelbase. Not having an engine meant the RZ could sport a lower hood design. The grille features a shutter that closes when cooling is not needed to improve aerodynamics. At the rear, the RZ sports the new Lexus logo that sits atop the stretch rear lights.
The front cockpit is based on the ‘Tazuna concept’, inspired by Tazuna reins that riders use to control horses. The steering wheel features switches that are precisely synced with the Head-Up Display (HUD), allowing drivers to control various functions such as navigation, audio, and drive mode without shifting their eyes away from the road. The cockpit is home to a Lexus-first dial shift knob mounted on the center console through the application of Shift-by-Wire.
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All-new 2018 Kia Picanto launched, with 6 airbags priced at RM 49,888

Naza Kia Malaysia has just launched the 2018 all-new third-generation Kia Picanto, one of the most highly-anticipated hatchbacks in the A-segment.
“We are confident that with this latest addition to the local Kia line-up, we will be able to achieve the Kia Picanto’s sales target of 5,000 units. This model is important as it would account for 50% of Naza Kia’s total sales target for 2018,” said Naza Corporation Holdings, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Dato’ Samson Anand George.

The Picanto is available in a
single varian
t, the 1.2-litre EX – with
 84 hp
 and
121 Nm
 at its disposal. Power is delivered through a gated 4-speed automatic. You get ventilated discs in the front and a solid pair at the back – all tucked beneath a set of 14-inch wheels.
On the outside, projector headlamps at the front are standard along with Auto Light Control and LED daytime running lights while at the back, the Picanto gets rear LED taillights with fog lamps front and back.
Its side mirrors come with LED turn signals and electric folding features on top of a dual-tone appearance. Push start system and keyless entry are also standard equipment.
With the wheelbase extended to 2,400mm, increased by 15mm, the wheels are pushed further out to the corners of the car for a 25mm shorter front overhang, giving the car a more planted stance.
Inside features a more refined cabin with new materials and layout for a greater sense of quality and aesthetic appeal. The seating height of the first row seats are reduced by 10mm and moved backwards by 5mm to improve headroom by 3mm and legroom by 15mm.
The optimised door trims in the front also frees up 10mm of shoulder room while the crash pad is now slimmer with its steering wheel moved 10mm upwards to increase knee and foot room. At the back, you get
255 litres
 with a total of 1,010 litres of bootspace with the aid of the 60:40 split folding seats.

Features wise, the Picanto gets a large 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and voice recognition features. The infotainment system, which comes with reverse camera display is linked to six speakers along with Bluetooth and USB compatibility. Its seats are of fabric material.
On the safety front, the Picanto comes with a suite of systems including
six airbags
 (dual front, side and curtains), three parking sensors, ABS with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control and Hill-start Assist Control.
Despite being constructed with double the proportion of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) compared to the outgoing model, the Picanto still weighs under a tonne at 983 kg. 44% of the new Picanto’s bodyshell is cast in AHSS, increasing tensile strength by 12%. Torsional stiffness has also been increased by 32%.
The Picanto comes in five vibrant colours – Lime Light, Honey Bee, Pop Orange, Titanium Silver and Clear White.
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen 60th Merdeka Edition Beetle launched, 1.2 TSI, 16 units only!

Volkswagen Malaysia at their Volkswagen Fest 2017 launched the Volkswagen 60th Merdeka Edition Beetle. Priced at RM136,888, it’s limited to 16 units only and is based on the Beetle Design 1.2 TSI.
As you’d expect, the special edition Beetle gets exclusive “Merdeka” livery, with blue and red stripes as well as the number “60” on the hood and sides. Other additions include a leather wrapped steering wheel, 5.8-inch touchscreen head unit with USB, Bluetooth and auxiliary support that’s hooked up to eight speakers. The seats are still fabric, covered in ‘Pepita’ cloth.

Under the hood is the same 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, putting out 104 horsepower and 175 Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG).
Again, only 16 units will be made and it will only be available in Pure White and White Silver. Each purchase comes with 5-year warranty, 60 months road tax and a limited edition Beetle suitcase. The 60th Merdeka Edition Beetle is launched alongside the new
Jetta ALLSTAR
.

Those interested to view the Beetle as well as the rest of the Volkswagen family, drop by the Volkswagen Fest held from 11 to 13 August at Setia City Convention Centre. Existing Volkswagen owners can also enjoy a 20-point inspection and 15 percent discount on parts and labour for servicing.
IMAGE GALLERY


Range Rover Evoque facelift debuts, P300e PHEV with up to 62km EV range, 309hp, 540Nm

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
 has just updated the
Range Rover Evoque
 with its latest facelift. The facelifted Range Rover Evoque is offered in four variants, namely the S, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, and Autobiography. It is also offered in petrol and diesel mild hybrid electric (MHEV), as well as plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options.
On the outside, the latest facelift of the Range Rover Evoque features the brand’s new Pixel LED headlights, together with its Signature LED DRL, which are available as standard for the Dynamic HSE and Autobiography variants. The rear of the facelifted SUV comes with the Range Rover’s signature graphics and new super-red rear illumination.
This combination is said to offer increased visibility and reduced glare for other road users thanks to the integrated matrix technology. Other details on the latest iteration of the Range Rover Evoque include a new grille with a chiselled front design and also flush deployable door handles.
Powertrain-wise, the Evoque facelift comes with a total of 7 options. This consists of the P160, P200, and P250 petrol mild hybrid (MHEV) options, as well as the D165 and D200 diesel MHEV options.
RELATED:
2023 Range Rover L460 launched in Malaysia, from RM1.268m before tax
The petrol and diesel MHEV options all feature a belt-integrated starter generator (BiSG) and a 48V lithium-ion battery that acts as energy storage. However, the main highlight of the line-up JLR wants you to know about is the top-of-the-line P300e petrol plug-in hybrid variant. Featuring a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine, it is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Together with a
14.9 kWh
 battery, a belt-integrated starter generator (BiSG) and a rear axle electric motor, performance figures are rated at
309 hp
 (metric) and
540 Nm
. EV range is rated at up to
62 km
 (WLTP), with a real-world driving range of
48 km
. Going from 0 to 100 km/h takes
6.4 seconds
 with the P300e variant of the Range Rover Evoque and its top speed is rated at
213 km/h
.
Charging the Range Rover Evoque P300e to full takes
30 minutes
 using a 50 kW DC charger. When at home, juicing up the SUV from 0 to 100% using a 7 kW AC charger will take around
two hours
. All variants of the Range Rover Evoque are equipped with the brand’s all-wheel drive (AWD) system.
Moving inside, you will find a floating 11.4-inch curved glass touchscreen. All major vehicle functions are incorporated into the display, and JLR says that the screen is positioned “floating” within the driver’s eye line for improved visibility. The floating screen also at the same time helps liberate space for interior storage and the mobile phone wireless charger.
The Evoque’s infotainment system features the Pivi Pro system. It comes with regular software over-the-air (OTA) updates and also has Amazon Alexa built-in. The Pivi Pro system also supports Wireless connection for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As for climate, seating and audio controls, users can control them via the sidebars, which feature multi-functional sliding controls on either side. These virtual buttons provide immediate access to frequently used items, including individual temperature controls for the front occupants, cameras, navigation, and audio volume.
RELATED:

2023 Range Rover Sport SV debuts with limited SV Edition One – 635hp, V8 Twin turbo
The Range Rover Evoque comes with Ultrafabrics and Kvadrat seats. JLR says that the Range Rover Evoque is the first SUV in its class to feature the Kvadrat wool blend fabric material.
The Evoque also comes with a suite of camera technology. This consists of the 3D surround view, ClearSight ground view, and rearview cameras.
The facelifted Range Rover Evoque features the Cabin Air Purification Plus system. JLR claims the system is one of the most sophisticated interior air quality technologies in the Evoque’s class. The Cabin Air Purification Plus system comes as a standard feature with the Autobiography and is also available as part of the optional Comfort Pack.
Customers in the United Kingdom can now drop their orders for the Range Rover Evoque facelift. Prices for the luxury SUV start from
GBP40,080
 (approximately
RM238,109
).
RELATED:
2023 Range Rover updated with all-hybrid powertrains – SV gets 615 hp V8 MHEV!
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Malaysia-bound Volvo C40, Kia EV6, and all-new C-Class score five stars in Euro NCAP

The Europe New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has just published its third round of results for 2022. Among which, the Malaysia-bound
Volvo C40 Recharge
,
Kia EV6
, as well as the
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
have all scored the full five-star rating in the tests.
All three cars scored 90% or more in the Adult Occupant category, which ultimately became the difference maker between four- and five-stars in this round of results. Child Occupant protection meanwhile were rated at 89% for the Volvo C40 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and 86% for the Kia EV6.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class stood out in the Vulnerable Road Users category, particularly in the performance at the front-end, thanks to its pop-up active bonnet that helps cushion the impact. Safety Assist systems meanwhile are right in the wheelhouse of the two electric cars, with the Volvo C40 scoring 89%, and the Kia EV6 scoring 86%.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was awarded an additional Euro NCAP Advanced award, thanks to its Car-to-X communication system which utilises data from other vehicles to warn drivers of potential hazards, before they could even be seen. Unfortunately, the system is not available here in Malaysia yet.
Volvo is particularly proud of its achievement, with the C40 continuing its streak of five-star ratings in the Euro NCAP tests. According to the carmaker, all of its tested models on sale today have received five stars in their respective Euro NCAP assessments.
“We always aim to be a leader in safety,” said Volvo Cars’ Head of Safety Centre, Malin Ekholm. “That means we adhere to strict safety standards in all of our cars, many of which we helped establish over time. No matter which Volvo you choose, you and your loved ones will drive one of the safest cars on the market.”
RELATED: Volvo Car Malaysia to launch one EV per year from 2022 – XC40 Recharge, C40 this year
Both the Volvo C40 Recharge and Kia EV6 are destined for Malaysia, with the Volvo already confirmed for a launch this year.
Based on the XC40, the Volvo C40 will be powered by the same P8 twin motor set-up, with a total system output of
408 hp
 and
660 Nm
. The motors are juiced by a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing the coupe crossover an estimated range of
420 km
 based on the WLTP scale.
The Kia EV6 meanwhile is offered in a multitude of powertrain options, but we expect the range-topping variant here in Malaysia to come with the all-wheel drive Long Range set-up, consisting of a 77.4 kWh battery pack and two electric motors for a total system output of
 325 hp
 and
605 Nm
, alongside a range of roughly
506 km
.


Anwar Ibrahim cancels Mercedes-Benz S600 order, sticks with Toyota Camry for PM duties

Just three days after being sworn into office, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim
 took to Twitter
 to announce that he has rejected a proposal by his office to utilise a new “Mercedes 600” as his official vehicle for his duties. Since the all-new Mercedes-Benz S Class no longer comes in a 600 guise, we are presuming that Anwar probably meant the
Mercedes-Benz S 580 e plug-in hybrid
.
The Premier added that the order for the new car was placed by the Prime Minister’s Department before he took office. The new car was rejected as he does not wish for any new expenditures to be made for him. Instead, he will be utilising any existing vehicle in the office for his duties.
Prime Minister
@anwaribrahim
 asking reporters if we are ‘okay’ with his
#Toyota
 Camry car.
Anwar said he was able to cancel the order of a
#Mercedes
 S600, made by previous govt, in time before delivery.
#PM10

#PM10malaysia

pic.twitter.com/IVe0cy7uvz
— Ravin Palanisamy (@RavinP_69)
November 28, 2022

So what might it be, if not a Mercedes? A follow-up tweet from The Malaysian Insight reporter
Ravin Palanisamy
 revealed that the Prime Minister will be ferried in a
Toyota Camry
 instead.
When met by reporters at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim even jokingly asked if the Camry “is OK”. He added that the office was able to cancel the order made by the previous government, in time before delivery.
The Toyota Camry is certainly a modest choice for a Prime Minister, and we’re sure the choice to cancel the S-Class was as much of a PR move as a cost-saving move. But with that being said, it’s still a fairly capable car, with
enough luxuries to make even Lexus blush
.
Updated in Malaysia
earlier this year
, the new facelifted Toyota Camry is now powered by a 2.5-litre Dynamic Force engine, serving up
209 hp
 and
253 Nm
 of torque and paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. But the most important feature, for a Prime Minister sitting in the back seats anyway, is the addition of the reclinable rear seats, with a touch-activated control panel located in the centre arm rest.
Prior to taking office, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also seen chauffeured in a black
G12 BMW 7 Series
.


All-new 11th gen Honda Civic launched in Thailand, from RM122k

Honda Thailand has just “stolen” the limelight from Honda Singapore, as the Kingdom officially unveils the 11th generation Honda Civic, the first in the ASEAN region.
The highly successful sedan continues to be offered in three variants with the range-topping variant decked with the RS treatment. Powertrain however sees a major change, where all variants are fitted with the improved turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC-Turbo engine. Gone is the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine that served the lower and middle variants.
Exterior-wise, the RS variant receives all the sporty items such as black door handles, side mirrors, rear spoiler, shark fin antenna, larger 17-inch wheels as well as the window surround. The twin exhaust tips are also decorated with large cylindrical finishers on the RS variant.
Compared to the outgoing model, the all-new Civic is 48 mm longer with a wheelbase that stretches 35 mm more.
Full LED headlamps are reserved only for the RS variant, while the lower two variants are fitted with projector halogen units. LED DRLs, as well as automatic function, is standard across the range.
Inside the RS variant gets an all-black interior with red stitching on the steering wheel, shift lever boot, door panels and combination leather-suede seats. This range-topping variant also gets the new key features such as the 10.2-inch high-definition instrument cluster and is paired with the 9-inch free-standing central infotainment display and wireless smartphone charger.
The Honda Civic RS also gets a lot more items with its higher retail price, such as a new Honda Smart Key card, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, both driver and passenger power-adjusting seats and illuminated footwell and front door panels.
Both the non-RS variants, called EL and EL+, have the option for either all black or beige seat upholstery. Standard features in the all-new Honda Civic include a 7-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Siri connectivity, remote engine start, automatic air-conditioning and rear seat belt reminders.
Honda explains the approach to their new interior design, called “simplicity and something”!
As mentioned earlier, all models now are fitted with the updated turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC-Turbo engine. Engine outputs have been raised from 173 hp and 220 Nm, to
178 hp
 and
240 Nm
 of torque. No mention of acceleration times but with the all-new Honda Civic approximately 30 kg heavier, there shouldn’t be much difference against the current time of 8.2 seconds.
Power is channelled to a revised CVT that is said to offer better response to driver input as well as revised Step-Shift programming that simulates physical gear changes under hard acceleration for a more familiar and enjoyable driving experience.
Shift paddles are featured exclusively on the RS variant, together with the new Sport mode.
In Japan, the Honda Civic is now only offered in a hatchback format. Yes, the mighty Type-R is coming too!
Safety features are the same across all three variants. This means the Honda Sensing suite with:
Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN)
Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-speed follow (ACC LSF)
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
Road Departure Mitigation with LDW
Automatic High-Beam
Collision Mitigation Braking System (AEB)
This updated Honda Sensing suite, now operated using a wide-angle camera, also comes fitted with the Lead Car Departure Notification System, where, as the name suggests, alerts the driver in the new Civic once the vehicle ahead starts moving off during waits at the traffic lights.
Unlike the
American
 and Japanese models, the Thai Honda Civic continues to offer Honda LaneWatch instead of the new Blind spot monitoring system. It is also only available in the range-topping Honda Civic RS variant.
As for prices, the all-new 11th generation Honda Civic starts its pricing from
THB964,900
 (approx RM122k) for the EL variant,
THB1,009,900
 (approx RM128k) for the EL+ variant and
THB1,199,900
 (over RM150k) for the range-topping RS variant. The prices of the EL+ and RS see a slight reduction compared to the predecessor model.
Back in Malaysia, there are slim hopes that the all-new Honda Civic will be launched this year, as Honda Malaysia expressed that the prolonged business closure due to MCO3.0 has tremendously
affected operations
 including the testing and development of new models.
GALLERY


RIP: BMW has now built its final car with a V12 engine

It’s been a long time coming, but BMW has now officially confirmed that it has made its final V12-powered car – it’s truly an end of an era, folks. The company
announced back in January
 that it’ll be making a limited-edition final run of the V12-powered 7 Series, literally called “The Final V12”, for BMW customers with a history of V12 ownership. And well, it’s now sold out.
“The last BMW 7 Series vehicles with the V12 have been produced,” a BMW spokesperson told
CarBuzz
. “We did a final edition for the US, which sold out really quickly.”
The writing has been on the wall for the V12 for quite some time now, especially with tightening emissions regulations worldwide. The final nail in the coffin came when the
 all-new 7 Series
, launched earlier this year, only offers a maximum of eight cylinders under the bonnet.
Still, the V12 played a significant role in BMW’s history, with the engine configuration first appearing in the E32-generation 7 Series back in 1987. It’s been revised and improved for increased outputs and improved efficiency over the years, and in its final iteration, the 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V12 in the
BMW M760i xDrive
 makes a whopping
609 hp
and
800 Nm
.
The output figure translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just
 3.6 seconds
. That’s supercar-level fast, in a luxobarge that is pushing 2.5 tonnes in weight.
Outside of the 7 and 8 Series models, there’s also the famous S70/2 V12, which was designed to power the
McLaren F1
. It’s based on the same architecture as the company’s original V12 engine, but with several mechanical upgrades such as new heads, individual throttle bodies, and a dry-sump oil system to raise its outputs to something a little more suitable for a halo supercar.
Versions of the engine also appeared in the V12 LMR Le Mans racer, which won BMW their first and only 24 Hours of Le Mans overall victory to date.
Even though it’s the end of the road for BMW V12s, the wider BMW Group isn’t saying goodbye to the 12 cylinders quite just yet. The
Rolls-Royce
 models are still powered by various versions of the N74 twin-turbocharged V12 engine, but even that is probably not going to last too much longer, as the company has committed to phasing out internal combustion engines by 2030.
Petrolheads, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is, because there’s probably not much time left to savour these incredible engineering marvels. And if you need some pointers, Ferrari is making a
brand-new V12 engine for its new Purosangue SUV
…


Kick start your automotive career with Continental’s C.Drive Programme

At the groundbreaking ceremony of Continental Automotive Components Malaysia’s Penang plant upgrade, the company also introduced a talent development programme called the C.Drive programme targeted at fresh graduates to help them kickstart their career in automotive engineering.
There are two programmes available – C.Drive Engineer and C.Drive Champions, the latter targets software engineers who are keen on pursuing a career in the field of automotive software development. The goal of these programmes is to bridge the gap between academia and the automotive industry needs.
Throughout the programme, recruits will first go through an eight-week fundamental skill set taught course and spend another month applying their knowledge to a capstone project. Upon completion, trainees will then be placed with Continental’s experts and work on actual automotive projects, gaining real-world experience as they go.
Upon completion, the recruits will have an opportunity to secure a position with Continental Automotive, the leading German technology company. Throughout the programme, the recruits will be given a monthly allowance of RM2,800 to RM3,200 as well as EPF, SOCSO contributions and annual leaves.

Only 30 candidates will be selected into the programme but the company is looking to expand the programme to automotive institutes in Malaysia as part of the student’s study pathway to better prepare students for employment and real world challenges.
Interested parties can send their applications to
[email protected]
 with “I love Cars and want to join C.Drive program” on the email title. More information can be found on their Facebook event page
here
.


Jaguar Land Rover debuts new Ingenium petrol engine and gearbox

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed the latest additions to its Ingenium powertrain family. Joining the
2.0-litre diesel
 is an all-new four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine and a new automatic gearbox.
The in-house developed
all-aluminium petrol engine
 is the company’s most advanced powerplant developed to date. It incorporates new technology ranging from electrohydraulic valvetrain, integrated exhaust manifold, and twin-scroll turbocharger with ceramic ball bearing technology. Such enhancements increase power by 25 percent and reduces fuel consumption by 15 percent.
Complementing the new all-aluminium engine is a brand new
 eight-speed dual-clutch
 transmission known as
Transcend
. Lightweight and compact, the new gearbox will fit in longitudinal rear- and all-wheel drive models. It’s claimed to improve offroading experience and offers superior driving dynamics as well.
The new powertrains are set to debut in most, if not all Jaguar or Land Rover vehicles by 2017. At the same time, this effectively ends JLR’s dependence of Ford’s EcoBoost engines and ZF’s automatic gearboxes.
Presently, the Ingenium diesel engine can be found under the bonnet of the
Land Rover Discovery Sport
 and both the Jaguar
XE
 and
XF
. Its range-topper 2.0-litre turbocharged oil burner makes
178 hp
 and
420 Nm
. The Ingenium diesel has yet to be offered in Malaysian Land Rovers and Jaguars. The recently launched
Discovery Sport
 is still sold with the older 2.2-litre diesel unit.


2014 Toyota Corolla Altis to launch this month, January 2014 in Malaysia

One of the cars we all look forward to this new year is the
2014 Toyota Corolla Altis
. In fact, it is arriving real soon. We have gotten confirmation that the all-new Corolla Altis will be launched this month, January 2014. About two weeks before Chinese New Year.
As reported on our
previous article on the Altis
, Toyota has dropped the 1.6E model. Now there are three models to choose from with prices:
2014 Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8E
RM115,000
2014 Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0G
RM125,000
2014 Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0V
RM137,000

For comparisons sake, the new 1.8E costs RM9k more than the current 1.6E model, due to the extra capacity upgrade. The 2.0G model is only RM2,000 more than the current 1.8G, which seems to be a better bargain. With a higher budget, you can go for the hi-spec 2.0V model, RM5,000 more than its predecessor. Which is much better.
Last month, Toyota published a
teaser webpage
 showcasing its key features, specifications and even the price. Check out the key features below, that is mainly for the hi-spec 2.0V model.
The 1.8E is powered by the 2ZR-FE that produces 139PS at 6,400 rpm with 173Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Transmission wise, it shares the same seven-speed CVT gearbox with sports sequential shift with the other two. Both 2.0G and 2.0V runs on the same 3ZR-FE with the same performance figures. 145PS at 6,200rpm with torgue figure of 187Nm at 3,600 rpm.
So for the extra RM12,000 (more than the 2.0G), you get the same performance but a lot more in value. For a start, the 2.0V gets the Smart Entry and Start System, paddle shifts, 17-in rims (16-in for both 1.8E and 2.0G), the gorgeous LED projector headlights with Day Time Running Lights (Halogen Projector for 1.8E and 2.0G), LEATHER seats (fabric for the other two), and some other stuff. Compare them below.
Prices shown below are for Peninsular Malaysia only. You can download the price list for
Peninsular Malaysia
,
Sabah
, and
Sarawak
.
Want to see some real-life photos of the 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis? AutoBuzz.my spotted the Altis in Taipei, Taiwan and these images were posted on our
Facebook Page
 last month. It does look really good!
Do stay tune for more info when the 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis launches this month!
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Volkswagen Group outsold Toyota globally in 2016 despite crippling dieselgate saga

Last year, Volkswagen Group overthrew Toyota to be the world’s largest selling automaker. It appears the
whole dieselgate saga
 didn’t even cause a big enough dent and the company went on to sell an impressive 10.3 million vehicles around the world.
Toyota however, is the top selling brand in 49 countries, versus Volkswagen’s 14. That’s nearly four folds! That includes markets in Asia, Australia and many other parts of the world. Back at home, the
Perodua Axia
, which is based on the Toyota Agya/Wigo is the
best selling car in our country
. Oddly enough, the Axia’s logo was used instead of its manufacturer, Perodua.
Elsewhere, Volkswagen is king in its native land and some European countries. Ford made it big in the UK, Canada, and the United States. Noticed that odd red bat-shaped logo on the map in China? That’s Wuling, who sold a staggering 650,018 units of their seven-seater
Hongguang
 MPV in world’s most densely populated country.
Click to enlarge
This interesting statistic is compiled from the resources of
Best-Selling Cars Blog
,
Global Car Brands
,
Focus2move
, and
RealMotor Japan
.


Enjoy this three month “tax holiday”, Sales and Services Tax to return in September

Malaysia’s renewed love for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would no doubt be stronger in the next few months; three to be exact.
Aside from announcing the
50% discount on all tolled roads for the two days before Hari Raya
, the nonagenarian also said that the Sales and Services Tax (SST) will make its comeback at the
beginning of September 2018
, as the
zero-rated GST
 kicks in this Friday, 1st of June 2018.
One of the most attractive outcomes from the
0% GST announcement
 is that the
base model 2.0 GL CX-5 now costs just under RM 130,000
.
This effectively means that there’ll be a “tax holiday” between June and September; enjoy it while it lasts. If you’ve read our recent opinion on
whether or not it would be the right time to buy a car
, you’d know that the situation is not as straightforward as it seems.
While we wouldn’t speculate on what car prices will be like post-SST, (which will
revert to the previous rate of 10%
) it did experience a slight reduction when the 6% GST was introduced back in early 2015. Analysts from different quarters have predicted that, should SST be set at 10%, there should be a rise in car prices again – a statement also released by the Malaysian Automotive Association.


Ford Fusion (Mondeo) gets a facelift, receives new twin-turbo V6

The word “Fusion” is usually used when it comes to mixing food styles or creating molecular reactions. It’s also used by Ford on its best-selling mid-size saloon segment, which now sports a new face and a sweet new twin-turbo V6 powerplant.
Known as the
Ford Mondeo
 in some markets including ours, the current second-generation Fusion has been in the American market since 2013. Apart from the usual aesthetic makeover, Ford also introduced a brand new
325 hp 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6
, making it the most powerful mid-size saloon in the American market. Mated with this engine is a
six-speed automatic transmission,
 and having all its four wheels driven simulatously.

That hot Fusion, known as the
Fusion V6 Sport
, also benefits from a set of continuously controlled damping suspension, a black grille, 19-inch wheels, rear spoiler and dual twin exhaust outlets. Apart from the V6 Sport, there’s also the Fusion
Platinum trim
 which slots above the Titanium trim. It receives cocoa and Venetian leathers to the cabin, 19-inch wheels, and a different grille.
Also updated in the Fusion across all trims is the
new circular gear knob
 which replaces the traditional lever gear selector. An updated and more advanced
SYNC3
 infotainment system finds home in the refreshed model, now supporting Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto throughout the model variant. Ford also introduced a new dual-scroll turbochargers for its 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBoost engines, with outputs of up to 200 hp and 250 hp respectively.
The new facelifted Fusion will be on sale starting May 2016. The standard Fusion begins at $22,995 (approx RM101,000 based on today’s conversion) while the much powerful V6 Sport is retailed at $34,350 (approx RM151,800). The Platinum is now the most expensive Fusion trim at $37,495 (approx RM165,000).
IMAGE GALLERY


The next Subaru WRX STI will be a more eco-friendly hybrid

For those who grew up worshiping the sheer ferocity of the Subaru Imprezas, this may not be as pleasant a news to you as it would be to the environment.
According to
Autocar UK
, the next Subaru WRX STI will be a more “emissions-friendly” model as reportedly quoted by Subaru Europe Sales and Marketing Manager, David Dello, who said the WRX STI’s 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer engine just isn’t feasible for existence anymore. The engine will likely be replaced with a plug-in hybrid unit.
The recently unveiled
Subaru WRX STI Final Edition
 – limited to just 150 units
The application of electric motors can open up several possibilities for the model, including the option of electrically-driven rear wheel, as stated in the same report by Autocar.
It wouldn’t be introduced anytime soon as developments for a hybrid powertrain is still in the development stage. That said, design inspiration is said to be echoed from the
Viziv Performance concept
 as displayed at the recently concluded Tokyo Motor Show featuring a boxer engine with Subaru’s signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive .
What you can be sure of for now is that the future WRX will be based on the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP) – one that has been engineered to accommodate hybrids as well – featuring enclosures for batteries and electric motors.
IMAGE GALLERY
Subaru Viziv Performance Concept


BMW i8 Coupe updated, refreshed looks and tech, 55 km pure EV range

BMW iPerformance’s halo model, the i8 Coupe has just received an update and will make its first public appearance at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The refreshed model boasts a larger battery pack, improved driving range and emissions as well as new aesthetic bits.
From the outside, the refreshed i8 is still as futuristic as when it
first made its debut in 2014
 and we won’t blame you if you can’t tell the two apart. Newly introduced items include an air shutter in the front hood, new wheel design option and a “Coupe” emblem at the C-pillar. You have to squint to tell that the headlamps are now more rectangular in shape.

Inside, the updated i8 benefits from an updated iDrive system with Navigation System Professional, optional Accaro interior trim in Amido/E-Copper and surround view camera. New E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic paintjobs have been added to the colour palette to round up the aesthetic changes.
The i8’s eDrive plug-in hybrid system now features better hardware that contributes to enhanced overall performance. The lithium-ion battery pack now has a gross energy capacity of 11.6 kWh (previously 7.1 kWh) while the electric motor now develops
140 hp
, 9 hp more than before; torque figures remain at
250 Nm
. Thanks to the improved electric drive system, the i8 now boasts a pure electric range of
55 km
 (from 35 km) with a top speed of 120 km/h.
The petrol engine remains as a 1.5-litre three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo that churns out
228 hp
 and
320 Nm
 of torque. With the petrol engine spinning at the rear axles and the electric motors driving the front wheels, the all-wheel-drive i8 boasts a maximum combined output of
368 hp
.
Century sprint and top speed remain unchanged at
 4.4 seconds
 and
250 km/h
 (limited) respectively but fuel consumption is down to 1.9 litres per 100 km thanks to the improved battery pack and electric motor.
BMW Malaysia made a bold move in 2015 to introduce the BMW i8 Coupe as the brand’s halo model with a
price tag of RM1.2 million
. Considering the company’s push for
hybrid vehicles received overwhelming success
, we can expect the updated i8 Coupe and possibly the Roadster version to arrive on our shores soon.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sold 8,771 units YTD, on track for another record breaking year

As we close the third quarter of 2017, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), the number one premium brand in the country has released their remarkable sales figures – 8,771 vehicles sold in the first nine months of 2017. While the figures are slightly lower year-on-year, MBM remains optimistic for the coming months and believes that they are on track for yet another record breaking year.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Vice-President for Sales & Marketing, Mark Raine
Despite shifting lesser cars this year compared to the same period in 2016, MBM remains the leading carmaker in the premium cars segment with a market share of
 2.3 percent
 year to date (YTD). In 2017, MBM’s sales were driven mainly by the locally produced limousines with 5,238 units sold followed by the SUV range and compact car range. Let’s take a look at the break down:
W205 C-Class CKD
 – 3,044 units
W212 E-Class
 – 1,891 units
W222 S-Class CKD
 – 303 units
X205 GLC
 – 1,622 units
GLE & GLE Coupe
 – 273 units
Dream Cars Range
 – 406 units in total
W176 A-Class
 – 383 units
GLA
 – 435 units
CLA – 351 units
B-Class – 63 units
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Dr. Claus Weidner
The most remarkable figure is the Dream Cars range, made up of MBM’s cabriolets, coupes and AMGs, which sold 406 units, significantly more than the 301 units sold in the entire year of 2016 and we are not in December yet. As always, the locally assembled C-Class remains as the brand’s bread and butter model.
MBM Vice-President for Sales & Marketing, Mark Raine believes that with the recently introduced locally assembled
GLC 200
 and
E 350 e plug-in hybrid
, the company will be able to achieve their sales target for the year – outselling
last year’s sales figure of 11,779 units
.


Kia Cerato Koup axed in the US due to low demand, Civic Si more popular

While considerably successful as a brand in the United States, sadly it has come to this. A report by CarsDirect confirmed that

Kia Motors America has finally decided to discontinue sales of the
Kia Cerato Koup
.
Declining sales (no thanks to the popularity of SUVs and crossovers) has caused the faded interest towards small affordable coupes. The demise of the Cerato Koup means that the
Hyundai Veloster
 and the
Honda Civic Si
 are among the few remaining affordable front-wheel drive coupes in the market.
The Cerato Koup is essentially a two-door variant of the Cerato sedan and currently in its second-generation guise. It’s available with two engines; one is a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol GDI engine and the other a higher performance 1.6-litre turbo GDI engine. The latter is what’s currently on sale in Malaysia.
The 1.6-litre
Gamma T-GDi
 (Turbo, Gasoline Direct Injection) engine deploys
201 hp
 and
260 Nm
 of torque, with power being sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. It would sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds before maxing out at 222 km/h.
Interested in getting one? The Kia Cerato Koup is simply yours for
RM135,888
, but we’re sure dealers are willing to give discounts on available units.
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai Kona unveiled, gets turbo engines with AWD, from RM71k!

Hyundai Motor has officially pulled the wraps off their all-new Global Compact SUV, the
Hyundai Kona
 in Korea. The Kona is the first of Hyundai’s mid-to-long term product strategy to introduce more SUVs to their portfolio.
Sitting below the Santa Fe and Tucson, the new B-Segment SUV measures at 4,165 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, 1,550 mm in height and 2,600 mm in wheelbase. Compared to the crowd favourite
Honda HR-V
, the Kona is shorter by -129 mm, rides less taller (-55 mm) and the wheelbase is -10 mm shorter. It is however, 28 mm wider than the HR-V. Hyundai claims the proportions give it a more solid and dynamic silhouette.
The athletic design is complemented with slim LED headlamps and angular bumper design that houses the fog lamps and turn signals. The plastic claddings are specifically designed to protect the alloy wheels.
Inside, the Kona gets the company’s latest features such as ‘Combiner’ Heads-up Display (HUD), 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, smartphone wireless charging tray and Creel Sound system to meet the needs of the target market. Despite its petite dimensions, the Kona has a rated boot space of 360 litres.
In Korea, the Kona is available with two powertrain options – a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder T-GDi petrol and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel. Both engines are mated to a
seven-speed dual-clutch transmission
. Like the
Tucson T-GDI
 and
Elantra Turbo Sport
, the T-GDi mill dishes out
175 hp
 and
265 Nm
 of torque. The oil burner has an output of
134 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque.
In other markets, customers have the option for a 2.0-litre four-cylinder MPI engine with
 147 hp
 and
179 Nm
 of torque and a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder T-GDI with
118 hp
 and
172 Nm
. The naturally aspirated mill is paired to a six-speed automatic while the latter gets a six-speed manual.
For a more dynamic driving experience and optimum traction across different driving situations, Hyundai has equipped the Kona with four-wheel drive and rear-wheel multi-link suspension. Front-wheel drive layout will be available in certain markets.
On the safety front, the Kona comes equipped with
Hyundai SmartSense
 safety system that bundles Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Blind-spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross Collision Warning (RCCW). With this, Hyundai is eyeing on full marks in all crash tests including Korean NCAP and Euro NCAP.
Prices for the all-new Hyundai Kona start from Korean ₩19 million (RM72k) to ₩27 million (RM102k). The Kona will officially go on sale in Korea by end June and will be available in European and US market by second half of 2017. Expect the Kona to reach Malaysian shores later this year, if not next year.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Hyundai Kona


The fully-electric XC40 will run Google Maps and other Android applications

It is now only five days away from Volvo’s official launch of the
XC40 EV
. As part of their
slow drip of information
, Volvo has announced that the fully electric XC40 will have an infotainment system based on Android.
Volvo Cars is the first automotive manufacturer to team up with Google on integrating an Android-based infotainment system, although the two companies have been development partners for the past several years.
Running on Android Automotive OS, Google’s open-source Android platform designed specifically for cars, the XC40 EV will have full access to Google services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, as well as a library of applications on the Android platform adapted for vehicle use.
The XC40 EV will also be the first Volvo vehicle that will receive over-the-air (OTA) updates for its software and operating system, constantly keeping the car up to date.

Google Maps will be the navigation system of choice in the pure electric XC40. The system will be able to provide refreshed map data and real-time traffic conditions to proactively suggest alternative routes to the driver, as well as suggesting the nearest charging station en route.
The Google based navigation system will also feed information such as speed limits and curves in the road ahead to the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to improve the capabilities of systems such as autonomous driving.
Not a fan of Google Maps? With the Android based system, you will be able to download and use other applications through the Google Play Store, including music and media apps optimised and adapted for cars.
The Google Assistant will also be able to control almost every part of the car, including climate control, navigation, playing music through applications such as Spotify, controlling your smart-home devices, or even help send a message to your loved ones.
Volvo hopes that with the voice-controlled Google Assistant, drivers will be able to hands on the wheels and eyes on the road while driving.
The new infotainment system will be fully integrated with Volvo’s existing Volvo on Call mobile application, offering new features specifically for the electric powered car, such as monitoring battery health and charge levels.
The usual Volvo on Call functionalities such as pre-heating (or pre-cooling) the cabin, remote locking and unlocking, car sharing via digital key, and locating your car in a parking lot, will all still be available on the new fully electric XC40.


Porsche’s Top 5: American Idols

In celebrating the Independence Day of the United States of America, Porsche has compiled a list of the most iconic Porsches made available to the American market and the line-up is nothing short of pornography.
The ones that really got us drooling is the lightweight Porsche 911 RS America with around
260 hp/312 Nm
 based on the Carrera 2 available in America.

While it may retain most of the essential components of the Carrera 2 such as the brakes, the 3.6-litre engine and the hardy G50 gearbox, the RS America is void of all creature comforts like air conditioning, power steering, radio and sunroof which were offered as options instead.
The other that got us drooling was the Porsche 934.5 race car with 600 hp from a turbocharged flat-six. The controversial race car which was band before it got to race was so limited, only 10 units were built for the U.S. market.


New Honda City Hatchback now open for bookings in Malaysia, pokes fun at three Toyota models!

Honda Malaysia has just opened the order books for the new Honda City Hatchback. The new model, replacing the much-loved Honda Jazz, will also be offered with the 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine (121 hp, 145 Nm) alongside the range-topping e:HEV hybrid powertrain.
Honda Malaysia is keen to point out several features the places it above its competitors such as the
Toyota Yaris
 and
Mazda 2
. Similar to the Honda City RS sedan, the City RS hatchback will also have variant-specific exterior designs such as front and rear bumpers, radiator grille and gloss black side mirror covers.

Check out the City Hatchback cheekily teasing the Yaris plus two more Toyota models!
For now, two variants are announced, with the
RS e:HEV hybrid
 joined by the petrol-only V variant. Both variants, which are positioned at the higher end of the pricing range, gets LED headlamps and taillamps with LED DRLs, LED fog lamps and 16-inch wheels.
A first-in-the-segment feature that Honda is proud to reveal is the fitment of the Remote Engine Start, which allow owners to start the engine and air-conditioning to cool the cabin before entering, which is further enhanced by air vents at the rear. Both are also available only in the RS e:HEV and V variants.
Honda Sensing full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) will meanwhile be available in just the range-topping RS e:HEV variant, a move that was originally mirrored in the City RS sedan, but then extended to the petrol-only
sedan V variant
 just last week.
The Honda Sensing suite includes adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist system and automatic high beam, both unavailable in the key rivals. Also a notable feature only available in the Honda City Hatchback RS e:HEV is the electric parking brake (EPB) with auto-hold function.
As for the cargo holding features of the new Honda City Hatchback, the much-coveted and popular feature synonymous with the Honda Jazz is now even better in the new model, called 4-Modes ULTRA seats. It is still the only hatchback in the segment to have the rear seats cleverly-hinged to be fully folded flat (Long mode) or flipped up (Tall mode), as well as Refresh mode that allows couples to stretch their legs onto the flat-folded front seats.
However, unlike the Toyota Yaris with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, the Honda City Hatchback RS e:HEV and V variants only come with the single corner Honda LaneWatch system.
Remote start function
Rear air vents, City sedan
Honda Malaysia is expected to officially launch the Honda City Hatchback within the coming few weeks as they mentioned Q4 2021 as their target, which means just within the next seven weeks.
Prices have not been mentioned in this booking notification. The hatchback variants from Honda is priced lower in Malaysia, thus expect the City Hatchback to be slightly cheaper than the
City sedan
 that is currently priced from RM74.2k to RM106k. The predecessor model was priced at a range from
RM72.5k to RM85k
, with the short-lived Jazz Hybrid i-DCCD available from RM75k.
GALLERY
Honda City Hatchback RS e:HEV Malaysia
Honda Sensing
Honda LaneWatch
Remote start function
Hybrid powertrain
DOHC iVTEC powertrain
Honda City Hatchback Indonesia and Thailand