BMW takes on the VW Golf GTI with new 128ti hot hatch

Wait a second, doesn’t BMW already make a 1 Series hot hatch? No, your mind is not failing you – the M135i xDrive was even
recently launched here in Malaysia
 too. Then what on earth is this BMW 128ti, then? In short, it’s BMW’s first-ever front-wheel driven hot hatch.
We know, we know, but try not to roll your eyes just yet, okay? Because the BMW 128ti does pack quite a punch, along with some mechanical improvements that we think should be given a fair chance.
Slotting in one rung below the M135i, the new 128ti will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-banger, which produces
265 hp
 and (currently) unknown amount of torque to drive the front wheels through a Torsen limited-slip differential and an eight-speed automatic transmission – which will be the only option.
By comparison, the M135i’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder makes 306 hp and 450 Nm of torque, while the
Golf GTI
– the new 128ti’s most direct rival – makes 245 hp and 370 Nm. Performance wise, the 128ti does the century sprint in 6.1 seconds, compared to 4.8 seconds on the M135i, and 5.9 seconds on the DSG-equipped GTI.
BMW doesn’t want you think that it’s just another fast 1 Series, either. The German carmaker thinks that it has done enough work to justify a new suffix – ti, which means a very un-German
Turismo Internazionale
, making it the third-ever BMW model to feature it.
Other mechanical upgrades befitting its new name include a reworked M Sport suspension and steering, that were specifically tuned to offer “extremely sporty and driver-oriented driving dynamics”, as well as the pre-stressed stabiliser bearing and the stabilisers taken from its more powerful brother.
The ride height has been dropped by 10 mm thanks to the M Sport suspension, and without all of the all-wheel drive doodads, BMW says that the new 128ti weighs around 80 kg lighter than the M135i xDrive.
In terms of looks though, The 128ti is just like a normal BMW 1 Series equipped with a M Sport exterior package. BMW says that the 128ti will feature “many differentiating exterior and interior features”, but for now, we can only see some camouflage film plastered near the side of the air inlets and vents, hiding some of the changes which we’ll see when the car is officially launched.
Now undergoing final calibration test drives on the hilly roads of the Eifel around the Nürburgring and of course, inside the Green Hell, the BMW 128ti will be launched in November this year, bringing the fight to the aforementioned
VW Golf GTI
,
 Renault Megane RS
,
Honda Civic Type R
, as well as the
Hyundai i30N
 to name a few.
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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe & Cabriolet facelift gets 1.5L mild-hybrid

Buyers residing in the UK can now order the refreshed Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet ahead of the
sedan’s
 arrival. The two-door C-Classes gets revised styling, new powertrain options and more high-tech options for the cabin.
UK-bound C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are available with a choice of three petrol and one diesel engines. Starting from the
C 200
, it is now powered by the brand’s new
1.5-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol
 engine with EQ Boost technology, pushing out
184 hp
 and
280 Nm
 of torque while the
C 300
 packs a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that is good for
254 hp
 and
 370 Nm
 of twist.
The
C 43
, on the other hand, gets a revised 3.0-litre Bi-Turbo V6 petrol engine that now pumps out
390 hp
 and
520 Nm
 of torque, 23 hp and 44 Nm more than before. The only diesel variant is the
C 220 d
 with an output of
194 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. All engine choices are paired to a 9G-Tronic Plus nine-speed automatic transmission to send drive either to the rear or all four wheels.
The three petrol engines are the most relevant to the Malaysian market, especially the 1.5-litre EQ Boost mild-hybrid mill that returns lower annual road tax charges and potentially locally assembled hybrid incentives. However, local distributor, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has not revealed any plans on the C-Class facelift.
Over in the UK, the C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are finished with the AMG Line that adds a sportier appearance, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless start, LED high-performance headlamps, sports suspension and 10.25-inch infotainment display. The C 43 4MATIC gets additional AMG performance exhaust system with quad tailpipes, AMG Ride Control sports suspension, AMG spoiler and “BITURBO” letterings around the car.
Optional items include 12.3-inch cockpit display, ambient lighting, LED Intelligent Light System, wireless charging, 360-degree camera, Burmester surround sound system, Keyless-Go Comfort package, panoramic sunroof (Coupe only) and Airmatic air suspension (not available for C 43).
Driver assists systems such as Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, BAS Plus with Cross-traffic Assist, Active Distronic Plus with Active Steering Assist and Stop & Go Pilot, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, and Pre-Safe Plus are all optional extras.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe & Cabriolet Facelift

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift AMG Line Sedan

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift Exclusive Line Wagon


Toyota GR Festival Season 5 concludes with nailbiting finale – record-high 3.1 million online viewers!

Season 5 of the Toyota GR Festival Vios Challenge
 drew to a close last weekend, in the most dramatic fashion possible – the overall championship title in all four classes would be decided in the very final 20 laps of their respective races at the Sepang International Circuit.
While tickets to attend the event was limited, a record-high 3.1 million viewers tuned in online over the weekend to witness the crowning of four new overall champions.
Race 2 of the Super Sporting Class saw Prima Pearl TD Racing’s Mitchell Cheah finishing first, 7.3 seconds ahead of Telagamas Toyota’s Freddie Ang in a very intensely contested 20-lap race. Completing the podium line-up for the race was Laser Motor Racing’s Eddie Lew.
However, thanks to his huge lead in the championship, Axle Sports’ Hayden Haikal still managed to clinch the overall title, despite finishing fourth in the final race. “It feels just like 2020 when I won the Sporting Class. I couldn’t be happier,” said the 18-year-old newly-crowned champion.
“Going into Race 2 I felt that my car was slower than it was in Race 1 due to the weight penalty and I came under tremendous pressure from the field. The last two laps were the happiest of my life when two drivers had some problems with their cars and that allowed me to pass moving me up to fourth position with just enough points to stay ahead in the championship.”
It was also a weekend to remember for the Azlan family, as brothers Nabil and Naquib Azlan were both crowned overall champions in the Rookie and Sporting classes respectively, with Nabil finishing third in the final Rookie race, while elder brother Naquib drove to a second straight win that weekend, crossing the line just 0.4 seconds ahead of second-place Mirza Syahmi Mahzan from Carroof Motorsports.
“First of all, here’s a massive shout out and thanks to Toyota and giving all of the rookies this opportunity to transition from simulator racing to saloon car racing. It wasn’t an easy task but thankfully, everything went well for me. I learnt from the mistakes I made and that led to three race victories and four podium finishes in six races. I hope to continue racing next year,” said Rookie champion Nabil.
ALSO READ:
Muhammad Iqbal Suji crowned 2022 Toyota GR Velocity champion, top 3 to attend regional finals!
“Coming into this race and starting from sixth position, it was never going to be straight forward. Also with the overall championship in mind I really had to manage the risks that I took. I did not want to get into any incidents that could cost us the championship title,” commented Sporting class champion Naquib, who drives for Axle Sports.
“With 60kg of ballast, it was difficult to keep up with the faster cars and I had to be more imaginative to make the overtaking maneuvers stick. Towards the final laps of the race, I saw an opening and I just went for it.”
Winning the overall Rookie Class in Season 4 and clinching this season’s Sporting Class championship, Naquib is now looking forward to return to the Vios Challenge in season 6 with the hope of fighting for the championship in the Super Sporting Class for professionals.
As for the Promotional Class, singer Khai Bahar drove a drama-free race to finally clinch his first race win of the season, just ahead
of actress Ahirine Ahirudin and presenter Nabil Ahmad. That third position, however, was enough to earn Nabil the overall Promotional Class title with a six-point advantage over actor Zizan Razak, who again finished runner-up in his second successive season.
Season 5’s finale was held as a special and exclusive event opened to only 2,000 fans over the race weekend. The entire rooftop length of the Sepang International Circuit’s main paddock was
transformed into a festival ground
, with a myriad of activities ranging from celebrity walkabouts and meet & greet sessions, to the display and sale of Gazoo Racing and Toyota merchandises, and even two very special concerts.
“We’ve come a long way in five seasons of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival and the Vios Challenge race series since it was started in 2017,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.
“At the time of inception we wanted to change the thinking that Toyota cars are meant for the matured crowd. We wanted to build an ever better car that also makes it attractive for the younger buyers and today there has been a total shift. Of course, we also wanted to make a significant contribution to Malaysian motorsports.
“The Vios Challenge provides us with a very strong platform to evaluate and develop our future cars. We also want our young engineers to be able to contribute to the research and development of future models. We want our customers to enjoy a very safe, fun and powerful car to drive, in this case the
Vios
. The Vios Challenge is the right platform for people to see this and for a lot of young engineers to join us to build better cars for the future.”
RELATED:
Toyota Vios GR-S Review – Stimulates the eyes, sedates the soul
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Honda Malaysia retains No. 1 non-national brand title for sixth year in a row

Honda Malaysia today announced their sales data for the year 2020, in which they managed to deliver
 60,469 cars in 2020
. The figure once again puts them at the top of the non-national car brand leaderboard in terms of sales numbers, for the
sixth consecutive year
.
The sales figure is largely contributed by the Honda Malaysia’s best-selling products, the City (34%),
Civic
 (20%), and
HR-V
 (17%). However, the number also represents a 29.2% drop from 2019’s 85,418 units sold – a result of the economic downturn from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, compounded by the newfound competition from the
Proton X70
 and
X50
, among others.

The

all-new Honda City
 has received positive response from the market since its introduction in October last year. To date, 15,200 bookings have already been placed for the B-segment sedan, with “close to 10,800 units” already delivered by the company. In December alone, Honda Malaysia delivered 5,500 units of the all-new City – the highest monthly sales figure in the model’s history.
Among the three variants of the all-new Honda City currently available on sale (the Honda City RS is scheduled for “launch” this year), the range-topping V variant proves to be the most popular choice, capturing 52% of total sales.
As for colour choices, Platinum White Pearl is once again unsurprisingly the favourite among new customers, with 26% of all Honda City sales being white – sorry, but you lot are
just a little too unadventurous
. The Central region contributed to 48% of the total sales received for the all-new Honda City, followed by the Southern (19%) and Northern region (18%).
Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Toichi Ishiyama said,” On behalf of Honda Malaysia, I would like to thank all our customers for making this milestone a significant one even during these challenging times.
“Your continuous trust in the Honda brand has allowed us to keep trying to outdo ourselves in our service to you as we strive to bring forth the 3 Joys of Honda, which are Joy of Buying, Joy of Selling and Joy of Creating.”
Ishiyama also thanked the government’s efforts to extend the sales tax exemptions period to the 30th of June 2021. “As we move on in 2021, we will continue to support the Government’s efforts to curb the pandemic which is still active nationwide.”


“Simply accelerating fast in a straight line is not enough,” said BMW on the new i4

Due to be unveiled in the coming months, the
 new BMW i4
, which will lead the way for future electric BMWs with a balance between dynamics and comfort, is undergoing the final phase of driving dynamics testing.
Currently, BMW is testing the integration of all drive and suspension components, to ensure that the spontaneous power delivery is combined with precise handling and ride comfort.
“For the first time, we’ve developed a BMW with sporty DNA for purely electric driving entirely from scratch. All electric vehicles are capable of fast straight-line acceleration but that’s not enough for us at BMW,” the company said.
The company highlighted that the virtually silent drive combined with the i4’s sophisticated suspension will give the impression of an
effortlessly floating vehicle
even at higher speeds; unaffected by road bumps or low traction conditions.
With an output of 530 hp, the i4 is capable of doing 0 to 100km/h in just four seconds. It is also expected to return
up to 600 km
 of electric range.
However, quick acceleration is only one aspect of it. The i4 promises spontaneous reactions to every movement – not just from the accelerator pedal but also from the steering and brake pedal.
The BMW i4 features a model-specific damper technology to reduce dipping movements of the body during set-off. Also, an actuator-related wheel slip limitation (ARB) developed by BMW, as seen in the
2 Series Gran Coupe
, with its extremely fast and precise control guarantees optimum traction and perfect straight-line stability at all times.
This will allow the BMW i4 to catapult in an exciting yet carefree manner, without being affected by drive slip or course corrections.
The steering in the i4 is also a major contributing factor. It responds directly and with a high degree of accuracy, offering the driver precise feedback at all times even during intensive acceleration or deceleration.
“The BMW i4 conveys the feeling of being light and agile yet also solid and authoritative. With its superior agility and high level of cornering stability, it seems to literally attach itself to the road,” says project manager, David Alfredo Ferrufino Camacho.


The Volkswagen e-Bulli is an electric Kombi bus you can buy right now

Microbus, Transporter, Campervan, or Kombi – whatever you call it, the Volkswagen Type 2 has become one of the
most iconic vehicles
 ever in history.
Seven decades later, Volkswagen has announced an
all-electric spiritual successor to the Type 2
, expected to enter production in 2022 – which means it’s at least two more years before we’ll see one on the road.
Perhaps as a grandiose send-off gesture, or to indulge those who can’t stop dreaming of an electric Kombi van, Volkswagen has announced the e-Bulli, an electric drivetrain-conversion for the original T1 Transporter that you can buy, right now.
The e-Bulli is a result of a collaboration between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and eClassics, a company specialising in electric conversion of classic VW models.
The example shown in the press release is based on a T1 Samba Bus produced in 1966 in Hannover, where it spent most of its lifetime cruising in sunny California.
The original four-cylinder engine has been replaced by a single electric motor generating
 83 hp
 and
212 Nm
of torque – approximately double of the original power output. The motor is paired to a single-speed gearbox, and can reach an electronically-limited top speed of
 130 km/h
.
As with the original Type 2, all of the drivetrain components are fitted to the rear of the e-Bulli to drive the rear wheels. Power is provided by a
45 kWh
 lithium-ion battery, housed centrally in the vehicle’s floor.
VW says that the charging system can accept
 DC fast charging
 at up to
50 kW
, topping up 80% of charge in 40 minutes. At full capacity, the e-Bulli is good for “
more than 200 km
“.
VW and eClassics did not just slap on an electric-motor and call it a day, too – the chassis of the e-Bulli has also been redesigned, now featuring multi-link suspension with adjustable shock absorbers and coilover struts at both the front and rear axles, a new rack-and-pinion steering system, as well as new internally-ventilated disc brakes.
The design has also been slightly “modernised” to hint at the new drivetrain underneath. On the exterior, the e-Bulli gets a new two-tone paint finish, along with new round LED headlights with daytime running lights, as well as a LED charge indicator at the rear.
Inside, the e-Bulli gets a new centre console between the front seats, which houses the automatic shifter and start-stop button, a retro-styled radio that supports USB, Bluetooth and digital radio, as well as a new speedometer based on the original design, integrating a two-digit digital display in the centre.
Other driving information such as current range, trip information, and energy consumption and recuperation, can be accessed through the tablet mounted onto the ceiling.
All of these changes won’t come cheap, as the conversion of the T1 Type 2 is priced from 64,900 euros (
RM307,947
), and that’s excluding the price for the donor T1 kombi van. Volkswagen says that T1 conversions and complete vehicles will be offered, along with conversions for the T2 and T3 models.


2020 2.0L Porsche Macan now comes with even more creature comforts!

The 2020 models of the facelift Porsche Macan launched last year has been enhanced with a host of convenience features through the Premium Package, on top of suspension upgrades.
“The introduction of the new enhanced Premium Package for our best-selling model, the Macan, is a great way to introduce more people to the brand, especially given the rising popularity of compact SUVs over the past few years. With the addition of these new features as standard, the Macan is now even more competitively priced as the sports car in its segment,” said Sime Darby Auto Performance CEO, Christopher Hunter.
The
new enhanced Premium Package
for the Macan now offers features like Comfort Access, Park Assist with Surround View, and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) for even better road holding. The Premium Package upgrades in the new Macan are valued at over RM 39,000.
These add to the existing features such as Apple CarPlay, BOSE Surround Sound System, Power Steering Plus, 14-way power seats including memory function for both driver and front passenger, ambient lighting, and automatic dimming mirrors.
The new Macan is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol with
252 hp
 and
370 Nm
. Paired to a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, it’ll go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds before topping out at 225 km/h. If you need more power than is necessary, SDAP also has the 3.0 V6 model on sale in Malaysia.
Prices for the new Porsche Macan with the enhanced Premium Package starts from RM439,351. Following the Sales Tax Exemption which will go on till the 31st of December 2020,
click here
 for the latest price list of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia. Recently, SDAP also introduced two new models from the 718 series, the
718 Cayman GT4
and the
 718 Spyder
, with prices starting from RM990k for the former and RM970k respectively.
Since 2010 SDAP, the sole authorised importer and distributor of Porsche vehicles and parts in Malaysia, have gone from one dealership in Glenmarie to expanding its dealer network in the Central (Porsche Centre Sungai Besi) and Northern Region (Porsche Centre Penang). Aside from the soon-to-be-launched Porsche Centre Ara Damansara which will replace the Glenmarie outlet, SDAP will also be expanding its dealer network to the South with the
Porsche Centre Johor Bahru
 due to commence operations in 2021.
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All-new Fiat 500 EV scored near-perfect marks in Green NCAP tests, rated full five-stars!

After nearly one and a half years since its launch, the all-new second-generation (
third?
)
Fiat 500
 has finally received its Green NCAP certification – and what do you know, the fully-electric model has received a near-perfect score for the test cycle, making it the “most environmentally friendly electric car on the market”.
The compact EV scored five stars in all three tests: Clean Air Index, Energy Efficiency Index, and Greenouse Gases Index, making it the first and only electric vehicle to do so. In fact, it’s also the first car to score a maximum score of 10/10 in the Energy Efficiency Index!
Screenshot:
Fiat 500 Green NCAP report
Introduced in 2019, the Green NCAP assessment is designed to test the environmental friendliness of new cars, using results from both laboratory and real-world driving tests. Ratings are then published online (the results for the Fiat 500 can be found
here
), so consumers can check independently how green a car is before their purchase.
The all-new Fiat 500 EV was also launched with three special designer-edition models from world-famous fashion houses! Check them out here.
The laboratory tests include cycles in artificial cold and warm ambient, while real-world tests consist of typical on-road driving, on-road driving with heavy load/light load, on-road short trips, and congestion scenarios.
All three indexes are rated equally, signifying equal importance to health, which is affected by pollutant emissions; consumer spending, influenced by a vehicle’s energy efficiency; and the Earth’s future, affected by greenhouse gasses.
Screenshot:
Fiat 500 Green NCAP report
The range-topping variant of the Fiat 500 EV is powered by a single electric motor generating
 87 kW (117 hp)
 with electric juices supplied by a
42 kWh
 battery. Based on Green NCAP’s tests, the Fiat 500 achieved an average consumption of 20.9 kWh/100 km, giving it a driving range of 230 km in a single charge.
Read more about the all-new fully-electric Fiat 500 here.
Apart from its eco-friendly purpose (the seats are wrapped in a fabric created from recycled plastic bottles!), the Fiat 500 also comes equipped with a whole slew of advanced safety features, making it one of the few cars in its segment to offer full level 2 autonomous driving capabilities.
For comparison’s sake,
Volkswagen’s ID.3
 EV also scored five stars in the Green NCAP assessment, although it only achieved a score of 9.6/10 in the Energy Efficiency Index. The
Honda Jazz e:HEV hybrid
, meanwhile, scored 3.5/5 stars.


Nissan Note named Japan Car of the Year

The Nissan Note has been named Japan’s Car of the Year by a panel of 60 judges – the fifth time Nissan has won since the award was established in 1980.
Previous winners included the Nissan Leaf (2011/12), Nissan March (1992/93), Nissan Silvia (1988/89), and Nissan Pulsar (1986/87).
Say goodbye to charging ports with the innovative Nissan Note e-POWER….read about it here!

On a side note, the
Mk8 Volkswagen Golf
was named the Import Car of the Year 2021/22. Following are the Top 10 selected out of 30 finalists:
1st – Nissan Note
2nd – Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRX
3rd – Honda Vezel (HR-V)
4th – Mitsubishi Outlander
5th – Volkswagen Golf
6th – Toyota Mirai
7th – Chevrolet Corvette
8th – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
9th – Toyota Land Cruiser
10th- BMW 4 Series
Read about the new Vezesl/HR-V
here
!
The new Note e-Power is currently only on sale in Japan but plans to launch the e-Power variant in European and U.S. markets in the near future.
New Mk8 Volkswagen Golf to be locally-assembled, to be launched very soon…read about it here!
According to COTY committee, the Note was chosen for its hybrid powertrain, fuel economy, handling, competitive pricing and stylish design.
The
new Corvette
.
As for the other awards, the BMW 4 Series received the Design of the Year award, while the Outlander PHEV picked up the Technology of the Year award. Honda’s N-One won the K-Car award while Performance Car of the Year went to the Corvette.


Who else is in love with the Audi SQ2’s interior?

The Audi SQ2 may not have the firepower to outgun its rival the
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45
, but there is one thing the four rings outshines the three-pointed star – its interior.
Debut at the
2018 Paris Motor Show
, the SQ2 is the hottest Q2 to date. Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine pushing out
300 hp
 and
400 Nm
. A seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch is tasted to send power to all-four-wheels via the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Century sprint takes
4.8 seconds
 while top speed is capped at
250 km/h
. It makes the century sprint 0.4 seconds slower than the GLA 45 if you must know.

While its exterior is relatively discreet with the only difference being the lower ride height (-20 mm), Singleframe grille with eight vertical slats, quad exhaust, 19-inch alloys, diffuser inserts and big brake kit measuring 340 mm in diameter front and 310 mm diameter at the rear. No shouty rear wing here, everything is about subtlety and class.
The cabin tells a completely different story because everywhere you look reminds you of the SQ2’s sporty intent. The upholstery is available in a combination of leather, fabric and Alcantara. But if you’re feeling fancy, you can have your seats draped in rhombus Nappa leather matched with contrast stitching in red and grey.

There are two options for the decorative inlay a red anodized paint finish or the backlit Format Lighting Graphics that changes according to the 10-ambient lighting colour selected. The air vents can be had with red interior rings as an option.
Other items available in the luxuriously appointed cabin include a flat-bottomed multifunctional steering wheel with paddle shifters, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, Heads-up Display, Sport Seats, illuminated door sill with sport S logos, 8.3-inch Audi MMI Navigation Plus and 705 Watt 14-speakers Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound System.
The SQ2 is also available with the full suite of advanced driver assistance systems include adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, traffic jam assist (up to 65 km/h), Audi active lane assist, cross traffic assist rear, Audi side assist, park assist and autonomous emergency braking.
IMAGE GALLERY
Audi SQ2


Volkswagen Polo Trophy launched in Malaysia, special 100-unit run for the same RM90k!

Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) has just officially launched the limited edition Volkswagen Polo Trophy at the Polo Rally Weekend event. The three-day event, held at the Setia City Convention Centre carpark, aims to give customers a peek into Volkswagen’s WRC division through various activities.
The
100-unit Polo Trophy
 is based on the
locally assembled 1.6-litre MPI hatchback
 (no sedan, because WRC), and is of the
facelift variant
. Exclusive to the Polo Trophy are
WRC decals
 on the front and side of the car,
gloss black side mirrors
 and a unique,
black rear spoiler
.

When the Polo CKD was launched, the hatchback carried a price tag of RM87,888. But following the implementation of GST, it shot up to
RM89,888
 – also the very same price VGM is asking for the Polo Trophy. What else besides the stickers, then? Inside the car, buyers will get a
 new head unit
 that is the
touchscreen display
 with GPS navigation. It also comes with
free tinting
 on all windows.
Just to refresh your mind, the
1.6-litre port injection engine
 makes
104 horsepower
 and
153 Nm
 of torque, mated to a
 six-speed automatic
 torque converter that channels drive to the
front wheels
.

The Polo Trophy will continue to be on display at the Polo Rally Weekend, so be sure to visit and see it in the flesh. For those who seek more thrills from the Volkswagen brand, VGM is offering
 up to RM30,000 in savings
 for the Golf GTI,
Golf R
 and Scirocco R. The promotion ends on 30 September 2015.
IMAGE GALLERY


New Bentley Bentayga V8 lands in Malaysia with First Edition in limited units

Shortly after the
global unveiling
 of the facelifted Bentayga back in July, Bentley Kuala Lumpur has now launched the updated luxury SUV in Malaysia. The new Bentayga will be available in two variants – a standard V8 model and a First Edition variant (pictured here), the latter only available for a limited time.
Featuring Bentley’s latest design language – first introduced on the latest
Continental GT
 and
Flying Spur
 – the significant redesign sports a larger and more upright matrix grille, reposition matrix LED headlights with the signature cut crystal design, a larger roof spoiler, as well as the the new elliptical taillights – something we aren’t too fond of.
On the inside, the new Bentley Bentayga’s wing dashboard is fitted with a new steering wheel, digital instrument cluster, as well as a new 10.9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Of course, the iconic Breitling clock is still here, now surrounded by a sculpted single air vent structure inspired by the Bentley wings logo, replacing the two circular air vents from before.
Rear knee space is now extended by 30 mm when the rear seats are in the upright position, and up to 100 mm more than before in the reclined position. When optioned in the regular five-seater configuration, the rear seats can also now be equipped with in-seat ventilation – a feature previously reserved for the four-seater option.
Rear seat passenger will also be treated to a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet – similar to the one in the all-new Flying Spur – to control a range of functions including rear seat heating and massage, media system, navigation, mood lighting and window blinds.
Both variants are powered by the same 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine, capable of making
550 hp
 and
 770 Nm
 of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, The new Bentley Bentayga V8 sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just
4.5 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
290 km/h
.
Customers who opt for the First Edition does get quite a few more niceties, such as the Touring Specification and Mulliner Driving Specification options – the latter including the 22-inch black-painted Diamond Turned wheels, and sports pedal for the “ultimate driving experience”.
The First Edition also comes equipped with the Bentley Dynamic Ride adaptive suspension system, as well as the customary First Edition badgings – both inside and out – and illuminated door sill plates featuring ‘Bentley’ lettering.
Inside, First Edition customers will get to choose from a wide selection of combinations for the leather hides and veneers, and also have the choice to have either ‘First Edition’ or the Bentley wings logo embroidered on the seats. Also standard on the First Edition is the range-topping Naim audio system, which pairs a 1,780 watt amplifier to 20 speakers (with illuminated Naim badgings) within the cabin.
The new Bentley Bentayga V8 starts at
RM743,900
and
RM935,000
 in Malaysia for the standard and First Edition respectively, before factoring in the taxes, duties, insurance, and various fees associated with the purchase. Bentley Kuala Lumpur says that showroom units are arriving soon, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Q4 this year in limited quantities.
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G01 BMW X3 is here to challenge the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 [+Video]

The new G01 BMW X3 has just been unveiled at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in the United States. The third-generation X3 will for the first time gain an M Performance model (M40i) and also new semi-autonomous driving assistance system called the CoPilot.
Sitting on the
 CLAR platform
 just like the
G30 5 Series
, the X3 is now lighter, weighing
55kg less
 than before. BMW has sold over 1.5 million units over the course of the X3’s 14-year life, so perhaps that is to be blamed for the rather conservative styling tweaks this time around. The fascia, though very familiar, is entirely new, as is the rear with the new tail lamps and twin exhaust pipes. The signature double-kidney grille is slightly larger than before, in case you haven’t noticed it yet.

Inside, it’s an almost carbon copy of the G30 5 Series with the digital instruments, floating touchscreen panel and the steering wheel. New offerings include
 three-zone climate control
 and 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat backrests. The latter expands the X3’s standard 550 litres boot space to 1,600 litres. Available as options are heads-up display and BMW Display Key.
BMW Personal CoPilot
 is also standard for the X3 and comes packaged with the latest version of active cruise control, steering and lane control assistant and lane change assistant.
At launch, the new X3 can be had in three different variants:
xLine
,
 Luxury Line
, and
 M Sport
. All three have their own distinctive trimmings inside and outside, beginning with the more rugged xLine. The Luxury line, as the name implies, is the one with all the luxurious touches while the M Sport is for those who seek a sportier and an aggressive outtake of their ride.
Powertrain options for the G01 BMW X3 include a range of turbocharged petrols and diesel engines, summarised in the table below. All models are all-wheel drive, except for the X3 sDrive 20i (rear-wheel drive) variant that is strictly for markets outside Europe. The flagship X3
M40i
 variant will get M Performance bodykit, M Sport exhausts, 20-inch wheels and an eight-speed automatic with launch control.
Name
X3 xDrive 20i & sDrive 20i
X3 xDrive 30i
X3 xDrive 20d
X3 xDrive 30d
X3 M40i
Engine
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
3.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel
3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged diesel
3.0-litre six-cylinder TwinScroll turbocharged petrol
Transmission
Eight-speed Steptronic automatic
Max Power
184 hp
252 hp
190 hp
265 hp
360 hp
Max Torque
290 Nm
350 Nm
400 Nm
620 Nm
500 Nm
0 – 100 km/h
8.3 seconds
6.3 seconds
8.0 seconds
5.8 seconds
4.8 seconds
Top Speed
215 km/h
240 km/h
213 km/h
240 km/h
 250 km/h
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_rDqzjaPY0
The third-generation BMW X3 will go on sale in Europe later this year, whereas its Malaysian debut will take place sometime next year. Maybe for the first time, we stand a chance to get the M40i that will rival the
Mercedes-AMG GLC43
. Yes?
IMAGE GALLERY


MINI has a new official accessory – a mobile tent for two adults, costing RM14k!

Ever dreamt of going camping with your MINI? What started of as an April Fool’s joke in 2013 is now a reality. MINI collaborated with Italian roof tent specialists AUTOHOME to come up with a unique AirTop accessory exclusively for MINI cars.
The example here is a tent for two, installed atop the all-new
MINI Countryman
. MINI said the ‘outdoor setup’ is not just unique to the Countryman, but also to any MINI that has roof rails. You don’t even need any tools to install it.
The tent is made of fibreglass and weighs 58 kg. Erecting the tent is rather easy as well, thanks to four gas pressure springs. It’s slightly less than a metre tall, but it’s spacious enough for two adults to sleep comfortable, measuring 2.1 metres long and 1.3 metres wide.
Inside, there is a high-density mattress with cotton cover, dual zipper-type entry and windows as well as mosquito nettings on all openings. Other items that come with the tent are LED interior lights, luggage nets and the aluminium ladders.
The tent, available as an official accessory from MINI, can be had for
£2,400 (approximately RM14k)
 and is only available in shades of black or white. As far as we find it ridiculous, something in our head is telling us to get one of these…
IMAGE GALLERY


All-electric MINI Electric Concept shown, production model confirmed for 2019!

Besides showing off their track-focused
MINI JCW GP Concept
, MINI will also be displaying the MINI Electric Concept, an all-electric MINI at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). The new concept car gives the world a taste of what’s to come in the production model that is set to debut sometime in 2019.
This fully-electric model is part of
BMW Group’s NUMBER ONE > NEXT corporate strategy
: to offer electrified versions of BMW and MINI vehicles from 2020 onwards. The MINI Electric Concept joins the brand’s first ever plug-in hybrid –
Cooper S E Countryman ALL4
 which was launched early this year.

Whist moving into futuristic
zero-emission mobility
, MINI is not prepared to move away from its core value of driving excitement and familiar design just yet. However, the engineers have given some unique but functional touches to the otherwise untouched design. Because there is no need for air to enter the engine bay for cooling, the
radiator grille is permanently sealed off
 for better aerodynamics. The distinct front apron and side sills help channel air more effectively to the rear bumper to reduce overall drag. MINI promises that despite it being an eco-minded vehicle, the production model will be as exciting to drive as any other MINI.
The concept car is finished in a bespoke
Reflection Silver
, matt liquid colour shade with Striking Yellow accents to reflect its pure-electric nature. Like the JCW GP Concept, the all-electric MINI gets a pair of half Union Jack LED tail lamps echoing its British roots.
If the road-going version looks anything like the concept car, we’d say bring on the future!
IMAGE GALLERY


Future Hyundai/Kia owners can unlock and start their cars with the Digital Key app

Hyundai will soon introduce the Digital Key via an app which allows owners to unlock and start their vehicles. The feature can accommodate up to four users and will be implemented in new Hyundai/Kia vehicles by the end of the year.
The feature utilises the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to detect the presence of an “authorised Digital Key” when in close proximity to the vehicle.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEZnTWhUH1A
The NFC receiver is located on the door handles of the driver and front passenger door, with another placed within the wireless charging pad to start the engine.
To start the car, users simply have to place their smartphone on the wireless charging pad and process to press the Start/Stop button.
Not only that, the user’s preferred presets such as the mirror positions, seats and steering wheel as well as audio/video and head-up displays can be adjusted automatically when the Digital Key is recognised.
With Bluetooth, users can also activate the alarm and start the engine remotely. Hyundai also claims that once the autonomous parking features come into play, they too can be remotely-controlled.


Volvo C40 and XC40 update: RWD, over 500km range, 200kW charging

Volvo has just announced an update for both the
XC40
 and
C40
, introducing a revised powertrain to the small crossover. This includes a new RWD drivetrain, a bigger battery pack (for the AWD variant), and faster DC fast charging (DCFC).
Malaysia only gets the all-wheel drive (AWD) variant of the XC40 and C40, so let us first address this. The total power output of
300 kW (408 hp)
 remains the same, although the dual motor setup is now rear-biased. While the current version consists of two 150 kW (204 hp) motors, the update consists of a rear electric motor that makes 183 kW (249 hp) and a smaller front electric motor that makes 117 kW (159 hp).
Updated Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric
Performance remains largely the same for both cars as the C40 and XC40 both retain the same 0-100 km/h acceleration times. The C40 retains its
4.7-second
 time and the XC40 retains its
4.9-second
 acceleration time.
Besides the electric motors, the update gives both the AWD versions of the Volvo C40 and XC40 a bigger
82-kWh
 battery pack from the current 78-kWH battery pack. The bigger battery and the new motor setup boosts the C40’s electric range to
510 km
 from 451 km and the XC40’s range to
500 km
 from 438 km (all range are based on the WLTP test cycle).
RELATED:
Volvo XC40 EV powertrain update due – 500km range, 200kW charging, RWD
Updated Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric
As for charging, the update enables the twin motor C40 and XC40 to handle
200-kW
 DC fast charging, which is a higher rate than the current 150-kW DCFC. Charging time from 10% to 80% is approximately
28 minutes
 with the bigger battery pack.
While Malaysia has never received it, both the C40 and XC40 are also available in single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) variants in other markets. The new update changes the powertrain drastically as the single-motor versions will now be rear-wheel drive (RWD).
ALSO WATCH:
Volvo C40 Recharge review – The best small EV in Malaysia?
Update Volvo Xc40 Recharge Pure Electric
For the single motor C40 and XC40, the battery size remains the same at
69 kWh
, but enhancements in cooling efficiency boost the electric range (WLTP) to
476 km
 from 438 km for the C40 and
460 km
 from 425 km for the XC40. The single motor gets a 3% power increase to
175 kW (238 hp)
 from 170 kW (231 hp).
The current versions of the C40 and XC40 are now dubbed as the outgoing model and according to a previous report from Autocar,
production of the updated version will begin in May 2023
. The updated version of the C40 and XC40
were already made available to order in December 2022
 for the European market.
RELATED:
Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric updated for 2023, now from RM 279k
In Malaysia, both the C40 and XC40 are available as single variants only. The C40 is available as the twin-motor Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric Ultimate which costs
RM288,888
 and the XC40 is available as the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric Ultimate which costs
RM278,888
.
RELATED:
Volvo C40 Recharge Pure Electric launched in Malaysia, from RM289k


2016 Kia Sportage launched in Malaysia, priced from RM122k

It has been a big day for SUV launches in Malaysia as Naza Kia Malaysia unveiled two new SUVs into the market, the Sportage and the Sorento. We begin our report with the fourth-generation Sportage, followed by the Sorento on a separate report.
Introduced last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Sportage brings a much fresher look to the table, and has more crossover aspirations than the previous model ever exuded. Only
two front-wheel drive variants
 are being offered by Naza Kia; the
KX
 being the entry level while the
GT Line
 is available for those want to add a dash of sportiness into their ride.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Kia Sportage 2.0 2WD KX
Kia Sportage 2.0 2WD GT
Engine
1,999cc; 4-cylinder, DOHC
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
152 hp @ 5,250 rpm
Max Torque
192 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
Price
RM121,888.00
RM141,888.00
EXTERIOR
To begin, the Sportage incorporates the ‘tiger-nose’ grille in line with most of the new Kia cars; but with the logo sitting just atop it, unlike its predecessor. On this ‘
Fiery Red’
 GT Line example, the
Bi-Projector HID
 headlamps with LED
DRL
 is sported at the front, while at Optima inspired quad fog lights housed just below. The GT Line is also the only variant to sit on
19-inch wheels
 with 245/45 R19 tyres, upping its looks that much more.

The LED lights on the GT aren’t available in the cheaper
KX
, where instead it gets the usual halogen bulb headlights and fog lamps. The KX also gets
17-inch wheels
 with 225/60 R17 tyres which, although may not sound like much, but replacing the tyres on these should prove to be more sensible and affordable in the long run.
INTERIOR
It’s all dark and black on the inside but the materials look premium and classy enough. That is what you can expect from the GT Line variant which includes
leather seats
, push start button and
automatic dual-zone air conditioning
. The driver gets leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and
eight-way electric power seats
. While the KX settles for standard fabric seats with manual adjustment, both variants still receive the same infotainment head unit with eight speakers.

PERFORMANCE
The Sportage is equipped with the
2.0-litre Nu MPI four-cylinder
 engine that develops
152 hp
 and
192 Nm
 of torque, which is a carryover from its predecessor. The
six-speed automatic gearbox
 was brought over to this fourth-generation Sportage as well.
While powertrain remains the same, the new Sportage’s sleeker outlook gives it a more slippery surface, with a drag coefficient
0.33 Cd
– a 0.02 Cd improvement over its predecessor. This translates to a better drive and fuel economy over the older model.
SAFETY
The hallmark of the Sportage is its
five-star rating
 in the
Euro NCAP
 test. The new Sportage is loaded with safety features across both variants, which include
six airbags
, ISOFIX mount points, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Anti-lock brakes, Hill-Start Assist Control and Emergency Stop Signal. The only item missing in the KX is the front parking sensor.
WHAT ELSE
The pricing for the new Sportage begins at an attractive
RM121,888.00
 for the KX variant while the edgier GT Line is an additional RM20k at
RM141,888.00.
 All prices are on-the-road prices with insurance and GST included, making it one of the best value SUVs in the Malaysian market right now. Four colours are available for this locally assembled Sportage: Mercury Blue, Fiery Red, Snow White Pearl and Mineral Silver. There’s also a 5-Year warranty with unlimited milage offered as well.
IMAGE GALLERY


2017 Honda CR-V previewed in Mid Valley Megamall, order books now open!

The new 2017
Honda CR-V
 is on a nationwide tour in Malaysia, with this particular unit finished in White Orchid Pearl now on display at the Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur from 7 to 11 June 2017.
However, only the exterior is available for viewing. The cabin is completely sealed pending finalisation of specifications. For starters, the display unit is of the
2.0-litre high-spec variant
 and not the 1.5-litre VTEC turbo range-topper.

This petrol mill is likely a carryover from the outgoing mode, and that engine produces
153 hp
 and
190 Nm
 of torque. The
 seven-speed CVT
 (Continuously Variable Transmission) is expected to replace the five-speed automatic used in the old model.
Up front, you get the familiar thick chrome grille and the headlamps are full LED. The rear end gets a pair of LED combination lamps. High spec CR-Vs will be equipped with a sporty spoiler and dual-tone alloy wheels. Keyless entry and push-start button are confirmed, although the bigger question now is whether it will be of the five- or seven-seater version.

As reported
previously
, the new CR-V is the first Honda model in Malaysia to come with
Honda Sensing
 safety suite. Again, the 2017 Honda CR-V is open for booking and will be touring the country according to the schedule below:
 Date
Location
Time
7 – 11 June 2017
Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur
10:00 am – 10:00 pm
11 June 2017
Imago Mall, Kota Kinabalu
10:00 am – 10:00 pm
16 – 18 June 2017
AEON Tebrau City, Johor Bahru
10:00 am – 10:00 pm
18 June 2017
Plaza Merdeka, Kuching
10:00 am – 10:00 pm
IMAGE GALLERY


Audi e-tron FE04 Formula E race car unveiled, gets a single-speed gearbox

After the shocking announcement that Audi will officially
terminate its involvement in Le Mans series
 to channel their resources to Formula E last year, the four rings has finally unveiled its first all-electric race car, the Audi e-tron FE04.
Audi has partnered up Schaeffler to develop a completely new electric powertrain consisting of the electric motor, transmission, suspension and software. For the 2017/2018 season, Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler will be using a
high-efficiency single-speed transmission
.
“Together with our technology partner Schaeffler, we have developed a completely new powertrain,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “You can immediately tell this by looking at the new carbon housing of the powertrain. The car also sounds different because we’re pursuing new avenues in technology.”
The new Audi e-tron FE04 will make its race debut at the Formula E season opener in Hong Kong on December 2, 2017. Seeing that Audi is
going down the electrification route
 as well as
Audi Sport models
, the innovations and technologies obtained from Formula E will most definitely trickle down to regular road-going models. Excited for Audi’s next-generation of hybrids yet?
IMAGE GALLERY


Mazda MX-30 R-EV: The rotary engine returns, but not how you wanted it

Mazda has revived its rotary engine, but it’s not in a sporty coupe like the RX7 or RX8. Instead, the Wankel engine has found its way into the newly-revealed
Mazda MX-30 R-EV
, and only functioning as a generator.
The all-electric
Mazda MX-30
 made its global debut in 2020 as Mazda’s first battery-electric vehicle (BEV). It was launched in Malaysia in June 2022 and fetches a price of
RM198,780
. The Mazda MX-30 R-EV is a range extender version of the MX-30 with a plug-in hybrid series drivetrain.
Mazda MX-30 R-EV Edition R
Propelling the MX-30 REV is a different electric motor than what you would find in the all-electric version. In the R-EV the electric motor makes
170 hp
 (metric) and
260 Nm
 as opposed to the all-electric’s 145 hp (metric) and 271 Nm. The R-EV is 0.6 seconds faster than the full-EV version in the century sprint, clocking
9.1 seconds
.
As for energy storage, the Mazda MX-30 houses a
17.8-kWh
 lithium-ion battery that provides
85 km
 of all-electric range. Though that may sound extremely short, do keep in mind that the MX-30 R-EV is a series hybrid with a 50-litre fuel tank.
RELATED:
CBU Fully-electric Mazda MX-30 crossover now in Malaysia from RM198k
It can also be charged like any other plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). While no kW numbers have been mentioned, Mazda says that the MX-30 Rev can handle both AC (three-phase) and DC charging. AC charging takes around 50 minutes while DC charging takes
25 minutes
.
The rotary engine that functions as a generator in the MX-30 is Mazda’s 8C single-rotor engine with an 830-cc displacement. The rotary engine generator will activate based on the degree of accelerator opening and supply the battery with more power.
RELATED:
2022 Mazda MX-30 updated with faster charging, still has only 200 km of range
Upon launch, the Mazda MX-30 R-EV is available in a launch edition dubbed the ‘Edition R’, with the letter ‘R’ simply meaning ‘Return’ to celebrate the return of the rotary engine. The Edition R gets an exclusive colour combination of Jet Black with Maroon Rouge side pillars and a black roof, and pays homage to the roof colour of the Mazda R360.
RELATED:
Bermaz Motor to launch Mazda MX-30 fully-electric crossover by end of 2022


Mk8 Volkswagen Golf is the last petrol Golf, major 2024 update before going full electric

The Mk8
Volkswagen Golf
 will be the last generation of the Golf to be powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE) before full electrification of the model. The Mk8 is set for a comprehensive update due in 2024, which could extend the generation’s life until 2040, as reported by
Automotive News Europe
.
In its next generation, the Volkswagen Golf will be a fully electric car. Before that, the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf will be given a major update in 2024, which Volkswagen CEO, Thomas Schäfer commented, “That puts it in a great position until the end of the decade. Then we will have to see how the segment develops. If the world develops completely differently than expected by 2026 or 2027, then we can also launch a completely new vehicle again. But I don’t expect that to happen. So far, that’s not planned.”
Previously, it was reported that the upcoming Volkswagen ID.2 could be the successor to the ‘Golf’ moniker. The ID.2 is due in showrooms in 2025, at a targeted base price of EUR22,500 (approx. RM105k) in today’s money.
With the ID.2 looking more identical to the
Volkswagen Polo
, Volkswagen assures that there will not be an electric Golf until there are really Golf genes in it — such as a flatter roof compared to the
ID.3
 full-electric compact hatchback. That will not be until 2028 at the earliest.
Volkswagen is also adamant about retaining its popular model names. Thomas Schäfer said, “It’s clear that we will not be giving up iconic names like Golf,
Tiguan
, and GTI, but will be transferring them to the electric world. But with the Golf in particular, it has to fit the genes. Just calling any vehicle that doesn’t work. We won’t make that mistake.”
RELATED:
2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI updated in Malaysia with IQ. Drive ADAS system – from RM246k


Geneva motor show 2020 called off on grounds of force majeure

The annual
Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS)
may not be the largest of its kind, but it has always been one of the most significant given the number of world premieres it usually plays host to. It would’ve been no different this year,
the 90
th
 edition
, but with the coronavirus outbreak in full force in Europe, the show had to be called off for reasons beyond the organisers’ control.
It follows the banning of public events with
more than 1,000 participants
 by the Swiss government last Friday (28
th
 February) and this ban is supposed to last until
15
th
 March 2020
.

GIMS 2019 attracted over
600,000 visitors last year
 and would have been underway tomorrow for the international media before opening its doors to the public from 5
th
 to 15
th
 March. On the same token, the world’s most eminent watch fair,
Baselworld 2020
, is also affected and has been postponed until January 2021.
The cancellation of GIMS 2020 is particularly painful in that it
happened on the eve of the show
 and that pavilions and booths would’ve already been built at the venue, the costs believed to run into hundreds of million (USD), but due to the unforeseen circumstance caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the money spent is unlikely to be recouped.
We’ll meet you online, new Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI.
While car fans won’t be witnessing the physical debuts of the
all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI
, the
facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 and new compact class plug-in models, the 992-generation Porsche 911 Turbo, the yet named Yaris-based compact SUV from Toyota, the
new Hyundai i30
 and the
updated Honda Civic Type R
 – all were expected at GIMS 2020, but thanks to the connected world which we live in today, manufacturers will no doubt be busy setting up live stream launches so you can catch them online.


Volvo’s new XC40 to come with increased storage space, for a clutter-free interior

Volvo Cars have been known to be some of the most considerate carmakers in the world where every move, every approach taken has always been for the foresighted benefit of the driver and passengers alike.
This time Volvo Cars seek to address and effectively end the problem faced by most car owners – a lack of suitable and functional storage space inside their cars. This will be applied in the
upcoming XC40
 which will complete the company’s SUV line-up which also features the XC60 and XC90.
Volvo Cars’ Customer Research Team has spent considerable time
investigating how car owners around the world store their belongings
 and how they’d like to see their car’s interior improved. As it turns out, different regions and cities produced remarkably similar results.
“As we spoke to people about how and where they store the things they carry with them daily, it was quite clear that most of today’s cars are falling short in this area. Phones slide around in the mid-console, takeaway bags are at constant risk of falling over and people fumble behind the wheel as they try to get service cards out of their wallets. We set out to solve these and many other issues we encountered,” said Volvo Cars Model Brand Manager for the 40 series, Louiza Atcheba.
The concept of which the new XC40’s interior will be based on
To
provide better storage space by the doors
in the
 new XC40’s interior
, Volvo designers have opted to move the speakers from the door by developing a
world-first, air-ventilated dashboard-mounted subwoofer
. As a result, Volvo has managed to free up so much space by the door compartment that it would fit a laptop, tablet and a couple bottles of water.
A small-fold away hook by the glove compartment ensures that small shopping or takeaway bags can be secured while both front seats offer storage space which will be able to accommodate a mini tablet and other such items. The XC40 also offers slots for credit and other service cards by the dashboard for easy access while storage area under the armrest will be spacious enough even for a large tissue box. Even a removable bin is provided for easy disposal of waste.
The boot comes with a smart floor system which allows you to compartmentalise your luggage, optimising storage space without removing the floorboard from the car. The boot’s floor even comes with a private locking storage compartment!
“A lot we have done with the XC40 is based on extensive consumer insight. With the XC40, we declare the end of clutter, making sure that everything is within arm’s reach but also out of sight. It’s about clearing the clutter so you can clear your mind,” concludes Louiza Atcheba.


Mercedes-Benz updates the CLS Class, debuts MULTIBEAM LED headlamps

Mercedes-Benz has given the CLS Class a mild refresh, mostly to the nose of the car. Both the
CLS Coupe
 and the
CLS Shooting Brake
 gets a
new front bumper
 incorporating the flashy
diamond grille
 and the all-new optional MULTIBEAM LED lights. Only a minor change at the back where the taillamps are now smoked.
The new optional
MULTIBEAM LED
headlamps which makes it debut on the updated CLS, houses
24 high-performance LEDs
 on each side. Advantages of using LED technology apart from lasting up to five times longer than a xenon lamp, the light produced by LED is brighter and closer to daylight compared to xenon, and they are more energy efficient.
With the improved
Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus
, the best possible light pattern is adjusted automatically to ensure the road ahead is always brightly illuminated but without dazzling other road users. They achieved this by using a camera on the windscreen that reads the oncoming traffic, and mechanically masks them from the light path. Each LED is electronically controlled individually by four control units that calculate at 100 times per second, so the light pattern is dynamic to suit the road traveled.

MULTIBEAM LED headlamps also include a low-beam headlamp module with four LEDs that are able swivel up to 12° to illuminate corners. Unlike the current cornering lights on most cars that turn the lamps according to the steering angle, MULTIBEAM LED will turn the lamp even before the steering wheel is turned, if the camera on the windscreen detects an approaching bend.

The navigation system also plays a role to the MULTIBEAM LED. If the car comes to a roundabout, the cornering light modules on both sides are activated to cover a wider light path that covers the side of the road. Additionally, the fibre-optic cable that serves as the daytime running lights and turn indicators will also light up in blue to greet the driver upon unlocking the car.
Inside the cabin, changes are limited to a
new steering wheel
 and the infotainment system with a floating
8-inch screen
. The optional
COMAND online
 infotainment systems allow internet surfing, and incorporates
Mercedes-Benz Apps
 such as Google Search with StreetView and Panoramio.
A range of optional
driving assistance systems
 can be fitted to the new CLS, including DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian detection, PRE-SAFE® PLUS, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC including lateral parking manoeuvres and a 360° camera.
In total there are six engines available, a new four-cylinder turbodiesel in the
CLS 220 BlueTEC
 with 170 hp and 400 Nm, while another four-cylinder diesel in the
CLS 250 BlueTEC
 produces 204 hp and 500 Nm. The
 CLS 350 BlueTEC
 is powered by a V6 diesel that produces 258 hp and 620 Nm.
The new 3.5 litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine in the
 CLS 400
 generates 333 hp and 480 Nm, and under the bonnet of the
CLS 500
 is a 4.6 litre twin turbo V8 dishing out 408 hp and 600 Nm.
The
5.5-litre V8 twin turbo
 powerplant in the
CLS 63 AMG
 comes in two states of tune of either 557 hp and 720 Nm, or 585 hp and 800 Nm in the
S-model
.
The new CLS is equipped with the new nine speed
9G-TRONIC automatic transmission
, except the CLS 400 and the CLS 63 AMG which soldier on with the seven speed 7G-TRONIC transmission.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V now priced at RM129k with SST exemptions

Following the Government’s announcement for the extension of the Sales and Service Tax exemptions period until the 31st of December 2021, UMW Toyota Motor has now disclosed the new SST-exempted pricing information for the range-topping 1.8V variant of the Toyota Corolla Cross, now starting at
RM129,266
 on the road, without insurance.
The Toyota Corolla Cross was
launched here in Malaysia
 back in March 2021, with two variants on offer – 1.8G and 1.8V. However, only the entry-level G variant was made available at launch; UMW Toyota said that the 1.8V will only be available at a “later date”, thus did not provide an SST-exempted pricing as the exemption period was due to expire on the June 30, 2021.

With the new pricing information, the Toyota Corolla Cross is now priced at RM124,000 and RM129,266 for the 1.8G and 1.8V respectively, both inclusive of the 50% SST exemptions for fully-imported models. Do keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, as the company has committed to assembling the compact crossover locally here in Malaysia in the near future.
Both variants of the Toyota Corolla Cross are powered by the same 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four mill, which makes
139 hp
 and
172 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
The only differences between the two variants are in their equipment lists – only the range-topping 1.8V variant is fitted with the fancier LED headlights and tail lights, 18-inch wheels, and the full
Toyota Safety Sense
 advanced driver assistance suite.
For the full breakdown of the differences between the two variants, check out our Facts and Figures launch coverage, linked
here
. In case you are curious about how it drives, we’ve also previously published a quick driving impressions review, which you can find
here
.


Toyota is already throwing body kits at the all-new Prius

It’s barely been a day since Toyota pulled the veils off the
 fifth-generation Prius
, but Toyota’s two in-house tuners, Modellista and Gazoo Racing, certainly aren’t wasting any time at giving the all-new hybrid model a makeover, as if it really needed one.
For customers who like the more outrageous Modellista designs, you’ll have two distinct flavours to choose from: Neo Advance Style or Elegant Ice Style. The Neo Advance is the sillier of the two, with additional blue and white lighting elements embedded into the front bumper, alongside the extravagant bumper extension and side skirts.
Elegant Ice, meanwhile, is the more subdued of the two, thanks to the (relatively) cleaner lines on the bumper extensions and side skirts. It’s still unmistakably Modellista, though, as it rides on the same chrome-laden wheels as the Neo Advance, which some will definitely find its design too busy.
In contrast, the Toyota GR Parts kit for the Prius looks like a masterclass in restraint, as the kit only adds a small front bumper lip, a ducktail spoiler, and what looks like bigger wheels with a slightly different design to the stock car. On a car that already looks this distinctive, these simple, tasteful touches already go a long way.
The body kit is also probably all that Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division will be offering for the all-new Prius; we’re not expecting a true performance version here as the model is, and has always been, all about efficiency.
ALSO READ:
Toyota says you will “fall in love at first sight” with the 5th-gen Prius – gets new 2.0L PHEV drive
That being said, performance on the fifth-generation Toyota Prius is already not too shabby. Underneath the sleek-looking body panels is a set of new hybrid powertrains, which on the most powerful 2.0-litre PHEV version, makes a total of
 223 hp
. On the Prius, that translates to a 0-100 km/h time of only
 6.7 seconds
, which certainly isn’t slow.
RELATED:
Toyota Thailand spices up the Corolla Cross with new limited-edition Modellista kit


Driving competency not dependant on age – MOT

Last week, the Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) proposed for new restrictions when issuing driver’s licenses for senior citizens. The geniuses at Bukit Aman believe that old age-related illnesses are some of the causes for accidents on the road.
While it may be true to some extent, the lack of enforcement on those using their phones while behind the wheel, lack of enforcement towards drunk drivers, and rampant petty corruption in exchange for a get-out-of-jail-free card are even more dire issues leading to road accidents, in our opinion.
The Ministry of Transport has since clarified the matter through a report by Bernama and said it had not issued a directive for drivers 70 years old and above to return their licenses.
The Ministry said age is not a definitive factor to measure driving competency as accidents are caused by multiple factors; can’t believe this even needs mentioning.
The MOT even threw some statistics into the mix; where 80% of road accidents are caused by human errors, 13% due to vehicle failure and those caused by nature were below 10%.


The new Volkswagen Polo facelift is pretty much a baby Golf

Volkswagen has just unveiled the new Polo facelift today, four years after the
sixth-generation model
 was first introduced back in 2017. And for what is only a mid-cycle update, the new Volkswagen Polo has received quite a significant amount of changes especially to its exterior, making it even more painful for us to just watch from the sidelines as the only VW Polo available on our shores – for now at least – is the
older Mk5 model
.
Up front, the new Volkswagen Polo is now equipped with fully-LED headlights across the board. The design itself is also now a lot cleaner, ditching the old crooked daytime-running light for a new double-J light signature which extends all the way across the bottom of the upper grille – only separated by the new VW logo.
For higher-end variants, the Polo is also offered – for the first time on the model – with the IQ.Light matrix LED lighting system. Budget no more, it seems.
However, the most significant change to the exterior of the new Volkswagen Polo facelift is actually at the rear, where it now gets a wider, horizontally-oriented tail light assembly, with a design that’s clearly inspired from its elder brother, the
eight-generation Golf
. Also inspired by the other new VW models is the new ‘Polo’ script underneath the central Volkswagen badge.
The blue car in these photos is also equipped with the R-Line design package, which tacks on additional gloss-black accents and ‘R’ badges all around, a larger roof-mounted spoiler, a different mesh pattern on the front grille, larger wheels, and a set of fake exhaust tips at the rear – something we’d rather do without, but there’s probably a reason why almost every carmaker is doing it.
Moving inside, the new Polo now gets a digital instrument cluster across the board, measuring either 8.0- or 10.25-inches depending on variant. A touchscreen infotainment display is also standard, ranging from 6.5-inches to 9.2 inches in the higher-spec models.
Also new is the capacitive touch-panel for the dual-zone automatic climate control, borrowed from higher-end models in the VW stable, while the colour-matched dashboard trims are replaced by a more boring… I mean “grown-up” (sorry, I drive a Beetle) brushed aluminium-looking item.
On the safety front, the new Volkswagen Polo can now be optioned with a Level 2 autonomous driving system, dubbed the IQ.Drive Travel Assist package. Lane keep assist is standard across the board, alongside autonomous emergency braking.
The new Volkswagen Polo will be offered with three petrol powertrain options, all featuring a 1.0-litre engine. At the lowest end is a naturally-aspirated variant, offering up a puny 80 hp and 93 Nm, with power sent to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
Next-up is the 1.0 TSI engine, in either a 95 hp or 110 hp tune. A seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox is optional for the lower powered variant, and standard for the 110 hp version.
There’ll also be a new Polo GTI headlining the supermini line-up in the near future, which will most definitely feature a larger engine… We think – no further information have been divulged just yet.
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All-new 5th-generation Range Rover unveiled with PHEV variant – EV in 2024

Land Rover has officially unveiled the all-new, fifth-generation Range Rover via a
 digital broadcast
. The large premium SUV continues to be offered in two different wheelbase configurations with a seating capacity of between four to seven.
The trademark side and front profile of the Range Rover that began from the fourth generation have been maintained as the falling roofline paired with a strong waistline and rising sill line are trademarks that make it instantly recognisable as a Range Rover. The new slippery body now slices through the air with a low drag coefficient of just Cd 0.30.
The flush door handles and specially engineered hidden waist (where the windows and door meet) not only serve as design elements but also works to reduce drag.
While the front design has all the hallmarks of a Range Rover, the rear has been extensively studied and redesigned. The new boat tail rear, which tapers when viewed from the top, is a significant breakaway from all generations.
The tail lamps of the latest Range Rover feature a world-first ‘hidden-until-lit’ technology. The tail lamps appear as Vivid Red LEDs when in operation, only to form a distinctive Gloss Black graphic when not in use.
Meanwhile, the high-definition Digital LED Headlights with a range of up to 500 metres are the most advanced ever used in a Range Rover. Fitted with up to 1.2 million micromirrors, the high-tech headlights can focus on 16 objects simultaneously and blank out reflections!
The new Range Rover will continue to be offered in a standard wheelbase as well as a long-wheelbase variant that is 200 mm longer, bringing the total length to 5,252 mm. Variants continue to be the SE, HSE and Autobiography, with the First Edition (upgrade of the Autobiography) being available only for the first year of production.
The new Range Rover SV meanwhile will offer an exquisite interpretation of luxury and personalisation from the experts at Special Vehicle Operations, with “SV Serenity” and “SV Intrepid” design themes plus the four-seater “SV Signature Suite” configuration.
A wide choice of powertrains are available from launch, with the fully electric Range Rover set to join the line-up in 2024. The new Extended-Range PHEV powertrains are the P440e and the P510e, to be only available from early 2022, offers a long electric driving range of up to 100 km, thanks to a massive 31.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The model numerals represent the total PHEV system outputs of
440 hp
 and
510 hp
 respectively, with the latter completing 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just
5.6 seconds
.
Two diesel engines are also offered, the D300 and the D350, which serves as the entry point into the new fifth-generation Range Rover. Meanwhile, at launch, the flagship P530 variant with a new twin-turbo V8 engine has
530 hp
and does the century sprint in just
4.6 seconds
. A P400 mild-hybrid six-cylinder Ingenium engine will serve as the entry for petrol powertrains.
Fuel efficiency and in-cabin serenity are also significantly improved thanks to the usage of a new Mixed-Metal Modular Architecture (MLA-Flex) that promises up to 24% improvement in quietness. The new structure is also up to 50% stiffer than the outgoing model.
As such, the interior of the new Range Rover builds upon the improved calmness and serenity levels. On offer is the world-first
noise-canceling headrest speakers
 (in the four main headrests) designed to create individual quiet zones, as part of the 1,600W Meridian Signature Sound System. 27 other high-performance speakers further cancel noise levels or playback the finest musical notes.
The new Range Rover also brings new levels of wellbeing via the Cabin Air Purification Pro, combining dual Nanoe X technology for allergen reduction and pathogen removal to significantly reduce odours, viruses and even the SARS-CoV2 virus. As the cabin is so large, two Nanoe X devices are used; the second being in the rear seat air conditioning vent.
Up in front, the dashboard features the latest Pivi Pro digital infotainment technology, consisting of a new semi-floating 13.7-inch interactive driver display and a 13.1-inch curved floating touchscreen with haptic feedback. Range Rover has also integrated Amazon Alexa as the user interface to operate all the functions via natural voice commands.
Pivi Pro also controls the opening and closing of the power-assisted four doors for an elegant entry and exit in any situation.
The Range Rover portrays luxury and immensely capable off-road driving, and as such, key highlights of the fifth-generation Range Rover include a new Dynamic Response Pro electronic roll control system, all-wheel steering and fully independent air suspension with Adaptive Dynamics and wading into depths of up to 900 mm.
Terrain Response 2 will be the central controller to everything relating to the chassis and power delivery, with a choice of six driving modes plus a user-configurable mode to create a bespoke chassis set-up.
Prices in the UK for the all-new Range Rover starts from
GBP94,400
 (approx. RM540k) for the D300 SE SWB variant, all the way to over
GBP137,800
 (approx. RM787k) for the P530 V8 LWB First Edition variant. Range Rover SV variants such as the four-seat Signature Suite are only available later in 2022.
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Range Rover Fifth Generation – Others


UMW Toyota will unleash the A90 Toyota Supra in Malaysia this year

Besides announcing the
imminent arrival of the Toyota Yaris
, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has also revealed that the
A90 Toyota GR Supra
 will be coming to our shores in 2019!
The company is keeping
mum about the technical specification and pricing of the new sportscar, but
global markets have the option for a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.0-litre
turbocharged straight-six.
The four-banger offers two states of tunes –
197 hp
/
320 Nm
 or
258 hp
/
400 Nm
 while the straight-six unit commands
340 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of twist. Regardless of engine choice, you’ll get an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard so is rear-wheel drive. Of course, enthusiasts are hoping for the 3.0-litre straight six Supra to arrive in Malaysia.
In Malaysia, a rear-wheel-drive sports car with a straight-six engine are few and far between with the only alternative being the
BMW M2
 and
Mercedes-AMG SLC 43
. If the four-cylinder Supra arrives in Malaysia, it would also be up against the
Porsche Cayman
 – mechanical wise.
Pricing is a big
concern here as the German rivals all hover above the RM500,000 mark but can
the Japanese sportscar command such a price? We’ll have to wait and see.
IMAGE GALLERY
A90 Toyota Supra


New 2021 Porsche Panamera to make more than 630 hp and 850 Nm!

Even though the new Porsche Panamera is set to be revealed by the end of this month, Porsche has jumped the gun by showing us what it can do on the Nurburgring; en route to a new record for the “fastest executive car” around the 20.8 km circuit.
Porsche test driver, Lars Kern, completed a full lap of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:29.81 minutes – a time certified as a new record in the “executive cars” category. This marginally beats the previous record set by the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door 63 S with a time of 7:30:11 minutes.

“The Panamera has always been both an exclusive touring saloon and a true sports car at the same time. In the new model, we have enhanced these features even more,” says Thomas Friemuth, Vice President Product Line Panamera. “Alongside the increased engine power, improvements have been made in the areas of cornering stability, body control and steering precision. These enhancements benefit both everyday comfort and performance. The lap record is impressive proof of this.”
Obviously, the Panamera will not come with a full bucket seat and a roll cage as standard like in the video but we’re happy to share that the Panamera will make significantly more power than the current Panamera Turbo at 550 hp and 770 Nm.
Referring to the screenshot above taken from the video, the Panamera makes as much as 630 hp and 851 Nm. At the moment the
Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
 is the most powerful model in the range with 670 hp and 850 Nm.
Locally,
Sime Darby Auto Performance
 just lauched the new
718 Cayman GT4
 and the
 718 Spyder
, priced from RM999k and RM970k respectively.
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VinFast sedan & SUV shown ahead of global debut, looks very promising

Vietnam’s first national car, VinFast has just released initial photos of their
upcoming sedan and SUV
 ahead of its global debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Penned by Italian design house, Pininfarina for the Vietnamese people, VinFast aims to place their new models in the premium segment.
Both cars wear the same V emblem at the centre of the grille that denotes the brand’s initials and reflects the pride of Vietnam’s first car manufacturer that meets global standards. The grille extends into the ultra slim headlamps flanked by the angular bumpers with large openings. If you look closely on the right side of the grille, there is an additional chrome piece that when combined with the LED daytime running lights create an italicises F-motif, the second syllable of VinFast.

As the brand’s first ever car, it is no surprise that the two cars share a lot of similarities to create some form of familiarity for the VinFast brand with consumers. VinFast has engaged leading European engineers and production technology partners to create a desirable model that is competitive in the international level.
Deliveries of the first VinFast cars will commence in Vietnam from September 2019 onwards and the world will have a first taste of the sedan and SUV on 2 October 2018.
IMAGE GALLERY
VinFast Sedan

VinFast SUV


Bentley will help you design a yacht to match your car if you pay them enough money

You know the horrible feeling of when you roll up to the marina, only to have your yacht not match your favourite car? Yeah, totally relatable. Well, if you’re rich enough to have this problem in the first place, you’re also probably rich enough to solve it, thanks to Bentley’s own Design Services department.
As a special project by request of one of its customers, Bentley’s customisation arm worked together with Contest Yachts to create a bespoke 18-metre (59-foot) Contest 59 CS yacht, based on the customer’s very own
Continental GT
.
The most obvious parallel, at least when seen from the outside, is the yacht’s paint job, which gets a coat of deep blue hue that matches the car’s Light Sapphire colour. But anyone can paint a yacht; the most impressive part of this custom build is actually on the inside.
Bentley has essentially recreated the interior of the owner’s
Continental GT V8 coupe
 within the yacht itself, including colour choices – red and linen beige leather – and even material choices, i.e. wood. So much wood.
And just because this is a Bentley project, the leather in the yacht’s cabin also features the carmaker’s signature diamond-in-diamond stitching, which requires exactly 712 stitches per diamond and a high level of skill to produce, only possible on a special stitching machine exclusive to Bentley.
“This project was an opportunity for Bentley Design Services to showcase some of their many skills in a truly unique collaboration. Bentley cars embrace qualities of craftsmanship and styling that are only achieved at the highest level of nautical design,” said Bentley Motors Head of Bentley Design Collaborations, Brett Boydell.
Contest Yachts CEO and Co-Owner Arjen Conijn added: “We are well-known for our thorough approach to customisation, which allows us to fulfill the expectations and preferences of every customer. This project is the ultimate example of this approach – working with Bentley to turn a customer’s dream into reality.”
As this is a special one-off bespoke project, Bentley did not disclose how much a customisation job like this will cost. But I’m sure with enough money, you can also have Bentley make another bespoke yacht for you, or anything you like for the matter.
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BMW M Performance upgrades for BMW G30 5-Series feature more carbon & more power

Last month, BMW unveiled the all-new
seventh-generation BMW 5-Series
 that is expected to hit showroom floors come 2017. However, BMW is not going to wait till then to announce the BMW M Performance upgrades for the G30 5-Series.
The M Performance upgrades encompasses an aerodynamic bodykit, lightweight wheels, power boost, and silencer system. Good news is, these upgrades are available for all variants of the G30 ranging from the 530i to the 530d xDrive. Upgrades for the M550i xDrive will be announced at a later date.
Starting from the exterior upgrades, the aerodynamic bodykit includes
carbon fibre attachment parts
 for the front bumper, side sills, rear diffuser, and rear spoiler. Alternatively, the rear spoiler and rear diffuser can be had in polyurethane (PUR). This upgrade not only enhances the visual appeal for the 5-series but also
optimises driving dynamics
.
Additionally, there are also
pure aesthetic upgrades
 including a Black M Performance grille, carbon fibre wing mirror caps, black M Performance bars for the brake channels, and side sill stickers with M Performance inscription. Completing the M Performance exterior upgrades are the
 20-inch lightweight, dual-tone, double-spoke design alloy wheels
 wrapped in mixed tyre sizes of 245/35 R20 on the front and 275/30 R20 at the rear.

Jumping to the inside, the steering wheel can be upgraded to an Alcantara-wrapped BMW
M Performance sports steering wheel
 with a red central marking and silver-grey stitching. For models fitted with the 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission, the sports steering wheel will come with
paddle shifters
.
Along with the fast-looking aesthetic bits, BMW’s
M Performance Power and Sound Kit
 gives the G30 5-Series a dose of power boost. When fitted onto the 540i and 540i xDrive’s B58 six-cylinder 3.0-litre mill, power output is uprated by
15 hp
 and
50 Nm
 to a total of
355 hp
 and
500 Nm
 of torque. On the 530d and 530d xDrive, the kit adds
27 hp
 and
30 Nm
 to the six-cylinder turbodiesel resulting in a final output of
288 hp
 and
650 Nm
. With the added performance, BMW claims that fuel consumption and emission figures remains the same.
To complement the higher outputs, BMW will also be offering
M Performance sports brake system
 for better stopping power. A set of inner vented, perforated lightweight construction brake discs with 4-piston fixed caliper brakes made of aluminium is specified on the front axle while the rear axle is fitted with a single-piston floating caliper brakes. Naturally, these exclusive brake calipers are finished in red.

For petrol variants of the G30 5-Series, there is a
 M Performance Silencer system
 available as an option to promote engine acoustics. The Silencer system connects to either circular or trapezoid tailpipe outlet finished in either chrome or carbon fibre. On the other hand, for diesel variants, BMW has the
M Performance exhaust system Active Sound
 for the same purpose. Like the M Performance Silencer system, the diesel system is connected to either circular or trapezoid tailpipe outlet finished in either chrome or carbon fibre.
Original M Performance Accessories for the G30 5-Series will be available during the market launch of the vehicle. So folks, what do you think of the M Performance package for the 5-Series? Is the extra grunt worthy of your extra buck? Remember, it does not void the manufacturer’s warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY


New 2020 Lexus RX to offer better driving dynamics and new lighting system

Set to go on sale in August 2019, Lexus has given us a general outlook as to what the 2020 Lexus RX will offer as the brand commits to cement its status as a pioneer of luxury SUVs.
One of the biggest changes to the new RX is the new shock absorber and increased body rigidity.
Laser Screw Welding and spot welding have been extensively applied throughout the vehicle, along with the increased use of high-strength adhesives.
The combination of stiffer stabiliser bars (now hollow and 1mm wider) and enhanced hub rigidity now results in a more immediate response to steering inputs.
The redesigned RX’s shock absorbers are now equipped with a new Friction Control Device (FCD) which further reduces high-frequency vibrations caused by minute road surface imperfections. The shock absorbers also enables the RX to corner flat and achieve exceptional responsiveness.
Driving dynamics has also been improved through the Active Cornering Assist (ACA) system that suppresses understeer when stepping on the throttle in mid-corner, as well as improvements in the tuning of the Electric Power Steering, all of which result in a truly linear steering feel.

Being the first car manufacturer to introduce LED headlamps and Adaptive High Beam systems, Lexus is once again leading the way with the world’s first BladeScan Type AHS2 lighting system.
LED-sourced light shines onto a blade mirror spinning at high speed, and the light is transferred to a lens to illuminate the road ahead. While the light does not appear to be moving, the BladeScan Type AHS2 precisely controls light distribution by synchronising the rotation of the blade mirror and switching the LED headlamps on and off.
The 2020 Lexus RX also comes with the latest version of the Lexus Safety System+ that includes a Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Road Sign Assist (RSA) and Adaptive High-beam System (AHS).
IMAGE GALLERY
2019.05.23
2019.05.23
2019.05.23


Honda Small SUV RS shown at GIIAS 2022 – all-new Ativa-sized SUV to launch soon

A camouflaged model, dubbed the “Small SUV RS”, is currently on display at the Honda stand at GIIAS 2022. With the words “Joining the Honda family soon!” adorning the see-through box enclosure, the Small SUV RS Concept could be unveiled in Indonesia very soon to compete in the same segment as the
Perodua Ativa
/Toyota Raize.
This camouflaged car is actually a further development from the
Honda SUV RS Concept
 that was unveiled in last year’s iteration of the auto show, as confirmed by Honda. The original concept basically looked like a shrunken
Honda HR-V
, especially from the rear end.
Honda says that it has taken the original SUV RS concept to various districts in Indonesia and obtained market feedback in order to further develop the model. The Honda Small SUV RS will be the first of its model line, trailblazing a new model name for the brand.
RELATED:
Honda previews the SUV RS Concept at the Indonesia Auto Show 2021
Soon to compete in the same segment as the Daihatsu Rocky/Toyota Raize in Indonesia, the Honda Small SUV RS also looks like a potential contender for the Perodua Ativa in Malaysia. However, due to the “budget” nature of the segment, it might also share the same fate as the Honda Brio which never made it to our shores.
ALSO WATCH:
All-new 2022 Honda HR-V now launched in Malaysia, 5 Things
With Honda’s theme of ‘Reignite Passion and Energy’ for GIIAS 2022, Honda also announced that it will be introducing two new hybrid models for the Indonesian market. During the press conference, PT Honda Prospect Motor President, Kotaro Shimizu said, “Through GIIAS this time, we wanted to bring a new passion to consumers through various products, innovation, and the latest technology.
“The Honda Small SUV RS is a development from the SUV RS Concept that we will launch soon in Indonesia. To realise Honda’s electrification vision in Indonesia, we are showing various hybrid models that will be our technological focus at this time as a transition toward electrification.”
RELATED:
Honda Malaysia sold 39,000 cars in H1 2022 – over 60% contributed by City duo
GALLERY


New Kia Picanto now looks angrier and gets more tech

Our favourite non-national compact hatchback, the Kia Picanto
, has received some revisions and has gone on sale in South Korea.
Available only in a single variant, the Urban, the biggest changes lies in its exterior. It comes with headlamps that resemble the ones in a
Porsche Taycan
 while the grille looks like a chip off the
Imagine by Kia Concept
. As for the fog lamps, they’re now positioned in the middle as opposed to the side of the bumper from before.
At the back, major changes can be seen on the bumper with significantly slimmer fog and reverse lights along with fake exhaust outlets – disappointing. Kia says there’s a new Honeybee Yellow colour to go with the newly-designed 14 and 16-inch wheels.
As for the engines, the Morning is offered either with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder or a 1.25-litre 4-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed automatic. The latter even comes with a turbocharged version.
Changes on the inside aren’t as significant – save for a few splashes of colour on the centre console, air con vent surrounds and door panel. As for tech, the intended demographic of the Morning should celebrate knowing that they may now lock the car and control its air conditioning system via an app.
Its more comprehensive safety system should receive a round of applause as well – now with a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane centering assist and lane departure warning.
GALLERY
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Blind Spot Monitoring System
Autonomous Emergency Braking


UMW Toyota teases a hybrid SUV model on website, full reveal in mid-October

After posting a
cryptic message
 on a product that contributes to sustainable motoring and relatively better for the environment plus added performance, UMW Toyota Motor has started the clock to the launch of their next-generation hybrid model on its
website
.
The countdown, which ends at 2:00 p.m. on the
14th of October
 2021 (at the time of writing), briefly details the workings of the Toyota Hybrid System (THS), now in its fourth generation. If we were to take the silhouette of the model at “face level”, it looks like UMWT will be launching the
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
.
A rear quarter and tail lamp that accurately traces the Corolla Cross
Check out Toyota’s next step forward in its electrification plans, the bZ4X EV Concept here!
The
Toyota Corolla Cross
 Hybrid is powered by a 98 hp / 142 Nm naturally aspirated 1.8-litre paired to a sophisticated dual-motor-generator setup (72 hp / 163 Nm) with a power-split device (PSD) that functions as an electronic continuously variable transmission (ECVT). The combined system output is
122 hp
 whilst returning a fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 km or
23.3 km/L
. The powertrain first appeared in the fourth-generation
Toyota Prius
.
The nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) traction battery is now placed under the rear seats for maximum luggage space. Coupled with the compact torsion beam rear axle, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid has a very spacious luggage area of at least 440 litres, which is class-leading.
In a short press release, UMW Toyota Motor, Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama said, “For the immediate future, we are absolutely positive that the HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) is the most accessible and realistic choice for Malaysian customers in terms of practicality and infrastructure, with an enormous potential in Malaysia. It is a realistic bridge towards vehicle electrification while efforts are still being undertaken to help realize enablers for BEV, such as cost reduction, energy mix improvement and infrastructure development,”
Toyota has already sold 15-million hybrid-electric vehicles globally, since the introduction of the first-gen Prius in 1997.
Toyota’s last hybrid representative in Malaysia was the
Camry 2.5 Hybrid
, which retailed for under RM170,000. With plans to
locally assemble hybrid vehicles

via a RM270 million investment, expect the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid to be competitively priced, perhaps under the RM140,000 mark?
The closest competitor, the Honda HR-V Hybrid, is meanwhile priced under RM114,000, while the standard Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 are priced at RM124,000 and RM129,266 for the 1.8G and 1.8V respectively.
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Nissan GT-R gets a special shade of gold for its 45th anniversary – US market only

Nothing screams ‘premium’ or ‘exclusive’ like gold these days, and that’s how Nissan plans to celebrate the GT-R’s 45th birthday, by giving it a shade of gold. Fittingly named the 45th Anniversary Gold Edition, the GT-R is based on the market’s Premium variant, one that sits just below the Black Edition GT-R.
The ‘Silica Brass’ paint you see here first appeared in 2001 on the R34 GT-R M-Spec, and fewer than 30 units of this GT-R will be allocated across selected dealers in the US. Minor changes have been made to the car, such as the additional 5 hp gain (total 550 hp) and new 20-inch darkened RAYS aluminium-forged wheels featuring 20 spokes as compared to the previous
10-spoke design
.
It also comes with a set of nitrogen-filled Dunlop Sport Maxx GT 600 high performance run flat tyres, sized 255/40 at the front and a fatter 285/35 for the rear. The tyres here are shared with the
Nismo GT-R
.
The range topping, 600 bhp Nismo GT-R
Despite the new paint and wheels, the GT-R Gold Edition is priced a mere 1,000 USD (RM3,700) more than the Premium variant of which it’s based on, so it’s quite a bargain for customers there. The GT-Rs are priced as such:
GT-R Premium
$101,770 USD
est RM377k
GT-R 45th Anniversary Gold Edition
$102,770 USD
est RM381k
GT-R Black Edition
$111,510 USD
est RM413k
GT-R Nismo
$149,990 USD
est RM550k

[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz to build new RM17mil 3S Centre in Kuantan

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has just announced a new
RM17 million
 construction plan to erect a showroom in Kuantan which will be operated by one of their key dealers, NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd.
The proposed 3S Centre (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) will span over
45,000 square feet
 of display space and houses 10 service bays manned by 20 trained personnel. There will be eight Mercedes models on display, and other customer convenience facilities include a coffee bar, designated lounge with TV and Wi-Fi connectivity.
During the announcement, NAZA Group’s Vice President 4-Wheels Division, David Hector Ratnaike said, “Today we celebrate the beginning of another chapter here in Kuantan, Pahang. It’s a very proud moment for us as it is the culmination of an ongoing effort to further develop our premium automotive capabilities. As a business, we are driven by the determination to provide premium quality facilities and together with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, we will strive to offer the best services possible.”
The Kuantan Autohaus will be NZ Wheel Sdn Bhd’s fifth showroom and it is scheduled for completion in
September 2015
. It is located at Lot 5173 – 5178, Jalan Teluk Sisek, 25250 Kuantan, Pahang.
MBM also recently celebrated their
Pekan plant’s 10th anniversary
where they locally produce the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class models.


Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 gains leather seats and all-round monitor, Raya only

The Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 CKD that we all
know
 and
love
 has just gotten a few convenient upgrades in conjunction with Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s (MMM) Special Raya Promo.
Customers who book and register the 2.0-litre seven-seater 4WD SUV during this promotional period will gain additional factory fitted
 360-degree

all round monitor
 and
premium leatherette seats
 (fabric seats on standard variants) on top of its existing equipment list. That is not all, MMM will also throw in
RM4,000 Raya Bonus
 for both the Outlander 2.0 and
2.4
 variants during this period.
MMM has also expressed that the additional equipment on the Outlander 2.0 will
only be offered
 exclusively during this promotional period. If you’re keen on having a 360-degree camera and leather seats on your Outlander
without voiding your warranty
, now is your
only chance
.
For the pick-up truck shoppers, you will be pleased to know that the
Mitsubishi Triton VGT
 AT Premium comes with
RM12,000
 Raya Bonus while the Triton MT and Triton Quest are offered with
RM8,000
 Raya Bonus. The rest of the Triton line up will enjoy
RM4,000
 Raya Bonus. Like the Outlander, customers will have to book and register a new Triton within this promotional period.
Finally, customers who choose the Mitsubishi ASX 2WD or ASX 4WD will receive Raya Bonus up worth to RM8,000. Although, not as enticing as the
RM17,000 cash bonus
 offered earlier in the year.


Over 8 million outstanding summonses cleared, no plans to extend “discounts”

A total of
8.6 million
 outstanding traffic summonses were settled during the
“discount” period
 that was introduced from December 9th in conjunction with the “
100-Hari Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia
” (AKM) programme.
Originally planned to be only valid for four days, long queues formed at both the venue as well as at every state police headquarters nationwide, leaving the PRDM no choice but to
extend the deadline
 of the “discount” to the end of December.
In an interview with
Bernama
, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah said the offer received a very positive response from the public, considering that
12.2 million
 summonses were settled throughout 2021.
Even before the introduction of the Lancer EVO as the Helang Lebuhraya, the PDRM has quite a remarkable fleet of official vehicles. More here!
Tan Sri Acryl Sani responded with a strong ‘no’ when asked by Bernama if there will be another extension to the “discount” deadline. He said payment counters nationwide saw a reduction in crowds in the final days of December, thus indicating the majority of the offenders have paid up. Payments were also allowed through the
online portal
as well as via Maybank ATMs.
JPJ (Road Transport Department)
 also joined in with a similar “promotion” of up to 80% discount for all outstanding summonses for compoundable offences during the same period. These of course exclude cases that have already been referred to the courts (including those already with arrest warrants, or are currently undergoing trial).