Review: 2015 Range Rover Evoque Si4, future family ‘hatchback’? [+Video]

If Posh Spice were to give two thumbs up to a car that’s supposedly an introductory model to a brand with a range of other luxurious selection of SUVs, then you know something, at least somewhere, Land Rover got it right.
Enter the Range Rover Evoque. It has not only springboard Land Rover into new levels of desirability, but also brought the word “
crossover
” to unprecedented levels. Since its introduction in 2011, the “Range Rover” moniker, normally reserved for the elites, has become a more attainable name to many higher middle income households.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Si4
Engine
1,999cc; inline-4 turbo
Transmission
9-speed automatic
Max Power
238 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
340 Nm @ 1,750++ rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM430,000.00 (with GST)
The Evoque was launched in Malaysia in late 2011 and became an instant success in the luxury compact crossover segment. Go to affluent neighbourhoods such as Bangsar and you’ll know where home is for this Brit-bred crossover. In 2014, Land Rover updated the Evoque with new goodies, particularly a new
ZF-9HP automatic transmission
. This brings us to the one tested here, the
Si-4 Petrol 5-door
.
UPDATE: Earlier in January, Land Rover Malaysia unveiled minor updates for the Evoque, which consist of updated LEDs, rear lights and new rear spoiler. The review car here is based on the revised 2014 model.
EXTERIOR
While the Range Rover may look conventionally bulky, the Evoque’s striking lines and muscular shoulders have turned it into such a desirable four-wheeled metal, appealing more towards the younger demographics. The unit sampled here had Xenon lighting with LED DRLs at the front, LED tail lamps at the rear and sits on huge 20-inch wheels.
INTERIOR
The Evoque also benefits from Land Rover’s
Sports Command Driving Position
. The combination of high seating position makes driving a very safe and confidence inspiring task. Visibility is excellent as well, thanks to the slim pillars.
The Evoque deserves the “Range Rover” moniker it carries for a few reasons, and one of it is because of its cabin. Driver and occupants will be greeted with high quality leather seats and steering wheel. Just like Jaguar Land Rover’s current crop of vehicles, the gear knob will rise when the engine is fired up.

The Evoque’s interior party piece goes to the high-resolution

8.0-inch dual view touch screen
 at the front. This information system offers a myriad of options ranging from surround camera system, satellite navigation and as you’d expect – Bluetooth connectivity. The system also displays useful information when it comes to navigating off-road; complemented by Land Rover’s
 Terrain Response
 and
Hill Descent Control
.
While the Evoque scores highly in the aesthetics department, it does fall short a little when it comes to interior spaciousness. Front passengers will have no issues getting comfortable, but the same cannot be said for the rear bench. It can, at best, accommodate two adult-sized passengers comfortably. Three might prove to be a squeeze, but it shouldn’t be a problem if you’re not on a
Village Park nasi lemak-only
 diet.
Despite that, the Evoque offers a decent
575 litres of boot space
, which can expand up to 1,445 litres with the rear seats folded. If you have young children, you’ll be pleased to know that the Evoque comes with dual Isofix mounts and rear air-conditioning vents.
PERFORMANCE
Powering this Evoque is Ford’s trusty 238 hp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The engine is due to be replaced by Land Rover’s own Ingenium line of powertrains later this year, though. That’s not to say the Ford engine isn’t powerful, no, because it propels the Evoque from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds.
The distinctive feature of this facelifted Evoque is the ZF-sourced
nine-speedautomatic gearbox
. Despite having three additional cogs over its predecessor, this Evoque feels even smoother than the six-speeder of old, which led us into this brief moment of questioning the CVT’s existence. It also helps improve fuel economy and drivability as well.
THE DRIVE
While the Evoque exudes solidity and grace, it’s a completely different animal when pushed on B-roads. Throwing the Evoque around the bends proved to be a rather surprisingly fun affair, because none would think a car this tall and weighs four times heavier than The Big Show can deliver such composure. Body roll is well kept at bay, but none of this can be achieved without four core arms – Land Rover’s highly revered air suspension.
Cruising is also effortless despite being powered by just a 2.0-litre unit. It’s heavily reliant on turbocharging though, but the good news is peak torque kicks in from just 1,750 rpm, meaning you’ll have constant access to the engine’s full grunt. One downside to having so many gears within the transmission is it can be quite confusing and tedious when you fiddle with the paddle shifters to upshift or downshift. We recommend leaving it in D or S mode and let Mr. ZF do all shifting for you.
We can’t be sure which is the bigger crime here; deliberately taking the Evoque off-road or deliberately buying it without the slightest consideration of taking it off-road. Fret not, it’s our job to put that to the test, and we’re glad to report that the Evoque further deserves the “Range Rover” name it carries. First featured in the Discovery 3,
Terrain Response system
 allows the driver to adjust the car’s chassis and transmission depending the surface it travels.
Be it grass, gravel, snow, mud, sand, or rock, the system cleverly adjusts ride height, engine, transmission and electronic driving aids, allowing the car to overcome just about anything you throw in its path. It’s unfortunate that most Malaysian Evoque owners won’t even have the intention of ever using it. If there’s a parting advice to Evoque owners, be sure to acquaint yourself with this system because trust me, you never know when you need it.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
The Range Rover Evoque is the perfect example of a car that bridges both want and need. This premium compact crossover for what it’s worth, is already a standout proposition for potential buyers of this segment. However, I personally have a different opinion on this. The Evoque somehow feels like the family hatchback of the future. Think of this way; cars are getting safer, better and bigger over the years. The current Volkswagen Polo is slightly larger than the first generation Golf, but they’re both from two completely separate segments!
The Evoque gives me the impression that it could well be the go-to standard of the future’s C-Segment car. My gut feeling tells me that a family of four, 10 or 20 years from now may just travel around town in the 12th-gen Golf the size of an Evoque. But whether or not the car can fly is a completely different topic for another day.
COMPARISONS
There are plenty of alternatives from Germany and Japan that makes the premium compact segment a tight and competitive space. For this round of comparison, we put the Evoque up against the popular
Lexus NX200t
 and BMW X3.
Land Rover Evoque Si4
Lexus NX200
BMW X3 F25 LCI
ENGINE
Type
inline-4, turbo, DOHC
inline-4, turbo, DOHC
inline-4, turbo, DOHC
Displacement
cc
1,999cc
1,998cc
1,997cc
Max Power
hp/rpm
238/5,500
235/4,800
184/5,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
340/1,750
350/1,650-4,000
270/1,250-4,500
STEERING
Type
Electronic Power Steering
Electronic Power Steering
Electronic Power Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
9-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
SUSPENSION
Front
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut
Rear
Multi Link
Double Wishbones
Multi Link
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear
Solid Disc
Solid Disc
Solid Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyre
245/45 R20
225/65 R17
245/50 R18
Wheels
20-inch Alloy
17-inch Alloy
18-inch Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
4,365mm
4,630mm
4,648mm
Overall Width
mm
1,965mm
1,870mm
1,881mm
Overall Height
mm
1,635mm
1,630mm
1,675mm
Wheelbase
mm
2,660mm
2,660mm
2,810mm
Max Kerb Weight
kg
1,685 kg
1,860 kg
1,795 kg
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
Litres
575 litres
500 litres
550 litres
FUEL
Tank Capacity
Litres
68 litres
60 litres
67 litres
Consumption
litres per 100km
7.1 litres
7.7 litres
7.2 litres
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
217 km/h
200 km/h
210 km/h
0 to 100 km/h
sec
7.8
7.1
8.2
Price
RM
RM430,000.00 (including insurance)
RM309,900.00 (w/o Insurance & GST)
RM325,800.00 (w/o Insurance & GST)
WILL I BUY IT?
Well, I must admit, the Evoque is everything luxurious and capable both on and off road, and I fully understand why it makes for the more compelling choice of the lot. But if I were to fork out that sum for a crossover that suit my lifestyle, my money goes to the Lexus NX.
IMAGE GALLERY


The all-new 2022 Honda Civic Type R is finally coming on July 21

It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve now finally received confirmation that the highly-awaited all-new 2022 Honda Civic Type R will make its official debut on the 21st of July, or just about nine days from now. Save the date, JDM fanboys.
Although, of course, the all-new Civic Type R is unlikely to be anything too surprising now, given that
we’ve pretty much seen it (fully camouflaged, mind) from every conceivable angle possible
.

It’ll also follow the same basic formula that made the Civic Type R so successful over all these years, which means front-wheel drive, a six-speed manual, and an engine that has just enough power to be fun, but not anywhere near enough to make you wet your pants.
That being said, the upcoming 2022 Honda Civic Type R did actually already break a record, specifically the
FWD track record at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan
. So while it’s not a Mercedes-AMG A 45 S competitor, it’s definitely no slouch either.
The controversial tri-exit exhaust system remains…
Word on the street is that the all-new Civic Type R will be powered by an upgraded version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four from the current-gen FK8 model, which has
320 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque. That should mean a 0-100 km/h sprint time of under six seconds, onward to a top speed of over 270 km/h.
As for looks, the all-new 2022 Honda Civic Type R will again be based off of the latest-generation Civic hatchback. As usual, expect additional aerodynamic appendages and sportier design touches around the bumpers, and based on the first non-camouflaged teaser image provided by Honda, the Type R will also get a honeycomb mesh grille cover up front, as well as the usual Type R and red Honda emblem badgings on the exterior.


MINI John Cooper Works GP due soon, most hardcore limited-edition MINI

Works on the third-generation MINI John Cooper Works GP is well underway, according to a report by
Autocar UK
. Past two generations of the hardcore MINI have done exceedingly well and were both sold in limited numbers.
The previous JCW GP (commonly referred to as GP2) introduced in 2013 had its rear bench stripped out in favour of a thick strut brace. Other modifications include adjustable coil over suspension with unique geometry setup, six piston Brembo front callipers, Recaro sports seats and a slight increase in compression ratio for power gains. The GP2 was exclusively sold with a six-speed manual transmission, and just 2,000 units were ever made.
We can expect similar mods to the new JCW GP, but with much more power extracted from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder BMW engine. Although, the wait may take a little while…


Mitsubishi Triton Adventure X and Premium AT gets updated with new toys

Alongside the new
Triton Quest with 110 hp and 200 Nm
, Mitsubishi Motor Malaysia also brought out improved versions of the Triton VGT AT Premium and Adventure X.
For an extra RM2,700 at
RM137,900
, the
 Adventure X we reviewed recently
 gets a new all-round monitor with bird’s eye view, some decals on the side, a dashcam and solar/security tinting.
The VGT AT Premium on the other hand, gets leather seats, a much clearer reverse camera display, dashcam, new touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all for an extra RM2,400 – now priced at
RM121,000
.
Those eager to lay their hands on the improved Triton,
launched in Malaysia early this year
 with a
 first-in-class 4WD feature
and a
 new 6-speed gearbox
 with a
more refined interior
, are in luck.
Mitsubishi Motor Malaysia is
offering up to RM10,000
 cash rebates on all Mitsubishi models, or a 0.88% interest rate on selected Triton variants till 31st December 2019.
IMAGE GALLERY
Triton VGT Adventure X
Triton VGT Premium AT


Porsche confirms EV Cayenne, 7-seater ‘K1’ EV SUV also in the works

An EV

Porsche Cayenne
 has been confirmed by the Stuttgart carmaker, as part of its efforts to fully electrify 80% of its lineup by 2030. The announcement was made during the company’s annual press conference. At the conference,
Porsche
 also announced the development of an all-electric SUV positioned above the Cayenne.
Moving towards electrification, Porsche is set to make the all-electric Porsche Macan available by 2024. Images of the camouflaged Macan have been teased by Porsche, sporting a Taycan-like headlight setup. After the all-electric Macan, the All-electric 718 is planned for 2025.
The Porsche Cayenne is currently in its third generation and will see a comprehensive update this year, according to the company. The updates to the third-generation model include three further-developed plug-in hybrids with greater ranges. Thanks to a new chassis, there will also be an even wider breadth of abilities, balancing the on-road performance for which Porsche is famous, long-distance comfort and off-road capability.
The full electrification of the Cayenne will take place in its fourth generation, which will follow after the all-electric Macan and the all-electric 718. No further details have been revealed on the EV Porche Cayenne just yet.
Porsche is also planning to expand its portfolio with an all-electric SUV that is positioned above the Cayenne. According to Porsche, the new vehicle concept is designed to offer strong performance and automated driving functions with the typical Porsche flyline, along with a completely new experience inside the vehicle. It will be based on the SSP Sport platform developed by Porsche.
Porsche Chairman of the Executive, Oliver Blume said, “We are thereby underlining and strengthening our sporty luxury positioning. We are observing growing profit pools in this segment, in particular in China and the US.”
Porsche has also set itself ambitious sustainability targets. Within the scope of its strategy, the company is working towards a net carbon neutral value chain for its vehicles in 2030. This also includes a net carbon-neutral use phase for future BEV models (based on an assumed total mileage of 200,000 kilometres per vehicle). The EV Porsche Cayenne will debut after the all-electric 718.


Isuzu 3S Centre Ipoh gets new retail outlet design, first in the northern region

The Weng Fatt Otomobil

Isuzu

3S Centre in Ipoh has been revamped with the latest retail outlet design, now with a much more spacious and more modern interior. Located on Jalan Permaisuri Bainun, the revamped facility aims at offering visitors and owners a fresh and more comprehensive experience.
The newly relaunched 3S centre is built on a 29,000 sq. ft. plot and is the first outlet in the northern region to showcase the new brand identity and features a refreshed design with a larger showroom floor. With the management office located on the mezzanine floor, the Weng Fatt Isuzu 3S Centre has more space for display vehicles, new vehicle delivery bays, as well as a service reception and lounge.
At the opening ceremony of the new facility, Isuzu Malaysia Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Shunsuke Okazoe said, “The new Weng Fatt Otomobil Isuzu 3S Centre represents the new design for our retail outlets with new facilities and a fresh outlook aimed at creating a positive customer experience. I believe that customers seeking a brand-new Isuzu vehicle or current owners seeking professional attention for their current vehicle will find this new and spacious facility very much more inviting.”
The showroom is now more warmly-lit, offering a more inviting ambience while a new display area for Isuzu merchandise as well as for new vehicles allows customers more room to view and inspect the vehicle of their choice. A special ‘hero’ car display is included where the highlighted model is given prominence.
RELATED:
2023 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, Premium – Five areas where the new models stand out!
Commercial vehicle customers will find the new Weng Fatt Otomobil Isuzu 3S Centre particularly convenient as it not only offers a range of Isuzu trucks for sale, but the spacious service centre is also large enough to service four lorries simultaneously.
In conjunction with the opening ceremony, a convoy of 15 Isuzu D-Max pick-up trucks toured the city, highlighting

the newly-launched 2023 flagship X-Terrain
 model finished in the new Islay Gray Mica paintwork.
The opening ceremony of the new Weng Fatt Otomobil Isuzu 3S Centre also coincides with the latest Isuzu Test Drive Campaign that runs from 17th February 2023 to 31st March 2023. Besides merchandise giveaways, lucky visitors stand a chance to win RM888 loaded into their Touch & Go e-wallet based on terms and conditions.
RELATED:
Isuzu Malaysia’s new 3S Centre in KL pilots a new retail outlet design


Proton offers 1-year warranty for certified pre-owned cars, now underwritten by Allianz

To provide additional peace of mind for buyers of used Proton cars, the national carmaker will be offering a one-year extended warranty for all of its
Certified Pre-Owned (PCPO)
 cars sold via authorised Proton used car outlets.
While the extended-warranty programme is not exactly new, the warranty is now being underwritten by Allianz General Insurance. Under the programme, parts of the engine and transmission that are found to be defective under normal use for the
first 25,000 km or 12 months
 will be repaired or replaced by the warranty provider.
“Proton would like to welcome Allianz as our insurance partner in our effort to provide added assurance to our customers,” said Proton Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Roslan Abdullah. “With the extended warranty, owners of PCPO vehicles are protected from unexpected costs due to mechanical failure for engine and transmission parts.
In addition to the extended warranty programme, all cars sold under the PCPO programme have also underwent a thorough 201-point inspection, and are guaranteed to be free from any flood or major accident damage. Customers are also entitled to a one-time free basic service after six months from the date of purchase.
Since its inception in 2019, Proton’s Used Car Management (UCM) arm has introduced operating procedures and provided training for used car inspectors to manage transactions at each outlet, ensuring that the services provided are in line with the expectations set by the brand. Currently, the company has 36 outlets in the country that retail PCPO vehicles.
Recently, the company also unveiled a
dedicated Proton used car website
 (linked
here
), allowing tech-savvy buyers to view available stocks without walking into the showroom, or even get an estimated market price if they wish to trade in their used Proton vehicles.


The Hyundai for Marvel geeks is here – the Kona Iron Man edition

Hyundai Motor has unveiled a special edition Iron Man-inspired Kona SUV that features both exterior and interior design elements that resembles the Iron Man suit and will be available to customers in limited numbers.
On the outside, the Kona Iron Man Edition has a unique front-lighting signature, including a custom daytime running light fixture that closely resembles the mask and eye shape of the Iron Man suit. It’s immediately recognisable and is one of the key design inspirations for the Kona.
Other Iron Man inspired features include the superhero’s mask motif on the roof, a unique V-shaped hood garnish, Iron Man mask badging on the front bonnet, Stark Industries lower fascia and rear door decals, Iron Man-engraved headlamps, custom 18-inch alloy wheels with Iron Man mask center caps, an Iron Man engraving for the D-pillars, and a dark chrome front grille. The exterior color is an exclusive Iron Man red with matte gray.
Inside, Tony Stark’s signature adorns the instrument panel alongside a unique Iron Man shift knob, a special Heads-Up Display and center stack featuring Iron Man visual graphics topped off with a custom seat design.
The Kona Iron Man Edition is the latest product from the collaboration between Marvel and Hyundai. Production is scheduled to begin in December, with the first units available in the first quarter of 2019. For more details, visit KonaIronManEdition.com.
This summer, the all-new 2019 Veloster Turbo will appear in Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp.
IMAGE GALLERY


2023 BMW iX1 xDrive30 launched in Malaysia, RM286k – 440km range

BMW Malaysia
 has just launched the
BMW iX1
 xDrive30
 at
Malaysia Autoshow 2023
, fetching a price of
RM285,800
. Available as a single variant only, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 is a new electric vehicle (EV) in the premium compact segment.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
Based on the all-new 3rd-generation BMW X1, the iX1 measures 4,500 mm long, 1,845 mm wide, and 1,616 mm tall. Its wheelbase measures 2,692 mm long. It is essentially 26 mm lower than its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart (the X1 xDrive23i). The lower height is attributed to its lower ground clearance of 170 mm as opposed to the X1’s 205-mm ground clearance. If you’re wondering, the iX1 rivals the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQA and the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric.
On the outside, the Malaysian-spec BMW iX1 features the following as standard:
Adaptive LED headlights with high-beam assistant
Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)
3D full LED taillights in a stylized L shape
Flush door handles
Welcome lights with illuminated vehicle environment
Front apron with air intake trims
Automatic tailgate operation
M Sport exterior
Chrome kidney grille surround
Kidney grille front slats in satinated aluminium
Distinctive design onside sills, wheel arch trims, and front and rear apron
M high-gloss Shadowline
M designation on both sides
19-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-spoke style 871M bicolour
BMW Digital Key Plus
Powering the car is a dual-motor setup that makes a combined output of
313 hp
 and
494 Nm
. Both the motors on the front and rear axles are identical permanent magnet synchronous motors which BMW refers to as Electrically Excited Synchronous Motors (EESM).
Naturally, the dual-motor setup provides an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This accelerates the iX1 xDrive30 from 0 to 100 km/h in
5.6 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
180 km/h
.
As for battery and range, the iX1 xDrive30 is equipped with a 64.7-kWh battery pack and this provides a total electric range of 440 km (WLTP). Charging can be done at a maximum rate of
11 kW
 with AC charging and
130 kW
 with DC charging. 11-kW AC charging brings the state of charge (SOC) from 0 to 100% in
6.5 hours
. 130-kW DC charging brings the SOC from 10% to 80% in
29 minutes
.
A summary of the BMW iX1 xDrive30’s electric drive system and handling-related specifications would be as such:
Drivetrain: Dual-motor AWD
Combined power output:
313 hp
Total torque:
494 Nm
0-100 km/h:
5.6 seconds
Top speed:
180 km/h
Battery:
64.7 kWh
Range (WLTP):
440 km
Suspension: Adaptive M Suspension
Following the i4 and the iX, the iX1 also features the modern BMW Curved Display on the inside. It is a combination of a 10.25-inch and a 10.7-inch display with the former dedicated as a digital instrument cluster and the latter dedicated as a central head unit. The iX1 runs the latest BMW operating system 8 and is fitted with BMW Live Cokpit Professional as standard.
A summary of the standard interior equipment of the BMW iX1 xDrive 30 for Malaysia is as such:
10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
10.7-inch central head unit with BMW Operating System 8
Apple CarPlay and Android auto connectivity
Wireless charging tray
BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Augmented view
M Leather steering wheel with multi-control function
Sport Boost shift paddle
M Headliner
Sport Seats for driver and front passenger with electric adjustment (memory function for driver)
Mirror Package
BMW IconicSounds Electric
BMW Heads-Up Display
Harman Kardon Hi-Fi loudspeaker system
Dual-zone climate control
490-litre boot space (1,495 litres with rear seats down)
In the safety department, the BMW iX1 is equipped with:
Driver Assistant Plus
Parking Assistant Plus
Hill Start Assist
Speed Limiter
Attentiveness Assistant
Lane Departure Warning with active steering intervention
Front collision warning
Left turn warning
Speed Limit Info
Evasion Assistant
Tyre Pressure indicator
Priced at RM285,800, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 comes with the complete BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership Experience. This includes:
BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme
BMW 8-Year / 160,000 km Battery Warranty (whichever comes first)
BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline
The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card
BMW Service Online
GALLERY


Proton says they’ve got your back during this Raya festive season

The madness on most our major highways have begun for the upcoming Raya celebrations and in anticipation of any potential mishaps, Proton will have in place a total of 36 Proton Mobile Assist teams around the nation to assist you.
“Since 1996, our Proton Mobile Assist teams have been providing road-side and trouble-shooting assistance to all Proton owners and like a good friend, it is there 24-hours/7-days-week via the
Call Centre toll free number 1800-888-398
,” said Abdul Rashid Musa, Chief Executive Officer, PROTON Edar Sdn Bhd.
Towing services, especially in an accident, will be provided by Multi Automotive Service and Assist (MASA) as Proton’s appointed vendor.
If your car is still under warranty, the service is free of charge. If your Proton’s warranty has expired, you’ll only be charged a
minimal fee of RM31.80
 for such service.
Trust us to be there for you during this Hari Raya festivities,” Rashid added.


2014 F25 BMW X3 LCI now in Malaysia, price from RM329k [+Video]

The F25 BMW X3 has been around for more than a year here in Malaysia and yet, here’s a refreshed
F25 BMW X3 LCI
 being introduced by
BMW Group Malaysia
. With the growing demand which led BMW Group Malaysia to assemble the X3 in
Kulim, Kedah
 since January last year more than 500 units of the pre-facelifted X3 have found homes in this country.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW X3 LCI xDrive20i
BMW X3 LCI xDrive20d
Segment
Compact SAV
Compact SAV
Engine
1,997cc 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol
1,995cc 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,000–6,250 rpm
190 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Max Torque
270 Nm @ 1,250–4,500 rpm
400 Nm @ 1,750–2,500 rpm
Price
RM 328,800.00
RM 348,800.00

As the middle child of BMW’s X-family range of
Sports Activity Vehicle
 (SAV), BMW Group Malaysia offers the X3 in two variants, the
petrol xDrive20i
 and the
diesel xDrive20d
. The
Life Cycle Impulse
 (LCI) changes are mild but just enough to keep the X3 up-to-date against its rivals.
EXTERIOR
Externally the easiest way you can spot the X3 LCI is from the front. There’s a new nose with headlights that are now merged to the kidney grilles and a more aerodynamic bumper. The signal light that used to reside on the front fender has migrated to the side mirror too.

The X3 LCI comes standard with the
xLine package
 that features matt aluminium strips in the bumpers all around. Both xDrive20i and xDrive20d rides on
18-inch light alloy wheels
 but each variant comes with its own design. A set of Y-spoke wheels are fitted to the former while the latter gets double-spoke wheels.
INTERIOR
The xLine package continues on the inside. It includes the stainless-steel loading sill protectors, and xLine-specific leather upholstery with decorative seams and embossed xLine wordmark. A choice of Leather Nevada Mocha or Leather Nevada Black can be specified on both X3.

Both variants get multi-function
sports steering
 wheel with
shift paddles
 and the new
 iDrive Touch Controller
 is now featured as well. There’s an
xDrive status display
 for compass, body roll and pitch, and
Navigation System Professional
 that also feeds data to the transmission control unit for a pre-programmed gearbox shift patters based on the road conditions ahead.
Specifically designed for the xDrive20d, a
new acoustic package
 is installed to reduce exterior noise from entering the cabin. The xDrive20d also gets more toys, including the
Panorama Glass Roof
 and a
reverse camera
.
PERFORMANCE
The
 xDrive20i
 retains the
2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol
 mill from the pre-facelifted X3, which produces
 184 hp
 and
 270 Nm
 of torque. The
 xDrive20d
 however features the latest
2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel
 mill which generates
 190 hp
 and
400 Nm
 of torque.
Both are fitted with the favourite
8-speed automatic
 with
ECO PRO mode
 with
coasting function
 that decouples the drivetrain from the engine at speeds between 50 to 160 km/h when the driver steps off the throttle, reducing the fuel consumption.
The xDrive20i clocks a
0-100 km/h
 time in
8.2 seconds
 while the xDrive20d is 0.1 seconds faster at
 8.1 seconds
. Fuel consumption is rated at
7.2 l/100 km
 for the xDrive20i and
5.2 l/100 km
 for the  xDrive20d.
WHAT ELSE?
The xDrive20i and xDrive20d come in Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Mineral Grey, but another two colours are reserved only for the the xDrive20i, Space Grey and Sparkling Brown. The xDrive20i is priced at
RM 328,800.00
, the xDrive20d is priced at
 RM 348,800.00
, and both comes with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI). Both will be available in showrooms from 23rd August onwards.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Proton expands Certified Pre-Owned operations, 36 outlets by 2021

With the used car market growing significantly in recent times (100% in just the first six months of 2020, according to MAA), it’s not unusual to see
car brands
 jumping into the
used car segment
 themselves. Not looking to miss out on the opportunity, Proton has now announced its plans to expanding its own Used Car Management (UCM) network, along with the Proton Certified Pre-Owned (PCPO) operations.
The UCM network was first started last year as a pilot project with eight outlets to establish operating procedures and to train used car inspectors who would manage transactions in each outlet. In 2020, the company aims to expand the network to
36 3S and 4S centres nationwide.
Unlike a more conventional pre-owned cars programme, Proton’s UCM is designed to “support new car sales and to improve the resale value of Proton cars”, essentially helping customers to dispose of their older Proton vehicles by trading it in for a newer model.
Proton aims for this process, called “replacement sales”, to eventually account for a minimum of
10% of the volume
 for outlets with UCM operations. To help achieve that target, the national carmaker has also established programmes such as Proton Xchange to incentivise customers.
At the same time, the company is also able to essentially dictate the resale value of the older Proton models by setting the prices when they are put back on sale on its UCM platform. These vehicles, sold under the Proton Certified Pre-Owned banner, will all undergo a comprehensive
201-point inspection
, and are guaranteed to have
never suffered any flood or major accident structural damage
.
Additionally, they will also receive a
one-year extended warranty
 which covers the engine and transmission, and are eligible for a
one-time free service
 (engine oil and oil filter only), up to 6 months after their registration date.
The company says that it will also set up a
dedicated online sales platform
 for its UCM operations to attract tech-savvy used car buyers. Proton Head of UCM, Brian Cheah adds, “Potential customers will be able to view our stock remotely and they can also browse the website to get estimated valuations for their current cars.”


2023 Perodua Axia revealed in camouflage – 3,591 bookings made, from RM38k to RM49k

Here it is everyone, the first images of the
all-new Perodua Axia
 in camouflage with the official launch due to take place on February 14. To recap, the Axia is built on the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform with four variants available – G, X, SE and AV.
Tentative prices are
RM38,600
 for the G,
RM40,000
 for the X,
RM44,000
 for the SE and
RM49,500
 for the AV variant. According to Perodua, a total of 3,591 bookings have already been received for the new Axia. All variants will be powered by the carried-over 1.0-litre three-cylinder 1KR-VE VVT-i engine with 67 hp and 91 Nm.
New here is the Dual-mode CVT (D-CVT) gearbox replacing the four-speed automatic gearbox from before. The new Axia’s fuel consumption is rated at 27.4 km/L. The top two variants – SE and AV – comes with the ‘Eco Idle’ auto stop-start and Power Mode Drive features. The latter is positioned on the steering wheel, just like the Ativa.
On the outside, LED headlamps are available from the X variant onwards, while LED daytime running lights are offered in the top two SE and AV variants. The SE and AV variants also come with auto retractable side mirrors while the rest are electric-controlled units. Colour options include a new Coral Blue colour, Granite Grey, Lava Red, Glittering Silver, and Ivory White.
Moving inside, only the top-end AV variant gets two-tone semi-leather seats while the rest come with fabric seats. The same goes to the 9-inch touchscreen and the 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster as well, that’s exclusive only to the AV variant.
The Axia also gets significant upgrades on the safety front with the range-topping AV variant now fitted with six airbags – front, side and curtain. ABS, traction control, and vehicle stability control systems are standard across the board.
GALLERY


Mitsubishi Pajero facelift introduced in Malaysia, priced at RM291k

Mitsubishi, through their official Malaysian distributor Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) have introduced their updated flagship SUV, the Pajero. Priced at
RM291,177.50
 (OTR without insurance), the Pajero’s interior and exterior have been retouched, and gets additional safety features.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Mitsubishi Pajero
Segment
SUV
Engine
3,828cc; V8, MIVEC, Multi Point Injection
Transmission
5-speed INVECS-II automatic with manual Sport Mode
Max Power
247 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque
329 Nm @ 2,750 rpm
Price
RM291,177.50 (OTR without insurance)

On the outside, this Pajero receives a new front bumper design which houses the larger grille, while LED daytime running lights are now found next to the chrome-accented fog lamps. At the back, the iconic spare tyre cover and license plate garnish have both been slightly redesigned.

Inside, the dashboard sports a new wood print layout and metallic trim finish. Steering wheel is now wrapped in leather, driver’s seat is electrically powered, rear air-conditioning with temperature control and a 9-inch rear entertainment system with two wireless headphones as standard.
Underneath the hood beats a
 3.8-litre V6 MIVEC
 (Mitsubishi’s Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) engine that produces
247 hp
 @ 6,000 rpm and
 329 Nm
 of torque at 2,750 rpm, paired to the INVECS-II
 five-speed
 automatic transmission with manual Sport Mode.

As we have all come to know of the Pajero, it gets the company’s Super Select AWD System that gives you
four driving selection modes
. Complementing the system is Mitsubishi’s Active Stability and Traction Control systems that automatically adjusts brake and engine output when needed. It comes with
six airbags
 – front, side and curtain airbags.
The
fully imported
 SUV carries a price tag of RM291,177.50 and a three-year or 100,000 km warranty. It can be had in three colours, which are Warm White Mica, Eiger Grey Metallic and Cool Silver Metallic.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda HR-V RS now available with new dark brown leather interior option

Honda Malaysia today announced the addition of a new dark brown leather interior upholstery option for the
HR-V RS
 variant, in addition to the existing black leather. Customers can choose between the two leather options at
no extra cost.
Just like the black leather option, the new leather upholstery is applied to the centre console, dash board panel, seats, as well as door panel linings. Aside from the new swanky interior colour though, the HR-V RS remains entirely identical as before.
That means underneath the hood of the Honda HR-V RS is the 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine, paired to a CVT gearbox to send
142 hp
 and
172 Nm
 to the front wheels. The HR-V RS also gets a variant-exclusive Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) steering rack which left us a good impression
during our first drive.
Other standard equipment on the HR-V RS include 18-inch dual tone alloys, RS-specific black body kit, reverse camera, 8-way powered driver seat, Honda LaneWatch camera, paddle shifters, 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist and Hill Start Assist.
You might recall that the Honda HR-V RS was
initially launched with an Ivory White leather interior
. However, the flashy interior option did not bode well with Malaysians, prompting Honda Malaysia to
replace it with a full-black leather upholstery
.
The Honda HR-V RS with the new dark brown leather interior is now available for order at all Honda dealerships nationwide, priced at
RM124,800
 – which is exactly the same as before. Three exterior colours are available on the HR-V RS – Passion Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl.


Toyota UK shows off the new C-HR “Design” edition

Nothing can make the C-HR stand out more than it already has; unless its covered in a pink chrome wrap or doused in a loud and bold paint job.
With the newly-introduced C-HR “Design” Edition in the UK, it’s the latter. On the outside, the “Design” edition sports a vibrant Cyan Blue paint work that’s a few shades brighter than the Blue Metallic/Black combination we have locally, 18-inch matte black alloy wheels along with a host of customisations including contrast colours for the side sills, front bumper inserts, lower boot trim, fog light surrounds and door mirror covers.
The “Design” edition is also offered with rear privacy glass, entry illumination, ambient lighting and auto-folding heated door mirrors with integrated turn indicators. Optional extras include a premium JBL sound system and leather upholstery.
Unlike the sole 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated engine option available in Malaysia, the C-HR is available with a 1.8-litre hybrid electric powertrain or with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the UK.
The turbocharged model comes with either a 6-speed manual transmission to drive the front wheels or a CVT gearbox with all-wheel drive. Prices for the C-HR starts from £21,880 (approx RM115k).


BMW X4 F26 and G02 side by side, same same but different? [+Video]

In typical BMW fashion, the Bavarian giant has released a comparison video between the first-generation F26 BMW X4 F26 and the all-new second-gen G02 X4, detailing the exterior and interior design language difference between the two.
Pictures usually never paint the whole picture especially when the designers took an evolutionary step instead of a revolutionary one. With the two cars side by side, we can clearly see the styling differences (read, improvements) of the new car over its predecessor.
The most drastic change happens at the rear end with the new sleeker taillamp design and a more coupe-like roofline from the C-pillar onwards. There are also lesser and much cleaner lines on the rear end compared to its predecessor. With the car side by side, the larger kidney grille immediately becomes more pronounced and impactful and thank Heavens that BMW has done away with the awkwardly positioned front fog lamps.
The interior is noticeably higher tech with the new LCD instrument cluster, larger infotainment screen and a minimalistic centre console. Perhaps the only thing we will miss are the leaner M Sport steering wheel design of the old car.
Considering that BMW Malaysia introduced the X2 to the local market and the availability of the previous-gen X4, the launch of the new X4 would then only be a matter of time.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW X4 F26 vs G02

G02 BMW X4 Debut


Your Proton X50 could make up to 200 hp and 300 Nm with RaceChip!

The
Proton X50
 was
recently launched with four variants available
 – Standard, Executive, Premium and Flagship – with prices starting from RM79,200 all the way to RM103,300 for the range-topping Flagship model.
It should be well known by now that the Flagship variant makes more power than the three variants below it. While it shares essentially the same 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine as the Standard, Executive, and Premium models, it makes more at
177 hp
and
255 Nm
 compared to 150 hp and 226 Nm in the lower three.
There’s no doubt that either output packages will get you through traffic and the open road adequately. However, to the minority, the performance nutjobs, who crave for more out of their turbocharged engines, you might want to check out this new product by RaceChip Malaysia.
There are three packages available:
GTS
 – RM3795
RS
 – RM2795
S
 – RM1795
The local distributors for the German aftermarket brand has claimed that it’s possible to gain up to 20% increase in horsepower and torque with the GTS package simply by hooking up their module on to the car. Basically, it collects the readings from the engine sensor and sends a signal to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), allowing it to free up more power.
In the case of the GTS module, there are up to seven different tunings available for the X50. These different setups can be controlled from the module placed inside the engine bay.
According to
RaceChip’s Facebook post
, its module is 100% plug-and-play with no need for messy wire patching or alterations to the X50’s Engine Control Unit (ECU). They also claimed that there’s no need to worry about the factory warranty but best be vigilant and check with your local Proton dealer first before you go ahead with such a modification.


Perodua continues healthcare CSR initiative – equipment worth RM151k contributed to two hospitals

As part of its continuous corporate social responsibility initiative, national carmaker
Perodua
has recently – once again – contributed goods and equipment worth a total of RM151,000 to two public hospitals, in an effort to further enhance the public healthcare system.
These items, delivered to Hospital Kuala Kubu Bharu and Hospital Selayang, include diagnostic equipment, rehabilitation equipment, patient care equipment, dialysis machine, as well as hampers for the patients and front liners. The contribution was presented by Perodua Sales Chief Operating Officer, JH Rozman Jaafar, to the hospital management, and witnessed by the medical officers and its staff.
Commenting on the initiative, Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “Our intention is to assist institutions that give the greatest benefit to all Malaysians, such as government hospitals which are available to all.”
Perodua has contributed medical and health equipment to public hospitals all over the country as part of its CSR initiative. These include the Sarawak General Hospital, Selayang hospital, Sungai Buloh Hospital, Sabah Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Likas, Shah Alam Hospital, Chancellor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital, Ampang Hospital, Putrajaya Hospital and several community clinics in the Hulu Selangor district.
RELATED:
 Perodua lends a helping hand to Hospital Sg. Buloh with medical supplies
“We believe that in order to make a difference, we need to be consistent in our efforts, we are proud to assist those who work tirelessly in serving the nation. We will continue to work with such bodies in the future as we believe that this is the best way for us to give back to the support that has been shown to us,” Dato’ Sri Zainal added.


Review: MINI 5 Door Cooper S, going the mainstream way

MINI likes to do its own ways of thinking. When people asked them for a five-door MINI, they gave us the R55 Clubman and the R60 Countryman. Of course they have five doors but both are not regular MINIs. The former has extra doors where you don’t really need them while the latter is not a mini MINI but a crossover MINI. While we appreciate their sense of humour, it took them a few generations of the new MINI to finally introduce a proper MINI 5 door. Now that wasn’t so hard was it, MINI?
Based on the versatile
UKL platform
 that underpins the compact family of cars from BMW Group such as the
MINI 3 Door
 and the
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
, the MINI 5 door adopts a conventional five door layout like on any other regular five door hatchback. By adding a couple of extra doors, MINI has literally opened its doors to a wider market who previously thought they could never own a more practical MINI other than the monstrosity called the
Countryman
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
MINI 5 Door Cooper S

Segment
B-segment hatchback
Engine
1,998cc; inline-four cylinder, turbocharged
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
192 hp @ 4,700 rpm
Max Torque
280 Nm @ 1,250 rpm
Price
RM236,888.00
The MINI 5 Door was revealed in 2014 and
launched in Malaysia
 at the end of that year, and the 5 Door range mimics the lesser-doored sibling, which consists of the mild Cooper the hot Cooper S featuring a couple of new modular
TwinPower Turbo
 engines from BMW. Although the hotter
John Cooper Works
 (JCW) variant is yet to be offered for the MINI 5 Door here in Malaysia. Prices start from
RM189k
 for the
5 Door Cooper
 and from
RM237k
 for the
5 Door Cooper S
.
The
3 Door Cooper
 we sampled not long ago with its 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo was a delight. Undeterred by the fact that it’s not a fast hatch, the whole package makes for a fun little car to be driven hard. It’s no surprise we were also keen to try the turbo triple in the 5 Door, whether that engine in the heavier 5 Door would be enough to deliver the same amount of fun, if not less. Instead, we were granted the MINI 5 Door in the
Cooper S
 variant with 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque. Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers.
EXTERIOR
While the original MINI 3 Door looks every bit as cheeky as it can be, the MINI 5 door is like a portlier twin to the MINI 3 door. Yet, to our eyes it’s far more palatable than the oversized Countryman. It’s instantly recognisable with that familiar mug from the MINI 3 Door, because the face is exactly the same on both cars. Likewise the back end with those comically oversized tail lights.

Although keen eyes will spot the slightly more contoured tailgate that’s also missing a roof spoiler, everything else is identical down to the chromed exhaust tips. Since our car is the Cooper S, it gets a set of busier front and rear bumpers,
LED front lights
, a dummy
bonnet scoop
, and pair of
center-exit tailpipes
.
It would be too predictable for MINI to extend the 3 Door and chuck in a couple of extra doors at the back. Therefore, apart from the
extra 72 mm
 in the wheelbase and two additional entry points at the back, MINI designers also gave the 5 Door a more sloping rear window, bestowing the car with a distinct side profile. Yours truly wasn’t sold on the rather awkward silhouette upon the first encounter, but the shape grows on me the more I see it.

The glitzy
17-inch “Roulette” wheels
 look attractive on the 5 Door, although we think there are better designs out there that better suits the car. Our car looks electrifying in
Electric Blue
, which is the halo colour for the 5 Door, and as usual you can have the roof, side mirror caps, and bonnet stripes in either black or white.
INTERIOR
If you’re a critical person, you may be displeased upon opening the doors because the MINI 5 Door doesn’t retain the sexy frameless windows from the 3 Door. However it does retain the chic interior, so go ahead and make yourself comfortable in the driver’s seat and close the door. The solid interior builds on the modern-retro fusion theme, presenting eye catching details such as the funky switchgear on the center panel, the pulsating starter toggle ahead of the gearknob, as well as the driving mode selector around the base of the gear lever.

The adjustments for the leather wrapped seats and steering wheel are still done manually, but it’s easy to obtain your desired driving position. The front sports seats feel great and holds you in place quite snugly. Besides, not only the base go really low and slide ridiculously far back to accommodate the tallest of basketball players, the backrest recline to an almost flat angle too. Perfect for a quick nap after a long drive.
The cabin’s highlight has to be the circular center panel. A
6.5-inch screen
 sits on top of a bar of controls for the audio system, and they are surrounded by a hypnotic glowing tube that changes colour depending on the settings you will find inside the menu. The screen is controlled by MINI’s interpretation of the iDrive controller, but it’s located down below next to the handbrake lever, which can make your left arm quite uncomfortable when you’re operating it while on the move. A center arm rest isn’t even included as standard. Come on MINI! Are you kidding me?

As we digress, the best thing about having the rear doors is you no longer need to tumble the front seats forward to get to the back seats. The opening is not particularly huge and for that reason the access to the rear is still rather tight, but it’s definitely much easier than before. Headroom is fine and you also get a wee bit more of leg room compared to the 3 Door. You can squeeze in three passengers in the back, but expect to see grumpy faces in your rear view mirror over long journeys.
There are a total of
six airbags
 but only three cupholders in the entire cabin, and with the low surrounding base to hold your drink in place you wouldn’t want to put your hot latte in there during your spirited driving for the risk of spilling. Tiny storage spaces are available for you to stash your knick knacks such as the dual glovebox, door pockets, and the netting near the front passenger’s foot well, but you will struggle to find anywhere to store your bigger items other than the boot.
The boot is bigger than the 3 Door by 67 litres, giving a total of
278 litres
 which is now comparable to its peers in its segment, and MINI provides flexible storage options such as the
adjustable boot floor
 and the 60/40 split folding rear seat backrests that’s also equipped with
ISOFIX mounts
. Additional compartment can be found under the boot floor, as the runflat-equipped MINI eliminates the need of a spare wheel.
PERFORMANCE
Whereas the Cooper gets a downsized turbocharged engine with one cylinder less, the Cooper S receives its biggest engine ever. Replacing the turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder “prince” engine is a
2.0-litre 4-cylinder
 with BMW’s famed
TwinPower Turbo
 technology, leaving very little space left in the compact engine bay. The new engine pumps out 8 hp and 40 Nm more than what the prince can whip out, delivering a total of
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
 to the front wheels via the
6-speed automatic
 gearbox.
With that kind of hardware the 5 Door Cooper S clocks the century sprint 0.1 seconds slower than the 3 Door Cooper S, at
6.8 seconds
. Keep going past the 100 km/h mark and the Cooper S will top out at
230 km/h
 on the speedometer, but obviously you won’t be able to get the claimed combined fuel consumption of
5.5 l/100 km
 if you keep your right foot planted all the time.
THE DRIVE
The powerplant under that clamshell bonnet proved to be a sizzling one. In Sports mode it makes all the right noises with the obligatory burps, pops, and crackles when pushed, and most of the time you won’t be left wanting for more power. BMW really nailed it with their TwinPower Turbo thingamajig. It pulls cleanly with no lag and delivers a bucketload of mid range poke making it a cinch to overtake slower vehicles.
You rarely need to play with the shift paddles behind the steering wheel, because oftentimes the Aisin six-speeder knows which gear to be in based on your ankle angle over the floor-hinged throttle pedal. The shifts are not as quick as a dual clutch gearbox, but at least it’s smooth and more importantly it’s jerk-free in crawling traffic.
However, unlike the Cooper 3 Door we drove last year, the steering on our test car sometimes feel a little slow to react before it weighs up, and this usually happens when driving around in low to mid speed. But once everything clicks, it’s a joy taking on tight and twisty roads. The brakes provided are proportionate to the performance too, resisting fade really well after multiple usage.
You will also appreciate the 5 Door’s exemplary body control. The longer wheelbase contributes to the better handling compared to the 3 Door; it’s less nervous on the limit although it’s no less agile than the shorter sibling. The suspension is definitely tuned for back roads blasting because there’s barely any body roll to speak of. On the other hand, the firm suspension setup may be a drawback when you’re traveling on undulating roads but it’s never too stiff to make it uncomfortable.
Out of the three driving modes,
Sports mode
 possesses that magical power to bring out the inner-child in you, cajoling you to go for a drive not because you want to get to places, but simply because it’s a fun thing to do. Nevertheless, under normal circumstances
Mid mode
 would suffice. After all, it is the default mode every time you turn on the MINI. Gearchange occurs sooner than in Sports mode, and the throttle response is more subdued in Mid mode. You will still make good progress around town thanks to dollops of torque on tap, allowing you to dart in and out of traffic without hesitation.
The fact that the new MINI has grown in size over its predecessors, the 5 Door still occupies a tiny footprint, meaning it’s a highly maneuverable car in town. With wheels placed at each corner you shouldn’t have any problem navigating narrow lanes. Parking is also a piece of cake, and the front and rear sensors are the icing on the cake.
The last of the three driving modes is the
Green mode
. This final driving mode is best left alone, unless you’re running really low on fuel. We really don’t see the point driving a Cooper S in Green mode when everything is held back and dulled down. You should be driving a
Mitsubishi Attrage
 instead.
IS THIS CAR FOR YOU?
If you always wanted the MINI but the missus dismissed it for being too cramped, this car is the answer that you’ve been waiting for. Both of you will appreciate the increased practicalities over the 3 Door, especially when it’s less of a hassle when you’re trying to install a child seat in the back. Although we foresee an issue might arise on who gets to drive it, so good luck fighting for the keys to the MINI.
Furthermore, in this Cooper S form it’s a formidable choice to those who are seeking hot hatch thrills. On weekdays it will behave like a normal city runabout, but on weekends you just flick the driving mode to Sport and you’re all set to tackle your favourite B-road with gusto.
COMPARISONS
Like its looks, the positioning of the MINI Cooper S 5 Door is a bit weird. It’s a B-segment hatch with a C-segment heart and price. It’s certainly the most expensive in its category, costing an eye-watering RM70k more than the next expensive hot hatch, the
Renault Clio RS 200
. There’s also the
Volkswagen Polo GTI
, but the latest incarnation is not yet available in Malaysia, so we have to leave that one out for this moment.
Even though both cars offer almost identical performance figures, each are targeted at different clientele. Both are brisk performers, but it all boils down to your preferences. You can’t really substitute each car with each other, but it shows that how different approach were taken by these two manufacturers to come up with an entertaining hot hatch.
MINI 5 Door Cooper S
Renault Clio RS 200 EDC
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder petrol, turbocharged
4-cylinder petrol, turbocharged
Displacement
cc
1,998
1,618
Max Power
hp/rpm
192/4,700
200/6,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
280/1,250
240/1,750
STEERING
Type
Electric Power-Steering
Electric Power-Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-speed automatic
6-speed dual-clutch
SUSPENSION
Type
MacPherson Strut / Multi-Link
MacPherson Strut / Torsion Beam
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Solid disc
Solid disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
205/45 R17
205/45 R17
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
Overall Length
mm
4,005
4,090
Overall Width
mm
1,727
1,732
Overall Height
mm
1,425
1,448
Wheelbase
mm
2,567
2,589
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,295
1,218
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
278
300
FUEL
Tank Capacity
44
45
Consumption
5.5l/100 km
N/A
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
230
230
0 – 100km/h
sec
6.8
6.7
PRICE
 (without insurance)
RM
236,888.00
168,270.00
WILL I BUY IT?
It’s not the question of need but it’s the question of want. Most people don’t actually need the MINI 5 Door but for a car that just radiates coolness you can’t help but want one. Gladly, it’s not all about style, the MINI delivers the goods when it comes to driving enjoyment. For a car that made me giggle every time I get behind the wheel like a 10 year old kid who was given a huge serving of ice cream, I say this car deserves a spot in my garage.
IMAGE GALLERY


Chery Omoda 5 open for pre-booking in Indonesia – cheaper than the Honda HR-V!

Chery has opened the order books to the
Omoda 5
crossover in Indonesia, at the currently ongoing Indonesia International Motor Show 2023 (IIMS 2023). Offered in two variants, the Chery Omoda 5 is estimated to be priced from just IDR328 million (approx. RM96k) in the Archipelago, placing it below the starting price of a
Honda HR-V
!
Both of those variants will be powered by the same 1.5-litre ‘TCI’ turbocharged inline-four engine, making
147 hp
and
230 Nm
. The engine is paired to a CVT gearbox to send drive to the front wheels.
Back when Chery made its
 first official preview in Malaysia
, the company mentioned that the Omoda 5 will also be offered with a 1.6-litre turbocharged mill here in our markets. However, it seems that this option will not be available in Indonesia. Furthermore, the stated horsepower figure is also curiously lower than the outputs from the same mill in China (154 hp).
In terms of equipment, the Chery Omoda 5 in Indonesia comes as standard with fully-LED lighting on the outside across both variants, alongside a set of 18-inch wheels, and the dual 10.25-inch displays on the inside for the infotainment display and digital instrument cluster – the former featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Dual-zone climate control, wireless charging pad, and the funky ambient lighting system on the dashboard trim are all standard across both variants, but only the range-topping ‘RZ’ variant will come with the premium creature comforts, including powered driver seats (with ventilation for the front passengers), a powered tailgate, powered sunroof, the eight-speaker Sony sound system, heated side mirrors, and sequential LED turn indicators.
READ MORE:
 Chery set to relaunch brand in Australia – Omoda 5 SUV to launch in March this year
Malaysia preview-model specification
The advanced driver assistance system is thankfully standard across the range, with features including adaptive cruise control with low speed follow function, integrated cruise assist, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and intelligent high beam. Opting for the range-topping RZ variant will also net you an additional 360-degree surround view monitor.
Again, the Indonesian pricing for the Chery Omoda 5 still isn’t confirmed yet, but it could be indicative of what we’ll be getting – both in terms of specifications and pricing – when the compact crossover eventually launches in Malaysia!
The Omoda 5 crossover is part of Chery Malaysia’s ‘Phase One’ plans, alongside the larger
Tiggo 8 Pro
. A concrete launch date is still not available yet, but we expect it to be sometime in the second half of this year.


Kia EV9 teaser images revealed – world premiere this month, 482 km range, 350 kW fast charging

Kia has revealed more teasers for its new flagship fully-electric SUV, the
EV9
 after
releasing some images recently
. The name EV9, comes from Kia’s EV nomenclature, pairing ‘EV’ (electric vehicle) with the number ‘9’, which represents the model’s segment among Kia’s EV lineup.
The images do not reveal much but it does show how striking the EV9’s front section would be with striking light patterns and multiple LED light projectors. Details are still scarce but for now, we know that the EV9 will be built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture.
The E-GMP is Kia’s dedicated EV platform and is the same 800V architecture that the EV6 is built on. The EV9 is expected to offer an electric range of up to 482 km and can take up to 350 kW of fast charging where 10-80% state of charge is expected to take 20 to 30 minutes.
RELATED:
Gallery: Kia EV6 GT Line AWD – 506 km range EV from RM301k
Last year, Kia revealed a camouflaged EV9 undergoing its
final tests
, after 44 months of development. Over the period, the EV9 was subjected to deep water wading, rough terrains, hill climbs, cobbled road surfaces and various other tests on stability and handling.
Alongside the teaser images, Kia also announced that it will fully reveal both the exterior and interior design in mid-March with a world premiere set to take place at the end of this month.
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Porsche is taking on the Lamborghini Urus with a 640 hp Cayenne Coupe

The era of fuel-guzzling monster cars are coming to an end, thanks to the ever-tightening emission regulations. Knowing that, Porsche couldn’t possibly let the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX have the whole super-SUV pie just to themselves.
As a last hurrah for the pure internal combustion engines, Porsche is now developing an all-out “ultimate” Cayenne featuring a tweaked twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine. And according to
Auto Express
, who were given the privilege to test drive the prototype, it’ll supposedly make
640 hp
 and
850 Nm
.
Compared to the
 Cayenne Turbo
 that’s currently on sale, the new top-of-the-line Cayenne makes an additional 98 hp and 80 Nm of torque, shaving off around 0.5 seconds in its 0-100 km/h sprint time and raising the top speed to 300 km/h.
While the
Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid
 technically still makes more power,
Auto Express
 says that the weight penalty from its fancy hybrid system means that it “can’t keep up” with the new ultra-performance model when it comes to acceleration and top speed.
Aside from the significantly more powerful engine, Porsche’s own press release also says that it’ll come with a new Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system, which helps “keep the body balanced and level even during very spirited cornering” – at least according to Porsche’s own test driver, Lars Kern.
The new “ultimate” Cayenne also rides on 22-inch forged aluminium wheels, shod with 285 and 315 section tyres front and rear – the largest tyre Porsche has ever fitted as standard on the Cayenne. The larger offset on the wheels marginally increases the track on both ends, while also allowing for more negative camber – 0.45 degrees to be exact – which increases the contact area between the tyres and the road.
Further dynamic upgrades come in the form of a 15% stiffer air suspension, which also doubles as an aesthetic tweak to give the new super-SUV an aggressive stance on the road.
Porsche says that the all-new “ultimate” Cayenne is currently undergoing final testing and optimisation in the hands of Lars Kern and two-time World Rally Champion, Walter Röhrl who had the following to say: “The car remains incredibly stable even in fast corners, and its turn-in behaviour is extremely precise. More than ever, you have the feeling that you are sitting in a compact sports car rather than in a large SUV.”
As such, most of its visual changes are still largely hidden under the black camouflage. We do know that it’ll only be available in the Cayenne Coupe form though, and will come equipped with a new titanium exhaust system with the dual exits positioned centrally on the rear bumper.
Also, if you haven’t noticed yet, we’ve been calling it the “ultimate” Cayenne in quotation marks for now, because Porsche has yet to give the super-SUV a name. If we had to guess, it’ll probably be called the Cayenne Turbo S, as it’s the one “traditional” Porsche name that’s absent from the current model line-up – just don’t quote us on that.


Mercedes-Benz global sales drop 5% in 2021, loses crown to BMW

Mercedes-Benz
 has just published its sales performance data for 2021, of which the company managed to deliver a total of 2,093,476 vehicles from January to December last year.
Compared to 2020, last year’s figure represents a 5% drop in sales, which the company attributes to the bottlenecks introduced by the global semiconductor shortage. The German carmaker says it was impacted particularly badly in Q4 of 2021, which saw sales dropped by 24.7%.
RELATED: All-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class launched in Malaysia in sole S 580 e guise
Unfortunately, that figure also means that it has now lost its crown as the best-selling luxury carmaker to
BMW
 for the first time in five years – the latter delivered a record-breaking 2.2 million vehicles in 2021.
Despite that, there are still several silver linings for the Stuttgart-based carmaker. Sales of electrified models have seen a significant growth with 227,458 units sold (+69%). Of these, fully-electric models have nearly doubled in volume with a 90% uptick compared to last year (99,301 units).
Mercedes-Benz’s
luxury, performance, and off-road sub-brands
have also seen solid growth throughout the year. Deliveries of Mercedes-AMG models soared by 16.7% to 145,979 units, while Mercedes-Maybach saw a jump of 50.7% (15,730 units), with more than 900 units delivered per month in China.
The
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
 also achieved a new sales record last year with 41,174 units sold. Orders for the Mercedes-Benz EQ’s range-topping
EQS sedan
 also reached 16,370 since its launch in August last year, the carmaker said.
RELATED: The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is finally going electric!
Despite the significant drop in sales in the last quarter of 2021, Mercedes-Benz says that demand for its vehicles are still high, adding that the company is making every effort to fulfil customers’ orders “as soon as possible”.
“In a challenging year, Maybach, AMG and G-Class vehicles posted new records. Order intake for the EQS, the longest-range EV on the market today, is very encouraging and production of the
first all-electric AMG
kicked off in December, starting a new chapter for our electric flagship,” said Mercedes-Benz board member for marketing and sales, Britta Seeger.
“This strong global demand for all our brands gives Mercedes-Benz the tailwinds to accelerate into a new electric era.”


Petronas’ Coffee Break campaign is back with free coffee at 150 Petronas stations nationwide

In conjunction with Hari Raya celebrations, Petronas Dagangan Berhad is offering motorists complimentary coffee and snacks at over 150 Petronas stations nationwide through the annual Coffee Break campaign.
The Petronas Coffee Break campaign is one of the company’s flagship road safety campaign which aims to remind motorists to stay safe during the festive season with the typically high volume of cars on the road.
For Peninsular Malaysia, the campaign for Hari Raya Aidilfitri will commence from
1st to 2nd of June 2019
 and resume from the 8th to 9th of June 2019.
The campaign will commence in Sabah and Sarawak from 30th of May to 2nd June 2019 and resume from 8th to 9th of June 2019, for the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Kaamatan and Gawai festivals.
In addition to Nescafé coffee, motorists will also get to enjoy offerings from other campaign partners including Julie’s Butter Crackers, Munchworld’s 7Days croissant, Cadbury 5 Star chocolate, Tong Garden’s sunflower seed, Kopiko candies as well as vouchers from Shopee and Dunkin’ Donuts.
If you’re looking to service your car before the long drive, you might want to check out
Petronas’ new Auto Expert service centre
!
To cultivate a safety-first mindset, the Road Safety Department will carry out an advocacy programme to educate the public on road safety tips during the campaign.
Free vehicle inspection will also be conducted by Perodua for its customers alongside the campaign’s new partner, Yamaha, which will be carrying out
safety checks for all brands of motorcycles
.
At the same time, free health screening will also be offered by St John Ambulance Malaysia. All these will be held at selected Petronas stations throughout the campaign period.


Facts & Figures: Facelift MINI John Cooper Works Countryman launched, from RM375,493

MINI Malaysia would probably thrown a big party today if it weren’t for Covid-19 and the nonsensical lockdowns imposed, to no avail. Aside from the launch of the
facelift MINI JCW 3 Door
, MINI Malaysia also introduced the Countryman version of the MINI John Cooper Works.
Performance wise, the numbers remain unchanged from before. You still get
306 hp
 and
450 Nm
 from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. You get all-wheel drive and an 8-speed gearbox in between. 0 to 100 km/h is still 5.1 seconds.
There’s more to look forward to when it comes to aesthetics. Unlike the 3 Door JCW, the Countryman received more subtle updates in the grille and headlamp department.
At the rear, the Countryman is (finally) fitted with taillights featuring the Union Jack flag. The diffuser section has also undergone a minor redesign.
What ties all the new details up are black surrounds applied generously around the exterior. You get glossy black finishing around the head and tail lamps, black Countryman lettering and plenty more black everywhere for a more sinister image.
19-inch wheels.
Other standard items include 4-pot Brembo brakes in the front, adaptive suspension and adaptive headlights. The JCW comes in Rebel Green, Midnight Black and White Silver, paired to a red roof.
Check out the facelift MINI Countryman S launched in Malaysia earlier this year!
Inside, the changes are similar to the 3 Door JCW. There’s a new 5-inch fully digital display, an updated infotainment system and a new Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel in the most spacious cabin of the entire MINI range.
Like the 3 Door version, the JCW Countryman also gets all the good stuff like a head-up display, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a panoramic sunroof for more natural light. As for driver assistance and safety, there’s six airbags, Driver Assistant Package with autonomous braking and lane keeping assist.
For all that, the JCW Countryman will cost you
RM375,493
including a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. With the 5-year package, you’re looking at RM383,463. Check it out on MINI’s official site
here
!
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BMW iX1 xDrive30 ROI opens for Malaysia – 440km range, 313hp dual-motor

BMW Malaysia
 may soon expand its all-electric lineup with the BMW iX1 xDrive30. The
BMW iX1
 has now appeared on BMW Malaysia’s official website and registration of interest (ROI) for the car is now open.
The BMW iX1 is a fully electric car that was introduced together with the all-new X1 back in June last year. Currently, the iX1 is only available in one guise, which is the iX1 xDrive30. As such, the specifications listed on BMW Malaysia’s website reflect that.
Powering the BMW iX1 is a dual-motor setup that makes 230 kW (
313 hp
) and
494 Nm
. The drivetrain consists of BMW’s 5
th
-generation eDrive technology. Both motors in the iX1 are permanent magnet synchronous motors. The BMW iX1 xDrive30 does 0-100 km/h in
5.6 seconds
 onward to an electronically limited top speed of
180 km/h
.
As for battery and range, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 houses a
64.7-kWh
 lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to
440 km
 of range (WLTP). As standard, the BMW iX1 xDrive30 can handle a maximum charging rate of 11 kW with AC charging and 130 kW with DC charging.
RELATED:
BMW starts production of iX1 – EQA, XC40 rival with 440 km range
11-kW
 AC charging will charge the car from 0 to 100% in
6.5 hours
.
130-kW
 DC charging will charge the car from 10% to 80% in
29 minutes
. Interestingly, the iX1 can be fitted with a 22-kW AC onboard charger (OBC). Its details, however, are not shared on BMW Malaysia’s website.
Size-wise, the BMW iX1 measures 4,500 mm long, 1,845 mm wide, and 1,616 mm tall. The car’s wheelbase measures 2,692 mm long. Like the all-new X1, the iX1 gets slim LED headlights and an almost-square kidney grille design. Inside, the iX1 features a curved display setup which consists of a 10.25-inch information display and a 10.7-inch control display. More information on the BMW iX1 for Malaysia will be available upon launch.
RELATED:
All-new 2022 BMW X1 unveiled with wildly good looks, 272 hp fully-electric iX1 variant
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Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe launched, gets 362 hp, 520 Nm 3.0L V6

Is the
Mercedes GLC 43 SUV
 a little too ordinary for your liking? Then Stuttgart has another option for you. Enter the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe, one to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show soon.
Lets highlight the obvious. The AMG touch gives the GLC Coupe a more athletic stance, thanks to the new set of
19-inch AMG alloy wheels
. Wheel sizes can go as big as 21 inches. It comes dressed with AMG bodykit, sporty single-bar front grille, and quad tailpipes.

Just like its Mercedes-AMG stablemates (like the
SLC 43
,
C 43
 and
E 43
), the GLC 43 Coupe is powered by the same
twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6
 petrol engine that’s capable of generating
362 hp
 and
 520 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through the
4MATIC
 system via a
nine-speed automatic transmission
. Key performance figures are as such: 0 to 100km/h dash is achieved in 4.9 seconds, while its combined fuel consumption is rated at
8.4 litres per 100km/h
. As with any performance-oriented German-made cars, top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.
The GLC 43 Coupe is also equipped with
 AMG Dynamic Select
 system, allowing drivers to select their preferred driving mode: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. The GLC 43 Coupe’s air suspension can increase its ride height while the 4MATIC four-wheel drive system provides added traction when the need arises. The car is rear-biased by default, though.
Deliveries of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe will commence as early as December 2016. Just recently, Mercedes Malaysia launched the locally assembled
GLC 250 4MATIC
 at RM325k. Read our
review to find out what we think of it
!
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota GR86 Special Edition celebrates the pure fun of sports car driving

Toyota USA has debuted the
GR86
 Special Edition that’s limited to just 860 units to celebrate the ‘pure fun of sports car driving’.
The second-generation GR86 is sold exclusively in the Solar Shift orange paint, with black stripes on its rear quarter. The forged wheels are 18-inch in size from the GR catalogue paired with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, complementing the black ducktail spoiler.
The GR86 Special Edition also gets a GR catback performance exhaust system with stainless steel pipes and black chrome tips but there was no mention of increased output.
Save to assume, the GR86 Special Edition still produces 235 hp and 249 Nm from a larger 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated boxer engine with 6-speed automatic or manual transmissions available. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is completed in just
6.3 seconds
.
There was no mention on the interior although Toyota mentioned that it would come with leather/Ultrasuede seats. Standard features include a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, GR start-stop button, dual-zone air-conditioning, Track mode, Active Sound Control, LED head and tail lamps.
Locally, there’s no word on the GR86 for now although Subaru has been busy collecting orders for the
BRZ
. It starts from
RM229,245
(on-the-road, without insurance) for the manual variant, and
 RM239,245
 for the automatic but those figures have seen been
increased by RM20k.
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McLaren 720S ready to shred tyres, gets 710 hp & 770 Nm from 4.0L V8!

We’ve seen the
engine
, we’ve heard it
on track
 and we’ve even seen it
out in the open
. It’s finally official, McLaren’s second-generation Super Series supercar, codenamed P14 is called the 720S.
Unveiled to the world at the Geneva International Motor Show, the 720S is a new interpretation of the British carmaker’s design language and raises the bar for supercar performance. The new design direction is a reflection of McLaren’s pursuit in aerodynamics, and every panel was purposely sculpted for maximum aero efficiency. Unlike previous McLarens with side air intakes at the rear wheel arches, the dihedral doors of the 720S features a unique “double-skin” design that channels air directly into the radiators without relying on side air intakes.

Up front, the LED DRLs no longer look like the signature swoosh we’ve come to adore. Instead it gets a single horizontal DRL. At the rear, the twin oval tail pipes’ design is a nod to the hardcore
675LT
. Besides that, the active aero wing – which doubles up as an air brake during hard braking – is now a full-sized piece, similar to the ones on the 675LT.
The dihedral doors of the 720S now extend into the roof, just like the legendary
McLaren F1
. The roof section sports a small glass panel for natural light to enter the cabin. Inside, the cabin is smothered with fine quality materials. A new infotainment screen, redesigned steering wheel, repositioned gear selector and centre storage space all give the 720S a more ergonomic interior.

For drivers who are keen on taking their 720S on track and would like to have an unobstructed view of the roads ahead, McLaren’s new Folding Driver Display can switch between the large LCD Central Infotainment Screen and the track-inspired slim display. In Full Display mode, the 8-inch TFT display delivers crisp and clear information whereas in Slim Mode, the TFT display retracts and leaves a horizontal bar that feeds the driver with engine speed and gear for minimum distraction.
As the name “720S” denotes, McLaren’s new supercar packs
 720 PS
 (
710 hp
) and
 770 Nm
 of torque courtesy of a new M840 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Power is channelled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Key performance figures include a century sprint time of
2.9 seconds
, 0 to 200 km/h in
7.8 seconds
 and a top speed of
 341 km/h
.
Tasked with stopping this monstrous machine are carbon ceramic discs (390 mm front; 380 mm rear) that can bring the car to a complete standstill from 200 km/h in just
4.6 seconds
 with a distance of
117 meters
. An all new Proactive Chassis Control (independent adaptive suspension) and McLaren Carbon Fibre Monocage II give the 720S the higher levels of grip and balance.
Retail prices for the 720S start from £208,600 (RM1.13 mil) before options. Three trim levels are available at launch – Standard, Performance and Luxury. However, if you’re feeling adventurous with the specifications, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will always be more than glad to welcome you at their doors.
IMAGE GALLERY


First ever BMW i3s unveiled at the Malaysia Autoshow 2019

BMW Group Malaysia has just unveiled the
BMW i3s
, the first Battery Electric Vehicle or in other words a pure electric vehicle at the
2019 Malaysia Autoshow
 in MAEPS, Serdang.
While the car may be foreign to us, BMW had previously sold more than 120,000 units of the BMW i3 globally and the new one is said to be more polished and refined than its predecessor.

The BMW i3s is capable of an output of
184 hp
 with
270 Nm
 of torque from a synchronous electric motor with a single-speed automatic transmission.
The BMW i3s is capable of 0 to 100 km/h in just
6.9 seconds
, before hitting a top speed of
160 km/h
.
LED headlamps are standard, along with sports suspension (custom springs, dampers and anti-roll bars) that lowers the ride by 10mm to complement the wider track width (40mm) for sportier handling. Filling the arches are 20-inch style 431 BMW i light alloy wheels
The BMW i3s’ lithium-ion battery is place in the vehicle floor offers up to 260 km of pure electric driving range based on the Customer Oriented Electric range in everyday use. Combined electric power consumption is rated at 14.3kWh per 100 km – better get used to these figures.
Over 80% of all visible surfaces are made of recycled material such as recycled plastics, natural fibres and open-pored, unbleached eucalyptus wood.
The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell also helped achieve that feeling of lightweight spaciousness that every electric vehicle strives for.
The model is furnished with a 10.2-inch infotainment display, a 5.7-inch TFT instrument cluster and the BMW i Interior Design Suite that features a sophisticated instrument panel and Dark Truffle Leather Vernasca upholstery.
Safety features include the Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Brake Contol, ABS with Brake Assist.
The First-Ever BMW i3s can be pre-ordered from the authorised BMW i dealership, Auto Bavaria Kuala Lumpur as of today. It’s available in Fluid Black and Capparis White, and Mineral Grey.
With the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, the BMW i3s can be owned with monthly installment plans starting from
RM 3,188.00
 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).
The BMW i3s is priced at an estimated
RM279,000
 and comes with a 5-year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service programme, 2-year Tyre Warranty, BMW Roadside Assistance and BMW’s White Card privileges.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW i3s Previewed at 2019 Malaysia Auto Show


Toyota Supra driven by Paul Walker is up for auction!

Another unit of the most famous Toyota Supra in the world; the one that sparked over two decades of Japanese tuner car madness since it appeared in the first ever The Fast and the Furious movie over 20 years ago, is up for auction.
This is unlikely to be the one driven by Paul Walker in the final scene as that one came with a much more race-oriented cabin. Our best guess is that this is the one Paul Walker jumped out of, to rescue Vince towards the end of the movie.
Here’s a brief history throughout all the generations of Toyota Supra!
Both Supras….
…are the same car!
Some of you may not know but this is also the Supra that reappeared in 2 Fast 2 Furious released two years later.
Here’s everything you need to know about the latest A90 Toyota Supra!
Labelled as Lot 744 in the upcoming Barrett-Jackson auction happening between the 17th till the 19th of June, the Supra is accompanied by extensive documentation and a Certificate of Authenticity but that’s not all.
Despite having an engine bay that looks almost completely standard, the cabin is decked out with all the meters and gauges that a Supra owner then would’ve listed on a wishlist.
This Supra is so powerful it destroyed its own tyres during a dyno run!
Ahead of the driver, on the A-pillar, is an exhaust temperature gauge that was a common sight in turbocharged cars of that time.
There’s also a boost meter, a water temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge ahead of the front passenger but the seats do look a little tacky in this era with that black and blue combo, don’t you think?
Watch us race the new Toyota Supra against the BMW M2 Competition here!
And what most of you would also be surprised to know that this unit came with a 4-speed automatic transmission instead; probably for the scenes that require proper acting – if there was such thing in that franchise.
As for the figures, no reserve price was stated but considering another authentic and identical unit (the manual one) sold for nearly USD $200,000 at an auction in 2015, this one shouldn’t be far off.
How much would you pay for it?
For more images of the Supra, check out Barret-Jackson’s site here!
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Watch Koenigsegg’s CEO go full throttle in the new Jesko megacar

If you’re wondering why Koenigsegg has called this a “megacar”, over supercar or hypercar, this video of the CEO of Koenigsegg revealing and test-driving the Jesko for the first time, is the answer to everything.
If you haven’t already heard, the Jesko is the latest thing from the Swedish company with a
1280 hp
 and
 1500 Nm
 from a 5.0-litre twin-turbo V8. The figure can go up to 1,600 hp, with E85 fuel. So far, these are the only figures provided.
Watch the Jesko’s acceleration video on Instagram here!

Perhaps the biggest appeal of the Jesko, as per the video, is its throttle response and sheer relentless acceleration. It’s like Sonic the Hedgehog, on 20 cans of Red Bull.
Check out these incredible images of the Koenigsegg Jesko in old town Hong Kong. It just looks like a spaceship!
One of the many factors that contribute to Jesko’s ferocity is the
in-house air injection system
 that directs 20-bar of compressed air to the turbochargers to pre-spool their turbines, for instant power and throttle response.
The other appeal of the Jesko is its
9-speed Light Speed Transmission
, also designed in-house, which makes the fastest transmissions look like kindergarten science projects.
It comes with an
Ultimate Power on Demand
feature that’s simply one of a kind. It basically allows you to downshift, whether from the gear shifters on the steering or gear lever, from
7th gear to 4th gear for example, in just one click
. Here’s how it works!
The shifter paddles on the steering and gear lever come with a
double-notch shifting mechanism
. The first click shifts one gear up or down. Two clicks at once and the

Ultimate Power on Demand feature is activated; shifting the car from whatever gear it is in, to the lowest gear instantly for maximum acceleration; instead of shifting gear by gear from 7th to 4th.
The Jesko is the most aerodynamic car to wear the Koenigsegg badge, with up to 1000 kg of downforce at 275 km/h. That’s the weight of a Perodua Myvi, keeping the Jesko’s Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres firmly planted on the road for traction and stability.
The Jesko is named after Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company Founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg. Since the company’s early years, Jesko has been a key presence at Koenigsegg Automotive, steering the company through various challenges.
Koenigsegg is experimenting with “volcano fuel” as an alternative to fossil fuel. Read about it here!
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Review: Subaru XV, a very likeable CKD Japanese crossover

As GC handed me the key to the Subaru XV, the first thing that came to mind was, how would this fare? After all, I was driving the turbocharged
Subaru Forester 2.0 XT
 prior to the XV. Can the XV live up to the expectations? Will it be a worthy purchase? Well guys, read on to find out more.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Subaru XV
Segment
Crossover
Engine
1998cc Boxer engine (150hp)
Price
RM151,226

Under the hood of this rather handsome compact SUV is the tried and tested 2.0-liter Boxer engine from Subaru. No fancy turbocharging or direct injection turbo (DIT) like its bigger brother, the Forester. That however helps to keep the price competitive. But will that compromise be worthy of the price cut?
Exterior

I am very fond of the looks of the XV. It has a very modern look, which carries some hints of the Impreza it’s based on. But unlike some of its nearest competitors (Honda CRV), the XV does offer a roof rack for you to carry extra luggage, should the need arise.

The other part I like about the XV are these rims. They really stand out and gives the XV a certain character that’s rather missing from some of its rivals. The 17″ rims gets the same glossy black treatment that the Forester gets, but with a different design. But unlike the Forester, the XV makes do with regular halogen bulbs, instead of pricier HIDs and fancy DRLs. That blank spot where the foglight was supposed to be did irked me somewhat
Interior

Moving onto the interior, you’ll be greeted with a relatively bland interior. The only saving grace is the premium Kenwood head unit that Subaru bundles with the XV. It is a GPS system powered by Garmin, which means navigation and map routing are top notch, if not the best. Navigating through the menus are a painless affair, with no major issues encountered.
The screen can remain very readable under bright sunlight, something that the Forester’s unit was lacking at. Music quality is decent, despite not having the Harman Kardon speakers like its bigger brother. Bluetooth connectivity is standard, and you can actually pair it with your phone for a handsfree experience. There’s not much to be said about the build quality as it’s assembled by Tan Chong Industries, so fit and finish are pretty good.

As for other toys, the XV also provides. You also get a reverse camera when the need arises. And surprisingly enough, it also has a pair of reverse sensors that the Forester is missing. The smaller size of the XV makes reverse parking a breeze, and coupled with the reverse camera, tight parking spots are no longer an issue.
Another point also worth mentioning is that the reverse camera works pretty well in dark places as well. You do get foglights as a standard equipment , as well as self leveling headlights. Other options like sunroof, cargo tray, engine start stop button, dual zone climate control, idle stop system and auto rain sensors sadly isn’t available on our local unit.
The boot space is rather lacking, due to the rather wide spare tire used. This unfortunately eats up precious boot space, but on the flip side, the rear seats can be split folded at 60:40, and that increases the usable boot space to a healthy 1250 litres.
As Shawn moved to the back seat, he did like the amount of rear legroom the XV has to offer, but lamented on the lack of toys.
Performance

Knowing most of you, this section matters the most. The XV’s engine is a 2.0L boxer unit, which comes with Subaru’s Active Valve Control System (AVCS) and has an optimized air intake. In the real world, this means that the engine can provide a very good amount of low end torque, as well as linear power delivery.
With 150hp and 196NM of torque, it won’t push you hard into the seats, but it will take it’s own sweet time to build it up. By no means it’s slow, but thanks to the CVT transmission, acceleration is gradual and smooth, not abrupt at all. Speaking of the CVT gearbox, it only has 2 modes, Drive and Manual. No fancy Sports mode to be found here, but there are paddles shifts for that somewhat semi sporty feel.

Handling wise, the XV is very composed. Funny car, this XV, as it can balance passenger comfort as well as road handling relatively well. My mom did enjoy the quietness of the XV, as well as the comfort of it, while I did find the handling to be pretty decent through the corners.
Bodyroll is to be expected from an SUV, but thanks to the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, you are always in control, and the car won’t surprise you. Steering wise, it is an electronic assisted power steering, and feedback is rather vague. Odd, I feel, as the bigger brother’s electronic power steering feels so much better than this. Perhaps Subaru might want to retune it?
The Drive

For the XV, I drove Shawn (my photographer) up to Kuala Kubu Bharu for the photo shoot, via Jalan Kuching. The XV doesn’t make you feel tired driving it for long journey, and this makes it an excellent highway cruiser. Cruising at 110km/h is barely an issue for the XV, as wind noises as well as tire noises are kept at a bare minimum.
When I collected the car, the average fuel consumption was at 14.4L/100km. After cruising and being extremely gentle on the throttle, I brought that number down to a respectable 9.6L/100km. It’s still a far cry from Subaru’s official figures of 7.3L/100km, but do bear in mind that it was a mix of hilly roads, some traffic jam along Jalan Kuching (towards town), some spirited driving as well as idling the car. Passing the key to Shawn to have a drive, he mentioned that the XV does not feel like an SUV at all, in fact feels very much car like. Body roll, according to him, is very controlled, in a good way.
Is it for you?

To be really honest, I preferred the XV over the Forester for a few reasons. Firstly. The size. The Forester may have a bigger presence on the road, but that is also its downfall. Parking can be a bit hard when driving the Forester, and navigating through tight spots can be rather daunting. The XV’s size fares better in this, as the size suits our city roads better.
Then there’s the looks. I know, looks is very subjective, and some people may question my taste, but don’t get me wrong, the XV isn’t perfect, but I’m really digging the looks of the XV. The front end itself, already looks better than the Mitsubishi ASX, while the 4WD system leaves some of its rivals in the dust.
Thirdly, the XV isn’t entirely underpowered. Sure, it’s not as fast as the Forester, but the XV doesn’t pretend to be a mini Forester. On its own, the XV is a very capable SUV, able to keep up with it rivals very well. The other thing worth nothing is the Subaru XV can help you garner some attention, like the priceless expression on my colleagues who saw me drove off in this very unit.
Comparisons

For the sake of comparing, the Subaru XV has quite a tough set of competitors. Among the competitors are the Mitsubishi ASX, Peugeot 3008, Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga and the Honda CR-V. Price wise, the CKD Mitsubishi ASX, which ironically enough, rolls off the same assembly plant as the Subaru XV, has a clear advantage, as the 4WD model tops out at RM128,800. But the ASX is based on a rather old platform, while the XV’s platform is much newer. Safety kit is pretty much the same, down to the 3 airbags and traction control.

Mitsubishi ASX CKD
Subaru XV 2.0i Premium
Kia Sportage
ENGINE
Type
 2.0L 16 Valve Inline-4 DOHC MIVEC (4B11)
DOHC 16-Valve, Horizontally-Opposed,
 4-Cylinder, 4-Stroke, Petrol Engine
2.0 DOHC DCVVT THETA II
Displacement
cc
 1998
1995
1998
Bore x Stroke
mm
86 x 86
 84 x 90
 86 x 86
Compression Ratio
10.0
10.5
10.5
Max Power
hp/rpm
 155 / 6000
 150 / 6200
166 / 6200
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
197 / 4200
196 / 4200
 197 / 4600
Carburetion System
Multi Point Injection
 Multi point sequential injection
 Multi Point Injection
Fuel Tank Capacity
L
 60
 60
55
STEERING
Type
Power Assisted Rack & Pinion
 Electric power assistance rack and pinion
 Motor Driven Power Steering
DRIVETRAIN
Type
4WD
4WD
AWD
Transmission
INVECS-III CVT
 Lineartronic CVT
6-Speed Automatic with All-Wheel Drive
Gear Ratio
 D – 2.349 – 0.394
 R – 1.750
 FDR – 6.120
D – 3.581 – 0.570
 R – 3.667
 FDR – 3.7
1- 4.162 , 2- 2.575 , 3- 1.772 , 4- 1.369, 5- 1.000 6- 0.778
 R – 3.5
 FDR – 3.648
SUSPENSION
Type

Front
 – MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar

Rear
 – Multilink with stabilizer bar

Front
–  MacPherson strut type

Rear –
Double wishbone type
Front
 – MacPherson Strut with Coil Spring

Rear
– Multilink, coil springs
BRAKES
Front
 Ventilated disc brakes
 Ventilated disc brakes
Ventilated disc brakes
Rear
  Solid disc brake
  Solid disc brakes
 Solid disc brake
Diameter – Front
inches
 11.6
11.6
11.8
Diameter – Rear
inches
 11.9
 10.8
11.1
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
 215/60 R17
 225/55 R17
235/55 R18
Wheels
 Alloy
 Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,295
 4,450
4,440
Overall Width
mm
1,770
 1,780
 1,855
Overall Height
mm
 1,615
1,615
1,645
Wheelbase
mm
 2,670
 2,635
 2,640
Ground Clearance
mm
 195
 220
172
Max Kerb weight
kg
 1,475
 1,430
1,655
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
 614
 Seats Folded – 1,402
310
 Seats Folded – 1270
564
 Seats Folded – 1353
FUEL
Grade
min. 95 RON
min. 95 RON
min. 95 RON
Consumption
 7.9 L/100 km
8.6 L/100 km
8.2 L/100 km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
190
187
180
0 – 100km/h
sec
9.6
 10.7
10.8
PRICE
RM
 128,880
152,255
135,000

Will I buy it?

Weighing the pros and cons, the Subaru XV is very tempting, but I wont put my money down as yet, until I’ve tested the Mitsubishi ASX. But on its own, the Subaru XV does have a special place in my heart.
Special thanks going out to my friend Shawn who was my photographer and Motor Image Malaysia for loaning us this unit.
Read our full review on
Subaru Forester 2.0 XT
.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


Limited edition CX-3 celebrates 100 years of Mazda, priced at RM141k

In celebrating its 100th year anniversary,
 local Mazda distributor Bermaz
has introduced a limited edition
CX-3
, which has been developed by Bermaz’s MazdaSports division.
The enhancements on the limited edition model is purely aesthetic. On the outside the CX-3 gets a front lip spoiler, rear bumper diffuser and a two-tone finish with Piano Black roof along with a matching spoiler.
The limited edition CX-3 also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, which appear quite similar to the ones seen on the CX-9 and CX-8. Looking in detail, the CX-3’s exhaust tips are finished in brushed in aluminium and is only available exclusively in Snowflake White Pearl. As it is a limited edition model, the CX-3 also dons 100 Years Anniversary Limited Edition badges.
Inside, the suede seats have been embroidered with a Mazda 100 Years Anniversary logo, while the same suede treatment is seen on the steering, arm rest and gear lever. The same applied to the dashboard and door trims. The limited edition CX-3 also throws out the “maggi mee carpets” in replacement of black limited edition floor mats. Brushed aluminium pedals and scuff plates complete the interior.
But that’s not all as Mazda has given some attention to improving the driving experience as well. For starters, it’s fitted with a JBL Basspro Hub 11-inch subwoofer under the boot floor that produces tight, deep bass with low distortion.
Also part of package is a front strut bar across the engine bay, along with stabiliser bars in the front, mid and rear section of the undercarriage.
All-in-all, the limited edition CX-3 package is priced at
RM14,500
 and is accompanied by a 1-year Mazda Genuine Accessory Warranty. With the standard Mazda CX-3 priced at
RM126,829
, after the
sales tax exemption
, the limited edition model will cost
RM141,329
. Orders and reservations can be made at any of the Mazda outlets with delivery expected by the end July 2020.
GALLERY