Jaguar has developed a sound-emitting system to alert blind people

The absence of traditional engine noise from electric vehicles creates a problem for vulnerable pedestrians, such as the blind or visually impaired – Jaguar’s first all-electric vehicle, the I-PACE is one of them.
As such Jaguar’s engineers developed a sound, through an
Audible Vehicle Alert System (AVAS)
, that can be heard at speeds p to 20km/h and exceeds the 56dB, a requirement of the upcoming new European legislation for all new electric vehicles from July 2019.
The system which Jaguar has spend four years developing cannot be switched off. It’s clear but discreet and wouldn’t interfere with the peace within the cabin.
Initial attempts to create a noise inspired by the sound of sci-fi spacecraft had to be shelved after pedestrians reacted by looking up to the sky, rather than at the road as the vehicle approached.
The alert is emitted from a speaker located behind the front grille and can be heard in every direction. Volume increases in accordance with the speed of the vehicle and, when in reverse, is accompanied by an additional tone that indicates the change in direction.
AVAS is not required at higher speeds as there is sufficient wind and tyre noise for pedestrians to hear the zero-emissions vehicle approaching.
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Nissan Kicks gets the green light to take on the HR-V, and it looks good!

Compact crossovers are now a huge fad among car manufacturers. The latest to join the fray is Nissan, with Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announcing that their new concept, the Kicks, will be made into production. The Kicks was unveiled in Sao Paolo Motor Show back in 2014, showcasing Nissan’s answer to its sister company, the
Renault Captur
.
The Kicks was made possible thanks to the collaboration between its studios in Rio de Janeiro, San Diego, and Japan. The Kicks will be targeted to the South American market, and might roll over to other markets judging from its success. As for now, Nissan’s compact crossover comes in a form of the unorthodox Juke.

No word on its technical specs as yet, but should it arrive in ASEAN markets, we would think the 1.2-litre turbocharged unit from the Captur would be an ideal option. The Nissan Kicks concept should be an ideal replacement to the archaic and forgotten X-Gear crossover, although the Kicks moniker will most probably not be used for this region.
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MOT: EV road tax to be cheaper than petrol car road tax, special “EV” plates proposed

The Minister of Transport – YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook attended and officiated the
opening ceremony of GWM’s new Seremban 4S centre
 held this morning (
July 1
,
2023
). While giving his speech during the opening ceremony, the transport minister mentioned that the
Ministry of Transport
 (MOT) is proposing for EV (electric vehicle) tax structure to be cheaper than the current structure for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles after the current EV tax exemption policy expires in 2025.
Earlier this year, YB Anthony Loke mentioned that the MOT is
reviewing road tax structures
 for both ICE and
EVs
 in Malaysia. The new EV road tax structure has also been said to be a work in progress and is scheduled to be unveiled by the end of this year 2023.
A new special number plate series intended for EVs in Malaysia is also in the process of being proposed by the MOT, according to the transport minister. The special number plate will start with the letters “EV”, followed by the number “1” to “9999”, and is only applicable for fully EVs only, and is available throughout the nation. Once the “EV” plate series is fully utilised, it will be succeeded by letter combinations like “EVA”, “EVB”, “EVC” etc, in alphabetical order.
Aside from being special, the “EV” number plate can also help rescue teams like the fire department (Bomba) to better recognise and help EV owners when involved in traffic accidents. This is because methods of handling EVs involved in accidents are rather different compared to traditional ICE vehicles, said YB Anthony Loke.
RELATED:
MOT revising EV road tax for Malaysia, current rates too expensive
The Minister of Transport also encourages EV carmakers like
GWM
 to invest in the local automotive industry by setting up assembly plants and even producing EV batteries in Malaysia. This can not only benefit the country’s automotive industry but also the economy. Currently, many EV vehicles, including GWM’s
Ora Good Cat
 is fully imported (CBU).
RELATED:
Malaysia driving license now renewable up to 10 years, 10% discount


DRB-HICOM to make Proton great again, says foreign bidders are still in the run

A number of news portals have reported that the foreign parties interested in forming a strategic partnership with Proton Holdings Berhad have shrunk to just one. Apparently, DRB-HICOM denies this.
Group Managing Director of DRB-HICOM, Dato’ Sri Syed Faisal Albar said, “Our intent is to turn around the fortunes of Proton. There are strengths and capabilities of the carmaker that, given a new proven partner that can offer technology, capabilities and new markets, will push PROTON as a brand to be reckoned with. This is why our evaluation of the bidders needs to be a detailed one. PROTON and the incoming Foreign Strategic Partner (FSP) must be able to create synergies that will ensure the success of this venture.”
Dato’ Sri Syed also said all bidders are still in the running to be selected as Proton’s FSP, and that the Group is progressing into the tail-end of this process. DRB-HICOM expects to complete the selection by the first half of 2017.


Ford Malaysia teases new Everest, set to arrive by Q4 2015 [+Videos]

Sime Darby Auto Connexion (SDAC), the official importer and distributor of Ford vehicles in Malaysia have again teased their new SUV, the
Everest
. It’s scheduled to arrive here within the fourth quarter this year, and will be offered with two engine choices – 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre Duratorq diesel engines.
Both engines are sourced from the facelifted
Ranger pickup
, with the smaller 2.2-litre producing
158 hp
 and
385 Nm
 of torque. The 3.2-litre engine on the other hand, makes
197 hp
 and
 470 Nm
 of torque. Both powertrains are mated to a
six-speed automatic
 gearbox, sending drive to the part-time four wheel drive system (variant dependent).
Having seen just how good looking Toyota’s
new Fortuner
 is just earlier today, it’s hard to fall back on the Everest’s more rounded, Ranger-esque appeal. But if there’s any good takeaway for the observed shift in purchasing habits lately, it is what’s underneath the surface that counts.
We’ve come to terms that the Everest is simply no match for the new Fortuner on the outside, but Everest owners will be subjected to quite a treat sitting inside this seven-seat SUV. For starters, it boasts having over
30 cleverly positioned stowage spaces
 and comes with
Active Noise Cancellation
. It works by using three separate microphones to detect and measure noise. Once that’s done, the computer will generate opposing sound waves to subdue the noise through the speakers.

From our pictures, we could tell that the range topping Everest will come with
tri-zone auto air conditioning
 system,
Active Adaptive Cruise Control
 with autonomous braking, on-the-fly electronic differential switch, touchscreen head unit with GPS navigation, heated seats (possibly cooling function too), front and rear parking sensors as well as reverse camera.
Now, for the price. SDAC remains tight lipped on the Everest’s pricing, but we can expect the 2.2-litre variant to be priced around the
RM150k to RM160k
 mark, while the 3.2-litre SUV will cost somewhere around the
 RM200k figure
. We’ll be flying up to Thailand to review them both in the next two weeks, so be sure to stay tuned for our full review!
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Mercedes-AMG Project ONE officially teased, F1 derived tech with 1,000 hp & over 350 km/h top speed

Mercedes-AMG has just teased their upcoming hypercar with Formula One (F1) technology, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, ahead of its world premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA).
The company has pledged to bring the full fledge F1 hybrid technology to the road therefore has fitted the Project ONE with a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid, generating over
1000 hp
. Mercedes-AMG claims that the hypercar has a top speed in excess of
350 km/h
.
With a hybrid system and over 1000 hp, the engineers claim that the car “combines outstanding racetrack performance with day-to-day suitable Formula 1 hybrid technology and exemplary efficiency”. Although we simply can’t wrap our heads around “exemplary efficiency”…


BMW Malaysia to host M car display at new Pavilion Bukit Jalil

BMW Malaysia will be celebrating the end of 2021 on a M-erry note with a display of M cars at the newly opened Pavilion Bukit Jalil shopping centre on Saturday, 18th of December 2021.
BMW M3, M4, and 430i get SST-exempted pricing in Malaysia – up to RM25k off! Find out more here!

Celebrating last year’s Independence Day with BMW Malaysia at Pavilion Bukit Bintang!
In collaboration with the BMW M Owners Club, a fleet of BMW M vehicles will come from all over the country and assemble at the new shopping centre to usher in the festive season. The event is a build-up to the 50
th
 anniversary of BMW M division that was established in May 1972.
Not just the BMW M3: PDRM’s coolest police cars in history….check them out here!
Children under the care of Rumah Charis, a non-profit welfare organisation, will be invited for a gift ceremony hosted by members of the BMW M Owners Club.
BMW M vehicles will be open for display to the public, with participation for the drive open to all BMW M owners who are keen to join the fun. Details of the event are as follow:
Date : 18
th
 December 2021, Saturday
Time : 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Venue : Piazza of Pavilion Bukit Jalil,
 Pusat Bandar, 2, Persiaran Jalil Utama,
 Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
For more information on the drive, check out the BMW M Owner’s Club’s
 official Instagram account
!


Subaru opens new test tracks for Advanced Driver Assist systems

Seems that Subarus has no plans on stopping at their EyeSight semi-autonomous driving technology as they celebrate the grand opening of newly built test tracks for advanced driver assist technologies at their Bifuka Proving Ground in Hokkaido, Japan. The new test tracks will push forward the development of future advanced driver assist technologies.
Established back in 1995, the Japanese carmaker has upgraded and added a
 4.2 km high-speed circuit
 that simulates intercity expressways and an
urban road course
 to simulate a two-way traffic road. Subaru has paid great detail in ensuring that the test course(s) simulates real-world driving situations as much as possible, going as far as creating intersections, unclear road markings and so on.

With the aim of becoming the
Number One brand in overall safety
, Subaru envisions that the new facility will be focused on further developments of its EyeSight technology. Recently, the more advanced
EyeSight with Touring Assist
 was added to the new Levorg and WRX S4 models.
By 2020, Subaru plans to offer an
automated lane-changing function
 with the help of additional equipment such as digital maps, GPS, and radar to the EyeSight stereo camera. The company also aims to expand their EyeSight technology to prevent collisions with vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians at intersections.
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Govt. announces six-month loan moratorium, interest-free personal loans for flood victims

In light of the recent devastating floods that have impacted many localities around the entire country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced a set of four initiatives to help ease the burden of the people, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) that have been affected by the floods.
According to the Prime Minister’s statement, those affected by the floods nationwide will be offered repayment assistance (moratorium) for housing or property loans, car loans, credit cards, and personal loans. “The facility includes deferment or reduction of instalment payments for up to six months,” he said.
In addition, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) has also allocated a sum of RM100 million for the purpose of interest-free personal loans up to RM5,000, intended to help flood victims purchase replacements for household equipment and furniture that have been destroyed in the floods. The loan is also eligible for a moratorium on repayment for the first six months.
As for MSMEs, Ismail Sabri said Tekun Nasional had set aside a fund worth RM30 million for a Flood Recovery Financing scheme, which offers interest-free loans of up to RM10,000, plus a 12-month moratorium for those eligible.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has also readied an allocation of RM200 million as part of the Disaster Relief Facility (DRF) 2022 for MSMEs, but is still working on increasing it to RM500 million based on current needs.
The new initiatives are introduced in addition to the other government aids announced earlier, including the RM1,000 cash aid for each household affected by the floods, as part of the
Keluarga Malaysia
 programme.
Recently, many car brands in Malaysia have also introduced their own flood relief assistance programmes to help ease the burden of their customers who have been affected by the floods. You can find them in the list below:
Perodua
Proton
BMW Group Malaysia
Mercedes-Benz
Volkswagen
Subaru
Honda
Toyota
Mitsubishi
[Source: Ismail Sabri/Twitter]


G02 BMW X4 breaks cover and it looks really, really good

It’s been four years since the first-generation BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) made its debut and BMW was quick to introduce a full-model change to bring the X4 model timeline closer to the X3 that it is based on. Having shifted 200,000 units of the X4 since 2014, the new-generation model continues its predecessor’s standout exterior design and superior driving dynamics.
Riding on the group’s new Cluster Architecture or CLAR platform like the
X3
, the X4 has grown in dimensions while shaving off some excess weight. The SAC now stands 4,752 mm in length (+81 mm), 1,918 mm in width (+37 mm) and 1,621 mm in height (-3 mm) with a wheelbase of 2,864 mm that is 54 mm longer than the model it replaces.

Using BMW EfficientLightweight measures, the engineers have managed to save some
50 kg
 in weight while maintaining a perfectly balanced
50:50 weight distribution
. The all-new X4 also boasts 10 percent improvement in aerodynamic drag thanks to a streamlined design, active air flaps, air curtains on the front bumper and additional underbody cladding. Setting a new benchmark in its segment with a drag coefficient of
0.30 Cd
.
For exterior trims, the X4 is available in
three distinct lines
 – xLine, M Sport and M Sport X. The entry-level xLine sees matt aluminium finish on the kidney grille, side window graphic and underbody protection while wheel sizes range from 19- to 20-inches. The M Sport and M Sport X variants can be told apart from its M Aerodynamic body kit, M Sport Brakes, M Sport Suspension, high-gloss black window graphic and M lightweight alloys measuring 19- to 20-inch in size.
The M Sport X gets additional trims to set itself apart with more rugged looks. Building upon the M Sport, new items found on this variant include Frozen Grey finish on its kidney grille, bumper trims and side cladding strips. Customers can also dress their SUVs up with the optional
M Performance Parts
.
Inside, the X4 gets BMW’s latest cabin architecture found in the G12 7-Series and G30 5-Series. You can have the interior equipped with 12.0-inch LCD instrument cluster, Full-colour Heads-up Display, 10.25-inch iDrive touch display with gesture control, tri-zone climate control with Ambient Air package, Ambient lighting with light carpet, BMW Display Key panoramic sunroof and many more.

As usual, the M Sport variants get M Sport specific items for the multifunctional steering wheel, sport seats, sport pedals, interior badges and floor carpets. Thanks to the stretched wheelbase, BMW has freed up 27 mm of legroom for the rear passengers and increased boot space of 525 litres (+25 litres). The rear seats have a 40:20:40 folding configuration to expand the boot space to 1,430 litres.
At launch, the X4 is available with six engine choices – three turbo petrol and three turbodiesel mills. There are also the full-blown M Performance models in the guise of M40i and M40d. Here is the breakdown:
Petrol Engines
Name
BMW X4 xDrive20i
BMW X4 xDrive30i
BMW X4 M40i
Engine
1,998cc; 4-cylinder TwinPower Turbo
2,998cc; in-line 6 TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
181 hp @ 6,500 rpm
248 hp @ 6,500 rpm
355 hp @ 5,500 – 6,500 rpm
Max Torque
290 Nm @ 1,3500 – 4,250 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800 rpm
500 @ 1,520 – 4,800 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.3 seconds; 215 km/h
6.3 seconds; 240 km/h
4.8 seconds; 250 km/h
Diesel Engines
Name
BMW X4 xDrive20d
BMW X4 xDrive25d
BMW X4 xDrive30d
BMW X4 M40d
Engine
1,995cc; 4-cylinder turbodiesel
2,993cc; in-line 6 turbodiesel
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
187 hp @ 4,000 rpm
228 hp @ 4,400 rpm
261 hp @ 4,000 rpm
321 hp @ 4,400 rpm
Max Torque
400 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm
500 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
620 Nm @ 2,000 – 2,500 rpm
680 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,750 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
8.0 seconds; 213 km/h
6.8 seconds; 230 km/h
5.8 seconds; 240 km/h
4.9 seconds; 250 km/h
The M40i and M40d models gets uprated mechanics to complement the potent in-line six engines. You’ll find M sports exhaust with electronically controlled flaps, Launch Control, rear-biased all-wheel drive with Performance Control function, M Sport differential, variable sport steering and the option for Adaptive M suspension.
New safety features also find its way to the X4 in the form of, Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Collision Mitigation, Speed Limit Info traffic sign recognition system including No Passing Info display, Lane Change Warning and Lane Departure Warning.
Other optional package includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Steering and lane control assistant (operational between 0 and 210 km/h), Crossing traffic warning and Crossroads warning, Parking Assistant Plus and Remote 3D View function.
After the all-new
X2
 and
X3
 arrive to our shores, BMW Malaysia may be looking into the introduction of the all-new BMW X4 because it appears that Malaysians have
an appetite for this funky looking SAC
.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Tiguan’s more luxurious brother, the Volkswagen Touareg premiered in China

Volkswagen AG recently pulled the wraps of the all-new Touareg at its world premiere held for the first time in China, its largest market. The Touareg’s European launch date is yet to be determined. Volkswagen’s premium SUV had raked up worldwide sales of nearly one million units for the previous two generations.
For the European market, Volkswagen will initially offer two V6 diesel engines for the new 2018 Touareg with outputs of
 228 hp
 and
282 hp
. Elsewhere, there’ll be a V6 petrol engine with
335 hp
 and a more powerful V8 turbodiesel engine with
415 hp
. Specifically for China, there’ll be a new plug-in hybrid model with
362 hp
.
The third-generation Touareg is wider and longer than before. The added exterior length has allowed for a significant increase in luggage capacity, from 697 to 810 litres, with the rear bench seat up. Cargo in the boot can be sheltered with an optional electrically-extending and retracting luggage compartment cover.
Despite increased length and width, the car is 106 kg lighter because of its mixed material construction of aluminium (48 per cent) and high-tech steels (52 per cent).

Inside, the Touareg premiers the new  fully-digitalised Innovision Cockpit for the first time. The 12-inch Digital Cockpit and the 15-inch Discover Premium infotainment system merges for access to various functions without the need for any conventional buttons or switches.
The Touareg comes with driver assistance systems like Night Vision assistance system that’s capable of detecting people and animals in darkness via a thermal imaging camera, Roadwork Lane Assist that offers semi-automated steering and lane keeping, accelerating and braking up to 60 km/h, Front Cross Traffic Assist, active all-wheel steering, a new roll stabilisation with electromechanically-controlled anti-roll bars, IQ.Light LED matrix headlights and a head-up display.
Volkswagen has been aggressively expanding its SUV range – they now include the new T-Roc, the Tiguan, the new Tiguan Allspace (Europe) and Tiguan L (China), the new Atlas (USA) and the Teramont (China), plus the now completely-redesigned Touareg as Volkswagen’s top SUV model. Volkswagen will also be further extending the lower end of its SUV range with the compact T-Cross. The first all-electric SUV from Volkswagen is also a sure thing – the I.D. CROZZ – arriving in the market in 2020.
IMAGE GALLERY


Armor All’s new car care products promises easy professional results at home

Energizer Malaysia today officially launched Armor All here on our shores, an American brand of car care products that promises easy “professional results” for your car washes at home.
Armor All’s offerings include products that cater to all automotive care needs, ranging from exterior care, wheel and tyres, windscreen and glass, to dashboard and leather cleaning products.
For the exterior, Armor All’s Waterless Wash & Wax Spray promises a “showroom ready” look for your car with just a quick spray and a gentle wipe. The Wheel & Tire Cleaner and Tire Foam spray meanwhile dissolve grease, road grime, and brake dust that have been stuck on to your wheels, leaving them shiny and protected “within minutes”.
As for your car’s interior, Armor All’s Protectant series help protect the surfaces against UV rays and oxidations, preventing cracks, discolouration, and premature ageing. The Leather Flow Wipes also come with added beeswax for extra protection and a matte finish on your leather seats.
Not driving your cars much these days? Here are some helpful tips to keep them in tip-top condition while staying at home!
“At Energizer, we understand our customers’ needs, including the changing needs of car owners during this pandemic, thus turning this change into an opportunity to enter the auto care segment in Malaysia,” said Energizer Holdings Malaysia and Singapore Business Director, Diane Lee.
“The quality of all Armor All formulations enables us to offer effective car care products that make cars look the best they can – at a value for money price. We are confident that we are offering an impactful difference to car owners looking for a product range that is easy to use yet works wonderfully.”

Armor All products can now be found at all Tesco and Lotus’s stores in Malaysia, with over 40 hyper/supermarket outlets nationwide, plus other selected supermarket chains.
More information can be found on Armor All’s mobile web app
here
, or at their Facebook page, linked
here
. Also, be sure to keep a lookout on their pages, because you might come across a very familiar face! 😉


The Volkswagen Golf is once again Europe’s best-selling car in 2020

After a rough start to the year as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Volkswagen Golf managed to pick up its pace and moved back to the top of the leaderboard as Europe’s best-selling car.
The
all-new eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf
 managed to sell approximately 312,000 units in Europe last year, with approximately 134,000 of which going to Germany alone. In fact, the top three best-selling cars in Germany were all VW models, with the Tiguan and Passat taking second and third place respectively.
“With the Golf 8 we are seamlessly continuing the success story of its previous generations. The car is continuing to set technical standards in many dimensions. After the outbreak of the coronavirus in spring interrupted the market launch that had just started, the Golf had a lot of catching up to do in the second half of the year,” said Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO Ralf Brandstätter.
Brandstätter also attributed the strong performance in the second half to the introduction of new “important model derivatives”, in particular the
Golf GTI, GTD, and GTE
, all three debuting in February last year. The increase in demand for electrified models also helped push the Golf to the top of the rankings; Volkswagen said that approximately one in three VW Golfs sold in Europe in 2020 was a hybrid!
“I would like to thank all of the customers who have given us their trust,” added Brandstätter. “But my gratitude also goes to our entire team that have done an excellent job during the difficult conditions of the coronavirus crisis.”
The Volkswagen Golf Mk.8 was launched in October 2019, with a mostly evolutionary exterior update, but paired to a completely revamped interior with an increased focus on technology and infotainment, and advanced safety systems.
Word on the grapevine is that the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf is due for a launch here in Malaysia soon, with the model being locally-assembled by Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia’s assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang!
Do you think that the Volkswagen Golf will enjoy the same reception on this side of the globe as it did in Europe? Let us know in the comments below!


2016 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV is the best Prius your money can buy

The Toyota Prius Prime now sits at the top of the model range, and it is, according to Toyota Motor Corporation, the “most technologically advanced, best-equipped Prius in the model’s history.”
Aesthetics wise, the Prius Prime gets a redesigned front face which, to us looks a lot more presentable than the controversial
standard Prius
. Gone are the the overdone front headlights, as they are replaced with a slimmer LED projector lamps as seen on the
Toyota Mirai
. The rear gets a makeover as well, this time merging the rear spoiler into the tail lamps, creating a much sleeker looking rear end. In fact, it also reduces drag, thus making it one of the most aerodynamically efficient production cars with an impressive drag coefficient of
0.24
.

The Prius Prime is powered by an improved
 1.8-litre petrol engine
 running in Atkinson cycle, and it gets a new larger-capacity exhaust gas recirculation system which leads to better thermal efficiency – this is improved by
up to 40 percent
! The CVT gearbox from the standard Prius is retained here as well. Juicing the Prius Prime is a larger
8.8kW/h lithium-ion battery pack
 that can be fully recharged in just 140 minutes.
Thanks to the larger battery pack, the Prius Prime is now capable of travelling up to
35km
 in full electric mode. Its top speed, without the aid of the internal combustion engine, is 135 km/h. What’s even more impressive is its fuel consumption of
1.4 litres per 100km
! This makes it the most efficient plug-in hybrid on the market to date.
Toyota has gone the extra mile to reduce fuel consumption by incorporating gas injection technology to the air conditioning and battery-powered heating systems. Thanks to all these fuel saving technologies, the Prius Prime is capable of covering up to 1,000km of tarmac with full battery power and 43 litres of fuel. This means you can drive from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore and return with petrol to spare!
Inside, it’s prime time entertainment for the occupants with the vertically positioned
11.6-inch high-definition central infotainment screen
. The screen allows controls for air conditioning, audio and entertainment systems to be accessed via the touch of the fingers, and can also display selected information about the car. On the safety side of things, it benefits from Toyota’s new
 Safety Sense P suite
which comprise of pre-collision detection, autonomous braking, lane-keeping, dynamic cruise control and automatic high-beam control.
So, will the Prius Prime make it to Malaysia? That’s a tough call, seeing how fully imported hybrid vehicles don’t benefit from the current National Automotive Policy. But who’s to say UMW Toyota won’t?
IMAGE GALLERY


Gallery: Toyota Vios 1.5 G Facelift, “God Car” got better [+Video]

The
facelifted 2019 Toyota Vios
 was recently launched in Malaysia and UMW Toyota Motor brought out the big guns this time. Dressed in a fresh new suit, enhanced features and revised powertrain, this Vios is perhaps the most enticing one yet.
On the range topping 1.5
G, priced at RM87,300 (OTR without insurance), comes with all the bells and
whistles with halogen projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, 5-piece aero
kit with red pinstriping, 16-inch dual tone alloys wrapped in 195/50 profile
rubbers, acoustic windshield, Optitron instrument cluster with TFT Multi-Info
Display (MID), 6.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six speakers, 360-degree
Panoramic View Monitor, digital panel automatic climate control, Premium
Security and Solar Film as well as blue illuminated footwell.

As standard all variants of the Vios is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder DVVT-i engine and CVT with 7 virtual ratios combo, sending
107 hp
 and
140 Nm
 of torque to the front wheels. The Drive Mode selector (Sport, Normal, Eco) is also standard across the range but paddle shifters and rear disc brakes are exclusive to the G-spec.
The best part of the
Vios is its safety features with seven airbags, Vehicle Stability Control,
Hill-Start Assist Control and ISOFIX mounting points standard across all
variants. On the G-spec it also gets Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross
Traffic Alert, front and rear parking sensors as well as Front Digital Video
Recorder (DVR).
The facelifted Vios with
its enhanced features and vastly improved mechanicals offers consumers who are
looking for a spacious and comfortable family sedan a competitive product.
Coupled that with the brand image of the Toyota brand and 5-Years Unlimited Mileage
warranty, this is a Vios that your friends won’t laugh at.
IMAGE GALLERY
Toyota Vios 1.5 G Facelift


Goodyear Assurance DuraPlus launched, capable of travelling up to 100,000km

How does
100,000 kilometers
 on a single set of tyres sound to you? If you’ve heard of
Goodyear’s DuraPlus
 tyres – the very tyre to break the magic lifespan mark of 100,000 km, then we have good news for you. Goodyear Malaysia has introduced the
Assurance DuraPlus
 tyre that is said to provide better protection against road hazards while still able to cover up to 100,000km of tarmac.
To achieve such
longevity
, the DuraPlus tyre compound benefits from
more carbon content
, and in doing so makes the tyres harder. Also, the incorporation of
TredLife Technology
 creates a larger tread width design. This cavity-shaped tread puts more wearable rubber in contact with road surfaces, boosting lifespan. This hard compound tyre is also more durable thanks to use of
kevlar
, giving drivers extra protection against a variety of road hazards. Rubber volume is also maximised here, and combine that with the deep tread, you get – you guessed it – more kilometers to the rubber.
To put things into perspective, you can drive from KL to Bangkok over
66 times
 before needing to replace these tyres. If that wasn’t enough, Goodyear Malaysia is also giving customers an extra peace of mind when purchasing any tyres under the Goodyear Malaysia’s
Worry Free Assurance Programme
. Any tyres under the Assurance range, if damaged and deemed irreparable, will be replaced for free should the tread depth remain over 6.7mm.
If the tyres are damaged with a tread depth of 5.5mm to 6.5mm, Goodyear will
credit against
 the purchase of a new tyre of the same size and model. You may refer to the table below for the current tyre sizes and its pricing:
Tyre Profile
Price (including GST)
165/55 R14
RM225.99
185/60 R14
RM227.37
185/65 R14
RM254.93
185/70 R14
RM279.73
195/70 R14
RM312.81
195/60 R15
RM307.29
195/65 R15
RM325.21

Prices start from
RM226 to RM325 including GST
. As of now, only
seven sizes
 of the Assurance DuraPlus will be offered nationwide, while the remaining 36 sizes will be introduced periodically throughout the next 12 months.
[divider]
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Buy your Shell Helix motor oils on Lazada, together with service packages

If you’re not aware, the year is 2017 – everything is online and online is everything. I was going to say that save for a car and other specific items, you can acquire almost anything online these days; whether they’re items, information or even soulmates.
Even then, you
can actually buy a car online now
 – as you may have read from our previous article. Today it was Shell’s turn to step into the digital foray, with Lazada – the e-commerce giants of this land.
With this initiative, you can now buy officially-sourced Shell’s Helix motor oils from the first official online store via the Lazada platform. All prices stated on the site are inclusive of delivery across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. The Shell Malaysia Official online store also offers attractive engine oil service packages at selected authorised workshops in the Klang Valley and Johor.
These packages, from as low as RM 103 includes your preferred Shell helix motor oil, oil filter, labour charges and a complimentary 15-point vehicle check. Between 3rd till 10th of August 2017, shoppers at the official online store will get an e-voucher from Lazada Malaysia worth up to RM 30 for every purchase of Shell motor oil or service packages.
Upon purchase of the engine oil service package, customers will be contacted by the official Shell distributor to arrange their preferred service venue, date and time slot followed by a confirmation via SMS.
For more info, visit the Shell Malaysia Official Online Store
here
!


Alpina B4 S Bi-Turbo, a 440 hp & 660 Nm beast from a 3.0L straight-six!

Hand Alpina a BMW and you know you’ll be in for a treat. What they’ve done this time around is take a regular, road-going BMW 440i and gave the 3.0-litre straight six engine a good, solid massage.
The stock output isn’t shabby by any measure, putting out
320 hp
 at 5,500 rpm and
447 Nm
 of torque from 1,380 to 5,000 rpm. Alpina’s version of the 440i packs 440 hp and 660 Nm of torque, and you can have it in three variants – Coupe RWD, Coupe AWD and Convertible RWD.
Power gains come courtesy of two Alpina-specific turbochargers, allowing the 4 Series to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just
 4.2 seconds
. Top speed is
306 km/h
 and isn’t electronically limited – thankfully. In comparison, the 440i manages the century sprint in 4.9 seconds and has a e-limited top speed of 250 km/h. Interestingly though, fuel consumption for the Alpina B4 S is significantly lower at 7.9 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, versus the 440i’s 9.4l/100km. The eight-speed automatic transmission has also been reprogrammed to cope with the gains.
Standard equipment on the Alpina is comprised of adaptive Alpina sports suspension, 20-inch classic Alpina wheels, Akrapovič stainless steele exhaust system with double-ended tail pipes, Alpina bodykit and high performance 18-inch brake system with blue Alpina callipers. Others like paintwork and interior trims are factory-fitted items, save for the floor mats.
If only Alpina is represented in Malaysia. Man, the things people would do to their Bimmers…
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Mercedes-AMG E63 and E63S unveiled, more potent than the AMG GT!

When it comes to building powerful and fast Mercedes-Benzes, three letters quickly spring to mind: AMG. Any Mercedes model to bear the 63 moniker means serious business, including this Mercedes-AMG E 63.
The E 63, currently the most powerful
10th-generation E-Class
 model ever, come in two variants – the standard
E 63 4MATIC+
 and the
 E 63 S 4MATIC+
. It gets the most stylistically aggressive bodykit on the W213 E-Class to date, and shares the same V8 powertrain as the
AMG GT
. Here’s the juicy part: the E 63 S 4MATIC+ is able to go sideways with tons of rubber smoke, thanks to a new “drift mode” function.

Before we get there, it’s worth mentioning that the E 63’s engine output shames that of the AMG GT’s. Despite sharing the same
4.0-litre Biturbo V8
 mill, the E 63’s tune is close to the
AMG GT R
‘s level. The E 63 develops
 571 hp
 and
750 Nm
 of torque while the E63 S makes
612 hp
 and
 850 Nm
 of torque.
All in, the latter completes the century sprint in
3.4 seconds
 while the other lesser variant is just a 0.1 seconds slower. As a comparison, the fastest AMG GT model, the 585 HP GT-R, sprints to the 100km/h mark in 3.6 seconds. All variants receive the one and only
 nine-speed dual clutch automatic
 transmission.
Despite all that grunt, remember that all German cars are electronically capped to max out at 250km/h. With the optional AMG Driver’s package, the E 63’s top speed is upped to
 298 km/h
.
Now, back to the juicy bit. To engage “Drift” mode, simply select “Race Mode”, deactivate ESP and take full control of the transmission. This turns the E 63 into a rear wheel bias hooning machine (all E 63 variants come with
AMG Performance 4MATIC+
 all-wheel drive system as standard).
Prices for the E 63 begins at
£75,000
 (approximately RM384,000.00 based on today’s rates) while the drift-happy E 63 S is sold at
£83,000
 (approximately RM425,000.00). Deliveries will begin by January 2017. Next in line to receive the bi-turbo V8 is the E 63 wagon/estate variants, and that will come in due course.
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Get RM4 Shell e-voucher when you refuel with Hong Leong Bank credit card

From now till the 18th of September 2020, Hong Leong Bank credit card users can enjoy an e-voucher worth RM4 when they purchase fuel at Shell stations. Customers will receive the RM4 e-voucher via e-mail with a minimum spend of RM50.
For the past few years, there has been a drastic shift in payment methods, and as reported by Visa, more than 70% of the local consumers are jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to payment methods – preferring cards over cash
.
With this Hong Leong Bank collaboration, get more value at Shell stations when you use your Hong Leong Bank credit card through these simple steps:
1. Purchase RM50 and above worth of fuel at any Shell Station
2. Pay with your Hong Leong Bank credit card
3. Receive the RM4 Shell e-voucher via e-mail
4. Visit the nearest Shell Station to redeem the Shell e-voucher


Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur unveils the Rapide AMR – only 2 of 210 in Malaysia

Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur has officially brought into Malaysia two of the 210-units-only Aston Martin Rapide AMR, which was
first introduced at the Geneva motor show in 2018
 with several mechanical and aesthetic improvements to mark the brand’s return to the Le Mans 24 hours.
The two cars – one each of the Standard and Signature schemes – are the last two units of the Rapide AMR in the entire Southeast Asia, with prices starting at
RM1.1 million
 excluding duties and taxes.
At the heart of the souped-up four-door super sedan is a 6.0-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine, upgraded with larger inlet manifolds and quad exhaust system to produce
603 hp
 and
630 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the rear wheels via a recalibrated eight-speed Touchtronic III automatic gearbox.
The extra performance results in a 0-100 km/h time of seconds, onward to a top speed of 330 km/h. To help cope with the extra power, the Aston Martin Rapide AMR is fitted (for the first time on the Rapide) with carbon ceramic brake discs measuring 400 mm and 360 mm front and rear, paired to six- and four-piston calipers respectively.
The massive brakes are paired to 21-inch alloys – which is a first in any Aston Martin for those keeping track – which not only strengthens rigidity but also improve cooling for the brakes, along with an upgraded cooling system featuring modified brake ducts and dust shields adapted from the Rapide S.
The Rapide AMR sits 10mm lower than the Rapide S, and while the three stage adaptive dampers are retained, they’ve been thoroughly re-engineered for better agility.
Standing out from the regular Aston Martin Rapide, the AMR edition gets a mesh finish on its grille, circular daytime-running lights inspired by the Zagato models, along with a long list of lightweight aerodynamic components such as the new ventilated bonnet, splitters, sills, rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler – all made of carbon fibre.
The Standard Rapide AMR is finished in an Onyx Black exterior colour scheme, paired with the signature AMR Lime accents on the splitter, sills and rear diffuser. The Signature model meanwhile gets a Stirling Green paint job paired to an AMR Lime stripe which runs from the front emblem all the way to the rear bootlid, as well as the obligatory lime-green accents from the Standard variant.
The stripe is mirrored inside on the roof lining, front and rear centre armrests, as well as the Alcantara-wrapped seats. The entire centre console is made from carbon fibre for additional weight savings, and the dashboard is completed by a new steering wheel taken from the
One-77
.
As mentioned earlier, only two units of the Aston Martin Rapide AMR will be available in Malaysia, with prices starting at RM1.1 million before duties and taxes. To arrange for a viewing appointment for the super-exclusive super sedan, call Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur at
+60 3 2163 1196
 or email to
[email protected]
.
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Goodbye DSG, Volkswagen R to go fully electric by 2030

Volkswagen
’s R performance sub-brand has confirmed that it will go fully electric by 2030. It is reported that all R models will adopt the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming electric-only Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), albeit with performance-oriented tweaks.
According to
Autocar
, Volkswagen said that it is “gradually converting its portfolio, with several electric R models in the planning stages”, adding: “We’re currently assessing various concepts and possibilities but will only offer R models that meet our requirements. One thing is certain: the future of R is electric.”
Since the SSP is an electric-only platform, this means that electric variants of the current R range such as the
VW Golf R
,
VW Tiguan R
, and
VW T-Roc
 R
 would likely only come if the models get electric replacements in the future (built on SSP). This also implies that current ID models will be the first to get all-electric R versions.
Like their Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterparts, the electric R cars will also get trickled-down technology from prototype concepts, such as the Volkswagen ID R which currently holds the Pikes Peak record. Volkswagen also assures that all electric R models will continue to be developed on track.
RELATED:
The Golf R ’20 Years’ is now the fastest Volkswagen R model around Nürburgring
In another report, Volkswagen confirms that the electrified R sub-brand will also focus on quick and convenient charging for its customers. Currently, the fastest charging rate for a Volkswagen electric vehicle (EV) is 150 kW as shown in the
Volkswagen ID.5 GTX
. With a 150-kW rate, the ID.5 GTX charges from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes. Volkswagen R EV owners may also get exclusive chargers or subsidized charging prices.
Volkswagen R head, Reinhold Ivanz confirmed, “In order to become a fully electric brand by the end of the decade, we’re already taking the necessary steps today for the forthcoming transformation. The globally successful products from Volkswagen R are part of this exciting change process and will stand in [the] future for sustainable electric mobility.”
RELATED:
Make buttons great again – Volkswagen ditches capacitive steering controls for ‘real’ buttons


Here’s some “M Performance inspiration” for when you’re buying a new X5

You’ve seen how the M Performance Kit can
improve the aesthetic appeal of the BMW 5-series
, now check out this new range of goodies for the
new BMW X5
 that offers a more striking, dynamic appearance but also serve a functional purpose.
As for the outside of the car, you get the air intake trims made of carbon fibre with a glossy finish on the front bumper and front winglets and the same is applied to the rear diffuser and side mirror covers.
For the first time, BMW is offering all-terrain wheels as part of the M Performance package and these include the 20-inch (style 748 M) Star Spoke M light alloy wheels. As if that wasn’t already an option, there’s also the 22-inch (style 749 M) Start Spoke light alloy wheels that’s four kilograms lighter than your standard X5 wheels.
For those who enjoy the head-banging effect of highly potent brakes, there’s the M Performance 4-pot caliper option in the front, made of aluminium, to go with the perforated M Performance brake discs.
In the cabin, there’s the M Performance steering wheel wrapped in either carbon fibre or Alcantara and finished with a red centre marking and silver-grey cross-stitch. This can be complemented with paddle shifters which are finished in “carbon fabric”.
If you’re a geek for all things driving data, there’s also an M Performance Drive Analyser that offers trip recording on a smartphone video camera, driving data logging and route tracking using GPS.
Other M Performance options include an M Performance key wallet made of Alcantara and
even M Performance tyre bags
, like the ones offered for the
all-new BMW G20 3-series
.
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MINI JCW Pro Edition now in Malaysia, 20 units only, RM256k!

Looking for a small and practical hot hatch without the Volkswagen or Ford badge? Then you’re in luck, because MINI Malaysia has released just a special, 20-unit only MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) Pro Edition.
Based on the
F55 five-door MINI S
 model, the Pro Edition is only available in
Midnight Black Metallic
, and it’s currently the fastest and rawest five-door MINI, just in case the wife disagrees with the
three-door hatchback
. As a start, the 2.0-litre turbocharged lump receives a boost, courtesy of
Pro Tuning Kit
, raising the performance from the standard 192 hp and 280 Nm to
211 hp
 and
 300 Nm
 of torque.
There’s a new
Valve Silencer System
 which adjusts the exhaust note, and depending whether you’re in Sport or Track, the intensity differs. The tailpipe gets carbon finishing and the flap is operated wirelesslyvia two clicks of the Bluetooth 4.0 controller.
Besides the increased performance, the exterior gets a little bit more menace. The JCW Pro Edition comes with an aerodynamic bodykit, wing mirror caps, side scuttles, and a red/black chequered roof. A set of 18-inch Cross-Spoke alloy is also unique only to this special variant.
Given such exclusivity, the MINI JCW Pro Edition comes at a slight premium over the standard MINI 5 Door S. This all-black pocket rocket is retailed at
RM255,888.00
 (on the road, excluding insurance), packaged with a 4-Year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service.
As a matter of fact, MINI Malaysia offers the JCW Pro Accessories to other MINI owners (refer to list below). All prices exclude installation.
MINI JCW Pro Aerodynamic Kit –
RM 16,283.43
MINI JCW Pro Tuning Kit with Valve Silencer System –
 RM 10,000.00
MINI JCW Pro Carbon Tailpipe Trim –
RM 3,000.00
MINI JCW 18-inch Cross-Spoke Light Alloy Wheels in Jet Black –
RM14,858.00
MINI JCW Pro Roof Décor –
RM 650.00
MINI JCW Pro Wing Mirror Caps –
RM 690.00
MINI JCW Pro Side Scuttles –
RM 690.00
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All-New Volkswagen Tiguan revealed, bigger, lighter and more powerful

The all-new Volkswagen Tiguan has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This second-generation replacement of the model which sold as many as 2.64 million units worldwide is slightly bigger, yet weighs lesser than the outgoing model by some 50 kilos.
It’s is the first SUV to be built based on the group’s
MQB platform
 underpinning numerous vehicles under the VW empire, such as the
VW Golf
 and the
Audi TT
. The new Tiguan is
lower by 33 mm
 at 1,632 mm, but the rest of the measurements have been stretched lengthwise. The entire vehicle is
60 mm longer
 (4,486 mm), the
wheelbase
is
stretched by 77 mm
 (2,681 mm), and it’s also
wider by 30 mm
 (1,839 mm).
The design looks chunkier than before but it was actually
tested in the wind tunnel
, resulting in a reduction of overall air drag by as much as
 40 percent
. The nose was previewed earlier this year by the
Cross Coupe GTE Concept
, which joins the entire grille and headlamps together with intersecting horizontal lines.
LED headlamps
 make their first appearance on a VW SUV, but they’re optional items except on the Highline variant.
Its side profile features bulging wheel arches, while the entire vehicle is marked by the double character lines that emerge just aft the front fenders and all the way to the tail lights. Meanwhile from the shoulders up, the pillars were designed to improve all-round visibility from the inside.
At the back, the tailgate cuts wide into the
standard LED tail lights
, and there’s an integrated diffuser in the bumper finished in granite grey.
The growth in length translates to
more interior space
. The entire cabin is now
26 mm longer
, and rear passengers gain
29 mm more knee room
 while the
boot
 is now at
615 litres
, which is 145 litres bigger than before. The rear bench backrests split and recline at multiple angles, freeing up to 1,655 litres of cargo space in the back.
The dashboard adopts the new driver-oriented design, and the
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
 is now available together with
head-up display
. A new
Modular Infotainment Matrix
 (MIB II) offers
5-inch monochrome toucshcreen
 Composition Touch radio system as standard, but step up to Tiguan Comfortline or Highline and it will be replaced by a
5.0-inch colour touchscreen
 Composition Colour radio system. A bigger
8.0-inch colour touchscreen
 Composition Media radio system is also available as an option, including
Discover Media
 and
Discover Pro
 radio-navigation systems.
MIB II enables connectivity to either Apple or Android smartphones, and there’s even an
Interface box
 to connect the phone to the vehicle’s antenna which also charges the phone wirelessly.
Eight engine choices
 are available; four petrol and four diesel, and on average they’re
 24 percent more fuel efficient
 than before. The four
TSI petrol
 engines deliver 123 hp, 148 hp, 178 hp, and 217 hp, while the four
diesel TDI
 engines produce 113 hp, 148 hp, 187 hp, and 237 hp.
Drive is sent to the
front wheels
 on the base models, and
4MOTION all-wheel drive
 system is available as option, using a
fifth-generation Haldex coupling
 with
electronic differential locks
 (EDS) integrated in the electronic stability control (ESC). The
ground clearance
 has been
increased by 11 mm
 to 200 mm, and there’s an option for a different front bumper which increases the
approach angle
 from 18.3 to
25.6 degrees
.
The all-new Tiguan will be
 available in four trims
: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and R-Line. The range-topping
R-Line
 gets
20-inch Suzuka alloy wheels
, colour-coded
bodykit
, and
interior add-ons
 such as the R-line seats, R-Line steering wheel, and stainless steel pedals.
As standard, the Tiguan comes with
seven airbags
, together with the
Front Assist monitoring system
 which covers the
Pedestrian Monitoring
 and the
City Emergency Braking
,
Automatic Post-Collision Braking System
, and the
Lane Assist
 lane departure warning system.
Driver Alert
 system is offered as standard from Comfortline and above, while Highline Tiguan is equipped with
Adaptive Cruise Control
 as standard.
At the same time, VW also announced there will be a Tiguan with a
 stretched wheelbase
 to target the Chinese and the North American markets, and it is slated to go on sale in spring 2017.
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Shell launches Helix Eco 0W-20 fully-synthetic engine oil for compact commuter cars

Shell Malaysia Trading today launched its new low-viscosity fully-synthetic engine oil,
Shell Helix Eco 0W-20
.
The company says that the new engine oil is specifically developed to cater to compact cars with
engine capacity below 1,200 cc
, where the engines are also constantly subjected to high-stress situations due to start-stop driving conditions in the city.
The new fully-synthetic engine oil promises better fuel economy, along with better protection for engine parts against wear and friction. The new Shell Helix Eco engine oil also features a low evaporation formula that can help keep the engine always lubricated and thus, protected.
Shell Lubricants Marketing General Manager, May Tan said, “Car owners will now be able to enjoy savings from lower maintenance costs as it is a premium fully synthetic engine oil that is able to cleanse your engine as well as provide optimal engine protection until your next oil change.”
Shell Helix Eco 0W-20 will be available in
3.5-litre packs
, with a recommended retail price of
RM143.50
 in Peninsular Malaysia and
RM144.20
 in Sabah and Sarawak. It is now available at all authorised Shell Helix workshops nationwide.
In conjunction with the launch of the new lubricant, every pack of the
‘Untuk Pasaran Malaysia’
 Shell Helix Eco 0W-20 will also come with a free sunshade, while stocks last.
Customers who purchase via authorised Shell Helix workshops are also entitled to participate in the
 Shell Advantage and Rewards (SHARE) programme
.
SHARE members are entitled to one free pack of Shell Helix engine oil for every four packs purchased through authorised dealers.


Throwback Thursday: When BMW built the most expensive 7-Series ever

Some of you might have forgotten, some of you might not have even heard of it but BMW Individual, the Bavarian car maker’s customisation arm once built a 7-Series that was dressed and finished in silver.
Dubbed the most expensive 7-Series ever built after it was equipped with
over 10 kilograms of silver
, it was named and fittingly so, the BMW 760Li Sterling Edition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR85JnvEIPs&feature=youtu.be
Not only was it treated by the delicate hands of BMW Individual, it was also worked on by some of the most tradition-steeped craftsmen of German silver manufacturer Robbe & Berking.
The price for this jewellery on wheels was never revealed although a quick search on the Robbe & Berking website showed that a simple silver tea spoon retails at nearly RM 1,000 so one can only imagine.
All the silver pieces you see in and out of the car – from the kidney grille, door trims, door handles and dashboard trims –  are made of 925 silver and have been painstakingly crafted by hand, a tradition the German brand has taken pride of since 1874 with the believe that only man’s hand can create pieces of art.
925 silver essentially means 92.5% silver, with 7.5% of other materials like copper used, to increase the hardness and strength of the silver pieces as 99.9% silver is considered relatively soft.
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Honda BR-V discontinued in Malaysia, to be replaced by all-new WR-V

Honda Malaysia
 has now confirmed that the BR-V has now been discontinued here on our shores, and will not be replaced by the
second-generation model
. Taking its spot as the entry-level SUV offering will be the
Honda WR
–
V
, which is set for launch in the third quarter of 2023.
Speaking during the press conference during a recent media event, Honda Malaysia Executive Coordinator, Yujiro Sugino, explained that the reason for the BR-V’s discontinuation was due to the “bigger [market] potential in the SUV segment, particularly in the space below the
HR-V
“.
ALSO WATCH:
Mitsubishi Xpander vs Honda BR-V 7-seater comparison!
Despite the Honda BR-V occupying a fairly unique position in the company’s model line-up as a seven-seater B-segment crossover, competition in the market has already been increasing steadily, especially with the launch of the Mitsubishi Xpander and all-new Perodua Alza here in Malaysia recently.
With the introduction of the WR-V, Honda Malaysia will “become the first Japanese mass market manufacturer to enter the Small SUV segment” – although it’ll still have to compete with the
Perodua Ativa
for market share.
The upcoming Honda WR-V will play an important role in Honda Malaysia’s 80,000-unit sales target this year. Aside from the Honda WR-V, the company is also planning for two more all-new model launches this year, alongside a facelift update for its existing models.
Even though it’ll soon be discontinued, the locally-assembled first-generation Honda BR-V is currently still available for sale – at least according to Honda Malaysia’s website. The seven-seater B-segment crossover is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, which offers
121 hp
 and
145 Nm
 to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
The model’s last updated in Malaysia is
dated June 2020
, bringing along a mild exterior redesign, as well as some added equipment including a new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display as part of its facelift exercise.
READ MORE:
All-new Honda WR-V to launch in Malaysia Q3 2023


Review: Kia Picanto 1.2 EX – Exceeding expectations, leaps and bounds

Cheap and cheerful; even for a car that serves nothing more than to get me from A to B, these are the minimum requirements and I think it’s safe to assume the same for most of you out there.
Growing up, I had the
first-generation 2006 Perodua Myvi
 to drive to school and college before my youngest sister took it over against my will. It’s still serving her very well till today, with only minor wear and tear replacements and repairs to groan about.
Practical and reliable, the now 12 year old Myvi was also a very useful yardstick then, when I got to try and compare the hatchbacks (of different makes) driven by my friends. Among them included a Peugeot 208, a Chevrolet Aveo and my then girlfriend’s first-generation Kia Picanto, coincidentally.
Having spent a fair amount of time in the latter, I can honestly say, it’s shit. It was so shit that I remember saying (countless times) that if I were to ever get into a fatal accident in the Picanto, I hoped for my body to be flung so far away from the car that they wouldn’t relate me to the accident and the car.
Like the new 2nd generation Picanto, our photography has also come a long way.
Then came the second-generation launched sometime in 2013. Not a piece of news I’d normally jumped straight into but seeing as a handful of motoring writers were so impressed with the car, for more reasons than one, that they actually went on to buy it for their daily use, I had every reason to believe that Kia’s new candidate to give the new Myvi a good run for its money, would be something to shout about.
And it was.
The Kia Picanto 1.2 EX at launch. Check out what it offers in detail
here
.
I remember being at the Picanto’s local launch earlier this year and when the price was announced, it was met with an applause. The positive reception was unprecedented but not unwarranted. And even after SST kicked in, it still bears the same
RM 49,888
 on-the-road without insurance price tag.
At that price you wouldn’t really expect much from the Picanto or a car really, especially if you’ve not heard of or taken notice of the car before, but then again, that’s actually the car’s biggest charm – its power to surprise.
Mention a sub-RM50,000 hatchback and you’d often picture a flimsy, dull-looking car that can’t be excited even with a lethal shot of adrenaline but as the pictures will tell, the Picanto isn’t any of that.
Granted, it may not be for everyone but I dig how it looks. It’s a little hatchback that isn’t afraid and doesn’t try too hard to look mean, with its U-shaped Daytime Running Lights within the aggressively-styled headlamps.

Paired with Kia’s signature front grille and the gapping design of the front bumper, the new Picanto looks like an angry and fidgety puppy but one you’d still want to try to pat.
The same can be said about its rear end too. The lines flow; they don’t end so abruptly that it makes the car look curvaceous in the front but square and boxy at the back.
Compared to its predecessor, the new Picanto definitely sports a sharper, more aggressive outlook as a whole but what they provided in terms of sportiness and dynamic design, they held back on equipment because those wheels are an utter buzzkill. Almost disappointing especially when its predecessor received a set of more striking wheels.
On the inside, it’s the same story as well. The new Picanto doesn’t try too hard to impress. If anything, it exudes this discreet sense of the confidence and competence from the moment you close the door – to the tune of a very stocky clunk.
And then when you examine the panels, the trims, the fit and finish, it all just feels right – especially when you consider what the car costs. As a whole, it did not make me react in the same way I would’ve when a date expresses her self-entitlement to free meals. Gross.

That said, it’s by no means a lavish interior, but more importantly to me, it wasn’t pretentious. Everything was where you’d expect it to be; they’re easily comprehensible and pleasantly functional with precise and clear displays.
I’m not big on the Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay offered in the new 7-inch touchscreen display but it’s definitely something to brag about to Myvi and Iriz owners, especially because you paid less for it.
What’s even more impressive are the six speakers and airbags inside the cabin. Mind you, for such a privilege, the nearest option is more or less RM 20,000 away in the form of a Honda Jazz. For most of us looking at a car in this price bracket, that’s easily another 2-3 years worth of painful monthly repayments.
Good things may come in small packages but they too, are not perfect. While the Picanto does offer more than it should at RM50k, with noticeably more headroom than before, its rear legroom is constant reminder of those dreadful Air Asia flights.
But then looking at the sheer petite dimensions of the Picanto, expecting abundance of space from its little frame is like expecting a three-course meal with champagne on a RM 200 return ticket to Bangkok in an Air Asia flight – you’re ridiculing no one but yourself.
Surprisingly, what the Picanto does offer that an Air Asia Airbus A320 flight wouldn’t, is refinement. At launch, Kia said that the new car comes with a number of soundproofing measures for reduced noise, vibration and harshness.
Most times, hearing such remarks from the marketing peeps, I’d just smirk with skepticism of the highest order but having driven the car, it made me feel so wrong to be so cynical.
With our roads paved to the smoothness of the Moon’s surface, the Picanto still offered the refinement of a car twice its price and even at triple digit speeds (when you finally get there), wind noise was blatantly on the lower end of the decibel scale.
And from behind the wheel, the power to surprise was even more…well, surprising! The steering was taut and sharp, with Kia claiming to have given the new Picanto a quicker steering rack. With that, it even allowed the Picanto to be mischievous to some degree, despite the lack of grunt.
Looking at the spec sheet, you wouldn’t expect much from a little 1.2-litre engine with
84 hp
 and
 122 Nm
 of torque to its name and you’d be right. What I did notice (and you will most certainly too), was how rev happy the engine was, although it doesn’t really amount to much forward movement.
Paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox, it was always very eager to drop a gear and give you every ounce of performance it can muster – certainly a better match than the
Rio’s dumbfounded engine and gearbox combo
.
On how thirsty the Picanto is, you might find yourself refueling once every five days or so, if you lived in Cheras and work in PJ like I do, because the Picanto only comes with a tiny 30-odd litre fuel tank.
Even so, with my natural disability of a heavier right foot, the Picanto still managed to repay over 350 precious kilometres from the puny tank so I suspect you wouldn’t find it too challenging to hit 400 km in it.
Summing up, I couldn’t help but think of the Picanto in the same way I would describe my 5-year pair of worn-in, leather loafers. In many ways, everything about it just feels right, it’s dependable and sturdy in its construction.
While it may have been likened several times to an Air Asia plane, an Air Asia X flight is what the new Picanto really is. Like the long haul flights on-the-cheap with the budget airline, the new Picanto offers so much more for so little. It simply exceeds all expectations.
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2015 Mercedes-Benz SL revealed, gets updated powertrain and looks [+Video]

The SL has always been the flagship roadster for Mercedes-Benz, with the history that stretches back as far as the Le Mans-winning W194 racer from the 1952. Currently in its sixth incarnation, the R231 SL was originally introduced back in 2012, and now it has been given a refresh inside and outside.
The most significant change on the outside is the totally new and curvier front end. The outline of the grille has been inverted from the pre-facelift R231 SL, and it’s blinged-up by those “
diamond grille
” studs. The headlights take on a slimmer profile and mimics those on the Mercedes-AMG GT, and it features
LED Intelligent Light System
 as standard.
The bonnet may look the same with the two outlet vents but they’re now complemented by a couple of powerdomes.
AMG-syle front bumper
 with the trademark A-wing is fitted as standard, while the side skirts, rear bumper and
all-red LED tail lights
 are new as well. A range of
19-inch
 wheel designs are on offer, and
two new colours
 are introduced to the existing SL colour palette: Brilliant Blue and Designo Selenite Grey Magno.
Interior changes are limited to the
new steering wheel
, instrument graphics, and some redesigned buttons on the center panel, but it’s still luxuriously-equipped with a choice of interior trims and several shades of leather. Even the airbag module is wrapped in nappa leather with topstitching. Still, the party piece is the “
vario-roof
” folding hard top that offers both the comfort of a coupe and the wind-in-the-hair experience of an open-top roadster. It also operates while on the move at speeds up to 40 km/h.
Powering the facelifted SL is a couple of updated
twin-turbo powerplants
 paired to a new
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission
. Horsepower and torque from the
2,996 cc V6
 in the
SL 400
 have increased by 35 hp and 20 Nm respectively to deliver a total of
367 hp
 and
500 Nm
. The
4,663 cc V8
 in the
SL 500
 on the other hand develops 25 hp more at
455 hp
, while its torque figures are retained at
700 Nm
.

Available for the first time ever in the SL is the
curve tilting function
 on the optional
Active Body Control
 (ABC) suspension. Debuted on the
S-Class Coupe
 recently, the curve tilting function works in the speed range from 15 to 180 km/h by
tilting the vehicle by up to 2.65 degrees
 in the direction where the steering wheel is pointed to reduce body roll.
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL debuted at the
 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show
, and it will go on sale in the second quarter of 2016 for European markets.
IMAGE GALLERY


The upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N ‘hot’ EV will help you drift better

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV is due to make its official debut in July this year. But before that, the company has now released a new teaser video showcasing the electric hot-“hatch” playing in -30 °C snow.
You can check out the full video below, which includes copious amounts of gratuitous slow-mo drift shots of the camouflaged Hyundai Ioniq 5 N alongside the i20 N WRC Rally 1 car. Aside from the video, the Korean carmaker has also provided some additional interesting tidbits for the performance-focused EV to get us even more excited ahead of its official reveal.
The first of those is the N Drift Optimiser, which, according to Hyundai, can help “drivers of all skill levels to enjoy drifting… with particular care for drivers who are entering the sport of drifting for the first time”. Well, guess we can probably be the judge of that.
In Hyundai’s own words, the N Drift Optimiser “integrates the front and rear torque distribution, torque rate, suspension stiffness, steering effort, and the e-LSD (electronic limited slip differential) system” to create a dedicated drift mode for the car.
READ MORE:
The Hyundai N Vision 74 is the DeLorean reboot that we never got
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is also going to be equipped with something called N Torque Distribution, which works with the e-LSD to distribute power to “all four wheels in varying ratios”, depending on the drive mode. The N Torque Distribution system and e-LSD are also specifically designed to handle the instantaneous torque delivery of an EV, and will supposedly work well no matter on track, through the twisty backroads, or “even in extreme low friction conditions”.
Indeed, the upcoming Ioniq 5 N will be Hyundai N’s first production vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The marque has previously only utilised AWD on its WRC race cars, and that is why the i20 N WRC rally car was also brought to the Ioniq 5’s test sessions at the frozen lakes of Arjeplog, Sweden.
“Just as our N models are honed at the sharp corners of the Nürburgring, our N models are also honed at the sharp corners and icy surfaces of our proving ground in Arjeplog, ensuring maximum performance in the most extreme winter conditions,” said Hyundai N Brand Management and Motorsports Vice President, Till Wartenberg
“We’re proud to demonstrate the Ioniq 5 N perfectly meets our broad performance criteria, ensuring N Brand success as our first EV production N model.” As we move ever closer to the scheduled launch date of the Ioniq 5 N, expect Hyundai to show off more of the car – probably without its disguise – in the coming months.
READ MORE:
Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV, Creta SUV teased for launch in Malaysia “soon”!

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This carbon fibre Rolls-Royce “stool” costs RM35k!

As Roll-Royce puts it, “The comfort of the handmade leather seat is no longer confined to the interior of a Rolls-Royce vehicle”.
It’s called the
Pursuit Seat
, a modern reimagination of the traditional portable seat designed by the Bespoke Collective division at the Home of Rolls-Royce, in Goodwood, West Sussex. It’s basically a Rolls-Royce stool.
“We have applied Sir Henry Royce’s values which is to
take the best that exists and make it better
,” the company said.
The Pursuit Seat’s main frame is made of carbon fibre and polished aluminium for optimal strength-to-weight ratio. It even comes with a height adjustment feature while the seat is made of the finest leather and is embossed with the Spirit of Ecstacy.
It comes with a case and can be stored at the back of the
Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV
.
Here’s what cracked us up; Rolls-Royce said if owners were at “outdoor music festivals or events”, the Pursuit Seat comes with a discrete pocket on the outer leather seat
for safe storage of the event tickets
.
The bottom of the Pursuit Seat was designed to be flared to offer a solid grip on hard surfaces while a retractable spike underneath it helps keep the Rolls-Royce stool in place on grass and softer ground.
Rolls-Royce also very specifically said, “There’s also a slim aluminium torch finished with the
company’s new emblem
, stored in the hinge of the seat, to ensure “safe passage back to your car”.
Here comes the price and you best be seated. It costs £6,581 (approx. RM35k) and can be purchased individually or as a pair.
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Renault Zoe remains the best-selling electric passenger car in Europe

The
Nissan LEAF
 may have celebrated its
10 year anniversary last week with over 500,000 units sold
 worldwide to date but it’s the Renault ZOE instead who’s leading the electric vehicle sales chart in Europe this year.
So far, the company has sold 95,985 units of its electric vehicles between November 2019 and November 2020. Compared to the year before, this figure represents an 80% increase in new vehicle registrations.
The
Renault ZOE E-Sport
with 460 hp and 640 Nm.
Renault’s electric vehicle range includes the ZOE, the Kangoo Z.E., the Twizzy, and the Master Z.E. van. Among them, the ZOE remains the best-selling electric passenger car in Europe.
More than 84,000 ZOEs have been sold since January 2020 – almost double compared to 2019 – making the ZOE the leading electric car in countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Since its launch in 2012, Renault has shipped 268,000 units of the ZOE in Europe.
In the UK, the ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in its segment, with sales increasing by a whopping 145% compared to 2019. This ranks Renault in 3rd spot in the UK EV market with over 6,600 units sold year-to-date to end November 2020.
Soon, Renault will be starting a new chapter for its electric vehicle range with a production version of the Mégane eVision. Based on the Alliance CMF-EV platform, it will be Renault’s answer for an electric vehicle in C-segment.
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New Renault Zoë


Mini will debut its next-gen design language in July with a new EV crossover

Mini
 is quickly moving into its electric future, and it’s got a new design language to go with it. Dubbed ‘Charismatic Simplicity’, the new design language will debut in the form of a “concept study” at the end of July this year on a brand-new tall-riding crossover model.
The new electric crossover concept will pave the way for Mini models of the future, and will be joined by the electric
Mini three-door hatchback
 and
Mini Countryman SUV
, both of which should also be released very soon after.
As usual, design language announcements like these are usually only filled with marketing blurbs like “[melding] the brand’s traditional values with state-of-the-art technology”, and not much of actual substance. No design elements have been shown off yet, aside from the teaser photo above, but we do know that every model will feature its own “individual charisma” touches to make them instantly distinguishable.
According to Mini, these can be as simple as a different Union Jack tail-light design, in addition to their different silhouettes, but they’ll all be based around the brand’s core identity, just reinterpreted in their own individual ways.
RELATED: Mini is making an all-electric John Cooper Works model
As the name suggests, the new design language will focus on minimalism, characterised by only the essentials on both its exterior and interior styling. The new cars will also heavily utilise sustainable materials, which means there will be “almost zero” chrome elements, while leather surfaces are eliminated completely.
Despite the focus on minimalism, Mini says that the new design language doesn’t mean it’s sacrificing on usability. For example, the OLED technology for the fully digital display and control unit, as seen on the
Vision Urbanaut concept
, will allow for more functions to be combined in a single unit.
And even with the new technology present in the “archetypal Mini circular central instrument”, analogue controls and toggle switches will still be retained underneath the touchscreen displays –
thank heavens.
The new Mini models will be built on a new platform, developed with electric powertrains in mind from the get go. Mini says this has given the engineers the flexibility of a different approach to vehicle design, maximising interior space despite the smaller footprint of their cars.
“Purely electrically powered models from MINI give us a unique opportunity to rethink our design. At the same time, we retain the attention to detail, sense of tradition and passion for innovation that MINI is renowned for,” said Mini design chief, Oliver Heilmer.


Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series gets “kidnapped” by YouTuber

If there was a name that could strike fear more effectively than AMG, it would be the Black Series. Historically, Black Series Mercedes’ have been known to be raw and highly potent so the new
 AMG GT Black Series
 shouldn’t be any different.
Take the W204 Mercedes-AMG C63 Black Series for example. It had a sinister appearance, full bucket seats and a whole lot power so expectations will be high for the AMG GT Black but we’ll have to wait a little while more to find out.

For most of you who aren’t obsessed with automotive content on YouTube, the man in the video is from the
Shmee150 channel
 – known for its content all on things supercars. Not the most suited character to play the role of a car jacker but hey, who are we to say.
It’s obvious how different the Black Series looks on the outside compared to the
AMG GT R
. For starters it gets a wing so large it wouldn’t look out of place on a fighter jet, a more aggressive front bumper with a much larger Panamericana grille and rear bumpers with more prominent diffuser.
Unlike the centre exit exhaust in the GT R, Mercedes-Benz has opted for quad tail pipes for the AMG GT Black Series. On the inside, it appears that the Black Series would come with full bucket seats and a half roll cage, like the AMG GT R.
With the later making 585 hp and 700 Nm from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, we’re expecting much more from this – can’t wait!


The Mercedes-AMG G 63 4×4 squared has the world’s most pointless portal axle

We all know no G-wagen will ever go anywhere near off the beaten path, but Mercedes-Benz
 just keeps doing this
. Following up on the wild G 550 4×4² from 2018, the German carmaker has now unveiled a new 4×4² model with
Mercedes-AMG G 63
 power, and the world’s most pointless portal axle.
The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the G 63 gives the latest 4×4² a monstrous
585 hp
 and
850 nm
 of output, which sends the massive hunk of metal from a standstill to 100 km/h in just
4.5 seconds
.
That’s obviously very cool, but the G 63 4×4²’s party trick is its portal axle, which uses gearsets on each end to offset the wheel hub from the axle’s centreline. The exotic set-up helps raise the car’s ground clearance up to 351 mm, and water wading capabilities to a depth of 910 mm – the latter even higher than some pick-up trucks.

You won’t be needing it anyway, but you’ll be happy to know that the new Mercedes-AMG G 63 4×4² can also tackle steep inclines at up to a 45-degree angle.
Let’s be honest – the 4×4² is just a show-off piece for Premier League footballers who want to look even more extravagant than their peers. To that end, it gets a whole lot of carbon fibre trims, including fender extensions that still struggle to completely cover the massive 22-inch wheels.
RELATED: Special edition Mercedes-AMG G63 celebrates 55 years of AMG
There’s also the carbon-fibre roof “spoiler” with forward-facing LEDs, alongside the “professional” roof rack and ladder at the back, and of course the carbon-fibre full-size spare wheel holder.
The carbon fibre trims extend inside the 4×4², which G-Class Head of Product Management Toni Mäntele says is to give the car an “exclusive touch”, because obviously, it’s not there to save weight. For a little extra pizzazz, the G 63 4×4² also gets a special start-up animation in the digital instrument cluster to remind you what you’re driving – even if you practically just climbed into the tall cabin.
ALSO READ: Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG – The G-Wagen is finally going electric!
Mercedes-Benz isn’t saying how much this will cost, but we aren’t expecting anything close to “affordable”, seeing that it’s even more ridiculous than the already-expensive, regular G 63 – not to mention that it’ll also be a limited run model.
While we still don’t see the point of this, we still have to give credit to Mercedes-AMG for doing something just because they can – and that’s how you keep cars fun.


Toyota Alphard & Vellfire recalled over Electronic Parking Brake issue

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has just announced a Special Service Campaign (SSC) (recall in layman speak) for 1,900 units Toyota
Alphard
 and
Vellfire
 manufactured between April 2016 to February 2018 and officially distributed by UMWT over potential Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) failure.
Due to improper programming of the ECU for the EPB, a voltage reduction during an engine re-start after an idling stop could be judged as an abnormality if the car battery is not in good condition. This would cause a warning light to appear and the EPB may not operate correctly.
Electronic Parking Brake on a Toyota Alphard
UMW will contact all its affected vehicle owners to bring their vehicles in for an ECU update at
no cost
 to the customers. The ECU programming is estimated to take around one hour. Owners of the affected cars can contact any authorised Toyota service centre or call the Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
Additionally, all Toyota owners can also visit
Toyota’s SSC webpage
 to check whether their Toyota vehicle(s) is involved in any other recall campaign through the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Checker.


Experience rally racing at the Mitsubishi Triton Champion Xperience event this weekend

Ever wondered how it’s like being a rally driver, blasting through tight and twisty paths in the jungle at mind-bending speeds? Well… you still won’t be able to do that without proper training, but at least you can now experience how it feels like, with a rally taxi ride at the Mitsubishi Triton Champion Xperience event at Tanamera, Shah Alam, this weekend.
The taxi ride is just one of the many activities planned for the event, which is inspired by the Mitsubishi Triton’s recent victory at the
Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR)
. Attendees will also be able to experience the Triton’s handling and toughness through a hands-on off-road test drive.
If you really do want to become a rally driver some day, you’ll be able to kickstart your journey at the Triton Xperience event with the “batak board challenge” to train your agility and reaction speeds.
A variety of Mitsubishi cars will also be on display at the event, including the latest
Triton Athlete
,
Xpander
, the
AP4-inspired modified Xpander
, and even the rare Mitsubishi Pajero Junior, plus a Lancer Evolution VI Tommy Makkinen edition!
Customers who book a Triton at the event will enjoy exclusive promotions (valid until 30 June 2023), alongside free gifts including a Stanley lifestyle tumbler.
The Mitsubishi Triton Champion Xperience event is happening this weekend, 24-25 June, at Tanamera Experience, Shah Alam, from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
Sign up now to participate in the test drives at MMM’s official site (linked
here
) to stand a chance to receive an exclusive Champion Xperience T-Shirt, RM20 Touch ‘n Go reload pin, and also participate in the lucky draw to stand a chance to win a North Face Explore Bardu II bag.
READ MORE:
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart wins AXCR with rally-prepped Triton on first attempt
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Honda back to winning F1 races after Austrian GP cliffhanger

The last time a Honda powered race car won a Formula 1 race was back in 2006, in the hands of Jenson Button who notched his own maiden win in a rain-soaked Hungarian GP. It has been slim pickings since, but Red Bull Racing eventually delivered in fitting fashion 13 years later.
Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner celebrating with Toyoharu Tanabe, technical director of Honda F1.
Despite starting from the front row, Max Verstappen found himself in eighth place after bogging down at the start, but he soon fought back up the order as the RB15 made better use of its tyres compared to rivals on a scorching hot track. Still, a win looked unlikely as Ferrari’s LeClerc seemingly controlled the pace upfront.
After passing Vettel and Bottas to assume second, Verstappen made his overtaking move on LeClerc stick on turn 3 of lap 69 (out of 71), but not before banging wheels with the latter and causing a nervy post-race investigation by the stewards which kept the final results in limbo some three hours after the race concluded. It was eventually deemed a ‘racing incident’ and Honda’s comeback was cemented.

Your view of the incident may differ depending on your allegiance, but for neutrals and casual observers bored stiff by Mercedes-AMG’s dominance, the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix would have restored your faith in Formula 1 by no small measure.


All-new Peugeot 2008 is a mini 3008 and we love it

 Shortly after the global debut of the
second-generation Peugeot 208 hatchback, the French carmaker has also presented
its latest generation Peugeot 2008 compact SUV.
Like the 208, the
second-generation 2008 is also available with an all-electric powertrain as
well as the conventional 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech petrol and the
1.5-litre BlueHDi turbodiesel. For the first time, the 2008 SUV is available
with the full suite of Advanced Driving Assistant Systems.
The e-2008 features a
100 kW
 (136 hp) electric motor and 50 kWh battery pack giving
310 km
 of zero-emission driving range based on the WLTP test cycle. The onboard 100 kW rapid charging technology can give 80% of battery juice in 30 minutes while a conventional charging point – 7.4 kW and 11 kW – takes between 8 to 5 hours.
As before, the
1.2-litre PureTech
 engine is available in three states of tune –
100 hp
,
130 hp
 and
155 hp
. The latter two are available with an 8-speed automatic transmission while the entry-level engine is paired to a 6-speed manual. All variants of the 2008 are front-wheel driven as standard.
It now rides on the
new Common Modular Platform (CMP) which makes the new car 14 cm longer than its
predecessor. However, boot space still maintains at 360 litres on all
powertrain options including the e-2008.
The new 2008 is essentially a jacked-up version of the 208 hence it shares the similar design cues such as the prominent claw-style LED front and rear lamps, model designation on the front hood and two-tone paintwork.
We have to acknowledge
the fact that the 2008 now looks significantly more well proportioned and desirable
thanks to the new silhouette inspired from the larger 3008 and 5008. Much more appealing
than the active tourer body of the previous-gen.
The cabin now benefits
from the new Peugeot 3D i-Cockpit design features a harmonious blend of futuristic
and minimalism. Ahead of the driver is a large Heads Up LCD instrument panel
coupled with a small-ish multifunctional steering wheel that’s featured on new-generation
Peugeot models.
Other feel-good items include 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 10-speaker Focal premium surround sound system, mood lighting, dynamic seats and others.
Peugeot has fitted
their compact SUV will all the latest driver assistance systems including Drive
Assist semi-autonomous driving system, Autonomous Emergency Brake Assist,
Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Monitoring and Extended Traffic
Sign Recognition.
IMAGE GALLERY
All-new Peugeot 2008 GT
All-new Peugeot e-2008


Mercedes-AMG’s new M178 V8, smaller but just as powerful and more efficient [+Video]

With the trend of car makers downsizing their engines in the name of efficiency, it’s not surprising that
Mercedes-AMG
 is announcing their new smaller capacity engine for their future cars. The new engine codenamed
M178
 is ‘just’ 4.0-litre in capacity but thankfully retaining the eight-cylinder in ‘V’ configuration.
The
90-degree V8
 have something called a ‘hot inside V’. What it means is there are two turbochargers mounted inside the V instead of outside of the engine, making the whole package as compact as possible.
Said to be related to the M133 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, the new M178 has identical
bore and stroke
 ratio of
83.0 x 92.0 mm
. With forged aluminium pistons, cylinder heads made of
 zirconium alloy
 and
NANOSLIDE® technology
 on the cylinder bore surface, the M178 is built to withstand rigorous use as it is intended. Speaking of which, the M178 will be hand-built like any other AMG engines with the “one man, one engine” principle.
The M178 has
 direct petrol injection
 with spray-guided combustion, and an
external engine oil cooler
 with a two-stage controlled oil pump that circulates the engine oil depending on the engine load to offer better fuel consumption. There’s also
ECO start/stop
 function that further helps to save more fuel in the running. The engine will be mounted on
active engine mounts
 for comfort and excellent lateral dynamics and the drive line’s torsional vibration is prevented by using
two-mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum
 that will ensure a smooth ride.
The M178 has a
dry weight
 of
209 kg
, which Mercedes claims the lightest in its segment. The
3982 cc

twin-turbo V8
 is able to produce
503 hp
 at 6,250 rpm and
650 Nm
 of torque at 1,750 – 4,750 rpm. The engine is Euro 6 compliant, and said to sip fuel less than
10.0 l/100 km
. For comparison, the M159 6.2-litre normally-aspirated V8 in the SLS AMG produces  571 hp at 6,800 rpm and 650 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm, with fuel consumption of 13.2 l/ 100km.
With the reduction in engine size that doesn’t mean the sound of the engine will be reduced as well, because there’s the
 sports exhaust system with variable exhaust flaps
that will guarantee the proper V8 soundtrack depending on the drive mode and engine load. The M178 will debut in the highly-anticipated
Mercedes-AMG GT
 supercar, which is reportedly to be revealed in September. Meanwhile have a listen to it and catch the glimpse of the Mercedes-AMG GT in the teaser video below!
 [divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


The all-new Toyota Rush is now packed with a whole pandora of safety features!

It looks way edgier than before, it’s much better equipped than before, the all-new Toyota Rush now available in Malaysia is just better than before in every way possible – in replacement of the first generation which has been on sale for over 10 years.
Equipped with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine mated to a 4-speed automatic, it packs
105 hp
 with
 136 Nm
, to power the rear wheels with fuel returns rated at 15.6 km. New to the Rush is an Automatic Stop-Start system and an Electric Power Steering.
Two variants will be available for the all-new Rush –
1.5 G and 1.5 S
 – where the unique R-Blade aero kit is standard. On the outside, among the highlights are the LED head and tail lights 17-inch wheels with 215/60 tyres.
In the 1.5 S, standard equipment includes leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. On the inside, the 7-seater features a 2-3-2 seating layout with 217 litres of cargo space available with all the seats erected and 514 litres when the rear seats are folded.

Onboard features include a 6.8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth and “mirror functions” to reflect your smartphone’s display, a whopping
13 cupholders
, a Multi-Info display in the instrument cluster, a Panoramic View Monitor with four cameras around the car for 360-degree view around the car, a Digital Video Recorder, Smart Entry and the
 Toyota AutoTag
 for toll payments – the most sought-after feature in local cars these days.
Aside from the abundance of features, refinement has also been the focus of this all-new Rush. Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) has been significantly improved with reduced engine vibrations, reduced noise from the driveshaft and transmission. Highlighting it’s utility, the all-new Rush offers 220 mm of ground clearance and is capable of being submerged in water at depths of up to
600 mm
.
Lastly, the most impressive of all is the car’s safety features. On top of the six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Emergency Stop Signal, the Rush also comes equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
Specifically for the 1.5 S, a
Pre-Collision System
 is included with four features – Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control. A forward-facing stereo camera attached to the system can scan the road ahead up to 60 metres for vehicles and 30 metres for pedestrians.

When a risk of forward collision is detected, there’ll be a buzzer to warn the driver, up to speeds of 4 – 100 km/h for vehicles and 4- 50 km/h for pedestrians. The Pre-Collision Braking, on the other hand, operates at speeds of up to 80 km/h. The Front Departure Alert will alert the driver when the vehicle ahead has moved more than three metres in traffic with a buzzer.
The all-new Rush comes with a 5-year full warranty with unlimited mileage. Price for the Rush is estimated at
RM 98,000
 for the 1.5 S and
RM 93,000
 for the 1.5 G.
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All-new Honda Civic Type-R teased, heading to Nurburgring for testing

Honda USA has just released two teaser images of the soon-to-be-launched Civic Type R that is based on the 11th generation Honda
Civic hatchback
.
In an accompanying caption, the next destination for the high-performance hot hatchback is the famed Nurburgring circuit in Germany for more testing. Back in 2017, the FK8 Honda Civic Type R lapped the 20.8 km loop in 7 minutes and 43.8 seconds, a record time then for front-wheel drive cars.
An official lap time at the undulating North Loop is not expected, as the weather conditions during this time of the year is far from optimum.
Based on the two images of the front and back of the new vehicle, the aggressive and complex “boy-racer” aerokit in the FK8 Civic Type R has been significantly toned down in line with the styling of the 11th generation Civic, but the signatory three-outlet exhaust tips have been maintained. A simple rear wing, although more aggressive than the
Modulo item
, is also added for both stability and portraying the Type R image.
Mugen’s prototype bodykit for the new Honda Civic hatchback actually looks good without trying too hard! Check it out in detail here!

Up front, the unique camouflage pattern (can you make out the silhouettes?) masks the additional styling pattern at the corners of the bumper. While unconfirmed, it looks like Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres will be providing control and grip for the upcoming hot-hatch, replacing Continental.
Honda is planning to have the all-new Civic Type R available next year, but perhaps there might be more snippets of the vehicle in between today’s first official images and the final launch model. There are rumours that this model will also feature some form of
electrification
 in its powertrain.

The outgoing FK8 Honda Civic Type R was initially launched in 2017 at a price tag circa
RM320,000
, with outputs of
310 hp
 /
400 Nm
 of torque and only available with the best-shifting six-speed manual transmission. A facelift was done in early 2020, upgrading the cooling system, braking system as well as the electronic damping system, but unable to be offered by Honda Malaysia due to the global pandemic.
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Toyota’s Concept-i helps you keep calm and carry on, when driving gets too stressful

There are loads to look forward to at the Tokyo Motor Show;
Mazda’s showcase of their new direction concepts
,
Mitsubishi’s e-Evolution
 and now this, Toyota’s Concept-i.
It revolves around three main features – the LEARN system that estimates emotion and level of alertness by reading the driver’s expressions, actions, and tone of voice in a complex manner. It will even learn the driver’s news and content preference based on studies on the individual’s social media activity.
Based on this technology, the Concept-i follows up with innovations like the PROTECT, covering the areas of safety and peace of mind and INSPIRE, with a focus on driving pleasure. With PROTECT, the car automatically assumes responsibility of the controls if it deems necessary and switches to automated driving if it’s detected that the driver is overwhelmed with dangerous or high-stress conditions.
It also supports the driver by stimulating the five senses, including vision, touch and smell depending on driver’s emotion, degree of fatigue, and level of alertness and helps keep the driver alert and more relaxed when in a drowsy or stressed state of mind.
As for the INSPIRE approach which invokes “fun to drive” experiences, the Concept-i engages  in conversation based on the emotions and preferences of the driver. The car is able to suggest topics of interest based on the driver’s mood – achieving a completely new style of two-way free conversation.
By understanding the driver’s emotions and behaviour, the Concept-i can deliver fresh experiences by suggesting new, enjoyable routes as slight detours. Toyota plans to have the Toyota Concept-i rolled out by 2020 and conduct road tests of vehicles equipped with some of the concept car’s functions from this exhibition in Japan.


The Lynk & Co 03+ Cyan Edition is a WTCR race car you can drive on the roads

In case you didn’t know, Lynk & Co is now a major player in the
World Touring Car Cup (WTCR)
, with three world championship titles (two constructors and one driver championship wins) already under its belts in the short two years time it’s been involved in the racing series – and things are already looking great in the 2021 season for the Chinese-Swedish carmaker.
To celebrate the achievement, Lynk & Co has unveiled a special Cyan Edition model for its 03+ sports sedan, inspired by the race car that’s brought them their incredible success in the WTCR series.
Image:
Geely Group/Twitter
From the looks of it, the 03+ Cyan Edition is basically a production version of the
03 Cyan Concept
 which Lynk & Co used to smash two Nurburgring Nordschleife lap records with, including the same iconic cyan paint job.
Although the bodywork seems to have been pared down slightly, especially without the flared rear fenders, the 03+ Cyan Edition’s massive adjustable rear wing and carbon fibre bits still makes it look as though it came straight from a racetrack.
The Lynk & Co 05+ is a 265 hp SUV with real carbon fibre bits – check it out here!
Completing its “because race car” looks are the unique Cyan Racing design wheels and Cyan Racing emblems littered throughout the entire exterior. It’s not just all show and no go either, as the Lynk & Co 03+ Cyan Edition also gets upgraded Akebono brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, plus a set of adjustable Bilstein dampers on all corners.
It’s a similar story for the Cyan Edition’s performance, where the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine now makes
265 hp
 and
380 Nm
 of torque, matching the
05+ SUV
. While not quite the 500+ hp output of the record-breaking Cyan Prototype, it’s still slightly more potent than the
regular 03+
, translating to 0.2 seconds quicker 0-100 km/h time of
5.7 seconds
.
Lynk & Co’s first car dealership in Belgium looks nothing like a typical car showroom. Check it out here!
The 03+ Cyan Edition alongside the 05+. Image:
Geely Group/Twitter
Unfortunately, the Lynk & Co 03+ Cyan Edition will be a China-market exclusive for now. No pricing information was announced either, but expect it to be quite a bit more expensive than the regular 03+ – the latter starts at CNY185,800 (Approx. RM120k) in mainland China.
GALLERY