The Tesla Model S Plaid has apparently set a new EV lap record at the Nurburgring

[
Update 5:14 pm, 10/9:
 Tesla has now published the full on-board video, which we’ve included into the post below. The run is still yet to be certified by Nurburgring officials.]
The
Tesla Model S Plaid
 has supposedly just smashed the electric car lap record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, according to a tweet by the boss man Elon Musk.
“Tesla Model S Plaid just set official world speed record [sic] for a production electric car at Nürburgring. Completely unmodified, directly from factory,” the
tweet
 read, alongside a photo that shows two lap times:
7:30.909
 and
7:35.579
.

Based on previous official runs, it’s seems likely that the former is for the shorter 20.6 km configuration of the track, while the latter time is for the full 20.832 km track that’s used for official record timekeeping in recent years.
Either way, we still need to wait for the full on-board video to verify, which also means that the Tesla Model S Plaid’s lap isn’t officially certified just yet – and a cursory check on Nurburgring’s website confirms that.
The all-new Audi RS3 is now the fastest compact car around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Watch the on-board video here!
Image:
Elon Musk/Twitter
But for now, if we take the results at face value, then a 7:30.909 time around the shorter configuration is indeed a new EV sedan Nurburgring lap record, smashing the previous 7:42.3 lap time set by the
Porsche Taycan Turbo
 back in 2019.
Taking into account the Plaid’s performance credentials, the results doesn’t seem all too surprising. Powered by three electric motors, the Tesla Model S Plaid makes a total of 1020 hp and 1,420Nm, which translates to a claimed 2.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
Despite its incredible straight-line performance, its massive 2,162 kg weight does make it pretty challenging to fling it around all 154 corners of the Nordschleife, which probably explains why it’s still slower than a handful of ICE-powered cars.
For comparison’s sake, the
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4Matic+
 currently holds the lap record for the “Executive Cars” category, with a time of 7:27.8 around the longer 20.8 km loop. Recently, the P
orsche Cayenne Turbo GT
 also took the crown for the SUV category, with a new official lap record time of 7:38.925 around the same 20.8 km layout.
There aren’t too many pure EVs that have made the lap record attempt, but the record for that is currently held by the VW ID.R (in the Prototype class), with a time of 6:05.336.
Will Porsche come back for another official attempt, using the more powerful Turbo S variant? Well, with the carmakers recent fascination with setting Nürburgring lap records, we’d say that it’s at least a non-zero chance of this happening.
At least we know that Tesla is also still planning for a second Nurburgring run, featuring a modified Model S Plaid with added aero surfaces, carbon brakes, and track tires – although, it wouldn’t be certifiable as an official record, as that requires a car in its stock, factory form.
[images:
Touristen Niko/YouTube
]


Iconic Nissan models over eight decades recounted in this epic video

As part of an effort to reconnect the brand with its illustrious past, Nissan recently launched a new exhibition corner at its headquarters in Yokohama dedicated to telling the story of its many iconic cars. The Heritage Zone is located within the Nissan Gallery and will become a permanent feature of the sprawling brand experience space.
Up to 19 heritage models will go on display for a limited period, the timing of which coincides with the
10
th
 anniversary of Nissan’s move from Tokyo to Yokohama in 2009
. Other classic models from the Nissan Heritage Collection, located in
Zama
 (30 km away) would then be rotated to keep the exhibits fresh.
The Heritage Zone will also feature a
mini library
 where visitors can read and browse in comfort, a
model car wall
 with over 100 vehicles, as well as a 220-inch LED screen playing rare footage from Nissan’s archive. Yokohama is only a
40-minute train ride
 from Tokyo, if you’re a Nissan fan (or any car fan for the matter) and find yourself around the vicinity, make it a point to drop by the
Nissan Gallery
 which had played host to some
13 million visitors
 since 2009.

For the rest of us who can’t make it to Japan, you can salivate over this video which Nissan put together showing its iconic models spanning eight decades as part of the launch of The Heritage Zone.


Latest updates in the new Porsche Cayenne – the sportscar-shaming SUV

Porsche recently launched the third generation of their successful Cayenne, which has sold more than 760,000 units since 2002, with completely new developments. It will come, for now, with two turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engines – for the Cayenne and Cayenne S.
The Cayenne’s 3.0-litre single turbo engine produces
340 hp
 with
450 Nm
 of torque with a 0 to 100 km/h time of just
6.2 seconds
 (5.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package) with a top speed of
245 km/h
.
The Cayenne S on the other hand gets to 100 km/h in just
5.2 seconds
 (4.9 with the Sport Chrono Package) with a top speed of
265 km/h
. Power comes a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that develops
 440 hp
 and
550 Nm
 of torque – 20 hp more than its predecessor. The new Cayennes also come with a new eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox with shorter response times and sportier ratios in the lower gears.
Performance figures aside, there have been various other new developments that make up the new Porsche Cayenne. Here’s what to note on the latest updates of Porsche’s saviour:
New Design
The new Cayenne comes with enlarged air intakes at the front with new horizontal light edges for a more athletic appearance. Exterior length has been increased by 6.3 cm and roof height reduced by almost 1 cm. Luggage compartment has been increased by a full 100 litres from before to
770 litres
. Larger wheels are provided on the rear axle for the first time.

Porsche is offering a new three-stage lighting concept for the headlights: Every Cayenne is fitted with LED headlights as standard. In the next upgrade, the
Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
 can be selected as an option, offering a variety of light modes such as cornering light and motorway light.
Its new LED three-stage lighting headlights including the
Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) Plus
 system comes with fully variable light distribution and intensity, enabled by 84 individually activated light-emitting diodes to ensure that the Cayenne’s high beam does not glare opposing traffic.
New Chassis
Taking precedent from the Panamera and the new 911, the new Cayenne’s body utilises a combination of alloy and steel while its exterior is made entirely of aluminium with its floorpan assembly, front section and most other chassis components are made of alloy.
The new Cayenne will feature mix tyres, with larger wheels on the rear axle. This setup is allows the active chassis systems to be analysed and synchronised by the integrated
Porsche 4D Chassis Control system
. With the exception of the active PASM damper system (as standard with the Cayenne S), all other chassis systems are new developments. For the first time, the Cayenne will come with electric rear-axle steering much like the ones found on the 911’s to improve stability and turning radius’.
New Brakes & Suspension
The Cayenne features the new
Porsche Surface Coated Brake (PSCB)
 consisting of a cast-iron disc with tungsten-carbide coating which increases friction for improved braking power without compromise brake wear. Its calipers are painted in white, while the disc’s surface develops a unique gloss appearance after a run-in.

The
new adaptive air suspension
 comes with a new three-chamber technology that emulates the driving dynamics of a touring car with adjustments to the ground clearance. The new system works with the optional
Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC)
 roll stabilisation – benefiting drivers with a change from hydraulic to an electric system – made possible by a powerful 48-volt electrical system. Shorter response time equals higher driving precision.
Sadly, both the brakes and suspension are optional extras.
New Cockpit
The cockpit of the new Cayenne features a new 12.3-inch full HD display with the latest
Porsche Communication Management (PCM)
, Porsche Connect Plus with other functions cleverly integrated into a smartphone-like, glass-look touch surface. Other features include Night Vision Assist, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, ParkAssist, Surround View and Porsche InnoDrive. On-board entertainment now comes from new sound systems from Bose and Burmester.
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda Malaysia continues to urge the replacement of affected Takata Airbag Inflators

Honda Malaysia will be co-operating with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Road Transport Department (JPJ) with emphasis on the replacement of affected Takata airbag inflators.
RM 300 summons will be issued
 to those who ignore the recalls.
Customers are encouraged to urgently replace their affected Takata front airbag inflators as it might rupture when activated, potentially causing injury or fatality to the driver and passenger.
The replacement of the affected Takata airbag inflators are
FREE OF CHARGE
 and any cost related to Takata airbag inflator replacements will be borne by Honda Malaysia.
Stock availability for replacement parts is at 100% and the affected airbag inflators
can be replaced at any of the 92 Honda authorised service dealers nationwide
. Customers are highly recommended to make an appointment with Honda authorised service centres to enable priority and avoid delays or setbacks for the replacement works.
Replacement activities can also be done at Mobile Hubs at selected shopping malls and Petronas stations and DO NOT require advance appointments.
Honda Malaysia will also be extending the replacement of Takata airbag inflators to
parallel imported Honda vehicles
 not sold by them. These owners are advised to refer their vehicles to Honda authorised dealers and if replacements are required, costs of parts and labour will be borne by Honda Malaysia.
As at July 2, 2018, Honda Malaysia has completed more than 228,000 units of Takata driver front airbag inflator replacements which translates to 87% completion ratio. The total number of Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflator replacements completed is at more than 465,000 units or 79% completion ratio.
Honda Malaysia would like to affirm that the current selling line-up of Honda vehicles are not affected as they do not have the same type of Takata airbag inflators as previous models affected in the recall.
Vehicle owners can check their vehicle’s product recall status
here
 or call the Honda toll free number at 1-800-88-2020.


Perodua Axia available for booking in Malaysia, price from only RM24,900

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua (Perodua) has announced the availability of the upcoming new model for booking at all 180 showrooms nationwide.
Perodua Axia
, Malaysia’s first Energy Efficient Vehicle (
EEV
) will open for booking tomorrow,
15th August 2014
, starting from an affordable
RM24,900
.
The name ‘
Axia
‘, pronounced as ‘a-zee-a’, is a combination of the word Asia with an “X”, as a roman numeral for the number 10 representing the
10th Perodua model
. It is the car maker’s most fuel efficient car that may travel up to an impressive
21.6 km/l
.
Together with its spaciousness, unique Malaysia features, and an overall low cost of ownership, Perodua describes it as “
the all-in-one package for every Malaysian
“. In other words, it’s the people’s car.
The new model comes in 4 variants;
Standard E
,
Standard G
,
Special Edition
 and
Advance
. And for the first time ever, Perodua is offering a
5-year warranty
 for all Axis models.
Booking fee
 are RM250 and RM300 depending on the variant you choose.
Taglined “
Your Smart Move
“, which means it’s a smart buy, and also represents Perodua’s efforts in becoming globally competitive in terms of styling, features and price competitiveness.
“We believe that the Perodua Axia is competitive in the region, which is why the word “Asia” was incorporated into the name; in addition, this vehicle also represents a whole new standard for us. This standard can be categorised by
4 key highlights
, which are environmentally friendly, very spacious for a compact vehicle, easy driving and economical in terms of the overall cost of ownership,” said Perodua President and CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh.
No official words as of what is powering the Axis, but we have heard it is a
1.0-liter
 12-valve DOHC engine that produces
66 horsepower
 and
87 Nm
 of torque. We will keep you updated on the confirmed specifications from our exclusive preview on the Axia soon!
In conjunction with the month of Hari Raya, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh is inviting all Malaysians to a nationwide open house at all its sales and service outlets, on 16th and 17th August 2014, for a Raya celebration and also to find out more on the Perodua Axia.
[divider]
PHOTO GALLERY


Nissan Juke-R 2.0 Concept unmasked, 3.8L GT-R engine makes over 600 hp [+Video]

Picture this scene in your mind: Nissan took a standard road-going GT-R, whipped off the body shell, cut and shortened the chassis, shafts, wires and hoses. The shapely Juke body was then bolted around the bespoke chassis and garnished to taste.
The end result dear readers, is a
Nissan Juke
 with the beating heart from a car many hail as
Godzilla
. At the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, Nissan rolled out the
Juke-R 2.0 Concept
. Dr Frankenstein would be proud of this car. Just like the GT-R,
no two Juke-Rs are the same
 in terms of engine output. Some reportedly came with power figures ranging from 480 hp to 540 hp in the outgoing Juke-R models introduced back in 2012.

A lot like the monster he cooked up in that lab, Nissan has announced that this Juke-R 2.0 will be able to reach power figures as high up as
 600 hp
. If you were wondering, that’s over
100 hp

more
 than a standard
GT-R
 and early

production
 Juke-R
models

that came powered with a
twin turbocharged, 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT
. Not bad for a birthday present to commemorate the
 Juke’s fifth anniversary
.
The
six-speed dual clutch gearbox
 and
all-wheel-drive
 system from the GT-R is tasked with laying down the power of this gruesomely powered crossover onto the black top. It is capable of bolting itself from 0 to 100 km/h in
 under 3.5 seconds
 and if you’ve still got your foot mashed up against the loud pedal, you’ll be able to nudge an excess of
300 km/h.

The Juke-R 2.0 was debuted on
Goodwood’s Hillclimb
 on all three days of the event. The matte black specimen was flailed up the hill by Le Mans 24 Hours driver,
Jann Mardenborough
 and in the process, wowing spectators and showing the world that Nissan has a rather contorted sense of humour in making what could possibly the first legit
crossover supercar
 ever.
Would one buy one ? The Juke-R is being made on an
extremely limited
 production, made-to-order run. Nissan is keeping rather hush-hush on the price of the
 Juke-R
. However, it has been estimated that it will cost over
USD 600,000
(or
 RM2,252,940
). That’s excluding taxes, mind you. To put that into perspective, the snarling

Lamborghini Huracan
 pokes the price tag at
circa RM2.1 million
 after taxes, and that’s even after excise duty and all other taxes!
IMAGE GALLERY


Toyota’s GR HV SPORTS concept comes in Automatic, and also a manual gear shifter

Toyota Motor Corporation is set to unveil the GR HV SPORTS concept car at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the month which will combine the thrill of a sports car with the environmental friendliness of an eco car. This follows after the recent launch by Toyota Japan of the
GR Sports car series
.
Design inspiration is taken off the
Toyota GAZOO Racing
‘s TS050 Hybrid racing car, that competes in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Similarly, like the TS050 Hybrid racing car, the GR HV SPORTS concept will also be powered by the Toyota Hybrid System Racing (THS-R).
It will feature a targa top previously found in Toyota’s legendary convertible sports car, the Toyota Sports 800 also known as Yotahachi and the infamous Toyota Supra. Highlights of its exterior include LED headlights, aluminium wheels and a rear diffuser before being doused with matte black body colour.
Essentially an automatic, control of the vehicles drive can be operated by the buttons positioned at the centre console for a motorsport-inspired vibe. If you feel like switching to a proper manual, the 6-speed “manual-style” driving with H-pattern shifting can be activated with a push of a button. Elsewhere the hybrid battery is mounted near the centre of the vehicle to achieve the best possible balance to provide the GR HV concept with the essential driving dynamics of a sports car.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ford’s new Good Neighbour Mode will make your Mustang GT as quiet as a dishwasher

When Ford’s former head of vehicle engineering, Steve von Foerster drove home a Shelby GT350 Mustang, his neighbour in the suburban Detroit neighbourhood was not happy with the thunderous noise from the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V8. When von Foerster was backing out from his drive way, a neighbour actually called the cops on him for disrupting the neighbourhood’s peace.
However, instead of confronting his neighbour with a clenched jaw, von Foerster, who now leads Ford’s user experience team in product development, went back to the drawing board and explore ways to give driver’s more control over the engine’s sound. Thus, the
 “Good Neighbour Mode”
 is born.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1q0ivrhPto
Available on
Mustang GTs
 with a 5.0-litre V8 lump, the “Good Neighbour Mode” allows drivers to mute the engine and exhaust volume on the fly which is especially helpful when driving past neighbourhoods during ungodly hours. In
Quiet Exhaust mode
, selectable through the steering controls, the exhaust drops 10 decibels to 72 dB, equivalent to the volume of a household dishwasher.
In addition, the
Quiet Start function
 allows drivers to set within a designated time frame for example from 8pm to 7am, where the engine will come to life without the signature V8 roar.
The “Good Neighbour Mode” will be available on all new Mustang GT models from next year onwards. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the Ford Mustang GT 5.0 that GC Mah tested a while ago does not come with the new exhaust function. Watch how he fill up the mountains and valleys with the glorious V8 noise here:


Someone has designed new bumpers for the BMW M3 & M4 and look at that transformation!

There’s probably not much most of us can agree on more unanimously than how the
new BMW M3
and

M4 looks
 with their new vertical kidney grille design. This follows after the groundbreaking but eye-watering look was first seen in the
new BMW 4 Series
.
At a time when looking and staying fresh is everything, we’ll take nothing away from BMW for pushing the boundaries of its kidney grille design. The online response it has generated however, since the tradition-breaking design was revealed, is probably far from what they were expecting.
A tuning company in Germany has responded as well; not with rants on social media but with solutions. They’ve shown us
variations of a completely redesigned front end
 and it makes you wonder why BMW did not adopt that look, to begin with.
The horizontal kidney grille route would’ve been the safer route, as we’ve seen with the
8 Series here in Malaysia
, and these new renders by Prior Design in Germany prove that sometimes you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken.
According to The Drive, word is that Prior Design will likely put these drawings into production – an announcement which will be most welcomed by those looking to own one of Bavaria’s latest household bad boys. A similarly positive effect can be seen on the renderings of the new BMW M3 as well.
Sure, it makes it harder for you to tell apart the BMW 4 and 8 Series, but what good is a distinction if no one ends up buying them out of nausea?
With this new look, those road hogging ahead of
the new M3 or M4
 will move aside out of sheer intimidation when before, they’d most likely give way solely to get the unsightly M cars out of their rearview mirror.
GALLERY


Geely wants to build 5,000 battery swapping stations across China by 2025

While waiting 20 minutes for an additional 300 km of range sounds great for the general public, the charging time is still a little too much for the mobility fleets like taxis, where the time spent waiting could have been easily used to earn more money.
So in addition to strengthening the numbers for its fast charging stations,
Geely
 has now also committed to building 5,000 battery swapping stations across China by 2025.
Geely’s battery swapping technology, called E-Energee, was first shown off in Chongqing back in September last year, and over the past 12 months, the battery-swapping system has already been deployed in over ten provinces across China.
With the E-Energee battery swapping technology, the taxi drivers will be able to swap their batteries for a fully charged one within 59 seconds – all while without the users exiting the vehicles itself.
Check out Geely’s battery swapping tech in action here!
The modular batteries are then charged centrally in the battery swapping stations in a safer manner, which means in addition to reducing wait times for the drivers, the system can also help prevent spontaneous combustion due to high battery temperatures from high-speed charging, and extend the usable life of any given battery pack up to 8 years or 600,000 kilometres.
Geely begun researching battery swapping technologies in 2017, and over the years, the R&D team has now grown to a headcount of over 1,000 people, with hundreds of patents registered for their systems.
E-Energee’s platform is designed with a wide compatibility in mind. The current system will be able to swap batteries for specially-designed models with wheelbases between 2,700 to 3,100 mm – including the Maple 80V, the first model in Geely Group’s line-up to support battery swapping.
Shell and Porsche has announced a new cross-country 180 kW charging network, with six stations stationed in Malaysia. Learn more about it here!
Earlier this year, Chinese EV carmaker Nio has also announced their plans for 4,000 battery swapping stations globally by 2025 – 700 of which is due by the end of 2021 in China.
It remains to be seen if these “Battery-as-a-Service” (Baas) business model will help boost wider adoption of EVs, particularly for the mobility service providers. Although, we have to admit that going from 0% to 100% in just 60 seconds does sound almost magical.


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Hap Seng Star launch new showroom in Kota Kinabalu CBD

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd and authorised dealer Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd (HSS) have officially opened their doors to the brand new and seventh Autohaus in Malaysia. The launch is the start of an RM30 million investment for HSS to enhance customer reach in East Malaysia.
HSS Kota Kinabalu spans an area of
7,346 sq ft
 and is located right in the heart of town at the Ground Floor of Plaza Shell at 29 Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. The
RM2 million showroom
 is manned by 11 trained employees and incorporates the brand’s streamlined design, dubbed Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II).

To complement the showroom, the workshop in Inanam was also refurbished to improve after-sales services which covers both passenger and commercial vehicles. The
24,000 sq ft workshop
 accommodates up to 14 passenger cars and two commercial vehicles, including body repairs and paintwork.
The partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Hap Seng Star Sdn Bhd go way back since 1969 when HSS first introduced Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in the East Malaysian region. CEO and President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, Dr Claus Weidner said, “HSS Kota Kinabalu is a positive step in developing our dealer network, especially in East Malaysia. Our presence in this region dates back to 1969, and our partnership with Hap Seng Star, has served to strengthen it. Hap Seng Star has fully embraced an ‘enduring passion’ for the Mercedes-Benz brand and business that continues till today.”
IMAGE GALLERY


When fake news turns real – Haas F1 team’s “real invoice” could be even higher

Remember that invoice that was making the rounds on Facebook just after Romain Grosjean’s (of Haas F1 Team) crash? Well, it’s been established that it’s more fake than Donald Trump’s majestic comb over.
But guess what, it wasn’t the end of the saga as according to reports by
Autoweek
, the actual bill which Haas F1 Team is planning to dish out at Sepang’s officials is even higher!
Credit:
BlackFlag
If you’ve not read the papers or tuned in to F1 related news recently, long story short, during the recent and final edition of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang, Romain Grosjean of Haas F1 team spun out after a supposed welding failure caused the drain cover to dislodge. That led to the puncture of his rear tyres, sending him to the barriers after losing control of his race car at speeds in excess of
170 mph (273 km/h)
.
Thankfully, Grosjean walked away uninjured but his team felt the real pain with damages to the new floor and front wing – to the tune of
almost RM 3 million
 according to reports.
Haas F1 team principal reportedly called the situation “unacceptable” and “not up to the standards” required of F1 tracks – a thought that perhaps the spectators would have an opinion on themselves regarding the facilities. Despite having insured the car, let’s keep the speculating down to a minimum as we anticipate a response from the Sepang International Circui officials.
Cover Photo Credit:
Motorsportal.com


Sportscar Together Day sets new Porsche record in Malaysia

It was as usual another stifling hot day at the Sepang circuit last Saturday, but Porsche owners pulled together to set a new Malaysian record for the largest Porsche gathering ever with a tidy total of 320 cars, as verified by the Malaysia Book of Records.
More than 2,000 Porsche enthusiasts and fans of all ages turned out in strength for Sime Darby Auto Performance’s inaugural Sportscar Together Day held on 3
rd
 August 2019, and they witnessed eight generations of the 911, 911 GT3 Cup race cars and even the Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid up close, while children in tow also got some indoor track time courtesy of the Porsche Junior Experience programme.
Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance, said, “Celebrating our first ‘Sportscar Together Day’ in Malaysia is a momentous occasion for us. We are thrilled to be able to share the experience of driving a Porsche with more people than ever before, or even for new enthusiasts to start their journey with Porsche with the introduction of our new 360 Leasing programme.”
Aside from introducing a leasing programme for Porsche, applicable to both private and corporate customers, Hunter also unveiled the
new Macan S SUV
.


Porsche Macan clone gets a 2.0L hybrid – 0-100 km/h in under 5 sec, 2.4L/100km

China’s very own “Porsche Macan”, is getting a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant! No, it’s not an exclusive variant for the Chinese market, it’s the
Zotye SR8 SUV
.
According to
AutoHome
, the SR8 SUV, which is essentially a carbon copy of the Macan, will present itself at the Chengdu Auto Show later this month. It features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with
 190 hp
 and
250 Nm
 mated to two electric motors. Combined power output remains unknown for now but Zotye reckons the SUV is capable sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
under 5 seconds
. The most powerful Macan Turbo only boasts a sub-five seconds century sprint time.
The hybrid powertrain is also said to have a pure electric range of 80 km and a fuel consumption figure of
2.4 litre per 100 km
. Transmission options include a six-speed dual clutch or five-speed manual box, sending drive to the front wheels. A
four-wheel drive
 variant is also on the cards, reported
AutoHome
. Got to have that proper Porsche experience eh?
Visually it remains identical to the petrol variants and still very Macan-like. Inside however, welcomes a host of new upgrade such as a centre analogue clock,
Nappa leather upholstery
, ashtray, three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof. Yep, just like a Porsche.

 Looks familiar?

On the safety front, the SR8 comes equipped with tyre pressure monitoring system,
lane departure warning system
, blind spot monitoring system, front and rear paring sensors as well as a dash camera.
In China prices for the SR8 ranges between 109k (RM70k) to 162k (RM103k) yuan; even if the SR8 PHEV is priced at twice the amount, it is still significantly cheaper than the base Porsche Macan’s RM435k price tag. There you have it folks, the poor man’s Macan with an innovative powertrain, tickles your fancy?
Source:
AutoHome.com.cn
Image Credit:
AutoHome.com.cn


You can now rent a Nissan Almera through GoCar for just RM6.90 an hour!

GoCar has just reduced its price permanently for the rental of a Nissan Almera from RM9.90/hour to just RM6.90/hour or RM69/day. The revised rate is applicable only from Monday to Thursday.
A new weekend promotional rate for the Nissan Almera has also been announced, applicable from Friday to Sunday at RM8.90/hour or RM89/day,
valid till 24th of July 2019
.
The
Almera “Black Series”
 introduced in Malaysia last year.
Starting off with only five cars to more than 600 cars today, GoCar has since expanded to seven states with the latest locations situated in Ipoh and Seremban.
Last year, GoCar announced that the Nissan Almera and Renault Captur will be
available at 100 Shell stations across Klang Valley, Penang and Johor
.
Find out what’s new in the
 updated 2019 Renault Captur
.
As for the 1.2-litre turbocharged Captur, where
150 units were delivered to GoCar in collaboration with Renault
 is available for rent at RM12.90/hour or RM129/day.
Other options in the GoCar inventory includes the
Renault Koleos
(RM29.90/hr),
Nissan Serena S-Hybrid
 (RM26.90/hr),
Nissan Grand Livina
(RM16.90/hr), and
Nissan Navara
 (RM24.90/hr).


Review: Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sedan AMG Line – hot little chilli pepper

I’ll be honest – when I first saw the photos of the
A-Class Sedan
 during its launch, I felt like there was something wrong with its design. The rear quarter seems a little too short, and the proportions of the car just seems.. off. My colleagues tell me that I’m the odd one here.
However, seeing the car in person has slowly made me change my mind. Over the weekend, I’ve grown from accepting its looks, to actually feeling smug being seen in one. Perhaps it’s the AMG Line bodykit, which just brings the modern design to a whole other level.
Up front, the large air inlets paired with the diamond-pin grille gives the A 250 Sedan an imposing face, while the faux vents at the rear squares up the more rounded “Sensual Purity” design language for a more aggressive stance.
Just based on its styling, the A 250 Sedan looks like it’s the perfect car to drive to a party. But step into the cabin at night, and you’ll find that the party is actually inside – The 64-colour ambient lighting makes you feel as if you’re walking into a nightclub, with the giant screens announcing your arrival. All it’s lacking is the eardrum-ripping thumping music.
Although it may look like a riot, the A 250 Sedan is actually fairly pleasant to live with. Wind and traffic noise are well managed, with only a faint tyre hum coming into the cabin at speeds.
The leather-wrapped sports seats are comfortable to sit in even on longer journeys, and material selection throughout the cabin is also impeccable -with scratchy plastics only relegated to the lower portion around the foot well. Although it’s the entry-level Merc, there’s no doubt you’re still sitting in a true Mercedes-Benz.
The party piece of the interior – the twin 10.25-inch displays – sits loud and proud on the dashboard. Animations are smooth on the MBUX system, and graphics are vibrant and attractive.
However, functionality on the system is fairly limited at this stage, as the A 250 Sedan is still not connected to the cloud. With the recent introduction of
Mercedes me connectivity
 in Malaysia though, this experience might change in the very near future.
Matching the party theme is the M260 2.0-litre four-banger under the hood, with a hot-hatch rivaling power output of
224 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of torque. Paired with an ultra-aware
7-speed dual-clutch gearbox
, the A 250 Sedan is constantly waiting to pounce on its prey – or in this context, put on a dance show.
A gentle prod on the accelerator and the gearbox immediately drops a cog, waiting for you to unleash the deep throaty roar from the engine – which is a blessing, because the paddle shifters are fiddly and unresponsive at times.
Adding all of that up equates to a car that is brilliant to drive on the highways, and it is way too easy to reach unspeakable speeds. But once you arrive at the back roads, it’s perhaps a wise move to tone it down a little.
Don’t get me wrong, the little sedan holds its line well through curves. However, if you so much as alter any of your inputs by a hair mid corner – be it a touch more throttle input, or a light tap on the brakes – the car just wants to unsettle itself.
It’s almost as if the A 250 Sedan is riding a unicycle on a tightrope; any change of movement and it’ll fall down a deep valley. It’s a shame that the car sometimes become quite unnerving to drive, because the powertrain just aches for you to squeeze out the power whenever you can.
Truth be told though, most A 250 Sedans sold here will probably end up dwelling in the daily traffic of the bustling city centre. In that case, the A 250 Sedan pretty much hits all the right spots – it’s good looking, small and easy to maneuver, comfortable to stay in for long periods of time, and doesn’t drink fuel like a madman.
Though if you ask me, I will probably still choose the A 200 Sedan over this – you’re really not missing much with the torsion beam suspension. If only it comes with the AMG Line body kit.
Social media has made us all constantly crave for attention from our peers. The A 250 Sedan then, might just be the ultimate ‘look-at-me’ car for the young over-achiever.
Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sedan AMG Line Specifications:
Engine
 1,991cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Max Power
224 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,800 – 4,000 rpm
0 to 100 km/h; Top Speed
 6.3 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (OTR w/o Insurance)
RM267,888
IMAGE GALLERY


OSIM gives away a Nissan X-Trail 2.5L Aero Edition to lucky contest winner

OSIM Malaysia recently gave away a brand-new Nissan X-Trail 2.5L Aero Edition worth RM170k to Tan Eng Yoong, the grand prize winner of their Love Your Parents Contest.
The two-category contest which ran from 18 April to 1 July 2018 was held in conjunction with Parent’s Day as OSIM believes that their products are beneficial to everyone’s health, makes for a great gift for parents. Shortlisted participants were invited to a final challenge where they were put through a series of tasks against other contestants.
The Nissan X-Trail 2.5L Aero Edition 2.5L AWD is a special variant offered by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) that is kitted out with an aero body kit developed by Tomei as well as brown Nappa leather upholstery – perfect to ferry friends and family comfortably. The seven-seater SUV retains its 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired to a CVT transmission to develop
 171 hp
 and
233
 Nm of torque.
Chia Sook Fun, OSIM’s General Manager said: “The contest has received tremendous response from our customers. One of the highlights of this contest, to me, was the many touching stories from participants who told us about why their parents deserve an OSIM massage chair. Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts and stories, and for participating in this contest. Thank you once again for all your participation.”

Commenting on his win, Tan, MD of
hello1010.my
, travel SIM provider and distributor said: “We were not told what we will be doing (during the finals). In the final, it was all by chance and apparently, lady luck was on my side. It was a euphoric moment to have won the car, against all odds and expectations!”


Here’s what the letters in each Lexus model mean

Lexus
 makes a lot of cars, and for some reason, the Japanese luxury carmaker still insists on using letters to label their models, making it hell for the regular car buyer to differentiate between them.
While it may not seem obvious, each of these combinations of letters actually
do
 mean something. So to help their customers out (or anyone who’s trying to win a pub quiz), Lexus UK has published an explainer for all of their model names. Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order.
Lexus CT
Lexus introduced its first compact hatchback model back in 2010 and named it the
CT
, for
Creative Touring
. According to the carmaker, the CT was
Creative
 as it “dared” to debut with a hybrid powertrain in a segment dominated by diesel-powered models, while
Touring
 was used to counter the myth that hybrid cars meant sacrificing luggage and passenger space.
Lexus ES
The
Lexus ES
 – for
Executive Sedan
 – was unveiled alongside the LS in 1989 as a younger brother to the marque’s flagship model, with a name that’s pretty self-explanatory.
Lexus GS
Just like the ES and LS, the S in
 GS
 also stands for
Sedan
. The G suffix meanwhile meant
Grand
, which symbolises the mid-size model as the middle child in the Lexus sedan line-up when it was still in production.
READ MORE:
Lexus says Sayonara to the GS with special edition model
Lexus GX
For some reason, this model was left out of Lexus UK’s list. But based on our FBI-level deduction skills, we can definitively tell you that GX stands for
Grand Crossover
, which, like the GS, signifies the middle position in the marque’s SUV/Crossover line-up.
Lexus IS
Confusingly, the S in IS doesn’t mean sedan, despite bearing the sedan silhouette. Instead, the
Lexus IS
 stands for
Intelligent Sport
, and was meant to represent the Lexus traditional qualities, but in a smaller, more mechanically dynamic package aimed at younger customers.
Lexus LC/LC C
GC Mah once called the LC a
work of art on wheels
, and who can deny that? Made to combine the luxuries of the Lexus LS in a more “seductive” and sporty grand-touring coupe, the
 LC
, or
Luxury Coupe
, was a car that was “engineered in every dimension to deliver a very special and rewarding driving experience”. The additional C denotes the
convertible version
.
WATCH:
Lexus LC 500 vs Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe drag race on KLIA runway
Lexus LFA
The
LFA
 is a bit of a weird one, because the name actually meant two different things at two different times. In concept form, the acronym stood for
 Lexus Future Advance
, which, while a little cringy, does actually make some sense.
When the model transitioned to a production model, however, Lexus thought it’d be fitting to redefine it as
Lexus F-Sports Apex
, to represent the epitome of the F-Sports brand… but it just sounds way too forced in our opinion. At least the car itself is universally loved.
Lexus LM
The
Lexus LM
stands for
Luxury Mover
. But despite being based on the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire twins, and having
Mover
 in its name, the LM can only carry two (ultra-rich) passengers in the rear compartment.
Lexus LS
The
LS
 is
the
 quintessential Lexus, and its name quite simply just means
Luxury Sedan
. It was the car that launched Lexus as a luxury brand back in 1989, and its sole purpose was to be the “finest luxury car in the world”, culminating the work of 60 designers, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians and over 200 support workers.
Lexus LX
Similarly omitted in Lexus UK’s round up, the
LX
 stands for
Luxury Crossover
, making it the flagship model in the marque’s SUV/crossover line-up. We’d argue that ‘luxury four-wheel drive’ would perhaps be a more accurate description, since it’s based on a Land Cruiser after all, but L4WD just doesn’t look good as an acronym.
Lexus LY
You probably don’t know this (
we didn’t!
), but Lexus makes yachts too. It was unveiled in 2019, and unsurprisingly, it’s called the LY, for
Luxury Yacht
.
Lexus NX
Coming in at a smaller size, the
Lexus NX
 name – for
Nimble Crossover
 – was meant to represent its more agile nature compared to its bigger siblings, suitable for both urban and country routes.
Lexus RC/RC F
The
 Lexus RC
, or
Radical Coupe
, was designed to challenge perceptions about what a self-charging, petrol-electric hybrid should look like. For the high-performance range-topping model, the F suffix is a reference to Fuji Speedway in Japan, where hundreds of hours of testing were done on the
RC F
.
Lexus RX/RX L
Designed to represent Lexus’ “new future” when it was launched at the start of the millennium, The
Radiant Crossover
, or
RX
, has quickly become one of the most popular models in the Lexus stable today. The L suffix is used to denote the larger seven-seat variant.
Lexus SC
The Lexus SC was designed almost specifically to target the Mercedes-Benz CLK that was very popular at that time. Its name stood – quite obviously – for
Sports Coupe
, and it’s also one of the few Lexus models that doesn’t end with an S or X suffix.
Lexus UX
The
UX
 marks the first time Lexus has produced a real compact luxury crossover. As the smallest model in the marque’s crossover line-up, the
Urban Crossover
 is “aimed to embody a free-spirited style that would appeal to modern urban explorers”, according to Lexus.
ALSO READ:
Lexus UX 200 Luxury Review – Dressed to impress
[Edit 7:00 PM 30 Dec: Added Lexus LM]


All-new Nissan Almera finally reaches the Philippines – factory-fitted N-Sport body kit!

The all-new Nissan Almera has finally made its way over to the Philippines, nearly a year after its
debut here in Malaysia
. The B-segment sedan will be offered in the Philippines in four variants, with prices starting at 728,000 pesos (approx. RM60k) for the entry-level model.
Just like the Nissan Almera here in Malaysia, all four variants of the B-segment sedan in the Philippines are powered by the same 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, pushing
98 hp
to the front wheels.
Torque figures meanwhile differ according to the transmission choice; the two lower-end variants (EL and VE MT) with a five-speed manual transmission gets
160 Nm
, while the two higher-end variants (VE CVT and VL) with a CVT gearbox has a slightly lower figure at
152 Nm
.
Check out our full review of the Malaysian Nissan Almera here!
On the exterior, most variants of the Nissan Almera in the Philippines are equipped with LED head and tail light, except for the entry-level EL Turbo, which gets a Halogen-illuminated headlight instead. The entry-level EL also gets 15-inch steelies, while the VE Turbo trim level gets 15-inch alloys instead.
Stepping up to the range-topping VL Turbo N-Sport variant, and you’ll receive a set of 16-inch N-Sport Design alloy wheels, alongside a sportier body kit consisting of a front splitter, reworked rear bumpers, and wing mirrors in silver accents to spruce up its looks.
As for the interior, standard equipment across most of the range include the fabric upholstery, urethane-wrapped steering wheel, and a single-zone automatic climate control. The range-topping VL however gets an upgraded leather-wrapped steering wheel, alongside a black leather upholstery.
Aside from the base variant, all other trim levels for the Nissan Almera in the Philippines are equipped with a seven-inch display in the instrument cluster, alongside an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay. The base model gets an analogue instrument cluster (with MID) and a 2-DIN head-unit for these items.
How does the Nissan Almera fare against the all-new Honda City? Check out our comparison here!
In terms of safety, the mid-range VE variants are equipped with Nissan’s Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Emergency Braking system, alongside a surround-view monitor with moving object detection. The VL meanwhile adds two additional features – blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert, alongside two airbags (two for the other variants).
Pricing for the Nissan Almera in the Philippines starts at PHP728,000 (approx RM60k), and tops out at PHP1.098 million (approx RM90k) for the range-topping VL Turbo N-Sport CVT.
GALLERY


Based on history and logic, the all-new Hyundai Elantra is most certainly coming to Malaysia soon

The all-new Hyundai Elantra is supposedly coming to Malaysia soon, if Hyundai Malaysia’s
post on Facebook
 is anything to go by. The
C-segment sedan
 will be the latest addition to the Hyundai Sime Darby Motor’s (HSDM) line-up, following the launch of the
Hyundai Kona
 and
Sonata
 – both of which also received their own “teaser” on Facebook before their launch.
Aside from the usual PR quotes though, nothing else has been revealed by the company – including the ballpark price figure which the company
did
 reveal through the Facebook teaser for the Sonata. With the
sales tax exemption period
 quickly coming to an end, it’s unclear if the Hyundai Elantra will be launched – or delivered – by the end of the year.
The all-new Hyundai Elantra is perhaps the most exciting C-segment sedan in recent times, largely thanks to its new controversial “sensuous sportiness” design language. The gratuitous use of parametric shapes and sharp lines resulted in a car that’s really unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.
Compared to the
outgoing model
, the all-new Elantra also takes on a more coupe-like silhouette, paired with a wider stance and lower roofline (-20 mm). In terms of dimensions, the new C-segment sedan has grown in almost every aspect; its body widened by 25 mm at 1,826 mm, while the length is stretched by a whopping 56 mm at 4,676 mm. Wheelbase has also increased to 2,720 mm (+20 mm).
Globally, the all-new Hyundai Elantra is available with a handful of powertrain options, including a 2.0-litre MPI engine that’s good for
147 hp
 and
179 Nm
 paired to a CVT gearbox, as well as a Hybrid option powered powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, making a combined system output of
139 hp
 and
264 Nm
 of torque, paired to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
It’s unclear at the time of writing which powertrain options will make its way into our country – but if we had to guess, we are expecting the 2.0-litre MPI engine to form the base variant, while the range-topping variant will see a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine (sans electrification) underneath its bonnet, much like the recently-launched Kona.
Just like the aforementioned SUV, we are also expecting the all-new Hyundai Elantra to be fully-imported from South Korea, though the definite answer will only come when the car is launched here in Malaysia.
In terms of safety equipment, the car is available globally with the Hyundai SmartSense advanced driver assistance suite. Standard features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, and a reverse camera with dynamic guidelines.
The SmartSense system can be further upgraded with Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Radar Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, Safe Exit Warning, and Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist.
HSDM’s strategy in this department is slightly confusing, seeing that the lower-priced Hyundai Kona is equipped with the SmartSense ADAS suite, but the higher-end Sonata is not – most probably due to pricing concerns.
It remains to be seen if these features will make its way onto our Malaysian-spec Hyundai Elantra, though it will be a feature hard to ignore seeing that the best-selling C-segment sedan in the country – the
Honda Civic
 – does come with ADAS features on the range-topping model.
One thing’s for certain though: we will find out more about the car nearer to the launch date. But for now, any personal wishlists for the all-new Hyundai Elantra in Malaysia? For us, we’re hoping that the
Elantra N Line
 will also make its debut here, but it doesn’t take a genius to know that chances for that are probably slim to none.
GALLERY


The 370hp BMW M2 becomes 2016 MotoGP’s official safety car!

So the
M4
 passes the baton. There’ll be a new safety car for the 2016 MotoGP season, and it’s none other than the
BMW M2
 coupe. In continuing the relationship between the world’s most premier motorcycle race series and BMW that dates back to 1999, the new M2 coupe joins its M3 and M4 siblings rounding the globe during this 18-leg season.
The M2 in question here is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine which unleashes
370 hp
 at 6,500 rpm and
465 Nm
 of torque from 1,400 to 5,560 rpm. The M2 is undoubtedly a performer too, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.3 seconds
 while its top speed is limited to
250 km/h
. It’s still fine considering that the safety car is not supposed to chase Valentino Rossi and his fearless rivals.

This M2 has been given additional work from BMW’s M Division, apart from its classic liveries and bronze trims. To start, most of its interior parts have been taken away, not for weight reduction but really, you don’t need rear passenger seats and carpets in a safety car. Instead, a big roll cage and six-point harnesses were installed, together with two Recaro bucket seats.
It also receives new aero parts; the front gets modified lightweight front skirt integrated with a splitter. An adjustable, carbon fibre reinforced plastic rear wing has been included for improved downforce.
While the engine remains untouched, BMW fits its M Performance exhaust system and intake, while stopping power is courtesy from carbon-ceramic brake rotor kit. Handling capabilities have been boosted with M Performance coilover suspension and Michelin Cup tyres.
The car is a playground for the Bavarian to fit BMW M Performance Parts, although the LED roof lights won’t be included in their catalogue. It took ten weeks to turn a standard M2 into a car policing the MotoGP riders on race tracks.
The BMW M2 MotoGP safety car will begin its duties when the first race begins in Qatar on 20 March. We’ll need to wait until the end of October to witness just how loud this bespoke M2 actually is when the MotoGP circus arrives in Sepang.
IMAGE GALLERY


SpyBuzz: 2018 BMW X3 spotted during winter testing, launching end-2017

BMW Austria did the unusual by unveiling a set of official “spy shots” of the third-generation X3 SUV during a winter performance testing in Sweden. The 2018 BMW X3, codenamed G01, will make its global debut later this year.
The slippery surface was to test the car’s handling ability and more importantly, its safety features such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) or Dynamic Traction Control (DTC).  Besides, the sideway X3 does make for brilliant photography opportunity!
The new X3 is built on the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform that underpins the
G30 5 Series
 and the upcoming 3 Series. It is lightweight enough for BMW to claim up to 50kg of weight loss. While the exterior remains largely camouflaged, we just can’t seem to get our eyes off the abnormally large kidney grille cutout…
A range of twin-scroll turbocharged engine are lined up, including a high performance M variant that’s in the pipeline. The X3 M will potentially get a 3.0-litre straight-six producing upwards of 400 hp! There is also of course the iPerformance plug-in hybrid variant that would potentially share the same setup as the hugely successful
330e iPerformance
. The standard transmission of choice is the trusty ZF eight-speed automatic. xDrive all-wheel drive system is optional.
The 2018 BMW X3 will go up against the
Mercedes-Benz GLC
 and the all-new,
second generation Audi Q5
. Currently, BMW Malaysia is offering the
F25 BMW X3
 with both petrol and diesel engines. Pricing starts from RM296,800.00.
IMAGE GALLERY


New 2021 Geely Boyue X launched in China

Geely has updated the Boyue (
Proton X70
 in Malaysia) with a new variant simply called Boyue X. The range-topping Boyue variant already features a different front design, interior and taillamps compared to the Proton X70, which is based on the older 2018 model.
Unlike the new
Xingyue L
 or
facelifted Binyue
/X50, the Boyue X ditches the ‘Expanding Cosmos’ grille styling and replaced it with a rather aggressive array of pointed edges in gloss black, spanning the entire height of the front fascia.
Geely Boyue X
Geely Starburst Concept
Geely says the design of the new front bumper takes styling cues from the
Geely Starburst concept
, which is perhaps just limited to very certain elements. The Geely Boyue X is also the first model to carry the new design language.
Lynk & Co. could soon be South Korea’s latest locally assembled brand. Find out the new plan by Geely and that other party, here.
Orange is used as highlights in the fog lamp trim, side moulding as well as front and rear brake calipers, replacing the red used on this March’s
Boyue Asian Games
 Edition. An uninspiring wheel design in gloss black completes the Boyue X’s new look.
At the back, the lower portion of the bumper has been reprofiled to fit a new reflector as well as a diffuser in silver. The trim in between the taillamps also sees a gloss black finish to match the front bumper and wheels.
Behind the new fascia which looks like a mixture of
Mitsubishi’s
 Dynamic Shield and
Lexus
’ Spindle Grille, the Boyue X continues to be powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 7-speed DCT. Similar to the Proton X70, engine outputs are
184 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque.
Inside, a rather different theme is adopted, with white upholstered seats contrasted by a dark blue upper half cabin. A further distinction is applied via orange and white threads on the double stitching found on the seats and door panels. An enhanced ambient lighting feature is also fitted in the Boyue X, with the passenger section having an illuminated decorative pattern on the dashboard.
Apart from making many models under the Geely group, the SEA electric car platform is also used to convince other companies to venture into EV. Find out how here!
The Boyue X features a more premium looking dashboard that is also used in the Boyue Pro. The driver gets exclusive a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and similarly-sized infotainment system with Bose premium audio.
Launched last month, the
Proton X70 Special Edition
 used the multispoke rims from the Boyue Pro, thus, could we see the orange highlights being used for the next Proton limited edition? The interior certainly looks much better than the X70 which has its original styling penned in 2016.
GALLERY


Chery begins shipment of showroom units to Malaysia – Omoda 5, Tiggo 8 Pro

Soon to make its full return in the Malaysian market is
Chery
, the car carmaker from China. With plans to establish 70 showrooms nationwide, Chery has just announced that its showroom units are currently being shipped from China. Chery will soon locally assemble (CKD) its cars in Malaysia, but its showroom units for now will be fully imported (CBU).
Through images shared by Chery, its SUVs can be seen at a port during a “Delivery Ceremony of the initial collection of Omoda 5 and Tiggo 8 Pro to Chery Malaysia” event. Part of the showroom units are 2 units of the
Omoda 5
 and 2 units of the
Tiggo 8 Pro
, but Chery has not detailed the total number of cars being shipped to Malaysia.
Both the Omoda 5 and the Tiggo 8 Pro were previously on display at the Malaysia Autoshow 2023. The Omoda 5 is a futuristic-looking 5-seater SUV while the Tiggo 8 Pro is a 7-seater SUV.
During Chery’s initial preview in 2022, Chery revealed that the Omoda 5 will be offered with a 1.5-litre turbo option (
154 hp
/
230 Nm
) and a 1.6-litre turbo option (
194 hp
/
290 Nm
). A
fully-electric Omoda 5
 is also planned for Malaysia.
RELATED:
Chery makes first official appearance in Malaysia – Tiggo Pro Series, Omoda 5 previewed
As for the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, it will be initially offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, making up to
250 hp
 and
390 Nm
. Only the front wheels are driven, and power is transmitted via a 7-speed DCT. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Tiggo 8 Pro will also be launched in Malaysia and it consists of a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and 2 electric motors. The system outputs
241 hp
 and
510 Nm
.
At the Malaysia Autoshow this year, Chery announced that it plans to have 70 showrooms nationwide. Out of those planned, 30 are currently undergoing renovations. During the event as well, Chery announced that it has appointed Inokom as its local assembly partner. If all goes well, the local assembly of Chery cars should begin in June 2023.
RELATED:
Chery Malaysia appoints Inokom as local assembly partner – CKD production for Tiggo 8 Pro, Omoda 5 to begin in June


Nothing comes close to the extravagance of the new DS 7 Crossback SUV!

Priced at RM199,888 on-the-road without insurance, not only is the new DS 7 Crossback SUV fully loaded with every imaginable modern amenity, but it’s also got an extremely striking and contemporary design to match.
For starters, you get a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine making
165 hp
 and
240 Nm
 paired to a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. 0 to 100 km/h times may not matter in a car like this but it’s still no slouch; taking
10.2 seconds
 to complete the run, with a top speed of
220 km/h
.

Fuel consumption is rated at 7.5L/100km, with up to 628 litres of bootspace (1,752 litres) with the rear seats folded.
You get ventilated discs upfront supported by a solid pair at the back, tucked behind 19-inch lightweight wheels with possibly the most aggressive design seen on an SUV.
As for the exterior features, there’s plenty to go with the DS 7’s bold design. You get the DS Active LED Vision lighting system, with auto leveling and follow me home functions, that offers different lighting modes – Town, Country, Motorway, Adverse Weather and High Beam Assist.
Standard items on the single variant includes, LED daytime running lights, LED fog lights with cornering function, sequential turn indicators at the front and back, LED tail lights, automatic wipers and headlamps, automatic folding and heated side mirrors and a hands-free tail gate.
As for the cabin, which resembles a contemporary art boutique, features items like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, complementing an 8-inch touchscreen display with WIFI, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and of course Bluetooth connectivity.
Elsewhere there is also an exquisite BRM R180 timepiece positioned between the air con vents and wireless changing. Audio entertainment is provided by a 515-watt HIFI FOCAL Electra sound sytem with 14 speakers and an 8-inch subwoofer placed under the driver’s seat.
The edginess of the cabin is also enhanced with Alcantara trims and upholstery and a leather-wrapped telescopic steering wheel. What you’d be impressed with are the electronically-adjustable front (with memory function) and
EVEN
rear seats (for reclining)!
Rear seats are equipped with a 60:40 split folding feature and one touch function although sadly, there is only one USB port to show for among the extensive list of features. All the windows come with a one-touch feature and better yet, anti-pinch function.
As for driver assistance, the DS 7 is equipped with cruise control while safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Program, Emergency Brake Assist, Anti-skid Regulation, Dynamic Stability Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, auto rear hazard lights and not forgetting the dual ISOFIX points.
Even if you’re not in the market for an RM200k SUV, you should pop by the DS Showroom in Petaling Jaya to check out this incredible means of transportation.
The DS7 comes in four different colours – Platinum Grey, Nera Black, Absolute Red and Pearl White and is accompanied with a 5-year/120,000km warranty (whichever comes first), 5-years 24-hour Roadside Assistance and exclusive access to the SkyLounge by NAZA at Subang Skypark.
IMAGE GALLERY
DS7 Crossback Performance Line


Naza Swedish unveiled the 400km/h Koenigsegg Agera S in Malaysia [+Video]

Naza Group today introduced an exotic hypercar in Malaysia via its new unit Naza Swedish Motors Sdn Bhd. It is the
Koenigsegg Agera S
. Present at the launch today was the man himself,
Mr. Christian von Koenigsegg
 to explain to us his 1030hp creation. The price tag on the Agera S is a staggering RM5 million, before taxes.
Here’s an exclusive interview and walk-around the Agera S with founder Christian von Koenigsegg!
QUICK FACTS
Name
Koenigsegg Agera S
Segment
S-segment Hypercar
Engine
5 litre V8 bi-turbo engine
Transmission
7-speed dual clutch
Max Power
1030hp @ 7100 rpm
Max Torque
1100Nm @ 4100 rpm
Price
RM5,000,000 (before tax)

Famous brands that originated from the beautiful land of Sweden, as we know of are Volvo, Saab, IKEA (and its meatballs) and Hennes & Mauritz (H&M). Many may not have heard of the hypercar marque until the recent video game inspired movie, “
Need for Speed
“, where three Koenigsegg Agera R were street racing. They were only kit cars by the way, and Koenigsegg Automotive AB denied involvement in building them except lending the production team an actual Agera R for their modeling purposes.
Everything started as a child’s dream of building his own racing car. At the age of 22, Christian von Koenigsegg started Koenigsegg Automotive AB in 1994 and produced his first prototype 2 years later, the Koenigsegg
CC
.  In year 2002, he introduced his first production car the Koenigsegg
CC8S
 that won multiple accolades including ‘Most Powerful Production Engine’.
From then on, there were the
CCR
 in 2004 (fastest production car in the world 2005 @ 388.87 km/h),
CCX
 in 2006 and
CCXR
 in 2007 (world’s first green hypercar, biofuel powered).
The
Agera
 made its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. ‘Agera’ means ‘
to take action
‘ in Swedish. It features a Koenigsegg developed 5.0-litre variable geometry twin-turbo V8 engine, with  a newly developed 7-speed gearbox. It produces 910 hp. In 2011, the Agera was pumped up to 1140hp, the Agera R. That runs on E85 biofuel.
The
 Agera S
 was introduced in 2012 for countries where E85 biofuel doesn’t come by easily. Powered by a 5.0-liter twin turbo V8 petrol engine, it produces less power than its biofuel dependent sibling. The 100th Koenigsegg vehicle ever made was a Agera S in 2013, commemorated by a special built unit with gold leaf inlays named “Hundra” (Swedish for hundred).
Did I mention all Koenigsegg cars are hand made? It takes
4,000 hours
 to build 1 car at the Ängelholm plant.
Mr. Koenigsegg didn’t stop there. He then continues to achieve his dream of building the perfect sports car. In less than 20 years, he created the world’s first ‘megacar’, the
 One:1
. The one to one ratio of power to weight, that’s 1 horsepower to 1 kilogram of weight. 1360 hp to 1360 kg ratio to be exact. That’s 1 Megawatt car.
EXTERIOR
“Less is more”, that’s the philosophy Koenigsegg apply to all their cars. Minimalistic design that allows maximum attention on performance. The Agera S is made almost entirely by
carbon fiber
, including the wheels, which is the world’s first to produce the lightest and strongest hypercar wheels.

Developed and made by Koenigsegg, this one-piece hollow carbon fiber wheel or ‘Aircore Carbon fiber wheel’ as they call it, is stronger than aluminium forged wheels and also lighter by 41%.
The roof of the Agera S can be detached and inserted into the boot compartment. Its chassis is designed to achieve maximum stiffness even without a roof, hence a unique carbon fiber monocoque is used. It weighs just 70kg together with integrated fuel tanks, and has outstanding stiffness and strength capability. 65,000 Nm/deg to be exact.
The Ageras S is the lightest road legal hypercar in production, weighing at
1330kg
.
INTERIOR
The cabin can be full personalized as to what colour  theme, the kind of leather for the upholstery, gold plated buttons  maybe or even diamond studded dashboard. Anything can be done. The standard cabin comes with full carbon fiber steering wheel with paddle shift, high-definition touch screen infotainment system in the center console and comfortable carbon fiber seats.

The unique feature in the interior is the Koenigsegg Ghost light. Solid aluminium buttons illuminate icons on the surface, via almost invisible micro holes. Creating an element of surprise of the icons appearing from nowhere.
There is a Koenigsegg fire extinguisher fitted on the passenger foot well  as standard. Just in case.
PERFORMANCE
The engine behind the Agera S is a 5-liter V8 bi-turbo Koenigsegg engine mated with a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. It churns out a staggering
1030hp
 and
1100Nm
 of torque, accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just
2.9 seconds
. With the help of its ceramic pistons and ceramic discs braking system, it can get from 0 to 300km/h back to 0 in just
22.7 seconds
. Top speed can go all the way up to
400km/h
.
Even with all the monstrous figures, fuel consumption figure is at 14.7-liter/100km. Or about 500km coverage using about 80-liter of fuel.
Another technological breakthrough by Christian von Koenigsegg is the world’s first all-new rear suspension system for a road car, the Triplex rear suspension.  The system works in series with the normal springs and dampers, allowing their spring and damping rates to be lowered. This results in increased comfort and better handling on rough and wet surfaces without compromising dry track handling.
THE PRICE
This particular unit in Malaysia is the
104th
 car from Angelholm. As of today,
106
 cars have been made, and Koenigsegg has received orders up to number 115th. The Koenigsegg Agera S price is at
RM5 million
 before duty in Malaysia. It should be at about
RM15 million
 after tax.
Should you place an order today, and would like to personalize it with sapphire studded interior and crocodile leather upholstery, the waiting period is one and a half year. Worth the wait.
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VIDEO GALLERY
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IMAGE GALLERY


1 of 1 Rolls-Royce Phantom “Orchid” created for Singapore took 2 years to complete

Orchids are among the most coveted ornament plants and for the first time, it’s being paired with a Rolls-Royce, specifically a Phantom.
The ‘1 of 1’ Rolls-Royce Phantom “Orchid” is the result of two years of work by the designers, craftsmen, and artisans at the Bespoke Collective division of Rolls-Royce.
Inspired by the Singapore orchid among others, the art piece was first hand-designed by award-winning artist Helen Amy Murray and subsequently hand sculptured onto silk crepe satin fabric. The process took 200 hours to complete.
A unique paint, Arctic White, was specially-created and chosen as the base colour of the ‘art piece’, while a tint of violet was added; inspired by orchids. Finished with a layer of fine glass particles, the result is a stunning pearlescent appearance.
The orchid theme can be seen mainly on the dashboard, or ‘The Gallery’ as Rolls-Royce calls it, a space that enables customers to exhibit art, sculptures, or objects. Orchids are also ‘planted’ on the door sills, rear ‘picnic table’ and even featured on the Phantom’s coachline.
Grace White, Havana and Smoke Grey with Dark Olive stitching were chosen to express a calm and serene environment similar to an orchid sanctuary.

GALLERY


Nine lucky Malaysians receive brand-new Honda cars

In conjunction with achieving the milestone of 900,000 units sold since its inception, Honda Malaysia organised the Honda Road to 900k Campaign as a way to thank their customers.
Over the weekend, nine Malaysians were crowned winners at the grand finale carnival and got to drive home brand new Honda cars, with models ranging from the Jazz all the way to a Honda Accord!
Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Toichi Ishiyama said, “We are very grateful to all our customers for their support who have made Honda a trusted car brand in Malaysia. We are very happy to reach such a significant milestone of 900,000 sales units since our establishment in 2002 and we want to celebrate it with all Malaysians.”
Of the 900,000 units sold by Honda Malaysia, around 95% of the overall sales volume were
locally-assembled units
, with the Honda City contributing 37%, followed by the Honda Civic at 15% and Honda CR-V at 11% since the company’s establishment. Demand for the Honda City is still strong, contributing 33% of total sales to date in 2019, with the HR-V and CR-V at 18% and 14% respectively.
Over 122,000 entries were received in the two-months contest period, where Honda Malaysia selected nine as the lucky winners. The nine new cars were handed over to Mohamad Adib Fida’iy bin Mohamad Hanapi (Civic), Lim Hong Ngee (HR-V), Nik Siti Nurhidayah Juhan (HR-V Hybrid), Yasmoon binti Osman (City), Fong Yee Wern (City Hybrid), Ee Shi Lin (Jazz), Chester Lim (BR-V), Lim Hock Kuang (CR-V), and Muhamad Abdul Hadi bin Junus (Accord).
The Honda Road to 900k Grand Finale took place over the weekend at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium car park, filled with various activities such as a 38-feet long water slide, racing simulators, food trucks and carnival games. Honda also took the opportunity to show off the upcoming refreshed Honda Civic with Honda Sensing technology, now open for booking.
IMAGE GALLERY


All-new Volkswagen Golf launched in Singapore – 1.5L eTSI mild hybrid and Golf GTI

The
eight-generation Volkswagen Golf
 has just been launched in Singapore, making it one of the first nation in the region to receive the model. The Mk.8 Golf is available in two variants at launch in the island nation – a 1.5 eTSI mild hybrid (with three equipment packages – Life, Life Plus, and R-Line), as well as the
Golf GTI
.
The standard 1.5 eTSI model starts at SGD125,900 (~RM390k) inclusive of COE for the entry-level Life trim level, while the GTI retails for SGD205,900 (~RM639k) inclusive of COE.
Underneath the bonnet of the standard Volkswagen Golf in Singapore is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, with an integrated 48V starter-generator that makes
150 hp
and
 250 Nm
 in total. The mild hybrid mill is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox for a 0-100 km/h time of
8.5 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
224 km/h
.
The 48V mild hybrid tech allows the all-new Volkswagen Golf to coast with the engine shut down entirely, while providing additional grunt during acceleration. The engine also features the Active Cylinder Management (ACT) system, which switches off half of the four cylinders under lower loads to help lower fuel consumption and emissions.
On that note, Volkswagen boasts a fuel-consumption figure of 4.8 L/100km for the 1.5-litre Golf, which is 0.7 L/100km better than the
current 1.4 TSI model here in Malaysia
.
The GTI gets a more aggressive exterior styling package to complement its extra performance.
The Mk.8 Volkswagen Golf GTI meanwhile features a reworked EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mill, which makes
245 hp
 and
370 Nm
 of torque – a 15 hp and 20 Nm increase from the outgoing
Mk7.5 GTI
. Just like the regular golf, the GTI is also paired to a seven-speed DSG transmission, as will the eventual Malaysian model – unfortunately no manual gearbox this side of the globe.
Unique to the GTI is the new Vehicle Dynamics Manager, which controls both the XDS electronic differential locks, as well as the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) for the adaptive dampers. On the latter, the VW Golf GTI comes equipped with a sports suspension setup that’s 15 mm lower in ride height than the standard model.
The 19-inch wheels on the Singapore-spec GTI are actually the same ones seen on the
GTI Clubsport
!
In terms of kit, the all-new Volkswagen Golf in Singapore comes as standard with LED headlights across the board. The entry-level Life variant gets 17-inch wheels, while the Life Plus and R-Line variants get 18-inch items – the latter with a variant-specific design. The GTI meanwhile, gets even larger 19-inch ‘Adelaide’ wheels to complement its sportier styling.
Moving inside, the 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster is standard across all variants. The Life and Life Plus trim levels come with an 8.25-inch Composition infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while the R-Line and GTI gets the larger 10.25-inch Discover Pro units with additional wireless smartphone connectivity support.
A completely revamped interior. Six-speed manual shifter not included.
All variants do however get digital touch sensitive buttons and touchpads for almost every single control surface in the car, including the climate control and lighting – we still maintain that it’s a worse solution than good ol’ regular buttons, but it doesn’t seem like we’ll have a choice at all.
Individual pricing for the other variants will only be announced tomorrow, following COE bidding results. The new Volkswagen Golf 8 and Golf GTI in Singapore will be available for sale at showrooms starting from 20 May, with first customer deliveries expected to begin by June.
Closer to home, the eight-generation Volkswagen Golf has already been spotted multiple times doing rounds around the country – which means the official launch here in Malaysia is also not too far away.
No further information have been revealed just yet aside from a teaser on Volkswagen Passenger Car Malaysia’s Instagram page, but word on the streets is that the all-new model will be locally-assembled here in Pekan, Pahang – which means we’ll potentially see a price drop from the current Mk7.5 model!


Peugeot to introduce hotter ‘Sport Engineered’ variants for every model

Peugeot’s electrified performance-oriented division, Peugeot Sport Engineered (or PSE as it’s more commonly known), is about to see a massive expansion in the coming years according to CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.
In a recent interview with
Auto Express
, Imparato revealed that the company is planning to introduce a PSE variant for every Peugeot model in the future. “We will launch at the beginning of 2021 with the
508 Peugeot Sport Engineered
 to send a message to the market.”
The 508 PSE will be followed by the performance-oriented variant of the new
208
, as well as the upcoming all-new Peugeot 308 – which will be launched in March this year, according to Imparato. “I want to have a big launch each and every year in each and every region – it will be the case in 2021, and we will have something in March.”
Beyond that, Imparato also confirmed that the company is looking to widen its model range with all-new models. “I’m then working on the next step of the
Peugeot
 line-up in 2023 – I’m always feeding the renewal of the line-up in order to achieve the one launch per year strategy,” he said.
“It is a question I have on the table in the coming two years. We will have to choose one day if we go larger adding something on top, or if we go below (smaller) depending on the studies we make.”
The
Peugeot 208
 is one of our favourite small hatchbacks launched last year, in terms of looks anyway!
But smaller doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, as Imparato explains: “It could be that it’s not a question of dimension, but it could be a question of positioning. You can go below in terms of dimension but up in terms of content – that could be one of the directions we could choose.” A
Toyota GR Yaris
 competitor is on the cards, then?
Peugeot’s push for electrification through the PSE division stems from their revived involvement in the World Endurance Championship’s new top-flight LMDh class, which they will be
competing for their 20th overall Le Mans victory beginning 2023
.
“It puts something on top of our range that sends a message to the world that we don’t want the EV transition to be boring – we want to have fun even if we have CO2 below 50 grams. It fits at the same time the upmarket move and the message that we want to bring on electrification.
“My target is an upmarket move for Peugeot. In 2020, we sold 32% of all cars at the maximum GT-Line and GT levels. It feeds the upmarket move of the brand,” said Imparato.
GALLERY
Peugeot 508 ‘Peugeot Sport Engineered’


What does Porsche’s PDK stand for?

Well for starters, it’s known as one of the fastest, if not the fastest shifting transmissions in the business and perhaps one of the hardest names to pronounce in the industry.
PDK is the acronym for
Porsche Doppelkupplungs
 (getriebe) which in English means Porsche
Double Clutch Transmission
. While it may be new to us in the past decade or so, Porsche has adopted this advanced system
since the 1960’s
 when they were experimenting it in motorsports.
In the 1980’s, it was introduced in the legendary Porsche 956 Group C racing car that famously holds the all-time record for the fastest vehicle ever to lap the famed 20 km Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit with a time of just 6:11.13.
It finally found its way into Porsche’s production vehicles when it was introduced in the mid-2000’s in the 997 series Porsche 911 and the rest as they say is history.


Gallery: 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia, from RM211k – Is the diesel worth it?

The 2023
Kia Sorento
 is now available in Malaysia, with a total of three variants for you to choose from. These are namely the 2.5L seven-seater 2WD, the 2.5L six-seater AWD, and the 2.2D six-seater AWD. What we have here are the 2.5L petrol six-seater and the 2.2D diesel six-seater variants of the Kia Sorento.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your car insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
For the Kia Sorento in Malaysia, prices start from
RM211,498
 for the entry-level 2.5L petrol seven-seater 2WD variant. The mid-range 2.5L petrol six-seater AWD variant is priced at
RM235,498
, while the top-of-the-line 2.2D diesel six-seater AWD variant tops the line at
RM255,229
.
If you are opting for the six-seater options of the Kia Sorento, you will have the choice between the 2.5L petrol six-seater and 2.2 diesel six-seater variants. With a RM20k price gap setting them apart, which one should you go for? Keep on reading to find out!
To start, the fourth-generation Kia Sorento’s footprint is generally larger than its predecessor as it sits on a slightly longer wheelbase, at
2,815 mm
 (35 mm longer than before). Dimensions-wise, it measures
4,810 mm
 long,
1,900 mm
 wide, and
1,695 mm
 tall. This makes the 2023 Kia Sorento 50 mm longer, and 10 mm wider and taller than its predecessor.
RELATED:
Kia EV9 specs revealed – over 541km range, V2L, L3 autonomous driving
On the outside, one word to describe the Sorento is muscular. All variants of the Sorento feature Kia’s latest iteration of the ‘refined boldness’ design ethos, making the SUV not only look tough but also elegant and sporty at the same time. This is not something that can be easily achieved, and we personally think Kia’s design team certainly deserves credit for designing this handsome-looking exterior.
At the front, all variants of the Sorento get many of Kia’s latest design touches, such as the brand’s signature ‘tiger nose’ LED grille, and the ‘tiger eyeline’ LED daytime-running light that is integrated into the frame of the grille. The wide lower air intake, wing-shaped air curtains on the corners, and skid plate-like elements on the bumpers also contribute to the car’s muscular look.
Equipments-wise, automatic dual LED projector headlamps, vertical LED tail lamps, LED fog lights, a smart powered tailgate, and roof rails are all standard equipment on the 2023 Kia Sorento. The petrol seven-seater gets a set of 18-inch wheels, while the six-seaters both get a set of 19-inch alloy wheels.
Under the hood, both the 2.5L variants, as the name suggests, are powered by a 2.5-litre Smartstream inline-four petrol engine. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, the petrol engine produces
177 hp
 and
232 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the front wheels only for the seven-seater, while the petrol six-seater variant gets power fed to all four wheels.
The top-of-the-line 2.2D six-seater on the other hand is powered by a 2.2-litre Smartstream turbodiesel engine and is paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, which the Korean carmaker said is designed for ‘smooth shifting’ and ‘enhanced fuel efficiency’. This combo is capable of pushing out
199 hp
 and
440 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to all four wheels as well.
RELATED:
Kia Concept EV5 unveiled: Swivelling seats, Polestar-inspired taillights?
Moving inside, the Sorento features an interior that is much improved, compared to its predecessors. This is thanks to the use of a new striking design and the use of ‘premium-quality materials’, such as metallic trims and embossed wood-effect surfaces.
Standard equipment found in all variants of the 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual-zone climate control with rear air conditioning vents and third-row manual controls, and eight-way powered front seats (driver gets additional two-way lumbar support adjustments). Folding second-row seats with remote folding capabilities, a reverse camera, a Mood Lighting System, two USB charging ports for each row of seats, and a wireless charging pad are also among other standard equipment found in the Korean SUV.
RELATED:
Hyundai N Vision 74 production model reportedly coming this month!
Moving up to the six-seaters, you will also get extra kits on top of the ones mentioned above. This includes a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, head-up display, leather upholstery, second-row sunshades, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor. Two pieces of equipment that is reserved for the top-of-the-line diesel variant only are the steering-wheel gearshift paddles and a ‘Terrain Mode’ for the drive mode selection.
Safety-wise, the 2023 Kia Sorento in Malaysia is specified with a suite of advanced driver assistance features as standard. This includes High Beam Assist (HBA), Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist (BCA), Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning support (FCA – JT), Lane Following Assist (LFA), and Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go support. On top of the long list of system systems, both the petrol and diesel six-seater variants come with a blind-spot monitoring system as well.
RELATED:
3 new Hyundai models teased for 2023 – Ioniq 6, Santa Fe & Tucson, is that you?
GALLERY
2.2D 6-seater AWD vs 2.5L 6-seater AWD
2.2D 6-seater AWD
2.5L 6-seater AWD


Video: Is the front-wheel drive BMW 218i Gran Coupe, still a BMW?

Thanks to the success of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW also decided to develop a “four-door coupe” body style in the new BMW 2 Series.
Only the BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport is available from BMW Malaysia. Priced from RM199,177 for basic warranty to RM211,367 for unlimited mileage warranty with five-years free scheduled maintenance package, a low price thanks to local-assembly by BMW Malaysia.

Thanks to the new front-wheel drive layout of the platform, the packaging inside the 2 Series is much better than the outgoing F20 BMW 118i that also served as entry to the BMW experience.
How about the power delivery of this new front-wheel drive orientation? Woon went out to put the BMW 218i Gran Coupe through its paces on some of the central region’s best bend of roads.
On the
specifications sheet
, the BMW 218i Gran Coupe sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in
8.7 seconds
 courtesy of a
140 hp/220 Nm
 turbocharged three-cylinder 1.5-litre engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Watch and enjoy the full video above for more insights on the new BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport and why it has become so popular on Malaysian roads.


If BMW’s new i3 and i3s is the future, we should all be excited

The BMW i3 has been the best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment with over 8,000 units sold in the UK since its launch. BMW now seeks to elevate the success story with a major refresh, new tech and a sportier variant in the new i3s.
Due for its world premier at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September, it is expected to be debuted in the global market by November.  This also follows after BMW’s latest announcement to
offer electrified variants for BMW and MINI
 models. Both the i3 and i3s will draw power from its lithium-ion-high-voltage 33kWh battery with a range-extender engine available as an option. The battery is expected to provide a range of 180-186 miles based on NEDC cycle and up to 125 miles in everyday use.
A maximum output of
170 hp
 with peak torque at
250 Nm
 is delivered via a single-speed automatic transmission with a 0 to 100 km/h time of
7.3 seconds
 and a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). The i3 will come with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and a unique wheel speed limiter that ensures stability under acceleration and overrun with strong regenerative braking.

In the i3s, output is at
 184 hp
 and
270 Nm
 of torque. The i3s also boast sports suspension and springs, dampers and anti-roll bars to go with its performance. It sits on
20-inch light-alloy wheels
 which are 20mm wider than before. Sports mode is available with the Driving Experience Control switch, resulting in more responsive throttle and steering. The i3s gets from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.9 seconds
 with top speed of
99 mph
 (160 km/h) and mileage returns of 174 miles on the NEDC cycle and up to 125 miles in daily use.
A
38hp two-cylinder range extender petrol engine
 is available as an option for both the new BMW i3 and the new BMW i3s. The engine drives a generator that produces power as required while driving to maintain a constant level of charge in the high-voltage battery. This extends the car’s overall range in everyday use by 93 miles, increasing it from around 112 miles to a maximum of 205 miles.

Both the i3 and i3s comes with LED lights front and back alongside daytime running lights. On the inside, The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell has a light and spacious feel. The design principle of the two four-seater models means there is no need for either fixed B-pillars or a transmission tunnel. Doors that open in opposite directions allow the occupants to get in and out with ease.
Driver assistance features new to the BMW i3 include Parking Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant. The optional Parking Assistance package includes Park Distance Control, a reverse camera and the Parking Assistant feature itself which takes hold of acceleration, braking and gear selection when at a determined parking spot.
The Driving Assistant Plus, also an option, features Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking Function, Speed Limit Info, Proactive Driving Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and the Traffic Jam assistant.
IMAGE GALLERY
BMW i3s

BMW i3


The Mercedes-AMG E63S Estate is the fastest wagon around the Nurburgring

It’s interesting to see how “family cars” have developed to be these days – practical, safe, ozone-layer friendly and some, so absurdly powerful it’s downright silly. There’s nothing cooler than a fast wagon though – unassuming, unpretentious and yet, unforgiving when you try to outpace it when the light turns green at the traffic stop.
The
Mercedes-AMG E63S 4MATIC+ Estate
 is one such car, the wagon alternative to the
million-ringgit E63S
 Mercedes-Benz recently launched in Malaysia. With over
612 hp
 and
850 Nm
 of torque at its disposal from a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8, its obscene power is delivered through a 9-speed automatic gearbox. o to 100 km/h takes just
3.5 seconds
, onwards to an electronically-limited top speed of
250 km/h
.
And recently, the ridiculously quick wagon set a new record in none other than the famed Nurburging circuit, a venue that seems to be the proving ground for almost every car manufacturer,
even Honda
 with its
Civic Type R
. The E63S wagon lapped the 20-odd kilometer track in just
7:45:19
, the fastest time set by a wagon.
What kind of “family car” would need to go from 0 to 100 km/h in such haste? For parent’s who are never early with dropping their kids off at school? Honestly, who cares really – when it offers such duality of performance and practicality. It’s just utter shame that Malaysians don’t seem to fancy them, for no apparent reason.


Vauxhall Insignia gets new diesel engines and more tech

The Vauxhall Insignia could very well be one of the best spy cars ever made. It is known in the UK as the Insignia, whereas in other markets like China and North America, it goes by the name, Buick Regal. In certain parts of Europe, it’s hailed as the Opel Insignia.
In Chile, the Insignia was originally due to be marketed as the Chevrolet Vectra. We shudder to imagine what this car will be called if it were sold locally.
This car, of many aliases has just been inferred a new powertrain, which has been dubbed the
“Whisper Diesel”
. The mill will replace the outgoing
2.0-litre
 engine with the new
 1.6-litre CDTi ecoFLEX
 that’s developed originally by
General Motors
. Performance figures for the new ecoFLEX engine is rated at 135 hp. It does the century sprint in
10.9 seconds
 with an eventual top speed of
210 km/h
.
New to the Insignia range is the
GM-derived OnStar
 system that is equipped with
 Wi-Fi hotspots
 that connects up to seven devices, supports
hands-free calls
 and comes with
satellite navigation
– just to name a few. In the event of an accident, an
 emergency response notification
 will be sent to call for help should the
airbags deploy
. OnStar is also armed with
stolen vehicle recovery
 technology, a system that’s able to track the vehicle’s whereabouts in real time.

Aside from OnStar, the Insignia gets a
 Navi 900 IntelliLink
 system that integrates the
Apple CarPlay
 technology which bestows fast access to entertainment apps for music and news for iPhone users. All of this is displayed via the
 eight-inch LCD touchscreen
. IntelliLink also enables
audio streaming
,
incoming text messages read aloud
 and
voice control
.
The navigation system also features maps of more than
30 European countries
and it can be displayed in either
2D or 3D
, according to personal preference and can be controlled by
voice command
.
Priced from £19,534 to £26,114 (est RM116k to RM155k) the
1.6-litre CDTi
 (134 hp) ecoFLEX version is graded with a fuel consumption rate of
 3.8 litre per 100km,
 which is almost as good as the
hydrogen powered
Toyota Mirai
.
Not bad for an oil burner.
IMAGE GALLERY


Porsche begins sale of new 3D-printed bodyform bucket seats

Following some final adjustments, Porsche announced that the 3D-printed seat is now available as part of the new Performance Parts offering from
Porsche Tequipment
. The full bucket seats also made its debut recently in the Porsche Mission R.
The seat and backrest cushions of the new line of bucket seats are partly produced by a 3D printer. Customers can choose between three levels of firmness – hard, medium, and soft.
“The seat connects the driver and car; vital for precise, sporty handling. That’s why personalised seats for the driver have been standard in race cars for a long time now,” said Porsche Research & Development.
In addition to an ergonomic fit similar to that found in motorsports, this seat also delivers a unique design, lower weight, improved comfort, with improved airflow.
The seat’s base support made from expanded polypropylene (EPP) is bonded to a breathable ‘comfort layer’ consisting of a mixture of polyurethane-based materials. ‘Window panels’ provide a view of exposed coloured components in the 3D-printed structure.
The seats are compatible with various Boxster, Cayman, and 911 models. They can also be ordered from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur as a standard feature and can be found in the Porsche Car Configurator.
Guards Red
Black
Racing Yellow
The seat can also be retrofitted in vehicles that have already been delivered, and some models can even have the full bucket seat fitted on the passenger side. The assembly process takes just a few minutes. Each seat is priced at 2,677.50 Euros (approximately RM12,297).
Colour options include Black, Guards Red, Racing Yellow, Arctic Grey, Ultramarine, and Shark Blue.


This is one motorsport feature film you have to watch!

Quality films and movies are few and far between and in the scope of motorsports, they’re even rarer. Aside from Senna and a few others, there aren’t many out there that really fuels our curiosity and passion for all things on four wheels.
Speaking of Senna, the creators of the epic bio-film have pulled another rabbit out of their hats with this new film, Heroes.

The new movie, set to be released in mid-July leading up to the 2019 British Grand Prix, brings together four drivers consisting of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen and World Rally Championship runner-up Michèle Mouton.
In the film, they each talk about their own stories and experiences from their humble beginnings leading up to where they were in their respective forms of motorsports.
As for myself, nothing hits the spot more than a good story whether on an individual or a specific season so this one’s definitely getting on the “to-watch list”!


Mercedes-Benz is the most valuable luxury car brand in the world, again

It almost feels like
deja vu
, but Mercedes-Benz has been ranked as the world’s most valuable luxury car brand once again by American consultancy firm Interbrand in its
annual ‘Best Global Brands’ study
. In fact, the headline feels all too familiar as it is the fourth consecutive year Mercedes-Benz took home the title.
The German marque stood its position in
eighth place
 overall, and is the only European company to place in top ten. However, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the estimated brand value actually fell by 3% to 49.2 billion US dollars.
The drop in brand value is mirrored almost entirely across the automotive industry, with its closest competitor,
BMW
, also falling by 4% to USD37b – though its position in the rankings is similarly unchanged at 11th.
It should also be noted that
Mercedes-Benz
 was not the only automotive brand placed in the top ten; the most valuable automotive brand goes to
Toyota
 at seventh position – also unchanged from last year – valued at USD51.6b (-8%).
As for the other luxury carmakers in the rankings,
Tesla
 is the latest addition to the leaderboard, coming in at 40th with an estimated brand value of USD12.8b.
Audi
 dropped two positions to 44th this year with a valuation of USD12.4b (-2%), while Porsche dropped five places to 55th this year, with an estimated brand value of USD11.3b.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently launched the GLB here in Malaysia. Watch our video
here
.
Interbrand’s brand valuation methodology takes into account three main factors: “financial performance of the brand’s products or services”, “role of the brand in the purchase decision process”, and “strength of the brand with regard to securing future corporate earnings”. The monetary value of the brand is then determined by an ISO-certified methodology, pioneered by the firm itself.
Mercedes-Benz Director of Brand and Marketing, Rita Felder, commenting on this year’s rankings, said: “During times of great uncertainty, providing orientation and support becomes more important than ever. We feel it is vital to develop an attitude – as individuals, as a society but also as a company.”
The company recently announced a massive expansion for its EQ brand, with
six new models planned
.
Moving forward, the brand says that it will see a renewed focus on luxury in all of its products, as laid out during its investors and analysts conference. As for “attitude”, the brand is charging forward with its ‘Ambition 2039’ sustainability plan, where the company aims to be completely carbon-neutral in its new car fleet by 2039.
The full leaderboard can be found on Interbrand’s website
here
, and if you’re interested in the company’s plans to continue building its brand value, Rita Felder’s full interview can be found
here
.


The Grand Tour’s hosts were asked to look more American – you can guess how it went

You’ve seen them scout for new test drivers while failing miserably at it.
Former F1 driver Mark Webber
,
a stunt driver
 and
a former car thief
 have all had a go in the hotseat in place of the unlikable American from Season 1 but in typical Grand Tour fashion, it all went horribly wrong.
Auditions for the new test driver aside as it remains to be seen how the saga would unfold, it seems that our three most favourite TV show hosts have been asked to be more “American”.
What seemed like a racist demand to May, was understood as a challenge to Clarkson, who was also cynical of a Brit’s tardy appearance. A make up session ensued and let’s just say, the outcome is the stuff of nightmares. Season 2 of the Grand Tour is set to air on the 8th of December 2017. Watch the trailer
here
!
Credit:
YouTube