These are the real NISMO-inspired Nissans we want, with sports suspension and exhaust!

Just after launching its new Nissan LEAF, Nissan Motor Co. has announced that it will be displaying a number of concept cars and production vehicles at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. What we really robbed our attention was this pair – the Nissan LEAF Nismo Concept and the Serena Nismo.
The LEAF Nismo Concept features a sportier exterior with designs from Nismo, Nissan’s motorsports and in-house tuning division. Nismo’s know-how will be applied to the car’s body for enhanced aerodynamics and less lift, to complement the LEAF’s outstandingly low drag coefficient.
For a stroke of sportiness, the LEAF Nismo Concept will be fitted with sports suspension, high performance tyres and custom-tuned ECU to deliver instant acceleration at all speeds. If that doesn’t excite you, sadly, nothing will!
As for the Serena NISMO, possibly the more exciting of the pair as it’s been totally unexpected, it’s sure to be a head-turner with raw styling and driving performance without sacrificing the utilitarian nature of the family-mover. Custom aero parts will add a touch of aggressiveness to the Serena’s appearance while on the inside, Nismo’s influence will be subtle but noticeable with signature red accents.
Unlike the Nismo’s we’ve gotten here that more aesthetic-focused, the Serena Nismo is not to be taken lightly under its shell. Like the LEAF, it will also be fitted with custom-tuned sports suspension, a new ECU and even an exhaust system would you imagine that to add some oomph to the overall driving experience. Now that’s the kinda hot MPV we’ll all been waiting for! It is set to go on sale in Japan come November.
Launched just recently as Nissan’s flagship electric car, the new Nissan leaf, that’s
due for Malaysia in 2018
, comes equipped with
Nissan ProPilot
autonomus driving technology also features ProPilot Park, the first technology in a Japanese-made vehicle to help drivers park by automatically controlling the accelerator, brakes, steering, shift changing and parking brake. There is also the e-Pedal, which lets the driver start, accelerate, decelerate, stop and hold the car by using only the accelerator pedal.

IMAGE GALLERY


Polestar aims to be the best premium EV; ahead of Porsche

Polestar was one of the earlier brands to offer high performance with electrification as seen on the Polestar 1 grand touring hybrid equipped with 1,000 hp. The brand started as a
performance arm
 of Volvo Cars, like BMW M Sport, Audi S-Line, and Mercedes’ AMG Line, but has since moved to full-fledged vehicles since the birth of the
Polestar 1
.
The next phase of the brand’s expansion will see the need to further push the performance envelope even further. In an interview with Germany’s
Auto Motor und Sport
 that was picked up by
Carscoops
, the head of the Polestar said his team is focussing on Porsche as its benchmark.
“We are competing with Porsche for the best electrically powered premium sports car,” said Polestar, CEO, Thomas Ingenlath.
Polestar currently only have the Polestar 1 grand touring hybrid and
Polestar 2
fastback. The brand will see the launch of the
Polestar 3
 SUV as soon as next year, as well as two more models by 2024.
Porsche’s only EV, the
Taycan
, will be heavily benchmarked by the Polestar team now that dynamic evaluation and development work of the
Precept
 performance four-door sedan that is due in 2023 has begun.
Polestar brings out the Beast at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Yup, it definitely will never sound like one. More about the Beast here.
Ingenlath also said separation from the Volvo brand will be increased with every new model,
physical stores
 as well as communications.
“Our product portfolio will grow over the next few years – and this will allow the brand to appear in a completely different light,” he said. “We then step out of the shadow of Volvo even more and are perceived even more independently.”
The Polestar 3 performance SUV, targeted squarely at
BMW iX
,
Ford Mustang Mach-e
 as well as the upcoming
new-generation Porsche Macan
 will be manufactured in the US at the relatively new Volvo Cars production centre in Ridgeville, South Carolina.


First ever Proton CKD assembly plant to be built in Pakistan

The first ever CKD assembly plant for Proton vehicles in Pakistan has broken ground after being officiated by Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan at an event in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The plant, which will be built in Karachi, will be owned and operated by ALHAJ Automotive, the official distributor of Proton vehicles in Pakistan and is expected begin operations by the end of 2020.
The move is part of Proton’s aim to grow its presence overseas and to achieve its sales target of
400,000 units by 2027
. Export sales and establishment of CKD assembly plants in overseas markets are some of the efforts to achieve that goal.
In August last year, an agreement between ALHAJ Automotive and Proton was struck for the former to be the sole distributor of Proton vehicles in Pakistan. A plan to build a brand new assembly plant was also drawn up to take advantage of reduced duties for CKD vehicles in Pakistan.
ALHAJ Automotive will invest some USD30 million into the new CKD assembly plant, which will create 2,000 new job opportunities in its first three years of operation. A further 2,000 indirect jobs will also be created as a result of the construction of the new plant.
We will leverage on our current dealerships nationwide to start selling Proton vehicles while we develop 3S and 4S centres. CBU units will be sourced from Malaysia initially, before switching to CKD units once the new plant begin operations,” said Chairman of ALHAJ Automotive, Mr. Al-Haj Shah Jee Gul Afridi.


Chery sold over 1.1 million cars so far in 2022, over 50k monthly exports

With one month left to end the year, Chinese automobile company,
Chery
 has sold
1,127,289 cars
 globally, showing a 32.6% year-on-year growth from 2021. The company reports that it has increased its export volume by 70.9%, with the past four months exceeding 50,000 units exported per month.
In November 2022 alone, Chery sold
100,531 cars
 globally, being the sixth consecutive month where global monthly sales exceed 100,000 units. Chery attributes its success to the 7-seater
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro
 which is a popular choice for a reception vehicle for state guests in Brazil. Globally,
171,000 units
 of the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro have been sold so far in 2022.
Chery’s Tiggo SUV series
Following behind the Tiggo 8 Pro is the
Tiggo 7 Pro
 with
146,000 units
 sold so far in 2022. Chery states that the Tiggo 7 Pro ranks first in its segment in Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries.
To date, Chery has over 11.13 million users worldwide with 2.35 million of them being outside of China. The company plans to build its brand image in more parts of the world.
RELATED:
Malaysia-bound Chery Omoda 5 scores full five stars in Euro NCAP safety rating
In Malaysia, the Chery car brand has returned and it
previewed 5 of its SUVs
 in Malaysia back in October 2022. The five models are the ‘regular’ Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV, Tiggo 7 Pro, Tiggo 4 Pro, and
Omoda 5
.
Chery’s first-ever global model is the Omoda 5. For Malaysia, it will be offered in two powertrain configurations – a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired to a CVT gearbox, making
154 hp
and
230 Nm
, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged mill paired to a seven-speed DCT gearbox, making
194 hp
 and
290 Nm
.
RELATED:
Chery to produce 30,000 cars annually in Malaysia CKD plant, model launch next year
Chery Omoda 5 previewed in Malaysia
The Tiggo 8 Pro is powered by a 1.6-litre TGDI engine that makes
197 hp
 and
290 Nm
. Paired with the engine is a Chery-developed 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Tiggo 7 Pro is either powered by the same 1.6-litre engine as the Tiggo 8 Pro, or a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that makes
156 hp
 and
230 Nm
.
Chery plans to launch some of its models in Malaysia in 2023, and also has plans to
locally assemble its cars in Malaysia with a 30,000-unit yearly capacity
. Chery already has a plant in Indonesia, and both the Malaysian and Indonesian plants will produce right-hand drive (RHD) cars to be exported to countries like exported to Australia, Singapore, and Brunei.
ALSO WATCH:
Chery is back! Here are the 5 SUVs set for launch in Malaysia


Naza Group’s Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin foundation celebrates Ramadhan with 120 children

Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, the CSR foundation of Naza Group, celebrated Ramadhan with a sumptuos iftar yesterdat with over 120 children from the Pusat Jagaan Anak Yatim and Miskin Seri Kundang and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Peribadi Mulia.
The yearly initiative by the conglomerate aims to give back to society during the Ramadhan period and make Ramadhan a more cheerful one for the underprivileged community.
The orphans also received over RM70,000 worth of new clothes, duit raya and monetary contribution to their homes to celebrate the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“It has been Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin’s tradition to give our support to the underprivileged especially during the month of Ramadhan. The foundation was established in honour of our late father and hence it serves a purpose close to our hearts – to help those in need and contribute to the common good through charity and volunteerism,” said Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, Group Executive Chairman & CEO, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin,
Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin volunteers, comprising of senior management and staff of the Naza Group, also participated in the month-long Ramadhan CSR programme where they visited the less fortunate communities.
These initiatives include a visit to the Children’s Cancer Ward in Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL), the Pusat Jagaan Al-Fikrah, an old folks home in Kajang and a visit to the Masjid Hidayatul Muttaqin in Shah Alam to meet with asnaf families.
This Ramadhan, close to RM180,000 was contributed to charity by Naza Group. Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin was established in honour of the Group’s late founder Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin with a mission to provide aid to the underserved communities in Malaysia based on three key pillars namely education, community development and healthcare.
Over the years, Yayasan Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin has distributed zakat to schools, conducted education workshops for school children and donated various items such as school uniforms and bags, food items and vehicles to improve the livelihood of underprivileged communities.


Shell waives Touch ‘n Go top-up fee at all 27 stations along North-South Expressway

In an effort to help Malaysians reduce their living expenditures, Shell has announced that it is waiving the top-up fee for Touch ‘n Go reloads at all of its 27 petrol station along the North-South Expressway (NSE).
Shell Malaysia Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain said “Shell understands the challenge Malaysians face against the rising cost of living. This drives us to help Malaysians save more and ultimately, get more out of their journeys.
“Hopefully, forgoing the Touch ‘n Go top-up charges at all stations along NSE, as a start, will give our customers one less worry when travelling or fueling up at Shell during long journeys,” she added.
There are over 11,000 reload points nationwide for Touch ‘n Go cards, according to the
official website
. However, other than the approximately 500 selected locations, topping up your Touch ‘n Go card usually incurs a
RM0.50 top-up fee
.
Aside from the Touch ‘n Go initiative, Shell is also running the ‘
Nak Ekstra RM20,000?
‘ campaign, with
one grand prize of RM20,000
, and
20 consolation prizes of RM1,000
 given away
weekly
. To enter, just spend
RM40 in a single receipt
 at any Shell petrol stations.
The campaign kicked off on 1st December 2019, and will run until the
9th of February 2020
. Last week, the company organised a
prize-giving ceremony
 for the winners from the first four weeks of the campaign.


Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, 2.9L V6, 510 hp & 600 Nm, 0-100km/h in 3.8s!

When Alfa Romeo unveiled their first ever SUV, the
Stelvio
, the Italian carmaker wasted no time to slap on the legendary “four-leaf clover” badge. Twelve months since its debut, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is now officially on sale in Europe.
Equipped with an aluminium 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 and an eight-speed automatic, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio packs
510 hp
 and
600 Nm
 of torque under its belt. Q4 all-wheel drive with Alfa Torque Vectoring is standard on UK-bound models. The SUV can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just
3.8 seconds
 onwards to a best-in-class top speed of
283 km/h
. No wonder it wears the title of
fastest SUV around the Nürburgring
.
The intelligent Q4 AWD system sends 100 percent of its power to the rear wheels on every day driving conditions. But should the need arise, the system can instantaneously transmit
50 percent
 of available torque to the front axle for better grip.
Alfa’s most powerful SUV rides on double wishbones on the front axle and a multilink system at the rear. The suspension features electronically-controlled dampers and Active Suspension Control to enable drivers to select performance or comfort-oriented driving characteristics.
As standard, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio employs high-performance steel brakes while carbon ceramics are available as an option. The ceramic brakes are not only
17 kg

lighter
 but offers unparalleled braking performance in demanding situations.
UK deliveries is slated for Q2 of 2018 with full specification and pricing is to be confirmed at a later date. It is a shame that Alfa Romeo is no longer represented here in Malaysia because we reckon that this Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio can step up to the big boys like
Porsche Macan
 and
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43
!
IMAGE GALLERY


Honda reveals N7X Concept in Indonesia – could this be the new BR-V?

Honda in Indonesia has just unveiled a concept model called N7X. Apart from a brief virtual presentation by Takehiro Watanabe, President Director of PT Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) with marketing buzzwords, there isn’t much detailed information on the vehicle.
Watanabe said that after plenty of studies and research on Indonesian consumers, a car is not just a car, but considered a second home. The Honda N7X is developed to
“exceed your expectations”
 as well as “redefine its category”.
Based on its size relative to the individuals around it, the Honda N7X Concept that is fully designed by Honda R&D Asia Pacific looks to be within the same dimensions as a Honda Mobilio / BR-V.
The front adopts the latest Honda Design styling with a large grille placed high up as seen in the latest
Honda Vezel/HR-V
. The taillamps meanwhile follow the latest
Honda City
 which is said to be a favourite with owners.
The compact 7-seater segment in Indonesia has always been a hotly contested segment and the arrival of new models such as
Mitsubishi Xpander
, Suzuki Ertiga and Wuling Confero have certainly impacted the sales of Honda Mobilio and BR-V.
We have compiled a quick guide
comparing
 the new
Mitsubishi Xpander
,
Toyota Rush
 and
Honda BR-V

here
.
In Malaysia, the Honda BR-V was introduced in
January 2017
 and a
facelift
 was later introduced in June 2020 to freshen up the interior and addition of shift paddles. The compact 7-seater is powered by a 1.5-litre SOHC iVTEC engine delivering outputs of
120 hp
 and
145 Nm
 and paired with a
CVT
 gearbox.
Two variants are available with the 1.5E priced at
RM86,726
 while the
1.5V
 is priced at
RM93,420
.
GALLERY


Audi plant employees get solution to eliminate risks of backache

Audi is trying out an ergonomic aid that provides employees with support with lifting and carrying heavy materials to reduce the strain on their back muscles – how considerate! At the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants, employees are currently testing an exoskeleton at selected workstations.
The lifting aid is worn on the body and
weighs around three kgs
. The exoskeleton supports activities that require bending forward to pick up or put down heavy components. Carrying components is made easier as it transfers load of the heavy materials from the back towards the stronger thigh muscles.
The exoskeleton is supposed
to reduce back strain by 20 – 30%
 while encouraging a healthier posture. Its flexible structure and low weight allows workers to walk, turn and stretch without restrictions to their freedom of movement.
“Ergonomic working practices have high priority in all areas at Audi – including production and logistics of course. With the exoskeleton, or the
ergoskeleton
 as we also call it at Audi, we promote healthy working conditions, avoid excessive strain and maintain our employee’s performance,” said Logistics Planner and Head of the Ergoskeleton project, Vinzent Rudtsch.
Presently, employees at the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants are using the exoskeleton for removal of parts from crates while in production, it’s helping to ease installation of the centre console and carrying of heavy material boxes. The goal after the test phase is to gradually integrate the device into production at all Audi plants worldwide.


Ford is set to show off the new Mustang and Focus RS at Goodwood

For the last 22 years, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the West Sussex county of the UK has been hosting car lovers and giving automakers an avenue to showcase some of their most amazing creations, concepts and editions on the ever-infamous Goodwood Hill Climb.
Ford has just recently announced that it will be debuting the all-new Mustang powered by Fords
5.0L V8
 mill and an
EcoBoost
-engined
droptop
 at the Moving Motor Show taking place on the
 25 June
. In addition to that, the eagerly awaited
Ford Focus RS
 will be making its premier appearance on British soil at the festival with gymkhana legend
Ken Block
 at the helm.
It doesn’t just end there. Because Ford is also bringing out a few editions of its most popular models at Goodwood in commemoration of Ford’s
50th Anniversary
 of the
Ford Transit
 van. For this occasion, the Blue Oval company has built a
one-off

Transit Custom SportVan
 that is fitted with a
2.2-litre diesel engine
that makes a
152 hp
 with
385 Nm
 of twist whilst managing
5.6 litres per 100km
. Part of the ‘moving’ entourage is the frugal yet gutsy
Focus ST TDCi
 estate model.
Not to be forgotten is the
Ford Fiesta Red Black Edition
. This fiesta’s lil party piece is the
one-litre EcoBoost
 powerplant that they’ve inserted into this tiny hatchback. However, therein lies the pièce
de résistance
. This A4-paper sized engine kicks out an astonishing
138 hp
. That doesn’t sound like much but this engine has a better
power-per-litre
 output as compared to a
Bugatti Veyron.
Tickets for the Moving Motor Show are priced at £30 (RM171) a pop. Click on the links to read all about the soon-to-be-launched
Mustang
 and
Focus RS
.


Mazda USA says no to AWD in its Mazda 3 and 6 – for a simple reason

At the recent LA Auto Show, Mazda presented a
refreshed version of the Mazda6
 with additional trims in a revised exterior and interior, new mesh grille and redesigned front LED headlamps to name a few.
A new powertrain for the sedan was also introduced, in the form of a 2.5-litre turbocharged SkyActiv-G engine producing
250 hp
 and
420 Nm
 of torque – the same unit found in the
Mazda CX9
.

With all that oomph under the hood, you’re probably thinking that it would be more assuring for Mazda to introduce an AWD system for its revised sedan. As it turns out, Mazda’s North American representative has claimed that their current crop of Mazda 3 and 6 aren’t suited for it – citing
layout issues
 possibly because AWD vehicles require the additional driveshaft linked to the rear wheels.
While it may not serve as a confirmation that an AWD system is in the works – it’s been acknowledge that there is demand for it and that a large proportion of premium sedans in a major part of the US are sold with all-wheel drive systems.
Source:
CarAdvice


The new turbocharged Subaru Forester Sport confirms that the XT is never coming back

If you still weren’t convinced that the Subaru Forester XT is well and truly dead, here’s the final nail in the coffin. Subaru has unveiled a new turbocharged Forester in Japan – the first forced-induction
fifth-generation Forester
 – and instead of calling it the XT, it’s now called the Subaru Forester Sport.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpHN5-3qMSU
Why? Well, from what we can see, that’s because it’s been softened by quite a fair bit. Instead of the FA20F 2.0-litre turbocharged four-banger boxers borrowed from the
WRX
, the new Forester Sport is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged flat-four engine taken from the new Levorg, making
177 hp
 and
300 Nm
 of torque.
For comparison, the previous-generation
Subaru Forester 2.0XT
makes 240 hp and 350 Nm of torque from its powerplant, 63 hp and 50 Nm more than the new Forester Sport. The horsepower output is also lower than the 2.5-litre NA four-banger that’s available on the fifth-generation Forester in other markets, which makes 184 hp and 239 Nm.
The new turbocharged powerplant is paired to a Lineartronic CVT gearbox just like most Subaru models on sale these days, with power sent to all four wheels via the marque’s highly-regarded Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.
No performance figures were provided, but we expect it to outrun the 2.0-litre NA (156 hp, 196 Nm) – which we get here in Malaysia – and the hybrid e-Boxer (158 hp, 253 Nm combined) variants, while being close to, if not a touch faster than the 2.5-litre NA model to 100 km/h.
In terms of appearance, the new Subaru Forester Sport gets dressed up slightly with a blacked-out grille, along with grey foglamp housings, side mirror housings, and side skirts. The Forester Sport also rides on blacked-out 18-inch wheels, while the rear fascia gains an additional grey-coloured trim right underneath the tailgate window – which we think makes it look quite a lot more handsome than the other variants.
Lower down, the new Subaru Forester Sport also gains a sportier rear bumper that fits around the twin exhaust tailpipes – other variants only get a single tailpipe exit.
Changes inside are less obvious, with the main difference being the new suede and leather combination upholstery, along with aluminium sports pedals.
GALLERY


Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo Cabrio is the world’s fastest open top monster

If you’re playing top trumps of fast cars, you better be owning the Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo Cabrio as this ludicrous convertible is officially the planet’s fastest production convertible that seats four people.
It is based on the
Mercedes-AMG S 63
 which is already powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine that churns out 577 hp. The donor car dashes from nought to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The Brabus 850 features a more aggressive looking exterior with carbon-fibre finishes; seen at the front is a wider front grille integrated with a front splitter. At the back houses a rear splitter and a ceramic sports exhaust system. The convertible sits on a set of Brabus’ 21-inch black and red ‘Platinum Edition’ alloy wheels, and the 22-inch is available as an option.
All eyes are obviously pointing at the performance as the engine now liberates
 838 hp
 and
 1,150 Nm
 of torque. The base V8 lump now displaces 5,912cc instead of 5,461cc, and is still twin turbocharged – one on each bank. Brabus says the engine is capable of churning much more torque – a mind bending 1,450 Nm, but this may require more modifications to the drivetrain, so it’s safer to stick with 1,150 Nm. Power is delivered to all
four wheels
 via a
seven-speed automatic transmission
.
The extra 261 hp has certainly paid dividends as 0-100 km/h is now done in
3.5 seconds
 while top speed is electronically limited to
347 km/h
due to tyre limitations. If that’s not enough, the car can return a claimed fuel consumption of
10.5
 litres per 100 km
.
This mean convertible with the huge “B” emblem at the front was unveiled for the first time at last weekend’s Le Mans 24 hours race and it’s available for sale now. No official pricing is unveiled at this point of time, but judging from the standard AMG S63’s price tag of
£134,000
 (close to RM800,000 after conversion), expect to part an awful a lot of money for the convertible that may blow the hair of four occupants inside this car.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Volvo XC90 is UK’s safest car, no fatalities since 2002

According to a report by automotive research centre, Thatcham Research, the safest car in the United Kingdom is none other than the Volvo XC90.
Since the first-generation was launched in 2002, over 50,000 units of the XC90 have been sold in the UK and amazingly, no one has been killed in it for the last 16 years.
Researchers have credited this impressive statistic to the car’s early implementation of hazard detection technologies – warning drivers of impending collisions.
The second-generation XC90 went on to introduce the
Autonomous Emergency Braking
, which now helps apply the brakes automatically to prevent a collision from taking place.
Thatcham Research has branded the Autonomous Emergency Braking system to be the most significant addition to a car’s suite of safety systems since the invention of the safety belt; with credit also owed to Volvo Cars when they introduced the three-point safety belt in 1959 with an open patent for other car makers to emulate.
Thatcham predicts that the automatic-braking feature could save more than a hundred thousand lives from road fatalities in the next 10 years.


This platform will be the basis of 10 million future Volkswagen electric vehicles

What you see here is called the “Modulare E-Antriebs-Baukasten (MEB)” which translates to “Modular Electric-drive toolkit” and is designed to be the basis of Volkswagen’s future electric vehicles.
These vehicles include the I.D. CROZZ SUV, the I.D. BUZZ van and beyond as Volkswagen plans to build 10 million vehicles in different body styles based on the MEB platform – a move that is seen as the most ambitious electric vehicle roll-out by any automaker.
Much like Volkswagen’s MQB platform, the platform that underpins Volkswagen models from the Golf to the Atlas, the MEB can easily adapt to different body styles and battery capacities while using common components to help lower costs.
“With the MEB we have developed a platform designed specifically for electric cars,” said Head of the Volkswagen E-Mobility product line, Christian Senger.
“The I.D. models will not be combustion engine versions that have been converted, they will be designed to be 100 percent, thoroughbred electric vehicles. And they will be engineered to be online, upgradeable- and update-compatible. We’re making optimal use of the possibilities this technology brings,” he added.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhMTzGhu3bA
Since electric drive components take up less space than petrol-powered engines and transmissions, the I.D. models can offer interior space that’s a class-size larger than their exterior dimensions.
Take the I.D. CROZZ for example, it can pack Atlas-type space in a Tiguan-size wrapper. All will be engineered to be either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, via one or two electric motors, for more optimal weight distribution and handling.
The battery pack, located in the floor, can be easily redesigned for different sizes and types of batteries, allowing for pure electric driving ranges from about 300 km to over 500 km.


Kia Motors reports Global Sales of 216,118 vehicles in July 2017

Kia Motors Corporation announced today its July 2017 global sales figures for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles, recording a total of
216,118 units sold
.
Sales in the domestic market dropped by 0.9% compared to last year, resulting 43,611 units sold, which is comparable to July 2016 when Kia benefited from newly launched vehicles such as Cadenza and Niro – with prominence in the US market. Overseas sales also saw a 6.8% drop with 172,507 units, compared to the previous year – largely attributed to a decrease in sales in the Chinese market.
The
Sportage
 was Kia’s best-selling model in the overseas markets during July 2017 with more than 29,498 units of the compact SUV sold. The Cerato was the second best seller with 23,626 units sold, followed by the
Rio
 with 21,960 units sold.
IMAGE GALLERY
KIA SPORTAGE

KIA RIO


Video: Mitsubishi Xpander facelift, 5 Things

The Mitsubishi Xpander has finally arrived in Malaysia and is available in a single variant. Priced at
RM91,359
 inclusive of SST exemption, the total bookings
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia
 has received so far has exceeded the total production capacity until December 2020. In the first two weeks since bookings were opened, MMM received 2,000 orders for the crossover.
The 7-seater facelift Xpander is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with
105 hp
 and
141 Nm
 of torque. The naturally-aspirated powertrain sends power to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox.
The locally-assembled Xpander is one of the better-equipped examples in the region with the addition of a surround-view monitor, and a larger touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets a forward-facing camera that not only serves as a dashcam but works in sync with the surround-view monitor to offer a front view of the vehicle on the infotainment display.

Aside from offering best-in-class headroom and cabin space, the facelift Xpander also comes with an abundance of storage spaces; from the compartments behind the front seats, under-seat storage, and even under the boot floor.
The Xpander promises a refined ride as well as it has been fitted with front and rear windows which are thicker than industry standards. The cabin has also been padded with thicker headlining and floor carpets. The Xpander also features roof-mounted air-con vents in the second row.
For more information on the other aspects of the new facelift Mitsubishi Xpander, click
here
.


NAP 2020: What’s at stake and what to look out for

The
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
 (MITI) announced last week that the
National Automotive Policy
 (NAP) that was supposed to be unveiled last year, will finally be revealed on this Friday,
21
st
 February
, by the Prime Minister. You can read the full
media release here
.
As the NAP is a framework that sets out broad directions, don’t get your panties in bunch if it doesn’t spell out any specifics on lowering the price of the car you’ve been dreaming to own. What the industry is looking out for are its
objectives
and
goals
over the
mid to long term
, but more importantly, the
spirit
which these policies are based on.
Bearing in mind who’s helming the government these days, could Malaysia revert to
protectionist policies
 to facilitate the
defunct notion of a ‘national car’
, like how it was in the 80s and 90s? We know how that venture turned out – non-national brands slumped under the weight of duties, manufacturers went to
Thailand
to set up their regional bases and
AP holders
 became millionaires peddling imported used cars to Malaysian consumers starved of choices.
Or are we going to meander along with the hotchpotch policies of the status quo; wanting to become the ‘hub’ of different things but without a cohesive plan on how to do so? It’s all well and good to flaunt trendy buzzwords such as ‘electrification’, ‘autonomous drive’, ‘charging network’, but do we have the will to carry them out without politics getting in the way?
Or maybe, just maybe, the government fully grasps what the automotive industry is currently undergoing –
a once-in-a-century transformation
 that’s sapping huge resources but also presents opportunities for governments to attract investments of new technologies from manufacturers seeking a conducive environment. Yes, that means offering incentives in return of investment, expertise and jobs.
For all that we’ve squandered in the past, there remain a sizable number of assembly plants (along with parts vendors) producing cars for local consumption, some even export in small quantities. But if we are to make the leap and become a
volume exporter
 of
low- and zero-emission vehicles
 (assuming that’s where we want to be), the policies of NAP 2020 would have to
create a level playing field
 for all brands, one that’s inclusive, progressive and supportive of new technologies.
But are we being too hopeful?


Maserati Ghibli facelift unveiled, refreshed design, more power and tech

Shortly after releasing
initial photos of the facelifted Maserati Ghibli GranLusso and GranSport
, the Italian carmaker’s best-selling vehicle has made its grand debut at the 2017 Chengdu Motor Show. The updated sports sedan gets a host of new tech, slight power bump and new Advanced Driving Assistance Systems.
The updated Ghibli now gets minor revisions to its front and rear bumpers to substantially improve its aerodynamic efficiency. Separating the sporty themed
GranSport
 from the elegant-oriented
GranLusso
 are the more aggressive bumper design, blacked out wing mirrors and unique interior trims. All variants of the Ghibli now feature
adaptive full LED headlamps
.

Mechanically, the Ferrari built 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 in the hotter Ghibli S variant gets a slight power increase of
 20 hp
 and
30 Nm
, bringing the total output to
430 hp
 and
 580 Nm
 of torque. Drive is sent to the rear-wheels or all-four wheels with the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system equipped. Transmission remains an eight-speed ZF automatic.
The Ghibli S Q4 will sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in
4.7 seconds
, down 0.1 seconds from before. Top speed for the two-wheel- and all-wheel drive Ghibli S is raised to
286 km/h
. Maserati has also replaced the hydraulic steering with an
 Electric Powered
 unit which allows for the integration of the Advanced Driving Assistance Systems. A new
Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC)
 which allows the driver to alter the vehicles Electronic Stability Programme also made its debut with the updated Ghibli.
A host of
Advanced Driving Assistance Systems
 including Highway Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Traffic Sign Recognition also made its way to the updated Ghibli range.
Locally, Naza Italia has the
pre-facelift Maserati Ghibli and Ghibli S on sale
 for RM619k and RM709k respectively. If you fancy a swanky new LED headlamps and extra grunt, hold on to your cheque books for now because you can bet that the facelift Ghiblis will make its way to our shores soon enough.
IMAGE GALLERY


The Nissan Ariya could change the way you see electric SUVs

The production version of the Nissan Ariya electric SUV has been revealed following its
concept debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show
 and if this is what the future of electric SUVs hold, sign us up!
We can all unanimously agree that it’s quite a looker with Nissan’s signature V-motion design at the front and a dramatically sloping roofline at the back. Some of you might oppose but I’d prefer those 19-inch wheels (which can be spec-ed to 20-inches) to look less “electric car-like”, if you know what I mean.
To power the Ariya electric SUV, you get to choose between a single motor, rear-wheel drive or a twin electric motor, all-wheel drive model. With both models, Nissan is offering
two battery capacity options; either a 63kWh or an 87 kWh battery
.
In the single motor variants, the
63 kWh battery
 will net you 217 hp and 300 Nm with a pure electric range of 450 km. 0 to 100 km/h? 7.5 seconds. As for the larger
87 kWh battery
, that bumps power up to 242 hp but 0 to 100 km/h is a tad slower at 7.6 seconds. You do gain a whole lot of electric range though; up to 600 km. Top speed is capped at 160 km/h in both the models.
As for the twin motor, all-wheel drive models, the smaller
63 kWh battery
 will happily pump out 339 hp and 560 Nm for a time of 5.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h while returning 430 km of driving range. With the bigger
87 kWh battery
, you’re looking at 394 hp and 600 Nm and for that you get a
Golf GTI-rivalling
 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds. Driving range is just under 600 km; not too shabby.
With a fast charger, Nissan says the Ariya electric SUV can return almost 400 km of driving range with just 30 mins of charging. If you thought that was impressive, you’ve seen nothing. It’s also clear how the cabin has benefited from the lack of moving parts under the fully electric Ariya.
You get a floating dashboard,
based on Nissan’s Engawa design concept
, that’s completely void of panels underneath, freeing up more space than you’ll ever need at the front. As the Ariya is fully electric, there isn’t a drive shaft connecting the front and rear wheels, so you don’t get an annoying hump in the middle of the rear seats.
What’s particularly impressive is the surface of the panels and the touch sensitive controls that illuminate to the touch. When not activated, the symbols just disappear into the grey surface, leaving a clean and minimalist appearance. How cool! Now who says all electric cars are boring?
For the latest price list of
 Nissan
 vehicles in Malaysia following the Sales Tax Exemption, click
here
.
GALLERY


Mazda 3 SkyActiv-X official WLTP fuel economy, as low as 5.4L/100 km

Mazda’s
ground-breaking 2.0-litre SkyActiv-X petrol engine is the first of its kind to adopt
Spark Controlled Compression Ignition (SPCCI) technology which promises high
output with best-in-class fuel economy.
The 2.0-litre SkyActiv-X powerplant commands a maximum output of
180 hp
 at 6,000 rpm and
224 Nm
 from a lowly 3,000 rpm in the
all-new Mazda 3
. It is also equipped with the
Mazda M Hybrid
, a 24V mild-hybrid system to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The engine is paired to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle, the Mazda 3 SkyActiv-X was found to return in an impressive
52.3 mpg (5.4L/100 km)
 and 96 grams of CO2 emissions per km. Impressive numbers for a naturally aspirated petrol engine but this is only applicable for cars running on
16-inch alloys
.
For a more realistic figure, on Mazda 3s with
18-inch alloys
, the WLTP rated fuel consumption is
50.4 mpg (5.6L/100 km)
 with 102g/km of CO2 emissions. Still pretty remarkable considering that WLTP mimics real-world driving conditions as closely as possible.
Mazda 3 HB test mule powered by SkyActiv-X engine
The SkyActiv-X is the result of Mazda’s dedication to keeping naturally aspirated petrol engines alive and relevant in today’s world of tightening emission regulations. With our
first impressions
 of the (then work-in-progress) SkyActiv-X being fairly positive and now the good news of impressive WLTP fuel economy rating, the last thing to look out for is whether the SkyActiv-X engine can stand the test of time and then we’ll be sold.


GST: Mercedes-Benz updates their price list, up to RM10k reduction

Following the implementation of the
 Goods and Service Tax
 (GST) on 1st of April 2015,
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 has released the new prices for all the vehicles currently on sale here.
Mark Raine
, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia said, “We are happy to announce that
prices for our cars
 have been
lowered
 following the implementation of the GST. This is fully compliant with the Government’s recommendation and the Anti-Profiteering Act, 2011.”.
Referring to the table below, all models received a
price reduction
, most notably the new
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID
 which sees the price slashed by RM 10,000.
Model
Old Price
New Price with GST
Price difference
A 200
RM 198,888
RM 196,888
-RM 2,000
A 250 Sport
RM 238,888
RM 236,888
-RM 2,000
A 45 AMG
RM 346,888
RM 343,888
-RM 3,000
CLA 200
RM 235,888
RM 233,888
-RM 2,000
CLA 45 AMG
RM 399,888
RM 396,888
-RM 3,000
GLA 200
RM 238,888
RM 236,888
-RM 2,000
GLA 250 4MATIC
RM 268,888
RM 266,888
-RM 2,000
GLA 45 AMG
RM 378,888
RM 375,888
-RM 3,000
B 200
RM 220,888
RM 218,888
-RM 2,000
C 200 Avantgarde
N/A
RM 269,888
N/A
C 250 Exclusive
N/A
RM 299,888
N/A
C 250 Coupe
RM 388,888
RM 384,888
-RM 4,000
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID
RM 348,888
RM 338,888
-RM 10,000
E 200 Avantgarde
RM 366,888
RM 364,888
-RM 2,000
E 250 Avantgarde
RM 405,888
RM 403,888
-RM 2,000
E 400 Avantgarde
RM 493,888
RM 490,888
-RM 3,000
E 250 Coupe
RM 490,888
RM 485,888
-RM 5,000
CLS 400
N/A
RM 598,888
N/A
S 400 L HYBRID
RM 587,888
RM 583,888
-RM 4,000
ML 350
RM 570,888
RM 564,888
-RM 6,000

All the vehicles listed above are CBU units, with the exception of the E-Class sedan range, the S 400 L HYBRID, and the new C-Class sedan which are assembled here in Pekan Pahang.


Watch how this land speed record car completely destroys a Bugatti Chiron and F1 car

They say a picture speaks a thousands words and in the case of this land speed record-chasing Bloodhound, there’s no better way to illustrate just how quick it is than with visuals of how it completely destroys the
Bugatti Chiron
 and Formula 1 race car.
The Bloodhound project has been around since 2008, with the goal of breaking the 1,000 mph (1,609 km/h) mark en route to a new land speed record. The previous land speed record was set in 1997 by the Thrust SSC with a speed of 763 mph (1,227 km/h).
Attempts to eclipse the previous land speed record have been plagued with problems and the project was even temporarily shut down due to the lack of funding until a new investor arrived in 2018 to revive the project.

No details were released as to what the “standard car” was or which Formula 1 race car was used but the Chiron needs no further introduction. Last year, it became the
first hypercar to exceed the 300 mph (482 km/h)
 mark, after
clocking 400 km/h the year before
.
Right off the bat, the Chiron does a pretty good job hanging on to the Formula 1 car and both were side by side until the 200 mph (322 km/h) mark. As the Formula 1 race car hits its top speed, there’s plenty more juice left in the tank for the Chiron.
At this point, the Bloodhound has already picked up steam and from 200 mph (322 km/h) onwards, it just slingshots into the future – reaching speeds of 628 mph (1,010 km/h) before the video ends.


The new Mercedes-AMG GLC63S 4MATIC just screams for a second look!

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has flexed yet another fibre of its high-performance SUV muscle with the introduction of the new GLC 63 S 4MATIC alongside the GLC 63 S Coupe 4MATIC and the G63 wagon at the Sepang International Circuit.
Under its bulging hood rests a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine paired to an AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed transmission, with output rated at 510 hp and 700 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h is destroyed in just 3.8 seconds while top speed is capped at 270 km/h, if you have the guts.
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC
Engine
4.0-litre Bi-turbo V8
Tranmission
9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT
Max Power
510 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Power
700 Nm @ 1,750 – 4,000 rpm
0 to 100 km/h; Top Speed
3.8 seconds; 270 km/h
Price
RM 915,888 (OTR without Insurance)
Wearing the AMG Night Package attire, the GLC 63 S is dressed in 21-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels, the signature Panamericana grille, AMG performance calipers, AMG spoiler lip, the raunchy AMG Performance exhaust system and the highly effective and desirable Multibeam LED headlamps.
Inside the AMG-themed interior includes a panoramic sliding sunroof, AMG steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery, AMG sports seats, AMG carbon fibre and polished aluminium trims and AMG front door sill panels.
Entertainment is provided by a Burmester sound system while a head-up display projects all the necessary drive information onto the front windscreen.
Driver assistance systems include a surround view camera, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist and Adaptive Brake Lights.
IMAGE GALLERY


Feature: Which joint Proton-Suzuki model will we most likely see?

With the emergence of a possible Proton and Suzuki
joint model
 by the end of the year, speculations abound on the mysterious Suzuki model that may be carrying the black tiger emblem sometime in the future. Here are some the things we gathered:
It won’t be a model that Suzuki sold previously. Hence, that eliminates the Alto,
Swift
, Jimny and
S-Cross
 models
An excerpt from Proton’s press statement reads, “Suzuki will then provide specific technical assistance for the products while it leverages on Proton’s vast local distribution and service network for its rebranded cars.” This suggests that the likelihood of a rebadged Suzuki model being sold in Malaysia is
as good as zero
.
It will be based on
 Suzuki’s A or B segment car.
It’s in a segment that
Proton has not produced
 or contended before.
On that note, there can be only one model we can think off. Enter the
Suzuki Ertiga
.
For the uninitiated, the Ertiga is a
compact MPV
 model based on an extended Swift platform. Introduced in 2012, the seven-seater MPV was jointly developed by Suzuki and its Indian subsidiary, Maruti Autos. Based on a B-segment platform, the car is considered as a crossover between a hatchback and an MPV.
The Ertiga is powered by two engine options: a
 1.4-litre petrol
 that produces
93 hp
 with
 130 Nm
 of torque, and a Fiat-sourced
 1.3-litre diesel
 that churns
88 hp
 with
200 Nm
 of torque. Gearbox options include the tried and tested
five-speed manual
 or
four-speed automatic.
Although the engine’s numbers seem like they were taken from a car catalogue a decade ago, practicality and low running costs are the two key reasons why the Ertiga is a big hit in populous countries such as the Indonesia and India. After all, the Ertiga is aimed at developing nations rather than in Japan.

This brings us to our next point. We think the next Proton-Suzuki model will be based on what Maruti Suzuki cheekily claims as an
LUV
 (
Life Utility Vehicle
). Here’s why:
In order for Suzuki to test its partnership with Proton, it would be wise for the Japanese to pick a “
proven
” model that needs little development. The Ertiga sold well in developing nations, hence lies the potential of this model in Malaysia.
The
time frame
. Since the signing of their MoU in June 2015, a joint model was to be released by the end of the year, and it will make better sense for them to work on swapping the badge from an existing model given the time constraints. The 18-month period will provide ample time for that, as developing a model from scratch might take up to 2-3 years to bear fruit.
The new Ertiga will allow Proton to
compete in a segment it’s not in.
 Despite having a larger Exora MPV model in its stable, the Exora has aged and it’s battling a price disadvantage when compared to Perodua Alza. The Alza scores well among Malaysians due to its affordability, proven reliability and better perceived value. The Ertiga rebadge model however, seems promising enough to
 give the Alza a real run for its money
.
Apart from the Ertiga, the Celerio (pictured below) would be another ideal candidate to become the next Proton car. Proton has yet to have an A-Segment hatchback and the Celerio would fill that gap. Despite that, the likelihood for that to happen is low as reports show the new Saga model, part of the four new models to be launched by Proton this year, will be demoted to an A-segment car. That said, it’s
 unwise to have two cars competing in the same segment
.
Although the Ertiga makes perfect sense for this joint model, fingers crossed Proton will not retain its original four-speed automatic gearbox because you know, it’s 2016. In any case, Proton has already ditched the antiquated four-speed automatics to make way for a similarly underwhelming CVT gearbox for its Saga and Iriz models.
Looking at things now, there’s a high chance that the Ertiga model that could be bearing Proton’s emblem will be based on the revised Ertiga Dreza model. Unveiled for the Indonesia market just last week, it’s essentially the Ertiga with all the bells and whistles.
So what do you think of our prediction? Head up the comments page and tell us if you agree or disagree on this.
[Image Source: Suzuki]


Toyota to unveil new compact crossover this Thursday – is this the rumoured Corolla Cross?

Toyota is set to debut an all-new compact SUV – heavily rumoured to be the Toyota Corolla Cross – this Thursday (9th July), as confirmed by a
brief announcement video
posted on the Toyota Thailand YouTube channel.
Aside from a catchy slogan, virtually nothing else was revealed by Toyota. Hence, we’ve scoured the internet gathering some additional information to give you a brief idea of what to expect this Thursday. However, as is usual, pre-launch unverified information should always be taken with a pinch of salt.

Most internet sources suggests that the upcoming compact crossover will be built on the brand’s highly-praised
TNGA platform
 – more specifically the TNGA-C, which is also used in the
all-new Toyota Corolla
. In terms of size, the rumoured Corolla Cross will likely line up against the
Honda HR-V
,
Subaru XV
, and
Mazda CX-30
 – a space previously occupied by the
Toyota C-HR
.
While some sources claim that the upcoming compact crossover will essentially replace the Toyota C-HR, we think that it is more likely that the Corolla Cross will be marketed as a more “traditional” alternative to the coupe-like styling of the C-HR – much like what BMW does with the
 X1
 and
X2
.
Spy shots seem to suggest a heavy influence from the
Toyota RAV4
, featuring more striking and angular shapes across the exterior, including the snazzy almost-square-like wheel arches.
Keen readers will also notice that the launch schedule coincides with the “all-new crossover” entry on the
leaked Toyota timeline
 that we previously published for the upcoming GT86 (or GR86, which it will be apparently called).
According to the leaked timeline, the Corolla Cross will be “all hybrid”, though Thai automotive news site
Headlightmag
 claims that the entry-level model will be powered by the 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE engine lifted straight from the
Toyota Corolla
, good for
139 hp
 and
172 Nm
 of torque.
Aside from the single variant though, the source says that the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross will feature the 2ZR-FXE hybrid engine as seen on the
Prius
 and pre-facelift C-HR Hybrid, which pairs a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine to an electric motor for a combined output of roughly
120 hp
.
The TNGA-C platform used on the
Toyota C-HR
.
Currently, there are no news if we will be getting the new Toyota compact crossover here in Malaysia, but would you be interested to see a new HR-V rival from Toyota on our roads? Let us know in the comments section below!


Kia EV9 teased in final testing images, to debut in Q1 2023

Kia

has released several images of a camouflaged Kia EV9 currently undergoing its final verification tests, ahead of the moidel’s world debut in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2023). The Korean carmaker says the EV9 will become the brand’s flagship model, and will “revolutionise the large electric SUV segment, while accelerating Kia’s brand transformation and affirming its leadership in sustainable electric mobility.”
Back in November 2021, Kia unveiled the
Kia EV9 Concept
 at the AutoMobility LA motor show in Los Angeles. Measuring about the same size as a Hyundai Palisade or
Mazda CX-9
, the Kia EV9 concept was claimed to have an electric range of
482 km
 and featured a
350 kW
 charger that allowed a charging time of 20-30 minutes from 10% to 80%.
The Kia EV9 has now undergone 44 months of development. In its final testing phase, the EV9 is relentlessly subjected to a demanding verification program that entails a 4WD climbing hill, a rough terrain track, and a deep-water wading test. Testing is also done on Kia’s high-speed, handling, and low-friction tracks.
On top of the test program at Namyang R&D centre, the Kia EV9 is also subjected to verification tests in locations all over the globe. The cobble roads in Belgium, for example, enable Kia’s engineers to test the EV9’s ride comfort and build quality.
RELATED:
 Kia EV9 Concept previews a large three-row EV SUV with multi-mode interior
Like the
EV6
, the Kia EV9 is built on the Hyundai Group’s
Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP)
. With rather revealing camouflage, distinct design features of the EV9 can be seen clearly, and we think it’s looking good. Most design elements from the concept appear to have been retained here, giving the EV9 a tough, rugged look.
Kia reported strong EV sales in the second quarter of 2022, including 8,171 units of the EV6 globally in July alone. Across the time period, retail sales of Kia’s BEV models accounted for 44,000 units, representing a 98% increase year-on-year.
RELATED:
Hyundai Motor Group now third-largest global carmaker – 3.3 million vehicles sold in H1 2022
RELATED:
Five cool features in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 you might not know about
GALLERY


If a 6.0L W12 is too much to handle, you go for the Bentley Continental GT V8

Bentley has just unveiled
a new V8 version of its third-generation Bentley Continental GT and GT Convertible.
The new eight-cylinder option promises a more agile character from the luxury
Grand Tourer.
Both V8 models are powered by a new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 pushing out
550 hp
 and
770 Nm
 of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. An active all-wheel drive is fitted as standard where the system will be predominantly rear-wheel driven for optional efficiency and dynamic performance.
Century sprint takes
4.0 seconds
 on the coupe while the convertible gets to the 100 km/h mark in
4.1 seconds
. Top speed is capped at
318 km/h
 on both variants. As a reference, the
W12 powered Continental GT coupe
 takes 3.7 seconds to make the century sprint and has a claimed top speed of 333 km/h.
The Continental GT V8
can be distinguished by its quad exhaust, 20-inch, 10-spoke painted alloy
wheels and V8 badging on the front fenders. Otherwise equipment levels are identical
to the W12 from the cut-crystal Matrix LED headlamps, 48-volt Dynamic Ride
System, 10-speaker Bentley Audio
system, 12.3-inch touchscreen Bentley Rotating Display and
more.
IMAGE GALLERY
Bentley Continental GT V8 Coupe
Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible


Honda Malaysia to reward COVID-19 frontliners with “1 Million Edition” Jazz giveaway

As a sign of appreciation to the frontliners who have worked tirelessly this past year in our battle against the
Covid-19
 pandemic, Honda Malaysia is giving away a special-edition
Honda Jazz
 1 Million Edition to these frontline workers, as part of the
1 Million Dreams campaign
.
Honda Malaysia is celebrating its one-millionth car sold with the 1 Million Dreams campaign, where the company is giving away seven unique special edition models – one each of every model in its current line-up – to lucky contest winners. However, the Honda Jazz 1 Million Edition is specifically reserved for
government servants and frontliners in the health, defence, public service, and education sectors
.
Just like all other models in this special edition series, the Honda Jazz 1 Million Edition also gets a unique exterior characterised by the dual-tone, blacked out roof, body trim, and wheels, contrasted by red accents on the front fascia, wheels, and side mirrors. Unique to the Jazz is also a red strip on its rear bumper; no other 1 Million Edition model gets this extra sporty flair!
Tying up the exterior styling are the “1 Million Dreams Special Edition” badges on the front fenders. The same logo is also found on an epoxy sticker on the dashboard inside, and also debossed onto the headrests on the front seats. The Honda Jazz 1 Million Edition also comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red cross stitching and centre marking, as well as a special leather pouch for your keys.
Otherwise, the car is unchanged from the standard Honda Jazz, and that includes the powertrain underneath the bonnet. The Honda Jazz 1 Million Edition is powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, which makes
118 hp
 and
145 Nm
 of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
So how do you win it? If you fall within the criteria listed above, all you have to do is to submit the entry form through the webpage, linked
here
. Be sure to select the “Frontliners” category, and after you answer a couple of questions, you’ll be in the running to win the Honda Jazz 1 Million Edition!
For the rest of us who aren’t frontline workers, there are still six other cars to be won. Check out
 our gallery
for a closer look at all of them, along with the contest details!
GALLERY


Special edition BMW 8 Series struck by Golden Thunder

BMW
 Individual has created a special edition 8 Series line up called the Golden Thunder. It’s available for all the variants of the new
BMW 8 Series Coupe
,
8 Series Convertible
 and the
 8 Series Gran Coupé
. This includes the 840i, 840d xDrive and the
M850i xDrive
.
The special edition BMW 8 Series comes in either Sapphire Black metallic or Frozen Black Metallic paint jobs and are complemented with black brake calipers. As for what makes it the Golden Thunder, you get a gold strip across the side of the car, gold mirror caps, 20-inch rims finished in gold. In the 8 Series Gran Coupe, the Golden Thunder comes with an M rear spoiler.
Inside the Golden Thunder isn’t as striking with the front head rests embroidered with the words “Edition Golden Thunder”, Alcantara roof liner and a gold centre console with a mesh effect. The special edition models are also finished with an emblem and feature CraftedClarity glass applications for selected controls and a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.
The 840i Gran Coupe M Sport launched in Malaysia recently.
On that note, BMW Malaysia recently introduced the
BMW 840i Gran Coupe M Sport
 priced at RM968,800. BMW Malaysia later on revised the price to
RM937,411
 due to the
 Sales Tax Exemption
 implemented recently on 15th of June till 31st December 2020.
A 3.0-litre straight six engine making
340 hp
 and
500 Nm
 powers the 840i Gran Coupe, good enough to get it from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds.
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BMW iX3 promises 440 km range with fifth-generation eDrive technology

BMW is introducing its fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology in the
BMW iX3
, the brand’s first all-electric SUV, due in 2020. The same electric powertrain technology will also be used in the
 i4
, as well as the
 iNEXT
technology flagship.
The new electric powertrain is developed completely in-house by BMW, and the motor and high-voltage batteries produced in corporately owned manufacturing plants. Both components are flexibly scalable in terms of power and energy content, and thus able to be used in various different vehicle concepts and segments.
The fifth-generation BMW eDrive powertrain incorporates the electric motor, system electronics and transmission into a central housing. This has considerably lowered the installation space and weight of the drive technology; BMW says that ratio between motor output and weight of the drive system has improved by around
30%
 compared to the previous generation.
The electric motor in the BMW iX3 generates a maximum power output of
210 kW
 (286 hp), with a maximum torque at
400 Nm
. As with any electric motors, maximum torque is available instantly from standstill, but BMW claims that their exclusive design measures enables the motor to keep up even at the upper motor speeds.
BMW’s new construction methods for the electric motor has eliminated the need of rare earth materials. With the motors driving the iX3’s rear wheels, the efficiency of the motors can be increased, while also conveying the traditional BMW rear-wheel drive experience in a new domain.
As for the battery, the high-voltage unit in the fifth generation eDrive system is based on the latest evolution in NMC-811 technology. BMW’s development on the battery has allowed for an increased energy density, while also improving all battery cell characteristics, in particular the durability and safety of the high-voltage cells.
The battery pack in the iX3 is installed in an “extremely flat position” in the vehicle floor, thanks to the scalability of the cell design to optimise the compact packaging of the pack.
As a result, the electrically powered iX3 does not compromise in terms of space in the passenger cell and luggage compartment, compared to the petrol or diesel powered versions of the BMW X3.
The BMW iX3 utilises a
74 kWh
 battery pack, achieving a range of more than
440 km
 in the WLTP cycle – translated to a power efficiency of less than
20 kWh/100km
.
Once the battery pack completes its first life in the car, it can be repurposed as a stationary battery pack, further improving the overall CO2 balance of the BMW iX3.
The 500,000th electrified BMW vehicle, delivered to its owner in BMW Welt.
In related news, BMW has delivered half a million electrified vehicles to customers worldwide, with the delivery of a BMW 330e at the BMW Welt in Munich yesterday.
BMW aims to double that number by the end of 2021 with the introduction of new electric models such as the iX3, and i4 in 2021.
IMAGE GALLERY


9 reasons why you’d want to consider a Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicle

What was previously known as the Proven Exclusivity brand, has now been rebranded to “Mercedes-Benz Certified” in line with the brand’s global transition.
So what’s Mercedes-Benz Certified anyways?
It’s essentially a programme that allows you to cherry pick from a collection certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz models at the
 Certified Pre-Owned Centre launched today
, made attractive by two main factors; immaculate condition and appealing prices.
Vehicles under this programme are
sourced from authorised Mercedes-Benz Malaysia dealers
,
aged six years or less
 and had
clocked less than 125,000 km
, without any core structural damages.
These vehicles are fully serviced and maintained only by authorised Mercedes-Benz service centres with original parts.
With that, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has offered
nine reasons or rather “promises”
 that comprehensively covers all your concerns when thinking about buying a used Mercedes-Benz.
215 multi-point inspection
Each vehicle had undergone rigourous inspections by certified technicians before receiving the Mercedes-Benz Certified stamp of approval. Inspection is done on the body of the car, engine components, chassis, electric systems with extensive road tests.
Test drives
Customers will be offered the option to test drive any of the Mercedes-Benz Certified vehicles to decide on whether the car fits their needs and preferences.
Trade-in
Customers are given the option to trade-in their existing vehicles when purchasing a Mercedes-Benz Certified vehicle.
Genuine service and maintenance records
All the Mercedes-Benz Certified vehicles have been checked and verified with genuine service and maintenance records from authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers.
Genuine Mileage
The same Certified vehicles would’ve also been checked and verified of their genuine mileage which is guaranteed by Mercedes-Benz.
12-month warranty extension
On top of the remaining existing warranty, these Certified vehicles will also be covered by a 12-month warranty extension with unlimited mileage.
Finance and Insurance services
Vehicles under this programme will be offered with finance and insurance services, to cater to customer’s preferences – making it more irresistible and attractive to own a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz.
Service Contracts
Under the Certified programme, customers are also offered with flexible and affordable service contracts for the service and maintenance package of their pre-owned Mercedes-Benz.
Road Assistance
Mercedes-Benz Certified vehicle owners will also be assured and accompanied by a 24-hour road assistance service in the event of a breakdown.
IMAGE GALLERY


Shell reveals new FuelSave 95 for extra kilometres without extra costs

Shell Malaysia
 has recently rebranded its FuelSave 95 fuel through the “Shell FuelSave 95 Extra Kilometer, Ternyata Berbeza” campaign.
The Shell FuelSave 95 with
DYNAFLEX technology
 focuses on three things:
Extra Savings, Instantly (Ekstra Penjimatan) – reduces friction by up to 90% in critical engine parts to maximize fuel economy
Extra Clean (Ekstra Bersih) – prevents 95% of deposit formation for a cleaner engine
Extra Protection (Ekstra Perlindungan) – protects engines from wear, corrosion, and deposit build-up with its ‘Triple Action’ formula

According to a consumer study, these key benefits are in tandem with the demands of Malaysian motorists for better mileage and cost savings when considering their fuel of choice.
Customers can expect up to
1.85% increase in mileage
along with
extra protection for key components
 in a car’s fueling system such as the intake valves and fuel injectors against deposit build-ups. Friction-reducing molecules also help protect the engine’s piston rings
“We place customers at the heart of everything we do; all our fuels are developed with their needs in mind. With the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting many Malaysian households financially, we resonate strongly with our customers and understand that a little extra goes a long way,” said Shell Malaysia Trading and Shell Timur, Managing Director, Shairan Huzani Husain.
“Shell FuelSave 95 aspires to deliver instant fuel economy from the very first drop and is the smart choice for customers,” he added.
To make this journey extra rewarding, Shell Malaysia has partnered with BonusLink to give customers up to 4X Points whenever they spend a minimum of RM50 on fuel at Shell petrol stations.


The new HondaTouch app lets you book and monitor service appointments from your phone

Honda Malaysia has introduced the HondaTouch mobile application, its latest digitalised service, with a multitude of features to enhance engagement and provide convenience to Honda owners and non-owners alike.
The platform includes a complete dealer and service centre listing, where Honda owners can
make service appointments
 with their preferred dealers directly through the application. Closer to the appointment, a pop-up notification will appear on customers’ smartphones as a reminder.
The application also allows customers to keep tabs on all information about their vehicle, including their
vehicle service history
, while also providing
real-time service status tracking
, allowing customers to monitor the progress without having to set-up camp at the service centre – perfect for the post-Covid-19 world!
In the event of a breakdown or accident, owners can also
contact the roadside assistance service
 directly through the application for immediate assistance. Customers using the
Honda Insurance Plus (HIP)
 will also receive
 insurance renewal reminder
 through the application itself.
Honda Malaysia CEO, Toichi Ishiyama said, “The HondaTouch application is designed to provide convenience and ease of communication between Honda Authorised Dealers and customers, allowing easy access to obtain vehicle service information; vehicle assistance, and updates from Honda Malaysia.
“Ultimately, it is our vision to create value for mobility and to improve the daily lives of our customers through regular engagement; and the intuitive HondaTouch application does exactly that.”
You’ll be able to book the
all-new Honda City RS e:HEV
through the application when it comes out!
The HondaTouch application can also be registered by non-Honda customers, with several features designed specifically for this crowd. These include access to the latest Honda Malaysia promotions, events, and updates. From December onwards, you can even
pre-book a vehicle
 directly through the application without stepping foot into a dealership!
The application is now available for download for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. For more information on the HondaTouch application, customers can call Honda Malaysia’s toll-free number at
1800 88 2020
 or log onto the
Honda Malaysia website
.


Video: Toyota Vios 1.5L facelift, Malaysia’s God Car 2.0? – AutoVlog

The third-generation
Toyota Vios recently received a major makeover
 for the Malaysian market, and we had the opportunity to sample the car first hand before its official debut taking it from Kuala Lumpur to Desaru Johor and back, covering almost 1,000 km in the process.

Despite wearing a new shell of the Yaris Ativ and extensively enhanced features (7 airbags, drive mode selector and blind spot monitor!), this remains to be the third-generation Vios adopting the same 2NR-FE 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with 7 virtual ratios. Output remains to be at
107 hp
 and
140 Nm
 driving the front wheels.
With prices starting from RM77,200 to RM87,300, the striking design with aero kit (standard across all variants), 7 airbags, Vehicle Stability Control and improved NVH levels, the Vios has finally caught up with segment leader, Honda City.
IMAGE GALLERY
2019 Toyota Vios 1.5 G Launched in Malaysia


Driver in Germany fined 75 times more than usual for speeding

If you thought our previous story on
two 19-year olds speeding in daddy’s car
 was the mark of stupidity, this is on another level.
You’ve probably thought of doing it, some of us might have done it and probably even got away scot-free. In Germany however, showing the middle finger to speed cameras may land you in hot soup; much hotter than you’d expect.
Recently, the driver of a BMW X5 found that out the hard way. While travelling on the B289 highway just outside of Nuremberg, Germany, not only did the 26-year old
exceed the speed limit by 11 km/h
,
he also

flashed a middle finger
 at the speed camera. The speed limit in the area was 70 km/h.
What followed was probably beyond the driver’s wildest dreams. Instead of receiving a slap on the wrist with a fine of just 20 euros (approx. RM99) for breaching the speed limit, he received a fine of 1,500 euros (approx RM7,542) instead.
That’s 75 times more than the usual rate for taking a piss at the German authorities who clearly wanted to make an example out of him. That’s not all. The District Court of Kulmbach also banned him from driving for a month.
Guess there is a moral to this story; never mess with the authorities when you’re at fault and always keep a cool head on the road no matter the situation. It could just save you a lot of trouble and of course, money.
Source:
Facebook


Lotus teases the Type 132 Sports SUV via grille design

As part of transformation and
Geely’s
 aggressive push for the brand’s expansion, Lotus has released a teaser image of the upcoming Type 132, the first of three premium electric models that will be launched over the next four years.
The teaser image by Lotus is a twist to the usual silhouettes and digital renderings of the vehicle, in which the company shows details of the Type 132 model’s lower grille and the operation of the active grille shutter.
Close
Open
The accompanying video shows the active grille shutter that is fitted at the lower portion of the front bumper shows the opening and closing operation and aptly titled ‘Breathe’. Active grille shutters are used to control the airflow into the cooling radiators, with the closed position benefiting smoother airflow and ultimately better overall efficiency.
Example of active grille shutter on the Audi e-tron
The introduction of the Type 132 SUV will be joined by a four-door coupe under the code of Type 133. Both of these are segmented in the European E-segment, with competitors for the Type 132 SUV featuring models such as Tesla Model X,
BMW iX
, the upcoming
Mercedes-EQE SUV
,
new-generation Volvo XC90
, Audi e-Tron and other EV versions of Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Velar and
Lexus
.

A third model called the Type 134 will be a segment smaller to compete with the
BMW iX3
, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mercedes EQC, the upcoming Porsche Macan EV and the
upcoming Polestar 3
.
These three two-row, mass production, new-era premium Lotus vehicles will have much of their design, engineering and production in
Wuhan, China.
Lotus Type 132 sketch
Lotus will then build the
EV spiritual successor
 to the Elise and
Emira
 at its ever-expanding Hethel facility in the UK, currently using the code name Type 135. The sports car is also a joint development with Renault’s
Alpine
 brand to replace its A110 model and both will only make their debut in 2026.
We expect Lotus to perhaps continue with at least another three more teases, as video briefly looped the other words which are Stretch (interior space?), See (multiple sensors?) and Awaken (performance?).


Ride onboard in the driver’s seat of the Lamborghini SCV12 for a lap around Imola

We finally got a first look at Lamborghini’s latest
track-only lap time slayer
 – the
SCV12
– just a couple days back, but the Italian hypercar maker has now already given us an
onboard video
 where we can see and hear the V12 beast at full tilt.
The video is an unedited onboard lap around the Imola circuit, with five-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro at the wheel. Pirro, who’s had a hand in the development of the track-only hypercar, will also be the coach in the advanced driving programmes for the new owners of the SCV12 at “some of the world’s most prestigious circuits”.

The onboard video gives us a first look at the interior of the SCV12, where we can see the pared-down dashboard and centre console with a new Y-shaped interior structural piece, race car steering wheel with an integrated screen, along with a secondary roof-mounted display for the other vehicle information.
But most importantly, the onboard video also features the glorious full roar of the SCV12’s V12 engine, which Lamborghini says is the most powerful naturally V12 engine they’ve ever built – capable of delivering
more than 830 hp
. Be sure to turn your volume way up for this one.
Lamborghini also says that the SCV12 will have
more downforce than a GT3 car
. Judging by how relatively drama-free the car looks during cornering, we have no doubts about the hypercar’s aerodynamic prowess.
The Lamborghini SCV12 will be unveiled through an
online world premiere event on the 30th of June
(tomorrow!). We can’t wait to see more!


Volkswagen pays tribute to Star Wars with special edition ID. Buzz

As part of this year’s Star Wars celebration and the brand’s new series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Volkswagen has presented the
 ID. Buzz
 Light Side Edition and Dark Side Edition. Both units were also presented at the premiere of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
Using special adhesive films, the designers at Lucasfilm and Volkswagen created skins that convey the two sides, drawing specific inspiration from Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, two iconic characters in the series.
In the
Light Side Edition
, the beige lower section is a tribute to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s tunic outfit while the chrome bits refer to the design of the spaceships and droids in the Star Wars universe.
The blue line that stretches from the headlights to the side of the ID. Buzz symbolises Obi-Wan’s blue lightsaber. The glass surfaces of the ID. Buzz are designed in transparent blue, complementing the underbody lighting. Logos of the Rebel Alliance can be found on the side windows as well as on the center caps of custom 21-inch wheels.
The ID.Buzz lettering at the rear of the vehicle is designed in the classic Star Wars ‘Aurebesh’ font, similar to the letterings by the side fenders.
The Dark Side Edition projects a more sinister impression with ominous shades of black and red. The body is finished in two shades of black while the sidelines, headlights, and window surfaces are in red, inspired by the Darth Vader’s lightsaber. Unlike the Light Side Edition, the Dark Side Edition bears the logo of the Empire – just the kind of details that would get Star Wars fans aroused.
The
 ID. Buzz
is powered by an electric motor paired to a 77 kWh battery that drives the rear wheels with 204 hp and 310 Nm. It is estimated to offer up to 520 km of electric driving range. It accommodates five passengers although Volkswagen will offer a six-seater option soon.


Here is Jeremy Clarkson’s 10 Best Cars of 2015/2016. What’s yours?

In the past year or so, the automotive world has seen some things. Some are out of this world like the
Aston Martin AM-RB 001
, some downright crazy like
Edna from Atieva
. Today, Jeremy Clarkson, who is now filming for a new TV series,
The Grand Tour
 (TGT, get it?) has revealed his top 10 picks of cars introduced in 2015 and 2016.
To make it into the list, the former Top Gear host explains that the car must be more than just a mode of transport. It has to tingle your senses, speaks to your heart and excites your soul. Out of the 10 on his list, six are available or was available for sale in Malaysia. Without further ado, here’s his list.
Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
It seems that Clarkson is also drawn to the
Jinba-ittai
 philosophy of Mazda. The ND roadster is not only fun to drive, he claims it’s akin to being
“up there alongside a game of naked Twister with Scarlett Johansson and Cameron Diaz”
. The variant of his choice comes with a manual tranny (of course), unlike what
Bermaz has on offer
. However, our editor, Matthew,
test drove the stick shift in Japan
. He too describes the experience with the MX-5 “
casually dating Scarlett Johansson”.
Alfa Romeo 4C Coupé
This 1.75-litre turbocharged Italian doesn’t come with power steering but it does come with poor visibility and poor cabin refinement. Yet, the joys that the Alfa brings feels very human. Unfortunately, the 4C is not sold here, but you’d be lucky to spot a few mint units at some parallel importers.
Mercedes-AMG GT S
A 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 in an SLS AMG chassis that weighs less than 1,600kg is surely a big yes in Clarkson’s book. Its long and wide stature led to Clarkson’s claim of it looking like a modern-day muscle car. The Mercedes-AMG GT S is the more potent of the lot, with 503 hp and 650 Nm of torque while the more tamed AMG GT settles with 456 hp and 600 Nm of torque. Fortunately for us, one of Clarkson’s top picks
is available for sale in Malaysia
.
Ford Focus RS
The
Blue Oval mega hatch
 has been receiving praises from motoring enthusiast all over the world. Clarkson too, no less. For five or six times less the price, the Focus RS is able to keep up and even overtake supercars in that price bracket. Thanks to its 2.3-litre ecoboost churning out 350 hp, as well as having one of the most advanced four-wheel-drive systems fitted into a car, Clarkson compares this to the Nissan GT-R. There’s no news of it going on sale in Malaysia, and it probably never will.
Ford Mustang Fastback 5.0 V8 GT
This American muscle costs less than a Golf GTI in Great Britain, packs a huge V8 up front and slips the back end around every corner. What’s not to like? Although the
Jaguar F-Type R
 packs the same formula, it is not a muscle car. This heavy body Mustang as Clarkson describes, is a little boy’s dreams come true. Good news,
because the Stang is on sale here
.
Volvo XC90 D5 AWD
The Swedish tank is an easy one to like. Proper space to fit seven adults comfortably, premium interior and an extremely luxurious ride. Simple Swedish recipe. Clarkson’s choice comes with a diesel engine, however, Volvo Car Malaysia has the next best thing, the
XC90 T8
.
Vauxhall Zafira Tourer 1.6 CDTi Tech Line
A British representative made it to his list, the Vauxhall Zafira. The brand is not available locally. However, Clarkson claims it to be the most comfortable car in the world, even
Rolls-Royce
. Makes us want to have a go in it.
BMW M2
Munich’s baby M car is Clarkson’s favourite M car. It’s fast in a straight line and even through corners, all while putting a huge grin on your face. Clarkson remembers the time where he left more expensive GT cars in the dust. Malaysians can rejoice
as the M2 is available
 for purchase through official channels, albeit with a slight wait on the purchase list.
Ferrari 488 GTB
Finally, a supercar to make it to the list, the turbocharged Prancing Horse from Maranello. The
488 GTB
 is described as devilishly good by Clarkson, so good in fact he calls it the perfect driving machine. It’s quite a feat for Ferrari, who somehow managed to turn a car with such brute force into such a liveable, tamed machine. Want one? It costs around RM1.07 million before taxes!
Lamborghini Aventador
Not the best in a straight line, nor is it any good around a track but its stunning road presence justifies everything else. That monstrous V12 and large dimensions is all you ever need in a supercar, claims Clarkson. Here’s a
link
 to Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur should you want to purchase one of Clarkson’s top 10.
So folks, what you think of Clarkson’s top 10 picks? Have you any to share? What are your personal picks?


Honda NSX full technical details revealed, and it’s dubbed as the everyday supercar!

Back in 1984, Honda drew up plans for the company’s first ever sports car and subsequently commissioned legendary Italian designer Pininfarina to sketch out the designs of the internally-codenamed HPX (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) project. The aim of the project was to beat the Ferrari of its day – the 328 GTB – yet make the car forgivingly fun and easy to drive. Honda initially reckoned that it could do the job with a tuned 2.0-litre VTEC mill but later abandoned it for a bespoke built 3.0-litre V6 VTEC engine, but then they’ve set a new target to beat – the Ferrari 348 TB.
After years of research and development, the project was christened NS-X or
N
ew
S
portscar e
X
perimental and was the first production car to feature an
all-aluminium
 semi-monocoque body – utterly revolutionary and
years
 ahead of its time, all thanks to the
trickled-down
 technology learnt from the company’s foray into the pinnacle of motorsports,
Formula One
. The NSX finally debuted in
1989
 with performance figures to stun and looks that could kill. Patience truly is a virtue.
Many moons have come and gone since that momentous mark in history and the reign of the Honda NSX came to an end exactly a
decade
 ago. Everyone wondered if there would ever be another NSX model to
succeed
 Japan’s first-ever sports car, and we wondered for years. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, fans and the world were stunned some seven years later in
2012
 when Honda unveiled a concept of what could possibly be the next-gen NSX. Earlier this year, Honda confirmed that the
NSX will commence production
 at their plant in
Ohio
 – weirdly, where approximately
100
 highly-skilled
low-volume
 production specialists will conduct full body construction, paint, and final assembly.
But that’s not why we brought you here, so let’s get down the facts and figures of this second-gen icon. Rumours abounded that the concept car was going to house a great big
V10
 lump that was slated to make out over 500 horses, but with the advent of vastly-improved hybrid drive systems, the engine need not be of such calibre. The mill that will be making its way to the production floor is a more manageable
dry sump 3.5-litre V6
 that churns out
500 bhp
 thanks to the beauty of twin-turbocharging. The byproduct of such marriage makes a tad of over
550 Nm
 of torque.

Now, because the Honda NSX is a
mid-engine

hybrid
, the
Twin Motor Unit
 (TMU) are tasked with driving the
front
 wheels and this effectively makes it an
all-wheel-drive
 runner, or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The TMU up front is responsible for an additional
75 hp
 which makes a grand total of
575
 raging horses. But why would Honda electrify the NSX? Better mileage? That reasoning seems to elude sense for the bare fact that if all you wanted is economy and speed, buy a Prius – we’re kidding about the speed, obviously.
In an interview with
Top Gear Magazine
, chief engineer of the NSX, Ted Klaus tells us the purpose of the electric gubbins isn’t economy but
instant response
. The electric motors mask
turbo lag
; the vectoring helps
agility
. There are no official quoted economy figure anyway, but Klaus says the NSX will drink
like

a

Porsche 911 Turbo
, the most economical
non-hybrid
 supercar with quoted economy around
9.4 litres per 100km
. Only time will tell, we supposed. But that being said, it’s almost perversely heart warming to see that manufacturers are using hybrid technology for the sole purpose of speed.
All that power has to be channeled out via a cog-box of some sort and Honda has elected to run with – get this – a
nine speed wet-dual-clutch gearbox
 that works in concert with the engine and Direct Drive Motor to make full use of the broad power band, thus producing
lightning
 quick gear changes that support the NSX’s
 almost-zero-delay
 response. The gearbox has been ratioed brilliantly to accommodate various driving situations. With the
1st
 gear ratioed toward
acceleration
 while 2nd thru to 8th are ‘
power extractors
‘ but oddly the final drive has been geared towards
economy
 and
cruising
.
Honda has also paid a keen eye on driver visibility in this new model just as they did with the previous. Back in the day, Chief Engineer
Shigeru Uehara
 even studied the design of an
F-16
 fighter jet’s cockpit in terms of visibility so that the NSX wouldn’t be as hard to see out of as compared to other sports cars such as the
Lamborghini Countach
 or Ferraris of the time. Similarly, the engineers of this revival model worked tirelessly to ensure exceptional
forward visibility
, not to mention outstanding comfort and
ease of access
 for the driver and passenger.
Speaking of design, the advent of
carbon-fibre composite
 technology has not only enabled engineers to build
lighter
and more
rigid
 body and cockpit cells, but also primarily make them
safer
 beyond all else. For that matter, McLaren says that the design of their
P1 GTR
 monocoque design is so strong that it effectively
eliminates
 the need for roll cages to the point that it is FIA
compliant
.
The NSX’s body utilises a space-frame design – an internal frame constructed of
aluminium
, ultra-high strength steel and other advanced materials. Anchored by a
carbon fibre floor
, torsional and bending forces are taken up entirely by this ultra-rigid structure which also utilises advanced
joining
 technologies. The NSX features a world-first casting technology that combines the design and manufacturing flexibility of a
casting
 process with the strength and elongation properties of a
forged
 material, enabling significant weight
reduction
.
Now we all know what’s the best part of a lightweight sports car – handling. The NSX utilises a
 fully independent
, all-aluminium front and rear suspension setup and its immense power hits the tarmac via a set of sticky
ContiSportContact
 rubbers that measure an astounding
245/35Z R19
 at the front and
295/30Z R20
 at the rear. Braking is dealt with by a
six-piston
 front and
four-piston
 rear callipers squeezing on an ultra-high performance set of
carbon-ceramic
 brake discs.
With all that said and done, the word excited seems to be understating our
unbounded
 anticipation of this icon’s revival. Just like how the Nissan GT-R firmly and quite equivocally put the fear of God back into the giants that once held the high ground on big-boy toy playground, the NSX is billed to give German, Italian and British sports cars a
proper
 run for their money. Much like other specifics, prices have yet to be announced, although Top Gear Magazine estimates it to be north of
£150,000
 (RM982k). If the car’s price is far out of reach, fret not, there’s always driving it in the upcoming
Gran Turismo Sport
.
IMAGE GALLERY


Ferrari J50’s design is the best of the best, says Red Dot

Ferrari just bagged the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award for the third year running with the limited-edition
Ferrari J50
.
Limited to 10 examples worldwide, the special commemorative model of Ferrari’s 50
th
 anniversary in Japan was voted by judges to be the “maximum expression of design quality and ground-breaking design”. The J50 was penned by Flavio Manzoni and features a completely new bodywork inspired by Ferrari’s very own open competition barchettas (Italian 2-seater race cars). Coupled with the designer’s ambitions to highlight Ferrari’s ethos of nimbleness and agility, the futuristic J50 was born.

Besides the J50, the
LaFerrari Aperta
,
458 MM Speciale
 and
GTC4Lusso
 were also awarded with Red Dot distinctions by an international jury of design experts for its high design quality.
IMAGE GALLERY
Ferrari J50

LaFerrari Aperta

Ferrari 458 MM Speciale

Ferrari GTC4Lusso


Mercedes-Benz to create EV division, rivalling BMW i and Tesla Motors

You may or may not know that the beastly Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG had an electric twin, the SLS AMG Electric Drive. It was a short-lived affair because not too long after its inception, pure electric cars bearing the Mercedes-Benz logo just quietly disappeared.
Then suddenly, Mercedes plans to have a full fleet of electric cars. According to
Bloomberg
, Mercedes are able to justify the business proposition of offering electric cars to the mass market. Plans are in progress to add two electric SUVs and two electric sedans. The new electric line-up is set to be marketed under a sub-brand, similar to how the i-Division is to BMW.
With the technology for electric vehicles becoming more readily available (on top of tightening emissions regulations), the time is right to introduce electric vehicles that are
profitable
. Daimler’s trucks chief, Wolfgang Bernhard also mentioned that there are plans in the pipeline to introduce fully electric trucks in the next 10 years. We will know more information about these plans come September at the Paris Motor Show.


Lexus RC F in Men in Black wears a very Malaysian-looking registration plate

Product placement in Hollywood blockbusters gets you eyeballs, and the latest carmaker to leverage on this is Lexus in the forthcoming instalment of
Men in Black
, but something caught our eye in the global press release.
This photo was released by Lexus globally, the RC F sure looks like it’s in a basement parking in Malaysia.
It may well be a coincidence (probably is, maybe), but the registration plate on the right-hand drive
V8-powered RC F coupe
 used by MIB agents looks a lot like a Malaysian issued plate; could it be that Chris Hemworth, Tessa Thompson and Liam Neeson – the main protagonists in Men in Black; International – were in fact in Malaysia for the shoot?

We tried reaching out to Lexus Malaysia for confirmation but to no avail, whichever the case, when MIB: International lands, expect lots of Lexus-es featured including RX Hybrid and LX SUVs, and of course the gorgeous RC F coupe sporting some alien technology aiding the agent in saving the universe and humankind.
Were Chris Hemworth and Tessa Thompson ever in Malaysia for the MIB shoot?


Mercedes-Benz overtakes BMW for No. 2 most valuable car brand, Toyota No. 1

Mercedes-Benz for the first time in the history of BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study has topped BMW for the No. 2 most valuable automotive brand. Toyota remains as the world’s most valuable car brand for the sixth consecutive year.
The three-pointed star had also topped its Bavarian rival in global vehicle sales in 2016 and 2017. Its brand value increased by 9% to US$25.7 billion while BMW grew 4% to US$25.6 billion. Mercedes-Benz attributed its growth to strong performance in China, Brazil and Russia.
The new
A-Class sedan
 exclusively for the Chinese market
Global BrandZ director at Kantar Millward Brown, Peter Walshe, told
Automotive News Europe
 that BMW’s slow growth was due to its small decline in U.S. sales but remains an “extremely well-performing brand”.
Toyota’s brand value grew by 5% to US$29.9 billion thanks to the strong demand for its SUVs in Europe and the United States. The Japanese carmaker’s famed consistency and reliability also contributed to the brand’s positive growth.
Other notable mentions include Volkswagen which has re-entered the rankings at No. 10 with a brand value of almost US$6 billion, up from US$5.1 billion in 2017. The German carmaker dropped out of the ranking in 2016 and 2017 amidst of the Dieselgate scandal which cost VW billions in fines.
“VW maintained its strength in terms of its brand recommendation and brand trust. Those haven’t been dented. Although customers hear about these negative things, it doesn’t stop them from buying and VW’s sales have shown this,” Walshe said.


E-hailing drivers won’t be excluded from upcoming stimulus package, says MOT

A second economic stimulus package is due to be announced tomorrow and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly assured that it would be a more comprehensive and “rakyat-caring” package. Fingers and toes crossed.
Adding to this, Transport Minister, Wee Ka Siong, took to
Facebook
last night to assure e-hailing drivers that they will not be neglected from this package and has since raised the issue to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, YB Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
He acknowledged how the Movement Control Order, now extended to 14th of April, has adversely affected the income of e-hailing drivers, with e-hailing businesses down by 80% to 90%.
“We will not neglect e-hailing drivers which now make up 90% of the public transport services. Efforts to ease the burden of e-hailing and taxi drivers have been included in the Government’s plan which will be tabled tomorrow,” said Wee.
Source:
Facebook


MINI and designer Paul Smith shows how simple a car can be

MINI and renowned designer Paul Smith has come together to create a one-off fully electric MINI Cooper SE that mother nature would approve.
Based on the idea of “Simplicity, Transparency, Sustainability”, they’ve basically stripped down a 3-door Cooper SE,
available in Malaysia

at RM218k, and replaced most of the trims and panels with sustainable, recycled material.
For starters, the body has been left unpainted, exposing the galvanised steel panels with grinding marks from the factory. Only a thin layer of transparent paint was painted on to protect against corrosion. MINI said it was to show off the car as a functional and robust daily companion.
The front and rear splitters, wheel arch panels and side skirts are all 3D printed from recycled plastic. The screws (yellow spots) for the panels were intentionally exposed; to show how simple they can be removed and recycled at the end of the vehicle’s life.
Recycled Perspex was used to make the front (covered) grille and the large panoramic roof. It’s not only light but exposes the bare structure of the body. By the way, the electric plug engraving on the charging flap was done by Paul Smith himself.
Suffice to say, the interior was also stripped down to its bare metal and replaced with recycled material. It’s been coloured blue at the request of Paul Smith, to produce an eye-catching effect. According to Smith, it is bare yet feels “dressed” at the same time.
Instead of the standard dashboard, MINI has replaced it with a one-piece semi-transparent mould and rather than fitting the standard MINI infotainment system, the centre dial has been designed to fit the driver’s smartphone. How cool is that!
All the switches in the cabin can be found just below, for start/stop and power window functions. The seats were reupholstered with knitted fabric while the floor mats are made from recycled rubber.
Their Terrazzo-like pattern is actually a (cool) side effect of the recycling and manufacturing process. Recycled cork is used to make the dashboard surface and door trim, and along with the knitted fabric, provides noise insulation for the cabin.
The plain aluminium steering wheel is wrapped with the same tape used on bicycle handlebars while a simple mesh covers the airbag. Mesh is also used as “door panels” as the transparency of the knitted mesh changes according to different angles – adding a cool effect. The pull handles are recycled from climbing rope.
With the near-naked interior, even the window airbags can be seen. This has the same effect as the visible cables that are normally concealed.
GALLERY


All-new Honda Civic awarded with full 5-Star ASEAN NCAP rating

The New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (
ASEAN NCAP
) recently put the all-new eleventh generation Honda Civic through its latest crash test and performed as you would expect from a global C-segment sedan. The new Honda Civic was awarded the full 5-Star crash safety rating with an overall score of 83.47 points (out of 100).
The variant tested was an EL+, made in
Thailand
 for the regional market including Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia. Standard equipment for all markets includes front and side airbags, Honda Sensing ADAS suite, seatbelt reminders and ISOFIX child seat mounting points.
The new Honda Civic received 36.59 points for the Adult Occupant Protection, 18.32 points for Child Occupant Protection, 18.16 points for Safety Assist Technologies and 10.39 points for the Motorcyclist Safety assessments (courtesy of the Honda LaneWatch, Automatic High Beam and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Pedestrian detection).

ASEAN NCAP was also very impressed with the latest Honda Sensing suite that sees the CMBS added with Motorcycle detection, which is the first of such technology in the ASEAN Region, thus awarding the new Honda Civic an additional two bonus points in the Motorcyclist Safety category.
Honda Sensing to feature full 360-degree scanning in its next generation! More about the technology here!
This is the second vehicle and Honda’s first to be tested under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol that includes an assessment for Motorcyclist Safety (MS) which carries a weightage of 20% to the final score. The
Perodua Ativa
 has the honour of being the first vehicle to be tested under the new scoring system.
The new Honda Civic is available in Thailand and just launched yesterday in Indonesia, is only fitted with the
178 hp / 240 Nm
 1.5L Turbo VTEC engine and paired to a CVT-type transmission. Special mention for the Singapore-market Honda Civic Turbo that only has
129 hp
 (95 kW), a move to enjoy a lower pricing level (Certificate of Entitlement, COE Category A).
GALLERY
11th Gen Honda Civic, Thailand