Facelifted Subaru Forester now in Malaysia, CKD priced from RM145K

Fresh from its
debut
 at the recently concluded
2016 Bangkok Motor Show
, the facelifted Subaru Forester has officially launched in Malaysia by Motor Image Subaru. Two 2.0-liter variants are now locally assembled at Tan Chong’s plant in Segambut, while the 2.0XT remains fully imported from Japan.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Subaru Forester 2.0i
Subaru Forester 2.0i-P
Subaru Forester 2.0XT
Engine
1,995cc; horizontally opposed four cylinder, DOHC
1,998cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission
Lineartronic CVT
Max Power
148 hp @ 6,200 rpm
238 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Max Torque
198 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
350 Nm @ 2,400 – 3,600 rpm
Price (inclusive GST, w/o insurance)
RM144,948
RM154,488
RM211,729
EXTERIOR
As reported previously
from Thailand
, the facelift brings subtle updates on the exterior as seen with the redesigned bumpers, headlights, tail lights, front grille and alloy wheels. Each variant receives a different set of kit. After all, you get what you pay for.

We begin with the entry-level 2.0i which receives an updated bumper, reflector-type halogen headlamps, roof rails, rear spoiler, rear fog lamps and power folding side mirrors.

Moving over to the 2.oi-P, for an additional RM10,000 you get
 LED headlamps
 with
C-shaped DRLs
, front fog lamps, rear fog lamps and LED wing mirrors. As for the fully-imported 2.0XT, the exterior is more or less the same with the 2.0i-P, except it gets 18-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the 2.0i and the 2.0i-P settle for a set of 17-inch wheels with 225/60 series tyres.
INTERIOR
The overall interior of the 2.oi receives Auto Vehicle Stop, Hill Descent Control, automatic air-conditioning, retractable cargo cover, and rear view camera.

In the 2.0i-P, the main differences compared to the “non-P” are the inclusion of
keyless entry and push-start button
, dual zone air conditioning, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise control, TFT LCD Colour display as well as the aluminium foot pedal.

Also introduced is the unique
Personal Identification Number (PIN)
 code access, where key fob will be a thing of a past as owners can get inside via this feature. It’s a useful feature especially for adventure-seeking or outgoing owners as they’ll not be burdened by carrying additional keys into their pocket.
Being the top of the range variant, the Subaru Forester 2.0
XT
 is equipped with power sliding sunroof, shark fin antenna, twin tailpipes, Premium Audio System with Harman Kardon speakers and Siri Eyes Free.
All variants receive leather seats as standard while the 2.0XT gets classy with the added Alcantara. The Forester is now
better insulated
courtesy of the usage of improved sound proofing and the use of thicker windows.
PERFORMANCE
Both 2.0i and 2.0i-P variants are propelled by the smae
2.0-litre FB20 naturally aspirated ‘Boxer’ unit
 that develops
148 hp
 with
198 Nm
 of torque at 4,200 rpm.
For an additional RM60k over the base variant, the XT gets the
2.0-litre FA20 Direct-Injection Turbocharged
 Boxer Engine that generates
 238 hp
 at 5,600 rpm and
350 Nm
 of torque from 2,400 to 3,600 rpm. Power is delivered to all wheels via
Lineartronic CVT
gearbox

across the range.
SAFETY
All variants are fitted with seven airbags, ABS, EBD & BA,  safety pedal system, Isofix child anchors and Vehicle Dynamics Control System as standard. Subaru’s
 X-Mode
 is available across all variants, it controls and optimises the Forester’s offroad features such as Hill Descent Control (HDC), Enhanced All-Wheel Drive system, and Vehicle Dynamics Control System. It’s a useful feature when traveling on tough terrains. For added safety, the reinforced shell is here to protect the occupants in an event of a rollover.
Steering Responsive Headlights is also featured in all variants of the Forester. This means the headlight beam is transversely proportion to the driver’s steering direction, creating a safer travel when darkness falls.
WHAT’S ELSE
The Forester can be had in five colour options – Pure White, Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Sepia Bronze Metallic and Obsidian Black Metallic. Thanks for Tan Chong’s CKD plan, the Forester has become affordable with the 2.0i priced at
 RM144,948
, while the slightly premium 2.0i-P at
RM154,488
.
The price tag for more powerful and fully imported 2.0XT is
 RM211,729.
 All prices are on-the-road inclusive of GST, without insurance. All Forester comes with five-year/100,000 km warranty, complemented with three-year/60,000 km free service package.
If the price for the locally assembled Forester attracts you, then this will be sweet to your ears. For a limited-time only, Motor Image Subaru now offers an
introductory price
 of
RM139,800
 for the 2.0i and
RM151,800
 for the 2.0i-P. Certainly, it’s game on for Subaru to challenge existing SUVs players around that price range as the
Mazda CX-5
,
Mitsubishi Outlander
,
Nissan X-Trail
and so on. It’s probably a good time to shop for a SUV now.

IMAGE GALLERY

Subaru Forester 2.0XT (BangKok Motor Show)


Proton X70 launched, from RM99k to RM123k, 4 variants!

The wait is finally over, Proton’s first ever SUV, the Proton X70 is now officially launched in Malaysia complete with full specifications and price tag. The ceremony held at KLCC was graced by Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad.
As
announced before
, there will be four variants of the X70 available – Standard 2WD, Executive 2WD, Executive AWD and Premium 2WD. Without beating around the bush, the X70
Standard 2WD is priced at RM99,800
,
Executive 2WD at RM109,800
,
Executive AWD at RM115,800
 and
Premium 2WD at RM123,800
. Prices quoted are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of Sales & Services Tax.
Besides that, Proton has announced that the price list will be
uniformed
 across the whole of Malaysia, no more price difference between the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak. A truly Malaysian car.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Proton X70 Standard 2WD
Proton X70 Executive 2WD
Proton X70 Executive AWD
Proton X70 Premium 2WD
Engine
1,799cc; turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Max Torque
285 Nm @ 1,700 – 4,400 rpm
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM99,800
RM109,800
RM115,800
RM123,800
EXTERIOR
The X70 shares the same overall exterior design with its Chinese twin, the Geely Boyue. However, Proton’s in-house design team has incorporated a number of design elements to the SUV inspired by Malaysian culture. The front grille, for example, follows the form of an ethereal bow which is accentuated by the interlocking pattern found in traditional Malaysian woodcarvings. Zooming into the headlamp housing and you’ll find the proud Proton designation etched inside them as well as a Proton badge running across the tailgate.

Starting from the Standard 2WD, you’ll find halogen projector headlamps, LED fog lamps, LED combination tail lamps, powered folding side mirrors as well as 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/65 profile tyres.
Stepping up to the Executive 2WD variant and above you’ll get significantly more kit in the form of LED projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, puddle lamps with Proton logo, automatic rain sensing wipers and 18-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 225/60 profile tyres. Separating the top-spec Premium 2WD are the upsized 19-inch alloy wrapped in 225/55 profile Continental UC6 SUV rubbers.

INTERIOR
Suffice to say that Proton and its partner Geely Auto has had the right-hand drive conversion properly, properly done. Besides changing the steering wheel to the right side, the switch gears on the centre console were also mirrored i.e. the electronic parking brake is placed on the right side, closer to the driver, just like how it is in the Boyue. There is also a proper footrest for your left leg in the driver’s footwell, unlike a certain German marque that still fails to offer it in their right-hand drive models.
The equipment list is extensive and impressive, to say the least. In the cheapest X70 Standard 2WD variant you’ll find fabric seats, a leather wrapped multi-functional steering wheel, 7.0-inch LCD instrument cluster display,
8.0-inch touchscreen GKUI infotainment system with “Hi Proton” voice command
, six-speakers, reverse camera, keyless entry and start, auto dimming rear view mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control with Clean Air purifier, rear air vents, tonneau cover and six USB charging ports.

The Executive variants add leather seats, six-way powered driver’s seat, 360-degree surround view camera, front footwell lamp and ups the speaker count to eight. If you’re feeling a bit fancy, the top of the range Premium 2WD variant comes with Nappa leather upholstery, powered front seats with “Boss switch” which allows the driver and rear passengers to adjust the front passenger seat, panoramic sunroof, additional functions for the Voice Command feature and Kenwood nine-speaker set up.
Honestly, the only two things the Premium 2WD is, for lack of a better word,
lacking
are paddle shifters and a powered tailgate.
PERFORMANCE
Under the hood of the X70 is a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder TGDi petrol engine pushing out
184 hp
 and
285 Nm
 of twist paired to a six-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels. Only the Executive variant has the option for a Borg Warner all-wheel-drive system that sends 100 per cent of the front wheels by default and will instantaneously switch to a 70:30 (front to rear) torque split for added traction.
Century sprint on the 2WD variants is said to be done in
 10.5 seconds
 and fuel consumption is rated at
7.8 L/100 km
. The X70 also received the EEV (Energy Efficient Vehicle) certification from the Government. All variants of the X70 also comes equipped with a Drive Mode selector that alters the powertrain characteristics between Eco, Normal and Sport. The LCD instrument cluster also changes hue between Green, Blue and Red as you cycle through the different drive modes.
SAFETY
ASEAN NCAP recently announced that all variants of the X70 come with the
full 5-Stars crash safety rating
 hence you know that Proton did not skimp on safety features. As standard, all variants of the X70 comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Hold Assist and Hill Descent Control.
Executive variants of the X70 gains additional dual front parking sensors while the Executive AWD further adds a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
with tyre temperature and pressure readouts
. Only in the Premium 2WD you’ll find the full suite of
Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
 that bundles Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) (under 30 km/h), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (operable between 30 to 150 km/h), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Intelligent High Beam Control (IHBC) as well as four front parking sensors.
While the Premium 2WD is advertised with ADAS, the SUV
does not
 come with semi-autonomous driving capabilities like the Pilot Assist function you have on Volvo cars.
WHAT ELSE?
The Proton X70 is available in five exterior shades – Snow White, Amour Silver, Jet Grey, Cinnamon Brown and Flame Red however only the Premium 2WD can be optioned with all the colour option. To commemorate the launch of Proton’s first SUV, Proton Cars is offering the X70 with an Xtra Package that bundles 5-Years Unlimited Mileage warranty, 5-Year complimentary 1GB monthly data connectivity powered by Celcom, 5 times Free Labour Service and a low finance rate of 2.34 per cent per annum.
IMAGE GALLERY
Proton X70 Premium 2WD Preview at KLIMS


2016 Citroen C3 WRC Concept reveals a 1.6L, 380hp dirt buster [+Video]

Next year will be a good time to follow the World Rally Championship (WRC). Not only is Toyota rejoining the series, but 2017’s regulations will turn an everyday supermini into a 380hp pocket-rocket.
Multiple WRC champion, Citroen, became the earliest manufacturer to reveal its machine, the
Citroen C3 WRC Concept car
. The French company has had enough of losing to the current and undisputed champion, Volkswagen
Polo WRC
, and have vowed to come back stronger than ever to dethrone the German champions.

This WRC concept car is modelled after the newly launched
C3
, but Citroen says the pictures here will most likely be how the actual car will officially look like. This includes a dramatic aerodynamic makeover, consisting of humongous wheel arches, rear wing and an aggressive front and rear diffuser.
The rally car is powered by a
380 hp 1.6-litre turbocharged
engine with power being delivered to all wheels. It makes an extra 80 hp over its predecessor, thanks to a larger diameter (36mm) turbocharger. An electronic differential control unit is also permitted for use in the coming seasons. It’s not just more powerful, but the car now weighs 25kg less as well.
The car will be previewed at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, together with British lead drivers Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle. Joining the French in the title pursuit are Hyundai, Ford, Toyota, and of course Volkswagen. Citroen is one of WRC’s most successful manufacturers with 94 victories and eight constructors’ titles, the bulk of which is contributed by none other than the rally legend Sebastien Loeb himself.
IMAGE GALLERY


Digi is helping commercial vehicle owners to be safer drivers using telematics

In an effort to
address rising concerns of road safety in the country, Digi has just launched
the Digi Road Safety Programme 2019 to help small businesses promote safer
driving behaviours among their commercial vehicle drivers.
Now, you might wonder what business a telecommunications company have with road safety, in reality, much more than you think. The Digi Road Safety Programme is an initiative where Digi will set up an RM10 million iFleet Transformation Fund where 1,000 SMEs will receive up to RM10,000 each in discounts to equip their fleet with modern fleet management technologies such as GPS tracking and cloud connectivity.
By tracking vehicle
data such as location, speed, acceleration, braking and cornering, business
owners and commercial vehicle drivers are able to make more informed decisions to
be a safer road user. Participating SMEs will also receive a 15% discount off
defensive driving training workshops and the top 10 safest drivers – based on
the iFleet driving scores – will be rewarded with Digi prizes.
Digi’s Chief Digital
Officer, Praveen Rajan said, “We are proactively working to improve road safety
with vehicle telematics and are now using our readily available competencies to
start other companies on this journey.”
 “We strongly believe telematics is a practical
tool that can uniquely address road safety concerns by creating a long- term
safety mindset among commercial vehicle drivers, whose trustworthiness on our
roads contributes significantly to the safety of other road users,” Rajan added.


Kia Stonic to rival Honda HR-V & Toyota C-HR, most customisable Kia ever!

This one’s inevitable and comes right after
Hyundai introduced their B-segment crossover, the Kona
. Besides the loony name, the Kia Stonic is one crossover to look out for in the coming years.
It’s already in the last phases of development, yet from this set of sketches, the Stonic seems to make an appealing case on its own. At a glance, there are subtle familiarities shared with the
fourth-gen Kia Rio
, but the front fascia appears to be more dynamic and better suited to the young at heart.
It will get a sweeping roofline with unique blacked out roof rails, whereas the rump echoes the styling of the
Kia Sportage
. While compact, the Stonic is ought to have a low centre of gravity for a car of its class. The cabin is completely designed by Kia’s European arm, featuring straight lines, smooth surfaces and contemporary geometric design forms.
Priority is given to ergonomics and roominess, though, while the ‘floating’ Human-Machine Interface (HMI) seamlessly blends smartphone access with a multitude of in-car functionalities.
The Kia Stonic will go on sale as early as the second half of 2017, and will also be the most customisable Kia ever, inside and out.
IMAGE GALLERY


Malaysia Budget 2017: What do Malaysian motorists get?

The Malaysia Budget 2017 was recently announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and while this year’s announcement did not significantly impact Malaysian road users, the Prime Minister did announce a new twist on the ongoing debacle between taxis and ride-sharing services in Malaysia.
The following is a summary of how the upcoming budget will affect Malaysians in the
motoring
 and
transportation
 segment.
1. Boost for Ride-Sharing Services
The Malaysian government is encouraging those with a household income of up to
RM3,855
 (B40 group) to increase their income via ride-sharing services. It’s believed that part-timers can make up to RM1,500 if they invest a minimum of 10 hours a week, while full-timers can take home up to RM4,300 per month.
The government also will provide RM4,000 rebate for the purchase of a brand new
Proton Iriz
, specifically for those who does not have a car to provide such services. Surely enough, this move not only benefits current ride-share players such as
Uber and Grab
, but also Proton. However, it’s puzzling why the government incentivises just the Iriz when other, smaller but more affordable sedans like the new
Saga
 and
Persona
 would better suit the cause.
Meanwhile, this is a big slap to taxi drivers whom have lately expressed their dissent verbally, physically and also through public “road blocking” protests. Perhaps the main reason why this came to pass was through the recent investments in Uber, made by two government linked companies.
2. Taxis to get a helping hand
The grant can easily help taxi drivers pay for the downpayment of the Proton Saga and Persona
All hope is not lost for the taxi drivers, as they are entitled to the long-awaited individual permits. At the same time, a
RM5,000
 grant will be allocated to each taxi driver to purchase a new car. This will benefit 12,000 taxi drivers who have ended their lease with taxi companies.
3. Increased loans to buy motorcycles
Government staffs can now request for loans up to
RM10,000
 to buy motorcycles. This is a 100 percent increase from the previous RM5,000 limit. This one is rather timely, considering how a good number of Japanese bikes now cost above the RM5,000 figure.
4. Infrastructure upgrade
As always with budget announcement, the Prime Minister announced projects to build and improve existing infrastructures. This includes the motorcycle lane along Federal Highway, new major roads for East Malaysia and installation of street lamps across the country.
5. Unknown up to this point
Nothing was announced on the “
first-time car buyer scheme
“, one that would apparently waive excise duties for qualified individuals. The move should encourage fresh graduates to buy themselves brand new cars at much cheaper prices, stimulating car sales which have been on a downward trend.
There was no mention on the incentives that would benefit hybrid and electric vehicles, though. In any case, any revisions made to this regard will definitely be addressed in the next National Automotive Policy (NAP). Till then, it will remain
as per last year’s instalment
.


All 11 Volkswagen Polo Black & White sold out within 1 minute on Lazada!

Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) and Lazada.com.my has made history again as all 11 units of the Volkswagen Polo Black & While Edition sold exclusively on Lazada were sold out within one minute when they were launched online.
The Polo B&W Edition is a special edition model in conjunction with Lazada’s 11.11 Shopping Festival. All 11 cars were booked by 12:01 am on 11 November 2018 and all purchase transactions were completed 1 hour after. To secure one of these special edition models, customers will only have to place a booking fee of RM799 on Lazada and a Volkswagen representative will be in touch to complete the registration and delivery of the vehicle.

Priced at RM68,488 on-the-road without insurance, the Polo B&W is around RM6,000 cheaper than a standard Polo sold at physical showrooms. However, it gains RM7,500 worth of accessories such as side mirror covers, body side mouldings, 15-inch alloys and rear spoiler finished in black, VW Tint, RCD 340G touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as black leather seats.
It soldiers on with the same 1.6-litre MPI petrol engine and six-speed auto pushing out
105

hp
 and
153

Nm
 of twist. Every purchase of the Volkswagen Polo Black & White Edition comes with a 5-Years Warranty, 3-Years Free Maintenance and 5-Years Roadside Assistance.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volkswagen Polo Black & White Edition


This Lego Technic model is the only Lamborghini Sian you can actually buy at RM1,599

Remember the
Lamborghini Sian
? The Sian (bolognese for flash or lighting) is the Italian marque’s first hybrid supercar that was sold out even before the car was released, meaning there is absolutely no way of getting your hands on one, unless you were one of the few Lamborghini chosen ones.
What if we told you that that’s all about to change? Well, sort of anyway, because Lego and Lamborghini have just unveiled the Lego Technic Lamborghini Sian FKP 37, in a befitting supercar-esque launch event that was made entirely with Lego Technic parts. Seriously, check it out:

The latest Lego Technic bull is a 1:8 scale brick model, consisting of 3,696 pieces. We must say that it looks remarkably like the actual car, down to the identical (but scaled down) wheels, and the iconic Lamborghini Y-shaped motif on the headlights. Perhaps Lamborghini’s extravagant shapes and sharp edges work well with Lego blocks? Who knew.
Bearing the Technic name, the new Lamborghini Sian Lego set also includes working replica of the mid-mounted V12 engine, a pop-up spoiler, scissor doors, a full interior, and a “fully-functioning” eight-speed sequential gearbox that can be selected via paddle shifters behind the wheels.
Fully built, the model measures 60 cm long, 25 cm wide, and 13 cm tall. Lego promises over 14 hours of build time with the new Lego Lamborghini, and each unit will come with its own serial number to access exclusive build videocasts on the Lego website for a unique build experience.
Just like buying an actual Lamborghini, the Lego Technic set even comes with an overnight bag which you can place underneath the front hood, along with two coffee table booklets.
The Lego Technic Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 will cost
RM1,599.90
when it goes on sale on the 1st of June at Lego Certified Stores and Legoland Malaysia, before making its way to third party retailers on August 1. Unlike the actual Lamborghini Sian, Lego isn’t putting a production cap on it – meaning that you’ll most probably be able to get one.
As an added bonus, all Malaysian purchases of the new Lego Technic Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 will also receive another minibuild Lego Lamborghini, and 10 lucky customers from June 1 to June 21 will also win exclusive Lamborghini merchandises.
IMAGE GALLERY


“Launch Edition” Supra to come with Toyota President’s autograph

Whether or not that makes it more Toyota, or
rather more Supra
 is a matter of individual perception and it’ll cost an additional USD5,000 on top of the base asking price of USD49,990 (approx RM205k).
A total of 1,500 units of the Launch Edition
 Supra
 will be available, sadly only for US buyers, where each will come in either Absolute Zero White, Nocturnal Black or Renaissance Red 2.0, with red mirror caps and 19-inch forged matte black alloy wheels.
As for the Absolute Zero White and Nocturnal Black Supra Launch Editions, they’ll get a red interior with “race-inspired” seats wrapped in red leather, red leather steering wheel grips and a red centre console with carbon fiber accents.
The Renaissance Red 2.0 model will feature a black leather-trimmed interior, with black seats, a black steering wheel, and black center console. The black interior will also feature carbon-fiber accents.
The individually numbered carbon fiber badge on the passenger side dashboard is where you’d find the precious autograph of Toyota Motor Corporation President and Master Driver, Akio Toyoda.
IMAGE GALLERY

 Yes, the Supra will be there!


The 1,400 hp Ford Mustang Mach-E 1400 wants to convince you that electric power rocks

Ford’s decision to give its
first electric vehicle
 the Mustang name definitely made more than a few people unhappy. To convince the non-believers, Ford Has now unveiled the Mustang Mach-E 1400 to show what electric propulsion is truly capable of.
The Mustang Mach-E 1400 is a one-off build done in collaboration with
basically-in-house
 tuners RTR Vehicles, which Ford says took 10,000 man hours between the two teams to complete. The result? A truly Mustang-worthy “all purpose” race car that is meant to do everything a “regular” engine can do.

As the name suggests, the Mustang Mach-E 1400 has a peak output of
1,400 american ponies (1419 hp)
, supplied by seven(!) electric motors – three at the front and four at the rear.
Energy is supplied from a
56.8 kWh
 nickel manganese cobalt battery that can withstand ultra-high discharge rates, and is designed to be cooled during charging using a di-electric coolant, decreasing the time needed between runs.
The unique drivetrain and chassis on the Mustang Mach-E 1400 allows the car to be set up for everything from drag races to drifting – the latter thanks to the adapted chassis from the production Mach-E, designed to fit a completely different front end configuration to allow for the extreme steering angles.
The hydraulic handbrake system, used to kick the back out, is even integrated directly to the drivetrain to shut off power to the rear motors when pulled.
Unbridled by rules and road regulations, Ford was able to use many of the same technologies used on all its different race cars – including aerodynamics that can generates
more than 1,000 kg (2,300 lb.) of downforce at 256 km/h (160 mph)
. The Brembo brakes have also been pulled directly from a Mustang GT4 race car, according to the blue-oval.
“Getting behind the wheel of this car has completely changed my perspective on what power and torque can be,” said RTR Vehicles founder and motorsports veteran Vaughn Gittin Jr.. “This experience is like nothing you’ve ever imagined, except for maybe a magnetic roller coaster.”
The Mustang Mach-E 1400 is set to make its debut at a Nascar race soon, ahead of the delivery of its production-version
Mustang Mach E
, slated for the end of this year in the US.
IMAGE GALLERY


End of the road for GT-R LM Nismo as Nissan pulls out from WEC 2016

If we are looking for the biggest disappointment of the year, look no further than Nissan’s GT-R LM Nismo prototype race car.
Back in February 2015, Nissan unveiled its World Endurance Championship (WEC) contender, the Le Mans Prototype 1 Hybrid (LMP1) category to the world with the intent on challenging established competitors such as Porsche, Toyota and Audi. Nissan’s entry, the GT-R LM Nismo, was best described as “
unorthodox”
 for many reasons.
Not only did its looks raised many eyebrows, the technical setup was totally out of the box as well. The GT-R LM is basically the opposite of its competitors, with its
front engine
 and
front-wheel drive
 configuration. Nissan claimed this is done all in the name of “
aerodynamics
“, emphasising on downforce over the driven wheels and cleaner airflow at the rear.
Its
3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
, when combined with its electrical hybrid system, is poised to produce a mind boggling
1,250 hp
. The team also went all out by hiring nine drivers to drive three cars in this year’s 24 hours of Le Mans. As the moniker suggest, it’s inspired by the legendary
Nissan GT-R
, hoping to reach the similar level of success the latter has enjoyed so far.
Sadly, everything went south for Nissan as a multitude of problems had caused all three cars to retire from the race. Its technical complication, followed by its slow pace had forced Nissan to return to the drawing board, subsequently pulling out from the remainder of the 2015 WEC season.
After some private testing with the car, Nissan finally threw in the towel, announcing that they won’t be racing in next year’s WEC. To rub salt into the wound, Nissan announced that the project’s 40 staffs will lose their jobs via email, just three days before Christmas!
Despite that setback, Nissan admits motorsports remains important to them, and 2015 has been a good year with titles won from Super GT, Blancpain Endurance Pro Class and Bathurst 12 Hours. Nissan also will remain as an engine supplier for the smaller and slower LMP2 and LMP3 class in the WEC.
It’s sad to note that this “platypus” shaped race car could be an example of how being innovative and thinking out of the box could win races, more so when rules and regulations are tight in motorsports. Ultimately, the only sentence that aptly describe this is “
ambitious but rubbish
“.
Photo Credits: Nissan


Chevrolet Corvette Carbon 65 Edition celebrates 65 years of the ‘Vette

Another iconic machine has reached a milestone, and this time it’s the Chevrolet Corvette which is celebrating its 65th anniversary. Thus Chevrolet has commissioned 650 units of Corvette Carbon 65 Edition, available in either
Grand Sport
 3LT or Z06 3LZ variant.
As the “carbon” moniker suggests, this Corvette is reinforced by carbon fibre, ranging from the hood, front splitter, and rear spoiler. The coupe gets a carbon fibre roof and intake ducts, while its topless equivalent receives carbon tonneau that complements the blue soft top. The ‘Vette is also finished in Ceramic Matrix Gray paint, with “
CARBON 65
” lettering on the doors and on the front fenders.
The carbon fibre theme continues on the inside with some carbon accents, and even the steering wheel is not spared from the carbon treatment. The Competition Seats are draped with Jet Black suede.
The Carbon 65 Edition will debut at the
2017 New York International Auto Show
, and each car costs
$15,000
 (approximately RM67k) more than the standard Corvette.
IMAGE GALLERY


Hyundai Malaysia teases all-new 7th generation Sonata, launching tomorrow [+Video]

The all-new, seventh generation
2015 Hyundai Sonata
 is set to make its Malaysian debut tomorrow, following the periodical teasers released via
Hyundai Malaysia
‘s
 Facebook page recently.
[Read full launch story here]
The Hyundai Genesis inspired D-Segmenter had its world debut earlier in the year in South Korea, and adopts the brand’s evolved
Fluidic Sculpture 2.0
 design philosophy. The handsome midsize sedan is 35mm longer and 30mm wider in length, which translates to better interior space.
One of the Sonata’s hard-hitting points this time around is its vastly
improved driving performance
, one which will definitely be put to the test. Part of this improvement is due to significant
structural
 and
geometrical changes
 done to the front and rear suspension.

The trend with Korean cars nowadays is that their cars come packed with lots of tech, and we’re sure this one’s no less different. A range of improved and re-engineered MPi and GDi engines is offered here, which comprise of a
2.0-litre CVVL
 (166 hp & 201 Nm),
2.4-litre GDi
 (190 hp & 247 Nm) and a
2.0-litre LPi
 engine (149 hp & 194 Nm).
Watch this space as we bring you the
full details
 of our Malaysian-specced 2015 Hyundai Sonata tomorrow!
[Read full launch story here]


Here’s what F1 World Champion Jenson Button thinks about the all-new Lotus Emira

By now, you should have already seen the
gorgeous
 all-new Emira, Lotus’ first brand-new series-production model in more than a decade (if you haven’t, you should definitely check it out
here
). But as we all know, the true mark of a Lotus is not its looks, but rather how it drives.
And – surprise, surprise – Lotus once again proves with the Emira that they’re still the chassis whisperer, as former F1 World Champion Jenson Button found out during his 30-lap test drive around the Hethel test track.

The test drive starts at 51:59.
“You always expect a Lotus to have good mechanical grip through the low-speed corners, but there was plenty of downforce in the high-speed corners too,” JB explained. “That means the feeling of great balance is the same no matter how you’re driving it. It’s exceptional, and I’m a big fan.”
And while the Emira is quite a lot bigger than the Exige and Elise of yore, Jenson Button says that everything still feels “just right” when he’s seated in the cabin. “The overall position of the gearstick in relation to the wheel, the pedals, everything was where it should be and that gives you great confidence from the start.”
On top of that, there’s also the new plushy interior of the all-new Lotus Emira, a stark departure from its predecessors. “The Lotus purists will love it, and the thing that people new to Lotus will love is the premium quality of the interior.
Lotus’ future is electric, and here’s how their first EV, the Evija, will sound like.
“When you’re in there you’re immersed in the seat and cockpit, and there’s a lot of lower back support, so it will be comfortable for long journeys. That’s going to surprise people. I love the infotainment system too, which has everything you need and is really simple so you can get back to the important part, which is the driving.”
At launch, the all-new Lotus Emira will be powered by the same 3.5-litre V6 engine previously seen in the Exige and Evora. But down the line, it’ll also be offered with a Mercedes-AMG sourced 2.0-litre turbocharged mill – yes, the
most powerful production 4-cylinder engine in the world
, as seen in the
A 45 S
.
Still fancy the Exige and Elise? Here’s your last chance to buy one.
With all that performance, plus the newfound luxury on the interior, the Emira probably won’t come cheap, right? Well… here’s what Button had to say about that: “I’m still in shock at the price. Starting at under £60,000 (~RM344k) it’s fantastic and means so many people are going to have the opportunity to experience it first-hand.
“It’s being called a junior supercar, but it would give a lot of supercars a run for their money… and it’s more comfortable than most of them!”
Now, to be fair, Jenson Button is perhaps not the most unbiased person to comment on a brand-new Lotus model, seeing that he’s still somewhat affiliated with the brand on the
Radford project
. Lotus Engineering, the brand’s consultancy division, is also serving as a technical partner to Jenson Button’s Extreme E team, JBXE. So perhaps take whatever he says with a pinch of salt.
But even then, what JB said about the Emira – especially the driving part – all fall right within Lotus’ wheelhouse, so we have no doubts that it’s probably actually very good. We can’t wait for
Lotus Karz
 to bring the Emira here to Malaysia to finally have a taste of it ourselves.
GALLERY


2017 Jaguar XF Sportbrake is coming to challenge established German estates!

Station wagons or estates are pretty much dominated by the Germans, such as the
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
 and
BMW 5-Series Touring
. Jaguar has gone on to release teasers of their new contender, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, which will be available in the coming months.
The Jaguar XF Sportbrake will be based upon the same
 aluminium-intensive platform
 which underpins the recently launched
 Range Rover Velar
. It is of course based on the
sedan
 with a wheelbase of
 2,960 mm
, and shared as well are the powertrains. Right off the bat, the Sportbrake will be powered by
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel mills
, a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine and 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6.
Isn’t the silhouette on the Wimbledon court a brilliant tease?!
The XF Sportbrake is penned by none other than
Ian Callum
, the man who turned modern Jaguars into desirable, alluring machines. Will it come to Malaysia? Quite likely, really, so stay tuned for more updates!


Mercedes-Benz wants to end car accidents by 2050

Mercedes-Benz
, like
Volvo
, has announced its plans for zero car accidents. But unlike Volvo, the German carmaker has also set a deadline for it to happen, or at least try to – 2050.
Dubbed Vision Zero, Mercedes-Benz wants to utilise advanced active and passive driver-assist systems, as well as actual infrastructure changes to hopefully halve accidents with fatalities or serious injuries involving its vehicles by 2030. Come 2050, the company wants no accidents at all.
The carmaker says that today, their cars already have over 40 systems that can help prevent accidents, or at the very least, minimise injury should a collision be unavoidable. We’re all familiar with things like autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist, but Mercedes-Benz says simple things like electronic stability control systems – which has now become a legal requirement in Europe – can significantly help reduce the chance of fatal accidents.
Moving forward, Mercedes-Benz says its focus for further safety advancements will lie within software. The German carmaker will be developing a central software based on the future MB.OS platform, simplifying the many control units and lines in its cars to help minimise possible errors and increase the speed of which the sensors and systems work.
Aside from just making cars safer, however, Mercedes-Benz says that a fundamental change to traffic infrastructure will also need to happen – after all, the roads are shared with all sorts of cars, not just used by the three-pointed stars.
Mercedes-Benz says this will involve many different disciplines and institutions, from transport and urban planners, to road authorities and legislators, but when and what these changes entail is still not known yet for now.
RELATED:
New Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS now with Drive Pilot Level 3 automated driving in Germany
The carmaker does highlight the research that its Accident Research unit has done on more than 5,000 real-world accidents over 50 years, which will all go towards affecting the change. The company – in partnership with London – is also currently researching the efficacy of crowdsourced, anonymised data sharing to help identify high risk areas in urban streets.
“At Mercedes-Benz, we are pursuing our vision of accident-free driving. In other words: no more accidents involving a Mercedes vehicle,” said Mercedes-Benz Head of Vehicle Safety, Paul Dick.
“We are continuing to work toward this goal at full speed. Highly automated and autonomous driving will be a decisive contributor to its success. After all, vehicle safety has always been at the core of the Mercedes-Benz brand – and we want to continue to expand this claim in the future.”


Would it be wrong to want one of these Ferrari-branded respirator valves, for no reason?

A few weeks ago, we reported that Ferrari would
assist Italy’s largest ventilator manufacturer
 to boost its production, shortly after ceasing its operations at the Maranello plant.
Since then, Italy has been crippled by the pandemic and is now the third most affected country behind the USA and Spain after recording more than 168,000 cases and more than 22,000 deaths. The country is only now beginning to see a slow down in death rates but the Italians are not about to pump the brakes in this race against time.
Ferrari announced that they’ve begun production of respirator valves and fittings for protective masks at its Maranello plant as one of its initiatives in support of health workers treating Covid-19 patients. These valves will used to convert masks designed for snorkelling into respirators that can be used by both patients and medical personnel.
Lamborghini’s ultra-stylish masks
.
The section of the factory where prototypes are usually built is now being utilised to produce these thermoplastic components using additive manufacturing technology. In hindsight, everything just looks cooler with a Ferrari badge on it, don’t they?
Perhaps it’s a thing Italian supercar makers do, or perhaps it’s just how Italians are – stylish and flamboyant. Just have a look at these
Lamborghini
–
tagged face masks
 and decide for yourself.


Volvo to take control of manufacturing and sales operations in China

Volvo Cars has acquired its parent company, Geely Holding’s, share in the joint ventures between the two companies in China, with the intention of taking full ownership of manufacturing and sales operations in the country.
“With this agreement, Volvo Cars will become the first major non-Chinese automaker with full control over its Chinese operations,” said Volvo Cars, CEO, Håkan Samuelsson.
Volvo confirms next-gen XC60 to be fully electric, expected to launch around 2026! Find out more here!
This follows after an agreement was made to acquire an additional 50% of Daqing Volvo Car Manufacturing and Shanghai Volvo Car Research and Development.
Following the acquisition, Volvo Cars will now have full ownership of its manufacturing plants in Chengdu and Daqing, its national sales company in China, and its R&D facility in Shanghai. Before this, all Volvo operations were executed under joint ventures with local companies.
Geely Xingyue L
“The agreement will create a clearer ownership structure within both Volvo Cars and Geely Holding,” said Geely Holding, CEO, Daniel Donghui Li.
The deal is said to be formally completed by 2023, once the
joint-venture requirement for automotive manufacturing
 is lifted in China next year. The initiative was previously laid down by the Chinese government to encourage technology and information transfer to local car manufacturers.
Geely demonstrates its 60-second battery-swapping process for electric cars in real-time! Check it out!


2024 Mazda CX-90 revealed – up to 345 hp, 500 Nm, AWD, three-row eight seater

Mazda has revealed the
all-new CX-90
 which will replace the
CX-9
 as the company’s new flagship SUV in the United States.
The CX-90 is built on Mazda’s Multi-solution Scalable Architecture with a longitudinal layout engine and rear-wheel drive configuration. The CX-90 is available with two powertrain options with the first being a 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and 48-volt mild hybrid system or M Hybrid Boost. With the aid of an electric motor, output is rated at
345 hp
 and
500 Nm
.
There’s also a plug-in hybrid powertrain option featuring a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine petrol engine and a 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery that powers an electric motor. The powertrain produces
327 hp
 and
500 Nm
. Both powertrain come with (rear-biased) all-wheel drive capabilities. A Kinematic Posture Control system is also available to minimise body roll and improve stability.
Not much was revealed about the exterior features of the CX-90 except that wheel sizes are up to 21-inches along with the introduction of a new Artisan Red colour.
Inside, the CX-90 shares somewhat the same steering wheel, gear knob and dashboard design as the CX-60. Nappa leather upholstery is available, along with wood trims for a premium cabin feel. Features-wise, a digital instrument cluster is available measuring up to 12-inches, along with three-zone air-conditioning, and ambient lighting. The CX-90 is available in either six, seven or eight-seater layouts.
Prices have yet to be announced but for now, what are thoughts on the looks of the CX-90?
GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus gets RM6 million makeover

NZ Wheels, the authorised dealer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Malaysia has just officiated its newly upgraded Autohaus in Klang as well as the first ever independent facility for Mercedes-Benz Proven Exclusivity Centre in Malaysia.
First established in 1994, Mercedes-Benz NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus was injected with an RM6 million investment by NZ Wheels to upgrade its facility with the latest Mercedes-Benz Corporate Identity (CI) to provide customer experience of a global standards. The showroom is also compliant with Mercedes-Benz Presentation System II (MPS II) Autohaus concept that includes digital touch screens for customers to gain a better understanding of Mercedes-Benz product features and sales processes.

With a total built-up area of 32,000 sq. ft., the full-fledged 3S Autohaus encompasses showroom floor with 14 display cars, AMG Performance Centre with three display cars, Star Lounge, 30 work bays and Mercedes-Benz Proven Exclusivity Centre. This newly upgraded facility underlines the values put forward by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia – Best Products and Best Customer Experience.
The service centre is capable of servicing up to 650 vehicles a month as well as Service Differentiation – an exclusive range of personalised after-sales services that offers flexibility and convenience which includes pick-up/drop-off of customer vehicles, after-hours drop-off and fast-lane service to cater to the growing appetite for the premium brand in Selangor.
NZ Wheels Sdn Bhd Group CEO, Automotive Group, Dato’ Samson Anand George, said, “With the update of the NZ Wheels Klang Autohaus to the highest Mercedes-Benz standards and latest CI, NZ Wheels reaffirms its presence as a steadfast and passionate Mercedes-Benz dealer. Having upgraded our sales and service facilities, we are confident that our customers in Klang and nearby areas will receive no less than the best care that is synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star.”
IMAGE GALLERY


The Porsche Boxster 25 Years comes with the best-looking wheels they’ve ever made

The
Porsche Boxster
 is turning 25 this year. As a celebration, Porsche has unveiled a new limited-edition topless sports car called the Boxster 25 Years, complete with some sweet retrolicious equipment that is interestingly
 not
 inspired by the first production-version Boxster.
The Porsche Boxster 25 Years is actually based off of the Boxster concept car first shown off at the 1993 Detroit motor show some 28 years ago. As such, the standard spec comes in a GT Silver Metallic exterior paint job, with a Bordeaux leather interior and a red fabric roof – just as the show car was back then.
The main highlight on the Boxster 25 Years though, is of course the concept car-inspired Neodyme accents, which can be found on the front apron, side air intakes, badging, and of course the superb retro-styled 20-inch wheels. Neodyme, for those who aren’t aware, is a “copper-like shimmering brown” hue, which made its debut on the 1993 car.
You can also specify the Porsche Boxster 25 Years with either a Jet Black or Carrera White paint, as well as switching the interior and roof for black, but the Neodyme accents stay no matter what.
Other standard revisions on the 25 Years limited-edition model include the Porsche Dynamic Lighting System, high-gloss tailpipes, black windscreen surround, and an aluminium fuel filler cap. Inside, the retro-inspired model gets an Aluminium interior trim pacakage as standard, alongside unique door sill trims and 14-way electrically-adjustable seats with ‘Boxster 25’ letterings.
Being a tribute model, it would be blasphemy to use anything else but a flat-six engine. Luckily, the Boxster 25 Years will be based off the
Porsche Boxster 4.0 GTS
, which features a 4.0-litre flat-six underneath the sheet metal, capable of pushing
400 hp
 and
419 Nm
 of torque to the rear wheels. As is customary, a six-speed manual transmission is standard, though a seven-speed PDK is also available as an option.
Other performance bits on the limited-edition model include the PASM suspension which sits 10 mm lower than the standard Boxster, a limited-slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring, and a sports exhaust.
The Porsche Boxster 25 Years is limited to 1,250 units worldwide, and is priced at GBP72,760 (~RM403k) – GBP7,000 (~RM39k) more than the standard GTS.
GALLERY


Facts & Figures: 2022 BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport PHEV launched in Malaysia from RM356k

For the first time ever, the BMW Malaysia is now offering a plug-in hybrid variant for the BMW X3 lineup – the new facelift 2022 BMW X3 xDrive30e M Sport PHEV. The new variant is locally assembled and is priced at
RM356,800
. That’s around RM2,000 less than the X3 xDrive30i M Sport, at RM358,800.
BMW Malaysia also launched the facelift X3 sDrive20i M Sport at
RM315,800
, X3 xDrive30i M Sport at
RM358,800
 and the
new BMW X4 xDrive30i M Sport
at
RM398,800
. All prices are
inclusive
 of SST.
PERFORMANCE
Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 184 hp and 300 Nm, paired to an electric motor with 109 PS. The combo delivers power to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic. The top speed in full electric mode is 135 km/h.
Combined Power: 292 hp
Combined Torque: 420 Nm
0 to 100km/h: 6.1 seconds
Top Speed: 210 km/h
By comparison, the petrol-powered X3 xDrive30i only makes 252 hp and 350 Nm and is a tad slower from 0 to 100 km/h at 6.3 seconds. Fuel consumption figures of the xDrive30e, like the
Volvo

S60 T8 PHEV R-Design we reviewed
, should be taken with a handful of salt, not just a pinch. It’s rated as low as 2L/100km.
RELATED:
Did you know that there’s also a rear-wheel drive BMW X3 sDrive20i M Sport in Malaysia at RM315,800?
EXTERIOR
As you’d expect the X3 xDrive30e comes with full LED lighting front and back along with new head and taillights designs. Also expected is a larger kidney grille although the headlamps are now 10mm slimmer than before.
M Sport Suspension
20-inch wheels
New front and rear bumper
New larger kidney grille
INTERIOR
Inside, the changes are just as significant with new air-con vents, a new air-con control panel, and a new gear lever console from the newer BMW 3 Series and 4 Series. The steering has also been redesigned. There are two upholstery choices for the cabin – Black Vernasca leather or Mokka Vernasca leather.
10.2-inch infotainment display
12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster
SAFETY
Among the safety features and driver aids in the 2022 BMW X3 xDrive30e PHEV M Sport are:
Lane Change Warning
Lane Departure Warning
Front Collision Warning with autonomous braking
Parking Assistant with Active Park Distance Control
Reversing Assistant
Exclusive to the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is the Parking Assistant Plus with Park Assist for reverse and parallel parking spaces including automatic exiting.
GALLERY


One last challenge, before the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is revealed to the public

Say the words Rolls-Royce and you’d picture its natural setting to be at the valet of a posh hotel or in an exclusive gala setting but for the upcoming Cullinan, Rolls-Royce has taken a rather unconventional approach to prove itself,
Effortless Everywhere
.
It’s been three years since the Cullinan’s test programme began – conquering freezing snowfields to searing deserts. Its Final Challenge, in collaboration with National Geographic, will see the Cullinan plough through the treacherous terrains of the Middle East, Northern Europe and the United States.
The Final Challenge will
 begin in Scotland
, onward to the Alpine snowfields of Austria, through the deserts of the Middle East and lastly, across the USA – all of which will be broadcasted by National Geographic on social media.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan will be accompanied by acclaimed explorer and photographer Cory Richards, National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year in 2012.


Perodua contributes over 7,700 self-made face shields to 66 primary schools

The fight against the
Covid-19
 pandemic is far from over, and Perodua has been taking proactive steps to help those in need. The carmaker’s public protection initiative recently contributed more than 7,700 self-made face shields to 66 primary schools within the Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor area, for the use of academic and support staff.
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “Having contributed some
11,000 face shields
 to
secondary schools in Putrajaya and Hulu Selangor in June
, Perodua now extends the same goodwill to primary schools in those areas.
“We do this firstly for the protection, health and well-being of our beloved schoolchildren, teachers and support staff; secondly as a token of appreciation to the federal government for all their efforts in dealing with COVID-19, and thirdly to give back to the local community we have called home for the past 27 years.”
To date, Perodua’s public protection initiative has distributed more than 30,000 face shields. Recipients of the face shields include the Putrajaya Federal Territory Education Department, the Hulu Selangor District Council, District Education Office and clinics, the Selayang Municipal Council, and various morning and night market hawkers in Hulu Selangor and Selayang.
The face shields, manufactured by an associate of Perodua’s, features a fog-resistant visor made of polyethylene terephthalate for better visibility, sponge cushioning that hugs the forehead to act as a barrier against airborne droplets, and an adjustable elastic band for a comfortable snug fitting.
“This Malaysia Day, Perodua, as a caring and responsible People First company, asks all Malaysians not to let their guard down. Please continue to be cautious and comply with all government health and safety guidelines, and we will defeat COVID-19 together as one nation,” added Dato’ Zainal.


2016 Mazda6 Skyactiv-D 2.2L launched in Malaysia, priced at RM204k

With Euro5 diesel getting more accessible throughout the country, it seems that news such as this is just a matter of time. Sitting at the top of the Mazda6 range is the new Skyactiv-D variant, costing just RM7,500 more than the 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G Sedan and RM4,500 more over the Touring.
Just like the rest of the Mazda6 range, this diesel variant is fully imported from Japan and its equipment list mirror that of its petrol siblings. It’s powered by a
2.2-litre four-cylinder twin scroll turbocharged
 engine, but despite the smaller displacement, it weighs about 69kg more than the 2.5-litre Sedan. This is because diesel engines generally require denser and tougher steel to withstand the additional pressure.
QUICK FACTS
Name
2016 Mazda6 2.0L Skyactiv-G
2016 Mazda6 2.5L Skyactiv-G Sedan
2016 Mazda6 2.5L Skyactiv-G Touring
2016 Mazda6 2.2L Skyactiv-D
Engine
1,998cc; DOHC, inline-4
2,488cc; DOHC, inline-4
2,488cc; DOHC, inline-4
2,191cc; DOHC, turbocharged inline-4
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
153 hp @ 6,000rpm
185 hp @ 5,700 rpm
185 hp @ 5,700 rpm
173 hp @ 4,500 rpm
Max Torque
200 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
250 Nm @ 3,250 rpm
250 Nm @ 3,250 rpm
420 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Price
RM159,737.30
RM196,203.30
RM200,203.30
RM203,792.30
The engine itself is quite an engineering triumph, outputting nearly as much power as its petrol counterpart (
173 hp
 compared to the petrol’s 185 hp) and close to twice the amount of torque – all
420 Nm
 of it available from 2,000 revolutions. These are impressive numbers, especially considering the low compression ratio of 14:1.
Mazda explains that the low compression ratio helps reduce overall engine weight and friction, while at the same time improving durability and combustion efficiency. The chassis is identical to the sedan, with MacPherson struts at the front and multi-link setup for the rear. It sits on the same 19-inch wheels as well, shod with 225/45 series Bridgestone Turanza rubbers.
A glance through the equipment kit reveals a familiar kit: full Adaptive LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, powered sunroof, 11-speaker Bose surround sound system, black leather upholstery, electronic parking brake as well as keyless entry with push-start button.
On the safety side, the Mazda6 scores a full
5-Star Euro NCAP
 crash safety rating, all thanks to Mazda’s Skyactiv-Body, six-airbags and a raft of
i-Activsense safety features
. Here are some, just to name a few – Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Monitoring System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Smart City Brake Support (front and rear brakes), Lane Keeping Assist and Tyre Pressure Monitor. The only thing absent from the Mazda6 diesel is the i-Eloop regenerative braking system, which isn’t a big loss in our books.
Again, the Mazda6 2.2L Skyactiv-D sits at the top of the model range, and costs just shy of RM204k. All purchases come with a 3-Year manufacturer’s warranty (not to be confused with distributor warranty), as well as a 3-Year free maintenance package. The pricing puts the Mazda6 directly against some other formidable makes, such as the
Ford Mondeo
 and
Peugeot 508 GT
. Which would be your RM200k pick, dear readers?
IMAGE GALLERY


Second generation Audi R8 teased, features high-tech laser + LED headlights

Teased here under the wraps ahead of the upcoming Geneva Motor Show is the all-new
Audi R8
. But just like the wraps have shown, we know nothing much the second generation mid-engine supercar, but we do know that the headlights encapsulate the Ingolstadt-based premium carmaker’s latest lighting technology.
As standard, the R8’s headlights will feature exactly 37 LEDs per headlight, making for a total of 74 LEDs to light up the way ahead. The laser lighting technology (high beam only) however, is optional. According to Audi, laser high-beams achieve nearly twice the lighting range compared to LEDs.
It works pretty similarly to
BMW’s M4 Coupe Iconic Lights
. Each headlight is fitted with a single laser module that operates with four high-intensity diodes firing blue-light laser beams in unison. A phosphor converter will then transform this intense blue light into pure white light.
The Audi R8 LMX with laser light technology
This technology first debuted in the brand’s
R18 e-tron
 Le Mans race car, then it found its way into the limited edition
Audi R8 LMX
 last year. More details of the new Audi R8 will be revealed as soon as this month’s end, so be sure to keep an eye out for the latest updates here!


Video: First ever BMW X2 sDrive20i, Things You Need To Know

We welcomed the first ever BMW X2 in Malaysia recently with only a single variant available for the local market – the sDrive20i. Priced at RM 320,800 (OTR without Insurance), it’s said that there are only a few units of the front-wheel drive Sports Activity Coupe left.
BMW has broken grounds with two new distinctive features on the exterior of the X2. Watch as Eu Jin takes you around on a brief and concise introduction of the all-new X2.
The BMW X2, is powered by a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine strapped with a twin-scroll turbocharger with Valvetronic, Double VANOS and High Precision Injection. Power output is rated at
192 hp
 and
280 Nm
of torque.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz uses MBUX map to show face mask stock status in Korean pharmacies

Face masks have become a necessity in our “new normal” lifestyle, as we continue to fight against the
COVID-19 pandemic
. However, crowd hysteria-induced panic buying have caused a shortage of supply in many parts of the world.
While many carmakers worldwide – including
Lamborghini
 – have hopped in to help manufacture face masks, supply for face masks is still scarce, and many in need might not be able to get their hands on one.
Using the existing internet connectivity capabilities in the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, Mercedes-Benz Korea attempted to alleviate some of these troubles by presenting the stock information of face masks in pharmacies on the built-in navigation system.
The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system was first introduced with the
all-new A Class
. Aside from utilising artificial intelligence to adapt to the user’s habits, the MBUX system is also always connected, enabling remote functionalities, as well as the ability to update the car over-the-air.
The always-connected aspect of the MBUX system also allows for always up-to-date information, particularly in the navigation system. Mercedes-Benz Korea took advantage of this capability to update the real-time inventory level of available masks in pharmacies, in addition to the usual traffic and business information.

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Pharmacies will show up with a green tick mark alongside a face mask graphic if more than 100 units of face masks are in stock. Users can then choose to navigate directly to the selected pharmacy.
Locally, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia recently introduced the
Mercedes me connect system
, utilising the LTE module that is built into all MBUX-enabled vehicles. Here’s to hoping this innovative use of technology will make its way here!


Lexus LC500h hybrid to debut at Geneva, may pack over 500 hp!

Lexus is set to debut the LC500h, a hybrid version of the recently unveiled
LC performance coupe
 at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Not bad considering that the LC was just launched at Detroit last month!
The LC500h will be utilising Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System, which according to Lexus, “will provide higher performance, more driving pleasure and greater efficiency”. We’re expecting future Lexus models to adopt the same, if not similar electrification technology in the coming years.
Now, we know for sure the LC500h exists, but the numbers its new hybrid propulsion make remains unknown at press time. What we know is it will definitely be more powerful than the LC’s naturally aspirated
5.0-litre V8 engine
 producing
467 hp
 and
527 Nm
 of torque. The engine is paired to a
single clutch 10-speed automatic
 which sends drive to the rear axle. It’s quick too, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
! However, the LC500h may just have what it takes outgun the LC.
Look out for more of this stunning 2+2 coupe tree hugging Lexus when it goes on display at Geneva in less than two weeks’ time! For all you know, the LC could be offered by Lexus Malaysia some years later.
IMAGE GALLERY


BYD Atto 3 driving impressions: Exceeds expectations, but not without its cons

Among the many electric cars that have been launched in Malaysia in the past two years, two that shout value for money would be the
BYD Atto 3
 and the Ora Good Cat. Recently, I had the chance to drive the former, and there are a few things that I would like to share with you concerning how the BYD Atto 3 drives.
Before we go on, let’s first have a quick recap of the BYD Atto 3. It was launched in late 2022 in two variants – the ‘Standard Range’ and ‘Extended Range’. The car is an electric car with a single motor powering the front wheels making
203 hp
 and
310 Nm
, and does the century sprint in
7.3 seconds
. The Standard Range gets
345 km
(WLTP) of range from a
49.92-kWh
 battery, while the Extended Range gets a
420 km
 range (WLTP) from a
60.48-kWh
 battery.
We drove the Extended Range from Ara Damansara to Tanjung Malim and back. Now let’s get onto some initial driving impressions…
1. It is quieter than you think
Being an electric car, the ride of the Atto 3 is already generally quiet at low urban speeds. However, the car did surprise yours truly on the highway as the cabin noise levels were still at a low level even at high speeds.
While we were driving along the PLUS highway from the Subang interchange to the Tanjong Karang interchange, road and wind noise were at a minimum, even when exceeding 110 km/h. In that sense, the ride is rather impressive and perhaps better than some cars within its price range. Honestly, I did start the journey being a little sceptic, and was impressed at the end of it. It is only when you exceed 140 km/h that the wind noise starts to become obvious.
RELATED:
BYD Atto 3 – Malaysia’s first 100 units delivered at Grand Delivery ceremony
2. The suspension is probably a little too soft
Although the cabin sound insulation of the Atto 3 is great, I did find the suspension to be a little bit too soft. It does provide a gliding-like experience at low urban speeds, but at higher speeds, the car can feel a little bit floaty during quick overtaking maneuvers. It just doesn’t feel so assuring during those moments.
For the average driver, I’m sure most would be satisfied with the ride quality of the BYD Atto 3. It already gets an advantage in this department thanks to its SUV body. The soft suspension just helps to further absorb unpleasant road undulations. If you’re just looking for an electric vehicle (EV) for A to B purposes, it is unlikely you’d be complaining too much about the Atto 3’s ride.
RELATED:
BYD Atto 3 deliveries to begin soon, 500 units being shipped to Malaysia
3. Divisive interior design, but plush seats and good fit and finish
Upon launch of the BYD Atto 3, I never quite fancied the bold interior that has this “muscle streamline design” theme going on. Personally, I just find it to be too over the top, and I wouldn’t describe it as a timeless design.
Despite those opinions, it is worth mentioning that the BYD Atto 3 provides a set of rather plush seats which were decently supportive for a long drive. On the seats, my problem with the Atto 3 is the lack of an adjustable headrest. There are also no memory functions for the seats, but that’s quite expected in an EV of this price range.
The interior trims also have a good fit and finish, despite the choice of design and materials used. Although not feeling entirely premium and perhaps weird-looking to some people, it is a decently built cabin. I’ll give credit where it’s due.
From our short drive to Tanjung Malim from Ara Damansara and back, this is what we could share with you about the BYD Atto 3 for the time being. As usual, we will be doing a full review on the BYD Atto 3 soon, so stay tuned for that on AutoBuzz.my. All other aspects of ownership of the BYD Atto 3 will be addressed in the upcoming full review.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 BYD Atto 3 electric SUV now in Malaysia, from RM149,800
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Kia previews the all-new K900’s minimalistic yet posh interior

Like the exterior, the cabin of the new K900 (known as the K9 in South Korea), has been a product of close collaboration between Kia’s global design headquarters in Namyang, South Korea and the brand’s U.S. design arm in California.
The cabin has been sculptured to wrap around the driver, featuring soft-touch materials, tactile wood, metal veneers and leather upholstery.
For some reason, looking at this interior, BMW and Mercedes-Benz comes to mind. There’s something about the new 12.3-inch Human Machine Interface (HMI) screen that resembles that of
BMW’s
 and the clean, minimalist appearance of the upholstery that strikes similarities with that of the
Mercedes-Benz S400h
. The K900’s interior also features a new intelligent lighting control system and chromotherapy ambient mood lighting.
The HMI’s intelligent lighting control uses proximity sensors, only illuminating when it detects the driver’s hand reaching for a switch on the dash. The ambient lighting in the new K900 can also be customisable with 64 colours and seven themes.
The all-new Kia K900 will be manufactured in South Korea and will go on sale across selected global markets from the second quarter of 2018.


New facelift MINI JCW Countryman stays funky fresh with revised looks

The new facelift
MINI
 JCW Countryman has been introduced and with output remaining the same, the changes are mainly in its aesthetics. This follows after the facelift MINI Countryman was
globally unveiled in May this year
.
The front end looks largely familiar except for the redesigned front grille and headlamps while at the rear, the Countryman sports a completely new bumper. Resting under the new rear bumper are enlarged tailpipes, measuring
10 mm larger than before at 95 mm
. The White Silver metallic and Sage Green metallic exterior colours, as well as the optional Piano Black Exterior, are new.
With the optional package, the headlamp surrounds, rear lights and radiator grille are finished in high-gloss black instead of chrome, as are the door handles and lettering on the rear bonnet.
Standard equipment on the facelift JCW Countryman includes a 4-piston fixed caliper disc brakes in the front and single-piston floating-caliper disc brakes on the rear wheels, tucked behind 18-inch JCW light-alloy wheels. The wheels take on the
same design as the pre-facelift model launched here last year
; same goes to the Union Jack tail light graphics.
Inside, there’s now a coloured strip that stretches across the dashboard. Sadly though, the funky 5-inch digital instrument cluster and 8.8-inch touchscreen display are optional items.
Under the hood of the facelift JCW Countryman is the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine from before, with
306 hp
 and
450 Nm
 of torque to power all four wheels. Squashed in between is an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The facelift JCW Countryman will do 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds – making it one of the fastest “SUVs” under RM400k in Malaysia.
For the latest pricelist of MINI vehicles in Malaysia, click
here
.
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This yet-to-be named Ginetta supercar comes with 675-litres of boot space!

Private-owned British sports and race car builder Ginetta has just revealed its new supercar, designed and built from scratch in-house in the UK, with LMP3 race car levels of aerodynamics.
Weighing just 1,150 kg, from the use of a carbon fibre monocoque and body, the yet-to-be named supercar is home to a naturally-aspirated V8.
The engine with
600 hp
 and
 700 Nm
 is mounted so far back, it’s literally under the front windscreen instead of resting on the front axle (usually).
Power is delivered through a 6-speed sequential and a carbon fibre propeller shaft.
Behind those 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) in-house designed wheels with centre locks, are carbon ceramic brakes while road-holding is tasked on a race-derived push-rod suspension setup.
The Ginetta’s cabin is laced with Alcantara, carbon fibre and brushed aluminium, along with modern creature comforts like reverse camera display, parking sensors, air-conditioning, heated windshield and wireless charging.
What’s more interesting is that it even comes with a 675-litre boot capacity! But it’s no mommy-mobile, the cabin features a LMP1-inspired carbon fibre steering wheel with billet aluminium paddle shifters and a fully adjustable floor-mounted pedal box.
The coolest of all, has to be the driver and passenger seats moulded into the car’s carbon tub.
Like ordering a tailored suit, owners will have to go through a seat fitting session to ensure that each car is catered to that specific owner.
Production will be limited to just
 20 units
 in the first production year of 2020, with
 60% of this allocation already sold
before the car was revealed.
IMAGE GALLERY


Here’s how Kia’s Intelligent Manual Transmission clutch-by-wire system works

You might recall the
recently-updated Kia Rio
 comes with an all-new mild-hybrid powertrain, featuring a fancy piece of new tech called
Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT)
 that promises improved fuel efficiency without eliminating driving engagement.
For most people, the appropriate response is probably nothing more than “oh, that’s cool”. But for the few car nerds like you and I, we were left wondering how exactly this curious piece of technology work. Well, wonder no more because Kia has now released some juicy details about the clutch-by-wire manual transmission system for us to pore over – so lets dive right in.
Unlike a traditional gearbox with a mechanical linkage, the iMT uses an electrical connection between the clutch pedal and the clutch plate. When the car is coasting in anticipation of a corner or slow down, the electrical system automatically sends a signal to shut off the engine and disengage the clutch to reduce speed loss.
As the driver depresses the accelerator again to pick up speed, the powertrain will immediately spring back to life in the selected gear, or in neutral if the driver depresses the clutch pedal or the engine speed is too low for the selected gear. In the latter case, the mild-hybrid starter-generator and 48V battery will automatically bring the engine and transmission up to the right speed before coupling the clutch.
the iMT automatically disengages the clutch and shuts off the engine while coasting.
Kia claims that the clutch pedal on the iMT operates in the same manner as conventional manual gearboxes, but with greater controllability due to the electromechanical control of the clutch, and a ‘biting point’ that enables drivers to change gears smoothly.
As a result of shutting off the engine earlier (compared to the standard idle start-stop system), Kia says that the improved overall fuel efficiency can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 3% in real-world driving conditions.
The iMT is developed fully in-house by parent company Hyundai, at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Offenbach, Germany. The same transmission is also used in several new Hyundai models, such as the
all-new i20
 and
 i30 facelift
.
Kia’s Head of Powertrain, Dr Michael Winkler who oversaw the development of the iMT, said: “We are always looking at new ways to improve powertrain efficiency and performance, and the iMT is one such innovation. An automatic or a dual-clutch transmission suits a lot of drivers, but European drivers in particular still love changing gear for themselves.
“We want to continue providing drivers with a familiar and engaging manual gear change, so this is an ideal solution for the new range of MHEV powertrains we are rolling out across Europe in the months ahead,” Winkler added. “Alongside the increasing demand for electrified models, the iMT is a result of us exploring ways to electrify the ‘classic’ manual transmission.”


Isuzu Malaysia resumes delivery of vehicles – 30 day warranty extension

The company will be honouring some 300 orders placed for various Isuzu D-Max models before the Movement Control Order (MCO) came into place in March.
Efforts are underway in the company’s plant in Pekan, Pahang to ensure that the new vehicles are speedily dispatched to dealerships around the country. As such, a new delivery process has been put in place to ensure customers and staff are well-protected.
Among the key protocols in place include a temperature record of every staff member prior to the start of each work day, compulsory use of surgical masks,
disinfection of touch points in the outlets three times daily
. Demo and customer vehicles are also disinfected after each human contact.

Check out our first impressions of the new 1.9-litre turbo diesel D-Max.
All visitors at every Isuzu outlet will be required to have their temperatures recorded while hand sanitisers and face masks will be made available. Customers who are due to collect their new vehicles will be informed of the delivery dates and appointed time of the handover by their sales advisors. This is to avoid crowding or prolong exposure in the outlet.
“The procedures in the Isuzu Delivery System have been revised somewhat to incorporate the recommendations of the Malaysian Government where dealing with the pandemic is concerned. We remain mindful that customers will continue to seek high-value Isuzu vehicles to serve their daily needs thus we endeavor to create the most conducive and safe environment for prospects, customers and our frontline teams,” said Isuzu Malaysia, CEO, Mr. Masayuki Suzuki.
Isuzu announced that vehicle warranties that expired during the MCO period will
 automatically enjoy a further 30 day extension from 13th of May 2020
 while vehicles overdue for their scheduled maintenance during this period can be rest assured that their warranty will not be affected by the delay.


Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Kuro and MX-5 Speedster rocks it at SEMA 2016

The annual Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas is the cathedral of car culture that allows manufacturers to display their zaniest motoring ideas. This year, Mazda joins the fun with its black and white offerings of the
MX-5 roadster
 with the Speedster and RF Kuro concepts.
First, the Mazda MX-5 Speedster in ‘White Ether’ paint is basically the same model that debuted
last year
 at the same venue. The windscreen-less Speedster is a throwback to the lightweight sportscar from the 50s. This year, the car sheds 45kg, making it close to
945kg
.

The clean looking Speedster also receives adjustable suspension and BFGoodrich semi-slick rubbers from Mazda’s own one-make MX-5 cup race series. No earth-shattering power upgrades were made, but the Speedster should live up its name when taken on the track, not forgetting a full-face helmet for the driver of course.

If too much wind is not your cup of tea, then the MX-5 RF Kuro should be fare better in favour. The Kuro, which means “charcoal” in Japanese, is finished in Satin Black Metallic with semi-matte finishing. Like the Speedster, the Kuro also gets adjustable suspension and same tyres.
Perhaps these concepts should give the guys at Mazda Malaysia an idea or two when launching a limited edition variant…
IMAGE GALLERY


Volvo XC90 T5 now in Malaysia, 2.0L turbo with 254hp & Pilot Assist, RM373k

Volvo Car Malaysia has just added a new entry-level variant to its popular seven-seater SUV model, the Volvo XC90 T5 AWD. The petrol powered XC90 T5 joins the existing plug-in hybrid
T8 Twin Engine Inscription
 and Inscription Plus variants.
The decision to add this new variant to the XC90 line up comes after receiving feedback from customers who want more trim level and powertrain choices for the Swedish premium car maker’s best-selling large SUV.
Name
Volvo XC90 T5
Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription
Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus
Engine
1,969cc; 4-cylinder turbocharged
1,969cc; 4-cylinder turbocharged & supercharged
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
254 hp @ 5,500 rpm
320 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Max Torque
350 Nm @ 1,500 – 4,800 rpm
400 Nm @ 2,200 – 5,400 rpm
Electric Motor Output
–
87 hp & 240 Nm
Combined Output
–
407 hp & 640 Nm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
7.9 seconds; 215 km/h
5.6 seconds; 230 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM373,888
RM403,888
RM413,888
Power now comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is found in the XC60 T5 that pushes out
254 hp
 and
350 Nm
 of twist. Drive is transferred to all four-wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Century sprint is completed in a respectable
7.9 seconds
 while top speed is capped at
215 km/h
.
Despite being
RM30k lesser
 than the T8 Inscription variant, you do not lose out too much in terms of kit. Items that were given a miss on the spec sheet include Nappa leather upholstery (standard leather), heads up display, Orrefors Crystal Gear Lever, panoramic sunroof, air suspension, Linear Walnut Décor Inlay (Brushed Aluminium), 360-degree surround view camera (reverse camera only), rear-air cond vents and four-zone automatic climate control (dual-zone).
The only two items that will truly be
missed
 would be rear air vents and 360-degree camera. Other than that, the kit list checks out with 12.3 TFT LCD instrument cluster, 9.0-inch Portrait style Sensus touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 330W 10-speaker High-Performance Audio System, powered front seats with memory function and a powered tailgate. Unlike the T8 PHEV that comes with a tyre sealant kit, the T5 comes with a space saver spare wheel.
On the exterior bit, the XC90 T5 wears the Momentum package that dresses the car with a gloss black front grille, Momentum body kit, dual exhaust outlets and smaller 19-inch ten-spoke turbine style alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55 profile tyres. Forward illumination comes from a pair of high-performance LED headlamps with Thor’s Hammer LED daytime running lights and Active High Beam function.

The full suite of Volvo’s famed Intellisafe advanced driver assistance system were all retained in the entry-level XC90, complete with seven airbags, City Safety Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, Lane Keeping Aid, Blind Spot Monitoring and more.
Customers of the Volvo XC90 T5 have the choice between five exterior shades: Chrystal White, Denim Blue, Maple Brown, Luminous Sand and Onyx Black to go with either Maroon Brown or Charcoal Black interior theme. Every purchase of a new Volvo vehicle comes with a 5-Years warranty.
IMAGE GALLERY
Volvo XC90 T5


Bigger everything: all-new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe unveiled with M440i range topper

BMW has now unveiled the last member of the all-new
4 Series family
, in the form of the G24 4 Series Gran Coupe – and you know what, after seeing so many of these “bucktooth grille” models, we’re actually quite fond of them now.
The all-new 4 Series Gran Coupe is basically the combustion-engined counterpart to the
BMW i4
 that was just launched officially last week. The similarities don’t just end at its looks either; built on the same CLAR platform, the size of the all-new 4 Series GC is also almost identical to the i4 in almost every dimension, save for a couple of millimetres here and there.
Flush door handles, just like the i4.
All of that means that the all-new 4 Series GC is significantly larger than its predecessor – specifically 143 mm longer, 27 mm wider, 53 mm taller and 46 mm longer in wheelbase than the car it replaces.
The increase in dimensions translates to more room in the cabin, be it legroom, knee room, headroom, or cargo room – the latter measures in at 470 litres, which is 30 litres more than the regular
4 Series Coupe
. The longer wheelbase and wider tracks (compared to the
3 Series
 from which it is derived), should also help with the car’s handling chops and stability.
Globally the all-new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe will be available in five variants – mirroring the engine options available on the regular 4 Series Coupe. Topping the range (for now, at least) is the M440i xDrive variant, powered by the familiar B58 3.0-litre straight-six engine (with 48V mild hybrid tech) that makes
374 hp
 and
500 Nm
, enough to complete 0-100 km/h in
4.7 seconds
.
Just as you’d expect from a M40i-badged car, the M440i also gets a raft of mechanical upgrades to distinguish itself from the rest of the line-up. These include the M Adaptive Suspension as standard, alongside M Sport brakes, a locking rear differential, and a sports exhaust.
Being the only M-badged one in the bunch, the M440i xDrive also gets several additional cosmetic tweaks in addition to the regular M Sport kit, such as the Cerium Grey surrounds (as seen on the
M340i xDrive
) on the kidney grille, bumper inserts, wing mirrors, and side skirts, alongside a subtle spoiler on the rear deck.
Otherwise, the all-new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is pretty much what you’d expect from a BMW these days, including the very familiar interior that is basically lifted right out of the G20 3 Series.
In terms of safety, the all-new 4 Series GC can be equipped with up to 40 advanced driver assistance features, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active cruise control with stop and go function, lane departure warning, and the Driving Assistant Professional package which adds Steering and Lane Control Assistant for a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability.
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BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe
BMW 430i Gran Coupe


Neta V makes Malaysia debut – budget-oriented compact EV SUV from RM99,800

The
Neta V
has made its official introduction in Malaysia today, with a “soft launch” event today at the
Malaysia Autoshow 2023
. Available in one variant only, the Neta V is priced at
RM99,800
 on-the-road, without insurance, making it currently the most affordable electric vehicle here in Malaysia.
As a special promotion, the first 100 customers to place a booking at the motor show will also receive a cash rebate of RM10,000 – bringing the price down to RM89,800. Deliveries for the Neta V will begin in the third quarter of this year, according to
local distributor Intro Synergy
.
Coming in roughly the same dimensions as the
Perodua Ativa
, the Neta V is built upon a dedicated EV platform with a
38.5 kWh
 ternary battery pack. That translate to a driving range of around
380 km
 (NEDC), and if you’re not driving much, the V’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature will even let you power other electronic accessories at up to an output of 3.3 kW!
The compact EV comes with an on-board
6.6 kW
AC charger, taking roughly
eight hours
to fill up the entire battery. With support for DC fast charging of up to
 100 kW
, owners can also charge the Neta V from 30-80% in just
30 minutes
.
As for propulsion, the Neta V features a single electric motor on the front axle to deliver
 70 kW (95 hp)
 and
150 Nm
 of torque. No century sprint times were provided, but the Chinese carmaker quotes a 0-50 km/h time of under
3.9 seconds
, and a top speed of
120 km/h
.
Equipment wise, the Neta V in Malaysia will come as standard with automatic halogen projector headlamps, LED daytime-running lights, LED tail lights, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Inside, most of the dashboard is made up of the 14.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment display, paired to a 12-inch digital instrument panel behind the steering wheels.
Other interior appointments include the electronic parking brake, reverse camera, six speaker sound system, and synthetic leather upholstery. Like the
Ora Good Cat
, drivers will not need to press any buttons to power up the car; just unlock and step in, and the Neta V is ready to be driven.
No advanced driver assist features have been specified for the Neta V here in Malaysia. Passive safety kit includes two airbags, automatic brake hold, hill start assist, hill descent control, tyre pressure monitoring system, passive cruise control, and your usual array of electronics including ABS, traction control, and ESC.
The Neta V will be offered in five exterior colours, namely Sakura Pink, White Storm, Sky Blue, Cyan, and Midnight Gray. At RM99,800, does this unique-looking EV SUV pique your interest? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Jaguar’s I-PACE electric vehicle crowned as Germany’s Car of the Year

Jaguar’s first fully electric vehicle was acknowledged with the inaugural award, after emerging tops in a group of five finalists.
The Jaguar I-PACE edged ahead of its competition consisting of the Peugeot 508, Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg and the hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo. The group of five finalists were chosen from a pool of 59 cars introduced in the German market over the past year.
Panelists and judges rewarded the I-PACE for its groundbreaking blend of driving dynamics, performance and style.
“The Jaguar I-PACE is not only the first premium electric vehicle from an established manufacturer, it also makes uncompromising use of the advantages of an electrified vehicle architecture. Its performance is impressive, and its design and practicality stands out, which is why the I-PACE ultimately was the winner against strong competition,” said German Car of the Year Award Jury Member, Jens Meiners.
“We are extremely proud to receive this honour from the German media for our first fully electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE. To get such an award in the homeland of premium brands is very precious,” said Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth.


Geely, Volvo completes powertrain operations merger with new joint venture Aurobay

The
merger of powertrain operations between Volvo Cars and its parent company Geely
 has now formally taken shape, with the formation of a new joint venture under the name Aurobay.
According to the press release, the new company aims to be a “global supplier of complete powertrain solutions”, which includes combustion engines, transmissions, and hybrid solutions.
Aurobay will initially be jointly owned by Volvo and Geely, and as part of the creation of the new company, the former will transfer all assets in its wholly owned subsidiary, Powertrain Engineering Sweden, to the new joint venture in the coming months.
These assets include its Skövde engine plant in Sweden and the related R&D team, along with its engine plant in China and other relevant assets.
With all powertrain development and assets handed off to the new joint venture, Volvo will be focusing fully on the development of its new range of all-electric premium cars in the coming years.
Volvo recently also formed a new joint venture with Northvolt to produce “more sustainable batteries” for its next-gen EVs
The company previously announced its plans to achieve
50% EV sales by volume globally by 2025
, while the other 50% will be hybrids, with powertrains supplied by Aurobay. By 2030,
all new Volvo cars will be fully-electric
.
As for Geely, the new entity – with the addition of a strong R&D team from Volvo Cars – will be capable of supplying “technologically advanced and efficient combustion engines and hybrid powertrains” for its portfolio of brands. This should include Proton, which Geely holds a 49.9% stake.
The 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine in the Proton X50 is already co-developed between the two companies. Find out what makes it so quiet!
In addition, the new stand-alone business also plans to supply customers outside the Geely Holding Group, and aims to be “a leading player in the supply of high-quality, low emission, cost-efficient powertrains solutions”.


Subaru Outback 2.5i-S launched in Malaysia, CBU crossover priced at RM225k [+Video]

Subaru, through Motor Image Malaysia Sdn Bhd has launched the ‘wagon’ version of their Legacy sedan, the
Outback 2.5i-S
. It’s priced at
RM224,846.30
 including GST and insurance, and comes in only one trim.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Subaru Outback 2.5i-S
Engine
2,498cc; 4-cylinder horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated
Transmission
CVT with six virtual ratios (Lineartronic)
Drive Type
Symmetrical AWD with Active Torque Split
Max Power
173 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Max Torque
235 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
0 – 100km/h; Top Speed
10.2 seconds; 198km/h
Price (OTR with insurance)
RM224,846.30
 (with GST)

The
2.5i-S
 is one of three offerings in the Outback model range, and sits in between the base 2.5i and range topping 3.6R-S variants. First things first, the five-seater’s dimensions are 4,815mm in length, 1,840mm wide, 1,675mm tall (including the roof rails) and has a wheelbase of 2,745mm. When unloaded, the car has a ground clearance of 213mm.
EXTERIOR
Externally, the front end of the Outback looks almost identical to that of the Legacy’s, the car which it’s based upon. That said, it gets auto-levelling full
LED headlamps
 (with washers), fog lamps, power sunroof, roof rails with integrated crossbars, bumper guard, chromed side claddings and a rear spoiler. It sits on 18-inch wheels shod with 225/60 R18 series tyres.

You also get plastic mouldings round the car, keyless entry, welcome lighting, folding side mirrors with integrated LED signal indicators, LED combination tail lamps, a rear wiper and aluminium finishing at the bottom of the front and rear bumpers. An
Active Grille Shutter
 is also offered as standard here, which automatically opens or closes depending on engine oil and water temperature. This also
reduces air resistance
, thereby
increasing fuel economy
.
INTERIOR
Inside, you get a raft of driver and passenger conveniences. Drivers will be greeted with a sleek three-spoke
leather wrapped
 multifunction steering wheel, paddle shifters, cruise control, push-start button, electric parking brake, instrument clusters with a
3.5-inch full-colour LCD display
 with electro-luminescent gauges and an ECO gauge.

Next, there’s also a 7-inch touchscreen display supporting Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary connectivity, reverse camera,
12-speaker Harman Kardon
 sound system, dual cup holders in the centre, dual-zone auto air-conditioning with anti-dust filter and rear air vents, leather seats with white stitches and powered front seats. Pop the
powered tailgate
 and you’ll find plenty of usable cargo space – a good
1,801 litres
 of space. The rear seats have a 60:40 split configuration as well.
PERFORMANCE
Powering the
1,595 kg Outback
 is as you would’ve expect, a
2.5-litre naturally aspirated
 (yes, no turbochargers here unfortunately) horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine. It makes
173 hp
 at 5,800 rpm and
235 Nm
 of torque at 4,000 rpm, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in
10.2 seconds
 before maxing out at
198 km/h
. Drivetrain is Subaru’s
Lineartronic CVT gearbox
 with six virtual ratios.
Tasked to make full use of the engine’s grunt is Subaru’s trusty
Symmetrical AWD
 which constantly sends power to all four wheels. It also features a 60:40 Active Torque Split system, channeling power to the wheels that need it most. There’s also an
X-Mode
 for when you’re feeling adventurous, making the Outback a truly capable off-roader.
SI-Drive
 is also standard, giving you a choice between
Intelligent
,
Sport
 or
Sport Sharp
 driving modes.
SAFETY
Here, the Outback comes equipped with
seven airbags
including a driver’s knee airbag, brake assist with
brake override system
, safety pedal system, hill hold assist, hill descent mode, A
ctive Torque Vectoring
, traction control system and vehicle dynamics control (VDC) which can be toggled off.
WHAT ELSE?
The Outback is priced at
RM224,846.30
with insurance and GST, and is fully imported from Japan. It comes with a five-year or 100,000km warranty programme, whichever occurs first and is available in nine different colours. The one you see here bears the
Tungsten Metallic
 shade.
[divider]
IMAGE GALLERY


BMW 4 Series Coupe LCI now in Malaysia, 2 variants priced at RM339k & RM409k

Shortly after the global debut of the
BMW 4 Series F32 LCI
(Life Cycle Impulse) early this year, BMW Malaysia went on to introduce the updated 4 Series. Unlike before when it was offered in three body styles –
Coupe
,
Grand Coupe
 and
Convertible
, only the Coupe will make its way here this time around.
It’s available in two distinct flavours, the 420i Sport and 430i M Sport. Both are motivated by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower turbo, though the former makes
184 hp
 and
270 Nm
 of torque (same setup as the
F30 320i
) whereas the 430i gets
252 hp
and
 350 Nm
, which is identical to the
G30 530i
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
BMW 420i Coupe Sport
BMW 430i Coupe M Sport
Engine
1,998cc; inline-4 with TwinPower turbo
1,998cc; inline-4 with TwinPower Turbo
Transmission
8-speed automatic
Max Power
184 hp @ 5,000 – 6,250 rpm
252 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Max Torque
270 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,500 rpm
350 Nm @ 1,450 – 4,800 rpm
0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed
7.3 seconds; 236 km/h
5.8 seconds; 250 km/h
Price (OTR without insurance)
RM338,800
RM408,800
Drive is sent to the rear wheels via an
eight-speed automatic
 transmission for both. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h takes only
7.3 seconds
 for the 420i, while the more powerful 430i does it in
5.8 seconds
. At full whack, the speedometer will read
236 km/h
 on the 420i and
250 km/h
 on the 430i. Fuel economy, if you must know is rated at
6.0L/100 km
 and
6.4L/100 km
, respectively.
With the LCI, the BMW 4 Series noew gets a pair of full LED headlamps with updated LED DRLs. Also new are the LED tail lamps with reshaped graphics, much like the
M4 GTS
’ organic LED tail lamps, minus the drama.

Differentiating the two variants are the docile
Sport body kit
 on the 420i and the sharper, more aggressive
M Sport body kit
 on the 430i. The 420i rides on 17-inch alloys wrapped in 225/50 profile tyres while the 430i comes with a set of 18-inch alloys wrapped in mixed tyre profiles of 225/45 front and 255/40 rear. Keen customers can upsize their to a set of
19-inches
 for a “small” fee.
Inside, the cabin receives new ambient lighting, chrome trims around the dashboard, automatic climate controls and Nora leather wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. The 430i also features BMW’s latest-generation 8.8-inch iDrive infotainment system with touchscreen capabilities (finally). Both variants come with BMW Connected services, including Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices and Remote Services via the BMW Connected App while
BMW Concierge Services
 is reserved for the 430i only.

The engineers also fine-tuned the chassis for improved dynamics and comfort. By tweaking the dampers, the 4 Series LCI gets reduced body roll, greater straight-line stability and predictability at its limits. The 430i comes with
Adaptive M Suspension
 as standard for greater flexibility (420i gets standard suspension).
BMW Malaysia is offering six exterior shades of the 4 Series  Coupe LCI– Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Melbourne Red as standard for both variants, while Snapper Rocks Blue and Glacier Silver are reserved for the 420i and Estoril Blue exclusive only to the 430i.
Customers can also opt to have their interior finished in Dakota Black leather with Highlight Oyster Black Sport Seats. Every purchase of the 4 Series Coupe LCI  comes with a 5-Years unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service and 2-Years BMW Tyre Warranty Programme.
IMAGE GALLERY


What is: Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)

Like the
ABS
 and
ESC
 automotive acronyms, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) is another commonly found in new car brochures as more and more car makers are beginning to up their game on the safety front of their vehicles.
Coupled with
Anti-lock Braking System
 or ABS as it is more commonly known, EBD regulates the brake forces sent to each of the vehicle’s wheel based on various conditions like road surface and speed.
EBD can individually
apply more or less braking pressure to each individual wheel
, as the system deems necessary, in order to maximise braking efficiency without compromising on vehicle control.
Say you’re travelling at speed with an obstacle ahead of you and there isn’t enough time or space to come to a full stop. You’re most likely going to hit the brakes hard while turning the steering to one side to avoid the obstacle.
In a car without EBD, you’d most likely lose control of your vehicle, oversteer and swerve uncontrollably. With EBD, an oversteer can be prevented with the right amount of brake force delivered to each wheel in order to slow down and evade the obstacle safely.