Review: Ford Mondeo 2.0 EcoBoost, a truly worthy D-segment sedan alternative [+Video]

For most people, making a decision is usually based on familiarity. Why? Because nothing is more reassuring than familiarity. It also saves time, without the need to put too much effort into thinking. Whether you’re buying a loaf of bread or a pair of jeans, usually you’ll go for a specific brand that you’ve known of based on the brand’s exposure or your own experience with the brand. In spite of that, eventually comes a period when you start to feel bored with your normal routine and that’s when you start to look for something different.
In this case, if you’re shopping for a D-segment sedan you might have been looking at the usual suspects:
Toyota Camry
, Honda Accord, or maybe even the Mazda6; and suddenly something pops up in your mind and made you start thinking, “
they’re too predictable, aren’t they?
“. Then you go about searching for other marques and found out there are close to a dozen D-segment contenders currently on sale here. Among them is this car, the
Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ecoboost
.
QUICK FACTS
Name
Ford Mondeo 2.0 EcoBoost
Segment
D-segment sedan
Engine
1,999 cc 4-Cylinder Turbo
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Max Power
237 hp @ 5,300 rpm
Max Torque
345 Nm @ 2,300 rpm
Price
RM 198,000.00
While the Ford brand is not unheard of in Malaysia, their D-segment sedan on the other hand, is not getting as much credit as the rest of the stablemates like the
Ranger
 and the
Fiesta
 in this recent past few years. Before the Mondeo nameplate landed in Malaysia, Ford didn’t even have a representative in the D-segment for more than a decade since the demise of the Telstar. That soon changed in 2009 when the first Mondeo landed on our shores. It was the CD345 Mondeo, which is actually the third incarnation of the model.
Here we have the latest
CD391 Mondeo
, and it’s another product built under the “One Ford” strategy to suit the tastes of a broader set of audience from different regions around the globe, unlike the previous generation CD345 that was mainly developed in the UK.
There are a few powerplants offered for this new Mondeo, ranging from petrol, diesel, to even hybrid; but only one engine made it here, which is the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder
EcoBoost
. The same two litre turbo from the predecessor is more powerful than before, and it currently leads the Malaysian D-segment pack as the most powerful petrol D-segment sedan on sale at the time of writing. It’s also one of the priciest, but don’t forget that the new Mondeo is fully-imported CBU model, and it’s armed with a number of safety tech to boot.
EXTERIOR
Everyone we showed the Mondeo to agrees that the Mondeo is one dapper hunk, but not everyone can tell that it’s a Ford which is quite a shame, really. Even the previous Mondeo is not a familiar sight compared to the other continental D-segment sedans, and like we mentioned earlier, perhaps more publicity is needed to get the general crowd in the know on the existence of the Fiesta’s and Focus’s bigger brother.
From the front three-quarter view there’s a visual link to the pony car, the
Mustang
. Although supposedly we should say that the Mustang looks like the Mondeo because the Mustang came out after the Mondeo; but in essence, Ford’s recent design is more skewed towards the sporty side and that’s pretty darn fine by us, so no complains on that.

We reckon James Bond would approve the wide Aston-esque chromed grille, while the bulging bonnet shouts a pretty serious intent for something that’s not actually intended to lap the Nürburgring on a weekly basis. The Mondeo is the first Ford to get the
Ford Dynamic LED headlamps
; and they do smart things like bending, stretching, and dipping the light beam automatically, apart from mesmerizing the oncoming traffic with their turning indicator animation.

While the front resembles an Aston, there’s a hint of Aventador at the back, particularly the shape of the taillights and the pointy bootlid. Unfortunately you won’t find a screaming V12 under that rear window, but the Mondeo does feature some design tinsel such as the roof-mounted third brake light and the dual trapezoidal tailpipe finishers integrated into the bumper.
The side is not bad either. At 4,871 mm the Mondeo slightly edges the Honda Accord (4,870 mm) as the longest D-segment sedan on sale here, and the sharp creases on the flanks combined with the shallow side windows make the Mondeo look even longer and sleeker than it actually is. However, with the sporty vibe going on nicely, the
17-inch wheels
 don’t do the car’s justice, the design is good but they look a little lost under those wheel arches. Can we please have at least a set of 18 inchers under that instead?
INTERIOR
The cabin’s general fit and finish is sturdy although one ergonomic quirk we found is the positioning of the
electronic parking brake
 switch on the passenger side, which may sound petty to you but still quite annoying sometimes, especially for this writer. While we were unable to change the location of the switch, we were given options to choose the colour for the interior lights, which does help to lift the ambiance by some margin.

The
leather-wrapped seats
 are comfortable, the front ones are
power-operated
 and
heated
 but not ventilated, while the driver’s seat gets
memory setting
 as well. Rear bench does the usual 60/40 split and folds flat and level with the high boot floor.

Even when they’re not folded down, the
557 litre boot
 is big enough to kidnap our chief editor. However, as you can see in our video, the Mondeo is not a suitable car for kidnappers, because
GC
 was able to escape in an instant, thanks to the highly visible
glow-in-the-dark boot release trigger
 located inside of the boot lid.

Loads of space is offered inside for occupants and their belongings. Unless you’re a really tall person we don’t think you’ll be complaining for more legroom and headroom, even if you’re seated in the back seat. You’ll also get aircond vents, a 12v power outlet, and a drop down center armrest with cup holders at the back.
The wide door pockets front and back will be able to take bigger-sized bottles among other things, but we’re slightly disappointed that the huge glovebox has been divided into two levels which reduces its usability. Although we do appreciate the two-level cubby under the front center armrest and the additional space behind the center panel.
The dashboard is clean and neatly laid out, the button count is minimal on the center panel because other controls are grouped into the
SYNC2 infotainment system
, accessed via the large
8-inch touchscreen
. The touch screen is a bit slow at times, but the good news is you don’t really have to rely fully on the touch screen alone when you have a responsive voice command system.

Everything from making phone calls, changing the radio station, to adjusting the aircond temperature can be done by talking to the car. She (the car has a female voice) can even help you to read out loud your messages from your paired phone. It’s like having your own personal assistant, but she only exists in your car.
In contrast to the plain center console, the steering wheel is crammed with buttons. There are at least 22 buttons on the steering wheel alone and that does not include the
shift paddles
, but don’t panic because they’re all very intuitive to use.
The screens on the digital instrument cluster too can look quite intimidating at first sight, feeding you with details about the available driving assistance system such as the
 Adaptive Cruise Control
 and the
Lane Keeping Alert
 system. Even so, you can customise and choose what you want to be displayed in the screens.
Furthermore, you can customise a separate driver profile with its
MyKey
 system. As demonstrated during the
Future of Safety with Ford roadshow
, using your all-powerful
Admin key
, you can set numerous parameters on the MyKey such as the speed limit and the “always-on” driving assistance, so you can have your own guardian angel to watch over your MyKey user even when you’re not around to monitor their every move. Regardless if you’re an overly protected parent with trust issues or not, we think MyKey is a great tool to promote safe driving especially for the youngsters who just got their driving license.
PERFORMANCE
The
2.0-litre EcoBoost
 from the CD345 Mondeo soldiers on in the new Mondeo, but it’s slightly more powerful and no longer mated to the 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch gearbox. Instead, the 1,999 cc 4-cylinder turbo is hooked up to a
6-speed Selectshift automatic
, sending
240 hp
 and
345 Nm
 to the front wheels.
Acceleration from
0 to 100 km/h
 takes
 7.9 seconds
, and the
top speed
 is at
240 km/h
. The EcoBoost mill is claimed to drink
eight litres of petrol per hundred kilometers
, without the aid of stop/start system or a dedicated Eco mode.
THE DRIVE
Despite the high-tech equipment, the Mondeo is actually quite straighforward to drive. There are no driving modes to choose from but you do get an S mode for the transmission to hold up the gearshifts while keeping the engine on boil. Although being a conventional automatic gearbox the shifts are not quick as a dual-clutch box, but it’s all right as long as you don’t get that low-speed jerkiness when you’re crawling in heavy traffic.
It’s a pleasant car to be in with excellent sound insulation that only lets in the best bits of the EcoBoost note to be heard when pushed. It doesn’t whoosh and burp on upshifts but it’s definitely one of the better sounding 4-pots out there, this side of family sedan. Ride over typical KL-grade tarmac proved that the Mondeo is not easily ruffled by the harsh surface, accompanied with the light steering wheel it’s very much relaxed for city driving.

The first few miles down the road you might find the steering wheel is overly-assisted, but as the speed increases and the more time you spend with the Mondeo you’ll appreciate the communicative rack, as it makes an easy and enjoyable task to stitch a string of corners together. The brakes also bite reassuringly well, with firm pedal feel that you can always rely on when you get a bit too frisky with the throttle pedal.
In all fairness you don’t buy the Mondeo to be your weekend track car but coming from a car company steeped in rich motorsports history you’d expect it to deliver the goods when it comes to handling. And the good news is even though this Mondeo wears neither the RS nor the ST badge on the boot lid it’s still one of the best handling D-segment sedans around.
Push it in corners and the suspension holds itself well to prevent body roll, while the torquey EcoBoost mill makes for a rapid progress without the need to rev the engine all the way to the red line, because the full 345 Nm surge arrives from just 2,300 rpm. Needless to say, overtaking is a breeze especially on the long highways where the Mondeo is also comfortable to sit in the fast lane for endless of hours, or until the fuel runs out.
It’s an accomplished cruiser on the highway, and the driving assistance system is available to lend a hand to keep you in the correct path quite literally with the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Lane Keeping Alert and Aid.
Relying on the sensors, the car is able to detect whether you’re too close to the vehicle in front or whether you’re straying away form the lane. Unless you indicate with the turn signal, the steering will rumble and gently suggest you where the front wheels should be pointing to so you don’t end up being a giant pinball on the highway.
IS IT FOR YOU?
Apart from wanting to be different, the Mondeo should be in your shortlist if you want a spacious and comfortable D-segment sedan that can also entertain you with its fine handling, provided that you can and willing to stretch your budget a bit.
For some, that’s also where the dilemma is, because if you top up a few thousands more you can land yourself a BMW 316i in your driveway, albeit in a rather dreary spec and not to mention the weedy engine under its bonnet compared to the Mondeo.
Penny-pinchers should definitely look away though, because not only the Mondeo’s asking price is on the steep side, it’s also quite a thirsty car even if you try to convince yourself otherwise.
COMPARISONS
Among the continental D-segment sedans available here, the
Volkswagen Passat B7
 is a popular choice. It’s the cheapest of the bunch, yet it delivers strong performance from the
1.8-litre 4-cylinder TSI
 and it’s also a great long distance cruiser. It’s at the end of its life cycle though, unless you’re hunting for massive stock clearance discount, we suggest you to hold on to your chequebook for the new
Passat B8
 that’s slated to arrive by end of 2015.
Another contender you can consider is the
Peugeot 508 GT
. Recently been given a refresh, it’s the only oil-burner here and it packs a punch from the
2.2-litre 4-cylinder HDi FAP
. The price almost equals the Mondeo, and it’s brimmed with goodies and driving assistance. There’s a petrol option as well but the 1.6 THP is nowhere near the 2.2 HDi in terms of performance figures, but the petrol 508 will save you around RM 27k against the diesel sibling.
Ford Mondeo 2.0 EcoBoost
Peugeot 508 GT
Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI
ENGINE
Type
4-cylinder turbocharged petrol
4-cylinder turbocharged diesel
4-cylinder petrol
Displacement
cc
1,999
2,179
1,798
Max Power
hp/rpm
237/5,300
204/3,500
158/5,000
Max Torque
Nm/rpm
345/2,300
450/2,000
250/1,500
STEERING
Type
Electrical power-assisted
Electro-hydraulic power-assisted
Electrical power-assisted
DRIVETRAIN
Transmission
6-Speed automatic
6-Speed automatic
7-Speed dual clutch
SUSPENSION
Type (Front / Rear)
MacPherson struts / Multi link
Double wishbones / Multi link
MacPherson struts / Multi link
BRAKES
Front
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear
Disc
Disc
Disc
TYRE & WHEELS
Tyres
235/50 R17
235/40 R19
235/45 R17
Wheels
Alloy
Alloy
Alloy
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
Overall Length
mm
4,871
4,830
4,769
Overall Width
mm
1,852
1,828
1,820
Overall Height
mm
1,486
1,456
1,470
Wheelbase
mm
2,850
2,817
2,712
Max Kerb weight
kg
1,562
1,552
1,517
Luggage Capacity (VDA)
L
557
545
565
FUEL
Tank Capacity
62 litres
72 litres
70 litres
Consumption
8.0 L/100 km
5.7 L/100 km
7.0 L/100 km
PERFORMANCE
Max Speed
km/h
240
235
220
0 – 100km/h
sec
7.9
8.4
8.5
PRICE
RM
198,000.00
196,475.05
174,817.00
WILL I BUY IT?
It’s hard not to consider the Mondeo if I’m in the market for a D-segment sedan. It’s comfortable to run the daily grind and it has plenty of power reserve should you need to stretch its legs during your interstate jaunts. It handles just as good as it looks, and I have strong fondness for cars we don’t see that often on the road. After all, we could use a little more diversity on the roads too, right? In my books the Mondeo ticks most number of boxes in my checklist.
IMAGE GALLERY


What is: Brake Assist (BA)

Among today’s comprehensive suite of safety features, Brake Assist (BA) is often spoken of in tandem with the
Anti-lock Braking system (ABS)
. As we’ve briefly shared a couple weeks back, ABS helps improve braking efficiency and distance by preventing the wheels from locking up.
So what is Brake Assist then? In the event of emergency braking, the system supports the driver in sudden braking manoeuvres by applying additional force on the brakes – increasing the clamping force of the brake calipers on the brake discs.
The system, with sensors, will detect emergency braking manoeuvres based on how abrupt the driver has stepped on the brake pedals and the force applied on it. As the system kicks in within milliseconds, that’s when you feel the pedal vibrating or pulsating and for most cars, in the most unrefined manner.
The system comes into play to aid the driver, as and when he or she hits the brakes but not enough brake force is applied or rather not soon enough. Brake Assist merely complements the ABS and not replace it by assisting the system to apply the brakes more efficiently to avoid the car from skidding or rear-ending the car ahead.
Credit:
YouTube


Here’s the main reason why the Toyota GT 86 is not turbocharged

The Toyota GT 86 has been through a number of changes throughout its six year reign with the Japanese carmaker continuously beefing up its chassis and making it a little more aesthetically-pleasing with every facelift. However, throughout the years, Toyota (and Subaru) had only given the sportscar a performance boost once.
In its highest state of tune, the 2.0-litre direct-injection boxer-engine pushed out
204 hp
 and
212 Nm
 of torque to drive the rear wheels. Not astronomical figures in today’s world which left many fans wanting a forced-inducted GT 86 for more dramatic and smoky sideways action like
this
.
However, Chief Engineer for GT 86 and Supra, Tetsuya Tada, told
CarAdvice
 that they will not be introducing a turbocharged version of the GT 86, for the current-generation at least. The reason is simple –
weight distribution
.
“When we launched the 86, I got literally millions of questions from around the world of ‘when would you be launching the turbo version?’” said Tada-san.
“I believe that often times I answered that there won’t be a turbo version, and there were some articles in the media that Mr Tada doesn’t like a turbo. That’s not really true. I do like turbos, however if we come up with a turbo version of the 86 and boost up the power, it would result in the necessity of changing the basic configuration completely, to come up with a car that I would be satisfied with.” added Tada-san.
Toyota Chief Engineer for GT86 & Supra, Tetsuya Tada
Tada-san explained that the GT 86 was designed with a slightly front biased weight distribution to give the car its agile and nimble characteristic. Adding a turbo would upset the front and rear balance of the car, thus losing the very essence the car was built upon.
The GT 86 was never meant to handle more power, staying true to the original AE 86’s ethos of a low powered, balanced rear-wheel drive sportscar. To come up with a higher-powered car will require the engineers to reimagine the car’s fundamental dynamics with a completely new platform.
So, there you have it folks, the reason why the Toyota GT 86 will not be turbocharged. If you strongly believe that all the GT 86 needs is an aftermarket supercharger or turbo kit; just remember, the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated mill with
204 hp
 is already perfect for Tada-
san
.


This Toyota Avanza rival is called… the Mitsubishi Expander

So it has finally come to this, eh? Well, Mitsubishi’s latest endeavour, the Mitsubishi Expander, is an affordable MPV that will find its way to markets like Indonesia in the near future. It will go up against the Toyota Avanza, one that’s currently dominating the segment.
It looks a lot like the
XM Concept
 with the Dynamic Shield front fascia, slim headlights and enormous fog lamps. It’s no longer a crossover between an MPV and an SUV because they’ve done away with the roof rails from the concept. It’s now a full-fledged seven-seater MPV.
It measures at 4,475 mm in length, 1,750 mm in width, 1,700 mm tall and has a ground clearance of 205 mm. Overall, it’s longer and wider than the Avanza. Mitsubishi is particularly proud of their cabin design, promising “excellent access to the comfortable third-row seats”.
The
1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
 with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) is tasked to move the vehicle. Power is transferred to the front wheels either through a
five-speed manual
 or
 four-speed automatic
. No performance stats have been mentioned so far.
The Mitsubishi Expander will be headlining Mitsubishi’s entry at the upcoming
2017 GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show
 (GIIAS). So, fancy yourself one of the Expanders?


Continental Automotive Components invests RM31.5 mill for Penang plant upgrades

In case you’re not aware, the Continental brand (in Malaysia) does not only make tyres for your cars. The German company also manufacture and supply automotive parts at their plant in Prai, Penang. Continental Automotive Components Malaysia Sdn Bhd has just broke the ground for the expansion and upgrade works in its Penang plant to ensure the plant’s future readiness moving towards Industry 4.0.
With an investment of approximately €7 million (RM31.5 million), the plant will transform into an advanced smart factory equipped with state-of-the-art automated machinery and digitization to enable faster insights-to-actions, better connectivity, more efficient process and ultimately higher productivity. The upgrade will cover all aspects of the plant from material handling, supply and logistics as well as Research & Development.
Dr Hans Jurgen Braun, Senior VP & Head of Central Electronics Plants Continental Automotive
The company supplies instrument clusters (analogue and digital) to major brands such as Proton, Perodua, Toyota, Kawasaki and many others. Continental Automotive also work together with car makers in the software development and testing of next-generation instrument clusters, Volkswagen’s Active Info Display is a prime example.

Managing Director of Continental Automotive Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Luciano Oliveira said: “We are striving for continuous operational excellence, the future smart factory will have one continuous shop floor that ensures more efficient people access and process flow, with reduced production space to strengthen cost efficiency. The optimized production layout will enhance the manufacturing capacity and leave more space for the plant to receive more new businesses. The transformation will provide for long term viability, with more innovations and digital solutions for tomorrow”
“With the expansion, more jobs will be created. The R&D office will see to an increase of another 150 engineers by 2020.” he added.
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Porsche Cayenne and Panamera now available with Premium Package

Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the authorised importer of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia has a few things in store for 2019 beginning with a Premium Package for the Cayenne and Panamera models.
“Together with Porsche Asia Pacific, the Premium Package for the Cayenne and Panamera is an initiative to enrich the product substance and elevate customer’s ownership experience even further,” said Chief Executive Officer of SDAP, Chris Hunter.
“We are giving a wider spread of comfort and sportiness in our vehicles, yet with even more competitive pricing. With this enhanced product line-up, we certainly look forward to a great year ahead,” he added.
The package promises additional comfort and luxury features, as if both models aren’t already, with 14-way power seats including memory function for the driver and passenger seats, four-zone air automatic climate control, automatic dimming mirrors, electric sun blinds, ambient lighting and a BOSE Surround Sound System.
Supplementing the Premium Package further, both models will also come with the Power Steering Plus and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)  as standard.
With the Premium Package, the base price for the Cayenne now starts from
 RM780,000
 while the Panamera starts from
 RM890,000
. Those interested in a lifestyle upgrade can opt for the Porsche 360 Financing scheme with
up to 30% lower monthly repayments
 and the opportunity to own a new Porsche from every three to five years.
All Porsche vehicles sold via SDAP come with a four-year warranty and free maintenance package, which includes complimentary service, labour and parts.
Later this year, SDAP will also open the new Porsche Centre Ara Damansara in Kuala Lumpur, followed by the Porsche Centre Johor Bahru and subsequently the introduction of Porsche’s first fully-electric vehicle, the Taycan, expected to follow suit in 2020.
IMAGE GALLERY


Let Mark Webber tell you what the all-new Porsche 911 is like

You’ve seen him go full throttle in the
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
, test out the
all-electric Porsche Mission E
, you’ve even seen him get
frightened to bits in the most powerful 911 ever made with Maria Sharapova
 behind the wheel.
Allow former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, once again, to let you in on his first impression of the
all-new 992 Porsche 911 launched just yesterday
 at the
 2018 LA Motor Show
.
As of now, the new 992 model 911 is available in
 two variants
 – the Carrera S and Carrera 4S – fitted with a 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six engine that produces
 450 hp
, with power delivered through a new 8-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.
The rear-wheel driven Carrera S will complete the 0 to 100 km/h run in just
3.7 seconds
 while the all-wheel driven 4S does it 0.1 seconds quicker. Go through all the gears in the Carrera 4S and it’ll peak at
306 km/h
 while the Carrera S pushes on till
308 km/h
.
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Nissan uses a miniature car wash to test its paint’s durability

Nissan’s Technical Centre in Michigan, USA uses a miniature car wash, no bigger than the size of a popcorn machine to allow engineers to test paint samples to make sure its car’s exterior paint can endure the harsh environment of automatic car washes.
The specialised machine, with spinning brushes that has vibrant blue bristles, will help ensure that the paint stays pristine even with frequent automatic car washes.
To replicate the actual environment, the brushes in the miniature car wash  spins at 180 rpm causing the bristles to slap harshly on the paint’s surface. Water jet sprays and “Arizona dirt” are also thrown into the mix to replicate real-world conditions.
The 1:16 scale model of the 370z shown in the video is only for illustrative purposes as in actual testing, Nissan paint is applied to rectangular plates for the miniature car wash tests.


All-new Honda Accord to get 1.5L & 2.0L Turbo as well as 10-speed auto!

After adopting the same powertrain for the past two generations (eighth and
ninth
), Honda will finally be offering an entirely new range of powertrain for the all-new 10th-generation Honda Accord – two four-cylinder turbo engines and a next-generation hybrid powerplant.
Like the
Civic FC
 and
fifth-generation CR-V
, the new Accord will receive a
1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC
 four-cylinder engine, mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or a six-speed manual transmission. No power figures were revealed, but in its highest state of tune (on the CR-V) the puny 1.5-litre mill dishes out
191 hp
 and
243 Nm
 of torque.
Slotting above it is a
2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC
 four-cylinder engine mated to an
industry first
 (for front wheel drive application)
10-speed automatic transmission
 or a six-speed manual. Again, no numbers were revealed but we know that Honda is capable of milking
315 hp
 and
400 Nm
 from this lump as seen on the
Civic Type R (FK8R)
. Accord Euro R anyone?
For the eco-conscious bunch, Honda has a next-generation two-motor hybrid powerplant in the pipeline for the Accord. Honda claims the new Accord Hybrid will be even more refined than before.
The new Accord is designed “completely from the ground up” and features a more aggressive and athletic stance than any other Accord to complement the advanced and exciting powertrains. More details of the 10th-generation Honda Accord will be revealed in the coming weeks. In case you’re not too familiar about the Accord’s history, be sure to check out
five cool things you didn’t now about the Honda Accord
.
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Here’s a car that’s been converted specially for the driving and cycling enthusiasts

It’s called the FitCar PPV. Based on a standard Audi A4 Avant 2.0-litre TFSI, it’s the world’s first calorie-burning car – an alternative mobility solution for those who keep count of how many steps they’ve completed in a day but would never commit to a proper workout.
“The Audi A4 Avant was chosen for its brilliant ergonomics, allowing for a comfortable cycling position. Our ambition is for car manufacturers to adopt this technology or for us to offer it as an aftermarket conversion,” said Founder and Managing Director of BPO, Oscar Brocades Zaalberg, Dutch engineering partners of the project.
In the video, you’d see that the car’s throttle pedal has been replaced by a bicycle pedal mechanism and mated to a flywheel, which generates an electronic pulse to engage the accelerator. They first tested this system on a Smart car.
This doesn’t mean the engine has been completely removed. It’s still there to deliver manufacturer specification performance and fuel economy; only that it’s now operated by an “active pedaling motion” instead of an accelerator pedal.
“Our studies suggest a calorie burn-rate of more than 300 per 30 minutes. We are increasingly time-poor and unfit, the FitCar PPV provides at least part of the solution to these two problems for those of us wishing to exercise more but done have the time for it,” said investor, Nasser Al Shawaf.
There are three simple settings to operate the FitCar PPV system. ‘
Drive Slow
’ when in slow moving traffic, ‘
Drive Fast
’ for highway speeds and ‘
No Drive
’ for stationary traffic where it still allows you to continue exercising by using the pedals.
There is also a rotary dial on the pedals to adjust the resistance, depending on what sort of pedal work out is required – from easy to difficult.
FitCar PPV is patented internationally and is awaiting approval from the Netherlands’ authorities for road use across Europe.


Kia Stinger GT previewed at Malaysia Autoshow, M’sia to get 3.3L V6 AWD?

At the 2017 Malaysia Autoshow, Naza Kia Malaysia (NKM) has displayed the
hottest Kia ever made
, the
Kia Stinger GT
. The company did not reveal when the sleek Grand Tourer will be officially launched nor pricing details, but it is safe to assume that next year will the earliest we will see them with number plates.
The preview unit here is finished in the launch colour, HiChro Red. It wears the highest specification as denoted by the full LED headlamps, black wing mirror, Brembo brakes, 19-inch multi-spoke alloys and quad exhaust pipes. Curiously, NKM has previewed the AWD variant as told by the sole “AWD” badge at the rear.

Finished in its highest specification, naturally, it gets powered by the most potent mill available, the 3.3-litre turbocharged V6 pushing out
365 hp
 and
510 Nm
. Sprint time on the AWD variant remains unknown, but the rear-wheel drive 3.3-litre V6 turbo gets to 100 km/h in
4.9 seconds
. Transmission of choice is an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Other markets get the option for a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo T-GDI that outputs
244 hp
 and
353 Nm
 as well as a 2.2-litre turbodiesel CRDi with
197 hp
 and
440 Nm
 of torque. Both are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Like most preview units, the interior is off-limits to the public. Internationally, the Stinger GT is equipped with 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, 360-degree surround view camera, Nappa leather upholstery and many more premium features.
In the UK
, the Stinger GT is priced between £31,995 (RM180k) to £40,495 (RM228k). How much would you pay for one of these beauties here in Malaysia?
IMAGE GALLERY
KIA Stinger GT Preview in Malaysia

Kia Stinger GT


The new Alpine A110 looks like a promising alternative to a Lotus [+Video]

There was a time when France had a sports car brand that they were extremely proud of. After two decades of laying dormant, the
Alpine
 brand was resurrected, and they’re coming back with a bang. The halo car will be a new mid-engine coupe that will take on Lotus and Porsche. Enter the Alpine A110.
This French coupe pays homage to the original A110 Berlinette from the 1960s. If you think the face looks odd, that’s because it’s a nod to the original A110. The rear end gets a pair of “X” shaped LED lamps with dynamic signal indicators! Tipping the scales at just
1,080 kg
, the A110 is super lightweight and takes pride with having a drag coefficient of
0.32
, among the lowest in this segment.

Behind the seats rests a
1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged
 engine sourced from Renault. With the help of Renault Sport, the engine is massaged to develop
252 hp
 and
 320 Nm
of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a
Getrag seven-speed wet clutch DCT
. It gets double wishbone suspension for both axles and boasts a 44:56 weight distribution, which already sounds like a whole lot of fun. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in
4.5 seconds
, while top speed is electronically limited to
250 km/h
.
To kickstart Alpine’s revival, a limited series of A110 cars, called the Première Edition, have been introduced. At
58,500 euros
 (approximately
 RM278,450
) per pop, deliveries to left-hand drive nations will commence in late 2017, while right-hand drive variants will arrive in the UK and Japan by 2018. Additional variants of the A110 will be offered across the globe once the Première Editions are sold out. Let us all pray hard for the brand to come to Malaysia!
IMAGE GALLERY


McLaren Australia celebrates Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 race win with limited-edition 720S

Daniel Ricciardo led the charge to a McLaren 1-2 finish at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago, effectively ending McLaren’s nine-year race win drought (and three for Ricciardo himself).
For us regular F1 fans, we were just happy to see the Honey Badger do the shooey again as he finally steps back up onto the top step of the podium. But for Australians, Ricciardo’s win is pretty much a matter of national pride – so much so that McLaren Australia has unveiled a special “Daniel Ricciardo Edition”
McLaren 720S
 to celebrate the occasion.
Limited to just three units only and exclusive to Daniel Ricciardo’s home country Australia, the bespoke
McLaren Special Operations
 (MSO) creation wears the iconic Papaya Spark Orange on the outside, contrasted by Burton Blue accents all around – just like McLaren’s F1 cars.
Since it’s a Daniel Ricciardo special edition model, it also of course features the Honey Badger’s race number (and design) on the side, and there’s even an Australian flag embedded on the doors.
McLaren also recently brought back the iconic Gulf livery onto the 720S! Check it out here.
Inside, the special edition 720S model gets matching orange accents on the seats and dashboard, but aside from mild aesthetic tweaks, the rest of interior is pretty much left as-is from the regular McLaren 720S.
Also unchanged is the powertrain behind the driver’s compartment – a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 serving up the namesake
720 hp
 and
770 Nm
 of torque, with power sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. 0-100 km/h takes just
2.8 seconds
, onward to a top speed of
341 km/h
.
“Daniel Ricciardo’s relentless determination and pursuit of excellence are qualities that perfectly reflect the McLaren ethos,” said McLaren Automotive commercial executive director, George Biggs.
“Following McLaren’s outstanding performance with a landmark one-two finish for the team at the Italian Grand Prix, it’s the perfect time to reveal this limited series in celebration of the Aussie driver,” he added.
“The 720S is a fitting model to celebrate Daniel’s achievements and we’re delighted to see it adorned with the Australian flag crafted by MSO.”
The McLaren 720S GT3X is a different kind of fast. Watch it blitz up the goodwood hill climb in mind-blowing speed here.
No pricing has been announced for the McLaren 720S Daniel Ricciardo Edition just yet, but seeing that it’s a three-unit-only limited edition model, chances are it won’t be cheap – the base 720S already starts north of RM1 million, and that’s
before
 duties and taxes.
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Future Geely cars are going to look like this and we are loving it

Geely Auto has just unveiled the Geely Preface Concept sedan at the
2019 Shanghai Auto Show
, a design study that previews the brand’s next-generation Expanding Cosmos design language as well as future high-end sporty models.
The Preface Concept is
based on the Geely-Volvo developed Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform
that combines dynamic driving characteristics with intelligent drive technologies
to offer users a sporty yet refined and safe driving experience.
While every other manufacturer is coming out with SUVs after SUVs (especially
VW
), Geely is returning to its roots of making attractive sedans and the Preface Concept is a testament to that. This is not a blind move either because the SUV market saw a downtrend in China while sales of sedan vehicles are growing. It is also another reason why Geely’s first electric brand,
Geometry launched a sedan
 as their first model instead of an SUV.
The Preface Concept
features strong proportions all round with wide wheel track and large alloy
wheels to fill the wheel arches confidently with clean body lines giving the Concept
car a sporty yet sleek appearance. The Expanding Cosmos grille now takes on a
new shape with vertical slats, central floating logo and chrome surrounds.
Just like the exterior,
the cabin features a clean and minimalistic look dominated by two large
displays – instrument cluster and infotainment with very little buttons to
clutter the cabin. The flat bottom steering wheel hints towards future models with
sporty intent as compared to their current line up of vehicles.
Geely expressed that consumers
can expect several new-generation models to be introduced to global markets over
the next two years but stopped short at revealing which segments the new cars are
going to enter.
One thing is for sure if the design language of the Preface Concept trickles down into their production cars, we are excited for not only Geely but also Proton.
IMAGE GALLERY
Geely Preface Concept Sedan at 2019 Shanghai Auto Show


Toyota RAV4 updated in Europe for 2022 with new rugged Adventure trim

The 2022 model-year update for the
Toyota RAV4
has just been revealed in Europe, headlined by a new rugged-looking ‘Adventure’ trim for the SUV that’s designed for those who prefer to live life off the beaten path.
Unique to the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure is its new front fascia, featuring a new bumper borrowed from the US-market Adventure variant. The new all-black grille, with the Toyota emblem moved to the middle of a horizontal trim piece, is also exclusive to the RAV4 adventure.
However, several of the styling changes on the Toyota RAV4 Adventure variant will also move down across the entire 2022 RAV4 range, including the new projector-type LED headlights with LED front fog lights, and a new 10-spoke alloy wheel design, finished in either bright silver or gloss black depending on variant.
Video: Watch our full review of the Toyota RAV4 in Malaysia here!
Wrapping up the rugged looks of the RAV4 Adventure are the 19-inch alloy wheels in a matte grey finish, chunky underbody bashplate-like elements on the front and rear bumpers, plus an exclusive two-tone Urban Khaki and Dynamic Grey paint job on the outside that was inspired by Toyota’s classic FJ40 Land Cruiser.
On the inside, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure gets a variant-exclusive black synthetic leather upholstery with quilted seat surfaces and orange cross-stitching, along with a set of special door sill scuff plates.
However, the cabin has also been updated for the 2022MY RAV4 with new LED lighting, power-adjustable front passenger seat, illuminated window control switches, and new USB-C charging ports for your new modern-day mobile devices.
The Toyota RAV4 has been redesigned by Mitsuoka with a classic American design! Check out the Mitsuoka Buddy here.
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure will be powered by Toyota’s fourth-gen hybrid powertrain, and is equipped as standard with intelligent all-wheel drive provided by an additional electric motor on the rear axle.
The powertrain combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors – one on each axle- for a combined system output of 222 hp and 221 Nm of torque.
Production of the European Toyota RAV4 Adventure will some time near the end of the year, with first deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2022.
As for Malaysia, we haven’t received any confirmation for the upcoming Toyota RAV4 update just yet – but keep your eyes peeled!
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The Ford Interceptor police vehicle can self-sanitise its cabin and disinfect touch points

Sounds like something out of Donald Trump’s speech, isn’t it? Not quite as this was instead revealed by Ford – that their new software for the Interceptor’s climate control can help reduce the Covid-19 virus footprint.
The method is apparently simple – bake the vehicle’s cabin until viruses inside are deactivated. Using the Interceptor’s powertrain and climate control systems, the software is capable of
hiking cabin temperatures up to 56 degrees Celcius
, hotter than Death Valley on its hottest day, for 15 minutes. This apparently, is long enough to help disinfect the vehicle’s touchpoints.

Once the software is activated, it warms up the engine to an elevated level, with both heat and fan settings set to high. The software automatically monitors the cabin’s temperature until the entire passenger compartment hits the optimal level, then that temperature is maintained for 15 minutes.
When the system is doing its thing, hazard lights and tail lights will flash in a certain way to notify the drivers. Once the process is complete following a cool-down session, the lights will flash differently. Progress is also indicated on the vehicle’s instrument cluster.
Flooding the passenger compartment with increased air temperature can help reach areas that may be missed by manual disinfecting procedures. Heat has the ability to seep into hard-to-reach areas, helping reduce the impact of human error in applying chemical disinfectants.
Ford has so far conducted software operational trials in vehicles owned by the New York City Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Michigan State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Boardman Township Police Department in Ohio and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
To study its effectiveness, Ford also worked closely with the Ohio State University to determine the temperature and duration of time needed to help inactivate the COVID-19 virus.
“Our studies with Ford Motor Company indicate that exposing coronaviruses to temperatures of 56 degrees Celsius, or 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit, for 15 minutes reduces the viral concentration by more than 99% on interior surfaces and materials used inside Police Interceptor Utility vehicles,” said Ohio State University, Laboratory Supervisors, Jeff Jahnes and Jesse Kwiek.


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC, RM329k 7-seater EV

There’s only one choice in the Malaysian market right now if you’re looking for an electric vehicle (EV) that also sits 7 people. Launched in
September
 this year, the
Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC
 fetches a price of
RM328,888
 and is offered in one variant only.
Based on the
Mercedes-Benz GLB
, the EQB gets an electrified ‘EQ’ styling that changes the front end and rear end of the GLB to give it a more roundish look. It also gets continuous LED lights on the front and back like the rest of the EQ family.
The main giveaway that the EQB is an electric car is the non-existent grille which has been replaced by a black panel that gets two horizontal bars. All around, the EQB has blue accents seen in the headlight cluster, the ‘EQB’ lettering on the front fenders, and the 19-inch wheels. Even with electrification, the EQB maintains the rugged look of the GLB with the plastic claddings and roof rails.
ALSO WATCH:
Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC, from RM329k – 5 Things
In the performance department, the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC gets a dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup as hinted by the ‘4MATIC’ moniker. That system makes
292 hp
 and
520 Nm
 and accelerates the EQB from 0 to 100 km/h in
6.2 seconds
. The front motor is an induction motor while the rear motor is a permanent magnet synchronous motor.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 and EQC 400 prices confirmed – RM 329k and RM389k
No engine, but also no frunk here.
The EQB houses a
66.5-kWh
 battery pack that provides 423 km of range (WLTP). Charging can be done at a maximum rate of
11 kW
 with AC charging and
100 kW
 with DC fast charging (DCFC). 11-kW AC charging brings the state of charge (SOC) from 10 to 100% in
5 hours and 45 minutes
. 100-kW DCFC brings the SOC from 10% to 80% in just
32 minutes
. Charging is done via a Type 2/CCS2 socket that is located on the rear left panel of the car.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz confirms CKD EVs for Malaysia, “exciting announcement” in Q1 2023
Inside, the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 is very familiar as it is reminiscent of the GLB/GLA/A-Class interior. What’s a bit unique for the EQB that we get are the rose gold accents in the air conditioning vents that match the rose gold key fob that it comes with. For Malaysian customers, the EQB 350 4MATIC comes with one rose gold key fob and one ‘standard’ key fob.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ Sedan launched in Malaysia, fully-electric E-Class from RM420k
Perched on the dashboard is a twin 10.25-inch display with one being the infotainment head unit and one being the digital instrument cluster. The head unit comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Naturally for a modern Mercedes-Benz, the EQB also features the multi-colour active ambient light system that has become synonymous with the brand. The interior upholstery is a combination of Artico man-made leather, Cupertino fabric, and genuine Nappa leather.
ALSO WATCH:
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 EV SUV now in Malaysia, 5 Things
The EQB sits 7 people although the third-row seats are not quite suitable for lanky passengers. With all 7 seats occupied, the boot space can fit several hand carry-size luggage. There’s a tonneau cover for when the third-row seats are folded down but there is no dedicated space to store it when not in use. Of course, with both third- and second-row seats folded down, cargo space is plenty in the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC.
RELATED:
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s new extended warranty offers up to RM250k of coverage
Safety features in the Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC include Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active lane keeping assist, Active steering assist, Active blind spot assist, Exit warning function, Active Brake Assist, Adaptive high beam assist, 360° camera, and PARKTRONIC parking assist.
RELATED:
Mercedes me Store launched in Malaysia – Navigation now requires subscription
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Nissan has made a device that reads your brain

Nissan has recently unveiled a new technology that will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the driver’s brain – effectively changing “the connection” between car and driver.
Called the
Brain-to-Vehicle
, or B2V, a first of its kind, the system will look to
speed up reaction times for drivers
 where the end goal is to make driving more enjoyable. It is the latest development in the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision – aiming to transform how cars are driven, powered and integrated into society.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCi6taII6Yo
The device will be worn by the driver, to
measure brain wave activity
 which is then analysed by autonomous systems. By anticipating the driver’s movements, it can quicken the process of turning the steering wheel for example, by
0.2 – 0.5 seconds faster than the driver
 – without being profoundly noticeable.
The breakthrough is a result of research in
brain decoding technology
, to predict the driver’s actions and detect discomfort. It also does the same for the driver’s behaviour behind the wheel.
When it predicts that the driver’s brain is about to make a movement, such as turning the steering wheel, driver assist technologies can kick in more quickly. When it detects that the driver is in some discomfort, its Artificial Intelligence can change the drive mode of the vehicle when in autonomous mode.
IMAGE GALLERY


2023 Chery Omoda 5在大马发布，对标Honda HR-V从RM109k起跳

在首次宣布回归的一年多后，Chery Malaysia 终于在马来西亚推出了 Omoda 5。全新的 2023 年款 Chery Omoda 5 在 Kedah Kulim 的 Inokom 组装厂进行了本地组装，将提供两种型号，起价为 RM108,800。
2023 年款 Chery Omoda 5 外观
凭借其“动态艺术”设计语言，Chery Omoda 5 或许是我们岸边最引人注目的 B 段跨界车，这种设计语言展现了独特的锐利线条和大胆的设计触感，Chery 说这是为了吸引“25-30岁的年轻消费者”。
B 段跨界车的外观亮点包括：
LED 大灯带LED日行灯
LED 尾灯
18 英寸合金轮毂（H型号有红色装饰）
顺序转向指示灯（仅 H 型号）
欢迎灯动画（仅 H 型号）
红色外部条纹（仅 H 型号）
外部颜色选项：卡其白，深黑，幽灵灰，双色卡其白和深黑（H型号专属）
2023 年款 Chery Omoda 5 性能
在发布时，Chery Omoda 5 将提供一款由 1.5 升涡轮增压直列四缸发动机和 CVT 变速箱组成的单一动力总成。
发动机：1.5 升，涡轮增压直列四缸，汽油
变速器：连续可变，九个虚拟档位
驱动方式：前置发动机，前驱
最大马力：156 hp
最大扭矩：230 Nm @ 1,750 – 4,500 rpm
Chery 表示，稍后还会推出更强大的 1.6 升涡轮增压型号，以及今年早些时候在中国首次展示的全电动 BEV 型号。
高科技内饰
2023年款 Chery Omoda 5 的驾驶舱也拥有时尚的仪表板设计，最为引人注目的是双 10.25 英寸显示屏，用作数字化仪表集群和信息娱乐系统，以及仪表板装饰和中央杯架上独特的环境照明系统。
设备方面，2023 年款 Chery Omoda 5 的标准配置包括：
无线 Apple CarPlay 和 Android Auto 连接
智能语音助手
声学玻璃
双区恒温空调
电子手刹
无线手机充电板
带动态指引线的倒车摄像头
仿皮和布料座椅（仅 H 型号提供仿皮座椅）
八喇叭 Sony Premium 音响系统（仅 H 型号）
6向电动驾驶座带通风（仅 H 型号）
电动天窗（仅 H 型号）
免提电动尾门（仅 H 型号）
高级安全标配
全新的 2023 年款 Chery Omoda 5 在马来西亚将标配一套先进的驾驶辅助功能，包括：
自动紧急制动 自适应巡航控制与低速跟随（0-180 km/h） 交通堵塞辅助 集成巡航辅助 车道偏离警告和防止辅助 紧急车道保持 后向交叉交通警告 盲点检测 此外，H 型号还增加了 360 度环视监视器、交通标志识别和速度限制辅助系统。
2023 Chery Omoda 5 在马来西亚的价格
2023 Chery Omoda 5 提供两种型号，价格如下：
2023 Chery Omoda 5 C –
RM108,800
2023 Chery Omoda 5 H –
RM118,800
价格中包含七年的标准制造商保修，以及五年的免费服务（劳务）。首批 3,000 名客户还将获得 Chery Omoda 5 动力总成部件的 10 年/1,000,000 km 发动机保修；稍后可以购买扩展保修，价格为 RM2,000。
【英文版】
【图集】


2023 Toyota GR Corolla launched in Malaysia, RM355k 6-speed manual hot hatch

Together with another two GR Toyota cars and two ‘GR Sport’ cars, the 2023
Toyota GR Corolla
 has finally been launched in Malaysia, with a price tag of
RM355,000
. Made for the hardcore Toyota enthusiast, the GR Corolla is available with a six-speed manual only. Launched together with the GR Corolla today are the
all-new GR86
, the
manual GR Supra
, the
Hilux GR Sport
, and
Corolla Cross GR Sport
.
By the way, if you’re looking to renew your insurance, you can get a 10% rebate and cash back at the end of your policy if you renew with MotorTakaful by Etiqa. Just log on to
www.motortakaful.com
.
The closest thing we’ve ever had to the GR Corolla in Malaysia before this is the
Corolla Altis
 sedan. You may have seen the non-GR hatchback version of the Corolla in Malaysia as there are some grey market units here. In terms of dimensions, the hatchback GR Corolla measures 4,410 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,455 mm in height (excluding the antenna). The hatchback has a 2,640 mm wheelbase, which is 40 mm shorter than the regular sedan version.
Compared to the regular hatchback version of the Corolla, the GR Corolla is 30 mm wider at the front and rear fenders, producing an overall broader stance. The front end looks very familiar, but a lot more aggressive thanks to the GR front bumper, a different hood with air vents, and a sportier headlight cluster. For lighter weight, the roof is made of forged carbon fibre.
Wheels are 18-inch cast alloys all around and they get the 15-spoke design with a gloss black finish. Pre-equipped on the GR Corolla are a set of 235/40R18 Yokohama ADVAN Apex tyres. Behind the wheels are 4-pot callipers in front and 2-pot callipers in the rear. As for suspension, it’s a MacPherson strut setup at the front and a double wishbone setup in the rear.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota GR86 launched in Malaysia – 6MT and 6AT options, from RM295k
Powering the car is a G16E-GTS 1.6-litre inline-3 turbocharged engine that makes
304 hp
 (metric) at 6,500 rpm and
370 Nm
 at 3,000-5,550 rpm. Essentially evolved from the
GR Yaris
’ 1.6-litre engine, the GR Corolla’s mill has been improved in terms of engine exhaust efficiency to achieve a higher output.
The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission and power is sent to all wheels via the GR-FOUR 4WD system. The driveline features an electronic multi-plate clutch that offers 3 selectable modes. There’s a limited-slip differential (LSD) for the front wheels and another one for the rear wheels.
RELATED:
Toyota GR Supra now with 6-speed manual in Malaysia, from RM645k
Inside, the GR Corolla has a very familiar layout, albeit given the GR treatment. There’s a GR steering wheel, a full TFT meter that has been developed exclusively for GR models, GR bucket seats, a short-stroke shift lever, and the good old hand-operated parking brake.
Despite the craziness of it all, safety is still a top priority in the GR Corolla. The car comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense advanced driver assistance systems. It’s an amazing start to the year for Toyota in Malaysia with the launch of the GR Corolla, all-new GR86, manual GR Supra, Hilux GR Sport, and Corolla Cross GR Sport.
RELATED:
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport launched – sports suspension, 18-inch GR wheels, from RM142k
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Hyundai Kona Electric unveiled, first all-electric SUV to go on sale in Europe

Hyundai Motor’s new Global Compact SUV, the
Hyundai Kona
 has just received an all-electric powertrain. The Kona Electric will be the first all-electric compact SUV to go on sale on the European market.
At a glance, the Kona Electric looks no different from the regular petrol variant. Upon closer inspection, the electrified SUV now sits 20 mm taller and is longer by 15 mm compared to the regular Kona. The front also gets a more angular sculpture for better aerodynamic efficiency.
The Kona Electric is available with a two-tone roof as standard – seven exterior colours in combination with three roof colours, giving a total of 21 exterior styling.
Inside, the Kona Electric gets an exclusive seven-inch supervision cluster display with electric specific gauges such as battery charge level, energy flow and drive mode. The only compromise with the electrified Kona is a slightly smaller boot space at
332 litres
 compared to 360 litres on the petrol variant. This is to accommodate a dedicated storage space for the charging cable. Other than that, interior trims and specifications ditto the petrol version.
The Kona Electric is available in two configurations: a long-range version with
64 kWh
 battery pack and a basic version with
39.2 kWh
 battery pack. The long-range Kona’s electric motor delivers
150 kW
 (201 hp) and has a theoretical range of
470 km
. The basic version packs
99 kW
 (132 hp) and an all-electric range of
 299 km
.

Both versions of the Kona Electric packs
395 Nm
 of twisting force and has a rated top speed of
 167 km/h
. Charging the lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80 percent only takes about 54 minutes using a 100 kW direct current (DC) fast charger. Charging port is located next to the front Hyundai Emblem.
Hyundai SmartSense advanced driving assistance technology comes as standard which bundles Smart Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning System with Lane Keep Assist, Blind-Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Warning and Speed Limit Information Function.
IMAGE GALLERY
Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai Kona Turbo Petrol

 Hyundai Kona


Volkswagen sold 3.12 million cars in the first half of 2018

Volkswagen achieved a new half-yearly record in the first half of 2018 with 3.12 million deliveries across all markets the brand has a presence in. The brand also posted a significant increase in sales revenue, operating profit and return on sales, on track with their newly posted forecast of 10 per cent increase in sales revenue.
Year to date, the main driver for the growth in 1H 2018 is due to the success of Volkswagen’s SUV models namely the Tiguan, Touareg, T-Roc and soon-to-be-launched T-Cross. The Tiguan has become a global best-seller while sales of the flagship Touareg model will be picking up following its global debut in Q2 2018. The brand has also received 100,000 for the T-Roc which proved to be very popular in Europe.

Volkswagen recorded a positive development in all major markets, Western Europe, China and the USA while emerging markets for the brand such as Russia and Brazil saw increased in deliveries by more than 20 per cent.
For the first six months of 2018, Volkswagen posted a sales revenue of €42.7 billion while operating profit is up 19.9 per cent to €2.1 billion compared to the same period last year.
Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand responsible for Finance, Dr. Arno Antlitz commented: “The good operating performance in the first half of the year shows that we are making progress step-by-step with the realignment of the Volkswagen brand. Customer demand for our new models continues at a high level. At the same time, we are continuing to exercise cost discipline. We must consistently pursue this path and further accelerate our transformation to raise our earnings power to a really competitive level that is viable for the future in the long term.”


Review: McLaren 600LT Spider – A back to basics supercar

McLaren is a marque that requires no introduction, with a racing heritage that goes back to the 60s. However, it was the creation of one of the best supercars ever, the McLaren F1, that seared its existence onto public consciousness. Like most supercars, the F1 dived deep into the racing world, where years of battles advanced it into its best and final form, the McLaren F1 GTR Long Tail.
Long
Tail, then, is a historically significant name given to only the best that
comes out of Woking, and there is only one car in its stable today with the
name – the McLaren 600LT.
McLaren compartmentalises its cars into three categories or Series: Sports Series, Super Series, and Ultimate Series. The
600LT sits at the pinnacle of the Sport Series
, and in putting the heavy LT weight on its shoulders, McLaren could have easily given it every weapon in its disposal to create an unrelenting, no-nonsense supercar. Is it, though?
But first, some numbers. This orange example is a McLaren 600LT Spider. Aside from an
extra 48 kg
 from its roofing mechanism, it is identical to its Coupé sibling. Woking’s venerable
3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 powerplant
 makes
600 hp
 and
620 Nm
 of torque in this application, and power finds its way to the rear wheels via a
7-speed dual clutch transmission
.
This means the 600LT Spider will dust the
century sprint in 2.9 seconds
, and then the second century in 8.4 seconds, going all the way up to
324 km/h
. It has
ceramic brakes
 lifted from the 720S (390 mm up front, 380 mm at the rear) which will bring it to a standstill from 200 km/h in 121 metres.
These are serious numbers, and of course we never got close to it on our public roads. Further injection of agility comes by weight savings. Thinner glass, carbon fibre panels, lightened suspension components – all of these add up, and if you tick every lightweight option box to make it as light as possible, it will weigh in at
1.4-tonne
.
In Spider form, the 600LT is actually
50 kg lighter than the 570S
. However, we don’t recommend this uncompromising pursuit for lightness as there won’t be air conditioning, stereo, and front axle lift – features that are highly necessary on our sweltering weather and pockmarked roads.
Unlike models in the other loftier Series, the 600LT Spider makes do
without active aero
 and that magical hydraulically-linked suspension setup that is the calling card of modern McLarens. It rides on a setup with anti-roll bars, and this is where we begin to understand just what McLaren truly wanted to create.
Where
the hydraulic suspension feels aloof – almost as if it’s a higher being that
only tolerates the existence of the driver – the traditional setup is down to
earth in its honesty. The ride is on the acceptable side of firm when the
dampers are set to Normal, but more than that, there is a transparency that the
hydraulic system simply did not set out to do. Every inch of the road is
communicated exactly as it is to the driver through the seat, and the same
transparency is found in every tool used to communicate with the car.
You
can see that the steering wheel is fantastically austere, and it communicated
volumes. Every little stone can be felt through the Alcantara finished wheel,
and it was telepathically direct to turn into corners. The brakes needed some
warming up, as is normal in carbon discs, and are hugely reassuring in both
weight and stopping power when they get up to temperature.
The cumulative
result of all these coming together is feedback channel that is both predictable
and instantaneous.
However, the engine felt comparatively, well, normal. Where everything else had an immediacy and delicacy, the V8 powerplant is unassuming below 3000 rpm, and then ‘woomph’ the boost really comes on and you’re exploding into the horizon. Some drivers will undoubtedly like this, but it doesn’t fully integrate with the character of the car. The engine doesn’t really sing either, preferring to holler instead when prodded.
It
goes without saying that there is absolutely no way to even go near its limits
on a public road, so the other half of the day was spent on the other important
aspect of supercar ownership: posing.
We kid – it was spent ogling and feeling up every inch of the car, and in McLaren Orange, the 600LT Spider looks superb. All the carbon fibre inserts stand out in stark contrast, and as is usual in supercar ownership, most of everything is customisable. As tested, this example received the
MSO Clubsport Pack
 and
Carbon Fibre Upgrades
 that brings – you guessed it – carbon fibre parts like the front splitter, side skirts, wing mirrors, side vents, rear diffuser and rear wing.
The
last has a special coating in the middle section of it to prevent any damage
from hot exhaust fumes.
The aforementioned MSO Clubsport Pack definitely brings further character to the car. Amongst its many elements is a pair of
Super-Lightweight Carbon Fibre Racing Seats
 (found in the McLaren Senna as well). They weigh
3.35 kg a piec
e, and are the highlight of the interior while, as mentioned earlier, adding to the transparent driving experience. However, this monochrome interior won’t be palatable to everyone, so specify it right and you can have Burnt Orange or Midnight Blue accents in it.
A
simple contortion brings us into an interior that is as focused as we’ve ever
come across in modern supercars. These seats look the business and are surprisingly
comfortable if you’re around the mean Asian height – I spent hours diving in
and out of them and driving the car with no aches to show for it, but I digress.
The seating
position is absolutely spot on, and from here there is a slight hint of the front
bodywork so placing the car around corners is surprisingly easy. There aren’t
many buttons to play with to put the focus where it’s supposed to be, and they are
all within easy reach of the driver. The resulting effect is a clean,
minimalistic cockpit that is pleasing to eye, and psychologically it primes the
driver towards driving more than anything. Your passenger won’t have much fun,
but in here, it’s all about you.
Like
all convertibles, extra drama comes when the roof is brought down. The engine
is suddenly so much louder, and there is a keen awareness that it is right
behind you. A haze created by the heat of the exhausts finds permanent residence
in the rear view mirror. Look over the side of the door and the body parts that
help aero are within easy reach. Theatre is what convertibles are about, and
all of this certainly makes up for the miniscule dent in performance.
All
of this brings us back to the question, is it an unrelenting, no nonsense track
special? Yes… and no. In its quest to create a pure, driving experience for the
track, I think Woking also created (fortuitously so) a remarkably approachable
supercar. It will unquestionably dissect tracks everywhere, but at the same
time you know exactly what it brings to the table, thereby removing some of the
intimidation that supercars always have. It has all these weapons, but it lays
it on the table and says, you take over and use whatever you want.
In the fast-moving (pun intended) world of supercars, this basic approach to creating an entertaining and extraordinary driving experience is refreshing. Every single officially imported 600LT into Malaysia (of which only a couple are Spiders, retailing at
circa RM2.4 million
 including duties but before options) have been sold, and the car has also been lauded all around the world. It’s really no wonder. The 600LT Spider deserves the name, and it certainly carries the weight forward into the modern era with aplomb.
Here’s a bonus gif of the 600LT spitting
fire
IMAGE GALLERY


Haval Jolion previewed in Malaysia – Hybrid B-segment SUV to launch in 2023

Aside from the
 Haval H6
 and
Cannon pick-up truck
,
GWM Malaysia
 also took the opportunity to show off the Haval Jolion at the
Malaysia Autoshow 2023
. The Jolion is one of the three models that the company has
confirmed for Malaysi
a (alongside the Haval H6 and
Ora Good Cat
), and we’re now finally getting our first look at the B-segment crossover.
No detailed information were provided on the Haval Jolion at the stand, so we can only take educated guesses based on these photos. But at least we don’t have to wait too much longer, as GWM Malaysia said that the car will be launched in Malaysia by the end of this year.
Size wise, the Haval Jolion measures similarly to the
 Toyota Corolla Cross
, which means it’s actually slightly larger than most of its competitors in the segment. The car seen here is the hybrid version, as such it features several unique styling touches to differentiate itself from the regular variants, including the Star Matrix grille, as well as the blue accents on the unique headlamps.
On the mention of headlamps, the Haval Jolion HEV’s headlamp clusters are also unique to the variant, featuring three individual LED projector units, and a massive triangular segment underneath with horizontal daytime-running light elements that also doubles as the front turn indicators.
Other things of note include the 18-inch wheels, C-shaped taillight signature, chrome elements on the skidplate-esque bumper trims, and the unique light blue hue for the metalwork. Curiously, this exact blue colour is not offered in Thailand, where we’ll presumably be importing our cars from.
The cabin of the Haval Jolion also has a certain air of premium-ness, thanks to its use of the dual-tone leather upholstery in black and tan, mixed with wooden trims on the dashboard and centre console. As standard, the Haval Jolion comes equipped with a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display perched on the dashboard.
This car, though, is the range-topping variant (from Thailand), which comes with additional niceties including a larger 12.3-inch centre screen, a panoramic glass roof, head-up display for the driver, and a Qi wireless charging pad.
RELATED:
Haval H6 HEV previewed at Malaysia Auto Show 2023 – Hybrid X70 rival?
As the HEV badge on the tailgate suggests, the car here is indeed the hybrid variant, featuring a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four engine underneath the bonnet and a seven-speed DCT gearbox with an integrated electric motor for a combined system output of
190 hp
and
375 Nm
.
The Haval Jolion is also offered with a regular petrol powertrain, with a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-four mill underneath the bonnet making
143 hp
and
 210 Nm
. Despite being sighted here in Malaysia with (presumably) this configuration previously, we’re unsure if the petrol variant will eventually be available here, as our neighbour up North currently don’t have it in production.
Obviously, no pricing information is available just yet, but don’t expect it to undercut many of its competitors, given its fully-imported (CBU) nature. For reference, the Haval Jolion is available in three variants over in Thailand, with pricing ranging from THB879,000 (approx. RM115k) to THB999,000 (approx. RM130k).
With the introduction of the Haval Jolion and
Chery Omoda 5
 due this year, it seems that the compact crossover segment here in Malaysia is about to heat up again. Do any of these Chinese crossovers pique your fancy? Let us know in the comments below!
ALSO READ:
GWM Cannon previewed at Malaysia Autoshow 2023, Hilux alternative
GALLERY


This Isuzu D-Max Arctic Truck AT35 costs RM208k in the UK

Isuzu UK have teamed up with Arctic Trucks, the 4×4 specialist, to launch the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35. Designed and reengineered to perform in the most gruelling conditions, the new variant will be available for purchase in the UK from 1st October 2017 onwards.
Originated in Iceland, Arctic Trucks specialises in converting 4×4 vehicles for extreme conditions while maintaining high levels of drivability, safety and reliability. On top of the
high-spec D-Max Utah variant
, the AT35 adds tinted windows, shark fin antenna, tailgate damper and black wheels (silver finish available as an option).

Inside, the AT35 adds Arctic Trucks branded headrest embroidery, carpet mats, door sill covers and interior badging onto the existing keyless entry & push button start system, 7-inch multifunction colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Audio as well as satellite navigation.
No changes were made to the engine – the recently debuted
Euro 6-compliant 1.9-litre turbodiesel
 with
162 hp
 and
 360 Nm
 of torque paired to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Towing capacity remains at 3.5 tonne with one tonne payload.

Colour options for the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 include – Splash White, Cosmic Black, Obsidian Grey, Venetian Red, Tundra Green, Titanium Silver and Nautilus Blue. The company is asking an additional £4.5k (RM24.6k) at £37,995 (RM208k) for the AT35 over the standard range-topping D-Max.
IMAGE GALLERY


Tesla to set up HQ, flagship showroom and service centre in Selangor this year

Following its
impending official launch in Malaysia
, American EV maker
Tesla
will soon be opening its flagship outlets – including the company headquarters, experience centres, and service centres – in Selangor later this year.
This was confirmed by Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, following a virtual meeting with Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk this morning.
Photo: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook
“Malaysia will continue to strengthen its commitment towards net-zero carbon emissions as early as 2050,” the Prime Minister said in a statement after the meeting. “Malaysia has a comprehensive plan and ecosystem, as well as competitive resources to support the clean energy industry including electric mobility.”
The government first announced its carbon neutrality aspirations in the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) roadmap.
The American EV carmaker today
opened the order books
 for the
Tesla Model Y
 for Malaysia, with pricing for the fully-electric crossover to start from RM199,000 for the entry-level standard range RWD variant.
An
initial list of 10 Tesla Supercharger locations
 have also been published on the carmaker’s local website, which the company says will be “coming soon”, as part of its
‘BEV Global Leaders initiative’
 agreement with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
The 25-minute virtual meeting was also joined by SpaceX senior director Lauren Dreyer, alongside MITI minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Aside from Tesla discussions, the meeting also touched on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite broadband service, which Anwar said could boost the nation’s internet connectivity especially in rural areas, due to the minimal physical infrastructure requirements.
“The initiative could improve the ability and well-being of the people, especially from the aspects of education and agriculture technology,” he added.


BMW Malaysia reveals 2nd batch of limited-edition BMW X5 with M Performance parts

BMW Malaysia has revealed the second batch of limited-edition, locally-assembled BMW X5 PHEVs with M Performance parts. The first batch of limited-edition BMW X5 with M Performance Parts was revealed at Auto Bavaria dealerships last year. The limited-edition model is based on the
X5 xDrive45e PHEV.
The new batch will be priced at
RM480,800 each
 and is limited to
just 22 units
. The standard X5 xDrive45e PHEV M Sport launched in 2020 is priced at
RM440,745
. Each purchase is accompanied by complimentary gifts worth RM22,000.
The BMW M Performance Parts package is priced at RM36,000 and it includes:
Gloss black front grille
Carbon fibre side mirror caps
20-inch Star Spoke style 748M
As for the complimentary gifts worth RM22,000, they include:
BMW umbrella
BMW leather care set
BMW brake pad & disc voucher
Luxury suitcase
STOKKE reusable ceramic cup
While it may be a follow-up to the previous batch of limited-edition BMW X5 from last year, both editions appear to be
quite different
. They still share the same wheel design and carbon fibre side mirror caps, but the 1st batch had a chrome grille instead. The first batch also had winglets by the edges of the front and rear bumper.
Last year’s limited-edition BMW X5
…with M Performance parts.
According to Sime Darby, Auto Bavaria, Managing Director, Mr. Vi Thim Juan, the popularity of the limited edition unit is attributed to the M Performance parts, as these parts not only enhance the look of the vehicle but also add to the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
“30 units from the first batch of limited-edition BMW X5 M Performance sold out within one week at Auto Bavaria dealerships last year as the vehicles were extremely limited, offered more dynamic and sporty appeal matched with an already best-in-class product offering in terms of design, technology, comfort, and performance,” he added.
GALLERY


Tesla, Smart, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo will change how we buy cars in Malaysia

Car showrooms aren’t exactly what they used to be anymore. Drop by one on a long weekend or a public holiday, and there’s not much of a crowd going on. And this is all just a symptom of the change in direction for how we buy cars. In Malaysia today, we can already obtain comprehensive information about the cars we are interested in online, and from there only we proceed to contact a dealer. Things are about to change even further thanks to brands like
Tesla
,
Smart
,
Mercedes-Benz
, and
Volvo
. Here’s why.
All the companies mentioned are taking a direct-to-consumer approach, some of which have already been that way from the beginning (i.e. Tesla) and some which have switched to it from the traditional dealership model. And judging by how quickly we have all become accustomed to ordering food deliveries online, the adoption of the more direct-to-consumer method of buying cars shouldn’t be too difficult either. As Smart cars puts it on its website, “Ordering a car is as easy as buying pizza”.
If you’re still confused as to what this all means, you’re not alone, as we’ve become quite accustomed to the traditional dealership model
What it basically means is that you will be able to buy your car online from the comfort of your own home. And you will be able to see the full stock availability of the car that you would like to order. Take a look at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s website now and you will see what this means.
RELATED:
No more dealer discounts – Mercedes-Benz implements agency model in Malaysia with retail partners
Almost like looking at a bunch of diecast models on a shopping rack. Notice how there are 5 GLAs, all symbolizing available stocks
It is as if all cars are placed on a shopping rack for you to select – There might be a blue A 200 next to a grey A 200, and on the shelf below it is a black AMG A45 S and a red GLB. They won’t be arranged in such order, but you get what it means. You can also see where the stock is located on Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s website
The same thing can be seen on Tesla’s UK website and Smart Germany’s website for example. It all just honestly feels like you are selecting which diecast car model to buy – It is quite an interesting experience. Volvo Car Malaysia’s website doesn’t quite give you the same feeling (of buying a diecast model), but the fact remains that you are able to see the stock availability of the car that you are interested in.
RELATED:
Tesla Model Y open for bookings in Malaysia – from RM199k, extra RM32k for FSD
Tesla UK inventory
Buying experience aside, what this also means is that car prices will be standard and there will be no more such things as “Dealer discounts”. Fundamentally, what is changing is the fact that the stock of the cars available is owned by the manufacturer instead of the dealer.
With the traditional dealership model, you have car dealers buying the stock of cars and hence taking a business risk with them – the cars could either end up being sold or not. With the new model of some manufacturers (agency model), the stock is owned by the principal (i.e. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia), and the agent is paid a fee for their services. The agent does not take on any business risk like a dealer.
RELATED:
Spied – Smart #1 Brabus in Malaysia – 428hp, 543Nm, 400km range
Smart’s inventory in Germany
That is really what this all is about – A smoother experience for the consumer and a restructuring of the fundamental way that car sales are done. Volvo Car Malaysia was the first to launch its online car purchasing platform in Malaysia for its electric car. Mercedes-Benz Malaysia reportedly is the first to introduce the agency model in the SEA region.
Tesla will be launching in Malaysia soon and the company has always conducted its sales in this manner. There will also be the Smart electric car which, judging by its sales methods in other regions, will be available for purchase online in Malaysia too.
RELATED:
Volvo Car Malaysia launches new e-commerce platform – ‘Shop Online’ for your next car
Even with all of these changes happening, it doesn’t omit the need for a physical showroom. Test drives still require physical presence and car ownership isn’t complete without experiencing how the brand presents itself (through its facilities). Car showrooms are also now often clumped together with the brand’s other services (maintenance, repairs, etc.).
We’ve gone from phoning taxis to just tapping a few buttons to get a ride quite easily. It shouldn’t be too difficult to change how we buy cars. After Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Smart, and Volvo, many more shall follow.


Mercedes-Benz will offer solar roofs on production EVs starting from 2024

Solar panels on electric cars always sounded like the most common-sense idea – it’s literally free energy, right? Well, technically yes, but in reality the actual benefits in real-world applications haven’t really been all that groundbreaking.
We don’t have to look too far for an example: Hyundai estimates that the tech only adds about 5 km of range per day on the
Ioniq 5
, and 3.5 km on the
Sonata Hybrid
. But despite that, Mercedes-Benz is still convinced that solar panel roof is the answer for EVs, and will begin offering them on their new cars starting from 2024.
The news comes from Mercedes-Benz’s CTO Markus Schäfer, who told the media during a roundtable event after the launch of the
Vision EQXX
 this week.
“Customers probably will have the choice in the future to opt for complete glass roofs uninterrupted, or solar roofs, which are extremely aesthetically attractive, but also the benefit of putting additional energy into the battery,” Schäfer said.
“We work with the German research institute of Fraunhofer … who co-developed with us, solar panels, a very very efficient solar panel roof which we’re putting in our vehicles, and that’s the idea with series vehicles in the future, probably starting 2024 with an increasing number of solar roofs in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.”
Looking at the numbers from the Vision EQXX, it does seem that the German carmaker is actually onto something. Mercedes claims that the solar roof on the concept vehicle is capable of adding up to 25 km of range per day – that’s five times of what Hyundai achieved with the Ioniq 5.
A huge part of that achievement comes from the way Mercedes-Benz handles the electricity from the solar cells. Instead of the drivetrain’s battery, the energy captured from sunlight is fed into a separate lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to supply power to the car’s ancillary systems, including the air conditioning, lights, and infotainment system.
By using a separate dedicated electrical architecture, stress is taken off the high-voltage system, thus increasing the range of the car. That being said, though, Mercedes-Benz said that they’re also developing a solar power system that is capable of supplying power directly to the powertrain’s battery too.
Of course, how well all of these translate onto a regular production EV remains to be seen – not every car has a drag coefficient of just 0.17 Cd. Mercedes-Benz seems confident about it, so we’ll just have to wait and see. But one thing we do know is that it’ll at least be quite good-looking, as Schäfer mentions repeatedly…
[Source: Autoblog]


Peugeot UK introduces personalized car horns [+Video]

Our dreams may have just come true with the possibility of personalizing our car horns! Peugeot introduced the Audio Sonic Peronalization Program in the UK allowing users to choose their car horn from a library of sounds or even from their smartphone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMZvt1_sZnk
Users can truly individualize they way their car horn sounds like whenever they want from the audio library. “Birdsong or Bach, Jazz Trumpet or Dubstep, the only limit will be our customers’ imaginations” said Orvil Pondaiss, Peugeot’s New Head of Audio Sonic Personalization.
“We’re delighted that our customers will be able to take personalization to the next level with our new feature. We’ll be offering guidance on how to create a distinctive horn that will get a positive reaction from fellow drivers. Hopefully thousands of Peugeot customers will be looking forward to getting their own horn later this year,” Pondaiss added.
Developed by engineers and sound designers at Peugeot’s Technical Center, the new Audio Sonic technology will be a standard feature across the entire Peugeot range from July 2014 onwards in the UK. Let’s hope Naza will bring this feature to Malaysia by then!


Suzuki is officially returning to Malaysia, distributed by Naza Eastern Motors

Suzuki has just officially announced their return to Malaysia. The Japanese brand known for its compact and fun-to-drive vehicles will be distributed by Naza Eastern Motors (NEM).
The first Suzuki model is set to be launched in Malaysia
this month
, and two models are planned for the brand’s return.
SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman and CEO, Naza Corporation Holdings said, “It brings us great honour to be able to work with a Japanese automotive giant that successfully captured the hearts of Malaysian consumers during its years in the Malaysian market. The team at Naza Eastern Motors is committed to ensure we build on the strong reputation Suzuki has established by providing quality products that are reliable, desirable and cheerful.”
Suzuki’s first flagship 3S showroom is set to be located in Naza Automall, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Inspired by the Suzuki “Way of Life!” motto, the 3,000 sqft facility will provide sales, servicing and spare parts for the new generation of Suzuki vehicles.
“Over the years, Suzuki has produced great products that have piqued the interest of many around the globe. We are looking to kick-start Suzuki’s reintroduction in Malaysia by launching two of its most discussed and desirable models this year. Loyal Suzuki fans can also expect an exciting product line-up in the subsequent years.” says Dato Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan, Group Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings.
Meanwhile, the Senior Managing Officer, Executive General Manager, Global Automobile Marketing at Suzuki Motor Corporation, Mr Kinji Saito said, “We are delighted to return to the Malaysian market with the NAZA Group as our distributor. Our experience with the Malaysian market has been delightful due to the huge acceptance from our customers, and we greatly appreciate the continued trust for Suzuki. We are looking forward to introducing our latest award-winning cars to these loyal Suzuki fans.”
With regards to the first two models, nothing has been shared but SM Nasarudin did mention in a leading news daily the group will focus on businesses where the company would have more control, with the potential to bring in higher revenue and
better profit margins
.
Unfortunately, that discounts the entry and volume-selling models like the
Thailand-made Swift
 and Ertiga-replacing XL7 seven-seater.
Models higher-up the price ladder would be the turbocharged
Suzuki Swift Sport
 and a few SUVs. But given the indication of “most discussed and desirable models”, the
Jimny
 definitely fits the description.
We at Autobuzz.my are excited about the brand’s return and will keep everyone updated as soon as the information is available.


New Mercedes Vision EQXX offers over 1,000km of electric driving range

Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled a concept vehicle that showcases the technologies used to surpass the magical 1,000 km range in an electric vehicle.
A slippery shape is important for efficiency and as such, the Mercedes Vision EQXX has an incredibly slippery shape, defined by a Coefficient of drag (Cd) value of just
0.17
. This ground-breaking figure surpasses the company’s earlier
Mercedes EQS
 premium EV Cd value of 0.20 which is the current record for production vehicles, and even smoother than an American football measured to be in the region of 0.18 to 0.20.
A retractable rear diffuser on the
McLaren Speedtail
-like tail is deployed only at higher speeds when the air resistance becomes very pronounced.
When viewed from the top, a teardrop shape tightening towards the rear can be seen, as Mercedes-Benz has deliberated made the rear axle 50 mm narrower compared to the front, all in the name of aerodynamic efficiency.
Lower vehicle weight is also a necessity for increased in driving range, and this is where the price to pay to go further starts escalating. The bodyshell showcases the advancements in technology, produced with 100% scrap using an electric-arc furnace technique.
The doors of the EQXX meanwhile are made from a hybrid of carbon-fibre and glass-fibre reinforced plastics with aluminium reinforcements. The rear floor of the concept meanwhile features Mercedes-Benz latest innovation called ‘BIONEQXX’ aluminium-casted structure.
Instead of carbon-ceramic brake discs, the Mercedes Vision EQXX comes with aluminium brake discs and this material is chosen as brake dust emissions are reduced by up to 90%. Another unique technology only found in this concept is the advanced glass-fibre reinforced plastic springs all in the name to reduce overall mass.
At an estimated 1,750 kg, the Vision EQXX is a whopping 900 kg lighter than the Mercedes EQS and other high-performance EVs such as the Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model S and the Audi e-tron!
Moving to the powertrain, everything in the Vision EQXX is bespoke and the development team worked energetically together with its top motorsports colleagues from the Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (
HPP
) as well as the Formula E team.
The electrical architecture features a higher-than-average voltage value of over 900 volts, with a large 100 kWh battery pack that is as powerful as the EQS but some 50% smaller in dimension and 30% lighter. This results in a remarkable energy density of 400 Wh/L and a weight of under 500 kg.
New fluid products from Petronas IONA will be vital for the efficiency of the next-generation EVs
The rear-mounted electric drive unit with approximately 150 kW (
204 hp
) is a dedicated unit consisting of the electric motor, transmission and power electronics featuring a new generation of silicon carbides. Technology from the upcoming
Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar
 is also seen in the power electronics.
The technical team has designed the powertrain (battery, motor, transmission etc) to deliver 95% efficiency, meaning 95% of the energy from the battery ends up at the wheels. As such, the 20-inch Turanza Eco tyres provided by
Bridgestone
 with ‘ENLITEN’ and ‘ologic’ technologies are carefully selected to transmit all that efficiency to the ground.
Adam Allsopp, the Advanced Technology Director from HPP said the battery management system and power electronics have been designed with an absolute focus on reducing losses. The new battery also sees new chemistry of the anodes with higher silicon content and advanced composition.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Petronas to install DC fast chargers in preparation for the launch of EQ models in Malaysia
With a range of over 1,000 km, the Mercedes Vision EQXX can start a journey from
Cycle & Carriage Bintang
 in Johor Bahru, travel northwards without any recharge and arrive at Hat Yai and Songkhla, Thailand, with some range still left!
Passengers will also experience a new level of bio- and nature-based comfort, with seats upholstered from animal-free simulated leather material called Desserttex and Mylo, a material that originated from mycelium, which is the underground rootlike structure of mushrooms. Bamboo fibres are used for carpets to line the floor of the Mercedes Vision EQXX. These materials are not only sustainable but lightweight too.
Other key technologies in the Vision EQXX include clever software and artificial intelligence as well as a solar-charging roof panel that adds up to 25 km of range, as the power generated is stored in a dedicated battery to drive the accessories, reducing the burden on the main battery.
In the US, the
Lucid Air Dream Edition Range
 with 933 hp holds the unofficial title of the furthest range for an EV at 837 km (520 miles), as certified by the US EPA, while the aforementioned Mercedes EQS has a variant configured to deliver up to 770 km of range under the WLTP standard.
Meanwhile, one of the vehicles with the shortest range on sale in Malaysia today is the
MINI Cooper SE
 at just 232 km priced at RM217,470. Mazda’s MX-30 will takeover that honour with just a range of 200 km, as Bermaz Auto has
hinted at the intention
 to bring in a variety of EVs thanks to the government’s incentive under
Budget 2022
.
GALLERY


Perodua sold 282k cars in 2022, no increase in car prices soon

In 2022,
Perodua

sold a total of
282,019
 cars, showing a 48.2% growth from 2021. Production rose by 49.5% year-on-year, with a total of 289,054 cars produced. Perodua also reported 30% increase in after-sales intake going from 2 million in 2021 to 2.6 million in 2022.
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “These achievements were also the local ecosystem’s shared commitment towards our customers and our collective roles in advancing this industry.”
2022 was a challenging year for Perodua as there were many obstacles such as the automotive ecosystem’s recovery from the massive flood and the shortage of workers due to spikes in Covid-19 cases at the supplier level. There was also the shortage of semiconductor chips supply and the sudden increase in raw material prices.
Dato’s Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “The industry did a lot of soul searching and from the learning points obtained during the pandemic and we realised that we needed to take active steps to recover in 2021 – which saw its fair share of challenges and from there to maximise the ecosystem’s potential in 2022. Our goal was to meet customers’ expectations of us– not just in terms of delivery of products and services but also in introducing greater value offerings to all Malaysians.”
Despite the challenges, 2022 has been the best year so far for Perodua and the Malaysian automotive industry in general. In December 2022, Perodua managed to average 1,000 vehicles made and registered per day.
RELATED:
Perodua has sold 250,795 cars so far this year, the most in its history
Perodua has stated that it will maintain its vehicle prices should factors such as material prices, fuel prices, foreign exchange, and interest rates remain within acceptable levels. In lieu of the mentioned factors, other manufacturers have increased prices of their cars.
The Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer said, “For now, our priority is to deliver to those who booked their Perodua within the sales tax exemption period as the price for these vehicles will remain as per agreed until 31 March 2023 deadline.”
Moving forward, Perodua will continue to introduce new technologies in its future products and services as well as to continue to invest in innovations in its operations. The company will announce its full list of targets later this month.
RELATED:
Perodua launches Ativa Hybrid leasing programme – RM500/month for 5 years


Gallery: Volkswagen Arteon R-Line, better looking than the CC?

Displayed alongside the
Volkswagen Golf GTI MK7.5
 at the 2018 Singapore Motor Show is the
all-new Volkswagen Arteon
. The Passat CC’s spiritual successor is dressed in the most aggressive R-Line trim, painted in its hero colour, Turmeric Yellow.
Sitting on the group’s modular MQB platform, the Arteon measures at 4,862 mm in length, 1,871 mm in width, 1,450 mm in height and 2,837 mm in wheelbase; larger in all dimensions compared to its lesser twin, the Passat B8. The Arteon also benefits from a stiffer body rigidity (up 10 percent) and a lower drag coefficient of
0.265
.

The
R-Line trim
 differentiates itself from the more aggressive front bumper with R badge embossed in the grille and a subtle spoiler around the back. Curiously the unit shown here does not ride on the black 20-inch alloys available in other markets. The tailgate opens to a sizeable
563 litres
 boot space.
Inside, the Arteon spots a familiar cabin layout and equipment like the
Passat B8
 – 12.3-inch Active Info Display, centre analogue clock, multifunctional steering wheel, tri-zone Air Care Climatronic air conditioning and the whole lot. This particular unit comes with the optional 9.2-inch Discover Pro infotainment system with gesture control, powered sunroof and 700-watt 12 speaker Dynaudio ‘Confidence’ sound pack.

Powerplant option include up to six turbocharged engines available right off the bat, comprised of three petrol (TSI) and three diesel (TDI) engines. All engine choices can be paired to a seven-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. Higher outputs of the TSI and TDI engines gets 4MOTION all-wheel drive as standard.
On the safety front, the new Arteon comes equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with predictive cruise control, City Emergency Braking, Front Assist, Speed Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Lane Assist and Driver Alert fatigue warning system. The Arteon is also awarded with full 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
The
previous-generation Passat CC
 turned out to be quite popular among Malaysians who preferred the more youthful and sleek appearance. Would the Volkswagen Arteon fill up the void left by the Passat CC? Only time will tell.
IMAGE GALLERY


Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Q1 2016 results: Up 41% from Q1 2015

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
 has shared their Q1 2016 results, a 41% growth in sales compared to the first quarter of 2015. The company’s best-ever quarter results with 2658 cars sold, registered and delivered from January to March 2016.
These sales figures cement MBM’s position as the number one premium automotive brand in Malaysia. The German automaker which celebrates its
130
th
 anniversary
 this year also recorded a milestone market share of 2.3% as at March 2016, a 0.5% increase on the full-year 2015 sales in which 10,845 units of passenger cars were sold.
Compact models, the
A
,
CLA
 and
GLA-Class
, accounted for 664 units sold, an increase of 59% on January and March 2015. The leading model was the
A-Class
 (300 units, up 38%) followed by the 183 units of the CLA (up 200%) and then the GLA at 159 units, a 77% increase.
The best selling vehicles were from the locally-assembled Limousine range comprising the
C
,
E
 and
S-Class

with a total of 1814 units, a 26% increase on Q1 2015. The
top-seller
 was the
C-Class
 at 1359 units (up 871% on Q1 2015). Assembly of the C-Class began at Mercedes’s Pekan plant in April 2015.
This was followed by the
E-Class
 (260 units) and
S-Class
 (195 units), both down, by 75% and 28% respectively. The slowdown in E-Class sales is due to the launch of an all-new E-Class later this year while the S-Class sales were affected by uncertainty over the hybrid policy for 2016. This has been resolved with the government announcement that locally-assembled hybrid vehicles will continue to enjoy import and excise duty exemptions for the time being.
Mercedes-Benz SUVs, the
GLC, GLE and GLE Coupé
 ,which began sales in January 2016 accounted for 170 units while its Dream Cars comprising the E-Class Coupé, the CLS, S-Class Coupé, S-Class Maybach and
Mercedes-AMG
 models made up 20 units of the tally of 2658 passenger cars sold in the first quarter of this year.
The first and oldest car maker in the world, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating their 130
th
 anniversary this year. In Malaysia, this has been been marked so far by the upgrading of three dealerships which have been remodelled to the brand’s latest identity guidelines, four new vehicles introduced into the market, the certification of 18 Product Experts and the launch of four My Service Options to improve customers’ after-sales and service experience.
Besides the launch of the GLC, GLE, GLE Coupé SUVs and facelifted A-Class, and introduction of C180 and C300 variants, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launches to look forward to for the rest of 2016 include
six new car models
, two new engine variants and a facelift model.